Jammu and Kashmir marked the 7th anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A under heavy security across the Valley.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated August 5 as a landmark in Jammu and Kashmir's integration and development, opposition parties including the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) observed the day as a "Black Day", demanding the restoration of statehood and special constitutional status.

Security was tightened across Srinagar, with checkpoints reinforced and restrictions imposed to prevent protests. Opposition leaders accused authorities of denying them the democratic right to demonstrate, while BJP leaders highlighted improvements in security, tourism, and economic activity since 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described August 5, 2019, as the beginning of a transformative chapter for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and development over the past seven years.


Article 370 Anniversary: BJP Celebrates, Opposition Observes Black Day

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday (Dec 26) expressed serious concern over the condition of undertrial prisoners from Kashmir who have been lodged in jails outside the Union Territory for several years, alleging neglect by both the administration and the judiciary.&nbsp;Mufti said many of the families of these undertrials lack the financial means to travel long distances to meet their relatives or pursue legal remedies. “These people are undertrials, not convicts. Some of them have been in jail for five to six years without trial,” she said, adding that such treatment violates basic legal principles.&nbsp;She noted that courts had acknowledged the prisoners’ status as undertrials but failed to provide relief. According to Mufti, the High Court dismissed a petition seeking intervention and instead asked the affected individuals to file cases themselves. “How will they do it when they don’t even have the resources to reach the courts?” she asked.&nbsp;Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported. While prominent detainees receive attention, she said, poorer prisoners are left without legal or social assistance.&nbsp;The PDP chief also expressed disappointment that the issue was not raised in Parliament, stating that information sought from the administration and police regarding the detainees was not provided. She said the elected government could have compiled and shared these details, and its MPs could have raised the issue in the Parliament.&nbsp;Responding to criticism that she was politicising the matter, Mufti said such allegations were “ironic,” stressing that her concern stems from firsthand knowledge of the suffering endured by affected families. “I will not let this issue rest,” she said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-launches-strikes-against-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-1766739455593">Israel launches strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon</a>&nbsp;Mufti appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his government, and Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, including Ruhullah Mehdi, to intervene. She argued that not all detainees pose security risks and that many could be shifted back to jails within Kashmir.&nbsp;Expressing disillusionment with the judiciary, Mufti said public faith had been shaken but added that efforts would continue. “We will take up this case again and will not abandon these people,” she said, urging the Chief Minister to personally step in.

Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday (Dec 26) expressed serious concern over the condition of undertrial prisoners from Kashmir who have been lodged in jails outside the Union Territory for several years, alleging neglect by both the administration and the judiciary. Mufti said many of the families of these undertrials lack the financial means to travel long distances to meet their relatives or pursue legal remedies. “These people are undertrials, not convicts. Some of them have been in jail for five to six years without trial,” she said, adding that such treatment violates basic legal principles. She noted that courts had acknowledged the prisoners’ status as undertrials but failed to provide relief. According to Mufti, the High Court dismissed a petition seeking intervention and instead asked the affected individuals to file cases themselves. “How will they do it when they don’t even have the resources to reach the courts?” she asked. Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported. While prominent detainees receive attention, she said, poorer prisoners are left without legal or social assistance. The PDP chief also expressed disappointment that the issue was not raised in Parliament, stating that information sought from the administration and police regarding the detainees was not provided. She said the elected government could have compiled and shared these details, and its MPs could have raised the issue in the Parliament. Responding to criticism that she was politicising the matter, Mufti said such allegations were “ironic,” stressing that her concern stems from firsthand knowledge of the suffering endured by affected families. “I will not let this issue rest,” she said. Also Read: Israel launches strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon Mufti appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his government, and Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir, including Ruhullah Mehdi, to intervene. She argued that not all detainees pose security risks and that many could be shifted back to jails within Kashmir. Expressing disillusionment with the judiciary, Mufti said public faith had been shaken but added that efforts would continue. “We will take up this case again and will not abandon these people,” she said, urging the Chief Minister to personally step in.

Mufti claimed that around 1,260 people from Kashmir are currently lodged in various jails, many of whom remain unidentified and unsupported.

Mehbooba Mufti raises concern over undertrials lodged outside Kashmir

PDP Labels Nigerian Political Parties as Terror Groups Unjustified

In a significant political twist,&nbsp;Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) said that her party will give unconditional support to the National Conference (NC) and Congress's pre-poll alliance&nbsp;if both these parties accept PDP's manifesto.&nbsp;

It was during the release of the party manifesto&nbsp;for the upcoming assembly elections that Mufti said that the party is not vying for seats but is ready to back the alliance if it aligns with their agenda, which prominently includes addressing the long-standing Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

Mufti while reading out details from the manifesto said that "Power and seats don't matter for the PDP." Her party's primary concern is the resolution of critical issues facing the region.

"We will not fight for the seats but will completely support the alliance if they agree to follow our agenda, which includes the resolution of the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;Power and seats don't matter for PDP, but in case the party's agenda is accepted, we will extend support to the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir."

