News Analysis India

Tag: Jammu and Kashmir

  • Will strike last nail in the coffin of terrorism in one year: J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday claimed the government will strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism in the union territory in one year.

    He made these remarks while speaking here at a function at SKICC where he laid the foundation stone of 25 DDC, BDC buildings and inaugurated 1000 Amrit serovars across the Union territory.

    The Lt Governor said it is “our sacred obligation to defend every inch of the motherland and even if we have to sacrifice everything, we shall be ready”.

    “Some people, on behest of the neighbouring country, are trying to create disturbance in J-K. The neighbouring country which itself is living in misery, can’t do any good to the people of J-K,” he said.

    “We have lost many innocent lives, now it has to stop. The right time has come to strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism and its ecosystem. Your younger generation should not face the hardships that their forefathers went through. They must make the nation proud,” he added.

    Sinha also spoke about the thousands of youths in Tral Pulwama who paid homage to freedom fighters and reverberated the sky with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

    He said in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowed the Union territory with a gift of a new dawn of development and prosperity.

    “For 70 years, the socio-economic system of Jammu and Kashmir was facing a serious crisis and in the last three years, the Union territory has achieved great strides in the direction of reducing the gap between villages and cities that had only widened in the last seven decades.”

    He said the implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments has given a new lease of life to grassroots democracy in J-K.

    “We are determined to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of poorn swaraj through gram swaraj. Devolution of the three Fs – funds, functions and functionaries have truly empowered the PRIs to fulfil their mandated role,” he said.

    Sinha said that even though the three-tier system was implemented late in the Union territory, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a great and effective example of this system and today, the step towards institutionalization of the offices of DDCs and BDCs, at a cost of Rs.

    92 crore, will further strengthen and accentuate the efficiency of the Panchayati Raj system, making it the engine of community development in future In all, the rural development department has approved the construction of 20 DDC and 285 BDC offices.

    137 BDC offices will be set up in Kashmir division and 148 BDC offices in Jammu division. The process of housing construction of all the respected DDC chairpersons has been accelerated, it was informed.

    The Lt Governor also outlined that for effective implementation of developmental plans and policies at the grassroots level, ample resources have been kept at the disposal of PRIs.

    When the budget of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Parliament this year, the goal of strengthening good governance and grass root democracy was placed at the top of the list of priorities, he added.

    SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday claimed the government will strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism in the union territory in one year.

    He made these remarks while speaking here at a function at SKICC where he laid the foundation stone of 25 DDC, BDC buildings and inaugurated 1000 Amrit serovars across the Union territory.

    The Lt Governor said it is “our sacred obligation to defend every inch of the motherland and even if we have to sacrifice everything, we shall be ready”.

    “Some people, on behest of the neighbouring country, are trying to create disturbance in J-K. The neighbouring country which itself is living in misery, can’t do any good to the people of J-K,” he said.

    “We have lost many innocent lives, now it has to stop. The right time has come to strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism and its ecosystem. Your younger generation should not face the hardships that their forefathers went through. They must make the nation proud,” he added.

    Sinha also spoke about the thousands of youths in Tral Pulwama who paid homage to freedom fighters and reverberated the sky with slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

    He said in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowed the Union territory with a gift of a new dawn of development and prosperity.

    “For 70 years, the socio-economic system of Jammu and Kashmir was facing a serious crisis and in the last three years, the Union territory has achieved great strides in the direction of reducing the gap between villages and cities that had only widened in the last seven decades.”

    He said the implementation of 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments has given a new lease of life to grassroots democracy in J-K.

    “We are determined to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of poorn swaraj through gram swaraj. Devolution of the three Fs – funds, functions and functionaries have truly empowered the PRIs to fulfil their mandated role,” he said.

    Sinha said that even though the three-tier system was implemented late in the Union territory, Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a great and effective example of this system and today, the step towards institutionalization of the offices of DDCs and BDCs, at a cost of Rs.

