KOCHI
The Jammu and Kashmir government has fast-tracked the proposed Srinagar Water Metro project. Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL), tasked by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) with conducting feasibility studies nationwide, accelerated its study in Srinagar and found the project viable. A three-member KMRL team visited in May, identifying potential routes along Dal Lake and the Jhelum River. The plan targets locals and tourists, with a focus on electric boats to protect the fragile ecosystem. A preliminary report is expected by mid-July.
SKUAST-Kashmir received a record 18,477 applications for just over 1,000 seats, making it the most sought-after agricultural university in India.
NETHERLAND
Living on Dal Lake, 69-year-old Dutch national Ellis Hubertina Spaanderman has launched a personal crusade against plastic waste in Kashmir. Deeply moved by the beauty of the Valley and disturbed by littered picnic spots, she actively campaigns to reduce plastic use, highlighting its health hazards through microplastic contamination. A frequent cyclist who embraces a simple, nature-friendly lifestyle, Ellis first visited Kashmir 25 years ago and now calls it home. She praises the warmth of Kashmiris, shares her eco-conscious journey on Instagram, and draws inspiration from the sustainable lives of Gujjars and Bakerwals. Ellis even rows her shikara across the lake.
Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bohra visited the family of Adil Hussain Shah, killed in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, offering condolences and a Rs 5 lakh relief cheque.
SRINAGAR
Suhail Ahmad Bhat, now 20, shares the dressing room with Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, a remarkable journey from being a 14-year-old ball boy in Srinagar to joining the national team. Bhat is part of the 28-man squad for India’s upcoming matches, potentially becoming only the fourth player from Jammu and Kashmir to represent India. His rise mirrors the revival of Kashmir football, rooted in the preservation of the TRC Ground in 2007. This ground later became the home of Real Kashmir FC, the first J&K club to play in India’s top division, inspiring young talents like Bhat. His father, Mohammad Abdullah Bhat, a labourer and football enthusiast, encouraged Suhail to pursue his dream despite humble beginnings. Coaches like Mehrajuddin Wadoo nurtured Bhat’s talent at the state football academy. Known for his strength and discipline, Bhat now plays for Mohun Bagan and is viewed as a promising striker amid India’s search for reliable forwards, marking a hopeful chapter for Kashmiri football.
In 2025, so far, Jammu Kashmir Police in Udhampur arrested 149 drug peddlers and cattle smugglers, convicted 61, attached assets worth over Rs 4.19 crore, and froze 35 bank accounts.
MUMBAI
Comedian Daniel Fernandes has received a legal notice from two Supreme Court lawyers over his stand-up video The Kashmir Terror Attack, which satirises media and public responses to the Pahalgam massacre. The 23-minute set, released in May, was criticised for allegedly mocking cultural values and trivialising the tragedy. Fernandes, asked to remove the video by June 3, refused, defending it as satire and protected expression. He publicly shared the notice and his reply, warning against the rising trend of silencing dissent. His stance has reignited debate over artistic freedom, drawing support from comedians and free speech advocates alike.
JKRERA has fined real estate developers Rs 10 lakh for not registering their ongoing Sang Talab project in Raipur Domana, Jammu.
LADAKH
The Centre has announced sweeping changes in Ladakh, reserving 85 per cent of jobs for locals and one-third of Hill Council seats for women. Official languages now include English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi, with English continuing for administrative work. Domicile status will be granted to those residing in Ladakh for 15 years or studying for seven, as well as to children and spouses of government employees. The new rules also maintain a 10 per cent EWS quota, and include 80 per cent for Scheduled Tribes, four per cent for those near borders, and one per cent for Scheduled Castes. The Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have welcomed these changes, which were finalised in a May 27 High Powered Committee meeting. Notifications issued by the President also define domicile rights and the rotation of women’s seats in the Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils. Special provisions have been made to promote native languages like Shina, Brokskat, Balti, and Ladakhi. These developments follow long-standing demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule protections, and cultural safeguards after Ladakh became a Union Territory in August 2019. The recent creation of five new districts raises questions about future administrative structures in the region.
Over 60 unexploded shells have been detected and safely defused in forward villages along the LoC in Poonch, a defence spokesperson said.
