Month: July 2017

Youth held in Akhnoor for ‘Misusing’ Social Media

Editor

A youth has been detained by police for allegedly misusing social media to gather information about security forces in Jammu. “A youth was detained for misusing social media with his fake account, and trying to extract vital information related to security forces in Akhnoor belt of Jammu district,” a police officer said. A case of criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country under relevant sections of penal code and IT Act has been registered against him, he said, adding further investigation is going on. He said that general public has…

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Curfew imposed in Tral, Strict restrictions in rest of the Valley

Editor

The government on Friday imposed restrictions across Kashmir especially in Downtown Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts on the eve of first death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Tral Under ‘SIEGE’ A witness said curfew remained in place across Tral, the native place of Burhan since wee hours of Friday. Even congregational Friday prayers were, for the first time, disallowed at Khanqah Faizpanah, Tral. “I am 70 years old and I have never seen a ban on Friday prayers at Khanqah-Faizpanah,” said Auqaf president, Bashir Ahmed. A…

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Restrictions aimed at economically crushing Downtown: Traders

Editor

Government’s practice to frequently impose restrictions in Downtown is taking a distressing toll on businesses there, with traders accusing authorities of imposing curbs under “a conspiracy to economically crush people of Old City”. As per officials, out of five days in this week, there were restrictions on two days, Wednesday and Friday. While there were no restrictions on other parts of Srinagar, the areas falling under the jurisdiction of five police stations – Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safakadal, were under siege even on Friday with police and paramilitary…

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Unprecedented security arrangements across Kashmir on Burhan Wani’s first Death Anniversary

Editor

Fearing huge protests, heavy security arrangements have been put in place throughout the Kashmir Valley to maintain law and order on the slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary on Saturday. Top Army officials and J&K Police have reviewed the security situation and measures put in place for ensuring peace and calm in the Valley. Curfew has been imposed in Burhan Wani’s hometown Tral in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The authorities have suspended train services between Baramulla town and Bannihal town for the day. Wani’s killing in…

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GST rollout: Mehbooba Mufti calls it Golden day

Editor

Says state hasn’t disappointed people of country, hails Central support Describing it as a “golden day” in the history of the state Assembly, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today lauded the role of the BJP in supporting the coalition’s Agenda of Alliance as the state legislature passed the state goods and services tax (SGST) Bill here today. Addressing the Legislative Council on the conclusion of the special session after both Houses passed the SGST, the Chief Minister said: “The whole country was waiting for J&K’s decision (on the implementation of GST).…

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Haseeb Drabu wants opposition MLA to salute him in Assembly

Editor

State finance minister Haseeb Drabu wants National Conference MLA Devender Rana to salute him from the Well while participating in the discussion on GST resolution. Jammu and Kashmir finance minister Haseeb Drabu made two rather unusual requests to Speaker of the Assembly Kavinder Gupta on Friday. He sought separate directions to two opposition MLAs — one to salute him from the Well of the House and other to resign as a legislator. He claimed that National Conference MLA Devender Rana, while participating in the discussion on the Goods and Services Tax…

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Restrictions in Srinagar, ‘Dawn to dusk’ curbs in Pulwama, Tral turned into a ‘Garrison’

Editor

District magistrate Srinagar on Thursday said restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC will remain in force under jurisdiction of police stations Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar and Safa Kadal in Srinagar on July 7 (Friday) as a “precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.” Section 144 bars assembly of four or more persons at a particular place. Ahead of first death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, the Tral area in Pulwama district is all set to be declared out of bounds for people to…

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Article 370 reduced to an empty shell: Bar Association

Editor

The Kashmir Bar Association has expressed concern over the manner in which the Legislative Assembly yesterday passed a resolution for the adaptation of the GST regime in J&K. It today said Article 370 had been reduced to an “empty shell” by 47 Presidential Orders passed in the past. On Wednesday evening, the state Cabinet gave its approval to the resolution and sent it for the Governor’s assent. It is set to be forwarded to the President for a Presidential Order through which the GST would be extended to J&K. “The…

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Pakistan alleges use of ‘Chemical Ammunition’ in Kashmir

Editor

Pakistan on Thursday alleged that Indian security forces are using “ammunition containing chemical agents” in Jammu and Kashmir, reported Pakistani media. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nafees Zakaria claimed that Indian security forces were using deadly chemical weapons to kill Kashmiris and destroy their properties, a report published in The Express Tribune said. Zakaria cited “charred bodies” found in houses in Bahmnoo and Kakpora in the Pulwama district suggested that chemical agents were used. “Charred bodies of Kashmiri youth were found in the debris of five houses destroyed by…

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Zakir Musa calls for recruitment drive in Kashmir on Burhan Wani’s death anniversary, sets stage for another quantum leap

Editor

A recruitment drive is planned on the first death anniversary of militant commander Burhan Wani. Quite an audacious move, you might think. It will certainly be called audacious if the army, police or paramilitary forces had planned it. But no, they are contemplating curfew on 8 July (Saturday). There were even talks about imposing curfew in the region. What makes the recruitment drive audacious is that it has been called by Zakir ‘Musa’, the radical militant commander who appears to have the allegiance and fan following of the majority of…

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