    92 crore, will further strengthen and accentuate the efficiency of the Panchayati Raj system, making it the engine of community development in future In all, the rural development department has approved the construction of 20 DDC and 285 BDC offices.

    137 BDC offices will be set up in Kashmir division and 148 BDC offices in Jammu division. The process of housing construction of all the respected DDC chairpersons has been accelerated, it was informed.

    The Lt Governor also outlined that for effective implementation of developmental plans and policies at the grassroots level, ample resources have been kept at the disposal of PRIs.

    When the budget of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Parliament this year, the goal of strengthening good governance and grass root democracy was placed at the top of the list of priorities, he added.

  • Jammu and Kashmir govt sacks four employees including son of Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Saturday sacked its four employees including son of Syed Salahuddin, the chief of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, and the wife of terror-funding accused Bitta Karate, officials said.

    All four employees were dismissed from service under Article 311 of the Constitution which enables the government to sack its employees without an inquiry.

    Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate is currently in judicial custody in terror funding cases, officials said.

    His wife Assabah-ul-Arjamand Khan, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services officer, was posted in the Directorate of Rural Development.

    Syed Abdul Mueed, Manager, Information and Technology at Department of industries and Commerce, is son of Syed Salahuddin, the Pakistan-based chief of banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

    The others dismissed are: Dr Muheet Ahmad Bhat, Scientist; and Majid Hussain Qadiri (senior Assistant Professor) in Kashmir University.

    SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Saturday sacked its four employees including son of Syed Salahuddin, the chief of banned Hizbul Mujahideen, and the wife of terror-funding accused Bitta Karate, officials said.

    All four employees were dismissed from service under Article 311 of the Constitution which enables the government to sack its employees without an inquiry.

    Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate is currently in judicial custody in terror funding cases, officials said.

    His wife Assabah-ul-Arjamand Khan, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services officer, was posted in the Directorate of Rural Development.

    Syed Abdul Mueed, Manager, Information and Technology at Department of industries and Commerce, is son of Syed Salahuddin, the Pakistan-based chief of banned terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

    The others dismissed are: Dr Muheet Ahmad Bhat, Scientist; and Majid Hussain Qadiri (senior Assistant Professor) in Kashmir University.

  • Migrant labourer shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora

    By PTI

    BANDIPORA: A labourer from Bihar was fired upon by terrorists at Soadnara Sumbal in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, following which he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

    The deceased labourer was identified as Mohd Amrez, hailing from Bihar’s Madhepura.

    Soon after being shot, he was shifted to the hospital for treatment where he died.

    “During intervening night, #terrorists fired upon & injured one outside #labourer Mohd Amrez S/O Mohd Jalil R/O Madhepura Besarh #Bihar at Soadnara Sumbal, #Bandipora. He was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed,” tweeted Kashmir Zone Police this morning.

    This comes a day after three army personnel died while neutralising two terrorists who attempted to carry out a suicide bomb attack at Rajouri on Thursday.

    Subedar Rajendra Prasad, Rifleman Manoj Kumar and Rifleman Lakshmanan D made the supreme sacrifice for the country during the operation on Thursday morning.

    However, the Army personel managed to foil the suicide bomb attack at its basecamp and killed both the terrorists.

    BANDIPORA: A labourer from Bihar was fired upon by terrorists at Soadnara Sumbal in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, following which he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

    The deceased labourer was identified as Mohd Amrez, hailing from Bihar’s Madhepura.

    Soon after being shot, he was shifted to the hospital for treatment where he died.

    “During intervening night, #terrorists fired upon & injured one outside #labourer Mohd Amrez S/O Mohd Jalil R/O Madhepura Besarh #Bihar at Soadnara Sumbal, #Bandipora. He was shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed,” tweeted Kashmir Zone Police this morning.

    This comes a day after three army personnel died while neutralising two terrorists who attempted to carry out a suicide bomb attack at Rajouri on Thursday.

