former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti led a protest march in Srinagar, demanding the release and return of Kashmiri prisoners detained in jails across India. The protesters, carrying placards and raising slogans of “Bail, not Jail,” aimed to highlight the plight of detainees, many of whom Mufti claimed are innocent and denied basic constitutional rights. She accused the government of neglecting these prisoners and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to raise the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, specifically requesting that detainees held outside Jammu and Kashmir be transferred back to the region for fair legal proceedings and family access. The march, which started at the PDP headquarters and headed toward Lal Chowk, was stopped by police. Mufti emphasized that the protest was a humanitarian effort, not a political one, and called for reforms such as speedy trials, transparent remission policies, and access to medical bail and parole to uphold prisoners’ rights.
Srinagar witnessed a profound spiritual gathering on Sunday as the Azmat-e-Quran Conference 2025, organised by Jamiat Ahli Hadees Jammu & Kashmir, drew thousands of participants at Markaz Masood Ground, Moominabad Bypass and Markaz Ibn Masood Ground, Batmaloo.
The day-long event, inaugurated by Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Malik al-Madani (Hafizahullah), featured lectures from prominent Islamic scholars who underlined the need to uphold the Quran and Sunnah as guiding principles in daily life.
A highlight of the conference was the Huffaz-ul-Quran Dastarbandi ceremony, where young memorizers of the Quran were honoured for their achievement. Scholars stressed the importance of nurturing Quranic education for future generations, calling it a collective responsibility of the community.
The atmosphere was described as both spiritual and unifying, with reminders of peace, steadfastness, and devotion. Residents praised the organisers for creating an inclusive space that attracted scholars, students, and worshippers from across the Valley.
A parallel gathering at Al-Kulliyah Salafia, Bemina also reflected the widespread enthusiasm for the conference. Organisers said the aim was to strengthen faith, promote unity, and encourage Muslims to reconnect with the Quran and Sunnah.
The Azmat-e-Quran Conference 2025 continues Srinagar’s tradition of hosting major religious events, leaving attendees inspired and committed to living by the Quranic message.
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday expressed hope that Education Minister Sakina Itoo’s assurance—that the government’s takeover of the Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) schools is temporary—will prove true.
He wrote on his X handle: “One hopes that Education Minister Sakina Itoo’s assurance— that the government has taken over the management of FAT schools only as a temporary measure—will be proven by action, not merely by words. The government must ensure that, even during this temporary period, the schools are overseen by qualified educationists and professionals rather than administrative authorities.”
He further said, “Furthermore, the government must ensure that the future of the students and the careers of the teaching and non-teaching staff of these schools are not compromised in any way.”
Urging the government not to politicise this issue, Bukhari added, “The government (ruling party) must recognise that the issue of FAT schools is directly related to the future of thousands of students enrolled in them. Public sentiments are involved in this matter. Therefore, this issue cannot and should not be politicised for political gain or used as a means to settle political scores.”
Police claimed to have busted a fraud marriage nexus in Chowki Choura, Akhnoor, on Saturday, arresting five individuals, including a woman who posed as the bride.
In a handout to GNS, the police said that on 11.08.2025, Police Station Akhnoor registered FIR No.140/2025 U/S 318(4)/82(2)/61(2) BNS after receiving a complaint regarding fraudulent marriage arrangements. The investigation was taken up by IC PP Chowki Choura, Vinay Kotwal, under the close supervision of SHO Akhnoor and SDPO Akhnoor.
As per the complaint, Deepak Kumar S/o Baldev Raj R/o Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura approached the complainant Rashpal Chand S/o Chatru Ram R/o Dori Dager, Chowki Choura with a marriage proposal from outside the Union Territory and demanded ₹3 lakh. After the marriage was solemnized, the bride, along with other accomplices, fled within two days, thereby cheating the complainant.
Investigations revealed that the gang was operating a fraudulent nexus under the guise of a marriage bureau. The racket managed everything, including arranging the bride, priest (Pandit), and related formalities. Shortly after marriage, the bride would desert the complainant on one pretext or another.
