General News Archives | Page 151 of 363

Life inside the World’s longest Lockdown

May 7, 2020May 7, 2020 Editor

Just before the whole world went into lockdown, Kashmir was coming out of one. At the start of the year, before the coronavirus hit, the Indian government had been slowly lifting the restrictions on movement and communication that it had imposed in August 2019, when it stripped Kashmir’s long-held constitutional autonomy and imposed direct rule from Delhi. Here in India’s only Muslim-majority territory, residents were confined to their homes by soldiers patrolling the streets of the Kashmir Valley. The Hindu nationalist government in Delhi also cut phone lines and Internet connections. In late January,…

“Access to the Internet not fundamental right”, J&K admin opposes the restoration of 4G Services in Supreme Court

April 30, 2020April 30, 2020 Editor

The right to access the internet is not a fundamental right and the state can curtail the freedom of speech and the right to trade through the internet, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has told the Supreme Court while opposing the restoration of 4G services in the union territory. The administration told the apex court that a very reasonable quantum of restrictions have been imposed by reducing the speed of internet to protect the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. “It is submitted that the right to access internet…

Post uproaring across J&K, Centre amends domicile rule

April 4, 2020April 4, 2020 Editor

The Union home ministry on Friday evening amended the new domicile rule for Jammu and Kashmir issued this week that had triggered howls of protest in the Kashmir valley. In its final form, only domiciled residents of J&K will be eligible to apply for recruitment in the union territory. In the earlier version notified on Tuesday evening, the home ministry had reserved only subordinate posts for the domiciled residents. For other jobs under the union territory, people from any part of the country could apply. The new order issued a…

#Coronavirus: As lockdown enters 13th-day, 26 Areas across J&K declared as ‘Red Zones’

April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 Editor

Amid continuing lockdown and restrictions for the 13th consecutive day, the government Tuesday declared 26 areas in Jammu and Kashmir as “red zones” in view of the surge in coronavirus cases in the Union Territory. According to Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng areas in Srinagar district and Chadoora in Budgam district and Waskura in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir have been declared as “Red Zones”. The other “red zone” areas are Parray Mohala, Chandergeer, Batagund in the Hajin area of north…

National Highway remained closed for 5th consecutive day, Faulty excavation leads to the frequent closure

April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 Editor

For the frequent closure of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, many blame the ‘faulty’ excavation work being carried on along its Banihal-Ramban stretch. “The excavation work being undertaken by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI),” an official said, “triggers frequent landslides due to which road remains blocked quite often”. He said as the Banihal-Ramban stretch is already a landslide and shooting stone prone area, the standard engineering techniques are not being considered at all. “The executing agency has ignored the safety part and it lacks any plan to tackle the weather…

Complete clampdown across J&K till March 31: Govt

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 Editor

The government on Sunday extended the shutdown of all establishments in Jammu and Kashmir except essential services till March 31 to block the spread of Covid-19. After reviewing the situation today, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam directed all the District Magistrates in the Union Territory to ensure the shutdown of all establishments except those providing essential commodities and services in their districts from March 22 till March 31. “The Deputy Commissioners will issue orders under Section 144 CrPC and also under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 to shutdown all the establishments…

#Covid-19: Who needs to get tested for Coronavirus? ICMR issues guidelines

March 21, 2020March 21, 2020 Editor

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued guidelines for a new testing strategy for effective tracking of Covid-19 cases. The new policy, released late on Friday night, says asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of an infected person should be tested between the fifth day and 14th day of coming into contact with the patient. It also says all patients hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illness (with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath), all symptomatic health care workers, all symptomatic contacts of those whose laboratory tests —…

NC President and former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah walks free post-seven-month detention

March 13, 2020March 13, 2020 Editor

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah walked out of his Gupkar residence on Friday, seven months after he was put under detention following the abrogation of Article 370 by the central government. “I am free, I am free,” he said while addressing the media persons gathered outside his home. Abdullah was detained in August last year after the Centre stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and bifurcated it into two union territories. “I am grateful to the people of the state…

Mehbooba Mufti, Sajad Lone, Shah Faesal caution Centre against tinkering with J&K’s special status

August 3, 2019August 3, 2019 Editor

Amid the growing grip in Kashmir in the wake of build-up of security forces, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti late on Friday night led a delegation of political leaders from different parties to Governor Satya Pal Malik, urging him that New Delhi shouldn’t tinker with unique identity of Muslim majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. In a dramatic turn of events, Mehbooba, late Friday night, addressed media, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to tinker with the State’s special status. “The Prime Minister must ensure that the…

What did PM tell you? Sajad, Faisal question NC’s meeting with PM

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019 Editor

People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone and Peoples’ Movement president Shah Faesal have questioned NC leaders’ meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday ignoring the demand for an all-party meeting with the PM. NC leaders Farooq Abdullah, Hasnain Masoodi and Omar Abdullah met the Prime Minister in view of the “panic and anxiety” in Kashmir following rumours about abrogation of Article 35A of the Constitution. “What on earth happened to the supposed collective action? Is it a rush for brownie points or a mercy petition for economic crimes? The innocent…