All 11 abducted kin of J&K policemen released after Hizb militant's father freed
Srinagar, Aug 31: The three-day face-off between security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir ended on Friday as police released a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander's father and militants freed all 11 relatives of policemen they had abducted in retaliation.
All 11 family members of policemen abducted in three days from south Kashmir were released unharmed on Friday, police said, hours after Hizbul operational commander Riyaz Naikoo's father Asadullah Naikoo was freed by the police.
Riyaz Naikoo said on the social media that the police had "compelled" the militants to act against the families of policemen because a non-combatant relative of a militant had been arrested by them.
Authorities on Thursday confirmed that eight relatives of policemen were abducted from south Kashmir areas. Three more relatives of policemen were abducted on Friday.
Those abducted on Thursday evening were Zubair Ahmad, son of a policeman from Arwani area of Kulgam district; Arif Ahmed, brother of a middle-rung police officer from Arwani; Faizan Ahmad, son of a policeman from Kharpora, Kulgam; Sumeer Ahmad Rather, son of a policeman from Yaripora, Kulgam; and Gowhar Ahmad, brother of a Deputy Superintendent of Police from Katapora, Kulgam.
Earlier on Thursday, militants abducted Nasir Ahmad, son of a policeman from Midoora Tral.
Militants had on Wednesday abducted Asif Ahmad, son of a local policeman Rafiq Ahmad Rather, from Pinglish village of Tral in Pulwama district.
Authorities had on Thursday decided to launch a massive operation in south Kashmir areas to check the alarming trend of abduction of relatives of police personnel, but the decision was put on hold due to fears that the abducted persons could be harmed in case of a large-scale operation.
A high-level meeting was held by top brass of security forces on Thursday evening where it was decided that for the safety of the abducted persons, it was necessary to release Assadullah Naikoo.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
