The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally scheduled the next meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh for May 20 in New Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai.

An official order was issued by the MHA and communicated to all stakeholders, including members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

Reacting to the development, LAB Co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk acknowledged receiving the notice and stated that a joint response will be provided following tomorrow’s LAB-KDA meeting in Kargil district.

“We will react after the meeting,” Lakruk said, noting that although the notice was issued today, the meeting is scheduled over a month later.

This announcement follows Lt. Governor of Ladakh, Brig (Retd) BD Mishra’s recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during which he updated him on pressing issues in the Union Territory.

⏳ Delay Sparks Unrest

The announcement comes amid rising frustration among LAB and KDA members over the prolonged delay in the follow-up to the January 15 meeting. A meeting was tentatively planned for February 15, but never materialized, though backchannel discussions reportedly continued between MHA officials and Ladakh representatives.

LAB and KDA are pursuing a four-point agenda:

1. Grant of Statehood to Ladakh
2. Inclusion under the Sixth Schedule
3. Creation of a dedicated Public Service Commission (PSC)
4. Two Parliamentary seats instead of the current one

🚨 Domicile Dispute

A significant point of contention remains over domicile criteria for government jobs. The MHA has proposed a 15-year residency requirement, aligning with the Jammu and Kashmir model. However, LAB and KDA have been firm on fixing 1989 as the cutoff year for domicile eligibility.

Reports indicate the MHA may consider extending the requirement to 20 years, though no official confirmation has been made.

💼 Reservation Formula Still Unclear

Another issue yet to be finalized is the reservation framework. While earlier discussions agreed to reserve 95% of government jobs for locals, the breakdown is as follows:

• 80% for Scheduled Tribes (STs)
• 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
• 4% for Actual Line of Control (ALC)
• 1% for Scheduled Castes (SCs)
• 5% for other Ladakh domiciles

Despite this agreement, no formal order has been issued yet.

Currently, non-gazetted recruitments in the UT are being conducted through the Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC), modeled after the old State Subject system of Jammu and Kashmir.

🔍 Other Key Demands

There has been little progress on:

• Statehood demand
• Sixth Schedule inclusion
• Two Lok Sabha seats (stalled until the 2026 Delimitation freeze ends)

Sources suggest that the demand for a dedicated PSC will only be addressed once domicile and reservation matters are finalized. In the interim, the recruitment process for gazetted posts may be handled either by the UPSC or the Jammu and Kashmir PSC.

Representatives of LAB and KDA argue that EWS population in Ladakh is minimal, and a 10% reservation may be disproportionate.

Reiterating that Pakistan is continuously attempting to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today called upon the public to support police by reporting any elements who are inimical to peace.

While addressing a function in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district, after inaugurating a week-long Mega Surgical Camp, the Lieutenant Governor lambasted Pakistan, calling it a “failed state” that reacts adversely every time peace begins to prevail in J&K.

“Our neighbor continuously tries to disturb peace and normalcy by sending terrorists to Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever peace is established, they get stomach ache despite their own internal crises,” said LG Sinha.

He urged the people to inform law enforcement about Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who are sheltering terrorists.

“While it is the responsibility of the administration and security forces to maintain peace, it is equally the moral duty of citizens not to shield wrongdoers,” he added.

Sinha emphasized that development and peace go hand-in-hand and reiterated his commitment to eliminating terrorism from the region.

“There can be no development without peace. Until terrorism is eradicated, our police, security forces, and administration will not rest.”

Referring to recent operations, he highlighted that:

• On March 23, security forces intercepted a group of terrorists in Sanyal, Hiranagar sector, Kathua.
• On March 27, two terrorists were eliminated in Jakhole, but four brave police personnel were martyred.
• Three foreign terrorists were also killed in Chatroo area of Kishtwar recently.

Mega Surgical Camp Inaugurated in Doda, Kishtwar & Bhaderwah

LG Sinha also inaugurated a week-long mega surgical camp organized by Rotary International in collaboration with the district administration and the Department of Health and Medical Education.

“Health for all is a top priority. We’ve invested in infrastructure and essential services to ensure quality healthcare access,” said Sinha.

The camp is being conducted at:

• Associated Hospital of GMC Doda
• District Hospital Kishtwar
• Sub District Hospital Bhaderwah

Over 750 patients have already been shortlisted for super-specialty and general surgeries in domains including ENT, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic, Plastic Surgery, and Urology. Advanced laparoscopic techniques will be used.

