In a major push against the narco-terror, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha rallied with a massive crowd in Bandipora on Monday, leading a Padyatra to galvanise support for the cause.

“45 days ago, I pledged not only to dismantle smugglers’ and narco-terrorists’ ecosystem but also to spark a movement that uplifts youth and restores dignity to families scarred by addiction,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor, as per an official statement, said that Jammu Kashmir is united, strong in resolve and clear in purpose and fully committed to freeing our society from drugs once and for all.

“The action against narco-terrorists and drug smugglers will continue. It will not stop until every drug smuggler is eliminated from the sacred soil of Jammu Kashmir. Our agencies have launched an unprecedented drive to dismantle narco-terrorists and their hidden network. No drug smuggler, drug peddler, or anyone seeking to poison our society is beyond reach. The entire narco-terror ecosystem is being pursued,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that several drug supply networks that until now remained hidden for various reasons are being traced and dismantled. He said drug cartels that thrived for decades are being wiped out.

“We have sent a clear message that Jammu Kashmir will not be a safe haven for those who profit from other people’s sufferings. I am determined that we will root out every narco-terrorist and drug smuggler from this soil. Those who tried to destroy our families will have their existence erased from this land. The law is now being applied firmly. Narco-terrorists are being punished, youth are being protected, families are being supported, and renewed hope is returning to the society,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that very soon, the administration will come out with a comprehensive rehabilitation policy which will ensure that every young person trapped by addiction gets a chance to rejoin the mainstream.

“Our aim is that not a single young person is left behind. We will provide jobs, opportunities, and the means for them to live with dignity. I strongly believe the success of a Drug-free Jammu Kashmir will not be measured only by the number of drug smugglers arrested but by the number of lives we can rebuild. It will be measured by the homes that can be restored and the young people who can fulfil their dreams. I promise you that we will not rest until their dreams are realised,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that the government cannot win this fight alone, and in this battle against drugs, the administration needs the support of families, teachers, religious leaders, and every responsible citizen.

“I envision a Jammu Kashmir where every child grows up free from the shadow of addiction. A Jammu Kashmir where families are not torn apart by drugs. A Jammu Kashmir where society moves forward with security, dignity, and trust. This is not merely a dream. It is our mission, and together we will fulfill it. We need the vigilance, awareness, and commitment of every resident of Jammu Kashmir. I believe that when people stand united, no narco-terror network or drug cartel can infiltrate them. When the public stands together, no terror can defeat them. I urge, we must unite to bury narco-terror once and for all,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated Waqar Knowledge Centre – Engaging Youth Against Drug Abuse.

Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, District Bandipora has established the Waqar Knowledge Centre (WKC), completing the anti-drug intervention cycle by providing recovering addiction cases with a constructive platform for rehabilitation, engagement, and reintegration. The initiative reinforces the message that individuals seeking to leave the path of substance abuse behind have access to a range of government-supported opportunities and support systems.

The Centre offers a sports corner, badminton court, reading library, and an information desk providing guidance on government schemes, education, employment, and skill development opportunities. The Administration envisions establishing one Waqar Knowledge Centre in each block of the district. The Centre provides a constructive space that empowers youth and strengthens community resilience against addiction.

Srinagar, May 25: Reaffirming that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status remains the foremost and unwavering objective of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Monday said that the party will persist in its principled political struggle under all circumstances until this historic injustice is reversed.

Addressing a gathering, Dr Farooq asserted that the accession of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India was founded upon clearly defined constitutional guarantees and solemn commitments. However, through illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic measures, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were stripped off their fundamental political and constitutional rights. He emphasized that even after six years since the decisions of August 5, 2019, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have neither reconciled with these measures nor will they ever accept them in the future.

Dr Farooq stated that Article 370 constituted the constitutional bedrock and political framework governing the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and India. It was under this constitutional safeguard that Jammu and Kashmir retained its distinct identity and special autonomous position following the events of 1947. However, he said, New Delhi reneged on its promises, commitments and constitutional assurances by unilaterally abrogating J&Ks special status in 2019 without even deeming it necessary to consult the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting the historic role of the National Conference, Dr. Farooq said that throughout its political journey, the party has undertaken transformative and revolutionary measures to safeguard the political, social and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the towering leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the National Conference dismantled the exploitative feudal order and introduced the landmark Land to the Tiller reforms, empowering millions of impoverished peasants by granting them ownership rights over land and fundamentally altering their socio-economic destiny. He further stated that it was the National Conference that laid the foundations of modern development in Jammu and Kashmir by strengthening vital sectors such as education, healthcare, road connectivity, electricity, drinking water supply and employment generation.

Criticising the “promises made by the Central Government at the time of the abrogation of Article 370,” Dr Farooq remarked that the claims of prosperity, peace, development and employment projected over the past six years have gradually been exposed as hollow and misleading. Calling upon the people to remain politically conscious and alert, Dr Farooq cautioned against forces attempting to mislead the masses through shifting narratives, hollow slogans, and calculated propaganda. He observed that certain political elements have built their entire existence on opposing the National Conference, while others routinely issue provocative statements against the party merely to remain politically relevant and capture public attention. Urging New Delhi to abandon what he termed its harsh and alienating policies towards Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq demanded the immediate restoration of promised full-fledged statehood and the initiation of a credible political process aimed at restoring the constitutional and democratic rights of the people.

Srinagar, May 25: A day after the body of the raped and murdered Budgam child was found, the family is clamouring for answers, demanding exemplary punishment to the perpetrator of the crime.

The entire neighborhood of the brutally assaulted and killed child remained drowned in grief and anger, seeking speedy investigation and action.
The house of the victim was inundated by people visiting for condolences and mourning.

Her mother has been passing out from grief, and is barely conscious, the neighbors reported.
Her father has also been unable to speak, devastated by the tragic and shocking end to the life of his only daughter.
The grandfather of the murdered child victim of rape and murder, while speaking to a media outlet, asked what she had done to deserve being killed in such a manner.

“The killer went on to take an innocent life like this. She had gone for Quran, what had she done to him that he didn’t even let her reach her seminary?” the shaken grandfather asked.

The grandfather lamented that even at such a young age, the child prayed five times a day.
“She would wake up for Fajr too, was very religious minded, and then a tyrant assaulted her like this,” he cried.
The grandfather said that the entire clan was looking for her when she did not return home at her usual time.
He said he could not “fathom courage” to look at her dead body.

Media reports quoted the uncle of the murdered child as saying that the family searched for her the entire night.
“In morning we found her body,” he said. “It seems she was badly assaulted as her fists were clenched tight and there was grass in her hands.”
The uncle said he saw injury marks on the face of the child and signs of heartless criminal assault.
A mourner, who appeared to be of the age of the child said the victim used to say she wants to be a Hafiza (remember entire Quran by heart).
“Her dream was cut short, and the funeral of our collective dignity is underway,” she rued.

While the Police claimed that one person, who as per the Police also confessed to the crime, has been arrested, demands have been pouring in for fool-proof investigation and exemplary punishment to the criminal.

SSP Budgam, Hariprasad K K said the Police was working in the best possible manner to collect evidence and make the case strong in order to ensure that the guilty are punished.

Srinagar, May 25: The Gulmarg Gondola service in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district will remain closed on May 26 and 27 for technical maintenance following Monday’s major disruption that left hundreds of tourists stranded mid-air for several hours.

An officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that all tickets booked for May 25, 26 and 27 will be refunded in full. Authorities also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to tourists and visitors.

The announcement came hours after a massive rescue operation involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, NDRF and civil administration safely evacuated around 400 tourists after a technical fault halted the cable car service around 1:20 PM.

Officials said the maintenance work has been initiated as a precautionary measure to inspect and rectify the technical issue before operations resume.

The Gulmarg Gondola, one of Kashmir’s major tourist attractions, witnesses heavy tourist footfall during the summer season. Monday’s incident triggered panic among tourists, though all stranded passengers were rescued safely without injuries.

Authorities said the service will resume only after all safety checks and technical inspections are completed.