News for 'Valley'

Thank You Tashi Namgyal For Kargil Alert

Thank You Tashi Namgyal For Kargil Alert

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Ladakhi shepherd Tashi Namgyal, who alerted the Indian Army about the presence of Pakistani intruders in Kargil, passed away in Ladakh on Saturday, December 21, 2024.

Biren Singh's controversial tenure comes to an end

Biren Singh's controversial tenure comes to an end

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh is facing renewed scrutiny over his handling of the ethnic violence that erupted in the state in May 2023. Leaked audio tapes allegedly featuring Singh, in which he is purportedly heard discussing how the violence was instigated with his approval, have sparked fresh controversy. The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has demanded a court-monitored investigation into the authenticity of the tapes, leading to a Supreme Court ruling ordering the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to verify the tapes' authenticity and submit a report. Singh's tenure has been marked by controversies, including allegations of instigating conflict and questions regarding his governance. Despite a public apology in December 2023 for the violence, the leaked audio tapes have further intensified criticism of his leadership.

Security forces seize rockets, mortars in Manipur; 8 UNLF-P men held

Security forces seize rockets, mortars in Manipur; 8 UNLF-P men held

Rediff.com31 Oct 2024

The members were arrested on Monday for threatening people and obstructing the land demarcation process in Thoubal district.

Protester killed in firing during clashes in Manipur

Protester killed in firing during clashes in Manipur

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

A protester was killed in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob vandalising properties in Manipur's Jiribam district. The incident occurred late on Sunday night when agitators were protesting the killing of women and children abducted by militants. The deceased has been identified as K Athouba, who was in his twenties. The offices of the Congress and BJP, and a house belonging to Jiribam's Independent MLA were ransacked by a group of agitators. Meanwhile, an uneasy calm prevailed in Imphal Valley, where curfew remained enforced and internet services suspended after agitators vandalised and set ablaze properties belonging to several ministers and legislators.

Cold wave grips north, east India; Srinagar shivers at minus 5.3 degrees C

Cold wave grips north, east India; Srinagar shivers at minus 5.3 degrees C

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

A cold wave has gripped many parts of north and east India, with Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. Other areas experiencing below-freezing temperatures include Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Konibal, Qazigund, Kupwara, and Kokernag in Kashmir. Himachal Pradesh has issued an orange warning for severe cold wave conditions in several districts. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 5.9 degrees Celsius, while Faridkot in Punjab was the coldest in the region at 0 degrees Celsius. Extreme cold conditions also continued in parts of Rajasthan and Jharkhand. The Met office has forecast mainly dry weather until December 26, with the possibility of light snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir on the intervening night of December 21-22.

Imphal Valley tense; security forces, militants exchange fire

Imphal Valley tense; security forces, militants exchange fire

Rediff.com5 May 2023

The Imphal Valley in Manipur remained peaceful but tense on Friday, however intermittent gunfights between militant groups and security forces were reported from the hill districts surrounding the valley.

Security beefed up in Manipur's Kangpokpi after attack on SP office

Security beefed up in Manipur's Kangpokpi after attack on SP office

Rediff.com4 Jan 2025

The Superintendent of Police in Manipur's Kangpokpi district was injured after a mob attacked his office on Friday evening over the officer's alleged failure to remove central force from Saibol village bordering Imphal East district. Kuki organisations have been protesting against the alleged baton charge on women by security forces on December 31 in Saibol village. The attackers threw stones and other projectiles towards the office to vent their anger over the continued deployment of central forces, particularly the BSF and the CRPF in the village. Several others, including police personnel and protesters, also suffered injuries during the clash between security forces and attackers.

Kashmiri Pandits protest killing, seek relocation outside Valley

Kashmiri Pandits protest killing, seek relocation outside Valley

Rediff.com27 Feb 2023

Scores of protesting Kashmiri Pandit prime minister's package employees on Monday reiterated their demand for relocation outside the valley, saying their worst fears have come true with the latest killing of a community member in Pulwama.

Two-front threat a reality, says Army chief

Two-front threat a reality, says Army chief

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

The General said it was "too early" to take a call on the role of Bangladesh, where a change in government may bring about a change in the relationship between it and India.

Why I Rejected An Offer From Google

Why I Rejected An Offer From Google

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

The journey of life will always come with its temptations; it is the ability to stick to your goal that will eventually lead you to success. A fascinating excerpt from Manish Vij's must-read book, Brick by Brick.

Who will be next Manipur CM? BJP delegation meets Guv

Who will be next Manipur CM? BJP delegation meets Guv

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation on Tuesday called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal amid a leadership crisis following the resignation of N Biren Singh as the chief minister of the ethnic violence-hit state two days ago.

