Kashmir.Watch

Category: National

  • Fin Min releases Rs 1,093 cr for restoration of infra in J&K

    New Delhi: The finance ministry today released first instalment of special assistance of Rs 1,093.34 crore for repair and permanent restoration of damaged public buildings in Jammu and Kashmir in pursuance of the announcement made by the Prime Minister last November.

    A total sum of Rs 2,000 crore has been provided for permanent restoration of damaged Infrastructure such as schools, colleges, hospitals, bus stations and other critical public infrastructure under Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan for J&K, the finance ministry said in a statement.
     
    The central government gave its approval on October 27 to one-time relaxation of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) cost norms for restoration of damaged horticulture areas and development of horticulture in the state.
     
    A total sum of Rs 500 crore has been provided under this head as part of PM Reconstruction Plan for J&K.
     
    Earlier, as part of the package, special assistance of Rs 1,194.85 crore was released in 2015-16 towards assistance for completely or partially damaged houses and Rs 800 crore was released on April 26 for interest subvention on account of assistance for restoration of livelihood for traders / self-employed / business establishment, it said.
     
    The Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan for J&K was announced by Narendra Modi on November 7, 2015, for Rs 80,068 crore for post flood relief and restoration and long-term development of the state, including assistance for small trade and business, power, new and renewable energy.

  • BSF says it killed 15 Rangers; Pakistan denies

    Jammu: BSF today said it had killed 15 Pakistani paramilitary personnel while retaliating to cross- border shelling and firing in which two Indian civilians were killed and two injured in Jammu region.

    Firing mortar shells and using automatic weapons, Pakistani troops targeted civilian areas and forward security posts along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

    BSF said that as per the ammunition used in firing and shelling, it appeared that Pakistani Army is supporting its paramilitary Rangers along the IB.

    In retaliatory firing, 15 Pakistani rangers have been killed so far, BSF said.

    BSF Additional Director General Arun Kumar told reporters here that a befitting reply was being given to the Pakistani shelling and firing.
     
    “Fifteen Pakistani soliders have been killed in retaliatory firing and shelling by BSF. We have destroyed their OP (outposts) and damaged a few,” Kumar said.
     
    As per the ammunition (120 mm mortars) used, it appears that Pakistani army is supporting the Rangers, he said after laying wreath at the mortal remains of BSF martyr Jitendra Kumar.
     
    “In the Pakistani shelling, one civilian died in Khour belt of Pallanwala sector today,” Jammu Deputy Commissioner Simrandeep Singh said, adding another civilian was injured in R S Pura sector.
     
    Similarly, one woman Usma Bi, aged 50 years, was killed in shelling by Pakistan on Gohlad village in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district today, Defence spokesman said.
     
    Another civilian was injured in area, the reports said.
    Pakistani has, however, denied the killing of its soldiers.
     
    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) dismissed India’s claim of killing Pakistani soldiers along the Working Boundary.
     
    “India’s claim of killing any Pakistani soldier along the Working Boundary is absolutely baseless and untrue,” the military’s media wing said in a statement to Express Tribune.

  • Jaipur: Woman accuses husband’s friend of rape, accused claim it was Nikah Halala

    Jaipur woman was allegedly drugged by her husband who took her to a property and then called his friend over.

    Jaipur: A 42-year-old Muslim woman has filed a complaint, accusing her husband’s friend of rape. The accused, however, has claimed that the woman’s husband had divorced her and he was participating in the Shariah-sanctioned Nikah Halala so that she could return to him. Police have filed an FIR based on the woman’s complaint, accusing her husband of drugging her after which his friend allegedly raped her. Her husband, a property dealer, was a gambler and had “lost her” to his friend, says the complaint. The woman is a garland maker and the couple have two sons.

    According to police, the accused has claimed that the woman signed the decrees of marriage and divorce. She, however, claimed that the accused colluded with her husband to get fake Nikahnama and Talaqnama made. “On August 5, my husband took me to a property he owned, drugged me and called his friend over,” she said.

    When she woke up next to the accused and cried for help, her husband emerged from another room and said it was part of Halala, she said. “She went to file a complaint next day, but police called her husband and asked them to resolve the matter. Her husband reached the police station and took her out to talk. He showed her a video in which she is with his friend and threatened to show it to her sons. Traumatised, she returned home,” said Nishat Hussain of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan.

    However, the woman could not get over the humiliation and filed a complaint on August 16, Hussain added. “Ever since the FIR has been filed, she is being threatened and offered money to withdraw the case. She is scared, but won’t back out,” said Hussain.

  • Barkha Dutt joins Global Opinions

    Announcement from Deputy Editorial Page Editor Jackson Diehl and Global Opinions Editor Karen Attiah

    The Washington Post is pleased to announce the addition of award-winning journalist Barkha Dutt to the Global Opinions section as a contributing columnist.

