Shopian, Jul 3: When Shuja Sultan set out with his children for a picnic to Peer Ki Gali last week, he expected nothing more than a pleasant day in the mountains. Instead, the return journey turned into an anxious ordeal after a cloudburst triggered landslides that blocked the historic Mughal Road.

Sultan, a resident of Pulwama , waited inside his vehicle for several hours as authorities worked to clear the debris. As darkness fell, his anxiety grew—not because of the road closure alone, but because he had no way to contact his family, who were worried about his whereabouts.

“There is no mobile connectivity along the road. Since I couldn’t inform my family, I decided to drive to Poonch and spend the night there until the road was reopened,” Sultan said.

He said that had there been mobile network coverage, he would have stayed near the blocked stretch and waited for the road to reopen instead of making the long detour.

“Driving to Poonch was difficult because my vehicle was running low on fuel,” he said.

The 84-km Mughal Road, which connects Shopian in south Kashmir with Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region, is increasingly being used by tourists and commuters, particularly during the summer months. However, long stretches of the road remain without mobile connectivity and other basic roadside facilities, posing challenges during emergencies.

Residents, traders and civil society members from Shopian say the lack of communication facilities is discouraging people from using the route and affecting local businesses that depend on tourist and commuter traffic.

“The absence of mobile connectivity is impacting the movement of people along the road. In emergencies, travellers cannot even call for help,” said Mitha Gatoo, a civil society member from Shopian.

Gatoo said the issue was raised during a recent review meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, where local representatives sought seamless mobile connectivity along the entire stretch.

“We have been assured that the matter will be addressed. We hope the road will soon have uninterrupted mobile connectivity,” he said.

A shopkeeper from Heerpora, the last habitation on the Shopian side of the road, said improving mobile coverage and developing basic wayside amenities such as fuel stations, emergency assistance centres and public conveniences would make travel safer and encourage more tourists to use the route.

“We appeal to the government to provide mobile connectivity and essential facilities along the Mughal Road so that travellers can travel safely and local businesses can benefit,” he said.

Gurez, Jul 3: Reinforcing its commitment to sustainable livestock development and conservation of indigenous animal wealth, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) organised a series of awareness-cum-input distribution and animal healthcare programmes at Gurez.

A statement of SKUAST-K issued here said that the programmes were organised by the Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Shuhama, under the ICAR–NBAGR Network Project on Animal Genetic Resources, in collaboration with KrishiVigyan Kendra (KVK), Gurez, and the Department of Animal Husbandry.

The initiative aimed to promote conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources, improve livestock productivity, and strengthen the livelihoods of tribal farming communities in the region.

Held under the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, the outreach programme brought together scientists, veterinary experts, extension professionals, and livestock farmers to promote scientific livestock management and climate-resilient farming practices.

Ravinder Kumar, Principal Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, attended as chief guest and highlighted the immense value of indigenous livestock genetic resources in ensuring sustainable livestock production, climate resilience, and nutritional security. He emphasised the need to adopt scientific and innovative livestock technologies to improve productivity and contribute to the vision of a “ViksitGurez”.

Guest of Honour Mahesh Dige, Senior Scientist at ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, stressed the importance of conserving local animal genetic resources and appreciated SKUAST-K’s sustained efforts in strengthening the livestock sector through scientific interventions, farmer awareness, and capacity-building initiatives in remote tribal areas.

Earlier, Prof Syed Shanaz Shafi, Professor and Head, Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, welcomed the participants and underscored the urgent need for scientific conservation and sustainable management of indigenous animal genetic resources.

She noted that native livestock and poultry breeds are invaluable genetic assets naturally adapted to the harsh agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir Himalayas and are critical for sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient farming systems.

A major highlight of the programme was the distribution of livestock inputs to beneficiaries.

A total of 100 indigenous Kashmiri poultry birds were distributed under the ICAR–NBAGR Network Project to promote the conservation and multiplication of indigenous poultry germplasm. Additionally, 300 Keystone Golden birds were distributed under the ICAR–All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Poultry under the guidance of AzmatAlam, Principal Investigator, to encourage backyard poultry farming, particularly among women’s Self-Help Groups, thereby improving livelihood opportunities and household nutritional security.

Further strengthening animal health interventions, around 50 livestock farmers received deworming medicines and mineral mixtures free of cost to improve animal health and productivity.

During the technical session, Shahid Ahmad Shergojry, Associate Professor, Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, sensitized farmers on the importance of conserving indigenous poultry breeds, scientific breeding strategies, genetic improvement, and sustainable livestock management.

He highlighted the significant role of native poultry in improving household nutrition, strengthening rural livelihoods, and generating supplementary income for tribal farming families.

Scientists also conducted practical demonstrations and provided expert guidance on scientific feeding, breeding, healthcare, disease prevention, and climate-resilient livestock production practices.

Farmers actively participated in interactive discussions, sharing their experiences and seeking scientific solutions to challenges affecting livestock production.

The programme was attended by Izhar Ahmad, BVO Gurez; Ishfaq Ahmad, VAS; JauharRafeeq; Shahada; scientists and officials from KVK Gurez; officers from the Department of Animal Husbandry; and a large number of progressive livestock farmers and women beneficiaries from across Gurez Valley.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by JauharRafeeq, Scientist, KVK Gurez, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, scientists, collaborating institutions, and participating farmers for their active participation and support. Special appreciation was extended to Prof Raihana Kanth and Hilal, Head, KVK Gurez, for their logistical support and coordination in ensuring the smooth conduct of the programme.

