Jammu, August 24
Having got damaged not once but thrice due to heavy rain this month alone, the authorities are still plying trains at Tunnel-16 on the 53-km long Jammu-Udhampur rail link near Manwal.

It was earlier damaged due to a landslide after a downpour on August 5, in which the engine of the Malwa Express got stuck in the tunnel for more than two days. On August 13 and 16 too, the rail link was disrupted due to landslides.

The railway is running all trains on the Jammu-Udhampur track despite boulders falling inside the tunnel. However, the train moves at a much slower speed on the damaged portion of the track at 20 km per hour near Tunnel-16.

Ganesh Dass, a frequent traveler said, “Passing through Manwal tunnel is very risky as stones keep falling near the tunnel.”

“Most frequent travelers prefer to travel via buses and only a few travel in the DMUs and other trains due to the danger involved,” he added.

There are seven trains on the Udhampur to Jammu track; Malwa Express, Jammu Mail, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Summer Special and three DMUs.

Geology expert GM Bhat said, “The stones have become loose in that area, so landslide is common on the track. It is mandatory to closely monitor it. Otherwise, running trains on such track is dangerous.”

The railway authorities, however, claim it is safe to run the train on the track. RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager said, “It is 100 per cent safe to travel on this track, we do not run the train on the track without getting a clearance from construction agency.” “Passengers can travel without any hesitation on this track,” he claimed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had inaugurated the 53-km long Jammu-Udhampur rail link on April 13, 2005. This rail link has 20 major tunnels and 158 bridges. Its longest tunnel is 2.5 km long and the highest bridge is 77 m high, making it the highest railway bridge in the country.

The line was the biggest project undertaken by the railways in the mountainous terrain.

Jammu, August 24
The health wing of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today raided several milk and cheese shops in the Dogra Hall and Canal Road areas of the city and lifted several samples for testing.

Officials said they had received several complaints from residents about adulteration of milk and its products and so, they had decided to conduct a surprise check.

A team led by Health Officer Dr Vinod Sharma checked these products on various parameters. These were found to be below the standards marked by the civic body.

City residents have been concerned about the poor quality of milk and its products, which leads to various health issues.

Though in the absence of modern equipment and manpower, the fight against adulteration is becoming a losing one for JMC officials, but in the recent months, a number of dairy owners have been penalised for playing with the health of people.

Sharma said, "Samples have been sent for analysis and shopkeepers have been warned against violating rules. We are waiting for results so that action can be taken."

Dr Sharma said despite the shortage of technical manpower, priority would be given to getting the samples tested as soon as possible.

Officers also inspected various eateries in the Jewel Chowk, Dogra Chowk areas. The move was aimed at checking the hygiene level of the premises ahead of Janamashtami. Besides the inspection, the team spread awareness regarding the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006, to restaurant owners and visitors at these eateries.

"They (owners) were directed to maintain proper hygienic conditions at their eateries. The food business operators assured the authorities that irregularities, if any, would be removed within a short span of time and there would be no lapse from their side in the future," said Food Safety Officer Parmod Kumar.

A survey conducted by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India in 2012 had found that 83 per cent of milk sold in various districts of the state was not safe for consumption. The study had found that most common adulteration in the state was in glucose and skimmed milk products.

Katra, August 24
A team from the Department of Legal Metrology, Reasi, conducted extensive checking of the market at Bhambla and other adjoining areas of Reasi district. During the inspection, sweet shops, karyana stores, hardware stores, dhabas and fruit and vegetable sellers were checked and about 14 traders were booked for violation of the J&K Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act and Rules.

About nine cases were compounded on spot and a fine of Rs 10,200 was imposed and recovered from the defaulters. All the erring trades were directed to report to the office of Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology, Reasi, for further legal action.

Jammu, August 24
Journalists representing different electronic channels and newspapers in Jammu today held a protest against the gang rape of a woman photojournalist in Mumbai a few days back. A protest march was taken out from the Jammu Press Club.

More than 50 journalists from print and electronic media took part in the rally to denounce the incident and demanded a strict anti-rape law in the country and strong punishment to accused.

“The incident is a wake-up call for the government to consider death penalty for those involved in the heinous crime of rape. It is a shameful fact for modern India that women are not feeling safe in the country”, said a protesting photo journalist.

Protesters also demanded that the government, both at state as well as Centre, pass a legislation to provide legal assistance to the victims who fall prey to sexual violence.

“There are hundreds of rapes and sexual molestation cases happening in rural areas and villages which are not reported in the media. Most of the victims are facing social stigma and are forced to remain silent. This is a fight for every section of the society”, said another protester.

