SRINAGAR
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has volunteered to resign if 75 per cent of Jammu and Kashmir’s population believes that no welfare work has been done for them. He was responding to Rahul Gandhi’s statement that Sinha is a Maharaja. Speaking during a TV programme at Dal Lake, Sinha asserted the significant improvement in the region’s situation, citing late-night dining and snowball games as examples of increased normalcy. Then he claimed that 85 percent of Kashmiri Pandits are content with the facilities provided to them. Responding to opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent criticism comparing him to past kings, Sinha proposed a secret ballot to gauge public sentiment post-Article 370 abrogation.
BISHNAH
BJP is facing music within and it is less audible from outside. The party faced significant setbacks with the defection of former Bishnah MLA Kamal Arora and Rinku Arora to the National Conference (NC), following dissatisfaction with the party’s policies. Kamal expressed disillusionment with the BJP, asserting confidence in Abdullah’s leadership and the NC’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir. Concurrently, BJP dissidents Chander Mohan Sharma and Pawan Khajuria announced independent candidacies after being overlooked for party tickets. Sharma, a veteran BJP worker, filed his nomination from Jammu East, criticising the party for neglecting women’s representation. Khajuria, contesting from Udhampur East, described his campaign as a fight between the “real and fake” BJP, stating that his fight was not against the party, but the candidate it had selected. Both dissidents highlighted internal party dissatisfaction, adding to the BJP’s challenges ahead of the upcoming elections.
BANDIPORE
Hafiz Mohammad Sikander Malik, a former leader of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, filed his nomination for the Assembly elections from Bandipore while wearing a Jammu Kashmir Police fixed GPS anklet that monitors his movements. Malik, who spent four years in jail post-Article 370 abrogation, expressed his intent to challenge this restrictive measure if elected. In this election nine candidates are in the contest and then many others who are expected to get the party’s support. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, however, criticised the government’s contradictory actions, accusing the BJP of fielding proxy candidates under JeI’s banner while its real members remain jailed. She called for lifting the ban on JeI, reopening its institutions, and allowing its leaders to contest elections without pressure from investigative agencies like the NIA and ED.
SRINAGAR
A female officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has accused a Wing Commander of sexually assaulting her at Air Force Station, Srinagar. The incident reportedly occurred during a New Year’s Eve party on December 31, 2023. Following the assault, the officer lodged a formal complaint with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, leading to the registration of an FIR under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape). In her complaint, the officer alleged that the Wing Commander lured her to his room on the pretext of offering a gift, where the assault took place. Despite resisting and attempting to leave, the officer claimed she was forced to perform sexual acts. The officer initially hesitated to report the incident due to mental trauma but eventually sought justice after confiding in colleagues. The officer further accused senior IAF officials of mishandling her complaint, stating that the internal inquiry was biased and conducted in violation of regulations. Witnesses were reportedly barred from testifying, and her medical examination was delayed until the last day of the investigation. Frustrated by the lack of action, the officer approached the JK Police, where the case is now under investigation.
SRINAGAR
In response to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s comments on a 2016 dialogue initiative, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq stated that Hurriyat has never opposed dialogue and has consistently advocated engagement as a solution for Kashmir. In a statement, Mirwaiz expressed surprise, claiming it was the first time Hurriyat learned that the 2016 initiative was initiated by Delhi. He highlighted that Hurriyat has always supported meaningful dialogue that addresses the political aspirations of Jammu and Kashmir’s people. Rajnath Singh, during election rallies in J&K, mentioned that four Opposition MPs were sent in 2016 to talk to Hurriyat leaders, but they were denied meetings. The Mirwaiz recalled meeting Asaduddin Owaisi in a detention centre in Srinagar in 2016, where Hurriyat requested the government to stop killings and allow its leaders to consult before engaging with the delegation. Mirwaiz emphasized that Hurriyat has participated in all dialogue initiatives with former Indian Prime Ministers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. He reiterated that dialogue is essential for peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir and is not driven by any personal gain or power for Hurriyat.
BANIHAL
CongressmanVikar Rasool Wani has openly criticised the National Conference (NC) and its leaders, particularly Omar Abdullah, in a rally in Banihal. Wani accused the Abdullah family, of failing to deliver any developmental projects in Banihal during their rule. He claimed that despite being part of the NC-Congress coalition government, he had to push for the creation of new administrative units in Banihal, including sub-districts, tehsils, and blocks, which NC leaders initially prioritised for their own constituencies. Wani alleged that Omar and his NC consider the people of Banihal as second-class citizens. He was reacting to Omar’s speech, in which he was targeted: “We know that you suck people’s bloods… and if anybody has seen the worst of that, it is Banihal… You people did not give anything to Banihal and today you try to purchase them with money.”