Baramulla, Dec 30: After a prolonged lull at the start of the winter season, Gulmarg tourist resort has finally come alive, witnessing an unprecedented rush of tourists following the season’s first major snowfall, much to the delight of local stakeholders.

On Tuesday, the surge in tourist arrivals led to massive traffic congestion, with long jams on the Tangmarg-Gulmarg road stretch, particularly from Chandilora to Gulmarg, where vehicles remained stranded for hours.

Traffic Police were seen regulating movement and allowing vehicles in a staggered manner to ease the situation.

Since the onset of winter, Gulmarg had seen comparatively low footfall, causing concern among hoteliers, ponywalas, guides, shopkeepers, and others associated with the tourism sector.

However, the recent snowfall has dramatically changed the scenario, triggering a sharp rise in tourist inflow over the past week.

Hoteliers say the resort is now operating at full capacity.

“All hotels are running on 100 percent occupancy. Almost all hotels are fully booked till January 31,” said a hotel owner in Gulmarg.

The rush was also evident at the Gulmarg Gondola, one of Asia’s highest cable car projects, where long queues of tourists were seen waiting patiently for their turn to enjoy the ride amid snow-clad surroundings.

“On Monday and Tuesday, around 15,000 tourists enjoyed the Gandola ride. All the hotels are fully occupied, and bookings are up to more than January,” Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), Tariq Ahmad said.

Tourists visiting the resort expressed excitement at witnessing Gulmarg in its winter glory.

“We came here specially to see how Gulmarg looks during snowfall. It is truly a lifetime experience,” said Ashish, a visiting tourist. “The pollution-free environment, scenic beauty, and snow-covered peaks are exactly what we were looking for, and Gulmarg offered all of it.”

Local stakeholders believe the renewed rush marks a strong comeback for winter tourism in Gulmarg after a slow start this season.

However, they urged the administration to strengthen traffic management, parking facilities, and public amenities to ensure a smooth experience for visitors in the coming weeks.

With peak winter still ahead, tourism players remain hopeful that Gulmarg will continue to draw large numbers of visitors, reaffirming its status as Kashmir’s premier winter destination.

“The forecast of more snowfall and upcoming winter games events is likely to further boost the tourist footfall,” said Adil Ahmad, a local shopkeeper.

Srinagar, Dec 30: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has closed the proceedings of a case which was registered 46 years ago and set free the woman, now 70 years of age, who was convicted on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Shameema Begum, a resident of Uri in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested on charges of causing grievous injuries to her husband’s grandmother during a scuffle with her mother-in-law in 1979.

The victim died four days after the incident and the state pressed murder charges against the accused. However, during the course of the trial — which lasted 30 years, Begum was convicted under Section 304-II of IPC and sentenced to five years rigourous imprisonment in 2009.

She appealed against the sentence before the High Court the same year and sought reduction in the jail term.

Justice Sanjay Parihar quoted several Supreme Court judgements while disposing off the case and set free the 70-year-old woman.

“At the time of admission of the appeal, the appellant had expressed her intention not to challenge the conviction and sought consideration of release on probation under Section 562 CrPC. However, the State indicated its intention to file an appeal, which was never pursued,” the court observed in its five-page order.

It said the offence was committed in a heat of passion without premeditation.

“The appellant has suffered incarceration and the ordeal of prolonged proceedings for over 46 years, and that she is now about seventy years old with age-related infirmities, this court is of the considered view that no useful purpose would be served by maintaining the substantive sentence,” Justice Parihar said.

“As no minimum sentence is prescribed under Section 304-II RPC, the ends of justice would be served by treating the sentence as already undergone and payment of a fine of Rs 5,000, in default thereof, to undergo simple imprisonment for three months,” he added.

Justice Parihar said this case bears testimony to the systemic delay in the disposal of criminal cases. He said the court must consider both aggravating and mitigating circumstances while sentencing.

“Sentencing must strike a balance between deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation as the absence of one defeat the purpose of the others,” the judge said.

Applying the aforesaid principles to the present case, it is evident that the incident occurred on July 10,1979, the trial continued for more than thirty years culminating in conviction on July 16,2009, and thereafter another it took sixteen years for disposal of the appeal, he said.

Justice Parihar said though such delays cannot ordinarily ensure benefit of a convict and the court cannot remain oblivious to the reality of prolonged pendency of criminal cases, wherein accused persons remain entangled in the criminal justice system for decades.

“Sentencing, in the present context, must focus on reform and rehabilitation, enabling the offender to realize the wrong committed,” he added.

Srinagar, Dec 30: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Tuesday announced power shutdown in several parts of Kashmir division on January 3, 4 and 7.

According to Chief Engineer, Distribution, KPDCL, the Shutdown of 33 KV Exhibition line will be observed due to which power supply to Iqbalabad, Towheedabad, Hamdania Colony, Nundresh Colony and adjoining areas will be affected from 12 Noon to 03 PM on 03 January 2026.

Similarly, shutdown of 33 KV Shariefabad Wadwan line will be observed due to which power supply to Shariefabad, Durbal, Hanjik, Soibugh, Haran, Bonpora, Astanpora Wadwan, Dharmuna, Russu, Gopora, Pymus and adjoining areas will be affected from 10 AM to 03 PM on 03 January 2026.

Likewise, shutdown of 33 KV Nihalpora-Gulmarg line will be observed due to which power supply to Reram, Chandilora, Watnoo, Tangmarg, Kralweth, Mulgam, Ferozpora, Rangawali, Kulhama, Shai, Buderkoot, Gulmarg, Khyber, Chandi, Wanigam, Malgam, Malpora and adjoining areas will be affected from 10 AM to 03 PM on 04 & 07 January 2026.