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Supreme Court to hear petition against Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest today

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Supreme Court to hear petition against Sonam Wangchuk's arrest today

New Delhi, Oct 06: The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition on Monday challenging the arrest of Ladakh-based climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk.

The petition, filed by his wife Geetanjali Angmo on October 2, seeks his immediate release, arguing that the arrest is politically motivated and violates his fundamental rights.

Wangchuk has been imprisoned in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, following his arrest on September 24, in the aftermath of violent protests in Leh, Ladakh. The case will be heard by a bench comprising Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria.

The Ladakh administration, however, has strongly defended its actions, issuing an official statement earlier this week that dismissed allegations of victimisation. The administration termed the claims “baseless,” insisting that the arrest and related actions were taken based on credible inputs, documents, and legal grounds.

“There is no question of witch-hunting or smoke screen,” the administration said, urging that the legal process be allowed to proceed impartially.

The statement also detailed ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities and foreign currency violations involving the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), the education institute founded by Wangchuk. Authorities claim that HIAL has been issuing degrees without official recognition, thereby jeopardising students’ futures, and has allegedly failed to disclose foreign funding in its financial statements.

In addition, the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration of SECMOL, another organisation associated with Wangchuk, has reportedly been cancelled due to multiple violations.

Regarding Sonam Wangchuk’s recent hunger strike and public statements, the administration accused him of making provocative remarks, including references to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and allegedly inciting youth against peaceful methods. It also cited a June 2025 video on his YouTube channel where Wangchuk reportedly spoke of an “Arab Spring”-style revolution and suggested self-immolation as a form of protest.

Greater Kashmir

2 dead, 12 injured in US Alabama shooting

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Set to be deported, Pak national dies of cardiac arrest in Amritsar

New York, Oct 06: Two people were killed, and 12 others injured as rival gunmen shot at each other in a crowded downtown district in Montgomery, the capital city of the US southeastern state of Alabama, local media reported.

Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys said three of the injured had life-threatening injuries. Police were called around 11:30 p.m. local time to what Graboys described as a “mass shooting,” according to CBS News.

“This was two parties involved that were basically shooting at each other in the middle of a crowd,” Graboys told reporters, adding that the shooters did not care about the people around, Xinhua news agency reported.

Graboys said investigators were combing through evidence and interviewing potential suspects, adding that “we will do whatever we need to do … to charge and hold the people responsible who were involved in this.” No one has been charged as of early Sunday.

He said seven of the gunshot victims are under the age of 17, and that the youngest is 16.

The deadly shooting happened on a busy night in the city’s tourist district, shortly after a football game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College, CBS News said.

A group of people was gathered at the intersection when gunfire erupted, according to police.

WSFA 12 News cited the Montgomery Police Department (MPD) as saying that two juveniles were among those injured, including one in a life-threatening condition. Authorities did not identify the deceased victims, but at least one is a woman, MPD said. No details have been released on the second death.

“We’re going to use every resource we have to bring all those involved in this injustice,” Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said.

Greater Kashmir

Govt pledges to make city breathe again

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Govt pledges to make city breathe again

Srinagar, Oct 5: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has said that within 30 months, the decades-old environmental hazard and public nuisance, the Achan landfill, will be transformed into a sustainable treasure trove, helping make Srinagar’s air pristine once again.

For now, the omnipresent stench from the site’s towering mounds of untreated waste continues to make life around it miserable.

In homes, schools, and streets nearby, the foul air triggers respiratory ailments, headaches, and an unrelenting sense of unease.

A local described the experience as “living in a stinky manhole.”

The Achan crisis extends far beyond residential areas.

The SKIMS Soura, once considered an ideal hub for developing medical tourism in Kashmir, has become a direct victim of the filthy air emanating from Achan.

Patients, many already battling serious illnesses, are forced to endure the daily distress of the overpowering odour.

