SRINAGAR
Faqir Mohammad Khan, a BJP leader and former Independent MLA from Jammu and Kashmir’s Gurez, was found dead in an apparent suicide in Srinagar’s Tulsi Bagh government quarters. A veteran politician, Khan had contested elections since 1996, initially as an Independent before joining the Congress and later the BJP in 2020. Despite BJP’s strong campaign for him in the 2023 elections, he lost to the National Conference candidate by just over 1,100 votes. His loss meant the BJP remained without an Assembly seat in Kashmir, though it secured a 5.8 per cent vote share in the region. Khan’s death has sparked condolences from political leaders, including J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who praised his contributions to Gurez. The Assembly observed two minutes of silence in his memory.
The Jammu and Kashmir government said that over 550 medical officer (MO) posts are vacant across the region, with the selection process for 181 positions currently underway.
JAMMU
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a new form of the Roshni Scheme, an increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for MLAs from Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore, and the extension of an amnesty scheme for domestic power consumers for one more year. He also declared the formation of a House Committee to examine a hike in MLAs’ salaries on the pattern of Parliament.
Omar explained that the original Roshni Scheme, introduced by the Farooq Abdullah Government, was altered by the PDP-Congress Government, leading to its annulment by the High Court. He asserted that the scheme would be reintroduced with necessary corrections. Addressing concerns about MLAs’ salaries, he noted that while their pay has remained stagnant since 2015, bureaucratic salaries have tripled. The proposed House Committee will include opposition leaders and will consider the Parliament’s model of salary revision.
Omar also stated that this would be the final amnesty for power consumers, stressing that repeated waivers punish those who pay their bills on time. He criticised the BJP for claims of equality post-Article 370 abrogation and highlighted disparities in governance. He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to urban development, heritage restoration, and responsible governance.
A total of 1,502 Gazetted and 5,751 Non-Gazetted vacancies are expected to be filled by the end of the year.
JAMMU
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a heated exchange as treasury and opposition benches clashed over an Independent MLA’s demand for a probe into the government’s spending of Rs 35 crore on chartered flights and hospitality in the last three years. The ruling National Conference (NC) and Congress members demanded the formation of a House committee to investigate the expenditures, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the spending, citing its use for G20 guests and tourism promotion. Independent MLA Shabir Ahmed Kullay from Shopian raised the issue, questioning the approval process and beneficiaries of these expenses, calling it a case of bureaucratic corruption. His demand for an inquiry was backed by treasury bench members, including NC’s Javaid Beigh and Congress’s Nizamuddin Bhat, who stressed the need for transparency and accountability. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, addressing the concerns, pointed out that the state aircraft, purchased with public funds, had remained grounded at Jammu airport for five years while chartered flights were hired at significant cost. He criticised this as negligence, adding that additional crores would now be required to make the aircraft airworthy. He emphasised that pilots could have been hired temporarily instead of resorting to chartered planes. The Speaker intervened amid noisy scenes, assuring members that the Chief Minister would address the issue in his reply to the grant’s discussion. However, the demand for a House committee remained a contentious point, with BJP members insisting that the probe should extend to expenses incurred since 2009.
A total of 47 highway projects covering 810 km in Jammu and Kashmir, with an estimated cost of Rs 41,735 crore, and six projects spanning 159 km in Ladakh, costing Rs 2,076 crore, are currently under construction.
RAJOURI
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed intense discussions over the deaths of 17 civilians in Badhaal village, Rajouri, between December and January. MLAs, including NC’s Javed Choudhary, demanded a CBI probe, linking the deaths to similar incidents in Kathua and Kulgam, where seven civilians had also died under mysterious circumstances. Health Minister Sakina Itoo informed the House that clinical and forensic investigations had detected toxic substances, including aluminium, cadmium, and insecticides like chlorphenapyr, in the food and viscera samples of the deceased. While an inquiry is ongoing, she urged MLAs to await its findings.
Choudhary questioned the origins of the poisoning, insisting that the deaths indicated a larger conspiracy and should not be dismissed as isolated incidents. Independent MLA Choudhary Akram and CPIM’s M Y Tarigami echoed his concerns, stressing the need for a broader investigation to uncover any external involvement. The government has deployed medical teams from PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS New Delhi to aid local health authorities. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed on January 14. Meanwhile, financial aid has been provided to affected families. Despite the minister’s assurances, calls for a CBI probe persisted, with legislators demanding transparency and accountability in the inquiry.
