Srinagar, Jan 23: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, against a Srinagar resident accused of forging property documents to fraudulently claim ownership of a housing plot at Government Housing Colony, Ompora, Budgam.
As per the official handout issued to Kashmir Square, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of Crime Branch J&K has produced a chargesheet before the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, in connection with FIR No. 61/2023 under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC of Police Station EOW-Kashmir.
"The case relates to allegations of cheating, forgery and use of forged documents in respect of Plot No. 1165 measuring 30×50 feet, situated at Government Housing Colony, Ompora, Budgam," it reads.
“Acting on a written complaint brought to its notice, EOW Kashmir initiated an in-depth investigation into claims made by a woman asserting her lawful ownership over the said plot," it reads.
The complainant alleged that while she had acquired the property through a valid chain of powers of attorney originating from the original allottee, another individual was simultaneously claiming ownership of the same plot on the basis of a separate set of documents, giving rise to suspicion of fraud and criminal conspiracy.
"A thorough investigation was subsequently carried out, during which statements of the complainant, the original allottee Satish Kumar Sharma, and other relevant persons were recorded," the handout reads.
Official verification was sought from the offices of Sub Registrar Budgam and Sub Registrar IV, 2nd Additional Munsif Jammu, which conclusively established that an irrevocable General Power of Attorney purportedly executed in 2010 in favour of the accused was never registered in official records.
"The original allottee categorically denied executing any such document or ever residing at the address mentioned therein," the handout reads.
The investigation has revealed that the accused, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Dar son of Mohammad Shaban Dar from Nowgam Bypass Srinagar, had fraudulently used forged documents to claim ownership of the plot and execute further transactions.
"Confirmation from the J&K Housing Department validated the complainant as the legitimate owner,” it reads .
Accordingly, EOW Kashmir established a prima facie case under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC and filed the chargesheet before the competent court for judicial adjudication.
“The Economic Offences Wing, Kashmir remains vigilant and resolute in taking stringent action against individuals and groups involved in fraudulent dealings of land and housing properties, and that such acts aimed at usurping public assets will be strictly dealt under law,” the handout reads.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Jammu, Jan 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, ARI & Trainings, Satish Sharma Sunday said that the remarkable achievements of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through fair opportunities, modern infrastructure and unwavering government support. Addressing the gathering during the SRIJAN initiative conference, the Minister stated that the success of young athletes clearly demonstrates that with the right ecosystem in place, the UT youth are capable of overcoming every challenge and competing confidently at national and international platforms. Highlighting the core focus areas of the SRIJAN programme, Satish Sharma said "the initiative is playing a transformative role in strengthening the sports landscape of the Union Territory by expanding grassroots sports infrastructure across Jammu, Kashmir and other regions. This is being done by ensuring transparent, merit-based selections free from any bias; integrating sports with education and skill development; promoting greater participation of girls and enhancing inclusivity and establishing sports as a dignified and sustainable career option with viable livelihood opportunities, he said0. He reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment and said that sustained efforts were underway to create international-standard sports facilities, including modern cricket stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar. He also highlighted the strengthening of Khelo India Centres, promotion of traditional sports such as Dangal and enhanced collaboration with the Union Ministry to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a national sports hub. “As Sports Minister, I assure our athletes that the government stands firmly with them. Our focus is not only on infrastructure creation but also on nurturing talent, discipline and confidence among the youth,” he said. The Minister lauded the determination, resilience and dedication of young sportspersons, describing them as the living legacy of the SRIJAN mission. He urged them to continue training with passion, remain disciplined and dream fearlessly, assuring them of full institutional support at every step of their journey. Satish Sharma expressed hope that the conference would serve as the foundation of a new era where every talented child, from the mountains of Kashmir to the plains of Jammu, is provided an equal opportunity to shine on the global stage. He concluded by reiterating the government’s resolve to make sports a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion and regional pride in Jammu and Kashmir. Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta and prominent persons from different fields and states along with senior officers of the Youth Services and Sports Department, were also present on the occasion.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students – 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 students—56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). “About a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,” he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.“If we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,” he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeeb’s research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. “In this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,” he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. “It is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,” he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,” he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. “My parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,” he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. “Just as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.” “Young people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,” he further added.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. “Such remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. “Every success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,” he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the country’s most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
Baramulla, Apr 28: A three-day job fair training programme was Tuesday kickstarted at Dak Bungalow Baramulla. The training programme is being organised the Global Youth Foundation in collaboration with the GTT Foundation and was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Syed Fakhrudin Hamid. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Baramulla was also present at the occasion. The event is being conducted under the supervision of Chairman Global Youth Foundation Touseef Mehraj Raina. The training programme witnessed an overwhelming response, with more than 800 candidates participating through both online and offline modes. Participants, including both males and females from various areas of north Kashmir attended the training sessions conducted by expert trainers. The training sessions aimed at enhancing employability and skill development. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla congratulated Touseef Mehraj Raina for organising such a meaningful programme at Dak Bungalow Baramulla. He appreciated the initiative of the Global Youth Foundation in providing training opportunities to the youth and extended his best wishes to all those associated with the organization. He also highlighted the encouraging participation of female candidates, stating that it reflects positive change and growing awareness among young women. Deputy Commissioner shared important tips and guidance with the candidates, motivating them to make the best use of such opportunities. He also expressed his gratitude to the GTT Foundation for their support and efforts in making the program successful. "The primary objective of organising the job fair training in Baramulla is to extend opportunities to candidates from North Kashmir, who often miss out as most major events are usually held in Srinagar or Jammu," Touseef Raina said He said this initiative aims to bridge that gap by bringing such opportunities closer to them. The organizers informed that the programme will continue tomorrow as well, with more sessions planned to benefit the participants. The initiative has been widely appreciated for its inclusive approach and focus on empowering local youth through skill development and career guidance.
