Srinagar, Mar 2: The State Election Commissioner Shantmanu has convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the revision of the Panchayat Electoral Roll–2026 and assess the status of delimitation of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The SEC, Shantmanu, will chair the meeting tomorrow via videoconferencing at 2:30 PM.

The meeting, as per the news agency KNO, is expected to be attended in person by the Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj; the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; the Director, Rural Development Department, Jammu; and the Director, Panchayati Raj, J&K.

All Deputy Commissioners of the other 19 districts, along with concerned officials, have been directed to participate through video link, according to the meeting notice.

The meeting is being held at a time when all three tiers of Panchayati Raj institutions and Urban Local Bodies in Jammu & Kashmir remain non‑existent due to the inordinate delay in conducting elections.

While the chances of holding Panchayat polls in 2026 appear bleak, there is a possibility that Urban Local Body elections could take place this year.

During the ongoing budget session, the J&K Government revealed that the delimitation process is incomplete in five out of 77 ULBs across the Union Territory.

“Delimitation has been completed for 72 ULBs and is under process for the remaining five,” the government stated.

The Government also disclosed that the report submitted by the Dedicated Backward Classes Commission is under consideration of the Competent Authority, and further steps for conducting ULB elections will be taken accordingly. The report aims to grant reservation for OBCs in both ULBs and Panchayats.

It is worth mentioning that the term of the first two tiers of the Panchayati Raj system-Panchayats and Block Development Councils-ended on January 9, 2024, while the tenure of the third tier-District Development Councils-concluded on February 24, 2026. The tenure of elected Urban Local Bodies came to an end in October-November 2023.

Srinagar, Mar 2: In continuation of its ongoing drive against illegal mining, J&K Police have arrested 5 persons and has seized 2 loaders ,2 tractors and 1 dumper involved in illegal transportation of minerals in Datpora and Reshipora areas of Awantipora.

Acting tough against the persons involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals, a Police party of Police Post Reshipora headed by Incharge Police Post Reshipora under the supervision of SDPO Awantipora seized five Vehicles. The persons involved in the said crime have been identified as Jahangeer Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Ayoub resident of Chakoora Pulwama, Nadeem Ahmad Mir, son of Ab khaliq resident of Litter Pulwama, Sajad Ahmad Dar son of Ab Razaq Dar resident of Reshipora, Ali Mohd Dar son of Ab khaliq resident of Reshipora &  Zubair Ahmad Mir son of Ab Khaliq resident of Reshipora, said a police press release.

Meanwhile, continuing its sustained drive against illegal mining, Police seized 5 vehicles in the unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals in Shopian and  Kulgam.

During routine patrolling, a police party from Police Post Keegam intercepted a dumper, tractor and JCB engaged in illegal mining activities without valid royalty documents. In this regard FIR No. 25/2026 under relevant provisions of law has been registered at Police Station Shopian and further investigation has been initiated.

In Kulgam, Police seized two vehicles (Tippers) involved in the unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals in the Khudwani Qaimoh area of the district Kulgam. During Naka Checking, a police party from Police station Qaimoh intercepted two Tippers engaged in illegal transportation of mining minerals without valid royalty documents. In this regard FIR No. 19/2026 under relevant provisions of law has been registered at Police Station Qaimoh and further investigation has been initiated.

Kupwara, Mar 2: The demand for the establishment of a Government Degree College in Rajwar area of north Kashmir’s Handwara sub-district is gaining momentum, with residents urging the authorities to take immediate steps to ease the hardships faced by local students.

Locals said Rajwar comprises more than sixty villages, making the setting up of a degree college a pressing necessity rather than a luxury. They argued that the absence of a higher education institution in the area has forced students, particularly from far-flung villages, to travel long distances to pursue their studies.

Students from Upper Rajwar are reportedly the worst affected, as they have to travel over 25 kilometres daily to reach Handwara to attend college. The long commute, coupled with limited transport facilities and harsh weather conditions during winter, often disrupts their academic routine.

Residents said that the majority of families in Upper Rajwar belong to economically weaker sections and find it difficult to bear the additional expenses associated with travel and accommodation. “The people of Upper Rajwar are not financially well-off and are unable to spend heavily on the education of their wards. The authorities must understand the hardships faced by poor students and sanction a college for Rajwar at the earliest,” said a local resident.

They further stated that the absence of a nearby college has resulted in many students, especially girls, discontinuing their education after completing schooling due to safety concerns and financial constraints.

The residents have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene and ensure that a Government Degree College is sanctioned for Rajwar without further delay. They expressed hope that the government will prioritise the educational needs of the area and take concrete steps to strengthen higher education infrastructure in this rural belt.

Locals believe that establishing a degree college in Rajwar would not only boost literacy rates but also contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the region.