SEPARATISTS WARN OF STIR IN KASHMIR OVER ARTICLE 35A

SRINAGAR: As the date nears for a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of Article 35A of the Constitution, there is increasing unease in Kashmir . The law guarantees special privileges to the restive state. Top separatist leaders of Kashmir on Sunday called for strikes on August 5 and 6 in Jammu and Kashmir and warned of launching a “mass agitation of hitting and occupying streets” if any tinkering with 35A is allowed to take place under the legal garb.

RSS, Hindu outfits disown strike over Sabarimala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The RSS and other organisations have disowned the state-wide strike called by a little-known organisation Ayyappa Sena on Monday to protest the move to allow women of productive age in Sabarimala temple. The Sena has also threatened to prevent women at the base camp Pambha if the age-old customs were diluted. The state government, which supported women entry said it will take strict action against those who try to disrupt normal life.

Citizenship panel to submit report during winter session

NEW DELHI : A joint parliamentary committee, which is examining a controversial bill seeking to amend the six-decade-old Citizenship Act, will not submit its report during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. It will table it in the winter session to be held in November-december, sources privy to the development said. They said a motion seeking permission to submit the report is expected to be moved in the Lok Sabha this week.

‘Dignity kits’, sleeping bags on anvil for disaster victims

NEW DELHI: ‘Dignity kits’--containing basic toiletries, a pair of clothes and hygiene items-- sleeping bags, mats, and portable handpumps are some of the latest first response items that will be provided by the NDRF to ensure quick relief to victims of major calamities in the country. The disaster contingency force has gone in for a first-time mega procurement of items as part of arming itself with goods for the National Distaster Response Reserve (NDRR) that is meant to be provided as the primary survival kit for victims.

Maoist couple with ₹5 lakh on their head surrender

BHUBANESWAR: Days after the Gurupriya bridge connecting to the Maoist bastion of erstwhile cut-off area in Malkangiri district was inaugurated, a Maoist couple on Sunday surrendered before the Odisha police. Waga Urmani alias