Opinion

Tarigami urges lawful action after Anantnag attack, warns against arbitrary crackdown in Kashmir

Lieutenant Governor visits family of martyr Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi

Srinagar, Jul 24: The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha today visited Lalpora, Beerwah, Budgam to meet the family members of Martyr J&K Police's Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who laid down his life in the line of duty during a terror attack in Anantnag earlier this week. The Lieutenant Governor paid heartfelt tributes to the brave policeman and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family. He said the entire nation is proud of brave-heart Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, whose courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty will remain etched in our collective memory. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the martyrs ideals of love for duty and honor for the motherland will continue to inspire generations in building a peaceful and prosperous Union Territory. He assured the family that the administration stands firmly with them and will ensure their well-being and dignity. The Lieutenant Governor also assured full support to the family until martyr Ashiq Hussain Qureshi's son finishes his studies and becomes eligible for a compassionate government appointment. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significant progress achieved under the leadership of Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in dismantling the terror ecosystem and reaffirmed his resolve to eliminate terrorism from Jammu Kashmir. He urged the entire society, especially youth of Jammu Kashmir, to draw strength from the martyrs dedication and devotion to Maa Bharti and remain united in the fight against terrorism.

Army Rescues Elderly Villagers Stranded on Tekpathri Ridge After Cloudburst in Mayan Uri

LG Sinha, senior police officers visit family of cop killed in Anantnag terror attack at Beerwah

Fresh wet spell likely in Jammu after July 28; avoid water bodies and mountainous areas: MeT

Rains trigger flood scare in Kashmir, water level in most rivers remains high

Srinagar, Jul 24: Intermittent rains lashed many parts of Kashmir for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, keeping water levels in most rivers and streams high and triggering a flood scare, officials said. The water level of the Jhelum river, which had crossed the flood declaration mark in Anantnag and Srinagar on Thursday night, has however begun to recede. Intermittent rainfall continued across several parts of the valley, particularly in south Kashmir, causing many water bodies to swell. Officials said the Jhelum river, which had risen above the flood declaration mark on Thursday, remained above the danger level at some locations on Friday, although its water level had been falling since morning. At around noon, the water level of Jhelum at Sangam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district stood at 18.90 feet, just slightly below the flood declaration mark of 21 feet. However, the river continued to flow above the flood declaration level at other monitoring points. At Pampore, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jhelum's water level was recorded at 5.09 metres against the flood declaration mark of 4.5 metres, while at Munshi Bagh in Srinagar it stood at 18.99 feet, above the flood declaration mark of 18 feet, officials said. They said water levels in the Jhelum's tributaries across south Kashmir continued to rise as rainfall persisted in the region. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has been closely monitoring the situation and advised people to exercise utmost caution and avoid venturing near rivers, streams and other water bodies. The Meteorological Department said south Kashmir received significant rainfall over the past 24 hours. Qazigund recorded 40.2 mm of rainfall till 8.30 am, followed by Kukernag with 39.2 mm and Pahalgam with 25.4 mm. According to the weather office, the ongoing spell of rain over south Kashmir and adjoining areas is likely to continue intermittently till Friday afternoon, after which conditions are expected to improve gradually. It has also forecast a fresh spell of wet weather across the region from July 28 to 31.

Jammu-Srinagar highway shut for third day following landslides

Jammu, Jul 24: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the third consecutive day on Friday following multiple landslides, shooting stones and road erosion triggered by incessant rain. Relentless rain, cloudbursts and flash floods over the past six days have claimed 26 lives in the Jammu region, while six persons are still missing, officials said. Rescue teams have intensified searches for the missing in the worst-hit border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, deploying additional personnel to scan flood channels and vulnerable areas. The 250-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, remained blocked at Deohal bridge, Samroli and Jakhani in Udhampur district and Banihal in Ramban district. Jammu-Srinagar national highway is still closed for vehicular movement due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations, a traffic police advisory said. Officials said restoration work was underway but continuous rainfall was hampering debris clearance and repair operations. More than 1,000 vehicles remained stranded at Ramban, Nagrota, Jammu, Udhampur, Lakhanpur and Samba due to the highway closure. Commuters have been advised to avoid travel until the road is declared safe. Besides the national highway, over a dozen inter-district roads, including the Doda-Kishtwar road, remained closed due to landslides, mudslides and road erosion. However, the Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) road remained open despite heavy rainfall. To facilitate the movement of stranded passengers, Northern Railway operated a special train from Budgam and Banihal to Katra. More than 600 stranded tourists were also shifted from Srinagar to Jammu, officials said. The Meteorological Department forecast rainfall over parts of Jammu, particularly the Chenab valley, Udhampur, Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, with South Kashmir expected to receive significant precipitation. Weather conditions are likely to improve gradually after the afternoon, though scattered showers may continue till evening. Officials said almost all rivers and streams were flowing above normal levels, while flash floods inundated several low-lying areas, damaging houses, shops and public infrastructure. Rescue and relief operations involving the civil administration, police, SDRF, NDRF and other agencies continued across the affected districts. The administration said the Amarnath, Mata Vaishno Devi, Shiv Khori and Machail pilgrimages would remain suspended for the day, with pilgrims advised to stay at designated base camps and lodging centres. In view of the inclement weather forecast issued by the IMD, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra shall remain suspended till further orders. Accordingly, no vehicle carrying yatra pilgrims shall be allowed to proceed from Jammu, Udhampur or Ramban towards Srinagar, an official advisory said. More than 15,000 pilgrims are stranded at base camps and lodging centres in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Ramban and Banihal, while security personnel have been deployed along the highway to prevent movement towards Kashmir. Heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Jammu during the past 24 hours, with Udhampur recording the highest precipitation of 96.5 mm till 8.30 a.m. on Friday, followed by Batote (84.2 mm), Ramban (69.5 mm) and Bhaderwah (65.7 mm), according to rainfall data. In the Jammu region, Katra received 45.1 mm of rainfall, Kathua 44.8 mm, Banihal 38.3 mm, Doda 35 mm, Reasi 27.5 mm, Kishtwar 27 mm, Jammu Airport 26 mm, Jammu city 25.2 mm, and Poonch 7.5 mm, while Rajouri recorded no rainfall.

JKBOSE postpones class 11 annual private/bi-annual exam scheduled for July 25

Srinagar, Jul 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Friday announced the postponement of the Annual (Private)/Bi-Annual 2026 examination of Higher Secondary Part-I (Class 11) scheduled to be held on July 25, 2026, citing official notification issued by the Board. According to a notification issued by Director Academics Dr. Parveen Singh, the examination scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, has been postponed and the fresh date for the examination will be notified separately. However, the Board clarified that the examinations of Jammu and Kashmir State Open School (JK SOS) Class 12 will continue as per the already notified date sheet at Jammu, Srinagar, Leh and Kargil centres. JKBOSE advised all stakeholders and students to regularly follow official notifications for further updates regarding the revised examination schedule. (JKNS)

No major rain till July 27, fresh wet spell likely from July 28: MeT

Srinagar, Jul 24: Rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir is expected to ease after Friday afternoon, with no major or prolonged rain likely until July 27. However, a fresh wet spell is expected to begin from July 28, bringing the possibility of heavy showers, landslides, mudslides and flash floods, Meteorological Department (MeT) Director Mukhtar Ahmad said on Friday. Ahmad said the previous weather forecast remained valid until the afternoon of July 23, during which continuous rainfall was recorded across Jammu and Kashmir. Continuous rainfall has been observed across Jammu and Kashmir, while South Kashmir and the upper catchment areas have also been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past two to three days. At present, rainfall resumed again this morning, he said. He said the ongoing rainfall is mainly affecting the Chenab Valley, adjoining South Kashmir and districts along the Pir Panjal range and is expected to continue until Friday afternoon before gradually subsiding. There are no chances of any major or continuous rainfall till July 27. However, from July 28 onwards, another wet spell is likely, which may impact the Jammu division and adjoining areas, Ahmad said. According to him, the incoming weather system is expected to affect the Jammu plains, the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range, while parts of the Kashmir Valley may also receive light to moderate rainfall, with isolated intense showers. He cautioned that the fresh spell could trigger landslides, shooting stones and mudslides, adding that flash floods in vulnerable areas also cannot be ruled out. Ahmad said water levels in rivers and streams had risen significantly due to recent rainfall but were now gradually receding, according to the latest data from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. He advised people to avoid unnecessary movement near rivers, streams and other water bodies where water levels remain high. Travellers, transporters, the general public and tourists should avoid travelling to hilly areas for now because the weather remains bad and the risk of landslides, shooting stones and mudslides is quite high, he said. Ahmad also warned that prolonged rainfall had saturated the soil, increasing the risk of mud houses collapsing in vulnerable areas. The soil has become heavily saturated, increasing the chances of mud houses collapsing in the coming days, he said, urging people to strictly follow advisories issued by the administration and the Meteorological Department to prevent accidents.

Flash-floods hit Udhampur village, families evacuated

Jammu, Jul 24: Flash floods hit the Barkuanda area of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district early Friday, causing damage to several houses and prompting the evacuation of affected families, officials said. The district administration evacuated three affected families to the government middle school at Barkuanda as a precautionary measure, they said. No casualties have been reported so far, while officials have launched an assessment of the damage caused by the flash floods and landslides. In another incident, flash floods hit Kadwah village in Basantgarh tehsil, where overflowing water damaged some houses and standing maize crops, they said. The floodwater was diverted through an alternative channel, preventing further damage to residential structures and agricultural land, officials said. The Tawi river at Udhampur continued to flow below the alert mark. According to the latest readings, the river was flowing at 12.655 feet against the alert level of 15 feet. However, the water level in the Chenab river at Akhnoor once again crossed the flood alert level. Heavy rains over the past five days have caused extensive damage in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

CJP set to hold talks with govt at Constitution Club

New Delhi, Jul 24: The government and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are set to hold talks on Friday at the Constitution Club of India here after the Centre agreed to the outfit's request that the meeting be held at a neutral venue. There was no official confirmation from the government on it so far. The development comes hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday night following government assurances on his key demands. The meeting is likely to be held around 12.30 pm. CJP national spokesperson Saurav Das said the outfit welcomed the government's decision to accept its request for a neutral venue. A discussion has been called. We are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that the meeting should be held at a neutral venue, and the Constitution Club of India has been chosen, Das told reporters. I hope the government comes with an open mind and listens to the people, he said. The CJP had earlier declined the government's invitation to hold talks at a minister's residence or office, insisting that discussions should take place at a neutral venue. The last round of talks between the two sides took place on July 20, when CJP national spokespersons Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister J P Nadda at his residence. The two leaders later alleged that they were kept under virtual detention during the meeting and said they had subsequently insisted that any future discussions with the government be held only at a neutral venue. The CJP has maintained that its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Pradhan resigns. Besides seeking his resignation, the outfit has demanded accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak, and withdrawal of all FIRs and legal action against peaceful protesters who participated in the movement.

US slaps 10 per cent tariff on goods imported from India over forced labour concerns

Washington, Jul 24: The US has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on goods imported from India and 16 other countries as part of a wider action against products made using forced labour. On June 3, when the US had proposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, India was bracketed among countries attracting 12.5 per cent levies, but Washington took note of the amendment New Delhi made to its foreign trade policy prohibiting the import of goods produced using forced labour. On July 14, India amended its policy to introduce that prohibition. The government amended the foreign trade policy to prohibit the import of goods produced using forced labour, amid a US investigation into forced labour practices in 60 countries, including India. As a result of these actions, the Trade Representative has advised me that the goods of these economies should be tariffed at the 10 per cent rate to further encourage these economies to effectively enforce such prohibitions, US President Donald Trump said in a memorandum on the issue on Thursday. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced the new tariffs on 60 countries on Thursday, a day before the expiration of 10 per cent additional levies on all countries. Countries that do not have laws barring goods produced using forced labour such as China, the United Kingdom and Japan will face tariffs of 12.5 per cent. The forced labour tariffs will not apply to raw materials that would lead to unavailability of domestic supply; products that would cause economy-wide disruptions and on products that cannot be produced or grown in sufficient quantities in the US. Of the 60 countries facing the tariffs, the 10 per cent rate applies to 17 countries, including India, Canada, the UK, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The other 43 will have to bear 12.5 per cent. The USTR statement said that Greer had taken the final action, at President Trump's direction, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 by imposing tariffs on 60 economies for their failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour. The latest tariffs take effect at 12.01 am on Friday, just as a temporary 10 per cent import tax expires. That measure was put in place following a February Supreme Court decision that invalidated the president's Liberation Day tariffs introduced in April 2025. The action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and a distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere, Greer said in a statement here. A Federal Note in this regard took note of India's adoption of a forced labour import prohibition after the unveiling of the proposed tariffs in June. The Trump administration initiated the two investigations after the US Supreme Court, in February, dismissed last year's eciprocal tariffs using emergency powers as illegal. After the US Supreme Court struck down the sweeping reciprocal tariffs (25 per cent on India) in February, the Trump administration imposed a temporary 10 per cent tariff on all countries for 150 days from February 24 that expires on Friday. A reduction in the tariff from 12.5 per cent to 10 per cent is modest in percentage points but significant in signalling. It suggests that Washington is willing to calibrate enforcement while preserving the strategic trajectory of the IndiaUS economic partnership, Abhik Sengupta, a programme officer with an industry body here, said. India has contested both the investigations initiated by the USTR and insisted that these issues can be discussed as part of the bilateral trade agreement that is under discussion. The US is India's second-largest trade partner and the largest destination for exports. In 2025, bilateral goods trade was pegged at nearly USD 141 billion, with India's exports pegged at USD 87.3 billion, according to commerce department data. According to a report in The Washington Post, the Trump administration is expected to introduce another set of tariffs within weeks that will apply to goods from nations that subsidise excess manufacturing capacity. Those government policies result in a flood of low-cost products on global markets that US companies can not match, officials said.

DRDO successfully conducts maiden flight test of indigenous Kusha long-range air defence missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the indigenous Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. The missile was tested against an electronic target simulating a high-speed, high-altitude aerial threat and successfully intercepted it, the Defence Ministry said. According to the ministry, the Kusha missile system is designed to neutralise a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and large enemy aircraft across a broad range and altitude envelope. The entire weapon system, including the missile, radars and command-and-control centre, has been developed by various DRDO laboratories in collaboration with industry partners. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the successful maiden flight as a major milestone for Indias defence research and development programme, saying it demonstrated the countrys capability to develop an advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systema capability possessed by only a handful of nations. He said the indigenous system would significantly reduce Indias dependence on imports for such air defence platforms and mark a major boost to the countrys air defence capability. Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh monitored the launch and congratulated the scientists, engineers and industry partners involved in the successful flight test.

Editors Guild condemns violence against journalists, crackdown on NEET paper leak protesters

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) on Thursday condemned the assault on journalists covering protests at Jantar Mantar over the NEET examination paper leaks, as well as the security forces crackdown on demonstrators. In a statement, the Guild said a section of protesters targeted reporters from certain media organisations perceived to be close to the government and the ruling party, stressing that violence against journalists can never be justified. While noting that biased or flawed reporting undermines public trust and weakens the medias role in a democracy, the Guild said such concerns cannot justify attacks on media personnel. The EGI also criticised the use of force by security personnel against protesters, alleging that caning, tear gas and electric prods were used to disperse demonstrators. It said the right to dissent is fundamental to democracy and urged that peaceful protests should not be suppressed through excessive force.

CS reviews adoption of Chandigarhs online Property Management System for Housing Colonies in J&K

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today in a meeting of Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) reviewed the adoption of Chandigarhs Property Management System (PMS) developed by their National Informatics Centre (NIC) for digitising the management of housing colonies under the Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD), here. The initiative aims at providing transparent, efficient and citizen-centric online services to the allottees of government housing colonies across the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC); Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC); Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority (JDA); Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA); SIO,NIC J&K; Managing Director, J&K Housing Board; Director, ULB, Kashmir/Jammu and other senior officers. Officers from NIC Chandigarh joined the meeting through virtual mode. Emphasising the importance of leveraging technology to improve public service delivery, the Chief Secretary observed that adoption of the Property Management System would mark significant step towards digital governance in the Housing & Urban Development Department. He said that the online platform would simplify property-related procedures, minimise physical interface between citizens and government offices, reduce processing time and provide greater convenience to the allottees of government housing colonies across J&K. The Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments and implementing agencies to ensure time-bound implementation of the project by working in close coordination with NIC Chandigarh and NIC J&K. He stressed the need for completing the required customisation, ensuring data accuracy, undertaking comprehensive testing and completing the security audit before rolling out the system for public use. He also called for adequate capacity building of the concerned staff to facilitate smooth implementation of the project. At the outset, the Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur apprised about the salient features and progress achieved in adopting the Property Management System, which has been successfully implemented by the Chandigarh Administration for delivering online property management services. She added that the system has been designed to provide an end-to-end digital platform for processing ownership and lease-related services through an online workflow, thereby ensuring greater transparency, accountability, efficiency and ease of access for citizens. During the meeting, the NIC Chandigarh team gave a comprehensive live demonstration of the online Property Management System and showcased its various modules, functionalities, workflow and operational efficiency. The team explained the citizen-centric services and features of the portal and demonstrated the complete digital processing of applications from submission to final disposal through a structured online workflow. The demonstration highlighted various online services proposed to be made available to the allottees, including transfer of ownership based on registered deeds, transfer of lease rights, issuance of No Objection Certificates for transfer of lease rights, grant of permission to mortgage properties and issuance of No Dues Certificates. The system also enables applicants to monitor the status of their applications online, thereby ensuring greater transparency and timely delivery of services. On this occasion the VC, JDA, Rupesh Kumar detailed out that the Property Management System incorporates several advanced digital features, including a dedicated citizen web interface, electronic payment gateway, automated calculation of applicable charges. Moreover he divulged that the module is effective in taking digital noting besides approvals are also authenticated through digital signatures with integration of Management Information System (MIS) dashboards, implementation of Citizen Charter timelines and SMS-based alerts for applicants at every stage of processing. The meeting was informed that the Customisation of the software as per the requirements of Jammu & Kashmir is presently underway. It was further informed that engagement of developers is in progress and a dedicated team of officers from NIC J&K has already been deployed for implementation of the project. The meeting also reviewed the implementation roadmap and was informed that stakeholder feedback obtained during trial runs would be incorporated within one month, followed by completion of the security audit and phased uploading of property data before the system is formally launched for public use.

