SRINAGAR
The second Kashmir Women Cricket League 2024 season began last week at Sher-I-Kashmir Cricket Stadium. Organised by 31 Sub Area under Chinar Corps, the tournament features 12 teams and 160 women cricketers across Kashmir. The opening ceremony, attended by the GOC of 31 Sub Area and the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, encouraged participants to exhibit their skills and sportsmanship. The event runs from August 1 to 8, with the unveiling of the tournament trophy marking its official start. This year’s league promotes women’s cricket, fostering competition and camaraderie. Supported by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, Ujala Cygnus Hospitals, and Hope Alive NGO, the tournament highlights a community-wide effort to empower women and promote gender equality in sports.
The Rs 41000 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project is set to be completed this year, with 255 km of the 272 km already finished.
SRINAGAR
The Film Conclave 2024 began at SKICC in Kashmir, featuring prominent Bollywood directors and actors like Madhur Bhandarkar, Rahat Kazmi, Karan Johar, Parag Mehta, and Mir Sarwar. Bhandarkar, a Padma Shri awardee, highlighted the ease of shooting in Kashmir due to the administration’s single window initiative and encouraged exploring off-beat locations. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha detailed efforts to make Jammu and Kashmir a global film destination, drawing inspiration from European models and addressing gaps in the 2021 film policy with the New Film Policy 2024. This policy includes a single window cell for streamlined shooting permissions and attractive subsidy grants for filmmakers. The event also marked the launch of the JK Film Screening series and the Frames of Transformation Photography Competition, showcasing the region’s commitment to nurturing local talent and reviving its cinematic heritage. Sinha emphasised Kashmir’s historic bond with cinema and the administration’s efforts to rebuild the film industry, including better infrastructure and road connectivity to shooting locations.
More than 2000 Border Security Force personnel were mobilized for deployment in Reasi, Kishtwar, and Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir.
KOLKOTTA
In a dramatic incident, a mother-in-law, Anari Sheikh (50), was abandoned in Kashmir after a heated quarrel with her daughter-in-law during a family trip. Left without cash or a mobile phone, Anari was rescued by the police. In mid-July, Saheb Sheikh (27), his wife, and his mother Anari embarked on a trip to Kashmir. Later, Saheb and his wife returned to their home in Canning, West Bengal, without Anari, raising suspicions among relatives and neighbours. Saheb’s aunt lodged a police complaint, leading to the couple’s confession. the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Canning confirmed Anari’s rescue and the couple’s arrest. Anari, who is barely literate, expressed relief at being rescued.
A total of 117 Smart City projects were completed in Jammu and 132 in Srinagar and all-out efforts are being made to complete the remaining 42 projects worth Rs 642 crore by March 31, 2025.
LADAKH
Following recent meetings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Indian and Chinese officials met in New Delhi to resolve the military stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The 30th Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was led by India’s Gourangalal Das and China’s Hong Liang. The discussions aimed to advance the dialogues from meetings in Astana and Vientiane. The MEA stated that both sides reviewed the LAC situation, emphasising the restoration of peace and respect for the LAC as crucial for normalizing bilateral relations. The delegations agreed to maintain peace following bilateral agreements and protocols. The talks were described as constructive and forward-looking, with a commitment to continue through diplomatic and military channels.
Police have registered 11 cases against land and house owners in Samba for allegedly failing to provide details of their tenants.
JAMMU
Jammu and Kashmir’s LG Manoj Sinha administration has granted proprietary rights on state land to thousands of Hindu families who migrated from Pakistan during the 1947 Partition. These West Pakistan refugees, now living in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and Rajouri districts, were previously denied state jobs and property ownership due to Article 370 restrictions. With the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, they received domicile rights. The new decision aims to end long-standing ‘discrimination’ and empower these families by granting them ownership of the land they’ve inhabited for decades. The move is seen as a strategic effort by the government to garner support ahead of upcoming Assembly elections. A leader of the refugees said their number has grown from 5764 families in 1947 to 22170 families. The decision will give us ownership rights over 46,666 kanals (5,833 acres) of land and benefit 20 per cent of families as 80 per cent live on evacuee land.
Jammu and Kashmir is installing solar panels on the rooftops of 2838 government buildings to generate 63 MW of clean energy.
SRINAGAR
The Administrative Council, led by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, approved a revised policy for delineating lands recorded as Gair Mumkin Khads. The policy segregates non-watercourse khads, allowing the development of these lands. This decision builds on earlier directives and decentralises the delineation process, empowering Deputy Commissioners and various committees based on land size. Modern technologies like Digital Elevation Models will be used for accurate delineation.
Kashmir’s handloom and handicraft exports have surged from Rs 563 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 1,162 crore in 2023-24.
