Month: February 2017

Disclosure of pellet gun report not in nation’s security interest: Centre to SC

Editor

Stating that the public disclosure of the contents of the expert committee report on the use of pellet guns in Kashmir would not be in the interests of the safety, security and sovereignty of the country, the Central government has decided not to place the report as part of the record proceedings before the Supreme Court or make its contents public. In this regard, the Union Home Ministry has moved an application before the Supreme Court, claiming privilege from disclosing the report under the Evidence Act, 1872. Issuing notice to…

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National Highway remains Shut for second day due to Wet Weather

Editor

The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained shut for traffic for the second consecutive day today as fresh landslides occurred at several places, blocking the crucial supply line. The fresh landslides blocked the highway at Digdol, Panthyal and Seeri, officials of the traffic department said. Meanwhile, intermittent rain and snow continued in the region for the third consecutive day today. Snow also continued intermittently near the Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to the Kashmir valley. Officials of the traffic department said the highway was closed for vehicular traffic “keeping in view the…

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Forces shift strategy to tackle Stone Pelters in Kashmir Valley

Editor

Why has the Army re-thought its protocols when cornering terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir? The changing tactics of terrorists — seeking refuge in populated areas and getting a section of the local population to disrupt operations by stone-throwing — pose a difficult challenge. The new form of warfare offers terrorists better chances than being challenged — or surprised — by troops in the jungles of J&K. Earlier, it was easier, though still dangerous, for the Army to corner terrorists by cordoning off areas and neutralising them. Now, it becomes difficult…

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Admin Bans Fat Weddings, Restricts number of Guests & Dishes

Editor

Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday announced a number of restrictions to curb the wastage at social, government and private gatherings, especially weddings to prevent wastage of food. “There shall be complete ban on sending dry fruits, sweet packets extra with invitation card by any person to relatives, friends, guests, invitees etc,” read an order, issued today. “There shall b complete ban on use of amplifiers, loudspeakers and firecrackers”. “The number of guests to be invited on marriage of daughter (barat), marriage of son and small functions like engagement of…

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Ministers resign on ‘Petty Issues,’ but remain silent when people were killed: Karra

Editor

The Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra Monday took a jibe at two ministers of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for tendering their resignation for what he termed as “petty issues” and accused them of “acting blind” when Kashmiris were being killed during 2016 uprising. “They were given less important portfolios that is why Basharat and Imran resigned,” Karra told Kashmir Post, adding that people of Kashmir would in no way appreciate their actions. Karra said in case they had resigned when people were killed, blinded, and maimed it would be a…

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All not well within party, PDP MLA’s calls meet to discuss ‘Future Strategy’

Editor

Another legislator accuses senior leader Naeem Akhter of ruining party Though Basharat Bukhari took over charge of his new ministry today, the woes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seem far from over. All does not seem well in the party as MLA and former minister Abdul Majeed Padder is holding a workers’ meeting to decide the “future strategy”. Another MLA from the Zadibal constituency in Srinagar has accused Cabinet minister Naeem Akhter of ruining the party. The differences in the party leadership surfaced after two ministers Basharat Bukhari and…

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National highway shuts as rain triggers landslides

Editor

The highway connecting the Kashmir valley with Jammu division and the rest of the country was blocked on Monday as the second day of rainfall triggered landslides at several places along its mountainous stretches. A massive landslide blocked the highway early morning at the Seeri area of Ramban district, officials of the traffic department said. The officials said landslides also blocked the highway at “multiple places” following which traffic movement was not allowed till clearance operations were concluded. The closure of the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu highway – which has stretches prone…

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Reistance call Off Shutdown to facilitate ‘Shivratri’

Editor

The separatist leaders in the Kashmir valley have called off the protest and shutdown on this Friday to facilitate Shivratri festival. Three separatist leaders with Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, who have been jointly issuing protest and shutdown calendars since July last year, decided to call off the protest and shutdown scheduled for February 24. The decision was conveyed by Mirwaiz in a tweet today. He said the decision to call off the protest and shutdown on Friday was meant to “facilitate Shivratri festival of Kashmiri…

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Save region from climate change, local filmmakers urge people

Editor

Kashmir makes headlines in terrorism and insurgency, but a bunch of young filmmakers from the region has appealed to people through short films to save the beauty and blossom of the Valley from the ravages of climate change. At least two films screened at the recently concluded Seventh National Science Film Festival here have climate change in Kashmir as central themes. Jalal-Ud Din Baba’s “Global Warning: Kashmir Chapter” narrates the story of three orchard owners who are “victims” of climate change. Fluctuations in season, late winters and uneven snowfall completely…

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Mehbooba Mufti listens to Imran, Bukhari, but no assurance given

Editor

Both Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari separately met the Chief Minister at her residence and discussed with her the reasons behind their resignations. The aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party leaders who resigned on Friday following a reshuffle in portfolios of ministers had closed-door meetings with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, day after a group of party leaders urged them to withdraw their resignations. Both Basharat Bukhari and Imran Ansari separately met the Chief Minister at her residence and discussed with her the reasons behind their resignations. Ansari, who was the Minister for…

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