Srinagar, May 19: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to stop the “witch hunt” against people who expressed their emotions at the funeral of former Jama’at-e-Islami chief Shaikh Ghulam Hassan.

“People spoke out of emotion and grief at the funeral of Shaikh Ghulam Hassan who was not only the head of Jama’at but also a learned Islamic scholar. We might not like what they said, but it was not anti-national,” Mufti told reporters in Kulgam.

The former chief minister visited Hassan’s family at Tarigam in Kulgam to offer condolences to the bereaved.

“It is unfortunate that mourners have been slapped with FIRs merely for expressing grief and emotions. (I) request Omar Abdullah and Manoj Sinha to stop this witch hunt,” Mufti said in a post on X.

She also demanded action against those army personnel who allegedly pushed a youth into a house where a wild bear was trapped.

“That youngster is fighting for life in a hospital after being attacked by the bear. We hold the army in high esteem and respect its service to the nation, but those who have endangered the life of this youth should be held accountable,” she added.

LG Sinha joins Nasha-Mukt J&K Campaign in Pulwama; urges people to deliver final blow to drug abuse

We will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just arrests but the complete destruction of narco-terror empire and tearing out the very roots from which this poison spreads: Lieutenant Governor warns Narco-terrorists and drug-peddlers

Today that silence has turned into a loud, collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network fueled by fear, greed, and destruction. In Pulwama Pulwama, May 19: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today, joined people’s movement against drugs in Pulwama and addressed the citizens. He urged the people to strike the final blow against drug abuse, “so together we dismantle the narco-terror network and save our young generation from addiction.”

“This past month, Jammu Kashmir has witnessed public spirit awaken. In Baramulla I saw thousands raising their voices against drugs. Similarly, in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar and other districts I saw young people and parents resolutely committed to this fight,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Lieutenant Governor said that over the last 39 days, across different districts of Jammu Kashmir, neighbours became each other’s support and most importantly long-standing silence that hung over Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir began to break.

“Today that silence has turned into a loud, collective outcry against drugs. Our fight is against a vast narco-terror network fueled by fear, greed, and destruction. In Pulwama alone, more than 11,000 local events have been organized in recent days. FIRs have been registered against 48 drug smugglers, and 56 drug traffickers have been arrested. These figures show we are striking directly at the roots of terror,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Lieutenant Governor said that for many decades drug smuggling in Jammu Kashmir was treated as mere local crime and now the people must realise that the drug smuggler and the terrorist are two sides of the same coin.

“Drug smugglers profits by destroying the futures of our youth and the terror outfits uses that money to fuel terrorism and radicalization in Jammu Kashmir. Every deal a drug peddler makes not only wrecks a young life but also finances the killing of innocent citizens. When drug smugglers earn money, our youth lose their future and that money arm terrorists against innocents in Jammu Kashmir. That is why my resolve is unshakable and my promise firm that we will remove drug smugglers and peddlers from Jammu Kashmir’s soil,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Lieutenant Governor warned the narco-terror ecosystem that they no longer can hide and the law enforcement agencies are on their trail.

“We will hunt you down even in your deepest hideouts. Our mission is not just arrests but the complete destruction of narco-terror empire and tearing out the very roots from which this poison spreads,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

It is pertinent to mention that since 11th April, about 897 drug smugglers and peddlers have been arrested. Recommendations have been made to cancel passports of 18 traffickers. Additionally, driving licenses of 382 traffickers and peddlers and registrations of 386 vehicles have been cancelled. Forty-nine immovable properties have been seized and 45 properties demolished.

Across both Jammu and Kashmir divisions nearly 5,045 drug stores have been inspected; licenses of 225 drug stores have been suspended, licenses of 27 stores cancelled, and FIRs registered against 6 stores. From 11th April until now, 393,000 programs have been held throughout Jammu and Kashmir, with millions taking part through awareness and outreach activities. To strengthen ground-level monitoring and rehabilitation, 6,646 village women’s committees and 2,997 youth clubs have been formed across Jammu and Kashmir, to block drug trafficking and ensure rehabilitation of those trapped by addiction. More than 100 helpline calls are being received each day, and over 52,000 patients have received treatment in addiction treatment facilities so far.

“As this 100-days campaign advances, we must fuel its momentum. Stay vigilant. Stay united. I want people of Jammu Kashmir to remember that stopping one peddler saves a life, and every life saved weakens terror in the valley. Together, we will break addiction’s chains in Jammu Kashmir, end terrorism, and light up our streets, homes, and future. A month ago, we dreamed of a drug‑free Jammu Kashmir. Today, we are proving it is real,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Srinagar, May 19: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir conducted house searches in Budgam district in connection with an alleged Rs 93 lakh land fraud case involving fake agreements related to migrant land and standing trees.

According to officials, the searches were carried out at Semsaan area of Budgam in connection with FIR No. 17/2026 registered under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station EOW Kashmir.

The case pertains to alleged fraud involving accused Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar of Jawalpora, Budgam and Soom Nath Koul of Bangalore North, Karnataka, presently residing in Janipur Jammu.

Investigations revealed that the complainant was allegedly induced into purchasing five kanals of migrant land at Drusu in Pulwama district and 300 standing trees at Bijbehara through fake agreements.

Officials said the investigation further found that accused Soom Nath Koul had allegedly posed as the attorney holder of the original landowners, while Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar acted as a witness during the transaction.

Preliminary findings also revealed that neither the land nor the trees belonged to the accused persons.

“In continuation of the investigation, house searches were conducted at Semsaan Budgam in the presence of Executive Magistrates to collect incriminating material and other evidence relevant to the case,” officials said.

The Crime Branch advised the public to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report such incidents directly to SSP EOW Srinagar, Abdul Waheed Shah.

Victims of economic fraud have also been asked to submit complaints through the official email of the Economic Offences Wing.

Srinagar, May 19: A tourist woman from Gujarat was found unconscious at her accommodation in a Srinagar hotel late Monday night and was later declared brought dead at a hospital, officials said.

The deceased was identified as Nakitaben, 47, a resident of Gujarat.

Officials said she was staying at a hotel in the Sonwar area of Srinagar when she was found unconscious by her relatives during late-night hours.

She was immediately shifted by family members to Paras Hospital for medical treatment.

However, doctors at the hospital declared her brought dead, officials said.

Police have initiated legal and medico-legal proceedings to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the death.

Officials said the exact cause of death would be known after completion of necessary medical and legal formalities. [KNT]