Excelsior Correspondent

REASI, Apr 25: District Police Reasi has booked a notorious drug peddler under the PIT NDPS Act and lodged him in District Jail Bhaderwah.
The accused has been identified as Sudershan Singh, alias Vishal (31), son of Sunder Singh, resident of Palpadi. Chinkah, Arnas, presently putting up at Trintha, Reasi. He was detained under the order, issued by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu.
The accused was involved in several NDPS cases registered at different police stations. Despite being booked multiple times under the NDPS Act and repeatedly warned to stop illegal activities, the accused continued supplying banned drugs to local youth for monetary gains. Keeping in view his continuous involvement in drug trafficking and to protect society from the menace of drugs, strict preventive action was taken against him under the PIT NDPS Act.
The whole investigation was conducted by PSI Rahul Jamwal and Police team, headed by SHO Reasi, Khyatimaan Khajuria, under the close supervision of Dy SP Headquarters, Reasi, Vishal Singh Jamwal and Addl SP Iftkhar Ahmed.
Meanwhile, Reasi Police destroyed illegally cultivated opium poppy crop at Mahore under `Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan’.
Acting on specific inputs, a police party of Police Post Shajroo, along with officials of the Revenue Department and local residents, conducted a joint operation at Village Mullas, Tehsil Mahore, where illegally cultivated poppy crop was identified and destroyed on the spot in accordance with legal procedures.
The entire operation was led by IC PP Shajroo under the close supervision of SDPO Mahore, Parul Bhardwaj.

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, April 25: A three-day training course on Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) concluded today at Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, with a formal valedictory function.
The programme witnessed the participation of 22 police officers from different districts and wings of Jammu and Kashmir Police, up to the rank of Inspector, who underwent intensive training aimed at strengthening their technical proficiency in modern policing systems. The course was conducted with the objective of enhancing the participants’ understanding of the functioning and significance of CCTNS.
Developed on the foundation of experience gained from the earlier Common Integrated Police Application (CIPA), CCTNS is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of the Government of India. It seeks to establish a comprehensive and integrated framework to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policing through the adoption of e-governance practices, enabling a nationwide IT-enabled crime and criminal tracking system.
In this context, the training programme was designed to provide officers with practical exposure and hands-on skills essential for efficient use of the system in field operations.
A technical team from Range Police Headquarters (RPHQ) Udhampur-Reasi, led by Inspector Raghu Raj, acted as guest faculty during the programme. The team conducted detailed lectures along with practical sessions, offering participants in-depth insight into the operational and technical aspects of CCTNS and its role in strengthening policing mechanisms.
The valedictory function was presided over by Deputy Director SKPA, Rajesh Sharma, who distributed certificates among the participants and addressed the gathering. In his address, he underscored the importance of CCTNS knowledge for supervisory-level officers, stating that familiarity with the system enables effective monitoring and evaluation of subordinate staff engaged in CCTNS-related tasks. He also emphasized the need to ensure efficient and citizen-friendly service delivery through the proper implementation of the system.
The programme was coordinated by Inspector Vikas Manhas and Selection Grade Constable Ajay Singh of SKPA.

