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Jammu-Srinagar NH Remains Closed as Restoration Work Continues

Landslides
File photo

Srinagar, Jul 31 (NVI): The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for traffic on Friday as restoration and road-widening works continued along a stretch between Udhampur and Banihal, officials said.

The work is being carried out between Jakheni in Udhampur district and Gangroo in Ramban district, a traffic department official said.

The closure follows an order issued by the district administrations of Udhampur and Ramban to facilitate the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in widening the hill-side carriageway and clearing loose debris.

Authorities have advised commuters to avoid travelling on the highway until restoration work is completed and the road is declared safe for traffic.

Officials also urged people to rely only on official updates issued by the Traffic Police and other authorised agencies regarding the highway’s status.(NVI)

Terror Hideout Busted in J&K’s Rajouri Forest, Ration and Utensils Recovered

File Photo

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 31 (NVI): Security forces on late evening Thursday busted a suspected terrorist hideout in a forest area of Rajouri district and recovered ration, cooking utensils and other items during a search operation, officials said.

Officials told that the hideout was unearthed during an area domination search operation in the Bhangai forest belt of Thanamandi. The hideout had been established in a densely forested area concealed by thick vegetation, they said.

They said the recovered items include two packets of rice, instant noodles, a knife, a lighter, a plastic sheet, an old blanket, a gas stove nozzle, two candles and a plastic bottle.

Officials said the search operation in the area was continuing till the filing of this report.(NVI)

Langer Head from Delhi Dies of Suspected Cardiac Arrest During Amarnath Yatra

Holy Cave Shri Amarnath Ji

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, July 31 (NVI): A 72-year-old pilgrim from Delhi, associated with a langar service during the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, died after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest at Chanderkot  Jammu and Kashmir Ramban District on Friday, officials said.

The deceased has been identified as Ravinder Kumar Talwar (72), Langer Head of Shri Shiv Pariwar Sewa Mandal, Delhi.

Officials said that Talwar reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest at Chanderkot. His body has been shifted to the District Hospital Udhampur for necessary legal formalities.

Further proceedings are underway.(NVI)

Anti-paper leak bill passed by Parliament

Lok Sabha of Parliament (File Pic)

New Delhi, July 30 (NVI) A proposed legislation providing for stricter punishment in the case of exam paper leaks was today approved by Parliament, making it a step short of becoming the law.

The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by the Rajya Sabha today by a voice vote amidst walkout by the opposition.

The bill to amend a law of 2024 was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday.

According to the bill, individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.

For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

The amendment bill seeks to empower all the state governments and Union Territories administrations to designate any court of session to be a special fast-track court to try offences under the proposed law.

It also provides that the proceedings in such courts are continued on a day-to-day basis and the trial is completed within three months from the date of filing of the charge sheet.

The bill also empowers the central government to constitute a special task force for investigation of any offence, if necessary.  (NVI)

Hyundai India registers 35.1% fall in consolidated net profit in June quarter

New Delhi, July 30 (NVI) Carmaker Hyundai Motor India has reported a 35.1 per cent year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 889 crore for the first quarter of current financial year 2026-27 which ended June 30.

The fall has been attributed to escalated raw material costs, supply chain disruptions and weaker exports which weighed on earnings despite resilient domestic demand.

The automaker said profitability was impacted by elevated steel and commodity prices, along with production disruptions following a fire at a supplier’s facility near Chennai.

While operations resumed by the end of June, exports declined 19.6 per cent, offsetting a 5.4 per cent increase in domestic vehicle sales. Total expenses rose 4.2 per cent to Rs 15,407 crore.

Hyundai said geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and persistent input cost inflation continued to pressure margins during the quarter.

The company implemented vehicle price hikes to mitigate rising costs, but these were insufficient to fully offset higher commodity prices and supply chain challenges.

The company indicated that domestic demand remained relatively resilient, supported by earlier tax measures and continued interest in its sport utility vehicle portfolio.

However, weaker overseas shipments and higher manufacturing costs weighed on overall financial performance, making the first quarter of FY27 a challenging period for the automaker. (NVI)

Jantar Mantar protest: No police action against protesters, except those with criminal antecedents

delhi police

New Delhi, July 30 (NVI) The Government of NCT Delhi today announced that “no adverse legal action” will be taken against those who participated in the recent protests over the alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination.

However, this protection will not apply to those persons having “criminal antecedents”, said a press release issued by the Home Department of the Government of NCT (National Capital Territory) of Delhi.

It noted that a total of 13 cases were registered by the Delhi Police in connection with the protests as of 6 pm yesterday.

The press released listed three decisions that have been taken with regard to these FIRs registered by Delhi Police, the Government of NCT of Delhi, after careful consideration of all aspects to the circumstances pursuant to the order dated 28.07.2026 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

i. No adverse legal action will be taken by any of the police authorities within NCT of Delhi against those persons who have been involved in these protests.

