Saturday, February 22News and updates from Kashmir

POLITICS

Secular forces must unite for restoration of statehood to Jammu Kashmir: Tarigami

Secular forces must unite for restoration of statehood to Jammu Kashmir: Tarigami

Politics, POLITICS
Jammu, Feb 17 (PTI): Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami on Monday said all secular forces should unite to press for restoration of statehood to Jammu Kashmir as he lashed out at the BJP for allegedly misleading the country by false propaganda on Article 370 that granted special status to the region and was revoked in August 2019. Tarigami, who won the assembly elections from Kulgam seat for the fifth consecutive term, called for respecting the people's mandate and said “otherwise it will have serious consequences”. “We want democracy to prosper in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and claimed that the Centre was in no mood to restore the statehood. “We appeal to all secular parties to come together and support us. This is not a question of one region or one community but the people of entire J...

Army man injured in suspected fire across LoC in Jammu Kashmir

POLITICS, REGIONAL
A soldier was injured in a suspected fire along LoC in Rajouri district of Jammu division on Monday. Official sources told news agency JKNS that a soldier was injured in suspected fire from across the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. They said that solider was shifted to hospital for treatment where his condition is said to be stable Meanwhile investigation have been up while further details are awaited.—(JKNS)

Delimitation a mere excuse to delay elections in J-K, says Omar Abdullah

POLITICS
Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah Wednesday held the incumbent government as well as the election commission of India responsible for the delay in J&K elections saying delimitation is a mere excuse. Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of a function at Pattan, he as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the delimitation process should have been started in 2022 and concluded till now so as to pave a way for timely elections. “But the process is just being used as a tool to delay the election”, he added. Omar also said the government claims of establishing the 3-tier democracy in Jammu and Kashmir of now even not a single tier has left. “We fear if they may cite any other reasons for keeping Parliamentary ...

MHA bans JKDFP over Anti India Activities

POLITICS, REGIONAL
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken a significant step by imposing a ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP). Led by separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, the party has been accused of engaging in activities that are perceived as anti-India and pro-Pakistan. As per the order of which a copies lies with news agency Kashmir Scroll reads this decision comes under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which is in place to counter unlawful activities that pose a threat to the national security of India. The MHA's move to ban JKDFP is indicative of the government's commitment to maintain law and order, preserve national security, and ensure the unity and integrity of the country. By invoking UAPA, which empowers the authorities ...

Jammu: Anger brews against BJP, ‘Matters should be resolved’ says top BJP leader

POLITICS, REGIONAL
The lesser-known organizations in Jammu that act as pressure groups and leveling fields for political parties are up in arms against Bhartiya Janata Party. These groups believe that local body polls in Jammu are likely to be postponed as the BJP currently lacks popularity. The host of issues that people of Jammu want to be addressed on a priority basis includes ‘Smart Meters’, ‘Toll Plaza, and ‘Property Tax. Amit Kapoor president - president ‘Dogra Welfare Sanghatan’ Jammu who led multiple protests against the installation of Smart Meters in Janipora, Tawi Bridge, Bhagvati Nagar believes that BJP is yet again playing a game and instead of raising the issue of smart meters, jobs, inflation, it is highlighting the issue of toll plaza that is affecting a small chunk of the population. ...

Turncoat politician unnerved as BJP facing bleak prospects in Jammu, PDP on Devender Rana’s statement

POLITICS
Reacting to a recent statement from BJP’s Devender Singh Rana, JKPDP has termed it as his desperate effort to salvage his dwindling stature in the party and also the bleak prospectus facing his party. “Devender Singh Rana, has displayed a clear sense of political desperation as he attempts to deflect attention from his own political choices and wavering allegiances. Rana's political journey is marked by his transition from the National Conference to the BJP, raising questions about his true motivations. His inclination towards business interests and political opportunism has been evident in his career, and his recent statements appear to be a calculated effort to sidestep criticism and regain political relevance,” JKPDP Chief Spokesperson Syed Suhail Bukhari said. “Rana's party revok...

Is BJP’s argument weak that its leaders threaten the Supreme court’, asks Omar Abdullah on Irani’s remarks on Article 370

POLITICS, REGIONAL
Jammu Kashmir National Conference working president Omar Abdullah Wednesday said the Centre should wait for the Supreme Court's decision on Article 370's abrogation rather than "threatening" it, saying remarks by some BJP leaders over the sub-judice matter "almost tantamount" to contempt of court. His comments came after Union minister Smriti Irani, while participating on the debate on the no-confidence motion against the central government in the Lok Sabha, said "Article 370 will never be restored". Abdullah said he feels surprised to hear such remarks from responsible BJP leaders, PTI reported. "The issue is before the SC, let the SC take a decision. Why are they threatening the SC? A Union minister has made such remarks today in Parliament that they will never allow it to happe...

‘For Kashmiris, it’s not merely legal, but a matter of our sentiments’, Mehbooba Mufti on Article 370 hearing

POLITICS, REGIONAL
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday expressed happiness over the arguments in the Supreme Court during the hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, but said it was a test of Jammu and Kashmir’s decision to accede to India. The top court is hearing several petitions challenging the nullification of Article 370 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which split the erstwhile state into two Union territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. “I am happy over the arguments in the SC. These are the issues me and PDP have been raising since 2019. The SC is fortunate that it does not face any hurdle, but our people are either arrested or put under house arrest for the same arguments that the decision taken in Parliament trampled the Constituti...

‘Reorganization Act is sub judice, introducing new laws to J-K illegal’, Hasnain Masoodi in opposition to centre’s bills regarding J-K

POLITICS, REGIONAL
Hasnain Masoodi, Member Parliament from south Kashmir’s Anantnag has opposed the bills regarding Jammu Kashmir scheduled to be tabled in the lower house on Wednesday. The Central Government has introduced three bills namely The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order, 1956, will also be introduced today in the Lower House. The first aims to reserve three seats in the assembly of Jammu Kashmir, dissolved since 2018 while the Scheduled Caste Bill aims to provide reservation to extend reservation to several Pahadi classes. MP Hasnain Masoodi on Wednesday opposed the bills and said that the introduction of the bills was hi...

Mehbooba Mufti asks court to take notice of Assam CM’s statement targeting Muslims

POLITICS, REGIONAL
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma blaming Muslims for price rise shows the utter failure of the BJP-led government to control unemployment and inflation. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister added that while the judiciary took action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for raising questions on corruption, it should also take suo-motu notice of Sarma’s remarks. “Assam CM blaming Muslims for crippling price rise shows BJP’s utter failure on unemployment, inflation and lack of development. Himanta Biswa is openly urging Hindus to forcibly take away even their meagre forms of livelihood — vegetable vendors and kirhana shops. “While the judiciary took quick action against Rahul Gandhi for raising legitimate questions on corrupt...