Restrictions on movement of people eased, landline services partially restored in Valley

18/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Restrictions on the movement of people were eased and landline phone services restored in some areas of the Kashmir Valley on Saturday, even as stringent security arrangements remained in place, officials said. They said the restrictions have been relaxed in 35 police station areas of Kashmir while 17 telephone exchanges out of 96 have been made functional. More than 50,000 landline phones were operational now, the officials said, adding that the services will be restored in ...

Modi holds talks with Bhutanese counterpart as 2 countries sign 10 MoUs

18/08/2019
THIMPHU, Aug 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering held wide ranging talks on Saturday during which they discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors as the two countries inked 10 MoUs to infuse new energy in their ties. "We had a comprehensive meeting, where we deliberated on the relations between India and Bhutan. There is great scope to further improve economic and cultural ties between our nations," Prime Ministe...

2G mobile internet services restored in 5 Jammu districts

18/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 17: Low-speed (2G) mobile internet services have been restored in five districts of Jammu region and restrictions relaxed in 35 police stations in the Kashmir Valley, state police chiefDilbag Singh said on Saturday. However, he warned that any misuse of internet facilities will result in legal action. Now there are no restrictions in 10 districts of Jammu with ongoing relaxation at Poonch, Banihal, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah towns for the day, he said. "Restrictions relaxed in the jur...

14 stuck in flash floods rescued in Kathua

18/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 17: Fourteen people were rescued on Saturday following flash floods in Kathua district of the Jammu region, where heavy rains disrupted normal life, officials said. Eleven people, belonging to a nomadic community, were stuck in flash floods in Ujhriver in Rajbagh area and were subsequently rescued by the Kathua Police along with SDRF personnel, a police official said. The rescued people were shifted to a safer location, he added. In another rescue operation in Ujhriver, policemen sa...

Need to understand why law graduate’s natural choice is not legal profession: CJI

18/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 17: Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday said there is a need to look at the role and functioning of lawyers and understand why a law graduate's natural choice is not the legal profession in spite of great attractions and opportunities. The CJI said lawyers act as advocates and advisors of litigants and help them secure their rights under the law. While working for their clients, they interpret and mould the law and help the judges in laying down the legal proposition...

Senior Balochistan politician, three others shot dead

18/08/2019
LAHORE, Aug 17: A senior politician was shot dead along with his minor grandson and two security guards on Saturday in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) leader Amanullah Zehri was returning to his residence in the wee hours when his convoy was ambushed by unidentified gunmen in Khuzdar district, said Deputy Commissioner Major Muhammad. "Zehri, his 14-year-old grandson MardanZehri and his two guards were killed on the spot," Muhammad said. The ...

Trump asks Imran to reduce tensions with India through bilateral dialogue

18/08/2019
WASHINGTON, Aug 17: US President Donald Trump on Friday conveyed the importance of India and Pakistan reducing tensions through bilateral dialogue during a phone call with Prime Minister Imran Khan, the White House said. The phone conversation between Trump and Khan took place before the close-door-consultation of the 15 members of the UN Security Council on Kashmir. The White House readout of the call was issued after the meeting concluded at the UN headquarters in New York. "The President c...

Curbs in J&K being lifted gradually: Reddy

18/08/2019
Hyderabad, Aug 17: The restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 are being lifted gradually and the situation should be normal within a week, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said on Saturday. Precautionary measures were being taken in view of provocative statements and others coming from Pakistan, he said. Kashmir situation is normal. Day to day, the situation is improving, because we are taking all precautionary measures. From the Paki...

Art 370 repealed, over 21,000 West Pakistani families see a new life ahead

18/08/2019
Samba, Aug 17: The abrogation of Article 370 has come as a ray of hope for nearly 21,000 families who migrated to India from Pakistan after partition. West Pakistan refugees, as they are known, fled Pakistan due to religious violence triggered by the partition in 1947 and settled in the border district of Samba. Barred from government jobs, admission in colleges and scholarships, welfare schemes, and right to own land, they have been living 'stateless' within India for more than 70 years. Now...

Fire at AIIMS forces evacuation of patients; virology unit gutted, samples destroyed

18/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 17: A major fire broke out at the teaching block of the AIIMS here on Saturday, destroying samples and medical reports and forcing evacuation of some patients, though no one was injured, officials said. The fire started at around 5 pm from the Microbiology department and thick plumes of smoke billowed from the building, sparking panic among patients, attendants and staff, and affecting emergency services. Former Union finance minister ArunJaitley is admitted at the Intensive C...

