The court ruled that being a government critic can’t be used as a ground to put a person under preventive detention if their views don’t lead to “any problem much less public order problem to the government”.

“Given the ruthless demolition drives carried out across J&K since 2019, one can’t state enough the relief it will provide to these families,” Iltija Mufti said.

The Hurriyat leader has reacted to a statement by a National Conference politician who sought to justify the sale of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following Article 370, a policy denied many Jammu and Kashmir residents their constitutional right to travel outside the country over alleged association of their family members with militancy. 

Aala Fazili was released from Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu and reached home on February 12 evening, his brother Sami told The Wire. 

This is the second militancy-related incident within 24 hours in the Jammu division.

“A blanket ban (on protests) in the whole district (of Kishtwar) impeaches upon the basic fundamental freedom of the citizens and smacks (of) imperialistic attitude and could not stand the test of reason,” the court said.

The opposition PDP has termed the order an attempt to “criminalise dissent”.

Witnesses said that mourners were angry over the alleged delay by the authorities in handing over the slain youngster’s body to his family for burial. 

One of the victims, identified as Waseem Ahmad Mir, was a resident of Goripora village in Sopore. Meanwhile, in another incident, a youngster from Kathua district of Jammu, died in police custody.

One of the victims, identified as Waseem Ahmad Malla, was a resident of Goripora village in Sopore. Meanwhile, in another incident, a youngster from Kathua district of Jammu, died in police custody.

A senior police officer said that the incident took place in Behibagh village of Kulgam where ex-serviceman Manzoor Ahmad Wagay was shot at a point blank range. His wife and her sister’s daughter were also injured in the attack.

The announcement is likely to irritate the BJP-led Union government, which has so far failed to rehabilitate the Valley’s displaced Pandit community despite promising to and being in direct control of J&K from 2018 to 2024.

The circular directed all the government employees to register for Prime Minister Surya Ghar Mufti Bijli Yojana in phases within 15 days.

A controversy had broken out after the J&K administration ordered students and staff of government-run schools to participate in an ABVP rally.

When The Wire contacted the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation managing director Qamar Sajad, he refused to speak on the issue. He also didn’t clarify whether any environment impact assessment was done by the corporation in connection with the project.

A major political move, the decision comes amid a credibility crisis and rumours that Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah was cozying up to the BJP.

A senior Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board official said that the board has taken cognisance of the allegations.

Without taking names, the PDP chief said that the action against the three officers of the agency – which probes economic offences in the Union Territory – has exposed the “nexus between the corrupt and the most powerful”.

Locals in Kashmir feel that the limited connectivity plan of the Northern Railway for the new rail link is a 'joke' for traders and it has been done only to promote the Hindu pilgrimage site, Vaishno Devi.