From lychings to child rape, key issues in government focus this month

The government had a packed July with Parliament in session and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Africa visit. It had to negotiate turbulent ties between Washington and Moscow and had to ensure a strong domestic policy agenda ahead of key state and national elections. In the monthly government dashboard, We examine key developments across central government ministries through July and what lies ahead. MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER: SUSHMA SWARAJ BIG ISSUE: Modi on July 26 met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of BRICS summit in South Africa. The…

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Schools reopen amid hot weather post Summer break across Kashmir Valley

After 10 days of summer vacation, the schools across Kashmir reopened on Monday amid humid weather. The schools were closed on July 19 for a 10-day summer break and were scheduled to reopen on July 30. On Monday morning, the city witnessed traffic jams as school buses were back on roads see plied during the rush hour. Following rumours on the social media that the school break might be extended, the department of school education on Sunday evening issued a circular, asking teachers and students to attend the schools on…

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J&K Bank wins 16th J&K Police Martyr’s Memorial Football Tournament 2018

J&K Bank beat J&K State Power Development Corporation in the finals to win the 16th J&K Police Martyr’s Memorial Football Tournament 2018 which was organised by Armed Police Headquarters at Tourist Reception Ground, here on Monday evening. The final match was witnessed by Governor N N Vohra. In total 34 teams from all over the state participated in the 10-day tournament. In this action-packed final event, the winner was decided through sudden – death penalties. Dr S P Vaid, DGP and Chairman of the Tournament; Parvez Ahmed, Chairman of J&K…

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41 Security men, 32 Civilians killed in violence in Kashmir this year

As many as 41 security men, including 20 policemen, and 32 civilians were killed in militancy-related and stone-pelting incidents in Kashmir this year, officials said today. Giving details, the officials said 39 security personnel, including 17 Army personnel, 20 policemen and two CRPF personnel, were killed and 96 others injured in militancy-related incidents in first six months of this year. Of these, 28 Army personnel, 31 CRPF personnel and 37 policemen were injured in militancy-related incidents, they said. In stone-pelting incidents, two CRPF personnel were killed and 811 others injured…

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Govt tendering favours outside contractors in Projects, Works: FCIK

Federation Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) on Monday said that state government is inviting tenders on different projects and works in such a manner that for the majority of works only outside state contractors qualify. It said the promises made by the J&K Government regarding the price and purchase preference in the state industrial policy are flouted by the government itself by ‘deliberately’ issuing contracts on turnkey basis putting local manufactures and industrialists to disadvantage. “On one hand the state government by virtue of industrial policies reserves 20 percent of…

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Sedatives overdose left victim incapacitated to resist rape, murder: Supplementary Charge Sheet

The eight-year-old girl from Kathua, who was gang-raped and killed in January this year, was overdosed with a cocktail of sedatives through her captivity,”rendering her incapacitated” to resist sexual assault and murder, states the supplementary charge sheet filed by Jammu and Kashmir’s Crime Branch on Monday. The charge sheet filed in the Pathankot sessions court sums up the investigation of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Crime Branch team and also gives details of the analyses of calls and bank accounts that led it to the eight accused of the brutal…

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JRL represents feelings of Kashmiris on legal challenge to Art 35A: Saifuddin Soz

Senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz today said the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) can represent the “intense feelings” of Kashmiris on the legal challenge to Article 35A of the Constitution that protects the special residency rights in Jammu and Kashmir. “I have convinced myself that the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) and the Civil Society (JKCSDS) can adequately represent the intense feelings of Kashmiris, who are as a class emotionally involved with this issue. It is my humble advice that this delicate matter should be left at that level,” he said in…

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Tension mounts across Kashmir as hearing on Art 35A nears, Ready to ‘Sacrifice Everything’ for safeguarding Article: Kashmir Inc

As the petition seeking the repeal of Article 35A is coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court next week, Kashmir has been gripped by tension. Separatist groups, mainstream parties, traders and business bodies have threatened to launch an agitation if the Act was tinkered with. The possibility of a repeal of Article 35A — which grants special privileges and rights to the permanent residents of J&K and debars non-residents from buying land or property, getting government jobs, or voting in the Assembly elections in the state — has evoked…

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