Dhoni plays cricket with kids in Leh, picture goes viral

18/08/2019
LEH, Aug 17: Former India captain M.S. Dhoni has completed his two-week stint with the Territorial Army in Jammu and Kashmir. A picture of him playing cricket with kids in a basketball court on a cemented pitch has been going viral on social media. In the picture, Dhoni is seen hitting the ball. According to reports, Dhoni has also promised to open a cricket academy in Ladakh. The 38-year-old had taken a two-month break from active cricket, after India was edged out of the World Cup following...

ANI journalist stands up against Pakistanis’ despicable act to disregard Indian flag

18/08/2019
LONDON, Aug 17: The ANI reporter here stood up against the despicable act of tearing and disregarding the tricolour by Pakistani supporters during a recent protest outside the Indian High Commission on the Independence Day. The incident occurred on Thursday during anti-Indian protests that had otherwise already witnessed scenes of Pakistani side throwing eggs and stones on Indian diaspora. At one point, a young Khalistani supporter sneaked into where the Indians stood, grabbed an Indian flag, ...

We would like to give little time: SC on plea seeking removal of restrictions in JK

17/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: The Supreme Court on Friday said it will wait for sometime before passing any direction on the plea seeking removal of restrictions on the media in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre said curbs are being lifted gradually. During the hearing, the Centre told the apex court that the situation is improving in Jammu and Kashmir and the curbs are being lifted gradually. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S A Bobde and S A Najeer said, "We would like to gi...

No killing in Kashmir, situation to be normal in few days

17/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam on Friday lauded the media for its "constructive role" in the current situation here. "If we would have thought that media is portraying wrong things, we could have closed the channels. All channels are running. They are being allowed to meet people here, what you (media) are broadcasting is reaching people," he said. "You (media) have played a good role. Everybody may have different viewpoints. But people while they are sitting at ho...

What happens in future depends on circumstances: Rajnath on ‘no first use’ of nuke policy

17/08/2019
JAIPUR/NEW DELHI, Aug 16: India is "firmly committed" to its 'no first use' of nuclear weapons policy but future of the security doctrine will depend on the circumstances, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday, in remarks which came in the midst of rising tension between New Delhi and Islamabad over Kashmir. Singh made the comments after visiting Rajasthan's Pokhran -- the site of India's nuclear tests in 1974 during Indira Gandhi's regime and in 1998 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the ...

I-Day, Eid most peaceful in J&K this year in 3 decades: Jitendra

17/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its "most peaceful" Independence Day and Eid celebrations this year since militancy erupted in the state three decades ago, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Friday, adding the festivities were earlier marred by "bloodshed" and violence". Paying homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, Singh said that some political parties and intellectuals were using the veteran's slogan 'Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat, Insan...

HIGH ALERT sounded at security bases

17/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: A high alert has been sounded at all Indian Army, Air Force, and security forces' bases in Jammu and Kashmir against the possible attempt by Pakistan-backed terrorist groups to carry out attacks. Official sources told ANI on Friday that the high alert has been sounded in view of Pakistan's attempts to create disturbances in the Valley. This comes after sources in the Indian Army said Pakistan has upscaled ceasefire violations in terms of area and weapon in the last few days....

Stop terror to start talks: India to Pak after UNSC meeting on Kashmir

17/08/2019
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 16: India on Friday firmly told Pakistan that it has to stop terrorism to start talks as the UN Security Council held a rare closed door meeting to discuss revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Briefing the media following the conclusion of the informal meeting requested by China and Pakistan, India's permanent representative to United Nations Syed Akbaruddin said India's position was and remains that matters related to the Article 370 of the Constitution a...

Cong prevented from addressing presser, spokesperson detained

17/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 16: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress was on Friday prevented from addressing a press conference as police detained its chief spokesperson and formner MLC Ravinder Sharama at the party headquarters here. Sharma was about to address a press conference at the Shaheedi Chowk party headquarters when a police party appeared on the scene and asked him to accompany him as a senior officer wanted to talk to him. Sharma resisted and asked them that he is going to address the waitin...

Two booked for sensitive FB posts

17/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 16: The police booked two men in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Friday for their "sensitive" posts on social media platform Facebook, thereby emerging as a threat to public order, police officials said. The two men were identified as Atiq Chowdhary and Farooq Choudhary, they said, adding that their respective Facebook user ids were Chowdhary Atiq Rajouri and Farooq Choudhary. Both were booked for allegedly trying to provoke and incite the feeling of hatred on the basis of ...

