Month: August 2016

Dozens injured in forces action at Sirigufwara; Pro-freedom demos rock Aishmuqam, Kanelwan

Editor

At least 28 protesters were wounded when forces fired teargas shells and pellets to quell the protesters at Sirigufwara village in south’s Kashmir Anantnag district on Thursday, witnesses said. Forces also used force to quell the pro-freedom demonstration at Seer and Aishmuqam areas, witnesses said, adding that several people were injured in the forces action. A massive pro-freedom rally organized by different sects was held at Kanelwan village in Bijbehara and at Wachi Shopian in south Kashmir on Thursday, witnesses said. They said religious leaders of various sects and pro-freedom…

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After Streets, It Is ‘Fight for Airwaves’ in Tral

Editor

With army, CRPF and police on one side and protesters on the other side, Tral, the hometown of popular militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, is resounding with “pro-India and pro-Pakistan” songs and anthems since Thursday afternoon. “Army is playing pro-India songs on speakers installed atop tall towers placed inside their garrison,” said a local who lives half-a-mile away. As per reports, the main garrison in Tral, which is located on now barricaded Shikargah road, first played: Ae mere watan ke logo zara yaad karo kurbaani (Oh countrymen, remember the sacrifices),…

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The ‘non-lethal’ pellet

Editor

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh responded to the outrage at the use of pellet guns by saying that he had set up a committee of experts to look into the alternatives, hinting that the government might ban the use of this otherwise “non-lethal weapon”. Since the killing of the Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, over 200 young boys and girls have been struggling with their eyesight after being hit by pellets. At least 10 of them have been completely blinded; 40 per cent may not be able…

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Wrath of Kashmir

Editor

The anger in the streets of Kashmir is not about economic stagnation or unemployment; it is about the people’s aspiration to live a life of dignity. It is high time New Delhi woke up to the reality. By Shujaat Bukhari The current phase of unrest in Kashmir, which began on July 8 with the killing of the Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, is a replay of what happened in 2008 and 2010. At the time of writing this report, 55 people have lost their lives and 5,000 injured, which makes…

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Amidst shutdown ‘Azadi’ slogans raised in Kishtwar; Zuhr prayers offered on road in Bandipora

Editor

Amidst complete shutdown a massive protest rally was underway at bus stand Kishtwar which was attended by more than two thousand people on Thursday to show solidarity with Kashmiris. Reports said that people raised anti-India slogans during the rally. “Enthusiastic protesters raised Azadi slogans as well,” sources said. Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was being observed in Kishtwar against the civilian killings in Kashmir valley at the hands of government forces. Hundreds of people offered congregational Zuhr prayers on road in Kaloosa area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora on Thursday. Soon after…

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Nocturnal Protests, Clashes rock Shopian; 500 Arrested across Kashmir as police seek to end protests

Editor

Massive protests were held in Shopian town of south Kashmir after police and CRPF men allegedly smashed window panes of residential houses and broke their windows. Local sources said that police and CRPF men allegedly started smashing window panes of residential houses in Kannipora and Alyalpora areas of Shopian during last night. Soon after the incident loudspeakers of mosques went on and people were appealed to “come to the rescue of Kannipora and Alyalpora residents”. The appeal was followed immediately and hundreds of people marched towards the area raising anti-India and pro-freedom…

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Stone rage in Kashmir

Editor

GoI is not interested to look into the root of present uprising instead GoI is inclined to push all Kashmiris to the wall Mohammad Muzaffar Thakur Parliament is the supreme representative body in our country where Kashmir unrest was also discussed recently. All the opposition members in once voice criticized the excessive use of force and impressed upon the government to exercise restrain while dealing with the situation. The members also impressed up the Government to stop the use of pellet guns. Few days later Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited…

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Curfew, Protest, Shutdown continue across Valley for 27th Day, Night traffic resumes on Highway

Editor

Curfew and protest shutdown continued in Kashmir on Thursday for the 27th consecutive day. Over 100 protesters were injured on Wednesday in Adijan area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district when their rally was intercepted by the forces. Reports said central reserve police force (CRPF) troopers torched over two dozen motorcycles and other vehicles that participated in the protest rally. Protest rallies and marches also took place at Koil, Bijbehara and some other places in south Kashmir where the security forces did not intervene. Protesters marched with the body of a youth working as…

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Armed with slogans, 5 Yr olds lend hype to ‘Azadi’ Chorus

Editor

While protests, curfews, shutdowns and stone-throwing are not rare in the Valley, the scenes witnessed in the streets of Kashmir have changed. Children as young as five can be seen carrying banners and raising slogans like ‘Hum kya chahte — Azadi’. These children have been exposed to bloodshed and violence for the first time. People say that the new generation is getting consumed by the conflict. “We have blocked this road because we want azadi, there should be complete shutdown. We block this road every day. We are being killed…

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Normal life hit in Chenab Valley as protests reach Jammu region

Editor

All the private educational institutions remained closed and vehicular traffic off the roads during the day. With anger over the killing of protesters in retaliatory action by security forces in the Valley spilling over adjoining Chenab Valley in Jammu region, people observed bandh in Banihal and Bhaderwah disrupting normal life in parts of Chenab Valley. Giving details, sources said that all the shops and other business establishments remained closed in Banihal town and adjoining villages for the second consecutive day. To express solidarity with the agitating people of the valley,…

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