NC, PDP, AIP MLAs submit private bills, seeking ban on alcohol in J&K

‘Liquor has no place in our spiritually rich society’

Srinagar, Feb 12 (KNO): Ahead of the Budget session, three Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have submitted the private bills, demanding ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), three MLAs associated with different political parties have introduced private bills, seeking the closure of wine shops and also a complete ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol.

NC MLA from Lal Chowk Ahsan Pardesi has introduced a private bill. He told KNO that the alcohol sales violate the region’s deeply rooted traditions, where Islam strictly forbids intoxicants.

“The unchecked sale of alcohol disregards the religious and cultural ethos of Kashmir. Our heritage has always stood against intoxicants, and this bill is a step toward preserving those values,” he added.

“Alcohol is not merely a personal indulgence; its repercussions reverberate across society. At a time when we are already grappling with a severe drug crisis, facilitating access to alcohol will only exacerbate the problem. If decisive action is not taken, it will erode the moral and social fabric of our communities,” he added.

PDP MLA from Kupwara assembly constituency, Mir Mohammad Fayaz said that alcohol can be banned in Gujarat, when not in J&K, which is a Muslim majority state. “I have heard that the NC MLA too has filed a private bill, which is aappreciable. We should get united and fight this nuisance to eliminate it from our society,” he said.

AIP legislator from Langate, Sheikh Khurshid Ahmad has also submitted a private bill in this regard. AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said that MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad was the first to submit a bill in the J&K Legislative Assembly demanding a complete ban on alcohol.

“Liquor has no place in our spiritually rich society. A land known as ‘Reshwa’er’ (the land of saints) should not be tainted by alcohol trade. Since 2009 Er Rashid has been fighting against this menace and AIP remains steadfast in its mission to declare J&K a dry state,” he said.

AIP also spearheaded the move to ban online gaming, which has led to financial and emotional ruin for countless families. “Unregulated online gaming has pushed many young people into gambling addiction and debt. This must be curbed before it causes more devastation,” Inam Un Nabi said—(KNO)

Kashmir gears up to observe Shab-e-Barat

Mirwaiz to deliver sermon at Jamia Masjid, large gathering expected in Hazratbal

Srinagar, Feb 12 (KNO): Kashmir is set to observe the sacred occasion of Shab-e-Barat on Thursday night with religious fervor, as large gatherings are expected at key shrines, including Dargah Hazratbal and Jamia Masjid Srinagar.

Worshippers will engage in night-long prayers, seeking divine blessings and forgiveness.

As per the details collected by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), at Hazratbal Shrine thousands of devotees are expected to converge for special prayers. “The shrine administration has made necessary arrangements to accommodate the gathering, ensuring the smooth conduct of religious activities,” said an official from Hazratbal shrine.

Meanwhile, Anjuman Auqaf Jamia Masjid Srinagar has announced that Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir, Dr. Molvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, will deliver a sermon after Maghrib prayers at 7:30 PM, highlighting the significance and virtues of Shab-e-Barat.

The Auqaf said the sermon will be followed by a collective session of repentance and supplication (Tawba & Istighfar), and Isha prayers will be offered at 9:00 PM. “Notably, the arrival of Mirwaiz to Jamia Masjid is scheduled as per the allowance from authorities.”

Devotees across Kashmir have expressed enthusiasm for the occasion, with many preparing to spend the night in prayers and seeking divine mercy.

Muhammad Yaseen, a devotee from Srinagar, said Shab-e-Barat is a night of forgiveness, and we spend it in deep prayers, asking for Allah’s blessings for ourselves and our loved ones.

Another local, Shahzan, said for us, this is a time of spiritual reflection. The atmosphere in Hazratbal, Jamia Masjid, and other places in the valley is always filled with devotion, and I am hoping to offer prayers either at Jamia or at Hazratbal Srinagar.

Notably, Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 14th of Sha’ban and holds immense religious significance in Islam, as it is believed to be “the night when destinies are recorded, and Allah’s mercy is abundant upon those who seek forgiveness.” Moreover, authorities have urged devotees to maintain discipline during the gatherings. “Necessary arrangements, including security measures and sanitation facilities, have been put in place at major religious sites,” said an official—(KNO)

Issuance of passport can’t be denied for relatives’ involvement in anti-national activities: J&K HC

Srinagar, Feb 12: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has ruled that a person cannot be denied a passport merely because his relatives were involved in anti-national activities.

“This court is of the considered opinion that there is no reason to not recommend the case of the petitioner for issuance of passport just for the involvement of his brother in militancy activities in the year 2011, when he was killed, and the listing of his father as an OGW (overground worker of a terror outfit) for grant of passport in his favour,” Justice M A Chowdhary said in his order while disposing of a petition on Tuesday.

The court allowed the petition filed by Mohammad Amir Malik, a diploma holder in engineering who had applied for the issuance of a passport for travelling abroad to search for a job.

The passport-issuing authority cannot issue travel documents without a clearance from the additional director general of police (ADGP) in the CID.

Malik, a resident of Ramban, filed the petition as the CID headquarters did not give a clearance for the issuance of his passport for his slain brother’s militancy links.

