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| Pak refuses transit to Indian goods | | | | Agencies
Islamabad, Dec 20 Pakistan did not agree to allow Indian goods to transit through its territory into Afghanistan during the latest round of talks on a new Afghan-Pak transit trade agreement.
The issue of allowing Indian goods to transit through Pakistani territory into Afghanistan could only be discussed in the composite dialogue with New Delhi, an unnamed Pakistani official was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
An Afghan official said the issue was a "minor irritant" and would not derail the talks between Kabul and Islamabad.
India put the composite dialogue on hold in the wake of last year's Mumbai terror attacks and there is little likelihood of the process bein... | |
| | | | North India shivers as mercury dips further | | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Dec 20: Cold conditions intensified in most parts of the northern region today as mercury dipped by several notches with Leh in Jammu and Kashmir freezing at minus 16 degrees.
The minimum temperature in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh hovered between two to four degree Celsius below normal at several places.
Rohtak in Haryana shivered at a low of 1.8 degrees, four notches below normal, while Karnal recorded 4.8 degree Celsius, three degrees below normal, Met office said.
Patiala and Amritsar, in Punjab, recorded a minimum temperature of 5.5 and 5.8 degree Celsius respectively, even as Chandigarh recorded a low of 6.8 degrees.
Icy winds coupled with steep drop in ... | |
| | | | Mehbooba denied visa by Pak govt | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 20: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who was to take part in an international conference in Islamabad December-end, has been denied a visa due to the security situation in Pakistan.
According to PDP sources, Mehbooba Mufti, whom Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari during her early 2008 visit described as " my sister from Kashmir", has not been given a visa.
A party leader close to her, referring to the suicide bombings and terror attacks across that country, said the visa was denied because of problems within Pakistan.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference who was to lead a delegation of his con... | |
| | | | PDP finally awakens to its duty terms employment policy eyewash | | | | CHAMAN KAUL
JAMMU, DEC 20: Finally, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has awakened to its constitutional duty of playing healthy opposition. After more than half a month of its announcement, PDP patron Mufti Mohmmad Syeed termed much hyped employment policy named after Sheri-I-Kashmir Employment and Counseling as nothing but eye wash for the lakhs of unemployed youths of state. Mufti said that policy framed is inadequate as hardly any unemployed youth is worth get benefit of this employment policy due to its critical qualifying requisition as income bar, age bar and other all terms and conditions required. Monthly stipend is also distant dream for unemployed because it is not principled on th... | |
| | | | Who popularized education? | | Sher-e-Kashmir or Maharaja Hari Singh | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 20: People, by and large, give the credit of popularizing education in the state to Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. However, this is far from reality. On the contrary, he closed down schools run by Jama’t-e-Islami in 1975 immediately after assuming power for the second time. According to a rough estimate, more than 50,000 students suffered because of the ban.
In early 30s, Maharaja Hari Singh opened schools across the state. Education was made compulsory. This order was implemented in letter and spirit. Government officials would search for children and take them to the school. Eighty-five year old Muhammad Yusuf Khan of Balgarden narrates : “I belonged to a fam... | |
| | | | Home they sent the BSF jawan dead | | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Dec 20: Rich tributes were paid to sepoy Mukesh Chand, who was killed Saturday in firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) on Kranti-1 forward post in Krishna Ghati sub-sector of Poonch, at Paloura-situated BSF Headquarters here today.
