SRINAGAR: Two persons were killed and another injured when a vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into 250 feet gorge in Doda district on Monday, offcials said.

They said a load carrier (Tata Mobile- JK06B-1533) met with the accident on Tanta-Gundna road, leading to on the spot death of two persons and injuries to driver, Aqib Gulzar, who was removed to GMC Doda hospital by rescuers during the midnight.

The deceased have been identified as Mir Ali son of Noor of Kunthal and Zafarullah son of Talib Hussain of Dandi Bala.

Confirming it, SSP Doda Abdul Qayoom told GNS that a case has been registered and further investigation taken. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: At least 16 persons including a local militant were killed in September this year in Jammu and Kashmir in different militancy-related incidents.

Joint forces foiled three infiltration bids in Mandi Poonch, Hathlanga Uri area of Baramulla district, and Machil Kupwara and neutralized 7 infiltrators.

The data available with the news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that the slain in September included a local militant, 3 non-local militants, 7 infiltrators, a cop, and 4 soldiers. An army dog ‘Kent’ was also killed in one of the encounters in the Rajouri district of Jammu region.

Besides the exchange of fire between joint forces and infiltrators at Mandi Poonch, Hathlanga Uri and Machil Kupwara, three encounters raged in September at Reasi, Rajouri, and Anantnag districts.

In the Tuli area of Chassana Reasi, a non-local militant was killed while a cop and a trooper sustained injuries. Two non-local militants and a soldier were killed and three security personnel were injured in an encounter in Narla village of Rajouri. Three Army personnel, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, sepoy Pradeep Singh, and DSP Humayoun Bhat were killed in the Gadole Kokarnag encounter. The encounter lasted till 20 September. This 8-days long encounter also claimed the life of the TRF local commander Uzair Khan.

No civilian casualty was reported from anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir in September. A solitary incident involving a militant firing upon a CRPF vehicle was reported from Khanyar area of Srinagar city in September. (KNT)

SRINAGAR: For the past few days, the harrowing sight of dead fish floating on the surface of the otherwise calm Dal Lake has caused panic among the residents and visitors, who had recently witnessed a strange phenomenon of exotic and predatory Alligator gar inside the lake.

Ecologists and environmentalists have raised concerns over the mortality rate of fish within the lake and have demanded the fisheries department to conduct a scientific inquiry into the incident.

“The water quality and level seems good, yet a large number of fish have died. People are horrified to see dead fish floating on the surface of the water. It is common to see dead fish in lake around Nehru Park,” said Sameer Ahmed, a resident of Dal Lake.

He said the incident has raised concerns among people and activists about the health of the lake and its fragile ecosystem.

Experts including environmentalists have also visited the lake to find out the reasons for the massive death of fish in the lake,” said Ahmed.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman, J&K Lake Conservation & Management Authority (LCMA) Bashir Ahmed Bhat termed the fish mortality of the particular species as an annual affair.

“These are very small Gambusia species of 3 t0 4 inches in size which have been affected and there is no need to panic at all. Our scientific wings have examined the causes of fish mortality. We realized that they died due to erratic weather causing thermal stratification-a change in the temperature at different depths in the lake”,Bhat added.

Dal Lake was recently in the news after a carnivorous crocodile fish (Alligator Gar) was recovered from the lake. While the fish died within hours of recovery, the reasons behind its emergence in the lake are still unknown to people and experts.(CNS)

SRINAGAR: Seven people were killed and three others were injured when a vehicle carrying workers met with an accident near the site of under construction Dangduru hydel power project in Kishtwar district on Wednesday.

A police officer told GNS that the cruiser vehicle with ten people on board skidded off the road and fell into deep gorge. Seven people died on the spot while three others were injured who were later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda as per requirement.  

The officer said that a case has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The Government has ordered constitution of Union territory Level Inter Departmental Coordination Committee and District Level Inter Departmental Coordination Committee(s on registration of Births and Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an order, a copy of which lies with GNS, the UT-level committee is headed by Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development &  Monitoring Department, the members of the committee include Administrative Secretary or Representative not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Administrative Secretary/ Representative not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department, Administrative Secretary/Representative not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, Director Census Operations, J&K/Representative, Director General, Economics & Statistics, J&K (Chief Registrar, (Births & Deaths), Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Jammu/Srinagar, Regional Director (E&S), (Additional Chief Registrar, Births & Deaths), Jammu Kashmir, Director Rural Development Jammu/Kashmir, Director, Health Services, Jammu/ Kashmir and Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu/Kashmir.

