REGIONAL

Over the past eight years, the number of vehicles in Jammu Kashmir has doubled, resulting in increasingly congested and chaotic roads. According to recent data accessed by the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the region has seen a significant rise in both public and private transport. In 2016, there were 13,65,552 registered vehicles, a number that has surged to 25,67,000 by the end of March 2024—a drastic increase of more than 12 lakh vehicles. The Motor Vehicles Department has reported substantial revenue growth, achieving Rs 925.12 crore against a target of Rs 915.00 crore during the financial year 2023-24. This period also saw the registration of 1.65 lakh vehicles, alongside the issuance of 11,196 fresh route permits and the renewal of 40,595 existing ones. Additionally,...

Shopian, Feb 22: Authorities in south Kashmir's Shopian district have seized 35 quintals of misbranded fertilizer (Vermicompost) from a shop in Sofanaman village. The action was carried out by Naib Tehsildar Shopian, Sajad Ahmad, and Chief Agriculture Officer, Farooq Ahmad, in coordination with the Enforcement Department. The shop, operating under the name MQW Pesticides, is owned by Tanveer Ahmed Mir, also known as Dobi, son of Bashir Ahmed Mir, a resident of Pinjoora, Shopian. Following the seizure, officials issued a show cause notice to the shop owner and sealed the premises. Authorities have warned of strict action against those involved in selling misbranded or substandard agricultural products, citing potential harm to farmers and crop yields. The investigation into the case is on...

The National Conference (NC) has sharply criticized the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over its newly launched liquor ban campaign, accusing the party of blatant hypocrisy. NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar took to Twitter to castigate the PDP, recalling that when the party was in power in 2016, it had ruled out any ban on alcohol in Jammu Kashmir. “Before launching their signature campaign, @jkpdp must be held accountable for their blatant hypocrisy. In 2016, PDP govt ruled out Alcohol ban but are now shamelessly playing to galleries. The PDP has always been a party built on lies, deception, and opportunism,” Dar wrote. The PDP, led by Iltija Mufti, recently launched a signature campaign in Srinagar advocating for a complete ban on liquor sales in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that th...

A special magistrate in Jammu has sentenced three individuals to community service for causing a public disturbance while intoxicated, under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), police said on Saturday. According to officials, Lekh Raj and Ashok Singh, both residents of Bajalta, were found creating a nuisance under the influence of alcohol in Jammu’s Sidhra area on February 19. They were presented before the Special Excise Mobile Magistrate, who directed them to perform one hour of daily community service at a nearby hospital for ten days under Section 355 of the BNS. In another incident on February 17, Amit Mehra from Kot Garhi village was found creating a similar disturbance while intoxicated. The magistrate ordered him to perform community service at an old age home in Akhnoor for seven...

The removal of a signboard in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, which urged tourists to refrain from consuming alcohol and drugs in public, continues to draw criticism, with preacher Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi now questioning the police action. In a post on X, Hadi criticized the administration’s move, asking, "Why couldn't they leave it up for even an hour? Are they not part of the campaign for a drug-free Kashmir?" The signboard, installed by the Lal Chowk Traders Association, had requested tourists to respect local sensitivities and avoid alcohol in public spaces. Earlier, Hurriyat leader and Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, had also condemned the removal of the sign, questioning whether promoting "moral values and decency" had become a crime in Kashmir. Member of Parliament Aga Ruhul...

Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday emphasized that investments in the region must include and safeguards to protect agricultural land, ensuring that local ownership and farming interests are preserved. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Jammu Kashmir Annual Session-2025, Abdullah stressed the need for regulations similar to Himachal Pradesh. "Investment is welcome, but it should come with safeguards. Himachal has a strict policy in this regard, and J-K must adopt a similar approach to prevent uncontrolled land purchases," he said. While advocating ease of business, Abdullah clarified that his concerns were focused on land protection rather than broader environmental issues. He also praised J-K’s resilient businesses, called for a genuine si...

Dr. Syed Bashir Veeri, MLA from Bijbehara, has introduced a Private Member’s Bill aimed at protecting Kashmir’s Karewas from unregulated mining and environmental destruction. Dr. Veeri, speaking to The Kashmiriyat, confirmed that the bill is set to be introduced during the first session of Jammu Kashmir assembly set to begin on March 03. The bill, sources said, seeks to regulate the excavation of clay, sand, and gravel while imposing strict penalties for violations. "Karewas are more than just land formations; they are the backbone of our saffron and horticulture economy," Dr. Veeri said in the bill. "Unregulated mining is wiping them out, and we cannot afford to lose this natural heritage." The bill, sources told The Kashmiriyat, highlights the geological and agricultural i...

Hurriyat leader and Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and MP Srinagar Aga Ruhullah Mehdi have condemned the alleged removal of a signboard in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk that urged tourists to respect local culture, refrain from alcohol and drug use, and keep the city clean. The signboard, installed by the Traders Association Central Lal Chowk Srinagar, welcomed visitors and advised them to "love and cherish their families" while respecting local traditions. It specifically asked tourists to avoid consuming liquor, using drugs, spitting on roads, and smoking in public spaces. Mirwaiz questioned the move, saying, "Is promoting moral values and decency now a crime in Kashmir?" Mehdi, criticizing the action, wrote on X, "Even appealing to tourists to respect local sensitivities i...

Senior Kashmiri journalist and former Bureau Chief of Zee News in Srinagar, Naseer Ahmad, passed away earlier today, leaving the media fraternity in mourning. A resident of Bemina, Srinagar, Naseer, was around 60 years old and had been battling liver cancer for the past several years. Despite his declining health, he remained connected to journalism, contributing to news platforms even after stepping away from full-time reporting. With a career spanning decades, Naseer Ahmad was a well-respected journalist who covered key developments in Kashmir with integrity and commitment. Naseer Ahmad is survived by his wife and two daughters. The former chief minister of Jammu Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti condoled the demise. She took to her X handle stating, "Deeply saddened to hear about t...

Shabir Khan "Wular has dried up completely. I have never seen our natural resources in such a devastating state in my whole life," says 61-year-old Noor Mohammad Khan, standing at the edge of what was once a thriving lake. For the first time in his life, he has witnessed the drying of the Jhelum, Kashmir’s lifeline, a river that has shaped the history, economy, and culture of the region for centuries. Its depletion has triggered a chain reaction, drastically reducing water levels in Wular Lake, South Asia’s largest freshwater body. The Jhelum has always been more than just a river; it is intertwined with Kashmir’s identity. It has survived invasions, floods, and modernization, but the crisis it faces today is unprecedented. "Unchecked sand mining, excessive extraction, and a...