SPECIAL COVERAGE
CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI


THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Police foils Hurriyat march
Srinagar, September 18
Hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani was today detained by police when he left his residence with a handful of supporters and attempted to march to the office of United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in the city here.

Omar interacts with Umeed beneficiaries
Srinagar, September 18
CM Omar Abdullah interacts with Umeed beneficiaries at Khansahib. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said welfare of women was imperative for holistic development of the society. He said this while interacting with beneficiaries of Umeed scheme during  a function at Khansahib
CM Omar Abdullah interacts with Umeed beneficiaries at Khansahib. A Tribune photograph

Cannabis cultivation destroyed in Anantnag
Anantnag, September 18
Police along with officials from the district administration today destroyed cannabis cultivation in Bijbehara area of this south Kashmir district.


EARLIER STORIES




2 killed, 2 hurt in mishaps
Srinagar, September 18
Two persons including a woman died while two others were injured in road accidents across Kashmir valley, the police said today.

1991 ‘mass rape’ case: Police fails to investigate the matter within stipulated three months
Srinagar, September 18
Failing to complete its investigation within stipulated three months time, a magisterial court in Kupwara has given J&K police a further three months to carry out investigations into the 1991 Kunan Poshpora ‘mass rape’ case.

45-year-old reported missing
Srinagar, September 18
A 45-year-old man has been reported missing for the last two days in the city here, the police said today.

CII for inland water transport system in Valley
Srinagar, September 18
Governor NN Vohra today emphasised the urgency for measures to effectively meet fast-increasing demands for enhancing transportation facilities and improving traffic management in the state.

Lawyers in Valley strike work in courts, take out protest march
Srinagar, September 18
Lawyers protest in Srinagar on Wednesday. Lawyers in Kashmir today struck work in courts and also took out a protest march against the civilian killings and the alleged human rights violations by the forces. The work at courts in High Court and other sub-ordinate courts in Srinagar was affected today as lawyers abstained from appearing in their cases. The call for protests on Wednesday was given by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, who had also called for a march to UNO office in Srinagar. 

Lawyers protest in Srinagar on Wednesday. tribune photo: Amin war

PDP concerned over rise in ceasefire violations 
Jammu, September 18
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed concern over the escalation in ceasefire violation incidents on the Line of Control (LoC) and international border. The party expressed anguish over the prevailing situation in the state in general and the Kashmir valley in particular.

Arrangements for Assembly Session reviewed
Srinagar, September 18
The Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul Wednesday directed the Police and civil administration to work with utmost dedication and make the forthcoming Assembly Session commencing from September 30 a grand success.

‘Use innovation, tech in education’
Srinagar, September 18
Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone today said educational institutes were fountains of prosperity and development and urged college teachers to impart quality education to enrich students with innovative technological trends.

Kashmiri Pandits celebrate birth of Vitasta at Verinag
Srinagar, September 18
Kashmiri Pandits celebrated the “birth of Vitasta” (Jhelum river) at Veth-Vitru, Verinag, in south Kashmir today. A large number of devotees held ‘puja archana’ on the occasion.

Moderate Hurriyat to hold march tomorrow
Srinagar, September 18
The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for a march to south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday.

Guv announces Rs 3.5 lakh for society for differently abled
Srinagar, September 18
A deputation of the  Society for Human Welfare and Education, Srinagar, working for the education and welfare of differently abled children, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

Giving right direction to youth our agenda, says Mehbooba
Srinagar, September 18
Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said the youth of the state, especially those living in Kashmir, have been pushed to the wall and denied opportunities on political, social and economic fronts.

Army celebrates Hindi Diwas
Srinagar, September 18
Army’s 13 Rasthriya Rifles (Kumaon) organised a seminar last week in Bandipore district to observe the Hindi Diwas.

Govt to promote ISM, says minister 
Srinagar, September 18
Minister of State (MoS) for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan today said the government was making efforts to promote the Indian System of Medicine (ISM) in the state.