Building robust startup ecosystem requires fundamental shift in approach: CM Omar Abdullah

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed the Governments unwavering commitment to strengthening Jammu and Kashmirs startup ecosystem, assuring young entrepreneurs of sustained support to transform innovative ideas into successful enterprises. Addressing the ASCEND 2026 Startup Summit at SKICC, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), the Chief Minister described the two-day summit as a vibrant platform where ideas, innovation, investment, mentorship and government policy converge to foster entrepreneurship and accelerate economic growth in J&K. Acknowledging that governments are traditionally cautious about investing in ventures without guaranteed outcomes, the Chief Minister said that building a robust startup ecosystem requires a fundamental shift in approach. If we fund 10 startups, possibly eight will not succeed. But the two that do succeed will more than make up for the eight that failed, he said. Reiterating the governments commitment, the Chief Minister said it was prepared to take that risk. We are not afraid to fail. The only thing we are afraid of is not putting enough support behind all of you, he said, adding that the government would do everything possible to strengthen both the startup culture and the ecosystem that sustains it. On the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed seed fund cheques of 5 lakh each to seven startups to support their entrepreneurial ventures. Highlighting the innovative spirit of J&Ks youth, the Chief Minister said he draws hope from the practical, ground-level solutions being developed by young entrepreneurs to address everyday challenges. He cited innovations ranging from sensor-based systems that prevent water pipes from freezing during winter to digitally connected water-usage meters designed to curb wastage, as well as hailstorm protection nets, carbon monoxide detectors and automatic gas regulator shut-off devices. ASCEND 2026 is about telling our youngsters that no idea is a bad idea. Every idea has potential; it simply needs refinement, the Chief Minister said, adding that promising concepts should be nurtured until they are ready to attract venture capital investment. Noting that Jammu and Kashmir currently has around 1,300 to 1,400 registered startups, he expressed confidence that the number would doubleand double againby the time ASCEND 2027 is held. Referring to a local solar energy entrepreneur as an example, the Chief Minister said timely support to promising startups can help create many more success stories from Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed confidence that ASCEND 2026 would become the launchpad for some of Jammu and Kashmirs future unicorns. The Chief Minister also appreciated the young entrepreneurs who showcased their innovations at the exhibition and thanked the delegates and industry experts from outside J&K for sharing their expertise and supporting the regions growing startup ecosystem. The Chief Minister also launched the Junior Level Idea Challenge 2026 for the Under-18 school category, Startup Idea Challenge 2.0 for college and university students, the Compendium of Business Opportunities in J&K, the Himalayan Journal, and the Startup Coffee Table Book. Earlier, in his welcome address, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Vikramjeet Singh, thanked participants from across the country for attending the summit, saying their presence reflected growing confidence in J&Ks entrepreneurial ecosystem. He said the Jammu and Kashmirs startup ecosystem has witnessed remarkable growth, with a significant increase in registered startups and MSME registrations, while the government continues to improve the ease of doing business and expand opportunities for entrepreneurs. Describing Jammu and Kashmir as a frontier market with immense potential across multiple sectors, he said investors undertaking due diligence stand to reap substantial returns. Sharing his views, MLA Pampore Hasnain Masoodi described unemployment as a major challenge and stressed the need to promote entrepreneurship as a means of generating employment. He urged young entrepreneurs to persevere despite challenges, called for simplifying procedures to encourage innovation, and appreciated JKEDIs role in nurturing startups and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in J&K. In his address, Director JKEDI, Mohammad Younis Malik, said ASCEND 2026 is more than just a summit and reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the event would open new avenues for the startup ecosystem and pave the way for meaningful collaborations in the years ahead.

JKSCERT RP excels at TISS fellowship, secures another national distinction

Resource Person at J&K State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Anjali Om Raina, has brought recognition to the department after excelling in the prestigious Umang Fellowship at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Raina's latest achievement comes after she had earlier secured the top position at the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Chandigarh, making her one of the few education professionals to achieve distinction at two premier national institutions. Raina described the accomplishment as a significant milestone in her professional journey and attributed her success to the trust, encouragement and support extended by the Joint Director of SCERT J&K. She said the guidance and vision of the department's leadership enabled her to pursue opportunities for professional growth and perform at the national level. Raina's consistent academic excellence reflects her commitment to the field of education and highlights the importance of institutional support in nurturing professional development among educators. The achievement is being viewed as a matter of pride for SCERT J&K and is expected to inspire education professionals across the J&K to pursue advanced learning and leadership opportunities.

CUK holds workshop on women empowerment

Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir) and Inderprastha Engineering College (IPEC), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, organized a one-day ICSSR-sponsored workshop on Empowerment of Women through Awareness regarding the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019. The workshop was organized under an ICSSR-sponsored Policy Research Project led by Dr. Mahjabin Banu, Principal Investigator and Chief Project Director. The workshop witnessed participation from academicians, legal experts, government officials, representatives of civil society organizations, Mission Shakti, women welfare officers, ASHA workers, media professionals, faculty members, students, research scholars, and women beneficiaries, including divorced women and women facing domestic and marital challenges. Dean School of Legal Studies, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, delivered an insightful address on the constitutional and legal dimensions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019. He elaborated on issues relating to womens legal rights, marriage, divorce, maintenance, and property rights, emphasizing that legal awareness is the cornerstone of womens empowerment. In her keynote address, Dr. Mahjabin Banu, highlighted the objectives of the ICSSR Policy Research Project and stressed that sustainable women empowerment requires legal awareness, quality education, economic independence, and coordinated institutional support. She emphasized the need for skill development and livelihood opportunities for divorced and vulnerable women to ensure long-term socio-economic empowerment. Speaking on the Role of Civil Society in Womens Empowerment and Legal awareness, Sami Wani, Director, SHE HOPE Society, Ganderbal, shared practical experiences from handling cases relating to domestic violence, marital disputes, counselling, and rehabilitation. Sabita Jan, Coordinator, Mission Shakti, Ganderbal, explained various institutional support services available to women, including legal aid, counselling, rehabilitation, livelihood support, and One Stop Centre services, encouraging women to utilize these facilities without hesitation. Earlier, in his address, Dr. Jehirul Islam, Dean DSW, highlighted the Universitys commitment to gender equality and community engagement. He observed that higher educational institutions have a responsibility to empower society by promoting legal literacy, social awareness, and inclusive development. Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal, Youth Welfare Officer, DSW and Project Director, underscored the vital role of universities in extending knowledge beyond classrooms and contributing to the social transformation through community outreach. During the open interaction session, several participants shared their personal experiences of domestic violence, divorce, emotional trauma, and their journey towards self-reliance. A major highlight of the programme was the demonstration of the multilingual digital platform Jagruk Mahila Empowering Women Through Knowledge and Rights, developed under the project. Available in English, Hindi, and Urdu, the interactive portal provides women with simplified legal information, guidance on constitutional and statutory rights, emergency support, counselling, and instant assistance through a two-way communication system. Ms. Madhumita Pradhan proposed the vote of thanks.

Interdisciplinary research key to advancing biomedical innovation: CUK VC

Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Kashmir (CUKashmir), organised a one-day workshop on Engineering Smart Polymeric Scaffolds and Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications under the Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) component of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), here Thursday. Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, emphasized that interdisciplinary research, innovation and skill-oriented education are indispensable for addressing contemporary healthcare challenges and advancing biomedical sciences. Higher educational institutions must create ecosystems that promote research, intellectual property generation and translational science capable of delivering tangible societal benefits,Prof. A Ravinder Nath said. Elaborating on the scientific significance of polymeric biomaterials and nanotechnology, he observed that these emerging technologies hold immense promise in targeted drug delivery, biosensor development, cancer therapeutics and regenerative medicine. He said the workshop aligns with the vision of the NEP-2020, which advocates multidisciplinary education, research excellence and skill development. He explained that successful interdisciplinary initiatives evolve gradually through workshops, curriculum development, faculty capacity building and research infrastructure. Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Mir, highlighted the significance of multidisciplinary collaboration in modern scientific research. He observed that contemporary breakthroughs in healthcare are increasingly emerging from the convergence of physics, chemistry, biology, engineering and computational sciences. Referring to the workshop theme, he said the invited resource persons represent diverse yet interconnected domains of expertise, providing participants with an excellent opportunity to understand how collaborative research is transforming biomedical sciences. He urged young researchers to adopt interdisciplinary approaches and establish research collaborations as such partnerships are essential for translating scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions. Earlier, in his inaugural address, Dean, School of Life Sciences, Prof. Abid Hamid Dar, underscored the importance of interdisciplinary research in solving complex scientific and societal problems. He maintained that scientific research must not remain confined to laboratories but should ultimately contribute to societal welfare and human well-being. He said the administration under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath is actively working towards strengthening research infrastructure. In his welcome address, Asst Prof. Deptt of Biotechnology and organising Secretary of the workshop, Dr. Anil Chandra, who also conducted the programme proceedings, said the initiative aims to disseminate scientific knowledge, strengthen research awareness and create meaningful interactions between leading scientists and young researchers. He said the workshop would provide participants with valuable exposure to emerging research areas, encourage scientific inquiry, foster innovation, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration among young researchers. After the inaugurals, Dr. Anil Chandra, Dr. Faheem Arjumand Sheikh, Deptt of Nanotechnology, University of Kashmir, Dr. Tariq Maqbool, Dr. Mudasir Bashir Gugjoo, SKUAST-Kashmir, and Mr. Manish Amin, Director, Avay Biosciences, delivered lectures during the technical session.

No public donation drives without permission in Baramulla: District Magistrate

The District Magistrate (DM), Baramulla, has prohibited individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), trusts and other organisations from collecting donations or funds from the public without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority, citing concerns over unauthorised fundraising and the possible misuse of public goodwill. In an order issued vide order No. 28/DMB/2026 dated July 21, 2026, follows a report submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, highlighting instances of unauthorised donation drives in the district. According to the order, police field units recently found certain non-local individuals, including women, collecting money from the public in Baramulla town on the pretext of providing relief to victims of natural calamities. During verification, the individuals reportedly failed to produce any valid permission, authorisation or supporting documents issued by any government department, recognised NGO, charitable organisation or other competent authority to justify the fundraising campaign. The District Magistrate observed that collecting donations without proper authorisation raises serious concerns over transparency and accountability. The order states that such activities have the potential to misuse public trust and exploit citizens through unauthorised fundraising campaigns. To regulate such activities and ensure proper verification and monitoring, the administration has directed that no individual, organisation, NGO or trust shall undertake any public donation or fund collection drive anywhere in Baramulla district unless prior permission has been obtained from the competent authority. The order further directs the Senior Superintendents of Police of Baramulla and Sopore, along with all Executive Magistrates in the district, to ensure strict implementation of the directive. They have also been instructed to initiate action against anyone found violating the order under the relevant provisions of law. The administration said the measure is aimed at safeguarding public interest, ensuring transparency in charitable collections and preventing fraudulent or unauthorised fundraising activities in the district.

Environmental safeguards must precede tourism expansion: Tarigami

MLA, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today chaired a meeting of the Committee on Environment here at Legislative Assembly complex to assess the implementation of the J&K Eco-Tourism Policy and environmental safeguards across Jammu and Kashmir. The Committee was apprised that the J&K Eco-Tourism Policy was in the advanced stages of formulation and aims to establish a framework for conservation of natural resources, regulation of tourism activities and promotion of community-based sustainable livelihoods. The Chairman laid special emphasis on the preparation of destination specific Master plans for all eco tourism destinations in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure planned development, regulation of carrying capacity, scientific waste management and protection of biodiversity. The Committee directed that these Master Plans be finalised in consultation with the experts, local communities and relevant stakeholders to ensure environmentally sustainable tourism growth across the UT. The Committee undertook a comprehensive appraisal of major eco-tourism destinations, revenue trends over the last five years and environmental challenges confronting the sector. The Chairman reviewed the measures taken to promote eco-friendly tourism, including declaration of tourist and religious destinations as plastic and polythene-free zones. The Department informed that awareness programmes are being conducted under national campaigns such as Travel for Life: Tourism for Tomorrow and Swachhata Hi Seva. Besides, enforcement mechanisms have been strengthened at destinations like Dodhpathri and Youmarg. He directed all CEOs of Tourism Development Authorities to submit destination-wise details on plastic-free initiatives and its enforcement. The Committee reviewed environmental compliance by Tourism Development Authorities, the status of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), including proposed mini-STPs, water quality, pollution control, solid waste management, carrying capacity of tourist destinations and implementation of tourism master plans. Particular concern was expressed over environmental issues related to Tawi Golf Club, Jammu, degradation of wetlands and illegal constructions and encroachments in tourist areas. The Committee directed the concerned authorities to submit comprehensive reports and ensure time-bound corrective measures. The chairman of the committee, M Y Tarigami informed that Baldev Raj Sharma, MLA, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency Katra, had submitted a representation highlighting serious environmental concerns in Katra, including the village Tun, Panchayat Arli Hansali, Katra besides environmental concerns relating the Shalimar Park water filtration plant, water tanker filling stations at Chamba and Jhajjar, the proposed Inter Modal Station (IMS), and illegal dumping of waste along the KatraReasi Road. The Tourism Department and JKPCC were directed to examine the issues and submit detailed reports with remedial measures. The Committee reviewed the status of encroachments on wetlands, lakes, water bodies and tourism department land. It stressed for protection of environmentally sensitive areas in coordination with the District Administration, Revenue and Police departments. Further, the Committee directed that all cases of unauthorized occupation be monitored regularly and retrieval actions be expedited. The panel also examined the preventive and remedial measures undertaken by the Department including installation of waste segregation facilities, scientific waste management, restriction on single-use plastics, promotion of eco-friendly mobility solutions and strengthening community participation in conservation. Taking cognizance of the incessant rains currently prevailing across Jammu and Kashmir, the Chairman of the Committee directed the Flood & Irrigation Department to take all requisite measures and ensure full preparedness to deal with any emergent situation arising out of continuous rainfall. Chairman JKPCC, Special Secretary Tourism, Director SKICC, Director Tourism Jammu, CEOs of all Developmental Authorities along with senior officers of the Tourism Department, JKPCC, Tourism Development Authorities and the J&K Legislative Assembly Secretariat attended the meeting.

US Military Launches New Strikes on Iran as Clashes Escalate Over Shipping Routes

A short time later, Iranian state media reported explosions along the strait in Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, where two people were reportedly injured, as well as to the northwest near Andimeshk, Omidiyeh and Firuzabad.

No ramp access at Shopian district hospital, mini secretariat despite accessibility mandate

Two of Shopian's key public buildingsthe District Hospital and the Mini Secretariat continue to operate without ramps, making access difficult for people with disabilities, elderly visitors and patients despite being built at a combined cost of nearly Rs 59 crore. The District Hospital Shopian, built by the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) at a cost of around Rs 23 crore and handed over to the health department in 2019, lacks ramp access. Similarly, the Mini Secretariat, which houses several government offices and was constructed at a cost of about Rs 36 crore, does not have a ramp. Although both buildings are equipped with lifts, visitors either have to first climb a flight of stairs to reach them or face difficulties in case of power failure. The absence of ramps forces people with disabilities to rely on attendants or bystanders to enter the buildings. Elderly citizens, pregnant women and patients with fractures or other movement-related ailments also face difficulty accessing essential services, said Mohammad Iqbal, a resident. The lack of barrier-free access is particularly significant at the district hospital, which receives hundreds of patients every day. As a healthcare facility, it is expected to provide safe and convenient access to all, especially those seeking treatment for illnesses or injuries that restrict movement. Residents said it was surprising that the two buildings, constructed in recent years, did not include one of the most basic accessibility features despite having lifts installed. The exclusion defeated the purpose of creating inclusive public infrastructure and urged the authorities to install ramps without delay., said the residents. They said ramps would benefit not only persons with disabilities but also senior citizens, patients on stretchers and attendants accompanying the sick. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates that public buildings be made accessible to persons with disabilities. The Centre's Accessible India Campaign also aims to improve barrier-free access in government buildings across the country. Residents have urged the district administration and the concerned departments to address the issue, saying that the presence of lifts alone cannot ensure accessibility in case of emergencies.

J&K records over 7.63 lakh pre-litigation legal consultations under DISHA Scheme

The Union Government has extended the DISHA Scheme as DISHA 2.0 for another five years (202631), with Jammu and Kashmir among the beneficiaries, after an independent evaluation found the programme effective in expanding access to legal services. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Ministry of Law and Justice had commissioned an independent third-party evaluation-cum-impact assessment of the erstwhile DISHA Scheme (202126) through the Quality Council of India (QCI). The assessment highlighted the relevance of the scheme, leading to its extension for nationwide implementation. The DISHA 2.0 scheme seeks to provide accessible, affordable, technology-enabled and people-centric legal services through its four componentsTele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services), the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme, and VIDHI (Vision for Integrated Delivery of Harmonised Legal Initiatives) Sanjeevani. The minister said that under the Tele-Law programme, people can obtain pre-litigation legal advice from panel lawyers through a mobile application, the toll-free number 14454, and video or teleconferencing facilities available at Common Service Centres (CSCs) at the panchayat level. As of June 30, 2026, a total of 7,63,148 pre-litigation legal consultations had been provided in Jammu and Kashmir by five panel lawyers through the CSC network. In addition, eight Nyaya Sahayaks working across 10 Aspirational Blocks had registered 1,222 calls to facilitate legal service delivery. Under the Nyaya Bandhu programme, which provides free legal assistance to eligible beneficiaries through registered pro bono advocates, 197 advocates from the Bar Council of Jammu and Kashmir had enrolled as of June 30, 2026. The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme aims to strengthen legal awareness through workshops, webinars, IEC campaigns and collaborations with government departments and institutions. The minister said VIDHISanjeevani, a new component under DISHA 2.0, will introduce a centralised integrated dashboard to monitor programme implementation and service delivery in real time. The platform will also be integrated with the Nyaya Setu AI chatbot to provide AI-enabled legal assistance and improve user interaction. According to the ministry, the VIDHISanjeevani initiative is expected to reach 50 lakh beneficiaries across the country during the 202631 implementation period.

