The Kashmir Pulse

BANDIPORA — Roads and Buildings Department Sumbal in northern Kashmir’s Bandipora district has invited tenders to axe scores of walnut and mulberry trees to pave the way for the construction of two public parks—a move that has anguished the locals.

Office of the Executive Engineer R&B, Division Sumbal recently invited tenders from approved contractors for the cutting down of trees. The trees are located on the land of under-construction public parks in Hilalabad Nesbal and Markundal areas.

Locals have expressed concern, asking the administration to re-look at their decision to cut down scores of walnut and mulberry trees.

As per locals, there are over 70 walnut trees at Hilalabad Nesbal and it won’t be productive to cut them down. They appealed to the LG Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to look into the matter.

Attempts to contact District Magistrate Bandipora didn’t materialize, however, SDM Sumbal told the news agency KNT that the step has been taken in the larger public interest.

Executive Engineer Mushtaq Ahmed in response to a question said that tenders have been invited on the directions of Deputy Commission Bandipora. “Trees will be axed for the construction of public parks,” he added.

SRINAGAR — Two individuals drowned in separate incidents in the Jhelum River on Monday afternoon, authorities said.

In the first incident, Mohammad Ashraf Wani, 20, of Inderkote Sumbal, drowned while bathing in the river at Rakhi Asham in the Sumbal area of northern Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Rescue efforts were initiated immediately but were unsuccessful until his body was later recovered, an unnamed official was quoted as having said by the local news agency Kashmir Scroll.

In a separate incident, Nasir Ahmad Sheikh slipped and fell into the Jhelum River in the Batwara area of Srinagar.

As per the local news agency KNO, Nasir Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh and a resident of Batwara area, died from the fall.

Meanwhile, the local police have launched an investigation into both incidents.

SRINAGAR — Authorities have identified the woman whose body was found along the banks of the Jhelum River in Sumbal area of Bandipora.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the body was spotted by local residents on Saturday afternoon.

"The body was retrieved for identification and necessary medico-legal procedures," the official stated. After completing the due process, it was determined that the deceased woman was Khatija Begum, the wife of Abdul Rehman Bhat from Kanidewar Nowhatta in Srinagar.

Subsequently, the body was handed over to the family for funeral rites.

SRINAGAR — The body of a woman was found on Saturday afternoon along the banks of the Jhelum River in the Sumbal area of Bandipora district.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the body was found near Ansari Motors in Shilvat Sumbal.

"A police team is currently on-site to recover the body for identification and necessary medico-legal formalities," the official stated.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to determine the circumstances surrounding the woman's death and identify any potential suspects or causes.

SRINAGAR — A 57-year-old woman's body was recovered from a power canal in Sumbal Bala area of Gund Tehsil in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district here on Friday afternoon.

Police officials said that a woman identified as Hasseena Begum, wife of Farooq Ahmad Raina and resident of Haknar Gund, left her home for some work early in the morning today.

They said the woman's body was later spotted by some local people in the power canal, and they immediately informed the police, following which the police team reached the spot.

The body was retrieved from the canal and taken to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities.

"A case under relevant sections of law stands registered at Police Station Gund, and further investigation has been initiated in this regard," said the official.

SRINAGAR — The serene beauty of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley turned into a scene of sorrow and tragedy as three individuals tragically lost their lives in separate drowning incidents on Sunday.

In the first heart-wrenching incident, two innocent minors met a devastating fate while taking a bath in the Shatulpora area of Sumbal in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. The victims' identities are yet to be confirmed, but reports suggest that they drowned in the river.

As news of the incident spread, the local community and the Bandipora Police swiftly joined forces to launch a rescue operation in hopes of locating and saving the young souls.

Tragedy struck again in the Panzinara area of central Kashmir's Srinagar district when Hazim Rashid, a 30-year-old man from Srinagar, drowned in the mighty waters of the Jhelum River.

Despite the frantic efforts of his family to save him, Hazim could not be resuscitated. His lifeless body was rushed to JVC Hospital in Bemina, where doctors sadly declared him dead. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Adding to the series of unfortunate events, a young boy lost his life in an irrigation canal at Zalpora Sumbal. The eight-year-old victim, identified as Sujata Mehdi, son of Abdul Majeed Dar from Zalpora Sumbal, succumbed to the treacherous waters.

The police have taken cognizance of this heartbreaking incident, which marks the third drowning on this tragic Sunday.

As the entire Kashmir Valley mourns these devastating losses, authorities are urging the public, particularly parents and guardians, to be vigilant and take necessary precautions when near water bodies.

These heartrending incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the serene yet unpredictable waters of the Jhelum River.

BANDIPORA — A 2-year-old girl died after drowning in an irrigation canal in Ankhulu Sumbal village of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Thursday afternoon.

An official said that a girl identified as Janat Zehra daughter of Javid Ahmed Dar, a resident of Odina Sumbal, drowned in an irrigation canal.

He said that after the rescue, the locals took the girl to CHC Sumbal where doctors declared her dead. After medico-legal formalities, the body has been handed over to the family for last rites.

BANDIPORA — The mother of incarcerated separatist leader Abdul Samad Inqalabi passed away at her residence in Ganistan Sumbal after a brief illness.

Family sources said that Azeeza Begum was not keeping well for some time and she breathed her last at her house. A large number of people participated in her last rites and prayed for the departed soul.

Muhammad Yousuf, the brother of Abdul Samad Inqalabi, while talking to the news agency KNT appealed to authorities to release Inqalabi on humanitarian grounds. Abdul Samad Inqalabi is currently lodged at Varanasi Jail of Uttar Pradesh.

“My brother, who was released after spending years in different prisons, was re-arrested in April 2022 and later was shifted to Varanasi Jail from Kot Bhalwal Jammu. We appeal to authorities to release him on humanitarian grounds,” he said, adding that Inqalabi in past also didn’t participate in the funeral of his father as he was languishing in jail.

BANDIPORA — Separatist leader Abdul Samad Inqalabi has been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) days after his arrest from his house in Ganistan Sumbal village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

The brother of Inqalabi, Muhammad Yousuf, told news agency Kashmir News Trust that Abdul Samad was arrested in a nocturnal raid and was lodged at Police Station Sumbal.

“From the police station, he was shifted to sub-jail Bandipora. Today in the morning, PSA was slapped over him and subsequently shifted to Kot Bhalwal Jail Jammu,” he said.

He said from the past two years after his release from the jail, Abdul Samad Inqalabi was inactive due to his frail health. "We don’t understand on what ground he was booked again under Public Safety Act," his brother said.