The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — In a series of coordinated operations, Pulwama Police have achieved significant breakthroughs across multiple fronts, arresting thieves and drug peddlers as well as seizing tippers for illegal mining.

In the first operation, Pulwama Police arrested three individuals involved in a theft case reported by Irshad Ahmad Dar, a resident of Lajoora Pulwama.

The theft, which occurred at an under-construction Sheep Building in Dangerpora Pulwama, led to the registration of FIR No. 163/2024. Following intensive questioning, the suspects—Sheraz Ahmad Bhat of Keller, Mehrooz Mushtaq and Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir of Dangerpora—confessed to the crime.

The stolen water pump was recovered, and the investigation remains ongoing.

In a separate anti-drug operation, Pulwama Police set up a checkpoint at Gangoo Pulwama, resulting in the arrest of two notorious drug peddlers.

The police intercepted a truck driven by Sukhdev Singh of Punjab, recovering 15 kg of poppy straw. Further investigation led to the arrest of Mohammad Yousuf Gadda of Gangoo, who was also found in possession of a substantial quantity of poppy straw.

FIR No. 166/2024 has been registered, and police anticipate further arrests as part of their intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in the area.

Adding to these successful operations, Pulwama Police continued their ongoing drive against illegal mining, seizing two tippers used in the illicit extraction of materials.

The vehicles, bearing registration numbers JK01R-9135 and JK05C-5844, were seized by the Police Post Rahmoo, though the drivers managed to flee the scene. FIR No. 66/2024 has been registered, and efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits.

Meanwhile, the police have urged the people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

PULWAMA — The residents of Rahmoo area in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district are facing challenges due to the lack of facilities at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) Rahmoo. Despite being established in 2002, the PHC has not been fully equipped to meet the healthcare needs of the local population, causing immense suffering for thousands of people.

Situated about 10 kilometres from the district headquarters in Pulwama, the PHC in Rahmoo village has been unable to provide adequate healthcare services, forcing patients to seek treatment either at the district hospital or private clinics, locals told the local news agency KNO.

While the existing staff is doing their best, the shortage of personnel is severely impacting healthcare delivery, they added.

Mohammad Akbar, a local resident, said the PHC caters to a population of at least 40,000 people, but it is lacking in several essential facilities. “Although two buildings are nearly complete, a third building remains unfinished with no work done for years. The completion of these buildings is crucial to improving healthcare services,” he said.

Qayoom Khan, another resident, said that the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom's intervention led to some progress on the second storey of the main building, which is now almost ready. “However, the electricity supply remains weak, hindering the PHC’s operations,” he said, adding that recently, two heart attack patients were unable to receive ECGs due to the absence of a technician, which resulted in delays that could have been critical.

The locals said their efforts have secured a 300mA X-ray machine for the hospital, but it has been non-operational for the past year due to the need for a three-phase electricity connection and a qualified technician.

They added that the lack of proper road connectivity and an incomplete bridge delays access to the District Hospital Pulwama, which increases the strain on patients and their families.

Residents said they have repeatedly raised these issues with higher authorities, yet no action has been taken. They have now appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to address these concerns and ensure the PHC is equipped with the necessary facilities.

An official from the health department said that the PHC has enough staff to operate from 10 am to 4 pm. He, however, acknowledged that running 24×7 services requires additional personnel.

The official also said that there is a need for a three-phase electricity connection and a technician to operate the X-ray and ECG machines. “The issue has been brought to the attention of higher authorities, and the department is hopeful for positive steps to be taken soon,” he said.

PULWAMA — Despite elapsing 10 years, a vital bridge on Romshi rivulet in Rahmoo village of Pulwama district is awaiting completion, thereby leaving the locals to lurch at large.

Locals from Rahmoo area told the news agency KNO that the Romshi bridge was washed out during the 2014 floods and since then people of this area have been facing hardships as authorities have failed to complete this bridge.

Javid Ahmad, a local resident, said that this bridge connects Pulwama district with neighbouring Budgam district and is of vital importance but most of the time, the work on the bridge remains on halt due to which it is incomplete for the last 10 years.

He said that many bridges, which were approved after the 2014 floods, have been completed but this bridge has been left incomplete due to unknown reasons.

