Anantnag, June 2: A man lost his life while his wife sustained critical injuries after a tree fell on them along the Janglat Mandi–Lal Chowk road in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday.

Officials said the couple was walking on the roadside when an old tree suddenly uprooted and fell on them, causing serious injuries. Both were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

However, one of the injured, identified as Mohd Rafiq Khan, a resident of Utross, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by doctors. His wife, who was also injured in the incident, remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The tragic incident triggered concern among local residents, who urged the authorities to conduct a thorough inspection of old and potentially hazardous trees lining both sides of the road to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Meanwhile, officials are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. (KNC)

Srinagar, June 02: A high-level delegation of JKLPUF headed by President, Abdul Qayoom Wani, today met the authorities of 8th Central Pay Commission at SKICC Srinagar.

The delegation had a threadbare discussion over the issues of pensioners and in-service employees regarding implementation of 8th Central Pay Commission to pensioners and in-service employees and a detailed memorandum comprising of ten points was discussed, explained and advocated with healthy and supportive arguments before the team.

The team headed by Director 8th Pay Commission Shahnawaz Akhtar showed a positive response towards the issues and demands put forth by JKLPUF President  Abdul Qayoom Wani who emphatically and vigorously raised the concerns and confusions caused by Finance Bill  2025 and Terms Of Reference (TOR) viz-a-viz implementation of recommendations of 8th Central Pay Commission favouring pensioners.

The Director assured the delegation that there will be no discrimination to pensioners so far as implementation of 8th Pay Commissions recommendations shall be concerned. The meeting concluded with a positive note.

The leaders who accompanied the president JKLPUF Abdul Qayoom Wani included Gh. Ahmad Shah, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Er K. M. Trag, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Farooq Ahmad Rather, A R Shopiyani, Mohammed Akbar Mir, Mohammed Akbar Lone, Nazir Ahmad Rather, Gulshan Ahmad Lone, Mohammed Ramzan Khan, Mubarak Ahmad Sofi.

Budgam, June 02: The first batch of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir arrived at Srinagar International Airport on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the return phase of Hajj-2026 operations.

The inaugural flight carried 144 pilgrims, who were received at the airport by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Aamir Khan and other senior civil and police officials.

Speaking to the media, J&K Haj Committee Chief Executive Officer Dr Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi said that all 144 pilgrims scheduled on the first return flight arrived safely in Srinagar.

He said the batch included 74 male and 70 female Hajis.

Dr Qureshi said adequate arrangements had been put in place at the airport to facilitate the returning pilgrims, including transportation, medical assistance, help desks, and distribution of Zamzam water.

Regarding concerns over baggage restrictions, Dr Qureshi said that around 40 percent of the luggage remains pending due to operational limitations and is expected to reach Hajj House within the next two to three days.

He further advised pilgrims required to collect their luggage from Hajj House to bring along the identity card issued by the Hajj House for hassle-free collection.

Notably, the return operations for Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will continue till June 16. A total of 3,952 pilgrims are scheduled to return through the Srinagar Embarkation Point during the ongoing arrival phase.—(KNO)

Srinagar, June 02: Despite an unprecedented crackdown on the leadership and workers of Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), thousands of emotional supporters gathered from different parts of North Kashmir to bid a tearful farewell to Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, as he left for Delhi.

The administration have placed several AIP leaders and workers under restrictions in an attempt to prevent public gatherings. However, emotions overflowed across the entire route from Er Rashid’s native village till Srinagar, where people from all walks of life assembled in large numbers to express solidarity and affection towards the incarcerated MP.

Reports said people broke police barriers and restrictions at several places to catch a glimpse of Er Rashid and bid him goodbye. Hundreds of supporters were allegedly locked by police inside Middle School Kargama, Gund Kohru and the Rural Development Complex Langate in an attempt to prevent them from joining the farewell gatherings. A curfew-like situation was visible across entire Mawar and adjoining areas of Handwara since early morning, with heavy police deployment and continuous movement restrictions reported from various locations.

