Shopian, Oct 05: A wave of thefts has unsettled locals in parts of South Kashmir’s Shopian district after burglars decamped with gold ornaments worth around Rs 12 lakh from a residential house in Dhobipora, Nagabal, while two cows were stolen in a separate incident in the Haidergund village during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

Reports said the burglary at Dhobipora came to light when the family of Nazir Ahmed Wani discovered that their house had been broken into. The burglars reportedly took away gold ornaments valued at approximately Rs 12 lakh. Police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation into the incident.

In another incident the same night, two cows belonging to locals identified as Nisar Ahmed Malik and Muhammad Amin Malik were stolen from Haidergund village. The theft has sparked widespread concern among villagers, who say they have been facing a recurring pattern of such incidents over the past few years.

Locals said that last year alone, at least 13 cows were stolen from different villages across the district, including areas like Vehil, Hermain, and Pinjoora. They alleged that despite repeated complaints, such thefts continue unabated.

“We strongly believe that most of these incidents are linked to drug addicts who steal valuables and livestock to fund their addiction.”

Several locals urged the authorities to intensify night patrols, particularly in interior villages where such thefts are on the rise. They said that with the onset of autumn, when most families are busy with harvesting and horticultural work, thieves find an easy opportunity to strike. [KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 4: The J&K Commissioner of Food Safety Saturday issued an order that prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation, and sale of frozen and chilled meat products that fail to meet safety standards.

The detailed order comes two months after the Food Safety Department discovered and destroyed 1200 kg of substandard packaged meat, the seizure proving to be the tip of an iceberg.

The ‘Prohibitory Order’ states that adequate grounds exist after inspection findings that a “health risk condition” exists across J&K, requiring immediate preventive action in the interest of public health.

It spells out ongoing violations uncovered during recent inspections.

Despite existing regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, widespread violations and overall unacceptable conditions of frozen meat and meat products have been reported by the department.

Over the past two months, large quantities of rotten, decomposed, and unlabeled meat have been seized and destroyed across Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

The ban includes improper labeling, storage temperatures, and shelf-life guidelines.

Section 30 of the FSSAI 2006 empowers the commissioner to prohibit hazardous practices in the interest of public safety.

The department said that the ban has been issued to ensure safer meat options for people of J&K.

With the dint of the order, meat product that is not labeled properly, not stored in the safe and specified temperature conditions, and do not having detailed source and destination information can be confiscated at the entry points into J&K.

The meat packages are also required to have an FSSAI license number and FSSAI logo.

It must also have the mandatory information on the animal that is the source of the meat: goat, chicken, and buffalo.

Frozen meat must be kept at minus 18 degrees Celsius or below to prevent microbial growth, and chilled meat must be stored at 0 to 4 degrees Celsius for short-term handling.

In addition, no meat can be sold beyond 12 months from its freezing date.

Online sellers must ensure that their products have at least 70 percent of their shelf life remaining.

All meat and meat products must have a prominent non-vegetarian sign on the package.

The prohibitory order has been communicated to various departments that form the core of ensuring compliance with food safety.

The department officials said that Police and other officials who check incoming goods and produce at entry points can also check for the violations listed in the prohibitory order and take necessary action.

The food business operators, like restaurants and consumers, have been advised to stay vigilant and check their meat supply before purchase.

“If the meat package lacks any of the information that is mandatory as per FSSAI 2006, it is unfit for consumption. Moreover, the storage and transport conditions of meats must also be inspected regularly by the FBOs,” the officials said.

Srinagar, Oct 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) on Saturday announced a 15 percent syllabus relaxation for class 10th, 11th, and 12th students in their upcoming annual regular examinations.

The move comes weeks after the Minister for Education, Sakina Itoo, said that the routine academics in schools was badly hit during the current academic session in the wake of a war-like situation and recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Education Minister said the recent flood-like situation also disrupted the normal functioning of the schools, which had an impact on the completion of the syllabus.

“We are aware of these factors and have taken feedback from students and parents as well. We will also seek feedback from other stakeholders in this regard and take measures to address the situation in the interest of the students,” she said.

In the wake of this, BOSE announced a 15 percent syllabus relaxation for the class 10th to 12th students in their upcoming annual exams.

Director Academics BOSE in a notification said that the decision was taken consequent upon the recommendations received from Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, (DSEK) and Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ) besides pleas received from other stakeholders regarding reduction in syllabus due to delayed commencement of academic session this year coupled with the disruptions in the academic calendar due to heat wave, torrential rains, cloudbursts, and floods.

“As approved by the competent authority, it is hereby notified that the prospective eligible students appearing in the class 10th, 11th, and 12th in the ensuing Annual Regular 2025 examination (Oct-Nov session) in Kashmir division and winter zone areas of Jammu division including Ladakh, should attempt 85 percent marks which will correspond to 100 percent marks, availing this 15 percent relaxation in syllabus,” the notification reads.

It reads that the question paper should, however, be set from the entire prescribed syllabus, and the students will have to attempt 85 percent marks from the question papers within the internal choice.

“Each Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) attempted by the student should be marked individually, and the same will be applicable to the grammar portion in language subjects,” the BOSE notification reads.

The BOSE also notified the date sheet for the 10th class annual examination.

As per the date sheet, the exam will commence on November 3 and culminate on November 27.

The timing of the papers has been fixed from 11 am to 2 pm, and around 95,000 students will appear in the class 10th annual exams.

The exams will commence on November 3 for the Mathematics subject, followed by Social Science on November 7, Science on November 11, and English on November 14.

The examination for Urdu and Hindi papers is scheduled on November 17, and vocational subjects on November 21.

“In between, the Computer Science paper will be held on November 19,” it reads.

Exams in Painting, Art, and Drawing subjects are scheduled on November 27.

“In between, subjects with a smaller number of candidates like Home Science will be held on November 23, Music on November 25, and additional and optional subjects including Kashmiri, Dogri, Bhoti, Punjabi, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Persian, and Sanskrit have been scheduled on November 24,” it reads.

BOSE has asked the invigilatory staff to be completely professional while discharging their duties to safeguard the purity and integrity of exams and requested the School Education Department (SED) to extend cordial support in the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.