Kupwara, Jun 8: The residents of Chamkote in border town Karnah of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed resentment against authorities for failing to provide government accommodation to health and wellness centre located in the area.

The residents said that earlier the centre was functioning in a dilapidated building and a few years back authorities shifted the centre to the house of a local. They said that the centre was functioning only in few rooms with only one employee posted here which tells upon the smooth functioning of the centre. The residents said that staff shortage has always been a concern for them but authorities never took their genuine concern seriously.

“At present only one FMPHW employee is posted at Health and Wellness centreChamkote which doesn’t suffice the need of a huge chunk of population,” they added. Locals said that they have time and again approached authorities for augmentation of staff here but after the passage of several years nothing has been done in this regard. They appealed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to upgrade their health centre to the status of New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) so that they will get proper health care.

When this issue was brought into the notice of Block Medical Officer (BMO) Karnah, Dr Arif Khawaja, he said that health department has taken the matter with revenue department for allotting them

Srinagar, Jun 8: A Sessions court here on Monday awarded a railway employee ten years of rigorous imprisonment in a case related to kidnaping, wrongful confinement and raping of a minor girl at his official residential quarters in Hamray in Baramulla district in 2012.

The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, sentenced Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather of Gotapora, Budgam, after convicting him under sections 363 (kidnapping), 376 (rape) and 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Ranbir Penal Code of (RPC).

Rather is presently employed with the Railways at Hamray in north Kashmir’s Pattan.

In its decision, the court underscored that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating factors, particularly because the victim was a minor and the convict had misused government accommodation allotted to him for the commission of the offence.

The prosecution contention was that the victim, then a student of Class IX and below 14 years of age, was lured by the accused on the false promise of marriage. He allegedly took the minor girl to his government residential quarter at Hamray Railway Station in Pattan, where he confined her and repeatedly subjected her to sexual assault.

In July 2012, the victim approached the authorities with a complaint, following which an FIR (01/2012) was registered at Police Station Railway Hamray. The investigators carried out searches of the accused’s residential quarter, prepared site plans, seized material evidence, recorded witness statements and obtained medical and forensic reports.

The victim’s statement was also recorded under Section 164 of CrPC before a magistrate.

In August 2012, the charge sheet was initially committed to the Sessions Court at Baramulla. Subsequently, in response to the complainant’s petition, the High Court transferred the case to Srinagar court in February 2014.

During arguments on sentence, the prosecution sought life imprisonment, contending that the accused had shown no mercy towards a helpless minor girl and had exploited his official position and accommodation to commit the crime.

However, the defence pleaded for leniency, citing the convict’s family responsibilities, absence of any previous criminal record and the hardship his incarceration would cause to his dependents.

The court rejected the argument for a lighter sentence, holding that the prosecution had established the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt through clear and cogent evidence.

The court sentenced the convict to ten years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for the offence under Section 376 of RPC.

For the offence under Section 363 of RPC, the court awarded the convict five years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000. Besides, he was sentenced to one year’s rigorous imprisonment under Section 342 of RPC.

All substantive sentences, the court said, would run concurrently and ordered that the period already spent in custody during investigation and trial be set off against the sentence in accordance with law.

Wangath (Kangan), Jun 8: The two-day annual Urs of HazratMianNizam-ud-Din Kiyanvi (RA) concluded here on Monday with ‘DuaMajlis’ (special prayers) in the morning.

The 130th annual Urs which commenced here at Baba Nagri in Kangan area of Ganderbal district on Sunday was observed with great religious fervour and gaiety in which tens of thousands of devotees from different parts of the Jammu and Kashmir and outside participated.

The two-day annual Urs is observed in the first fortnight of June every year with thousands of devotees from within and outside J&K thronging the two-day event. Night-long prayers were held during the Urs and Quran Khawani, Darood-e-Azkar, and Khatmat-ul-Mozamat were held.

Hundreds of vehicles carrying thousands of devotees had started reaching here from last couple of days to participate in the annual Urs and pay obeisance at the shrine situated at the base of a mountain in a scenic setting. Surrounded by still surviving forests, the shrine and its vicinity become the hub of religious activities every year.

The Urs dates back to 19th century, with this year being the 130th annual Urs.

During recent years, the enthusiasm has only been growing.

On the concluding day of Urs, a joint prayer was held in which devotees prayed for peace, prosperity, unity, brotherhood, and communal harmony in J&K.

The devotees who had come from different areas of J&K, particularly Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur, Poonch, Kishtwar, Shopian, Kathua, Doda, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla visit the shrine every year.

“I have been visiting this place for last 10 years,” a devotee Syed Zulfikar from Poonch said.

Baba Ji Sahib (RA) had migrated to this place from Hazara division of Pakistan some 122 years ago on the instructions of his teacher.

