August 7, 2017 | Kashmir POST

India, US conspiring to sabotage Indus Waters Treaty: Khawaja Asif

August 7, 2017 Editor

Pakistan has accused India and the US of being “involved in an international conspiracy to sabotage the Indus Water(s) Treaty”,+ reported Pakistani media. India is “also supporting the conspiracies being hatched by Afghanistan against Pakistan”, isn’t giving any response to “Pakistan’s peace initiatives” and is, like Afghanistan, involved in a “blame game” with Islamabad as the target, said Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s new foreign minister. In his first press conference since being appointed foreign minister, Asif also reportedly said that “Pakistan’s desire for peace and good relations with neighbours should not…

Venkaiah Naidu (NDA candidate) wins vice presidential election with 516 votes

August 7, 2017 Editor

The ruling NDA candidate and former Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu was on Saturday elected as the next Vice-President of India. Naidu defeated the Opposition candidate and former diplomat Gopalkrishna Gandhi by a margin of 272 votes. Naidu secured 516 votes as against 244 got by Gandhi. In all 771 out of 785 MPs cast their votes. Votes of 11 MPs were declared invalid. Fourteen MPs of different political parties did not vote for varied reasons. Three hundred and eighty one votes were needed to win. The ruling NDA candidate…

Fest aims to put Gurez on adventure tourism map

August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 Editor

In an effort to put the virgin locations of Gurez on the tourism map, a three-day ‘Gurez Festival’, organised by the government, started on Saturday. The festival will promote Gurez as a destination for adventure sports activities. “Gurez has a lot of tourism potential. There is scope for all activities, including trekking, mountain biking and white water rafting, which need to be promoted through such festivals,” said Tourism Director, Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah. Adventure sports activities like trekking, white water rafting, mountain biking and angling will be part of the…

Farooq Abdullah to chair opposition meet on Article 35A

August 7, 2017 Editor

The fresh clamour over abrogation of Article 35-A which confers special rights and privileges on J&K’s permanent residents has sent the alarm bells ringing in the state, with National Conference calling a meeting of Opposition parties here on Monday to discuss the sensitive issue. The meeting comes in wake of a petition filed by a non-governmental organisation seeking abrogation of the constitutional provision that defines special privileges enjoyed by permanent residents of the state in matters related to employment, acquisition of immovable property, settlements and scholarships. A source said National…

Concern raised in parts of kashmir over privacy as security forces allegedly scan phones of suspected civilians

August 7, 2017 Editor

Concern over privacy was raised in some parts of Kashmir, after reports of security forces checking citizens’ phones surfaced in the media. Reportedly, security forces in Kashmir, particularly in its volatile southern areas, are prying into cellphones of residents during roadside searches. While according to officials it is a routine procedure in the state where militants use social media to propagate their agenda and garner mass support, several incidents of citizen abuse were reported in such situations if anything incriminating was found on the phones. According to IANS, officials denied…

7 Years on, admn fails to shift ISBT to Narwal

August 7, 2017 Editor

Being used as a place to park pvt buses, trucks Public money worth crores has been wasted as the district administration has failed to completely shift the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) to Narwal even after seven years of its completion. After spending crores of rupees on its construction, the administration has abandoned the ISBT as it is being used only for the parking of private buses and trucks. “The administration is being pressurised by the shopkeepers and travel companies based at the General Bus Stand, who do not allow them…

Need to check money flowing into Kashmir to foment trouble: RK Kaushal

August 7, 2017 Editor

There is a need to analyse how much foreign money is pouring into Kashmir to foment trouble, said Major General (Retd) RK Kaushal during a talk on Violence Free Kashmir organised in the city on Saturday. Kaushal was in the city to be part of this event organised by the discussion group Vichar Vedh at Patrakar Bhavan. Also present on the occasion were Professor Vijay Naik from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai and members of Vichar Vedh, a forum which encourages discussion on humanitarian, secular and democratic values.…

Panel criticises trade body leaders house arrest: GST Row

August 7, 2017 Editor

The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), an amalgam of various trade bodies, today flayed the government for placing under house arrest its leaders ahead of the proposed sit-in on Tuesday. JKCC coordinator Siraj Ahmad said an emergency meeting of the amalgam was held today where the members expressed “utter disbelief, shock and surprise over the unwarranted and uncalled for house arrest of its leaders, Dr Mubeen Shah and Mohammad Yasin Khan”. He said they had been put under house arrest today as the JKCC had called for a sit-in…

Mehbooba’s bizarre statements must not be allowed to hold nation hostage: Terror funding case

August 7, 2017August 7, 2017 Editor

Jammu and Kashmir may have a separate constitution but it is, unquestionably, part of India. Of late, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been making bizarre statements which indicate some sort of desperation on her part towards the scenario unfolding in the Valley. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) crackdown on the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), their arrest, allegations of terrorist links, illegal wealth, inciting youth and instigating violence have shaken the state. In addition to Pakistan, these separatists were also reportedly receiving funds from outfits in London and…