Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: The UT administration said today that six individuals booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Sopore were not students but identified miscreants whose involvement in recent disturbance has been established through footage and other verifiable inputs.
“All these individuals had instigated crowds and pelted stones besides indulging in other illegal activities during a recent incident in Sopore,” the officials said.
They said the preventive orders were issued against miscreants after their involvement was established in recent disturbance in Sopore incident through footage and other verifiable inputs.
“During the incident, these persons were seen instigating crowds, pelting stones, forcibly entering the school premises, climbing the school gate, damaging property, and trying to spread the disturbance from the school area to nearby market areas,” the officials said.
Elaborating, they said, Umer Akbar Hajam, 22, a resident of Seeloo and a barber by profession, was seen in footage available on social media instigating students/public and actively pelting stones while Altaf Ahmed Sheikh, 21, a resident of Tarzoo and a carpenter, was seen leading stone pelting, mobilizing outsiders, climbing the school gate and damaging property.
Majid Firdous Dar, 21, R/o Chinkipora and a driver, was seen leading protests, instigating others and pelting stones while another driver Mubashir Ahmed Gilkar, 21, also a resident of the same village besides entering school premises and damaging property was instrument in stoning, provoking outsiders and students.
Fifth PSA detainee Muzamil Mushtaq Changa, 22, a resident of Yaseen Colony, Arampora and a street vendor, was also visible mobilizing outsiders and instigating students to assemble and protest in footage available on social media.
Yet another detainee Salman Ahmed Shala, 23, R/o Shalpora and a vendor was seen mobilizing crowd, entering school premises, indulging in vandalism, stone pelting and instigating others.
“Pattern of mobilization and actions shows that the miscreants tried to take advantage of a peaceful student protest. Portrayal of these individuals as students or bystanders is not supported by the material on record, which clearly shows their active and leading role in the incident,” the officials said.
They pointed out that the preventive detention of all six individuals has been done strictly as per law to maintain public order.
JAMMU, Apr 29: Young speed skater Puneesh Puri brought pride to Jammu and Kashmir and India with an impressive performance at the World Skate Europe Track Series 2026, competing in Portugal and Germany against top international athletes.
Representing the Simmons Rana Racing Team, Puneesh participated in the 21st International Inline Speed Skating Tournament – Terras do Infante in Lagos, Portugal and the Arena Geisingen International 2026 in Germany. He competed in highly competitive sprint and long-distance events featuring world-class skaters.
Despite strong competition, Puneesh secured an overall Top-10 finish in the Youth Men category, narrowly missing a podium finish but earning appreciation for his grit, composure and fighting spirit.
His performance was lauded by coaches, mentors and the Simmons Rana Racing Team for his promising international potential. Puneesh is now preparing for upcoming Indian team trials and future international events.
LONDON, Apr 29 : The original bell from a UK-made Second World War submarine named HMS Trump was the centrepiece of a set of gifts presented by King Charles III to US President Donald Trump during the State Visit this week.
The “personal gift” was unveiled at the White House state dinner on Tuesday as the 77-year-old monarch delivered his address, striking a friendly and light-hearted note to his formal speech.
Trump looked visibly impressed by the gift and praised “fantastic” Charles at the white-tie event.
“Today, our partnerships in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and AUKUS (Australia-UK-US alliance) deepen our technological and military cooperation and ensure that, together, we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world,” the king said in his address.
“And speaking of submarine alliances, there was one particular AUKUS predecessor, launched from a UK shipyard in 1944, that served for the majority of her life attached to the 4th Submarine Squadron in Australia, playing a critical role during the war in the Pacific. Her name? HMS Trump.
“So tonight, Mr President, I am delighted to present to you – as a personal gift – the original bell which hung on the Conning Tower of your valiant namesake. May it stand as a testimony to our nations’ shared history and shining future. And should you ever need to get hold of us, well, just give us a ring,” he said, evoking laughter and applause.
The more public gift presentation followed an earlier closed-door exchange, when Buckingham Palace said the British monarch presented the American president with a framed facsimile of the 1879 design plans for the iconic desk in the Oval Office at White House – the originals of which are held by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.
