Drug cos refuse to take sole responsibility for overpricing
Indian drugmakers oppose a proposal making them solely liable for medicine overpricing. This regulatory move exempts retail chemists, hospitals, and nursing homes from penalties. Pharmaceutical groups argue this unfairly burdens manufacturers already following pricing rules. Retail chemists, however, welcome the safeguards for their members. Manufacturers believe accountability should extend to those setting the final patient price.
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Sambha SSP calls on village defence guards to help fortify security at border areas
Jammu, Sep 3: Sambha district's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anuj Kumar on Thursday called upon village defence guard (VDG) members to set up checkpoints and undertake joint patrolling with police at vulnerable points to strengthen the security grid and prevent any attempts by anti-national and anti-social elements to disturb peace. VDGs are armed civilian volunteers deployed in vulnerable and border regions to assist security forces in rooting out threats. Kumar was addressing meetings held at a Border Police Post (BPP) along the International Border in Samba district and at Chilla Danga under the jurisdiction of Police Station Samba, aimed at strengthening police-public relations and enhancing community participation in maintaining peace and security, officials said. The SSP urged people to remain vigilant and cooperate with police by sharing information regarding drug peddling and other unlawful activities. He said drug abuse poses a serious threat to society, particularly to the younger generation, and stressed the need for collective efforts by all stakeholders to eradicate the menace. Kumar warned of strict action against those involved in drug trafficking, bovine smuggling and other criminal activities. In view of the areas sensitivity and its past militancy-related incidents, the SSP urged VDG members to remain vigilant and maintain close coordination with police.
Cohance Lifesciences to invest USD 18 mn in NJ Bio, Aruka Bio
Cohance Lifesciences announced an eighteen million dollar investment to strengthen its antibody-drug conjugate strategy. This includes thirteen million dollars for NJ Bio, increasing Cohance's ownership to sixty-seven point three percent. An additional five million dollars will give Cohance a sixty-five percent stake in Aruka Bio. These transactions aim to integrate NJ Bio's services with Cohance's manufacturing capabilities. Completion of these strategic investments is expected by September twenty twenty-six.
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Security forces launch operation in central Kashmirs Budgam
Srinagar, Sep 3: Security forces on Thursday launched an operation deep inside the forest area of Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials here said. The operation was launched based on information about the movement of a suspected group of militants from Pakherpora in Pulwama district towards Yousmarg in Budgam district, the officials said. Further details of the operation are awaited as the scene of action is a densely forested area where normal communication equipment like cellular phones do not work, they said. (With inputs from PTI)
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Woman cant be expected to follow husband like Vodafone pug, observes Madras High Court
Srinagar, Sep 3: The Madras High Court recently made the observation that a woman cannot be expected to follow her husband wherever he goes like the pug (dog breed) in the Vodafone ad. The court was hearing a matrimonial dispute case. A bench of Justices G R Swaminathan and M D Sumathi came down heavily on the family court, saying it had adopted a revolutionary approach when it held that a husband who moves away for employment cannot later seek divorce on the ground of his wifes alleged adultery. Radical feminists may applaud the revolutionary approach of the trial court. We say with regret that we cannot give our imprimatur. It may not always be feasible to take the wife along. Suppose the husband is a soldier; it is not possible to set up a marital home in the army barracks. The wife could be gainfully employed. She cannot be expected to conduct herself like the pug in the unforgettable Vodafone ad, the court said on August 19. The judgment was made publicly available on August 31, The Indian Express reported. The high court held that the relationship had broken down beyond repair after 16 years of separation and directed the husband to pay Rs 7 lakh as alimony to his wife. The divorce decree would only be effective upon deposit of the amount. The couple married on September 10, 1992, according to Hindu rites and had four children. The husband, 67, later moved away from his wife for employment and worked in Mumbai. The couple remained separated after 16 years of marriage. The court noted that the wife had not taken any step to continue the relationship with the husband. Even a formal letter or notice was not sent by her, it remarked. Justices G R Swaminathan and M D Sumathi Justices G R Swaminathan and M D Sumathi remarked that the wife could be gainfully employed. She cannot be expected to conduct herself like the pug in the Vodafone advertisement. In 2014, the husband approached the family court seeking dissolution of the marriage. He alleged that his wife was in an adulterous relationship with another man. However, the family court dismissed his divorce petition, holding that the husband was taking advantage of his own wrong because he had left his wife behind while moving elsewhere for work. Legally speaking, the husband is bound to maintain his wife. It is highly impracticable for anyone to overcome the impulse of sexual desire. Therefore, it remains the solemn duty of every husband that wherever he goes, he shall take his wife with him and he shall not be a cause for adultery or for any rumor for adultery, the family court observed. The husband challenged the decision before the high court. The court held that under the Hindu Marriage Act, a spouse cannot obtain divorce by taking advantage of their own serious or grave misconduct. However, the court disagreed with the family courts view that the husbands decision to leave for employment in Mumbai amounted to a breach of marital obligation. The bench noted that we are more than satisfied that the relationship between the parties has broken down beyond repair. The court also interacted with the parties to explore an amicable settlement, but the effort failed. Considering the nature of the allegations and the counter-allegations, we are satisfied that there is so much bad blood that there is simply no possibility of reunion, the order concluded. Speaking about the judgment, Supreme Court advocate Charu Mathur said the high court was right in not endorsing the family courts view that a wife is expected to simply follow her husband. However, she frowned upon the analogy used. The analogy adopted by the high court, comparing a wife to the Vodafone pug following its master, is deeply unfortunate. A wife is an equal partner in a marriage, with autonomy and agency of her own. She is not a follower, much less a pet. Judicial language carries weight far beyond the facts of an individual case, and metaphors of this nature risk reinforcing precisely the gender stereotypes that the law should be moving away from, Mathur said. One can agree with the legal outcome while still questioning the language used to arrive at it. Its regrettable that the decision, which is actually progressive, is getting marred in controversy because of the analogy adopted, she added.
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Gold snaps six-session losing streak, rises Rs 3,400 to Rs 1.59 lakh/10g in Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 3: Gold broke out of a six-session losing streak, staging a sharp recovery of Rs 3,400 to Rs 1.59 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Thursday, tracking a firm trend in the international markets. The yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity climbed Rs 3,400 to Rs 1,59,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Wednesday's closing level of Rs 1,56,100 per 10 grams. Silver also joined the rebound, jumping Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,40,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes). The white metal had closed at Rs 2,35,500 per kg in the previous session. Gold and silver rebounded as US Treasury yields eased from recent highs, while safe-haven demand remains supported by renewed geopolitical tensions, said Gaurav Garg, Head of Research at brokerage platform Lemonn. Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said the rebound highlights gold's sensitivity to shifts in US monetary-policy expectations. Weaker-than-expected private employment data challenged the hawkish Fed narrative, pushing the dollar and Treasury yields lower, Gandhi added. In global markets, spot gold gained USD 55.76, or 1.27 per cent, to USD 4,443.93 per ounce, while silver advanced nearly 1 per cent to 65.77 per ounce. Gold recovered to around USD 4,440 after hitting a one-month low, while silver also bounced from two-week lows, helped by a weaker dollar, Akshat Siddhant, Lead Quant Analyst at investment platform Mudrex, said. The rebound came after four consecutive sessions of losses as traders reassessed the outlook for a September Fed rate hike ahead of key US jobs data, he added. Gandhi said the near-term outlook for precious metals remained uncertain ahead of the labour market data, adding that weaker numbers could extend the dollar's decline and support gold, and stronger data or hawkish Fed signals could revive rate-hike expectations and weigh on bullion.
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New Delhi, Sep 3: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a meeting in New Delhi today to review the preparedness of Himalayan States/UTs against the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and Snow Avalanches. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries and State Disaster Management Authorities of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, along with senior officers of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE). The meeting reviewed the evolving risk of GLOFs in the Himalayan region, with particular emphasis on early warning, monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and snow-covered areas, identification of high-risk locations, flow path, timely dissemination of alerts, evacuation preparedness and strengthening of response mechanisms. The States/UTs presented their respective preparedness and mitigation strategies, including measures being undertaken for monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes, strengthening early warning systems, improving last-mile dissemination of alerts, flow path planning, community preparedness and deployment of response resources in vulnerable areas. The State/UT-specific vulnerabilities and preparedness measures were discussed in detail, with emphasis on ensuring that mitigation measures are translated into concrete actions at the district and local levels. The Union Home Secretary emphasised the need for continuous and proactive monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas, particularly during periods of heightened risk. The States/UTs were advised to maintain close coordination among State agencies, district administrations and scientific and technical institutions so that warnings are acted upon promptly and effectively. The Union Home Secretary stressed that preparedness for GLOFs and snow avalanches must move beyond response-oriented measures towards risk-informed planning, preventive mitigation and community-level preparedness. States/UTs were advised to regularly review their preparedness plans, identify gaps in early warning and evacuation arrangements, and undertake necessary corrective measures in advance of any extreme event. He also highlighted that States need to expedite the progress of GLOF mitigation project sanctioned for the States by the Central Government in 2024. The meeting concluded with directions for continued inter-agency coordination, regular sharing of risk information and strengthening of early warning and response mechanisms to minimise loss of life and property in vulnerable Himalayan areas.
IGP Kashmir reviews security, crime situation in Anantnag
Srinagar, Sep 3: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar today visited District Anantnag and chaired a security and crime review meeting at District Police Office (DPO) Anantnag. The meeting was attended by DIG South Kashmir Range Javid Iqbal Matoo, SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure, and other senior officers of District Anantnag. During the meeting, the IGP Kashmir reviewed the overall security situation and crime scenario in the district. He took a detailed assessment of security arrangements, crime prevention measures, investigation of cases and ongoing police operations. The IGP emphasized strengthening the security grid, maintaining close coordination among field formations and ensuring timely and effective action against criminal and anti-social elements. He also stressed upon enhancing preventive measures and maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure peace and security in the district. The senior officers briefed the IGP Kashmir about the prevailing security and crime situation and the measures being undertaken to further strengthen policing and public safety.
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'War-like stores' unearthed in Reasi forest; grenade, ammo cache recovered
Reasi, Sep 3: Security forces on Thursday unearthed a weapons cache during a search operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, recovering a pistol, a grenade and 184 rounds of ammunition, officials said. Acting on specific inputs from the local Army intelligence unit, a search operation was conducted by security forces in the dense forests of Khataji Ridge in Mahore area of the district, officials said. During the operation, forces recovered war-like stores, including 140 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition, 19 rounds of PIKA (machine gun) ammunition, 25 rounds of pistol ammunition, one pistol, one grenade, six cassettes and an AK magazine. Further investigation has been initiated in connection with the recovery, officials added.
