INBC, Jammu City (2024)

08/06/2024

Properties of 2 Pak-based terror handlers seized in Baramulla

Baramulla : Jammu and Kashmir Police attached properties worth crores of rupees belonging to two Pakistan-based terror handlers hailing from Baramulla district on Saturday.

According to officials, terror handlers Jaleel Ahmad Rather and Mohammad Ashraf Mir, both residents of Baramulla’s Tilgam, have been operating from Pakistan for some time now.

After obtaining an attachment order passed by the additional sessions court in Baramulla, police attached eight ‘kanaals’ and four ‘marlas’ of land, they said.

The action was taken under CrPC section 83 and is linked to an FIR registered under various sections of the law, including the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the officials said.

They said the property was identified as belonging to the terror handlers during the investigation.

08/06/2024

J&K Government dismisses employees for anti-national activities

SRINAGAR : The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday dismissed four employees, 02 belonging to Police Department (Constables), 01 to Education Department (Teacher) and 01 to Jal Shakti Department (Assistant Lineman) in terms of Article 311 of the Constitution of India for their involvement in anti-national activities.

The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State, such as involvement in terror related activities.

Abdul Rehman Dar, Selection Grade Constable in Police Department S/o Sona Ullah Dar R/o Larmooh, Tral, District Pulwama, was involved in the commission of offence of not only carrying illegal Arms and Ammunition from one place to another for their delivery to the terrorists, but also providing camouflage uniform cloth and other material to them, taking undue and criminal advantage of his being a member of the Police Force.

Gh. Rasool Bhat, Constable in J&K Police S/o Jawaid Hyder Bhat R/o Lalgam, Tral, District Pulwama, is also involved in the commission of offence of carrying illegal Arms and Ammunition from one place to another for delivery to the terrorists. As Kote NCO in the Armory of a district, he was supplying ammunition and weapons to the terrorists for a long time. He was linked to the terrorist ecosystem, through a network of OGWs, who have been operating at the behest of terrorist outfits based in Pakistan.

Shabeer Ahmad Wani, Teacher in the Education Department S/o Mohammad Ashraf Wani R/o Bungam, Damhal Hanjipora, District Kulgam, has been an active member of Jamat-e-Islam (JeI), a proscribed separatist association having tangible links with terrorist organization. He played a substantial role in strengthening JeI and creating network of people among JeI sympathizers. Various FIRs have been registered against him because of his direct involvement in inciting and leading an unlawful assembly of mob instigating rioting and violence in D.H. Pora, during the 2016 unrest. He continues to be a hardcore OGW of banned terror outfits, in particular the HM and his affiliation has perpetually aided terrorist activities in and around Kulgam, collecting information for facilitating attacks, clandestinely.

Anayatullah Shah Pirzada, Assistant Lineman in the Jal Shakti Department S/o Ab. Rashid Shah Pirzada R/o Watergam, Rafiabad, District Baramulla, is a terrorist associate/OGW of Al-Badr Mujahideen, a proscribed terror outfit, has worked covertly in a variety of ways to support the agenda of terrorists. He had direct association with dreaded terrorists like Yousuf Baloch and Tameem, who were the Commanders of Al-Badr Mujahideen, operating at different times in Kashmir. He has been involved in various FIRs pertaining to the recovery of satellite phone, hand grenades etc communicating with the terrorists of Al-Badr Mujahideen based in Pakistan.

Government has adopted a Zero tolerance policy towards anti-national elements who have been taking advantage of being in Government service.

08/06/2024

Education ministry sets up panel to review grace marks to over 1,500 NEET-UG candidates

New Delhi : The education ministry has set up a four-member panel to review the grace marks awarded to more than 1,500 candidates in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Saturday.

The move comes amid allegations of inflation of marks leading to 67 candidates sharing first rank in the exam.

There have been calls from several quarters for a re-exam alleging that the grace marks awarded to make up for the loss of time at six exam centres have led to the inflation of marks and tampered with the chances of other candidates.

These centres are from Meghalaya, Bahadurgarh in Haryana, Dantewada and Balodh in Chhattisgarh, Surat in Gujarat and Chandigarh.

The result of the medical entrance exam was announced on June 4. A record more than 24 lakh candidates had appeared for the exam this year.

“A high-powered committee has been set up to review the results of over 1,500 candidates. The four-member panel headed by a former UPSC chairman will submit its recommendations within a week and the results of these candidates might be revised,” NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh said at a press conference here.

“The awarding of grace marks has not impacted the qualifying criteria of the exam and the review of results of the affected candidates will not impact the admission process,” he added.