The 12-member committee has been tasked to ensure smooth implementation of Civil Registration System; to bring interdepartmental co-ordination of departments engaged in civil registration to resolve the operational problems affecting the registration work; to discuss and resolve the issues which requires intervention at the top level; to co-ordinate, unify and supervise the work of registration for securing an efficient system of registration; any other issues for smooth implementation in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir; and to convene meeting(s) at UT Level at least once in a year.

The District level Inter Departmental Coordination Committee(s) comprises Deputy Commissioner (Concerned) as chairman and its members include Additional Deputy Commissioner (Concerned),
Chief Medical Officer (District Registrar, Births & Member, District Statistics & Evaluation Officer District Registrar, Births & Deaths), Block Development Officer Blocks, Chief Executive Officer (Registrar) Cantonment Board Badamibagh Srinagar/Satwari Jammu, Executive Officer (Registrar) concerned Council /Municipalities, Health Officer Jammu/Srinagar (Registrar) Municipal Corporation Jammu/Srinagar, as per the order with the Global News Service.

The terms of reference include to ensure smooth implementation of Civil Registration System; to bring interdepartmental co-ordination of departments engaged in civil registration to resolve the operational problems affecting the registration work; to discuss and resolve the issues which requires intervention at the top level; iv. to co-ordinate, unify and supervise the work of registration for securing an efficient system of registration; any other issues for smooth implementation in the districts; and to convene quarterly meeting(s) at District Level. (GNS)

Srinagar is currently grappling with a major issue of solid waste management. The city has been facing a garbage crisis for years, and the situation has only worsened with time. The city's landfill sites are overflowing, and the municipality dumps are not only an eyesore but also a health hazard for the residents.

The municipality dumps in Srinagar are a menace, and they pose a severe threat to the environment and public health. The dumps are located in residential areas, and the stench emanating from them is unbearable. The garbage heaps attract stray dogs and other animals, which further aggravate the problem. The municipality has failed to ensure proper waste segregation and disposal, which has resulted in the accumulation of garbage on the streets.

There's been a surge in the cases of dogs mauling pedestrians to death with so many kids being killed and injured. In today's case of the dog mauling an elderly woman and injuring her grievously just outside her location in Nowshera area of down town Srinagar which has been turned into a dumping yard where scores of dogs are seen mostly to scare the most out of the people living in the vicinity. 

The lack of a proper solid waste management system in Srinagar is not only harming the environment but also posing a significant health risk to the citizens. The garbage dumps are breeding grounds for disease-carrying pests like rats, mosquitoes, and flies. The people living in the vicinity of these dumps are exposed to the risk of contracting diseases like dengue, malaria, and other illnesses.

The situation is particularly alarming in light of the recent dog scare in Kashmir. Reports suggest that stray dogs in the region have become increasingly aggressive, attacking and biting people, and causing panic in several areas. The authorities have been struggling to control the dog population and address the issue, but the problem persists.

The connection between the dog scare and the garbage crisis in Srinagar cannot be ignored. The municipality dumps provide a steady source of food for stray dogs, and the garbage heaps attract them to residential areas. The lack of proper waste management has resulted in an increase in the number of stray dogs, and their aggressive behavior is a result of their struggle for survival in an environment that is hostile and unhealthy.

It is high time that the authorities take swift action to address the garbage crisis in Srinagar. The municipality must invest in a proper solid waste management system that ensures proper segregation, collection, and disposal of waste. The dumps must be cleared, and alternate sites must be identified for waste disposal. The people must be made aware of the importance of waste segregation and the hazards of improper disposal.

Furthermore, the issue of stray dogs in Kashmir needs to be addressed urgently. The authorities must take measures to control the dog population and ensure their safety and welfare. The dog scare has caused widespread panic and fear among the citizens, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to restore their confidence and trust.

The garbage crisis in Srinagar and the dog scare in Kashmir are significant issues that require immediate attention and action. The authorities must work together to address the underlying causes of these problems and find sustainable solutions that promote a healthy and safe environment for the citizens. It is time for the government to take decisive action and demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of its people.