Latest news with #FarooqAbdullah
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Srinagar Diary: Public discontent makes NC rethink strategy
Public discontent makes NC rethink strategy After playing 'soft politics' over key issues since coming to power last year, the ruling National Conference appears to be recalibrating its strategy due to growing public impatience over lack of progress on core electoral promises. The party is stepping up its rhetoric on restoration of statehood and dual power structure in the UT. Hardening his stand, CM Omar Abdullah said his government was ready to dissolve the Assembly if it would pave way for restoration of statehood. Earlier, NC supremo Farooq Abdullah said the party would move the apex court if there was delay in restoring statehood to J&K. Abdullah's remarks mark a departure from his earlier conciliatory tone of 'cooperation over confrontation.' Valley temperatures touch record highs An unrelenting heatwave has gripped the Valley with temperatures touching record highs. On Tuesday, Srinagar sizzled at 35.5°C. The same was recorded on June 20, breaking the previous 20-year record. Surprisingly, Srinagar was even hotter than Jammu. Srinagar on Wednesday recorded a minimum temperature of 25°C, the highest ever in June. Other parts of the Valley are also experiencing heatwave conditions with temperatures in Gulmarg ski resorts clocking 25.7°C. The persistent heatwave have caused drinking water scarcity in some areas, while authorities have announced early summer break for schools and colleges. Rs 10,637-crore road & tunnel projects approved The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved 19 road and tunnel projects worth Rs 10,637 cr for Jammu & Kashmir including construction of Peer-Ki-Gali tunnel on NH-701A (Rs 3,830 cr), Sadhana tunnel on NH-701 (Rs 3,330 cr), Zaznar Shopian section of NH-701A (`852 cr), and Trehgam Chamkote section of NH-701 (Rs 966 cr), among others. The Ministry has also sanctioned a feasibility study for various NH works while sanctioning the construction of a tunnel on the historic Mughal Road between Kashmir and Jammu. This will boost all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, putting an end to seasonal snow disruption. Fayaz wani Our correspondent in Jammu and Kashmir fayazwani123@
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Omar led govt strives to bridge gaps, boost development: Farooq Abdullah
States » North Srinagar, June 20 (UNI) The J&K National conference President Farooq Abdullah Friday said that the democratically elected government led by Omar Abdullah is working to overcome developmental setbacks and bridge the existing disconnect between the people and the administration. Please log in to get detailed story.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
CM Omar Abdullah says ready to
Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] June 24 (ANI): In a strong and direct message on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that he is ready to step aside if that's what it takes to restore full statehood to the Union Territory. His comments come amid reports suggesting that granting statehood would require the dissolution of the existing assembly. Speaking to the reporters after attending an event in Gulmarg, Omar Abdullah said, '... I read in a newspaper that if the statehood is to be granted, then the state assembly has to be dissolved. Then let it happen. I am not worried about my chair...' Abdullah alleged that the 'misinformation' in being spread order to create fear among Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). 'These reports have been planted in the newspapers to scare our MLAs so that they will wait for another five years. The statehood is not for any MLA or our government, it is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The MLAs will not become an obstacle to it. The day when the statehood would be given, I will go to the Governor and dissolve the assembly...,' said Abdullah. Meanwhile, reacting to his previous statement, that 'statehood has been taken from J&K because we are Muslims', JKNC President Farooq Abdullah said, 'What other reason can be there? Are we enemies of India? We joined India when Pakistan was in front of us.' On Saturday, Farooq Abdullah cautioned that his party may be left with no choice but to approach the Supreme Court if the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir continues to be delayed. Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said, 'It's been eight months (since the J&K government was formed). I am hopeful that when statehood is restored here, we will also get (administrative) powers... Our stand is that we are waiting (for J&K statehood). But if there are delays, we will have no option but to go to the Supreme Court,' His remarks come at a time when the NC continues to push for the restoration of both statehood and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which was revoked by the Centre in August 2019 through the abrogation of Article 370. The move had also led to the bifurcation of the former state into two Union Territories--Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The NC's renewed warning follows a meeting of its Working Committee held at the party headquarters in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Farooq Abdullah. The committee adopted seven resolutions covering key political, security, and civil rights issues, with the demand for restoration of special status and statehood being central. 'The Working Committee unanimously reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status. The Committee reiterated that this is central to the aspirations and dignity of the people and must be addressed without further delay. We will continue to fight for its restoration,' the resolution read. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Thankful to the almighty': JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah on Iran-Israel ceasefire
