We stand by Gupkar Declaration it’s the core issue and are in constant touch with Mehbooba: Farooq Abdullah

After chairing the maiden party meeting of National Conference in over one year’s time, party president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said the political parties stand by the Gupkar Declaration issued last year and it remains to be the core issue. “God willing we will have an all-party meeting on the Gupkar Declaration. We are not running away from it as it is our core issue. The all-party meeting on August 5 this year was not allowed to take place as you all know,” Dr Abdullah said at a press…

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GoI hatching conspiracy to turn J&K economically, culturally backward: GA Mir

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president GA Mir on Thursday alleged that Jammu and Kashmir were being turned ‘economically and culturally backward’ as part of a conspiracy hatched in New Delhi. “J&K has been turned into a football stadium where different captains come for training. People from the entire world are being brought here but those who are the real residents are troubled. If you look at any sector….be it political or developmental….be it health or tourism….in every manner, J&K is being pushed towards economic blockade. Sources of income are…

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Shah Faisal met Ajit Doval before quieting party he himself founded

Bureaucrat-turned-politician Shah Faesal, who left the party he himself founded, quit only after making contact with top officials in the Union government. Faesal had a talk with National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval before informing his party colleagues in the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) that he was leaving, KIF has learnt. Faesal, 37, who hits the headlines in 2009, when he became the first person from Kashmir to top the Indian Administrative Services exam, acknowledged that he has been in touch with officials in New Delhi, although he…

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Year after revocation of Article 370, Alienation grows in Kashmir, Frustration visible in Jammu

A year after the BJP-led Central government revoked Article 370 and cut Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories (UTs) of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on August 5 last year, alienation in Kashmir has increased manifold while the economy and the polity lie in shambles. Frustration is also growing in the Hindu-majority Jammu as the people are beginning to feel the impact of the changes in the business atmosphere and polity of the region. Like in Kashmir, a sense of disempowerment has grown in the region, which has…

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BJP can gather and celebrate, we can’t even meet in our lawn: Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah, who is the vice president of the NC, said, “One year later the authorities are still too afraid to allow us to meet much less carry out any normal political activity. This fear speaks volumes about the true situation on the ground in Kashmir.” A meeting called by former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah at his residence on Wednesday could not be held due to strict restrictions put in place by the Union Territory’s administration, his son and former CM Omar Abdullah said on…

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Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah calls for all-party meet on first anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation

National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday called for an all-party meeting on August 5, on the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah has called the meeting of many mainstream political parties at his residence to chalk out a political strategy on ‘lost’ Article 370. In 2019, Article 370 was scrapped in Jammu and Kashmir and two union territories–Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh came into existence. Abdullah, confirming the all-party meet, said, “What kind of government is it that…

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Will not contest assembly polls till full statehood is restored to J&K: Omar Abdullah

Mr. Abdullah, a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, made it clear he would continue to work for his party National Conference (NC) and people of Jammu and Kashmir. Upset over downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir to the status of a Union Territory following abrogation of Article 370, former chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he will not contest assembly elections till full statehood is restored. However, Mr. Abdullah, a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, made it clear he would continue to…

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Kashmiri Pandits demand restoration of Statehood, ‘Can’t go to war with own people’

Satish Mahaldar, chairman of a migrant Kashmiri Pandits organisation, on Monday demanded immediate restoration of statehood and special status to Jammu and Kashmir.” An organisation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits on Monday demanded the immediate restoration of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Satish Mahaldar, chairman of migrant Kashmiri Pandits organisation called Reconciliation, Relief and Rehabilitation said in a statement on Monday, “We demand immediate restoration of statehood and special status to Jammu and Kashmir.” “The Indian Constitution ensures right to equality that extends to individuals, communities, religions, regions…

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BJP joins chorus for restoration of statehood to J&K

Bhartiya Janta Party Saturday said they would protest after August 5 for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5, the Narendra Modi-led government revoked Article 370, which guaranteed special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre also bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Like other parties, the BJP has also joined the chorus seeking statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “Some people want to divide Jammu and Kashmir but we won’t let that happen. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav has…

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14 Persons losses fight against deadly virus in 24 hours taking J&K’s toll to 296

Fourteen coronavirus deaths, one from Jammu and 13 from Kashmir Valley, were reported during the past 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), taking the toll to 296 in the UT. A total of 353 new cases were reported from J&K and 508 patients recovered and were discharged across the UT. As per the official bulletin issued on Friday evening, in J&K, 353 new cases came to light, including 48 of travellers, thus taking the total count to 16,782. Out of the total 353 cases, 129 are from Jammu and…

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