Cong tells PDP, BJP to clear air on govt formation

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has asked the PDP and the BJP to shun public posturing and come clear on the issue of government formation in the state as people were suffering because of the political uncertainty created by them. Addressing a meeting of senior Congress leaders at the party headquarters here today, JKPCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the people of the state had been pushed into confusion and chaos because of the delay due to the public posturing by the two parties over government formation.…

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No alternative to strike calls as yet: Geelani

Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani has said that despite many suggestions, no concrete and solid alternative of strike calls has been put forward from any quarter till date in Jammu and Kashmir. “Calling or observing a one-day shutdown after each innocent killing although does not meet the demands of the situation but there is no other option left by the government. After every such incident, the government imposes curfew and puts forces on the roads to block the people’s protest,” Geelani said in a statement today, adding that…

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How JNU row might affect Government formation in J&K

The Jawaharlal Nehru University row is expected to add to the hold-up on government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under President’s Rule. A programme in support of Afzal Guru – the Parliament attack convict whose execution in 2013 is one of the issues on which the two ideologically opposite parties do not see eye to eye – has triggered the mega controversy in JNU. A student’s arrest for sedition for allegedly participating in the Afzal Guru event, during which anti-India slogans were raised, has led to opposition…

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Two Students killed in Pulwama firing, Political parties unite to condemn killings

• Shaista shot in head, Danish in neck  • Militant Adil’s killing triggers clashes, around a dozen injured  • Time-bound inquiry ordered: DC  • Curfew in Pulwama, parts of Srinagar today Two students were killed as forces opened fire to quell protests after a local militant was killed in an encounter at Kakapora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday. Shaista Hamid, daughter of Abdul Hamid Bhat of New Colony Lelhara and Danish Rashid, son of Abdul Rashid of Ratnipora, were killed in firing by forces. Eyewitnesses said Shaista was…

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Crackdown on JNU students a new low, says Omar

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today criticised the ruling NDA government for “cracking down on students” of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and termed it as a “new low”. “Cracking down on students and using Hafiz Saeed to justify the crackdown is a new low, even for this NDA government,” Omar wrote on social networking site Twitter. Omar, who is the working president of the National Conference, asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to make public the evidence connecting JNU students and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. “Hafiz Saeed supported the JNU…

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Why are policemen fleeing to join militants in Kashmir?

Disturbing trend This month, a cop ran away with his rifle but surrendered soon after Since 2012, several policemen have run away to join militants One serving cop was arrested for carrying out 13 militant attacks Urgent worry IGP Javid Mujtaba Gilani says his force will start start counselling cops Experts say the cops are swayed by the militants’ online propaganda Nasir Pandith joined the militants after fellow cops harassed his father More in the story How the cop Abdul Rashid Shigan managed to carry out 13 militant attacks? What…

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Coalition buzz back as Madhav in Valley today

BJP gen secy expected to meet Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar Hopes of PDP and BJP coming together have rekindled with the saffron party national general secretary Ram Madhav expected to meet Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar tomorrow. However, a clear picture on government formation is likely to emerge by the next weekend. Sources in the PDP claimed that the Central Government had agreed to transfer one of the three National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)-run projects to the state and provide more financial aid for development purposes. “After meeting Ram Madhav, PDP…

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Both factions of Hurriyat Conference condemn police action in JNU

Both factions of Hurriyat Conference on Friday condemned the arrest of JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with an event on the campus against hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, saying the action is “undemocratic”. “The police action on the (JNU) students was undemocratic,” moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement here. Terming the police reaction “uncalled-for”, Mirwaiz, who is in Delhi, claimed the organisers were in no way involved in any “illegal activity”. Kanhaiya was arrested this afternoon after police had picked him…

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On State Govt’s ‘offer’, NHPC to take over JK’s Sewa power project

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is preparing to take over the State owned 9 MW Sewa-III hydropower project in Jammu following an “offer” made by the previous Peoples Democratic Party-Bhartiya Janta Party government last month. The revelation has come to fore at a time when the PDP has set return of power projects from the Corporation to J&K as one of the conditions for re-stitching alliance with the BJP that heads the Union Government. The proposal to allow NHPC to “run” Sewa project in Kathua district, which is presently…

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PDP may clear air after mourning period ends

Political activities will step up in J&K and there may be more clarity on government formation after Monday’s congregation at the graveyard of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at Dara Shikoh Mughal Garden in south Kashmir. The Peoples Democratic Party is holding a “religious gathering” on February 15, the 40th day of mourning for Mufti Sayeed. The mourning among Kashmiri Muslims ends on the 40th day. PDP leaders, including former minister and legislators, workers and members of the Mufti family will offer “fatiha” (prayers) along with party president Mehbooba…

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