Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, May 12: Three Probationer DySPs of 2024 batch have been deployed as Station House Officers (SHOs) of Police Stations in Udhampur.
According to an order in this regard, issued today by SSP Udhampur, Reetu Sharma has been posted as SHO of Police Station Panchari and Palak Anand as SHO of Police Station Kud, while Sakshi Koul has been posted as SHO of Women Police Station Udhampur.
All the previous SHOs of these three Police Stations will continue to perform their duties in the same Police Station and assist the new SHOs till further order.
3 Probationer DySPs deployed as SHOs
BJP leader terms PM’s appeal on petrol, gold visionary, farsighted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 12: J&K BJP media in charge, Dr. Pardeep Mahotra termed Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s appeal to citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption and refrain from non-essential gold purchases for one year as a visionary and farsighted intervention aimed at safeguarding India’s economic stability during a highly sensitive global phase.
Dr. Pardeep Mahotra said that the timing of the Prime Minister’s appeal carries immense strategic and political importance as the world is witnessing geopolitical instability, rising crude oil prices, supply-chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and growing uncertainty due to conflicts in West Asia and other regions. He stated that responsible leadership is measured by its ability to anticipate challenges before they become crises and PM Modi has once again demonstrated farsighted statesmanship by preparing the nation in advance.
Dr. Pardeep stated that India imports a significant portion of its crude oil and gold requirements, which directly impacts the country’s foreign exchange reserves. At a time when global oil prices are volatile and international trade routes remain vulnerable, the Prime Minister’s call to reduce fuel dependency is not only economically wise but strategically crucial for maintaining India’s financial strength and policy independence.
Dr. Pardeep Mahotra said the Prime Minister’s appeal reflects a broader political vision of building a self-reliant and economically secure India under the mission of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.
22 doctors transferred
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 12: Government today ordered transfer and posting of 22 doctors in the interest of administration and patient care with immediate effect.
According to the order, Dr Sanjay Arora, who was on deputation to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, has been posted as Incharge State Malariologist while Dr Rashmi Sharma, I/c Medical Mobile Unit Jammu, has been posted as I/c Epidemiologist.
Dr Sunil Kailu, serving as Incharge Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital Sarwal, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Incharge Assistant Director, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, Jammu whereas Dr Bashir Ahmad Malik, presently Incharge Superintendent, Kashmir Nursing Home, has been posted as Incharge Assistant Director, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, Kashmir.
Dr Vinod Sharma, I/c Health Officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation, has been transferred as Incharge CMO Doda while as Dr Sanjay Kumar Bhat, who was on deputation to GMC Jammu, has been posted as Incharge Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Kishtwar.
Dr Bhajan Kour, Incharge District Health Officer (DHO) Baramulla, has been posted as Incharge CMO Bandipora, and Dr Monika Kotwal, awaiting orders at the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, has been posted as Incharge Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital Sarwal, Jammu. Further, Dr Arshad Hussain Qadri, I/c MS Gousia Hospital Srinagar, has been posted as Incharge MS DH Shopian.
Dr Karam Veer Singh, presently Medical Officer (Stores), Jammu, has been transferred as Incharge Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Reasi and Dr Sushma Mattoo, Incharge Zonal Leprosy Officer (ZLO), Jammu, has been posted I/c MS Police Hospital, Jammu.
Dr Asif Ali Khanday, awaiting orders of posting at Directorate of Health services Kashmir, has been posted as I/c MS Kashmir Nursing Home whereas Dr Zahida Akhtar Gul, MO SDH Pattan, has been posted as I/c MS Gousia Hospital Srinagar.
Dr Rumina Majeed, Medical Officer, District Hospital Ganderbal, has been transferred as Incharge BMO Pattan whereas while Dr Samina Nazir, awaiting orders at the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, has been transferred as Incharge BMO Akhnoor.
Dr Arshad Ali, presently Incharge BMO Beerwah, has been shifted as Incharge BMO Khansahib, and Dr Mohammad Ayoub, Medical Officer, Block Sallar, has been posted as Incharge BMO Bijbehara.
