The protest was organised under the banner of Bharat Mazdoor Sangh, following directions from the Jammu and Kashmir PHE Daily Wagers Association headquarters in Jammu. The association had appealed to all PHE daily wagers to approach their local MLAs and press for a concrete policy on regularisation.

Representatives of the PHE daily wagers, including General Secretary Rehmatullah Zohda, Nazir Ahmad Tantray, Ghulam Nabi Naik, Mohammad Rafiq Goolvi, and Bharat Mazdoor Sangh District Ramban President Imtiaz Ahmad Sahil, said that if a regularisation policy is not framed and taken up in the upcoming Assembly session, all PHE daily wagers would resort to an indefinite strike.

They further alleged that several daily wagers have retired without receiving proper wages, while some lost their lives during service, yet no relief or assistance was provided. Expressing resentment, they said that while MLAs approved hikes in their own salaries without delay, the issue of PHE daily wagers continues to be ignored by those in power.

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Despite weather-related disruptions and heavy damage to the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway during the monsoon months, 2025 marked a notable improvement in road safety, with accident numbers registering a significant decline compared to the previous year.

As per the police authorities, strict enforcement, sustained awareness drives and intensified monitoring by traffic police helped reduce accidents on the vital NH-44 corridor, reflecting a year of tighter regulation and safer travel for thousands of daily commuters.

Speaking to media persons at Ramban, SSP said that despite heavy damage to the highway due to intense rainfall during July and August, the road was restored through continuous efforts, and traffic was currently moving smoothly on the highway.

He informed that during 2025, around 89,000 challans were issued for violations of traffic rules on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, resulting in the recovery of nearly Rs 3 crore as fine. He further said that following directions from authorities, more than 100 vehicles with registration numbers from outside states were seized in December for traffic violations and lack of proper documents.

Highlighting accident data, the SSP said that a total of 1,056 road accidents were reported on the highway in 2025, compared to 1,299 accidents in 2024, indicating a clear reduction in accidents.

The SSP said that the traffic police remain committed to ensuring safe, smooth and hassle-free travel for all road users on the national highway.

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Addressing a press conference at the District Police Headquarters Ramban, SSP Ramban Arun Gupta, along with other senior officers, presented the Annual Performance Review–2025. He said preventive policing, intelligence-led operations, effective field supervision and sustained community outreach remained the core focus areas throughout the year.

Detailing action against anti-national elements, the SSP informed that one released militant was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA). Continuous surveillance was maintained on surrendered militants, Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and their associates. Properties measuring 41 kanals and 14 marlas of Jammu and Kashmir Nationals operating from Pakistan , worth approximately ₹1.52 crore, were attached, while preventive action was initiated against 84 OGWs.

Regarding action against illegal immigrants, SSP Gupta said 32 illegal foreign nationals of Rohingya and Bangladeshi origin were identified for verification and deportation. In this connection, FIR No. 77/2025 was registered at Police Station Chanderkote.

On hotel regulation compliance, he said FIR No. 65/2025 was registered against Hotel Pine Heritage, Patnitop, for non-submission of Form-C. In addition, sensitisation programmes were organised for hoteliers and NGOs to ensure adherence to legal norms.

The SSP further said that the registration of over two dozen vehicles involved in bovine smuggling was suspended. He added that more than 300 people were rescued by the police and its allied wings during flood situations in July and August 2025.

He noted that Ramban district remained peaceful and incident-free throughout the year. To strengthen police-public relations, 15 Peace Committees were constituted, while 462 Police Community Partnership Group (PCPG) meetings and 172 Thana Diwas interactions were conducted.

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place for the smooth and peaceful conduct of major events, including Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, the 38-day-long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra–2025, local religious yatras, winter carnivals at Sanasar and Patnitop, multiple VVIP movements, and Operation Sindhoor deployments. Security audits of NH-44, hydel power projects and rail infrastructure were also carried out.

Reviewing crime statistics, SSP Gupta said that a total of 789 cases were registered during 2025, reflecting sustained and proactive efforts by District Police Ramban to uphold law and order and ensure public safety.

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Notably, the year 2025 has proved to be the most disastrous in recent times for the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, as repeated spells of heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and flash floods caused extensive damage to life, property and critical road infrastructure.

