By: Riyaz Bhat

Srinagar, May 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday announced that all schools in Kashmir region will remain closed from Wednesday to Friday on account of Eid-ul-Adha.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo stated that schools will observe a three-day holiday for the occasion.

In the meantime, Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in an order said, “In view of celebrations on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, all Government schools as well as recognized Private Schools of Kashmir Division shall observe special holiday on 29-05-2026.”

Meanwhile, the General Administration Department has also sanctioned one-day Special Casual Leave for employees of the UT in view of Eid-ul-Adha.

The leave can be availed by those wishing to observe the festival. (KNO)

Heavy rush seen across Srinagar markets

Srinagar, May 26: The markets across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar, are experiencing a significant festive rush with people shopping for Eid.

All big and small markets in Srinagar and other towns in Kashmir were witnessing heavy footfall, causing traffic congestion.

People came out early to buy essentials of life so that their families have enough to celebrate the Eid al-Adha festival on Wednesday in the union territory.

Shops selling bakery, mutton, poultry, and hosiery were witnessing huge crowds. And children thronging toy markets brought Srinagar city to life early today.

People carrying bags of foodstuffs and other essentials were seen jostling with each other to negotiate the heavy traffic on city roads, as traffic snarls resulted in confusion and chaos in some places.

Many makeshift shops set up by pavement sellers have added to the choking of pedestrian spaces in uptown Srinagar city as police try to be polite and lenient on the eve of the Eid festival, so that the pavement sellers can do some business and share the joys of the festival with their families.

The most sought-after on this Eid are the animal markets full of sheep and goats brought to the city from far-off places like Poonch, Rajouri and even from Delhi and Rajasthan.

Well-fed and well-kept sheep and goats are reared by sheep and goatherds to sell them at handsome prices on Eid al-Adha. Authorities have deployed teams of checking squads to ensure that prices remain under control and all the edibles sold on Eid are fresh and fit for human consumption. There is no shortage of essentials in the valley, and despite this, some unscrupulous traders try to exploit the buyers’ rush to unreasonably hike prices.

Following the centuries-old tradition, Muslims throughout the world offer animal sacrifices on Eid al-Adha, also called the Bakr Eid. Muslims believe that the spirit behind these animal sacrifices is to commemorate the greatest submission to Allah’s command and total submission of humankind to God’s mercy.

Says anti-drone systems to be rolled out soon

New Delhi, May 26: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah Tuesday interacted with personnel at the Sanchu Post of the Border Security Force (BSF), located on the international border in Bikaner, and virtually inaugurated women’s barracks.

On this occasion, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau, Secretary (Border Management), Director General of BSF, and other senior officers were present.

Addressing the personnel, Amit Shah said that since the establishment of the BSF, border guards have fulfilled the responsibility of protecting the nation’s borders with dedication to duty, bravery, courage, and the spirit of supreme sacrifice, without caring for scorching heat, severe cold, rain, dense forests, snow-covered peaks, or temperatures ranging from 45 degrees to minus 45 degrees Celsius.

He said that the sacrifice of more than 2,000 border guards is not only a debt owed by the BSF and the Government of India, but by all 1.4 billion Indians. The Home Minister added that the entire nation is proud of the border guards.

Amit Shah said that the government has decided to ensure the participation of the country’s daughters in every field in a gender-neutral manner and provide them with equal opportunities.

He said that earlier governments had not given adequate attention to the role of women in border security and the facilities required for them, but the country’s daughters have gone two steps ahead of men in contributing to national security.

He added that by 2030, all necessary facilities for women personnel deployed in border security will be ensured. Shah informed that in Rajasthan, 79 barracks have been sanctioned, and work on 67 of them has already been completed at a cost of around ₹39 crore.

Of these, 14 barracks were inaugurated today. The Home Minister said that along the borders guarded by the BSF, a total of 356 barracks will be constructed at a cost of around ₹200 crore. Once completed, these barracks will make duty deployment much more convenient for women personnel.

Amit Shah said that since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, there has been a fundamental transformation in the country’s security landscape. He said that the armed forces are being modernised and the Border Security Forces are also undergoing modernisation.

He added that the Government of India has adopted a policy of ruthlessly giving a befitting reply to any attempt by terrorists. The Home Minister said that ensuring zero infiltration is our responsibility, and that this can be achieved through a quadrilateral security grid.

Amit Shah said that BSF personnel delivered a commendable performance during ‘Operation Sindoor’. He said that wherever the BSF took charge of the frontlines, they stood firm with complete determination. He added that the BSF also played a major role in maintaining the morale of people living in border districts. Wherever required, BSF personnel gave a befitting reply to Pakistan in keeping with their proud tradition.

The Union Home Minister expressed happiness over visiting the historic Sanchu post and said that during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Sanchu had a population of more than 500, while the RAC post was located about 25 kilometres behind in Ranjitpura village. He said that when the brave personnel of three RAC units and the 13 Grenadiers received information that Pakistan was attempting to capture Sanchu, they launched a fierce attack and ensured that Sanchu remained secure within India’s borders, forcing Pakistan to retreat.