Novelty Blue, PDC Blue win football matches
Srinagar, September 18
Novelty Blue and PDC Blue won their respective matches in the ongoing J&K State Power Development Corporation Annual League Football Tournament.

BJP youth wing urges Modi to take bold steps in Kashmir
Srinagar, September 18
The youth wing of the Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today urged party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to carry forward the bold steps taken by former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihar Vajpayee regarding the Kashmir issue.

1.2 kg brown sugar seized in Kupwara
Srinagar, September 18
The police and the Army today seized 1.2 kg of brown sugar from north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

 





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Police foils Hurriyat march
 Hardline separatist leader detained; was heading to UNMOGIP office
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani was today detained by police when he left his residence with a handful of supporters and attempted to march to the office of United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in the city here.

Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of separatist group Hurriyat Conference, was whisked away in an armoured police car and detained at a nearby police station, a police official said.

The separatist leader had asked the "youth, party leaders and activists" to assemble at his party office at Hyderpora, which is located adjacent to his residence, from where Geelani would have led them in a march to the UNMOGIP office.

Geelani was scheduled to hand over a memorandum to UNMOGIP officials which was addressed to UN Secretary General.

Geelani had called for the march to UNMOGIP office as part of a protest campaign against the killing of four civilians and one "suspected" militant in two firing incidents early this month in south Kashmir's Shopian district. Geelani has threatened to intensify protests.

The separatist leader's appeal to the people to assemble for the march, however, evoked little response from the youth. A few attempts were made by the separatist activists to reach the venue but they were chased away by police and paramilitary personnel.

The police fired tear smoke canisters to disperse a group of men led by a mid-rung separatist leader who were attempting to reach Geelani's Hyderpora office.

This led to a spell of clashes between the youth and police in the area and additional police deployments were rushed to the spot and protesters were chased away.

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Omar interacts with Umeed beneficiaries
 Says scheme to benefit 9 lakh families in 5 years
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said welfare of women was imperative for holistic development of the society. He said this while interacting with beneficiaries of Umeed scheme during 
a function at Khansahib in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Omar said the involvement of women at grassroot levels to transform the socio-economic status of women and open new vistas for women's development could be achieved through programmes like Umeed. He stressed the need for bringing more and more women under its fold and organising their groups to work in unity to seek welfare and fight social evils.

The Chief Minister said after ensuring participation of women in Panchayat elections by having provision for their reservation, the Umeed scheme is yet another initiative aimed at empowerment and welfare of women, particularly those living in villages. He said it was highly encouraging that Umeed programme “has rooted fast in the state, and in a short period of six months, its impact is amply visible on ground”.

An official said as many as 23,040 families had been covered under Umeed and the number of beneficiary families will touch the 9 lakh figure during the next five years.

Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar, who was also present on the occasion, highlighted the importance of Umeed to empower women to participate in development and welfare of the state.

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Cannabis cultivation destroyed in Anantnag
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, September 18
Police along with officials from the district administration today destroyed cannabis cultivation in Bijbehara area of this south Kashmir district.

According to police reports, a joint team of police and excise departments raided Krandigam village in Bijbehara and destroyed the illegal cultivation.

"The cultivation was spread over an estimated 15 kanals of land," said a senior police officials from the area. "We employed tractors to mow down the cultivation," he added.

He said a case had been registered against the owner of the land on which the cannabis had been cultivated.

South Kashmir region has been a hotbed of this illegal trade and consistent efforts from the police and the district administration have apparently led to a fall in cannabis cultivation.

"We have been able to curb the cultivation to a great extent," said a senior official of the district administration.

"However, there are some people who have been found returning to the trade," he added.

Today's exercise, the police officer said, is part of the anti-narcotics campaign the police has been pursuing over the last few years.

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2 killed, 2 hurt in mishaps

Srinagar, September 18
Two persons including a woman died while two others were injured in road accidents across Kashmir valley, the police said today.

A vehicle hit and seriously injured a boy identified as Sulaiman Rather, a resident of Bramarri village, at Bramarri in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, said a police spokesman. The injured was shifted to Sub-district Hospital Kupwara for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries.

