Srinagar, June 01: Continuing its sustained campaign against the drug menace and illegal encroachments, police in Anantnag, in coordination with the Revenue Department, successfully retrieved government land that had been illegally occupied by individuals involved in narcotics-related cases.

During a joint anti-encroachment drive conducted along with revenue officials led by the Naib Tehsildar Chatergul, approximately one kanal of government land, comprising Khasra No. 1257 and Khasra No. 101 at Paderpora Chatergul, was evacuated from unauthorized occupation.

The land had been illegally encroached upon by Gulzar Ahmad Hajam son of Nundi Hajam, involved in FIR No. 17/2025 of Police Station Utrasoo, and Manzoor Ahmad Lone son of Gh. Hassan, involved in FIR No. 60/2022 of Police Station Utrasoo, both residents of Paderpora Chatergul.

During the operation, the fencing wall erected on the encroached government land was demolished and the land was restored to its rightful status. Possession of the retrieved land was subsequently handed over to the concerned government authorities.

This action reflects the firm resolve of J&K Police and the district administration to take stringent measures against drug peddlers and individuals attempting to derive unlawful benefits through illegal occupation of public property. Such initiatives are aimed at dismantling the influence and infrastructure of those involved in criminal activities and ensuring that government land remains protected for public use.

Police remains committed to its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and associated unlawful activities and will continue to take decisive action against offenders in accordance with the law.

Srinagar, June 01: In a continued effort to curb the menace of drug trafficking and substance abuse, Police achieved a significant success by apprehending 04 drug peddlers in Baramulla and Handwara and recovering contraband substances from their possession.

A police party during naka checking operation conducted at Babareshi Crossing intercepted a Scooty bearing registration number JK15C-1139. During search, 17 grams of Charas like substance was recovered from his possession. Th accused identified as Shahid Ahmad Lone son of Nazir Ahmad Lone resident of Bathipora Naidkhai, Sumbal. Similarly, a police party of Police Station Baramulla intercepted two suspicious individuals at Jani Chowk, Khawajabagh. Upon search, 487.5 grams of opium pods were recovered from their possession. The accused have been identified as Amandeep Singh, son of Amarjeet Singh resident of Khawajabagh, Baramulla, and Muzain Tanveer son of Tanveer Ahmad Hajam, resident of Khawajabagh, Baramulla.

In Handwara, police apprehended a drug peddler during naka operation at Waskoora Crossing area falling within the jurisdiction of Police Station Handwara. During the subsequent personal search, officers recovered Spasmo-Proxyvon Plus contraband substance from his possession, exposing his involvement in illegal narcotics trafficking. The accused has been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Bhat son of Mohd Ramzan Bhat resident of Kralgund Handwara.

All the accused were arrested and shifted to respective police stations where they remain in custody. Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and investigation has been set into motion to unearth further links in the narcotics network.

Police reiterates its commitment to eliminating the drug menace from society and appeals to the general public to cooperate with the police by sharing any information related to drug trafficking or substance abuse in their areas.

Srinagar, June 01: Continuing its sustained efforts against narcotics and illegal cultivation of contraband substances, police in Anantnag destroyed illegally cultivated cannabis crop in the Bijbehara area and registered a case under the NDPS Act.

Acting on credible information, a police team from Police Post Sangam received inputs that one Gulzar Ahmad Mir son of Gh. Nabi Mir resident of Batpora Marhama had illegally cultivated cannabis plants on his privately owned land situated at Nai Basti, Marhama. Acting promptly on the information, a police party, accompanied by the Executive Magistrate, Numberdar, Chowkidar, and independent civil witnesses, proceeded to the spot for verification.

During the inspection, cannabis plants were found illegally cultivated on the said land. The crop was subsequently destroyed on the spot in accordance with legal procedures and in the presence of the concerned officials and witnesses. In this connection, FIR No. 143/2026 under Section 8/20(a) of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara, and further investigation has been taken up.

Police reiterates its commitment to eradicating the menace of drugs and illegal cultivation of narcotic substances from society. Members of the public are urged to share any information related to drug trafficking or illegal cultivation with the nearest police establishment. The identity of informants shall be kept strictly confidential.

Srinagar, June 01: In a significant action against the drug menace, police in Anantnag, in coordination with the civil administration, demolished a commercial structure belonging to a notorious drug peddler in the Batengoo area of Anantnag.

The action was carried out against Nazir Ahmad Dar son of Gh. Ahmad Dar resident of Batengoo, who is involved in narcotics-related activities. During the operation, one shop structure situated at Batengoo and belonging to the said drug peddler was demolished by Police in the presence of the Tehsildar Anantnag and other concerned officials.

Police remains committed to its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and urges the public to continue extending cooperation by sharing information regarding drug-related activities. The identity of informants shall be kept strictly confidential.

New Delhi, June 1: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to direct the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination in a computer-based test (CBT) mode, observing that such a direction could not be granted at this stage when authorities were already engaged in conducting the fresh examination scheduled for June 21.

A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar expressed disinclination to entertain the plea seeking an immediate shift from the existing pen-and-paper format to CBT for the re-test and posted the matter for hearing in July.

The apex court’s decision effectively means that the re-examination will proceed as scheduled under the current format. Admit cards for the re-test are expected to be released by June 14.

The petition, filed by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, sought urgent directions for conducting the June 21 re-examination through CBT, contending that repeated paper leak allegations and security lapses had exposed vulnerabilities in the pen-and-paper examination system.

During the hearing, the Justice Narasimha-led Bench observed that there was “no question” of granting such relief at the present stage, observing that the examination had already been cancelled once and was being reconducted.

