Ban Ki-Moon United Nations chief concerned over Kashmir situation

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon is concerned over the tense situation in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, a spokesperson said on Monday. Stephane Dujarric told reporters the UN chief has noted with concern the situation unfolding in Kashmir. Dujarric strongly rejected remarks by a Pakistani journalist that the UN chief, who had earlier in the day addressed the press on the situation in South Sudan, has “brushed aside” the issue of Kashmir and is not sufficiently addressing it. “No one is denying that we…

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Kashmir to Dhaka to Istanbul: The world is burning and we don’t have answers

The world needs leadership. And hashtags are no substitute for the real hard work of leadership across the world. Istanbul, Dhaka, Baghdad, Medina have been prominent in the litany of recent terror around the world and noticeably the world didn’t respond in large numbers to any of these or other gruesome episodes of terror with the #jesuisistanbul #jesuisdhaka #jesuisbaghdad #jesuismedina or #jesuisanyplaceelse. Before the birth of #jesuis, with the attack on Charlie Hebdo, no other massacres had invited such an outpouring of social media oneness in the world. #jesuischarliehebdo spawned…

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Help govt end violence, appeals Chief Minister

Says she can understand anger of youth and is looking forward to better future for them Asserting that various measures are being taken to restore calm, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought people’s cooperation in restoration of peace and normalcy in Kashmir to prevent further loss of precious lives and destruction of public and private property. She said this while interacting with representatives of various civil society groups and prominent citizens here today. “I appeal to all sections of society, including political leaders, media, religious heads, business community and prominent…

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Kashmir Simmers as death toll reaches 32, Injury toll crosses 1500 as firing spree continues (11:00 AM)

• Woman among 9 civilians succumb to injuries • Massive clashes rock Valley; Air Force base, police stations, police posts attacked • Cops fire at protestors at Shopian, Bijbehara, Tral, Tregham • Life remains paralysed for 3rd day; Separatists remain caged • CM, DGP review situation • Hospital administrators reveal tragic details of wanton use of force • DHSK sets up 24×7 helpline Amir Latto a youth from Bijbehara succumbs taking the toll to 32 and counting… Kashmir continues to be on boil as the death toll in the ongoing…

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‘Business can wait, dead can’t come back’

Govt carrying genocide of Kashmiri Muslims: KEA SOP not being followed, most injuries above waist: KCCI Valley’s business community feels that when their ‘kith and kin’ are being killed left right and centre, business doesn’t remain a priority. The business leaders also accused the state government of carrying out ‘genocide’ of Kashmiri Muslims. President of Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK) Zahoor Tramboo said that business surely takes a back seat but it doesn’t remain a priority in such situations. “We are also a part of the general…

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Volunteers cater to medical, other needs in hospitals

At SMHS Hospital here where thousands of people are spending uneasy days with their loved ones admitted for firearm and pellet injuries, volunteers are proving a great help. From the moment an ambulance or a private vehicle arrives at the gate of the hospital, the volunteers swing into action. A human chain is formed to keep the crowd, media and onlookers at bay and facilitate free and easy way to Operation Theatre and Emergency area. The volunteer presence is seen everywhere in hospital. “We have come up with a system.…

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The Tipping Point: New Delhi now faces not Terrorists, but the young Kashmiri Masses

SEEMA MUSTAFA The death of 22 year old Burhan Wani in an encounter is the tipping point for Kashmir. The thousands who walked miles to attend his funeral at Tral are testimony to the shift, as mobs after 20 years attacked government vehicles and installations in what constituted large scale violence for a Valley under curfew and strict restrictions. What started in 2010 has blown into open defiance and alienation that will not take a step back. The windows have been shut, the doors bolted and secured by the Kashmiris…

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The Burhan Tsunami!

Right now entire Kashmir is virtually burning. According to reports, over a dozen and a half youth have been shot dead and there are hundreds of persons with bullet injuries in different hospitals all over Kashmir. The Divisional Commissioner has declared that the curfew in entire valley will continue for the time being. In spite of curfew and deployment of additional forces, the situation does not seem to be cooling down. The young Burhan represented a phenomenon which by his killing instead of dying down, may grow geometrically. The phenomenon…

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Toll rises to 30 as valley continues to simmer amid curfew, Hurriyat extends strike call for 12 & 13 July

A 13-year-old boy Asif Ahmad Bhat of Chitragam in Zainpora Shopian was killed on Sunday evening when security forces opened fire on protesters. As the communication has been partially restored in south Kashmir and the J-K government has started to compile the list of people killed in last three days, the death toll has risen to 30. The official report has listed 29 civilian protestors and a policeman among the 30 people killed since Friday night after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. On Sunday evening, the…

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‘Forces look for excuse to kill youth’ : Geelani

“If the government is claiming that they are peace-lovers, then who killed 21 youth so far and left hundreds of civilians injured, in the past two days. The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani on Sunday blamed the state government for what he said spoiling peace in Kashmir. “The state Government has been spoiling peace in the state. People at helm of affairs of Government have made baseless allegation that protesters are forcing forces to resort to firing. The fact is they (forces) are firing upon protesters,” Geelani…

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