The growing pockets of solidarity expressed for Kashmiris are heartening, as is the solidarity for Palestinian struggle. By : Goldie Osuri The India and Israel alliance has been described as a full-blown romance, but the ongoing siege of Kashmir makes this a bloody affair – covert for years. India has bought arms from Israel since the 1960s. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit Israel in 2017, marking the 25th anniversary of full diplomatic relations. The two nations are passionate about their brutal occupations of Kashmir and Palestine. India…
Read MoreMonth: August 2016
Govt puts the Ball in Separatists court for Talks
Ahead of Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Kashmir on Wednesday, the government has put the ball in separatists’ court for talks. Sources said that the Home Minister won’t invite separatists for talks but will engage with anyone who comes to meet him. Since the separatists have actively participated in the valley unrest, the Centre doesn’t wants to come across as magnanimous towards them. Singh will undertake a two-day visit to the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday during which he will review the situation and may hold talks with cross section…
Read MoreRajnath invokes Kashmiriyat as clashes continue in Valley; Another youth killed, taking death toll to 70
Death toll rises to 70 Over 150 injured across Kashmir Ambulance, driver attacked by forces SMHS receives 32 injured patients Curfew, shutdown cripples life for 47th day 65-year-old man among 3 beaten by CRPF at Safa Kadal Kishtwar shuts against civilian killings Rajnath invokes Kashmiriyat as clashes continue in Valley 8 incidents of stone pelting reported from Valley: Police A teenager was killed in forces’ firing at Prichoo village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district while 40 others were injured after forces fired pellets and teargas shells to foil a pro-freedom rally…
Read MoreResistance Group issues Protest Calendar; Inhumane methods can’t break Kashmiris: Jama’at
The joint resistance leadership on Wednesday issued a new protest calendar, asking people to continue shutdown until September 1. Calendar 26 Aug – 01 Sep 2016: 26th August Friday (relaxation from 10 pm to 6 am) Azadi March to Eidgah Srinagar Join for Azadi March to Eidgah Srinagar; Move from every Mohallah, Village, locality, Tehsil and District towards Eidgah Srinagar; Offer Friday prayers at Eidgah Srinagar; Play Islamic and Azadi Taranas in Masjids from Magrib to Isha. 27th August Saturday (relaxation from 6 pm to 6 am) Letter to Indian…
Read MoreRajnath arrives in Srinagar to ‘Take Stock of Situation’; Youth killed in Pulwama Clashes
A youth on Wednesday died in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on a day Union home minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar to review the situation. With the death of the youth, the toll in the ongoing unrest in the Kashmir valley has climbed to 66. “Aamir Bashir, who had pellet injuries in his chest, was brought to SMHS Hospital here but the doctors declared him brought dead,” a police official said. He said the youth was a resident of Pohu village…
Read MoreCurfew, Restrictions continue on 47th Consecutive Day; Clashes erupt in Pulwama after forces vandalize Rally Venue
The curfew remained in place in Anantnag town and areas under eight police stations in Srinagar district while normal life remained paralysed on the 47th consecutive day. Police sources said that besides areas under Batmaloo, Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations, the curfew will remain imposed in old city areas falling under five police stations of Nowhatta, Maharj Gunj, Safa Kadal, Khanyar and Rainawari. They said restrictions under Sec 144 will remain imposed in other major towns and areas in south, central and north Kashmir. The night curfew remained imposed in…
Read MoreUnrest pushes mutton off Kashmir menu
In the curfew-bound Kashmir, mutton has gone off the menu. With the region reeling under shutdowns and restrictions for the past 46 days, the import of mutton has come down from a whopping 95 truckloads to bare three per day as the people now prefer vegetables over mutton. Last July was the peak of the marriage season that usually involves abundant mutton consumption. However, it has trickled down to merely three per cent due to curfew, restrictions and shutdowns. Owing to the prevailing unrest, scores of marriages, which were scheduled…
Read MoreSeason of Apples, Peaches fails to bear fruit
With unrest in the Valley entering its second month, August that is normally the season of fruits has failed to bring cheer to the seven lakh families involved in horticulture in Kashmir. Spells of curfew and unending shutdowns have grown fears that the Rs 6,000-crore fruit industry has run into bad weather. In this season of peaches, apricots, plums and apples, fruits have ripened but there is no market. With markets shut, even the varieties that mostly cater locally are finding no buyers. “This is the main season of peaches,…
Read MoreThe Rise of Kashmir’s Second ‘Intifada’
For the first time since 1990, the anger in Kashmir and support for azadi from India is stretched across society in the Valley. By Prem Shankar Jha Srinagar airport felt normal when eight of us – journalists and social activists – arrived on August 18. Planes were flying into the airport every hour from different parts of India. Bags came onto the conveyor belts with commendable speed and taxi drivers were waiting outside the exit to solicit passengers. But the normalcy was deceptive. My return ticket to Srinagar had cost me only Rs…
Read MoreMob beats Kashmiri trucker in Jammu, Police rejects Claim
A Kashmiri truck driver was ruthlessly beaten by a mob after sprinkling petrol on his vehicle and threatening to set it ablaze in Bhathindi area of Jammu late Monday evening. The injured truck driver sought help from the flying squad of Jammu police but was asked for a bribe instead “by drunk cops”. Showkat Ahmad Lone, son of Ghulam Hassan of Qimoh (Kulgam) had gone to Jammu driving his truck bearing number JK03E-3152. His cousin Muzaffar Ahmad Lone was driving another truck bearing number JK03E-4908, which also came under heavy…
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