Category: General

Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using falsehoods in its political strategies against his party, asserting that the INDIA alliance will sweep all six seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, during a press conference in Srinagar, Abdullah emphasized the democratic nature of his party’s leadership, contrasting it with hereditary successions in business. He argued that political leaders must earn their positions through elections, reflecting the will of the people. Abdullah also criticized the current Indian Prime Minister’s approach to statehood promises, questioning the delay in granting statehood to regions like Udhampur.

Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah, another leader from the National Conference and a Lok Sabha candidate from Baramulla, addressed the recent Supreme Court decision upholding the abrogation of Article 370. He expressed disappointment with the ruling but reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the dialogue on the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Omar argued that no government is permanent and expressed hope that future administrations might be more receptive to their cause.

The statements from the Abdullahs come at a critical time as the region prepares for national elections, with the backdrop of ongoing legal and political debates over the area’s autonomy and governance.

Srinagar, Former Indian Minister and Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz has emphasized that the restoration of special status, rather than merely statehood, is the central issue for Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Prof. Soz articulated this viewpoint in a recent statement in Srinagar, highlighting the historical context in which Jammu and Kashmir (J and K) was granted special status through detailed debates within both the J and K Constituent Assembly and India’s Lok Sabha. He referenced specific debates from 1952 as evidence of the democratic process through which J and K’s special status was affirmed.

Soz warned that disregarding these historical agreements could lead to sustained political strife. His comments underline the ongoing debate about the region’s status and the central government’s current policies regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

Geneva, In a firm rebuke issued from Geneva, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned the recent missile and drone attacks by Iran on Israel, which occurred last night. The attacks, according to Turk, posed significant risks to civilian lives and threatened to further destabilize the region.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Turk highlighted the indiscriminate nature of the attacks which could have extended their impact beyond military targets. He reiterated the obligation of all involved parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, emphasizing the grave risks these attacks pose to civilians.

Turk expressed serious concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the Middle East, which could result in severe humanitarian and human rights consequences. He called for immediate action from all parties to de-escalate tensions and urged states with regional influence to help prevent any further escalation of the situation.

Srinagar, The Boys Middle School in Kralpora village, Bandipora district, in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is grappling with a lack of adequate space, significantly impacting the quality of education provided to its students.

According to Kashmir Media Service, local residents have been advocating for additional land and buildings for the school for over a decade, emphasizing the need for a safe and conducive learning environment. With just three rooms, two of which serve as classrooms, and the office room also doubling as a teaching space, the school faces significant challenges in accommodating its student population.

Insiders at the school revealed the dire situation, stating that due to the space constraints, they are forced to conduct four classes simultaneously in a single classroom. Despite having six teachers, the school struggles to deliver quality education from kindergarten to the 8th standard.

The school, upgraded to a middle school in 2009, lacks adequate infrastructure to support its educational mandate. Furthermore, the closure of additional rented space by the landlord has exacerbated the problem over the past three years.

Zahoor Ahmad, the Head of the institution, acknowledged the accommodation issue and stated that representations for additional space and building have been forwarded to the authorities concerned.

The deteriorating condition of the building, coupled with issues like faulty drainage and snow seepage during winter, further compounds the challenges faced by the school administration and students alike.