Year: 2019

172 booths record zero polling in fourth phases of LS elections

Editor

Despite banning the largest socio-politico-religious party of Jammu and Kashmir — Jamaat-e-Islami — and the pro-independence party — Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) — the present political dispensation in New Delhi has failed to woo the voters in Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to vote in the Lok Sabha polls. In the first four phases of the parliamentary election, the Kashmir valley has seen from low to moderate voting. The most votes polled in the Valley were from north Kashmir, having polled 34 percent only.…

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Tourism sector on the brink of disaster

Editor

Kashmir needs no introduction as a tourism destination and its rich history is known the world over. Over the years, huge investment from the government as well as the public has played a vital role in making it a world famous tourism destination. Although it has got everything to qualify as a world-class tourism destination the prevailing political scenario and the wrong economic policies of the government, step-motherly treatment of government of India towards Kashmir and negative media publicity has turned this industry and the people associated with it on…

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Rain lashes parts of Kashmir, Sonmarg, Gurez receives fresh snowfall

Editor

Gurez and some other upper reaches, including tourist resort of Sonmarg, received fresh snowfall on Thursday while rain lashed other parts of Kashmir valley, resulting in considerable dip in the maximum temperature. A Met department spokesperson told a news agency fairly widespread rain and thundershowers would occur in Kashmir valley during the next 48 hours under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. Much to the surprise, Gurez sector of Kashmir’s Bandipora district, received light to moderate snow since this afternoon, resulting in dip…

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Kashmir’s Bleeding Economy!

Editor

Arjimand Hussain Talib in a recent post on the Facebook while highlighting the problems faced by the trade in Kashmir has observed, “Kashmir’s economy is dying silently, with far-reaching long term negative impacts. It is high time regional political parties, business groups and civil society initiated a coordinated and effective action. Strikes will only inflict self-harm. A collective response has to be politically sophisticated and result oriented too”. But the moot point is why is Kashmir economy dying? Because it has been slowly made to bleed to death! The bleeding…

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‘Old wine in new bottle’, BJP’s Ladakh manifesto continues with unfulfilled emotive

Editor

The BJP’s election manifesto for Ladakh appears to be ‘old wine in new bottle’ as it has again made the issue of Union Territory (UT) status for arid region and inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution as its main poll planks. Opening of Kailash Mansarovar road via Ladakh’s Demchok for pilgrims, early completion of Zojila Tunnel and early execution of Kargil-Padum-Darcha road are the other major promises made by the party with Ladakhi people in its election manifesto, which was released in Leh on Wednesday.…

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Kashmiri Pandit returns home after 29 years, Gets rousing welcome

Editor

On Wednesday 65 year old Roshan Lal a Kashmiri Pandit received a rousing welcome from locals in Srinagar’s downtown. Locals of the area as a mark of respect wore him a turban, as others expressed their joy by distributing sweets. Lal a trader was returning to Kashmir after a span of 29 years, he had left the valley after being attacked by suspected gunmen when the armed insurgency in valley erupted. “Four bullets penetrated my belly and then I woke up in the army hospital,” recalled Lal whose grey hair…

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Neither India nor Pakistan, Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris: Shahid Afridi

Editor

Former Pakistan crickerter Shahid Afridi has said that Kashmir belongs to the people of the valley and not India or Pakistan beside urging the two nations to resolve the issue through a Kashmiri-owned, Kashmiri-led peace process. Afridi in his autobiography named ‘Game Changer’, also said that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan must do more for Kashmir and its people. “Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris. Not to Indians. Not to Pakistanis. That debate comes later. But first and foremost, Kashmir is for the Kashmiri people themselves,” the 39-year-old said in the…

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No one can separate Kashmir from India irrespective of who comes to power: Amit Shah

Editor

While addressing a public meeting in Bihar’s Sitamarhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said, “Omar Abdullah of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ says that there should be another Prime Minster in Kashmir. They want Kashmir to be separated from India. Even if BJP is not in power then also as long as the BJP workers live, no one can separate Kashmir from India.” BJP president Amit Shah asserted that Kashmir can never be separated from India irrespective of whether Narendra Modi will be Prime Minister or whether BJP is in power…

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Voting begins for phase two polls in Kulgam

Editor

Voting began on Monday for the second phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag Lok Sabha seat amid high security. Very few voters were seen queuing up outside polling stations as voting began at 7 a.m. Voting is being held in four assembly segments of Kulgam district — Noorabad, Devsar, Kulgam and Homshalibugh. As a precautionary measure, mobile Internet services have been suspended in the south Kashmir areas. Train services between Baramulla and Banihal have also been cancelled for the day. There are 18 candidates in the fray in…

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J&K facing higher threat from forces ‘Hell-bent on destroying Special Status’ than Pakistan: Omar Abdullah

Editor

National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir does not face as much threat from Pakistan or the muzzle of the gun as from the forces who were “hell-bent on destroying the special status of the state”. Addressing a public meet in Kund valley area of Devsar in Kulgam district of Anantnag parliamentary constituency, in south Kashmir, Abdullah said keeping in view the challenges the state is facing, the people have to make a right choice in the ensuing elections while choosing their representative for the Lok…

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