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Police, bus drivers in spat over ‘nakas’
Transporters demand rollback of diesel price hike
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People fume over diesel price hike, LPG ceiling
Sports Council toughens stand against affiliated bodies
Kashmiri Pandits observe Black Day
Kashmiri Pandits raise slogans outside the Exhibition Ground in Jammu on Friday. A Tribune photograph
‘Anti-Islam’ film triggers protest
Citizens’ cooperative bank elections
Political parties protest govt’s decision
Girl students return from educational tour
Students boycott classes for fifth day
GDC Kathua, PG Dept enter final
Training camp ends
Governor hosts dinner in honour of Vice-President Ansari
Palak advances in air pistol event
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Police, bus drivers in spat over ‘nakas’
Jammu, September 14 Enraged over the police action and “harassment of drivers” by traffic cops, seven groups of transporters, particularly long-route buses, went on a strike in the afternoon, subjecting people to great hardships. The transporters have threatened to suspend the operations of all buses across the Jammu province tomorrow if the traffic “nakas” (checkpoints) were not reduced or withdrawn within the municipal limits immediately. They alleged that the transporters had been facing harassment at the hands of traffic policemen who charge “entry fee” (commonly known as hafta) with impunity. Eyewitnesses told The Tribune that the traffic policemen stopped a bus, which was on way to RS Pura, at Bikram Chowk for verification of documents. “The driver produced the documents but he didn’t have a copy of 'route permit'. The driver, Parbhat Singh, (60), alleged that the policemen demanded Rs 300 from him as “entry fee” for crossing their jurisdiction,” they said, adding that a verbal spat ensued between the driver and the traffic policemen after the former refused to pay the “bribe”. The traffic policemen seized the vehicle for plying it on the road without a “route permit”. The bus driver brought the matter to the notice of union leaders, who rushed to the spot and blocked the road for half an hour.
— Vijay Singh Chib, vice-president, Minibus Workers’ Union Raising slogans against the traffic policemen for “harassing” transporters in the name of verification of documents, they alleged that the policemen forced them to pay a part of their hard-earned money as “hafta”. The road blockade led to a long traffic jam with thousands of vehicles remaining stranded in serpentine queues. The police resorted to cane charge on protesting transporters, resulting in critical injuries to two drivers. The injured were identified as Parbhat Singh and Banarsi Dass. Later, a group of seven transporters announced the strike around 2:30 pm, with all long-route buses remaining off roads till evening. The transporters demanded immediate withdrawal of traffic police “nakas” within municipal limits. Parkash Singh, vice-chairman, All-J&K Transport Welfare Association, said all unions have unanimously decided to go on complete strike tomorrow if the government didn’t reduce the number of traffic police nakas. “The onus of inconvenience to public lies on the government,” he said. Vijay Singh Chib, vice-president, Minibus Workers’ Union, Jammu Province, alleged, “Earlier, they used to demand anything between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per checkpost but they have virtually made our lives miserable because they now demand between Rs 200 and Rs 500 per checkpoint. On the one hand, increase in fuel prices have become a routine and on the other, they shamelessly demand bribe. It is open loot on roads and the government is sitting silent,” Chib said. Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Manmohan Singh blamed the transporters for adopting “blackmailing tactics”. “The vehicle was plying without a route permit and the policemen seized it due to a violation,” he said. Asked about the allegations of “entry fee” being charged by policemen, he rubbished the claims, saying it had become a “common allegation” to hide violations. “I have asked the public and transporters to bring to my notice any demand of money by traffic cops. We will not spare anybody and a strict action will be taken against the guilty officials,” he said. |
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Transporters demand rollback of diesel price hike
Jammu, September 14 “We demand immediate rollback of hike in diesel prices, which were increased by Rs 5 per litre last night. The transport industry is already facing many problems and the increase in diesel prices would be a last nail in the coffin. The government should either withdraw the hike in diesel prices or increase passenger fares by 50 percent,” Vijay Sharma, general secretary, All-J&K Transport Welfare Association, told The Tribune. Sharma said the transporters had already been suffering huge losses and if the increased prices were not withdrawn or passenger fares were not reviewed, it would ruin their future. “The hike in prices will have a cascading effect on the prices of all essential commodities and it would directly affect the day-to-day life of a common man,” he said. Anil Chopra, a transporter, too expressed concern over the unprecedented hike in the prices of diesel. “The government should seriously look into the demands of the transporters who had been facing umpteen hardships in their daily life,” he said.
