REGIONAL

The Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes over the killing of civilians in Billawar, Kathua, and an obscene fashion show at Gulmarg. As soon as the Question Hour began, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), NC and Congress MLAs were on their feet seeking discussion on the killings of civilians in Billawar. Amid the commotion in the House, MLA Bani Dr. Rameshwar Singh, who was assaulted on Saturday night at Billawar, tried to storm into the Well of the House but was stopped by the Marshals. The Speaker repeatedly asked NC members to refrain from creating disruptions and take their seats. However, NC members were unrelenting and continued with their protests. Amid the commotion in the House, MLA Kupwara Mir Muhammad Fayaz demanded strict action agai...

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday sought a report from administration amid "outrage" over “obscene fashion show” in picturesque Gulmarg. In a post from Office of Chief Minister, J&K, handle on ‘X’, Omar said that the shock and anger was “totally understandable”. “The images I have seen show a complete disregard for local sensitivities & that too during this holy month,” reads the post as per GNS. “My office has been in touch with the local authorities & I’ve asked for a report to be submitted within the next 24 hours. Further action, as appropriate, will follow from this report,” he said in the post Omar's reply followed post on ‘X’ by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq: “Outrageous! That In the holy month of Ramzan an obscene fashion show is organised in #Gulmarg, pictures &...

An underage girl kidnapped a year ago has been located by Jammu Kashmir Police and reunited with her family, an official aware of the matter said on Saturday. “The girl (name withheld) was kidnapped last year and wasn’t found until now despite relentless efforts by law enforcement agencies and her family,” the official told news agency Kashmir Bulletin. “Upon receiving a missing report, the SSP Budgam constituted a team to locate the girl, and though the efforts were time-consuming, they finally yielded results, and the girl was recovered from the Magam area,” the official said. “Upon examining her condition, she was reunited with her family.” “The accused involved in kidnapping the underage girl has been arrested, and action as warranted under the law is being taken against hi...

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecasted heavy rain and snow across Jammu and Kashmir between March 10 and 14. According to the weather office, a fresh western disturbance will hit the region on Monday, bringing light to moderate rain and snow to most places. "On March 10-11, moderate rain and snowfall—mainly in upper reaches—is expected across J&K," an official said. Another spell of light rain is likely to follow from March 12 onward, with intermittent showers and snowfall continuing at many locations until March 14. Authorities have issued an advisory for travelers, urging them to check road conditions before undertaking journeys, as inclement weather may cause landslides and avalanches in vulnerable areas. Farmers have also been advised to complete agricultural ac...

Danishwar Hameed A violent confrontation erupted between two groups at Masjid Sideeqi in Razloo Kund on Sunday, resulting in ten individuals sustaining injuries. The injured, as per officials, were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, sources confirmed. According to reports, the clash occurred between members of the Hanfis and Wahabi (Ahle Hadees) Jamaat, leading to a physical altercation that left several people injured. The situation escalated quickly, raising concerns about further unrest. The police emphasized the importance of timely intervention to prevent a larger crisis. "Had the culprits not been apprehended immediately, there could have been serious risks to public safety," an official stated. Authorities have booked ten individuals under F...

The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Association (KVFGDU) on Saturday expressed disappointment over the recently announced J-K Budget, saying it failed to address their long-pending demands. Sharing details, Chairman of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Association (KVFGDU), Bashir Ahmad Basheer, informed said that despite high hopes, the budget has offered nothing to fruit growers. “We had demanded several measures for the upliftment of the horticulture sector, but unfortunately, we have been completely ignored,” he said. He added that their key demands, like crop insurance, MIS schemes, and KCC loans, have all been overlooked. The growers had also sought the establishment of testing laboratories in all districts, exemption of GST on cardboard boxes and pesticid...

The Jammu Kashmir government has identified 1,298.28 kanals (162 acres) of land at nine different locations for the development of satellite townships across the Jammu Kashmir. This comes in addition to the 4,200 kanals (525 acres) already designated by development authorities in Srinagar and Jammu. The identified sites include Padgampora (Pulwama), Watapora (Bandipora), Bhalwal (Jammu), and Chatterhama (Srinagar). In response to a query from PDP’s Pulwama MLA, Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para, the National Conference-led government revealed the details of the land allocation. Para, however, raised concerns about the government’s move, pointing out that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier dismissed the idea of such a proposal. Speaking outside the Assembly, Para called for transpa...

The Jammu Kashmir government on Saturday disclosed that the Union Territory has a whopping debt of Rs 125205 crore. In a written reply to the question of MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone, the minister in-charge of the Finance department, Omar Abdullah, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), disclosed that the total debt portfolio of JK, including State Development Loan/Reserve Bank of India loan, negotiated loans, National Saving Small Fund (NSSF), Government of India Advances, Ways and Means Advance/Overdraft, General Provident Fund (GPF), Reserves and Deposits, UDAY power bonds, stands at a staggering Rs 125205 crore. According to the Finance department’s reply, the total outstanding on account of SDL/RBI loans is Rs 69894 crore, followed by GPF with Rs 27901 crore, Rs 14294 c...

Jammu Kashmir Police have cracked a theft case in south Kashmir’s Kund area of Kulgam, recovering stolen property and arresting five individuals involved in the crime. A complaint was lodged at Police Station Kund by Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat of Churat Qazigund, reporting the theft of poplar trees he had stored along the roadside at Waltengo, Kund, on the night of March 4-5. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered, and an investigation was launched. Led by SHO Kund, the police team utilized all available resources to trace and recover the stolen property. The arrested suspects have been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Deeded, Mohd Hanif Deeded, and Maneer Ahmad Deeded— all sons of Rajwali Deeded from Nigeenpora Nad, along with Rajesh Kumar of Hameerpora, Himachal, and Basharat Ahmad T...

A CRPF man was injured after he was hit by a vehicle in Kandizal area of South Kashmir Pulwama District on Saturday afternoon. Officials told news agency JKNS that one Scorpio vehicle no. jk 09-A 3662, coming from Jammu, hit one CRPF personnel who was on duty near Kandizal bypass. They said CRPF man identified as Hc Sunil of 110/BN CRPF was shifted to B&J Hospital Srinagar, where his condition is said to be stable. Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance and started an investigation. (JKNS)