Due to social stigma, many victims refrained from reporting such incidents. However, in this case, timely reporting led to a major breakthrough.
The five accused who have been arrested are identified as Deepak Kumar S/o Baldev Raj R/o Dhana Chapri, Chowki Choura, Vikas Kumar*S/o Netar Parkash R/o Poonch, Arun Kumar* S/o Raj Kumar R/o Bihar, Istakhar S/o Salim R/o Uttar Pradesh and Kusum Lata R/o Uttar Pradesh (Bride).
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are not ruled out. Notably, four more similar cases have surfaced,two from Akhnoor and two from Nagrota,where inquiries are currently in progress.
The entire investigation is being closely monitored by SP Rural Jammu & SSP Jammu.
Jammu Police appeals to the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities and to promptly report such incidents to the nearest police station. This nexus primarily targets vulnerable individuals, especially those who are unable to find suitable matches or are overage for marriage, reads the statement. (GNS)
Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat today to address pressing issues raised by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) concerning the handicrafts and handloom sector.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, Dheeraj Gupta; Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce, S. Vikramjit Singh; Director, Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, Mussrat Islam; and KCCI President, Javed Tenga, among others.
During the discussions, the KCCI delegation highlighted concerns regarding the sale of machine-made products alongside genuine handcrafted items, following notices issued by the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom. The need for expediting testing and certification of GI products at PTQCC lab, Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan, was also stressed.
The Advisor was briefed on the background of the notices, prompted by complaints from tourists who were sold machine-made imitations under the guise of authentic Kashmir handicrafts. Officials revealed that in one case, a showroom was blacklisted for selling counterfeit products with fake GI labels, aiming to deceive buyers.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting Kashmiri artisans and weavers, Nasir Aslam directed the department to prepare a comprehensive proposal safeguarding both artisans and stakeholders. He asked KCCI to formally engage with the department and submit a plan for allowing properly labeled machine-made products as a distinct category to ensure transparency and prevent misbranding.
The Advisor emphasised that all dealers must be sensitized to the importance of promoting authentic handicrafts. The government warned that strict action would be taken against mislabeling, misbranding, or deceptive alterations intended to pass off as genuine products.
The meeting also covered upgrades to the PTQCC testing lab, which now has a new digital microscope and is in the process of procuring advanced equipment, including SEM and additional high-resolution microscopes, to strengthen GI product testing.
Additionally, the KCCI raised concerns about the adverse impact of sub-standard meat on genuine hotels and restaurants, urging the identification of suppliers and their supply chains. The Advisor assured that measures are being taken to curb unsafe food, stressing that public confidence hinges on consumer awareness and strict hygiene standards.
The apple orchards of Kashmir, long celebrated as the backbone of the region’s economy, are grappling with an unprecedented crisis as apple prices continue their downward spiral. Orchard owners across the valley are reeling from the financial strain, with many fearing that the plummeting market rates could jeopardize their livelihoods and destabilize an industry that supports millions.
Kashmir’s apple industry, which accounts for approximately 75% of India’s total apple production, is a vital economic driver, employing around 3.5 million people directly or indirectly and contributing nearly 10% to the region’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). However, despite a robust harvest this season, growers report that market prices have dropped sharply, with a 10-12 kg carton of high-density apples fetching only ₹750 to ₹1,000, compared to last year’s ₹1,300 to ₹1,400. This steep decline has left farmers struggling to recover even basic production and transportation costs.
“The prices are so low that we’re barely breaking even,” said Mohammad Ashraf Wani, an apple trader and president of the Fruit Mandi in Shopian, one of Kashmir’s largest apple markets. “We’ve had a good yield this year, but the market is flooded with early-harvest varieties from high-density orchards, and the demand isn’t keeping up. If this continues, many farmers will face huge losses.”
