Shutdown disrupts life in Valley, Friday prayers allowed in Jamia masjid after 19 weeks

There was less movement of people and transport across Kashmir Friday as normal life remained affected due to the strike called by separatists. The movement of people and transport is less today compared to the other days due to apprehensions of law and order problems after Friday congregational prayers, a police official said. He said most of the shops, fuel stations and business establishments in Srinagar – the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir – were shut due to the strike, while public transport was comparatively less. However, few of…

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Kashmir unrest may be down, but it’s far from over: We could see a reemergence in 2017

The recent provocation at the Line of Control (LoC), in which a soldier’s body was mutilated, was one more indication that the troubles in Kashmir are not over. There are other indications too, which together paint a sombre picture of what might happen next summer. Many in positions of authority hope that things would settle down since school examinations have been held, markets are bustling, and traffic is back on the roads. But their expectations ought to be tempered with caution. The respite is tenuous and it might turn out…

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Govt searches for more ‘Deadwood’ after terminating 21 junior officers

Won’t tolerate officials whose integrity is doubtful: Govt With Government having ordered termination of services of 21 government employees of various departments after declaring them “deadwood”, it has been learnt that the government is compiling another list of officials whose integrity is doubtful. It has been learnt from the sources that the high-level panel headed by Chief Secretary which was constituted by the government to examine the corruption cases against the tainted officers will meet soon and examine the corruption cases of officials. “The high-level panel will meet and examine…

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Britain urges Pakistan, India to resolve Kashmir crisis, Turkey offers mediation

Britain’s top diplomat on Thursday urged Pakistan and India to find a lasting solution for Kashmir a day after a deadly exchange of fire killed more than a dozen people in the disputed Himalayan region. But after meeting with Pakistani officials, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told reporters in Islamabad that it was up to the two South Asian countries to resolve the crisis and that Britain should not “prescribe a solution or act as a mediator.” India meanwhile summoned a Pakistani diplomat to lodge a protest over what it said…

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Non-state subjects illegally working in handicrafts dept

Appointment of non-locals in govt departments violation of Articles 370 and 35-A In a brazen violation of recruitment rules, the J&K Government has provided employment to non-state subjects, belonging to Uttar Pradesh. Official documents reveal that Alim-ud-Din Khan and Mohi-ud-Din, both residents of Uttar Pradesh, have been employed in Government Arts Emporium – a wing of J&K Handicrafts Corporation for marketing Kashmir’s indigenous craft. Both were appointed as orderlies in 1986 by the then Managing Director, J&K Handicrafts Department. Later, they were regularised on the basis of “good performance,” read…

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PDP-BJP government rendered defunct in Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

Abdullah said signs of normalcy should not be mistaken to be restoration of peace as all such activities were being carried out “in accordance with the weekly schedules being issued by Hurriyat leaders”. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday claimed that the PDP-BJP government in the state was rendered “defunct” and its writ was being questioned on a daily basis by quarters it had tried to first appease and then, suppress. “Such is the writ of the government in the…

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Vehicles damage in Sopore, Clashes rock Pulwama, Public transport makes reappearance

Stray incidents of violence reported in Sopore and Srinagar Barring stray incidents of violence and protests, the overall situation across the Kashmir valley remained peaceful today as near normalcy prevailed for the second consecutive day today ahead of the 15-hour relaxation from this afternoon. The incidents of violence were reported from Sopore and Srinagar, amid near normal movement of vehicles in different parts of the Valley. Some unidentified masked youth in an attempt to disrupt traffic on the Sopore-Kupwara road indulged in stone-throwing near Sopore this afternoon. Many passenger and…

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