Page 51 - Jammu And Kashmir

J-K Assembly elections: PM Modi, Shah appeal people to cast vote in Phase 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to voters in Jammu and Kashmir to use their franchise as the second round of polling in the Union Territory began. "I appeal to all voters that they must cast their votes and play an important role in strengthening democracy," Modi said while greeting the first-time voters. Voting began on Wednesday for the second phase of the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir in which over 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the fray for 26 seats, including that of former chief minister of the erstwhile state Omar Abdullah. These assembly constituencies are spread over six districts -- three in the Valley and as many in the Jammu division.

J-K, Haryana polls highlights: Why did youth of Haryana turn to 'Dunki', asks Rahul Gandhi

J-K, Haryana Assembly polls updates: Catch all the latest news developments related to the Assembly polls here

J-K polls: Tight security in Rajouri ahead of Phase 2 on Sept 25. Details

J&K Assembly elections: The first voting phase ended on September 18; the second and third phases are on September 25 and October 1, respectively, with vote counting on October 8

J-K polls: Omar, Ravinder Raina among 239 candidates in fray in 2nd phase

Over 2.5 million voters will decide the fate of 239 candidates in the fray for 26 Jammu and Kashmir assembly seats in the second phase of the election to be held in the Union territory on Wednesday. These assembly constituencies are spread over six districts three in the Valley and as many in the Jammu division. "To facilitate smooth and hassle-free electoral participation, the Election Commission of India has established 3,502 polling stations in these segments. There are 1,056 urban polling stations and 2,446 rural polling stations," an official said. All polling stations will have webcasting facilities as part of the Election Commission's efforts to ensure transparency, according to officials. "To enhance voter participation, 157 special polling stations have been established for the second phase 26 'pink polling stations' managed by women, 26 polling stations manned by specially abled persons, 26 polling stations manned by youths, 31 border polling stations, 26 green polling

J-K polls: Rich candidates galore across political spectrum, says ADR

The average of assets per candidate is Rs 3.65 crore. In the 2014 Assembly polls, the average asset per candidate (a total of 831 candidates) was Rs. 1.93 crore

Parties leave no stone unturned for tribal votes in Poonch, Rajouri

In Poonch and Rajouri districts, there are eight Assembly constituencies, among which five are reserved for the STs

Assembly polls highlights: Modi only talks about his 'Mann ki Baat', not 'kaam ki baat,' says Rahul

J-K, Haryana Assembly polls updates: Catch all the latest news developments related to the Assembly polls here

Will be your voice in parliament, restore statehood: Rahul Gandhi in J&K

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised to be the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament, reiterating the Congress party's commitment to put pressure on the BJP-ruled Centre to restore J-K's statehood. "Whenever you need me, you just have to give me an order and I will be present before you. I will raise your issues in Parliament. You know the special relationship I have with you. I do not have to even mention it," Gandhi told an election rally in the Zainakote area on the city's outskirts. "I will be your voice in parliament," he told the gathering. Gandhi said the biggest issue for the people of J-K is the restoration of the statehood. "We guarantee that it will be restored. If the BJP does not give it you (after elections), we will ensure that it is restored." The Congress leader said downgrading J-K into a Union Territory was an injustice done to the people of J-K. "Your democratic right has been snatched by downgrading the state i

J-K polls: Engineer Rashid claims Omar, Sajad ganged up to defeat his party

Lok Sabha MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid on Monday alleged that National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and People's Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone had ganged up in a bid to defeat his Awami Ittehad Party candidates. The maverick politician, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, defeated both Abdullah and Lone in the Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla earlier this year. "Just a few days ago, Omar sahib was branding everyone, including Sajad Lone and Altaf Bukhari's Apni Party, as the BJP's B teams. I have irrefutable evidence that Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone have ganged up to defeat Engineer Rashid in north Kashmir and elsewhere. Can Omar Abdullah now tell us which is the BJP's B team?" Rashid told PTI. He also claimed the Farooq Abdullah-led party's silence over BJP leader Tarun Chugh's claims against National Conference leaders lent credence to his claim. "Tarun Chugh openly told Farooq Abdullah that if they revealed who all meet BJP leaders in secret, the political careers of many wou

Direct benefit transfer for women: Key task for Delhi's new CM Atishi

In the last few weeks, for the on-going Assembly elections in J&K and in Haryana, all the major political parties in the fray have announced monthly allowances for women

No stone pelter, terrorist will be released in Jammu-Kashmir: Amit Shah

Talking tough on terror, Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said no stone pelter or terrorist will be released in Jammu and Kashmir and there will be no talks with Pakistan till terrorism is wiped out. At an election rally in Nowshera in support of J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina, the senior BJP leader said he would like to talk to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, whom he referred to as "lions". They (NC-Congress alliance) want to release stone pelters and terrorists (after formation of their government as promised in their manifesto). Farooq Abdullah is talking about revival of terrorism in Jammu hills but I want to tell them that this is Modi government and we will bury terrorism in patal' (deep inside earth). No terrorist or stone pelter will be released, he said. Shah said the NC and Congress are batting for talks with Pakistan. I want to tell Farooq Abdullah and Rahul Gandhi that there will be no dialogue with Pakistan till terrorism is wiped out. I will talk with my lions (yo

