As Kashmir remained under siege for 48th straight day with restrictions and lockdown in place, the demand for mutton in the summer capital of the state here has witnessed drastic decline. In normal situations, in July and August, as per rough estimates around 10,000 marriages are solemnized in Kashmir. A huge quantity of meat is consumed by the wedding functions. However, this year, the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, on July 8, which led to protests and civilians killings, resulted in massive cancellation of marriage functions. As per…
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DGP sends list of 169 ‘Provocateurs’ to districts, says book them under PSA
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to invoke the stringent Public Safety Act to book 169 persons who it accuses of being “organisers and provocateurs” playing a “leading role in the current unrest in Kashmir”. These 169 are among the estimated 1,000 people who have been identified as key players in the ongoing protests and clashes with security forces. On August 19, Director General of J&K Police K Rajendra Kumar wrote a letter to Inspector General of J&K Police (Kashmir zone) Javaid Mujtaba Gilani. In it, the police headquarters…
Read MoreShaher-e-Khaas under day and night curfew since last 48 days
The day and night curfew continued for the consecutive forty eighth day across Shaher-i-Khaas. Each locality’s entry and exit points are sealed. People are desperately adjusting their life to the security regime, spending time discussing politics and playing indoor games. Roads to Hazratbal are blocked and a heavy contingent of forces manning the roads don’t allow anyone to move. Forces have erected barricades and concertina wire at Habbak crossing, Nigeen and Malabagh. People buy the vegetables grown in Dal Lake. But in the absence of the supplies from outside, the…
Read MoreEr Rashid meets Rajnath, says ‘Plebiscite’ Only solution to Kashmir issue
The MLA claimed that seeking “right to self-determination” does not violate Constitution of India and also does not amount to separatism, the spokesman said. Controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who has pro-separatist leanings, on Thursday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Srinagar and said the only way to resolve Kashmir issue is to hold “plebiscite” on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). Rasheed, who led a five-member party delegation of his Awami Ittihad Party which met the Home Minister, said the government of India needs to…
Read More‘It is painful when your baby needs milk and you’re helpless’; Kashmir’s longest Curfew
Srinagar sees the first light of day at 5.15 am; by 6.30 police and paramilitary personnel are manning every street, lane and bylane of Old City, the separatist stronghold. ONE HOUR 15 minutes. With Kashmir under its longest ever continuous spell of curfew, for many in Old Srinagar City their lives depend on what they can make of that time. Srinagar sees the first light of day at 5.15 am; by 6.30 police and paramilitary personnel are manning every street, lane and bylane of Old City, the separatist stronghold. Sheikh…
Read MoreRajnath promises alternative to pellet guns, asks media not to question Centre’s role
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on his two-day visit, asserted that there is no future of India without the future of Kashmir. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today held a joint press conference in Srinagar to discuss security situation in the state. Singh, on his two-day visit, asserted that there is no future of India without the future of Kashmir. “We see future of Kashmiri children with that of Indian children…Children are children. We can never think of Kashmir future in separation…
Read MoreAmid curbs Curfew, Clashes continue for 48th day, Dozens injured; Trouble makers to be dealt strictly: Mehbooba
Trouble makers to be dealt with strictly: Mehbooba Mufti Forces wreak havoc in Pulwama village after barging into residential houses Freedom rallies held across South Kashmir despite rains Tear-gas shell hits boy at Bandipora Mirwaiz detained ahead of Eidgah march, released later With no let-up in clashes and protests, at least 30 people including a woman sustained injuries across Kashmir on Thursday while forces “wreaked havoc” in Prichoo village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district by damaging residential houses and household goods. Reports of damage to residential houses by forces also…
Read MoreMehbooba Mufti storms out of Kashmir press meet as Rajnath tries to pacify her
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti lost her cool on Thursday and stormed out of a press conference after facing a volley of questions about her government’s stand on the current 48-day unrest in the valley. Mehbooba’s first formal interaction with the media ended abruptly after journalists asked how she could justify the alleged disproportionate use of force against protesters when as an opposition leader she had criticised the Omar Abdullah government in 2010 for civilian killings. They also sought clarification over her earlier remark of “only 5% of…
Read MorePro-Freedom Rallies continue in South Kashmir; Two youth detained in Pandach
Continuing with the pro-freedom rallies in South Kashmir, thousands of people assembled in Kehribal area of South Kashmir’s Islamabad on Thursday. Hundreds of people which included members of Sikh community as well participated in the rally where strong pro-freedom slogans were raised. The pro-freedom rally witnessed pro-Khalistan slogans as well. Speakers from different sects also spoke on the occasion including, Mir Hafizullah of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Er Farooq of Hurriyat Conference, Sheikh Gulzar and others. Meanwhile, early in the morning, a truck driver was reportedly injured in stone pelting incident at Qazigund…
Read More12 Statements show Mehbooba & PDP have no idea what to do
The PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir has been woefully inefficient in handling the ongoing cycle of protests that broke out on 9 July. However, while the BJP’s “no-sympathies” lines is clear, the PDP has shown through its response that not only does it know what to do, it has no idea what to say as well. As the protests moved from the first death on 9 July to the 65th yesterday, PDP, led by party chief and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has been first missing, then evasive and eventually…
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