Officials said the fire broke out in a room of the house, prompting an immediate response from the Fire and Emergency Services. “We received the fire call at 2:25 pm, following which fire tenders from Fire and Emergency Services Gawkadal were rushed to the spot within a minute,” an official from the department said.

“The fire tenders departed at 2:26 pm, ensuring a quick and effective response.” He added.

The official said timely action by the fire personnel prevented the flames from spreading to other portions of the building and nearby structures. “Due to the swift operation, the fire was confined, and the situation was brought fully under control,” he said, adding that no loss of life was reported in the incident.

Officials said that according to the preliminary assessment carried out by the department, the fire appears to have been caused by a short circuit due to haphazard wiring. “The exact cause is being ascertained, but prima facie it seems to be a case of short circuit,” the official said.

The post House damaged in fire incident appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Several commuters said that instead of allowing vehicles to cross directly at the MA Road junction, traffic authorities divert traffic, forcing motorists to take a long turn near the J&K Bank headquarters, which they say is time-consuming and causes massive traffic jams.

“This diversion means we have to cover a longer distance just to reach the same point. Earlier, even if we had to wait for a minute or two at traffic lights, it was far more convenient than taking a long U-turn,” said Irfan Ahmad, a commuter.

According to commuters, the diversion wastes time, particularly during office hours, slowing down traffic as they have to take a long detour.

“During peak hours, it becomes extremely inconvenient,” another commuter said, adding that first-time drivers often get confused due to the sudden diversion.

Commuters have urged the traffic police to review the arrangement and consider operating the junction through traffic lights instead. “We are not against regulation. Even a short stop at traffic lights is acceptable, but this long diversion is inconvenient,” they said.

SSP Traffic Srinagar City Ajaz Ahmad said that allowing vehicles to cross the junction without diversion leads to congestion and creates a bottleneck, causing inconvenience to commuters and long queues of vehicles. He said the diversion is not permanent and is implemented based on real-time traffic assessment.

“We continuously monitor traffic flow and depending on the situation, vehicles are allowed to move without following the diversion,” he said. The SSP added that although commuters have to take a U-turn, traffic movement remains smooth without stoppages. “Traffic plans are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure uninterrupted flow and minimise inconvenience,” he said.

The post Traffic diversion at MA Road junction irks commuters appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Mehbooba Mufti expressed profound grief over the passing away of Mohammad Aslam Laigroo, describing his demise as a significant loss not only to his family but also to society at large. She conveyed her deepest sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. She also prayed for strength, patience, and courage to the family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.

During the condolence visit, the PDP President recalled the valuable services rendered by the late Mohammad Aslam Laigroo during his distinguished career in public service. She noted that he was known for his integrity, administrative acumen, and commitment to public welfare, and that his contributions would be remembered with respect and gratitude. Mehbooba Mufti stood in solidarity with the family and shared in their grief during this moment of profound sorrow.

The Party President was accompanied by party spokespersons Syed Tajamul Hussain, Mohammad Iqbal Tramboo, and Zuhaib Yousuf Mir, former MLA Noor Mohammad Sheikh, senior leader Ghulam Mohiuddin Wachi, District President Pulwama Ghulam Mohammad Shahoora, Youth District President Budgam Mushtaq Zuhami, along with several other senior leaders and party functionaries.

In addition, senior leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including Vice President Mohammad Sartaj Madni, General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam, Chief Spokesperson Dr Mehboob Beg, former Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, former Minister Aasiya Naqash, Media Coordinator Bashir Beigh, District Coordinator Dr. Ali Mohammad Yawar Banday, and Tufail Bhat, also visited the residence of Arif Laigroo to personally condole the demise of his uncle and to express their solidarity with the bereaved family.

Meanwhile, leaders from other political parties and senior officials also expressed their condolences. Congress leader Syed Suhail Bukhari, Apni Party leader and DDC Chairman Srinagar, Mohammad Aftab Malik; DIG North Kashmir Masood-ul-Zaman; and Director SKIMS, Dr. Ashraf Ganai, visited Arif Laigroo and conveyed their sympathies to the family, praying for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family.

A large number of political leaders, social activists, civil society members, and well-wishers also visited the residence throughout the day to offer condolences.

The post PDP President Mehbooba Mufti visits Laigroo’s residence, offers condolences appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The order was issued by the District Magistrate (DM) Srinagar under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and comes as part of a broader enforcement drive initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to curb the alleged misuse of encrypted digital platforms.