“These drawings show the front elevation, top and projection of the President’s Desk, currently located in the Oval Office of the White House,” the palace stated.
According to the accompanying historic details released in London, the “Resolute Desk” was created from the timbers of the British exploration ship HMS Resolute.
The US government recovered and refitted the ship before sending it back to England where it was presented to Queen Victoria on December 17, 1856, as a “gesture of goodwill and friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom”.
HMS Resolute went on to serve in the Royal Navy until 1879, when it was decommissioned. Three desks were then made from the ship’s timber by master carpenter William Evenden, at the Royal Navy Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.
On November 23, 1880, the finished Resolute Desk was presented to President Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria.
As is customary, Queen Camilla also presented a brooch by a British designer as her royal gift to First Lady Melania Trump.
“British jewellery designer Fiona Rae has been designing and making jewellery for over 34 years. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, Fiona, a member of the British Society of Enamellers, received advice and a loan from the Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust) and is today one of the UK’s few enamel specialists,” Buckingham Palace stated, with reference to the brooch.
Granted the Royal Warrant by the king in 2024, Rae’s work focusses on a fusion of traditional craft skills alongside the latest developments in technology and computer-aided design.
The palace also revealed details of the gifts received by the senior royals from the American president and first lady in exchange.
While Trump presented Charles with a custom facsimile of a letter written from John Adams to John Jay in 1785, Melania gifted Camilla six Tiffany’s English King Sterling Silver Teaspoons and White House Honey.
On June 2, 1785, in a letter from John Adams to John Jay, Adams describes His Majesty King George III receiving Adams as the first US Ambassador to Great Britain at St. James’ Palace in London.
According to Adams, the meeting was marked by the pomp and ceremony required by the occasion of a royal audience. But beneath the pageantry, Adams described a strong undercurrent of emotion as the King and his former subject – once bitter enemies – met face to face, as statesmen.
Adams quoted his speech to the King promising to restore friendship between the two nations and the King’s response saying that although he was “the last to consent to the separation”, he would be the first to meet US friendship.
Adams notes in the letter that this experience might prove useful to later diplomats. The gift is seen as a nod to the so-called UK-US special relationship of later years and symbolic of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is the theme of the State Visit.
Melania Trump’s teaspoons are described as Tiffany’s interpretation of the “King” designs, which were very popular in England and America in the late 19th century.
Each teaspoon is hand engraved with Queen Camilla’s cypher and the White House honey jar nods to the Queen’s interest in beekeeping and reflects a shared appreciation for sustainability, craftsmanship, and the natural world, the palace noted.
From Washington DC, the royal tour will also take in New York to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (PTI)
JAMMU, Apr 29: The State Election Commission has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections for the revision of Panchayat Electoral Rolls-2026 to May 5, 2026, with 01.04.2026 as the qualifying date.
In a communication issued today, the Commission said the extension follows requests from several districts. The revised schedule is in continuation of its Notification No. SEC/Pyt/03/2026/607-639 dated 25.03.2026.
Under the revised schedule, claims and objections for addition, deletion, correction or transposition in the electoral rolls can be filed from March 27 to May 5. Special camps will be held at polling booth locations on May 2 and May 3, where the Panchayat Election Booth Officials including VLW, MPW and GRS, along with the Assembly BLOs, will be available with requisite forms and the draft electoral roll to assist voters.
The Electoral Registration Officer will dispose of all claims and objections by May 14 and the final Panchayat Electoral Roll-2026 will be published on May 21.
The Commission has directed the District Panchayat Election Officers to strictly follow the revised timeline and ensure wide publicity at the grassroots level through field staff of all departments, including Numberdars and Chowkidars, so that no eligible voter is left out.
The PEBOs have also been asked to conduct house-to-house surveys to enroll left-out and new voters in their respective Panch wards and Panchayats, and to organize remaining special camps at the Panch ward level.
NASHIK, Apr 29 : A court in Nashik on Wednesday extended till May 2 the police custody of four TCS employees in connection with the alleged religious conversion of their male colleague to allow investigators to probe the money trail and suspected international links.
