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Mehbooba writes to PM Modi over arrest of Kashmiri students

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Mehbooba-Mufti

 Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the recent arrest of Kashmiri students in Agra on charges of sedition and sought his intervention in the matter.

“I write to you with a deep sense of disappointment and concern about the alarming situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Not too long ago when you presided over an all party meeting in Delhi you expressed your intention to remove “dill ke doori “between Delhi and J&K,” the letter reads.

Mehbooba added that in her capacity as the President of PDP she suggested a few Confidence Building Measures that would have provided a sense of relief and breathing space to the people of J&K.

“We had been waiting for the roll out of a policy to address the hearts and minds of people especially youth. While the spree of raids, arrests, killings continue unabated the level of repression and state intolerance has touched a new low,” the letter reads.

In her letter she further said that there were expectations that HM’s recent visit to J&K would have led to a meaningful reach out. Especially after his statement about engaging with the youth here. “Instead what followed was shocking and worrying. A friendly cricket match between India and Pakistan that was solely a source of entertainment for people here bruised by incessant lockdowns, Internet gag and restriction of movement led to booking youngsters under the draconian UAPA for simply choosing to cheer the winning side.”

“Our brightest young people pursuing professional courses like MBBS have been targeted and slapped with anti terror laws. While within Kashmir youth are no strangers to the state excesses, three students in Agra too have been arrested and charged with sedition for the same reasons. This despite the college’s own admission that they didn’t engage in any activity that might be construed as anti national.”

She further wrote in the letter that patriotism and sense of loyalty has to be cultivated with compassion and can’t be forced by wielding the baton or by the barrel of a gun.

“Such punitive actions laced with contempt will only further the sense of mistrust and alienation between the younger generation and rest of the country,” the letter reads.

“Political parties and their fortunes will wax and wane over the course of time. But what matters most is the future generation that will have to carry the burdens of the past yet strive to fulfil the expectations of a better tomorrow. Especially when it comes to a state like J&K steeped in its history of repeated betrayals and past wounds.”

“Wisdom deems it prudent for this government to engage with them, understand their aspirations and goals.

I fervently request you to intervene so that the future of these young bright minds is not destroyed.”

National News

Mumbai Local Train Update: Western Railway Services Disrupted Due To Trespassing Incident Near Mahim; Commuters Allege 30-40 Minutes Delay

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Mumbai: Suburban Train services on Western line were disrupted for nearly half an hour on Friday after a trespassing incident was reported near Mahim station around 10:35 am.

According to officials, the incident occurred on the Up fast line. Although the case was confined to a single track, its cascading effect slowed operations on adjoining lines as well. The affected train was detained for about 25 minutes, leading to several other services getting stranded along the route.

Railway personnel cleared the track by around 11:00 am, after which services on the Up fast line between Bandra and Mahim were gradually restored.

Western Railway reiterated that trespassing is a punishable offence under Section 147 of the Railways Act, 1989, attracting a fine of up to Rs 1,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both. In most cases, a minimum fine of Rs 500 is imposed.

Officials have urged commuters to avoid trespassing under any circumstances and to use foot overbridges, lifts, and designated crossing facilities for their safety.

The incident comes just a few days after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled a major upgrade for Mumbai’s suburban railway network, announcing that new fully air-conditioned local trains with automatic doors will soon be introduced, without any increase in second-class ticket fares.

Speaking at the IIMUN Youth Connect event, Fadnavis said Mumbai’s local trains, which carry nearly 90 lakh passengers every day, remain the city’s lifeline. He acknowledged ongoing concerns around overcrowding and safety, stating that the upcoming fleet aims to provide a safer, more comfortable travel experience.

According to the Chief Minister, the railways will procure 268 new AC local trains that will gradually replace older, doorless rakes. The upgraded trains will resemble metro systems in design and functionality, with modern interiors and automated doors to minimise the risk of commuters falling from moving trains.

The announcement comes in the backdrop of heightened public concern after a fatal incident in Mumbra, where several passengers fell from an overcrowded non-AC coach. Fadnavis said the introduction of automatic doors is part of a broader push toward enhanced safety, adding that even new non-AC local trains are being designed with self-closing doors.

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International News

India on high alert as Imran Khan rumours push Pakistan towards chaos: ISI eyes major diversionary strike

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New Delhi, Nov 28: Indian Intelligence agencies have alerted the security forces to remain in a state of very high alert in the wake of the developments unfolding in Pakistan. Trouble is brewing in Pakistan in the wake of rumours relating to the death of former Prime Minister, Imran Khan.

Huge crowds are mobilising outside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan is lodged. Thousands of PTI supporters have gathered outside the jail demanding that they meet with their leader.

