PULWAMA
Shabir Ahmad Mir, acclaimed for The Plague Upon Us, returns with The Last Knot, published by Pan Macmillan India. Even before its release, the novel has drawn admiration for its depth, allegorical power, and evocative storytelling. Anees Salim calls it “truly magical,” while Rana Safvi sees it as “a powerful allegory for a community’s longing for freedom.” Farah Bashir praises its fusion of fantasy and realism. Mir, known for portraying Kashmiri realities, weaves myth, history, and existential questions. With such endorsements, The Last Knot reinforces his stature as a leading voice in contemporary Kashmiri literature.
India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, the highest among democratic nations, with Manipur imposing the most (21), followed by Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir (12 each), as per Access Now.
DELHI
Erstwhile militant Parvaiz Ahmad Khan was arrested in Delhi by the Jammu Kashmir Police’s intelligence wing for alleged involvement in terror funding. Khan, previously detained for two years in Jammu’s Kot Bhalwal jail, was wanted in a case registered by Counter Intelligence Kashmir, police said. Police claim he acted as a courier, routing funds from across the LoC to militant groups. Arrested in a joint operation with Delhi Police, Khan had been staying near Nizamuddin Dargah. After his detention, he was taken to Kashmir for legal proceedings. Khan claimed he was a shawl trader who frequently visited Delhi and Chandigarh.
The Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department plans to plant 1.5 crore saplings by March to boost green cover and combat climate change.
SRINAGAR
The Soan Meeras (Our Heritage) festival in Srinagar last week offered a glimpse into Kashmir’s heritage, featuring a heritage village, traditional arts, and cultural exhibits. Organised by the district administration across four locations, the event aims to reconnect younger generations with their roots. Attractions include old-style houses, traditional furnishings, handicrafts, and Kashmiri games, with a dedicated market showcasing pottery, copperware, and textiles. The festival, supported by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, also highlights women’s contributions to history. Despite the rain, visitors attended enthusiastically.
KHREW
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stated that the region’s situation is “not normal” and that normalcy has been forced rather than organic. He cited restrictions on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s father-in-law, Dr Ghulam Sibtain Masoodi’s funeral at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid as evidence of ongoing abnormality. Sibtain, a medical doctor, passed away at his home. He was 88, and for most of his life, he lived in the US. He was an industrialist also. Abdullah also highlighted Mirwaiz’s upgraded security with CRPF commandos, suggesting that the security situation has worsened. The decision to prevent funeral prayers sparked criticism from opposition leaders and parties, who condemned it as regressive and oppressive. His comments about Mirwaiz’s CRPF security drew backlash from Mirwaiz’s office, PDP, and People’s Conference, who accused him of making irresponsible and dangerous statements. Critics argued that peace in Kashmir has come at the cost of stringent measures like arrests, asset seizures, and surveillance.
JAMMU KASHMIR
Inclement weather broke a protracted dry spell but wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in multiple fatalities, missing persons, and significant disruption to daily life. Heavy rains and snowfall broke a prolonged dry spell, leading to flash floods, avalanches, and landslides across the region. In Poonch, three persons died, and two were reported missing after a passenger vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into the Suran River. Seven passengers were rescued, but the strong current carried away two others. A truck driver was killed in Bufliaz when his vehicle rolled down a hilly road. Another individual died when a private vehicle hired by the CRPF was struck by a boulder near Madana, leaving two CRPF personnel injured. In Kargil, an avalanche struck the Kargil-Zanskar Highway near Tangol, a notorious avalanche-prone zone. In Drass, another avalanche was reported near Minamarg with no casualties. Zanskar Police successfully evacuated a seriously ill monk from Bardan Monastery amid extreme conditions. In Reasi, a 14-year-old boy drowned in a flooded nallah. Several highways, including the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Kishtwar routes, faced blockages due to landslides and shooting stones. Rain-induced flooding in Mendhar market disrupted business operations. Avalanches struck Kishtwar and Bandipora, damaging property but causing no casualties. Heavy snowfall in Kashmir, with depths ranging from a few inches to several feet, led to a temperature drop. Authorities issued avalanche warnings, and the MeT Department forecasted light rain and snow in the coming days.
