16 Vice Chairpersons appointment on hold by Election Commission

The PDP-BJP coalition received a setback when the Election Commission of India (ECI) today kept in abeyance the “controversial” appointment of 16 politicians as vice-chairpersons of various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) ahead of the byelections to the Srinagar and Anantnag Parliamentary constituencies. On March 10, the state government had appointed middle-rung leaders belonging of the PDP and BJP as vice-chairpersons of various PSUs already running in huge losses. These appointments were dubbed as “political bribery” by the opposition National Conference and Congress. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Shantmanu said the…

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Over 6 lakh pilgrims visited Vaishno Devi till March 11

At a review meeting held by Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, board Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said that of the 6,83,032 pilgrims who offered prayers at the Vaishno Devi shrine from January 16 to March 11 this year, 1,46,535 had gone through the natural cave. The natural cave of the Vaishno Devi shrine remains open every year from around mid-January to mid-March. Around this time, the pilgrims rush is at its lowest. During this period, the…

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Mehbooba Mufti reviews Rs 195cr flood protection works on Chenab

Directs officials to take up plantation drive in critical zones Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday visited Akhnoor and Jorian and took a review of the pace of ongoing work on the flood protection works on the banks of the Chenab. She visited Sangrampora, Mairra and Gair villages to personally inspect the bundhs and other protection structures being raised on the banks of the Chenab. Mehbooba was informed that the flood protection works form a part of the Rs 195-crore comprehensive project covering 54 works on the river in the…

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Fake Pathribal Encounter celebrates 17th anniversary

Victim families seek international probe The Army might have closed the Pathribal fake encounter case but even after seventeen years the victim families remain defiant and while seeking international probe vow to fight for justice. On the 17th anniversary of the killings, the victim families are organizing a remembrance meet in Brari-Aangan village of Shangus in this South Kashmir district to remember five people killed in the stage managed encounter by army and the subsequent killing of eight protesters in Brakpora village by police and CRPF. “The Army might have…

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Universal Development Agenda & Our Priorities

Dr. Ghulam-Nabi Fai March 25, 2017 The issue of ‘universal development agenda’ is the issue of the twenty-first century. Never before have so many suffered amidst liberty and luxury for the few. The wealth of single individuals exceeds the wealth of many nations. In highly developed countries, the number of persons living past 80 years is soaring. In deprived and convulsed countries, the average longevity is but half that age. While citizens of some African and Asian countries are starving, the rich countries are beset with obesity. Discrepancies of these…

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JK seeks 254 more companies of forces: LS Bypolls

Terming militancy as a “big threat” to upcoming bypolls in Kashmir, security agencies have sought additional 250 companies of paramilitary forces to ensure “smooth conduct” of the polls to two parliamentary seats—Srinagar and Anantnag—slated to be held next month. Even though the summer capital Srinagar has witnessed less militancy-related activities, top officials believe that the district continues to remain vulnerable as “threat perception” is always there. Reliable sources said after a preliminary security assessment of Srinagar-Budgam constituency in Central Kashmir and Anantnag (Islamabad) constituency in South, it was decided to…

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Rajbagh Royals clinch Kashmir Super League (KSL) II

Sufiyan’s 52 muscles Royals to title win Spirit of Kashmir comes alive in Dubai Rajbagh Royals defeated Razay Kadal Super Heroes in the final of the second edition of Kashmir Super League (KSL) by six wickets to lift the trophy. Razay Kadal SuperHeroes won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 172 for the loss of 3 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. The target was chased down by Rajbagh Royals, losing 4 wickets in pursuit. Sufiyan Farooq of Rajbagh Royals scored 52 runs of 28 balls hitting 3 fours…

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Geelani’s kin gets Govt job, other youth bullets!

By K B Jandial While the BJP is upbeat over “congress mukt” results in four of the five states that went to the poll, Kashmir, unmindful of these political upheavals, is having a counter narrative even though major political parties (& also the separatists) are preparing for electoral battle in Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha by-poll. The dangerous narrative in Kashmir has nothing to do with the just concluded electoral semi-final or the current by-poll. Killing of a 15-year old Aamir Nazir Wani on 9th March this year in police…

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Modi government can’t afford to mishandle Kashmir

Since the summer unrest of 2016, observers from Srinagar have been asking New Delhi to come to the negotiating table and start talks with the Hurriyat. “Tral again? We are already in wounds, can’t tolerate more!” This was written by a young Kashmiri on Facebook when news broke that Sabzar Ahmad, a close aide of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, was trapped in an encounter with forces at Nazneenpora village of Tral. The youth’s dismay spoke volumes about the helplessness of a common Kashmiri before a giant, ruthless state. Rumours spread over…

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