LG stated that President, considered the first citizen of India, was also not able to build a house here but noted that Jammu and Kashmir has become a part of India after revocation of Article 370
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reiterated his government's commitment to "unbiased governance", emphasising that the decisions would not be influenced by political affiliations or party lines. He urged officers to address public issues brought forth by elected representatives with seriousness and urgency. Chairing a district review meeting in Samba, the chief minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma. The meeting was also attended by District Development Council (DDC) chairperson Samba, Members of Legislative Assembly S S Slathia (Samba), Chander Prakash Ganga (Vijaypur) and Devinder Kumar Manyal (Ramgarh) all from BJP. Besides, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, administrative secretaries, departmental heads and other senior officers also attended the meeting. Highlighting the importance of ...
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has bluntly termed the dual governance model in the Union Territory -- where he shares power with the lieutenant governor -- a "recipe for disaster, as he urged the Centre to keep its promise and restore statehood to the region at the earliest. In his first sit-down interview since assuming office in October, Abdullah expressed cautious optimism over the Centre's commitment to restoring J-K's statehood, citing repeated promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during election campaigns. The chief minister's candid remarks underscore the complex political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, and the difficulties in pushing for a more defined and unified administrative leadership by virtue of getting statehood. Abdullah drew parallels with corporate leadership, challenging anyone to name a successful business with multiple leaders. "Let me just say this, having two power centres anywhere is a recipe for ...
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said it is responsibility of the Jammu and Kashmir government to provide basic amenities like water and electricity to Rohingya refugees residing in the region. The Government of India brought the refugees here. We did not bring them. They have settled them here, and as long as they are here, it is our duty to provide them with water and electricity. This is our responsibility", Abdullah told reporters during a visit to Kathua. His remarks come a day after the BJP termed the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu city a major "political conspiracy" and demanded a CBI probe to identify those involved in facilitating it. Hitting out at the National Conference (NC) government over remarks on granting water and power connections to them in Jammu, the BJP had also alleged it was done to protect them as they belong to a particular community. According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, most of them Rohingy
National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah on Monday expressed dismay over the state of the Jammu Smart City project and criticised the lack of visible development and basic infrastructure. He also called for a revival of communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir through restoration of the Darbar Move. "I feel ashamed when I see your so-called smart city. I do not consider this a smart city. I don't see any functioning lights anywhere. What kind of smart city is this?" he told reporters. Abdullah, who visited the city's Raghunath bazaar late at night, took a dig at the those executing the Jammu Smart City project. "Simply calling it a smart city does not make it one. It needs to be developed as such to truly be called a smart city." He also lamented that the people of the region had been silently enduring these shortcomings. "The people here do not protest; they simply endure everything," the former chief minister of the erstwhile state said. Extending new year greetings, Abdullah .
Acknowledging the persistent challenges faced by the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting local industries in overcoming these difficulties. Abdullah also highlighted the positive impact of the now-defunct 'Darbar Move' on Jammu's vibrancy, assuring people that the government will resume the practice in the future. Darbar Move is the bi-annual practice of shifting the seat of power between Jammu and Srinagar during winters and summers, respectively. Speaking at an event organised by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) here, where he was felicitated for assuming office as chief minister, Abdullah underscored his administration's dedication to reviving the industrial sector. "There is no shortage of issues. If I were to claim that these problems have only emerged in the past decade, it would be misleading. These challenges are not new, nor are they solely the result of Jammu a
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said that governing Jammu and Kashmir requires a "delicate dance" with the Centre. "Governing J&K effectively requires a delicate dance with New Delhi, as acknowledged by the new government (in Jammu and Kashmir)," the PDP said in its monthly newsletter 'Speak Up' The party said its late patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed knew that for J-K's larger interest, unconventional paths must be explored, urging the BJP to adopt a more conciliatory approach akin to that of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "So, even with BJP's limited local influence, strategic engagement is necessary to leverage what rightfully belongs to J&K. Recent arbitrary dismissals of two employees, even with a popular government in place, raise questions. For now, all eyes are on the new government," the party said. The PDP said in Jammu and Kashmir, winning an election might be the simplest part of the political journey. "The real challenge is managing the complex web of public .
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday asked the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir to take measures to stop the "injustice" of dismissing employees over alleged terror links and reinstate all those who have been terminated so far. His remark came a day after two government employees were dismissed from service by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for alleged terror links. "Two more government employees terminated by the stroke of a pen without any legal recourse! Families rendered destitute before the onset of harsh winters. Punishment and fear is the hallmark of an authoritarian mindset that has been ruling us here," Farooq said in a post on X. He also called upon the elected government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Union territory to reinstate all the employees who have been terminated "in an unjust manner". "The elected administration should take immediate measures to stop this injustice and reinstate all the terminated in this unjust ..
