REGIONAL

National Conference Vice-President and former chief minister J&K Omar Abdullah Monday said that BJPs developmental slogan in Jammu Kashmir was a bundle of lies and it cheated people in the name of providing employment and holding assembly elections in the region. According to Kashmir News Service (KNS) correspondent, the former CM J&K Omar Abdullah while speaking to reporters in southern Kulgam said BJP has only been betraying us in the name of elections, getting rid of unemployment, development, better electricity and other minor things. "Except lies, they have not given anything to the people. The condition of electricity was not this worse as it is today even when they claim crores of funds are being spent. Why they don't arrange more funds to provide electricity to people...

Seven sheep were killed in a leopard attack in the Dargam area of Pattan in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that during the night hours, a leopard barged into the shed of a local resident Ghulam Mohammed Wani and mauled eight sheep to death. "It is tragic that due to the negligence of the wild life Department, the years of hard work of a poor man Ghulam Mohammed Wani went in vain," a local said. He said that the residents of the Dargam have repeatedly asked the Wildlife Department to lay a trap for this leopard, but the department ignored their repeated appeals. Locals said that the leopard attacked another shed four months ago and killed several sheep in he village. In Kashmir, there's been a consistent increase in confrontations between huma...

The dead body of a 22-year-old youth was recovered by locals at Sail Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday morning, official sources said. They told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that locals spotted the dead body and subsequently informed the police that rushed to the spot. The deceased has been identified as Sameer Ahmed son of Abdul Majeed, a resident of Zanigam Sail Beerwah. Police have registered a case and started an investigation in this regard. [KNT]

A woman from the Shopian district of south Kashmir has gone missing from the Anantnag town on Sunday afternoon. Speaking to The Kashmiriyat the family of Hajira Begum, a resident of Safanagri in Shopian's Zainapora area said that the family had gone for a medical checkup to Anantnag town when Hajira went missing. "We were waiting for the doctor to come and she went to the washroom a little further from the waiting room where I was waiting۔ she didn't come back though," her husband said۔ He said that he went to search her everywhere in the town، but was unable to do so. He appealed the general public and police to help the family trace Hajira Begum and contact them on the phone number 7889720695, if anyone has any information.

With no let-up in unscheduled power cuts in northern townships of Kashmir, residents express dismay over the administration’s failure to redress the power outage issues, saying their lives have become hell amidst cold weather conditions. The supplies are less as per the demand; the issue is being taken up with the higher-ups, says Additional DC Sopore, SA Raina. Locals from north Kashmir's Baramulla district told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that despite being equipped with smart meters, they are grappling with the severe impact of unscheduled power cuts. Yet again the government's promise of uninterrupted power supply remains at large, they said. “What was the fun of installing smart meters if they had no supplies to offer?" a resident of Sopore asked. We are...

Ahmer Khan, Kashmiri multimedia journalist has received the Martin Adler Prize from the Rory Peck Trust in London. The Emmy-nominated journalist, with a focus on South Asia, won the award for his work on migration, human rights, religion, social and political and humanitarian crises in the region. During the award ceremony, Ahmer's work was praised by the jury. Sarry Fitton, Director of TV and Film Projects at Secret Compass said, "We relished Ahmer Khan's brief show of attention. He has demonstrated a wide spectrum of skill in telling stories with warmth and compassion. He has written narratives about people who were voiceless."The Martin Adler Prize Jury defined Khan's work as "fearless reporting at its best". “Ahmer Khan’s journalism sheds light on some of the toughest and most heate...

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha while addressing the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Saptah’ celebration at the Convention Centre, Jammu on Friday announced that the JK UT Administration would provide 5 marla land to the 17,000 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (G) eligible landless tribal beneficiaries in coming days. According to a DIPR statement issued to press, LG Sinha in his address paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other great tribal personalities and said that the week long event will celebrate and commemorate the glorious history of tribal communities, culture and achievements. “It is our topmost priority to safeguard the rights and benefits extended to all the tribal communities. The administration is committed to ensure that the tribal population in Jammu Kashmir enjoy equitable benefit...

Kashmiri journalist and editor of the Kashmir Walla Fahad Shah, has been granted bail by the Jammu Kashmir High Court after spending 21 months in jail. Fahad was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and was facing charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). A lawyers representing Fahad in the case confirmed to The Kashmiriyat that other than granting bail to Fahad, the court also dismissed several serious charges, including "abetting terrorism," "waging war against the country," and "promoting enmity". "Fahad will continue to face trial under other section 13 of the UAPA and violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) for allegedly receiving funds against the law," he said. This bail follows the High Court's earlier decision to quash his d...

At least two persons were killed and six others injured after a sumo vehicle they were on board met with an accident in Thanamandi area in Rajouri district. Reports reaching GNS said that a sumo vehicle bearing registration number JK11 3494 rolled down into a gorge, leaving two dead and six others injured. The injured persons have been evacuated to a nearby hospital for treatment. More details awaited. (GNS)

A militant has been killed in an encounter that broke out in Guller Gabbar village of Rajouri district, officials said. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a cordon search operation was launched in the area this morning after information regarding the suspicious moment. He said that contact with the hiding militants was established during the CASO. The official said that in the ensuing gunfight, one militant has been killed, while an operation is going on—(KNO)