September 2024 - Page 18 of 26

Sep112024 by News DeskNo Comments

Unknown persons axe hundreds of apple trees in Shopian area

REGIONAL

Meer Irfan In a disturbing incident in the Ayend village of Shopian district, south Kashmir, unknown persons have vandalized hundreds of apple trees, causing substantial financial damage. Local residents speaking to The Kashmiriyat said that they discovered the destruction early Wednesday morning when they saw the high density apple orchard severely damaged with numerous trees felled. The affected orchard, which had been under cultivation for the past three years and was finally set to be harvested, was left in ruin. The orchard owner, Mohammed Shafi Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammed Bhat, who had secured a bank loan to establish the garden and is still repaying the debt, expressed deep frustration. “It is disheartening to see such incidents becoming more frequent in Kashmir,” a loc...

Sep112024 by News DeskNo Comments

Engineer Rashid’s party prepares for massive reception at Srinagar Airport on September 13

REGIONAL

The Awami Itehad Party (AIP) is gearing up for a significant show of support following the interim bail granted to its leader, Engineer Rashid. The Delhi Patiala House Court has approved Rashid's release from Tihar Jail until October 2, where he has been detained for five years on charges related to terror funding. In anticipation of his release, AIP has announced plans for a major welcome event at Srinagar International Airport on September 13. The party is also organizing a large political rally and has applied for permission to hold it at either SK Stadium or Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. AIP’s chief spokesman, Inam un Nabi, indicated that preparations are underway and they are optimistic about securing approval for the rally. The timing of the bail has triggered criticism fro...

Sep112024 by News DeskNo Comments

ED seeks fresh charges against Farooq Abdullah in alleged JKCA scam

REGIONAL

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a fresh application before a Srinagar court seeking fresh charges against former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and others involved in the alleged Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) money laundering case. This follows the Jammu Kashmir High Court's decision last month to quash the case. According to official sources, the ED submitted its plea to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, requesting the inclusion of IPC sections 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) and 424 (dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property) in the case. The agency’s move comes after the High Court ruled on August 14 that the money laundering charges were not applicable. However, it permitted the ED to pursue additional cha...

Sep112024 by News DeskNo Comments

15-year vehicle scrappage rule may end soon: Government’s new policy to focus on vehicle pollution

FEATURED

The Indian government is working on revising its vehicle scrappage policy to focus on pollution rather than the age of the vehicle, according to an official announcement on Tuesday. Anurag Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, shared this development during the annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Jain explained that the current policy mandating vehicle scrappage after 15 years has raised concerns among vehicle owners, particularly those who have maintained their vehicles well. He noted that the new policy aims to address these concerns by evaluating vehicles based on their pollution output rather than their age. Jain emphasized the need for a reliable system of pollution checks and called on the automobile indust...

Sep112024 by News DeskNo Comments

BSF trooper injured in unprovoked firing incident in Aknoor sector: BSF

REGIONAL

A Border Security Forces personnel was injured on Wednesday after an unprovoked firing incident took place from across the border in Akhnoor area of Jammu district. PRO BSF told GNS that today in wee hours at 02:35 AM, an incident of unprovoked firing was reported in Akhnoor area from across the border. They said befittingly response was given by the BSF. In this incident, one BSF constable namely Durba Jyoti Das sustained injuries in Pak firing, who was subsequently shifted to hospital, he said. Meanwhile, the BSF personnel are on high alert to avert any aggression by the enemy, he added.(GNS)

Sep102024 by News DeskNo Comments

Engineer Rashid’s release set to shift Kashmir’s political discourse

OPINIONS

In the world of Kashmir politics, just when you think you've seen it all, the plot thickens. And who else but Engineer Rashid could stir the pot mere days before the assembly elections in Jammu Kashmir? Released on bail after five years in Tihar Jail, Rashid is expected to shake things up. Not just a man, but a force of nature—or so his supporters claim—his return is like the cliffhanger in a soap opera that keeps you glued to the screen. Except, this isn’t fiction. It’s the highly unpredictable, often surreal world of Kashmir’s electoral politics. For those unfamiliar with Engineer Rashid and those who have failed to see Kashmiri political spectrum converted into a social media meme, let’s just say he’s not your average candidate. He didn’t just win against former Chief Minister Omar A...

Sep102024 by News DeskNo Comments

‘Had told earlier, Engineer Rashid would be granted bail close to elections to divide votes’: Omar Abdullah

REGIONAL

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah stated on Tuesday that the NIA court’s decision to grant bail to Engineer Rashid was more about influencing the upcoming elections than addressing the needs of Baramulla’s residents. Speaking to reporters, Omar expressed disappointment, saying, “This bail wasn’t given to benefit the people of Baramulla but to secure votes. We had said this earlier too. After the election, he’ll return to Tihar, leaving North Kashmir without true representation.” Omar recalled how Mehbooba Mufti had previously accused Engineer Rashid of being aligned with the BJP and raised concerns about the source of his funds. In response to derogatory comments made by former Congress President Vikar Rasool about the National Conference, Omar dismissed him as "foo...

Sep102024 by News DeskNo Comments

PDP vs. NC in Bijbehara: Will Iltija Mufti retain PDP’s bastion against Bashir Veeri?

WRITE-UPS

A bastion of the Mufti's, Bijbehara in Anantnag is gearing up for a tough fight between Iltija Mufti, 36, of the People's Democratic Party and the National Conference's Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri. Bijbehara has always been a bastion and has watched close contests for dominance between the Mufti and the Shah family. Abdul Gani Veeri, father of Dr. Bashir Veeri, a close associate of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, has won three elections from Bijbehara Anantnag; 1977, 83, and 1987. The Mufti family and the People's Democratic Party have held their dominance on the seat since 1996 when Mehbooba Mufti won elections from Bijbehara, her hometown. Bijbehara-Srigufwara is set to vote in the first phase of the assembly elections on September 18, and the campaign has left political experts in Kashmir va...

Sep102024 by News DeskNo Comments

Engineer Rashid granted interim bail in ‘militancy- funding’ case

REGIONAL

Delhi's Patiala House Court has granted interim bail to Sheikh Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, a Member of Parliament from Jammu Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency, until October 2. Rashid, who has been in Delhi's Tihar Jail since 2019, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2017 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with a 2017 militancy- funding case. Rashid’s name surfaced during the investigation into Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested for allegedly financing terror groups and separatists in Kashmir. The NIA’s chargesheet included several others, such as Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. Yasin Malik was sentenced to life impr...

Sep102024 by News DeskNo Comments

CRPF trooper dies of cardiac arrest in Pulwama

REGIONAL

A man posted with the 180th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Tral, Pulwama, died of cardiac arrest today, officials said. An official told News Vibes of India (NVI) that a CRPF personnel suddenly complained of chest pain, after which he was referred to the nearest medical health care center. He said the CRPF personnel later died of cardiac arrest. The man was identified as Jitender Singh, a resident of Baldhan Kalan village in Rewari district, Haryana. Meanwhile, the police have taken up the investigation.