Page 91 - Jammu And Kashmir

Two-day annual Kailash yatra to begin on September 11 in J-K's Doda

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have reviewed the arrangements for the annual two-day Kailash Yatra, scheduled to be held on September 11 and 12, an official said on Sunday. The arrangements were discussed at a joint meeting chaired by District Development Commissioner, Doda, Vishesh Mahajan and attended by senior civil, police and security officers, besides panchayat members and the president of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Bhaderwah, Kailash Sewa Sangh, the official said. The yatra to the 14,700-foot-high Kailash Kund, depicting the ancient Nag culture, commences with the departure of the "charri mubarak" (holy mace) from the centuries-old Vasuki Nag temple at Gatha in Doda. The official said the Sanatan Dharam Sabha sought foolproof security arrangements for the historic pilgrimage, accommodation facilities for the pilgrims, transport and firewood arrangements and water and electricity. Responding to the issues raised by the Sabha, Mahajan issued on-the-spot directions to those ..

Kashmir heaves sigh of relief as water level recedes in Jhelum river

People living in the low-lying areas of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, heaved a sigh of relief on Sunday as a flood threat eased due to a dip in the water level in the Jhelum river following improvement in weather conditions, officials said here. "The weather is improving and the water level will drop, but those living in low-lying areas should take precautionary measures at least for Sunday. Rains are expected in south Kashmir over the next 24 hours but not of the same intensity as on Saturday. The danger of flood is also receding," Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a meteorologist associated with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), told PTI. The Jhelum was flowing above the danger mark at Sangam in Anantnag district and Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar since Saturday evening, bringing back the nightmares of 2014 when massive floods inundated vast areas of the Kashmir valley. "Like our prediction, heavy rainfall and snowfall in the upper reaches have taken place. The level of water in the ..

LIVE: Amarnath Yatra resumes in J-K from Pahalgam side after three days

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Two dead in J-K's Doda district after landslide triggered by rains hits bus

Two persons were killed after a landslide hit a passenger bus in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, a senior police officer said. The bus came under the landslide triggered by rains at village Bhangroo on Thathri-Gandoh road, Superintendent of Police, Bhaderwah, Vinod Sharma told PTI. He said a rescue operation was launched and three trapped passengers were evacuated to Gandoh hospital where Amir Sohail of Kahara and Mudassar Ali of Changa-Bhalessa were declared brought dead. Shahid Hussain of Kuntwara village has been admitted to a hospital.

Red alert issued for J-K's Kathua, Samba district amid incessant rains

A red alert has been issued for Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Samba districts along with lower catchment areas amid incessant rains in the region for the third consecutive day on Sunday. The alert was issued by the meteorological department as reports came in from different areas about the water level in rivers and streams crossing the danger mark this morning. Red warning for Kathua, Samba and other lower catchment areas of Jammu region as risk of flood, flash flood increased considerably. All concerned are advised to stay alert during the next 24 hours, a spokesperson of the meteorological department said. A red alert indicates heavy to extremely heavy rains of over 20 cm in 24 hours, while an orange alert means very heavy rains of 6 cm to 20 cm of rain. He said widespread rain was experienced in Kathua, Samba and at some places of Ramban, Doda, Udhampur districts overnight. More rain is very likely in Kathua, Samba, and at some places of Ramban, Doda and Udhampur districts dur

Water level rising fast in Jhelum, tributaries due to continued rain in J&K

The water level in the Jhelum river and its tributaries has risen rapidly over a few hours due to heavy rainfall at many places in Kashmir, even as authorities have advised the people living near the embankments of water bodies to remain alert and avoid venturing near the water. The water in some of the water bodies is flowing close to the flood-alert level at many places, officials said. An official of the Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) department on Saturday said the valley received a considerable amount of rainfall during the night and the "water level (discharge) in the tributaries or nallahs of the Jhelum basin is expected to rise in the coming hours". He added that the water level in the Jhelum is also on the rise and it is being monitored. Those residing close to these tributaries or nallahs have been advised to remain alert and vigilant, the official said. "People should avoid venturing near them," he added. The water level is expected to experience a rising trend unt