J&K Bank loan fraud: Third case registered, searches carried out in Bengaluru

17/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 16: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a fresh case in the loan fraud worth over Rs 350 crore in Jammu and Kashmir Bank on Friday and conducted searches at different places in Bengaluru. The searches were conducted at residential premises and office of Anish Mohd Rawther, the promoter-director-cum-managing director of S A Rawther Spices Private Limited, in the Karnataka capital, a spokesman of the anti-corruption body said here. This is the third case registered by the ACB...

JNEG celebrates Independence Day; hoists tricolour

17/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 16: Jammu Newspapers Editors Guild celebrated 73rd Independence day and the Guild members hoisted the national flag at the premises of hotel Lemon Tree Jammu. The Chairman JNEG Mr Raj Daluja (Editor StateTimes), Mr A K Sawhney (Chief Patron Journey Line) alongwith Mr Ram Dubey Sr Vice President (Editor Kattu Satya), Mr Subash Mehra Vice President, Mr Vijay Gupta General Secretary (Editor Young Bites) Mr Vishal Chopra Joint Secretary (Editor Jammu Metro), Mr Amir Sawhney (Editor ...

India will keep exposing those sheltering, exporting terror: PM

17/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: In a clear message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India will continue to expose those supporting, sheltering and exporting terrorism, asserting there is no ambiguity in its approach in dealing with the challenge. In his address to the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, the prime minister said India has a clear and firm policy of going after those spreading fear and resorting to violence. "India will keep on fighting decisively against ...

Identity of JK people won’t be tampered: Guv

17/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: The identity of people of Jammu and Kashmir is neither at stake nor tampered with after the abrogation of the state's special status by the Centre, Governor Satya Pal Malik assured Thursday after hoisting the national flag on the 73rd Independence Day on Thursday. Terming the changes introduced by the Centre "historical", Malik said they will open a new door of development and help various commu-nities promote their languages and cultures in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. ...

Shah says scrapping J&K special status big milestone

17/08/2019
JIND (HARYANA), Aug 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is a "big milestone for the country's unity and accused the Congress of not taking the step because of its "vote-bank greed". He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day announcement on creating the post of Chief of Defence Staff will strengthen the country's defence manifold. Addressing a rally in Haryana's Jat heartland, the BJP president cited the example of lo...

Centre to take call on Justice Akil Kureshi elevation in a week: SC

17/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 16: The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that it would take a call within a week on the Collegium’s May 10 recommendation to elevate Justice Akil Kureshi as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde and S Abdul Nazeer was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the Centre would take a call within a week on the top court collegium’s recommendation. “I have instruction that within a week some decisions will...

Nullifying Article 370 was an emotional issue for Indians: Madhav

17/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 16: Claiming that Article 370 was included in the Constitution "through back door" by first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, BJP leader Ram Madhav on Friday asser-ted that its nullification was a question of life and death for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and an emotional issue for the rest of the country. "(The nullification) of Article 370 was an emotional issue for the rest of India while it was an issue of life and death for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and that is why ...

Kashmir remains shut for 12th consecutive day

17/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Kashmir remained shut for the 12th consecutive day on Friday, even as the authorities relaxed restrictions on the movement of people in Srinagar. "Restrictions on the movement of people have been eased in most parts of the Valley. The situation so far has remained peaceful," a senior official of the state administration said here. He said while the deployment of security forces on the ground remains as earlier, people were allowed to move around the city and other towns. ...

People of JK to benefit from revocation of special status, bifurcating state: Prez

15/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday expressed confidence that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will immensely benefit from the revocation of provisions of Article 370 that gave special status to the state and its bifurcation into two Union Territories. Delivering his Independence Day address to the nation, Kovind also said the changes made in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh recently will enable the people to access and enjoy the same rights, same privileges and same facilitie...

Prez approves 132 gallantry awards, Vir Chakra for Wing Commander Abhinandan

15/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 132 gallantry awards to armed forces personnel and members of paramilitary forces including third highest gallantry award, Vir Chakra for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a PAF F-16 during the dogfight on February 27. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Deputy Commandant Harshpal Singh has been awarded Kirti Chakra for his role in a counter-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir in which three Jaish-e-Mohammed terror...

