SRINAGAR
Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) interning in Jammu and Kashmir’s medical colleges demand stipends equivalent to Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs), staging a peaceful demonstration emphasising their equality in workload. They said they have faced a year-long deprivation while the administration discusses future implementations. With gruelling 24-hour shifts, they stress immediate action over prolonged promises, clarifying their demand as rightful, not privileged. Compared to FMGs in Assam receiving Rs 30,000, they lament the administration’s reluctance to provide even Rs 12,000. Their plight underscores the need for fair recognition and compensation.
In Phase 1, LS polls, about 16.23 lakh electorates will decide the fate of 12 candidates including Dr Jitendra Singh (BJP), Choudhary Lal Singh (Congress) and Ghulam Mohammad Saroori (DPAP) in the Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency.
JAMMU
Addressing a large rally at the Manhas Biradari Grounds in Paloura (Jammu), Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the BJP’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir. He lambasted regional parties, accusing them of exploiting the youth and perpetuating violence. Shah accused the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of fostering unrest and fake encounters. He questioned their governance, asserting, “Who opened fire on Kashmir’s children? Who put guns in the hands of the Valley kids? It is these three parties.”Shah credited the Modi government with restoring peace and initiating development, contrasting it with past turmoil. He highlighted the abolition of Article 370, declaring, “The tricolour is flying high across Jammu and Kashmir.” Shah emphasised the BJP’s commitment to Kashmir’s welfare, expressing optimism for the party’s growth in the region. He declared, “When we get love (of Kashmiris), the lotus will bloom in Kashmir as well,” indicating the party’s aspirations for political success.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the government intends to literate 3.5 lakh adults through the New India Literacy Programme in 2024-25.
SOPORE
In the dusk-lit village of Malpora, Sopore, during Ramzan, residents embarked on a door-to-door donation drive to fund the mosque’s completion. Among donors was an anonymous young orphan who tendered an egg, accepted albeit unusable for construction. The egg went to auction, yielding Rs 1.48 lakh on Eid, accumulating Rs 226,640 over three days. Danish Ahmad, a twelfth grader, clinched the final bid at Rs 70,000, driven by his passion for the mosque’s completion. Despite his modest means, Danish’s gesture was met with maternal pride. Malpora, home to about 250 households, relies on a community effort, emphasising the collective struggle to finish the mosque. Situated en route from Sopore to Bandipore, the village’s residents, primarily orchard workers, pool resources earnestly.
Kashmir has 421 patients registered with the Hemophilia Society of Kashmir.
JAMMU
The Election Commission announced that Kashmiri Pandit migrants in Jammu and Udhampur districts no longer need to fill ‘Form M’ to vote in their native constituencies in the Valley. Instead, they will be “mapped” to special polling stations in their current zones. Form M, introduced in 1996, facilitated voting for migrant Kashmiri Pandits. However, complexities and uncertainties led to low turnout. Now, the EC plans separate voter lists and special polling booths for migrant voters, potentially impacting elections significantly. The move simplifies voting procedures and acknowledges the potential influence of Kashmiri Pandit migrants, particularly in constituencies with historically low turnout.
MUMBAI
A vast section of film nagri now is seen in Kashmir. Last year, Kashmir hosted the shooting of 102 films and web series. This year more than 200 filmmakers have sought permission. In the last two years, around 700 producers applied for shooting permissions, with 300 receiving the green light. Right now, it is a flick Kashmir – Enigma of Paradise that is being talked about. It reportedly delves into Kashmir’s obscured history, revealing tales of turmoil amidst its scenic beauty. It confronts the shadows of invasion, religious strife, and cultural erasure, shedding light on the region’s untold narrative spanning over a century. With filming underway in Ellora Studio, Mumbai, the project aims to defy stereotypes and attempts to present an “authentic portrayal” of Kashmir’s essence. Director Atul Garg emphasises the film’s unique exploration, promising a journey from pre-independence to contemporary Kashmir. Featuring a diverse cast including Reenal Saran and Raza Mufti, who plays Syed Salahuddin in the film, the film endeavours to captivate audiences with its rich narrative and nuanced perspectives.
JAMMU KASHMIR
Right now, when Jammu and Kashmir is electing its new group of MPs, what was the performance of the incumbent politicians? With varying levels of engagement, if the three MPS each from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are scrutinised, an image emerges. Notably, Hasnain Masoodi from Anantnag stands out with above-average attendance and participation. Conversely, Farooq Abdullah and Mohammad Akbar Lone exhibited sporadic engagement, while Jugal Kishore demonstrated robust involvement despite being from the ruling party. The significance of MPs’ parliamentary duties amidst Jammu and Kashmir’s transition to a Union Territory underscores the electorate’s role in assessing their representatives’ performance.
