During the visit, the Additional Commissioner took a detailed review of the status of digitization of land records and interacted with the concerned officers regarding the progress achieved, issues being faced and measures being taken to ensure timely completion of the ongoing process.

He stressed the need for ensuring accuracy and transparency in the digitization and updation of land records and directed the concerned officers to maintain proper verification of records and ensure that the process is completed in a time-bound manner.

The Additional Commissioner also emphasized effective coordination among the Revenue functionaries and timely resolution of issues related to land records and public grievances.

Earlier, the Additional Commissioner visited Chitragam and other areas of the district to assess the on-the-spot progress of the digitization process.

The Meeting was attended by ADC, Dr. Zakir Hussain Faaz, ACR, Shakoor Ahmed Dar, Tehsildars and other revenue officers.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said in Anantnag seven drug peddlers were arrested in five separate actions contraband substances were also recovered from their possession. A police party from Police Station Srigufwara, during naka checking at Nowshera Crossing near Gujjar Hostel, intercepted Riyaz Ahmad Hajam R/O Sirhama. During search, 3.52 grams of charas and 368 grams of Ganja were recovered from his possession. Similarly, a police party from Police Station Pahalgam intercepted a Scorpio vehicle bearing registration number JK01X-3588, coming from Kullar towards the link road leading to Movera, with two persons on board identified as Fareed Ahmad Chohan S/O Abdul Karim Chohan and Fayaz Ahmad Doie, S/O Mohammad Yousuf Doie, both R/O Kharpora Movera. During search, about 90 grams of dried Bhang Bhoosa, 5 grams of charas were recovered from their possession.

Meanwhile, a police party from Police Post Janglat Mandi, during naka checking at Donipawa, apprehended Junaid Ahmad Sheikh S/O Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh R/O Sherpora. During his search, 5 grams of charas was recovered from his possession. In another case, a police party from Police Station Anantnag, during naka checking at Nandpora, apprehended Imtiyaz Ahmed Lone S/O Habibullah Lone R/O Seepan, Anantnag. During his search, 2.5 kg of charas powder was recovered from his possession. Moreover, a police party from Police Post Khanabal apprehended two persons at Batengoo Crossing, Zubair Ahmad Dar S/O Mohammad Yaqoob Dar and Shahid Gulzar S/O Gulzar Ahmad Dar, both R/O Batengoo. During their search, approximately 350 grams of Ganja was recovered from their possession.

All the accused have been arrested and shifted to respective police stations, besides which  vehicle used in the commission of crime have also been seized and cases under relevant sections of law have been also registered at respective police stations and further investigation have been initiated. In its Police reiterated its commitment to establish a drug-free society  and appealed people to cooperate with it in the fight against the drug menace.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said in Shopian one drug peddler was arrested by it following which heroin-like substance and cash amounting to rupees 12,050 from his possession. A police party from Police Station Zainapora, during naka checking at Aglar, apprehended a person under suspicious circumstances. Upon his search 1.95 grams of heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession along with cash amounting to rupees 12,050. The accused has been identified as Feroz Ahmad Mir S/O Noor Mohd Mir R/O Litter Pulwama. A case under FIR No. 126/2026 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Zainapora and investigation has been also initiated to ascertain the source and establish the forward and backward linkages. In its statement Police reiterated its commitment to establish a drug-free society and appealed people to cooperate with law enforcers by sharing inputs about drug peddling, illegal cultivation of narcotic plants, or substance abuse in their localities.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said that based on a specific input along with 21RR and 92Bn CRPF a police team conducted a joint search operation in the forest area of NagdaNar, Handwara. During the search operation, the joint party detected and destroyed an old hideout and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the hide out. The recoveries included 01 AK-47 rifle, 03 grenades, 857 AK rounds, 192 PIKA rounds, 08 AK magazines, 01 silencer, 83 pistol rounds and other incriminating material. In this connection, a case under FIR No. 252/2026 under relevant sections of law, has been registered at Police Station Handwara, and investigation has been taken up.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Police said that Police in Anantnag recovered 11 stolen/missing mobile phones during the year 2026 through effective utilization of the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal. The recovered mobile phones were traced from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir as well as from outside the UT. In one significant recovery, a stolen/missing mobile phone was traced to Badhapur, Uttar Pradesh, and was subsequently recovered and handed over to its rightful owner.

