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Amarnath yatra begins, Governor pays obeisance
Ultra commits suicide in Sopore mosque
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Adventure sports in state of neglect in Kishtwar
Water wastage at PHE pumping station irks Narwal residents
State to have 22 more degree colleges
Mirwaiz of south Kashmir dead
Shab-e-Mehraj holiday today
Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief to be shifted to Srinagar
Fresh survey of differently-abled persons planned
Professor-Student clash
Teaching of statistics
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Amarnath yatra begins, Governor pays obeisance
Srinagar/Jammu, June 29 The Governor prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state. The First Lady, Usha Vohra, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), RK Goyal, also paid obeisance at the shrine along with a number of pilgrims. Earlier the Governor, who is also the Chairman of the SASB, reviewed the overall arrangements made for the yatris and expressed satisfaction at the support extended by the state government and the security forces. He stressed the need for effective supervision and monitoring on a continuing basis for ensuring a smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. Later, the Governor flew down to the Baltal base camp, where he was joined by Minister for Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad.He launched a sanitation campaign organised by the Shri Amarnath Barfani Langar Organisation (SABLO) with a view to maintaining cleanliness in the entire yatra area, particularly in and around the langar areas. The Governor later visited Pahalgam and Chandanwari and reviewed the yatra-related arrangements. He interacted with the yatris at the holy cave, Baltal, Pahalgam and Chandanwari and enquired about the arrangements. On the occasion, the Minister for Forests flagged off helicopter services from Baltal to Panjtarni, while Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora and Minister of State for Tourism and Home Nasir Aslam Wani launched the services from Pahalgam to Panjtarni. The yatra, which began today, will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on August 13. Meanwhile, the CEO of the SASB has reiterated his appeal to the intending pilgrims to embark on the pilgrimage only after obtaining valid permits, as it will ensure against any inconvenience to them. The board has also issued a detailed advisory of do’s and don’ts for the yatris, which have been printed on the reverse of the yatra permit. The yatris should strictly adhere to the detailed advisory as they had to undertake an arduous trek through high mountains with adverse weather conditions, the CEO added. Meanwhile, over 13,000 pilgrims started from Baltal base camp, about 110 km from Srinagar, through the shorter 13-km route leading to the 3,880-metre high cave shrine, an SASB official said. Around 9,000 pilgrims also started their two-day trek to the holy cave through the traditional Pahalgam route, he said. While the pilgrims taking the Baltal route will reach the cave shrine today, those taking the Pahalgam route are expected to reach there by tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, amid tight security, the second batch of 2,185 Amarnath pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu today for Baltal and Pahalgam. The pilgrims, including 441 women and 66 children, left in 66 vehicles around 5 am, an official of the Tourism Department said. |
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Ultra commits suicide in Sopore mosque
Srinagar/Jammu, June 29 When a CRPF party led by Sub-Inspector Badloo Ram chased the militant, he took refuge in a mosque. As the security forces cordoned off the mosque, the militant shot himself in the head, the spokesman said. “A local resident, Mohammad Akbar Sofi, entered the mosque and confirmed that a body along with a pistol was lying in the mosque. The body was removed with the help of two other civilians and some (Muslim) police personnel,” he said. A pistol with magazine, three empty cartridges and a live round were recovered from the mosque, he said. Officials had earlier said the militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces. According to the spokesman, the militant was involved in stone throwing incidents and several cases were registered against him. Khuroo had previously worked in the shop of Ubaid Tariq Untoo, who was involved in an incident of firing on a police station in Sopore recently. Four AK 47 magazines were recovered from that shop. For the last three months, Khuroo was working in the clinic of Dr Mohammad Ramzan Sofi where two militants of the LeT, Kalimullah and Wasim Ganai, were killed on March 12, he added. Meanwhile, BSF personnel opened fire after they noticed suspicious movement of two persons near the fence on the forward Balad post in the Ramgarh sector early today. Reports said the troops fired nearly 15 rounds and later started a search operation in the area as there were inputs that a group of militants was waiting to infiltrate from across the border to disrupt the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage. |