Nepal-Tibet flood: Chinese official warns of more glacier collapses, cascading disasters
Beijing, Sep 3: Glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau are likely to become more unstable, which may lead to more collapses and collateral disasters similar to last week's deadly flash flood at the Tibet-Nepal border, a senior Chinese climate official has warned. The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction and killing hundreds. Over the past 60 years, the glacier area on the Tibetan Plateau has shrunk by around 24 per cent, with around 7,000 small glaciers disappearing completely, said Gao Rong, deputy director of Chinas National Climate Centre, an official body of the Chinese government. Looking ahead, the structural stability of glaciers across the Tibetan Plateau will decline further. Glacial disasters are likely to become more frequent and could amplify in destruction and reach through cascading effects, Gao was quoted as saying by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. According to the figures released by Chinese officials on Wednesday, 21 people died and 541 missing in last week's flash flood at Gyirong Port on the Tibet side of the Nepal border. According to figures released on August 30, the missing included 261 foreigners, including 49 from India and 22 other countries, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, quoting an official briefing in Tibet. In Nepal, the death toll due to the devastating flash floods rose to 1,252 on Thursday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas. The Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, another official body, in its report on the recent disaster, said the mudslide created by the glacier collapse travelled 22km along the valley and reached the Gyirong Port at the Tibet border crossing in just seven minutes. Scientists stress that hazard evaluations can no longer rely solely on measuring initial collapses. Analysing satellite and field data from Gyirong county, researchers found that collapsing ice and rock swept down the 22km valley, scouring the riverbed, dragging bank debris with it, and mixing with water, turning a high-elevation collapse into a devastating mudslide, the Post reported. Therefore, the Chinese research suggested, disaster risk assessment in the high-mountain cryosphere or frozen areas must look beyond the initial failure volume of material breaking away from the mountain, and include the valley bulking potential the capacity to increase the size of a landslide as it travels downhill and downstream exposure. What truly determines risk is not just how much collapsed on the mountain, but how much can be entrained in the gully, and what critical infrastructure and populations downstream are exposed to the hazard chain, it said. An article published in Nature on Wednesday highlighted the urgent need to upgrade future monitoring and forecasting systems. The disaster proved difficult to predict because it was triggered by the sudden failure of a high-altitude glacier-rock system rather than typical signals, such as extreme rainfall or rising glacial lakes, the Post reported. Manoochehr Shirzaei, a geophysicist at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, told Nature that conventional monitoring tools fell short in predicting such disasters, and stressed the need to have better integrated detection systems. What is still largely missing is a regional satellite-based system that routinely searches for accelerating glacier and rock-slope deformation and then connects that information directly to downstream flood and avalanche modelling, the article said.
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Snake spotted at Khankah Moula Shrine in Sopore, wildlife team rescues reptile safely
Sopore, Sep 3: Panic gripped devotees and visitors at the historic Khankah Moula Shrine in Sopore town of north Kashmirs Baramulla district after a four feet long snake was suddenly spotted roaming within the premises of the shrine on Thursday. The sighting caused alarm among people present at the shrine, with visitors maintaining a safe distance after noticing the reptile moving around the premises. The incident briefly created a tense situation as people feared that the snake could pose a threat to devotees, particularly children and elderly visitors. On being informed about the presence of the snake, the Wildlife Department promptly responded and reached the shrine premises. The trained personnel carefully located and rescued the snake without causing it any harm. After the successful rescue, the snake was safely taken away from the populated area and released into a suitable forest habitat, ensuring the safety of both the reptile and the public. The timely intervention by the Wildlife Department was appreciated by locals and devotees, who said that the prompt response helped prevent any untoward incident. The incident also highlights the importance of immediately informing wildlife authorities whenever snakes or other wild animals are spotted in residential or public areas.
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Congress-NC alliance is not about one Cabinet berth, it is about J&Ks people: Ghulam Ahmad Mir
Srinagar, Sep 3: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Thursday defended the partys alliance with the National Conference, saying the partnership was not forged for a Cabinet berth or any individual political benefit but to safeguard the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking about the continuing discussion over the vacant Cabinet berths in the Omar Abdullah-led government, Mir said the Congress should not be viewed merely through the number of MLAs it has in the Assembly. We have supported the National Conference at this time. We did not give this support for a Cabinet berth or for any job. We gave it because of the way communal forces are looking at Jammu and Kashmir, their attacks and their desire, which they had earlier as well, to establish themselves here, Mir said. He said the Congress had a larger political role to play in Jammu and Kashmir and that its commitment to the alliance went beyond the question of ministerial representation. If the National Conference is still safe, it is because of the Congress party, because the Congress party is the only party which will never want to give the BJP an opportunity. This is a solid commitment, he said. Mir was responding to questions over the delay in the expansion of the Council of Ministers and reports that one of the three vacant Cabinet positions could go to the Congress. He said the issue had been under discussion for several months but maintained that the decision to induct or drop ministers ultimately rested with the Chief Minister. You have been hearing about Cabinet expansion and induction for three months. There is a date after date, but in practice it has not happened, because this is the sole prerogative of the Chief Minister. He will decide when and which MLA he wants to take and whom he wants to drop, Mir said. At the same time, he said the matter should not be reduced to a bargaining exercise over one Cabinet seat. The Congress is also a very big ocean, and Congress also has to look at the entire situation of Jammu and Kashmir. This is not merely about one Cabinet berth. The question is about the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the issues of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Mir also cautioned against repeatedly referring to the Congress as a party with only six MLAs in the Assembly. If the National Conference looks at the Congress only according to the number six, if it weighs it on the basis that these are six people, then I think it is doing injustice to the Congress today, he said. He pointed out that the alliance had benefited both parties electorally and politically. It has to be weighed as a party. It is because of this party that the alliance happened and the National Conference benefited from it, and after that, if our party got six seats, Mir said. Government of India responsible for security situation Mir also criticised the Centre over the continuing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the Union government could not shift responsibility for the situation to the elected government in the Union Territory. Referring to threats against Kashmiri Pandits and recent militant incidents, he said the security situation had been one of the principal reasons cited for the changes made to Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional and administrative status in 2019. The question arises that on August 5, 2019, citing these very threats, these very selective killings and these very incidents, the Home Ministry and the Government of India, without asking us, cut our neck and brought our state down, Mir said. He said the Centre had justified the move by arguing that it was necessary to improve the security situation and ensure that the entire law-and-order situation was dealt with by the Government of India. Now it is the seventh year. And even after the seventh year, we continue to see every year that killings are taking place, selective targets are taking place, and Kashmiri Pandits are also receiving threats, he said. Mir argued that responsibility for the situation therefore lay with the Centre. If this is a failure, then it is the failure of the Government of India, and all the agencies are in their hands, he said. He added that Jammu and Kashmirs security and law-and-order machinery was no longer under the control of an elected state government. Today, no person in Jammu and Kashmir has these security agencies or law and order in his hands. In the UT, the Lieutenant Governor is looking after it, and at the Centre, the Home Minister of India is looking after it. So definitely, if the voice is raised that threats are still being received, the responsibility goes to the Government of India, Mir said. Financial situation not so bad that children should be on streets Mir also backed the demands of protesting students and professionals seeking greater financial assistance from the Jammu and Kashmir government. He said the demands appeared genuine and that Jammu and Kashmir was providing significantly less support compared with other states. It is a human issue, clearly. Their issue should be resolved. We will also appeal to the Chief Minister because Finance is with him and he should take a call, Mir said. While acknowledging the Union Territorys financial constraints, he said the government should find a middle path. We believe that the financial situation of our state is not so good. But it is not so bad either that we should see thousands of our children on the streets. Some middle path should be found, he said. Mir warned that if the issue remained unresolved, the Congress would raise it with other political parties and seek a clear response from the Chief Minister when the House resumes. If they do not do it, then definitely, being the Congress legislature party in the House, we will talk to other parties as well, and from the 21st, when the House begins, if it is not resolved by then, we will definitely want, along with our other colleagues, that the Chief Minister give a solid answer on this and resolve their issue, he said. On Congress and possible political returnees Asked about speculation surrounding leaders who may seek to return to the Congress, Mir said the partys doors remained open to those who shared its ideology. Congress is an ocean. But Congress has its own ideology. For those whose ideology matches that ideology, or whose ideology aligns with the Congress ideology, the doors are open, he said. However, he dismissed speculation about some individuals returning to the party, saying some of them had left Congress decades ago. Some of those whose names you have taken left Congress after eating and drinking for 40-45 years, and their stomachs may not yet be full there, so why would they look back? Mir said, adding that much of the speculation was confined to social media. He also criticised the conduct of the two major political parties during a recent protest, arguing that issues affecting ordinary people had been sidelined. There was no issue of 14 million people in it. Both of them were for taking a chair and saving a chair. This was the first time in 80 years of democracy that the party in power was on the streets, Mir said. He said political parties should instead be taking up issues such as unemployment, rising electricity bills and the problems faced by young people. If tomorrow a forum is formed and takes up all these issues and says, Come to Srinagar, and five lakh people stand there, demanding answers from both governments, then will pellet guns be fired at that time? Will it be said then that they were anti-national? Mir asked.
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MHA convenes key sub-committee meeting on Ladakh in Delhi on Sep 09
Srinagar, Sep 03: In a crucial step toward resolving the political and governance deadlocks in the region, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has convened a high-stakes sub-committee meeting with representatives from Ladakh on September 9 in New Delhi. Ministry of Home Affairs has fixed an official meeting of the sub committee on 9th September in Delhi. This is part of the ongoing dialogue for deepening democratic processes in Ladakh, Chief Secretary Ladakh Ashish Kundra said. In an official communique addressed to the Chief Secretary Ladakh, the MHA has requested to inform the members of the Sub-Committee accordingly and their confirmation may be intimated to this Ministry. The meeting will focus on establishing a formal, customized democratic structure for the Union Territory, addressing key demands regarding legislative, executive, and financial powers, as well as constitutional safeguards. The talks come on the heels of sustained efforts between central officials and joint delegations representing the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Both groups recently submitted a joint memorandum outlining their core expectations to Ladakh administration officials, emphasizing the need for an empowered UT-level elected body and unconditional withdrawal of all cases against those affected by the 24 September incident, along with dignified and adequate compensation for the victims and their families.
Srinagar, Sep 03: Following crucial directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the formal notification for the establishment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) across all seven districts of the Union Territory. The move marks a major administrative shift aimed at enhancing local governance, decentralising power, and ensuring direct regional representation in the high-altitude frontier region. Until recently, autonomous council governance was restricted exclusively to Leh and Kargil. Following the earlier decision to carve out five new administrative districtsSham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drassthe administration has now moved to ensure that each district possesses its own autonomous council framework. With the official notification issued, the administration is expected to begin laying down the boundary delimitation and electoral frameworks necessary to conduct elections for the newly formed councils. Local leaders and civil society groups have welcomed the step, viewing it as a significant movement toward democratic decentralisation and administrative empowerment across the trans-Himalayan region.Notably, The Centre, on 13 July 2026, had announced the creation of new LAHDCs in the UT of Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor Ladakh has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the historic step, stating that the establishment of the seven councils will decentralise and strengthen participatory local governance, allowing local aspirations and priorities to be reflected more effectively in district-level planning and development. The development marks a significant step towards decentralisation and strengthening of grassroots governance in Ladakh. The creation of the new councils will provide institutional mechanisms for greater participation of people in matters relating to the development and administration of their respective districts. The creation of Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts is a milestone in strengthening grassroots governance in Ladakh. This will empower the people and enable development to be more responsive to local needs and aspirations, LG Saxena said. The notification issued by the Revenue Department, UT of Ladakh, says the elections to the newly constituted Councils will be held in due course after a formal notification is issued under Section 8 of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997. The notification will come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Sopore Police crack down on JeI-linked assets, attach properties at Dooru
Sopore, Sep 03 : In a significant action against properties allegedly linked to the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu & Kashmir (JeI), Sopore Police has attached two double-storied buildings, six shops and 2 kanals of land at Dooru area of Sopore after completion of the prescribed legal process under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, officials said. According to police, the action was taken during the investigation of FIR No. 42/2025, registered at Police Station Sopore under Sections 10 and 13 of the UA(P) Act. During the course of investigation, police examined relevant official documents, revenue records and other material and conducted verification through the concerned authorities to establish the alleged linkage of the properties with the proscribed organisation. Police said that the properties in question comprise the premises of Islamia Model School, Dooru, which has reportedly remained closed since 2022. The property consists of two double-storied buildings, six shops and around two kanals of land. Based on a detailed dossier prepared and submitted by Sopore Police, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, through an order dated August 12, 2026, notified the said premises under Section 8(1) of the UA(P) Act, 1967. Subsequently, following a request from Sopore Police, the District Magistrate, Baramulla, issued the requisite orders under Sections 8(3) and 8(4) of the UA(P) Act for further legal action against the notified properties. In pursuance of these orders, a police team from Sopore, accompanied by the concerned Executive Magistrate, carried out the attachment proceedings on the ground in accordance with the applicable legal procedure. The police said the action forms part of its continued efforts to identify, investigate and legally proceed against properties and assets allegedly associated with proscribed organisations and their networks. Authorities maintained that such proceedings are aimed at preventing properties linked with banned organisations from being utilised for activities prohibited under law. Sopore Police reiterated its commitment to taking firm but lawful action against proscribed organisations and networks associated with unlawful activities, while ensuring that all such proceedings are carried out in accordance with the established legal framework.