According to the order, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar had submitted a report flagging serious apprehensions about the misuse of VPN services by “vested interests”, warning that such activities could have adverse implications for public order, cyber security and overall law and order in the district.

The administration noted that VPN services, which transmit encrypted data through point-to-point tunnels, allow users to conceal their IP addresses and bypass website restrictions, firewalls and monitoring mechanisms. While these features are commonly used worldwide for privacy and data protection, the order said they also carry the potential for exploitation for unlawful and anti-national activities.

“These platforms can be misused for incitement of unrest, dissemination of inflammatory content and coordination of activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order,” the DM said adding that unrestricted VPN usage poses “serious risks to public safety, cyber security and the protection of sensitive data”.

Citing the need for immediate preventive action in the larger public interest, the District Magistrate ordered the suspension of all VPN services with immediate effect.

However, the order clarified that the ban will not apply to authorised VPN usage by government departments, particularly those operating through the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

As serving individual notices to all concerned persons was considered impractical, the order was issued ex parte. The administration has directed that it be given wide publicity through the district website, leading newspapers and by affixing copies on notice boards of the offices of the District Magistrate, SSP Srinagar, Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Srinagar East and West, and all tehsildars.

The SSP Srinagar has been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the order in letter and spirit, officials said.

The Srinagar order comes amid an intensified crackdown on VPN usage across Kashmir. Over the past week, district administrations in Budgam, Baramulla, Sopore, Shopian and Kulgam have issued similar prohibitory orders banning unauthorised VPN services for two months.

Police have launched verification and monitoring drives across multiple districts, identifying dozens of individuals allegedly using VPN services in violation of the orders. In some cases, FIRs have been registered, while others have faced preventive action under the BNSS after background and technical scrutiny.

Authorities have argued that VPNs are increasingly being misused to bypass online restrictions imposed during security operations, including blocks on certain websites, social media accounts, and digital platforms linked to misinformation or propaganda.

The post Amid security concerns, VPN suspended in Srinagar for 2 months appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

From Downtown localities to the city’s outskirts, several families are relying on traditional hamams to keep themselves warm— marking a shift away from electricity-driven heating gadgets that have become both expensive and risky.

Hamams are deeply rooted in Kashmir’s architectural and cultural heritage, which are specially designed heating system where the floor is laid with stone slabs that are hollow underneath. A fireplace constructed outside the house is fed with firewood, allowing heat to circulate beneath the flooring and warm the entire space evenly for hours. Once lit, a hamam retains warmth long after the fire has died down, making it one of the most efficient heating systems known to the region.

Historically, hamams were a common feature in masjids and houses of economically well-off families.

“I remember in my childhood, after soiling my clothes in snow, we would go to the hamam in our locality masjid to dry ourselves. Hamans were mainly confined to mosques. And then over time, with the advent of electric heaters, blowers, and other modern gadgets, many households either stopped using hamams or did not include them in new constructions. That trend, however, appears to be reversing,” said Muhammad Ramzan, an octogenarian from Harwan.

Locals said the main reason for this renewed demand for Hamams is the widespread installation of smart electric meters in Srinagar. With most areas now shifted from flat-rate electricity to metered billing, power tariffs have emerged as a major concern for residents.

“Earlier, we had a flat rate, and it was manageable. Now with a smart meter, every unit counts. We did not have a hamam earlier. This year, we converted part of our kitchen area into a hamam,” said Saqib Ahmad, a local from Hazratbal.

The move comes at a time when the Valley has witnessed a worrying rise in fire incidents, many of them linked to faulty wiring and overuse of electrical heating appliances during winter. Officials have repeatedly warned residents about the dangers of using crude and high-load electric gadgets, especially in congested residential areas.

Interestingly, no major fire incidents have been reported due to hammams, a fact locals attribute to the system being time-tested and inherently safer when properly constructed.

Ali Muhammad, a mason from Srinagar, said that “In newly constructed houses, people are now ensuring that there is a separate hammam room. Almost 80 percent of the houses I worked on this year included hamams,” he said.

Many hamams also have copper water containers installed near the heating chamber, ensuring a steady supply of hot water even during prolonged power outages, a common occurrence during harsh winters.

“For us, it is a blessing. When electricity goes out, we still have hot water and a warm room. Children, elders, and everyone sit together here, talk, and spend time. Earlier, everyone used to sit in separate rooms with heaters,” said Shubeena, a homemaker from the New Theed area.

The post Traditional hamams make warm comeback appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Seated low on the ground, their hands move steadily through bundles of dried reeds and rice straw. A few women work alongside them in near silence, eyes fixed on the mats taking shape, strand by strand. Conversation is sparse; the work follows its own rhythm.

