Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday addressed ‘Interfaith Dialogue’ organised by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language and Inter-Faith Harmony Foundation of India. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted India’s legacy as an ancient civilization rooted in mutual respect, where diverse faiths coexist, flourish, and teach the world the wisdom of peace.

“The world recognizes that Hinduism- Sanatana Dharma, the world’s oldest living religion, never imposed itself. Instead, it embraced diversity and coexistence. Ancient India built a foundation of respect, giving Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism freedom to flourish.

In a world facing conflicts and intolerance, the core spirit of Sanatana Dharma and Indian philosophy can serve as a guiding light. Today, the world may be divided by religion, language, and race, but Indian thought has the unique power to bridge these divides,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that India is a living idea that declares humanity should live together as one family. He said the young generation must carry this vision forward, reminding the world that peace is possible through mutual respect.

In intellectual, spiritual, and cultural vocabulary I call this ‘Indianness’- ‘Bhartiyata’, the ethos that offered the world the vision of equal respect for all religions, the pursuit of truth, unity in diversity, the idea of the world as one family (VasudhaivaKutumbakam), and a shared cultural consciousness. Our ancient texts, the Vedas and Upanishads, symbols of a knowledge tradition older than five thousand years, have always taught harmonious living. They taught humanity that people of different faiths should live together while respecting one another’s beliefs. That is the eternal principle.

Thousands of years ago our sages said that truth is not confined to a single path. Truth is infinite, and there are many routes that lead to it. That is why India has always seen diversity not as division but as a blessing. This outlook is reflected in the crown jewel of India, Jammu Kashmir, where for centuries the spirit of harmony and coexistence has been part of life.

People often use the word ‘Kashmiriyat’, which actually springs from the philosophy of ‘Indianness’- ‘Bhartiyata’ and symbolizes the fundamental sentiment India has taught the world since the Vedic age, equal respect for all religions, cultures, and traditions,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that when Islam came to India in the 12th and 13th centuries and many Sufi saints and Islamic scholars came here, they found unique Indian culture rooted in love, spirituality and compassion, and equality.

“Sufi saints were inspired by the vision of Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhism, and Jainism and they learnt the ideals of co-existence from Indian scriptures. Moreover, numerous repositories of Sanskrit knowledge were translated into Arabic. Our ancestors prayed, “SarveBhavantuSukhinaḥ, SarveSantuNiramayaḥ” – may all be happy, may all be free from illness. This prayer is not for one religion or sect but it is a prayer for the welfare of all humanity. I believe this is India’s identity.

India and its ancient philosophy have never told anyone to abandon their faith. India has always said to the people to bring your faith with you, bring your traditions, and live with us in harmony. That is India’s distinctiveness. That is the greatness of the Indian spiritual tradition,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Dr. Karan Singh, former Union Minister; Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, President, Inter-Faith Harmony Foundation of India; Dr. Md. Shams Equbal, Director, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, New Delhi; Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Founder Director, Dara Shikoh Centre, Srinagar; Dr. Nasreen Shama, Director, Operations, Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India; Fida Firdous, President, Kashmir Writers Association; Navaid ul Islam Khan; National Coordinator, Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India, Dr. GV Sundeep Chakravarthy, SSP Srinagar; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; senior officials, prominent citizens and literary personalities were present.

1. Amarnath Yatra Symbol of India’s Spiritual Unity, Says LG Sinha: LG Sinha on Thursday said the annual Amarnath Yatra represents India’s spiritual consciousness, cultural heritage, and humane values, while addressing the valedictory session of an international conference at Government Degree College for Women, Anantnag. He said the pilgrimage stands for social unity, inner reflection, and coexistence, bringing together people across religions, languages, and communities.
2. Amarnath Yatra Boosts Economy, Supports Thousands of Families: LG Sinha said the Amarnath Yatra plays a vital role in Jammu and Kashmir’s local economy, generating livelihoods for thousands of families. He said pony operators, shopkeepers, artisans, hoteliers, and transport providers are directly or indirectly linked to the pilgrimage.
3. LG Thanks Gadkari For Restoration Of NH-44 Bridges Ahead Of Yatra : LG Sinha expressed gratitude to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for restoring two key bridges over the Ravi River and SeharKhad near Kalibari on NH-44. The bridges, damaged in last year’s flash floods, have been restored ahead of Amarnath Yatra.
4. SKUAST-K Gets Major Reforms, New Innovation Hubs Approved : LG Manoj Sinha chaired the 36th University Council meeting of SKUAST-Kashmir at Lok Bhavan, approving key institutional reforms and futuristic initiatives. The council approved upgradation of IT and quality assurance systems and establishment of an International Students Cell. Three flagship projects—Centre for Agri Innovation, Agri-Startup Park, and Global Veterinary School—were also proposed. Sinha praised the university’s growth in research, innovation, and global outreach.
5. Parliamentary Panel Reviews J&K Transformation During LG Meeting: A Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs led by Shashi Tharoor called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan during its four-day study visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. During the interaction, the LG highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-economic transformation over the past six years, citing improved security, rising public optimism, and rapid infrastructure development.

