KASHMIR
An ongoing donation drive in Srinagar to support war-hit Iran has witnessed an extraordinary public response, marked by emotional contributions and symbolic gestures. In Mir Behri along Dal Lake, a five-year-old boy’s piggy bank donation became the highlight when a 50 paisa coin, no longer in circulation, was auctioned for Rs 17,000, reflecting the depth of public sentiment. Residents across Kashmir have contributed generously, with donations ranging from cash, gold and silverware to copper utensils, livestock, and even personal heirlooms. Women and children have played a significant role, underscoring the collective humanitarian spirit. The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi acknowledged the gesture, calling it a source of comfort for the people of Iran. The drive continues to draw participation from all sections of society, with police estimating that Rs 17.91 crore have been collected so far.
LG Manoj Sinha said 438 terror-victim families have been issued appointment letters since 2025.
ANANTNAG
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has quashed the preventive detention of 19-year-old Sehran Bashir Nadaf from Anantnag, ruling that the order under the J&K Public Safety Act lacked substantive material and was based on “unfounded suspicion.” Justice Rahul Bharti ordered his immediate release. Nadaf, a Class 12 student and NEET aspirant, had earlier secured bail as a minor in a 2023 case. The court found no adverse record beyond the FIR and criticised the dossier as empty, stressing that personal liberty under Article 21 cannot be curtailed without credible grounds.
Jammu and Kashmir produced 29.73 lakh tonnes of milk in 2024-25.
HABBA KADAL
The reopening of Raghunath Mandir in Srinagar’s Habba Kadal after more than three decades marks a significant cultural and social moment for Kashmir. Closed in the early 1990s amid militancy and the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the temple resumed activity with grand celebrations of Ram Navami, drawing members of both Pandit and Muslim communities. The event, attended by residents and officials, symbolised a renewed spirit of coexistence. The administration highlighted recent celebrations of Navratri and Navroz alongside Ram Navami as examples of a harmonious atmosphere in the Valley. Originally built in 1857 by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the temple had fallen into disrepair before restoration began in 2020 under the Smart City initiative, in collaboration with INTACH. Emotional scenes marked the reopening, with devotees recalling shared traditions and expressing hope for the return of Kashmiri Pandits. Local Muslim residents also welcomed the revival, calling it part of their shared heritage. The ceremony not only restored a historic shrine but also signalled cautious optimism for reconciliation, cultural revival, and the rebuilding of communal bonds in Kashmir’s old city.
Healthcare coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir has surpassed Rs 3,706.45 crore, with over 20.08 lakh hospital admissions authorised as of February 28, 2026.
JAMMU
The People’s Democratic Party has proposed the Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026, aimed at enhancing governance touch-points by decentralising administration across remote regions. Approved for consideration by Manoj Sinha, the Bill seeks the creation of new divisions, Chenab (headquartered at Doda) and Pir Panjal (Rajouri), to bring administrative services closer to underserved populations. PDP said the party lawmaker Waheed Parra’s move addresses longstanding regional disparities by improving accessibility, responsiveness and delivery of governance in far-flung and border areas. He urged the government led by Omar Abdullah to clarify its stand, calling the proposal a step toward inclusive governance. However, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference dismissed the Bill as impractical, questioning its legislative viability. The proposal has triggered debate on administrative restructuring as a means to strengthen last-mile governance and institutional outreach in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded nine dowry death cases in 2023, with 1 conviction, an 11.1 per cent conviction rate, according to Ministry of Home Affairs data citing the National Crime Records Bureau.
DELHI
A special National Investigation Agency court in New Delhi has sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Aasiya Andrabi to life imprisonment, while her associates Sofi Fehmida and Nahida Nasreen were awarded 30-year terms in a terror conspiracy case. The verdict was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh after the trio was convicted on January 14, 2026. Andrabi, founder of the banned outfit Dukhtaran-e-Millat, was held guilty under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and IPC, including terror conspiracy, criminal conspiracy, and conspiracy to wage war against India. She also received additional sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years under various sections, along with a fine of Rs 8 lakh. Her associates were similarly convicted under UAPA and IPC provisions, receiving cumulative sentences of 30 years and fines of Rs 7 lakh each. The court ruled that the accused used social media and other platforms to spread “insurrectionary and hateful” content aimed at secession of Jammu and Kashmir. It held that their actions threatened India’s sovereignty and integrity, rejecting defence claims of mere ideological expression. Emphasising deterrence, the court observed that leniency would encourage secessionist tendencies. It noted the lack of remorse among the convicts and termed Andrabi the “leader of the conspiracy,” with her associates acting as active participants.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded 68 cyber crimes against women in 2023, up from 39 each in 2021 and 2022, with a crime rate of 1.0 per lakh population.
