So far, security forces are using PAVA shells and pellet guns. PAVA (Pelargonic Acid Vanillylamide) is a chilli-based ammunition, which is less lethal and immobilises the target temporarily. Non-penetrative plastic bullets are likely to be used in Jammu and Kashmir for crowd control or stone-pelting to reduce collateral damage during counterinsurgency operations, official sources said here on Tuesday. However, the pellet guns will continue to be used as the last resort in the “non-lethal category.” Thousands of plastic bullets were produced and sent to the Kashmir Valley for use by…
Read MoreMonth: April 2017
‘Students targeted to create fear psychosis’ : Resistance Group
Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq denounced what he termed as “use of savage force” against students, terming it as ‘worst form of state terrorism.’ Various pro-freedom parties have condemned forces’ action on protesting students in various districts of Kashmir saying “student community was being targeted to create psychosis and break their resolve for right to self-determination.” Expressing concern over increasing use of “repressive measures” by the armed forces against civilians and student community, the Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, in a statement today, said, “Kashmiri people are…
Read MoreLion’s share comes BJP’s way : Council poll
Saffron party wins three seats, NC-Cong alliance gets two, PDP confined to one after losing ‘safe’ seat As ruling PDP lost “safe” seat to its coalition partner in today’s crucial elections, BJP got Lion’s Share in the biennial elections for the six seat seats of J&K Legislative Council by winning half of the seats. United opposition comprising- National Conference and Congress- won two seats while PDP- which is single largest party in the Legislative Assembly, with 29 members, confined only to one seat. Four candidates namely Yasir Reshi (PDP), GL…
Read MoreMassive Student protests rock Kashmir, Mobile Internet snapped
Scores of students injured in clashes with police and paramilitary forces Mobile Internet off again as protests grip Valley Cops exercised maximum restraint: Police Massive protests rocked Kashmir on Monday as students across the valley took to streets in an unprecedented show of solidarity with the students of Pulwama degree college who were wounded in clashes with government forces few days back. Scores of students were injured during Monday’s clashes as police and paramilitary forces used batons and fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters after demonstrations…
Read MoreFor CM Farooq Abdullah won Srinagar By-poll
National Conference President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday won the by-poll to the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat, beating his PDP rival Nazir Ahmad Khan. Earlier, Abdullah had taken an unassailable lead of 10,255 votes.
Read MoreFormer J&K CM Farooq Abdullah close to winning Srinagar bypoll
National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah is on his way to winning the Srinagar bypoll and regaining his pride after his shock defeat from the same constituency in 2014. Abdullah was leading by over 9,000 votes over his closest rival, the PDP’s Nazir Ahmad Khan, PTI reported. Abdullah lost in 2014 to the then PDP candidate Tariq Karra, who is now with the Congress. In fact, the Srinagar seat fell vacant after Karra resigned from the PDP. He later joined the Congress which was in an electoral alliance with the…
Read MoreBollywood stars come calling to Valley
The efforts of the government to bring Bollywood back to the Valley bore some fruit today as a film crew shot at the picturesque Tulip Garden in the foothills of the Zabarwan range. Even as schedules of several film shootings had been cancelled last year due to the unrest, the authorities say more stars were coming to the Valley in the coming days that would renew Kashmir’s Bollywood connection. “Star cast of movie ‘India Tujhe Salaam’ starring Bollywood actor Ashutosh Rana and Aarya Babbar, son of veteran star Raj Babbar,…
Read MoreGanderbal areas shut for 5th day in Protest
Locals Rename Chowk In Memory Of Youth Killed By BSF On the fifth consecutive day on Friday the highway township Baroosa and adjoining areas continued to remain shut to mourn the killing of a local youth, Omar Farooq (25), by Border Security Force on April 9. Locals assembled outside Jamia Masjid Baroosa after Friday prayers and marched up to main chowk where they staged sit-in for an hour. A Hurriyat (G) leader after addressing prayer congregation in the Jamia Masjid lead the protest march. “We demand probe in the matter,…
Read MoreDivide Valley to resettle minorities: Panun Kashmir
Expressing concern over the rising radicalisation in Kashmir and deterioration in security situation, the Panun Kashmir (PK) today said the division of the Valley had become imperative to create a peaceful zone for minorities. Reiterating their demand for a separate homeland for the Pandits in the Valley, the PK has said it is the only way to resettle the displaced community in their ancient homeland. Addressing a press conference, PK chairman Ajay Chrangoo and convener Agnishekhar alleged that they had been warning that radicalisation was turning the Valley into “ungovernable…
Read More40 Schools designated as polling stations damaged during bypoll in Budgam
More than 35 schools were damaged by protesters in Budgam district during the Srinagar parliamentary bypoll on April 9. Chief Education Officer (CEO), Budgam, Inderjeet Sharma said 35-40 schools, where polling stations were set up, were damaged by protesters on April 9. “According to our preliminary assessment, nearly 35-40 schools were attacked by protesters where polling stations were set up. It will take us two more days to come up with a report and assess the full damage,” said the CEO. The official said around 10 schools had been severely…
Read More
