Year: 2018

Post opposition, govt withdraws circular on Urdu version of ‘Bhagwat Geeta’ in schools, colleges

Editor

The Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn a controversial circular that had asked the Education department to provide the Urdu version of “Bhagwat Geeta” and “Koshur Ramayana” in schools and other educational institutions in the state. “The circular regarding the introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn ab initio under the orders of the chief secretary,” an official said Tuesday. The state government had issued the circular Monday, directing the Director of School Education for the Jammu and Kashmir divisions to purchase these religious books. The circular had asked the…

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Will once again extend hand of friendship to India after 2019 polls: Imran Khan

Editor

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because Pakistan is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. Speaking at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Khan said Pakistan wants “peace with all our neighbours particularly India and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability.” “Peace with India would help the two countries to divert their resources towards human development…

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Over IWT Pakistan to launch aggressive campaign against India

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Pakistan will launch an aggressive campaign against India to highlight its concerns over the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after New Delhi failed to let Pakistani officials visit two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, a media report said Tuesday. Pakistan’s Commissioner on Permanent Indus Water Commission Syed Mehr Ali Shah said the Indian water commissioner had promised on the conclusion of the August 29-30 annual meeting to arrange a visit to the 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai in Jammu and Kashmir in the last week of September.…

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New highway connecting Kargil to Gurez announced by Rajnath Singh

Editor

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday announced that a new highway would be constructed in Jammu and Kashmir along the border from Kargil to Gurez. He made this announcement at a high-level meeting convened here today to review the implementation of various developmental initiatives in the State. Governor Satya Pal Malik, Advisors to the Governor, B B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Union Home Secretary, Rajiv Gauba, J&K Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, state’s Administrative Secretaries and other senior officers of the Central and the State Government were…

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Hectic lobbying on for Mayor, Dy Mayor posts

Editor

After registering a thumping majority in the just-concluded elections to Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), hectic lobbying has begun within the BJP for the coveted posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor as contenders are cozying up to senior party leaders to brighten their prospects. The top leadership of the BJP, however, said it was deliberating upon the names of all probable candidates for the two posts, and a final decision would be taken by the end of the week. Party sources said the names of around a half-dozen senior party leaders…

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Two rebels killed in Nowgam gunfight; School work, Internet suspended in Srinagar, Budgam

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Two militants were killed and six forces’ personnel wounded in a fierce gun battle in Sothu Kothair area of Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar on Wednesday morning, police said. Reports said that the gunfight broke out around 2 AM in the area following a search operation. Two militants have been killed and six forces’ personnel wounded in the gunfight, said DIG central Kashmir VK Birdi told reporters. Quoting sources, news agency GNS identified the slain militants as Sabzar Sofi of Sangam, Anantnag and Asif Ahmad Gojri of Anantnag. However,…

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Post PDP, BJP fall Rajnath meets Mehbooba

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PDP President and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today again appealed Centre for the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan to end the present phase of acrimony and confrontation between the two south Asian neighbouring States. According to party spokesman in her meeting with Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh here today, Mehbooba Mufti said good relations with Pakistan have a positive impact on the ground situation in the State and it also encourages reconciliation among stakeholders within the State which automatically results into decline in alienation levels of people.…

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Lal Chowk sealed to foil JRL march against killing spree, Yasin Malik evading arrest, surfaced in Koker Bazar

Editor

Authorities on Tuesday sealed commercial hub of Lal Chowk in Srinagar city to prevent a march called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) against the killing spree. Last evening, the police had issued an advisory, asking commuters to use an alternate route as “the stretch of road from Amira Kadal to Regal Chowk will be blocked for traffic”. An eye witness said that barricades have been erected by the police at Amira Kadal and the Regal Chowk to prevent any movement towards the historic Lal Chowk. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation…

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Kashmir to Chenab Valley, Shutdown observed against civilian killings

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Life in Kashmir and parts of Chenab Valley was paralysed Monday due to shutdown called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) over the killings of civilians in a blast near encounter site in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The authorities imposed tough restrictions in parts of Kulgam town to prevent youth from taking to roads and staging protests against the killing of civilians. An official said restrictions under section 144 were imposed in main town Kulgam as a precautionary measure. The heavy contingents of police and CRPF were deployed on streets while…

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Riyaz Naikoo slams Pakistan for not taking up Kashmir Issue on the diplomatic front

Editor

Hizbul Mujahideen’s top commander in the Kashmir Riyaz Naikoo has made a rare criticism of Pakistani leaders for failing to represent the Kashmirissue on the diplomatic front. “Only Pakistan can represent us on the diplomatic front, but unfortunately, the politicians there have limited the Kashmir issue to elections,” Naikoo said in a leaked audio message in which he addresses a gathering of militants based in Pakistan. Naikoo, a resident Awantipora, had emerged as the most outspoken supporter of Pakistan in the aftermath of last year’s Islamist rebellion within militant ranks.…

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