Without immediate intervention, experts warn, the site’s toxic emissions could continue to pose a “silent killer” threat to people in the hospital and surrounding areas.

Over the years, successive authorities have only added tonnes to the problem.

However, now, the SMC says the change is in the air.

Speaking to Greater Kashmir, SMC Commissioner Faz Lul Haseeb said work on the bioremediation of municipal solid waste has already begun.

He said that the contract had been awarded to EcoStan, a Punjab-based firm specialising in the scientific treatment of legacy waste.

“We have committed to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and it is our pledge to the people that the waste will be treated in the most scientific manner possible. A sustainable solution to this decades-old issue is finally being implemented,” Haseeb said.

He said that the project aims to process 30,000 metric tonnes of waste per month.

“The goal is to clear the site’s staggering 11 lakh metric tons of legacy waste within the next 30 months,” the SMC Commissioner said.

He acknowledged that the foul-smelling, gas-laden air from the site represented a “gross violation of people’s fundamental right to breathe fresh, healthy air.”

Haseeb said that a contour assessment would be conducted in the coming days to monitor progress and measure the rate of waste remediation.

“The contour survey will help us map the terrain and optimise operations,” he said.

Detailing the broader plan, the SMC Commissioner said the project includes a waste-to-energy component that would convert part of the refuse into usable fuel.

“Many industries can utilise the fuel extracted from the waste,” he said.

Haseeb said that recycling initiatives for recoverable materials would enhance sustainability and reduce environmental impact, while biodegradable waste would be transformed into nutrient-rich soil to support horticulture, floriculture, and agriculture.

“In addition, construction debris will be granulated for reuse in infrastructure projects,” he said.

Greater Kashmir

Centre directs states to ensure rational use of cough syrups

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Centre directs states to ensure rational use of cough syrups

New Delhi, Oct 05: In view of concerns relating to the quality and administration of cough syrups, the government on Sunday directed states to ensure rational use of cough syrups, particularly among children, as most coughs are self-limiting and do not require pharmacological treatment.

The Health Ministry convened a high-level meeting under the chairmanship of the Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, with all states and Union Territories to review compliance with drug quality norms and promote the rational use of cough syrups, especially in paediatric populations.

The matter had been earlier reviewed by Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who had directed that the matter may be discussed with states/UTs to ensure necessary actions.

The meeting follows recent reports of child deaths in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrups.

The Metropolitan Surveillance Unit (MSU), Nagpur, established under the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), had reported a cluster of cases and related deaths to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) from a Block in Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh.

Taking cognisance of the situation, a Central team of experts comprising epidemiologists, microbiologists, entomologists and drug inspectors from the NCDC, National Institute of Virology (NIV) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) visited Chhindwara and Nagpur and undertook a detailed analysis of the reported cases and deaths in coordination with Madhya Pradesh State Authorities.

Various clinical, environmental, entomological, and drug samples were collected and sent to NIV Pune, Central Drugs Testing Laboratory (CDTL) in Mumbai and NEERI Nagpur for laboratory testing.

Preliminary findings ruled out common infectious diseases except for one positive case of Leptospiriosis. Nineteen medicine samples, which had been consumed by children, were collected from treating private practitioners and nearby retail stores.

The chemical analysis so far indicates that out of 10 samples analysed till date, nine meet quality standards.

“However, one of them, viz, cough syrup ‘Coldrif’, contains DEG beyond the permissible limit. Subsequently, regulatory action has been taken by the Tamil Nadu – FDA on the Unit, which is located in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. Cancellation of the manufacturing licence has been recommended by CDSCO based on inspection findings. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated,” according to the ministry.

The Health Secretary emphasised strict compliance with the Revised Schedule M by all drug manufacturers. States were also advised to ensure rational use of cough syrups, particularly among children, as most coughs are self-limiting and do not require pharmacological treatment.

The advisory issued by the DGHS on the rational use of cough syrups in paediatric populations was also discussed.

