The seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 passed off peacefully across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday amid additional measures put across Union Territory even as normal life remained unaffected.

Authorities had put in place elaborate security arrangements across the Union Territory ahead of August 5, which marks the Centre’s decision in 2019 to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status and reorganise the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Normal life remained unaffected in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with markets open and public transport operating normally, although security presence was visibly higher than usual in major towns.

Additional deployments of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other security agencies were made at sensitive locations across Srinagar and other district headquarters. Security was heightened around vital installations, government buildings, markets, transport hubs and other vulnerable locations.

Officials said vehicle checking, frisking of commuters and area domination exercises were intensified in both urban and rural areas, while surveillance through checkpoints and mobile patrols was stepped up to maintain law and order.

“No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the Union Territory, and the day passed off peacefully,” a senior police officer said here.

Another official said the elaborate security arrangements were made as a precautionary measure and the significance of the day.

“We had put in place a comprehensive security plan involving multiple agencies. Preventive measures, enhanced patrolling, intensified checking and close coordination among all security forces ensured that the situation remained completely peaceful throughout the day,” the official said.

Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had unofficially announced that no permission would be granted to any political party or organisation to hold protest demonstrations anywhere in the Union Territory on August 5.

In advisories issued on Tuesday evening, police had warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to organise or participate in unauthorised protests.

Despite the restrictions, the ruling National Conference organised a protest demonstration at its headquarters, Nawa-i-Subah, in Srinagar. Party leaders and workers assembled inside the office complex and attempted to march towards the city centre but were stopped by police.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also attempted to hold a protest, but security personnel prevented party workers from assembling as restrictions remained in force in parts of Srinagar, including around Lal Chowk.

Security arrangements were equally stringent in other district headquarters across Kashmir as well as in the Jammu division, where additional checkpoints were established and security personnel maintained heightened vigil throughout the day.

Officials said anti-sabotage checks were carried out at important public places, while quick reaction teams remained on standby to respond to any contingency. CCTV surveillance was also intensified at strategic locations.

A senior security official said close coordination among the police, Army, CAPFs and intelligence agencies helped maintain normalcy across the Union Territory.

“Security arrangements were reviewed at regular intervals throughout the day. All agencies worked in close coordination and remained alert to any possible threat. Public cooperation also contributed to maintaining peace and normalcy,” the official said.

Officials expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the day, saying the coordinated efforts of the security agencies ensured that the anniversary passed without any law and order incident.

Srinagar, Aug 5: Water chestnuts harvested from Kashmir’s lakes are accumulating heavy metals from polluted waters, a study has discovered.

Dal Lake comes across as the most concerning, recording the highest overall contamination burden among the Valley’s four major freshwater bodies. The significant research has been published in the journal Scientific Reports, part of the Nature portfolio.

The researchers analysed water, lake sediments, and water chestnut (Trapanatans) plants from Dal Lake, Hokersar Wetland, Manasbal Lake, and Wular Lake. They examined eight heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), and chromium. The study found a clear pollution gradient, with urban-located Dal Lake showing the greatest overall heavy metal accumulation. This, interestingly was followed by Hokersar Wetland, also in a semi-urban location.

Not just the waters, the study found heavy metals had entered the edible water chestnut fruits. This indicates that pollution in Kashmir’s freshwater ecosystems has already begun moving into the foods consumed by people. Water chestnut acts as an efficient absorber of heavy metals from its surroundings, the study states. The contamination remains trapped in the plant’s roots majorly, followed by the shoots and finally the edible fruits.

Roots have the highest levels of heavy metals, and this strong root retention limits the movement of contaminants through the plant. However, it does not completely prevent them from reaching the edible portion. “The presence of heavy metals in edible tissues indicates a potential pathway for contaminants to enter the food chain,” the study notes.

However, it is worth noting that not all metals pose the same risk. Iron and zinc made up the largest share of the total metal load in all plant tissues, as both are naturally abundant in the environment. These are also essential nutrients required for plant growth. The greater public health concern is the presence of much smaller amounts of toxic metals: cadmium and chromium.

These were consistently detected in edible fruits. Unlike iron and zinc, these metals serve no biological function in humans. These can pose health risks due to their accumulation in human tissues over time and prolonged exposure. The researchers have emphasised the need for continued monitoring of heavy metal levels in water bodies.

While the study measured contamination in the environment and the plant, it did not delve into the levels of these elements required to pose an anatomical risk in humans. Significantly, the study describes Dal Lake under the highest pollution pressure among the four water bodies studied. Resultantly, water chestnuts from Dal Lake accumulated the greatest overall heavy metal load in roots, shoots and fruits.

