The Kashmir Pulse

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.

JAMMU — Fencers Shreya Gupta and Vishal Thappar from Jammu and Kashmir have earned selection to represent India at the upcoming Asian Games 2026, marking the first time fencers from the region have been selected for the event.

The 2026 Asian Games, the 20th Asiad, will be held in Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The multi-sport event will feature 43 regular sports and six new event additions.

The duo will compete in the Sabre event. Shreya has been selected for both the individual and team events, while Vishal has been selected for the team event.

The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council extended congratulations to Shreya and Vishal on their selection for the Asian Games 2026.