"The traditional routes will be opened, free 200 units of electricity will be provided, the fight over the resolution of the Kashmir issue will be taken forward and the dialogue process to be started if PDP is elected to power,"&nbsp;said the PDP president.&nbsp;

The NC-Congress alliance, which also includes the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), has already announced plans to contest all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir. While seat-sharing agreements have largely been finalised, discussions continue over certain contentious constituencies where candidates from both parties are eager to compete.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-unveils-new-pension-scheme-for-govt-employees-here-are-its-key-features-753011">India unveils new pension scheme for government employees; here are its key features</a>

Meanwhile, Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari revealed that his party intends to field candidates on 60 seats, 40 in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu, during the upcoming assembly elections.&nbsp;

"There won't be any alliance with anyone, and we did bear the brunt in the Lok Sabha elections. We will contest the assembly polls on our own and we have decided not to go for any alliance this time. PDP and BJP are in a secret alliance with NC and Congress,"&nbsp;said Bukhari, president of the Apni Party.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Congress chaired a meeting of its screening committee in Srinagar to address the concerns of party leaders who are aggrieved over seat-sharing with the National Conference.

Since the alliance between the Congress and NC has been announced, resentment within the Congress party is brewing against surrendering in front of NC.&nbsp;

In a significant political twist, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) said that her party will give unconditional support to the National Conference (NC) and Congress's pre-poll alliance if both these parties accept PDP's manifesto.

In a significant political twist, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) said that her party will give unconditional support to the National Conference (NC) and Congress's pre-poll alliance if both these parties accept PDP's manifesto. It was during the release of the party manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections that Mufti said that the party is not vying for seats but is ready to back the alliance if it aligns with their agenda, which prominently includes addressing the long-standing Kashmir issue. Mufti while reading out details from the manifesto said that "Power and seats don't matter for the PDP." Her party's primary concern is the resolution of critical issues facing the region. "We will not fight for the seats but will completely support the alliance if they agree to follow our agenda, which includes the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Power and seats don't matter for PDP, but in case the party's agenda is accepted, we will extend support to the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir." "The traditional routes will be opened, free 200 units of electricity will be provided, the fight over the resolution of the Kashmir issue will be taken forward and the dialogue process to be started if PDP is elected to power," said the PDP president. The NC-Congress alliance, which also includes the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)), has already announced plans to contest all 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir. While seat-sharing agreements have largely been finalised, discussions continue over certain contentious constituencies where candidates from both parties are eager to compete. Also read: India unveils new pension scheme for government employees; here are its key features Meanwhile, Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari revealed that his party intends to field candidates on 60 seats, 40 in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu, during the upcoming assembly elections. "There won't be any alliance with anyone, and we did bear the brunt in the Lok Sabha elections. We will contest the assembly polls on our own and we have decided not to go for any alliance this time. PDP and BJP are in a secret alliance with NC and Congress," said Bukhari, president of the Apni Party. Meanwhile, Congress chaired a meeting of its screening committee in Srinagar to address the concerns of party leaders who are aggrieved over seat-sharing with the National Conference. Since the alliance between the Congress and NC has been announced, resentment within the Congress party is brewing against surrendering in front of NC.

Mehbooba Mufti offers unconditional support to NC-Congress alliance if they adopt PDP’s agenda

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti made a significant announcement on Saturday (August 24), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during the release of her party's manifesto.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti made a significant announcement on Saturday (August 24), ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, during the release of her party's manifesto. Mufti said that if the National Conference (NC) and Congress were willing to accept the PDP's manifesto and align on resolving the problems of Kashmir, she would support their alliance without contesting any seats. "Alliance and seat sharing are faraway things. If the National Conference and Congress are ready to adopt our agenda, we will say they should contest on all seats, we will follow them because for me solving the problem of Kashmir is more important than anything else..." she said. "When we allied earlier also, we had an agenda, when we allied with the BJP, we had an agenda which they agreed to but the alliance between the National Conference and Congress is not happening on the agenda, it is happening on seat sharing," the PDP leader added. Resumption of trade across LOC In the PDP manifesto, Mufti has advocated for the resumption of trade across the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. The National Conference has similarly included this point in its "12 guarantees" within its manifesto. The PDP leader also noted the challenges that have arisen since the abrogation of Article 370, remarking, "The issue has become even more complicated after the removal of Article 370. We will take Jammu and Kashmir out of the quagmire of difficulties." Free electricity, no water taxes, and more The manifesto outlines various socio-economic initiatives designed to ease the difficulties faced by the people. Also read: Bomb blast in southwestern Pakistan kills two children, injures 16 others Mufti promised, "We will provide free electricity up to 200 units, abolish water taxes, and there should be no water meters. We will also offer a one-time settlement for old electricity bills. For the poor, we will implement the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed scheme again, providing 12 cylinders a year." "We will double social security benefits like old age pensions and widow pensions. We will ensure that all government jobs are filled, and temples and gurdwaras will receive free electricity," she said. Return of Kashmiri Pandits She also committed to facilitating the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, emphasising that her party would take all necessary steps to ensure their safe return. Mufti clarified that the upcoming elections are not just about statehood or seat sharing, but about larger goals. "For me, this election is not for statehood or seat sharing... We have a bigger goal... We are fighting for dignity, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue," she continued. (With inputs from agencies)

Mehbooba Mufti reveals PDP manifesto: Trade across LOC, return of Kashmiri Pandits, and other key points

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Friday released the party manifesto, saying they will raise their voice against the “onslaught” on the rights of the people in J&K post-2019 on the floor of Parliament.

