Srinagar, Jan 06: Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (J&KACB), registered a case against public servant, namely, Pardhan Singh, Patwari, Patwar Halqa, Laddha Tehsil Moungri, District Udhampur  and concerned Girdawar for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from the complainant.

The said accused public servant demanded the bribe amounting to Rs 10000 from the complainant for ‘Virasiti Intkal’ and providing ‘nakal’ thereof. Since, the complainant did not want to pay bribe and approached Anti-Corruption Bureau for taking legal action against the accused public servant under law.

On receipt of the compliant, a discreet verification was conducted, which corroborated the demand of bribe by the public servant concerned and accordingly, a case FIR No. 01/2026 U/S 07 of Prevention of Corruption, Act, 1988 and Section 61(2) BNS, 2023 was registered at PS ACB Udhampur and investigation was taken-up.

During the course of investigation, a trap team headed by Dy. SP Rank Officer was constituted. The team laid a successful trap and accused public servant was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting bribe amount Rs 5000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. The accused was arrested on the spot by the ACB team after following due process of law. The bribe money was also recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap team. Moreover, search was also conducted in the rented accommodation of the accused Patwari, situated at Sailan Talab Udhampur and Basnote Tehsil Moungri District Udhampur respectively, in presence of Magistrate.

Further investigation of the instant case is going on.

Doda, Jan 06: Three persons were injured after a matador was hit by a shooting stone near Kalotha area of Doda district on Tuesday, officials said.

An official told news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, a matador bearing registration number JK06A-9890 came under a shooting stone/boulder near Kalotha, resulting in injuries to three occupants of the vehicle.

Soon after the incident, the injured were shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda for treatment, he said.

The local police team rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information and took stock of the situation.

Ramban, Jan 06: In a significant step towards curbing the menace of drug abuse and narcotics trafficking, Ramban Police have successfully detained a notorious drug peddler under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988.

According to the statement issued, the detenue, Wazir Ahmed Shaan, son of Ahmed Din Shaan, resident of Gool, District Ramban, has been placed under preventive detention to thwart his continued involvement in illicit drug trafficking activities, which posed a serious threat to public health, particularly safety to the youth of the district.

The detention has been ordered vide Office Order No. PITNDPS-76 of 2025, issued by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, dated 30.12.2026, after careful consideration of the material placed on record by the police authorities.

The preventive action has been taken in connection with the following cases registered against the detenue which include FIR No. 34/2025, under Sections 8/21/22 of the NDPS Act, registered at Police Station Gool; and FIR No. 60/2025, under Sections 8/21/22 of the NDPS Act, registered at Police Station Gangyal, Jammu, the statement reads.

Ramban Police have been consistently intensifying its efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and to protect the youth from the harmful effects of substance abuse. The preventive detention under PIT-NDPS reflects the zero-tolerance policy adopted by the police and district administration against drug peddlers who repeatedly indulge in such illegal activities despite legal action.

The district police reiterate its firm commitment to creating a drug-free society and urge the general public, NGOs, religious leaders, especially parents and youth, to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by sharing information related to drug abuse and peddling. Ramban Police will continue to take strict legal action against those involved in the supply and sale of narcotic substances, with special focus on safeguarding the future of the youth, the statement further reads.

Jammu, Jan 06: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday held a protest demonstration in Jammu against what it termed as US aggression on Venezuela.

The protest was led by CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, who strongly condemned the actions of the United States, describing them as a blatant violation of international law.

Addressing the media, Tarigami said the US has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. He demanded that the United States immediately send back the President of Venezuela and his wife to their country and issue an apology to the people of Venezuela and the world at large.

Tarigami termed the US action as unlawful and aggressive, stating that such interventions undermine global peace and sovereignty of nations. He said international norms and laws are being openly violated under the garb of geopolitical interests.

The CPI(M) leader said progressive and democratic forces across the world must raise their voice against such acts, warning that silence would only encourage further violations of international law.

Party workers participating in the protest raised slogans against US policies and called for respect for sovereignty, non interference and adherence to international legal frameworks. [KNT]

Jammu, Jan 06: Police on Tuesday sealed the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to foil any attempt of protest by the recently formed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, officials said.

The protest call was linked to MBBS admissions at the SMVD Institute of Medical Excellence, with the Sangharsh Samiti alleging religious bias by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in the admission of non-Hindu students. The group has demanded rescission of the admission process or closure of the medical college, while also threatening escalation through signature campaigns and boycotts.

Officials said hundreds of police personnel, led by senior officers, were deployed outside the Civil Secretariat to prevent any law and order situation. A police official told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that no protesters would be allowed to come anywhere near the Secretariat premises.

Leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti have also alleged misuse of shrine funds and have sought intervention from BJP leaders and the Lt Governor. Right wing organizations have raised objections to the admission process, attempting to project it as a contentious issue.

However, the government has categorically stated that all admissions at the medical college have been carried out strictly on the basis of merit and not on the basis of religion. Officials reiterated that the selection process follows prescribed norms and regulations applicable to medical admissions.

Authorities said the situation remained under control, with security arrangements put in place as a precautionary measure to maintain public order in the high security zone. [KNT]