According to reports, AIP General Secretary Prince Parveez and several senior leaders including Firdouse Baba, Adv Dawood, Prof Naseer, Adv Shahnawaz Abdullah, former DDC Muzaffar Dar, Mohammad Akbar Rather, Dr Aadil Nazir and Anayat Ahmad Bhat, besides dozens of party workers and activists, were either summoned to police stations or kept under close surveillance to prevent public mobilization. Sources said even after taking a written bond from AIP Pattan Incharge, police detained him again this morning.

Before leaving his residence, Er Rashid visited the graveyard of his late father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh. Witnesses said the MP broke down emotionally while offering prayers at his father’s grave, creating a heart-rending atmosphere as supporters struggled to hold back tears.

Soon after, men, women, elders and youth started accompanying Er Rashid’s cavalcade amid emotional scenes and slogans of support. Women in particular were seen weeping openly while praying for his safety and early return.

Hundreds of people gathered at various locations including Watergam, Azad Gunj Baramulla, Delina, Sangrama, Potkha, Hygam, Palhallan, Pattan, Hanwara, Singpora, Narbal and Lawaypora, where emotional supporters lined the roadsides to bid him goodbye. Many waved from rooftops and shopfronts while others showered prayers and tears upon seeing the MP’s vehicle pass through their areas.

Supporters said the emotional public response reflected the deep bond Er Rashid shares with the masses despite prolonged incarceration and repeated attempts to politically isolate him. Several people were heard saying that “jails can imprison a person but not the love people carry in their hearts.”

The scenes along the route resembled an emotional farewell procession as people continued following the MP’s convoy till the airport, many unable to control their emotions while saying goodbye to a leader they described as “the voice of the oppressed and downtrodden.”

A leopard strayed into an abandoned house in Nambla village of Uri on Tuesday and became trapped inside, prompting wildlife authorities to launch a rescue operation.

Residents told news agency GNS that the wild animal was spotted inside the old structure, following which the Wildlife Department and Police were informed. Soon after, teams from both departments reached the area and initiated efforts to safely rescue the leopard.

As a precautionary measure, authorities cordoned off the area around the house and advised residents to stay away from the site to avoid any untoward incident.

Officials said the leopard is believed to have wandered into the village from nearby forest areas before becoming trapped inside the vacant building.

Efforts were underway to tranquilise the animal and safely relocate it from the locality. Further details were awaited.

Sopore, June 02: Scores of sweepers working with the Municipal Council (MC) Sopore on Tuesday staged a protest, at municipal council office here in Sopore, demanding the regularisation of their services and urging the government to address their long-pending issues.

The protesting sanitation workers gathered and raised slogans in support of their demands, stating that they have been serving the Municipal Council for years but continue to work under uncertain conditions without job security. They said the lack of regularisation has left them struggling to support their families amid rising living costs.

The sweepers alleged that despite rendering essential services and maintaining cleanliness in the town under all weather conditions, their concerns have not received adequate attention from the authorities. They stressed that sanitation workers form the backbone of municipal services and deserve recognition through regular employment and better service benefits.

Speaking during the protest, several workers said they have dedicated a significant part of their lives to public service and are now seeking a secure future for themselves and their dependents. They urged the government to frame a comprehensive policy for their regularisation and ensure that their rights and welfare are protected.

The protesters further appealed to the administration and elected representatives to intervene in the matter and take concrete steps towards resolving their grievances. They maintained that regularisation would not only provide them financial stability but also improve the efficiency and morale of the workforce.

The protesting employees warned that if their genuine demands remain unaddressed, they may be compelled to intensify their agitation in the coming days. Meanwhile, they expressed hope that the government would take a sympathetic view of their plight and act swiftly in the interest of hundreds of affected families.

The protest concluded peacefully, with workers reiterating their commitment to continue serving the public while seeking justice and job security from the authorities.