    Ms. Dutt is a New Delhi-based author, columnist, reporter  and presenter with India’s NDTV. She is the host of the popular television talk shows “We the People,” and the Emmy-nominated “The Buck Stops Here.” The Association for International Broadcasting recognized her as the International TV Personality of the Year in 2012, calling her “a reporter of considerable stretch and depth, still passionate and fearless in bringing the issues closer to her viewers.”  She has twice appeared on the World Economic Forum’s list of 100 Global Leaders of Tomorrow, and serves on the Global Council of the Asia Society. She completed her Master’s degree from the Columbia School of Journalism in New York.

    The Global Opinions section is part of The Post’s wider effort to increase its international presence by expanding its offerings of quality journalism, commentary, and video projects from and about other parts of the world. Since its launch in the spring, more than a dozen columnists from around the world have joined Global Opinions as contributors, and we look forward to adding more.

  • Triple talaq is unconstitutional, should end: Naidu

    New Delhi: Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday advocated the abolition of ‘triple talaq’, saying it was a form of gender discrimination and against constitutional principles.

    “Gender discrimination must come to an end. We are a civilised society, we are a democratic country; why should there be gender discrimination? Triple talaq is a gender discrimination and against the principles of Constitution,” the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister told the media here.

    “Why should those helpless women be penalised for somebody else’s fault. That is why the BJP, the government, is strongly in favour of ending the practice of triple talaq,” said Naidu.
    His comments came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first comments on the
    controversial issue, said the government and society should ensure justice to Muslim women and not let their lives be destroyed by triple talaq.
    Naidu avoided a direct comment on the rift within Uttar Pradesh’s ruling Samajwadi Party but said “dynasty politics was nasty for democracy”.
    “Dynasty in democracy is nasty but it is tasty to some people and we are seeing the results also,” he said, adding the BJP doesn’t want to “fish in their troubled waters”.
    “It is their internal matter, but people are seeing what is happening and they will decide what should be done,” added Naidu. IANS

  • Russia-Pakistan military exercise: India says fully trusts Moscow

    Benaulim (Goa): In the wake of the Russian-Pakistan military exercise, India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Saturday said New Delhi fully trusts Moscow and expressed the confidence that it will never undermine Indian interests.

    “I am talking about the important relationship of India (and) Russia; this is not a question which I should be answering,” Jaishankar said while responding to a query on a Russia-Pakistan joint military exercise in the future.
    “We trust Russia fully. When we speak of friendship, the assumption is that Russia will never do anything which is not in our interest. After our discussions, we are satisfied that Russia understands India’s interest, will never do anything which is contrary to India’s interests,” Jaishankar said.
    The Foreign Secretary was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the India-Russia bilateral summit in south Goa’s Benaulim village, 60 km from state capital Panaji.
    Indian Ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran on Friday expressed concern over Moscow’s decision to participate in the joint military exercise in Pakistan last month.
    “We are confident Russia will reflect on our concerns; that is where we stand right now,” Saran told the media in Benaulim.

  • India, Russia sign big defence deals

    Benaulim (Goa): India and Russia on Saturday sealed a number of big ticket defence deals including purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters besides deciding to deepen cooperation in a range of crucial sectors even as the two close allies resolved to fight the menace of terrorism jointly.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held wide-ranging talks covering the entire expanse of bilateral engagement following which the two sides signed a total of 16 MoUs and made three announcements to boost ties in sectors like trade and investment, hydrocarbons, space and smart cities.

    The two leaders also dedicated the unit two of Kudankulum nuclear power plant and witnessed foundation laying of its Unit 3 and 4.

    The defence deals included India buying the ‘gamechanger’ S-400 Triumf air defence systems from Russia at a cost of over USD 5 billion. The two countries will also collaborate in making four state of art frigates besides setting up a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters.

    Reading out a statement to the media in the presence of Putin, the Prime Minister appreciated Russia’s understanding and support of India’s actions to fight cross-border terrorism, an oblique reference to India’s surgical strike across the LoC.

    “Russia’s clear stand on the need to combat terrorism mirrors our own. We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism,that threatens our entire region.

    “We both affirmed the need for zero tolerance in dealing with terrorists and their supporters,” Modi said.

    Putin, on his part, said both countries have close cooperation in fighting terrorism.
    Modi said the “highly productive” outcomes of the meeting clearly establish the special and privileged nature of strategic partnership between the two countries.

    The two sides signed an Inter Governmental Agreement for the purchase of S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile system which has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.

    Another important deal is for four Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356) guided-missile stealth frigates.

  • Kashmiriyat thrives despite unrest as local muslims get Kashmiri Pandits married

    A marriage between Kashmiri Pandits, graced by the efforts of local Muslims in Loswani tells more than what appears on the surface when turmoil has gripped Kashmir.

    In a rare instance of communal harmony and Kashmiriyat, Muslims arranged for the marriage of local Pandits in small village of Tahab in Pulwama District of south Kashmir.

    This comes at a time when Kashmir is reeling under possibly its worst unrest, stone pelting and witnessing protests every day for more than three months now.

