*NC Labour Union assures support

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 28: The sit-in protest by workers of Hindustan Pencils Factory, Paloura, entered 15th consecutive day today against the illegal closure of the factory.
More than 150 workers are continuously staging protest demonstration and dharna in front of the factory gate of M/s Hindustan Pencils Private Ltd (Natraj Pencils) Jammu for illegal closure of factory without complying to the Labour laws.
They pointed out that labourers/workers who were working in the factory from the last over 20-25 years have been ignored and denied statutory dues. Neither any permission has been obtained by the management nor was any intimation in this regard given to the workers.
The workers Union alleged that management with a planned conspiracy and just to get rid of the regular employment to the contractual employment, have done all this and also alleged that any talks/negotiations were not conducted with the workers those who were working in the factory from the last 30- 35 years, just to get rid of the workers on the name of closure, alleged the workers.
Meanwhile, Nar Singh (State Central Labour Union president, National Conference) along with Deep Mehra (provincial secretary, Labour Wing) and Karan Singh (senior vice president, Labour Wing) visited the dharna site at Paloura.
Addressing the workers, Nar Singh assured them that their genuine demands for resettlement and job security would be taken up with the concerned authorities. He further stated that the matter would be brought to the notice of the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary to ensure timely relief and restoration of livelihood for the affected workers.
Nar Singh emphasized the importance of safeguarding the interests of the workers and assured full support from the Union in resolving the issue at the earliest.

Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Apr 28: A notorious criminal has been detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Mendhar area of Poonch and lodged in District Jail Rajouri.
According to Police, the detained individual, Mohd Yousaf, son of Hakim Din, resident of Salwah, Tehsil Mendhar, has a long history of involvement in criminal activities. Several FIRs have been registered against him at Police Station Mendhar, including: FIR No. 129/2018 U/S 353/382 RPC; FIR No. 24/2019 U/S 341/323/147/336/ 382 RPC; FIR No. 217/2024 U/S 109/ 191(2)/ 191(3)/115(2)/307 BNS & 4/25 Arms Act FIR No. 38/2026 U/S 126(2)/ 115(2)/ 191(2)/ 307/ 351(2) BNS.
Despite repeated legal action, the individual continued to engage in unlawful and anti-social activities, disturbing peace and public order in Mendhar and adjoining areas.
Considering his persistent involvement in criminal acts and the potential threat posed to public safety, a dossier was prepared and submitted to the competent authority. Upon due consideration, detention under PSA was approved.
Accordingly, the individual has been detained under PSA and lodged in District Jail Rajouri.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: Under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Executive Director, NHPC Regional Office, Jammu, Ram Swaroop here today handed over two school buses to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Educational Trust (BBSBET), Jammu.
The buses were handed over to Charanjit Singh Khalsa, Trust chairman during a ceremony organised at NHPC Regional Office, Narwal in Jammu.
Speaking on this occasion, Ram Swaroop stated that the buses will help students in border and remote areas.
“NHPC fulfils its social responsibilities with utmost diligence and is undertaking numerous CSR-related initiatives in this region,” he maintained.
Charanjit Singh Khalsa thanked NHPC for providing school buses and stated that these buses will help the students in border and remote areas where transportation facilities are limited.
Those who were present on the occasion were Guru Dutt, GM (F), Satnam Singh GM (C), R.P Maurya, GM (HR), Ravinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Daljit Singh and others.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 28: Continuing its campaign under “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan”, Udhampur Police today attached movable property of a drug peddler and demolished an illegally constructed house of another narco smuggler.
According to Police, property worth Rs 9 lakhs, belonging to accused Ajay Singh, son of Om Parkash, resident of Kail, Tehsil Majalta, District Udhampur, has been attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act.
The attachment has been made in connection with FIR No. 30/2026 U/S 8/21/22 NDPS Act of Police Station Majalta. During the course of investigation, it came to fore that the accused had acquired the said property from the proceeds of illicit narcotics trade.
The attached properties include a Celerio ZXI car, bearing registration number JK14K-0657, one Infinix mobile phone, and Rs 68,000 lying in a bank account of the accused.
Accordingly, the said properties have been attached/seized under the provisions of Section 68-F of the NDPS Act for further legal proceedings.
In another decisive action against drug peddlers, Udhampur Police in coordination with the District Administration demolished an illegally constructed house belonging to Rafiq, son of Bansi of Jojrian Talab, Udhampur.
The immovable property i.e. one house situated at Khasra number 501 (State Land) had earlier been attached/seized under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act in connection with FIR No. 429/2025 U/S 8/21/22 NDPS Act of PS Udhampur.
During investigation it was found that the accused had encroached upon State land and constructed the house illegally, which was demolished today as per legal procedure.

Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Apr 28: Police here today registered a case against a man after a video showing him pasting posters, containing pro-Pakistan slogans, on a bridge in Doda, went viral on social media.
Sources informed that the purported video, which was geo-tagged, showed a location in the Pul Doda area.
A senior Police officer informed that efforts were underway to identify those involved in the wrong doing.
He said that some objectionable words were written on the poster, which could create panic among the public. The officer further said that cops have started investigation into the matter.
“It would be known only after the probe whether the clip was original or AI-generated and it is all part of the investigation. At present, nothing can be said about its authenticity,” he maintained.
However none was arrested till last reports.

Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 28: Ahead of historic launch of ‘Vande Bharat’ service between Jammu and Srinagar on April 30, the Jammu Division of Northern Railway today conducted a successful trial run.
The trail run of the Vande Bharat-operating between Jammu and Srinagar-was conducted from Jammu to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra.
This modern 20-coach Vande Bharat train will commence its maiden journey from Jammu Tawi (JAT), traversing the route up to Srinagar while connecting the challenging geographical terrains of the Valley.
Speaking about this special train, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Uchit Singhal said that this Vande Bharat Express will offer passengers a world-class travel experience. It features amenities such as the ‘Kavach’ safety system for passenger security, a GPS-based information system, and comfortable rotating seats.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 28: In a major crackdown under the ongoing anti-drug operations, police today arrested several drug peddlers and recovered significant quantities of heroin-like substances in separate operations across different districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the Panthal area of Katra, police apprehended a drug peddler and recovered 3.89 grams of heroin-like contraband from his possession.
A police team deployed at PCP Panthal under Police Post Kakryal intercepted a suspicious vehicle (JK02BD-9792) coming from Tikri towards Panthal.
During a thorough search, the accused identified as Hussain Mohd, a resident of Kheri Paroh, Tehsil Katra, District Reasi, was taken into custody on the spot.
A case (FIR No. 129/2026) under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Katra and further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages.
Meanwhile, the Samba Police under the supervision of SSP Samba Anuj Kumar arrested two drug peddlers in the jurisdictions of Police Stations Vijaypur and Ghagwal, recovering approximately 32.10 grams of heroin-like substance (commonly known as “chitta”) along with cash.
In Vijaypur, a police team intercepted a motorcycle (JK02AN-6230) during routine patrolling near Shiv Nagar Road. During checking, around 23.10 grams of heroin-like substance was recovered from the possession of the rider, identified as Bana, son of Nek Mohd of Narwal, Jammu.
The accused was arrested, and the contraband along with the motorcycle was seized. FIR No. 71/2026 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Vijaypur.
In another operation in Ghagwal, police intercepted a suspicious pedestrian near Sanoora Nursery.
Upon frisking, approximately 9 grams of heroin (chitta), along with Rs 16,500 in cash and a mobile phone, was recovered from his possession.
The accused, identified as Kuljeet Singh, son of Bharat Singh of Sanoora, Tehsil Rajpura, District Samba, was arrested. A case has been registered and investigation is ongoing.
In Banihal, police arrested another drug peddler during routine naka checking at Railway Chowk.
The accused, identified as Yasir Ahmed Sofi of Friends Colony, HMT Srinagar, was found in possession of approximately 98.21 grams of heroin-like substance.
FIR No. 69/2026 under the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Banihal, and further investigation has been initiated.
Additionally, in Bhaderwah, police registered a case related to the illegal cultivation of poppy plants. Acting on reliable information, a team from Police Station Bhaderwah initiated legal action against Abdul Majeed Sheikh of Charuru Chaka for allegedly cultivating poppy on his agricultural land for illegal sale. FIR No. 63/2026 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered, and investigation is in progress.