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Appointment of Director Health: HC notice to govt
To marry someone of her choice cost her dearly: Victim’s brother
Protests in CM’s constituency over power shortage
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Natipora murder case: Srinagar trial court defers verdict
Crackdown on timber smugglers
Lolab residents upbeat over recreational park
Folk theatre show, bike rally held
Govt has failed to address employees demands
Four injured in road accidents
Army rescues Kupwara family trapped in fire
Army holds medical & veterinary camp
Regional Passport Office issued 61,400 passports in 2012
Radio Kashmir honours Rehman Rahi
26-yr-old’s body found in Sopore
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Appointment of Director Health: HC notice to govt
Srinagar, January 3 The double Bench of the high court, comprising Justice Verinder Singh and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, in its decision announced today, directed the state chief secretary and principal secretary (J-K Health and Medical Education) to fill the At present, the post of Director, Health, Kashmir, is being manned by Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman on ‘stop-gap arrangement’, which was, however, challenged before the high court by one Dr Muhammad Ashraf Bhat. “This (stop-gap arrangement) amounts to breach of 2006 Recruitment Rules. This is not understood that the stop-gap arrangement is continuing despite there being recruitment rules in force”, the double Bench observed in its orders passed today while disposing of an appeal by Dr Ashraf. “This gives an impression that respondent No.1 ( state chief secretary) and two (principal secretary, Health and Medical Education) are intentionally dilly-dallying the matter so as to extend undue benefits to anyone, including respondent number three (Director Saleeem-ur-Rehman) in completing this (regular appointment) process”, the high court Bench observed. “Only three months are granted to (respondent 1 & 2) to fill up the post of Director, Health, Kashmir, strictly in tune with the J&K Health and Family Welfare (Gazetted Service) Recruitment Rules, 2006”, the Bench ordered while disposing of the appeal of Dr Ashraf. The petitioner, Dr Ashraf, had challenged two government orders whereby Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman was first appointed Deputy Director, Health Services, and, thereafter, given the charge of Director, Health Services, Kashmir, by filing a writ petition before the court. The petitioner had also sought direction to the respondents to promote him as A-Grade Specialist with effect from 2002 to select him as Director, Health Services and Director, Family Welfare. The high court single Bench had in November 2012, however, dismissed the petition challenging appointment of present Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman. However, the petitioner, Dr Muhammad Ashraf Bhat, chose to file an appeal for the dismissal of his petition before a division Bench of the high court, which disposed of his appeal with delectation to the government to regularise the appointment of Director, Health, Kashmir |
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To marry someone of her choice cost her dearly: Victim’s brother
Srinagar, January 3 A half-burnt face and one eye damaged completely, she holds fast to her mother beside her. Her life has changed overnight after a young man threw acid on her face and body yesterday morning just because she did not want to marry him. And now, even her prospective bridegroom is nowhere to be seen. She was supposed to be engaged to him in January. Nobody has turned up to see her in the hospital. Neither her would be fiancé nor her in-laws. “I don’t think I will see them ever again. They must have heard about my sister and they will not want to be in any relationship with her now,” Riyaz Ahmad, the victim’s brother, told The Tribune. A private schoolteacher by profession who can’t even run into her father’s arms anymore, as he died years ago, all she wanted now was a happy marriage. “Just because she wanted to marry someone else, she was treated like an animal. I don’t think she will ever want to marry again. The very thought of marriage will haunt her for the rest of her life,” Riyaz added.
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Protests in CM’s constituency over power shortage
Srinagar, January 3 The protesters raised slogans against the Power Development Department (PDD) and blocked the Srinagar-Ganderbal National Highway for over two hours. Reports said residents of Malshahibagh assembled on the highway and demanded immediate intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to restore power to the villagers. “Ganderbal is represented by Omar Abdullah and we want his immediate intervention for restoring power to our village,” said a protester from Malshahibagh. “Our transformer was damaged many days ago, but despite meeting the PDD officials, the power has not been restored.” The protesters said as their demands were not met, they were forced by the administration to come on roads and hold protests. The protesters later dispersed peacefully after assurance by the PDD officials that the power would be restored in the area. “The transformer of the locality had got damaged and we have now asked the PDD to expedite its repair,” said Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmed Mir. The Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had yesterday criticised the government for the worse power situation in the state in the state and Ganderbal district in particular. |
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Natipora murder case: Srinagar trial court defers verdict
Srinagar, january 3 The Natipora murder case involves killing of 65-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Shah of Budshah Nagar, Natipora, allegedly by Almas Ara Khan, her husband and two sons in July 2012 during a fight over dumping of garbage. “Though the court was scheduled to frame the charges against the accused today, due to the non-availability of the accused in the court, the verdict was deferred. The charges would now be framed on January 29”, a court official said. The case was committed for trial to the Sessions Court on September 8 by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Srinagar after the police had produced the chargesheet against the four accused. The police had charged the four accused for murder under Section 302 read with Section 34 (common intent), 120-B (hatching a conspiracy), 325 (causing grievous hurt), 323 (simple injury) and 503 (threat) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). During their arguments on the charges on previous hearing, the counsels representing victim’s family had pleaded for charging the accused under Section 302 (murder) along with other charges in the chargesheet. However, the defendant lawyers had pleaded for dropping murder charges against the accused in the