In south Kashmir's Awantipora town, a woman died when she was hit and critically injured by a vehicle at Chechkoot. The woman identified as Fatima, a resident of Sherabad area of nearby Tral town, succumbed to injuries on way to the hospital, said the spokesman.

In the city here, a car hit and injured a six-year-old boy identified as Aamir Bashir Nangroo, a resident of Lawaypora. The boy was shifted to hospital where he is being treated, said the spokesman. In another accident, a tipper hit a car near Qamarwari in the city here, resulting in injuries to a person who was travelling in the car, said the spokesman. The injured has been shifted to SMHS Hospital for treatment. — TNS

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1991 ‘mass rape’ case: Police fails to investigate the matter within stipulated three months
Kupwara court grants three-month extension for undertaking further probe
Ishfaq Tantry/TNS

Srinagar, September 18
Failing to complete its investigation within stipulated three months time, a magisterial court in Kupwara has given J&K police a further three months to carry out investigations into the 1991 Kunan Poshpora ‘mass rape’ case.

The earlier three-month deadline set by the Judicial Magistrate Kupwara for the police to investigate the matter expired today.

Accusing the authorities of “obfuscating" facts, the victims have said they will challenge the extension order before the High Court.

Over 30 women were allegedly raped by Army personnel in the remote Kunan Poshpora village in Kupwara on February 23, 1991. The charges have not been proved so far as no trial has been held.

The police had, on September 13, sought further six months time for investigations and accordingly, SSP Kupwara had moved an application before the judicial magistrate, Kupwara for seeking extension. In the application, it had been stated that the police has been in touch with the Army, victims and the Block Medical Officer who carried out medical examinations of the victims in 1991. “The Army has also sought more time to provide the requisite information,” police said in the application before the Kupwara Magistrate, who, on September 14, granted a three-month extension to the police for completing the investigation.

Stating that the three-month deadline given by Judicial Magistrate for investigations in the Kunan Poshpora mass rape/torture case expired today, the victims allege that in the interim, from June 18 to September 18, the Jammu and Kashmir police has carried out “no investigations”, and on the contrary, has only “sought to frustrate” the victims.

“In the last three months, the police has recorded no statements from the victims, witnesses, or even from the accused Army personnel,” said the victims.

“The extension, without hearing the victims who were on record, granted by Judicial Magistrate, Kupwara, and the unabated policy of delay will be challenged in the High Court,” they said, adding that they were not heard by the magistrate before passing of this order.

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45-year-old reported missing
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
A 45-year-old man has been reported missing for the last two days in the city here, the police said today.

Abdul Rashid Koi (45), a resident of Veer Chatabal area of the city, has been reported missing by his son Showkat Ahmad Koi, said a police spokesman.

The man has been reported missing since September 16, said the spokesman. 

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CII for inland water transport system in Valley
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Governor NN Vohra today emphasised the urgency for measures to effectively meet fast-increasing demands for enhancing transportation facilities and improving traffic management in the state.

The Governor said this while interacting with a delegation of the Confederation of India Industries (CII), Kashmir Zone, led by Sheikh Imran, which called on him at the Raj Bhawan today.

The delegation presented a concept paper to the Governor with regard to putting in place an inland water transport system in the Kashmir valley in a phased manner and promoting this facility in Srinagar to begin with.

The delegation briefed the Governor about the salient features of the proposal, which was implemented in 1996 but later given up.

Other members of the delegation Khurshid Dar and Shahala Sheikh briefed the Governor about the success of their ventures initiated in different arenas.

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Lawyers in Valley strike work in courts, take out protest march
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Lawyers in Kashmir today struck work in courts and also took out a protest march against the civilian killings and the alleged human rights violations by the forces.

The work at courts in High Court and other sub-ordinate courts in Srinagar was affected today as lawyers abstained from appearing in their cases.

