Kupwara, Jul 19: In a letter raising serious constitutional and political concerns, the sitting MLA from Kupwara Mir Mohammad Fayaz has accused the advisor to the Chief Minister of “ultra-constitutional interference” in the affairs of his constituency.

The MLA has alleged that the advisor, a former political rival who lost the recently held assembly election against him, is acting beyond his mandate and “undermining” the authority of an elected representative.

The MLA Kupwara, asserts that the advisor, despite being unelected, has been summoning government officials, attending meetings meant for elected lawmakers, and influencing administrative decisions in the Kupwara constituency without any legal or constitutional backing.

“The institution of MLA is a consultative pillar of democratic governance, empowered directly by the people’s mandate,” the letter addressed to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary reads. “The advisor in question has no constitutional status to bypass or override the electoral verdict of the people of Kupwara.”

Mir further claims that this advisor, who had contested and lost against him in the last assembly elections, is now being used by the ruling party to reverse the electoral outcome through bureaucratic backchannels. “He is a regular invitee to official meetings concerning Kupwara, where his inputs are entertained while mine are disregarded,” Mir stated, calling this a “majoritarian assault on democracy.”

Raising a red flag on the broader constitutional implications, MLA Kupwara questioned whether a ruling party can extend its legislative power to a non-elected individual to undermine a lawfully elected opposition MLA.

“I formally object to his presence in official meetings and his interference in constituency matters until his constitutional role is clearly defined,” he wrote.

Srinagar, Jul 19: A rare blend of environmental protection and social awareness was witnessed as the ‘One Crore Trees in One Year’ initiative was observed across various corners of the country.

A statement of the Positive Barta issued here said that launched by the Positive Barta on June 5, World Environment Day, this unique green campaign is not merely an environmental programme, it is a people-driven social movement which aims to rebuild the human-nature connection and instil a sense of responsibility among all.

It said that the region and season-based plantation programmes had already engaged thousands of people across India.

The statement said that from cities to villages, schools to hospitals, NGOs to women’s groups, the movement has become a people’s initiative across all walks of life.

It said that through this effort, Saturday was observed as a symbol of unity, sensitivity, and shared responsibility, a day of planting trees from every state and district of India, with thousands participating in planting trees under this campaign.

The Positive Barta statement said that the participants included students, teachers, rural residents, women entrepreneurs, senior citizens, volunteers, clubs, SHGs, environmentalists, and even government officials.

It said that various areas hosted green rallies, awareness camps, tree distributions, art contests, and poster competitions.

The statement said that from July 30, tree plantation drives would be rolled out in every district and block of every Indian state, gradually reaching each panchayat, village, and tribal area.

“Then, on September 6, a grand national-level event will be held at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. On that day, the entire nation will once again unite in planting, creating what is expected to be India’s most symbolic green moment in history,” the statement said.

Founder of Positive Barta, Malay Peeth, said they were not just planting trees but planting a change in thinking.

“We want to instil the belief that trees mean life, trees mean the future. This is not an institution-led initiative; it is people-powered, and that is its strength,” he said.

Srinagar, Jul 19: As thousands of devotees brave the rugged Himalayan terrain to undertake the Amarnath Yatra, it is the personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) who are emerging as the unsung heroes—offering critical assistance, rescuing distressed yatris, and ensuring their safety throughout the pilgrimage.

Faced with unpredictable weather, steep mountain paths, and the high-altitude challenges of the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, many pilgrims have found themselves in life-threatening situations.

Time and again, SDRF teams have stepped in, providing swift evacuation, medical aid, and guidance through some of the most difficult stretches of the pilgrimage. The SDRF, alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), forms the backbone of the Command Control Centre for the annual Amarnath Yatra. This hi-tech control centre brings together nearly 60 personnel from 20 departments, including J&K Police, CRPF, Health, PHE, and Telecom, all working round the clock to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage.

This year, 45 Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) from SDRF, NDRF, BSF, JKAP, CRPF, SSB, and Homeguards were ceremonially flagged off on June 24 from the SDRF 1st Battalion in Srinagar.

The deployment covered both Pahalgam and Baltal axes—two critical routes of the Yatra. These highly trained MRTs are equipped with specialized gear and have undergone rigorous training in high-altitude rescue, avalanche response, and emergency disaster relief.

Alok Kumar, Commandant General of Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF J&K, addressed the teams during the ceremony, lauding their courage and urging them to continue serving Yatris with compassion and commitment.

“Your presence along the Yatra routes is vital. You are not only rescuers but also the emotional and physical support for pilgrims who find themselves overwhelmed by the terrain,” he had said.

Over the course of the pilgrimage, numerous pilgrims who suffered injuries, fatigue, or altitude-related complications were safely rescued and provided medical assistance by SDRF personnel.

The forces’ proactive presence has reassured Yatris and significantly boosted the confidence of those taking part in the arduous journey.

Beyond Yatra, the SDRF and NDRF have played a crucial role in responding to drowning incidents and natural calamities across Kashmir.

In June and July when the Valley witnessed its hottest month in 19 years, resulting in multiple drowning deaths, it was the SDRF teams who led search, rescue, and recovery operations—often under extremely challenging conditions.

With battalions spread across 13 districts, the SDRF remains on 24/7alert, prepared to tackle a range of disasters, including floods, fires, and accidents. Senior officers affirm that the force continues to upgrade its skills and equipment to meet the growing demands of disaster response in the region.