Peoples Conference Chief Spokesperson and former MLA Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar Friday accused the National Conference of resorting to undemocratic practice and destroying the Constitution after the name of MLA Handwara Sajad Gani Lone was omitted from the inauguration plaque of the newly inaugurated Drugmulla Bridge.

Talking to reporters at the newly inaugurated bridge in Drugmulla area of Kupwara, Dar said that excluding the name of an elected representative from a public development project was against democratic principles and amounted to disrespecting the public mandate. Dar alleged that the move was politically motivated and reflected an undemocratic approach by the ruling National Conference.

“An elected MLA does represent the people of his constituency and ignoring his name in the inauguration of a public project happens to be an insult to the democratic system,” he said.

Dar criticized the National Conference for sidelining opposition representatives and indulging in political vendetta. ” Such actions weaken democratic institutions and create unnecessary political confrontation,” he added.

The remarks came in view of the inauguration of the Drugmulla-Hatmulla Bridge by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary in presence of Rajya Sabha MP Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan and MLA Uri Dr Sajad Shafi.

Srinagar, May 22: Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) held across government schools in Kashmir on Friday have emerged as an important bridge to revive public confidence in government schools while strengthening coordination between parents and teachers for the academic and social development of students.

On May 22 of 2026, all the government schools organised Parent Teacher Meetings (PTMs) across Kashmir, which saw encouraging participation of parents of the students.

Earlier, the PTMs, as per the DSEK orders, were supposed to be held on the 26th of every month. However, in view of Eid Ul Adha, the PTM for this month was preponed to May 22 of 2026.

During the PTMs, the parents, mostly mothers, acknowledged the role of teachers in grooming the students while taking care of their academics and social development as well.

During a PTM organised at Government Middle School Hamray, a parent showered praises on teachers while and highlighted the need for greater parental involvement in government schools.

She said that regular interaction between parents and teachers was essential for the academic growth and proper upbringing of children.

“Teachers are doing their job in grooming students, and parents must share equal responsibility in monitoring children’s education and behaviour,” she said.

She said while teachers spend limited hours with students in schools, children remain at home with their families for the larger part of the day, making parental attention crucial in shaping their future.

“Many families often fail to remain connected with schools or adequately monitor their children’s studies, particularly in government institutions. Even if parents are illiterate, they must keep a close watch on the academics and activities of their children,” she said.

She added that teachers in government schools were making sincere efforts to guide and groom students.

“We as parents witness the care and attention teachers provide to children in schools, but these efforts can yield better results only when supported by active parental participation,” she added.

Drawing a comparison between private and government schools, she said that parents tend to remain more concerned about children enrolled in private institutions because of the financial investment involved, while comparatively less attention is paid to students studying in government schools.

“Parents must visit schools regularly, interact with teachers frequently and remain actively involved in the educational journey of their children,” she added.

Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Naseer Ahmad Wani, earlier said the PTMs were scheduled on the 26th of every month but were scheduled on May 22 in view of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha, to ensure maximum participation of parents and other stakeholders.

DSEK had directed all school heads to make the meetings meaningful and outcome-oriented by ensuring active participation of parents and focusing on both academic and social issues concerning students.

“The discussions during the PTMs would not remain confined to students’ academic progress but would also cover behavioural changes among children in the backdrop of increasing concerns over substance abuse in society,” he said.

DSEK said that parents must share their observations regarding the behaviour and activities of their children at home, while teachers would also brief parents about students’ conduct and performance in schools.

“Any unusual behavioural changes noticed either by parents or teachers should be immediately communicated so that timely intervention could be made to prevent children from falling victim to drug abuse and other social evils,” he said.

Handwara, May 22: People’s Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone on Friday dared the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to act against powerful figures instead of confining its action to lower-rung officials, and alleged that a minister in the current dispensation was involved in corruption.

Speaking to reporters in Handwara after visiting Mawer to offer condolences to the family of jailed MP Engineer Rashid on the death of his father, Lone said it was the ACB’s moral responsibility to seek details and initiate an investigation whenever a public representative raises corruption allegations against a minister.

“It is easy to catch low-level officials. I dare the ACB to act against big fishes as well,” he said.

Turning to the Sidra demolition drive, Lone accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of being hand in glove with those carrying out what he described as the selective targeting of poor families. He said he had raised the issue during the recently concluded Assembly session and had urged the government well in time to rein in the forest department from carrying out such demolition drives, but claimed the elected government showed no willingness to stand with the poor.

“Had the issue involved influential or wealthy people, the entire government would have rushed to the spot and come to their rescue,” he said.

Lone further alleged that he was gathering details related to the matter and claimed that sources had pointed towards a mining scandal as the real motive behind the demolition drive. “I am digging out details and some sources say there is a mining scandal, which is why the poor have been targeted,” he said.

The PC chief also alleged that the present dispensation was missing on the ground and claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was more occupied with public events than addressing pressing public issues facing ordinary citizens.

Srinagar, May 22: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has expressed concern over the registration of an FIR against Kashmiri Pandit activists protesting against the implementation of the NFSA in relation to relief and ration benefits for the displaced migrant families.

In a statement here, Mehbooba said the concerns being raised by the Kashmiri Pandit community stem from “genuine anxieties” about their distinct identity and status as displaced migrants, something that has been acknowledged by successive governments over the years.

She said that after decades of displacement, “uncertainty and trauma”, the community deserves empathy and engagement rather than criminalisation for voicing its fears and grievances.

Reacting to reports of police action against the protesters, the PDP chief said the increasing tendency to respond to dissent with FIRs and intimidation is deeply worrying and reflects an unhealthy approach towards democratic expression.

She said that peaceful protests cannot be treated as criminal acts, especially when communities are raising concerns linked to their survival, rehabilitation and legal safeguards.

The PDP president noted that several Kashmiri Pandit organisations have opposed the move to subsume migrant relief rations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) framework, fearing that it could dilute their distinct migrant status and gradually erode the special relief and rehabilitation mechanisms created for families displaced from the valley in the 1990s.

Many within the community view the move as an attempt to reduce a humanitarian and displacement-related entitlement into a routine welfare scheme, she said.

The former J-K chief minister said the issue must be addressed through dialogue and confidence-building measures instead of police action and legal intimidation.

“The pain and displacement suffered by Kashmiri Pandits is a reality that cannot be ignored. Any policy decision affecting them must be taken only after meaningful consultation with the community,” she added.

Mehbooba said democratic governments must create space for citizens to express concerns peacefully and using police action against every form of disagreement only widens mistrust and alienation.

She urged the administration to withdraw the FIR and initiate a transparent dialogue with representatives of the Kashmiri Pandit community over the NFSA-related concerns.