The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Kashmir University Ministerial Staff Association (KUMSA), an employee body representing the university's non-teaching staff, has allegedly remained unable to function since 2022, despite members claiming that all formalities sought by the authorities were completed, including submission of its Constitution, details of members and source of income.

Employees and members associated with KUMSA alleged that the association was effectively blocked from functioning after a dispute with the university administration in 2022, but said no written order communicating its suspension, dissolution or prohibition has been made available to them.

According to members, they were asked to submit details concerning the association, including its Constitution, biodata of its members, information regarding its source of income, and clarification on whether the association was political or apolitical. They said all required information and documents were subsequently submitted, yet the association was not allowed to resume its activities.

The employees alleged that the absence of a formal written order has left them without clarity about the legal or administrative basis on which KUMSA's functioning was stopped.

Background

KUMSA has a long history at the University of Kashmir. Members said the association was established in 1978 and has continued to represent non-teaching employees through different administrations and generations of office-bearers. Its office-bearers have represented non-teaching employees in discussions with the university administration for years, while university records also show the association's participation in institutional affairs.

In 2018, the University Council formally considered a request from KUMSA seeking representation in university statutory bodies. The Council did not approve representation up to the level of the Syndicate but resolved that the KUMSA president could be heard by competent bodies on a case-to-case basis.

In February 2021, KUMSA released its revised Constitution at a function attended by then Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, at which the university administration publicly acknowledged the association and its role in representing non-teaching employees.

The association was also actively engaging with the university administration in February 2022, when the university issued a detailed public response to allegations raised by KUMSA. The university spokesperson at the time described some of the association's demands as illegitimate and accused its office-bearers of using pressure tactics, while KUMSA had raised issues concerning employees and administrative functioning.

Employees now allege that following the developments of 2022, the association's functioning was effectively brought to a halt.

Welfare role

Employees said the impact has gone beyond representation of employees on service-related matters, claiming that KUMSA had also been functioning as a welfare mechanism for non-teaching staff, particularly retired employees and those facing serious health or other personal difficulties.

Some members told the news agency KNT that employees contributed around ₹300 each month towards the association's welfare activities, and that the collected funds were used to provide assistance to employees in need. They alleged that the association had extended support to retired employees and staff members suffering from different ailments, and had provided a platform through which employees could collectively raise their grievances before the administration.

Some members alleged that certain officers who were uncomfortable with an employee body seeking accountability were instrumental in ensuring that the association remained non-functional. This allegation could not be independently established.

Comparison with Jammu University, demands

The employees said the absence of an active association has weakened their collective ability to raise issues concerning service conditions, welfare and administrative decisions.

They also pointed to Jammu University, saying its non-teaching employees continue to have an organized representative body, and questioned why a similar arrangement should not be permitted at the University of Kashmir.

The members are seeking the immediate restoration of the association's functioning and have urged university authorities to clarify its status through formal written communication rather than keeping employees in uncertainty. They said that if there is any legal or administrative impediment to KUMSA's functioning, the authorities should communicate it formally and provide the association an opportunity to address any deficiencies. If all required formalities have already been fulfilled, they demanded that the association be allowed to function normally.

SRINAGAR — Police have issued lookout notices for two persons accused in separate POCSO cases after they allegedly escaped from Central Jail Srinagar, officials said on Sunday.

A top police officer confirmed the incident to the news agency KNO, saying the two accused, who were lodged in Central Jail Srinagar in connection with separate POCSO cases, had fled from the jail. Following their escape, lookout notices have been issued to trace and apprehend them.

According to the notices shared by Kashmir Zone Police on X, Mukhtar Ahmad Gujjar, son of Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar, a resident of Sanglan Chittergul, Anantnag, is wanted in FIR No. 20/2026, registered at Police Station Soura under Sections 137(2) and 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act.

The second accused, Farman Khan, son of Abdul Gani Khan, a resident of Sadanpora Ragistan, is wanted in FIR No. 19/2026, registered at Police Station Lar under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the BNS and Sections 3/4 of the POCSO Act, the notice stated.

Police have appealed to the public to share any information that could help in tracing and arresting the two accused. "Information leading to their arrest will be suitably rewarded," police said.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts has been asked to contact the nearest police station or dial 112.

Further investigation and efforts to trace the escaped accused are underway.

BARAMULLA — National Conference MP for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir had continued to lose its powers over the years, while its political leadership had failed to regain them.

Speaking to reporters during an interaction in Baramulla, Ruhullah told the news agency KNO that his criticism was not directed at any individual or political party but reflected the broader political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

"J&K has always lost things and not gained, from statehood to Article 370. Politically, J&K has not gained anything right from the outset," he said.

Criticism of NC's approach

Questioning the National Conference's approach after coming to power, Ruhullah alleged that the party had changed its position on the rights lost after 2019.

He said people had placed their trust in the NC during the 2024 Assembly elections based on commitments made regarding the restoration of those rights.

"I ask only for the rights which we told people during election campaigning. It is the party's words too and not mine alone. Kashmiris put trust in NC on the rights lost after 2019," he said.

Ruhullah further questioned why elected representatives and party members could not raise concerns if they believed the party leadership had deviated from its commitments. "Why can't I raise issues against the party? We are not slaves of the party. We can raise genuine questions if the party is not on track," he said.

Remarks on statehood focus

The MP questioned the growing focus on restoration of statehood, saying it was not the only issue that had formed part of the NC's political agenda. He recalled that NC vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier criticised those who focused only on statehood, adding that the party's political agenda extended beyond restoration of statehood.

Ruhullah said political parties are accountable to the people and should remain open to questions from those who had supported them.

"Parties are accountable to people, not above questions," he said, asserting that raising concerns over unfulfilled commitments should not be treated as opposition to the party.

He added that his position was aimed at ensuring that the issues and rights promised to people during the election campaign remained part of the political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir.