Srinagar, Feb 03: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said issues related to the alleged victimisation and harassment of Kashmiris would be discussed inside the Legislative Assembly.

“We are going to have a discussion on the issue of victimising and harassing Kashmiris,” Abdullah told reporters outside the Assembly.

Asked about his views on the presentation of the Union Budget, the Chief Minister declined to comment, saying he would speak on the matter only inside the House. “I will say everything regarding the budget in the Assembly,” he said.

Abdullah also refused to respond to questions on remarks reportedly made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying matters related to parliamentary privilege should be addressed within Parliament.

“It is the privilege of the Speaker to decide. In the same way, it is not appropriate to discuss the Assembly in Parliament or Parliament matters here,” he said, adding that he was not aware of the details of the remarks.

On the Congress demand for the formation of a coordination committee, Abdullah said the issue should be taken up with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

“I am the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He is the president of the National Conference. You should speak to him on that,” Abdullah said. (KNS)

Srinagar, Feb 03: Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday voiced strong concern over what she described as a disturbing pattern of attacks and harassment targeting Kashmiris and minorities in different parts of the country.

Reacting to recent incidents, Mehbooba Mufti said that what began with the alleged assault on a young Kashmiri, Tabish, in Uttarakhand had now extended to the harassment of an elderly Kashmiri, while perpetrators continued to move freely. She termed the situation alarming and questioned the silence of Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir.

“Where are the MPs of J&K who should be raising their voices as such attacks become routine,” she said, expressing anguish over the lack of political intervention in such cases.

Mehbooba Mufti further alleged that instead of upholding Raj Dharma, state governments appeared to be granting silent patronage to mob violence. She said hatred was being used as a shortcut to political success, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for minorities.

“The rule of law has been replaced by politics of fear,” she remarked, warning that continued inaction would further erode public trust in democratic institutions and constitutional safeguards.

Her remarks come amid growing political debate over the safety and dignity of Kashmiris and minority communities outside Jammu and Kashmir, with several leaders demanding accountability and firm action against those involved in such incidents. [KNT]

Srinagar, Feb 03: The National Investigation Agency on Tuesday carried out searches at the residence of a suspect in Rainawari area here as part of a probe into the terror ecosystem in Kashmir Valley, officials said.

The searches were carried out at a residential house in Hazari Bazar locality in the early hours, they said.

The NIA on Monday raided six locations across three districts of Kashmir at Rafiabad, Sopore and Bomai in Baramulla district, Bandipora, and the Parimpora area of Srinagar, officials said.

The NIA officers carried out the raids at the residential premises of former Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ghulam Ahmad Sheikh and former militant Iqbal Sheikh at Bomai.

Raids were also carried out at the residences of former government employees Mohammad Munwar Mir at Rafiabad and Farooq Ahmad Peer at Model Town in Sopore.

The other premises included the residence of a retired teacher, Mohammad Maqbool Mir, in Bandipora town, and the residence of Zahoor-ul-Raheem in Parimpora, officials said.

Srinagar, Feb 03: The demand for setting up the National Law University in Jammu echoed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, with BJP MLAs staging protests over the issue.

As soon as Question Hour began, BJP MLAs stood up and protested, demanding a Law University for Jammu.

“The students are on the streets in Jammu seeking a National Law University; there is anguish among the people. We are not against setting up the Law University, but you should also establish one in Jammu,” said Slathia.

Slathia was supported by other BJP MLAs, who carried placards in support of the demand.

Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat questioned the BJP for carrying placards in the House, saying it violated the decorum of the Assembly.

Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone scoffed at the BJP MLAs, pointing out that the NLU is a state university and not a central university.

“It has a mere budget of Rs 50 crore,” Lone remarked.

Separately, the issue of harassment of Kashmiris was also raised in the House by NC MLA Mubarak Gul and PDP’s Waheed Parra—(KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 03: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir has booked two individuals for allegedly securing MBBS admission at SKIMS Soura through forged “Person with Disability” and “Economically Weaker Section” certificates, officials said on Tuesday.

In a statement, a spokesperson said, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has registered a formal case against two individuals for their alleged involvement in securing admission to the MBBS Course–2023 at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, on the basis of fake and forged certificates.

He said, the case is based on information received from a credible source, wherein it was alleged that a resident of Ajas, Bandipora, managed admission to the MBBS programme by producing forged “Person with Disability” (PWD) and “Economically Weaker Section” (EWS) certificates, despite not being physically or mentally disabled.

“Acting upon the information, the Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar, initiated a Preliminary Verification into the matter.”

“During the course of verification, it surfaced that the accused beneficiary, in connivance with another individual resident of Asham, Sumbal, Bandipora, procured a fake and forged PWD certificate. On the strength of the said forged document, the beneficiary allegedly secured selection for admission to the MBBS course at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar,” the statement reads.

It further reads, the acts committed by the accused persons prima facie disclose the commission of cognizable offences punishable under Sections 420, 468, 471, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. Accordingly, cognizance of the matter has been taken and a formal case has been registered at Police Station Economic Offences Wing, Srinagar (Crime Branch). Further investigation into the matter is underway. —(KNO)