KASHMIR
Jammu and Kashmir established the Focused Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Monitoring Committee (FGMC). To be chaired by the Principal Secretary Home, it will have 16 members. The responsible Department(s) will support the Committee in its field study observations. The mandate envisages assessing the condition of glaciers and glacial lakes and determining which glacial lakes are most vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOOF) based on a list supplied by the National Disaster Management Authority.
Gulmarg Gandola pocked a Rs 110 crore turnover in 2023-24, Rs 10 crore more than in 2022-23. In 2020-21, it was Rs 47.81 crore.
SOPORE
It is now obvious that top batter Sachin Tendulkar is keeping tabs on every good cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir. After Amir Hussain, a cricketing legend, he has now gone public that he was impressed by Hurmat Irshad Bhat, the 9-year-old Sopore girl. Sharing a video of the girl playing, the star batter tweeted: “Always good to see young girls playing cricket. Watching videos like these brings a smile to my face.” Hurmat is from Pazalpora (Bomai). Her videos on social media have garnered acclaim and appreciation for her extraordinary talent, and they have gone viral. The cover drive is the young batter’s defining move, which she is meticulously perfecting with work and determination.
Sonamarg received 91,586 tourists, including 3,079 foreigners till March 31, 2024.
KASHMIR
Data from the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Headquarters shows that Jammu and Kashmir witnessed 28,896 traffic incidents over the past five years, with 4,251 fatalities and 37,725 injuries. In 2019, 3907 road accidents in Jammu resulted in 695 fatalities and 4987 injuries, while the Kashmir division had 1889 accidents that caused 2545 injuries and 301 deaths. The Jammu division reported more accidents in the ensuing years than Kashmir. In 2020, 1,774 road accidents in Kashmir resulted in 241 deaths and 2,096 injuries, while 3,086 road accidents in Jammu saw 487 fatalities and 3,798 injuries. In 2021, there were 3,584 road accidents reported in the Jammu division, resulting in 560 fatalities and 4,640 injuries, while 1,868 accidents were reported in Kashmir, resulting in 214 fatalities and 2,332 injuries.
The GST revenue collected in March 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir was Rs 601 Cr compared to Rs 477 Cr in March 2023. J&K recorded 23 per cent Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth in GST revenue in February 2024.
GANDERBAL
Videos showcasing the human and wild animal conflict are just a routine. But the viral video that emerged from Ganderbal last week was something that was never seen. A group of wildlife protection officials were seen using sticks and bare hands to catch a leopard that had barged into Fatehpora village. It was caught after it left five persons injured including a wildlife official whose arm the leopard caught for a long time. What was tragic was that so many people criticised the wildlife officials and some even used very bad adjectives to describe the behaviour of the residents. The incident coincided with a leopard leaving four persons injured in various Shopian villages.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have recruited 915 new women constables.
BIJBEHARA
The Indian Air Force has successfully activated a 3.5-kilometre Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in Anantnag. This milestone was marked by the landing of two US-built Chinooks, one Russian-made Mi-17, and two IAF Advance Light Helicopters (ALH) on the Wanpoh-Sangam section of the highway. This activation expands the ELF network beyond Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, bolstering the IAF’s operational preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir. The joint effort with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways underscores the military’s adaptability in repurposing civilian infrastructure for strategic purposes, affirming the IAF’s readiness to overcome challenges, both domestic and international.
Two earthquakes of mild intensity rocked the Kishtwar.
KATHUA
The gang wars in Jammu have become visible. A shootout at Government Medical College (GMC) in Kathua led to the demise of a gangster, identified as Vasudev aka Shunnu, and a probationary sub-inspector (SI) Deepak Sharma from Udhampur. Sharma, stationed at Ramgarh police station, suffered fatal head injuries. Besides, a special police official (SPO) sustained injuries. Shunnu, previously detained under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), had six criminal charges against him at Ramgarh police station. Linked to a gang led by Jatinder Singh alias Shallu, wanted for the killing of Mohan Cheer in Mohali, Punjab, Shunnu’s encounter sparked concerns among Kathua locals, especially with impending elections. This is the second major gang war fatality in the region in a month.
113,000 Kashmiri migrants are eligible to vote in three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir.
