Category: Community

Social Media gag on government workers slammed across J&K

Editor

Government workers in Indian-administered Kashmir have decried a government ban prohibiting them and their families from expressing political opinions on social networking sites. Under a new order issued on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir government employees were barred from engaging in “criminal, dishonest, immoral or disgraceful conduct on social media which may be prejudicial to government”. The region’s half a million staff were also warned against taking part in political discussions or criticising the government’s policies. “Employees should be aware that the law enforcement agencies will observe content and information made…

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Srinagar-Qazigund four lane highway to miss another deadline

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Seven years on, the four-laning of Srinagar-Qazigund stretch of highway is yet to be completed, officials say it is set to miss December deadline too due to incomplete overhead bridges at various junctions. Minister for public works Naeem Akhtar earlier this year had stated the four-laning of Srinagar-Qazigund stretch would be completed by December. However officials state that it would take more than two months to fully make the four laning of Srinagar-Qazigund highway operational. National Highway Authority of India officials say incomplete overhead bridges and land acquisition issues at…

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Burhan Wani features on cover page of Punjab magazine

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A magazine featuring slain militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan Wani on its cover was on sale at the ‘Jor Mela’ here following which Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the police would look into the matter if there was any anti-national activity. On a visit here, the chief minister was confronted by media about sale of the magazine. If there is any anti-national activity, police will look into it, Singh said. An article on ISIS and a picture of Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted in former chief minister Beant Singh…

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Separatists cry foul, center ‘Threatening’ us to talk to its envoy

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The fresh summon to NaseemGeelani, the son of Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani, by the national investigation agency is an “act of vengeance and harassment”, the joint resistance leadership (JRL) said on Sunday, and condemned the move. In a statement, the JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said: “Summoning Naseem to Delhi again is an intimidation. New Delhi is using the NIA (against the resistance leadership).” The JRL said that the enforcement directorate (ED) has time and again summoned hundreds including both sons of…

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Burhan Factor? Spurt in young Kashmiris joining militancy in 2017

Editor

The spurt in locals joining militancy began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terror group’s poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8 last year. The number of young Kashmiris joining militant groups has witnessed a sharp spike and crossed 100 for the first time since such data started being collated in 2010, officials said on Sunday. By the end of November this year, 117 youths had joined militancy as compared to 88 in the whole of 2016.South Kashmir emerged as the main hub that…

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Geelani completes 8 yrs in house detention: Hurriyat (G)

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Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani Friday completed eight years under house detention, a Hurriyat (G) spokesperson said. He said Geelani has remained confined to home for last eight years due to restrictions imposed by authorities on his movement. “No court has ever issued any formal detention order for Geelani’s detention,” the spokesman said. He said police officials have so far failed to produce any court order or any administrative document in support of this “illegal detention”. “What is the justification in turning his residence into a sub-jail”. Strongly…

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This year Jamia Masjid locked for record 18th Friday

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Even in peak militancy we haven’t seen such restrictions: Mirwaiz The Authorities Friday disallowed congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid in a record 18-th time this year. All gates of Jamia Masjid were locked as forces remained deployed in full riot gear while the main road and other link roads leading to the mosque were blocked with concertina wires. Chief cleric of the mosque and Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was put under house arrest while worshippers were disallowed to enter the mosque. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed…

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Wearing Off the Ikhwan Taint

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A defiant populace and new crop of militants are challenging the might of the State. The phenomenon of Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen (Muslim brotherhood), a paradoxically named militia propped up by the State in the mid 90s across Kashmir to fight militancy, is permanently imprinted on the landscape of Hajin area of Bandipora district. So much so that nearly all the recent media analyses have been linking the resurgence of militancy in Hajin to the dark era of Ikhwan. Local residents also have been saying that they risk their lives to save militants…

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Move to impound taxis operating from batamaloo leaves drivers, commuters in a spot

Editor

The ongoing drive to impound taxis operating from the entry and exit points of the erstwhile Batamaloo bus stand and other parts of the city has increased the problems for commuters. In the absence of any alternative modes of transport to the city centre, passengers are stranded, particularly during evenings when public transport disappears from Srinagar roads. Lateef Ahmad, who drives a taxi from the city to other districts, said the decision to not allow taxis into the city and the impounding of vehicles by the traffic authorities had hit…

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Harissa is a hot favourite in freezing Kashmir

Editor

The 40-day harshest spell of winter, locally called the Chillai Kalan, began in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday, with locals queueing up outside traditional shops selling harissa, the sizzling breakfast mutton dish. Nazeer Ahmad, 64, a resident of the old city’s Naid Kadal area, has been selling harissa for the past four decades. His shop, which remains shut during the summer months, has reopened with the winter setting in. “Chillai Kalan is the period when harissa-gaers (harissa-makers) do brisk business. People line up at the crack of dawn in freezing…

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