Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: In a major crackdown against drug trafficking under the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan,” police across several districts of Jammu today arrested multiple drug peddlers in separate operations and recovered significant quantities of heroin and cannabis.
In Rajouri district, a youth was arrested from the Thudi area during routine patrolling. Police intercepted a youth moving under suspicious circumstances and recovered 5.45 grams of heroin from his possession. The accused has been identified as Mehroz Azam, son of Mohd Azam, a resident of Thudi. A case FIR No. 203/2026 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered.
Meanwhile, in a series of operations, police arrested five drug peddlers in four separate cases. At Battal Naka, a police team intercepted an Alto car (JK20-0752) and recovered 5.14 grams of heroin from the driver, identified as Irfan Ali of Jagti, Nagrota, Jammu.
In another incident near Baley Bridge, Roun Domail, police apprehended Rajinder Sharma of Nagrota Jagti after he attempted to flee. A search led to the recovery of 2.52 grams of heroin.
At Garnai Chowk on the National Highway, a Tata Tiago (JK14L-2572) was intercepted by Police Station Rehambal. During the search, 6.75 grams of heroin was recovered from the driver Abhishek Gupta and co-passenger Ishan Khajuria, both residents of Udhampur.
In a separate case, police arrested Dheeraj Sharma of Jib, Udhampur and recovered 2.54 grams of heroin from his possession.
In Katra, police apprehended two drug peddlers during a naka at Balni Bridge.
A scooty (JK20D-1997) was intercepted and upon checking, 35 small packets of cannabis weighing approximately 158 grams were recovered.
The accused were identified as Kaka Kumar and Robin, both residents of Paharganj, Katra. FIR No. 130/2026 under sections 8/20/29 NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Katra.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of SDPO Katra Dr Bhishm Dubey.
In Kathua district, police recovered approximately 17.71 grams of heroin near Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dhanore, under Police Station Lakhanpur limits.
Acting on specific input, the police team apprehended Naveen Kumar of Dhanore. FIR No. 40/2026 under sections 8/21/22 NDPS Act has been registered and further investigation is underway.
In a significant action in Samba district, police attached a residential “Kacha Kulla” belonging to a notorious drug peddler Abdul Habib alias Bheem, currently lodged in Central Jail Kot Bhalwal under the PITNDPS Act. The property, located at Badheri Nanak Chak, was identified as illegally acquired through drug trafficking.
The attachment was carried out under sections 68(E) and 68(F) of the NDPS Act, marking a strong step towards dismantling the financial networks of drug smugglers.
Several drug peddlers arrested across Jammu region
Congregations
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: All Jandiyal Sabha is holding its biannual congregation at the Devsthan of Baba Sehejnath on 1st May. The program will start at 7 AM with Havan. Flag hoisting will be done at 8.30 AM and it will be followed by Patal Puja. Bhandara will be held at 10 AM.
The annual congregation of Phawa Mahajan Biradari will be held on May 1 at Bawa Kailakh Dev Temple, Thathar (Bantalab). The programme will commence with Hawan and conclude with Bhandara.
The congregation of Baba Kahan Dev, Mandi (Ranjan) is being held on May 1 at Baba Ji ki Mandi, Ranjan in tehsil Bhalwal of Jammu district. Hawan will be performed from 10 AM to 12 noon, followed by Puranahuti. Langer will be served to the devotees from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Exit Polls Predict BJP Win In Assam, Edge In Bengal; DMK To Return In TN, UDF To Take Kerala
NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Several exit polls on Wednesday predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years.
The pollsters also forecast a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry.
Axis My India predicted a sweep for the BJP in Assam, forecasting 88-100 seats for the BJP and its allies and 24-36 seats for the Congress and its partners.
People’s Pulse predicted that the NDA would get 68-72 seats while the Congress plus would secure in the range of 22-26 seats.
Matrize said the NDA is likely to get between 85-95 seats and the Congress and its allies 25-32. The Assam assembly has 126 seats with the magic mark being 64.
In Kerala, Axis My India forecast that the UDF would get 78-90 seats, LDF 49-62 and NDA 0-3.
People’s Pulse predicted that the Congress-led UDF would get 75-85 seats, the LDF 55-65 and the NDA 0-3.
