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Morning Digest: U.S. launches more strikes on Iran; 27 killed in Bangkok pub fire, and more
Here is a select list of stories to start the day
FIFA will examine the issue in committees after this World Cup; longer tournaments and logistics could limit the number of potential hosts
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Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurates projects worth 1,047 crore
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Andhra Pradesh and the next El Nio challenge
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Mild Earthquake jolts Kashmir Valley
Srinagar ,July 13 : A mild earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale struck Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Monday, July 13, 2026. According to the earthquake parameters, the tremor occurred at 2:00:31 AM IST. The epicentre was located at 34.246N latitude and 74.456E longitude, with a focal depth of 10 kilometres, indicating a shallow earthquake. The tremors were felt in parts of Baramulla and nearby areas, causing brief concern among residents. As of now, there are no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and have advised people to remain alert while avoiding panic.
Road rage | Politics of renaming a street in Bengal
Soon after the BJP government renamed Kolkatas Suhrawardy Avenue as Gopal Mukherjee Road, there was public outcry and historical evidence that the street was originally named not after the man whom the government blames for killings, but rather the first Muslim V-C of Calcutta University. Heres why the renaming of the street marks a crucial moment in Bengal politics
From Screens to Skills: Rethinking Digital Literacy in Kashmir
DR ZAHID MAQBOOL As the world navigates rapid technological change and persistent inequalities, building genuine digital literacy, not just screen familiarity, will determine whether its youth can lead in tomorrows economy. For decades, Kashmir has been celebrated for its landscapes, crafts, and culture. Today, another, transformation is underway in homes, classrooms, and offices across the Valley: the steady rise of the digital society. This shift is not only about gadgets and apps; it is about who will participate in the emerging knowledge economy and who will be left out for lack of skills, confidence, or opportunity. Over the last decade, smartphones and affordable data have become part of daily life. From Kupwara to Qazigund, young people scroll, chat and stream with ease. Yet we often mistake this comfort with screens for digital literacy. It is not. True digital literacy goes far beyond the ability to open an app or forward a message. It is about using technology critically, creatively, and securelyto learn, to work, to build networks, and to share ones own story with the wider world. This distinction matters in the Valley, where technology has quickly become central to education, business, and public life. Students now routinely look up lectures, tutorials and exam resources online. Aspiring entrepreneurs explore ecommerce and digital payments. Journalists, artists and professionals across sectors use online platforms to find audiences and opportunities beyond their immediate neighbourhoods. Yet the benefits of this shift are uneven, shaped by geography, language, income and gender. Urban, English-educated youth in Srinagar, Baramulla or Anantnag often enjoy a head start over students in remote villages where a shared smartphone and patchy connectivity are still the norm. Private schools experiment with learning apps and smart boards, while many government schools struggle with basic infrastructure and training. Young women, in particular, can face social scrutiny around their online presence, even as the internet increasingly shapes education, employment and public debate. Digital opportunity, in other words, tends to mirror older inequalities. That is why it is dangerous to reduce digital progress to a technical exercise of distributing devices or installing WiFi. Digital literacy is a social project that must account for language barriers, local needs, and social norms. A coding boot camp in uptown Srinagar does little for a girl in Bandipora whose family still debates whether she needs a phone at all. A hightech smart classroom is of limited use if the teacher herself is anxious about logging into a platform or experimenting with new tools. Without confronting these realities, slogans about a digital revolution risk ringing hollow. At the same time, it would be shortsighted to treat technology as something imposed from outside. For Kashmiri students, digital tools have opened windows that were once tightly shut: access to lectures from leading universities, online test series for competitive exams, information about scholarships, internships and skilldevelopment courses across the country and abroad. For artisans and traders in downtown Srinagar or rural belts, online marketplaces and social media pages offer the possibility of showcasing shawls, papiermch, saffron or apples directly to customers. But these possibilities are not automatic. They require careful guidance, critical thinking, and an ethic of responsibility. The Valley, like the rest of the world, is no stranger to misinformation, online harassment and addictive scrolling. Young people who are digitally present but not digitally literate are vulnerableto scams, to abusive comments, and to echo chambers that entertain but do not enlighten. Teaching them how to question sources, manage screen time, protect their data, and understand how algorithms shape what they see is as important as teaching them algebra or history. This is where public policy, educational institutions, and civil society must play a more active role. Instead of treating computer education as a side subject, schools in Kashmir should embed digital literacy across the curriculumfrom basic device handling and online safety in the early classes to media literacy, coding, and data ethics in higher grades. Teacher training must be central to this shift; a digitally confident teacher can turn even simple infrastructure into a powerful learning environment. Universities and colleges, meanwhile, need to move beyond routine online attendance and PDFsharing. They can nurture studentled tech clubs, digital journalism labs, and entrepreneurship cells that encourage experimentation rooted in local realities. Why shouldnt a group of students design an app for orchard management, tourism services, or an online archive of Kashmiri and Urdu literature? Digital literacy, after all, is also about ownership of knowledge and culture, not just consumption of imported content. Equally vital is the role of government and telecom providers in ensuring affordable, reliable connectivity across the Valley. If access remains fragile or prohibitively expensive for sections of society, digital literacy will remain the privilege of a few. Connectivity today is much more than a convenience; it is an educational, economic and social lifeline. Policy must recognise this and invest accordingly in rural coverage, public access points and community digital centres. Ultimately, the question before us is not whether Kashmir will be digital. That process is already underway, however unevenly. The real question is who this digital future will serve. Will it deepen existing hierarchies or help level them? Will it produce passive consumers of content, or active creators, coders, researchers and storytellers who are rooted in their own soil yet connected to the wider world? For a young generation eager to study, work and compete on a larger stage, digital literacy can be more than a skill; it can be a pathway to dignity and mobility. To invest in digital literacy in the Valley is to believe that its future will also be written in code, in online classrooms, in independent media ventures, and in small local innovations that quietly improve everyday life. That future will not arrive through announcements alone. It will be built through steady, patient work in classrooms, mohallas and homeswhere parents encourage informed use of technology, teachers feel supported in trying new methods, and institutions treat digital literacy as a right, not a luxury. If we succeed, the Valley will not merely adapt to a digital world; it will help shape it. (The Author is an Assistant Professor working in Dubai and a columnist)
Foundations of a Society: The Revolution Begins at Home
