Anantnag, Jun 21: Irrigation supply to dozens of villages in south Kashmir was restored Saturday, bringing much-needed relief to hundreds of farmers on the final day of paddy transplantation.

The water supply had been disrupted following a major breach in the Awantipora Canal at Waghama-Bijbehara late Monday night, affecting more than 2,500 hectares of paddy land across Anantnag and Pulwama districts. The 50-meter-wide breach sparked panic among farming communities dependent on the canal and left many fearing crop failure and a severe blow to their livelihoods. “It was quite a herculean task, but our team worked day and night to restore the supply,” an irrigation department official said.

The water was restored just in time to meet the critical June 21 deadline for completing paddy transplantation. “This is our only crop of the year. If the supply hadn’t resumed, we would have been ruined,” said Javed Ahmad, a farmer from Waghama. “We are thankful to the department. Our hard work won’t go waste now.”

Villages including Marhama, Buliyar, K. Pora, Parigam, Panjpora, Chachkoot, Charsoo, Beighpora, and Hari received water on Saturday, giving hope to farmers who had been on edge all week. “The water in the canal has given a new lease of life,” said Shakil Ahmad of Hari village.

The canal breach also reignited concerns over poor maintenance and unregulated activities along the embankments. Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, the local MLA from Bijbehara, praised the engineers and workers who repaired the breach. He has blamed soil extraction and the movement of heavy dumpers along canal roads for weakening the embankments. The breach also damaged a portion of a recently built PMGSY road, disrupting connectivity to several remote villages.

“It will take some time to restore road access,” an official said.

Jammu, June 21: National Conference’s (NC) provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta expressed “serious concern” on Saturday over the interference of the lieutenant governor’s office in the functioning of the democratically-elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

He described the situation as “undemocratic, unconstitutional and deeply troubling” for the people of the Union Territory.

Interacting with senior party functionaries at the Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here, Gupta urged the BJP-led Centre to immediately intervene and ensure that constitutional norms are upheld in letter and spirit.

“The Business Rules must be sent back to the elected government without any further delay and the LG’s office should step back from managing the departments falling under the government’s domain. The will of the people cannot be held hostage to bureaucratic overreach,” he said.

“India is a democratic country where governments are elected by people and their mandate must be respected,” the NC leader added.

“The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen their representatives with the hope that, as assured by the prime minister and the (Union) home minister, full statehood would be restored and the democratic machinery would function smoothly.

“But, unfortunately, eight months have passed and the Centre has miserably failed to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and the LG’s office has still not sent back the Business Rules to the elected government,” he said.

Gupta said although the home department, including law and order, remains under the LG’s exclusive control, the rest of the departments are under the government.

“Yet, the LG’s office continues to meddle in day-to-day governance, creating a dual power structure that is causing institutional confusion and administrative chaos,” he said.

Gupta said if the government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, does something in the larger public interest, the LG’s office must appreciate that, but “it thinks otherwise”.

“Such actions are sending a wrong message that the people’s mandate is being undermined and disrespected,” he said, adding that such overreach is further alienating the public, especially in a region already grappling with administrative chaos.

“Jammu and Kashmir is a border state. Instead of enabling the elected government to function freely and deliver governance, the LG’s office is acting otherwise,” he said.

Srinagar, June 21: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted committees for the development of world-class winter sports infrastructure in Gulmarg (Baramulla) and Sonamarg (Ganderbal).

According to the Government Order issued by the General Administration Department, these committees have been tasked with making recommendations for the development of the two tourist destinations as international winter sports hubs. The focus will be on providing winter sports facilities, including skiing, enhancing accessibility and amenities, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

For Gulmarg, the committee will be headed by the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla as Chairperson, the Managing Director of J&K Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) as Member Secretary, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority as Member.

For Sonamarg, the committee will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, with the Managing Director of JKCCC serving as Member, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Sonamarg Development Authority acting as Member Secretary.

Each committee has been instructed to submit a detailed report with recommendations within one month from the date of its formation. (JKNS)

Srinagar, June 21: The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated across Kashmir on Saturday with participants from all walks of life performing ‘asanas’ at various places, officials said.

The main event in the Kashmir Valley was held at the lawns of the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) overlooking the famous Dal Lake in which hundreds of people, including Jammu and Kashmir Health and Education Minister Sakina Itoo and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, participated.

They said the participants performed several ‘asanas’ and breathing exercises under the guidance of trained instructors.

BJP’s J-K unit celebrated the Yoga Day at the historic ‘Ghanta Ghar’ (clock tower) in the Lal Chowk city centre here.

Speaking to reporters, J&K BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur said the party wanted to send a message from the iconic clock tower that Kashmir was safe and peaceful.

“We not only want to send the message that yoga has health benefits, but by performing yoga at the Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, we want to send the message that Kashmir is peaceful and tourists should come here,” Thakur said.

The Yoga Day was also celebrated across the Valley at district headquarters, educational institutions and tourist spots as per the theme of “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, the officials said.

Deputy commissioners led the functions at the respective district headquarters which were also attended by a school and college students.

They said security forces, including the Army, BSF and CRPF, also celebrated the International Day of Yoga.

The Kashmir BSF celebrated Yoga Day at BSF Humhama campus, a spokesperson said.

BSF Kashmir was also organised yoga events at border out posts. The session witnessed a large turnout, including officers, jawans, women personnel, and trainees, who gathered early in the morning.

The collective participation highlighted the importance of incorporating yoga into daily routine for physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional balance, the spokesperson said.

The celebration concluded with a pledge to continue practising yoga regularly and spreading its benefits across communities.

Railway Police wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police organised special yoga sessions at all railway stations across the Valley.

Self-discipline and self-care was promoted among Railway Protection Force (RPF), railway employees and even waiting passengers, they said.

Srinagar, June 21: Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene on humanitarian grounds and facilitate bail for incarcerated separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, citing his deteriorating health and advanced age.

In a series of social media posts on Saturday, Tarigami highlighted Shah’s serious medical condition, which includes multiple comorbidities, and stressed the urgent need for pre- and post-operative care that only a home environment can provide. “It is imperative that he be granted bail so that his family can provide the necessary care in a stable and supportive environment,” he wrote.

Pending a decision on bail, Tarigami suggested that placing Shah under house arrest could be considered as an interim humanitarian measure to ensure he receives adequate medical attention.

“There are enough precedents of bail being granted in similar medical situations,” Tarigami noted, urging the Home Minister to consider a humane resolution in light of the circumstances.

Shabir Shah, founder of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, has been in custody for several years in connection with alleged terror-funding cases. His health has reportedly worsened in recent months, prompting renewed calls for compassionate release.