Srinagar, Apr 22 : Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Monday warned police that if the relations of a militant killed long back are not released; more youth would pick up the gun and the situation could resultantly become vulnerable.

Addressing an election rally at Waripora Kulgam, Mehbooba said, “Relations of a slain militant detained by police should be released immediately as otherwise more youth would pick up guns and the situation could become more vulnerable for the government.”

“What for the relations of a slain militant are being detained?,” she asked.

Hitting out at BJKP president Amit Shah for reiterating his party’s stand to scrap Article 370, Mehbooba warned that any such offensive measure would sever ties of Jammu and Kashmir and its accession with the union of India. She said the identity and special status of the Jammu and Kashmir is directly linked to the ongoing parliamentary elections in the State. (KNS)

Police Station Qazigund has registered a case under FIR number 66/2019 after recovery of currency notes from a damaged truck that caught fire mysteriously in Panzath village of Qazigund area very close to Srinagar-Jammu highway.

A statement issued by police said, “Police Station Qazigund received information that a truck bearing registration number JK05A-8795 loaded with scrap, moving towards NHW 44 from Panzath village Qazigund has caught fire under mysterious circumstances. Police registered case under FIR number 66/2019 under relevant sections of law and started investigation.”

The statement further reads, “Police party of Police Station Qazigund visited the spot. Some burnt/damaged Indian currency notes have been recovered from the spot,” adding that “reportedly some currency notes have been taken away by the locals assembled there to douse the flames. Investigation is on. Police is looking into all angles. Further inputs will be shared.”

Srinagar, April 22 : The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to both Central and Jammu and Kashmir governments, asking them to file responses within two weeks on a plea moved by Vice President Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference (ANC) Muzaffar Ahmad Shah against the ban on the movement of civilian traffic two days a week now restricted to one day a week.

Informed sources told that petition against ban on movement of civilian traffic for two days a week now restricted to one day a week on Jammu-Srinagar highway filed by senior Vice President JK ANC Muzafar shah and Advocate Yasmeen Sonaullah was heard by the Chief Justice of India at Monday morning. The case was argued by Adv Suhail Malik. 

The Chief Justice after hearing the counsels for petitioners issued notices to the Union govt and also to the Jammu and Kashmir Government govt asking them to respond to the notice within two weeks time with the explanation as to why the ban has been imposed. 

Adv Yasmeen and Muzaffar Shah were present at the hearing in the Supreme Court. (KNS)

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday demanded shifting of JKLF Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik to Srinagar, terming his declaiming health a major cause of concern and deeply worrying.

In a statement issued here, veteran PDP leader Mohammad Sartaj Madni said that government of India cannot ignore the mounting concerns of the people of the state about the deteriorating health of incarcerated JKLF Chief. He said that Malik’s family has already expressed its concern over the way in which health of their son is sadistically being ignored in an outright manner and that there are apprehensions that if adequate medical facilities aren’t put in place for Malik, his life could well be in danger.

He said that even if ideologically there is a deep chasm between separatists and New Delhi and their views do not square with each other, vindictive approach against them is unconstitutional, illegitimate and inhuman.
Madni demanded that Malik should be immediately shifted to Srinagar and treated here only.

According to the PDP leader, shifting Malik to Kashmir will facilitate his family to take care of him and will also pacify people who are concerned over his failing health.

Sajid Raina

Sopore, April 22 : Residents of Ashtangoo area of Bandipora district in North Kashmir on Monday staged a protest to highlight power crisis in the area for the last one month.

Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said residents while blaming the administration for not attending to their grievances which in result they are facing immense hardships due to unscheduled power cuts in the area since past one month after the transformer installed in the area was damaged.

Residents while alleged PDD department for failed to repair the damaged transformer despite repeated approach to the concern authorities nothing happened on ground level they added.

The protesting residents blocked Bandipora-Sopore highway and were sloganeerining against PDD.

The protesting residents said they would be forced to launch an agitation if their grievance were not resolved at earliest.

The protest in the area was on when filled this report.