Shah Faesal sent back to Kashmir from Delhi, detained under PSA in Srinagar

15/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Former IAS officer Shah Faesal on Wednesday was sent back to Kashmir from the Delhi airport and detained here under the Public Safety Act (PSA), officials said. Faesal, who was bound for Istanbul, was detained at the airport during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, they said. His purpose of visiting turkey was not immediacy known, they said. The former bureaucrat from Jammu and Kashmir had floated a political outfit after resigning from the Indian Administ...

Modi set to deliver his sixth straight I-Day speech

15/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver on Thursday his sixth straight Independence Day speech and is expected to touch on a host of issues, ranging from his government's landmark decision on Jammu and Kashmir to the state of economy. This will also be his first August 15 address after coming back to power with a huge mandate. Modi has used the annual event to announce his government's showpiece programmes like 'Swachh Bharat', 'Ayushman Bharat' and India's first manned s...

Doval holds high-level security meeting

15/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 14: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held a law and order review meeting to review the overall security arrangements in Kashmir. The meeting was held on August 13 in Srinagar. The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Governor, K Vijay Kumar, army commander northern command Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, chief secretary B Subramaniam, chinar corps commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir Dilbagh Singh, Home secretary Shaleen Kebra and Div...

Court extends Rashid’s NIA custody in terror-funding case

15/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 14: A Delhi court on Wednesday extended till August 21 the NIA custody of former Independent MLA in Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Rashid Engineer, arrested in a case related to funding of terror activities in the Valley. Rashid, who was a legislator from the Langate Assembly seat in north Kashmir, is the first mainstream politician to have been arrested by the NIA in the case.

India planning bigger operation than Balakot in PoK: Imran Khan

15/08/2019
MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 14: Pakistan has 'full knowledge' that India is planning a bigger operation than Balakot in PoK, country's Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday. "We have information and we have had two National Security Committee (NSC) meetings. The Pakistan Army has full knowledge that India has made a plan to take action in PoK. Just like how after Pulwama, they took the action in Balakot, according to the information we have, they have made more sinister plans now," Khan said while...

Restrictions in Kashmir imposed to avoid loss of human lives: Govt

14/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 13: Asserting that restrictions in the Kashmir Valley were put in place to avoid loss of human lives, the foremost priority, a top government official on Tuesday said these impositions on people's movement and communications are being eased out in a phased manner. The official also asserted that these restrictions will only be removed after an assessment by local authorities and added that political leaders like former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, who were a...

Miscreants pelted stones leading to ‘widespread unrest’ on Aug 9; forces didn’t fire: MHA

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: The Home Ministry said on Tuesday that "miscreants" resorted to unprovoked stone-pelting against security personnel at a Srinagar outskirts on August 9, leading to "widespread unrest", but no bullet was fired against the protesters. The incident took place at Soura in Srinagar amidst a government-imposed restrictions on communications and movement of people, following abrogation of special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. "Stories in media on a said inci...

SC refuses to order lifting restrictions in JK, says Govt needs time as situation ‘very sensitive’

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: The Supreme Court Tuesday refused to interfere with the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government imposing restrictions, including shutdown of communication services, after the abrogation of Article 370 and said "reasonable time" should be given to authorities to ensure normalcy as the "situation is very sensitive". The apex court said it will have to wait for the "real picture" to emerge and look into "all the pros and cons" before going into the issues raised in the "poo...

Army Chief downplays Pak ramping up troops along LoC, says it’s normal

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Tuesday said Pakistan deploying additional military resources along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir over the last few days is normal and not a matter of concern, asserting that Indian troops are prepared to deal with any security challenge in the region. The Army chief said every country takes precautionary measures and there is no reason to worry about the deployment of additional forces by Pakistan along LoC. "That's normal. Everybo...

Indian Railway’s commando unit to be deployed in JK

14/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 13: Set up to guard passengers and goods on trains in critical rail sectors of India, the Commandos for Railway Safety (CORAS) will be deployed in Naxal-prone belts, Jammu and Kashmir and North East after its maiden launch on Wednesday, a senior official said. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and MoS Railway Suresh C Angadi will launch CORAS in New Delhi. Soon after its launch on Wednesday, the CORAS will be deployed in critical and sensitive areas of the country, Director General, Ra...