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Friday dismissed PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's claim that the nation's secular foundation is being shaken as "baseless", saying it reflected her "ideological bankruptcy". Chugh also highlighted BJP's stature as the world's largest democratic party with over 11.5 crore members nationwide and 2.57 lakh members in Jammu and Kashmir alone. "The remarks by Mehbooba Mufti are baseless and a clear reflection of her ideological bankruptcy. Even the people of J-K have rejected her," Chugh told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Jammu. During her visit to the PDP headquarters in Jammu on Friday, Mufti alleged that the nation's secular foundation was being undermined, claiming that Hindus were being pitted against Muslims. Responding to Mufti's remarks, Chugh said "her comments are detached from reality". "No government scheme discriminates against any religion, group, or caste. The nation is witnessing inclusive development that is uplifting
The operation was conducted in the areas of Malhar, Bani, and the upper reaches of Billawar to uncover networks providing logistic and financial aid to terrorist groups
Peoples' Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to take swift action against Army personnel responsible for the alleged ill-treatment of civilians during anti-terror operations in Kishtwar district. According to reports, it has been alleged that some soldiers beat up five civilians, resulting in injuries to them during anti-terror operations in the Mughal Maidan area on November 20. Taking note of the allegation, the Army launched a probe into the matter. "Allegations of severe torture have emerged from Kishtwar, taking us back to the disturbing events that took place in Bafliaz Surankote earlier this year," Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X. "Sajad Ahmad, Abdul Kabir, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Mehraj-ud-Din, all from Kuath village, were summoned to the Army camp for questioning where they were allegedly subjected to extreme physical torture," she claimed. The PDP chief also claimed that the victims were "severely injured and unable to
A Jammu court handling Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act cases directed separatist Yasin Malik to appear in-person. The CBI said his appearance could destabilise Jammu and Kashmir
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the BJP-led government at the Centre succeeded in bringing down violence in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Naxal-hit areas by 70 per cent in the last 10 years. Speaking at the inaugural event of the 50th All India Police Science Conference at the Rashtriya Raksha University here, he said the coming decade is going to make the Indian criminal justice system the most scientific and fastest in the world. "For years, three regions were considered as very disturbed - Kashmir, North-East, and Naxalite-affected areas. We have made significant improvements in terms of security in all these three regions. Comparing the data of the last 10 years from the period before that shows that we have been successful in reducing violence by 70 per cent," Shah said. With the implementation of three new criminal laws, justice will be delivered to people from the Supreme Court within three years from the time the registration of a First Information Report .
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said his party supported the resolution in the assembly in favour of "statehood" with guarantees for land, jobs and natural resources. The Congress leader asserted that after the Supreme Court's verdict on the abrogation of Article 370, the only viable demand left is for "statehood". He strongly backed the recent statement of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Article 370, aimed at countering the BJP's attacks on the grand old party during campaigning. Kharge's remarks reflects the stance of the JKPCC but is rooted in the resolution passed by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on August 6, 2019, he said. "As far as the Congress is concerned, we made our position clear. After the Supreme Court's verdict on abrogation, the only viable demand left is for statehood. This is because the Supreme Court clearly stated that whatever happened was constitutional as far as Parliament is concerne
According to the officials, during the review, ADGP Anand Jain inspected the Basantgarh Police Station and met with officers from various units, including the Special Operations Group (SOG) team
Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir will remain an integral part of India, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said those nurturing illogical dreams of independence should shun it as they are unaware of the ground realities. The veteran politician said the fact that the Indian cricket team is not likely to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy early next year shows the strained relations between the two countries. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a private function here, Abdullah also expressed grief over the death of children in a fire at a medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district and demanded a thorough investigation into the tragic incident. Asked about the Oxford University's debating society Oxford Union hosting an event titled "This house believes in the independent state of Kashmir" on Thursday, the former chief minister said there are people who want to do such things across the world. "It is not easy to be independent. On one side, th
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday reiterated his call for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a crucial step to resolve the myriad of issues facing the region. After paying obeisance at the Gurudwara Sahib in Chand Nagar on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev's 555th birth anniversary, Abdullah hoped for greater political representation of the Sikh community, asserting that one day, Sikhs will not only have roles in the government, but also in the Assembly to effectively raise and address their issues. The veteran NC leader was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Cabinet minister Javaid Rana, "The Central government should restore statehood to J-K at the earliest as it will help resolve most of our problems," Abdullah said. Urging the Sikh community to draw inspiration from Guru Nanak Dev, he said, "On this sacred day, demand with strength that our conditions improve and we become free from bureaucra
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says hydropower potential of the region thwarted by the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Peoples Conference's Sajad Lone slams Abdullah's remarks as 'right-wing rhetoric'
The J-K CM stated that his government's agenda will be decided by the people of J-K. He emphasised that the situation in the union territory cannot be normalised in a vacuum and that the government
Clashes broke out for a third consecutive day in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as BJP and PDP MLAs debated over a resolution calling for the restoration of Article 370 in the Union Territory