Srinagar, Jan 22: The Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to the Vice-Chancellor of Adesh University, Bathinda, seeking urgent intervention in a financial grievance affecting 145 nursing students of the 2022 batch.

“We write to you on behalf of the Central Working Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). We want to bring to your immediate attention a critical financial and academic grievance concerning 145 nursing students (Batch 2022) of your institution,” the JKSA stated.

It added that the matter pertains to the psychiatric posting at Dr. Vidya Sagar Mental Hospital, Amritsar, which was cancelled by the administration citing security concerns. Despite the cancellation, fees collected from students amounting to approximately ₹13.7 lakh remain unadjusted.

The Association sought the Vice-Chancellor’s “immediate intervention” on following:

Administrative Oversight & Unjust Penalty

It is pertinent to note that the decision to proceed with deployment to a border zone was taken despite prevailing government advisories urging caution. The posting could have been curtailed at the initial stage. Instead, a deliberate attempt was made to proceed contrary to safety protocols. It is logically and ethically unsound to penalize students financially for a cancellation necessitated by the administration.

Breach of Principal’s Assurance

Students were explicitly assured by the Principal, Mr. Shridhar KV, that the fees paid would be adjusted when the next batch was sent. It is distressing that the administration is now reneging on this commitment and declining valid claims after two months of silence.

Financial Transparency & Communication Gap

We have confirmed that the Director of Dr. Vidya Sagar Mental Hospital is willing to reschedule the posting. However, a lack of coordination at the level of the Registrar/Deputy Registrar appears to be hindering this resolution. Refusing to refund or adjust public money for a service not rendered raises serious questions regarding financial accountability.

Our Appeal

Jammu and Kashmir Students Association urges you to exercise your authority to resolve this impasse. We request that you direct the concerned officials to: Coordinate immediately with the Hospital to reschedule the training and adjust the fees as promised; Or authorize an immediate refund of the unutilized funds if rescheduling is not feasible.

“We trust your office will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and facilitate a resolution within three (3) working days, thereby obviating the need for us to escalate this issue to the Ministry.” The association writes.

Srinagar, Jan 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the Jammu & Kashmir Government has resolved the college allocation issue of students who were earlier selected for MBBS course at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence(SMVDIME).

In a post on X, chief minister’s office said that the issue of admission to MBBS students of SMVDIME has been resolved.

“The Government has resolved the college allocation issue for selected MBBS candidates of SMVD college. With BOPEE now issuing counselling schedule, students can move ahead with their students,” reads the post.

The National Medical commission had withdrawn the Letter of Permission for MBBS course it had earlier to SMVDIME, citing critical deficiencies in its infrastructure, staff etc.

As per notification issued by Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE), 50 supernumerary have been created for students of SMVDIME at 7 Government Medical Colleges.

Of which eight seats have been created at GMC Anantnag and seven each at GMC Baramulla, GMC Doda, GMC Handwara, GMC Kathua, GMC Rajouri and GMC Udhampur.

As per the notification, the BOPEE will conduct the physical round of counselling of these students on January 24 at 11:00 AM—(KNO)

Srinagar, Jan 22: In a much-anticipated move, J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) has notified a physical round of counseling for 50 supernumerary MBBS seats for students that lost their seats due to de-recognition of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Medical College earlier this month.

This fresh move will accommodate students to various Government Medical Colleges across the J&K. The notification is based on directives from the Health & Medical Education Department, and a communication from the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

According to the BOPEE notice, candidates who received provisional seats at SMVDIME Katra through notifications dated October 25, 2025 (No. 157-BOPEE), November 18, 2025 (No. 170-BOPEE), and December 22, 2025 (No. 216-BOPEE) are now eligible for counseling and seat allotment.

The board has said the creation of 50 additional supernumerary seats will prevent any disruption to the students’ academic progress. The counseling session is scheduled for November 24, 2026 (Saturday), starting at 10:00 A.M. in the morning, at the BOPEE offices in Jammu/Srinagar. Participants have to report physically between 10:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. for attendance and registration. Seven seats each have been created in GMCs of Baramulla, Doda, Handwara, Kathua, Rajouri and Udhampur. In addition, eight seats have been created in GMC Anantnag.

Srinagar, Jan 21: With Republic Day 2026 just five days away, authorities in Kashmir have implemented extraordinary security arrangements across the Valley to ensure peaceful, incident-free celebrations on January 26, even as the main venue of the function in the city, Bakshi Stadium, has put under a three-tier security ring. The broader security grid across Kashmir includes multi-layered arrangements, enhanced area domination, frisking at checkpoints, and close monitoring of highways, laterals, railway tracks, and stations.

These steps follow a high-level review by Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, who directed intensified surveillance of anti-national elements, social media monitoring to curb misinformation, and coordinated efforts among all security agencies.

Giving details, a senior Police official said that Bakshi Stadium had been put under a three-tier security.

ìAn outer ring with checkpoints and highway monitoring, a middle layer of intensified patrols and surveillance (drones, CCTV) closer to the stadium, and an inner layer with sharpshooters on rooftops and strict access control for VIPs and authorised personnel, all coordinated by Police and intelligence for major events like the Republic Day or VVIP visits, ensuring public safety while managing threats through frisking, vehicle checks, and readiness for quick response teams,î the officer said.

On Wednesday, in Srinagar, the epicenter of Republic Day observances in Kashmir, the Police intensified security protocols citywide.

Joint teams of J&K Police and CRPF have been deployed at strategic locations, establishing of special checkpoints, and mobile patrols for comprehensive vehicle and individual checks.

Night patrols and surprise inspections are underway to maintain round-the-clock vigilance and deter any attempts to disturb public order.

Additional forces have been assigned to sensitive areas, with a strong emphasis on monitoring suspicious activities.

Senior officers are personally overseeing the implementation to ensure seamless execution.

Authorities have appealed to the public for cooperation during verification processes and urged residents to report any suspicious activity immediately to the nearest police station or the Police Control Room (PCR).

Reports of intensified security arrangements were also received from the north, south, and central Kashmir areas.

The measures come amid heightened vigilance following intelligence inputs and recent security incidents, including the detection of an IED on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.

Security has been significantly tightened along the strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

In Kulgam district, Police have ramped up operations under the direction of SSP Kulgam, Anayat Ali Choudhary, with personal supervision by the Additional SP National Highway, Qazigund, SDPO Qazigund, and DySP SOG Mir Bazar.

Random vehicle checks, thorough frisking, and identity verifications are being conducted at key points along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, including the Kashmir Navyug Tunnel gate, Qazigund, Mir Bazar, Al Stop, Khudwani Bypass, and other sensitive locations in Kulgam. Multi-tier patrolling teams, equipped with metal detectors and supported by dog squads, are actively monitoring the highway and adjoining areas.

Several pillion riders have been inspected, and multiple two-wheelers and four-wheelers lacking valid documents have been seized as part of the crackdown.