Srinagar, May 01: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has expressed deep disappointment over the INDIA bloc, especially the Congress, “not supporting” the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood with the “expected vigour”.

In a candid assessment of the opposition bloc, Abdullah said that while his party remains a committed member of the alliance, it has fallen short of its potential.

He also flagged the lack of a robust, unified approach to Jammu and Kashmir’s issues as a primary point of contention within the bloc.

“You see, that has been our biggest objection to this national alliance…we have the hope that they would, with far more vigour, fight for our cause. That has not happened. Really very sad that the major party Indian National Congress has not really played the role that we expect from it,” Abdullah told PTI in an interview.

He further urged the alliance to move beyond being a mere electoral pact, calling for more frequent meetings to address the “ignored” future of the nation.

“….it is very clear that we are not part of the BJP and we will never be part of it. We are part of the INDIA bloc. I hope that the alliance post-election will get together again and take up not only the national issue but the issue of Jammu and Kashmir statehood in a much stronger way,” he said.

Abdullah, a three-time Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, said it was “very important” to have frequent meetings of the INDIA bloc. “This alliance is not only for elections. It is for the future of this nation which at times is being ignored. I am very sad to say this.”

In reply to a question on the current state of democratic condition and political environment for emerging youth leaders, he regretted that the opposition has not been able to project a leader “who could meet the challenges” posed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He advised opposition leaders to have a far more robust approach to the general public, “leave air-conditioned offices” and face the “heat and dust” as a common man. “Today’s politics is very different to what it was 50 years ago,” he said, adding that today “we don’t have Gandhi, Nehru or Indira”.

Abdullah expressed hope that the Centre will take a decision on the restoration of statehood to J&K after the process of assembly elections in various states is over.

He said Prime Minister Modi and the government are committed, both in the Parliament as well as in the Supreme Court, to restoring statehood to J&K.

“Now, how long will they take this? One cannot say. And their assurances to the Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah) have been there. Assurances to our members of Parliament, who went and met the Home Minister (Amit Shah). He also assured them. We are hopeful that after these state elections are over, they will take up this issue of statehood,” he said.

Asked whether his party will approach the Supreme Court to seek a clarification surrounding the timeline for restoring statehood, Abdullah acknowledged that while the prime minister and the home minister have given repeated assurances, a specific date remains elusive but indicated if things did not materialise, the party may approach the top court.

The apex court had directed in December 2023 that statehood be restored “at the earliest”.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by the then Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud had delivered three concurring judgements upholding abrogation of Article 370.

The then chief justice had said, “We direct that steps shall be taken by the Election Commission to conduct elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir constituted under Section 14 of the Reorganisation Act by September 30, 2024. Restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest…”

Abdullah indicated that if the current political assurances do not materialise, the National Conference may explore legal option. “I think that is the logical outcome if it does not move any further,” he said regarding the possibility of a fresh petition, adding “then the only thing we are left with is the Supreme Court”.

Regarding the relations between the ruling National Conference with the Centre, he said as far as government-to-government relationship is concerned, it is there and recently a good package was given for rural roads. “There are many issues that are still pending with the central government and I am sure slowly and steadily they will also be taken up,” he said.

Abdullah, a veteran politician with nearly five decades of political career, was asked to give advice to emerging youth leaders in Jammu and Kashmir.

“To my people and to the leaders of today, I would say, be honest in what you want to do and be straight. Don’t bluff the people. People are far more intelligent than one realises,” he warned.

He urged the youth to stay focused on removing poverty and ignorance, despite the “enemies in every direction” attempting to change their course.

Shopian, May 1: Ashiq Hussain Wani, a resident of Heerpora in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, spent days combing the Rambiara river in search of a missing three-year-old boy before finally recovering the body on Friday.

The child, Mohammad Hanzallah of Tiken village, had drowned near Dubijan on Sunday, triggering a massive search operation involving teams from the SDRF, NDRF, police, and local volunteers.

Familiar with the river’s terrain, Wani joined the search along with his brother and other locals, scanning stretches of the river despite strong currents and freezing conditions.

On Friday morning, Wani and his father, Farooq Ahmad, moved nearly 4 km downstream from the spot where the child had gone missing, continuing the search in icy waters.

“In the middle of the river, I noticed a large boulder and felt the body could be trapped underneath,” Wani said.

He said his father cautioned him against entering the fast-flowing waters without safety gear, but he decided to proceed.

