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Govt to book land-grabbers under PSA
Heavy rain floods city roads
Eid celebrated with fervour in Valley
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Private schools open despite holiday
Troop Withdrawal
Barbed Wire Fence
Handwara Youth’s Death
CM’s advisers assure stranded passengers of safe travel
BJP seeks National Basmati Mission
Five doctors suspended in Bandipora
Smriti Irani to felicitate
war widows
Cement smuggling bid foiled
Army jawan found dead
Highway opened to one-way traffic
Awareness camp for women
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Govt to book land-grabbers under PSA
Jammu, February 16 “We have told those involved in the grabbing of land to vacate it voluntarily. Otherwise, they will face action under the Public Safety Act,” Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla said while interacting with people in the Channi Himat area. He asked the people not to encroach upon government land and said the Revenue Department had asked the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioners to identify those involved in the grabbing of land and take stern action against them under the PSA. There were media reports highlighting the involvement of politician, bureaucrats and police officers in the grabbing of prime land in the city. Instructions were issued to the revenue staff to stop giving ownership rights of ‘gair mumkin khuds’ (unorganised wetlands), which were the main source of the encroachments, the minister said. The minister warned the officials concerned against patronising and officially supporting those involved in the grabbing of land. It may be recalled that the famous Gol Mahal heritage monument was damaged by the property dealers despite a probe ordered by the government to stop any further encroachment upon and destruction of the monument. Meanwhile, the Congress Sewa Dal today demanded a high-level enquiry into the politician-land grabber nexus. Addressing a press conference, the state chief of the dal, Balvinder Singh Sambyal, expressed concern about reports in this regard and demanded that the allegations should be investigated by the CBI. He said such reports had damaged the credibility of the government. The organisation also praised the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, for taking serious note of the reports. He offered full support to Omar in eradicating corruption.
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Heavy rain floods city roads
Jammu, February 16 The business of the shopkeepers in the area was also affected. The other areas flooded by the rainwater were Bakshi Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Bikram
Chowk, Talab Tillo and Udhaywala. The rainwater also washed away sandstones placed on the roads for the excavation work being carried out by various construction agencies for laying pipes in the
city. Srinagar: After remaining blocked for several days, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was reopened to one-way traffic today. “The highway has been reopened to one-way traffic. We cleared the stranded vehicles and allowed traffic from Jammu to
Srinagar,” a senior officer of the traffic police said. The highway was closed after a portion of the road was washed away due to landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain
and snow. The officer said around 800 vehicles, including 400 trucks, had been allowed to move so far and the process to clear other stranded vehicles was on. “We are hopeful that all
Srinagar-bound vehicles would be cleared by the evening. Though the road has been partially thrown open, it will take sometime to restore two-way traffic,” he said. |
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Eid celebrated with fervour in Valley
Srinagar, February 16 The police and the security forces had made tight security arrangements to ensure that the festival passed off peacefully. The authorities had also made arrangements for the transportation of devotees in SRTC buses to the Hazratbal shrine from various parts of the Valley. “We prayed for peace in the Valley. The bloodshed should end and the people must live happily,” said Abdul Aziz, who had come from Budgam district. “Like me, lakhs of Muslims from all across the Valley make it a point to offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine every year,” he added. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flew in from Jammu to offer prayers and have a glimpse of the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad. “I am now off to Dargah Hazratbal for prayers and Deedar (glimpse). So much to thank The Almighty for,” Omar wrote on the popular Twitter soon after arriving here. While the government had illuminated most of the landmarks in the city, private homes were also well-lit and decorated on the occasion. The week-long celebrations have been marked by night prayers in many mosques and shrines, with the people praying for forgiveness from the Almighty and peace in their homeland.