SIBGHAT SHAFI In every age, thinkers have asked what truly holds a society together. Is it the Constitution, the economy, the courts, or the market? We are told that strong institutions, good governance and robust infrastructure are the pillars of a stable social order. Yet beneath all these visible structures lies a quieter, older and more fragile foundation: the home, and at the centre of it, the parents. A society is not an abstract entity hovering above our heads. It is the sum of families, neighbourhoods and everyday relationships. It is built in living rooms, classrooms, playgrounds and mosques long before it ever appears in parliaments or policy papers. If the home is fractured, no amount of legislation can fully repair what is lost. If the home is nurturing, even an imperfect political order can be endured and gradually reformed. In our context in Kashmir, we are quick to blame politics, leaders and the system for the ills we see around us: rising intolerance, anger, addiction, alienation and the erosion of basic respect. These are real problems, and they do demand structural responses. But it is intellectually lazy, and morally convenient, to forget the role of the first school each of us ever attended: the home in which our parents raised us. The first classroom Before a child can read a book or listen to a sermon, he or she has already absorbed a powerful curriculum from the behaviour of parents. How father speaks to mother, how elders treat domestic workers, how adults talk about neighbours and about the other all of this silently shapes the childs understanding of dignity, justice and compassion. We worry today about a coarsening public culture. Social media has made anger performative and cruelty cheap. But a child who has seen patience at home is less easily swept away by the mob. A young person who has watched their parents apologise, forgive and share is more likely to carry those habits into school, work and public life. The foundations of a humane society are laid not in abstract lectures on values but in the daily, often unnoticed, conduct of parents. In Kashmiri families, we inherit a rich tradition of respect for elders, hospitality to guests and care for neighbours. Yet these values face new pressures. Economic stress, political uncertainty and the race for status and marks often push parents into a narrow focus on material success. Children are coached to crack exams, but rarely taught to manage emotions, respect differences, or serve their community. A society that produces high scorers with low character is building on sand. Between protection and preparation Modern parenting everywhere, including in our valley, is caught between two extremes: overprotection and neglect. On one side, parents shield children from every discomfort, completing their homework, resolving every conflict, and excusing every mistake. On the other side, economic and social pressures leave many children effectively raising themselves, with little emotional presence from adults. Both extremes weaken the foundations of society. Overprotected children grow up unprepared for the realities of life. They are easily disillusioned, quick to blame others, and often lack resilience. Neglected children, meanwhile, may carry wounds that later erupt as rage, addiction or despair. The role of parents is not merely to protect but to prepare. That means allowing children to face appropriate challenges, to take responsibility, to experience the consequences of their choices while standing beside them as guides and moral anchors. A society of citizens who can think, feel and act with maturity begins with homes where parents neither abandon their role nor suffocate their children. Values in an age of confusion We live in a time of rapid change. Technology has brought the world into our pockets. Children in Srinagar can, with a few clicks, watch the same content as children in New York or Tokyo. There is much to learn from this global exposure, but there is also much to fear if it is not filtered through a stable moral compass at home. Here, parents have a delicate but unavoidable task: to transmit enduring values in a language their children can understand. This does not mean turning the home into a place of harsh moral policing. It means creating an atmosphere where questions are welcomed, doubts are heard, and faith and ethics are explained with love rather than fear. When parents outsource this responsibility entirely to schools or religious institutions, the result is confusion. One voice at home, another at school, a third on the internet and the child is left to stitch together a personal philosophy from scattered, often contradictory pieces. A firm but gentle parental presence can provide coherence, helping the child to navigate multiple influences without losing themselves. Rebuilding trust, one family at a time There is much talk these days of a trust deficit in our society: between citizen and state, between communities, even within extended families. Trust cannot be legislated into existence. It grows slowly from countless small experiences of reliability and care. When a child sees that promises made at home are kept, that anger does not explode into violence, that differences are resolved with dialogue, a template of trust is formed. When, instead, promises are broken, tempers flare into abuse, and disputes are settled by humiliation, that template is shattered. Parents, therefore, are not just raising individuals; they are shaping future colleagues, neighbours, leaders and spouses. Every harsh word normalised at home makes it easier to justify harshness in public life. Every act of kindness or integrity makes its quiet contribution to a more decent society. A call for selfreflection It is tempting, in an opinion column, to end with demands addressed to others: the government must do this, the schools must improve that. Those demands are sometimes justified. But perhaps the more urgent appeal today is to parents, including those of us who write and read these lines. If we are disturbed by what we see around us the anger in our thoughts, the emptiness behind many young faces, the erosion of truth in public discourse we must ask an uncomfortable question: what have we, as parents and elders, modelled within our four walls? Have we reduced success to rank and salary? Have we treated domestic workers with the same respect we preach in public? Have we taught our children to listen as well as to argue? The foundations of a society are not rebuilt through slogans alone. They are repaired at dinner tables, in patient conversations with adolescents, in the decision to switch off the television and truly listen, in the courage to apologise to our own children when we err. Kashmir has survived many storms. Our resilience is legendary. But the strength we will need for the future will not come only from politics or policies. It will come, quietly and steadily, from homes where parents choose to be the society they wish their children to inherit. ( The Author is a sociologist working in an International NGO)
Housing For All: J&K tops UTs in PMAY-U implementation
Srinagar, Jul 12: Jammu & Kashmir continues to remain at the top of the Union Territories in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U & PMAY-U 2.0), recording the highest number of houses sanctioned and the largest amount of Central assistance among all Union Territories. According to the Annual Report 2025-26, released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in June 2026, on the physical and financial progress of PMAY-U and PMAYU 2.0, a total of 45,112 houses have been sanctioned in Jammu & Kashmir. The Union Territory has received Rs 534.75 crore as Central assistance against an approved assistance of Rs 714.86 crore. The figures place J&K well ahead of all other Union Territories. Delhi ranks second with 31,670 houses sanctioned, followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNH&DD) with 10,338 houses, Chandigarh with 1,277 houses, Andaman & Nicobar Islands with 377 houses, while Lakshadweep has no sanctioned houses under the scheme. The data also indicated steady progress over the previous reporting period ending March 31, 2025. During the nine-month period, the number of sanctioned houses in J&K increased from 47,040 to 45,112 under the updated accounting framework. The report revealed that the Central assistance released rose from Rs 523.48 crore to Rs 534.75 crore, reflecting an additional release of Rs 11.27 crore till last year. Among Union Territories, J&K has also secured the highest Central assistance. Delhi has received Rs 698.53 crore against an approved assistance of Rs 714.86 crore, while DNH&DD has received Rs 209.87 crore, Chandigarh Rs 28.85 crore, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands Rs 3.72 crore. Nationally, PMAY-U has sanctioned over 1.25 crore houses, with more than 98.6 lakh houses completed. The revamped PMAY-U 2.0, launched in September 2024, aims to provide financial support for one crore additional urban families over five years while continuing the completion of previously sanctioned projects. The data underscore Jammu & Kashmir's dominant position among Union Territories in both the physical and financial implementation of the flagship urban housing programme. Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the completion of 31,173 houses under the much-hyped Housing for All scheme, out of a total of 39,153 sanctioned units.