Several aspirants of the medical entrance exam NEET have alleged inflation of marks which led to a record 67 candidates bagging the top rank, including six from the same exam centre.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), however, denied any irregularities and said the changes made in the NCERT textbooks and grace marks for losing time at the examination centres were some of the reasons behind the students scoring higher marks.

Asked about whether the exam will be re-conducted for certain students, the NTA DG said, it will be decided depending upon the committee’s recommendations.

“The idea is to ensure that students who lost time or other students are not at any disadvantage,” he said.

Singh denied any paper leak and irregularities in the exam and reiterated that the integrity of the crucial test had been compromised.

The Congress in Kerala alleged that results have raised concerns about the authenticity of the national exam for medical courses, with many students casting doubt on the procedure.

The Maharashtra government has sought immediate cancellation of last month’s NEET exam, alleging that its results have caused injustice to the students from the state.

08/06/2024

Timber dealer’s house raided in 2013 terror attack in Sopore

Srinagar : The State Investigation Agency on Saturday raided the residence of a timber dealer in the old city here in connection with an 11-year-old terror attack in Sopore which left four policemen dead, officials said.

The SIA sleuths carried out the searches at the residence of Ahmadullah Malla in the Nawab Bazar area of the city in the early hours and seized some material and documents, the officials said.

They said the raid was carried out as part of the investigations into the April 2013 terror attack in the Hygam area of Sopore in Baramulla district.

Four police personnel were killed in the attack when terrorists, waiting in an ambush, opened fire on them.

08/06/2024

Bangladesh PM Hasina arrives to attend swearing-in ceremony of Modi

New Delhi : Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi this afternoon to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as prime minister on the evening of June 9.

India on Friday formally announced that the leaders of seven countries from the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region will attend the ceremony.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ will attend the ceremony, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay and Vice-President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif have also accepted India’s invitation to grace the swearing-in ceremony, it said.

Hasina arrived in New Delhi this afternoon. Afif is scheduled to reach the national capital on Saturday. The other leaders will arrive on Sunday.

Modi is expected to hold separate meetings with the visiting leaders.

The invitation to Muizzu assumed significance as it came amid frosty ties between India and the Maldives.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since November last year when Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge as Maldivian president.

Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. The Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month.

“The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers following the General Elections 2024 is scheduled on June 9 2024. On the occasion, leaders from India’s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited as distinguished guests,” the MEA said.

In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, it said.

The swearing-in ceremony is slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.

India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region.

08/06/2024

Maldivian President Muizzu says he would be honoured to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony

Male : Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu said on Saturday that he would be honoured to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony and his visit to India for the historic event would demonstrate that bilateral ties are heading in a positive direction.

Muizzu’s remarks came as he accepted the invitation to attend Prime Minister Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi. Modi will be administered the oath of office on Sunday, his third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

President Muizzu has accepted the invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers of the Government of India, his office said in a statement.

Munu Mahawar, India’s Higher Commissioner to the Maldives, presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President’s Office.

At the call, the High Commissioner extended greetings from Prime Minister Modi, stating that the Prime Minister is looking forward to having the President attend this momentous ceremony marking his third swearing-in as Prime Minister of India, the statement said.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the invitation, adding that he would be honoured to attend this historic event.

He also stated that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the close relations with India, noting that the Maldives-India relationship is heading in a positive direction, as would be demonstrated by this visit.

The President thanked the High Commissioner for personally delivering the invitation.

Muizzu’s office, however, did not disclose when would he be leaving for India.

Earlier on Wednesday, Muizzu had congratulated Modi and voiced his desire to work with the Indian prime minister to advance the bilateral ties. “Congratulations to Prime Minister and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term.

“I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries,” Muizzu posted on X.

This will mark the pro-China president’s first official visit to India since assuming office on November 17 last year. Unlike his predecessors, who made the first port of call to New Delhi after assuming office, Muizzu had travelled to Turkiye first and to China for his first state visit in January.

Within hours of his oath, Muizzu had demanded the removal of 88-odd Indian military personnel from his country, straining bilateral ties. The military personnel were repatriated from three aviation platforms and replaced by civilians from India by the May 10 deadline set by Muizzu.

The swearing-in ceremony is expected to witness the presence of leaders from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, and Seychelles, in addition to the Maldives, as part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

08/06/2024

INDIA bloc must function cohesively both in Parliament and outside: Kharge at CWC meet

New Delhi : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Saturday said the Lok Sabha poll mandate is a "decisive rejection" of the politics of divisiveness and hate, and stressed that the INDIA bloc must continue functioning cohesively both inside and outside Parliament.

In his opening remarks at the Congress Working Committee meeting here, Kharge also asserted that while celebrating its "revival", the party should pause a little as it did not perform to its abilities and expectations in some states.

"Further, we could not repeat our performance in states where we had previously done well in Vidhan Sabha elections and formed the government," he said.

Separate discussions on each such state will be held soon, he said.

"We have to take urgent remedial measures. These are states which have traditionally favoured the Congress, where we have opportunities which we have to harness not for our own advantage but for the benefit of our people. This exercise I propose to hold very soon," the Congress chief said.

Kharge further said whether the party is in power or not, its work continues amongst people "24 hours, 365 days", and raise their issues.

The Congress Working Committee congratulated leaders and workers for their determination, will power and resolve.

"People have spoken against the dictatorial and anti-democratic ways of the ruling party. It is a decisive rejection of the politics of the last 10 years. It is rejection of the politics of divisiveness, hate and polarisation," Kharge said.

"I want to draw your attention to the fact that wherever Bharat Jodo Yatra went we saw an increase in the vote percentage and number of seats for the Congress party," he said.

Noting that the Congress won both the seats of Manipur, Kharge said the party also won seats in Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya.

"In Maharashtra, we emerged as the single-largest party. People from all walks of life supported the Congress party to save the country's democracy and constitution," he said.

Other than this, Kharge said the party also saw an increase in seats dominated by SC, ST, OBC, and minority voters, as well as seats in rural areas.

Going forward, the Congress has to make its presence felt in urban areas as well, he added.

Kharge also hailed INDIA bloc partners, saying each party played its designated role in different states, and each party contributed to the other.

"Our determination is that the INDIA group must continue. We must function cohesively and collectively both in Parliament and outside," he said.

The issues that we raised in the election campaign are issues that are bothering the people of India. We have to continue to raise them both in Parliament and outside, Kharge said.

"We must be disciplined, must be united. The People have reposed their faith back in us in substantial measures and we must build on it. We accept this verdict with genuine humility.

"Whether we are in power or not, Congress party's work continues. We have to work amongst our people 24 hours, 365 days and raise their issues," Kharge said.

He also thanked farmers, organisations working for backward classes, civil society groups, NGOs, small groups of traders, lawyers, intellectuals, independent media and others.

He also cautioned leaders that the discussions in the CWC should remain within the party forum and there should not be a "running commentary" on what is being deliberated on at the meeting.

The extended meeting of the party's top decision-making body -- the Congress Working Committee (CWC) -- started at Hotel Ashok here.

Senior party leaders and members of the CWC, along with Congress Legislature Party leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents from various states, will analyse the party's performance and suggest measures to strengthen the organisation.

The Congress's top brass, including party chief Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, besides other leaders, were participating in the deliberations.

Kharge, who has convened the meeting, will also host a dinner for all the extended CWC members and party MPs at the hotel.

A meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party comprising all newly-elected MPs of the Lok Sabha and those of the Rajya Sabha will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament at 5.30 pm.

08/06/2024

Labourer killed in suspected firing along IB in Samba

Samba : A man was killed in suspected firing along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district, officials said on Saturday.

Vasudev, a 28-year-old labourer, was brought dead to hospital with a bullet injury in his chest, they said.

He was working on a construction project along the IB when he received a bullet in his chest. The BSF and police official are looking into matter, they added.

08/06/2024

Ensure availability of sacrificial animals on reasonable prices at all sale spots: Div Com Kashmir to officers

Asks people to keep hides at home for door to door collection by SMC for proper disposal

SRINAGAR : In order to facilitate people to observe the Eid ul Adha with religious fervour and to ensure availability of essentials & sacrificial animals in the market, the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri convened a meeting to review arrangements put in place by District Administrations and concerned departments, here.

Besides Deputy Commissioners and SSPs, the meeting was attended by Director Health Services Kashmir, SSP Traffic Rural, SP Traffic Srinagar, Joint Commissioner SMC, officers of PHE, UEED, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Legal Metrology, RTC and other concerned departments.

Emphasizing extensive arrangements of basic amenities across the division, Div Com directed concerned Officers to ensure availability of regular electricity and drinking water to the people on the occasion of religious festival.

He directed concerned officer to ensure availability of sacrificial animals, particularly sheep at all the 104 sale spots established by the Sheep Husbandry Department.

He stressed on determination and fixation of reasonable rates for sacrificial animals and enforcement of the same to curb exorbitant prices.

