TOP STORY OF THE DAY |
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| From flowers to fuss: Rijiju says meeting with Abdullahs was just a coincidence | | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: A serene morning stroll in Srinagar’s famed Tulip Garden unexpectedly spiraled into a full-blown political controversy, drawing sharp reactions and clarifications from key figures in Jammu and Kashmir.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju found himself at the center of a brewing storm after his chance encounter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah during what he described as a casual morning walk. The meeting, which took place amidst the vibrant blooms of one of Kashmir’s most picturesque landmarks, has since ignited a heated debate, with political rivals seizing the opportunity to escalate tensions.
The controversy erupted when photographs of the trio surfaced, prompting speculation about the nature of their interaction. Seeking to quell the rising tide of criticism, Rijiju took to his X handle to clarify that the encounter was purely coincidental. “A beautiful morning walk became a political discussion, echoed even in J&K Assembly too!” he wrote. “I briefly came across CM, Omar... | |
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FRONT PAGE STORIES |
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| Waqf Amendment Act hurt sentiments: CM Omar | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday defended the protests by ruling National Conference MLAs in the legislative assembly over the Waqf Amendment Act, saying the recently enacted law has hurt the sentiments of the majority of the people in the Union Territory.
“Majority of the members of the House were upset with the Waqf Amendment Act and wanted to express themselves in the House. Unfortunately, they did not get the opportunity to put forth their viewpoint on the matter.
“They wanted to represent the sentiments of the Muslim majority region within the assembly. But what cannot be done within the House, we will do it outside it... | |
| | | | Rijiju’s Srinagar visit was strategic move: Mehbooba | | | 
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 9: However, the explanations from Rijiju and Omar have done little to pacify the opposition, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has launched a scathing offensive against the ruling National Conference. PDP leaders have accused the National Conference of extending a “red-carpet reception” to Rijiju, who recently piloted the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Parliament.
Raking up the morning walk issue, PDP president Mehbooba Mu... | |
| | | | Omar defends Tulip Garden chance meeting with Rijiju | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: Amid the growing political uproar over his photographs with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju at Srinagar’s Tulip Garden, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday pushed back against the People's Democratic Party (PDP), accusing it of manufacturing controversy over what he termed a "chance meeting."
Reacting sharply to the criticism, Omar questioned the narrative being spun around the photographs, asserting that the encounter was purely coinciden... | |
| | | | Chaos in Assembly: Lawmakers hurl abuses in full public view outside House | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: The Legislative Assembly today witnessed unprecedented shocking scenes of disorder not only inside the House but also in the Central Hall where MLAs were seen hurling abuses.
Heated argument between the Aam Aadmi Party’s Mehraj Malik and the BJP legislators took an ugly turn and the situation spiraled out of control, with furniture being smashed, abuses shouted, and allegations flying freely.
While it’s not unusual for MLAs to argue—since they are legally... | |
| | | | Budget Session concludes, Speaker adjourns Assembly sine die | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 9: Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather today adjourned the House sine die.
The 21 days assembly session commenced on 3rd March with LG’s address and culminated today on 9th April 2025 afternoon.
The Speaker informed the house that during the Session, 1355 questions were received; 154 main questions were taken up during this session while their 353 supplementaries were answered.
He also informed the house that 1738 Cut Motions were ... | |
| | | | 2 to 3 terrorists hiding in Udhampur forest: SSP Nagpure | | | | Early Times Report
Udhampur, Apr 9: Security forces on Wednesday tightened the cordon around Marta village of Ramnagar area in Udhampur district after engaging terrorists in an encounter for more than two hours.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amod Ashok Nagpure said, “This is a very inaccessible area due to the high mountains, a river below, and a dense forest. We have the information that two to three terrorists are hiding in the middle of this jungle.”
“This search operation is going on in this regard. Currently, all the soldiers of all the forces and teams are fit and fine. Even though this is a tough terrain, the morale of the forces is high, and we hope that we will be su... | |
| | | | Justice Sanjeev Kumar appointed acting Chief Justice of J&K & Ladakh High Court | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 9: In a significant judicial appointment, the Central government announced on Wednesday that Justice Sanjeev Kumar will serve as the acting Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, starting April 10, 2025. This appointment follows the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Justice Tashi Rabistan, effective today.
The Union Law Ministry released a notification stating, “In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution o... | |
| | | | ‘Chenab railway bridge opens new era of development in J&K’ | | |  New Delhi, Apr 9:
Agencies
The iconic Chenab rail bridge doesn’t just connect two mountains but dreams, development, and a new era for Jammu and Kashmir, the Railway Ministry said on Wednesday ahead of its official opening by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 19.