Free Services Offered:

• Consultations
• Diagnostics
• Surgeries
• Medicines
• Boarding and lodging for patients and their attendants

“This is the fourth Rotary International camp in J&K, following successful ones in North Kashmir, South Kashmir, and Rajouri-Poonch,” an official said.

Healthcare and Developmental Vision for J&K

The Lieutenant Governor stressed that under PM Modi’s leadership, J&K has seen transformational development. He revealed that highway and tunnel projects worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore are currently underway.

He further emphasized on:

• Boosting private investment in Bhaderwah’s tourism
• Creating a Divyangjan database for upcoming Mega Camps
• Addressing public grievances and ensuring responsive administration

“We are working to make healthcare more accessible, improve diagnostics, and strengthen delivery mechanisms. A healthier, safer J&K is our goal,” he assured.

Present at the Event:

• Dhanantar Singh Kotwal, Chairman, DDC Doda
• Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG
• Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu
• Shridhar Patil, DIG DKR Range
• Harvinder Singh, DC Doda
• Members of Rotary International, HoDs, doctors, staff, and a large public gathering

A devastating windstorm accompanied by torrential rain and hail lashed Jammu region on Wednesday evening, plunging the entire division into darkness and chaos. With wind speeds touching 114 km/h, the storm uprooted hundreds of trees, electric poles, and mobile towers, crippling infrastructure and disrupting daily life across all 10 districts.

🚨 Power Wipeout Across Region
Chief Engineer, JPDCL, K.K. Thappa confirmed that the storm caused “massive damage” to power infrastructure. Entire Jammu city and surrounding districts including Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Katra, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar were left without electricity.

“Cables are broken, poles and towers have collapsed. Our teams are working tirelessly, but complete restoration may take over 24 hours,” Thappa said.

⚡ Key Transmission Lines Affected:

• 220kV, 33kV, and 11kV lines disrupted
• Supply from Salal Power Station to several key substations snapped
• Partial restoration expected in Jammu City by midnight

🚧 Blockades & Chaos on Roads
The fury of nature brought traffic to a standstill in many areas:

• A large tree fell near RBI Office, Railway Road, blocking major routes
• Trees and electric poles brought down in Green Belt, Gandhi Nagar
• Widespread disruption on Jammu-Akhnoor, RS Pura, Talab Tillo, and Nagrota roads
• Major highways like Jammu-Samba-Kathua and Jammu-Katra-Reasi saw massive traffic jams

🏢 Infrastructure Damage:

• Civil Secretariat wall collapsed, damaging parked vehicles
• Cell tower collapse near Bahu Fort crushed two bikes and a house
• Landslide on Jammu-Poonch highway at Gambhir Brahmana stranded commuters for over two hours

🔥 Lightning Sparks Fire, Kills Livestock
In Rajouri, a lightning strike set ablaze a carry bag factory owned by Abdul Wahid, causing property loss worth lakhs. Fire tenders rushed to contain the blaze.
In Gool (Ramban) and Mahore (Chassana), at least a dozen goats and three cattle were killed due to lightning and cloudburst.

🌦️ Meteorological Update:
According to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Director of Meteorological Department, Srinagar:

“Wind speed touched 114 km/h in areas like Chatha and Satwari, 102 in Samba, 70 in Kathua, and 80 km/h in parts of Jammu city.”

Forecast:

• April 18–19: Light to moderate rain, snow at higher altitudes
• Thunderstorms with gusty winds expected from evening onwards
• Yellow and Orange alerts issued for April 19
• April 22–25: Mostly dry weather predicted

🍃 Agricultural Impact & Valley Weather
Reports of extensive damage to mango and fruit trees in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua have emerged. Meanwhile, Kashmir Valley experienced heavy rainfall following the hottest day of the season.
In Srinagar, boat capsizing incidents were reported in Dal Lake; video footage of the incident has gone viral.

🚨 Advisory:
The MeT Department and administration have urged travelers to avoid unnecessary movement on highways prone to landslides, shooting stones, and mudslides.

🗣️ Residents Speak:

“We’ve never seen winds this fierce. It felt like a cyclone. Everything turned dark in minutes,” said a resident of Gandhi Nagar.

The situation remains critical, with restoration efforts underway. Authorities have urged people to stay indoors, stay alert, and cooperate with emergency services.

The much-anticipated inauguration of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, initially scheduled for April 19, has been postponed due to adverse weather forecasts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to flag off the inaugural run of this high-speed train, marking a significant milestone in connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. However, the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall and inclement weather conditions in the region on April 18 and 19, leading to the deferment of the event.

