Srinagar: Below is the timeline of weeklong major public events and engagements of top public functionaries witnessed within and outside J&K this week:-
1. Omar Abdullah Meets LG: National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday, formally claiming to form the new government in Jammu and Kashmir. He presented letters of support from Congress and independent members, marking a historic move toward the first elected government since 2019.
2. University Council Meeting: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 35th University Council meeting of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir, discussing key policies and granting in-principle approval for various development initiatives aimed at enhancing university operations.
3. Hajj Applications Accepted: All 4,313 applications from Jammu and Kashmir for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage have been accepted. However, this marks a second consecutive year of declining applications, far below the allocated quota. No draw of lots was held this year, as confirmed by Dr. Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, Executive Officer of the J&K State Hajj Committee.
4. Gratitude For Peaceful Elections: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha thanked the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their participation in the recent Assembly Elections and commended election officials and security forces for their efforts in ensuring a transparent process. He congratulated the newly elected Legislative Assembly members, particularly from the NC-led alliance.
5. HM Amit Shah PRAISES DEMOCRACY: Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that democracy has been revived in Jammu and Kashmir following the successful assembly elections, marking the first transparent and peaceful elections since the 1980s. He commended the Election Commission and local administration for facilitating the electoral process.
6. Political Shake-Up: In a surprising outcome, 34 former ministers were ousted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, paving the way for new candidates. The NC emerged as the largest party with 42 seats, followed by the BJP with 29 and the Congress with 6 seats.
7. NOTA Surpasses Candidates: The ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option garnered over 46% of the votes in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, outperforming many candidates in several constituencies, including Bahu and Baramulla.
8. Vande Bharat Sleeper Service Planned: Indian Railways is planning to launch a Vande Bharat Sleeper train service from Delhi to Srinagar by December 2026, covering 800 kilometers in about 13 hours, with ticket prices ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.
9. New Chinar Corps Commander: Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava has taken command of the Jammu and Kashmir Chinar Corps, succeeding Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who oversaw significant security improvements during his tenure.
10. 150 Militant Stationed Along LoC: Around 150 militants are reported at launchpads along the Line of Control (LoC), preparing to infiltrate Kashmir as winter approaches. BSF IG Ashok Yadav assured that security forces are fully prepared to thwart any infiltration attempts.
