Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Inter-Zonal Level Competitions in multiple disciplines including Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Kabaddi, Badminton, Wrestling, Karate and Judo for U-14 and U-17 boys and girls commenced across various venues in Jammu today. The events are being organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, District Jammu, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students across all fourteen zones.
Over 500 students from each zone are participating daily. Simultaneously, the Inter-School District Level Martial Arts Competition is underway at MA Stadium Jammu, drawing significant participation from both boys and girls. DYSSO Jammu appreciated the players for their dedication, stating that such competitions pave the way for higher-level representation at state and national levels.
In Karate U-14 boys category, in 20-25 kg Diskant secured first place and Raghav second; in 25-30 kg Manik stood first and Vivek second; in 30-35 kg Manik secured first and Vivek second; in 35-40 kg Manav stood first and Marvin second; in 40-45 kg Avyaan secured first and Marvin second; in 50-55 kg Sharrav stood first, Daksh second and Shiv third; in another 40-45 kg category Sahil secured first and Tushar second; while in +60 kg Prayansh stood first and Ishmeet Pal second. In Judo U-14 category, in 20-25 kg Yareen secured first place and Rahul second; in up to 30 kg Ziaravali stood first and Udhay Singh second; and in up to 35 kg Atib Ahmed secured first while Sahil finished second.
Inter-Zonal sports competitions begin in Jammu
SC asks can it direct Parl to make law
NEW DELHI, May 6:The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked whether it can direct Parliament to make a law for regulating appointment procedures of the Chief Election Commissioner and the deputies.
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The remarks were made by a bench of justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma during the final hearing on a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which excludes the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection panel for appointing Election Commissioners.
The top court, at the outset, refused to accede to the Centre’s request to adjourn the hearing on the pleas, saying the instant matter is “more important” than the Sabarimala case.
During the hearing, Justice Datta referred to a prayer made in one of the petitions asking the top court to direct Parliament to enact a law to regulate the appointment of the CEC and the Election Commissioners.
“Come back to the prayers… it has asked Parliament to make a law. Can the court ask Parliament to make a law? Could this be maintainable,” the judge asked. He also referred to the March 2, 2023 judgement in the Anoop Baranwal case of a five-judge constitution bench which had unanimously held that the selection of the CEC and the ECs would be done by a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition (or the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament), and the CJI.
The verdict had altered the then prevailing mode of selection where the CEC and ECs were appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Prime Minister. Justice Datta said the judgement had made clear that this will remain in operation till Parliament makes the law.
“Why did the court then restrict the Anoop Barnwal judgement only till a particular period till the law is made? It was only to deal with a particular situation of a vacuum,” he said.
Moreover, the Supreme Court cannot direct Parliament to make a law, the judge said, adding, “Aren’t these observations over 300 pages a justification for what the court laid down for a short period till the law is made? Can you say that the law also has to follow those observations.” (PTI)
Mahila Cong convention flags women’s empowerment gaps
*Demands action on political representation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Mahila Congress convention held at Jammu under the leadership of JKUT president, Shamima Raina, broadly focused on the pressing issues confronting women across Jammu and Kashmir.
The event, attended by senior Congress leaders including JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla and former minister District Jammu Urban president, Yogesh Sawhney, witnessed detailed deliberations on women’s welfare, and political representation.
Raina, along with senior women leaders of the party, carried out a symbolic protest-cum-awareness initiative by visiting the Head Post Office in Jammu, where they collectively sent postcards addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pressing for immediate implementation of 33% reservation for women in legislatures.
Mahila Congress leaders asserted that women’s political empowerment has remained a repeatedly announced but long-delayed commitment, with little tangible progress on the ground. They said that while the Women’s Reservation Bill has been discussed for years, its effective and timely implementation is still awaited, leaving women underrepresented in decision-making bodies at both the national and state levels.
