Thursday, January 16News and updates from Kashmir

Month: August 2024

Renowned broadcaster and writer Abdul Gani Sheikh passes away

Renowned broadcaster and writer Abdul Gani Sheikh passes away

REGIONAL
Rayees Shah Abdul Gani Sheikh, a distinguished broadcaster, writer, and historian, has died at his home in Leh, Ladakh. Sheikh, born on March 5, 1936, was celebrated for his extensive contributions to Urdu literature and Ladakhi culture. His work included notable achievements in broadcasting and writing, with his novel "Dil Hi Tau Hai" earning a best book award from the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. Sheikh's career also encompassed roles as a correspondent for RNU AIR & DD Srinagar. In response to his passing, Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi, former Secretary of the Cultural Academy and former ADG of Doordarshan, extended his condolences, expressing support from the All India Radio and Doordarshan Srinagar family and wishing peace for the departed.
PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari quits party ahead of polls

PDP chief spokesperson Suhail Bukhari quits party ahead of polls

REGIONAL
Syed Suhail Bukhari, chief spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday resigned from the party ahead of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Bukhari, while speaking with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), confirmed that he has resigned from the party. A former media consultant for the Jammu and Kashmir government, Bukhari joined the PDP in 2019 and was appointed chief spokesperson in 2023. This development comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is all set to go polls in three phases, an election being held after a decade. The first phase will be held on September 18, second on September 25 and third phase on October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. Earlier, DDC member from Tral, Dr Harbaksh Singh also resigned from the PDP and joined ...
Influential Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari spends 200 days in detention; High Court rules to keep him under PASA

Influential Islamic preacher Mufti Salman Azhari spends 200 days in detention; High Court rules to keep him under PASA

INDIA
Mufti Salman Azhari, a prominent Islamic preacher, has now spent nearly 200 days in jail following his arrest by Gujarat Police. He was initially detained in Mumbai on February 5 for delivering an allegedly provocative speech within the jurisdiction of B Division Police Station in Junagadh on January 31. The following week, on February 8, the Kutch East police also registered an FIR and arrested Azhari for a separate speech he purportedly made in Samakhiyari village, Bhachau taluka, on the same date. Although Azhari was granted bail in the cases registered against him in Junagadh and Kutch East, he faced continued detention under the Gujarat Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA). The Gujarat Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) is typically applied to indiv...
Twin quakes rattle Kashmir, damaging houses in Baramulla’s Boniyar

Twin quakes rattle Kashmir, damaging houses in Baramulla’s Boniyar

FEATURED
Bhat Yasir Several residential houses in the Boniyar tehsil of Baramulla district have developed cracks after two back-to-back earthquakes struck the Kashmir Valley. The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 4.7 and 4.8 on the Richter scale, occurred on Tuesday morning in Jammu and Kashmir, causing widespread panic as residents rushed outside their homes. Both quakes had their epicenters in Baramulla, occurring at depths of 5 and 10 kilometers, respectively. Local residents reported that several houses in the villages of Trikanjan, Ijara, Mahura, Niloosa, Qazipora, Pehlipora, Ahtishampora, Limber B, and Nowshera within Boniyar tehsil have developed cracks. The Tehsildar of Boniyar confirmed these reports, stating that they are currently compiling information on the damaged houses....
Body of new born baby found dumped in Ganderbal canal

Body of new born baby found dumped in Ganderbal canal

REGIONAL
Shah Basit A newborn baby was found dumped in power canal in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Official sources told The Kashmiriyat that on Tuesday afternoon locals spotted a newborn floating in the power canal at Urpesh area of Ganderbal. After spotting the body, the locals rescued it from the water and handed it over to the local Police, who have launched an investigation into the matter. Ab official said confirmed that the newborn foun by two boys while they were fishing has been taken to Sub district hospital in Ganderbal.
PDP set for significant gain in south Kashmir as influential tribal leader eyes party

PDP set for significant gain in south Kashmir as influential tribal leader eyes party

REGIONAL
Majid Salam The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is set to receive a major boost, as Choudhary Haroon Rashid is likely to join the party led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Choudhary Haroon Rashid, a resident of Bidhar in the Kokernag assembly seat of Anantnag district—a seat now reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) following the recent delimitation exercise—has unexpectedly resigned from all his responsibilities within the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), including his basic membership. This surprising move has sent ripples through the political landscape, given Rashid’s prominent stature and considerable influence in the region, especially among the tribal voters. A highly respected and effective leader, Rashid has been instrumental in shaping the DPAP’s strate...
Dalit nurse raped by doctor in Uttar Pradesh hospital

Dalit nurse raped by doctor in Uttar Pradesh hospital

REGIONAL
A Dalit nurse was allegedly raped by a doctor after being held hostage in a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh, according to police reports on Monday, August 19, 2024. The victim’s father reported that the assault occurred around midnight on Sunday, August 18. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sandeep Kumar Meena confirmed that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. The 20-year-old nurse, who had been employed at the hospital for seven months, was on duty at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 17. Later that evening, another nurse, Mehnaz, asked her to meet Dr. Shahnawaz in his room. When she refused, Mehnaz and a ward boy named Junaid forcibly escorted her to a room on the hospital’s top floor and locked her inside, according to Mr. Meena. Dr. Shahnawaz then en...
Rahul Gandhi to visit Jammu Kashmir tomorrow, NC-Congress alliance on cards?

Rahul Gandhi to visit Jammu Kashmir tomorrow, NC-Congress alliance on cards?

REGIONAL
Ahead of the crucial assembly polls in Jammu Kashmir following a hiatus of ten years, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days starting tomorrow to engage in important talks with the National Conference (NC) regarding a potential pre-poll alliance. The visit comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the much-delayed polls in Jammu and Kashmir, which have been postponed multiple times due to political and security concerns. Sources told The Kashmiriyat that another meeting between the local Congress leadership and the NC is expected to take place today, August 20, in Jammu and Kashmir, with discussions likely to focus on finalizing a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming elections. Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference...
Woman dies of electric shock during earthquake in Sumbal Bandipora

Woman dies of electric shock during earthquake in Sumbal Bandipora

REGIONAL
A 35-year-old woman tragically lost her life due to an electric shock during an earthquake in the Odina area of Bandipora district early Tuesday morning. Officials speaking to The Kashmiriyat identified the woman as Rafiqa Begum, wife of Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, a resident of Odina Sumbal stating  that she was immediately referred to Trauma Hospital Pattan after the incident. However, despite the doctors' efforts, she was declared dead upon arrival. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Police Station Pattan. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the unfortunate death.
BJP slams NC’s manifesto as ‘misleading and deceptive’

BJP slams NC’s manifesto as ‘misleading and deceptive’

REGIONAL
The BJP’s Jammu Kashmir unit on Monday rejected the manifesto released by the National Conference for the maiden assembly elections post abrogation of Article 370 as “misleading and heap of lies”. BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi claimed that the manifesto of the National Conference compiled only to mislead the voters of the Union Territory. Restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood as well as implementation of the autonomy resolution passed by the erstwhile assembly in 2000 are among the National Conference’s 12 guarantees announced in its manifesto for the upcoming polls. In June 2000, the National Conference government under Farooq Abdullah passed a resolution in the Assembly seeking to restore the pre-1953 constitutional pos...