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Dry weather, brief spells of rain likely in J&K till Sep 12: MeT
Srinagar, Sep 03: The weather in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to remain generally dry, however brief spells of are expected to accompany at scattered places, according to a forecast issued by the Meteriological Centre Srinagar on Thursday. An official spokesperson said that the Union Territory will experiance generally dry weather till starting from today---September 3---till 12. Breaking it down on a daily basisi, the spokesperson said that on September 3, te weather is forecasted to remain generally dry in J&K coupled with brief spell showers at few places. Moving to the next day, Friday---September 4---the weather is predicted to turn wet with spells of light to moderate rain along with thunderstorm at many places. Some of the places may receive intense showers, he said. Summing up the next week, he said that during 5 to 12 September, the weather will agin turn generally dry with the possibility of brief spell of rain and thunder at isolated/scattered places.
Bear mauls man in Anantnags Dooru orchard
Anantnag, Sep 03: A man was injured after being mauled by a bear in an orchard in the Mirmadan area of Dooru in south Kashmirs Anantnag district on Thursday, officials said. An official said that the man was injured after being attacked by the wild animal in the Dooru area of Anantnag. He said the man was soon shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Dooru for initial treatment, where doctors referred him to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for further treatment. The man was later identified as Mohd Maqbool Bhat, a resident of Mirmadan, Dooru. Meanwhile, a probe into the incident is underway.(KNO)
Pakistani intruder apprehended along IB in Jammus Kanachak
Jammu, Sep 03: A Pakistani intruder was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the International Border in the Kanachak sector of Jammu on Thursday morning, officials said. Officials said the intruder was apprehended by personnel of 44 BSF Battalion near Border Out Post (BOP) Sohan in morning hours. He said following the apprehension, the man was taken into BSF custody, while senior officiala also reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Pertainly, the apprehended person is presently being questioned to ascertain his identity, purpose of entry and other relevant details, officials said.(KNO)
JK: Ramban administration warns against fake account in DC's name
Jammu, Sept 03: The Ramban administration in Jammu and Kashmir has warned people against a fake WhatsApp and social media account created using the name and photograph of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan, asking them not to respond to or engage with it. Khan, in a post on his official X account, issued a public advisory and clarified that the account operating through mobile number 66998857414 was fake. A fake WhatsApp, social media account has been created using the name and photograph of Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan. The number shown in the screenshot is not original, he said on X. The deputy commissioner urged citizens not to respond to the number or social media account, share personal information, send money or engage with the account in any manner. Please remain vigilant and report such fake accounts immediately to the concerned authorities, he said, seeking public cooperation to prevent cyber fraud. The district administration also advised people to verify the authenticity of any message or request purportedly sent by government officials before sharing personal information or making any financial transaction.
Yasin Malik willing to face death penalty in Sarla Bhat case, announces divorce from Mushaal
Srinagar, Sep 03: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, has reportedly told a Srinagar court that he no longer wishes to contest the trial in the 1990 murder case of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhat and is willing to face the death penalty. Malik has also announced his decision to divorce his Pakistani wife, artist and activist Mushaal Hussein Mullick. Malik submitted a 25-page written statement before the Additional Sessions Court in Srinagar on Wednesday through his lawyer, Abu Adil Pandit. The court has scheduled the next hearing for September 19, reported NDTV. In his statement, Malik said he would no longer contest the proceedings in the Sarla Bhat murder case. However, he made it clear that his decision to withdraw from the trial should not be treated as an admission of guilt. I will no longer contest the trial and the death penalty may be considered for me, Malik said, according to reports. Malik denies allegations While announcing his decision, Malik maintained that he had been falsely implicated in the case due to political circumstances. He said the decision to withdraw from the proceedings was taken after careful deliberation and after performing Istikhara , an Islamic prayer traditionally offered before making an important decision. Who was Sarla Bhat? Sarla Bhat was a Kashmiri Pandit staff nurse at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar. She was abducted in April 1990, during the peak of militancy in Kashmir, and her body was recovered days later. The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police reopened the case in 2025 and carried out searches at locations linked to Malik and other accused persons. The chargesheet named Yasin Malik, Khurshid Ahmed Chalku, Abdul Hameed Sheikh, Mohammad Yusuf Sofi and Ghulam Mohammad Taploo. Chalku remains absconding, while Sheikh, Sofi and Taploo have died. Malik is therefore the key surviving accused named in the case. Yasin Malik announces divorce from Mushaal In the same statement, Malik announced his decision to end his marriage to Mushaal Hussein Mullick. The couple married in 2009 and have a daughter, Razia Sultana, who is 13 years old. Through this affidavit, I also wish to address my wife and my daughter. For the last eight years, I have not been able to hear your voices or communicate with you, as I was not permitted phone calls or video conferencing with you. I know that my time with you has been limited and uncertain. You are Twenty (20) years younger than me, and I do not want you to spend the rest of your life carrying the burden of my circumstances or living as a widow. I therefore request you to find the courage to begin a new chapter of your life with dignity and hope. I shall always love, respect and remember both of you in this world and in the next life. Wherever my destiny takes me, my prayers, affection and blessings will always remain with you. That, before I will be hanged, I have taken the decision to separate you from the bond of our Nikah. I dont know how I will pronounce separation from you Nelson-Mandela helped me to pronounce my true feelings, Malik wrote in the affidavit. I shall personally never regret the life comrade Nomzamo and I tried to share together. Circumstance beyond our control, however, dictated it should be otherwise. I part from my wife with no recriminations. I embrace her with all the love and affection I have nursed for her inside and outside prison from the moment I first met her. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you will appreciate the pain I have gone through. Malik has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019. Yasin Malik's separate terror-funding conviction Malik's latest statement comes more than four years after his conviction in a separate terror-funding case. In May 2022, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Delhi convicted Malik after he declined to contest the charges. He was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. The NIA has challenged the sentence and sought its enhancement to the death penalty.
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Motorcyclist killed after crashing into shop in Khanyar
Srinagar, Sep 03: A motorcyclist died after losing control of his bike and crashing into a nearby shop at Siraz Chowk in Khanyar area of Srinagar on Thursday, officials said. An official said that the man was riding a Bajaj Pulsar bearing registration number JK13F-2915 when he apparently lost control of the motorcycle and crashed into a nearby shop. He said the man was injured in the accident and died on the spot. Locals informed the police, who soon reached the spot. The deceased was later identified as Altaf Hussain Daded (28), a resident of Sangerwani, Pulwama. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and an investigation is underway.(KNO)
Vande Bharat to make experimental halt at Anantnag
Anantnag, Sep 03: The Ministry of Railways has approved an experimental stoppage of the Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express at Anantnag railway station, officials said. In a communication issued by the Railway Board, the Board said the stoppage will be provided for Jammu Tawi-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, at Anantnag. The Railway Board has directed that the stoppage be introduced from an early convenient date, subject to requisite security clearance. The Board has also directed the concerned authorities to closely monitor ticket sales at Anantnag station to assess the performance of the stoppage. Give wide publicity, ensure compliance and confirm, the communication states. The move is expected to improve rail connectivity for residents of Anantnag and adjoining areas and benefit tourists, traders, students and other passengers travelling between Jammu and Kashmir. The stoppage will initially be experimental, with passenger response and ticket sales to be monitored before a decision is taken on its continuation. Railway sources told KNO that the stoppage is likely to become operational by the end of September. The exact date of commencement, along with the arrival and departure timings at Anantnag, is yet to be notified.(KNO)
Education is a right, marginalised students must not face neglect: Rahul Gandhi
Nashik, Sep 03: Education is not a privilege, but the right of every student in India, and students from marginalised communities should not face neglect from the system, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has said. He met a delegation of tribal students, including those who were on a hunger strike to press for their demands, during his visit to Nashik in Maharashtra on Wednesday. The students were protesting over a range of issues, including the condition of ashram schools meant for tribals. Gandhi, in a post on X, later said, Education is not a privilege -- it is the right of every student in India. The Congress leader said during his Nashik visit, he met with a delegation of tribal students and carefully listened to their problems and demands. Every student has the right to a respectful, safe, and conducive environment for their studies, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha asserted. Students from marginalised communities should not face neglect from the system; they need its support and every possible assistance, he added. During his Nashik visit, Gandhi interacted with district-level leaders of the Maharashtra Congress and asked them to stand firmly by the party's ideology and ensure justice for the people.
2 people were killed and suspect is dead in downtown Minneapolis shooting
Minneapolis, Sep 03: Two people were killed and the suspect is dead after a shooting in a downtown Minneapolis apartment building Wednesday afternoon, according to police. Three Minneapolis police officers were also injured, including two of them from gunshot wounds, police Sgt. Garrett Parten said at a press conference on Wednesday evening. All three officers are in stable condition, according to Hennepin County Medical Center. A 911 call about shots fired at the building came in just after 4:30 pm and officers entered the building three minutes later to find victims inside the high-rise, Parten said. They heard more gunshots and followed them to a higher floor, where they found a haze that significantly limited their visibility, he said. This is a tremendously tragic event and our thoughts and prayers are with the families, the loved ones of those who lost their lives, those who were injured and with the injured officers and their families, Parten said. One of the victims was fatally shot at the scene, and one died after arriving at the hospital, he said. Parten said it was not immediately clear how the shooter died. Hennepin County Medical Center said it received seven patients but didn't share additional information about the conditions of those wounded. Julius Bailey was sitting outside of his apartment building when he heard gun shots and saw a man he recognised as a resident of the building holding a pistol. Bailey said he heard a woman screaming and immediately started running away. He said he counted eight shots. Bailey said that he recognised the man holding the gun because he was someone who was known for showing off his weapon. Bailey said he has tried to avoid the man since moving into the building in June. I could tell he was trouble, he said. Chris Miller, who also lives in the apartment building, said he heard a rapid succession of gunshots and quickly ran outside for safety. He said he believed he knew who carried out the shooting and that he encountered someone in the hallway with a handgun earlier this week and reported that person to management. Video posted to social media showed police aiming rifles upward at an apartment tower near the Minneapolis Convention Center. Officials warned residents to avoid the densely populated Loring Park neighbourhood nearby. Minnesota Gov Tim Walz said in a post on social media that state officials are on the ground helping local law enforcement respond to the shooting. Grateful to law enforcement actively working to ensure the safety of our neighbours in Downtown Minneapolis this afternoon, Walz said. Minnesota is praying for our first responders. The FBI is responding to the shooting and will offer any and all resources necessary to assist local authorities, Director Kash Patel said in a post on the social platform X.
