The fresh clamour over abrogation of Article 35-A which confers special rights and privileges on J&K’s permanent residents has sent the alarm bells ringing in the state, with National Conference calling a meeting of Opposition parties here on Monday to discuss the sensitive issue. The meeting comes in wake of a petition filed by a non-governmental organisation seeking abrogation of the constitutional provision that defines special privileges enjoyed by permanent residents of the state in matters related to employment, acquisition of immovable property, settlements and scholarships. A source said National…
Read MoreMonth: August 2017
Concern raised in parts of kashmir over privacy as security forces allegedly scan phones of suspected civilians
Concern over privacy was raised in some parts of Kashmir, after reports of security forces checking citizens’ phones surfaced in the media. Reportedly, security forces in Kashmir, particularly in its volatile southern areas, are prying into cellphones of residents during roadside searches. While according to officials it is a routine procedure in the state where militants use social media to propagate their agenda and garner mass support, several incidents of citizen abuse were reported in such situations if anything incriminating was found on the phones. According to IANS, officials denied…
Read More7 Years on, admn fails to shift ISBT to Narwal
Being used as a place to park pvt buses, trucks Public money worth crores has been wasted as the district administration has failed to completely shift the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) to Narwal even after seven years of its completion. After spending crores of rupees on its construction, the administration has abandoned the ISBT as it is being used only for the parking of private buses and trucks. “The administration is being pressurised by the shopkeepers and travel companies based at the General Bus Stand, who do not allow them…
Read MoreNeed to check money flowing into Kashmir to foment trouble: RK Kaushal
There is a need to analyse how much foreign money is pouring into Kashmir to foment trouble, said Major General (Retd) RK Kaushal during a talk on Violence Free Kashmir organised in the city on Saturday. Kaushal was in the city to be part of this event organised by the discussion group Vichar Vedh at Patrakar Bhavan. Also present on the occasion were Professor Vijay Naik from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai and members of Vichar Vedh, a forum which encourages discussion on humanitarian, secular and democratic values.…
Read MorePanel criticises trade body leaders house arrest: GST Row
The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), an amalgam of various trade bodies, today flayed the government for placing under house arrest its leaders ahead of the proposed sit-in on Tuesday. JKCC coordinator Siraj Ahmad said an emergency meeting of the amalgam was held today where the members expressed “utter disbelief, shock and surprise over the unwarranted and uncalled for house arrest of its leaders, Dr Mubeen Shah and Mohammad Yasin Khan”. He said they had been put under house arrest today as the JKCC had called for a sit-in…
Read MoreMehbooba’s bizarre statements must not be allowed to hold nation hostage: Terror funding case
Jammu and Kashmir may have a separate constitution but it is, unquestionably, part of India. Of late, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been making bizarre statements which indicate some sort of desperation on her part towards the scenario unfolding in the Valley. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) crackdown on the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), their arrest, allegations of terrorist links, illegal wealth, inciting youth and instigating violence have shaken the state. In addition to Pakistan, these separatists were also reportedly receiving funds from outfits in London and…
Read MoreBJP to alter Article 35A on permanent residents in J&K?
Away from the attention that Article 370 usually invites, a section of BJP sympathisers are steadily pushing the party’s less-noticed promise of altering Article 35A of the Constitution, which empowers the J&K government to define “permanent residents” of the state. The article enables the state to provide special rights and privileges that permanent residents can enjoy but has been criticised by BJP as a provision that encourages alienation, deepens the concept of a separate identity and creates a political gap between J&K and the rest of India. Under the Article,…
Read MoreKashmir witnesses political furore over Article 35A and GST
Article 35(A) and the Goods and Services Tax Act have created a political furore in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Opposition alleging that they are aimed at diluting the state’s special status and fiscal autonomy. Article 35(A) allows only state subjects of J&K to settle down and buy property here. An NGO, allegedly close to the RSS, recently filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court requesting Article 35(A)’s abrogation. The Centre has so far not filed a counter affidavit to it. Commenting on the development, the Congress said in…
Read MoreCenter, State govt’s pushing youth towards militancy: Opposition
“PDP earlier sought votes to keep BJP at bay but after the elections were over, the party in the lust of power forged an alliance with it, which resulted in anger among the youth,” Saying that the dialogue is the only way out to resolve the Kashmir issue, the mainstream opposition parties on Saturday blamed central as well as the state government for pushing Kashmiri youth to join militant ranks. The mainstream opposition parties, including National Conference (NC), Congress and People Democratic Front (PDF) blamed the anti-Kashmir policies of Narendra…
Read MoreJehangir Chowk–Barzulla Expressway Corridor nearing completion: Akhtar
Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar today said that 65% of physical work on the prestigious Jehangir Chowk–Barzulla Expressway corridor has been completed, with rest of the project expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Minister said that the work is underway in double shift on the Rs 350 crore project, which is first of its kind in the Kashmir division. “So far Rs 175 crores have been spent on the project undertaken by J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) under JK Urban Sector Developement Investment Programme…
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