The small, functional courtyard—shaped by years of use rather than design—is where Waguv is still made, away from shops, exhibitions and loud claims of revival. Here, the reed mat continues quietly, as it always has.

Waguv, once inseparable from Kashmiri domestic life, is among the Valley’s oldest crafts. Dating back nearly three centuries, with references traced to the Mughal period, it was never ornamental. Made by entwining dried rice straw with reeds known locally as peich, harvested from wetlands around Dal Lake, Waguv provided insulation in winter and cooling relief in summer. Spread across floors and placed beneath bedding and carpets, it softened cold surfaces in homes and houseboats alike.

British civil servant Walter R. Lawrence, in The Valley of Kashmir, wrote of how Kashmiris put every plant to use, describing *peich* as a fibre that produced “excellent matting.” For generations, Waguv defined domestic comfort, particularly for poorer households.

There was a time when more than 500 families in Srinagar alone depended on Waguv weaving. In Akhoon Mohalla, just across the water, over fifty families practised the craft. Children learned early; not knowing Waguv weaving was once considered a failing.

Zameer grew up in that world. “I don’t remember a time when Waguv was not around me,” he says, tightening a rope of straw. His family has been associated with the craft for nearly two decades. He witnessed years when demand was steady and buyers predictable, and then the slow unravelling.

“Modern carpets came, mattresses came, and Waguv slowly disappeared,” he says. “People stopped asking for it. Then they stopped remembering it.”

By the late 2010s, Waguv had almost vanished from everyday homes, surviving mainly as a rustic accent in hotels and restaurants. In 2019, Zameer chose to return to the craft deliberately, despite low demand, uncertain income and intense physical labour.

“There was a time when no one even wanted to hear the word Waguv,” he recalls. “But I felt if we stopped completely, it would never come back.”

Encouragement from friends outside Kashmir—financially stable and emotionally invested—helped him persist when resources were thin. “Sometimes you need someone to tell you that this work matters,” he says.

For Ruksana, the work carries a deeper meaning. “This is not just earning,” she says softly, her hands never pausing. “This is how our elders lived. If we leave it, what will remain of them?”

The process has not changed. Reeds and rice straw are collected from swampy areas around Dal Lake, Chak Bagh, Anchar and Ganderbal. After drying, the straw is twisted into rope and woven entirely by hand. Two people are required to complete a single Waguv, a task that demands patience and coordination.

“It takes hours, sometimes days,” Ruksana says. “You cannot rush it.”

Despite the labour involved, Zameer has kept prices intentionally low. “If it becomes expensive, people will see it as a luxury,” he says. “Waguv was never a luxury. It belonged to everyone.”

A shift came when the Handicrafts Department intervened. Under the Karkhandar Scheme, Zameer was able to formalise his work, and exhibitions at Lal Chowk brought renewed visibility. “People stopped at the stall and watched us work,” he recalls. “Some said they hadn’t seen Waguv in decades.”

Orders followed from different parts of Srinagar and beyond, including Anantnag. Some buyers ordered mats for entire rooms; others spoke of better sleep and reduced back pain—beliefs long associated with Waguv’s natural texture and firmness.

Another quiet change has been the involvement of young women learning the craft. In small courtyards and rooms, they weave to earn, keeping the knowledge alive while supporting their households.

In early 2025, Waguv received Geographical Indication status alongside other fading Kashmiri crafts such as Namda and Shikara. The recognition formally linked Waguv to Srinagar’s wetland regions and acknowledged the communities around Dal Lake that have sustained it for generations.

Zameer welcomes government support but remains realistic. “Schemes can support us,” he says, rolling up a finished mat, “but Waguv will survive only if people bring it back into their homes.”

“This craft doesn’t need celebration,” Ruksana adds quietly. “It only needs space to live.”

The post A quiet revival keeps last threads of Waguv alive appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

In her message, Vice-Chancellor, KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, extended her best wishes to the participating students and highlighted the significance of cultural platforms in higher education.

“Cultural engagement is an integral part of holistic education. Such national platforms provide our students an opportunity to showcase their talent, confidence, and the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir. I wish the contingent great success and hope they represent the University with pride and excellence,” she said.

While interacting with the students, Prof. Naseer Iqbal encouraged the participants and described them as cultural ambassadors of the University, urging them to maintain discipline, exhibit confidence, and reflect the artistic and intellectual strength of the institution through their performances.

