Suspected Fish Poisoning Leaves Hundreds Dead in Four Khansahib Fish Farms
Budgam, July 17, KNT: Suspected deliberate poisoning has resulted in the death of hundreds of fish in four fish farms in the Dragger area of Khansahib in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, causing substantial financial losses to families dependent on aquaculture for their livelihood.
The incident came to light on Friday morning when the affected families found large numbers of dead fish floating in their ponds. The sudden fish mortality has raised suspicion of deliberate poisoning, prompting demands for a thorough investigation.
The affected fish farmers have been identified as Sabzaar Ahmad Lone, son of Abdul Aziz Lone; Mohammad Ashraf Lone, son of Mohammad Akbar Lone; Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone, son of Mohammad Akbar Lone; and Manzoor Ahmad Kalas, son of Jaldeen Kalas, all residents of Dragger, Khansahib.
According to the families, fish farming is their primary source of income, and the incident has caused losses estimated to run into several lakh rupees, leaving them in severe financial distress.
The affected families have appealed to the district administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Police to conduct a fair and impartial investigation to ascertain the cause of the fish deaths and identify those responsible, if foul play is established.
They have also urged the Fisheries Department to assess the damage at the earliest and provide adequate financial assistance and compensation to help them recover from the losses.
Local residents expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a serious blow to the region’s aquaculture sector, and called for stringent action against those responsible to safeguard the livelihoods of fish farmers. [KNT]
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![PCC Asks DC Pulwama to Shut Down Illegal Brick Kilns, 18 Brick Kilns Face Regulatory Violations, 7 Listed Without Consent Pulwama, Aug 8, KNT: Pollution Control Committee has asked Deputy Commissioner to shut down illegal brick kilns in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The latest status of brick kilns operating in south Kashmir's Pulwama district has revealed serious regulatory concerns, with 18 units listed either without consent, with expired Consent to Operate (CTO), or under a “Refused” status. The status details show that seven brick kilns are listed as operating “Without consent”, indicating that the units do not have the required regulatory consent to operate. The seven units are Dar Brick Kiln (415) at Alliepora Shahoora, LBK changed into Bhat Brick Kiln (151) at Nownagri Pulwama, Kamran Brick Kiln 777 at Parigam Newa, Budshah Brick Kiln at Audoora Pulwama, JKB Sanzan (151) at Astapora Sanzan, 417 Brick Kiln changed into 7HH at Achan Litter Pulwama, and Five Star Brick Kiln at Wahipora Pulwama. The list further shows eight brick kilns with expired CTOs, meaning their consent to operate has lapsed. These include Hilal Brick Kiln, Allie Brick Kiln, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Sunflower Brick Kiln, Jalal Brick Kiln, Magray Brick Kiln, Thoker Brick Kiln (A-No) and Shahoorа Brick Kiln (ATM). Another three units have been marked “Refused” in the consent status. These are Mir Brick Kiln at Hastikhud Zadoora Newa, Gulmour Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora and Dar Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora. The status as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also contains brick kilns holding valid CTOs, indicating that the regulatory violations are not uniform across the district. The findings assume significance in view of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee's direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to initiate action against brick kilns operating without the requisite permissions and in violation of environmental regulations. The presence of multiple units with expired or refused consent, besides those listed without consent altogether, raises serious questions over their continued operation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the district. The concerned authorities are now expected to verify the operational status of these units and take action against those found functioning without valid statutory consent. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brick-Kiln-390x220.jpg)
