Police on Tuesday arrested Javed Ahmad Mir, former chief of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi, founder of the Islamic Students League, in connection with a nearly three-decade-old militancy-related case.

According to officials, Mir—also known as Javed Nalka, resident of Zaina Kadal—was arrested by Shergarhi Police for his alleged involvement in FIR No. 192/1996, registered on 17 July 1996 under Sections 341, 148, 336, 332 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act, and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He has been detained at Police Station Shergarhi for further legal proceedings.

Before shifting to separatist politics, Mir served as the commander-in-chief of JKLF during the early 1990s.

Shakeel Bakshi Also Detained

Police also arrested Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi from Bemina. Bakshi founded the Islamic Students League and later joined JKLF before parting ways with the group.

Case Linked to 1996 Naaz Crossing Clashes

Police said Mir and Bakshi, along with others, led a large procession in July 1996 while carrying the body of slain militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh. The procession allegedly turned violent at Naaz Crossing, where the mob:

• clashed with police,
• engaged in stone pelting and rioting,
• raised anti-India slogans, and
• caused damage to public property.

The then SHO of Shergarhi had attempted to stop the crowd but was met with aggression.

According to the FIR, those accused of provoking the mob include:

• Syed Ali Shah Geelani (deceased)
• Abdul Gani Lone (deceased)
• Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel (deceased)
• Shabir Shah (in Tihar Jail)
• Nayeem Ahmad Khan (in Tihar Jail)
• Javed Ahmad Mir
• Shakeel Bakshi

Case Revived After 29 Years

With the arrest of Mir and Bakshi, police sources said the long-pending case—lying dormant for nearly 29 years—is expected to gain momentum as legal procedures move toward conclusion.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday visited the districts of Kathua and Samba, where he laid the foundation stone for the construction of 449 new houses for families whose homes were destroyed during recent natural calamities.

According to officials, 344 houses completely damaged in Kathua will be rebuilt at a cost of ₹34 crore, while 105 houses affected by flash floods in Samba will be reconstructed at a cost of ₹10.50 crore.

NGO to Finance Modern Three-Bedroom Homes

The construction of the three-bedroom pre-fabricated “Smart Houses” will be financed by the NGO High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India), which will also ensure that homeowners receive modern facilities and amenities.

Addressing the gathering, the LG praised HRDS India for its humanitarian support, saying:

“Unity is strength. Collective action can surmount challenges which appear unconquerable. Welfare of the people of J&K is our top priority and we are committed to fulfilling their aspirations.”

First Phase: 1,500 Climate-Resilient Smart Homes

The first phase of the initiative includes the construction of 1,500 modern, climate-resilient houses, equipped with:

• Three bedrooms
• Boundary walls
• Cowsheds
• Technologically advanced, disaster-resistant designs

All homes are expected to be completed within six months of the foundation-laying.

HRDS India will also provide:

• Free life insurance for 15 years
• Annual free health check-ups for all family members
• Maintenance of the houses for five years

The LG directed district officials to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left out.

Assistance Distributed; New Indoor Stadium Inaugurated

Financial assistance of ₹8.22 crore in Kathua and ₹1.38 crore in Samba was disbursed to affected families.

During his tour of Kathua, Sinha also inaugurated a state-of-the-art Indoor Sports Stadium, developed through a partnership between the district administration and corporate houses. The complex includes outdoor basketball and volleyball courts for enhanced youth engagement.

“Post-2019 Development Has Transformed Kathua and Samba”

Sinha highlighted the rapid development in both districts, stating that major improvements have been made across infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment, and social justice sectors.

He appealed to citizens and stakeholders to ensure the momentum of development continues, adding that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, “a new history of inclusive growth is being scripted in J&K.”

