Independent legislator Engineer Sheikh Rashid today called for a gherao of the civil secretariat on October 24 against the “illegal and unjustified” dismissal of 12 government employees by the state government. “Sacking of 12 government employees has exposed the true face of Chief Minister Mehbooba mufti, who has now openly dressed and coloured herself in RSS agenda. She needs to understand that government employees are part of society and like every Kashmiri, they have sentiments and aspirations,” reads a statement issued by Rashid here after interacting with people at various…
Read MoreMonth: October 2016
Mehbooba govt’s push for ‘Normalcy’ in Valley is unwise when none exists
In Kashmir, normalcy has attained a distressing meaning. As the clock strikes five in the evening, people flock marketplaces in droves. The sight at the city centre Lal Chowk in Srinagar is remarkably confounding and soothing at the same time. Within minutes, the barren roads come alive with a mix of cheerful and anxiety-ridden faces. Traffic snarls are a common occurrence. And for a moment, it seems, all is well. As the sun sets and the darkness of night begins to take over, the abnormal normalcy returns. With shoppers long…
Read MoreAdmin advises border people to evacuate villages, stay in doors
District administration Kathua on Friday advised people living near International Border (IB) to evacuate villages in view of fresh cross border firing. Sources said that India Pakistan engaged in heavy exchange of shelling and firing in Bobiya area Hiranagar sector after a sniper shot fired from across the border critically injured a Border Security Force (BSF) man. According to sources, administration has requested people living on zero line in Bobiya area of Hiranagar sector to move to safer places. “Administration has also established relief camps and assistance booths at government…
Read More130 Employees on govt’s hit list including docs, lecturers for termination
The government has prepared a list of 130 government employees including lecturers and doctors, whose services may be terminated. Sources said a government has prepared a list of 130 government employees, who have allegedly participated in anti-India protests and rallies. “The government is going to sack all these employees,” they said adding so far government has issued orders of termination of twelve employees. These employees have been terminated for allegedly participating in pro-freedom protests or “inciting violence” during the ongoing unrest. “Some high profile officials include lecturers and doctors are…
Read MoreGovt keeps fingers crossed, plans to reopen schools
If the government succeeds in reopening schools from November 1, the winter break will be cut short this year, said an official. During the past more than three months of unrest in the Valley, the government has been unsuccessful in reopening schools as parents have said they cannot risk sending their children to school in a volatile situation. The official said the government was keeping its fingers crossed as it wasn’t sure whether it would be successful in reopening the school this year. The schools in the Valley are lying…
Read MoreYouth dies during clashes in Budgam, 30 more injured in fresh clashes across Kashmir
Youth dies in clashes in Budgam, Police say’s cardiac arrest, local teargas Prayers not allowed at Jamia Masjid on 15th Friday Crackdown continues in Baramulla, several arrested PDP legislator’s house attacked in Tral 72 more arrested in 24 hours: Police A youth died during clashes between protesters and police in Budgam district while post-Friday protests were held at different places amid restrictions and shutdown called by separatists on the 105th day of the current unrest. The clashes between the protesters and police took place at Nasrullah Pora and the adjoining Mirgund…
Read MorePro-Freedom rallies in Anantnag, Barzulla, Sopore; Friday prayers not allowed in Jamia masjid for straight 15th week
Massive pro-freedom rallies and protests were held in South Kashmir’s Kulgam and Islamabad on Friday soon after mandatory congregational prayers. Reports and eye witnesses said that in Shangus, hundreds of people held protest rally after Friday prayers in Islamabad District. The rally, reports said, was taken out from Jamia Masjid Shangus up to main market. The rally was led by Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Islamabad district chief, Mir Hafizullah. People first raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans in the Jamia masjid and then marched towards the main chowk amid sloganeering, reports said. Mir Hafizullah later addressed…
Read MoreTry to bring back Youths to Mainstream: Mehbooba to Police
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday urged the police to try to bring back to mainstream the youth who have fled their homes to join militancy, instead of their being killed in encounters. In remarks which come in the wake of a prolonged unrest in the Valley triggered by gunning down of local Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani , she said, “Those who have taken up arms or those who have not but are missing from their homes and want to join militancy, they are local boys. “I…
Read MoreLocal cement industry in distress; outside companies enjoy windfall amid Unrest in Kashmir
In the wake of ongoing unrest in Kashmir, the local cement industry here has suffered an estimated Rs 300 crore loss, while the outside cement manufacturers are reaping dividends in the Valley. Prior to unrest, the local production—both in private and public sector— would suffice the demand. However, the closure of the units due to the shutdown from July 9 has made Valley dependent on imports. According to sources Kashmir gets cement, mostly of “substandard” quality, from the outside in the wake of closure of the local units here, which…
Read MoreCurfew, Restrictions across Kashmir ahead of Friday Prayers
Curfew was on Friday clamped in six police station areas of the city and restrictions imposed in rest of Kashmir as a precautionary measure ahead of Friday prayers, affecting life in the Valley which showed a semblance of normalcy this week after over 100 days of unrest. The curbs have been imposed in view of violent protests that have taken place after Friday prayers at these places in the past. “Curfew has been imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Batamaloo, Safakadal and Maharajgunj police station areas of the city as a…
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