The Supreme Court said that the issue could be considered on the next date of listing, tagging the matter along with other pending pleas seeking reforms in the functioning of the NTA.

The plea argued that despite recommendations made by a high-level committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan following the 2024 controversy, NEET-UG 2026 was conducted under substantially the same pen-and-paper framework involving physical printing, storage and transportation of confidential examination material.

Last week, while hearing a batch of petitions on examination reforms, the Supreme Court stressed the need to fix individual accountability within the NTA and observed that recurring controversies would continue unless specific responsibility was assigned to officials handling different aspects of the examination process.

The Centre had informed the Justice Narasimha-led Bench that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally monitoring the situation following the NEET-UG 2026 controversy.

Srinagar, June 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch said on Monday that it has filed a chargesheet in the land fraud case of Khushipora area of Srinagar district.

A Crime Branch Kashmir statement said, “The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar in FIR No. 03/2024 under Sections 420, 468, 167 and 120-B RPC against three accused persons for their alleged involvement in a land fraud case.”

The statement said that the case pertains to the alleged fraudulent sale of the same parcel of land situated at Khushipora, HMT Srinagar to multiple purchasers through separate registered sale deeds.

Investigation revealed that accused Mehraj-ud-Din Khanday, son of Ghulam Ahmad Khanday; and Shabir Ahmad Khanday, both residents of Khushipora Abanshah, Srinagar, in connivance with the then Patwari (now deceased), fraudulently executed multiple sale deeds for the same parcel of land situated at Khushipora, HMT Srinagar.

The accused used fabricated and manipulated revenue records to deceive purchasers and secure unlawful gains.

Upon completion of investigation, the chargesheet was presented before the court for judicial determination.

“The general public is advised to remain vigilant against economic fraudsters and report any such incidents directly to SSP EOW Srinagar (Crime Branch J&K), Abdul Waheed Shah,” the Crime Branch Kashmir said in its statement.

The victims of economic fraud can also submit complaints through the official email: [email protected].

The Crime Branch is deployed to investigate cases involving special crimes, like economic offences, for which the executive police does not have dedicated teams of investigators as it has to deal with daily law and order problems. The Crime Branch is usually entrusted with cases for which technical knowledge beyond the routine police work is often needed. Specialised teams of sleuths acquainted with details about revenue, finance and other connected sectors are used by the Crime Branch to investigate cases.

Poonch, June 01: The Army has introduced an Aadhaar-based digital entry and exit system at Line of Control (LoC) gates in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district to facilitate smoother movement of residents living across the border fence.

The initiative aims to balance civilian convenience with security requirements in sensitive border areas, where movement through designated gates remains a routine necessity for many residents living beyond the fencing.

Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the new digital mechanism enables quick and secure identification of individuals using Aadhaar-based verification, significantly reducing waiting time and streamlining access procedures at the gates.

The system has been introduced to improve ease of movement for local residents while maintaining stringent security protocols in areas located along the LoC.

People living across the border fence often rely on regulated gate access for movement linked to agriculture, daily activities and essential travel.

Authorities said the Aadhaar-enabled system is expected to reduce procedural delays and make the verification process more efficient without compromising security safeguards.

Officials added that the initiative reflects increasing use of digital systems in sensitive zones to strengthen identification mechanisms and improve public facilitation. [KNT]

New Delhi, June 1: The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the appointment of senior IPS officer Vidhi Kumar Birdi as Inspector General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on deputation basis.

The appointment places the AGMUT cadre officer in a key leadership position within one of the country’s largest paramilitary forces.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IPS (AGMUT:2003), has been appointed as Inspector General in CRPF against an existing vacancy.

The appointment has been made in Level-14 of the pay matrix and will be governed by the usual terms and conditions applicable to central deputation.

The Ministry has requested the concerned authorities to relieve Birdi immediately to enable him to assume his new assignment at the Centre.

The order, issued by the IPS-III Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was dated June 1, 2026.

Vidhi Kumar Birdi has served in several policing and administrative assignments and is regarded as a senior officer of the AGMUT cadre. His deputation to CRPF comes as part of routine central staffing and deployment of IPS officers to national security and law-enforcement institutions. [KNT]

Jammu, June 01: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a Forest Department employee after allegedly catching him red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 in connection with release of security deposits linked to allotted works.

The arrest follows a complaint alleging corruption in processing official payments and marks another trap operation by ACB targeting public servants accused of seeking illegal gratification.

According to ACB, a written complaint was received alleging that the accused had demanded Rs 20,000 from a complainant for expediting release of security deposits related to allotted works.

The complainant alleged that following negotiations, the accused agreed to accept Rs 15,000.

Unwilling to pay the alleged bribe, the complainant approached the Anti-Corruption Bureau seeking legal action.

ACB said a discreet verification was conducted, which established prima facie evidence regarding the demand for illegal gratification by the accused public servant.

Subsequently, FIR No. 07/2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered at Police Station ACB Central Jammu and investigation was initiated.

During investigation, ACB constituted a trap team and laid a successful operation.

The accused, identified as Vaseem Ahmad Hap, son of Manzoor Ahmad, resident of Hidyal Kishtwar and presently posted as Forest Guard while also handling accounts-related work in the office of Divisional Forest Officer, Forest Division Marwah, was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 15,000 from the complainant.

ACB said the accused was arrested on the spot and the bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of independent witnesses associated with the trap proceedings.

Following the arrest, searches were conducted at the residential premises of the accused in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses.

Officials said further investigation into the case was underway.