February 2024 - Page 2 of 25

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan released after more than 5 years

REGIONAL

Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan has been released after spending more than five years in jail. According to news Laundry, Asif was released nearly 78 days after Jammu Kashmir High Court quashed his detention order under the Public Safety Act. Asif was jailed at the Ambedkar Nagar district jail in Uttar Pradesh. The Kashmiri journalist was booked under the charges of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in August 2018 and then after being bailed out in that case in April 2022, he was booked under the Public Safety Act in the same month. The court quashed his detention on December 11 last year, stating the detaining authorities “did not follow the procedural requirements in letter and spirit”. However, he continued to remain in jail awaiting “clearance letters” from Kashmir’s ...

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Budgam locals up in arms against heightened electricity charges

REGIONAL

The residents of multiple areas from Budgam area up in arms against the sudden rise in electricity charges and the frequent cuts in the Kashmir valley. Last week, the residents in large number gathered outside the D.C. Office to voice their grievances against the alarming rise in electricity bills and a constant power outage. “We request the D.C. to kindly relieve us of the difficulty of high electricity bills. We are here to protest against such misery that we go through on a daily basis,” said a demonstrator. Locals claimed that in the last five months, there has been a continuous rise in electricity bills, which has proved difficult for people. The demonstrator added, “We want the administration to revoke the hike in electricity prices, because such policies are anti- poor.”...

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Drug peddler arrested with contraband substance in Anantnag: Police

REGIONAL

Police in Anantnag arrested a drug peddler and recovered contraband substance from his possession, a police spokesman said Tuesday. He said that a police party at a checkpoint established at Waghama Bijbehara intercepted a vehicle (Swift) bearing registration number JK01X-3736 driven by Manzoor Ahmad Rah, a resident of Waghama Bijbehara. During search, Police party recovered 18 Kgs of Poppy Straw and a Mixer Grander from his possession. He has been arrested and the vehicle used in the commission of crime has also been seized, the spokesman added. Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Bijbehara and investigation has been initiated, he said.

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Civilian assaulted by army inside camp in Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti

REGIONAL

Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister of Jammu Kashmir on Wednesday said a youth was beaten by army in a camp in Kanchoo area of Kund in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. https://x.com/mehboobamufti/status/1762799299300307432?s=48 Taking to Twitter Mehbooba Mufti said that a youth from Kulgam identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Ganie was beaten up by army for his militant kinship. She said that Mushtaq's brother was a militant decades ago. "Mushtaq Ganai from Niginpora in Kund was beaten up by army men from Kanchloo camp" she said in a tweet. She further added that the victim bore the brunt of this "inhuman treatment because his brother happened to be a militant killed decades ago". Mehbooba Mufti said that the incident was not the first of its kind. "The incident doesnt stand in...

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Massive surge in anti-muslim hate speeches in India: Report

INDIA

In 2023, India bore witness to a distressing surge in anti-Muslim hate speech incidents, averaging close to two occurrences daily, as detailed by the India Hate Lab (IHL), an esteemed research group headquartered in Washington, DC. The findings unveiled a stark reality: a staggering 75 percent of these reprehensible acts unfolded within states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), highlighting a concerning trend deeply embedded within the political landscape. The temporal alignment of these hate speech surges, notably peaking between August and November, coincided with pivotal political campaigns and polling endeavors across four significant states. Such synchronization underscores a disconcerting correlation between political discourse and the p...

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Maharashtra Bhavan to be constructed in Srinagar at cost of 77 crores

REGIONAL

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, unveiled an ambitious plan to establish "Maharashtra Bhavan" in the heart of Srinagar, and in the sacred city of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative, as per the government, is set to provide not only comfortable accommodations but also a cultural hub for tourists and devotees from Maharashtra, fostering greater connectivity and understanding between these diverse regions. With an allocation of Rs. 77 crores, the Maharashtra government is committed to creating spaces that reflect the essence of Maharashtra's rich heritage and hospitality. The Jammu and Kashmir Revenue Department's approval of the land transfer for the Srinagar project. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's personal engagement with Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor, Manoj ...

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Massive fire breaks out in a hotel in Gulmarg

REGIONAL

A massive fire broke out in a hotel in the world-famous tourist destination Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Wednesday morning. Reports reaching News Agency Kashmir Scroll said that a fire broke out at a Pine Palace Platinum hotel in Gulmarg. Reports said that fire tenders reached the spot and are dousing the fire. A police officer told News Agency Kashmir Scroll that the cause of the fire is yet to be known, no matter how many efforts are being made to douse the flames. (KS)

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Assembly elections in Jammu Kashmir before September 2024: LG Sinha

REGIONAL

Jammu Kashmir's Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, stated that Assembly elections in the region will take place before September, emphasizing that the Election Commission of India oversees the process. He dismissed the reports of contesting Parliamentary elections from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, stating his current focus is on Jammu Kashmir. Sinha reiterated the government's stance of no talks with Pakistan until it alters its behavior, emphasizing a commitment to dialogue with the people of Jammu Kashmir. He assured that there are no political detainees in the region but affirmed consequences for those challenging the nation's unity. Regarding targeted killings, Sinha attributed them to Pakistan and expressed confidence in their cessation. He highlighted a significant decrease...

Feb282024 by News DeskNo Comments

Ban on Jamaat-e-Islami extended for 5 years in Jammu Kashmir

REGIONAL

The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday extended the ban on Jammu Kashmir Jamaat-e-Islami for 5 years. The outfit was earlier banned in 2019. In a post on X, Amit Shah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that pursuing PM Modi’s policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism the government has extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami for five years. He said that the organisation is found continuing its activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. “The outfit was first declared an 'Unlawful Association' on 28 February 2019. Anyone threatening the security of the nation will face ruthless measures,” he said—(KNO)

Feb272024 by News DeskNo Comments

Amnesty to domestic electricity users extended in Kashmir

OTHERS

The Power Development Department in Jammu Kashmir has extended an amnesty scheme for domestic electricity consumers, as reported by Daily Excelsior. M S Malik, Director General of Finance at the Power Development Department, has issued an order to prolong the Amnesty Scheme for domestic consumers for another year, now running until March 31, 2025, pending approval by the competent authority. However, the extended concurrence granted by the Finance Department is subject to additional conditions beyond those outlined in Government order no 103-PDD of 2022 dated September 12, 2022. The Department is obligated to ensure the full recovery of arrears by including all eligible consumers. Connections of consumers who do not participate in the scheme and fail to settle their power dues wil...