GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

Day: January 19, 2026

  • DC, SSP Rajouri chair 41st NCORD meeting to strengthen fight against drug abuse & trafficking

    DC, SSP Rajouri chair 41st NCORD meeting to strengthen fight against drug abuse & trafficking

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    RAJOURI, JANUARY 19:-Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, along with SSP Rajouri, Gaurav Sikarwar, today chaired the 41st meeting of the District Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Committee to review measures for combating drug abuse and trafficking in the district and to ensure effective implementation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

    During the meeting, the DC and SSP emphasized a coordinated, multi-departmental approach to curb the menace of drugs. They directed that NCORD Committees constituted at the Tehsil level shall hold regular meetings in every tehsil, in close coordination with all concerned departments, to ensure ground-level monitoring and enforcement.

    To strengthen surveillance and accountability, directions were issued to seal shops which have not installed CCTV cameras or are operating without computerized billing systems.
    ARTO was directed to encourag voluntary installation of CCTV cameras in auto-rickshaws by owners to enhance public safety and monitoring.

    The Youth Services & Sports (YSS) Department was directed to intensify awareness activities in colleges and universities, in addition to ongoing programmes in schools, to sensitize youth about the ill-effects of drug abuse.

    The meeting also reviewed the status of recovered patients, including their engagement in skill development and livelihood-oriented training.
    Security-related aspects were also discussed, including surveillance and monitoring near the Line of Control (LoC) and vigilance against drone movements.

    DC directed the Chief Education Officer (CEO) to ensure installation of CCTV cameras at the entrance gates of all Higher Secondary Schools (HSSs) across the district and to issue an advisory restricting the use of mobile phones by students in schools.

    DC further reviewed the training imparted to trainers, including Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Anganwadi Workers, under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Stress was also laid on installation of street lights, close monitoring of abandoned buildings, and reviewing the status of CCTV camera installation in Panchayat Ghars.

    The meeting was attended by ADC Rajouri Chander Prakash; ACD Auqil Naveed; DSWO Abdul Raheem; CMO Dr. Manohar Lal Rana; CEO Mohammad Hafeez; Tehsildar Headquarters Insha Khalid; CAO Rajesh Verma; DFO Naveed Mughal; ARTO Rajesh Gupta; DYSSO Wali Mohammad, besides other district and sectoral officers.

  • Vande Mataram Phase II Celebrations: GPGC Rajouri organises Mega Rally

    Vande Mataram Phase II Celebrations: GPGC Rajouri organises Mega Rally

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    RAJOURI, JANUARY 19:-To celebrate the spirit of Vande Mataram, Government Postgraduate College (GPGC) Rajouri on Monday started a special series of events. A mega rally under the banner “Vande Mataram Phase II” was organised on the college campus.

    Principal of the college, Dr. Anwer Shah highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Vande Mataram as a powerful symbol of India’s freedom struggle and national unity. He appreciated the efforts of the organisers and students, emphasising that such cultural and patriotic activities play a vital role in nurturing values of unity, integrity, discipline and responsibility among the youth.

    Dr. Shah flagged off the rally, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 550 students and staff members. The rally commenced from the Girls’ Park, traversed the surrounding areas of the college and culminated at the main gate of the institution. Participants raised spirited slogans of Vande Mataram and carried placards reflecting patriotic themes.

    Earlier, Prof. Khaleeq Qazi, Nodal Officer for Vande Mataram, delivered a detailed address highlighting the importance and objectives of the initiative.

  • Mehbooba Mufti Urges Filling of Vacant Posts, Calls Law University Debate a Diversion

    Mehbooba Mufti Urges Filling of Vacant Posts, Calls Law University Debate a Diversion

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    RAJOURI JANUARY 19:-PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday chaired a public interaction programme titled ‘Gal Baat’ in Rajouri, where she addressed a range of political, administrative and developmental issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

    During the interaction, Mehbooba Mufti urged the government to take immediate steps to fill vacant posts across departments to overcome staff shortages. Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that the Union government is extending support to the J&K administration, she said that recruitment to vacant positions should be expedited without delay.

    “At least the vacant posts should be filled to address the acute staff crunch in various departments,” she said, stressing the need for swift recruitment processes.

    Commenting on the controversy surrounding the establishment of a Law University, Mehbooba Mufti termed it a diversionary issue. She clarified that the Law University Bill was passed during her tenure as Chief Minister and that she had proposed reservations for local students, although the initiative could not be taken to its logical conclusion.

    The ‘Gal Baat’ programme in Rajouri was part of the PDP’s broader initiative to engage directly with civil society across Jammu and Kashmir. The event witnessed participation from people belonging to different sections of society, who raised various issues affecting the common masses.