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DC reviews railway goods services for fruit transport in Anantnag
Anantnag, Sep 2: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat on Wednesday reviewed the operationalisation of railway goods services for transporting horticulture produce from the district to markets outside Jammu and Kashmir, stressing coordinated efforts to ensure timely movement of fruit during the harvest season. Chairing a meeting at the Deputy Commissioners office, Bhat said civil administration, railway authorities, fruit associations and transporters must work together to make effective use of the available rail freight services and address logistical bottlenecks. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Muzamil Maqbool, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Tariq Ahmad Malik, SDM Bijbehara Tanveer Ahmad Tanveer, the Chief Horticulture Officer, SDPO Bijbehara, officials from Anantnag Railway Station, the President of Fruit Association Qazigund and representatives of the Transport Association Anantnag. Officials discussed the availability of railway goods services, operational arrangements and infrastructure required for smooth transportation of horticulture produce. The meeting was informed that horticulture is one of Anantnags key economic sectors, with around 32,381 hectares under orchards and an annual fruit production of nearly 3 lakh metric tonnes. Given the large volume of produce, railway freight was described as an important option for timely dispatch to outside markets. Officials also said Jablipora, Ashajipora and Batengoo are the districts three major fruit mandis, serving as key collection and marketing centres for horticulture produce. Participants discussed railway goods services as a cost-effective alternative to road transport, particularly during the peak apple harvest, to improve market connectivity for growers and traders. The DC directed all stakeholders to take necessary measures for effective utilisation of the railway freight service to facilitate timely transportation of horticulture produce across the district.
AI transforming education, jobs and other sectors: CUK VC
Ganderbal, Sep 2:Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the educational, research and employment landscape, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) Vice-Chancellor Prof. A RavinderNath said Wednesday, stressing that technological advancements must ultimately contribute to improving the quality of human life and serving societal needs. AI is creating new possibilities for economic empowerment and intellectual-property generation, Nath said while inaugurating a two-day international workshop on Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Education at the varsitys Tulmulla campus. Organised by the Department of Information Technology, the workshop is being held as an International Academic Partnership Meet focusing on emerging technologies and their applications in education. Highlighting the importance of partnerships and knowledge-sharing in harnessing emerging technologies, Nath stressed the need to convert Indias vast data resources and demographic dividend into useful information for developing policies, products and processes. He also underlined the need to use emerging technologies responsibly and productively, saying the additional time and convenience created by technology should be channelled towards creativity, innovation and addressing human concerns. Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Romshoo, the chief guest, said the workshop was being organised at a time when AI had become an integral part of contemporary life and education. Recalling the evolution of access to knowledge from books and libraries to the internet, search engines and now generative AI, Romshoo said humanity had moved from accessing information to using increasingly sophisticated tools capable of processing and generating knowledge. He cautioned, however, that merely using tools such as ChatGPT should not be mistaken for becoming AI competent. Romshoo stressed the need to move beyond AI literacy towards becoming AI wise, with human judgement, creativity, imagination and wisdom continuing to remain indispensable. He said AI could not replace teachers but would transform their role, allowing educators to devote greater attention to creativity, inspiration, critical thinking and meaningful engagement with students. Chairman, Vision Digital India and AI Evangelist Dr Hari Krishna Maran said AI was not about replacing human intelligence but about making work simpler, more productive and innovative. He said the AI Training Mission of Vision Digital India, supported by Intel, had expanded across educational institutions, adding that the workshop also witnessed the establishment of its 99th AI Lab. Director, Finland 2030 Educational Initiatives, MeikeKrautscheid, said AI was expected to transform a substantial proportion of jobs globally and that education would be among the sectors most significantly affected. She stressed the need to develop human capabilities in synergy with technology and outlined five key pillars of the Finland 2030 co-academic curriculumsocio-emotional skills, 21st-century life skills, career planning, innovation and entrepreneurship, and global outlook and awareness. Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, said AI had transcended geographical boundaries and emerged as a transformative force in education. He said AI should not be viewed merely as a source of disruption but as a technology that would change the nature and content of jobs. Mir urged students and faculty members to acquire new competencies early and remain prepared for a rapidly changing employment environment. Early bird catches the worm, he said, stressing the importance of learning AI at the earliest. Dean, International Affairs, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, who chaired the session on the International Academic Partnership Meet on emerging technologies, highlighted the importance of adaptability, continuous learning and international academic partnerships in an era of rapid technological transformation. She said institutions and individuals must be prepared to learn, unlearn and relearn while remaining open to new knowledge and opportunities. Tiwari described knowledge as a factor that transcends boundaries and urged students to combine strong foundations with openness to new learning. Earlier, Dr. Sonal Kumar, Vice-President, Stevens Strategy, USA, shared insights into the transformation of higher education. She emphasised the need for Indian universities to adopt data-driven, globally aligned strategies. Kumar said that under NEP 2020, institutions must focus on developing strategic visions, modernising teaching pedagogy and embracing technology, particularly in areas related to AI and examination lifecycles. The dignitaries also inaugurated the AI Trainer Centre of Excellence at CUK and released the Global Research Journal, started by Harvard University in collaboration with the Global Economic Forum. Organising Chair Dr Yash Paul said the programme aims to promote meaningful engagement with emerging applications of AI in teaching and learning, academic research, content creation, productivity enhancement, assessment and other areas of higher education. Faculty members, senior functionaries of the university, scholars and students were present on the occasion.
Machil residents seek upgrade of health centre
Kupwara, Sep 2:Residents of Machil in north Kashmirs Kupwara district have urged the government to upgrade the existing health centre to a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), citing shortage of staff and lack of diagnostic facilities. The residents said the inadequate healthcare infrastructure was causing hardship to the remote population, particularly during winters when heavy snowfall makes movement out of the area difficult. During winters, people hardly can move out of their houses due to several feet of snow. Whenever a medical emergency arises, people are forced to shoulder patients to reach PHC Duddi for treatment, former Machil sarpanch Habibullah told Greater Kashmir . He said only one pharmacist was currently posted at the Machil sub-centre, which was insufficient to cater to the healthcare needs of the local population. Residents said the sub-centre had earlier been upgraded to a Health and Wellness Centre, but alleged that the move had remained confined to official records, with no significant improvement in facilities or staffing on the ground. They urged the administration to upgrade the centre to an NTPHC and provide adequate medical and paramedical staff, diagnostic facilities and other essential infrastructure. The residents said strengthening the health facility was particularly important for Machil given its remote location and difficult winter conditions.
CHINAR International holds meet in Pulwama
Pulwama, Sep 2: CHINAR International organised an awareness and engagement programme at the Municipal Council, Pulwama, bringing together representatives from the trade and business sectors, government departments, community groups, the Bar Association and civil society. The programme aimed to familiarise stakeholders with CHINAR Internationals work in Pulwama and Shopian and explore opportunities for collaboration, partnerships and collective action. The event began with an overview of the organisations vision, mission and key areas of intervention, followed by presentations on its community-based initiatives in the two districts. An interaction between CHINAR International board members and representatives of different stakeholder groups provided an opportunity to exchange views and identify areas for future collaboration. Renowned psychiatrist and CHINAR International board member Dr. MushtaqMargoob spoke about the organisations journey, vision and community-based approach. CHINAR has always believed that children should not be uprooted from their homes and communities. Instead, we should create opportunities for them to flourish within their own environments, he said. He added that the organisation focused on recognising the potential of young people and supporting them in pursuing their aspirations. Several beneficiaries, including students and entrepreneurs, shared their experiences and spoke about CHINARs support. Mohammad Aslam Deedad of Achagoza, Pulwama, said livelihood assistance from CHINAR helped him rebuild his life after losing both legs in an accident. There was a time when I had lost all hope after losing my legs in an accident. CHINAR supported me with a grocery business, which helped me rebuild my life. Today, I am able to support my family, raise my children and look ahead with hope, he said. Muzaffar Ahmad Awan of Zampathri, Shopian, shared his journey from dropping out of school in sixth grade to completing postgraduate studies in linguistics. CHINARs support came as a ray of hope and transformed my life. Currently, I run my own tuition centre and try hard to help children who are on the verge of dropping out, as I once was, he said. The programme also discussed avenues for continued engagement, including partnerships, community outreach, resource mobilisation, institutional support and advocacy. The purpose of todays programme was to bring diverse stakeholders onto a common platform, familiarise them with our work and create opportunities for meaningful partnerships and future collaboration, said JaveedHajam, assistant director, finance and procurement, CHINAR International. The engagement was part of CHINAR Internationals efforts to strengthen ties with local institutions, community representatives and other stakeholders and expand opportunities for collaborative initiatives supporting children, youth and families in Pulwama and Shopian.
Clogged drain near Baramulla graveyard sparks residents outrage
Baramulla, Sep 2:Residents of Bagh-e-Islam in Baramulla's Old Town have expressed anger over a clogged drain passing through one of the town's largest graveyards, alleging that official neglect has led to wastewater overflowing into the burial ground. Locals said the drain has remained blocked for a long time due to poor cleaning and maintenance, causing sewage and wastewater to spill into the graveyard, especially during heavy rainfall or when the water level rises. This is not merely a drainage issue. Wastewater is entering the graveyard and, at times, flowing into the graves. It is deeply distressing for the families whose loved ones are buried here, said Showkat Ahmad, a resident. The graveyard, located in the densely populated Old Town area, is among the oldest and largest burial grounds in Baramulla, with thousands of people buried there. Residents said the burial ground holds immense emotional and religious significance for the community and should be protected from sewage, waste and neglect. Even people who have moved away from Baramulla remain emotionally connected to this graveyard because their loved ones are buried here. The authorities must ensure the drain is cleaned properly, said Altaf Ahmad Dar. The residents urged the Municipal Council Baramulla to visit the site, clear the blocked drain immediately and take permanent measures to prevent wastewater from entering the graveyard. They also demanded regular cleaning and inspection of the drainage channel, saying temporary clearance alone would not solve the recurring problem.
Sajad Lone flags development, public service issues during Kupwara tour
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and MLA Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday questioned the performance of the government and raised several issues related to development, public services and the functioning of government departments during a tour of various areas of Kupwara district. Talking to reporters in Kupwara, Lone raised concerns over the pace of development and alleged shortage of staff in various departments. He also raised the issue of salaries of Gram Rozgar Sahayaks (GRS), the functioning of the Government Medical College, matters concerning the Education Department and other issues affecting people at the grassroots level. It appears that the government is nowhere on the ground, Lone said, stressing that mere announcements were not enough and that people needed to see tangible development and effective governance. The Peoples Conference leader called for greater accountability and urged the government to address the grievances of the people of Kupwara and ensure that administrative and developmental institutions function effectively. Lone, as per the KNS had undertaken an extensive tour of various areas of the district and interacted with people during the visit.
MP Aga Ruhullah urges Budgam administration to reopen Yousmarg tourist resort
Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has urged the Budgam district administration to immediately reopen the tourist resort Yousmarg, citing severe economic distress faced by locals dependent on tourism for their survival. In a communication to the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam accessed by news agency KNS, the Lok Sabha member said a delegation of residents from Yousmarg had recently met him and expressed serious concern over the continued restrictions, especially when other tourist hotspots across the Union Territory are functioning normally. The local residents expressed serious concern that when other major tourist destinations in Jammu & Kashmir are open and receiving visitors, Yousmarg should also be considered for reopening, subject to all necessary safety and administrative protocols, the MP said in his letter. Describing tourism as the primary source of livelihood for the area, MP Mehdi pointed out that pony operators, horse riders, hoteliers, shopkeepers, transporters and tour guides have been the worst hit by the prolonged curbs, with many families struggling to make ends meet. In view of the above, I request your good office to kindly examine the matter on priority and take appropriate steps for reopening Yousmarg for tourists, if there are no prevailing security or administrative constraints, he wrote. He further appealed to the administration to give due consideration to the livelihood concerns of the local population while taking any decision. Yousmarg a tourist destination in central Kashmir's Budgam district remained largely inaccessible to tourists since security measures were tightened following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Although authorities had allowed limited movement earlier this year, the flow of visitors has remained negligible, dealing a crippling blow to the local economy. Notably, Local stakeholders have repeatedly demanded the removal of restrictions, warning that the continued shutdown could push many families into irreversible financial ruin.
