Secretariat closes in Srinagar, to open in Jammu on Nov 6

The Civil Secretariat closed here today to reopen in Jammu, the winter capital, on November 6 as part of the bi-annual ‘Durbar Move’. “The Civil Secretariat and other Durbar Move offices that observe five-day week closed in Srinagar today and will now reopen at Jammu on November 6,” an official spokesman said. The offices observing six-day week will close tomorrow, he said. The Civil Secretariat and other Durbar Move offices function in Srinagar for six months of summer and in Jammu, for the remaining six months of the year. The…

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BJP celebrates “Accession Day” as 2nd Diwali in Jammu

State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday celebrated ‘Accession Day’ of Jammu & Kashmir with pomp and show, simulating the night of Deepawali in the evening and with lighting of fireworks. In this connection main function was held at its party headquarters, which was led by BJP, National Vice President, Avinash Rai Khanna along with state president & MLA, Sat Sharma and other senior leaders. As per press statement, programme started with the bursting of crackers and lightening of 71 earthen lamps before the portraits of Bharat Mata…

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Champions Gujarat crush J&K by an inning and 64 runs

Hosts and defending champions Gujarat inflicted another crushing inning defeat on J&K in the Ranji trophy tournament as they wrapped up four day match in three days at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat Gujarat on Thursday. Gujarat won match by an inning and 64 runs, completely outplaying J&K in both the departments. Hosts earned seven points from the match including a bonus point. To some extent fate of the match was decided already on second day when Gujarat took first inning lead. But the manner in which J&K batting succumbed in…

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Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti needs to stand taller

Since Monday greater responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for making the dialogue on J&K a success. There is no scope for any misstep. This time around Mehbooba is facing the most crucial test of her political career, when she should not only act but should also be seen as Chief Minister of the entire Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh included. It is true that opening of talks with separatists was the core agenda of her party and the government for that holds a possible key…

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Want to prevent Kashmir from becoming India’s Syria: Dineshwar Sharma

The biggest challenge and the top priority in Kashmir are to de-radicalise Kashmiri youth and militants and “prevent it from turning into a Syria of India”, Dineshwar Sharma, the newly-named interlocutor for talks in Jammu and Kashmir, has said. An old Kashmir hand, who headed the Intelligence Bureau for two years from December 2015, Sharma said that his mission to bring an “end to violence would also include talking to anyone, even a rickshaw puller or a cart puller who can contribute so that peace is ushered in the state…

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Pakistan opens heavy fire in Poonch sector

According to police, Pakistani army started firing mortars at Sher Shakti and Mendhar areas in Kerni sector at 8.45 pm on Thursday. The gun-duel continued till 4 am on Friday. Pakistani army fired mortars targeting Indian posts and forward villages in Mendhar sector of Poonch district along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, prompting retaliation from Indian troops. According to police, Pakistani army started firing mortars at Sher Shakti and Mendhar areas in Kerni sector at 8.45 pm on…

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‘Black day’ in Kashmir marks 1947 Indian army arrival

Seventy years ago on Friday, the Indian army landed in the Himalayan valley of Kashmir, giving rise to one of the world’s deadliest disputes. Every year the people in this divided region mark October 27 as a “black day” to protest the decades-old “Indian military occupation”. “You go to any home, and they tell you a story how their brother, son, and husband was killed and how they continue to face the atrocities of the army. We continue to live the repercussions of the day that gave birth to this…

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Joint Resistance Leadership frame four point resolution

Joint Separatist Leadership (JSL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, today framed a four-point resolution jointly to be passed by the people on the October 27— the day when Indian army landed in Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. “The resolution will be read out and passed in all Masajid, shrines and Imambaras across J&K, including Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch and Bhaderwah areas of Jammu region after Friday prayers,” the leaders, in a joint statement today, said. “October 27, 1947, is the blackest day in…

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Restrictions imposed in Srinagar to thwart ‘Black Day’ Protests

Authorities imposed restrictions in various areas here on Friday to prevent separatist-called protests to mark the Accession Day of Jammu and Kashmir to India. Joint resistance leadership (JRL) of separatist leaders–Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik–have asked people to observe October 27 as a “black day” in Kashmir. It was on this day in 1947 that the Indian Army landed in Srinagar Airport following the accession of the state. “Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC will remain in force in Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal,…

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Two cops, CRPF jawan, Civilian hurt in Kulgam grenade attack

Two policemen and a civilian were today injured in a grenade explosion at a police station in the Damhal Hanjipora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. “Militants hurled a hand grenade, which exploded on the premises of the police station,” said a senior police officer from the area. He said two policemen and a civilian who was at the station for some work were left with splinter injuries and were rushed to a hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable. The incident took place around 4:30 pm. The…

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