JAMMU
The 2nd Additional Sessions Judge of Jammu, Amit Sharma, sentenced three brothers—Harvinder Singh, Amarjeet Singh, and Harcharan Singh—to life imprisonment for the murder of Harnek Singh in January 2014, stemming from a personal enmity. The court found that the case did not qualify as “rarest of rare” for capital punishment. The convictions and sentences followed arguments presented by the public prosecutor and senior defence counsel, with the court emphasizing the severity of the crime while not classifying it for the death penalty.
Jammu and Kashmir generates 1,472.52 tonnes of waste daily, but only 446.24 tonnes are processed. This adds 1,026.28 tonnes to legacy waste and leaves 386 megalitres of sewage untreated, leading to severe environmental and health risks.
SRINAGAR
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the inefficiencies of the hybrid governance model in Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for a single command centre for effective administration. He expressed hope for restoring statehood, citing both the Central Government’s promises and the Supreme Court’s directive for its reinstatement. Omar dismissed rumours of political pressure from the BJP and reiterated his party’s commitment to its manifesto, which includes statehood restoration and special status resolutions. In his first press conference after taking over as Chief Minister, he addressed concerns about reservation policies and land acquisition, emphasising the need to balance development with preserving agricultural land. Omar also clarified that proposed housing projects aim to decongest Srinagar rather than accommodate outsiders. On power distribution, he pledged to reduce losses, expedite metering, and enhance electricity supply, reiterating plans to introduce 200 free units of electricity once metering is complete.
The total export value of Kashmiri crafts over the past four years has reached Rs 3,477.31 crore.
BUDGAM
The ongoing exchange between Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has spotlighted divisions within the ruling JKNC over the approach to restoring Jammu Kashmir’s political status. Omar called for Mehdi to lead a protest in Delhi during the upcoming parliamentary session, focusing on statehood restoration. While praising Mehdi’s parliamentary performance, Omar urged collaboration with other MPs for a united effort. Mehdi, however, reiterated his prioritisation of restoring Article 370, dismissing statehood as a “hollow promise.” He expressed willingness to join a statehood protest if organised but emphasised the abrogation of Article 370 as a calculated act of humiliation and subjugation. The exchange reflects deepening rifts within the party, with Mehdi’s stance contrasting sharply with the Gupkar leadership’s focus, signalling growing tensions on the path forward.
From 2019 to 2024, the State Cancer Institute (SCI) at SKIMS registered over 28,457 cancer cases, with annual cases ranging from 4,337 in 2019 to over 5,200 in 2024.
SRINAGAR
Sajad Gani Lone has filed public interest litigation in the High Court challenging the alleged misuse of the police verification process. The PIL argues that individuals are unfairly denied government jobs, contracts, and travel documents based on the actions of their relatives, violating fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution. Citing recent Supreme Court rulings against collective punishment, the petition asserts that police verification should focus solely on the individual’s merits and criminal history, not familial associations.
The Traffic Department of Rural Kashmir concluded 2024 with Rs 123,980,331 in fines collected through 410,599 challans issued.
JAMMU
The Jammu Kashmir administration has initiated eviction proceedings against BJP president Sat Sharma and three other former legislators for unauthorised occupation of government accommodations allocated during their tenure. Notices under the Jammu Kashmir Public Premises Act were issued, and penal rents were imposed, with properties sealed in some cases. The move follows a High Court directive seeking an updated status report on evictions related to a public interest litigation filed by Prof S K Bhalla.
The Cancer Institute in Jammu has treated 7,000 OPD patients and registered 1,670 new cancer cases since April 2024.
JAMMU
The central government has sanctioned the prosecution of Jammu Kashmir Revenue Secretary Kumar Rajeev Ranjan for alleged involvement in a major gun licence scam. The case, investigated by the CBI, pertains to the issuance of over 2.74 lakh illegal gun licences between 2012 and 2016, reportedly granted in exchange for bribes amounting to over Rs 100 crore. The scam first came to light in 2017 through Rajasthan’s Anti-Terror Squad, prompting a CBI inquiry in 2018 with approval from the Jammu and Kashmir government. Ranjan, a 2010-batch IAS officer, and retired officer Itrit Hussain Rafiqui were arrested in 2020 for issuing fraudulent licences while serving as Kupwara District Magistrates. After his arrest, Ranjan was suspended but reinstated in 2021. The government’s sanction under the Prevention of Corruption Act now enables the CBI to formally prosecute Ranjan, marking the first such approval against an IAS officer in this scam.
