Month: February 2017

Farooq takes up for militants, says they have made a promise with God

Editor

National Conference leader and three-time state Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today came out openly in defence of militants, saying they have made a “promise with God” and are sacrificing their lives for freedom. Farooq’s rare pro-militant rhetoric, which came at a time when the levels of violence and sympathies for militants have significantly shot up, illustrated a stark change of heart for a political leader who had once advocated a full assault against militants and their backers. “If our children are offering sacrifices today, they do not want to become…

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Jonty Rhodes bats for ‘Incredible’ Kashmir

Editor

Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, who has been to Kashmir three times, has appeared in a promotional video for Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, urging people to visit the “incredible” Valley for its “amazing” hospitality and tourist places. “This is my third visit to Kashmir…. I have done heli-skiing in the past and I learnt to snowboard on the hills right behind me,” Rhodes says in the 72-second video shot in the famous skiing resort of Gulmarg this winter. Impressed by the local hospitality and the wide range of…

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Kashmir Valley sees rise in number of locals joining militancy ranks

Editor

The emboldened nature of militancy in Jammu & Kashmir hit home yet again on Thursday, with a virtually military-style ambush of an Army column in Shopian leading to the death of three soldiers, even as the security establishment’s estimate of the number of terrorists in the state has undergone a sharp upward revision in recent times. Though officials say it was more of “an opportunity ambush” rather than “a well-planned one” at Chitragam in the early hours of Thursday, which also left two officers and others seriously injured, it was…

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Three Army persons killed in Shopian ambush

Editor

Major, Lt Col among 5 troopers injured Woman dies after being hit by stray bullet during cross fire Docs flown from AIIMS to attend to injured army men Locals accuse army of going berserk after the attack Hizb owns attacks At least three army men were killed and five others including a Lt Colonel and Major injured when militants of Hizbul Mujahideen attacked their patrol party in Shopian district of South Kashmir on Thursday. A woman was also killed after being hit by a stray bullet inside her house during…

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Where’s the justice for Kunan-Poshpora gangrapes in Kashmir?

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It has been 26 years; the case is pending in the Supreme Court Sabarish Suresh If the news of Mohammad Fazili, the man who was incarcerated for 12 years with regard to the 2005 Delhi blasts, haunted you for all the torture and atrocities committed by the police force, know that this is but a common affair for the citizens of Kashmir. Kashmir, the world’s largest militarised zone, holds the record for another dishearteningly prominent incident that occurred there 26 years ago, something which has always been a source of…

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Protests erupted post Law student goes missing from Kashmir University

Editor

The Hurriyat Conference today backed the students of Kashmir University who are protesting against the disappearance of a law student who went missing ever since he took part in a demonstration on the university campus a few ago. Protests were held today on the campus by the students demanding to know whereabouts of the 3rd semester student of LLB. According to reports, the missing student was last seen on the campus on February 21. A few days earlier, he had taken part in a protest organised by university students against…

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Would fight for justice till our last breath: Kunan Poshpora Victims

Editor

On the 26th anniversary, of the Kunan Poshpora rape incident, the victim survivors said they would fight for justice till their last breath. The victims, who were disallowed to attend the seminar organized by Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) at local hotel here on Thursday castigated the state government for what they called “muzzling” their voice. “Since the state is headed by a woman Chief minister, we expected that the government will allow us to express our pain and sufferings we faced during the past 26 years,” the…

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India’s own Switzerland, Kashmir is Safe: Tourism Secy

Editor

An amount of Rs 2,400 crore will be invested in Jammu and Kashmir during the next five years to give boost to the tourism sector, which is considered as the backbone of the state economy, with the government laying special focus on unexplored and new regions like Kargil. This was stated by the Secretary, Tourism, J&K, Farooq Shah, on the sidelines of a function in Mumbai last night. Shah, along with other state functionaries was in Mumbai to promote the state’s rich culture, serene beauty and unmatchable landscapes. “The Union…

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‘Azad Kashmir’, among slogans chanted at Delhi University protests yesterday

Editor

At the violent clashes in Delhi University’s north campus yesterday, several protesters shouted slogans supporting independence for Kashmir, according to a video that has emerged. The video shows protesters shouting “Freedom for Students” and “Freedom for Kashmir”. Many of the protesters said it was the BJP’s student wing that instigated the violence and resorted to kicking, punching and manhandling people marching. And at least 30 people, including a professor, 10 policemen and several journalists, were injured in yesterday’s clashes. The ABVP has denied its involvement. These clashes occurred after Ramjas…

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Govt’s guest control invites trouble, comes under challenge with political and bureaucratic circles

Editor

The guest control order by government has come under challenge with political and bureaucratic circles saying “the department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is not competent to issue such an order and the cabinet alone can decide on such policy matters.” “It is a major policy issue and needs cabinet approval for implementation. The department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is not competent to decide on such issues,” an official wishing anonymity said. Former CAPD Minister, Taj Mohiuddin, who had also issued a similar order in…

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