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Accuses Omar govt of diverting attention from governance ‘failures’

Srinagar, May 06 :

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the National Conference (NC) is “dragging the holy Quran into politics” while remaining silent on several key issues affecting people in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mehbooba, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the NC had lowered political discourse by invoking religious references in political rivalry.

“The National Conference has fallen to this level. They have even involved the holy Quran in politics. They don’t understand its greatness,” she said.

She said if the party truly understood religious values, it would have raised its voice on key matters such as the Waqf legislation and educational institutions.

“If they were aware, they would have spoken when the Waqf Bill was passed. They would have spoken when Siraj-ul-Uloom School was closed,” Mufti said.

The PDP chief further alleged that the NC has remained silent on surveillance of religious institutions and community structures. “They are silent when mosque committees, maulvis, and imams are being monitored,” she said, adding that there was also “systematic neglect of the Urdu language”.

Mufti raised concerns over alleged irregularities in government recruitment, claiming transparency was being bypassed. She said thousands of jobs are being outsourced to banks without any advertisement, and people are not even aware of them. “The recruitment processes were being conducted without public notification and proper procedure,” she alleged.

On governance issues, the former CM criticised demolition drives and administrative action against drug-related cases, saying such steps were creating fear among people. “Today, people’s houses are being demolished in the name of drug peddlers. Earlier, houses of militant sympathisers were demolished. Employees are being removed from government jobs,” she said.

She accused the ruling setup of diverting attention from governance failures. “They are watching a spectacle. To hide their failures, they should fight politically, blame us, but for God’s sake, do not involve the holy Quran in politics,” Mufti added—(KNO)

GULMARG, MAY 06:

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hosted a dinner in honour of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance at Gulmarg.The Committee headed by its chairperson, Member of Parliament, Bhartruhari Mahtab, is currently on a study visit to Srinagar and Gulmarg from May 4 to May 7 as part of its ongoing engagements to review and deliberate on key financial and economic matters. The dinner provided an opportunity for informal interaction between the Chief Minister and members of the Committee in the serene surroundings of Gulmarg. The Chief Minister extended a warm welcome to the visiting members and expressed hope that their visit would offer valuable insights into the region’s developmental landscape and tourism potential.The visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance is part of its study programme for the year, aimed at gaining first-hand understanding of various sectors and initiatives.On the occasion, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla SF Hamid, DG Budget Mohammad Sultan Malik and other concerned were present.

Says RTI evidence shows PDP helped BJP in Rajya Sabha polls

Waris Fayaz

Tangmarg, May 06 :

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday dismissed speculation about defections from the National Conference, asserting that no party MLA would switch sides to support the BJP.

Speaking to reporters in Tangmarg, CM Omar, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), termed the reports baseless and said such claims had no substance.

Responding to questions on allegations involving the Peoples Democratic Party, the Chief Minister said they earlier helped the BJP during Rajya Sabha elections and it had already been established through information obtained under the Right to Information Act.

Omar also said his government functions independently and does not take instructions from any other organisation, asserting that the administration speaks and acts for itself.

On the reopening of tourist destinations, the Chief Minister said the matter had been discussed in the Assembly and several locations had already been opened, with the remaining destinations to be reopened in a phased manner.

Responding to questions on cabinet expansion, he said a decision would be taken at an appropriate time, without making a specific commitment—(KNO)

New Delhi, May 06:

At least three political workers were allegedly killed and several others injured in a spate of post-poll clashes that erupted across Bengal within hours of the Assembly election results being declared on Monday, despite repeated appeals from the BJP leadership to maintain peace in an already surcharged atmosphere.

The BJP’s landslide victory appears to have triggered a chain reaction on the ground. Hubilant BJP supporters clashed with Trinamool Congress workers, assaulted rivals, vandalised Trinamool offices, locked civic body premises and, in several instances, hoisted BJP flags in an apparent show of territorial assertion.

BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya told party leaders across the state that there should be no post-poll violence. He personally spoke to several leaders and instructed them not to induct any Trinamool worker or leader into the BJP at any cost.

