Eight-hour shutdown within a 1.5-km radius ordered under Telecommunications Act ahead of protests in the national capital

Srinagar, July 23 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday ordered the temporary suspension of mobile internet services in and around Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for eight hours, citing public safety, maintenance of public order and the need to prevent incitement to the commission of offences.

An order issued by the Ministry said mobile internet services across all technologies will remain suspended within a 1.5-km radius of Jantar Mantar from 4 p.m. to midnight on July 23.

The directive has been issued under Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, read with the relevant provisions of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024.

According to the order, the Union Home Secretary, after assessing the prevailing situation, concluded that the temporary suspension of mobile internet services was “necessary and expedient” in the interest of public safety, to avert a public emergency, maintain public order and prevent any incitement that could lead to the commission of offences.

The order further stated that the decision has been approved by the Union Home Secretary.

Signed by Mahendra Vikram Singh, Under Secretary to the Government of India, the communication has been addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, directing immediate implementation of the order.

The internet shutdown comes amid demonstrations scheduled at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest venue in the national capital. However, the order does not identify any specific organisation or event in connection with the suspension.

The Sonamarg Development Authority has suspended tourist movement for two days, saying the precautionary measure is aimed at preventing any untoward incident as persistent rainfall raises the risk of flash floods and landslides.

Ganderbal, July 23: With relentless rainfall continuing to lash Kashmir, authorities on Thursday ordered the temporary closure of the Thajiwas tourist destination in Sonamarg for the next two days, citing an increased threat of flash floods and landslides in the area.

The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA), in an advisory issued by its Chief Executive Officer, said the movement of all tourists and visitors towards Thajiwas will remain completely suspended for the next two days as a preventive measure to safeguard lives.

The advisory said the decision had been taken in view of the prevailing inclement weather, continuous rainfall and the heightened possibility of flash floods and landslides along the route leading to the popular tourist destination.

“All tourists and visitors are advised to refrain from visiting the Thajiwas area and to strictly comply with the directions issued by the administration and other concerned authorities,” the advisory said.

The closure comes at the height of the summer tourism season, when thousands of visitors travel to Sonamarg every week to access Thajiwas, a picturesque alpine meadow and glacier known for its trekking routes, pony rides and panoramic mountain landscape. The route, however, remains vulnerable to weather-related disruptions during periods of intense rainfall.

Officials said the restriction is purely precautionary and will remain in force until weather conditions improve. The situation will be reviewed after two days based on rainfall intensity and safety assessments carried out by the authorities.

The latest order comes as several parts of Kashmir continue to witness persistent rainfall, prompting authorities to maintain heightened vigilance in vulnerable areas. Weather-related advisories have been issued across the Valley in recent days as officials monitor river levels, mountain slopes and other locations susceptible to flash floods and landslides.

The administration has appealed to tourists to respect the restrictions and avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas until normal conditions are restored.

• Comprehensively reviews logistics, safety and weather-response arrangements for ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra
• Maintain seamless coordination and ensure the safety, well-being and convenience of all pilgrims of Baba Barfani: LG to officials

SRINAGAR, JULY 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level security review meeting with senior officials from the Army, J&K Police, Civil Administration, CAPFs, and key security agencies. He directed officials to remain highly vigilant, step-up intelligence-led anti-terror operations and proactively neutralize emerging security threats.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command; Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shri Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Shri S.J.M.Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Lt Gen Balbir Singh, GOC 15 Corps; Lt Gen P K Mishra, GOC 16 Corps; Shri Chanderkar Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home; Shri Pankaj Thakur, Additional Director, Intelligence Bureau; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor and CEO SASB; Shri Nitish Kumar, ADGP, CID; Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, IGPs, senior officials of Civil Administration, Police, Army, Security forces, Intelligence Agencies and Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

The Lieutenant Governor also comprehensively reviewed logistics and safety arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra in light of the recent inclement weather and heavy rainfall across the region.

The Lieutenant Governor instructed all departments to maintain seamless coordination and ensure the safety, well-being and convenience of all pilgrims of Baba Barfani.

He directed for comprehensive department-wise review of all amenities including rigorous audits of fire and emergency services, power grids, and water supply infrastructure.

More than 3,91,000 pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave in the first 20 days.

The Lieutenant Governor said the resumption of the Yatra is strictly contingent upon weather conditions.

In view of recent heavy rains, the Lieutenant Governor directed for strengthening flood protection measures and immediate clearance of debris from all nallahs along the pilgrimage tracks.

He emphasized the need for continuous operational readiness, focusing on round-the-clock disaster response preparedness, ensuring clean tracks and well-maintained sanitation facilities and adequate reserves of rations, LPG, kerosene, and emergency medical supplies.

The Lieutenant Governor instructed officials to strictly prohibit unregistered service providers along the route and to enforce a mandatory 100% prepaid service system.

He also instructed for the setting up of additional power DG sets, round-the-clock healthcare services, adequate availability of manpower, oxygen cylinders, and ambulances.

To ensure a swift response to potential incidents, the Lieutenant Governor instructed officials to maintain active traffic management, conduct regular vehicle inspections, ensure all equipment is functional, and issue timely weather alerts. He also directed that every tent must have a fire extinguisher and specialized wildlife units be stationed along the tracks.

He also commended the hard work and dedication of J&K Police, Indian Army, Civil Administration, Security Forces, Shrine Board, service providers, volunteers, stakeholders, and the citizens for making the holy Yatra of Shri Amarnathji safe and successful.

Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Shri Ashwani Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Shri Anil Kumar Singh; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; Commandant General, Home Guard / CD & SDRF, Shri A. G. Mir; Nodal Officer for Pahalgam Axis, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Nodal Officer for Baltal Axis, Shri Rahul Yadav; Administrative Secretaries and senior officials of all the line departments also attended the meeting.

