Srinagar, Oct 05: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari has accused the National Conference (NC) of engaging in what he described as “revenge politics,” alleging that the party deliberately neglects areas and people who did not vote for it.

Bukhari said that whenever the National Conference comes to power, it forgets that it has a constitutional duty to serve all sections of society, irrespective of political affiliations. “National Conference when in power forgets it has to serve all, but it has been its tradition to resort to revenge politics. Those who didn’t vote for this party are facing heat, their lanes are not being macadamized, their grievances are not being addressed,” he said.

He further asserted that political maturity demands inclusivity and fairness in governance. “During elections, people have the right to support or oppose any political party, but once a party forms the government, it must serve people without prejudice or partiality,” Bukhari said.

The Apni Party chief’s remarks come amid growing public complaints in several areas alleging selective developmental works based on political loyalties. Bukhari emphasized that such discrimination undermines democracy and erodes public faith in institutions.

He urged political parties, especially the NC, to rise above partisan politics and ensure equal treatment for all citizens. “Good governance means addressing people’s problems, not punishing them for their political choices,” he added. [KNT]

Srinagar, Oct 05: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday described the human mind as the “greatest miracle of life,” emphasizing that the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s development is directly connected with the empowerment and creativity of its youth.

Addressing a gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Jammu and Kashmir ka vikas seedha yuva shakti ke saath juda hua hai. We have to build such an environment that can turn them into innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders of tomorrow.”

Highlighting the power of the human intellect, LG Sinha said that a child who learns simple calculations like addition, subtraction, and multiplication early in life develops sharper life skills and decision-making abilities. “These basic skills help young minds to think analytically and make quick, effective decisions,” he added.

The LG went on to cite a fascinating example from the tech world, referring to Google’s initiative to count books across libraries worldwide. “Google had started counting the books in libraries and found that there are nearly 13 crore unique books in the world.

The knowledge contained in these 13 crore books can fit into the brain of a human being,” he said, underlining the limitless potential of the human mind. “If any person learns to use his mind fully, the knowledge of the entire world can go into his brain,” LG Sinha said, adding, “Harnessing this mental potential can pave the way for innovation, wisdom, and progress.”

Calling upon the youth to think beyond boundaries and use their intellect for nation-building, LG Sinha said that empowering young minds with curiosity, knowledge, and discipline would determine the Union Territory’s march toward a prosperous future—(KNO)

Srinagar, Oct 05:  A court here has rejected the bail pleas of eight police personnel arrested by the CBI for allegedly inflicting custodial torture on a police constable two years ago.

The bail applications were rejected by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, Aadil Mushtaq Ahmad on Saturday.

Deputy Superintendent of police Aijaz Ahmad Naik, Inspector Riyaz Ahmad Mir and other accused cops — Tanveer Ahmad Malla, Altaf Hussain Bhat, Mohammad Younis Khan, Shakir Hussain Khoja, Shahnawaz Ahmad Deedad, and Jehangir Ahmad Beigh — had filed the separate bail applications before the court.

The accused policemen, who were arrested on the orders of the Supreme Court, had sought the bail in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate allegations of custodial torture and grievous bodily injuries inflicted upon constable Khursheed Ahmed Chowhan, during his alleged illegal confinement at the Joint Interrogation Centre Kupwara in February 2023.

“The court is of the considered opinion that none of the three applications disclose any exceptional circumstance warranting departure from the settled principle that bail is not to be granted in serious custodial violence cases at the investigative stage,” the judge said in the single order on all the three bail applications.

The judge said being a sessions-triable, non bailable case involving offences punishable with severe terms, the jurisdiction of this court is limited.

“However, the prosecution has persuasively demonstrated that custodial supervision remains necessary to prevent interference and intimidation,” he added.

Srinagar, Oct 05: The Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch Kashmir has booked a Pune-based imposter in connection with a supply scam. The imposter–claiming to be the proprietor of a firm named D.K. Enterprises– duped a complainant of ₹46.90 lakhs, officials said on Sunday.

In a press statement, an official spokesperson said that “The Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) received a written complaint wherein it was alleged that a person based in Pune, claiming to be the proprietor of a firm named D.K. Enterprises, contacted the complainant and assured the supply of “Sifine Natural Nut”. However, despite receiving an advance payment, the consignment was never delivered, thereby cheating the complainant of ₹46.90 lakhs.”

He added that Upon receipt of the complaint, a preliminary enquiry was initiated at the Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir). He said that during the course of the probe, it prima facie surfaced that the alleged supplier, by deceitful means, placed a false supply order and misrepresented D.K. Enterprises as a legitimate supplier of “Sifine Natural Nut”. The complainant was induced to part with the money on this pretext, which later turned out to be fraudulent.

The acts on part of the accused thus prima facie disclose the commission of cognizable offences punishable under Section 420 of the IPC read with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. Accordingly, cognizance has been taken and a formal case has been registered at Police Station Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir).

“Further investigation into the matter is in progress.” The spokesperson said.

Shopian, Oct 05: A wave of thefts has unsettled locals in parts of South Kashmir’s Shopian district after burglars decamped with gold ornaments worth around Rs 12 lakh from a residential house in Dhobipora, Nagabal, while two cows were stolen in a separate incident in the Haidergund village during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.

Reports said the burglary at Dhobipora came to light when the family of Nazir Ahmed Wani discovered that their house had been broken into. The burglars reportedly took away gold ornaments valued at approximately Rs 12 lakh. Police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation into the incident.

In another incident the same night, two cows belonging to locals identified as Nisar Ahmed Malik and Muhammad Amin Malik were stolen from Haidergund village. The theft has sparked widespread concern among villagers, who say they have been facing a recurring pattern of such incidents over the past few years.

Locals said that last year alone, at least 13 cows were stolen from different villages across the district, including areas like Vehil, Hermain, and Pinjoora. They alleged that despite repeated complaints, such thefts continue unabated.

“We strongly believe that most of these incidents are linked to drug addicts who steal valuables and livestock to fund their addiction.”

Several locals urged the authorities to intensify night patrols, particularly in interior villages where such thefts are on the rise. They said that with the onset of autumn, when most families are busy with harvesting and horticultural work, thieves find an easy opportunity to strike. [KNT]