The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Muttahida Majlise-e-Ulama (MMU), which includes all the heads of religious sects and educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir and led by Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, on Saturday expressed serious concern over a viral video on social media in which a group of outsiders are openly drinking alcohol on a Shikara in Dal Lake.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, MMU strongly condemned this act and the fact that it has been allowed to take place in Kashmir.

While public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited under the law, why and how it has been allowed is a matter of worry, the MMU said.

The Majlis-e-Ulama said, "The people of Kashmir are hospitable and respect tourists visiting the Valley as guests. However, such un-Islamic and unethical practices will not be tolerated in the Muslim-majority valley which is the land of saints and Sufis. Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Islam for its disastrous ill effects and deprivation of society cannot be allowed to go unchecked.”

MMU appealed to hotel owners, houseboat owners and Shikara operators to keep an eye on such wrongdoings and totally stay away from indulging in this un-Islamic and immoral practice for profit. It also appealed to the tourists to respect the moral and religious ethos of Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the Council reiterated its demand for the immediate arrest and appropriate punishment of the student involved in the blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at GMC Srinagar, despite the police having registered an FIR.

It is noteworthy that the United Council of Scholars of Jammu and Kashmir includes the following organizations: Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Darul Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora, Mufti Azam's Muslim Personal Law Board, Anjuman Shari Shian, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, Karwan-e-Islami, Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen, Anjuman Himayat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Tabligh-ul-Islam and Jamiat Hamdania.

Anjuman Ulema-e-Ahnaf, Darul Uloom Qasmiya, Darul Uloom Bilaliya, Anjuman Nusrat-ul-Islam, Anjuman Mazhar-ul-Haq, Jamiat-ul-Aimma wal Ulema, Anjuman Aimma wa Mashaikh Kashmir, Darul Uloom Naqshbandiya, Darul Uloom Rashidiya, Ahl-e-Bait Foundation, Madrasa Kanz-ul-Uloom, Pirwan-e-Wilayat, Auqaf Islamia Khiram Sirhama, Bazm-e-Tauheed Ahl-e-Hadith Trust and Anjuman Tanzeem-ul-Makatib are also part of the council.

Besides, Muhammadi Yateem Trust, Anjuman Anwar-ul-Islam, Karwan Khatm-e-Nabuwat, Darul Uloom Syed-ul-Mursaleen, Anjuman Ulema wa Aimma Masajid, Falah Darain Trust Welfare Society Islamabad, Ashraf-ul-Uloom Hyderpora, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Batamaloo, Darul Uloom Farqaniya Nowshera, Darul Uloom Dawoodiya Khanyar, Jamiat-ul-Ulama Kashmir, Siraj-ul-Uloom are also part of the religious organisation.

The scholar council also includes Idara Wahdat-ul-Makatib Jammu and Kashmir, Darul Uloom Imdadiya Natipora, Darul Uloom Jamia-tur-Rashad Awantipora, Khanqah Muradiya Jamia Masjid Kreeri, Darul Uloom Saut-ul-Quran Gulshan Abad Srinagar and other contemporary religious, national, social, and educational organisations.

SRINAGAR — In a groundbreaking development, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has achieved unprecedented success in its recent auction of liquor shops, with revenues surging to an all-time high of Rs 2280 crore in the fiscal year 2024.

This substantial increase in revenue, as per the official reports, compared to previous years, underscores the efficacy of the state's revamped excise policy, which was implemented three years ago to streamline the auction process and enhance revenue generation.

As per the reports received by the news agency KNO, the auction witnessed fierce bidding wars, culminating in the sale of a liquor shop in Qazigund, Kashmir, for an astounding Rs 5.23 crore.

This historic bid not only marks the highest ever recorded in the erstwhile state but also highlights the growing investment interest in the region's liquor industry. Similarly, a shop in Ramnagar, Udhampur, fetched a commendable Rs 3.41 crore.

"The overwhelming response to the auction demonstrates the buoyancy of the market and the potential for further revenue generation," says an official, adding that we are committed to fostering a conducive business environment and ensuring transparency in the auction process."

The success story of the auction is further underscored by the steady growth in excise revenue over the past few years. In 2020, the department recorded earnings of Rs 1320 crore, followed by Rs 1353 crore in 2021, Rs 1777 crore in 2022, and Rs 1796 crore in 2023, culminating in the historic milestone of Rs 2280 crore in 2024.