JAGTI
Jammu Development Authority has proposed a major tourism-centric project at Jagti, a township widely known for housing displaced Kashmiri Pandit, aimed at transforming the area into an integrated leisure and commercial hub. The project will come up on 95 kanals (11.64 acres) near the Indian Institute of Management Jammu campus and will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership model on a DBFOT basis.
The plan envisages a holiday resort, entertainment zones and high street retail to attract both tourists and residents. Officials said the initiative aligns with efforts to tap Jammu’s growing tourism potential while promoting planned development in the Jagti-Nagrota belt.
With focus on environmental balance, sanitation and infrastructure, the project is expected to generate employment, boost local economic activity and enhance Jagti’s emergence as a prominent destination on Jammu’s tourism map.
Women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Jammu and Kashmir have availed loans worth Rs 1,055.42 crore, with an NPA of 1.67 per cent, lower than the national average of 1.81 per cent.
JAMMU KASHMIR
Despite a fragile calm along Kashmir’s borders, residents in vulnerable villages continue to await safer bunkers amid ongoing risks of cross-border shelling. Over 9,500 bunkers have been built under a 2017 central scheme, but a gap remains against the 14,000 target, especially in remote LoC and border areas. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced 600 additional family bunkers and a siren alert system, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed expanding individual shelters. However, delays persist, and residents highlight urgent safety concerns, calling for faster construction and modern, accessible bunker infrastructure.
Nearly one lakh visitors, including domestic and foreign tourists, have visited Asia’s largest Tulip Garden since March 16, reflecting renewed confidence despite last year’s Pahalgam attack, though the Iran-US tensions have dampened overall tourist enthusiasm.
NADIMARG
Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims jointly commemorated the 2003 Nadimarg massacre in Pulwama, where 24 Pandits were massacred, with tributes marking March 23 as a “black day.” The gathering, attended by members of both communities, reflected remembrance as well as calls for reconciliation. Pandits urged the Muslim majority to actively support their return to the Valley, citing their reduced population and prolonged displacement since the 1990s.
Politician Aijaz Ahmad Mir stated that Kashmiri Muslims stand with Pandits and that the government must address their security concerns to enable a dignified return. He also called for facilities at Nadimarg for visiting families. The massacre case, reopened by the High Court in 2022, remains unresolved, with key accused Zia Mustafa killed in 2021.
Of the more than 3,300 teaching posts sanctioned across nine public universities and two central universities, only around 1,900 are filled.
JAMMU
A curriculum revision at the University of Jammu has sparked a major controversy after a Departmental Affairs Committee recommended removing topics on Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Muhammad Iqbal from MA Political Science courses under NEP-2020 guidelines. The proposal, following protests by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad against Jinnah’s inclusion, triggered sharp political reactions.
J&K Minister Javed Ahmed Rana criticised the move as “anti-scholarly,” alleging ideological interference, while BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal opposed the removal, urging the Ministry of Education to intervene, citing the intellectual contributions of Khan and Iqbal.
Vice Chancellor Umesh Rai constituted a review panel to examine the issue. Meanwhile, the university maintained that the inclusion of such figures was academic and aligned with national curricula. The debate has intensified discussions around academic freedom, historical representation and ideological influence in higher education.
RS PORA
Family members of BSF constable Jaswinder Singh staged a protest in RS Pura, Jammu, alleging he died in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau in Amritsar. Singh, who was on leave, had been taken for questioning in a drugs case. His family accused authorities of custodial torture, while officials said his health deteriorated during interrogation and he died in hospital. Protesters blocked roads, demanding a fair probe and action against those responsible. Police assured an investigation, following which the protest ended after several hours, though tensions remain.