The call for protests on Wednesday was given by hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani, who had also called for a march to UNO office in Srinagar. The High Court Bar Association had on Tuesday decided to support Geelani’s protest programme and had accordingly advised lawyers to boycott courts on September 18 and 21.

Apart from boycotting courts, the lawyers took out a protest demonstration in the Sadar Court complex in the city. Raising slogans, the protesting lawyers marched up to the outer gates of the court Complex, where they were prevented by the police from moving further towards Lal Chowk area. 

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PDP concerned over rise in ceasefire violations 
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 18
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed concern over the escalation in ceasefire violation incidents on the Line of Control (LoC) and international border. The party expressed anguish over the prevailing situation in the state in general and the Kashmir valley in particular.

In a meeting, which was conveyed on Tuesday under the chairman of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to discuss the present situation in the state, party leaders regretted that the situation on the borders was deteriorating due to the unabated incidents of ceasefire violation. PDP leaders pointed out that residents of Jammu and Kashmir were bearing the brunt of the skirmishes on the border and were the worst victims of hostility between India and Pakistan.

The speakers recalled that it was during the PDP regime that ceasefire was announced in 2003 and peace was restored all along the border from Kathua to Kargil. “The ceasefire announced at that time had brought positives changes in the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but unfortunately the situation has returned to pre-2003 situation,” a PDP leader observed.

Pointing towards the deteriorating law and order situation in the state in general and the Valley in particular, speakers observed that curfew and restrictions had become a policy of the present government headed by Omar Abdullah. “Instead of adopting a human approach to heal the wounds of people, this dispensation has been blatantly using oppressive means to stifle the genuine demands of the people,” a speaker said and expressed concern over continuous curfew in Shopian and other parts of the Valley.

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Arrangements for Assembly Session reviewed

Srinagar, September 18
The Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul Wednesday directed the Police and civil administration to work with utmost dedication and make the forthcoming Assembly Session commencing from September 30 a grand success.

He also asked them to submit reply to questions to the Assembly Secretariat well in time. The Speaker was addressing a high-level meeting of officers of police and civil administration convened to review the arrangements made for the forthcoming Assembly Session here today.

“Threadbare discussion was held on parking facilities for mediapersons, proper regulation of traffic, providing of sufficient and regular supply of water to the Legislative Complex, installation of water-proof shamiana on the premises of the complex besides medical facilities,” an official spokesman said. — TNS

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‘Use innovation, tech in education’
 Minister asks college teachers to inculcate quest for excellence among students
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone today said educational institutes were fountains of prosperity and development and urged college teachers to impart quality education to enrich students with innovative technological trends.

He asked them to inculcate quest for excellence among students so that they could prove their mettle in global-level competitions and become torch bearers for the nation, an official statement said.

Lone made was addressing a national seminar on “Faculty Development in Higher Education Issues and Challenges” organised jointly by Amar Singh College, Srinagar, and Government Degree College, Vailo Larnoo, Anantnag, here today.

“Such seminars provide a platform for participants to deliberate upon the theme and come up with strategies to effectively meet the challenges confronting faculty development in higher education,” he said, adding that interactive proceedings in the seminar would help the participants to understand each other's ideas.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is very keen to uplift and upgrade the educational setup of the state and the government has taken various initiatives for providing a dynamic and creative academic environment and tapping natural talent for development of professional skills and improving the overall personality,” the statement quoted Lone as having said during the seminar.

The minister urged college teachers to deliver professional responsibilities with more zeal and devotion and come up to the expectations of students, society and nation at large, the statement said.

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Kashmiri Pandits celebrate birth of Vitasta at Verinag
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Kashmiri Pandits celebrated the “birth of Vitasta” (Jhelum river) at Veth-Vitru, Verinag, in south Kashmir today. A large number of devotees held ‘puja archana’ on the occasion.

The local administration and Vetasta Devasthan Prabandak Committee (VDPC) had made arrangements for the smooth conduct of the festival, an official said.

Minister for Tourism GA Mir while interacting with the devotees expressed hope that the festival will strengthen the trust between majority and minority community.

