Year: 2017

Defending Article 35A must not be held anti national: Omar Abdullah

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‘Safeguarding special status in interest of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh’ National Conference working president Omar Abdullah today said that defending Article 35A, which was an integral part of the Constitution, shouldn’t be considered as anti-national. Coming down heavily on the BJP while addressing party workers at Darhal in Rajouri district, Omar asked why was the NC being blamed for opposing the “clandestine moves of the saffron party” to repeal Article 35A, which was a constitutional guarantee for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to preserve their distinct identity and…

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Individuals don’t drive Kashmir Movement; NIA raids won’t have much impact, say political experts

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With National Investigation Agency (NIA) tightening noose around Hurriyat leadership over “money laundering and illegal funding issues” political experts believe that these raids and arrests won’t have much impact on the overall functioning of Hurriyat, as the “freedom movement is not individual driven but was rather driven by a set of ideas”. The political experts termed “lack of credibility and distrust of people on Indian institutions” other reason that will prevent people from changing their perception about Hurriyat leaders or the overall functioning of Hurriyat as a political platform. Noted…

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Article 35A is non-negotiable: Farooq Abdullah

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National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday described Article 35A as a “non-negotiable article of faith” for the people of the state and vowed that his party was ready to fight every battle to safeguard the state’s special status. Farooq, while addressing a party convention, said the “assault on the state’s special status was part of a longstanding ideological mission of those quarters who have always opposed J&K’s political rights and dignity”. “This battle has been forced on the people of the state at a time when all efforts should…

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‘Go back India’ slogans surface in Bani-Basohli Highway

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Tension prevailed in Kathua area when ‘Go back India’ slogans were noticed on the Bani-Basohli highway. The police came to know when locals approached them with a complaint that they have noticed provocative anti-India slogan on the highway. As soon as people came to know about it they expressed resentment over the incident and demanded arrest of the accused persons who had written anti-India slogans on the highway with paint. Meanwhile, investigation has been started. “Some elements have been trying to play with the sentiments of the people in Basohli…

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Manmohan Singh to head Congress policy planning group’s visit to Kashmir

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Former PM Manmohan Singh, who heads the Congress party’s policy planning group on Jammu and Kashmir, will head a team of party leaders to the state next month to discuss the problems faced by the people. GA Mir, president of the state Congress party, told IANS in summer capital Srinagar, “During the last meeting of the Congress policy planning group in New Delhi, we had requested that the central Congress leaders headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh should visit J&K to discuss the problems faced by the people of the state.…

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Seven Minister panel constituted to save Wular lake: Govt

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The state government today constituted a group of seven senior Cabinet ministers to examine the proposal regarding accord of administrative approval for execution of work for dredging and strengthening embankments of the Wular Lake. The constitution of group of ministers followed the decision of a Cabinet meeting held on August 9. The state’s Forest, Ecology and Environment Department had submitted a proposal to the Cabinet seeking accord of administrative approval and acceptance of the single tender for execution of work for dredging and strengthening embankments of the Wular Lake, which…

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Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim sentenced to 10 years jail for rape, breaks down in court

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Rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was on Monday sentenced to 10 years in jail by a special CBI court. The Dera chief apparently sobbed in the courtroom as he begged to be treated leniently and asked to be forgiven, reported Times Now. During the arguments before the sentencing, the prosecution said no leniency should be shown and demanded the maximum sentence for Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The defence argued that the Dera chief is a social worker who has worked for the welfare of people, so…

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Abrogation of Article 35A is part of RSS plot, Karra tears into PDP-BJP alliance

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Senior Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra Sunday said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is acting as a collaborator and facilitator for the Sangh Parivar’s agenda of changing the demographic profile of the state. “Extension of certain central laws to the state and the lopsided and irresponsible attitude of state government towards Article 35-A has vindicated my assertion that PDP has bartered the honour, dignity, distinct identity and self-esteem for a few loaves of power,” Karra said while addressing media personnel at his Shivpora residence. Terming the PDP-BJP alliance as ‘unholy’ and…

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Swine Flu now a deadlier, year-round disease: Doctors Association Kashmir

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Deadly swine flu is no more a seasonal illness and mutation of the virus has made it active in summer season for the first time, causing unusual spike in cases across India, Doctors Association Kashmir warned on Sunday. Asking the healthcare authorities in Kashmir valley to ‘prepare for contingencies’, the Association said, “It is for the first time that the virus has become active in sweltering heat unlike earlier years when swine flu used to strike mainly in winter months.” Media reports say India recorded over 1,000 deaths due to…

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