Kashmir Reader

Position safeguards religious freedom, personal laws SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar Tuesday welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullahs clear position that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will not be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the National Conference has opposed the BJPs UCC agenda from the very []

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar Tuesday welcomed the Omar Abdullah governments initiative to directly seek the views of the public, traders and other stakeholders while preparing Master Plans for all towns, cities across Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the move reflects an effort to strengthen democracy at the []

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has renewed its long-pending demand for a one-time amnesty scheme for commercial electricity consumers, saying that while the Jammu and Kashmir Government had announced an amnesty for domestic consumers nearly a year ago, a similar relief for commercial consumers is still awaited. KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar, in a statement []

ANANTNAG: Police in Anantnag has successfully recovered 11 stolen/missing mobile phones during the year 2026 through effective utilization of the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal. The recovered mobile phones were traced from different districts of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir as well as from outside the UT. In one significant recovery, a []

SRINAGAR: Taking forward the Authoritys efforts to restore and strengthen the water channels associated with Dal Lake, Vice Chairman, JKLCMA, Khurshid Ahmad Shah, visited Tchunti Khul and the Dal Lock Gate to review the water flow, hydraulic infrastructure, and condition of the adjoining areas. The Vice Chairman was accompanied by the Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineers []

KULGAM: The Government Degree College (GDC) D H Pora, on Wednesday organized a programme on the theme From Campus to Career, with Minister for Education, Social Welfare, Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo as the chief guest. Commissioner Secretary Education, Ram Niwas Sharma, Secretary in Higher Education Shafqat Iqbal, Director Colleges, Dr. Twinkle Suri and []

JAMMU: Jammu is set to get 75 new 7-metre, air-conditioned Smart Electric Buses, giving a further boost to the citys public transport system and expanding the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) electric bus fleet. The bidding process for the new buses has been completed under the PM-eBus Sewa programme, with M/s PMI Electro Mobility Solutions []

Kashmir land of multiple languages: Dr Satish Vimal SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Wednesday concluded its Hindi Pakhwada celebrations with a valedictory ceremony and felicitation of winners and participants who excelled in various competitions and Hindi language examinations. Organised by the Rajbhasha Cell, the programme featured competitions, awareness activities and training []

J&K already victim of tampering through delimitation Recruitment rules almost ready, will be notified soon Cabinet expansion after GST council meeting Srinagar, Oct 07: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday pinned his hopes on the Supreme Court proceedings to prevent any further voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision, saying there is []

New Delhi, Oct 07: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for a free, open and rule-based global maritime order that brings greater peace and progress for all. India believes that the oceans must become a source of shared prosperity, where every country has a voice and an opportunity to grow, Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar []

Budgam, Oct 07: The annual Poshak Bandi ritual was performed with religious fervour at the revered shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani (RA) at Charar-i-Sharief in Budgam on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the annual Urs celebrations of the revered Sufi saint. The sacred ritual of changing the cloth draped over the holy grave was []

Srinagar, Oct 07: The provincial holiday for Urs Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din Sahib in Kashmir has been moved from Thursday to Friday, with the government issuing a formal amendment to its earlier 2025 holiday calendar. The change means the occasion will now be observed on October 9, 2026 (Friday) instead of the originally notified October 8, 2026 []

Announces special enrolment drive on Oct 10, 11 Jammu, Oct 7: With the objective of ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir, Sanjeev Verma, on Wednesday announced a two-day Special Intensive Voter Enrolment Drive across the Union Territory on October 10 (Saturday) and October 11 (Sunday), 2026, []

National Wildlife Week National Wildlife Week, observed from October 2 to 8, reminds us through its 2026 messageConnected Habitats, Thriving Wildlifethat increasing tiger, elephant or leopard numbers is not enough. Small, isolated forest patches cannot secure wildlife. Roads, railways, power lines and unplanned urbanisation fragment forests, disrupt traditional routes and force animals towards human []

A society becomes truly educated when its learning can be seen in the behaviour of its people. Otherwise, we may continue producing highly qualified individuals who know a great deal while still struggling to understand themselves and the people around them. Mohd Abass Dar We often call a person educated because he has studied in []

NEW DELHI: (Oct 7) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said every FIR is a medal on my chest and asserted that he would continue to fight to protect the Constitution. Gandhi also said there are 45 FIRs against him and his target is 100. Asked about an FIR being registered against him for entering []

SRINAGAR: (Oct 7) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday pinned his hopes on the Supreme Court proceedings to prevent any further voter deletions under the Special Intensive Revision, saying there is a possibility of tampering with the polls through the voter revision exercise. Hope the top court would make it difficult to remove names from []

