Jammu: Security arrangements tightened for Navratri

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March 22, 2023

Jammu: Security arrangements tightened for Navratri

Aman Zutshi

Jammu: Anticipating a huge crowd of devotees, security has been tightened up at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and its base camp Katra in Reasi here for nine-day long Navratri festival.

Tight security arrangements have been made and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has increased vigilance in collaboration with J&K police in every nook and corner of Katra such as Ambica chowk, Bali post as well as the track that leads to the shrine.

Also Read: Suspected drone spotted in Jammu

“We have divided our security arrangements in two phases pre and during Navratras security deployment”, said SP Katra Amit Bhasin.

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“Our pre-navratri security deployment has been going on here from past 15 days with Army and CRPF personnel”, he said.

“We have sent our long and short range patrol to far-flung areas of Katra. We have organised surprise nakas with that we have intensified our hotel, shop searches since last 15 days”, he explained.

“The encroachments have been removed on the roads and we will try to continue this also and during Navratras we have summoned extra deployment”, he added.

“Our security posse reached yesterday and we rehearsed our security planning. It has been deployed to manage crowd, security concern”, he elucidate.

“For surprise nakas we have deployed joint Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) along with that we also have Black Panther J-K command police”, he said.

“From tomorrow we will also have Mobile XL vehicle to aid us in checking luggage of passengers”, he further explained.

“We have here strong security arrangements and I asks devotees to come in large numbers to seek blessings from Mata Rani”, he appealed.

Jammu: SMVDU celebrates World Water Day

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March 22, 2023

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Katra

Jammu: SMVDU celebrates World Water Day

School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University celebrated World Water Day 2023 at Mansar yesterday. Mansar Lake is a world renowned Ramsar Site and is home to aquatic and avian biodiversity.

The event commenced with a keynote lecture delivered by Vice Chancellor of SMVDU, Padma Shri Prof Ravindra Kumar Sinha. Prof Sinha underscored the necessity for implementing robust measures to combat water pollution, including the establishment of sewage treatment plants in urban areas and effluent treatment plants for industrial units.

He expounded upon the cultural, religious and spiritual significance of Mansar Lake and its vital role in providing drinking water, micro-irrigation, nutrient exchange and biodiversity preservation. Prof. Sinha advocated for the implementation of a Lake Management plan for Surinsar and Mansar lakes to promote sustainable eco-friendly tourism.

Head of the School of Biotechnology, Dr Ratna Chandra emphasized the significance of sacred water bodies such as Surinsar-Mansar Lakes in sustaining livelihoods and educating students about the environment. She advocated for an increase in field visits to enhance student awareness. She further underscored the importance of raising awareness about critical issues such as depleting groundwater and excessive use of chemicals in agriculture.

Heritage expert Kirpal Singh expounded upon the importance of water bodies in the Jammu region and their significance within Dogra culture. He elucidated how bawlis, step wells, sacred river sites (Bheds), springs (Nags), Naga temples, folklore, legends and traditions are intimately associated with Dogra respect for water bodies. The programme commenced with a welcome address by event coordinator Dr Shafaq Rasool.

Registrar SMVDU, Nagendra Singh Jamwal, interacted with students and emphasised the need for eco-tourism and local stakeholder awareness and responsibility in preserving water bodies.

A special attraction was a Nukkad Natak staged by acclaimed theatre group Rangyug. The event was attended by over 150 student participants from SMVDU. Students from SoBT participated in a poster-making competition related to the World Water Day theme: “Accelerating Change” and winners were awarded cash prizes and certificates.

A lake walk around Mansar Lake was undertaken by faculty members, research scholars and students from the SMVDU School of Biotechnology. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks presented by event co-coordinator Dr Indu Bhushan.

Suspected drone spotted in Jammu

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editor

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March 22, 2023

Suspected drone spotted in Jammu

Jammu: A suspected drone was noticed last night in Chamliyal along the International Border in Samba, official sources said on Wednesday.

The sources said that the suspected drone was coming from Pakistan towards India when it was observed near a border out post Chamliyal falling under the jurisdiction of police station Ramgarh with a blinking light.