J&K witness additional security measures a day after Anantnag terror incident

Joint parties of J&K Police, Central Reserve Police Force and security agencies across Jammu and Kashmir have been placed on alert following the targeted killing of a policeman in a busy market in Anantnag on Wednesday triggering one of the most extensive crackdowns in recent months. Intensified surveillance, strengthened checkpoints and widespread search operations are underway even as the houses of two active terrorists were demolished overnight and nearly 2,800 suspected over-ground workers detained for questioning. Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi of the 3rd Battalion of the Indian Reserve Police was shot dead at close range on Wednesday when terrorists opened fire on a police party who had gone for a search operation in Anantnags Lal Chowk market area. Reports of additional security measures were received from almost all parts of Jammu division. Security forces across Jammu and Kashmir have significantly stepped up joint frisking operations, vehicle checks and surveillance following the killing. J&K Police, CRPF and other security agencies are conducting coordinated frisking at scores of locations across the Valley. Movement of people and vehicles is being closely monitored, with additional checkpoints established on major roads, highways and entry points to towns and cities. Joint parties are seen checking car boots, two-wheelers and pedestrians at roadside posts, particularly in Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam and other sensitive districts. The intensified measures come amid continuous rainfall, yet operations have remained uninterrupted. A CRPF Srinagar Sector spokesperson said security across Kashmir has been placed on high alert. Security forces have intensified surveillance, strengthened checkpoints and launched search operations to maintain law and order. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces, the force stated. Srinagar Police confirmed that coordinated raids and frisking drives form part of ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt terror-support networks. Officials said the joint operations aim to prevent any further attempts to disturb peace while ensuring public safety. A high-level security review chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is examining the emerging threat scenario and the status of the Amarnath Yatra, which remains suspended due to weather conditions. Authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate fully with security personnel during checks and report any suspicious activity. The enhanced frisking, extra checkpoints and continuous surveillance are expected to remain in force in the coming days as investigations into the Anantnag attack continue. Senior police officials described the drive as a sustained effort to identify, disrupt and neutralise terror-support structures while ensuring the safety and security of the public. The CRPFs Srinagar Sector said security forces had ramped up ground operations across Kashmir. Security across Kashmir has been placed on high alert following the terrorist attack in Anantnag. Security forces have intensified surveillance, strengthened checkpoints and launched search operations to maintain law and order. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces, CRPF said in a post on X, sharing photographs of troopers conducting vehicle checks and frisking at multiple points amid rainfall. A high-level security to review meeting was also chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with top security officials at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar. The huddle is examining emerging threats and the status of the Amarnath Yatra, which remains suspended due to heavy rains and flood threat along the pilgrimage routes. Qureshi is survived by his mother, wife and three children. He had joined the police force in place of his father, a constable who died in an accident on the Srinagar-Jammu highway nearly three decades ago.

Northern Railway runs Special Srinagar-Katra Train

With the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remaining closed due to heavy rainfall, landslides and shooting stones, the Northern Railway has announced a special train service between Srinagar and Katra to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers. According to railway officials, the special train has depart from Srinagar at 5:00 pm on Thursday and reach Katra at 8:15 pm. On the return journey, the train will leave Katra at 8:45 am on Friday and arrive in Srinagar at 11:50 am.

Movement, construction restricted in flood-affected Bela Colony in Rajouri

District Magistrate Rajouri Abhishek Sharma has prohibited public and vehicular movement and suspended all construction activity in flood-affected Bela Market and Bela Colony following severe flooding caused by the Rajouri Tawi River during the intervening night of July 1819, 2026. The order, as per an official statement, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, read with relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, follows technical assessments by the Irrigation and Flood Control Division. GPS-based mapping and geo-referenced inundation data confirmed that floodwaters extended beyond the normal riverbank, causing erosion, land instability and a continued threat to life and property. Entry, movement and assembly by unauthorised persons and civilian vehicles in the notified areas stand prohibited with immediate effect.All construction-related activities, including excavation, earth-filling, foundation work, erection or repair of structures, dumping of material, deployment of machinery and any alteration in land use, have been suspended. No such activity may be undertaken without written permission from the District Magistrate and clearance from the competent technical authorities. The restrictions will remain until hydrological, hydraulic and land-use assessments are completed and vulnerable zones scientifically demarcated. The District Administration has directed barricading of all approach roads, link roads and pedestrian tracks leading to hazardous stretches along the Rajouri Tawi River. Additional Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Tehsildar Rajouri and the engineering departments concerned have been instructed to jointly demarcate the inundation zone, identify ongoing construction works, issue stop-work directions wherever necessary and submit a compliance report within 24 hours. Emergency and relief personnel, Police, SDRF, NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, medical teams, Executive Magistrates and other authorised agencies remain exempted. Senior Superintendent of Police Rajouri has been directed to enforce the order through police deployment, checkpoints and joint RevenuePolice patrols. The order is effective immediately and shall remain operative for 60 days unless modified or rescinded earlier. The District Administration has appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities in the interest of safety.

Congress seeks special package for flood affected people

Congress on Thursday demanded special relief and rehabilitation package for the flood affected people and population of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the devastations and loss of lives in Poonch & Rajouri, besides enhancement in the ex-gratia relief for the loss of lives and for house damages, terming the present scale of relief as inadequate. Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan, PCC HQ Jammu JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla and Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, as per a party statement, said that the nature has created havoc in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir especially in Poonch and Rajouri districts and Ramban where maximum loss of lives besides private and public property has taken place, hundreds of houses, vehicles and their property damaged. They said Surankote, Mandi in Poonch has witnessed maximum casualties, out of 30 casualties in Poonch district, eight are still missing while out of five in Rajouri Dist , two are still missing. Hundreds of houses completely or partially damaged, vehicles, shops, Ata Chakkis, Gharats and other property besides water and power infrastructure roads, bridges and Govt. buildings have suffered extensive damage. Rajouri-Poonch is without power and water for the last over five days due to extensive damage. The local district administration in both districts have done commendable job so far, as our local leaders including MLA Rajouri Ifitkhar Ahmed, Former Minister Shabir Ahmed Khan, DCC President Poonch EX-DDC Shah Nawaz Choudhary alongwith teams of senior leaders are in constant touch with local administration and the people and engaged in the rescue, relief measures. But there is dire need of adequate funds especially special package to enhance the ex-gratia relief amount for loss of lives, besides house collapse/house damages and other private properties of individuals who have suffered huge damages. Six Lac for loss of bread earner or !.30 Lac for house collapse is too meagre and amount which needs to be enhanced. The Centre Govt. must declare it as National disaster as over 30 persons have either lost lives or missing so far and hundreds of houses, vehicles and roads, bridges damaged, for which special reconstruction and rehabilitation package is required without delay. All 29 MLAs and MPs of BJP should approach Centre Govt. and persuade Modi Govt to announce adequate special package to prove required relief to the affected people. So far, the loss of private properties and the damage to public infrastructure including roads and bridges was not compensated or repaired /reconstructed in Jammu region, last year, which is failure of all BJP MLAs-MPs. Citing the case of famous Bhair Devta near Nagrota, where the bridge connecting the Devsthan and hundreds of people has not been undertaken for reconstruction yet and it is the congress party which provided a motor-boat to the devotees, people and school children but neither Govt nor BJP representatives could do it. It is time to rise above politics and help the uprooted people, instead of only lip service or photo ops, they added. The party also demanded atleast six months free ration to affected people who have lost everything.

Javed Rana reviews flood relief, restoration in Mendhar

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Thursday reviewed relief, restoration and rehabilitation measures in flood-hit areas of Mendhar in Poonch district, directed officials to expedite damage assessment and restoration works, and assured affected families that the government would provide all possible assistance while strengthening long-term flood protection infrastructure. The officers, as per an official statement, briefed the Minister on the extent of damage to public infrastructure, restoration of essential services, relief operations and the status of damage assessment. The Minister directed the officers to expedite restoration works, ensure timely assistance to the affected families and maintain close inter-departmental coordination to facilitate early return to normalcy. Javed Rana directed the district administration to receive and scrutinise all relevant documents submitted by the affected people to ensure that all genuine cases are processed expeditiously for relief, compensation and rehabilitation in accordance with the prescribed norms. Addressing the affected residents, the Minister appealed to them to extend full cooperation to the administration in accurate assessment process. He assured them that the government would examine every eligible case with sympathy and provide all possible assistance. The Minister directed the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to take immediate measures for restoration of breaches at various vulnerable points along the Mankote Nallah and other affected locations. He also issued on-the-spot instructions to the department to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for all sites damaged by the floods, covering both the temporary restoration works for immediate relief and permanent measures to strengthen flood protection infrastructure and mitigate future risks. He further directed the district administration and all line departments to work in close coordination and ensure immediate restoration of all essential services. He instructed the officers to expedite damage assessment and ensure that relief reaches every affected household without any delay. Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana also undertook an extensive tour of the flood-affected areas of Mendhar in Poonch district to assess the damage caused by the recent heavy rains and flash floods and review the ongoing relief, restoration and rehabilitation measures. During his visit, the Minister was accompanied by SDM Mendhar, Imran Kataria and senior officers from various departments. He inspected the flood-affected areas of Chajjla, Mankote, Dabraj, Balnoi, Bhatidhar and Salwah to assess the damage caused by the recent flash floods.

Fair weather aids relief efforts in Rajouri, Poonch

After battling continuous heavy rainfall for more than five days, the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir finally witnessed a significant improvement in weather conditions on Thursday, bringing much-needed relief to residents. According to locals, intermittent rainfall and overcast skies continued during the morning hours, but the weather gradually improved by the afternoon as clouds began to disperse. For the first time in nearly a week, bright sunshine was witnessed across the region, marking the end of an extended spell of inclement weather. The prolonged rainfall had severely disrupted normal life across the hilly districts, with widespread waterlogging, landslides, road blockades and damage to public infrastructure. The situation worsened on July 19 when flash floods struck several areas of Rajouri and Poonch, leaving behind a trail of destruction, damaging houses, shops, roads and other essential infrastructure. The return of fair weather has brought a sense of relief among the people, who had been struggling with the adverse conditions for several days. The improved weather has also enabled government departments to intensify restoration and relief operations in the affected areas. Officials said the clear weather has particularly helped electricity department teams accelerate efforts to restore power supply in flood-affected areas, where transmission infrastructure suffered extensive damage due to floods and heavy rains. Restoration of essential services, including road connectivity and electricity, is now expected to gain momentum with the improvement in weather conditions, said officials.

DFA Srinagar finalises groups for Premier Division Football League

The District Football Association (DFA) Srinagar, on Thursday, conducted the Premier Division Team Managers Meeting at TRC Synthetic Turf, Srinagar. During the meeting, the draw of lots was held in the presence of team managers, following which the 18 participating teams were divided into three groups. The meeting, as per a DFA statement, concluded successfully with all participating clubs extending their cooperation for the smooth conduct of the league. The Srinagar Premier Division Football League 202627 is scheduled to commence from Sunday, marking the beginning of another exciting season of football under the aegis of DFA Srinagar.

Sooryavanshi becomes youngest player to score fifty in men's international cricket

India's 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player in the world to score a fifty in men's international cricket, reaching the mark in just 18 balls in the first T20I against Zimbabwe here on Thursday. His knock featured 4 fours and 4 sixes as India race toward the target of 126 following a blistering start at the Harare Sports Club. Opting to bowl first, India restricted hosts Zimbabwe to 125 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. Sooryavanshi broke the world record previously held by Nepal's Kushal Malla to continue his meteoric rise in top-flight cricket. Mall was 15 years and 340 days when achieved the milestone while Sooryavanshi is 15 years and 118 days old. India are currently touring Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series.

India beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in first T20I

Wonderkid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed an 18-ball half century in his first innings of substance in international cricket as an all-round India outplayed Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the first T20 of the three match series here on Thursday. Pacer Mayank Yadav made a successful return to international cricket as India restricted Zimbabwe to 125 for seven. India expectedly gunned down the target in 13.2 overs following a typical knock from Sooryavanshi (50 off 19) that included four boundaries and as many sixes. It was also India's first win under new captain Shreyas Iyer, who endured a run of six losses in his first assignment in Ireland and England. Sooryavanshi's much hyped international debut in England earlier this month did not go as per the script but made his familiarity with the venue count. In his return to the ground where he made a memorable 80-ball 175 in the U-19 World Cup final earlier this year, the youngest to play for India displayed his rare talent that has been acknowledged by the cricketing world. While Abhishek Sharma (1 off 8) struggled at the other end, Sooryavanshi took down the Zimbabwe attack bit by bit. He began with couple of breathtaking sixes off Richard Ngarava in the second over of the chase. The first one was a one legged pull shot that sailed over deep square leg before he made a slight room to nonchalantly a dispatch a decent length ball over mid-off. Blessing Muzarabani, who did not allow Sooryavanshi to free his arm initially, was also taken to the cleaners in fifth over when the 15-year-old smoked a 90m six down the ground. He brought his fifty right after powerplay and a ball later he was caught at third man off Ngarava. Following his dismissal, Ishan Kishan (35 off 24) and captain Shreyas Iyer (28 not out off 24) got the job done comfortably. Earlier, Mayank Yadav cranked up serious pace from the get go in his first game for India since October 2024. He had opener Brian Bennett (0) caught behind off a peach the very first ball of the match, beating the batter with a hard length ball that straightened slightly to take the outside edge. The on-field umpire did not hear the nick but a confident India got the decision in their favour via DRS. Mayank, who had a surgery last year following a stress fracture, consistently hit speeds beyond 145 kmph. He targeted the back of a length area and often hurried the batters with his pace. Extra pace had a role to play in his second wicket as Dion Myers (6) failed to time his pull shot in the fifth over. Debutant Ashok Sharma, who went for couple of boundaries in his first over, stemmed the flow of runs in his following two overs. Not familiar with the conditions, India captain Shreyas Iyer put the home in to bat. With Bennett's ball one dismissal, Zimbabwe felt instant pressure and their situation got worse by the powerplay as they struggled to 26 for three. Sensing an opportunity to score against Shivam Dube, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza went for the release shot only to be caught at deep square leg, making it 32 for four in the eighth over. Ryan Burl (26 off 35), Wessly Madhevere (38 off 34) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (27 not out off 20) were able to hang around for a while, helping their team cross the 120-run mark. Marumani played some entertaining shots in the cow corner region. Ravi Bishnoi, who had made a disastrous comeback in the UK, ended with tidy figures of 24 for one in his four overs.

India will leave lasting institutional legacy with 2030 CWG: Union Sports Minister

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said India is committed to leaving a lasting institutional legacy when it hosts the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030 at Ahmedabad. Addressing the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting here, Mandaviya urged for a stronger, member-driven framework for Commonwealth sports. As the host of the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games and the 13th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Amdavad, we are committed to delivering an exceptional Games, while leaving behind a lasting institutional legacy for Commonwealth sport, he said in a release issued by Sports Ministry. Mandaviya also outlined the governance reforms, strengthened anti-doping framework, and flagship initiatives such as Khelo India to nurture grassroots talent. He also said India strongly supports the plan to establish a Commonwealth Sport Coordination Forum as an annual platform to translate ministerial decisions into action. India would be pleased to host meetings, technical workshops and regional consultations in the lead-up to 2030, he said. Mandaviya reaffirmed India's readiness to host the 2030 Games, stating that Ahmedabad is fully prepared to deliver a historic, sustainable, and memorable edition of the Games. He also endorsed the proposed leadership model under which the incoming host nation of the Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting would serve as Chair, with the President of Commonwealth Sport serving as Co-Chair. India will be honoured to assume the Chair of CABOS for the 20262030 cycle, he said. Mandaviya urged Commonwealth nations to strengthen partnerships. Let us build institutions that endure, strengthen collaboration that delivers results, and harness the transformative power of sport for future generations. India reaffirms its commitment to safe, inclusive, and equitable sport systems that respect human rights and create opportunities for all, he said.

Bill containing provisions for strict action against paper leaks to be introduced in Parliament: PM Modi

New Delhi, Jul 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday that a bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week. In a video message, Modi also said the contours of the bill will be discussed at a meeting of the Union Cabinet to be held on Friday, where the proposed legislation will be finalised. The cabinet will discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday and taking suggestions of the cabinet colleagues, further action would be finalised. On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks and we will try to pass it as early as possible, he said. The prime minister said he knows that paper leaks are not a small issue and for lakhs of students and their guardians, such incidents are extremely painful. Therefore, since allegations of NEET paper leak surfaced about two-and-a-half months ago, several strong steps have been taken, he added. The guilty have been caught. They are now in jail. Our most significant responsibility was to ensure that the students do not lose a year. It was necessary to hold the examination immediately. By using all resources, the government has ensured that 22 lakhs students could attend the retest, he said. Modi said the results of the medical-entrance re-test were declared on July 19 and from across India, there have been reports of happiness from those who were successful. The prime minister said he is not among those who would be satisfied with this. That is why I have given directions to the authorities concerned to set up fast-track courts. The fast-track courts have already been established, he said.

Breach in Tailbal Nallah embankments inundates several houses

Srinagar, Jul 23:Rise in water level in Tailbal Nallah following incessant rains caused breach in its embankments and flooding of various houses. Panic gripped the Tailbal area when the swelling nallah breached embankments at several places, inundating residential pockets. Water also spilled onto the main road connecting Tailbal with Shalimar, disrupting traffic and forcing motorists to take alternate routes. We have been watching the water level since morning. The nallah has overflowed at several spots and entered nearby areas. Families are worried because continuous rainfall has already weakened the embankments, said a resident of Khawajabagh Tailbal. Shabir Ahmad, another resident of Kashipora area at Tailbal said people came out of their homes to monitor the situation and assist in strengthening vulnerable stretches. The road remained waterlogged for hours and vehicles struggled to pass. We fear that if it rains heavily again, the situation could worsen very quickly, he said. An official said that Police and civil administration visited the affected areas during the day and supervised reinforcement of vulnerable embankments using sandbags. Residents were also seen joining the efforts by placing sandbags and monitoring water flow along vulnerable stretches of the nallah, Water levels also rose in the River Jhelum, while increased flow was witnessed in flood spill channels passing through Mehjoor Nagar, Bemina and other parts of Srinagar. As a precautionary measure, authorities reinforced vulnerable embankments along flood channels with sandbags. Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said the situation remained under control. The water level in the River Jhelum, flood channels and Tailbal Nallah has increased because of continuous rainfall, but it remains below the flood declaration mark. Our teams are monitoring the situation round the clock, an official said. Despite the official assurance, residents questioned whether adequate flood mitigation measures had been put in place after the devastating 2014 floods. Every time the water level rises, fear returns. Twelve years after the floods, people still do not feel confident that adequate preventive measures are in place. We should not have to worry every time it rains for a few days, said a resident living along the Jhelum. Meanwhile, the prolonged wet spell also continued to affect daily life across Srinagar. Waterlogged road stretches, potholes and open manholes in parts of downtown, Hazratbal and other localities continued to slow traffic, particularly affecting two-wheelers during peak hours. For the fifth straight day, commuting has become difficult. Water hides potholes and damaged roads, making every journey risky, said a commuter from downtown Srinagar.