Excelsior Correspondent

AKHNOOR, Apr 25: Akhnoor unit of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association held its monthly meeting under the chairmanship of its president, Lakhbir Singh Sohan, a Naval veteran.
The meeting witnessed active participation from veterans of the Army, Navy and Air Force residing in the area. Group Captain Sanjiv Gupta (Retd) attended the meeting as a special guest.
During the meeting, members discussed several issues concerning Ex-servicemen and their families. Key matters included pension-related grievances, healthcare facilities under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), welfare schemes, the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan, and traffic problems in Akhnoor town.
Addressing the gathering, the chairman highlighted various schemes and benefits available to Ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and widow pensioners. He also apprised members of the latest rules and developments related to Ex-servicemen welfare and stressed the need to strengthen the association.
A significant concern raised during the meeting was the critical health condition of the only son of Havildar Dev Raj, who is suffering from a serious heart ailment requiring immediate transplantation. The family is facing financial hardship, compounded by the nearing expiry of their ECHS card. The chairman appealed to members to extend moral and financial support to the affected family.
The association also discussed a charter of demands submitted to the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory on April 21, 2026. Other welfare issues, including the construction of a Sainik House in Akhnoor, were deliberated upon. Members resolved to enhance outreach efforts to address pension, CSD and ECHS-related concerns.
Speaking on the occasion, Group Captain Sanjiv Gupta (Retd) emphasized unity among Ex-servicemen and suggested preparing an annual roadmap for future activities. He also proposed celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas and Republic Day collectively.
Proceedings of the meeting were conducted by General Secretary Kaka Ram Captain Romesh Chander concluded the meeting with a vote of thanks. Among others who spoke on the occasion were Sanjiv Gupta, Jugal Gupta, Vijay Kumar, Rameshwar Dutt and Raghuvir Singh.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 25: Police have solved a theft case at Adhkuwari within five days of its reporting and apprehended two accused persons with recovery of stolen property worth approximately Rs 1.55 lakh.
A complaint regarding theft of valuable articles was received at Police Post Adhkuwari under the jurisdiction of Police Station Bhawan. Acting swiftly, SHO Bhawan Inspector Parmodh Singh Bajju constituted a special team headed by Incharge Police Post Adhkuwari SI Mayank Jamwal and launched an investigation.
Through CCTV footage analysis and technical surveillance, police arrested one accused namely Nasib Singh, son of Kishan Singh, resident of Balgoa, Tehsil Jawali, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. From his possession, stolen mobile phones including two SIM cards, debit cards and two Army canteen cards were recovered.
During questioning, the accused disclosed that the stolen mobile phones had been sold to one Sunil Walia of Kazipur, District Pathankot, Punjab. Acting on this lead, the police team conducted an interstate raid and apprehended the second accused from Malikpur Chowk, Pathankot.
On his disclosure, stolen items worth Rs 1.55 lakh, including Samsung S24 Ultra, Samsung F54 and DJI Mic, was recovered. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Dy SP Bhawan, Mahesh Sharma and SP Katra, Kameshwar Puri.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: Hindi Department of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) here today organized a literary programme under its ongoing series ‘Meet the Eminent Writer’ featuring noted Kashmiri writer Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi.
The programme was presided over by eminent Punjabi writer Khalid Hussain while noted Hindi writer Dr. Agnisaksher attended as guest of honour and delivered the keynote address.
On this occasion, Sahitya Akademi Award-winning prominent multilingual writer and translator Nisar Azam presented a detailed and scholarly paper on the works of Dr. Masoodi.
In her welcome address, Secretary JKAACL, Harvinder Kour, emphasized the importance of organizing such programmes to recognize and honour the contributions of eminent writers.
Dr. Agnisaksher appreciated the scholarly presentation by Nisar Azam, stating that the paper had comprehensively explored various aspects of Masoodi’s poetry.
Prominent Dogri writer and president Dogri Sanastha, Padma Shree Prof. Lalit Magotra while sharing his perspective on Dr. Masoodi’s literary persona remarked that the paper presented by Nisar Azam enabled him to connect with Masoodi as a poet in a deeper sense.
Javed Rahi, Additional Secretary of the Academy, Padma Shri awardee Jitendra Udhampuri and Khalid Hussain also spoke on the occasion.
The programme was conducted by Dr. Chanchal Sharma, Editor Hindi.
On this occasion, the Academy felicitated Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi, Khalid Hussain, Dr. Agnisaksher and Nisar Azam.
The event concluded with formal vote of thanks by Lal Chand, Additional Secretary of JKAACL.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 25: Over 300 people took out a candle march at Bahu Fort area this evening, demanding fair investigation into circumstances surrounding the “mysterious death” of a doctor from the locality in Doda district and justice to the victim’s family members.
Dr Prabhjot Chalotra, 27, a resident of Bahu Fort, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Gandoh area of Doda district on April 20.
His body was handed over to the family the next day. Since then, the family has alleged foul play and questioned the circumstances surrounding his death.
The candle march, organised by the family, started from the doctor’s residence and concluded at Saryara Sabha, Bahu Fort.
Participants carried candles and raised slogans seeking justice. A large number of local residents joined the protest.
Bahu constituency MLA Vikram Randhawa also participated in the march and demanded a fair probe.
He said the circumstances surrounding the death raised serious doubts and alleged attempts were being made to suppress the matter.
The MLA also questioned the conduct of the postmortem, claiming it was carried out without the family’s consent.
He said he had faith in the police investigation but warned that if lapses were found, the family and supporters would seek a CBI inquiry.
Family members rejected initial claims of an accidental fall and said the condition of the body raised suspicion.
The deceased’s sister, Urmila, questioned how a fall from a height of around 300 feet could result in only a head injury without major fractures.
She also raised questions over the absence of visual evidence of the recovery despite claims that locals had helped retrieve the body.
The family further alleged that the doctor’s mobile phones had been formatted and his social media accounts deactivated, deepening suspicion.
The protesters later gathered outside Saryara Sabha and reiterated their demand for a time-bound and impartial investigation. The family said it would continue its fight until justice is delivered.