HM cuts short meet to attend PM’s reply
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah had to cut short the J&K security review meeting on Tuesday, sources said.
They said that the meeting has been rescheduled and will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 am in the Parliament as many issues have to be discussed. “The Union Home Minister had to cut short the meeting to be present in the Parliament to attend the Prime Minister’s reply,” sources said.
The security review meeting was called after an ex-serviceman was killed, his wife and niece injured in a terror attack in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday.
Sources said that J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Duloo, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, top officers of Army, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies had arrived in New Delhi for the meeting which remained inconclusive and would be held tomorrow.
The officers, according to the sources, were to brief the Union Home Minister about the prevailing situation in J&K and ongoing operations against the terrorists.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been reiterating that terrorists and their supporters have to be dealt with an iron fist to make J&K terror free.
The MHA has maintained that the policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism needs to be implemented firmly to make Jammu and Kashmir a terror free region.
The meeting on Wednesday, according to the sources, will also discuss the implementation of the Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan.
It may be recalled that during the last security review meeting held in December last year, the Union Home Minister had directed all security agencies to continue working in a coordinated manner to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the official data accessed, Jammu and Kashmir  in  January 2025 recorded the lowest number of killings over the past two decades, with just 3 fatalities—1 security force personnel and 2 terrorists.
The authorities have been maintaining that there has been a significant decline in terrorist incidents, infiltration and recruitment of youth in terrorist organisations.
The heightened security vigilance in the Union Territory has contributed to maintaining law and order stability. “The Union Home Ministry has passed clear instructions to prevent any civilian or security forces personnel killings and has ordered large-scale operations against terrorists.” (KNO)

By: Ishtiyaq Kar
Jammu:  The Rules Committee, led by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and constituted to draft rules of procedure for conducting business in the Legislative Assembly, held its meeting on Tuesday in Jammu.
Officials said the meeting, convened at the Legislative Assembly complex Jammu, focused on refining rules governing legislative procedures.
The nine-member committee, constituted on December 24, 2024, under Rule 363 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, aims to finalize amendments before the upcoming Budget Session in March.
BJP MLA R.S. Pathania, who attended the meeting, told news agency KINS that the panel discussed the business rules.
“There is a need for minor modifications, and the committee is actively working on refining procedural aspects. Further discussions will continue in the next meeting, scheduled for February 11,” he said.
Sources revealed that the primary objective of the meeting was to review and approve proposed changes.
A committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposed modifications aim to enhance the efficiency of Assembly proceedings.
This was the third meeting of the committee, following previous sessions on January 1 and January 7, 2025. Earlier discussions focused on updating outdated references in the existing procedural framework. While the committee can suggest changes, the power to formulate new rules rests with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who must consult the Speaker before making final decisions.
The Rules Committee comprises legislators from various political parties include Mubarak Gul (NC) – Former Speaker, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPI-M), Saifullah Mir (NC), Nizam-ud-Din Bhat (Congress) Pawan Kumar Gupta (BJP), Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi (NC) R.S. Pathania (BJP) Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Independent).
The Speaker serves as the ex-officio chairman of the committee.
The committee is expected to finalize the revised Rules of Procedure before the Budget Session, beginning March 3, 2025. The session, anticipated to last until March 21, will include two days dedicated to private members’ bills and resolutions, pending confirmation by the Business
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has formally summoned the J&K Legislative Assembly for its Budget Session, marking the first full-fledged budget under Omar Abdullah’s government following the return of an elected administration after seven years of direct central rule.
“I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in the exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, do hereby summon the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet at Jammu on Monday, the 3rd day of March 2025, at 10:00 AM.”
The LG is expected to address the Assembly on the first day, outlining the government’s legislative priorities for the coming year.
If a majority of committee members approve the draft rules, they will be forwarded to LG Manoj Sinha for final approval. Once ratified, these changes will take effect in the upcoming Budget Session, shaping the future of legislative proceedings in Jammu and Kashmir. (KINS)

By: Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar: In a significant move, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister in-charge of the Finance Department, is holding pre-budget consultations with members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons from Wednesday.
Sources said that ahead of the Union Territory’s budget, Omar Abdullah has decided to hold consultations with all MLAs, DDC chairpersons, and deputy commissioners.
To begin with, the CM will hold consultations with MLAs of four districts each on Wednesday and Thursday. “He will hold consultations with MLAs and DDC chairpersons of Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua, and Samba districts tomorrow and will hold similar meetings with legislators of Baramulla, Kulgam, Ramban, and Udhampur on Thursday,” a minister, wishing to remain anonymous, said.
He said these meetings are aimed at making the budget more inclusive and participatory. “These meetings are held to get inputs from MLAs about priority-sector works and ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people are reflected in the budget,” he said.
He added that these meetings are being held after MLAs identified priority—sector works to the tune of Rs 40 crore in their respective constituencies. “The list of these priority-sector works has been submitted by DCs to the government,” he said.
It is worthwhile to mention that Jammu & Kashmir’s budget will be presented in the Assembly next month. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister in-charge of the Finance Department, will present the budget (KNO)