India Election 2024: Mehbooba Mufti's PDP releases manifesto for Lok Sabha polls

The INDIA alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party have decided to go their separate ways.&nbsp;

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today (April 3) announced that there will be no alliance with the National Conference.

She also said that PDP will contest all three seats in the Kashmir valley while no decision has been taken so far with regard to the Jammu region. She also said that the announcement about the candidates will be done in a couple of days by the party.&nbsp;

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''It was very important for all of us to go together looking at the current situation in the Valley. In Mumbai, during the INDIA alliance meeting, I categorically had said that Dr Farooq Abdullah is our senior leader and whatever he decides with regard to Jammu and Kashmir will be acceptable to all of us. I was hoping he would take a decision beyond party benefits. And even if they had to take the same decision and they thought they had better candidates, they would have just communicated it to us. Omar Abdullah without even consulting us made statements in the media that PDP doesn't exist anymore, Mehbooba Mufti has come on number four, due to that my workers have been demotivated. It was a harsh statement by Omar. I am left with no choice but with modesty we will have our own candidates fighting for elections," said Mufti.

While Mehbooba said that National Conference leader left no choice for them but to go solo, Omar Abdullah reacted to it and said that he made no remarks about PDP and its their choice if they want to fight for seats in Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-rjd-leader-tejashwi-yadav-defends-lalus-parivaar-jibe-at-pm-modi-accuses-bjp-of-distracting-people-696938">India: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav defends dad Lalu’s ‘parivaar’ jibe at PM Modi,</a>

''I’ve made no remarks about Mehbooba’s party. I’ve nothing to say on this. It’s her choice if she wants to contest for seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on their formula we announced candidates. We had told them that based on DDC elections we should decide on the candidates for Lok Sabha. PDP had insisted that we go by the 2014 assembly election results. Wherever we had won, we picked our candidates. We had kept doors open but it seems she has closed them. Seems like there wouldn’t be an assembly alliance as well,'' said Omar.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, NC has nominated Mian Altaf as their candidate from South Kashmir and likely will have an alliance with the Congress in Jammu region. PDP has decided to field candidates in Kashmir Valley while they might also support Congress candidates in the Jammu region.

The INDIA alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party have decided to go their separate ways. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today (April 3) announced that there will be no alliance with the National Conference.

The INDIA alliance partners in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference and People's Democratic Party have decided to go their separate ways. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today (April 3) announced that there will be no alliance with the National Conference. She also said that PDP will contest all three seats in the Kashmir valley while no decision has been taken so far with regard to the Jammu region. She also said that the announcement about the candidates will be done in a couple of days by the party. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Rahul Gandhi files nomination from southern India's Wayanad ''It was very important for all of us to go together looking at the current situation in the Valley. In Mumbai, during the INDIA alliance meeting, I categorically had said that Dr Farooq Abdullah is our senior leader and whatever he decides with regard to Jammu and Kashmir will be acceptable to all of us. I was hoping he would take a decision beyond party benefits. And even if they had to take the same decision and they thought they had better candidates, they would have just communicated it to us. Omar Abdullah without even consulting us made statements in the media that PDP doesn't exist anymore, Mehbooba Mufti has come on number four, due to that my workers have been demotivated. It was a harsh statement by Omar. I am left with no choice but with modesty we will have our own candidates fighting for elections," said Mufti. While Mehbooba said that National Conference leader left no choice for them but to go solo, Omar Abdullah reacted to it and said that he made no remarks about PDP and its their choice if they want to fight for seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Also read: India: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav defends dad Lalu’s ‘parivaar’ jibe at PM Modi, ''I’ve made no remarks about Mehbooba’s party. I’ve nothing to say on this. It’s her choice if she wants to contest for seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on their formula we announced candidates. We had told them that based on DDC elections we should decide on the candidates for Lok Sabha. PDP had insisted that we go by the 2014 assembly election results. Wherever we had won, we picked our candidates. We had kept doors open but it seems she has closed them. Seems like there wouldn’t be an assembly alliance as well,'' said Omar. Meanwhile, NC has nominated Mian Altaf as their candidate from South Kashmir and likely will have an alliance with the Congress in Jammu region. PDP has decided to field candidates in Kashmir Valley while they might also support Congress candidates in the Jammu region.

