REGIONAL

Two days after drama unfolded at National Institute of Technology, Hazratbal Srinagar over a blasphemous video, the institute on Thursday instructed all students to vacate hostels with immediate effect. The university's instructions were being made in pursuance of declaration of winter vacations at the institute. "Pursuant to declaration of Winter Vacation for students w.e.f 30.11.2023 vide Order No. 60 of 2023 issued under endorsement number NITS/R/23/600 dated 30.11.2023 all hostel boarders (Boys and Girls) are instructed to vacate the hostel with immediate effect,'" dead the official order. Meanwhile the students of NIT Srinagar in a written press statement said that they took out a peaceful procession on November 28th responding to an Instagram post that deeply offended religi...

The District Magistrate Ayushi Sudan, IAS, has issued a strict order prohibiting the 'posting,' 'uploading,' or propagation of incendiary messages and 'terrorist' propaganda within the limits of District Kupwara. The magistrate's order, exercised under section 144 Cr.PC 1973, aims to counter the misuse of social media by anti-national groups. The order highlights various intentions behind the propagation of such content, including glorifying terrorist actions, intimidating and terrorizing individuals or the public, inciting violence, spreading disaffection, and promoting hatred based on religious grounds, all of which pose a threat to public order and tranquillity. "Such acts by anti-national groups are prejudicial to the security of the state and are aimed at terrorizing citizens...

Fresh snowfall adorned popular tourist spots like Gulmarg and Doodhpathri while the plains experienced rainfall, causing a drop in temperatures across the valley. Kashmir's weather forecast suggests a 30% chance of snow in Shopian district, but the rest of the plains aren't expected to witness snowfall until evening. Expect temperature drops in the evening and early morning, possibly leading to light snow in some plains, particularly in south Kashmir. Weather conditions are expected to improve from Friday morning, with possible snowfall in higher elevations. A weak western disturbance will bring cloudy weather over the weekend, followed by mostly dry weather for the week ahead. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 5.3 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund settled at 5.0 degrees Cels...

Jammu Kashmir administration, buoyed by a robust influx of tourists during the ongoing autumn season, has announced plans to unveil previously inaccessible snow-covered areas for visitors in this winter season. A senior official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that tourists will be encouraged to explore the enchanting landscapes of snow-bound destinations, including Gurez, Lolab, Bangus and other areas of north Kashmir near the Line of Control. He said that the winter destinations in the Kashmir Valley will not only include established favorites but also newly added tourist spots. These areas, such as Gurez and other areas are being promoted as new skiing hotspots for adventurous travelers. The official said that these locations are poised to become all-season to...

Around six shops were gutted in a fire mishap at Sabzi Mandi in the Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday morning. Reports reaching News Agency Kashmir Scroll said that fire broke out early in the morning at Sabzi mandi Handwara. A source said around six shops were damaged in the fire mishap. The efforts of the fire service, police, and locals were on to douse the flames when this report was filed.

Unscheduled power outages in Kashmir pose a serious threat to the well-being of patients relying on oxygen support at home. In Srinagar City, unreliable power supply has left patients in perilous situations, while those living in rural areas face many more challenges. Patients across various areas of Srinagar spoke with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) and expressed anguish, saying that the frequent and unscheduled power disruptions have transformed their lifeline—oxygen supply—into a source of anxiety and suffering. Shakeel Ahmad, the son of a patient from the Barzulla area in Srinagar, said continuous power is crucial for oxygen concentrators which are vital for supporting those with respiratory conditions. Despite the city setting, Ahmad said he faces hurdles in e...

Jammu &Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its "oppressive tactics" in Kashmir, saying that they are a reflection of the party's deep insecurities and its realization of its failures in the region. In a press release issued by the party, PDP said that Mufti made these remarks while addressing a day-long workers' convention in Zainapora, Shopian. She asserted that the BJP's policy of humiliating and suppressing Kashmiris is only adding to the alienation of the people of Jammu Kashmir. "The only way to bring about lasting peace in J&K is through reconciliation and meaningful engagement that honors the dignity of the people of J&K. The Jackboot approach and attempts to silence the aspi...

Patients and attendants visiting Community Health Centre Kralgund located in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district Tuesday alleged that they were left unattended as medical staff had left the Centre and were busy playing a cricket match during duty hours. They said all the staffers absent at the CHC Kralgund were not on leave but marked present on the official register. “The OT, Physiotherapy, and NCD employees preferred cricket over their duty,” Junaid Ahmed one of the patients said. The patients and attendants called for stringent action against these irresponsible employees. “Patients were waiting but staff was not available. They were informed that that they had gone to play a cricket match. There is no accountability,” said patients. Despite repeated attempts, authorities di...

The Jammu Kashmir Police on Wednesday took to Twitter stating that the blasphemy accused student of NIT Srinagar has booked for his hateful remarks against the Prophet Muhammad. In a tweet, Police said, it has taken cognizance of the incident of uploading of sensitive content against religious sentiments of a particular community by one student of NIT,Hazratbal upon receipt of information from NIT authorities. The Police registered an FIR No. 156/23 at Police station Nigeen under the sections 95A (outraging religious feelings),153A (promoting enimity) 153 (provocation), of the Indian Penal Code. Pertinently, a non local student of the NIT Srinagar has posted a video on his Instagram profile making blasphemous remarks against the Prophet Muhammad. The students of NIT Srinagar st...

Anticipating an improvement in foggy weather conditions and rising minimum temperatures across the Valley, the meteorological department in Kashmir has forecasted a two-day wet spell. Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that light rains and snowfall are expected at various places starting Wednesday. “While no major rains or snowfall are predicted, we anticipate light precipitation on November 29-30,” stated Dr Mukhtar Ahmad. The wet spell is attributed to a weak Western Disturbance, and the weather is expected to remain predominantly dry from December 01 to December 08, with an improvement in foggy conditions. However, the local Meteorological department issued an advisory cautioning about possible disruptions to surface transportation over hilly areas and key passes, including...