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Focus on backward areas’ development: Omar
Srinagar, June 29 Talking to various deputations at “Awami Mulakat” here today, the Chief Minister said reaching out to the people in every region and sub-region to address the development needs was a basic necessity for a holistic and integrated
development. “My government has flagged this aspect as one of the most important concerns,” he said, adding that the regular public contact had been made a permanent feature in the day-to-day official fixtures of the government and the administration. The Chief Minister said the government would pay more attention to the faster development of the backward and underdeveloped areas that had remained out of the development purview in the past. He said decentralisation of powers and involvement of the grass-roots representatives in the development process were the initiatives in this direction. Omar said his government had concentrated attention on five important sectors of power, road communication, water supply, health and education, while the other sectors were also receiving due focus. He said various measures had been taken to make development policy comprehensive, balanced and equitable all across the state. “Our aim is to come up to the expectations of the people and deliver efficiently,” he said, adding that economic prosperity of the far-flung and backward pockets had also been flagged as the priority area. As many as 54 deputations and over 1,500 individuals met the Chief Minister at the “Awami Mulakat” and submitted memorandum. The deputations were from Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Tangmarg, Sopore, Kupwara, Bandipora, Uri, Budgam, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Srigophwara, Qazigund, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Udhampur, Jammu and
Kargil. |
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Adventure sports in state of neglect in Kishtwar
Kishtwar, June 29 People here recall the time before the start of militancy, almost two decades ago, when mountaineering and trekking buffs from Europe, Asia as well from within the country used to converge at Kishtwar to scale picturesque peaks of the area. The trend had its economic aspect in terms of work for the porters, owners of ponies as well as the local business community. The peaks in Kishtwar were the most favoured destination for mountaineers from England, Japan, France, Poland and Switzerland. Making a strong case for the revival of adventure sports, Abdul Hamid Hap, a stamp vendor, who had worked with several foreign expedition teams, recalled how he had organised 40 ponies for an expedition team from Japan at Rs 250 per pony in 1986. “Now, the owners of the ponies hardly have any work. The government should pay attention to adventure sports for the economic welfare of the people,” he said. Kishtwar was the base camp for the mountaineers, who used to spend three months here, but they stopped coming after the start of the militancy. “With the return of normalcy, the government should pro-actively organise adventure sports in this area as part of its overall development by including events like river rafting. The Chenab and its tributaries, Chandra and Bhaga, present an ultimate challenge to the white water rafters,” said Youth Congress leader Sheikh Nasir Hussain, Advocate. A number of requests were made to the government as well as to the authorities concerned to organise river rafting, but nothing has been done till date in this regard. However, Kishtwar’s Zanskar Range is ideal for the high altitude trekking with the high passes like the Umasi-la at a height of over 17,000 ft. Hanzal village in Dacchan to Inshan village in Warwan is the most ideal trekking route. Though it is the right time to revive such sports to give the much-needed boost to the tourism sector, the government response, except assurances and claims, is a cause of public resentment. “We fail to understand why the government seems disinterested, despite a huge potential of such sports. The facilities are better now as compared to the days when mountaineers and trekkers had to walk to their destination from Kishtwar,” said Noor Hussain Malik, president of the Kishtwar Peoples Progressive Forum. |
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Water wastage at PHE pumping station irks Narwal residents
