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Unfulfilled Promises Could Lead to Reassessment of J&K’s Relationship with Centre: Omar Abdullah

February 14, 2025 Editor

Unfulfilled Promises Could Lead to Reassessment of J&K’s Relationship with Centre: Omar Abdullah Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir — February 13, 2025 — Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has issued a stern warning regarding the potential reassessment of Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with the central government if promises made to the region remain unfulfilled. In a recent address, Abdullah highlighted the challenges posed by the dual control system in J&K and emphasized the need for the Union Government’s support in ensuring smooth governance. Abdullah’s remarks come amid concerns about his perceived approach…

Sajjad Lone Faces Eviction from High-Security Bungalow in Srinagar Amid Criticism

February 8, 2025 Editor

A Z-plus security protectee, the Peoples Conference chairman, who is also the Handwara MLA, has been allotted a government quarter in lieu of the ministerial bungalow that he had been occupying for a decade People’s Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajjad Lone has been asked to vacate his high-security government bungalow on Church Lane in Sonwar, Srinagar, and has been allotted a quarter by the Jammu and Kashmir estates department in the city’s Jawahar Nagar. On January 31, financial commissioner, estates, Shaleen Kabra allotted him quarter number J-64 at Jawahar…

Kathua Youth Commits Suicide After Alleged Police Torture; Authorities Order Probe

February 7, 2025 Editor

A 25-year-old man, accused of involvement in militancy, allegedly died by suicide after reportedly being tortured by the police in Kathua district. Jammu 6 Feb: A 25-year-old man, accused of involvement in militancy, allegedly died by suicide after reportedly being tortured by the police in Kathua district. He was questioned in a case involving an attack on an Army convoy last year, in which four soldiers were killed. The death of Makhan Din, a resident of Billawar in Kathua and a member of the Gujjar community, has led both the…

Ruhullah Calls for Autonomy, Not Just Statehood, for J&K in Parliament

February 4, 2025February 4, 2025 Editor

Autonomy, Not Just Statehood, Is Justice for Jammu Kashmir, Centre misleading nation over Kashmir’s post Art-370 abrogation situation: MP Aga Ruhullah in Parliament Srinagar 03 Jan: National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah on Monday called for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-1953 status, asserting that mere statehood was insufficient. He also criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for failing to mention the plight of Muslims in his parliamentary speech. Speaking during the debate on the President’s address in Parliament, Ruhullah pointed out that while Gandhi spoke about his vision for…

Delhi Meeting: Ruhullah Mehdi and Mirwaiz Address Post-2019 Kashmir Issues

January 31, 2025 Editor

The two discussed about a joint effort for the rejection of Waqf Amendment Bill inside and outside Parliament -legislatively and politically – by meeting important political players National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Ruhullah Mehdi and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq held a surprise meeting in New Delhi and discussed the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, religious freedom of Muslims in the country, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir post 2019 and the plight of youth of Kashmir who are in jails. The two discussed about a joint effort for the…

Administrative Shake-Up: 22 JKAS Officers Get New Roles

January 28, 2025 Editor

Govt orders transfers, postings of 22 JKAS officers Srinagar, Jan 27: The Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered an administrative reshuffle of 22 officers in Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS). The order was issued by Commissioner/ Secretary to the Government, M Raju. As per the order Munir-ul-Islam, JKAS, Chief Executive Officer/Secretary, J&K Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, has been transferred and posted as Secretary in the Information Department. Ajaz Abdullah Saraf, JKAS, Additional Transport Commissioner, J&K, who has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer/Secretary, J&K…

USBRL Section Ready for February Inauguration: What to Expect

January 23, 2025 Editor

USBRL section set to be inaugurated in first week of February Ramban, Jan 22: With the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, its inauguration is scheduled to be held in the first week of February. In an official communiqué, in view of the inauguration of USBRL section in the first week of February, Northern Railways North circle has asked Northern Railways Firozpur division “to arrange to move both USBRL Vande Bharat Rakes from SSB to BDGM in the morning of January 24 and January 25, 2025 for trial…

Experts Sound Alarm Over Proposed Amendments to J&K Building Bylaws

January 23, 2025 Editor

Architects, environmental experts raise concerns over changes in building bylaws Architects and environmental experts have voiced concerns over proposed amendments to the J&K Unified Building Byelaws (UBBL) 2021, calling for more comprehensive public consultations before implementation. The J&K Housing and Urban Development Department recently invited public suggestions on the proposed amendments to UBBL-2021. However, experts argue that the proposed changes are unsuitable for ecologically sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir and could increase the risk of disasters and urban congestion. The deadline for submitting suggestions was January 18. A Kashmir-based…

Kashmir’s Hopes Derailed: No Direct Train from Srinagar to Delhi

January 17, 2025 Editor

Excitement dampens in Kashmir as Railways decide against direct Srinagar-Delhi train The Indian Railways’ decision not to introduce a direct train service between Srinagar and Delhi has dampened excitement surrounding the long-awaited project. The service is expected to launch around Republic Day. This service follows over two decades of effort by engineers and construction workers to complete the 272-long Udhampur-Baramulla- Srinagar-Railwayline (USBRL). Passengers travelling from Srinagar to Delhi will alight at Mata Vaishno Devi Station (MVDS) in Katra, Reasi, for a fresh security check before boarding another train for Delhi. Similarly,…

How Mandatory Train Stops Could Derail Kashmir’s Growth

January 13, 2025 Editor

Katra Train Swap: Convenience or Concern? The Kashmir Rail Project Debate By: Javid Amin The Kashmir Rail Project, once heralded as a transformative infrastructural achievement, now finds itself at the center of controversy. The mandatory deboarding of train passengers at Katra has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, with concerns ranging from passenger inconvenience to its potential impact on logistics, business, and tourism. While government authorities cite security concerns as the rationale behind this decision, stakeholders question whether this move aligns with the original vision of seamless connectivity promised by…