Shopian, June 11:  Police in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday said they recovered nearly 29 kilograms of crushed cannabis powder from an underground hideout in an apple orchard and arrested a man in connection with the case.

Acting on specific information, a police team raided an orchard in Pashpora Keegam village, where the narcotics had allegedly been concealed in an underground hideout, police said.

During the search, police recovered 28.968 kg of crushed cannabis powder. The accused, identified as Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, a resident of Pashpora Keegam, was arrested.

Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Police Station Shopian. 

Investigators are examining the source and intended destination of the contraband and seeking to identify others allegedly involved in the network, police said.

Srinagar, Jun 11: CRPF Director General G P Singh on Thursday directed personnel to take proactive measures to ensure a safe and peaceful Amarnath Yatra in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

Singh, who is on a three-day visit to the Kashmir Valley, chaired a Singh, chaired a meeting attended by senior officers and ground commanders of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) here.

“On Day 3 of his Kashmir Valley tour, DG @crpfindia Shri @gpsinghips chaired a high-level security review meeting with senior officers and ground commanders at GC Srinagar.

“He emphasised taking proactive measures to ensure a safe and peaceful Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2026,” the Srinagar Sector CRPF said in a post on X.

The meeting focused on maintaining normalcy and intensifying operations, and ensuring a safe and peaceful Amarnath Yatra, it said.

On Wednesday, the CRPF DG reviewed the force’s operational preparedness for the Yatra, which is scheduled to start from July 3, and stressed the need for seamless coordination among all agencies to ensure a safe pilgrimage.

He had also chaired a meeting attended by senior officers of the CRPF, civil administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies involved in securing the annual pilgrimage in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

The 57-day Amarnath Yatra will begin on July 3 via the twin routes — the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal track in Ganderbal district — and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.

Srinagar, June 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of Ferozpora Nallah in Tangmarg, alleging that unchecked illegal mining and large-scale diversion of water are threatening the region’s primary source of irrigation and drinking water.

In a statement, JKCSF Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani described the shrinking flow of the nallah as an environmental and humanitarian crisis, saying thousands of farmers and residents are facing acute hardship as water levels continue to decline.

“Ferozpora Nallah has sustained the people of Tangmarg for generations. Today, it is crying for help. Fertile fields are drying up, paddy cultivation is under threat, and villagers are struggling for water,” Wani said.

He alleged that excessive extraction of water through pipelines, coupled with illegal mining activities, has severely impacted the natural flow of the stream. According to Wani, reports suggest that nearly 350 inches of water are being diverted every second, contributing significantly to the growing shortage of water for both irrigation and domestic use.

The JKCSF chairman said farmers are witnessing their crops wither due to inadequate irrigation, while residents are increasingly concerned about the availability of drinking water.

Wani also claimed that when civil society members raised their voice against illegal mining and water diversion, an FIR was registered against them. However, he maintained that such measures would not deter them from advocating for the rights of local communities.

“No FIR, intimidation or pressure can silence the voice of the people. We will continue to highlight issues affecting the residents of Tangmarg,” he said.

Calling Ferozpora Nallah the “lifeline of Tangmarg,” Wani stressed that its depletion poses a direct threat to agriculture, livelihoods and the region’s ecological balance.

He demanded immediate action against illegal mining operations, a review of existing water diversion practices and the construction of a dam in Tangmarg to ensure long-term water security.

“The time for excuses is over. If Ferozpora Nallah dies, the dreams, livelihoods and future of thousands of farmers will die with it,” Wani said, urging authorities to intervene before the situation worsens further.