SRINAGAR
During his overnight stay in Srinagar to stitch a pre-poll alliance with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Rahul Gandhi visited various city locations. With his team, he went to Ahdoos Hotel for dinner and later had an ice cream at Erina on the fashionable Residency Road. Since these visits took place later in the night, there was no media glare around. Later, speaking to his party workers, he shared lighter moments with them saying that he enjoyed Wazwan, unlike the Congress President Malikarjun Kharge. “Kharge ji has a bit of a problem,” he said. “He went to Kerala for treatment and is now a vegetarian. The doctor has instructed him to eat vegetarian food for 15 days, and he couldn’t enjoy Wazwan yesterday.”
The government of India has deployed nearly 300 paramilitary companies across the Kashmir valley including 55 in Srinagar city for the smooth conduct of elections.
BANIHAL
The new Naya Kashmir has newer stories. Ghulam Nabi Bhat, 71, died at a hospital in Ramban last week, allegedly due to the unavailability of medical staff to administer CPR. Bhat, suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was brought to the Sub-District Hospital in Banihal by his son, Altaf Ahmad. With no doctors or paramedics present, Ahmad was forced to perform CPR on his father himself. Despite his efforts, Bhat was declared dead after being transferred to the casualty room half an hour later. A video of the incident, showing Ahmad trying to revive his father, has gone viral. The follow-up was quick. The Chief Medical Officer has constituted a committee to fix the responsibility!
Jammu and Kashmir’s total number of electors (voters) stands at 88.03 lakhs.
AMARNATH
The 2024 Amarnath pilgrimage concluded successfully, with over 5.12 lakh pilgrims visiting the Hindu cave shrine, the highest number in the past 12 years. The 52-day yatra, which commenced on June 29 and ended on August 19, saw a significant increase from last year’s 4.5 lakh visitors, though it fell short of the 2012 record of over 6 lakh pilgrims. The pilgrimage involved two routes, Baltal and Pahalgam, with the final leg marked by the Chhari Mubarak procession, a journey led by sages that culminated in the cave shrine. The procession began at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar, covering a 145-kilometre route with rituals performed at various locations. The yatra concluded with a final pooja at the shrine on Shravan-Punima, on August 19.
On September 18, 24 assembly constituencies are going to polls. As many as 23,27,543 voters including 11,76,441 males, 11,51,042 females, 60 third gender, 28,310 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and 15,774 above the age of 85 are eligible to cast their vote.
MARWAH
The Kishtwar district administration has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in the remote Marwah area, leading to the arrest of two suspects under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The incident sparked protests, with videos of local women demonstrating going viral. Accusations arose that Station House Officer (SHO) Zaheer Iqbal used force to disperse the protesters and attempted to shield the accused in Hanzal village. In response, Kishtwar Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Qayoom suspended the SHO and confirmed the suspects’ arrests. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Dr Mohammad Ashraf visited the village to address tensions, announcing the deployment of additional police officers and confirming the SHO’s attachment following complaints. Villagers, angered by the incident, ransacked and attempted to set fire to the house of one accused. The administration has also deployed teachers to support students in the affected area, and the SDM has one month to complete the investigation.
Almost 30 per cent of the total electorates in Jammu and Kashmir are aged between 18 and 29.
LEH
Abdul Gani Sheikh, a prominent broadcaster, writer, and historian, passed away at a Srinagar hospital. He was 94. His mortal remains were later driven to his home in Leh, Ladakh, for burial. Born on March 5, 1936, Sheikh was a leading figure in Ladakhi literature and a passionate promoter of the Urdu language, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of the region. Sheikh’s literary contributions were extensive, with his novel Dil Hi Tau Hai receiving the Best Book Award from the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages. A prolific author, his works include celebrated short story collections like Zojila Ke Aar Paar and novels such as Woh Zamana. Sheikh’s passion for writing emerged early, publishing in Urdu magazines while still in school. Sheikh began his career in veterinary sciences before transitioning into education, serving as a headmaster, and later joining the Information Department as a Field Publicity Officer in Leh. His commitment to preserving Ladakhi culture was evident in his work with All India Radio and Doordarshan Srinagar, where he served as a correspondent and News Editor. He was also an accomplished scriptwriter and researcher, known for documentaries like The Nomads and The Dards, and for his widely recognised research on Ladakhi architecture. His publications, including Tibet and Central Asia and Reflections on Ladakh, further solidified his legacy. Sheikh’s work earned national and international acclaim, with his participation in global conferences like the International Association for Ladakh Studies events in Germany and Rome. His passing has been deeply mourned across Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, as his contributions to culture and literature have left an enduring legacy that will be remembered for generations.