chargesheet. The case file
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Crackdown on timber smugglers
Kupwara, January 3 The recovered timber is valued at over Rs 5 lakh. The forest officials have now launched a drive to nab the smugglers who are still at large. “The smugglers cut and dump the timber during the night hours. They carry it with the help of horses or tractors the other day or few days later. So far, we have recovered the illicit timber and hunt is on to nab the smugglers,” said a forest official. A team of forest officials led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Fayaz Ahmad Bhat recovered 375 cft of timber from south Lolab in Kamraj forest division yesterday. The illicit timber was recovered from various villages, including Devar, Chandigam, Khurhama, Dardpora, Sogam and Kuligam. In another drive, officials of Langate forest division led by Feroz Ahmad Chakat recovered around 90 cfts of illicit timber from forest compartments, including 31 B and 71 A in Magam Handwara and Rafiabad in Baramulla district, respectively. “Apart from a drive against the smugglers in many smuggling-prone areas, we will also hold awareness camps in such areas to make the people aware about the importance of forests. Thankfully, most of the people have now realised the significance of this natural resource,” said Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, ACF. Curbing timber smuggling in north Kashmir has become a daunting task for the officials of the Forest Department. Two forest officials were attacked by timber smugglers in Kandi forest range of north Kashmir last week. Forest guard Mohd Shafi Dar, who had received injuries on his head, is still undergoing treatment at Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura in Srinagar. |
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Lolab residents upbeat over recreational park
Kupwara, January 3 The park, being developed by the Lolab-Bungus-Drangyari Development Authority (LBDDA), will have all the recreational facilities, especially for the children. The spectacular view of wild flora and fauna of the small valley will add to the natural scenic beauty of Lolab and attract more tourists. Locals said the park will enhance the importance of Lolab as a tourist destination and also help increase the rush of tourists to the virgin destination. “Lolab is no less beautiful than Gulmarg and other famous tourist destinations in the Valley. Recreational park will not only add to the scenic beauty of Lolab but also attract more tourists to the Valley,” said Ahmdullah Shah, a resident of Warnow in the Lolab valley. An entrance gate - "Gateway to Lolab valley" - will also be constructed near the park as thick deodar and kail conifer trees will surround the park and the gate. A senior official of the LBDDA said the park would be spread over 15 kanals of land and have all the recreational facilities. It will be set up near Zangli, the gateway of Lolab, and according to the official, it will be ready before April this year. “The construction work has been suspended for the time being due to cold wave conditions. The work will resume soon and we are hopeful that before April this year, the park will be handed over to people” said the officer. "The park will have all types of recreational facilities for children and elders," he added. The Lolab valley, known as the land of love and beauty, was thrown open to tourists on September 30 last year. The authorities had last year trained 130 educated youth of Lolab in hotel management to provide quality services to visitors. The authorities plan to convert at least 100 residential houses in Chandigam and Khumriyal villages of Lolab into guest houses and cottages for tourists. |
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Folk theatre show, bike rally held
Srinagar, January 3 The bike rally moved from Hyderpora area to traffic police headquarters near the Polo View road here in the morning, that saw enthusiastic participation of local youth. Later, cultural programmes including a “band peather” and musical show were performed by the youth to raise awareness about traffic rules. SP traffic Haseeb-ur-Rehman said they had involved youth in the Road Safety Week to make them feel they were “part of the solution and not part of a problem”. “The bike rally was a big success as a large number of youth took part in it. The rally started at Hyderpora and passed through Exhibition Road, Jehangir Chowk, Maulana Azad Road and Dal Gate before culminating at the traffic police headquarters,” he added. The cultural activities were a big draw. Sangam theatre group's “band peather” was well-received and a musical band “Seven Strings” also performed on the occasion. Apart from starting off in other parts of the country, the Road Safety Week kick-started here on January 1. It began with the traffic police distributing chocolates and new year cards to drivers found following traffic rules. The department intends to distribute chocolates and cards to 2,000 drivers found abiding by traffic rules during the week.
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Govt has failed to address employees demands
Srinagar, January 3 People’s Conference general secretary Rashid Mehmood cautioned the state government about its “time-gaining strategy”, adding that by ignoring the genuine demands of the employees, the government was “actually harming the state’s economy”. “It is unfortunate that despite reaching agreements with the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) leaders, the government has always backtracked on these agreements,” he added. Pertinently, after a series of protests and strikes by the employees earlier this year, the government had entered into an agreement with the JCC wherein the employees were assured that a decision on their demands would be announced by September 30. However, the Joint Consultative Committee then resumed protests, saying the government had “betrayed” them. Mehmood said due to the “pathetic” approach of the government, the Joint Consultative Committee had been forced to call for a pen-down strike on January 9, 10 and 11 that would trouble both the employees and commoners. Stating that the government seemed to be worried only about the legislators, giving them perks, new vehicles and bungalows to “keep them in good humour,” he said, “Even in the absence of state Assembly, the system was run by the employees and now, the same employees are being made to suffer and protest for their rights.”
