A fresh debate over political unity in Jammu and Kashmir emerged on Thursday after PDP president Mehbooba Mufti declined to give a direct answer on the proposed “joint effort” to seek restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights, as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for political parties to set aside differences and launch a collective movement on issues concerning the Union Territory. The development comes days after Mehbooba wrote to political leaders across party lines, urging a joint outreach to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to seek dialogue and address issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.…
Author: KO Web Desk
Kashmir’s cherry season continue to go on a promising note, with newly introduced imported varieties continuing to command premium prices in wholesale and retail markets across the Valley. According to the details available, although erratic weather conditions during the flowering stage have reduced overall production this year, growers and traders remain optimistic as strong market demand is ensuring attractive returns. The early-ripening cherry cultivars, particularly those imported from Italy and Bulgaria, have already reached markets and are fetching significantly higher prices compared to previous years. Their arrival has provided a boost to growers at a time when traditional cherry varieties…
Israeli airstrikes continued across Lebanon on Friday despite a newly announced U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Lebanese and Israeli officials in Washington, D.C., as the death toll from more than two months of fighting climbed past 3,500. At least 3,526 people have been killed and 10,733 wounded in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since March 2, the country’s Health Ministry said. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected the ceasefire deal as a “farce” and warned that northern Israel will remain a target for fighters as long as Israel continues to bomb Lebanon. In Washington, President Donald Trump branded as “unpatriotic” lawmakers who voted…
National Conference (NC) senior leader and Srinagar MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said any fight for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees must be based on “consistency and credibility”, not “theatrics or optics”. MP Ruhullah said credibility of the political leadership was at stake as people were asking questions. “The condition is that there should be sustainability and consistency. If there is no consistency, then there will be theatrics,” the MP said. Ruhullah who claimed he was not invited to yesterday’s party meeting, said a serious movement required a roadmap and outreach across Kashmir…
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecast widespread rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and strong gusty winds across Jammu and Kashmir on June 4 and 5, with a potential threat of flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas. According to the weather department, most parts of the Union Territory are likely to experience one or two rounds of rainfall, thunderstorms, hail, and high-speed winds over the next two days. Some areas may also see brief but heavy downpours. On June 6, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy, with isolated light showers at a few places. Between June 7 and June…
New Delhi: The accused in the Red Fort blast case were produced before the Patiala House Court in New Delhi on Wedesday, marking a significant development in the investigation being conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Sources said the NIA has filed a chargesheet against the accused, detailing the findings of its probe into the blast incident. The court is expected to take up the matter for hearing in the coming days. The production of the accused before the court comes as investigators move to the next stage of legal proceedings. Security arrangements were heightened around the court premises…
The National Conference on Wednesday announced it will hold a protest in New Delhi on the first day of Parliament’s upcoming Monsoon Session, pressing for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and constitutional guarantees. The decision was taken during a crucial meeting of the party leadership, ministers, and legislators chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dachigam National Park. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MLA Tanvir Sadiq, said the National Conference Legislature Party held detailed discussions on political and developmental issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. He said the party would stage a protest at Jantar Mantar or another…
The death toll in the tragic tree-collapse incident in Anantnag rose to two on Wednesday after a woman succumbed to her injuries at a hospital, officials said. The couple, residents of Brariangan area of Shangus in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, had sustained grievous injuries on Tuesday when a tree uprooted by strong winds crashed onto them near the Ganjiwara area of Anantnag town. Marina, wife of Mohammad Rafiq Khan, succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday, officials said. Officials said that Mohammad Rafiq Khan had died shortly after being shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, while his wife Marina was…
Jammu Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) president Sajad Gani Lone Wednesday took a swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for holding a review of his 19-month-old government at Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of summer capital Srinagar. In a post on X, Lone said that the bombshell dropped by Omar Abdullah today is that he is a tourist to the core. “So this is the bombshell threatened by CM sahib. Tourist to the core. A trip to the scenic and beautiful Dachigam,” Lone wrote on X. So this is the bombshell threatened by CM sahib. Tourist to the core. A…
The much-anticipated National Conference (NC) legislature party meeting on Wednesday took a dramatic turn after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led party legislators and supporting Independent MLAs to an undisclosed location for deliberations. The development sparked speculation in political circles after reports suggested that the venue of the meeting had been changed at the last moment. However, Omar Abdullah refuted such claims through a post on X. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but it has NOT ‘been shifted at the last moment’. It was always my intention to conduct this meeting off-site and all arrangements had been made, days in advance,…