The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Pulwama Police issued a statement in which it said that legal action has been initiated against a group of 'miscreants' who attempted to disrupt the voting process at a polling station in Bellow village in Rajpora Assembly constituency on Wednesday.

As per the police, the incident occurred around 1 pm when several individuals entered the polling station and began 'harassing' voters, creating a tense atmosphere.

"Security forces stationed at the site intervened, removing the group from the premises without halting the voting process, which continued uninterrupted," a police spokesman said.

Outside the polling station, as per the official, the situation escalated when the 'miscreants' confronted law enforcement officials, including SHO Rajpora and his team, and threatened to block a nearby road.

Despite the provocation, police said, security personnel handled the situation with restraint, dispersing the crowd without causing harm or injury.

The Pulwama Police confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against those involved in the disturbance.

It is pertinent to mention here that BJP leader and Rajpora Assembly Constituency candidate Arshad Bhat visited the polling station in Bellow village, where a commotion erupted.

Speaking to the media, Bhat accused the local police, particularly the SHO of Rajpora Police Station, of showing bias during the election process. However, eyewitnesses accused the BJP candidate of kicking a National Conference worker near the polling station and disrupting the voting process in the polling station.

PULWAMA — Concerns escalate in the village of Bellow Dergund, Rajpora area of Pulwama district, as health officials investigate a surge in jaundice cases, particularly among children. The outbreak has prompted urgent action from local authorities following an order issued today by Tehsildar Rajpora.

The order, issued by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir's Revenue Department, directs the deployment of a specialized team to conduct comprehensive testing of the drinking water in the affected village. The team, under the supervision of the concerned authorities, is tasked with analyzing potential contaminants and factors contributing to the spread of the disease. A detailed report outlining findings and recommendations for remedial and preventive measures is expected.

A joint visit by health and Public Health Engineering (PHE) department officials, including BMO Rajpora, was conducted on Friday as per the directive of Tehsildar Rajpora. This visit aimed to assess the situation firsthand and address grievances voiced by villagers regarding the jaundice outbreak.

According to reports, the outbreak has resulted in numerous children being admitted to local hospitals including District Hospital Pulwama. This follows a similar incident in March 2024, where nine individuals tested positive for jaundice in the Dergund Bellow area.

Residents attribute the outbreak to contaminated water supplied from a tubewell. Despite promises of a new water supply scheme, locals claim no action has been taken, and the water tank has remained uncleaned for several years.

An official from the Jal Shakti Department clarified that the village previously received water from both a spring and a tubewell. However, the tubewell recently collapsed, leading to concerns over water safety.

As the authorities continue to investigate the outbreak, the situation remains under close scrutiny as officials are tasked to address the immediate health concerns and implement long-term solutions to prevent future outbreaks.

SRINAGAR — An outbreak of jaundice in Dangerpora Padgampora village in Awantipora hamlet of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district has raised concerns as four children have tested positive, while many others are having symptoms of the disease.

A health official informed the news agency KNO that the screening process is underway, and four cases out of 35 have been confirmed positive for jaundice.

He said that medical teams along with Asha have been carrying door-to-door awareness campaigns to educate people on how to keep themselves safe. They have been guiding them to use boiled water and use vegetables and fruits after washing them properly.

Residents said that contaminated water may be the reason and there is a need to check it out.

Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, Dr Tehmeena, said that four cases of jaundice have been reported from the village.

She said that 35 samples were taken and four out of them have been reported positive. She advised locals to use boiled water only and take care of their personal hygiene as well.

Meanwhile, an official said that samples of the water being supplied to the locals have already been taken while the report is yet to come.

Notably, earlier this year around 20 cases of jaundice were reported in Pahnoo Shopian while around 10 cases were reported in Bellow area of Pulwama and all have recovered.

PULWAMA — Residents of Bellow village in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district are facing significant issues due to the absence of a proper drainage system, which they say has resulted in road damage and inconvenience.

According to locals, promises made by contractors during the macadamisation of the Pulwama-Rajpora road in 2021 have yet to materialize.

Despite assurances of a complete drainage system being integrated into the road construction, residents claim that no such system has been implemented. Now, with a cement pipe near the CRPF camp blocked, water has begun flowing onto the road, creating a stream-like effect that threatens to damage the road further.

Expressing their concerns, villagers have called upon the relevant authorities to address the situation urgently and permanently. They stress the need for immediate action to prevent further road deterioration and alleviate the inconvenience caused by the lack of proper drainage infrastructure.

Local authorities have been urged to investigate the matter and ensure that the promised drainage system is promptly installed to mitigate the ongoing issues faced by residents.

SRINAGAR — An outbreak of jaundice in Dargund Bellow village in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district has raised concerns as nine persons have tested positive, while many others are having symptoms of the disease.

A health official informed the news agency KNO that the screening process is underway, and nine cases have been confirmed positive for jaundice.

Residents allege that contaminated water is the main reason behind the outbreak of the disease. According to locals, they are receiving water from a water supply sourced from a tubewell, but the water is highly contaminated.

“Authorities had earlier promised a new water supply scheme for the village, but no action has been taken,” they claimed.

They also said the tank of their water supply scheme has not been cleaned for several years. "Despite repeatedly informing the authorities about the issue, we have not received potable water," they said.

Chief Medical Officer Pulwama, Dr Tehmeena, said that nine cases of jaundice have been reported from the village.

"We took water samples, but they came back negative as the Jal Shakti Department had already chlorinated the water," she said, adding, "People should not panic but consume boiled water and maintain proper hygiene.”

