UN says India’s ‘Excessive Force’ caused unlawful killings in its first report on abuses in Kashmir

Indian security forces used “excessive force” resulting in unlawful killings and a high number of injuries during widespread demonstrations in the Kashmir region that began in 2016, the United Nations said in a report released Thursday. The report was the first by the United Nations to spotlight human rights abuses in the Himalayan territory disputed by India and Pakistan, which U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein called “a conflict that has robbed millions of their basic human rights, and continues to this day to inflict untold suffering.”…

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Untold story of Kashmiri Pheran and its place in Kashmir’s History

Someone, who might have been fond of inertia, invented this garment in praise of the laziness and handed it over to Kashmiris who are loving it. There are many myths around the Kashmiri pheran. While some believe it was Mughal emperor Akbar who introduced the long garment in the Kashmir Vallery, others believe pheran came from the Persian travelers who invented the garment to protect themselves from the freezing cold during winters. But the popular belief is that Akbar introduced the garment to tame the brave Kashmiris and make them…

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Govt asks officials to take action against radio stations dishing vulgarity, turning stations into political platforms

The government Thursday asked Deputy Commissioners (DC) of Srinagar and Jammu to take “necessary action” against FM stations for turning into “political platforms” and dishing out “vulgarity” in the name of entertainment. The Directorate of Information today issued an order asking the DC Srinagar and the DC Jammu to take action against the FM stations in the light of guidelines framed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. In a letter to the DCs, the Director Information and Public Relations, Tariq Ahmed Zargar said FM stations had become “political podium”…

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Why Kashmiris are sharing photos of ‘Pheran’ traditional dress?

Officials in Indian-administered Kashmir have reversed an education department ban on employees wearing traditional dress to work, following an outcry on social media. “All officials visiting the office are advised to visit in proper dress code during any official visit. It is recommended that no official will visit this office wearing pheran, traditional trousers and slipper/plastic shoes,” an 11 December circular said. In response, Kashmiri social media users protested by sharing images of themselves wearing the pheran – a traditional long coat or cloak worn by both men and women.…

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‘Chillai Kalan’ 40 day harsh winter begins in Kashmir

Amid biting cold, the 40-day-long period of harsh winter ‘Chillai Kalan’ began in the Valley. The ‘Chillai Kalan’ sets each year on December 21 and ends on January 30. The ‘Chillai Kalan’ is the harshest period of winter in the Valley and is followed by 20-day long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and 10-day long ‘Chillai Bachha’ (baby cold). Last year, Valley did not experience any snowfall during the 40-day period of Chillai Kalan. The Meteorological Department has predicted that the first 10 days of Chillai Kalan this year would remain dry.…

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If voted to power, will bring autonomy resolution within month, Pulwama-like killings ignite passion for freedom: Farooq Abdullah

The National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said that if his party is voted to power with absolute majority, his party bring a autonomy resolution in the State Assembly within a month, “which is our core agenda.” “If am blessed with good health by Allah and we’re voted to power with absolute majority, I promise that I will make this happen (regional autonomy) within 30 days after assuming power,” Adbullah said while welcoming expelled ex-BJP MLA Gagan Bhagat into the party fold. Bhagat joined the National Conference in presence…

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Rasik Salam, South Kashmir pacer makes it to Mumbai Indians

Happy at his selection in the Mumbai Indians squad for the twelfth season of the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL), Rasik Salam, a teenaged pacer from Kulgam district in south Kashmir, hopes to prove his mettle on the cricket field. “It is indeed an honour to get a chance and rub shoulders with well-known players, like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and others. I am really pleased that my hard work is paying off,” Rasik said over phone from Jammu. He hoped that he would get a chance to prove himself…

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Unabated cold wave continues across Kashmir Valley

An unabated cold wave continues in the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday, with Ladakh plunging into a deep freeze and Kargil recording minus 14.9 degrees Celsius. The Met forecast the cold wave would continue for another week with night skies remaining clear. Leh recorded minus 6 degrees Celsius, Srinagar minus 2.8, Pahalgam minus 8.4, Gulmarg minus 4.0, Jammu city 6, Katra 7, Batote 3.3, Bannihal 0.5 and Bhaderwah 0.4.

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JKLF chief, associates booked for ‘Attempt to Murder’, Booking our leaders in fake cases a norm now: JRL

A court here Wednesday sent chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Yasin Malik to four days remand after police brought charges of attempt to murder against him and his associates, evoking strong resentment from the pro-independence group and the Bar Association. Besides section 307 of RPC (attempt to murder), police slapped several other charges on the JKLF chief and seven of his associates after they was detained following a symbolic protest Malik led to march towards the Badami Bagh military headquarters in Srinagar on Monday. The protest march was called…

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After Governer, President’s rule imposed in Jammu & Kashmir

After completion of six months of Governor’s rule in Jammu Kashmir, the State has come under President’s rule from Wednesday night, paving way for the union cabinet to take all policy decisions related to the militancy-hit State. President Ram Nath Kovind signed the proclamation for imposition of President’s rule in the State, which plunged into a political crisis in June after Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government collapsed following withdrawal of support by 25-member BJP. The gazette notification issued today said the President has received a report from Governor Satya Pal Malik…

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