Jammu and Kashmir’s newly elected 90 lawmakers will drive brand new Mahindra Scorpios that will cost the public kitty Rs 14.85 crore.
PAMPORE
The discovery of elephant fossils and stone tools at Kashmir’s Saffron-rich Pampore dated 300,000–400,000 years ago, offers new insights into early hominin activity. In 2000, archaeologists uncovered bones from three straight-tusked elephants (genus Palaeoloxodon) and 87 basalt stone tools, suggesting a deliberate effort by early humans to exploit these large mammals. Detailed analysis of bone flakes indicated that these hominins likely extracted nutrient-rich marrow from elephant bones, marking the earliest evidence of large-animal butchery in Kashmir. This discovery significantly pushes back the timeline of such activity in India, where previously the earliest known evidence dated back only about 10,000 years.
Led by Dr Advait Jukar from the Florida Museum of Natural History, researchers described their findings in two studies published in Quaternary Science Reviews and the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. The research identified the remains of Palaeoloxodon turkmenicus, a species with features linking earlier African elephants and evolved Asian and European types. These elephants grew nearly twice as large as modern African elephants, with the Pampore fossil representing only the second-ever discovery of this species, following a fragmentary find in Turkmenistan in 1955. The Pampore skull was especially valuable due to its completeness and intact hyoid bones, which help in species differentiation.
24 Years After Its Discovery, Pampore Elephant Fossils Tell Kashmir’s 3-Lakh Year-Old Story
The study’s findings address long-standing questions about hominin behaviour and their interactions with megafauna in Kashmir. While there was no definitive evidence of hunting, as no projectile points were found embedded in the bones, researchers speculated that these early humans either hunted the elephants or found and exploited their carcasses. The mature male elephant showed signs of chronic sinusitis, which might have weakened it and left it vulnerable to natural death or entrapment in river sediments. This discovery sheds light on ancient foraging practices, with Jukar noting that hominins typically sought marrow, which is energy-dense and easily accessible from large animal bones.
The stone tools found alongside the fossils were likely brought to Pampore from other regions, as the local area lacked basalt rock. The tools, distinct from those commonly found in India, demonstrate a knapping style characteristic of Mode 3 technology, akin to Levallois techniques but without specific artefacts like handaxes. The tools’ age and style suggest associations with hominins related to Homo heidelbergensis or Neanderthals, though no fossil evidence directly ties these tools to a specific human ancestor in Kashmir.
This discovery emphasises the Indian subcontinent’s potential role in early human dispersal, a hypothesis supported by the presence of the Narmada hominin fossil, which shows characteristics of transitional species between archaic and modern humans. The Pampore site stands as a unique Middle Pleistocene record of elephant remains with stone tool assemblages in India, underscoring the need for extensive fieldwork to unearth more such interactions. As Dr Jukar suggested, prior collection efforts have likely overlooked evidence of human activity, especially broken bone shards, which may hold critical clues to early human behaviours and butchery practices.
KASHMIR
Following the restoration of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, employee unions have reignited their activism, pressing for various demands. The unions, which had remained silent under the previous Lt Governor administration, are now urging Abdullah’s government to uphold promises related to employee welfare and the reversal of certain restrictive policies, such as the 2023 protest ban order. The unions demand the reinstatement of 74 employees dismissed under Article 311(2)(c), which permits terminations without inquiry if deemed necessary for state security. Many employees claim these terminations were unjust, with several dismissed individuals being professors, doctors, and policemen from the region. Union leaders assert that the return of a democratic government should guarantee employees’ rights to protest peacefully and present their grievances without fear of retribution. One of these dismissed employees, Nazir Ahmad Mir, a former Naib Tehsildar, died last week.
DELHI
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, following his recent electoral win, is actively pursuing the restoration of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. On his visit to Delhi, Abdullah met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to discuss the region’s issues and advocate for statehood. Abdullah presented a Cabinet resolution, passed in his administration’s inaugural meeting, calling for “statehood in its original form.” He highlighted the need to secure the constitutional rights and unique identity of Jammu and Kashmir’s residents. Abdullah’s meetings also focused on security concerns, especially following recent militant attacks in Ganderbal, and on development needs, with particular emphasis on infrastructure and power. Abdullah’s appeal has sparked reactions from various political groups. Critics, like People’s Conference leader Sajad Lone, accused Abdullah of inconsistency, suggesting his outreach to Delhi contradicts his electoral rhetoric. However, Abdullah’s camp insists these meetings signify routine coordination and a commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises.