The natural calamities, particularly during April, July and August, not only claimed several lives in Ramban district but also severely impacted the strategic highway, disrupting connectivity for weeks at a time.

Due to extreme weather conditions, the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway remained closed between Udhampur and Banihal for at least 25 days during 2025, while the movement of goods and fuel-laden vehicles was suspended for an even longer period. Heavy rains and flash floods in April and August caused massive damage in the Udhampur, Ramban and Banihal sectors. Several stretches of the road and bridges between Chenani and Udhampur collapsed, while frequent landslides and falling rocks repeatedly disrupted traffic movement.

Following torrential rains in the last week of August, the national highway was completely shut for all kinds of traffic for nearly 20 days.

Following continuous repair works and safety measures undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Udhampur–Banihal stretch has now been fit for two-way traffic for the past nearly two months, providing major relief to thousands of daily commuters, tourists and truck drivers.

Speaking on the condition of the highway, Project Director, NHAI Headquarters Ramban, Shubham Yadav told greater Kashmir that the damages caused during the April and August rains have largely been addressed now and uninterrupted two-way traffic has been operational for nearly two months. He said that most of the highway between Udhampur and Banihal has already been upgraded to four lanes. However, work is still underway to four-lane a 15-kilometre stretch between Ramban and Banihal, which includes the construction of two tunnels and a viaduct project.

According to Yadav, the 3.5-kilometre-long four-lane tunnel between Digdool and Pantiyal is expected to be completed by March 2026, while the 4.5-kilometre-long tunnel between Maroog and Digdool is likely to be completed by the end of 2027. He further informed that the 6.5-kilometre-long viaduct (flyover) between Ramsoo and SherBibi is expected to be completed by December next year.

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Speaking to reporters at Bankoot in Banihal after inaugurating an irrigation canal, Sajjad Shaheen said that the growing atmosphere of religious hatred in the country has led to repeated incidents targeting a marginalised community.

He said Kashmiris, including students, traders and workers, are being harassed in other states, which is deeply disturbing.

Shaheen said that Kashmiris are an integral part of the nation, yet their children and brothers are being subjected to intimidation outside Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the Government of India, particularly the Union Home Minister and Defence Minister, to take immediate steps to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of Kashmiris across the country.

Shaheen also referred to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s condemnation of these incidents, noting that the Chief Minister has written to several state Chief Ministers urging them to ensure the protection of Kashmiri youth, students and traders residing in their states.

Appealing to Kashmiris living outside the Union Territory, Sajjad Shaheen advised them to exercise caution and avoid areas where such incidents have been frequently reported. He clarified that such incidents are not occurring across the entire country but are limited to a few states. However, he said these episodes have shaken the confidence of Kashmiris, making them feel unsafe in their own country.

He called upon the country’s political leadership to come forward and take concrete measures to safeguard the people of Jammu and Kashmir in other states, if they truly consider the region an integral part of India.

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As part of the initiative, Sajjad Shaheen sanctioned an amount of Rs 7.2 lakh for the construction of a safety tank, which is expected to improve basic facilities and ensure better services for patients.

Speaking on the occasion, the Banihal MLA strongly criticised the former MLA Banihal and former Congress chief for J&K, terming their allegations regarding shortage of doctors at the hospital as baseless and contrary to ground realities. He said that such statements were being made without verifying facts and only to remain in the public eye after being rejected by the people.

Clarifying the situation at SDH Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen stated that two specialist gynaecologists are presently posted at SDH Banihal, out of which one lady doctor is on leave, while the other, Dr Shabir, has been performing his duties diligently for the past two and a half months. During this period, around 40 surgeries have been conducted and over 200 normal deliveries successfully carried out. He further informed that a physician was appointed just a day earlier, and facilities like CT scan and dialysis services will be made available soon.

The MLA accused certain Congress leaders of indulging in irresponsible statements to malign the image of Banihal hospital unnecessarily. He emphasized that SDH Banihal is among the highest OPD load hospitals in Ramban district, which itself reflects public trust in the availability of doctors and facilities. Reiterating his commitment, Sajjad Shaheen assured that providing quality healthcare to the people of Banihal remains his top priority and all necessary steps will continue to be taken in this regard.

