Day: March 9, 2018

BSF Jawan loses seven days salary for referring to PM without ‘Shri’

Editor

In a bizarre punishment, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan who forgot to affix ‘honourable’ or ‘Shri’ while referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been penalised by the force, which called the mistake “disrespect” to the Prime Minister. The constable was handed down a seven-day pay cut. The incident took place on February 21 inside the BSF’s 15th Battalion headquarters in Mahatpur, Nadia (West Bengal), during the zero parade, a routine exercise to account for jawans’ daily activities. During the parade, constable Sanjeev Kumar used the word “Modi programme”…

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Shopian civilian deaths: Let down by their government, people in Kashmir seek refuge in religion

Editor

Following the deaths of four civilians on Sunday during an encounter between the security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday, the indications of a violence-hit summer are already being felt across the state. There is a worry that again the cycle of protests and arrests might soon take over the Valley only to be aggravated if further deaths of civilians happen in the process. The state machinery has already ushered into an alarm mode in a tragic continuation of the ritual of previous summers. On…

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Civilian killings must stop in Kashmir, forces should show restraint: Dineshwar Sharma

Editor

The government’s interlocutor on Kashmir on Wednesday appealed to the security forces to “show restraint” in the Valley and put an end to “civilian killings”, describing the recent spate of violence in the region as a “setback,” a report by Hindustan Time said. “Civilian killings must stop. The security forces must show restraint and not resort to disproportionate firing,’’ HT quoted Dineshwar Sharma, a former chief of the Intelligence Bureau, saying in an interview. “I was hoping for a better summer but violence has come as a setback. Amongst the…

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Dipika Kakar on converting to Islam: I have done it and I am proud of it

Editor

Small screen actors Dipika and Shaoib Ibrahim recently got hitched in a private ceremony in the latter’s hometown, Bhopal. The couple has been in the news since then for their romantic wedding sequences to Dipika’s decision of changing her name Faiza for the wedding. The couple has fought all odds together and are now happily married. In an exclusive conversation with the TimesOfIndia.com, Dipika and Shoaib spoke about their inter-religion marriage, the feeling of being married and their relationship. “I can’t put the feelings in words. I have noticed the…

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No third party can interfere in marriage of consenting adults: Supreme Court

Editor

The Supreme Court said it would not recognise khap panchayats but refer to them only as an assembly of persons or as a community group. The Centre requested the Supreme Court on Wednesday to direct the states to set up a special police unit in each district of the country to investigate complaints from couples fearing physical harm for marrying outside their caste or faith. The government’s appeal is part of its measures to stop the harassment, attacks and even murder of young couples over perceived damage to a family’s…

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5 Years On, no end to social boycott of minority community in Zanskar

Editor

The social boycott of minority community for past nearly five years in Zanskar division of Kargil has severely affected their economy. It has been over five years since majority community enforced social boycott against the minority community. The problems of the minority community have been compounded due to failure of the state government to mitigate their sufferings. Due to social boycott, minority community has started to migrate from Kargil to Kashmir valley. “Members of majority community don’t buy anything from our shops. They don’t interact with us and further they…

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‘Peace March’ for CBI probe foiled in Hiranagar, Locals lathicharged, cop held for ‘Destroying Evidence’

Editor

Tension flared up in the Hiranagar subdivision of Kathua district after the police resorted to a lathicharge and used teargas shells on locals who were demanding a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl at Rasana village in January this year. Trouble erupted after the locals tried to take out a ‘peace march’ against the alleged biased and lopsided investigation being conducted by the Crime Branch in the case. According to police sources, around 200 people, including women and several former sarpanches, were allegedly detained…

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Hyacinth terrace, fountain new attractions at Tulip Garden

Editor

Even as Tulip Garden is all set to open its doors to the public later this month, a new hyacinth terrace and fountain channel will be the added attractions at the famed tourist spot this spring season. The garden, which is located in the foothills of the Zabarwan range overlooking the Dal Lake, may also open ahead of schedule with around 1.2 million different flower varieties. “This year’s added attraction will be the new hyacinth terrace having five to six varieties of the flower. Visitors will also see a fountain…

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