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Matador falls into Chenab in Doda, 30 feared killed
The wreckage of the Matador van on the banks of the Chenab near Thathri on Saturday. A Tribune photograph
11 die in Kargil road accident
BJP warns govt against disbanding VDCs
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616 constables inducted into BSF
A new recruit hugged by his father after the parade.
Visa applications of 124 Sikh pilgrims to Pak rejected
Industry resents hike in power tariffs
Shortage of goats pushes up prices in Jammu region
Doubts over financial viability of Doda ropeway project
Over 1,000 attend Army medical camp at Bani
Maj Gen G Sankarnarayanan, GOC, Gurj Division, hands over a wheelchair to
a patient at Bani. A Tribune photograph
Empower Panchayati Raj in earnest, demand Gujjars
Congress continues tirade against Kamal
Traffic restrictions
in Srinagar ahead of Eid
Panthers Party protests against recruitment policy
Members of the Panthers Party hold a protest against the new recruitment policy of the state government in Jammu on Saturday. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh
Army chief on 3-day visit to Ladakh
Annual-cum-sports day celebrated
Students of St. Mary’s Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School perform during the annual-cum-sports day of the school in Jammu on Saturday.
Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh
Eid shoppers throng markets in Kashmir
Fake currency notes case
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Matador falls into Chenab in Doda, 30 feared killed
Udhampur, November 5 Additional Deputy Commissioner, Doda, AR Natnoo, told The Tribune over the phone that the number of passengers in the vehicle could not be confirmed. “One of the injured, who was totally frightened, could only tell us that the vehicle was overloaded. We estimate that the number could be around 15. However, the number could be higher as today was the last working day before Eid, which falls on Monday,” said Natnoo. But eyewitnesses put the number of passengers around 30. The ill-fated Matador (JK 02 F 9028) was going to Thathri from Pul Doda in Doda district. Vimal Singh Manhas, a resident of Prem Nagar, who reached the spot within 10 minutes of the accident, claimed that the vehicle driver, identified as Shashi Sharma, a resident of Bhardra village, was working as conductor with another Matador van a few days ago. Rash driving is said to be the cause of the tragic accident. The eyewitnesses saw bags and other belongings of the passengers floating on the river. Besides the police, Army personnel, Civil Defence volunteers and area residents reached the spot and started rescue operations. Local divers failed to locate the vehicle that fell into the gushing waters of the Chenab. However, the rescue operations were called off due to darkness. “But we will resume the operation after the Army divers specially requisitioned from Srinagar reach here tomorrow morning to retrieve the remaining bodies as well as the vehicle,” added Natnoo. Meanwhile, three bodies have been recovered so far. The dead have been identified as Barkat Ali (35), a resident of Bathri in Gondoh, Mohammad Yusuf (34), a resident of Pyaqul in Thathri, and Irshad Ahmed (32), a resident of Tandle in Gandoh. The injured included Safdar Ali (30), a resident of Sarthal, Kishtwar, and Suresh Kumar (35), a resident of Gali in Thathri. While Suresh was referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, from the District Hospital, Doda in a critical condition, Safdar was admitted to the District Hospital,
Kishtwar.
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11 die in Kargil road accident
Srinagar, November 5 In other accidents in the Kashmir valley, two persons were killed and nine others injured. At least eight persons, including a woman, were injured when a Tata Sumo vehicle collided with a Tata Mobile load carrier at Nowshera in Baramulla district. The injured woman died while she was being shifted to hospital, the police said. Mushtaq Ahmad Gojri was killed when his scooter was hit by a Maruti van near the GB Panth Hospital here. |
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BJP warns govt against disbanding VDCs
Jammu, November 5 Addressing a series of public meetings in erstwhile Doda district on the third day of the ongoing Jan Jagran Yatra of the party, senior BJP leader Nirmal Singh targeted the state government for its “repeated attempts” to disband the VDCs. He said though militancy had badly affected the life of the people in the far flung and remote areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Bhadarwah and Ramban for the last over 20 years, the VDCs had proved to be effective in fighting militants, besides protecting the lives and property of the local population. “As India is growing in every sphere, there is a possibility that foreign nations may try to revive militancy in the state. This will cause more destruction in the state. Not only in Jammu and Kashmir but also in Chhattisgarh the VDCs have proved their utility and hence those who are opposing them in the state should rather ensure that the SPOs on the VDCs are absorbed into the Police Department by enacting an Act on the pattern of the CISF and other security forces,” he demanded. Nirmal said the VDC members had enough
experience of fighting militants and were well aware of the local terrain and traditional routes. He added the BJP would organise a rally in support of the VDCs in the coming days and advocate the permanent absorption of the SPOs into the police force. Sunil Sharma, Capt Hukam Chand (retd) and senior party leaders
Brij Mohan Sharma, Shakti Parihar and Akshay Sharma and others addressed
the yatra, which passed through Kandani, Dhrabshalla, Thathri and adjoining areas of Kishtwar.
