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  • Amid fresh tension, Ladakh LG meets MoS Home Reddy

    PTI

    New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh R K Mathur on Monday met Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy, amidst fresh tension between the Indian Army and China’s PLA.

    The details of the meeting were not known immediately but sources said the prevailing situation along the Line of Actual Control was discussed.

    The meeting came hours after the Indian Army said it thwarted “provocative” military movements by Chinese troops on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 to unilaterally change the status quo on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake area in eastern Ladakh.

  • Former President Pranab Mukherjee passes away

    Earlier on Monday morning, the condition of the former President declined.

    Former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away on Monday after he developed a lung infection at the Army’s Research and Referral hospital where he had been admitted for a brain surgery. This morning the hospital in a medical bulletin had said that Mr Mukherjee had gone into septic shock due to the lung infection. He had also tested COVID19 positive. He is survived by his son, Abhijit and daughter Sharmishta Mukherjee.

    Mr Mukhrejee’s son, former Lok Sabha MP Abhijit Mukherjee, announced his father’s death on twitter on Monday evening stating that despite the best efforts of doctors and prayers of ordinary Indians throughout the country, this had come to pass.


    President Ram Nath Kovind, Mr Mukherjee’s immediate successor at Rashtrapati Bhavan condoled his death and said it was the “passing of an era.”

    “Endowed with perspicacity and wisdom, Bharat Ratna Shri Mukherjee combined tradition with modernity. In his five decade long illustrious public life, he remained rooted to the ground irrespective of the exalted office he held. He endeared himself to people across political spectrum. As the First Citizen, he continued to connect with everyone, bringing Rashtrapati Bhavan closer to the people. He opened its gates for public visits. His decision to discontinue the honorific “His Excellency” was historic,” said Mr. Kovind.

    Reactions to the death of Pranab Mukherjee

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had, in the past, compared Mr Mukherjee to a father figure in his life as he moved to Delhi from Gujarat as Prime Minister said that India grieved Mr Mukherjee’s passing. “India grieves the passing away of Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He has left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation. A scholar par excellence, a towering statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum and by all sections of society,” he said. 

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed condolences on the passing of Mr Mukherjee, “with great sadness, the nation receives the news of the unfortunate demise of our former president Shri Pranab Mukherjee, I join the country in paying homage to him.”

    Mr Mukherjee’s Cabinet colleague in the UPA government, Anand Sharma said that he would be “remembered as a great parliamentarian for his erudition, articulation and commitment to democracy.”

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Mortar shell defused safely in Rajouri

    PTI

    Jammu: Security forces on Monday defused a live mortar shell and averted a tragedy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials said.

    A suspected object was found by some labourers who were digging a trench in Nowshera area and they informed the police, the officials said.

    Police and army identified it as a live mortar shell and the bomb disposal squad defused it safely, they said.

  • Srinagar-Leh highway closed for civilians after fresh India-China face-off in Ladakh

    Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for civilians with immediate effect after the Chinese troops carried out “provocative” military movements on the intervening night of August 29-30 in eastern Ladakh.

    The Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for the civilians in view of the fresh “provocative” military movements by the Chinese troops on the intervening night of August 29-30 in eastern Ladakh. The Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for the civilians with immediate effect. The road will remain open only for the defence forces and vehicles.

    The Indian Army said on Monday that the Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo on the southern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake area in eastern Ladakh.

    In a statement, the defence ministry said, “On the night of 29/30 August 2020, PLA troops violated the previous consensus arrived at during military and diplomatic engagements during the ongoing standoff in Eastern Ladakh and carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo.”

    The Indian troops detected activity by a sizeable number of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during the night, the Army said.

    Sources in the Indian Army said, “Chinese Army had tried to transgress into Indian areas using a sizeable number of troops but the Indian Army preempted the Chinese attempt and foiled their move.”

    “The area was strengthened by quick deployment of more troops,” it said.

    Army Spokesperson Col Aman Anand said a brigade commander-level flag meeting is currently in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues.

    “The Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and tranquility through dialogue, but is also equally determined to protect its territorial integrity,” he added.

    With inputs from India Today

  • Landslides block J-K highway, 300 vehicles stranded

    PTI

    Jammu: Landslides and mudslides triggered by heavy rains blocked the 270-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway at several places in Ramban district on Monday, officials said.

    Over 300 vehicles were stranded at several places on the highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

    The men and machines of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have started clearance of the landslides to restore the traffic on the highway, they said.

    However, the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road, which connects UTs of J-K and Ladakh, is open for traffic.

    The Mughal road, connecting Shopian district of Kashmir valley with Poonch district of Jammu region, is through for vehicles carrying essentials, mostly trucks and oil tankers, they said.

    The traffic on inter-district Kishtwar-Paddar road has been restored on Monday after clearance of landslides, which blocked the road 3 days ago, they said.

  • Grenade attack in Baramulla, six civilians injured

    PTI

    Srinagar: At least six civilians sustained injuries in a grenade attack by militants on an Army convoy in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.