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Four injured in road accidents
Srinagar, January 3 In another accident, a Tavera bearing chassis number 12352 collided with an Alto (JK013B/0322), resulting in injuries to two persons. The injured have been admitted in hospital for treatment. Cases have been registered. — TNS |
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Army rescues Kupwara family trapped in fire
Kupwara, January 3 A press release said, “Soldiers of Army base camp located in Lunhare doused flames of Bashir Ahmad’s house in Satbain and also rescued the family members early this morning.” The house of Bashir Ahmad of remote village Steuben, 30 km from Kieffer, caught fire early this morning. The Road Opening Party (ROP) of the Lunhare base camp informed the Army officer about the incident. “Soldiers led by an officer from the base camp reached the site of the incident, located on fringes of forest on southern slopes of Hamhu Ridge and started the rescue operation,” said an Army spokesman. The remote village being under snow cover, there was acute shortage of water to extinguish the fire. Army men ferried water in buckets from the nearby nullah and doused the flames. Resham Jaan, wife of the house owner, sustained burn injuries on her back while all the family members were rescued by the Army men. The isolated house of a tribal family located in a remote village on a hillock had no other human habitation or house around it. After administering first aid, Army personnel evacuated the injured woman, who was taken to Karlpora hospital. The Army also provided tented accommodation, food, blankets and heaters run on kerosene oil to the affected family.
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Army holds medical & veterinary camp
Srinagar, January 3 The camp was held under the aegis of Headquarters 31 Sub Area to cater to medical needs of the local people and domestic animals. Director J&K Health Services, Kashmir Dr Saleem-Ur-Rehman, was the chief guest. “Such medical camps provide medical facilities at people’s doorstep and help in early detection of medical cases in rural areas,” Rehman said. An official said a large number of people including senior citizen, males, females and children participated in the medical camp and availed the facility. The camp was organised by 126 Infantry Battalion (TA) Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. “Patients were given free medicines by Army and civil authorities. Critical cases were referred to Civil Government Hospital for specialised treatment,” he said. Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Srinagar, Dr Nissar Ahmed Wani, was the chief guest for the veterinary camp. Locals brought pet and domestic animals for treatment to the veterinary doctors. Free medicines were also issued. — TNS
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Regional Passport Office issued 61,400 passports in 2012
Srinagar, January 3 “On an average, 270 passports were issued every day,” said Regional Passport Officer, Srinagar, Firdous Iqbal. "In 2012, there was an increase of 48 per cent in issuance of passports," he added. The Regional Passport Officer said with the commissioning of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in June last year, passport-related services were provided to the citizens in a timely, transparent, accessible and reliable manner in a comfortable environment through a streamlined process. The Passport Seva Kendra was inaugurated by then External Affairs Minister SM Krishna and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in presence of Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. “The office also catered to the heavy rush of Haj applicants, particularly during the month of April last year when Haj applicants were issued Haj passports against an affidavit,” Iqbal said. In addition to providing passport-related services, the office facilitated hassle-free travel across Line of Control at Kaman Post and Teetwal. “The passengers were allowed to cross over even on non-travel days in case of exigencies with active support from all agencies concerned,” he added.
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Radio Kashmir honours Rehman Rahi
Srinagar, January 3 Station head of Radio Kashmir Srinagar, Deputy Director General Bashir Aarif, welcomed the guests. While being escorted to the stage, Rahi was showered with flower petals. Rahi, an eminent Kashmiri poet, won the prestigious Jnanpith award in 2004. In his opening remarks, broadcaster and organiser of the event Satish Vimal assured the audience that the station would be hosting many more litterateurs in the near future under “Meet the eminent” series. In the first session, Rahi described his journey as a poet and writer. Prof Majrooh Rashid, Head of Department, Kashmir University, presented a paper on Rehman Rahi’s poetry while Prof Shad Ramzan presented his views on Rahi’s ghazals. “This was followed by an interactive segment wherein the guests posed numerous queries to Prof Rahi on his creative pursuits,” a Radio Kashmir spokesman said. In the second session, singer Munir Ahmad Mir rendered Rahi’s impressive verse. The function was anchored by broadcaster Ashfaq Lone.
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26-yr-old’s body found in Sopore
Srinagar, January 3 A police spokesman said personnel from Police Post Warpora, Sopore, recovered the body of Zahoor Ahmed Sheikh alias Auf Sheikh, son of Abdul Sheikh, resident of Warpora, Sopore, in suspicious circumstances in the compound of Government Health Centre, Warpora. “Sopore police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of CrPC,” he said. — TNS
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Srinagar, January 3
