REGIONAL

Shah Basit On a bright April morning in Srinagar, women across the city boarded government-run buses with something new in their stride: a quiet confidence. For the first time, they didn’t fumble through their bags for change or glance anxiously at the fare board. The fare, this time, was gratitude — directed at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whose government’s decision to grant free travel to women on public buses officially came into effect on April 1. “I’ve been taking the bus from Shalimar to Lal Chowk every morning for the past three years,” said Zahida, 43, who works at a small bookshop in Srinagar’s bustling city centre. “Some days, I wouldn’t eat breakfast just so I could save enough for both trips. Today, I didn’t have to worry. And that changes everything.” The initiative...

Sheikh Nadeem Unidentified miscreants vandalized a public park in Soyan Sagam area of Kokernag during the night, causing significant damage to the tulip beds at the SKUAST's Centre for Excellence of Tulip Buds, officials said on Thursday. The attack has left locals and horticulture experts dismayed, especially given the park's importance as a developing hub for tulip cultivation and tourism in south Kashmir. “This place was turning into something beautiful for our children and the community. We don’t understand why anyone would want to ruin it,” Bashir Ahmad Dar, a local resident told The Kashmiriyat. The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) had recently developed the tulip centre in an effort to promote research and local floriculture. The...

One person died, and three others sustained injuries in a road accident at Parnewa-Kulbugh general road in Budgam district on Friday. An official told the news agency JKNS that an Alto vehicle collided with a Tavera vehicle. As a result, the Alto driver and three passengers in the Tavera sustained injuries. The injured were shifted to District Hospital Budgam, where doctors declared the Alto driver brought dead. He was identified as Zeeshan Ashraf, son of Mohd Ashraf, a resident of Tokerpora Budgam. He added that cognizance has been taken, and a police team has been deputed to the spot. (JKNS)

Ramban Police on Friday attached properties under Section 25 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in the Gool area of Ramban district. An official told news agency JKNS that in significant move to combat terrorism, the Ramban Police have attached 02 properties i.e Agricultural land measuring 10.18 Kanals under section 25 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 (UAPA). He said that land measuring 07 Kanal 03 Marla registered in the name of Mohd. Sharief son of Mohd Sultan resident of Dalwah Tehsil Gool District Ramban, falling under Khasra No. 282 Min,274 Min 664/544/361 Khewat No 98 and 99 Located at village Dalwah Tehsil Gool District Ramban and measuring 03 Kanal 15 Marla registered in the name of Mohd Younis son of Gullu Gujjar resident of Hara Tehsil Gool District Ra...

A group of BJP workers, led by Choudhary Roshan Hussain, State President of the BJP ST Morcha, assembled at the party’s head office in Srinagar’s Jawahar Nagar on Thursday to mark the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. Although projected as a celebration by the tribal community, the gathering primarily comprised party members and supporters. The event included the distribution of sweets and public statements thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their role in pushing the legislation forward. The Waqf Amendment Bill, which proposes reforms in the administration of Waqf properties, also includes a provision under Sections 5 and 6 that touches upon land rights, which BJP leaders claim will benefit tribal populations. However, the exac...

Tourism and Floriculture Departments are organizing an 'Almond Bloom Festival' at Badamwari in the old city here on Friday. According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the chief guest on the occasion. A grand musical show will commence at 3 pm. Prominent singers of Kashmir, Noor Mohammad, Aayan Sajad, Irfan Bilal and Zaid Sikandar will perform at the show—(KNO)

Shah Basit The National Conference-led alliance has issued a strong condemnation of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, labeling it as anti-Muslim and an affront to the religious and cultural institutions of Jammu  Kashmir. This resolution was a key outcome of a high-level meeting convened in Srinagar, where alliance leaders also cautioned the central government and the Lieutenant Governor's administration against undermining the authority of the democratically elected government. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha on April 4, 2025, has faced significant opposition. Critics argue that the bill introduces reforms that could centralize control over Waqf properties, potentially impacting the autonomy of Muslim religious endowments The b...

Rayees Shah A teenager drowned in power canal in Haknar Gund area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Friday morning, officials said. An official told The Kashmiriyat that soon after the incident, a massive rescue operation was launched by police, locals, and the SDRF. He said that the search and rescue operation is underway to retrieve the drowned teenager. He has been identified as Junaid Ahmad Khan (18) son of Abdul Wahid Khan of Haknar Fraw.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, with 288 members voting in favor and 232 against, following over 12 hours of heated debate. The bill, which introduces significant changes to the governance of Islamic endowments, was met with strong resistance from Members of Parliament (MPs) from Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, who called it an attack on religious freedom and minority rights. Sheikh Abdul Rasheed, MP from Baramulla, strongly opposed the bill, declaring, "I oppose this bill tooth and nail." Accusing both the BJP and Congress of hypocrisy, he said, "BJP openly reminds Muslims of their rights, but Congress stabs Muslims in the back with the sweet juice of secularism." Rasheed also questioned the Muslim community’s management of Waqf properties. "How many hosp...

Shabir Ali The much-anticipated expansion of Jammu Kashmir’s council of ministers is unlikely to take place anytime soon. With the government completing over five months in office, discussions over filling the remaining cabinet berths have intensified, but party insiders suggest that no immediate changes are expected. The government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, took oath on October 16, 2024, with five ministers sworn into key positions alongside him. Surinder Kumar Choudhary, serving as Deputy Chief Minister, oversees Public Works, Industries & Commerce, and other portfolios. Sakina Itoo handles Health, Education, and Social Welfare, while Javed Ahmed Rana is in charge of Jal Shakti and Forests. Satish Sharma has been given the portfolios of Food & Civil Supplies,...