Anantnag, February 1
Hundreds of candidates seeking the application forms issued by the State Selection Board (SSB) are returning empty-handed from various branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, particularly in southern parts of the Valley.

Reports said the aspirants had been shuttling between different branches of the bank in south Kashmir. However, the candidates are told at most of the branches that they have run out of forms.

Earlier, the State Selection Board extended the last date of submitting the forms to February 7 after candidates complained of non-availability of these forms at various branches of the bank across four districts of South Kashmir.

“The last date was extended after we made pleas to the authorities in the wake of a shortage of forms. However, even after the last date was extended many branches still do not have these forms,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, an aspirant from Pulawama in South Kashmir. Sources said the main branches in Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Bijbehara and Pampore were found short of application forms.

“Even Khidmat Centres in these areas do not have these forms available,” said Adil Rashid, an aspirant from Shopian area.

Candidates alleged that the authorities were putting the chances of people getting government jobs in jeopardy by their sheer callousness.

“The Kashmiri youth are getting a good chance to land in government job after such a long time. But the SSB is spoiling that chance too,” said another candidate from Bijbehara town.

The bank officials, however, expressed helplessness in this regard.

“We get forms and put them on sale. The supply of forms has been coming in trickles. The SSB has been informed about the matter time and again 
but to no avail,” said a senior bank official in Anantnag district.

Srinagar, February 1
Body of an unidentified man was found packed in a gunny sack on a roadside in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, a police spokesman here said.

The victim, aged about 22, was found yesterday evening on the Gohan-Pachhar road near Chandoosa in Baramulla, the police spokesman informed mediapersons in Srinagar.

The police claimed that the man had been murdered. “The body was packed in a gunny bag having rope mark on 
his neck,” a police spokesman said.

The police has filed a case in this regard and investigations are on. The body of the murdered man has been placed at the Health Centre in Chandoosa.

The police further said the victim may possibly be an immigrant.

Srinagar, February 1
The recent directive of the Health Department to ban private practice by Heads of Departments (HODs) at the associate hospitals of Government Medical College in Kashmir has led to an increased rush of patients in various government-run hospitals in Srinagar.

With all senior doctors now available during their duty hours at these hospitals, a huge rush of patients is being witnessed outside the out-patient departments (OPDs) of various hospitals.

A large number of visitors are those who would earlier visit the private clinics of these doctors depositing huge fee.

The patients, however, are complaining that it becomes very difficult to see a doctor in these hospitals.

“I have been standing since 8 am to see the HoD, general medicine. It is almost noon and they are now telling me to come tomorrow. Earlier, I would pay much more fee at his private clinic but then get to meet him on time. This is too cumbersome,” said Abdul Majid, a patient at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.

However, majority of people are happy with the health department directive as they now get to see the specialists at these hospitals at much lesser charges.

“Seeking consultation at private clinics is too expensive. Fees there are way too much for poor people. Though meeting with doctors in the public hospitals is a strenuous exercise, it is surely worth it,” Amiuna Hamid, a patient at LD Hospital, said.

“There should be more security available at the hospitals so that the increasing rush is regulated properly. This adds to the work of doctors too,” Dr Naheed Malik, a consultant at LD Hospital, said.

Anantnag, February 1
Several people were injured after the police allegedly fired tear gas shells and bullets to disperse the protestors in the Sangam area along the National Highway in this south Kashmir district.

The police, however, refuted the charges. Reports said more than one thousand people from the neighbouring Marhama village descended on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway protesting against the power shortage and the arrest of a local boy.

“Our village has been facing acute shortage of power supply for the last couple of months following which some of the youths from the village had gone to the receiving station in Chachkoot area,” the protesters said.

They said the employees at the receiving station had complained to the police and a youth from their village was arrested.

“The employees at the receiving station are from Tral and have been diverting all the power supply to their area and now the police also is resorting to violent ways against us,” the local residents rued.

“Some villagers had blocked the road and were protesting against power shortage in their area. We just cleared the road by peaceful means,” SDPO Sreedhar Patil, Bijbehara, said.

He insisted that the police did not resort to any firing or tear gas shells. —OC

Baramulla, February 1
Over 450 employees of Baramulla division of Power Development Department (PDD) today threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the Chief Engineer, Kashmir, did not revoke the transfer-cum-attachment order of 43 employees.

The chief engineer, in an order on January 29, had affected attachment and transfer of senior employees of the division on account of “poor performance in collection of revenue” and “in the interest of administration”.

The employees under transfer included assistant executive engineers (AEEs) junior engineers (JEs), inspectors and section officers. The striking employees, most of them from Wagoora, Watergam and Mohra power sub-divisions in Baramulla, said those who were put under transfer and attachment had collected significant revenue in the north circle of Baramulla and Kupwara.

“Around 65 per cent of revenue was collected till December last year. In January alone, revenue of Rs 1.70 crore was collected by the Baramulla division which was the highest in the north circle. In such a situation, the transfer orders are unjustified and must be revoked at the earliest,” said a spokesman of the Joint Action Committee, Baramulla.

“We will continue the strike till Saturday and if the order is not revoked, we will be forced to go on an indefinite strike,” he added.

Some protesting employees said the poor performers in revenue collection in the north circle had not been punished while senior employees were being victimised.

“It is highly unfortunate that instead of appreciating their outstanding performance, these employees were punished. Ironically, AEE Baramulla Ist, BA Shah, who has collected most of the revenue in January has been attached by virtue of this impugned order,” said a senior employee.

Srinagar, February 1
While more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are being installed in the summer capital to increase the electronic vigil, the J&K police is also in the process of installing high-tech cameras in other major towns of the Valley.

