REGIONAL

Suhail Dar With the announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir after a decade, a significant shift is unfolding across the region. Numerous leaders have renounced their affiliations with established parties and are joining new ones. Earlier on Saturday, Taj Mohiuddin, a key ally of Ghulam Nabi Azad and a founding member of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), left the party to join the Indian National Congress. While switching sides close to elections is a common occurrence in Kashmir’s politics, these recent defections could significantly impact the region's political landscape. In the recent past, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, a former legislator who joined the Apni Party after leaving the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), has become the third legislator to quit the ...

A day after the announcement of assembly elections, the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (NC) has ruled out any possibility of forming an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the state assembly. Advocate Hashim Peerzada, senior leader of Anantnag NC and the son of senior NC leader Peerzada Mohammed Hussain, firmly denied any possibility of an alliance with the BJP. In an interview with The Kashmiriyat, Hashim stated, "There is not even the slightest possibility of joining hands with the BJP. Our party will decide whether we will enter into a pre-poll alliance with Congress or PDP, but it is clear that there will be no coalition with the BJP." He added that the party is confident in its ability to form the government in the region independently. "People have come to rec...

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Cynthia Udanshive and her husband, Jasar Shaikh, who were accused of smuggling large quantities of charas during their frequent family trips to Kashmir. The couple, arrested in October 2021, had been imprisoned for nearly three years before the court's decision, as reported by The Hindustan Times. The couple, along with their child and Cynthia’s parents, was detained by the Dahisar police at a Mumbai checkpost, where authorities claimed to have discovered 24 kilograms of charas hidden in their vehicle. The narcotic was allegedly brought back to the city following their trips to Kashmir. During the search, an additional 8 kilograms of charas were reportedly recovered from Cynthia’s father, Bandu Udanshive. Investigations suggested that the ...

In a significant theft, approximately 600 to 700 high-density apple boxes were stolen from an orchard in Shopian. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that thieves stormed into the orchard of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Sindoo Shirmal, Shopian, during the intervening night. The apples, taken from a high-density orchard, represent a considerable loss for the owner, they said. Bashir Ahmad Bhat, son of Ali Mohammad Bhat, said that substantial damage was caused by the theft. The stolen apples, known for their superior quality and yield, are a valuable commodity in the region. Local authorities have been alerted, and an investigation is underway to apprehend the culprits responsible for this act.

An assistant sub-inspector of the Jammu and Kashmir police was discovered dead in his room in the Ahmad Nagar area of Srinagar on Saturday. An official from the Ahmad Nagar police station stated that the officer was found unconscious in his room. He was rushed to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival. The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Shafi. Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Hundreds of Imams and muezzins working in city mosques in New Delhi have not received their salaries for several months, leading to significant distress. Many have voiced their frustration with what they describe as the city government's indifference to their plight, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their livelihoods. “Receiving five months’ pay in three instalments provided much-needed relief,” one Imam noted. However, the issue remains far from resolved. Mufti Mohammed Kasim from the Anglo Arabic School in Ajmeri Gate revealed, “Our salaries have been withheld since 2022. Over 250 Imams and muezzins have not been paid for many months. We’ve repeatedly requested payment, but our pleas go unheard.” After numerous attempts to address the situation, a Waqf Board circul...

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Election Commission’s decision to advance assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that the central rule will end in the Union Territory. According to the dates announced by the EC, starting from September 18, the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases. The second phase will be held on September 25 and the third and final phase on October 1. Results for the assembly polls in both Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir will be announced on October 4. “Today, I thank God that they are deciding it. Earlier, people were saying that they would decide it between the 20th and 25th. I am happy that they have preponed it,” Abdullah told PTI here. He further said the country celebrated India’s Inde...

Two government teachers lost their lives in a tragic road accident in the Largam area of Shopian in south Kashmir Locals told The Kashmiriyat that an accident occurred in Largam, Shopian, when a vehicle collided with a motorcycle carrying two individuals. Riyaz Ahmad Dar, son of Muhammad Ibrahim Dar from Kundalan, Shopian, died at the scene of the accident. Sajad Ahmad Shah, son of Ghulam Muhammad Shah from New Colony Largam, sustained injuries and was immediately referred to SKIMS, Soura, for treatment. Unfortunately, Sajad Ahmad Shah succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. Both individuals were government teachers, they said. The police have taken cognizance of the incident and are investigating further.

As the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, model code of conduct has come into effect with immediate effect According to a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately from the announcement of schedule. "All the provisions of the Model Code will apply to the whole of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir with regard to all candidates, political parties and the government of the said State/UT," reads the statement. It added that election code shall also be applicable to the Union Government in so far as announcements and policy decisions pertaining to Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir are concerned. Poll body today announced the schedule for assembly polls in Jammu an...

A local court has ordered the police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against officials of J&K Bank for withholding the certificates of a Class IV employee without valid reason. The Third Additional Munsiff of Srinagar, responding to a complaint filed by Mohammad Rafiq Sheikh, instructed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Chanapora Police Station in Srinagar to register the FIR and take legal action against the President of Human Resources (HR) at J&K Bank Ltd, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of HR, and the Branch Manager of the Chanapora branch. The court's order, issued under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C), directed the SHO to file the FIR and proceed with the investigation. The court also mandated that a copy of the order and the origi...