Category: General News

General News

Differences with Raj Bhavan, Hostage drama led to SP Vaid’s exit as J&K Police Chief

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A clash between Jammu & Kashmir’s top cop and Raj Bhawan led to the removal of the state’s director general of police, SP Vaid, late on Thursday, multiple officials familiar with the matter said. The differences started soon after the state was placed under Governor’s Rule, a day after the BJP pulled out of the Mehbooba Mufti government on June 19. “There were regular differences between Vaid and advisors to the governor,” the officials said on condition of anonymity. “In each security review meeting, questions were asked regarding the deteriorating…

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To handle critical work three more advisers on cards

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Governor Satya Pal Malik is likely to appoint three more advisers to tune the administrative work in the state and infuse a greater sense of accountability, said highly placed sources. The sources said the Governor was keen to enhance contact with the people with the help of the advisers, Chief Secretary and other officials in the administration. It is felt that he needs more hands to handle the critical work of the administration and make it available and accessible to the public at all levels, they said. The sources said…

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PDP yet to take final call on local elections, but likely to go NC way

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A day after the National Conference announced that it would boycott the upcoming panchayat elections, the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday decided to go for further consultations on the panchayat poll participation. The decision was taken by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the highest decision-making body of the party, after a meeting which was chaired by Mehbooba Mufti at her residence. Party insiders, however, said the PDP was likely to go the NCway. It was likely to announce the boycott in a day or two. A senior party leader said…

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Governor should call all-party meet on civic poll: PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday said it was hopeful that Governor Satya Pal Malik would convene an all-party meeting on holding of the urban local bodies and panchayat elections in the state. “(When) in government I had called an all-party meeting to discuss the ULB/panchayat elections and the majority of the parties had opposed holding of elections at that time. We had expected that the Governor too would call an all-party meeting where everyone would put forward their viewpoint, PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in…

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Ensure bias free legal stand on Article 35A, PDP urges Governor

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Taking a strong exception to the legal position taken by Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG), in the Supreme Court during the hearing on Article 35A, the PDP on Monday appealed to the newly appointed Governor to ensure a “bias-free and strong legal position of the state government”. In a statement, Rafi Mir, PDP chief spokesperson, said the PDP had always stood up for retaining and empowering the constitutional powers to Jammu and Kashmir and they strongly condemned the remarks made by the leading counsel in the matter.…

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Nirmala Sitharaman, Bipin Rawat to meet new JK Governor in Srinagar today

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Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with Army chief General Bipin Rawat will be flying to Srinagar on Monday to call on newly appointed State Governor Satyapal Malik to exchange notes on the security situation in the state and the forthcoming Panchayat elections. This will be the first meeting between the defence minister, Army chief and the Jammu and Kashmir Governor. South Block officials said that the visit of Sitharaman and Rawat comes at a time when indigenous militant group, Hizbul Mujahideen, has been pushed to the forefront of action by…

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Ex CM Farooq Abdullah says ASG’s stand shows J&K govt has ‘Virtually Conceded’ before SC

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National Conference president Sunday has denounced the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) for saying in the Supreme Court that “there is an aspect of gender discrimination” in Article 35A of the Constitution. The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar was reacting to the stand taken by the ASG Tushar Mehta in the apex court last Friday. During the hearing, the ASG had agreed to the contention that Article 35A and certain aspects needed to be debated and said, “It can’t be denied that there is an aspect of gender discrimination…

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Municipal elections in 4 phases from Oct 1, Panchayat polls in 8 Phases from Nov 8

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The state administration on Friday announced the dates for the municipal and panchayat elections. The State Administrative Council (SAC) led by Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday decided to commence the process for conducting the municipal body and panchayat elections in the state. After extensive deliberations on various aspects and feedback received from the departments of housing and urban development, rural development and panchayati raj and home, the SAC decided that the elections to the panchayat elections will be conducted in eight phases between November 8 and December 4 this…

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Tension across Valley as traders continue protests over Article 35A, State moves SC for hearing deferment

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Various trade bodies held protest demonstrations here on Wednesday in support of Article 35A, the constitutional provision that protects J&K’s hereditary state subject law. Tension has mounted in Kashmir ahead of the two-day strike call by the separatists and the Supreme Court hearing on the petitions challenging the validity of the Article, scheduled for August 31. The protest demonstrations were held by Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) against the proposed abrogation of the special status in J&K. Holding placards and shouting slogans, businessmen and traders led by KEA co-chairman Farooq Ahmad…

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‘Bring Shrouds Along’ – Hizb Commander Riyaz Naikoo to poll aspirants

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Asks Media To Discharge Duties with Truthfulness, Lest “We Know How Justice Is Done’   Hizbul-ul-Mujahideen Commander Riyaz Naikoo on Tuesday warned those planning to contest upcoming Panchayat elections, saying they should bring shrouds along with election forms and be ready for the acid attacks. “Respected brothers, you must be seeing that Indian forces ransack houses and vehicles which is nothing but their frustration. India plans to hold Panchayat elections in the Valley and wants to prepare road for it and as such people are being beaten up and houses are…

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