This protection, however, shall not extend to persons having criminal antecedents, as mandated in the order of the Supreme Court.

ii. With regard to arrests/directions, if already made, in these cases, the process of reviewing the arrests and releasing the arrested persons will be undertaken expeditiously.

iii. Government of NCT of Delhi does not propose to take any further adverse action against the individuals involved in the protests, and the matter shall be treated as closed without any further proceedings on this account.

Withdrawal of cases against the protesters has been one of the main demands of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) which organised nearly 50-day agitation over the NEET exam paper leak at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. (NVI)

Chief Secretary Reviews PMAY-U Progress in J&K, Calls for Mission-Mode Completion of Housing Projects

Srinagar, Jul 30 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday directed officials to expedite the implementation of housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U), stressing that all sanctioned projects should be completed in mission mode to ensure affordable housing for the urban poor.

Chairing a review meeting of the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), Dulloo said affordable housing is a basic necessity and urged Deputy Commissioners, Municipal Commissioners and other officials to speed up verification of beneficiaries, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and release of eligible instalments in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

He emphasised that every eligible urban poor household should be covered under the scheme while ensuring transparency, accountability and effective field-level monitoring through regular inspections and digital tracking of progress.

According to officials, under PMAY-U 1.0, 31,663 houses have been completed out of the revised sanctioned target of 36,412 dwelling units, achieving a completion rate of nearly 87 per cent. The remaining houses are at various stages of construction.

The meeting was informed that under PMAY-U 2.0, 92 DPRs covering 2,120 houses have been approved under the Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC) component, of which construction has started on 1,379 houses.

Officials said 23,256 applications have been received under the BLC component, with 20,154 already verified, while scrutiny of the remaining applications is in progress.

The implementation of the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS) components under PMAY-U 2.0 was also reviewed, with officials stating that verification of applications under these verticals is being prioritised for timely approval of eligible beneficiaries.

Dulloo directed officers to resolve pending issues, improve coordination among stakeholders, enhance public awareness about the scheme and ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out, officials said.—(NVI)

J&K Police Move to Attach Properties of Five Pakistan-Based Terrorists

Srinagar, July 30 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated attachment proceedings against the properties of five Pakistan-based terrorists following orders issued by Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat as part of a crackdown on cross-border terror networks, officials said on Thursday.

The officials said the DGP has directed the attachment of properties belonging to five notorious terrorists who are currently operating from Pakistan.

They said police have also secured proclamation proceedings against top Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Mohd Qasim, who is based in Pakistan.

Qasim’s property had already been attached by the police in March this year, the officials added.

Further legal proceedings are underway, they said.(NVI)

Rajnath felicitates crew of first all-women Tri-services global sailing expedition

New Delhi, Jul 30 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday felicitated the nine-member all-women crew of the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni for successfully completing the country’s first Tri-services circumnavigation sailing expedition, describing the feat as a shining example of “Nari Shakti” and inter-services synergy.

The expedition, titled Samudra Pradakshina, covered nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans over 314 days.

During an interaction with the officers here, Singh praised their courage, determination and resilience, saying the mission demonstrated that physical capability, mental toughness and leadership are not bound by gender.

“You have proven that physical capability, mental toughness and leadership qualities are not bound by gender. Every daughter in India can look at you and believe that she, too, can cross oceans and conquer the world,” he said.

The defence minister said the expedition reflected the spirit of Tri-services jointness, with officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force sailing together on a shared mission under the national flag.

He also commended the crew for showcasing India’s indigenous capabilities, technological advancements and maritime traditions during port calls across the globe, saying they conveyed the message that India is second to none in any field.

The officers shared their experiences from the voyage, saying their commitment to making the country proud helped them overcome the physical and mental challenges encountered during the expedition.

According to an official statement, the mission fulfilled all internationally recognised criteria for circumnavigation by crossing all meridians of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, crossing the International Date Line and rounding Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

The crew also successfully navigated the Drake Passage and rounded Cape Horn, earning membership of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners, the statement said.

Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar and senior officers from the three Services were present during the interaction.(NVI)

Mehbooba urges Pakistan to end crackdown on protesters across LoC, calls for dialogue

File Photo : Former CM & PDP President Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, Jul 30 (NVI): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday expressed concern over reports of a crackdown on peaceful protesters across the Line of Control (LoC), urging the Pakistan government to address their grievances through dialogue instead of force.

In a post on X, Mufti said the visuals emerging from the other side of Kashmir were “deeply heartbreaking” and described it as “painful to see peaceful protesters being met with brute force.”

She appealed to the Pakistan government to adopt a humane approach, saying reports suggested that the protesters’ demands were genuine and deserved to be heard.

“No nation grows stronger by disempowering its own people or by silencing them at gunpoint,” Mufti said, calling for an end to the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

She said Kashmiris deserved “dignity, justice and the right to be heard, not repression.”(NVI)

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