They further stated that women across the country have consistently contributed to social, economic, and political development, yet continue to face structural barriers in political representation. The leaders urged the Centre to take immediate corrective steps, ensuring that the 33% reservation is implemented in letter and spirit so that women can play a decisive role in shaping policy and governance.
Mahila Congress leaders emphasized that the issue is not just political but also a matter of democratic fairness and gender justice. They urged the Government to avoid what they termed as “delay tactics” and to respect the long-standing aspirations of women by translating commitments into concrete legislative action at the earliest.
Shamima strongly underlined that women in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face systemic challenges despite multiple welfare announcements. She pointed out that widow pensions, old-age support schemes, and financial assistance programmes are often delayed, forcing vulnerable women into economic distress.
She stressed that bureaucratic delays and lack of accountability at the grassroots level have weakened the impact of welfare schemes meant for women. She said without safe public infrastructure and stronger enforcement mechanisms, true empowerment of women cannot be achieved in the Union Territory.
Raman Bhalla, in his address, expressed concern over what he described as “growing administrative apathy” towards women-centric issues in J&K. He said that despite repeated assurances, the implementation of welfare schemes remains slow and uneven, particularly affecting widows, differently-abled women, and economically weaker sections.
Yogesh Sawhney also addressing the gathering, emphasizing the need for greater political representation of women at all levels of governance.
Prominent women leaders present on the occasion included-Inderjeet Kour, Parveen Akhter, Kamlesh Manhas, Asha Chandan, Santosh Majotra, Chandra Prabha, Suman Wazir, Pushpa Kumari, and Veena Manhas.
WB’s first BJP Govt to take oath on May 9
KOLKATA, May 6: The first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in West Bengal will be sworn in at the Brigade Parade Ground here on May 9, heralding a saffron era in the eastern state that had long eluded the pan-Indian powerhouse.
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Although who the next Chief Minister will be is still a mystery, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is being seen as the frontrunner while the names of state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and former Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta are also in the mix, party insiders said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president Nitin Nabin, several Union Ministers and chief ministers of BJP- and NDA-ruled States are expected to attend the oath ceremony, with indications emerging that the central leadership is inclined towards picking a “bhumiputra” face rooted in Bengal’s linguistic and cultural ethos to head the government.
“The new BJP Government will take oath on May 9 at 10 am at Brigade Parade Ground,” the party’s state president Bhattacharya announced on Wednesday.
Adhikari offered prayers at a Hanuman statue in Nandigram and paid his respects to the BJP workers who died in political violence during the party’s long struggle to come to power in the state.
“We will work in such a way that the BJP Government in Bengal stays for 100 years,” Adhikari said, expressing hope that the BJP’s vote share would rise from the current 46 per cent to 60 per cent in future elections.
Elected from two constituencies, Adhikari said the central leadership would guide him on which seat to retain.
“I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram,” he said.
Adhikari on Monday defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes, capturing what was long seen as her safest political refuge, and also won from Nandigram as the BJP bagged 207 of the 293 seats contested in the 294-strong assembly. (PTI)
Hindustan Pencils workers hold protest outside Labour office
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: Workers of the now closed Hindustan Pencils factory at Paloura today staged a full-day protest dharna outside the office of the Deputy Labour Commissioner, demanding immediate intervention into their grievances.
The protest at the Labour Commissioner’s office followed after workers had been holding a continuous dharna for the last 22 days outside the factory gate, alleging that no serious intervention had been made by the Labour Department to call the management for talks or negotiations.
The workers alleged that M/s Hindustan Pencils Private Limited (Natraj Pencils) had illegally closed the factory without complying with labour laws, without clearing pending dues of employees who had been serving in the unit for the last 20 to 25 years, and without adjusting them at the Bari Brahmana factory.
The workers’ union further alleged that the management, under a planned conspiracy to get rid of old regular employees and restart operations with contractual staff, had taken these steps. They also accused the company of trying to wrongly claim insurance from the New India Assurance Company by stating that the fire was caused by a short circuit, whereas according to workers, the blaze broke out due to welding and drilling work in the running factory.
