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Forest Guard killed in stone slide incident near Gaadi Nallah Doda

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Forest Guard killed in stone slide incident near Gaadi Nallah Doda

Doda, Dec 30: A Forest Department employee lost his life after being hit by a stone slide near Gaadi Nallah area of Doda district on Monday evening, officials said.

Officials said Forest Guard Mohd Iqbal Zargar was walking along the route when a stone suddenly slid down and struck his head, causing him to fall unconscious. He was immediately rescued by people present at the spot and rushed to Doda Hospital for treatment.

However, doctors at the hospital declared him dead due to the severity of his injuries. Further details into the circumstances surrounding the incident are awaited. (KNC)

Greater Kashmir

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen over shipment of weapons for separatists, arrived from UAE

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Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen over shipment of weapons for separatists, arrived from UAE

Dubai, Dec 30: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday said it bombed the port city of Mukalla in Yemen over a shipment of weapons for a separatist force there that arrived from the United Arab Emirates.

The attack signals a new escalation in tensions between the kingdom and the Southern Transitional Council, which is backed by the Emirates. It also further strains ties between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, which had been backing competing sides in Yemen’s decadelong war against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

A military statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency announced the strikes, which it said came after ships arrived there from Fujairah, a port city on the UAE’s eastern coast.

“Given the danger and escalation posed by these weapons, which threaten security and stability, the Coalition Air Forces conducted a limited military operation this morning targeting weapons and combat vehicles unloaded from the two ships at the port of al-Mukalla,” it said.

There was no immediate comment from the UAE

Greater Kashmir

DC Srinagar assesses progress of Mission Yuva

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DC Srinagar assesses progress of Mission Yuva

Srinagar Dec 29: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo on Monday assessed the progress and the performance of line departments and banks in the implementation of the Mission Yuva initiative in a meeting held at the Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz; Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar; SDM, West, Irfan Bahadur; SDM East, Zubair Ahmad; Assistant Commissioner Revenue Umar Gulzar; Deputy Director Employment, Zonal Head Jammu and Kashmir Bank, LDM(Banks), officers of all line Departments and senior Officers of J&K Bank.

At the outset, the DC took a detailed bank-wise and department-wise review of the progress achieved under Mission Yuva, a Government initiative aimed at youth empowerment, employment generation, skill development, and providing financial assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs.

On the occasion, the DC emphasised enhanced capacity building of beneficiaries as envisaged under Mission Yuva guidelines, to ensure swift clearance of pending cases so that benefits reach the beneficiaries in a timely manner. He also directed concerned officers to expedite the processing and verification of genuine applications, ensuring that deserving candidates are covered under the scheme within stipulated timelines.

The DC appreciated the efforts made by various line departments and banks while expressing concern over the slow progress shown by some banks in Mission Yuva implementation. He directed the underperforming banks to improve their pace and ensure effective implementation of the scheme.

The DC further underlined the importance of seamless coordination among all stakeholder departments to ensure substantial coverage and successful implementation of the Mission YUVA initiative across the district.

Greater Kashmir

DC Kathua XI registers 45-run victory over GMC XI

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DC Kathua XI registers 45-run victory over GMC XI

Kathua, Dec 29: DC Kathua XI continued its winning spree by registering its second consecutive victory, defeating GMC XI by 45 runs in the third match of the Kathua Admin Cup cricket tournament, played here at the GDC playground.

After winning the toss, DC Kathua XI, as per an official statement issued on Monday, elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 171 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.

Amit Singh anchored the innings with a solid 44 runs off 36 balls, studded with four fours and one six, while Rajinder Digra contributed 29 runs off 21 balls, including five fours. DC Rajesh Sharma provided late impetus with a brisk 20 runs off 11 balls, which included four fours. Vishavjeet Singh added 13 runs with a boundary, while Pankush Prashar chipped in with 10 runs including a mighty six.

