Srinagar, June 1: At a time when runway repair works at Srinagar International Airport have led to complications involving the baggage of Hajj pilgrims returning from the annual pilgrimage, the airport is set to witness a twice-a-week closure from July through September this year.

According to Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Srinagar, Javed Anjum, the airport will remain closed every Monday and Tuesday from July until the end of September.

“We have received communication that due to runway repair works, passenger flight operations will be suspended on every Monday and Tuesday during July, August and September,” Anjum said.

Notably, a letter issued by the Indian Air Force in February to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and all airlines operating flights to Srinagar had stated that the airport would remain closed every Saturday and Sunday from August 1 to October 15 due to resurfacing work. A copy of the communication is with Greater Kashmir.

However, airport officials have now confirmed that the previously scheduled closure days have been revised.

“Instead of weekends, the airport will remain closed every Monday and Tuesday for three months beginning July 1,” an official said.

The official added that a decision regarding airport operations beyond September will be taken at a later stage.

Earlier, flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were restricted between April and July to facilitate runway works.

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Indian Air Force stated that runway works commencing in the first week of April would temporarily restrict operational hours for scheduled flights until 5 pm from April 6 to July 31. The Airports Authority of India, Srinagar, had also shared the information through its official X handle.

Before the operational window was curtailed, around 60 flight movements (arrivals and departures) were handled daily between 8 am and 10 pm at Srinagar Airport. However, despite the restriction of flight operations to the period between 8 am and 5 pm, the number of flights has largely remained unchanged and has, at times, even increased.

At present, Srinagar Airport handles nearly 35 to 40 flight arrivals daily.

“While the watch hours have been reduced, flight movements are expected to increase in line with the DGCA-approved Summer Schedule. Airlines will plan and operate flights accordingly within the revised timings,” the AAI had said.

Jammu, Jun 01: Top civil and police officials on Monday reviewed preparations and security arrangements for the forthcoming annual Amarnath yatra.

The 57-day pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on July 3 from the twin routes — the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district — and conclude on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti visited the Bhagwati Nagar base camp and reviewed preparations, including arrangements for registration counters, RFID centres, accommodation, sanitation, healthcare and security, officials said.

Kumar said all necessary arrangements were being put in place at Bhagwati Nagar, which serves as the main base camp for pilgrims undertaking the annual yatra.

“The visit was aimed at reviewing preparedness on the ground and giving the final touch to the arrangements. Registration facilities, RFID services, health infrastructure and sanitation arrangements were thoroughly inspected,” he said.

The Divisional Commissioner said discussions were held with departments concerned to ensure timely completion of all works and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

Officials said Kumar had earlier fixed June 10 as the deadline for completion of various works, including whitewashing, setting up bus ticket booking counters, langars, cloakrooms, accommodation facilities, washrooms, power supply and lighting within and around the camp.

Directions were also issued for ensuring adequate drinking water, sanitation and langar facilities, setting up a convenience store, providing prepaid SIM cards and installing German hangars for pilgrims.

The Fire and Emergency Services Department was directed to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit, while the Public Works Department was asked to blacktop roads in and around the camp. The Power Development Department was instructed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply with adequate illumination and backup generators.

The IGP reviewed the deployment plan for security forces and stressed proper lighting at all lodgement centres and strict adherence to yatra cut-off timings.

Tuti also reviewed security and facilitation arrangements in Kathua and Samba districts, directing officers to maintain maximum alertness and strengthen surveillance measures along the Yatra route.

At Lakhanpur, the IGP inspected the base camp, lodgement centres and reception facilities, while reviewing security deployment, CCTV coverage, access control systems, frisking arrangements, traffic management and pilgrim amenities.

A security review meeting was later held at the District Police Lines in Kathua, where SSP Kathua Mohita Sharma briefed officers on surveillance measures, convoy management, deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and emergency response plans.

The IGP stressed strict adherence to security protocols and professional conduct with pilgrims, while DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range Shridhar Patil directed officers to regularly inspect langars and lodgement centres and maintain close surveillance on suspicious elements.

In Samba district, SSP Anuj Kumar briefed the IGP on preparedness for the pilgrimage. During the review, Tuti emphasised close coordination among J-K Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies and Punjab Police to ensure a safe and smooth Yatra.

Officers were directed to intensify drone surveillance, deploy dog squads for anti-sabotage checks at vital installations, langars and lodgement centres, and strengthen real-time monitoring systems.

They were also instructed to enhance security along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and border areas through round-the-clock domination, naka checking and area patrols.

Kulgam, June 01: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday gave an emotional and people-centric push to the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan, describing himself as “a member of your family” while assuring full support of the administration in the fight against drug addiction and narcotics abuse in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a public gathering at Laroo Bus Stand in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the Lieutenant Governor said the anti-drug campaign launched 51 days ago has evolved into a mass public movement across Jammu and Kashmir, with active participation from families, youth, educational institutions, religious leaders and civil society groups.