Election Commission holds discussion on delimitation in JK

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Election Commission on Tuesday held "internal discussion" on various to aspects of delimitation of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the process will roll out after a formal communication from Home Ministry, sources said. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisaiton Act 2019 provides that the number of seats in the legislative assembly of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall be increased from 107 to 114, and delimitation of the constituencies will be determined by the Election Co...

Rahul trying create unrest by seeking to bring oppn leaders to JK: Guv

14/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 13: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for putting "pre-conditions" for a visit to the state and alleged he was trying to "create unrest" by seeking to bring a delegation of opposition leaders. Following remarks by Gandhi on that there have been reports of violence in Kashmir, Malik on Monday had said he will send him an aircraft to visit the Valley and observe the ground situation. Gandhi has put forth many conditions for the visit, incl...

Doval interacts with security personnel in Valley

14/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 13: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who is still in Srinagar after he flew in to the city following the withdrawal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday interacted with the police and security personnel here, a government official privy to the development told ANI. Earlier in the day, Doval had also carried out a recce of Srinagar to assess the situation on the ground on the day of Eid al-Adha. He visited the most sensitive areas in downtown Srinagar such as So...

Sushma transformed MEA, oriented it to ‘people’s call’: Modi

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that Sushma Swaraj as external affairs minister transformed her ministry from being bound to protocol to one oriented to "people's call" and recalled she had urged him to deliver his first UN speech from a prepared text and not speak impromptu. Joined by leaders from all major parties, Modi paid rich tributes to the BJP stalwart, who died last week, at a condolence meeting here. The prime minister said he learnt a lot from her an...

Why CBI does a good job when there is no political overtone to a case: CJI

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Observing that the possibility of the CBI being used as a "political instrument" remains ever present, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi posed a question on Tuesday "why is that whenever there is no political overtone to a case, the agency does a good job". Gogoi said that efforts should be made to "delink crucial aspects" of the CBI from the overall administrative control of the government. Delivering the 18th annual D P Kohli memorial lecture, organised by the agency af...

TRUMP’S KASHMIR MEDIATION OFFER NOT ON TABLE ANYMORE: INDIAN ENVOY

14/08/2019
WASHINGTON, Aug 13: US President Donald Trump has made it very clear that his offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue is not on the table anymore after New Delhi rejected it, India ambassador to the US, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said on Monday (local time). "President Trump has made it very clear that his offer to mediate on Jammu and Kashmir is dependent on both India and Pakistan. Since India has not accepted his offer, the president has made it clear that this is not ...

Ayodhya: On 5th day of hearing, arguments in SC on whether temple existed on disputed site

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: Arguments on whether a temple existed at the disputed site in Ayodhya were presented on Tues-day before the Supreme Court which heard the politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case for the fifth day. Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for deity Ram Lalla Virajman, advanced arguments on whether there was an existing temple over which the mosque came up, before a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. Three judges of the Alla...

India, Russia to boost ties to achieve USD 30 bn bilateral trade by 2025

14/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 13: India and Russia have called for diversifying and deepening of economic ties in priority sectors to meet the bilateral trade target of USD 30 billion by 2025, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. This was emphasised upon by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during a business session from August 11-13 in Vladivostok, Russia. A delegation including chief ministers of Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Goa and about ...

Arrest warrant against Tharoor over ‘Hindu Pakistan’ remark

14/08/2019
KOLKATA, Aug 13: A city court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor over his alleged remark that the BJP will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for creation of a “Hindu Pakistan”. Tharoor’s alleged statement had sparked off a controversy with the saffron party demanding an apology from the Congress leader. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dipanjan Sen issued a bailable warrant against Tharoor on a petition by lawyer Sumit Chowdhury, who claimed the statem...

Barring stray protests, Eid-al-Adha prayers peaceful

13/08/2019
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Aug 12: Barring stray protests, Eid-al-Adha prayers on Monday morning at various mosques in Jammu and Kashmir concluded peacefully, officials said, but the festive buzz was missing with curfew-like restrictions in place across the state. According to the Union Home Ministry, people came out in good numbers to offer Eid prayers and 'namaz' was offered at prominent mosques in Srinagar and Shopian. The authorities had on Sunday said people would be allowed to visit neighbourhood...

Quiet, lonely Eid for Farooq, Omar, Mehbooba

13/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 12: It was a quiet, lonely Eid for former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti on Monday, quite unlike previous years when their homes were full of celebratory crowds of supporters, friends and family members, officials said. The three leaders were detained after the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 and proposed that the state be bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh...