Jammu and Kashmir Committee for Fixation and Regulation of Fee of Private Schools (FFRC) has imposed a fine of Rs 9.60 lacs on Minto Circle English Medium Senior Secondary School, Aloochi Bagh, Srinagar.
MUMBAI
Alia Bhatt is back in Srinagar. This time she and Sharvari Wagh will collaborate for the first time in the spy universe film Alpha, which has generated significant buzz since its announcement. The duo is set to begin shooting in Kashmir on August 24, with Hrithik Roshan potentially joining them for a special cameo. The film’s action sequences have been meticulously planned, including a major face-off between Sharvari’s character and Bobby Deol’s. Hrithik Roshan is rumoured to reprise his role as Kabir from War, acting as a mentor to Alia’s character. Alpha, directed by Shiv Rawail and produced by Aditya Chopra, is part of YRF’s expanding Spy Universe. Alia and Sharvari previously teased the project in July, building excitement among fans.
DAL LAKE
The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee reported to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that untreated water from around 910 houseboats is still being discharged into the famed Dal Lake, severely impacting its water quality. Of the 24 water samples collected across Dal and Nigeen Lakes, only one met the Class B criteria, indicating poor water quality overall. The report highlighted issues with Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Srinagar, noting that the treated water from these plants does not meet prescribed standards and is entering the lake, contributing to pollution. The NGT had previously directed several authorities, including the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority and the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, to address the lake’s deteriorating condition due to urbanisation and untreated sewage. The NGT has issued strict directives to the authorities to rectify these issues, with legal consequences for non-compliance.
SRINAGAR
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has granted the government a four-week extension to report on the progress of establishing the Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which has been inactive since the abrogation of Article 370. This extension follows a review of a status report that cited delays due to a shortage of qualified candidates for key positions. The court’s division bench, including Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, responded to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking judicial intervention for the commission’s formation. The committee tasked with the appointments faced challenges, leading to recommendations for changes in eligibility criteria, which are awaiting approval. Previously, the court had set a deadline for a status report, with potential consequences for non-compliance. The commission, vital under the Protection of Child Rights Act, faces delays due to the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and issues in the appointment process.
BARAMULLA
A man in Baramulla was injured after jumping from a building during two back-to-back tremors last week. The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 4.7 and 4.8, caused widespread panic, prompting residents to rush out of their homes. The injured man, who suffered a leg injury, was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition. Although no major structural damage has been reported, the local administration is monitoring the situation. In a related event, Baramulla experienced a third tremor with a 3.6 magnitude just a day later, marking three quakes in 36 hours. Several constructions have suffered minor damages in Kupwara.
RAJOURI
Happening at the peak of a country-wide protest against the Kolkotta tragedy, a man named Gurpreet Singh was arrested for causing a disturbance and harassing an on-duty female doctor at the sub-district hospital in Nowshera (Rajouri). Singh’s unruly behaviour occurred around 12:45 am when he accompanied a patient and allegedly engaged in hooliganism, smashing a windowpane and verbally abusing the doctor before fleeing. His actions led to a protest by the hospital’s doctors and paramedics, who demanded strict action and better security. The protest was called off after senior officials informed the staff about Singh’s arrest and the registration of a case against him under relevant criminal laws.
GUREZ
In Gurez, the anticipated benefits of June and July rains for crops like rajma, black cumin, and potatoes have been thwarted by near-zero rainfall, leading to widespread crop failure. The agrarian population, which relies on maize, peas, potatoes, and rajma, faces severe losses as September’s harvest approaches. Local farmers reported that the usual rainfall has been absent, resulting in dried-up crops and no growth. The drought has affected all major crops, including black cumin and potatoes, with expectations of only 10 to 15 per cent of the usual harvest. Irrigation systems have also failed due to dry seasonal streams. The situation is exacerbated by Gurez’s isolation for nearly half the year, affecting food and livestock supplies. Experts and local officials confirm that the drought and erratic weather, including pathogen attacks, have led to significant crop damage, with predictions of minimal yields this year.
LADAKH
Lena Ladakh Pashmina, founded in 2016 by Sonam Angmo and Stanzin Minglak, is revitalising the Pashmina trade in Leh by merging traditional techniques with Ladakh’s cultural heritage. This all-women start-up, which includes 33 local artisans, focuses on sustainable, handcrafted Pashmina products using natural dyes from local plants and minerals. The studio, on the outskirts of Leh, employs 13 women who work on weaving, dyeing, and finishing the fabric. Lena Ladakh Pashmina emphasises traditional Ladakhi methods and aims to provide dignified livelihoods while preserving nearly lost skills. The founders’ research and hands-on workshops help educate clients about the unique attributes of Ladakhi Pashmina.