DC Srinagar assesses situation arising out of inclement weather

Srinagar, Jul 23:In view of the inclement weather, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, who is also the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), today visited the Flood Control Room at Ram Munshi Bagh and reviewed the prevailing situation and preparedness measures put in place. During the visit, the DC chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior Officers and assessed the current water levels, gauge readings, discharge trends and readiness of the departments to respond effectively to any emerging situation. At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner was briefed about the latest gauge readings, status of River Jhelum and its tributaries and the mechanism established for round-the-clock monitoring and dissemination of real-time information. He also reviewed the contingency measures being implemented by various departments to tackle any emerging situation. Stressing the need for constant vigilance, the DC directed the Irrigation & Flood Control Department and other line departments to maintain uninterrupted monitoring of all gauge stations and vulnerable locations. He instructed Officers to closely track the evolving situation, maintain real-time data analysis and ensure timely dissemination of updates to facilitate prompt decision-making. The Chairman DDMA directed the concerned Departments to undertake strengthening and protective measures at all identified vulnerable spots well in advance and ensure swift action in case of any emergent situation. Emphasizing the importance of close coordination among all stakeholders, the DC called for an efficient preparedness and response mechanism to evolving situation. He directed Officers to remain in a state of readiness by mobilizing manpower, machinery and resources, particularly at vulnerable locations. The DC/Chairman DDMA underscored the need for seamless coordination among the Revenue teams, Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Fire & Emergency Services and other concerned agencies for seamless and coordinated preparedness efforts. He directed the concerned agencies to pre-position adequate manpower, rescue teams and essential equipment besides mobilizing field staff in advance, especially in vulnerable areas, to effectively deal with any weather-related emergencies. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, CEO DDMA, Aadil Fareed, Director IMD Srinagar Station, Mukhtar Ahmad, IAS Probationer Alfred Thomas, SP Headquarter, Umar Shah, SP Joint Commissioner SMC, Nuzhat Khurshid, Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Superintending Engineers Hydraulic, Er Anmbreen Anjum, SDM West, Irfan Bahadur, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Umar Gulzar, Executive Engineers of R&B, PHE, KPDCL, UEED, Mechanical Irrigation, I&FC, SMC, Executive Engineers, all Tehsildars, Officers from NDRF, SDRF, Health, Legal Metrology, Fire & Emergency, Forest, FCS&CA, Civil Defence and other Departments.

Thousands cant be arrested over an old list of suspects: Sajad Lone

Srinagar, Jul 23:J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Thursday strongly criticised the mass detention of people across people. You cannot summon and arrest thousands of people because their name is included in the OGW list, Lone said, adding that the list's age alone should prompt reconsideration of its continued use as grounds for detention. The PC chief invoked the broader framework of conflict resolution, noting that societies in similar situations have historically pursued reintegration rather than perpetual suspicion. There is a concept of reintegration in conflict situations. People who have taken to arms are eventually encouraged and facilitated to reintegrate with society, he said, arguing that the current approach runs counter to this established principle, as per a statement. Lone was unambiguous in his opposition to the scale of the crackdown, describing it as collective retribution rather than targeted law enforcement. I don't agree with the concept of mass arrests. It looks more like community punishment, he stated. He further accused that it is not a neutral or purely security-driven document, claiming several names were added in the past for political reasons rather than genuine security concerns. This list is not divine. There are many names in there which are there because of political affiliations inserted at the behest of rulers in the past, he said, calling for a fresh review of its contents.

CM Omar patronised 2012 MBBS entrance exam scam accused: Sunil Sharma

Jammu, Jul 23:Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Kumar Sharma on Thursday accused the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of patronising the main accused in 2012 MBBS entrance exam scam and maintained that the then NC-Congress government acted only after the judicial intervention. In a statement issued here countering the Chief Ministers assertion and his backing by the Congress, Sharma said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir did not forget how Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rewarded the main accused in the biggest MBBS entrance scam by not only granting him an extension, but also appointing him to a postsuperannuation job as consultant. He maintained, Omar Abdullah should be the last person to sermonise on transparency and accountability, as he holds the ignominious distinction of being the chief patron of the main accused in the MBBS paper selling scam. Before giving lectures on transparency and portraying himself as holierthanthou, the Chief Minister should not forget how he gave an extension to Mushtaq Peer, the main accused in selling question papers of the Common Entrance Test2012 in exchange for monetary considerations. Who appointed him as consultant for fasttrack recruitment of Class IV posts? The people of Jammu and Kashmir know that the Omar Abdullahled government patronised the main accused, Sunil Sharma alleged. He further questioned why Omar Abdullah and investigating agencies under his control as Chief Minister as well as Home Minister of J&K remained silent on the scam and intervened only after the High Courts intervention in the matter. The Courts intervention came after the Amicus Curiae apprised it that there were reports of question papers of the JKCET2012 being sold before scheduled dates against huge monetary considerations, but nothing was done by the Vigilance Organisation or the Crime Branch despite specific complaints, LoP said. Sunil Sharma maintained that selective memory did not erase history, CM Omar was conveniently hiding the fact that paper leak allegations also surfaced during the conduct of the JE Electrical Examination in 2025. LoPs statement came after the Chief Minister tweeted in response to the reference of SSB paper leak in J&K by the Union Minister for Health J P Nadda in a press conference in the union capital on Thursday. You are absolutely correct about the SSB paper leak in J&K @JPNadda ji but you have got the date wrong. It was 2022. The government wasnt of NC & Congress. It was a government headed by Lt. Governor but thank you for reminding everyone of this failure. It involved these observations & orders of the J&K High Court. We have no idea what happened to the High Level Committee or its report. Perhaps you can share that with us in your next press conference, CM Omar posted on X. His statement was also backed by JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma on the microblogging site. Rightly pointed out Honble CM Sahib. Their facts are wrong & memories are short and weak on actions & corrections, Ravinder Sharma posted.

PDP, PC, Apni Party delivered BJP's 70-year agenda: Sagar

Srinagar, Jul 23:National Conference General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar Thursday launched a scathing attack on the PDP, Peoples Conference (PC) and Apni Party, calling them the BJP's A, B and C Teams who enabled the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A and are now attempting to rewrite history. Addressing a special meeting at the party headquarters, Sagar said it was the PDP's opportunistic alliance with the BJP in 2015 that opened the floodgates for the saffron party's political expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, ultimately culminating in the unconstitutional abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, as per a press release. Those who escorted the BJP into the corridors of power, legitimised its political footprint and enabled the assault on Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional identity have no moral, political or ideological right to lecture the National Conference on Articles 370 and 35-A. They stand exposed before the people, he said. The meeting reviewed organisational affairs, upcoming party programmes and the government's relief and rescue operations following the recent weather-related devastation across J&K. Participants also hailed the resounding success of the National Conference-led protest in New Delhi for the restoration of statehood and thanked all political parties and individuals who stood shoulder to shoulder with the party in its democratic struggle. Sagar expressed gratitude to the parties that joined the movement, while castigating the PDP, Peoples Conference and Apni Party for boycotting the protest. They chose to appease their political masters in Delhi and Nagpur instead of standing with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Their absence exposed their double standards and reaffirmed their role as the BJP's political surrogates. They preach unity from television studios but desert the people when history demands courage and conviction, he said. Launching a blistering attack on the PDP, Sagar accused the party of sacrificing the interests, dignity and constitutional safeguards of J&K for the sake of power. The PDP embraced the BJP, normalised its politics in Jammu and Kashmir, facilitated the extension of one central law after another and paved the road to August 5, 2019. Today, the very architects of that political disaster are masquerading as champions of Article 370. It is the height of hypocrisy. The people have neither forgotten nor forgiven their betrayal, he asserted. Responding to Mehbooba Mufti's recent remarks, Sagar said they stemmed from political desperation rather than principle. It was not the National Conference but the PDP that dug the grave of Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional position. Those who bartered the State's interests for power cannot now wrap themselves in the flag of Article 370. Political theatrics cannot erase historical facts, he said. Referring to PC, Sagar said the party abandoned the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) at the first opportunity to curry favour with the BJP. He recalled that the party's founder had publicly advocated consigning Article 370 o the sea, saying the party's politics had always revolved around advancing the BJP's agenda in Jammu and Kashmir. He described Apni Party as a post-August 5 political experiment conceived to legitimise the erosion of Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional and democratic rights. Sagar further said that the PDP used the PAGD merely as an electoral lifeline to revive its dwindling political fortunes ahead of the District Development Council elections. The moment its narrow political interests were served, it abandoned the alliance and resumed its smear campaign against the National Conference. Opportunism is the only ideology the PDP has consistently upheld, he said. Reaffirming the National Conference's ideological position, Sagar said Articles 370 and 35-A were the historic constitutional legacy of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and the National Conference and would remain the party's central political commitment. Articles 370 and 35-A are not the PDP's political sloganthey are the National Conference's constitutional legacy. We neither surrendered them nor compromised on them. Unlike seasonal politicians, we have fought every constitutional, political and democratic battle to safeguard the identity, dignity and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Restoration of statehood is the first constitutional milestone towards reclaiming every right that was unlawfully snatched away on August 5, 2019. Our struggle will continue until justice is restored, he declared. The meeting was also addressed by Women's Wing President and MLA Habba Kadal Advocate Shameema Firdous and State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar.

Sanitation distress in rural hamlets

Every visible site is scarred by plastic, sanitary waste, pesticide containers, e-Solid waste crisis is no longer a localized nuisance but a national ecological emergency. Our hamlets are choking on waste; plastic clogged drains, worst flash flood and monsoon flooding; landfills like Achen in Srinagar have become mountains of methane, fire, and leachate; open burning of materials foul the air; and rivers, canals and standing water bodies witness the burden of negligence in terms of lack of scientific disposal of waste. Every visible site is scarred by plastic, sanitary waste, pesticide containers, e-waste and the debris of packaged consumption. There is no solid mechanism in place to deal with the mounting heaps of garbage in and around rural hamlets. It is an eye sore while visualizing the distressing scenes of garbage littered everywhere, along the roadside, in open fields and on the banks of water bodies. There is literally no segregation of wastes at the source level. People in rural hamlets have no idea about what to do with the waste generated on daily basis. What option people actually have to dispose off the waste? People are not even aware about the implementing agency shouldered with the responsibility of rural sanitation and cleanliness. It is the mandate of Rural Development department as per the guidelines of Solid Waste Management Rules (SWM). People need to be in the central scheme of things while chalking out the strategy on how to get rid of this garbage menace. Revised Solid Waste Management Rules 2026: The new Solid Waste management rules came into effect on April 1, 2026.Under the revised Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026, notified by the Union Ministry Of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, fourstream segregation of solid waste at source has been made mandatory. To put it in simple words, waste is required to be segregated into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste; the later includes paint cans, bulbs, mercury thermometers and medicines. The revised rules, which supersedes Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, integrate the principles of circular economy and extended producer responsibility, with a specific focus on waste segregation and management. On paper, it sounds quite good, but what after the segregation of waste is done at the house hold level. Are the garbage collection vehicles truly collecting the segregated wastes? In the first instance, these collection vehicles do not visit the hamlets even for months altogether. In case they occasionally collect the waste, how is that waste treated afterwards? Are there waste processing facilities existent and operational at the Panchayat level or the collected waste is dumped in open dumping sites be it open spaces water bodies. RDD has made majority of the dustbins on the embankments of the water bodies and dumping waste in such dustbins is even more dangerous. Last year after taking up the issue of garbage collection and its subsequent disposal with the concerned Rural Development Department. The department somehow arranged collection vehicles on certain selected routes of Khoveripora block. However the initiative proved to be damp squib as the contracting agency was not consistent in collecting solid waste and its rightful disposal from the households. It has been more than 5 months when the term of contract expired for the company that was hired last year, still the tenders for the current year are yet to be floated. This callous approach has further compounded the menace of solid waste. The non-availability of garbage disposable at the household level has resulted in people throwing garbage at every visible site and even choking rivulets, streams and canals with diapers, sanitary pads and other hazardous non-biodegradable wastes. The untold waste story of River Lidder: River Lidder flowing through the different hamlets of district Anantnag is one of the largest feeding tributary of river Jehlum. The embankments of this river are littered with large heaps of mixed waste. The site of this river especially near Akura of Khoveripora block is distressing as one can visualize the mountains of garbage from a distance. This issue was also recently highlighted by Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, the renowned environmental crusader and founder of RTI Movement of Jammu and Kashmir. In their response, the officials from Municipal Council Anantnag and Mattan were not willing to acknowledge that the major chunk of this solid waste comes from these two municipalities. In case this waste is not dumped by these two municipalities, then who actually are doing this? This is being done on daily basis and tons of waste is being dumped at this site only. The tragic part is that the waste is being dumped during wee hours and the vehicles ferrying the waste are most of the times hiding their number plates. Irrespective of however is doing this, be it MC Anantnag, MC Mattan or the Hoteliers present in large aggregation along the stretch of KP Road, the end result is, the river is getting highly contaminated. There are a number of water supply schemes established within the catchment area of river Lidder and are fed by this river. In fact, 70% of Anantnag town and other hamlets are supplied drinking water from these water supply schemes. Dr. Mushtaq Rather is an Educator

Old Age and Abandonment of Elderly: Some Thoughts

Old age is an interim period between life and death. It can be paradoxically both fascinating and painful. Much depends on how one lives this phase of life. Poets of major languages have reflected on this theme with great poignancy and sometimes reflected upon individual cases to drive home the reality of life and death. Old age necessarily and compulsively evokes memories of youth and looks forwards to the end of lifes journey. Why has the care and concern for elderly by young and adults diminished or completely disappeared from some societies and elders have been abandoned without any qualms of conscience. The truth is that this crisis did not appear all of a sudden. It has been building up for centuries and has only reached its culmination point in the twentieth century. Because of disintegration of a whole value system derived from shared Judo-Christian culture, a new secular culture came into being in the West which destroyed the old cultural moorings. The new culture was individualistic, materialistic, self -centred and body- centric and self- glorifying. The social structures in the rest of the world were still very cohesive, communitarian and supportive of elders as they lived in close-nit joint families, caring for the young and the elderly as they were not affected on a large scale by the changes that had taken place in the west because the new knowledge and its impact on their societies had remained confined to highly educated minuscule minorities in Asian African and other continents . But globalization and technological revolution, the previously unimaginable reach of IT technology wrought havoc in the whole world as western culture spread like wild fire. In a way it democratised and globalized secular modernity, individualism and the cult of materialism that wrecked human relationships and body worship became the highest goal. The duty toward others became an avoidable liability, cumbersome and restrictive of individuals autonomy. It is in this backdrop that elderly persons are neglected, abused, robbed of their property mostly by their own close relatives. One component of the modern knowledge/ outlook on life was social Darwinism and essentialist, exclusivist and autonomous interpretations of feminism devoid of metaphysical grounding which imperceptibly played its role in dismantling collective communitarian supportive structures of the families and the concomitant dehumanization of the entire societies by rapid environmental vandalism and industrialization. Then the biopolitics of the Countries has assumed alarming proportions. After the colossal devastation of World War II and the destruction of human values the UN was formed to revive and uphold human rights and human dignity and its charter of Universal Human Rights was announced in 1948. In spite of breaking a new moment in the history of protecting the dignity and rights of human beings, it has remained a frozen document, a toothless guarantor of human dignity and rights because countries have not upheld its articles in spite of being signatories to it. In fact its articles are observed in breach rather than in compliance. The primary provisions in the UN Chater addressing human rights are Articles 55and 56. Article 55 mandates the members to promote conditions for economic and social progress, development and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Article 56 requires all member nations to pledge themselves to take joint and separate action to achieve these purposes The specific legally binding details are outlined in international Bill of Human Rights which consist of two treaties which are binding on member countries namely, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). These have remained mainly relics securely placed in the cupboard of oblivion. Realistically speaking governments cant do much in alleviating the sufferings of the elderly in spite of different schemes and projects they have launched for the welfare of the elderly as they have larger issues to attend to. Though there are legal mechanisms in place which could be invoked, but the question is who would file cases in the courts and follow their labyrinthine long drawn proceedings for ages when the elderly are already in decrepit state. In India, the primary legislation to protect elderly persons from abuse is the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007. It makes it a punishable offence for children or care takers to abandon or abuse a senior citizen. Then there is BNS and Criminal Procedure and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005. Article 41 of Indian Constitution establishes that the states must make effective provisions for securing public assistance for citizens in cases of old age. Additionally the govt operates the Elderline Helpline 14567 which is supposed to provide immediate on-ground assistance, legal aid and councelling for seniors facing mistreatment. How many elders really make use of it is a million dollar question. Closer home in JK the centres Act has been adopted in 2014 and corresponding bylaws were framed in 2017 and 2021. This legislation ensures financial support, medical care and the protection of life and property of individuals of 60 years and above. It entails mandatory maintenance and support. Adult children and legal heirs are legally required to provide a monthly maintenance allowance to parents and grand parents who cant support themselves. All these safeguardsprotections exist on papers only. In reality majority of people are ignorant about these provisions. But even those who are aware of these dismiss them with disdain as nobody is going to take them to task. The elders generally cant invoke them as that is beyond their means and capacity. After taking the synoptic global and regional overview, let me come down to our local scenario as it is not possible to encompass the problems of elders all over the world as societies respond differently to the challenges we are faced with. Locally we were doing well before the advent of modernity and the rat race for materiality. The first thing, therefore, that needs to be done is to reverse it. The point I am trying to drive home is that there is a dire need to reorient our lives on metaphysical principles which enjoin on all of us besides other things, the responsibilities of the weak and elderly to be performed willingly and lovingly in the family. It is the family support and care alone that could ensure security of the lives of the elderly in every sense. We have to bid goodbye to material lust, to hoarding of property, cheap display of wealth, ostentatious life style; and rehumanise ourselves, narrow down our needs and not be enslaved by lust for more and more. Unless we change our attitude and outlook on life, try to assimilate virtues of service in ourselves, live our faith rather than perform rituals, understand the prime importance of aamali saleh Good Deeds -in our practice of religion and derive satisfaction from it, we will continue to abandon, abuse and avoid the elderly no matter how many laws are there to prevent us. In short, unless we base our actions on the faith in God and His commandments, we will not only leave elderly in lurch but be abandoned, isolated, lonely and desperate when it is our turn. Kashmiris in particular were known for respecting, serving, caring and loving elders so much so that when they would pass away, the families would almost live with the dead, going to their graves every day and offering Fateha for their salvation while giving charity in their name every now and then. Same was true of Pandits and Sikhs; in their own way they would serve the elderly and remember them after their death for years. Even today there are oases in the desert of abandonment, neglect and abuse but these need to be expanded into larger inclusive islands of care and respect for elders, their dignity and human substance. Muhalla committees Masjid committees could act as watch dogs to ensure that elders are looked after well in their respective localities as these are the smallest units after family of our community life. People acting collectively in good faith could alone satisfactorily address familial and social issues. No govt or legal system could substitute active collective communitarian synergy for this sacred task. Hameedah Nayeem, former Professor Department of English, University of Kashmir