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616 constables inducted into BSF
Srinagar, November 5 Malhi congratulated the new recruits for the excellent parade and wished them good luck for future. He also lauded the role of the officers and the training staff of the STC in shaping these young men. The parade was commanded by constable Jahan Yadav. The chief guest also gave away medals to constables Yaseen Khan, Aliza Reyaz and Mohammad Minhaz (Best Cadets) and constables Pankaj Sharma, Bilal Ahmed and Anuj Kumar (Best Shot). The recruits included 385 from Jammu and Kashmir, 182 from Uttar Pradesh, 14 from Delhi, 11 from Haryana, four from Madhya Pradesh, three each from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, two each from Punjab, Orissa, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Bihar and one each from Jharkhand, West Bengal, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
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Visa applications of 124 Sikh pilgrims to Pak rejected
Jammu, November 5 “Much to the disappointment of the devotees, 124 visa applications were rejected. The Pakistan Embassy did not approve of those applicants whose passports had only
one-year validity and who were part of a Sikh jatha, which visited Pakistan in April this year,” said Shamsher Singh Chohalvi, in-charge of the pilgrimage branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Gurdwara Parbandhak Board. He said the Pakistan Embassy blamed the Indian government for the low number of approvals. “They told us that the Indian government has permitted the visit of 3,000 pilgrims only, while over 5,000 applications were received,” he said. He added the jatha would leave Jammu on November 8 and reach Pakistan on November 10. |
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Industry resents hike in power tariffs
Jammu, November 5 The trade and industry have described the move as highly unreasonable and also against the findings
of the SERC. Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, CCI president YV Sharma said
the observations of the SERC were virtually a chargesheet against the PDD. The SERC had objected to the inefficiency and failures on the part of the PDD to check transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, which had risen to 61 per cent in the state. “We, in trade and industry, believe that this T&D losses are deflated and the actual figure is higher. The SERC has also accused the PDD of betraying consumers, as it has failed to supply quality power to even the fully metered areas,” he said. The PDD, in a bid to check the T&D losses, including power pilferage, had promised uninterrupted power supply to the metered areas. The SERC had also taken exception to the frequent unscheduled power cuts, said Sharma. The CCI president also expressed resentment over the way the PDD announced the hike in power tariffs on October 8 and implemented it from October 1. Before announcing the hike in power tariffs, the SERC had interactions with the trade and industry, general consumers and members of the civil society. “All of them were of the view that as the PDD is inefficient, there is no justification of increasing the rates of power,” said Sharma. Everyone felt that the PDD must set its own house in order and collect revenue from the defaulters, especially government departments and the big-wigs, whose dues run into crores, he added. The CCI demanded that the traffic hike and its underlying reasons should be revisited. The tariff hike should be withdrawn with immediate effect. FOIJ chairman Annil Suri said the T&D losses, which were 47.22 per cent at the time of the establishment of the SERC, had risen to 61 per cent. “The PDD had resolved that it would bring down the T&D losses by 4 per cent annually. The hike in power tariffs was a unilateral decision having no logic and justification. Some elements, in connivance with the PDD, are arguing in favour of its privatisation,” he said. He said due to the steep hike in power tariffs, the industrialists may closed down their units, resulting in further increase in unemployment in the state. |
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Shortage of goats pushes up prices in Jammu region
Jammu, November 5 An average goat weighing about 40-45 kg is selling around Rs 25,000 in the open market here, which is, according to the officials of the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department, five times more than the prices fixed by the department. “Most of the livestock has been transported to the Kashmir valley, where the consumption is much higher than the Jammu region. It may be one of the reasons of the sudden spurt in the prices of the livestock, especially of goats, in the Jammu region,” said Dr AK Koul, Director, Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department. To a question about the reason for the livestock being sent to the Valley, Koul said, “Nearly 60 per cent of the goats in Jammu and Kashmir are imported from Rajasthan and the remaining 40 per cent are sourced from the state. Ahead of Eid, butchers from the Valley come to Kathua district, where we have an open market of the livestock, and buy goats at a higher price than offered by the meat sellers of the Jammu region. So, whosoever pays more gets the livestock. This has led to an increase in the prices of goats here.” About the scarcity of goats in the Jammu region, Kaul said, “Goats are available in abundance in markets in Kashmir at prices cheaper than those available in the Jammu region. But we have deputed our doctors and other officials at all major markets, including Gujjar Nagar, Talab Khatikan, Ustad Mohalla and Malik Market, here so that the sale of unhealthy livestock could be checked,” he added. He also made it clear that the department would not
provide any subsidy on the goats. |
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Doubts over financial viability of Doda ropeway project