Also Read: Awantipora accident: One more injured succumbs, toll six

“It has hardly crossed the IB, when the alert BSF troops fired 15tl to 20 rounds towards Pak drone, due to which it returned back immediately,” the sources added.

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The BSF has alerted troops in the border to foil any attempt by anti national elements.

Awantipora accident: One more injured succumbs, toll six

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March 22, 2023

Awantipora accident: One more injured succumbs, toll six

Another non-local labourer, who was injured in a road accident in Awantipora area of Pulwama district on March 18, has succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll to six.

Quoting an official, a local news agency reported that Ali Hassan Ansari of Jharkhand succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital in Srinagar on Wednesday morning.

Also Read: 22-year-old youth found dead mysteriously in Jammu

Five persons had died and 28 were injured in a road accident in Awantipora area on March 18.

The accident took place when a bus turned turtle on national highway in Awantipora.

Click Here to check J&K’s Weather Prediction for upcoming days

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March 22, 2023

Click Here to check J&K’s Weather Prediction for upcoming days

The weather office predicted mainly dry and cloudy weather for the next two days except brief rain-spell late in the afternoon on Wednesday.

A meteorological department official said that the weather is mainly clear in J&K.

“(We expect) mainly clear and dry weather. A brief spell of thunder with rain may occur at isolated places towards late afternoon/evening, although chances are less, ” the official said.

He said that the weather will also remain mainly clear on Thursday with cloudy sky towards evening/night.

On March 24 and 25, rain and thunderstorm with snowfall over higher reaches at was expected at scattered places.

” From March 26 to 28, the weather will be mainly dry,” he said.

The official said that they expect increase in temperature leading to warmer days ahead.

22-year-old youth found dead mysteriously in Jammu

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March 22, 2023

22-year-old youth found dead mysteriously in Jammu

Jammu: Another shocking incident has been reported in Jammu where the body of a youth was found lying mysteriously under the flyover near Tarore village in Samba on Wednesday.

As per report, the incident came to the fore when some locals saw the dead body at the spot of incident and informed the police, who reached on the spot of incident and begin an investigation.

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SHO Sunil Sharma and SHO Bari Brahmana Rahul Nagar also reached at scene of incident with their police team.

Meanwhile, the identity of the youth has been established by the Bari Brahmana police to be Subash Charnder of Rajouri. They discovered the victim’s identity from an aadhaar card which they found from the deceased’s pockets.

The Police has taken up the case and initiated an investigation into it. The body has been sent for post mortem and further details will emerge after that.

Govt cuts electricity supply of shopkeepers in Jammu

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editor

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March 21, 2023

PDD employees disconnecting power supply of shops in Nai Basti over unpaid bills

Govt cuts electricity supply of shopkeepers in Jammu

Jammu: The Power Distribution Corporation Limited (PDCL) Jammu employees on Monday disconnected electricity connections of several shops situated in Nai Basti of Gandhi Nagar in Jammu over pendency of bills.

Also Read: Father announces reward for his missing son in Jammu

“The pending bill is Rs 23,91563 lakh and it seems that it has not been paid even prior before our births, the invoice is even antique then our joining in dept”, a power dept official told media while looking at list of pending bills.

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“Unpaid bills worth of lakhs are pending of the shops here and they are not paying to the dept”, he added.

“The govt has introduced Amnesty scheme now the people should pay their dues to avail benefits of this offer by the govt and even if they don’t pay it is their fault” Mr Handa, a local shopkeeper said.

“The authorities has given discount on pending dues. We protested and struggled after which local regime introduced this scheme”, he asserted.

“Now people should pay their invoices, but those consumers who have not paid electricity bill for 25-30 years, the administration should take congnisance of them”, he added.

“The people can’t pay such an outstanding amount and govt should make a new scheme to ease their burden”, he remarked.

“Truth is that earlier people used to give a hundred or two to PPD employees monthly for power supply service and that money used to go in pockets of employees instead of govt”, he alleged.

“I support this scheme of LG govt as consumers can now pay their outstanding bills of lakhs in installments monthly, which has been waived off”, he said.

“I have six shops here and I have paid my bills as per amnesty scheme.”, he further said.