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah has welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. National Conference President Farooq Abdullah at Katra Railway Station on June 19(PTI/File) "I am thankful to the Almighty if there is indeed a ceasefire; it is good. Innocent people were being has surrendered before anyone, neither Iran nor America. But out of humanity, they said that this should be stopped," he said. Abdullah pointed to the impact of the ongoing conflict on the world economy and said, "This would have impacted their economy and the economy of the rest of the was a global pressure on America to end this." As per the recent development, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz has accused Iran of violating the ceasefire and said that he has ordered Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to "respond forcefully to Iran's violation of the ceasefire with intense strikes against regime targets in the heart of Tehran," The Times of Israel reported. Katz's statement comes after Iran launched two ballistic missiles at Israel after a ceasefire was supposed to come into effect. Both missiles were intercepted. IDF Chief of Staff Lt General Eyal Zamir, in an ongoing assessment, said, "In light of the grave violation of the ceasefire by the Iranian regime, we will strike with force," The Times of Israel reported. Earlier, the IDF Home Front Command said people in northern Israel can exit bomb shelters after the latest missile fire from Iran. Earlier, sirens were heard in Northern Israel as a new ballistic missile attack from Iran. People who were present in areas where sirens were heard have been asked to remain in bomb shelters until further notice, The Times of Israel reported. The statement follows Israel's announcement that it has agreed to US President Donald Trump's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire with Iran and vowed to "respond forcefully" in case there is any violation of the truce. Israel thanked Trump and the US for "their defensive support and for their participation in removing the Iranian nuclear threat." In a statement, Israel's Prime Minister's Office said, "In light of having achieved the objectives of the operation, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel agrees to the President's proposal for a bilateral ceasefire. Israel will respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire." Earlier, Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire," in what would bring about an end to the conflict just hours after Tehran targeted American Air bases in the Middle East. In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump said Israel and Iran would likely exchange final blows over the next six hours before the deal would come into place on Tuesday. "Iran will start the ceasefire and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the ceasefire and, upon the 24th Hour, an official end to the 12-Day War," he stated. The conflict between Israel and Iran started on June 13 when the former launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, codenamed "Operation Rising Lion". In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated a large-scale drone and missile campaign called 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres. Tensions escalated further after the US conducted precision airstrikes early Sunday morning on three key Iranian nuclear facilities under "Operation Midnight Hammer." Iran retaliated by launching multiple missiles at US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar--the largest US military base in the region.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
In absence of SHRC, Farooq Abdullah establishes separate human rights body in J&K
Farooq Abdullah SRINAGAR: J&K National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah announced on Monday the formation of a new human rights body, calling it a temporary alternative to the defunct State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). 'Until statehood is restored and a formal SHRC is reestablished, this body will operate in its place,' Dr Abdullah told TOI. The newly formed body will be headed by party legislator and retired high court judge Hasnain Masoodi. Two additional members, including a woman, will also be appointed to the human rights panel. 'We felt the need to set up this body because of the growing number of human rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir ,' Dr Abdullah said. 'In the absence of an official commission, this wing will take cognisance of rights violations and ensure that concerns are raised and addressed,' he said. In October 2019, after the nullification of Article 370, J&K SHRC was shut down, leaving hundreds of cases unresolved. The SHRC, established in 1997, had handled around 8,529 cases before it was shut down. It was the only quasi-judicial body created under the now repealed J&K Protection of Human Rights Act and was supposed to investigate human rights violations cases, particularly after insurgency erupted in Kashmir in 1990. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sunteck Presents Luxury 2 & 3 BHK in Mira Road Sunteck Sky Park Learn More Undo At the time of its closure in 2019, hundreds of cases related to alleged rights violations remained pending. 'Our human rights body will look into grievances and complaints of rights violations. People will have a forum to come forward. There are serious issues, like the Public Safety Act, shifting of prisoners, and more. At the very least this body will give people a platform to articulate their concerns, and help follow up cases of human rights violations,' Hasnain Massoodi said.
