JAMMU
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, marking one year in office, announced the revival of the centuries-old biannual Darbar Move, a practice discontinued in 2021. He said the Cabinet’s decision had been signed by the Lt Governor, fulfilling one of the National Conference’s key election promises. The Civil Secretariat will now again function in Srinagar from May to October and in Jammu from November to April, with the first Move to Jammu scheduled for November 3. Omar criticised the BJP for ending a historic tradition dating back to 1872 under Maharaja Ranbir Singh. He also said that the Cabinet had cleared the Sub-Committee report on Reservation and would soon send it to the Lieutenant Governor for approval. Highlighting his government’s progress, Omar reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood, regularising daily wagers, and expediting post-flood reconstruction. He announced land and housing assistance for families that lost homes, measures to strengthen tourism in Jammu, and rejected opposition claims of poor governance. The government, he said, would present a detailed five-year report card at the end of its term.
Kaman Post (Uri) attracted nearly 33,000 visitors between January and September 2025.
DELHI
Home Minister Amit Shah proposed a series of new measures to strengthen India’s handling of fugitives. He called for special prisons built to international standards in every state capital to counter foreign court objections over Indian jail conditions, as well as the immediate cancellation of passports once Interpol Red Notices are issued. Shah also urged the creation of specialised extradition cells in all states and a centralised CBI unit for coordination. He emphasised the use of the new “trial in absentia” provision, building a national fugitive database, and enhancing coordination among police, passport authorities, and Interpol to expedite extradition processes.
At least 61 teachers in Jammu and Kashmir are posted in schools with zero enrolments, highlighting serious inefficiencies in human resource management and raising concerns over the quality of education.
KHONMOH
The Guryul Ravine in Kashmir has been designated a National Geoheritage Site, marking a significant recognition of its global scientific significance. Situated near Khonmoh, the site preserves one of the world’s most complete records of the Permian–Triassic mass extinction, when nearly all life on Earth perished about 252 million years ago. The ravine’s one-metre-thick boundary section contains traces of the earliest known tsunami and fossil layers that chronicle the transition from the Palaeozoic to Mesozoic eras, a period of biological collapse and renewal. This geological treasure, long studied by international scientists, now gains formal protection after decades of pending recognition. The declaration, announced during the International Geo-Ethics Day celebrations, places Guryul Ravine among Kashmir’s most important geological landmarks, ensuring its preservation for research and education. Nearby fossil sites in Pulwama have also been included in the same heritage belt, reinforcing Kashmir’s deep link with Earth’s evolutionary history. Scientists describe Guryul as a natural archive of extinction, survival, and rebirth, a stone-bound testimony to Earth’s most dramatic turning point.
The GST rate revision may cut Jammu and Kashmir’s tax revenue by up to Rs 1,000 crore this fiscal year.
SRINAGAR
Srinagar’s Government College for Women has renamed its auditorium from Lalla Arifa to Lal Ded following protests by Kashmiri Pandit groups who called the earlier name a distortion of history. The change was welcomed by Pandit representatives and musicians like Abhay Sopori, who had earlier boycotted a college event over the controversy. Pandits regard Lal Ded as a Shaivite philosopher and the mother of Kashmir’s spiritual heritage, while Muslims revere her as Lalla Arifa. The renaming, announced during the college’s 75th anniversary event, was seen as a gesture towards communal harmony and respect for Kashmir’s shared cultural legacy.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has raised the Constituency Development Fund for MLAs from Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore annually. In 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs 427.5 crore under the CDF.
NAGROTA
The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded Devyani Rana, daughter of the late Devender Singh Rana, for the Nagrota Assembly by-election in Jammu. Devender Rana, a three-time MLA who won the seat in 2002, 2008, and 2024, passed away in October 2024. Devyani, a University of California graduate and entrepreneur, said her candidature was an opportunity to continue her father’s vision of making Nagrota a model constituency. Confident of a decisive victory, she lauded the BJP’s leadership for empowering women and youth. The by-poll, scheduled for November 11, follows the seat’s vacancy after Devender Rana’s death.
KASHMIR
Across Kashmir, a growing number of young women are silently battling Polycystic Ovarian Disease and Syndrome, conditions marked by hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, weight gain, and emotional distress. Social stigma keeps most from seeking help, as reproductive disorders are often equated with infertility and seen as threats to marriage prospects. Many rely on smartwatches and mobile apps to track their cycles, using technology as a discreet tool for awareness in a society where open discussion of menstruation remains taboo. Health experts say the problem is widespread but manageable through medical care, lifestyle changes, and awareness, not silence or superstition.