For GMC XI, Rajinder Kumar bowled an economical spell, picking up two wickets for 16 runs in his four overs. Nitin also claimed two wickets, conceding 27 runs, while Shoukat took two wickets in his lone over. Pawan accounted for one wicket.

In reply, GMC XI was restricted to 126 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated overs. Akash top-scored with 40 runs off 35 balls, hitting five fours, while Nitin scored 36 runs off 29 balls, laced with seven fours. Rajinder contributed 15 runs off 16 balls, including two fours.

DC Kathua XI bowlers kept a tight grip on the proceedings. Rajinder Digra delivered a match-winning spell, conceding just 16 runs in his four overs and clinching four wickets. Ranjeet Thakur took two wickets for 19 runs, while DC Rajesh Sharma claimed two wickets for 27 runs. Amit Sharma also picked up one wicket.

For his all-round performance, Rajinder Digra was adjudged Man of the Match for scoring a valuable 29 runs, claiming four wickets and effecting two sharp catches in the field.

With this convincing win, DC Kathua XI strengthened their campaign by registering their second successive victory in the tournament.

 

Greater Kashmir

Garbage piles in Kupwara market spark health, business concerns

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Garbage piles in Kupwara market spark health, business concerns

Kupwara, Dec 29: Traders and residents in Kupwara town have voiced strong resentment against the municipal authorities over the dumping of garbage in the heart of the town’s main market, alleging that the practice is causing inconvenience, health concerns and business losses.

Shopkeepers said waste is being routinely dumped at multiple locations in the busy commercial hub, leaving heaps of garbage along shopfronts and pedestrian areas. They alleged that the problem has persisted despite repeated appeals to the authorities.

President of the Traders Federation Kupwara, Mohammad Ishaq, told Greater Kashmir that sanitation workers of the Municipal Council Kupwara dump garbage in the market daily. “Every day heaps of waste are dumped at different locations in the main market, causing immense hardship to shopkeepers and the general public,” he said. “It is unfortunate that despite repeated reminders, the practice continues unabated.”

Ishaq claimed that Kupwara may be among the few districts where municipal authorities are using the main commercial centre as a dumping area. He said the practice not only affects business activity but also exposes shopkeepers, customers and residents to serious health and sanitation risks.

Traders have sought the immediate intervention of the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Shrikant Balasaheb, demanding that municipal officials stop dumping garbage in the main market and ensure that waste is transported directly to designated disposal sites.

Responding to the allegations, the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Kupwara said that a few locations in the market are being used as temporary transit points, from where garbage is later lifted and taken to the designated dumping site. He said these arrangements are interim in nature and will remain in place until a permanent solution is put in place.

However, traders maintained that the temporary dumping has effectively turned the main market into a garbage zone, calling for an urgent and lasting resolution to the problem.

Greater Kashmir

Displaced KP activists reiterate demand for ‘homeland’ in Kashmir

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Displaced KP activists reiterate demand for ‘homeland’ in Kashmir

Jammu, Dec 29: Prominent displaced Kashmiri Pandit activists on Monday reiterated their demand for “Homeland in Kashmir valley” besides urging the Centre to enhance migrant relief and announce a special recruitment drive for the unemployed youth of the community.

These demands were raised in a national webinar organised by Panun Kashmir (PK) to commemorate the “Shahiďi-Saptah of Singh-Shishu, 34th Margdarshan-Day and the martyrdom-day of Pandit Premnath Bhat.”

The webinar was attended by the prominent activists of the displaced Hindu community of Kashmir living at various places in the country, including Utpal Kaul, Virender Raina, Anupam Kaul, Upinder Saroop, Upinder Kaul, Kamal Bagati, Vijay Handoo, Rajinder Kaul, Pradeep Handoo and R K Dhar.

Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, senior BJP and Kashmiri Pandit leader, also attended the programme as a special guest speaker. K K Bujoo from Vitasta Desk briefed the members about the latest update with regard to the struggle for relief issues in Jammu as well as in Delhi.

