Month: June 2017

The irresolvable Kashmir ROW

Editor

The most devilishly complex issue is Kashmir. Broadly speaking, Pakistan has, with the help of the US, played its Kashmir card better than India There seems to be no cure-all solution that can undo the strained historical dynamics of Indo-Pak relations At the moment, Indo-Pak relations are under a severe strain. Having been ambassador to Pakistan in the early 1980s, I have retained a deep interest in the developments in that country. While writing about Pakistan and India relations, one must keep three things in mind. Indo-Pak relations are accident…

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Military solutions can’t fix political issue: Omar Abdullah

Editor

The Centre’s decision not to resolve the “political issue” in Kashmir has worsened the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said, stressing that military solutions cannot be used to fix a “political” problem. Abdullah, the working president of opposition National Conference (NC), alleged the Centre has also distanced itself from all promises of the state government’s common minimum programme — Agenda of the Alliance — formally and publicly. The BJP, the leading party at the Centre, is a partner in the ruling coalition government…

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Valley bizmen oppose GST, Mehbooba allays fears over Art 370

Editor

Discussion with Finance Minister Drabu today, all-party meet tomorrow Top businessmen and hoteliers of the Kashmir valley today opposed the extension of the goods and services tax (GST) to J&K during a meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. A delegation that included Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, J&K Hoteliers Club (JKHC) chairman Mushtaq Chaya and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Khan unanimously opposed the implementation of the GST, saying it would erode the financial autonomy of J&K. “We all opposed the GST…

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Catch them young (Stone Pelters), Show them India, Help them dream – Army’s new job

Editor

The Army is zeroing in on young stone-pelters in Kashmir – not to lock them up but to take them around India and give wings to their dreams. The Army is zeroing in on young stone-pelters in Kashmir – not to lock them up but to take them around India and give wings to their dreams. A group of 20 boys from restive South Kashmir will be taken on an educational tour to showcase India and its development, a senior Army officer said. The idea struck Major General BS Raju,…

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Militants attack forces in Anantnag, civilian injured; Toy, mistaken as bomb, triggers scare on highway

Editor

Police on Saturday said that a civilian was injured after militants targeted the government forces in Vesu area of Anantnag in south Kashmir. In a statement, issued here today, a spokesman said that a civilian Meenu Arif, who works with a construction company in Banihal, was hit after militants missed the target and hit his car. Arif, according to the spokesman, said that he was on way to Banihal when unknown militants fired upon the two forces’ vehicles moving ahead of his car at 5 am today. “The fire missed…

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NC leaders call on Guv, seek APM on GST

Editor

The National Conference (NC) has urged the Governor to advise the state government to call an all-party meeting to have an extensive discussion on various aspects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) being rolled out in the country from July 1. The delegation, led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, conveyed to the Governor that an all-party meeting would allay the fears and concerns of various stakeholders and put the entire concept in public domain for an open debate. The delegation apprised the Governor of their concerns relating to…

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‘Khimsa Festival’ creates awareness on waste management

Editor

To sensitise people about the increasing pollution in Leh town, a group of Leh-based NGOs have organised an environment week called the ‘Khimsa Festival’. The festival began on World Environment Day and will conclude on June 10. Garbage, lack of scientific measures for waste management and polluted water bodies have become a serious environmental concern in Leh. The concluding day of the festival will be marked with a debate on sustainable solutions to waste management. Tashi Murup, project director, Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation, said the garbage problem was grim…

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Freed after 16 years, Baramulla man recounts how Delhi police ruined his career

Editor

Happiness has visited the Wani family of Baramulla after 16 long years. Gulzar Ahmad Wani, who was acquitted of all charges in a case involving a blast on a train in 2001 by a court in Uttar Pradesh on May 20, reached his home in Tappar Bala, Baramulla district, on Tuesday. Hundreds of local residents thronged Wani’s place to congratulate the family. “I have seen him growing in front of my eyes. His 16 years of incarceration has devastated his family. He is a noble soul and one can never…

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Valley traders seek debate on new tax regime

Editor

Despite assurance from the government that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not impact J&K’s special status, the Kashmir valley’s business community and tourism players are seeking a thorough debate before the new tax regime gets implemented. Besides debating the ramifications of the act over the state’s own financial authority, businessmen want to know the fate of the special tax concessions enjoyed by J&K on account of being a tourist destination. “We have been getting special benefits such as exemption of service tax for the hotel industry. VAT, too,…

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What cheek! TV news coverage angers many Kashmiris

Editor

Kashmiris are unhappy with how news from their is being covered by national television networks that often hold panel discussions resulting in a raucous arguments that they feel are “insensitive”. Kashmir’s politicians, separatist leaders and civil society members pursue different agendas and are normally deeply divided. But currently, they agree on one thing: that most national television channels are harming the strife-torn Valley irreparably by their raucous news coverage and panel discussions. Almost all of them were aghast when a retired army Major wondered aloud incredulously last week on a…

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