#JammuAndKashmir Archives

“Marathons vs Governance?”: Sunil Sharma Targets Omar Abdullah Government Over ‘Elite Priorities’

April 24, 2026 Editor

“Marathons, Skiing & 5-Star Dinners”: A Political Punchline or Public Reality? By: Javid Amin | 23 April 2026 In the evolving political landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, rhetoric often shapes perception as much as policy does. The latest salvo from Sunil Sharma—accusing the National Conference government led by Omar Abdullah of being “busy in marathons, skiing, and 5-star dinners”—is more than a passing remark. It is a carefully constructed political narrative, designed to tap into public frustrations and reframe governance priorities. Lifestyle Optics vs Ground Governance At the heart of…

Kashmir’s Liquor Debate: Morality, Revenue, and the Politics of Control in a Changing Valley

April 22, 2026 Editor

Kashmir Liquor Debate 2026: Morality vs Revenue vs Political Control By: Javid Amin | 22 April 2026 A Valley Divided: More Than Just a Debate Over Alcohol In Kashmir, the question of liquor is not merely administrative—it is deeply emotional, cultural, and political. What appears on paper as an excise policy issue unfolds on the ground as a sensitive conflict between identity, governance, and economic priorities. As of 2026, the debate remains unresolved. The administration frames liquor availability as essential for tourism and revenue generation, while large sections of Kashmiri…

Shabir Shah Arrested in 1996 Case: NIA Secures 10-Day Custody in Fresh Crackdown on Separatist Leadership

April 19, 2026 Editor

Shabir Shah Arrested in 30-Year-Old Case: NIA’s Move Signals Continued Crackdown in Kashmir By: Javid Amin | 18 April 2026 A Veteran Separatist Leader Back in Custody Senior separatist leader Shabir Shah has once again been taken into custody, this time by the National Investigation Agency, in connection with a terror-related case dating back to 1996. A special court granted the agency 10 days of custodial remand, allowing investigators to interrogate Shah over allegations tied to militancy-era violence and terror financing. The arrest comes shortly after Shah had secured bail…

Kashmiri Pandits Protest in Jammu, Demand ₹26,000 Monthly Relief Amid Rising Costs

April 17, 2026 Editor

Kashmiri Pandits Protest in Jammu: “₹13,000 Is Not Enough Anymore” By: Javid Amin | 16 April 2026 A Community on the Streets After Eight Years of Silence In a renewed expression of long-standing economic distress, displaced Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the Press Club Jammu on April 15, staging a protest to demand a two-fold increase in monthly relief assistance. Led by community figure Ravinder Koul, the protest highlighted a growing concern: the current relief of ₹13,000 per family, unchanged since 2018, is no longer sufficient to meet basic needs. Their…

Cow Vigilante Assault: SIT Formed; Ramban Protests Shut Highway, Victim Missing After Stream Escape

April 14, 2026 Editor

Cow Vigilantism in India: The Ramban Case That Sparked Outrage and Questions By: Javid Amin | 13 April 2026 The alleged assault and disappearance of a man in Jammu & Kashmir’s Ramban district has once again brought India’s long-running issue of cow vigilantism into sharp focus. What began as a local incident has now escalated into a major law-and-order and human rights concern, raising urgent questions about accountability, minority safety, and the rule of law. What Happened in Ramban? A Timeline of Events The incident unfolded in the Magarkote area…

Kashmir Water Crisis 2026: 23% Water Bodies Lost, 315 Lakes Vanished Since 1967

April 7, 2026 Editor

Kashmir’s Vanishing Waters: Inside the Silent Crisis of Disappearing Lakes, Wetlands & Water Bodies in Jammu & Kashmir By: Javid Amin | 06 April 2026 A Paradise Slowly Losing Its Lifeline For centuries, Jammu & Kashmir has been celebrated as a land of shimmering lakes, flowing streams, and fertile valleys. The region’s identity—its culture, economy, and ecology—has always been deeply intertwined with water. From the iconic Dal Lake to the vast expanse of Wular Lake, these water bodies are not just scenic attractions but lifelines sustaining millions. However, recent findings…

KPDCL Power Shutdown April 2026 in Srinagar, Budgam, Gulmarg: Full Schedule, Areas Affected & Advisory

April 7, 2026 Editor

KPDCL Power Shutdown Schedule April 2026: What Residents, Tourists & Businesses Must Know Across Srinagar, Gulmarg, Budgam & Ganderbal By: Javid Amin | 06 April 2026 Kashmir Braces for Scheduled Power Shutdowns: A Necessary Disruption or Growing Concern? In April 2026, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited announced a series of planned power shutdowns across key districts of Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, Budgam, Gulmarg, Tangmarg, and Ganderbal. While authorities describe these outages as routine maintenance aimed at strengthening infrastructure, the announcement has sparked concern among residents, tourism stakeholders, and small…

‘Sold J&K’s Power Twice Over’: Iltija Mufti’s NHPC Charge Reignites Energy Sovereignty Debate

April 3, 2026 Editor

Iltija Mufti Accuses NC of Selling J&K’s Power to NHPC: Energy Sovereignty Row Explained By: Javid Amin | 03 April 2026 Power, Politics, and Perception in Kashmir A fresh political storm has erupted in Jammu & Kashmir after Iltija Mufti accused the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) of having “sold J&K’s power twice over.” Her allegation targets successive NC-led governments under Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, claiming they transferred key hydroelectric assets to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) at “throwaway prices.” At the heart of the controversy lies…

FFRC Vs Private Schools Kashmir: Fee Regulation, Violations, and Parents’ Struggle Explained

April 3, 2026 Editor

FFRC vs Private Schools in Kashmir: Who Really Controls Education? By: Javid Amin | 02 April 2026 A Ground-Level Editorial on Regulation, Resistance, and the Reality Parents Face Regulation Exists—Control Is Contested The recent crackdown by the Fee Fixation and Regulation Committee (FFRC), issuing notices to over 660 private schools and freezing fee hikes till March 2026, marks one of the most assertive interventions in Kashmir’s education sector in recent years. But beneath the surface lies a more complex truth: Regulation exists on paper—but control over education remains deeply contested.…

Illegal Constructions in Kashmir Tourist Zones: Over 200 Structures Flagged in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg

April 2, 2026 Editor

A Paradise Under Pressure By: Javid Amin | 01 April 2026 Kashmir’s postcard-perfect landscapes—lush meadows, snow-clad peaks, and pristine rivers—have long defined its global identity. But beneath this beauty, a quiet crisis is unfolding. Recent official data and ground-level assessments reveal that over 200 illegal constructions have been flagged across key tourist destinations in Jammu & Kashmir. From hotels to guesthouses and unauthorized huts, these structures are rapidly altering the fragile ecological balance of the Valley. This is not just an urban planning issue—it is a high-stakes conflict between economic…