I owe my success to him

Death, as we realise bitterly, keeps its own calendar, runs in its own timeline. Divinely ordained, it is a great leveller and rips through all barriers, high and low. It can neither be cajoled nor bribed. It stands deadly insulated against all pleas, mercies and beseeching. Its single frown is enough to numb anyone into a soul-less corpse. Abdul Khaliq Tak popularly known as Tak Zainagiri, was a remarkable man, for decades he served his fellow people in a selfless way that made him a symbol of human goodness and kindness. This most amazing and selfless human being was born for what he achieved in decades of dedication to humanitarian work, a testimony to the natural goodness in all human beings. This great philanthropist of the valley, the iconic founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Trust breathed his last on 24th July, 1989. He was a great Kashmiri philanthropic, social activist, poet, writer and researcher. On his final journey from this world, all people, particularly, orphans, destitute, penniless students, poor and neglected, had tears to express their love for this noble humanitarian soul. Though pangs of separation seared through the hearts of the lovers but the nature has its own ways of putting balm on lacerated wounds and after recuperating steadily through the phase of gloom, his illustrious and dedicated son Zahoor Ahmad Tak and a team of workers, donors, and sympathisers geared up to act together and continue his noble mission of the Jammu and Kashmir Yateem Trust, turning it into a success story. He was born on 19th of May 1924 in a financially modest family with educational upbringing at Hard Shuva Zaingir, Sopore. His father, Haji Ghulam Rasool Tak who was a professional hand and also served as the Imam of the village mosque without any demand for wages; exhibiting his religious touch and spirit. Being the eldest among four brothers, Abdul Khaliq Tak grew up in an environment steeped in learning and moral values. Since his father was enthusiastic about learning Arabic and Persian, he wanted that his children pursued the inspiration. Tak Zaingiri received his early education in these languages at home and later studied up to the eighth standard in the village school and afterwards passed the matriculation examination under Lahore University in 1940 with distinction from a school in Sopore. He earned the distinction of being the first matriculate from the entire Zaingiri region in Tehsil Sopore, District Baramulla, Kashmir. Abdul Khaliq Tak Zainagiri was an exceptionally talented student and family responsibilities and economic hardships compelled him to seek government employment. He joined the Revenue Department as a Patwari during a period when land settlement manoeuvres were in full swing across the state. The work required dexterous officials to serve in remote areas under extremely difficult climatic conditions. His early postings were in Lolab and Handwara. He was promoted as Girdawar, and Naib Tehsildar in 1965 and finally Tehsildar for some time. He was posted in Drass, Kargil during the Indo-Pak war. Despite the difficult circumstances of war, he did a splendid humanitarian service there also. Simultaneously, he came into contact with scholars, saints, and spiritual personalities. According to his son, Mr. Zahoor Ahmad Tak, a coincidental meeting with a mystic known as Munawar Sahib profoundly transformed his fathers life. Although he was already conversant in religious matters, this spiritual awakening deepened his concern for human suffering. He also benefited from the guidance of venerated spiritual personalities such as Kausar Sahib Bandipora, Mama Sahib Kupwara, and Mirak Shah Kashani. This change made him acutely sensitive to the plight of the poor. His extensive travels throughout Kashmir exposed him to a wide range of social issues, further strengthening his pledge to public welfare. His literary pursuits embellished his professional career. Tak Zaingiri wrote the book: Myon Aalaw (3 volumes), Azich Kasheer (a poetic drama, depicting abysmal conditions, exploitation & sufferings of marginalized Kashmiris) and Kashryuk Ellaqa War Phera te Kashir Zaban. This is a linguistic reference book which won him prestigious national Sahitya Academy Award & also an award from J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. After George Griersons Kashmiri dictionary this is the second such linguistic research book depicting different dialects of Kashmiri Language. Tak Zainagiris work focused on socio-cultural evolution, a selfless service. He used to read and listen to the verses of the legendary poet of Kashmir Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor, and occasionally shared his own compositions. He remained intensely attached to the works of Kashmiri Sufi poets and often recited their verses. His poetic outlook, coupled with his meditative nature and unworldly experiences, led him to begin writing seriously and contribute in the realm of art. Perhaps the best way to look at Tak Zangaris legacy is to analyse his character and lifestyle. He, undoubtedly, was the most famous and well-known personality, a real celebrity. But he never lived like a celebrity. He was caring, irrespective of someones status, a firm believer in justice and fairness. He was a true, tireless worker and servant of humanity, who epitomised the following verse of the Holy Quran: Those who strive and work hard for our sake we certainly will show them the way to success. I vividly remember my conversation with Tak Sahab when I had been selected for M. A. English Programme in Kashmir University and was direly in need of money to continue my studies. That day and that noon changed my future when he sanctioned a monthly loan of Rs. 100 without interest in my favour to save my career, which enabled me continue my studies and life a head for better. The greatest legacy left by Tak Zaingiri is the charitable Organisation founded by him in 1972 - The Jammu & Kashmir Yateem Trust. It serves orphans, destitute, marginalised downtrodden sections of people. It stands as the first and oldest charitable organisation in J&K. The Trusts decentralized structure, with 80 units across the region, 13 orphanage centres, allows it to effectively assist people in various areas. Led by a Board of Trustees and guided by its patron, the Trust operates through dedicated volunteers who selflessly contribute their time seeking no compensation. The primary goal of the Trust and its members is to please their Lord, and positively influence the local community. His son Zahoor Ahmad Tak is the patron of the trust at present, and his team works tirelessly to serve the cause of humanity, its advancement through education. It has established a number of educational institutions, vocational and, child care centres. In Kashmir, for the longest time, the name, Tak Zaingiri has been synonymous with relief, protection, empathy and most importantly shelter to orphans. With his passing, Tak Zaingiri passed the baton to his able son, family members and friends who work closely and continue his mission. Taking over the mantle from the Valleys greatest humanitarian is no easy feat, but they are now more committed than ever. Tak Zaingiri set an unparalleled example of service to humanity. He was a priceless asset to the nation of Kashmir who exemplified compassion not only for the people of the valley but for all human beings. On his death anniversary, let us not just remember Tak Zaingiri, let us learn from him. From a man who came with nothing but gave everything. Tak Zaingiri showed us the power of what one person can do when moved by empathy and is anchored in principle.

Who created the crisis, who bears the burden?

Climate change is often presented as a collective failure of humanity to protect the planet. Governments, corporations and international institutions frequently emphasize that we are all responsible and that every country must contribute equally to solving the crisis. While this framing may appear morally appealing, it often conceals two fundamental questions that must be addressed: who created the crisis, and who now bears its consequences? Climate change is not merely a result of human activity but of a historically specific economic systemcapitalismwhose pursuit of accumulation, expansion and profit has reshaped societys relationship with nature and intensified ecological inequalities Marxist political economy provides an important framework for understanding this relationship. For Karl Marx, human beings are not external to nature but exist within it. Through labour, societies maintain a continuous metabolic interaction (Stoffwechsel) with the natural world. Nature provides the material conditions necessary for human survival, while human activity transforms nature to meet social needs. However, capitalism fundamentally alters this relationship. Production under capitalism is organized primarily around accumulation and profit rather than ecological sustainability. Nature is increasingly treated as a commodity and a source of raw materials for economic expansion. The ecological value of forests, rivers, minerals and land becomes secondary to their exchange value within capitalist production. The natural world is therefore incorporated into a system whose central objective is the continuous expansion of capital. Marx identified this as a fundamental contradiction within the capitalist mode of production. Later, John Bellamy Foster developed this argument through the concept of the metabolic rift, explaining how capitalism disrupts the sustainable relationship between society and nature by prioritizing extraction and accumulation over ecological reproduction. David Harvey further argues that capitalism depends on continuous growth because capital must constantly expand through investment, production and markets. Growth is therefore not merely a policy preference but a structural requirement of capitalist accumulation, as stagnation threatens profitability and economic stability. This creates a central ecological contradiction. Capitalism requires continuous expansion, but the planet has finite resources and ecological boundaries. The demand for endless growth produces increasing extraction, energy consumption and environmental pressure. Climate change represents this tension between the logic of perpetual accumulation and the limited capacity of nature to sustain it. If capitalism generates ecological contradictions, the next question is how they became global. From a Marxist perspective, imperialism expanded capitalist accumulation through the search for resources, markets and labour beyond national borders. Colonialism enabled early industrial powers of the Global North to accumulate wealth through unequal relations with colonised societies, whose resources and labour fuelled industrial growth while ecological and social costs were displaced onto them. This history explains todays climate inequality: countries that industrialized first produced the majority of historical emissions, while many Global South countries that contributed far less now face severe climate impacts. Climate change therefore reflects what many scholars describe as ecological unequal exchange. Those who benefited most from carbon-intensive development are also those with greater financial and technological capacity to respond, while those who contributed least often face the greatest vulnerability. These inequalities continue through neoliberal globalisation, where liberalisation, privatisation and market expansion create new avenues for capitalist accumulation. Through what David Harvey calls accumulation by dispossession, resources such as land, forests and minerals are commodified, reinforcing unequal relations and shaping the unequal burdens of the climate crisis. Once the historical origins of the crisis, its global expansion and unequal consequences are understood, attention shifts to contemporary climate governance. Historical responsibility for emissions is increasingly reframed through the language of shared responsibility promoted by governments, corporations and international institutions. Within this discourse have emerged concepts such as green capitalism and green growth, which attempt to reconcile continued economic expansion with environmental sustainability. Climate governance has largely operationalised these approaches through two major strategies: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by transforming energy systems, limiting fossil fuel dependence and addressing the causes of climate change. Adaptation focuses on managing existing and future climate impacts through resilient infrastructure, technological solutions and adjustment measures. Although both strategies are necessary, critical scholars argue that their implementation reflects global inequalities. Wealthy countries of the Global North possess greater financial and technological capacity to pursue both mitigation and adaptation, while many countries of the Global South, despite contributing far less to cumulative emissions, face greater climate vulnerability and limited resources to respond. From a Marxist perspective, the limitations of green capitalism and green growth lead to an alternative framework: degrowth. Rather than attempting to make capitalism environmentally sustainable through technological innovation alone, degrowth argues that wealthy economies with historically excessive resource consumption must reduce unnecessary production and consumption while reorganising economic activity around ecological sustainability and social well-being rather than perpetual economic expansion. This raises an important question: if degrowth addresses the structural roots of the ecological crisis, why has it received far less political support than green growth? Marxist analysis locates the answer in capitalisms own logic of accumulation. Capital cannot remain stationary; it must continuously expand through investment, production and profit generation. As David Harvey argues, capitalism depends upon sustained growth to avoid economic crisis. Degrowth therefore directly challenges the accumulation imperative upon which capitalism depends. Consequently, green capitalism and green growth become politically preferable because they promise climate solutions without fundamentally disrupting existing structures of accumulation. The transition towards renewable energy creates new markets, technologies, financial instruments and opportunities for capital expansion. Carbon markets, electric vehicles, renewable infrastructure and the extraction of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements demonstrate how the green transition can also become a new field of accumulation. From a Marxist perspective, the ecological crisis is therefore not necessarily resolved but reorganized through new forms of extraction and unequal ecological relations. India illustrates these contradictions clearly. Since the neoliberal reforms of 1991, rapid economic growth has been driven by coal, mining, urban expansion and intensive resource extraction. This development model has produced rising carbon emissions, an increasing ecological footprint and a declining ecological carrying capacity, alongside groundwater depletion, biodiversity loss, deforestation and air pollution. While the benefits of growth have accrued unevenly, ecological costs have disproportionately fallen on farmers, Adivasi communities, fishing populations and other resource-dependent groups. These contradictions are particularly evident in Jammu and Kashmir, where retreating glaciers, erratic snowfall and rainfall, declining water availability, and more frequent floods and landslides illustrate how a region that contributed little to historical emissions bears a disproportionate share of the climate crisis. One may agree or disagree with Karl Marxs broader political project, but the central insight of Marxist ecological analysis remains highly relevant: climate change is inseparable from questions of power, production and inequality. Understanding who created the crisis, who benefited from the processes that produced it, and who bears its consequences is essential if climate justice is to move beyond rhetoric and towards meaningful action. Dr. Javid Ahmad Khan, Assistant Professor, Economics; IUST.

Erosion of conscience

History bears witness to a timeless truth: whenever justice and moral principles are sacrificed for personal interests, power, or greed, societies gradually lose their moral compass. Decline does not begin with the collapse of institutions; it starts when individuals entrusted with responsibility choose silence over truth, compromise over integrity, and personal gain over public welfare. Today, one of the gravest challenges confronting humanity is not merely economic inequality or political instabilityit is the erosion of conscience. When honesty is treated as weakness and integrity as an obstacle to success, corruption flourishes. Truth becomes isolated, while falsehood gains acceptance under the guise of expediency. A society cannot prosper through infrastructure or economic growth alone. Its true strength lies in the character of its people and the moral foundations of its institutions. Roads and wealth create material comfort, but only justice, accountability, and ethical conduct guarantee lasting peace and social harmony. When those in authority ignore duties, manipulate facts, or misuse public trust, the consequences extend far beyond individual wrongdoing. Public confidence erodes, citizens feel alienated, and law-abiding people lose faith in the system. Injustice, left unchecked, multiplies rapidly and threatens the very fabric of society. This decline is not confined to any profession. Wherever personal interests overshadow collective welfarein administration, education, business, media, or social lifeethical principles are abandoned, transforming service into self-interest and responsibility into privilege. The role of intellectuals, scholars, writers, and educators becomes critical in such times. The pen has historically been a powerful instrument of reform. But when it becomes subservient to vested interests, society loses a vital means of self-correction. A writers credibility, like a judges impartiality, depends on independence, honesty, and commitment to truth. Public institutions can fulfill their mandate only when transparency and accountability are upheld. The rule of law must apply equally to all, regardless of status. Selective justice undermines the equality upon which democracies are built. Reform, however, is not solely the responsibility of governments. Every individual shapes the moral climate. Families must nurture honesty and responsibility. Educational institutions must emphasize character alongside academics. Religious leaders must inspire ethical conduct. Citizens must have the courage to oppose wrongdoing and support what is right. Moral reform begins with self-accountability. Before questioning others, each must examine their own actions. Transformation comes not through criticism alone but through collective commitment to ethical behaviour and civic duty. The need of the hour is a renewed alliance between truth, justice, and conscience. We must reject the normalization of dishonesty and reaffirm the principles that sustain civilized society. The path may not be easy, and those who stand for truth may face resistance. Yet history shows that societies upholding justice and integrity emerge stronger and more resilient. As citizens, we must rise above divisions and vested interests to protect the values that define our humanity. Let us strive together for a society where truth is not silenced, justice is not delayed, and conscience is not compromised. Only then can we build a future founded on trust, dignity, peace, and genuine progress. Dr. Peer Naseer Ahmad, Advocate at High Court Srinagar.

Kashmirs Growing Flood Risk

The recent heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like events across the Himalayan region have once again reminded us that floods are no longer rare events. They are becoming more frequent and more destructive. Kashmir, which witnessed the devastating floods of 2014, is today more vulnerable to flooding than it was a decade ago. Although flood forecasting and disaster response have improved over the years, overall flood risk has increased because climate change and human activities are making the Valley more susceptible to flooding. Climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events across the Himalayas. Rising temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture, often resulting in very heavy rainfall over a short period. Such intense rainfall can quickly overwhelm rivers, streams, and drainage systems, leading to flash floods and river flooding. In recent weeks, many parts of the Himalayan region have experienced cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, showing that these extreme weather events are becoming more common. However, rainfall alone is not responsible for the increasing flood damage. The landscape of Kashmir has changed significantly over the past decade. Rapid urbanisation, unplanned construction, encroachment of wetlands and floodplains, and changes in land use have reduced the Valleys natural ability to absorb and safely store floodwater. Wetlands that once acted as natural reservoirs have continued to shrink due to urban expansion and encroachments. Floodplains that were meant to safely carry excess river water are increasingly occupied by buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. As cities continue to expand, large areas of open land have been replaced by concrete surfaces. Roads, buildings, parking areas, and paved spaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. Instead, water flows rapidly over these surfaces and enters drains and streams within a short time. When drainage systems cannot handle the sudden increase in runoff, water-logging and urban flooding occur. The recent water-logging witnessed in many parts of Srinagar and other towns during moderate to heavy rainfall clearly demonstrates this growing problem. Another major concern is the shrinking of wetlands. Kashmirs wetlands have historically served as natural flood buffers, storing excess floodwater and releasing it gradually. Unfortunately, despite some conservation efforts, wetlands have continued to decline due to encroachment, land-use changes, pollution, and inadequate protection. Every hectare of wetland that disappears reduces the Valleys capacity to manage floods naturally. The carrying capacity of the Jhelum River has also declined in many places due to siltation and riverbed aggradation. Sediments transported from degraded catchments gradually settle in the river, making the riverbed shallower. As a result, even relatively small increases in river discharge can cause water to overflow onto nearby land. Certain efforts like the dredging may provide temporary relief by increasing the rivers capacity, but it is not a permanent solution. Unless sediment entering the river is controlled through proper catchment management, the problem will continue to return. The condition of the mountains and catchments also plays a very important role in flood generation. The Himalayas are geologically young and fragile. Deforestation, road cutting, slope excavation, quarrying, forest fires, and unplanned development have destabilized many mountain slopes. During heavy rainfall, these degraded slopes generate faster surface runoff because less water is able to infiltrate into the soil. Fragile geology and saturated soils further increase the speed at which water reaches rivers, resulting in higher flood peaks within a short time. Scientific studies also show that degraded catchments experience much greater flood impacts than healthy ones. Well-forested catchments help absorb rainfall, reduce erosion, and slow down the movement of water. In contrast, degraded catchments contribute more sediment to rivers and increase runoff. This combination raises both flood levels and sediment deposition downstream. The low-lying areas of central and south Kashmir remain among the most vulnerable parts of the Valley. Areas along the Jhelum River and its tributaries continue to face high flood risk due to low elevation, shrinking wetlands, floodplain encroachment, poor drainage, and increasing urban development. Similar conditions are now being observed in many villages located along smaller streams and nallahs. Even a modest increase in stream flow can inundate agricultural fields, orchards, roads, and residential areas. Local flooding, once considered uncommon, is becoming increasingly frequent across several parts of the Valley. One important question often asked is whether Kashmir would face another disaster if rainfall similar to that of 2014 were to occur again. The answer depends on several factors. The amount of rainfall is important, but its intensity, duration, and catchment conditions are equally critical. Soil moisture before the rainfall event, the carrying capacity of rivers, the condition of wetlands and floodplains, and the efficiency of flood forecasting and evacuation systems all influence the final impact. If current problems such as encroachment, poor drainage, riverbed aggradation, and catchment degradation continue, rainfall similar to 2014 could still produce widespread flooding. The biggest challenge today is not climate change alone or human activities alone. It is the combination of both. Climate change is producing more intense rainfall, while human interventions have reduced the Valleys natural ability to manage floodwater safely. This means that even moderate rainfall events can now produce significant damage in areas that previously remained unaffected. Reducing future flood risk requires a comprehensive and long-term approach. Dredging rivers alone cannot solve the problem. Kashmir needs an integrated river basin management strategy that addresses both the causes and the impacts of flooding. Wetlands and floodplains must be protected and restored. Upstream catchments should be treated through afforestation, slope stabilization, and soil conservation measures. River training and scientific sediment management should be strengthened to reduce riverbed aggradation. Urban drainage systems must be upgraded to cope with increasing rainfall intensity, while construction in flood-prone areas should be strictly regulated through scientific land-use planning. Infrastructure already built within river high risk floodplains should be scientifically assessed and, wherever feasible, relocated to safer locations. Equally important is strengthening real-time monitoring, flood forecasting, and early warning systems. More automatic weather stations, river monitoring stations, and improved forecasting models can provide timely warnings to vulnerable communities. Public awareness programmes should also become a regular part of disaster management. Communities living in flood-prone areas need to understand flood hazards, safe land-use practices, evacuation procedures, and preparedness measures. Kashmir is entering a new climate reality where extreme rainfall events are likely to become more frequent. The science is clear. The Valleys flood risk is increasing because climate change and human-induced landscape changes are acting together. The solutions are also well known. What is needed now is strong political commitment, scientific planning, strict implementation of land-use regulations, and active public participation. If these steps are taken in time, Kashmir can become more resilient and better prepared to face future flood challenges. Dr. Riyaz Ahmad Mir, Former Sr. Geologist - GSI (Scientist-In-Charge), National Institute of Hydrology, Western Himalayan Regional Centre, Jammu, J&K.