Srinagar, Apr 27: Government Degree College (GDC) Qazigund on Monday organised a Police–community interactive session on drug hotspot mapping and. The event was organised in continuation to awareness activities under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA). The event organised by the College well-being and substance abuse prevention cell (CWASC) in collaboration with Qazigund Police also focused on role of youth in awareness campaign. All the students of the college attended the programme. Station House Office Qazigund Manav Dhanteiya was the resource person at the event. In his address to the students, he spoke in detail about the NDPS Act, the dangers of peer pressure and the concept of gateway drugs. “Drugs offer only a temporary relief and fatal escape whereas the creative activities are more ecstatic, fruitful and fulfilling," he said. He further said that sports, music, and other constructive engagements are effective deterrents against substance abuse. "We need to grow a strong will to eradicate this menace, and individual efforts do impact the collective endeavours,” he said. A healthy interaction was also held at the occasion in which the students clarified heir queries regarding the theme. In a separate session, SHO also interacted with the students aspiring for the UPSC examination, stressing consistency, self-analysis, understanding the nature of the examination, and the importance of incremental gains. "Your efforts to realise the high goals will keep you motivated and away from bad habits like drug abuse,” he said. In his Presidential address, Principal GDC Qazigund Prof.(Dr.) Sudhir Singh emphasized the need for sustained police–community collaboration and proactive youth participation to address social challenges, particularly drug abuse. “I want to see our students as active ambassadors of the wellness campaigns,” he added. He thanked the resource person for the insightful interaction and said that more such programmes would be organised, especially for students seeking guidance and counseling for specific careers. A team of faculty members accompanied by Police Cops visited the neighborhood shops to aware them regarding the section 6(b) of the COTPA 2003 protocol which Prohibits selling tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions. Prof.Talib Ahmad Ganaie Nodal Officer CWAAC was the organizer of the programme. Earlier the programme commenced with welcome address by Prof. Nehad Kaniz Fatima Nodal Officer CWAAC who spoke about the objectives of NMBA and underlined that awareness programmes act as a preventive tool. Fatima reiterated that prevention is better than cure. The event was attended by the faculty members, including Prof.Aufaq Ahmad Zargar, Dr. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Shah, Prof.Irshad Ahmad Mantoo and Prof. Rameez Ahmad Shah .
Stresses govt alone cannot fix this, commends LG for personally committing for Drug-Free Kashmir Srinagar, April 17: Handwara rose with a single voice on Friday as the Drug-Free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan) campaign transformed into a powerful public assertion against the growing menace of addiction. Scores converged at T-Junction Kargam, and what began as a march soon turned into a moving wave of resistance, flowing through Hospital Road, Main Chowk, and culminating at Degree College with one unambiguous message: Say No to Drugs. At the center of this groundswell stood Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, who elevated the campaign beyond a routine government program into a deeply personal and societal reckoning. His words cut through rhetoric, rooted not in abstraction but in lived realities that many in the crowd could recognize, if not openly admit. Lone painted a stark and painful picture of addiction, not as an individual failing but as a collective tragedy that engulfs entire families. He spoke of homes collapsing under the weight of despair, of parents abandoning livelihoods to chase hope in distant rehabilitation centers and of the unbearable grief of burying their own children. “A child who gets addicted to drugs becomes a curse for that entire family,” he said, his voice carrying both anguish and urgency. “It consumes that family and ruins lives.” Stripping the issue of any embellishment, he posed a piercing question to the gathering, "What kind of life is it to live enslaved to drugs, to a syringe? What dignity remains in such an existence?" The silence that followed was as telling as the applause that preceded it. Moving from the gravity of the crisis to the path forward, Lone made it clear that this battle cannot be outsourced to the state alone. He called for a societal awakening while placing responsibility on every layer of the community including mosques, schools, mohalla committees and families. In a direct appeal to religious leaders, he urged that every Friday sermon reinforce a clear, uncompromising message that drug abuse is completely haram, with no moral ambiguity. On the systemic front, he drew from his administrative experience to highlight critical gaps, particularly the absence of adequate rehabilitation infrastructure. Stressing the urgency, he called for at least one fully functional rehabilitation center in every district, backed by trained counselors who can address not just the addiction, but the psychological scars that accompany it. While acknowledging the broader governmental push, he credited the Lieutenant Governor for his personal involvement and commitment to safeguarding the youth of Kashmir. The moment reached its peak not in words, but in collective resolve. Lone turned to the crowd and ignited a chant—“Say No To Drugs!”—each echo growing louder, more defiant, until it reverberated across the grounds.
