Monday, March 31News and updates from Kashmir

THE KASHMIRIYAT

Jammu-based employees serving in Kashmir granted special leave on polling days

Jammu-based employees serving in Kashmir granted special leave on polling days

REGIONAL
Government of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday announced grant of three-day special casual leave to Jammu-based employees serving in Kashmir on polling days. “Sanction is hereby accorded to grant of three (03) days Special Casual Leave in favour of employees of Jammu division working in Kashmir Valley, during various phases of Lok Sabha Elections,” reads an order, as per GNS. The special casual leaves will be observed from 18-04-2024 to 20-04-2024 in Udhampur constituency with polling scheduled on 19-04-2024; from 25-04-2024 to 27-04-2024 in Jammu with polling scheduled on 26-04-2024 and from 06-05-2024 to 08-05-2024 in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency with polling scheduled on 07-05-2024. (GNS)

New faces should come to politics in Jammu Kashmir: Waqar H Bhatti

REGIONAL
Awami e Tahreek Chairman Waqar H Bhatti has issued a scathing press release, countering statements made by National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and Umar Abdullah regarding Kashmir. Bhatti, in his capacity as chairman, posed several questions to the Abdullah duo. He highlighted the pre-Article 370 scenario, pointing out that while there were three National Conference MPs, the Abdullahs met Prime Minister Narendra Modi just days before its abrogation, after which all three MPs were placed under house arrest. Bhatti emphasized his own vocal stance on the issue, contrasting it with the silence of National Conference leaders. Bhatti revealed his own struggles, including being booked under Section 124 and spending seven months in jail, followed by hunger strikes at Jantar Mantar. De...

Residential house partially damaged in fire incident in Kunzer

REGIONAL
A residential house was damaged in a fire incident in Kunzer area of North Kashmir Baramulla district. Reports reaching news agency Kashmir Scroll said that a during night hours, fire broke out in the residential house of Gulzar Ahmad Khan son of Mohd Shafi Khan resident of Hardbani Payeen Kunzer. They said that the fire was brought under control by fire and Emergency services, police and locals. During this incident the residential house was partially damaged but no injury /loss of life occurred while the apparent cause of fire was due to the short circuit, they said . Meanwhile police have taken cognizance and started investigation.(KS)

Night temp rises, MeT says ‘no significant’ weather activity expected in J&K till March 27

REGIONAL
While weatherman ruled out any significant weather activity till March 27 evening, night temperature recorded an increase with mercury settling above sub-zero level in Jammu and Kashmir including Gulmarg and Pahalgam on Sunday. A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 10.2°C against 6.5°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 5.2°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 6.8°C against 5.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said. Pahalgam recorded a low of 3.6°C against minus 1.1°C on the previous night and it was 3.2°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir. Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum...

KPDCL suspends 15 more employees, initiates disciplinary proceedings

REGIONAL
The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Saturday suspended its fifteen more employees and initiated disciplinary proceedings against them. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Managing Director KPDCL and its administrative official in this regard has issued 15 suspension orders against its employees. The suspension and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against ten Linemen and other meter readers and technicians. KPDCL in different suspension orders of its employees said that the disciplinary proceedings under rule-33 of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 are contemplated against them. Accordingly, the officials placed all the 15 employees under suspension with immediate effect. “The su...

JKSCERT postpones exam of all papers of 8th Class except for English subject

REGIONAL
The Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (JKSCERT) Saturday postponed examination of all papers of 8th standard except for the english subject. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Joint Director Central for JKSCERT said that the postponement was announced in view of the representations from various quarters for in the UT of J&K. The official communique in this regard reads, “It is notified for all the concerned that the Middle Standard Examinations scheduled to be held on 24th, 26th and 29th of March in respect of soft zone and 26th and 29th of March in respect of hard zone stand postponed.” JKSCERT said that the fresh dates for conduct of these papers of both Hard Zone shall be notified in due course of time. Earlier, th...

Some self styled journalists stigmatize children by disclosing their identity: CWC

REGIONAL
Some self styled journalists have been stigmatizing the children by disclosing their identities. Child welfare Committee Chairperson has written to the information department to direct concerned officers of your department to frequently conduct verifications of persons carrying mics, cameras and other media accessories. "There are a number of Admins of Social Media Pages which highlights the public interest matters related to the children which gives en masse awareness to the parents, teachers, students and other stake holders about the child rights and the authorities before whom any violation of child rights can be agitated which is positive and appreciable factor in the best interest of public and children at large. However, some of the social media handlers (so-called Journalists...

BJP can impose President’s rule in Delhi: Omar Abdullah on Kejriwal’s arrest

REGIONAL
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti have spoken out vehemently against the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, expressing concerns over what they perceive as growing “authoritarianism" within the ruling government. According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Omar further raised concerns about the possibility of the BJP exploiting Kejriwal's situation to impose President's rule in Delhi, thereby interfering with the democratic process. He urged the Aam Aadmi Party to remain vigilant and warned against the misuse of constitutional provisions to subvert the will of the people. “If Aam Aadmi Party is adamant on keeping Arvind Kejriwal as Chief Minister from jail. The Center may use this as an excuse to impose Preside...

Amid Election Season, Flight Fares Skyward in JK, Passengers fume

REGIONAL
Air travelers traveling to Jammu and Kashmir are facing the harsh reality of soaring flight fares. With increased demand amidst the election environment and the approaching festival of Holi, airline companies have substantially raised their ticket prices, leaving passengers grappling with exorbitant costs. As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the impact of this fare surge is particularly felt in routes connecting major cities like Jammu to Srinagar and Delhi. Previously affordable fares have now doubled, with travelers shelling out up to Rs 6,000 for a journey from Jammu to Srinagar, and up to Rs 8,000 for flights to Delhi.   Despite the outcry over escalating fares, authorities have yet to take concrete measures to curb this trend, leaving passengers at the mer...

Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan released after more than 5 years

REGIONAL
Kashmiri journalist Asif Sultan has been released after spending more than five years in jail. According to news Laundry, Asif was released nearly 78 days after Jammu Kashmir High Court quashed his detention order under the Public Safety Act. Asif was jailed at the Ambedkar Nagar district jail in Uttar Pradesh. The Kashmiri journalist was booked under the charges of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in August 2018 and then after being bailed out in that case in April 2022, he was booked under the Public Safety Act in the same month. The court quashed his detention on December 11 last year, stating the detaining authorities “did not follow the procedural requirements in letter and spirit”. However, he continued to remain in jail awaiting “clearance letters” from Kashmir’s ...