The accused, Raza Rafiq Memon (35), Tausif Bilal Attar (37), Danish Ejaz Sheikh (32), and Shahrukh Husain Shaukat Qureshi (34) are also accused of sexually harassing some women colleagues at the local unit of the leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organisation.
They were booked under sections 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), and 302 (deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) of the BNS.
An SIT took their custody on April 23 from the Nashik Road Central Jail to investigate their alleged role in the religious conversion of their male colleague. A case was registered at the Mumbai Naka police station. On April 24, the court remanded them in police custody till April 29.
On Wednesday, the additional chief judicial magistrate extended their police custody till May 2 after the prosecution stressed the need to investigate the money trail and international links.
Of the two female accused in the sexual harassment and religious conversion case, a court on Tuesday extended the operations manager Ashwini Chainani’s judicial custody till May 5 after public prosecutor Ajay Misar sought time to present the government side as he is new in the case.
Advocate Misar has replaced Kiran Bendbhar in the TCS case, which is now being heard in-camera.
TCS had stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of coercion or misconduct and is focused on supporting employees and ensuring a safe and respectful workplace across all locations.
It continues to extend full cooperation to the law enforcement agencies so that the matter is investigated thoroughly, transparently and brought to a rightful conclusion. (PTI)
MUMBAI, Apr 29: Benchmark Sensex rebounded nearly 610 points and broader Nifty settled above 24,100 on Wednesday following value buying in FMCG, auto and telecom shares amid earnings optimism and a rally in Asian markets.
In a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 609.45 points, or 0.79 per cent, to settle at 77,496.36. During the day, it surged 1,095.6 points, or 1.42 per cent, to a high of 77,982.51.
The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 181.95 points or 0.76 per cent to end at 24,177.65.
Among Sensex firms, ITC, Tech Mahindra, Maruti, Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the biggest gainers.
In contrast, InterGlobe Aviation, NTPC, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank were among the laggards.
Maruti climbed 2.82 per cent after the country’s largest carmaker reported a record annual consolidated net profit of Rs 14,679.5 crore in FY26, a year-on-year growth of 1.24 per cent, riding on its best-ever annual sales of over 24.22 lakh units, propelled by GST rate reduction.
“The core driver of today’s strength remained earnings. Strong results from key companies reinforced confidence in underlying domestic demand and balance sheet resilience. This fundamental support, combined with easing geopolitical concerns, helped markets shift focus away from macro stress toward corporate performance,” Hariprasad K, Research Analyst and Founder, Livelong Wealth, said.
Hopes of potential de-escalation in geopolitical tensions helped stabilise crude oil expectations, which is critical for India’s macro outlook, he said.
Broader markets also rallied as the BSE SmallCap Select index climbed 0.75 per cent, while MidCap Select index declined 0.49 per cent.
Among sectoral indices, FMCG jumped the most by 1.57 per cent, followed by Realty (1.42 per cent), Telecommunication (1.28 per cent), Energy (1.14 per cent), Auto (1.02 per cent), MidSmall Private Banks Quality Tilt (0.83 per cent) and IT (0.81 per cent). Utilities dropped 1.22 per cent, Power (1.05 per cent), Consumer Durables (0.43 per cent), Hospitals (0.42 per cent), PSU Bank (0.42 per cent) and Bankex (0.07 per cent).
“The up move was primarily driven by optimism around earnings announcements and buying interest in select heavyweights across sectors. However, elevated crude oil prices near the USD 110 mark, along with persistent foreign institutional outflows and a weak rupee, continued to cap the upside and kept participants cautious,” Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.
In Asian markets, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi, Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng ended higher. Equity markets in Japan were closed due to a holiday. European markets were trading lower. US markets ended lower on Tuesday.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 2.85 per cent to USD 114.4 per barrel.
“Despite weak global cues, elevated crude prices, and a depreciating INR, India’s equity markets rebounded from recent lows as investors used the correction to add exposure, supported by better-than-expected earnings despite geopolitical uncertainty.