Consultations With Farooq Abdullah To Be Held After Delhi Visit; Assembly Session Had Delayed Exercise Srinagar, October 7 (KNC): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday indicated that the much-anticipated reshuffle of his Council of Ministers is likely to be taken up shortly after the GST Council meeting and subsequent consultations with National []

Six Structures Damaged in Anantnag Fire, Firefighter Injured While Battling Blaze Anantnag, Oct 7: KNT: Six structures were damaged in a major fire that broke out in Qazi Mohalla of Anantnag during the intervening night of October 6 and 7, while a Fire and Emergency Services personnel sustained injuries during the firefighting operation. The blaze []

Srinagar, Oct 06: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed the preparations for the third edition of the Kashmir Marathon, which is scheduled to be held on October 25 this year. The event, which drew large participation last year, will have a dedicated category for athletes from Jammu and Kashmir to encourage []

Srinagar, Oct 06: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the ongoing crisis in West Asia saying that the conflict has engulfed not only the region but has also had repercussions across the world. He appealed to all peace-loving countries, particularly Arab and Muslim nations, to utilise []

Initiative will help extend reliable connectivity to remote, border communities: CM Srinagar, Oct 06: The Jammu and Kashmir Government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has approved provision of land for installation of mobile towers in underserved areas across Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at strengthening high-speed telecom connectivity in remote and border villages. Under the []

Suspension revoked; departmental proceedings to continue Srinagar, Oct 06: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has revoked the suspension of Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, Associate Professor of Cardiology, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, nearly four months after he was suspended in connection with allegations related to cardiac procedures and claims under the PMJAY-SEHAT health insurance []

Inquiry officer appointed to examine alleged Conduct Rules violation, officers defence Srinagar, Oct 06: The Health and Medical Education Department has initiated regular departmental proceedings (RDA) against Dr Azmat Gowhar Khan, Chief Medical Officer, Government Medical College (GMC), Baramulla, over his alleged association as a director of a private healthcare company. According to an order, []

Srinagar, Oct 06: Light rain lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday as the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar forecast intermittent showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds at several places during the coming days. The weather remained generally cloudy across the Union Territory, with light rain reported from some areas. Light snowfall is also likely over []

October 06: Continuing its crackdown against drug peddling, Police have arrested seven drug peddlers in separate cases in Budgam & Anantnag and recovered substantial quantities of contraband. In Budgam, during naka checking at Hyderpora, a police party of Police Post Humhama intercepted a WagonR bearing registration number JK04J-6805. Two persons travelling in the vehicle, identified []

SRINAGAR: (Oct 6) Authorities on Tuesday demolished an illegal shed allegedly constructed by relatives of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru on state land in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. The shed, constructed on a flood basin in Sopore area, was demolished during a drive carried out by a team of the []

SRINAGAR: (Oct 6) The Jammu and Kashmir government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Tuesday approved provision of land for installation of mobile towers in underserved areas across the Union territory, aimed at strengthening high-speed telecom connectivity in remote and border villages. Under the initiative, land has been approved for installation of BSNL mobile []

Srinagar, Oct 6: KNT: A 53-year-old woman died after being hit by an e-rickshaw in the Ishbar Nishat area on the outskirts of Srinagar, with the driver of the vehicle arrested by police. The victim, identified as Shafiqa, wife of Mushtaq Ahmad Lone and a resident of Ishbar Nishat, sustained a head injury in the []

NEW DELHI: (Oct 6) Security arrangements were heightened around the Election Commission headquarters here on Tuesday in view of the INDIA blocs planned protest over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, officials said. Security has also been stepped up at key points in New Delhi since Friday in view of protest calls []

BRUSSELS: EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will head to Beijing on Thursday for two days of make-or-break meetings with Chinese officials to try to stave off a trade war. The European Union has toughened its stance toward Beijing to defend businesses against what it believes is unfair competition in critical sectors including cars. Increasingly European []

Says adherence to organisational discipline, party constitution is guarantee to success SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah Monday said that the greatest strength and success of any organisation lies in internal discipline and adherence to its constitution and rules. He said that the Naya Kashmir Manifesto, the partys agenda and []

Directs depts to ensure smooth facilities for devotees BUDGAM: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan on Monday visited Charar-i-Sharief to review arrangements for the forthcoming Urs and facilities for devotees. The Deputy Commissioner paid obeisance at the revered shrine of Sheik Nooruddin Noorani (RA) and inspected the ongoing development works, including the under-construction Guest []