New Inauguration Date to Be Announced

The Prime Minister’s Office has stated that a new date for the inauguration will be announced soon. The decision to postpone was made considering the safety and logistical challenges posed by the expected weather conditions. The Prime Minister was also scheduled to inaugurate the Chenab Rail Bridge and the Anji Khad Bridge during his visit, both of which are engineering marvels on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

Successful Trial Runs Completed

Despite the postponement, the Indian Railways has successfully conducted trial runs of the Vande Bharat Express on the Katra-Sangaldan section of the USBRL. These trials are part of the final preparations for the full commissioning of the 272-km rail line, which aims to enhance connectivity and promote economic development in the region.

Engineering Feats: Chenab and Anji Khad Bridges

The USBRL project includes the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, and the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge. These structures are set to become iconic symbols of India’s infrastructural prowess and are expected to boost tourism and facilitate easier pilgrimages to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra.

Awaiting a Historic Milestone

The inauguration of the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express is eagerly awaited by the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, as it promises to significantly reduce travel time and enhance accessibility to the region. The new date for the inauguration will be communicated in due course, and the authorities are committed to ensuring the safety and success of this landmark event

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, during a high-level meeting with civil and security officials, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to encourage farmers to cultivate land situated between the security fence and the International Border (IB). The meeting included top officials from the Agriculture Production Department (APD), Home Department, BSF, and district administrations of Kathua, Jammu, Samba, Poonch, and Rajouri.

Dulloo stressed that all arable land between the IB and the fence should be brought under cultivation, regardless of land ownership status, to enhance the local food supply. He said that the Agriculture Department should extend full support to farmers, while security forces must provide safety assurances to instill confidence in them.

The Chief Secretary urged officials to offer technical guidance on suitable crops and fodder and ensure all assistance is in place so that cultivation can begin from the next sowing season. He directed senior Agriculture officers to visit the concerned districts and resolve issues on-site in collaboration with the local administration and border security forces.

Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, reiterated the department’s commitment to provide handholding support to farmers. He asked Deputy Commissioners to complete ground-level assessments in advance to ensure smooth operations during field visits.

IG, BSF, presented a comprehensive report on land usage between the IB and the fence, highlighting both opportunities and local demands for effective cultivation. He also assured full cooperation from the BSF to support farming activities in the border areas.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief, Tariq Hameed Karra, today issued a strong caution to the public against what he described as ongoing attempts by the Modi-led BJP government to weaken the Constitution. He called upon citizens to rise in defense of constitutional values and democratic principles that are under threat.

Karra was addressing a public gathering at Suchetgarh, near the Indo-Pak border, organized in connection with the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. The event also served as a campaign program for party candidate Bhushan Dogra.

The gathering witnessed the presence of prominent Congress leaders including AICC General Secretary and CLP Leader G.A. Mir, working presidents Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla, AICC Secretary Neeraj Kundan, former MP T.S. Bajwa, and senior leaders such as Balwan Singh, Ved Mahajan, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Yashpal Kundal, Th. Hari Singh Chib, S.S. Channi, and M.K. Bhardwaj.

Karra accused the BJP of systematically attacking the spirit of the Constitution, particularly the principles of equality and justice. “There are growing forces actively working to undermine the democratic and inclusive foundation laid by our Constitution,” he said. He emphasized that such actions pose a grave danger to the rights and freedoms guaranteed to every citizen.

Calling for vigilance and active participation, Karra urged the people to defend democratic institutions and constitutional principles. “This is not just a political battle but a fight to protect the very soul of our nation,” he added.

G.A. Mir, in his address, appealed to citizens to take responsibility for safeguarding democracy. He emphasized the need to uphold Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of social justice, equality, and human dignity.

Tara Chand praised Dr. Ambedkar as the “Godfather of Dalits and the downtrodden” and lauded his lifelong struggle against caste discrimination and inequality. “Despite facing immense challenges and social stigma, Babasaheb remained unwavering in his commitment to equality,” he noted.

Raman Bhalla echoed similar sentiments, stating that Dr. Ambedkar’s selfless service and legacy would continue to inspire future generations to pursue the ideals of justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution.

Neeraj Kundan highlighted Ambedkar’s mission to bring marginalized communities into the mainstream, adding that the best tribute to him would be to ensure that democratic benefits reach every section of society.

Among other notable participants were Suresh Dogra, Amrit Bali, Sanjeev Sharma, Shameema Raina, Ziyda Khan, Jatin K. Raina, Ajay Lakhotra, Vijay Shastri, Ricky Dalotra, Bodh Raj Bhagat, Jasmeet Singh Raina, and Varun Magotra, among others.