Kashmir Reeling Under Winter’s Grip: Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Travel; Highway closed, flights grounded

Kashmir Reeling Under Winter's Grip: Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Travel; Highway closed, flights grounded

Kashmir Battles Winter’s Fury: Snowfall Cripples Valley, Community Spirit Soars Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Kashmiris are weathering the brunt of a harsh winter as heavy snowfall blankets the valley, causing widespread disruptions and highlighting the community’s remarkable resilience. Paralyzed Transportation: The vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, nicknamed the “lifeline” of the valley, lies choked under treacherous snowdrifts, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded and disrupting the flow of essential supplies. As reported, the closure comes after nearly 31 cm of snowfall in Qazigund, leaving authorities scrambling to clear the route. Grounded Flights:…

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Kashmir’s Last Elected Local Officials Depart, Leaving Power Vacuum

Kashmir's Last Elected Local Officials Depart, Leaving Power Vacuum

In the absence of an elected government in the erstwhile state for more than five years, Panchayats-elected local bodies were the only democratic institutions functional in the region. The curtain falls on the last vestige of elected representatives in Jammu and Kashmir as the term of over 28,000 panchayat members ended today with no fresh elections in sight. In the absence of an elected government in the erstwhile state for more than five years, Panchayats-elected local bodies were the only democratic institutions functional in the region. The administration of the…

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Srinagar Shivers at -5.6°C as Cold Wave Grips Kashmir, Marking Season’s Lowest Temperature

Srinagar Shivers at -5.6°C as Cold Wave Grips Kashmir, Marking Season's Lowest Temperature

Srinagar city records coldest night of season thus far. A thin layer of ice formed on the surface of the Dal Lake here and other water bodies in Kashmir due to the intense cold wave that is gripping the region, the officials said. Kashmir is currently under the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, a 40-day harsh winter period, when a cold wave sweeps the region and temperatures drop considerably, leading to the freezing of water bodies as well as water in pipes. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period…

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Biting Cold Continues in Kashmir: Dal Lake Skims with Ice, Residents Bundle Up

Biting Cold Continues in Kashmir: Dal Lake Skims with Ice, Residents Bundle Up

The southern Konibal and Pahalgam tourist resort were the coldest at minus 5 degrees Celsius and minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, respectively Cold condition continued in Valley as all the weather stations in Kashmir recorded sub-zero temperatures on Friday night. Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 3 degrees Celsius, some 0.9 notches below normal. The southern Konibal and Pahalgam tourist resort were the coldest at minus 5 degrees Celsius and minus 4.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. The ski resort of Gulmarg saw a low of minus 3 degrees Celsius, the only with temperature…

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Gupkar Alliance at Crossroads: Towards Cooperation or Dissolution?

Gupkar Alliance at Crossroads: Towards Cooperation or Dissolution?

On August 4, 2019, a day before the abrogation of Article 370, regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir met at the residence of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Gupkar Road in Srinagar, forming the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), also known as the Gupkar Alliance. They vowed to defend Article 370 and warned the BJP against proceeding with the move. But, the BJP went ahead and abrogated Article 370 the next day, dividing Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Many political leaders, including…

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Visibility Zero: Blind Fog Engulfs Kashmir Amidst Bone-Chilling Cold Snap

Visibility Zero: Blind Fog Engulfs Kashmir Amidst Bone-Chilling Cold Snap

Dense fog shrouded many parts of Kashmir where the minimum temperature dropped several degrees below the freezing point, officials said on Friday. Kashmir is currently in the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, a 40-day harsh winter period, when temperatures drop considerably leading to the freezing of water bodies, including the Dal Lake, as well as water in supply lines. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period and most areas, especially the higher reaches, receive heavy snowfall. “Chilla-i-Kalan” will end on January 31 and will be followed by the 20-day…

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Article 370 Verdict: Unpacking the Supreme Court Judgment and its Implications for Jammu and Kashmir

Article 370 Verdict: Unpacking the Supreme Court Judgment and its Implications for Jammu and Kashmir

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the validity of the Centre’s 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution from Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court Verdict on Article 370: In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday upheld the 2019 decision of the Centre to abrogate special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and set a deadline of September 30 next year for the assembly elections to be held. The unanimous order by a bench of five judges, headed by Chief Justice of…

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Social Media Censorship in Kashmir: 9 Individuals Face Legal Action for ‘Inflammatory’ Posts

Social Media Censorship in Kashmir: 9 Individuals Face Legal Action for 'Inflammatory' Social Media Posts

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday initiated action against nine people for allegedly misusing social media platforms to spread rumours and hateful content, officials said. The action comes after the authorities issued guidelines for social media users in order to contain content that is communally sensitive or promote terrorism and secessionism. Legal action has been initiated against these individuals in Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts for uploading hateful and abusive content and spreading rumours on social media, police officials said. They said that in Anantnag, police…

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PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti Expresses Apprehension Ahead of Supreme Court Verdict on Article 370

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti Expresses Apprehension Ahead of Supreme Court Verdict on Article 370

Srinagar, December 09, 2023: In remarks likely to stir political discourse, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti expressed apprehension about the impending Supreme Court verdict on Article 370. She voiced her concern that the decision could be detrimental to not only the interests of Jammu and Kashmir but also the nation as a whole. Addressing the media on Saturday, Mufti pointed to recent actions by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, suggesting they foreshadowed a potentially unfavorable judgment. She reiterated her stance…

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Lok Sabha Passes Two Bills Granting Reservation Benefits in Jammu and Kashmir

Lok Sabha Passes Two Bills Granting Reservation Benefits in Jammu and Kashmir

Lok Sabha Wednesday passed Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023 following an extensive, feisty reply by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to a stimulating political debate, spanning two days. Animated debate and subsequent reply saw the Union Home Minister explaining how two crucial Bills would undo injustice with the sections deprived for 70 years by giving them OBC status; give rights and representation to displaced Kashmiris, reservation to Kashmiri Pandits and expand and restructure J&K Legislative Assembly with the addition…

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