GANDERBAL
A woman’s arrest for theft took an unexpected turn as it was revealed she had stolen from her own sister’s home while visiting as a guest. Kaiser Ahmad Waza reported to Ganderbal Police that his sister-in-law pilfered gold ornaments from his house’s locker. Following legal procedures, PS Ganderbal filed a case (FIR No. 64/2024) and a dedicated team, under SSP Ganderbal Sandeep Gupta’s guidance, swiftly acted. The culprit was apprehended in Srinagar’s Hari Singh High Street through diligent police work and technical support. Confessing to the crime, she admitted to selling the stolen gold for cash. Authorities seized Rs 1,85,500 in cash and a scooter she owned upon disclosure.
In separate incidents, at least six drug peddlers were arrested across Kashmir.
SRINAGAR
Without offering any reason, the Jammu and Kashmir government prevented the Jumatul Vida congregation at Jamia Masjid and later the Shab-e-Qadr congregation as well. The police locked the premises including the surrounding market and placed Mirwaiz Umer Farooq under house arrest.
25 new smart city buses to ply on the Srinagar roads.
LADAKH
Amidst plans for Sonam Wangchuk’s Pashmina March on April 7 in Leh, authorities implemented Section 144 of CrPC 1973 and reduced internet speed to 2G to maintain peace. The District Magistrate cited credible threats to peace and public tranquillity, prohibiting processions, rallies, or public gatherings without prior approval. Violations would result in punitive action. Besides, ADGP Ladakh ordered the reduction of mobile data services to 2G, fearing misuse to incite unrest. Wangchuk criticised the imposition, emphasising Ladakh’s peaceful stance. His planned ‘border march’ aims to address Ladakh’s demands for statehood and highlight alleged encroachments by China. Wangchuk previously ended a 21-day hunger strike advocating Ladakh’s statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The march symbolises a Gandhian approach to civil disobedience.
More than 1000 Muslims performed Aitikaf in Kashmir’s largest seminary Darul Uloom Rahimiya, in Bandipora.
JAMMU
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is set to lead massive rallies to bolster BJP’s campaign for the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Scheduled for April 12 in Udhampur, Modi’s rally will support BJP candidates Dr Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma for the Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Reasi constituencies respectively. Besides, Amit Shah will address a rally on April 9 in Raipur-Domana, while Adityanath will rally in Kathua on April 10. With Udhampur-Doda going to polls on April 19 and Jammu-Reasi on April 26, BJP’s top leadership aims to mobilize support in the region, highlighting key candidates and issues.
BARAMULLA
The upgrading of teaching facilities at the District Hospital, now the Associated Hospital of Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, initiated in 2019, has seen sluggish progress, reaching only 30 per cent completion despite nearly 50 per cent of the allocated funds being utilised. With an estimated cost of Rs 30 crores, Rs 26 crores were allocated under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), of which Rs 13.85 crores have been utilised.
PATTAN
The introduction of Jammu and Kashmir’s first private Plant Tissue Culture (PTC) laboratory in Goshbug Pattan village (Baramulla), marks a significant advancement for local agriculture. Spearheaded by Senior Scientist Dr GM Yattoo of the Iqbal Agro Group, the lab specialises in producing virus-free plants, reducing the risk associated with imported varieties. Established three years ago, it has rapidly expanded, producing 62,000 plants last year alone with a target of 10 lakh million this year.
AWANTIPORA
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into the exploitation of Indian youth, including Azad Yousuf Kumar, drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict under false pretences. Family members of Azad and others have provided statements to the CBI after the agency filed an FIR against 19 individuals and visa consultancies involved in the exploitation. Azad’s elder brother, Sajad Ahmed Kumar, recounted Azad’s ordeal, emphasising their inability to meet CBI’s request due to financial constraints. The CBI’s probe revealed a complex human trafficking network enticing Indian youths with false job promises, subsequently coercing them into military roles. Azad, initially seeking employment in Dubai, was misled and ended up as a mercenary for the Russian army, facing perilous conditions at the Ukraine border. Despite Indian authorities’ efforts, little progress has been made in securing their safe return, highlighting the urgent need for intervention amidst the ongoing conflict.
MATTAN
A Jammu and Kashmir government communication dated March 27, 2024, suggested the restoration of the iconic Sun temple at Martand. Addressed to seven officers, it called for a meeting to discuss the protection and restoration of the temple, along with plans to install a statue of Emperor Lalitaditya. This document symbolises a potential revival of lost Hindu heritage in Kashmir, amidst decades of “neglect and demographic changes”. The Martand Sun temple, built in the eighth century CE, stands as a testament to Kashmir’s rich history, despite enduring centuries of devastation. Alongside the Sun temple, other ancient shrines in Kashmir, like the Avantiswami temple and Loduv’s Shiva temple, also await restoration.
