Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board chairperson has ordered suspension of all officers and staff of Hazratbal shrine for negligence of duties on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). According to an order, the action was taken during the surprise visit by the chairperson to Hazratbal shrine on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) in view of complaints by the people. The order states that it was found that grave negligence of the concerned staff had created a lot of inconvenience to the devotees. “Despite repeated orders and instructions from the officers and…
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G N Azad says he’s not looking for a job, but wants to serve the people of J&K
Azad said unemployment and inflation were two main problems facing Jammu and Kashmir which he wants to address by exploiting the tourism potential of the region Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said he was not interested in becoming the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, dispelling “rumours” in this regard. The former Congress leader said he was not looking for employment but wanted to serve the people of J&K. “I have not come looking for a job, I want to serve the people,” Azad said, addressing a…
Read MoreFree Kashmir: JNU Campus Walls Defaced with Separatist Slogans, University Authorities Take Cognizance
An unknown miscreants allegedly defaced the walls on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in Delhi and painted slogans like “Free Kashmir” and “Bhagwa Jalega” (Bhagwa will burn) on them. The varsity administration has not issued any statement on the matter yet. Several walls on the JNU campus were defaced with slogans like, “Free Kashmir”, “Bhagwa Jalega”, “Teri Kabra Khudegi” (Your grave will be dug). The incident comes years after ‘Freedom for Kashmir’ poster appeared in the university. The poster with “Freedom for Kashmir! Free Palestine! Right to Self Determination Long…
Read MoreKashmir Weather Turns Mildly Cold, Bringing Relief from Heat Wave
The weather changed after abrupt snowfall over Kashmir mountains and rainfall in the plains on September 24 and 25 The mornings and evenings in Kashmir valley have turned mildly cold after the region recorded above normal temperatures in August and first three weeks of September. The weather changed after abrupt snowfall over Kashmir mountains and rainfall in the plains on September 24 and 25. The ski resort of Gulmarg had recorded the season’s first snowfall over its higher reaches on September 24. Since then, there has been a nip in…
Read MoreMehbooba accuses Army of Forced Labour in South Kashmir Village, Army Denies Charge
Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said the residents of Kanslo Kanda area in Kulgam were being summoned and harassed by a camp of Army’s 9 Rashtriya Rifles Former J&K chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday accused the army of forcing young men to do labour without payment in a south Kashmir village in Kulgam. However, the army has denied the allegations. Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said the residents of Kanslo Kanda area in Kulgam were being summoned and harassed…
Read MorePreserving a Forgotten Treasure: The Gufkral Caves and the Ancient Potter’s Legacy in South Kashmir
By: Surinder Singh Oberoi In the idyllic landscapes of Tral, south Kashmir, a hidden gem from ancient times languishes in a treasure trove of history and culture the Gufkral Caves, nestled within the old-fashioned Gufkral village. It also witnesses the passage of time and the enduring legacy of eighteen potter families spanning generations. It is a saga of resilience and heritage now overshadowed by neglect, slowly crumbling as we endeavour to revive the ancient arts and crafts. The village’s cultural and historical significance deserves to be resurrected from oblivion and…
Read MoreOmar accuses government of “Insensitivity” for declaring Eid Holiday a day early
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has criticised the decision of the J&K government to “declare Eid Milad-un-Nabi holiday a day earlier than the actual date”. Speaking after offering Friday congregational prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, which holds the relics of Prophet Muhammad, Omar expressed his disappointment with this decision. Eid Milad-un-Nabi commemorates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Omar took the opportunity to extend his greetings to the people on this occasion. However, he questioned the government’s rationale behind declaring a holiday a day in advance when it was widely known…
Read MoreNHAI Breaks Own Rule, Places Toll Plazas Less Than 60 km Apart on Srinagar NH
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said last year that toll won’t be collected at collection points located within 60 km of one another. On the Pathankot-Srinagar highway, there are two such plazas within that range where the NHAI has been charging toll. The NHAI claims these are on different sections of the same NH. It also says toll can be imposed within 60 km if needed. Contrary to the statement of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari last year that toll tax would not be levied at…
Read MoreSeven Trains Cancelled Due to Farmers’ Protest, Passengers Stranded at Jammu and Katra
Inflated taxi cost : Taxi operators have been demanding Rs 35,000 for a trip to Delhi. Station authorities told us to come tomorrow. Where will we stay? Suraj Singh, Shmedabad resident No assistance: We have been stranded here since yesterday. No one is listening to us. Bihari Lal, Chhattisgarh resident Many passengers, including pilgrims, were stranded at Jammu and Katra railway stations on Friday as seven trains were cancelled and 13 diverted due to a ‘rail roko’ agitation by farmers in different parts of Punjab. Members of several farmers’ bodies began their…
Read MoreKashmir Grapples with heavy Load Shedding, Residents Demand Relief
Kashmir is currently grappling with a significant electricity crisis as it faces persistent load shedding, resulting from a substantial gap between the demand and supply of electricity, amounting to a staggering 300 Megawatts (MW). Officials of Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) have cited two primary factors exacerbating this situation: a drought-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir leading to reduced water discharges in River Jhelum and River Chenab, affecting hydropower generation, and decreased purchases of power from outside power generation companies (Gencos) by the government. According to a senior KPDCL…
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