“Gains were led by FMCG, auto, and realty stocks on strong results and positive commentary, while financials lagged due to regulatory tightening and provisioning concerns,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 2,103.74 crore on Tuesday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought stocks worth Rs 1,712.01 crore, according to exchange data.
On Tuesday, the Sensex declined 416.72 points, or 0.54 per cent, to settle at 76,886.91. The Nifty dropped 97 points, or 0.40 per cent, to end at 23,995.70. (PTI)
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Apr 29: Indresh Kumar, national Executive Member RSS today said that India showed its might to world during Operation Sindoor in May last year.
Maintaining that these are shining days for India under PM Narendra Modi, Indresh Kumar said the world’s smallest battle was won by India in four days and 25 minutes during Operation Sindoor from May 7-10.
Delivering keynote address during the celebration of the Foundation Day of Laghu Udyog Bharti here today, Kumar said China had constructed nine airports in Pakistan to make its permanent base there, which were completely destroyed by India forces during the Operation Sindoor.
He said Pakistan had used Chinese and Turkey technology and India has its indigenous technology and we showed the world that we are on the top. “China had constructed airports in Pakistan to be permanently there which Pakistan was going to use to attack India but they were completely destroyed by the Indian Armed forces”.
He said China had never dreamed that its airports will be destroyed by India. Besides, India also destroyed within seconds three army bases in Pakistan, he added.
The RSS senior leader said the drones supplied by Turkey to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor also met the same fate as they were also destroyed by Indian forces in air. He said Pakistan attacked mosques, Gurudwaras and temples but India maintained restraint and it did not touch the civilian localities with this belief that someday Pakistan as a whole will be again part of India.
He said there is total unrest in Pakistan and people are in great distress there whether it is Sindh, Baluchistan, Pakhtunistan, Baltistan or other provinces, there is unrest. The Mohajirs are not being considered the citizens of Pakistan even after over 75 years of its formation, he added.
Kumar reiterated that within 10 to 15 years, India will expand its boundaries and Pakistan will be our part again.
He said India is becoming self-reliant. He said that India is becoming self-reliant and progressing rapidly. The purchasing capacity of every citizen has increased, and in the last 4 to 5 years, country has defeated hunger and no one is facing starvation now. This progress has been possible because both the Government and the people have worked together, he added.
He said India’s capacity and dominance has gone up all over globe and after the Pound and Dollar the third currency has evolved in the world in which 30 countries have started trade and that is Indian currency.
Referring to the unfortunate incident in Pahalgam, he appealed to the public to celebrate “Sainik Vijay” from 7th May to 10th May under Operation Sindoor in any form. He said that after the shameful incident in Pahalgam, within just 4 days and 25 minutes, Operation Sindoor created a successful story. Everyone present took a pledge, raising both hands, to celebrate this military victory with great enthusiasm.
He further said that India is moving ahead with confidence in defence, economy, employment, and global recognition. He appealed to entrepreneurs to think positively, work with self-respect, and prepare a strong economic roadmap for Jammu & Kashmir. He emphasized that industrialists are not only running businesses but are also generating employment, supporting families, and contributing to nation building.
On the issue of employment, he said that the NC Government had made promises, but today the people of Jammu & Kashmir are still waiting to see real results, with only promises visible so far. Through the efforts of Laghu Udyog Bharati, industrialists have taken a pledge to support the Prime Minister’s call of becoming job “providers, not job seekers.” He said that together, industries will be developed that can create up to 10,000 employment opportunities and strengthen the economy of the region.
The programme was attended by industrialists, entrepreneurs and members of various industrial associations from across Jammu & Kashmir.
Sat Sharma (CA), MP Rajya Sabha and State president BJP J&K, as chief guest; Gulam Ali Khatana, MP Rajya Sabha; Ch. Vikram Randhawa, MLA Bahu; Yudhvir Sethi, MLA Jammu East; Arvind Dhumal, national vice president and Prabhari North Zone, Laghu Udyog Bharati; and Parveen Pargal, National Working Committee Member and Prabhari Jammu & Kashmir.