    Subedar Rajendra Prasad, Rifleman Manoj Kumar and Rifleman Lakshmanan D made the supreme sacrifice for the country during the operation on Thursday morning.

    However, the Army personel managed to foil the suicide bomb attack at its basecamp and killed both the terrorists.

  • Over 88 per cent drop in law and order incidents in Kashmir since Article 370 abrogation: Police

    The police said while 124 civilians were killed in law and order situations in Kashmir in the three years prior to August 5, 2019, no civilian was killed in such situations since then.

  • Article 370 revocation: Militancy violence and L&O incidents declined in 3 years

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The militancy violence and law and order incidents in Valley declined significantly and 174 police and security men and 110 civilians were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories (UTs) by the centre on August 5, 2019, according to police data.

    While sharing figures about pre and post Article 370 security scenarios in the militancy-hit Valley, police said 174 police and security men were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir in a three years period from August 5, 2019 till August 4, 2022.

    During the three years period, pre Article 370 revocation (5-8-2016 to 4-8-2019) 290 police and security men were killed in the militancy violence.

    On August 5, 2019, centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated J&K into two UTs – Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    The police data further state that as against 930 militancy incidents in three years before Article 370 revocation, 617 militancy-related incidents were reported in the Valley in three years post Article 370 abrogation.

    It states that civilian killings also witnessed a decline in the three-year period post Article 370 revocation.

    “110 civilians were killed in three years post Article 370 revocation while 191 civilians died in militancy violence in three years before Article 370 abrogation,” reveals the police data.

    The data further reveals that there was no civilian casualty in the law and order situation in the Valley after Article 370 revocation.

    “In three years before Article 370 revocation, 124 civilians were killed in law and order situations in the Valley,” it states.

    There has also been a big drop in law and order incidents in the last three years.

    As against 3686 law and order incidents in Valley in three years before Article 370 revocation, only 438 law and order incidents were reported in Kashmir in three years post Article 370 abrogation, reveals the data.

    The authorities had imposed a security clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019 to prevent backlash against abrogation of J&K’ s special status. All top mainstream leaders including three former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah were arrested. The three former CMs were among a dozen mainstream leaders booked under stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

    Besides, separatist leaders and activists, civil society members, traders, lawyers, youth were also arrested and lodged in jails within and outside J&K.

    SRINAGAR: The militancy violence and law and order incidents in Valley declined significantly and 174 police and security men and 110 civilians were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories (UTs) by the centre on August 5, 2019, according to police data.

    While sharing figures about pre and post Article 370 security scenarios in the militancy-hit Valley, police said 174 police and security men were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir in a three years period from August 5, 2019 till August 4, 2022.

    During the three years period, pre Article 370 revocation (5-8-2016 to 4-8-2019) 290 police and security men were killed in the militancy violence.

    On August 5, 2019, centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated J&K into two UTs – Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    The police data further state that as against 930 militancy incidents in three years before Article 370 revocation, 617 militancy-related incidents were reported in the Valley in three years post Article 370 abrogation.

    It states that civilian killings also witnessed a decline in the three-year period post Article 370 revocation.

    “110 civilians were killed in three years post Article 370 revocation while 191 civilians died in militancy violence in three years before Article 370 abrogation,” reveals the police data.

    The data further reveals that there was no civilian casualty in the law and order situation in the Valley after Article 370 revocation.

    “In three years before Article 370 revocation, 124 civilians were killed in law and order situations in the Valley,” it states.

    There has also been a big drop in law and order incidents in the last three years.

    As against 3686 law and order incidents in Valley in three years before Article 370 revocation, only 438 law and order incidents were reported in Kashmir in three years post Article 370 abrogation, reveals the data.

    The authorities had imposed a security clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019 to prevent backlash against abrogation of J&K’ s special status. All top mainstream leaders including three former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah were arrested. The three former CMs were among a dozen mainstream leaders booked under stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

    Besides, separatist leaders and activists, civil society members, traders, lawyers, youth were also arrested and lodged in jails within and outside J&K.

