The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — As the political turf of Jammu and Kashmir intensifies ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the Youth Wing President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s candidate for the Pulwama constituency, spoke in an exclusive video interview on Saturday, offering insights into his political journey, the PDP’s future, and the issues closest to his heart.

Para, who will be contesting in the Assembly elections scheduled for September 18, detailed his motivations for joining the PDP. In conversation with Showkat Dar of The Kashmir Pulse, he explained how witnessing Mehbooba Mufti’s campaigning during a time of deep unrest in the Valley profoundly influenced his decision to align with the party.

“The Valley was gripped by an atmosphere of fear and arrests by the SOG wing of J&K Police, and it was Mehbooba Mufti's campaigns and her commitment to youth empowerment that drew me toward PDP,” Para recalled. He formally joined the party in 2013, recognizing the need to engage young people in a democratic process.

A Youth-Centered Political Vision

Para, who has become a prominent voice for the youth in Kashmir, emphasized that his political involvement stems from a desire to shift perceptions of young Kashmiris. "At a time when youth were often seen as stone-pelters or engaged in violence, I wanted to change that narrative and encourage democratic engagement," Para said.

He believes that while challenges remain, positive changes are beginning to take root. “I am convinced that we are witnessing a shift, and my work will focus on ensuring that this momentum benefits the youth of Kashmir.”

Para is confident that his work with the youth will remain a central part of his political career. "The welfare of the youth will continue to be my priority, as I feel we need to explore better democratic avenues to address the aspirations and frustrations they face."

Addressing the Competition

Regarding the competition he faces from Khalil Bhand, the National Conference (NC) candidate from the same constituency, Para admitted that the battle would be close.

“PDP has a strong base in south Kashmir, and we acknowledge that the competition is tough. However, we are confident that the work done by Mufti Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti during their tenures will be remembered by the people,” Para stated, noting that the party’s past governance has left a lasting impression.

In addition to discussing the Pulwama constituency, Para also addressed the recent split in Shopian, where several PDP leaders left the party, some joining other political parties and others opting to contest as independents.

“We have to take feedback from the ground, and sometimes, mistakes do happen,” Para said, acknowledging the party's internal challenges. “It is not always possible to keep every member equally satisfied when decisions are made. However, the PDP still has a strong base in Shopian, and efforts are underway to strengthen and unify the cadre.”

Impact of Independent Candidates and Small Parties

With the number of independent candidates and smaller parties, like the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), contesting in this election, Para admitted there could be an impact on vote shares. “It will certainly split the votes to some degree,” he said. “But it is also the right of every citizen in a democracy to contest, and we respect that right.”

A Vision for Pulwama

Para’s vision for Pulwama extends beyond just the electoral contest. He outlined his plans if elected, focusing on several key areas: addressing the cases of youth imprisoned for political reasons, improving the district’s health sector, ensuring that local residents benefit from the district’s mining contracts, and resolving longstanding drinking water issues.

“The cases of jailed youth (for political reasons) will be my top priority,” Para stated. “We need to work toward resolving these issues so that these young people can lead productive lives.”

Additionally, he stressed the need to develop Pulwama’s healthcare infrastructure, calling it a pressing concern for residents. “There are significant gaps in the health sector, and I will work to bridge those.”

In his vision for the district’s economic future, Para pledged to prioritize local involvement in the allocation of mining contracts, which he sees as a crucial avenue for economic empowerment. “Our people should be the beneficiaries of Pulwama’s natural resources,” he said.

Personal Reflections

The interview also veered briefly into Para’s personal life, touching on his marriage plans. “I have many cases filed against me and have only recently been released from jail,” Para said, alluding to the legal battles he has faced. “Once things normalize, I will be in a better position to make personal decisions in a calmer state of mind.”

Looking Ahead

Given that Waheed-ur-Rehman Para is preparing for the electoral contest in Pulwama, his message remains centered on the youth, their future, and the need for political and economic reforms. His journey from a young observer of Mehbooba Mufti’s campaigns to a key figure in PDP is an indication of the values he champions. Focussed on tackling the pressing challenges, Para is hoping to carry forward the legacy of the PDP, while also forging a path for a new generation of Kashmiri leaders.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — The residents of south Kashmir have been facing immense hardships due to the dilapidated condition of Pulwama-Sangam road for a year now.

