15 pc decline in Indian students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in US: Report
Washington, Aug 25: 15 pc decline in Indian students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in US: Report A report, representing over 1,100 institutions, released by the Common App, shows that although application volume for undergraduate admission in the upcoming 2026-27 academic year rose overall, the number of international applicants through March 1 fell 10 per cent, the steepest decline on record. The report by a non-profit organisation recorded a 15 per cent decrease in applicants from India -- the top source for international students in the US. India is the largest source of international students in the US, with over 3.63 lakh enrolling for different courses in the 2024-25 academic year. According to the report, international students contributed USD 41.77 billion to the local economy in the Fall 2025-26. The same number is projected to be 38.37 billion in 2026-27. Earlier, a report by an organisation of educators said that stricter visa rules and uncertain policy are expected to lead to up to 1.1 lakh fewer international student registrations at US colleges and universities in Fall 2026. According to a report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International, international student registrations in Fall 2025-26 were estimated at 11.69 lakh, down this year to 10.57 lakh. In July, the US government announced new rules eliminating the traditional duration of status for student and visitor visas, capping stays at 4 years, which is the usual duration of an academic course. The US is also considering a USD 100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to use the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme to work in the US after their graduation. OPT allows foreign nationals who enter the United States on a student visa to work in the US for 12, or in some cases 24, months. It also allows students to transition to an H-1B visa sponsored by employers. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
EOW Kashmir chargesheets man for allegedly cheating cancer patients family
Srinagar, Aug 25: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against a man accused of cheating the family of a cancer patient by promising to provide medicines at a cheaper rate. The chargesheet has been filed before the Court of Sub-Judge, Srinagar, in FIR No. 25/2026, registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused has been identified as Afaq Ahmad Thug, son of Ghulam Qadir, a resident of New Colony, Hazratbal, near Shiwala Mandir, Anantnag, presently residing at 10-Green Enclave, Barmuni Road, Sunjwan, Jammu. According to the EOW, the case originated from a written complaint alleging that the accused cheated the complainant after offering to arrange medicines for his wife, who was suffering from cancer, at a comparatively lower price. The accused allegedly induced the complainant to pay lakhs of rupees for the medicines but subsequently failed to supply them as promised, the agency said. Following the complaint, an investigation was initiated. The EOW said its probe prima facie substantiated the allegations levelled against the accused. Interestingly, the investigation also revealed that the accused and the complainant had been schoolmates at a boarding school more than four decades ago, the agency said. After completing the investigation, the EOW presented the chargesheet before the court for judicial determination in accordance with law. The Crime Branch has advised members of the public to remain vigilant against economic frauds and to report suspicious activities to the SSP, EOW Kashmir. Complaints can also be lodged with the EOW through email at sspeow-kmr@jkpolice.gov.in.
J-K covers digitisation of 70 lakh land parcels, 13 lakh discrepancies rectified
Srinagar, Aug 24: Jammu and Kashmir is accelerating the digitisation and updation of nearly 70 lakh land parcels as part of efforts to modernise revenue administration and prepare a verified land database for integration with the Centre's AgriStack framework, officials said. The officials said that more than 13 lakh rectifications have been completed following discrepancies detected during verification and grievances received from the public. The exercise is being undertaken by the revenue department in collaboration with BISAG-N under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), with more than 2,500 revenue field functionaries provided role-based access for data entry, verification and approval, they said. In a major step towards modernising land administration and creating a more transparent, citizen-centric system of Revenue and Agricultural services, Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated the digitisation and updation of land records while simultaneously preparing the verified land database for integration with the AgriStack framework, they added. They said that the exercise, being undertaken by the revenue department in collaboration with BISAG-N, covers nearly 70 lakh land parcels, with more than 2,500 Revenue field functionaries having been provided role-based access for data entry, verification and approval. Officials said the exercise goes beyond scanning or digitising old records and involves updation, verification, public scrutiny and authentication of land records. A dedicated software platform has been developed for village-wise management of land records through a structured database, enabling systematic searching, validation, monitoring and authorised updating. Under the three-tier maker-checker-approver mechanism, the Patwari enters the record, the girdawar and naib-tehsildar verify it against the source revenue record, and the tehsildar provides final approval, they said. The system creates an electronic audit trail at every stage, helping check transcription errors, omissions, incorrect shares and other discrepancies while fixing responsibility for entries and approvals. District-level mentors and prabhari officers have also been deployed to monitor progress and quality, while district committees are undertaking cross-tehsil verification, they added. As part of public scrutiny, more than 6,800 village-level camps have been organised for public reading of jamabandis, allowing landholders to identify discrepancies relating to names, shares and mutations, they said. Digitised land records have also been made available for public viewing through the JK Zameen Sudhaar portal. More than 13 lakh rectifications have been completed following discrepancies detected during verification and grievances received from the public. The government has simultaneously incorporated around seven lakh backlog mutations into the digitised Record of Rights after verification and approval, they said. The verified database is now being transformed to support AgriStack under the digital agriculture mission of the central government. The framework envisages an integrated digital architecture comprising the Farmers Registry, geo-referenced village maps and Crop Sown Registry, they added. A key requirement is to accurately associate farmers with their landholdings. As traditional jamabandis may contain multiple co-owners in a single khasra, the transformation process captures the precise extent attributable to each recorded owner in machine-readable form. So far, 31.26 lakh khasra records have been converted into the required owner-extent format, officials said. Under the farmer-validation process, landholders authenticate through e-KYC, view their landholding particulars and claim the appropriate landholding group before providing voluntary electronic consent. A Farmer ID is generated after completion of the prescribed verification and approval process. Officials said the digitisation exercise would make Records of Rights more accessible and reduce the need for repeated visits to patwari and tehsil offices. For farmers, the AgriStack and Farmer ID framework is expected to facilitate more efficient delivery of eligible schemes, subsidies, agricultural inputs, credit, insurance, procurement-related services and disaster relief. The initiative is aimed at creating a trusted, verified and farmer-validated digital land information ecosystem to make revenue administration more transparent and improve delivery of agricultural services across Jammu and Kashmir.
From Thai to Japanese food: Indulge in these new menus in Mumbai this week
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Two suspects apprehended with pistol, grenade In Pulwama
Srinagar, Aug 25: Two persons were apprehended along with arms and ammunition during a search operation in Pulwama district. Officials said that during the intervening night of August 24 and 25, a Search and Destroy Operation (SADO) was launched by joint teams of Police Pulwama, Army 44RR and 183 Bn CRPF in general Yarwan forest area of village CB Nath Rajpora. During the search, two individuals who were coming from the forest area towards CB Nath village in a suspicious manner were apprehended tactfully. The duo has been identified as Latif Ahmed Deedad son of Ghulam Mohammad Deedad resident of Lassi Daban and Aijaz Ahmed Bajad son of Nazir Ahmed Bajad resident of Bun Kha Bamnoo. On their search, one pistol, 12 pistol rounds and one hand grenade were recovered from their possession. Both suspects along with the recovered arms and ammunition have been taken into custody. Meanwhile, search operation in the area is going on. (GNS)
US set for largest mass visa revocation in history targeting up to 200,000 foreigners: officials
Washington, Aug 25: The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States. If it happens, the move would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history and would likely face legal challenges. Unless challenged or revised, the State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks the revocation of so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two US officials. The action will be taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently, said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott. He declined to comment on the number of visas that might be revoked, saying as the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis. The revocations would not necessarily result in their immediate deportation, the officials said. Most of those with asylum cases currently pending would be recategorised but would lose their status as business or tourism travellers, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the revocations are not final yet. Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term last year, his administration has steadily ramped up restrictions on visa applicants, demanding more information about their social media histories, requiring the posting of expensive bonds for processing visas, and outright banning the issuance of visas to citizens of certain countries. In a social media post on Monday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called out people who he said try to use tourist and business visas to get into the United States and then apply for asylum. People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims, Landau wrote on X. Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law. Landau cited the case of a Colombian citizen who came to the US in 2015 on a tourist visa and then applied for asylum. B1 visas are generally issued for business trips and B2 visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits or medical care. It was not immediately clear from the documents or the officials how many of these visa holders are seeking or have sought asylum in the United States and would be affected by the revocations. Current applicants for B1 and B2 visas are asked to affirm that they will not apply for asylum in the United States and prove that they intend to return to their home countries. In the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked about 175,000 visas for people who have been convicted or accused of crimes ranging from drunken driving to rape and robbery, as well as for people who have spoken out publicly against US policies, particularly in the Middle East. The administration has also moved to crack down on so-called birth tourism, a practice the administration claims is used by foreign pregnant women to come to the United States to give birth so that their child will benefit from birthright citizenship. Trump has tried several times to end birthright citizenship, but those challenges have been rejected by courts, including the Supreme Court. The State Department documents obtained by the AP suggest screening of current B1 and B2 visa holders began after the State Department received information about asylum requests from the Citizenship and Immigration Service.
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President Droupadi Murmu to confer National Awards to teachers on September 5
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the National Awards to Teachers (NAT) 2026 on 21 teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics at Vigyan Bhawan here on September 5, the Ministry of Education said. The awardees include 12 teachers from central higher education institutions, five from state universities and colleges, including three government and two private institutions, and four faculty members from polytechnics, equally divided between government and private institutions. Nominations for the awards were invited online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal from May 26 to July 20. The process allowed self, institutional and peer nominations as part of the governments Jan Bhagidari initiative. The awards recognise teachers and faculty members for exemplary contribution to education. Selection is based on parameters including teaching-learning effectiveness, outreach activities, research and innovation, sponsored research, faculty development programmes and consultancy teaching. The selection is carried out in two stages. A Preliminary Search-cum-Screening Committee first shortlists nominees, following which a Jury Committee selects the final awardees. The National Awards to Teachers were expanded in 2023 to include teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions and polytechnics. Earlier, the awards were limited to school teachers. The expansion was aimed at supporting the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for incentives, rewards and recognition to promote a culture of excellence across the education ecosystem.
Bake My Cake Kashmir unveils new website, eyes stronger digital presence
Bake My Cake Kashmir on Monday launched its new website at SSM College of Engineering, Parihaspora Pattan, marking a step towards strengthening its digital presence and making its products, services and business information more accessible to customers and stakeholders. The website was virtually inaugurated by Director Employment, J&K and Managing Director, Mission Yuva, Harvinder Singh. The launch event was attended by students, entrepreneurs, professionals and other distinguished guests. Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Bake My Cake Kashmir, Mudasir Naqshbandi, said businesses need to adapt to changing technology as the world increasingly moves towards digital platforms. Today, people want information instantly and businesses need to be accessible beyond physical boundaries. Through our website, we are making it easier for people to reach us, learn about our products and services, understand our journey and stay informed about our future plans, he said. Naqshbandi said the website was not merely a digital platform but part of the companys efforts to build a more accessible, transparent and digitally connected business. He added that Bake My Cake Kashmir would continue to invest in technology, innovation and young talent while creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in J&K. Harvinder Singh appreciated the initiative and congratulated Bake My Cake Kashmir for embracing digital technology and strengthening its online presence. He highlighted the potential of Jammu and Kashmirs youth and encouraged them to make effective use of emerging technologies, government initiatives and new opportunities to build sustainable businesses and generate employment. The launch reflects Bake My Cake Kashmirs focus on digital transformation, innovation and strengthening its engagement with customers and the wider community.
Dr Sajjad Hussain presents IFS SIG roadmap
Dr Syed Sajjad Hussain, National Convenor of the Indian Fertility Society Special Interest Group (IFS SIG) and Managing Director of MED AGE IVF Centre, Srinagar, delivered a presentation at the Mid-Term Meeting of the Indian Fertility Society (IFS) held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Dr Hussain presented the vision, ongoing initiatives, academic activities and future roadmap of the IFS Special Interest Group, highlighting its focus on knowledge sharing, multidisciplinary collaboration and advancements in reproductive medicine. The presentation outlined the groups efforts to strengthen academic engagement and promote collaborative research and professional development in the field of reproductive healthcare. His participation underscored Kashmirs growing contribution to specialised healthcare and its active engagement with leading national professional forums.
Cantabil expands retail presence with new store in Pulwama
Cantabil Retail India Ltd., an apparel manufacturer and retailer, has expanded its retail presence in J&K with the opening of a new store in Pulwama. Spread across 1,185 square feet, the new outlet is located at Shop Nos. 3, 4 and 5, Muzamil Mini Mall, New Colony Road, Pulwama. The store offers a range of mens casual, party and formal wear, along with accessories, catering to customers seeking contemporary and mid-premium fashion. Commenting on the launch, Director of Cantabil Retail India Ltd. Deepak Bansal said the company was pleased to open its new mens and accessories store in Pulwama. We are excited to introduce our new men and accessories exclusive store in Pulwama. Cantabil has garnered immense appreciation in the mid-premium segment, resonating with customers. Our new store will showcase an extensive range of fashion-forward apparel for men and accessories. With a strong presence across India, we are committed to further expanding our retail footprint in the coming years, he said. The company said the new outlet was part of its ongoing expansion strategy and its efforts to strengthen its presence across markets.
JKHARA announces 21 elected Executive Committee members for 20262028
The Jammu and Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association (JKHARA) has announced 21 members elected to its Executive Committee (EC) for the 20262028 term following the completion of the election process at Hattrick Banquet Hall, Rajbagh, Srinagar. A total of 25 nominations were received for the Executive Committee, of which four candidates subsequently withdrew. The remaining 21 candidates were unanimously declared elected for the new term. The election proceedings were conducted under the supervision of Chief Election Commissioner G.N. Var. The proceedings were attended by JKHARA Founding President Showkat Chowdhary, Past President Adil Hussain, Patron Khazir Sahib and Advisor Sheikh Shaukat Sahib. The newly elected Executive Committee members include Sheikh Imran, Babar Chowdhary, Dr Lateef Ahmad Lone, Mohammad Shafi Beigh, Imran Majeed Hamza, Mushtafa Badyari, Amir Kaloo, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Muneer Ahmad Guroo, Irfan Rashid Malik and Shahzadi Simon. Others elected to the committee are Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, Gh. Qadir Lone, Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, Abid Hamid Tantray, Ayesha Saleem, Sajad Ahmad Bala, Mohammad Amin Shah, Bashir Ahmad, Farooq Amin and Nasreen Ansari. The JKHARA leadership extended its congratulations to all the newly elected members and expressed confidence that the new Executive Committee would work with dedication, integrity and a spirit of service to strengthen the organisation and advance its objectives. The association said the successful completion of the election process reflected its commitment to democratic participation, institutional continuity and responsible leadership. The new Executive Committee will serve for the 20262028 term.