Jammu, June 29 Residents of Narwal and its adjoining areas like Rajiv Nagar, Kasim Nagar, Bathindi and Sunjawan alleged that lakhs of gallons of water is wasted at the pumping station behind Narwal police station daily due to the alleged mismanagement by the PHE Department. “The department tells the people of our area that there is an acute shortage of water, but one wonders why water from the pumping station is always going down the drain while tankers are being filled up there and even otherwise also,” said Ram Prakash, a resident of Sunjawan. “The piped water supply to the area is erratic and inadequate. Whenever we approach the PHE officials for additional water supply through tankers, we are told that there is no water. However, the way water is being wasted by the department exposes the apathetic attitude of its employees towards the problems of the common man,” said Amar Jeet, another resident. Vijay Sharma, yet another resident of the area, vented his anger at the PHE Department saying, “Whenever I visit the PHE office, no official is present there. Class IV employees there always reply that the senior officials have gone out on official duty. It seems that the PHE officials are not accountable to anyone.” “Our area does not come under the jurisdiction of the Jammu Municipal Corporation. Therefore, the piped water supply is not regulated. Some households have more than two water connections while the others do not get adequate and hygienic water supply regularly,” he added. Executive Engineer, City II, Nitya Nand Raina was not available for comments at his Shastri Nagar Office. |
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BJP, PDP hold protests in Jammu
Jammu, June 29 National general secretary of the BSP Narinder Kashyap arrived here from Uttar Pradesh today to address the demonstrators. The PDP also protested against the price rise and corruption. A large number of BSP workers from different parts of the Jammu province gathered outside Exhibition Ground to take part in the protest. Amid shouting of slogans against the Central government, Kashyap said the recent hike in the prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas had put additional burden on the poor. He said the UPA regime was more interested about furthering the interests of the capitalists than protecting the poor people from starvation. Kashyap regretted that instead of showing mercy to the poor, the UPA government had compounded the woes of the masses by the recent fuel price hike. State president of the BSP Tulsi Das Langeh said the fuel price hike was unjustified. Activists of the BJP also held a demonstration in the city against the pro-rich policies of the UPA government. The BJP workers at Talab Tillo said while on the one hand the UPA government was supporting corrupt ministers, on the other it had raised fuel prices to cater to the interests of the capitalists. They announced that the party’s campaign against corruption and the price rise would continue. The PDP, besides attacking the Centre for its failure to control the rising prices of essential commodities, took the National Conference (NC)-led state government to task for its failure to give relief to the people. It charged the state government with patronising corrupt elements in the administration. |
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State to have 22 more degree colleges
Srinagar, June 29 The model degree colleges will be set up at DH Pora (Kulgam), Tangmarg (Baramulla), Charar-i-Sharief (Budgam), Zanaskar (Kargil), Marwah (Kishtwar), Mahanpur (Kathua), Women’s Degree College (Kupwara), Surankote (Poonch), Kalakote (Rajouri), Nobra (Leh) and Sarah Bagha Mahore (Reasi). This was stated by Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik here today. He said 11 more colleges would be set up at Kangan (Ganderbal), Khour (Jammu), Jhandra (Jammu), Pampore (Pulwama), Thathri (Doda), Sunderbani (Rajouri), Vailoo-Larnoo (Anantnag), Hadipora (Baramulla), Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan (Srinagar), Gool (Ramban) and Magam (Budgam) under the plan. In all, 22 new degree colleges would be set up in the state that would revolutionise the higher education scenario in the coming years, an official spokesperson said. Malik said at the behest of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah a comprehensive survey was conducted to ascertain viability for setting up the new degree colleges, keeping in view the genuineness and geographical educational backwardness of the area. He said the thrust had been laid on the uncovered areas. Calling it a landmark decision, the minister expressed the hope that by setting up the colleges, the long-pending demands of the people living in the far-flung areas would be fulfilled. Colleges to come up at DH Pora (Kulgam), Tangmarg (Baramulla), Charar-i-Sharief (Budgam), Zanaskar (Kargil), Marwah (Kishtwar), Mahanpur (Kathua), Women’s Degree College (Kupwara), Surankote (Poonch), Kalakote (Rajouri), Nubra (Leh), Sarah Bagha Mahore (Reasi), Kangan (Ganderbal), Khour (Jammu), Jhandra (Jammu), Pampore (Pulwama), Thathri (Doda), Sunderbani (Rajouri), Vailoo-Larnoo (Anantnag), Hadipora (Baramulla), Bagh-e-Dilawar Khan (Srinagar), Gool (Ramban) and Magam (Budgam)