The surge in supply is largely attributed to the rapid adoption of high-density apple cultivation across the valley. Over the past decade, farmers have increasingly shifted from traditional orchards to high-density varieties, such as Super Chief, Red Velox, and Gala Redlum, which yield fruit within two to three years and produce up to four times more per acre. The Jammu and Kashmir government’s Modified High-Density Plantation Scheme, launched in 2021, has further accelerated this trend, offering a 50% subsidy to encourage farmers to plant an estimated 2 to 3 million new high-density trees annually. While this has boosted production by 35-45% compared to last year, the oversupply has overwhelmed markets, driving prices down.
“High-density orchards were supposed to be a game-changer,” said Tariq Ahmad, a farmer from Pulwama. “We invested heavily, expecting better returns, but this glut has shaken our confidence. Without government intervention, many of us won’t survive another season like this.”
Adding to the growers’ woes is the influx of cheaper imported apples from countries like the United States, Iran, and South Africa. These imports, particularly Washington apples, have eroded the market share of Kashmiri apples, further depressing prices. Farmers and traders have long opposed such imports, arguing that they undermine the local industry, which supports around seven lakh families. “The government needs to impose higher import duties to protect us,” said Showkat Ahmad Hajam, an apple trader in Pulwama. “Right now, we’re competing against cheaper foreign apples, and it’s killing our market.”
Black Diamond Apple / Image Source Pintrest
The challenges don’t end there. Erratic weather patterns, including dry spells, unseasonal hailstorms, and rising temperatures, have compounded the crisis. According to the China Economic Information Centre (CIEC), apple production in Jammu and Kashmir dropped to 2,054.828 thousand tons in 2024 from 2,146.347 thousand tons in 2023, a decline attributed to adverse weather and substandard pesticides. This year, growers report a 30% reduction in yields in some areas due to similar conditions, coupled with fungal scab outbreaks and leaf miner infestations, which have further diminished the quality and marketability of their produce.
Orchard owners are now urgently appealing to both the central and Jammu and Kashmir governments for immediate support. Key demands include the reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), which previously allowed the government to procure lower-grade apples at fixed rates to stabilize prices, and the implementation of a yield-based crop insurance scheme to mitigate losses from natural calamities. “We presented 14 demands to the Chief Minister before the latest budget, including loan waivers and crop insurance, but none were addressed,” said Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Sopore Fruit Mandi, Asia’s second-largest fruit market. “The government seems unaware of how this industry works. We’re being left to fend for ourselves.”
The lack of adequate cold storage and processing facilities in the region further exacerbates the crisis. Approximately 20% of apples remain unsold in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores, as growers struggle to find buyers willing to pay fair prices. “CA stores were supposed to help us manage supply and demand, but with low market rates, they’re just piling up losses,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the New Kashmir Fruit Association.
The apple industry’s struggles have ripple effects across Kashmir’s economy, impacting not only growers but also laborers, transporters, and traders. With the monsoon session of Parliament concluding on August 21, 2025, growers are pinning their hopes on swift government action. Proposals for import duties, market regulation, and enhanced infrastructure could provide a lifeline to the sector, but time is running out.
“If the government doesn’t act now, the future of Kashmir’s apple industry is at stake,” warned Wani. “This isn’t just about apples—it’s about the survival of millions of families who depend on this trade.”
As Kashmir’s orchard owners await relief, the region’s famed apples, once a symbol of prosperity, now hang heavy with uncertainty, underscoring the urgent need for policies to protect this vital lifeline of the valley’s economy.
Jammu and Kashmir Police, in its continued crackdown on the terror ecosystem, has attached immovable property belonging to an active terrorist under relevant provisions of law in Anantnag district.
The land falling under Khasra No. 165 MIN, situated at Guree, Bijbehara, and owned by Adil Hussain Thoker S/o Wali Mohammed Thoker R/o Guree, Bijbehara, an active terrorist, has been attached under Section 83 of CrPC.
The action has been taken in connection with FIR No. 11/2023 registered under Sections 20, 38 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Sections 2/3 of the EIMCO Act.
This attachment is part of lawful measures aimed at dismantling the support structure of terrorism in the district. Such actions will continue against individuals found aiding or involved in unlawful and anti-national activities.