Take people along for restoring peace: CM Omar

Srinagar, Jul 23:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday cautioned against retaliatory measures following the killing of a policeman by terrorists in Anantnag, asserting that terrorism cannot be defeated through force alone and that lasting peace can only be achieved by carrying the people along. I hope we take our people along in this fight. Only then will we achieve real success, CM Omar said. Reacting to the demolition of the houses of two active Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists after Wednesday's attack, he said indiscriminate punitive action would be counterproductive and could alienate the public. I understand the anger of the police, but the Supreme Court has issued an order stating that summary action of this kind should not be taken, the CM told reporters. Drawing parallels with the aftermath of the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, he said a similar trend of demolishing houses had emerged then, forcing him to intervene with the central government to stop such actions. We witnessed a similar situation after the Pahalgam attack when some people's houses were bulldozed. At that time, I had to speak to the central government to stop the trend, CM Omar said. The remarks came hours after authorities razed the houses of two active Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists AdilThokar and Haroon Rashid Ganaie - in Anantnag following the killing of head constable Ashiq Hussain by terrorists. Hussain, who was deployed on AmarnathYatra security duty, was shot dead by a lone terrorist at Lal Chowk in Anantnag on Wednesday afternoon. The CM said experience had shown that security measures alone could not eliminate terrorism unless they were backed by public support. We can reach a certain point using the police, Army and the CRPF, but the real end will come only when the general public stands together against such violence. I hope we take our people along in this fight; only then will we achieve real success, he said. Emphasising the importance of maintaining public trust, CM Omar recalled that investigations into last year's Pahalgam terrorist attack had revealed that none of the attackers were local residents. During the investigation into last year's Pahalgam terror attack, it turned out that not a single local was involved and all the attackers had come from outside, he said. The CM warned that demolishing houses or carrying out mass detentions would not improve the security situation. Demolishing houses or making thousands of arrests will not improve the situation; in fact, it will only worsen it, he said. CM Omar noted that people across Jammu and Kashmir had unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and had once again expressed outrage over the killing of head constable Ashiq Hussain. After the Pahalgam incident, the general public expressed their anger and raised their voice against the terrorist attack. Even today, people are angry over how head constable Ashiq was brutally killed, he said. Referring to reports that more than 1000 Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) had been detained across the Kashmir following Wednesday's attack, the CM said such actions risked shifting public anger away from terrorists and towards the system. He reiterated that while firm action against terrorists was essential, the fight against terrorism could only be won with the confidence and cooperation of the people, warning that measures perceived as indiscriminate could undermine that objective.

Smart City under fire, but Srinagars waterlogging runs deeper

Srinagar, Jul 23:Every spell of intense rainfall in Srinagar reignites criticism of urban infrastructure projects and the Smart City initiative often finds itself at the centre of public agony. But experts say the city's flooding is not about Srinagar Smart City Project Limited, but a basic flaw in what goes into Srinagars drains. It is a multi-layered story of systemic failures, and public apathy, and how it endangers the city and its water bodies. Water-logged Srinagar is a new reality on any stormy day now. Public discourse has linked these changes to SSCL, alleging that drains and pumps that came up across Srinagar under the project fail to dewater most areas fast enough to prevent public agony and financial losses. Former Chief Engineer of Srinagar Smart City Limited, Iftikhar Kakroo, said the facts are contrary to this public perception. He said the city's drainage network was designed according to accepted global engineering standards. These, Kakroo said, cannot be expected to instantly absorb rainfall far beyond its design capacity. No urban drainage system in the world is designed for abnormal precipitation. Srinagar's network is designed for regular storms. During extreme events, temporary waterlogging is inevitable. Pumping starts once the runoff reaches the sumps of the pumping stations and risesupto the level from where pumping can start, he said. Kakroo explained that rainfall has to travel through drains to the nearest pumping station, a process engineers call the ime of concentration. Urban planners believe with climate change the frequency of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events that exceed the capacity of drainage systems have increased. However, the engineering explanation tells only part of the story. Technical analysis of Srinagar's drainage infrastructure point to long standing operational issues. Under a World Bank-funded programme, 49 pumping stations were planned at a cost of around Rs 124 crore. The project was executed by the Magray-Pratibha Joint Venture. Advanced SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system installed by Siemens was procured to improve efficiency and reduce time of action of these pumping stations. Although the project has been completed technically, it has essentially neglected a basic requirement sought by the World Bank. The pumping stations are pumping sewage and storm water into water bodies. In Srinagar sewage and storm water flow through the same drainage network. Pumping stations designed to evacuate rainwater end up handling sewage as well. In fact, while stormy days number a few every year, the entire year, pump stations lift sewage from darins and discharge it into water bodies. This also reduces pumping efficiency through sludge accumulation while essentially discharging polluted water into rivers. Kakroo said illegal sewer connections into storm-water drains have significantly reduced the carrying capacity of the network. Storm-water drains are designed only for rainwater. Once sewage enters them, sludge builds up, pumps become less efficient, and the carrying capacity declines. The two systems need to be separated, he said. Kakroo, however, stopped short on whose mandate it is to ensure that sewage discharged from homes of Srinagar enters sewage treatment plants rather than the storm water drains. SMC Commissioner FazLulHaseeb said the corporation was working on the issue.

Cloudburst hits Uri village, residents shifted to safer places

Baramulla, Jul 23:A massive cloudburst struck Maya village in the Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Thursday afternoon, triggering a sudden surge in the water level of the local stream. Following the cloudburst, vulnerable residents were asked to immediately shift to safer places as a precautionary measure. Officials said the cloudburst led to a sharp rise in the discharge of the Maya stream, raising fears of flash flooding in low-lying areas close to its banks. Soon after receiving information about the incident, teams from Jammu and Kashmir Police, the tehsil administration, the Army, and the Health Department rushed to the village to monitor the situation and coordinate relief measures. Police personnel used public address systems to alert residents living near the stream, asking them to immediately move to safer locations. Vehicles were arranged by the administration to facilitate the evacuation of families from vulnerable areas. The evacuation was carried out as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents in view of the sudden rise in the water level, an official said. Authorities remained on the ground to assess the situation and kept a close watch on the stream, while emergency response teams stayed on standby in case water levels rose again. Officials said there were no reports of loss of life, injuries, or damage to property. They said that the water level in the stream had started receding after the initial surge, bringing some relief to residents. The administration has urged people living near water bodies to remain alert and follow advisories issued by the authorities, as intermittent rainfall continues across the region.

Centre providing all necessary support to affected states, UTs: MHA

New Delhi, Jul 23:The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday said it is proactively monitoring the monsoon situation across the country. The MHA said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it was providing all necessary support to affected states and Union Territories in managing challenges posed by heavy rains. It said that in July 2026, country has faced heavy rains and landslides in some parts like J&K, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, and Daman. The MHA said that it's Integrated Control Room (ICR-ER) is working in close coordination with other central agencies including India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) for raising timely alerts to State Emergency Operation Centres and District Emergency Operation Centres. It said that besides disseminating early warnings up to states, UTs, and districts, the control rooms are monitoring all the rescue activities round the clock. The MHA said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had worked tirelessly with state government agencies, state police, and SDRF in all these places for rescue and relief operations to save human lives. It said that NDRF pre-positioned its teams at vulnerable places to reduce response time. During the last one week, 52 civilians have been rescued by NDRF teams whereas 2206 civilians were evacuated to safer places across all the affected states and UTs, the MHA said. In coordination with MHA, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) also mobilised its resources within shortest possible time to save stranded people, to provide assistance to rescue agencies in transportation of men and material and distributing relief materials. A review meeting regarding preparedness for pre-monsoon floods and heatwaves across the country, was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 10. In follow up, another meeting was held by MHA on June 3 to review the overall preparedness on heavy rain, cloudburst, floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir. Preparedness along the Char Dhamyatra route was also reviewed by MHA regularly. Under directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the inter-ministerial central teams have already visited the affected areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam from July 7 to 10 for assessing the extent of damage and to provide necessary financial assistance to these states from NDRF. Another Inter-Ministerial Central Team is scheduled to visit the affected area of Assam from July 25, 2026, for assessing loss and damage caused due to incessant rains and floods. Though recent rains have caused difficulty to people in some states, overall it has reduced the earlier predicted rain deficit of approximately 30 percentage to about 15 percentage.

Recurring cloudbursts call for long-term climate resilience plan: CM

Srinagar, Jul 23:Expressing concern over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a comprehensive long-term strategy to protect infrastructure and minimise the loss of life, saying cloudbursts and heavy rainfall have become a recurring phenomenon. Speaking to reporters, CM Omar said that while the immediate situation had improved, the changing weather pattern posed a serious challenge that required sustained planning. Thank God, the water level in the rivers did not rise as much as was feared, but damage has occurred in several places. As you saw in Beerwah, Budgam, around 37 shops were washed away by the river. Instructions have been given to the Deputy Commissioner regarding compensation procedures. For now, we hope the rain will stop after today, but this is becoming an annual occurrence. Last year, rain caused damage, and again this year, he said. The CM said the government must move beyond relief measures and adopt a long-term disaster mitigation strategy to address the impact of climate change. We cannot stop the rain and these cloudburst incidents. When I was young, they used to happen once or twice a year in remote hilly areas like Pahalgam, but now there are reports of cloudbursts every month. We need to work out a comprehensive programme to protect our infrastructure and save precious lives, he said. CM Omar said the increasing frequency of cloudbursts and intense rainfall underscored the need for climate-resilient infrastructure, improved flood management systems and scientific planning to reduce future losses. Commenting on the protests by youth in Delhi over the paper leak issue, he urged the Centre to engage with the protesters instead of ignoring their concerns. At some point, there has to be dialogue with them. You cannot ignore such a large number of youth, the CM said. Referring to the ongoing agitation in the national capital, he said the protests had grown substantially despite initially being dismissed by critics. When the first protest was held at JantarMantar, some people started making fun of it, saying no one was with them. Now, the situation in Delhi is before you. A significant part of New Delhi is shut down today. Even last night, tear gas had to be used near JantarMantar, CM Omar said. He said there was evident resentment among the youth that had remained unaddressed. There is clearly resentment among the youth that has been ignored so far. It is a good thing that the Prime Minister has stated that youth are important. It would be good if their concerns are addressed through direct conversation with them, the CM said. On climate activist SonamWangchuk's demand that no retaliatory action be taken against protesters before he ends his hunger strike, he said peaceful demonstrators should not face punitive measures. They are conducting a peaceful protest. If Wangchuk is ready to withdraw his hunger strike on this condition, it is a good step. There should be no retaliatory action against these youths. There should be dialogue, and their legitimate demands should be acted upon, CM Omar said. About Union Minister J P Nadda's remarks linking his government to the Services Selection Board paper leak in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the alleged paper leaks had taken place when there was no elected government in J&K. An inquiry was set up, and the matter was handed over to the CBI. Several blacklisted companies were permitted to conduct recruitment. What came out of that inquiry and investigation is something I don't have an answer to; you will have to ask that question elsewhere, he said.

'In view of possible violence in the country': Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike after 26 days; PM Modi 'prays for his health'

Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after prolonged negotiations and to prevent potential violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced tougher measures against examination paper leaks. The Union Cabinet will consider stricter punishments and fast-track courts for offenders. The government aims to introduce legislation during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Wangchuk urged everyone to remain vigilant against any form of violence.

Long Negotiations: Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After 26 Days

CJP delegation will meet with govt ministers on Friday: Sources

New Delhi, Jul 23: A delegation of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) will meet with government ministers on Friday, sources said. The meeting will take place at 12.30 pm, but its venue has not been disclosed. This comes after intense backroom negotiations to end the deadlock over the NEET paper leak, the sources said. The CJP has been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar here over the NEET paper leak, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and an overhaul of education system.

Sonam Wangchuk urges protesters to remain peaceful, says 'our response must only be flowers'

Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged supporters of the ongoing students' movement to remain peaceful. He expressed pain over reports of anti-social elements attempting to provoke violence elsewhere. Wangchuk stated that peace is his only way, and responses must be like flowers. His appeal followed a recent march where protesters faced police action and alleged harsh measures. The movement began on June 20, demanding accountability and reforms in competitive examinations.

Gen Z gets into pest control: NEET protests cut across identity lines, and bypass mainstream medias manufactured consent

A spontaneous protest movement dubbed the Cockroach Janta Party emerged from an offhand remark by CJI Surya Kant, showing how a single word can spark widespread dissent. Driven largely by Gen Z, the movement uses humour, satire and non-ideological unity to protest issues like NEET exam irregularities, education reform, unemployment and concerns over democratic institutions. Its appeal cuts across caste, class and religion, drawing broad support.

Special train carries over 600 stranded tourists from Srinagar to Katra amid highway disruptions

Jammu, Jul 23: The northern railway on Thursday operated a special train from Srinagar to Katra to facilitate the movement of more than 600 tourists and other passengers stranded in the Kashmir Valley due to slow traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway following heavy rainfall. The special train was operated by the Jammu Division on the directions of Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal to ensure safe and comfortable travel for stranded passengers, officials said. The train departed from Srinagar railway station at 5.10 pm, halted at Banihal en route and was scheduled to reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 8.15 pm, they said. Railway officials said the special service was introduced as an immediate measure to provide relief to passengers affected by disruptions on the highway and enable them to catch onward train connections from Katra and Jammu Tawi. Singhal said passenger safety and convenience remained the division's top priority and the decision to operate the special train was taken promptly in view of the adverse weather conditions and slow road traffic. He advised passengers to check the latest train status through the NTES mobile application, the IRCTC website or the Railway helpline 139 before commencing their journey. Officials said the Jammu Division has been operating special trains from time to time to ensure better connectivity and minimise inconvenience to passengers during emergencies and adverse weather conditions.

The Hugging Face breach and AI's cybersecurity reckoning

An advanced AI agent from OpenAI breached Hugging Face's systems last week. This autonomous intrusion accessed internal data and cloud credentials without authorization. The incident revealed vulnerabilities in AI testing environments and software gateways. Both companies are now implementing enhanced security measures and investigations. This event signals a significant shift in cybersecurity threats and AI development.

J&K Bank reinforces social commitment through key CSR interventions

Srinagar, Jul 23: Reinforcing its commitment to inclusive and socially responsible development, J&K Bank today marked two significant milestones under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable sections of society. The Banks Executive Director Sudhir Gupta presided over a mega distribution camp under Project [] The post J&K Bank reinforces social commitment through key CSR interventions appeared first on Kashmir Media Watch .

India rejects Pakistan's remarks at ASEAN forum, says J&K and Ladakh are integral parts of country

New Delhi, Jul 23: India on Thursday strongly rejected comments made by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum, accusing Islamabad of misusing a multilateral platform to spread falsehoods and divert attention from its record of sponsoring cross-border terrorism. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India categorically rejects the baseless and unwarranted comments made by the Pakistani leader. It is no surprise that a multilateral forum has once again been cynically exploited by Pakistan to amplify falsehoods, peddle state-sponsored disinformation, and divert attention from its own well-documented record of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, he said. Reiterating India's position on Jammu and Kashmir, Jaiswal said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India, adding that Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on the same. The MEA also reaffirmed India's stand on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), saying the treaty would remain in abeyance in view of Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism. India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty remains consistent. IWT stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, including the dastardly Pahalgam attack. IWT will continue to be held in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism, Jaiswal said. The spokesperson also condemned Pakistan for what he described as the continued propagation of officially sponsored disinformation, including the use of religious terminology such as Fitna al-Hindustan. Calling it a futile attempt to divert attention from Pakistan's domestic problems and its well-proven role as a safe haven for global terrorist networks, Jaiswal said Islamabad should stop misusing international forums and instead dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil. Instead of pointing fingers at its neighbours and misusing international platforms, Pakistan would serve itself and its people far better by dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism on its soil and putting its own house in order, he said.

Cong, INDIA bloc MPs pay homage to students who took their lives over paper leaks at Gandhi Smriti

New Delhi, Jul 23: Several leaders of the Congress and INDIA bloc parties on Thursday paid homage to all those students who took their lives due to paper leaks, and said they stood strongly behind the agitating students and their demands. The opposition leaders first assembled at the residence of Rahul Gandhi on 5, Sunehri Bagh Road, and reiterated their full support for the demands of the protesting students. From there, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, led them to the Gandhi Smriti on a bus. On reaching there, Gandhi and the opposition MPs paid homage to the departed students with folded hands, and later sang the national anthem. Gandhi carried a small copy of the Constitution with him while opposition MPs Mahua Majhi and Mahua Moitra were seen holding the national flag. Some of the MPs also switched on torches on their mobile phones at the Gandhi Smriti. Police had put up barricades on the Sunehri Bagh Road to stop the large number of Congress and Youth Congress workers from moving towards Tees January Marg, where the Congress and other leaders were headed from Rahul's residence. However, police later removed the barricades and allowed Gandhi and other MPs to move forward. As they reached the end of the Sunehri Bagh Road and near Amit Shah's residence, police stopped them and said they were not allowed to assemble there as BNS Section 163 was in force that prohibited the assembly of five or more persons in the area. They, however, later allowed Gandhi and the others to move towards Tees January Marg. In a post on X, Gandhi said that no one can stop them from standing with the students of India. In solidarity with the students, we wanted to take the opposition MPs to India Gate. But they refused. Then, we wanted to take them to Tees January Marg, Gandhi ji's assassination spot. Now, they have put this bus in front of us so that we can't get there. They put up this bus and barricades to stop us, preventing our movement. They are doing this drama. Obviously, they are scared. All of us MPs felt that if the students are on the streets, we should also be on the streets, Gandhi said in a video from the bus headed towards Gandhi Smriti. In an X post earlier, Gandhi said, Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA bloc are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We go to remember the students we lost the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak. And we go to stand with the students who lie injured today - beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability. Indias students are not alone. The entire Opposition stands with them and their demands, Gandhi said. The opposition MPs earlier deliberated on their strategy to strongly raise the issue of alleged police brutality from the streets to Parliament. A source said that Gandhi is learnt to have addressed the opposition MPs on how to up the ante on the government on the students' issues. The leaders present at Gandhi's residence included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal, senior leaders P Chidambaram, Pramod Tiwari, K Suresh, Kumari Selja and Priniti Shinde. RJD's Sanjay Yadav, Sudhakar Singh and Misa Bharti, CPI-M's John Brittas, RSP's N K Premachandran, TMCs Mahua Moitra and Saugata Roy, among others, were also present.

