Budgam, March 24, KNT: Police in Budgam district have solved three theft cases, arrested the accused and recovered stolen property worth approximately ₹6 lakh, officials said on Tuesday.

The cases were registered at Police Station Budgam following multiple complaints of theft incidents reported over the past few months.

The breakthrough comes as police intensify efforts to curb rising theft cases and improve public confidence in law enforcement.

Officials said FIR Nos. 31/2026, 34/2026 and 50/2026 were registered, and investigations were launched to trace those involved.

During the probe, police analysed CCTV footage and technical evidence, which led to the identification and subsequent arrest of the accused persons.

“During sustained questioning, the accused confessed to their involvement in multiple thefts from residential houses,” a police official said.

Based on disclosures made during interrogation, stolen items including copper utensils, electronic gadgets and other household goods were recovered from several receiver-accused persons.

Police said the recovery of stolen property from different locations indicates the existence of a network involved in theft and disposal of stolen goods.

All accused persons are currently in police custody, and further investigation is underway to ascertain their involvement in other theft cases, officials added.

Locals have welcomed the action, saying it would help deter such crimes and enhance security in the area.

Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station to help prevent crime.

Background incidents of theft in residential areas have prompted police to enhance surveillance and rely more on technical evidence such as CCTV footage to track offenders. [KNT]

Anantnag; 24 March :Continuing its sustained drive against the menace of drug trafficking, Anantnag Police achieved significant success by apprehending drug peddlers and recovering substantial quantities of contraband substances in two separate naka checking operations.

In the first incident, a police party from Police Station Bijbehara established a naka at Dara Shikwa Crossing, Bijbehara. During checking, two individuals identified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat S/O Abdul Rahman Bhat R/O Astanpora Veeri and Mohd Younis Sofi S/O Abdul Rashid Sofi R/O Guree Kanderpora were apprehended. Upon search, 2.071 kilograms of charas (powder-like substance) was recovered from their possession.

Accordingly, Case FIR No. 66/2026 under Sections 8/20-29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara and investigation has been initiated.

In another incident, a police party during naka checking at Arwani Under Bridge near Fruit Mandi, Jablipora apprehended one more drug peddler identified as Sajad Ahmad Wagay S/O Abdul Rashid Wagay R/O Guree Kanderpora. During search, 1.041 kilograms of charas (powder-like substance) was recovered from his possession.

In this regard, Case FIR No. 67/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered and further investigation is underway.

Anantnag Police remains committed to eradicating the drug menace and urges the general public to cooperate and share any information related to drug trafficking for the betterment of society.

Anantnag, March 24:KDC: Following a recent order issued by the Municipal Council Anantnag imposing strict restrictions on illegal street vending across the town, authorities have initiated decisive action to restore order and ease public movement.

Acting promptly on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, enforcement teams including the Tax Department, Khilafwarzi Wing, and Demolition Squad have intensified monitoring to ensure that no unauthorized vendors occupy main roads, particularly along the busy stretch from Mehindi-Kadal to Janglatmandi.

Prior to this in a proactive move, Anantnag Police have already conducted extensive drives against illegal vending and traffic violations. The police successfully cleared all major bottlenecks caused by unauthorized roadside vendors, significantly improving traffic flow and ensuring smooth passage for commuters.

The swift and coordinated action has brought visible relief to the general public, who had long been facing inconvenience due to congestion and encroachments. Residents and commuters have widely appreciated the efforts of Anantnag Police, praising their timely intervention and firm action against violators.

Officials have reiterated that strict monitoring will continue, and any negligence or violation of the order will invite stern action under the law.

The administration has urged all stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining order and ensuring a hassle-free environment for the public.

Jammu, March 23, KNT: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed-Ur-Rehman Para has introduced a private member’s bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking a comprehensive reorganization of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils across the Union Territory, officials said.

The bill, titled “The Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026,” proposes the creation of new administrative divisions, including a Chenab Division with headquarters at Doda and a Pir Panjal Division with headquarters at Rajouri.

The proposal is significant as it seeks to restructure the existing administrative framework to address long-standing concerns related to governance in geographically vast and difficult terrains, while aiming to improve service delivery and regional balance.

According to the draft legislation, the government would be empowered to assign districts to Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab or Pir Panjal divisions through official notifications, keeping in view geographical continuity, administrative convenience, socio-cultural cohesion and balanced regional development.

In the Kashmir division, the bill proposes the creation of several new districts, including Tral–Awantipora Hill District, Ashmuqam–Pahalgam Hill District, Beerwah District, Sopore District, Handwara District, Gurez District, Tangdhar–Karnah Hill District and Noorabad Hill District.

For the Jammu division, the proposed districts include Nowshera Hill District, Bhaderwah Hill District, Banihal Hill District, Thathri Hill District, Akhnoor Hill District, Billawar Hill District, Kotranka Hill District and Mendhar Hill District.

Many of the proposed units have been designated as hill districts, reflecting the focus on targeted administrative planning in mountainous and remote areas, officials said.

The bill has been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration during the ongoing Budget Session, which is scheduled to resume on March 27 after a five-week recess following its first phase held between February 2 and 20.

During the earlier phase of the session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Budget on February 6, and the House passed departmental grants after deliberations.

