With three more deaths on Wednesday, the Kashmir Valley remained on the edge for the fifth consecutive day even as separatists described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting in New Delhi to discuss the situation as “meaningless.” Hospital sources said two protesters — Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Qazigund and Shahid Ahmad Magray of Kokernag — succumbed to their injuries while a youth, Hilal Ahmad, was killed in Anantnag’s Harnag area when an escort team of a police officer opened fire on a crowd. There was, however, no confirmation of the Anantnag…
Read MoreMonth: July 2016
Insha (14 year old) lost her left eye vision to pellets
Ninth class student Insha Malik has lost vision in her left eye that was pierced by pellets fired by forces, and doctors say there are “zero chances” of the teenager regaining vision in her right eye, also badly damaged by the pellets. 14-year old Insha, one of more than 100 pellet victims, is lying unconscious in the Surgical ICU of general specialty SMHS hospital here. Her face and neck resemble a wire-mesh with dozens of holes made by pellets therein. “The pellets have ruptured her right eye and it has…
Read MoreKashmiri Pandits observe ‘Black Day’ against 1931 riots
A group of displaced Kashmiri Pandits Wednesday observed ‘black day’ to commemorate the July 13, 1931 riots against the community in the Valley and demanded better security, especially in the wake of violence following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. “The situation has not changed from 1931 till today. Kashmiri Pandits were attacked then and even today in 2016 they are attacked,” Ravinder Raina, President, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) said. He demanded better security to the community in Jammu and Kashmir after he alleged that stones were…
Read MoreProtect state from further bloodshed : Mehbooba Mufti
In her first public address since violent clashes broke out last Saturday killing 36 people, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday sought people’s support in pulling the state out of a spiral of violence, saying the killings have overwhelmed her heart with sadness. Kashmir remained a simmering cauldron of protests on Wednesday with three more killed in fresh violence, taking the toll to 36. The CM promised to reach out to families who’ve lost their dear ones. “I am facing a challenging task, but I won’t let…
Read MoreStone pelting doesn’t give India free pass to use lethal force: Human Rights Watch
Stone throwing by Kashmir protesters does not give India free pass to use lethal force, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said. HRW also asked India to investigate the use of lethal force in Kashmir. In a statement issued here, HRW said Indian authorities should credibly and impartially investigate use of force by police during violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir that have killed over 30 people and injured hundreds. HRW said since the killing of Burhan Wani and two other Hizb-ul-Mujahedin militants on July 8, 2016, demonstrations had occurred in…
Read MoreAs pellet injuries swell, chorus to ban ‘lethal’ weapon grows
As eye-injuries caused by pellets have gone beyond 100 during the past five days of unrest in Kashmir, the J&K government has come under sharp criticism for failing to ban use of “lethal” pellet guns which have resulted in many deaths and left dozens vision-less. Hospitals in Srinagar, particularly general specialty SMHS hospital, have received 120 cases of pellet injuries, particularly eye and face injuries, since the July 8 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. Since 2010, when the pellet gun was used for the first time, different…
Read MoreWeddings On, Receptions gone in Valley
The weddings are still taking place, albeit quietly, in the Kashmir valley, but invitations to wedding receptions have been cancelled en masse amid violence, curfews and shutdowns. The Valley, including Srinagar, has been virtually shut since the Friday killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani triggered street protests leaving over 30 people dead and hundreds injured. The violence took place when the Valley was about to witness the beginning of marriage season after a month of Ramadan fasting. The situation has forced families to take back their wedding invitations. Local…
Read MoreFresh killing in Anantnag keeps Valley on edge, Death toll rises to 37
Another protester succumbs to injuries, toll mounts to 37 Protesters set house of SOG man on fire in Kulgam CRPF men go berserk after clashes in Kokernag 2 feared drowned in Bandipora after CRPF men chase them after clashes Life crippled in Valley for 5th day, mobile internet services remain suspended Summer vacations of colleges extended till July 17 Militants fire at police officer in Shopian One youth was killed in fresh firing while another succumbed to his bullet injuries at a hospital today, taking the toll in the Kashmir…
Read MoreLocal parties to boycott visit of clerics, scholars
Clerics and scholars who have announced to visit valley to “restore” peace are likely to face boycott as political parties and local clerics in Kashmir say they have no role to play. The delegation had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on July 12 in the wake of ongoing protest in which 35 people have been killed by the security forces Local clerics and the political parties say that the visit of the delegation is not going to end the protest in the Kashmir. “They don’t know anything about the…
Read MoreGhar Wapsi vs Zakir Naik
Paying for the blunders of their leaders under the shadow of a leaderless community. M. J. Aslam Under the colour of free secular democracy, the private Indian satellite TV channels are nowadays airing their true hidden colours of Hindu zealots. Following Kautilya’s Arthasastras on governance, they are “spreading disinformation & sowing the seeds of disharmony” among the people and doing great disservice to their professional duties of telling the truth &, in the long run, it will prove fatal for India & its image as secular democracy in the world.…
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