Srinagar, Aug 18: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Monday held an important meeting under the chairmanship of Ishtiyaq Qadri, Chairman PAC, to chalk out the next phase of the ongoing campaign for the release of incarcerated AIP President and MP Baramulla, Er Rashid.

According to AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi , the meeting was attended by AIP Vice President G N Shaheen, Senior Leader & MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed, State Secretary Sheikh Ashiq, Secretary Finance Parveez Bhat, PRO to MP Baramulla & Spokesperson Firdouse Baba, Joint Secretary Javeed Hubbi and other senior leaders.

After detailed deliberations, Inam Un Nabi said that it was unanimously decided that a peaceful sit-in protest will be held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on August 25 to intensify the ‘Release Er Rashid Campaign’ and draw national attention to his six-year-long unjust incarceration.

Meanwhile, the meeting also expressed deep grief and solidarity with Prince Parveez, General Secretary AIP, on the sudden demise of his nephew Faisal Shah. The party extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.

The meeting further conveyed condolences and solidarity with Moulana Mohammad Rehmat Ullah Mir Qasimi on the demise of his beloved mother, praying for strength to the family in this hour of grief. The participants also expressed deep concern and sympathies with the families affected by the tragic cloudbursts in Kishtwar and Kathua districts.

AIP said that the devastation once again highlights the vulnerability of remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir to natural calamities and urged the administration to provide immediate relief, rehabilitation and long-term disaster management measures for the affected people.

Srinagar, Aug 18: MBBS courses at the upcoming All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Awantipora are expected to commence from July 2026, while Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient (IPD) services are likely to become operational by the end of the same year, the Executive Director of AIIMS, Dr S Mohanty, informed a Legislative Assembly committee on Monday.

The update was provided during a meeting of the House Committee on Petitions held at the Assembly Complex in Srinagar. The committee met to review the progress of the AIIMS Awantipora project, with Chairman Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah presiding. Legislators Mushtaq Guroo, Salman Sagar, Waheed u Rehman Para, Mian Mehar Ali, and Thakur Randhir Singh were also in attendance.

At the outset, the Committee conducted a detailed review of works related to infrastructure development, procurement of machinery, work force and other allied projects.

The Chairman emphasized that strict adherence to execution timelines is crucial for ensuring the timely commissioning of this prestigious project.

“This project holds immense importance for the people of Kashmir and must be completed at the earliest for their convenience and benefit,” the Chairman said.

He directed the concerned authorities to expedite the pace of all incomplete works and ensure their completion in a time-bound manner.

The Committee further stressed that AIIMS Awantipora should be commissioned as a single integrated unit, with all facilities including OPD and IPD services made operational simultaneously for the general public.

The Chairman also said that the Committee shall also undertake on spot inspection of the project to check quality and pace of work.

Executive Director AIIMS, Dr. S. Mohanty, who was also present, briefed the Committee about the progress achieved so far.

He informed that MBBS courses are expected to commence from July 2026, while OPD and IPD services are likely to start by the end of the same year.

Meanwhile, the Committee also deliberated on various other issues raised through petitions.

Members underlined that every petition would be taken up seriously and reviewed thoroughly to ensure appropriate redressal.

The Chairman stressed upon the officers to comply and submit detailed reports on the issues pertaining to their respective offices, failing which it shall be treated as non-compliance.

The discussions focused on working out practical, effective, and time-bound solutions to the grievances of citizens, with members actively offering constructive suggestions and feedback.

Srinagar, Aug 18: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has secured the 32nd position among engineering colleges across India in the India Today Rankings 2025, improving slightly from the 33rd rank in 2024.

In the category of Government Engineering Colleges, the institute retained its 23rd position, while among Top Technical Universities in India; it rose to 22nd place from last year’s 21st.

The institute scored 23 in Admissions & Student Quality and 23 in Placement & Career Progression, showing the high standard of students and successful career support.

In other key areas, NIT Srinagar achieved scores of 191.2, 190.2, 176.6, 92.6, and 184.9, reflecting its strengths in academics, research, infrastructure, and student development.

The total score across all parameters was 835.5, with a cumulative benchmark of 533.7, resulting in an overall score of 1369.2. These numbers underline the institute’s commitment to quality education and overall student growth.

In his message, Director NIT Srinagar Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia said that it is a proud moment for the institute to be recognized nationally. He said over the past year, the Institute has focused on enhancing laboratory facilities, updating curricula, and encouraging students to undertake innovative projects.

“These initiatives, combined with the active participation of our faculty in research and national and international conferences, have contributed significantly to our improved ranking. This achievement also strengthens our resolve to maintain and exceed this performance in the coming years,” Prof. Kanaujia said.

Institute’s Registrar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, said these rankings highlight the institute’s dedication to academic and institutional excellence. It encourages us to further strengthen administrative processes and provide enhanced support to both faculty and students,” he added.

Prof. Rehman also praised the contribution and role of NIRF team for their exemplary work during the survey.

Chairman NIRF, Prof. Babar Ahmad said that this achievement belongs to every student, teacher, and staff member who contributes to making NIT Srinagar a hub of learning and innovation.

Meanwhile, NIRF Coordinator:, Dr. Vijay Kumar said that over the past year, NIT Srinagar has upgraded labs, revised curricula, and encouraged students to explore creative projects.

“These steps, along with active faculty research, have played a key role in this recognition and motivate us to aim even higher in the future,” he added.

Dr. Vijay expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Director, Registrar, and the entire NIRF team for their guidance and support throughout the ranking process.

He also acknowledged the contribution of the NIRF Chairman Prof Babar Ahmad and Junior Assistant Ajay Kumar for their dedicated efforts, coordination, and assistance in compiling and submitting the necessary data.

Srinagar, Aug 18: An anti-corruption court on Monday convicted and sentenced former Girdawar, Ghulam Hassan Kumar of Kulgam, to over three years in prison in a 2008 bribery case.

Kumar was found guilty of demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹2,000 from a complainant in Shopian for demarcating agricultural land.

He has been convicted under Section 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 and Section 161 of the Ranbir Penal Code.

The court sentenced him to three years and six months of simple imprisonment along with a fine of ₹20,000 under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and one year of simple imprisonment with a fine of ₹10,000 under Section 161 RPC. Both sentences will run concurrently.

The judgment recalled the 2008 trap operation, where a vigilance team caught Kumar red-handed accepting the tainted money.

While the defence pleaded for leniency citing the convict’s age, health issues, and clean past record, the court dismissed the argument, stressing that corruption is “a malignant affliction that strikes at the very foundation of a democratic polity and the rule of law.”

The case was registered in June 2008 following a complaint by Mohammad Yousuf Mir of Shopian, who alleged that Kumar had demanded a bribe for demarcation of inherited land.

Following investigation, sanction for prosecution was obtained and a charge sheet was filed. Twelve prosecution witnesses testified during the trial.