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Mehbooba Mufti Prioritizes Jail-Free Kashmir in Parliamentary Campaign, Says PDP Youth President Waheed Parra

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth President Waheed Ur Rehman Parra announced on Tuesday that Mehbooba Mufti’s main focus for Parliament is achieving a “Jail-Free Kashmir and Case-Free Kashmiri.” Parra, intensifying his campaign for the Party President, spoke at several public meetings in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag District.

Parra, along with Youth General Secretary Najmu Saqib and other party members, conducted door-to-door campaigns and met with activists and supporters to convey Mehbooba Mufti’s vision and commitment to justice. During his speeches, Parra emphasized the importance of rallying support for Mufti in the upcoming parliamentary elections to ensure that marginalized voices are heard and respected.

“We are dedicated to supporting Mehbooba Mufti, whose agenda for Parliament includes a Jail-Free Kashmir and a Case-Free Kashmiri. Her vision demonstrates her unwavering commitment to the rights and freedoms of every Kashmiri,” Parra said.

Parra highlighted Mufti as a beacon of hope for the marginalized and oppressed, stressing her dedication to justice, peace, and prosperity for Kashmir. He called on the people of Bijbehara and beyond to support Mehbooba Mufti and the PDP to achieve a Kashmir free from fear and persecution, where the youth can dream without limits and the elders can live with dignity.

Addressing the public meeting, Parra urged, “Stand with Mehbooba Mufti and the PDP. Let’s turn our collective aspirations into reality. Together, we can ensure our voices are heard in Parliament and bring about the necessary change for a free and just Kashmir.”

Parra also emphasized Mehbooba Mufti’s solidarity with incarcerated youth, stressing the need to amplify their voices on a national platform. He assured that Mufti would draw the government’s attention to the genuine aspirations of the people and advocate for the amnesty of youth and students to allow them to live normal, dignified lives.

He further pledged that Mehbooba Mufti would fight for the release of political prisoners held across the country, working to bring them back to their homeland so their families could visit them regularly. He noted the significant financial burden on these families who travel long distances to meet their incarcerated relatives.

Highlighting past efforts, Parra mentioned that during her tenure as Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti announced amnesty for 4,500 first-time stone-pelting offenders. He reiterated that the PDP has always believed in dialogue and reconciliation, which have been effective in reducing youth alienation and bringing positive changes in Kashmir.

Parra concluded by asserting Mehbooba Mufti’s determination to advocate for justice and restore the fundamental rights of the youth in Parliament. “She is committed to ensuring that the voices of these imprisoned youths are heard in the highest legislative institution and their grievances are addressed,” Parra affirmed.

News

Voters Threatened with Hell by Fatwa if They Don’t Vote for Specific Candidate: Mehbooba Mufti

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Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti claimed on Tuesday that certain groups are trying to “intimidate” and coerce people into voting for specific candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.

She accused one group of issuing religious fatwas (decrees) to threaten voters, while another group allegedly uses the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to exert pressure.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Mufti stated, “During my meetings with various delegations in Rajouri, I’ve noticed a disturbing atmosphere. Some groups are issuing religious fatwas, warning people that failing to vote for a particular candidate will condemn them to hell.”

“Meanwhile, another faction is using the BJP’s name to blackmail people. We’ve heard that several officers are being threatened with transfers unless they vote for a certain candidate. However, even the BJP knows that the candidates they’re backing are unlikely to secure enough votes to avoid losing their deposits,” she continued.

Mufti, the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is running for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Polling is set for May 25, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

She also highlighted the severe issue of youth unemployment in the Union Territory. “There is a significant number of educated but unemployed youth. The unemployment rate stands at 35 percent. Despite the hype around the abrogation of Article 370, there has been no increase in recruitment,” she noted.

Interestingly, despite the PDP being part of the INDIA bloc, the National Conference has nominated Mian Altaf Ahmad to contest against Mufti for the same seat. This election is the first in Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was revoked on August 5, 2019.

Earlier on Sunday, Mufti appealed to the Kashmiri Pandit community to support her in the Lok Sabha elections, acknowledging the ‘trauma’ they endured during the mass exodus in the early 1990s insurgency.

