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In its ongoing crackdown on drug peddlers, the Awantipora Police has seized a double-storied residential house valued at approximately twelve Lacs. The property is linked to Bakhtawar Ahmad Makroo, a notorious drug peddler and the son of Late Ab Rehman Makroo from Gulzarpora Awantipora. This decisive action was taken under section 68-F of the NDPS Act 1985.

According to a police spokesperson, the residential house was identified as unlawfully acquired during an investigation conducted by the Awantipora Police. The property is believed to have been acquired through illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by its owner. Notably, Bakhtawar Ahmad Makroo is implicated in Case FIR numbers 20/2017 and 30/2022 of PS Awantipora.

The infamous drug peddler is presently under detention under the PIT-NDPS Act and is housed at Central Jail Kot Balwal in Jammu.

This decisive move underscores the police force’s unwavering commitment to combat the pervasive issue of drug abuse. The local residents of the area have praised the police’s initiative to attach the immovable property, which is suspected to have been funded or utilized through illicit trafficking of narcotics by drug peddlers in the Awantipora Police District.

ANANTNAG, NOVEMBER 13 : The Food Safety team in district Anantnag today sealed a Nanwai shop at Chenni Chowk on account of severe deviations from the different provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
During the inspection, it was found that the food preparation area was in a dilapidated state, besides there was also lack of maintenance and proper sanitary conditions.
Besides, dirty and damaged and some non-food grade utensils were identified. The premises exhibited a lack of cleanliness, with dust and dirt prevalent throughout.
Most notably, there was direct entry for birds and pests into the food preparation area, posing a significant public health threat and accordingly the shop was sealed and FBO was directed not to temper the seal till further orders.(KNS) 

SRINAGAR, Nov 11: Weather improved on Subnday after snowfall on higher reaches and widespread rains on plains brought the temperature down and closed several roads in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meteorological department Srinagar forecast of weather is likely to remain dry during till November 21.
The sky was cloudy with cold conditions prevailing around Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir valley.
Higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley experienced snowfall, while plains were lashed by widespread rains on Friday bringing down the temperature.
Due to snowfall, several roads including Razdan Pass, Zojila Pass, Kishtwar-Anantnag Road, Mughal, Phirkiyan Gali, Machil, Sadna Top, and Srinagar-Sonamarg Road were closed for traffic movement.
“Traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway and Srinagar-Sonamarg Gumri road connecting Ladakh was restored and traffic plying normally,” J&K Traffic Police said on X.
However, they said the historical Mughal road connecting south Kashmir’s Shopian district with the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division reopened after closure due to the accumulation of snowfall for few days.
Snow clearance operations on other far-flung routes are in progress, they said,
The minimum temperature recorded at Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday at 4.2 degrees Celsius and it also experienced 9.2mm of rainfall till 0830 hours today, Qazigund 3.6 degrees Celsius and experienced 31.4mm rainfall, Pahalgam 2.2 degree Celsius and it also experienced 7.2mm rainfall, Kupwara 4.2 and it experienced 29.8mm rainfall, Kokernag 6.2 degree Celsius and it also experienced 5.8mm rainfall and Gulmarg recorded a low of -1.5 and it also received 22.2mm of rainfall, the MeT office said.

Srinagar, Nov 12 (KNS): As harsh winters are yet to approach, the deteriorating power supply in Kashmir valley has broken all previous records this year, resulting anger among consumers across the valley.
Reports reached to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that with the onset of October this year the power supply has witnessed a huge downfall breaking all previous records. It said that consumers across Kashmir valley are facing severe inconvenience in absence of adequate electricity supply.
Though PDD replaced old meters and HT wires in major parts of city and elsewhere and installed smart meters with an assurance that power supply will be improved this year with the induction of new technology. As per reports crores worth tenders were given to private agencies to rope in Srinagar and other districts of Kashmir under smart meters, however there seems no improvement in power supply since installation of new technology.
“Earlier authorities through print and electronic media persuaded people to cooperate with PDD in installing smart meters and assured consumers that power supply will be improved beyond imagination as compare to previous years. However this all has proved a cruel joke with consumers who are being deprived this basic facility even in this technological era,” Abdul Basit a Srinagar resident spoke to KNS.
He said the incumbent government has miserably failed to deliver on ground. “Govt is claiming development has happened in every sector on media, but in reality everyone knows how much they have done for people,” he said.
“Recently PDD issued curtailment schedule but unfortunately they mentioned only few areas of Srinagar district as metered. We are unable to understand when 80 percent of Srinsgar district is paying power bills according to smart meters why they have been left here,” Mohammad Wajeeh a resident of southern Srinagar told.
He expressed surprise over bias attitude of authorities in delivering adequate power supply to consumers.
Similarly several entrepreneurs who have established their business units after availing loans from government and private institutions have expressed strong resentment over deteriorating power supply. “We are educated and have borrowed money from banks and other financial institutions. In absence of government jobs, we came up with such units with an hope that we will earn our livelihood in a dignified way. But fate has something else store for us. As of now we are suffering huge losses that left us in a trauma,” Mueed Mushtaq an entrepreneur said.
Meanwhile consumers across Kashmir valley have made a passionate appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Engineer PDD and concern officers to look into the crisis and resolve the ongoing unabated power cuts in valley. (KNS)