No INDIA alliance in J&K: Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP to contest all 3 Lok Sabha seats in valley

A liberal People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by former prime minister Tshering Tobgay is set to form a new government in Bhutan after winning its fourth free vote since democratic elections began 15 years ago.

Bhutan Elections 2024: People's Democratic Party wins in Bhutan parliamentary elections

The party of Bhutan's former prime minister Tshering Tobgay won general elections with nearly two-thirds of seats in parliament, local media reported Tuesday, based on preliminary results from each constituency. Tobgay's People's Democratic Party (PDP) "wins the 2024 National Assembly general elections with 30 seats" while the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) took the remaining 17, The Bhutanese newspaper reported.

Tshering Tobgay's PDP wins two-thirds of seats in Bhutan parliamentary polls

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has called for unity of opposition against the BJP. Mufti alleged that the right-wing party is eroding the democracy of India and it is high time for all opposition parties in the country to unite and fight together against the BJP.

Talking to reporters at&nbsp;her party office in Srinagar,&nbsp;she said "attack on democracy by the right-wing party started in 2018 when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with National Conference (NC) and Congress intended to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir but BJP didn't allow this to happen. It was the first attack on democracy by BJP and unfortunately, the rest of the opposition in the country didn't react to it as they should have reacted.''

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Mufti added that she is happy to see the opposition coming together on the issue of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the parliament. It's high time for all the opposition parties in the country to come together and fight against BJP, she added.&nbsp;

“Muslims are the first target. Ultimately, it's going to be BJP vs all. It won't stop at Muslims only, it will go further. Rahul Gandhi is not a Muslim, Manish Sisodia is not a Muslim, and those who are threatened to be sent to jail by using investigative agencies as a tool. This is going to be BJP rashtra vs all others, one by one everyone would be affected, from Muslims to Dalits to all. I am glad all opposition is coming together with Congress. If there is a way to save democracy, the opposition parties have to get together to mobilise the people,'' said Mufti.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/young-kashmiri-girl-memorises-holy-quran-handwrites-it-in-four-months-575902">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Fond of calligraphy, young Kashmiri girl memorises holy Quran, writes it by hand in four months</a> 
 
 
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Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has called for unity of opposition against the BJP. Mufti alleged that the right-wing party is eroding the democracy of India and it is high time for all opposition parties in the country to unite and fight together against the BJP.

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti has called for unity of opposition against the BJP. Mufti alleged that the right-wing party is eroding the democracy of India and it is high time for all opposition parties in the country to unite and fight together against the BJP. Talking to reporters at her party office in Srinagar, she said "attack on democracy by the right-wing party started in 2018 when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with National Conference (NC) and Congress intended to form a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir but BJP didn't allow this to happen. It was the first attack on democracy by BJP and unfortunately, the rest of the opposition in the country didn't react to it as they should have reacted.'' WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir government to restore temple by April 2023 × Mufti added that she is happy to see the opposition coming together on the issue of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from the parliament. It's high time for all the opposition parties in the country to come together and fight against BJP, she added. “Muslims are the first target. Ultimately, it's going to be BJP vs all. It won't stop at Muslims only, it will go further. Rahul Gandhi is not a Muslim, Manish Sisodia is not a Muslim, and those who are threatened to be sent to jail by using investigative agencies as a tool. This is going to be BJP rashtra vs all others, one by one everyone would be affected, from Muslims to Dalits to all. I am glad all opposition is coming together with Congress. If there is a way to save democracy, the opposition parties have to get together to mobilise the people,'' said Mufti. ALSO READ | Fond of calligraphy, young Kashmiri girl memorises holy Quran, writes it by hand in four months WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Mehbooba Mufti calls for opposition unity against BJP, says it’s time to save democracy

Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today hit out at Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. Mehbooba said that Shah's statements are just ‘jumlas’ (empty promises) and there are no facts in his statement. ''He has himself admitted that he keeps making such statements, He accepted that he used such jumlas during the elections. It is for the first time in the history that a state was converted into a Union Territory. And now, to divert the issue of Adani, they are using such tactics. They always use Jammu and Kashmir to divert the attention of the country. I have to say that the land of Jammu and Kashmir belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I want the people to take control of the land. ''

Mufti also said that people were earlier called anti-nationals and now they are calling us encroachers. She said it's our land and people should take control of the land. It belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “People were earlier being called anti-national and now they are being called encroachers,'' said the Jammu and Kashmir former chief minister.

Mehbooba, while replying to a question regarding G-20 summit meetings, said that it will have serious consequences if the government continues to carry out the demolition drive. ''The summit at a time of raiding BBC offices and demolishing houses will have serious consequences for the country's reputation, '' said Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Mehbooba also said that while PDP was in coalition with BJP, they did not allow them to make any anti-people decisions. We didn’t allow them to carry out any anti-people activity. People can criticise me for my steps.&nbsp;I am not BJP, but till the government was there, we didn’t allow their agenda to prevail,” Mehbooba added.&nbsp;

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Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today hit out at Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. Mehbooba said that Shah's statements are just ‘jumlas’ (empty promises) and there are no facts in his statement.

Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today hit out at Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. Mehbooba said that Shah's statements are just ‘jumlas’ (empty promises) and there are no facts in his statement. ''He has himself admitted that he keeps making such statements, He accepted that he used such jumlas during the elections. It is for the first time in the history that a state was converted into a Union Territory. And now, to divert the issue of Adani, they are using such tactics. They always use Jammu and Kashmir to divert the attention of the country. I have to say that the land of Jammu and Kashmir belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I want the people to take control of the land. '' Mufti also said that people were earlier called anti-nationals and now they are calling us encroachers. She said it's our land and people should take control of the land. It belongs to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “People were earlier being called anti-national and now they are being called encroachers,'' said the Jammu and Kashmir former chief minister. Mehbooba, while replying to a question regarding G-20 summit meetings, said that it will have serious consequences if the government continues to carry out the demolition drive. ''The summit at a time of raiding BBC offices and demolishing houses will have serious consequences for the country's reputation, '' said Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Mehbooba also said that while PDP was in coalition with BJP, they did not allow them to make any anti-people decisions. We didn’t allow them to carry out any anti-people activity. People can criticise me for my steps. I am not BJP, but till the government was there, we didn’t allow their agenda to prevail,” Mehbooba added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mehbooba Mufti hits out at Home Minister Shah; says first they called us anti nationals and now encroachers

The People’s Democratic Party held a protest on Wednesday (January 18) against the LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was held in PDP’s Srinagar office at the Sher Kashmir Park. Party members were demanding the rollback of government order regarding the retrieval of state land held by people in the Union territory.&nbsp;

The Youth General Secretary of PDP Mohit Bhan was leading the protests and demanding the government to roll back the order. “The government’s directive is against the poor people who will be rendered homeless if this order is implemented on the ground. It’s totally inhuman,’’ said Bhan.&nbsp;

Most of the regional political parties like PDP, National Conference and People’s Conference&nbsp; in the Union Territory are against the government order&nbsp;and have expressed their disappointment over it. &nbsp;

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“This whole idea of retrieving state land in rural settings is dangerous. When will these insane experiments backed by ugly muscularity end? Occupation of state land in villages by inhabitants is a generational practice and an irreversible reality. This practice is prevalent in the rest of the country. A sizable percentage of the population is involved. You can’t make them homeless,’’ said Sajad Lone, People’s Conference.

“The National Conference is very clear that encroachments are not acceptable, but state land belongs to the people. If the government has passed an order, do they have any alternative for these people. SC judgement is two cases recently called for an alternative for the people until such steps are taken. It is totally wrong and harassment of locals. Sometimes I wonder if the BJP is really going to fight elections in Jammu Kashmir, they have such anti-people approach here. And let’s be very clear that this order is going to affect the poor people of the Union territory. The rich might find ways to fight the order, it’s the poor who will suffer the most,’’ said Ifra Jan, spokesperson, National Conference.&nbsp;

However, the BJP has welcomed the order of retrieving the government land. They have called it a step which is pro-poor people of the Union Territory.&nbsp;

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‘’Retrieving of land must start from the Nawa e Subh complex, Khidmat Trust, 32 former ministers, and other land sharks. There should be no mercy for looting state land, the government must ensure stern punishment to land grabbers. It is good that UT administration has asked all the Deputy Commissioners to remove all encroachments from state and community (Kahcharai) lands. It is surprising that most of the land grabbers are those who ruled the state. May it be the National Conference (NC), Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Even senior leaders of these political parties including Chaudhary Zulfikar and Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo are named in the list, ‘’ said Altaf Thakur, senior BJP leader and party’s J&amp;K spokesman.&nbsp;

The People’s Democratic Party held a protest on Wednesday (January 18) against the LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was held in PDP’s Srinagar office at the Sher Kashmir Park.

