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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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ALTAF HUSSAIN

POONCH JAN, 18:-Ch. Imran Zaffar, Hon’ble Member District Development Council from Block Mankote, has strongly demanded the establishment of a National Law University in the Pir Panjal region, calling it a long-pending and legitimate aspiration of the people of the area.

In his statement to the media, Ch. Imran Zaffar said that the demand for a National Law University in Pir Panjal is rooted in the principles of educational justice, constitutional equality, and balanced regional development. He emphasized that despite its strategic importance, rich heritage, and immense human potential, the Pir Panjal region has remained deprived of premier institutions of higher learning, particularly in the field of legal education.

He stated that National Law Universities play a vital role in shaping future judges, legal professionals, administrators, and policymakers. Establishing such an institution in Pir Panjal would create equal opportunities for students from Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Surankote, Mankote, and surrounding areas, many of whom face economic and geographical constraints in accessing quality legal education outside the region.

Ch. Imran Zaffar further highlighted that Pir Panjal, being a border and socially diverse region, requires greater legal awareness and institutional support. An NLU in the region would serve as a center for excellence in legal education and research, focusing on constitutional law, tribal and minority rights, border-area governance, environmental law, and conflict resolution, all of which are highly relevant to the region.

He added that the absence of advanced educational institutions forces the youth of Pir Panjal to migrate to distant states, causing financial burden on families and contributing to social challenges. Establishing a National Law University locally would help retain talent, empower youth, and contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the region.

The DDC Member said that the demand enjoys widespread public support across communities and sections of society. He appealed to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of India to adopt a fair and visionary approach and declare Pir Panjal as the site for the proposed National Law University.

Ch. Imran Zaffar concluded by stating that inclusive development cannot be achieved without addressing regional imbalances. He expressed confidence that setting up a National Law University in Pir Panjal would mark a historic step toward educational empowerment, social equity, and national integration.

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RAJOURI JAN, 16:-A strong and unified demand for the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in the Pir Panjal region has begun to gain momentum, cutting across political affiliations, party lines and institutional positions. Legal experts, social activists, civil society members and voices from across the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have started speaking in one voice, asserting that the demand is not political but constitutional, regional and rooted in equity.

Leading the call, Advocate Naseem Liaqat, DDC Chairman Rajouri, appealed for immediate collective action to ensure that Pir Panjal is no longer excluded from premier national institutions.

“Let us rise above party affiliations and personal positions and raise a cohesive, unified demand for the establishment of the National Law University anywhere in Pir Panjal. The discussion has already begun, and people across the twin border districts are speaking for this cause. This is our right, and we shall fight for it through all legal means,” he said.

Adv. Liaqat urged the social and political diaspora of Pir Panjal, along with Bar Associations and the media, to form a united front without wasting further time and press for the NLU demand in a sustained and lawful manner.

Rajouri’s Strategic Advantage
Highlighting Rajouri as the most viable and logical location, Adv. Liyaqat pointed to its central geographical position, favourable climate and improving connectivity.

Rajouri–Jammu: 128 km (approx. 2.30 hours travel time)
Rajouri–Srinagar: 148 km (approx. 3.30 hours travel time after completion of the Chatta-Pani tunnel and all-weather road)
“With Rajouri being centrally located between Jammu and Kashmir, and with year-round connectivity improving rapidly, NLU should be established only and only at Rajouri,” he asserted.
National Precedents Support the Case
Backing the argument, noted social activist Nishi Kant Saraf cited national precedents to counter objections based on distance from capitals.

“The Indian Institute of Management in Uttarakhand is located at Kashipur. Travel time from Dehradun, the state capital, to Kashipur is around 4.30 hours. Distance has never been a barrier to excellence or national institutions,” Saraf said.

A Question of Equity and Justice
Observers note that while debates around higher education institutions in Jammu and Kashmir often revolve around Jammu versus Kashmir, the Pir Panjal region has consistently remained invisible in policy decisions. The NLU demand is now being framed as a question of regional balance, access to justice, and constitutional responsibility.

Legal fraternity members believe that an NLU in Pir Panjal would not only empower local youth but also strengthen legal education, research and access to justice in one of the most strategically and socially significant regions of the Union Territory.
As voices grow louder across social media platforms and ground-level discussions intensify, the demand for NLU Pir Panjal is steadily transforming into a people’s movement—one that seeks recognition, dignity and equal opportunity for a long-neglected region.