Udhampur, November 5 The issue caught the attention of the state government and Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation finally floated a tender to install the ropeway between Langoot (Dangrota) and Lal Draman at an estimated cost of Rs 6.20 crore a couple of days ago. Though MLA, Doda, Abdul Majid Wani welcomed the development, Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan thought otherwise. Farooq said no private party was expected to respond to the tender notice as the project did not seem to be financially profitable in the absence of an assured number of tourists. “Since Lal Draman is not an established tourist spot having no road connectivity, I don’t think any private party will come forward to bid for the ropeway proposed to be installed on the built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis,” Farooq told The Tribune over the phone. He was not privy to the decision regarding the project, he added. Skeptics alleged Doda had never been on the development agenda of any state government. Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had, during the last days of his government in 2008, promised to set up the Doda Development Authority as well as an air circuit to attract pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to Lal Draman and Dal Draman in Doda district. But nothing happened. The ropeway project would meet the same fate, it being an unsuitable commercial proposition, they said. Moreover, the biggest handicap was the lack of road connectivity. At present, Lal Draman is 9 km from the nearest road link. Another road under construction, which was likely to be completed in another couple of years, would reduce this distance to 6 km. But still the prospective tourists would have to traverse this non-motorable distance to reach Lal Draman. People from erstwhile Doda district thronged the place on the weekend. However, Wani was still optimistic about the increased tourist flow to Lal Draman due to the shortened distance. “As the local people have been coming here for the last 40-50 years, especially to pay obeisance at a temple and a mosque. It is expected that it will become more approachable to pilgrims and domestic tourists. Though I am quite hopeful that private bidders will not shy away, in case nobody comes forward I will get the project completed in my personal capacity,” said Wani.
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Over 1,000 attend Army medical camp at Bani
Jammu, November 5 Over 1,000 patients from far-flung areas of Sarthal, Lowang, Khurdwah, Daggar and Raulka were treated at the camp. Besides providing routine medical facilities, specialised equipment, including an X-ray machine, a dental chair and minor operating theatre facilities, were also made available to the people of Bani. The camp also had a lady doctor and a nursing officer, who provided gynaecological treatment. The aim of the camp was to spread awareness about basic cleanliness and healthcare issues among the people. Maj Gen G Sankarnarayanan, GOC, Gurj Division, presided over a function on the Mela Ground in Bani on November 3. The GOC handed over wheelchairs and crutches to needy patients. Army doctors also organised a workshop for the local village medical volunteers and educated them about hygiene and sanitation. At the end of the workshop, all participants were given first-aid kits. The occasion was also utilised to mark the culmination of eight-week computer and stitching classes conducted for the empowerment of women and the unemployed youth of Bani. A group of 30 students each attended the classes. Maj Gen Sankarnarayanan also distributed certificates and 30 sewing machines among women and the unemployed youth, who successfully completed
the course. Five computers were also provided to the Vocational Training Centre at Bani. |
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Empower Panchayati Raj in earnest, demand Gujjars
Jammu, November 5 Addressing mediapersons here today, Choudhary Alladin Khatana, national secretary of the ABGM and sarpanch of Mallan village in Surankote, said despite an assurance by the government that it would delegate more powers to the newly elected panches and sarpanches, the departments were not following its directive. Except the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, no other department had shown any concern to our issues, said Khatana. He said the departments were underestimating the power of the panchayats in the state. Though we had approached the departments several times, nothing had been done with regard to our grievances, he added. Khatana requested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Ali Mohammed Sagar to issue directives to the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, in this regard. Meanwhile, Ishfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal, state president of the ABGM, criticised the state government for its new recruitment policy. “The new recruitment policy will harm the interests of the Gujjar youth. Most of our youth are only middle pass and to bring them to the mainstream, they need encouragement not this policy,” said Poswal.
— TNS
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Congress continues tirade against Kamal
Jammu, November 5 On the fourth consecutive day today, Congress leaders issued a statement against Kamal and asked NC leaders to take action against him for launching a “malicious” campaign against the party. In a joint statement issued here, Congress leaders from Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar condemned the “baseless, malicious, uncalled for and unwarranted allegations” levelled by NC spokesperson Kamal against the party. They said such utterances may affect the smooth working of the coalition government. They urged the Congress high command to take note of the sentiments of Congressmen of the state. They also demanded that the new recruitment policy announced by the state government should be put on hold and reviewed after consultations at various levels.
