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…
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Rajnath 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…
Read MoreOver 500 cases against ‘Rioters’ in South Kashmir during Unrest
Over 500 cases have been lodged against “rioters and anti-national elements” in the four districts of south Kashmir in the last 44 days, with 381 “miscreants” arrested, officials have said. “All the police stations and posts in south Kashmir (comprising Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts) are fully functional and are working round-the-clock, along with the other security agencies, to bring the situation under control. “In the last 44 days, the police have registered 537 cases against rioters and anti-national elements. As many as 381 miscreants have been arrested and…
Read MoreParalysed for nearly 50 days, Kashmir is living its worst nightmare in decades
It is 9.30 pm on Sunday. Srinagar is tense. An 18-year-old boy has died after a teargas canister, reportedly fired by government forces, hit his chest. In the interiors of the city, some people are protesting. Pro-freedom songs are being blared through the public address systems of mosques. Night curfew is in force in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital. In the lanes and by-lanes of central Srinagar, security forces are deployed in large numbers round-the-clock to enforce what locals are describing as the harshest curfew in decades. It has been…
Read MoreIf only 5% with Tehreek, why 7 lakh forces, police can’t contain them: Hurriyat (G)
Reacting to the chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that only five percent people are fomenting trouble in Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference (G) termed it a sheer lie and reflection of her frustration. “We question you (Mehbooba Mufti) if it is only 5% who are in the movement why your seven lakh forces and one lakh police along with their artillery have failed to contain them. Why you are calling in more and more reinforcement from Delhi,” the statement issued by the pro-freedom faction read. “You have called in army for…
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