Future of 20,000 Medical Assistant students uncertain, govt must act: Iqbal Trumboo
PDP Senior Spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo expressed serious concern over the uncertain future of nearly 20,000 students who have completed or are currently pursuing the two-year Medical Assistant Course in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the government to intervene immediately to safeguard their careers. Tramboo, as per a statement, said that prior to 2019, the two-year Medical Assistant Course was being conducted by various colleges and educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. Students completing the course were recognised under the prevailing system and were able to seek registration as pharmacists, apply for government recruitment and obtain licences for running medical shops. Thousands of students joined this course with the legitimate expectation that their qualification would provide them with employment and livelihood opportunities. However, following changes in laws and regulations after 2019, their qualification is no longer being recognised for pharmacist registration, government recruitment and licences to run medical shops. This has left an entire generation of students facing a deeply uncertain future, Tramboo said. He said it was highly unjust to leave students in the lurch merely because the regulatory framework changed after they had already invested their time, money and years of education in a course that was being offered by recognised institutions. Tramboo further pointed out that the Medical Assistant Course continues to be offered by some educational institutions, despite the uncertainty surrounding the professional status and future prospects of its students. The government must immediately clarify the status of this course and prevent more students from being pushed into an uncertain career path. At the same time, the interests of those who have already completed the course or are currently enrolled must be protected, he said. He demanded that the Medical Assistant Course be discontinued in its present form and that a comprehensive transition policy be framed for existing students and qualified candidates. He suggested that an appropriate equivalence or bridge-course mechanism, wherever legally permissible, should be considered so that these students can acquire a recognised pathway towards professional registration and employment. Tramboo urged the Pharmacy Council of India, Pharmacy Council of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary J&K and Secretary Health & Medical Education, J&K, to take up the issue on priority and work out a legally sustainable solution. The government cannot allow the future of thousands of young people to remain in darkness. These students should not become victims of a change in policy. Their education, financial investment and years of hard work must be respected. A compassionate and practical transition mechanism must be put in place immediately to safeguard their future, Tramboo said.
FMGE gets major student-friendly overhaul
Srinagar, Sep 2:Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) across India and from J&K have received a major relief after the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) reviews its current policy to make the exam more student friendly. The fresh measures include rationalising the difficulty level of the question paper and increasing the frequency of the examination. The decisions, announced earlier in the week, followed a meeting between NBEMS officials and representatives of the All-India Medical Students AssociationForeign Medical Students Wing (AIMSA-FMSW). Students had been protesting over the concerns of the FMGE exam held in June 2026. The agitation was called off after the meeting. J&K has hundreds of FMGs waiting to clear their NBEMS. A key decision that has been announced is to conduct FMGE three times a year from 2027. The existing permitted attempts two attempts a year. There is no cap on the number of FMGE attempts, and with the examination set to be held three times a year from 2027, aspirants will have more opportunities to clear the test. The FMGE is the mandatory screening test for foreign medical graduates who wish to work in India. Clearing the examination enables them to proceed with the registration and internship requirements prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The NBEMS has also agreed to rationalise the difficulty level of the FMGE question paper. Now, there will be more shares of low- and moderate-difficulty questions. The agreed distribution, as per the reports, is 30% low difficulty, 50% moderate difficulty and 20% difficult questions. This is expected to make the paper more balanced and reduce concerns over an unusually difficult question paper. NBEMS has also agreed to reduce the FMGE examination fee from the next examination. The revised fee has not yet been announced. NBEMS will also publish question IDs, correct answer IDs, candidates' response IDs and marks awarded for each question on individual applicant portals, helping aspirants with greater access to information on their performance. The candidates will also be provided more time for biometric attendance. There have been complaints that the attendance consumes examination time. Now candidates will be given an additional one minute per section. There would be better examination-centre facilities, it has said. The board will further consider the demand for FMG representation on its grievance redressal committee. It has also agreed to more frequent interaction between NBEMS and FMG representatives. The issue of video-based questions in the June 2026 FMGE was also discussed in the meeting, with NBEMS agreeing to declare before the Delhi High Court that 14 video-based questions were included in that examination.
Nepal disaster highlights fragility of Himalayas: Karan Singh
The former Jammu and Kashmir governor Karan Singh on Wednesday expressed deep sympathy with the people of Nepal over the loss of life and property in the recent disaster and called for a coordinated regional effort to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. As per a statement issued, Karan Singh said that the cataclysmic events in Nepal have led to a considerable loss of life and property. I would like to express my deep sympathy with the people of Nepal in this hour of tragedy. My late wife was from Nepal and, therefore, I have a special attachment with that beautiful country and its people. I must add that the event that triggered the disaster took place in Tibet. In a way the episode has once again reminded of the fragility of the Himalayan region. This is why many lovers of the Himalayas, like myself, have constantly been urging that the Government of India must take some proactive role in saving the Himalayas from destruction. The destruction that 4-lane roads in such delicate areas, as the Char Dham in Uttarakhand is reprehensible. This involves massive blasting and widening of the roads. In my view 4-lane roads should totally banned in the Himalayas. There is no reason why tourists and pilgrims cannot travel on 2-lane roads. I have been suggesting for some time that the Himalayan nations should set up Himalayan authority. This would include Pakistan, Tibet, India all the way to Bangladesh & Bhutan. Only then can a uniform policy be adopted. It would be appropriate if Prime Minister Narendra Modi were to take the initiative in this regard with the Prime Minister of Nepal.
Hajj pilgrims to undergo 2-stage medical screening
Srinagar, Sep 2:The Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) has mandated a two-stage medical screening and fitness certification process for all pilgrims selected for Hajj 2027, introducing a new requirement under Section 21 of the Hajj Policy 2027. According to a circular issued on Tuesday, the medical screening will be conducted in two stages. The first-stage screening will take place at the time of selection, while the second will be conducted closer to the pilgrims departure for Hajj. The Primary Medical Screening (Stage-I) will be carried out at government healthcare facilities in the respective states by a Government Allopathic Medical Officer. All prescribed diagnostic tests will be conducted as part of the process. Following the Stage-I screening, pilgrims will be provisionally selected and required to submit the Primary Medical Screening and Fitness Certificate along with a copy of their pay-in-slip. The Haj Committee has advised pilgrims to retain their original medical certificates and investigation reports, as these will be required during the Stage-II screening and vaccination process. The circular states that pilgrims found medically unfit under the prescribed criteria will not be permitted to undertake Hajj. Their candidature will be cancelled and the deposited amount refunded in accordance with the applicable rules. It also cautions pilgrims against concealing or falsifying health information. Those found to have withheld or provided false medical information may face action, including forfeiture of their deposited amount. The State and Union Territory Hajj Committees have been directed to coordinate with nodal officers at the district and state/UT levels to ensure timely completion of the medical screening process. They have also been asked to promptly report cases of pilgrims found medically unfit to the concerned authorities.
Gujarat media delegation visits Chenab-Anji bridges, Salal project in Reasi
A media delegation from Ahmedabad, currently visiting the Jammu region as part of a press tour organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), visited the Chenab Railway Bridge and Anji Khad Railway Bridge in Reasi district on Wednesday. The visit provided the journalists with first-hand exposure to the scale, technological sophistication and engineering features of these railway infrastructure projects. During the visit, senior railway officials briefed the delegation on the technical, structural and engineering aspects of both bridges, including their design, construction methods and the challenges involved in building them across the difficult mountainous terrain. The Chenab Railway Bridge, known for its towering steel arch structure, incorporates advanced engineering measures to ensure structural stability, safety and resilience under challenging environmental conditions. The delegation was also briefed on the Anji Khad Railway Bridge, Indias first cable-stayed railway bridge, and its unique design and construction techniques adopted to overcome the deep gorge and steep terrain. The officials highlighted the significance of the two bridges as key components of the railway connectivity being developed to establish a reliable link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country. Railway officials informed that these projects strengthen connectivity, facilitate the movement of passengers and goods, support economic activity and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. The visiting journalists interacted with railway officials and sought information on the projects planning, construction, engineering challenges, safety measures, technological innovations and operational significance. The interaction provided them with a broader understanding of the role of major railway infrastructure in improving connectivity and supporting development in Jammu and Kashmir. Later, the delegation visited the Salal Hydroelectric Project, where officials briefed the journalists on the projects significance and its role in the regions power generation infrastructure. The delegation was apprised of the projects contribution to meeting energy requirements and supporting the development of the region. The journalists also received an overview of the functioning and operations of the project, including its power generation facilities and other key aspects. The visit provided the delegation with first-hand insight into the importance of hydropower infrastructure in strengthening the regions energy capacity. The visit formed part of the PIB press tour aimed at providing media representatives with an on-ground perspective of major developmental and infrastructure initiatives in the region.
IGP Jammu leads foot patrol in city north
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu zone, Tejinder Singh, along with DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range, SSP Jammu and SP North Jammu on Wednesday conducted a foot patrol in the Jammu city north area. The senior officers personally reviewed the security arrangements and took stock of the prevailing law and order situation in the area. During the patrol, they interacted with local residents and shopkeepers and assessed public safety concerns. The foot patrol was aimed at strengthening police visibility, enhancing public confidence and ensuring effective policing at the grassroots level. The senior officers directed the concerned police personnel to maintain heightened vigilance, ensure regular patrolling and remain responsive to the security and safety needs of the public. They also stressed on maintaining close coordination among field units for prompt response to any emerging situation. They reiterated commitment to ensure a safe and secure environment for the residents through proactive, visible and people-centric policing.
NHAI toll plaza collection fraud: Enforcement Directorate raids businessmans house, office in Jammu
Jammu, Sep 2: Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday raided the residence and office of a prominent businessman in Jammu as part of searches conducted at around 14 locations across the country under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with an alleged toll collection fraud at National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plazas. Besides Jammu, simultaneous searches were conducted at different locations in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi-NCR and West Bengal. ED action, reportedly, was in cognizance of two FIRs registered with Police alleging use of unauthorised software applications for toll receipts generation and diverting collected money outside the official accounting mechanism. Though till late evening, ED did not issue any official statement on this account yet sources mentioned that as part of countrywide raids, ED sleuths, joined by central forces, searched the businessmans residence located at Green Belt, Gandhi Nagar and his office premises at Trikuta Nagar on Wednesday September 2, 2026), morning. During the raids, which began at around 9 am or so, the entry and exit points to both the places remained sealed. The ED officials analysed all available records with an objective of recovering digital and documentary evidence to trace the proceeds of crime and identify all beneficiaries. Reports suggested that the forensic examination and the NHAI records corroborated use of such unauthorised software. Sources pointed out that the ED officials were exhaustively analysing documentary, digital evidence and complex web of financial flows across several states, to reach to the bottom of the fraud. Legal proceedings by the ED and NHAI to follow with the progress in investigation to unravel this fraudulent scheme of operations, sources pointed out.
