News for 'Valley'

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.

Meitei group surrenders 246 firearms in Manipur

Meitei group surrenders 246 firearms in Manipur

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

The Meitei group Arambai Tenggol surrendered 246 firearms to security forces in Manipur, bringing the total number of weapons surrendered to 307. The surrender follows a deadline set by Governor Ajay Bhalla for the return of illegal weapons. Arambai Tenggol's decision was influenced by assurances from the governor, including the eradication of opium poppy cultivation, implementation of border fencing, and a general amnesty for members of the group. Officials believe the surrender will contribute to restoring peace in the state, which has been rocked by ethnic violence for nearly two years. The police have urged others in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them before the deadline. Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh welcomed the surrender, calling it a "big step towards peace."

'President's Rule Isn't Good For Manipur'

'President's Rule Isn't Good For Manipur'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

'All MLAs have the same demand -- to form the next BJP government in Manipur as early as possible.'

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.

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.

Galwan Valley martyr's father beaten, arrested for 'encroachment' in Bihar

Galwan Valley martyr's father beaten, arrested for 'encroachment' in Bihar

Rediff.com28 Feb 2023

The brother of the martyr, Jai Kishore Singh, who himself is in the armed forces, accused the police of thrashing his father and abusing him.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Militants have free run of Imphal valley instigating mobs, say security forces

Militants have free run of Imphal valley instigating mobs, say security forces

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

The security agencies have been warning that militants belonging to United National Liberation Front, People's Liberation Army and other banned groups had become part of the mobs and carrying out sneak attacks on security forces as well as giving directions to the agitators.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Mother Weeps For Her Murdered Child

A Mother Weeps For Her Murdered Child

Rediff.com25 Oct 2024

Zahoor Ahmad Mir, an army porter, was murdered by terrorists.

No funeral without autopsy reports of slain Kuki-Zo men: Tribal body

No funeral without autopsy reports of slain Kuki-Zo men: Tribal body

Rediff.com17 Nov 2024

The funeral of 10 Kuki-Zo youths, who were killed in an alleged gunfight with CRPF, has been delayed pending the release of post-mortem reports. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), representing the Kuki-Zo community, is exploring the possibility of conducting a second autopsy in Churachandpur. The youths' bodies were airlifted to Churachandpur from Assam's Silchar town on Saturday. The incident follows a series of clashes between security forces and militants in the region. The post-mortem examination of the 10 Kuki-Zo youths, who ITLF claimed were village volunteers as against the Manipur government's assertion that they were militants, was conducted at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam. The bodies have been kept in the local hospital morgue for the time being.

From Lambretta to Aamby Valley Project: Rise and fall of Subrata Roy

From Lambretta to Aamby Valley Project: Rise and fall of Subrata Roy

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

The story of Sahara India Pariwar founder Subrata Roy, who died in Mumbai on November 14 aged 75, is the stuff of movies - of a spectacular rise and an equally spectacular fall. Born in Araria, Bihar, Roy was 30 when he set up Sahara in 1978. He started with a capital of about Rs 2,000, a peon, a clerk and his father's Lambretta scooter in Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh, writes Tamal Bandyopadhyay in his 2014 book, Sahara: The Untold Story. Sahara was not his first venture.

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.

AFSPA reimposed in Jiribam, 5 other areas in Manipur

AFSPA reimposed in Jiribam, 5 other areas in Manipur

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

The Centre has reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur's six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam.

10 Kuki youths shot multiple times, mostly on the back: Autopsy

10 Kuki youths shot multiple times, mostly on the back: Autopsy

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Post-mortem examination reports of 10 Kuki-Zo youths killed in an alleged gunfight with CRPF in Manipur have revealed that they sustained multiple fatal bullet injuries, with most of them fired from behind. The reports also noted that the youths were in camouflage and khaki dresses when they were brought for autopsy. The incident has raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

India's 10 Prettiest Villages

India's 10 Prettiest Villages

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Here's your travel guide to exploring some of India's most beautiful villages.

Evacuated all citizens who wished to return from Syria: Govt

Evacuated all citizens who wished to return from Syria: Govt

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

India has successfully evacuated all of its citizens who wished to return home from Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar Assad's government by rebel forces. The evacuation process, which began on Tuesday, saw 77 Indian nationals brought back to safety. The Indian Embassy in Syria continues to function and is monitoring the situation closely, advocating for a peaceful and inclusive political solution.

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.

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.

BJP can win many seats in Assam's minority areas if...: Himanta

BJP can win many seats in Assam's minority areas if...: Himanta

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma believes that the BJP could win more seats in the state by aggressively campaigning in minority-dominated areas. He attributed the party's recent success in the bypolls to its beneficiary schemes, which he claims have garnered support from the minority community. Sarma emphasized that the BJP will continue with its development work for all communities and has no plans for appeasement. He also gave an update on the Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge project, which is progressing well and is scheduled to be opened to the public in July 2025. Sarma also hinted at a possible cabinet reshuffle in the coming months.

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'.

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.

MHA asks security forces to take 'necessary steps' to restore peace in Manipur

MHA asks security forces to take 'necessary steps' to restore peace in Manipur

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

A fresh cycle of violence erupted in Manipur last Monday after 11 suspected militants, who allegedly attacked a police station and adjoining CRPF camp with sophisticated weapons in Manipur's Jiribam district, were killed in an exchange of fire.