Srinagar, Sep 08: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday clarified that the government had not sought any permission from him regarding the arrest of MLA Doda, Mehraj Malik.

Rather explained that under Rule 260 of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker’s role is limited to being informed about the arrest of any legislator. “In Mehraj’s case, I too was informed and the same I conveyed to legislators,” Rather said.

He said that his office was not consulted nor required to give approval for the detention. “No permission was sought from me. I have no role in his arrest. The order has been issued by the District Commissioner. My only responsibility is to communicate the matter to the members,” he noted.

The Speaker further underlined that the decision on the legality of the arrest lies with the judiciary. “Rest, the court has to decide if anything has been done wrong,” he added.

The arrest of Mehraj Malik has sparked sharp reactions across political circles, with several parties condemning the move and questioning the grounds of his detention. Critics argue that the action sets a “dangerous precedent” by undermining the rights of elected representatives.

The matter is now expected to be taken up in the courts, where Malik’s legal team will contest the charges against him. Meanwhile, the Speaker’s clarification appears aimed at distancing the Assembly Secretariat from the ongoing controversy

Poonch, September 8, 2025:
Continuing its sustained drive against illegal mining activities, Poonch Police today carried out multiple successful operations in different areas of the district.

At river Chung near Bafliaz, a police team laid a special naka and seized one JCB machine which was found extracting sand and gravel illegally from the riverbed.

In another action, two tractor trolleys involved in illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals were seized from the Dhundak river.

Further, during a separate raid at Draba area, one tipper was intercepted and seized for involvement in illegal mining.

District Police Poonch has reiterated its commitment to act firmly against all forms of illegal mining and appeals to the general public to desist from such unlawful activities which cause damage to the environment and invite strict legal action.

Jammu, Sept 8: Parts of Jammu region, including Jammu City, Samba, and Udhampur, are likely to witness thundershowers in the next three to four hours, according to weather officials. The forecast comes in the backdrop of fresh cloud formations over Sialkot and Wazirabad in Pakistan, which are now moving towards the Union Territory.

Officials cautioned that while light to moderate showers are expected, the possibility of intense rainfall or cloudbursts cannot be ruled out, particularly in vulnerable hilly and low-lying areas. Such incidents often lead to sudden rises in water levels of local streams and drains, posing risks of flash floods and waterlogging.

Authorities have advised residents to remain alert, especially in areas prone to landslides and flooding. Travelers on highways and inter-district routes have also been urged to exercise caution, as sudden downpours may disrupt vehicular movement.

The meteorological department is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as required. Meanwhile, the administration is keeping emergency services on standby to respond to any untoward incident.

This weather development comes amid an already fragile situation in several parts of the region, where continuous rainfall in recent days has raised concerns about floods and infrastructure damage.

SRINAGAR, SEP 08 – An unidentified terrorist was killed while three army soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, were injured in a gunfight in the Guddar area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

A top police officer said that during the firefight, one terrorist was killed while three army personnel, including a JCO, were injured.

Among the three injured armymen, one is in serious condition, he added.

Earlier, a gunfight broke out between terrorists and joint team of Police, army and CRPF in Guddar area after receiving intelligence inputs about presence of some terrorists in the area.

Srinagar, September 8: One unidentified terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter at Gudar area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday morning.

A top police officer told that one terrorist has been killed so far, however identity of the slain terrorist is being ascertained.

Earlier, a joint team of Police and army launched a cordon and search operation in the area on a specificinput, during the searches hiding terrorists fired upon the search party which was retaliated triggering off a gunfight.

Jammu, Sep 8: Spreading misinformation, glorifying terrorists, and using abusive language against women are among the charges that form part of a dossier on Jammu and Kashmir Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and MLA Mehraj Malik detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on Monday, officials said.

Malik was taken into custody in his Doda constituency on Monday under the stringent law, which permits detention without charge or trial for up to two years in certain cases.

The dossier, compiled by Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, details a series of allegations against the legislator.

According to the dossier, Malik is considered an “imminent threat” to the peaceful existence of the community. It also claims he has a “regular habit of issuing threats and carrying out physical assault of people, including government officials”.

Singh said multiple FIRs have been registered against him for unlawful acts, including forcibly locking government offices and verbally and physically attacking public servants on several occasions.

“The subject’s provocative speeches and ‘Facebook Lives’ have been continuously misused by him to spread misinformation and provoke the public to cause public order issues.

“Every lawful action by administration aimed at creating law based society, whether conducted in district Doda or in Jammu, gives the subject an ‘opportunity’ to spread lies and provoke public especially youth to cause large scale breech of peace,” the deputy commissioner said, citing registration of various FIRs against him in Doda and Jammu.