Matrize forecast 60-65 seats for the LDF, 70-75 seats for the UDF and 3-5 seats for the NDA. Kerala Assembly has a total of 140 seats with the magic mark being 71.
In West Bengal, the People’s Pulse exit poll predicted that the TMC would get 177-187 seats, BJP 95-110, Left Front 0-1 and the Congress 1-3.
Matrize, however, predicted a BJP edge in the state, and said it is likely to get 146-161 seats. It said the TMC would get 125-140 seats.
P-Marq predicted 150-175 for the BJP and 118-138 to the TMC.
West Bengal has a total of 294 seats with the majority mark being 148.
In Tamil Nadu, the People’s Pulse predicted 125-145 for the DMK-led alliance, 65-80 for AIADMK-BJP and 18-24 for TVK.
Matrize forecast that the DMK-Congress would get 122-132, NDA 87-100 and TVK 10-12.
The Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 seats with the magic mark being 118.
Most exit polls have had a chequered history and have been off the mark on several occasions in the past.
In Puducherry, Axis My India predicted 16-20 seats for the NDA and 6-8 for the DMK-Congress. It said the TVK is likely to get 2-4 seats in the assembly. There are 30 elected seats in Puducherry.
The counting of votes for all the five assemblies — West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Assam — will be taken up on May 4.
Polls were conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. West Bengal saw two-phase polling on April 23 and 29.
On April 9, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry went to polls. Assam and Puducherry surpassed their highest-ever poll participation by recording a voter turnout of 85.38 per cent and 89.83 per cent respectively.
Tamil Nadu went to polls on April 23 along with the first phase of polls in West Bengal. Tamil Nadu with 84.69 per cent recorded their highest-ever voter turnout in Assembly polls since Independence.
In the first phase, West Bengal had recorded a record 91.78 per cent voter turnout.
While the BJP is seeking to retain power in Assam and Puducherry, where it is in an alliance government with All India N R Congress, the Congress is looking to wrest power from its rival in both these places.
In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF is seeking to replace the LDF government that is in power, while in Tamil Nadu, the DMK-led alliance is looking to retain power by thwarting the challenge from AIADMK-BJP and the debutant party — Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam that is led by actor-turned-politician Vijay.
The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is looking to retain West Bengal and thwart the challenge from the BJP. (Agencies)
LG Launches Book “Healer In Exile: The Untold Story Of Dr. Sushil Razdan”
JAMMU, Apr 29: The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, today launched the book, “Healer in Exile: The Untold Story of Dr. Sushil Razdan” authored by his son Sachin Razdan.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that Dr. Sushil Razdan stands among India’s leading neurologists and his contributions in the medical field remain unmatched.
“The story of Dr. Sushil Razdan’s life conveys a significant lesson of committing yourself to the selfless service of others. It is a sacred duty to place the needs of the person before you above your own and see society not merely as a city or village, but as a community of responsibilities, where true fulfilment lies in dedicating one’s strength to the care of its most vulnerable population,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the central message of this book is profound and what makes a doctor truly exceptional is not only skill in treatment, but the ability to serve with compassion.
Today, some experts in healthcare claim that artificial intelligence will transform the healthcare sector and it will deliver treatments with flawless precision. I hold a different view. Technology can indeed support diagnosis and treatment in important ways, but it cannot replace the spirit of service. No instrument of AI can embody or substitute this essence of care with compassion,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that Dr. Sushil Razdan bore the anguish of being uprooted from his soil. He said the pain of leaving behind roots and cherished homes defies expression and like countless fellow Kashmiri Pandits, Dr. Razdan endured this sorrow, yet he remained steadfast, striving to preserve his heritage, values and spirit of self-less service.
“Dr. Sushil Razdan has touched millions of lives, ensuring with utter devotion that patients recover to nurture families and contribute to nation-building,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Review Meet On Panchayat Electoral Roll Revision Scheduled For May 4
EROs Asked to Join VC Meeting to Assess Progress of 2026 Roll Update
Srinagar, Apr 29: The State Election Commission, Jammu & Kashmir, has convened a review meeting to assess the procedures and progress related to the Revision of Panchayat Electoral Roll-2026.