Srinagar, Nov 12 (KNS): The Youth Congress of Jammu and Kashmir (District Srinagar) initiated a dynamic poster campaign on Sunday to raise awareness among potential new voters regarding their upcoming right to vote. The “MERA PEHLA VOTE” campaign was inaugurated by Jenab Tariq Hameed Karra, a CWC member and prominent Congress leader, in Srinagar on November 12, 2023. The objective is to emphasize the significance of the participation of first-time voters in nation-building and the value of their vote in achieving this goal.

Karra, addressing the event, stressed the need to educate prospective first voters about the rich heritage and contributions of the Congress Party, which played a pivotal role in securing the independence of our country. Additionally, he urged the youth to recognize the imperative role they play in countering the politics of hate and division propagated by the BJP. The campaign aims to concurrently enlighten the public about the Congress Party’s historical contributions and mobilize them to stand against divisive political ideologies.

Highlighting the broader scope of the initiative, Karra urged the youth to actively engage in the campaign at both assembly and block levels. “Mera Pehla Vote” is a nationwide initiative by the Indian Youth Congress targeting first-time voters aged 18 to 23, aligning with the party’s preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The campaign seeks to attract and involve the enthusiasm of new voters, emphasizing the importance of their active participation in shaping the democratic process.

 In a significant move to bolster healthcare infrastructure, Member of Parliament (MP) Anantnag Constituency, Hasnain Masoodi on Wednesday inaugurated latest and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and X-ray facility at two Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in Ladhoo and Khrew areas of the Pampore medical block.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The state-of-the-art equipment, acquired under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), promises enhanced diagnostic capabilities for local residents, Masoodi told Kashmir Reader.
During the inauguration ceremony, Block Medical Officer Dr. Asima Nazir was present, emphasizing the importance of these advancements in medical technology for improving healthcare services in the region.
Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi voiced concern over the manpower crisis confronting the healthcare system in Jammu and Kashmir. He exhorted the authorities to hire medical and para-medical from the available trained manpower available in every locality, regular recruitment is made.
He exhorted the authorities to hire medical and para-medical from the available trained manpower available in every locality, regular recruitment is made.
Furthermore, Masoodi demanded the immediate upgradation of PHC Khrew to a Community Health Centre. He pointed out the looming threat to public health due to dust pollution and emissions from nearby cement factories and limestone mining operations, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In a separate event, Masoodi inaugurated a ride-on roller at the Iqbal sports stadium in Khrew. Addressing the sports community, he called upon athletes to play a positive role in the fight against drug addiction. Masoodi assured his full support for enhancing and strengthening facilities for local sports enthusiasts, reaffirming his commitment to promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle among the youth.
These initiatives reflect MP Hasnain Masoodi’s dedication to addressing critical healthcare challenges and environmental threats while fostering a supportive environment for sports and wellness in the area.
Block Medical Officer Pampore Dr Asima Nazir, who played a pivotal role in overseeing the installation of the X-ray facility, addressed the gathered audience. She emphasized the importance of this technology and how it would significantly enhance diagnostic capabilities at the PHC.
The BMO elaborated on how X-ray examinations would now be available locally, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for diagnostic tests. She also highlighted that this technology would enable faster and more accurate diagnoses, ultimately leading to better patient care and outcomes.

The National Conference took a decisive step on Wednesday by expelling Ghulam Rasool Naz, a two-time MLA who also served as the district party president of Bandipora, from its ranks.

In a convention organized by the party, Ghulam Rasool Naz was conspicuously absent, leading to Vice President Omar Abdullah raising some serious accusations. He accused Naz of sowing discord within the Bandipora faction of the party, emphasizing that there is no room for individuals who foster division and weaken the party’s unity. Omar Abdullah stressed that their primary concern lies not in external threats but in the challenges presented by individuals within the party. This was a clear reference to Ghulam Rasool Naz and his daughter-in-law, who had been portrayed by the NC as the party’s representatives in Bandipora.

Furthermore, Omar Abdullah declared that Advocate Nazir Malik, the current constituency in-charge in Bandipora, would be elevated to a prominent role within the party as they gear up for the upcoming elections.

Political analysts suggest that the fracture within the party can be traced back to the appointment of Malik as the constituency in-charge several years ago.