Sat Sharma (CA) appreciated Laghu Udyog Bharati for raising important issues of MSMEs in a disciplined and constructive manner. He said that the industrial sector is the backbone of employment and economic development in Jammu & Kashmir. He assured that all genuine demands of entrepreneurs will be taken up strongly at both Central and State levels. He said that with the collective efforts of MPs, MLAs and industry representatives, issues related to incentives, infrastructure, ease of doing business, payments and policy support will be pursued for early resolution.
Gulam Ali Khatana addressed the gathering and assured full support to the industrial fraternity. He said that MSMEs play an important role in balanced development and employment generation, especially in Jammu & Kashmir, and their genuine issues will be raised at the appropriate platforms.
Arvind Dhumal spoke about the nationwide work of Laghu Udyog Bharati. He said that the organisation is working in many states and hundreds of districts across the country and has become a strong voice of micro and small industries. He highlighted that small industries provide employment to crores of people and make a major contribution in manufacturing and national economy.
Parveen Pargal placed important industrial issues before the dignitaries and demanded extension of the NCSS package, a new 10 year Central and State package for micro, small and existing industries, establishment of a Rail Coach Factory in Jammu, and implementation of procurement policy with purchase and price preference.
The proceedings were conducted by Aagam Jain, general secretary while, Dinesh Gupta , president delivered the welcome address. Besides Ankit Gupta, UT vice president, Ishant Gupta , treasurer, Pranav Gupta and Mukul Gupta, joint general secretaries and Rajinder Sadotra , joint treasurer were present.
Wushu players posing along with Director of Physical Education and Sports, Cluster University of Jammu.
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: Cluster University of Jammu has announced that its Men’s and Women’s Wushu teams will participate in the All India Inter-University Wushu Tournament, scheduled to be organized by the University of Kashmir from May 4 to May 9, 2026.
The contingent assembled and met with the Director of Physical Education and Sports, Cluster University of Jammu, before their departure for the national-level event.
The men’s team comprises Amanjot Singh, Vedant Singh Jamwal, Antrikish Singh, Vasu Singh, Vasudev Sharma, Kartavy Gupta and Ishmeet Singh, under the guidance of Manager and Coach Hrithik Charak. The women’s team is represented by Anshika Gupta, accompanied by Coach Mehul Sharma.
LONDON, Apr 29 : London police say the stabbing of two Jewish men has been declared a terrorist incident.
Metropolitan Police say they are investigating whether Wednesday’s attack specifically targeted the Jewish community.
The force says the attack in the Golders Green area left two men, aged 34 and 76, hospitalized with knife wounds. A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. (AP)
JAMMU, Apr 29: In a major step towards strengthening women’s participation in Bar leadership, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed all Bar Associations across the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh to ensure 30 percent reservation for women advocates in their governing or executive bodies.
The direction has been issued through a circular by the office of the Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, in compliance with the directions passed by the Supreme Court in Deeksha N Amruthesh Versus State of Karnataka & Ors, Special Leave to Appeal (C) Nos. 1404 of 2025.
As per the circular, all Bar Associations falling within the jurisdiction of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh have been impressed upon to reserve 30 percent of the posts of governing or executive members for women advocates to ensure their adequate representation in Bar bodies.
The circular further provides that where women advocate members are not available or do not contest elections, the shortfall in representation shall be filled through nominations. Such nominations will be made by the concerned Administrative Judge in consultation with the concerned District and Sessions Judge, elected office bearers and the senior-most women members of the respective District Bar Associations.
It has also been clarified that the tenure of nominated women members shall remain co-terminus with that of the elected members, meaning they will continue only for the same term as the elected executive body.
The J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu, Kashmir Advocates Association and all District and Tehsil Bar Associations across J&K and Ladakh have been asked to take immediate steps for implementation of the directions.
The High Court has also directed the concerned Bar Associations to submit compliance reports within one week from the date of issuance of the circular.
The circular has been issued by order of Registrar General M K Sharma and circulated to Principal District and Sessions Judges, Presidents of Bar Associations, Registrars of the High Court, Judicial Academy and other concerned authorities for information and necessary compliance.
