Srinagar, Jan 13: The former chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the "arbitrary terminations" in J&K have been dangerously normalised.
"This isn’t just about the employee. Behind every termination is a family pushed into darkness a form of collective punishment with entire households condemned overnight by draconian Government of India (GOI) policies that mock the rule of law & discard due process," she said.
"This normalisation of injustice must stop," her post on X reads.
Her statement was in reaction to the termination of five government employees by the J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG).
Earlier on Tuesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the dismissal of five government employees for their alleged links with proscribed militant organisations.
Officials said the action was taken after investigations and intelligence inputs established their active association with terrorist outfits, misuse of official positions and continued involvement in terror-related activities, posing a serious threat to national security.
Among those dismissed included Mohammad Yousf Kumar, a driver with the Health and Medical Education Department and a resident of Ganderbal, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a Class-IV worker of the Forest Department from Anantnag, Tariq Ahmad Rah, a laboratory technician posted at SDH Bijbehara, Mohammad Ishfaq, a teacher from Bhaderwah in Doda district and Bashir Ahmad Mir, an Assistant Lineman in the Public Health Engineering Department from Gurez in Bandipora district.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
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.
Baramulla, Jan 9: Deputy Commissioner Baramulla on Thursday said that the situation caused by the landslides on Ur-Baramulla was temporary and would be resolved once the excavation process of the road is completed. The statement comes amid the concerns over recurring landslides on the Uri–Baramulla road due to ongoing road widening project being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Talking to Kashmir Square, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that such issues are common during the construction of hill roads and should not be viewed as an unusual development. “There is no major issue. Whenever a hill road is constructed or widened, such problems are recurrent,” he said. He further said that the slopes usually take time to stabilise after excavation. "The excavation process affects the natural stability of the hillside and it generally takes one to two years for slopes to fully stabilise," he said. Minga Sherpa said several slope stabilisation measures are already in place to minimise risks. “Grouting has been done and protective walling has also been constructed at several points,” DC Baramulla told Kashmir Square. He further said that around 200 metres of excavation work is still pending on the stretch and the remaining cutting work is expected to be completed within a month. “Once the excavation is finished, the BRO and concerned agencies will carry out full-fledged slope stabilisation measures. After that, such incidents will not occur again,” he said. Over the past few weeks, the Uri–Baramulla road, a vital link connecting the border town of Uri with Baramulla district witnessed intermittent traffic disruptions due to landslides triggered by excavation work, raising safety concerns among commuters. The Baramulla–Uri National Highway remained closed on Thursday after another landslide struck the stretch - the third such incident reported in the last 20 days, causing severe inconvenience to commuters. A fresh landslide hit the highway on Thursday afternoon, forcing authorities to immediately halt traffic movement on the route as a precautionary measure. It was the third such incident in just 20 days on the Baramulla–Uri National Highway, following two earlier slides that also triggered full traffic halts and diversions through alternate routes. Only emergency vehicles were allowed to pass, while all routine traffic was stopped to avoid any untoward incident. An official said the road clearance operations were launched soon after the incident, with personnel and machinery mobilised to remove debris and stabilise the affected area. "The highway was made motorable again from the evening hours," he said. The closure of the main Baramulla–Uri National Highway compelled authorities to divert vehicles through the dilapidated Khadniyar–Gantamulla road.
Srinagar, Jan 8: The University of Kashmir (KU) has made the biometric attendance mandatory for the students of its affiliated colleges from Academic session 2026-27. The development comes in wake of the complaints about the thin attendance of the students in various private B.Ed colleges affiliated with the Kashmir University. A circular in this regard has been issued by the Assistant Registrar Dean Colleges Development Council (DCDC) of the University. "All the Chairpersons and Principals of private affiliated colleges of the University of Kashmir are hereby informed that biometric attendance for all the enrolled students and staff has been made mandatory from the year 2026-27," the KU circular reads. The Principals of all the affiliated colleges have been directed to install biometric attendance machines in their respective institutions on or before the commencement of the Academic year 2026-27 under intimation to the Dean College Development Council of the University. "The college shall also ensure proper upkeep, maintenance, and systematic preservation of all biometric attendance records for future reference and verification," it reads. The Colleges have been directed to comply with this directive "without fail." The move comes in wake of the inspections conducted last year by the DCDC of KU in various B.Ed colleges where most of the students were found absent. An official said that there were complaints about the poor attendance of the students in B.Ed colleges. "The students do not attend their B.Ed classes regularly which defeats the purpose of the course," the official said. Earlier, DCDC of KU earlier barred the B.Ed students to appear in teh semester exams for falling short of attendance. The decision was taken in wake of the surprise inspection conducted by Dean College Development Council (DCDC) in various B.Ed colleges of Kashmir in June-July month of 2025 and several students were found absent from the classes. Following this, the students were directed to attend supplementary classes to complete the recommended attendance for appearing in their exams. Also, the exam of these students was deferred by few months.
