Category: Community

What compelled rival parties in J&K to foster alliance

Editor

Two arch-rivals in Kashmir politics — National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party — had come under intense pressure from their MLAs to form government in Jammu and Kashmir as it was feared that continuing political hostility would pave way for the success of “BJP’s machinations” to break these groups. The decision on the alliance came before the annoucement of the dissolution of the Assembly and sought to utilise the remaining period of more than two years of the six-year term of the Assemblyto unite all for “Kashmir’s special status”. It…

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Mourning as well fear across valley after rebels abducted, executes civilians

Editor

After spending four harrowing hours in the custody of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants at an unidentified location, Farooq Ahmed Thokar and Shahid Ganai found themselves blindfolded, standing on what they could tell was a macadamised road somewhere in south Kashmir. They were accompanied by two militants, who had just interrogated them. Thokar and Ganai were asked to turn their backs towards the car that had been used as transportation. “[Then] they removed our blindfolds. A voice came from behind and told us that we were free to go. One of…

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Strange tale of ‘Zakir Musa’ Al Qaeda’s chief in Kashmir

Editor

In the summer of 2017, Zakir Musa, the Hizbul Mujahideen’s 23 year old commander, broke ranks with Kashmir’s most influential insurgent group to establish the Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind. Few had heard of the fledgling new outfit, but the Ansar’s parent organisation was instantly recognisable — Al Qaeda. Yet the news, which ought to have rung alarm bells in the Indian security establishment, passed largely unremarked upon. In the 18 months since it was formed, the Ansar Ghawzat-Ul-Hind is yet to be associated with a single encounter with Indian security forces. Yet…

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After performing poll duty promised one month salary still awaited

Editor

Over one lakh government employees, who had discharged duties in the just-concluded urban local bodies elections, feel cheated as the much-publicised promise of giving them one-month additional salary as “election duty incentive” is unlikely to be fulfilled. Instead of releasing the additional salary, an amount of Rs 1,200 has been sanctioned in favour of some employees who were engaged in the civic elections in Kathua district as an “election duty incentive”. Sources said the authorities had sanctioned Rs 1,200 in favour of presiding officers and Rs 750 for polling officers.…

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Huge Gas, Oil reserves in state: Study by Italian firm

Editor

A comprehensive scientific paper has revealed a strong possibility of finding gas and petroleum in Jammu and Kashmir and has sought access to oil companies and researchers to carry out an exploration in the state. A decade-long study commissioned by Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (National Hydrocarbons Authority), an Italian oil giant, was completed recently to expand the understanding of hydrocarbon occurrences in the northwestern Himalayas of India and Pakistan. The published study, ‘Petroleum systems and hydrocarbon potential of the North-West Himalayas of India and Pakistan’, involved collaboration of researchers from India,…

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A Tale of ‘Cabbage’ and (W)Rath from Kashmir

Editor

Never has leafy green vegetable cabbage and its health benefits evoked so much interest in the Valley as it did recently. Immediate trigger for the “cabbage talk” is the much talked about transfer of Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Basant Rath. Rath would be credited for popularising cabbage in the Valley. Doctors are writing its health benefits and prodding the population, which is addicted to meat, to have  more of it. Others are making memes of cabbage and more adept internet users are making memes of new mayor of the…

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A Twitter fued, transfer earn unorthodox cop admirers

Editor

An online spat with a mayor followed by the transfer of Basant Rath, an unorthodox IPS officer who preferred to wear civilian clothes over khaki and walked into crowds with ease, has created a storm on internet with local social media users throwing their support for him. Basant Rath, a 2000-batch IPS officer, who served as the Inspector General of Police, Traffic, had become a social media celebrity in the Valley where a lot of people had developed a liking for his unorthodox style of working. While Rath had a…

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After tiff with Mattu and other spate of controversies Basant Rath removed as IGP

Editor

The government on Tuesday transferred outspoken Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic, Basant Kumar Rath after his tiff with newly elected Srinagar Mayor Junaid Mattu, who was backed by BJP and its ally Peoples Conference. An order issued by Home Department read, “Basant Kumar Rath, IGP Traffic J&K is transferred and attached in the office of Commandant General, Home Guards/Civil Defence/SDRF till further orders.” As per the order, Alok Kumar IGP Security J&K has replaced Rath. Rath’s tenure comes after his last week’s verbal duel with Mattu on Twitter. Terming…

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MeT predicts Rains, Snow from today, Caught off guard, Valley braces up for harsh winter

Editor

The weatherman has predicted light to moderate rainfall in plains and snowfall in upper reaches of Kashmir on Tuesday and Wednesday. Director Meteorological (MeT) department, Sonum Lotus said that there is possibility of light to moderate rainfall in the plains including Srinagar on Tuesday and Wednesday. “The plains will not experience snowfall,” he said adding there is a forecast of light snowfall in higher reaches. Lotus said weather would remain wet till November 14 and weather conditions would improve from November 15 morning. He said the snowfall in upper reaches…

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Overpricing of essentials continues to burden consumers as CAPD fails to fix rates

Editor

With the failure of the CAPD to enforce the rates of essential commodities, the overpricing of food items like vegetables, pulses, mutton and chicken has became a order of the day in the valley. Under the pretext of Srinagar-Jammu Highway closure due to ongoing inclement weather, traders and hawkers are over charging in absence of a rate list, consumers say. Food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department or CAPD is supposed to revise the list of essential commodities but the consumers say the department has failed to fix the rates…

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