The residents of different areas of south Kashmir told the news agency KNO that the dilapidated condition of the Pulwama-Sangam road has continued to take a toll on commuters for the last one year due to its dilapidated condition.

The commuters and drivers from various areas of Pulwama said that the bad condition of road has resulted in many problems including an increase in travel time and risk of accidents, besides damage to their vehicles.

The residents of the area are up in arms against the authorities for failing to provide better road connectivity in the area, despite being one of the pivotal roads of the area.

Sajad Ahmad, a resident of Rakh Pulwama, said the road from Pulwama to Sangam which connects the area with the Srinagar highway and many other districts, has been in pathetic condition for a long time now.

Locals said that the condition of this road is getting worse with every passing day but authorities are acting as mute spectators.

They said that Naina-Sangam part is the most dilapidated part of the road, adding that this issue was brought into the notice of concerned authorities several times but to no avail.

The people of this area here have urged the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to direct the concerned department for the macadamization of the road at an earliest.

Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer Roads and Buildings department, Pulwama, Javid Ahmad Dar said that the road will be macadamized soon.

He said that machinery is busy in Kakapora area and once finished, the machines will be shifted towards Pulwama-Sangam road.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Apple growers in several areas of southern Kashmir are increasingly concerned as a leaf miner pest continues to infect their orchards for the fourth consecutive year.

The farmers told the news agency KNO that the pest has wreaked havoc in their orchards over the past three years. “Wherever the pest was found in the last three years, the produce was less shiny and smaller in size, as this insect sucks all the nutrients from the trees,” they said.

Zahoor Ahmad, a fruit grower from the Dachnipora area of Anantnag, described how the pest lays web layers from one branch to another, even reaching the trunk and fruit. “This pest, numbering in millions, is sucking all nutrients from the tree, causing the fruit to remain small. It damages leaves and trees as well,” he said, adding that visitors to the pest-affected orchards have complained of allergies and other issues with their throats and nose.

Initially found in Shopian’s Zainapora, the pest has spread to Zainapora, Litter, Watchi, Yaripora, Lassipora, Tahab and Bijbehara areas over the years. This season, orchardists from various parts of south Kashmir have raised alarms about the pest, despite following horticulture advisories to combat it.

The growers have called for urgent attention from the horticulture department and experts to prevent further damage. “Even after spraying insecticides several times every year, these pests keep reappearing,” they said, adding that the affected orchards have reported premature fruit fall, along with reduced fruit quality and size.

Senior scientists from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) have identified the pest as a “leaf miner” – an invasive insect that likely arrived four or five years ago. They said that while leaf miners were reported some time ago, their presence has significantly increased in the past two years. Despite this, the pest is manageable if growers consistently follow advisories, they added.

The horticulture department has called for a collective approach to managing the pest and advised spraying insecticides across all affected orchards to prevent any residual population from serving as a source of infestation the following year.

Recommendations for farmers include installing sticky traps 10 meters apart for monitoring and surveillance of the apple leaf blotch miner (ALBM), maintaining proper sanitation practices within and around the orchards, and installing pheromone-baited traps at a density of 8-10 traps per hectare.

They should spray one of the following insecticides at the recommended dosage: Thiamethoxam 25 WG (50g per 100 litres of water), Flubendiamide 39.35 SC (40ml per 100 litres of water), Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (100ml per 100 litres of water), Thiacloprid 21.7 SC (60ml per 100 litres of water), Lambda Cyhalothrin 5 EC (50ml per 100 litres of water), Pre-mix formulation of Thiamethoxam 12.6 + Lambda Cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC (50ml per 100 litres of water), and pre-mix formulation of Imidacloprid 6 + Lambda Cyhalothrin 4 SL (50ml per 100 litres of water).

The department has advised farmers not to mix insecticides with any other plant protection chemicals or plant nutrients.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse