Kashmir.Watch

Blog

  • Nepal summons Indian envoy over border row

    Protests take place in Kathmandu

    Nepal on Monday summoned the Indian envoy and handed a diplomatic note of protest over the construction of a link road that will reduce travelling time from India to the pilgrimage zone of Kailash Mansarovar in China’s Tibet.

    Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra was met by Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali who conveyed Nepal’s territorial claims over the Kalapani region. The diplomatic note was in line with the statement from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which recalled the bilateral treaties and assurances, and urged India from carrying out any further activities in the region.

    India’s Ministry of External Affairs did not respond formally till late on Monday though a social media post from the Embassy of India in Nepal stated that Mr. Kwatra had handed over a past statement of the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs regarding the Kalapani region located in the state of Uttarakhand. Nepal disputes India’s claims and maintains that the region is part of its sovereign territory.

    In a telephonic conversation held with The Hindu on Sunday, Mr. Gyawali had stated that Nepal will strengthen border posts and deploy more forces in the country’s southern and western borders with India. Kathmandu also witnessed protests on Monday by the student organisation of the Nepali Congress, and the Rashtriya Seema Rakhsha Abhiyan.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Migrant worker dies on board ‘Shramik Special’ train

    There was no confirmation on whether the deceased had tested positive for COVID-19

    PTI

    A 34-year-old migrant worker died on board a Pune-Prayagraj Shramik Special train on Monday and his post-mortem has been conducted, officials said on Tuesday.

    The deceased, who used to work at a hotel in Pune, was returning to his hometown in Gonda in Uttar Pradesh. He died during the journey and the body was taken off the train at Majhgawan in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district, the officials said.

    The train reached the Majhgawan station just before 6:30 pm on Monday and left three hours later.

    He had boarded the Uttar Pradesh-bound train with two friends, who were also working in Pune.

    “The migrant worker died on the Pune-Prayagraj special train and his body was attended to in Madhya Pradesh. Post-mortem has been conducted,” RPF DG Arun Kumar said.

    He said there was no confirmation yet on whether the migrant had tested positive for coronavirus.

    Efforts are on to find out his medical history in order to ascertain the cause of the death and the GRP has already informed the deceased’s family about his demise.

    The Indian Railways has operated 542 “Shramik Special” trains since May 1 and ferried home 6.48 lakh migrants stranded in various parts of the country amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, officials said on Tuesday.

    Of the 542 trains run so far, 448 have reached their destinations while 94 are in transit.

    On Monday, a statement issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the Indian Railways will now run 100 “Shramik Special” trains on a daily basis to facilitate a faster movement of workers.

  • China suspends imports from four Australian abattoirs as ties sour trade

    Mr. Birmingham described the import suspension as ”disappointing”, although he said it was not retribution by China over Australia’s call for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory illness.

    Reuters

    China has suspended imports from four large Australian meat processors, Australia’s Minister for Trade Simon Birmingham said on Tuesday, as sour bilateral ties threaten to disrupt the trade of several key agricultural commodities.

    Mr. Birmingham said in a statement that Kilcoy Pastoral Company, JBS’s Beef City and Dinmore plants, and the Northern Cooperative Meat Company have been banned from exporting beef to China due to issues with labelling.

    “Thousands of jobs relate to these meat processing facilities. Many more farmers rely upon them in terms of selling cattle into those facilities,” Birmingham told reporters in a press conference in Canberra.

    Mr. Birmingham described the import suspension as ”disappointing”, although he said it was not retribution by China over Australia’s call for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory illness.

    China has rejected the need for an independent inquiry, and Beijing’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, in late April said Chinese consumers could shun Australian goods in response to Canberra’s support for such an investigation.

    Mr. Birmingham said China informed Australia that the decision was due to health certificate and labelling errors. Labelling issues were also cited by Beijing when the same companies and two others lost their licences to ship beef to China in 2017 for several months.

    The suspension of the four beef processors comes just days after China proposed introducing an 80% tariff on Australian barley shipments.

  • China warns of retaliation over new U.S. visa rule

    The U.S. Homeland Security Department issued new regulations on Friday limiting visas for Chinese journalists to a maximum 90-day stay, with the possibility to request an extension.

    AFP

    China on Monday threatened to retaliate against a U.S. rule that tightening visa restrictions on Chinese journalists, in an escalating row after Beijing expelled more than a dozen American reporters.

    Citing China’s treatment of the reporters, the U.S. Homeland Security Department issued new regulations on Friday limiting visas for Chinese journalists to a maximum 90-day stay, with the possibility to request an extension. Until now, visas for Chinese journalists lasted for the duration of their employment in the U.S.

    “We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this wrong action by the U.S. side, which is an escalation of the political crackdown on Chinese media,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijianat a daily press briefing. “We ask the U.S to correct its mistake immediately, otherwise China will have no other option but to take countermeasures,” Mr. Zhao said, without providing more details about the possible retaliation.

    Diplomatic tensions

    The tit-for-tat actions against journalists have added to searing diplomatic tensions, with the two countries trading barbs over the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to impose fresh trade tariffs on Beijing.

    In February, China kicked out three journalists from The Wall Street Journal after the newspaper ran an opinion piece on the coronavirus crisis with a headline that Beijing called racist.

    Weeks later, Washington curbed the number of Chinese nationals from state-run news outlets in the United States.

    Beijing responded in March by expelling more than a dozen American journalists from the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

    Foreign journalists working in China receive one-year visas that must be renewed every year. But in an annual report, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China (FCCC) said at least a dozen correspondents were issued press credentials valid for half a year or less. The report said Chinese authorities were “using visas as weapons against the foreign press like never before.”

  • Chinese choppers spotted near Ladakh LAC prompt alert, IAF fighters rushed in: Report

    In what appears to be a multi-front deliberate ploy by China to keep India on its toes the Indian Air Force was forced to rush its fighter jet patrols in Ladakh after Chinese military choppers were found to be flying close to the Line of Actual Control.

    PTI

    Chinese helicopters spotted flying close to undemarcated border between India and China in Eastern Ladakh after around 250 soldiers of both sides were engaged in fierce face-off near Pangong lake in the area last week: Official Sources

    After the scuffle between the Chinese People’s Liberation Army troops and Indian troops along the LAC in North Sikkim which led to injuries on both sides, China appears to be continuing on the path of belligerence towards India, this time along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.

    In what appears to be a multi-front deliberate ploy by China to keep India on its toes, the Indian Air Force was forced to rush its fighter jet patrols in Ladakh after Chinese military choppers were found to be flying close to the Line of Actual Control. This incident happened last week, around the same time the PLA troops and Indian army forces came to blows in the upper reaches of North Sikkim.

    “The Chinese military helicopters were flying very close to the Line of Actual Control. After their movement was picked up, the Indian Air Force fighter jets flew patrols in the area,” government sources told ANI here.

    Government sources who requested anonymity due to knowledge of frontline operations, informed that the Chinese choppers did not cross the LAC into Indian territory in that particular area, they said.

    The Indian Air Force frequently flies its Sukhoi 30MKI fighter aircraft fleet from Leh air base in Ladakh along with other planes.

    This latest development comes soon after the Indian security establishment noticed that Pakistani Air Force increased its patrols of F-16S and JF-17s along its Eastern Border with India, especially night sorties, after the Handwara terror attack that led to the death of 5 Indian security personnel. A fear of retaliation by Indian forces was cited as the reason by Indian security establishment sources for this ramping up of PAF air patrols.

    The Indian Air Force has two main bases in the Ladakh union territory including the Leh and the Thoise airbase where fighter jets are not deployed permanently but detachments from combat aircraft squadrons are operational throughout the year.There have been several occasions in the past when Chinese military helicopters have entered Indian airspace in the Ladakh sector and deliberately left behind tell-tale signs to stake claim on areas which are part of India. The LAC in this location, like in other parts of the India-China border in the country, is poorly demarcated, hence incursions sometimes are inadvertent as well.