Underlining the necessity to avoid environmental pollution and choking of drains caused by injudicious disposal of hides, Div Com advised the general public to keep fleeces of animals at home which shall be collected by SMC and other Municipal bodies from door to door for proper disposal.

Div Com also asked Animal Husbandry Department officers to ensure availability of poultry birds in abundance in the market.

To curb malpractice of overcharging by traders and shopkeepers, Div Com directed all Deputy Commissioners to constitute joint market checking teams to enforce reasonable prices of essentials and other commodities.

Reviewing arrangements at prominent religious places including Masjids and Shrines, he stressed on filling of potholes on all approach roads, establishing medical camps, stationing of fire tenders and availability of water tankers at these places besides ensuring sanitation, cleanliness and toilet facility.

Meanwhile, the Div Com directed the Waqf Board to conduct a cleanliness drive to clean water storage tanks installed at religious places and add chlorine tablets to provide pure water to people.

Bidhuri further directed for making SRTC and Srinagar Smart City buses available on different routes to ferry devotees to Dargah Hazratbal Shrine on the occasion of Eid to facilitate them to offer prayers.

Moreover, Waqf Board officials were asked to publicize prayer timings of different religious places in advance for the information of the public.

08/06/2024

Dulloo reviews land acquisition for degree colleges; asks for removal of bottlenecks

SRINAGAR : Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, chaired a meeting to review the status of land acquisition for establishment of new Degree Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Secretary Revenue Department, Director Colleges and other concerned officers while Deputy Commissioner’s of Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Anantnag, Samba, Udhampur, Ramban and Rajouri districts participated online.

The Chief Secretary directed the concerned officers to put in extra efforts to remove bottlenecks impeding establishment of new degree colleges in the UT. He also asked the concerned officers to explore options for acquiring additional land adjacent to some colleges, wherever required, for upgradation of college infrastructure there. He exhorted upon the officers to vigorously follow the court cases and other land related issues so that the institutions are established within the shortest possible time.

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary Higher Education highlighted all the land related issues impeding the progress on establishment of these colleges. The issues were discussed with the concerned officials and the modus operandi for their resolution was explored.

Giving status report of their respective districts, Deputy Commissioners informed the meeting that land for new degree colleges has been identified and the process for land transfer is in progress. They assured that no college would face any delay for want of transfer of land for its establishment or for upgradation and any college facing land related matters in the district will be looked into on priority basis.

During the meeting, threadbare discussion was also held on Private Universities Policy and various suggestions were put forth in this regard.

08/06/2024

Media baron Ramoji Rao no more, condolences pour in

Hyderabad : Veteran media personality and Ramoji group chairman Ch Ramoji Rao, who revolutionised the news and entertainment industry, died at a hospital here early on Saturday.

He was 88.

Rao, who was admitted to a hospital here on June 5 following respiratory problems, passed away at 4.50 am, according to Eenadu sources.

The mortal remains were shifted to his residence in the famous Ramoji Film city near here.

Ramoji Rao, who created a sensation in the media industry in undivided Andhra Pradesh with the Eenadu newspaper and ETV group of channels, was a recipient of Padma Vibhushan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the death of Ramoji Rao, describing him as a visionary who revolutionised Indian media.

Rao's rich contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism and the world of films, Modi said on X, adding that through his noteworthy efforts, he set new standards in innovation and excellence in the media and entertainment world.

"Ramoji Rao Garu was extremely passionate about India's development. I am fortunate to have got several opportunities to interact with him and benefit from his wisdom. Condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers during this difficult time. Om Shanti," he said.

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, former Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and several other leaders condoled the death of Ramoji Rao.

Venkaiah Naidu said Ramoji Rao set a new trend in every field he worked.

Ramoji Rao's service to Telugu language and culture will be remembered forever, he added.

Revanth Reddy termed Ramoji Rao's death as a "great loss" to the Telugu newspaper and media industry.

The CM, who is in Delhi to attend CWC meeting, directed state Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to conduct Ramoji Rao's funeral with official honours, a CMO release said.

Chandrababu Naidu said Ramoji Rao left an indelible impression on the lives of Telugu people.

Ramoji Rao's demise is a loss not just to the state but the country, he said.

Ramoji Rao set new trends and reforms in the media industry while upholding values, Kishan Reddy said.

Telugu Superstar Chiranjeevi posted an emotional message on X saying that Ramoji Rao who is like a mountain that never bowed down to anyone reached the heavenly abode.

Ramoji Rao is survived by wife and a son.

