UNSC meeting nullifies India’s claim of J&K being an internal matter: Pakistan’s Maleeha Lodhi

Pakistan’s UN envoy Maleeha Lodhi said at the UN headquarters, “We stand ready for a peaceful settlement of the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. This meeting nullifies India’s claim that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter. The whole world is discussing the occupied state. It (Pakistan’s efforts) will not end here; it will only end when justice is done to the people of Jammu and Kashmir… The people may be locked up, their voices may not be heard in their own land, but their voices were heard today at the UN and will always be heard because Pakistan will stand by them and extend full support.”

India’s actions challenged China’s sovereign interests, says Chinese representation at UNSC

The Chinese representative at the UNSC addressed the media after the informal meeting concluded. “The status of Kashmir is undecided… It’s obvious that the constitutional amendment has changed the status quo is Kashmir, causing tensions in the region. China is deeply concerned and opposes any unilateral decisions. We call upon the relevant parties to exercise restraint. India’s action has also challenged China sovereign interests and violated bilateral agreement. China is seriously concerned.

Asserting that both India and Pakistan are China’s friendly neightbour, he said that the two nations should find a proper solution to their maintian peace and security in the region.

UNSC meeting on Kashmir a ‘grave diplomatic failure’ of govt: Congress

The Congress on Friday termed the UNSC discussing the Kashmir issue  a “grave diplomatic failure” of the BJP government and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk to “India’s friends” in the United Nations to stall the meeting.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said it was a failure on the part of the government’s foreign policy to allow internationalisation of the Kashmir issue in the UN. 

He said the issue has come up at a time when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing. “This is a grave diplomatic failure of the government. In fact it is worse; it is a grave strategic failure of the government,” he told reporters.

PTI

Imran Khan calls up Donald Trump

Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan called up US president Donald Trump just before the UNSC meetin began. According to reports, the phone conversation lasted for several minutes and Khan apprised Trump of the situation in Kashmir.

What to expect from the informal UNSC meeting

The outcome of the UNSC meeting will not be a formal pronouncement as the consultations are informal in nature. One can, however, expect a statement from the council asking Pakistan and India to show restraint in their actions.

India and Pakistan are not attending the meeting, which is open only to the five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. China, a permanent member of the UNSC and close ally of Pakistan, had asked for “closed consultations” in the Council, which began its deliberations at 10 am (7:30pm IST) in the Security Council’s consultations room.

UNSC ‘closed-door’ meeting begins in New York

The UN Security Council on Friday began a rare closed door meeting to discuss India revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistan, backed by its all-weather ally, China, requested “closed consultations” on the issue.

Ajit Doval returns to Delhi after 11 days in Valley

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday returned to Delhi after spending 11 days in Kashmir Valley to ensure smooth implementation of plans after the withdrawal of special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. 

Doval, who arrived at Srinagar on 6 August, took charge of security and development-related activities with a special focus on ensuring that there was no loss of life, they said. During his stay, the NSA took a round of Shopian, and met locals and security personnel. 

PTI

FirstCut by Manjul

Look at the current UNSC members

At a closed-door meeting, the UN Security Council will be taking up the Kashmir issue for the first time in the last 50 years on Friday.

Visuals from a mosque in Srinagar ahead of Friday prayers earlier today

India suspends Jodhpur-Munabao Thar Link Express

CNN-News18 reported that India has suspended the Jodhpur-Munabao Thar Link Express.

Earlier, there was confusion and speculation over the continuation of the train service since Pakistan railway minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad rejected India’s request to review the decision of closing down the operations of the Samjhauta and Thar Express trains last week.

The Thar Link Express only operated on Satudays, starting from Bhagat Ki Kothi railway station on the outskirts of Jodhpur, to reach Munabao in Barmer on the International Border. The train then would cross over to Pakistan.

