Kashmir Police had cautioned against using unauthentic appliances

In view of the increase in incidents of fire being reported from the Valley with the onset of winter, the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday launched a campaign against substandard heating appliances in summer capital Srinagar.

Multiple teams of police led by deputy superintendents (DSP) and station house officers (SHO) spread out in the city, raiding shops selling the appliances.

“Our teams led by DSPs/SHOs have started checking shops selling heating appliances in every area. Legal action will be taken whenever a sub-standard, duplicate or fake product is found,” Srinagar Police said in a tweet.

It also disseminated a contact number, asking citizens to report to police if they come across such appliances.

On Friday, the police had cautioned against using unauthentic appliances citing an increase in fire incidents in Srinagar city.

“There are many incidents of fire being reported in Srinagar district daily. Citizens are advised to keep basic fire safety equipment handy & also to only use authentic heating appliances. Legal action will be taken as per law against shopkeepers selling fake and duplicate equipment,” the police had warned.

The Srinagar police’s warning had come in the backdrop of at least six residential houses and some shops being gutted in a massive fire at Gudood Bagh locality of Habbakadal in the district. A firefighter was also injured in the incident.

Officials and workers of the Power Development Department have often been carrying out searches across the city to find crude heating devices used by the citizens causing undue load on the power transformers and supply lines.

On Friday, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited conducted inspections in various areas of the city. “Consumers using illegal power supplies and crude heating gadgets have been penalised. Consumers are once again requested to avoid illegal usage of electricity,” it had said.