Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who is currently in the United States, spoke out on the issue of Article 370 repeal in Kashmir on Monday, while also criticising those who have slammed the suspension of internet services in law and order situations.

“The big song and dance about the internet being cut…if you’ve reached a stage where you say that an internet cut is more dangerous than loss of human lives, then what can I say?” Jaishankar said, according to reports.

The External Affairs Ministers also addressed queries on Article 370 repeal. “What was a temporary provision of the constitution was finally put to rest. This was supposed to be an act of majoritarianism. Now tell me what was happening in Kashmir, was it not majoritarianism? I think the way facts are slanted.. What is right and wrong is debated. This is actually politics at work,” he said.

It has been three years since the NDA-led central government repealed Article 370 of the Constitution, which granted special treatment to Jammu and Kashmir. On August 5, 2019, the state was also divided into two union territories: J&K and Ladakh. The government hailed the move as “historic,” and described it as an effort to “unite and integrate” India. Law and order issues in J&K, which borders Pakistan, have frequently been a source of concern, affecting internet services.

Jaishankar has often vociferous on defending Indian interests on the global forum. The Minister had earlier said India matters in the world today and its voice counts because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the series of meetings he had with the world leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar had said he can say this based on the feedback from these meetings.

The voice of India matters and is being taken seriously at the world stage because of the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said at an interactive dialogue with the Indian-American community organized by the US India Friendship Council and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS). “Today our opinions count, our views matter and have actually today the ability to shape the big issues of our time. I think these are main takeaways from a very, very intensive set of interactions over the last six days,” he said about his New York meetings.

Jaishankar has often vociferous on defending Indian interests on the global forum. The Minister had earlier said India matters in the world today and its voice counts because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to the series of meetings he had with the world leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar had said he can say this based on the feedback from these meetings.

The voice of India matters and is being taken seriously at the world stage because of the leadership and policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar said at an interactive dialogue with the Indian-American community organized by the US India Friendship Council and Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS). “Today our opinions count, our views matter and have actually today the ability to shape the big issues of our time. I think these are main takeaways from a very, very intensive set of interactions over the last six days,” he said about his New York meetings.

SRINAGAR: Secretary Tourism Jammu and Kashmir, Sarmad Hafeez on Tuesday said that Kashmir is being promoted as wedding destination as apart from other tourism activities, the Valley has a lot of potential as a wedding destination.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here Hafeez said that recently a couple could to Pahalgam from Canada for a destination wedding.

“Apart from adventure tourism and other tourism activities, we are trying to promote Kashmir as a wedding destination as it has a lot of potentials and people are keen to conduct weddings here,” he said.

He added that they come so many tourism products and recently a cyclothon was organised for the promotion of adventure tourism in the Valley and for which about 70 untapped destinations have already been identified and are being promoted.

Replying to a question, he said that education tourism is also being promoted here and apart from people coming to study here, “we should also try and have exchange programmes with various institutions around the world and around the country. We are also trying to promote corporate tourism here,” he said.

He also said that they are trying to take tourism to the grassroots level and provide people, who come here, with a complete tourism experience.

Srinagar : Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that his party stands for J &K’s peace, prosperity and development.

He also said Apni Party is also working for political and economic empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a press note, he was addressing a party function here. Several political activists from Mehjoor Nagar and Bagh-e-Mehtab areas of the city joined Apni Party.

Bukhari greeted the new entrants into the party fold during the joining event organized at the party office at Sheikh Bagh in Srinagar. In charge of Chanapora Constituency Mohammad Ashraf Dar, and Provincial Convenor for the party’s youth wing Shoaib Dar were also present on the occasion.

The new entrants include Wasim Raja and Mohammad Altaf from Mehjoor Nagar and Riyaz Ahmad Wani (Kaka Ji), and Nisar Ahmad from Housing Colony Bagh-e-Mehtab. They joined the party along with their workers and supporters.

By King RJ

Bhaderwah : Known for growing exotic world famous red beans(Rajmash), organic vegetables and fruits, Kanser Panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah will soon become the highest village in Doda district to have all-weather road connectivity as authorities starts laying macadam on the 15 km Nagar-lanchan to Kanser road being constructed under PMGSY scheme.

Situated at an elevation of 7780 ft above sea level, Kanser village is primarily inhabited by Gaddi and Sippi tribes who earn their livelihood by raring sheep and growing organic vegetables, red beans (Rajmash) and high quality fruits like quins, apricots, walnut, Plump etc.

Residents of the hill top village are beaming with joy as after 2 decade long wait, finally Kanser which is strategically located from where one can have bird’s eye view of Bhaderwah town, beside iconic Ashapati Glacier and Kailash Kund will now be accessible in all weather conditions via all-weather road connectivity after DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh Kotwal along with Vice Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat kick started laying of Macadam on the 15 Km road stretch passing through steep and dense coniferous forest.

“The road which has the potential of becoming the game changer of the 3500 tribal population is being constructed with a project cost of 9.40 lacs and will be completed by October 10 subject to weather conditions,” said Atta Mohd Sheikh, AEE PMGSY Bhaderwah.

DDC Vice-Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat said that the area is famous for its agricultural products especially Rajmash and due to unavailability of road connectivity, people were facing hardships while reaching out to markets, but now their dream is going to come true as they are not getting just road connectivity but also blacktopped all weather connectivity.

Locals also expressed their gratitude to Government, Administration and PMGSY authorities for taking care of their grievances regarding road connectivity. 

"Our were living in miserable conditions due absence of road connectivity which is very necessary for development of any area. Nature has gifted us with famous Rajmash and other products but we were unable to get benefits as it was very difficult for us to reach 12 KM away market by foot to sell our produce, " said Sudhir Kumar, a local resident.

“Now with the road connectivity, we will not only get good rates of our produce but our children will be able to get quality education in city schools, for which we are indebted to Government,” Kumar added.

Jammu, Sept 26: The sleuths of CBI on Monday conducted raids in Chand Nagar near Jewel in Jammu district with regard to the J&K Police Sub Inspector recruitment scam.

The CBI team reached the residence and hotel of an accused person and launched searches there. The premises were allegedly used in the scam.

It is learned that the raid was conducted following disclosure of the accused persons in the scam.