Srinagar, Feb 06: The RSS on Friday started a ‘Dhwaj Yatra’ (flag rally) from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to clear the “misgivings” about the outfit.

The yatra symbolically began from the historic Lal Chowk and culminated at the Tourist Reception Centre, where the participants boarded vehicles for onward journey to other parts of the country.

“The aim of this yatra is to clear the misgivings that the RSS is against some people. We also want to convey the real history to people, who have been fed the distorted version so far,” Veer Kapoor, one of the participants, said.

He said a movie ‘Shatak’ has been made to celebrate the 100 years of RSS and the work done by the organisation.

The movie is scheduled to be released on February 19.

Srinagar, Feb 06: Member of the Ethics Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and MLA from Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi has sought the withdrawal of FIRs lodged against youth in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with expressions of solidarity with Palestine.

Aga Syed Muntazir addressed a formal communication to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging intervention in what he described as cases involving peaceful youth activism.

In his representation, the MLA said the FIRs were registered against young people who had raised humanitarian concerns related to Palestine and argued that such actions should not be treated as criminal offences. He stressed that the youth involved posed no threat to public order and that criminal proceedings could have long term social and psychological consequences.

Aga Syed Muntazir said Kashmir’s youth have historically voiced concerns on global humanitarian issues and that engaging with such causes should be viewed through a democratic and compassionate lens rather than a punitive one. He maintained that withdrawing the FIRs would send a positive message and help reinforce trust between the administration and the younger generation.

The MLA further stated that reconciliation and dialogue, rather than criminalisation, were essential to preserving democratic values and social harmony in the region. He urged the Union Home Ministry to review the cases on humanitarian grounds and exercise discretion in the larger interest of justice.

The matter, he said, was raised as part of broader concerns regarding youth engagement and civil liberties during the ongoing Assembly proceedings. [KNT]

Budgam, Feb 06: A motorcyclist was killed on Friday morning after the bike he was riding went out of control and collided with an electric pole near Soibugh, Budgam, officials said.

An official said that the accident claimed the life of a man who was the sole breadwinner of his family and father of four children.

He said the man was riding the motorcycle when it lost control and struck an electric pole. The rider was immediately shifted to the hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead upon arrival.

The deceased has been identified as Bashir Ahmad Paul, son of Haji GH Ahmad Paul, a resident of Paul Mohallah, Soibugh, Budgam.

Investigations into the incident have been launched. —(KNO)

Jammu, Feb 06: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the International Border (IB), launch welfare schemes for the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, and chair a high-level security review meeting on Friday as part of his ongoing three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Amit Shah’s arrival was delayed on Thursday evening, and he reached Jammu around 11 p.m. After being received by the Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha, at the airport, the Union Home Minister drove to the Lok Bhawan, where he spent the night.

Officials said the Union Home Minister will visit the International Border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district and later review the security situation at a high-level meeting.

Top officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), heads of paramilitary forces, and intelligence agencies, among others, reached here ahead of Amit Shah’s arrival.

The Home Minister will visit forward areas on the International Border, including Border Outposts of Gurnam and Bobiya in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district and will inspect arrangements made by the BSF to curb infiltration.

“He will e-inaugurate and lay e-foundation of six welfare schemes for the BSF personnel from Bobiya border outpost and interact with BSF personnel. During the monsoon floods in August-September last year, some posts and fencing of the BSF were damaged, which have been repaired. He will interact with the BSF officers and jawans on the International Border and take feedback on the situation. Later, he will chair a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir at the Lok Bhavan after his return from the International border,” officials said.

“Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, top officials of MHA, heads of paramilitary forces from New Delhi as well as J&K, Intelligence agencies, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat and other senior officers of police and Intelligence from Jammu and Kashmir will attend the meeting. A comprehensive review of the security situation will be held in the meeting, especially about ongoing anti-terrorist operations in the hilly areas of the Jammu region against the foreign terrorists hiding there,” the officials added.

Two days ago, the joint security forces killed three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, including two in Basantgarh, Udhampur and one in Chatroo, Kishtwar.

The Home Minister will also distribute compassionate appointment letters and meet the families of martyrs at the Lok Bhawan.

He will review the development of Jammu and Kashmir at a high-level meeting. He will return to New Delhi on Saturday afternoon.

L-G Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, senior officers of MHA and civil administration from Jammu and Kashmir will attend the development review meeting of the Home Minister. Security has been intensified in the Jammu region ahead of the Home Minister’s visit.

The Union Home Minister also chaired a security review meeting on J&K on January 8 in New Delhi. He directed a mission-mode approach to neutralise terrorists and ensure zero infiltration at the border to usher in complete peace in J&K.

The presence of Pakistani terrorists in the hilly districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri is a major security concern for the MHA, and security strategy is being further fine-tuned to address this problem, officials said.