J&K book row : Three publishers arrested after raids in Jammu, Delhi
Srinagar, Jul 12: The Counter Intelligence Unit of Jammu has arrested three publishers as part of an ongoing investigation into two controversial books that were found in government school libraries in J&K, officials said on Sunday. The arrests followed coordinated raids in Jammu and Delhi and are linked to allegations that the books contained content considered highly inappropriate and supportive of separatist narratives. Those arrested have been identified as Inderpaul of Jammu-based Oberoi Book Service, along with Amardeep Singh and Girish Arora of Noida-based Dominant Publishers. Investigators are examining their role in the printing and distribution of the books. The case stems from an FIR registered on July 4 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The action was initiated after two books in government libraries were accused of glorifying separatist leaders. The books under scrutiny are Personalities and Legends of J&K by Hilal Ahmad and Santosh Meena, published by Oberoi Book Service, and Great Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir by Sushant Giri, published by Delhi based Anurag Prakashan. Officialsaid both Oberoi Book Service and Dominant Publishers had already been blacklisted by the government. Counter intelligence teams had searched their premises on July 6. According to the investigation, 123 copies of one book were supplied to schools in Jammu, Ramban and Udhampur districts, while 128 copies of the other were distributed in Jammu and Baramulla. The controversy has also triggered administrative action. Recently, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha suspended eight School Education Department officials, terminated a contractual employee and ordered an inquiry into the procurement and circulation of the books. The School Education Department had withdrawn both books on July 3 following objections from political parties, including the BJP and Congress, which alleged that the publications promoted separatist ideology. The officialsaid the investigation is continuing and more arrests are likely.
At least 27 killed as fire breaks out at pub in Bangkok
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SANJY 2026 : Yatra continues peacefully despite challenging weather
Srinagar, Jul 12: The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 continued peacefully on Sunday with thousands of pilgrims making their way towards the holy cave shrine from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes amid elaborate security arrangements, as over 10,500 pilgrims crossed the Domail Access Control Gate. According to official figures, a total of 10,563 pilgrims crossed the Domail Access Control Gate en route to the cave shrine, including 8,637 male pilgrims, 1,615 female pilgrims, 86 children, 23 sadhus, 19 sadhvis, 4 transgender pilgrims, and 179 security force personnel. Earlier in the day, the 11th batch of pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu under tight security and moved towards the twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam). A total of 9,153 yatris travelled towards the Kashmir Valley in 359 vehicles. Of these, 3,429 pilgrims travelled via the Baltal axis in 149 vehicles, while 5,724 pilgrims proceeded through the Pahalgam axis in 210 vehicles. The Baltal-bound convoy comprised 2,250 male pilgrims, 1,051 women, 14 children, 92 sadhus, 21 sadhvis, and one sadhu child. The Pahalgam-bound convoy included 4,272 male pilgrims, 1,182 women, four children, 175 sadhus, and 91 sadhvis. No foreign pilgrims were reported in either convoy. For the movement of pilgrims, authorities deployed 196 buses, 53 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 108 light motor vehicles (LMVs), and two two-wheelers, ensuring smooth transportation to the twin routes. The Baltal convoy departed at 2:44 AM, while the Pahalgam convoy left at 3:35 AM under multi-layered security cover. The convoys were escorted by personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF, supported by escort vehicles and ambulances. With Sunday's arrivals, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 has crossed another significant milestone, as more than two lakh pilgrims have already paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath Cave Shrine since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage. Officials said comprehensive arrangements, including traffic regulation, medical facilities, security deployment, and emergency response teams, remain in place to facilitate the ongoing pilgrimage.
22 cloudbursts in 42 days: Is J&K weather turning more violent?
Srinagar, July 12: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an alarming 22 cloudburst incidents since June 1 this year, raising fresh concerns over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region. According to official figures, the Jammu division accounted for 15 cloudbursts, especiallyin the Chenab Valley belt, while eight incidents were reported fromKashmir, triggeringflash floods, landslides and damage to roads, houses and agricultural land in several areas. The latest cloudburst in Pahalgam, a key tourist destination and one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra, has emerged as a starkreminder of the growing vulnerability of the regionto extreme weather events. Experts say the incident should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a broader climatic shift unfolding across the western Himalayas.Director Meteorological Department, Ladakh, Sonam Lotussaid rising temperatures andincreasingmoisturein the atmosphere are contributingto short-duration but highly intense rainfall events in mountainous regions. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, increasing the chances of heavy precipitation over a short period. In mountainous terrain, these events become highly localised and difficult to predict, Lotus said. Environmentalist and researcher Dr Tanveer Ahmad Khan described the recent Pahalgam cloudburst as a warning signal for the region. The Himalayan ecosystem is undergoing rapid changes. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and shrinking snow reserves are creating conditions favourable for extreme weather events. The Pahalgam incident should be treated as a wake-up call rather than an isolated disaster, he said. Dr Khan stressed the need for strengthening early warning systems, improving disaster preparedness and ensuring climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable areas. Independent weather forecasterFaizan Arif warned that unregulated construction along riverbanks and mountain drainage corridors is magnifying the impact of such disasters. The government needs to keep a close check on construction along riverbanksand alongmountain drainage corridors. These areas often serve as natural drainage channels that safely carry excess runoff during intense rainfall or cloudburst events, he said. Although these channels may remain dry for most of the year, they can quickly transform into destructive flood routes during extreme weather events, Arif added. He noted that riverfront properties and hotels often fetch higher prices because of their scenic appeal, but remain among the most vulnerable locations during flash floods and debris flows. Ironically, such land is often considered premium because river-view hotels and properties attract higher demand. However, these are the very locations that face the greatest risk from flash floods, debris flow and erosion, he said. Arif called for scientific land-use planning and strict enforcement of regulations governing construction in hazard-prone zones. Experts believe that rapid urbanisation, encroachments on natural water channels, deforestation and changing climate patterns are collectively increasing disaster risks across Jammu and Kashmir. With cloudbursts becoming more frequent and destructive, scientists warn that the region can no longer afford to view such events as rare occurrences. The tally of 22 cloudbursts in just over a month suggests that extreme weather may increasingly become the new normal for Jammu and Kashmir, demanding urgent adaptation measures and a rethink in the way development takes place in the mountains.