It is pertinent to mention here that five men had gang-raped a woman photographer in India’s financial hub Mumbai on Thursday, fuelling protests and stirring memories of a similar attack last December in New Delhi.

The attack took place in an upmarket district of central Mumbai as the 23-year-old woman and a male colleague were taking photos of old buildings for a local magazine.

Ramban, August 24
MH Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, today asked the Education Department to distribute the available stock of books among the deserving students of the district.

The DDC issued directions to the Chief Education Officer during a surprise inspection of Government High School, Chanderkote.

During the checking of records and store, the DC took serious note of a huge stock of books lying in the school. He directed the CEO to ensure distribution of the books immediately.

He also expressed dismay over the low attendance in all classes. He asked the teachers and headmistress to ensure full attendance by motivating parents to send their wards to the school.

He also inspected the mid-day meal stocks and arrangements for preparation of the same available in the school. 

Jammu, August 24
Political workers of various parties from Inderwal constituency of Kishtwar district joined the Congress party today in the presence of MLA Ghulam Muhammad Saroori.

The leaders were Bashir Ahmed, Abdul Qayoom, Nazir Ahmed Mattoo and Dev Raj of PDP, BJP and NC.

The Congress spokesperson of Inderwal described it as a "major jolt to other parties" in the area and said they were motivated by the people-friendly policies of Saroori.

New entrants attributed their joining into the Congress to the "miserable attitude of NC, PDP and BJP towards public concerns" and said the parties were only looking for occasions to ignite tension between various sections of the society by exploiting their sentiments on one or the other pretext.

They said truthfulness in the politics of Congress and the dynamism of Saroori to seek equitable development, peace and prosperity for the area had made them join Congress and work for the welfare of people of Kishtwar-Doda area.

Welcoming these people in party fold, Saroori said Congress was the voice of people and would continue to represent the aspirations of all the sections of the society.

"This would help the people of Inderwal Constituency in all spheres of development", he added. He asked the new entrants to serve the people and spread the programmes and policies of the Indian National Congress at the grassroots level.

Jammu, August 24
Students of the Government MAM PG College held a demonstration under the banner of National Panthers Students Union (NPSU), against the resolution of Pakistan's National Assembly on ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).

Led by president Sandeep Thakur, protesters demanded that Pakistan be declared a terrorist state. They demanded that India calls off all its talks with Pakistan and stop all the confidence-building measures with the neighbouring country. He criticised Pakistan government and also urged upon the Central Government to initiate a stern action against Pakistan.—TNS

Jammu, August 24
The Yuva Janata Dal United (YJDU), Jammu province, today expressed concerns about the alleged irregularities taking place in the Rural Development Department.

In a statement, Pawan Chib, Dal provisional president, said works being done under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were being done with labour that did not belong to the state.

YJDU demanded an enquiry to check the names of persons who had job cards and had received money under the MNREGA but were also working in private companies or studying in colleges and were having 100 per cent attendance.

He appealed to the government to wake up to the corrupt practices of the department and take strict actions against those involved in looting the public money.

He further appealed to the people of the state to strengthen the gram sabhas.

Reasi, August 24
The Department of Handicraft today handed over certificates to 25 girls for completion of their year-long training in staple embroidery from SETC.

The certificates were given away to the passouts here at a function organised by Manu Hansa, Assistant Director, Handicrafts.

The one-year training programme, designed for a batch of 25 candidates, gives special preference to women. The main objective of the programme was to train the candidates in handicraft skills to make them self-employed.

Speaking on the occasion, Hansa asked the sarpanches and panches to interact with the trainees and encourage them to avail benefits of various schemes. He further asked the trainees to register themselves with the department to take benefit of the incentives offered by it.

Srinagar, August 24
Observing that the supply of meat or mutton in the state is an important issue as it is consumed in large quantities, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the authorities concerned to take samples of the raw meat sold in the open market.

After lifting the samples of raw meat from the open market, the authorities concerned have been asked to submit a report in this regard to the court within four weeks.

The High Court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking implementation of the food safety standards to check food adulteration in the state.

In the wake of adulteration of various food items and reports of unhygienic conditions in the food processing and manufacturing units, earlier on January 6, the High Court had sought details of the slaughter houses in all the districts of the state.

“The supply of meat in the state is an important issue because its consumption is high,” a Division Bench of the High Court observed in its orders passed this week and made available today.

The High Court had earlier issued directions to constitute a committee to suggest how to provide quality meat to the consumers. Te Bench observed that the committee submitted its report, recommending checking of sheep or goat on entry points and maintenance of hygiene in slaughter houses.

“The recommendations have been forwarded to the agency concerned. However, no report whether the recommendations by the committee in its form submitted or some modification were required to be incorporated, has not been stated,” the Bench said in its orders while directing the authorities concerned to file a status report in this regard by or before next hearing.