Agriculture sector provides 70% of livelihoods, contributes 18% to J&K GDP: Government
Srinagar, Sep 2:Agriculture and allied activities provide around 70 per cent of livelihoods in Jammu and Kashmir and contribute about 18 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), the official figures have revealed. As per the government statistics highlighting the agriculture sectors progress between 2019-20 and 2025-26, the government has listed a series of achievements in the agriculture and allied sectors, including a more than two-fold increase in cold storage capacity, expansion of crop insurance, growth in milk and fish production and increased horticulture exports. As per the figures, cold storage capacity in J&K increased from 1.39 lakh metric tonnes to 2.97 lakh MT from 2019-20 to 2025-26. Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 4,383.61 crore has been disbursed to 9,16,587 lakh farmers, the document states. The government figures presented before the recently convened meeting with Niti Aayog members, the government said two Horticulture Centres of excellence and one Agriculture Centre of Excellence have been established, while 13 others are under execution. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has also been extended to all 20 districts, the official document reads. The government claimed that the Kisan Credit Card scheme has 11.44 lakh active cards, with Rs 10,964 crore in loans sanctioned. Milk processing capacity increased seven-fold, from 35,000 litres to 2.50 lakh litres per day, while fish production rose by 40 per cent from 21,000 MT to 31,700 MT, the official document reads. As per the official statistics, seven agricultural products have received Geographical Indication (GI) tags, with 20 more products under process. The National Agriculture Market has linked 17 mandis and registered 2,750 traders since 2019, the official document reads. The government claimed that Horticulture exports also increased from 11.87 lakh MT in 2020-21 to 13.86 lakh MT in 2025-26. In the meeting, the government also highlighted progress under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), including the establishment of 1.46 lakh units and generation of 4 crore person-days of employment. Under area expansion initiatives, 12,764 hectares have been brought under crops including Mushqbudji rice, red rice, chilli, hill garlic and vegetables, the official document reads. The government informed the Niti Aayog team that 2.88 lakh farmers have been skilled through the DAKSH KISAN initiative. The document reads that mushroom production increased from 2,100 MT in 2021-22 to 3,765 MT, while honey production rose from 2,200 MT to 3,900 MT. The seed replacement rate has increased from 12 per cent to 20 per cent, while 1,150 saffron and 890 other nurseries have been registered. As per the official statistics, a total of 1,807 KissanKhidmatGhars have been established, with 9.41 lakh farmers registered and 5.2 lakh farms geo-tagged and on boarded. The HADP progress also includes the establishment of 481 Hi-Tech Poly Greenhouses covering 2.26 lakh square metres and 966 low-cost poly greenhouses covering 2.18 lakh square metres. As per the official data, under the Yellow Revolution, the area under oilseed cultivation has expanded from 1.40 lakh hectares. The document also outlines the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Project (JK-CIP), a $217 million (approximately Rs 1,800 crore) project focused on improving the climate and market ecosystem across 90 blocks. The project targets marginal communities and women and is expected to benefit around three lakh households, or approximately 15 lakh people. Its components include climate-smart and market-led production, development support for the agri-business ecosystem, and support to vulnerable communities and project management, the document reads. The expected outcomes after seven years include scaling up collectivisation, strengthening and establishing Farmer Producer Organisations, supporting business-led enterprises, market support and brand development, assistance to startups and benefits to three lakh households. The government claimed that under JK-CIP, 65,123 farmers have been registered and 73,472 applications have been received so far. Of these, 18,046 applications are under process, while 48,348 have been approved. A total of 9,131 units have been established, the document reads. The document also mentioned the proposed introduction of a restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) for fruit crops, including apple, saffron, litchi and mango. The fresh tendering process for the scheme will be initiated after issuance of the revised RWBCIS operational guidelines by the Government of India, the document reads.
Devyani Rana announces Rs 1 Cr for playground development across all Nagrota panchayats
In a significant step towards strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure and empowering the youth, MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana has announced a total allocation of Rs 1 Cr for the development and upgradation of playgrounds across all panchayats of Nagrota constituency. Rs 1 Cr will be distributed equally among all panchayats, reflecting a commitment to balanced and equitable development and ensuring that every panchayat has the opportunity to create better sporting facilities for its children and youth. A stronger sporting culture, empowered youth and a Nasha Mukt J&K are essential to building a healthier, more confident and prosperous future, MLA Nagrota said. The initiative, as per a press statement, is envisioned not merely as an investment in playgrounds, but as an investment in the future of the young generation. By creating accessible spaces for sports and physical activity, the effort seeks to encourage young people to pursue athletics and other sporting disciplines, nurture emerging talent and provide aspiring athletes with a stronger foundation at the grassroots level. Linking the initiative to the larger national vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat and a Nasha Mukt J&K, Devyani Rana emphasised that sports can play a vital role in giving young people a positive direction, strengthening discipline and building confidence, purpose and a sense of community. Our responsibility is not only to build infrastructure, but to build opportunities for our youth. A playground can become the first step towards a sporting career, a healthier life and a stronger society. Through this initiative, we want every panchayat of Nagrota Constituency to have the opportunity to nurture its young talent and aspiring athletes, Devyani Rana said. She further said that the fight against drug abuse must be complemented by positive alternatives and meaningful opportunities for young people. The vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat and a Nasha Mukt J&K must begin at the grassroots. Our young people need opportunities to dream, compete and excel. We want to channel their energy towards sports, education and nation-building, rather than allowing it to be consumed by drugs and other destructive influences, she said. The development of playgrounds will also help create a stronger ecosystem for grassroots athletes, enabling young sportspersons to train closer to home and encouraging greater participation in athletics, cricket, football and other sporting disciplines. MLA Nagrotas initiative represents a broader commitment to youth empowerment, grassroots sports, healthy communities and a drug-free society, while laying the foundation for the emergence of the next generation of athletes from Nagrota constituency, the statement mentioned.
Protesting MBBS, BDS interns hold candlelight march in Doda
MBBS and BDS interns of the Associated Government Medical College (AGMC) and Hospital Doda held a candlelight march in Doda town, intensifying their protest over the long-pending demand for enhancement of their monthly stipend. Carrying candles and raising slogans, the protesting interns highlighted what they described as the inadequate stipend being paid to them during their compulsory internship. The interns said they were presently receiving Rs 12,300 per month, which they considered insufficient in view of their clinical responsibilities, working hours and the expenses associated with professional training. The interns said the internship was a crucial component of medical education, during which they were required to perform a range of duties in hospital departments and provide services under the supervision of senior doctors. They maintained that the stipend should reasonably reflect the workload and responsibilities entrusted to interns. The candlelight march was part of a series of protests organised by MBBS and BDS interns to press the authorities for an early resolution of the issue. Earlier, the interns had also taken out a protest rally through Doda town, drawing public and administrative attention to their demand. The protesters urged the UT administration and the Health and Medical Education Department to review the existing stipend structure and announce a substantial hike at the earliest. They also called for parity with interns in other government medical institutions, stating that the disparity in stipends needs to be addressed. The interns said they repeatedly raised the matter with the concerned authorities, but the issue was yet to be resolved. They appealed to the administration to initiate meaningful dialogue with their representatives and work out a solution acceptable to all stakeholders. The protesting interns said they would continue to pursue the matter through peaceful and democratic means until concrete action is taken on their long-standing demand. They expressed hope that the authorities would take the issue seriously and announce a favourable decision without further delay.
Mehbooba Mufti joins protesting medical interns at SKIMS Bemina
Srinagar, Sep 2: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday joined the protesting medical interns at SKIMS Bemina and extended support to their demand for an increase in stipend to Rs 30,000. Mufti was accompanied by senior party leaders Advocate Abdul Haq Khan, Dr Mehboob Beg, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain Soharwardy and Yasir Reshi. Expressing solidarity with the interns, Mufti said it was deeply painful to see young doctors, who work exhausting shifts of up to 36 hours, including nights, taking to the streets to demand what she described as a basic and legitimate entitlement. These young doctors are the backbone of our healthcare system. Their dedication and sacrifice cannot be met with neglect, she said. Mufti said a government that expected medical interns to serve tirelessly must also uphold their dignity and ensure fair compensation. She appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to meet the protesting interns at the earliest and resolve their demands within a week. The JKPDP president said the interns contribution to the healthcare system should be recognised and their demand for a stipend hike addressed without further delay.
Harness J&Ks biomass potential to cut fossil fuel dependence: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
Srinagar, Sep 2:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called upon engineers, scientists and academic institutions to harness Jammu and Kashmirs abundant biomass resources to develop locally suited, economically viable and environmentally sustainable solutions for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and decarbonizing the economy. The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the 41st National Convention of Chemical Engineers and National Seminar on Biomass: A Sustainable Resource for Decarbonizing the Economy, organized under the aegis of the Chemical Engineering Division Board of The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) in association with the Department of Chemical Engineering, NIT Srinagar, at the IEI J&K State Centre here. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof. Nelofer Khan, Director NIT Srinagar Anurag Mishra, Chairman IEI J&K State Centre FerdousAhad Bhat, Chairman Chemical Engineering Division Board, FIE, Prof. G. Madhu, besides engineers, academicians and other experts attended the two-day national convention and seminar. Highlighting the significance of the convention being held in Jammu & Kashmir after a gap of several decades, the Chief Minister said the last National Convention of the IEI held in J&K had taken place in early 1989. For us, to have all of you present for the 41st National Convention, organised by our own NIT Srinagar and the Chemical Engineering Division Board, is a significant moment, he said, while expressing appreciation to the organisers for choosing biomass and decarbonization as the central theme of the convention. The Chief Minister said the need to reduce dependence on carbon-based fuels had become increasingly urgent, both from the perspective of energy security and the growing environmental consequences of using fossil-fuel. He said recent pressures on fuel supplies had underlined the vulnerabilities associated with excessive dependence on carbon-based energy sources, while the consequences of unchecked fossil-fuel use were becoming increasingly visible in the form of global warming and climate-related disasters. Those of us who are roughly around my age or maybe a little older have seen with our own eyes the way in which our glaciers are retreating and shrinking, Omar Abdullah said, highlighting the particular vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate change. Referring to the Thajiwas glacier near Sonamarg, the Chief Minister said the extent of glacier retreat could be understood from personal experience. We have only to travel two hours out of Srinagar to go to Sonamarg to see the Thajiwas glacier there, he said, recalling that it was once possible to reach the foot of the glacier after a short walk, whereas today it requires a considerably longer trek. He said such changes offered a stark reminder of the environmental consequences of the continued and unchecked use of fossil fuels. However, the Chief Minister cautioned that moving away from a carbon-based economy could not be achieved simply by switching from one energy source to another overnight. Economically viable, sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions are the need of the hour, he said, stressing that alternative energy solutions must be capable of competing economically with established sources of power. Omar Abdullah pointed out that Jammu & Kashmir possessed significant biomass resources generated through agriculture, horticulture, forests, municipal waste and increasing consumption. We are sitting on a wealth of biomass whether we like it or not, he said, adding that the challenge was to develop effective mechanisms for converting this resource into useful energy. The Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir had so far struggled to develop a workable and sustainable model for waste-to-energy, despite generating sufficient waste to support such initiatives. He observed that the economic viability of waste-to-energy projects remained a major challenge, particularly when compared with relatively cheaper sources such as solar and hydropower. At the same time, he stressed that economic considerations could not be the only factor determining the future of waste management and energy policy. We will have to do it, he said, underlining the need to address not only the problem of legacy waste but also the continuously increasing generation of organic waste that could potentially be converted into energy. The Chief Minister also recalled his efforts during his previous tenure to explore the possibility of converting plant material harvested from Dal Lake into biofuel, in collaboration with higher education institutions, particularly the agricultural university. He said that while the idea had so far remained largely at the discussion stage, such initiatives needed to be pursued with greater determination and through practical experimentation. Drawing from a personal experience at a boarding school in Himachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister illustrated how seemingly unconventional ideas could eventually become successful and practical solutions. He recalled how one of his teachers had proposed establishing a poultry farm at the school to ensure an in-house supply of eggs. The teacher then went a step further by exploring the possibility of converting poultry waste into biogas. What initially may seem to others as a pipe dream or may even for people evoke mockery, actually, in the long term, if you keep going at it, people will realize that the mockery was wrong and the vision was actually the correct thing, Omar Abdullah said. He said the school ultimately developed a workable system in which poultry waste was converted into biogas, which was then transported almost a kilometre to the central dining hall and used to reduce dependence on fossil fuels for cooking. The Chief Minister urged scientists, engineers and academic institutions not to be discouraged by unsuccessful experiments while working on new technologies and solutions. Let us not be afraid of failure, he said, stressing that experimentation and learning from unsuccessful attempts were essential for technological progress. He cited the example of Thomas Edison and his approach to experimentation while developing the electric light bulb, as well as contemporary technological ventures where failed experiments provide valuable data for subsequent innovations. Omar Abdullah called for the collective intellectual capacity of the engineers, scientists and institutions participating in the convention to be channeled towards developing practical projects capable of addressing Jammu and Kashmirs specific requirements. We need to commit the awesome brain power that is present in this room, or that is represented by the institutions that are present here, to arrive at workable, sustainable, economically viable projects, he said. He emphasized that solutions for biomass utilization could not simply be replicated from one part of the country to another, given the differences in available resources, geography, climate and local conditions. The biomass of Jammu and Kashmir will not be the same as the biomass of Maharashtra, will not be the same as the biomass of Tamil Nadu, he said, calling for greater emphasis on localized and indigenized solutions. The Chief Minister suggested that the deliberations of the convention should culminate in concrete recommendations that could be examined by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and subsequently shared with governments in other parts of the country as well as the Government of India. He said the objective should be to identify technologies and models that could simultaneously address waste management, energy generation, environmental sustainability and economic viability. Let us arrive at localised, sustainable, economical solutions, he said, emphasizing that Jammu and Kashmir should seek to utilize biomass that is available locally rather than depend on resources brought in from outside. The Chief Minister said the ultimate objective of such efforts should be to gradually move the economy away from excessive carbon dependence while protecting the environment for future generations. We have to be able to give them a planet that is more sustainable than the planet that we have inherited from our forefathers, he said, referring to the young participants and students present at the convention. He expressed hope that the two-day national convention would produce actionable recommendations and practical ideas capable of translating scientific research into field-level solutions. If we are able to do that, I believe this national convention will more than have met the goals that it set for itself, he said. The Chief Minister wished the participants and organizers success in their deliberations and expressed hope for continued engagement with the Institution of Engineers (India) and the engineering and academic community in Jammu and Kashmir.
