Srinagar, Jan 03: Describing the drug addiction as a “major warning signal,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Saturday called for a united response to tackle the growing menace. He termed it one of the gravest social issues that Jammu and Kashmir is facing today.

Speaking with reporters, Anshul Garg, said the problem has intensified rapidly and that the issue has multiplied three times in the last three and a half years, which is alarming.

He said the government is expanding its anti-drug awareness campaign to involve all stakeholders, including religious leaders. “A very big awareness campaign is going on in J&K, and the Chief Secretary personally monitors it,” he said

He said that extensive programmes are being organised by IMHANS, in which counsellors are being trained across health and educational institutions. “Five-day training sessions are being held to build a strong network for early intervention and prevention.”

He added that all sections of society are joining hands in this effort. “We are trying to involve all religious leaders of Srinagar in this fight so that they can also inform society about this problem. They have already been a part of this campaign for a long time, but we are giving new energy to it,” he said.

The Divisional Commissioner said helpline numbers of IMHANS are being circulated widely to assist those seeking help. “We continuously support the callers who approach us. This training programme helps us enhance that assistance,” he added.

He said that in the future, similar training programmes will be held in all districts of Kashmir so that every stakeholder becomes part of this drug-free campaign.

He also expressed concern over the increasing involvement of youth. “We have found that young people, whether in schools, coaching centres, or colleges are getting trapped in addiction. Heroin use, in particular, is rising. This is a serious concern for the entire society,” he said.

Calling for collective responsibility, Anshul Garg urged all social and religious institutions to actively contribute. “As a society, we all need to fight against this. We must encourage and support medical and counselling institutions working on de-addiction,” he said. —(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 03: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the promotion of eight officers of the J&K Rural Development (Gazetted) Service to the Time Scale of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service, according to an official order issued by the General Administration Department.

The promotions have been made under the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service Rules, 2008. The officers have been promoted to the Time Scale of JKAS, Level 11 with pay scale 67700 to 208700, notionally with effect from January 1, 2025, and on regular basis prospectively.

The officers promoted include Hilal Arafat, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Abdul Rashid Ganaie, Muhammad Akbar Wani, Sanjeev Kumar (RBA), Arif Ayaz Dar (RBA), Mukesh Sharma and Joginder Lal.

The government has stated that consequent upon their promotion, the officers shall continue at their present places of posting until further orders. It has also been clarified that the promotions shall be subject to the outcome of any writ petitions, if any, pending before the competent courts of law. [KNT]

Kupwara, Jan 03: A fire incident damaged multiple wooden barracks at an Army camp in the Sadana sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district during the intervening night, officials said.

According to officials from Fire and Emergency Services Chokibal, the incident occurred shortly after midnight at the Army camp located in the Sadana area.

Preliminary reports indicated that four to five barracks were affected by the fire. The structures were primarily wooden and roofed with GCI sheets, which contributed to the rapid spread of flames.

Officials said the blaze caused extensive damage to the barracks before it was brought under control. The exact cause of the fire was not immediately known.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties in the incident, officials added. [KNT]

Srinagar, Jan 03: Cold conditions persisted across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday, with several places in the Kashmir Valley recording sub-zero minimum temperatures, while Ladakh continued to experience intense cold, officials said.

According to data compiled by Kashmir Weather, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while the nearby Srinagar Airport registered a low of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius.

Tourist resort Gulmarg was the coldest place in the Kashmir region at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Pahalgam at minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of the Valley also witnessed freezing night temperatures. Shopian recorded minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, Pulwama minus 3.9 degrees, Anantnag minus 3.0 degrees, and Qazigund minus 2.6 degrees Celsius. Awantipora and Budgam recorded minimum temperatures of minus 2.4 degrees and minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Kupwara and Ganderbal both recorded minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag recorded minus 0.8 degrees. Baramulla and Bandipora saw relatively milder conditions with minimum temperatures of minus 0.5 degrees and minus 0.2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Kulgam recorded a low of 1.3 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, temperatures remained above freezing but continued to reflect winter chill in higher reaches. Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.9 degrees Celsius, while Jammu Airport recorded 8.8 degrees Celsius. Bhaderwah, a hill town, recorded a sub-zero temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Other places in the region recorded minimum temperatures including Banihal at 2.7 degrees, Batote at 4.2 degrees, Udhampur at 5.0 degrees, Rajouri at 3.2 degrees, and Kishtwar at 3.6 degrees Celsius.

In Ladakh, cold conditions intensified further, with Kargil recording a minimum of minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, while Leh recorded minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Nubra Valley recorded a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius.

Weather officials said cold conditions are likely to persist, especially in higher reaches, with night temperatures remaining below normal in several areas.(KNS)