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According to police and locals, the car was travelling from Jammu towards the Kashmir Valley when it was allegedly hit from behind by an unidentified vehicle. The impact caused the car to ram into a wall. The vehicle involved in the collision reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Officials said that with the help of local residents and police personnel, both injured occupants were rushed to the Sub-District Hospital Banihal for immediate medical assistance. One of the injured person who was in critical condition was later referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for advanced treatment.

Police identified critically injured person has been identified as Adil Nabi Sheikh, son of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, resident of Bijbehara, Anantnag. The other person who sustained minor injuries was identified as Shahid Shafi, son of Mohammad Shafi, also a resident of Bijbehara, Anantnag.

Banihal Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and initiated an investigation.

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During the operation, dozens of unauthorized structures were removed from Jekhani in Udhampur to Halar in Qazigund.

The drive was carried out under the supervision of senior officials of the National Highways Authority of India, along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Banihal, SDPO Banihal, and officials of the Qazigund–Banihal Expressway. A heavy deployment of police personnel was also made to maintain law and order during the demolition operation.

According to official sources, the demolition is part of a sustained campaign against illegal occupations on national highway land.

The action follows an inspection conducted by NHAI’s authorized officer also Project Director NH 44, Shubham Yadav, during which over 80 illegal structures and encroachments were identified at various locations along the highway.

Meanwhile, the demolition drive triggered resistance from several residents of Banihal, who alleged that many affected individuals were not served prior notices by the NHAI.

They have claimed that shops and residential structures constructed on their private land along the four-lane highway have had their access cut off, causing them heavy financial losses.

The locals further alleged that protective walls were not constructed to safeguard several private buildings located near the Banihal Railway Station on NH 44, exposing properties worth crores of rupees to potential damage.

They also expressed concern that rainwater flowing from the highway during wet weather was damaging their structures.

When contacted, NHAI Project Director Ramban, Shubham Yadav, told Greater Kashmir that the demolition drive was being carried out in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court of India.

He said the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued clear instructions to remove encroachments from national highways, and field teams including NHAI, administration and Police were strictly implementing these orders to ensure highway safety and smooth traffic movement.

The Project Director added that so far, more than 80 illegal structures and encroachments were removed from nearly a 100-kilometre stretch of NH-44 between Udhampur, Banihal and up to Hillar in Qazigund, while the remaining unauthorized structures were also being cleared. He asserted that the drive would continue in the coming days and that no one would be allowed to encroach upon the land of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway.

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The operation was conducted under the supervision of NHAI officials, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Banihal Mohammad Naseeb and SHO Banihal Ashiq Bukhari, with adequate police presence to maintain law and order.

Officials said the demolition is part of a sustained campaign against unauthorized occupations on highway land, initiated after periodic inspections across the Ramban and Udhampur districts.

A few weeks earlier, an inspection carried out by Shubham Yadav, Officer Authorized by the Highway Administration and Project Director, NH-44 (Ramban Headquarters), revealed over 70 illegal structures and unauthorized access points at multiple locations along NH-44 in both districts.

According to officials, the ongoing action is being taken in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India, following which the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways instructed NHAI to remove encroachments from national highways. NHAI authorities said they are strictly implementing these directions to ensure road safety and smooth traffic flow.

The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is a strategically vital road link, and officials reiterated that the anti-encroachment drive will continue in the coming days to prevent illegal occupations, reduce accident risks and facilitate uninterrupted movement of vehicles along NH-44.

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According to an official order issued on Wednesday, Balwant Singh, Teacher Grade-II posted at Government Primary School, Killaseri in Batote Zone of Ramban district, has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

The order further states that during the suspension period, the teacher shall remain attached to the office of the Chief Education Officer, Ramban.

Official sources said the action was initiated after the teacher allegedly posted objectionable and insensitive content on social media, reportedly targeting a particular community. The posts had sparked concern among locals, prompting the authorities to take administrative action.

The suspension order, bearing number CEO/R/2025/32497-500, has been forwarded to the Director School Education Jammu and the District Development Commissioner Ramban for information.

The Zonal Education Officer Batote has also been instructed to initiate necessary follow-up measures.

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