General News Archives | Page 168 of 378

‘Spoke in fit of anger’, Satya Pal Malik clarifies his ‘Kill’ statement

July 23, 2019July 23, 2019 Editor

Clarifying his Sunday’s statement ‘kill those who robbed your state,’ Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday said he should not have made such a comment. “Whatever I said was in a fit of anger and frustration due to rampant corruption here. As Governor, I should have not made such a comment, but my personal feeling is the same as I said. Many political leaders and big bureaucrats are steeped in corruption here,” Malik told new agency ANI on Monday . Malik stirred a controversy on Sunday with…

Until Kashmir issue is resolved, no power on earth can touch Article 370: Farooq Abdullah

July 22, 2019July 22, 2019 Editor

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday stressed that revoking Article 370 and Article 35-A will be equivalent to a constitutional coup. He went on to add that Article 370 is essential, unassailable and will remain in effect despite the “uneducated rants” of certain people. While speaking at a party convention in Handwara area of Kupwara district, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said, “Keeping in view the special circumstances (at the time of the accession of J&K to India), Article 370 was added to…

Govt formulating policy for return of Kashmiri Pandits: Satya Pal Malik

July 20, 2019July 20, 2019 Editor

The Jammu and Kashmir government is formulating a policy for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir, said Governor Satya Pal Malik in Srinagar at a function organised for the launch of electric buses in Srinagar. “A policy is being formulated and more details will emerge soon, ” Malik told reporters. The efforts for their return received a major boost last week after a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits, led by Satish Mahaldar, met senior separatist leader and chairman of a faction of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, at his residence.…

Highway Ban: Admin urged to find ways for tackle yatra traffic woes

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 Editor

Showing resentment over restrictions on the movement of civilians on the national highway, custodian of ‘Chhari Mubarak’ (the holy mace of Lord Shiva) Mahant Deependra Giri urged the government to devise a proper mechanism to tackle the traffic woes due to the ongoing Amarnath yatra. “It’s good to take precautionary measures but at the same time, a mechanism should be devised to minimise the inconvenience caused to the local population,” Giri told reporters after the holy mace was taken to Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday. The restrictions on the…

High Court quashes state govt for rising road accidents

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019 Editor

The High Court on Tuesday pulled up the State Government over 48 deaths in two separate road accidents on Mughal road, and in Kishtwar district, in less than a month. It directed administrative heads of departments concerned, and top police and traffic officials to file responses to a plea seeking action against officers from different departments for “dereliction of duty”, within three weeks. A division bench of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Sindhu Sharma, issued the directions on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Intakhab Ahmed Qazi.…

Three-point political charter for J&K: Omar Abdullah

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019 Editor

Recently, the newly appointed Union home minister, Amit Shah, made his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). It garnered a lot of attention, with the people of the state and keen Kashmir-watchers eager for clues that would indicate how the new incumbent would handle the state compared to his immediate predecessor. I will resist the urge to dissect the visit because that has already been done many times over, and I doubt I will add any fresh insight into what is already in the public domain. I will, however,…

Kashmir internationally recognized dispute between India and Pakistan should be resolved through dialogue: Farooq Abdullah

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 Editor

National Conference (NC) president and former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, Thursday said Kashmir is internationally recognized dispute between India and Pakistan which needs to be resolved through dialogue. Talking to reporters after paying tribute to his mother Begum Akbar Abdullah on her 19th death anniversary, Abdullah said nothing can be achieved through “military might” as there is no alternative to dialogue to address the Kashmir issue. “Nothing will be achieved either by displaying military might or by using NIA as a pressure tactics. Kashmir issue is a reality between two…

Tourists, Passengers, Truckers facing brunt due to highway restrictions

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 Editor

The restrictions on the Jammu-Srinagar highway is causing a lot of trouble to tourists and passengers alike besides hampering the movement of trucks laden with essential goods to a large extent. Tourist coming from various parts of India have complained that it takes hours to get permission while as the truckers remain stranded for days at many places with loaded ration and other essential commodities for Kashmir or Chenab Valley. Even as traffic department has been trying to clear the stranded trucks for smooth movement of traffic, passengers and tourists…

Metropolitan development authorities meet to roll out Srinagar, Jammu Metro projects

July 5, 2019July 5, 2019 Editor

For a planned growth of twin capitals, the State Administrative Council has approved the areas to be included for the setting up of the Metropolitan Region Development Authorities for Jammu and Srinagar. The SAC, which met here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik, also approved the Mass Rapid Transit Corporations for Jammu and Srinagar. The MRDA Act had been enacted in December 2018. “These Metropolitan Region Development Authorities are expected to serve the purpose of coordination, besides supervising proper, orderly and rapid development of the areas…

Winning People’s Trust, Isolating Militant and Separatist, Strengthening Panchayat System, Centre’s strategy to improve Kashmir Situation

July 4, 2019July 4, 2019 Editor

With Parliament approving a six-month extension of President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir, the Union government has initiated a three-pronged strategy to improve political and economic environment in the state, say officials. The Centre’s priority areas in the state are: wining people’s trust in the administrative system, isolating militant and separatist outfits, and strengthening the panchayat system, they said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state on June 26-27. Top officials, who attended the meetings Shah held during his visit, said they are expecting radical changes at all levels…