Mukesh was on guard duty at the forward post when he had come under sudden fire from across the LoC at about 10.30 am. Sepoys S. Gagoi and Pawan Kumar, who were beside him, were also hurt. While Gagoi and Pawan were admitted to Military Hospital, Poonch, the critically injured Mukesh was referred to the Military Hospital, Jammu, where he died soon after his admission. A bullet had pierced through his stomach. He hailed from Mat... | |
| | | | Self –rule alternate to Azadi : Mufti | | Article 356 should not be applicable on Jand K, IPS , IAS should go back | | | SHAFIQ MIR
Rajouri, December 20, 2009
While terming his self rule formula as alternate of the Azdai slogan raised by some sections in Jammu and Kashmir state , former chief minister and patron People’s Democratic Party , Mufti Mohammad Sayed said that his formula regarding the resolution of Kashmir issue is the only option that can satisfy all the three major regions of the state like, Jammu , Kashmir and Ladakh. He said his self rule document also demand the non implementation of article 356 and 312 of Indian constitution in the state of Jammu and Kashmir . This he said while addressing a one day seminar organised by his party in frontier border district Rajouri which was attended by ... | |
| | | | Man-animal conflicts leave 24 dead, 200 hurt in J-K | | In brutal response by people, about a dozen beasts also killed | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Dec 20: With leopards and beers straying out of their habitat and attacking people, mostly in outlying areas close to forests, the man-animal conflicts in the state have shown an upward trend in the past six months, resulting in the death of nearly 24 people, including women and children, and injuries to about 200 others.
In brutal response by the people, about a dozen beasts also got killed. The emerging man-animal conflict has become a major cause of concern for the state machinery.
"The man-animal conflict is increasing because there is a war of space and food between the two," said a senior forest officer, who did not wish to be named.On Saturday last, a fu... | |
| | | | Situation improved a lot in Kashmir:Omar | | | | Agencies
AJMER, Dec 20: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the situation had rapidly improved in his State.
Talking to reporters after performing ziyarat at the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti’s durgah here, Mr Abdullah said "Kashmir has now recovered from the brunt of terrorism and the situation is returning to normal. Accordingly, around 30,000 armymen have been sent back from the State". He said that the army was removed from the civilian areas only but it would continue to guard the LoC and sensitive frontier areas. Over a question about ban on pre paid mobile service in the border state, Mr Abdullah said that was done in the wake of security related co... | |
| | | | Price rise is state's responsibility: Pawar | | | | Agencies
'New Delhi, Dec 20: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday threw the ball in the court of state governments over the issue of price rise, saying it would be "difficult" to face such a situation unless there was cooperation from them.
"I appeal to all state governments they should take the issue of price rise very seriously to protect the interest of consumers otherwise it will be difficult," he said while addressing the national convention of his party NCP.
Pawar in his presidential address also assured that the Central government would assist the states in controlling prices in whatever ways possible.
"Although the soaring prices is a global phenomenon, the government is... | |
| | | | Border dispute would not affect trade ties with China.: Raju | | | | Agencies
Kolkata, Dec 20 : Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju has said that the border dispute would not affect trade ties with China.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here, Raju said: 'Ties with China are guided by 'positives' including trade.'
'India and China share a great economic partnership and we both are growing economies and the focus is on positives. We have a growing trade and we are together in a number of issues like even the Copenhagen Summit. We have addressed issues that are of mutual concern to both the countries. So, we have a longstanding relationship in terms of economic partnership, so I don't think the border issue will come in the way of... | |
| | | | Kashmiris still getting Chinese stapled visa | | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Dec 20: Some Kashmiris have found an ingenious way of beating the Union Home Ministry's ban on travelling to China with visas stapled to their passports.
The Chinese embassy here had started issuing visas to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir by not stamping their passports but by granting the visa on separate sheets, which was seen by observers as Chinese attempt to question the state's status as part of India.
The government took up the matter with China in October last and made it clear that no one would be allowed to travel on a stapled visa.
In a novel way to skirt around the Home Ministry's objection, people, having place of birth mentioned as Kashmir in the... | |
| | | | No need for protesting or getting excited over withdrawal of troops | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu,December 20:-For the BJP there seems to be no justification for protesting against the Government decision on withdrawing 30,000 troops from Jammu and Kashmir.For the Kashmir centric mainstream politicians there is no justification for rejoicing over the announcement of the Defence Minister,A.K.Antony,that 30,000 troops have been withdrawn from the state.Equally there is no justification for the separatists to express doubts over the Government move.
The BJP protested against the troop withdrawal on the plea that the situation in the state had not shown marked improvement and the militants continud to attack the soft targets.But the BJP leaders do not kn... | |
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