Srinagar, Oct 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Monday expressed serious concern over the reported stone-pelting attack on a Delhi-to-Srinagar passenger bus in Doraha, Ludhiana district, Punjab, late Saturday night. The Association has taken up the matter with the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), seeking urgent intervention, accountability, and measures to ensure the safety of Kashmiri passengers travelling through the state.

JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami, as per a statement issued, said that several miscreants and goons allegedly attacked the Kashmir-bound bus around 11 PM while it was travelling towards Srinagar. According to the bus driver, Ishfaq Ahmad, the attackers resorted to stone-pelting and smashed the vehicle’s window panes while passengers, including women and children, were asleep inside.

Khuehami strongly condemned the incident, describing repeated attacks on Kashmir-bound vehicles as a serious concern requiring immediate intervention by law-enforcement agencies. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, identify those responsible, and initiate strict legal action against the perpetrators.

Following the incident, Khuehami took up the matter with the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office, including the Media Adviser and Spokesperson, Baltej Pannu and others, and sought their immediate intervention to ensure swift action.

The Association also flagged the incident with the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP Punjab, seeking their intervention to ensure accountability and strengthen security measures for Kashmiri passengers travelling through the state.

Pannu assured Khuehami that the state government had taken serious note of the incident and that no one would be allowed to intimidate, harass, or target Kashmiri bus drivers or passengers anywhere in Punjab. He reiterated the government’s commitment to zero tolerance towards such incidents and assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found involved.

Pannu also directed the concerned police authorities, including the Commissioner of Police Ludhiana, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and the Superintendent of Police (Investigation), to intervene and ensure prompt action in the matter.

Following the intervention, SP Investigation Khanna, Rakesh Kumar Yadav, informed Khuehami that an FIR (No. 0343) had been registered at Doraha Police Station under Sections 324(4) and 125 of the BNS in connection with the incident. He added that multiple police teams had been constituted to identify and apprehend those responsible, while further investigation and legal proceedings were underway.

Khuehami said, “Why should Kashmiris fear for their safety while travelling through different parts of the country? A passenger bus carrying ordinary citizens, including women and children, was allegedly targeted while people were asleep. Such incidents are deeply disturbing and must not be taken lightly. The authorities must ensure accountability and send a clear message that violence and intimidation against Kashmiri passengers will not be tolerated.”

Srinagar, Oct 19: Kashmiri folk theatre artist and cultural activist Ravice Rashid, popularly known by his stage name Rayees Wathori, has been conferred the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 in the Folk Theatre category for Bhand Pather of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing national recognition to the region’s rich theatrical heritage.

The award, instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, recognises Wathori’s contribution to preserving and promoting Bhand Pather, Kashmir’s traditional folk theatre form known for its satire, humour and social commentary.

Wathori received the award in New Delhi from Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, in the presence of Vivek Agarwal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi; Anwar Khan Manganiyar, Vice-Chairman and Raju Das, Secretary of the Akademi. The ceremony was also attended by other distinguished guests, eminent artists and cultural activists.

Through his sustained engagement with folk theatre, Wathori has contributed to keeping Kashmir’s traditional performing arts alive and relevant for future generations. His recognition marks a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir and highlights the cultural significance of Bhand Pather as an enduring expression of the region’s identity, creativity and heritage.