Health

Govt committed to offer 200 units free electricity: CM Omar Abdullah

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Jammu and Kashmir aims to achieve self-sufficiency in power generation in next two years, ensuring a reliable electricity supply, and that the government was committed to offering 200 units of free electricity. He said Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation was prioritizing the development of hydroelectric…

Govt committed to offer 200 units free electricity: CM Omar Abdullah
Health Jammu and Kashmir National
Grenade attack on police station in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, no casualties: Officials
header Health Jammu and Kashmir National

Grenade attack on police station in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, no casualties: Officials

BARAMULLA: A suspected grenade attack took place at a police station in north Kashmir's Baramulla district late last night, police said today. "During the night intervening March 4-5, at approximately 2120 hrs, a blast-like sound was heard from the backside of Police Post Old Town, Baramulla, causing concern among the general public. No casualty or…

Fire Breaks Out At MLA Hostel In Srinagar

SRINAGAR, Dec 10: A fire broke out in the Member Legislative Assembly Hostel (MLA) in Srinagar on Tuesday, officials said. There was no report of any casualty in the incident. The Fire and Emergency officials said that fire broke out at around noon in the first floor of the MLA hostel quarter situated at the…

Fire Breaks Out At MLA Hostel In Srinagar
Health Jammu and Kashmir National
10 infants dead after massive fire erupts at Jhansi Medical College
Health National

10 infants dead after massive fire erupts at Jhansi Medical College

JHANSI: At least 10 infants were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh late Friday evening, officials said. According to hospital officials, there were 54 infants admitted to the NICU ward and several infants trapped have been rescued. The dousing, as…

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‘Notorious Female Drug Peddler Arrested With Contraband in Baramulla’
Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

‘Notorious Female Drug Peddler Arrested With Contraband in Baramulla’

BARAMULLA: A renowned drug dealer was reportedly taken into custody by Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday in the Baramulla region of north Kashmir. "Continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Police have arrested notorious & wanted lady drug peddler in Baramulla and recovered contraband substances from her possession" . "Reliable information about the existence of contraband in a residential home at Trikanjan Boniyar was provided to Police Station Boniyar. As a result, a police team from Police Station Boniyar led by SHO PS Boniyar and overseen by SDPO Uri conducted a raid on the aforementioned residence. The statement states that "60 grammes of illegal Herion-like substance were found during the search in the custody of a woman identified as Farhat Begum @ Fancy, wife of Rayees Ahmad Khan, inhabitant of Trikanjan Boniyar. "She has been arrested and shifted to PS Boniyar where she remain in custody." "Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law have been registered at police Station Boniyar & investigations have been initiated" , the notification states. "We kindly request that the general public report any crimes or drug sales they come across by calling 112 or the local police station. In order to reduce the drug threat in society, people are asked to work with the police. The statement continues, "We reassure the community members that police will act tough against the criminals in accordance with the law." [caption id="attachment_5246" align="alignnone" width="225"] ‘Notorious Female Drug Peddler Arrested With Contraband in Baramulla’[/caption]  

Air Quality In Delhi Severe Again; Farm Fires Major Contributor
Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