MP Chowdry Ramzan visits Fruit Mandi Handwara, assures growers of support
Member of Parliament (MP) and National Conference (NC) Additional General Secretary Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Monday visited the Fruit Mandi Handwara and interacted with fruit growers, dealers and members of the Fruit Growers and Dealers Association. During the visit, representatives of the Handwara Fruit Mandi Association apprised Ramzan of various issues confronting the horticulture sector and sought his intervention in addressing their demands. Ramzan listened to the concerns raised by the representatives and assured them that their issues would be taken up at the appropriate platforms. Speaking to media persons after the visit, Ramzan said he was pleased to see the Fruit Mandi Handwara witnessing good business activity and providing livelihoods to thousands of families. Recalling his contribution to the horticulture sector, he said that during his tenure as Agriculture Minister nearly two decades ago, more than 15 fruit mandis were established across J&K. On the shortage of cold storage facilities in Kupwara district, Ramzan said the government was offering subsidies of more than 50 per cent for establishing such units. I urge entrepreneurs and individuals in Handwara and Kupwara to come forward and establish cold storage units. I assure them of my support in taking these initiatives forward, he said. Fruit Mandi Handwara President Mohammad Amin Wani thanked Ramzan for visiting the mandi and listening to the concerns of growers and dealers. Wani said Ramzan had assured the association that he would work towards resolving the issues faced by the fruit trade community.
FCIK delegation meets Chief Secretary, pushes for review of power tariff hike
The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to seek review and reconsideration of the recent electricity tariff order before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), J&K, besides seeking interim relief against its implementation pending such review. A delegation of FCIK led by Head of its Advisory Committee Shahid Kamili called on the Chief Secretary and discussed at length the impact of the tariff increases on an already stressed industrial sector. The delegation pointed out that while the DISCOMs had sought an increase of around 5 per cent, the tariff increase ultimately approved for industry was substantially higher even without any stakeholder consultation. FCIK submitted that the increase had come at a difficult time when existing enterprises were already grappling with weak markets, industrial sickness, delayed payments and mounting regulatory costs. It urged the Government to take into account the cumulative impact of prolonged disruptions and adverse business conditions faced by enterprises in J&K before burdening them with additional power costs. The meeting was held on the advice of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as a follow-up to FCIKs recent interaction with him on the immediate problems confronting existing industry pending finalisation of the Revised Industrial Policy. Besides the power tariff issue, the Federation discussed with the Chief Secretary four priority areas that had also been taken up with the Chief MinisterEase of Doing Business, public procurement, revival of sick and stressed units, and raw-material availability for mineral-based industries. On Ease of Doing Business, FCIK sought a genuine trust-based regulatory regime providing for self-certification, automatic renewals, deemed approvals, single-window clearances, digitisation and rationalisation of recurring permissions, fees and charges. The Federation stressed that routine regulatory processes should facilitate legitimate enterprises rather than consume their time and resources. On public procurement, FCIK pointed out that many local units established to supply Government departments were starved of orders even as substantial procurement continued from outside J&K. It clarified that local industry was not seeking higher prices or any relaxation in quality, but purchase preference at competitively discovered L1 rates. FCIK proposed strengthening SICOP for identified locally manufactured items, MSME-friendly tendering and segregation of industrial supplies from works contracts. It also offered to furnish examples of GeM tenders carrying conditions that effectively disadvantage otherwise capable local manufacturers. On industrial sickness, the Federation sought early announcement of power and other amnesties to enable stressed units to clear legacy liabilities. It also presented the Chief Secretary with a copy of the SBI OTS Scheme of 2020, seeking a similar transparent and uniform settlement opportunity from banks operating in J&K, particularly J&K Bank. FCIK submitted that relief at least comparable to that extended under the SBI scheme to borrowers across the country should be available to J&K enterprises, if not on more favourable terms, considering the exceptionally difficult business conditions they have endured for over three decades. The Federation also highlighted the acute shortage of raw material faced by mineral-based industries, particularly Plaster of Paris processing and stone-crushing units, because of delays in finalisation or renewal of extraction arrangements. It sought an immediate lawful interim mechanism for regulated supply, cautioning that disruption could force units to close and adversely affect employment and developmental works, particularly during Kashmirs limited working season. The discussions were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere. The Chief Secretary acknowledged the practical difficulties brought to his notice and assured the delegation that the issues raised would be examined on priority with the concerned departments and authorities. He also assured FCIK of his full support and facilitation in mitigating the immediate problems confronting the existing industry.
Sopore Bar Association strike enters sixth day
The Bar Association Sopore continued its strike for the sixth consecutive day on Monday, protesting alleged misconduct by a Tehsildar during an incident involving an advocate at the Tehsil office. According to a spokesperson for the Bar Association, the incident took place on August 19 when Advocate Mohammad Waseem visited the Tehsil office in connection with a case involving his clients and to attend proceedings before the Tehsildar. The spokesperson alleged that the concerned official used highly objectionable and abusive language against the advocate during the interaction. The Bar further alleged that the official questioned the advocates presence in the office and made derogatory remarks against him as well as the legal fraternity. The association also alleged that the official threatened to send the advocate to the lock-up and warned him of dire consequences. The Bar Association has termed the alleged conduct a serious affront to the dignity of the legal profession and an interference with the professional independence of advocates. The use of abusive, threatening and derogatory language against an advocate while discharging professional duties is condemned in the strongest terms, a Bar representative said. The association has urged the competent authorities to inquire into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with law. It also called for measures to ensure the dignity, safety and professional independence of advocates are protected while they discharge their duties.
Education sector holds key to progress: Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo today addressed the Foundation Day celebrations of Maple Grove Education Institute Rawalpora here. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that education remains the most important sector for the overall progress and development of society, adding that no amount of discussion on the subject can be considered enough given its far-reaching impact on individuals and communities. She underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir. The Minister said that both government and private educational institutions are making sustained efforts to provide quality education to students, with several private institutions making a significant contribution to the education sector. There are some private institutions whose contribution is so remarkable, she observed, while appreciating institutions that have consistently demonstrated commitment towards academic excellence. Sakeena Itoo said that while a number of government schools, including middle, high and secondary schools, are performing exceptionally well, there is always scope for further improvement. She emphasised that the government and private sectors must continue working together to strengthen the educational ecosystem and provide better opportunities to children. The Minister further said that education must contribute to the holistic development of children by nurturing not only their academic abilities but also their values, character and sense of responsibility. Emphasising the importance of equality and inclusiveness in education, Sakeena Itoo said that every child must be treated equally irrespective of social or economic background. For us, children are one. We should never discriminate. Every child deserves equal opportunity to learn, grow and realise their potential, she said. Referring to an interaction with students during the programme, the Minister said she was particularly encouraged by the aspirations expressed by the children about their future careers. She noted that while some students expressed their desire to become doctors, others aspired to enter public life and become ministers. This is a very encouraging sign. Our new generation is not only dreaming of professional success but is also conscious of its role in public life and governance. Their aspiration to become political leaders and ministers reflects their confidence and belief that they too can contribute to society, Sakeena Itoo remarked. The Minister said that such aspirations need to be nurtured through an education system that encourages children to think freely, dream ambitiously and develop a strong sense of social responsibility. She called upon educational institutions to continue creating an environment where academic excellence, ethical values, inclusiveness and leadership qualities grow together, saying that the children of today will shape the social, economic and democratic future of Jammu and Kashmir. Director School Education Kashmir, other senior officers of School Education department, management and teachers of Maple Grove Education Institute, large number of students and their families were also present on the occasion.
Convention of pensioners, senior citizens, civil society held in Kulgam
A one-day Convention of pensioners, senior citizens and members of civil society was held today at Kings Palace, Kulgam under the chairmanship of Shri Lenin Sampat, State President. The District President of Kulgam, Abdu Hamid Mir, and District General Secretary, G. M. Parwana, extended a warm and cordial welcome to the State President, State General Secretary Gh. Mohi-ud-din Bhat, senior trade union leaders, and pensioners from across District Kulgam. Chief Patron of the Central Body, Nisar Ali Mir, addressed the gathering. He paid rich tributes to the late Shri Sampat Ji for his dedication and hard work, and urged all present to carry forward and complete his unfinished mission. Several dignitaries addressed the Convention, including Ab. Majid Dar (District President, Anantnag), Mr. Yayah Shafi (Namaji) (District President, Ganderbal), Mansoor Ahmad Magray (District President, Shopian), Malik Gh. Hassan (District Budgam), G. Nabi Bhat (Khanyari) from Srinagar, and Nisar Ahmad Tarfarosh from Srinagar. State President Lenin Sampat and State General Secretary Gh. Mohi-ud-din Bhat assured the pensioners that their legitimate demands would be pursued vigorously. These include: Enhancement of Medical Allowance at par with the Union Territory of Ladakh Enhancement of pension by 5% at the ages of 65, 70, 75 and 79 years respectively Immediate release of 18 months DA withheld during the COVID-19 period Provision of Vaqar houses in all districts of Jammu & Kashmir The Convention also expressed strong resentment over the non-release of balance leave salary of pensioners of J&K Industries (JKI) from 2023 onwards by the present Managing Director, despite repeated requests. The organisation warned that it would be left with no option but to launch a protest if the genuine dues of JKI pensioners continued to be ignored. Members of civil society further demanded a reduction in electricity charges, recalling the assurance given by the Honble Chief Minister during the election campaign. The Convention concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Ab. Gani of Frisal, Yaripora.
JK Cinema Guild meets CM, seeks Film Industry push
A delegation of the J&K Cinema Guild Srinagar, comprising noted artist and art promoter Waheed Jeelani and renowned actor and film director Umar Imtiyaz, called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence and held an extensive discussion on the cultural and creative landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation presented a comprehensive project report and proposal for establishing and developing a vibrant regional film industry in Jammu and Kashmir, on the lines of successful regional film industries in other parts of the country. The delegation strongly urged the Chief Minister to initiate steps for the revival and effective implementation of the existing J&K Film Policy, with greater opportunities for local filmmakers, actors, technicians, musicians and other creative professionals. The delegation also drew the Chief Ministers attention towards the urgent need to revive and strengthen local cultural institutions, particularly Akashwani stations, Doordarshan stations, DD Kashir and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, and make them vibrant platforms for young and emerging artists. The Guild urged the Chief Minister to take up these issues at the highest level with the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Union Minister for Culture, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, so that Jammu and Kashmirs rich cultural and cinematic potential receives the institutional support it deserves. The delegation also invited the Chief Minister and other senior ministers to participate in the Artists Convention proposed to be held in September 2026, which will bring together leading artists, politicians, policymakers, filmmakers, musicians, actors and cultural practitioners to deliberate on the issues & future of the creative sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured that the issues raised would be looked into and taken care of. He emphasised that our artists and performers are our assets, underlining the importance of nurturing and supporting the regions creative community. The J&K Cinema Guild expressed hope that the Chief Ministers assurance will translate into concrete policy initiatives and renewed institutional support, paving the way for a strong, self sustaining and professionally organised regional film and cultural industry in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Secretary reviews drug abuse rehab programme
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for implementation of the Phase-I Pilot of the Rehabilitation & Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, being coordinated by the Social Welfare Department. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, H&ME; Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department; DC, Srinagar; Head, IMHANS, Srinagar; Director, Health, Jammu/Kashmir and other concerned officers. Deputy Commissioners from outside districts along with the Institution heads connected with the meeting through video conferencing. The meeting reviewed the readiness of the identified pilot institutions and districts, availability of human resources and infrastructure, capacity-building initiatives, inter-departmental coordination and the development of a dedicated digital mechanism for end-to-end monitoring of beneficiaries. The Phase-I pilot is proposed to be implemented at IMHANS Srinagar, ATFs at Jammu, Kathua, and in Budgam district. The pilot is aimed at testing the rehabilitation model on the ground, identifying operational gaps, refining the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and generating the necessary learning for its subsequent expansion across the Union Territory. Taking stock of the preparedness in the pilot districts, the Chief Secretary reviewed the availability of infrastructure and manpower at each location and stressed the need for focused training and capacity-building of Medical Officers, Counsellors, Case Managers, ASHA workers and SHG members so that each stakeholder is adequately equipped to discharge the role assigned under the rehabilitation framework. The Chief Secretary directed the Social Welfare Department to coordinate the implementation of the programme and ensure its commencement at the earliest. He further directed the Department to simultaneously identify the requisite human resources and infrastructure for extending the rehabilitation mechanism to other districts, so that the pilot exercise facilitates a smooth transition towards wider implementation. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the capacity-building initiatives undertaken by IMHANS Srinagar for Medical Officers, Counsellors, Case Managers, SHG members and ASHA workers. He directed IMHANS to continue conducting such training programmes across all districts so as to create a sufficiently large and skilled pool of human resources capable of supporting the rehabilitation programme as it expands. On this occasion the Head, IMHANS Srinagar, Dr Arshad Hussain, briefed the meeting about the interventions undertaken so far by the Institute and the facilities covered under the pilot. He also highlighted certain areas requiring focused attention at the participating health facilities. Dr Hussain informed that training modules for different categories of personnel have been developed and several batches have already been trained. He expressed confidence that the ongoing capacity-building exercise would create adequate trained manpower within the next two to three months to satisfactorily operationalise the rehabilitation centres in accordance with the approved policy framework. It was further elucidated that the first phase of the Circle of Care training module has already been completed, with more than 300 frontline workers, including ASHA workers, NRLM/SHG representatives and teachers, trained across Kashmir Division.
India's influenza surge seasonal, not new or deadlier strain: Dr Saumya Swaminathan
The current rise in influenza cases across parts of India is a routine seasonal uptick rather than the emergence of a novel or more dangerous virus, former Director ICMR Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has said. Speaking to media, Dr Swaminathan said that India is recording a seasonal influenza uptick, and this happens every year. The doctors feel that this year it has started a little earlier, but normally in India, we do have a monsoon seasonal increase in influenza cases, and then it continues into winter, she stated while dismissing need for alarm. Dr Swaminathan, who has also served as Chief Scientist at WHO highlighted the improved monitoring as a contributor to a clearer picture of circulating viruses. Thanks to better surveillance through the government ICMR viral laboratories throughout the year, we actually now know which viruses are circulating, which are predominant. And we can also correlate with clinical presentation, with severity, and with hospital admissions. This is a very good resource, she said. She said the predominant driver of the present increase is an H1N1 influenza A virus of the Michigan strain. The current increase in cases is because of H1N1, a Michigan strain. Its an influenza A virus, she said. She assed that the same strain that has been circulating since the pandemic in 2009 and this years Virus is very similar to what was last year. She reassured people that this is not a new strain. I think theres a lot more awareness, more testing, more diagnostics being performed, she said. She added that more cases are being reported from many hospitals in Delhi, Bengaluru, and other cities due to increased testing. People might tend to panic, thinking that, you know, there are suddenly thousands of cases. Its just better testing, she said. The clarification comes amid a rise in H1N1 cases, particularly in Delhi. Over 1,777 H1N1 cases had been reported by August 20 out of 2,392 Influenza A cases this year. ICMR scientists have said the H1N1 viruses currently circulating in India are similar to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like strain. They also said the circulating influenza strains are well matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the Northern Hemisphere. Indias National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) continues to maintain seasonal influenza surveillance. It provides technical guidance on H1N1, including patient categorisation, home care, mask use, clinical management and laboratory testing.