J&K govt’s press statement on situation

In a press release, the Jammu and Kashmir government said that 12 of the 22 districts are currently “functioning normally”, with some limited night-time restrictions in five of these. “The measures put in place have ensured that there have been not a single loss of life or serious injuries to any one during the course of maintaining peace and order. We have prevented any loss of human life despite concerted efforts by the terrorist organisations, radical groups, and continuing efforts by Pakistan to destabilise the situations,’ it said.

Pakistan launches crackdown on sale of Indian film CDs

The Pakistan government has launched a crackdown on the sale of CDs of Indian movies after New Delhi revoked the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to a media report on Friday.

The crackdown is the latest in series of measures announced by Pakistan in reaction to revocation of special status of Kashmir by India. “We have banned Indian advertisements and launched a crackdown on CD shops to confiscate Indian movies,” Dawn newspaper quoted Firdous Ashiq Awan, the special assistant to the Pakistan prime minister on Information, as saying. 

She said the interior ministry had already started a crackdown on Indian movies in the federal capital and it would be expanded to other parts of the country soon in collaboration with the provincial governments. 

PTI

‘No untoward incident reported from any corner of J&K’

All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference chairman Shafiq Mir said that a team from the organisation toured the interio rareas of the Valley. “There’s good news for Kashmiris who stay outside Kashmir that not a single untoward incident has been reported from any corner of the state in the last 10 days,” he said. The organisation consists of elected Panchayat leaders of the state.

Pakistan dials Dominican Republic’s foreign minister

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called his counterpart in Dominican Republic, Octavio Vargas, to apprise him about the situation in Kashmir. Dominican Republic is a UNSC non-permanent member.

Phone, public movement restrictions to be eased area-wise, says Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary

Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Friday announced that restrictions imposed in the Kashmir Valley after the abrogation of Article 370 would be rolled back over the weekend.

He said, “We are now taking steps to ease the restrictions. Schools will be opened area-wise, so that studies don’t suffer. Restrictions on movement in public will be removed area by area, and public transport will also begin. Preventive detentions are being continuously reviewed, based on law and order situations.

“Life in jammu and kashmir is expected to become normal in the coming few days.”

‘Not a single loss of life in Kashmir’: BVR Subrahmanyam

Briefing the media regarding the gradual normalcy that is expected to return to Jammu and Kashmir over the weekend, state chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam on Friday lauded the “people of the state” and the Narendra Modi-led government for “not a single life being lost” in the tense security situation in the state for the past 12 days, since the government abrogated Article 370 that provided autonomy to the restive region.

He said, “12 of the 22 districts are functioning normally. Preventive measures have ensured that there has not been a single loss of life, in the process of maintaining law and order,  despite efforts by Pakistan and radical groups to destabilise the situation.”

Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary says ‘gradual easing’ of restrictions to begin tonight

BVR Subrahmanyam, Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, in a press conference on Friday said that the restrictions on phone connectivity and public movement will be “gradually” lifted and normalcy will be returned to the restive region over the weekend. Asserting that the detentions of “some individuals”, including the restrictions, were to dissuade cross border terrorism or militant action, Subrahmanyam said that the preventive detentions of local politicians, leaders, and activists are being “constantly reviewed”.

BVR Subrahmanyam begins addressing media on restrictions in Kashmir Valley

Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, in a media conference regarding the restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir, said that the Centre had put in certain steps as a precautionary measure against cross-border terrorism after the government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 in the state. “A few preventive detentions of certain individuals were made within the law,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary begins media briefing

Pakistan likely to submit two points in UNSC meeting today

After Pakistan, backed by China, formally asked for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the Kashmir issue, the international body is scheduled to hold a closed-door consultation on the restive region on Friday.

Reportedly, Pakistan is likely to present two points at the UNSC meeting, the first of which is “the UN resolution on Kashmir issue” and the second is the “humanitarian concerns over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Sanjay Raut says abrogation of Article 370 is ‘beginning of unform civil code’

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir was the “beginning” towards bringing in a uniform civil code in the country. He said, “The government has brought the triple talaq bill and revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, it is a beginning towards bringing a uniform civil code in the country. I think it will be implemented in the country soon.”

