Anantnag, May 02: In a significant move under the ongoing 100 Days Nasha Mukht LG Administration Programme, the district civil administration, in coordination with the police administration, carried out a major crackdown on individuals involved in NDPS-related activities and illegal encroachments on state/Kahcharai land in Waghama.

During the joint operation, authorities demolished 15 shops along with other illegal structures raised on State land falling under Khasra No. 2494 (min) and 2495 (min) of estate Waghama. The structures were found to be linked with persons allegedly involved in cases under the NDPS Act.

Officials confirmed that one of the demolished structures had been constructed by Sajad Ahmad Rather, son of Mohammad Abdullah, a resident of Waghama. The structure was removed as part of the enforcement drive targeting illegal encroachments and narco-linked activities.

The district civil and police administration reiterated their firm resolve to act decisively against drug peddlers, narcotics networks, and unlawful occupation of State land.

Authorities emphasized that such drives will continue with full intensity under the Nasha Mukht campaign to ensure a drug-free and law-abiding society.

The administration has also warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in similar illegal activities in the future.

Shopian /Pulwama May 1: As the lifeless body of three-year-old Hanzala arrived at his home in Tiken village, around 5 kilometres from south Kashmir’s Pulwama town, on Friday afternoon, a sea of mourners gathered, with grief hanging heavy in the air as they came together for his final rites.

Hanzala had drowned in the Rambiara river near Dubijan along the heritage Mughal Road on April 26 and was swept away by strong currents. Teams of the NDRF, SDRF, police and local residents spent days combing the river in search of the missing child.

On Friday morning, Ashiq Hussain Wani, a resident of Heerpora village, along with his father, recovered the body from the river.

Familiar with the river’s terrain, Wani had joined the search alongside his brother and other locals, scanning stretches of the river despite strong currents and freezing conditions.

On Friday, Wani and his father, Farooq Ahmad, moved nearly 4 kilometres downstream from the spot where the child had gone missing, continuing the search in icy waters.

“In the middle of the river, I noticed a large boulder and felt the body could be trapped underneath,” Wani said.

He said his father cautioned him against entering the fast-flowing waters without safety gear, but he chose to proceed.

“I took the risk and checked beneath the boulder. As I reached under it, I felt a body,” he said. “I immediately called out to my father and some local boys on the riverbank, and we pulled the child out.”

Wani said he could not bear the pain of the child’s family.

“The thought of his mother crying would not let me sleep. That is why I continued the search until we found him,” he said.

The recovery brought an end to days of uncertainty for the family, even as the operation highlighted the risks faced by locals who take part in such rescue efforts.

Authorities had been conducting search operations since Sunday, but strong currents and the river’s rocky terrain made the task difficult.

“The administration offered every possible help to locate the child,” said a relative of Hanzala.

As news of the recovery spread, thousands of mourners thronged Tiken village to pay their last respects and take part in the funeral prayers.

“The entire area has been drowned in grief since the incident,” said Farpooq Ahmad, a resident of Pulwama. “It is not just the family, the whole village is mourning.”

Another mourner said the tragedy had deeply shaken the community. “We have not seen such sorrow in a long time. Everyone came out to stand with the grieving family,” he said.

Residents said people from neighbouring villages also joined the funeral, reflecting the scale of the loss. “People walked from far-off places to be here. It shows how deeply this has affected everyone,” another resident said.

Exploiting tragedies

Amid the rescue efforts, residents said some individuals sought to exploit the tragedy for visibility. Despite sustained operations by authorities and local volunteers, locals alleged that a section of people visited the site primarily to post content on social media.

“It is tragic that some people came here merely to upload pictures on their social media accounts,” said Zaid Raja, a local reporter and resident.

Others also claimed that a few individuals attempted to draw political mileage from the incident, drawing criticism from the community.

Ganderbal, May 1: The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) has imposed a complete ban on the movement of ponies along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and designated footpaths in the tourist resort Sonamarg, citing damage to public infrastructure and safety of visitors and smooth traffic flow.

An order issued by Chief Executive Officer, SDA, said the step has been taken following complaints of traffic jams, accidents, and inconvenience to pedestrians due to unregulated pony movement on the highway stretch from Gagangeer to Baltal. The order follows a communication from the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal highlighting misuse of footpaths and roadside stretches along the highway, where pony movement was found to be causing damage to public assets and disrupting commuter movement. “Pony owners and operators are directed to use only the notified pony tracks and keep the highway and footpaths free for vehicular and pedestrian movement. Violators will face fine and seizure of animals under relevant provisions,” the order read.

Authorities said the issue has been viewed seriously as it impacts public safety, cleanliness, and the overall environment of the tourist destination. The decision comes ahead of the peak tourist season and the upcoming AmarnathYatra, when Sonamarg witnesses heavy footfall. Local hoteliers and trade bodies have welcomed the move, saying it will reduce congestion and improve the experience of tourists. As per the directions, pony operators have been confined to a designated pony stand at Shutkadi, and any movement beyond the notified area has been prohibited. Officials said any deviation will be treated as a violation and attract strict action. The authority has also instructed daily monitoring and enforcement on the ground, with teams to be deployed for regular patrolling to ensure compliance.

Baramulla, May 1: Baramulla town in north Kashmir is set for a major upgrade in sanitation infrastructure following the approval of a Rs 40 crore Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), addressing a long-standing demand of residents.

For years, the absence of an adequate waste management system had led to the accumulation of garbage in the town. Authorities had designated the jetty area as a dumping site, where waste from Baramulla as well as other parts of north Kashmir was disposed of.

The practice drew criticism from residents and environmental observers, as leachate from the waste flowed into the Jhelum River, raising serious concerns about pollution and public health.

The Jhelum, considered the lifeline of Baramulla, is a key source of water for a large section of the population, intensifying fears over continued contamination.

The approval of the STP has been widely welcomed. Farooq Ahmad, a local resident, termed the decision a significant step towards improving civic amenities. “With the growing population, such infrastructure is essential and should be prioritised,” he said.

Baramulla MLA Javed Hassan Beigh, who pushed for the project, said the approval brings major relief to residents. He thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for clearing the proposal, stating that it would address the town’s sanitation needs.

“I am highly thankful to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for approving this project. It will ensure that the sanitation needs of the town are properly addressed,” he said.

President of the Baramulla Traders Federation, Tariq Ahmad Mughloo, also welcomed the move, saying the project would significantly reduce pollution and help safeguard the Jhelum, marking a step towards sustainable urban management in the town.