REGIONAL

Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir and Vice President of the National Conference, rejected the BJP's assertion that the ongoing violence in Kashmir is linked to Article 370. Abdullah,in an exclusive interview with India Today, emphasized that the tumultuous phase in the region's history is more directly connected to the controversial elections of 1987 rather than the constitutional provision. Countering the BJP's argument attributing violence and separatism to Article 370, Abdullah raised a crucial question regarding the timing of the violence. He queried why violence did not emerge immediately after the implementation of Article 370 in 1950 but instead surfaced in 1987. Highlighting the temporal gap, Abdullah remarked, "If Article 370 was the root cause of ...

A security breach was reported in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session. Two individuals reportedly leapt into the house from a gallery, releasing smoke canisters emitting fluorescent gas. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress leader in Lok Sabha, swiftly exited the premises, highlighting the significant security lapse and ensuing commotion. Providing insights into the incident to the media outside the house, Chowdhury said, “Two young men leapt from the gallery and threw something emitting gas. MPs apprehended them, and security personnel escorted them out. The House was adjourned until 2 pm. This constitutes a clear security breach, notably on the day commemorating the sacrifice of lives in the 2001 Parliament attack.”

Tribal activist Talib Hussain, renowned for his advocacy against the perpetrators of the notorious Kathua rape and murder case, was apprehended by Jammu and Kashmir police on charges of threatening communal harmony. The arrest transpired during Hussain's sit-in protest opposing the JK Reservation Bill 2023. Talib, affiliated with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was taken into custody on Tuesday at Panama Chowk in Jammu, according to his colleagues. The 'Jammu Kashmir Reservation Bill, 2023' was presented in the parliament during the monsoon session in July and was recently approved by the Rajya Sabha. Despite assurances from the Union government and J&K administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha that the reservation percentages for Gujjar and Bakerwal tribes wo...

A part of the renowned water stream flowing through the heart of Pulwama town in south Kashmir has transformed into a filthy drain. The stream, known as 'Dhoeb Koal' (washer men’s stream), which once flowed gracefully from the old bus stand Pulwama to Murran Chowk, has now become a trash bin. The stream, once a source of income for nearly four dozen households engaged in the laundry business, has turned out to be a waste dumping site. Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they have been demanding cleaning and restoration of the ‘Koal’ for the last thirty years, and have expressed frustration over the “authorities’ lack of attention” to the issue. Mushtaq Ahmad, a local resident, said despite repeated pleas, the stream rarely undergoes cleaning, and resemb...

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah accused the BJP of transforming the region into turmoil by reducing its status to a Union territory. This comment, amidst controversy, sparked when Abdullah initially remarked, "let Kashmir go to hell." However, he later clarified, putting the spotlight on the BJP's responsibility for turning the 'heaven on earth' into a place of distress. The BJP has consistently blamed Abdullah's leadership for mismanaging Jammu and Kashmir, leading to increased unrest and militancy. In response to Abdullah's statements, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the INDI Alliance's stance on Article 370 and urged condemnation of Abdullah's words. Abdullah defended himself, highlighting issues such as the region's downgrading, lack o...

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) wing of J&K Police is carrying out raids across various locations in south Kashmir as part of their investigation in terror funding case, officials said. Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the raids are going on at nearly five locations in Anantnag and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir. “The case is related to terror funding already been registered with the SIA,” officials said. They said the ongoing raids are being conducted with the assistance of local police and the Central Reserve Police Force. (CRPF) More details awaited.

In a significant legal development dated December 5, 2023, the High Court delivered a landmark judgment, setting aside the detention order against Asif Sultan. The ruling, pronounced by Justice A. Rahman, highlighted critical procedural flaws leading to the detainee's immediate release. The detention, as per Order No. DMS/PSA/30/2022 dated April 9, 2022, authorized by the District Magistrate of Srinagar, aimed to prevent Asif Sultan from allegedly engaging in activities detrimental to the State's security. "The main grounds on which the detention is sought to be quashed are that the grounds of detention are vague, indefinite, cryptic, inasmuch as the detaining authority has not attributed any specific allegation against the detenu; that the detaining authority has not furnished th...

A 20-year-old girl Sabreena Nabi hailing from Charar-e-Sharief area in Budgam has left a remarkable mark in the world of calligraphy by writing Surah Yusuf along with its translated version in English and Urdu on a single scroll measuring 15.5 meters. Recognized for excellent work from India World Records and the Influencer Book of World Records, she has secured a place among the best calligraphists in the world. Sabreena said that her journey in calligraphy began with a passion for intricate handwriting and her dedication led her to undertake the significant task of transcribing an entire chapter of the Quran. "I have always loved calligraphy and have been practicing it since I was in school. I first got a lengthy roll of single sheets from Delhi because I was having trouble find...

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Monday said that those having a history of stone pelting and any sort of links with militancy will not get government jobs in Jammu Kashmir. Replying to the discussion on J&K Reservation (Amendment) bill and J&K Re-organisation Bill 2023, in Rajya Sabha, Home Minister, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that there will be no sympathy with militants and their sympathisers. “Those having the history of stone pelting and any sort of links with the terrorists won’t get government jobs in J&K,” he said, adding that the process of dismissing the government employees having militancy links. Shah said many youth laid down arms and joined mainstream in north east and the Centre will welcome the gun-wielding youth of Kashmir if the...

The Centre on Tuesday in the Rajya Sabha said that 92 percent of civil construction of AIIMS Jammu and 42 percent of AIIMS Awantipora has been completed. In a written reply to a question Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that J&K goverment has also accorded approval for the establishment of five medcities in the UT. He said that 92% of civil construction work of AIIMS Jammu has been completed, while 1450 faculty and non-faculty posts have been sanctioned out of which 549 have been filled up. He said that 01 MRI machine has been delivered at AIIMS Jammu, while 44% of civil construction work of AIIMS Awantipora has been completed. The minister added that seven new medical colleges a...