BSF foils infiltration bid in RS Pura sector of Jammu, recovers arms

The weapons recovered include an AK 47 rifle, two pistols, and 4 and 9 mm rounds of magazine, said the BSF

Amit Shah woos tribals of Poonch, Rajouri during campaign trail in J&K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Saturday that the tribals of Rajouri and Poonch are defenders of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country was proud of them, as he slammed rival parties -- Congress, NC and PDP -- for giving "stepmotherly treatment" to these marginalised communities. Seeking support of the Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis for the ongoing assembly elections, Shah urged them to "cover the hills with lotuses (BJP's poll symbol)" and end the "monarchy" of the Gandhis, Abdullahs and Muftis, who he claimed have kept the Pir Panjal region underdeveloped for the last 75 years. Addressing four rallies on Saturday, starting in Mendhar (Poonch) followed by Thanamandi and Rajouri, Shah attacked the National Conference (NC) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, saying the three parties have enabled the spread of terrorism in J-K since the 1990s. "People here say that the Army and security forces are protecting them. But when you go to Gujarat, Maharashtra, or Bengal,

News updates: PM Modi arrives in US to participate in the Quad summit

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Terrorists exchange fire with security forces in J&K's Kishtwar district

A brief encounter took place between terrorists and security forces in a remote forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Saturday evening, officials said. The gunfight broke out when the forces launched a search operation in Chatroo forest following information about the presence of terrorists, the security officials said. They said reinforcements have been rushed to the area and further details are awaited. Meanwhile, a massive search operation is also continuing in the Chassana area of Reasi district where terrorists and security forces were engaged in a gunfight on Friday evening.

Assembly poll results will help realign political forces: Ex-law minister

Former Union law minister Ashwani Kumar on Saturday stressed the importance of the upcoming assembly polls, saying the results of these elections would pave the way for a realignment of political forces. He said that with the 'one nation, one election' factor now looming large on the horizon, the BJP would try to enlist the requisite support in Parliament for seeing through several constitutional amendments necessary in this regard. "For a variety of important political developments after the general elections, the upcoming state assembly elections have acquired a special significance," the former Congress leader said in a statement. The results of the upcoming assembly elections, although driven by the political dynamics of each state, will reflect the general political mood of the nation, he said. Elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, where the ruling dispensation is facing a tough challenge from the Congress-led INDIA bloc, are considered to be a barometer for the BJP's current

J&K poll: 'Our priority is to restore statehood,' says Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Saturday that the priority of Congress is to restore statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the State has never been changed to Union Territory before."The state has never been changed to Union Territory. We are asking, why have you not given statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, you have all the power, then why are they doing it?" congress president Kharge asked BJP, while addressing a press conference in Jammu."...We have declared seven guarantees. Our priority is to restore statehood to J & K. The second guarantee is to provide a health insurance scheme that will provide coverage of Rs 25 lakh to every family in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.Further describing Congress Party's promises for Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "A monthly benefit of Rs 3,000 will be given to women heads of families. An interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh will also be given to women...OBCs to get their rights as enshrined in the Constitution... 1 lakh ..

J-K was shut for 3,000 days, 40,000 killed under Congress-NC-PDP: Amit Shah

Jammu Kashmir elections: Home Minister Amit Shah alleges Congress, NC, and PDP were responsible for spread of terror in Jammu-Kashmir, claiming that under their governance the region was in darkness

J-K polls: Apni Party issues notice to leader for supporting Omar Abdullah

The Apni Party on Saturday ordered its chief spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin to show cause after he announced support for National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah in the Budgam assembly segment. Mohiuddin has been asked to clarify his remarks before the party leadership within 48 hours, "failing which disciplinary action will be taken". "The Apni Party issued a show cause notice to its chief spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin for his purported remarks supporting Omar Abdullah," it said in a statement. Mohiuddin has announced his support for Abdullah, who is contesting the assembly polls from Budgam. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister is also contesting from the Ganderbal seat. Mohiuddin on Friday said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had been stripped of their rights and added that it was crucial to elect a leader who could fight for their interests. He had earlier withdrawn his nomination from the Budgam constituency. "After consulting with friends and well-wishers

Borders peaceful as Pakistan fears PM Modi: Amit Shah at rally in J-K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said there is peace along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistan fears Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would dare to open fire. Shah was addressing an election rally in this border area in the Union territory's Poonch district in support of BJP candidate Murtaza Khan. He lauded the BJP-led Centre for wiping out terrorism by replacing guns and stones in the hands of youngsters with laptops and said his government would not allow guns to resonate in the hills of Jammu region. "We will construct more bunkers along the borders for the safety of the people. I want to remind you of cross-border firings in the 1990s Is cross-border firing happening today? "It is because the earlier rulers here were frightened of Pakistan, but now, Pakistan fears Modi. They would not dare to fire but if they did, they would be given a befitting reply," Shah said. The BJP leader is on a three-day tour and is scheduled to address four more election rallies in