Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Home Blog Page 10

72 Private Members’ Bills Moved in J&K Assembly; Proposals Include Liquor Ban, Tobacco Prohibition

File Photo: J&K Legislative Assembly

Jammu, Mar 12 (NVI): As many as 72 private members’ bills have been submitted by legislators in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, covering a wide range of issues including a ban on liquor and tobacco products, prohibition on private practice by government doctors, regularisation of daily wagers, and rehabilitation of migrants.

According to details, several lawmakers, including members of the ruling National Conference (NC), have moved bills seeking prohibition of alcohol and tobacco across the Union Territory.

NC MLA and former minister Ali Mohammad Sagar has proposed a bill seeking a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor across Jammu and Kashmir.

Another NC legislator Ahsan Pardesi has moved a bill seeking prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the Lal Chowk constituency which he represents.

MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad has also introduced a bill seeking a complete ban on the sale, consumption, storage and transportation of liquor in the Kashmir Valley. He has additionally proposed legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale, advertisement and use of cigarettes and tobacco products in Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP MLA and former Member of Parliament Mir Mohammad Fayaz has also submitted a bill seeking to prohibit the advertisement, sale, manufacture and consumption of alcoholic drinks in the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, ruling party MLA Abdul Majeed Bhat has proposed legislation to ban private practice by government doctors, stating that the move would strengthen the public health system and ensure the full-time availability of doctors in government institutions.

Several legislators have also introduced bills seeking the regularisation of daily wagers and temporary workers. Among them are CPM MLA M. Y. Tarigami, PDP MLA Wahid ur Rehman Para, and BJP MLA Devinder Kumar Manyal, who have proposed granting permanent status and job security to daily wagers and casual labourers working in different government departments.

Pampore MLA Hasnain Masoodi has also introduced a private member’s bill concerning red category industries, stating that such industries are highly hazardous and polluting and can adversely impact sectors like horticulture and agriculture. He has proposed reserving employment opportunities for local residents in these industries.

Another proposal by PDP MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi seeks the establishment of a Reintegration Commission to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri migrants, particularly Kashmiri Pandits.

The Legislative Assembly has reserved two days for discussion on private members’ bills when the Budget Session resumes on March 27 after a month-long break.(NVI)

Health Recruitment Scam Exposed; Crime Branch Files Chargesheet Against 17 Accused

Srinagar, Mar 12 (NVI): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has filed a chargesheet against 17 accused persons in connection with a major fraud involving fake appointments and forged government orders in the Health Department, causing crores of rupees loss to the state exchequer.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet in case FIR No. 07/2013 before the Hon’ble Court of Special Anti-Corruption Judge Baramulla against seventeen (17) accused persons for offences punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 201 RPC read with Section 5(2) PC Act.

The case was registered following the receipt of official communications from the Deputy Director Health Services (HQR) Kashmir, Srinagar, alleging fraudulent insertions in Government Order No. 235-HME of 2010 dated 19.04.2010, it reads.

Statement further reads that, It was alleged that certain officials, in conspiracy with others, manipulated the said order and fraudulently showed the creation of additional posts in the Health Department in Medical Block Bandipora.

During investigation it surfaced that, under a well-planned criminal conspiracy involving departmental officials and beneficiaries, fake transfer and appointment orders were prepared and used to illegally adjust several individuals against non-existent posts in PHC Chuntimullah, PHC Ashtangoo, SDH Bandipora and PHC Sheikhpora Gurez, it reads.

By using these forged documents, the accused beneficiaries managed to secure illegal appointments and subsequently drew salaries and 6th Pay Commission arrears from the Government treasury, it reads.

The investigation established that the accused persons, by resorting to forgery and fraudulent means, caused crores of rupees wrongful loss to the State exchequer while deriving corresponding wrongful gain for themselves.

Accordingly, after completion of investigation, the chargesheet has been filed before the Hon’ble Court for judicial determination, it reads.

The chargesheet has been filed against 17 accused persons including a Chief Medical Officer, a Block Medical Officer, doctors/medical officers, a senior assistant, office/dealing assistants of the Health Department and 12 beneficiary employees who were fraudulently adjusted against non-existent posts, reads the statement. (NVI)

 

 

 

 

NIA Carries Out Raids in Poonch district Linked to Arms and Grenade Recovery

Jammu, Mar 12 (NVI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out raids at multiple locations in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir as part of its investigation into a terror conspiracy case, officials said.

According to officials NVI that the searches were conducted in Mohalla Khorinar and Hari-Surankote areas of the border district in connection with a case linked to the recovery of arms and ammunition, including a pistol and two grenades, from two individuals in 2024.

The NIA had earlier filed a chargesheet in April last year against the accused — Abdul Aziz and Munawar Hussain — along with their alleged Pakistani handler Nazir Hussain in the case.

More details are awaited.(NVI)

IED Recovered During CASO in Thanamandi Area of Rajouri

Representational Picture

Rajouri, Mar 12 (NVI): An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri district on Thursday.

Officials told NVI that security forces launched a CASO in the area following specific inputs. During the search operation, an IED was detected and subsequently recovered.

Bomb disposal teams were called in to safely handle the explosive device, while further searches in the area were underway when the last reports came in.

