Srinagar: Below are highlights of major public events along with the timeline held in Jammu & Kashmir this week:-
1. Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency Friday this week recorded 68.27 percent turnout with 11,07,821 electorates exercising their right to franchise from among a total of 16,23,195 as Kathua (SC) Assembly segment recorded highest 75.44 percent polling while Banihal accounted for lowest percentage of 58.78. There was an incident-free polling in first major electoral battle since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Only DDC and BDC elections were held post August 2019 decisions of the Central Government. In 2019 elections, Udhampur seat had recorded 70.02 percent polling. However, throughout the day the constituency faced adverse weather conditions with rains and winds.
2. On the instructions of DC Kupwara, Ayshi Sudan, who is also DEO Kupwara, Additional District Magistrate Kupwara has sought explanation from DDC Member Mawar, Khursheed Ahmad Dar for committing brazen violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by inaugurating a public park at Maratgam Handwara Friday this week without any authority.
3. Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference (NC) candidate Mian Altaf and Apni Party candidate Zaffar Manhas submitted their nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat Friday this week. Mufti, accompanied by hundreds of party workers and leaders, filed her nomination papers after paying homage at her father’s grave in Bijbehara.
4. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a review meeting of Department of Industries & Commerce and Department of Geology & Mining. Detailed discussion took place on investment proposals, implementation of projects and schemes of the Department of Industries & Commerce. The Lt Governor directed the senior officials to hold regular meetings with Investors and Industry bodies to address the crucial issues. He was briefed on the steps taken for proper utilization of land in existing Industrial Estates.
5. This week, in a tragic mishap, a boat ferrying over a dozen persons including school children capsized in Srinagar this morning, killing six persons including 4 children while a major search operation is on in river Jhelum to search for three missing persons. The boat was ferrying 19 people including 7 school children, all from Gandbal village, in Srinagar, who were crossing the river towards Batwara.
6. Against 16 candidates who cracked the prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Examination-2022, a total of 11 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have been declared qualified for the UPSC-2023. Anmol Rathore (24) from Udrana Village of Bhaderwah town in Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir also figured among the top 10 candidates as she got an impressive 7th rank.
7. Unknown gunmen shot dead a non-local vendor from Bihar in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district. Identified as Raja Shah son of Shankar Shah of Bihar, the deceased was a vendor at Jablipora Bijbehara who used to sell snacks. He was shot at by militants at his residence in the village. He had bullet wounds on neck and abdomen.
8. A security review meeting of the senior security officials in Kashmir Friday this week resolved to step up anti-militancy operations and enhance security measures to ensure peaceful and incident free Lok Sabha elections in Kashmir. It was resolved during the security review meeting held at the Police Control Room in Srinagar that was chaired by Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone V K Birdi.