Modi will flag off Vande Bharat train from Jammu to Srinagar via Katra to mark the completion of the 272-kilometre Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link.
“Built in the geologically complex and unstable terrain of the Himal... | |
| | | | Govt will work to take J&K out of difficulties: Dr Farooq | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: Ruling National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said the government would work to take Jammu and Kashmir out of its difficulties even as its “enemies” will keep on criticising.
Enemies will always be there, the enemies will continue to say that, but we will do the work we have to do and bring this state out of its difficulties,” he told reporters when asked about the ruckus in the assembly and the opposition’s charge that the ruling par... | |
| | | | PM-led CCS clears Rs 64,000 cr deal to procure 26 Rafale-M jets | | | 
New Delhi, Apr 9:
Agencies
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cleared a proposal to procure 26 naval variants of Rafale fighter jets from France at a cost of around Rs 64,000 crore for deployment on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, sources in the defence establishment said.
The delivery of the jets will begin around five years after the signing of the contract under an inter-governmental framework between India and France.
... | |
| | | | 83,000 domicile certificates granted to non-state subjects in 2-years: Govt | | | 
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 9: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday disclosed that around 83,742 domicile certificates have been granted to non-state subjects in the Union Territory over the past two years.
In a written response to MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para, the government said that around 35,12,184 domicile certificates have been issued in two years across the Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister Incharge also added that out of which, 83, 742 have been granted to individuals fro... | |
| | | | ‘WAVES’ should reach every home, every heart: PM Modi | | |  New Delhi, Apr 9:
Agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that entertainment is one of the largest global industries and is set to expand further.
He said that art, music, culture, and creativity distinguish humans from machines. PM Modi announced the creation of WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit), a global platform to encourage and celebrate art and culture. He shared that a major event for WAVES will be held in May 2025 in Mumbai.
PM Modi spoke abou... | |
| | | | J&K records widespread rainfall | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorm activity, with the highest precipitation recorded at Awantipora, which received 33.4 mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
The Meteorological Department said the weather is expected to remain wet over the next three days. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates scattered to fairly widespread light rain and thunderstorms across the Union Territory.
The outlook for the subsequent two days also suggests similar conditions, with more light rain and thunderstorms expected in several areas.
The weather is likely to remain dry for five days between April 12-17.
F... | |
| | | | IED defused in Kupwara | | |  Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: Security forces on Wednesday averted a tragedy by detecting and defusing an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing eight kg in Kupwara district, officials said.
During a routine patrol in the Hafroda forest area of Handwara in the north Kashmir district, security forces found a suspicious object on the roadside, the officials said. A closer inspection revealed that the suspicious object was an IED.
The area was cordoned off and a bomb disposal squa... | |
| | | | Properties of terrorist handlers attached | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday attached properties of two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba handlers in Sopore sub-district. Police said seven marlas of land belonging to two LeT terrorist handlers Bilal Ahmad Mir and Mohammad Umar Mir of Brath Kalan Sopore were attached under the provisions of Sections 82, 83 of CrPC, by a team of Police and revenue officials, after receiving approval from competent authority.
“These actions are connected to two cases under UAPA registered in police station Sopore in 2022,” Police said.
Police sources said both Bilal and Umar are currently based in Pakistan.... | |
| | | | Speaker forms house committee to probe ‘irregularities’ | | | |
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 9: Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday ordered a house Committee to probe alleged irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission in JK.
“In view of the pressing demand of the Hon’ble Members on the floor of the House for constitution of a House Committee to probe into the alleged irregularities in implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir I, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, do hereby constitute a House Committee,” the speaker said in an order.
While Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi will head the committee as its chairman, the membe... | |
| | | | Home, auto loans to get cheaper | | |  Mumbai, Apr 9:
Agencies
Home, auto and other loans are likely to cost less as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut interest rates on Wednesday for a second consecutive time and signalled more easing to come as it sought to bolster the economy that is facing further pressure from damaging US tariffs.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), consisting of three central bank members and an equal number of external members, voted unanimously to cut the repurchase or repo rate by 25 basis points t... | |
| | | | J&K Govt authorizes 90% funds under revenue budget | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 9: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has authorized the release of 90% funds under the Revenue Budget for 2025-26, excluding the “003-Leave Travel Concession” head, which will receive only 50% funding. ... | |
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