Month: March 2018

Which CRPF battalion was posted at Gaw Kadal on the day, asks SHRC after 28 years of massacre

Editor

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked its investigation wing to determine which battalion of Central Reserve Police Force was posted at Gaw Kadal here on 21st January 1990 when they fired on civilians, killing more than 50 people and injuring 250. In April 2012, a petition was filed before the SHRC by human rights activist and chairperson International Forum for Justice and Human Rights, Ahsan Untoo, seeking proper probe in the massacre. Paramilitary CRPF fired on a procession of people at Gaw Kadal, Srinagar, on 21st January 1990…

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TAAI dwells on high Airfares, Tourist Security

Editor

Delegates address impediments to tourism sector Even as the ongoing Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention has brought fresh ideas and insights to the local stakeholders, the delegates also took up contentious issues facing the Valley’s tourism sector. Besides its routine business, the convention, which is being held here after a gap of three decades, also talked of measures to address the stumbling blocks to the growth of local tourism, especially security concerns of tourists and soaring airfares in the peak season. Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA)…

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Jammu division witnesses driest winter in 5 years

Editor

Receives 72.8-mm rainfall this year, lowest since 2013 | Scientists attribute it to La Nina, El Nino effect Jammu witnessed the driest winter in the past five years. This could adversely affect water security and agricultural sector in summers. During the first three months of the year, the district, inhabited by 15 lakh people, received 72.8-mm rainfall, lowest as compared to the last five years. In (January-February-March) 2017, the district recorded 215.6-mm rain, while in 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, it received 154.7 mm, 468.5 mm, 188.1 mm and 265-mm…

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Bathing in Ganga can expose people to high levels of faecal coliform bacteria

Editor

Pollution levels were high centred around holy sites, where high population density and activities add to the pollution load, shows Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. A dip in the Ganga at Sangam, where the Yamuna meets it in Allahabad, could expose people to levels of the faecal coliform (FC) that are 5-13 times the permissible limit, official data from 2017 shows. This limit is unsafe for bathing. FC bacteria, such as E.coli, are found in excreta that contaminates water through untreated sewerage. The permissible limit for FC is 2,500…

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Muslims as well Pandits ‘Thrashes’ by army in Tahab Pulwama

Editor

Dozens of people, including Muslims and Pandits, were allegedly beaten by army here on Monday night. The incident sparked protest as members of both the communities hit the streets on Tuesday and demanded the removal of army camp from the area. According to locals, on Monday night a few gunshots were heard in Tahab area of Pulwama district following which army soldiers from 55 Rashtriya Rifles barged into the residential areas and launched searches. “During searches they thrashed in-mates and vandalized properties worth lakhs. We were busy having dinner with…

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Seven injured in road accident near Jyotipuram in Reasi District

Editor

Seven people were injured when the minibus they were travelling in met with an accident here on Wednesday. The minibus was involved in an accident near Jyotipuram, when it was on its way from Reasi to Arnas. Police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to hospital, where the condition of two was said to be critical, and they were referred to Government Medical College, Reasi. The injured were identified as Ramesh Kumar (37), Lal Singh (54), Abhishek Sharma (23), Wasim Shaza (23), Vandana (15), Sudesh Kumar (24) and…

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Call records show State Minister, Ex-MP, MLAs, Police Officers in touch with Resistance Camp: NIA

Editor

Social Welfare Minister Sajjad Gani Lone and other mainstream political leaders, including senior Congress leader and former MP Tariq Hameed Karra, were in touch with separatist leaders before they were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in July in the Kashmir terror funding probe. As per call detail records (CDRs) of the separatist leaders, businessman Zahoor Ahmad Watali, one of the prime accused, was in touch with some PDP leaders as well as MLA Langate Er Rashid. Besides Watali, others who are in judicial custody include Altaf Ahmed Shah,…

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Jammu University not to revoke students suspension, Stalemate Persists

Editor

Stalemate continued to persist on the Jammu University campus on Tuesday after the administration decided not to revoke the suspension of five students following the “adamant behaviour” of protesters, who announced to carry on their stir till the removal of Dean Students Welfare (DSW). Most of classes on the campus went off peacefully. However, a section of students held a demonstration outside the Vice Chancellor secretariat. They demanded a “written order” on the revocation of the suspension of students and the removal of DSW. However, the university has decided to…

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Sehrai calls for openness to criticism at Bar Seminar, Malik says resist more forcefully

Editor

Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, the new leader of Tehreek-i-Hurriyat, on Tuesday called upon his colleagues in the separatist camp to be open to criticism and not let their ego come in the way when it came to listening to critics. Sehrai, who replaced Syed Ali Geelani as chairman of Tehreek-i-Hurriyat, a vital member of the Hurriyat Conference, was addressing a gathering of leaders and members of the general public at a seminar to mark the twenty-second martyrdom anniversary of Jalil Andrabi. “People must go and tell them (leaders) their mistakes. Leader…

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Aditya Ghosh, IndiGo President calls for 24×7 Srinagar airport

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Asks Govt to lower sales tax on aviation industry Calling for having a fully functional Srinagar airport, President of the InterGlobe Aviation Limited, DBA IndiGo, Aditya Ghosh Tuesday said there was need to have a 24-hour operational Srinagar airport despite security issues. Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural event of the 64th Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Ghosh called for the need to reimagine the aviation industry and the travel and tourism market. The TAAI convention is being held…

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