The Pakistan Army, however has refused permission for a meeting with Khan, while also dismissing rumours about his death.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that rumours relating to the death of Khan began to circulate three days back. Since then there has been a massive build up of his supporters. If the Army does not provide proof that Khan’s supporters have been seeking, then violence is bound to engulf Pakistan.

An official said that violence is imminent in Pakistan given the current situation. For India, the spillover is the concern and trouble in the neighbourhood is never a good sign for national security.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI is already planning a series of major attacks in India, so that attention is diverted. Khan remains a very popular figure in Pakistan and if news about his death is true, then the country would witness violence of a very unprecedented nature.

It would be beyond the control of the security forces in Pakistan to control the people and eventually the country could face a civil war like situation. The Army wants to keep Imran Khan down and all issues relating to him under wraps.

However, it may not be able to sustain this for long as the people are getting anxious and are seeking answers. The ratings of the establishment in Pakistan, especially with Field Marshal Asim Munir at the helm has hit an all time low.

An official said that the people are being stopped by force and the Army does realise that a majority of the population wants the current dispensation out.

Pakistan watchers say that the people are particularly upset that the Army engineered a coup to take Khan out of power and install a dummy government under Shehbaz Sharif. There is no respect for a democratically-elected process and the people have being voicing their disgruntlement against this, experts add.

Indian officials say that the rumours relating to Khan’s death was something that the establishment did not expect. This has put the Army on the back foot. If one looks at the build up of supporters, it is massive and the Army would not be able to contain them by using force.

Officials say that the Pakistan Army would look to buy time so that it would be able to handle the situation. In order to buy time, the Army and ISI would plot attacks in India so that this would act as a diversion for sometime.

The chatter that has been picked up suggests a sense of urgency to carry out a spectacular strike in India. The ISI is not planning some small attack. It wants one on the scale of a Mumbai 26/11 or Pulwama so that the attention and focus of the Pakistan people is completely diverted, another official said.

Intelligence agencies have alerted security officials to keep a watch particularly on the eastern border. There is a lot of ISI related activity that is on in Bangladesh. Several modules have come up in collaboration between the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Harkat-ul-Jihadi-Islami (HuJI) with the sole intention of carrying out attacks in India.

Pakistan is also planning to fly in Hafiz Saeed to Bangladesh so that he could give the members of this module a pep talks. Officials say that Saeed is always roped in to give the terrorists of his modules a pep talk just before a major attack is launched.

This was found to be the case prior to the Mumbai 26/11 attacks. Officials say that given the current situation in Pakistan, the ISI is desperate to create a diversion.

With the borders with Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab becoming harder to operate, the focus is on the modules of Bangladesh to carry out a major attack in India, officials add. Officials also add that such a diversion would give the Pakistan Army time to handle the situation relating to Imran Khan, which in turn would calm the people.

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Crime

Land fraud case: J&K Crime Branch files chargesheet, two accused sent to judicial custody

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Srinagar, Nov 28: The Economic Offences Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch Kashmir said on Friday that it has filed a chargesheet against the accused in the court of law, as two accused have been sent to judicial custody.

A statement issued by the Crime Branch Kashmir said, “The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir has produced a chargesheet before the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Anantnag, against Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, son of Ali Mohammad Bhat, resident of Babapora Qazigund, Tehsil Devsar, District Kulgam, and Mohammad Yousuf Dar, resident of Khandipahari, Harnag, Anantnag.

“The case originated from a complaint alleging that Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, then serving as Patwari Halqa Khandipahari Anantnag, entered into a criminal conspiracy with the complainant’s brothers to fraudulently mutate land falling under Khewat Nos. 05 and 07 at Khandipahari Harnag.

“This was done despite the land being under litigation and a status quo order issued by the Hon’ble Court, which was duly reflected in revenue records,” it said.

Investigations revealed that the Patwari concealed material facts, facilitated the sale of a portion of the disputed land and prepared fraudulent mutations.

Accused Mohammad Yousuf Dar was also found to have procured a fake and forged gift deed purportedly executed by his mother.

“The alleged witnesses to the deed denied any involvement. The complainant further stated that the Patwari demanded money for providing revenue extracts and that no departmental action was taken despite approaching senior revenue authorities,” it said.

Upon enquiry, the allegations were found prima facie substantiated, leading to the registration of FIR No. 45/2015 under sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B RPC, and 5(2) PC Act at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir.

After a thorough investigation, the chargesheet has now been filed for judicial determination.

During the course of proceedings, the court has remanded the accused Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat and Mohammad Yousuf Dar to the judicial lock-up.

“The Economic Offences Wing of Crime Branch Kashmir remains committed to bringing fraudsters and economic offenders to justice and urges the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities,” the statement added.

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