Ali Mohammad Sagar, General Secretary of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, today expressed profound grief over the demise of former Minister and senior party leader Qamar Ali Akhoon, describing his passing as a great loss to both the party and the people of Kargil–Ladakh.

In a condolence message, Sagar said Akhoon was a towering political figure who dedicated his entire life to public service, particularly for the welfare and development of people living in Kargil and other remote areas of Ladakh. He noted that Akhoon stood for integrity, simplicity, and unwavering commitment to justice and development.

Recalling his long association with the late leader, Sagar said he shared a close personal and political bond with Akhoon for more than three decades. He added that during his tenure in the Public Works Department, Akhoon served as Minister of State and demonstrated exceptional administrative capability, honesty, and a people-centric approach.

Sagar further stated that Akhoon consistently raised issues related to infrastructure, education, and public welfare. He played a crucial role in addressing the aspirations of marginalized communities in far-flung regions and earned respect across party lines for his principled and courageous leadership.

Describing his demise as an irreplaceable loss, Sagar said the void left behind would be difficult to fill, as the people of Kargil and Ladakh have lost a genuine representative who understood their concerns and worked tirelessly for their betterment.

On behalf of the entire party leadership and workers, Sagar extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul, along with strength for the family to bear the loss.

Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to clarify claims regarding an alleged plan to alter the demographic composition of the Kashmir Valley.

Her remarks followed statements made by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, a leader associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who reportedly told a national daily that the Centre was working toward changing Kashmir’s demography by settling lakhs of Hindus from outside the region.

Reacting strongly to the statement, Mufti questioned the intent behind the proposal of establishing multiple townships in the Valley. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she stated that while the creation of new townships may appear progressive on the surface, concerns arise when BJP leaders link the move to demographic adjustments.

“Forty townships in Kashmir to decongest cities? Sounds progressive until BJP voices call it a demography plan for Hindu settlement. Coincidence or deliberate state engineering? The Jammu and Kashmir government must clarify before it is too late,” Mufti wrote.

She emphasized that transparency from the government is essential to address public apprehensions and prevent unrest in the sensitive region.

The remarks have triggered political debate, with opposition leaders demanding an official explanation regarding the purpose and structure of the proposed townships. As of now, the government has not issued a formal response to the allegations.

 The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes and sharp exchanges on Friday after BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa alleged that people from the Kashmir Valley had encroached upon government land in Jammu city.

The controversy erupted during the Question Hour when Randhawa raised the issue of illegal occupation of land belonging to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

Replying on behalf of the Chief Minister, Social Welfare Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the House that, as per official records, land measuring 688 kanals and 17 marlas in Tehsil Bahu and 579 kanals in Tehsil Jammu South is currently under illegal encroachment.

She clarified that these encroachments are not recent and that eviction proceedings are underway in accordance with the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act and other applicable laws.

The minister further stated that since January 2025, authorities have conducted 34 anti-encroachment drives in the two tehsils, resulting in the retrieval of 140 kanals and 11 marlas of JDA land.

Randhawa, however, alleged that many of the settlements on the encroached land belonged to people from the Kashmir Valley and claimed that nearly 90 percent of the habitations were set up by them. He urged the government to conduct a probe and take strict action to clear encroachments in his constituency.

“We have no issue if Kashmiris legally purchase land and build homes in Jammu, but construction on government land should not be allowed,” he said, adding that over 16,000 kanals of JDA land were allegedly under encroachment in Jammu.

His remarks triggered protests from members of the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, who objected to linking the issue with any particular region.

Rejecting the allegations, Itoo asserted that encroachment is an administrative issue and should not be viewed through a regional or communal lens. She emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir must not be divided on such grounds and that the government remains committed to addressing illegal occupations strictly as per the law.

Srinagar: More than 32,000 cancer cases have been recorded across Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, with nearly 79 percent of the total cases reported from the Kashmir Valley alone, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the Assembly on Friday.

Responding to an unstarred question raised by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para, the minister said that 25,621 cases were registered in the Kashmir division between 2022 and 2024. In comparison, 6,804 cases were reported from the Jammu division between 2023 and 2025.

She stated that gastro-intestinal malignancies — including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and colorectal region — remain among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the region.

Rising Trend Across Both Divisions

Data compiled by the Health and Medical Education Department shows a steady year-on-year increase in cases.