Another major scientific finding from the study is regarding the water chestnut plants. These have been found to readily concentrate metals from water, thus having the potential to serve as an effective biological indicator of pollution. Ironically, the same ability that allows water chestnut to absorb pollutants, thus a possible phytoremediation specie. These plants allow the natural removal of contaminants from water bodies.

Researchers are of the opinion that the plant could tbe useful both for monitoring pollution and helping in its bioremediation. However, as an edible plant, its metal levels need to be monitored by food safety authorities. The researchers are of the opinion that in view of the elevated cadmium levels in chestnuts from Dal Lake, their consumption must be limited.

This, until pollution control and remediation measures are implemented. The study makes it amply clear that wastewater treatment in Kashmir is almost inexistent. Untreated sewage and agricultural runoff enters lakes and pollutes not just the waters but its flora and fauna as well. The findings also raise questions about lotus stem (nadru) harvested from Kashmir’s lakes.

Nadru forms an more popular part of Kashmir’s menu.

A separate study published last year had found that lotus plants grown in Dal Lake also accumulate heavy metals.

Most metals were retained in underground tissues. However, these findings point to the need of monitoring heavy metal levels in plants and plant products harvested from water-bodies of Kashmir, where effluents and wastes enter water without any treatment.

Kupwara, Aug 5: Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Wednesday said that the long-pending Lower Rajwar Raw Water Main project, which is set to be commissioned after nearly a decade, was originally approved during his tenure as MLA Handwara in 2012 and accused MLA Handwara Sajad Lone of failing to complete the scheme despite remaining in office for years.

In a statement, Ramzan said the project was sanctioned in 2012 to address the long-standing drinking water crisis in Lower Rajwar. However, after the 2014 Assembly elections, when Sajad Lone was elected as MLA Handwara, the scheme remained in limbo.

“I waited until the sitting MLA came into power for the second time in 2024, hoping that along with this project he would also complete the other unfinished works. After waiting for two years and seeing no progress, I took the initiative to ensure the completion of the projects which I had initiated but the sitting MLA failed to complete,” Ramzan said.

He said that after repeated representations from the residents of Lower Rajwar regarding the pending scheme, he personally took up the matter with the concerned Minister.

“Following my intervention, Superintending Engineer Shakeel-ul-Rehman and Executive Engineer Aijaz Ahmad were directed to expedite the work, while the required funds were also allocated to ensure completion of the project,” he said.

Ramzan claimed that the present Executive Engineer was purposefully posted to Handwara to ensure the completion of the Lower Rajwar Water Supply Project.

He said the scheme was initially scheduled to be inaugurated by Jal Shakti Minister Javid Ahmad Rana, but the Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer sought an additional two months to complete the remaining work before commissioning.

Ramzan further alleged that Sajad Lone had inaugurated the scheme in the Mawer area nearly four months ago despite the project being far from completion.

“The scheme was not even ten per cent complete at that time. I fail to understand the logic behind inaugurating an incomplete project,” he said.

Ramzan said the successful testing of the project marked a significant milestone and expressed hope that its commissioning would ensure a reliable drinking water supply to nearly 25,000 residents across 13 villages, including Dudipora, Bakiakher, Baderher, Budkot, Machipora, Khirman, Nabedzab, Nagranar, Baderkali, Bahadarpora, Goriakher, Wadipora and Lachipora.

Launching a sharp attack on Sajad Lone, Ramzan alleged that several important developmental projects in Handwara had remained incomplete due to his failure to pursue them.

“If he could not even ensure the macadamization of the New Bus Stand Handwara, I was compelled to bring Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to Handwara, following which more than ₹2 crore was sanctioned for the macadamization work,” he said.

He further alleged that the inaction of certain officials in the Jal Shakti Division Handwara and Ramhall had caused immense hardship to people across the Handwara constituency.

“People have suffered because of the inaction of some officials in the Jal Shakti divisions of Handwara and Ramhall. Those responsible will be held accountable,” Ramzan said.

He said the People’s Conference should stop taking credit for projects completed through his efforts and instead acknowledge its failure to effectively represent the people of Handwara.

Ramzan also expressed gratitude to Superintending Engineer Shakeel-ul-Rehman, Executive Engineer Aijaz Ahmad and contractor Iqbal Ahmad Tantary & others for their coordinated efforts in completing the long-pending project. He said their commitment and dedication had ensured that the scheme had finally reached the commissioning stage.

Appealing to the people, Ramzan urged the public to assess why several developmental projects remained incomplete for years and hold those responsible accountable.