Looking ahead, officials anticipate continued financial growth, with 38 liquor shops yet to be auctioned. "We remain optimistic about the prospects for revenue generation in the coming years. With prudent policies and effective management, we aim to maximize revenue streams and contribute to the socio-economic development of Jammu and Kashmir," reports quoting government sources said.

Reports inform that the significant increase in excise revenue is poised to bolster the government's fiscal capabilities, enabling it to invest in critical infrastructure projects, social welfare programs, and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. As the auction process continues to unfold, stakeholders express optimism for sustained economic prosperity and stability in the region.

QAZIGUND — Qazigund town on Srinagar-Jammu Highway in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district observed a complete shutdown against the opening of a liquor shop.

All the shops were seen shut in the town while locals have been demanding immediate closure of the said liquor shop.

“It will be a source of waywardness and give rise to moral corruption. The government is claiming that it has been acting tough against the drug peddlers but allowing wine shops to operate freely. This is duality,” one of the locals said while speaking to the news agency KNT.

Another local said that the opening of a liquor shop will prove counterproductive and disastrous for youth. “It’s time to keep youth away from drugs and liquor and not to encourage them to buy and consume liquor with government permission,” he said.

In the past as well, protests have been witnessed against the opening of liquor shops in different parts of Kashmir Valley.

Recently, Muslims, Sikhs, and Pandits jointly staged a protest against the same issue in north Kashmir’s Uri, forcing the administration to close down the liquor shop.

SRINAGAR — Four militants and their associates have been arrested by police in connection with a grenade blast in which an employee of a newly-opened wine shop was killed and three others were injured in Baramulla district on May 17, officials said on Thursday.

SSP Baramulla Rayees Mohammad Bhat (IPS), while talking exclusively to GNS, said that the militant module of LeT (TRF), "which not only planned the attack on the wine shop recently but was involved in multiple other attacks", was cracked with the arrest of four militants and an associate using “both human and technical resources”.

The officer said that five pistols, 23 grenades, one “suspicious package (likely IED)” besides seven magazines, 205 rounds of ammunition and four cleaning rods along with a bike used in the attack on the wine shop have been seized from their possession. The arrested militants have been identified as Shahid Ahmad, Safeer, Adil Ahmad, Faisal and Atif.

Besides the attack on the wine shop, the module was involved in grenade throwing in town and firing attacks etc over a period of time, the officer said.

The officer said that it is a major success for the police as the module was part of the "Falcon Squad of LeT (TRF)."

At around 2010 hours on May 17, militants hurled a grenade inside the newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh Baramulla, injuring four employees. One of them, Ranjit Singh son of Kishan Lal of Bhakri Rajouri, succumbed to injuries within an hour while three others — Govardhan Singh, Ravi Kumar, both residents of Billawar Kathua and Govind Singh of Kangra Rajouri - are under treatment.

Soon after the attack, police in a statement said that two militants riding on a bike stopped near the wine shop. Subsequently, the pillion rider “wearing a Burka” walked to the porthole of the wine shop and “dropped” a grenade inside it. “Thereafter, (they) fled away on the bike from the spot.”

SRINAGAR — A person was killed and three others injured in a grenade blast inside a newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh in Baramulla district on Tuesday evening.

Official sources told GNS that a militant hurled a grenade at the wine shop this evening which exploded with a bang, leaving four persons, all employees, injured.

The injured were immediately shifted to hospital and one of them — Ranjit Singh (50) from Rajouri — succumbed to the injuries.

A police officer confirmed the grenade blast and told GNS that the attacker disguised himself as a buyer. He identified three other injured persons as Goverdan Singh (35) of Kathua, Govind Singh (35) of Rajouri and Ravi Kumar (36) of Kathua.

He said that the area has been cordoned off and searches have been launched to nab the attacker(s).

“At about 2010 hours, two (militants) riding on a bike stopped near the newly opened wine shop at Dewan Bagh Baramulla. The pillion rider wearing a Burka walked to the window of the wine shop and dropped a grenade inside the wine shop through the porthole window and thereafter fled away on the bike from the spot,” the police said in a statement issued later.

He said, “In this incident, four employees of the shop received splinter injuries. All the injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital. However, one among the injured identified as Ranjit Singh son of Kishan Lal, resident of Bakra Rajouri succumbed to his injuries.”

One among the injured, Govind Singh, he said, has been referred to Srinagar hospital for specialised treatment.

Senior Police officers immediately reached the militant crime spot. The area has been cordoned and searches in the area are going on.

Police, he said, have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law and an investigation is in progress.