The minister said Vitasta celebrations held together by Pandits and Muslims symbolised the strong bond of harmony and brotherhood.

On the significance of Veth-Vitru, General Secretary of the VDPC, R K Bhat, said, “Hindus believe the holy twin springs to be of the Virgin Roopa (Kumari Roopa) of Mata Parvati and the Hindus also believe that Parvati after her marriage with Shiva came in the form of a water sprout at Verinag which is at a one-kilometre distance from the Veth-Vitru springs.”

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Moderate Hurriyat to hold march tomorrow
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for a march to south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday.

The Mirwaiz had yesterday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government asking it to lift the curfew from the district. The curfew was imposed nearly two weeks ago.

“The Hurriyat executive today decided that the Hurriyat leaders will march towards Shopian on Friday to show solidarity with the people of Shopian,” Hurriyat said in a statement here. The decision in this regard was taken by the Hurriyat leaders in a meeting today, which was chaired by Abdul Gani Bhat. The Mirwaiz addressed the meeting through video-conferencing. 

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Guv announces Rs 3.5 lakh for society for differently abled
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
A deputation of the 
Society for Human Welfare and Education, Srinagar, working for the education and welfare of differently abled children, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

The six-member deputation was led by M Ahmad, the in charge of the organisation.

The demands presented by the deputation include provision of adequate financial support to the organisation for carrying out its activities and a school bus for its school for hearing, speech and visually impaired children.

The members briefed the Governor that the society was running three educational institutions, including School for Deaf and Dumb Children and School and Home for Visually Impaired.

They said the society was also imparting vocational training to physically challenged children.

The Governor announced support of Rs 3.5 lakh to the society for promoting their activities. He said the issues raised by the deputationists would be taken up with the state government. 

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Giving right direction to youth our agenda, says Mehbooba
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said the youth of the state, especially those living in Kashmir, have been pushed to the wall and denied opportunities on political, social and economic fronts.

Addressing a youth convention in Khansahib constituency in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, she said given the right vision, direction and leadership, the youth of the state could script a new destiny for themselves and that is the centre piece of her party’s agenda. PDP general secretary Mohammad Dilawar Mir, senior party leader Tariq Hameed Karra, MLA Syed Basharat Bukhari, district president Saifudin Bhat, chief coordinator of women wing Anjum Fazilli, zonal president Bashir Ahmad Bhat and others also spoke on the occasion.

Mehbooba said Kashmir had "historically provided leadership to the entire South Asia in knowledge and entrepreneurship" and there was no reason why that status of the state coul not be revived.

Mehbooba lashed out at the National Conference and said the party was exploiting people for its own political gains. “Power for the NC always came at the cost of the youth of the state. Their interests and stakes were always sold out for the NC to be able to gain power,” she said.

Referring to the growing unemployment in the state, Mehbooba said it was a sad commentary on the performance of the NC over the past six decades that three lakh candidates wrote an examination for 12,000 jobs carrying a monthly remuneration of Rs 3,500.

“At the same time, the present regime has reemployed hundreds of retired bureaucrats on top posts giving them monthly salaries running into lakhs,” she said.

Mehbooba said the government had promised fast-track recruitment two years back and it was only now when the elections were around the corner that an examination had been conducted in which established procedures had been violated as reported to her by a number of candidates.

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Army celebrates Hindi Diwas
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Army’s 13 Rasthriya Rifles (Kumaon) organised a seminar last week in Bandipore district to observe the Hindi Diwas.
The Army organised a seminar to observe Hindi Diwas.
The Army organised a seminar to observe Hindi Diwas. A Tribune photograph

The function was held on September 14 on the banks of Manasbal Lake at the Basic Sericulture Research Station. It was inaugurated by the Second-in-Command of the 13RR.

Dr Pankaj Tewary, Scientist at the Regional Sericulture Research Station, started with the opening address and also read out the letters received from Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde whose ministry also responsible for the promotion of official languages and letters from various dignitaries of the Sericulture Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Second-in-Command of the 13RR said Hindi was playing a medium of bringing unity in diversity.