States and UTs were also advised to ensure enhanced surveillance, timely reporting by all health facilities (both government and private), wider dissemination of the community reporting tool of IDSP-IHIP, and strengthened inter-state coordination for early reporting and joint action in the context of outbreak response and unusual health events.

Greater Kashmir

51 killed in landslides, floods triggered by downpour in Nepal

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51 killed in landslides, floods triggered by downpour in Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct 05: At least 51 people have been killed in different places of eastern Nepal till Sunday morning in various incidents caused by landslides and floods triggered by downpour since last night, an official of the Armed Police Force said.

As many as 37 people have been killed in different places of Ilam district in Koshi province due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the past two days, said Kalidas Dhaubaji, spokesperson of the Armed Police Force (APF).

Of the 37, eight people each were killed in Deumai and Maijogmai municipalities, six each in Ilam municipality and Sandakpur rural municipality, five in Suryodaya municipality, three in Mangsebung and one in Fakfokthum village, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in a press release.

Two people died in Udayapur and one in Panchathar due to floods and landslides.

Separately, three people were killed in a lightning strike in Rautahat and two in Khotang district.

Meanwhile, six people died in an accident in Panchthar district due to the roads being damaged by the downpour.

At least four people went missing after they were swept away by the swollen river in Langtang Conservation Area of Rasuwa district, and one each missing in the incidents of floods in Ilam, Bara and Kathmandu.

Also four people out of 16, who were on a trekking expedition in the Langang area, have gone missing, Dhaubaji said.

Nepal Army, Nepal Police and APF personnel were involved in carrying out rescue operations.

The security personnel rescued four people, including a pregnant woman, from Ilam district in helicopters and admitted them to a hospital in Dharan municipality.

Monsoon was active in five of the seven provinces of Nepal, namely Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini.

Offering help to the neighbouring country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post said “India remains committed to providing any assistance”.

“The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and Government of Nepal in this difficult time,” Modi wrote on X.

“As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Nepal government has allowed some vehicles to travel to and from Kathmandu in view of the improved weather conditions.

On Sunday, Kathmandu Valley received less rainfall as compared to the past two days and road blockages caused by landslides have been removed from some of the national highways.

“As per the decision of the Monsoon Counter Command Post, vehicles operating for emergency services and vehicles transporting goods as well as passenger vehicles and short distance vehicles halted in the middle of the national highways will be allowed to move towards their destinations keeping in view the conditions of the roads in coordination with the local authorities,” read a statement issued by the NDRRMA.

However, until further notice movement of vehicles have been restricted at night in case of risky roads and highways, it added.

On Saturday, Nepalese authorities restricted the entry and exit of vehicles from Kathmandu due to incessant rainfall and the possibility of landslides for the next three days.

A red alert was also issued for areas around the Bagmati and East Rapti rivers.

Continuous downpour was reported in Kathmandu and other parts of the country since Friday night, as the monsoon has become active, the authorities said.

Also on Saturday, domestic flights from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) have been halted due to bad weather.

Hansa Raj Pande, general manager at TIA, Kathmandu, said that domestic flights from Kathmandu, Bharatpur, Janakpur, Bhadrapur, Pokhara and Tumlingtar have been halted until further notice.

Greater Kashmir

Trade deal with US has to respect India’s ‘red lines’; efforts underway to address issues: Jaishankar

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"India looks for partners, not preachers": EAM Jaishankar's message to Europe at Arctic Forum

New Delhi, Oct 05: Any trade deal between India and the US has to respect New Delhi’s “red lines” and efforts are underway to find a “landing ground”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday amid strain in ties between the two countries over Washington’s policy on tariff.

In an interactive session at an event, Jaishankar acknowledged having issues between India and the US and that many of them are linked to the inability to firm up the proposed trade deal.

The external affairs minister said an understanding on trade between the two sides was necessary as the US is the world’s largest market but at the same time noted that India’s red lines should be respected.

