POONCH: A review meeting to strengthen and promote Civil Defence enrollment in District Poonch was today chaired by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Pankaj Magotra. In view of recent cross border shelling, the District Administration Poonch has decided to initiate reactivation and streamlining of existing Civil Defence setup in the District for better emergency preparedness and response.

The meeting decided to revisit and update the list of Civil Defence and Village Guard (VHG) volunteers to drop inactive members and launch a time bound drive for fresh enrollment of active and motivated individuals. A structured mechanism will be put in place from village, Mohra to tehsil level, ensuring at least one volunteer per Mohra or urban ward, with preference to ex-servicemen.

Nodal officers will be designated at the Naibat and Tehsil levels for close coordination. Rescue equipment and kits will also be provided to the selected volunteers for safekeeping and use during emergencies. A three month training calendar will be prepared so as to cover all volunteers, including those from Voluntary Homeguards, Civil Defence, Aapda Mitras, NCC, and NSS. Important public religious places like Temples, Gurudwaras, Mosques and public infrastructure including hospitals and civic installations in Poonch town will be marked for identification during emergencies.

The Civil Defence Sirens will also be installed at the tehsil level in the first phase. As part of the development of a robust, integrated public warning system in the District, awareness programmes shall also be conducted for the vulnerable population about the public response to various sounds of sirens during emergencies. The meeting was attended by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), DySP Civil Defence-SDRF, District Sainik Welfare Officer, Chief Warden, Inspector SDRF, NCC and NSS Incharges, and Consultant of  Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Poonch.

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here