“BJP workers are not involved in these acts of violence. I have received some inputs suggesting that rival groups within the TMC have been using BJP flags to settle personal scores because of internal acrimony. We will not tolerate this. I have urged the chief secretary, Dushyant Nariala, to take immediate action, and the police should arrest all those involved in the violence irrespective of political affiliation,” Bhattacharya told The Telegraph.

“If any of our party workers or leaders are involved in this violence, we will suspend them immediately. We want to put an end to the culture of political violence in Bengal,” he added.

Multiple BJP MLAs visited Trinamool offices and the homes of rival party workers to prevent untoward incidents.

Jagannath Chattopadhyay, who won from Birbhum’s Suri and is also a state vice-president, went to many places and assured people that no one from the BJP would be involved in any such incident.

In Suri, he instructed the police to take immediate action even if BJP workers were found assembling near Trinamool offices.

At Debipur near Udaynarayanpur in Howrah, a BJP activist, Jadab Bar, 45, was allegedly beaten to death on Monday night.

Local BJP leaders claimed that Bar was targeted for his active role during the Assembly polls. According to local and police sources, Bar had attended a picnic to celebrate the party’s victory and returned home late at night, only to be called out again by some individuals. He was then allegedly attacked with iron rods.

Bar was rushed to Udaynarayanpur State General Hospital, where he was declared dead.

BJP leader Prasanta De said: “Bar’s family members told us that he was attacked for his association with the BJP.”

At New Town in North 24-Parganas, BJP worker Madhu Mondal was allegedly killed by his rival.

“Mondal was a BJP worker, and Trinamool goons killed him for helping the BJP win the support of voters in the locality,” a family member of the victim said.

A Trinamool supporter, Abir Sheikh, was killed by alleged BJP activists at Nanoor in Birbhum on Tuesday. Trinamool blamed the BJP for the murder, a charge denied by
the BJP..

Violence also flared up in Bhangar, where houses of Trinamool supporters were allegedly vandalised by Indian Secular Front (ISF) activists following the victory of Nawsad Siddique.

Trinamool leaders alleged that ISF supporters unleashed a night of terror, attacking Trinamool workers and their families.

Defeated Trinamool candidate Saokat Molla claimed that even women and elderly persons were not spared. On Tuesday morning, ISF supporters allegedly attacked family members and vandalised the house of Trinamool supporter Firoz Molla after he refused to remove a party flag from his residence.

“They did not spare my ailing elderly father, who had to be shifted to a city-based hospital”, Firoz said.

In Behrampore’s Chuanpur-Kadamtala Battala area, the residence of Trinamool leader Biplab Kundu was allegedly vandalised when a BJP victory rally passed through the locality. His motorcycle was also damaged.

Amid the violence, a contrasting picture emerged from Bhatar, where newly elected BJP MLA Soumen Karfa was seen moving across his constituency with a public address system, urging people to maintain peace and harmony and specifically appealing to his party workers to refrain from retaliatory actions.

New BJP MLAs, Manab Guha from Memari and Jagannath Chattopadhyay from Suri, also issued similar appeals. The two asked police to take strict action against those involved in vandalism, while urging restraint among supporters.

Incidents of Trinamool offices being grabbed by BJP supporters were reported from West Burdwan, Purulia and Bankura.

“Our party offices were attacked and captured in the presence of the police in several areas in my district. The police, central security forces and the Election Commission remained mute spectators. They have captured Bengal immorally, and now our offices are being targeted,” said Narendranath Chakraborty, the West Burdwan district president of Trinamool.

Chakraborty, who contested unsuccessfully from Pandaveswar and was defeated by BJP’s Jitendra Tiwari, was greeted with “” slogans by BJP activists since the results were declared.

The BJP workers led by two newly elected MLAs, Chandrasekhar Banerjee from Durgapur East and Lakkhan Ghorui from Durgapur West, on Tuesday virtually took control of the Durgapur Municipal Corporation run by a board of administrators.

They replaced the Trinamool flag with the BJP flag atop the civic body office and demanded the immediate resignation of the
administrators.

“The Trinamool leaders working as administrators have no right to continue as the government has changed. Their party is no longer in power. They will have to resign,” said Ghorui.

The BJP MLAs also interacted with the municipality commissioner and demanded the same.

Apart from the civic body, the saffron brigade also alleged that the Trinamool Congress-run Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) did several malpractices related to land
allotments.