SRINAGAR: In response to growing complaints from buyers and tourists about the sale of machine-made carpets from outside the region being falsely marketed as authentic Kashmiri handmade carpets, the Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, has further intensified its crackdown on unscrupulous carpet sellers.
Several counterfeit products were confiscated and stern warnings were issued to errant dealers to ensure compliance with Quality Control standards.
In a press statement issued here today, a spokesperson from the Department said that this action follows recent reports in local dailies highlighting the influx of machine-made Turkish and Iranian carpets being sold under the guise of genuine Kashmiri hand-knotted carpets. “The enforcement wing of the Quality Control Division conducted a comprehensive inspection of several wholesale carpet dealers in Srinagar and this exercise shall continue,” he added.
During the inspection, the team discovered stocks of Turkish and Iranian carpets, some of which were unlabelled or partially labelled. Such practices mislead consumers about the origin and nature of the products, constituting a violation of fair-trade practices, he stated, adding that the dealers found in violation of the Tourist Trade and Quality Control Acts will be issued warnings and advised to ensure all products are properly labelled as per prescribed specifications. “This includes clearly distinguishing between the machine-made carpets and authentic Kashmir hand-knotted carpets,” he added.
The Handicrafts and Handloom Department has reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparency and safeguarding consumer interests. Regular inspections will continue to ensure compliance and protect the reputation of genuine Kashmiri handmade carpets, which are an integral part of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
The spokesman further emphasized Department’s commitment in upholding the integrity of Kashmir’s handicrafts sector. “All stakeholders are urged to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations governing the industry. Any deviations or malpractices will be met with stringent actions to protect the interests of genuine artisans and preserve the authenticity of Kashmir’s heritage.”

Locals seek answers

By: Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar: Despite the elapsing of two months, the investigations into the deaths in Badhaal area of Rajouri have failed to uncover the truth with the locals continuing to seek answers from the government.
Since December 7, 2024, 17 individuals, including 13 children, have died due to an unidentified illness. Despite extensive efforts by various health agencies, the exact cause remains undetermined.
Over the last 15 days, no new cases have been reported, and most of the previously admitted patients have recovered, which has brought some relief to the fear-stricken community.
Locals said that though delayed, the government’s preventive measures have helped in containing the crisis. However, they demanded urgent response regarding the exact cause of the deaths so that proper safety measures can be put in place and that the residents can resume normal life without fear.
They expressed frustration over the slow pace of the investigation, saying the issue should have been treated as a health emergency and resolved on priority.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has questioned over 100 individuals but has not uncovered any new leads.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has ruled out infectious agents as the cause, shifting the focus of the investigation toward potential toxins. Experts from AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh have visited the affected area, collected samples, and are conducting analyses to identify possible toxic substances.
A top doctor said that all the patients at GMC Rajouri have recovered and all of them are off the atropine now.
He said that antidotes given to the affected patients have been effective, but authorities still lack conclusive evidence about the cause of the deaths and are awaiting Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports.
The medico said that authorities have narrowed down investigations on toxins like Aldicarb, Cadmium and other salts but official reports are yet to come.
“At least, we have found a solution in the form of antidote Atropine, which has given 100 percent results,” he said.
“Atropine is an antidote for organophosphorus poisoning, but surprisingly the typical features of organophosphorus poisoning were not there but based on treatment data analysis of those who survived in December with those who could not, atropine was given that helped to treat patients,” he added.
He said official reports are yet to come but they are expecting them this week.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and the village remains under strict surveillance to prevent further incidents. (KNO)

By: Owais Gul
Srinagar: National Conference (NC) President, Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said that the INDIA bloc is intact and will remain so in the future.
The statement was made by him just a day after his son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his call for ‘strategy shift’ in the INDIA bloc in a time-bound manner, failing which the purpose of the alliance will be defeated.
Dr Farooq while speaking to the media persons said that the INDIA bloc is doing absolutely fine and will keep doing good in the future as well.
Pertinently, Omar Abdullah on Monday underscored the need for the INDIA bloc to have a structured discussion on its future strategy, cautioning that internal rifts could harm its larger goal.
It’s in place to mention here that in January this year when Omar had stated that the constituents of the alliance were treading different paths,  Dr Farooq Abdullah had put his weight behind the INDIA bloc saying,
“The alliance is not just about contesting elections. It is about strengthening India and eliminating hatred. Those who believe this alliance exists only for parliamentary elections are mistaken. The alliance is permanent — it is for every day and every moment.” (KNO)