Intern doctors protest over stipend hike continues
Intern doctors of Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri and other medical colleges across Jammu on Wednesday continued their indefinite strike, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from the existing Rs 12,500 to Rs 30,000. The protesting doctors held a peaceful dharna outside GMC Rajouri, urging the government to revise their stipend, saying interns performed duties under challenging conditions in hospitals but were being paid a meagre amount. The agitation has been continuing for the past three days, with intern doctors from various medical colleges pressing the government to implement a stipend of Rs 30,000, which they said was in accordance with prevailing norms. The strike has also affected the functioning of some healthcare institutions as doctors have abstained from duties in certain cases. As part of efforts to intensify the agitation, intern doctors at GMC Rajouri took out a peaceful candlelight protest march on Tuesday evening. The protesters raised slogans in support of their demand and urged the government to address the issue at the earliest. On Wednesday, MLA Rajouri Iftkhar Ahmed also visited the protest site and met the doctors assuring them of taking up their demand and issues before the government for necessary redressal.
To change future of J&K, we are paying special attention to education, health: CM Omar
Srinagar, Sep 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today handed over appointment orders to newly appointed Medical Officers of the Department of Health & Medical Education at a ceremony held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here. Personally handing over the appointment orders to the newly recruited Medical Officers appointed across Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister congratulated them on joining the J&K Government service and urged them to regard their appointment as the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to serving the people. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the appointment marked the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and sacrifice by the appointees and their families. Today, a new chapter of your lives is about to begin. What you will write in this chapter and what you will leave for others to read is up to you, he said, while acknowledging the contribution and sacrifices of the parents and families who supported the young doctors throughout their journey. Recalling the rigorous journey from admission to medical college and completion of medical education, training, internship and recruitment, the Chief Minister said the newly appointed Medical Officers had earned their place through sustained effort. He, however, emphasised that joining government service brought with it a much greater responsibility, particularly in the health sector, where people approach doctors at some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives. People have high expectations from you. In the most difficult of times, when people go in search of someone, they go in search of a doctor. Some people will reach you when they have given up all their hopes, and they will see the last ray of hope in you, he said. Urging the doctors to serve wherever they are posted, particularly in remote and underserved areas, the Chief Minister said that strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots was essential to reducing the burden on hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar. He said that people should not have to travel from sub-district and district hospitals to the major cities for routine medical procedures and treatment. Normal deliveries, gallbladder and appendicitis surgeriesthese should be available at the sub-district level, and at least at the district level where they cannot be provided at the sub-district level. But often we see patients being referred directly to Srinagar or Jammu, he said. The Chief Minister said the Government expected newly appointed doctors to help change this situation by providing quality and accessible healthcare closer to where people live. At the same time, he acknowledged that doctors posted in remote areas would have legitimate expectations from the Government regarding infrastructure, connectivity and better working conditions. You will expect us to provide you with proper infrastructure so that you can carry out your duties properly. You will expect us to provide you with proper connectivity in the areas where we post you, he said, assuring that the Government would continue working to improve service conditions and healthcare infrastructure. The Chief Minister also shared an anecdote from his earlier interaction with newly appointed doctors to underline the need for a change in the mindset towards postings in remote areas, saying that even postings in relatively accessible places were sometimes viewed as difficult. We have to change the future of Jammu and Kashmir. To change the future, we are paying special attention to two thingseducation and health, Omar Abdullah said. He described education and health as the foundation for Jammu and Kashmirs progress, saying that development in other sectors would not yield its full potential unless the people were educated and healthy. The Chief Minister said that this was the reason he attached particular importance to programmes of the Education and Health departments. Highlighting the Governments efforts to make medical education more accessible, Omar Abdullah said that J&K continues to subsidise medical education substantially so that students are able to pursue medical studies at comparatively affordable costs. He pointed out that medical education in government medical colleges in J&K remains significantly cheaper than in several other states, despite the high cost involved in training a doctor. We happily accept this expense because we want more doctors to be made, he said, adding that the Government had also taken steps to increase the intake capacity of medical colleges in J&K in coordination with the Centre. The Chief Minister said that increasing the number of medical seats would create a larger pool of trained doctors who could eventually enter public service and contribute to healthcare delivery across J&K. Assuring the newly appointed Medical Officers of continued Government support, he said: We will improve your service conditions so that you can carry out your work without fear. We will also improve your infrastructure. And in medical colleges, wherever there is a shortage, we will also improve it. Calling upon the doctors to make the most of their long careers in public service, the Chief Minister expressed hope that they would dedicate the coming decades to serving the people and contributing to the development of Jammu and Kashmir. You have entered the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Please do your work with that spiritwith the hope that people see you in these positions, and with the hope that your parents and family, who helped you reach here by making sacrifices and supporting you, can be proud of you, he said. Congratulating the newly appointed Medical Officers once again, Omar Abdullah wished them a successful and fulfilling career in public service and urged them to discharge their responsibilities with dedication and compassion. Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary, Health & Medical Education, M. Raju, Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, Akriti Sagar, faculty members of Health Services Kashmir, newly appointed Medical Officers and their proud parents were present on the occasion.
Chatroo minor rape-death case:Crime Branch raids 2 accuseds residences
In a significant development in the Chatroo minor rape-and-death case, the Crime Branch on Wednesday morning conducted searches at the residences of two accused persons, identified as Tariq Hussain and Khalid Hussain, in the Gurinal area of Chatroo in Kishtwar district, as part of its ongoing investigation, officials said. The searches were carried out after the case was formally transferred to the Crime Branch by the Jammu and Kashmir administration following sustained protests and demands from residents and various groups for an impartial and comprehensive investigation. Officials familiar with the development said that the searches were aimed at locating and examining material and documentary evidence that could assist investigators in reconstructing the sequence of events and establishing the alleged role of the accused and other persons connected with the case. The Crime Branch is also examining evidence collected during the earlier investigation. The case relates to the death of a minor girl in the Chatroo area, which had triggered widespread outrage and protests across the region. FIR number 34/2026 was initially registered at Police Station Chatroo, and the investigation was subsequently expanded with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable laws invoked during the course of the probe. The case had witnessed a series of protests, shutdowns, candle marches and sit-in demonstrations in Chatroo, with protesters demanding that the investigation be transferred to an independent agency and that every person allegedly involved be brought to justice. During the earlier investigation, seven persons were arrested in connection with the case, including the alleged prime accused and others whose suspected roles came under scrutiny. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also constituted by the police to investigate the matter before the government decided to hand over the case to the Crime Branch amid continued public demands for a broader and independent probe. Following the transfer, the Crime Branch formally began its investigation and has since been examining the circumstances leading to the minor girl's death, the evidence collected so far and the alleged involvement of different individuals. The latest searches at the residences of Tariq Hussain and Khalid Hussain are being viewed as part of the agency's efforts to strengthen the evidence in the case. Investigators are also likely to question persons associated with the case and conduct further searches, if required, as the investigation progresses. The incident has continued to evoke strong public sentiment in Chatroo and adjoining areas, with residents demanding a fair and time-bound investigation and stringent legal action against anyone found responsible.
16th Aero India to be held in Bengaluru from February 8-12, 2027
Aero India, Asias largest air show and one of the worlds premier aerospace and defence exhibitions, is all set to return with its 16th edition at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru, Karnataka from February 8 to 12, 2027. Organised by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, the event will bring together leading global aerospace and defence companies, policymakers, technology experts, innovators, industry stakeholders and defence forces personnel on a common platform. Aero India has emerged as a flagship international event showcasing the nations growing capabilities in aerospace, defence manufacturing, emerging technologies and innovation. It provides a dynamic platform for business engagement, technology exchange, international cooperation and strategic dialogue, while highlighting Indias expanding defence industrial ecosystem and its growing role in the global aerospace and defence sector. The five-day event will feature a comprehensive exhibition and a range of business and strategic engagements, providing opportunities for industry-to-industry interactions, government-to-industry engagements, technology demonstrations and collaborations. It will also feature spectacular aerial displays by the Indian Air Force and participating international flying teams, offering visitors an opportunity to witness advanced aviation capabilities in action. A dedicated web-based portal has been developed for Aero India 2027 to facilitate seamless participation and provide comprehensive services for exhibitors as well as visitors. Online registration and booking of exhibition space will be facilitated through www.aeroindia.gov.in, with exhibitor registrations scheduled to commence from September 3, 2026. Aero India 2027 is expected to provide a significant impetus to Indias vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and its emergence as a trusted partner in the global defence and aerospace supply chain. The event will facilitate greater participation of Indian defence industries, including MSMEs and start-ups, while creating avenues for partnerships, investments, exports and technology collaboration.
