Protest erupted in Pulwama over power shortage; Media continued to boycott J&K Assembly proceedings; Two Kashmiri youths held in the Capital; Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani may be questioned by the India’s Ministry of Home Affairs
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    • According to reports, massive protests erupted in Pulwama over continued breakdown of electricity in the area following a fire incident at the local receiving station a month back. The town also observed complete shutdown to protest official neglect. Hundreds of protesters took to streets raising slogans against the state government over its failure to restore the damaged transformer at the local receiving station. The shops and other business establishments remained closed while the traffic was also off the roads. The protesters also attacked the motorcade of Member Parliament Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri. 1

    In another development, according to reports, media continued to boycott the coverage of proceedings of state legislature on second consecutive day against the controversial remarks made by Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone. Despite intervention of Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Chief Minister’s Political Advisor Devender Singh Rana and several MLAs to end the deadlock, nearly 100 media persons staged a sit-in outside the Assembly complex seeking to expunge the remarks of the Speaker from the records of the House. Lone had earlier remarked that the media is under his control and they need to reveal their sources. This created resentment among the media persons who immediately left the press gallery and decided to boycott the ongoing proceedings. 2

    According to reports, two youths who were recently arrested by Delhi Police on the charges of planning to carry out bomb blasts in New Delhi, hail from north Kashmir’s Sopore area. Sources said the JK Police had provided the tip off to the Delhi Police about the duo.
    The Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had, at a press conference in Delhi said that the security agencies busted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) sponsored militant module in the national capital by arresting two militants who were planning to attack a crowded locality with bombs. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani may be questioned by the Delhi Police in connection with the visa recommendation given to an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba militant who was planning to bomb Delhi. Official sources said a copy of the recommendation letter given by Geelani for getting a Pakistan visa was found in the papers seized from 24-year old Ahtesham Malik, arrested by the Delhi Police recently. 4

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