Welcoming Kamalpreet Singh into the party, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Sat Sharma said, “The BJP is the only party in the world that has ensured respect for every person and community, with a focus on peace, progress, and development.”

Singh, along with more than 100 supporters, mostly from the Sikh community, joined the BJP at its headquarters in the presence of Sharma and National Secretary and legislator Dr Narinder Singh.

Sharma also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recognition of the sacrifices of the Sikh community and the Sahibzadas, particularly through the announcement of Veer Bal Diwas.

He shared the story of Veer Bal Diwas, paying tribute to the ultimate sacrifices of the Chaar Sahibzadas, while recalling the horrific 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which he described as “the dark gift of Congress to innocent people.”

“Congress only cared for itself and even awarded Bharat Ratna to their special individuals, while denying this recognition to personalities like Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar,” he said. (PTI)

Five Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles fitted with unauthorised silencers were seized by the police, officials said.

These motorcycles were reportedly causing excessive noise and disturbing the peace in the area.

“This action comes after numerous complaints from local residents affected by the loud noise generated by these modified vehicles,” an official said.

Authorities stated that similar enforcement drives would be conducted across other areas of Jammu’s rural zone.

They also plan to target individuals and businesses involved in selling and installing these illegal silencers under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

“The use of unauthorized modifications, particularly to silencers, is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. Such alterations not only contribute to noise pollution but also compromise the bike’s efficiency and pose potential safety hazards,” the official added.

Police have urged vehicle owners to avoid making such modifications, warning that strict penalties will be imposed on those found violating the regulations. (PTI)

The Congress reiterated its demand for a public apology from Shah over his remarks, which it claimed were an “insult” to Ambedkar, and called for his resignation.

Led by Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra, scores of party workers, leaders, former ministers and ex-legislators marched at Satwari Chowk to protest against Shah’s remarks.

Carrying the Congress flags and placards, the protesters raised slogans against Shah and the BJP, demanding his resignation.

A large police contingent stopped the protesters, leading to a brief scuffle.

“On one side, there was a discussion in Parliament on the Constitution and on the other, the Union Home Minister made derogatory remarks against Ambedkar. It is very unfortunate. Insults to the great leader cannot be tolerated,” Karra told reporters.

He accused Shah of using diversionary tactics during discussions on ‘one nation, one election’ (ONOE) in Parliament.

“They dramatized the situation to divert attention from their failure to secure consensus on ONOE due to opposition from the alliance. They also blamed Rahul Gandhi and lodged an FIR against him,” Karra said.

Shah’s remarks are a direct insult to the people of the country and to Babasaheb Ambedkar, he added.

“We cannot tolerate such statements. We warn them against making such remarks in future,” he said demanding Shah’s resignation and a formal apology.

The Dalit OBC Minority (DOM) Confederation also held a protest in Jammu against Shah’s comments.

Led by state president R K Kalsotra, the DOM activists raised slogans against Shah and demanded an apology.

In Udhampur, the Ambedkar Welfare Trust also staged protests against Shah and demanded his apology. (PTI)

Mirwaiz, who is the chief cleric of Kashmir, alleged that he was barred from offering prayers at the Jama Masjid in the city’s Nowhatta locality.

There was no word from the police on his allegation.

Again disallowed from going to Jama Masjid on a Friday for the second consecutive week. As I raise people’s issues and concerns from the pulpit, as is my duty, it seems to make the authorities jittery and uncomfortable, so lock him up!” the Hurriyat chairman said in a post on X.

He said that such actions bring “disappointment” for the people.

“What hurt and disappointment it brings to them all when those in power assert brute force and detain me, totally impervious and heartless to the grief they cause to them, to me and to the Muslims of the valley,” Mirwaiz said. (PTI)

“The District Drug Disposal Committee headed by SSP Sopore Smt. Divya D-IPS, SDPO Sopore Shri. Sarfaraz Bashir-JKPS (Member) and DySP DAR Sopore (Member) in compliance to Hon’ble Special Court (NDPS) Baramulla Order destroyed Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances worth over Rs. 1 crore,” police said in a statement.

