August 14, 2015 | Kashmir POST

Why Kashmir’s Lal Chowk is an eyewitness to wretched political history since 1947

August 14, 2015 Editor

The Ghanta Ghar located in the city centre is also a witness to a lot of bloodshed and violence for the past 26 years. Many historians agree that Kashmir’s Lal Chowk (Red Square) was named after the renowned Red Square of Moscow by a Sikh leftist intellectual BPL Bedi, the author of Naya Kashmir. Bedi, father of famous Indian film actor Kabir Bedi, was Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s close confidant. And Naya Kashmir was an important constitutional framework for Jammu and Kashmir under autocratic Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule. Those days,…

Article 35A is beyond challenge

August 14, 2015 Editor

Article 371A of the Constitution of India clearly says: “ Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, – ( a) no Act of Parliament in respect of – ( i) religion or social practices of the Nagas, ( ii) Naga customary law and procedure, ( iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law, ( iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources, shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.” This provision inserted in 1962…

3 Boys Slapped with PSA; Half a Dozen Detained in Last Fortnight : Shopian

August 14, 2015 Editor

In South Kashmir’s Shopian, which is on edge at the moment, three boys were slapped with controversial public safety act (PSA) in one last fortnight. Among the trio, interestingly, one is Sarpanch. One among the other two is the brother of the Hizb commander whose house was attacked with a grenade early Thursday morning. Notably, some unidentified men lobbed a grenade on Hizb’s district commander, Waseem Ahmed Malla’s house Thursday morning, which didn’t explode and was later diffused by a police team. Malla’s brother Saboor Ahmed Malla along with Mohammad…

Critical Care ambulances remain elusive in accident prone Kashmir

August 14, 2015 Editor

As the state is witnessing an increase in the number of accidents, violent incidents and medical emergencies, the absence of Critical Care Ambulances is proving fatal for victims. The state has failed to provide these Life Support System fitted ambulances at the hospitals, despite promises. The government on Wednesday flagged off 70 ambulances procured through the funds of National Health Mission ( NHM). However, none of these vehicles have been fitted with the equipment for life support systems rendering these ambulances no better than regular transport vehicles. Even of the…

Govt to Send ‘Power Thieves’ to Jail

August 14, 2015 Editor

In a move that could trigger a public outcry, the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir is filing cases with police against consumers resorting to power theft while “earmarking” two full-fledged police stations in Srinagar and Jammu for the purpose. In a high-level meeting chaired by J&K’s Chief Vigilance Commissioner Kuldeep Khoda here, the Power Development Department was asked to register FIRs in all cases of electricity theft or illegal power connections that come to the fore and monitor the progress of investigation and trial thereof. The meeting was attended…

Srinagarities face inconvenience ahead of August 15

August 14, 2015 Editor

People – mostly inhabitants in downtown area in summer capital Srinagar said that they were facing inconvenience due to the “high security” arrangements put across ahead of August 15 celebrations. Locals said they were irked by “unnecessary” accosting by the police and paramilitary forces. We received scores of complaints from last few days about “unnecessary accosting” by the police, who even “don’t leave small children and women for frisking”. Wednesday evening was a very tough time for the residents living around Bakhshi Stadium and Amar Singh College when the people returning…

Shutdown, Clashes in Pulwama

August 14, 2015 Editor

Complete shutdown was observed in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district for second consecutive day Thursday against a local youth’s death in BSF firing. Shops and other business establishments remained closed while public transport also remained off the roads. Police said the situation was under control and no incident of violence was reported from any area. “Compared to yesterday the situation throughout the district was under control,” said a senior police officer. Police sources said many youth who were involved in stone pelting would be detained soon “in order to restore normalcy…

Protests erupt in Kargil after taxi drivers assaulted in Leh

August 14, 2015 Editor

The recent agreement between Leh and Kargil taxi unions brokered by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon was severed last night after five taxi drivers were attacked at Leh Taxi Stand by unknown people. The attack resulted in injuries to three drivers who were hospitalized later. In the agreement, two unions had agreed that the presidents of the two unions would be responsible for any breach of the agreement or attack on taxi drivers. Police sources said that an FIR has been lodged against the attackers and the search operation is…

Students fear expulsion from Bangalore college following PMSS Mess

August 14, 2015 Editor

Two Jammu and Kashmir students pursuing BE (Mechanical Engineering) from a Bangalore-based college under Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) alleged that they were under pressure to leave the college as the All India Council of Technology (AICTE) has failed to deposit their fees in time. “We have been warned by the college administration to either pay the fees within three days or leave the college,” Irshad Ahmed Lone, a valley-based student told . He said, he along with Sushant Nargotra of Jammu were selected under the PMSS Scheme in…

Rifle shooting championship concludes

August 14, 2015 Editor

For the promotion of various sports activities and boosting the talent of the youth, Jammu and Kashmir Police has been sustaining and nurturing different sports activities in the state, which has helped production of skilled young players in various sports activities and other games, besides development of self discipline and sportsmanship among the players. This was stated by the Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar, while addressing the concluding function of first District Rifle Shooting Championship held at Khalsa High School here today. He said that Jammu and…