General News Archives | Page 114 of 362

Ghulam Nabi Azad stated that he will remain neutral and not consider himself as an opposition leader

April 5, 2023 Editor

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Congress rebel Ghulam Nabi Azad’s memoir, titled ‘Azaad’, documents politics over the past five decades. Providing a ringside view to the corridors of power, Azad is critical of his former party in his memoir, describing its behaviour as “bloopers and bombast”. In an interview, he argued that while senior BJP leaders would like to see competition from a strong Congress party, the latter isn’t doing enough. Azad, who is seen to be close to PM Narendra Modi, also spoke about the Bharatiya Janata…

Kashmir Valley will be connected to the rest of the country through train services by next year: Ashwini Vaishnaw

March 26, 2023 Editor

Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Udhampur-Banihal track connecting Jammu with Srinagar will be completed by December this year, or early next year. The Kashmir Valley will finally be connected to the rest of the country through train services by next year, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, adding that specially designed ‘Vande Bharat’ train is also being developed for the Udhampur-Banihal track. Addressing a press conference at the Srinagar railway station in Nowgam area, Vaishnaw stated that Udhampur-Banihal track connecting Jammu with Srinagar will be completed by December this year, or early…

Editors Guild of India demands an end to harassment of journalists in the name of national security

March 23, 2023 Editor

Editors Guild of India on Wednesday expressed concern over the use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against journalists and urged the administration to respect democratic values and stop their harassment in the name of national security. “Editors Guild of India is deeply concerned about the excessive use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against journalists, most recently, in the case of the arrest of Irfan Mehraj, a Kashmir-based journalist, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). “According to reports, on the afternoon of March 20, Irfan was called…

The US asserts that India and Pakistan hold sole responsibility for deciding the talks regarding the Kashmir Issue

March 22, 2023 Editor

Pakistan raised the issue of Kashmir at every major international forum. But he/she has to eat his/her mouth. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto himself created a sensation by saying that the countries of the world do not listen to Pakistan on Kashmir. Meanwhile, America has given a big statement regarding Kashmir. The US has said that India and Pakistan should engage in constructive dialogue on the issue of Kashmir. The US President Joe Biden administration said that the US supports meaningful and constructive diplomacy between India and Pakistan. When US…

J&K’s LG Manoj Sinha vows to resign if fraudulent recruitment proven

March 20, 2023 Editor

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the recruitment process in the Union Territory was fair and vowed to quit if anyone proved otherwise. For the first time in history, results of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services examination were declared within three hours of the last candidate’s interview. His remarks come amid criticism of the government’s decision to appoint Aptech, a previously blacklisted agency, to conduct the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board recruitment examination. “Questions have been raised on selections. For the first time after…

Bulldozer Politics: The demolition drive led by Modi’s administration is intensifying concerns among Muslims across J&K

March 19, 2023 Editor

Suhail Ahmad Shah stood despairingly before the wreckage that for two decades had been his livelihood. Just hours before, he had been busy at the workshop when he heard an ominous crunch above him and the tin roof began to cave in. He barely made his escape before a bulldozer flattened the entire place. “No notice was served to us,” said Shah, 38. “The officials came suddenly and demolished our workshop. No one is listening to us. We’ve been paying rent. Isn’t this an atrocity? They have snatched our livelihood.”…

Assembly polls in J&K only when situation is ‘Conducive’ for BJP: Mehbooba Mufti

March 14, 2023March 14, 2023 Editor

Former chief minister and president of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held only when the situation was “conducive” for the BJP. Responding to media queries after addressing a public rally at Poonch, Mufti said, “Since 2019 hardships have befallen on the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The present situation could be felt from the faces of the people.” She said that the people of the region lived in fear since 2019 (post revocation of Article…

Security preps have begun for Amarnath Yatra, Elections in J&K: IG CRPF

March 8, 2023 Editor

Security agencies have started preparations for the upcoming assembly elections and the Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, a top Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official said on Tuesday. CRPF inspector general (IG), Kashmir operations, MS Bhatia made these comments during his visit to Tral in south Kashmir to inaugurate a unit hospital under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. “Our endeavour will be to stay ashore, whether during the elections or the pilgrimage. Strict arrangements will be in place to ensure law, order and security,” he said. All major parties…

We Surrender: As authorities stop salaries, Kashmiri Pandit employees suspend their 310 days strike for relocation

March 5, 2023 Editor

Kashmiri Pandit government employees demanding relocation outside the Kashmir Valley in the wake of targeted killings by terrorists, suspended their 310 days long strike, saying they were “surrendering” as authorities had “stopped” their salaries. The protesters comprised Kashmiri Pandits working in different government departments under a prime minister’s employment package. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has neither accepted nor rejected the demand but the protest had to be suspended as stopping of salaries is “choking us financially”, protesters affiliated to the All Migrant (Displaced) Employees Association Kashmir (AMEAK) said. Last…

GoI wants to keep Kashmir pot boiling for garnering votes: Mehbooba Mufti

March 4, 2023March 4, 2023 Editor

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said the Centre wants to keep the pot boiling in Jammu and Kashmir to garner more votes in elections. Her remarks come in the wake of the dismissal of three employees by the Jammu and Kashmir government for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities and the attaching of properties of militants. “In the name of fighting militancy, govt employees are dismissed arbitrarily & houses attached without giving the families any chance to avail the due legal course. This is collective punishment for innocent families…