Day: September 11, 2017

Won’t go against sentiments of Kashmiris on Article 35A: Rajnath Singh

Editor

The Kashmir Valley has been hit by agitation against attempts to abrogate Article 35A of the Constitution, which gives special rights to permanent residents of the state. Union home minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday the BJP-led government at the Centre will not go against the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir on constitutional provisions that guarantee special privileges to the restive state, amid a debate over articles 35A and 370. Singh is on a four-day visit to the state which comes at a time when the valley…

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Permanent solution to Kashmir issue is based on five ‘C’s: Rajnath Singh

Editor

The situation in Kashmir Valley has improved significantly over the past year, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today as he expressed willingness to meet anyone who wants to help resolve problems of Kashmir. Singh, who is on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, told reporters that a permanent solution to Kashmir issue is based on five ‘C’s — compassion, communication, coexistence, confidence building and consistency. “After meeting the delegations and holding meetings here, I understand that the situation in Kashmir has greatly improved.I don’t want to claim that…

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Three Army soldiers injured in landmine blast in Kupwara

Editor

Three soldiers were injured in Kashmir’s Kupwara district, during a routine patrolling on Sunday, after one of the soldiers accidentally set off a landmine explosion. According to official sources, troops of 16 Madras were conducting routine patrolling at the Khwaja Bailkh Post in the Keran sector, when one of the soldiers accidentally set foot on a landmine causing an explosion, which left three troopers injured with splinters. Sepoy Bala Subramani, Sepoy Kundu Mahesh and Sepoy HB Swami were rushed to the Military Hospital, Drugmulla, Kupwara, where they are undergoing treatment.

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The worrying silence of GK and the Editor’s body on the arrest of a Kashmiri photojournalist

Editor

On Tuesday, September 5, the whole nation was mourning the death of journalist Gauri Lankesh who was shot by some unidentified men at her house in Bangalore. About 3,000 km away north in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, a freelance photojournalist-Kamran Yousuf-was being huddled to Delhi by National Investigation Agency (NIA). A day before he was asked to report at the local police station from where he was taken to Srinagar, where NIA formally arrested him. Till now, the premier investigating agency hasn’t issued any press release, a procedure…

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Kashmir observes Shutdown over Rajnath’s visit, Srinagar parts under curfew for 3rd day

Editor

Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Sunday as Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in the Valley, even as strict curfew remained in place in parts of Srinagar for the third consecutive day. The call for shutdown was given by the joint separatist leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik against the Home Minister’s visit to the state. All commercial establishments remained closed while minimal public transport was seen on the streets. The commercial hub LalChowk wore a deserted look, but the weekly…

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PDP, NC put up united front before Rajnath Singh over Article 35A

Editor

BJP sticks to abrogation demand Omar flags concern over GoI’s ambiguity in defending JK’s Special Status in SC Need to maintain status quo on special position of State as per AoA: PDP The ruling PDP and opposition National Conference Sunday put a united front before Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought protection and safeguarding of Article 35-A, which grants special privileges to residents to Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmir-based legislators and parties also sought protection of special status of the state but PDP’s ruling alliance partner BJP pitched for…

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Jasia Akhtar becomes first Kashmiri female cricketer to get India camp call

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Jasia Akhtar, the top woman cricketer of Kashmir who plays for Punjab in national arena, on Sunday became first ever Kashmiri female cricketer to be selected for the Indian national women cricket camp scheduled to be held in Bangalore from September 18. Jasia, who is in Punjab at present, was informed about her selection by the selectors. During the camp all the shortlisted cricketers from all over country would be trained and groomed and then the selected players will be divided into various teams before getting final Team India call-up.…

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Manmohan led panel arrives in Jammu, begins peace mission

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Over 12 delegations give suggestions for ‘restoring normalcy’ in the state After interacting with over a dozen delegations from a cross-section of society, the Congress high-powered “policy planning group” on J&K today started its mission to “reach out to the people” for initiating peace in the state. The group, headed by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, comprises senior functionaries of the party. After reaching Jammu thisafternoon, members of the group held discussions with executive committee members of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) before starting an interaction with…

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NC delegation calls on Rajnath Singh, raises issue of Article 35A

Editor

A delegation of the opposition National Conference, led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, on Sunday conveyed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh the party’s concern over the Centre’s ambiguity in defending Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 35A of the Constitution. The delegation called on Singh, who is on a four-day visit to the state, here this afternoon. “While highlighting the political, historical and constitutional context of the state’s special status, Omar registered the party’s concern and disappointment over the central government’s ambiguity in defending the state’s special…

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Militants step up attack, 7 Cops killed in 15 days

Editor

On Saturday evening, when militants carried out an attack in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district despite beefed-up security ahead of Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit, it left Constable Imtiyaz Ahmad dead. Constable Imtiyaz became the seventh policeman in the past fortnight who was gunned down by militants. This year, the J&K Police have lost 25 policemen — highest in over a decade. In June, eight policemen were killed — the highest in a month. After a relative lull in attacks on the police for nearly two months after June, militants have…

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