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Special prayers mark Eid
Jammu, February 16 According to a statement issued here today, the programme was held at 8 pm yesterday and a large number of devotees participated. Mian Maqbool spoke about the life history and the accomplishments of Hazarat Mohammad (SAW) and urged the people to follow the path shown by Him. A procession was also held on the occasion. It originated from the Jamia Masjid, passed through various areas and culminated at Sarwal Chowk. Women and children also participated in a good number in the procession.
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Private schools open despite holiday
Jammu, February 16 Delhi Public School, KC Public School and Wonder World School held classes as usual. “It has become a routine for some private schools to hold classes on holidays. This puts a lot of pressure on children,” said Rakesh Mehta, a resident. “It seems the managements of private schools have a parallel directorate, which decides their academic calendar. Despite strict warnings from the government, they keep their premises open,” said a couple. The Chief Education Officer of Jammu, Natha Ram, said: “No complaint has been received yet. We will take strict action and ensure that the rules are not flouted.” In September, certain schools were functional on Jumat-ul-Vida. “Last year, many private schools in Jammu, which functioned on a gazetted holiday, were fined Rs 5,000 and given a strict warning,” he said. “The private schools, which were open today, would be derecognised,” he said. |
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Troop Withdrawal
Jammu, February 16 Quoting the Army Chief, Jitendra Singh said Gen VK Singh had in a subtle but meaningful way suggested that the government ought to take a holistic view of the situation. He drew attention to a point made by Gen VK Singh about the AFSPA that “the Act was enforced with some objective and those opposing it do so for personal interests”. The BJP spokesman said even though the number of militants operating in the state might have come down, in the past week, Hizbul Mujahideen militants could be eliminated only with the help of the Army and paramilitary forces. He said some political groups and their leaders were indulging in Army-bashing simply to score political points though they did not have the courage to condemn militant leaders. He recalled that last week General Singh had also called for ideological clarity while taking decisions regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Making the Army a scapegoat for political mileage and then taking its help in dealing with every difficult situation, whether militancy or natural calamities, had become a habit with the state and Central governments, said Jitendra Singh. |
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Barbed Wire Fence
Jammu, February 16 Of the 202-km-long international border, the BSF has the operational responsibility of the 192-km stretch from the Ravi in Lakhanpur to the Chenab in Akhnoor. “After we met the Jammu Divisional Commissioner, he told the revenue authorities to identify the land to be taken over for the fence. Unless the authorities do so, how can we pay the rent to the farmers,”asked a senior BSF officer. Being a Central project, there would be no problem in paying the rent to the farmers,but the state administration had to complete the process, he added. Jammu State Morcha legislator from Bishnah Ashwani Sharma said: “Not a single penny has been paid to the land owners so far and in some cases, marginal farmers in my constituency have lost their small holdings to the fence.” In the past 20 years, the BSF had taken possession of vast tracts of agricultural land in the forward areas of Samba, Kathua, Bishnah and RS Pura sectors for the fence. BJP legislator from Suchetgarh Sham Choudhary said even after 20 years, the BSF had not paid a single penny to the farmers for the possession of 1400 kanals . In the Nikowal area,nearly 2000 kanals had been fenced, he said. He said the BSF was not clear how much land it required for the fencing.
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Handwara Youth’s Death
Srinagar, February 16 The reports had suggested that the youth, Manzoor Ahmad Magray, who was allegedly having an affair with a girl of the same village, had left his house late at night on February 5, without informing his family members. His body was recovered next morning and the Army later regretted his death. It stated that the troops, who had laid an ambush on specific information about the suspected movement of militants in the village, fired at two persons moving suspiciously in the area. While one of them died, the other escaped around 10.45 pm. DIG, North Kashmir range, Muneer Khan said the police was looking into the media reports about the circumstances in which Magray left his home at night and his death in the ambush. He said the investigations were going on and nothing could be concluded “unless facts are supported by evidence”. A magisterial inquiry into the incident was in progress and its report was expected in a month. The inquiry being conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara district was ordered by the District Development Commissioner. An FIR was also lodged under Section 302 of the RPC against the Army at Handwara police station. Sources said the inquiry so far had revealed that the youth died due to the loss of blood following a bullet injury in his foot and splinter injuries in the back. This had been corroborated by a police report. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also spoke about the report yesterday. The statements of four relatives, including Margay’s father and brother, and two other residents had been recorded by the magistrate,who was yet to contact the Army for its report. The statements of others having knowledge about the incident would be recorded later.
