Residents feel unsafe as underground bunkers were destroyed in 2005 earthquake As tension mounts in the wake of surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), residents of border areas in Kashmir, particularly Uri, are fearing worse times ahead. Panic has gripped villages along the LoC in Uri, scene of the deadly militant attack on an Army base on September 18 in which 18 soldiers were killed. A majority of underground bunkers in the Uri sector and other villages along the LoC in Kashmir had been destroyed during the devastating…
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Medical Voluntary organisations come to a halt, as police detains activists and seize ambulances
Several ambulances run by Voluntary organizations have been detained by J&K Police on Thursday morning. Sources said that early this morning cops from Karan Nagar police station stopped several ambulances which catered to the rush of injured civilians in forces action since July 08, 2016. These ambulances were mostly stationed and would run from SMHS Hospital Srinagar. “Cops stopped our ambulances this morning when they were on way to SMHS Hospital,” said chief of a voluntary organization. “Not only ambulances but some volunteers too have been arrested,” he said. Quoting…
Read MoreHarvest set ablaze by forces in Budgam, Anantnag areas, say local residents
The government forces have set ablaze rice crop and grass stacks on fire in four villages of Budgam district, the local villagers said. The villagers said the forces, whom they said were police, paramilitary troopers and soldiers, fired incendiary projectiles into the harvested rice crop that had been left to dry in sun in Budran, Aadina, Kanihama and Mazhama villages. “There was no clash or stone pelting. They burned the crop only to punish us,” said Bashir Ahmad, a victim. He said the forces have also damaged the standing paddy…
Read MoreKashmiri youth vent their rage, usher in hope through art
Canvas means of expression for the traumatised Caught in their homes for more than two months now, the youth in Kashmir are taking to art to express internal frustration, rage, anguish and trauma of living in a conflict. Maria Shahmiri, 23, who studies bachelors in applied arts course at the University of Kashmir, said while growing up in Kashmir, she always expected an uncertain breakout of conflict. “Current literature emerging on this issue underscores that Kashmir remains a battlefield between militants and security forces with its people experiencing traumatic violence.…
Read MoreHitchhiking: The only way out for many in Valley
Desperate people waiting for a lift or walking on foot has become a common sight in the trouble-torn Kashmir valley where public transport has remained suspended for almost 80 days. As one passes through the otherwise busy highways and main roads in south and north Kashmir, long queues of people can be seen along the roadside trying to reach their destination with the help of strangers passing through. “We have been waiting here for the past two hours to reach Bijbehara,” says Ghulam Nabi, who was standing with his wife…
Read MoreGazetted Officers, Cops on admin list who where part of Pro-Freedom Protests
7 Gazetted Officers, including assistant registrar of KU and govt college lecturers, among nearly 150 names; more to be identified as CM asks for a second list On the instructions of the chief minister, government officials have identified nearly 150 government employees, among them half-a-dozen policemen and seven gazetted officers, who have taken part in stone-fighting and pro-freedom protests. Senior officers in the government told Kashmir Post that the list was prepared upon instructions from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. They said the names have been sent to concerned deputy commissioners, secretaries,…
Read MoreFirst batch of Hajis to return today
No elaborate ‘Wazwan’ amid sombre festivities The first batch of Haj pilgrims is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow after performing the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. “The first batch of pilgrims will arrive tomorrow. Two daily flights carrying Haj pilgrims will arrive here till October 3,” said an official at the Haj House, Bemina. Even as a festive atmosphere will prevail in households across the Valley once the pilgrims arrive, locals are not throwing elaborate ‘wazwan’ feasts. “Though the return of Haj pilgrims is like Eid for us, we did…
Read MoreJawahar Tunnel restrictions cause traffic snarls on NH-44
The traffic restriction for every Kashmir-bound vehicle to pass through Jawahar Tunnel before 6 pm and after 9 am has been the cause of regular traffic snarls on the NH-44 here for past one month. This has compounded the woes of serious patients, examinees, office-goers and students going to Ramban district headquarters, besides incurring losses to the local minibus owners. The restriction was imposed on August 19 following the growing attacks on the Srinagar-bound vehicles by miscreants in the Valley. The vehicles carrying commuters, especially employees and students, going to…
Read MoreGovt cracks whip on anti-India activity
Mosques in Valley calm down after questioning of pro-Pakistan clerics Politically charged sermons and sloganeering in Kashmir mosques are at an ebb as the state government has cracked the whip on clerics and caretakers of mosques which have become the centre of protests in the past two and a half months. At several places, clerics were found to be delivering politically charged sermons during the Friday congregational prayers, triggering protests and clashes with security forces personnel. Mosque microphones were being used by persons throughout Kashmir to play ‘taranas’ (pro-Pakistan slogans)…
Read MoreBuses rooted to the spot, drivers and conductors behind freedom movement
Feroz Ahmed Waja, a 40-year-old bus driver who lives in old Srinagar’s Shamsawari area, is cleaning his minibus on the roadside outside his home. The window sills and headlamps of the bus are broken. The tyres are flat. Waja says that the engine has started to corrode now. The bus has been standing rooted at its spot for the past two-and-a-half months. Ever since the post-Burhan uprising started in Kashmir, Waja says he has forgotten when was the last time he drove his bus. But he is not worried. “I…
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