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Kashmir News Ripples, kp bagh South srinagar, Jammu (2026)

07/09/2026

ACB Nabs Patwari’s Alleged Tout with ₹11,000 Bribe in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sept 7th (CNS): The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday trapped and arrested a land broker allegedly acting as a tout for a Patwari while accepting ₹11,000 bribe in Batamaloo area of Srinagar.

The ACB said it received a written complaint alleging that Saleem Altaf, Patwari Halqa Batamaloo, through his alleged associate Ab. Hamid Khan, had demanded illegal gratification for issuance of revenue extracts pertaining to the complainant’s house.

The complainant had applied online for the extracts on behalf of his father for mutation attestation. The alleged bribe was initially demanded at ₹20,000 and later settled at ₹16,000, out of which ₹5,000 had already been paid as the first instalment.

Following verification of the allegations, the ACB registered FIR No. 13/2026 under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the BNS at Police Station ACB Srinagar.

During a trap operation, Khan was caught red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting the remaining ₹11,000 on behalf of the Patwari. He was subsequently taken into custody.

The ACB said a personal search of the accused led to the recovery of the trap amount, besides ₹25,125 cash, payment slips, the revenue extract in question and a sale deed.

The recovered material has been seized as per procedure. The ACB said the involvement of Patwari Saleem Altaf in the alleged bribery transaction is being ascertained and further investigation is underway.

07/09/2026

Kerala Media Delegation Begins Seven-Day J&K Tour

Srinagar, Sept 7th (CNS): A 13-member media delegation from Kerala has embarked on a seven-day press tour of Jammu and Kashmir to assess and report on the region’s developmental landscape, infrastructure projects and ongoing initiatives.

Organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kochi, the tour will continue from September 6 to 12.

On the first day, the delegation visited the PIB office in Srinagar, where Director PIB Srinagar Qazi Salman briefed the journalists on the media and communication ecosystem in Kashmir and interacted with them on the functioning of the bureau.

The delegation subsequently visited Gulmarg in Baramulla district and experienced its famed landscape and tourism potential.

During the tour, the journalists are scheduled to visit key developmental projects and important locations across J&K besides interacting with various stakeholders.

The initiative is aimed at giving the visiting media personnel first-hand exposure to the developmental changes underway in Jammu and Kashmir and encouraging wider, informed coverage of the Union Territory.

07/09/2026

Unidentified Body Recovered from Jhelum at Lethpora

Awantipora, Sept 7th (CNS): An unidentified dead body was recovered from the River Jhelum at Lethpora-Barsoo area of Awantipora on Monday evening.

The body was spotted in the river by locals, who subsequently alerted the police. A police team reached the spot and retrieved the body.
The identity of the deceased remains unknown.

Police have initiated proceedings and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

07/09/2026

Youth Congress stages protest in support of intern doctors at Press Colony, Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 7th (CNS): Youth Congress Srinagar, led by its President Yasir Mandoo, today held a peaceful protest at Press Colony in solidarity with the intern doctors who are on strike and observing a hunger strike, demanding a fair increase in their stipend.

Addressing the media, Yasir Mandoo said that intern doctors dedicate long hours to serving patients and keeping the healthcare system functional, yet they continue to be denied the dignity and financial support they deserve. He termed their demand for a reasonable stipend as genuine and justified.

Mandoo also strongly condemned the alleged intimidation of protesting students and urged the hospital administration to immediately stop threatening intern doctors for raising their democratic and legitimate demands. He said that dialogue—not pressure or intimidation—is the only acceptable way to resolve the issue.

The Youth Congress reaffirmed its full support for the intern doctors and called upon the government to intervene without delay and announce a fair enhancement of their stipend.

07/09/2026

AJAKPA Seeks Rationalisation of Patwar Halqas, Girdawar Circles Across J&K

Patwari Association Flags Manpower Shortage, Rising Digital Workload; Seeks Revenue Reforms

Srinagar, Sep 7th (CNS): The All Jammu & Kashmir Patwar Association (AJAKPA) has urged the J&K Government to undertake comprehensive and workload-based rationalisation of Patwar Halqas and Girdawar Circles, saying the existing field-level Revenue structure has failed to keep pace with population growth, administrative expansion and the growing responsibilities of Patwaris.

In an open letter, AJAKPA President G.M. Sofi urged the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers and Members of the Legislative Assembly to address the issue, saying it should be viewed not merely as a departmental demand but as a matter concerning administrative efficiency, public-service delivery and the accuracy of revenue records.

The Association has also urged legislators to raise the matter during the forthcoming Assembly session and seek a time-bound commitment from the Government.

According to AJAKPA, the number of districts has increased from six in 1950 to 20, tehsils from 110 to 207, Nayabats from 222 to 523 and villages from 5,595 to 6,895. However, the number of Patwar Halqas has increased only marginally from 1,632 to around 1,663, while the number of Girdawar Circles has remained unchanged at 427.