Restoration of political process, statehood key to normalcy in J-K: Cong

The political process has to be restored in Jammu and Kashmir, veteran Congress leader Karan Singh said as he batted for early assembly elections in the Union Territory as well as reinstating its statehood. He also acknowledged that the law and order situation is "better" in Jammu and Kashmir, saying there has been a cessation of shutdown calls and "Hurriyat fatwas". But it cannot be claimed that there is "100 per cent complete control", Singh told PTI in an interview. The Congress leader said that "at some point in time, the political process has to be restored". "Statehood has to be restored. Only then (when statehood and political process is restored), we can say, that total normalcy has set in (Jammu and Kashmir)," Singh said. He highlighted that panchayat elections have already taken place, and now it is imperative to hold assembly elections as soon as possible. "It is assembly elections that are to be held now. They should be held as soon as possible. It is for the government

Implementing UCC not easy like revoking Article 370: Ghulam Nabi Azad

Former Union minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday cautioned the Centre over implementing a uniform civil code, saying it will affect all religions. Talking to reporters here, he also said that implementing UCC will not be "easy as it was to revoke Article 370". "There is no question (of implementing it). It is not easy as it was to revoke Article 370. All religions are involved in it. Not only Muslims, but Christians and Sikhs also, tribals, Jains, Parsis, annoying all these people at once, will not be good for any government," the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party said. "So, I suggest this government to not even think about taking this step," he said.

Amarnath Yatra halted for second consecutive day due to bad weather

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for the second consecutive day on the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam due to bad weather conditions in the state, officials said on Saturday.According to the officials, inclement weather conditions in the union territory caused a delay to the annual Amarnath Yatra and suspended the yatra from both the Pahalgam and the Baltal routes.Fresh batches of pilgrims were not permitted to depart Jammu to begin their yatra due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway as a result of weather advisory and heavy rains in Kashmir valley, they said.Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police also issued an advisory and urged the general public not to travel on the NH-44, Mughal Road, and the SSG Roads that were blocked due to the occurrence of two landslides."Traffic update at 6:25 am. NH-44, Mughal Road and SSG Road are blocked due to 2 landslides. People are advised not to travel till clearance," tweeted J & K Traffic Police.A total of

No outsider being allotted land, no change in law: J-K on Mehbooba's claims

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday said no outsider was being allotted land and there was no change in the law, hours after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged that its move to provide housing to homeless people was an attempt to change the demography of the Union Territory. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the Jammu and Kashmir administration has started providing 150 square yard plots to landless families for the construction of their houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY). "The rural development department has identified 1.83 lakh families who do not have their own houses. We are working on it. It is a step that will not only provide a house to them but transform their lives," he had said, claiming that plots to 2,711 landless families across the union territory have already been allotted. At a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Mehbooba, the former chief minister of J-K, accused the Lt Governor's administration of importing slums and ...

India's first 'Tele-MANAS' chat-bot to ensure 24X7 services launched in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday launched India's first Tele-MANAS chat-bot in the Union Territory, which will ensure round the clock services of health counsellors, clinical psychologists and consultants, officials said. The service was launched after Sinha inaugurated 'J-K Health Conclave' on mental health and non-communicable diseases at SKICC here, they said. On the occasion, the J-K Health and Medical Education Department inked memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and NIMHANS, the officials said. The Centre had in Budget 2022 announced the National Tele Mental Health Programme of India, Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS). Tele-MANAS is a two-tier system. Tier 1 comprises State Tele MANAS cells, which includes trained counsellors and mental health specialists. Tier 2 comprises specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for .

PDP president Mehbooba accuses L-G Sinha of trying to change J&K demography

PDP president Mehboba Mufti on Wednesday accused the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor's Administration of importing slums and poverty into the erstwhile state under the pretext of providing housing to homeless people, calling it an attempt to change the demography of the union territory. "The LG made an announcement about giving land to 1.99 lakh landless people in JK. Doubts and concerns have come to the fore as to who these landless people in Jammu and Kashmir are. According to the figures of the central government placed before Parliament, there are only 19,000 homeless families in Jammu and Kashmir," Mufti told reporters here. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the Jammu and Kashmir administration has started providing 150 square yard plots to landless families for the construction of their houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY). "The rural development department has identified 1.83 lakh families who do not have their own houses. We are working on it.

