REGIONAL

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir as the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on Monday on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution by the Centre in August 2019, a senior police officer said on Sunday. “We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the valley under all circumstances,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI. The Supreme Court has listed for pronouncement of judgment the petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019. A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its ver...

A fast track court in Srinagar Saturday convicted a man for sexually assaulting her minor daughter in 2021. After hearing Additional Public Prosecutor Muhammad Maqbool Shah and defense counsel, the POSCO court presided over by Aarti Mohan, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the prosecution had established the guilt of accused beyond a reasonable doubt. “The prosecution has also succeeded in establishing the offense of sexual harassment against the accused person. The accused is accordingly convicted,” the court said. The court will announce the quantum of punishment on 11 December. It directed that the accused, who is currently on bail, be forthwith arrested and sent to central jail Srinagar. As per the prosecution, the convict was "forcing" her minor ...

The minimum temperature continued to settle below freezing point in Kashmir while Konibal was coldest at minus 6.0 degree Celsius. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu Kashmir recorded a low of minus 4.4 degree Celsius. Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.0 degree Celsius while Kupwara recorded a low of minus 3.4 degree Celsius. In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 5.5 degree Celsius while in Gulmarg it settled at minus 4.2 degree Celsius—(KNO)

Anantnag and Budgam Police have taken stringent actions against individuals engaging in such activities. Anantnag Police, in a statement said, it initiated legal proceedings against three individuals—Salman Mushtaq Kuttay, Rameez Ashraf Hadi, and Umer Farooq Ganie—for uploading inflammatory and seditious videos on their social media profiles. "These videos contained content aimed at inciting discord and unrest within the community," said the Anantnag Police. The authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any similar instances of hate speech, emphasizing that such actions would be dealt with in accordance with the law, Police said in a social media post. Simultaneously in Budgam, authorities have taken firm measures against those misusing social media platfo...

Unnown gunmen suspected to be militants fired upon a cop in Bemina area of Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district on Saturday evening. Reliable sources told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that militants fired upon on police cop identified as Hafiz Ahmad son of Ghulam Hassan Chat of Mathiya Bund Hamdania colony Bemina. He was has been shifted to nearby hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be critical. Meanwhile whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. (KS)

Reacting over the much-anticipated decision of the Supreme Court of India pertaining to cases challenging the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on 5th August 2019 by Modi regime, Sheeban Ashai called it 'litmus paper test of judicial neutrality of Apex Court'. In a statement, party spokesperson said, JK People's Party Chief Ashai said, "Article 370 finds its roots in instrument of accession which clearly outlined that New Delhi had authority to extend laws to J&K only pertaining three domains: defence, foreign affairs and communication. 370 as it was included in Indian Constitution on October 17, 1949 permitted erstwhile state to draft its own Constitution, restricted Indian Parliament’s legislative powers in respect of J&K. Extention of a central law to Jammu And Kashmir ma...

With the onset of winter in Kashmir, the migratory birds have started flocking to the wetlands across the Valley with officials stating that Mallard, Gadwalls and geese have arrived at the Hokersar wetland, here. Ifshan Dewan, Wildlife Warden, Wetlands Kashmir, while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that the migratory birds have started arriving the wetlands here and at present a number of birds including Mallard, Gadwall and almost 100-200 Geese are among the species witnessed at Hokersar wetland. “These birds flock to Kashmir every year during the winter period,” she said, adding that they flock to Kashmir from different parts of the world including Siberia, Northern Europe and Central Asian Countries where the temperature remains low. The wetlands ar...

At least seven shops of a shopping complex were gutted in a massive blaze that broke out in the main market of Kangan, officials said. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the midnight blaze caused extensive damage, particularly to two cloth houses within the complex. The fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames, however, the belongings worth lakhs of rupees were damaged, said the officials. Meanwhile, no loss of life, or any injury was reported in the incident, and the cause of fire is being ascertained—(KNO)

Srinagar on Saturday shivered at minus 4.6°C, marking the coldest night this season and signaling the swift onset of winter. The chill spreads across the Kashmir Valley, ushering in frosty nights and a noticeable drop in temperatures. An official from MeT told news agency Kashmir Scroll that Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a bone-chilling low of minus 4.6 on the latest night, marking a stark contrast to the previous night's milder minus 2.4. The official said that Qazigund witnessed a dip in temperatures, settling at minus 2.8, compared to the previous night's minus 2.4. Similarly, Pahalgam saw a notable drop to minus 5.0 from the previous night's minus 4.8, he said. Kokernag reported a minimum of minus 2.3, down from the previous night's minus 2....

The Government on Friday ordered naming "Jhelum Stadium, Janbazpora, Baramulla" as "General Bipin Rawat Stadium". “The Youth Services and Sports Department and Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla shall take immediate necessary steps including amending their records for effecting the change,” reads a government order, a copy of which lies with GNS. “It is further ordered that Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir shall ensure that an appropriate event is organized in connection with naming of the stadium.” (GNS)