The protesting workers urged the Government to order a proper inquiry into the actual cause of the fire. They also questioned how the J&K Fire Services Department was planning to issue a certificate attributing the incident to a short circuit without a detailed probe, and alleged that insurance company officials were hand in glove with the management.
Later, a delegation of workers led by Harbans Choudhary met the Deputy Labour Commissioner and Assistant Labour Commissioner, who assured them that the higher management would be called within one or two days so that an amicable settlement could be reached.
Mohinder Lal, Yashpaul, Sharda Devi, Nitu Rani, Reena Sharma, Chanchal Sharma, Arun Katoch, Yash Pal, Prem Nath and Ragubir Singh also addressed the protesters.
Youth murdered, brother injured in Kathua
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 6: One brother was killed and another was serious after some unknown assailants reportedly attacked them at their residence in Ward Number 10 Rajbag near here this evening.
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The duo was alone at the residence during the attack, the cause of which is yet to be ascertained.
As per initial reports the victims have been identified as Nakul and Nikhil, 18 and 16 years of age respectively. The duo was alone at their residence at the time of attack and after their mother Jyoti who happens to be a Government employee returned to her residence, she was shocked to see her two sons lying in a pool of blood. She screamed and sobbed. Hearing her screams, the neighbors rushed to the house.
Following the incident, both victims were immediately rushed for medical assistance. However, one of the brothers identified as Nakul Singh succumbed to his injuries while the other has been shifted to District Hospital Kathua for treatment, where his condition is stated to be critical.
The circumstances under which the attack took place remain unclear, and the exact sequence of events is yet to be established.
The incident has created panic and has sent shock waves in the entire locality. Police officials reached the spot soon after the attack and initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of attack and identify those responsible for this heinous act.
Further details are awaited as the investigation is under progress.
Additional SP, Kathua Sunil Kesar said that the police is investigating the matter from every possible angle and it has obtained crucial leads. He was optimistic that the accused will be arrested soon and entire case will be unearthed.
As per the statement of their mother, she tried to contact them on phone during the day from her office but their phones were switched off. She said her younger son was going to school while elder one had appeared in class 11th examination.
Vijay stakes claim to form Govt after Cong support
CHENNAI, May 6: TVK chief Vijay today met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and staked a claim to form the Government in the state after the Congress, in a major political shift and realignment, announced its support for the actor-turned politician’s party while severing its ties with the pre-poll ally DMK.
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Two days after TVK emerged as the single largest party, shattering the decades-long, bipolar dominance of the DMK and AIADMK, its chief met Arlekar at Lok Bhavan after receiving an invitation from the Governor’s office and gave him a list of Congress MLAs who pledged support.
However, Lok Bhavan sources indicated that a formal decision on inviting Vijay to form the government and holding the swearing-in ceremony has not yet been made, indicating that Governor Arlekar was not fully satisfied with Vijay’s claim of support.
Criticising the delay by the Lok Bhavan in the formation of the TVK-led government, Congress Lok Sabha MP Jothimani said,”the Legislative Assembly is the place to prove majority and asserted that there was no need to prove majority in the Lok Bhavan.”
“The BJP must immediately stop playing politics via the Lok Bhavan. The Governor should immediately invite TVK leader Vijay to form the government,” she said. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which won 108 of 234 seats, needs at least 10 more seats to reach the majority mark required to form the government. With the Congress’ five seats, the tally rises to 112, excluding one of the two seats that Vijay won.
The TVK chief, who contested from Perambur and Trichy East, has to resign from one seat. This will lower the majority mark to 117 and reduce TVK’s tally to 107.
In a new political realignment, the Congress announced support for Vijay’s TVK after its legislative party meeting here. It also announced breaking away from the DMK.