GANDERBAL
In a significant legal development, a Ganderbal court issued a show-cause notice to Deputy Commissioner Shyambir, questioning why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him under the Contempt of Courts Act. Sub-judge Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi accused Shyambir of non-compliance with a court order regarding land acquisition compensation. Despite a directive in January 2024, Shyambir allegedly failed to act, leading to an order on June 21 to withhold the salaries of involved officials. The court further accused Shyambir of retaliating against Judge Qureshi by conspiring with other officials to fabricate charges, including investigating land owned by the judge without legitimate grounds. The court labelled these actions as attempts to scandalise the judge and abuse of power, warranting criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court recommended administrative action against Shyambir, including his transfer and further investigation into his conduct, informing the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Atul Dulloo, of the situation.
Kashmir’s Rs 2919 crore ambitious semi-ring road project is anticipated to be ready by June 2025. Its 34.72 km 4-lane phase-I connects Galander to Narbal and 27.2 km 2-lane phase-II Narbal to Ganderbal. The project requires 4730 kanals of agricultural land, mostly (3661) in Budgam.
MANSBAL
A study by Kashmir University and Punjab’s Indian Institute of Science Education and Research has uncovered heavy metal pollution and microplastics in Central Kashmir’s Manasbal Lake, known as the Valley’s deepest lake and a pristine water body. The two-year study, led by Arshid Jehangir, found significant contamination with metals like lead, copper, and cobalt, particularly near human settlements. Manasbal Lake exhibited a higher pollution load of microplastics compared to other Himalayan lakes such as Rewalsar and Pangong. These pollutants pose a risk of chronic toxicity due to bio-magnification. The study highlights the need for improved waste management to reduce microplastic contamination. Pollution index values for water and sediment samples were below ‘hazard level I,’ indicating baseline contamination, but the presence of heavy metals on microplastics raises concerns about environmental and health risks. Manasbal Lake, also renowned for its lotus plants and as a vital habitat for aquatic birds, faces threats from these pollutants, underscoring the urgency for intervention to protect this important ecosystem.
Jammu and Kashmir registered the highest number of UAPA cases in India from 2020 to 2022, with 947 cases, accounting for over 36% of the country’s total (2615).
RAJASTHAN
The Rajasthan Secondary Education Department has scheduled celebrations for Vir Savarkar Jayanti and the abrogation of Article 370 in the 2024-25 academic calendar. Vir Savarkar Jayanti is set for May 28, and Swarna Mukut Mastak Diwas, marking the abrogation of Article 370, will be observed on August 5. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra criticised the decision, accusing the government of imposing RSS ideology on students and government employees.
Jammu and Kashmir government built 17 godowns for farmers and other beneficiaries under the Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) scheme since its inception on April 1, 2001.
REASI
India’s Ministry of Mines has annulled the auction for a lithium block in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district for the second time, citing insufficient investor interest. The block, containing an estimated 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore, was first auctioned in November 2023 but was cancelled in March 2024 due to inadequate bidders. A subsequent auction attempt in July also failed due to a lack of qualified bidders. Concerns were raised about the block’s size and the feasibility of extracting lithium. The Ministry is now considering additional exploration. The project faces challenges due to security concerns in the region, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh attributing the lack of interest to ongoing violence and suggesting that a recent reduction in import duty on lithium may further hinder domestic mining efforts. Despite these issues, the government has launched a fourth round of auctions offering 21 critical mineral blocks across various states, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals.
Kashmir saw more than 16 lakh tourist arrivals this year so far
PUGA
India’s first geothermal power project has begun drilling in the geothermal-rich Puga Valley, 190 km from Leh. This one-megawatt pilot initiative is a collaborative effort between ONGC, the LAHDC Leh, and HRECF. Located at over 14,000 feet, the project aims to provide space heating and support aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism activities like lagoon spas. Preliminary surveys show a temperature of 200°C at 1,000 meters depth, adequate for the pilot unit. Drilling is expected to finish this season. The project stems from a 2021 MoU involving the Ladakh UT Administration, LAHDC-Leh, ONGC, and HRECF. Successful completion could lead to exploiting a five sq km area potentially generating 200 MW of clean energy. Previous initiatives fell flat as the wheeling of the energy became a major issue.
In July, Jammu and Kashmir saw eight encounters, three attacks on security forces and three infiltration attempts in which 14 security men and 13 militants were killed.
SOPORE
A tragic blast in Sopore resulted in the deaths of four individuals. The explosion occurred at a scrap dealer’s shop in Sher Colony while unloading scrap from a truck that had recently arrived from Ladakh. The victims, Nazir Ahmad Nadroo (40), Aazim Ashraf Mir (20), Aadil Rashid Bhat (23), and Mohammad Azhar (25), all residents of Sher Colony, were working with the scrap when the incident happened. At least three of them belong to the same family.