No exchange of sweets along Indo-Pak border on Eid

13/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 12: The customary exchange of sweets between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers along the International Border did not take place on the occasion of Eid on Monday as the neighbouring country refused to send its personnel, officials said. There has been fresh strain in ties between India and Pakistan after the government scrapped special status to Jammu and Kas-hmir, with Islamabad unilaterally downgrading diplomatic relations. The officials said the Pakistani side refused to attend t...

Will send aircraft for Rahul Gandhi to visit Kashmir: Guv

13/08/2019
Jammu, Aug 12: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that there have been reports of violence in Kashmir, saying he will send him an aircraft to visit the valley and observe the ground situation. The governor said Gandhi should feel ashamed about the behaviour of one of his leaders who was talking like an "idiot" in Parliament. "I have invited Rahul Gandhi to come here. I will send you a plane, to observe (the situation) ...

NSA undertakes aerial survey of Kashmir Valley

13/08/2019
SRINAGAR, Aug 12: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday undertook an aerial survey of the city and South Kashmir areas to take stock of the security situation as the valley celebrated Eid al-Adha amid strict restrictions that are in place after the decision to revoke provisions of Article 370. Officials said police chief Dilbag Singh and Army commanders also undertook separate aerial visits of various parts of the Kashmir Valley. The officers found the situation to be absolutely fine,...

AYODHYA LAND DISPUTE: Crucial day-to-day hearing of case in SC to enter 5th day on Tuesday

13/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 12: The crucial day-to-day hearing in the politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case in the Supreme Court will entre the 5th day on Tuesday with the counsel for the deity, 'Ram Lalla Virajman', re-commencing arguments for claim over the entire 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya. The hearing before a 5-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, assumes significance following its query on Friday as to whether anyone from the 'Raghuvansha' (descenda...

3 killed as landslide hits Reasi

13/08/2019
JAMMU, Aug 12: Three persons of a family were killed and two others injured when they were hit by a big boulder during a landslide in Reasi district, officials said Monday. The family had gone to a nearby forest area from their Laar village in Mahore belt when the landslide struck on Sunday evening, they said. They were hit by a big boulder, resulting in the death of three persons and injuries to two others, they said. People, police and forest officials retrieved bodies. They have been ident...

ARTICLE 370: SC to hear plea on Tuesday against ‘regressive measures’ in J&K

13/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 12: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a plea challenging the Centre's decision to impose restrictions and "other regressive measures" in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of the provisions of Article 370. The plea filed by Congress activist Tehseen Poonawalla is listed for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, M R Shah and Ajay Rastogi. Besides, a separate petition filed by AnuradhaBhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, seeking remo...

Any bilateral differences should not become disputes: Jaishankar to China

13/08/2019
BEIJING, Aug 12: India on Monday told China that it is important to ensure that any bilateral differences should not become disputes, as Beijing said it is "very closely" following the Indo-Pak tensions over Kashmir and its "ramifications" and asked New Delhi to play a "constructive role" for regional peace and stability. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a crucial three-day visit to China, called on Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, considered a confidant of President Xi Jin...

Sarabhai helped India become a major science & tech power: PM

13/08/2019
AHMEDABAD, Aug 12: Prime Minister NarendraModi on Monday paid rich tributes to space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai on his 100th birth anniversary and said his vision helped India become a major science and technology player in the world. Modi offered tributes to Sarabhai, the father of India's space programme, through a video message which was played at an event held here to commemorate his birth centenary, which comes just weeks after Chandrayaan-2 mission to the Moon was launched. The function mar...

Security forces rubbish Pak journalist charge of fratricide between CRPF, JKP

13/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 12: Security forces on Monday dismissed a "malicious" social media post by a Pakistani journalist about an alleged fratricidal clash between the CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, saying the content was untrue and absolutely baseless. Kashmir police said on its official Twitter handle it has reported the post to the micro-blogging site for remedial action. The post on the clash in the wake of revoking of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was made by Pakistani journalis...

Delhi-Lahore bus service cancelled: DTC

13/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 12: DTC on Monday cancelled the Delhi-Lahore bus service as Pakistan has decided to discontinue it in the wake of India revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status, said a senior official of the public transporter. On Saturday, a senior Pakistani minister has announced to suspended the friendship bus service from Monday. A Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus was scheduled to leave for Lahore on Monday 6 AM. However, it did not leave due to the Pakistan's decision to suspend ...