In its statement Police reiterated its commitment to leverage technology and digital tools to enhance public service delivery, assist citizens in recovering lost property, and strengthen policing through technology-driven initiatives.

Set against a contemporary social and emotional backdrop, the novel follows its central character, Ehmad Mirza, as he navigates questions surrounding education, employment, financial success, family expectations, relationships and faith.

The novel examines the conflict between socially defined notions of success and an individual’s search for a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Through the experiences of its characters, Altaf explores how personal choices and aspirations intersect with family, society and spiritual values.

The title Raqs-e-Fana, referring to the impermanence of worldly existence, reflects one of the central concerns of the novel. The work draws on Islamic thought and spiritual traditions associated with the Ahl al-Bayt while connecting these themes with everyday experiences of love, disappointment, fear, hope and personal struggle.

Altaf, who hails from Kashmir, has also written poetry and engages with themes including nature, spirituality, love, philosophy and the human condition. His literary work remains rooted in Urdu, a language with a long literary and cultural association with Kashmir and the wider subcontinent.

His choice of Urdu comes at a time when younger readers are increasingly engaging with literature through digital platforms and social media. His work seeks to address contemporary concerns while retaining the linguistic and cultural character of Urdu literature.

The novel also reflects elements of Kashmir’s wider literary tradition, which has historically included poetry, mysticism and philosophical writing. Altaf’s work attempts to connect that tradition with the experiences and concerns of a younger generation.

Raqs-e-Fana ultimately presents a narrative centred on the individual’s search for identity and purpose amid social expectations and material aspirations. Through its characters and themes, the novel raises questions about the meaning of success, the impermanence of worldly achievements and the place of spirituality in contemporary life.

With the publication of the novel, Altaf joins a growing group of young writers seeking to contribute to contemporary Urdu literature while addressing issues relevant to present-day readers.

On 6 October 2026, the Principal District & Sessions Judge, Poonch Susheel Singh, convicted Sherbaz Ahmed, Anzar Ahmed and Rafiq Azam under Section 8/21 (c) of the NDPS Act in the case registered as FIR No. 56/2022 at Police Station Mendhar. The Court held that a total of four kilograms of heroin, a commercial quantity, was recovered. The Ld. Public Prosecutor Pankaj Sethi examined 27 PWs out of the 29 cited witnesses, including naka party members, Malkhana and link witnesses and the forensic expert. The Court noted that the Forensic Science Laboratory detected Diacetyl Morphine (heroin) in all samples and that discrepancies on peripheral matters did not damage the core prosecution case. Arguments on sentence are listed for 7 October 2026.

In another matter, On 5 October 2026, the Special Judge (NDPS Cases), Jammu Parvaiz Iqbal, rejected the regular bail plea of accused Mohd Mangal Hussain in FIR No. 35/2026 of Police Station Miran Sahib. The Ld. Special Public Prosecutor   Sunil Kumar vehemently opposed the application, stressing that commercial quantity was involved, hence bar under Section 37 of the NDPS Act applied and that the accused could re-indulge in drug peddling or tamper with evidence if released. The Court found the plea hit by the rigour of Section 37, noting that charges had already been framed on 17 September 2026 on prima facie evidence of conspiracy with the co-accused, from whom 268.59 grams of heroin was recovered.

In a third matter, On 6 October 2026, the Court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class (Munsiff), Jammu Rekha Sharma, rejected the bail application of Raman Kumar in FIR No. 260/2026 of Police Station Satwari under Section 318(4) of the BNS. The Ld. Asst. Public Prosecutor Palak Sharma objected, pointing to alleged prolonged fraud from 2021 to 2023 on the promise of government employment, similar FIRS against the accused, his residence about three kilometres from the complainant and the risk of intimidating witnesses and tampering with electronic evidence. The Court agreed that the accused appeared to be a repeat offender, along with investigation being incomplete and that influencing witnesses was highly probable.