The Association said the manpower shortage has further compounded the situation, with only around 1,100 Patwaris presently working against approximately 1,663 Patwar Halqas. It said many Patwaris are holding additional charge of several villages, with some responsible for six, seven or even eight villages.

AJAKPA said the duties of Patwaris have expanded considerably with the introduction of digital land-record initiatives. Besides traditional revenue functions, field officials are now involved in Digital Crop Survey, Farmer Registry, AgriStack, digitisation and verification of Jamabandis, geo-referencing of cadastral maps, GIS-related work, BhuNaksha, ULPIN, ground verification and rectification of digitised land records.

The Association maintained that digitisation has increased the requirement for field-level verification rather than reducing it, as issues concerning land ownership, possession, boundaries, cultivation, shares and mutations require physical verification on the ground.

It also expressed concern over repeated migration of land records between different digital platforms, including RAMTeCH, Web-HALRIS and newer GIS-based systems. AJAKPA said repeated data entry, verification and migration were adding to the workload of field staff and could increase the risk of discrepancies in records relating to ownership, Khasra numbers, land area, shares, mutations and cadastral boundaries.

The Association further highlighted infrastructure deficiencies, claiming that nearly 60 per cent of Patwar Halqas are still functioning from rented premises, with Patwaris bearing the rent from their own pockets. It demanded functional Patwar Khanas equipped with computers, printers, scanners and reliable internet connectivity.

AJAKPA has sought constitution of a high-level committee to undertake a scientific workload assessment of every Patwar Halqa and rationalise the territorial structure based on population, number of villages and land parcels, geographical area, terrain, accessibility, number of landholders, mutation workload, digitisation requirements, agricultural intensity, grievances and GIS-related responsibilities.

The Association has also demanded filling of existing vacancies, sanctioning of additional manpower wherever required and simultaneous rationalisation of Girdawar Circles.

Among its other demands, AJAKPA has sought specialised training and technical support for GIS, QGIS, AutoCAD, BhuNaksha and other digital platforms. It has also called for adequate time for field verification before digitised records are frozen or migrated and a robust mechanism for auditing and correcting errors arising during digitisation and portal migration.

The Association has also raised several pending service-related matters, including the Grade Pay File, DPC and promotion files. It said the syllabus for the Revenue Services Executive Examination has been pending in the Chief Minister’s office since April 2026, while the Recruitment Rules circulated earlier this year are yet to be finalised.

AJAKPA urged the Government to prepare a long-term Human Resource and Administrative Unit Rationalisation Plan for the Revenue Department, keeping in view the requirements of the next 20–25 years, besides expediting pending service and cadre-related matters.

The Association said the issue directly concerns the common citizen, as people approach Patwaris for matters relating to land ownership, inheritance, possession, boundaries, cultivation, mutations, certificates and verification.

It appealed to the Government and legislators to ensure that the basic unit of grassroots Revenue administration—the Patwar Halqa—is rationalised in accordance with present-day population, workload, geography and technological requirements.

The objective, AJAKPA said, was not merely creation of posts, but establishment of an efficient, adequately staffed and technologically capable field-level Revenue administration capable of delivering accurate, timely and citizen-centric services across Jammu and Kashmir.(CNS)

07/09/2026

Chairman Civil Society Pattan Seeks Special Division Status for PHE & PDD

Pattan 7th Sep, (CNS) : Chairman Civil Society Pattan in District Baramulla, Nashir Bashir Shah, has urged the Government to grant Special Division status to the PHE and PDD Sub-Divisions of Pattan, citing the town’s growing population and increasing demand for essential public services.

Shah said the upgradation of both Sub-Divisions would strengthen the departmental infrastructure, improve service delivery and ensure faster redressal of public grievances related to water supply and electricity.

He appealed to MLA Pattan and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to consider the long-pending demand on priority in the larger public interest.(CNS)

07/09/2026

‘No Written Order, No Retreat’: SKIMS Bemina Interns Go on Hunger Strike Over Stipend

Srinagar, Sept 7th (CNS): The agitation by intern doctors at SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, intensified on Monday as MBBS 2021 batch interns launched a hunger strike, accusing the authorities of repeatedly offering assurances without issuing a formal order on stipend enhancement.

The protesting interns said prolonged dialogue with the administration had failed to translate into a written government decision, leaving them with no option but to escalate their agitation.

Making their position unequivocal, the interns said, “No Written Order—No End to the Protest,” and asserted that verbal commitments would no longer be accepted.
The interns are seeking enhancement of the monthly internship stipend to ₹30,000, arguing that the compensation must reflect the workload, duties and responsibilities discharged by intern doctors.

They called upon the government and concerned authorities to break the deadlock by issuing a formal order without further delay.
The hunger strike represents a fresh escalation in the broader agitation of MBBS and BDS interns across Jammu and Kashmir, who have warned that they will not call off the protest merely on the basis of fresh assurances.