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People fume over diesel price hike, LPG ceiling
Jammu, September 14 Expressing anger over the decision of the government, people have termed the hike unjustified and another way to choke the masses, who are already under the burden of skyrocketing prices of essential items. “We are shocked by the decision of the government to restrict the LPG supply. It will completely upset the budget of people, especially the salaried class. The government has become totally anti-people in its approach”, said Veena Khanna, a housewife. Yesterday, the Cabinet committee decided to raise diesel prices by 12 per cent, or Rs 5 per litre, and restricted the sale of subsidised LPG cylinders to six per consumer annually. However, for now, it left petrol and kerosene prices unchanged. “It is a direct attack on the pocket of common man. It has become difficult to make both ends meet and the government is totally insensitive towards the miseries of poor and middle-class families,” said Rahul Gupta, a government employee. “The common man can’t do anything. We are mere spectators to corruption and wastage of public money,” said Kunti Devi, waiting in a queue at one of the filling stations. Kewal Krishan Gupta, a retired government employee, said, “Already, everything is so expensive. Such a hike in diesel prices will add to our miseries. My household budget will completely go awry now.” “If the government is not in a position to check the price rise, why does it keep on reassuring the common man that it is making every effort to rein in inflation”, said Abinav Gupta, a private sector employee. People say prices of edible oil, milk, vegetables and other commodities will also show marked increase, as transportation costs will get increased. Along with hike in fuel prices, education, health facilities and transportation charges will also become costlier. The common man is already reeling under high inflationary prices, especially the service class and lower-income group is completely distressed. The rising prices of almost all things, including essential commodities, have become a regular feature in the past few months.
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Sports Council toughens stand against affiliated bodies
Jammu, September 14 Sources said the Sports Council has warned the associations to prepare their audit reports in order to get the grant-in-aid besides asking them to conduct the elections which were due since long. The sources added out of the 48 affiliated associations, most of them had prepared their audit reports and were eventually entitled for the grant-in-aid. “We are already struggling to disburse financial aid among the affiliated associations owing to limited budget at our disposal,” said a source in the Sports Council. “Some of the affiliated associations are making a mockery of the rules and regulations of the Sports Council by not preparing their audit reports and conducting the elections,” the source claimed. The sources further claimed that the J&K Amateur Fencing Association, J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, J&K State Kho-Kho Association, Roller Skating Association, Body Building Association and some other associations have neither submitted their audit reports nor announce any date for conducting the elections, which were overdue. The sources added that all the affiliated associations were not even getting Rs 1 lakh as grant-in-aid for conducting their activities because the Sports Council gets an annual grant of Rs 40 lakh from the government for further distribution among all these associations. The sources said the J&K State Sports Council disbursed grants among affiliated sports associations for the financial year 2009-10 but when the associations did not respond to their notifications regarding the preparation of audit reports and conducting elections, the council decided not to provide grants to them until they follow the
basic guidelines. The sources added that the associations which did not get grants for the financial year 2010-11 included the J&K Badminton Association, J&K Cycling Association, J&K Yoga Association, J&K Amateur Fencing Association, J&K Women Cricket Association, J&K Gymnastics Association, J&K Hockey Association, J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, J&K Kayaking and Canoeing Association, Amateur-Karate-do-Association of J&K, Mountaineering Association of J&K, J&K Water Skiing Association, J&K Squash Racket Association, J&K Veteran Athletic Association, J&K Taekwondo Association and J&K Tennisball Cricket Association. A senior official of the State Sports Council told The Tribune “the negligent attitude of the associations have compelled us to stop their grants.” “There is no harm in preparing audit reports and the council fails to understand why these associations are taking things for granted,” he added. |
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Kashmiri Pandits observe Black Day