The Union Home Minister said that the three RAC units, which are now part of the 12th Battalion of the BSF, proudly celebrate Vijay Utsav every year. This Victory Day has been named “Sanchu Diwas.” He added that this post is inscribed in golden letters in India’s military history.

Amit Shah said that construction work on a lateral road across the entire Rajasthan desert has begun. The Home Minister added that the approximately 1,096-kilometre-long lateral road and the 520-kilometre-long axial road will not only provide better facilities to BSF personnel but also improve connectivity. He further said that work on new-design fencing is also underway, and that the task of supplying drinking water through pipelines to nearly 180 border posts in Rajasthan has been completed.

Amit Shah said that the traditional role of the BSF must now be viewed from a new perspective. He said that along with border security, the force must strengthen its preparedness by maintaining constant vigilance against illegal smuggling, infiltration, and cross-border activities. The Home Minister said that a few years ago, the Government of India decided to expand the BSF’s jurisdiction from 15 kilometres to 50 kilometres from the border. He said that it is our responsibility to inform the civil administration if any illegal construction takes place within villages located inside this 50-kilometre zone. The Union Home Minister added that if any artificial demographic change is taking place within the 50-kilometre radius, the BSF must remain alert and inform the state government. He further said that it is also the responsibility of the force to take all necessary measures to strictly stop the smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones and other means.

The Union Home Minister said that the Government of India will begin installing anti-drone systems within the next six months. However, he stressed that it is equally important to identify who receives the drones once they land on Indian soil and who uses the materials brought by them for anti-national activities. Shah said that there must be constant vigilance on such activities. For their neutralisation, close coordination with civil authorities and district police is essential, and the response must be result-oriented.

Amit Shah said that border villages are being developed under the plan envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the BSF should take the lead under the Vibrant Villages Programme and work towards ensuring 100 percent saturation of welfare schemes of the state governments and the Government of India in border villages. He added that the coming generations in border villages must be made aware and empowered, because only then can the BSF, the armed forces, and vigilant citizens together build a strong security grid.

The Union Home Minister said that there must be constant vigilance over all threats originating from across the border. At the same time, attention must also be paid to those within our borders who are used to create internal threats, and strict action should be taken against them in accordance with the law.

Shah said that the responsibility for securing the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders lies with the BSF. Along both these borders, we have to strengthen the quadrilateral security grid. To deal with any threat, the BSF, the armed forces, border residents, and the local administration must work jointly; that is why it has been named a quadrilateral grid. Border security is not an isolated duty, but a territorial responsibility shared by all of us.

Amit Shah said that the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have made a significant contribution to tree plantation efforts. He said that over the past five years, personnel of CAPFs have planted nearly 7 crore 35 lakh trees. Shah added that, in view of climate change and rising global temperatures, such a large number of trees will prove extremely beneficial in the future. The Home Minister also planted a Khejri sapling and said that the Khejri tree is like a wish-fulfilling tree for the desert region.

Chairs high-level meeting of JKAACL Central Committee

Srinagar, May 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting of the Central Committee of Jammu Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), at Lok Bhavan.

The meeting was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture; Ram Niwas Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department; Harvinder Kour, Secretary JKAACL; Dr Satish Vimal; Prof Bashar Bashir, and Principals of Institute of Music and Fine Arts, University of Jammu and University of Kashmir.

The Central Committee granted in-principle approval to several key proposals, including affiliation for continuing Calligraphy Course, Annual Plan of Expenditure for the FY 2026-27 and the designing of a new Academy logo, which will feature all five official languages of Jammu Kashmir.

The Lieutenant Governor directed for accelerating the digitization process of all Academy libraries and implementing a well-crafted plan for capacity building of the Academy artists and staff.

He instructed the Academy to expedite the process of accreditation of artists and filling the vacant posts.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that a comprehensive strategy involving the Education, Sports, and Culture departments must be formulated to promote vibrant cultural activities in schools and colleges to boost youth engagement.

The Lieutenant Governor also applauded the Culture Academy’s performance in the Vande Mataram initiative.

Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Culture Department, gave a detailed presentation highlighting JKAACL’s recent milestones.

The committee was informed that the Academy successfully organized over 470 events across Jammu, Kashmir, and other parts of the country, engaging 14,117 artists and writers. Major commemorative events included 150 Years of Vande Mataram celebrations, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Har Ghar Tiranga Yatra, Nukkad Natak under Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign, Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas, Birth Anniversary of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and Constitution Day.

It was further informed that The Jammu & Kashmir Tableau was a major attraction during the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, on 31st October 2025. Furthermore, the J&K Tableau clinched the Second Prize at the Republic Day Parade 2026 in New Delhi, a historic national achievement for the Union Territory after 24 years.

The Committee also reviewed the Action Taken Report from the previous meeting which was held in 2021.

On the occasion, a Shina-Urdu dictionary and Annual Report of the Academy were also released.