As per the notified schedule, March 30 and April 1 have been earmarked for private members’ bills, while March 31 and April 2 are reserved for private members’ resolutions. The session is expected to conclude on April 4.  [KNT]

Srinagar: In a significant verdict reinforcing the commitment to combat corruption, the Hon’ble Special Judge Anti-Corruption Court Srinagar, Dr. Tasleem Arief Ganie, convicted Mohd Akram Khan, son of Jalalddin Khan, resident of Aripal Tral District Pulwama, Presently resident of Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar in a bribery case registered under FIR No. 20 of 2010 PS VOK now ACB.

The accused, then-serving as Tehsildar, was found guilty under Sections 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, and Section 161 RPC, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from the complainant, over the pretext of getting the property dispute settled in his favour.

Following a complaint filed on May 13, 2010, a trap was successfully laid by the Vigilance Organisation Kashmir (now Anti-Corruption Bureau), during which the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe.

After thorough investigation, Charge sheet was filed on October 22, 2010 and the case proceeded for judicial determination in the Hon’ble Court. On March 23, 2026, the Hon’ble Court delivered the judgment, sentencing the accused under Section 5(2) read with 5(1)(d) of J&K PC Act and 161 RPC, of simple imprisonment for one year along with a fine of ₹20,000/-.

This conviction marks another milestone in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and accountability in public service.

Srinagar MARCH 18:-Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Akshay Labroo, today chaired a meeting of senior Revenue Officers at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex to review tehsil-wise progress on key revenue matters and to further strengthen service delivery systems across the district, with a special focus on the digitization of revenue records.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mir Imtiyaz Ul Aziz, SDM West, Irfan Bahadur, SDM East, Zubair Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Umar Gulzar and all Tehsildars.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner conducted a detailed review of tehsil-wise progress in the digitization of revenue records, updation and attestation of mutations, disposal of public grievances, and delivery of other time-bound services by the Revenue Department.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner undertook a comprehensive review of progress across all tehsils, particularly focusing on digitization of revenue records, updation and attestation of mutations, disposal of public grievances and delivery of other time-bound services by the Revenue Department. The progress of verification of cases under PMAY 2.0 was also assessed.

The DC also evaluated the performance of online service delivery platforms highlighting its importance in ensuring transparency and efficiency.

Acknowledging the efforts of the Revenue Officers and field functionaries, the Deputy Commissioner asked them to consistently continue their proactive approach in expediting the freezing of Jamabandies and grievance registers across all Tehsils.

Stressing the need for sustained efficiency, the DC called for the adoption of robust and result-oriented mechanisms to enhance overall departmental performance. He directed Officers to ensure prompt and high-quality service delivery to the public, with strict adherence to PSGA timelines, particularly through platforms such as Jansugam and Revenue Plus. He further instructed officials to accelerate the disposal of backlog mutation cases to ensure timely relief to the public.

While reviewing the progress of PMAY 2.0 cases, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need for early completion of the verification process.

On the issue of court case compliance, the DC directed Tehsildars to ensure submission of clear, accurate, and timely replies for quality and swift disposal of the court cases including cases and grievances registered under Migrant Act.

SRINAGAR, MARCH 18: To ensure smooth and peaceful celebrations of the forthcoming religious festivals of Eid-ul-Fitr, Navroz and Navratra, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, today chaired a meeting of officers to review the preparedness and arrangements being put in place across the Kashmir Division.

The meeting was attended by all Deputy Commissioners, Commissioner SMC, SSP Srinagar, Chief Engineer PWD, ARTO Kashmir, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir, Joint Director Information Kashmir, Joint Director FCS&CA and other senior officers of concerned departments.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioners briefed the Divisional Commissioner about the arrangements being put in place in their respective districts for the smooth celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, Navroz and Navratra. They also apprised him regarding the availability and stock position of essential commodities, including LPG, petrol and diesel.

While addressing the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure meticulous arrangements with regard to the availability of basic facilities, deployment of Magistrates, and effective security and traffic management, particularly at major congregational places where Eid prayers are scheduled to be held.

He directed KPDCL to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the Kashmir Division on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, especially at Aasar-i-Sharief Hazratbal and other prominent religious places.

The Jal Shakti Department was instructed to ensure adequate and uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water during the festive days.

With regard to essential commodities, the Divisional Commissioner emphasized maintaining adequate stocks and ensuring the availability of all essential items, including LPG, petrol and diesel, across the division so that the public does not face any inconvenience during the celebrations.

The FCS&CA Department was directed to ensure sufficient domestic LPG stock in all districts and to prevent any shortages.

He further instructed concerned authorities to conduct comprehensive market inspections to curb hoarding, overpricing and the sale of substandard goods. Stressing close coordination among enforcement agencies, he directed that fair pricing and adequate availability of essential commodities, particularly mutton and poultry, be ensured on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Reviewing traffic management measures, the Divisional Commissioner directed traffic authorities to regulate vehicular movement near major mosques and marketplaces. He also emphasized the arrangement of adequate public transport facilities on key routes leading to Hazratbal to facilitate smooth movement of devotees, especially for Eid prayers.

To ensure safety at congregation venues, he directed the deployment of fire tenders and adequate security personnel to ensure the smooth and peaceful celebration of all the festivals across the Kashmir Division.

The Divisional Commissioner reiterated the need for seamless coordination among all departments to ensure that the upcoming religious festivals are celebrated in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Budgam, March 18, KNT: A Power Development Department (PDD) lineman died after suffering an electric shock during duty in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

The deceased has been identified as Ali Mohammad Malik, a resident of Sonpah Beerwah.

According to local sources, the incident occurred while he was carrying out routine work when he came into contact with a live electric current.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.

Officials said police have taken cognizance of the incident and initiated necessary proceedings.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the incident. [KNT]