Air Quality In Delhi Severe Again; Farm Fires Major Contributor

New Delhi, Nov 8: On Wednesday morning, the air quality in Delhi and its surrounding areas fell into the bad category once more. One-third of the air pollution in the national capital is caused by smoke from burning post-harvest paddy straw in adjacent states. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 421 at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, down from 395 at that time.The amount of PM2.5, a type of small particulate matter that may enter the respiratory system deeply and cause health issues, was seven to eight times higher in the capital than the government-mandated safe level of 60 micrograms per cubic metre, even with a little decline. It was 30 to 40 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended safe threshold of 15 micrograms per cubic metre. Hazardous air quality was observed in a number of cities along the Indo-Gangetic plains. Hazardous air quality was also observed in nearby Ghaziabad (382), Gurugram (370), Noida (348), Greater Noida (474), and Faridabad (396).The Decision Support System, a numerical model-based system that can identify sources of particulate matter pollution in Delhi, provided data on Tuesday that showed stubble burning in neighbouring states, particularly Punjab and Haryana, was responsible for 37% of the city's air pollution. On Wednesday, it's most likely to be 33 percent. following four years, the Delhi government said on Monday that it would bring back its popular odd-even plan in anticipation of significant declines in air quality following Diwali.Between November 13 and November 20, the odd-even program—which permits automobiles to run on different days depending on whether their number plates are odd or even—will be put into effect. Evidence for Policy Design and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) conducted an analysis of the odd-even system's effects in 2016 and discovered that Delhi had a 14–16% decrease in PM2.5 levels during the system's implementation in January of that year. When the programme was reinstated in April of that year, there was, however, no decrease in pollution.In addition, the administration decided to postpone in-person classes in all schools until November 10 in order to safeguard the health of pupils, with the exception of those in grades X and XII who are studying for board exams. The Delhi-NCR Air Quality Early Warning System of the Ministry of Earth Sciences predicts that the area would likely endure poor air quality for a further five to six days. According to doctors, inhaling Delhi's contaminated air has the same negative effects as smoking around ten cigarettes a day. According to Rajesh Chawla, senior consultant in pulmonology and critical care at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, prolonged exposure to high levels of pollution can cause or exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In Delhi as well, tough regulations imposed by the Central government's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the last phase of its air pollution management plan for Delhi-NCR, have gone into effect.The implementation of stage IV of GRAP's limitations, which include prohibiting all forms of development and the admission of trucks that cause pollution into the capital, began on Sunday following a decline in the capital's air quality to severe plus (AQI levels exceeding 450). Four steps are used by GRAP to classify actions: AQI 201-300 for Stage I, 301-400 for Stage II, 401-450 for Stage III, and AQI above 450 for Stage IV, which is Severe Plus.Year-round, unfavourable weather patterns, car emissions, burning of paddy straw, firecrackers, and other local sources of pollution lead to dangerously high levels of air pollution in Delhi-NCR during the winter. Based on a research conducted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the city suffers its highest levels of pollution between November 1 and November 15, coinciding with an increase in the number of stubble-burning occurrences in Punjab and Haryana. Over the past two weeks, Delhi-NCR's air quality has gotten worse because to a steady drop in temperature, calm breezes that trap pollution, and an increase in the burning of post-harvest paddy straw throughout Punjab and Haryana. Of all the capital cities in the world, Delhi has some of the worst air quality. According to an August EPIC research, Delhi's air pollution is reducing life expectancy by over 12 years. [caption id="attachment_5243" align="alignnone" width="300"] Air Quality In Delhi Severe Again; Farm Fires…

SIA raids Several locations in Kashmir in terror-related case
Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

SIA raids Several locations in Kashmir in terror-related case

SRINAGAR: According to officials, the Special Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted raids at many sites in the Union Territory on Wednesday in connection with a terror-related matter. According to them, the Kashmir Valley's districts of Srinagar, Anantnag, and Pulwama are all being searched. According to the officials, SIA investigators have gathered evidence, including from digital devices, since the raids started early on Wednesday. They stated they are awaiting more information. [caption id="attachment_5236" align="alignnone" width="300"] SIA raids Several locations in Kashmir in terror-related case[/caption]  

Camera traps spot snow leopard outside national park Kishtwar
Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

Camera traps spot snow leopard outside national park Kishtwar

KISHTWAR: According to a senior wildlife protection department officer, at least three video traps have verified the existence of snow leopards outside of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar High Altitude National Park on Tuesday. The development can guarantee that the threatened species are properly conserved. Three video traps placed in the higher levels of Padder revealed the presence of snow leopards, wildlife warden Majid Bashir (Chenab Division) said.Using images from camera traps, department research teams verified in May that snow leopards were present in the Kishtwar National Park. With the assistance of the Mysore-based NGO Nature Conservation Foundation, Bashir added, 48 camera traps were set up in Padder, Gandhari, and Machail. Eight of these cameras were recently retrieved, and three of them provided proof that snow leopards were present in the Padder area. "This is for the first time that the presence of snow leopards was captured in camera traps outside the national park," Bashir stated.The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed snow leopards as vulnerable. They are primarily found at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 metres, and sightings of these animals have been reported in the snow-bound regions of the Kishtwar National Park, as well as in the Jammu region, parts of central and north Kashmir, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under the Union Environment Ministry's snow leopard project, the wildlife department started a first-of-its-kind population survey expedition in November 2021. The mission of the expedition was to determine the area that the species inhabits and the obstacles that need to be overcome for proper protection. Based on information obtained from the camera traps, Bashir, who is also in charge of the Kishtwar National Park, stated that there are nine snow leopards in the area. Before winter arrived last year, up to 278 camera traps were put up at 135 different spots around the national park. According to him, more than two dozen video traps showed the snow leopards' existence. [caption id="attachment_5233" align="alignnone" width="300"] Camera traps spot snow leopard outside national park Kishtwar[/caption]    