Basharat Ahmad, another local resident, said that this bridge is funded by the World Bank and was taken up by JKPCC nine years back and work was started accordingly, however, authorities are yet to complete it due to which locals continue to face difficulties.

He said that the bridge connects Pulwama with Budgam district and work on the bridge is going at a snail’s pace due to which it is taking so much time.

Locals said that whenever they take up the issue with the higher-ups or highlight it through media, the work on the bridge is started again for a few days and then again put on halt. They said work on the bridge should be started with apace and be completed at the earliest.

Locals said that due to the efforts of District Magistrate Pulwama, most of the work has been already completed but it has been put on halt again. They requested concerned authorities, especially the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter and complete this project at the earliest so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.

Pertinently, the bridge at Rahmoo is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 21.5 crore.

Meanwhile, an official said that the work will resume and the bridge will be completed very soon.

PULWAMA — Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Monday said that police are fully prepared to ensure peaceful Lok Sabha elections whenever they are announced and the force will provide a safe and secure atmosphere to enthusiastic voters.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the police post at Rohmoo in the southern district of Pulwama, the DGP, as per the news agency KNO, said that the police force is fully prepared and geared up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in J&K.

“We will ensure peaceful Lok Sabha polls in J&K. We will provide a safe and secure atmosphere to enthusiastic voters,” the DGP said, in reply to a query.

Replying to another query about links between 'narco-terror' and 'terrorism', the DGP said that earlier, they had a doubt whether these two were really linked. “As and when investigations progressed, concrete evidence came to the fore that narco-trade and terrorism are deeply not only linked but interconnected. Terrorist outfits like Al-Badr, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba are behind this trade,” he said.

The J&K Police chief said that the value of Rs 15 lakh consignment of narcotics reaches up to Rs 1 crore while travelling from Kashmir to Delhi and other parts of the country.

“We have a robust mechanism to curb and crack this trade. It is not so easy but we are doing and the police force is capable to do it,” he said.

PULWAMA — Authorities in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district have apprehended two individuals masquerading as journalists for their involvement in a case of extortion.

According to a senior police officer speaking to a local news agency, the accused, identified as Abass Ahmad Seh and his accomplice Sheraz Ahmed Dar, were caught red-handed while attempting to extort money from a local resident in Rahmoo village.

The prompt action by Pulwama Police led to the detention of Abass Ahmad Seh, son of Mohammad Akbar Seh, and Sheraz Ahmed Dar, son of Mohammad Ameen Dar, both hailing from Nagbal and Urpara Nagbal Shopian respectively.

The individuals allegedly posed as journalists and demanded payment from Mohammad Shafi Rather, a resident of Rahmoo village, to prevent the exposure of certain construction activities in Khacharie land.

During the arrest, police confiscated a counterfeit identity card along with mobile phones used in the illicit operation.

The case has been registered under FIR No. 19/2024, sections 419 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station Rajpora. Investigations are ongoing to unveil any connections or networks involved in this fraudulent scheme, the official stated.

PULWAMA — After eight years of sluggish progress, the Rahmoo Pulwama bridge, swept away during the devastating 2014 floods, is slated to reopen its gates to the public. The bridge's lengthy reconstruction timeline has been a cause for dissatisfaction among residents from Rahmoo, Tujan, Pakherpora, Charar-e-Sharief and surrounding areas, who heavily relied on its connection to Pulwama.

Initially anticipated to be completed within a shorter timeframe, the slow pace of work on the Rahmoo bridge has been a cause of distress for locals, especially considering its crucial role as the sole link between the aforementioned villages and Pulwama. Despite an arduous decade-long endeavour, the bridge remains only halfway complete as construction efforts persist.

According to insider reports, the projected timeline for the bridge's full completion is estimated to stretch for another month. The deadline for its ultimate completion, originally set for February 2024, is expected to be met as the bridge gears up for its reopening in March 2024.

In response to the imminent reopening, reactions among neighbouring communities are mixed. The protracted delay has sparked frustration and inconvenience for locals who have been contending with prolonged travel and access issues due to the bridge's closure. However, with the impending revival of the Rahmoo bridge, there is a palpable sense of relief and elation among residents of adjacent areas, heralding the prospect of restored connectivity.