She recalled her father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s efforts to maintain harmony between the majority and minority communities in Jammu and Kashmir. “I understand your pain. I know the sorrow of those who miss Kashmir. The beginning of this pain was from our home. My father believed in preserving the relationship between the majority and minority communities, and he worked hard to achieve this when he became Chief Minister. I grew up among Kashmiri Pandits and know how crucial it is for us to live together,” she stated during a public meeting with the Kashmiri Pandit community.

“I understand the trauma Kashmiri Pandits face as they wish to return to their homeland. Mufti Sahab was deeply saddened by their plight,” she added.

News

Palhallan Pattan Village: A Shift Towards Political Engagement for Youth Release from Jails

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After decades of abstaining from voting, residents of Palhallan Pattan village in Baramulla, North Kashmir, actively participated in the recent elections. They aimed to secure the release of youth in jails.

Moderate polling took place at Government Higher Secondary Palhallan, with many former boycotters turning up to cast their votes. Mubashir Ahmad Lone expressed the need to end the silence and advocate for the incarcerated youth’s rights.

Riyaz Ahmad Wani emphasized giving those in jail a chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to the country. Despite past boycotts, voters recognized the importance of their votes in shaping their future.

Ghulam Rasool Khan, a first-time voter, highlighted the significance of these elections for their village’s progress and demanded development and employment opportunities.

In the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, a historic 59 percent voter turnout was recorded, marking a significant milestone without any violence reported during polling.

News

Body of Man Found in Jhelum River near Cement Bridge in Srinagar’s Noorbagh Area

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This morning, officials reported the discovery of a man’s body in the Jhelum River near the cement bridge in Srinagar’s Noorbagh area. Local residents spotted the body and promptly notified the police.

Authorities have retrieved the body and plan to transfer it to a hospital for medico-legal procedures. Police have initiated an investigation, and the identity of the deceased is still unknown.

News

Mehbooba Mufti Criticizes Use of Religion in Elections in Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency

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PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday criticized the use of religion to solicit votes by a political party in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency. Without directly naming the National Conference, she emphasized that the ‘Peer-Mureedi’ relationship is sacred and should not be equated with a voting relationship.

Mufti claimed that fear was being instilled in the region, with threats of hell for those who didn’t vote for a specific candidate. “A party is issuing fatwas, saying if you don’t vote for a certain individual, you will burn in hell and face various misfortunes,” she stated during a press conference in Rajouri.

She further alleged that another party was leveraging BJP’s influence to intimidate and blackmail the populace.Mufti also accused the government machinery of being misused to pressure officers and employees, warning them of undesirable transfers if they did not comply with the directives.

News

Jammu Records Season’s Hottest Day at 42.2°C; School Timings Altered Due to Heat Wave

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On Monday, Jammu experienced its hottest day of the season, with the maximum temperature soaring to 42.2 degrees Celsius, according to an official report. This extreme heat has led authorities to alter school schedules to offer relief to students. The maximum temperature in Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was 3.9 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, a spokesperson from the Meteorological office noted. Additionally, the minimum temperature rose by a degree above normal, settling at 25.1 degrees Celsius.

The city has been enduring heatwave conditions for the past week, particularly since May 16, when the daytime temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the first time this season. This rise in temperatures has prompted local residents to call for an early summer vacation for schools. In response, the Directorate of School Education in Jammu adjusted school hours in the region’s summer zones due to the extreme heat.

The new school timings, from 8 am to noon, were implemented from Monday for all government and private recognized schools up to the higher secondary level.

In Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, the temperatures reached a high of 37.6 degrees Celsius and a low of 24 degrees.

Meanwhile, Kashmir continued to enjoy pleasant weather, with a fresh spell of rain across various parts of the Valley, including Srinagar, late on Sunday, attracting many tourists. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded a daytime temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius and a nighttime temperature of 12.4 degrees Celsius. These temperatures were 3.3 and 1.0 degrees Celsius above normal, respectively, according to the official.

