TOP STORY OF THE DAY |
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| LG orders probe into Mata Vaishno Devi tragedy; Shrine Board denies negligence | | | | Sanjay pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 29: Although the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) cited a sudden cloudburst as the primary cause of Tuesday’s tragedy on the revered shrine track, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha—who is also Chairman of the Shrine Board—on Friday ordered the constitution of a three-member committee to probe the incident.
The devastating landslide near Adhkuwari on August 26 claimed nearly three dozen lives and left several others injured, prompting widespread concern and questions over safety preparedness.
According to the official order, the high-level inquiry committee will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Jal Shakti. Its other members include the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and the Inspector General of Police, Jammu.
The panel has been tasked with examining in detail the causes of the incident, reviewing the adequacy of rescue and relief operations, and suggesting fresh SOPs and preventive measures to avert similar tragedies in the future. The committee has been directed to submit its report within two wee... | |
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FRONT PAGE STORIES |
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| Yatra remains suspended for 4th day | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 29: Heavy rain lashed Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra region on Friday, as the pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day following a recent landslide, which claimed 34 lives and left 20 others injured.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), which manages the Yatra, suspended the pilgrimage on Tuesday until further orders.
“Inclement weather conditions still persist, so a decision has been taken to continue the suspension of the Yatra in view of pilgrim safety,” an official said.
Katra and Trikuta hills, on which the Vaishno Devi Shrine is located, have been witnessing heavy rain since Friday morning. The... | |
| | | | Kashmir’s infamous land scam: Female tehsildar on the run, court denies anticipatory bail | | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 29: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Srinagar has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of absconding Tehsildar Bijbhera, Nusrat Aziz, in connection with a high-profile land scam being probed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch, Srinagar.
On July 28, the Crime Branch arrested four persons linked to the scam, which involves fraudulent land mutations and manipulation of revenue records in Srinagar and Budgam districts. However, Tehsildar Nusrat Aziz—already facing multiple corruption cases—remains on the run along with two other accused.
The case, registered under FIR No. 14/2025, names seven individuals, inclu... | |
| | | | Jammu schools to reopen only after safety assessment; ZEOs directed to submit reports | | | | Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 29: Authorities in the Jammu division have announced that a thorough assessment of the ground situation will be conducted before any decision is taken regarding the reopening of schools in flood-affected areas.
Schools across the division have remained closed since August 25 following heavy rains, flash floods, and waterlogging in several parts of the province.
In an official directive, all Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) have been instructed to prepare a detailed assessment of the condition of government school buildings in their respective zones.
This exercise will include categorizing schools as completely damaged, partially damaged, or h... | |
| | | | Habitual timber smugglers detained under PSA | | | | Early Times Report
KUPWARA, Aug 29: Forest department has taken stringent action against three habitual timber smugglers under the Public Safety Act (PSA) in Kupwara district.
The action was formalized through orders issued by the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, following the recommendations from the Divisional Forest Officer of Kamraj Forest Division.
The offenderski were found consistently involved in illegal timber smuggling activities that pose a serious threat to public order and the region’s ecological integrity.
Irfan Ali Shah, Conservator of Forests, Kashmir North Circle, emphasized that this action delivers a clear and firm message to all offenders. “Forest Department, in close ... | |
| | | | Traffic cop seen slapping civilian in viral video; Srinagar Police order probe | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 29: A video allegedly showing a traffic policeman slapping a civilian during document checking between Shalteng and Bemina has gone viral on social media, prompting authorities to order a fact-finding inquiry. The clip, widely circulated online, has sparked public outrage and raised concerns over accountability in enforcement duties.
SSP Traffic City Srinagar, Aijaz Ahmad said: “Taking suo motu cognisance of the viral video where a traffic cop is seen slapping someone, a fact-finding enquiry has been initiated. Action as warranted under rules will follow once the enquiry is completed.”
Asked what led to the incident, the officer said the details were pa... | |
| | | | SC notices Centre, BCI on plea to implement POSH Act for women lawyers | | | | Early Times Report
New Delhi, Aug 29: The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine a plea for the implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 for women lawyers enrolled with State Bar Councils or Bar Association.
A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan issued notice to the Centre and the Bar Council of India.
During the hearing, the bench asked how could a petition under Article 32 (right to move court for protection of fundamental rights) of the Constitution be filed against a high court judgment.
On July 7, the Bombay High Court held POSH law applied only in an employer-employee relationship, therefor... | |
| | | | 2 fraudsters booked for land fraud | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 29: The Crime Branch Kashmir on Friday registered two separate land fraud cases against two alleged fraudsters, an official said.
The Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) has registered cases against Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, resident of Nowgam here, and Shabir Ahmad Wani, resident of Lasjan area of the city, for deceitful property sales, cheating, forging revenue documents and criminal breach of trust, a Crime Branch spokesperson said.
