Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 9: The High Court quashed the three detention orders passed by the concerned District Magistrates and directed the release of the trio.
Justice Sanjay Dhar quashed the PSAs of detenues Bashir Ahmad Beigh, Shahid Amin Ganie and Ubaid Gulzar Pandit. The trio was detained under the orders of District Magistrates of Baramulla, Anantnag and Srinagar respectively.
The court while quashing their PSAs said, the detaining authority has not mentioned as to in which prejudicial activities the petitioner-Beigh has indulged either after his release on bail or after the quashment of earlier detention order.
“it is manifest that vagueness of grounds of detention strikes at the root of the subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority thereby vitiating the order of detention. On this ground alone, the impugned order of detention is liable to be set aside”, the court recorded in Pandit’s case.
The court while quashing the PSA of detenue-Ganie said his grounds, being vague and lacking in material particulars, as he could not have made an effective representation against his detention. Therefore, there has been violation of constitutional guarantees envisaged under the Constitution. The detention order, as such, is illegal and unsustainable.
The court with these reasons quashed all the three PSAs with the direction to the authorities to release the detenues from the preventive custody forthwith, provided they are not required in connection with any other case.
HC quashes 3 PSAs, orders release of detenues
IGP Jammu reviews security in Reasi, Katra ahead of Parliamentary Panel’s visit
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.
Hilly terrain, transport challenges delay construction of school building in Rajouri panchayat
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.
Five drug peddlers arrested across Jammu region: Police
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.
MSJK protests against shortage of LPG cylinders
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Mission Statehood Jammu Kashmir (MSJK) activists here today staged a protest demonstration against the shortage of LPG cylinders.
The protest was led by MSJK president, Sunil Dimple who claimed that there is open black marketing of domestic and commercial LPG cylinder by the distributors.
He flayed the increase in prices of LPG cylinders and claimed that domestic LPG cylinders are sold at Rs. 2000 and the commercial at Rs. 4000 in the black market.
Dimple said that the increased prices of commercial LPG cylinders will increase the price of fast food, food at eateries etc which will hit the poor.
He said that the increased prices of petrol, diesel and the hiked prices of essential commodities like vegetables have affected the normal life of the common man.
The MSJK leader urged the Central Government to roll back the hiked LPG, petrol and diesel prices otherwise there will be an agitation.
Nitin Saini, Dev Raj, Sudershan Sharma, Kala Kumar, Bramu Sharma, Vipan, Mukesh, Ram Kumar Das, Rakesh Sharma, Vicky, Shafi Khan, Akbar Khan, Nazir and many others were also present in the protest.
Randhawa inaugurates lane, drain upgradation works at Digiana
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: MLA Bahu, Choudhary Vikram Randhawa today inaugurated the upgradation works of lanes and drains at Ravidas Mohalla, Ward number 45, Digiana area.
District Vice President BJP Narinder Koki, Mandal President Sahil Mahajan, along with officials of JMC, including the concerned JE, contractor and local residents attended the inauguration ceremony.
A statement said the works were taken up following repeated demands from the people of the area over the poor condition of lanes and drains, which caused inconvenience, particularly during rainy days.
Speaking on the occasion, the MLA Bahu, Choudhary Vikram Randhawa said development of basic infrastructure and resolution of public issues remain his priority and no area of the constituency would be neglected in terms of civic amenities.
Local residents appreciated the MLA for fulfilling their long-pending demand and thanked him for taking up the upgradation works on priority basis.
JPDCL team inspects power infra Kalakote-Sunderbani area, listens public grievances
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Managing Director Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), G. P. Singh accompanied by MLA Randhir Singh, visited various areas of Kalakote-Sunderbani Constituency to assess the power infrastructure and address the grievances of the public.
The delegation started the visit from village Langer where the locals projected their demands, seeking replacement of old and damaged electric poles. The Managing Director assured the locals that their genuine issues would be resolved on priority and directed the concerned Executive Engineer to look into the matter immediately.
The delegation also visited several other areas including Hatkah, Devak, Khabbar and Marcholla where the residents raised the issue of poor voltage in the area, seeking improvement and strengthening of the 11 KV network.
The locals further highlighted the issue of tree branches touching power lines, resulting in frequent faults and disruptions. The Managing Director directed the concerned Executive Engineer to take up the matter with the Forest Department for necessary branch cutting and clearance along the power lines to ensure reliable power supply.
The Managing Director also inspected the under-construction Receiving Station’s 3.15 MVA, 33/11 KV at Thriyath and at Kamil Gala (kalakote) and reviewed the progress of works on spot. Further, the 3.15 MVA Receiving Station at Sail Su was also visited where the Executive Engineer, STD, briefed that the station is presently overloaded due to increasing demand in the area. The Managing Director directed the concerned officers to examine the issue thoroughly and take appropriate measures for augmentation and strengthening of the power infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity supply to the consumers.
Power shutdown
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Chief Engineer (Distribution) JPDCL Jammu has informed that the power supply to Jarai, Kathua-IV, Kathua-V, Dhanna, Thain, Bhagthali Industry, Marheen, Sanjhimorh, Andhe-Chak, Haripur, Gair, Hariachak, Kotepunnu, Krandi, Rajbagh, Paharpur, Rajpura, Sanura, Lala Chack, Nadala, Manguchak, Badyal, Sherpur, Katal Gujarian, Chak Sada Londi and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 7 am to 2 pm.
Similarly, the power supply to Gool, Sangaldan, Gundi Dharam, Banihal, Ramsoo, Ukhral, Khari, Assar, Baggar, Siraj and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 8 am to 2 pm.
