Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Saturday visited Imam Bara Zadibal and Shrine of Mir Shams-ud-Din Araqi (R.A) to take stock of arrangements being put in place for smooth conduct of mourning processions and religious gatherings during the ongoing month of Muharram-ul- Haram.

The Div Com was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Ajaz Asad, Commissioner SMC, Athar Amin Khan, Director Tourism, Dr. G N Itoo and senior officers from PWD, PHE, PDD, Health and other concerned departments. General Secretary All J&K Shia Association, Abid Hussain Ansari was also present on the occasion.

During visit, the Div Com also took stock of the progress on various ongoing developmental works being executed by departments including Tourism, PWD and JKPCC.

He directed concerned to expedite the pace of work and ensure all works are completed in a time bound manner.

The Div Com emphasised on putting all arrangements at both sites to ensure smooth conduct of religious gatherings and mourning processions during the holy month of Muharram-ul- Haram.

He instructed concerned to ensure uninterrupted water and electricity supplies in the area. Besides instruction were given for arranging additional gen-set facility for power back up.

The Div Com stressed on repairing of roads and installation of street lights at all required spots on war footing to ensure smooth passage of mourners during the night hours.

SMC Commissioner was instructed to ensure proper maintenance of sanitation and cleanliness and regular lifting of garbage and its disposal in the area and other Shia dominated areas of Srinagar.

Health authorities were directed to ensure a team of doctors along with an ambulance is deployed to facilitate better medical supplies besides arrangements for sanitizers and face masks is made available to the devotees during the processions.

The Div Com urged people to follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour during gatherings as is the need of the hour to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

During his visit, the  Div Com also met a local delegation led by General Secretary All J&K Shia Association, Abid Hussain Ansari, appraising him about the progress of ongoing works and regarding the issue and demands of locals and Imam Bara and Shrine bodies.

The demands included extension of Imam bara premises, rehabilitation of affected families and development of parks.

The Div Com assured the delegation that all  its genuine demands shall be looked into and addressed on priority.

Pulwama: Dangling electric wires tied with trees, worn out wooden poles are posing grave threat to the lives of people as well as to their property in several villages of Shopian district.

The residents of Babapora, Darbagh, Safanagri, Zainapora, Durpora Awneera, Check, Chermarg, Reshiepora, Bandpawa, Thokerpora, Reban and its adjacent villages of Shopian district alleged that they are living under constant fear due to low lying electric wires tied with trees and decaying electric poles in their villages.

The residents said that the electric lines touch roofs of houses and trees on roads posing risk to life and property.

“Due to low lying overhead transmission lines, we are not able to work properly in the fields. We have been requesting the concerned department to replace the dangling and damaged electric wires and poles but our pleas fell on deaf ears,” Shahid Ahmad, a local resident said.

He said that in back to village programmes, locals had demanded electric poles and wires in the area, but on ground nothing has been done.

“All low tension wires in our village have been tied with trees in absence of poles due to which the wires are very low. Moreover, the wires are very weak and often get damaged, said Mohammad Yousuf, another local resident.

He said that they have taken up this issue with the administration several times but on ground nothing has been done.

Locals requested higher ups to look into the matter and install new electric wire and poles in the area. (KNO)

Srinagar: An amount of over Rs three lakhs has been recovered from 2627 persons for violating COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) and other guidelines in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.

A police spokesman said Saturday afternoon that continuing its efforts to curb the outbreak of 2nd wave of Coronavirus, during the last 24 hours Police have realized fine to the tune of Rs3,04,350 from 2627 people throughout the Kashmir valley for violating the various guidelines, rules and SOPs regarding Covid-19.

The special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines/rules continued throughout all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs and guidelines envisaged by the government to curb Covid-19 pandemic.

Community members are once again requested to cooperate with the Police in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs, guidelines and protocols for their own safety and for the safety of others. The special drive shall continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures.