Poll Boycott: Pulwama records 1.91% and Shopian 2.64%

Nearly sixteen per cent voter turnout was recorded in two Lak Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir till 3 pm on Monday, officials said. While Leh and Kargil recorded 49.07 and 60.91 percent turnout respectively, the turnout was dismal in Pulwama and Shopian. Pulwama recorded 1.91 per cent turnout and Shopian 2.64 per cent during this time. Enthusiastic voters started pouring out to throng the polling stations in Leh and Kargil districts. In contrast, most of the polling stations wore a deserted look in Shopian and Pulwama districts where polling…

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To woo Hindu voters, Modi flexing muscles in Kashmir

Shortly before India’s mammoth elections began in April, New Delhi did something unprecedented: It banned civilian traffic on the only major highway connecting the heart of disputed Kashmir with the rest of the country. The government cited unspecified security threats for the twice weekly ban, but the move is indicative of the approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party have taken to the disputed Himalayan region since taking power in 2014. Gone are the carrot-and-stick methods of previous governments that saw at least attempting to win hearts…

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The first quarter of 2019 witnessed 162 killings in Kashmir: Report

Ever since militancy erupted in the late 1980s, this is the first time more security forces personnel lost their lives than militants in Kashmir. During the first three months of 2019 at least 162 people including civilians, security forces and militants were killed in various incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a report released by local-rights group, Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). With 586 killings recorded, 2018 was the deadliest year for the state in a decade. In comparison to the first three months of…

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Darbar move in Digital era

Jammu and Kashmir is a unique state not only because of use of pellets on humans or blocking internet day in and day out for security concerns but also that, in this informative superhighway age the fashion of Darbar move i.e. shifting of secretariat and other government offices from one capital to another exists in this part of world only. This is a unique process to keep bureaucrats, MLAs, MPs and other government officials warm during winters and cooler during harsh summers. Darbar Move was started during Dogra rule in…

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BJP grappling with identity crisis across Kashmir Valley

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s election campaign in the Valley has yet again brought to the fore the identity crisis it faces in the Muslim-dominated region. Like before, BJP leaders, during their election campaign in the Valley, avoided raking up the abrogation of Article 370, which has been used as a poll plank by the party in rallies outside Kashmir. The party’s local candidates also put up a ‘Muslim face’ during campaigning. Even as the BJP poll din was somewhat visible in south Kashmir, the campaigning was low key in north…

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JKPM chairman Shah Faseal announces ‘War’ against BJP-RSS

‘Won’t allow any assault, dilution of JK’s special status’ Democracy another name of exploitative politics in JK NIA, CBI used to muzzle our voice, jail leaders Former IAS officer and Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) chairman Shah Faseal Sunday announced start of war against Bhartiyia Janta Party and Rashtiryia Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) who according to him have launched assault on special status of the State. While addressing a workers rally at Block complex at Bandipora, Faesal said people in Kashmir are caught in different types of wars and “we…

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Voting on for two LS seats in J&K, Grenade attack on polling station in Pulwama

Polling began on Monday for Ladakh and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Enthusiastic voters started pouring out to throng the polling stations in Leh and Kargil districts. In contrast, most of the polling stations wore a deserted look in Shopian and Pulwama districts where polling is being held in the third and final phase of Anantnag Lok Sabha seat. Polling started at 7 a.m. in both the Lok Sabha seats, but it will end at 4 p.m. in Anantnag constituency and 6 p.m. in Ladakh constituency. In…

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Align state curriculum with national standard: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the J&K authorities to accelerate the sports activities in the state and bring the curriculum of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on a par with the national curriculum.The authorities have also been directed to “identify the madrassas and bring them under formal education”. “These measures would be taken to streamline the mess that the state is in. These are developmental projects for the betterment of the state youth,” said a senior official in the administration. The directions by…

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