07/06/2024

Police attaches GPS tracking anklet to bailed out drug peddler in J&K’s Kulgam

Kulgam : Police on Friday attached a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking anklet to monitor the movement of a bailed out drug peddler in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Police said in compliance to an order received from a Court, Kulgam police on Friday installed a GPS tracking device on a bailed out drug peddler in Narcotic cases.

The accused was arrested along with recovery of contraband and has been bailed out recently.

“The GPS anklet will be used to monitor the movement of the drug peddler and ensure that he doesn’t violate the bail conditions”, police said.

07/06/2024

Div Com Jammu, ADGP visit Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar to review preparations for Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2024

Ask for completion of renovation, up-gradation works by June 20

JAMMU : Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu, Anand Jain today visited Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar to review the preparations for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY)-2024.

Commissioner JMC, DIG JSK, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, SSP Jammu, SSP Security, SSP Traffic, senior officials from CRPF, Tourism, Health, PWD, Jal Shakti and other concerned were also present.

Reviewing the preparations at a meeting, the Div Com was apprised about the status of ongoing works being executed by different departments. The works pertained to face-lifting of entry gate, resurfacing of roads, leveling of parking ground, Whitewash, renovation of washrooms, repair works of ACs, fans, installation of lights, flood lights, and other works inside the Yatri Niwas for providing best facilities to Yatris.

The Div Com directed the concerned executive agencies to complete all works by June 20. He asked the senior officers of concerned departments and ADM Jammu to monitor daily progress of the works.

The Div Com also reviewed the Health Facilities, Prefab Toilet arrangements, Ticket counters, RFID counter, Langar Shed, installation of dustbins, provision of mobile sims, ATM and super bazaar facilities.

The PWD functionaries were asked to maintain smooth road surface around and inside the Yatri Niwas. The Div Com further directed for installing adequate signages, display boards with information regarding Yatri Niwas, railway Station, Bus Stand, registration and RFID counters for the ease and convenience of Yatris.

The Commissioner JMC was asked to ensure clearing of bushes and cleaning of Yatri Niwas and its surroundings and ample manpower for sanitation.

The Div Com further asked the executive agencies to increase men and machinery for early completion of works.

Later, the Div Com and ADGP conducted spot inspection of the works and issued related directions.

Discussion was also held regarding the security arrangements. Directions were issued to ensure all the necessary preparation well within the given timeframe.

07/06/2024

Search operation launched in Jammu

Jammu : A search operation was launched by security forces on the outskirts of the city on Friday, officials said.

The special operation group (SoG) and other security personnel launched the search operation in vast forest belts near Balaji temple in Mujeen area, they said.

A top police officer said the search operation was a “routine exercise”.

However, sources said the operation was carried out after detecting suspicious activity in the area.

Security has been stepped up in the area ahead of the annual Amarnath yatra beginning on June 29.

07/06/2024

68% of candidates in J&K polled fewer than NOTA votes

Jammu : Sixty-eight per cent of the total 100 candidates in the fray on Jammu and Kashmir's five Lok Sabha seats polled fewer than None Of The Above (NOTA) votes, according to Election Commission data.

Cumulately, 34,788 voters pressed the NOTA button in the five seats, showing their rejection of the candidates fielded by parties.

The maximum 12,938 NOTA votes were polled in the Udhampur constituency of Jammu region, a seat retained by BJP candidate Jitendra Singh.

There were 11 other candidates in the fray from Udhampur, and NOTA polled more votes than nine of them.

In the neighbouring Jammu seat, 4,645 voters pressed the NOTA button, which is more than votes individually garnered by 18 candidates. There were 22 candidates in the fray from the seat which has been retained by the BJP’s Jugal Kishore.

In the Srinagar seat, the number of NOTA votes was 5,998. There were 24 candidates in the fray from the constituency and most of them — 18 — got fewer votes than NOTA.

In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, 6,223 voters favoured NOTA. There were 20 candidates were in the fray from the seat, and nine of them secured fewer than NOTA votes.

In the Baramulla seat, 4,984 voters used the NOTA option. There were 22 candidates in the fray and 14 of them polled fewer votes.

Thus, out of the total 100, 68 candidates have secured fewer votes than NOTA, an analysis of the EC data shows.

Meanwhile, in the Ladakh Union territory, which was part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir until the Centre divided J-K into two Union territories and abrogated Article 370 in August 2019, NOTA was favoured only by 912 voters.

”Ladakh is the sole Parliamentary constituency in the UT. There were only three candidates in the fray and all of them got more votes than NOTA.