“This consignment of Narcotic/Psychotropic Drugs were seized in 21 different NDPS Cases registered in different Police Stations of Police District Sopore. The destruction was done through incineration at earmarked/approved location at Lassipora Pulwama,” the statement said.

“During incineration, 123.728 Kgs of Poppy Straw/Powder, 2811 Bottles of Codeine Phosphate & 28316 Capsules of Spasmoproxyvon has been destroyed after following all legal requirements as envisaged under Rules, 2022 & was done strictly in compliance to directions issued by the Hon’ble Special Court (NDPS) Baramulla,” the statement added. (VEN)

MET Department officials said that at minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, Srinagar city recorded the lowest minimum temperature of this season so far.

Gulmarg had minus 6 degrees Celsius while Pahalgam recorded minus 8.2 degrees Celsius as the night’s lowest temperature.

Jammu city registered a minimum temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius, Katra 6 degrees Celsius, Batote 1 degree, Banihal minus 3.8 degrees, and Bhaderwah minus 1.6 degrees.

The MET office has forecast light snow in the higher reaches between December 21 and 22, while generally cold and dry weather is likely to continue in J&K until December 28.

Despite the absence of rainwater on the streets, slippery road conditions prevented people from venturing out of their homes in the morning in Srinagar and other towns in the Valley.

Vehicular traffic also remained off the roads in the morning as commuters waited for the day to warm up a little before going out for their daily chores.

Once again water taps froze in the morning as people burnt small fires around water pipes to defreeze them.

The 40-day-long period of intense winter cold known locally as the ‘Chillai Kalan’ starts tomorrow and will end on January 30. During this period of extreme cold, the maximum temperature also falls adding to the chill factor.

Most water bodies, including lakes, streams and rivers start freezing with the beginning of the Chillai Kalan. The sky usually remains overcast leaving locals with little opportunity to see a cloudless sky.

It is literally impossible to see any local not wearing the loose tweed over garment called the ‘Pheran’ in winter.

Designs of this attire have been suitably modified to make them fit to be worn during office hours.

Locals, without exception, wear the loose tweed overgarment called the ‘Pheran’ during the winter months which is made of different designs and stitching material depending on the affluence of the wearer.

In Kashmir, an earthen firepot woven in a basket of willow wicker called the ‘Kangri’ is filled with embers and kept under the Pheran for instant warmth. (IANS)

During a high-level meeting at the Home Ministry to assess the security situation in the Union Territory, Shah said in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, “we will achieve the goal of ‘terror-free Jammu and Kashmir’ at the earliest.”

He assured that all necessary resources will be allocated to support this mission, an official statement from the ministry said.

The Home Minister highlighted the central government’s commitment, emphasising that through the joint efforts of all security forces, there is a determination to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

He noted the remarkable participation of the local population in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections as a testament to their faith in democracy.

The Home Minister commended the security agencies for their success in significantly reducing terrorist incidents, infiltration and youth recruitment into terrorist organisations.

He said that sustained efforts by the Modi government have nearly dismantled the terrorism ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah directed all security agencies to maintain coordinated efforts to eradicate terrorism and stressed the importance of implementing the Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan in a mission-oriented manner.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director (IB), RAW Chief, Chief of Army Staff, GOC-in-C (Northern Command), DGMO, Chief Secretary and DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Nalin Prabhat, heads of CAPFs and other senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

This was Shah’s first meeting to review the security situation in the Union Territory after the recent assembly elections that brought to power the National Conference government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

After the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two UTs in 2019, law and order in Jammu and Kashmir comes under the central government.

The meeting comes on a day when five terrorists of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen were gunned down by security forces in South Kashmir.

Ahead of this security review meeting, the Home Minister met Abdullah.

Later talking to reporters about the militancy situation in the Union Territory, the chief minister said security and law and order are the responsibility of the lieutenant governor.”

I have always said and I told the home minister that ‘you cannot fight militancy and terrorism in a vacuum, you will have to take the public of Jammu and Kashmir in confidence… they will also have to be brought into this battle, and for that, you will have to take into confidence their elected representatives and their elected government’,” Abdullah, who was not part of the review meeting, said. (PTI)

The SIA, in a statement, said that a supplementary charge sheet was filed in the designated court against Qayoom, the former President of the High Court Bar Association, Kashmir, in the Babar Qadri murder case.