Jammu: Sadhus began arriving at the Shri Ram Mandir Amarnath Yatri Base Camp in Purani Mandi on Saturday as security agencies completed an extensive multi-tier security exercise across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 3.

The arrival of the first batch of seers coincided with intensified security checks, high-level police reviews, anti-drone drills, and military preparedness assessments. Authorities have deployed technology-driven 360-degree surveillance under ‘Project Hawk Eye’ to ensure a safe pilgrimage. High-ranking officials, including Special Director General of Police (Coordination) S J M Gillani, inspected key base camps and routes, emphasizing strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and robust inter-agency coordination.

Officials said Gillani directed officers to ensure effective inter-agency coordination and implementation of a multi-layered security grid for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

Comprehensive drills and heightened vehicle checking were also executed across Jammu city, Kathua, Awantipora, and the Baltal axis by the police, Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to secure the routes and prevent any potential security breaches.

 “Urdu is an Indian Language Deserving Promotion, World needs love, not hatred”

Srinagar: Former “Sadr-e-Riyasat” of erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir State Dr Karan Singh on Saturday invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s description of Kashmir as a “ray of hope” during Partition, urging the Valley to uphold its centuries-old tradition of communal harmony and cultural pluralism.

Speaking at an Interfaith Dialogue at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Dr Singh praised the integration of interfaith dialogue, Urdu, Kashmiriyat, and communal harmony under one platform, stating it reflected Kashmir’s civilisational legacy. He proposed the establishment of a permanent Interfaith Dialogue Centre in Jammu and Kashmir and strongly advocated for the promotion of Urdu.

Calling Kashmir the “crown of India”, Dr Singh recalled, “Gandhiji had said that if there was any ray of light and hope visible to him during those difficult times, it was in Kashmir,” attributing this to the region’s enduring coexistence.

Tracing the global interfaith movement from Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 Chicago address, Dr Singh clarified that the objective of such dialogues is not competition. “This is not Shastrarth. Every religion has its own philosophy and values. The objective is to understand each other and strengthen harmony,” he said. He emphasized that while religions follow different paths, they lead to the same Divine, drawing an analogy to the different routes leading up the Shankaracharya hill.

He highlighted India’s civilisational diversity as home to nine major religions, and reviewed Kashmir’s spiritual history—spanning Vedic traditions, Buddhism, Kashmir Shaivism, the mystic Lal Ded, and the arrival of Sufi saints. “The world needs love, not hatred. We may belong to different religions, speak different languages and come from different regions, but first and foremost we are human beings,” he stated.

Dr Singh also suggested that the proposed permanent dialogue centre build upon the work of initiatives like the Dara Shikoh Centre. Defending Urdu against being mischaracterized as foreign, he asserted, “Urdu is one of the richest literary traditions of the subcontinent. The language deserves greater recognition and encouragement,” adding, “Urdu was born in India. It is not a foreign language. It should be preserved, promoted and used wherever possible.” He shared a personal anecdote where the renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz told him that his celebrated poem “Aap Aaye To Bahaar Aayi” was written during his imprisonment. Dr Singh expressed confidence that the Valley would continue to serve as a beacon of harmony, pluralism, and national unity.

Srinagar: A fresh stray dog attack in the Faqir Gujree area of Dara on the outskirts of Srinagar has once again brought the growing stray dog crisis in Kashmir into sharp focus, with residents accusing the administration of failing to protect citizens despite repeated incidents across the Valley.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly show two young children who were allegedly bitten and scratched by stray dogs during the incident.

The latest incident has triggered widespread concern and anger in the locality, where residents say fear has become a part of everyday life, particularly for children, women and the elderly.

“We have reached a point where parents are scared to let their children walk to school alone. Elderly people avoid morning walks, and women hesitate to step out after dusk. Every new attack is followed by silence from the authorities,” Nazir Ahmad, a resident said.

Another resident, Tahir Nazir, said the government cannot continue to treat the issue as routine. “Whenever an attack happens, officials make promises. But the reality on the ground remains unchanged. We need a permanent solution, not temporary assurances,” he said.

According to figures placed by the government in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly earlier this year, an estimated 1.52 lakh stray dogs are present across urban areas of the Union Territory, including over 64,000 in Srinagar. The government also informed the House that around 43,200 stray dogs were sterilised between June 2023 and September 2025.

Locals alleged that overflowing garbage dumps and easy access to food waste continue to fuel the stray dog population in several parts of Srinagar. They also claimed that the pace of the sterilisation programme has been inadequate to address the growing menace.

“We hear about sterilisation centres, but the situation on the ground tells a different story. Unless sterilisation and scientific waste management are carried out on a war footing, these attacks will continue,” another resident said.

Residents urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to immediately intensify the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme, improve waste management and identify vulnerable areas to prevent further attacks

Srinagar: The State Investigation Agency (SIA) Kashmir on Saturday executed court-ordered proclamation proceedings against an absconding accused in a narco-terror case hailing from frontier district in Kupwara.

