Srinagar, Oct 20: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday arrested 06 drug peddlers in Shopian, Kulgam & Anantnag and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

A police spokesperson said that in Shopian, a police party from Police Station Heerpora during routine naka checking at Circuit House, intercepted a vehicle (Alto) bearing registration number JK22C-4688, travelling from Sedow towards Shopian with two persons on board. During their personal search, 60 grams of charas-like substance was recovered from each individual. They have been identified as Mashooq Ahmad Hajam son of Mohd Shaban Hajam and Bilal Ahmad Hajam son of Gh Mohd Hajam both residents of Sedow, Heerpora. Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 115/2026 under the relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Heerpora and further investigation has been initiated to ascertain the source of the contraband and establish its forward and backward linkages.

Similarly in Kulgam, a Police Party of Police Post Mir Bazar intercepted a blue-coloured auto-rickshaw bearing registration No. JK03P-3053 at NH-244 near Lalipora Crossing during dynamic Naka checking. During checking, police recovered 860 grams of cannabis-like substance and 12.05 grams of charas from a polythene bag found inside the driver’s cabin. The driver was identified as Fazil Ahmad Sheikh son of Nisar Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Kapran, Veerinag, Anantnag. Accordingly, a case vide FIR No. 255/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Qazigund, and further investigation is underway.

In Anantnag, a police party from Police Station Kokernag, while patrolling at Soaf Shali, apprehended a person identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, son of Gh. Mohd Rather, resident of Panzgam, Kokernag. During his search, approximately 119 grams of charas powder-like substance were recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 175/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Kokernag, and investigation has been initiated.

Moreover, police parties from Police Station Dooru apprehended two persons identified as Adil Ahmed Wani, resident of Malikpora, and Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Verinag. During their personal searches, approximately 7 grams and 8 grams of heroin, respectively, were recovered from their possession. Accordingly, cases under the relevant provisions of law have been registered, at Police Station Dooru, and further investigation is underway, spokesperson said.

Police urged the general public to cooperate with the police and share any information regarding drug peddling or related activities for timely action.

Srinagar, Oct 20: Protesting MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir have refused to call off their agitation until the government issues a formal written order on the proposed increase in their monthly stipend to ₹25,000.

The development comes amid reports of a possible stipend hike following an announcement by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. However, the status of the proposal remains unclear in the absence of an official government order.

Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, president of the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA), said the interns would not accept verbal assurances or announcements as a substitute for formal government notification.

He said the protesting interns had made it clear that they would continue their agitation until the government issued a written order confirming the revised stipend.

AIMSA reiterated its stand, saying, “No Written Order — No End to Protest.”

The association said the interns would consider ending their protest only after the government formally communicates its decision on the stipend issue.

Srinagar, Oct 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the annual Darbar Move of government offices from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter season of 2026-27, with offices scheduled to reopen in Jammu on November 2.

According to Government Order No. 1664-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on October 19, offices observing a five-day week will close in Srinagar after office hours on October 30, while those observing a six-day week will close on October 31.

The order states that offices listed under Annexure A will move to Jammu in full, while those listed under Annexure B will operate in camp mode with limited staff.

Offices moving in camp will carry 33 percent of their staff strength or 10 officials, whichever is less, unless otherwise specified.

Rs 25,000 Special Move Allowance

The government has fixed a uniform Special Move Travelling Allowance of Rs 25,000 for each employee moving to Jammu. The allowance will not be payable to employees who fail to move before or within the prescribed date.

Non-gazetted employees moving to Jammu may also apply for advance pay, which will be recovered in instalments as per rules. Salaries for October 2026 of employees working in move offices will be drawn on October 29.

The order further states that leave will not ordinarily be allowed in combination with or in continuation of the move days, except in very exceptional circumstances. Five days of Special Casual Leave will, however, be available to Kashmir-based employees who wish to avail it.

Winter Secretariat to Function in Srinagar

The General Administration Department will establish a Winter Secretariat at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to ensure the continued functioning of the administration during the winter session.

Each administrative department has been asked to identify one gazetted officer and four non-gazetted officials to remain in Srinagar, subject to prior approval from the competent authority. Departments have been directed to give preference, wherever feasible, to female employees and those with serious medical conditions.

The order also directs administrative departments to detach staff posted from subordinate offices in Kashmir Division by October 27.

Transport, Security and Medical Arrangements

The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) has been directed to arrange sufficient buses in good condition to transport employees on October 31 and November 1. Advance ticket booking will begin on October 27 at the Civil Secretariat and JKRTC’s main booking counters.

Each convoy will be accompanied by a crane, two empty buses and mobile workshop facilities to address breakdowns en route. J&K Police will escort the convoys to their respective destinations and ensure precedence at the Banihal-Qazigund Tunnel and the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Tunnel.

The Health and Medical Education Department will arrange medical aid facilities at Qazigund, Banihal, Ramsu, Ramban, Chenani, Udhampur and Jhajjar Kotli on the days employees travel from Srinagar to Jammu.

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has also been directed to establish ration counters at suitable locations near residential colonies of employees in Jammu.

Office Timings in Jammu

After reopening in Jammu, the Civil Secretariat and Heads of Departments located within its premises will function from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Moving Heads of Departments located outside the Civil Secretariat premises and observing a six-day week will function from 10 am to 4:30 pm.

The Estates Department will provide accommodation to officers and officials moving with the Darbar Move as per past practice. Employees will not be permitted to occupy government, municipal or other residential accommodation without a proper allotment order.

Srinagar, Oct 20: Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir government over alleged charges being imposed on households for additional cable required during smart meter installation, accusing the government of burdening consumers, particularly those from economically weaker sections.

In a statement, shared on X, Lone claimed that the company installing smart meters was providing only four metres of cable per household, comprising two metres for input and two metres for output connections.

He alleged that households requiring additional cable were being asked to pay for it, with consumers in some cases having to spend between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 to get smart meters installed.

Lone said the cost could be higher for households located farther from electricity poles, as they would require longer cables.

He questioned the arrangement, alleging that poorer households were being forced to bear additional expenses to secure electricity connections and warning that consumers could face disconnection if the required installation was not completed.

Here is another shocker of a gift for the people of J & K especially for the poorer sections of the society.

The smart metering is in process. The company issues a cable for connection to each household measuring not more than 4 meters. (2 meters for input and 2 meters for…

— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) October 20, 2026

Targeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Lone also referred to the National Conference’s promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to eligible households, alleging that the commitment had not been fulfilled despite two years having passed.

He recalled the criticism of smart metering during the election campaign, saying consumers were now facing additional expenses associated with the installation process.

“Those who queued up to vote have to pay to get the smart meter installed,” Lone said, according to the statement.