STATE TIMES NEWS
KUPWARA: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir has issued directions for all concerned departments and executing agencies to install road signage/ caution board within the radius of 20m/ 50ms of the construction site, Ponds, Water Bodies, Fish farms immediately and also ensure proper covering/ fencing of pits/ storage tanks across the district for safety of human lives and public property.
They were also asked to make the general public residing near such places aware of the ponds/water bodies that are existing there and shall be instructed not to allow their wards for swimming, bathing, fishing etc in these water bodies in future. The DC has also observed that due to rise in day temperatures, youngsters are taking to swimming in nallahs and irrigation tanks, and consequently incidents of drowning have seen a rise, in recent days in the district. He has directed SE Hydraulic to deploy field staff for patrolling along vulnerable points for weaning away youngsters from venturing into water bodies for swimming. He has also stressed for initiating a vigorous IEC campaign in this regard through various platforms.
Tehsildars were also directed to activate Lumberdars and Chowkidars in all vulnerable villages within their jurisdictions for warding off youngsters from swimming. He has also asked for utilizing the services of PRIs for sensitising the general public against allowing youngsters to venture into water bodies.
Khalid Jahangir has also asked Chief Education Officer Kupwara to ask all ZEOs, Principals, and Headteachers to invariably do sensitization of students in schools on daily basis against swimming in water bodies.