Year: 2019

Winning People’s Trust, Isolating Militant and Separatist, Strengthening Panchayat System, Centre’s strategy to improve Kashmir Situation

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With Parliament approving a six-month extension of President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union government has initiated a three-pronged strategy to improve political and economic environment in the state, say officials. The Centre’s priority areas in the state are: wining people’s trust in the administrative system, isolating militant and separatist outfits, and strengthening the panchayat system, they said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state on June 26-27. Top officials, who attended the meetings Shah held during his visit, said they are expecting radical changes at all levels…

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Talks on Kashmir can be held only at highest level: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

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Even as the Narendra Modi government has articulated its intent to address the festering Kashmir issue — both houses of Parliament have seen a substantive debate on this — the Hurriyat Conference has indicated its willingness for a dialogue with the Centre but with the caveat that meaningful talks can only be held at the highest political level. “It is better to have a dialogue at the level of the home minister and prime minister, like we did during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee’s time,” Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told Kashmir…

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Religious affair turned into ‘Military Exercise’: Curbs on highway for Hindu pilgrimage anger local residents

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The ban on civilian traffic on the crucial highway in Kashmir during daytime and train services in the wake of the ongoing Amarnath yatra has triggered chaos and anger across the Kashmir valley. Two back-to-back orders were issued on Monday and Tuesday to ban the civilian traffic between Kashmir and Jammu divisions for five hours daily and to suspend rail service between Qazigund in Kashmir and Banihal station in the Jammu division, respectively. The unprecedented orders were taken in the wake of the ongoing pilgrimage and will continue for the…

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Kashmir witnessed 271 Killings, 177 CASO’s, 51 Internet Blockades during last six months

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The first half of 2019 in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir (IAJK) witnessed continued and increased violence. The first six months of 2019 recorded 271 killings in IAJK in various incidents of violence, which include 43 civilians, 120 militants and 108 Indian armed forces personnel. Killing Figures (January to June 2019) Month Civilians Militants Armed Forces Total Killings January 2019 02 17 08 27 February 2019 05 22 60 87 March 2019 14 19 15 48 April 2019 05 11 03 19 May 2019 11 27 04 42 June 2019…

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I am no longer Congress Chief: Rahul Gandhi

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who resigned following the party’s dismal show in the Lok Sabha elections, on Wednesday said that the party must quickly decide on the new chief and that its highest decision making body, the Congress Working Committee, must meet at the earliest to pick a new president, reports ANI. “Party should decide on the new president quickly without further delay, I’m nowhere in this process. I have already submitted my resignation and I am no longer the party president. CWC should convene a meeting at the earliest…

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Yatra 2019: Train Services, Civilian traffic movement on highway to remain suspended from 10:00 to 15:00

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Northern Railways has decided to suspend train services between Qazigund and Banihal from 10 am to 3 pm, starting July 3 till completion of ongoing Amarnath Yatra. “Train operations will remain suspended between Qazigund-Banihal railway section from 10 am to 3 pm till completion of Amarnath Yatra,” reads a communication issued by the Railway authorities. Authorities have banned civilian traffic movement to allow free and secure movement of vehicles carrying Amarnath pilgrims on the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only all weather road connecting the Kashmir valley with Jammu. However, the decision…

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Mumbai records highest rainfall in 10 years, 16 dead in Mumbai, Thane in overnight rains; govt declares public holiday

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At least 16 people were killed in Mumbai and Thane as the cities received heavy rains throughout the day and night on Monday forcing authorities to declare a public holiday amid forecast of more showers. According to Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials, 13 people died after a wall collapsed on a few hutments built on a hill slope in Kurar village at Malad East. The incident was reported at around 1am on Tuesday after which the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) and NDRF officials reached…

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35 Dead, 16 Injured after bus crashed in Kishtwar

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At least 35 people died and 16 others were injured when an overcrowded bus skidded off a hilly road and fell into a deep gorge in Kishtwar district on Monday morning, officials said. The minibus, which was on its way from Keshwan to Kishtwar, skidded off the Keshwan-Thakrai road and rolled down into the deep gorge around 7.30 am, officials said. Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar A S Rana, said that the 28-seater bus was carrying 52 passengers when the accident occurred, adding that a probe would be ordered. Thirty-five people died…

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Amarnath Yatra: NH out of bounds for civil traffic for 5 hours on daily basis

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The government Monday disallowed civil vehicles from playing on Qazigund-Nashri stretch of Jammu-Srinagar highway for five hours to ensure smooth passage of Amarnath yatra vehicles. The 46-day annual Amarnath Yatra began from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes on Monday. It will conclude on 15 August. The decision to restrict the civil traffic on Qazigund-Nashri stretch during Yatra convoy movements was taken in a meeting which was chaired by Advisor to Governor, Vijay Kumar on June 29. “There will be no vehicle movement in the opposite or same direction as the…

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Jammu sizzling in heat wave, cold summer for Kashmir Valley

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As the Jammu division is facing a heat wave, the Valley is coping with a cold summer and storms. The mercury in the Jammu region has crossed 40°C and is expected to rise further. The heat wave is expected to intensify next week in parts of Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur districts, according to the Srinagar meteorological centre, which monitors the weather across the state. Director of the meteorological centre Sonam Lotus said dry and hot weather was likely to continue throughout the state for the next one week and…

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