Qadri was reportedly killed by terrorists at his residence in the Hawal area of Srinagar city in September 2020.

The SIA statement said that a case FIR No 62/2020 u/s 302 IPC 7/27 and 13/16/18/20/39 of the UAPA was registered and an investigation was taken up by an SIT, set up by the IGP Kashmir and headed by SP Hazratbal.

“The SIT conducted the investigation and presented the charge sheet against six accused persons on May 6, 2021, before the Special NIA Court, Srinagar. Thereafter, further investigation in the case u/s 173 (8) CrPC was started by SDPO Zadibal.

“However, on July 20, 2023, PHQ J&K transferred the further investigation of the case to SIA J&K following which the SIT was formed, which was specifically tasked to unravel the larger conspiracy behind the killing.

“SIA took over the investigation and on the basis of sufficient oral, documentary and technical evidence arrested Mian Qayoom on June 25, 2024, as the principal conspirator behind the deceased’s killing. It was revealed during the investigation conducted by SIA SIT that Mian Qayoom, who had an inimical relation with the deceased, got Babar Qadri eliminated through terrorists of TRF and their handlers in Pakistan by hatching a criminal conspiracy.”

“Babar Qadri was very active on social and electronic media, where he also used to criticise Mian Qayoom… he had a premonition on the fateful day itself. Interestingly he went live on Facebook on September 24, 2020 afternoon, and while denouncing Mian Qayoom for his policies, also expressed his fears of being eliminated at the hands of Mian Qayoom and his coterie. Ironically, a few hours later he was killed in cold blood at his own residence,” the statement added.

A 340-page supplementary charge sheet against Mian Qayoom for offences u/s 302/120-B/109 of the IPC and 13/18/18-B/38/39 UAPA was presented by SIA on Thursday.

The initial charge sheet in the case had been filed before the Special NIA court, Srinagar, but, in December 2023, the High Court had transferred the trial to Jammu taking a serious view of the interference in the judicial process by Qayoom as well as the threats to and intimidation of the deceased’s family. Qayoom is presently lodged in the Jammu district jail. (IANS)

This is Abdullah’s second meeting with the Union minister after taking over as the first chief minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which was carved out after the reorganisation of the erstwhile state in August 2019.

Abdullah remains optimistic about an early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and would probably work out a possible timeline.

Besides this issue, the chief minister will also seek clarity on the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) to get a clear sense of the powers of the elected government over various departments.

On Wednesday, Abdullah said there were a lot of issues, including restoration of statehood, on which he needs to talk to the Union home minister.

“There are a lot of issues on which I need to talk with the home minister. Currently, J&K is a UT and we are expecting statehood. The home minister has a different role in the UT,” he told media persons on the sidelines of the 18th Annual Tourism Summit 2024 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.

Earlier, Abdullah met with Shah on October 23 during his first visit to the national capital after assuming office on October 16.

While this meeting was seen as more of a courtesy call, officials said that Abdullah apprised the Union home minister about the situation and also discussed the issue of restoration of statehood. (PTI)

Principal District and Sessions Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav was hearing the matter after the special judge had requested the district judge to transfer the case to a court designated to try lawmakers observing that Rashid was now a member of Parliament.

The district judge on Thursday sent the matter back to the special judge by the consent of all accused persons as well as the prosecuting agency, NIA.

The district judge passed the order after being informed that the matter related to the jurisdiction of the court is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.

The special court is likely to take up the matter on December 20 and will continue to hear the case till the final order on the issue of jurisdiction is passed by the high court.

Earlier, the counsel for Rashid and the NIA jointly sought the matter to remain in the court hearing it.

Apart from the case lodged by the NIA, the special judge had also recommended transferring a related money laundering case and the regular bail application of Rashid to the court for lawmakers.

Rashid, who was elected from the Baramulla constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been lodged in Tihar Jail since 2019 after the NIA arrested him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the 2017 terror-funding case.

Both the cases filed by the NIA and the ED also involve Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba chief and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin and others.

The ED filed a money laundering case against the accused persons on the basis of the NIA’s FIR, which accused them of “conspiring to wage war against the government” and fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley. (PTI)