  • Mehbooba Mufti’s new Twitter display pic shows tricolour, old J&K flag

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday put a new Twitter display picture that shows her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the national flag and the now-derecognised flag of Jammu and Kashmir.

    In his Mann ki Baat radio broadcast this Sunday, PM Modi had said the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is turning into a mass movement and urged people to put ‘tiranga’ as the profile picture of their social media accounts between August 2 and 15.

    Putting the new display picture, Mehbooba said the flag of Jammu and Kashmir might have been “snatched”, but it cannot be erased from the collective conscience of the people.

    The photograph was taken at a rally addressed by the prime minister during his Kashmir visit in November 2015 when Mufti Sayeed was chief minister of the erstwhile state.

    “Changed my dp since a flag is a matter of joy & pride. For us our state flag was irreversibly linked to the Indian flag. It was snatched thus breaking away the link. You may have robbed us of our flag but cant erase it from our collective conscience,” Mehbooba tweeted.

    Changed my dp since a flag is a matter of joy & pride.For us our state flag was irreversibly linked to the Indian flag. It was snatched thus breaking away the link. You may have robbed us of our flag but cant erase it from our collective conscience. pic.twitter.com/HZxQROn3fK
    — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 3, 2022
    The Twitter post by the former chief minister also comes two days ahead of the third anniversary of revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

    With the revocation of the special status, the Jammu and Kashmir flag was also derecognised.

    SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday put a new Twitter display picture that shows her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the national flag and the now-derecognised flag of Jammu and Kashmir.

    In his Mann ki Baat radio broadcast this Sunday, PM Modi had said the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is turning into a mass movement and urged people to put ‘tiranga’ as the profile picture of their social media accounts between August 2 and 15.

    Putting the new display picture, Mehbooba said the flag of Jammu and Kashmir might have been “snatched”, but it cannot be erased from the collective conscience of the people.

    The photograph was taken at a rally addressed by the prime minister during his Kashmir visit in November 2015 when Mufti Sayeed was chief minister of the erstwhile state.

    “Changed my dp since a flag is a matter of joy & pride. For us our state flag was irreversibly linked to the Indian flag. It was snatched thus breaking away the link. You may have robbed us of our flag but cant erase it from our collective conscience,” Mehbooba tweeted.

    Changed my dp since a flag is a matter of joy & pride.For us our state flag was irreversibly linked to the Indian flag. It was snatched thus breaking away the link. You may have robbed us of our flag but cant erase it from our collective conscience. pic.twitter.com/HZxQROn3fK
    — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 3, 2022
    The Twitter post by the former chief minister also comes two days ahead of the third anniversary of revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

    With the revocation of the special status, the Jammu and Kashmir flag was also derecognised.

  • Was Yasin Malik born with gun or did situation compel him, asks Sajad Lone

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone on Saturday said separatist leader Yasin Malik, convicted in a terror funding case, deserves a fair trial and demanded a probe into the alleged rigging in the 1987 assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

    He said the 1987 rigging resulted in the eruption of militancy in the Kashmir Valley and asked National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah why Malik was ‘tortured’.

    “We do not agree to his (Malik’s) ideology, but he is a citizen of J-K and has a right to a fair trial. His point of view be at least heard,” Lone told reporters.

    He said Malik was one of those who had raised their voice against the alleged rigging in the 1987 assembly elections.

    “Was Yasin Malik born with a gun in hand or did the situation compel him to do so? Most of those youth are either dead or are in jail. Why is the Central government not lifting the veil from 1987? Why are they covering it up?” Lone asked.

    He said the compulsions of the Congress party to not inquire the alleged rigging can be understood because the party was a part of it, but what is stopping the BJP, which was not in power then, from investigating the matter.

