RAJOURI, OCT 21:- A comprehensive fogging drive was carried out today across all municipalities of Rajouri district, including Rajouri town, as a concerted effort to combat spread of dengue. The initiative was launched under the supervision of Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC Raj Kumar Thapa, who also holds the charge of Administrator for the municipalities of Nowshera, Kalakote, Sunderbani and Thanamandi.
In response to the increasing concerns over dengue cases in the district, the fogging operation was launched simultaneously in all municipal areas. This proactive measure aimed to reduce mosquito breeding and prevent further spread of the disease, which poses a significant health risk to the local population.
The ADDC emphasized the importance of the drive in safeguarding public health. He said that every municipality under his jurisdiction, including the urban pockets of Rajouri town, is being targeted to ensure thorough coverage. “Our priority is to break the chain of mosquito breeding, especially in the vulnerable areas with stagnant water and increased mosquito threat. The fogging drive is part of our larger strategy to protect the community from dengue,” said Thapa.
Executive Officers (EOs) of all municipalities were actively involved in coordinating the logistics of the drive, ensuring that all areas, including public spaces, residential colonies, and commercial zones, were covered. Special attention was given to high-density areas.
The health authorities and municipal bodies have been working in close coordination to ensure the effectiveness of the fogging operations.
The ADDC said that the fogging process will continue in the coming days, with follow-up measures planned in areas showing signs of dengue resurgence.
In addition to the fogging drive, the district administration is also focused on raising public awareness about dengue prevention. Citizens have been urged to cooperate with the administration by keeping their surroundings clean, ensuring that there is no stagnant water in and around their homes, and promptly reporting any suspected cases of dengue to health officials.
Inaugurates approach road to Chandi Mata Temple in Nowshera
NOWSHERA, OCT 21: In a significant move aimed at improving infrastructure and facilitating access to religious sites, Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, who holds the charge of Public Works, Mining, Industries & Commerce, Labour & Employment, and Skill Development departments, today inaugurated the newly constructed approach road to Chandi Mata Temple in Nowshera.
The road project, completed at an estimated cost of Rs 83.90 lakh, is expected to significantly ease the journey for devotees visiting the temple.
Addressing the gathering after inauguration, Surinder Choudhary expressed satisfaction over timely completion of the project while highlighting the importance of well-developed infrastructure for religious and cultural tourism. “The construction of this approach road will make it more convenient for pilgrims to visit the revered Chandi Mata Temple, which holds immense religious significance for the people of this region. We are committed towards ensuring all inclusive infrastructural development, particularly in rural and religiously important areas”, he maintained.
The Deputy CM added that development of such roads will not only provide better connectivity but promote tourism and enhance local economy. “By improving access to our heritage and religious sites, we can attract more visitors, which in turn benefits the local businesses and communities,” he remarked.
The Deputy CM further added that the newly inaugurated road is expected to accommodate a steady flow of pilgrims and visitors, especially during festival seasons when the footfall at the temple increases significantly.
Following the inauguration, a number of delegations from different areas met the Deputy Chief Minister.
During the interaction, the locals presented their grievances, covering a range of issues like road connectivity, employment, and local developmental concerns.
The Deputy CM patiently heard the delegations and assured them that their issues will be addressed promptly.
“We are committed to the welfare of the people. Each grievance will be thoroughly examined, and steps will be taken for their redressal”, Deputy CM said. He added that the government’s focus is on equitable development across all sectors, ensuring that no region is left behind.
This significant visit of Deputy Chief Minister and his subsequent interactions with the public underscored Omar Abdullah led government’s dedication to both infrastructural improvements and resolution of public issues.
RAJOURI OCT 21:-National Police Day also referred to as Police Commemoration Day has been observed with patriotic and professional zeal at Martyrs Memorial of District Police Lines Rajouri.
The bravery of martyrs has been remembered who sacrificed their lives for the motherland and mother nation.
Rich tributes were paid to all the martyrs of Police and Paramilitary forces who made Supreme sacrifice in the line of duty for the unity and integrity of the nation.
Contingents of Police and Paramilitary forces participated in the Commemoration Day Parade at DPL Rajouri.
The parade was led by DIG Rajouri Poonch range, Tejinder Singh – IPS alongwith SSP Rajouri Randeep Kumar.
Other senior officers of Indian Army, BSF, CAPFs and other forces alongwith civil society members were part of the parade.
Besides officers and officials of District Police Rajouri, families of martyrs were also part of the parade who all offered wreaths to the Martyrs Memorial while paying tributes to the Martyrs.
Later, Police Administration organised an interaction event at DPL Rajouri in which members of martyrs families were present.
The police officers informed the members of martyrs families that entire J&K Police Parivaar is with them and that doors of all the police institutions are open for martyr families and they can enlist any kind of grievances for redressal.
SRINAGAR OCT 21(KNO): At least 51 newly elected legislators took oath of office in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly on Monday so far, with the remaining to take oath in a while.
As per details available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the newly elected MLAs were administered oath of office by pro-tem speaker Mubarak Gul.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah, deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary, cabinet ministers and senior leaders including Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat, NC leader Altaf Kaloo, and other were among the 51 legislators who took the oath so far.
The remaining newly elected legislators will also take the oath in a while.
Meanwhile, pro-tem speaker Mubarak Gul also announced in the assembly that chief minister Omar Abdullah has retained Ganderbal assembly seat and resigned from Budgam constituency.
Omar Abdullah had contested assembly election from two seats – Ganderbal and Budgam – and he emerged victorious from both the constituencies—(KNO)
SRINAGAR OCT 21:-Tasleema Akhter, Chairperson of the Association of Terror Victims in Kashmir (ATVK) and a well-known Kashmiri Human Rights Activist, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of six people in Ganderbal, including five non-locals and one local resident, Dr. Shahnawaz of Nayidgam, Budgam.
