Srinagar, Dec 30: Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic Rural Kashmir, Ravinder Paul Singh on Tuesday said that the Traffic Police will continue its enforcement and awareness drive with the same zeal in 2026, reiterating that the core objective of traffic policing is to save human lives and reduce road accidents.

Speaking to media persons, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner (KNC), SSP Traffic Rural said that the deployment of traffic police is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with traffic laws and taking action against violators strictly as per the provisions of law.

He said the mission launched in 2025 will be carried forward in 2026 with equal seriousness and commitment.

SSP said public awareness regarding traffic rules has improved significantly, and people are actively contributing towards safer roads.

“People are becoming more educated and cooperative. We hope that in the future they will continue to abide by all traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

He added that the department will further intensify awareness programmes by organising pledge drives at schools, colleges, sumo stands and other public places. “We will also involve NCC cadets and other stakeholders, hold consultations, and strengthen traffic infrastructure wherever required to reduce road accidents,” he said, adding that every possible step will be taken to prevent mishaps.

Comparing data from previous years, SSP Ravinder Paul Singh said a notable improvement has been observed.

He said that in comparison to 2024, 279 fatalities were reported, while the year 2025 witnessed a decline in fatalities, with 202 road deaths reported so far.

He added that over three lakh challans were issued during the year, generating revenue of more than ₹11.24 crore, besides several vehicle seizures carried out during enforcement drives.

“The sole purpose of these measures is to ensure that precious human lives are saved,” the SSP said, reiterating that traffic enforcement is not about penalties alone, but about building a culture of road safety and responsible driving. (KNC)

Srinagar, Dec 30: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan on Tuesday issued a clarification, stating that he had never said that Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi was against the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah.

MP Ramzan said, “At no point did I state that the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, is against the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Blaming certain media outlets for misrepresenting his statements, he said, “It is unfortunate that some media portals have misreported and distorted my statement, creating an entirely false narrative.”

He said the distortion appeared to have originated from a Facebook page named ‘Kashmiristan’, which, he said, is neither a credible nor a reliable source of news.

He regretted that several media portals picked up content from the Facebook page and circulated the “misleading version” without verification.

Clarifying his remarks, Ramzan said the actual context of his statement was related to differences in approach on certain issues, which he said is a natural and healthy aspect of any democratic and political process. “To project this as opposition to the Hon’ble Chief Minister is factually incorrect, misleading and irresponsible,” he added.

Ramzan urged media persons and the public to rely on authentic sources. “My complete and original statement can be clearly heard on the KNS media portal, where there is no mention whatsoever of the Hon’ble MP being against the Hon’ble Chief Minister,” he said.

He strongly advised media outlets to refrain from such misrepresentation and to report statements responsibly, accurately and in their true spirit.

Srinagar, Dec 30: The District Administration Budgam has ordered the immediate suspension of all Virtual Private Network services on mobile phones across Budgam district for a period of two months, citing concerns related to public safety, law and order, and data security.

The directive was issued by the District Magistrate Budgam under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 following a communication received from the Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam. The police report highlighted an unprecedented rise in the use of VPN services over the past few days across various parts of the district.

According to the official order, authorities observed that a significant number of internet users were accessing VPN platforms, which raised apprehensions about their possible misuse for unlawful and anti national activities. The administration noted that VPNs allow encrypted data transmission, conceal IP addresses, and enable users to bypass website restrictions and firewalls, making monitoring difficult.

The order states that such capabilities could be exploited for inciting unrest, circulating inflammatory content, and coordinating activities prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order. It further mentions that encrypted communication may expose sensitive information to cyber threats, thereby posing risks to data and information security.

In view of these concerns, the District Magistrate exercised statutory powers to suspend all types of VPN services on mobile devices within Budgam district. The suspension shall remain in force for two months from the date of issuance unless withdrawn earlier by the competent authority.

The administration clarified that the order has been passed ex parte as it was not feasible to serve individual notices to all concerned. The directive is being publicised through the district website, leading newspapers, electronic media, and by affixing copies on official notice boards of key district offices.

The Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam has been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the order in letter and spirit. Copies of the order have also been circulated to senior civil and police officials for information and necessary action.

The order was issued under the seal and signature of the District Magistrate Budgam on Dec 29, 2025. [KNT]

Budgam, Dec 30: A local court in Beerwah has convicted a Budgam resident in a cheque dishonour case and sentenced him to eight months of simple imprisonment along with payment of compensation amounting to more than Rs 2.65 lakh.

The conviction was recorded by the Court of Additional Special Mobile Magistrate, Beerwah in a complaint filed by Haneef Mohammad Sheikh, an inhabitant of Gondipora Beerwah, under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The case pertained to the dishonour of a cheque issued in 2019 towards payment for bricks supplied from Sheikh Brick Kiln.

As per court records, the accused, Mohammad Rafiq Sheikh of Kawoosa Khalisa, Narbal, had issued a cheque amounting to Rs 1,91,798 to clear outstanding dues. The cheque, however, was returned unpaid by Jammu and Kashmir Bank on account of insufficient funds.

Despite the service of a statutory legal notice, the accused failed to make the payment within the prescribed period, compelling the complainant to seek legal remedy before the court.

During the trial, the court examined oral and documentary evidence, including testimonies of bank officials and postal authorities. After appreciating the material on record, the court held that the complainant had successfully established the existence of a legally enforceable debt and the issuance of the cheque by the accused. The defence version was rejected as it was not supported by any credible evidence.

Upon conviction, the court sentenced the accused to eight months of simple imprisonment. Additionally, he was directed to pay compensation of Rs 2,65,640, which includes the cheque amount along with interest, within a period of three months. The court further ordered that in case of default in payment of compensation, the accused shall undergo an additional two months of simple imprisonment.

The court observed that the cheque amount had remained unpaid for more than six years, resulting in financial loss to the complainant. The accused was also ordered to be lodged at the Central Jail Srinagar to serve the sentence. [KNT]

Srinagar, Dec 30: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch Kashmir has submitted a chargesheet against a Bihar resident for allegedly duping around 1,300 innocent candidates of huge sums of money on the false pretext of providing tuition and employment opportunities, officials said on Tuesday.

They said the EOW Kashmir filed the chargesheet in case FIR No. 04/2022 under Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC before the Court of Sub-Judge, Sumbal, against the accused–Ranjeet Prasad S/o Samdeo Prasad, resident of Maksudpur, Police Station Unchkagaon, Sasmusa, Gopalganj, Bihar.

The case originated from a written complaint alleging that True Dreams Project India Pvt. Ltd. (TDPI), through its Director Ranjeet Prasad, conducted a recruitment campaign , during which around 1,300 trainees were engaged through company representatives in Kashmir. It was alleged that the trainees were promised a monthly salary ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 12,000, but were instead required to deposit Rs. 2,400 per trainee as a registration fee. Despite collecting the said amount, no salary was paid to the trainees.

During the course of investigation, it was prima facie established that several innocent students were allegedly cheated and defrauded on the pretext of providing tuition and employment opportunities.

The acts and omissions on the part of the accused disclose offences punishable under Sections 420 and 120-B IPC. The investigation, supported by both oral and documentary evidence, has been concluded as proved against the accused Ranjeet Prasad (Director TDPI).

As the accused failed to cooperate with the investigating agency and could not be traced at the given address, the chargesheet has been submitted in absentia by initiating proceedings under Section 512 CrPC.