REGIONAL Archives - Page 147 of 1451

Feb132025 by News DeskNo Comments

CM Omar Abdullah optimistic about statehood restoration: ‘Time has come now’

REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed optimism about the restoration of statehood, saying, "I believe that time has come now." When asked if he had raised the issue during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi earlier this week, Abdullah said the process of statehood restoration was underway and urgently needed to be taken to its logical conclusion. He referred to the Supreme Court's mention of statehood being restored "as soon as possible" when it upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370. The Centre had abrogated Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and reorganised the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in 2019. "It was discussed as soon as possible and tha...

Feb132025 by News DeskNo Comments

10.5% men women consume alcohol in Jammu Kashmir: NFHS data

INDIA, REGIONAL

The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data reveals that 10.5% of men and 0.2% of women aged 15-49 in Jammu Kashmir consume alcohol. While these figures are lower than the national average, they highlight a growing concern, particularly in a region already grappling with substance abuse issues. The data, presented in the Rajya Sabha, shows that while male alcohol consumption has remained steady, female consumption has doubled from 0.1% in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 0.2% in NFHS-5 (2019-21). The region's excise revenue from alcohol sales has surged from Rs 991.55 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2486.34 crore in 2023-24, reflecting a growing market despite the social challenges associated with alcohol consumption. Three members of the Legislative Assembly—Mir Mohammad Fayaz from the P...

Feb132025 by News DeskNo Comments

Jamia students detained during night protest, AISA alleges illegal detention

REGIONAL

More than 20 students from Jamia Millia Islamia are reportedly missing after being detained by Delhi Police from the campus around 5:00 AM on February 13, 2025. According to a press release by the All India Students' Association (AISA), the students were last seen being taken away in police vans, and their current whereabouts remain unknown. The detained students were participating in a peaceful protest demanding the revocation of disciplinary notices issued by the university. "Witnesses allege that the detentions occurred under the cover of darkness, with the involvement of unidentified officers from the Delhi Police, allegedly supported by the Jamia administration," the press release read. AISA claims that the detentions were carried out "illegally before sunrise, and neither...

Feb132025 by News DeskNo Comments

Day after Srinagar, LG Sinha chairs high level security meet in Jammu

REGIONAL

A day after a high-level security meeting in Kashmir, another meeting is underway in Jammu to assess the security situation in the region, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, sources said. Sources said that the meeting is being attended by top officials from the Police, Army, CRPF, and various other security agencies in Jammu. They stated that the focus of the meeting is to assess law and order, the security situation, infiltration along the Line of Control, among other issues. On Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a similar security review meeting at the Police Control Room in Srinagar to assess the security situation in the Kashmir region. The meeting comes in the backdrop of similar back-to-back meetings chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi las...

Feb132025 by News DeskNo Comments

PDD likely to issue new curtailment schedule ahead of Ramadhan

REGIONAL

The Power Development Department (PDD) is likely to take a call on modification of power curtailment schedule a week before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadhan. Sources in the department informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that it may consider a slight modification in the ongoing power curtailment schedule a week prior commencement of the Ramadhan. “As of now PDD has not taken any call for revising the power curtailment schedule. But if there will be any proposal of modification in the schedule, the department will take a call a week before the commencement of holy month Ramadhan if required,” sources said. The official sources further said that it had already reduced the curtailments in the majority of the areas. It further said, “As of now we have ...

Feb122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Public Grievance: Jetty Baramulla Residents Oppose Dumping Pits Near Paddy Fields

REGIONAL

Residents of Jetty Baramulla have expressed strong resentment over the construction of dumping pits near their paddy fields by the Municipal Council (MC) Baramulla. They allege that garbage trucks from multiple towns are dumping waste in the area, leading to severe pollution along the roads and the banks of the Jhelum River. Locals fear that the dumping site will not only degrade agricultural land but also pose serious health and environmental hazards. "Our fields are at risk, and the air is becoming unbearable due to the foul smell," a resident said. In response, CEO MC Baramulla stated that the dumping pits are being developed on government land measuring around 80 kanals. "These are proper disposal pits until a permanent waste management plant is established. Those objecting to th...

Feb122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Teenager goes missing from Kulgam, Family seeks help

REGIONAL

Meer Irfan An 18-year-old youth has gone missing from his home in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. Family members told The Kashmiriyat that Faisal son of Manzoor Ahmed Bhat , a resident of Manchowa, Yaripora in Kulgam, has been missing since February 6, 2025. "He left Darul Uloom Babgam in Tahab, Pulwama, but did not return home. The Darul Uloom administration contacted us at 9:30 p.m. on the same day to check on his whereabouts, as they had no clue where he went,” his family said. After searching for him everywhere, the family filed a missing report at Behibagh Police Station in Kulgam. They have appealed to the police and the public to help them trace their missing son. The family has also shared a contact number, 9541441942, requesting anyone with information about hi...

Feb122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Kishtwar Court stands up for Democracy; Quashes order banning protests

REGIONAL

By: Bhat Yasir The Sessions Court in Kishtwar, Jammu, has stayed an order passed by the District Magistrate (DM) that restricted public protests and demonstrations demanding free electricity in the district. The court observed that a blanket ban on public gatherings violates the fundamental freedoms of citizens and smacks of an imperialist attitude ¹. According to the court, the DM may impose restrictions on public movement, but only to prevent larger mischief and with specified reasons in the order. The power to restrict public movement cannot be used on flimsy grounds. Background of the Case The DM had passed the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) on February 10, in response to rising public protests and demonstrations demanding ...

Feb122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Shab-e-Barat to be observed with religious fervour across Kashmir on February 13

REGIONAL

The sacred night of Shab-e-Barat will be observed across Kashmir on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, corresponding to February 13, 2025. The valley is preparing for the night of forgiveness with prayers, repentance, and spiritual gatherings at major mosques and shrines. In Srinagar, the largest gatherings are expected at Jama Masjid Nowhatta, Dastgeer Sahib Shrine, and Hazratbal Shrine, where special prayers and sermons will be delivered. In Shopian, devotees will gather in large numbers at Jamia Masjid Shopian and Pinjoora Mosque to offer prayers and participate in supplication sessions. In Pulwama, Jamia Masjid Pulwama and Khanqah-e-Faiz Panah will witness significant congregations, with religious leaders delivering sermons on the virtues of Shab-e-Barat. In Kulg...

Feb122025 by News DeskNo Comments

Passport cannot be denied due to kin’s militancy links: JK High court

REGIONAL

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has ruled that a passport cannot be denied to an individual solely because of their brother's involvement in militancy. The court emphasized that the applicant's own conduct should be the basis for issuing a passport. The decision was made by Justice M.A. Chowdhary while hearing the plea of Muhammad Amir Malik from Ramban, who sought to go abroad for better job opportunities. Malik's passport application, submitted online in September 2021, had been delayed due to verification by the CID and Police. The CID report highlighted that Malik's brother was a militant with Hizbul Mujahideen, who was killed in an encounter in 2011, and his father was listed as an Over Ground Worker (OGW). The court directed J&K's Additional Director General ...