Peace prevailing in J&K post end of special status: Javadekar

13/08/2019
INDORE, Aug 12: Stating that curfews and restrictions have been lifted from many places in Jammu and Kashmir since abrogation of the special status, Union minister PrakashJavadekar on Monday said the festival of Eid al-Adha was celebrated with "great enthusiasm" in the border state. The BJP leader also dismissed "rumours" about the death of a few people in a firing incident in the northern state, whose special status granted under Article 370 of the Constitution has been scrapped. The Informa...

Mukesh Ambani promises investment in J&K

13/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 12: Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani on Monday announced that the group will make several announ-cements related to investment in the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in the upcoming days. Mukesh Ambani also said that the Reliance group will set up a special task force focused on making investments in Jammu and Kashmir. Mukesh Ambani was speaking at the 42nd annual general meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries Ltd. At the meeting,...

Property prices in J&K may see rise after abrogation of Art 370: Anarock

13/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 12: The decision to revoke special status for Jammu & Kashmir is likely to increase the property prices for locals as prices in Srinagar has been hovering very low in a range of Rs 2,200-4,000 per sqft, property consultant Anarock said on Monday. However, the consultant said that security concern may keep prospective property buyers at bay for now. "The government's recent decision to revoke Article 370 and Article 35(A) is expected to have a positive impact on Jammu & Kashmir...

Art 370 removal will lead to end of terrorism in Kashmir: Shah

12/08/2019
CHENNAI, Aug 11: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that removal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution will put an end to terrorism and lead to progress of the region. Speaking at the launch of a book on Vice President M Venkiah Naidu's two years in office here, Shah said he firmly believed Art 370 that gave the special status to Jammu and Kashmir should be removed as it was not beneficial to the country. "I was firm that Article 370 should...

People will be allowed to offer prayers at mosques on Eid

12/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 11: People in the Kashmir Valley will be allowed to offer prayers in mosques during Eid-ul-Azha on Monday and restrictions on mobile and landline phones will be lifted as early as possible, a top government official said on Sunday. The top priority of the government is to maintain peace and prevent any casualty and mischief in Jammu and Kashmir. The district administrations are constantly reviewing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and they will facilitate people to offer pray...

Situation in J&K peaceful ahead of Eid, people allowed to offer prayers in neighbourhood mosques

12/08/2019
Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 11: Ahead of Eid-ul Azha, banks, ATMs and quite a few markets remained open on Sunday in Kashmir and restrictions were eased allowing people to come out to shop, while residents would be permitted to offer prayers in neighbourhoods mosques on the festival, officials said. There has been no report of violence anywhere in Kashmir, they said. While the administration said it was taking steps to facilitate availability of food and other items, the usual hustle and bustle of th...

300 special telephone booths being established for communication in J&K

12/08/2019
Jammu, Aug 11: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said 300 special telephone booths are being established to help people communicate with their loved ones. In an advisory, it said that liaison officers have also been activated in various areas, including Aligarh and New Delhi, to help students from Jammu and Kashmir communicate with their families. The advisory was issued following the direction of Governor Satya Pal Malik. Help would be extended to those students studying outside ...

PM must assuage concerns on JK in transparent manner: Rahul

12/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 10: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday night that some reports have come in from Jammu and Kashmir about violence there and Prime Minister NarendraModi must assuage concerns over the matter in a "transparent" manner. The Congress' top decision making body CWC, which met twice during the day, also passed a resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, expressing serious concern over the situation there, including reports of a clampdown and news blackout. It also called for permitti...

Railways cancels Samjhauta Express on Indian side of border after Pak’s suspension

12/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 11: The Indian Railways anno-unced on Sunday that it has cancelled the Samjhauta Express train run at its end of the international border, days after Pakistan suspended services on its side. The railways run the train on Sundays from Delhi to Attari and back, while Pakistan used to run the train between Lahore and Attari. Passengers used to change trains at the Attari station. "In consequent to Pakistan's decision to cancel samjhaoutaexp 14607/ 14608 running between Lahore and ...

Don’t cancel Indo-Pak trains & hamper peoples’ ties: Thar Exp passengers to authorities

12/08/2019
Jodhpur, Aug 11: Amid an uncertainty over the continuance of the Indo-Pak train services after Pakistan downgraded its ties with India, 103 Pakistanis reached here on Sunday on Thar Express while 81 Indians left for the neighbouring country a day earlier, testifying to the strength of the people-to-people links between the two hostile neighbours. Both Indians and Pakistani boarding off the Thar Express here at BhagatkiKothi railway station voiced in unison the need to continue the internationa...

