Uri, Jul 2: Two lavender nurseries have been established in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district by the Agriculture Department to promote medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation and enhance the farmers’ income, officials said.

The nurseries have been established in the border areas of Trikanjan Boniyar and Sultandakhi in Uri to encourage farmers to adopt medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation as a profitable commercial venture.

The nursery at Trikanjan Boniyar, spread over nearly 40 kanals, has been equipped with a modern lavender oil extraction and processing unit for producing premium essential oils and perfumes, the officials said.

They said the Sultandakhi nursery, covering around 10 kanals, will focus on cultivating and distributing quality lavender planting material among local farmers.

Apart from lavender, the farm at Trikanjan is also cultivating several high-value species, including rosemary, Saussurea costus, Bergenia ciliata, Artemisia annua, and Acorus calamus, further expanding opportunities for diversified farming in the region, the officials added.

Farm expert, Sharan Gurdev Singh, said the initiative aims to encourage farmers to adopt medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation as a profitable commercial venture.

He said the department is providing technical guidance, quality planting material and continuous support to growers interested in shifting towards high-value crops.

Farm Manager at Trikanjan Boniyar, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, said the establishment of the nurseries and processing facility marks a significant step toward developing Uri into a major hub for medicinal and aromatic plants, with lavender emerging as a promising cash crop capable of strengthening the local agricultural economy.

Local workers involved in maintaining the nurseries said regular upkeep remains essential for healthy crop growth.

“We carry out cleaning and maintenance work at least three times a week to ensure proper plant care,” they said.

The initiative is expected to open new livelihood opportunities for farmers and labourers alike while positioning Uri as an emerging centre for lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ganderbal, July 02: A woman died under suspicious circumstances in Waliwar area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Thursday.

According to the family members, the woman was found hanging inside her home in the Waliwar area of  Ganderbal on Thursday.

After receiving the information, the police reached the spot and initiated inquest proceedings. The body was subsequently shifted for a medico-legal examination as part of the legal process.

The maternal family of the deceased woman, however, has alleged that she was murdered and demanded a thorough probe.

Officials said the exact cause of death will be determined after the completion of all legal and medical formalities. Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation into the incident. 

Srinagar, Jul 2: The first batch of pilgrims for the annual Amarnath Yatra received a warm welcome as they reached the Kashmir valley on Thursday, officials said.

The batch of 4,822 pilgrims was flagged off earlier in the day by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.

As the convoy entered the Valley through the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district under tight multi-tier security cover, they received a rousing welcome, officials said.

Police and civil administration officials, including the IG CRPF (Inspector General in Central Reserve Police Force) and DIG South Kashmir Range Javid Iqbal Matoo, greeted the pilgrims with garlands, flower bouquets and petals.

The convoys later proceeded separately towards the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps, from where pilgrims will begin the onward journey early Friday to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine.

The 57-day pilgrimage will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28. Devotees can take either the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag or the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

Srinagar, July 2: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar, on Thursday summoned a local news portal over the recording and publication of an interview of a school child without obtaining parental consent, while separately directing the Cyber Police to facilitate the removal of viral videos featuring school children from social media.

In a notice, the CWC said it had come to its notice that “a child was interviewed and recorded by representatives of” the news portal “without obtaining the informed consent of the child’s parent/legal guardian and without the knowledge or permission of the concerned school authorities.”

The committee said such action, if established, “may amount to a violation of the rights of the child guaranteed under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, wherever applicable, and the media reporting safeguards issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights regarding the protection of children’s identity, privacy, dignity, and best interests.”

Accordingly, “in exercise of the powers vested in the Child Welfare Committee under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015,” the CWC directed the news portal to appear before it on July 3 at 12 noon at its Srinagar office.

The committee asked the portal to produce “the reporter/interviewer concerned,” “the cameraperson or media personnel present during the interview, if any,” and “a written explanation regarding the circumstances under which the interview was conducted.”

It has also sought “copies of the recorded interview, published/broadcast material, and any consent or authorization relied upon” along with “any other relevant documents in your possession.”

The notice warned that “failure to appear or to furnish the required information may invite appropriate action in accordance with law.”

In a separate order, the CWC directed the Station House Officer of Cyber Police Station, Srinagar, to identify social media accounts, URLs and digital platforms hosting or circulating videos of school children interviewed outside their school premises. One of the videos, which was widely shared on social media, showed children expressing views related to the Education Minister Sakina Itoo and summer vacations.

The committee said interviewing children on public issues without informed parental or guardian consent and without permission from school authorities raises “serious concerns regarding the privacy, safety, dignity, and best interests of the children.”

It observed that continued circulation of such videos could expose children to “public scrutiny, harassment, misuse of identity, and other forms of harm.”

The Cyber Police has been asked to take expeditious steps to remove or block the videos, examine whether any child protection or digital laws were violated, and initiate legal action if warranted. It has also been directed to submit an Action Taken Report to the committee within 48 hours.

Srinagar, Jul 02: The Economic Offences Wing Kashmir of (Crime Branch J&K) has produced a chargesheet before the Court of Forest Magistrate, Srinagar against four accused persons for securing government jobs through fake and forged documents, officials said.

The chargesheet has been filed  in FIR No. 16/2014 under Sections 420, 468 and 471 of the RPC against the accused identifies as Shuja Jeelani, son of Gh. Jeelani, resident of 79-B, Pamposh Colony Chanapora Srinagar; Mohd Iqbal, son of Mohd Usman, resident of H.No. 181 Umer Colony, Lal Nagar Chanapora Srinagar; Nisar Ahmad Wani, son of Nasir Ahmad Wani, resident of Malwari Pulwama; and Riyaz Ahmad Shah, son of Ab. Aziz Shah, resident of Midoora Awantipora Pulwama.

In a press statement, an official spokesperson said, “The case was registered following a complaint alleging that four candidates selected by the Services Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) for various posts in the Health Department had secured their appointments on the basis of fake and forged educational testimonials. During verification, the documents submitted by the accused were found to be forged and inconsistent with the records furnished at the time of selection.”

“Consequently, their selections were cancelled. The investigation established that the accused had dishonestly procured government employment by using forged certificates, thereby cheating the authorities,” he added.

The spokesperson advised the general public to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report any such incidents to the SSP, EOW Kashmir, Crime Branch J&K. Victims of economic fraud may also submit their complaints via email at [email protected].