Year: 2016

Terrified villagers flee houses as forces wreak havoc; Clashes erupted in Bandipora, youth hit by teargas shell

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Government forces-including CRPF, SOG personnel and men from Cargo Srinagar Thursday wrecked havoc in Prichoo area of Pulwama forcing people to flee their homes and take shelter in paddy fields and neighbouring villages. The ‘highhandedness’ comes a day after an 18 year old boy was killed and over a 100 were injured, many of them critically, as government forces fired pellets and bullets on unarmed civilians. Reports from the area told Kashmir Post that the government forces have been busy barging into houses in Prichoo village and vandalizing property and…

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A Cold reception in seething Valley for Home Minister

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Union home minister Rajnath Singh arrived here on Wednesday with an open invitation to all Kashmiris for talks. He issued no exclusive invitation to anybody, but tweeted, “I will be staying at the Nehru Guest House. Those who believe in Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat and Jamhooriyat are welcome…Shall interact with civil society groups, political parties and other stakeholders.” Meanwhile, the toll in the 47-day unrest rose to 70 on Wednesday after the death of one more youth, 18-year-old Aamir Mir, in Pulwama. Forty others were injured in clashes with security forces. The…

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One injured during clashes in Katra over temple desecration

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Rumours of temple desecration in Katra has created communal tension in area leading to clashes in which a 65-year-old man and some policemen were injured. According to locals, Diwan Ali of Kadkiyal Kotla in Katra was critically injured on August 21 after he was hit by a stone allegedly thrown by activists of Shiv Sena. “Some people are trying to ignite communal tension in the area by spreading rumours about temple desecration. My father has also become a target of these rumour mongers. He has received eight stitches on head,”…

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Time’s just right for peace talks, but does India have an acceptable solution? Rajnath in Kashmir

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While most of Kashmir was burning in July, around 50 youths of Beerwah, a sleepy town at the base of the Pir Panjal’s — on the road between Srinagar and Gulmarg — found an easy distraction. In the middle of an open ground, they raised a net and created a volleyball court and started playing from dusk to midnight. Beerwah is in Central Kashmir. It is some distance away from the epicentre of the ongoing turmoil in the Valley’s southern districts. Historically, Beerwah and its adjoining areas have been calm…

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Curfew, Restrictions continue for 48th day across Kashmir Valley; Army is back in North Kashmir, Enforces strict night curfew

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Authorities on Thursday continued curfew and restrictions in Kashmir for the 48th consecutive day as the separatists extended the protest shutdown till September 1. “Curfew will remain in force in Anantnag, Pulwama and Srinagar districts while restrictions will continue in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam and Badgam districts,” a senior police official said. The death toll rose to 69 after a teenager was killed in clashes with the security forces in Pinglina village of Pulwama district on Wednesday. Twenty-five people including three police officers were injured when militants who…

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When Life Comes to a Halt in Kashmir; Living Under Curfew

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Twelve-year-old Ryan Riyaz recalls the exact number of days his school has been shut: “One month and 18 days, since Burhan died. We take private tuitions now”. A resident of Khanyar in downtown Srinagar, the class VI student says life in the valley has been morose. Ryaz and many others now take private tuitions to complete their syllabus and gear up for the impending exams post curfew. “My syllabus is incomplete, but exams will happen as per schedule, as per newspaper reports”, says Ryan. Irked by the civic meltdown, the…

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BJP wants Mehbooba Mufti to crack down on Radicals

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The ruling BJP, it appears, is running out of patience over the way Chief Mehbooba Mufti is handling the unrest in the Valley, which today entered the 47th day of curfew. According to top BJP leaders here, apart from reviewing the situation in Kashmir and talking to stakeholders there, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has another mandate. They say Rajnath also wants to convey the thought that she should get cracking against radicalised groups, the overground workers (OGWs), “read the riot act”, that is, and create a situation for relaxing the…

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Kashmir and Palestine: The story of two occupations

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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…

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Govt puts the Ball in Separatists court for Talks

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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…

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Rajnath invokes Kashmiriyat as clashes continue in Valley; Another youth killed, taking death toll to 70

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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…

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