Meanwhile, an official of the Jal Shakti Department said that the village was receiving water from a spring and tubewell. While the water from the spring is safe, the tubewell has recently collapsed.

He assured that the concerned department has been contacted, and work is expected to commence on Monday. The official also said that water is being supplied to the village after proper treatment.

PULWAMA — A marriage hall in Bellow village of Pulwama district, left unused since its construction in 2005 due to administrative neglect, has seen a transformative cleanup effort following the intervention prompted by the coverage on our news portal The Kashmir Pulse.

The neglected state of the marriage hall, originally built after the village's recognition as a model village, drew attention after residents expressed frustration over its disuse and deteriorating condition. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a local resident, voiced disappointment over the building's state, citing administrative inaction despite repeated pleas for assistance.

The absence of a protective wall on the hall's backside had allowed it to become a dumping ground for garbage, exacerbating its decline. Elderly villagers echoed sentiments of despair over the structure's neglect, highlighting the urgent need for action.

In response to the heightened attention, the local administration, particularly District Commissioner Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom, directed Block Development Officer Tawqeer Ahmad to take immediate action within 24 hours. The Block Development Officer promptly initiated a cleanup operation, utilizing machinery to remove garbage from the premises.

Locals praised The Kashmir Pulse for highlighting their grievance, which spurred the administration into action. Additionally, they commended the efforts of village-level worker Jahangir Ahmad, who reportedly spent personal funds to facilitate the cleanup.

Residents expressed gratitude towards the Deputy Commissioner, Block Development Officer, and village-level worker for their swift response, urging authorities to expedite the hall's usage to prevent further deterioration and misuse by anti-social elements.

Shabir Ahmad Mir, a resident, suggested repurposing the structure into a Public Health Centre to enhance healthcare services in the area, signalling potential future developments for the facility.

PULWAMA — Despite being built in 2005, the marriage hall in Bellow village of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district is yet to host a wedding due to administrative neglect.

Originally constructed following the village's recognition as a model village, residents lament its current state of disuse.

Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a local resident, expressed disappointment over the deteriorating condition of the hall, citing administrative inaction despite repeated pleas for assistance.

The absence of a protective wall on the building's backside has led to it being used as a dumping ground for garbage, exacerbating its decline.

Elderly villagers, when interviewed, echoed a sense of despair over the hall's continued neglect.

Shabir Ahmad Mir, another resident, proposed repurposing the structure into a Public Health Centre to enhance healthcare services in the area.

PULWAMA — Jammu & Kashmir Police busted an extortion racket in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on late Monday night.

As per the official statement, "Police Station Rajpora received a written complaint from one (name withheld for security reasons) wherein he stated that at about 1930 hours, while on way to home from his clinic, some unknown person intercepted him and threatened him with weapons and asked for money & other valuable items and fled away from the spot by taking his wallet containing Rs 3300 and mobile phone."

"Upon this report, a Case FIR No. 8/2023 under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Rajpora, and the investigation was set into motion," the statement added.

According to the police, several persons were rounded up during the course of the investigation. "One among them has been identified as Adil Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Yousuf Dar, resident of Bellow village."

Adil was interrogated professionally and revealed that he has committed the said crime using 'toy' pistols. "Upon his disclosure, the following articles were recovered: Toy Pistols (2); Wallets (3); Redmi Mobile Phone; Cash of Rs 3330; J&K Bank ATM; Aadhar Card; SBI ATM Card, Driving License; PAN Card; Election Card; Jio SIM Card belonging to the complainant and a voucher bearing number 678 of Altaf Electric Works Shopain."

"Further investigation into the matter is in progress," the police statement said, adding that the general public is requested not to fall into any such trap and to inform the concerned police station about any such incident.

SRINAGAR — Hours after snatching a rifle from a paramilitary CRPF personnel in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police on Sunday said that the youth was brought back with the assistance of his family.

“With the assistance of family, Police brought back Irfan Bashir Ganie alias Soba Ganie, aged about 25 years, son of Bashir Ahmad of Bellow Pulwama along with an AK-47 rifle which he snatched from CRPF personnel today morning,” ADGP Kashmir said in a tweet as per the news agency GNS, adding, “Investigation is going on. We appreciate the role of his family.”

Earlier in the day, a rifle was snatched from the paramilitary CRPF soldier at 11:45 AM in Rajpora area of the district, officials said.

Soon after the incident, police and CRPF cordoned off the area and started searches in the area.

SRINAGAR — Suspected militants on Sunday snatched weapon from Central Reserve Police personnel near Below Rajpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A top police officer told GNS that militants snatched a rifle from CRPF personnel of 183 BN posted on Naka duty near Below area.

Soon after the incident whole area has been cordoned off to nab the fleeing militants.

More details will follow.

PULWAMA — The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday organized a free medical camp under its civic action program in Bellow village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

In the camp, people were given health checkups, administered medicines, and provided medical guidance and medical kits free of cost.

RD. Jeany Anal, the 183 battalion’s Commanding Officer, inaugurated the medical camp, wherein doctors gave free medicines to the patients apart from the consultation.

While speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, Commanding Officer RD. Jeany Anal said that the CRPF is always ready to provide assistance to the local population in the possible means.

PULWAMA — The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday organized a free medical camp under its civic action program in Bellow village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

In the camp, people were given health checkups, administered medicines, and provided medical guidance and medical kits free of cost.

RD. Jeany Anal, the 183 battalion’s Commanding Officer, inaugurated the medical camp, wherein doctors gave free medicines to the patients apart from the consultation.

While speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, Commanding Officer RD. Jeany Anal said that the CRPF is always ready to provide assistance to the local population in the possible means.