The dossier specifically accuses Malik of inciting the public to “act as Lashkars like Burhan Wani” to have their demands met. Burhan Wani was a poster boy of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist group.

The document said that Malik “openly issued threats to government officials” and sought to “incite public hostility against the administration” during Operation Sindoor.

It said Malik has a “documented history of associating himself with proscribed terrorists such as Burhan Wani through provocative social media posts” and also alleged that he issued a public call to “burn down government offices”.

Citing an FIR registered in May this year, the dossier alleges that Malik “does not even respect the dignity of women” and has made “repeated derogatory, threatening and misogynistic remarks against women doctors serving at GMC Doda, threatening to ‘drag and undress’ them at his will”.

The document stated that his “irresponsible remarks against females” coupled with abusive language have degraded the “ethical conduct of society”.

The deputy commissioner’s report said that despite multiple legal actions, Malik has not changed his behaviour, and his actions have the potential to “alienate the youth from adopting legal means”.

The detention is justified as a necessary measure to balance individual liberty with the “safety of the community”, especially given that the MLA “openly questions law of land, repeatedly terming himself above law and resorting to violence and instigation to pull youth towards disorder”.–(PTI)

PUCA to Host Education Summit on September 8 in Srinagar

Srinagar, September 7

The Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) today held a press conference at the Press Club of Kashmir, Srinagar, announcing a major initiative for the students of Jammu & Kashmir.

Addressing the media, Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, PUCA and Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, Rajpura (Near Chandigarh), informed that PUCA will organize a grand Education Summit on September 8, 2025, in Srinagar. During the summit, PUCA will announce a scholarship package worth Rs 20–50 Crore to support needy and deserving J&K students in pursuing higher education in Punjab colleges.

Dr. Kataria further said that around 20 renowned colleges of Punjab will participate, each announcing scholarships worth Rs 2.5 Crore, giving students wide-ranging opportunities across various streams. The summit will also see the participation of over 200 education counselors from across J&K, who will guide students about admissions, career choices, and scholarship benefits.

Prominent educational institutions participating in the summit include Aryans Group of Colleges Chandigarh, Amritsar Group of Colleges, Amritsar; Amritsar College of Nursing, Amritsar; Akal College, Mastuana Sahib; Ashoka Group of Institutions, Patiala; Bharat Group of Colleges, Sardulgarh; Global Group of Institutes, Amritsar; Gulzar Group of Colleges, Khanna; Jain Group of Institutions, Abohar; KC Group of Institutions, Nawashehar; Quest Group of Institutes, Jhanjeri; Saraswati Group of Colleges, Maur Mandi (Bathinda); SBS Group of Educational Institutions, Patti; Shiva Group of Colleges, Himachal Pradesh; Sri Sai Group, Pathankot: St. Mary’s Rehabilitation University, Hyderabad; Sukhjinder Group of Institutes, Gurdaspur; SVIET Group, Banur, Rajpura; and Vidya Jyoti Eduversity, Derabassi.

The recent heavy rainfall and flash floods have put an entire settlement in Inharada village, Bhalessa, at risk. Three houses in the settlement have been completely damaged, and the remaining houses have started to slide, leaving many families homeless. The affected families do not have the means to rebuild their homes.

The local residents have appealed to the administration to find a solution to their plight. They have also pointed out that the lack of retaining walls along the road passing through the village has contributed to the disaster.

People statements 👇

“We urge the administration to take immediate action to address our situation. The absence of retaining walls along the road has exacerbated the problem, and we need a long-term solution to prevent such disasters in the future.”

The residents are seeking immediate assistance and a sustainable solution to their housing crisis. The administration is urged to take prompt action to provide relief and support to the affected families.

Awantipora 07 September 2025:

Continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Awantipora Police arrested 01 drug peddler and recovered contraband substance from his possession.

During naka checking at Udipora Y Band NH-44, police party of Police Station Awantipora headed by PSI Autul Manhas under the supervision of SHO PS Awantipora Inspector Ajaz Hmad intercepted one person in suspicious condition,when police party signalled him to stop he tried to flee from the spot but police party apprehended him tactfully. During search, 0.86 grams of Heroin like substance was recovered from his possession. The arrested drug peddler has been identified as Mehraj -ud-din Ganie S/o Gh. Mohd Ganie R/o Kranchoo Pampore A/P New Colony Lethpora

Case FIR number 189/2025 under relevant sections of NDPS Act stands registered at Police Station Awantipora and investigation taken up.

Generally cloudy skies with possibility of light rain/thundershower in some areas of Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

Short intense shower can’t be ruled in few spots.

Overall, No Continuous rainfall or significant weather activity is expected till 15 September in Jammu & Kashmir.

Regards: Kashmir Weather Watch