“We have today issues with the United States. A big part of it is the fact that we have not arrived at a landing ground for our trade discussions, and the inability so far to reach there has led to a certain tariff being levied on India,” he said.

Jaishankar was speaking at the discussion on the theme ‘Shaping Foreign Policy in Turbulent Times’ at the Kautilya Economic Enclave.

“In addition, there is a second tariff which we have publicly said we regard as very unfair, which has picked on us for sourcing energy from Russia when there are other countries that have done so, including countries that right now have a far more antagonistic relationship with Russia than we do,” he said.

The relations between New Delhi and Washington have been reeling under severe stress after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent including a 25 per cent additional duties for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.

India described the US action as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable”.

“Whatever happens at the end of the day, there has got to be a trade understanding with the US…because it is the world’s largest market but also because much of the world has reached those understandings,” Jaishankar said.

“But it has to be an understanding where our bottom lines, our red lines are respected. In any agreement, there are things you can negotiate and there are things you can’t,” he said.

Jaishankar said India is pretty clear about its approach.

“I think we are pretty clear about that. We have to find that landing ground and that’s been the conversation which has been going on since March,” he said.

India and the US have recently resumed negotiations for the proposed trade deal after a brief hiatus of a few weeks.

The external affairs minister also suggested that the strain in the relations has not been impacting every dimension of the engagement.

“There are problems, there are issues, nobody is in denial of it. Those issues need to be negotiated and discussed and resolved, which is exactly what we are trying to do,” he said.

At the same time, he added: “I would really hesitate to read very much more into it than the issues themselves. I think I also want to say a large part of the relationship is actually continuing either as business as usual or in fact in some cases even doing more than it was doing before.”

Greater Kashmir

Railway announces Phase 5 of train resumption in rain-hit Jammu

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Govt notifies Jammu as new rail division under Northern Railway from June 1

Jammu, Oct 05: The Jammu division of the Northern Railway on Sunday announced the fifth phase of restoration of rail traffic, which was severely affected by record rainfall in the last week of August.

Twenty-two trains to and from Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra will be restored from October 15 to October 22, said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal.

Nearly two dozen trains have been re-operated in the past 35 days. With the latest restoration, the train traffic has been almost normalised at Jammu Railway Station.

“Following the disaster, we have worked on a war footing to repair damaged tracks, bridges, and other rail infrastructure. Our aim is to fully restore all rail services as soon as possible, ensuring minimal inconvenience to passengers,” Singh said.

He appealed to the passengers to check train status before embarking on their journey.

Besides long-journey trains, the official said, some Jammu trains are being short-terminated and short-originated.

Greater Kashmir

Wildlife dept officials rescue pregnant black bear trapped in river after 48-hours operation in Kishtwar

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Wildlife officials rescue pregnant black bear trapped in river after 48-hours operation in Kishtwar

Bhaderwah Oct 05: After 48-hours of hectic and life threatening efforts, the officials of Wildlife Protection Department rescued a fully grown pregnant female wild bear trapped in the currents of Dangar Nullah stream and released the animal in it’s natural habitat.

The mammoth black wild bear was spotted by the villagers trapped in the fast currents of Dangar Nullah, accordingly they informed the officials of Wildlife Protection Department, who immediately swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of locals and army.

Incharge of the rescue operation, Range Officer Wildlife Protection Department, Shafer Iqbal said, “The trapped wild animal which was one the largest ever spotted in the area took 48-hours of hectic operation to rescue the beast from the fast currents”.

“The animal turned out to be heavily pregnant female and the brave sleuths of our department risked their lives and took utmost precautions to avoid injury to the bear and after capturing it, the mammoth black bear was released in the natural habitat,” officer added.

“To rescue the pregnant bear took 48-hours because we didn’t use any tranquillizers as the animal was heavily pregnant and the sedative dose could have harmed it,” Shafer said and added, “If anyone spots the wild animal, please never try to chase them to avoid the life threatening conflict, instead they can inform us in any of our control rooms established simultaneously at Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar.”