In a statement, AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar said: “This alliance -founded on mutual respect, appropriate share, and shared responsibility between the two parties- is not only for the formation of this government but also for future elections to local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.” Meanwhile, TVK sources said the party is keen on securing support from the VCK, the two Left parties and the IUML – constituents of the DMK-led alliance. However, none have given positive signals about joining hands with TVK, adding uncertainty to TVK’s prospects for stitching together an early government.
“Vijay has sought our support. We will decide after ascertaining the views of our party’s senior functionaries,” VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan told a news channel. Sources said the VCK will hold a meeting on May 7 to decide on Vijay’s request for support.
According to TVK sources, Vijay is expected to take the oath as chief minister on May 7 at an event in Nehru Indoor Stadium. Top Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are likely to attend the ceremony. However, since the Governor has not invited TVK to form the government, the oath-taking seems unlikely on Thursday.
Reacting strongly to Congress’ decision to support TVK, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Anadurai called the action “backstabbing”. “The Congress party has decided to ally with the TVK, pledging its support to the party. I think they have backstabbed… They have backstabbed the people of Tamil Nadu. They’ve backstabbed the mandate given by the people of Tamil Nadu,” he told PTI videos.
When asked about the DMK’s sharp comments, Congress’ Pawan Khera said, “I would like to take you back to December 2013, when DMK at a press conference announced that they will fight the Lok Sabha polls alone.”
“It was their democratic right, and they did so. Did you ask them if this was backstabbing? This cannot be called backstabbing,” Khera said at a press conference in New Delhi.
“There are two parties (Congress-DMK), they fought elections together, what was the objective, it was that ‘keechad’ (filth and muck) should not spread,” he said, referring to his earlier remarks in the presser that “lotus blooms in ‘keechad’”.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Chodankar also said the Congress party would be part of the new government. “We will not just support from outside,” he said. “For us, the people’s mandate is supreme. We respect people’s mandate,” he said. Meanwhile, the TVK has also arranged for its legislators from the districts to stay at a resort in nearby Mamallapuram as it intensifies its efforts to secure the required numbers. (PTI)
SIA attaches PoJK-based LeT operative’s property
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 6: In a major action against narco-terror networks, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir today attached an immovable property of a Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK)-based operative linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Kupwara district.
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As per a statement issued by the SIA, the case relates to FIR number 03/2023 of Police Station ANTF, which was initially registered by the Anti Narcotics Task Force and later transferred to SIA Kashmir for detailed investigation after larger terror links surfaced.
It said the investigations revealed that the accused, Zameer Ahmad Lone, a resident of Mandiyan Keran in Kupwara and currently operating from PoJK, was actively involved in narco-terror activities aimed at disturbing peace in the Union Territory.
He had already been declared a proclaimed offender by a competent court for evading arrest, the statement said.
It further said that acting on a court order obtained after submission of evidence, the SIA attached land measuring 1 kanal and 14.37 marlas under Khasra number 113 at Mandiyan Keran.
The attachment was carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and revenue officials, following due legal procedure, the statement said.
It said the agency had earlier filed a detailed charge sheet in the case, uncovering links related to drug smuggling, terror funding and cross-border networks. The latest action is aimed at dismantling the financial backbone of terror groups, the statement said.
HFMD cases spike in Kashmir, doctors rule out panic
Parents asked to avoid unnecessary hospital visits
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, May 6: Doctors in Kashmir have reported a surge in cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a highly contagious viral infection affecting mainly children, prompting health experts to advise parents to keep symptomatic children at home and avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
Medical experts said the infection spreads rapidly in schools and daycare centres through close contact, leading to clusters of cases and disruptions in some schools in recent weeks.
Doctors said HFMD is generally a mild and self-limiting illness, with no severe complications or deaths reported so far. They stressed that most cases can be managed at home with rest, hydration and paracetamol.
Dr Suhail Naik from GMC Srinagar’s Department of Paediatrics said HFMD usually begins with fever, followed by painful vesicular eruptions in the mouth, hands, feet and buttocks.