Use heritage to inspire new minds: LG Sinha to youth
Srinagar, Jul 12: India's greatest strength is its rich spiritual, scientific and cultural identity, passed down through centuries like a torch. I appealed to the youth not to let that flame die. Now is the time to use our rich heritage to inspire millions of new minds. Now is the time to innovate and give the youth of Jammu Kashmir a clear purpose for buildinga self-reliant UT, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday. The Lieutenant Governor attended the Lal Ded Literature Awards and the release function of Dr Vaidehi Taman's new book Lal Ded: The Mother of Kashmir. He urged the awardees to share the timeless wisdom of Lal Ded, Kabir, Nund Rishi, Guru Nanak, and Tulsidas with the younger generation. Speaking on the occasion, the LG said our ancestors built India by balancing science with deep spiritual values, emphasising that progress requires both the scientist and the spiritualist. Sinha said that nation-building is a shared duty for every citizen. Youth are the builders of our future. Do not settle for ordinary achievements. Dream big, work hard, and strive for excellence. Our nation's journey succeeds through patience, hard work, and collective effort, he said, adding that India values both outward progress and inward spiritual growth, and traveling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari shows that core traditions are still alive. I want writers, thinkers, and artists to preserve and share this spiritual tradition. I am not suggesting we live in the past, but rather that we respect the truth, goodness, and grace of our heritage. We can stay open to the world while remaining deeply rootedjust like a tree with strong roots that survives the wind and grows, the LG said. The Lieutenant Governor invited society to do two important things: first, find a piece of heritage lost in the busyness of lifewhether it is a language, a song, a recipe, a story, or a traditionreclaim it, and inspire the next generation to do the same; second, remember that our greatest strength is our cultural identity, passed down for centuries like a burning torch. I appeal to the youth: do not let that flame die. Now is the time to use our heritage to kindle millions of new flames, he said. He commended the work of writers, educators, and artists, saying that those honoured today have enriched our nation through their extraordinary work. In this rapidly changing world, we need writers and educators more than ever. Literature makes us compassionate, and education gives us knowledge. Together, they create responsible citizens who can lead the nation forward, he said. On the occasion, LG Sinha made five requests to intellectuals, writers, teachers, scientists, and creators: encourage the youth to think independently and pursue truth; document and share rich culture; bring ideas out of booksand use themto solve real-world problems; share experience to inspire the next generation to serve the nation; and combine different areas of expertise to tackle complex challenges like climate change. Responding to the request for a museum dedicated to great personalities like Lal Ded, the Lieutenant Governor assured that appropriate steps would be taken in this regard. The event was attended by former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Tirath Singh Rawat, former Member of Parliament and President of Asiatic Society of Mumbai Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, eminent writer Prof. Neerja Mattoo, author Dr Vaidehi Taman, Padma Shri Dr SP Varma, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, other senior officials, and prominent literary personalities.
Rising ManAnimal Conflict in Doda
The fourth bear attack reported from Doda district, in which 14-year-old sustained serious injuries to his head, face and back, is not an isolated incident. It is a stark reminder of a growing mananimal conflict that the administration has failed to address with urgency and foresight. While doctors at GMC Doda have stabilised the boy and referred him to Government Medical College, Jammu, the question remains: how many such close shaves will it take for the system to wake up? Hospital authorities have confirmed that this is the fourth such case reported in a short span of time. That alone should have triggered a coordinated response from wildlife authorities, civil administration and police. Instead, the pattern is being treated as a series of unfortunate events rather than a clear indicator of structural failures, be it in habitat management, early-warning systems, or public awareness. Doda and several other hilly districts of Jammu and Kashmir have seen increased movement of wild animals near human habitations. Experts have long linked such incursions to shrinking habitats, unplanned construction, road cutting, and the gradual erosion of traditional buffer zones between forests and villages. Yet, comprehensive surveys, public advisories, and preventive measures remain largely missing or cosmetic. The response cannot be limited to appeals issued after every attack. When hospital authorities ask people to inform them about such incidents at the earliest, it underlines another gap: villagers often do not know whom to contact, how quickly help can arrive, and what immediate first-aid measures can save lives and prevent disability. A functional, round-the-clock response mechanism: integrating wildlife, health, and emergency servicesis no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The administration must urgently map vulnerable areas, deploy wildlife staff and rescue teams in identified hotspots, and launch sustained awareness campaigns in schools and panchayats. Simple community-level interventionslike training volunteers, installing warning systems, managing waste that attracts animals, and improving lighting around forest-fringe settlements- can significantly reduce risk. Equally important is ensuring timely and dignified treatment and compensation for victims and their families. A young boy being shifted from Doda to Jammu is not just a medical referral; it reflects the fragile health infrastructure in remote districts that struggle during any emergency, whether natural or man-made. The repeated bear attacks in Doda must serve as a wake-up call. Mananimal conflict is no longer a distant environmental debate; it is a daily reality for our rural poor. Unless the government moves from reactive statements to a concrete, time-bound action plan, such incidents will continue, and the cost will be paid by those least responsible and least protected.
Cloudburst turns Chittergul into a valley of loss
The cloudburst over Nala Chotihall in Chittergul, Anantnag on Sunday, was not merely a spell of heavy rain; it was a brutal reminder of how precarious life remains for Kashmirs rural poor. In a matter of minutes, a wall of water tore through paddy fields, apple orchards and modest homes, leaving behind shattered livelihoods and a community gripped by fear. Residents recount a night of terror: water invading homes and even the local mosque, families rushing out into the darkness with children in their arms, roads cut off and entire neighbourhoods marooned. That people survived, as one farmer put it, was only by the grace of Allah. Yet survival alone cannot be the benchmark of governance in a region that has long lived with the twin burdens of conflict and climate vulnerability. The immediate response of the district administration, deploying emergency teams and initiating assessments is necessary, but far from sufficient. For the farmers of Chittergul, this is not an abstract natural calamity; it is the loss of a years income, of orchards nurtured over decades, of livestock and food security. Compensation here is not charity; it is an obligation of the state in the face of a disaster that has laid bare chronic neglect. The repeated pleas from residents for a genuine assessment tell their own story. People in Chittergul, Chaklipora, Brimmer and adjoining hamlets are not asking for exaggerated payouts; they are asking that officials walk their fields, see the silted orchards, the broken embankments, the damaged road, and record losses honestly. Without credible ground verification and time-bound relief, anger and alienation will deepen. This episode must also force a hard look at preparedness. Cloudbursts and flash floods are no longer rare freak events; they are becoming the new normal in a warming Himalaya. Yet vulnerable valleys continue to lack robust drainage systems, reinforced stream embankments, early warning protocols and clear evacuation plans. The diversion of the local stream at Chittergul Upper, with devastating consequences, points to the absence of scientific land-use planning and river management. What is needed now is a twofold response: immediate and structural. In the short term, the administration must fast-track compensation for crop, orchard, livestock and housing losses, restore connectivity, and provide psychological support to those traumatised by the events of that night. In the longer term, Anantnag needs a serious resilience plan for its rural belts, integrating climate risk mapping, regulated construction along water channels and community-based disaster preparedness. In Chittergul, residents say they have shown patience and restraint even as they count their losses. The coming weeks will reveal whether the administration can match that resilience with effective action on the ground.
