REGIONAL

The Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly has released the provisional calendar for the second session in 2025. The session is set to begin on March 3 with the Lieutenant Governor's address, followed by discussions on the Motion of Thanks from March 4 to 6. On March 7, the presentation of the Annual Financial Statement of Expenditure for the year 2025-26 and the Supplementary Statement for 2024-2025 will take place. General discussions on the budget are scheduled from March 8 to 11, followed by demands for grants from March 12 to 13 and March 15 to 19, with holidays on March 9, 14 (Holi), and 16. The session will continue with further discussions on grants from March 17 to 19, followed by Navroz holiday on March 21 and another break on March 23. The demands for grants will resume on ...

In a meeting with a delegation led by Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discussed the pressing challenges faced by Kashmir’s fruit growers. The delegation presented a memorandum outlining key demands, urging the government to intervene in support of horticulturists and traders. Among their requests was the introduction of a crop insurance scheme specifically for horticulture, along with the revival of the market intervention scheme to facilitate the purchase of lower-grade apples. They also pressed for the establishment of a horticulture estate modeled after industrial estates. The growers emphasized the need for subsidies and a simplified approval process for setting up cold storage units, juice plants, and canning factories. Additionally, they called for a...

In a shocking case of procedural misconduct, three Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) inspectors (names withheld) in Jammu and Kashmir managed to obtain heavy motor vehicle (truck) licences under their own supervision. The irregularity has raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the licensing process. As per the documents available with the news agency Kashmir News Trust, each of the three inspectors conducted their own driving trials, supervised themselves, and subsequently approved their own success in the test documents. One of the inspectors secured his truck licence in Kulgam, another in Kathua, and the third in Bandipora. An insider said that he is shocked at how such a blatant violation of procedure could go unchecked. “This is a clear conflict o...

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pulwama attack on its anniversary, emphasizing that their sacrifices in the service of the nation will always be remembered. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), LG Sinha wrote, "Heartfelt tribute to the courageous martyrs of the heinous Pulwama attack of 2019. Their supreme sacrifice in the service of motherland will forever be remembered. The courage and selfless commitment of our gallant heroes will continue to inspire generations." The Pulwama attack occurred on February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber targeted a convoy of soldiers at Lethpora on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The attack claimed the lives of 40 soldiers and left more than 35 injured, marking one of the deadliest attacks i...

Residents of Central Kashmir’s Budgam have expressed outrage over an incident of reckless behavior and apparent mismanagement at the Community Health Centre (CHC) Chattergam. A hospital employee was caught riding a scooty inside the hospital corridors, posing a serious risk to patients and violating fundamental ethical and safety standards. The shocking act has drawn widespread condemnation, with locals questioning how such negligence was allowed within a healthcare facility. "Hospitals are meant for care and healing, not for irresponsible antics. This incident highlights a troubling lack of discipline and oversight," said a concerned resident. The incident has raised broader concerns about hospital administration and its failure to enforce basic regulations. Locals are dema...

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has criticized the decision to seal Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid on Shab-e-Barat, describing it as "unfortunate" and indicative of distrust in both the public and the law-and-order system. He stated, “It is very unfortunate that the security establishment has decided to seal the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar on one of the holiest nights in the Islamic calendar, Shab-e-Barat. This decision betrays a lack of confidence in the people and the law & order machinery, suggesting that calm can’t be maintained without extreme measures. The people of Srinagar deserved better.” Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid expressed disappointment, highlighting that authorities have prevented Shab-e-Barat observances for the sixth consecutive year and placed Mir...

Meer Irfan Villagers of Nagahad Babapora, a Gujjar locality in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, have been struggling without access to drinking water and electricity for the past seven years, forcing them to live in dire conditions. Despite repeated pleas to authorities, their grievances remain unaddressed, prompting fresh appeals to the Deputy Commissioner Shopian and the local Member of Legislative Assembly for immediate intervention. The affected villagers, mostly from the economically weaker Gujjar community, lament that their repeated representations to government officials have yielded no results. They allege that successive administrations have ignored their plight, leaving them to endure an existence devoid of basic necessities. One of the most pressing concerns in Nagaha...

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said to have trapped and arrested Patwari of Halqa Khanpur in Tehsil Marheen, Kathua for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 15000. A spokesman in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Jammu Kashmir ACB received a complaint, alleging therein that public servant namely Sudershan Khajuria, Patwari Halqa Khanpur Tehsil Marheen District Kathua demanded illegal gratification for correction of Girdawari entry in revenue record from the complainant. The accused had initially demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 from the complainant for correction of Girdawari entry in revenue records and in case, the complainant failed to provide the bribe amount, the said Patwari intimidated the complainant to tamper his revenue record...

Three men from Haryana and two women from South Kashmir were attacked by a group of assailants in Tangmarg on Thursday afternoon, official said. As per a police press release issued to The Kashmiriyat, the incident occurred around 1:45 pm when their XUV-300 vehicle, bearing a Haryana registration number, was intercepted and attacked by individuals trailing them from Srinagar. According to Police, the attack followed a road rage incident in Srinagar. “When the trailing vehicles caught up with the XUV-300 in Tangmarg, persons from the trailing vehicles came out and assaulted the 5 occupants,” the police stated. A police team that arrived to rescue the victims was also assaulted, with one Head Constable sustaining a head injury. An FIR has been registered at Police Station Tang...