    “You (BJP) say you want to change everything and that everything which has happened was wrong,” Lone said, adding when the saffron party was getting even decades-old minor incidents investigated by the NIA, then why not the 1987 rigging.

    He said the 1987 rigging was the trigger point for the eruption of militancy in Kashmir.

    “The reality is that if 1987 is taken out of history, then perhaps, nothing would have happened. Whatever is happening, followed that only,” he said.

    Malik, 56, head of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), began a hunger strike in Tihar Jail after the government did not respond to his plea that he be allowed to physically appear in a Jammu court hearing the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case in which he is an accused, officials said on Saturday.

    He was arrested in early 2019 in connection with a 2017 terror-funding case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    Malik had pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special NIA court in Delhi in May.

    Asked about the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) — which his party quit after being a part of it for some time — Lone said the amalgam was “dead”.

    “It is not PAGD, but NC-PDP alliance. It is an alliance of two parties only to stop any other party from coming to power. The PAGD was there, but now it is not. It is dead,” he said.

    READ HERE | Former J&K CM’s daughter Rubaiya Sayeed identifies Yasin Malik, three others as her abductors

    Asked about NC vice president Omar Abdullah’s tweet about opposition unity in the country, Lone said “It seems it was done to please the BJP and (keep) distance from the Congress.”

    Omar Abdullah had tweeted, “Opposition unity is a bit of a chimera. Ultimately political parties will do what’s in their own interest & that’s as it should be. J&K saw this when we were left high & dry by ‘friends’ in 2019. It’s time for @JKNC_ to do suits the party rather than waste time chasing ghosts.”

    Taking a dig at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti over her remarks that her sister Rubaiya Sayeed performed her legal duties by identifying Malik as her abductor, Lone said Mufti should stop talking about reconciliation.

    “When 1990 came, two new words came ‘militant’ and ‘mukhbir’ (informer). So, they have played the role of an informer. It is their right to be an informer and no one will stop them, but, they should say it. They talk about reconciliation, talks with militants, (Hizbul Mujahideen chief) (Syed) Salahudin, and Pakistan. When you are an informer, then do not talk about these things because an informer cannot talk about reconciliation,” he said.

    SRINAGAR: People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone on Saturday said separatist leader Yasin Malik, convicted in a terror funding case, deserves a fair trial and demanded a probe into the alleged rigging in the 1987 assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

    He said the 1987 rigging resulted in the eruption of militancy in the Kashmir Valley and asked National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah why Malik was ‘tortured’.

    “We do not agree to his (Malik’s) ideology, but he is a citizen of J-K and has a right to a fair trial. His point of view be at least heard,” Lone told reporters.

    He said Malik was one of those who had raised their voice against the alleged rigging in the 1987 assembly elections.

    “Was Yasin Malik born with a gun in hand or did the situation compel him to do so? Most of those youth are either dead or are in jail. Why is the Central government not lifting the veil from 1987? Why are they covering it up?” Lone asked.

    He said the compulsions of the Congress party to not inquire the alleged rigging can be understood because the party was a part of it, but what is stopping the BJP, which was not in power then, from investigating the matter.

    “You (BJP) say you want to change everything and that everything which has happened was wrong,” Lone said, adding when the saffron party was getting even decades-old minor incidents investigated by the NIA, then why not the 1987 rigging.

    He said the 1987 rigging was the trigger point for the eruption of militancy in Kashmir.

    “The reality is that if 1987 is taken out of history, then perhaps, nothing would have happened. Whatever is happening, followed that only,” he said.

    Malik, 56, head of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), began a hunger strike in Tihar Jail after the government did not respond to his plea that he be allowed to physically appear in a Jammu court hearing the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case in which he is an accused, officials said on Saturday.

    He was arrested in early 2019 in connection with a 2017 terror-funding case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

    Malik had pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special NIA court in Delhi in May.

    Asked about the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) — which his party quit after being a part of it for some time — Lone said the amalgam was “dead”.