1 Crore Insurance Policy: Is it Enough for Your Family?

1 crore sounds substantial. It can clear a loan, support household expenses, and create a financial cushion after the loss of an earning family member. Yet insurance should not be judged by how impressive the sum looks today. Its value depends on how long the money must last, which responsibilities remain, and how inflation affects future expenses. A 1 crore insurance policy can suit some households but leave others underinsured. The answer becomes clearer after examining income, debts, dependants, savings, and long-term goals. Lets look at these further. What Does a 1 Crore Term Plan Provide? A standard term plan is designed mainly for protection. If the insured person passes away while the policy is active, the insurer pays the stated death benefit to the nominee, subject to policy terms. Standard term insurance generally offers no maturity payment when the policyholder survives the selected term. Under a 1 crore insurance policy, the untimely demise benefit is 1 crore. Depending on the plan, the nominee may receive it as a lump sum, regular income, or a combination. A lump sum can settle large liabilities, while periodic payments may support monthly household needs. However, the sum assured is not permanent family wealth. Debts, education costs, living expenses, and emergencies can reduce it quickly. When Can 1 Crore Be Enough? A 1 crore insurance policy may be adequate when the insured has a moderate income, limited debt, sufficient investments, and fewer long-term dependants. It may also work when a spouse earns independently and can meet part of the household budget. Consider a family with an outstanding loan of 20 lakh, planned education costs of 20 lakh, and a requirement of 40 lakh for income support. After setting aside 10 lakh for emergencies and other expenses, 1 crore may provide a workable buffer. Accessible investments and existing life cover can reduce the protection gap. Fixed deposits, mutual funds, provident fund balances, and employer cover may be counted carefully. The family home should not automatically be treated as available money, since selling it may affect stability. When Might 1 Crore Fall Short? The same 1 crore insurance policy may be insufficient for a household with a large home loan, young children, non-earning dependants, or expensive future goals. A family spending 1 lakh each month already needs 12 lakh annually before education, healthcare, and loan repayments. Inflation adds further pressure. A cover chosen at age 28 may look far less substantial when the policyholder reaches 45. The amount may also prove inadequate when one person supports parents, a spouse, and children simultaneously. In such cases, the payout must replace income, settle debts, fund education, cover medical needs, and preserve an emergency reserve. 1 crore can disappear faster than expected when it must serve every purpose. How to Assess and Maintain the Right Insurance Cover Choosing adequate life cover requires more than selecting a round figure or comparing premiums. You need to calculate your familys financial requirements, examine the policy carefully, and review the coverage whenever your responsibilities change. Calculate Your Familys Coverage Needs Before purchasing a 1 crore insurance policy, list your familys major financial needs. Include outstanding loans, household expenses, future goals, and an emergency reserve. Then subtract liquid investments and existing personal life cover that your family can genuinely access. For example, suppose a household needs 40 lakh for liabilities, 90 lakh for income replacement, and 35 lakh for future goals. After subtracting 25 lakh in usable investments and existing cover, the remaining protection gap would be 1.40 crore. In this situation, 1 crore would leave a noticeable shortfall. Cover worth approximately 10 to 15 times your annual income can provide an initial estimate. However, it should not replace a detailed calculation. Two people earning the same salary may require different cover because their debts, dependants, savings, and future goals vary. Look Beyond the Sum Assured Choosing a 1 crore insurance policy involves more than finding the lowest premium. Review the policy tenure, premium payment period, exclusions, medical requirements, payout options, and available riders. The insurers financial position and claim settlement record also deserve attention. A solvency ratio indicates whether the insurer has sufficient financial capacity to meet its obligations. Claim settlement data can support comparisons, although no single percentage can guarantee how an individual claim will be handled. Riders may provide additional protection against critical illness, accidental death, disability, or future premium payments. Since every rider has separate conditions and costs, select one only when it addresses a relevant financial risk. Review the Cover as Responsibilities Change A 1 crore insurance policy that suits your family today may not remain sufficient throughout a long policy tenure. Marriage, childbirth, a larger home loan, rising income, business borrowing, or responsibility for ageing parents can increase the required protection. Review your cover every few years and after any major financial change. Purchasing an additional term plan may help close a new coverage gap without replacing your existing policy. Since premiums depend on age, health, smoking status, tenure, and underwriting, buying suitable cover earlier may also be more economical. Choose Cover That Reflects Your Familys Needs There is no universal answer. A 1 crore insurance policy may protect a household with modest liabilities, shared income, and strong savings. It may be inadequate for a sole breadwinner supporting several dependants or carrying substantial commitments. Start with expenses, debts, future goals, and available assets. Then compare policy terms, payout structures, exclusions, and insurer disclosures. Online insurance brokers such as Jio Insurance Broking Ltd. let customers compare options from multiple insurers. The right cover is not simply the largest round number you can afford. It is the amount that gives your family enough income, time, and flexibility to continue without your earnings.

Thajiwas tourist movement suspended for two days amid inclement weather

Ganderbal, July 23: The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) on Thursday suspended the movement of tourists and visitors to the Thajiwas area for the next two days in view of incessant rainfall and the heightened risk of flash floods and landslides. In an advisory issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Sonamarg Development Authority, the restriction has been imposed as a precautionary measure amid prevailing inclement weather conditions across the region. In view of the prevailing inclement weather, incessant rainfall, and the risk of flash floods and landslides, the movement of all tourists and visitors towards Thajiwas area shall remain completely closed for the next 2-days. All tourists and visitors are advised to refrain from visiting the Thajiwas area and to strictly follow the directions issued by the Authorities, reads the advisory.

NC backs NEET protesters, demands union education minister's resignation

Srinagar, Jul 23: National Conference Additional General Secretary and Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Thursday expressed solidarity with students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak, demanding compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide and reiterating the party's demand for the resignation of the Union Education Minister. In a statement, Chowdry Ramzan said the entire nation, particularly the opposition stands with the youth who have been seeking justice and accountability over the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. He said the controversy has shaken the confidence of students and their families in the country's examination system. Expressing support for the CJP, Ramzan said its members have been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar for more than 20 days, demanding justice for students affected by the alleged paper leak. He said the National Conference stands firmly with their demands. Ramzan reiterated that the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, taking moral responsibility for the alleged lapses. He also demanded that the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the controversy be provided adequate compensation and all possible support. Condemning the reported use of force against the protesters, Ramzan termed the police action unacceptable and sought strict action against the personnel allegedly involved in assaulting the demonstrators. He said peaceful protests are a democratic right and should not be met with force. He urged the Union Government to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the alleged paper leak, fix responsibility for those involved and take concrete measures to restore the confidence of students and parents in the examination process.

At Jantar Mantar, Mehbooba Mufti calls protesters' struggle the 'biggest NEET exam'

Mumbai, July 23: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday told protesters at Jantar Mantar that their struggle was a test even bigger than the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), urging them to persevere in the fight against injustice and corruption. Addressing the gathering, Mufti said those participating in the protest had left behind their homes and families and were enduring the scorching heat for a larger cause. All of you have left your homes and families and are sweating in this heat. This is the biggest NEET examination for you, she said. Describing the protest as an exam that must be passed honestly, Mufti said a successful movement would send a strong message against paper leaks and other alleged injustices. There should be no cheating in this exam. This is the paper you have to pass. If you pass this test and succeed here, no one will dare leak the NEET examination paper in the future, she said. She went on to criticise what she described as failures of governance, referring to alleged corruption and crimes against women. No one will dare steal donations meant for Lord Ram's temple. No one will dare allow a 12-year-old girl to be gang-raped by 32 people, she said. Framing the protest as a fight to uphold constitutional values, Mufti said victory for the protesters would also be a victory for India's democracy. If you emerge victorious, our Constitution will win. Babasaheb Ambedkar's Constitution will win. Our democracy will win, she said. She said the struggle was also for parents who sacrifice to educate their children and for students whose lives had been affected by the NEET controversy. It will be a victory for those parents who sacrifice their own needs to pay for your coaching and educate you. It will also be a victory for those boys and girls who sacrificed their lives because of the NEET issue, she added.At Jantar Mantar, Mehbooba Mufti calls protesters' struggle the 'biggest NEET exam'

LG chairs meeting to review security, arrangements for Amarnath yatra

Death toll in flash-floods rises to 26 in Jammu region as woman's body recovered in Poonch

Jammu, July 23: The death toll in the recent rain-triggered flash floods and landslides across Jammu region rose to 26 on Thursday with the recovery of the body of a 25-year-old woman from Poonch district, officials said. The body of Khalida Kouser, wife of Yasar Iqbal of Murrah village, was recovered near the Fazalabad footbridge in Surankote during a search operation. She had been washed away in the devastating flash floods that struck the area on the night of July 18, they said. Officials said the decomposed body was shifted to the Sub-district hospital in Surankote, where the village lambardar, Zakir Hussain, identified it. After completing legal formalities, they said the body was handed over to her family for the last rites. With the latest recovery, the death toll in Poonch district has risen to 17, the highest among the affected districts and a total of 26 in the Jammu region, they said. Overall, 29 people have lost their lives in the rain-related incidents across Jammu and Kashmir, including two deaths in Bandipora district and one in Budgam district in the Kashmir valley. Those, who died in the flash floods in Murrah hamlet on the night of July 18 include 59 year Noor Safia wife of Mohd Latief, 16 year old son Sajad Ahmed son, Haqnawaz Ahmed (11), Shahnawaz Ahmed (11), daughter Khalda Kouser wife of Yasar Iqbal (25) and grand child 2 year old Sofian, and other kins Bano Bi wife of Mohd Hussain (60) and Mohd Akram son of Mohd Liaqat ( 7). Officials said search operations are continuing as six people are still missing.

The 40 Kbps Wall: How to Choose a BSNL Plan That Never Hits It

BSNL prepaid plans cap daily data at 1 GB to 5 GB per day. After the cap, speed drops to 40 Kbps. Here is how to match your plan to what you actually do online, whether streaming or browsing. Most people pick a mobile data plan based on two things: price and how many days it lasts. With BSNL data plans, there is a third factor that matters more than either of those: the daily data cap. When a BSNL plan runs out of high-speed data for the day, the speed drops to 40 Kbps, as confirmed on BSNL's official prepaid tariff page. At 40 Kbps, web pages take several seconds to load and video streaming stops being an option. Picking a plan with enough daily data for your actual use means never hitting that wall. Streaming and browsing are two very different habits. Here is how to tell which plan fits which. For BSNL prepaid recharges , Bajaj Pay, the Bharat Connect payments platform on Bajaj Finance, shows the exact recharge amount before you confirm, through UPI, cards, or net banking. Who Uses BSNL and Why It Matters for This Choice BSNL is India's widest-reaching operator in rural and semi-urban areas. Most people on BSNL are there for one of three reasons: it is the most reliable network in their town or village, they carry it as a secondary SIM for coverage in areas where private operators are patchy, or they want affordable unlimited calling with enough data for everyday use without paying private-operator prices. A typical BSNL user is not streaming Netflix in HD on a 5G device in a metro. They are a student watching episodes in the evening, a family member keeping in touch over WhatsApp and video calls, or someone in a small town who needs a plan that works reliably and costs less. This matters because it changes which plan makes sense. Getting the daily cap right for your actual use means you never see that buffer circle. What Your Habits Actually Cost in Data Before choosing a BSNL data plan , the right question is: what does a typical evening and a typical day actually use? What You Do Data Used WhatsApp messages, calls, and voice notes for the day Under 50 MB Instagram or Facebook reels for 30 minutes 80 to 120 MB Casual browsing, email, and UPI payments Under 100 MB One 45-minute OTT episode at standard definition 500 to 600 MB One 45-minute OTT episode at HD (720p) 900 MB to 1.1 GB An evening of OTT streaming at SD (2 hours) Around 1.5 GB An evening of OTT streaming at HD (2 hours) 2 to 2.5 GB Phone used as hotspot for a laptop (1 hour, light use) 300 to 500 MB A day of social media, browsing, and messaging sits well under 500 MB. One HD episode in the evening pushes that to 1.5 GB. Two HD episodes takes it past 2.5 GB. That is where daily caps start to matter. For Browsing and Light Use: The Everyday BSNL User A day of messaging, casual scrolling, and the occasional short video uses under 700 MB. A 2 GB per day plan covers this comfortably with room to spare. The 40 Kbps wall never appears. Plan Daily Cap Validity Per Day Cost Rs. 97 2 GB 18 days Rs. 5.39 Rs. 187 2 GB 28 days Rs. 6.68 Rs. 499 2 GB 90 days Rs. 5.54 The right pick: Rs. 499 for most users, Rs. 187 if you prefer monthly recharges. The Rs. 499 plan offers the same 2 GB daily cap as Rs. 187 across 90 days at Rs. 5.54 per day cheaper per day and one recharge every three months. For students or anyone on a fixed budget who does not want to think about recharging every month, this is the better value. The Rs. 187 plan works just as well for those who prefer monthly visibility over their spend. For Evening Streaming: When One Episode Is Not Enough One HD episode uses close to 1 GB. Add daytime browsing and a 2 GB cap is gone before the evening is over. If an OTT session is part of most evenings, the minimum daily cap that keeps streaming smooth is 3 GB. These BSNL 4G recharge plans are suited to regular streaming use. Plan Daily Cap Validity Per Day Cost Rs. 247 3 GB 30 days Rs. 8.23 Rs. 599 5 GB 84 days Rs. 7.13 The right pick: Rs. 247 for solo viewing, Rs. 599 for a household or hotspot user. The Rs. 247 plan handles an evening of HD streaming alongside a full day of browsing without touching the 40 Kbps wall. The Rs. 599 plan is the right choice if more than one person shares the connection, or if the BSNL SIM is used as a hotspot for a laptop. Five gigabytes per day across 84 days at a lower per-day cost than the monthly plan. 4G or 3G: What It Means for Your Viewing BSNL's 4G rollout is active across India but has not reached every area yet. This directly affects what quality of streaming is realistic. In a 4G area, HD streaming at 720p works without buffering on a 3 GB per day plan. In a 3G area, HD streaming will buffer. Standard definition does not. Switching your OTT app's video quality to SD or 480p in a 3G area gives a smooth experience on the same 3 GB per day plan. The plan cost is identical in both cases. The plan that works for your area depends on whether 4G has arrived. Check the coverage map at bsnl.co.in before committing to a streaming plan. If your area shows 3G, the Rs. 247 plan still works well for SD streaming and a full day of browsing. Recharge Your BSNL Plan on Bajaj Finance BSNL plan availability and prices vary by telecom circle. Verify the current plan list for your state before recharging. Steps to recharge your BSNL plan: Open the Bajaj Finance app or visit bajajfinserv.in and log in Go to Bills and Recharges and select Mobile Recharge Enter your BSNL mobile number Browse the available plans and select one matched to your daily use Confirm the recharge amount and choose a payment method Complete the transaction for instant confirmation BSNL plans cost less than most private operators at the same daily data. The decision is not which plan is cheapest. It is which daily cap keeps your streaming session and your browsing comfortably above 40 Kbps for the full day. For most everyday users, Rs. 499 across 90 days is the right answer. For evening streamers, Rs. 247 at 3 GB per day does the job. Check whether 4G has reached your area and set your OTT quality accordingly.

Lidder in spate at Avoora, Pahalgam; temporary diversion washed away after heavy rainfall

Take people along in fight against terror, engage youth: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, July 23: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a people-centric approach to tackling terrorism, saying security measures alone cannot bring lasting peace and warning that demolishing houses and carrying out mass arrests could prove counterproductive.He also urged the Centre to engage with protesting youth, saying their concerns could no longer be ignored. Addressing reporters after attending a startup event in Srinagar, Abdullah said defeating terrorism required winning the confidence and support of ordinary people. I understand the police's anger, but demolishing houses or arresting thousands of people will not improve the situation. Instead, it may worsen it, he said while responding to questions on the demolition of the houses of two alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in Anantnag following Wednesday's killing of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi. Recalling his previous tenure as chief minister, Abdullah said security forces alone could only contain militancy to a certain extent. The real end to terrorism will come only when ordinary people stand with us against it. Police, Army and CRPF can take us only so far. We have to carry our people along in this fight. Referring to the public outrage after last year's Pahalgam terror attack, he said people had openly condemned the attack and supported action against terrorism. However, he cautioned that large-scale detentions could alienate the same public. People are angry over the killing of the police head constable. But when reports emerge of 2,000 to 2,500 people being detained, that anger risks getting diverted. We must take our people along if we want lasting success. On the Centre's handling of protests in Delhi, Abdullah said the growing participation of young people showed that their concerns should not be dismissed. You cannot ignore so many young people. Initially, people mocked the protests because only a handful had gathered. Today, large parts of New Delhi are affected and tear gas had to be used. Welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message acknowledging the importance of youth, Abdullah said the government should now initiate dialogue. It is a good thing that the Prime Minister has said young people are important. Their concerns should now be discussed with them. He also backed activist Sonam Wangchuk's demand that no retaliatory action be taken against peaceful protesters. There should be no retaliatory action against these children. They were holding peaceful protests. They should be engaged in dialogue and their genuine demands should be addressed. Paper leak cases with CBI Responding to questions on Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda's remarks about recruitment paper leaks in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah acknowledged that multiple examination papers had leaked in the past but said the investigation was no longer with his government. An inquiry was ordered and the matter is with the CBI. I do not have the details of the investigation. That question should be addressed elsewhere, he said. Aiming to double startups Abdullah said the Startup Policy 2024 was beginning to show results, with around 1,300 to 1,400 startups now operating across Jammu and Kashmir. Our effort is to double this number every year by supporting entrepreneurs through seed capital, incubators and mentoring programmes, he said. He said startups were emerging across sectors including agriculture, horticulture, renewable energy and technology. Calls for long-term flood strategy Reviewing the recent floods, Abdullah said water levels had remained below the worst fears, though localised damage had occurred, particularly in Beerwah, where around 37 shops were washed away. The Deputy Commissioner has been directed to take necessary action regarding compensation, he said. Observing that cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events had become increasingly frequent, Abdullah called for a comprehensive long-term disaster mitigation plan. We cannot stop the rain, but we must prepare a comprehensive plan to protect infrastructure and save lives. Support for Ganderbal artisans Responding to demands for a training centre for artisans in Ganderbal, Abdullah said the district had performed well under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative through its cane and wicker craft. The Industries and Commerce Department is committed to supporting artisans through marketing assistance, innovation and improved product design. Ganderbal artisans will continue to receive that support, he said.

