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No NC MLA Will Defect, Cabinet Expansion at Right Time: Omar Abdullah
Calls alleged voter deletion in West Bengal “wrong”, says govt speaks when required

File Photo : CM Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, May 6 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday rejected speculation about defections within the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, asserting that no party MLA will switch sides to support the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Speaking to reporters, he also termed the reported deletion of voters in West Bengal as “wrong”, questioning the relevance of legal intervention after the completion of polls.

“If voters were removed and the matter is taken up only after elections, it defeats the purpose as people were denied their right to vote,” he said.

Abdullah maintained that his government does not hesitate to speak when necessary, asserting independence in decision-making.

Dismissing rumours of internal rifts, he said the claims of MLAs leaving the party are baseless and unfounded.

“There is no such situation. If it were true, I wouldn’t be attending public engagements like this,” he remarked.

Taking a swipe at rivals over the recent Rajya Sabha elections, he alleged that those making accusations had themselves aided the BJP, citing RTI findings and Assembly references.

On governance, the Chief Minister said most commitments have been fulfilled, with the remaining to be completed in a phased manner. He added that cabinet expansion will be carried out at an appropriate time. (NVI)

PDP Hits Back at NC Over Rajya Sabha Row, Says Blame Lies Within

Waheed Parra
File Photo: Waheed Para

Srinagar, May 6 (NVI): The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday hit back at the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) over the recent Rajya Sabha election controversy, terming the accusations against it as “misplaced, inaccurate and counterproductive.”

PDP leader and MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para accused the NC of attempting to divert attention from “substantive concerns,” including the Siraj-ul-Aloom issue and the alleged removal of Urdu from official records, by focusing on the Rajya Sabha voting episode.

He also alleged that the NC had “disintegrated” the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and ensured the exclusion of the PDP from the INDIA alliance arrangement during the Assembly elections.

“Against this backdrop, it is clear that the PDP did not owe cooperation to the NC. Yet, we extended unconditional support despite being aware of internal dissent within the National Conference,” Para said.

He maintained that blaming the PDP for the Rajya Sabha outcome was unfair and said the “failure lies close to Nawai Subh,” referring to the Chief Minister’s office headed by Omar Abdullah.

Para said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had acted with “magnanimity” by neither abstaining from voting nor imposing conditions on the NC.

Questioning the NC’s criticism over the appointment of polling agents, he said the Rajya Sabha voting process was open and transparent and that key decisions rested with the NC leadership.

“If the NC’s complaint is that the PDP did not appoint an agent for its votes, then what would make them trust a PDP-appointed agent if they are unwilling to trust PDP legislators themselves?” he asked.

Referring to past remarks by NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Para said the party had earlier admitted to lapses in clearly communicating its position during elections.

He alleged that targeting the PDP could serve the BJP’s larger political agenda of fragmenting opposition unity in Jammu and Kashmir.

Para also said that if political circumstances change in future and the NC requires PDP’s support, it could face an “awkward moment” after criticising the party and its leadership.

Addressing Abdullah, he urged the Chief Minister to focus on governance rather than “dwelling on one lost Rajya Sabha seat.”

“The government would do well to ensure that its MLAs and MPs deliver effective governance,” he added.(NVI)

 

US National Found Dead in Dal Lake Srinagar

Srinagar, May 6 (NVI): An 83-year-old tourist from the United States of America was found dead in Srinagar after falling ill at a houseboat on Dal Lake, officials said.

The deceased has been identified as John Anderson, who was temporarily staying at Dal Lake Srinagar.

Officials said he developed health-related complications at the houseboat and was immediately shifted to Paras Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

He was accompanied by his wife and a friend at the time of the incident, they said.

As the death of a foreign national occurred under sudden circumstances and no clear prior medical history was available, inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the BNSS have been initiated, officials added.(NVI)

CRPF Head Constable Dies After Falling Unconscious in South Kashmir Shopian 

REpresentational Image

Shopian, May 6 (NVI): A CRPF personnel died after falling unconscious in Wachi area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday

An official said that the deceased has been identified as Head Constable Surinder Singh of 178 Battalion, a resident of Shalibanda, Hyderabad, who was posted at Police Post Wachi.

He was immediately evacuated to CHC Zainapora for treatment, where doctors declared him brought dead, officials added.

Meanwhile police Cognizance of the matter has been taken and further investigation initiated. (NVI)

J&K Cabinet Expansion Likely Soon; Omar Abdullah May Fill Vacant Berths

File Photo : J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, May 6 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to expand his cabinet in the coming days, with all three vacant ministerial berths expected to be filled soon, sources said.

The proposed expansion is likely to ensure balanced regional representation across Jammu and Kashmir, they said. As per the likely arrangement, one minister may be inducted from South Kashmir, one from Srinagar district, and another from North Kashmir.

The move is being seen as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve outreach across different regions of the Valley.

Discussions regarding probable candidates and allocation of portfolios are currently underway within the ruling establishment, the sources added.

At present, three cabinet positions remain vacant, and the expansion is expected to address demands for broader representation from various districts and constituencies.