Dr Mohd Amin Mir, presently Incharge BMO Bijbehara, has been transferred as Incharge BMO Kupwara while as Dr Malik Sajad, Incharge BMO Khansahib has been transferred as I/c BMo Beerwah.
Dr Ghazala, presently Incharge DTO Poonch, has been transferred as Incharge BMO Mendhar, while Dr Mohd Azam DHO Poonch will hold the additional charge of District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO) Poonch.
Dr Sham Lal, Incharge DHO Rajouri, has been posted as Incharge BMO Bishnah whereas Dr Shahid Hussain, presently Nodal Officer, Immunization Programme, has been transferred as Health Officer, JMC.
Rekha Mahajan, Arun Sharma listen public grievances
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 12: Jammu and Kashmir BJP State vice president, Rekha Mahajan and State secretary, Arun Sharma, during their scheduled sitting at the party Headquarters in Jammu on Monday, listened to the grievances and issues of the general public and assured them of all possible help in resolving their concerns.
A large number of people from different areas of Jammu reached the BJP Headquarters to narrate their problems and seek assistance regarding matters related to civic amenities, public services, development works, electricity, water supply, roads, pensions and other administrative issues. The visiting delegations and individuals expressed confidence that their grievances would be addressed through the intervention of the party leadership.
Interacting with the public, Rekha Mahajan said that the Bharatiya Janata Party has always remained committed to the welfare and upliftment of the people. She said that the party believes in maintaining direct contact with the masses and understanding their day-to-day problems so that appropriate measures can be taken for their timely redressal. She said that BJP workers and leaders are continuously working among the people and acting as a bridge between the administration and the public.
Rekha Mahajan further said that the party leadership has directed its functionaries to remain easily accessible to the people and ensure that no genuine issue goes unheard. She assured the visiting deputations that all their grievances would be taken up with the concerned departments and authorities for prompt action.
Arun Sharma, while speaking on the occasion, said that BJP activists are always seen among the public and are dedicated to serving society with sincerity and commitment. He said that the party strongly believes in public outreach and people-centric politics, which has strengthened the bond between the BJP and the masses across Jammu and Kashmir. He also assured the people that their issues would be pursued vigorously with the concerned officials.
Pertinent to mention that the BJP has formulated a weekly roster under which every day one party vice president and one secretary have been deputed to sit at the party office for the convenience of the general public.
Young innovators shine at AAROHAN festival
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 12: Innovation, entrepreneurship and youth-led dialogue dominated the second day of AAROHAN 2026, National Youth Festival and Viksit J&K Young Leaders Dialogue, at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here today.
Organised by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports J&K, the event brought together young delegates, innovators and cultural contingents from several states to deliberate on contemporary issues ranging from artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship to cultural preservation and the Himalayan economy.
Young speakers presented papers and presentations on diverse themes during the day-long programme.
Jaiveer Singh from J&K spoke on preserving the region’s cultural heritage, while delegates from Maharashtra and J&K discussed the Himalayan economy and challenges faced by border youth.
A presentation on AI deepfake technology by Manish Kashyp from Chhattisgarh drew attention to emerging digital threats, while Sweta Shrivas highlighted opportunities in youth entrepreneurship through her presentation titled “Startup Swaraj.”
Delegates from Meghalaya and Chhattisgarh also spoke on entrepreneurship and skill development, while Krishna Reddy presented ideas related to Digital India and artificial intelligence.
Another presentation focused on sports fitness and youth wellbeing.
The hackathon segment emerged as one of the highlights of the programme, with participants showcasing technology-driven solutions and prototypes.
A mobile application developed as a digital de-addiction tool received appreciation from participants and organisers for its focus on mental health and lifestyle management.
An interactive session with RJ Nasir added to audience engagement during the event.
The second half of the programme featured cultural performances by contingents from Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, reflecting India’s cultural diversity.