TULMULA
In a powerful demonstration of resilience and faith, thousands of Kashmiri Pandits gathered at the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal, for the annual Mela, held just weeks after the April 22 Pahalgam massacre that left 26 people dead. Despite heightened security and prevailing tensions, pilgrims arrived from across the country to celebrate ZyethAtham or Jyeshtha Ashtami with religious fervour. The temple, nestled under centuries-old Chinar trees, witnessed chants, barefoot processions, ritual offerings, and shared prayers for peace. Many devotees who had fled Kashmir decades ago prayed for dignified return and an end to their exile, calling on Kashmiri Muslims to embrace their homecoming. Leaders across party lines hailed the turnout as a strong message against militancy and a reaffirmation of communal harmony. NC president Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, BJP’s Tarun Chugh, and Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra all echoed the call for the Pandits’ safe and honourable return. The mela was described as both a spiritual gathering and a symbolic response to attempts at disrupting Hindu-Muslim unity. LG Manoj Sinha welcomed the gathering and assured continuous administrative support for the devotees. The successful congregation of over 35,000 pilgrims over four days stood out as a moment of collective assertion: that faith is stronger than fear, and that the ancient bond between Kashmir’s religious communities endures, even in the face of violence. The gathering also underlined the need for a political, inclusive roadmap for the rehabilitation and empowerment of the displaced community.
JAMMU KASHMIR
LG Manoj Sinha has dismissed three Jammu and Kashmir Government employees for their alleged involvement with banned militant outfits Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The sacked individuals, a police constable, a school teacher, and a junior assistant, were terminated under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which allows dismissal without inquiry in the interest of national security. All three are currently in jail. Investigations claimed their active roles in arms smuggling, logistics, and support for terror operations. Constable Malik Ishfaq Naseer allegedly helped LeT by identifying arms drop locations and distributing consignments. Teacher Ajaz Ahmed was arrested carrying Hizb-ul-Mujahideen arms and propaganda and was linked to a PoK-based handler. Junior Assistant Waseem Ahmad Khan was reportedly involved in the 2018 killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari. The action is part of a broader crackdown under LG Sinha’s administration, which has so far dismissed over 75 employees for terror links, aiming to dismantle networks within Government ranks.
KATRA
Goods trains are set to begin operating from Baramulla to major destinations such as New Delhi and Mumbai, marking a new phase in Kashmir’s freight connectivity. This development comes as part of the operationalisation of the final leg of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), a massive infrastructure project over four decades in the making. With the entire 272-km stretch now complete, the movement of essential supplies and seasonal produce via rail is expected to strengthen economic linkages between the Valley and the rest of India. Military specials and special trains for Amarnath pilgrims may also be introduced as required.
To formally dedicate this achievement to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the last stretch, Katra to Sangaldan, on June 6. He will flag off two Vande Bharat trains, one from Katra to Baramulla and another in the reverse direction, from a rally in Katra. Ahead of this, he will inspect the iconic Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge. Although passengers will initially have to change trains at Katra due to Jammu station’s ongoing expansion, direct trains to and from Jammu are expected by September. The inauguration also marks Modi’s first J&K visit since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
CHANDIGRAH
Tejwinder Singh, the judge who in 2019 convicted six men in the brutal Kathua rape and murder case, is now facing compulsory retirement. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recommended his removal for allegedly constructing a house without required permissions. Once celebrated as India’s youngest magistrate at age 23 and featured in the Limca Book of Records, Singh served as District and Sessions Judge in Pathankot during the high-profile Kathua trial. The action against him follows an internal probe and an administrative note by a supervising judge. The move reflects the High Court’s recent push for judicial accountability.
SRINAGAR
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha after nearly five years, signalling a shift in political engagement, recognising the LG’s authority over regional leaders. At Raj Bhawan, Mufti emphasised that any political process in Jammu and Kashmir is incomplete without the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits. She presented a detailed proposal including allotting half a kanal of land to returnees in their native districts, reserving assembly seats for Pandits, and offering financial aid for home repairs. She called the return a moral responsibility and urged flexibility in the PM’s rehabilitation package transfer policy to protect employees’ security. Mufti also proposed forming a Reconciliation and Reintegration Commission and an annual summit to rebuild trust. Discussing the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, she highlighted local involvement in its safe conduct. The meeting stirred criticism from the National Conference, questioning its timing and motives, accusing Mufti of neglect during her tenure, and asserting that only the Omar Abdullah government made genuine efforts for the Pandit return. The outreach reflects a political recalibration amid the Centre’s focus on security post-Pahalgam attack and a delay in restoring statehood.
BUDGAM
In Budgam district, Gulzar Hussain, a Muslim, has spent decades caring for the ancient Dia-Nag Shiv Temple, embodying Kashmir’s legacy of communal harmony. Each morning, after offering namaz, he visits the temple to clean the premises and light an oil lamp. Despite fewer visitors, Gulzar tends the temple for the sake of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, hoping they feel welcomed when they return. His quiet devotion has earned gratitude from both locals and Pandits, making the temple a symbol of Kashmir’s pluralistic past. Gulzar’s work reflects a deeper message of shared heritage beyond religion and politics.