Local authorities have emphasized the importance of this infrastructure as a critical lifeline for the region and have assured that the bridge's reopening will alleviate the hardships faced by the communities reliant on this vital link.

As the final touches are put in place, anticipation looms high among residents eagerly awaiting the much-awaited reopening of the Rahmoo bridge, signalling a beacon of renewed connectivity and hope for the region.

It is important to mention here that the bridge on Romshi Nallah, which connects Pulwama with Budgam district via dozens of areas including Charar-e-Sharief and Pakherpora, is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 21.5 crore.

PULWAMA — In south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, where apples and other fruits are cultivated on a large scale, there are thousands of canals in the district where only almonds are cultivated. The people of these areas are associated with almond cultivation for centuries. But due to the lack of attention by the Horticulture department, almond cultivation is on the verge of decline.

Locals from the district said that nobody from the authorities is willing to accept the contribution of this industry. As a result, the almond industry is vanishing from the map of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Wild animals have created havoc, damaged all these almond trees, but nobody cares and comes forward,” said a local from Trichal village of the south Kashmir district. "Instead of focusing on this industry, different types of plants are introduced."

The local residents from Newa, Parigam, Zadoora and Rahmoo said that wild animals have completely damaged their almond trees. “This land is good for almond cultivation and a little bit of attention from the government can flourish this industry,” said Abdul Gagar.

The locals accused the Horticulture department of negligence, saying not a single officer visited these villages where the almond industry can flourish.

PULWAMA — The condition of a Primary Health Centre on the ground in Rahmoo village of Pulwama district is completely contrary to what is being claimed as the health facility has been functioning from an incomplete building.

The health center in Rahmoo village, which is about 10 kilometers from district headquarters Pulwama, is devoid of all basic facilities due to which thousands of people are suffering.

Locals from the village, as per the news agency KNO, said that the poor health care provided at PHC is forcing patients to visit either the district hospital or private clinics for treatment. They said that the health center caters to a population of at least 40,000 but the facilities are poorly inadequate.

"The Centre was established in 2002 and in the last 21 years, the authorities have failed in completing the building, providing machinery, lab and other vital equipment," said Mohammad Akbar, a local resident.

He added, "The main problem is that even after 21 years, authorities have failed to complete the main building of the center and two other two buildings meant for residential purposes of staff are lying in dilapidated condition even before completion."

"The center, catering to the villages of Rahmoo, Goosu, Frasipora, Mitrigam, Zaigam, Kamrazipora, Thokerpora, Tujan and its adjacent areas, is currently functioning from an incomplete single-storey building," said Rayees Ahmad, another local.

He said that the second storey of the main building is lying in dilapidated condition as rooms are without ceilings with shabby walls and no doors.

Locals said that the ground floor isn't enough to accommodate all sections of the hospital, besides that there are no electricity and laboratory facilities available at the hospital.

Locals said that they have brought this issue to the notice of higher-ups multiple times but nothing is being done on the ground. They have appealed to the LG-led administration to look into the matter and provide basic facilities at the center so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.

An official said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted for the remaining work before higher-ups. “We are waiting for its approval so that buildings can be completed and the center can be equipped with better facilities,” he said.

PULWAMA — Rahmoo Public Interest (RPI) on Monday expressed condolence over the demise of 75-year-old Abdul Gani Dar, father of Tariq Ahmad Dar (Soilaha), who passed away on Saturday after a brief illness.

Several members of the RPI, including its Vice President, visited the residence of the bereaved at Rahmoo Pulwama on Monday and offered Fateha prayers there.

The RPI members prayed for the departed soul and extended sympathy to the bereaved family.

Also, Chairman of All Jammu and Kashmir Tehreek Soot-ul-Awalia Al-Hajj Al-Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi visited the residence of Tariq Ahmad and offered his condolences.

PULWAMA — A cricket tournament, Ramzan Casco Tournament, is being organized in Rahmoo village of south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

The Ramzan Casco Tournament, being organised by Rahmoo Public Interest, is being played at the sports ground in Rahmoo Pulwama.

The first match was played between SNCC vs Shining Star Astanpora Rahmoo, which was won by SNCC with a margin of 21 runs.