Common man in Kashmir is rejoicing abrogation of Article 370: Jitendra

12/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 11: Common people are rejoicing the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday. Terming media reports on Kashmir violence "false", Singh told ANI: "There is a sense of calm in Jammu and Kashmir amid the preparation of Eid." "There are certain elements that want to disrupt peace in the Valley. They are the ones who want to create an atmosphere of fear. The common man in Kashmir is celebrating the scrapping of Article 370." He f...

Let up in rains in Ker; situation grim in Karna; toll now 91

12/08/2019
Chennai/Thiruvananthapuram/Bengaluru, Aug 11: After incessant rains pounded the southern states over the last few days, taking a combined toll of 91, there was a let up in the downpour in Kerala, while the situation remained grim in Karnataka, where union home minister Amit Shah undertook an aerial survey of affected areas. The toll in the monsoon fury in Kerala mounted to 60 with over 2.27 lakh people being sheltered in relief camps across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reviewed ...

Governor greets people on Eid-ul-Azha

12/08/2019
Srinagar, Aug 11: J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday greeted people on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, a statement from the Raj Bhavan said. "Governor Satya Pal Malik has extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha and prayed for their well-being and prosperity," the statement read. "In his message of felicitations, Governor has hoped that this festival would further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, and revive the glorious pluralist...

Jaitley continues to be stable

12/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 11: Former finance minister Arun Jaitley, who has been admitted to the AIIMS here, continues to be stable, sources at the hospital said on Sunday. On Saturday, after Vice President Venkaiah Naidu visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to enquire about Jaitley's health, his office said that the former minister is responding to treatment. Jaitley was admitted to the AIIMS Intensive Care Unit on Friday morning after he complained of breathlessness and restlessn...

Abrogation of Art 370 need of the hour: Naidu

12/08/2019
Chennai, Aug 11: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday backed the scrapping of special status under Article 370 to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was in the interest of the nation and should not be treated as a political issue. It was the need of the hour and people of the country should stand with their counterparts in J&K, he said here at the release of a book on his two-year term in office titled "Listening, Learning & Leading", by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Naidu said Shah was being...

Jaishankar arrives in Beijing for key talks with Chinese leaders

12/08/2019
Beijing, Aug 11: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Beijing on Sunday on a key three-day visit to hold talks with the Chinese leadership on a host of issues including finalisation of arrangements for President Xi Jinping's visit to India later this year for the second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit of Jaishankar, the first Indian minister to tour China after the Modi government began its second term, is also taking place in the aftermath of India's ...

Article 370 nixed as J&K was Muslim-dominated: Chidambaram

12/08/2019
Chennai, Aug 11: Former union minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday lambasted the BJP for abrogation of Article 370, saying the saffron party would not have "snatched away" the special status had Jammu and Kashmir been a Hindu-dominated state. Alleging that BJP revoked the Article with its "muscle power", he said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was unstable and that international news agencies were covering the unrest, but not Indian media houses. "...They (BJP) claim Kashmir...

Modito inaugurate permanent lighting in Parliament House

12/08/2019
New Delhi, Aug 11: Giving a new ambience and aesthetics to the nation's biggest temple of democracy Parliament its exterior has been installed with permanent colourful lights ahead of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it at around 7:15 pm on Tuesday. LokSabha Speaker, Vice Chairman of RajyaSabha, cabinet minister and MPs will be present on the occasion. These LED lights frequently change its colour making the Parliament House look more grandeu...

Take inspiration from Modi, contribute to ‘New India’: MoS Defence to children

12/08/2019
NEW DELHI, Aug 11: Union minister Shripad Naik on Sunday encouraged children to take inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and contribute towards making a 'New India'. He was addressing 3,500 children from 41 government schools, who will display 'Naya Bharat', as well as 700 NCC cadets who will participate in the Independence Day celebrations at the majestic Red Fort here on August 15, the defence ministry said in a statement. The Minister of State for Defence said children should cont...

Army launches ‘Mission Reach Out’

12/08/2019
Jammu, Aug 11: The Army has launched "Mission Reach Out" in Jammu to ensure basic necessities and essential services are available in the region post the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday. A high level "Mission Reach Out" conference to review the prevalent situation in the region was held in the Nagrota Military Station on Saturday which was chaired by White Knight Corps Commander Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, they said. The ...