Politics

Jamat e Islami former Gen Secy casts vote Reveals Shocking Details About 1987 Election Rigging

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Ghulam Qadir Lone, former General Secretary and district president of the banned Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) from Ananwan, Qaziabad, voiced his hope on Monday that the electoral irregularities of 1987 would not be repeated. Speaking to Rising Kashmir after casting his vote in Ananwan village, Lone reflected on the loss of faith in democracy due to the mass rigging in the 1987 elections.

Lone, who was a contestant in that election and lost by 700 votes to the NC’s candidate, expressed his desire for future elections in Kashmir to be free of rigging, with the results accurately reflecting the voters’ will.

When asked why he was confident about the absence of future rigging, Lone said he had no assurances but believed that things had changed. He noted that India had recognized the significant damage caused by past rigging and that young people were becoming more aware of these issues. He stressed that avoiding rigging was crucial for improving the situation.

Lone urged the youth to actively participate in the electoral process by registering to vote, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the future through democratic engagement. He also expressed his willingness to engage in elections if the current ban on certain political activities is lifted, stating, “If the ban is revoked, I will take part in elections.”

Reflecting on the 1987 election, Lone recounted how thousands of voters were prevented from voting after 1 PM due to rigging, which led to the opposition candidate’s victory. He reiterated his hope that such electoral fraud would not occur again, allowing for genuine representation of the people’s will.

Amarnath Yatra 2024

Officials Set Standardized Rates and Ensure Preparations for Smooth Shri AmarnathJi Yatra 2024

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To facilitate the smooth progress of the Shri AmarnathJi Yatra (SANJY) 2024 via the Baltal route, Shyambir, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Ganderbal, convened a collaborative meeting today with relevant officers and representatives of various service providers. The primary agenda was to establish standardized rates for services offered at Sonamarg.

The objective of this initiative is to prevent instances of overcharging and to elevate the quality of services provided to the pilgrims.

During the meeting, an extensive dialogue took place concerning the services rendered by pony handlers, luggage carriers, palanquin bearers, porters, and other service providers. Stakeholders shared insightful suggestions and pledged their cooperation to ensure a successful and seamless yatra.

After meticulous discussions, the committee, in consultation with representatives of service providers, finalized the rates for different services, including pony rides, luggage handling, sedan chairs, palanquins, and labor services for SANJY-2024.

The DC underscored the importance of adhering to these standardized rates to uphold fairness and service quality.

The meeting was attended by various officials, including ADDC Ganderbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani; CEO SDA, Farooq Ahmad Baba, ASP, SDM Kangan, CPO, CAHO, Assistant Labour Commissioner, ARTO, along with other district and sectoral officers.

Subsequent to the meeting, the DC, accompanied by other officials, conducted an inspection at Baltal to assess the ongoing preparations for the yatra.

Emphasis was placed on ensuring the timely completion of essential services such as repairing damaged water pipelines, installing power cables, enhancing toilet facilities, repairing huts, fencing the pony stand, developing the pony track, establishing parking areas, installing railings along the yatra route, and clearing snow.

The DC issued necessary directives to ensure that all preparations are concluded within the stipulated timelines, guaranteeing the provision of optimal services to the pilgrims.

News

Jammu and Kashmir Shines at India Skill Competitions 2024 with Multiple Medals

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The India Skill Competitions 2024, the nation’s premier skill competition, concluded yesterday at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka, Delhi. The event brought together over 900 students from more than 30 states and Union Territories.

These skilled youth competed in 61 categories, covering both traditional crafts and modern technologies. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) made a significant impact, participating in 20 skill categories. The J&K team excelled with 22 participants, securing three Gold Medals, two Bronze Medals, and six Medallions of Excellence.

Among the standout performers were Gowher Bilal from Government Polytechnic Anantnag, who won Gold in Plastering and Dry Wall Systems, and Mohsin Nasir and Mustafa Suhaib from DPS Srinagar, who both clinched Gold in Autonomous Mobile Robotics.