The People’s Democratic Party held a protest on Wednesday (January 18) against the LG administration of Jammu and Kashmir. The protest was held in PDP’s Srinagar office at the Sher Kashmir Park. Party members were demanding the rollback of government order regarding the retrieval of state land held by people in the Union territory. The Youth General Secretary of PDP Mohit Bhan was leading the protests and demanding the government to roll back the order. “The government’s directive is against the poor people who will be rendered homeless if this order is implemented on the ground. It’s totally inhuman,’’ said Bhan. Most of the regional political parties like PDP, National Conference and People’s Conference in the Union Territory are against the government order and have expressed their disappointment over it. Also read |India’s Supreme Court seeks Centre’s view on criminalising marital rape “This whole idea of retrieving state land in rural settings is dangerous. When will these insane experiments backed by ugly muscularity end? Occupation of state land in villages by inhabitants is a generational practice and an irreversible reality. This practice is prevalent in the rest of the country. A sizable percentage of the population is involved. You can’t make them homeless,’’ said Sajad Lone, People’s Conference. “The National Conference is very clear that encroachments are not acceptable, but state land belongs to the people. If the government has passed an order, do they have any alternative for these people. SC judgement is two cases recently called for an alternative for the people until such steps are taken. It is totally wrong and harassment of locals. Sometimes I wonder if the BJP is really going to fight elections in Jammu Kashmir, they have such anti-people approach here. And let’s be very clear that this order is going to affect the poor people of the Union territory. The rich might find ways to fight the order, it’s the poor who will suffer the most,’’ said Ifra Jan, spokesperson, National Conference. However, the BJP has welcomed the order of retrieving the government land. They have called it a step which is pro-poor people of the Union Territory. Also read | Indians view US as second significant security threat ahead of Pakistan, shows survey ‘’Retrieving of land must start from the Nawa e Subh complex, Khidmat Trust, 32 former ministers, and other land sharks. There should be no mercy for looting state land, the government must ensure stern punishment to land grabbers. It is good that UT administration has asked all the Deputy Commissioners to remove all encroachments from state and community (Kahcharai) lands. It is surprising that most of the land grabbers are those who ruled the state. May it be the National Conference (NC), Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Even senior leaders of these political parties including Chaudhary Zulfikar and Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo are named in the list, ‘’ said Altaf Thakur, senior BJP leader and party’s J&K spokesman.

Regional parties in India's J&K protest against govt's state land retrieval order, BJP supports it

The civilian, who was injured in a terrorist firing in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Saturday, has been identified as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker.

According to police sources, the injured person identified as Sajjad Mantoo had received gunshot wounds in his thigh, hand and abdomen but is in stable condition now.

Mantoo is a Panch and his wife is a Sarpanch. Both of them are PDP affiliates.Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier said the injured has been shifted to the hospital.

In another incident in the district, three unidentified terrorists had stopped a load carrier vehicle in Buminabad area and set ablaze its contents, which mainly consisted of apple packaging materials.&nbsp;

 
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The civilian, who was injured in a terrorist firing in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Saturday, has been identified as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker.

The civilian, who was injured in a terrorist firing in Kokernag area of Anantnag district on Saturday, has been identified as Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worker. According to police sources, the injured person identified as Sajjad Mantoo had received gunshot wounds in his thigh, hand and abdomen but is in stable condition now. Mantoo is a Panch and his wife is a Sarpanch. Both of them are PDP affiliates.Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier said the injured has been shifted to the hospital. In another incident in the district, three unidentified terrorists had stopped a load carrier vehicle in Buminabad area and set ablaze its contents, which mainly consisted of apple packaging materials.

Anantnag: Civilian injured in terrorist firing affiliated to PDP

The trial in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion nearly a year after it began at a court in Punjab's Pathankot, officials said Sunday.

Defence lawyers are likely to complete their final arguments on Monday, followed by a brief concluding statement from the prosecution team led by JK Chopra, they said, adding that the verdict is expected thereafter.

The day-to-day in-camera trial began in the first week of June last year at the district and session court in Pathankot after the Supreme Court directed that the case be shifted out of Jammu and Kashmir after lawyers in Kathua had prevented crime branch officials from filing the charge sheet in the case.

A political turmoil was witnessed in the Jammu region last January after the Jammu and Kashmir Police's crime branch took over the case and arrested eight people, including a juvenile and two police officials who were accused of destruction of evidence.

The case became a bone of contention between the ruling alliance partners PDP and BJP. The BJP had to sack two of its ministers, Chowdhury Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, for participating in a rally of Hindu Ekta Manch in support of those arrested by the crime branch in the case.

The crime branch arrested village head Sanji Ram, his son Vishal, juvenile nephew and his friend Anand Dutta, and two special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma. Head constable Tilak Raj and sub-inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Sanji Ram and destroyed crucial evidence, were also arrested by the crime branch.

Charges of rape and murder were framed by the district and sessions judge against seven out of the eight accused. The trial against the juvenile is yet to begin as his petition regarding his age is to be heard by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

In its May 7 order, the apex court said "the pivotal fact around which the controversy centres, is an abduction, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl. An FIR was lodged at Hiranagar Police Station, Kathua...The investigating agency, namely, the Crime Branch, which took over the investigation on 22nd January 2018 from the local police has already filed the charge-sheet on 9th April 2018, in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua in the State of Jammu and Kashmir".

However, the country's topmost court did not say anything about handing over the case to the CBI and rather transferred the trial to the District and Sessions judge in Pathankot in Punjab, 30 km from Kathua.

"The learned district and sessions judge, Pathankot, shall himself take up the trial and not assign it to any additional sessions judge and shall fast-track the trial and take it up on day-to-day basis so that there is no delay in trial," the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had said in April last year.

All the accused, barring the juvenile, have been shifted to Gurdaspur jail following an intervention by the Supreme Court which also restricted the appearance of the defence lawyers and limited it to one or maximum of two per accused.

The crime branch had submitted the charge sheet in the crime on April 9 before the Kathua court.&nbsp;

The case hit the headlines after lawyers tried to prevent the police from filing the charge sheet.

