PM Modi to lay foundation stone of Pakal Dul power project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of 1,000 MW Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project being constructed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd in Kishtwar district on May 19. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall lay the foundation stone of Pakal Dul project in a function at Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, on May 19,” a statement issued by the company said. The project is being constructed on Marusudar river which is a tributary of the Chenab. The project, when completed, will generate 3,330 MU of energy and comprises…

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NHPC exploiting youth of Chenab valley: MLC Firdous Tak

Member of Legislative Council (MLC) of the Peoples Democratic Party Firdous Tak on Sunday said the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is exploiting youth of the Chenab valley, especially in Kishtwar district, as they are not being given permanent employment in hydel power projects in the region. Tak was speaking at a one-day convention organised by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Workers’ Union. He was chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Tak said the PDP would not allow exploitation of the youth to continue and party was fighting…

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In a Kashmir Valley, a Massive Dam Threatens to Wash Away Lives

There are few roads in the Marwah Valley, and those that exist are snowed under during the winter. For the most part, there is no electricity. Snow leopards, ibexes and other endangered animals shelter in the high peaks, while some of the continent’s mightiest rivers rush through lush valleys. The area feels remote, but it’s far from empty. The Marusudar River – a tributary to the Chenab River, which first forms in India before flowing deep into Pakistan – is bounded on both sides by houses. Fields show signs that…

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Bhadarwah, Kishtwar observes shutdown aganist Shopian Killings

Normal life was affected Tuesday in Bhadarwah and Kishtwar as the twin towns of Chenab valley observed a shutdown called by Anjuman Islamia Bhadarwah and Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtawar to express resentment over the killing of civilians during the recent bloody encounters and clashes in Shopian district. Shops, other business establishments and some private schools remained closed, but government schools, offices and banks remained open. President Anjuman Islamia Bhadarwah, Pervaiz Ahmed Sheikh said the strike call was issued to lodge protest against the killing of innocent civilians in Kashmir.…

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Kishtwar facing ecological imbalance due to development of power projects: Legislative Council Panel

The Committee on Petition of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council today said that Kashtiwar district is is facing brunt of ecological imbalance and negative effects of development process due to the Power Projects on the Chenab Basin. According to an official spokesperson, the meeting of the Legislative Panel Committee on the petition was held here today under the Chairmanship of MLC, Saif-ud-din Bhat to examine the issues relating to a petition of BK Thakur on behalf of people of Marwah-Dachchan and Kishtwar on Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP). The meeting…

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Two dead as vehicle rolls down gorge in Kishtwar

Two persons were killed when a vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down into a deep gorge in Kishtwar district. The incident took place around 10 km from the district headquarters yesterday in the Bandarkote area of Kishtwar. Locals and a police team rushed to the spot and started the rescue operation and shifted the bodies to a hospital. The deceased were identified as Mohammed Ayoub (22) of Gundana, Doda and Adil Hussain (21) of Oakhyarbad, Kishtwar. The police have registered a case in this…

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Kishtwar to observe shutdown, Transporters, Fruit growers extend support to Aug 12 strike call

Shutdown has been called in Kishtwar district tomorrow against attempts to abrogate Article 35-A which grants state’s legislature power to define the permanent residents. Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kitchloo called for a complete shutdown on August 12 to protest against attempts to abrogate Article 35-A of the Constitution. “People of Kishtwar district are appealed to observe a shutdown on Saturday, August 12 against attempts to abrogate the state subject law (Article 35-A) which has been in vogue here for decades,” said Kitchloo. General Secretary Chenab Valley Traders Association…

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Kishtwar to observe shutdown tomorrow against GST implementation

Shutdown has been called in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow against the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Imam Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmed Kitchloo said that people in the Chenab Valley supported the shutdown call issued by traders’ bodies in Kashmir against the tax regime. He appealed to the traders to observe a complete shutdown to register protest against the implementation of the tax regime.

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Chenab Valley witness season’s first snowfall

Most parts of the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar today received season’s first snowfall, ending a long dry spell in the region. The snowfall was witnessed in the Kailash mountain ranges, Asha-Patti, Seoj Dhar, Chattargala, Dheraja, Mothala, Thanala, Dessa, Bhatta, Mangalthatha and many upper reaches of Kishtwar since last night. Mohammed Abbas, a local resident, said, “It is a great respite for the people who had been facing a dry spell for more than two months. The dry grass caught fire in many areas, resulting into massive damage to…

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Curfew relaxed for six hours in Kishtwar

Authorities today gave a six-hour relaxation in curfew that was imposed on Sunday in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir following a stone pelting incident triggered by arrest of three separatists. “We relaxed the curfew from 12 noon to 6 PM and everything remained normal during the hours of relaxation,” deputy commissioner (DC) Kishtwar GN Balwan told PTI. He said the authorities have decided to again impose the curfew during the night though they might completely lift the restrictions tomorrow. “Situation has remained normal after the curfew was imposed on…

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