    However, the scuffle with Indian troops in North Sikkim was a new front opened up by China which was a cause for concern. Ever since the outbreak of Covid-19, Chinese President Xi Jinping is under immense pressure to increase transparency in his country and reveal the real origin of the virus, which some have speculated emanated from a lab in China’s Wuhan. Trade wars with countries like USA and Australia have intensified and most multi-national companies have actively begun looking for manufacturing alternative,India being one such preferred destination.

    Security sources speculated that this could be the reason behind China’s new aggression. Similar muscle flexing was also seen recently when PLA Navy boats entered into disputed waters in the South China Sea.

    With inputs from Asian News International

  • VC flouts norms: Resentment brewing over appointment of Prof Romshoo as new Dean Research

    Srinagar: Deans of different faculties at Kashmir University have expressed strong resentment over the appointment of
    Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo of Department of Earth Sciences University of Kashmir as new Dean Research of the Varsity.

    Sources told KNT that a meeting of Deans Committee was held under the Chairmanship of Prof Akbar Masood in which deans of different faculties alleged that incumbent Vice Chancellor flouted all the rules and made this appointment on personal basis.

    Sources added that during the meeting some of the deans while questioning the appointment of Prof Shakil Romshoo said that how come this appointment has taken and why the senior most professors were bypassed.

    Sources said that senior most professors like Prof. Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Prof. Farooq Masoodi, Prof. Mehmood Ahmed Khan, Prof. Khursheed Ahmed Bhat who have served at various important positions and have contributed immensely towards the corporate life of the university have been ignored deliberately. It is also learnt that the senior professors may take up the matter with the Chancellor of the University.

    “The Vice Chancellor flouted all the rules. Seniority mattered the most in this regard. The convention is that a senior most professor is appointed as Dean Research and when seniority is not taken account, the post was simply advertised and professors were interviewed by a selection committee. But this time, all the rules were flouted and nobody was taken into confidence before making such an important appointment,” said a couple of Professors to KNT on condition of anonymity.

    They alleged that Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmed made this appointment because the duo has some project interests. “Both are running some joint projects. In order to defend and protect the interests, VC appointed its own man,” they said.

    Pertinently, as per an order issued by the University, Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo Department of Earth Sciences has been nominated by vice chancellor to function as Dean Research for a period of three years from May 13, 2020.

    Professor Romshoo has research interests including in Hydrology, Glaciology, Geoinformatics and Climate Change. (KNT)

  • Coronavirus | Pandemic can’t be an excuse to crush labour rights: Rahul

    Amending laws is a quack remedy like demonetisation: Jairam Ramesh.

    The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic cannot be an excuse to crush labour rights and their voices, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said on Monday.

    “Many States are amending labour laws. We are together fighting against corona, but this cannot be an excuse to crush human rights, allow unsafe workplaces, exploit workers and suppress their voice. There cannot be any compromise on these basic principles,” he tweeted.

    Suspend labour laws for 2-3 years, employers’ associations urge government | State mulls over relaxing some key labour laws

    Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said it would be dangerous and disastrous to loosen laws in the name of economic revival.

    “In the name of economic revival and stimulus, it will be dangerous and disastrous to loosen labour, land and environmental laws and regulations as the Modi govt is planning. The first steps have already been taken. This is a quack remedy like demonetisation,” he tweeted.

    Call to PM

    At the party’s regular online press conference, Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said the BJP-ruled States were amending labour laws in the garb of attracting foreign investors and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deny permission permission to the States to amend laws that would “strip workers of their basic rights”.

    Madhya Pradesh pushes working hours from eight to 12 in factories

    Mr. Gohil accused Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat of suspending labour rights. “This is yet another shocking but unsurprising blow to workers and labourers by BJP governments. If the Prime Minister has little concern for workers and labourers, then he should himself tell these States to not go ahead with amendments to the labour laws and not allow them in doing so. We would expect the him to intervene today itself,” he said.