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Mirwaiz of south Kashmir dead
Srinagar, June 29 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over Amanullah’s demise saying it had created a vacuum in the religious circles. He said the Mirwaiz was a popular religious figure, who enlightened the people of south Kashmir through his inspiring sermons throughout his life. Omar termed him as a religious luminary and pious soul, who worked for peace, harmony and brotherhood, besides preaching religious and human values. Belonging to a well-known scholarly family, the Mirwaiz was the president of the Ulema wing of the Peace Foundation
also, where he actively contributed to peace and normalcy. PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti also expressed shock over Amanullah’s death. The two leaders said Amanullah was a dedicated social worker, who had done a lot for the needy and deserving people of the area. |
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Shab-e-Mehraj holiday today
Srinagar, June 29 The minister was speaking at a high-level meeting convened to oversee the arrangements being made for the smooth conduct of the Mehraj Aalam celebrations. MLA, Hazratbal, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, Vice-Chairman, J&K, Waqaf Board, M. Y. Qadri and police and civil officials attended the meeting. The minister impressed upon officers of the PDD and the PHE departments to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply to the area and its adjoining areas during the annual Urs so that the devotees coming from different parts of the Valley did not face any inconvenience. |
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Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief to be shifted to Srinagar
jail
Srinagar, June 29 Hearing a plea from Indrabi's counsel and Kashmir Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom, Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain of the high court passed directions to the state government to shift the separatist leader from Kotbhalawal jail in Jammu to Central Jail, Srinagar. The state government had pleaded that since there was no facility for lodging women detenues in Baramulla, she had been lodged at Kotbhalwal jail in Jammu. However, the judge noted that the state had given no reasons why the separatist leader was not put up at Central Jail Srinagar, where the facility for lodging women detenues was available. The Dukhtaran chief was arrested on August 28 last year at the peak of summer unrest in the Valley on the charges of fuelling street protests. She has been booked under the Public Safety Act, which provides for detention of a person up to two years without a trial.
— PTI |
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Fresh survey of differently-abled persons planned
Srinagar, June 29 She was speaking at the inaugural function to distribute hearing aids organised by the Composite Regional Centre (CRC) here today. About 150 hearing aids and 10 wheelchairs were distributed among the needy at the function, an official spokesman said. The minister said over 1.35 lakh needy persons had been provided rehabilitation services by the CRC till now. He added that more than 16,000 aids and appliances had been distributed among differently abled persons free of cost. Sakina reaffirmed that the demands put forth by the Handicapped Persons Association would be fulfilled. She said, “It is our moral duty to provide all possible help to differently-abled persons.” She also directed Hilal Ahmad Parray, Director of the CRC, to organise awareness camps in the rural and far-off areas to provide rehabilitation services to the needy at the doorstep. Skaina said various loan schemes had been launched for special girl students to pursue higher studies. |
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Professor-Student clash
Jammu, June 29 “Yes, we have submitted the report to the office of the Dean, Academics Affairs (DAA). But,we can’t share our findings with you as we are not authorised to talk to the media,” said Dr Shailendra Jamwal, a member of the committee. The committee was to submit its report on June 23, but as some of its members were not present in the city at that time, it could not do so. RD Sharma, DAA, said: “I have not even seen the report yet and it will be first submitted to the Vice-Chancellor and then he will give the permission to share it with the media.” |
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Teaching of statistics
Jammu, June 29 Sanjay Sharma, president of the forum, appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that as statistics was being taught in three colleges and a few government schools in the Jammu division and 10 colleges in the Kashmir division, the government should take immediate steps to introduce it at the school and college levels. |
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