Jagmohan had no role in exodus of Kashmiri Pandits: Ashok Koul
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Ashok Koul on Monday said targeted killings would continue in the Valley but would become meaningless if communal brotherhood prevailed. The Kashmiri Pandit community will continue its struggle to live safely in the Valley and will remain here if the administration provides all necessary facilities, Koul told reporters in south Kashmirs Shopian district after paying obeisance at the Kapal Mochan shrine. He said there was no completely safe place in the world, citing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. You know what is happening in Ukraine and Russia, and what America, Israel and Iran are doing. Targeted killings will continue, but when there is brotherhood, they will not have much meaning, he said. Koul was responding to the recent targeted killings and purported online threats to the community members. He said that Jagmohan had no role in the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. Before Jagmohans arrival, Kashmiri Pandits had migrated from the Valley because of some external elements who drove the community members out of the Valley, he said. Koul claimed that it was equally true that some members of the majority community also helped such forces. But I am happy to see the minority community members coming here and performing pooja at the Kapal Mochan Shrine, he said. Koul said that the day was not far when all the community members would return to the Valley. The three-day Kapal Mochan pilgrimage began on Sunday, and the shrine has a particular significance for Shradh rituals performed for people who died in accidents. The annual pilgrimage had remained suspended for nearly two decades following the outbreak of militancy in the Valley in the 1990s. It was revived in 2008 with the support of members of the local Muslim community.
Chowdry Ramzan rejects Dulats Article 370 claim
Member of Parliament and National Conference Additional General Secretary Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Monday rejected former RAW chief A.S. Dulats remarks on Article 370 as factually incorrect and accused Peoples Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone of failing to deliver on key development issues in the constituency. Ramzan was speaking to media persons at his residence in Handwara after concluding a three-day visit to the constituency. Reacting to Dulats remarks at a recent seminar organised by MP Aga Ruhullah in Delhi, where the former RAW chief reportedly said that Article 370 was automatically abrogated following the accord between Sheikh Abdullah and the Centre, Ramzan said the claim did not reflect the constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir at the time. Article 370 and Article 35A were part of the special status and constitutional arrangements of Jammu and Kashmir at that time. They were meant to safeguard the special position of the erstwhile state, he said. Ramzan also responded to criticism by Sajad Lone that issues concerning MLAs were being raised in Parliament for political purposes, asserting that he had raised matters beyond conventional developmental concerns. Let me remind Sajad Lone that I have raised issues in Parliament which perhaps no other MP has dared to raise. I have not confined myself to developmental issues but have also raised issues concerning Muslims across India, Ramzan said. Referring to his intervention in Parliament on Vande Mataram, Ramzan said he had highlighted concerns of Muslims regarding what he described as religious references in the song. Following my speech on Vande Mataram, renowned Islamic scholars, including scholars from Deoband, visited and thanked me for speaking about the issue in Parliament, he said. Ramzan also criticised Lone over the pace of development in Handwara, alleging that several works remained pending during his tenure as MLA. Citing the new bus stand as an example, Ramzan said the facility had not been macadamised during Lones tenures as MLA. He said he had subsequently brought Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary to Handwara, following which the macadamisation work was announced. When the work started, Sajad Lone arrived to inaugurate it. But he must remember that he failed to macadamise the bus stand during both his first and present tenure as MLA, Ramzan said. On railway connectivity, Ramzan said he had recently taken up the demand for extending the railway line to Kupwara with the Railway Minister. I recently met the Railway Minister and requested him to extend the railway line up to Kupwara. He assured me that the demand would be taken forward, he said. On the controversy surrounding the proposed site of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara, Ramzan said he would oppose any move to shift the project outside the constituency. I will not allow GMC Handwara to be shifted anywhere else whatsoever, he said.
Congress opposes power tariff hike, demands immediate rollback
J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra has strongly opposed the recent hike in electricity tariffs announced by the J&K Government, terming it unjustified and an additional burden on consumers. Karra said the decision came at a time when households were already facing rising prices and mounting economic pressures, and argued that the government should have provided relief to consumers instead of increasing their electricity bills. People of J&K were expecting the government to announce relief and curtailment in electricity bills, not an increase in the per-unit tariff. For an ordinary household, every additional rupee on the electricity bill directly affects the family budget. This decision is insensitive to the economic hardships being faced by our people, Karra said. He demanded that the government immediately review and withdraw the tariff hike and introduce measures to reduce the electricity burden on domestic consumers, particularly economically weaker sections. The government must remember that electricity is not a luxury; it is an essential service. The people of J&K deserve affordable and reliable power, not ever-increasing bills. The Congress will stand firmly with the people and oppose every measure that places an unjustified financial burden on them, he said. Karra urged the government to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest and restore relief to consumers, saying essential utilities should not be allowed to become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary households.
6.83% power tariff hike: PDP stages protest, demands withdrawal
Senior leaders and workers of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Party General Secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam, on Monday staged a protest against the 6.83 per cent electricity tariff hike, describing it as an additional burden on consumers. The protest was attended by former minister Asiya Naqash, Anjum Fazili, Iqbal Tramboo, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Qayoom Bhat, Syed Tajamul, Shokia Qureshi, Arif Laigroo, Altaf Tambakoo, Bashir Beigh, Sheikh Sabah, Khalid Mir, Umar Dar, Shafi Kundangar and Fayaz Reshi, besides a large number of party workers. Addressing media persons, Alam condemned the tariff hike, saying people had voted for change and relief but were instead facing rising costs. People voted for this government with the hope of relief, but today they feel looted by rising tariffs and increasing costs. The government has failed to honour the expectations of the people who placed their trust in it. At a time when families are struggling with inflation and unemployment, increasing electricity tariffs is completely unjustified, he said. Former minister Asiya Naqash said the government should provide relief to households rather than increase their financial burden. Electricity is a basic necessity, and the government must understand the difficulties being faced by common people. This tariff hike will disproportionately affect poor and middle-class families who are already struggling to meet their daily expenses. The decision should be rolled back immediately, she said. PDP spokesperson Mohammad Iqbal Tramboo said the hike reflected the governments failure to address the concerns of electricity consumers. People are already burdened with high electricity bills and the rising cost of essential commodities. Adding another 6.83 per cent to the tariff will further squeeze household budgets. The government must withdraw this anti-people decision and provide immediate relief to consumers, Tramboo said. PDP leader Arif Laigroo said the tariff hike would further aggravate the difficulties faced by families across Jammu and Kashmir. At a time when people are demanding affordable electricity and relief from mounting expenses, another tariff hike is unacceptable. Electricity is an essential service, not a luxury. Instead of imposing additional burdens on consumers, the government should focus on improving power supply, reducing wastage and ensuring accountability in the power sector, he said. The PDP leaders demanded immediate rollback of the 6.83 per cent tariff hike, asserting that electricity is an essential service and should not become an additional source of financial pressure on households. The party said it would continue to raise public concerns and oppose policies that, it alleged, adversely affect the economic well-being of people in Jammu and Kashmir.
8 injured in Rajouri road accident
Atleast eight people sustained injuries, three of whom are having multiple injuries, after a bus and a car collided with each other at Dalian village of Nowshera in Rajouri district. The accident happened when a bus and a car collided head-on at Dalian on Jammu Rajouri Poonch National Highway. Eight passengers sustained injuries in the collision who all were shifted to Sub District Hospital Nowshera where five were declared as normal an fine while three people were having multiple injuries. Police is said to have taken up investigation and necessary legal proceedings into the matter.
White Knight Corps Commander reviews operational preparedness in Poonch sector
General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps, Lt Gen PK Mishra on Monday reviewed the operational preparedness and evolving security dynamics during his visit of forward locations of Line of Control (LoC) in areas of Poonch sector. He was accompanied by General Officer Commanding (GOC) Ace of Spades Division, Maj Gen Manoj Raran. Lt Gen PK Mishra visited forward areas in the Poonch sector to review operational preparedness and the evolving security dynamics. The Corps Commander during the visit interacted with field troops and various stakeholders and commended their high morale, professionalism and operational readiness. The Corps Commander also highlighted the need to maintain high standards of operational preparedness, continuously enhance capabilities and remain ready to meet emerging challenges.
Kounsarnag Vishnu Sarovar Yatra concludes
The annual Kounsarnag Vishnu Sarovar Yatra has concluded peacefully after hundreds of devotees completed the arduous pilgrimage to the high-altitude sacred lake, with pilgrims now making their way back towards Reasi under tight security and comprehensive arrangements. The annual Shoba Yatra commenced on August 21, with devotees from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir participating in the pilgrimage. The yatra witnessed the participation of around 590 pilgrims, including 466 males, including Sadhus, and 124 females.
Prof Sanjeev Sinha takes over as new Executive Director AIIMS Jammu
Professor, Department of Medicine, AIIMS New Delhi, Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Sinha on Monday took over as the new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu. With this leadership transition, the tenure of Prof (Dr) D N Sharma as Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu ended. The appointment of Prof Sinha as Executive Director, AIIMS Jammu, has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until attaining the age of 70 years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. With his assumption of charge, AIIMS Jammu is entering a new phase of leadership as Prof Sinha, who is joining AIIMS Jammu on deputation from AIIMS New Delhi, is bringing a rich blend of clinical expertise, academic experience and research orientation to the institution. As Professor in the Department of Medicine at AIIMS New Delhi, Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Sinha has a distinguished academic and clinical background, with experience spanning patient care, teaching, medical training and research. His expertise is expected to bring valuable academic and scientific perspective to AIIMS Jammu, said an AIIMS Jammu spokesperson, hoping, Under his leadership, AIIMS Jammu shall be expanding and strengthening clinical services, enhancing the quality of medical education, promoting high-quality research and innovation, encouraging interdisciplinary academic collaboration and creating greater opportunities for faculty and students to engage in impactful research. Prof Sinhas leadership, spokesperson has stated, is also expected to contribute towards building a strong culture of evidence-based clinical practice, academic excellence and research-driven healthcare, while further strengthening AIIMS Jammu as a centre of excellence. Speaking on the leadership transition, the AIIMS Jammu fraternity expressed its appreciation for the contribution of Prof (Dr) D N Sharma and conveyed its warm welcome to Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Sinha. Prof Sharma had assumed charge of AIIMS Jammu on January 10, 2026 and served the institution during an important phase of its development. AIIMS Jammu fraternity acknowledged his valuable contribution and leadership during his tenure and conveyed its best wishes for his future endeavours. Welcoming Prof Sinha, it expressed confidence that his experience and vision would provide fresh impetus to the institutions journey towards greater excellence. The transition reflects the continuity of AIIMS Jammus institutional journey building upon the contributions of its leadership while embracing new opportunities for growth, innovation and excellence, it added.
SIA pastes proclamation notices at houses of 2 Bandipora men
Srinagar, Aug 24: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir on Monday pasted proclamation notices at the residential properties of two Bandipora men allegedly involved in terror-related activities, officials said. The notices were pasted at the houses of Jameel Sheergojri, son of Abdul Ahad Sheergojri, a resident of Quilmukam, Bandipora, presently residing at Naz Colony, Bandipora, and Hashir Rafiq Parray, son of Mohammad Rafiq Parray, a resident of Patushay, Bandipora. According to the SIA, both men travelled to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on valid passports and subsequently joined terrorist ranks there. The agency said Sheergojri travelled to PoK in May 2016, while Parray travelled there in 2018. Both allegedly subsequently became involved in terrorism. The proclamation notices were issued in connection with FIR No. 13/2021 registered at Police Station SIA Kashmir under Sections 121 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 13, 17, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The action forms part of the SIAs ongoing investigation into cases concerning alleged militant activities and their support networks. The pasting of proclamation notices is a legal measure through which investigating agencies call upon accused or proclaimed persons to appear before the competent court in connection with a case. Further legal proceedings in the matter will follow in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
Srinagar schools, madrasas told to hand over students only to parents, authorised persons
Srinagar, Aug 24:Authorities have issued a child-safety advisory to schools and madrasas across Srinagar, directing them to ensure that students are handed over only to their parents or authorised drivers and attendants after classes. The advisory calls for heightened vigilance during the dispersal of students and instructs educational institutions not to release children into the custody of unauthorised individuals. Young children have also been advised not to leave school or madrasa premises on their own. Parents have been urged to ensure that younger children are accompanied while travelling to and from educational institutions and to take necessary precautions for their safety. The advisory comes amid heightened security concerns following the reported escape of two undertrial prisoners facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act from the high-security Central Jail Srinagar. The two accused have been identified as Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, a resident of Rajasthan, and Mukhtar Ahmad Gujar, also referred to as Mukhtar Ahmed Gujar, son of Mohammad Rafiq, a resident of Chittergul in Anantnag district. Both were facing trial in separate cases registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, with FIR Nos. 19/2026 and 20/2026 respectively. According to police, the undertrials allegedly escaped after scaling the front wall of the jail. A manhunt has been launched, while cases have been registered in connection with the jailbreak. Security has also been stepped up in and around the facility, with search teams deployed and alerts issued to neighbouring areas.
Dr Farooq asks dissenting Aga Ruhullah to resign, seek fresh mandate
Srinagar, Aug 24:National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday hit back at party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi over his recent public statements, asking him to resign from the Lok Sabha and return to the electorate if he believed his victory was secured on the strength of his personal support. Reacting to Ruhullahs positions, Abdullah said the Srinagar MP was free to raise issues such as the restoration of Article 370 in Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC president also challenged Ruhullah to test his claim of having secured the Lok Sabha mandate through his own political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get, he said. Abdullah said party members were expected to abide by decisions taken by the organisation, particularly during elections, and cited the Budgam poll to underline the importance of party discipline. He said NC workers could not reasonably have been expected to campaign against a candidate officially nominated by the party. On speculation about differences within the NC, Abdullah said disagreements were common in political organisations and should not automatically be construed as a revolt against the leadership. He also maintained that the party and the government had separate roles, saying that as NC president he did not want to unnecessarily interfere in the administration. Abdullah recalled the sacrifices made by generations of NC leaders and workers, saying the organisation had endured because of the commitment of its grassroots cadre. Asked about Ruhullahs political direction, Abdullah advised the Srinagar MP to seek guidance from the Quran, while reiterating his view that he was currently taking the wrong path.
