Briefing

PAHALGAM

Dabang Khan is not well. In serene environs of Pahalgam, Salman has developed severe ear infection. The shooting for a while was halted but then Salman has his style. Enduring pain and help of pain killers, Salman set cameras rolling again. After devastating floods and then continuous uncertainty, Salman has come up with the hope of revival. Hope things are set right and here we wish Salman a speedy recovery!

JAMMU

A fleet of 100+ vehicles shifted Mufti’s durbar to Srinagar. And to ensure smooth ride to the fleet ferrying official record and staff to Kashmir, Highway hosted only Kashmir-bound vehicles on April 25, 26. Even military convoys were halted to pave way for Durbar. With offices reopening in summer capital on May, 10, the 143-year-old practice started by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1872 to escape the extreme weather conditions in Jammu during summers and in Srinagar during winters is under criticism. Some say, the trend is unavoidable. But others believe this practice has been one of the reasons that made state’s exchequer to grapple with resources. Truly, a fair-weather ride!

QATAR

Intentional or unintentional, anything that talks about Kashmir dispute is fiercely reacted by India. Latest was when  Qatar based TV network Dabang Khanwas suspended. Reason, maps the network used to illustrate the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. The network has been suspended for five days. Indian report said that in the Al-Jazeera maps, areas of Kashmir had “not been shown as a part of Indian territory.” Though the Qatar based network claimed that they had altered the maps as soon as the government pointed out the issue. In the same breath they condemned the suspension.  Ruffling the feathers, Al-Jazeera did what they say ‘hit where it hurts’.

Lal Chowk

Politics apart, he is a prince. Unlike his predecessors and successors, Dr Farooq Abdullah is unique. Young at heart, his style often defies his age. Not keeping well for some time and organ transplant in recent past, Dr Abdullah stepped in Lal Chowk’s Press Enclave only to see huge crowd around. Holding an old man close, he posed for the cameras. Before leaving, he left a message: abhi tou mein jawan hoon!

SRINAGAR

Sarah Groves

Finally, the case plagued with delays saw the trial of the man accused of murdering Guernsey woman Sarah Groves on a Houseboat at Dal Lake in April 2013. The public prosecutor called all witnesses including Sarah’s boyfriend Saeed Ahmed Shoda. The last three hearings had seen no progress made as the accused Richard de Wit had no-one to represent him. The accused Dutch has been denying the murder of 24-year-old Sarah. The court trying Richard de Wit for murder has already sat more than 40 times and 20 witnesses still have to give evidence. With fresh impetus, Sarah’s family must be eyeing on the justice that has remained elusive so far.

RAJOURI

Finally the tainted former Health Minister Shabir Khan is set to face trail. He was accused of sexually harassing a lady doctor. CJM Srinagar believes that ground exists for the trail as there is sufficient material to presume that accused has committed offence under section 354, 509 RPC.   Moving around on conditional interim bail, if proved guilty Khan has then to face five years in prison and fine under section 354 RPC while section 509 RPC provides for punishment with imprisonment of three years and fine if he is found guilty of these offences.

In a glittering ongoing auction at Sotheby’s in Los Angeles, California, two Kashmir Sapphires were sold over $1 million

 753 army personnel died during the last eight years in Operation Rakshak, the counter-insurgency operation of the army in Jammu and Kashmir

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