    “It is not PAGD, but NC-PDP alliance. It is an alliance of two parties only to stop any other party from coming to power. The PAGD was there, but now it is not. It is dead,” he said.

    READ HERE | Former J&K CM’s daughter Rubaiya Sayeed identifies Yasin Malik, three others as her abductors

    Asked about NC vice president Omar Abdullah’s tweet about opposition unity in the country, Lone said “It seems it was done to please the BJP and (keep) distance from the Congress.”

    Omar Abdullah had tweeted, “Opposition unity is a bit of a chimera. Ultimately political parties will do what’s in their own interest & that’s as it should be. J&K saw this when we were left high & dry by ‘friends’ in 2019. It’s time for @JKNC_ to do suits the party rather than waste time chasing ghosts.”

    Taking a dig at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti over her remarks that her sister Rubaiya Sayeed performed her legal duties by identifying Malik as her abductor, Lone said Mufti should stop talking about reconciliation.

    “When 1990 came, two new words came ‘militant’ and ‘mukhbir’ (informer). So, they have played the role of an informer. It is their right to be an informer and no one will stop them, but, they should say it. They talk about reconciliation, talks with militants, (Hizbul Mujahideen chief) (Syed) Salahudin, and Pakistan. When you are an informer, then do not talk about these things because an informer cannot talk about reconciliation,” he said.

  • Presidential candidates to lose 9,280 votes in Jammu and Kashmir

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The Presidential candidates would lose 9,280 votes in Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of a Legislative Assembly, and no representative in Rajya Sabha.

    Only five Lok Sabha members, including three from National Conference and two from BJP, will cast their votes. 

    While Droupadi Murmu is certain to get 1,400 votes from the BJP MPs, Yashwant Sinha would get 2,100 votes from NC. Each MP has a vote value of 700.

    However, with J&K having no Assembly, the candidates would lose 6,480 votes, as it has 90 seats, with the value of each vote till the abrogation of Article 370 being 72.

    Also, J&K used to send four MPs to Rajya Sabha, making 2,800 votes.

    The J&K Assembly would not be a part of this exercise for the second time.

    In 1992, a similar situation arose as the Lok Sabha election could not take place in 1991 due to insurgency.

    SRINAGAR: The Presidential candidates would lose 9,280 votes in Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of a Legislative Assembly, and no representative in Rajya Sabha.

    Only five Lok Sabha members, including three from National Conference and two from BJP, will cast their votes. 

    While Droupadi Murmu is certain to get 1,400 votes from the BJP MPs, Yashwant Sinha would get 2,100 votes from NC. Each MP has a vote value of 700.

    However, with J&K having no Assembly, the candidates would lose 6,480 votes, as it has 90 seats, with the value of each vote till the abrogation of Article 370 being 72.

    Also, J&K used to send four MPs to Rajya Sabha, making 2,800 votes.

    The J&K Assembly would not be a part of this exercise for the second time.

    In 1992, a similar situation arose as the Lok Sabha election could not take place in 1991 due to insurgency.

  • Two terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Top Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Kaiser Koka was among two ultras killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, police said.

    The encounter broke out at Wandakpora in Awantipora area after security forces launched a cordon and search operation, a police official said.

    “#Terrorist Kaiser Koka #neutralised. Identification of 2nd terrorist being ascertained. #Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 USA made rifle (M-4 Carbine), 01 pistol and other materials have been recovered,” a police spokesman tweeted. Koka was wanted in many terror-related incidents, the official said.

  • Spoke with J&K LG, all assistance being provided: PM Modi on cloudburst near Amarnath cave

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the cloudburst near the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, and said all possible assistance is being provided to the affected.

    At least 10 people were killed in the cloudburst Friday evening, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens, officials said.

    The cloudburst struck around 5.30 pm amid heavy rainfall, they said. “Anguished by the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to @manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation,” Modi said in a tweet.

    “Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected,” he said.

    The gushing waters hit the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens where the pilgrims are served food, officials said.