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Traffic restrictions
in Srinagar ahead of Eid
Srinagar, November 5 Vehicles are not allowed to ply on the Residency Road from Radio Kashmir to Hari Singh High Street on the one side and along the Moulana Azad Road from SRTC Crossing to Jehangir Chowk on the other, except during emergency and on duty vehicles. The restrictions were imposed yesterday and would remain in force for the next two days. The Eid falls on Monday. Besides, all vehicles coming from north and northeast of Srinagar city towards Lal Chowk have been ordered to take the route along Kohna Khan-Dalgate-Ziyarat Syed Sahib Sonwar-Ram Munshi Bagh-Radio Kashmir-Rajbagh-Lal Mandi-LD and on return shall take the Bakshi Stadium-Exhibition-Old Secretariat-Tankipora-Habbakadal-Barbar Shah-Baba Dharam Das route. At Baba Dharam Das, vehicles bound for Hazratbal and Soura shall take the left turn and vehicles bound for Nishat and Shalimar shall proceed towards Kohnakhan Dalgate and Badyari Chowk and onwards. Similar restrictions have been imposed on the vehicles coming from west and northwest of Srinagar city towards Dalgate and Boulevard and also on commercial vehicles coming to the Lal Chowk area from different directions. The parking of vehicles by businessmen having their establishments in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk and by the shoppers at different places have also been regulated. The SP, Traffic, has requested commuters to resort to car pooling so that rush on the roads could be curtailed. All residents have been asked to strictly adhere to the traffic restrictions and diversions and help restore peace on roads.
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Panthers Party protests against recruitment policy
Jammu, November 5 Harsh Dev charged the coalition regime with adopting anti-youth policies. He said since its formation, this government had been trying to befool the youth. He recalled that during the Assembly elections the NC had made a number of promises to the youth, but even after three years no promise had been fulfilled. He exhorted the party workers to launch a campaign against the anti-people regime. Mankotia termed the new recruitment policy as a cruel joke with the unemployed youth of the state. He said it was high time to launch a decisive battle against this governance, which had compounded the woes of the masses through mis-governance. |
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Army chief on 3-day visit to Ladakh
Udhampur, November 5 The defence spokesman, Northern Command, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia, said today the Army chief was briefed by the Siachen Brigade Commander before they flew over the glacier to take stock of the security situation. The Army chief interacted with the troops and the officers deployed at a forward post. Gen VK Singh expressed satisfaction over the preparedness of the troops to defend the frontiers in the wake of the impending winter. He also inaugurated a modern transit facility (MTF) in Leh for soldiers travelling to and from Chandigarh using service courier flights operated by the IAF. The MTF would provide all the modern facilities to transient soldiers that were generally available at the civil airports. On the second day of his visit, the Army chief visited forward posts in eastern Ladakh.
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Annual-cum-sports day celebrated
Jammu, November 5 The students put up a spectacular show on the theme, “Women Empowerment”. The function commenced with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who was the chief guest on the occasion. Various cultural programmes, including dance items, skits, songs, martial arts and sports drills were performed by the students. Mementos were presented to the guests as a
mark of gratitude. Principal S Rosamma urged the students to lead a meaningful life.
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Eid shoppers throng markets in Kashmir
Srinagar, November 5 While traffic has been regulated in and around Lal Chowk, ahead of the festival, shoppers are thronging the marketplaces to buy vegetables, mutton, poultry and other essential items. Though the heavy rush is being witnessed for the past few weeks as the people are buying commodities like woollens and other clothes, the sale of essential commodities has increased during the past few days. A common sight these days is flocks of sheep and goat for sale for Bakr Eid along main roads. |
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Fake currency notes case
Jammu, November 5 The five accused identified as constable Pawan Kumar, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Satish Kumar, Rohit Gupta and Saleem Shah had moved bail applications before the court. They were arrested on October 27. The fake currency was recovered by the police from the possession of Pawan and Altaf. In the light of the facts and circumstances of the case, the court felt that any sympathy with the applicants would be entirely misplaced and against the interest of society. Senior prosecuting officer Shaheen Ahmed Khan had opposed the bail on various grounds and produced a catena of judgments on the subject.
— TNS |
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About 30 persons were feared killed and two others injured when an overloaded Matador van, allegedly being driven by its conductor, plunged into the Chenab today, near Thathri, in Doda district today.
Srinagar, November 5
Jammu, November 5
Jammu, November 5
Jammu, November 5
