Monday, November 25News and updates from Kashmir

Month: March 2024

Ban on JKLF extended for five years

Ban on JKLF extended for five years

INDIA
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, on Tuesday declared Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (Mohd. Yasin Malik Faction) as an ‘unlawful association’ with immediate effect under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Modi government has declared the 'Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Mohd. Yasin Malik faction)' as an 'Unlawful Association' for a further period of five years Amit Shah wrote on X as per news agency Kashmir Scroll. "The banned outfit continues to engage in activities that foment terror and secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir. Anyone found challenging the security, sovereignty and integrity of the nation will face harsh legal consequences," Shah write. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front was banned by the Home Ministry in 2019 following the attack in Pulwam...
Government teacher terminated in Kashmir for ‘anti-national’ activities

Government teacher terminated in Kashmir for ‘anti-national’ activities

REGIONAL
The Jammu Kashmir admin on Friday dismissed a teacher from his services over involvement in anti-national activities. An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the activities of the employee namely Manzoor Ahmed Laway of DH Pora Kulgam had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found him involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State. He said that he is involved in two FIRs registered at Police Station DH Pora, Kulgam and was one of the instigator who along with his associates instigated a mob on 09.07.2016 to cause damage and destruction to Government property and in the process, the mob marched towards Police Station DH Pora and looted Arms, Ammunition and other Government Property from the Police Stati...
Maharashtra government buys plot in Kashmir for state bhawan

Maharashtra government buys plot in Kashmir for state bhawan

INDIA
The state government of Maharashtra has purchased land from the administration in Jammu Kashmir for constructing the Maharashtra Bhawan in the region. This deal was made during Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's visit to Jammu Kashmir in June 2023. The project gained momentum following discussions between Chief Minister Shinde and Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, culminating in the decision to establish the Maharashtra Bhawan in Budgam district, central Kashmir. The Maharashtra Bhawan, envisioned as the Valley's inaugural state Bhawan, is poised to serve as a pivotal hub for accommodating and facilitating tourists exploring the scenic wonders of Jammu Kashmir. Strategically situated in Budgam, the Bhawan's location near Srinagar offers convenient accessibility for visitors arr...
Centre bans Nayeem Khan’s National Front for 5 years

Centre bans Nayeem Khan’s National Front for 5 years

REGIONAL
The Centre on Tuesday declared Jammu and Kashmir National Front as unlawful association for 5 years for supporting terrorism and challenging the integrity ld the nation. In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the Modi government today declared Jammu and Kashmir National Front as an Unlawful Association. He said that the outfit was found carrying out secessionist activities to sever Jammu and Kashmir from Bharat and supporting terrorism, challenging the sovereignty, security, and integrity of the nation. “We are committed to uprooting terror forces to ensure the security of the people of Bharat,” he said—(KNO)
Electoral Bond: Company tied to Reliance emerges as 3rd highest donor

Electoral Bond: Company tied to Reliance emerges as 3rd highest donor

INDIA
The publishing of electoral bonds data has created a storm all over India. One of the largest donors to appear on the list is the Qwik Chain supply, a company related to Mukesh Ambani related Reliance group. Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited, the third largest donor to political parties, contributed Rs 410 crores through electoral bonds, now deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Despite a net profit of only Rs 21.72 crores in 2021-22, it donated Rs 360 crore to political parties that year and another Rs 50 crore in 2023-24. The electoral bonds scheme, introduced in 2017, removed donation limits for companies who could contribute anonymously to the political parties. Qwik Supply Chain's three directors, Vipul Pranlal Mehta, Sridhar Titti, and Tapas Mitra, have multiple a...
‘Grown throughout the year, safe to eat’, says Food Safety Department, Here is everything you need to know

‘Grown throughout the year, safe to eat’, says Food Safety Department, Here is everything you need to know

BUSINESS
The latest controversy to erupt in Kashmir is of watermelons. This controversy erupted after few Kashmiri doctors alleged that artificial chemicals were used for ripening watermelons, adding this was not the season of watermelon harvesting. Most doctors stirred social media, affecting the livelihoods of many who rely on selling watermelons. However, the claim of March-April not being a season of harvesting is not true and lacks basic research. According to National Horticulture Board, in India, the predominantly tropical climate makes all seasons conducive to watermelon cultivation. In states such as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and others, watermelon cultivation is viable nearly year-round. However, watermelons are sensitive to cold and frost, necessitating cultivation in r...
Megha Engg bought electoral bonds worth Rs 140 crore month before getting construction project in Maharashtra

Megha Engg bought electoral bonds worth Rs 140 crore month before getting construction project in Maharashtra

INDIA
MEIL, headquartered in Hyderabad, acquired electoral bonds worth Rs 140 crore on April 11, 2023, just a month prior to securing the tender for the Rs 14,400-crore Thane-Borivali twin tunnel project, according to ECI data released on Thursday. The data, Indian express reported, revealed that MEIL, established in 1989, emerged as one of the top purchasers of electoral bonds, with a total investment of Rs 821 crore. The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) issued the tender for the project, involving the construction of two road tunnels under the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in January of that year. MEIL was the sole bidder whose technical proposal met the requirements. L&T contested the rejection of its technical bid through two petitions: one concerning...
Home Ministry establishes tribunal to assess ban on Jamat e Islami

Home Ministry establishes tribunal to assess ban on Jamat e Islami

INDIA
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification announcing the establishment of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, which includes a judge from the Delhi High Court, Economic Times reported. This tribunal has been tasked with determining whether there is adequate justification for declaring Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir (JeI), as an 'unlawful association'. Previously, on February 27, the Ministry had extended the ban on JeI-J-K for another five years, citing its continued engagement in activities detrimental to the security, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government's commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and separatism, emphasizing that any threats to national security would...
BSF man shoots self in Shopian

BSF man shoots self in Shopian

REGIONAL
A Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on Thursday shot himself dead with his service rifle in South Kashmir’s Shopian district. Reliable sources told a local news agency that the jawan ended his life at a rare santry post situated at DC Shopian’s residence. They said that the cause behind taking this extreme step is being ascertained while further investigation has been taken up.(KS)