  • Pt. Abhay Sopori Honoured for Contributions to Music and Culture of Kashmir

    Pt. Abhay Sopori Honoured for Contributions to Music and Culture of Kashmir

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    SRINAGAR JANUARY, 19:-Renowned Santoor maestro Pt. Abhay Sopori dedicated his research and artistic journey to his father and guru, the legendary saint musician Pandit Bhajan Sopori, to the Santoor, the music of Kashmir, and to the people of Kashmir for preserving and safeguarding the region’s rich musical and cultural heritage for thousands of years.

    Pt. Sopori, who has served as Visiting Faculty at the University of Massachusetts, USA, and as Guest Professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China, is widely regarded as a cultural icon of Jammu and Kashmir. He has played a pivotal role in shaping cultural policy in the region, facilitating the inclusion of music as an academic subject in colleges, and initiating new academic streams in colleges and universities, thereby creating fresh employment opportunities for the youth. He has also been instrumental in paving the way for the introduction of the postgraduate programme in Hindustani Music in Kashmir.

    The award ceremony concluded with a captivating Santoor recital by Pt. Abhay Sopori in Raga Kaushik Ranjani, presented in the distinctive Sopori Baaj—a style created by his father and guru, Pandit Bhajan Sopori. The performance was received with resounding applause from the audience, marking a fitting tribute to Kashmir’s enduring musical legacy.

  • IMD Issues Weather Advisory for J&K as Two Western Disturbances Set to Bring Rain, Snow

    IMD Issues Weather Advisory for J&K as Two Western Disturbances Set to Bring Rain, Snow

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    SRINAGAR JAN, 19:-The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather advisory warning of two back-to-back Western Disturbances likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas later this month, bringing widespread rainfall and snowfall across the region.

    According to the Meteorological Centre, Rambagh, Srinagar, the first and more intense system is expected to impact the region from January 22 to 24, while a second, moderate spell is likely during the night of January 26 till the forenoon of January 28, 2026. The peak activity of these systems is forecast on January 23 and January 27, respectively.

    Under the influence of these Western Disturbances, widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall is expected, with heavy rainfall/snowfall at a few places, particularly over the Pir Panjal range. Areas likely to be affected include the Chenab Valley of Jammu Division and middle and higher reaches of South Kashmir, such as Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg–Zojila axis, Bandipora–Razdan Pass, Kupwara–Sadhna Pass, as well as Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, Kishtwar and Ramban districts.

    The IMD has cautioned that the weather activity may lead to disruptions in surface and air transport, including possible closures of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway and other major roads in higher reaches. Travelers, tourists and transporters have been advised to plan their journeys accordingly.

    People living in snow-bound areas have been asked to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone and slippery zones, while farmers have been advised to suspend irrigation, fertilizer application and chemical spray activities during the affected period. The advisory also warns of a possibility of landslides, mudslides and gusty winds ranging from 40–60 kmph at vulnerable locations.

    The advisory has been submitted to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir/Jammu, for necessary information and precautionary measures.

  • Rajouri: Woman Found Tied and Packed in Plastic Bag at Isolated Spot ; Admitted to AHGMC; police initiate investigation

    Rajouri: Woman Found Tied and Packed in Plastic Bag at Isolated Spot ; Admitted to AHGMC; police initiate investigation

    **Patient is stable; further tests are being conducted: MS AHGMC Rajouri.**

    GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

    SHYAM SOOD

    RAJOURI JAN, 18:-Panic spread in the Tandwal area of the Rajouri Municipal Council after a woman was found tied and packed inside a plastic bag at an isolated location, crying for help.

    According to reports, residents of Ward No. 13 (Tandwal) heard a woman screaming from bushes near the Radha Krishan Temple. When they reached the spot, they found an unknown woman calling out for assistance. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of former sarpanch Yogesh Sharma, who, along with others, reached the spot and informed the police.

    On reaching the location, police found that the woman’s hands and legs were tied with cloth and that she had been confined inside a large plastic bag and dumped at the deserted place.

    Acting swiftly, the police rescued the woman and shifted her to the Associated Hospital, GMC Rajouri (AHGMC), for medical treatment.

    After regaining consciousness, the woman identified herself as Azeem Akhtar (45), wife of Sabar Khan, a resident of Kakora village in Manjakote tehsil.

    Sources said that in her preliminary statement to the police, Azeem Akhtar stated that she had come to Rajouri for some work and had boarded an auto-rickshaw. Thereafter, she does not remember what happened and regained consciousness only after reaching AHGMC Rajouri.

    The police have informed her family and initiated further investigation into the incident.

    “The condition of the patient is stable after initial treatment. Surgical, physical, and gynaecological examinations are underway. Further details will be shared after the test reports are received,” said Medical Superintendent AHGMC Rajouri, Dr. S. Choudhary.