Budgam, Sept 14: Four Army personnel were injured in an accident in Khah area of Budgam district on Sunday, with two of them reported to be in critical condition.

The injured soldiers, all belonging to 53 Rashtriya Rifles, were immediately shifted to 92 Base Hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment for advanced treatment.

Further details are awaited. [KNT]

Srinagar, Sep 14: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has urged citizens not to pay bribes to government officials, employees of government-controlled corporations, local authorities, or any other individuals performing public duties.

In an advisory issued to the public, the CBI Anti-Corruption Branch Srinagar asked people to report any demand for bribes or cases of corruption directly to its office located near the MLA Hostel in Srinagar. Complaints can be made through landline number 0194-2455514, mobile number 9419900977, or via email at hobacsgsr@cbi.gov.in.

The agency assured that the identity of complainants and informers will be kept strictly confidential. It emphasized the importance of public cooperation in eliminating corruption and urged people to say no to bribes and actively participate in eradicating the menace.

Officials said the advisory has been issued in the larger public interest to encourage transparency and accountability in governance. [KNT]

Srinagar, Sep 13: Former MLA Kupwara and chief spokesperson of the J&K Peoples Conference Advocate Bashir Ahmad Dar has written a letter to the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly, raising alarm over what he described as “systematic assault” on the very institution of MLA.

In the letter, Adv. Bashir expressed deep concern over the arrest of sitting MLA Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and recalled the “unprecedented and shameful” physical assault on Malik inside the Assembly premises.

“The institution of MLA is being rapidly eroded. As someone who has been an MLA myself, it pains me to see this decline. The arrest of a sitting legislator under PSA is not just about one individual — it is a question of the Assembly’s dignity. The Speaker has a duty to step outside the box and safeguard the sanctity of this institution,” he wrote.

PC Chief spokesperson stressed that while the Assembly may not directly control the Home Department but nothing prevents it from taking a stand. “Disapproval by the Legislature is disapproval by the masses. It is imperative that such disapproval is voiced unambiguously,” he added.

He also reminded the Speaker that Malik had earlier been physically attacked inside the Assembly premises. “For the first time since 1947, non-MLAs assaulted an MLA inside the premises of the J&K Legislature. Shockingly, no punitive measures were taken. This was not a scuffle during proceedings, but a calculated assault outside session hours, a historic violation of legislative sanctity,” he wrote.

He questioned the Speaker’s silence on both issues, calling it “disheartening” and “a dangerous precedent” urging him to order an investigation into how non-MLAs gained access to the Assembly premises to assault a sitting legislator, and why no accountability followed.

Drawing a line between political disagreements and targeted violence, Advocate Bashir said: “There is a world of difference between heated exchanges during a session and a cowardly, vicious attack on a lone MLA when the House is not in progress. If we fail to uphold our dignity, we cannot expect others to treat us with dignity.”

Defending Malik, Adv. Bashir suggested his grassroots rise was the reason behind the targeting. “Had he been an elitist, establishment-driven politician, nobody would have dared lay a finger on him or slap PSA against him,” he wrote.

Adv. Bashir appealed to the Speaker to take decisive steps to restore public faith in the Assembly. “I implore you to take a firm stance to ensure that the legislature addresses the implications of the PSA and that the administrative system identifies the MLAs who participated in the attack and the non-MLAs who assaulted an MLA inside the premise,” he stated.

He expressed hope that the Speaker would act with proportionality and firmness, ensuring that the Legislative Assembly does not lose its sheen, stressing that this institution must never be allowed to crumble—(KNO)

Srinagar, Sep 13: PDP MLA Waheed Para on Saturday said the Public Safety Act (PSA) has always been “misused” against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it is time to reconsider it seriously.

His remarks came in the backdrop of AAP MLA from Doda Mehraj Malik being detained under the stringent law, which allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases.

“The PSA has always been misused against the people of J&K. There is strong resentment against it among people and there is a need to stop its use. So, all the institutions should talk about it,” Para told reporters in Pulwama.

He said there is a need to reconsider the law and its application seriously.

Para termed Malik’s detention under the PSA “unfortunate”.

Political parties contested the assembly elections so that everyone would abolish this “black law” together. “However, it is a pity that we are not even discussing it,” the Pulwama MLA said.

Para said Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahin Rather issued a notification stating that Malik has been detained under the PSA but did not issue another to condemn it.

Calling on politicians to speak against the “misuse” of the law, the PDP leader said that at present, thousands of youths are in jails and if politicians holding important positions do not speak out on the issue, “then there is no point in public representation”.

On a question about his response to the Speaker’s show cause notice to him, Para said he will respond to it and if possible, he will also meet Rather.

The Speaker issued the notice to Para over his social media post claiming that the assembly secretariat endorsed Malik’s detention under the PSA.

Malik, who is also the chief of the AAP’s J&K unit, was detained on Monday for allegedly disturbing public order and was lodged in Kathua jail. His detention sparked violent protests in Doda, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory restrictions and snap mobile internet and broadband services in the district.

NATIONAL SRINAGAR