Page 12 - Jammu And Kashmir Politics

PDP holds meeting in Jammu with focus on next assembly polls in J-K

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people about holding of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a meeting here on Saturday to chalk out its action plan in preparation for the much awaited democratic exercise. The meeting, chaired by PDP vice-president Abdul Hameed Choudhary at Gandhi Nagar party headquarters, was primarily convened to gear up and strengthen the party cadres in Jammu region ahead of the assembly elections, party spokesperson Variender Singh Sonu told PTI. He said PDP general secretary Amrik Singh Reen, party additional general secretary Satpal Singh Charak, Jammu women wing president Surjit Kaur, district president Jammu Sohit Sharma and senior leaders Vijaya Dogra, Choudhary Chuni Lal and K K Sharma among others attended the meeting. The meeting discussed in detail the party's preparations for the upcoming assembly elections and the action plan to strengthen the party at the grass-roots level across th

After LS poll loss, Kashmiri Shia leader Imran Ansari blasts his supporters

A video of a Shia leader in Kashmir angry with his supporters after his party's debacle in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls has gone viral on social media. The 19-second video of Shia leader Imran Reza Ansari, the general secretary of the People's Conference, has gone viral on social media and received harsh comments. The People's Conference is headed by separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajad Gani Lone. Lone contested the polls from north Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, but his party was routed in the elections. Independent candidate Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer Rashid, who is in jail on terror funding charges, won the seat. National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah stood at the second place and Lone came a distant third. Apparently miffed over the poll debacle, Ansari is seen talking angrily to his supporters in the video. "I swear upon the grave of my father, I want to tear apart my clothes today. I was in an exalted position, you made me bite the

Amarnath Yatra: Police conducts mock drill ahead of annual pilgrimage

Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the quick reaction teams (QRTs) and special operations group (SoG) of the police on Monday conducted a comprehensive mock drill at the base camp of the pilgrimage in Jammu. This comes close on the heels of Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewing the security situation and the preparations for the annual pilgrimage. The 52-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir will start on June 29 and conclude on August 19. The police carried out a comprehensive mock drill exercise at base camp yatri niwas in Bhagwati Nagar here, officials said. First responder team of sub division headquarters, including all territorial officers from the sub division, were involved in the exercise. The SOG Jammu, along with other territorial Police officers from adjacent sub divisions and their QRTs, also participated in the drill, they said. "The primary objective of this exercise was to provide practical training to the entire team, ensuring the

Terrorism in J&K has shrunk from organised act to mere proxy war: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday directed security agencies to implement area domination and zero-terror plans in the Jammu division like they did in Kashmir to achieve success. He also said the Narendra Modi government is committed to set an example by cracking down on terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir through innovative means. These were conveyed to officials by the home minister at a high-level meeting convened to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in the Union Territory, sources said. Shah directed the agencies to replicate in the Jammu division the successes achieved in the Kashmir Valley through the area domination plan and the zero-terror plan, they said. He also reviewed the preparations for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin on June 29, in a subsequent meeting. The sources said the home minister was given a thorough briefing on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir where secu

PDP protests against terror attacks in J&K, seeks explanation on security

The Peoples Democratic Party on Friday held a protest here against the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, seeking an explanation over the "alarming" security situation contrary to the government's claims of restoration of peace in the Union Territory. Terrorists struck at four places in Reasi, Kathua and Doda districts in the Jammu province between Sunday and Wednesday, killing nine people, including seven pilgrims and a CRPF jawan. Seven security personnel, 41 pilgrims and a villager were also injured in the attacks. Two terrorists were also eliminated in one of the encounters in Kathua, while a massive search operation is on to track down and neutralise the other terrorists. Led by PDP additional general secretary Rajinder Manhas and spokesperson S Varinder Singh Sonu, dozens of party workers took out a protest march from the PDP office at Gandhi Nagar. The protesters pushed forward through police barricade and briefly held a sit-in near the Jammu-airport road before ...