Rajnath Singh says India’s ’no first use’ nuclear policy depends on circumstances in future

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who visited Rajasthan on Friday for the International Army Scout Masters competition, also paid tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his first death anniversary in Pokhran.

The defence minister also weighed in on the rising tensions with Pakistan over the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. He said,“Till today, our nuclear policy has been ’no first use’. What happens in future depends on the circumstances.”

Birendra Singh says Amit Shah is ‘man of steel’

Senior BJP leader Birendra Singh on Friday lauded Home Minister Amit Shah for bringing in the abrogation of Article 370, that gave Jammu and Kashmir a degree of autonomy and accorded it a special status.

Singh said, “What didn’t happen in 70 years, has happened in 70 days. Sardar (Vallabbhai) Patel was the Iron Man, because steel was not there back then. Today we have stainless steel in the country, so I would say Amit Shah is the man of steel.”

Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter writes to Amit Shah, says ‘I fear for my life’

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, on Thursday, wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah questioning him about New Delhi’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, and the law under which she had been detained in her house.

Iltija has also released a voice message saying she has been detained at her home, NDTV reported, where she said that almost all lines of communication with Kashmir have been snapped by the government to prevent a backlash to its decisions.

“I am being treated like a criminal and I am under constant surveillance. I fear for my life along with those Kashmiris who have spoken up,” she described in the audio message.

Pakistan launches crackdown on Indian ads, sale of Indian movies

The Pakistan government has launched a crackdown on the sale of CDs of Indian movies after New Delhi revoked the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to a media report on Friday. The crackdown is the latest in series of measures announced by Pakistan in reaction to revocation of special status of Kashmir by India.

It also comes after Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) banned the airing of advertisements featuring Indian artists and India-made products. “We have banned Indian advertisements and launched a crackdown on CD shops to confiscate Indian movies,” Dawn newspaper quoted Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information, as saying.

Schools, colleges in Jammu and Kashmir to reopen on Monday

Schools and other educational institutions are likely to reopen in the Kashmir Valley from Monday, 19 August, reports said.

Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary to address media at 2 pm

Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary BVR Subramanyam is reportedly likely to address the media on Friday at 2 pm, during which he is expected to announce the easing of restrictions imposed in the Kashmir Valley — which has been under a curfew and a communications clampdown for the last 12 days after the Centre abrogated Article 370.

Satya Pal Malik ‘satisfied’ with security situation in Kashmir Valley on Independence Day

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik conducted a security review of the situation in the state on Independence Day in a high-level meeting attended by his advisor and the state government secretary among others at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar and expressed satisfaction over the security scenario in the state, said a spokesperson.

“There were no untoward incidents anywhere. Strong security arrangements were

Easing of restrictions on public life to be decided based on today’s developments, says govt

While the Jammu and Kashmir government secretariat and other public offices are likely to start functioning from Friday, the easing of public restrictions will depend on the day’s developments after the weekly ‘namaaz’.

A spokesperson said that the government will be watching the situation during the Friday prayers and based on the day’s developments, relaxations could be considered for the general public as well.

State administration directs govt employees to report to work today

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed government employees to report at work from Friday through a radio announcement. However, the communication clampdown continues as all telephone and Internet services remained suspended.  

While schools are closed for the past two weeks, shops and other business establishments too remained shut since 5 August. An official of the administration said the situation in the Valley was being monitored on a real-time basis and the decision to remove the forces would depend on the ground situation.

(PTI)

Kashmir remains shut for 12th consecutive day

Kashmir remained shut for the twelfth consecutive day on Friday, even as the authorities relaxed restrictions on the movement of people in Srinagar. “Restrictions on the movement of people have been eased in most parts of the Valley. The situation so far has remained peaceful,” a senior official of the state administration said.

He said while the deployment of security forces on the ground remains as earlier, people were allowed to move around the city and other towns. The state administration has directed government employees to report at work from Friday through a radio announcement.

(PTI)

Satya Pal Malik’s adviser says return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley possible with support of ‘all stakeholders’

Farooq Khan, who is the adviser to Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik, has said that the complete return of Kashmiri Pandits to the restive Kashmir Valley is possible only with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.