Jammu, September 14 Since then, members of the community started observing Martyr’s Day or Black Day every year on September 14. To mark this, various Kashmiri Pandit outfits held demonstrations across the Jammu region today in which they demanded justice for the community which they said was a victim of hate crime. The Joint Forum observed the Kashmiri Pandit Balidan Divas today. They also held a protest demonstration outside the Raj Bhawan, Jammu. They carried placards and posters raising slogans against terrorism and apathy of the government. Various activists of the Joint Forum participated on the occasion. HL Chatta, president, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir, DN Kissu, chairman, NCMCC, RK Raina, senior vice president, ASKPC and Virender Raina, spokesperson, Joint Forum, addressed the protesters. Panun Kashmir organised a massive protest rally at Press Club Jammu which was attended by a number of participants from different walks of life, including the internally-displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Ajay Chrungoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir, said, “The threat to the lives and freedom of the Pandit employees in the Valley is being deliberately ignored by the government and the Jagti camp for the displaced has been converted into a zone of exodus for Kashmiri Hindus.” |
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‘Anti-Islam’ film triggers protest
Rajouri/Batote, September 14 Sources said people gathered outside the city chowk mosque in the old city area of Rajouri condemning the ‘blasphemous’ video uploaded on a social networking site. Hundreds of people took to the streets at the main chowk and shouted slogans against the maker of the short film and the American government. They also burnt effigy
of America. The police had to deploy a number of personnel outside several mosques in the town to avert any untoward incident. Meanwhile, some imams (priests) appealed to people not to indulge in vandalism of any kind during protests. The protesters sought intervention of the Centre in the matter and asked it to take the issue with the US government on
a serious note. BATOTE: Hundreds of people today took out a peaceful protest march at the Batote market after the Friday prayers. They shouted slogans against America and all anti-Muslim powers across the world. Hailing the decision of the Indian government to ban the film in India, they urged the Centre and J&K government to impress upon America and other countries to ban the anti-Islam film. Later, former president of Seerat Committee, Batote Mohd Tariq Parrey, PDP leader Mohd Amin, Maulvi Rasool, NC leaders Babar Malik and Saidullah Mir addressed the protestors. |
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Citizens’ cooperative bank elections Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 14 Raina has now been included in the panel of nine candidates fielded by the group in the elections. This was announced by Dinesh Gupta at a press conference today. Gupta said they were planning to take the CCB to new heights if elected again. He said the branches would be computerised by March 31 next year and work in all the branches would be made online. “If we are elected, the bank will open ATMs at various places and we will construct building for its central offices. Land has already been allotted near JDA Complex at Rail Head for the purpose,” Gupta said. He said a modernisation plan would be announced and efforts would be made to create assets for the bank. “Most of the business organisations have supported us and we are certain that our panel of candidates will win the elections,” he added. The other members of the panel include Deepak Gupta, Kailash Langar, Karunvesh Gupta, Kaoushal Kumar Gupta, Parshottam Singh Pawar, Parveen Sharma and Virinder Singh. CCB is the first urban cooperative bank in the state.
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Rajouri to have first wholesale fruit and vegetable market soon
Rajouri, September 14 “Now prices of vegetables and fruits in both the districts are high despite having local production owing to absence of wholesale market. Once the wholesale market gets constructed, the prices will come down by over 20 per cent in the area,” said Vinod Kumar Langer, marketing head horticulture, Poonch and Rajouri. Sources said the department was planning to start the wholesale market in local Rajouri town to not only to benefit vegetable and fruit vendors but also benefit local people who were forced to purchase at much higher prices. Two sheds on 30 kanals have been constructed at an estimated cost of 3.37 crore in Rajouri. In addition to this, an administration complex, drainage and sanitation facilities, gates, transformer and other necessary things will also be constructed at the market. Shops will be built for venders at the complex which will go under the hammer once the project gets completed. “Only those fruit traders who have over five years of experience with license will operate from here,” Langer said. There are plans afoot to build such mandis at many other places in Poonch as well. Sources said the department had acquired 25 kanal 11 marla land for the purpose in Sundarbani, five kanals in Manjakote.
