The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared on Monday at a rally in Srinagar that he would ensure that Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is restored and that outsiders do not rule the erstwhile state.

Addressing a rally in Shalteng area, he said, "We want to give you statehood so that you can choose your own development, and I guarantee you, not outsiders, who are ruling as king here, will rule you."

Gandhi assured the crowd that Congress would pressure the BJP to restore statehood. "If they don't, I guarantee we will."

Gandhi reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, criticizing the BJP government's decision to revoke it as a "historic injustice." "Normally, Union Territories are upgraded to States, but they downgraded a State to a UT," he said.

He lambasted the BJP's divisive politics, fostering hatred and prioritizing billionaires' interests. "They made one language fight another, one state against another, and brother against brother."

Gandhi shared his experiences from the Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he travelled 4,000 kilometres to spread love and unity. "Wherever they sowed seeds of hatred, we sowed seeds of love and harmony."

He criticized the BJP government's economic policies, pointing out the waiver of Rs 16 lakh crore loans for 25 select individuals while neglecting the poor, farmers and youth. "They have destroyed small businesses with GST and failed to provide employment."

The Congress leader promised to provide 1 lakh jobs and Rs 3000 unemployment stipend to J&K youth. "We want J&K to regain its autonomy, take its own decisions, and develop."

SRINAGAR — An SPO of Traffic Police Srinagar was killed while two others were injured in a road accident in Maloora Shalteng area of central Kashmir's Srinagar district on Monday afternoon.

Sources said that a speedy truck ran out of control and hit three persons identified as Zahoor Ahmad, an SPO in Traffic Police Srinagar, Zahid Ahmad Bhat, resident of Maloora and Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, resident of Pulwama in Maloora this afternoon.

They said that all the injured persons were rushed to JVC Hospital Bemina for treatment, where Zahoor Ahmad was declared dead and two others are being treated.

Meanwhile, police have taken cognizance of the incident and an investigation has been launched to ascertain the facts.

SRINAGAR — A land of around 1 kanal recorded in the possession of SMC (State land) under Khasra No. 437 Min in Estate Rampora in Tehsil Shalteng in summer capital Srinagar, that was transferred in favour of a private individual through auction notice, was sealed by Srinagar administration on Saturday.

Reports said that the plot is State land and is located at a prime location on Batamaloo-Qamarwari road worth several crores, but the same was allotted at a petty nominal rate through auction notice.

The Revenue Department Srinagar had taken cognizance of the matter and sought details from SMC, but the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has not replied to the verifications and inquiries of the Revenue Department so far.

Presently, a shopping complex was being constructed on the same land with permission from SMC.

On Saturday, acting on the news report carried by Srinagar-based news agency KDC, a team of the Srinagar administration sealed the complex and said the trespasser shall be dealt with seriously under the law as it is the government property.