Hearing on Article 35A in Supreme Court deferred by twelve weeks

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing on Article 35-A by twelve weeks. The Supreme Court was slated to hear a petition today seeking repeal of Article 35-A of the Constitution, which grants special state subject privileges to Jammu and Kashmir. The petition in the case has been filed by a Delhi-based NGO, We the Citizens, saying the state’s autonomous status granted by Article 35(A) and Article 370 of the Constitution discriminates against fellow citizens from the rest of India. On Sunday, Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani,…

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Supreme Court reviews Article 35A, Key to J&K’s Special Status: 10 Points

Jammu and Kashmir must lose its right to decide who qualifies as a permanent resident of the state and can own property there, says a case being heard by the Supreme Court today. The issue is a politically volatile and emotive one because it involves the special status that is provided to the state, which allows it autonomy and a degree of self-rule not given to others. The case is being heard by three judges including Chief Justice Dipak Mishra. Here is your 10-point cheat-sheet to this big story: Article…

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Kashmir Cop who went missing surfaces online with AK47

Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, who was posted at Police Training Centre in Kathua district in the state, was reported missing after he failed to return from his leave on Monday. A picture of a Jammu and Kashmir policeman holding an AK-47 assault rifle has gone viral on social media, confirming reports that he has joined a terrorist organisation, police sources have said. Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, who was posted at Police Training Centre in Kathua district in the state, was reported missing after he failed to return from his leave on Monday.…

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Restrictions imposed in Srinagar to thwart ‘Black Day’ Protests

Authorities imposed restrictions in various areas here on Friday to prevent separatist-called protests to mark the Accession Day of Jammu and Kashmir to India. Joint resistance leadership (JRL) of separatist leaders–Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik–have asked people to observe October 27 as a “black day” in Kashmir. It was on this day in 1947 that the Indian Army landed in Srinagar Airport following the accession of the state. “Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC will remain in force in Nowhatta, MR Gunj, Safa Kadal,…

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Kashmir to observe Shutdown on 27 October: Joint Resistance Leadership

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for shutdown on October 27, saying “it is an unfortunate day for the Kashmiris when we were deprived of our freedom and liberty”. Calling it as “black day and the day of mourning” for the Kashmiris, JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik called for complete shutdown on the day. “71 years back India without any constitutional and moral justifications forcibly occupied the state of Jammu & Kashmir on the same day and since then Indian forces are mercilessly…

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NIA arrests Syed Shahid Yusuf, Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin’s son in Terror funding case

In a major swoop, NIA has arrested Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin’s son Syed Shahid Yusuf, a J&K government employee, in a 2011 terror funding case. Yusuf was found to be in touch with Saudi Arabia-based Hizbul Mujahideen operative Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, who is also an accused in the case, and had received money to allegedly fuel and fund secessionist and terrorist activities in the Valley. The arrest of Shahid Yusuf, who works with the J&K agriculture department as village agriculture extension assistant and has a family home in Soibugh…

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Restrictions imposed in Srinagar to prevent protest against braid-chopping

Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city on Saturday to maintain law and order in the wake of a separatist-called protest shutdown against growing incidents of braid chopping. Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city on Saturday to maintain law and order in the wake of a separatist-called protest shutdown against growing incidents of braid chopping. “Restrictions have been imposed in Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safa Kadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud areas,” the police said. The separatist leaders have appealed to people to hand over suspected braid choppers…

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JRL calls for shutdown on Saturday against increasing braid chopping incidents across Kashmir

The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) on Friday called for a complete shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow against the unabated braid-cutting incidents. Sources said that the JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik called for shutdown and appealed to the freedom-loving people to observe civil curfew tomorrow. They said that the decision was taken following a meeting after Magrib (evening) prayers at the residence of Hurriyat (G) chairman in Hyderpora yesterday. “In the meeting, the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir was discussed besides the braid…

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Mob protesting braid-chopping attacks army two hurt as forces open fire

Residents of a village in Pahalgam area of Anantnag district staged a protest after they caught an alleged braid chopper Two people suffered bullet injuries after security forces opened fire on protesters who pelted stones at them in Pahalgam area of Anantnag district on Wednesday, a senior police officer told Kashmir Post. “There were protests in the area against allegations of “braid chopping” and army personnel were passing through the area. Protesters pelted stones at them and they opened fire in retaliation. Two persons suffered bullet injuries but they are…

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Clashes in Rambagh Srinagar after fresh braid chopping incident

Clashes erupted in Rambagh area of Srinagar after a woman’s braid was chopped off by unknown persons on Tuesday. An eyewitness said that youth took to streets and blocked the road, hampering the movement of traffic. Police swung into action and lobbed several teargas shells to chase away the protesters, triggering clashes. Yesterday, massive clashes erupted in Maisuma area of the city after a woman’s braid was cut. There have been over 100 incidents of braid chopping in the Valley during last one month, but not a single culprit has…

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