“I stand before you as a member of your family to support your struggle and your dream of a safe, secure and Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said while addressing the gathering..

The Lieutenant Governor said the campaign was no longer confined to government departments or law enforcement agencies, but had transformed into a collective social mission involving every section of society.

“With the support of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, a movement has taken shape that has united every street, every family and every heart with one common intention—to make our villages and cities free from drugs,” he said.

Referring to the beginning of the campaign, Sinha said what started as “a small spark of change” has now transformed into a larger social movement capable of changing the future of Jammu and Kashmir if people continue to remain united.

“Today I can confidently say that the spark of hope, courage and determination has been ignited across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The LG said Jammu and Kashmir has suffered for decades due to terrorism and violence, while drug addiction emerged as another serious threat affecting the younger generation.

“Jammu and Kashmir has endured unimaginable attacks of terrorism for many years. We also saw how drugs were slowly trapping our youth and weakening society,” he said.

Sinha recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 2020, following which Jammu and Kashmir intensified anti-drug efforts from 2021 onwards to protect the youth from the combined threats of terrorism and narcotics.

“We tried to remove the shadows of terrorism and drugs that were dividing our youth. Today, the chains that trapped our youth in the darkness of addiction are being broken one by one,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said the Jammu and Kashmir Police, security agencies and civil administration jointly intensified anti-drug operations during the last 50 days under what he described as a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.”

“With the support of the people, we have been able to identify and dismantle several drug networks. Strong action is being taken against those involved in the narcotics trade,” he said.

Sinha said he had observed a growing sense of confidence among the youth during the anti-drug campaign, asserting that many young people were now openly resisting narcotics abuse.

“In the last 51 days, I have seen confidence in the eyes of our youth. Society is standing up against this menace,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the role of district administrations, schools, women’s groups, youth clubs, social organisations, religious leaders and political representatives in strengthening awareness against drugs at the grassroots level.

“Many families, schools, social and religious leaders and public representatives are united against drugs. The committees formed by district administrations, especially women’s committees and youth clubs, are playing a major role in this movement,” he said.

Stressing the humanitarian aspect of the issue, Sinha said drug-addicted youth should not be treated as criminals but as victims who deserve dignity, compassion and rehabilitation.

“The youth addicted to drugs have the right to live their lives with dignity. They should not be viewed as criminals. They are real victims and must be treated with respect, compassion and care,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said rehabilitation infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir would be expanded and assured that modern de-addiction and rehabilitation centres would be established in every district at the earliest.

“The rehabilitation centres have to be expanded and the best facilities must be made available in every district as soon as possible,” he said.

Sinha said the administration had also framed a rehabilitation policy after consultations with experts from across the country to ensure proper treatment, emotional support and social reintegration for recovering addicts.

“In order to save the lives of those affected by addiction, both emotional and material support are necessary and every possible effort has to be made,” he said.

Highlighting the achievements of the anti-drug campaign so far, the Lieutenant Governor said that during the last 50 days, 923 FIRs had been registered under anti-narcotics operations across Jammu and Kashmir, while more than 1,000 drug peddlers had been arrested.

He said authorities had also detained over 56 major drug peddlers under preventive measures, while administrative action had been initiated against several others involved in the narcotics trade.

According to the LG, more than 600 driving licences linked to narcotics offenders have been suspended under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), while 124 passport revocation cases have also been processed.

“The police are continuously acting against drug peddlers. This is a difficult and ongoing process,” he said.

Sinha acknowledged that the drug menace could not be completely eradicated within a short period but said the 100-day campaign was launched to create awareness and strengthen public participation against addiction.

“We know Jammu and Kashmir cannot become addiction-free in just 100 days. But this campaign was started to build awareness and strengthen the collective resolve of society so that people, police and administration work together against drugs,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor asserted that the anti-drug campaign would continue with full force until narcotics networks are completely uprooted from Jammu and Kashmir.

“As long as even one group involved in drugs exists in Jammu and Kashmir, this campaign will continue,” he added. —(KNO)

Srinagar, June 1: The President of India has appointed Justice Sanjeev Kumar, a Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

According to an official notification issued under Article 223 of the Constitution of India, Justice Sanjeev Kumar will discharge the functions of the Chief Justice following the appointment of Justice Arun Palli, the incumbent Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

The appointment ensures continuity in the functioning of the High Court until a regular Chief Justice is appointed.

Justice Sanjeev Kumar has been serving as a Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and brings with him extensive judicial experience. His appointment comes in the wake of the elevation of Justice Arun Palli to the Supreme Court, marking a significant development in the higher judiciary.

The notification stated that the President exercised the powers conferred under Article 223 of the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of an acting Chief Justice when the office of the Chief Justice of a High Court falls vacant or when the Chief Justice is unable to perform the duties of the office.