REGIONAL

The Srinagar Smart City initiative has spent over Rs 13 crore on a public bicycle sharing scheme and dedicated cycle tracks, yet the project has generated a mere Rs 4.48 lakh in revenue since its launch in May 2023. Rs 9.06 crore was used to build cycle tracks in Batamaloo, Hazratbal, and Lal Chowk, while an additional Rs 4.14 crore was allocated as viability gap funding to a private firm running the bike-sharing service under a five-year contract. So far, Rs 1.2 crore of this funding has been disbursed. Despite this significant public expenditure, the network of 900 bicycles and 100 docking stations has failed to attract meaningful public participation. Docking stations are concentrated in upscale areas like Lal Chowk, Dal Gate, and Hazratbal, locations that cater more to aesthetics...

A major uproar broke out during the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the legislative assembly, with opposition members, led by MLA Kreeri Wagoora Irfan Hafiz Lone, accusing BJP legislators of "gundagardi" (hooliganism) and disrupting democratic discourse. The protests began when Irfan, while addressing the House, raised slogans condemning the bill and linked it to broader issues of religious autonomy and constitutional values. Irfan was heard shouting slogans like “Nathuram Godse Murdabad” and “Bapu ke qatil Murdabad” while opposing the bill, arguing that the amendment undermines the religious rights of the Muslim community. "We were talking about Bapu, about the Constitution. We clearly said the Waqf Amendment 2025 is unacceptable and no one can tolerate it. When I said th...

Secretary of the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit, on Monday informed the House that three important bills passed by the Assembly have received the assent of the Lieutenant Governor on March 25, 2025. While addressing the House, the Secretary said, "Three Bills, passed by Legislative Assembly, have been assented to by the Lieutenant Governor on the 25th of March, 2025. The Bills include The Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (L.A. Bill No. 1 of 2025), The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2025 (L.A. Bill No. 2 of 2025), and The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2025 (L.A. Bill No. 3 of 2025)." The Jammu  Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to bring the Union Territory’s GST framework in line with rece...

Another separatist leader, Bashir Ahmad Andrabi, son of Mohammad Amin Andrabi and Chairman of the Kashmir Freedom Front (KFF), has publicly disassociated himself and his organization from the separatist camp in Jammu Kashmir. In a signed public declaration, Andrabi announced that neither he nor his group maintains any ties with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference—whether its Geelani (G) or Mirwaiz (M) faction—or with any other separatist outfit. He stated that the ideology espoused by the Hurriyat had failed to address the genuine aspirations and grievances of the people of Jammu Kashmir. Andrabi further emphasized that any unauthorized use of his or his organization’s name in connection with the Hurriyat or similar groups would invite legal action. His statement marks a clear and...

Sheikh Nadeem A fire broke out at a joinery mill in Ara Koshipora Tehsil of Kokernag this morning, causing massive damage. The joinery owned by Mukhtar Ahmad Ganie and called Mukhtar Joinery Mills, estimated a loss of around 1.5 crores, consisting of wood of around 21 lakhs, windows, doors, machines, among others, that were left destroyed by the fire. Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, Mukhtar expressed his anguish, saying that he is unaware of the cause of the fire and was not at the mill when it broke out. "I was informed about the fire around 9:30 in the morning. When I reached, I could not even comprehend the damage that the fire had caused," he said in despair. With appeals to the Government to provide compensation for the loss, Mukhtar said, "Everything was completely engulf...

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached here Sunday evening to commence his three-day tour of Jammu Kashmir, his first after the formation of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government in the Union Territory in October last year. Shah was received at the technical airport by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and some senior BJP leaders, officials said, adding the home minister will visit a forward post along the India-Pakistan border and review the security situation and development initiatives during his tour. He is scheduled to visit the BJP headquarters at Trikuta Nagar Sunday night to attend a meeting of party MLAs and other office bearers. The visit of Shah to the BJP headquarters coincided with the party’s foundation day which was celebrated by BJP activists and...

At least 44 dog bite cases were reported across Kashmir on Sunday, triggering panic in several areas. Officials told news agency JKNS that around 44 cases of dog bite were reported across Kashmir today alone. "Most of these cases were reported from Pulwama, Kupwara, Narbal with Srinagar’s Nawakadal and Sakidafar being the worst affected," the official said. They said that over 20 people, including women and children, were bitten by a mad dog in the localities of Sakidafar, Rashanhar, and Nopora, while other cases were reported from Kupwara, Pulwama, Srinagar's Dalgate and Narbal area, adding to the total of 44 cases received at SMHS Hospital. All the victims were rushed to SMHS Hospital, leading to a heavy rush in the hospital. A top official of SMHS Hospital confirmed the f...

Danishwar Hameed A massive fire broke out at Shah-e-Hamdan Darul Uloom in Tral, located in south Kashmir’s Awantipora area, late Saturday evening, claiming the life of a 10-year-old boy and leaving six others injured. The blaze also gutted the entire seminary building, destroying hundreds of religious and academic books stored inside. Officials told The Kashmiriyat that the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the wooden structure before fire tenders, assisted by local residents and police personnel, managed to bring it under control after hours of struggle. Despite their efforts, the building was completely destroyed. The deceased was identified as Yasir Ahmad, son of Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Karmulla, Tral. All the injured were shifted to Srinagar's SMHS Hospital for treatmen...

Prominent Shia scholar Agha Syed Hadi has been put under house arrest, reliable sources said on Saturday evening. The sources told news agency Kashmir Bulletin that a posse of Police arrived at Agha Syed Hadi's residence and subsequently informed the shia cleric about his house arrest. "Hadi was supposed to participate as chief guest in a programme at a mosque in Srinagar," added the sources. More details awaited. (KB)

Meer Irfan In a powerful display of dedication and determination, Danish Hameed Mir, a young resident of Hydergund Zainapora in Shopian district, has embarked on an arduous solo run from the iconic Kaman Post in Uri to Dubjan in Shopian. His mission is singular and deeply resonant: to raise awareness and advocate for a drug-free Kashmir. Danish, a passionate advocate against substance abuse, began his journey from the Line of Control (LoC) at Kaman Post—an iconic location symbolizing the unity and resilience of the region. His goal is to traverse the challenging terrain and cover a significant distance to reach Dubjan, a village in his home district. This solo run is not just a physical feat but a powerful statement against the growing menace of drug addiction that has been affect...