Srinagar, Sep 09: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday hit out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for criticising the location of the upcoming AIIMS hospital in the valley and accused the National Conference governments of ignoring south Kashmir.

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is coming up at Awantipora in Pulwama district and is likely to be fully functional by the end of next year.

“Under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s government South Kashmir saw major developments including the establishment of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, University Campus, a medical college & AIIMS all within a short span,” she said in a post on X.

The former chief minister was responding to a statement by Abdullah during his visit to Awantipora on Monday in which he said the AIIMS hospital site was not a good choice.

“In contrast despite decades in power NC can’t point to a single comparable project in this region. Their criticism of AIIMS’s location only reflects their indifference and apathy toward South Kashmir.

“While NC often chose flood-prone sites to benefit their own people the PDP selected locations based on public interest not political favouritism,” she added.

Asked about the delay in the AIIMS project, Abdullah had said on Monday that the location for the hospital was identified after taking into account various factors, including Army’s concerns.

“It was not checked whether the site is fit for a hospital. Then there were concerns from the Army about the project. So the detailed project report had to be prepared afresh, and those (Army) concerns were addressed. One year was lost in that,” he had said.

Banihal, Sep 09: Regional Officer, NHAI, R.S. Yadav on Tuesday said that the restoration work on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is in its final stage and efforts are underway to allow traffic movement at the earliest.

Yadav said, “The water coming from the upper side is being channelized, and we are trying to restore the highway for light motor vehicles by evening and for heavy vehicles till late evening.”

He said the older stretch of the highway had been completely damaged due to continuous monsoon rains and cloudbursts.

Responding to a query about restoration on both tubes, Yadav said, “We are working on it and our priority is to restore two-lane traffic. However, we will first allow one-way traffic, with the immediate focus on restoring movement towards Srinagar.”

He further added, “We are hopeful to allow traffic by evening, starting with light motor vehicles, followed by heavy motor vehicles later in the evening.”

The officer appealed to commuters to drive carefully and not panic once the road is reopened. (KNC)

Srinagar, Sep 09: Bandipora Police on Monday registered four FIRs against shopkeepers on the charges of selling rotten and unhygienic food items, including meat and vegetables in the district.

A Police official said that the action was taken after complaints from residents about food products being sold in unhygienic conditions, posing serious health risks to consumers.

“Acting on these complaints, a special police team, accompanied by Food Safety Officers and the Executive Magistrate, conducted thorough inspections of food sale points and stockist shops. During the inspections, several violations of hygiene and food safety norms were observed, prompting the registration of cases against the erring shopkeepers,” the official said, adding, “In Hajin, FIR No. 79/2025 was registered under sections 271 and 275 BNS against Khursheed Ahmad Parray of Par Mohalla, Hajin Jamia Market, for selling rotten mutton.”

“In Sumbal, a similar FIR (No. 204/2025 U/S 271 BNS) was registered against Bashir Ahmad Dhobi of Inderkot, Sumbal, who was found selling unhygienic chicken,” the official said, adding, “In Bandipora town, Fayaz Ahmad, a meat seller from Ward 6, faced FIR No. 203/2025 under sections 271 and 275 BNS for selling rotten meat. In Pethkote, Nadeem Ahmad Malik of Bankoot Bandipora was booked under FIR No. 54/2025 U/S 271 and 275 BNS for selling unhygienic vegetables and other eatables,” he said.

The official said that the crackdown is a part of a larger effort to ensure food safety and prevent practices that endanger public health.

Authorities also assured residents that stringent action will continue against those found violating food hygiene laws, including penal action under relevant sections of the law.

Officials emphasised that such anti-public health practices cannot be tolerated and reiterated the importance of accountability among shopkeepers and vendors handling consumable goods. The intervention is expected to serve as a warning to other food vendors in the district, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to ensuring clean and safe food for all citizens.

Meanwhile, residents welcomed the action, stating that strict enforcement is necessary to maintain trust in local markets and prevent health hazards.

Moreover, the MeT has stated that there is a possibility of landslides, shooting stones etc. at a few vulnerable places and advised people to stay away from water bodies, Nallas, river embankments and loose structures etc. (KNO)