The chairman of the ADDA, Kabi Dutta, who contested unsuccessfully from Durgapur West, was greeted with “” slogans by the BJP activists.

“We are apprehensive that Kabi Dutta and his men will remove important files. During his tenure, he had grabbed people’s land and was also involved in malpractices. We will keep vigil until we take control of ADDA officially,” said Chandrasekhar.

Trinamool workers complained that they were beaten up by BJP activists in several places. “We are unable to get out of our homes as BJP workers are harassing us by shouting slogans. We are living in fear,” said a Trinamool Congress leader in Purulia. (Agencys)

Samba, May 06:

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited the vibrant border village of Regal in Samba district and laid the foundation stone for various developmental projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and improving public facilities in the area.

Highlighting the importance of border villages, the Lieutenant Governor said these areas are no longer considered the “last villages” of the country but are now regarded as the “First Villages” of India.

“Our border villages are no longer the ‘last villages’ of India; they are our ‘First Villages’ and we are committed to their holistic development,” the LG said during the visit.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment towards comprehensive development of border areas with focus on infrastructure, connectivity, public amenities and livelihood generation to ensure better living standards for residents living along the borders.(KNC)

Jammu, May 6 :

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued the roster of Ministers and Advisor to the Chief Minister for remaining available at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, during the month of May 2026.

According to Government Order No. 860-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated May 4, issued by the General Administration Department, the roster has been finalized for smooth functioning and coordination of official work at the Civil Secretariat.

As per the schedule, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary will remain available from May 4 to 8, while Minister for Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Masood (Itoo), will be available from May 11 to 15.

Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, has been assigned duty from May 18 to 22, whereas Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, will remain available from May 25 to 29.

The order has been issued by Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, M. Raju (IAS). (KNC)

SRINAGAR, MAY 5 :

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday joined a massive padyatra in Budgam as part of the ongoing Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir campaign, pledging sweeping and decisive action against drug smugglers and narco-terror networks.

Addressing a large gathering, the Lieutenant Governor announced the formation of an informal ‘Parents Brigade’ in every village and city, aimed at creating a voluntary network of parents, women, and youth. He said the initiative would empower communities to identify early signs of drug abuse and connect affected families with support systems.

Calling for collective action, Sinha urged every section of society—including families, social organizations, and community leaders—to intensify efforts against drug abuse across the district.

“The entire district of Budgam must stand against the poison of drugs that is destroying the souls of our youth,” he said, emphasizing that addiction weakens not only families but also the nation’s future workforce and security structure.

Highlighting the human dimension of the crisis, he stated that youth trapped in addiction should be treated with compassion. “They are victims, not criminals, and they need our care and support,” he added, while urging society to break the stigma surrounding drug abuse.

The Lieutenant Governor described drug addiction as both a public health and national security issue, asserting that drug trafficking is closely linked with terror funding. He warned that strict action would be taken against all those involved in the narcotics trade.

Sinha revealed that police stations across the Kashmir Valley have been directed to compile detailed data on drug peddlers and smugglers and initiate decisive action within 30 days. He further said that financial networks of drug cartels are under surveillance and properties built through illegal earnings will be demolished.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he said the fight against drugs requires unified public participation. “When we fight against drugs, we also fight against terror. When we protect our youth, we protect our nation,” he asserted.

The Lieutenant Governor also called upon citizens to act as vigilant partners by reporting suspicious activities, warning drug smugglers that their time in Budgam “has ended” and that no offender will escape accountability.(KNC)

remarkable display of skill, determination, and team spirit,

BARAMULLA,MAY,05 :