Dignitaries Present

The ceremony was attended by:

• Swami Atma Nambi, President, HRDS India
• Col Mahan Singh (Retd), Chairman, DDC Kathua
• Keshav Dutt Sharma, Chairman, DDC Samba
• Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary
• Nalin Prabhat, DGP
• Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu
• Shiv Kumar Sharma, DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range
• Ayushi Sudan, DC Samba
• Rajesh Sharma, DC Kathua
• Senior police and civil officers, public representatives, and citizens

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday interacted with Armed Forces veterans at Lok Bhawan and expressed profound gratitude to serving personnel, ex-servicemen and families of martyrs, stating that the nation remains eternally indebted to their sacrifices.

Paying homage to the bravehearts, the LG said the welfare of soldiers and their families is a collective responsibility of every citizen. He made a generous contribution to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, observed annually on December 7.

“Nation Must Support Those Who Safeguard Our Integrity”: LG Sinha

Highlighting the importance of the observance, Sinha said Armed Forces Flag Day reminds citizens of their duty to support the men and women who guard the nation’s borders.

He appealed to people across Jammu & Kashmir to contribute to the fund, which is used for the welfare of serving personnel, their families, ex-servicemen, and dependents.

Veterans and Officials Present

The event was attended by

• Brig. Pankaj Chib (Retd), Director, Sainik Welfare Department
• Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home
• Veterans and Sainik Welfare Department officials including
• Col B.S. Sambyal (Retd)
• Col Manjit Singh Bhau (Retd)
• Wg Cdr Tirath Singh (Retd)
• Capt (IN) Kapil Sharma (Retd)
• Tanvir Singh, Pawan Anand, Jagbir Singh, Subash Chander, Anshu Dogra

The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and dignity of soldiers, veterans and their families.

The long-pending process to induct eight Jammu and Kashmir Police Services (JKPS) officers into the Indian Police Service (IPS) has entered an advanced stage, with authorities securing Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) clearance for 24 officers, excluding those who either withheld consent or failed to meet eligibility norms.

Official sources told Excelsior that the Public Service Commission (PSC) will be approached for a meeting “once all formalities are completed.”

Some Senior JKPS Officers Decline IPS Induction

Sources revealed that several JKPS officers, already promoted as Directors or to posts equivalent to IGPs and DIGs under the new promotion policy, have refused induction, arguing that they already enjoy higher ranks and scales within the Union Territory.

One officer who initially gave consent later withdrew it, while another officer was denied ACB clearance due to pending inquiries.

Induction May Be Limited to 1999 Batch

Although ACB clearance covered officers from the 1999, 2000, and 2001 batches, sources suggested the induction process may ultimately be confined to the 1999 batch owing to the limited number of IPS vacancies.

Vacancies Determined for 2021–2024

The Union Home Ministry (MHA) earlier determined eight IPS vacancies for promotion from JKPS:

• 5 vacancies for Select List 2021
• 2 vacancies for 2023
• 1 vacancy for 2024
• No vacancy for 2022

Additionally, five unfilled vacancies from Select Lists of 2015–2020 were carried forward and re-determined for 2021.

These adjustments were necessary because, against 32 sanctioned vacancies, only 27 IPS appointments were notified for Jammu & Kashmir on September 29, 2023.

Three more vacancies arose in 2023–24 due to retirements.

Batch Allotment and Quota Structure

Once inducted, JKPS officers may receive batch allotments starting from 2015 onwards, depending on the vacancy year.

Currently, IPS posts are filled in a 67:33 ratio:

• 67% for direct IPS recruits
• 33% for State Police Services (including JKPS officers)

The UPA government had earlier revised the ratio to 50:50, but the BJP government in 2014 restored the 67:33 formula in line with other States and UTs.

44 JKPS Officers Inducted in Last Three Years

After over a decade-long gap from 2011 to 2021—due to legal hurdles and administrative delays—no JKPS officer was inducted into IPS.

However, in the past three years, 44 officers have been successfully inducted.

Still, many JKPS officers continue to serve as SSPs for extended periods and cannot be promoted as DIGs unless inducted into IPS, as per service rules.