Category: Today

Security up across valley for Burhan’s death anniversary

Editor

Internet, social media sites blocked; restrictions in volatile areas Ahead of Burhan Wani’s first death anniversary, tension is palpable in the Kashmir valley even as security forces have been on their toes to avoid any law and order situation. The authorities as part of the security measures have seized hundreds of motorbikes across the Valley to stop rallies. The mobile Internet and social media sites via the lease line were blocked late Thursday evening till further orders to stop the spread of rumours. Separatists have called for weeklong protests from…

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Iran expresses support for ‘Oppressed Kashmiris’ twice in a week

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Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei for the second time in a week, made comments about Kashmir, urging support for its ‘oppressed’ Muslim, reported the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Khamenei’s timing for the statement is noteworthy, as his comments came in the run-up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, which is no friend of Iran’s. Further, with India and Iran squabbling over a gas field, and India’s tilt toward Riyadh, Indo-Iran ties are suddenly not looking too high on New Delhi’s agenda. In 2010, when Khamenei spoke of…

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Ruckus in Assembly over Goods and Services Tax implementation

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Opposition MLAs belonging to the National Conference (NC), the Congress and Independents stood up on their seats and later rushed towards the Speaker`s chair. Noisy scenes by the opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday forced the Speaker to adjourn the House twice as the lawmakers took up the discussion on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation. Opposition MLAs belonging to the National Conference (NC), the Congress and Independents stood up on their seats and later rushed towards the Speaker`s chair as the four-day long special session…

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3 Militants killed during 24 hour gunfight, 3 houses raised down by forces

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24-hour-long gunfight in Bahmnoo village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district ended on Tuesday morning with the killing of third militant. Reports said that government forces blasted and set to set on fire three residential houses where the militants had taken cover. They said that para commandos were called in last night to neutralize the last militant who was putting up a tough fight. “The commandos blew up and set ablaze three houses, bringing an end to the gunfight raging since 7 am yesterday,” said an official. Two militants – Kifayat…

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Govt faces GST test as opposition vows to protect Art 370

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The special session of the Jammu Kashmir legislature reconvened for implementing the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime would start Tuesday with the government bringing a resolution for giving consent to GST the implementation in the State. Finance Minister and senior leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haseeb Drabu would on Tuesday in the Legislative Assembly move a resolution, “The House resolves that the government gives consent to the adaptation of the GST regime by application of relevant amendments made to the constitution of India in a…

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Delaying GST implementation due to fragile situation in Valley: Haseeb Drabu

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Haseeb Drabu said the GST cannot be implemented directly in the state as it has its own constitution. “… the state’s own GST will be put before the Assembly and it will be passed. After that, the GST regime will become operational in Jammu and Kashmir.’’ Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu on Wednesday said the state government is taking its time over the GST implementation because of the “fragile situation” in the Valley. He added that they want to build a legislative consensus on the issue. “It is…

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Implement GST by July 1 or we’ll pull out: BJP threatens ally PDP

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said it won’t hesitate to pull out from the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir if the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not rolled out in the state till July 1. “We (BJP) have already conveyed to our alliance partner PDP that if the GST is not rolled out in Jammu and Kashmir till July 1, we won’t hesitant to take an extreme step in the national interest,” said deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, addressing a seminar ‘Jammu & Kashmir: present scenario…

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Pistol borne man lynched to death after he shot and injured three persons, later identified DSP Ayoub Pandit

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A man was lynched to death by an angry crowd after he shot and injured three persons outside the Jamia Masjid in downtown area of Srinagar – summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. PTI news agency reported that the man was lynched after he was caught clicking pictures of people while coming out of a mosque in downtown Srinagar. They became suspicious of this person and tried to ascertain his identity. “In the panic, he fired at them from his pistol resulting in injury to three civilians,” said the report.…

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UN Chief engages to resume India-Pakistan talks on Kashmir

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Guterres was asked about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the ceasefire violations since he assumed office as the UN chief in January. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested today that he is engaged in bringing about a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through his meetings with the prime ministers of the two countries. “Why do you think I met three times the prime minister of Pakistan (Nawaz Sharif) and two times the prime minister of India (Narendra Modi).…

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PDP’s ally BJP wants GST law implemented in ‘Original Form’

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The controversy over the implementation of new Goods and Services Tax (GST) thickened further on Tuesday when the state BJP clearly said the law should be enforced in its pan-Indian form “without any delay.” “Our stand is clear on the issue. The BJP brought the law at the Centre and the party can’t have a different view as far as J&K is concerned,” said BJP state general secretary Ashok Koul. “The state should at the earliest pass the central GST law for its implementation in the same form,” Koul said.…

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