November 2024 | Page 2 of 11

Haigham Wetland’s Cry for Help: EPG Uncovers Ecological Tragedy

November 27, 2024 Editor

Devastation at Haigham Wetland Conservation Reserve Uncovered by EPG Srinagar, November 27, 2024 – The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has unveiled a devastating account of environmental degradation at the Haigham Wetland Conservation Reserve, a once-thriving ecosystem now reduced to a desolate landscape of dried grass and fallen vegetation. This internationally recognized wetland under the Ramsar Convention has been systematically destroyed through unchecked encroachment and administrative negligence. Spanning 16,000 kanals, this critical habitat has transformed from a vibrant sanctuary for migratory birds to a barren wasteland. Local communities, who historically depended…

Jammu Tenants’ Verification Drive Highlights Rohingya Refugee Issue

November 27, 2024 Editor

Jammu tenants’ verification bring Rohingyas into spotlight; The Hiranagar sub-jail was notified as a holding centre on March 5, 2021, for lodging illegal immigrants as defined under Section 2(b) of the Citizenship Act Even as Jammu Police has embarked on tenants’ verification drive in Jammu district since Sunday, detaining four Rohingya refugees and booking five landlords for renting out their properties to them, nearly 275 Rohingyas remain lodged in Hirangar sub-jail in Kathua district since March 2021. The Hiranagar sub-jail was notified as a holding centre on March 5, 2021,…

New Directive: J&K Officials Barred from Using WhatsApp, Gmail for Official Docs

November 27, 2024 Editor

J&K govt bans use of third party tools for transmitting official documents; However, there will be no such restriction on sharing “confidential” and “restricted” information over the internet, provided they were shared via networks that have deployed commercial AES 256-bit encryption The J&K government has embargoed its officials from using third party tools like Whatsapp and Gmail to transmit “top secret” and “secret” documents via these platforms as they risk data breach and leaks. However, there will be no such restriction on sharing “confidential” and “restricted” information over the internet,…

Deadly Clashes: ‘Shoot at Sight’ Ordered as Pro-Imran Khan Rally Turns Violent

November 26, 2024 Editor

Clashes broke out when protesters demanding the release of Imran Khan entered the capital late Monday, dodging the efforts by government stop the massive stir. At least four security personnel and one demonstrator were reportedly killed on Monday, as scores of supporters of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan marched towards the capital and were stopped by tear gas canisters fired by the cops, prompting the country’s Army to later issue ‘shoot at sight’ orders. Clashes broke out when protesters demanding the release of Imran Khan entered the capital…

Violence Erupts in Katra: Policeman Injured in Vaishno Devi Ropeway Protest

November 26, 2024 Editor

Shopkeepers, pony, and palanquin owners fear the ₹250 crore Vaishno Devi ropeway project will result in job losses and affect their livelihoods. Protests against the ₹250 crore ropeway project along the trek route to the Vaishno Devi shrine took a violent turn on Monday, leaving a policeman injured. Protesters allegedly resorted to stone pelting and clashed with the police in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district, news agency PTI repoerted. Protests began when the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced plans to proceed with the ₹250-crore ropeway project along the 12-kilometre route…

Erratic Electricity Supply Hampers Daily Life in Kashmir; Businesses and Residents Demand Action

November 26, 2024 Editor

Unscheduled power cuts worsen Kashmir’s Winter Woes Srinagar, Nov 25: As the winter chill envelops Kashmir, it brings with it a persistent and familiar problem – prolonged and unscheduled power cuts. The residents and businesses are voicing their frustration over the erratic electricity supply, which has become a significant hurdle in daily life and economic activities. According to officials from the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), the Valley’s unrestricted power demand has surged to 2200 MW, while the supply lags at around 1500 MW. The gap widens during peak evening…

Bhaderwah’s First Snowfall Breaks Dry Spell, Brings Winter Cheer

November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 Editor

Season’s first snowfall ends 2-month dry spell in Bhaderwah, cheers locals The hills surrounding the picturesque Bhaderwah in Doda district experienced season’s first snowfall overnight, providing relief from the dry spell prevailing in the region for the last nearly two months, officials said on Sunday. The snowfall in the upper reaches and rains in the plains brought cheers on the faces of the tourism players and agriculturists. The residents of Bhaderwah woke up to a layer of snow blanketing the surrounding hills. The Guldanda meadow located on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot highway, the…

Omar Abdullah Government to Rectify Decade-Long Anomalies: Dr. Farooq Abdullah

November 25, 2024 Editor

Omar Abdullah led govt will remove anomalies of past 10 years: Dr Farooq Abdullah Srinagar, Nov 24: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that the government led by Omar Abdullah is dedicated to rectifying the losses incurred in the health sector over the past 10 years. According to a press release, he made these remarks while speaking to a delegation of paramedic employees from GMC Anantnag and its affiliated hospitals, who visited him at his residence in Gupkar, Srinagar. The delegation members sought the establishment of a job…

Traffic Crackdown in Srinagar: Over 3000 Vehicles Seized in 9 Days

November 25, 2024 Editor

Traffic police seizes over 3000 vehicles in last 9 days Srinagar : As a part of stern action to curb underage driving and traffic violations in the valley, especially in Srinagar City, the Traffic Police Department has seized more than three thousand vehicles, comprising both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, over the last nine days in Srinagar alone. The traffic crackdown, which began after the tragic Tengpora accident on November 14, claimed the lives of two young boys, with another critically injured, after a collision between two vehicles. The incident sparked widespread…

Articles 370 and 35A Controversy: Heated Debates Continue in Kashmir

November 24, 2024 Editor

War of words over Articles 370, 35A continues in Valley As politics over Article 370 and 35A refused to die down in Kashmir Valley, lailed Lok Sabha MP Engineer’s Rashid party on Saturday hit out at the ruling National Conference and accused it of failing to honour “its pledge to restore Article 370 and 35A.” “NC promised to bring a strong resolution in the Assembly on this crucial issue, but the resolution they eventually brought—only after pressure from AIP and others—was ambiguous, chaotic and didn’t even condemn the post-abrogation situation,”…