District Baramulla emerged victorious in the UT-Level Under-17 League of Classics Cricket Tournament organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports J&K at Kishtwar, under the supervision of Director General Youth Services and Sports J&K, Anuradha Gupta.In the highly anticipated final, Baramulla faced District Anantnag and, after winning the toss, elected to field first. The decision proved strategic as Baramulla’s bowling unit delivered an exceptional performance.Captain Tanzeel Nabi led from the front with a classic spell, claiming 4 crucial wickets. He was well supported by Shah Aasan, who picked up 3 wickets, while Asim contributed with 2 wickets. Their combined bowling effort restricted District Anantnag to a modest total of 119 runs in 18 overs.Chasing the target, Baramulla displayed composure and confidence with the bat. Irfan contributed a steady 27 runs, while Aasan Bhat played a crucial knock of 31 runs. Rizwan added 16 valuable runs, and Aasin chipped in with 24 runs, ensuring a smooth and comfortable chase. The team successfully surpassed the target, sealing a well-deserved victory and bringing laurels to District Baramulla.The achievement stands as a testament to the dedication of the players and the continuous efforts of the Department in nurturing young sporting talent across the district.DYSSO Baramulla, Sheikh Shafqat Iqbal, congratulated the team for their outstanding performance and appreciated their commitment, discipline, and sportsmanship. He also acknowledged the role of coaches and field staff in guiding the players to this remarkable success.The victory has further strengthened Baramulla’s position as a rising powerhouse in cricket at the UT level and reflects the positive impact of structured sports initiatives undertaken by the department

Chairs 17th UT-Level NCORD meeting to review the measures

SRINAGAR, MAY 5:

The 17th Union Territory-level meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was today chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, who undertook a comprehensive review of the Union Territory’s performance in stringent enforcement of drug laws, prosecution of offenders, and treatment and rehabilitation of victims affected by substance abuse.

The meeting was attended by the Director General, Police; Director General, Prosecution; Principal Secretary, Home; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; and other senior civil and police officers, while Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police from all districts participated through video conferencing.
During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary laid emphasis on strengthening the legal framework and plugging procedural gaps in handling NDPS cases. He directed the Law Department to explore the feasibility of recording statements of in-service witnesses through video conferencing, particularly in cases where officials are transferred outside their districts, to ensure continuity and avoid delays in trials. Stressing accountability, he called for a thorough analysis of acquittals in NDPS cases and fixing responsibility wherever investigative or procedural lacunae are identified.
Highlighting the need for a more impactful enforcement strategy, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of investigating both backward and forward linkages in drug trafficking cases and actively challenging bail orders to enhance deterrence. He called for a well-defined strategy to dismantle drug peddling networks, with strict action against identified offenders by law enforcement agencies.
Advocating a broader approach, he stressed the use of non-kinetic measures against violators, including cancellation of driving licences, passports, and vehicle registrations, besides scrutiny of financial transactions through bank accounts to choke illicit proceeds.
He also emphasized capacity building in the rehabilitation ecosystem, directing for the training of a large pool of counsellors to be made available across schools, colleges, Primary Health Centres, and at the block level through trained Self-Help Group members.
The Chief Secretary further directed the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) to create a pool of master trainers, ensuring at least three to four trained resource persons per district, supplemented with periodic refresher courses to continuously upgrade their skills.
The Chief Secretary also enjoined upon Deputy Commissioners to ensure the functionality of inpatient (IPD) facilities in drug de-addiction centres in all district hospitals and asked the Health Department to strictly adhere to protocols for the availability of essential medicines at all health institutions.
Additionally, he called for strict action in cases involving seizure of vehicles under Section 52A of the NDPS Act to ensure effective enforcement of legal provisions.
On the occasion, Commissioner Secretary, Law, Achal Sethi, gave a detailed presentation on the incidence and categorization of NDPS cases across districts, highlighting trends in intermediate and commercial quantity cases. He elaborated on delays in disposal of such cases, the ratio of cases instituted versus those disposed of in special NDPS courts, and the stages at which these cases are pending. He also suggested a series of remedial measures aimed at reducing backlog and ensuring expeditious disposal of cases.
Earlier, IGP Crime, Sarah Rizvi presented a comprehensive overview of enforcement efforts, acquittals, and actions taken by law enforcement agencies to combat the drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir.
She informed that during 2026 so far, 542 NDPS cases have been registered across police stations, leading to the arrest of 716 individuals and seizure of 640 kilograms of narcotics valued at approximately ₹18.49 Cr.
She further highlighted that the current year has witnessed a significant rise in cases involving commercial quantities, with 31 such cases registered compared to 19 during the corresponding period last year. Details of major FIRs and seizures linked to interstate drug cartels were also shared during the meeting.
The meeting was informed that a total of 10,956 NDPS cases are pending across various courts, including 6,156 cases in five Special NDPS Courts. In 2025, 1,991 cases were instituted while 483 were disposed of. It was further revealed that prosecution had challenged 91 bail orders in 2025 and 57 in 2026 so far in intermediate and commercial quantity cases.
Regarding convictions, the figures stood at 135 in 2024, 140 in 2025, and 23 in 2026 till date. Out of 1,435 prosecution witnesses who attended court proceedings, 839 were examined, while 596 returned without examination due to various reasons, indicating areas needing procedural improvement, the meeting was apprised.
The meeting also noted that in 24 cases, backward and forward linkages were successfully established, leading to attachment of properties worth ₹53.77 lakh and freezing of bank accounts amounting to ₹22.63 lakh. Non-kinetic measures were also actively pursued, with 489 driving licences recommended for cancellation and 700 vehicle registrations for suspension between January and March this year due to their involvement in illicit activities.
The participants held detailed deliberations on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, enhancing rehabilitation measures for affected individuals, and ensuring speedy disposal of cases to secure maximum punishment for offenders, thereby creating an effective deterrent against drug trafficking and abuse in the Union Territory.

