Year: 2015

Geelani calls for shutdown on Tuesday against militants’ killing

Editor

Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has called for Kashmir-wide shutdown on Tuesday over the death of three local militants killed in an encounter in Siligam village of Anantnag district today. “The killing of three militants is a huge loss for Kashmiri nation. Youth give their great sacrifices for the pious cause of Kashmir’s freedom from Indian occupation,” Geelani told KNS over phone. “Youth who are martyred in encounters with Indian Army is our collective loss, and to honour their sacrifices we should remain steadfast in our struggle for right to…

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Without jobs, no one ready to marry Valmiki boys in Jammu

Editor

Valmikis living in Jammu have not only been deprived of the citizenship rights, but they are also confronted with a social problem. They are finding it difficult to get suitable matches for their children. In Jammu and kashmir, Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) is required to pursue professional courses or apply for government job. The PRC is also required to get category certificates. Valmikis, who originally hail from Punjab and have been living in J&K since 1957, are deprived of the PRC due to the special status of the state. Valmikis…

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‘26 quakes jolted JK in 11 months’

Editor

Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 24 earthquakes in the past 11 months, official data has revealed. According to the data, tremors jolted Kashmir twice in February, eight times in March, four times in April, twice in May, once in June, four times in July, twice in August, thrice in September, twice in October, and thrice in November (so far). Former Head of Kashmir University’s Geology Department, Prof Muhammad Ismail Bhat said there is nothing unusual in it. “Hindu Kush region is one of the seasoned earthquake-prone regions. There is nothing…

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Goa batsmen punish JK on first day, Ranji Trophy

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Goa were in a strong position at the end of first days play in their Ranji Trophy tournament match against hosts J&K here on Monday. Goa posted 263 for the loss of one wicket on opening day of the match at GGM Science College Ground Jammu. Hosts, J&K won the toss and elected to field first in bowling friendly conditions. However, they failed to get a breakthrough as Goa openers shared 225 runs partnership between them. Openers A Desai and A Asnodkar played cautiously in the initial phase of the…

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Srinagar’s Tulip Garden bags prestigious World Tulip Award

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In a significant development which could boost tourism in Kashmir, Srinagar’s lone Tulip Garden has bagged prestigious World Tulip Award. Situated on the foothills of Zabarwan mountain, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden has featured among ‘Top 5 tulip gardens’ to be visited across the globe by the World Tulip Summit Society. The World Tulip Summit Society (WTSS), a network of tulip lovers (tulipists) from 17 countries, is promoting the tulip as a symbol of world friendship. Each World Tulip Summit is held biannually to celebrate the special history of…

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Consultancy suggests metro to overcome Srinagar traffic mess

Editor

At a time when Srinagar is grappling with huge traffic mess triggering chaos all around, development consultancy RITES has come up with Rs 24000 crore comprehensive mobility plan suggesting a metro system. The proposal, according to the officials of RITES, stands submitted to the J&K government, however there is no headway so far. According to the detailed proposal, RITES has proposed setting up of light metro from Galander to Narbal comprising 33.1 kms to be constructed at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore. The proposal also calls for similar light…

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Power ‘moves’ with Durbar!

Editor

Power scenario across Kashmir is worsening with each passing day, with the Power Development Department coming under fire for “violating” its own curtailment schedule. For the past few weeks, consumers have been hitting roads to protest against the long and unscheduled power cuts across the Valley, including the summer capital Srinagar. The arbitrary cuts have gone up after the Durbar (the seat of governance) shifted to Jammu earlier this month and the situation has worsened equally in rural Kashmir as well as townships and cities. Both metered and non-metered consumers…

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NC hints at PDP-Cong alliance

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National Conference (NC) spokesman Junaid Mattu today said there were “strong rumours” that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was planning an alliance with the Congress and some Independent legislators. “Strong rumours about the PDP’s imminent realignment with the Congress and some independent legislators. Would you be surprised?” Mattu wrote on Twitter. NC working president Omar Abdullah responded to Mattu’s tweet, saying “nothing would surprise me”. “After the Modi-Mufti accord where Mufti Sahib and his party are concerned nothing would surprise me,” Omar further wrote on Twitter.

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Strike at Z-morh tunnel, labour’s demand permanent jobs

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Dozens of laborers working on Z-morh tunnel being constructed near Sonamarg on Srinagar-Leh highway have stopped the construction work on the tunnel demanding permanent jobs in Construction Company. They also expressed resentment over “disparity in wages”. According to reports, the local laborers have stopped the construction work on the tunnel and are not allowing the any work on the tunnel to commence for the last four days hampering work on the project that has already been marred by many delays. “We are protesting against the construction company who at the…

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‘Shabby affairs’ of City’s Govt schools

Editor

The commencement of new academic session and prevailing winters in Valley has put the spotlight on dilapidated educational institutions in Srinagar city, which are either unsafe or running from shabby rented buildings. Even if the state government is making tall claims of taking education sector to new heights, much needs to be done to strengthen the sector on grassroots level. Around 332 Government educational Institutions including 184 Primary Schools (PS), 121 Upgraded Primary Schools (UPS), 25 High Schools (HS) and two Higher Secondary Schools are operating from rented buildings which…

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