Mehbooba welcomes SC listing petitions challenging Article 370 abrogation

PDP chief and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to list for hearing petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370. "Welcome Hon'ble SC's decision to finally hear petitions pending since 2019 challenging the illegal abrogation of Article 370. I hope justice is upheld and delivered for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The SC ruling on Article 370 maintained that the provision can be abrogated only on the recommendation of the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly," Mehbooba said in a tweet. Nearly four years after the government abrogated Article 370 that bestowed special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud will take up for hearing on July 11 a batch of pleas challenging the decision. According to a notice issued on the apex court website on Monday, the five-judge bench will take up the pleas for passing ...

4th batch of 4,758 pilgrims leave for Amarnath shrine, say officials

A fresh batch of 4,758 pilgrims left the base camp here on Monday for the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said. Over 20,000 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine till early Monday. The fourth batch of pilgrims left in two back-to-back convoys and were escorted by eight security vehicles and an ambulance between 3.40 am and 4.10 am, the officials said. While 3,030 pilgrims took the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route for their yatra, 1,728 pilgrims took the shorter but steep 14-km Baltal route, they said. With this, a total of 17,565 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 30 when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh on Sunday visited Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and took stock of security at the transit camp in Banihal and en route the shrine, a police spokesman said. During the security review,

Over 60,000 farmers avail benefits of PM Kisan Yojana in J-K's Udhampur

The PM-KISAN scheme entails direct cash support of Rs 6,000 for farmers and is estimated to cost the exchequer Rs 75,000 crore

11 unexploded shells defused by army's bomb disposal squad in Ladakh

Eleven unexploded shells were defused by the army's bomb disposal squad in a forward village in Kargil district of Ladakh, officials said on Saturday. The unit led by the Sappers of Forever in Operations division detected the ordnance during a sanitising drive in Kurbathang area, officials said. The drive was conducted in close coordination with Tehsildar, Kargil, and Sarpanch, Pashkum, and the unexploded ordnance was safely defused by the bomb disposal squad, they said. Earlier in April, the Sappers of Forever in Operations division had destroyed seven explosives found near the new astro turf ground following the death of a 13-year-old boy in a landmine explosion. Two more boys were injured in the same incident. Lt governor, Ladakh, Brig (Retd) B D Mishra had then gave his assurance to the people that the littered shells, which pose a threat to the their lives, would be cleared from Kargil villages gradually. Mishra's remarks had come after the public decried the presence of a la

Rescue teams of J-K Police conduct mock drills on Amarnath yatra routes

The government is also working closely with various departments to ensure proper arrangements for lodging, power, water, security, and waste management

J&K L-G Sinha flags off first batch of Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu camp

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar camp here on Friday. Amid multi-layer security, the first batch of more than 3,400 pilgrims left for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake the pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas. The 62-day-long pilgrimage will commence from Kashmir on Saturday on the twin tracks of the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

J&K L-G to flag off first batch of Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu camp today

Amid multi-tier security setup, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will flag off the first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here on June 30, an official said on Thursday. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for the twin base camps in Kashmir to undertake a pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the south Kashmir Himalayas. LG Sinha will flag off the batch of pilgrims early Friday morning The 62-day-long pilgrimage will commence from Kashmir on July 1 from the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district. Over 3,500 pilgrims have arrived in Jammu for their onward journey to Amarnath. "The Yatra from Jammu will begin with the first batch of pilgrims being flagged off from Jammu base camp by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tomorrow, an officer told PTI. He said that the Yatra will formally commence from the tw

Conscient Infrastructure buys 6.6 acre land in Gurugram for around Rs 85 cr

Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) on Thursday announced the opening of its first hotel in Jammu under Vivanta brand. With this, IHCL now has a presence in Jammu, which is an important economic centre with a thriving tourism industry, company's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Puneet Chhatwal said in a statement. "This also extends our itinerary in the union territory with our existing hotels in Srinagar and Katra. We are delighted to launch the 90-key Vivanta Jammu, City Centre which will be an integral part of the city's landscape," he said. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have five hotels in Jammu and Kashmir, including one under development.