Father announces reward for his missing son in Jammu

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March 21, 2023

Father of Durgesh holding a picture of his son, who went missing in Katra.

Father announces reward for his missing son in Jammu

Jammu: After all his attempts to find out his missing son remained futile, a man all the way from Madhya Pradesh has come to Katra in Reasi of Jammu, in search of his son namely Durgesh (30) who went missing from his native place on 3rd of March, whose last location was traced in Katra by the MP police.

His father also has announced a cash reward of Rs 5000 for the person giving information about his son.

Also Read: Shivling inside temple demolished by miscreants in Jammu

Father of the missing son said, “He left house without apprising anyone. He didn’t informed anyone where he is going and till 12th March his location was Katra”.

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“After that we came here, we’re asking people about my son he is also slightly mentally unstable and didn’t have anything to eat”, he said.

“He told us 15 days ago that he is going to Katra with his friends and when he went missing I lodge an FIR at a police station in MP”, he remarked.

“We’re are in Katra since March 14 in his search and after lodging a complaint at police station, they provided me a head constable to aid me in my son’s search”, he said.

“If anyone informs us about him we will award him Rs 5,000”, he further said.

“First we traced his mobile number and on 3 March we found his location in Katra, after that he switched off his mobile cause he might have brought a new sim from here which we also traced”, Constable who accompanied victim’s father said.

“Later on March 12, he called some of his friend in Katra which we also discovered”, he added.

“After that we became cleared that he was loitering from 3 to 12 march near Vaishno Devi Shrine”

“As he is slightly mentally unwell he is not able to determine where to go and he is also penniless”, he remarked.

“We traced him from Katra and came here with his family members and they’re have offer 5K award for anyone who will find their son”, he asserted.

“I appeal to all J-K residents to find him and they can call me on this 7999199967, which is active in MP”, he added.

“People can also call me on this number 9103683104 which I have brought from Jammu, if anyone identifies him anywhere thank you”, he said.

LG greets people on Navroz

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editor

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March 21, 2023

LG greets people on Navroz

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha yesterday extended his warm greetings to the people, especially the members of the Parsi community, on the occasion of Navroz, the Parsi New Year.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that in his message, the LG said that the auspicious occasion of Navroz symbolises new beginnings and celebration of seasons.

Also Read: Newly-married woman found dead in home in Jammu

“May the festival bring happiness, health and prosperity to all,” the LG said.

Several injured in Road accident in Jammu

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editor

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March 21, 2023

Several injured in Road accident in Jammu

Jammu: Atleast twelve persons were injured after a passenger vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident at Tanda near Akhnoor along Srinagar—Jammu highway in Jammu district on yesterday evening.

As per report, A passenger bus bearing registration number JK02BC-9855 was coming from Rajouri to Jammu, when the driver lost his control over the vehicle and hit a roadside house.

Also Read: Newly-married woman found dead in home in Jammu

The structure as well as the vehicle got damaged in the incident.

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After the mishap, the locals launched a rescue operation for the victims, the report said.

Twelve passengers received multiple injuries in the accident and are undergoing treatment at hospital, while a few others were discharged after receiving first aid.

However, four of the 12 hurt passengers were referred to GMC Jammu for further tretment, the report said.

The injured have been identified as Liaquat Hussain son of Huassan Din resident of Mandi Poonch, Kabir Ahmed son of Abdul Rehaman resident of Sangala Poonch, Zabeer Ahmed son of Abdul Gani resident of Sangala Poonch, Talab Hussain son of Ilahai Baksh resident of Terrian Wali Surankot, Nazaqat Hussain son of Latief Hussain resident of Terrian Wali Surankote, Tasveer Begum wife of Zakir Hussain resident of Devikot Baiji Rajouri, Zakir Hussain son of Dil Mohd resident of Devikot Baiji Rajouri and Ghulam Ahmed son of Mohd Zulafkar resident of Mendhar.

“I received a call from my sir that a mishap has occurred at Tanda and I have to reach there with ambulances to bring the victims to hospital”, said, Mr Amit Sharma, a hospital employee.

“We rushed to the site of the accident with two ambulances, the bus damaged the roadside house with which it was collided. Our doctor has referred four patients to GMC Jammu”, he added.