Kulgam, Sep 23: A teenage girl was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Mirhama area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday, officials said.
An official said that soon after the incident, police along with other officials reached the spot.
He said that the body has been shifted to the District Hospital in Kulgam for medico-legal formalities, including an autopsy.
Police have taken cognizance. —(KNC)
Srinagar, Sep 23: The cabinet on Wednesday recommended to the Lieutenant Governor that the Assembly be summoned on October 13.
Sources said that the cabinet meeting, which began this morning, was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and attended by all ministers.
During the meeting, the cabinet decided to recommend to the LG that the Assembly be convened on October 13.
“The session is likely to be brief and may span seven days, from October 13 to 20,” sources disclosed.
As per the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, there must not be a gap longer than six months between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next.
“The Lieutenant Governor shall, from time to time, summon the Legislative Assembly to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session,” reads the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
Since the last sitting of the previous session was held on April 29, and given the rule that no more than six months should pass between sessions, the next session must be held by October 28.
The issues of statehood and reservation are expected to dominate proceedings in the House.
In the last Assembly session, three resolutions on statehood lapsed due to disruptions caused by the National Conference, following the rejection of an adjournment motion brought by its legislators on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The issue of reservation also surfaced repeatedly during discussions in the House, with PC President and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, strongly criticizing the government over the matter—(KNO)
Srinagar, Sept 23: The future of Kashmir’s apple industry is under serious threat due to systemic shortcomings that remain unaddressed for decades, warned Mukhtar Ahmad Khan, former Area Marketing Officer (AMO) of the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department. He described the situation as precarious, saying that unless immediate reforms are initiated, the Valley’s most vital agricultural sector could be pushed to the brink.
Khan pointed out that the industry lacks basic post-harvest infrastructure, which has left orchardists vulnerable year after year. Modern cold storage facilities, controlled atmosphere (CA) units, and fruit processing plants are either absent or too limited in scale to meet demand. He explained that Kashmir has no facilities for processing C-grade apples, which end up wasted, and there are no CA storage units capable of handling nearly 10 lakh metric tonnes of A-grade fruit. Without this storage cushion and with no reliable all-weather transport system, the sector, he said, is exposed to collapse whenever there are delays in dispatching produce to outside markets.
The introduction of High-Density apple plantations, which were meant to be a turning point for the industry, has added another layer of complexity. While these plantations have boosted yields, they require earlier harvesting and quicker distribution. Khan warned that without storage and processing buffers, the system is overwhelmed by sudden surges of produce, which can easily turn disastrous if transport routes are disrupted. “We lack the CA storage cushion to handle this surge, which makes the system vulnerable to collapse in case of transport delays,” he explained.
The crisis, however, is not limited to infrastructure. Khan noted that the absence of a comprehensive export policy has prevented Kashmiri apples from tapping into international markets. Equally damaging is the lack of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) or price-support scheme, leaving farmers exposed to the volatility of open markets dominated by middlemen. He argued that a robust MSP mechanism would provide stability to growers and protect them from distress sales, especially in years when market prices dip below production costs.
Another pressing concern highlighted by Khan is the unregulated sale of pesticides. He said that substandard and overpriced agricultural chemicals are freely circulating in the market, putting both farmers and the environment at risk. Without a dedicated Pesticide Regulatory Authority, there is no mechanism to monitor quality and pricing. This, he stressed, not only burdens farmers financially but also poses long-term ecological dangers that could damage soil health and undermine the sustainability of apple cultivation.
Khan insisted that meaningful reform must begin with improving and maintaining road connectivity across fruit-producing belts, particularly during the harvest season. Better roads would allow growers to move their produce quickly, reducing losses during critical periods. He also underscored the need for expanding cold storage and pack house facilities in every fruit-growing district so that orchardists can store their produce instead of being forced into immediate sales. In addition, he said that subsidised anti-hail nets should be provided on a large scale to safeguard crops from weather-related disasters that often destroy orchards within minutes.
He maintained that the apple industry cannot survive on piecemeal solutions and requires a holistic approach. This includes a strong export policy to help growers access international markets, the introduction of MSP to stabilise farmer incomes, and the establishment of a regulatory authority to oversee the pesticide market. Without these steps, he cautioned, the Valley’s most important horticultural sector will continue to remain fragile. [KNT]
Srinagar, Sep 23: Director General (DG) Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), GP Singh Tuesday said that the CRPF stands with the people of Kashmir in every situation.
The DG flagged off the third edition of the Yashasvini High-Altitude CRPF Bike Expedition 2025 from the beautiful Lal Chowk in Srinagar.
Paying tribute to the martyrs of the 2001 Parliament attack, DG Singh said, “I salute the martyrs and those honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, the nation’s highest gallantry award.”
He greeted all the CRPF women riders, who are set to undertake a seven-day, high-altitude expedition from Lal Chowk to Pangong Tso and back, covering approximately 1,400 km via Khardung La (high mountain pass in the Ladakh region of India).
“I extend my greetings to all of you moving forward with courage. You are torch-bearers of CRPF and deserve special appreciation and gratitude,” Singh said.
Acknowledging the officers leading the expedition, he added, “DIG Balav Sharma, Brigadier SP Rai, and DK Singh are guiding the team. The journey will reach altitudes of nearly 18,000 ft, face sub-zero temperatures, and living conditions will be tougher than imagined. Despite these challenges, the team is moving forward, and I extend my greetings and best wishes to all participants,” he said.
Describing the symbolic importance of the expedition, Singh said, “This high-altitude mission reflects CRPF’s contribution to India’s internal security over the past sixty-six years. Flagging it off from Kashmir’s historic Lal Chowk fills me with immense happiness, pride and honour.”
He thanked the citizens present, especially the locals of Lal Chowk, saying, “Your encouragement inspires us and strengthens our resolve to serve and protect.”
It is important to mention, the Yashasvini High-Altitude CRPF Bike Expedition 2025 is the third edition of the exclusive Mahila Bike Expeditions series aimed at instilling pride and testing physical and mental endurance.
Moreover, the first edition was held in March 2023 from Delhi to Jagdalpur, and the second in September 2023 from Srinagar, Shillong, and Kanyakumari to Kevadia. —(KNO)
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the foundation said, “This issue is pending before this court in a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi.” referring to a petition filed by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha challenging the summoning orders against him in a defamation case over his remarks against VD Savarkar
Srinagar, Sep 23: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday paid tribute to erstwhile Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh on his 130th birth anniversary.
The L-G said on his X, “Tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on his Janm-Jayanti. A statesman of excellence & harbinger of change, he introduced landmark reforms to ensure welfare of common man. His legacy of inclusive governance, progressive vision & contributions to motherland continues to inspire us.”
After the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two union territories, the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh was declared a public holiday.
After 1947, Dr Karan Singh, son of Maharaja Hari Singh, became the regent and the head of state of J&K, called ‘Sadr-e-Riyasat’.
In 1964, Dr Karan Singh became the first Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dogra Maharajas ruled J&K after Maharaja Gulab Singh signed the treaty of Amritsar with the British in 1846. Maharaja Gulab Singh was the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir and the founder of the Dogra dynasty.
Originally a commander of the Sikh Empire, he sided with the British in the First Anglo-Sikh War and briefly became prime minister of the Sikh Empire in 1846.
In the same year, he signed the Treaty of Amritsar with the British, establishing the state of Jammu and Kashmir under the suzerainty of the British Raj; this treaty formalised the transfer of all lands that were ceded by the Sikhs to the British in the Treaty of Lahore.
Maharaja Gulab Singh was succeeded by Maharaja Ranbir Singh, followed by Maharaja Pratap Singh and then the last Dogra Maharaja, Hari Singh.
In 1923, following his uncle’s death, Hari Singh became the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir.
After India’s Independence in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh acceded to India to get the support of Indian troops against an invasion by tribal armed men from Pakistan.
Hari Singh remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952, when the monarchy was abolished by the Indian government.
After spending his final days in Mumbai, he died on April 26, 1961.
Paying tributes to his grandfather, Vikramaditya Singh, a former Member of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council, wrote on X, “Congratulations and heartfelt best wishes to all residents of Jammu-Kashmir on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji! Respectful homage to my grandfather Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu & Kashmir on 130th birth anniversary!”
New York, Sep 23: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that India is of “critical” value to his country and welcomed its ongoing interaction in trade, according to the State Department.
After he met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday, “reiterating that India is a relationship of critical importance to the United States”, Rubio “expressed his appreciation for the Indian government’s continued engagement on a number of issues including trade, defense, energy, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and other items related to the bilateral relationship”, the Department said in a readout of their meeting.