Meitei group locks govt offices in protest over Jiribam killings

Meitei group locks govt offices in protest over Jiribam killings

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Protests erupted in Imphal, Manipur, on Monday, as a group led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) locked government offices in protest of the recent killing of three women and three children in Jiribam. The Manipur government also extended the suspension of internet services for two more days, till Wednesday, in seven districts of the state. The protests come amidst a fresh wave of unrest following the disappearance of six people from a displaced persons camp in Jiribam and the subsequent discovery of multiple bodies.

Beauty And Sadness At The Ruins Of Dholavira

Beauty And Sadness At The Ruins Of Dholavira

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Standing at the edge of Dholavira is witnessing history textbooks crammed in school coming to life. One is suddenly standing face to face with a 4,000-year-old civilisational site that is now but a ruin.

Strike cripples life in Manipur's Imphal Valley; hill districts unaffected

Strike cripples life in Manipur's Imphal Valley; hill districts unaffected

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

The committee's convenor L Binod had earlier said that the strike is not to add to the hardships of the people, but to 'pressure the government.'

Snow Arrives Early In Kashmir

Snow Arrives Early In Kashmir

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

Umar Ganie captures Gulmarg as the tourist destination and other higher reaches in the Kashmir Valley receive fresh snowfall.

British MP moves motion on 'Kashmiri Pandit genocide'

British MP moves motion on 'Kashmiri Pandit genocide'

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

A British MP has tabled a parliamentary motion in the House of Commons to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the "genocide of Kashmiri Pandit Hindus from Jammu and Kashmir in India." The motion, which calls for recognition and justice for the events of January 1990, has been met with support from other MPs. The motion condemns the attacks on the Hindu population of Kashmir Valley and calls for the Indian government to enact a bill to punish the perpetrators.

Republic Day celebrations end with Beating Retreat ceremony

Republic Day celebrations end with Beating Retreat ceremony

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

Foot-tapping melodies and the majestic backdrop of a setting sun over Raisina Hills mesmerised the audience at Vijay Chowk on Wednesday during the Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of the 76th Republic Day celebrations.

Kashmiri Pandit women marrying non-migrants won't lose status: HC

Kashmiri Pandit women marrying non-migrants won't lose status: HC

Rediff.com1 Dec 2024

The two women -- Seema Koul and Vishalni Koul -- had moved the high court in 2018 after their provisional selection to the post of legal assistant in the department of disaster management relief, rehabilitation and re-construction under the PM package for Kashmiri migrants in December 1, 2017 forfeited on the ground that they have lost their migrant status having married non-migrant persons.

Fresh escalation in Manipur: Security forces clash with Kuki women

Fresh escalation in Manipur: Security forces clash with Kuki women

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

A mob led by Kuki-Zo women clashed with security forces in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, triggering fresh tensions in the ethnic strife-hit state.

First informant of Kargil War passes away in Ladakh

First informant of Kargil War passes away in Ladakh

Rediff.com22 Dec 2024

Indian Army on Sunday extended condolences to the family of Tashi Namgyal, the Ladakhi shepherd who is credited with alerting Indian troops about Pakistani infiltration during the 1999 Kargil conflict.

Vande Bharat All Set For The Mountains

Vande Bharat All Set For The Mountains

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The new Vande Bharat Express train is specially designed to operate seamlessly in Jammu & Kashmir's challenging winter conditions for the upcoming Katra-Srinagar rail route.

60% terrorists killed in J-K in 2024 are Pakistanis: Army

60% terrorists killed in J-K in 2024 are Pakistanis: Army

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

The local recruitment of terrorists in the Pakistan-sponsored terror groups is also very low as only four locals have joined these groups this year, Army officials told ANI.

President's rule imposed in Manipur; assembly suspended

President's rule imposed in Manipur; assembly suspended

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

President's rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday, with the state assembly put under suspended animation following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The decision came after months of ethnic violence that claimed over 250 lives. Singh's resignation was attributed to his handling of the violence and allegations of instigating conflict. The imposition of President's rule was met with a sense of hope by the Kuki-Zo community, who expressed distrust of the Meitei leadership.

Manipur: Army launches intense search for missing man

Manipur: Army launches intense search for missing man

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

The Indian Army has launched a massive search operation for a man who went missing from the fringe areas of the Imphal Valley two days ago. Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, a works supervisor for a contractor working with the Military Engineering Services (MES) in Leimakhong Military Station, disappeared after leaving home on Monday afternoon to report for work. The Army is using all its resources, including tracker dogs, drones, and aerial platforms, to locate Singh. The incident has led to tensions in the area, with hundreds of people from the Meitei community demanding information about Singh's whereabouts.

Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of Solang Valley Review: Agatha Christie Redux

Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of Solang Valley Review: Agatha Christie Redux

Rediff.com27 Sep 2023

Charlie Chopra and the Mystery of Solang Valley is fun in parts, discovers Deepa Gahlot.

