January 2025 - Page 4 of 23

Jan292025 by News DeskNo Comments

Stampede at Maha Kumbh in UP: Multiple casualties feared

INDIA

A stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj early Wednesday has left multiple people feared dead and several injured, according to PTI. The chaos erupted at the Sangam Ghat during the Amrit Snan on Mauni Amavasya, a sacred bathing ritual that drew millions of pilgrims. The incident occurred around 2 AM as a massive crowd gathered along the 12-km-long riverbank. Sirens from ambulances and police vehicles echoed through the site as rescue efforts began. Akanksha Rana, Officer on Special Duty at the Mela, confirmed that a barrier broke, causing injuries, though the exact number remains unclear. Officials cited poor crowd management, with barricading issues forcing devotees to walk longer distances, creating choke points. Mounted police had previously intervened d...

Jan292025 by News DeskNo Comments

Jammu Kashmir’s Forest Department raises concern over Pahalgam gondola project

REGIONAL

The Jammu Kashmir Forest Department has raised objections to the government's plan to cut down hundreds of conifer trees in Pahalgam for a proposed gondola ropeway. The project, aimed at boosting tourism, is expected to connect Pahalgam with Baisaran, a picturesque meadow surrounded by dense pine forests. The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has proposed an alignment that would require the felling of approximately 700-800 trees, triggering environmental concerns. The Forest Department has particularly opposed the impact on forest compartment 35, which would suffer significant damage. Despite these concerns, the JKCCC has suggested a revised route passing through the Pahalgam market, though the reasoning behind this shift remains unclear. It is also uncertain whet...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

Massive fire breaks out in Bijhama forest range of Baramulla

REGIONAL

Bhat Yasir A forest fire erupted today (Tuesday) in the Bijhama area of north Kashmir, with the Forest Department quickly deploying field staff to control the blaze, an official told The Kashmiriyat. This comes just days after the National Disaster Management Authority issued a high-risk forest fire alert for Jammu Kashmir. Kashmir’s lush green forests, once a symbol of tranquility and natural beauty, are now facing an alarming crisis. Forest fires have surged dramatically in recent years, devastating vast stretches of land and posing a serious threat to both the environment and local communities. Between November 2023 and June 2024, Jammu and Kashmir saw a staggering 327 fire incidents, an 18-fold increase compared to the previous year. The sharp rise highlights the gro...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

Srinagar mother finds missing minor daughter in Dehradun, living with her second husband

INDIA

In December 2019, a 40-year-old woman from Srinagar, Kashmir, found herself embarking on what seemed like a new chapter of love, Indian Express reported. She met a 31-year-old man while on a business trip to New Delhi. The two quickly formed a bond, and by January 2020, they were married in a modest ceremony at an Arya Samaj temple in Delhi. The woman, already a mother of two daughters, brought her children into this new relationship, hoping for a fresh start. However, what seemed like a promising new life soon spiraled into a nightmare that would haunt her for years to come. In June 2021, the woman had to make a brief trip to Srinagar. Her husband, citing responsibilities at home, decided to stay behind with her daughters. "Upon her return, she noticed that her older daught...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

The final custodian: Abdul Rashid and Kashmir’s soap-making legacy

CULTURE

Shabir Ali In the heart of Kashmir, the old city of Srinagar unfolds like a living museum, its narrow alleys lined with centuries-old buildings adorned with intricate wooden lattices and khatamband ceilings. The air here carries the faint aroma of spices, mingled with the sound of the Jhelum River flowing gently under historic bridges. This is a city where the past and present coexist, where the architectural beauty whispers tales of bygone eras. Srinagar’s rich cultural fabric has long been woven by artisans and craftspeople, many of whom migrated from rural areas during the Dogra rule and subsequent regimes. Drawn by the city’s rising prominence as a center of commerce and craftsmanship, these skilled workers brought with them a legacy of traditional arts—pashmina weaving, papie...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

Sharjeel Imam completes five years in jail

INDIA

Sharjeel Imam, a PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University and a prominent Muslim activist, has completed five years in detention as of January 28, 2025. His arrest in January 2020 stemmed from his participation in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which many viewed as discriminatory towards Muslims. Imam was charged with sedition and booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his speeches during the protests. Known as a key figure in organizing the Shaheen Bagh sit-in, a historic 100-day protest against the CAA, Imam also faced FIRs in five states for advocating road blockades as a form of civil disobedience. Despite securing bail in several cases, he remains detained under UAPA provisions i...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

We are Muslims by name, not by actions: Dr. Farooq Abdullah

REGIONAL

The National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah has urged the people of Kashmir to rise collectively against the growing menace of drug addiction and trade in the region. While talking to reporters in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah described the drug menace as a serious challenge, stating, “This is a wake-up call for the people of Kashmir. There is a lot of dirty money involved in this drug trade, and unless we Kashmiris wake up, we won’t be able to control it.” Dr. Abdullah expressed his disappointment over the moral and spiritual degradation in society, emphasizing, “We are Muslims only by name and not by action, and that is why we are struggling.” He pitched for self-reflection and societal reforms to address not only the drug crisis but also the broa...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

Fulfill promises to avoid trust deficit, Omar Abdullah tells New Delhi

OTHERS, REGIONAL

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday addressed questions regarding the relationship between New Delhi and Jammu Kashmir, asserting that mutual expectations and commitments are key to fostering trust. Speaking at a function in Jammu, Omar Abdullah dismissed the notion of a "trust deficit" but emphasized the need for New Delhi to honor its commitments to the region. “New Delhi expects good governance and development in Jammu Kashmir, and similarly, we expect New Delhi to fulfill the promises made to us,” he stated. Omar Abdullah added that there would be no trust issues if both sides upheld their responsibilities. The Chief Minister as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also highlighted his government’s active pursuit of the restoration of statehood for Jammu Kashmir, rejecting ...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

Srinagar police busts major inter-state drug trafficking network, Arrests key suppliers from UP and Delhi

REGIONAL

Srinagar Police has dismantled a major inter-state drug trafficking network while investigating Case FIR No. 136/2024 under sections 8/22-29 NDPS Act. This breakthrough underscores the Police department’s commitment in combating the drug menace. Based on evidence from the investigation, including bank transactions and communication records, two key drug suppliers Raju Gupta from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammad Abrar from Bhajanpura, Delhi were identified as major sources of narcotics supplied to local drug peddlers. A Srinagar police team led by SI Amandeep Singh, of Police Post Noorbagh, conducted extensive operations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi over 10 days with the assistance of local police. Raju Gupta was apprehended on 23-01-2025 in Bareilly, and Mohammad Abrar was a...

Jan282025 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Do not troll us’: Govt. Degree College Baramulla issues ‘final warning’ to social media users

REGIONAL

Govt. Degree College Baramulla has issued a final warning against individuals operating unauthorized social media pages that allegedly engage in trolling, defamation, and spreading derogatory content targeting the institution’s staff and students. In a public notice released by the college principal, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Shafi Lone, it was stated that despite previous warnings, certain pages continue to malign the institution. The college has sought intervention from J&K Cyber Police, which has identified individuals responsible, including their mobile numbers, email addresses, and residential addresses. "This notice serves as a final warning to all such individuals. You are hereby directed to immediately remove all such pages, posts, and related content within the next 24 hou...