The Department said these results reflect meticulous case preparation, fairness and unwavering commitment by its prosecutors, who protect society from the drug menace and safeguard citizens against fraud.

The meeting reviewed the status of estimation, tendering and allotment of works, besides expenditure on ongoing works under the District CAPEX Budget 2026-27 covering DDC, BDC, PRI, ABDP and ABDS components.

A detailed review was conducted on the status of works, including estimates framed, Administrative Approvals (AA) received, works tendered and allotted, allotments issued, works taken up and completed. The status of funds released and expenditure booked under ongoing and new works was also reviewed. Block-wise progress was presented during the meeting.

On the occasion, the DC directed the concerned Executive Engineers to expedite execution and ensure that all allotted works are taken up promptly, keeping in view the approaching winter conditions.

The DC directed the concerned officers to closely involve AEEs and JEs in monitoring and field-level supervision.

She also directed that contractors who have taken multiple works must ensure adequate manpower and resources to maintain efficiency and take up all works simultaneously.

The DC further directed that concerned Officers alongwith JEs shall attend the next review meeting and present updated ground-level status of works.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that action shall be taken against those who fail to commence allotted works within the current week.

Emphasising the need for effective inter-departmental coordination, the DC directed all concerned officers to work promptly and ensure timely execution and completion of works before stipulated timeframe.

Srinagar, :Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment Javed Ahmed Rana Wednesday  directed the Forest Development Corporation (FDC) Limited and concerned agencies to put in place clear and time-bound monthly targets for timber marking, extraction, transportation and auction.

He issued these instructions while chairing a meeting at Civil Secretariat here held to discuss the issues related to Forest Development Corporation Limited.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Sheetal Nanda and Managing Director, Forest Development Corporation Limited, Dr K Anandh while Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sarvesh Rai participated online.

Javed Rana highlighted the importance of optimizing the timber supply chain to ensure that quality timber is available to the public at reasonable prices, emphasizing the need to complete this year’s timber extraction before snowfall. He urged for the establishment of monthly measurable targets for all stages of timber operations, from marking to auction, and called for close monitoring of these targets to prevent delays that could hinder the supply process. The Minister stressed the necessity of streamlining the tendering process and removing procedural obstacles that could impede timely extraction and distribution. He underscored the importance of proper grading and quality assessment of timber to guarantee that consumers receive high-quality products at transparent rates. Rana’s objective is to ensure that good-quality timber is accessible to the public, facilitated by efficient auctioning and supply mechanisms. Additionally, he called for a thorough review of the Forest Corporation’s operations, including its monthly performance and revenue generation, and directed the preparation of a detailed vision document outlining targets for the next two to three years. This document should focus on enhancing timber sales, operational reforms, and improving public service delivery. Rana also requested a focused policy to boost timber sales, strengthen market linkages, and enhance the overall efficiency of the timber supply chain while ensuring sustainable management of forest resources. He reviewed the status of auction depots and Central Timber Sale Depots in Jammu and Kashmir, directing officers to address operational challenges and improve service delivery to ensure timely access to timber for the public.

The delegation comprising representatives from Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, apprised the Speaker of various issues and concerns pertaining to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act in the UT.

The members of the delegation urged the Speaker to intervene in the matter and facilitate necessary measures for the effective implementation of FRA-2006, stating that the legislation has contributed to transforming rural livelihoods in States where it has been implemented.

The delegation also apprised the Speaker of the issues being faced by communities dependent on forest resources and sought his support in taking up the matter with the concerned authorities for appropriate consideration and resolution.

The Speaker assured the members that he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities and seek appropriate intervention for addressing the issues raised by them. He assured the delegation that their concerns would be conveyed to the concerned quarters for due consideration in accordance with the applicable provisions and framework.