In a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Draupadi Murmu bestowed the Arjuna Award upon para-archer Rakesh Kumar from Jammu and Kashmir. Kumar, who hails from Reasi district, is the third para-archer to receive this prestigious award, and his exceptional performance in the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo made him a top contender. He represented India at the Paralympics and has a world ranking of No. 1 in compound archery. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha have both congratulated Kumar on his achievement.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel, Abdullah lauded Modi's efforts in bridging the gap between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the central government. He commended the smooth conduct of elections in the Union Territory and expressed hope for the restoration of statehood. Paying homage to the victims of a terrorist attack near the tunnel site, Abdullah affirmed that terrorism will not stop the region's development and democracy.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to bridge the gap between Delhi and Union Territory. He praised the Prime Minister for keeping his promise of conducting Assembly elections in the region and stated that it has led to an increase in trust among the residents. PM Modi inaugurated the 6.5-kilometre Sonamarg Tunnel, which will now be called the Z-Morh Tunnel, in a major infrastructure boost for the region. Chief Minister Abdullah also mentioned the Centre's efforts to reduce the distance between Delhi and the heart of the region, leaving the Prime Minister with a smile.
Jammu and Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extend warm greetings to the Sikh community and all those commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They both highlight the Guru's teachings of equality, righteousness, and unity, and hope for peace and unity in the region. However, they also urge readers to support quality journalism as it takes a lot of time and effort to produce and maintain high-quality news coverage.
In a media interaction, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his disapproval of the hybrid model of governance in the Union Territory, stating that dual centres of power are not effective tools for governance. He also addressed other issues, such as differences of opinion and reservation protests, reiterating the need for a single centre of command for better functioning of the system. The chief minister also discussed the recent controversy over land acquisition for a campus of the National Institute of Technology, emphasizing the importance of finding a balance between development and protecting productive agriculture land.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is hopeful for the restoration of statehood and promises to fulfil all the promises made to the people during his five-year term. He also assures improved infrastructure and electricity situation in the Union Territory. Regarding the recent allegations of recruitment scam, he calls for a fair investigation and assures that deserving candidates will receive justice.
Over 50 students from Jammu and Kashmir pursuing B.Sc Nursing at Mewar University in Rajasthan are facing academic and physical challenges due to the university's failure to obtain necessary approvals for the course. The convenor of Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that the university has been misleading students with false promises and infringing on their right to seek justice. The students have been protesting for months and their future remains uncertain as the university has failed to provide a resolution. The association has also accused the university of pressurizing the students to abandon their protests and threatening suspension and fee reimbursements under the Jammu and Kashmir Student Scholarship Scheme.
Speaking out against his ally's stance on Electronic Voting Machines, newly elected Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah criticized the Congress for changing its tune on EVMs after their loss in recent elections. He called for consistency in opinions about the voting mechanism and emphasized that parties should not blame machines for their defeat. Abdullah also expressed his support for the controversial Central Vista project in Delhi, which has further strained relations between the NC and Congress.
The killing of two village defence committee (VDC) members by terrorists in the forest areas of J&K's Kishtwar district has sparked outrage, with political leaders such as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta condemning the act. The VDC members, who were initially given .303 rifles, have now been equipped with automatic weapons to better defend against the terrorists. However, this has made them targets for the terrorists, with incidents like this highlighting the ongoing security concerns in the region.
In a tragic incident, two village defence guards were kidnapped and shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. This attack comes in the wake of a grenade explosion at a Sunday market in Srinagar that left 12 people injured. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to security forces to take swift action and put an end to the recent spate of attacks in the Union Territory.