Srinagar, Apr 2: MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali on Thursday raised multiple public importance issues in the Assembly, seeking rehabilitation of families affected by Zojila Tunnel construction, extension of welfare schemes to Ganderbal, and safety measures for uncovered power canals.

Mian Mehar Ali raised concerns about residents affected by the construction of the Zojila Tunnel, demanding their rehabilitation. Mian Mehar said that due to the blasting and other construction work several nearby residential houses have developed cracks and damage adding that the affected should be rehabilitated and given permission to reconstruct their homes. MLA Kangan also sought extension of Ladli Beti Scheme to Ganderbal district further making mission Yuva scheme more beneficial to people .

Mian Mehar alleged that mining department is not allowing people even to use machinery to level their fields and urged that people should be permitted to level agricultural fields without intervention from the mining department. He also demanded restoration of Baba irrigation canal. “ Baba irrigation canal caters to a vast area of two constituencies including Kangan and Ganderbal, adding that a DPR of 16 Cr has been made and urged that the work should be started at an earliest .

MLA Kangan further raised the issue of the non-fenced power canal in Kangan constituency, adding that these power canals should be properly fenced to avoid accidents and untoward incidents.

Jammu, Apr 02: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday announced that a tunnel connecting Machil sector to hinterland at Z-Gali in Kupwara has been sanctioned to provide all weather connectivity to the border residents.

Replying to a question raised by National Conference Legislator, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone in the Legislative Assembly, Choudhary said the tunnel was cleared under the ‘Other than Capital Acquisition’ head with preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) underway for its inclusion in the Annual Works Plan (AWP) 2026-27.

He said the Machil area experiences heavy snowfall during winter months, which affects the connectivity and poses difficulties for the residents.

“An institutional mechanism is in place to address the essential requirements during winters, with advance planning and necessary arrangements made to ensure availability of basic services, including healthcare and essential supplies for the people in the remote areas,” he said.

The deputy chief minister said representations for construction of a tunnel to link Lolab in Kupwara with Bandipora district have been received from the local population, citing its strategic and connectivity importance.

Srinagar, Apr 02: Continuing its sustained efforts against the menace of drugs, police in Anantnag achieved a significant success in Kokernag area by arresting two accused persons and recovered contraband substance from their possession.

As per police statement, a police party from Police Station Kokernag, along with SOG Kokernag, at a checkpoint established at Hangulgund, Kokernag. During checking, two persons were noticed roaming in suspicious circumstances who were tactfully apprehended. During their search, contraband substances resembling brown sugar weighing approximately 5.50 grams and 6.40 grams were recovered from their possession. They have been identified as Abid Ahmad Naikoo, son of Abdul Gani; and Suhail Ahmad Dar, son of Mohd Ashraf, both residents of Nagam, Kokernag.

Accordingly, a case FIR No. 18/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Kokernag, and further investigation has been taken up.

Police remain committed to eradicating the drug menace and urge the general public to cooperate by sharing any information related to drug trafficking or substance abuse, statement reads.

Srinagar, Apr 02: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday said they have filed a charge-sheet against five officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and a private beneficiary for allegedly facilitating illegal construction of a commercial complex in Rajbagh by misusing official permissions.

In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau produced Charge sheet in case FIR No. 11/2020 for the commission of offences U/S 5(1)(d) r/w5(2) of J&K Prevention of Corruption Act. Svt. 2006, 120-B RPC at Police Station ACB Srinagar Kashmir before the Court of Additional Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar against 05 accused persons of the Srinagar Municipal Committee (SMC) Namely 1. Choudary Mehraj-Din Bhuja S/O Ghulam Qadir R/O Maharaj Bazar A/P Bemina the then Ward Officer. 2. Showkat Hussain Hamdani S/O Gh Nabi Hamdani R/O Khankai Mohalla Srinagar then Ward officer 3. Nisar Ahmad Rah S/O Ghulam Mohammad R/O Jamalata A/P Shah Mohallah Nawab Bazar, the then Building Inspector. 4. Gulzar Ahmad Bhat S/O Ali Mohd Bhat R/O Chekpeth Dooru Ananatnag, Tehsil Dooru Anantnag the then Building Inspector 5. Mudasir Hussain Banday S/O Gh Mohd R/O Nowshera Srinagar then CEO SMC, and one beneficiary namely Mohammad Abdullah Dar S/O Abdul Qadir Dar R/O Rajbagh Srinagar, in connection with abuse of official position, criminal conspiracy and conferring undue benefit to private individual.

He said, the instant case was registered for illegal construction of 04 storey Commercial Shopping Complex “namely Abdullah Shopping Plaza” at Kursoo Rajbagh Srinagar raised by one Mohammad Abdullah Dar S/O Abdul Qadir Dar R/O Rajbagh Srinagar in connivance with the officers/ officials of SMC Srinagar under the garb of building permission issued by the SMC Srinagar for construction of the residential house.

The spokesperson said, the investigation conducted by Police Station ACB Srinagar, on the basis of oral and documentary evidence, has fully substantiated the charges levelled against the accused officers/officials and private beneficiary. The conspiracy between the accused government functionaries and the beneficiary was proved beyond doubt.

“After obtaining the requisite sanction for prosecution of public servants from the Govt. the charge sheet against 05 accused public servants one 01 private beneficiary was produced before the of Hon’ble Court of Additional Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar for Judicial determination. The next date of hearing has been fixed on 11-05-2026,” said the spokesperson.