“I have submitted the report. I completed the inquiry within the stipulated time. The report has been sent to the government,” the probe officer, Nazir Ahmad Baba, told. An official probe into the recent crisis at National Institute Technology Srinagar has indicted outstation students for “vitiating the academic atmosphere” on the campus. The Jammu and Kashmir government had on April 7 ordered a time-bound inquiry into clashes at NIT following India’s defeat to West Indies in World T20 Cup on March 31. The inquiry was ordered by Deputy Chief Minister…
Read MoreMonth: April 2016
Valley beckons tourists with carnivals
The government is planning a host of tourism-related activities in the coming months to increase footfalls as the tourist season is about to peak in the Kashmir valley. While tourists enjoyed free pony and anti-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides at Gulmarg yesterday, the government is focusing on keeping tourists engaged in recreational activities so that they leave with good memories. Through such activities, the government is hopeful that the tourists would share pleasant experiences once they go back to their respective places and thus encourage more people to visit Kashmir. “We…
Read MoreMarital disputes in Kashmir on the rise, affected women fighting a lonely battle
Its 10:30 in the morning, Shaista (name changed) with half of her face covered by a black mask, is waiting outside the women police station along with her old ailing mother amid buzzing honks on the busy Ram Bagh Road here. Marital discord has taken away all her happiness and she is here to seek justice. In 2014, Shaista was married at the Gulab Bagh locality of the summer capital, just hundred metres away from her home. It was a happy day for her, the marriage was an arranged one.…
Read More300 participate in Jammu club cycle rally
The 16th Annual Cycle Rally of the Jammu Adventure Sports Club (JASC) was held today. The theme of the rally was “Save Jammu’s Heritage” wherein 300 students aged between 10 to 16 years participated. The rally was flagged off by Sandeep Gulhati, chairman of the JASC, in the presence of all the members. Avny Lavasa, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), was the chief guest on the occasion. The rally started from Bahu Plaza and after passing though different areas in the city culminated at Sports Field opposite Green Fields School, Gandhi…
Read MoreSrinagar headed for traffic terror this season!
Majid Hyderi While Kashmir is bracing up for business season, the summer capital of Srinagar is headed for a major chaos on the already congested roads. This time it won’t be routine traffic jams but worse: the ‘traffic terror’. The prediction doesn’t need any rocket technology; sometimes common sense is enough. In a bid to avoid any mishap, a high level committee led by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon has decided to close down the arterial Jahangir Chowk-Ram Bagh corridor in the wake of ongoing construction of the…
Read MoreKashmir tourism traders to participate in Arab Travel Mart
The members of Tourist Trade Interest Guild (TTIG) left for Dubai to attend Arab Travel Mart from April 25 – 28 at Dubai International Trade Centre, SZR – Dubai. The TTIG shall also hold a road show on April 26 at Crown Plaza Hotel to showcase the Cultural, Heritage and Adventure Potential of Kashmir and Ladakh, a statement here said. The delegation headed by Akram Khan Siah, chairman TTIG comprises Bashir Karnai, ZahoorKarnai and other members of TTIG. The delegation is also joined by Nasir Shah, chairman Piltof, Ali Muhammad…
Read MoreAuto drivers continue strike, commuters a harassed lot
Autorickshaw drivers in the city continued to observe strike for the second day today to protest against the installation of fare meters, which has been made mandatory by the district administration. The drivers began the strike on Saturday following district administration’s directive ordering them to use fare meters, which the autorickshaw drivers’ community has resisted so far. Autorickshaw drivers charge commuters arbitrarily and the charges sky-rocket during evening hours. The strike has caused a lot of trouble to commuters. The autorickshaw drivers, which form a considerable number in the city,…
Read MoreUnscientific disposal of solid waste continues unabated
At a time when the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has started highlighting its achievements under the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, its policies on dumping solid waste will create an environmental disaster for 15 lakh inhabitants of the winter capital. Everyday, half a dozen bulldozers dig trenches along the banks of the Tawi to dispose tonnes of waste, including toxic substances, generated in the city. The river banks at Bhagwati nagar have traditionally been used as dumping sites for solid waste, but in the past few years, waste is being scattered along…
Read MoreCongress promises to back non-Kashmiri NIT students
To raise safety concerns of protesting pupils in Parliament A large number of NIT-Srinagar students who were lathi-charged by the J&K Police earlier this month today staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here with the support of the National Students’ Union of India, demanding that they should be shifted to an NIT in some other state. The agitating students alleged that they had not got any assurance from the state government as well as the Centre over their safety concerns. Their demands include that they should be transferred to an…
Read MoreHousing for homeless aimed at changing demography of Kashmir: Hurriyat (M)
Hurriyat (M) on Saturday alleged that the government scheme to build accommodations for homeless in Jammu and Kashmir was a ploy to change the Muslim-majority status of the state. Reacting to the Government of India’s plan of settling “non-local homeless people” in various districts across Jammu Kashmir under its National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), a spokesman said “time and again GoI was trying its best to convert the Muslim-majority community in Jammu Kashmir into a minority community with one decision or the other.” He said this “was casting a shadow…
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