In the heart of Kashmir, Gilsar and Khushalsar are twin interconnected lakes situated in the northern part of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. More specifically, they lie within the citys old and historic quarters. Their boundaries extend across neighbourhoods from Zoonimar to the Aali Masjid area, and they remain connected to the larger Anchar and Nigeen lakes. Gilsar-Khushaal Sar Now (Photo: Insha Shirazi) In the past, Gilsar and Khushalsar Water Commons were two undisturbed freshwater lakes and were an integral component of the interconnected lake system of Srinagar. They provided habitat for diverse aquatic life, fisheries, water transportation, and livelihoods, and facilitated flood control and groundwater recharge. In the past these water bodies had been famous for their crystal clear waters and ecological values in the Kashmir Valley. However in recent years, they have been degraded on account of sewage discharge, accumulation of waste and reduction in the water front. Water Quality and Ecological Health of Gilsar and Khushalsar According to the study, Evaluating Water Quality and Microbial Contamination in Khushalsar Wetland, Kashmir for Ecosystem Health, published in Springer Nature Switzerland AG (2026), reveals both Gilsar and Khushalsar showed signs of severe ecological stress. Plastic waste in Gilsar-Khushaal sar Several water quality parameters exceeded permissible limits, reflecting increasing human pressure on these lakes. The CCME Water Quality Index classified both water bodies as poor, Professor Farooq Ahmed Lone, Head, Division of Environmental Sciences, SKUAST-Kashmir, said. The highest microbial contamination was recorded during summer, particularly at the lake inlets, highlighting the urgent need for improved sewage management and pollution-control measures. From Foul Smell to Fresh Hope Standing on the banks of the restored GilsarKhushalsar lakes, 56-year-old Mohammad Hussain remembers when these waters were the lifeline of the neighbourhood. Residents drank from the lakes, swam in them, and depended on them in their daily lives. But over the years, the twin water commons became choked with garbage, plastic waste and sewage, turning into foul-smelling water bodies that many had given up on. Mohammad, a resident of Gilsar-Khushaal sar At that time, the government wasn't doing much for the lakes. When many had accepted the lakes' decline as inevitable, Manzoor Wangnoo refused to. Not a government official or a public authority, but an environmentalist from Srinagar driven by a deep attachment to Kashmir's water heritage, he took the first step. His conviction soon encouraged residents to stand beside him, turning one person's concern into a shared mission Before the restoration, the foul smell was unbearable and there were polythene bags and garbage everywhere. Today, the lakes are clean and beautiful again. More importantly, the restoration changed us too. We became more aware of our responsibility towards the environment and realised that we, as a community, had also played a role in polluting these lakes. Keeping the Waters Alive We formally took over Gilsar and Khushalsar from the Revenue Department in 2025, and since then the restoration process has been underway. Cleaning operations have already begun in both water bodies. Our Watermaster machinery has been deployed, solid waste collection is ongoing and embankment works have also been initiated at several locations, Lakes and Conservation Management Authority (LCMA), Vice Chairman, Khursheed Ahmed Shah said. This is not intended to be a short-term intervention. These water bodies are now under our jurisdiction and our responsibility is to ensure that conservation becomes continuous and sustainable. Vice Chairman, Lakes and Conservation Management Authority (LCMA) Our mandate at LCMA is clear to protect, conserve and maintain these lakes so they can continue serving ecological and public purposes. Similar to the work carried out in Dal and Nigeen, we have already initiated cleaning and waste management measures in Gilsar and Khushalsar and will continue to strengthen those efforts in the coming years. We are also planning improvement and beautification of the embankments. Shah added. Where the Restoration Began The restoration journey began in 2000, when Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, environmentalist, businessman and Chairman of the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO), was confronted with the deteriorating condition of Srinagars Nigeen Lake. After returning from Delhi in 2000, Wangnoo recalled visiting Nigeen Lake. The lake, once celebrated as the Queen of Lakes, was buried under polythene, dead animals and encroachments. I could not sit there for more than fifteen minutes. I went home, called my friends and asked, What have we done to this lake, and why are we waiting for the government to fix everything? That moment became the beginning. Wangnoo said that although the situation in Kashmir was difficult at the time and taking up a public environmental cause was not easy, houseboat owners, local residents and friends joined hands to restore Nigeen without funding or expectations. Within months, we restored parts of Nigeen by cleaning it to the pristine beauty people remembered. I even compensated those using floating gardens because conservation cannot happen without community, he said. Nigeen lake Then came resistance, land interests, criticism and obstacles, but we continued. One morning, I woke up to see a newspaper headline appreciating the restoration of Nigeen. That was when I realised this effort needed an identity. With support from the then Vice Chairman of LAWDA, the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) was born, Wangnoo said. NLCO & Nigeen Lake Conservation Wangnoo said he formally founded the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) in 2000 with the belief that protecting Kashmir's lakes could not remain the responsibility of the government alone. NLCO team cleaning the Gilsar-Khushaal sar Restoring Nigeen Water Common was not just about cleaning the lake; it was about changing mindsets. We encouraged residents, houseboat owners and local communities to see the lake as their shared heritage. Conservation cannot survive without community. He added. Mission: Ehsaas Recalling the origins of Mission Ehsaas , Wangnoo said a Doordarshan interview in 2020 became a turning point. Given just 20 seconds to address the public, he chose one word: Ehsaas. It was a call for a shared sense of responsibility among people, stakeholders and the government. If all of us work towards one goal, anything is possible. During the programme, footage of Khushal Sar and Gilsar left a lasting impression. People were walking over them, animals were grazing and polythene bags were everywhere. You could not even spend two minutes there, he said. Recalling the beginning of the restoration, Wangnoo said he visited Khushal Sar the very next morning with two cousins.The condition of the lake was heartbreaking. We decided to begin the restoration immediately. Local residents gathered around us. Some laughed and asked, What are you doing? We told them we were trying to clean the lake. They replied, Many people have come here before, even higher authorities. They stay for one or two days and then leave. I told them, Give us a chance. Main akela hi chala tha janib-e-manzil magar, log judte gaye aur karwan banta gaya. Wangnoo and his team are on an inspection of Twin Lakes Wangnoo said that as local residents gradually began supporting the initiative, administrative backing also followed. Anticipating challenges ranging from encroachments to vested interests, Wangnoo approached the then Divisional Commissioner, P. K. Pole, seeking coordinated support for the restoration of Khushal Sar and Gilsar. Pole subsequently convened a meeting of all concerned departments, including SMC, LAWDA and the police, directing them to support the initiative. Gilsar-Khushaal sar before NLCO & Mission Ehsaas initiatives How Locals Support the Ehsaas Movement Ghulam Nabi (name changed), a local resident of Gilsar, recalls how the restoration effort gradually became a shared responsibility for the entire community. It may have begun with one man's determination, but over time it became everyone's mission. We, the local residents, stood with Mission Ehsaas in whatever way we could. Some of us contributed money, others volunteered