Srinagar: The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has managed to get control of only five out of 17 districts in Jammu and Kashmir so far despite winning highest seats (102) in the first ever District Development Council (DDC) elections .

The Chairperson and vice-chairperson of 17 out of 20 districts has so far been elected while voting on three districts is yet to take place.

The PAGD, an amalgam of six parties including National Conference, PDP, CPI, CPI(M), JKPM and ANC, won 102 seats out of 280 seats in DDC elections followed by BJP-75, Congress-26.

Under the first ever DDC polls held last year, each district was divided into 14 segments and the elected candidates are in the process of electing district chairpersons of 20 districts.

The PAGD, which was expected to make chairpersons in 13 districts with the support of Congress, suffered a massive setback after Sajjad Lone’s Peoples Conference quit the alliance and tacitly joined hands with Apni Party to defeat the Gupkar Alliance candidates.

The PAGD has managed to form DDCs only in five districts in Valley so far.

There were many winning candidates who contested on NC and PDP tickets but later joined Jammu Kashmir Apni Party.

Apni Party won just 12 seats across J&K but formed DDCs in two districts of the Valley — Srinagar and Shopian.

Bukhari’s party is considered close to the centre and NC and PDP have been accusing it of being “B-Team” of the BJP. The Apni Party was floated last year following the abrogation of Article 370.

While independents and Peoples Conference won three other districts of Kashmir-Budgam, Baramulla and Kupwara.

On the other hand, BJP has won six districts of Jammu region so far including Jammu, Doda, Samba, Reasi, Kuthua and Udhampur.  While independents managed to win Poonch district. The three districts Kishtwar, Rajouri, Ramban, where NC and Congress combine are in majority, elections are yet to take place for chairpersons.

Senior National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah has alleged that money, muscle, threats and coercion were being used to facilitate horse-trading and defections.

NC president Farooq Abdullah has also raised the issue in the Parliament. (KINS)

JK now without representation in RS

Srinagar: With Ghulam Nabi Azad and Nazir Ahmad Laway completing their terms as Rajya Sabha members on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir doesn’t now have any representatives in the Upper House of Parliament.

While Fayaz Ahmad Mir (PDP) and Shamsher Singh Manhas (BJP) ceased to be members of the House on February 10, Azad and Laway completed their six-year terms as RS members today.

With this, Jammu & Kashmir has lost representation in the Rajya Sabha and there are no immediate chances of the Union Territory again sending its members to the House as the Assembly elections are still far away.

Similar situation had also arisen twice since 1952.

According to details, all four RS berths of J&K remained vacant for a period of more than two years between 1994 to 1996 due to absence of Assembly in erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir.

From April 2, 1994 when Ghulam Rasool Matto completed his term, J&K was without representation in the House till November 1996 when four vacancies were filled.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Sharifuddin Shariq, Saifuddin Soz and Karan Singh were elected as RS members in 1996 when state elections were held after a gap of six years due to militancy.

The erstwhile state’s four RS seats also remained vacant for a brief period in 2008 when J&K came under Governor Rule after PDP withdrew support to Ghulam Nabi Azad-led government.

It is worthwhile to mention that J&K has been sending its representatives in Rajya Sabha from 1952 when President of India nominated members from J&K on recommendation of the constituent Assembly.

Till 1967, even Lok Sabha members from J&K were nominated on recommendation of the State government—(KNO)

One way traffic from Srinagar to Jammu today

Srinagar, Feb 15:  People continued to enjoy summer-like weather from last about a week due to sunshine while the night temperature remained below freezing point in the summer capital, Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir on Monday.

The maximum temperature has been settling about 5 to 7 degrees above normal in the valley, where early bud break in flower plants is being witnessed due to improvement in weather conditions even during 20-day-long Chillai-Khurd, which commenced on January 31. The Chillai-Khurd started after the end of 40-day-long Chillai Kalan, which is the harshest period of winter in Kashmir.

A Met department spokesperson told UNI that the weather will remain dry during the next about a week, which could result in dip in the night temperature though the mercury during the day is expected to improve further in Kashmir valley.

World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, which is covered under several feet of snow, witnessed pleasant weather as bright sunshine greeted tourists, including adventure lovers. The mercury during the night at Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, remained constant at minus 3 degree, which is 3 degree above normal.

“Tourists, particularly adventure lovers, are out on ski slopes, enjoying different snow related activities on a sunny day,” a hotelier from Gulmarg said.

After witnessing below normal night temperature, people woke up to a sunny Monday morning in Srinagar.

Against minus 0.4 degree recorded on Sunday, the night temperature in the city improved and settled at minus 0.3 degree, which is slightly below normal. However, the weather during the day remained pleasant even as sun shined bright in the city, where people were seen basking in the sun in parks, balconies and open fields. The maximum temperature recorded on Sunday in the city was about 7 degree above normal.

