Month: August 2018

Modi’s Kashmir remarks well-scripted drama: Syed Ali Geelani

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Kashmir remarks in his Independence Day speech—that the issue can’t be resolved with bullets or abuses—are “nothing but a well-scripted and stage-managed drama”, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani said. Modi said in his speech said that “only a warm and affectionate embrace, not bullets and abuses” will resolve Kashmir. He also referred to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s formula of jamhooriyat (democracy), insaniyat (humanity) and Kashmiriyat (Kashmiri syncretism) as his government’s guiding principle for Kashmir. “Personally Vajpayee may be a saintly figure for…

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Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s condition critical, on life support: Delhi AIIMS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Wednesday evening after the health of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, admitted at the hospital since June, worsened. “Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has been admitted for the last nine weeks at AIIMS. Unfortunately, his condition has worsened over the last 24 hours. His condition is critical and he is on life support,” AIIMS said in a statement at 10.08 pm. The former prime minister’s overall health had deteriorated after he suffered a stroke…

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Dialogue only way to pull JK out of prevailing situation: N N Vohra

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Governor Narinder Nath Vohra Wednesday said the dialogue was the only way to pull State out of prevailing situation and announced holding of Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and panchayat polls. “J&K, like other States, has also been striving to achieve its developmental goals. Our state suffers disadvantages on account of long distances from the major markets, difficult geographical and climatic conditions and inadequate connectivity,” Vohra said while addressing August 15 function at SK cricket stadium, here today. He said in the past year, the Western neighbour attempted to infiltrate an…

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Kashmir issue can’t be resolved with bullets: Narendra Modi

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Repeating the words used last year on Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Kashmir’s problems could be resolved only by embracing its people, not with bullets or abuses. In his speech on the 72nd Independence Day at the Red Fort here, he said his government was following the teachings of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “Atalji called for ‘insaniyat’ (humanity), ‘Kashmiriat’ (eclectic Kashmiri culture) and ‘jamhooriyat’ (democracy). I also said that the issues in Kashmir could be resolved by embracing the people of Kashmir.” Modi…

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IMD predicts heavy rain in Karnataka, Kerala, TN, Himachal over next 48 hours

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A fresh surge of the westerly winds will intensify the monsoons in Kerala, Karnataka and the ghat areas of Tamil Nadu over 48 hours , while a dip in pressure in the Bay of Bengal will bring extremely heavy rain to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh over 24 hours , the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast said on Monday. Despite heavy rains in many part of India that has led to flooding and landslides, India’s monsoon deficit has gone up from 7% on August 1 to 10% on August 13. Kerala,…

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To showcase strength Choudhary Lal Singh to organise parallel Independence Day function

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Former minister and BJP MLA Choudhary Lal Singh on Monday announced that he would organise a parallel Independence Day function on Wednesday to show his strength. He said the rich Dogra culture would be showcased in the first-of-its-kind event in the Jammu region. “We are fighting for the rights of the ethnic Dogra minority of J&K and on this Independence Day, a separate function will be held in Jammu to show our strength, rich culture and heritage,” Lal Singh said while addressing a press conference here on Monday. The function…

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Jammu on edge as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc

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Heavy rains continued to wreak havoc in Jammu city with flashfloods affecting several residential areas and causing extensive damage to public property. Jammu district received 135 mm of rain during the 48-hour period. Overnight rains destroyed roads and boundary walls at Janipur and its vicinity. Trees were uprooted and several vehicles were washed away in the New Plot area. Meanwhile, residents held a protest against the local BJP MLA, Sat Sharma, and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, who visited the affected areas. Blocking the Janipur road, the residents alleged…

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NN Vohra may have to go as differences on rise over Article 35A with state BJP

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Increasing differences between BJP leaders in Jammu and Kashmir and Governor NN Vohra over the continuation of Article 35A which bars outsiders from owning property in Jammu and Kashmir or getting government jobs in the state may result in the appointment of a new governor before the end of this month. The Central government had to seek an adjournment of the case in the Supreme Court earlier after the state circulated a letter before the apex court seeking that the hearing be deferred on Article 35A in view of the…

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Ahead of Independency day security beefed up across Kashmir Valley

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Amid a massive build-up of forces ahead for smooth conduct of August 15 functions in the Valley, Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid on Monday said forces would ensure militant threat-free functions on the day. “Tight security arrangements are in place and we will ensure that people observe the August 15 without any fear or threat,” Vaid told reporters on sidelines of a full dress rehearsal function at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium, here. In SK cricket stadium, Governor N NVohra would unfurl the tricolour. The stadium has been virtually fortified…

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Umar Khalid JNU student leader shot at in New Delhi, escapes unhurt

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JNU student leader Umar Khalid escaped unhurt after an unidentified man shot at him in central Delhi on Monday. The incident took place outside the Constitution Club in the heart of the city where he had come for an event titled ‘Khauff Se Azaadi’, organised by an organisation named ‘United Against Hate’. The assailant fled as Khalid’s associates tried to apprehend him. According to an eyewitness, Khalid and some others were standing at a nearby tea stall when the man approached him, pushed him and opened fire with a pistol.…

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