Year: 2024

Democracy in Motion: Jammu & Kashmir Election Countdown

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Democracy in Motion: Jammu & Kashmir Election Countdown

Start preparations for assembly elections in J&K: CEO tells DEOs Srinagar: In a significant development, Jammu & Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer has written to the district election officers (DEOs) to start the activities listed in the Election Commission of India’s election planner for holding assembly polls in the Union Territory. Quoting an official letter, news agency KNO reported that the CEO has written to all 20 deputy commissioners, who are also the district election officers, to begin the activities to be undertaken as the “election planner” communicated by the ECI.…

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Imtiyaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj Lead Charge for Renewed Filmmaking in Kashmir Valley

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Imtiyaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj Lead Charge for Renewed Filmmaking in Kashmir Valley

A Shot in the Arm for Kashmir: Top Bollywood Directors Champion Film Industry’s Growth Bollywood’s star movie directors on Thursday held no-holds-barred deliberations with locals about the magical reel life and sought to further strengthen the decades old relation between scenic Kashmir and the silver screen by prodding locals to enter into film-making. In a rare bid to share the knowledge of cinema at a place where movie-making almost halted in the past three decades, Bollywood directors Vishal Bharadwaj, Imtiyaz Ali, Kabir Khan, and actor Sanjay Suri made it easy…

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Shift in Kashmir’s Addiction Landscape: Rise in Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse Among Former Heroin Users

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Shift in Kashmir's Addiction Landscape: Rise in Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse Among Former Heroin Users

Shift in Kashmir’s Addiction Landscape: Rise in Pharmaceutical Drug Abuse Among Former Heroin Users By: Javid Amin Shabir Ahmed (name changed), a 27-year-old resident of Budgam, was once a heroin addict. The high cost and scarcity of heroin led him to switch to Tramadol, which he found easier to obtain. Initially prescribed for pain relief, Ahmed began abusing the drug, leading to severe addiction. His family noticed a drastic change in his behavior and sought help from ATF Budgam. With counseling and medical support, Ahmed is now in recovery. Like…

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Amarnath Yatra 2024: Safety Measures, Traffic Guidelines, and Farooq’s Message

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Amarnath Yatra 2024: Safety Measures, Traffic Guidelines, and Farooq’s Message

Police issue special traffic advisory for yatra convoy, non-convoy movement Ensure security without disrupting routine services, says Farooq In light of the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, the Traffic Police Headquarters J&K has issued a comprehensive traffic advisory to ensure the safety and smooth movement of Yatris and other commuters. The advisory, valid from June 28 to August 19, 2024, outlined specific cut-off timings and guidelines for various convoy and non-convoy movements. As per the yatra convoy cut-off timings for movement between Jammu zone and Kashmir valley, the up Baltal convoy from Jammu…

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US Report Highlights Concerning Rise in Hate Speech Against Indian Minorities

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US Report Highlights Concerning Rise in Hate Speech Against Indian Minorities

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has raised alarms over the escalating issues concerning religious freedoms in India, as reported in the State Department’s 2023 International Religious Freedom Report. Blinken highlighted a significant rise in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, and the destruction of homes and religious sites belonging to minority faith communities in India. In his remarks during the report’s release, Blinken noted the global efforts to safeguard religious freedoms but expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in India. He emphasized the troubling increase in religious intolerance, which was evident…

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The Unseen Crisis: How Online Gambling is Devastating Kashmiri Families

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The Unseen Crisis: How Online Gambling is Devastating Kashmiri Families

From Paradise Lost to Debt Found: Online Gambling’s Grip on Kashmir By: Javid Amin Kashmir, a land known for its breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage, is facing a hidden crisis – the rampant rise of online gambling addiction. This silent epidemic has infiltrated homes across the region, leaving a trail of financial ruin, emotional turmoil, and shattered dreams in its wake. The Allure and the Trap: A Descent into Quick Riches Online gambling platforms offer a tempting escape, promising the possibility of acquiring wealth with a single click. The…

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NH-44 Gets Yatra-Ready: Smoother Ride for Amarnath Pilgrims!

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NH-44 Gets Yatra-Ready: Smoother Ride for Amarnath Pilgrims!

With the monsoon season set to hit Jammu and Kashmir early next month, all eyes are on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), which gets blocked with even a minor spell of rain and will be used by lakhs of pilgrims for the Amarnath Yatra. The Amarnath pilgrimage will begin on June 29, during which thousands of vehicles will use the NH-44 to reach the holy cave shrine in Anantnag district of Kashmir. The pilgrims will first reach Jammu and take a halt here before starting their journey in cavalcades, along…

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NC and PDP Applaud Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi for Article 370 Advocacy in Parliament

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NC and PDP Applaud Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi for Article 370 Advocacy in Parliament

A maiden speech by National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, asking Speaker Om Birla to act as the guardian of the Constitution in the Parliament rather than the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, has evoked widespread response across the party lines, with political leaders praising Mehdi. In his address, Mehdi raised two issues — objectionable remarks against a Muslim MP and the swift passing of the Bill abrogating the Article 370. “Congratulations on being elected the Speaker again. Following this, I request you to remember that from…

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Nizam-ud-din Bhat Quits People’s Conference: What’s Next for the Former J&K Legislator?

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Nizam-ud-din Bhat Quits People’s Conference: What’s Next for the Former J&K Legislator?

Two-time former legislator and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) general secretary had jumped ship to the People’s Conference in 2021; sources said he could go back to the PDP Three years after joining the Peoples Conference (PC), former legislator Nizam-ud-din Bhat on Wednesday disassociated from the party. The two-time former legislator and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) general secretary had jumped ship to the PC in 2021. Sources said that Bhat could go back to the PDP as he enjoys good rapport with the PDP leadership. The development comes close…

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DSP Rank Officer Booked in Disproportionate Assets Case in Jammu

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DSP Rank Officer Booked in Disproportionate Assets Case in Jammu

Case registered at the ACB Jammu police station on the outcome of a verification conducted into the allegations that the accused has acquired huge assets disproportionate to his known source of income The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday booked deputy superintendent of police Chanchal Singh in connection with a disproportionate assets case. A case has been registered at the Anti-Corruption Bureau Jammu police station on the outcome of a verification conducted into the allegations that the accused has acquired huge assets disproportionate to his known source of income. “The verification…

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