KASHMIR
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed a joint committee to assess solid and liquid waste in Srinagar and Budgam after the Commissioner Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) failed to provide satisfactory responses regarding pollution in Doodh Ganga. The committee, comprising officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), must submit its findings within eight weeks. The tribunal found discrepancies in the waste figures presented by HUDD. It also criticised the Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) for submitting a flawed compliance report and failing to recover Rs 46.50 crore in environmental compensation from local bodies. The case, filed in 2021, has led to several penalties on municipal bodies. HUDD reported waste generation and treatment statistics, but NGT noted inconsistencies, necessitating further verification. The case is set for hearing on May 22, 2025.
JAMMU
The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has provided significant relief to commuters and pilgrims by directing authorities to reduce toll fees at Lakhanpur and Bann Toll Plazas to 20 per cent of the previous rates until the Lakhanpur-Udhampur highway becomes fully operational. The court also prohibited the establishment of toll plazas within 60 km of National Highway-44 and ordered the removal of existing ones within two months. The Division Bench criticised the imposition of high toll fees despite ongoing highway construction, which has caused severe traffic disruptions, increased travel time, and added fuel costs for residents. The court observed that the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and private contractors had amassed over Rs 1,243 crore from three toll plazas and directed the Union Ministry to review toll rates across the region within four months. Emphasising that toll fees should not serve as a revenue-generating mechanism, the court warned against the unchecked proliferation of toll plazas. It also raised concerns over the hiring of individuals with criminal backgrounds at toll plazas, mandating police verification of all employees. The judgment followed a PIL highlighting the hardships faced by the public due to incomplete highway construction and unjust toll collection. The court upheld the principle that toll fees should only be levied once road sections are fully operational, ensuring fairness and accountability in infrastructure development.
JAMMU
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has said there is no reason for confrontation between Raj Bhawan and the Jammu Kashmir Government when the goal is development and peace. He reiterated that granting Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Sinha stated that top militant commanders have been eliminated, and local recruitment is at a low, causing concern for Pakistan, which is attempting to infiltrate militants. Security forces have been strengthened in Jammu to counter threats. He highlighted that militancy will persist until its entire ecosystem is dismantled, noting that 76 government employees with terror links have been dismissed. Peaceful elections, the revival of cinema, increased tourism, and a significant rise in industrial investments indicate progress.
SRINAGAR
Adil Teli, a 26-year-old cyclist from Kashmir, has secured a place in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships after an impressive performance at the Spinneys Dubai Cycling Challenge. Teli first gained national recognition in 2021 for his record-breaking 3,600-kilometre ride from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. He has since demonstrated exceptional endurance, resilience, and tactical skills. He has also set Guinness World Records for cycling feats, including the fastest Manali-Leh ride. Now, he aims to compete against top international cyclists in Australia, calling it a dream come true and vowing to give his best on the world stage.
KASHMIR
Saqlain Yousuf, a computer science graduate from Pulwama, has pioneered KashmiriGPT, the first AI-powered Kashmiri language assistant. Motivated by the absence of Kashmiri in major AI tools, he spent months developing a platform that merges language preservation with cultural education. More than a translation tool, KashmiriGPT explores Kashmir’s history and traditions, aiming to bridge generational gaps. The platform saw over 4,000 sign-ups within three days, highlighting strong interest. While still in beta, Yousuf envisions expanding its features, including voice interaction. His work has been widely praised, marking a significant step in preserving the Kashmiri language and heritage through technology.
PULWAMA
Rabiya Yaseen, a 37-year-old from Pulwama, has become Kashmir’s first female truck driver, challenging traditional gender roles. Initially learning to drive light motor vehicles, she later obtained a heavy vehicle licence and now covers long distances across India. With strong support from her family, Rabiya has pursued her passion despite the male-dominated nature of the profession. For three years, she has earned her livelihood through truck driving, inspiring many in Kashmir. Her story highlights the growing role of women in diverse fields, demonstrating that with determination and support, barriers can be broken and stereotypes defied.
HANDWARA
The first e-FIR in Jammu and Kashmir was registered in Handwara on February 22, despite the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) allowing its use since July 1, 2024. The complainant reported an assault via WhatsApp, highlighting the delayed adoption of this facility. While e-FIRs and Zero FIRs were introduced to aid victims, particularly women, procedural complexities and lack of awareness hinder their use. Police officers cite gradual change, but a senior advocate blames poor awareness efforts. He criticises the administration for its failure to inform both officials and the public, limiting the effectiveness of the new provisions.