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, May 05 :

Anantnag Police have registered an FIR against the wife and son of Congress MLA Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed in connection with the locking of a government-run health facility in Damhal Khoshipora in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that FIR No. 32/2026 has been registered at Achabal Police Station on the directions of a First Class Magistrate Kokernag. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of law, including charges of allegedly obstructing government officials in the discharge of their duties and intimidation.

The controversy centres around the New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) at Damhal Khosipora, which was locked by the MLA’s wife. The move prompted immediate concern among locals and health authorities, as the facility caters to a large rural population.

Officials said that repeated attempts by the Health Department to persuade the family to reopen the hospital did not yield results, forcing the administration to step in. Acting on complaints from both the department and the public, the Tehsildar Kokernag, accompanied by a Magistrate, visited the spot and ordered the lock to be broken to restore services.

However, the building was allegedly locked again shortly after, further aggravating the situation.

The roots of the dispute trace back to 2008, when the MLA’s family had provided a building for establishing a Primary Health Centre under a registered society—Rogi Kalyan Samiti Syeda Memorial Hospital, PHC Damhal. Since then, the facility has remained operational, with the Health Department deploying staff, maintaining services, and funding infrastructure under schemes like the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), RKS, and Capex budgets.

Over the years, multiple government agencies also contributed to the facility’s functioning, including provision of water supply, road connectivity, and payment of utility expenses.

However, earlier this year, MLA Peerzada Mohammad Syeed as per his family had written to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anantnag, seeking relocation of the hospital on the grounds that the building had become dilapidated.

Following this, the CMO sought a detailed report from the Block Medical Officer (BMO). A medical officer submitted an assessment on April 24, and the matter was under official review when the hospital was locked, escalating the issue.

The incident gained widespread attention after videos surfaced on social media showing the MLA’s wife alleging that she was manhandled by the Tehsildar during the intervention. The administration, however, has denied these allegations.

Family members of the MLA have maintained that the building was provided only as a goodwill gesture and remains their private property. They have demanded that the government produce legal transfer documents if ownership has been formally handed over.

“We had informed the authorities months ago. The building is in a dilapidated condition and unsafe. It should be vacated,” a family member said, adding that no timely action was taken despite repeated communication.

On the other hand, officials termed the act of locking a functioning hospital as “unjustified” and said the matter could have been resolved amicably.

“We had assured them that the issue would be settled within a month. But locking the hospital, including ambulance and medical equipment, has directly impacted patient care,” an official said.

The fallout of the dispute has been severe for local residents, with doctors were forced to treat patients in a nearby shop due to the closure of the facility.

Locals expressed anguish over the situation, saying that the health centre is the only accessible medical facility in the area.

“Patients, especially the elderly and children, are suffering. We had to seek treatment in temporary setups,” a resident said, urging authorities to resolve the matter urgently.

Chief Medical Officer Anantnag, Dr. Khalid, confirmed that a substantial portion of the inquiry into the matter has already been completed.

“Nearly 90 percent of the components have been examined. The remaining aspects are being looked into, and the matter will now be dealt with legally,” he said—(KNO)