Srinagar, Apr 27: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom at Imam Sahib in Shopian as an unlawful entity under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing alleged links with banned outfit Jamaat-e-Islami and concerns over radicalisation, officials said.

The declaration was made through an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg under Section 8(1) of the UAPA.

According to the order, the action follows a dossier submitted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, on March 24, 2026. Authorities, after examining records and material on file, said the institution, though functioning as a religious educational establishment, was marked by legal, administrative and financial irregularities.

These included alleged irregularities in land acquisition, lack of mandatory registration with competent authorities and attempts to evade statutory oversight, the order said.

It further cited “credible inputs” indicating sustained and covert links of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned by the Centre in 2019. The order also alleged continued control of the seminary by individuals affiliated with the banned organisation, including their presence in administrative and academic roles.

Officials said financial irregularities, including lack of transparency in fund management and changes in financial control structures, raised concerns about possible diversion and misuse of funds.

The order also referred to reports suggesting that some former students of the institution were allegedly involved in militant activities, and that the premises were being used in a manner prejudicial to national security.

The administration said due process was followed before issuing the notification. A show-cause notice was served to the chairman of the institution on March 31, seeking an explanation. The response was examined and comments were sought from the SSP Shopian, who termed the objections “untenable”.

The order said the proceedings were preventive in nature and aimed at curbing misuse of the premises for unlawful activities.

Invoking provisions of the UAPA, the administration has notified the institution as an unlawful entity, enabling further action, including sealing of the premises and freezing of financial assets.

Officials said action against the institution, including possible seizure of the premises, is likely in the coming days.(KNS)

A grand civil society meeting was held in Boniyar as thousands across the political, social, religious and caste line came out in support of left out Pahari people from ST-2.

As per a press release, it brought together political leaders from multiple parties including the National Conference,  BJP, PDP, Apni Party, Congress, People’s Conference, Aam Aadmi Party and Bharat Jado party, along with prominent members of civil society.

The event organised by Pahari Ethnic Group Boniyar  Mohammad Fareed Khan, Adv Abdul Khaliq, Dr Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, Mohammad Afzal and Er Abdul Ahad.  During the meeting, all participating leaders unanimously demanded that the entire Uri sub-division be declared under ST-2 status. They emphasized that the majority population of the area, excluding Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, belongs to the Pahari ethnic group and deserves equal consideration in reservation benefits.

The speakers strongly condemned what they termed as discrimination in the implementation of ST-2 reservation and expressed concern over the growing discontent among locals. They urged the administration to intervene immediately and address the issue on a priority basis to ensure that the social fabric of the sensitive border area remains intact.

Among those present were former DDC and NC leader Mohammad Ismail Khan (Boniyar), District Vice President National Conference Raja Javed Khan, senior leaders Altaf Mir and Dr. Farooq Sheikh, PDP senior leader Prof. Ghulam Mohiuddin, Congress leader Manzoor Ahmad Wani, Apni Party leader Mohammad Aslam Dar, BJP leader Mir Mushtaq and Raja Waqar, Aam Aadmi Party Dr Shabir Ahmad Mangral,Bharat jado state president, Irfan Ahmed Chack, People’s Conference leader Dr. Bashir Ahmad chalkoo, NC Block President Nazir Ahmad Chack, along with several other civil society members. At the end all participating leaders and civil society members appreciated the Pahari Ethnic Group Boniyar for successfully organizing the grand meeting and bringing leaders from different political parties onto a single platform. Speakers lauded the effort as a strong step towards unity and collective representation, stating that such initiatives are vital for addressing key issues like ST-2 status for the Uri sub-division.

Srinagar, Apr 26: Multiple deadlines have lapsed for AIIMS Awantipora since 2019, when this project was announced.

The new timeliness included starting OPD Services in March-April, and full operations by the end of this year.

With a history of falling behind in progress, will AIIMS Kashmir, located in Awantipora catch up in the next seven months?

AIIMS Kashmir was conceived under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), and site identified at Awantipora. New AIIMS are aimed at making world-class tertiary and super-specialty healthcare accessible to people across India.

However, years after the announcement, the project tells a story of logistical hurdles, unanticipated security situations and according to some, the gross error in selection of site.

AIIMS are centrally funded Central Sector projects, their ownership, funding and policy control lying with the Centre.

These were announced as part of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for J&K, with Central Public Works Department (CPWD) as executing agency.

The civil works are being carried out by NCC Limited.

Coming up in Awantipora in Pulwama, AIIMS Kashmir remains mired in delays, year after year.

In February 2026, the institute was reported to have “progressed to 70 percent completion”, a figure unchanged from the previous year.

There reportedly are significant cost overruns.

The project has suffered delays due to a combination of factors, including security-related objections that led to revisions in the master plan at the begining of site preparation.

Further delays took place due to additional land acquisition for the site and access-related issues due to absence of any motorable road to the hilltop where it is coming up.

The land for the road was acquired and a macademised road has now connected the site with the main road.

In addition, administrative disruptions, as well as pandemic- and weather-related slowdowns affected construction activity and labour availability.

Some experts believe the site-specific logistical constraints have also contributed to the project missing successive timelines.

AIIMS Awantipora physical progress is stalled at 70 percent.

In January 2026, J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said that the delays stem purely from “execution snags”.

He said that the project will be complete by the end of 2026.

The first batch of MBBS students was expected to be taken in mid-July, while OPD services were anticipated to start in April 2026.

However, there is no news of any such progress being made.

Kashmir is geographically isolated by the Pir Panjal range and prone to harsh winters.

The absence of a functional AIIMS means denial of access to better healthcare.

The delay in making this Institute operational, progresses from an administrative matter to become a matter of life and health as it turns into prolonged suffering, expensive detours, and delayed treatment for critical conditions including cardiac emergencies, neurological disorders, oncology, and neurosurgery.

For patients requiring super-specialty interventions, there is no other option than to turn to overburdened SKIMS Srinagar or SMHS Hospital.

The load of patients on these facilities often results in chronic delays as per the patients. Kashmir’s far-flung geography amplifies the hardship.

With many districts inaccessible or partially accessible through snow-bound roads in winter, the sheer distance from Srinagar to Delhi for faster interventions is a cruelty.

A senior specialist working in J&K Medical Education said, “AIIMS Jammu has begun fulfilling the promise of decentralised super-specialty care, and advanced medical education while for Kashmir, the promise remains on the horizon.”

He said it was imperative that the 2026 deadline be met to finally bring equitable, timely treatment to people of Kashmir.