The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — A young man, who was the father of two small kids, died today after he got electrocuted with a low-hanging high-tension (HT) electric line in Pulwama district.

Abul Hameed Reshi, a 38-year-old man, died today at Mirbagh locality in Ratnipora village of Pulwama district when he came in touch with a low-hanging high-tension power line. Hameed, son of late Ghulam Hassan Reshi, was working as a driver.

Locals said he was working at his orchard in Mirbagh when his tube well pipe came in touch with a low-lying HT power line. He was rushed to Kakapora health centre where he was declared dead.

Locals alleged that the incident occurred due to negligence of the Power Development Department (now called KPDCL) as they had kept a low-hanging HT line for the electricity supply to Mirbagh.

Locals said that despite repeated requests to the PDD authorities to maintain a proper height of the HT line, they didn't bother to elevate its height.

"Had the PDD acted on time by elevating the HT line to an acceptable height, the incident could have been averted," the locals rued.

PULWAMA — Police has arrested the 45-year-old accused man Younis Sheikh from Puchal village of southern Kashmir's Pulwama district for assaulting and grievously injuring an 18-year-old youth during a cricket in Lajoora village.

Official sources said that police have filed an FIR No. 102 under sections 321 (wrongful restraint) and 323 IPC (causing hurt) against Younis Sheikh in Police Station Pulwama and put him behind bars.

On Tuesday, Younis Sheikh assaulted Faizan Qayoom of Ratnipora in Lajoora cricket stadium during a cricket match after players from two opposing teams had an argument over the inclusion of a player into the Ratnipora team.

Eyewitness said that Younis assaulted and smashed Faizan on his head with a wicket and grievously injured him. Faizan was rushed to SKIMS Soura by his teammates, where he is under treatment and doctors are monitoring his condition.

Local cricketers said that Younis Sheikh from Puchal is owning Haji 11 cricket team from Puchal and is known for his notorious and infamous reputation in the area.

Local teams have also demanded a complete ban on Younis and his team for participating in any tournament in the district. "His violent behaviour will jeopardise the life of young cricketers if he is allowed to participate in cricket tournaments. For the safety of young players, he must be banned by all tournament organisers henceforth," several cricketers in Pulwama said.

Sources said that Younis Sheikh is running a soil mining mafia in Puchal, Lajoora and Malangpora villages where this mafia has wreaked havoc on the local Karewas due to illegal mining.

They said that to put a social veil on his illegal soil mining in the area, Younis Sheikh is sponsoring the Haji 11 team to hide his illegal earning and gain social sanctity in the area.

PULWAMA — An 18-year-old youth from Ratnipora village of Pulwama is battling for his life at SKIMS Soura after he was assaulted by a 45-year-old man with a wooden rod in Lajoora village during a cricket match.

Witnesses said that Faizaan Qayoom Bhat of Ratnipora was allegedly smashed by a wooden rod by Younis Sheikh of Puchal village after a scuffle during a cricket match.

They said that teams from Puchal and Ratnipora were playing a cricket match at Lajoora cricket ground, and when the match reached into the final overs, there was some argument between the players over some player's residence.

They said that while the argument was going on, Younis Sheikh smashed Faizan with the rod, leaving him grievously injured. They said that Younis' sons were playing for Puchal team due which he assaulted Faizan.

Fiazan was rushed to the District Hospital Pulwama, where doctors referred him to SKIMS Soura for tertiary treatment.

Doctors in SKIMS said that Faizan has been assaulted due to which he had suffered trauma on his head. His uncle said Faizan's teammates have informed the police in Pulwama. He said that the family is worried about the condition of their son and wants strict action against the culprit.

Police officials in Pulwama said that they have taken cognizance of the incident and are investigating it.

Meanwhile, Faizan's teammates and family are demanding legal action against Sheikh Younis. "This heinous act must be met with the full force of the law. Younis Sheikh should be arrested and held accountable for his actions without any delay," Mir Ubaid, Faizan's teammate, said.

KULGAM — The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Kulgam has filed a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Kulgam, against four accused militants, including three deceased militants and one active militant.

According to a statement issued by the police, the chargesheet pertains to case FIR number 65/2022 lodged at Police Station Kulgam. The accused militants have been identified as Jan Mohammad Lone, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Sameer Ahmad Sheikh alias Kamran Bhai, and Abid Ramzan Sheikh.

