February 2024 - Page 18 of 25

Feb92024 by News DeskNo Comments

Amid Internet ban, controversy, PTI marginally leads in Pakistan general elections

INTERNATIONAL

Vote counting is currently underway for the Pakistan general election, following the closure of polls on Thursday. The election saw challenges including a crackdown on jailed ex-prime minister, Imran Khan's party, sporadic violence, and connectivity issues due to government suspension of mobile and internet services. Polling took place from 8 AM to 5 PM on Thursday, with a nationwide public holiday declared to facilitate over 120 million voters. Although the exact polling percentage is yet to be determined, results from individual polling stations are beginning to come in throughout the nation. However, it may take a few hours before complete constituency results are available. A total of 266 National Assembly seats were contested out of 336, with polling postponed on at least o...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Protests flare as Kashmir village residents voice water supply fears over pipeline project

Video

Suhail Dar The residents of Panzath village in Qazigund located in south Kashmir's Anantnag district staged a protest against government plan to lay control over the sole source of water, irrigating hundreds of kanals of land. Watch video https://youtu.be/5O9PiMD4ptc?feature=shared Previously, the department had launched two pipeline projects that have not succeeded, locals told The Kashmiriyat. The local residents rejecting the new pipeline project said that it is an unjust interference while suggesting that without prolonging the dispute, the department must spare the spring and work out ways to supply water from the nearby defunct dam. Residents said that they rely on spring for usage and fear for a complete shortage of water, especially during winters, as the spring ...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Amnesty International condemns unlawful demolitions targeting Muslims in India

INDIA

Human rights organization Amnesty International stated on Wednesday that the widespread "unlawful demolitions" of Muslims' homes, businesses, and places of worship, using JCB bulldozers and other machinery must cease immediately. In two companion reports titled "If you speak up, your house will be demolished: Bulldozer Injustice in India" and "Unearthing Accountability: JCB’s Role and Responsibility in Bulldozer Injustice in India," the rights group documented the "punitive demolition" of Muslim properties in at least five states, with a prevalent use of JCB-branded bulldozers or diggers as the preferred brand in a hate campaign against the minority community. Amnesty International called on the Centre and state governments to immediately halt the de facto policy of demolishing peopl...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmiri political parties condemn Srinagar killings in unified voice

REGIONAL

In a unified voice against violence, leaders from various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have strongly condemned the recent attack on non-locals in Srinagar. Expressing shock and disgust, leaders from the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) including President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah, along with other prominent figures from parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Conference, and CPI (M), have denounced the killings that claimed the life of two civilians. Jammu Kashmir National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah condemned the attack on the non-locals. “JKNC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP Omar Abdullah are shocked and disgusted by the barbaric incident that took the life of Amrit Pal Singh in Shala...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Consumers aghast at price variations in Srinagar vegetable markets

BUSINESS

Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Srinagar, seems confused as he wanders from one vendor to another, attempting to purchase vegetables along the stretch from Amira Kadal to Lal Ded Hospital road. The reason for the confusion, according to Shafi, is the disparity in prices among grocers within a radius of no more than 200 meters. “I have checked the rates of each vendor, and they are all selling vegetables at different prices,” Shafi told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). "At Amira Kadal grocers sell onions for Rs 40, capsicums for Rs 120 and tomatoes for Rs 70 per kilogram," he said, adding that the prices set by vegetable vendors differ from those found at Maharaji Bazar and LD Hospital Road. “There is no fixed pricing on vegetables. Rates fluctuate by 50 to 100 percent be...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Srinagar killings: Family of Amritpal Singh refuses to cremate body, seeks medical report

REGIONAL

The family of Amritpal Singh, a dry fruit seller from Punjab, who was tragically killed in Srinagar by unknown gunmen, has refused to cremate his body. Expressing deep skepticism about the circumstances surrounding his death, they pointed out visible marks on his face and body instead of bullet wounds. Amritpal and his friend Rohit were ambushed while on their way back to their rented accommodation in the densely populated Shaheed Gunj locality of Srinagar, following a holiday in Amritsar. In the attack, Amritpal lost his life instantly, while Rohit sustained grave injuries and was undergoing treatment at SMHS hospital in Srinagar, having suffered bullet wounds in the abdomen. Rohit succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning. The fatal attack has reignited concerns about the...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Another Hurriyat leader set to join Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party

REGIONAL

Another leader of Hurriyat is set to join Altaf Bukhari led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party. As per reports, a Hurriyat leader from Pattan Baramulla, alongside several dozen of his supporters will join the party at party’s office at M2 Church Lane Srinagar. In the recent past, scores of Hurriyat activists have joined Apni party and other mainstream parties. Among the incidents reported, Hurriyat activist Syed Muzaffar Rizvi had embraced mainstream politics in Jammu Kashmir. Another Hurriyat man named Talat Majid, originating from the Pulwama district of South Kashmir, joined the party in October. More details awaited.

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Viral video shows elderly Kashmiri coerced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ by man in uniform

FEATURED

A video circulating on social media depicts a man in uniform instructing an elderly Kashmiri to chant "Jai Shri Ram," sparking controversy in the region, as reported by The Telegraph. ALSO READ: Army forced people to raise ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans in Pulwama mosque: Mehbooba Mufti The authenticity of the video remains unconfirmed, The Telegraph said in its report. National Conference spokesperson Sarah Hayat Shah condemned the incident, highlighting it as alarming for the region's dynamics. https://twitter.com/SaraHayatShah/status/1755141513078792334?s=19 "Shocking! Man in uniform holds the arm of an Elderly Kashmiri Muslim man firmly, asks him to utter Religious (Hindu) slogan “Jai Shri Ram”. Wow! This is NAYA KASHMIR. Hoshiyaar, Khabardaar. ALLAHU-AKBAR," Sarah tweeted. In ...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Dry weather to continue in Kashmir till February 17: MeT

REGIONAL

Mercury recorded a drop in Jammu Kashmir on Thursday with Srinagar recording minus 5.2°C and 3.6°C respectively, the second lowest minimum temperature in February in a decade for the capital cities. A meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 5.2°C against minus 2.0°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 4.8°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year. On 9 February 2019, Srinagar had recorded minus 5.7°C while all-time-low for the capital city was witnessed on 6 February 1985 when mercury plummeted to minus 20°C, the official said. Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 6.4°C against minus 3.2°C on the previous night, he said. The minimum temperature was 4.9°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, the MeT official...

Feb82024 by News DeskNo Comments

Srinagar militant attack: Injured man succumbs, toll reaches 02

REGIONAL

Two Punjab residents were shot at in Shal Kadal area of Srinagar on Wednesday evening in which one died on spot while another was shifted to hospital in critical condition. A top police officer told news agency Kashmir Scroll that two Punjab residents were shot at by suspected Militants in Shal kadal area of Srinagar. He said that sikh identified as Amrit Pal (31) from Amritsar Punjab died on the spot while Rohit Mashi (27) son of Prem Mashi resident of Punjab received bullet injury in abdomen who has been shifted to SMHS Srinagar in critical condition where he succumbed to injuries on Thursday morning. Meanwhile forces have cordoned off the area to nab attackers.(KS)