Srinagar, Jan 23: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said that the active power load in the valley is less than 100 Megawatts (MW) as against the usual 1700 MW.

Taking to the microblogging site X, the CM wrote, “As per KPDCL, the active power load in the valley is less than 100 MW as against the usual 1700 MW, essentially due to outage of almost all 33KV feeders including those feeding emergency services.”

“Teams are on job for rectification but extensive tree fall on the lines and the windy conditions are major hurdles to be overcome,” Omar said.

The CM also said, “Damage assessment is underway but would take some time owing to prevailing weather conditions.”

Pertinent, on Thursday late evening KNO reported that gusty winds across Kashmir valley had disrupted power supply in more than 80 percent areas of the region.

An official had informed that the power supply was affected in more than 80 percent of the valley due to gusty winds.

The official had also said that due to the gusty winds, the department was supplying nearly 300 Megawatts of power against the 1900 MWs.

The official said that the restoration work will begin soon. “We will restore the electricity at earliest. As of now, we have received faults on many 33KV and 11 KV lines. Besides, as a safety measure, we have tripped-down feeders in many areas.”

“However, electricity is being supplied to the essential departments,” he said.—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 23: Northern Army commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma chaired an inter-agency core group security review meeting here, with a focus on enhancing joint operations and strengthening coordination among various security agencies in Kashmir, the Army said on Friday.

“Lt Gen Pratik Sharma chaired a Core Group Security Review meeting at Srinagar with senior officials of Army, police, CRPF and other security agencies,” the Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a post on X.

It said the meeting held on Thursday focused on enhancing joint operations and strengthening coordination among various security agencies in the Kashmir Valley.

It also discussed bolstering inter-agency intelligence sharing and strengthening coordination through Joint Control Centres for optimal operational effectiveness, the Chinar Corps added.

Baramulla, Jan 23: The season’s first snowfall on Friday brought life to a standstill across Baramulla district, as continuous snow disrupted normal life and led to widespread power outages, plunging the entire district into darkness.

Traffic movement was severely affected, with several roads turning slippery and getting blocked at multiple places, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

According to officials, Baramulla town has recorded nearly seven inches of snowfall so far, while the upper reaches, including Uri and Kandi areas of Rafiabad, have received over one foot of snow. Snowfall was continuing in all parts of the district till the filing of this report.

Srinagar, Jan 23: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, against a Srinagar resident accused of forging property documents to fraudulently claim ownership of a housing plot at Government Housing Colony, Ompora, Budgam.

According to an official statement, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, in connection with FIR No. 61/2023 under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC of Police Station EOW-Kashmir.

The statement reads, the case relates to allegations of cheating, forgery and use of forged documents in respect of Plot No. 1165 measuring 30×50 feet, situated at Government Housing Colony, Ompora, Budgam.

“Acting on a written complaint brought to its notice, EOW Kashmir initiated an in-depth investigation into claims made by a woman asserting her lawful ownership over the said plot. The complainant alleged that while she had acquired the property through a valid chain of powers of attorney originating from the original allottee, another individual was simultaneously claiming ownership of the same plot on the basis of a separate set of documents, giving rise to suspicion of fraud and criminal conspiracy,” it reads.

The statement reads, a thorough investigation was subsequently carried out, during which statements of the complainant, the original allottee Satish Kumar Sharma, and other relevant persons were recorded. Official verification was sought from the offices of Sub Registrar Budgam and Sub Registrar IV, 2nd Additional Munsif Jammu, which conclusively established that an irrevocable General Power of Attorney purportedly executed in 2010 in favour of the accused was never registered in official records. The original allottee categorically denied executing any such document or ever residing at the address mentioned therein.

“The investigation revealed that the accused, Gh. Mohi-ud-Din Dar S/o Mohd Shaban Dar R/o Nowgam Bypass Srinagar, had fraudulently used forged documents to claim ownership of the plot and execute further transactions. Confirmation from the J&K Housing Department validated the complainant as the legitimate owner,” reads the statement further.

“Accordingly, EOW Kashmir has established a prima facie case under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC and filed the chargesheet before the competent court for judicial adjudication.”

“The Economic Offences Wing, Kashmir stated that it remains vigilant and resolute in taking stringent action against individuals and groups involved in fraudulent dealings of land and housing properties, and that such acts aimed at usurping public assets will be strictly dealt under law,” reads the statement. —(KNO)