LG Sinha celebrates Raksha Bandhan with DPS Baramulla students
Srinagar, Aug 24:Lok Bhavan Jammu and Kashmir on Monday hosted a special Raksha Bandhan celebration for students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Baramulla, in Srinagar. As part of the celebration, the students tied Rakhis to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and exchanged greetings with him. The Lieutenant Governor urged the students to carry forward the true spirit of Raksha Bandhan and encouraged them to spread the message of peace, love, unity and harmony. With Raksha Bandhan scheduled to be celebrated on August 28, the event provided the students an opportunity to interact with the Lieutenant Governor ahead of the festival. Dr Shashwata Shiva, Principal of DPS Baramulla, along with the schools coordinators, teachers and office-bearers, accompanied the students during the visit.
Monsoon Masters Jammu Pickleball Tournament concludes
The J&K Pickleball Association (JKPA) successfully concluded the Monsoon Masters Jammu JKSPR 500, held on 22nd and 23rd August 2026 at Isle of Ball, Wazir Farms, Rani Bagh, Jammu Cantt. The two-day state-ranking tournament, as per a statement issued on Monday, saw 50+ players compete across multiple age groups and Open categories for valuable points towards the J&K Pickleball State Rankings. In the tournament results, Aman Sharma clinched the 30+ mens singles title, finishing ahead of Pankaj Singh, while Nabeel Shah secured third place. Ramanuj Mahajan emerged champion in the open mens singles category, with Deepanshu Arora finishing runner-up and Rohit Choudhary taking third place. In the open mens doubles, Raksham Gupta and Deepanshu Arora claimed the title, followed by Ramanuj Mahajan and Taresh Baru in second place. Ajay Vaid and Rohit Choudhary finished third. Sidhani Singh won the open womens singles title, while Ridhi Kawatra finished runner-up. Ridhi Kawatra and Sumit Sharma emerged winners in the open mixed doubles, defeating the pair of Sidhani Singh and Indu Bushan, who finished second. In the 30+ mens doubles, Aman Sharma and Pankaj Singh secured first place, followed by Anurag Singh and Taresh Baru, while Gul Yazdan and Nabeel Shah finished third. Sumit Sharma won the 40+ mens singles title, with Upender Singh finishing second and Indu Bushan securing third place.
CM Omar sets deadline for probe into Kishtwar schoolgirl incident
Srinagar, Aug 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed the School Education Department to complete its inquiry into the incident involving a schoolgirl in Kishtwar within one month, stressing the need for a thorough and time-bound investigation. The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the inquiry is completed expeditiously and all necessary steps are taken to bring the matter to its logical conclusion. He stressed that the matter must be dealt with firmly and that stringent and exemplary action be taken based on the findings of the inquiry. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and prevent any delay in the process.
Day 2 of the 5th Canon C.E. Tyndale-Biscoe Invitational Football Tournament, sponsored by Genius Career Consultancy, witnessed some outstanding football, remarkable goal-scoring displays and intense competition among the participating school teams. The day, as per a statement, began with an emphatic performance by Iqbal Memorial Institute, who registered a convincing 60 victory over Linton Hall School. The winners displayed excellent attacking football, with Mueen emerging as the standout performer after scoring twice and being adjudged Man of the Match. In another impressive encounter, Tyndale-Biscoe School produced a commanding 60 victory over The Legend School. TBS dominated proceedings with excellent ball possession, attacking movement and clinical finishing. Baris was the star of the match, scoring a brilliant hat-trick and earning the Man of the Match award.
Chief Minister reviews roadmap to strengthen senior secondary education in J&K
Srinagar, Aug 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a review meeting of the School Education Department at the Civil Secretariat here to review a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening access to senior secondary education and improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the higher secondary level in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting discussed a phased plan to upgrade 714 High Schools into K-12 composite schools, with focus on requirements of teaching and non-teaching staff, infrastructure, laboratories and other essential facilities. The proposed upgradation is aimed at ensuring continuity in school education, expanding access to Classes XI and XII and reducing dropouts at the critical transition after Class 10, particularly in underserved and geographically remote areas. The meeting also deliberated on better utilisation of existing human resources, strengthening academic facilities and improving the overall school network. The roadmap envisages a planned and requirement-based approach to expansion, besides coordination with the Government of India for necessary support under centrally sponsored schemes. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the need for a focused and need-based strategy to expand senior secondary education, with particular attention to accessibility and ensuring better educational opportunities for students across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Minister for Education Sakina Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, ACS PWD Anil Kumar Singh, ACS Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Planning, Development and Monitoring, R Alice Vaz, Commissioner Secretary Education Ram Niwas Sharma, Mission Director Samagra, Director Education Kashmir and other concerned officers.
Srinagar Premier League: Al Muqeet FC secures 71 victory over ARCO FC
Al Muqeet Football Club produced a dominant second-half performance to defeat ARCO FC 71 in an entertaining Srinagar Premier League encounter at the TRC Ground, Srinagar, on Monday. The match, as per a DFA statement, began with both teams showing attacking intent, setting the tone for what would become a high-scoring contest. Al Muqeet FC opened the scoring in the first half, putting ARCO FC under early pressure. However, ARCO responded strongly and found the equaliser before the interval to ensure the teams went into half-time level at 11. The opening 45 minutes were competitive, with both sides creating opportunities and battling for control in midfield. Al Muqeet looked dangerous going forward, while ARCO FC showed determination to stay in the contest after conceding first. With the score tied at 11, the second half promised to be decisive and Al Muqeet FC delivered a remarkable attacking display. The visitors came out with renewed intensity after the restart and quickly began to take control of the game. Their attacking movement, finishing and sustained pressure created significant problems for the ARCO FC defence. Al Muqeet FC went on to score six goals in the second half, turning a closely fought 11 contest into a comprehensive 71 victory. ARCO FC struggled to contain Al Muqeet's attacking momentum as the second half progressed. Despite their efforts to respond and regain control, they were unable to prevent Al Muqeet from extending their advantage. The result highlighted the difference between the two teams' second-half performances. While ARCO FC had competed well during the opening period and entered the break on level terms, Al Muqeet FC demonstrated greater attacking efficiency after the restart. The final whistle confirmed a convincing 71 victory for Al Muqeet FC, who walked away with an impressive result and an important three points.
PM Package employees seek enhanced security after fresh online threat
Srinagar, Aug 24:Employees recruited under the Prime Ministers Rehabilitation Package have sought enhanced security and protection following the circulation of another online threat targeting Kashmiri Pandits. In a letter addressed to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday, the All PM Package Employees Forum sought a comprehensive review of security arrangements at their workplaces, residences and transit routes. The Forum said a fresh threat poster, purportedly issued by a militant outfit, had surfaced on social media and reportedly contained threats against Kashmiri Pandit employees, along with personal details such as names, addresses and vehicle registration numbers. Security agencies have yet to verify the authenticity of the poster. The employees body expressed concern over the repeated circulation of such threat communications, particularly those containing sensitive personal information. It said the matter had been brought to the notice of the concerned police and security agencies for verification and necessary action. The latest development comes a day after another threat communication targeting Kashmiri Pandits surfaced online, nearly two weeks after a similar message warned community members working in the Kashmir Valley to change their ways. Officials and community representatives have noted that the recent communications have reportedly included specific personal details of employees, including house numbers and street names. The Forum said the threats had created a deep sense of fear and insecurity among PM Package employees and their families. It sought immediate verification of the latest threat and identification of those responsible for circulating it. It also demanded immediate protection for employees whose names, addresses or vehicle details may have appeared in the alleged threats, along with necessary security advisories. The Forum urged the government to treat the matter with seriousness and take immediate measures to ensure the safety and confidence of PM Package employees and their families.
Srinagar Indoor Taekwondo Academy finishes 2nd runner-up at Chenab Open
Srinagar Indoor Taekwondo Academy clinched the second runner-up trophy at the Chenab Open Taekwondo Championship after its athletes won 17 medals, including eight gold, four silver and five bronze. As per a statement issued, the gold medal winners included Suvaid Ahmad, Abbas Khursheed, Aleena Nisar, Hafida Rafiq, Ajiya Nasir, Aayat Jan, Mehreen Jan, Seerat Ayub and Zain Nazir. Zaheeb Javaid, Essa Bin Sajid, Aiman Bashir and Suvaid Ahmad secured silver medals, while Mohammed Musineen, Mohammed Eesa Bhat, Aftab Malik, Zunaira Fatimah and Aleena Nisar won bronze medals in their respective events. In the Poomsae event, Suvaid Ahmad and Aiman Bashir secured silver medals, while Aleena Nisar won bronze. The academy team was led by international Taekwondo player and coach Zain Nazir, who is currently coaching at the Taekwondo Centre, Gindun Stadium, Rajbagh. Coach Zain Nazir congratulated the athletes on their performance and lauded their determination and hard work.
J&K Sports Council conducts football trials
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council on Monday conducted and concluded a series of sporting activities across the Union Territory, including Sub-Junior Football trials, the J&K Thang-Ta Championship and the District Budgam Badminton Championship. The divisional-level Sub-Junior Football trials, as per a statement, were concluded at TRC Srinagar and Mini Stadium, Parade, Jammu. A total of 46 girls were selected for the Union Territory-level trials, scheduled to be held in Srinagar from August 26, 2026. In Budgam, the two-day District Badminton Championship is underway at the Indoor Sports Hall. The championship was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Bashir Ahmad Ganie, Chief Education Officer. A total of 150 players and 10 officials are participating in the championship, while around 100 spectators witnessed the inaugural proceedings. The events are part of the J&K Sports Council's continued efforts to provide competitive platforms to young sportspersons and promote sporting activities across the Union Territory.
Arrangements finalised for Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) at Hazratbal
Srinagar, Aug 24:Ahead of the observance of auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and the Friday following, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo today conducted an on-site review of the arrangements at Hazratbal Shrine and took stock of the facilities being put in place for devotees. During the visit, the DC reviewed the arrangements related to availability of drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, sanitation and cleanliness measures, traffic management, parking, transportation, healthcare, fire safety, security and other essential services required for the smooth conduct of the auspicious occasion. While chairing a meeting at the Shrine, the DC took a department wise comprehensive review of the arrangements from the Officers of the concerned departments and the DC directed the Officers to ensure that all necessary facilities are put in place well in advance to cater to the large number of devotees expected to visit Hazratbal for prayers. Emphasizing the importance of meticulous coordination, the DC called upon all concerned departments to work in close synergy to ensure adequate facilities for devotees and seamless observance of auspicious occasion. He directed the concerned agencies to put in place a comprehensive traffic management plan to facilitate smooth movement of devotees and emergency vehicles. Adequate parking arrangements and effective regulation of vehicular movement around the shrine were also emphasized. In order to assist and facilitate senior citizens, specially abled visiting the shrine, the DC instructed officials from Transport department to arrange e-Rickshaw services from designated parking areas to the shrine during their visits to the Hazratbal shrine on the auspicious occasion. The DC stressed on ensuring uninterrupted power and adequate drinking water supply at the shrine and other congregation points so that devotees do not face any inconvenience. The DC also directed the Health Department to ensure adequate medical arrangements, including deployment of medical teams, availability of essential medicines, first-aid facilities and deployment of critical care ambulance services at the Shrine to respond promptly to any medical emergency. The SMC authorities were further directed to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness within the shrine premises and along the adjoining roads and congregation areas. In addition, the directions were also passed for deployed of sufficient men, machinery, and Mobile Toilet Units at the venue. Special attention was sought to cleanliness before, during and after the observance. The DC also reviewed security and fire-safety arrangements and directed the concerned agencies to remain vigilant and ensure adequate preparedness to deal with any eventuality.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calls for mission-mode action to address Srinagars stray dog menace
Srinagar, Aug 24:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for a focused, coordinated and humane response to the growing stray dog menace in Srinagar, directing the concerned departments and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to accord the issue top priority and work towards tangible results. Chairing a review meeting on the issue, the Chief Minister observed that the stray dog menace has emerged as one of the foremost practical concerns for residents of Srinagar, with the issue affecting the daily lives and sense of security of citizens across the city and beyond. The Chief Minister noted that the progress in addressing the issue in Jammu through better handling of sterilisation coverage needs to be replicated in Kashmir division. He questioned why the relatively better implementation of Animal Birth Control being followed in Jammu has not been implemented efficiently in Kashmir. Within the same territory, we have success of having achieved around 80 per cent sterilisation in Jammu, while Srinagar has not been able to make comparable progress. If we have demonstrated that it can be done in Jammu, we should be able to replicate that success in Srinagar, the Chief Minister said. Seeking a clear assessment of the requirements of the concerned departments in terms of veterinary surgeons, paravets and other support staff needed in Kashmir division, Omar Abdullah assured full government support for the resources needed to undertake the work in a sustained manner and directed to immediately engage the requisite staff and take immediate action on ground to address the issue of dog menace including measures for quick disposal of garbage dumps so that dogs do not thrive on road side piles of food waste. CM exhorted SMC and JMC to deal with garbage disposal within municipal areas in quick time, which is seen as a major hazard by the public as giving rise to dog menace and giving an impression of polluted cities. He directed that a dedicated team be constituted within SMC to address the issue in mission mode, with emphasis on substantially increasing the number of trained dog catchers, scaling up sterilisation operations and strengthening the availability of veterinary doctors and trained personnel. The Chief Minister stressed that the response must be humane and in accordance with established procedures, while remaining focused on effectively controlling the stray dog population and addressing the concerns of citizens. He called for greater coordination among the Housing & Urban Development Department, Health and Medical Education Department, SMC and other concerned agencies to ensure that the measures adopted translate into measurable improvement on the ground. The Chief Minister said the objective should be to develop a sustainable and effective mechanism for addressing the stray dog issue not only in Srinagar but across Jammu and Kashmir. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education M Raju, Commissioner Secretary Education, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation and other concerned officers attended the meeting. Jammu based officers took part in the meeting through video conferencing.