Speaking out against the horrifying incident, Tasleema Akhter stated, “Pakistan’s insatiable obsession with disrupting normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir knows no bounds.
The brutal killing of these innocents is a stark reminder of Pakistan’s continued involvement in fueling terrorism in the Valley.”
She further emphasized that this attack is another grim example of Pakistan’s disregard for human life, highlighting their desperation and cowardice in using violence to destabilize the region.
As a prominent voice for peace and justice, Akhter reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for the victims of terrorism in Kashmir and urged the international community to take stronger action against Pakistan’s role in perpetuating violence in the region.
Everyone is aware of the sudden MulWarwan fire that happened in Tehsil Warwan a week ago, resulting in the loss of property and leaving more than 80 families homeless. Such fire incidents are not new for such remote areas; they happen every year or within two years, resulting in the loss of properties and belongings of these families.
Within a few hours, the whole of MulWarwan village turned into ashes due to a lack of precautionary measures and firefighting tools and equipment that could have led to controlling the blaze.
As soon as the report of fire incidents broke out, the administration deployed the men and machinery, including Fire and Emergency Services, toward MulWarwan to control the fire. Before it could reach, it was too late due to the worst single-lane road, more than 70 km from Larnoo Anantnag.
The MulWarwan village has more than 200 houses, among which more than 80 houses are completely damaged, and nothing could be saved due to a lack of fire-controlling tools and other equipment.
SHAFQAT SHEIKH JOURNALIST
The incidents became an examination for the government in rebuilding the lost structures of residents for which the government is taking the matter on a priority basis and stands with the victims which proved that day after taking oath as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Shir Omar Abdullah visited MulWarwan and expressed sympathy with the victims families assuring that everything will be rebuilt and returned to the affected families. The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Surinder Choudhary, and other politicians, including Member of Legislative Assembly Inderwal Shri Payare Lal Sharma and other District and Sectoral Officers.
At the instant reports of fire incidents, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Rajesh Kumar Shavan JKAS, along with Senior Superintendent of Police Kishtwar Abdul Qayoom JKPS, visited MulWarwan village to express their sympathy and distributed first aid relief material among victims and monitor the situation on the ground for days together.
The incidents were horrifying where every individual and citizen expressed their concern and stood with the victims of MulWarwan. There was a mass movement started by various non-governmental organizations, Trusts, and civil societies for the collection of relief materials for the affected families, including Blankets, Utensils, and other items for daily use. There was also a collection of Cash through online and offline modes by various organizations and civil society members and volunteers for the rebuilding of MulWarwan.
Among all NGOs, Trusts, and civil society members and volunteers, A philanthropic organization, ABABEEL, collected more than 1.25 crores of cash and other relief materials for MulWarwan-affected families to build houses for the victims.
The administration also announced the compensation under various schemes and grants, including PMAY, RedCross, Chief Minister relief funds, and assuring for Prime Minister relief funds amounting to about 2 lakh per household of the affected families, wherein 48 lakhs were announced by the MLA Inderwal from his CDF, which overall reached upto 2.50 lakhs among per household.
As an average donation and collection for affected families, it is believed that a family will get about 4 lakhs of overall contribution for rebuilding their structures and houses.
The loss that happened due to the blaze can’t be returned and compensated but only could be regained by proper utilization of the whole amount collected through various organizations and announced by the government.
The District Administration Kishtwar must constitute a committee for the distribution of relief material headed by a Worthy district-level officer who personally could monitor the whole distribution process among the victims so that the affected families can get what they have lost. Otherwise, there are various such reports of mismanagement in the distribution process, which is done by the administration.
The rebuilding of structures can be done by the administration or any other civil society or organization so the structures can be rebuilt in a bound manner before it is too late as the area is snowbound with harsh winter and resulting cutoff from road connectivity for six months.
As such, I, along with volunteers, visited MulWarwan and accessed the results of the fire incident, where I interacted with various affected families who narrated a heart-wrenching story of the fire incident and distributed relief materials among these victims, urging the administration to provide relief to affected families priority basis rather than to provide the whole residents.
A resident of MulWarwan and fire-affected victim, Muhammad Ramzan, 65, witnessed the heartbreaking destruction of his daughters’ wedding preparations as a devastating fire consumed their home along with the whole belongings and wedding materials. The blaze destroyed everything Ramzan had carefully prepared for the weddings of his two daughters, Gulshan and Rubina, who were set to marry on October 22.
I also met with some other fire victims who told me that we don’t imagine that we lose as we only know that our precious earnings turn into ash and representatives are doing politics on this.
One of the poorest mothers among the victims said that we lost everything thing and our hard-earned house in which we were residing happily and earning to starve the hunger of the family, To whom I shall blame, what had happened with me and others are joking on me as no one representative is ascertaining the loss of my property.
During the interaction, the victim narrates, “One who comes across poverty knows what poverty is, and one who only sees the poor before the poor”. A sister narrates that we were already poor and now have become the poorest ones as we had lost everything and no one cared about us, and we did not even have food to eat for days together after the horrifying blaze, leaving us homeless.
It is alleged that representatives and politicians visited there and assured them of all possible help but unfortunately, no one paid a single penny to fire victims as only the Administration had provided tents and some funds as per norms whereas Non-Government Organizations, Educational Trusts, and Civil Societies are voluntary collecting donations for fire victims from every section of the society to reach out the cause of poor sufferers due to sudden fire incident.
(The author is Freelance Writer and Socio-Political Activist from Bunjwah Kishtwar and can be reached at freelancershafqat@gmail.com, 9419974577).