our time, and many simply encouraged the effort because we wanted to see these lakes live again. Today, when I look at Gilsar and Khushalsar, I feel proud that our small contributions became part of something much bigger. We only hope the government continues to protect and maintain what has been restored so that future generations never have to see these lakes in the condition they once were. A full view of Gilsar-Khushaal sar after Wangnoos Initiatives Conservation Needs Policy, Participation & Persistence Long-term conservation of Gilsar and Khushalsar requires effective sewage and solid waste management, strict control of encroachments, and sustained wetland restoration efforts. Regular ecological monitoring and dedicated policy support are essential to maintain the health of these wetlands. Equally important is community participation and awareness, which can play a key role in reducing pollution and ensuring the sustainable management of these valuable ecosystems, Professor Farooq Ahmed Lone said. I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of civil society activist Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, whose relentless efforts have significantly supported the preservation and conservation of the Gilsar and Khushalsar wetlands. Through his initiative, EHSAAS, he has carried out remarkable work in the desiltation of the twin lakes and the removal of excessive aquatic weeds, contributing substantially to their ecological restoration and revitalisation. The Green Man Initially, the restoration was expected to be completed within three or four months. But after the Prime Minister acknowledged the Khushal SarGilsar initiative, it became clear that the effort could not remain a one-time clean-up. Restoration had to be sustained, Wangnoo said. He said that while restoring the lakes required immense effort, protecting them proved to be an even greater challenge, one that demanded continued support from local communities and the administration. Recalling the restoration days, Wangnoo said the biggest challenge was not cleaning the lakes but protecting them from encroachment. He alleged that a midnight mafia would illegally dump soil and plant willow trees to convert wetlands into valuable land across parts of Khushal Sar and Gilsar. Manzoor Wangnoos Visit at Gilsar-Khushaal sar As encroachment pressure intensified in the Nadir area of Sazgaripora , Wangnoo sought the intervention of LG Manoj Sinha. The visit helped accelerate restoration efforts, with the administration, police and other departments extending their support. Wangnoo said the restoration continued for nearly four years before the responsibility was gradually transferred to the authorities for long-term management. Reflecting on the journey, Wangnoo said the restoration ultimately belonged to the people who embraced it. For three to four years, we stayed with the work. Later, I requested that the restored water bodies be handed over to an authority for long-term management, which eventually happened. My only concern is that the work and effort invested over the years should not go to waste. I remain hopeful that continued action will strengthen what has already begun. Reflecting on the journey with a heavy heart, Wangnoo said Mission Ehsaas was never just about him. It started with two cousins and grew because people joined. Residents contributed money, friends arranged machines and fuel, and everyone gave whatever they could. Today, the lakes no longer bear the signs of neglect they once did. Public awareness has changed people's behaviour, showing what a community can achieve together. (The author is a recipient of the Promise of Commons Fellowship 2026, on the significance of Commons and its community stewardship)
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Srinagar, July 12: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure in border areas, the Dagger Division under the Chinar Corps, in collaboration with the Bank of New York (BNY) and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) today inaugurated the upgraded Government Boys Middle School at Khabna in Uri sector of north Kashmirs Baramulla district. The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior Army officers, representatives of BNY and IAHV, officials from the civil administration and education department, village elders, and students. Located in the strategically important border region of Uri, the Government Boys Middle School caters to students from Khabna and nearby villages, many of whom belong to economically weaker sections. The school had long faced infrastructural shortcomings that affected the overall learning environment. As part of the upgradation, a modern six-classroom academic block has been constructed to provide improved teaching and learning facilities. The project also includes a new Mid-Day Meal (MDM) kitchen to ensure hygienic preparation and distribution of meals, along with two sanitation blocks aimed at improving hygiene, safety and the overall well-being of students. Army officials said the initiative reflects the Indian Armys continued efforts to support the socio-economic development of border communities alongside its primary responsibility of safeguarding the nations frontiers. They said the Army has been undertaking various civic action programmes in border areas, focusing on education, healthcare, infrastructure development and community welfare. The upgraded school is expected to provide a better educational environment for students and contribute to improving access to quality education in the remote border belt of Uri.
SCERT launches classroom reform drive
Srinagar, July 12: In a major push towards implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kashmir Division, on Sunday have concluded a three-day capacity-building programme to equip educators with innovative teaching practices centred on project-based learning. The programme, organised by the Art and Vocational Education Branch under the guidance of Joint Director SCERT Kashmir Syed Shabir Ahmad, brought together teacher educators, field resource persons and vocational trainers from all ten districts of Kashmir. The participants, who have now been trained as master resource persons, will conduct similar programmes at the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) before taking the initiative to middle and secondary school teachers across the Valley. Inaugurating the workshop, Asifa Nisar, Head of Academic Unit-I, described the programme as the beginning of a larger educational transformation aimed at making learning more relevant and engaging for students. This workshop marks the beginning of a larger movement to connect classroom learning with local life, community knowledge and vocational skills. Our objective is to empower teachers with innovative pedagogical approaches that make learning meaningful, experiential and relevant to the needs of students in the 21st century, she said. Over the three-day programme, renowned educationists and subject experts, including Sheikh Gulzar Ahmad, Dr Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Mehta, Mutahhara Haneef, Gulzar Ahmad Dar and Dr Arshed Rashied, conducted interactive sessions on project-based learning, experiential education, integration of art and vocational education, technology-enabled teaching and entrepreneurship. Participants also worked collaboratively to design and present interdisciplinary projects rooted in local contexts, demonstrating how classroom teaching can be linked with community resources, real-life challenges and vocational skills to promote competency-based education. The workshop received an enthusiastic response from participants, many of whom described it as one of the most enriching professional development programmes they had attended. We are returning with practical strategies that will help teachers make learning more meaningful, creative and connected to students' lives. The hands-on approach adopted during the training has given us confidence to implement project-based learning effectively in our schools, said one of the participants. During the valedictory session, participants pledged to take the training to the district level and mentor teachers in adopting project-based learning as a regular classroom practice. SCERT officials expressed confidence that the cascading model of training would ensure the effective implementation of NEP 2020 across schools in Kashmir.
