Sonmarg, Sept 27: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday said the people of Ladakh are now facing the consequences of the 2019 decision that separated the region from Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that their long-standing demands deserve serious attention from the Central Government.

Speaking to reporters at Nilgrath Sonmarg, Ruhullah said Ladakhis had peacefully demanded statehood and constitutional safeguards under the 6th Schedule for the last five years, but their appeals went unheard. He said the recent violent incident in Leh was being used to tarnish their movement.

“The unfortunate episode in Leh is being misused to defame their struggle. Instead of addressing their aspirations, they are being maligned. It is unfair to brand patriots as anti-national. If they wish to rejoin Jammu and Kashmir, we are with them. If they seek 6th Schedule protections, we are equally with them. The people of Jammu and Kashmir extend full support to Ladakh,” Ruhullah said.

Turning his criticism towards New Delhi, the Central Kashmir MP said the ruling dispensation pays little heed to the voices of people. “Those in power in Delhi care nothing for the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Our demands go beyond statehood. We also want restoration of special status. When we raise these issues democratically, the least the government can do is listen,” he remarked.

Ruhullah also endorsed the recent statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had called for keeping the BJP away from power in the Union Territory. “It is important for us to ensure that the BJP does not come back to power in Jammu and Kashmir. People have given their mandate, and it must be respected,” he said. [KNT]

Srinagar, Sep 27: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that narratives pushed by groups like Terrorist Resistance Front (TRF) on social media pose a “serious threat” if ignored.

Speaking at an event at Tagore Hall in Srinagar, LG Sinha urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to stand united against terrorism and actively counter extremist propaganda to safeguard peace and stability.

He said that they have a direct connection and if such narratives are being spread on TRF’s social media and “we remain silent, it is dangerous. We must pay attention to it”.

“The fight against terrorism is not the responsibility of security forces alone but also of citizens. More than 40 lives have been lost due to terrorism, and it must be completely eradicated not just by the forces but by citizens too. I believe people must come forward,” he said.

The LG said that despite decades of suffering, J&K is witnessing a significant transformation, with stone pelting becoming “a thing of the past” and local terrorist recruitment declining. “Whenever there is a division in any family, we must try to put our house in order,” he added.

Sinha said that major changes followed after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which are an important milestone in J&K’s history.

The LG also said that steps like granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community, strengthening the Forest Rights Act, and launching Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas reflect the government’s commitment to social and economic justice.

“Now equal rights are being given to Pahari community. No one can stop this community. What is their right will be given to this community,” he added.

Sinha said that terrorism and left-wing extremism have significantly declined across the country, particularly in the northeast, and expressed confidence that Naxalism will soon be eliminated.

“J&K has suffered for a long time, and end of terrorism is necessary. Security agencies are doing their job, and we as citizens must behave responsibly and not engage in any wrong activities,” he said—(KNO)

Baramulla, Sept 27: The District Magistrate Baramulla has ordered the immediate closure of mining operations near Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary, citing a Supreme Court directive that prohibits mining within a one-kilometre radius of protected forests. The order came after the Wildlife Warden North Kashmir Division Sopore reported that several gypsum units in Uri and Boniyar subdivisions were operating within the prohibited zone.

In February this year, the Supreme Court ruled that mining activities in eco-sensitive zones and within one kilometre of sanctuary boundaries were illegal and must cease forthwith. Acting on this, the Baramulla administration verified the locations of local gypsum units and found that 14 such mines, including units in Dara Gutliyan, Dachina Salamabad, Bagna, Nalusa, Zamboor Patan, and Jabador, fell inside the restricted area.

The District Magistrate said the order must be implemented with immediate effect. Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Uri, Tehsildars of Uri and Boniyar, the District Mineral Officer, and officials from the Forest and Pollution Control departments have been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the ban.

Authorities emphasised that the measure is intended to protect the ecological integrity of Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary and to comply fully with the Supreme Court’s judgment. While the move is expected to affect gypsum mining activities in the region, officials noted that environmental safeguards and legal compliance take precedence over commercial interests. [KNT]

Srinagar, Sep 27:  A senior BSF officer here on Saturday said that terrorists were waiting at the launch pads across the Line of Control to infiltrate into the Kashmir valley, but the security forces were alert and prepared to foil any such attempts.

Speaking to reporters here, Inspector General (IG), BSF Kashmir Frontier, Ashok Yadav said increased attempts to infiltrate terrorists into the valley always remain before the onset of winter.

“There are always attempts to infiltrate before snowfall. There are still about two months, and chances of infiltration are there till November because they know they will have lesser chances for the next six months. So, they always attempt to infiltrate, but because of the alertness of the forces, it is very difficult to infiltrate,” Yadav said.

He said terrorists were waiting at the launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) for an opportunity to infiltrate into the valley.

“There is a presence of terrorists on the launch pads across the LoC opposite our AOR (area of responsibility) in the Bandipora and Kupwara sectors. They are waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate, but the security is very tight. Sometimes they wait for inclement weather to make a move. So, the attempts are always there, but we are prepared and alert for any eventuality,” he added.

Yadav said the Army and the BSF were alert and dominating the LoC very well with the help of the hi-tech surveillance equipment.

“Along with the army, we are dominating the LC very well. The security forces foiled two infiltration attempts so far this year. It is very difficult to infiltrate our AOR because of the alertness with which we perform our duties and the new methodology and new surveillance equipment that we have,” the IG BSF added.

Magam, Sep 27: Police in Magam have apprehended three individuals, including two students, for their alleged involvement in circulating fake Indian currency notes (FICN). Officials confirmed that the arrests were made during a routine operation following credible inputs about suspicious monetary dealings in the area.

According to police sources, the accused have been identified as Bashrat Bashir Rather, a 17-year-old student from Archander Hama in Budgam; Mohammad Shafie Ganaie, 37, from Mazhama Magam in Budgam; and Abid Manzoor, 17, a higher secondary student from Kawoosa Khalisa.

Police said that fake notes amounting to 27,500 rupees were recovered from the possession of Bashrat Bashir Rather, while counterfeit currency worth 5,500 rupees was seized from Abid Manzoor. The total recovery from the operation amounted to 33,000 rupees in fake notes.

A senior police officer in Magam stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the counterfeit currency and whether the arrested individuals were part of a larger network. “We are probing how the notes reached them and whether more people are involved in the circulation racket,” the officer said.

The arrest of two students has sparked concern among locals, who urged authorities to raise awareness among the youth about the serious consequences of engaging in such illegal activities. Locals said the easy availability of counterfeit notes not only damages the economy but also risks drawing impressionable youth into criminal networks.

Police have registered a case at Police Station Magam and further questioning of the accused is in progress. Officials added that strict action will be taken against those found guilty of spreading counterfeit currency in the district. [KNT]

Baramulla, Sep 26: The authorities have taken back the possession of the hotel Royal Park Gulmarg after its rent agreement expired in June this year.

The hotel Royal Park Gulmarg is the property of Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) and was rented to a local businessman around two decades back.

An official said that the after the rent agreement period expired on June this year, the renter of this property was denied further extension by the government and subsequently the property was taken back. “The hotel will be handed over back to the Gulmarg Development Authority,” said an official.  The move is considered as an attempt to reclaim the GDA owned properties which had been earlier rented out and whose rent agreement has expired and could not be extended further. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Government took possession of the 137 year old iconic property Hotel Nedous  for occupying over 98 kanals of state land after its lease agreement expired in 1985.