Sources said the process for installation of CCTV cameras in the major towns has already started and the police has identified strategic locations where these cameras would be installed. These CCTV cameras, apart from keeping an eye on militancy-related incidents, will also help the police in keeping an eye on those who indulge in stone pelting during the protests.

“In some towns, towers have already come up at various places where these CCTV cameras will be installed. This will help in increasing the vigilance in these respective areas,” said a police officer.

“These cameras will be connected to the control rooms and a close monitoring cell will be put up for round-the-clock surveillance,” he added.

The towns where these CCTV are being installed in the first phase are Baramulla, Anantnag, Sopore, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam. Sources said in the militancy-infested Sopore town, nearly two dozen cameras would be installed.

In the past, CCTV cameras had helped the police and security agencies in Srinagar to crack many militancy and crime-related cases. These cameras were first installed in Srinagar almost a decade back.

A police spokesman in Srinagar said the process for installing these cameras in different towns was on.

“The CCTV cameras are being installed which will keep an eye on the criminal elements,” the spokesman added.

Srinagar, February 1
Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today ordered early and immediate completion of super specialty hospital at Srinagar. Chairing a joint meeting of medical faculty and executing agencies to review the progress of the work on the proposed hospital, Taj said the completion of the said hospital was long overdue and further delay in this regard could not be countenanced.

He directed the administration of the proposed hospital to remain in touch with the executing agencies and be involved at every stage of its construction. He advised both hospital administration and project executing agencies to construct buildings as per the evolving patient care needs and international norms. Taj also visited the site of the hospital and asked the concerned agencies to synergise with each other for hassle free and immediate completion of the hospital building. He directed setting up of a sewerage treatment plant at the hospital, equipped with the complete sewerage disposal mechanism.

Later, the minister visited Government Dental College, Srinagar, and inspected its various blocks and wards. He directed the computerisation of all hospital records and linkage of all departments with the drug store.

He also ordered that the highest levels of cleanliness and sanitation be maintained at hospitals. — TNS

Srinagar, February 1
The former Deputy Commissioner of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district joined the ruling National Conference (NC) within 24 hours of retiring from the service. Showkat Ahmed Mir joined NC in the presence of the party’s provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Home Sajad A Kichloo and Member of Legislative Council Ali Mohd Dar, the party spokesman said.

The spokesman quoted Mir saying he had been impressed with the agenda of the party which aimed at bringing a “change in the mindsets” about the problems of the state. “This is the only party which has a vision and a solution to the Kashmir problem,” Mir said while joining the party.

While welcoming Mir, Wani said the party was attracting talent from all sections of the society, including honest and dedicated officers, which “augurs well for the politics of the state”. “All the people are impressed by the leadership qualities of Omar Abdullah and from young to old, from social activist to retired officers, everyone wants to be a part of the NC to strengthen the hands of our leadership,” Wani said.

Wani said Mir had been an “asset” as an officer and would prove to be a “great political activist”. “He will be given a very important assignment in the party shortly,” he said.

Wani said NC was the only party which had a solution to the Kashmir problem in the form of autonomy.

Srinagar, February 1
A faction of separatist group Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on Friday held a signature campaign in the city to demand the return of the remains of its leader Muhammad Maqbool Butt. Butt, who founded the JKLF, was hanged on February 11, 1984 at New Delhi’s Tihar jail, where his body is buried. For last two decades, valley shuts down on the call of separatist groups to demand the return of Butt’s body to Kashmir.

The faction, led by Javaid Ahmad Mir, asked for signatures after the Friday congregation prayers at Maisuma neighbourhood of the city.

“We collected hundreds of signatures from the young and old, men and women and students. We are demanding the return of the mortal remains of our leader Muhammad Maqbool Butt,” a member of JKLF said. — TNS

Srinagar, February 1
The Hoteliers’ Club members and Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) officials held a meeting here today to discuss ways to ensure a sound master plan for the summer capital.

Club chairman Mushtaq Chaya said a detailed discussion was held during the meeting where the SDA was urged to take into consideration the suggestions of the hotel owners for planned tourism infrastructure development.

SDA vice-chairman Farooq Renzu, senior vice-chairman of Hoteliers’ Club Riyaz Ahmad Shahdad, secretary general Tariq Rashid Ghani, treasure Sajid Farooq and member Mohammad Afazal Parray among others attended the meeting.

The meeting was held after the SDA had earlier sought suggestions from the cross section of society for the proposed master plan.

Meanwhile, Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Association (KHARA) urged the government to vacate the Centaur Lakeview Hotel on the banks of Dal Lake and huts at Chasma-Shahi to cater to the expected heavy rush of tourists in the summer months.

President of KHARA Showkat Ahmad Chowdhary said this while welcoming the recent statement of Minister of State for Tourism Sajad Ahmad Kichloo about the removal of security forces from the hotels in Valley.

“The tourist rush is growing every year for which we need more accommodation. We have many hotels under the occupation of security forces. Tourism ministry should take quick action and evacuate hotels from the occupation of security forces so that we can provide accommodation to large number of visitors,” Chowdhary added.

Srinagar, February 1
A group of women teachers from the Kashmir valley is currently on a visit to various destinations in Maharashtra, after their tour was flagged off from Army’s Kilo Force Sharifabad near here on January 27.

The teachers reached Pune on January 28 evening, a defence spokesman said.

During the past one week, the teachers visited the National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla and had a chance to acquaint themselves with the grilling training sessions of defence trainees. Air Marshall KS Gill, Commandant, NDA interacted with the teachers over tea.

The teachers also visited the Bishops, Pune camp, where they were exposed to modern teaching methods.

The teachers also visited Cognizant, an IT company, for a firsthand experience of the IT sector and to know the employment oppourtunities offered by the IT sector.