Year: 2016

Amid fear of backlash, PDP MLAs give a miss to their constituencies

Editor

On Wednesday when Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited central Kashmir’s Budgam district to review the law and order situation, her party’s legislator from the district was missing in the meeting. While the Chief Minister is facing criticism for “mishandling” the ongoing unrest, which resulted in nearly 50 killings, her party legislator are mostly missing from the scene during the present crisis. This is despite the fact that she had asked her ministers and legislator to visit their constituencies and reach out to people. Many MLAs of the party are “fearful…

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Had expected better ties with BJP in J&K : Muzaffar Baig

Editor

Amid rising tensions in view of the recent cases of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the ties between alliance partners Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seem to be under strain. Senior PDP leader Muzaffar Baig admitted that they had expected better ties when they joined hands with the BJP in 2014. “I was the first person after 2014 result, who said that BJP and PDP must form government together in J&K even though we had fought elections against each other. We are supposed to be…

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Defiant youths worry for resistance group

Editor

As the anger on street shows no hint of calming down and young protesters even defying the appeal for a break in shutdowns, the separatists in the region are coming under increased pressure to toughen up. The separatist leadership, which has made attempts to unite in recent months, has tried to steer the near-spontaneous protests that were sparked off by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on the evening of July 8 and have continued across the Kashmir valley since then. Sources in the separatist groups said they were…

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Court seeks report from Centre on ‘Ground Realities’ in Kashmir

Editor

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to file a status report detailing “ground realities” prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in the Valley by security agencies. A bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, however, did not issue notice on the plea filed by senior advocate and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Bhim Singh seeking imposition of Governor’s Rule in the state. “We will ask the Solicitor General (Ranjit Kumar) to file the status report as to what…

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On Kashmir highway, an unfinished journey at dead of night

Editor

Sarwar Kashani It was not a secret journey to be made in the dead of the night. It was rather a compulsion because chances of getting caught in Kashmir’s continuing violence are lesser at night than during the day. In view of the danger of travelling on the Srinagar-Jammu highway that runs through south Kashmir, where most of the deadly street protests have occurred, I was advised to wait a while before I drive from the restive Kashmir Valley for Delhi with my family. But I could not postpone it…

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BJP in a fix after Mehbooba Mufti’s claim on Burhan Wani’s encounter

Editor

Opposition trains guns on Dy CM, asks him to clear party stand The self-proclaimed “nationalist” party BJP is in a fix after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s startling revelation that security officials were “unaware” of the presence of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani in the area where encounter took place in which he (Wani) was killed in a gun battle. The leadership of the “ultra-nationalist” party has landed in an embarrassing position because the Opposition has asked the BJP to clear its stand on the Chief Minister’s statement. While party…

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Massive protests rock Valley amid strict curfew, 100’s injured during clashes, Security camps attacked, Govt building set on fire

Editor

Day 21 Over 100 injured in clashes as Govt foils Jamia Chalo Massive protests rock Kashmir amid curfew Protest march tear gassed near UN office Number of security camps attacked, govt building set on fire: Police Hundreds of youth were injured in clashes as protesters defied curfew at many places across Kashmir on Friday after authorities foiled the protest march to Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid called by separatist leaders. Police claimed that maximum restraint was exercised despite “serious provocations”. In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Army opened fire on protesters injuring…

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Massive clashes erupt Pulwama, Protesters attack army, SOG camps in Shopian

Editor

Hundreds of protesters on Friday attacked army camp situated at Chodergund, Shopian stationing 62 RR. Local sources said that protesters reached very close to the camp and attacked its outer boundaries and bunkers. Army personnel used aerial firing to disperse the attackers however there were no casualties. Protesters attacked SOG camp Imam Sahab, Shopian. The SOG personnel fired pellets injuring two youth. The injured have been identified as the residents of Malibugh and Imam Sahab. Both have been referred to Srinagar. Protesters set ablaze a building belonged to Sheep department (Locally known…

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Protest held at Thanamandi, Poonch, Lower Munda against civilian killings in Kashmir

Editor

People in Thanamandi, Poonch Friday held protest against civilian killings in Kashmir at the hands of government forces. The protest was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement (JKPM) The protest march was led by the Mir Shahid Saleem working chairman of the JKPM and it was attended by the hundreds of people belonging to different walks of life. Reports of peaceful protests against the civilian killings at the hands of government forces have also reached from Lower Munda and adjacent areas on Srinagar-Jammu highway.

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Kupwara on boil, 5 Persons seriously injured in Army firing, Violent clashes erupt in Sopore

Editor

3 minors including 11 year old boy was injured by bullets at Gushe Kupwara after army allegedly opened fire on protesters marching towards Kupwara town on Friday. All the injured have been evacuated to Kupwara hospital, sources said. The injured have been identified as Faisal 11 S/o Nazir Bhat, Irshad S/o Gh Mohd Bhat & Irfan S/o Shafi Bhat. All belong to Gushe. Meanwhile, two persons received pallet injuries during a protest march in police action at Kuligam Lolab. Clashes between protesters and the men in uniform have started in many…

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