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Political parties protest govt’s decision
Jammu, September 14 Demanding immediate rollback of hike in diesel price and the policy on cooking gas, the protesters blocked several roads in the city alleging that the UPA government has no regard for the welfare of people. The protest of Shiv Sena was led by Ashok Gupta whereas the Dogra Front took out a rally and held anti-UPA government demonstrations in the city. The agitators carried gas cylinders as a mark of protest. Meanwhile, over 200 activists of the BJYM led by its state unit president Manish Sharma also held a protest against the diesel price hike. “People are already reeling under the price rise and this decision will crush the common man further. The hike in diesel prices would have a cascading effect on the prices of all other goods that reach the market through transport,” the protesters alleged. The activists of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF) also staged a demonstration. |
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Girl students return from educational tour
Jammu, September 14 The tour was scheduled to visit places of national and historical importance such as Agra, Mathura and Delhi. Its aim was to make the border area children aware of the rich heritage of the country. The tour visited many sites of tourist interest including the Rashtrapati
Bhawan, Parliament House, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Jama
Masjid, Krishna Janam Bhumi, Varindaban, Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura Museum, Refinery, ITC Maurya and Sharda University. The students also met
many dignitaries. Kalidhar Brigade Commander said, “The objective of the tour was to make the border area children have an interaction with the rest of India. Its objective was to make them aware of country’s cultural diversity, co-existence and infrastructural growth.” |
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Students boycott classes for fifth day
Jammu, September 14 Vineeta, a student of the Institute while talking to The Tribune, said, “Today also we did not attend the classes. We will not join the classes in this unsafe building”. Today was the fifth day after the institute’s building was partially damaged and since then the students are not attending their classes. They are demanding shifting of the institute to some other building. Jammu University registrar Naresh Padha, who visited the university yesterday, had assured the students that they would get a new building by today. The students held a demonstration on the college premises and threatened to start an agitation against the university authorities if their demands are not fulfilled soon. The historical building of the institute is more than 100 years old and in the absence of care, it has started damaging. However, the Vice-Chancellor has mentioned that they do not have funds for the construction of a new building. The registrar yesterday said there was no space in the university campus to accommodate a new department but they were trying to find a temporary building for the institute.
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GDC Kathua, PG Dept enter final
Jammu, September 14 In the first semifinal, GDC Kathua got the better of MIET by 3-0. In the first singles, Navdeep battled past Kunal by 21-8 and 21-6 while Shubham had his last laugh against Sutiqshen by 21-11 and 21-16. In doubles, the pair of Shubham/Abhishek beat Sutiqshen/Ayush by 21-10 and 21-10. In the second semifinal, PG Deparmtent had last laugh against GDC Ramnagar by 3-0. Chander Dev beat Nitish by 21-17 and 21-9 while Taranpal Singh subdued Vinod by 21-10 and 21-12. In the doubles event, the Chander Dev/Amit Singh Jasrotia duo defeated Nitish/Vinod by 21-11 and 21-17. In women’s section, the MIET toppled the PG Department by 2-0 in the first semifinal. Diksha trounced Sangheeta by 21-6 and 21-6 while Diksha/Sanchi pipped Razia/Jagriti by 21-11 and 21-7. In the second semifinal, GCW Parade thrashed Commerce College by 2-0. In the first singles, Akanksha edged out Prabhjot by 21-15 and 21-19 while Akanksha/Divya dispatched Prabhjot/Sanjana by 21-15 and 21-17. Earlier, in the quarterfinals played in men section, Government Degree College (GDC), Ramnagar, trounced GCD Reasi by 3-1 while the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) had last laugh against GGM Science College by 3-2 margin in a tough contest.
— TNS |
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Training camp ends
Jammu, September 14 The camp was inaugurated by ID Soni, State Commissioner (S) of J&K Bharat Scouts & Guides on September 12 in the presence of MM Joshi, Wing Commander (retd) and Zonal Commissioner, J&K Bharat Scouts & Guides, who was the guest of honour. |
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Governor hosts dinner in honour of Vice-President Ansari
Srinagar, September 14
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Palak advances in air pistol event
Jammu, September 14 |
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The decision of the Central government to hike diesel prices by Rs 5 per litre and restricting the sale of subsidised Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to six cylinders per family has shocked the people in Jammu.
Expressing anger over the decision of the government, people have termed the hike unjustified and another way to choke the masses, who are already under the burden of skyrocketing prices of essential items.
“We are shocked by the decision of the government to restrict the LPG supply. It will completely upset the budget of people, especially the salaried class. The government has become totally anti-people in its approach”, said Veena Khanna, a housewife.
Jammu, September 14