According to the charge sheet, the eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped on January 10 this year, was allegedly raped by in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district after having been kept sedated for four days before she was bludgeoned to death.

The abduction, rape and killing of the child was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area, the 15-page charge sheet says.&nbsp;

During trial, the prosecution presented opinions of doctors to suggest that an overdose of sedatives, forcibly administered to the victim before the murder, could have led her into "coma" (loss of consciousness).

The crime branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had sent a sample of viscera to examine the effect of "manner" candies (believed to be local cannabis) and "Epitril 0.5 mg" tablets for further opinion to a forensic laboratory.

The crime branch had decided to seek further medical opinion after it was claimed by the accused people and their lawyers in the court as well as on social media through their supporters that it was virtually impossible that the eight-year-old girl could not have cried for help when such an alleged brutal attack was happening on her.

The doctors after examining the viscera, which contains internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines), opined that medicine administered to the victim contains Clonazepam salt and has to be administered under medical supervision keeping in mind the age and weight of the patient.

"Considering her (victim) of 30 Kgs body weight, the therapeutic dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mgs per day divided in three doses for the patient (is recommended)," it said.

"She was forcefully administered five tablets of Clonazepam 0.5 mg each on January 11, 2018, which is higher than the safe therapeutic dose. Subsequently, more tablets were given...The signs and symptoms of an overdose may include drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, slowed or stopped breathing, coma (loss of consciousness) and death," the opinion of the doctor had said.&nbsp;

The trial in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion nearly a year after it began at a court in Punjab's Pathankot, officials said Sunday.

The trial in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir is nearing completion nearly a year after it began at a court in Punjab's Pathankot, officials said Sunday. Defence lawyers are likely to complete their final arguments on Monday, followed by a brief concluding statement from the prosecution team led by JK Chopra, they said, adding that the verdict is expected thereafter. The day-to-day in-camera trial began in the first week of June last year at the district and session court in Pathankot after the Supreme Court directed that the case be shifted out of Jammu and Kashmir after lawyers in Kathua had prevented crime branch officials from filing the charge sheet in the case. A political turmoil was witnessed in the Jammu region last January after the Jammu and Kashmir Police's crime branch took over the case and arrested eight people, including a juvenile and two police officials who were accused of destruction of evidence. The case became a bone of contention between the ruling alliance partners PDP and BJP. The BJP had to sack two of its ministers, Chowdhury Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, for participating in a rally of Hindu Ekta Manch in support of those arrested by the crime branch in the case. The crime branch arrested village head Sanji Ram, his son Vishal, juvenile nephew and his friend Anand Dutta, and two special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma. Head constable Tilak Raj and sub-inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Sanji Ram and destroyed crucial evidence, were also arrested by the crime branch. Charges of rape and murder were framed by the district and sessions judge against seven out of the eight accused. The trial against the juvenile is yet to begin as his petition regarding his age is to be heard by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. In its May 7 order, the apex court said "the pivotal fact around which the controversy centres, is an abduction, rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl. An FIR was lodged at Hiranagar Police Station, Kathua...The investigating agency, namely, the Crime Branch, which took over the investigation on 22nd January 2018 from the local police has already filed the charge-sheet on 9th April 2018, in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua in the State of Jammu and Kashmir". However, the country's topmost court did not say anything about handing over the case to the CBI and rather transferred the trial to the District and Sessions judge in Pathankot in Punjab, 30 km from Kathua. "The learned district and sessions judge, Pathankot, shall himself take up the trial and not assign it to any additional sessions judge and shall fast-track the trial and take it up on day-to-day basis so that there is no delay in trial," the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had said in April last year. All the accused, barring the juvenile, have been shifted to Gurdaspur jail following an intervention by the Supreme Court which also restricted the appearance of the defence lawyers and limited it to one or maximum of two per accused. The crime branch had submitted the charge sheet in the crime on April 9 before the Kathua court. The case hit the headlines after lawyers tried to prevent the police from filing the charge sheet. According to the charge sheet, the eight-year-old girl, who was kidnapped on January 10 this year, was allegedly raped by in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district after having been kept sedated for four days before she was bludgeoned to death. The abduction, rape and killing of the child was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area, the 15-page charge sheet says. During trial, the prosecution presented opinions of doctors to suggest that an overdose of sedatives, forcibly administered to the victim before the murder, could have led her into "coma" (loss of consciousness). The crime branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police had sent a sample of viscera to examine the effect of "manner" candies (believed to be local cannabis) and "Epitril 0.5 mg" tablets for further opinion to a forensic laboratory. The crime branch had decided to seek further medical opinion after it was claimed by the accused people and their lawyers in the court as well as on social media through their supporters that it was virtually impossible that the eight-year-old girl could not have cried for help when such an alleged brutal attack was happening on her. The doctors after examining the viscera, which contains internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines), opined that medicine administered to the victim contains Clonazepam salt and has to be administered under medical supervision keeping in mind the age and weight of the patient. "Considering her (victim) of 30 Kgs body weight, the therapeutic dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mgs per day divided in three doses for the patient (is recommended)," it said. "She was forcefully administered five tablets of Clonazepam 0.5 mg each on January 11, 2018, which is higher than the safe therapeutic dose. Subsequently, more tablets were given...The signs and symptoms of an overdose may include drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, slowed or stopped breathing, coma (loss of consciousness) and death," the opinion of the doctor had said.