“BOPEE head given extension, re‑employment; NC–Congress govt stayed silent until judicial intervention”

Jammu, 23 July 2026:Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Kumar Sharma on Thursday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have not forgotten how Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rewarded the main accused in the biggest MBBS entrance scam by not only granting him an extension, but also appointing him to a post‑superannuation job as consultant.

In a statement, Sharma said that Omar Abdullah should be the last person to sermonize on transparency and accountability, as he holds the ignominious distinction of being the chief patron of the main accused in the MBBS paper selling scam.

“Before giving lectures on transparency and portraying himself as holier‑than‑thou, the Chief Minister should not forget how he gave an extension to Mushtaq Peer, the main accused in selling question papers of the Common Entrance Test–2012 in exchange for monetary considerations. Who appointed him as consultant for fast‑track recruitment of Class IV posts? The people of Jammu and Kashmir know that the Omar Abdullah‑led government patronized the main accused,” Sharma said.

He further questioned why Omar Abdullah and investigating agencies under his control as Chief Minister as well as Home Minister of J&K remained silent on the scam and intervened only after the High Court’s intervention in the matter.

“The Court’s intervention came after the Amicus Curiae apprised it that there were reports of question papers of the JKCET‑2012 being sold before scheduled dates against huge monetary considerations, but nothing was done by the Vigilance Organisation or the Crime Branch despite specific complaints,” he said.

Sharma added that selective memory does not erase history, Omar Abdullah is conveniently hiding the fact that paper leak allegations also surfaced during the conduct of the JE Electrical Examination in 2025

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the leopard entered the residential house in Keller and attacked the minor girl, leaving her injured.

He said the injured girl was immediately shifted to District Hospital Shopian for treatment, where she is undergoing medical care.

The girl was later identified as Aafia Jan (6), daughter of Farooq Ahmad Tedwa, a resident of Zrakan Shalidar, Keller in Shopian.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an investigation.—(KNO)

In the first case, FIR No. 181/2026 of Police Station Anantnag, unknown burglars had stolen gold ornaments worth around ₹6 lakh from a house at Rohu Monghall. During investigation, Sheraz Ahmad Goru alias Sharu, resident of Rabtal Gund, Roshan, Ganderbal, was identified and questioned. On his disclosure, five stolen gold coins worth approximately ₹6 lakh were recovered and seized. Further investigation is in progress.

In the second case, FIR No. 195/2026 of Police Post Dialgam, relating to a burglary at Iqbalabad, Dialgam during the intervening night of 18/19 June 2026, police adopted a scientific and technical approach, analysing tower dump data, CDRs and mobile location evidence. Based on the technical leads, two suspects were identified and apprehended. During questioning, they confessed to the crime, leading to the recovery of stolen gold ornaments and cash worth approximately ₹6 lakh.

The arrested accused are Bashir Ahmad Sheikh, resident of New Colony, Frestabal, Pampore, and Nisar Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Nagbal, Zainapora.

Anantnag Police remains committed to solving property crimes through professional investigation and the effective use of technology. Further investigation in both cases is in progress.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.”

He said directions have been issued to the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps for establishing fast-track courts, describing the move as part of a series of measures aimed at safeguarding the interests of students.

“Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” the Prime Minister said, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and protecting the interests of students.

Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the action came a day after terrorists shot dead a police personnel in a firing incident at Lal Chowk in Anantnag on Wednesday.

They said the demolished houses belonged to Aadil Thokar, a resident of Guree in Bijbehara and Haroon Ganai, a resident of Hassanpora.

“The demolition was part of the ongoing crackdown against terrorists and their support infrastructure in the district,” officials said.—(KNO)

*More Details Awaited.*

In a communication dated July 18, 2026, addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Kichloo recommended ₹15 lakh from his MPLADS allocation to provide financial assistance to families affected by the July 7 flash floods and cloudburst in Thathri.

He enclosed a list of 25 families whose houses were damaged in the disaster and urged the district administration to release the assistance under the admissible provisions of the MPLADS Guidelines for natural calamities after completing the necessary official assessment.

In another recommendation dated July 9, 2026, addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, the MP proposed ₹48.65 lakh for upgrading facilities at District Hospital Kishtwar.

The proposal includes the procurement of two Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances (Mahindra Trax) worth ₹28 lakh, a 1.83 cubic metre Intra V-30 hopper tipper for garbage collection (₹12 lakh), six stretchers (₹1.50 lakh), 10 commercial dustbins (₹1.75 lakh), six wheelchairs (₹1.40 lakh), five examination tables (₹2 lakh) and five waiting benches (₹2 lakh).

Kichloo has also recommended ₹28 lakh for the purchase of two Mahindra Trax ambulances for registered non-governmental organisations in Kishtwar. Under the proposal, Ababeel Kishtwar and Hilal Health Care Society would receive one ambulance each, costing ₹14 lakh.

To promote tourism and improve connectivity, the MP has further recommended ₹1 crore for the construction of a road leading to a tourist destination in Kishtwar.

The recommendations have been forwarded to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for necessary action in accordance with the MPLADS Guidelines.

Kichloo, who represents Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha, has urged the district administrations to process the proposals on priority and ensure their early implementation for the benefit of the affected families and the public.

According to a notice issued by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), all University examinations slated for July 23, 2026, have been postponed.

The notice stated that the revised dates for the postponed examinations/papers will be notified separately in due course.

“In view of the inclement weather conditions, all University examinations scheduled to be held on 23.07.2026 are hereby postponed. The revised date(s) for the conduct of the postponed examination(s)/paper(s) shall be notified separately in due course,” the notice reads. —(KNO)