He said one case has been registered upon a complaint submitted by a woman who alleged that Bhat sold her a piece of land measuring one kannal and five Marlas situated at Moza, Balhama, against a payment of Rs 25 lakhs.... | |
| | | | Amit Shah to visit Jammu tomorrow | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 29 : The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, is scheduled to undertake a two-day visit to Jammu on August 31 and September 1 to assess the situation in the flood-affected areas of the region.
Official sources said that during his visit Shah will conduct an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by recent flooding.
“He will also hold meetings with senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review relief and rehabilitation efforts and ensure swift assistance to those impacted,” sources said, adding, “The Union Home Minister will engage with local authorities to discuss measures for immediate relief,... | |
| | | | BRO clears Pir Panjal Roads after landslips; IMD issue alerts | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 29: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Friday began road clearance operations in the Pir Panjal mountain range after rainfall and flash floods caused landslips and blocked connectivity in Rajouri district, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued weather alerts for several parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for the region. A yellow alert has been sounded for Friday in Poonch, Reasi, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur districts, forecasting thunderstorms and lightning.
An orange alert has been issued for Saturday and Sunday in Poonch, Kishtwar, Jammu, Ramban, and Udhamp... | |
| | | | Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closed for 4th consecutive day | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 29: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic for the fourth consecutive day on Friday due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Udhampur-Ramban belt, leaving over 2,000 vehicles stranded, officials said.
The 270-km-long stretch, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by multiple landslides at several places between Jakheni and Chenani in Udhampur on Tuesday following heavy rains and flash floods, they said.
“Highway is closed for the fourth day. No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Nagrota in Jammu towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal and Srinagar,” a ... | |
| | | | CBI books AAI senior manager for siphoning off Rs 232 crore | | | | Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 29: The CBI has registered an FIR against a senior manager of the Airport Authority of India for allegedly siphoning off more than Rs 232 crore into his personal accounts through a complex trail of fictitious accounting entries in three years during his posting at the Dehradun airport, officials said.
The alleged embezzlement by Rahul Vijay, senior manager, finance and accounts, was detected in an internal audit, which flagged abnormal capitalisation of assets in the financial records between 2019-20 and 2022-23, they said.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) constituted a committee to verify the findings, which highlighted a complex trail of fict... | |
| | | | ‘Operation Sindoor’ golden chapter in humanity’s victory against terrorism: Prez Murmu | | | | Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 29: Describing Operation Sindoor as a “golden chapter” in humanity’s fight against terrorism, President Draupadi Murmu on Friday outlined the contribution of PSUs in building the indigenous Akashteer Air Defence Control and Reporting System, which played a crucial role in the military conflict between India and Pakistan.
Addressing the SCOPE Eminence Awards here, she highlighted the crucial role of public sector enterprises in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat or developed India by 2047.
The President said that public sector enterprises have performed well on key financial parameters, including revenue and profitability.
Further, She noted that thre... | |
| | | | Approach High Court: SC to petitioner challenging J&K Govt’s ban on 25 books | | | | Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 29: The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a public interest litigation challenging Jammu and Kashmir government’s notification which declared 25 books, including some written by prominent figures like A.G. Noorani and Arundhati Roy, as ‘forfeited’ over their alleged propensity to excite secessionism and endanger sovereignty of India.
The Court however granted liberty to the petitioner to move the J&K&L High Court for appropriate relief. It requested the Chief Justice of the High Court to list the matter before a 3-judge bench (presided over by the CJ) and decide the same at the earliest.
The petition, moved by Kashmir-based Advocate Shakir Shabi... | |
| | | | Army constructs Bailey Bridge in Jammu | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 29 : The Indian Army has begun constructing a Bailey bridge on the River Tawi in Jammu after a portion of the fourth bridge was washed away following heavy rainfall and river swelling earlier this week, said an official.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Farooq Qaiser said the incident occurred on Tuesday, when part of the bridge collapsed due to rising water levels in the river.
“A portion of the bridge (fourth bridge on the Tawi river in Jammu) collapsed on 26th August. One-way traffic is open between Satwari Chowk and Asia Crossing. Many people are on the job here,” he said.... | |
| | | | Reliance Jio to launch IPO In first half of 2026 | | | | Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 29: Reliance Jio will launch its initial public offering in the first half of 2026, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said on Friday.
Addressing the 48th Annual General Meeting of RIL, Ambani announced that Jio will now expand its operations overseas and develop its own artificial intelligence technology.
“…Jio is making all arrangements to file for its IPO. We are aiming to list Jio by the first half of 2026, subject to all necessary approvals…this will demonstrate that Jio is capable of creating the same quantum of value as our global counterparts,” he said.
Ambani said that Jio has now surpassed the 500 million subscr... | |
| | | | Shailendra Kumar promoted to Apex scale in IAS | | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 29: The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the promotion of 1995 batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer Shailendra Kumar to the Apex Scale (Level-17 in the Pay Matrix) with effect from September 1, 2025, or from the date of assumption of charge, whichever is later.
Kumar, who has earlier served Jammu and Kashmir in key roles including Principal Secretary to Agriculture and PWD, is currently posted in the cadre.... | |
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