JK Civil Society

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[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

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Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society (JKCS) is a registered non-profit with 12A & 80G certification, ensuring tax benefits for donors. Your contribution will help us drive social justice, education, employment, cultural preservation, and social relief efforts.

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Justice for victims lies in strengthening collective conscience and supporting lawful action not in circulating images that deepen the trauma of families,society.Let us preserve humanity, respect the dignity of victims, uphold ethical and legal responsibilities .

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society (JKCS) appeals to all citizens, media platforms, social media users, and content creators to immediately stop sharing or uploading photographs, videos, or any identifying details of victims of sexual assault, especially minors.

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Such acts not only violate the dignity and privacy of the victim and the grieving family, but may also amount to a serious violation of law. A tragedy should never be turned into public spectacle or social media content.We urge people to act responsibly, sensitively, and morally.

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

https://t.co/RjO0o0sfAL

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Thank you sir.

[Bhaijan Imtiyaz Chashti @bonipan]

https://t.co/L3UQM6acum

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

https://t.co/gUSUKH1i88

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/gUSUKH1i88

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Authorities must take note of load carriers misusing loudspeakers across . The constant noise has made life miserable for residents, affecting peace, students, and patients.

We urge to act immediately and regulate this nuisance.
@OfficeOfLGJandK
@SrinagarPolice @JmuKmrPolice

[Bhaijan Imtiyaz Chashti @bonipan]

Bhaijan’s Corner

Let Kashmir’s Youth Lead: Municipal Governance as the Nursery of a New Civic Leadership
Imtiyaz R. Chashti
In every democracy, meaningful change begins at the grassroots. The strength of democratic institutions is not determined solely by national debates or parliamentary contests but by the vibrancy of local governance. Municipal institutions, often overlooked in larger political discourse, are in fact the foundation upon which responsive governance and civic participation are built.
In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, this principle holds particular significance. The region today stands at an important juncture where the aspirations of its young population can be harnessed to strengthen democratic institutions and accelerate development. Encouraging young, educated citizens to step forward and participate in municipal governance—particularly as independent civic leaders—can open the door to a new chapter of constructive engagement.
Kashmir’s demographic profile itself presents a compelling case for such an initiative. A substantial portion of the population falls within the youth bracket of 18 to 35 years. Universities and higher education institutions across the region are producing thousands of graduates every year. Institutions such as University of Kashmir, Islamic University of Science and Technology, and Central University of Kashmir have contributed to the emergence of a generation that is more informed, more connected, and more conscious of its role in shaping society.
This generation has grown up in a rapidly changing world. Exposure to global ideas, digital platforms, and educational opportunities has made many young Kashmiris deeply aware of the importance of good governance, transparency, and civic responsibility. Increasingly, discussions among youth revolve around issues such as urban planning, environmental protection, tourism development, education, and employment.
Yet despite this awareness and enthusiasm, many capable young individuals remain outside formal political and governance structures. The challenge before policymakers and civil society alike is to create pathways through which this energy can be channelled toward constructive civic participation.
Municipal governance offers precisely such a pathway.
Across the world, local government has served as the first school of leadership. Many national and regional leaders began their public journeys as city councillors or municipal representatives. The reason is simple: local governance brings leaders face to face with the everyday concerns of citizens. Roads, sanitation, water supply, traffic management, waste disposal, and environmental protection may appear mundane compared to grand political debates, but they are the issues that define the quality of daily life.
Urban centres in Kashmir, including Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag, face precisely these challenges. Rapid urbanisation, increasing tourism, and growing populations have created new demands on civic infrastructure and municipal services. Addressing these challenges requires not only administrative capacity but also innovative thinking and community engagement.
Young leaders with educational backgrounds in engineering, management, environmental sciences, law, and social work can bring fresh perspectives to these issues. Their familiarity with technology and modern governance practices can help municipal institutions adopt more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly approaches.
Equally important is the idea of encouraging youth to participate as independent candidates focused on development rather than partisan politics. Independent civic leadership can often act as a bridge between citizens and institutions, ensuring that local governance remains rooted in community needs rather than political rivalries.
Encouraging such participation is not merely about elections; it is about nurturing a culture of civic responsibility.
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[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Fuel hoarding during times of uncertainty is both unsafe and unethical. Selling petrol & diesel in cans only worsens shortages and puts lives at risk. Authorities must act firmly, stop fuel dispensing in cans and ensure fair distribution for all.
@DivComKash
#StopHoarding