Srinagar, Jan 13: The former chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the "arbitrary terminations" in J&K have been dangerously normalised. "This isn’t just about the employee. Behind every termination is a family pushed into darkness a form of collective punishment with entire households condemned overnight by draconian Government of India (GOI) policies that mock the rule of law & discard due process," she said. "This normalisation of injustice must stop," her post on X reads. Her statement was in reaction to the termination of five government employees by the J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG). Earlier on Tuesday, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the dismissal of five government employees for their alleged links with proscribed militant organisations. Officials said the action was taken after investigations and intelligence inputs established their active association with terrorist outfits, misuse of official positions and continued involvement in terror-related activities, posing a serious threat to national security. Among those dismissed included Mohammad Yousf Kumar, a driver with the Health and Medical Education Department and a resident of Ganderbal, Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a Class-IV worker of the Forest Department from Anantnag, Tariq Ahmad Rah, a laboratory technician posted at SDH Bijbehara, Mohammad Ishfaq, a teacher from Bhaderwah in Doda district and Bashir Ahmad Mir, an Assistant Lineman in the Public Health Engineering Department from Gurez in Bandipora district.
Washington, Jan 8: President Donald Trump has said that Venezuela has agreed to purchase only American-made products using proceeds from a new US-brokered oil deal, describing the arrangement as a major shift in the Caracas economic orientation and a boost for American manufacturers, farmers, and exporters. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had been informed that Venezuela would use the revenue it receives from the oil agreement to buy US goods across a wide range of sectors. “I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing only American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal,” Trump wrote. He said the purchases will include “American Agricultural Products, and American Made Medicines, Medical Devices, and Equipment,” as well as technology and hardware to improve Venezuela’s electricity grid and energy facilities. Trump described it as a strategic realignment, saying Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States as its principal partner after years of economic ties with US rivals. “In other words, Venezuela is committing to doing business with the United States of America as their principal partner,” Trump said. “A wise choice, and a very good thing for the people of Venezuela, and the United States.” The announcement follows the Trump administration’s decision to take control of Venezuelan oil sales under a new framework that places exports and revenues under US oversight. Administration officials have said the oil will be sold at market prices, with proceeds directed through US-controlled mechanisms. Trump presented the purchasing commitment as a direct benefit to the US economy, particularly American farmers, manufacturers and medical suppliers. Venezuela’s electric grid has suffered repeated failures in recent years, while shortages of medicines and medical equipment have been widely documented. Trump said US-made equipment would be used to “improve Venezuela’s Electric Grid and Energy Facilities.” Under Mudoro’s regime, Venezuela relied heavily on imports from China, Russia and Iran, often using discounted oil shipments as payment. The new arrangement reverses that trend. By tying oil revenue to US purchases, the Trump Administration has linked Venezuela’s access to global energy markets with demand for American goods. (IANS)
Muhammad AdnanSrinagar, Nov 24: Chief Spokesperson Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq on Sunday said that communalising health and education was fundamentally wrong and it harms society today besides destroying nation tomorrow.In a post on X, Tanvir Sadiq said that those communalising institutions aren t just doing politics but are dividing society at its core."This toxic politics must stop before irreparable damage is done," he wrote on X.He said if hospitals, schools, universities, and medical colleges start deciding intake on the basis of religion, what kind of country will we become."Tomorrow, will a patient be treated according to their faith? Will merit be pushed aside to satisfy majoritarian demands? This is a recipe for disaster," he said.He wrote this while reacting to a statement of Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma wherein he said that selection of a large number of non-Hindu students for medical courses at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) has caused distress among many devotees.In his meeting with J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Sharma urged him that the issue involves not only academic considerations but also cultural sensitivities and faith-related expectations associated with institutions linked to Mata Vaishno Devi.The delegation led by Sunil Sharma urged the Lieutenant Governor to take immediate steps to address the concerns raised by devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi.On this NC's Tanvir Sadiq said the BJP s stance on the SMVDIME admissions where selections were purely merit-based is not just misguided, it is dangerous."A shrine-funded institution does not become a religion-based institution," Tanvir Sadiq wrote on X.He said donations made in devotion cannot be converted into tools of discrimination."For your petty political gains, BJP, please do not turn our institutions into battlegrounds of faith. You are planting a time bomb that, once it goes off, will create a divide no one will ever be able to fix," his post on X reads.