Modern dental care, miswak key to healthy teeth: Experts
Srinagar, Jul 12: Stressing the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene, health experts have recommended a combination of modern dental care practices and scientifically supported traditional methods such as miswak and daatun to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. According to an educational guide prepared by Prof. S. Mohammad Salim Khan, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing and proper oral hygiene habits remain the most effective way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. The guide describes tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste as the gold standard for oral care. It states that brushing effectively removes dental plaquethe primary cause of cavities and gum diseasehelps prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, reduces bad breath and strengthens tooth enamel through fluoride. Khan said adults are advised to brush twice daily for at least two minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush, with brushing before bedtime considered the most important. The guide cautions against over-brushing or using excessive force, which can damage enamel and lead to gum recession and tooth sensitivity. People are also advised to wait 30 to 60 minutes after consuming acidic foods or drinks before brushing to prevent enamel erosion. The guide also highlights the benefits of miswak (Salvadora persica), describing it as a useful traditional oral hygiene tool with natural antibacterial properties. Miswak can help reduce plaque, improve gum health and freshen breath. It contains natural compounds such as fluoride, silica, tannins, sulphur compounds, calcium and vitamin C. The expert recommended using fresh, clean sticks, replacing them every one to two weeks and storing them in hygienic conditions. Similarly, daatun made from neem, babool (acacia), kikar or mango twigs is recognised as an inexpensive and biodegradable alternative that provides mechanical cleaning of teeth and may possess antibacterial properties. However, the guide notes that daatun cannot replace fluoride toothpaste for cavity prevention and warns against using unknown plant species, chemically treated branches or mouldy sticks. It has stressed the importance of daily dental flossing, which helps clean areas between teeth that toothbrushes cannot reach. Flossing reduces plaque accumulation, prevents cavities between teeth and lowers the risk of gum disease. Initial bleeding during flossing may occur if gums are inflamed, but proper technique can minimize injury. Khan said. Choosing the right toothpaste is equally important, the guide says. It added that adults should use toothpaste containing 1,0001,500 parts per million (ppm) fluoride and low-abrasive, ADA-approved formulations where available. For children, only a smear or pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used depending on age, with parental supervision to prevent swallowing.
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Pahalgam, July 12: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpure (IPS), on Sunday visited the cloudburst-affected Awoora Nallah area in Pahalgam to assess the ground situation following the flash floods that caused extensive damage to residential houses, commercial establishments, and other properties. During the visit, the SSP was briefed by officers on the impact of the cloudburst and the prevailing situation in the affected area. He also interacted with local residents to take stock of their concerns and reviewed the ongoing response measures. The SSP directed Police personnel to remain vigilant, maintain a strong presence in the area, and ensure close coordination with the district administration and other concerned agencies to facilitate relief and response efforts. Emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations, he instructed officers to stay prepared for any emergent situation. He also appealed to the public to exercise caution, avoid vulnerable areas, and strictly follow advisories issued by the authorities. Jammu and Kashmir Police reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and providing all possible assistance to affected residents while maintaining close coordination with all stakeholder agencies during the emergency.
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MP Mian Altaf seeks relief for cloudburst-hit Pahalgam
Srinagar, July 12 : Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament for Anantnag-Rajouri, Mian Altaf Ahmad, has expressed deep sorrow and profound anguish over the extensive damage to public infrastructure, and agricultural land caused by the sudden cloudburst incident in several areas of Pahalgam. In a statement released, Mian Altaf conveyed his heartfelt solidarity with the affected and local shopkeepers who have suffered severe losses due to the flash floods. Highlighting the vulnerability of the region during sudden weather anomalies, the Member of Parliament urged the local administration to act with utmost urgency. The trail of destruction left behind by the cloudburst in Pahalgam is deeply distressing. Our immediate focus must be to support those who have lost their livelihoods and properties to nature's fury, Mian Altaf stated. The Member of Parliament strongly urged the Jammu & Kashmir administration, particularly the divisional and district authorities, to instantly deploy relief teams to the affected locations. He demanded a swift, comprehensive survey by revenue and disaster management teams to evaluate the exact quantum of damage. Mian Altaf sought immediate relief and adequate compensation for affected people , local business owners, and farmers whose standing crops have been ruined. MP Mian Altaf also urged for Swift restoration of disrupted essential services, including blocked roads, drinking water supply schemes, and electricity grids in the area.
'Jammu State Movement' launched to press for separate statehood
Jammu, July 12: Representatives of various social, religious, trade, political and civil society organisations on Saturday announced the formation of the Jammu State Movement, a joint platform to campaign for separate statehood for the Jammu region through peaceful and constitutional means. The decision was taken at a meeting attended by representatives of several organisations and prominent citizens, who resolved to launch a united movement highlighting what they described as the region's long-pending concerns relating to development, employment, industry, trade, tourism, infrastructure and governance. The participants said the aspirations of the people of Jammu had not received adequate attention and stressed the need for a collective and democratic campaign to pursue the demand for statehood. They said consultations among different organisations had been underway for several days and culminated in the decision to establish the Jammu State Movement as a common platform. The movement, they said, would remain non-violent and seek wider public participation. As part of its outreach, the newly formed platform will hold meetings with social organisations, trade bodies, employee associations, youth groups and other stakeholders to formulate its future strategy and expand public support. The meeting also decided that representatives of participating organisations and citizens would assemble at the Maharaja Hari Singh statue near Tawi Bridge on Sunday to take a public pledge under the banner of the Jammu State Movement and unveil the campaign's future roadmap. The meeting was chaired by Movement Kalki founder Deepak Singh and attended by representatives of several social, religious and civil society organisations, who appealed to people across Jammu to join the movement in support of the demand for separate statehood.