Baba Ji had come to Kashmir at the age of 30.

He lived here for almost 33 years and passed away at the age of 63.

SajadaNasheen Baba Ji SahabLarvi, Wangath, MianAltaf Ahmad, who is the son of renowned religious personality and veteran Gujjar leader late Mian Bashir Ahmad, and scores of Islamic scholars participated in the congregation.

MianAltaf urged the faithful to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), maintain communal harmony, and protect youth from the scourge of drugs.

He praised the late saint’s legacy of service and scholarship and noted a surge in attendance this year.

Altaf highlighted the life and contribution of Hazrat Baba Nizam-ud-Din (RA) and late Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi.

He emphasised participants to work for the welfare of humanity and follow the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).

Calling for maintaining brotherhood and amity, Altaf advised devotees to offer Nimaz regularly.

In a message to youth, he advised them to stay away from social evils, particularly drug addiction, and be respectful.

Altaf also hailed the 100-day NashaMuktAbhiyan J&K by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and said that it needs a united effort to curb this menace.

He asked the parents to keep watch on their children and guide them to right path and better future.

Various religious scholars also spoke and threw light on teachings and religious work rendered by Baba Ji during his life for the welfare of mankind.

Speaking on the saint’s life, Maulana Ghulam MohiuddinNaqashbandi recalled that MianNizamuddinKiyanwi (RA), a Kashmiri by origin, had migrated to Hazara in present-day Pakistan before returning to Baba Nagri to preach Islam for over three decades.

A prolific scholar, he authored works on Fiqh and Sufism, including Asrar-e-Kabaree and Malfoozat-e-Nizame.

The Urs coincides with the nomadic Gujjar migration, and many tribespeople arrived with livestock to offer prayers.

Devotees, including families in traditional attire, lined the roads leading to the shrine.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, MianAltaf said that a sea of people from across Jammu and Kashmir attended this year’s Urs.

He said that the number of devotees was massive and was increasing every year.

He said that prayers were held for peace, prosperity, and harmony to prevail in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Altaf thanked the administration for facilitating devotees during the Urs.

“Our management was well-prepared and full-fledged arrangements were made for locals to prevent inconvenience,” he said.

The civil administration, J&K Police, Traffic Police Rural, and Health Department had made arrangements for the Urs.

According to the shrine management, a 24-hour free community kitchen was put in place for the devotees visiting here throughout the year.

“The shrine management on Urs days arranges a special langar where food for thousands of people is prepared,” Mian Mehhar Ali, who was looking after the arrangements, told Greater Kashmir.

Srinagar, June 08: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi on Monday took stock of the arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY-2026) and Muharram observances across the Kashmir Valley during a meeting held at the Conference Hall of PCR Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by all Range DIGs of Kashmir Zone, SSP PCR Kashmir, SSsP of Anantnag, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Bandipora, Budgam, Sopore, Handwara, and Awantipora, SO to IGP Kashmir, SP Cargo, and other senior officers.

During the meeting, officers presented detailed briefings outlining security arrangements, logistical requirements, and district-wise preparedness plans for the smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra. Discussions focused on measures adopted to ensure the safety of pilgrims and the effective management of the pilgrimage routes.

Reviewing the overall security framework, IGP Kashmir stressed the importance of strict adherence to SOPs and effective coordination among all agencies. The IGP directed officers to remain prepared for any contingency, including operational challenges, natural disasters, and other unforeseen situations, through a well-synchronized response mechanism.

Highlighting pilgrim safety as the foremost priority, IGP assessed the deployment strategy and preparedness of ROPs. The IGP Kashmir called for enhanced surveillance, regular area domination, and continuous monitoring of highways and vulnerable stretches along the Yatra routes. Officers were also instructed to strengthen nighttime security measures and maintain heightened alertness to deter any untoward incidents.

The IGP Kashmir further directed officers to conduct mock drills to test existing SOPs and improve operational efficiency wherever required. IGP Kashmir instructed officers to ensure comprehensive security arrangements at all Yatra camps, including the installation of surveillance systems at key locations and the deployment of sufficient manpower to manage pilgrim movement and respond to emergencies.

The meeting also reviewed the arrangements being put in place for the upcoming Muharram observances across the Kashmir Valley. IGP Kashmir emphasized the need for adequate security, effective traffic management, and seamless coordination with the civil administration and other stakeholder agencies to facilitate the peaceful and smooth conduct of Muharram processions. Officers were directed to remain vigilant, maintain close liaison with organizers, and make all necessary arrangements to ensure public safety and convenience.

At the conclusion of the meeting, IGP Kashmir called upon officers to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, vigilance, and coordination throughout the Shri Amarnathji Yatra and Muharram period to ensure the peaceful and smooth conduct of these events.