Strict curfew continued on Monday in most parts of the Kashmir Valley following heightened tension over the death of 23 people during protests against the killing of a top Hizbul commander, Burhan Wani. Who was Burhan Wani Wani, a recruitment icon for Hizbul Mujahideen and its glamorous face on social media, was killed on Friday in a joint operation by the SOG, Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF at Kokernag, Anantnag. Two other terrorists were killed along with him, including Sartaj Ahmed Shaikh, who had earlier served a jail term in terror…
Read MoreMonth: July 2016
Airlines waive off rebooking, cancellation charges during disturbance in Valley
In wake of the serious disturbance in Srinagar, airlines have begun waiving off rebooking charges for passengers supposed to fly to and from the city. Officials say passengers supposed to fly out of Srinagar are the worst hit as they are unable to reach the airport. Holidayers, who had planned trips to Kashmir in coming days, are cancelling their trips. An Air India official said, “We have waived off penalties for re-issuance, date change, no-show, cancellation and refund charges for travel to and from Srinagar for both domestic and international…
Read MoreExcessive force used on Burhan’s mourners, admits Mehbooba
Several political leaders from the state and Centre on Saturday expressed profound grief and agony over the death of youths during protests following the killing of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her condolences to the bereaved family members of the youths who were killed in the protest today and admitted that ‘disproportionate forces were used on mourners’ besides urging people for calm. “I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my…
Read MoreThe Kashmir manifesto: Delhi’s policy playbook in the Valley
The Kashmir manifesto: Delhi’s policy playbook in the Valley Sushil Aaron, Hindustan Times India’s political class operates with a flawed policy playbook in the Valley which inevitably stokes unrest The popular 22-year old Kashmiri militant leader Burhan Wani was killed by security forces on Friday. Thousands gathered for memorial prayers across Kashmir. Protesters clashed with security forces who shot 17 civilians dead. The reaction has been on expected lines. Kashmir is in deep distress. The national media’s coverage is frenzied and often lacks balance. Hardline nationalists on Twitter are blaming…
Read MoreBurhan Wani in life and death: an icon for Kashmir’s Gen Next?
Burhan Wani – the young militant from Kashmir who had gained iconic status among the vale’s Gen Next – is no more. Wani was killed in what the police have called an “encounter”. A heavy pall of gloom and a dense, emotionally fraught condition hangs over Kashmir after his death. If a parallel may be drawn here or a metaphor employed, it seems that a wound has been reopened in Kashmir’s heart and collective consciousness. This is evident and writ large on the visages of people and the outpouring of…
Read MoreBurhan icon of Kashmiri resistance; killing will inspire others to join ranks: Hurriyat
The killing of Burhan Wani will inspire youth in the Valley to join the Hizbul Mujahideen ranks since he was the icon of Kashmiri resistance, the Hurriyat said on Sunday. Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in an interview with Hindustan Times, published on Sunday, described the Kashmiri youth who joined the militancy as symbols of resistance and said, “These are young and educated Kashmiri boys and are part of the struggle at the indigenous level. “They are not the ones going anywhere outside for trainings nor is anyone anchoring them…
Read MoreGovt appeals Separatists to help restore normalcy
The J&K Government today appealed for help from separatists for bringing calm after holding an emergency Cabinet meeting in Srinagar. “I seek support of political stakeholders, including those who are not from mainstream, for helping restore calm in Kashmir,” Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar said here while briefing reporters after the Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. “The violence has neither served any purpose in the past nor is it going to do so in the prevailing circumstances.” The Cabinet expressed deep grief and anguish over…
Read MoreKashmir Tense, Death Toll 23, 300 Injured, Curfew ON, Separatist under HouseArrest (Updated)
• Cop among those killed as mob pushes police vehicle into river • Clashes continue as youth defy curfew-like restrictions; shutdown paralyses life • Separatists continue to be under detention • Mobile internet, train services remain suspended • Amarnath Yatra on hold, Exams postponed Kashmir continues to be on the edge as the death toll of civilians killed in the firing of police and paramilitary CRPF reached 22 on Sunday while a policeman was killed after a mob pushed his mobile bunker vehicle into river Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag…
Read More634 ‘Stone Pelters’ to get amnesty on Eid
The Jammu & Kashmir government has withdrawn cases of stone-pelting against 634 people ahead of Eid. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had on Monday asked the state home department to review the cases of the youth lodged in various jails on charges of stone-pelting before Eid to afford them an opportunity to rebuild their careers. A committee comprising Director General of Police, Director General of Prisons and Principal Secretary Home reviewed the cases of all the youth undertrials lodged in various jails on the orders of the chief minister.
Read MorePro-India parties behind economic crisis: Mirwaiz
Takes on CM for blaming Hurriyat-led shutdowns for instability in state Hitting back at Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said “the policies of pro-India parties” over the years were “responsible for the economic crisis” of the J&K. In her address to the J&K Legislative Council on Saturday, Mehbooba had blamed the Hurriyat conglomerate for causing economic instability of the state by their shutdown calls. “The statement made by Mehbooba”, Mirwaiz said, “was meant to cover the heinous crimes perpetrated by (pro-India parties) by selling…
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