It wasn’t all that long ago that Kashmiri separatists were seen as ‘untouchables’ for the security establishment. There seemed to be an unwritten rule somewhere in the holy grail of Jammu and Kashmir that the Hurriyat leaders are not to be disturbed. Although authorities have on and off confined them to their homes to prevent large gatherings, that was all. With one sensational event after another denting their credibility in 2017, some prominent separatist faces are today languishing in Tihar Jail. While it would’ve created an uproar earlier, there isn’t…
Read MoreDay: December 28, 2017
Tassaduq Mufti trolled after he swears in the name of ‘Dog’
Tassaduq Mufti, the younger brother of Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Thursday was trolled on social media after he accidentally said he swore in the name of “dog” instead of the name of “god” during an oath-taking ceremony as a minister. While taking the oath, delivered by Governor N N Vohra in the lawns of the Raj Bhavan in Jammu, Tassaduq pronounced god as “dog”. However, he was quick to rectify himself by immediately following up his error with “god”. This did not stop netizens, including Opposition…
Read MoreIntel Agencies suggest govt staff propagating separatism, Prompts state to set guidelines
In October 2016, the state government had sacked its 12 employees for participating in anti-India protests. The sacked employees were among 150 government servants, including some gazetted officers, identified by the CID wing of the J&K Police for instigating violence or challenging the integrity of the nation on the social media. The employees were identified after intelligence agencies kept a strict vigil on their posts on the social media during the unrest in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016. The J&K…
Read MoreKashmir under security lockdown as night patrols, security checks curb movement in Valley
Security personnel patrolling the roads and checking vehicles is not an unusual sight for Kashmir. But to see them making drivers and passengers alight on Kanidajan road near Yusmarg — Kashmir’s famous tourist resort — on a recent morning came after a long time. Some of the personnel had taken positions along the snow-covered road and under the pine trees, while others stopped vehicles and wrote down their registration numbers, names and contact numbers of owners. The checking on Kanidajan road has been going on since last week, after forces…
Read MoreStone pelting goes down, but terror incident on increase
The number of stone-pelting incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have come down to less than half, as compared to last year, till November 2017 even though terror related incidents increased. The total number of stone-pelting incidents have decreased from 2,808 in 2016 to 1,198 till November this year, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. “The incidents of stone-pelting against security forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are reported to be 2,808 during the year 2016 and 1,198 till November this year,” Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir…
Read MoreTriple talaq bill unacceptable if against Quran: MWPL Board
Muslim Women League’s president Naish Hasan said that in the Family Court Act there is always a chance to save a family but the proposed bill does not give such a chance. A day ahead of the tabling of the triple talaq bill in Parliament, some Muslim women’s organisations said on Wednesday that the proposed legislation would not be acceptable if not in consonance with the Quran or the Constitution. “Nikaah (marriage) is a contract. Whosoever breaks it should be punished. However, if it (Bill) is not in the light…
Read More17 Year old teenager died of H1N1 influenza taking Swine Flu deaths toll to 22
A teenager died of H1N1 influenza at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura on Tuesday taking the toll of people who died due to Swine flu to 22. Official sources said that a 17-year-old patient tested positive for H1N1 influenza last week and was also suffering from sepsis. With the fresh death, the toll due to H1N1 influenza in Kashmir has risen to 22 this season. In last two months 121 cases including six doctors treating patients were admitted in SKIMS with Swine Flu symptoms. Of them 90 have…
Read MoreWoman adopted by Salman Khan celebrates his birthday in Kashmir village
During the shoot of Bajrangi Bhaijaan in Kashmir, Salman Khan swore to help Zaina Begum and her family. Bollywood star Salman Khan has scores of fans but this 75-year-old woman is a different one. Zaina Begum thinks he is as good as her own son. She has been celebrating the star’s birthday religiously for past few years in a remote area far away from the village of Dayroo Aishmuquam in Jammu and Kashmir. This year too on Salman’s 52nd birthday, she and her entire family are celebrating it. But there…
Read MoreThree senior separatists released pre Dineshwar Sharma’s latest visit
Coinciding with Centre’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma’s stay in Kashmir, three senior separatists leaders were released from jails. In an apparent move to soft pedal on separatists for time being, the government also allowed Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik to visit volatile Handwara, while an NIA summon to Syed Ali Geelani’s son was cancelled “without citing any reason”. Muslim League chairman and former Hizbullah commander Mushtaq-ul-Islam, arrested in July this year, was released on Wednesday. Two days ago, Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Syedah Asiya Andrabi and secretary Sofi Fehmeeda were…
Read MoreSocial Media gag on government workers slammed across J&K
Government workers in Indian-administered Kashmir have decried a government ban prohibiting them and their families from expressing political opinions on social networking sites. Under a new order issued on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir government employees were barred from engaging in “criminal, dishonest, immoral or disgraceful conduct on social media which may be prejudicial to government”. The region’s half a million staff were also warned against taking part in political discussions or criticising the government’s policies. “Employees should be aware that the law enforcement agencies will observe content and information made…
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