Farooq Abdullah pitches for autonomy for divided Kashmir

Giving autonomy to both parts of the divided Jammu and Kashmir is the only way to resolve the Kashmir dispute, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said on Monday. During a tour of Rajouri district, the National Conference leader told party activists at Budhal: “Autonomy to both sides of Jammu and Kashmir is the only viable and realistic solution to the nearly seven-decade-old problem that has cast dark shadows over the generations. “We owe peace and dignified life to posterity. And that can be achieved only by converting the present dividing…

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Sainik colony demand was made by state subjects: CM

The demand of Sainik colonies was made by the state subject service men but it was not fulfilled so far. This was stated by the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday before resuming her office in the summer capital. On the opening day of the civil secretariat in Srinagar, Mehbooba clarified that establishment of Sainik colonies had nothing to do with the non-state subjects. “It was a demand made by the state subjects however their demand is yet to be fulfilled,” Mehbooba told reporters on the sidelines of the function…

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NHPC ‘blocks’ JK’s first wind farm project

The J&K government’s plans to set up its maiden wind-power project have hit a roadblock, with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) claiming ownership of the land identified for the project near the Corporation’s Salal hydropower scheme in Jammu, sources said on Sunday. The State Government had approved the proposal to set up the wind farm under a centrally-sponsored scheme in 2012 and after a detailed survey, a place in Bidda village of Reasi district near 690-MW Salal project was found most feasible for setting up the project—the first of…

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National Conference accuses govt of cover-up Sainik Colony issue

Dares Akhtar to substantiate claim or resign National Conference has accused the government of covering up facts related to the proposal of setting up of Sainik Colony in Kashmir. “Official documents prove it beyond any reasonable doubt that the official process of identification of land for Sainik Colony in Srinagar, from the initial allocation of 173 kanals to the subsequent 350 kanals, was initiated twice in 2015 and 2016,” said NC spokesperson in a statement issued here Sunday. On Saturday, Minister for Education and state government spokesman, Naeem Akhtar asserted…

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Don’t know why Guru was hanged, says Mehbooba

Three years after the secret execution of Muhammad Afzal Guru in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, the J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said she is still to understand why and what for he was hanged. Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Khadi Exhibition at Kashmir Haat here, Mehbooba recalled the hanging of Guru on February 9, 2013, saying his execution evoked a “strong discussion across the board, something unlikely in a country like Pakistan.” “Here one Kashmiri was hanged. We don’t even know why he was hanged or…

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Youth have been the biggest casualty of violence : CM

Jammu and Kashmir’s youth have been the “biggest casualty” of more than two decades of violence in the state, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said and promised to “heal their scars” by securing their future. “I admire your perseverance to go on, despite the cycle of violence that snatched your childhood. I promise to heal your scars by securing your future,” Mehbooba said during meetings with youth delegations from different parts of the Valley. The Chief Minister also asked youngsters to become role models in propagating the message of peace…

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From Kashmir to Cannes

Having grown up in a place where not many pursue a career in films, Rahat Kazmi, the Poonch-based film producer and director, literally blazed a trail with his passion for filmmaking. The going, though, has been tough for him. Frequent curbs on the screening of his earlier film, ‘Identity Card-guilty unless proven’ has dented his confidence at times but it has not stopped him from choosing even more controversial subjects.For nearly two years he worked on his new film “Mantostaan” that will be screened on May 14 and 16 at…

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In Badanaal village, water is rationed from its only well : Latur of JK

Chowkidar guards the well 24×7; water theft carries penalty — no water for 5 days At Badanaal village in Ghatti panchayat, 25 km from Kathua district headquarters, a chowkidar-cum-panchayat member has been guarding one of two wells, the only source of water in the village, round the clock since the onset of summer to keep away “water thieves”. The second well of the village is dried up. Every morning, chowkidar Sardar Singh comes up with a measuring utensil to provide only 15 litres water per family from the well. A…

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Militants disarm policemen, decamp with four riffles in Kulgam

Police have launched a massive manhunt to nab the militants behind the incident. Militants disarmed heavily armed policemen and decamped with four weapons when they stormed into a police picket guarding the minority Hindu inhabited Adijan village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday night. Police said the incident occurred when a group of heavily armed militants overpowered the cops in the bunker and fled with four weapons including two INSAS and two SLR riffles along with six magazines full of bullets. “Four policemen were deployed in the picket. They…

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Traffic Jams hit Srinagarites

Frequent traffic jams have become order of the day in Srinagar City, thus affecting the daily chorus of life adversely. The uptown areas are especially ht by this on account of many traffic diversions due to flyover construction. The traffic mess has added to woes of commoners and made life quiet difficult. Majority of roads in Srinagar city are in shackles and represent the ugly face of our road management. Sheikh Sameer, a commuter States -” Travelling from one part of the Srinagar City to other has become a painful…

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