JAMMU
The Jammu and Kashmir government has announced that there will be no Darbar Move for this winter, permitting only Administrative Secretaries and Union Territory-level Heads of Departments to relocate to Jammu from Srinagar starting November 11. The decision, outlined by the General Administration Department (GAD), reflects a shift in administrative practices that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since evolved into a permanent change, with secretariats functioning simultaneously in both Jammu and Srinagar. The Darbar Move, a tradition dating back to 1872 that involved biannual relocations of the civil secretariat, has faced opposition from local politicians and traders who argue it adversely affects Jammu’s economy. MP Engineer Rashid has been particularly vocal, protesting the government’s decision and demanding either the restoration of the Darbar Move or the declaration of Kashmir as the capital of the erstwhile state. He contends that the end of this tradition has had a detrimental impact on Jammu’s businesses, which benefited from the seasonal influx of government officials and activities. Both the ruling National Conference and the Congress party had pledged to reinstate this tradition in their election manifestoes, underscoring its historical significance. The latest GAD order, however, indicates a continuation of the current administrative arrangement, with officials expected to be available in both locations as needed, as a measure to maintain accessibility and efficiency in governance.
SRINAGAR
Hurriyat leaders, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, held their first meeting since the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, signalling potential relaxations in restrictions on separatist activities under the new Omar Abdullah-led government. The Mirwaiz, who was largely under house detention for five years, shared a video of the gathering with senior leaders Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, and Molvi Masroor Abbas Ansari, expressing emotions about missing colleagues. While the meeting is significant amid a hardline government stance against separatism, analysts suggest any relaxations may occur within limited parameters without altering the government’s overarching policy. He later talked about the meeting in Jamia Masjid while delivering sermons on Friday, asserting that Hurriyat stands for the peaceful solution of Kashmir.
KASHMIR
With Jammu and Kashmir now under an elected government, there is increasing pressure to restore the traditional November-December school session in the Valley. In 2022, during Central government rule, the L-G administration moved the academic year from November to March, claiming it would standardise the academic calendar with national norms. However, this shift has faced backlash, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling it a “patently retrograde decision.” PDP leader Naeem Akhtar highlighted that the previous schedule, established decades ago, accommodated the region’s unique climatic challenges, allowing students to avoid significant academic losses during harsh winters. Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, after discussions with students at Government Degree College in Handwara, confirmed widespread discontent with the March session, which disrupted their academic rhythm. Rashid pledged to advocate for a return to the November session, a sentiment echoed across party lines. Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said she is committed to revising the academic calendar to better suit local conditions. Itoo has indicated a willingness to gather public feedback and is working on a plan to restore the November session, aligning it with both climate considerations and global education standards.
JAMMU KASHMIR
Following the recent assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress are engaging in self-reflection regarding their performances. The PDP secured three seats, while Congress, supported by the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), won six seats. During a meeting, the PDP suspended its organizational hierarchy and is electing a new one soon. It plans to enhance its grassroots presence, highlight its achievements, and prepare for upcoming local elections with renewed vigour. It also emphasised the importance of younger members in shaping the party’s future. On the other hand, Congress has formed a fact-finding committee to analyse its disappointing performance, particularly in Jammu, where it expected to win more seats. The committee, chaired by senior leader Ravinder Sharma, is soliciting feedback from party members and plans to interact with candidates across districts. Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra has urged regular engagement with grassroots workers and emphasised the need for timely fulfilment of key commitments, including statehood restoration, addressing unemployment, and reviving the Darbar Move practice.
SHOPIAN
Aharbal waterfall in Kulgam is set to become a prominent filming location as two major Bollywood productions have received approval for shoots. Dubbed the Niagara Falls of Kashmir, Aharbal is gaining popularity among tourists and filmmakers alike. Yash Raj Films has completed shooting its spy-thriller, tentatively titled Alpha, featuring stars like Alia Bhatt and Anil Kapoor, with the team praising the location’s stunning beauty. Besides, White Lion Films is preparing to film Autumn in Kashmir at Aharbal.
WARWAN
The civil society and the government are rushing to ensure the Mulwarwan residents are taken care of before the winter sets in. The village was devastated by a massive fire. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has allocated Rs 1.70 crore to support 85 families with each family getting Rs 2 lakh each. The civil society efforts are managed by Ababeel, a Chenab-based NGO, which is working tirelessly. They said the basic requirements are enough but the
