PDP busy in hiring crowd for Modi’s rally

‘Even some PDP legislators are not supporting Modi’ National Conference Wednesday claimed that to pull crowd for Modi’s rally, the PDP led government in Jammu and Kashmir has directed all the Deputy Commissioners and all top police officials to ensure more and more participation of ‘hired’ people and even Daily wagers and Anganwardi workers have been asked to ensure their presence at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium on November 7, the day when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a rally. Taking pot shots at Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed…

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Army opens Citizens Park inside a garrison, PDP calls it healing touch policy

Jammu and Kashmir government and the army on Tuesday laid foundation of Citizens Park in the middle of a military garrison. The park would be jointly used by civilians and soldiers and the access to the park is through highly guarded gates manned by the troops. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party called it as army’s contribution to its healing touch policy. The park, located in the Toto ground army garrison, would be developed over 136 kanals with all modern facilities of recreation. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Tuesday laid…

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Restrictions on highway during Modi’s visit

The authorities have decided to impose restriction on the movement of traffic on Jammu Srinagar highway during the visit of PM to, Baglihar  Ramban . No traffic shall be allowed from either side after 4 am on November 7. The officers were directed that nobody shall be allowed to bring cellphone, match box, cigarette, beedi or any other tobacco product, water bottle, banner, placard or poster to the venue, the sources said. Anybody wearing black cloth or carrying a coloured handkerchief would not be allowed to the venue, they said.…

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Former CM uses Facebook to connect with masses

After twitter, former chief minister and opposition National Conference working president Omar Abdullah Tuesday launched an official Facebook page “Omar Abdullah” to connect with people. Tech savvy Omar who is famous for using twitter 24/7, in his first post on his official Facebook page said he himself would maintain and update the page and his posts would be signed OA. He said he would be looking forward to connect with the people on this page. “My first post on my official Facebook page. This page is maintained and updated by…

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Fingers crossed ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Kashmir valley

Days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir valley scheduled for November 7, many here in the state have crossed their fingers for what they term as one of the major course of action by Modi-led NDA government trying to reach out to the people in the valley. Modi is expected to address a rally in summer capital on Saturday after inaugurating the phase-II of the Baghlihar hydroelectric power project in Jammu. Against the rally, the Separatist camp here has called for a ‘Million March’ on the same…

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Army’s timing to own up to blunders raises eyebrows

Machil verdict, Budgam response came ahead of PM visit It may be a coincidence, but the Army’s timing of announcing exemplary punishment to its officers and soldiers involved in the Machil fake encounter case of 2010 and its course of action in the Budgam mistaken identity shootout of 2014, both ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, has raised several eyebrows. Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Srinagar on November 7. While the Army’s timing in announcing the Machil encounter verdict in the midst…

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HC gives Centre 2 more weeks to clear stand : Relief Package

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today granted the Central Government two more weeks to file its status report on the Rs 40,000-crore relief package sought by the state government for the rehabilitation of September 2014 flood victims. The directive was passed by a Division Bench headed by Justice Muhammad Yaqoob Mir. The High Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the floods of 2014, had earlier directed the Centre to disclose its stand on the relief package. The ruling PDP-BJP government has come under criticism for…

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Package won’t work, talk with Pak on Kashmir, says Abdullah

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said any package won’t work in the Valley until the Centre engages itself in a dialogue with Pakistan over the Kashmir issue. “Till the time the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is not solved, no package can work in Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters here. “The Prime Minister is coming on November 7; let’s see what he can give to the people of Kashmir. I would say a package won’t fulfil the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The most important issue is the…

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Patrolling intensified in region for Modi’s visit

Security forces have begun setting up checkpoints and intensified patrolling in the region ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state later this week. As part of the security measures in the region, the state police and central paramilitary personnel have launched multiple area domination operations, including random frisking of civilian vehicles. The security set-up will be further strengthened on a daily basis ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the region on November 7, said sources in a central paramilitary force. The sources said the frisking of…

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Omar Abdullah attacks Mufti over ‘RSS feedback’

National Conference working president Omar Abdullah today criticised the ruling PDP, saying the party’s “mask has fallen” after Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s “confession” about RSS feedback. “Earlier I sounded an alarm that the PDP had surrendered political and institutional sanctity of the Chief Minister’s office to the RSS. Today the PDP patron and Chief Minister himself confessed that he trusted Narendra Modi because the Prime Minister got his feedback from the RSS,” Omar said in a statement. The former Chief Minister said Mufti’s statement was “clearly an unambiguous coming…

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