Srinagar, June 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparedness for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.

He directed all departments to ensure timely completion of arrangements including infrastructure, healthcare, sanitation, connectivity, and other pilgrim centric services.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat; Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shahleen Kabra; Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department,  Anil Kumar Singh; Commandant General, Home Guard / CD & SDRF; A. G. Mir; Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti; Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, Administrative Secretaries, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone and Kashmir Zone, Divisional Commissioners;  Deputy Commissioners and senior officials of Shrine Board and all the line departments.

“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28. Our collective goal is to ensure a safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for every devotee of Baba Barfani,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Emphasizing seamless coordination, proactive planning, and strict monitoring, the Lieutenant Governor stated that this sacred pilgrimage is a national event. He instructed all stakeholders to work with utmost dedication and maintain the highest standards of efficiency and safety.

During the meeting, it was informed that large number of pilgrims are getting registered, and the Yatra is expected to be higher as compared to that in recent Yatras. The Lieutenant Governor stressed upon the need for whole of government approach and close coordinated efforts by various departments and organizations to manage and facilitate the Yatra 2026.

The Lieutenant Governor, while reviewing the infrastructure works, was apprised that the tracks along both Baltal and Pahalgam routes have been widened to around 12-feet in order to make the journey comfortable, and that all the remaining works are progressing as per timelines. He directed the concerned agencies, including BRO, to ensure that both tracks are fully functional by June 25 and that crash barriers and hand railings are installed at all vulnerable points on the roads leading to the two base camps.

The Lieutenant Governor also reviewed arrangements relating to road connectivity, sanitation, water and power supply, registration management, health facilities, disaster management, transportation, lodgement centres, holding spaces and telecom connectivity. He directed the concerned authorities to enhance holding capacity at key locations, increase the number of toilets and ambulances, and ensure comprehensive disaster preparedness. Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Anantnag were asked to conduct thorough inspection of the tracks, identify slippery stretches and shooting stone areas, and ensure installation of adequate warning signage at vulnerable spots.

He further directed that pitching of only high quality and aesthetic tents at various camps should be ensured, and no unauthorized tents be permitted. All service providers and pilgrims shall be required to have valid registration and RFID cards for moving on the Yatra tracks. Pony stands are to be properly fenced, and a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan is to be prepared well in advance. The Lieutenant Governor also directed telecom service providers to ensure seamless connectivity along the Yatra route.

All concerned departments have been instructed to set up their respective Yatra camps and centres by June 20.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, presented a detailed overview of the works executed by various departments and agencies for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.

Srinagar, June 10: Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth today felicitated eminent multilingual writer Dr. Satish Vimal. The Minister visited Dr. Vimal’s residence and felicitated him in recognition of his distinguished services in the promotion of literature and cultural awareness.

On this occasion, the Minister said that Dr. Satish Vimal has been continuously rendering important services to literature and society while living in the Valley for more than three decades.

Dr. Satish Vimal is a renowned writer and poet who has published more than 30 books in Hindi, Kashmiri, English and Urdu. He has received wide recognition for his literary contributions and has also been awarded several prestigious awards.

Congratulating Dr. Vimal, the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said that we feel happy and proud to recognize the contributions of such high-caliber writers.

Srinagar, Jun 10: Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), and called for restraint and dialogue.

The Mirwaiz’s remarks came after more than 20 people were reportedly killed in recent police action on protesters in several parts of PoK.

On Tuesday, India came down hard on Pakistan for its “brutality” against people in PoK and called on the international community to hold that country accountable for its “abuses”.

Mirwaiz Farooq, in a post on X, said he was “deeply disturbed by the news coming from across the LoC” and described the killing of protesting civilians and police personnel as “extremely sad”.

He said that the government in PoK “should know better than to use force to handle public grievance and demands in this manner”.

“When people take to the streets to express their concerns, it is a signal that they seek to be heard. It is the responsibility of those in authority to listen, engage and peacefully resolve the matter, rather than allow it to escalate into violence, arbitrary arrests and loss of life,” he said.

The Mirwaiz expressed hope that “better sense prevails and the matter is handled with maturity while addressing the concerns of the people”.

Srinagar, June 10: National conference Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmed has welcomed the breakthrough of vital Zojila tunnel while impressing upon the concerned construction agencies to give local unemployed youth the job preference in this project.

In a statement issued, Mian Altaf welcomed the milestone achieved after the breakthrough or the ZojiLa tunnel and congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh for getting closer to the realisation of the dream of all-weather connectivity.

He said that it has been a long demand for the local population across the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh region to have an all weather connectivity. He said with the construction of Z- Morh and now Zojila tunnel there will be a boost in social and economic development. He however demanded that the construction companies should provide job opportunities to locals of Ganderbal district particularly from Kangan constituency in construction of the ZojiLa tunnel.

“Locals of the area are mostly poor and dependent on the tourism activities to earn their livelihood, adding that the construction company should ensure that the local unemployed youth particularly Technical/skilled are given preferences and engaged in the project.

He said that he has already raised this demand of providing job opportunities to locals in the ZojiLa tunnel project with the Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.

Srinagar, June 10: A special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act in Srinagar on Wednesday issued a proclamation against Hizbul Mujahideen chief Mohammad Yousuf Shah, popularly known as Syed Salahuddin, and three other accused in connection with a 1996 terror -related case registered by the Crime Investigation Kashmir (CIK).

Additional Sessions Judge (TADA/POTA) and Special Judge designated under the NIA Act, Manjeet Rai, ordered the issuance of a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, after being satisfied that the accused persons had absconded and were deliberately evading arrest.

The proclamation has been issued against Syed Salahuddin, Ghulam Nabi Khan, Sher Mohammad and Nasir Yousuf Qadri in connection with FIR No. 05/1996 registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 121, 121-A, 153-A and 153-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Sections 2/3 of E&IMCO.

According to the prosecution, the case was registered on April 5, 1996, following information that Pakistani intelligence agencies were allegedly motivating Kashmiri youth to join militant organisations and undergo training across the border for waging war against India. Investigators alleged that Salahuddin played a leading role in delivering provocative speeches and motivating youth for the purpose.

The court noted that arrest warrants had already been issued against the accused on February 26, 2026. Reports submitted by police, field officers, village officials and local representatives indicated that the accused were no longer residing at their known addresses and were concealing themselves to avoid arrest.

After examining the material placed on record, the court held that the legal requirements for issuance of a proclamation had been met and directed all four accused to appear before the court on or before July 14, 2026.

The court further directed the Investigating Officer and SHO of Police Station CIK Srinagar to ensure publication of the proclamation in accordance with law, including public reading, affixation at the accused persons’ residences and the court premises, and publication in a newspaper circulating in the areas where the accused ordinarily reside.

The investigating agency has been asked to submit a compliance report after completing the proclamation process.