Month: November 2024

Waheed Para, MLA from Pulwama, has called out what he terms "glaring hypocrisy" in the application of minority status in Jammu Kashmir. Para, in a detailed critique on social media, referred to the recent notification by the J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), which allots MD/MS seats under the "Hindu Minority Quota" in ASCOMS-Jammu. The BOPEE notification (No. 173-BOPEE of 2024) reserves 13 seats for the Hindu Minority Quota and 5 for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) candidates in postgraduate medical programs. Para argued that while provisions are made for specific minority groups in Jammu, the same principle of regional demographics is ignored when it comes to Muslims in Kashmir, who face significant restrictions in college admissions and government jobs despi...

Jammu Kashmir is currently experiencing the effects of a Western Disturbance, bringing light to moderate rain and snow over the next 48 hours. Snowfall is expected in higher-altitude regions, including Sadhna Top, Razdan Top, Gurez, Machil, Zojila Pass, Sinthan Top, Margan Top, and Peer Ki Gali. Light snow showers are also possible in Gulmarg and Sonamarg, including Gulmarg’s Phase 1 and 2. Rainfall may extend to some plains, but no significant spells are anticipated. Temperatures are set to dip sharply in the coming days, with sub-zero readings marking the first freeze of the season in several areas. The Meteorological Department has forecast a prolonged dry spell starting from November 17, expected to last for 7 to 10 days. This period of dry weather is predicted to intensify...

More than 100 conifer trees were found illegally axed in a forest area here in Jammu Kashmir's Doda district, prompting the forest department to launch a probe to bring the culprits to book, officials said on Wednesday. Locals and environmentalists expressed concern over the alleged failure of the department concerned to check the unabated smuggling of forest wealth by miscreants and demanded stern action against them. Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, Sandeep Kumar confirmed that 77 cases involving the felling of more than 100 trees in the Tanta forest area of the Chirala range came to their notice on Tuesday and a probe is underway. On getting information about large-scale felling of trees at Tanta, which is notorious for smuggling, four investigation teams were formed and ...

Shabir Ali In a shocking incident, a couple was attacked by an unidentified masked intruder in Hazratbal, Srinagar, on Wednesday morning. The attack left the wife critically injured and the husband shaken but determined to catch the perpetrator. As per eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 9 a.m. at the residence of Ghulam Rasool Khan. According to Khan who spoke to The Kashmiriyat, the attack began when his wife, who was in the kitchen making tea, was suddenly assaulted. "I was sleeping when I heard my wife screaming," he recounted. "I rushed to the kitchen and saw an unknown man attacking her. When I intervened, he turned on me, biting my hands and punching my face multiple times." Khan described the assailant as wearing a mask, who was a non local, making identificat...

The biting cold has tightened its grip over Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, with temperatures dipping below freezing in several areas. The Kashmir region continues to shiver under sub-zero conditions, while parts of Jammu and Ladakh face even harsher weather. In Kashmir, Shopian recorded the lowest temperature at a frigid -4.6°C, followed closely by Pahalgam at -4.4°C. Popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg saw the mercury drop to -2.6°C and -3.6°C, respectively. Srinagar, the region's summer capital, reported a minimum of -0.6°C, marking a notable chill in the urban center. Other districts, including Anantnag (-3.9°C) and Pulwama (-3.6°C), also experienced freezing temperatures, signaling the onset of a harsh winter. Meanwhile, in the Jammu region, the weather ...