    It was ‘shocking’ to note that at a time when the country was dealing with an unprecedented pandemic, the government was taking this as an opportunity to deprive them of their rights. “This is shameful and once again highlights the true nature and priorities of this ‘Suit-Boot ki Sarkar’,” he stated.

    Shameful that BJP-ruled States amending labour laws to lure foreign investors: Congress

    Mr. Gohil argued that as these labour laws were in the Concurrent List, no such suspension could take place without the explicit approval of the Central government. “We, therefore, ask the Modi government to deny any permission that strip workers of their basic rights and have the potential of diminishing their livelihood. Also trade unions must be consulted before such an adverse step is taken,” he said.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Air India headquarters sealed for two days after employee tests positive for coronavirus

    Air India is the only airline participating in the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate stranded Indians

    PTI

    Air India has sealed its headquarters in Delhi for two days to conduct a thorough sanitisation of the building after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said on Tuesday.

    “Airlines House has been sealed for Tuesday and Wednesday,” an official said.

    The employee posted at the Gurudwara Rakabganj Road building tested positive on Monday evening, he said.

    The government-run Air India is the only airline participating in the Vande Bharat Mission, under which the carrier would operate 64 flights between May 7 and May 14 to repatriate around 15,000 stranded Indians from 12 countries on a payment basis.

    India has been under a lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 70,000 people and killed around 2,290 people in the country till now.

  • Restrictions to be eased in red zones if there is a decline in Covid-19 caseloads: DC

    Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary on Tuesday said if Covid-19 caseloads will show decline in numbers, restriction will also be eased accordingly in red zone areas in coming days. He said there would have 40 percent avoidable cases in the district if people had cooperated timely with authorities.

    Talking to KNS, DC Srinagar said that administration is mulling to ease restrictions in red zone areas of Srinagar if Covid-19 caseloads will show decline in coming days. “If number’s will lessen in coming days, obviously restrictions will be eased in red zone areas of Srinagar district”, DC Shahid Chowdhary said.

    He said administration, in some areas, had allowed groceries shops to function in a limited period of time and suppliers as well have also given permission to deliver goods but if there will be a decline in Covid-19 cases in coming days; obviously more relaxations will be given in red zone areas.

    DC said we have 27 red zone areas in Srinagar where more relaxations for the benefit of residents will be allowed if Covid-19 caseloads will show a decline in coming days.

    He clarified that restrictions are enforced for containment of transmission of virus and safety of community so people should act upon in letter and spirit without putting obstacles on its execution.

    DC added there would have 40 per cent avoidable cases in Srinagar if people had cooperated timely with authorities but unfortunately people kept their travel and contact history into hide which triggered a hike in numbers. KNS

  • DAK condoles demise of Tanveer-ul-Ahad GNS Editor-in-Chief

    “By dint of his hard work, GNS in a short time became a household name in Kashmir valley,”

    Srinagar: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday condoled the sad demise of Tanveer-ul-Ahad, editor-in-chief of Global News Service (GNS) and owner of Kashmir glory newspaper who breathed his last yesterday at SMHS hospital after a brief illness.

    He was 35. He is survived by his wife and three children.

    Saddened over the death, DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and expressed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.

    Paying rich tributes to the deceased, Dr Nisar said his death is a great loss to the media fraternity and has resulted in an unbridgeable void in the field of journalism.

    “Born in village Muqami Shahwali of Drugmulla area in district Kupwara, Tanveer was a man of impeccable integrity,” he said.

    “By dint of his hard work, GNS in a short time became a household name in Kashmir valley,” he said.

    Dr Nisar said he was a fearless and uncompromising journalist who spoke truth to power. He was always respected and revered for his brave journalism and for him, the newspaper was a conduit for speaking truth.

    “His contributions in the field of journalism will be remembered for a long time to come,” he said.

    Calling the death as an irreparable loss, Dr Nisar said we have lost a gem of a person in the demise of Tanveer-ul- Ahad.

    “He had maintained a good and brotherly relation with all his media colleagues and was known for his generosity, kindness, compassion and empathy,” he said.

    “Media has lost an asset, but I have lost a dear friend,” said Dr Nisar.