Srinagar, Jun 2: Describing the National Conference (NC)’s June 3 meeting as a floor test, Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Kumar Sharma on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s “paranoia” over losing power has reduced governance to loyalty parades.

Sharma said that CM was fearful of losing power and was compelling his MLAs to participate in weekly loyalty parades.

“This meeting is nothing more than a floor test. Omar Abdullah has started a weekly ritual of floor tests to check the loyalty of his MLAs. The first such test was conducted in the name of the Provincial Working Committee meeting, the second was a dinner hosted by the Deputy Chief Minister, and the third is tomorrow’s meeting of the Chief Minister with MLAs,” he said.

On criticism by the NC over his statement that CM Omar would not resign even if relegated to the position of Chief Executive Councillor of a Hill Council, Sharma said that he stands by every word, adding that the past conduct of CM Omar proves he would not quit even as Sarpanch or Panch as long as the cavalcade of vehicles and VIP protocol remains intact.

“Is it not a fact that Omar Abdullah repeatedly said from 2020 to 2024 that he would not humiliate himself by entering the legislature of a Union Territory? Is he not the same man who stated in 2024 that he would not sit outside the waiting room of the LG and ask him to sign files? What made him change his mind? Let me tell the people of Kashmir: the Abdullah family has only one ideology – power,” he said.

Anantnag, June 2: A man lost his life while his wife sustained critical injuries after a tree fell on them along the Janglat Mandi–Lal Chowk road in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday.

Officials said the couple was walking on the roadside when an old tree suddenly uprooted and fell on them, causing serious injuries. Both were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

However, one of the injured, identified as Mohd Rafiq Khan, a resident of Utross, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by doctors. His wife, who was also injured in the incident, remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The tragic incident triggered concern among local residents, who urged the authorities to conduct a thorough inspection of old and potentially hazardous trees lining both sides of the road to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Meanwhile, officials are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. (KNC)

Srinagar, June 02: A high-level delegation of JKLPUF headed by President, Abdul Qayoom Wani, today met the authorities of 8th Central Pay Commission at SKICC Srinagar.

The delegation had a threadbare discussion over the issues of pensioners and in-service employees regarding implementation of 8th Central Pay Commission to pensioners and in-service employees and a detailed memorandum comprising of ten points was discussed, explained and advocated with healthy and supportive arguments before the team.

The team headed by Director 8th Pay Commission Shahnawaz Akhtar showed a positive response towards the issues and demands put forth by JKLPUF President  Abdul Qayoom Wani who emphatically and vigorously raised the concerns and confusions caused by Finance Bill  2025 and Terms Of Reference (TOR) viz-a-viz implementation of recommendations of 8th Central Pay Commission favouring pensioners.

The Director assured the delegation that there will be no discrimination to pensioners so far as implementation of 8th Pay Commissions recommendations shall be concerned. The meeting concluded with a positive note.

The leaders who accompanied the president JKLPUF Abdul Qayoom Wani included Gh. Ahmad Shah, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Er K. M. Trag, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Farooq Ahmad Rather, A R Shopiyani, Mohammed Akbar Mir, Mohammed Akbar Lone, Nazir Ahmad Rather, Gulshan Ahmad Lone, Mohammed Ramzan Khan, Mubarak Ahmad Sofi.

Budgam, June 02: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir arrived at Srinagar International Airport on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the return phase of Hajj-2026 operations.

The inaugural flight carried 144 pilgrims, who were received at the airport by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Aamir Khan and other senior civil and police officials.

Speaking to the media, J&K Haj Committee Chief Executive Officer Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi said that all 144 pilgrims scheduled on the first return flight arrived safely in Srinagar.

He said the batch included 74 male and 70 female Hajis.

Dr Qureshi said adequate arrangements had been put in place at the airport to facilitate the returning pilgrims, including transportation, medical assistance, help desks, and distribution of Zamzam water.

Regarding concerns over baggage restrictions, Dr Qureshi said that around 40 percent of the luggage remains pending due to operational limitations and is expected to reach Hajj House within the next two to three days.

He further advised pilgrims required to collect their luggage from Hajj House to bring along the identity card issued by the Hajj House for hassle-free collection.

Notably, the return operations for Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will continue till June 16. A total of 3,952 pilgrims are scheduled to return through the Srinagar Embarkation Point during the ongoing arrival phase.—(KNO)