Year: 2017

‘Indian democracy will lose credibility if Kashmiris robbed of chance to dream’: New York Times

Editor

An editorial in the New York Times said, “such posturing will only doom Kashmir to a deadly spiral”, adding that Indian democracy will lose its credibility if Kashmiris are robbed of a chance to dream. In an unusually harsh editorial, The New York Times has described India’s security crackdown in Kashmir as “brutal” and cautioned that it will feed more militancy. The editorial which was published on Saturday said the Indian government must ensure that human rights are protected in Kashmir. The New York Times’ editorial board’s comments came days…

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Open your Eyes, Ears and Minds on Kashmir

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Otherwise the media can never portray the reality of Kashmir in a way that will help Indians understand Kashmiri aspirations. Shinzani Jain Start a conversation about Kashmir in India and a hundred familiar questions are hurled at you. What about the Pandits? What if Pakistan invades Kashmir? What about Islamic fundamentalism? What if other states also demand the right to secede? One question that I have been frequently asked in the most condescending tone is, “So, what is the solution? If you want to talk about Kashmir, you must have…

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Two in police net for spreading online rumours

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After suspending 3G and 4G mobile Internet services, the J&K Police have begun a crackdown against administrators of WhatsApp groups and Facebook pages who spread online rumours. The police have arrested two persons in north Kashmir in past few days for circulating wrong news on the social media. The crackdown comes at a time when security agencies have made strong recommendation to curb the social media as it instigates youth to indulge in violence against the forces. The two persons arrested in the latest crackdown are Ishfaq Hussain Hajam of…

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Heavy school bags burden Kashmir children: Survey

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83% Children Carry Bags Heavier Than Permitted Weight, Face Grave Health Risks Children from schools across Kashmir are carrying school bags heavier than the recommended weight, a recent survey has revealed. In absence of any regulation, the heavy bags are posing serious health risks and developmental issues to the growing children. In Kashmir schools, 83.7 percent of children carry bags heavier than 10 percent of body weight, a survey by Department of Social and Preventive Medicine of Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has revealed. The survey, carried out across government…

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Police foil Punjab Shiv Sainiks’ bid to enter J&K

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The police foiled an attempt of Shiv Sena activists from neighbouring Punjab to enter the state at Lakhanpur, near here, today. The Shiv Sainiks from Punjab, who were stopped by the J&K Police from moving further, had planned to meet the Governor of J&K in the wake of Kashmir unrest. However, the police action infuriated the Shiv Sainiks, led by their Punjab unit chief Sanjeev Ghanoli and other prominent party leader Sudhir Suri. The enraged Shiv Sainiks parked their vehicles in the middle of the Jammu-Pathankot national highway at Lakhanpur…

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Despite Jhelum posing flood threat, dredging deadlines still not met

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With only 1.20 lakh cubic feet dredging having been done in the Jhelum so far against the targeted 17 lakh cubic feet, the river can again cause the havoc that it did in September 2014. The dredging of the river, which had overflown and breached its banks on the night of September 6 and 7, 2014, drowning almost half of the summer capital, should have been completed by December 2015. The Centre had released the funds for the purpose but the political and administrative lethargy combined with corruption at high…

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Time for promises over, it’s time for delivery now: Mehbooba Mufti

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Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has not shared everything with the media after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday because it is status quo in Jammu and Kashmir: the military option has not been ruled out and the dialogue option has not opened completely despite her passionate plea for it. Mehbooba is not only the head of the government in J&K but also president of the PDP, which is ruling the state in alliance with Modi’s BJP. Therefore, their meeting should have had more on agenda than merely…

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We’re the Loser in BJP Alliance, Mehbooba Must Go Back to People: PDP Leader Baig

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Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met on Monday over the worsening law and order situation in the Valley, senior People’s Democratic Party leader and former deputy CM Muzaffar Hussain Baig said Mehbooba should “go back to the people,” instead of “sticking to the alliance” with BJP. Mediocre coalition govt makes PDP appear more ‘loserish’ News18 reported, Baig said the PDP has been “the loser in the coalition” as it has “lost more political capital than the BJP”. “There is disenchantment, inexperience…

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As Students clashes with forces, City centre turns into battlefield

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2 students, 12 cops injured; 6 students detained Govt forces resort to tear gas shelling, aerial firing to quell protests Student, photojournalist, woman injured; SSP Srinagar among 12 cops hurt Cops showed utmost restraint: Police Massive clashes were witnessed between students and government forces in the heart of Srinagar city on Monday as colleges re-opened after remaining closed for a week in Kashmir valley. Government forces used tear gas and water cannons to prevent students of SP Higher Secondary School and SP College from taking out a protest march and…

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Women’s College students stage protests, Shutters down as clashes intensify on MA road, SSP Srinagar injured in stone pelting

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Students protest again in Srinagar, raise ‘Azadi’ slogans Students of Women’s College MA road stage protests Shopkeepers down shutters as clashes intensify on MA road, adjacent areas SSP Srinagar injured in stone pelting Massive clashes erupted in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area on Monday after students from three adjacent educational institutions staged a protest and resorted to stone pelting. According to the police, the students of SP College, Government College for Women and SP Higher Secondary school assembled on the Maulana Azad Road and clashed with the security personnels on duty. “At least…

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