Other notable achievements included Faheem Javaid’s Bronze in Graphic Design, Joo Murtaza’s Bronze in Web Technologies, and Umar Akbar’s Bronze in Drone Film Making. Medallions of Excellence were awarded to Mayank Salaria for Cyber Security, Asif Ahmed Tandoli for Carpentry, Sunil Singh for Plumbing and Heating, Mohammad Hammad for Cloud Computing, Mir Sharayar for Electrical Installations, and Gowhar Nazir for Electronics.

Secretary of Skill Development, Rajiv Ranjan, congratulated the winners, stating, “The outstanding achievements of our young talents in the India Skill Competitions 2024 are a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support from our educators and mentors. These successes highlight the potential within Jammu and Kashmir and inspire a brighter future driven by skill, innovation, and excellence. Let this be a motivating force for all our youth to pursue their passions with determination and believe in their ability to make a significant impact.”

Director of Skill Development, Sudershan Kumar, praised the mentors for their commitment to fostering talent and equipping youth with essential skills. “Their achievements are not just individual triumphs but a beacon of inspiration for all aspiring professionals. Together, we are building a foundation of excellence that will propel our region to new heights,” asserted Kumar.

The India Skill Competitions provide a premier platform for young professionals to showcase their skills, creativity, and innovation, significantly contributing to the nation’s workforce development. The remarkable performance of the J&K participants underscores the region’s dedication to empowering youth with practical expertise.

The contingent was accompanied by Leena Padha, Mission Director, Zia ul Haq, Tabasum Geelani (OSD), and Hilal Ahmed from the J&K Skill Development Mission.

News

Former BJP Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh Killed in Shopian, Hundreds Mourn at Funeral

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A day after the tragic killing of former BJP Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Heerpora village, Shopian, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects. Sheikh, known for his dedication to grassroots development, was fatally shot by terrorists outside his home on Saturday night.

Sheikh, a respected figure in the community, leaves behind his wife and three children. The funeral, led by a local Imam, saw a large turnout from various areas of Shopian, reflecting the profound grief and shock within the community.

Sara Begum, a local resident, recounted the harrowing night. “Aijaz had some guests over, and after dinner, he was playing with his younger daughter. Around 10:30 pm, some individuals came looking for him. When he stepped outside, he was shot at close range. Despite immediate efforts to take him to the hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival,” she said. The assailants fled under the cover of darkness.

Close friend Waseem Ahmad expressed the community’s anguish. “Aijaz worked tirelessly for our development and had no enemies. His loss is immense. He was a humble, helpful man, the hope of many,” he said. Another relative, Mohammad Usman, echoed these sentiments, questioning the senseless violence. “Aijaz harmed no one. His killing has devastated us.”

In a separate incident, a tourist couple from Jaipur was injured in a terrorist attack in Anantnag on Saturday night. Their condition is stable. These attacks occurred just days before the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency polls on May 20, raising security concerns.

The BJP’s Kashmir unit held a protest in Srinagar against the recent attacks. Spokesperson Altaf Thakur led a march, demanding strict action against the terrorists. Protesters held placards condemning Pakistan and the violence.

National Conference Chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah called for an independent inquiry into the killings, stressing the impact on tourism. “Before pointing fingers, we need a thorough investigation. Terrorism continues to plague us, affecting our tourism industry,” he said. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attacks, questioning the timing and the government’s claims of normalcy.

The twin terror attacks have cast a shadow over the ongoing election campaign for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat, which votes on May 25. The community mourns the loss of Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, whose commitment to development and service will be remembered by all who knew him.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Shopian and Pahalgam. He assured that security forces have been given a free hand to bring the perpetrators to justice. “I am deeply shocked at the terrorist attack and the brutal killing of former Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh. He was an exemplary grassroots leader and will be remembered for his selfless service to the people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and admirers. We stand in solidarity with the family at this difficult hour. The heinous attack on tourists at Pahalgam is also distressing. I have already instructed the administrative and police officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured couple. The government has given free hand to the J&K Police and security forces to crush terrorists and their associates. I have complete faith in the bravery of our personnel, and the perpetrators of this attack will be punished soon. Our security forces will also hunt down those elements who are helping the terrorists and trying to disrupt J&K’s developmental journey,” he said.