Something is brewing at J&K Bank. A trial balloon has been floated that the J&K Bank should grow its rest-of-India (ROI) business by recruiting there. Unidentified financial experts, talking to unnamed reporters of a prominent Jammu-based English daily, have advocated more lending outside the local economy. The ROI portfolio, it is contended, is no longer just a growth target but an existential necessity for the Banks long-term financial viability. Were it not so flawed in economic and financial reasoning, this could be laughed off as a bad joke. The amateurish narrative, and the agenda behind it, needs to be called out. The outward-looking strategy is flawed financially, commercially, economically and developmentally. It is a bad bargain for the Bank, the people and the government of J&K. The inward-looking policy from 2006 rested on a self-evident opportunity: J&K, with 0.70 per cent of national GDP, received only 0.30 per cent of national credit. With about one per cent of the population, its share of the national personal-loan stock was 0.27 per cent. The state was credit-starved despite SBI, PNB and the other big daddies of Indian banking. That strategy set out in the 2006-07 Annual Report doubled credit inflow even as the share in national output rose only marginally. As on March 2026, J&K accounts for 0.79 per cent of national output and absorbs 0.62 per cent of overall credit. The region remains under-banked on the asset side relative to output, and more so relative to its own deposits. The Bank mobilises about Rs 1,45,000 crore i.e. 80 per cent of its deposits locally yet ploughs back only Rs 80,000 crore into the local economy. By contrast, it raises about Rs 30,000 crore in ROI and has deployed Rs 50,000 crore in credit as of June 2026: a credit-deposit ratio of nearly 170 per cent, almost three times the local ratio. The proposed strategy would widen this disparity through deposit arbitrage. Local savings are five times those raised in ROI, and cheaper. With CASA of 47 per cent the highest in India, better than SBI and HDFC the cost of deposits in J&K is around 4.5 per cent. In ROI, CASA of just 12 per cent lifts the cost to around 6.5 per cent: a gap of 200 basis points. The plain fact is that if the balance sheet of the bank is split into local and ROI books, it will not be profitable for J&K Bank to lend outside without access to the low-cost deposits of the state. What makes the rest of India look profitable is an internal transfer-price mechanism that charges the ROI loan book the average cost of funds anchored in low-cost home deposits and not the higher cost of contracting deposits outside. This under-pricing socialises a home surplus into a common pool and makes outside lending look better than it is. It also hides the risk of a 170 per cent CD ratio: a liquidity threat and an asset-liability mismatch. The Bank should de-risk by cutting ROI exposure. It cannot raise low-cost deposits outside. Facing growing competition at home, the Bank must protect the liability franchise given it by the government and people of J&K and not explore the national field as some self-proclaimed experts advise. If this is altered -- government accounts moving, households shifting to other banks, or CASA migrating to term money -- the pool shrinks, the internal subsidy disappears, and the outside book cannot fund itself at anything like todays cost. Asset-side diversification is liability-side concentration. The ROI loan book looks worse once asset pricing, asset quality and the regulatory cost of capital are counted. Reported NPAs of around Rs 700 crore are understated by restructurings, settlements and write-offs. Off the balance sheet, impaired assets in Delhi and Mumbai must be around Rs 2,000 crore each. Add unapplied interest and the stock of impaired ROI assets be close to half the loan book of ROI. The comparable figure for J&K, on a bigger asset base, is far less. Localised, restructured and rehabilitated books in the local economy perform better than national averages, with slippage on specific state-rehabilitated portfolios held under 1 per cent. What the management and its experts call concentration risk; the stock market treats as the Banks main asset: the home franchise. Analysts and rating agencies cite the regional monopoly as the reason to own the stock. Long-term equity notes describe a safe regional monopoly, not a pan-India lender. Diluting that monopoly to chase ROI volume would strip away what the market still values without first curing the discount that comes from a thin float. The Bank leadership with little feel for the regional economy, may not recognise that J&K Bank is more integral to the J&K economy than even the government. The government is the principal pump-primer; the supply side is driven by the Bank. Set against this macroeconomics, the outward strategy makes even less commercial sense. When J&K Bank lends local deposits inside J&K, the money is spent locally. Wages, purchases and fresh deposits stay in the region. That is the multiplier. When it lends those same deposits in the rest of India, the income is earned elsewhere. J&K only exports its savings. Its creditdeposit ratio falls. That is leakage. A loan to a Pulwama horticulturist does much more for J&K than a housing loan in Pune. Local lending is a development instrument; out-of-region lending is a portfolio choice. Together they can form a virtuous cycle of credit, income and savings. When a hinterland instead exports scarce capital and imports labour outside recruitment is the equivalent despite a domestic labour surplus, it invites distortion. The real risk is not the erosion faceless experts predict if the Bank stays home focused. It is a small, under-served economy shipping its savings to finance the rest of India. Finally, let it be recognised that the people of J&K have invested a lot of emotional equity into the bank which far outweighs the financial equity invested by the Dogra Maharaja and the state government over time. It has been the only profitable and well-functioning institution of the state and it carries an aspirational model. To grow with stability, the Bank must return its focus to J&K and consolidate a slipping home position. Its share of local lending is already falling while rivals compete for the one asset that distinguishes it: low-cost deposits. The next battle will not be who books another corporate loan in the rest of India; it will be who peels CASA and government floats away from J&K Bank. An ROI-first strategy accelerates that loss. It exports the cheap surplus instead of defending the home book, trains the organisation to grow where the franchise is weak, and leaves the Bank thinner on the liabilities that fund its margin. That is not a hedge. It is a smaller franchise at home and a dearer, less stable book abroad and it is best avoided. Tail piece: The consequences of this adventurous strategy are already clear. The banks topline growth has been nearly stagnant for two years and turned negative in the June quarter. Nothing shows the failure of the outbound strategy more clearly than this: despite 60 per cent YoY growth in RoI advances and deposits, earnings growth stagnated despite a change in the accounting practice vis-a-vis PLCs to add Rs 50 odd crores to the net profit. Markets recognised this is not good banking and gave the results a thumbs down. On results day the stock fell almost Rs 30 in half an hour, and the slide has continued since. (The author is a former Chairman of J&K Bank.)
Suzuki Motorcycle India hosts Burgman hangout parade in Jammu
Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd. (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, hosted the Burgman Hangout Parade in Jammu, bringing together Burgman and Avenis riders for a community ride through the city. The Jammu edition followed earlier events in Hyderabad and Pune and was aimed at bringing Suzuki scooter owners together while providing an opportunity to interact with fellow riders and showcase the Burgmans urban styling. The convoy began at Hari Niwas Palace and passed through prominent city routes before concluding at Wave Mall. The ride attracted attention from commuters and visitors along the way, while participants interacted with fellow riders, captured photographs and shared their riding experiences. Speaking about the initiative, Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said the event was intended to strengthen the companys connection with its riding community. The Burgman Hangout Parade is about bringing our riders together and celebrating the unique bond they share with the brand. Our customers are the strongest advocates of the Burgman experience, and this initiative provides a platform for them to connect, share their ownership journeys, and showcase the style, comfort, and performance that make Burgman stand out, he said. At the concluding venue, SMIPL organised a series of engagement activities for riders and visitors. These included displays of the new Burgman Street and Avenis Special Edition scooters, a Suzuki merchandise zone, customer interaction activities and photo opportunities. The event also featured a Post & Win social media contest, encouraging participants to share their experiences from the ride online. The company said the Jammu edition was part of its efforts to expand the Burgman community experience to more cities and strengthen engagement with Suzuki scooter owners.
South Asias political landscape presents one of the most compelling narratives in contemporary democratic governance. Historically, the subcontinent stood at the forefront of female executive leadership, producing Sri Lankas Sirimavo Bandaranaikethe worlds first female prime minister in 1960 alongside iconic heads of government including Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Sheikh Hasina, and Khaleda Zia. Today, as regional democracies actively strive toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG-5) for gender equality, a profound democratic transition is unfolding from the grassroots upward. This evolving landscape demonstrates that women are decisively moving beyond passive voting toward becoming central architects of governance, even as key institutional and socio-cultural barriers remain to be addressed. The foundation of this democratic expansion was laid through Indias landmark 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1993, which mandated a minimum 33.3% reservation for women across rural Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies. Over the subsequent decades, more than twenty Indian states including Bihar, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal progressively elevated this threshold to a 50% reservation. Today, nearly 1.4 million women hold elected office in Panchayats across India. Ground-breaking empirical research by Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and Raghabendra Chattopadhyay confirms that female local leaders systematically steer public spending toward vital community priorities, particularly clean drinking water, sanitation, fuel access, and rural road connectivity. Moreover, continuous exposure to female leadership has actively dismantled entrenched societal stereotypes, while significantly elevating the educational and professional aspirations of adolescent girls in rural communities. At the ballot box, female engagement has shattered historic records. In Indias 2024 general elections, the traditional gender turnout gap was inverted, with female voter turnout reaching an unprecedented 65.8%, marginally surpassing male turnout at 65.6%. In states such as West Bengal, female turnout reached 83.33%. Women have emerged as an autonomous, decisive voting constituency, prompting state governments to introduce programmatic welfare initiatives, including direct benefit transfers, educational stipends, and subsidized cooking gas. Complementing this electoral mobilization, Indias enactment of the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Womens Reservation Act) mandating 33% representation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembliesmarks a transformative institutional step toward scaling grassroots democratic representation into national parliamentary chambers. Across the wider South Asian neighbourhood, positive milestones coexist with valuable institutional lessons. Nepal leads the region in parliamentary representation, with women holding 34.9% of seats in its Lower House and 38.6% in its Upper House due to progressive constitutional mandates. This positions Nepal as the only country in the region currently crossing Drude Dahlerups classic 30% critical mass threshold - the proportion theorised as necessary for women legislators to move past tokenism and exert collective policy influence. Crucially, empirical research by PRS Legislative Research robustly refutes the traditional myth regarding female winnability. In contested general elections, female candidates achieve win rates equivalent to or exceeding those of their male counterparts, while demonstrating identical diligence in parliamentary attendance and debate. Nevertheless, translating descriptive presence into substantive policy influence presents distinct operational hurdles. At the local level, newly elected representatives frequently encounter administrative and resource deficits. A large number of female Panchayat members receive limited formal training in budgetary allocation and bureaucratic procedures, while roughly half of rural administrative units lack adequate office facilities and digital connectivity. In the absence of institutional capacity-building, female leaders can face administrative sidelining or the challenge of proxy governance, wherein male relatives attempt to mediate council decisions. Similarly, in systems relying on indirect party-list quotas, such as in Bangladesh & Pakistan, female legislators often lack independent popular constituencies, leaving their legislative autonomy constrained by party hierarchies. Furthermore, the rising financial demands of electoral campaigning and the emergence of Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) remain serious deterrents. UN Women reports that 81.8% of surveyed female parliamentarians in the Asia-Pacific region experienced psychological harassment, while 44.4% faced explicit physical threats. In the digital sphere, cyber-VAWPranging from coordinated smear campaigns to weaponized artificial intelligence deepfakes poses an escalating threat to female public figures. Bridging the gap between electoral participation and substantive empowerment requires concerted structural support. Strengthening internal democracy and campaign financing within political parties, enforcing strict legal protections against physical and digital harassment, and institutionalising continuous governance academies for local representatives are essential steps forward. By reinforcing these institutional foundations, South Asia can harness its surging female electorate to foster enduring democratic leadership and fully achieve the promise of SDG-5. These are excerpts from a paper presented on 18 August 2026 at a National Conference on Gender Equality in the 21st Century: Perspectives and Pathways to SDG-5 held at Govt. Degree College for Women, M.A. Road Srinagar.
