July 2024 | Page 5 of 11

Kashmir Schools Reopen Amid Scorching Heat, Parents Demand Extension

July 19, 2024 Editor

Parents had been demanding an extension of summer vacation owing to the hot and humid weather. The schools in Kashmir however resumed classes yesterday. Despite demands for an extension in vacations by some parents, the schools opened in Kashmir on Thursday after remaining closed for summer vacations. From early morning students could be seen rushing to their respective schools after 10 days of vacations. “After 10 days we met our friends and also teachers. The teaching process started immediately. Although a good number of students were absent,” said a class-6 girl.…

Omar Abdullah Urges Statehood Restoration: J&K’s Struggle Beyond Union Territory Status

July 18, 2024 Editor

Replying to a question, Omar Abdullah, who was at Zadibal to take part in a Muharram procession, said the danger of being a union territory is that the power does not lie with the people. Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the Centre should restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before the assembly elections as the union territory has failed on all fronts, including combating terrorism. “We would hope that the statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir before the elections because the UT has failed… It…

Kashmir Trade Alliance Calls for Financial Stimulus: GST Amnesty in Focus

July 18, 2024 Editor

Kashmir Traders Body Urges GST Amnesty In Budget Srinagar: The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has called for a financial stimulus package for Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming Union budget. The annual budget is set to be presented in Parliament next week. KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar expressed high expectations from the budget, citing the challenging economic conditions in the region. “Our businesses are facing tough times, and there’s a slump in the market. Post-COVID, apart from tourism, all sectors of Kashmir’s economy are suffering,” Shahdhar stated. “We also seek amnesty…

DGP’s Accusation Disputed: J&K Police Asserts Neutrality and Professionalism

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024 Editor

DGP of J&K Police RR Swain on Monday had blamed the regional parties for Pakistan’s ‘successful’ infiltration into the Kashmiri civil society. Additional Director General (Law and Order) of Jammu and Kashmir Police Vijay Kumar on Wednesday said that the statement by DGP RR Swain about regional parties allegedly hobnobbing with terrorist leaders could be his “personal opinion.” “Jammu and Kashmir Police has been an apolitical force from the beginning. We work with impartiality. The statement of the DGP could be his personal opinion. We are a professional force, apolitical…

J&K’s Grim Toll: 28 Soldiers Martyred in Terror Attacks Since April ’23

July 17, 2024 Editor

On April 20 last year, an Army vehicle was ambushed in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch district killing five personnel Five Army personnel, including two Captains, died during an encounter in the Kalakote area of Rajouri on November 22 Four soldiers were killed in another ambush by terrorists on an Army vehicle on December 21 in Surankote of Poonch At least 28 soldiers have been killed in major terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since April last year. On April 20 last year, an Army vehicle was ambushed in Mendhar Tehsil…

Vegetable Prices Outpace Meat in Kashmir: A Shocking Reality

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024 Editor

Vegetable Prices Skyrocket in Srinagar: A Green Nightmare By: Javid Amin Srinagar, once a haven for affordable and fresh produce, is now grappling with a surreal situation: the price of vegetables has eclipsed that of meat. This unprecedented surge in prices has thrown the local populace into a state of disbelief and financial distress. A staple in Kashmiri cuisine, collard greens, or Haakh as it’s locally known, now commands a staggering Rs 120 per kilogram, surpassing the price of chicken at Rs 115 per kilogram. This absurd anomaly highlights the…

Rahul Gandhi hits out at Centre over terror attacks in J&K: ‘Soldiers bearing brunt of BJP’s wrong policies’

July 16, 2024July 16, 2024 Editor

The Jammu region, which remained relatively peaceful between 2005 and 2021 after security forces wiped out decades-long terrorism, witnessed 11 attacks in the last 78 days. The Congress on Tuesday hit out at the Centre after four army personnel, including a Major-rank officer, were killed in an encounter in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday night. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi blamed the continuous loss of lives on BJP’s “wrong policies”, adding that the incidents were “sad and worrying”.“It…

Shocking Claim: J&K Political Parties Accused of Cultivating Terror Leaders

July 16, 2024 Editor

J&K DGP RR Swain alleged those who facilitated recruitment and arranged finances for terror were never investigated in the past Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Monday blamed regional politics in the Valley for Pakistan’s ‘successful’ infiltration into the Kashmiri civil society. He even alleged that “so-called mainstream political parties” cultivated leaders of terror networks and sometimes directly to further their electoral prospects. “Pakistan successfully infiltrated all important aspects of civil society, thanks to so-called mainstream or regional politics in the valley. There is ample…

New J&K Directive on Official Complaints Faces Backlash: Dissent Suppression Alleged

July 16, 2024 Editor

Critics have said the circular protects corrupt officials and suppresses dissent in the guise of shielding government servants from harassment. Jammu & Kashmir’s new circular on handling complaints against government officials has stirred up a hornet’s nest, with critics accusing it of shielding corruption and muzzling dissent while the administration claims the circular is designed to shield public servants from “unnecessary harassment”. The contentious circular, titled “Handling of complaints against public servants” and dated June 20, 2024, threatens legal action against individuals lodging complaints against officials deemed “false/frivolous/anonymous/pseudonymous”. The order,…

Historic Move: Palitana Bans Non-Vegetarian Food, Sets Global Precedent

July 15, 2024 Editor

Palitana, a city in the Bhavnagar district in Gujarat, has made history by becoming the first city in the world to ban the sale and consumption of non-vegetarian food. Non-veg food is illegal here. This landmark decision marks a significant cultural and religious shift in the region, reflecting the strong influence of Jainism and its principles. The ban in Palitana encompasses the sale and consumption of meat and the butchering of animals for meat, making these actions illegal and punishable by law. This move followed persistent protests by around 200…