Body of 6th 'missing' person found in Manipur, autopsy done on 5

Body of 6th 'missing' person found in Manipur, autopsy done on 5

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Six people -- three women and three children -- belonging to the Meitei community had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants that resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11.

Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel in J-K

Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel in J-K

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

Modi also met the construction workers who worked meticulously amid harsh conditions to complete the tunnel.

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

As the US gets tougher with visas, the prayers of US-bound devotees in India are getting more fervent, and their purse strings looser. Called Visa Hanuman temples (there are half a dozen all over India), some of them ask for a 'fee'.

From Alps To Underwater Vows, Weddings Turn Extravagant & Unique

From Alps To Underwater Vows, Weddings Turn Extravagant & Unique

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

There's clearly no limit to how dramatic a wedding can be.

11 militants killed in attack on police station, CRPF camp in Manipur

11 militants killed in attack on police station, CRPF camp in Manipur

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Two Central Reserve Police Force personnel also sustained injuries during the heavy exchange of fire that happened at Jakurador Karong in the Borobekra sub-division, they said.

ISKCON temple set afire, idol damaged near Dhaka

ISKCON temple set afire, idol damaged near Dhaka

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

A group of people set fire to an ISKCON temple in Dhaka district in Bangladesh in the early hours of Saturday.

Amit Shah reviews Manipur situation, directs officials to ensure peace

Amit Shah reviews Manipur situation, directs officials to ensure peace

Rediff.com17 Nov 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has cancelled his election rallies in Maharashtra and is returning to Delhi due to the volatile situation in Manipur. The home minister is likely to hold a meeting to review the situation in the northeastern state, where irate mobs have set fire to the residences of several BJP and Congress legislators. The incidents follow a series of killings and abductions by militants in the state.

Modi keeps promises: PM assures Kashmiris on statehood

Modi keeps promises: PM assures Kashmiris on statehood

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that he would keep promises he had made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, a statement seen as an oblique reference to the demand for restoration of statehood voiced strongly by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Can't cut troop in J-K despite drop in terror recruitments: Army official

Can't cut troop in J-K despite drop in terror recruitments: Army official

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Kashmir is at the cusp of a new beginning as the security situation in the Valley is "peaceful and stable" but reducing the footprints of security forces is not recommended at this stage, a top Army officer said here on Thursday.

Landour Longings

Landour Longings

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

When in Landour, discovers Supriya Newar, one of the most important things to do and that too in large measures, is to do nothing at all.

NIA takes over Manipur violence cases as protests continue

NIA takes over Manipur violence cases as protests continue

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered three cases related to recent violence in Manipur, taking over investigations from Manipur Police. These cases include the murder of a woman, an attack on a CRPF post, and the burning of houses in Jiribam. The situation in Manipur remains volatile with protests continuing following the recovery of bodies of women and children. Violence has also spread to Jiribam, previously untouched by clashes, after a farmer's body was found in June.

Jailed MP Engineer seeks custody parole to attend Parl; HC reserves order

Jailed MP Engineer seeks custody parole to attend Parl; HC reserves order

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The Delhi High Court has reserved its order on a plea by jailed MP Rashid Engineer, facing trial in a terror funding case, seeking custody parole to attend the ongoing Parliament session. Engineer, a Baramulla MP, was opposed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) who argued that he has no vested right to attend Parliament and there were security concerns. The court said though there might not be a vested right to attend the session, it could exercise its discretion. The NIA also argued that Rashid misused the telephone facility in Tihar jail and that allowing him to attend the session would be a security risk.

Art 370 fueled separatism in J-K, Modi govt ended terrorism: Amit Shah

Art 370 fueled separatism in J-K, Modi govt ended terrorism: Amit Shah

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was crucial in ending terrorism in Kashmir. He stated that the provision fostered separatism among Kashmiri youth and impeded the region's full integration into India. Shah also highlighted the development initiatives undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370, including a reduction in terrorism, successful local body elections, and an increase in tourism and film production. He emphasized the significance of writing India's history with facts and evidence, countering narratives that had obscured the country's rich heritage.

Top Pak LeT commander among 3 terrorists killed in J-K

Top Pak LeT commander among 3 terrorists killed in J-K

Rediff.com2 Nov 2024

A top Pakistani commander of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) who was active in the Valley for several years was killed and four security personnel were injured in an encounter in the Khanyar area of Srinagar on Saturday, officials said.

Los Angeles wildfires kill 5; Biden cancels last foreign trip

Los Angeles wildfires kill 5; Biden cancels last foreign trip

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The uncontrollable fire has so far burned over 70 sq km in three areas: Palisades, west of Los Angeles; Eaton, north of Pasadena and San Fernando Valley.