Wednesday, April 9News and updates from Kashmir

OTHERS

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

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 ...
Kashmiri researcher bags grant to advance Leukemia research

Kashmiri researcher bags grant to advance Leukemia research

OTHERS
Dr. Altaf Bhat, a faculty member at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations (CIRI) at the University of Kashmir (KU), has secured a prestigious research grant worth approximately ₹1.5 crore from the Lady Tata Memorial Trust. The grant will support Dr. Bhat’s project, which focuses on studying the role of chromatin modifiers in regulating 3D genome organization during leukemia. This groundbreaking research aims to uncover new insights and develop efficient therapeutic strategies for the disease. KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan congratulated Dr. Bhat on the achievement, highlighting its significance in enhancing the university's reputation as a leading center for interdisciplinary research. “CIRI is steadily evolving into a world-class research hub, contri...
Soldier injured in Sopore encounter succumbs, ops on

Soldier injured in Sopore encounter succumbs, ops on

OTHERS
The soldier, who was injured in the encounter between militants and security forces in Gujjarpati area of Zaloora in Sopore, succumbed to his injuries, officials said. The encounter broke out in the area late last evening. An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the operation was halted last night due to darkness. "With the first light of the day, fresh firing resumed. In the ensuing encounter a soldier was injured and was evacuated to a hospital." He said that the injured jawan succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. On Sunday joint teams of Army, CRPF and police cordoned off the Gujjarpati area during which a hideout was busted. "During the searches, the security forces' team was fired upon, leading to an encounter."—(KNO)
Three-decade-old CRPF bunker in Srinagar dismantled

Three-decade-old CRPF bunker in Srinagar dismantled

OTHERS
A security bunker, constructed in the early 1990s at Braripora in Srinagar's Safakadal area, has been dismantled after three decades, reflecting the improving security situation in Kashmir. The bunker, built by the Border Security Force (BSF) during the height of militancy, had been occupied by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in recent years, Press Trust of India reported. Jayiz Ahmad Alaie, a local resident, confirmed that the CRPF vacated the bunker and adjacent property. "The bunker, built in the early 1990s, was a significant structure occupying much of the road," he said. Locals welcomed the move, stating that the bunker's removal would ease traffic congestion in the area. "This was probably the largest bunker in the city. Its presence often caused traffic jams during ...
Speculation rises over Nitish Kumar’s potential exit from NDA

Speculation rises over Nitish Kumar’s potential exit from NDA

OTHERS
Speculation has been rising that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may be preparing to leave the BJP-led NDA, following a series of political developments over the past week. As per multiple news reports, Amit Shah’s comments about Nitish's leadership during a TV program on December 16 were followed by a controversial statement about Dr. Ambedkar in Parliament, which led Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal to accuse Shah of insulting Ambedkar and writing a letter to Nitish. After this, Nitish Kumar unexpectedly fell ill. The political climate grew tenser when BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal initially stated that the party would contest elections under Nitish's leadership, only to retract his comment, stating that the decision was in the hands of the central leadership. A s...
Mineral Department official allegedly assaulted by mining tipper drivers in Pulwama

Mineral Department official allegedly assaulted by mining tipper drivers in Pulwama

OTHERS
An enforcement drive against illegal mining in the Rambi Ara area of Lassipora, Pulwama, turned violent when a mineral department employee, Mohd Amin Sheikh, was attacked by tipper drivers involved in unlawful activities. Sheikh, a resident of Nowdal Tral, was reportedly on duty when the incident occurred. The assault took place during an operation aimed at curbing illegal mining, a persistent problem in the district that has caused severe environmental damage. Sheikh sustained injuries in the attack and was rushed to District Hospital Pulwama for treatment. Police from Lassipora police station have started an investigation after registering a case in this regard. [KNT]
‘Satelite townships will serve people of Kashmir’: CM’s Advisor

‘Satelite townships will serve people of Kashmir’: CM’s Advisor

OTHERS
Amid growing local opposition to land acquisitions for developmental projects, including proposed satellite townships, the National Conference (NC) sought to reassure residents that their interests would remain central to any such initiatives. Senior NC leader and Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, addressed concerns during a press conference at the party’s Nawa-e-Subh headquarters, stating, “If any satellite township is established, it will be for the local people. There is no need to make an issue out of it. We are still dealing with the repercussions of the PDP’s past actions.” The remarks come amidst public apprehension and allegations from the PDP that the projects aim to alter Kashmir’s demographic composition. Responding to these accusations, Wani st...
Power Department announces winter curtailment schedule for Kashmir: Here’s everything you need to know

Power Department announces winter curtailment schedule for Kashmir: Here’s everything you need to know

OTHERS
The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a revised power curtailment schedule to address electricity distribution challenges in the region. The new schedule imposes 4.5 hours of daily power cuts in metered areas and over 6 hours in non-metered and high-loss feeders. According to officials, the differential power cut strategy aims to target areas with significant transmission losses and inefficient power usage, ensuring a balance between electricity demand and supply. “KPDCL is adopting this approach to optimize resource allocation and reduce the load on the power grid during peak hours. We urge consumers to plan their activities accordingly and practice energy conservation to minimize disruptions,” said a senior KPDCL official. The curtailment sc...
Saudi Arabia deports Indian man accused in 2011 Balli riots

Saudi Arabia deports Indian man accused in 2011 Balli riots

OTHERS
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Barkat Ali, the final accused in the 2011 Balli riots case, in which two tribal youths were burned alive. Ali, who had been absconding for nearly eight years, had settled in Saudi Arabia. Acting on a red corner notice, Riyadh police detained and deported him to India. Upon his arrival in Delhi, the CBI took him into custody. He was later produced before a district court in South Goa and remanded to judicial custody. The Goa state government had initially handed over nine cases related to the Balli riots to the CBI. The agency named Ali in its chargesheet, accusing him and others of unlawful assembly, rioting, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among other charges under the Indian Penal Code. The riots...
‘Nothing to do with the event’: Shopian college distances itself from controversial event amid widespread criticism

‘Nothing to do with the event’: Shopian college distances itself from controversial event amid widespread criticism

OTHERS
The recent event at Shopian's Government Degree College, featuring several social media content creators, has sparked widespread criticism from various sections of society, with many questioning the involvement of social media influencers in a student-focused event. Kashmiris have expressed outrage, asking the authorities who they intend for students to be inspired by. The controversy arises at a time when highly educated youth and research scholars in Jammu Kashmir are grappling with soaring unemployment rates, raising concerns about the message being sent to students. Social media users voiced their disapproval, criticizing the participation of influencers. In response, Shopian Degree College issued a statement clarifying its role in the program. The college explained that the ev...