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Srinagar, July 13: The National Conference (NC), People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) on Sunday paid tributes to those killed on July 13, 1931. While NC termed the day a defining chapter in the region's political history, PDP condemned the house arrest of its president Mehbooba Mufti and senior leader Iltija Mufti, and PDF demanded restoration of the July 13 public holiday. NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the events of July 13, 1931, marked a turning point in the fight against autocratic rule and inspired generations to pursue justice, equality and democratic rights. They said the sacrifices of those killed that day laid the foundation for the political movement led by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and reaffirmed the party's commitment to carrying forward their legacy of building a just, prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir. Senior PDP leaders, including general secretary Mohammad Khursheed Alam, former minister Asiya Naqash and other office-bearers, also paid tributes, saying the sacrifices continue to inspire the people's quest for justice and democratic rights. The party strongly condemned the house arrest of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija Mufti, calling it an undemocratic move to prevent them from paying homage. It urged the authorities to respect democratic rights and allow peaceful political activities. PDF president Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen described the events of July 13, 1931, as a historic struggle against injustice and oppression. Meanwhile, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also paid glowing tributes to people who were killed on July 13, describing them as the true heroes of Jammu and Kashmir whose sacrifices became the foundation of the people's struggle and ultimately paved the way for the establishment of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, The martyrs of July 13, 1931, have a place of honour in our history. They laid down their lives while raising their voices against oppression and injustice. Their supreme sacrifice ignited a powerful people's movement that ultimately brought an end to autocratic rule in Jammu and Kashmir and opened the path towards democracy. In a separate message, senior NC leader Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan said the sacrifices of July 13, 1931, remain a golden chapter in Jammu and Kashmir's history and called for preserving the values of justice, democracy, equality and communal harmony for which the victims laid down their lives.
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Jammu,12 July: Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma on Sunday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is desperately trying to rebrand himself as a warrior against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to escape the anger of the people of Jammu & Kashmir after allegedly deceiving them with false promises during the 2024 Assembly elections and wasting two years between marathon tracks and the ski slopes of Gulmarg. Sharma challenged Omar Abdullah to provide evidence of his claims that the BJP offered 2030 crore to one of his MLAs to switch sides. Let him produce proof before the people of Jammu & Kashmir. If there is even an iota of truth in his claims, I will apologise to him publicly, Sharma said, adding that the BJP would be compelled to initiate legal proceedings against him if he failed to provide evidence. Sharma said that the Chief Ministers allegations were nothing more than a smokescreen to divert attention from public anger over the promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. Omar Abdullah finds himself trapped by the lies and deception he resorted to at that time. Now he is cornered and is using his last card portraying himself as a crusader against the BJP before the people of Kashmir, Sharma said. Sharma further alleged that Omar Abdullah knows his political future is uncertain and now wants to be remembered as a warrior who fought against the BJP.
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Trump claims Strait of Hormuz is open, slams Iran for backing off from deal
Washington, DC [US], July 12 : US President Donald Trump asserted on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial traffic, dismissing Iranian claims of control following a series of intense US military strikes in the region. In an interview on NBC's Meet the Press, the President signalled a complete collapse of recent diplomatic efforts with Iran, revealing that a tentative agreement with Tehran had been shattered by alleged Iranian military strike against commercial vessel. President Trump described a near-miss in negotiations that he claimed took place on Saturday, where he claimed Iranian representatives had agreed to significant concessions, including the total cessation of nuclear and military posturing. We had meetings with them. They agreed to a deal yesterday. A perfect deal for us. No nuclear, no this, no that, no nothing. They gave up everything, and then after that, they left the room and then within an hour they launched a drone at a ship, Trump said. The President characterised the Iranian leadership in harsh terms, stating, They are very, very evil and sick people. It's one of those things. Addressing the status of the vital maritime chokepoint, President Trump confirmed that the US had responded to the renewed Iranian aggression with significant military force. It's open, the President said regarding the Strait of Hormuz. We bombed the hell out of them last night, he added. His remarks come as the US Central Command dismissed Iranian authority over the Strait of Hormuz and affirmed that the critical chokehold remains open despite the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's declaration of its closure. Posting a fact-check in a post on X, CENTCOM wrote, CLAIM: The Iranian commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy recently said on state-owned media that no foreign vessels may pass through the Strait of Hormuz without being identified, tracked, and monitored by Iranian forces. FACT: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. It remains an international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to keep it that way, it added. However, Iran doubled down on the US while insisting that the passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains closed after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that the raffic is flowing. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an official Iranian maritime body established to regulate and control transit through the Strait of Hormuz, stated in a post on X that the passage has been closed due to ecent illegal movements of the US military and will be permitted only through a ransit permit issued by PGSA. It added that the requests regarding the transit will be reviewed as soon as stability and calm are restored in the region. We hereby inform all esteemed applicants. Due to the recent illegal movements of the United States military forces in the region, passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible. As soon as stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed based on the schedule, and the necessary permits will be issued, PGSA stated. The only way to obtain a transit permit is through the website http://PGSA.ir. To receive the latest news and updates, follow our account on the social network X. We appreciate your patience and cooperation, it added. The clarification comes shortly after the US Central Command claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels. (ANI)
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West Bengal BJP chief calls AIFB members goons; Forward Bloc demands apology
Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya says when Syama Prasad Mookerjee urged Subhas Chandra Bose and his brother Sarat Chandra Bose to raise their voice against torture of Hindus in Bangladesh, none of them listened
Sivakasi police crack theft case with arrest of four persons
NIA arrests two absconders in Praveen Nettaru murder case
Nine dead as Russia, Ukraine exchange strikes
The strikes came a day before Ukraine's allies were set to meet in Paris for talks on pressuring Russia to end its more than four-year war
AAP launches signature drive to press for action against dacoity at Ram Temple
Kejriwal urges devotees across the country to organise Hanuman Chalisa recitals and collect signatures
Watch: J&K CM Omar Abdullah asks Centre to act on Statehood commitment
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has once again demanded the restoration of Statehood for the union territory, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modis assurance should carry weight.
Assam activist leading protests against Kaziranga luxury hotels detained
Guwahati police say Pranab Doley, booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, will be handed over to their Bokakhat counterparts in eastern Assam
APSRTC employees JAC to continue agitation over e-bus issue
Six youths nabbed for performing perilous stunts on bikes
Kochi sewerage treatment project gathers pace
South Korea asks North Korea for help with finding missing seaman near border
The request was sent via a text message to reporters because there is no active communication line with the North, according to the ministry in charge of handling inter-Korean affairs
Farmer electrocuted in Nirmal district
Villagers oppose establishment of sewage treatment plant nearArcot
Residents ofPindithangalvillage inRanipetdistrict have been up against the establishment of a sewage treatment plant by the neighbouringKalavaitown panchayat in their village. They are worried that the groundwater table will be contaminated inPindithangaland the nearby farming villages, where farmers depend onborewellsandwaterbodiesfor irrigation
Kannepalli pumps can be operated with present water levels: Harish Rao
Hunt for Shabad killer intensifies, police deploy 12 teams
Police believe the prime accused was within the State
Welfare assistance worth 2.70 crore distributed in Thoothukudi
