The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — Pulwama Police have registered an FIR against Showkat Gayoor following a complaint alleging repeated demands for money, threats, obstruction of vehicles and harassment of a man engaged in extraction and transportation of soil for work being undertaken for Gurudwara Parbandhak, Barthana.

According to FIR No. 0145/2026, registered at Police Station Pulwama on August 10, the complainant, Mohammad Yaseen Ganie of Suthsoo BK Pora, Budgam, alleged that Gayoor had been repeatedly interfering with the work despite the complainant claiming to possess permission from the competent authorities for extraction and transportation of soil.

The FIR states that the accused allegedly demanded ₹5 lakh from the complainant and threatened to prevent him from continuing the work if the demand was not met.

Alleged obstruction at work site

The complaint further alleges that on August 8, at around 10:50 am, Gayoor reached the work site at Parigam and placed his personal vehicle in front of the complainant's vehicles, allegedly preventing them from moving.

The complainant alleged that the accused subsequently abused and threatened drivers and workers at the site and recorded videos on his mobile phone while accusing them of carrying out illegal work.

According to the complaint, when the workers questioned the alleged obstruction, the accused threatened them with action under the Public Safety Act, allegedly telling them he would "book them under PSA." The complainant further alleged that the accused had repeatedly invoked the threat of PSA action against him in an attempt to pressure him into meeting the alleged monetary demands.

Alleged prior payments

The FIR also contains an allegation that ₹54,000 had already been paid to the accused under alleged pressure. The complainant stated that ₹50,000 was paid on November 21, 2025, followed by another payment of ₹4,000 on November 22, 2025.

The complainant alleged that the payments were not voluntary and were made amid what he described as continuous threats, intimidation and obstruction of his lawful work.

Police have registered the case under Sections 126(2), 351(2), 308(2) and 308(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The FIR identifies Bashir Ahmad Dar, Assistant Sub-Inspector, as the investigating officer.

The complaint has also sought verification of the alleged payments, examination of drivers and workers present during the incidents, and investigation into whether similar demands were allegedly made from others.

SRINAGAR — Former National Conference parliamentarian and then-NC election in-charge Abdul Rashid Kabuli has alleged that he personally witnessed rigging of the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, claiming National Conference candidates were instructed to be declared winners even when they had not secured the required votes.

In a video interview with the news agency KNT, Kabuli alleged that the manipulation was carried out at the counting stage and claimed that all counting officers were assembled before then-NC president Farooq Abdullah and instructed to declare NC candidates victorious regardless of the actual votes polled.

Kabuli cited the Amira Kadal constituency as an example, alleging that NC candidate Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah was losing to Muslim United Front candidate Molvi Mohammad Yousuf — now known as Syed Salahuddin — but was nevertheless declared the winner.

"I was in charge of elections for the National Conference and am a witness to how the elections were rigged," Kabuli said.

He claimed he objected when Shah was declared the winner despite allegedly trailing the Muslim United Front candidate, but was told by then-NC General Secretary Sheikh Nazir that the manipulation had to be carried out to "save the foundation of the party."

Kabuli alleged the process extended beyond a single constituency, claiming counting officers had been given blanket instructions regarding NC candidates.

"It was a rigged election that devastated Kashmir," he said, describing the 1987 election as having consequences far beyond the electoral process itself.

Allegations against Farooq Abdullah

Kabuli also alleged that former chief minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah was driven by a desire to retain political power, and claimed the interests of the people were compromised for the sake of his position.

"He was power hungry, cared a fig for the people and clung to his chair," Kabuli alleged.

The former NC parliamentarian additionally alleged that the Government of India had been willing to release Kashmiri separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, but that Farooq Abdullah became the biggest obstacle to this. Kabuli said that, as a Member of Parliament, he had personally attempted to persuade the Government of India to secure Bhat's release, but alleged that Abdullah opposed the effort.

He further alleged that Abdullah sent the then Director General of Police to Delhi with instructions that Bhat's mortal remains should be buried inside Tihar Jail following his execution.

Kabuli claimed that even Begum Abdullah had advised Farooq Abdullah against this course of action, telling him that if he resigned, he would instead gain greater sympathy and support among the people.

Kabuli said the developments surrounding the 1987 elections and the subsequent political decisions had left a deep imprint on Kashmir's political history.

SRINAGAR — A four-member government-constituted committee studying demographic changes across different parts of the country arrived in Jammu on Monday for a three-day visit, officials said.

Soon after its arrival, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat met the panel at a hotel as part of its consultations with senior officials. The committee was briefed on the demographic profile of Jammu and Kashmir and changing population trends, officials said.

The panel is scheduled to continue its engagements till August 12 and will visit several areas of Jammu, including settlements inhabited by Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, as well as areas along the International Border considered sensitive from security and administrative perspectives.

Background of the committee

The Centre had constituted the high-level committee in May under the chairmanship of retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar to study demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal factors and suggest measures to address them.

The committee comprises the Census Commissioner and three experts — Durga Shankar Mishra, a retired IAS officer; Balaji Srivastava, a retired IPS officer; and economist Shamika Ravi. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs is the Member Secretary.

The committee's visit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the "High-powered Demography Mission" on August 15 last year. The Union Cabinet approved the mission on September 11.

Officials said a detailed presentation on the demographic overview and changing trends in Jammu and Kashmir was made before the Chief Secretary and DGP met the panel.

Background data

According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are settled in Jammu and Samba districts, with their population having increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016.

In March 2021, police identified more than 270 Rohingyas, including women and children, during a verification drive in Jammu city and lodged them at a holding centre inside the Kathua Sub-Jail.

The presence of illegal foreign immigrants, particularly Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, has previously drawn concerns from BJP leaders and right-wing groups, who have sought identification and deportation of those residing illegally in the region.

The committee's assessment is expected to examine demographic trends and associated administrative and security concerns during its engagements in Jammu.