A spoken word performance by Heena Alam from Ghaziabad was among the major attractions.
Special performances included solo songs by participants from Gujarat and Rajasthan and a dance performance by the Government College of Physical Education (GCOPE), Ganderbal.
SKIMS plans 500 nursing appointments: Director
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 12: The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) will recruit nearly 1,200 paramedical staff, including around 500 nurses, over the next few months, Director SKIMS Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie announced today.
He said the recruitment process, currently under consideration, is expected to reduce the shortage of nursing personnel at the tertiary care institute by nearly 60 percent within the next three months.
The announcement was made during celebrations marking International Nurses Day at SKIMS, Soura.
Prof. Ganie said the recruitment drive across various paramedical cadres would strengthen manpower and improve patient care management at the institute.
He linked the initiative to this year’s International Nurses Day theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”
He also announced that SKIMS is planning to introduce a paid nursing internship programme to provide clinical exposure and professional opportunities to young nursing graduates.
HC denies bail to Shopian man in terror conspiracy case
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 12: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed the bail appeal of Syed Irfan Ahmad of Nazneenpora, Keegam, Shopian, who is facing trial in a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen-linked case involving allegations of waging war against India, terror funding, arms and ammunition procurement and facilitating movement of militants.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Sindhu Sharma and Justice Shahzad Azeem upheld the order of the Special Judge NIA Cases, Jammu, dated April 22, 2025, by which the appellant’s bail plea had been rejected. The appellant is facing trial along with 10 co-accused in a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terror conspiracy case. He has been charge-sheeted for offences under Sections 120-B, 121, 121-A and 122 IPC, besides Sections 17, 18, 19, 38, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
As per the prosecution case, the accused persons were allegedly part of a larger conspiracy to wage war against India by procuring arms and ammunition, raising and transferring funds and extending support to the banned terror outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The prosecution alleged that Syed Irfan Ahmad acted as an intermediary between accused Naveed Mushtaq, Irfan Shafi Mir and Devender Singh, a police officer posted in the Anti-Hijacking Unit.
The court noted that prima facie material indicated that the appellant allegedly facilitated the safe movement of his real brother, stated to be a District Commander of HM, and other militants from Shopian to Jammu in February 2019 for ex-filtration to Pakistan with the help of HM leadership. The bench also referred to allegations of fund transfer, call detail records and the appellant’s alleged role as a go-between in the conspiracy.
Appearing for the appellant, Advocate Molvi Aijaz Ahmad argued that there was no direct or indirect incriminating evidence against his client and that several witnesses examined so far had not supported the prosecution case against him. It was also submitted that the appellant had a clean past record, was a Government servant and a PhD scholar.
The NIA opposed the appeal through Vishal Sharma, DSGI, assisted by Eishan Dadhichi, CGSC, Sumant Sudan, Advocate, Chandan Kumar Singh, PP NIA, and Ashwani Verma, PP NIA, relying upon the bar contained under Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA.
The High Court observed that once formal charges had been framed on December 16, 2022 on the basis of material collected during investigation, the rigours of Section 43-D(5) of the UAPA stood attracted. The bench held that at the bail stage, the court is not required to conduct a mini-trial or deeply evaluate the evidence.
The court further held that the appellant’s plea of delayed trial could not automatically lead to bail in a case involving grave terror allegations. Referring to Supreme Court precedents including Gurwinder Singh Vs State of Punjab, NIA Vs Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali, and Union of India Vs Barakathullah, the Bench reiterated that in UAPA matters, the conventional principle of “bail is the rule, jail is the exception” does not apply with the same force.
The High Court also took note of the appellant’s conduct during the pendency of the appeal. The Bench recorded that while the High Court was seized of the matter, an application seeking similar relief on health grounds had also been moved before the trial court. The Court termed this conduct as “abuse of the process of the Court and forum shopping.”
The Bench said the appellant had been seeking discretionary relief by concealment or misstating of facts and, therefore, was disentitled to such relief. It also noted a medical report from District Prison, Karnal, stating that the procedure advised for the appellant was not a major surgical procedure and did not require an attendant.