The interns said their demand is aimed at securing justice, dignity and fair compensation, while maintaining that they remain open to dialogue provided it results in a concrete written decision.

07/09/2026

IGP Kashmir Orders Intensified Counter-Terror Ops, Tighter Security Grid

Srinagar, Sept 6th (CNS): Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Sujit Kumar-IPS, on Sunday conducted a detailed security and operational review of Pulwama district and Police District Awantipora, directing officers to sharpen counter-terror operations and plug security gaps.

Accompanied by DIG South Kashmir Range Javed Iqbal Mattoo-IPS, the IGP chaired separate meetings with senior police officers and took stock of the security situation, operational preparedness, crime disposal and law-and-order scenario.

During the meetings, officers briefed the IGP on field deployments, crime trends and operational readiness. Kumar directed the force to intensify intelligence-based operations, strengthen coordination among security agencies and maintain sustained pressure on anti-national elements.

He also ordered enhanced surveillance, protection of vital installations and foolproof security arrangements around vulnerable areas and protected persons.

The IGP reiterated a zero-tolerance approach towards narcotics and illicit networks, calling for intensified action against drug abuse and habitual offenders.

Kumar further stressed proactive policing, prompt disposal of public grievances and greater community engagement, while commending police personnel for their alertness and professionalism.

06/09/2026

Sajad Lone Questions ₹421.75-Crore Sangramal Auction, Says Land Could Fetch ₹900–1,000 Crore

Srinagar, Sept 6th (CNS): Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone has launched a sharp attack over the ₹421.75-crore auction of land adjoining Sangramal, claiming the prime property could have fetched nearly ₹900–1,000 crore.

Lone said the government should not function as a commercial player by constructing and running shops, marriage halls or other corporate ventures, arguing that its role should be limited to enabling and regulating private investment.

Questioning the auction model, Lone said the government should ideally have retained an equity stake in the consortium that emerged successful in the bidding. He also termed the reserve price substantially low and maintained that the auction should have generated a much higher return.

However, he described the present model as an improvement over earlier practices in which government properties were allegedly handed over for “a pittance”, comparing it broadly with the Leela-Centaur hotel deal.

Taking a swipe at the earlier development model, Lone alleged that the Sangramal Mall project turned out to be a major financial failure, with the cost of land and construction outweighing revenues generated through the sale of shops.

“I can’t think of any other government apart from the good old Soviet Union that was in the business of making malls and then selling the shops,” Lone said.

He called for greater transparency in future auctions and urged the government to bring new corporate players into J&K, while cautioning against a repeat of what he termed “old tricks” by established players.

06/09/2026

Alochibagh-Sambora: Illegal Mining Mafia Puts Jhelum, Private Land and Public Infrastructure at Risk

M Yaseen

Pulwama, Sept 6th (CNS) : The River Jhelum and its adjoining areas in Alochibagh-Sambora, Pampore, are allegedly facing a fresh threat from illegal sand mining, with residents accusing an active mining network of adopting unconventional methods to extract minerals and cause damage to the river ecosystem.

Unlike traditional extraction practices, locals allege that the alleged mining activity is being carried out in a manner that is gradually weakening the Jhelum’s embankments, eating into private land and damaging surrounding areas. The extensive movement of heavy machinery and mining vehicles has further intensified concerns among residents.

The situation has become particularly alarming in areas where the riverbanks are already vulnerable. Residents fear that continued and unchecked excavation could destabilise the embankments, accelerate erosion and increase the risk to nearby agricultural land and settlements, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and rising water levels.

Crore-Rupee Road Allegedly Damaged

The alleged mining activity has also raised questions over the safety of public infrastructure. Locals claim that the Karnabal–Lethpora road, constructed with substantial government expenditure, has suffered damage allegedly linked to the movement of heavy vehicles involved in mining activities.

Residents questioned how expensive government infrastructure can be protected if illegal mining and transportation continue unchecked in its vicinity.

Who Is Responsible for Protecting the Jhelum?

The residents have also raised concerns over the alleged lack of effective coordination between departments entrusted with mining regulation, riverbank protection and enforcement.

They argue that responsibility for safeguarding the Jhelum cannot rest with a single agency and that coordinated action is urgently required to identify illegal extraction points, stop the use of heavy machinery and prevent further damage to the riverbanks.

Residents Demand Strong Action

Alarmed by the alleged destruction, residents of Alochibagh-Sambora have urged Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom to personally intervene and order a comprehensive inspection of the affected stretches.

They have demanded strict legal action against anyone found involved in illegal mining, restoration of damaged embankments, protection of private land and public roads, and continuous surveillance of vulnerable stretches of the River Jhelum.

Residents said the issue is no longer merely about illegal extraction of sand; it concerns the protection of the River Jhelum, private property and public infrastructure.

They appealed to the district administration and enforcement agencies to act before the alleged mining activities cause irreversible damage to the river and surrounding areas.(CNS)

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