[Bhaijan Imtiyaz Chashti @bonipan]

Bhaijan’s Column
Dredge the Jhelum Now — and Protect It Together
Imtiyaz R. Chashti

For the people of Kashmir, the memory of September 2014 is neither distant nor abstract. It survives in flood marks on homes in Srinagar’s downtown, in businesses that never fully recovered, and in the quiet unease that returns whenever the Jhelum rises after heavy rain. The floods were widely described as a natural disaster, but in truth, they were also the result of prolonged neglect of the River Jhelum, Kashmir’s lifeline and, when mismanaged, its greatest threat.
More than a decade later, many of the vulnerabilities that magnified the 2014 disaster remain unresolved. Heavy siltation, shrinking river space, and clogged flood spill channels have steadily reduced the Jhelum’s carrying capacity. Today, as the river flows at one of its lowest levels in recent years, Kashmir stands at a critical moment. Scientific dredging of the Jhelum right now could significantly reduce flood risk. Missing this opportunity would be a grave failure of foresight.
In the aftermath of the 2014 floods, the Comprehensive Flood Management Plan (CFMP) was announced with high expectations. Substantial funds were allocated, and private dredging companies were engaged to restore the river’s depth and width. However, implementation fell far short of the promise. Dredging was carried out in scattered stretches, often without achieving the required depth or continuity. Contractors failed to meet deadlines, targets were revised downward, and accountability weakened.
By around 2020, capital dredging of the Jhelum had largely come to a halt, leaving the CFMP incomplete. Several vulnerable stretches of the river remain silted, while flood spill channels continue to choke with sediment and vegetation. For residents living along the river in Srinagar, Baramulla, and parts of South Kashmir, the evidence is visible: a rising riverbed and a narrowing channel that can no longer safely carry excess water.
Climate change has intensified this risk. Kashmir is increasingly witnessing short-duration, high-intensity rainfall events that place enormous pressure on the Jhelum and its tributaries. Expecting a silt-choked river to absorb such extremes is unrealistic. Flood management can no longer be reactive; it must be preventive and continuous.
The present low water level of the Jhelum offers a rare technical advantage. Dredging during low flow conditions is safer, more efficient, and environmentally manageable. Heavy machinery can be deployed with precision, sediment removal can be controlled, and downstream risks minimized. Once water levels rise, dredging becomes difficult, expensive, and politically easy to postpone—as history has shown.
Environmental concerns around dredging are valid, but they should not be used as an excuse for paralysis. What Kashmir needs is scientific, basin-wide dredging guided by hydrological studies, environmental assessments, and strict monitoring. Cosmetic dredging done for appearances will only provide temporary relief and a dangerous illusion of safety.
However, responsibility does not lie with the government alone. Citizens too must confront their role in weakening the river system. Over the years, indiscriminate dumping of garbage, construction debris, and untreated waste into water bodies has choked streams, wetlands, and drainage channels feeding the Jhelum. Encroachments along riverbanks whether informal or institutional have narrowed the river’s natural corridor and obstructed flood pathways.
A dredged river cannot protect Kashmir if it continues to be treated as a dumping ground. Flood mitigation is as much a civic responsibility as it is an administrative one. Protecting the Jhelum requires collective discipline: no dumping of waste into water bodies, no illegal construction along riverbanks, and greater public awareness of how everyday actions contribute to long-term risk.

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

A visit to Bait-ul-Meeras, Aalikadal organised by JKCS.
Young students from Downtown explored our rich meeras, took part in activities like painting, and spent quality time with friends and mentors, away from mobiles, closer to culture, creativity, and connection.

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

4th free eye care camp at Zainakote HMT

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Eye care camp going on in NARWARA

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Strong appreciation for SHO Nowhatta @maliknaseer93
and his alert team for apprehending an individual and seizing around 3kg charas. Such decisive action against narcotics sends a message that drug peddling will not be tolerated.This is the kind of policing our society needs.

[JK Civil Society @JKCS_7007]

Cloudburst tragedy in J&K 12 bodies recovered from Paddar, Kishtwar. NDRF, SDRF & Police on site. Machail Yatra suspended. In Ganderbal’s Chhatergul, 5-6 people trapped after another cloudburst. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for those missing.