Srinagar, May 18: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi on Monday expressed deep grief over the demise of Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, father of jailed Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, and urged the authorities to immediately facilitate Er Rashid’s release on humanitarian grounds so that he can participate in the funeral rites of his father.

AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi informed news agency JKNS, that Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh, father of Member of Parliament Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, is no more.

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over the demise, Inam Un Nabi described late Haji Khazir Mohammad Sheikh as a veteran teacher, a noble soul and a deeply respected personality who dedicated his life to education, morality and social values.

He said Haji Khazir Sahib stood like a pillar of strength behind Er Rashid throughout his political and social journey and was widely admired for his simplicity, wisdom and humility.

Inam Un Nabi made an emotional appeal to the Government of India and concerned authorities to immediately facilitate the release of Jailed MP Er Rashid so that a son is able to participate in the last rites and funeral prayers of his father. He said no pain can be greater than a son being deprived of bidding a final farewell to his own father.

He said irrespective of political differences, humanitarian considerations must prevail in such moments of personal tragedy and grief. “A father has departed from this world and his son remains behind bars. This is a deeply painful moment for the entire family and all those who know them,” Inam Un Nabi said.

The AIP Chief Spokesperson said the passing away of Haji Sahib has created a huge void not only within the bereaved family but also among well-wishers, students and admirers across Jammu and Kashmir. He said the entire party leadership and cadre stand in solidarity with Er Rashid and the family in this hour of grief and sorrow.

“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon. May Almighty Allah grant Haji Sahib the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give patience and strength to the bereaved family,” Inam Un Nabi said. (JKNS)

The tourists visiting Kashmir have termed the Valley a safe and peaceful destination for travelers while urging the J&K government to further promote tourism and improve facilities to generate employment opportunities for local youth dependent on the sector.

A group of tourists from Tamil Nadu who are on their visit to Gulmarg told Greater Kashmir that visiting Kashmir’s world famous ski resort Gulmarg has left them impressed. “The hospitality, security arrangements and tourism facilities are really impressive,” a tourist from Tamil Nadu said.

The group reached on Sunday morning in Gulmarg and they started their day with a Gondola ride up to Phase I and later to Phase II as well. “The experience was really superb. The guides here were very helpful and even assisted us with photographs,” one of the tourists said.

The visitors said that the tourism sector has remained the backbone of livelihood for many people in J&K and called for greater government support to further strengthening of the sector. “Employment opportunities can increase if more facilities are provided and more tourists are encouraged to visit Kashmir. Many youngsters here are dependent on tourism,” the tourists said. The tourists however appreciated the efforts of the tourism department in promoting the destination. The tourists also appealed to visitors from across the country to maintain cleanliness at tourist spots and avoid littering. “Everybody should keep this place as clean as it is now. Tourists should ensure that cleanliness is maintained,” they said.

Referring to the past security situation in Kashmir, the tourists said that earlier disturbances discouraged many people, particularly from South India, from travelling to the Valley. “But now the situation has changed significantly and more people are coming to this place for vacations,” the tourists said. “We heard about disturbances earlier and that is why many South Indians were not travelling to Kashmir. But now everything has settled and it is very safe to travel here,” they added. The tourists credited the J&K government and security forces for ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for tourists saying the visitors from different parts of the country were feeling comfortable during their stay in Kashmir. “Whether South Indian or North Indian, everybody feels at home here. The hotel staff and local people are treating tourists very well,” they said. The tourists further urged the J&K government to continue encouraging tourism and developing the sector, saying Kashmir has immense potential as a travel destination.

“There is no issue with security here. It is peaceful and very good to travel to Kashmir,” they tourists said.

Another tourist from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Neelima Deshpande, who arrived in Gulmarg with her group after spending two days at Pahalgam said public support and cooperation was the main attraction for the tourists to visit this place. “Kashmir has the biggest natural beauty. Today, I went to the second phase of Gandola and had a lot of fun. I feel like I will come back again. I was not scared at all,” Neelima Deshpande told Greater Kashmir. “I felt like everyone was my own. People from all over India and the world should come here and see this beauty here. There is no fear at all,” she added.

She said that anyone can visit this place and stay here with full confidence. Another tourist from Mumbai said he spent the last four days at Pahalgam and the support and trust of Kashmiri people was unbelievable. “The people here have a human heart. They care for their guests (tourists). If we forget anything or our belongings get misplaced, the locals here help us in getting it back,” he said. “Everyone should come here and enjoy the natural beauty. There is nothing to fear in Kashmir. Tourists are getting good support from the locals,” he added.

Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that they are planning to make Gulmarg an international ski resort. “Work is under process for it. We want Gulmarg neat and clean besides a disciplined destination. Any tourist while entering Gulmarg should feel that they arrived at a health resort,” MLA Gulmarg told Greater Kashmir.

Shopian, May 17: Batapora Sports Stadium in south Kashmir’s Shopian town was a riot of colours, noise and raw energy on Sunday as Kulgam Hurricanes locked horns with Anantnag Spartans in the final of the South Kashmir Volleyball League.

Amid deafening cheers, whistles and nonstop chants, Kulgam Hurricanes produced a commanding performance to outclass their rivals in straight sets, sealing a 3-0 victory to lift the title in style.

The four-day league, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on May 14. Featuring teams from Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, Poonch and Rajouri, the trans-Pir Panjal tournament showcased the growing volleyball culture across the region.

Ashiq Hussain, coach of Kulgam Hurricanes, told Greater Kashmir that the team’s disciplined approach and months of hard work paid off in the final. “The players showed tremendous coordination and commitment throughout the tournament,” he said.

He said five national-level players — Pankaj, Asghar, Amar, Vipin and Shakir — were part of the 14-member title-winning squad, adding depth and experience to the side.

MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay, who was the chief guest on the occasion, congratulated the winning team and urged youngsters to stay away from drugs and embrace a healthy lifestyle through sports. “Sports is the best platform to channel the energy of youth in a positive direction and build discipline, confidence and unity,” he said

He also appreciated the Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council for organising such tournaments and creating opportunities for youth to participate in different sporting activities across the region. He said sporting events not only help identify talent but also promote discipline, teamwork and a spirit of healthy competition among youngsters.

Members of the Shopian civil society, including Mitha Gatoo and Mansoor Magray, were also present on the occasion. They too lauded the efforts of the Sports Council and local organisers for successfully conducting the tournament and providing a vibrant platform for aspiring athletes from across the Pir Panjal and south Kashmir regions.

Srinagar, May 17: Analogue and fake cheese is in food chain of consumers in J&K and across India, a reality people are mostly unaware of.

On the other hand, a growing number of food businesses are using analogue cheese in their preparations, and also selling it as ‘natural paneer’. While, Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI) has issued an alert, J&K has had its own cheese scandal, necessitating continued monitoring.

In September, laboratory testing exposed significant adulteration in staple dairy products.

The J&K administration took exemplary action and banned loose paneer containing foreign fats.

In addition, it also prohibited nine popular desi ghee brands.

J&K prohibitionary notice was replicated in other states, however, food safety experts and consumer advocates believe sustained, regular testing drive across both Kashmir and Jammu divisions must be regular.

“Consistent surveillance would uncover far more violations in the diary based sector,” a senior official in Health and Medical Education Department said.

The FSSAI West issued a public notice in April “directing all centrally licensed manufacturers and Food Service Establishments in particular, and other Food Business Operators in general, to strictly comply with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Rules and Regulations made there under in respect of Cheese Analogue”.

The notice said, cheese analogue sold as paneer amounts to a “grave violation of the law and must cease immediately”.

The manufacturers of cheese analogues were directed to ensure accurate and unambiguous product naming and labeling to avoid consumers being taken for a ride.

Cheese analogue is a cheese-like product made from vegetable fats and oils instead of milk fat.

It looks and feels like real paneer.

For J&K, the scenario has been worse.

Reputed labs including the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad, FRAC FICCI New Delhi, and the Food Testing Laboratory in Srinagar found the presence of Beta-Sitosterol in samples from market.

Beta-Sitosterol is a plant sterol marker proving adulteration with vegetable oils.

Many consignments were transported in unhygienic, non-refrigerated conditions, with questionable documentation or traceability, thus rendering them unsafe.

The samples were collected during a special enforcement drive in September 2025, ordered by then Commissioner Food Safety, Smita Sethi.

Following the lab reports, authorities imposed an immediate ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, import, and transportation of loose paneer containing foreign or vegetable fats.

Seizures of 21 quintals of synthetic cheese and more cheese-based products followed.

In addition, in November 2025, nine desi ghee brands were banned after failing multiple quality and safety parameters.

The labs confirmed adulteration with vegetable and foreign fats, presence of Beta-Sitosterol (non-dairy marker), and significant deviations in Reichert-Meissl (RM) Value (below prescribed limits), Iodine Value, Saponification Value, and fatty acid profile.

Many batches, mostly from Jammu region, were found unsafe for consumption.

Stakeholders are now urging long-term, structured testing drives focused on milk and milk products, with transparent and expedited testing.

In addition, stricter inter-state checks, and public awareness campaigns are then the need of the hour.