A SIA spokesman in a statement issued here on Saturday said, that the absconding accused is involved in a cross-border narco-terror case linked to the smuggling of heroin from a Pakistan-based terror network. “The proclamation proceedings were carried out at the residence of Bilal Shabir Awan, son of Shabir Ahmad Awan, a resident of Dildar, Karnah in Kupwara district. The action was executed in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and an independent witnesses in compliance with the directions of the competent court,” he added.

The spokesman said: “The case was initially registered at Police Station Parimpora in Srinagar in January 2025 following the seizure of a substantial quantity of Heroin during a naka checking operation at Barthana, Srinagar.”

He said, “During the course of investigation, the case was transferred to SIA Kashmir, which unearthed a well-organised cross-border narco-terror network engaged in trafficking narcotics to finance and facilitate terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.”

The spokesman said, “Consequently, offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were invoked. SIA Kashmir has since filed a charge sheet against seven accused persons, who are currently facing trial before the competent court, while further investigation into the wider conspiracy remains in progress.”

The SIA Kashmir remains steadfast in its resolve to dismantle narco-terror networks and ensure that every absconding accused is traced, apprehended, and brought to justice. The execution of proclamation proceedings underscores the Agency’s unwavering commitment to “Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan in JK UT” in pursuing all legal measures against those attempting to evade the law, regardless of where they seek to hide.”

Srinagar : Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Friday said that all arrangements during the ongoing Muharram observances across the Valley were conducted smoothly with active coordination from all stakeholders. He said Kashmir is fully prepared for Amarnath Yatra from July 3.

Talking to reporters in Srinagar, the Divisional Commissioner expressed gratitude to district administrations, police and other departments for ensuring peaceful and well-organized observances across Kashmir. He said senior leadership also monitored the arrangements on the ground.

“The stakeholders extended full cooperation, and I would like to thank everyone involved. The district administration and police worked in close coordination to ensure smooth conduct of Muharram processions and gatherings,” he said.

The Divisional Commissioner added that since Muharram spans a longer duration this year, uninterrupted arrangements will continue to be ensured across all districts.

On the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, Div Com Garg said preparations are progressing as per the annual exercise and standard procedures.

He said arrangements including registration counters, drinking water, electricity, basic facilities, and weather advisories are being strengthened at all designated locations. “By July 3, we are confident that the entire Kashmir Valley will be fully prepared to welcome the pilgrims,” he said, adding that all departments are working in close coordination to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage

They were also accompanied by ADC Budgam, Additional SP Budgam, CPO Budgam, CMO Budgam, SDPO, Tehsildar, SHO and other concerned district officers.

Elaborate arrangements for security, traffic management, parking, electricity, water supply, health and medical facilities, sanitation have been put in place.

The DC along with SSP also participated in serving water and refreshments to the mourners at various points enroute. The DC expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, departments, community members and volunteers to their active role in ensuring smooth and peaceful conduct of the Muharram processions across the district.

The aim of the exercise was to assess the preparedness of all departments for the ensuing Yatra.

The exercise was conducted under the chairmanship of Major General Sudhir Bahl (Rtd.), Lead Consultant (Medical Emergencies and Incident Response System), NDMA. The exercise was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (CEO, DDMA), Vikas Ahlawat, Camp Director Nunwan, Atul Kumar, SDM Pahalgam, officers from civil administration, UTDMA, CRPF, Fire and Emergency Services, Health, Army, JK Police telecommunications, ITBP, BSF and officials from various other departments.

The mock drill simulated a range of emergency scenarios, including medical emergencies, fire incidents, disaster response, evacuation, and security contingencies, to evaluate the coordination, communication, and response capabilities of participating agencies.

Officials and personnel from the civil administration, police, security forces, Health Department, NDRF and SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, and other stakeholder departments actively demonstrated their preparations to respond to any disaster-like situation.

Speaking on the occasion, Major General Sudhir Bahl (Rtd.) emphasized the importance of coordinated planning, prompt response, and effective communication among all agencies to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims during AMARNATH YATRA-2026. He stressed that regular mock exercises are essential to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve inter-agency coordination.

Simultaneously, mock exercises were held at Sheshnag and Panchtarni Yatra Stations, simulating flashfloods and fire incidents and the same were livestreamed. Member NDMA, Krishan Vats joined online for debriefing while Camp Directors Sheshnag and Panchtarni also participated.

The mock exercise helped identify strengths as well as areas requiring further improvement, reinforcing the preparedness of all departments to ensure the safe, secure, and smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra-2026.

During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the facilities put in place by the district administration, including security, traffic management, healthcare services, drinking water supply, sanitation, and other essential public amenities.

Speaking on the occasion, Indu Kanwal Chib said that the district administration had made comprehensive arrangements to ensure that the Ashoora processions are conducted in a peaceful, safe, and well-organized manner. She appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Police, civil administration, Health Department, Municipal authorities, volunteers, and local committees in facilitating the smooth conduct of the observance.

The Deputy Commissioner also interacted with participants and appealed to them to continue upholding the spirit of peace, communal harmony, and mutual respect, while extending full cooperation to the administration and law enforcement agencies for the successful and peaceful culmination of the religious observance.