REGIONAL

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecast light rain and snowfall over the higher reaches of Kashmir and some areas of Jammu today. According to the department, the weather is expected to improve from November 16. A Met official stated, "From November 15 to 16, many places in Kashmir and a few in Jammu division will experience cloudy skies with light rain or snow in higher reaches. Weather conditions are likely to improve from November 16, and generally dry conditions are anticipated between November 17 and 23." Isolated areas may witness cloudy skies with light precipitation on November 24, while the period from November 25 to 30 is expected to remain dry. The advisory highlighted the possibility of temporary disruptions in surface transportation due to light snowfall...

While reacting to the Srinagar road accident in which two minor students were killed yesterday, Regional Transport Officer Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari today said that he will write and request the police to invoke Section ‘199 A’ against the parents for negligence. Bukhari said that Section 199A is a cognizable offense that cannot be compounded at his level, implying that the police must take action. He expressed confidence in the competence of the police force to invoke Section 199A against erring parents. The RTO told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that underage driving is a societal problem that requires collective responsibility. "It is crucial for parents to understand the consequences of allowing minors to drive," he stated. Bukhari said that his department has always been to...

MLA Doda and Aam Aadmi Party leader Mehraj Malik has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to establish a judicial or legal committee at the district/state level to verify the authenticity of dossiers before imposing the Public Safety Act (PSA) on any youth in Jammu Kashmir. This appeal comes after a social activist was booked under the PSA for criticizing the district administration’s decision to convert a locality into a dumping yard in Doda. Malik emphasized that most PSA cases are dismissed in the first hearing. He said youth are being booked under PSA due to vendetta, and it jeopardizes their careers. He stressed that the careers of youths are precious and should not be compromised by frivolous PSA impositions. The lawmaker said that AAP J&K is milling to constitute a legal ...

A Jammu Kashmir Police constable has been arrested for allegedly trafficking drugs within the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu. Mohammed Mukhtiyar, a resident of Beli Charana and a member of the Armed Police 12th Battalion in Srinagar, was detained during a police operation led by the Incharge of the GMCH police post, with an Executive Magistrate present. The search uncovered 15 grams of heroin and Rs 9,000 in cash, leading to his suspension and arrest under FIR number 155/2024 at Bakshi Nagar Police Station, under the NDPS Act. Officials suspect Mukhtiyar's involvement in a larger drug syndicate operating in Jammu, with allegations of targeting local youth and contributing to the growing drug overdose problem. This marks the second such arrest in a week:...

A tragic road accident occurred at Tangpora, Srinagar, on Thursday evening, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving two others injured. The victims were identified as Azeem Sofi, a resident of Rawalpora, originally from Anantnag, and his friend Hammad Showkat Wani, a resident of Lal Bazar, Srinagar. The injured individuals have been named as Eisa Tariq Ghani from Lal Bazar and Rayan Sheikh from Buchpora, Srinagar. Emergency responders rushed the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

The Omar Abdullah-led government has established a public relations and outreach cell at his Gupkar residence to connect with the public and address their grievances. Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani said that the purpose of the cell is to provide a platform for the people to reach out to the government and have their issues and grievances addressed. “The cell will remain open during office hours on a regular basis. Officers will be available, and the Chief Minister will also meet public delegations personally to listen to their concerns,” he said, adding that a roster for this will be made public soon. He further mentioned that the cell will not only serve as a grievance redressal unit but will also welcome public suggestions, as the government belongs to the peopl...

The Delhi High Court has reinstated the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status for Dr. Khalid Jahangir Qazi, a US national of Kashmiri origin, after previously being blacklisted and having his OCI card revoked. Dr. Qazi, a clinical professor at the University of Buffalo, challenged the government’s orders from May 2023 that canceled his OCI card and imposed a blacklist restricting his entry into India. In its ruling, the court stressed the need for due process, highlighting that the right to a fair hearing under the Citizenship Act should extend to blacklisting procedures under the Foreigners Act. The court noted that without procedural safeguards, the government might apply dual remedies on identical grounds, compromising the protections granted to OCI holders. Dr. Qazi’s ...

Jammu Kashmir police on Thursday attached property worth Rs 1 crore, belonging to a militancy associate under UAPA, in Bomai area of Sopore, officials said. In a statement, issued to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said that the attachment has been made in case FIR No. 26/2024, registered under Sections 18, 20, 23, 38 and 39 of the UA(P) Act, 7/25 Arms Act, at Police Station Bomai. The statement reads that the attachment of the property is a part of the ongoing efforts to choke the financial and logistical support for militant organizations and their enablers. It added that the property belonged to one Aamir Rashid Lone son of Abdul Rashid Lone of Bomai—(KNO)

The air quality in Kashmir and Jammu regions has significantly deteriorated, with major cities experiencing unhealthy pollution levels. Data from IQAir, accessed by The Kashmiriyat, shows that Srinagar, Anantnag, and Jammu are all grappling with poor air conditions that pose serious health risks, particularly for sensitive groups. In Srinagar, the Air Quality Index (AQI) currently stands at 183, which is categorized as "Unhealthy." The main pollutant affecting the city is PM2.5, with a concentration of 119.7 µg/m³. Weather conditions in the city show a temperature of 14°C, with a gentle breeze blowing at 4.7 km/h and a humidity level of 32 percent. Health authorities advise residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities as exposure to such ...

In a surprise inspection at Shopian District Hospital on Wednesday, authorities found more than 90% of staff absent from their duties. The inspection, conducted at 10:10 am by the additional deputy commissioner under the direction of the deputy commissioner, revealed that of the hospital's 198 employees, only 17 were present. The biometric attendance records, provided by the hospital's medical superintendent, showed that many doctors, medical officers, paramedical staff, and ministerial staff were absent without authorization. This absenteeism has caused significant inconvenience to the public, officials said. Following the inspection, the deputy commissioner issued a circular mandating that employees absent without authorization will have one day's salary deducted, with the amoun...