Srinagar, Nov 21: Days after Vice Chancellor Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST- K) Dr Nazir Ganai made remarks that Srinagar was “the most unorganised city with no land use policy”, Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) has reitereated that time and again it has taken up this issue with the Jammu and Kashmir government.

In a statement, retired IAS officer and Chairman, Group of Concerned Citizens, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai said heed should be paid to advice of VC SKUAST. “Regulate conversion of agriculture land to conserve it. Otherwise whole of the Valley will become a concrete jungle in the next ten years with no land left for agriculture. High prices of land was encouraging owners to sell their agriculture land for construction of residential houses and shops in the most uneconomical and unplanned manner. VC SKUAST has rightly referred to Srinagar as the most unorganised city notwithstanding the master plan which is there to be violated,” said Ganai.

He said GCC had already flagged this issue of unregulated conversion of agriculture land last year in November with the Chief Secretary in a meeting with him. Ganai added that this issue was also taken up with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a meeting with him in June this year. Notably, last week Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, Dr Nazir Ganai said that Srinagar was the most unorganised city in the country with no land use policy in place. The Vice Chancellor said this while responding to a query on the agricultural land getting squeezed due to the boom of constructions.

Tral, Nov 21: Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday said that Kashmiris are being persecuted for violence of which they themselves are the victims.

“Kashmiris are the biggest victims of violence, and you cannot target them for a mistake they never committed. But as has been seen in the past, whenever such incidents happen, every Kashmiri Muslim is viewed with suspicion and targeted,” Ruhullah told media persons in Hari-Tral, where he had gone to offer condolences to the family of crime photographer Javaid Ahmad Rather, who died in the Nowgam incident.

Nine people were killed in the blast in Nowgam, and a Kashmiri man also lost his life in Delhi, he said.

“Similarly, violence hits non-Kashmiris as well. So you cannot wage war against victims of violence instead of bringing the perpetrators to book. This only emboldens the perpetrators instead of weakening them,” he said.

Standing at the condolence site, Ruhullah said the photographer was “a Kashmiri who became a victim of violence,” adding that an entire community cannot be persecuted for the inhuman acts of a few.

“Out of 1 crore Muslims living in Jammu and Kashmir, only 0.001 percent may be involved in such acts. You cannot persecute the remaining 99.999 percent peace-loving people,” he said.

He added that while most people outside the region do not fall for what he called BJP propaganda, “there is certainly a fringe that gets a chance to target Kashmiris and Muslims living outside.”

Ruhullah also called for a probe into the blast at the Nowgam police station, which killed nine people.

“The way the incident unfolded suggests it was handled in an unprofessional manner. The explosives were kept improperly, and even those with no expertise like a tailor and the tehsildar, were brought there. The incident should be probed so that anyone responsible for lapses is held accountable. And if it is something other than a mere accident, that should be investigated too,” he said.

He added that compensation should be provided to the families of the deceased and jobs offered to their next of kin, many of whom were sole breadwinners.

Srinagar, Nov 21: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Friday announced power shutdown in Kashmir parts in approaching days owing to maintenance and other repair works.

According to the Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, shutdown of 132/33 KV GSS Amargarh will be observed due to which power supply to Panzipora, Tarzoo, Hygam, Shair Colony, Arampora, Mahrajpora, Bugoo, Police Station, ADC Watlab, Hathlangoo, Warpora, Dooru, Shiva, Tujjar, Sharief, Shrian, Nowpora, Mazbugh, Reban, Achabal, Doabgah, Ferozpora, Panzulla, Shutloo, Chakloo, Ladoora, Nadihal, Gurseer, Pethseer, PHE, Fruit Mandi, LIS, Dangiwachi, Hachipora and adjoining areas will be affected from 10.00 AM to 11.00 AM on 23 November, 2025. Likewise, power supply to Hadipora, watrigam, Hachipora, Safalpora, Ganapora, Nowpora, Achbal, Seelu, Bomai, seer, Chakloo, Ruhama and LIS Ludoora will be affected from 11.00 AM to 04.00 PM on 23 November, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of 132 KV D/C Budgam-Chadoora Transmission Line (Both Circuits) will be observed due to which power supply to Wathoora, Chadoora, Panzan, Rangar, Sogam, Nagam, Badipora, Hafroo, Lolipora, Hayatpora, Kakawring, Tilsera, Chararisharief, Nagbal, Darwan, Yousmarg and adjoining areas will be affected from 09.00 AM to 02.00 PM on  22 November, 2025.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Grid Station Kulgam will be observed due to which power supply to Chambgund, Ahmadabad, Khul, Aharbal, Yaripora, Behibagh, Nillow, Rambhama, D.H. Pora, Nagam, Redwani, Kulgam, Sangus, Mohammadpora, D.K. Marg, Devsar, Pahloo, Gasran, Ashmuji, Chawalgam, Kilam, Devsar and adjoining areas will be affected from 09.00 AM to 04.00 PM on 23 November, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Watrehail Tap line will be observed due to which power supply to Watrehail, Samsaan, , Watrehail, PHE Substation, Parthan and adjoining areas will be affected from 09.30 AM to 03.30 PM on 26 & 29 November, 2025.

Furthermore, shutdown of 33 KV Bemina-JVC line will be observed due to which power supply to JVC Hospital, Children Hospital, State Motor Garage, Hajj House, Forensic Lab, PC Depot, Qamarwari, Barthana and adjoingin areas will be affected 10.00 AM to 02.00 PM on 25 November, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Bemina-Fatehkadal line will be observed due to which power supply to Bishember Nagar, Babademb, Gousia Hospital, Bohrikadal, Nowpora, KK Mohalla, Barbarshah and adjoingina areas will be affected from 09.30 AM to 04.00 PM on 23, 26 & 30 November, 2025.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Badampora Kurhama Dab line and 33 KV Badampora-Lar Tulmulla line will be observed due to which power supply to Yangpora, Baroosa, Old Dab, Cheki Baba Salun, Sainik School, Rabitar, Kondbal, GCET Safapora, Lar, Waliwar, Watlar, Repora, Tulmulla, Dangerpora, Watlar, Theeru, Larsun  adjoining areas will be affected from 09.30 AM to 03.30 PM on 25 & 30 November, 2025.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Pampore-Pulwama line will be observed due to which power supply to Kakapora, Newa, Pahoo, Nehama, Zadoora, Gudoora, Parigam and adjoining areas will be affected from 09.30 AM to 03.30 PM on 24, 27 & 30  November, 2025.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Sidiq Colony Tapline will be observed due to which power supply to Model Town, Kapra, Essential, Noorbagh and adjoining areas will be affected from 10.00 AM to 04.00 PM on 23 November, 2025.