The fresh clamour over abrogation of Article 35-A which confers special rights and privileges on J&K’s permanent residents has sent the alarm bells ringing in the state, with National Conference calling a meeting of Opposition parties here on Monday to discuss the sensitive issue. The meeting comes in wake of a petition filed by a non-governmental organisation seeking abrogation of the constitutional provision that defines special privileges enjoyed by permanent residents of the state in matters related to employment, acquisition of immovable property, settlements and scholarships. A source said National…
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General News
Need to check money flowing into Kashmir to foment trouble: RK Kaushal
There is a need to analyse how much foreign money is pouring into Kashmir to foment trouble, said Major General (Retd) RK Kaushal during a talk on Violence Free Kashmir organised in the city on Saturday. Kaushal was in the city to be part of this event organised by the discussion group Vichar Vedh at Patrakar Bhavan. Also present on the occasion were Professor Vijay Naik from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai and members of Vichar Vedh, a forum which encourages discussion on humanitarian, secular and democratic values.…
Read MoreMehbooba’s bizarre statements must not be allowed to hold nation hostage: Terror funding case
Jammu and Kashmir may have a separate constitution but it is, unquestionably, part of India. Of late, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has been making bizarre statements which indicate some sort of desperation on her part towards the scenario unfolding in the Valley. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) crackdown on the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), their arrest, allegations of terrorist links, illegal wealth, inciting youth and instigating violence have shaken the state. In addition to Pakistan, these separatists were also reportedly receiving funds from outfits in London and…
Read MoreKashmir witnesses political furore over Article 35A and GST
Article 35(A) and the Goods and Services Tax Act have created a political furore in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Opposition alleging that they are aimed at diluting the state’s special status and fiscal autonomy. Article 35(A) allows only state subjects of J&K to settle down and buy property here. An NGO, allegedly close to the RSS, recently filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court requesting Article 35(A)’s abrogation. The Centre has so far not filed a counter affidavit to it. Commenting on the development, the Congress said in…
Read MoreGoing all out against militants in Kashmir paying dividends: Govt
The government feels giving free hand to forces is paying dividends and the situation would improve significantly by winters. The government feels that its hardline policy in Kashmir against talking to the separatists and giving free hands to the security forces is paying dividends and the situation would improve significantly by the coming winters. Senior government sources said the strategy of blocking infiltration and going all out against terrorists in Kashmir has also started paying dividends as a large number of terrorists have been killed and there is fear in…
Read MoreKashmir’s full integration with India impossible: Hurriyat (G)
“Integration of disputed state with rest of India is never possible. These measures are unacceptable and we will fight tooth and nail.” Rejecting the claims of J&K’s integration with Indian Union Hurriyat Conference (G) Thursday said the remarks of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, that implementation of GST in JK marks economic integration were false. “Integration of disputed state with rest of India is never possible. These measures are unacceptable and we will fight tooth and nail”, Hurriyat (G) said in a statement. Hurriyat alleged that Indian authorities on one hand…
Read MoreCentral Water Commission ‘Dumps’ plan to build early flood warning system in J&K
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…
Read MoreBritish survey about Kashmir produces ‘Striking Results’, Masses advocate independence
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…
Read MoreIndia permitted to construct Kishanganga, Rattle projects: World Bank
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…
Read MoreEfforts on to do away with J&K’s Special Status : Joint Resistance Leadership
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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