On a recent summer afternoon, I shut my laptop, bunked off work a bit early, downed a mug of virgin-mojito and began the walk to Simrans study space. Simran has grown used to the offensive jokes and slurs. They came at school, at university and more recently, at work. It is dressed as harmless teasing but it is not. Her pronouns are She/they. Simran is pansexual. She remembers being bullied, threatened and physically hurt because of her sexual orientation. Yes, I was treated unfairly at school, college and now at work,she says. We leave their home after a brief chat and sit under a cluster of chinars near a popular eatery in the uptown locality of Srinagar. The conversation is not easy. There are long pauses, moments when she appears to search for the safest way to describe something that has been part of her life for years. Simran occupies a complicated space in Kashmir. She is queer, disabled and devout Muslim. None of these identities exist in isolation. Each affects the way the others are understood by the people around her. In this part of the globe, sexuality is rarely discussed openly and disability is still frequently approached through pity and protection, being both queer and disabled can mean living under layers of scrutiny. Add faith, family expectations and the realities of living in a region shaped by over three decades of turmoil, and even ordinary things like friendship, intimacy, privacy, can become difficult negotiations. For many transgender Kashmiris, invisibility is not a metaphor. It is a survival strategy. I do not want to be misread but the truth is that for a community that remains largely unseen, there is little visible queer infrastructure in Kashmir. There are few spaces where transgender people can meet openly, few dedicated support systems and limited access to professionals equipped to understand the particular pressures associated with sexuality and gender identity. Mental-health services are already stretched, while conversations around queer identities remain limited. For a disabled queer person, the gaps are even wider. The informal networks that do exist often work with limited resources. Queer support groups may not be equipped to address disability. Disability organisations have little space in their work for questions of sexuality, gender or intimate relationships. This leaves people like Simran moving between two worlds without belonging completely to either. We can now answer questions that were genuinely a no-go thirty years ago but today, we can talk about the woes of Kashmirs invisible gender minority. The problem is not simply the absence of a physical centre or support group. It is the absence of a place where someone can walk in without having to explain every part of themselves separately. Judgemental looks from my colleagues almost on a daily basis hurt me the most. Simran says. DISABILITY BRINGS MORE SURVEILLANCE Disability itself can bring intense family supervision. All eyes on me. That statement rings true for me. I feel watched, monitored and controlled all the time. Why is everyone awkwardly looking at me? Why dont they mind their own business. In conservative households, a disabled woman, for instance, is already seen as someone who needs protection. Marriage, mobility and independence can become subjects of family concern. Her movements may be watched more closely. Her phone may be checked. What is described as care can therefore become surveillance. You know why that happens? Because they rob you off of your own agency. Simran concludes. For a queer person, this creates another layer of difficulty. The very restrictions imposed in the name of safety can make it harder to develop a private life or form relationships away from family scrutiny. In Kashmir, families and neighbourhoods often remain closely connected, privacy is difficult to come by even without these additional pressures. People know where their neighbours live. Relatives know one anothers routines. Questions about marriage, relationships and family reputation are rarely considered intrusive. For a queer person, however, an apparently ordinary question can carry a very different weight. Why arent you married?, Who were you with? , Why are you going there?, Why are you always on your phone? The questions may sound familiar. The consequences of answering them honestly are not. FAITH IS NOT THE ENEMY There is a tendency to assume that a queer Muslim must choose between faith and sexuality. For many queer Kashmiri Muslims, the reality is more complicated. Faith can be a source of comfort rather than conflict. Prayer can provide a private space in which a person does not have to explain themselves to anyone. The relationship with God can be deeply personal, even when the social interpretation of religion feels restrictive. For Saqib, Simrans best-friend, faith does not necessarily cancel out queerness. The two can exist together, even when society insists they cannot. This reconciliation is rarely public. It happens privately, through prayer, reflection and an attempt to understand ones identity without surrendering another part of oneself. Family, however, can be harder to negotiate. True, that family reputation carries considerable weight. Marriage is not viewed simply as an individuals decision. It is tied to parents, siblings and the standing of the household. A persons choices can be perceived as affecting the prospects and reputation of other family members. For someone who is queer, coming out may therefore not be a single conversation. It can instead become a lifetime of omissions. A relationship that is never mentioned. A name that is never spoken. A photograph that is kept hidden. A question that is answered with silence. The person remains present, but an important part of their life is kept outside the family narrative. WHAT DOES SAFETY MEAN? For people living at the intersection of disability and queerness, safety cannot simply mean the absence of physical violence. It can mean having a room where nobody asks questions. Do we have those safe social spaces here? The answer is no. It can mean being able to make a phone call without lowering your voice. Does society respect privacy? Not really. It can mean having one person who knows the truth and does not leave. Do you have reliable people whom you can bank upon? I have seen snakes. Simran answered this question. It can mean finding a doctor who does not treat sexuality as a problem to be corrected. But you always find people who think disability is a medical problem and look at you with pity and they assume not being straight means it is wrath from God. It can mean being able to travel somewhere without calculating who might see you. That is impossible. And sometimes, safety can simply mean being allowed to exist without explanation. These systems were not designed to address the safety concerns of queer or disabled people. THE MISSING INFRASTRUCTURE The absence of support is perhaps most visible in the lack of intersectional services. A queer person may find a small support network. A disabled person may find a disability organisation. But someone who is queer and disabled may have to explain their needs twice. Disability networks face their own challenges and frequently operate within a framework centred on rehabilitation, welfare and assistance. Questions of sexuality and desire can remain almost completely outside that conversation. The result is a person who is constantly translating themselves. In one space, they are asked to explain their disability. In another, their sexuality. In another, their faith. Very rarely are they allowed to simply be all three. Official recognition of transgender people in Jammu and Kashmir remains limited. The last census, now fifteen years old, recorded around 4,000 people in the region under the third gender category. But numbers cannot tell us how many people remain invisible because they are afraid to disclose their identity. They cannot record the person who has never told their family. They cannot count the relationship that exists only through messages. They cannot measure the psychological cost of constantly editing ones life. And they cannot capture people who have learned that being visible can carry a price. Even language can become a barrier. Derogatory terms such as laanch or chakke continue to be used for transgender people, reducing complex human lives to insults. The state has also not created adequate rehabilitation homes or meaningful income-support structures for the community. Apart from a monthly pension of around Rs 1,250, the support available remains limited. There are also questions about representation. There is no Kashmiri on the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTE). These absences matter. You are a human being, an Indian citizen but the state and the society you live with treats you indifferently. Why does that happen? Arent we created by the same creator? Simran asks as evening melted into night. RESPECTING OUR AGENCY What does it take to live as a queer Muslim in Kashmir with a disability? It is a loaded question but has a simple answer. Simran beautifully answers it. Do not dictate what faith means? We know it really well. We are also highly connected to God. Allow us to use Khan-e-Khoda (Allahs Abode) and do not judge how we walk or talk. Just because you are straight doesnt mean you will take high moral ground and start policing us. Most of us are not accepted in our own families, so the only option left with us is to leave our homes and live in rented accommodation and we find it difficult to get housing. Does any welfare organization come forward to help us find a safe and dignified space? Being disabled doesnt mean we are incapable. People around us, unfortunately, do not understand this. OUTRO Kashmirs queer community remains so difficult to see. It is not absent. It is everywhere yet nowhere. And behind that invisibility are people negotiating the same things as everyone elselove, faith, family, work, loneliness and the simple desire to live without having to divide themselves into acceptable pieces. For someone living at the intersection of queerness and disability, as Simran puts it, being yourself is the most radical form of resistance. [Note: This work is funded by Queerbeat and Keshav Suri Foundation]. (Names in the article may not be real)
Agha Ruhullahs Rebel Arithmetic
Every generation in Kashmir produces a politician who mistakes applause for arithmetic. Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, is the latest to conflate the two in public. He styles himself a rebel for a cause, accuses his own National Conference leadership of ideological drift, and insists the party is reneging on a mandate it once campaigned to secure. It is theatre of a high order, but not, by itself, a strategy for political permanence. Before Kashmir anoints another custodian of its conscience, it is worth interrogating what such dissidence actually purchases and what history has done to everyone who attempted it before him. Dissent without departure Ruhullahs censure of his own party has been unusually indiscreet for a sitting MP within a ruling coalition. He has accused the National Conference of normalising the post-2019 status quo, claimed the party is abdicating a mandate for constitutional restoration and complained openly of exclusion from internal deliberations. He has demanded that coalition allies apologise for their complicity in the abrogation. This is a rebuke landing as forcefully on his own alliance as on the opposition. This is not the idiom of a contented party man. It is, however, the idiom of a man who has never once threatened to leave. That omission is the entire story, since Kashmirs political ledger is crowded with ambitious men who spoke like insurgents and discovered what insurgency without institutional scaffolding is worth. The graveyard both parties built If we begin with the National Conference itself. When Ghulam Mohammad Shah engineered his 1984 defection with Delhis blessing and briefly occupied the chief ministers chair, it appeared, momentarily, to herald a genuine challenge to Abdullah hegemony. It collapsed within two years and Shah lapsed into irrelevance. This is an objective lesson that patronage-fuelled secessions cannot manufacture the street legitimacy that took the original party decades to accumulate. Sajad Lone chose a more autonomous exit and has endured but endurance is his ceiling and not his floor. His Peoples Conference remains, decades on, a modest, Handwara-centric outfit but never a genuine claimant to power across the Valley. Even Omar Abdullah, the partys dynastic inheritor, forfeited the familys Ganderbal citadel within weeks of assuming the NC presidency in 2002. This was a humiliation that ought to have retired the fantasy that popularity is a birth-right. The PDPs record is, if anything, more instructive. After the 2019 abrogation and Mehbooba Muftis prolonged detention, the party haemorrhaged nearly its entire senior leadership. Altaf Bukhari, once its finance minister and a formidable power centre, departed to construct the Apni Party. Years later, that party remains peripheral and its own founders have since abandoned it too. They have found none of the durability they had bargained for. Imran Raza Ansari, scion of an influential Shia political dynasty, rebelled against Mehbooba Mufti and forecast a tsunami that would engulf her leadership. It never materialised; he drifted instead into Sajad Lones smaller house. Muzaffar Hussain Baig, a founding member of the PDP and its former deputy chief minister, quit in 2020, joined the Peoples Conference. He was then expelled from it and rejoined the PDP at Mufti Sayeeds grave, then publicly disowned it again weeks later after a perceived slight over seating at a BJP rally. A man instrumental in founding a major regional party ended his second act quarrelling over a chair. The pattern across both parties is uniform and unsentimental. Kashmirs electorate does not transfer allegiance from institution to individual, however eloquent that individual proves on a given evening. Cadre and generational goodwill remain with the party. The leader who departs discovers he owns nothing beyond his own voice. The cost of departure In the near term, an exit would almost certainly be politically ruinous for Ruhullah. His 2024 victory in Srinagar was built upon the National Conferences organisational apparatus. It was not a personal following assembled independently. When stripped of that apparatus, what remains resembles Ansari after his revolt or Bukhari after his own: a charismatic figure without the machinery to convert charisma into seats. This is precisely why Ruhullah dissents loudly from within rather than departing outright. It lets him accrue the reputational dividends of defiance while the partys infrastructure still carries him electorally. It is a shrewd calculation. It is not a principled one. A promise no one intends to honour Here candour is unavoidable: Article 370 is not returning and framing its restoration as an achievable objective is either a serious misreading of constitutional arithmetic or a deliberate strategy of keeping an old wound lucrative. The Supreme Court affirmed the abrogation in December 2023. Its reversal would demand a two-thirds parliamentary majority no plausible coalition, including one led by the Congress, has any realistic prospect of assembling. This is where Ruhullahs positioning reveals its essential hollowness. Even a Congress-led government in Delhi would be unlikely to expend national capital reopening a question the country has largely filed away as settled. Congress governments have historically subordinated regional constitutional restitution to national electoral calculus once the courts have spoken, and nothing in the partys contemporary conduct suggests Kashmir would be the exception. To construct a political identity around a pledge that no plausible government intends to redeem is not idealism. It is a calibrated method of keeping grievance perpetually serviceable and insulated from ever being tested. The likely reckoning Can Ruhullah convert present visibility into mass support that survives beyond a single electoral cycle? The raw materials exist: fluency in the vernacular of grievance, a national profile unmatched by most NC leaders outside the Abdullah lineage and a willingness to provoke his own leadership that reads as authenticity to a disenchanted electorate. What remains unproven is whether this popularity extends beyond Srinagar and central Kashmir or survives the transition from parliamentary commentary to the compromises of governance. If this is Judged against every predecessors record in both major parties, two outcomes seem most probable and neither is triumphant. He is gradually reabsorbed into the NC mainstream once the leadership judges him more useful inside than outside thereby trading rebellion for office. Or he eventually departs and discovers, as Bukhari, Ansari and Baig discovered before him that insurgency without institutional backing contracts rather than expands. Kashmir has shown remarkable consistency here for four decades. It rewards parties. It punishes men who wager everything on their own voice. Whether Agha Ruhullah becomes the exception depends on something his rhetoric has not yet evidenced: an organisation capable of outlasting his popularity, rather than one merely lending it to him for the present. Malik Daniyal is an economics graduate from Delhi University. He writes at the intersection of economy, politics and policy issues of valley.