Srinagar, Jul 3: The Kashmir Champions Football League (KCFL) 2026, organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, moved one step closer to crowning its inaugural champions as Baramulla Strikers defeated Bandipora Blasters 3-1 in Qualifier 2 on Friday to book their place in the grand finale.

In a high-intensity contest played before an enthusiastic crowd at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground, TRC Srinagar, Baramulla Strikers, as per a statement, delivered a clinical performance to overcome Bandipora Blasters and earn the second berth in the title clash.

The standout performer of the evening was Shafqat Ahmad, who produced a match-winning display by scoring two crucial goals. His brilliant performance earned him the Man of the Match award and played a decisive role in Baramulla Strikers’ impressive victory. The team’s disciplined defence and attacking intent ensured they remained in control for most of the contest, sealing a deserved 3-1 win

The play-off encounter once again witnessed a remarkable turnout, with football lovers thronging the venue to witness another thrilling under-lights clash. The electric atmosphere created by passionate supporters has become a defining feature of the inaugural edition of the Kashmir Champions Football League, reflecting the growing popularity of football across the Union Territory.

With Friday’s victory, Baramulla Strikers have now set up a mouth-watering final against Srinagar United, who had earlier secured direct qualification after winning Qualifier 1. The championship clash, scheduled for Sunday, promises to bring together two of the tournament’s best-performing teams in what is expected to be a fitting finale to an exciting competition.

The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council congratulated Baramulla Strikers on reaching the final and appreciated both teams for displaying exemplary sportsmanship and competitive spirit. The Council also expresses gratitude to the football fraternity and spectators whose overwhelming support has contributed immensely to the success of the league.

As the inaugural edition of the Kashmir Champions Football League reaches its climax, the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has invited football enthusiasts from across the Valley to witness the grand finale and celebrate the remarkable journey of a tournament that has showcased emerging talent, strengthened grassroots football and reaffirmed Jammu & Kashmir’s growing passion for the beautiful game.

Srinagar, July 3: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday blamed the government for “further increasing unemployment” by outsourcing jobs and “undermining democracy and democratic institutions by centralising power in the hands of one man at the helm of the government.”

He made these remarks while addressing workers’ conventions at Khanabal and Achabal in south Kashmir today.

During his address at the events, Altaf Bukhari said, “On the one hand, the government promised the youth employment opportunities, but on the other hand, they snatched away those very opportunities through the outsourcing of jobs. Instead of reducing unemployment, they have only made it worse.”

He further alleged that the government had failed to launch any employment-generating projects even after being in power for more than twenty months. “They have not initiated a single project so far to generate employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.

Bukhari also accused the ruling National Conference of undermining democratic institutions by centralising authority after assuming office.

“In a democracy, elections are meant to empower the people. However, after coming to power, the National Conference concentrated authority in the hands of a single individual. This has weakened grassroots democracy and democratic institutions,” he said.

He further alleged that democratic values had been replaced by a culture of flattery. “Today, we have the rule of flatterers rather than the rule of democratic principles. Apni Party will continue its struggle against such undemocratic practices and work to ensure that the benefits of democracy reach the people. We remain committed to strengthening grassroots democratic institutions and restoring power to the people,” Bukhari added.

He strongly criticised  the government over what he described as its failure to provide effective governance and its inability to fulfil the promises it made during the election campaign.

He said, “the government has failed to deliver on the commitments it made to the people, who had given it a massive mandate after believing its assurances and election promises.”

He said, “One of the promises the ruling NC made to the people during the 2024 election campaign was that it would restore the abrogated Article 370. Among its other promises was to provide one lakh jobs for unemployed youth, with an assurance that these jobs would be given soon after it assumes office.”

He added, “Now, more than 20 months later, we hear that the government has outsourced thousands of jobs, which amounts to a grave injustice to unemployed youth. There is a long list of promises that the NC made only to lure voters and secure their votes, but those promises have remained unfulfilled.”

Addressing the Achabal gathering, Bukhari assured party workers that the Apni Party would soon launch a public outreach campaign in the area to strengthen its presence and expand its grassroots base.

At Khanabal, he expressed gratitude to the party’s workers for remaining steadfast and loyal through the party’s ups and downs since its establishment.

Urging people to get themselves rid of the traditional political parties, Bukhari said, “What have these family-run parties given you, other than exploiting your mandate to build political empires for themselves? The people of South Kashmir entrusted all seven seats to the ruling NC–Congress alliance, yet not a single representative from the region was considered worthy of a ministerial portfolio. This is how the leaders of these traditional parties reward the people and honour their mandate once they secure victory.”

He further said, “The NC’s victory in the elections was largely an accidental one, driven by the unique circumstances prevailing at the time. Many people believed the party would genuinely strive to restore the abrogated Article 370. They also trusted its promises of providing 200 units of free electricity, free gas cylinders, an additional ration quota, and several other welfare measures announced by NC leaders during their election campaign.”

“But now this government stands completely exposed for its failure to provide effective governance and fulfill the promises it made to the people,” he added.

The party leaders who also addressed the workers’ conventions held at Khanabal and Achabal included the party’s General Secretary, Rafi Ahmad Mir; Additional General Secretary, Hilal Ahmad Shah; Chief Coordinator and District President of Kulgam, Abdul Majeed Padder; District President of Anantnag, Mufti Sarwar; and others.

Besides these leaders, those who were present at both or either of the events included Provincial Secretary Kashmir, Nazir Ahmad Wani (Dilgami); Constituency In-charge, Anantnag West, Sheikh Muzaffar; Constituency In-charge, Shangus, M.K. Yogi; In-charge, Dooru, Bashir Ahmad Bragami; Hilal Ahmad Lone; Hafiza Jee; and others.