Monday, January 27News and updates from Kashmir

Month: January 2024

13 families lose shelter in devastating fire in Anantnag

13 families lose shelter in devastating fire in Anantnag

REGIONAL
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

REGIONAL
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 ...
Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Dr. Sabir Afaqi, the luminous star in literary skies of the city

Ahl e Qalam of Muzaffarabad: Dr. Sabir Afaqi, the luminous star in literary skies of the city

WRITE-UPS
Bint e Haider Rasool Hamza eloquently speaks of the vast expanse within the hearts of the Dagestani mountains, where a perpetual melody resonates. He vividly describes a house in this village, seemingly indistinguishable from its neighbors. Yet, within this humble abode, two poets have soared with their poetic names spreading across the world. Muzaffarabad, my city, is also a mountainous city surrounded by hills, akin to other hilly cities. Some have rugged winding roads leading to homes, where residents form communities based on their village, city, or homeland. A local poet beautifully expressed that our city is like a gem in the mountains, a ship of waves in the thousands. Muzaffarabad is indeed a surrounded city, where the confluence of Neelum and Jhelum gives it a unique identit...
Transporters call for strike on January 9 and 10

Transporters call for strike on January 9 and 10

REGIONAL
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.
Six students arrested for pasting pro-Palestine posters on Starbucks outlet in Kerala

Six students arrested for pasting pro-Palestine posters on Starbucks outlet in Kerala

INDIA
Six student activists from Farook College in Kozhikode were arrested by Kerala Police for posting pro-Palestine boycott posters on a Starbucks store near Kozhikode beach. Affiliated with the Fraternity Movement, they were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The incident occurred on January 4, and the students, who intended to make a video highlighting brands supporting the Gaza conflict, were released on station bail. The posters, stating "Free Palestine" and "Caution Contents May Fund Genocide," were promptly removed by store staff. The arrests mark the third such incident at the Kozhikode Beach Starbucks in the last three months. The students argue that their actions caused no property damage or provocation and were part of a global call to boycott bran...
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

REGIONAL
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

REGIONAL
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

REGIONAL
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

REGIONAL
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

REGIONAL
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...