#JammuAndKashmir Archives

Srinagar Ex-Mayor to Challenge J&K Reservation Policy in High Court

December 4, 2024 Editor

Amid a growing chorus against its, the newly-elected Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government had in November formed a cabinet sub-committee to look into the issue Former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu said on Tuesday said he will file a separate petition in the high court (HC) against Jammu and Kashmir’s reservation policy, which has drastically reduced the open merit posts and seats in jobs and admissions, supporting an earlier plea against the policy. Mattu said the petition on the reservation policy filed in the court needs serious impetus and support…

Protests Erupt as Farmers Oppose Anantnag-Pahalgam Railway Line

December 3, 2024 Editor

Farmers oppose proposed Anantnag-Pahalgam rail line A group of farmers in Anantnag district have appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir government to drop plans to build a railway line connecting the south Kashmir district headquarters with Pahalgam, which also serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra. “Hundreds of acres of agricultural land will turn barren if a railway line is built from Anantnag to Pahalgam. This stretch has one of the most fertile lands in Kashmir which provides livelihoods to thousands of families,” Ghulam Nabi, a local…

L-G Manoj Sinha Dismisses Two Govt Employees Over Terror Links

November 30, 2024 Editor

Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered dismissal of two employees over terror links Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered dismissal of two employees, citing their involvement in terror activities as a threat to state security. The decision was taken under Article 311 (2)(c) of the Indian Constitution following an investigation that confirmed their links to terror organisations, officials said. Those dismissed from services include Zahir Abbas, a government teacher from Kishtwar and Kulgam resident Abdul Rehman Naika, a pharmacist in the Health department. The General Administration Department (GAD) issued dismissal orders following the orders…

Surprise Inspections Reveal High Absenteeism: Deputy CM Vows Action

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024 Editor

Deputy CM warns against absenteeism in govt offices Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Thursday launched a series of surprise inspections of government offices and expressed dissatisfaction with their functioning. He also issued stern warnings and asked the officials to perform their duties with accountability and transparency for the welfare of the people. Choudhary emphasised that action would be taken against the officials lacking accountability in governance and failing to perform their duties. Taking note of some complaints, the Deputy Chief Minister conducted a surprise inspection…

Ajmer Dargah Dispute Sparks Outrage Among J&K Politicians

November 29, 2024 Editor

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti attacks “dangerous trajectory of communal polarisation sparked by a controversial judgment delivered by a former CJI”. Political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir reacted sharply on Thursday after a Rajasthan court issued notices in a lawsuit filed by Hindu groups alleging that a temple existed below the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The court on Wednesday issued notices to various parties in the lawsuit filed by Hindu groups claiming that a temple existed under the Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti shrine at Ajmer and sought worshipping rights. Former J&K chief minister and…

New Directive: J&K Officials Barred from Using WhatsApp, Gmail for Official Docs

November 27, 2024 Editor

J&K govt bans use of third party tools for transmitting official documents; However, there will be no such restriction on sharing “confidential” and “restricted” information over the internet, provided they were shared via networks that have deployed commercial AES 256-bit encryption The J&K government has embargoed its officials from using third party tools like Whatsapp and Gmail to transmit “top secret” and “secret” documents via these platforms as they risk data breach and leaks. However, there will be no such restriction on sharing “confidential” and “restricted” information over the internet,…

Srinagar Crackdown: Over 1000 Two-Wheelers Seized to Curb Reckless Driving

November 19, 2024 Editor

Action against reckless driving: Over 1000 two-wheelers seized in Srinagar in past 3 days; SSP Traffic City seeks active participation from parents to curb reckless driving Srinagar, Nov 18: Days after the two young students died in a tragic road accident in Srinagar’s Tengpora, the traffic police has upped its ante to reign in on the minors riding two wheelers and four wheelers in a bid to save precious lives. In the past three days, over 1000 vehicles, the majority of them two-wheelers—bikes and scooties—have been seized by the traffic…

Kashmir Reeling Under Winter’s Grip: Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Travel; Highway closed, flights grounded

February 4, 2024February 4, 2024 Editor

Kashmir Battles Winter’s Fury: Snowfall Cripples Valley, Community Spirit Soars Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Kashmiris are weathering the brunt of a harsh winter as heavy snowfall blankets the valley, causing widespread disruptions and highlighting the community’s remarkable resilience. Paralyzed Transportation: The vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, nicknamed the “lifeline” of the valley, lies choked under treacherous snowdrifts, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded and disrupting the flow of essential supplies. As reported, the closure comes after nearly 31 cm of snowfall in Qazigund, leaving authorities scrambling to clear the route. Grounded Flights:…

Kashmir’s Last Elected Local Officials Depart, Leaving Power Vacuum

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024 Editor

In the absence of an elected government in the erstwhile state for more than five years, Panchayats-elected local bodies were the only democratic institutions functional in the region. The curtain falls on the last vestige of elected representatives in Jammu and Kashmir as the term of over 28,000 panchayat members ended today with no fresh elections in sight. In the absence of an elected government in the erstwhile state for more than five years, Panchayats-elected local bodies were the only democratic institutions functional in the region. The administration of the…

Srinagar Shivers at -5.6°C as Cold Wave Grips Kashmir, Marking Season’s Lowest Temperature

January 7, 2024January 7, 2024 Editor

Srinagar city records coldest night of season thus far. A thin layer of ice formed on the surface of the Dal Lake here and other water bodies in Kashmir due to the intense cold wave that is gripping the region, the officials said. Kashmir is currently under the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, a 40-day harsh winter period, when a cold wave sweeps the region and temperatures drop considerably, leading to the freezing of water bodies as well as water in pipes. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period…