Srinagar, Apr 24: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg chaired a meeting to review a range of revenue-related matters, including migrant properties, construction of houses for terror victims, digitization of land records, Digital Crop Survey, and development of urban revenue-generating assets.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners, the Additional Commissioner Central, and the Officer on Special Duty to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, said a press release.

While reviewing progress on the construction of houses for terror victims, the Divisional Commissioner directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries possess the requisite land, with a minimum of five marlas, to facilitate timely assistance. Regarding the updation of Girdawari records of religious and heritage sites, he instructed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that all structures of cultural and historical importance are properly documented and their records duly updated and certified. The Divisional Commissioner also assessed the status of migrant properties, including the quantum of land, district-wise progress in removal of encroachments, and the disposal of grievances submitted by migrants.

Reviewing progress under the SVAMITA Scheme and Digital Crop Survey, he urged Deputy Commissioners to intensify efforts to achieve timely implementation and broader coverage. Further, the Divisional Commissioner directed Deputy Commissioners to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) under the Urban Challenge Fund in consultation with Municipal Executive Officers to focus on the development of public utility and revenue-generating infrastructure in urban areas, including parking facilities, bus stands, and other convenience assets. Also, he called for ensuring active participation of public representatives and citizens in the ongoing Pad Yatra organized under the NashaMukt Campaign, aimed at promoting a drug-free society. The meeting concluded with directions to all concerned officers to ensure timely and effective implementation of the reviewed initiatives.

Shopian, Apr 24: Authorities in south Kashmir’s Shopian district have stepped up surveillance of courier services over concerns of illegal distribution of prescription drugs and drug abuse as part of a crackdown on pharmaceutical violations.

The Drugs and Food Control Organization has flagged concerns that certain medicines, including those requiring a doctor’s prescription, may be reaching consumers without proper authorization via courier channels. 

Officials say the move to monitor shipments is aimed at curbing drug abuse.

Assistant Drug Controller Humaira Shawl said inspection teams are being sent to courier operators’ offices to check for the movement of drugs that are susceptible to misuse or abuse.
“The idea is to curb any drugs, if being sent through couriers, that could be misused or abused,” she said. 

The focus on courier services comes alongside intensified enforcement efforts across the district over the past year. According to official data, hundreds of inspections have been carried out since April 2025 to ensure compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and related rules governing the sale and distribution of medicines.

During this period, drug inspectors lifted multiple samples from retail outlets for laboratory testing, with a small number declared “not of standard quality.” Authorities also seized medicines worth over Rs 2 lakh in connection with violations, officials said.

Regulatory action has extended to licensing as well. At least 18 licences were cancelled under various provisions of the Act and 33 suspended for breaches including failure to maintain records for prescription drugs, particularly those with addiction potential. One licence was cancelled for stocking unjustified quantities of abused medicines without proper documentation.

“The core mandate is to ensure that safe, effective and quality medicines are available to the public at reasonable prices,” an official said, adding that unauthorized distribution channels undermine both public health and regulatory oversight.

Officials noted that the alleged use of courier services presents a new challenge, allowing drugs to bypass traditional pharmacy checks. Monitoring mechanisms are now being strengthened to track suspicious consignments and ensure that only licensed entities are involved in pharmaceutical distribution.

The department has also pushed for systemic improvements, including 100% CCTV coverage in medical shops and the adoption of computerized billing systems across the district. Authorities claim near-total compliance has been achieved on these fronts, enhancing transparency and traceability.

Srinagar, Apr 24: A court in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district convicted a man in a 2014 sexual assault case involving a minor boy and sentenced him to imprisonment, concluding a trial that lasted nearly a decade.

The Judicial Magistrate First Class Mansoor Ahmad Mir in Tangdhar convicted Mohammad Rafiq Khawaja under Sections 377 (unnatural offences) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Ranbir Penal Code in a case registered at Police Station Karnah.

In its order, the court said the accused shall undergo simple imprisonment for one year and pay a fine of Rs 3,000 under Section 377 RPC. He was further sentenced to 10 days’ simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 300 under Section 341 RPC. In default of payment of fine, he shall undergo further simple imprisonment for one month. All sentences shall run concurrently, and the period of detention already undergone during investigation and trial will be set off against the sentence.

The court also directed that the accused be taken into custody and lodged in Sub Jail Kupwara to serve the sentence, and that a warrant of imprisonment be prepared. The personal and surety bonds furnished by the accused were cancelled.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in August 2014 when the accused intercepted the minor on his way home, wrongfully restrained him and forcibly dragged him into a maize field, where he sexually assaulted him. The assault came to light when a local resident, alerted by the victim’s cries, rushed to the spot, prompting the accused to flee.

The victim later informed his family and was taken for medical examination, following which police registered a case and initiated an investigation. Authorities inspected the site, recorded statements of witnesses and collected medical and other evidence before filing a chargesheet.
During the trial, the prosecution examined the victim, his family members, an eyewitness, the investigating officer and medical experts. The court found the victim’s testimony consistent and reliable, noting that it withstood cross-examination.

The eyewitness account corroborated the victim’s version regarding the presence of the accused and the circumstances in which he fled. Medical evidence indicated injuries consistent with sexual assault, with the court observing that the absence of certain forensic indicators did not weaken the case.

The defence argued that the case was fabricated due to prior enmity and pointed to alleged contradictions, delay in lodging the FIR and lapses in investigation. The court held that the discrepancies were minor and did not affect the core of the prosecution’s case, adding that delay in reporting such offences is not uncommon.

Appearing for the prosecution, Prosecuting Officer Jan Mohammad Wani argued for stringent punishment, while the defence sought leniency, including probation, which the court declined.
On the issue of compensation, the court directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Kupwara, to treat the judgment as a recommendation and process the victim’s claim in accordance with law.

Srinagar, Apr 24: A 27-year-old man was saved from drowning by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel after he jumped into the river Jhelum from the Budshah bridge in Srinagar on Friday, officials said.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that SDRF teams stationed at Budshah Bridge noticed a man jumping into the river and immediately launched a rescue operation, saving him from drowning.

He said the SDRF team was already scanning the waters near Budshah bridge to trace the body of a man who had jumped into the Jhelum on Wednesday.

The rescued individual was later handed over to police for further legal formalities. 

This is the second such incident in the last 24 hours. On Wednesday late evening, a man jumped into the river while the search to trace his body is still underway.