Awaz Apni

Kashmir Video Report: With no respite in the unrest in Kashmir Valley, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today held consultations with leaders of political parties on steps to defuse the situation amid demands for dilution of the contentious AFSPA on which there is no consensus yet.

Breaking News Srinagar: In a fresh cycle of violence in the Kashmir valley, 17 people have been killed, and at least 45 others have been injured. These deaths are not linked to the violence seen in the past three months, authorities say. The top bureaucrat of the state - Chief Secretary, SS Kapoor - has linked today's violence to allegations that an American desecrated a copy of the Quran. Kapoor said the government respects religious sentiments, and appealed to the public to not be incited by false reports. "If something happens in New York, we in J&K or India have no way of dealing with it. We believe there's a gameplan behind it. We appeal to the good sense of the people of Kashmir. Please cooperate with the administration. Please don't get excited. Please let us deal with it. We will surely take it up in an appropriate manner," said SS Kapoor. The US has also condemned that latest burst of violence. "News reports have stated that on Saturday, Sept...

Awaz Apni Breaking News New Delhi: Top leaders of all major political parties are now at the Prime Minister's residence for a meeting on the Kashmir crisis. The Congress' stand will reflect this line: "The UPA government is making an all-out transparent effort on Kashmir." The agenda of the meeting is a search for consensus on how to check the relentless cycle of violence that has left more than 70 civilians dead in the last three months. Much of the discussion will focus on the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Opinion on the Act is divided not just between parties, but within the government as well. The Act is criticized for giving the Army sweeping powers - it can conduct searches and arrests without warrants, for example. Jammu and Kashmir Chief minister Omar Abdullah wants the Act to be lifted in areas where militancy has been declining. Home Minister P Chidambaram wants to amend the Act to make it more "humane." His bluepri...