The department called for greater awareness and cooperation from the public to ensure the safety of both humans and animals, emphasising the need for continued efforts to protect forests and wildlife corridors.

Greater Kashmir

Wildlife officials rescue pregnant black bear trapped in river after 48-hours operation in Kishtwar

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JKN Author
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Wildlife officials rescue pregnant black bear trapped in river after 48-hours operation in Kishtwar

Bhaderwah Oct 05: After 48-hours of hectic and life threatening efforts, the officials of Wildlife Protection Department rescued a fully grown pregnant female wild bear trapped in the currents of Dangar Nullah stream and released the animal in it’s natural habitat.

The mammoth black wild bear was spotted by the villagers trapped in the fast currents of Dangar Nullah, accordingly they informed the officials of Wildlife Protection Department, who immediately swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of locals and army.

Incharge of the rescue operation, Range Officer Wildlife Protection Department, Shafer Iqbal said, “The trapped wild animal which was one the largest ever spotted in the area took 48-hours of hectic operation to rescue the beast from the fast currents”.

“The animal turned out to be heavily pregnant female and the brave sleuths of our department risked their lives and took utmost precautions to avoid injury to the bear and after capturing it, the mammoth black bear was released in the natural habitat,” officer added.

“To rescue the pregnant bear took 48-hours because we didn’t use any tranquillizers as the animal was heavily pregnant and the sedative dose could have harmed it,” Shafer said and added, “If anyone spots the wild animal, please never try to chase them to avoid the life threatening conflict, instead they can inform us in any of our control rooms established simultaneously at Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar.”

The department called for greater awareness and cooperation from the public to ensure the safety of both humans and animals, emphasising the need for continued efforts to protect forests and wildlife corridors.

Greater Kashmir

Man nabbed for helping Pahalgam terrorists met them 4 times, handed them phone charger

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Two drug peddlers held with contraband substance in Sopore: Police

Srinagar, Oct 05: Mohammad Yousuf Katari, an Over Ground Worker (OGW) arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, had met the terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack four times and handed them an Android phone charger, a key evidence which ultimately led to his capture, officials here said on Sunday.

Katari, 26, was arrested in the last week of September for allegedly providing crucial logistical support to Sulieman alias Asif, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, the three terrorists who gunned down 26 people, mostly tourists, in the resort town of Pahalgam.

Katari is alleged to have told the police during the interrogation that he had met the three on four occasions in the Zabarwan hills outside Srinagar city, officials said.

His arrest came on the back of weeks of investigation.

The breakthrough came following an in-depth forensic analysis of material recovered from the site of Operation Mahadev, a counter-terror operation launched in July, which resulted in the killing of three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre, in the foothills of the Zabarwan Range on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Police zeroed in on Katari after examining a partially destroyed Android mobile phone charger, one of the several items recovered during the operation.

The Srinagar police at length tracked down the original owner of the charger, who confirmed selling the phone to a dealer, a piece of information that, by and by, led police to Katari.

Officials said that Katari, who reportedly taught nomadic students in the higher reaches, had been a key resource for the terror group. His assistance is believed to have included providing the charger and guiding the attackers through the difficult terrain.

The terrorists Sulieman alias Asif (mastermind of the Pahalgam attack), Jibran (linked to the October 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel attack), and Hamza Afghani were killed on July 29 in an encounter under Operation Mahadev.

While officials declined to give further details, citing the ongoing investigation, the arrest is seen as a significant step in dismantling the terror support network functioning in the Kashmir valley.

They indicated that the case may ultimately be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is already probing the larger conspiracy of the Pahalgam attack.

The NIA has so far arrested two people in connection with the April 22 terror attack for allegedly providing logistical support and shelter to terrorists.

Greater Kashmir

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