Jammu and Kashmir experienced 13 internet shutdowns in 2023, according to the “Let the Net Work 2.0” report by the Software Freedom Law Centre, India.
JAMMU KASHMIR
The Jammu and Kashmir government is formulating a new media policy to include emerging platforms such as social media, news web portals, and websites for empanelment. The policy aims to align with the evolving media landscape while adhering to standards set by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP). Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured that journalists would not face harassment for reporting the truth but cautioned against the spread of fake news. He also promised transparency in government advertisement allocations. PDP MLA Waheed Para raised concerns over press freedom, citing restrictions on journalists and frequent internet shutdowns. He urged the government to foster an environment where the media could operate without fear. The government stated that the Kashmir Press Club was vacated and its registration remains on hold pending clearance from the Criminal Investigation Department. Observers have noted the proliferation of digital platforms by untrained individuals, leading to misinformation. The government has not yet specified the criteria for empanelment under the new policy. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister emphasised that responsible journalism must thrive independently of government support and reiterated the need to curb the spread of unverified news.
Jammu Kashmir Government allotted 2093 kanals of land to 11 non-J&K residents for industrial investments in the last two years.
HARWAN
The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested Showkat Ahmad Dar, a Srinagar resident, for allegedly glorifying militancy and inciting anti-national sentiments on social media. The police’s Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) identified Dar through social media surveillance and apprehended him while he operated a Facebook handle, ‘Shaddy Kashmir Dryfruits’, used for spreading extremist content. A preliminary inspection of his digital devices revealed radical material, including a video of slain militant commander Zakir Musa.
According to the police, Dar has a history of radical activities, having been previously arrested in 2019 for stone-pelting and detained in 2022 for disseminating radical content online. Investigations are ongoing to determine his role and potential associates.
Officials claim social media service providers have set up special monitoring units in response to intelligence agency requests to track radical propaganda in J&K. The police have arrested multiple individuals this year for online activities linked to extremism.
DELHI
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged that Jammu and Kashmir received fewer assets following its bifurcation but emphasised that the distribution was based on recommendations under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. He assured that disputes would be resolved through mutual understanding rather than prolonged legal battles, as seen in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Jammu and Kashmir lost a significant portion of its guest house at Chanakyapuri, Delhi, to Ladakh, reducing available accommodation. Additionally, properties in Chandigarh were also transferred to Ladakh, raising concerns about facilities for J&K residents seeking treatment at PGI Chandigarh. To address accommodation needs, the J&K government has acquired a 3,179.58-square-metre plot in Dwarka from the Delhi Development Authority for constructing a new J-K Bhavan. Omar also announced the successful eviction of unauthorised occupants from a government-owned property in Delhi, which is now under the Resident Commission’s control. Further expansions at Prithviraj Road are being explored.
KATRA
Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, known as Orry, and seven others have been booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel in Katra, near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, violating local regulations. A complaint led to an FIR, as alcohol and non-vegetarian food are strictly prohibited in the area. The Jammu and Kashmir Police stated that the act hurt religious sentiments and assured strict action. Political leaders condemned the incident, with PDP’s Mohit Bhan calling it an insult to the Hindu faith and urging action against the hotel. Police have formed a team to apprehend the accused.
DELHI
Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi criticised the government in Parliament for imposing railway projects in Kashmir despite no local demand. He condemned the destruction of orchards and livelihoods due to railway surveys in Pulwama-Shopian and Pahalgam, while areas like Rajouri, Poonch, and Kupwara, which seek railway connectivity, are ignored. Ruhullah questioned whether land acquisition under railway and township projects was a deliberate move to dispossess locals. He urged the government to prioritise genuine public needs rather than imposing unwanted projects, calling for reconsideration of policies affecting Jammu and Kashmir’s land and identity.
SRINAGAR
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh quashed the preventive detention of senior advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga under the Public Safety Act, citing vague and unsubstantiated allegations. Justice Sanjay Dhar ruled that the detention order lacked specific evidence, violating Ronga’s right to an effective legal defence. Authorities had accused Ronga of separatist links, but the court found no proof of recent unlawful activities. Citing Supreme Court precedents, the judgment emphasised that suspicion alone could not justify detention. Rejecting the government’s arguments, the court ordered Ronga’s release, reaffirming the necessity of concrete evidence for preventive detention.
