Srinagar, Aug 01 : Police on Thursday claimed to have arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 730 grams of charas from their possession in Tangmarg.

“Police Station Tangmarg arrested two drug peddlers namely Abdul Khaliq Khan, son of Abdullah Khan and Farooq Ahmed Mir, son of Late Gh Mohiuddin both residents of Zaspora Tangmarg,” police said.

Police said that 730 grams Charas was also recovered from their possession, adding that a case under FIR number 50/2019 under section 8/20 NDPS act was registered against them in Police Station Tangmarg.

Meanwhile, people hailed the efforts of Police Station Tangmarg.

‘Modus operandi depicts political vendetta behind the scene’

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference president Begum Khalida Shah on Thursday termed the investigative exercises of National Investigation Agency (NIA) as childish and said the modus operandi of NIA is full of political vendetta.

According to news agency, Jammu and Kashmir Awani National Conference president Begum Khalida Shah said that the investigative activities carried out by National Investigation Agency (NIA) are childish. ‘The way National Investigation Agency is carrying out its exercises in valley are childish which are being carried out with an aim of political vendetta’.

She said, we are unable to understand the motive of their investigations but what we understood so far from their exercises depicts that there is a well thought out design to mutilate the image of political leadership of the state.

Khalida Shah further added, yesterday Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned National Conference President and former Chief Minister of the state Dr Farooq Abdullah to Chandigarh for questioned in an old age case related to embezzlement of funds in cricket association. I want to clarify that Dr Farooq is not involved in any misappropriation and he remained always at the forefront while fighting the corruption.

She said, if investigative agencies found any unsystematic addition of wealth to any political leader, there should be no hesitation from any side to go through the inquiry but the way investigative agencies carrying out its exercise, seems a political vendetta behind the scene.

Khalida Shah said, all leaders are not corrupt so creating doubts about everyone is not a good thing. If there is a need of investigation of property and wealth of political leaders, there is a civilized way to deal the situation but alleging everyone brings bad name to the future of leaders which itself is a big crime perpetrating by NIA like agencies. 

Efforts on, it will take eight more months to ensure proper drainage system: DC Srinagar

Srinagar, Aug 01 : As the Srinagar witnessed inundation yet again due to the fresh rainfall wee hours of Thursday, the trade bodies here lashed out at the concerned authorities for ‘failing’ to repair the drainage system.

The trade bodies including Regal Chowk Traders Association, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) and others said that the rainfall for few hours is frequently resulting in inundation of Srinagar city due to which people especially pedestrians suffer.

According to news agency, they said that the concerned authorities must take steps to put an end to such sufferings of people so that the local populace here could heave a sigh of relief.

KCC&I while addressing a presser here at Chamber office at Residency Road, said that it is unfortunate the drainage system in Srinagar is not being renovated properly due to which the few hours of rainfall is leading to the inundation of roads.

“It is for the second time in recent past that the Srinagar city including the commercial hub Lal chowk got submerged due to the rainfall. The locals had to face tremendous hardships due to the inundation of roads,” the trade body said.

Besides criticizing Srinagar Municipal Corporation for failing to repair drainage system, they also hailed the administration for dewatering the roads immediately.

Moreover, the Regal Chowk Traders Association appealed Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan to initiate action against Srinagar Municipal Corporation for failing to improve drainage network in the marketplace despite spending crores.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that water logging is a serious issue especially in Srinagar City. “The efforts are on to ensure proper drainage system but the maximum effort is being made on the removal of garbage from the drainage, which is being found in huge quantity in the drainage, which is the main reason behind the water logging,” he said.

He added that the inundated areas were dewatered as men and machinery was pressed into the services. He said that public should also play their role by not dumping the garbage in drainages.

DC Srinagar further stated that it will take some six to eight months more to ensure the proper drainage system. (KNS)

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth secretary Arif Laigaroo has expressed deep concern over frequent water logging in city and demanded immediate measures to prevent it.

He said that despite tall claims by the government, few hours of rainfall Thursday morning once again exposed the poor drainage system in the capital city. He said that the rains caused severe water logging in the most parts of the city resulting in inconveniences to public.

“Most of the roads, by-lanes of the city have been under water, causing massive traffic jams,” he said adding that it was difficult for the commuters to walk on various city roads even the commercial hub Lal Chowk, Residency Road and MA Road literally remained deluged for the day.

“At some busy and important junctions including Regal Chowk, the pedestrians preferred to hire auto-rickshaw to cross the roads. Most of public transport went off the roads due to water logging which hampered the smooth movement of traffic,” he said adding that the problem was compounded by defunct drainage system in various areas. The choked drains, according to him led to water logging in various city localities.

Laigaroo said that there was heavy water logging at Ghanta Ghar, Magarmal Bagh, Jehangir Chowk, Karan Nagar, Batamaloo and other parts of the city. He demanded immediate measures to prevent it.

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Director Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Dr Sherish Asghar Thursday said that her priorities will be to strengthen the relations between the government and people further.

“It (DIPR) is an important department and our priorities will be to strengthen the relations between the government and people further. DIPR is face of the government,” she told news agency after taking charge as Director DIPR.

Sherish, who was Deputy Commissioner Budgam till recently, said media is the fourth pillar of democracy and she understands its importance. “As an officer I want relationship with press should remain positive and healthy. Media has an important role to play in today’s world,” she said.

Asked how DIPR would play its role to help out media persons to discharge their duties freely, the Director said, “Reporter in today’s scenario has to work under difficult conditions on ground. We will sit with them and hold an interaction with all stakeholders and see where they face problems and where we can help them out.”

“I will also discuss these issues with my officers,” she added. (KNS) 

Srinagar, Aug 01 : Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday said that befitting reply was being given to the ceasefire violation along Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan.

Talking to reporters on the side lines of a function in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Malik said that the ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC is being countered aptly. “We are giving them (Pakistan) three times more trouble than what they give to us (people),” he said.

He said that “I think they will stop the ceasefire violation in two-three days now.”

Asked about the construction of underground bunkers, the Governor said that many bunkers have been built while as the rest are being constructed on war footing basis.

He also said that his administration will try to put an end to the poverty, ensure employment and want the State be developed further.

Asked about the situation in Kashmir, he said that everything is normal and people must not pay heed to the rumours. (KNS)