Jammu, Mar 1: Protesters in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district held marches and condolence meetings Sunday following reports of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader in US-Israel airstrikes.

Demonstrators shut down businesses in some areas, carried out processions through town centers and raised slogans condemning the United States and Israel while expressing solidarity with the people of Iran.

The killing of Iran’s Supreme leader in US, Israel air strikes triggered widespread protests in Poonch district where multiple protests processions were taken out.

At Poonch Mandi, many business establishments were closed as a part of protest and protesters held a condolence meeting and thereafter carried out a protest march that passed through Mandi township.

The protesters on one hand paid tributes to Iran’s Supreme leader while they also condemned America and Israel accusing the two for resorting to atrocities.

Similarly, a major protest was witnessed at Surankote sub division headquarter in the district with protesters raised slogans.

In Mendhar as well as Poonch district headquarter also, various organisations including Shia organisations held protest demonstration over the incident expressing sympathies with Iran.

Jammu, March 01: All Government as well as Private schools across Jammu province shall remain open as routine.

This has been clarified by Director School Education Jammu, Dr. Naseem Javed Chowdhary who informed that an order of closure of school is fake.

Earlier, an order has gone viral on social media wherein it has been claimed that all registered schools, both Government and Private, shall remain close for next two days.

However, terming the order as fake, DSE Jammu Dr. Naseem Javed Chowdhary informed that no such order has been issued by his office.

” The order is completely fake and someone has edited the order issued for Kashmir division.” the officer stated.

He added, ” All schools shall remain open as per routine.”

Jammu, March 01: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday offered three principles to strengthen the Made in India and Atma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative – Quality, Innovation, and Reliability. He stressed that these three mantras must become the new identity of domestic manufacturing sector.

“I view Swadeshi Apnao (Embrace Swadeshi) not as a slogan, but a way of life. I urge people of Jammu Kashmir and across the country- let it shape our daily habits,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at Atma-Nirbar Bharat event organised by Federation of Trade & Industry of India (FTII). The Lieutenant Governor felicitated the recipients of Vyapar Ratan Awards for their significant contribution.

The Lieutenant Governor spoke on fortifying domestic manufacturing prowess and “Made in India” goods translates to surging Indian jobs and a resilient economy.

“Atma-Nirbhar Bharat is a national awakening. It is an economic revolution propelled by Industry’s might. ‘Made in India’ now symbolizes trust in global trade. We must ensure that when someone, anywhere in the world, sees ‘Made in India’ on a product, it inspires confidence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that India began scripting a new chapter in 2014, forging a new path to self-reliance under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

He said that under Hon’ble Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India did not follow a predetermined path but it built its own.

“India resolved to rise not ordinary, but empowered. Today, it is witnessing a genuine economic renaissance. Our MSMEs are the backbone of our economy. They embody hope for millions of families and businesses.

Spread across every district and every town of this country, MSMEs innovate even under the constraint of limited resources. And that is why when we purchase a product from a small enterprise, we are not simply buying a commodity- we are securing the future of a family, and giving birth to employment, skill and opportunity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that every stakeholder must understand that trade is not merely the act of buying and selling. He said that Trade must be viewed as the flow of opportunity.

The Lieutenant Governor said that small-scale and micro-enterprises now anchor J&K’s economy.

He highlighted the efforts that have revolutionized work in villages and towns, instituting ease of living and ease of doing business, vowing to transform Jammu Kashmir into a genuine market powerhouse.

“We have crafted fresh opportunities for youth and women, starting thousands of small and micro manufacturing ventures that sustain families, stabilize society, and now shaping Jammu Kashmir business landscape.

This winds of change stir palpably in Jammu Kashmir too. Post-2019’s historic shift, revolutionary strides reshaped industrial growth and MSMEs. The new industrial policy earned the Union Territory its place among the most preferred investment destinations in the country,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the necessity of rapid economic growth and the implementation of technological solutions to ensure a transparent, corruption-free system.

He urged every section of society to remain vigilant against elements trying to radicalize the youth and making efforts to sustain the terror ecosystem.

The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on meritocracy and called for collective action to achieve a terror-free Jammu Kashmir.

He stated that the number of stakeholders in peace has grown significantly over the last few years, with a vast majority of the population now prioritizing stability and prosperity.

“Today, J&K has emerged as a top performer in national integration programmes like Vande Mataram. Those dreaming of disrupting this progress must wake up to the new reality,” he said.

Er. Gulam Ali Khatana, Member of Parliament, Shri Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs; Shri Sunil Singhi, Chairman, National Traders Welfare Board (NTWB); Shri Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; Dr Sanjay Bansal, Member, NTWB and National President, Federation of Trade & Industry of India (FTII); Business & Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, members of FTII; representatives of various trade organisations and senior officials were present.