Last week, the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gors wordsthat This (Jammu and Kashmir) is an important part of Indiamade headlines across the country, and Pakistan of course found it as its duty to challenge the statement, reinforcing the divide that the two countries have on the status of this Union Territory. The cheerleaders of this important part of India are delirious, as if the American envoy had brought the moon to their homes , forgetting the reality that J&K has been an integral part of India since October 1947. These leaders and cheerleaders in the Indian media had a reason to celebrate the moment, the place, and the words: the US, as a superpower , had hesitated in acknowledging this reality. Contrary to this, Washington had been active in creating hurdles. It had challenged the accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to India and even suggested solutions which fit hostile frames to the Indian thinking and stand. In that sense, it is a diplomatic victory. And, of course, Pakistan has always been a protagonist of Kashmir being a disputed territory. So there is nothing new about the way Pakistans Foreign Office reacted. The biggest shock for Islamabad was that the US, which has been its ally ever since it was born in 1947, endorsed the Indian stand for Jammu and Kashmir. In diplomacy, stands are taken in national interests, they are not driven by emotions. America is a ruthless player in diplomacy. Gors words, too, were diplomatic. He used, This is an important part of India, that too in Srinagar the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It clearly implied that he was talking of J&K on this side of the LoC. In fact, he had calibrated his statement when he referred to Kashmir as incredibly beautiful, with a hint to dilute the travel advisory. Washington has recognized the reality of Kashmir being an integral part of India. Coincidentally, this has come at a time when J&K entered its eighth year since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, making it natural to link the two developments. Some quarters have welcomed Gors statement as the ultimate truth born out of the changed realities of Kashmir since 2019. That is an inescapable reality. Pakistan, by no stretch of imagination, could have echoed what Sergio Gor said in Srinagar, nor could it have kept silent over the words that dismantled its core stance on Jammu and Kashmir. Its statement reads: While appreciating President Donald Trumps offer to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the aftermath of Marka-e-Haq, the US side was urged to ensure that its public statements should remain consistent with the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir. Two major points need to be reflected upon: first, the US effected a realistic change in its attitude by looking at the ground situation; second, viewing such diplomatic statements strictly through the binary of gains and losses is unhelpful in engineering future changes to consolidate stability in this region. In October 1993, there was a time Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Robin Raphel, said : We view Kashmir as a disputed territory. We do not recognize the instrument of accession as meaning that Kashmir is forever an integral part of India. That was an era of Kashmiri youth fired by the imagination of liberating their motherland. This statement resonated with them; they felt it was precisely what they had been saying. In the mid-1990s, Frank D. Wisner, the US Ambassador to India, became a familiar face in Kashmir. He struck up good terms with all sides in Kashmir politicsthe electoral mainstream and separatists whose words had institutionalized anti-India sentiment. Wisner was the one who redefined the term mediation and portrayed America as a facilitator for India-Pakistan talks on Kashmir. There was another theory: Kashmir resolution should reflect the wishes and aspirations of the people of the state, implying that the elections in Kashmir were not a manifestation of the will of the people. Today, the change is that the US itself has hailed the vibrancy of Indian democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah is the face of it, notwithstanding how the very people in the country who lauded the polls and the outcome as historic are working to undermine the mandate. It is bizarre that these elements do not comprehend the very essence of establishing the sanctity of the vote and its value in Kashmir during the 2024 elections. Sergio Gors statement on Kashmir proves that when the internal situation is stable, the world views it through that prism alone. This should serve as a pivotal lesson: stability on the ground must be strengthened to resonate with the urges and aspirations of a people who have undergone difficult times for generations. Indeed, since the 1980s, three generations have witnessed severe hardships. They want real change in their lives, not political rhetoric. Progress must move beyond both the claims of absolute triumph and the rigid demands that nothing short of a return to the pre-August 5, 2019 status of Jammu and Kashmir is acceptable. These two extremes represent hyper-political rhetoric that only creates a new trap of confusion in the minds of the youth. Seen in its proper perspective, the US ambassador has delivered a profound message for Gen Z in Kashmir: that they are Indian citizens and their country alone can resolve their issues. This message should be embraced and broadcasted, but not without actively involving the youth in the opportunities they seek. Gen Z in Kashmir is unique. They have experienced personal and collective trauma that their counterparts elsewhere in the country cannot even imagine. Their childhoods have been shaped by profound disruptions and troubling scenes. There is an urgent need to course-correct, rather than decry or mock them. It is deeply concerning when an emotional outburst from this group is targeted by an army of internet trolls who fail to understand their agitation. Times are changing, and if genuine success is to be achieved, the concerns of this generation must be directly addressed. Mocking or denouncing them will not help. This generation needs to be constructively engaged to achieve the ultimate goal of lasting peace and to transform J&K into a land of true opportunity.
Div Com reviews development proposals for heritage sites in Budgam, Pulwama
Srinagar, Aug 24:Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Monday chaired a meeting to review proposals for the development, renovation and upgradation of heritage sites including Asar-i-Sharief Peth Makhama Budgam and Khoo Sahb Yarwan Shadimarg, Pulwama. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Superintending Engineer PWD South Kashmir, Tehsildar Waqf Board, officers from Budgam district and representatives of the District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, Pulwama. During the meeting, members of the Prabandhak Committee submitted a detailed proposal for the development and renovation of the Holy Spring at Khoo Sahb Yarwan. They sought inclusion of several components in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), including construction of Nishan Sahib, development of the Holy Spring, a langar room, glass room, cottage rooms, footpath and fencing. Taking note of the demands, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Superintending Engineer, PWD South Kashmir, to incorporate the requirements in the proposal and conduct a site visit in coordination with the concerned district administration. He also stressed the need to involve community representatives during the process to ensure that their requirements are appropriately reflected in the development plan. Regarding Asar-i-Sharief Peth Makhama, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Tehsildar, Waqf Board, to engage with local community members, assess the requirements of the proposed project and examine the feasibility of facade development and renovation of the shrine. The Divisional Commissioner emphasised coordinated efforts among the concerned departments and stakeholders for the timely and effective development of both religious and heritage sites.
Sainik School a launchpad producing leaders across professions
Jammu, Aug 24:Where discipline shapes character and young minds grow into leaders, Sainik School Nagrota has been nurturing ambition for over five decades. From NDA cadets to generals, doctors and civil servants, Nagrotas alumni have carried its legacy far beyond the parade ground. Major General Ramesh Raina (retired); Maj Gen J S Bedi (retired); Maj Gen Mohinder Kumar Sagoch; former J&K Advocate General Jahangir Iqbal Ganai; former J&K minister Harsh Dev Singh; former IGP (Personnel) PHQ, J&K J P Singh; former IG Security, J&K Jagjit Kumar; renowned oncologist Padma Shri Dr Ashok Vaid and senior IAS officer currently serving as Director, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Bhupinder Kumar are just a few names in a long list of distinguished professionals sharing a mutual link. This illustrious band of individuals, who carved a niche for themselves in diverse spheres of life and earned acclaim, has a common strand - their alma mater, Sainik School Nagrota. Famed as Gateway to NDA in J&K, the Institute, during its proud journey of over five decades, has evolved from armed forces feeder school to a holistic residential educational institution whose alumni have distinguished themselves in the Armed Forces, civil services, medicine, engineering, education, law, business and other professions. The school itself records that a large number of its alumni are IAS and IPS offi cers, doctors and engineers serving in India and abroad. The school Principal Captain (IN) Shibu Devasia, while defining the institutes illustrious profile, asserts, True to the spirit of its motto i.e., Gyan, Veerata Aur Anushasan (Knowledge, Courage and Discipline), for over five decades, Sainik School Nagrota has sought to transform young minds into responsible, confident and capable citizens by integrating knowledge, courage and discipline with academic education, physical fitness, leadership and character building. FEEDER TO ARMED FORCES From its campus in Jammu and Kashmir, the institution has contributed more than 600 officers to the Armed Forces and has produced distinguished alumni across the diverse spectrum of life including civil administration, academia, law, business and public life. It was inaugurated on August 22, 1970 by the then Defence Minister, late Jagjivan Ram. Its founder Principal was Cdr NN Seth. The school was established as part of the national Sainik School movement, whose broad purpose was to provide quality residential education, inculcate discipline and leadership and create a wider and more socially representative feeder base for the Armed Forces officer cadre. It was conceived in the same spirit as the Sainik School system - to combine academic excellence with physical fitness, character formation, discipline, leadership and preparation for entry into the Armed Forces, particularly through the NDA and other military academies. The uniqueness of Sainik School Nagrota lies not simply in its association with the Armed Forces. It is the combination of education, discipline, residential life, leadership development, physical training, competitive-examination preparation and national integration, Captain Devasia points out. He asserts that the schools identity as the Gateway to NDA is well justified by its long record of producing Armed Forces officers. The school officially records over 600 ex-Nagrotians as officers in the Armed Forces, through various commissioning routes, including the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA), Officers Training Academy (OTA), Air Force Academy and Indian Naval Academy. The school's contribution through the NDA route alone is particularly significant. Over the years, more than 300 cadets of Sainik School Nagrota have joined the National Defence Academy, making the school one of the important feeder institutions for the country's premier tri-services officer-training academy. In addition, approximately an equal number of Nagrotians have entered the Armed Forces through Combined Defence Services (CDS) and other direct-entry or commissioning routes. The school's performance, according to Captain Devasia, has remained particularly strong in recent years. For NDA 154, 35 Nagrotians cleared the UPSC NDA written examination, 11 subsequently cleared SSB and eight joined NDA in June-July 2025. Several achieved impressive All India ranks, including Ikhlaq Hassan (AIR 50), Hussainin (AIR 145), Pranav Sharma (AIR 150), Aditya Singh (AIR 239), Prithvi Raj (AIR 268) and Divyansh (AIR 292). Most significantly, this performance earned Sainik School Nagrota the Raksha Mantri Trophy-2025 for sending the highest percentage of cadets to NDA in NDA 154. The trophy was presented in May, 2026. This was particularly significant because the school had last won the trophy in 2009, making the 2025 achievement a return to the top after approximately 17 years. The school won both Best Band Contingent and Best Marching Contingent at UT level Republic Day celebrations at Jammu in 2026. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI While naming a long list of celebrated professionals churned out by the institute, Principal Captain Devasia proudly states that rather than limiting the Hall of Fame to military officers, Sainik School Nagrota's real strength is the breadth of achievements of its alumni. It ranges from Generals to doctors, from civil servants to academics, from Police leaders to entrepreneurs, lawyers, engineers and professionals working across India and overseas. Among its illustrious alumni also include Maj Gen Ramesh Raina (retired) - a member of the first batch; Maj Gen J S Bedi (retired) who also served as Additional Director General of Recruiting; Maj Gen Mohinder Kumar Sagoch, former Director General, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence; Brigadier Dr Vijay Sagar Dheman; Dr Ashok Vaid, well known oncologist known for pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation; Brig Gurmeet Singh Shan - associated with Nagrota Ex-Students Association(NEXAS) and working as Director, Sainik Welfare, J&K; Prof Keshav Sharma of Jammu University; Prof Deepak Raj Gupta associated with the Department of Tourism and Travel Management, Central University of Jammu; V K Seghal, founder chairman of the J&K and Ladakh Tourism Promotion Council and Randheer Singh Billoria - associated with the banking, IT sector and NEXAS leadership. Captain Devasia shares that the school's alumni association, NEXAS (Nagrota Ex-Students' Association), now provides an organised network for this worldwide fraternity. Its alumni portal currently describes a network of over 4,300 alumni, with facilities for alumni networking, mentorship, career opportunities and institutional support. NATIONAL INSTITUTE IN J&K Principal Devasia emphasises that the school is a national institution, not merely a J&K institution. Under the current admission framework, 67 percent of seats are for home State or UT (J&K) candidates and 33 percent for candidates from other States or UTs. The government introduced girls' admission in the existing Sainik Schools from the academic session 202122. In the first year, 312 girls were admitted to Class VI across the then 33 existing Sainik Schools. Sainik School Nagrota admitted eight girl cadets in the first batch. Cadet Vamika achieved All India Rank 15 in NDA/NA written examination and Rank 2 among girls. The present residential strength of the school is 480 cadets, including 52 girls. The girl-cadet strength can rise to 70 while the overall residential strength remains 480. With regard to admission to Sainik School Nagrota, he informs that it is through the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) conducted by the National Testing Agency. The admission is made to Classes VI and IX. VISION AHEAD Sharing the possible institutional vision, Captain Devasia states that for the future, Sainik School Nagrota can position itself around six major pillars. These include strengthening NDA, Armed Forces preparation; girls' education and leadership; STEM and innovation; academic excellence; alumni engagement and emergence as a centre of excellence. Sainik School Nagrota is an institution where character is built, leadership is nurtured and service to the nation becomes a way of life, Captain Devasia asserts, while summing up the profile of the institute.
HC upholds ED jurisdiction, dismisses Reach Dredgings plea
Srinagar, Aug 24:The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has upheld the Enforcement Directorates (ED) Jurisdiction to investigate a money-laundering case originating from alleged corruption in a project involving construction and dredging works at Hokersar Wetland here. A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar maintained the central agencys authority in response to a plea filed by M/s Reach Dredging Limited, which it dismissed finally being devoid of merit. The company had called in question the summons issued by the ED and the underlying Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). The case related to an e-NIT issued in July 2018 by the Executive Engineer, Flood Spill Channel, Narbal, for construction of a channel across Hokersar Wetland along the old alignment, including side-slope protection and dredging of drainage and escape channels flowing into the wetland. According to the Reach Dredging plea, its bid was found to be the lowest, following which the company was awarded the work in 2019 and the same completed it in 2020. Subsequently, the Anti-Corruption Bureau registered a case (FIR No. 7/2025) under Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B of the RPC. The company later received summons from the ED under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Before the court the question to determine was whether upon repeal of the provisions contained in Section 13(1)(d) of the Central PC Act, there was no corresponding provision in the Central PC Act similar with the provisions contained in Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K PC Act. If the answer to the question was in affirmative, whether, after coming into force of the Amendment Act No 16 of 2018, whereby the provisions contained in Section 13(1)(d) of the Central PC Act have been omitted and Section 13 of the Central Act has been recast, the proceedings launched by the ED under the provisions of the PMLA could be sustained. The companys argument was that the alleged offence under Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act was not a scheduled offence under the PMLA after Section 13(1)(d) of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act was omitted through the 2018 amendment. The ED, it said, consequently lacked jurisdiction to register the ECIR or issue summons. Opposing the plea, the ED in its counter argument maintained, Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K law corresponds to the amended Section 7 of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act, which is a scheduled offence under the PMLA. Following the arguments, the court rejected the companys contention, holding that the 2018 amendment, which omitted Section 13(1)(d) of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act, did not remove the corresponding offence from the statutory framework. The amended Section 7 was made comprehensive enough to cover conduct previously dealt with under Section 13(1)(d), it said. The court noted that the amended Section 7 covers cases where a public ser vant obtains or accepts an undue advantage by abusing his position or through corrupt or illegal means, thereby corresponding to Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act. The court observed that since the amended Section 7 of the Central Prevention of Corruption Act is included in the PMLA Schedule, an offence under Section 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act also qualifies as a scheduled offence by virtue of Section 2(2) of the PMLA. Finding no merit in the plea, the court, accordingly, held that the ED had jurisdiction to issue summons and register the ECIR against Reach Dredging Limited.
