Author: Editor

Javid Amin - IT Consultant, Freelance Writer, Travel Enthusiast, Entrepreneur Javid Amin is a dynamic professional with a diverse skill set and a passion for technology, travel, and entrepreneurship. With a background in IT engineering, he excels as an IT consultant and is equally enthusiastic about staying ahead in the ever-evolving tech world. Javid's creative flair shines through his work as a freelance writer, where he crafts engaging content across a wide spectrum of topics. As a travel enthusiast and consultant, he shares his love for exploration and his deep knowledge of Kashmir's hidden gems. Javid is also the visionary behind several successful digital ventures, each contributing to the promotion of Kashmir's beauty, culture, and craftsmanship. His career embodies versatility, creativity, and a deep connection to his roots. Printer, Publisher, Editor of "Weekly Shohrat - Kashmir" (Print Edition) as well owner of online news portals www.KashmirPost.org / www.KashmirInFocus.com.

HC asks PDA to consult experts for hotel renovations

Editor

The J&K High Court has directed the Pahalgam Development Authority to appoint and consult a technical expert for supervising the repair and renovation of any structure or hotels in and around the Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir. These directions were issued on Monday by a division bench of Justice Mohamad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey following public interest litigation on Pahalgam. Earlier in October, the court in its directions had sad that no fresh construction should be allowed in Pahalgam, and if any renovation or repair of…

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Allege bias, Ladakh leaders push for separation from Kashmir

Editor

Given the “discriminatory” policies of successive governments towards the remote Ladakh region, the regional divide has deepened to such an extent in Jammu and Kashmir that the elected representatives of Ladakhi people are now openly demanding “separation of Ladakh from the Kashmir hegemony”. Their grudge against the Kashmir-centric leadership lies rooted in the alleged decades-long discrimination against the people of Ladakh in every sphere, be it for jobs, education, benefits of schemes or political representation. “We want to be separate from Kashmir because Kashmir-centric leadership, Kashmir-centric policy and the Kashmir-centric…

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Governor returns Tassaduq Mufti’s papers with queries, Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf resigns

Editor

Governor NN Vohra has returned to the government with queries the nomination papers of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s brother Tassaduq Mufti to the Legislative Council. Sources in the PDP-BJP government said the Governor had raised certain queries over the procedure and the circumstances suggesting Tassaduq’s nomination as a member of the Legislative Council to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of PDP’s MLC Vikramaditya Singh from the House a few weeks ago. Vikramaditya had also quit the PDP to protest against what he alleged the discriminatory attitude of the government…

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Police admit ‘Misuse’ of pellets, top officer cautions SSP’s

Editor

The police have admitted that pellets fired by its men and other forces in Kashmir are hitting the protesters on their faces and above-waist in violation of the standard operating procedures governing crowd control. A communiqué issued by Kashmir range inspector general of police Muneer Khan to all senior superintendents of police reads that it has been observed that still in certain cases pellets are being fired above the waist and sometimes on the faces which is completely against the “prescribed SOP devised for the use of pellet guns.” “More…

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As tourist influx hits rock bottom hoteliers across valley forced to switch businesses

Editor

Owing to the continued slump in the tourist footfall, Kashmir hoteliers are switching their properties for other commercial use to recover the losses. Hoteliers also rue government’s attitude towards the industry in the backdrop of the financial losses they suffered for past many years. Abdul Wahid, President Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Owners Federation (KHAROF), said that they haven’t received any compensation from the government of the losses. “The government didn’t even compensate us for 2014 floods which.” Although Kashmir witnessed political upheavals in 2008 and 2010, the things settled down…

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An interlocutor’s doomed mission

Editor

Given the situation in Kashmir — continuing military operations, toothless polity — Dineshwar Sharma initiative appears futile. The Government of India’s special representative Dineshwar Sharma’s close-door interactions with individuals, groups and organisations in Jammu and Kashmir are certainly not an icebreaker, a prelude to some bigger and more serious political initiative for resolving the dispute. What, then, is the purpose of his mission? So far, he appears to be surveying the results of the BJP-led government’s iron-fisted policies on Kashmir. Previous such initiatives would be rolled out in sugar-coated rhetoric…

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Govt has no plans to abolish Articles 35A and 370: Union Minister Hansraj Ahir

Editor

The government today said there was no proposal as of now for abolition of articles 35A and 370 which give special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The reply came in response to the question posed by Akali Dal MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa about the status of abolishing Article 35A and Article 370. “No proposal regarding abolition of Article 35A and Article 370 in respect of Jammu and Kashmir is at present under consideration of the government,” Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said replying to a written question. Abrogation…

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Movie halls in Kashmir to reopen three decades after they were forced to be shut

Editor

Just a couple of weeks ago, one of the world’s most conservative countries, Saudi Arabia had announced its plan to open cinema halls in the kingdom. Now, the government in Jammu and Kashmir is taking a cue from Riyadh and has proposed to re-open the movie halls in the state. Cinemas across Jammu and Kashmir were forced to shut in the 90’s during the peak of insurgency in the valley after threats from extremists called ‘Allah Tigers’. Since then, they have remained shut and efforts to bring them back have…

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Govt to include petro-products in GST ambit after consensus: Arun Jaitley

Editor

Jaitley said the Centre favoured bringing petrol with the ambit of the GST. However, it is only when the states demand it and a consensus is formed, it would be done. The Centre favours including petroleum products in the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but it would want a consensus with the states before taking such a step, finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday. During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram sought to know the union government’s position…

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To foil resistance protest, restrictions placed in parts of Srinagar

Editor

Mirwaiz placed under house arrest The district administration Srinagar has decided to impose restrictions in parts of the summer capital on Wednesday to foil protests in view of the shutdown called by the separatist leaders. An official said the administration has decided to impose restrictions in areas falling under the jurisdiction of seven Police Station including Ràinawari, Nowhatta, Khanyar, M.R.Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kral Khud. he said the areas falling under Kral Khud Police Station would remain under partial restrictions. The official said restrictions would be imposed as a precautionary measure…

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