J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Houses for quake-hit a challenge
Uri, November 11
A month after the devastating quake, the gigantic task before the authorities and the locals here remains the reconstruction of permanent structures in view of the fast-approaching winter even as basic requirements have been met with. 

Mankotia elected leader of Panthers
Party in House
Jammu, November 11
The Panthers Party is heading for a possible split with its legislature party today removing Mr Harshdev Singh from the post of its leader and electing Mr Balwant Singh Mankotia in his place. Mr Mankotia, who is considered a loyalist of Mr Bhim singh, chairman of the party, was elected leader of the legislature party by three of the five legislators.

Sikhs want CBI probe into Chittisinghpura massacre
Jammu, November 11
The Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Seva Society has demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing of innocent Sikhs at Chittisinghpura and Mehjoor Nagar in Kashmir during the National Conference regime and stringent punishment to the guilty.

Houses for quake-hit a challenge
Tribune News Service

Uri, November 11
A month after the devastating quake, the gigantic task before the authorities and the locals here remains the reconstruction of permanent structures in view of the fast-approaching winter even as basic requirements have been met with. This is becoming difficult due to lack of requisite professional manpower, including carpenters and masons who are required in the construction of houses, though such teams have started pouring in, according to the officials here.

The basic requirements of food, clothing, temporary shelters, supply of essential commodities, first aid and health care have been taken care of with the active participation of the Army. These services, according to Col P.K. Singh, supervising the relief and rehabilitation measures, were provided well in time. The priority now was the immediate construction of residential houses.

The construction of houses could be hampered due to bad weather conditions ahead of the fast approaching winter. It will require a couple of months with the involvement of professional manpower and labourers, which seems to be lacking in view of the damage caused to a vast area.

Huge quantity of relief supplies mainly truckloads of food-grains, rice, sugar, atta, blankets, tents etc. were provided by the government and non-government agencies and organisations soon after the catastrophy. The extent of the supplies was so huge that it became difficult for the official agencies concerned to manage the equal distribution to all those affected.

According to Mr B.A. Runiyal, Relief Commissioner, Uri, the relief operations for the affected population were in full swing. No stone was left unturned to reach out to the needy quake victims. Those who had lost their houses in the quake had already been given a cash assistance of Rs 40,000 each, while an additional amount of Rs 31,000 was provided for the construction of temporary sheds ahead of the approaching winter.

In order to overcome the problems due to the fast-approaching winter, the Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, has announced an incentive of Rs 5000 for those who would complete the temporary shelter sheds by or before November 30 in Uri and Tangdhar. The government has already sanctioned Rs 30,000 for construction of these shelter sheds to the earthquake-affected families of Uri and Tangdhar whose houses have totally been damaged.

A high level meeting to review the relief and rehabilitation measures presided over by the Chief Minister in Srinagar on Wednesday was told that the affected families were being persuaded to construct temporary shelter sheds, utilize tin sheets and timber speedily before onset of winter. Each family having lost his house completely is being paid Rs 30,000 for the purpose.

The Chief Minister has directed that all the families who complete the construction of temporary sheds before November 30 and seeks a certificate to this effect from the engineer placed in each affected village for guidance of the people should be given additional Rs 5000 as an incentive.

The Chief Minister has fixed two deadline dates for the administration for completing distribution of ex-gratia relief to the affected families. The first deadline of November 15 has been fixed for providing relief money to all such families whose cases have been finalised and are without any dispute. The second deadline of November 20 has been fixed for the distribution of relief for the case where there was any dispute.

Mankotia elected leader of Panthers Party in House
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Sikhs want CBI probe into Chittisinghpura massacre
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
The Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Seva Society has demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing of innocent Sikhs at Chittisinghpura and Mehjoor Nagar in Kashmir during the National Conference regime and stringent punishment to the guilty.

The demand was made today at a meeting of various Sikh organisations which was held here under the chairmanship of Mr Mohinder Singh, chief organiser of the society. They demanded that the report of the inquiry commission regarding the massacre should be made public.