The participants, who joined the webinar from J&K, Delhi, Mumbai, Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon, paid rich tributes to all those who sacrificed their life for the cause of the community and their integral right to live with dignity and the right of religious freedom.

There was total unanimity among the members that there were two important facets, involving the “survival and existence of people from Kashmir as a cohesive and compact group of indigenous population of the valley of Kashmir.”

On the front of survival, the community activists especially focussed on the issues of relief in Delhi and Jammu. It was stated that the community members, who couldn’t get the benefit of monthly relief after the bifurcation of families, could get it following the issuance of the Government order in this respect on December 8, 2025.

The concerned displaced families were advised to get in touch with the authorities in this regard at the level of the zonal offices in Jammu.

“Similarly, with regard to adhoc monthly relief in Delhi, the file for issuance of the relevant orders is being finalised at the level of the MHA of the Government of India. It was earlier approved by the cabinet of the Delhi government. It is expected now to get the final approval in the month of January, 2026,” the concerned community members were apprised during the webinar.

The participants also decided to follow up on the issue of the enhancement of relief at the Government of India level.

“The jobs for the youth of the displaced community should also be the priority of the struggle in the year 2026. The central government is urged to make an earnest plan in this regard, which may include announcement of a special recruitment drive for the unemployed youth of the displaced community,” it was urged.

With regard to other important facets of the struggle – the “existence” issue of the community, it was stated that the Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community, through the “Margdarshan resolution of 1991”, had made it amply clear that there were only two ways of the resettlement of the community in the valley of Kashmir. “One is the establishment of Homeland in the valley for the displaced community, and the other is the balancing of population in the valley of Kashmir,” the participants reiterated.

They pointed out that the operative part of the “Margdarshan resolution, 1991” was implemented by the Government of India partially on August 5, 2019. “With the reorganisation of the J&K state into two Union Territories, abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, nullification of separate flag, emblem and constitution of the J&K state, the Modi government has brought a sea change in the Kashmir valley,” they noted.

“However, things with respect to the resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley need drastic planning at the grassroots level. They (KPs) continue to appeal to the government for instituting a special crimes tribunal for the atrocities against the Hindu community of Kashmir, which were described by the NHRC as acts akin to genocide,” the participants stated.

The activists during the webinar also remembered the contributions of advocate P N Bhat in Kashmir, by describing him as “an intellectual connection of the nationalistic forces in Kashmir with the national leadership, important organisations and the people in power at the Centre.”

Lastly, songs and hymns were recited in memory of the martyrdom of the “Singh Sahiban” in their valiant fight against the Mughals.

Greater Kashmir

SWD’s Mission Vatsalya facilitates repatriation of trafficked Bangladeshi minor

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SWD’s Mission Vatsalya facilitates repatriation of trafficked Bangladeshi minor

Srinagar, Dec 29: Mission Vatsalya, under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), has facilitated the repatriation of a 16-year-old Bangladeshi minor who had been trafficked into Kashmir for child labour.

This landmark case marks the first such cross- border repatriation undertaken since the establishment of Mission Vatsalya in 2018, said a press release.

The minor (name withheld), currently aged sixteen, was illegally brought into Srinagar through the Kolkata border by unidentified individuals and forced into child labour. Showing remarkable courage, the child later managed to escape and reached Budgam, where he was traced by the local police. The police produced the child before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Budgam, on November 19, 2023, in compliance with Section 31 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. After due consideration, CWC Budgam ordered the child’s placement in a Child Care Institution (CCI) to ensure his safety, shelter, and well-being, and initiated a detailed inquiry into his background.

The matter was subsequently taken up with the Directorate of Mission Vatsalya, UT of J&K.