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CM’s advisers assure stranded passengers of safe travel
Jammu, February 16 The Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Pawan Kotwal; the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, Sanjeev Verma; the Director of Information, Khawaja Farooq Renzushah; and senior officers of the SRTC, the police and the district administration accompanied them. The advisers said the Chief Minister was monitoring the situation. They instructed the officials to offer free langer to the stranded passengers and ensure that all essential items were provided at genuine prices.They assured the passengers that all possible measures were taken for their safe travel to the Valley. They also instructed the SRTC authorities to arrange buses for their journey.
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BJP seeks National Basmati Mission
Jammu, February 16 The BJP legislator, Gharu Ram, said the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, in the meeting of the Jammu District Development Board held yesterday, had assured that he would urge the Prime Minister to announce the National Basmati Mission during the convocation. He said the Prime Minister had sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the National Saffron Mission to the SKUAST, Kashmir during his visit to the Kashmir valley last year. In this regard, the legislator said a project of Rs 500 crore had already been submitted to the Union Government.
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Five doctors suspended in Bandipora
Srinagar, February 16 “The suspended doctors include a Block Medical Officer,” said an official source. |
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Smriti Irani to felicitate
war widows
Jammu, February 16 This was disclosed by the state president of the morcha, Sakina Bano, while addressing a meeting of office-bearers here today. The state president of the BJP, Shamsher Singh Manhas, was also present. Sakina Bano said the BJP was inclined to strengthening and boosting the morale of the soldiers. Sakina Bano said the morcha would set up a “Naari Shakti Kendra” in every district for looking after the economic, social, legal and health-related problems of women. |
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Cement smuggling bid foiled
Jammu, February 16 A bag of cement, which costs Rs 292 in Punjab, is available here at a price ranging between Rs 385 and Rs 400. The Dharamsal police has registered a case under Section 3/7 of the Excise and Customs Act and Section 420 of the RPC. The police said last year, a case was registered against Rahul Trading Company, Kathua, for allegedly smuggling in the cement. The owners of the firm have been evading arrest since then.
— TNS |
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Army jawan found dead
Jammu, February 16 Sanjeev, son of Rumal Singh Saini, a resident of Bari Brahamana, was found dead with a bullet injury on his head, the police said. He had joined the Army three years ago. After an Army officer informed the police about Sanjeev’s death, it went to the spot, collected samples and shifted the body to hospital. “At this stage of investigations, we can’t say anything about the death. It is a mystery, which would be solved after a post-mortem ,” said a police official at the Jourian post. He said the rifle of the deceased was seized and a shell recovered.
— TNS |
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Highway opened to one-way traffic
Srinagar, February 16 The highway was closed after a portion of the road was washed away due to landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain and snow. The officer said around 800 vehicles, including 400 trucks, had been allowed to move so far and the process to clear other stranded vehicles was on. |
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Awareness camp for women
Jammu, February 16 Nearly 200 women falling in the below poverty line category participated in the camp and were made aware of the schemes under self-help groups being run by the Directorate of Rural Development. The Block Development Officer, Vijaypur, Noor Alam was the chief guest.He explained to the participants the schemes of the self-help groups and procedures for taking up their benefit. The President, Jagriti Mahila Udyog, Veena Bakshi, motivated the women to form self-help groups to improve their living.
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Jammu, February 16
Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi was celebrated with gaiety and fervour in the Kashmir valley today. Devotees offered prayers at mosques, including the Hazratbal shrine. Men, women and children thronged the Hazratbal shrine.