BUDGAM
Off-roading enthusiasts driving high-powered vehicles through Kashmir’s meadows and forests have triggered a strong public backlash and police intervention. A group of young drivers entered an ecologically sensitive forest area, removing barriers and filming their expedition, which later went viral online. The act sparked outrage among environmentalists and citizens who condemned the reckless display for damaging fragile ecosystems. Following a complaint from forest authorities, police registered a case under the Forest Act and seized several vehicles.
BANIHAL
In Tethar, tragedy struck as a father lost his life to a heart attack after his 14-year-old son died in his lap while being rushed to the hospital. The heart-wrenching loss of both son and father has left the community in deep shock and sorrow.
JAMMU
Just months after a major beverage investment fell through, two more prominent companies, the solar giant Grew Energy and textile leader RSWM Limited, have pulled out of their ambitious projects in Jammu and Kashmir, citing insufficient government incentives. Both had been allotted large parcels of land at the Bagthali Industrial Estate for solar and textile manufacturing, promising significant investment and employment. Their exit, following similar withdrawals, underscores the region’s struggle to retain investors despite its industrialisation ambitions. Officials say these cancellations reflect missed opportunities, with promised subsidies under national policies either ended or inadequate, threatening the vision of Jammu and Kashmir as a manufacturing hub. The departures highlight how policy gaps and a lack of incentives can derail large-scale economic initiatives.
KISHTWAR
Thirty-two people remain missing from the devastating Kishtwar cloudburst on August 14, which struck hundreds gathered at Chositi village for the Machail Mata yatra. Rescue teams recovered 66 bodies and injured 137, but DNA tests are pending for identification. Despite extensive searches by multiple agencies, the missing remain untraced. Authorities have begun the process to declare them dead, enabling families to receive relief. The tragedy, worsened by ignored weather warnings, drew criticism of the administration’s failure to suspend the yatra. The disaster struck amid a community meal, leaving women and children among the victims.
KASHMIR
Potters in Kashmir are witnessing a surge in demand for earthen lamps as Diwali approaches, with sales already exceeding thousands. Both local buyers and dealers across India are placing bulk orders, pushing artisans to work overtime. Demand has risen over 50 per cent compared to previous years, reviving traditional pottery. For many, making diyas has become a festival of both light and livelihood, as families seek these lamps for homes and community celebrations. The growing interest not only fuels business but also preserves the cultural craft, highlighting the diya’s enduring significance in Diwali festivities.
DELHI
Former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who resigned in 2019 protesting the shutdown of Jammu and Kashmir after Article 370 was abrogated, has joined Congress. He said his decision followed extensive engagement with people and leaders across districts, concluding that only Congress could steer the country in the right direction. Gopinathan had opposed the government’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir, including restrictions on movement, communication, and the detention of political figures, questioning the democratic validity of such measures. His entry into the party signals a shift from bureaucratic activism to political engagement, continuing his advocacy for democratic rights and accountability.
RUSSIA
Uncertainty looms over the fate of three youths from Jammu allegedly duped into joining the Russian Army and deployed at Ukraine’s frontlines. Weeks have passed without communication, leaving families anxious and desperate for news. Local representatives report ongoing talks with Indian and Russian authorities, but no concrete updates have emerged. Distressed WhatsApp messages reveal the youths are separated at different posts, further heightening fears. Families continue to appeal to national and regional leaders for intervention. The situation underscores deepening anxiety and helplessness, as the lack of information prolongs uncertainty about the safety and return of the young men.
BUDGAM
The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has booked a police inspector for allegedly accumulating assets far beyond his known sources of income and taken him into custody for questioning. Investigation revealed the officer owns extensive land, a palatial house, multiple vehicles, and a bank balance exceeding Rs 48 lakh, with significant expenditures on children’s education, foreign travel, and insurance. Scrutiny of bank accounts uncovered suspicious transactions and multiple accounts held by him and his family. ACB alleges the officer illicitly enriched himself between 2012 and 2025, violating the Prevention of Corruption Act, and searches are underway to assess the full extent of his illegal wealth.
UDHAMPUR
Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a case against a hotel owner and staff in Udhampur for failing to report a foreign guest’s stay, violating the Foreigners Act. The management did not submit the mandatory Form C. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities have urged all hoteliers to comply with legal reporting requirements.
DELHI
The Supreme Court has given the Centre four weeks to respond to pleas seeking restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, citing the Union’s earlier assurance. Petitioners stressed that delaying statehood undermines federalism, noting peaceful elections, development stagnation, and unemployment. The Centre cited security concerns, including recent militant attacks, and ongoing consultations before taking a final decision. Lawyers argued that continued Union Territory status sets a dangerous precedent for other states. The court highlighted the unique nature of the issue, balancing constitutional commitments, federal principles, and ground realities. The matter may require consideration by a larger Constitution bench for final resolution.