V K Birdhi is new IGP Kashmir
header Jammu and Kashmir National

V K Birdhi is new IGP Kashmir

SRINAGAR: On Tuesday, V K Birdhi, a senior Inspector General of Police (IPS) official, was named Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir zone. Birdhi, an AGMUT cadre officer from the 2003 batch of the Indian Police Service, will succeed Vijay Kumar, who has been named ADGP Law and Order Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K government announced in an order that Birdhi has been appointed IGP Kashmir. The officer would also remain in charge of the IGP Armed Kashmir position till further directives. Kumar, the ADGP Kashmir, was transferred and placed as ADGP (Law and Order), J&K. Kumar is a 1997-batch officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) 1997 cadre. According to the second proviso to sub-rule (2) of Rule 4 of the Indian Police Service (Cadre) Rules, 1954, a post in the rank of ADGP, namely ADGP (Law & Order), J&K, is temporarily added to the J&K Segment of AGMUT Cadre. This will last for two years or until the officer holds the post, whichever comes first, the order stated. The Zonal IGsP of Jammu and Kashmir are to report to the ADGP (Law & Order), J&K, who will have overall command and control over them, as per the government's directive. [caption id="attachment_5230" align="alignnone" width="300"] V K Birdhi is new IGP Kashmir[/caption]  

LG chairs Executive Council meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University
header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

LG chairs Executive Council meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University

JAMMU: The 34th Executive Council Meeting of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today at Raj Bhawan. Professor (Dr.) Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU; Professor Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University; Professor Nilofer Khan, VC, Kashmir University; Professor Pankaj Chandra, Vice Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Management, Ahmedabad University; Professor A.S.K. Sinha, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi; Professor Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT, Jammu; Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; and other officers were present at the meeting.The Lt Governor-led Executive Council discussed a number of significant topics related to boosting student skill development, innovation, entrepreneurship, start-ups, and enrollment as well as improving the employability of the training and academic programmes. The Lt Governor gave the university administration instructions on how to set up Aanganwadi Centres, Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan, TB Mukt J&K, and sanitation-related social activities. According to him, the university ought to engage in initiatives that support the socioeconomic and educational advancement of the populace, particularly the young people who reside in the surrounding villages. Before the Council for approval and ratification, Prof. (Dr.) Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, presented a number of agenda items. [caption id="attachment_5224" align="alignnone" width="300"] LG chairs Executive Council meeting of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University[/caption]  

Lion couple from Gujrat to reach Jambu Zoo on 8 Nov
Business header Jammu and Kashmir National

Lion couple from Gujrat to reach Jambu Zoo on 8 Nov

JAMMU: On Wednesday, November 8, two adult male and female Asiatic lions, ages 3.7 and 2.7, are scheduled to arrive at Jambu Zoo. According to the Department of Wildlife Protection, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is the one ordering the two lions to be brought to the UT. The IUCN lists the pair of Asiatic Lions that were imported from Gujarat as an endangered species. Currently, the only state with a wild population of Asiatic lions is Gujarat, which has given Jambu Zoo one pair of lions. According to CZA regulations, the two will live in a specially designed Lion habitat that is more than 5,500 square metres in size and has heating and ventilation for inclement weather. After a week of being kept in quarantine, they will be allowed to return to the enclosure for public display. The department would like to thank the Lieutenant Governor and the Government of Gujarat on this auspicious day for their help and support in locating lions, which would delight wildlife enthusiasts and the people of J&K. [caption id="attachment_5221" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lion couple from Gujrat to reach Jambu Zoo on 8 Nov[/caption]  

Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 strikes Kishtwar
header Jammu and Kashmir National

Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 strikes Kishtwar

JAMMU: On Tuesday saw an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 strike Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir. The National Centre for Seismology (NSC) reports that the Tuesday earthquake struck at 6:52 p.m. The NCS added that the earthquake's epicentre was located 10 km below Ayodhya and 215 kilometres to the north. "Earthquake of Magnitude:3.5, Occurred on November 7, 18:52:12 IST, Lat: 33.38 N & Long: 76.59 E, Depth: 10 Km, Region: Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir," it said. More information is anticipated. [caption id="attachment_5218" align="alignnone" width="300"] Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 strikes Kishtwar[/caption]  

JKP file charge sheet against 2 persons affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen
Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National

JKP file charge sheet against 2 persons affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen

JAMMU: In a case pertaining to their suspected terror activities in the Kishtwar area of Jammu and Kashmir this year, police on Tuesday filed a charge sheet against two members of the banned organisation Hizbul Mujahideen, an official said. The charge sheet was submitted to the Doda district fast-track court of the NIA against Mohd Yousuf Chouhan and Mohd Amin. According to him, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) constituted the legal basis for the case. Using a Chinese grenade, Mohd Yousuf Chouhan was apprehended on May 27 in the Cherji neighbourhood of Kishtwar. Police added that his companion, Muhammad Amin, was later taken into custody. Senior Superintendent of Police for Kishtwar, Khalil Poswal, stated that the police have thoroughly looked into the situation and have accumulated a good deal of evidence to back up the accusations made in the case. [caption id="attachment_5215" align="alignnone" width="300"] JKP file charge sheet against 2 persons affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen[/caption]