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GMC Anantnag to intensify TB screening
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 12: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has decided to intensify tuberculosis screening in OPDs and IPDs as part of efforts to strengthen implementation of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) and accelerate progress towards TB elimination targets.
The decision was taken during the NTEP Core Committee meeting for the first quarter of 2026 held at the college’s Dialgam campus under the chairmanship of Principal and Dean Prof. (Dr.) Rukhsana Najeeb.
The committee also resolved to strengthen diagnostic services and conduct regular review meetings to monitor progress under the programme.
Officials said the meeting reviewed the institution’s performance under NTEP during the fourth quarter of 2025 and first quarter of 2026 and discussed measures for improving patient screening, testing and treatment outcomes.
PG admissions at CUK to start soon
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 12: The Central University of Kashmir is set to begin admissions to its postgraduate programmes for the 2026-27 academic session shortly, with the university asking CUET-PG-2026 candidates to prepare for the registration process.
According to the varsity’s Directorate of Admissions, candidates who appeared in the CUET-PG-2026 examination will be eligible to register once the university formally issues the admission notification and registration schedule.
The university will offer admissions to several postgraduate programmes, including M.A. English, Urdu, Economics, Political Science, Kashmiri and Mass Communication and Journalism, besides M.Com, LLM, M.Ed., Integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed., M.P.Ed., MBA, MBA (Travel and Tourism Management), and M.Tech programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and Structural Engineering. Admissions will also be offered to M.Sc. courses in Botany, Chemistry and various lateral-entry science programmes.
The university said admissions to all programmes will be conducted strictly on the basis of merit secured in CUET-PG-2026.
Candidates have been advised to opt for the same programme preferences during registration as mentioned in their National Testing Agency application forms.
For MBA and MBA (Travel and Tourism Management) courses, preference will initially be given to candidates who have appeared in or qualified the CMAT-2026 examination.
Contractual lecturers allege harassment despite victories in CAT, HC & SC
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 12: A group of contractual lecturers working in various campuses and departments of the University of Jammu has alleged continuous harassment, non-compliance of judicial orders and prolonged victimisation despite securing favourable judgments from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and finally the Supreme Court of India.
The petitioners had approached the CAT after the University issued Advertisement Notification dated 01.04.2025 for fresh contractual engagements against the very posts on which they had already been serving continuously for years. According to the petitioners, many of them had been serving since 2019 in various departments across different campuses of JU.
The CAT Jammu Bench pronounced judgment on 01.09.2025 in favour of the contractual lecturers and observed that one set of contractual employees cannot legally be replaced by another similar arrangement. The Tribunal clearly held that the University’s action of replacing experienced contractual teachers through another temporary arrangement was arbitrary and against settled law.
JU challenged the CAT judgment before the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through multiple writ petitions. However, the High Court upheld the legal protection available to contractual faculty and categorically observed that contractual or academic arrangement appointees cannot be replaced by another similar arrangement every academic session. The Court further directed that if temporary faculty is required, preference should first be given to those teachers who have already gained valuable teaching experience through earlier service.
The University subsequently approached the Supreme Court of India by filing Special Leave Petitions. The Supreme Court, while hearing SLP (Civil) Diary No. 19774/2026, dismissed that SPL filled by the petitioner (i.e. University of Jammu) on 08.05.2026 and refused to interfere with the High Court judgment.
However, despite repeated victories before constitutional courts, the petitioners allege that they continue to face uncertainty, humiliation and severe financial distress due to non-implementation of court directions. Many lecturers have children, elderly parents and families dependent upon their modest contractual salaries.
The lecturers said that whatever savings they had secured for the future of their children and families have now been exhausted on court fees, legal expenses and repeated travel for hearings before different courts.
The aggrieved lecturers have appealed to the Lt Governor’s administration and the present Government to intervene immediately and ensure implementation of the judicial orders in letter and spirit for restoration of their services.