Launch pads across LoC active, 70 terrorists waiting to infiltrate: J&K DGP

Around 60 to 70 terrorists are "active" on launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) and its "degraded capability" has not stopped Pakistan from sending men and material to Jammu and Kashmir, according to Director General of Police Rashmi Ranjan Swain. Giving an overall assessment of the current security situation along the border areas and the challenge posed by drone droppings, Swain at the same time said Indian security personnel will make it "absolutely hard" for the adversary to succeed. "In our meetings with our security partners, we generally have come to the conclusion that it is a fact that the adversary or the enemy has not stopped from sending men and material," Swain, who holds the dual charge of the J&K Police and the CID, told PTI in an interview. He also mentioned the presence of foreign terrorists from the western neighbour operating in the region. While acknowledging some success in countering these attempts, Swain said that the threat remains and sustained ...

Writings on the Valley wall

Reading the writings on the wall in poll-bound Kashmir, we find change for the better, aspiration, a quiet celebration of peace, but don't confuse it for closure

J-K polls success of Modi govt's policy, next step statehood, says HM Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Modi government's Kashmir policy has been vindicated by the successful polling in Jammu and Kashmir, where even separatists have voted overwhelmingly, as he assured that the assembly elections in the region will be held before September 30. Once the elections are over, the government will start the process of restoring statehood to the Union Territory, Shah said in an interview to PTI late Saturday. I have said in Parliament that we will give the statehood after the assembly elections, he said, adding that everything is going according to plan, such as the surveys of the backward classes and delimitation exercise of the Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies. We have completed the delimitation process. Because the reservation can be given only after the delimitation process is completed. Because we have to know about the status of various castes (to give reservation). That has been done. Lok Sabha election is also over (in Jammu and ...

LS polls: PoK belongs to India and we will take it, says HM Amit Shah

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a part of India and "we will take it", Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Saturday as he castigated the Congress for trying to "frighten us" by saying that the neighbouring country possesses atom bombs. "The Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) hamara hai, hamara rahega aur hum ise lekar rahenge (PoK is ours and it will remain ours. We will take it," Shah told a rally at Amb in Una district in support of Union minister Anurag Thakur, the BJP candidate from the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat. Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already won 310 seats in the first five phases of Lok Sabha polls and the target of '400-paar' would be achieved in the sixth and the last phases, while Congress Rahul Gandhi would be restrained at just 40 seats. He also mocked the Congress by asking the crowd at the rally as to who will be the prime minister, if the grand old party comes to power. He also appealed to people to make the BJP victorious in the six assembly seat ..

Will begin process of holding assembly polls in J&K very soon: CEC Kumar

Encouraged by the voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission will "very soon" initiate the process of holding assembly polls in the Union Territory, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday. He also told PTI Videos that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve their government. Responding to a question on the turnout in various seats of Jammu and Kashmir and if assembly elections could be held soon, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kumar said the poll panel is very encouraged by people's participation in the parliamentary polls. "It's music to (my) ears. People -- youth, women -- are happily turning out in large numbers (to vote). The roots of democracy are being further strengthened, people are participating," he said. "They deserve their government. We will initiate that process very soon very encouraged to do this," the CEC added. While announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections in March, Kumar said holding assembly a

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti claims outgoing calls on her mobile suspended

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday claimed that outgoing calls on her mobile number have been suspended without any explanation. "I am not able to make any calls since morning. There is no explanation for this sudden suspension of services on the day of polling in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency," Mehbooba told PTI. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, where voting is currently underway. The PDP also flagged the issue in a post on X. "Just ahead of the polls, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti's @MehboobaMufti cellular phone service has been abruptly snapped. Yesterday evening and in the early hours today, scores of PDP workers and polling agents were detained across polling belt," it said. On Friday, Mehbooba had written to the Election Commission claiming that PDP workers and polling agents were detained by police. "Many of our PDP polling agents & workers are being detained just before ...

PDP workers, polling agents being asked to report to police stations: Mufti

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti alleged on Friday that the polling agents and workers of her party are being asked to report to police stations ahead of the voting for the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. Mufti is contesting the election from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, which is scheduled to go to polls on Saturday. "PDP polling agents and workers both are being asked to report to local police stations. Why are the people of South Kashmir being punished for showing their faith in democracy? @ECISVEEP @manojsinha_ @JmuKmrPolice" the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said in a post on X. Meanwhile, the PDP has appealed to the Election Commission for an urgent intervention to ensure free and fair elections. In a letter to the chief election commissioner, the party said it seeks the commission's immediate attention towards "a grave matter that threatens the integrity" of the polls. "It has come to our notice that the police in Anantnag, Shopian, and Kulgam have

