Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Jammu and Kashmir Police have traced a woman missing since 2009 and reunited her with her family in the RS Pura area here after 16 years.
Officials said a missing report regarding Seema Devi of Jinder Melhu village in RS Pura, was lodged at Police Station RS Pura vide DDR number 18 dated August 16, 2009 after she went missing under mysterious circumstances.
They said a team was constituted to trace the woman and the case remained under continuous follow-up over the years.
Recently, acting on fresh leads and with the help of technical assistance, the police team intensified efforts and successfully traced the woman, officials said.
After completing all legal formalities and verification procedures, they said the woman was safely reunited with her family members and handed over to her legal heirs.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: In a function held at BN College of Education a book- “Qutab-ul-Aqtab Hazrat Baba Mian Abdullah Larvi (RA)”, authored by renowned educationist, social figure and former minister, Abdul Ghani Kohli, was released here today.
The event witnessed participation from a large gathering of eminent personalities, scholars, intellectuals, political representatives, members of civil society, literary figures, academicians, spiritual followers, and admirers from different parts of the region.
The book was ceremoniously released by Sayed Mohammad Sadiq Raza in the presence of distinguished guests and dignitaries representing diverse walks of life.
The programme reflected a deep sense of reverence towards the spiritual legacy and teachings of Hazrat Baba Mian Abdullah Larvi (RA), whose contribution to Sufi literature, spirituality, peace, and humanity continues to inspire generations.
While addressing the gathering, Sadiq Raza lauded the untiring efforts of Abdul Ghani Kohli for compiling and publishing such a valuable literary and spiritual work. He stated that the book would serve as a guiding source for devotees and followers of Baba Sahib (RA) throughout the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
Abdul Ghani Kohli shared his emotional and spiritual connection with the revered saint and his spiritual lineage. He stated that his family had remained deeply associated with the spiritual teachings and discipleship of Baba Sahib for generations.
Various speakers highlighted the importance of promoting Sufi literature and culture in present times to foster unity, brotherhood, and mutual respect among communities.
A special attraction of the programme was the soulful presentation of the Kalam of Baba Sahib (RA) by noted performer Mohammad Rafi Khatana, who mesmerized the audience with his melodious recitation.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Wasim Kohli.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, May 9: District Congress Committee (DCC) Udhampur, president, Sumeet Magotra visited Lower Kotli area today and interacted with local residents to understand their day to day problems and concerns.
During the visit, people highlighted issues like damaged roads, Kutcha lanes, lack of basic civic amenities, and the absence of proper sports infrastructure for the youth.
It is unfortunate that despite being located barely 5 kilometers from the district headquarters, the residents of Lower Kotli continue to face neglect and inadequate development. The youth of the area possess immense talent and potential, but the lack of playgrounds and basic facilities is holding them back from progressing further, they added.
Speaking during the visit, Magotra assured the residents that their concerns would be strongly raised before the District Magistrate and the concerned authorities at the earliest. He reiterated that the Congress Party stands firmly with the people and will continue to raise the voice of every neglected area where the administration and the government have failed to address genuine public issues.
Magotra further said that development should not remain limited to speeches and announcements, but must be visible on the ground through better roads, civic facilities, and opportunities for the youth.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti today chaired a high-level meeting at Katra to review security arrangements ahead of the proposed visit of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.
The meeting was attended by senior officers from Police, Railways Police, Civil Administration, Army, Intelligence Bureau, CID and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Among those present were IGP Railways Vivek Gupta, DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range Shiv Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek, SSP Reasi Mukund Tibrewal, SSP Railways Sanjay Kotwal, SSP Security Jammu Rajesh Sharma and SP Katra Kameshwar Puri.
During the meeting, the IGP reviewed the overall security preparedness and operational arrangements for the upcoming visit.
He directed officers to strengthen surveillance, ensure proper crowd management and maintain close coordination among all agencies for smooth and secure conduct of the visit.
The meeting also focused on enhancing vigilance at important locations and ensuring effective deployment of manpower in the Katra area.
Later, the IGP visited Police Station Reasi and reviewed the overall crime and security situation in the district.
He laid special emphasis on speedy disposal of old pending cases and maintaining law and order in the district.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 9: Hilly terrain and lack of transport facilities have severely delayed construction of a school building for Middle School Beena Kanthol in the remote Sadda Panchayat of Khawas block in Rajouri district, forcing students to study in inadequate conditions for years.
The school is located nearly 5 kilometres away from the nearest road in a remote tribal belt where road connectivity is still unavailable.
Due to the difficult terrain, construction material has to be carried manually or through horses and mules, making the process expensive and time-consuming. Locals said several school building projects sanctioned in the past could not be completed as contractors refused to continue work because of high transportation costs and geographical difficulties.
They said one contractor had earlier managed to construct only the plinth after transporting material through horses and mules before abandoning the work midway.
Officials said the project has now been sanctioned again under Samagra Shiksha.
Chief Education Officer Rajouri, Mohammad Hafiz, said that after taking charge, he came to know about the hardships being faced by the students and took up the matter for fresh sanctioning of the project.
He said the sanctioned work includes construction of 2 additional classrooms and 1 elementary classroom at a cost of Rs 26.57 lakh with a completion period of 6 months.
The CEO said construction work has now started through a local contractor and efforts are being made to complete it during the summer vacations.
At present, the school is functioning from a single iron-sheet room, while students from different villages of Sadda Panchayat walk 3 to 5 kilometres daily through mountainous terrain to attend classes.
Locals said transportation expenses almost double the cost of construction material and appealed to the Government and district administration to ensure timely completion of the school building for the benefit of tribal students.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Police today claimed they have arrested five drug peddlers in separate operations across Jammu, Kathua, Samba, and Udhampur districts, recovering significant quantity of contraband substance from their possession.
In Jammu’s Bagh-e-Bahu area, police recovered 6.50 grams of heroin-like substance and a weighing machine from a car after its driver attempted to flee from a naka checking point at Bravo-03.
The accused has been identified as Sahil Kumar, a resident of Rehari, Jammu.
He has been booked under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act and BNS registered at Police Station Bagh-e-Bahu.
In Kathua district, police arrested two alleged drug peddlers in separate operations and seized heroin-like narcotics from their possession.
At Nagri, police recovered approximately 7.15 grams of heroin-like substance from Sameer Khan of Bareli, presently residing at Goond in Nagri tehsil, during a special naka laid on specific information.
In another operation at Hiranagar, police arrested Subham Kumar of Dayalachak after recovering around 2.75 grams of heroin-like substance from his possession near Dussehra Ground.
Separate cases under the NDPS Act were registered at Police Stations Kathua and Hiranagar.
Meanwhile, in Samba district, police arrested a drug peddler identified as Jotish Kumar, originally from Bihar and presently residing at Ghagwal, after recovering approximately 3.24 grams of heroin-like substance from his possession during patrolling at Bari Brahmana.
In Udhampur district, police recovered 4.23 grams of heroin from a motorcycle rider identified as Arjun Singh of Sunetar during naka checking at Ramnagar town.
A case under the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Ramnagar. According to police, further investigations in all the cases are underway to trace the backward and forward linkages of the arrested individuals.