“It should have been the activities of the petitioner, which should have formed the basis either for permitting or rejecting the request for issuance of a passport in his favour. The basis for not recommending the case of the petitioner for the issuance of a passport does not have any reasonable relation or nexus with the activities of the petitioner, as the same does not even remotely connect the petitioner with any activity which could be termed as prejudicial to the security, sovereignty and integrity of the state or the country,” the bench observed.

It directed the ADGP, CID to re-submit the report, “uninfluenced by the conduct or activities of the brother of the petitioner as well as his father”, to the regional passport officer within four weeks and said the latter shall consider the petitioner’s case on the ADGP’s report and pass an appropriate order in his favour within two weeks thereafter.

The court order was welcomed by the People’s Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“The honourable High Court’s decision of not denying a passport to an individual for merely being related to a militant is certainly a step in the right direction. Given how even the basic fundamental right to travel is being weaponised brutally since 2019 in Jammu and Kashmir,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X.

“There are countless cases pending in passport offices awaiting clearance from the CID department. Not only are passports denied to such individuals but also journalists, students and also job seekers who despite fulfilling the pre requisites for government positions are also denied jobs only because of a negative report given by CID. The status of the related militant — whether dead or alive — seems irrelevant. Unfortunately this policy has even been extended to individuals even remote related to Jamaat-e-Islami party members as well,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.

People’s Conference president Sajad Lone said the verdict sets a powerful precedent for thousands facing similar discrimination.

“I feel optimistic that a comprehensive ruling along these lines will soon be issued in response to our party’s petition,” he said.

Welcoming the court’s decision, Lone reaffirmed that an individual’s rights must be determined solely by their own actions, not by the circumstances of their relatives.

“This should have happened much earlier, but better late than never. I am hopeful that this ruling will be extended across Jammu and Kashmir and that our petition will be addressed at the earliest to ensure uniform application,” he said.

Lone expressed confidence that the ruling would rectify systemic flaws and provide long-overdue relief, particularly to the youngsters of Jammu and Kashmir, who have often been subjected to unwarranted restrictions.

“If the effect of this judgment is extended across Jammu and Kashmir, it will help ensure that our youth are not unfairly penalised and that they are given the same opportunities as their peers in the rest of the country,” he added.–(PTI)

Jammu & Kashmir Traffic Police Advisory and Traffic Plan for February 13, 2025

Current Road Conditions on Jammu-Srinagar NH-44

The Jammu & Kashmir Traffic Police Headquarters has issued an advisory regarding the movement of vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). From February 11, 2025, at 1700 hrs. to February 12, 2025, at 1700 hrs., slow traffic movement was observed due to the breakdown of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), single-lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather, as well as ongoing four-lane construction work.

Important Travel Advisory for Commuters:

1. Daytime Travel Recommended: Passengers and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) operators are advised to travel during daylight hours due to the risk of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.
2. Goods Carrier Advisory: HMV/LMV operators transporting fresh perishables and livestock must follow traffic police advisories as the road remains in poor condition at Dalwas, Mehad, and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather.
3. HMV Operators’ Guidelines: Overloading is strictly prohibited, and vehicles must carry sufficient fuel. Vehicle owners should ensure the fitness of their vehicles before traveling.
4. HMV Movement via Dhar Road: Only HMVs with 06 and 10 tyres will be permitted to travel through Dhar Road.
5. Avoid Unnecessary Stops: Commuters must avoid halting between Ramban and Banihal, particularly in landslide-prone areas.

Traffic Plan for February 13, 2025

Jammu-Srinagar NH-44

• Subject to fair weather and improved road conditions, LMVs (passenger and private vehicles) and HMVs will be allowed to travel in both directions on NH-44.
• Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with TCU Ramban for real-time road condition updates.
• Travelers are urged to check the latest NH-44 status on the J&K Traffic Police’s Twitter handle and Facebook page before starting their journey.

Security Forces Convoy Movement

• If weather and road conditions permit, Security Forces convoys will be allowed to travel in both directions on NH-44.

Status of Other Key Roads

Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244

• This route remains closed as per the advisory issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kokernag (Ref: SDM/KNG/2024-25/3139-45 dated 16-01-2025).

Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) Road

• One-way traffic will be permitted from Srinagar to Kargil, starting with LMVs, followed by HMVs (up to 06 tyres) equipped with anti-skid chains.
• Vehicles will be allowed to travel from Sonamarg to Kargil between 1000 hrs and 1500 hrs. No vehicle will be permitted beyond the cutoff time.
• Mandatory: Motorists must carry anti-skid chains for better grip on slippery roads.

Mughal Road

• The road remains closed due to heavy snow accumulation, as per the District Magistrate Poonch’s order (Ref: DMP/JC/7273-92 dated 18-01-2025).

Bhaderwah-Chamba Road

• The road remains closed due to snow accumulation.

Public Advisory

Before Traveling, Confirm Road Status

To avoid inconvenience, travelers must verify road conditions with Traffic Control Units:

• Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
• Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 0194-2485396, 18001807091, 103
• Ramban: 9419993745, 1800-180-7043
• Udhampur: 8491928625
• PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100
• PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331

Stay updated with official sources to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey.