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Jammu, Nov 20 (IANS) AK rifle cartridges, pistol rounds and hand-grenade pins, among other items, were recovered during the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of J&K Police raids at the Kashmir Times office at its Residency Road area of Jammu city.

“AK rifle cartridges, pistol rounds and hand-grenade pins, among other items, were recovered during the raids,” official sources told IANS.

SIA raided the Jammu office of the newspaper, alleging that the newspaper was involved in activities against the country.

According to officials, SIA teams examined the newspaper’s premises and computer systems after registering a case against the publication and its promoters. The promoters are likely to be questioned as the investigation proceeds.

Officials said the SIA raided the newspaper’s office in connection with a case alleging that the publication had glorified activities against the country.

Reacting to the SIA raid on the newspaper, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said any action by the investigating agency must be strictly based on evidence of wrongdoing.

“If they have done something wrong, then action should be taken. If they have done wrong, they will face the consequences. But it should not be done just to exert pressure. If you do it only to put pressure, then that will be wrong,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

PDP leader, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of party chief Mehbooba Mufti, said that Kashmir Times had long resisted attempts to silence it.

“Kashmir Times is one of those rare newspapers in Kashmir that not only spoke truth to power but refused to bend or buckle under pressure and intimidation. Raiding their offices under the guise of carrying out anti-national activities is preposterous and reeks of high-handedness,” she said.

The PDP leader added that in Kashmir, every outlet of truth is being choked by invoking the anti-national slur.

“Are we all anti-nationals?” she said.

PDP youth president Aditya Gupta also criticised the raid, invoking the legacy of the newspaper’s founder.

“Shri Ved Bhasin, the founder of Kashmir Times, built one of the boldest voices in J&K — fearless, truthful, and impossible to silence,” Gupta said.

He said that his daughter Anuradha Bhasin carried that legacy forward with the same grit.

“For decades, the paper exposed some of Kashmir’s biggest stories of human rights abuses, disappearances, governance failures, and major political shifts. Through every threat and every pressure, Kashmir Times stood unshaken,” Gupta said.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 27 (IANS) Maharashtra MLA and senior Congress leader Bhai Jagtap has criticised Mumbai Police for its alleged mishandling of several high-profile cases.

Speaking to IANS, Jagtap remarked, “Mumbai Police, often compared to Scotland Yard for their efficiency and professionalism, are now tarnishing their image with subpar investigations. Their handling of cases is increasingly being perceived as superficial.”

Referring to the murder case of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed, Jagtap said it is because of the public and political pressure that things got moving. “The main accused was booked under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) only due to our persistent efforts,” he told IANS.

Jagtap raised concerns about the police allegedly presenting “duplicate” accused in the attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan.

He said, “Such actions raise doubts about the integrity of investigations and damage the image of both Maharashtra and its police force. We, as the Opposition, will hold the state government accountable during the upcoming Budget Session.”

Jagtap also took aim at the Central government over the selection process for the Padma Awards.

Referring to the award reportedly given to someone for determining the auspicious time (muhurat) for the Ram temple consecration, he commented, “This is a mockery of our country’s highest civilian honours. The Padma Awards are meant to recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation. Unfortunately, the dignity of these awards has been eroded since 2014. It’s not about any individual but about the respect these awards deserve under our Constitution.”

Reacting to allegations by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) labeling Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi as “dishonest”, Jagtap dismissed the claims as election rhetoric.

“Whenever elections approach, baseless allegations surface. The AAP, a party born out of a movement, now faces serious allegations against many of its own leaders. The people of this country are wise enough to see through such tactics, and LoP Rahul Gandhi remains unaffected by these baseless charges,” he told IANS.

On the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Jagtap reiterated his long-held position that the Congress should contest independently, irrespective of alliances.

He said, “When I was president of Mumbai Congress, even during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, I advocated for the Congress to fight BMC elections on its own. Coordination within the MVA was good then, but the Congress needs to assert its strength and fight this battle independently.”

Jagtap also commented on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by the Uttarakhand government. “Our Constitution is one of the best in the world. Any new law for the country must be thoroughly debated in Parliament. Unfortunately, this government has a habit of bypassing democratic processes, as seen in the case of farm laws and labour laws.” he warned.

Welcoming the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an alleged conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Jagtap remarked, “It is a significant achievement for our country. Anyone who has worked against India’s interests should face justice under our Constitution. The same applies to all those absconding abroad — they should be brought back and prosecuted.”

–IANS

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Nalanda (Bihar), June 7 (IANS) Beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, are getting free treatment in ‘Netra Jyoti Seva Mandiram’, a hospital built by a social organisation in Nalanda district of Bihar.

Patients who got their eyes operated on for free praised the scheme of the central government.

Many public welfare schemes are being run by the central government, keeping the poor class in mind. Ayushman Bharat is one of them, through which the poor are getting financial help.

Shail Kumari, a woman from Gandhi Tola, Rajgir, told IANS, “Earlier, I could not see with my eyes, I had low vision. The doctor talked about an eye operation. Due to having an Ayushman card, we have received free treatment in the hospital. We got the card made from Anganwadi. Cards for all the members of the family have been made. We have got a lot of benefit from this.”

Praising the government, he said, “The poor families who do not have money for expensive treatment can get free treatment through this. PM Modi’s scheme is very beneficial. It has been appreciated a lot by poor families. If I did not have this card today, I would not have been able to get my eyes treated.”

Rajendra Singh of Lakhisarai district said, “I got my eye operation done through the Ayushman card. I have got a lot of facilities in the hospital. The poor are getting a lot of benefits from the Ayushman card. If we did not have the Ayushman card, we would have to take money from somewhere and get our operation done, but due to having the card, we got free treatment.”

He said, “We thank the Prime Minister that he launched this scheme for the poor. I wish him a long life. I could not see with my eyes, but now this problem is gone. I feel that my life has increased, childhood has come, a big change has come.”

–IANS

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