KATRA
The agitation against the proposed Rs 250-crore Katra ropeway project was temporarily suspended on its seventh day following an agreement between the Government and the Sangharsh Samiti. The administration released 18 detained protest leaders, including Bhupinder Singh and Sohan Chand, unconditionally. The agreement also ensured that the contentious project would remain stalled until further discussions with a Lt Governor-led panel, which includes Shrine Board members, to address local concerns. The yearend protests, centred around Katra, severely disrupted daily life, with markets, transport, and other services paralysed.
LADAKH
SHRI CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ STATUE AT PANGONG TSO, LADAKH
On 26 Dec 2024, a majestic statue of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inaugurated on the banks of Pangong Tso at an altitude of 14,300 feet.
The towering symbol of valour, vision and unwavering justice was… pic.twitter.com/PWTVE7ndGX
— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) December 28, 2024
Two controversies have emerged in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the region’s complex political and historical landscape. In Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has proposed naming the Navyug Tunnel, which connects Qazigund and Banihal, after former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Abdullah praised Dr Singh’s significant contributions to the region, including the development of infrastructure and the four-laning of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. He suggested that naming the tunnel after Dr Singh would reflect his vision for Kashmir, alongside other infrastructure projects named after prominent figures. In Ladakh, the unveiling of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at Pangong Tso has sparked a debate about recognizing General Zorawar Singh Kalhuria, who played a key role in integrating Ladakh into the Dogra kingdom in the 19th century. The debate highlights the region’s intricate historical and cultural identity, balancing its ties to Jammu and Kashmir and its distinct Buddhist heritage. Both controversies underscore efforts to reconcile historical legacies with modern aspirations in the region.
DELHI
Home Minister Amit Shah, at the release of the book J&K and Ladakh Through the Ages, argued that Article 370 fostered separatism in Kashmir and hindered India’s unity. He emphasised that its abrogation by the Modi government reduced militancy by over 70 per cent and enabled development. Shah highlighted Kashmir’s deep cultural ties to India, referencing Shankaracharya and the Silk Route while criticising British-era distortions of Indian history. He urged historians to present evidence-based narratives, emphasising India’s unique identity as a geo-cultural nation with cultural, not just geopolitical, boundaries. Kashmir’s integration with India remains, he stressed, unbreakable and historic. Interestingly, in his speech, he said there is a possibility that Kashmir might have got its name from Kashyp, a Hindu sage in Pandit mythology, who is credited for draining the lake and making it hospitable. Some news outlets put it as if Kashmir is being renamed.
BHADERWAH
Kashmir witnessed the season’s first snowfall and La Niña’s impact made it hugely chilly encouraging tourist footfalls and adding to the warmth burden of the natives. Accidents have started happening. Two minor siblings in Tangmarg were roasted alive. Three individuals were found dead in Bhaderwah (Doda). Police were alerted after a man reported that his sibling, who had travelled to Bhaderwah, was unresponsive to calls. Upon tracking the mobile phone location late Wednesday, authorities located the vehicle and traced it to the Royal Inn guest house. After no response to repeated knocks, police forcibly opened the door and found three unconscious individuals. Medical and forensic teams were called, confirming the deaths. While the exact cause is yet to be determined, initial investigations suggest asphyxiation, with a charcoal heater found in the room. Forensic reports are pending, and further investigations are ongoing. The deceased were identified as Mukesh Kumar, Ashutosh, and Sunny Choudhary, all from Jammu.
GANDERBAL
On a cold Friday morning, a group of honeymooning couples set out from Srinagar to Sonamarg in search of snowfall. When the snow failed to materialise in Srinagar, they decided to continue their journey to higher altitudes. However, heavy snowfall soon caused a massive traffic jam, trapping them and others on the Srinagar-Ganderbal highway overnight. Stranded in the snow, the tourists were offered food, warmth, and shelter by locals who provided blankets, kangris, and hot meals. In nearby villages, more tourists were welcomed into mosques and homes as they sought refuge from the snowstorm. In one village, a mosque hosted dozens of tourists, offering them a warm place to stay and food, while in another, a local family opened their doors to tourists, ensuring their safety and comfort. These acts of hospitality were widely praised, with many tourists expressing gratitude for the kindness they received during the challenging situation. The kindness of Kashmir’s residents highlighted the region’s deep-rooted tradition of hospitality, earning widespread recognition for their selflessness and generosity.