    The ultras lobbed a grenade on the convoy, which was on its way to Srinagar, at Azadgunj in Baramulla town, they said.

    Officials said the grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside, causing injuries to six civilians.

    The injured were rushed to a hospital.

  • BJP wants J&K a “Hindu dominated” region: Dr Farooq Abdullah

    Srinagar: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday stated that the party pulled out itself from Delimitation Commission as ruling dispensation in New Delhi BJP was trying to create Hindu hegemony in J&K, a Muslim majority region, to divide the UT on religious lines.

    “We told them on their face that we do not believe in your delimitation. The BJP has a certain purpose behind. It wants J&K to be a Hindu dominated region and wishes Muslim majority goes down”, Dr Farooq said. He was talking to a national daily.

    The Centre in March this year set up the commission to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on the recent census in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.Dr Farooq asserted when he was chief minister, the assembly of the erstwhile state of J&K decided to go for the delimitation exercise along with the rest of the country in 2026.

    “Why has the Centre suddenly brought it forward? They want to divide us on the Hindu-Muslim lines and create Hindu dominance in J&K, but it will never happen”, he said.

    Earlier PM Narendra Modi referred to delimitation exercise in his Independence Day speech and said the process in underway and assembly elections would follow in Jammu and Kashmir.

    When asked about the participation in upcoming LA polls, Dr Farooq said “any decision will depend first on my party and we will take a call subject to the situation. We will talk to other stakeholders of the Gupkar Declaration in this regard. If we are united in this exercise, we will take them on board and decide future course of action”. (KNS)

  • J&K Police book many over pro-azaadi slogans during Muharram procession in Srinagar

    Two youths held in midnight raids, more arrests likely, say police

    Muharram processions have been banned on certain routes in J&K since the 1990s. FileMuharram processions have been banned on certain routes in J&K since the 1990s | File Photo | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmad

    The police on Wednesday lodged a case against those who raised pro-azaadi (freedom) and anti-India slogans during a Muharram procession on the outskirts of Srinagar.

    A police official said the Parimpora police station took “strong cognisance” of a video that surfaced on social media platforms. The video, apparently filmed on Tuesday, showed scores of peoples raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans during the congregation.

    “The police acted swiftly and identified the location, situated 2.5 km from the main road at the end of Hokersar-Nowpora Bund [near Srinagar]. The area is isolated and there was no history of organising any such unlawful gathering before”, the police said.

    Two youths were arrested in midnight raids and “further arrests are expected”, the police said. The police lodged a case in the incident under Section 13 UL(P) Act and Sections 143, 188, 269 of the Indian Penal Code. The police said they had identified youth from the adjoining areas of Budgam “who took advantage of the area”.

    The government has banned the remembrance processions on certain traditional routes since the 1990s.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • PDP slams police action on Mourners

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Suhail Bukhari condemned “the use of brute force on the peaceful Muharram procession in Kashmir.”

    “Militating against a peaceful religious gathering has reflected the government’s iron fist approach in Kashmir. Such ruthless measures have proved beyond doubt that religion is being demonised, democratic dissent criminalised and cruelty is being normalised in Kashmir,” Mr. Bukhari said.

    A spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) said the government curbs in Shia dominated areas “were highly regrettable.”

    “Despite showing exemplary discipline in following all SOPs, Shias were barred from participating in congregational mourning. We strongly condemn the use of force,” the spokesman said.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Many injured in Srinagar amid Muharram curbs

    Officials have disallowed Muharram processions

    Two patients may lose sight at least in one eye

    Hemmed in: A boy looking out from his house as a soldier stands guard during restrictions in Srinagar, on Saturday.Hemmed in: A boy looking out from his house as a soldier stands guard during restrictions in Srinagar, on Saturday. | Photo Credit: AP

    Many mourners were injured in tear-gas shelling and pellet shotgun firing on Sunday as the authorities disallowed traditional Muharram processions in Srinagar and imposed strict restrictions. At least three policemen suffered injuries in the clashes.

    Clashes broke out in Zadibal, Sazgari Pora, Hawal and Alamgari Bazar after the security forces disallowed the Muharram processions and used smoke shells and pellets to disperse the Shia Muslims.

    “One mourner was hit by pellets from a very close range in the Zadibal area and was hospitalised,” said an official in a local hospital.

    Many hit by pellets were locally treated in dispensaries. “Three youths were hit by pellets and were treated locally to avoid police action,” a local from Hawal told The Hindu.

    About seven youths were hit by pellets in the upper body parts, including eyes, on Saturday in the Bemina area during clashes with the security forces.

    “Two patients may lose sight at least in one eye,” a doctor at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital said.

    Three policemen were injured in the clashes, a police official said.

    Mourners traditionally organise processions in the old city’s Zadibal area on 10th Muharram to recall and remember the sacrifices made by Muslims 1,400 years ago during the battle of Karbala.

    All roads in Shia majority areas in the old city were sealed after the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, recently decided to reimpose restrictions on religious gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was no violence as Shia Muslims organised smaller processions in Baramulla and Budgam districts in the Valley as per traditions.

    With inputs from The Hindu