Srinagar, Apr 28: National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah said the restoration of Article 370 remains the core agenda of the party, and “there is no question of stepping back from this struggle”.

He also said that the dual government system in Jammu and Kashmir is not detrimental to the growth of the Union territory.

Addressing a gathering in central Kashmir’s Budgam on Monday, Abdullah reaffirmed the party’s core stand on protecting the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including restoration of Article 370, which was abrogated by the Centre in 2019.

“The foundation of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference rests on its sincere and selfless cadre, as well as the immense sacrifices of Kashmir’s martyrs. These martyrs laid down their lives for the dignity, self-respect and freedom of the people from centuries of oppression and subjugation,” he said.

The NC chief said the first democratically elected government of his party granted constitutional and democratic rights to the people and brought a historic transformation through land ownership rights.

“Under the leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, landmark reforms significantly reduced poverty, deprivation, and illiteracy, enabling ordinary citizens, who had tilled the land for years without fair compensation, to become landowners overnight,” he said.

These reforms, he added, transformed the lives of the poor and laid the foundation for a more prosperous and stable society.

He said, “Sher-e-Kashmir not only empowered the people but also secured internal autonomy for the state.”

“However, he said these constitutional protections were gradually eroded one by one in an unconstitutional and undemocratic manner and whatever remained was fully abolished in 2019, with the active support of the People’s Democratic Party,” Abdullah said.

Warning against misleading narratives, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said the restoration of Article 370 remains the core agenda of the NC and “there is no question of stepping back from this struggle”.

The party will continue to fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir under all circumstances, he said.

Asserting that the party is consistently raising the issue of restoring democratic and constitutional rights at every platform, he said the urgent restoration of statehood is essential for enabling an elected government to function effectively and take key decisions without unnecessary obstacles.

“A dual system of governance in a sensitive region like Jammu and Kashmir could lead to instability and chaos. In a democracy, a government elected by an overwhelming majority cannot be ignored, nor can hurdles be justified in its functioning,” he said.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had promised restoration of statehood soon after elections, but more than a year and a half has passed since the formation of the elected government.

“The Centre must fulfil its commitment without further delay,” he said, and pointed out that the Supreme Court has also directed the Centre to restore statehood at the earliest, “leaving no justification for continued delay”.

Lieutenant General Balbir Singh, an old hand and a highly experienced officer with deep roots in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI/CT) operations in Jammu and Kashmir, is set to take over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the strategically vital 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, on May 1.

The 15 Corps, headquartered in Srinagar, is responsible for safeguarding the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and overseeing internal security operations across the Valley.

Lt Gen Balbir Singh’s appointment comes at a time when the Union Territory continues to focus on maintaining stability following significant counter-terror operations in recent years.

He was presently Major General General Staff (MGGS) Northern Command and after elevation, got posted as GOC 15 Corps.

Lt Gen Balbir Singh brings vast operational experience in Kashmir, particularly in anti-terror activities. He is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. His early career included a key posting at the 8 Sector headquarters in Lolab, Kupwara, where he was directly involved in planning and overseeing operations. He later commanded 1 Sector Rashtriya Rifles (RR) during 2018-2019, a critical role in counter-insurgency grid management.

In 2023, as a Major General, he served as GOC of Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Victor in mid-2023 (around the third week of June), relieving the then Maj Gen Prashant Srivastava.

He held the Victor Force command, based in Awantipora and responsible for operations in south Kashmir, demonstrating strong leadership in CI/CT grids. During his tenure, he collaborated closely with senior formations, including the Chinar Corps and Northern Command, on multiple operations and security reviews.

Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, from the Parachute Regiment, had a distinguished tenure as GOC 15 Corps after assuming charge on October 5, 2024, succeeding Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai. His period as Corps Commander was marked by robust security operations, including Operation Sindoor (a precision strike across the LoC targeting terror infrastructure in response to escalating threats) and Operation Mahadev.

The latter was a joint operation involving the Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and CRPF that successfully neutralised three terrorists. These individuals were directly linked to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack (also referred to as the Pahalgam massacre), which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava has now been appointed as the new Quarter Master General (QMG) at Army Headquarters in New Delhi, a key logistical and administrative role. His move reflects the Army’s policy of rotational higher command appointments. During his stint in Kashmir, he emphasized synergy among security forces and engagement with civil society to foster lasting peace.

Srinagar, Apr 27: Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Monday urged the government to reconsider its decision to ban Dar-ul-Uloom in Shopian. 

A statement of the Apni Party issued here said that expressing his concern over the administration‘s decision, Bukhari wrote on his X handle, “I urge the government to reconsider the ban on Dar-ul-Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian. Thousands of students should not suffer for decisions beyond their control. Around 10,000 students depend on this institution for their education and future.”

He posted: “This institution does not have a record of producing individuals who choose the path of violence. Even if a few isolated cases exist, they are exceptions. No institution in the country, including the Army schools, is completely free from such rare deviations. This is also a matter of fact that the individuals who were previously affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami later established a political party, the Justice and Development Front (JDF), and it was registered by the Election Commission of India. If they were allowed to move forward, why should the students be made to suffer? Therefore, the government must reconsider its decision. This issue must be in a constructive way. Setting up a proper management body to oversee the institution would be a fair and practical step to ensure that students do not suffer and their education continues without disruption. Actions like banning such educational institutions will only deepen alienation and grievances. What is needed is to bridge the trust deficit. The situation calls for reconciliation and meaningful confidence-building measures (CBMs) to ensure lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Anantnag, Apr 27: Anantnag Police on Monday suspended an Investigating Officer (IO) of Police Station Anantnag for failing to adhere to mandatory procedures during the investigation into the vandalization of Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag last week, police said.

“SSP Anantnag takes strict action after the Investigating Officer (IO) fails to follow mandatory arrest procedure in FIR 118/2026. Anantnag police is committed to due process,” Anantnag Police tweeted.

A case related to vandalization and assault on medical staff was registered at Police Station Anantnag under FIR No. 118/2026, police said.

During the investigation, four persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in the vandalization of the hospital following the death of a woman in a suspected case of medical negligence.

They were later released on bail due to lack of evidence, officials said.

The woman, a resident of Srigufwara village in Bijbehara, had suffered cardiac arrest. She, was resuscitated immediately after arriving at the hospital but later died, doctors said.

Following the incident, agitated attendants allegedly ransacked the hospital and assaulted doctors, officials said. The doctors later protested, terming the incident “sheer hooliganism,” and demanded strict action against those responsible.

The Investigating officer (IO) failed to fulfil mandatory requirements related to arrest procedures while detaining the accused, an official said.

Taking serious note of the lapse, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure placed the officer under suspension, officials said.

Anantnag Police reiterated its commitment to upholding due process of law and ensuring accountability in all investigations, police said.

Qazigund, Apr 27: At least three school girls were injured in a road accident in Qazigund area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday, officials said.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the accident took place at Kulbagh–Qazi Mohalla Link Road when an i20 car, driven by one Rayees Ahmad Rather, hit the students while moving towards Qazigund.

The injured have been identified as Fatima Jan and Tahmeena Jan daughters of Mohammad Altaf Parray of Shampora and Aliya Jan daughter of Mohammad Altaf Zahid of Salyaloo.

Fatima Jan sustained critical injuries, while other two suffered minor injuries. All the injured were shifted to Emergency Hospital Qazigund for treatment

Police said that acting swiftly, a case (FIR No. 102/2026) under relevant sections of law was registered at Police Station Qazigund and investigation was taken up.

The accused driver, who had fled from the spot, was apprehended within an hour, solving the hit-and-run case immediately.