Srinagar, Feb 04: The fresh snowfall was experienced at multiple places in Kashmir on Tuesday late afternoon while rans lashed plains of southern parts of the Valley, bringing down the mercury here.
The light to moderate snowfall was predicted by the local Meteorological department here from this afternoon till tomorrow (February 5) afternoon.
The fresh snowfall was experienced at multiple places including Sonamarg, Sinthan Top, Pir ki Gali, Kokernag and other places while light rains lashed Banihal, Qazigund – Kulgam axis and in Anantnag.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that an improvement is expected from February afternoon, adding that the higher reaches of Chenab Valley & Pirpanjal Range in South Kashmir may receive snow depth of 8-10 inches till tomorrow forenoon.
Ahmad also said that the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy with generally dry from February 06 to 08 while fresh spells of light rain and snow is expected at isolated to scattered places on February 09.
From February 10-11, the weather would remain generally cloudy with the possibility of light rain and snow scattered to fairly widespread places.
Pertinently, the MeT had predicted back-to-back WDs in Jammu and Kashmir till February 05.
It is worth mentioning that Jammu and Kashmir had recorded a deficit rainfall of 87 per cent in the month of January as against the normal rainfall of 88.2 mm, the Union Territory has recorded a precipitation of just 11.5 mm only.
Moreover, the MeT has issued an advisory for tourists, travellers and transporters, asking them to follow administration and traffic advisory. (KNO)

By: Sajid Raina
Srinagar:  From 2019 to 2024, a total of 13,186 arrests were made in Jammu and Kashmir under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while only four convictions were recorded during the same period.
According to the data provided by the Ministry of State (MoS) for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, in response to a question in the Lok Sabha, arrests in Ladakh were minimal, with only 11 cases reported between 2021 and 2022, and no convictions since 2019.
“The arrests in J&K saw a steady increase in the first five years, with 1,700 arrests in 2019, 1,769 in 2020, 2,217 in 2021, 2,755 in 2022, and 3,072 in 2023. However, the number of arrests dropped to 1,673 in 2024 (till date). As for convictions, J&K reported a total of 4 convictions during the same period. There was 1 conviction in 2019, no convictions in 2020, followed by 1 conviction each in 2021 and 2022. No convictions were recorded in 2023, but 1 conviction was made in 2024,” the reply reads.
The data indicated that the number of arrests in J&K increased by more than 70% from 2019 to 2024.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established a 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism to improve coordination between central and state drug law enforcement agencies. An NCORD portal has been developed to provide comprehensive information on drug law enforcement, including data on narco-offenders, legal information, and state initiatives, it added.
Following the 5th Apex Level Committee meeting of NCORD, each state and union territory has set up an Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), headed by an ADG/IG-level police officer, to act as the NCORD Secretariat and ensure compliance with decisions taken during NCORD meetings, the MoS said.
Border Guarding Forces like the BSF, Assam Rifles, and SSB, along with agencies such as the RPF and NIA, have been empowered to take action under the NDPS Act. Intelligence sharing and controlled delivery operations are being conducted regularly within India and with foreign countries.
To strengthen the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), 425 new posts have been created, increasing its sanctioned strength to 1,598. The NCB is also actively conducting drug awareness programs in schools and colleges, organizing rallies and dramas in collaboration with NGOs, and sending SMS alerts through mobile service providers to spread awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Every year on June 26, the NCB observes the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to educate the public about the harmful effects of drug abuse and trafficking. (KNO)

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has reported a total of 3,468 cervical cancer cases over the past five years, a data presented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Parliament reveals.
The year-wise breakdown shows an increase in cases, with 656 in 2019, 676 in 2020, 694 in 2021, 712 in 2022, and 732 in 2023.
The cases increased from 656 in 2019 to 732 in 2023, reflecting a year-on-year rise. Specifically, the number of cases grew by 3.05% from 656 in 2019 to 676 in 2020, 2.66% from 676 to 694 in 2021, 2.59% from 694 to 712 in 2022, and 2.81% from 712 to 732 in 2023.
This rise aligns with a national trend attributed to factors such as an aging population, improved life expectancy, greater awareness, and advances in diagnostic technology. In response, the government has taken measures to make cancer treatment more affordable, including price caps on scheduled cancer drugs, reduced customs duties, and discounts on anticancer medications through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
The government also offers financial assistance through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), which covers health insurance of Rs 5 lakh per family annually. Additionally, cancer treatment is available at various healthcare facilities, including district hospitals and specialized centers like AIIMS, with AMRIT Pharmacy stores providing cancer drugs at lower prices. Awareness campaigns on prevention and early detection are also being conducted nationwide. (KNO)