Weather remained pleasant at the world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, which is under several feet of snow. However, the night temperature at the resort, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, dipped and settled at 4.3 degree, against 3.8 degree recorded on Sunday. The night temperature was slightly above normal.

The mercury at Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag settled at minus 2.8 degree, minus 2.3 degree and minus 0.4 degree, respectively.

Meanwhile, authorities on Monday informed that one way traffic from Srinagar shall be allowed towards Jammu on the Srinagar- Jammu highway tomorrow subject to fair weather and better road condition.

A communiqué by the J&K Traffic Police asked Traffic Control Unit Srinagar to liaise with that in Ramban to release the LMVs from 0700 hours to 1100 hours from Zig Qazigund adding that no vehicles shall be allowed before or after the cut off timing.

The HMVs, the Traffic Police communiqué said, shall be allowed from Zig Qazigund after tail of up traffic crosses Jawahar tunnel.

No vehicle including those carrying livestock and perishables shall be allowed in the opposite direction, it said.

The Traffic Police communiqué urged the security forces not to ply on the highway against traffic advisory in view of traffic congestion. (Additional inputs from UNI)

Srinagar: The Tourism Department has restarted the online mode of registration of tourism units.

Secretary, Tourism, Culture & Youth Services & Sports, Sarmad Hafiz Monday formally kick started the restart of the online service by clicking the button and handing over the registration to two unit holders. He said the portal is very dynamic and user-friendly which will streamline the registration process by a great measure.

As per this online mode, a tourism unit holder can apply with the Tourism Department for registration of his/her unit under J&K Tourist Trade Act, 1978/2011 by simply logging on to a dedicated portal www.tourismjk.nic.in with a set of documents as per the check list available on the portal.

On receiving the application on the dash board of the portal, the registering authority would scrutinize the documents online, conduct inspection and issue the registration certificate. This would eliminate the human interface between the Department and the unit holder and the registration would be done in the most transparent manner.

Initially the online registration has been restarted in respect of travel units and gradually it would be extended to other tourism units and their renewals as well.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Dr. G N Itoo, MD, JKTDC, Nisar Ahmad Wani, Director, SKICC & MD, Golf Development Authority, Javed Bakshi, CEOs of Gulmarg & Pahalgam Development Authorities, Joint Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Deputy Directors of Tourism, and other officers were present on the occasion.

Old wooden bridges exist only at Zaina Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal turned into footbridge, remaining four constructed afresh

BY: Owais Gul

Srinagar: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was famous for housing seven bridges is fast losing its pride of being a city of seven bridges.

Out of the seven original wooden bridges that existed in the J&K, only two old wooden bridges while as alternative new bridges have come up parallel to the older ones.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the seven bridges include Amira Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, Zaina Kadal, Aali Kadal, Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal.

Nonetheless, only two old bridges, which have been renovated from time to time including Habba Kadal and Zaina Kadal exist in Srinagar while the old bridges at other places don’t exist anymore and new bridges have come up at the places.

Maximum of the bridges as per locals have been damaged in fire incidents during the initiation of militancy in Kashmir, saying that the new bridges were constructed at a few yards far from the already existing old bridges.

Of two existing old bridges, Zaina Kadal has its own historical perspective as this bridge was constructed by Zainul Aabideen in the 15th century, Ghulam Hassan, an elderly man sitting on the old copper shop, said.

He added that this bridge was personally constructed by Zainul Aabideen, who was also known as ‘Badshah’ (King), saying that the base of this bridge was made of Deodar logs, which unfortunately was later replaced by some blue-eyed people while renovating the historical bridge.

“A new bridge was in consideration at the site of old bridge, but unfortunately a huge amount was wasted and no bridge was constructed,” the elderly shopkeeper said, adding that this bridge is not getting proper attention by the government as huge garbage could be seen piled up at the base of this bridge, which should have been frequently removed.

Zareef Ahmad Zareef in a video is describing Srinagar thoroughly in which he stated that the first bridge was constructed is Aali Kadal by Shah Miri Sultan, Ali Shah in 1415 AD.

He said that the second bridge was constructed by his brother, Zainul Aabideen , who ruled Kashmir from 1420-1470 (Fifty years three months and 21 days), the period known as golden period. He constructed the Zaina Kadal Bridge in 1427.

Later Fateh Shah constructed a third bridge known as Fateh Kadal in 1500AD, he said, adding that Habba Kadal was constructed by Habib Shah in 1573 AD.

Besides, Nawa Kadal was constructed by Afghan Governor Noor Din Khan in 1666 AD and Safa Kadal was constructed by Saif Khan, an Afghan Governor in 1671 AD. Amira Kadal was also constructed by Afghan Governor Amir Khan Jawan Sher in 1774 AD.

