Jammu, Jul 7: Sunil Kumar, IRAS, Additional Registrar General, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, on Tuesday congratulated Amit Sharma, IAS, Chief Principal Census Officer (CPCO) and Director Census Operations (DCO), J&K and Ladakh on successful completion of Phase-I (House Listing Operations) of Census 2027 across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 

Appreciating the seamless execution of the month-long field exercise through digital means, he, as per a statement, complimented the Directorate of J&K and Ladakh for its meticulous planning, coordinated field management and technology-driven implementation despite the geographical complexities of the two Union Territories.

 During his maiden visit to the Directorate of Census Operations Jammu office, the Additional Registrar General of India was received by Amit Sharma and senior officers.  It was followed by office visit with a comprehensive presentation on the evolution of the Directorate, successful completion of House Listing Operations, major administrative and institutional initiatives and the roadmap for the forthcoming phases of Census 2027.  A documentary showcasing the successful execution of House Listing Operations across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh was also screened, capturing the scale of operations, challenging terrain, digital innovations and coordinated field efforts.

Addl RGI Sunil Kumar highly appreciated this documentary and described it as a true reflection of the professionalism, commitment and dedication displayed by the Census teams during the successful completion of Phase-I.

On the sidelines of ongoing visit and meetings, CPCO Amit  Sharma also conducting a pipping ceremony for one of his PSOs, namely Kashmir Singh who recently got promoted to Head Constable level in the presence of Addl RGI and entire DCO team which made the moment highly memorable for him.

 During the interaction, CPCO Amit Sharma outlined the Directorate’s vision and roadmap for the forthcoming phases of Census 2027.  Arun Kumar, Joint CPCO, highlighted the major organisational reforms, institutional initiatives and key administrative issues requiring continued Headquarters support, while Manmeet Singh Loomba, Deputy CPCO, presented a detailed overview of House Listing Operations, digital innovations, training architecture, media outreach, field monitoring and the roadmap for the next phase of Census 2027.

Reviewing the achievements, ARGI Sunil Kumar appreciated the meticulous planning that preceded the field exercise, including House Listing Block demarcation and geo-tagging, large-scale training of Census functionaries, deployment of digital applications, sustained media outreach and continuous field monitoring. He observed that the successful completion of House Listing Operations through 100 per cent digital data collection without any major technical difficulties reflected the commitment, professionalism and coordination demonstrated by the Directorate and district administrations across both Union Territories.

 He also appreciated the institutional initiatives undertaken under the leadership of CPCO Amit Sharma, including establishment of the Directorate’s office in Ladakh, strengthening of infrastructure in Jammu and Srinagar, augmentation of manpower and several administrative reforms that have significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the Directorate for the remaining phases of Census 2027.

Expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved, ARGI Sunil Kumar assured the Directorate of the Registrar General’s complete support in resolving all administrative, financial, infrastructural and manpower-related issues. He stated that Headquarters would continue to work closely with the Directorate and extend sustained support to ensure seamless implementation of the forthcoming phases of Census 2027.

Describing his visit to Jammu as highly enriching, Addl RGI Sunil Kumar appreciated the enthusiasm, professionalism and teamwork displayed by officers and officials of the Directorate throughout the successful conduct of HLO Phase-I of Census 2027. Expressing confidence in the Directorate’s preparedness for the forthcoming phases of Census 2027, he reiterated that the Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India, would continue to extend every possible support to the Directorate in ensuring timely, seamless and successful completion of the Census across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Ramban, Jul 7: The Doda-Kishtwar stretch of the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway (NH-244) remained closed on Tuesday after a powerful flash flood and the resulting landslide struck the Thathri area of Doda district, disrupting connectivity to Kishtwar.

Officials said heavy overnight rainfall triggered a flash flood in Thathri, leading to a massive landslide that buried a portion of NH-244 and rendered the Doda-Kishtwar section impassable.

A Traffic Police official said the Batote-Doda stretch of the highway remained open to traffic, while the Doda-Kishtwar section was blocked at Thathri due to the landslide.

“The road has been closed for vehicular movement, and clearance and restoration work is in progress,” the official said, adding that efforts to clear the debris continued until late Tuesday evening.

Traffic authorities advised commuters to avoid travelling on the Doda-Kishtwar route until the highway is cleared and declared safe for movement.

Meanwhile, the flash flood caused extensive damage in Thathri town.  Locals said floodwaters and debris swept through the area with great force during the early hours, damaging residential houses, shops and vehicles.

At least a dozen houses were completely destroyed, while several others sustained partial damage.

Multiple vehicles were also buried under debris.

However, officials said the exact extent of the damage was still being assessed.

The district administration has launched debris-clearance and restoration work at the affected site.

Authorities have also appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from landslide-prone areas and follow official advisories until the highway is reopened.

Earlier, on Monday morning, the Doda-Kishtwar stretch was blocked due to flash floods and mudslides in the Prem Nagar area. However, it was reopened for one-way traffic on Monday evening.

Jammu, Jul 7: Unidentified persons allegedly abducted a 20-year-old woman after reportedly opening fire at a parked car outside a court complex in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district on Tuesday, triggering a manhunt to trace the accused, officials said.

Zalufa, a resident of Chak Gaja Dhar Sherpur in Kathua, had come to the court with her relatives in connection with a case. The family had parked their private car outside the court complex in Samba town, officials said.

According to the family, the assailants arrived in a vehicle and allegedly fired several gunshots at their car to intimidate them before abducting Zalufa.

The gunfire caused extensive damage to the vehicle, with one of its tyres blown out and both the front and rear windscreens shattered, they said.

A police team from the local police station rushed to the scene and began investigation, officials said, adding that efforts are on to rescue the abducted women, identify the culprits and bring them to the book.