Month: February 2016

Christ’s tomb in Kashmir? Rozabal shrine in spotlight over century-old debate

Editor

Curious visitors, including foreign nationals are often spotted looking to find out if Jesus Christ actually came to Kashmir after surviving crucifixion. For as long as locals in Srinagar can remember, Kashmir’s Rozabal shrine has been the subject of an age-old debate: Was the shrine the burial place of Jesus of Nazareth? The belief is that Jesus survived the crucifixion and spent the rest of his years in Kashmir and the shrine was his final resting place. When a cab driver came under fire from locals for ferrying tourists hoping…

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PDP legislators say ready for midterm polls if need arises

Editor

Authorise Mehbooba to convey party stand to Governor Vohra today A day after toughening its stand on government formation, the PDP legislature party today authorised Mehbooba Mufti to put her party’s viewpoint before Governor NN Vohra, who invited her for consultations on Tuesday. In a unanimous decision, the lawmakers made it clear that they were ready for midterm polls if the need arose, indicating that the party might continue its tough stand unless assurances were given to it on the “Agenda of Alliance” at the highest level. The PDP held…

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Protesting flood hit-traders seek rehab, threaten to intensify stir

Editor

A faction of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) staged a protest near the Press Enclave here today demanding suitable rehabilitation for the flood-hit businessmen. The KTMF members led by Mohammad Sadiq Baqal carried a banner in favour of their demands and raised slogans against the government. The protestors flayed the government for failing to rehabilitate them. They warned of dire consequences if their demands were not met at the earliest. “Our houses, shops remained submerged in 10 to 12 feet water during (September 2014) floods. Even though we…

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Protests, shutdown in Lolab against militant killings

Editor

Complete shutdown was observed on Sunday in Diver, Dardpora, Lalpora and Sogam areas of Lolab against the killing of three Lashker-e Toiba militants in an encounter with army on Saturday at Dardpora village. Reports said that all shops and other business establishments were closed to traffic in the area. Meanwhile scores of villagers from Lalpora, Diver and Dardepora marched raising pro-freedom slogans and reached the local graveyard at Dardpora where three militants were buried last evening and offered funeral prayers in absentia. One militant was killed on Friday evening and…

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Secret survey in Kashmir by Army and Police

Editor

Separatist Leader of Kashmir, Mr. Syed Ali Gilani of Huriyath Conference alleged that Army and Police are conducting an secret survey in which the Muslims are being asked about their ideological associations. He appealed to the people that while filling in the form, they should write only Muslims. It will send a message to Govt. of India that the days of dividing the Muslims of Kashmir on the basis of their sectarian differences are over. Today, all the Kashmiris are united against the possession of India on Kashmir.

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Governor reviews Power Sector

Editor

Governor N N Vohra reviewed the issues relating to power sector in a meeting held at Raj Bhavan Jammu. The meeting was attended by B.R. Sharma, Chief Secretary; Shri P.K.Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor; Shri Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner, Power Development Department and Shri Navin K. Choudhary, Commissioner, Finance Department. The Governor was informed that the peak deficit is about 22% of the peak demand of 2740 MW while Energy deficit has come down to about 21% of 18560 million units. However, in the first nine months of 2015-16, the Power…

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Chillai Kalan’s Darbar Move

Editor

Fiction by Dr Shabir Ahmad Mir The perusal of centuries of our history will reveal that there are two things that have remained faithfully persistent with us during winters. One is gossip and the other is Chillai Kalan. I don’t know about gossip but this year Chillai Kalan has forsaken us for sure. Our noons no longer shiver with its dread and cold instead the sun like a snob is glowing at our misery and helplessness. Kangris are becoming too hot to handle and Pherans are thirsty for a drink of…

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PDP legislature party to review alliance agenda

Editor

As suspense continues over government formation, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called its legislature party meeting tomorrow. This was decided today after the general body meeting of the PDP Kashmir division where party president Mehbooba Mufti said the government could be formed within 24 hours but she wanted proper implementation of the “Agenda of Alliance” for the people of the state. The PDP legislature party is expected to deliberate on government formation and discuss the progress made on the Agenda of Alliance and its implementation. “The BJP is yet…

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Stray dogs create havoc inside SMHS premises

Editor

Even after Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) claimed to have reduced the stray dogs’ population, the regular visitors at SMHS hospital today alleged that there was an increase in dog populace in the premises of the hospital. As per 2011 census, population of dogs was 90,000. In 2012, a census done by Humane Society International, an independent placed the figure at 49,000. However, posing a threat to patients, their attendants and doctors, the stray dogs roam around freely near the gates, canteens and all around Government Medical College, Srinagar. Looking at…

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JK as safe as any other place in the world: Farooq Shah

Editor

Making a fresh pitch to attract tourists, Jammu and Kashmir government today said the state is the “best” destination for travellers in the country and it is as safe as any other place in the world. “When it comes to J&K, as a tourist destination, we are the best in the country. Problem lies with this false perception that J&K is not safe. Let me tell you it’s as safe as any other place in the world. “And if it’s about a safety certificate, I wonder if any other state…

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