Likewise, the power supply to Changran, Housing Colony, Krishna Colony, Indra Nagar, Jawahar Nagar and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 7 am to 11 am.
Similarly, the power supply to Budhi, Nanan, Barnoti, Channi, Marheen, Pharpur, Rajbagh, Chandwan, Haria Chack, Industries and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 6 am to 10 am.
Likewise, the power supply to DC Office, Supwal, Rakh Industry, Dagore, Tanda and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 9.30 am to 10 am.
Similarly, the power supply to Jagti Local, Migrant Camp, IIT, IIM, Nagrota, Nadore, Sainik Colony, Kattal Battal, Dhoke Wazrin, Chibba, Bamyal and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 7 am to 1 pm.
Likewise, the power supply to Jakh, Jogpur, Sarore, Patli, Industry, Vijaypur Town, Kolpur, Bandral and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 11 from 7 am to 12 noon.
Similarly, the power supply to Ward No. 4, 5, 8 ,9, 10, 11 & 12, Taraf Sanji, Jarai, Bhagthali, Bhagthali Industry, PHE Installations, Paliwand, Basantpur, RTIC, MES Lakhanpur and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 11 from 6 am to 11 am.
Meanwhile, Superintending Engineer (Distribution) JPDCL O&M Circle Kathua has informed that the power supply to Dadwara, Bhaddu, Pathyal, Phintar, Manger, PHE and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10, 12 and 13 from 7 am to 1 pm.
Similarly, the power supply to Rajpura, Lala Chack, BSF-2nd and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 11 from 7 am to 11 am.
Likewise, the power supply to Old Vijaypur, Vijaypur Industry and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 from 7 am to 11 am.
Similarly, the power supply to Baba Sidhgoriya and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 11 from 7 am to 1 pm.
Likewise, the power supply to Industry and adjoining areas will remain affected on May 10 and 12 from 7 am to 1 pm.
4 drug peddlers held
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 9: Police today arrested four alleged drug peddlers and recovered psychotropic substances from them in separate operations conducted in Anantnag, Budgam and Handwara districts under the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan.
In Anantnag district, cops from Police Station Larnoo intercepted a suspicious person during routine patrolling at Khrety area of Larnoo.
During a personal search, Police recovered six sticks of charas-like substance, weighing approximately 96 grams, from him.
The accused was identified as Gh Nabi Raina, son of Gh Rasool Raina, a resident of Frimoo Gadol, Ahlan Kokernag. The contraband was seized on the spot following legal procedure.
Meanwhile, in Budgam district, police arrested two alleged drug peddlers and recovered a commercial quantity of contraband substance during naka checking at Rawalpora in Khansahib area.
Police said cops from Police Post Waterihal intercepted Nazir Ahmad Ganie, son of Abdul Rehman Ganie, a resident of Rakhayee Arizal. During his search, 27 grams of charas-like substance was recovered.
The investigation established the involvement of another accused, identified as Mohd Rafiq Khan, son of Abdul Rehman Khan, a resident of Arizal.
Subsequently, approximately 7 kilograms and 740 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from his possession, police said.
Both accused were arrested and investigation is underway to identify other persons linked to the narcotics network.
In yet another operation in Handwara, Police apprehended a suspected drug peddler during a high-alert naka operation at Gund Khuru area falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Handwara.
Police said a team from Police Post Langate noticed a suspicious individual attempting to flee after spotting the naka party. The suspect was chased and apprehended by cops.
During the search, cops recovered Spasmo-Proxyvon Plus capsules from him.
The accused was identified as Sahil Manzoor Dar, son of Manzoor Ahmad Dar, a resident of Maratgam Handwara.
Police said all the accused persons have been arrested and cases under relevant sections of law were registered at the respective Police Stations. Further investigation was underway.
Crackdown against poppy cultivation intensified
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 9: Police today intensified its crackdown against narcotics and illegal cultivation by destroying illicitly cultivated opium poppy crops in separate operations conducted in Anantnag and Budgam districts.
Police said four cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act were registered during the operations.
In Anantnag district, Police Station Dooru received specific information that Bashir Ahmad Beigh, son of late Ghulam Ahmad Beigh, a resident of Chaango Dooru, had illegally cultivated poppy on his land.
Acting on the information, cops accompanied by an Executive Magistrate and officials from the Agriculture Department raided the site, where the illegally cultivated poppy crop was identified and destroyed on the spot.
In this regard, FIR No. 66/2026 under Sections 8 and 18 of the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Dooru, and investigation started.
In another operation, Police Station Aishmuqam received information regarding illegal cultivation of opium poppy by Mohd Ashraf Ahanger, son of Abdul Rehman Ahanger, a resident of Badaran.
Following the tip-off, cops along with an Executive Magistrate and officials from the Excise and Agriculture Departments conducted a raid at the location and destroyed the illicit crop after verification.
Police said FIR No. 40/2026 under Sections 8 and 18 of the NDPS Act was registered in the case, while further investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, in Budgam district, Police Station Budgam destroyed illegal poppy cultivation found on agricultural land belonging to Ashiq Ahmad Darzi at Dangerpora. FIR No. 113/2026 under Section 8/18 of the NDPS Act was registered in the matter.
Similarly, Police Station Khansahib registered FIR No. 89/2026 under Section 8/18 of the NDPS Act following information about illegal poppy cultivation at Banderpora Khansahib.
During investigation, a joint team comprising cops, Executive Magistrate, Revenue and Excise officials destroyed the illicit crop on the spot after completing legal formalities.