JAMMU
Three individuals have been apprehended by the police for allegedly facilitating an under-trial in a murder case by hurling a mobile phone into the highly secure District Jail Amphalla. The incident, which involved concealing the phone inside a Cosco ball, prompted the registration of a case under Section 42 of the Prison Act. A special team was formed to address the situation. Mohammad Akheel Wani, Harsh Singh, and Vikas Singh alias Raja were identified as the culprits behind the scheme. They planned to assist Vishwajeet Singh, an under-trial, by providing him with the phone. Harsh Singh and Vikas Singh executed the act on April 2, 2024, by throwing the ball containing the phone into the jail premises. While Harsh Singh was already in custody, Vikas Singh was apprehended along with the motorcycle used in the offence on April 12, 2024.
JAMMU KASHMIR
Eleven candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified for the UPSC-2023. Anmol Rathore, hailing from Udrana Village, secured an impressive 7th rank. Having topped the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Examination (JKCCE)-2022, Rathore credited her success to hard work and support from her parents and digital platforms. Arjun Gupta, from Ramkote Tehsil (Kathua), achieved an impressive Rank 32, while Manan Bhat, from Srinagar, secured AIR 88. Harnit Singh Sudan, Mohammad Haris Mir, Mohammad Farhan Seh, Aparajita Aryan, Dr Ghulam Maya Din, Suvan Sharma, Seerat Baji, and Dinash Kumar also achieved notable ranks. Last year 16 candidates cracked the coveted civil service examination. Manan Bhat is already an IPS officer allotted Telangana cadre after he cracked the examination last year with 231 rank.
BEERWA
Recognising the sacrifices of security personnel, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, directed the state government to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to the family of a BSF constable who disappeared during the Kashmir unrest 32 years ago. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, acknowledging the constable’s service to the nation, remarked on his likely fate at the hands of militants. The case, brought by the constable’s mother and brother, sought implementation of recommendations for compensation and employment benefits. The state argued against compensation, citing the constable’s duty to report security threats. Justice Kumar clarified the non-binding nature of State Human Rights Commission recommendations, citing precedent. Despite the state’s limited liability for the disappearance, the court emphasised its moral obligation towards those who serve the nation. Considering the constable’s service and the dangers faced by security personnel, the court ordered compensation as a tribute to his sacrifice. The case pertained to Nazir Ahmad Dhobi, a resident of Sail in Beerwa, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1992. The petitioners said Dhobi, a constable was kidnapped, tortured and freed and later he went to join his duties in Rajasthan but never reached there, presuming he was kidnapped again and killed.
SRINAGAR
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court annulled a preventive detention order against Jaffar Ahmad Parray, asserting that in a democratic nation like India, authorities cannot detain citizens without registering a criminal case. Justice Rahul Bharti, issuing a Writ of Habeas Corpus, emphasised that India isn’t a police state and citizens cannot be detained based solely on interrogation without due legal process. Parray, detained under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, challenged his detention, arguing it lacked concrete evidence and legal basis. The court scrutinised the grounds of detention, highlighting the absence of legal authority for Parray’s interrogation. It stressed the separation of powers, cautioning against police intervention without magisterial oversight. The court criticised authorities for disregarding Parray’s representation against the detention order. Ultimately, it quashed the order and ordered Parray’s immediate release, insisting on the importance of respecting citizens’ rights and due process.
RAFIABAD
In Rafiabad (Baramulla), an elderly woman was allegedly killed by her son. The victim, aged 48 and a resident of Hadipora Sopore, suffered critical injuries from a knife attack by her son and succumbed despite being rushed to Sub-district Hospital Sopore. The accused, identified as Amir Farooq Wani, was promptly apprehended by the police at the scene. Residents said the killer-son was a driver and a drug addict and was nick-named Gajini. In March 2023, in a similar tragedy in Dangerpora (Baramulla) another ‘drug addict’ son, Showket Ahmed, killed his elderly mother.
KATHUA
Literally, on the eve of polling, Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh is embroiled in controversy as an FIR has been lodged against him in Kathua, alleging misbehaviour with a police party. The incident, reportedly occurring two days prior, has surfaced amidst Singh’s electoral contest against BJP’s Dr Jitendra Singh in the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency. Filed at the Kathua police station prompted by a complaint from Sub-Inspector Swarn Singh Manhas, the FIR invokes several sections of the Indian Penal Code, notably Section 353 for obstructing public servant duties, alongside Sections 500, 504, and 506, addressing defamation, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation. He is already facing music for his case in the Enforcement Directorate that had led him to jail. He is on bail and the High Court is deciding on his bail extension a day after the polling is over. It indicates Choudhary’s post-poll days are also expected to be interesting.