As per an official notice, the meeting will be held on May 4, 2026 (Monday) at 03:00 PM onwards through video conference from the Meeting Hall at Darul Intikhab, M.A. Road, Srinagar.
All Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) of the districts have been directed to attend the meeting at the scheduled time through virtual mode. The link for the video conference will be shared separately.
The meeting has been called on the directions of the State Election Commissioner to review the ongoing process and ensure timely completion of the electoral roll revision exercise. (KNC)
J&K Govt Clarifies Rules On Additional Quantum Of Pension In Dual Pension Cases
JAMMU, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has issued a clarification regarding admissibility of Additional Quantum of Pension or Family Pension in cases where a pensioner is drawing both service pension and family pension.
The department said the age-linked benefit is personal to the pensioner and cannot be granted on more than one pension for the same individual.
As per the clarification, where a J&K Government pensioner is also receiving J&K family pension of a spouse, the additional quantum will be allowed only on the higher of the two pensions.
In cases involving pension or family pension from Government-owned autonomous bodies, PSUs, corporations or statutory bodies, the benefit will similarly be granted on the higher pension only.
However, where a person is drawing J&K Government pension along with Central Government or Defence pension, the additional quantum may be allowed separately under the respective rules of both Governments.
The order will apply prospectively and no recovery or adjustment will be made in respect of payments already released earlier.
J&K Govt Directs Installation Of Prepaid Smart Meters In Offices, PSUs
JAMMU, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has directed all Administrative Departments to expedite installation of pre-paid smart electricity meters in Government offices, Corporations, PSUs, local bodies, universities and residential quarters owned by the Government.
CM Omar Abdullah’s Bani Visit Cancelled Due To Bad Weather
Jammu, Apr 29: Chief minister Omar Abdullah’s visit to inaugurate development projects and address a public gathering in Kathua district’s Bani area was cancelled on Wednesday due to inclement weather conditions.
“Due to bad weather and rain, the Chief Minister’s programme had to be cancelled, which has left us quite disappointed. The people are also very disheartened,” Bani MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh told reporters.
He said the chief minister, along with Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo, was scheduled to visit Bani-Lohimalar, where many people had gathered with high expectations.
“All of us, along with the entire public of the area, had high hopes for this programme. Many people were very enthusiastic about the chief minister’s visit,” Singh said.
He said many people turned up at the venue despite heavy rain.
The MLA said the chief minister was scheduled to interact with locals, address a public gathering, lay the foundation stones of several projects, and inaugurate others.
He, however, said the cancellation was unavoidable. “This is nature, and there is little we can do about it,” he said.
Singh said the visit would be rescheduled soon.
“In the coming time, another visit of the chief minister to Bani-Lohimalar will be scheduled very soon. We will speak to the chief minister and invite him and Madam Sakina Itoo again shortly,” he said.
Singh said the chief minister was keen to attend and waited till around 1:30 pm for the weather to improve. “However, no clearance was received by then, and finally the visit had to be cancelled,” he said.
LG Manoj Sinha Reviews Security Situation In J&K, Amarnath Yatra Arrangements
JAMMU, Apr 29: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reviewed the security situation and preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra at a meeting here, official sources said.
The security review was held ahead of the annual ‘Darbar Move’, with the secretariat scheduled to close in the winter capital Jammu on April 30 and reopen in Srinagar on May 4.
The meeting, chaired by Sinha, was attended by senior Army, police, security, intelligence and administrative officials, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, sources privy to the matter said.
It focused on law and order management and coordinated security arrangements, they said.
The overall security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir was reviewed, with particular emphasis on ensuring the safe and smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, a major pilgrimage that draws thousands of devotees every year.
According to sources, deliberations were also held on maintaining a high degree of alertness, enhancing coordination among security forces and strengthening security measures across the Union territory.
The L-G also reviewed the ongoing 100-day-long ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan’ and stressed the need for intensified action against narcotics along with sustained awareness initiatives, officials said.
J&K Govt Orders Posting, Additional Charges Of Superintending Engineers In Jal Shakti Dept
Jammu, Apr 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered transfer, posting and assignment of additional charge of posts of Superintending Engineers in the Jal Shakti Department.