“Regarding samples of raw meat which is sold in open shops, no report has been filed. Accordingly, we direct that a separate status report be filed after lifting samples of raw meat which is sold in open shops and specification as laid down in the Act and the rules be kept in view,” the High Court said.

Similarly, a status report regarding private and public sector abattoirs should be filed before the court, the court said while directing the authorities concerned to file a status report in this regard within four weeks.

The High Court has also revealed that in the status report by the Chief Secretary filed on August 20, it has been highlighted that the Controller (Drug and Food Control Organisation) who was also appointed the Commissioner, Food Safety, J&K, has now been replaced by appointing Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education as Commissioner in addition to his own duties.

“The respondents have expressed their inability to appoint an independent officer as Food Safety Commissioner,” the High Court observed in its orders while referring to the submission made in the status report.

In respect of the Food Safety Tribunal replacing the mechanism adopted by the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1994, the status report states, the matter has been taken up with the Finance Department for creation of the post of Presiding Officer of the rank of district and sessions judge and the allied staff.

“It is assured that the matter is given priority and it is under active consideration,” the court said.

Srinagar, August 24
Confident of a good show in the forthcoming Assembly Elections in the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said people will judge his government on the basis its performance.

“I have full faith in people. They will judge us on the basis of our performance and achievements,” Omar said while interacting with the students of the Government Degree College, Bijbehara.

The Chief Minister on the occasion also inaugurated the college complex, estimated to be built at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

Omar added that the report card of the Government is in the public domain and it will be elaborated before the 2014 Elections.

“Public support is our highest strength. They are the best judges to gauge the performance of our government,” he said, adding that the work done on the ground by his government would speak for itself.

Omar, while responding to the queries posed by the students, said his government was committed to develop education sector and consolidate the infrastructure of schools and colleges in the state.

He said that access to higher education has been flagged as an important concern so that the students living in villages and far off places have ample opportunity to pursue their goals.

The Chief Minister asked the students to devote attention to their educational development as they have to face various challenges in their life after coming out of the educational institution.

He also laid the foundation of Rs 13 crore Trauma Hospital at Bijbehara and a modern fruit and vegetable market at Jablipora.

Omar also laid the foundation of Rs 5.62 crore bridge at Saphen Audarin in south Kashmir. The 50 metre-long bridge would benefit a population of over 10,000 people from six villages in Bijbehara constituency.

The Chief Minister said the Jablipora fruit and vegetable mandi will give impetus to the fruit marketing in Bijbehara and adjacent areas and generate various economic activities for locals. The fruit market will be developed over an area of 440 kanals.

Minister for Horticulture, Raman Bhalla, legislator and National Conference provincial president from Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, were also present on the occasion.

Srinagar, August 24
While trains resumed their full operation in Kashmir on Tuesday after nine days, officials claim that railway property worth lakhs was damaged in stone-pelting incidents during Eid festivity.

The stone-pelting on racks on August 10 had forced the authorities not only to suspend the additional trains that were to be run for three days during the Eid festivity, but the full train operation from Banihal to Baramulla remained suspended for nine days. The trains, however, plied partially between Budgam to Banihal during that period.

“The preliminary estimates show that railway property worth Rs 2 lakh was damaged during the stone-pelting incidents on August 10 at various railway stations of south Kashmir,” said a railway official. “Apart from racks, railway stations were also damaged in the stone-pelting incidents,” he added.

The railway police had later arrested dozens of youth allegedly involved in the incidents from various localities. The youth were arrested from Awantipora, Anantnag, Kakapora, Pampore and various other areas.

After the communal clashes in Kishtawar, the Railway authorities were advised by the police in Jammu not to ply any trains up to Banihal on August 10 fearing damage to the rail property. So the Railways decided to ply the trains between Qazigund to Baramulla. When passengers were asked to alight before their destinations they were caught unaware and subsequently vented their anger by pelting the railway racks with stones. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported at several stations, including Qazigund in south Kashmir.

Srinagar, August 24
Dozens of casual labourers working in the Power Development Department (PDD) today staged a protest here against the failure of the state government to pay their wages.

The protesters threatened that if the government failed to provide them the wages, they will force a blackout in the state from next month.

“We have been doing every work of the department that is being assigned to us. But the government has not released our long pending wages. If the government fails to release our salary, we will force a total blackout in the state,” president of All J&K PDD casual labourers, Mohammad Shafi Bhat, said.

He alleged that nearly 5,000 casual labourers of the department were without wages for the past one year.

“Government has been promising us many things, but the fact is that we are without wages from last one year. We were not even able to celebrate Eid, as we had no money in our pockets,” said Tariq Ahmed.