Anantnag Police reaffirms its commitment to maintaining peace, security, and the rule of law in the district.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that it might be impossible to find anyone alive in the Kishtwar incident, stating that the disaster took place due to cloudburst rather than a breach of glacial lakes.
“Finding the missing persons alive now looks nearly impossible. In these circumstances, we will try to retrieve as many bodies and hand them over to their loved ones. According to the information we have received so far, the disaster that happened in Kishtwar was due to a cloudburst and not a glacial lake breach,” Omar Abdullah told reporters.
The J-K CM stated that the government will now appoint a team of experts to find out the other affected areas in the region and sought a report from them so that such incidents do not take place in the future.
“Now we have to appoint a team of experts to identify areas which might be in danger. A few months ago, the same thing was seen in Ramban, at that time the financial loss was more and the loss of life was less. This time the loss of life was more, but to avoid such a situation in future or if it arises, what steps can be taken by the government to reduce the loss, for this we will have to appoint some experts and ask for their report,” Abdullah said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo confirmed that 61 people have lost their lives in the cloudburst and flash flood incident that occurred in the Kishtwar district, while 116 individuals have been rescued so far.
Addressing mediapersons, Chief Secretary Dulloo said, “61 people have lost their lives in the incident. Security forces and various agencies have launched a collective search and rescue operation. CISF, J&K Police, CRPF, BRO, Indian Army, and NHPC were present at the spot immediately after the incident. Almost 450 people are working there day and night in a rescue operation. 116 people have been rescued so far.”
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) MK Yadav stated that the rescue operations are ongoing and efforts are being made to locate and save those still missing.
“Rescue operations are ongoing here, and JCB machines are also working continuously. SDRF, NDRF, local police, and CISF have all been divided into teams, zoning up the area. All agencies are working here. We are hopeful of saving more people. Other people who are missing, who are trapped inside boulders, muddy areas, we are trying our best to get them out. The situation here is better than before,” Yadav said while speaking to ANI. (ANI)
Less than 48 hours after body of 14-year-old girl was recovered on Batsar- Sehpora road in Ganderbal, police has arrested her sister for the death in the central Kashmir district.
Addressing a presser, SSP Ganderbal Khalil Poswal said that the 22-year-old girl ( Sister of deceased) has been arrested in connection with the incident. He said soon after the incident, police registered a case and started investigations. During the Investigation, he said, role of deceased’s sister came to fore and it was found she killed the minor.
The SSP further stated that an altercation between two sisters escalated, resulting in the elder sister hitting the younger one with a rod, which unfortunately led to her death.
The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had termed the murder has heinous and expressed his anguish. He demanded stern punishment for those guilty of murdering the minor. (GNS)
Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary today visited the relief camp established at SIDCO Ghati Industrial Estate, Kathua to take stock of arrangements being extended to the families affected by the recent cloudburst.
The Deputy Chief Minister interacted with the displaced families, heard their concerns and assured them of full government support.
“The government stands shoulder to shoulder with the affected families in this hour of crisis. Every possible measure will be taken to ensure their immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation,” the Deputy Chief Minister said while addressing the victims at the relief camp.
During the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister also inspected the nearby bridge connecting the adjoining villages of Ghati which was damaged in the incident. He directed the concerned authorities to take up immediate restoration work. “Restoration of connectivity is the top priority and the administration has been directed to execute works on war footing,” he asserted.
The Deputy Chief Minister also visited the Military Hospital Pathankot where he enquired about the well-being of the injured admitted following the Ghati cloudburst. He appreciated the timely response of the medical staff and instructed them to provide best possible treatment to the injured till their full recovery.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister visited Government Medical College Kathua where he met the injured and families affected by cloudbursts and flashfloods at Jakhole and Janglote. He assured them that all necessary assistance including medical care and rehabilitation support, will be extended without delay.
“The safety and well-being of the people is our foremost concern. The Government will leave no stone unturned in providing relief and rebuilding the damaged infrastructure,” the Deputy Chief Minister reaffirmed.
He also directed the district administration to maintain round-the-clock monitoring in all calamity-hit areas and ensure timely assistance to the affected population.