Srinagar-Jammu NH open for two-way traffic
Ramban, Aug 24:The Srinagar Jammu National Highway remained open for regulated two-way traffic on Monday, with vehicular movement continuing at a slow pace at several vulnerable stretches in Udhampur and Ramban districts due to ongoing restoration, construction activity, and damage caused by recent rains. According to traffic authorities, traffic remained slow at Dewal in Udhampur district, where an approximately 30-40 metre portion of the highway has been affected by road damage, an uneven surface, and undulations. The affected stretch is being managed through single-lane traffic to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has deployed men and machinery at the affected locations and is carrying out restoration and road improvement works. Officials said efforts were underway to repair the damaged portions and improve the road surface at the earliest. In Ramban district, traffic movement remained regulated along the MaroogKishtwari Pather stretch, where vehicles were negotiating restricted single-lane portions amid ongoing construction and road improvement works. Restoration work on the Srinagar-bound tube at Dewal and Dhramthal is also progressing. The down tube has been reduced to single-lane movement at two to three locations due to erosion caused by recent rains, requiring careful regulation of traffic. Officials at the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), Ramban, said the highway continued to remain open and traffic was being regulated through the available carriageways to maintain connectivity. A large number of vehicles crossed the Udhampur-Banihal corridor during the day, although intermittent slowdowns were witnessed, particularly at damaged and construction-affected stretches. Traffic personnel remained deployed at vulnerable locations to regulate vehicle movement, manage congestion and ensure the safe passage of commuters. The authorities advised commuters to check the latest highway status before undertaking their journey. Passenger vehicles and Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) have been advised to travel between Ramban and Banihal during daylight hours and avoid unnecessary night travel in view of the possibility of shooting stones, landslides, mudslides, and other weather-related hazards. Motorists have also been urged to maintain lane discipline and avoid overtaking, wrong-lane driving, and unnecessary stoppages at vulnerable locations as such practices could aggravate congestion and hamper the smooth movement of traffic. Truck operators carrying fresh and perishable commodities and livestock have been directed to adhere strictly to prescribed loading norms. Heavy vehicle operators have been advised against overloading and asked to ensure proper vehicle fitness and adequate fuel in view of possible delays caused by road or weather-related disruptions. Meanwhile, in view of widening work being undertaken by NHAI on the Digdol-Khooni Nalla axis, the movement of Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers will remain restricted during daytime hours between 7 am and 7 pm. The restriction has been imposed as tankers carrying inflammable material are not permitted to pass through tunnels during the specified period. Accordingly, the movement of up tankers will be allowed beyond Chenani only after 5 pm and up to 5 am, and tanker operators have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly. Traffic authorities, however, cautioned that movement on the highway would remain subject to prevailing weather and road conditions and could be regulated or suspended in case of fresh landslides, shooting stones, mudslides, or any other obstruction. Commuters have been advised to remain in touch with the Traffic Control Units at Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar and follow official advisories before and during their journey on the highway.
J&K leading in dementia prevalence in India
Srinagar, Aug 24:One in nine people in Jammu and Kashmir aged 60 years and above in J&K have dementia, the prevalence highest in India. This triggers questions about the escalating burden of brain and vascular disease as the population ages, and the risk factors that are pushing the memories of a significant proportion of the population into oblivion. The World Health Organisations updated dementia guidelines were released in July 2026, and identified new risk factors associated with dementia. Tobacco use, high blood pressure, diabetes, physical inactivity, and air pollution are among factors that can contribute to dementia risk. As per this health body, 45 percent of dementia risk globally can be attributed to modifiable factors. J&K has one of the highest prevalence of smoking, a factor that adds to the risk of dementia. Many studies put J&K among the top regions in India in terms of smoking. Dr Sheikh Hilal Ahmed, Assistant Professor Department of Neurology at GMC Srinagar said J&Ks addiction to cigarettes is an important risk factor for vascular dementia. Vascular dementia, he said, is a significant cause of dementia here. Every puff narrows the blood vessels to your brain, Dr Ahmed said. He said it was like starving the memories of the oxygen they need to survive. J&K has had substantial tobacco exposure. NFHS-5 found that 31.6 percent of men aged 15-49 used some form of tobacco, with cigarette smoking reported by 26.6 percent. A study published in Alzheimers & Dementia estimated that 11.04 percent of people aged 60 and above in J&K were living with dementia. This compares starkly with 7.43 percent prevalence elsewhere nationally. The estimate was derived from Indias Longitudinal Aging Study and its dementia assessment component. It used detailed neuropsychological testing and informant interviews to model dementia status. The study estimated that J&K had about 1.16 lakh people aged 60 and above living with dementia a decade ago. Even if the prevalence remains unchanged, demographic ageing alone could double the numbers and take it to about 2.53 lakh by 2036, by population projection estimates. NFHS-6 shows that people aged 60 years and above accounted for 11.9 percent of J&Ks population in 2023-24. This was higher compared with 9.5 percent in 2019-21, and gives more weight to the concerns of a swelling number of people suffering from dementia. Dr Ahmed said, changing lifestyle and eating habits, decreasing family size and loneliness are important factors associated with dementia in J&K. In addition, the increasing life expectancy leads to increased incidence of dementia. No wonder nationally , J&K is among states with highest prevalence of dementia, he said. J&Ks vascular health is another avenue for investigation: a study of 600 patients with hypertension in six rural districts of J&K found that 63.5 percent of those diagnosed and advised treatment had uncontrolled blood pressure. In addition, smoking diabetes and bad fats (dyslipidemia) were among factors significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension.
CM Omar defends 6.83% power tariff hike, calls it a compulsion
Srinagar, Aug 24:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday defended the recently announced 6.83 percent increase in electricity tariff, saying the hike was unavoidable and comparatively lower than the revisions effected during previous governments. Speaking to reporters, CM Omar said the tariff adjustment had been necessitated by the rising cost of electricity and broader inflationary pressures, while maintaining that his government had kept the increase to the minimum possible level. He hit back at criticism from opposition parties, recalling that electricity tariffs had been raised by considerably higher margins during earlier administrations. Those criticising us have also been in government. During the PDP-BJP coalition, the tariff was increased by 14 percent. Four years earlier, there was a 15 percent hike, the CM said, adding that the present government had raised tariffs by around 6 percent after a gap of four years. He said the government was not taking the tariff increase as an achievement, but had been compelled to take the decision in view of the prevailing economic circumstances. CM Omar said the burden on consumers could be reduced in the future if losses in the power distribution system were brought down substantially. The more we reduce transmission and distribution losses, the less we will have to resort to such measures, he said. The CM also rejected any suggestion that the tariff increase contradicted the government's commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to poor and needy households. He said the government had never promised that electricity tariffs would remain unchanged, but had committed itself to providing free power to eligible households. According to CM Omar, the free-power commitment would be implemented through solar panels under the Muft Bijli Yojana, and therefore should not be linked with the revision in electricity tariffs. On reports of threats issued by militant groups against Kashmiri Pandit employees, the CM asked the security agencies to treat such threats seriously and investigate their origin. He said the police and intelligence agencies had a responsibility to ensure the safety of government employees, recalling that similar threats in the past had preceded attacks on Pandit employees. CM Omar also ruled out any immediate reshuffle of his council of ministers, saying the government was functioning normally and that a change would be made whenever the situation warranted it. He clarified that his earlier statement that there would be no reshuffle before August 15 should not be interpreted as an assurance that one would necessarily follow immediately after the date. The work has not stopped; there is no crisis in the government. A reshuffle will take place when needed, he said.
Power cuts intensify across Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 24:Unscheduled power cuts have intensified across Kashmir as the shutdown of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project has stretched into its fourth day, putting additional pressure on an already strained power supply system, senior officials of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) said. According to the officials, the shutdown of the 900-MW Baglihar project had initially been approved for one day for maintenance and de-silting work. However, the shutdown has now continued for four days, affecting power generation and forcing the distribution utility to resort to additional cuts to manage the supply-demand gap. The shutdown was initially approved for one day for maintenance and de-silting work, but it has now stretched to the fourth day. This has affected generation availability and resulted in additional cuts, senior KPDCL officials said. The officials said the prolonged unavailability of Baglihar generation had added considerably to the pressure on the power system, particularly as electricity demand remains high across Jammu and Kashmir. According to power-system data available with the authorities, the total load of J&K was around 2324 MW, while power imports stood at about 2055 MW. Kashmirs total load was around 1095 MW against local generation of only 197 MW. Significantly, Baglihar Generation-I and Generation-II remained unavailable during the period, with the project contributing no generation to the system. With the two Baglihar generating units unavailable, the 900-MW project was effectively out of the generation mix, further tightening the supply position. Senior KPDCL officials said the extended shutdown had consequently contributed to the unscheduled power cuts being experienced in different parts of Kashmir. The officials said the situation was being managed by balancing available generation and power purchases against prevailing demand, but the prolonged outage of a major generating station had reduced the flexibility available to the distribution system. The available data also showed central-sector generation at around 1336 MW, while state-sector generation was about 206 MW. Against the total J&K load of 2324 MW, the system was relying heavily on power imports to meet demand. The figures underline the extent of J&Ks dependence on electricity sourced from outside, particularly when major generating stations are unavailable. Baglihar is among the largest hydropower generating projects associated with J&K, with an installed capacity of 900 MW. Its prolonged shutdown therefore represents a significant loss of available indigenous generation, adding pressure on the system to procure electricity from outside sources. The impact is being felt by consumers across Kashmir, who are facing interruptions beyond the scheduled curtailment programme. The additional cuts have affected households as well as commercial establishments and businesses that depend on a stable electricity supply. The unscheduled interruptions have added to the disruption already caused by regular power curtailment. The development has also highlighted the vulnerability of the power distribution system to prolonged outages at major generating stations. With local generation already falling short of demand, any extended shutdown increases the requirement for power purchases and puts additional pressure on the grid. The officials said efforts were underway to complete the maintenance work and restore Baglihar generation at the earliest. The restoration of the project is expected to provide some relief to the supply system, given its significant installed capacity. Until generation resumes, however, the loss of Baglihar output is likely to continue contributing to the pressure on the system and the need for additional cuts. The disruption comes at a time when the power sector in J&K is already grappling with a substantial gap between demand and available indigenous generation.
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Govt eases loan licence requirement for 'outsourced' sterilisation of medical gear
Medical device makers now avoid loan licenses for outsourced sterilization services. This change simplifies business while industry leaders express concerns about new labeling rules. Printing sterilizer license numbers on device labels may hinder export flexibility and cause shipment delays. Manufacturers worry about losing the ability to choose the fastest available sterilization facility. The government also recognized the European Union for clinical investigation waivers.
DRL, Emcure get approval to make breakthrough HIV drug
India's drug regulator has cleared the path for local lenacapavir manufacturing. Two Indian pharmaceutical companies received waivers for local clinical trials. This move will improve access to the HIV prevention injection. Lenacapavir is a breakthrough twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention. Patient groups had urged the regulator to expedite this process.
Amit Shah calls for AI-driven analysis of intelligence data to counter national-security challenges
New Delhi, Aug 24: Directing security agencies to strictly deal with infiltration, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday called for an artificial intelligence-driven analysis of intelligence data to counter various national-security challenges. Inaugurating the two-day ninth National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference-2026, Shah also laid emphasis on training for the implementation of the anti-terror policy developed by his ministry called the PRAHAAR scheme, according to a government statement. The home minister also asked the agencies to expedite trial by bringing back fugitives, using trial-in-absentia provisions and undertaking a comprehensive and integrated approach while investigating anti-terror cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the statement said. The Home Minister directed that an AI-based analysis of information available on MAC (Multi Agency Centre) platforms should be done to create SOPs to counter various national security challenges. Union Home Minister directed all the agencies to take strict measures against infiltration, it added. The conference, being held in a hybrid mode, is being attended by 850 senior security and police officers from across the country, besides Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Mahesh Dixit, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood and Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Parag Jain, among others. Several security officials and domain experts, deputy national security advisors, heads of paramilitary forces and directors general of police (DGPs) of state police forces are also participating in the conference, the statement said. On the first day of the conference, discussions focussed on critical aspects of national security, including response to counter-terrorism challenges, fusion, analysis and operationalisation of intelligence through the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), vision document on narcotics control, detection and deportation of illegal migrants, a policy framework to combat cyber-crime and proxy warfare by Pakistan, it said. Before inaugurating the conference, Shah laid a wreath at the Martyrs' Column in remembrance of the Intelligence Bureau personnel who died in the line of duty while safeguarding national security and integrity. The deliberations on the second day will continue on threats from sub-aerial systems and countermeasures, securing the blue economy, information warfare and its implications for national security, and the need for a bio-security framework. Pursuant to the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the NSSC is being held in a hybrid format every year since 2021. The objective of the conference is finding solutions to major national-security challenges, using the extensive experience of officers working at the grassroots level in collaboration with domain experts.
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CASO in Sopore; AK-47, grenades, IED recovered
Sopore, Aug 24: Security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during a joint search operation in Manzseer area of Sopore in North Kashmir on Monday. Senior Police official told the news agencyKashmir News Observer (KNO) that the operation was conducted by the SOG Sopore in coordination with 52 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF 177 Battalion and CRPF 179 Battalion, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Tarzoo. During the search, the forces recovered one AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 72 rounds of ammunition, four hand grenades and one improvised explosive device from an abandoned house, the officer added.
Adani Group to set up 2,000-bed hospital in Bengal, 1,000 beds to be free
The Adani Group plans to establish a significant 2,000-bed hospital in New Town. Half of these beds will be allocated for free treatment of the poor. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed this development. He stated that Karan Adani had met him regarding the project. Gautam Adani has sent a commitment letter to begin work soon.
Farooq Abdullah asks dissenting Ruhullah to resign, seek fresh mandate
Srinagar, Aug 24: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday hit back at party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi over his recent statements, asking him to resign from the Lok Sabha and return to the electorate if he believes his victory was secured on the strength of his personal support. Reacting to Ruhullahs public positions, Abdullah said the Srinagar MP was free to raise issues such as restoration of Article 370 in Parliament, but questioned his approach to the matter. If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in Parliament, Abdullah said. The NC chief also challenged Ruhullah to test his claim of having secured the Lok Sabha mandate through his own political standing. If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get, he said. Abdullah said party members were expected to stand by decisions taken by the organisation, particularly during elections, and cited the Budgam poll to underline the importance of party discipline. He said NC workers could not reasonably have been expected to campaign against a candidate officially nominated by the party. On speculation about differences within the NC, Abdullah said disagreements were common in political organisations and should not automatically be construed as a revolt against the leadership. He also maintained that the party and the government have separate roles, saying that as NC president he did not want to unnecessarily interfere in the administration. Abdullah recalled the sacrifices made by generations of NC leaders and workers, saying the organisation had endured because of the commitment of its grassroots cadre. Asked about Ruhullahs political direction, Abdullah advised the MP to seek guidance from the Quran, while reiterating his assessment that he was presently taking the wrong path. (KNS)
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Amid rising drowning incidents, Ganderbal admin issues public advisory
Ganderbal, Aug 24: Amid the rising incidents of drowning in Nallah Sindh the Ganderbal administration on Monday issued advisory, urging youth and tourists to exercise extreme caution near fast-flowing water bodies like Nallah Sindh, especially during summer months when water levels and currents remain unpredictable. The district administration issued a public advisory asking people to remain alert. In view of the risks associated with bathing/swimming in Nallah Sindh and other nallahs and water bodies across District Ganderbal, resulting in the loss of precious human lives in the recent past, people living in nearby areas are advised to avoid bathing in the stream and remain extra vigilant. As per the advisory, the parents and guardians are advised strictly prevent children from entering or bathing in Nallah Sindh and other nallahs/water bodies. Keep children under close supervision, particularly during holidays and leisure hours and explain to children the dangers of deep, fast-flowing and unpredictable water bodies. Discourage children from swimming or bathing at unprotected and unsafe locations. Ensure that children do not go near water bodies without responsible adult supervision, reads an advisory.
