General News Archives | Page 231 of 364

BJP-PDP struggle to implement Agenda of Alliance

February 28, 2017 Editor

Deteriorating security situation, squabbling within the coalition have led to slow progress in state Changing security situation and squabbling within coalition partners — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — on key issues has slowed down the process to implement key points in the Agenda of Alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. The alliance document, binding two ideologically different parties in the insurgency-hit Himalayan state, was termed as “Guiding framework for governance” by the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed when he stitched the alliance with the BJP after the…

Anxiety in security grid, but situation not worrisome: Lt Gen Sandhu

February 27, 2017 Editor

Says stone-throwing to continue in foreseeable future, Army’s approach balanced The Army’s topmost officer in Kashmir Lt Gen JS Sandhu has said the approach of the Army in Kashmir was balanced, making it clear that the Army would act if people resorted to stone-throwing during anti-militancy operations. This comes days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat issued a stern warning to the stone-throwers in Kashmir. “The approach of the Army has largely been very balanced and mature over a period of time. We will continue focusing on our job of…

NHAI promoting ‘Mafia Raj’ at Ban toll plaza: Devender Singh Rana

February 25, 2017 Editor

Rana writes to DGP, seeks probe into working of plaza administration Three days after a truck mowed down a man to death at the Ban toll plaza on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the National Conference (NC) has slammed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for failing to put in place the road safety and medical emergency measures on the highway leading to frequent accidents. The party has also written a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid, requesting him to look into the working of the…

Farooq takes up for militants, says they have made a promise with God

February 25, 2017 Editor

National Conference leader and three-time state Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today came out openly in defence of militants, saying they have made a “promise with God” and are sacrificing their lives for freedom. Farooq’s rare pro-militant rhetoric, which came at a time when the levels of violence and sympathies for militants have significantly shot up, illustrated a stark change of heart for a political leader who had once advocated a full assault against militants and their backers. “If our children are offering sacrifices today, they do not want to become…

CM meets PM, seeks time bound implementation of Agenda of Alliance

February 23, 2017 Editor

Demands 50% quota for KAS officers to IAS, IPS and IFS beyond 2013 Declaring Mughal Road as alternate National Highway PM assures CM of early resolution of issues Fast track Work on tunnels Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who is in New Delhi, Wednesday called on the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. She brought several issues confronting the State into the notice of the Prime Minister. Mehbooba requested the Prime Minister for expediting the flood protection works and dredging in river Jhelum as envisioned in the Prime Minister’s Development Plan. She sought…

High Court summons Chief Engineer R&B over deteriorating road condition

February 22, 2017 Editor

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed Chief Engineer Roads and Buildings to appear before it on February 28 to explain the conditions of roads in Kashmir. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Civil Society Tral seeking upgradation of roads in Kashmir, a division bench of Justice Ramalingal Sudhakar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey directed the CE R&B Kashmir to remain present on February 28 to apprise the court of the condition of roads in Kashmir. The direction came after the bench heard Advocate Asif Nabi who appeared…

National Highway remains Shut for second day due to Wet Weather

February 22, 2017February 22, 2017 Editor

The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained shut for traffic for the second consecutive day today as fresh landslides occurred at several places, blocking the crucial supply line. The fresh landslides blocked the highway at Digdol, Panthyal and Seeri, officials of the traffic department said. Meanwhile, intermittent rain and snow continued in the region for the third consecutive day today. Snow also continued intermittently near the Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to the Kashmir valley. Officials of the traffic department said the highway was closed for vehicular traffic “keeping in view the…

Forces shift strategy to tackle Stone Pelters in Kashmir Valley

February 21, 2017 Editor

Why has the Army re-thought its protocols when cornering terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir? The changing tactics of terrorists — seeking refuge in populated areas and getting a section of the local population to disrupt operations by stone-throwing — pose a difficult challenge. The new form of warfare offers terrorists better chances than being challenged — or surprised — by troops in the jungles of J&K. Earlier, it was easier, though still dangerous, for the Army to corner terrorists by cordoning off areas and neutralising them. Now, it becomes difficult…

All not well within party, PDP MLA’s calls meet to discuss ‘Future Strategy’

February 21, 2017 Editor

Another legislator accuses senior leader Naeem Akhter of ruining party Though Basharat Bukhari took over charge of his new ministry today, the woes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seem far from over. All does not seem well in the party as MLA and former minister Abdul Majeed Padder is holding a workers’ meeting to decide the “future strategy”. Another MLA from the Zadibal constituency in Srinagar has accused Cabinet minister Naeem Akhter of ruining the party. The differences in the party leadership surfaced after two ministers Basharat Bukhari and…

National highway shuts as rain triggers landslides

February 21, 2017 Editor

The highway connecting the Kashmir valley with Jammu division and the rest of the country was blocked on Monday as the second day of rainfall triggered landslides at several places along its mountainous stretches. A massive landslide blocked the highway early morning at the Seeri area of Ramban district, officials of the traffic department said. The officials said landslides also blocked the highway at “multiple places” following which traffic movement was not allowed till clearance operations were concluded. The closure of the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu highway – which has stretches prone…