Director, Mission Vatsalya, Nazim Zai Khan, directed the concerned authorities to expedite the repatriation process and personally supervised the proceedings. On December 25, the minor was formally repatriated by officials of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Budgam, with police escort from Police Station Budgam, and was safely reunited with his family in Bangladesh. Reiterating the department’s unwavering commitment, Director Mission Vatsalya stated that the department remains dedicated to safeguarding the rights, welfare, and best interests of every child. He emphasized the effective implementation of the principles enshrined in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, particularly (xiii) Repatriation and Restoration, which affirms that every child in the juvenile justice system has the right to be reunited with their family at the earliest and restored to their original socio-economic and cultural status, unless such restoration is not in the child’s best interest.

 

 

Greater Kashmir

Sri Lanka asks for Chinese help to build cyclone-damaged bridges, rail tracks

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Sri Lanka asks for Chinese help to build cyclone-damaged bridges, rail tracks

Colombo, Dec 29: Sri Lanka on Monday called for urgent assistance from China to restore bridges and railway tracks damaged by Cyclone Ditwah.

The cyclone hit the island nation in November, causing widespread flooding, landslides and severe infrastructure collapse, and severely strained the country’s disaster-response capacity.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong, called for urgent assistance in rebuilding bridges and rail tracks damaged by the cyclone.

 

Greater Kashmir

JKPSC submits 66th Annual Report to LG Sinha

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JKPSC submits 66th Annual Report to LG Sinha

Jammu, Dec 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission on Monday submitted its 66th annual report for 2024–25 to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan Jammu.

The delegation of the Members of the Commission, Dr Rajiv Singh, Tariq Ahmad Zargar, Yashpal Kotwal and Asaf Mehmood Sagar, was led by Chairman JKPSC, Arun Kumar Choudhary.

The report, as per an official statement, was submitted in terms of Article 323(2) of the Constitution of India.

The report outlines a year of significant administrative reforms and presents a comprehensive review of the functioning of the Commission.

The Lieutenant Governor commended the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission for upholding the highest standards of integrity and ensuring a fair, merit-based, speedy and transparent selection process.

Arun Kumar Choudhary, Chairman JKPSC briefed the Lieutenant Governor on technological interventions including the upcoming SMS notification initiative designed to provide aspirants with updates at various stages of the selection process.

The report provides details of the selections made, Departmental Promotion Committee meetings held, promotions effected and the recruitment rules of the departments approved, among other important matters.

 

 

 

Greater Kashmir

Hangul population shows steady growth at breeding centre in south Kashmir

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Hangul population shows steady growth at breeding centre in south Kashmir

Jammu, Dec 29: The population of Kashmir Stag, popularly known as Hangul, has shown a significant and encouraging increase over the years at a breeding centre in south Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

It reflects the success of sustained conservation efforts by the Department of Wildlife protection, they said.

According to officials, the population of the endangered and iconic wildlife species has risen to 323 at the Hangul Breeding Centre in Tral, marking a steady growth from 127 in 2008.

The positive trend was highlighted at the sixth meeting of the Wildlife Board chaired by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha here, an official spokesperson said.

He said the board accorded wildlife clearance to several projects and recommended some proposals to National Board of Wildlife for final approval.

These included projects of 4G-saturation, Jal Jeevan Mission, re-alignment of transmission lines, setting up of border security posts, development of horticulture nursery and installation of avalanche warning systems, the spokesperson said.

He said the board was apprised of various conservation and habitat improvement activities of the department. This includes measures taken in handling of human-wild animal conflict, establishment of rescue centres and habitat restoration works of wetlands.

Addressing the meeting, the LG called for prioritising sustainable management of biodiversity and conservation of wildlife habitats.

He emphasised promotional activities, particularly among school children, for major projects like Jambu Zoo, Hokersar and Gharana Wetlands.

He also asked to provide public transport to these destinations to promote eco-tourism.

The damage to agricultural crops by wild boars, blue bulls and monkeys was also discussed at the meeting, the official said, adding that the Board desired to explore the possibility of compensating for farmers’ losses caused by wild animals.

Greater Kashmir

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