“The complete return of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley is possible only with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including the civil society of Kashmir, who share a social and cultural bond with the Kashmiri migrants,” Khan said on Thursday. He said the government was committed to the safe return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Would like to give Centre some time to bring stability, says CJI

CJI Ranjan Gogoi, heading a special bench of the Supreme Court hearing petitions against the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, said that the bench was inclined to give the Narendra Modi-led government “some time” to bring stability to the restive region which is under numerous restrictions since its autonomy was stripped last week.

The bench was hearing a petition against the curfew and communications clampdown imposed by the government, filed by Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin. Gogoi said, “We will give it a little time, I have read in the newspaper today that by evening, broadband and landlines will be on.”

Six similar petitions filed on situation in Kashmir, four are ‘defective’

CJI Ranjan Gogoi, sharply critical of “defective” petitions filed challenging the Centre’s abrogation of the Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, said that of six petitions filed on the issue, four had “defects that are yet to be cured”.

Demanding an answer on why defective petitions were being filed in a politically and socially sensitive issue, Gogoi said, “We accommodate you in between Ayodhya hearing and this is what we get in return.”

Ranjan Gogoi refuses to dismiss ML Sharma’s petition because other petitions ‘may be affected’

CJI Ranjan Gogoi, pulling up advocate ML Sharma for a “defective, poorly drafted” petition in the politically and socially sensitive case of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, said that he had read the lawyer’s plea “for half an hour” but had not understood what the pleadings or prayer was.

He said, “What kind of petition is this? What are your pleadings, prayer. We don’t want to dismiss it because it might affect other petitions. In a matter of this nature, how can you file such a petition?”

SC adjourns hearing of petitions challenging abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, to be listed for next week

The Supreme Court special bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday adjourned the hearings of the petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 due to the pleas being “defective” on technical aspects. The petitions are likely to be listed for next week, and the petitioners have been asked to “fix” the technical mistakes in their petitions, reports said.

CJI Ranjan Gogoi slams ML Sharma’s petition, says ‘couldn’t understand it’

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday, during the hearing of advocate ML Sharma’s petition challenging the abrogation of Article 370, slammed the lawyer’s petition for being “poorly drafted”.

“What is this petition? This is simply not maintainable. What kind of petition is this?” Gogoi questioned Sharma. “I read your petition for half an hour but could not understand what is this petition about,” he added.

Hearing of plea challenging abrogation of Article 370 begins in SC

Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal and Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta are also present in the Chief Justice of India’s courtroom.

Petitions challenge bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, curfew and communications restrictions in state

Advocate ML Sharma has challenged the Centre’s scrapping of provisions of Article 370 which has resulted in the creation of two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Executive Editor, Kashmir Times, Anuradha Bhasin, meanwhile, has sought directions for restoring of all modes of communication, including mobile internet and landline services, throughout the state to provide an enabling environment for the media to practise its profession.

Special bench to hear petitions of ML Sharma and Anuradha Bhasin

A special bench, comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SA Bobde and SA Nazeer, will hear the petitions filed by advocate ML Sharma and Executive Editor, Kashmir Times, Anuradha Bhasin.

SC to hear two petitions on regarding Kashmir today

 The Supreme Court on Friday will hear two petitions challenging the Centre’s action of abrogating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The petitions, filed by an advocate and an editor of a Kashmiri newspaper, will be heard by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.

UNSC to hold meeting over Kashmir issue today

The United Nations Security Council on Friday is scheduled to hold a rare meeting on India’s action of revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, which resulted in strong objections from Pakistan. Reportedly, the meeting will take place behind closed doors.

Poland, which currently holds the council’s rotating presidency, has listed the matter for discussion at 10.00 am (7.30 pm IST). It is extremely rare for the UNSC to discuss the conflict-ridden region, ownership of which is disputed by both, India and Pakistan. The last time there was a full Security Council meeting on the Kashmir was in 1965.