Category: General News

General News

Central Water Commission ‘Dumps’ plan to build early flood warning system in J&K

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There has been little improvement in establishment of a modern flood forecast system in Kashmir following the 2014 devastating deluge in the Valley, with the central water commission (CWC) allegedly sitting on several initiatives to build the hi-tech early warning system in the region. A source said the CWC, the main authority for monitoring floods across the state, had cleared Rs 82 crore project to set up telemetry system (automatic level recorder) on river Jhelum at 15 different vulnerable spots to get round-the-clock data about the discharge in the river…

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British survey about Kashmir produces ‘Striking Results’, Masses advocate independence

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A survey which a British academic says is the first systematic attempt to establish the opinions of Kashmiris has produced “striking results”. Robert Bradnock interviewed more than 3,700 people in Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir to assess their views on various issues. One of the key questions put to respondents was how they saw the future of the territory. Nearly half of those interviewed said they wanted independence. Another question asked for their views over the continuing insurgency. Dr Bradnock – an associate fellow at the Chatham House think-tank in London…

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India permitted to construct Kishanganga, Rattle projects: World Bank

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Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers with certain restrictions, the World Bank has said. Pakistan opposes the construction of the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Rattle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power plants being built by India, it said in a fact sheet issued yesterday at the conclusion of secretary-level talks between the two countries over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Noting that the two countries disagree over whether the technical design features of the two hydroelectric plants…

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Efforts on to do away with J&K’s Special Status : Joint Resistance Leadership

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Joint separatist leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik on Monday said people of Kashmir are “under assault from all sides” and “hectic efforts are on to do away with state’s special status” by challenging Article 35-A in the Supreme Court. “While on one hand, government forces are killing youth and firing pellets at protesters and NIA (National Investigation Agency) is persecuting the leadership, on the other, hectic efforts are now on to do away with J&K’s special status after passing of GST bill that…

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After Mehbooba’s remarks, ‘Victims’ hopeful of debate on Article 35A

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Even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has given a strong warning against any tampering with Article 35A, people ‘suffering’ due to the provision are confident that a debate will help in highlighting this “discriminatory” clause illegally incorporated in the Constitution to deprive a section of its constitutional rights. Valmikis, West Pakistani Refugees (WPRs) and women married outside J&K, are the victims of the provision which enables the state Assembly to define permanent residents and give them special rights and privileges. “This is what we want. The nation is not aware…

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Chinese Army strategist warns of Kashmir intervention after Doklam

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The latest warning came from PLA Navy Senior Captain Zhang Ye, who is a research fellow of the PLA Naval Research Institute and a prominent strategist. Even as National Security Adviser Ajit Doval holds key talks with the Chinese leadership, a prominent strategist of a People’s Liberation Army think-tank has warned that India’s “trespass” into the Doklam region would set the precedent for “a third party’s” intervention in Jammu & Kashmir. While Chinese State media have made similar arguments in recent weeks amid the on-going stand-off, the latest warning came…

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J&K govt has to be extra cautious over Article 35A petition: Legal experts warn

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The government of India’s stand on Article 35-A which grants J&K legislative powers to define state’s permanent residents has become “uncertain” and the state government needs to be “extra cautious” while handling the matter in the Supreme Court, legal experts cautioned on Thursday. The ‘warning’ comes days after New Delhi didn’t file an affidavit on the matter in the court and instead sought a “larger debate” on the “very sensitive” issue. “The state government has to be very cautious and very careful now because the stand of the government of…

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Pak, Separatists, Terrorists biggest enemies of Kashmir: Indresh Kumar

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RSS leader Indresh Kumar said Pakistan has been fuelling stone-pelting, violence, militancy and by no parameters can be called a well-wisher of Islam and the people of Kashmir. Pakistan, separatists and terrorists are the biggest enemies of Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said on Thursday, advising Islamabad to ”keep off Kashmir” and reminding it of how its “hate-India” campaign cost it dearly in the past. Talking to the media on the sidelines of a function organised by the Bharat-Tibet Sahyog Manch in Jammu, RSS leader Indresh…

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Special status being ‘Demolished’ Brick-by-Brick: Opposition

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A day after passage of statistical data bill in Rajya Sabha, opposition parties on Thursday said the application of the bill to J&K is “unconstitutional” and a “blow to Article 370.” J&K Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the Parliament cannot extend the bill to J&K without the concurrence of the state legislature. “It is deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of state legislature,” he told Kashmir Post. He blamed PDP for supporting “every wrong initiative” of the Centre “for remaining in power.” “PDP must come clear on this. Out…

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Zakir Musa announced as head of new Al Qaida-linked cell

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Appointment of Zakir Musa represents deepest inroad al-Qaida has made in disputed region An al-Qaida-affiliated propaganda channel has announced one of Kashmir’s most popular militant leaders as the head of a newly created cell in the disputed Himalayan territory. The appointment of Zakir Musa as head of the new group represents the first time militants linked to al-Qaida have operated openly in Kashmir, site of a decades-long separatist insurgency and the only Muslim-majority region under Indian control. Musa, 23, is the leading figure among a new generation of militants who…

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