Officials said that an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the origin of the IED and whether any militant group was involved in planting the device.(NVI)

Gunshot Fired Near Farooq Abdullah at Jammu Event, Omar Abdullah Calls It ‘Assassination Attempt’

File Photo : CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Mar 11 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that his father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah had a “very close shave” after a man allegedly fired a shot from point-blank range during an event in Jammu.

Omar Abdullah said in a post on X that the details of the incident are still sketchy, but a man carrying a loaded pistol managed to get dangerously close to Farooq Abdullah and discharged a shot.

He said the close protection team present at the venue acted swiftly and deflected the shot, preventing what he described as an assassination attempt.

“Allah is kind. My father had a very close shave. The details are sketchy at the moment but what is known is that a man with a loaded pistol was able to get within point blank range & discharge a shot,” Omar Abdullah wrote.

He added that it was the prompt action of the security personnel that ensured the attempt failed.

Omar Abdullah also raised serious concerns over the security lapse, questioning how the assailant managed to reach such close proximity to a former Chief Minister who is protected under the Z+ category by the National Security Guard.

“There are more questions than answers at the moment including but not limited to how someone was able to get this close to a Z+ NSG protected former CM,” he said.

Meanwhile, authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances and identify any security lapses.(NVI)

All Leaders Safe but Security Lapse Serious: Dy CM on Jammu Firing Case

Jammu, Mar 11 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday termed the firing incident during a function in Jammu as a “very big security lapse,” saying there was no presence of local police at the venue.

Speaking to reporters, Choudhary said he, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and senior leader Nasir Aslam Wani were together at the time of the incident and all of them are safe.

“We are all together. I, our leader Farooq Abdullah, and Nasir were together. Everyone is safe,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He added that questions should be asked to the police about how such a serious lapse in security occurred.

“It happened at Royal Park in Greater Kailash. There was no one from the local police there. This is a very big security lapse,” Choudhary said.(NVI)

Nasir Aslam Wani Says Probe On After Gunshot Incident at Jammu Wedding Attended by Farooq Abdullah

Jammu, Mar 11 (NVI): Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani on Wednesday said it was too early to draw conclusions about the gunshot incident reported during a wedding ceremony in Jammu where National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were present.

Speaking to reporters, Wani said the situation could have turned serious but no harm was caused and both leaders are safe.

“He tried to fire his revolver at Dr Farooq Abdullah, but Allah saved him. Allah did a great favour. The Deputy Chief Minister of J&K was also present at the wedding and Dr Farooq Abdullah was there as well,” Wani said.

Responding to questions regarding security arrangements at the venue, he said it was premature to comment and that the matter is under investigation.

“It is too early to reach any conclusion. Authorities will examine what the security arrangements were and what may have gone wrong. The truth will come out after the investigation,” he said.

Wani added that the accused person has been arrested and the probe has begun.

“Allah did a great favour. Everything was saved. Dr Farooq Abdullah is fine and in good spirits. He is resting now and InshaAllah we will meet tomorrow,” he said. (NVI)

Man opens fire at wedding in presence of Farooq Abdullah and J&K Dy CM, both are Safe

Representat

Jammu, Mar 11 (KNC): In a sensational incident, a gunshot was fired  tonight at a wedding ceremony where Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were present, officials said on Wednesday.

Both Farooq Abdullah and Surinder Choudhary are safe and no injuries were reported in the incident, police said.

The shooter, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal of Jammu, was nabbed immediately and handed over to the police.

Officials said the accused was reportedly under the influence of alcohol when he fired the shot during the function, triggering panic at the venue.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, officials added.(NVI)

Cop Suffers Minor Injuries After Removing Burning Gas Cylinder at PIB Office

Srinagar, Mar 11 (NVI): A policeman sustained minor injuries while averting a potential fire mishap at the Press Information Bureau (PIB) office in the Press Colony area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening, officials said.

Officials told NVI  that Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) teams rushed to the spot after receiving information about a fire inside the office building, where a gas cylinder had caught flames.

They said SGCT Javaid Ahmad, who was posted at the office, acted promptly and removed the burning gas cylinder from the premises, preventing a major mishap.

The fire was later brought under control by Fire and Emergency Services personnel.

During the rescue operation, the policeman sustained minor injuries and was shifted to a hospital for treatment. His condition is stated to be stable.

The firefighting operation was supervised by Director General Fire and Emergency Services Alok Kumar along with other senior officials present at the spot, officials added.(NVI)

NIA Seeks Life Imprisonment for Asiya Andrabi in UAPA Case

New Delhi, Mar 11 (NVI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday sought life imprisonment for Kashmiri separatist leader and Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi following her conviction in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), alleging that she conspired to wage war against India.

The submissions were made before Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit Singh, who is hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence against Andrabi and her two associates, Sofi Fehmeeda and Nahida Nasreen. The trio had been convicted by the court in January this year.

The NIA told the court that the accused were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy against the Government of India and had used social media platforms and public gatherings to propagate anti-India narratives with the alleged support of entities based abroad.

According to the agency, the banned organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DEM) was used to incite unrest and promote the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from India. It also alleged links with Pakistan-based elements, including UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Opposing the NIA’s demand for life imprisonment, the defence counsel argued that the prosecution had failed to establish that the speeches or social media posts by the accused directly incited violence.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its order and listed the matter for March 24 for pronouncement of the sentence.(NVI)

1...91011...1,543Page 10 of 1,543

MUST READ