ISRO, private industry writing India's next space chapter: Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, Aug 24: The BJP on Monday hit back at Congress over its charge that the Modi government is pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda in the space sector, asserting that the expansion of private participation is enabling ISRO to focus on frontier missions while industry scales up manufacturing and launch capabilities. The remarks came after Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh accused the government of strangulating and emasculating the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda for the space programme just as it has for nuclear energy. Ramesh claimed recent reports about ISRO's future role in India's space programme raised legitimate concerns, given the capabilities built by the organisation over six decades. MoS (Space) Jitendra Singh rejected Ramesh's criticism, saying India's space programme is ot being scaled back, but being scaled up, with ISRO focusing increasingly on frontier missions such as Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, as well as future missions to the Moon, Venus and Mars. Under PM Narendra Modi, India's space sector has taken a global trajectory by expanding from a predominantly government-led programme into a wholesome ecosystem integrating ISRO, industry and space startups. India's space programme is not being scaled back. It is being scaled up, he said in a post on X. At the same time, as India moves towards an ambition of 50 launches a year, industry has to become the manufacturer at scale, while ISRO develops the next generation of technologies and missions. This is the natural evolution of India's space programme, Singh added. He accused Ramesh of unning down Indian achievements and casting doubt on every step forward. Citing the growth of the space sector and the emergence of private players, Singh said the number of foreign satellites launched by ISRO has risen from 35 before 2014 to 430 today, while the number of space startups has grown to around 440 from just a handful in 2014. He cited Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 reaching orbit on July 18 this year as the first privately developed Indian rocket to do so. If India is to build a USD 44-billion space economy, we need many things happening simultaneously: ISRO research in the frontier technologies, private rocket factories, satellite manufacturing facilities, dedicated assembly, integration and testing infrastructure, commercially operated launch facilities, and a much deeper supply chain, Singh said. He noted that Sriharikota will remain at the heart of ISRO's major launch programmes, including PSLV, LVM3 and human spaceflight, while Kulasekarapattinam will add capacity for the growing small-launch sector. That is not ISRO versus industry. The model is ISRO and industry together. Together, they are writing the next chapter of India's space story, Singh said. BJP national spokesperson and national media co-in-charge Pradeep Bhandari also defended the government's space sector reforms, saying the opening up of the sector has enabled private companies and startups to move from being suppliers to developers of rockets, satellites and complete space systems. From a largely government-driven programme to an emerging national space ecosystem. That is not the weakening of ISRO's legacy. It is the expansion of India's space ambition, Bhandari said in a post on X. He said private investment in the sector had risen from USD 100.5 million in 2021-22 to USD 618.5 million by March 2026, while NewSpace India Limited's revenue had increased from Rs 321.77 crore in 2021-22 to around Rs 3,000 crore in 2024-25. Bhandari cited Chandrayaan-3's soft landing near the Moon's south polar region and the development of LVM3 and SSLV as milestones in India's space programme. ISRO gave India a formidable technological foundation over decades. The Modi government's reforms have sought to build on that legacy by enabling ISRO, private industry, startups and investment to grow together, he said. Jairam ji, I understand your frustration with India's remarkable journey in space. But the numbers tell a story that is difficult to ignore, Bhandari said.
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Srinagar, Aug 24: Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone on Monday slammed chief minister Omar Abdullah over his remark on recent power tariff hike in which the latter stated that he never promised that rates wouldnt increase. Lone highlighted that chief minister didnt make such comparisons during elections when he sought votes from the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On Monday, chief minister Omar Abdullah while replying to the queries of reporters said that his government had never promised that power rates would not rise. CM Omar reiterated that the governments commitment was to provide 200 units of free electricity to the poorest households. I repeatedly explained in the Assembly that under the free electricity scheme, we would use solar panels to deliver this benefit to people, he said. Taking on CM Omar heavily for his remarks, MLA Handwara Sajad Lone wrote on X: Power tariffs in J&K cannot be suddenly compared to tariffs in other states at the pleasure of CM sahib. Power tariffs in J&K will be compared with tariffs in J&K in the past. What is this selective comparison. You didnt make these comparisons during elections. And CM sahib has made a statement that he never said that he will not increase tariffs. To rejig CM sahibs memory I am attaching the relevant page from NC election manifesto. The increase of 6.8% translates into an increase of more than 500 crores. This money has to be borne by the consumers. And these unsuspecting consumers were waiting for free 200 units of power per month, as promised by CM sahib in his Partys election manifesto. This is not the first increase. In the non-metered areas, electric load per household was increased, thereby increasing the bill by about 10%. We did not hear a word about tariffs in other states during elections. And all we heard was the free 200 units of power per month. You had promised this free power for all. Once in power you said only AAY ration card holders will get it. That should be 200000 families approximately. CM sahib you have been in power for 22 months. You owe each consumer ( 22*200) 4400 units of power. Thats equal to 11000 rupees. And for 200000 AAY households that is equivalent to 2200000000, which is 2200 crores. CM sahib owes 2200 crores to the people and has the audacity to put a burden of 500 crores. Have some shame. Pay up. These are the poorest of the poor souls in J&K. You lied to them through your teeth. And on the basis of those lies rode to power.
Make Perfect Rumali Roti At Home, On Your Regular Tawa
Use a mix of refined and whole wheat flour for soft rumali roti dough, kneading with milk and letting it rest for better texture.
NSA Doval arrives in Beijing for talks with Chinese FM Wang Yi on boundary issue
Beijing, Aug 24: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived here on Monday for a two-day visit to take part in the Special Representatives talks on the India-China boundary question with his Chinese counterpart and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The talks scheduled to be held here on Tuesday assume significance as they come amid uncertainties over Chinese President Xi Jinpings much-anticipated visit to India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13. They also come at a time when differences over the border and Arunachal Pradesh continue to figure prominently in India-China bilateral ties. The ties between New Delhi and Beijing came under severe strain after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and the prolonged military stand-off in eastern Ladakh. But both sides have since taken steps to stabilise relations. Announcing the Special Representatives (SR) talks at a media briefing here on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Doval and Wang will have an in-depth discussion on the boundary question as well as other bilateral, regional and international relations. The China-India SR talks are the main channel for negotiations between the two countries on the boundary issue, said Lin, adding that it is also an important platform for communication between the two sides on issues of mutual interest. In August last year, China and India successfully held the 24th round of talks, during which the two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges of views on the boundary question and reached a number of common understandings, he said. During this round of talks, which will be the 25th round, the two sides will continue the in-depth communication on the boundary question in the spirit of the common understandings between leaders of the two countries to jointly keep the border areas peaceful and tranquil, he said. The two sides will also exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues, Lin said. Both Doval and Wang are the designated SRs for the boundary talks mechanism, which was established in 2003 to comprehensively address the dispute of the India-China border spanning 3,488 km. While success eluded it in resolving the boundary dispute, officials on both sides regard the structured mechanism as a useful tool in addressing the recurring tensions between the two countries on various fronts. Besides attending the SR talks, Doval will call on China's Vice President Han Zheng, the External Affairs Ministry said in a press release on the NSA's visit. Lin, on Monday, skirted questions about Xis much-anticipated visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit next month. While there is no official confirmation about Xi's visit yet, officials on both sides are optimistic about the Chinese leader's participation, which could provide an opportunity for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit to discuss initiatives to take forward bilateral ties. Modi and Xi last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Ahead of Doval-Wang talks in Beijing, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday reiterated that peace and tranquillity along the border areas are a prerequisite for good relations with China. His comments came amid reports of aggressive posturing by Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri region in recent weeks. I think we went through a particularly bad patch between the summer of 2020 and the autumn of 2024, and that was primarily an outcome of the situation in the border areas, Jaishankar said at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum in New Delhi. On the reports of stepped-up Chinese military activity near the Arunachal Pradesh border, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on August 12 that the China-India border situation is generally stable at the moment. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on August 11 said that India considers matters relating to border areas with China as most serious and asserted that maintaining peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control is of utmost importance, as the state of the frontier will govern the overall trajectory of bilateral ties. Earlier, New Delhi also trashed Beijing's criticism of its decision to formally identify 27 places and geographical features in Arunachal Pradesh by their standard names, emphasising that the state is an inalienable and integral part of India and nothing can change this indisputable reality. China, which claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet, has been releasing its set of names for the region since 2017. India termed the Chinese move as vain and preposterous, asserting that such actions will not alter the undeniable reality that the state was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.
Bhuvneshwari Vati Ingredients, Preparation, Ayurvedic Properties, Indications & Dosages REFERENCE Rasatantra Saar & Siddha Prayog Sangrah Part 2, ... Read more The post Bhuvneshwari Vati appeared first on Planet Ayurveda .
NC leader booked over alleged provocative remarks against BJP in Ladakh
Leh, Aug 24: Police have registered an FIR against a senior National Conference (NC) leader over his alleged derogatory and provocative remarks against the BJP in Drass district of Ladakh a few days ago, officials said on Monday. The complainant, BJP district president, Drass Fayaz Ahmed Qari, alleged that NC territorial vice president Ghulam Rasool Nagvi described the BJP as a eligion and referred to its workers as Yazidi qaum during the August 21 press conference. The complaint alleged that the remarks were provocative and could create communal tension and disturb public peace and law and order in Ladakh, officials said. Yazidi refers to Yazid ibn Muawiya, the ruler who killed Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala in 680 CE. He is known as an oppressor. They said the complainant also submitted video clips of the press conference as supporting material and sought investigation and legal action against the accused. Officials said the case has been taken up for investigation. According to the FIR registered at Police Station Drass, the case was registered on August 22 under Sections 196, 352, 353 and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which are invoked for hate speech, public provocation, and malicious insults to religion.
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PDPs Para demands immediate rollback of revised power tariff, dubs it anti-poor
Srinagar, Aug 24: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Monday criticised the government over burdening people with more tariffs and taxes; and demanded immediate rollback of revised power tariff. Terming the recent power tariff hike anti-people and anti-poor, PDP leader advised government to step out of its lavish corridors and face the harsh ground reality of Kashmir. In a post on X, Para said: J&K government needs to step out of its lavish corridors and face the harsh ground reality of Kashmir before burdening people with more tariffs and taxes. The 6.8% hike in electricity tariff is outright anti-people and anti-poor. It must be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally. He said: At a time when jobs are vanishing, businesses are on the verge of collapse, economic distress & youth anxiety is at its peak, Kashmir cannot bear any more taxes. You cannot tax people when you have completely failed to empower, socially and financially. Instead of providing relief, you hike electricity tariff by 6.8%? This is not governance, this is open punishment of the poor.
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Power hike a compulsion, never promised rate wont increase: CM Omar Abdullah
Srinagar, Aug 24: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said there was no crisis in the government and maintained that any cabinet reshuffle would be carried out when he deemed it necessary, while defending the recent electricity tariff hike and calling for a thorough investigation into fresh threats to Kashmiri Pandit employees. There is no crisis in the government. Our work is going on, Abdullah said when asked about a possible reshuffle in his government. He said he had only ruled out a reshuffle before August 15 when asked about it earlier, and had not committed to carrying it out immediately afterwards. I only told you that it would not happen before August 15. When it will happen and under what circumstances, leave that to me, he said. On criticism from opposition parties over the increase in electricity tariffs, Abdullah said his government had never promised that power rates would not rise. He reiterated that the governments commitment was to provide 200 units of free electricity to the poorest households. I repeatedly explained in the Assembly that under the free electricity scheme, we would use solar panels to deliver this benefit to people, he said. Abdullah argued that the tariff increase was separate from the free-power scheme and said the government had raised rates by only 6 per cent after four years. We are not celebrating the increase in electricity rates. It was a compulsion for us, he said, adding that lower power-sector losses would reduce the need for such measures in the future. On fresh threats reportedly targeting Kashmiri Pandit employees, Abdullah described the issue as a serious concern and urged the police and intelligence agencies to investigate their source. Threats should not be coming at all, he said, adding that the law-and-order and security agencies should not take these things lightly. He recalled that Pandit employees had been targeted under similar circumstances two to two-and-a-half years ago, saying the government had suffered a great deal of loss as a result. Keeping all our employees safe and protecting them is a very major responsibility of the police, Abdullah said. He also clarified that law and order was not his direct responsibility, saying the matter was handled by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. My advice to the law-and-order administration would be not to take this lightly. There should be a full investigation, he said.
Three fugitives linked to Bambiha Gang deported from Malaysia: Amit Shah
New Delhi, Aug 24: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said three fugitive gangsters linked to the Bambiha Gang, wanted for multiple crimes including cross-border arms and narco-trafficking, have been deported from Malaysia. Indian agencies have facilitated the deportation of 51 hardened criminals in 2026 alone. In a message on 'X', his office posted, Indian agencies got three absconding Indian gangsters apprehended in Malaysia, deported them to India, and sent them to police custody. The fugitives, namely Jaspreet Singh, Ajay Singh and Pawandeep Singh, are linked to the Bambiha Gang and are accused of multiple crimes, including extortion, cross-border arms and narco-trafficking, and a foiled grenade attack in Ludhiana, it said. Under Modi Ji's vision of a safe and secure India, our agencies have facilitated the deportation of 51 hardened criminals in 2026 alone, it said.
'We are not celebrating the power tariff hike; it was a compulsion: Omar Abdullah
On criticism from opposition parties over the increase in electricity tariffs, Abdullah said his government had never promised that power rates would not rise. He reiterated that the governments commitment was to provide 200 units of free electricity to the poorest households. I repeatedly explained in the Assembly that under the free electricity scheme, we would use solar panels to deliver this benefit to people, he said. Abdullah argued that the tariff increase was separate from the free-power scheme and said the government had raised rates by only 6 per cent after four years. We are not celebrating the increase in electricity rates. It was a compulsion for us, he said, adding that lower power-sector losses would reduce the need for such measures in the future.
No significant weather activity till Aug-end; hot, humid conditions likely in Sep: MeT
Srinagar, Aug 24: No significant weather activity has been forcast for Jammu and Kashmir till the end of this month except for a few brief showers during 29-31 Aug at scattered place. However, the first week of the next month will likely be hot and humid across the union territory, Meterological Centre Srinagar said in a forcast on Monday. According to the weather forcast, the weather is expected to remain generally hot and humid between August 14 to 28 with a spell of rain accopanied by thundershower at scattered places towards early morning & afternoon hours. During August 29 to 31, J&K will continue to experience similar weather conditions up until the last day of August, with brief and intense spells of rain and thundershowers at many places towards early morning and afternoon hours. Moving towards the next month, the weather wsill continue the trend, remaining generally hot and humid along with spells of rain/thunderstorm towards early morning and afternoon hours at scattered places during September 1 to 5. In its advisory issued today, Meterological Centre Srinagar advised farmers are to continue with harvesting & other farming operations.
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