Srinagar, June 16: In a decisive action against illegal mining activities, police have seized 09 vehicles, involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minerals in Anantnag and Shopian.

According to the statement a police party from Police Post Dialgam, seized one JCB machine and four tractors allegedly involved in the unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals from the Sandran Nallah near the Railway Bridge at Sadura. Acting promptly on the information received, the police party reached the spot and seized the machinery being used for the illegal activity. In this connection, FIR No. 185/2026 under the relevant provisions of law has been registered, and investigation has been set into motion.

Similarly in Shopian, Police seized four tractors involved in the unauthorized extraction and transportation of minerals from Rambiara Nallah area of the district. During routine patrolling, a police team from Police Station Shopian intercepted and seized four tractors involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of minerals without valid royalty documents. In this regard, FIR No. 120/2026 under relevant sections of law have been registered at Police Station Shopian and investigation has been set into motion.

Police remain committed to taking strict action against illegal mining and other activities that cause environmental degradation and violate the law. Members of the public are encouraged to report such unlawful practices to the nearest police establishment, statement added.

Srinagar, Jun 16: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said all arrangements, including security, have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins early next month.

Singh expressed confidence that the pilgrimage, scheduled to start on July 3, will be successful.

“The yatra this time is for a longer duration, and the administration has taken care of everything, including from the security point of view. We are confident that the yatra will be very successful,” the minister told reporters here.

The remarks from Singh, who is the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, came following the inauguration of the 59th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop organised by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare at the SKICC here.

The minister said the central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has focused on improving the ease of living of every section of society over the past 12 years.

“As you know, the number of senior citizens in India is increasing day by day. There was a time when the number of employed people was high, and pensioners were few, but now it has reversed. When they retire at 60, their expertise, experience, skill, and knowledge are also at their peak in their own way. It should not be wasted,” he said.

Keeping this concept in mind, Singh said workshops of this kind have been started across the country.

“Even after retiring, in whichever field or sector they have expertise, they can continue to play their role, as PM Modi says that every citizen has a role to play in building a developed India by 2047,” he added.

The minister said the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been included in the list of banks disbursing pensions for central government employees.

“After J-K became a UT, all the employees of the government of J-K, who used to be the state government employees, are today Central government employees. This department looks after them,” he said. “Keeping that in mind, J-K Bank has been included in the panel of the disbursing banks through which pension is disbursed to the retired employees,” he added.

Singh said an MoU has been signed because most of the salary accounts in the Union territory are with the J-K Bank.

“I think this is a new beginning which will provide ease to this 60-plus section. We have used face recognition technology. That era is over now when they had to visit a doctor to furnish their life certificate every year. They can now put their energy and time to better use,” he added.

Srinagar, June 16: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday appealed to the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to allow Muharram processions in the valley and release youths booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) during protests over developments in Iran.

In a statement, the former chief minister said religious processions are an integral part of the region’s cultural and spiritual heritage and must be facilitated in a manner that respects the sentiments and constitutional rights of the people.

Muharram, the first month of the Islamic New Year, will begin in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and ‘Ashura’ processions will be held on the 10th day, June 26.

“Muharram is a time of reflection, sacrifice and remembrance. The values embodied by Imam Hussain continue to inspire people to stand for justice, compassion and human dignity. It is incumbent upon the government to ensure that mourners are able to observe these sacred days freely and peacefully,” Mehbooba said.

She said Muharram is not merely a religious observance, but an inseparable part of the region’s spiritual, cultural and historical fabric.

“Muharram carries profound religious and emotional significance for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the administration must ensure all necessary arrangements for mourners and devotees,” she said.

The PDP chief urged the authorities to put in place adequate measures for traffic management, healthcare facilities, sanitation, drinking water, electricity and other essential services to facilitate the smooth conduct of religious gatherings and processions.

Expressing concern over “reports that several young men who participated in demonstrations relating to recent developments involving Iran” have allegedly been booked under the PSA and lodged in jails outside J&K, Mehbooba said such actions are “deeply troubling and risk further alienating the youth”.

She said that the use of “harsh laws” against young people, particularly during the sacred month of Muharram, is both “insensitive and counterproductive”.

“Muharram is a time when people mourn and remember the sacrifices made in Karbala. It is a period of reflection, compassion and solidarity with those who suffer. At such a sensitive moment, the government should be engaging with its people, listening to their concerns and healing wounds rather than adding to their pain through punitive measures,” she said.

Mehbooba urged the administration to immediately review all such cases, release those detained and refrain from further coercive measures.

She stressed that dialogue and engagement remain the most effective means of addressing public sentiment and grievances.