Srinagar: Below is the timeline of weeklong key public events and engagements of top dignitaries within and outside J&K:-
1. Simplified Voting for Kashmiri Migrants in Jammu, Delhi: In a significant move to ease voting for Kashmiri migrants in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 24 special polling stations in Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi. Echoing the recent Lok Sabha elections, the ECI has eliminated the need for filling Form-M for migrants residing in Jammu and Udhampur.
2. LG Sinha Celebrates Foundation Day Of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the 39th Foundation Day of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at the Matrika Auditorium of SMVD University today. The event also marked the 14th anniversary of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul. In his address, Sinha congratulated all members and officials associated with the Shrine Board and Gurukul for their achievements and their contributions to the inclusive development of Jammu and Kashmir.
3. Omar Abdullah Discusses Alliance With Congress: National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah stated that the pre-poll alliance with the Congress was a challenging but necessary step to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at an NC event at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subah, Abdullah explained that the alliance required the party to sacrifice several seats it believed it could win. Despite the difficulties, Abdullah emphasized the importance of joining forces with the Congress to effectively challenge the BJP.
4. Neeraj Kundan Appointed AICC Secretary: Neeraj Kundan, former National President of NSUI and a prominent youth Congress leader from Jammu, has been appointed as All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The appointment was confirmed today by AICC General Secretary (Organization) K.C. Venugopal. Kundan will serve as AICC Secretary (Co-Incharge, Organization). Joining him in similar roles are Netta D’Souza from Gujarat and Naveen Sharma from Delhi.
5. J&K Govt Announces Transfer Of 9 Officers: Following approval from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered the transfer of nine officers, including one IAS, two IPS, five JKPS, and one JKAS. This follows the ECI’s directive on August 28 for the transfer of Senior Superintendents of Police in Baramulla and Kupwara, and the SP of Handwara. The ECI also directed the relieving of SSP Srinagar Ashish Mishra, who was transferred to Delhi Police in June 2023 but had not yet been relieved.
6. Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava Appointed New Corps Commander: Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava has been appointed as the new Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, succeeding Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who will take over as Director General Military Operations. Lt Gen Srivastava brings extensive experience from his previous commands in the Kashmir valley, including his role as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Counter Insurgency Force (Victor) in 2021.
7. Security Forces Thwart Infiltration Attempts in Kupwara: Security forces successfully thwarted two infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district today, neutralizing three militants. Brigadier H.K. Dhinkar reported that the Army, acting on intelligence from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, quickly responded to the infiltration attempts. One militant was injured and fled, while the other three were killed.
8. LG Sinha Attends Monsoon Music Festival In New Delhi:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attends the Monsoon Music Festival ‘Boondan Phuhar’ organized by the Girija Darshan Trust in New Delhi. During the event, Sinha praised the organizers for the musical celebration of Ragas dedicated to the rainy season and commended Vidushi Sunanda Sharma for her efforts in preserving and promoting the rich musical and artistic heritage of Banaras.
9. Nomination Papers Scrutiny For Assembly Seats: During the scrutiny of nominations for 24 Assembly seats, 35 papers were rejected, and 244 were deemed valid. The process for the second phase of polling includes 26 seats, with 11 in Jammu division and 15 in the Kashmir valley. Out of 279 nomination papers received for the first phase, scheduled for September 18, 35 were rejected, including that of jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Barkati from Zainapora Assembly constituency.
10. Ghulam Nabi Azad Halts Campaign Due to Health Issues:-Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has announced that he will be unable to campaign for his candidates in the Assembly elections due to health concerns. Azad disclosed that he experienced severe chest pain on the night of August 25 and was subsequently admitted to AIIMS in Delhi. Although doctors assured him of no immediate danger, Azad is dealing with additional health issues requiring rest and medication, forcing him to withdraw from the campaign trail.
