Kupwara, Dec 29: Traders and residents in Kupwara town have voiced strong resentment against the municipal authorities over the dumping of garbage in the heart of the town’s main market, alleging that the practice is causing inconvenience, health concerns and business losses.

Shopkeepers said waste is being routinely dumped at multiple locations in the busy commercial hub, leaving heaps of garbage along shopfronts and pedestrian areas. They alleged that the problem has persisted despite repeated appeals to the authorities.

President of the Traders Federation Kupwara, Mohammad Ishaq, told Greater Kashmir that sanitation workers of the Municipal Council Kupwara dump garbage in the market daily. “Every day heaps of waste are dumped at different locations in the main market, causing immense hardship to shopkeepers and the general public,” he said. “It is unfortunate that despite repeated reminders, the practice continues unabated.”

Ishaq claimed that Kupwara may be among the few districts where municipal authorities are using the main commercial centre as a dumping area. He said the practice not only affects business activity but also exposes shopkeepers, customers and residents to serious health and sanitation risks.

Traders have sought the immediate intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb, demanding that municipal officials stop dumping garbage in the main market and ensure that waste is transported directly to designated disposal sites.

Responding to the allegations, the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Kupwara said that a few locations in the market are being used as temporary transit points, from where garbage is later lifted and taken to the designated dumping site. He said these arrangements are interim in nature and will remain in place until a permanent solution is put in place.

However, traders maintained that the temporary dumping has effectively turned the main market into a garbage zone, calling for an urgent and lasting resolution to the problem.

Srinagar, Dec 29: Mission Vatsalya, under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), has facilitated the repatriation of a 16-year-old Bangladeshi minor who had been trafficked into Kashmir for child labour.

This landmark case marks the first such cross- border repatriation undertaken since the establishment of Mission Vatsalya in 2018, said a press release.

The minor (name withheld), currently aged sixteen, was illegally brought into Srinagar through the Kolkata border by unidentified individuals and forced into child labour. Showing remarkable courage, the child later managed to escape and reached Budgam, where he was traced by the local police. The police produced the child before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Budgam, on November 19, 2023, in compliance with Section 31 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. After due consideration, CWC Budgam ordered the child’s placement in a Child Care Institution (CCI) to ensure his safety, shelter, and well-being, and initiated a detailed inquiry into his background.

The matter was subsequently taken up with the Directorate of Mission Vatsalya, UT of J&K.

Director, Mission Vatsalya, Nazim Zai Khan, directed the concerned authorities to expedite the repatriation process and personally supervised the proceedings. On December 25, the minor was formally repatriated by officials of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Budgam, with police escort from Police Station Budgam, and was safely reunited with his family in Bangladesh. Reiterating the department’s unwavering commitment, Director Mission Vatsalya stated that the department remains dedicated to safeguarding the rights, welfare, and best interests of every child. He emphasized the effective implementation of the principles enshrined in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, particularly (xiii) Repatriation and Restoration, which affirms that every child in the juvenile justice system has the right to be reunited with their family at the earliest and restored to their original socio-economic and cultural status, unless such restoration is not in the child’s best interest.

Jammu, Dec 29: The population of Kashmir Stag, popularly known as Hangul, has shown a significant and encouraging increase over the years at a breeding centre in south Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

It reflects the success of sustained conservation efforts by the Department of Wildlife protection, they said.

According to officials, the population of the endangered and iconic wildlife species has risen to 323 at the Hangul Breeding Centre in Tral, marking a steady growth from 127 in 2008.

The positive trend was highlighted at the sixth meeting of the Wildlife Board chaired by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha here, an official spokesperson said.

He said the board accorded wildlife clearance to several projects and recommended some proposals to National Board of Wildlife for final approval.

These included projects of 4G-saturation, Jal Jeevan Mission, re-alignment of transmission lines, setting up of border security posts, development of horticulture nursery and installation of avalanche warning systems, the spokesperson said.

He said the board was apprised of various conservation and habitat improvement activities of the department. This includes measures taken in handling of human-wild animal conflict, establishment of rescue centres and habitat restoration works of wetlands.