"Hindi as a language has evolved over the years and is absorbing vocabulary from various other languages like Urdu, Farsi, Arabic and even English making it truly a language of people," he said.

The function culminated with the debates and poem recitation by various officials of the Sericulture Department. 

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Govt to promote ISM, says minister 
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Minister of State (MoS) for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan today said the government was making efforts to promote the Indian System of Medicine (ISM) in the state.

Khan said the construction work on five ISM hospitals and 30 dispensaries costing Rs 101 crore was apace across the state.

The minister, while reviewing the functioning of the ISM department at a meeting here asked the officials to encourage people to avail of this system of treatment.

“The government has set up ISM health centres at all state and district level hospitals, besides primary health centres where medicines and other related facilities have been made available free of cost to patients,” Khan said.

Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Gazanfar Hussain, Director, ISM, Abdul Kabir, Mission Director, NRHM, Yashpal Sharma and Director, Health Services, besides other senior officers attended the meeting, an official spokesman said.

Khan emphasised on the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment facilities for people at the ISM hospitals, adding that it should be strictly ensured that patients get free of cost medicines and other health care facilities in these hospitals.

Khan said as many as 438 AYUSH medical officers had been engaged at the PHCs while 160 posts of Ayurveda and Unani medical officers had been created by corresponding reduction of equal number of posts of assistant surgeons. He said around 396 AYUSH pharmacists had also been engaged under the National Rural Health Mission at the PHCs across the state.

He said up-gradation of the ISM infrastructure in the state also received focused attention of the government. 

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Novelty Blue, PDC Blue win football matches
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
Novelty Blue and PDC Blue won their respective matches in the ongoing J&K State Power Development Corporation Annual League Football Tournament.

Players in action during a match in the J&K State Power Development Corporation Annual League Football Tournament on Wednesday.
Players in action during a match in the J&K State Power Development Corporation Annual League Football Tournament on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

The first match of 'A' division was played between the Novelty Blue and the Court Road. the Novelty defeated the Court Road by 2-0. Both the goals were scored by Mushtaq Ahmed in the 40th and 43rd minute.

In another match the PDC Blue defeated the Arfat Sports. Both teams played aggressive football, but the PDC created chances and converted them into goals. The first goal of the PDC was scored by Amanjot Singh in the 10th minute, while Amir scored two goals back to back in the 14th and 25th minute. In the 55th minute Jazib of the Arfat Sports scored the only goal for his team. The fourth goal was scored for the PDC by Gulzar and the PDC won the match by 4-1.

The tournament is being organised by the J&K Football Association. 

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BJP youth wing urges Modi to take bold steps in Kashmir
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
The youth wing of the Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today urged party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to carry forward the bold steps taken by former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihar Vajpayee regarding the Kashmir issue.

Addressing a convention here, vice-president of the youth wing, Ashiq Hussain Dar said they expected Modi, if the party came to power at the Centre, to take the same ‘bold political and economic confidence-building steps with reference to the state as were taken by Vajpayee during his tenure.

During his visit here in 2000, Vajpayee had made a promise that the Centre would resolve the Kashmir issue — “insaniyat ke dayire main (within the ambit of humanity)”.

Dar also welcomed the nomination of Modi as the prime ministerial candidate.

“The decision is timely and we welcome it,” he said.

Modi had on Friday last been formally nominated as the BJP prime ministerial candidate for 2014 elections.

Dar said they were also hopeful that Modi would address the unemployment issue in the state if the party came to power.

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1.2 kg brown sugar seized in Kupwara
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 18
The police and the Army today seized 1.2 kg of brown sugar from north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Sources said a joint team of the police and the Army intercepted a Tata Sumo in the Tangdhar market, 170 km from here, and during its search 1.2 kg of brown sugar, a pistol and a magazine were recovered from the vehicle.

"The driver, Mohammad Ahsan, has been arrested and he is being questioned," a source said.

The police has registered a case and the investigation is on.

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