These were seven bridges, which were famous and people in these localities were known to each other properly, he said, adding that later some more bridges were constructed by Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad including Budshah Kadal and Zero bridge in 1957 while Cement bridge was constructed during Sadiq rule.

He added that new Amira Kadal was constructed by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah during his rule 1975-1982, saying that he constructed two bridges during his rule including Biscoe Bridge (New Fateh Kadal).

The old Fateh Kadal, which was constructed in 1500 AD was turned into Foot Bridge during Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s rule.

This reporter during a visit to the localities nearby these seven bridges told KNO that Old bridges like at Nawa Kadal and Safa Kadal were damaged in fire incidents following which new bridges were constructed at the nearby place.

Habba Kadal as per the locals was renovated in 2013 to 2015 to keep this wooden bridge preserved as heritage.

Nonetheless, the other old bridges including Nawa Kadal, Safa Kadal, Amira Kadal, Fateh Kadal and Aali Kadal doesn’t exist anymore as new bridges have been constructed by the successive regimes at the place.

Srinagar: The dead body of a Srinagar resident was found on Monday at Dal Colony Bemina in Srinagar.

Eyewitnesses told CNS that a man identified as Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Nabi of S R Gunj Srinagar aged about 48/50 years was found dead on Monday at Dal Colony Bemina in mysterious circumstances.

A senior police official told CNS that the police team from Police Station Bemina reached on the spot, adding that a case under the relevant sections of the law has been registered to probe the circumstances behind his death. (CNS)

Srinagar: Two persons, a husband and his wife were injured in a leopard attack on Monday in North Kashmir’s Handwara area of Kupwara district.

Locals told CNS that due to the incident panic gripped Waderbala village of Zacheldara Rajwar in Handwara after a leopard appeared and attacked the husband-wife. The injured have been identified as Abdul Rashid Mir and his wife Raja Begum; both were shifted to district hospital Handwara for specialised treatment.

A wildlife officer also confirmed to CNS this incident and said that men are at work to trap the leopard

However it may be recalled that Wildlife officials on Saturday caught a leopard alive in Balhama outskirts of Srinagar city.

It is pertinent to mention that due to the presence of huge snow at the higher reaches, the wild animals have made their way to the populated areas for the sake of food. (CNS)

Zahoor is a walnut trader, not TRF commander; he quit militancy in 2006, says Father

Srinagar: Family members and relatives of Zahoor Ahmad Rather from Dooru area of Anantnag on Monday staged protest at press colony Srinagar and said that Zahoor was associated with walnut trade and is not The Resistance Front (TRF) commander.

While talking with reporters at Press Colony Srinagar, the family members and relatives of Zahor said that their son is innocent and has nothing to do with militancy since he surrendered in 2006.

They said that Zahoor was arrested from a rented accommodation in Jammu where he was selling walnuts in winters from last three to four years to earn livelihood

They also said that he has two little kids and his wife has been unwell since the police took him.

“We don’t have any source of income and belong to a poor family and to reach here we had to sell our sheep to bear the expenses of fare to reach Srinagar,” Zahoor’s father Gh Hassan Rather told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), adding that since his arrest “we have been moving from pillar to post to know about his whereabouts but to no avail.”

“We have contacted every authority but nobody is telling us where our son is. We appeal to the authorities at least tell us where he is and look into his case as he has been arrested without any charges,” he said.

They requested LG Manoj Sinha, DGP, IGP to look into the matter and do justice.

It is pertinent to mention here that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar had told KNO that a police team from Anantnag district travelled to Samba and caught the Lashkar (TRF) militant alive. “The arrested militant had killed three BJP workers and a police man last year in Kulgam district and was wanted,” he said. He said that the militant was being brought to Kashmir for further investigations.

Police in a statement also said that Zahoor was involved in the killing of three BJP workers in Vessu area of district Kulgam, last year. “He was also involved in the killing of a policeman namely HC Abdul Rashid Dar of Furrah on July 22, 2020 outside his residence. Besides target killings in South Kashmir, he was also instrumental in recruiting innocent youth into militant ranks. He along with another militant Abbas Sheikh were running the militant outfit LeT (TRF),” the police had said.

They also said that a preliminary inquiry revealed that the arrested militant had joined LeT (TRF) outfit in year 2020.

Moreover, he was earlier affiliated with Hizb in the year 2002 and crossed over to Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) for obtaining arms training. “He along with some foreign militants infiltrated back via Rajouri and later on surrendered before security forces in the year 2006,” Police stated.

J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh on Sunday in a press conference in Jammu has also termed his arrest as big success to security forces and said that Pakistan handlers were aware about his potential that is why he was made commander of TRF—(KNO)

Budgam: A 32-year-old man from Dooniwara locality of Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the man died after a car he was travelling in met with an accident today morning.

The deceased was identified as Syed Asrar son of Syed Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Dooniwara area of Chadoora.

The official said that the man was working in Jeddah—(KNO)