The chargesheet alleges that on June 2, 2022, the aforementioned militants, affiliated with proscribed organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), The Resistance Front (TRF), and Al-Badr, conspired to fatally shoot Vijay Kumar, the Branch Manager of Ellaqhai Dehati Bank in Arreh Kulgam. Kumar, a resident of Bagwa Rajasthan, fell victim to their illegal weapons.

Following due legal procedures, the SIU Kulgam submitted the chargesheet before the NIA-designated court under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act, and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The document seeks cognizance against the deceased militants, Jan Mohammad Lone, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, and Sameer Ahmad Sheikh, for their alleged roles in abetting the crime. Additionally, the chargesheet invokes Section 299 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against the active militant, Abid Ramzan Sheikh.

The police further informed that investigations are ongoing regarding the involvement of another accused, Arjumand Gulzar alias Hamza Burhan, an active militant associated with the proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr.

Gulzar, a resident of Kharbatpora Ratnipora Pulwama, remains at large. Authorities plan to submit a supplementary report concerning his involvement as per the provisions of Section 173(8) of the CrPC.

Further updates on the investigation are awaited as the legal proceedings progress.

PULWAMA — Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern transportation on the Pulwama-Srinagar road, Gulzar Ahmad, also known as Ghulam Mohammad, stands out with his horse-cart, offering passengers a nostalgic journey from Ratnipora village to Pahoo area.

Ahmad, a resident of Pahoo, has been ferrying passengers and various goods or commodities on his horse-cart daily, providing a traditional means of transport in an era dominated by motor vehicles. His route, particularly from Ratnipora to Pahoo, fills a void for passengers who struggle to find convenient transport options.

With a daily income ranging between 500 to 600 rupees, Ahmad remains steadfast in his traditional livelihood despite the challenges posed by modernity. Reflecting on the changing times, he reminisces about the days when there were 30 to 40 horse carts operating on the route, but now, modern vehicles have surpassed them.

"I hardly manage to run my household with the increasing inflation," Ahmad laments, highlighting the financial strain faced by traditional daily wagers like himself.

Yet, Ahmad finds solace in the reactions of passengers, especially children, who are fascinated by the sight of the horse-cart. Recounting an incident where a man, despite owning a luxury car, requested a ride for his family, Ahmad notes the yearning of Kashmiri adults to relive the past and introduce their children to traditional modes of transportation.

"Some people crave to ride a horse cart," Ahmad remarks, emphasizing the enduring appeal of the traditional experience.

While the march of modernity has seen many horse-cart owners transition to other occupations, Ahmad remains committed to preserving a piece of Kashmir's heritage on the roads of Pulwama. His horse-cart not only offers practical transportation but also serves as a reminder of simpler times in the midst of today's fast-paced world.

PULWAMA — Police authorities have initiated an investigation following a reported theft of copper utensils worth lakhs of rupees from a shop in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

According to reports, burglars targeted a copper utensil shop located in Ratnipora village during the intervening night between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The shop owner, Zubair Ahmed Ahangar, disclosed that thieves made away with utensils valued at over Rs 3 lakh. The stolen items include eight Samovars (copper containers traditionally used to make tea) along with other assorted utensils, with the burglars also taking more than 60 Tramis (large copper plates).

Ahmed Ahangar reported the incident to the police, prompting them to take cognizance of the situation and initiate an official case.

PULWAMA — Traders from Ratnipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday appealed to J&K Bank authorities to get the incumbent manager at Ratnipora branch transferred without any delay in the interest of customers.

Traders accuse the current branch manager of misbehaviour, stating that he not only misbehaves with customers but shows the least interest in getting any issue resolved.

Sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that Traders Association Ratnipora has sent a communique to the Chairman J&K Bank, Corporate Headquarter Srinagar, and Zonal Office Pulwama demanding the transfer of the bank manager.

The communique reads that J&K Bank at Ratnipora has been functioning for the past 50 years with cordial support from bank staff and traders and local customers.

“The present manager is not cooperative with the trade union and frequently misbehaves with widows, old-age pensioners, and other customers. He must be transferred in the interest of customers others traders and locals will switch to other banks,” the Traders Association Ratnipora said.