“There is a recommended isolation period of five days. It is generally a five-day disease and can affect nutrition because children develop painful mouth ulcers,” he said.
Dr Naik urged parents not to send infected children to school and advised schools to immediately isolate symptomatic students and send them home to prevent further transmission.
Another paediatrician, Dr Yasir Wani, said the viral infection spreads through cough, mucus, saliva and close physical contact, with symptoms usually appearing within three to seven days after exposure.
“The illness starts with high-grade fever, followed by rashes and ulcers around the mouth, hands, palms and feet. In some cases, lesions may also appear on the genitals,” he said.
According to Dr Wani, mouth ulcers generally subside within three days, while rashes on the hands and feet may take up to 8-10 days to heal.
He advised parents to avoid giving children spicy, hot or acidic foods during illness and instead provide cold foods and fluids to soothe mouth ulcers and prevent dehydration.
Warning that even a single infected child can rapidly spread the disease in classrooms, Dr Wani said schools should have clear policies to isolate symptomatic children and send them home immediately.
Dr Waseem Iqbal, a paediatrician from GMC Baramulla, said HFMD is caused by multiple viruses and mainly affects children aged between six months and five years, although older children may also contract the infection.
“No antibiotics are needed. Parents should focus on hydration, fever control with paracetamol and hygiene measures. Doctors should only be consulted if symptoms worsen,” he said.
All three doctors stressed frequent handwashing, hygiene practices and temporary school absence for infected children to help curb transmission.
HC refuses to quash FIR against XEn in DoB tampering case
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 6: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has dismissed a petition filed by Aijaz Hussain Sahaf, former Executive Engineer, seeking quashing of FIR No. 09/2015 registered by Crime Branch Kashmir in an alleged service-book tampering and date-of-birth manipulation case.
The petitioner had approached the High Court under Section 561-A CrPC seeking quashment of the FIR registered at Police Station Crime Branch, Kashmir, for offences under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 RPC.
The case pertains to allegations that the petitioner manipulated the first page of his service book by changing his date of birth from August 28, 1955 to August 28, 1958. According to the case record, a preliminary inquiry by Crime Branch was earlier closed as “not proved”. However, the matter was simultaneously referred to the department for a departmental inquiry.
The departmental inquiry later concluded that the petitioner had tampered with his service records and changed his date of birth, after which the matter was referred back to Crime Branch for action under law.
The petitioner argued that the FIR was motivated, lodged only to harass him and that the Under Secretary had no locus to lodge the complaint. He also contended that since an earlier inquiry had given him a clean chit, a second FIR on the same facts was not legally sustainable.
Rejecting these submissions, the High Court held that closure of a preliminary verification does not amount to a judicial closure report and cannot prevent registration of an FIR when subsequent material discloses commission of cognizable offences.
The court observed that the investigation had collected important material, including the petitioner’s matriculation certificate, school records, service book, statements of witnesses and a communication from the J&K Board of School Education confirming the petitioner’s date of birth as August 28, 1955.
The court further noted that the most crucial evidence was the FSL report dated July 18, 2014, which opined that the original date of birth of the petitioner was August 28, 1955 and not August 28, 1958, thereby confirming tampering in the service record.
Justice Shahzad Azeem held that where information discloses commission of a cognizable offence, registration of FIR under Section 154 CrPC becomes mandatory. The High Court further held that exoneration or relief in disciplinary proceedings does not automatically entitle an accused to quashing of criminal proceedings, as departmental proceedings are decided on preponderance of probabilities while criminal cases require proof beyond reasonable doubt.
The court made it clear that while exercising inherent jurisdiction, it cannot conduct a mini trial or re-weigh the evidence collected during investigation, as such matters fall within the domain of the trial court.
Dismissing the petition as devoid of merit, the court vacated all interim directions and granted liberty to the Investigating Officer to proceed in accordance with law.