Addressing the meeting, the LG called for prioritising sustainable management of biodiversity and conservation of wildlife habitats.

He emphasised promotional activities, particularly among school children, for major projects like Jambu Zoo, Hokersar and Gharana Wetlands.

He also asked to provide public transport to these destinations to promote eco-tourism.

The damage to agricultural crops by wild boars, blue bulls and monkeys was also discussed at the meeting, the official said, adding that the Board desired to explore the possibility of compensating for farmers’ losses caused by wild animals.

Srinagar, Dec 29: National Conference senior leader and Rajya Sabha member Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan on Monday said that Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s comments reflect a different approach to issues, not opposition to the National Conference, and said they continue to meet regularly during Parliament sessions.

Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Ramzan said internal debate should not be seen as disloyalty. “Aga Ruhullah and the chief minister Omar Abdullah have different approaches to solving issues,” he said. “This difference in modus operandi does not mean he (Aga Ruhullah) is against the National Conference. If he were against the party, he would have resigned.”

He added that they often discuss parliamentary issues together. “We met in the Parliament and shared ideas almost every day. He is a young leader with passion. He has to play a long political inning. May Allah give him good health and help him fulfil his aspirations”, Chaudhary said.

On administrative powers in the Union Territory, Chaudhary said the elected government still does not have full authority. He added that most powers remain with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) office, and that clear business rules are needed to define the roles of the LG, the cabinet, and elected representatives.

“We raised this issue in the Parliament, asking what was the purpose of elections if the elected government and MLAs still don’t have powers,” he said.

Responding to questions about CM Omar praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chaudhary said the Prime Minister’s position naturally invites respect.

Chaudhary said that the elected government received a strong mandate, but full powers promised after delimitation are yet to be restored. “Delimitation has happened, elections were held, but statehood has not been restored yet. This is our biggest priority,” he said.

On the issue of violence and attacks on Kashmiri residents outside the UT, Chaudhary condemned mistreatment of J&K youth and workers. He said the Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed all state administrations to ensure fair and respectful treatment to people from Jammu and Kashmir, and that action has already begun against those involved in violence.

Talking about J&K prisoners lodged outside the UT, Chaudhary said many are held in minor cases without proper facilities. He said the Home Minister assured legal assistance, medical support, and family access for such prisoners.

Regarding reservation, the NC leader Chaudhary said his party supports it and had included it in their manifesto. He said a Cabinet Sub-Committee submitted its report under Supreme Court guidelines. “The UT cabinet approved it and sent it to the Lieutenant Governor. Once signed, reservation will be implemented,” he said.

Kupwara, Dec 29: In response to a reported surge in suspicious online activity, the District Magistrate of Kupwara has imposed a complete ban on the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) services across the district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

The order, a copy of which is in the possession of news agency Kashmir Dot Com, was issued after the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara/Handwara, informed the district administration about an alarming increase in the use of VPNs by unidentified and suspicious internet users. According to the police, the misuse of VPN services poses serious risks to public safety, cyber security, and the overall integrity of digital governance in the district.

The administration noted that VPNs can be exploited for unlawful and anti-national activities, including the spread of inflammatory or misleading content, coordination of unlawful acts, and attempts to disturb public order and tranquility. Citing these concerns, the District Magistrate invoked emergency powers to impose immediate restrictions on VPN usage.

As per the order, all forms of VPN services have been suspended within the territorial jurisdiction of Kupwara, except those specifically permitted by the government through an official authorization. The directive applies to all individuals, institutions, cyber cafés, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in the district.

The order further states that any violation of the ban will invite strict legal action under relevant provisions of law. Since it was not feasible to serve prior notice individually, the order has been issued ex-parte and is deemed to be applicable to the general public.

The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara/Handwara, has been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order on the ground. The restrictions will remain in force for a period of two months from the date of issuance, unless withdrawn or modified earlier by the competent authority.

The order was issued on December 29, 2025, and has come into effect with immediate effect.