Category: Community

Article 370 hindering the ​development of J&K, People now want Change: PM Narendra Modi

Editor

PM Modi said it was former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s policies which were being an obstacle for the development in the Valley. The people of Kashmir want a change, including Article 35A and Article 370 as they hinder development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. “The problem in Kashmir is largely due to the 50-odd political families there. They have been milking the issue. They don’t want any benefit to be given to the common Kashmiri people. They are using public sentiment for political gains. The income tax department has cracked…

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Security cover of 400 Politicians, Activists restored

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The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday restored the security cover of 400 politicians and political activists, which had been withdrawn last month. Top state government sources said Governor Satya Pal Malik’s administration took the decision aimed at providing protection to them. The restoration of the security cover, however, does not include separatist leaders. The development comes two days after the state’s political parties wrote to the Election Commission expressing serious concerns about the safety of their cadres. Last month, a Union Home Ministry statement said authorities in Jammu and…

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Farooq Abdullah questions reliability of EVMs

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Barely few days ahead of commencement of general elections, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Sunday raised questions over reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM).“April 18 is the voting date (in Srinagar). Do check the machines (EVM) while casting voting and remain cautious. These machines have been manipulated. I said the same thing in Kolkata,” said Abdullah while addressing an election rally at Rajbagh here. Continuing with his doubts about the EVMs, Abdullah, who is contesting Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, said, “You vote for one party and the vote get…

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Kashmir situation being used for gaining political mileage​: Mehbooba Mufti

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Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party BJP are using Kashmir situation for political ends after “miserably failing” to deliver on 2014 election promises. “Militants’ killings, raids on Hurriyat leaders, air strike inside Pakistan are being used by the BJP for political ends. They have failed to deliver on poll promises,” Mehbooba told a public rally at Uri. “I don’t mind being called a soft separatist if the BJP considers talking about resolution of Kashmir issue and safeguarding special status…

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Security Cover of 919 “Undeserving Persons” removed in J&K, PDP cries foul

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Security cover of 919 “undeserving persons” in Jammu and Kashmir has been withdrawn, thereby freeing 2,768 police personnel and 389 vehicles, the Home Ministry said on Friday. The list of persons whose security cover has been withdrawn by the Jammu and Kashmir administration include 22 separatist leaders, in a clear message to those involved in “anti-national activities”. The move came following the strict stand taken by the central government on inappropriate usage of scarce police resources in Jammu and Kashmir. It was observed by the home ministry that many undeserving…

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Is there a design to fracture mandate in Kashmir as alleged by Omar Abdullah?

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On the stump across Kashmir, the former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has warned of the attempts being made to divide the mandate in Kashmir Valley, apparently to benefit the BJP in the state. Omar’s worry springs from the growing challenge from the otherwise marginal political parties like People’s Conference headed by Sajad Gani Lone and the launching of a political outfit by the IAS officer turned politician Shah Faesal. This, he thinks, will divide the vote in the Valley rendering any Valley-based party incapable of forming the government on…

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‘Turning Kashmir into Palestine’, allege politicos over barring civilian traffic from highway

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It is a move that could plunge the Kashmir Valley into a perpetual state of crisis. Reeling under New Delhi’s rule at the moment, Jammu and Kashmir has been hit with the controversial decision to ban movement of civilian traffic in for two days a week (Sunday and Wednesday), for free movement of convoys. A statement issued by government in this regard, said, “There will be a complete ban on civilian traffic on the highway during these two days from 4 am to 5 pm. This prohibition will be from…

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Omar Abdullah and Gautam Gambhir get into Twitter fight

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Abdullah recently said he would work towards restoring the posts of PM and President for J&K Gambhir responded by saying Abdullah needs a cup of strong coffee or a Pakistani passport Abdullah in turn replied saying Gautam Gambhir should stick to tweeting about the IPL Pigs flew, Pakistani passports were mentioned, cricketing skills were debated and advice to clean reading glasses were given as former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and cricketer-turned politician Gautam Gambhir clashed on Twitter this afternoon. Abdullah and Gambhir, who recently joined the Bharatiya…

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BJP rally in Rafiabad sees an​ attendance of 78 people

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It must be a record of sorts in Kashmir, even for the BJP. The party, which hopes to win “all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir”, managed to get only 78 people for its maiden rally in the area of Rafiabad in north Kashmir on Sunday. It was an embarrassing moment for Mohammed Maqbool War, who is fighting on a BJP ticket, and lives just three kilometres from the venue of the rally in Rohama area of Rafiabad. There were more security personnel guarding the venue than the number of…

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Arrogance and Miscalculations have weakened Modi’s Hand in Kashmir

Editor

The Centre’s decision to appoint a ‘representative’ for dialogue with Kashmir comes from a position of self-inflicted weakness. It is a good thing that the Centre has appointed a ‘representative’ to talk to Kashmiris of all shades. It would have been a far better thing if this sort of inclusive move had been made before a lot of Kashmiris got the impression that the Centre was running out of options. The tragic irony is that it is exactly three years to the day since Prime Minister Narendra Modi began to toss away…

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