    The Muslim community came forward and made arrangements for the marriage of Aashu Tikoo, the son of Maharaj Tikoo. Aashu, a resident of Tahab Pulwama got married to Neeshu Pandita of Loswani, Pulwama today.tahab1WEDDING BELLS

    Continuing the old tradition, the bridegroom reached the house of bride at 11 in the morning and returned at 8 in the evening, spending nine hours there along Bharaties including Muslims and Pandits together, before bringing the bride home at Tahab.

    At the residence of Aashu at tahab, locals Muslims arranged, and helped the family in all works. The community arranged wood and tents, cleaned the premises, and decorated the house and surroundings.

    In a rare instance of communal harmony and Kashmiriyat, Muslims arranged for the marriage of local Pandits in small village of Tahab in Pulwama District of south Kashmir.

    This comes at a time when Kashmir is reeling under possibly its worst unrest, stone pelting and witnessing protests every day for more than three months now.

     

    WHEN KASHMIRI SONGS FILLED THE AIR

    A scene was created when the women of two communities were seen singing local Kashmiri songs and dancing throughout the day alongwith the Pandit women who had come from Jammu to participate in the marriage ceremony.

    The bride’s village, Loswani, was lit up for the ceremony.tahab-2People of Muslim and Sikh Community were seen participating in the marriage, and were busy making arrangements for the bridegroom.

    Men and women came forward to arrange food, erect tents, treating guests and decorating the house and even were seen serving the food to pandit guests.

    ‘OLD BROTHERHOOD STILL ALIVE’

    Earlier on the Mehandi Raat at both the places, women of these communities spent the night while singing the Kasmiri songs.

    The Pandit guests, who are also migrants, expressed disbelief at the thread of brotherhood kept alive. Usha Kumari, a pandit guest from Jammu said, “I was amazed to see that our Muslim community women sang along us, men made most of the arrangements like serving food, erecting tents etc. It is unbelievable that the old tradition and brotherhood is still alive.”

    The locals said that the Pandits and Sikhs were and will remain their own people. (India Today)

  • Indian police clip wings of ‘spy pigeon’ to prevent its flight to Pakistan

    The note, in Urdu, read “Modiji, we are not the same as we were in 1971 – Jaish-e-Mohammad”, police sources said.

    Srinagar: The wings of a “spy pigeon” captured by Border Security Force (BSF) on October 2 have been clipped with the help of a veterinary worker to “ensure the suspected spy does not fly back to Pakistan”.

    The pigeon was “arrested” on October 2 after a note addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was found tied to its foot when it landed at the Border Security Force’s Simbal post in Pathankot’s Bamial sector.

    The note, in Urdu, read “Modiji, we are not the same as we were in 1971 – Jaish-e-Mohammad”, police sources said.
    An inspector at Bamial police station said the wings were clipped last week with the help of a veterinary worker. “We didn’t want to take a chance. We also bought a cage for its stay,” he told the Telegraph newspaper.
    The bird, which was taken to an animal husbandry hospital in Pathankot, has since been put in the cage and is being fed.
    “We don’t know how long the pigeon will stay in the police station. Residents are flocking to the police station to see the intruder,” he said, adding the police weren’t even sure that the bird had come from across the border.
    The pigeon’s arrest had come two days after the Intelligence Bureau had issued an alert to Punjab police over a possible backlash from across the border after the Indian Army’s September 29 “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control”.

  • No surgical strikes were held in previous years: Parrikar

    Mumbai: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday rejected claims that surgical strikes were undertaken during the UPA regime and asserted that a “major” share of credit for the army action last month goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

    Speaking at two different events, he said all the 127 crore people of India, including “doubting Thomases”, and the army share and deserve credit for the operation as it was done by the armed forces and not by any political party.
    At the same time, he said that “major share” of credit does go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government for decision-making and planning
    He also made it clear that claims of having carried out such strikes earlier were wrong as such actions were undertaken by border action teams at local level “without the knowledge” of the government.
    “I don’t mind sharing the credit, including on surgical strike, with every countryman because it is done by our armed forces and not by any political party. So all Indians, including, those doubting Thomases, can share the credit,” he said at a function here, adding it will settle the nerves of many
    The Minister said he understands the sentiments of the people who are satisfied after the strikes
    Several political leaders and parties have raised questions on the surgical strike and some have sought proof
    The Congress, while officially supporting the government over the strike, has also said that similar operations were undertaken during its tenure also
    “I have been the Defence Minister for two years. From whatever I have known, there is no surgical strike from previous years. What they are quoting are actions taken by border action teams. These are common actions across the globe and by the Indian army,” he said
    Explaining the concept, the Minister said such operations are carried out without official order or prior sanction of the government
    “It is done without the knowledge of anyone. Report is subsequently given,” he said underlining the action is taken by the local commander for settling scores
    Parrikar made it clear that unlike earlier, this time it was a surgical strike because “decision was taken and conveyed” and the army did the job well
    “This was an operation which clearly indicates the intent of the government and the nation,” he said
    Parrikar said that if the government wanted to take political mileage out of this, then he would have announced it rather than the Director General of Military Operations.