The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Kashmir Police have arrested 1,941 persons in more than 1,500 narcotics-related cases this year, seized 1,711 kilograms of contraband and attached properties worth ₹154 crore belonging to alleged drug traffickers, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar Singh said on Thursday, describing the scale of enforcement as part of an intensified campaign against the drug menace.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the IGP said police had also frozen 567 bank accounts and recovered approximately ₹10.11 crore in cash. Around 2,111 kanals of land under illicit cultivation had been cleared as part of the drive.

Beyond the enforcement figures, Kumar made a direct appeal to families battling drug addiction, particularly mothers struggling to save their children from substance abuse. He urged them not to remain silent or hesitate to approach the police, assuring them that their identities would be kept confidential and every possible assistance would be extended.

He said families could approach any police station for help, after which the police would facilitate treatment and rehabilitation through available de-addiction facilities.

The IGP also flagged the growing scale of cyber fraud in Kashmir, revealing that 12,385 complaints involving more than ₹54 crore had been received this year. Police have recovered around ₹7.48 crore, while efforts are underway to trace and recover the remaining amount.

He said 93 FIRs had been registered in cyber fraud cases, including seven involving mule bank accounts. Warning young people against becoming unwitting participants in organised financial fraud, he cautioned them not to lend their bank accounts, mobile numbers or identities to others for suspicious transactions.

Turning to road safety, Kumar expressed concern over reckless driving, dangerous biking, triple riding, modified silencers and high-speed stunts, particularly among youngsters. He said traffic enforcement had been intensified during both daytime and night hours to curb violations and prevent accidents.

He urged young people to abandon practices that endanger their own lives and those of other road users, while respecting pedestrians, elderly people and sick residents who are particularly affected by unnecessary noise and reckless driving.

The IGP also called upon youth to use social media as a tool for positive change, encouraging them to create videos and reels that motivate others to reject drug addiction, discourage stunt biking and promote responsible behaviour.

He said the police would support constructive initiatives by young people, stressing that social media should be used to influence society positively rather than promote dangerous practices.

Kumar emphasised that tackling drug addiction, cybercrime and road safety violations required collective responsibility, with families, elders, youth and civil society playing an equally important role alongside law enforcement agencies. 

SRINAGAR — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was on Thursday unanimously re-elected as the party president during a meeting of the party's Electoral College.

The election process witnessed a single proposal for the top post, with senior party leader Abdul Rehman Veeri proposing Mehbooba Mufti's name for another term.

The proposal was seconded by senior leader Khursheed Alam, who urged members of the Electoral College to extend their wholehearted support.

The presiding officer subsequently sought the opinion of the members and asked whether anyone else wished to contest the election. With no other candidate coming forward, Mehbooba Mufti's candidature was unanimously approved through a show of hands.

The members later signed the proposal papers individually, completing the formal election process.

PULWAMA — Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday visited AIIMS Awantipora in south Kashmir and reviewed the progress of the institute, with the MBBS student intake set to increase from 50 to 120 seats.

The expansion of the MBBS intake is expected to strengthen medical education at the institute and contribute to improving healthcare services in the region.

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo expressed happiness over the development, saying the increased intake would help strengthen the medical sector and improve patient care.

During the review, Nadda stressed that AIIMS Awantipora should be made functional as early as possible. The institute's Outpatient Department (OPD) services are also expected to commence soon, marking an important step towards making specialised healthcare available to people in Jammu and Kashmir.

During the visit, the Health and Medical Education Minister also raised the issue of a Kashmiri MBBS student from Sopore whose mortal remains are in Bangladesh, requesting Nadda's intervention to facilitate their repatriation.

The mother of the deceased student also met the Union Health Minister and personally appealed for the return of her son's body to Kashmir so that the family could perform his last rites.

The matter was brought to Nadda's attention during his visit, with the family seeking urgent assistance from the Union Government.