“I took the risk and checked beneath the boulder. As I reached under it, I felt a body,” he said. “I immediately called out to my father and some local boys on the riverbank, and we pulled the child out.”

Wani said he was deeply moved by the family’s grief. “I couldn’t bear their pain. The thought of his mother crying wouldn’t let me sleep. That’s why I continued the search until we found him,” he said.

He said the recovery brought an end to days of uncertainty for the family, even as the operation highlighted the risks faced by locals who join such efforts.

Authorities had been conducting search operations since Sunday, but strong currents and the river’s rocky terrain made the task difficult.

“The administration offered every possible help to locate the child,” said a relative of Hanzallah.

The body was later handed over to the family for last rites.

Concerns Over Social Media Conduct

Amid the rescue efforts, some residents alleged that a few individuals attempted to exploit the tragedy for visibility on social media.

“It is tragic that some people came here merely to upload pictures on their social media accounts,” said Zaid Raja, a local reporter and resident.

Others also claimed that a few individuals sought to draw political mileage from the incident, drawing criticism from the community.

Srinagar, May 01: As part of its continued crackdown on narcotics-related activities, Shopian Police have attached a double-story residential house falling in the Khasra No. 1163 and valued at Rs 2037126/- belonging to Ali Mohd Bhat son of Gh Rasool Bhat resident of Haji Check Keegam.

The property, according to the police was identified as having been acquired through proceeds generated from the illegal trade of drugs and narcotics. Accordingly, the said property has been attached in connection with FIR No. 212/2025 of Police Station Shopian.

The attachment proceedings were carried out in the presence of duly constituted police team, Executive Magistrate, Lambardar and Chowkidar, ensuring full compliance with all legal procedures and maintaining transparency.

Shopian Police reiterated its firm commitment to eradicating the menace of drugs by targeting both offenders and the financial assets generated through illicit activities. They also urged general public to come forward with any information regarding drug trafficking or related activities.

Srinagar, May 01: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau on Friday arrested a head constable in Srinagar for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe, sources said.

The accused, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad, was caught during a trap operation laid by the ACB following a complaint from a local resident. The complaint had alleged that the policeman was seeking illegal gratification in connection with an official matter.

Acting on the complaint, the ACB team set up a trap in Batamaloo area and apprehended the accused red-handed while allegedly accepting ₹5,000 in cash along with a cheque worth ₹35,000.

The bribe amount was recovered on the spot in the presence of independent witness, they said.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the full circumstances of the case.(KDC)

Srinagar, May 01: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha. He claimed that the PDP is now raising the issue of Urdu merely to divert public attention from its role in helping the BJP.

Speaking to reporters, Omar alleged that the PDP supported the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls.

“That is why they are saying Urdu, Urdu. They are showing something with one hand and doing something else with the other. They  helped the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, they don’t want people to pay attention to this. They are talking about Urdu. I have already made it clear that there is no truth in their claims about Urdu. They will never refrain from this. They are internally helping them,” Omar said, when asked about recent disclosures regarding the RS polls through an RTI application.

The Chief Minister said past experiences show that exit polls often fail to reflect actual results.

“When elections were held in West Bengal, most exit polls favoured the BJP. What was the result? We don’t have to wait too long now—by Monday, the results will be out and these exit polls will once again be proved wrong,” he said.

He added that at least one pollster chose not to release findings as the projections were not to their liking.

On the controversy regarding the Urdu language, the Chief Minister denied any decision to drop it, saying the government had only invited public feedback on a proposal.

“There is a clear difference between seeking public comments and taking a final decision. The file proposing changes is still on my table and I have not approved it,” he said. “I challenge those spreading lies to show any order where Urdu has been dropped.”

Omar said he does not believe in pre-poll rigging through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), but warned of alleged manipulation through revision of voter lists.

“Today, the concern is not EVMs. The real issue is deletion of voters from electoral rolls. If this happens, it poses a serious challenge for democracy,” he said.

On rising prices, Omar said the increase in fuel costs is already impacting daily life and transport fares.

“When oil prices go up, everything else follows. People were already paying higher fares informally; now revisions have become unavoidable,” he said.

He added that ongoing conflicts are a major factor behind rising prices.

“This war should not have started. There is no justification for it. If global tensions ease, oil prices will come down and people will get relief,” he said. —(KNO)