In the Kashmir division, 8,021 cases were reported in 2022, 8,621 in 2023, and 8,979 in 2024. Meanwhile, the Jammu division recorded 2,036 cases in 2023, 2,187 in 2024, and 2,581 in 2025, reflecting a similar upward trend.

Strengthened Treatment Infrastructure

Highlighting government measures, the minister said advanced cancer care facilities are available at major institutions, including Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, and the State Cancer Institute at Government Medical College Jammu.

These centers provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment covering medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and clinical hematology. They are equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic technologies such as PET-CT scans, CT scanners, dedicated CT simulators, and advanced radiotherapy systems.

The PET scan facility is currently operational at SKIMS, while another unit worth ₹16 crore is being procured for GMC Srinagar. Additionally, private hospitals such as Narayana Super Specialty Hospital Kakryal and American Oncology Institute ASCOM also provide PET scan services in the Jammu division.

Focus on Prevention and Awareness

The government has intensified awareness drives to promote early detection and prevention. Public health campaigns emphasize recognizing early warning signs and reducing risk factors through tobacco cessation, healthier diets, and lifestyle modifications.

Cancer patients are being treated at SKIMS, Government Medical Colleges and their associated hospitals, district hospitals, and Community Health Centres (CHCs). Severe cases are referred to tertiary care institutions for specialized treatment.

The minister reiterated that the administration remains committed to expanding healthcare infrastructure and strengthening early diagnosis systems to address the growing cancer burden in the Union Territory.

A large number of daily wagers and contractual employees, along with their children, staged a protest on Thursday demanding regularisation of their services in the Jammu and Kashmir government.

The protest was organised by the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) at Sher-e-Kashmir Municipal Park, where demonstrators held a sit-in and raised slogans such as “We want justice” and “Sadda haq ithe rakh” (give us our rights).

Addressing the gathering, EJAC leaders said the Omar Abdullah government should not continue in office if it fails to fulfil the commitments made to employees regarding regularisation and job security.

They said daily wagers and casual labourers form the backbone of several government departments that deliver essential public services, including electricity and drinking water, and yet continue to work without permanent status or benefits.

According to the employee representatives, more than 60,000 workers in Jammu and Kashmir have been serving as daily wagers for many years and are seeking immediate regularisation of their services.

Taking cognisance of concerns raised by members across party lines over alleged online smear campaigns, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday assured that a separate half-an-hour discussion will be held on the issue during the ongoing budget session.

The matter was raised in the House amid allegations that fake social media accounts and politically motivated handles were circulating defamatory content and misleading videos against elected representatives, thereby harming their reputation and undermining the dignity of the Assembly.

Earlier, the government informed the House that a dedicated media monitoring cell has been set up in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to track and counter fake and misleading information in real time. Replying to a starred question by MLA R.S. Pathania, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said the DIPR issued 28 rebuttals related to fake news and misinformation between April 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 — 20 through press releases and eight via official social media handles.

She said the monitoring cell continuously scans websites, news channels and social media platforms and issues rebuttals whenever misleading content is detected. However, she clarified that regulating or suspending websites, digital platforms, online news channels or private fact-checking units does not fall within the department’s jurisdiction. Similarly, imposing fines on individuals or organisations for spreading fake news is also outside its purview.

On cyber security preparedness, the minister said multiple layers of safeguards have been introduced to strengthen the digital infrastructure across government departments. She added that all departments have designated nodal officers to monitor fake news related to their respective sectors.

National Conference legislators as well as BJP leaders Sham Lal Sharma and Balwant Singh Mankotia supported the demand for a detailed discussion, calling it a serious issue and alleging sustained attempts by certain elements to tarnish the image of legislators and the House.

With several members demanding accountability against those operating fake accounts and spreading defamatory material, the Speaker directed that the issue be listed separately for detailed deliberation.

“The concern raised by the members, in my view, is the concern of the entire House… every day someone’s dignity is being tarnished,” Itoo said, urging action against offenders and calling for self-introspection among politicians.

Senior BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma said all 90 members of the House have been subjected to abusive and unparliamentary language online and stressed that legislators should be allowed to focus on public issues.

BJP members also raised objections over the reported entry of a three-time former MLA into the Assembly complex despite not being a current member, and claimed multiple FIRs had been registered against him. Without naming anyone, they questioned how such access was being allowed. The Speaker said he had taken note of the matter and urged protesting members to return to their seats.

Earlier in the day, Food and Supplies Minister Satish Sharma apologised for his remarks against Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma made during a debate earlier this week.