Lok Sabha elections: Anatomy of the surge in Kashmir's voter turnout

Valley braves militant attack in Pahalgam amid growing political vacuum

Compliments to Baramulla voters for their commitment to democracy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the people of Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency as it recorded its highest-ever voter turnout, and said such active participation is a great trend. The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which was once militancy-infested, recorded its highest-ever voter turnout at 59 per cent on a violence-free polling day on Monday. Polling stations in Baramulla were buzzing with energy as voters in large numbers thronged to exercise their right to vote. "Compliments to my sisters and brothers of Baramulla for their unbreakable commitment to democratic values. Such active participation is a great trend," Modi said in a post on X. Modi's remarks came in response to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha's post, saying, "High voter turnout, over 58% in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, is very encouraging and shows the people's determination and unwavering faith in democracy. I congratulate and thank the people of Baramulla for joining

LS polls highlights: Biggest allegation I have faced is owning 250 pairs of clothes, says PM Modi

From the elections in 49 LS seats to Rahul Gandhi's warning to poll officials to abide by their oath to the constitution, catch all the latest election news here

LS elections: Brisk polling in Baramulla as 35% polling recorded till 1 pm

Polling began on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency where 22 candidates, including former chief minister Omar Abdullah, are in the fray, officials said. Voting began at 7 am. People were seen lining up outside the polling stations to exercise their franchise in some areas of the constituency, the officials said. The constituency is spread over 18 assembly segments in the three districts of Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora, and also includes two segments of Budgam that were included on the recommendations of the delimitation commission two years ago, they said. Voting is scheduled to end at 6 pm. More than 500 centenarians are among the 17.37 lakh voters eligible to exercise their franchise, with political observers expecting a high turnout on the back of the huge crowds that thronged election rallies and roadshows. The first major political battle post the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 will decide the fate of Abdullah, the National Conference ...

Tourist arrivals in Kashmir not accurate gauge of normalcy: Omar Abdullah

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Monday said tourism should not be linked to the security situation in Kashmir as tourist arrivals are not the right barometer of normalcy and this makes tourists a target. The situation in the Valley is "not normal", Abdullah told reporters after visiting polling booths in Budgam. The NC leader is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Baramulla, where voting is underway. "We have been saying that the situation (in Kashmir) is not normal. The militants have proved repeatedly that they can attack whenever they want to. Unfortunately, a politician, an ex-sarpanch of the BJP, lost his life and two tourists were injured (in terrorist attacks)," the NC leader said, referring to Saturday's twin attacks in Shopian and Anantnag. "I appeal to the government to talk less about normalcy because the situation is not normal and also talk less about tourism being an indicator of normalcy because when they link normalcy with tourism, they put

PDP will support return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley: Mehbooba Mufti

Reaching out to displaced Kashmiri Pandits, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday assured them of her party's support in their return and rehabilitation in the valley, provided they "demonstrate boldness and come back to their homes". Mehbooba, a former chief minister who is fighting Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, said no government at the Centre can rehabilitate the community on its own and if the elderly Kashmiri Pandits "take risk" and return, their children will follow. Today it is the BJP, maybe tomorrow Congress will come to power in Delhi but any party that is in power can never pick you up and take you to Kashmir. That is not going to happen and you have to show boldness on your part for your return to your homes in the valley and we will also support you, she said, addressing a gathering of Kashmiri Pandits here. The former J-K chief minister said she had suggested to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who had announced five marlas of land to the ...

LS elections 2024: Sixth schedule, employment key issues in Ladakh

As Ladakh votes to elect its MP for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, safeguards under the sixth schedule, statehood and employment are the key issues in the two distant districts of the constituency that is the largest in the country in terms of area. Spread over more than 59,000 square kilometres -- around 40 times the size of Delhi -- the two districts of Leh and Kargil are divided by geography and religion. Buddhist-dominated Leh and Shia Muslim-majority Kargil have come together over four demands -- safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution, statehood, reservation in jobs for locals and a separate public service commission and two Lok Sabha seats for the region. After the abrogation of Article 370, Ladakh, which shares its border with both Pakistan and China, was carved out as a Union Territory without legislature. While Leh welcomed the move initially, people in Kargil were unhappy about the split. However, soon the concerns .

Lok Sabha 2024: Rahul Gandhi, Modi declare assets; Amit Shah visits J&K

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: From crorepati candidates to rallies, here are the latest updates on general elections in India as of May 16