They “agreed the United States and India will continue working together to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including through the Quad”, it said.
The reaffirmation of India’s importance for the US comes after US President Donald Trump reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to greet him on his 75th birthday after imposing a total of 50 per cent tariffs on India and weeks of harsh statements about India.
Significantly, the meeting with Jaishankar was the first official meeting of the day for Rubio, who is making a round of bilaterals with world leaders here for the high-level General Assembly session.
Jaishankar posted on X, “Our conversation covered a range of bilateral and international issues of current concern. Agreed on the importance of sustained engagement to progress on priority areas”.
He added that they would stay in touch.
Before going into the conference room with a table decked with flowers and flags, they made a cordial appearance before the media waiting outside and shook hands, but refused to answer questions.
Later, Jaishankar met with the US ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor.
The State Department said on X, “They look forward to further promoting the success of the U.S.-India relationship”.
Gor will also be Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.
The appointment of Gor needs approval by the Senate, like all ambassadorial positions.
In another sign of movement in the two countries’ attempts to reset their relations, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in New York to negotiate the first tranche of a trade agreement between the two sides, sources told IANS.
Both sides remain hopeful of reaching an interim understanding soon, the sources added.
Despite differences on trade and Russian oil purchases, the two nations have strong common interests at the strategic level, exemplified by the Quad, the four-nation group that also includes Australia and Japan and is focused on the Indo-Pacific.
Rubio made a reference to the Quad.
After flinging invectives at India, such as calling its economy “dead”, Trump posted on Truth Social after his birthday call to PM Modi, “He is doing a tremendous job. Narendra: Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine”.
PM Modi thanked him and said on X, “Like you, I am also fully committed to taking the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights”.
The two countries resumed their negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with a meeting in New Delhi between Assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch and Commerce Ministry Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, paving the way for the Goyal-Greer meeting.
Srinagar, Sept 23: The Ministry of Finance has barred all government Ministries, Departments and allied bodies from spending public money on gifts during Diwali and other festivals.
The directive comes as part of efforts to enforce financial discipline.
An official circular issued by the Department of Expenditure stated that the decision was taken to ensure prudent and judicious use of public resources and to curb non-essential expenditure.
The order has been made effective immediately. (KNC)
Srinagar, Sep 22: Residents of Sathu Payeen (Jogi Lane) in Barbar Shah area, here have expressed serious concern over the growing accumulation of garbage, junk and construction debris in their locality.
They also accused the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of negligence.
Members of the Mohalla Committee said that the unattended waste has created an unhygienic environment, blocked movement on roads and spread a foul smell, disrupting the daily lives of residents.
“We have been living with this garbage for weeks. The stench is unbearable, and it has become difficult for children and elderly residents to even step out of their homes,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a local resident.
Another resident, Mohammed Zahid, added, “The debris is not just an eyesore but a serious health hazard. We fear the outbreak of diseases if the waste is not removed soon.”
The Committee further cautioned that the situation is worsening with each passing day, turning the area into a makeshift dumping ground. According to them, the debris not only poses a major health risk but also endangers children and elderly residents living nearby.
“Our repeated requests to the SMC have gone unheard. Immediate action is necessary to clear the garbage and restore hygiene in the locality,” said a member of the Mohalla Committee, urging municipal authorities to arrange for immediate removal and proper disposal of the waste to prevent further hazards and restore cleanliness in the area—(KNO)
New Delhi, Sept 23: A security scare unfolded at Delhi Airport on Sunday morning after a 13-year-old Afghan boy was found having sneaked into the landing gear of a Kam Air aircraft, Times of India reported, quoting ANI.
The Kabul-Delhi flight (RQ-4401) landed around 11.10 am on September 21 when airline staff noticed the boy near the plane.
According to ANI, the teenager, a resident of Kunduz in Afghanistan, had boarded the flight without a ticket by hiding inside the landing gear compartment. Airline staff raised the alarm after spotting the boy wandering close to the aircraft shortly after arrival. Security personnel questioned him and learnt about his dangerous journey. A subsequent inspection by Kam Air’s security and engineering teams revealed a small red audio speaker inside the landing gear section, Times of India reported.
The boy was handed over to the authorities for questioning and, after completing the necessary formalities, was deported to Kabul the same day on Kam Air’s return flight RQ-4402, ANI added.
