General News Archives | Page 156 of 361

Rahul condemns violence against Kashmiris, Centre issues fresh advisory

March 9, 2019March 9, 2019 Editor

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday condemned the violence against Kashmiris and said India belonged to its citizens from every corner of the country.Gandhi’s reaction came after two Kashmiri vendors selling dry fruits were thrashed by a group of saffron-clad men in Lucknow on Wednesday. Tweeting a video of the incident, the Congress chief said: “While I’m disgusted by this video of Kashmiri traders being attacked in UP, I salute the braveheart who challenged the attackers. India belongs to its citizens, from every corner of our nation. I strongly condemn…

Divide Jammu & Kashmir to curb terrorism: BJP MLA GS Damor

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 Editor

The MLA backed an announcement of a senior Army officer that whoever raises arms against the state would be eliminated as it would deter local elements who back terrorists. Amid stand-off along the Line of Control by Indian and Pakistani forces after the Pulwama terror attack and following air strikes, a BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh has suggested division of Jammu and Kashmir to curb insurgency, a statement that invited immediate criticism from the Congress. Speaking to the media on Sunday evening on aerial strikes by the Indian Air Force…

Conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls: Political parties to EC

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 Editor

Representatives of almost all political parties sought simultaneous national and assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir as they met an Election Commission (EC) team in Srinagar on Monday, officials said. The Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora-led team arrived in the state for a two-day visit to review security preparedness for the polls amid an escalation of violence in the state, which has been under the President’s rule since December 19. Assembly elections have to be held within six months of the imposition of the President’s rule while the national polls…

ALERT! For SC, ST quota cabinet clears amendment of Article 370 clause

March 1, 2019March 1, 2019 Editor

The government Thursday gave its nod to the promulgation of an ordinance for giving reservation benefits to SCs and STs in Jammu and Kashmir by amending a clause of the contentious Article 370, which gives special status to the State. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.“It will serve the purpose of application of relevant provisions of the Constitution of India, as amended through the Constitution (Seventy Seventh Amendment) Act, 1995 and Constitution (One Hundred…

Supreme Court may hear petition on Article 35A this week

February 26, 2019February 26, 2019 Editor

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to natives of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, this week. The crucial hearing, which could be listed from February 26 to February 28, assumes significance in view of the toughening stand of the state-based political parties on the sensitive issue. The Supreme Court website, in its weekly list, has listed as many as six petitions including the lead plea of NGO ‘We The Citizens’ for…

Tinkering with Articles 370, 35A will render Instrument of Accession null and void: Mehbooba Mufti

February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 Editor

Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said any tinkering with Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution, which provide special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will render null and void the state’s Instrument of Accession with India. “Article 370 is the constitutional connection between J&K & Indian Union. Instrument of accession is contingent on Article 370 which is inextricably linked to Article 35A. Any tampering will render Treaty of Accession null and void,” Mehbooba said in a series of tweets. She said Kashmir Valley is rife with speculation about…

Will rectify Nehru’s ‘Kashmir Blunder’: BJP chief Amit Shah

February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 Editor

Amid rumours in the Valley about the abrogation of Article 35A of the Constitution, BJP chief Amit Shah on Sunday vowed to rectify the “blunders committed” by the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in dealing with J&K after Partition. “I am giving this message from Jammu that the Narendra Modi government is committed to rectify the mistakes of the great-grandfather of Congress president Rahul Gandhi,” Shah said while addressing a rally organised by the party to pay tributes to Pulwama martyrs. As large numbers of party workers raised slogans against…

‘Fight against terror, not Kashmir’: Modi denounces attack on Kashmiris

February 23, 2019February 23, 2019 Editor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday denounced reported attacks on Kashmiri youths in some parts of the country following Pulwama terror attack killing at least 40 soldiers on February 14. PM Modi said Kashmiri youths should not be targeted anywhere in the country. Speaking at a public rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk, PM Modi said, “Our fight is against terror, the enemies of humanity… Our fight is for Kashmir not against Kashmir, not against Kashmiris.” “What happened to Kashmiri youths in the last few days…It does not matter whether the incident…

Security cover for 18 Separatists, 155 Politicians withdrawn

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019 Editor

Among the leaders whose security was downgraded or withdrawn were Sayed Ali Shah Geelani, Yaseen Malik, Abdul Gani Shah, and Mohd Musadiq Bhat. The administration said that after the move, about 1,000 police personnel and 100 vehicles are freed up to be redeployed. The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday downgraded or withdrew the security cover provided to 18 separatist leaders from the Hurriyat, including SAS Geelani, days after a similar move followed a suicide bombing in Pulwama that killed 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The…

‘Boycott Kashmiris’: Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy’s tweet sparks row, Omar Abdullah hits back

February 19, 2019February 19, 2019 Editor

Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy has sparked a controversy again with his tweets. Citing a retired colonel, without disclosing the officer’s identity, Roy said he is “inclined to agree” to boycott Kashmiri traders in other parts of the country and tourism in the state. Roy wrote on Twitter, “An appeal from a retired colonel of the Indian Army: Don’t visit Kashmir, don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri. I am inclined to agree.”…