Friday, March 29News and updates from Kashmir

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13 families lose shelter in devastating fire in Anantnag

13 families lose shelter in devastating fire in Anantnag

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Suhail Dar Thirteen families lost their shelter during an overnight fire incident at Boat Colony area of Anantnag district's Khanabal area. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that on Tuesday, flames erupted from a residential house at around 2:30 A.M., which later spread to nearby houses in the area. During this fire incident, at least nine residential houses were gutted, causing great distress to thirteen families who were living in these houses. Locals said that the damaged houses belonged to Javid Ahmed Shaksaz, Abdul Gaffar Shaksaz, Mukhtar Ahmed Guroo, Baby Jan, Mohammed Ashraf Pushoo, Nisar Ahmed Guroo, Reyaz Ahmed Guroo, Muzaffar Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmed Handoo, Mohammed Rafiq Shah, Mohammed Ashraf Wani, Sajad Ahmed Wani, Abdul Gani Wani. "The damaged houses belong to poor persons, ...
Widespread strike hits Kashmir as transporters protest against Hit-and-Run legislation

Widespread strike hits Kashmir as transporters protest against Hit-and-Run legislation

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Danishwar Hameed The repercussions of the two-day strike in the Kashmir Valley, organized by transporters in response to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita passed by the BJP government, are reverberating across the region. Witnesses told The Kashmiriyat that a notable absence of public transport in key districts such as Kulgam, Anantnag, and Srinagar, leaving residents grappling with difficulties in commuting over larger distances. The strike, part of the 'Steering Chodo Andolan,' has garnered support beyond the valley, with transporters from Maharashtra, New Delhi, and various states joining forces. Mohammad Shafi Mir, Chairman of the All Kashmir Transporters’ Confederation, emphasized the solidarity behind the movement, stating that all types of passenger vehicles would participate ...
Transporters call for strike on January 9 and 10

Transporters call for strike on January 9 and 10

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The Transporters in Jammu Kashmir have called for a two day strike in the region to protest against the newly passed bills by the central government. The newly passed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has legalized the provision of ₹7 lakh penalty and a 10-year jail term for hit-and-run cases. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar , Transporters Association Jammu Kashmir said that the new bill is oppressive and shall be revoked immediately. Details rushing in.
Centre negotiating with militants in north east while civilians in Kashmir being treated as militants: Mehbooba Mufti

Centre negotiating with militants in north east while civilians in Kashmir being treated as militants: Mehbooba Mufti

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PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed strong discontent with the Centre's approach, asserting that while negotiations with militants were underway in the northeast, civilians in Jammu Kashmir were unfairly treated as militants. Speaking at an event in Anantnag, Mufti underlined the importance of respectful dialogue, vowing not to surrender in the face of perceived injustice. She drew attention to incidents like the one in Bafliaz, warning that using force would not yield positive results. The PDP leader criticized the widespread arrests and raids in Jammu and Kashmir, questioning the government's use of agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, NIA, and SIA. She pointed out the stark contrast in the approach towards civilians in the northeast, where talks with militants were bei...
4 Non-locals among five arrested with illegally extracted forest produce in Kishtwar: Police

4 Non-locals among five arrested with illegally extracted forest produce in Kishtwar: Police

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Four non-local persons were among five arrested with illegally-extracted forest produce in Gulabgarh area in Kishtwar district. A police official told news agency Kashmir Scroll that a team of Kishtwar Police established a naka near Sheetal Mata temple in Gulabgarh, during which it intercepted and halted a Scorpio with registration number JK17-5431. "During the checking of the vehicle, the naka party recovered two sacks and three Pithu bags loaded with illegally-extracted forest produce, specifically acer-like tree knots numbering 135 units", the official said adding that following the seizure the naka party arrested five persons on the spot and also seized the vehicle. "During questioning, the apprehended persons revealed their identities as Nawang Sentam son of Subash Chander, o...
Godown damaged in fire mishap in Srinagar

Godown damaged in fire mishap in Srinagar

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A godown was damaged in a blaze that broke out in Baghi Nand Singh Chatabal area of Srinagar district on Monday. An official told news agency Kshmir Scroll (KS) that fire broke out in a godown and it spread in no time. He said that the fire was doused off, however, godown got damaged in the incident. Police have started an investigation in this regard.(KS)
Zafran Colony, Pantha Chowk residents stunned as PDD imposes hefty Rs 4500 bills

Zafran Colony, Pantha Chowk residents stunned as PDD imposes hefty Rs 4500 bills

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The Power Development Department (PDD) Kashmir has come up with a monthly shocker for the residents as power bills ranging from Rs 3500 to Rs 4500 have been shot to consumers for the month of December. Irate locals of Zacran Colony and Pantha Chowk told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they were surprised to see the exaggerated bills of December month. "We checked the bills online and it shows Rs 2760 as the opening balance and 1048 as the the bill and I total the December bill has been showed as Rs 3808. We were the first to see installation of cables and there is no chance of hooking, " said Adil Bashir, resident of Zafran Colony. "This is total injustice with us as I can't afford to pay Rs 4000 power bill monthly when I haven't used electricity upto this amount. " ...
No snowfall in sight, Kashmir freezes under immense cold

No snowfall in sight, Kashmir freezes under immense cold

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A day after experiencing season’s coldest night, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 4.3°C as freezing conditions continued without reprieve in Kashmir Valley on Monday. A meteorological department official here told GNS that the temperature was 1.9°C below normal for the summer capital of J&K for this time of the year. He said the Srinagar saw minimum temperature of minus 5.6°C on previous night. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 4.2°C against minus 5.0°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 1.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official said. Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 5.3°C against minus 6.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, r...
Kashmir faces petrol panic: Locals swarm fuel pumps amid speculation

Kashmir faces petrol panic: Locals swarm fuel pumps amid speculation

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Widespread panic gripped in several corners of Kashmir as locals hurriedly moved towards petrol pumps, spurred by swirling rumors of an imminent fuel shortage. Swiftly responding to the escalating situation, the Jammu and Kashmir Oil Tankers association came forward to dispel the mounting fears. According to The Kashmiriyat, the J&K Oil Tankers Association categorically stated that no strike call has been issued, dismissing the circulating notions of fictitious 'Hartaal' calls. In a bid to reassure the public, the association clarified that there is no official confirmation of a petrol shortage, aiming to quash the burgeoning apprehensions. The backdrop of this fuel-related frenzy is set against the recent backdrop of a nationwide "Chaka Jam." Just a few days ago, driver...
23-year-old youth stabbed in Batamaloo Srinagar

23-year-old youth stabbed in Batamaloo Srinagar

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Shabir Ali A 23-year-old youth has been stabbed by unknown persons in the Batamaloo area of Srinagar. Sources told The Kashmiriyat that on Sunday, a youth identified as Javid Ahmed son of Reyaz Ahmed was attacked when he was playing cricket at a local stadium in Batamaloo. The attackers stabbed Javid with a knife and attacked him on his head and nose multiple times. Javid was shifted to the Shri Mahraja Hari Singh hospital in Srinagar, where doctors confirmed that Javid has received injuries in his head and nose. "Javid has also been punched in his nose during the physical assault and he is currently being treated at the hospital," a doctor told The Kashmiriyat. The Kashmir valley has reported a worrying hike in the knife attacks during the last year, with several youth h...