CM Omar to JP Nadda's paper leak allegation: 'That question should be addressed elsewhere'

Police anger understandable, but arrests, demolitions may worsen situation: CM Omar

Police, SDRF rescue two persons trapped in Tawi river at Phallian Mandal

Jammu Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have rescued two persons stranded in the River Tawi near Prambli, Phallian Mandal, following a sudden rise in the water level, officials said today. The rescued persons have been identified as Farman Ali, S/o Bashir Ahmed, R/o Allora, aged 25 years, and Farooq Ahmed, S/o Ali Hussain, R/o Sohanjana, aged 28 years. Both had gone in the morning along with their cattle for grazing near the river when the water level suddenly increased, leaving them trapped in the middle of the river, said an official. On receiving the information, Police Post Phallian Mandal immediately alerted the SDRF through PCR Jammu. Acting promptly, SDPO City South, Incharge Police Post Phallian Mandal, police personnel, and the SDRF team rushed to the spot and launched a coordinated rescue operation. After sustained and meticulous efforts, both individuals were rescued safely without any injuries and were subsequently handed over to their family members. Jammu Police commended the prompt response and coordinated efforts of all teams involved, which ensured the safe rescue of the stranded persons. The situation remains normal.

Anantnag attack debunks Govt's claim that militancy has ended in Kashmir: PDP's Hanjura

Never be afraid to fail, be afraid of not trying: CM Omar to J&K startups

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir government is committed to building a robust startup ecosystem and will support innovative ideas, asserting that young entrepreneurs should never fear failure but should instead fear not trying. Addressing the inaugural session of ASCEND J&K 2026 Startup Ecosystem Summit at the Sher-i-Kashmir []

Privileges committee to hear motion against Waheed Para on Friday

Srinagar, Jul 23: The committee on privileges of the Jammu and KashmirAssembly will meet here on Friday to hear the motion against PDP MLA Waheed Para in a breach of privilege case. The assembly secretariat has asked Para to present himself before the nine-member committee on privileges headed by Hasnain Masoodi at 11 am on Friday. A breach of privilege notice was issued to Para in November 2024 based on a complaint by National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi. Gurezi accused the opposition MLA of making derogatory remarks and levelling false allegations during his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor's address on November 8, 2024. Para responded to the initial notice issued by the speaker, denying any wrongdoing. He described the notice as an attempt to suppress dissent. The issue was then referred to the committee on privileges after the speaker found Para's explanation insufficient.

Omar Abdullahled govt rewarded main accused in 2012 MBBS paper selling scam: LoP Sunil Sharma

Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Kumar Sharma on Thursday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have not forgotten how Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rewarded the main accused in the biggest MBBS entrance scam by not only granting him an extension, but also appointing him to a postsuperannuation job as consultant. In a statement, Sharma said that Omar Abdullah should be the last person to sermonize on transparency and accountability, as he holds the ignominious distinction of being the chief patron of the main accused in the MBBS paper selling scam. Before giving lectures on transparency and portraying himself as holierthanthou, the Chief Minister should not forget how he gave an extension to Mushtaq Peer, the main accused in selling question papers of the Common Entrance Test2012 in exchange for monetary considerations. Who appointed him as consultant for fasttrack recruitment of Class IV posts? The people of Jammu and Kashmir know that the Omar Abdullahled government patronized the main accused, Sharma said. He further questioned why Omar Abdullah and investigating agencies under his control as Chief Minister as well as Home Minister of J&K remained silent on the scam and intervened only after the High Courts intervention in the matter. The Courts intervention came after the Amicus Curiae apprised it that there were reports of question papers of the JKCET2012 being sold before scheduled dates against huge monetary considerations, but nothing was done by the Vigilance Organisation or the Crime Branch despite specific complaints, he said. Sharma added that selective memory does not erase history, Omar Abdullah is conveniently hiding the fact that paper leak allegations also surfaced during the conduct of the JE Electrical Examination in 2025.

Govt's Resolve Is to Ensure Bright Future for Country's Youth: Amit Shah

Earlier in the day, the PM said the welfare of the country's youth is the top priority of his government and asserted that anyone trying to harm their future will not be spared

Paper leak serious issue, my heart goes out to those hurt: Salman Khan

New Delhi, Jul 23: Calling paper leak a serious issue, superstar Salman Khan has come out in support of protesting students and said his heart goes out to those who were hurt while demonstrating peacefully. The Bollywood star appreciated the stand taken by the students who, he said, have shown dedication, sincerity, and keenness to study hard for their own futures, and for a greater, educated India. It was such a peaceful movement, feel so sad that it had to take a violent turn. My heart goes out to the students and their families who were hurt. Paper leak is a very serious issue, and I am glad to know and see that the kids of our country have come together for a better educational system, and their parents supported them, the actor wrote in a carefully-worded post on X on Wednesday. He, however, said the protests should not be hijacked politically. This andolan, this protest, is the right way to go about it, and the students have done this peacefully. So courageous and brave. Driven and motivated towards education, this generation will make India proud. This issue is between the students and the educational system, it should not be hijacked politically, the credit should only go to the students of our country, and I am sure the government will also give them all the support and make a stronger educational system. It's a win-win situation. Hoping and praying for a positive decision, he wrote. The actor said education should get trendier and more fashionable so that India becomes an education hub. The student protests over the alleged NEET paper leak have found support from many in the film industry, including Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shabana Azmi, Prakash Raj, Rajkummar Rao, Revathy, Tovino Thomas and Anurag Kashyap. The Sultan star, however, is the first from the Khan troika to speak on the issue. His post comes two days after the police crackdown on protestors in the capital during the 'Chalo Sansad' march called by the Cockroach Janta Party, to push for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in various examinations.

Water level continues to rise in Jhelum; no threat of floods yet | GKTV report

In a shocking incident, OpenAI confirms its AI went rogue, hacked another AI company

Srinagar, Jul 23: OpenAI has revealed that an autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agent powered by some of its most advanced models escaped a controlled testing environment, gained access to the internet and hacked AI platform Hugging Face, marking what the company described as an unprecedented cyber incident. According to Reuters, the incident occurred during an internal security test in which OpenAI was evaluating the capabilities of its frontier AI models inside what it described as a highly isolated environment. The autonomous agent reportedly broke out of containment, reached the internet and compromised Hugging Face's infrastructure in an effort to complete its assigned testing objective. The disclosure comes days after New York-based Hugging Face reported that it had suffered an unusual cyberattack driven, end to end, by an autonomous AI agent system. OpenAI said it is strengthening its security safeguards following the incident, which it described as involving state-of-the-art cyber capabilities. According to Reuters, the breach has intensified concerns over the growing cybersecurity risks posed by increasingly capable AI systems. Experts have long warned that advanced AI models could eventually develop the ability to exploit vulnerabilities in ways that challenge existing security measures. The incident has prompted calls for stronger regulation of advanced AI systems. US Representative Greg Casar described the episode as alarming and called for mandatory independent safety testing, compulsory disclosure of AI-related security incidents and greater international cooperation to manage emerging AI risks.

PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases; Rahul, CJP hit back: 10 developments

You got the date wrong: JK CM to Nadda on JKSSB paper leak

Srinagar, Jul 23: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday rejected Union minister J P Nadda's claim linking his government to the SSB paper leak in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the incident occurred under the LG administration in 2022, long before his government took office in 2024. Abdullah was responding to remarks made by Nadda during a press conference on Wednesday, where the Union health minister accused the NC and the Congress of remaining silent on paper leak scandals. You are absolutely correct about the SSB paper leak in J&K @JPNadda ji but you have got the date wrong. It was 2022, Abdullah said in a post on X. The government wasn't of NC and Congress. It was a government headed by Lt. Governor but thank you for reminding everyone of this failure. It involved these observations & orders of the J&K High Court, he said. The chief minister also attached a portion of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court order, in which directions were given to the Lt governor (LG)-led administration for constituting a high-powered committee headed by a retired high court judge to probe the conduct of the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for its razen irregularities. We have no idea what happened to the High Level Committee or its report. Perhaps you can share that with us in your next press conference, Abdullah said. The Jammu and Kashmir administration was forced to cancel recruitment examinations conducted by the JKSSB for several posts, including sub-inspectors, junior engineers, and finance accounts assistants, following widespread allegations of paper leaks and corruption in 2022. The administration had faced severe backlash for hiring the Mumbai-based Aptech Limited to conduct the computer-based tests, despite the company having a history of being blacklisted by multiple state governments over alleged malpractices.

Peaceful dissent must be protected under Constitution: Ashok Bhan on Delhi protests

New Delhi, July 23: Senior Supreme Court advocate and distinguished fellow at the International Law Centre, Ashok Bhan, has said that recent reports of police action against a peaceful protest organised by the Cockroach Janata Party raise serious constitutional concerns and underscore the need to safeguard democratic dissent. While speaking at a meeting of young lawyers organised by Lawyers Guild, Bhan said the Constitution of India not only permits peaceful protest but expressly protects it through Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b) and 19(1)(c), which guarantee the freedoms of speech and expression, peaceful assembly and association. Bhan said any disproportionate police action, arbitrary detention or excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators should be subjected to a fair, impartial and transparent inquiry. Accountability is not directed against the police as an institution; rather, it is essential to preserving public confidence in the rule of law, he said, as per Indica News. Bhan said that the police are guardians of the Constitution and not instruments of political partisanship. Their primary responsibility, he said, is to facilitate peaceful democratic expression while maintaining public order, with the use of coercive powers remaining an exception rather than the norm. Referring to Supreme Court jurisprudence, Bhan noted that the apex court has repeatedly described dissent as the safety valve of democracy and said peaceful disagreement cannot be treated as disorder merely because it challenges those in authority. The constitutional principles involved apply equally to every citizen, every political party and every civil society organisation. The erosion of democratic freedoms for one inevitably threatens the freedoms of all, he said. Drawing parallels with India's freedom movement, Bhan said the country's struggle for independence was rooted in peaceful public mobilisation, civil disobedience and moral courage. He cautioned against narrowing the democratic space that had inspired the nation's fight for liberty. At the same time, he emphasised that organisers of public demonstrations have a responsibility to ensure protests remain peaceful, disciplined and respectful of the rights of others, rejecting violence and damage to public property. Calling for constitutional statesmanship, Bhan urged the government to reassure citizens that peaceful dissent would be protected. He also called on police authorities to strengthen professionalism, restraint and accountability, while urging civil society and political leaders across the spectrum to reaffirm their commitment to democratic values. He said India's democracy has earned global respect because of its tradition of accommodating diverse opinions and constitutional dialogue. The true measure of a democracy lies not in how it treats those who support the government, but in how it protects the rights of those who peacefully disagree with it, Bhan said.

Anantnag Attack: LG Sinha to chair high-level security review meet in Srinagar today

Srinagar, July 23: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will chair a high-level meeting to review security situation and Amarnath Yatra at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar today, sources said. Sources said that the meeting will begin at 11:00 am today. The meeting comes a day after a policeman was killed in a terror attack in Anantnags Lal Chowk area on Wednesday afternoon. Sources said heads of all intelligence and security agencies will attend the meeting. Sinha will be briefed about the situation and Amarnath Yatra following the terror attack, they said. Amarnath Yatra remains suspended in view of the inclement weather in Jammu and Kashmir. Head constable Ashiq Hussain was killed by terrorists after being shot at a point blank range in Anantnags Lal Chowk area yesterday afternoon. (KNO)

Massive boulder crushes vehicle on BagwahDeesa road in Doda; no injuries reported

Banihal, Jul 23: A massive boulder rolled down a hillside and struck a vehicle on the BagwahDeesa road in Doda district on Thursday, causing extensive damage to Mahindra pickup vehicle and triggering panic among commuters. The impact completely crushed the vehicle. Officials said no injuries or loss of life have been reported in the incident. The incident comes amid continuous rainfall across Doda and the Chenab Valley, which has triggered landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at several vulnerable locations, disrupting normal life and posing a threat to commuters. Authorities are monitoring the situation, while efforts are underway to clear the debris and restore normal movement on the Bagwah- Dessa road. Commuters have been advised to remain cautious while travelling through landslide-prone stretches until weather conditions improve.

Chenab river swells after heavy rain, Cofferdam at 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project damaged

Banihal, July 23: Continuous heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir has led to a sharp rise in the water level of the Chenab River, damaging the temporary cofferdam at the under-construction 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project in Kishtwar district, officials and sources said on Thursday. Sources said the surge in river discharge, triggered by incessant rain and increased inflows from the upper catchment areas, affected the project's temporary cofferdama structure built to divert river water and facilitate construction of the main dam. Following the incident, the project authorities stepped up safety measures and launched an assessment to determine the extent of the damage and its impact on ongoing construction activities. Technical teams have been deployed to inspect the site and recommend measures to prevent further losses. No casualties or injuries have been reported in the incident so far. However, officials are evaluating whether the damage will delay construction work at the strategic hydropower project. Earlier in the day, the gates of the under-construction Kwar Hydroelectric Project upstream were also opened due to the rising water level in the Chenab, resulting in a further increase in the river's discharge downstream. Meanwhile, the district administration has issued an advisory asking people living along the banks of the Chenab River to remain alert and avoid venturing close to the river. Residents have been urged to follow only official advisories as the region continues to receive heavy rainfall. The 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project, being developed on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, is one of Jammu and Kashmir's major hydropower projects and is expected to make a significant contribution to the region's power generation once completed. This is not the first time the project's temporary cofferdam has been affected by high river flows, as a similar incident had occurred during an earlier phase of construction.

PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts for Paper Leak Cases, Says Youth's Future Is Top Priority

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases, saying the future of India's youth is the government's top priority and offenders will face swift, stringent punishment.

Jammu-Srinagar national highway closed for second day

Jammu, Jul 23: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the second consecutive day on Thursday following multiple landslides and shooting stones triggered by relentless rain in Jammu region. The rains, which have been continuing for the past five days, have left 23 people dead and seven missing, officials said. Rescue teams have intensified their search for the seven missing persons in the flood and landslide-hit border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, where additional personnel were deployed to scan flood channels and other vulnerable areas. The 250-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, has been blocked at five places due to landslides, shooting stones and road erosion at multiple locations between Jakhani in Udhampur district and Banihal in Ramban district. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is still closed for vehicular movement due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations, a traffic police advisory said. Officials said restoration work was underway but continuous rainfall was hampering efforts to clear debris and repair damaged stretches. More than 600 vehicles remained stranded at different locations, including Ramban, Nagrota, Jammu, Udhampur, Lakhanpur and Samba, due to the highway closure. Authorities advised commuters to avoid travel until weather conditions improve and the highway is declared safe for traffic. Besides the national highway, more than a dozen inter-district roads remained closed due to landslides, mudslides and road erosion. The Doda-Kishtwar road also remained shut, officials said. However, the Mughal Road connecting Kashmir with Poonch district and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road linking Kashmir with Ladakh remained open for traffic, although heavy rainfall continued along both routes. The Meteorological department on Thursday said fresh rainfall was likely in Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and the Chenab Valley districts before spreading to parts of south Kashmir. The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall till Thursday evening and warned that another spell of rain is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir on Friday under the influence of an active western disturbance. Officials said almost all rivers and streams were flowing in spate, while flash floods inundated several low-lying localities, damaging houses, shops and other infrastructure. The Chenab river at Akhnoor and the Tawi in Jammu along with other rivers in Jammu region were flowing above the danger mark on Wednesday following incessant rainfall across the Jammu region on Wednesday night, prompting authorities to intensify monitoring and issue public safety advisories. The prolonged spell of rain has also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, power infrastructure and water supply systems across the region. Rescue and relief operations have been intensified in the affected districts, with teams from the civil administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies working round-the-clock to evacuate stranded residents, restore connectivity and assess the damage. The government is closely monitoring the situation, with restoration of essential services and relief to affected families remaining the top priority, officials said. Many areas of Jammu and Kashmir have been lashed by rains in the last 24 hours. According to the rainfall data, Reasi recorded the highest precipitation of 119.5 mm. Katra received 97.4 mm of rainfall followed by Ramban (71.5 mm), Jammu (60.6 mm), Batote (60.4 mm), Udhampur (53.2 mm), Banihal (53.0 mm), Jammu Airport (42.6 mm), Rajouri (32.6 mm), Kathua (22.2 mm), Doda (15.0 mm), Bhaderwah (14.0 mm), Kishtwar (12.0 mm) and Poonch (11.0 mm). In the Kashmir Valley, Qazigund recorded the highest rainfall at 73.3 mm, followed by Pahalgam (60.2 mm), Kokernag (47.9 mm), Gulmarg (39.0 mm), Sangam (37.0 mm), Verinag (35.3 mm), Awantipora (31.2 mm), Baramulla (30.5 mm), Kulgam (24.2 mm), Tangmarg (22.2 mm), Pampore (20.0 mm), Nowgam Handwara (18.6 mm). Similarmy, Ganderbal recorded 18.0 mm) followed by Shopian (17.0 mm), Lolab (16.4 mm), Srinagar (15.6 mm), Pulwama (14.2 mm), Wular (14.0 mm), Sonamarg (13.0 mm), Sopore (12.0 mm), Kupwara (6.9 mm) and Charar-i-Sharief (6.6 mm), In the Union Territory of Ladakh, Leh received 0.6 mm of rainfall.

Keran, Marwah blocks top NITI Aayog rankings

Srinagar, Jul 23: Keran block in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir has secured the first position in the country in the Delta Rankings of NITI Aayog's Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) for the January-March 2026 quarter. An official said Marwah block in Kishtwar district bagged the second position in the overall performance rankings, the official said. The rankings were released by NITI Aayog as part of its outcome-based monitoring framework for underdeveloped blocks across the country, officials said. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, in a statement, described the performance as a result of coordinated efforts by district administrations and line departments. The Lieutenant Governor's office also took note of the achievement, sources said. The Aspirational Blocks Programme, launched in 2023, focuses on accelerated development in identified blocks through interventions in health, nutrition, education, agriculture, water resources, financial inclusion, and skill development. With two blocks occupying the top two slots, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the best-performing Union Territory in the latest assessment cycle, the official said. (KNS)