There has been no official confirmation on the timing of the expansion, but it is likely to be finalised after the completion of ongoing administrative consultations, they said.

The anticipated reshuffle has generated political interest across Jammu and Kashmir, with party leaders and workers closely watching developments and speculating over possible inductees.(NVI)

Scooter Explosion Triggers Panic Near BSF Chowk in Jalandhar; No Casualties

Jalandhar, May 5 (NVI): Panic gripped a busy area near BSF Chowk in Punjab’s Jalandhar city on Tuesday after an Activa scooter exploded and caught fire, officials said.

Police and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot soon after the incident and brought the situation under control, they said.

No casualties were reported in the explosion, officials added.

The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, and further investigation is underway.(NVI)

2 Dead, 2 Missing After Vehicle Found in Nallah Along Mughal Road

Poonch, May 5 (NVI): Two persons were found dead while two others remain missing after a vehicle they were travelling in was recovered from a nallah along the Mughal Road in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Tuesday, officials said.

The four individuals had gone missing on Monday while travelling along the Mughal Road, prompting authorities to launch a search and rescue operation.

During the operation, the vehicle was located submerged in a nallah near Chhattapani. Rescue teams retrieved the vehicle and recovered two bodies from the spot, officials said.

Efforts are underway to trace the remaining two missing persons, they added.

“Search operations are in full swing, and all possible efforts are being made to locate the missing individuals at the earliest,” an official said.

Further details are awaited.(NVI)

GOC White Knight Corps Reviews Operational Preparedness in J&K’s Basantgarh

Jammu, May 5 (NVI): The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps on Tuesday reviewed the operational readiness and security situation in Basantgarh area of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The GOC, accompanied by the GOC of Counter Insurgency Force (Delta), was briefed on the existing security grid, deployment of forces, surveillance systems and contingency response mechanisms, they said.

During the visit, senior officers assessed the prevailing security dynamics and discussed measures to optimise the operational framework and strengthen coordination among various agencies.

The Army emphasised the need for sustained vigilance and integrated efforts to ensure stability and maintain a secure environment in the region, officials added.(NVI)

Manoj Sinha Leads Mega Padyatra in Budgam; Announces ‘Parents Brigade’, Vows Ruthless Crackdown on Drug Smugglers

Budgam, May 5 (NVI): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday joined a massive padyatra in Budgam as part of the ongoing Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir campaign, pledging sweeping and decisive action against drug smugglers and narco-terror networks.

Addressing a large gathering, the Lieutenant Governor announced the formation of an informal ‘Parents Brigade’ in every village and city, aimed at creating a voluntary network of parents, women, and youth. He said the initiative would empower communities to identify early signs of drug abuse and connect affected families with support systems.

Calling for collective action, Sinha urged every section of society—including families, social organizations, and community leaders—to intensify efforts against drug abuse across the district.

“The entire district of Budgam must stand against the poison of drugs that is destroying the souls of our youth,” he said, emphasizing that addiction weakens not only families but also the nation’s future workforce and security structure.

Highlighting the human dimension of the crisis, he stated that youth trapped in addiction should be treated with compassion. “They are victims, not criminals, and they need our care and support,” he added, while urging society to break the stigma surrounding drug abuse.

The Lieutenant Governor described drug addiction as both a public health and national security issue, asserting that drug trafficking is closely linked with terror funding. He warned that strict action would be taken against all those involved in the narcotics trade.

Sinha revealed that police stations across the Kashmir Valley have been directed to compile detailed data on drug peddlers and smugglers and initiate decisive action within 30 days. He further said that financial networks of drug cartels are under surveillance and properties built through illegal earnings will be demolished.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he said the fight against drugs requires unified public participation. “When we fight against drugs, we also fight against terror. When we protect our youth, we protect our nation,” he asserted.

The Lieutenant Governor also called upon citizens to act as vigilant partners by reporting suspicious activities, warning drug smugglers that their time in Budgam “has ended” and that no offender will escape accountability.(NVI)

EOW Kashmir Cracks Health Educator Recruitment Scam; Accused Arrested

Srinagar, May 05 (NVI): The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has intensified its crackdown on recruitment fraud by conducting searches in connection with FIR No. 19/2017 registered under Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 RPC of Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir (now EOW Kashmir), and arresting a habitual offender involved in the case.

The arrested accused has been identified as Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, a Senior Assistant in the Health Department and a resident of Tankipora Shaheed Gunj, Srinagar. He has been taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the health educator recruitment scam.

The case originated following a communication from the Deputy Director Health Services Kashmir, which revealed that one Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Mazhama, Budgam, had fraudulently secured his appointment as a Health Educator by producing forged transfer orders and a fabricated Last Pay Certificate.

Investigations uncovered that the accused had illegally entered government service at Block Sheeri, Baramulla, and subsequently drew salary, resulting in wrongful loss to the state exchequer.

Officials further stated that Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir is involved in multiple similar cases, some of which are under investigation while others have already been charge-sheeted.

Further investigation in the case is underway.(NVI)

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