Trial in Kathua rape-and-murder case nearing completion

In this segment of WION Know, What does high voter turnout mean?

What does high voter turnout mean?

Fiercely violence reported in West Bengal on fourth phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019. Watch this video to know more about Phase 4.

LS Polls 2019: Fiercely violence reported in West Bengal on fourth phase of election

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 29th 2019

In Lok Sabha Polls 2019, 17 seats of Maharashtra are in the fray in fourth phase.

LS Polls: 17 seats of Maharashtra in the fray in fourth phase of Lok Sabha Polls

In this video, know which candidates' fate is on claim in Phase 4 of LS Polls 2019.

LS Polls 2019: Know which candidates' fate on claim in Phase 4

Lok Sabha election 2019 reaches its half-way mark with voting in the fourth of seven phases taking place across 72 constituencies where 961 candidates are in the fray. Watch this video to know more.

Lok Sabha Election 2019: Big ticket battles in phase 4

Lok Sabha Polls: India votes in phase 4 of General Polls

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Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2017 by-election, only seven per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise and during large scale violence, nine people died.

It was a relatively low key campaign in Srinagar with only Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from the seat, making his presence felt like a candidate.

Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP.

An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period.

The polling on April 18 will be keenly watched within and outside Kashmir as the constituency recorded an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter turn out in 2017 bye-election, marred by violence on polling day that left nine persons dead and scores of others injured.

Stringent security measures have been put in place for the polling as additional security personnel have been deployed across the Srinagar constituency to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, the official said.

As many as 12,90,318 voters are eligible to cast their votes with authorities having set up 1,716 polling stations in the constituency.&nbsp;

For migrant voters of the constituency, 26 polling stations have been set up with 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in New Delhi.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state.

Srinagar is going to the polls for the second time in two years and this Lok Sabha constituency - comprising three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal – is scheduled to go for polls on April 18 in the second phase of the five-phased elections in the state. In 2017 by-election, only seven per cent voters turned out to exercise their franchise and during large scale violence, nine people died. It was a relatively low key campaign in Srinagar with only Farooq Abdullah, who is seeking a fourth term in the lower house of Parliament from the seat, making his presence felt like a candidate. Abdullah is pitched against political greenhorns Aga Moshin of the PDP, Irfan Ansari of the People's Conference and Khalid Jehangir of the BJP. An election official said there were only 46 rallies in Srinagar district, a city of over 12 lakh residents, during the campaign period. The polling on April 18 will be keenly watched within and outside Kashmir as the constituency recorded an all-time low of 7.2 per cent voter turn out in 2017 bye-election, marred by violence on polling day that left nine persons dead and scores of others injured. Stringent security measures have been put in place for the polling as additional security personnel have been deployed across the Srinagar constituency to ensure peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, the official said. As many as 12,90,318 voters are eligible to cast their votes with authorities having set up 1,716 polling stations in the constituency. For migrant voters of the constituency, 26 polling stations have been set up with 21 in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in New Delhi. The Lok Sabha polls are being held in seven-phases for 543 seats on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19, and counting will be on May 23.

Srinagar: A high stakes battle for PDP, National Conference

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade came under stone-pelting in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday while she was returning from a shrine there, officials said.

Mehbooba had gone to a shrine at Khirram in Anantnag district to pay her obeisance and was returning to Bijbehara when the incident took place, they added.

One of the spare vehicles in the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's motorcade was damaged in the stone-pelting and the driver was hurt, the officials said.

Others in the entourage, including the PDP president, escaped unhurt.

Mehbooba is contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha election from the Anantnag seat, which she had won in 2014. The south Kashmir constituency, spread over the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian, is going to the polls in three phases from April 29 to May 6. 
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PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade came under stone-pelting in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday while she was returning from a shrine there, officials said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti's motorcade came under stone-pelting in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday while she was returning from a shrine there, officials said. Mehbooba had gone to a shrine at Khirram in Anantnag district to pay her obeisance and was returning to Bijbehara when the incident took place, they added. One of the spare vehicles in the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's motorcade was damaged in the stone-pelting and the driver was hurt, the officials said. Others in the entourage, including the PDP president, escaped unhurt. Mehbooba is contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha election from the Anantnag seat, which she had won in 2014. The south Kashmir constituency, spread over the four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian, is going to the polls in three phases from April 29 to May 6.

Stones hurled at Mehbooba's motorcade in Anantnag district of J&K

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