Dean DSW KU, Prof. Pervez Ahmad, expressed confidence that the KU contingent would make a meaningful mark at the national-level event.

The contingent, comprising around 30 student participants, is led by the Cultural Officer DSW KU, Dr. Shahid Ali Khan. It will compete in various events under the categories of literary competitions, fine arts, and music, alongside teams from leading universities of the northern region.

The post ‘Cultural engagement is an integral part of holistic education’ appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

According to officials, fire broke out in a three storeyed residential house after a short circuit in an electric blanket. Firefighting operation was launched, and the blaze was brought under control within a short span of time, preventing its spread to other parts of the building.

Preliminary assessment carried out before the cooling operation revealed that the fire was caused by an electric blanket that developed a short circuit, leading to sparks and ignition.

The firefighting operation was conducted under the charge of Fire Incharge Mehraj Shah and supervised by Deputy Director Fire and Emergency Services Dr Mir Aqib Hussain, along with Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah.

Meanwhile, in an earlier advisory, ADGP Alok Kumar had urged the public to avoid the use of substandard electric blankets, particularly during night hours, citing serious fire hazards. He had also advised people to remain cautious during peak usage hours and never leave electrical appliances unattended.

No loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident, officials confirmed.

The post Short-circuit of electric blanket sparks fire at Nishat appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Locals and boatmen told news agency Kashmir News Trust that a massive rat infestation has weakened the soil beneath the lakefront footpath, with rodents digging deep burrows that have created visible holes and cracks. The erosion has compromised the foundation of the bund, making sections of the pedestrian path fragile and prone to collapse.

They said the problem has been aggravated by food waste and leftovers discarded along the lakefront, which attract rodents and propel their population. They said the situation is particularly alarming near Ghat 17, where a portion of the footpath had collapsed in February 2025 due to similar erosion.

Another section of the Dal Lake bund on Boulevard Road had collapsed in September 2025, prompting immediate repair work at the time. However, locals fear that without a comprehensive and long-term solution, more stretches of the bund could give way, posing risks to both pedestrians and vehicular traffic along the busy road.

Boatmen operating on the lake added that the weakened bund threatens not only the footpath but also the overall integrity of the lakefront infrastructure. They urged authorities to undertake reinforced reconstruction using cemented and strengthened materials instead of temporary repairs.

They have called for an intensive rodent control drive, improved waste management along the lakefront to eliminate food sources for rodents, and a comprehensive inspection of the entire bund to identify vulnerable points before further damage occurs.

They warned that failure to act promptly could lead to larger collapses and serious accidents in one of Srinagar’s most frequented public spaces.

The post Rat infestation poses risk of soil erosion along Boulevard embankment appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

He was accompanied by the Joint Commissioner, Suhail Ul Islam, Chief Revenue Officer, and other senior officers of the Corporation. The inspection commenced at the SMC Commercial Complex at Hari Singh High Street, where the Commissioner reviewed concerns raised by shopkeepers and assessed proposals for façade renovation and restoration of parking facilities.

Emphasising the need to unlock the full revenue potential of municipal assets, he directed officers to ensure improved functionality, enhanced aesthetics, and better traffic management to increase footfall and commercial activity.

Reviewing the status of vacant shops in the complex, the Commissioner issued firm directions for initiating the auction of remaining commercial spaces in a transparent, competitive, and time-bound manner. He underscored that efficient monetisation of municipal properties is a critical component of sustainable revenue generation and financial self-reliance of the Corporation.

Subsequently, the Commissioner along with the Chief Engineer, SSCL, inspected ongoing works at the Jhelum Riverfront, particularly the underground Cabling project.

Stressing the strategic importance of the Riverfront as a high-value urban asset, he instructed executing agencies to augment manpower and resources immediately to ensure timely completion, thereby enhancing the area’s economic, tourism, and commercial potential. The inspection tour also covered Gonikhan Market, where underground ducting and allied infrastructure upgradation works are in progress.

The Commissioner reviewed execution on site and directed strict adherence to timelines, while ensuring minimum disruption to traders and the general public. He reiterated that timely completion of infrastructure projects directly contributes to improved business environments and revenue growth.

Reaffirming the administration’s priorities, the Commissioner stated that strengthening revenue generation through efficient asset management, accelerated project execution, and transparent processes remains central to SMC and SSCL’s urban governance agenda, alongside improved service delivery and citizen-centric development.

The post Commissioner SMC reviews works at Jhelum Riverfront, Gonikhan Market appeared first on Greater Kashmir.