2023 | Page 53 of 134 | Kashmir POST

Truth at Risk: Mehbooba raises concerns over Journalism in Kashmir

September 5, 2023 Editor

Mehbooba Mufti Expresses Concerns Over Truth in Jammu and Kashmir Following BBC Report on Journalism in the Region Truth has become a casualty and stating facts can invite punishment in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Monday. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief was reacting to the Jammu and Kashmir Police warning of legal action against the BBC for a report titled “Any story could be your last: India’s crackdown on Kashmir Press” on the state of journalism in the Union…

Kashmir’s dark side: How black magic is destroying lives

September 4, 2023 Editor

By : Mehr-u-Nisa Zargar By early May, Shoby Jan, a resident of the Kachdoora area in south Kashmir’s Shopian allegedly showed an immense transformation in her behaviour. It was not normal. After days of struggle, her husband Muzaffar Ahmed Sheikh got in touch with a faith healer from Qazigund in the Kulgam district. The “faith healer” came to her house in Kachdoora and right away said, Shoby was possessed by a Djinn. After the “revelation” Shoby started facing a social boycott. Nobody visited her or went close to talk to…

Stabbing in Srinagar Claims Life of Teenager

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 Editor

A juvenile on Saturday stabbed to death a 15-year-old boy in Srinagar, sending shock waves across the city. The incident happened in Chinar Bagh area of Dalgate in Srinagar and the accused was arrested. “A juvenile (name withheld) apprehended for stabbing and murdering a 15-year-old boy in Chinar Bagh area. The weapon of offence was also recovered on the instance of the accused. This knife was thrown by the accused in a marshy area after the crime. FIR No 36/2023 was registered in Kothibagh Police Station,” Police said in a…

Kashmir’s Mental Health Crisis: The Invisible Scars of Conflict

September 3, 2023 Editor

After consulting with several doctors in the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aayat Hameed was advised to seek help from a mental health expert for her bouts of unspecified anxiety, random palpitation attacks and occasional but strong suicidal thoughts. A psychiatrist diagnosed her with acute depression. On a recent hot summer day, Hameed was among scores of other patients visiting a mental health clinic in Srinagar, where she had been undergoing rounds of counselling along with prescription medication. “I realized seeing a psychiatrist or reaching out to someone you trust…

Kashmir Grapples with Prolonged Dry Spell: 80% of Region Experiencing Moderate to Severe Dryness

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 Editor

By Faizan Arif Over the past four weeks, Jammu and Kashmir has been grappling with a significant shortfall in rainfall. According to India Meteorological Department data related to the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), approximately 80 percent of the area in Kashmir region (8 out of 10 districts), has been impacted by moderate to extreme dryness between August 3rd and August 30th. The SPI, relying on precipitation data, is a widely utilized index for characterizing meteorological drought on a range of timescales. This index is negative for drought and positive for…

Combatting Youth Drug Addiction: A Multi-Front Battle in Kashmir, from Mosques to Classrooms

September 3, 2023 Editor

Religious centres and educational institutions are assuming a new role in Kashmir by doubling up as counselling and testing centres to curb the fast-spreading menace of drugs. These rare interventions come as the Valley is battling a drug addiction crisis; over 10 lakh people were officially designated drug addicts by the Jammu and Kashmir administration this year. Otherwise restricted for the clergy, the pulpit at Magam Imambara in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, where Shia Muslims organise large religious congregations, recently saw Muzaffar Khan, a clinical psychologist who heads the Drug De-Addiction and Rehabilitation…

J&K Transport Association’s Strike brings Jammu to Partial Standstill

September 2, 2023 Editor

The All Jammu and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) called a strike on Friday, September 1, 2023, to press their demand for the removal of a toll plaza along the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The strike caused a partial standstill in Jammu, with public transport not operational and commuters and students facing difficulties. The members of the AJKTWA staged a protest at the toll plaza, demanding its immediate removal. They said that the toll plaza is causing financial hardship to them and their families. They also said that the toll plaza is…

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Under House Arrest for 210th Consecutive Friday, Calls for Release Grow Louder

September 2, 2023 Editor

The prolonged house detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent religious figure, has sparked concern and calls for his release. Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid Srinagar expressed deep dissatisfaction with the authorities for keeping him under house arrest for over four years. In an official statement, the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid emphasized that today marks the 210th consecutive Friday that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has been denied the opportunity to perform his vital religious duties, such as offering Friday prayers and delivering sermons. The statement further lamented that due to his extended…

Opposition Alliance names Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to Lead Election Campaign

September 1, 2023 Editor

In a significant development, the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, has revealed key appointments and committee members in preparation for the upcoming elections. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been selected as vital members of the coordination committee and election strategy committee within the alliance. Sources suggest that the National Conference will not yield any of its Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir to other partners in the coalition. In the previous parliamentary elections, the National Conference secured all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, defeating…

Kashmir leaders slam BJP for ‘Peddling Lies’ in Supreme Court hearing on Article 370

September 1, 2023 Editor

Political parties and leader across Jammu and Kashmir have expressed their disappointment in the submissions by the Union government in the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday. After solicitor general Tushar Mehta submitted in the apex court that the Union government is ready for elections at any time in J&K but cannot provide a timeline for restoration of its statehood, former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre of peddling lies before the SC. National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People’s…