The Erasure of Jawahar Nagar: A Tale of Changing Landscapes in Smart Srinagar City

The Erasure of Jawahar Nagar - A Tale of Changing Landscapes in Smart Srinagar City

Jawahar Nagar’s Unexplained Exclusion from Smart Srinagar: A Call for Transparency and Inclusion By: Javid Amin In the ever-evolving tapestry of urban development, cities grow, change, and transform. This metamorphosis often comes as part of a grand vision, promising improved infrastructure and a better quality of life for the residents. However, change can be a double-edged sword. It can bring progress and, simultaneously, erase the historical and cultural significance of certain areas. A recent transformation in Srinagar, one of the jewels of the picturesque Kashmir Valley, has sparked debates and…

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Jamia Masjid Closed for Friday Prayers, Mirwaiz Under House Arrest

Jamia Mosque Closed for Friday Prayers, Mirwaiz Under House Arrest

For the third consecutive Friday, prayers at Kashmir’s grand mosque were not allowed and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest due to concerns of protests over the Gaza bombings. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is described as a “fragile normalcy.” For the third consecutive Friday, the weekly prayers were not allowed at Kashmir’s grand mosque, Jamia Masjid, and the chief cleric and Hurriyat chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was placed under house arrest, Anjuman Auqaf, the managing body of the mosque, said. The administration had raised concerns regarding…

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Auqaf Market Shopkeepers Protest Against Waqf Board Action

Auqaf Market Shopkeepers Protest Against Waqf Board Action

Clear laibilities OR Vacate Waqf Shops Sealing of shops was done in an illegal manner as the case pertaining to payment of rent is still sub-judice Scores of shopkeepers at Auqaf Market in city centre staged protest against sealing of shops by the Waqf board Firdous Ahmad, who heads Auqaf Market, said the Waqf officials sealed six shops in the market late Wednesday evening. “The whole market was closed when the officials sealed the shops. It was done in an illegal manner as the case pertaining to payment of rent is…

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Kashmir’s Power Woes: Admin shrugs off complaints as residents face long hours of outages

Kashmir's Power Woes: Admin shrugs off complaints as residents face long hours of outages

The people in Kashmir Valley continue to face unscheduled and prolonged power cuts, even as the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Monday issued much anticipated curtailment schedule by announcing an eight-hour and four-hour power cut in non-metered and metered areas respectively, to tackle the electricity crisis. According to reports, many parts in Srinagar and elsewhere continue to reel under darkness due to unscheduled and prolonged power cuts at a time when mercury has plunged after fresh snowfall and incessant rains. The frequent power cuts have been reported from…

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Power Curtailments in Kashmir: Authorities Issue Schedule

Power Curtailments in Kashmir: Authorities Issue Schedule

Ahead of winter, the authorities on Monday issued a fresh power curtailment schedule for the Kashmir Valley. According to the schedule, metered areas will face 4.5 hours of power cuts on a daily basis, while non-metered areas will face 8 hours of power cuts. The curtailment will be in three shifts—morning, afternoon, and evening. The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has attributed the power cuts to the rising demand for electricity during the winter months. The KPDCL has urged consumers to cooperate and use electricity judiciously. The power cuts…

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Mirwaiz Expresses Profound Concern Over Ongoing Situation in Palestine

Mirwaiz Expresses Profound Concern Over Ongoing Situation in Palestine

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Saturday expressed his deep concern over the ongoing situation in Palestine, emphasising the need for global solidarity and a just resolution to the longstanding conflict. Israeli forces have killed more than 1,900 people in Gaza as it continues strikes. Distressing videos have surfaced on various social media platforms, depicting the heartbreaking scenes of Palestinian civilians, predominantly children, being hurriedly evacuated to overcrowded hospitals. In a statement, Mirwaiz conveyed his anguish at the persistent suffering and hardships faced by the people of Palestine. He highlighted the grave…

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Kashmir Weather Turns Mildly Cold, Bringing Relief from Heat Wave

Kashmir Weather Turns Mildly Cold, Bringing Relief from Heat Wave

The weather changed after abrupt snowfall over Kashmir mountains and rainfall in the plains on September 24 and 25 The mornings and evenings in Kashmir valley have turned mildly cold after the region recorded above normal temperatures in August and first three weeks of September. The weather changed after abrupt snowfall over Kashmir mountains and rainfall in the plains on September 24 and 25. The ski resort of Gulmarg had recorded the season’s first snowfall over its higher reaches on September 24. Since then, there has been a nip in…

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Mehbooba accuses Army of Forced Labour in South Kashmir Village, Army Denies Charge

Mehbooba accuses Army of Forced Labour in South Kashmir Village, Army Denies Charge

Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said the residents of Kanslo Kanda area in Kulgam were being summoned and harassed by a camp of Army’s 9 Rashtriya Rifles Former J&K chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday accused the army of forcing young men to do labour without payment in a south Kashmir village in Kulgam. However, the army has denied the allegations. Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, said the residents of Kanslo Kanda area in Kulgam were being summoned and harassed…

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Kashmir Faces Power Shortage as Dry Spell Reduces Hydropower Output

Kashmir Faces Power Shortage as Dry Spell Reduces Hydropower Output

With prolonged dry spell leading to the reduction in water level in most of the water bodies across the Valley, the Kashmir-based power houses are generating less electricity, prompting the government to go ahead with power curtailment, causing immense hardships to the people. Pertinently, August and September—2023 has recorded deficient rainfall while the hot and humid weather conditions continued for weeks together, breaking the decades old record in the month of September. The hot and humid weather conditions resulted in reduction in water level in the famous water bodies including…

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Police arrest 10 for trying to create unrest outside Srinagar mosque

Police arrest 10 for trying to create unrest outside Srinagar mosque

Taking strong note of trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere at Jamia Masjid Srinagar on Friday, Police detained 10 persons and appealed to the people not to indulge in such acts. Police said that these persons would be booked under the relevant sections of the law. “Ten hooligans were arrested for trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere outside Jamia Masjid after Friday prayers. They will be booked under the relevant sections of the law. People are requested not to indulge in such acts, failing which law will take its course,”…

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