KULGAM: Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Shahzad Alam on Monday chaired a meeting at the Conference Hall, Kulgam to review the implementation and progress of Mission YUVA. The meeting was held in connection with the visit of the GDI Team to the district for an assessment of Mission YUVA. A detailed review was undertaken of beneficiary-wise progress, []

KFTA meets NC Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq, says local filmmakers neither consulted nor involved in govt-sponsored international festival SRINAGAR: A high-level delegation of the Kashmir Film & Television Association (KFTA) today called on Jenab Tanvir Sadiq Ali, Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, and apprised him of the concerns and grievances of []

SRINAGAR: A group of Indian Forest Service Officers of the 2024 batch on Monday called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, at Lok Bhavan. They were accompanied by Dr MK Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) for Working Plan, Research & Trainings. During the interaction, the young officers briefed the Lieutenant Governor on their field experiences []

Two teams, two championships at Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Kashmir Football Tournament 2026 SRINAGAR: Downtown Heroes Football Club has achieved a remarkable double championship feat at the Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Kashmir Football Tournament 2026, with both its Under-17 Boys and Under-17 Girls teams emerging as champions in their respective competitions. The achievement marks []

SOPORE: The first ever North Kashmir Womens Sports Festival commenced on Monday at Government Degree College (GDC) for Women, Sopore, with around 900 athletes from 14 Degree Colleges and 5 Higher Secondary Schools participating in the three-day mega event. Commissioner Secretary Higher Education, Ram Nivas Sharma, inaugurated the festival while Secretary in Higher Education Safqat []

DUBAI: Pakistan Champions on Monday withdrew from the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) Season 3 after the PCB refused to grant the required No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to their players. The team had been in discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board over its participation in the tournament after owner Kamil Khan requested the board to []

Policy mandates digital mapping to end repeated road digging Srinagar, Oct 05: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday described the Jammu and Kashmir Common Duct Policy 2026 as a major step towards modernising urban infrastructure, improving utility management and creating cleaner and more orderly cityscapes across Jammu and Kashmir. Following approval by the Council of []

Calls for empowering women innovators, ensuring their leadership in agri technology Srinagar, Oct 05: The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha today addressed the 60th Annual Convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), co-hosted by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir. Extending a warm welcome to distinguished guests, the Lieutenant Governor []

Hopes for rectification Srinagar, Oct 05: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Monday welcomed the Supreme Courts notice Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission and two other Election Commissioners and expressed hope that the court would address the shortcomings. Speaking to reporters after a party meeting, Abdullah said he was pleased that []

Srinagar, Oct 05: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness light snowfall and rain over higher reaches from October 6 to 10, the Meteorological Centre said on Monday. According to the forecast, J&K would witness thunderstorms, gusty winds and scattered rainfall in the next few days. The MeT advised people to ensure safe storage of []

We keep saying we are the cream of creation. But what have we actually created? Tariq Lone There is something deeply uncomfortable I have been thinking about for a long time. We are a people who talk about being the cream of creation. We talk about our intelligence.Our resilience.Our hospitality.Our history.Our talent.Our land.Our resources.Our culture.Our []

Srinagar, Oct 5 (GNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an in-depth inquiry into alleged misappropriation of government funds in the execution of the project Strengthening/Upgradation of Checki Kachdora to Checki Nowgam and Chetripora-Kaprin Road sanctioned under NABARD-XXIII in Public Works (R&B) Division Shopian. As per Government Order, a copy of which lies []

NEW DELHI: (Oct 5) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Election Commission and the Centre on pleas alleging that the poll body took several decisions without the approval of the two election commissioners and said it will annul decisions found not to be in accordance with law. The top court, however, refused []

SRINAGAR: (Oct 5) The Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the Common Duct Policy 2026, which will support planned urban growth and digital connectivity in the Union Territory. Following approval by the Council of Ministers, the Government has notified the Jammu and Kashmir Common Duct Policy 2026, establishing a framework for shared utility corridors for []

NEW DELHI: (Oct 5) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Election Commission and the Centre seeking responses in a week on a plea challenging the manner in which the poll panel led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar took decisions allegedly without the approval of two Election Commissioners. A bench comprising Chief Justice of []

SRINAGAR: (Oct 5) Police have arrested six suspected drug peddlers in separate cases in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said in Monday. Continuing the drive against the drug menace, police in Anantnag has arrested six persons in separate actions across the district and recovered contraband substances from their possession, a police spokesperson said. []

NEW DELHI: (Oct 5) The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a batch of petitions seeking a SIT probe into the 2020 riots in the national capital and the 2019 violence that broke out in Jamia Millia Islamia following anti-CAA protests. A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Manoj Jain said, for the reasons mentioned []