Massive protests going on in Handwara against Shahid’s killing, Protesters torch, damage official vehicles

Massive protests are underway in Handwara area of north Kashmir against the killing of a local youth allegedly in a fake encounter by army. Government forces on Tuesday had claimed that they killed a militant during a gun battle in Hafrada forests in Handwara. However, the family of the youth claimed that the slain youth is their missing son, identified as Shahid Ahmad Mir of Daril Tarathpora Handwara. Meanwhile, massive protests are on at Tarathpora Chowk in Handwara where body of Slain youth has been placed in the mid of…

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US asks India and Pakistan to engage in talks over Kashmir to reduce tensions

The US has asked India and Pakistan to continue to engage in direct talks aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries. “I think one of the things that we would do is ask or encourage India and Pakistan to sit down together and engage in direct dialogue that is aimed at reducing tensions between both of those countries,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said. She was responding to a question on the statement made by the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson a day earlier in which he sought some…

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Songs of the wounded

Twenty five years of terror, alienation, exile. Kashmir’s art echoes the rage. And is now demanding a stage to vent it. The Srinagar Biennale will be a first step. Come butcher, sing me a song For I am waiting for sleep to come Weave me a lullaby” Ten sheep skins on the wall instead of a blackboard. On the school chair, an oxygen mask. Underneath, an oxygen cylinder. Ice, and a notebook. Shoe moulds on another wall. A childhood in a lost place. A memoir of extremes. Made in 2013,…

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Kashmir tourism videos take Internet by storm

Present aerial shots of Valley’s scenic spots; the videos get lakhs of views The promotional campaign of the Tourism Department using drone cameras has taken the Internet by storm. Presenting aerial shots of Kashmir valley’s tourist spots, the videos are getting lakhs of views besides being widely shared. A video showcasing the bridges of Srinagar city on the Jhelum has so far got over 2,18,500 views plus nearly 5,000 shares. Other videos, especially the one on Dal Lake and another on Gulmarg, too, are breaking the Internet. Even though Valley’s…

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GCW Parade principal removed following Student Protests

Following massive protests at Government College for Women (GCW), Parade Jammu, due to alleged misbehavior of college principal and staff with the students, J&K government has removed the principal and ordered an inquiry into the allegations of students. “Pending inquiry into the matter, principal Anita Sudan is hereby attached with director colleges with immediate effect,” order issued by higher education department reads. Geetanjali Andotra, who is under order of transfer to GDC Banihal has been posted as in-charge principal of the college. DC Jammu Rajiv Rajan told Kashmir Post that…

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Fissures in BJP’s Kashmir unit? 2 Groups shoot letters to high command

First time since the BJP shared power in J&K on March 1, 2015, major fissures have surfaced in the party’s state unit with two groups locking horns against each other. Irked by the approach of some party leaders, a group of disgruntled party leaders and activists have shot a letter to BJP’s Kashmir affairs in-charge Dr Narendra Singh, appealing him to investigate the “acts against the party’s interest and promoting lobbyism.” The letter, signed by BJP’s district presidents and party activists reads that there are some people lobbying for their…

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What if Article 35A goes? Playing the fear card over ‘Special Privileges’

All conversations conclude here with a question: what will happen if Article 35A goes? The answer is: “All hell will break loose in Kashmir”. The narrative of the consequences of the removal of the Article that confers special privileges on all permanent residents in Jammu and Kashmir to acquire immovable assets, jobs, scholarships, is assuming alarming proportions. There is a campaign against those who have moved the Supreme Court for its “discriminatory” approach as it debars Indian citizens living in other parts of the country from availing themselves of any…

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Farooq Abdullah calls for ‘United Fight’ to protect Article 35A

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday reiterated that all state political parties should get united for protection of Article 35-A, cautioning that it would be “devastating” for the state if the constitutional provision is scrapped. “The scrapping of Article 35A will lead to a storm which will create devastation with each passing day,” he said, addressing party workers from Kulgam, Beerwah and Dooru at his residence here. “The time demands that people of J&K along with the mainstream parties should set aside their differences and get united to defend…

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Youth killed in Handwara encounter was a civilian

21-year-old Shahid Bashir had gone missing on Monday Army had not dubbed him as a militant: IGP Police to probe killing, Army ascertaining facts Massive protests erupt in Handwara The 21-year-old youth who was killed on Tuesday during an encounter in north Kashmir’s Handwara area was a civilian and not a militant as speculated earlier. The deceased has been identified as Shahid Bashir Mir of Daril Tarathpora area of Handwara. He was a 3rd-year student at Government Degree College Handwara. Talking to Kashmir Post, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone,…

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Pakistan rejects US criticism, calls for settling Kashmir Issue

Pakistan has rejected the US’ accusation that it harbours terrorists and said the Kashmir issue is the “primary obstacle” to peace in the region. Pakistan on Wednesday rejected US President Donald Trump’s criticism of the country for harbouring terrorists and said the Kashmir issue is the “primary obstacle” to peace and stability in the region. While unveiling his new policy for Afghanistan on Monday, Trump signalled a toughening of the US position on Pakistan for sheltering terror groups. He also spoke of working more closely with India, which he called…

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