Friday, November 15News and updates from Kashmir

Month: November 2024

Court quashes PSA of Bandipora man arrested since February 2024

Court quashes PSA of Bandipora man arrested since February 2024

REGIONAL
A double Bench of the Jammu Kashmir High Court has quashed the detention of a Bandipora man under the contentious Public Safety Act (PSA). Senior Advocate Bashir Ahmed Tak representing the incarcerated man who is a cook by profession told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the detention of 48-year-old Ghulam Muhammad Waza, a resident of Bagh village of North Kashmir’s Bandipora was quashed by the court of Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Muhammad Akram Chowdar nearly over a year after he was arrested on charges of allegedly indulging in anti-national activities in and simultaneously booked under the PSA. Advocate Bashir Tak told the court that the accused was put behind bars in an old FIR lodged against him by Bandipora police, who was not even provided with the material or inf...
Announcement on double ration, 12 gas cylinders a year soon: Minister Satish Sharma

Announcement on double ration, 12 gas cylinders a year soon: Minister Satish Sharma

REGIONAL
Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Services and Sports, Satish Sharma Friday said the formal announcement on the double ration and 12 gas cylinders a year to the people of J-K will be made shortly. “Modalities are being finalised and very soon the formal announcement regarding double ration and 12 gas cylinders will be made public,” Minister for CA&PS, Sports and Transport, Satish Sharma told the House on the last day of the session, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He said transport, especially public transport, is also being streamlined for the benefit of people. The Minster expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for resposing trust in him and allowing him to serve the people of J&K—(KNO)
‘Outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud will be remembered for controversial 370 ruling’: Aga Ruhullah

‘Outgoing CJI DY Chandrachud will be remembered for controversial 370 ruling’: Aga Ruhullah

REGIONAL
In a recent statement, Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah, criticized outgoing Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud's judicial legacy, particularly pointing to controversial rulings on the Babri Masjid demolition and Article 370's abrogation. Ruhullah asserted that Justice Chandrachud’s handling of the Babri Masjid judgment rewarded those responsible for the mosque's demolition by favoring their claims, a decision he described as influenced by religious considerations rather than purely constitutional grounds. He further expressed concern over Justice Chandrachud’s role in allowing executive decisions to supersede constitutional principles, especially in Jammu Kashmir. According to Ruhullah, the Chief Justice’s support of the Modi government’s revocation of A...
District police conference held at district police headquarters, Anantnag

District police conference held at district police headquarters, Anantnag

REGIONAL
In a bid to strengthen Policing strategies and address contemporary law enforcement challenges, a District-level Police Conference was held today at District Police Headquarters, Anantnag. The conference was chaired by SSP Anantnag, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, IPS, and brought together Police officers from across the district to deliberate on enhancing Policing protocols. Modeled after the DGP/IGPs conferences, the event served as a platform for in-depth discussions on key issues such as combating cybercrime, tackling radicalization, addressing the narcotics menace, improving police training, understanding the implications of new laws, and bolstering overall security measures. The conference also explored the use of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI),...
BJP threatens to run parallel govt in Jammu Kashmir 

BJP threatens to run parallel govt in Jammu Kashmir 

REGIONAL
The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma on Friday said that the party will run a parallel government in case the behavior of the government doesn’t change. Addressing a news conference, Sharma, who was accompanied by several of their MLAs including Sham Lal Sharma and others, said that the Speaker has worked as an agent of a particular party and conducted unconstitutional acts. “The leaders had to speak on the government’s promises and also on the LG’s motion, but the NC moved a resolution against the decision taken by the parliament on August 05, 2019, thereby showing its separatism agenda in the house,” he said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). However, he added that it is unfortunate that the Speaker of the assembly i...
Agenda of government will be decided by public, not few social media users: CM Omar Abdullah

Agenda of government will be decided by public, not few social media users: CM Omar Abdullah

REGIONAL
Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asserted on Friday that the state's government will not let social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter dictate its agenda. Responding to the Motion of Thanks for the lieutenant governor’s address in the Assembly, Abdullah remarked, “Thankfully, I write a lot on Twitter, but I don't read much. I want to reassure the people of Jammu Kashmir that our policies will be set by the public, not by social media users.” The National Conference (NC) leader emphasized that elected representatives should be wary of forming policies based on social media trends. “Do not base your policies on the University of WhatsApp or Facebook,” he cautioned. “Very few people engage with these platforms, and those who do, tend to forget about you...
Kashmiris voted of defiance, for restoration of rights: Abdullah brothers write

Kashmiris voted of defiance, for restoration of rights: Abdullah brothers write

WRITE-UPS
The BJP’s attempt to consolidate power in Jammu Kashmir has met fierce resistance in the 2024 assembly elections, as voters overwhelmingly rallied behind candidates opposing the central government’s hardline approach since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, Zahir and Zamir Abdullah, the sons of Omar Abdullah have said. In their opinion piece, written for the Indian Express, the grand-children of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah have argued that with key figures detained and harsh laws enforced, the people’s choice reflects a powerful message: a demand for justice, democratic freedoms, and the end of what many view as repressive measures aimed at silencing dissent in the region. The article written by the siblings, Zamir and Zahir Abdullah dives deeply into the BJP's approach to governance i...
Famous Hirpora red potato faces extinction amid declining cultivation

Famous Hirpora red potato faces extinction amid declining cultivation

BUSINESS
The indigenous Hirpora Red Potato, renowned for its unique taste and texture, is on the brink of extinction, locals in the Hirpora area of south Kashmir have warned. Hirpora, located along the historic Mughal Road and surrounded by the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, is traditionally known for its potato cultivation. Once a staple crop grown by many in the region, the production of this prized variety, also known as ‘Katt-e-Maaz Aolu’ (Mutton Potato), has sharply declined, with only a handful of farmers continuing to cultivate it. Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), residents from Hirpora said that the potato, known throughout India for its distinct flavour and crunch, has seen a dramatic reduction in cultivation due to factors like excessive use of chemical ferti...
Two teenagers stabbed in Bemina area of Srinagar

Two teenagers stabbed in Bemina area of Srinagar

REGIONAL
Two persons were stabbed and injured in a scuffle on Friday evening between two groups at Hamdania Colony area of Bemina area, officials said. An official told the news agency-Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a late-night clash occurred near Bemina Srinagar. During the altercation, two individuals sustained stab wounds and were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. He identified the injured as Arslaan (15), son of Abdul Majeed Khanday, a resident of Hamdania Colony, and Adil Ahmad (17), son of Mohammad Shafi Khan, also from Hamdania Colony. Meanwhile, investigations have been initiated- (KNO)
Man detained in Odisha after woman alleges he forced her to ‘convert and marry’

Man detained in Odisha after woman alleges he forced her to ‘convert and marry’

REGIONAL
The Odisha Police on Friday detained a man after a woman filed a complaint that he forced her to undergo religious conversion and marry him, an officer said. The man also allegedly threatened the woman of Jagtsinghpur district to upload video clips of their intimate moments on the internet. The police registered a case at the Mahila Police Station here and sent the alleged victim to a hospital for medical examination. The man identified as Samir Mansoor, who claimed to be hailing from Bihar and presently staying in Kashmir, was nabbed while he was trying to leave from Odisha by train, the officer said. In the FIR, the woman claimed she came to know Mansoor through an online game in 2022 and was not aware of his religion initially. “He forced me to convert and marry him. When...