The Valley is cloaked in white, the sun has all but disappeared and the most promising source of heat is the kanger, the traditional fire pot. The air is tinged with blue and grey, filled plumes of smoke and burnt wood. Pools of water on the streets freeze over, only to crack with a harsh sound when stepped on. This is chillai kalan, the 40 harshest days of winter in Kashmir that begins on December 21. Till the end of January, life in the Valley is going to be slow-placed…
Read MoreYear: 2017
Joint resistance setting up public trust to help unrest victims
Govt doesn’t compensate everyone and we don’t want compensation from them: Mirwaiz Couldn’t execute plan yet as govt not allowing leaders to meet and talk about it: Geelani With the state government announcing job opportunities for persons who lost their eyesight after being injured by government forces in last year’s unrest, Hurriyat has decided to set up a trust to provide financial assistance to all the victims. Speaking to Kashmir Post, Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said, “We had a meeting with the traders and we have decided to…
Read MoreSrinagar – Jammu Highway opens for traffic, Gulmarg freezes at minus 12 .4
The 300 km Srinagar-Jammu highway, only road connecting Kashmir with rest of the world, was thrown open for traffic on Monday while as cold wave tightened its grip in Kashmir with Gulmarg recording the lowest temperature in the past five years. The highway after remaining closed for 3 consecutive days was thrown open for traffic on Monday. Traffic Police Department officials said the highway was thrown open for traffic after the road was cleared-off snow and debris left behind by landslides at a few places. “Stranded vehicles were cleared yesterday…
Read MoreSinha led panel has suggested Improving the human rights situation, Initiating talks with all stakeholders
A Yashwant Sinha-led civil society panel has suggested “improving” the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir and initiating talks with all stakeholders, including separatist groups like the Hurriyat Conference. The Concerned Citizen Group (CCG) had made another set of recommendations after their second visit to the Kashmir valley last month which included urgent psychological counselling for minor detainees. The panel had first visited the Valley in October after which it had recommended an immediate ban on the use of pellet guns by security forces. The Centre has distanced itself…
Read MoreKashmir’s YouTube sensation now sings door to door to make both ends meet
Nearly two years back, a mobile video of Noor Mohammad Shah singing traditional Kashmiri songs on a roadside while playing ‘rabab’ was uploaded on YouTube. Shah, a folk singer, then became Valley’s own YouTube sensation by registering nearly 1.75 lakh views on his video. Later, Shah’s other videos singing at home and roadsides went viral on social networking websites. Despite his fame and a few recordings for television and radio as part of a troupe, Shah continues to sing door to door to eke out a living. “When people see…
Read More11199 Non-State subject families residing in J&K
The Jammu and Kashmir Government Monday said that 11199 non-state subject families, which include 9403 families of West Pakistan Refugees, are living in the State. In a written reply to a question of MLA Langate Er. Rashid, Minister in-charge Revenue, Basharat Bukhari informed the House that 9403 West Pakistan Refugees are living in Jammu province. Of them, 5457 families are residing in Jammu, 1612 in Samba and 2334 in Kathua, the Minister said. In Jammu province, 586 other non-state subject families also reside. Of them, 432 live in Jammu, 62…
Read More2016 Unrest was preplanned, SIT’s to probe killings, kin of each victim to get Rs 5 lakh: Mehbooba
Mehbooba regrets killings, says people didn’t expect this of her Chief Minister turns down opposition’s demand of judicial probe ‘Govt committed to give a job to one person of the victim family on compassionate basis’ Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Monday said 2016 Kashmir uprising was preplanned and expressed regret saying people did not expect this to happen in her government. Winding up the discussion on the adjournment motion in the Legislative Assembly on civilian killings in Kashmir during 2016, Mehbooba said her government was first accused of setting up satellite…
Read More‘Kangri’ missing from Jammu
The traditional ways used by the people to keep themselves warm are now losing to technology. At least in Jammu. A large number of Valley residents usually come to Jammu to spend a month or two when the winter is at its peak. They introduced the traditional ‘kangri’ to the people of Jammu. The ‘kangri’ is an earthen fire-pot that keeps people warm during the severe winter months. It is a portable and moving heater that Kashmiris keep inside their ‘pheran,’ a long woollen cloak, to keep themselves warm. Though…
Read More244 Complaints against policemen in 1 Year
As many as 244 complaints were received by the J&K Police against its personnel from January 2015 to January 2016, the State Home Ministry headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti disclosed in the Legislative Assembly. In a written reply, the Chief Minister informed the House that 244 complaints were received against various ranks of police personnel posted in different wings of JK Police between January 1, 2015 to January 31,2016. “All these complaints were sent for enquiries,” Mehbooba said, adding, “Action as warranted under rules was initiated/ being initiated against…
Read MoreKashmiri youth won’t fall in RSS trap: Mirwaiz Omer
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Sunday said that after getting “unnerved” to see the resilience of Kashmir’s young lot in the five-month long unrest last year, RSS is playing a “fake Muslim card” to break the resolve of youth and lure them into mainstream fold. He said Kashmiri youth “spilled their hot blood” for a cause and won’t get attracted to the organisations playing “a fake muslim card.” Addressing a religious gathering at the revered shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA) at Khanyar here, Mirwaiz…
Read More
