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Jammu pays heavy eco-price for progress
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Reasi admn acts tough on road blockades, unlawful protests
Potholes, mismanaged traffic give nightmare to commuters
Minor raped in Rajouri, one arrested
Minister for developing more green patches within city
Students lauded for project models
Army provides infrastructure to border schools in Akhnoor
Citizens form body to promote peace
Dental camp held at Bhatindi
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Jammu pays heavy eco-price for progress
Jammu, October 12 Unprecedented weather conditions are prevailing across the city as haze, smog and dust in air has not only reduced the visibility, but also taken a toll on human health. Though the rainfall in the evening brings respite to the residents, the humid conditions were proving disastrous for the farmers in the rice-producing areas of Jammu. Dr Raj Kumar Rampal, head, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Jammu said, “Smog, pollutants and high level of dust in air has reduced the visibility, besides causing rise in suffocation and humidity level in the winter capital city. It is all because of the massive development activities and the widening of Jammu-Srinagar highway as the contractors executing these projects have been violating norms with impunity.” The environmentalist said there was a provision of sprinkling water near the construction site so that dust gets settled down, but the contractors don’t do it just to make money. “It is for the first time that there is such a high level of humidity in the mid-October. Several other reasons are also contributing to the rise in pollution and climate change which mainly includes manifold increase in the number of vehicles on roads,” Dr Rampal said. Head of Agro-Met department at the SKUAST-Jammu, Prof BC Sharma, said that humid conditions are due to the fact that the north-west monsoon has still not receded and the upper atmosphere retains moisture which has trapped the dust particles. “Things will settle down within the next 48 hours as we are expecting rains soon. After that weather would get normal,” Sharma said. Agri scientists maintained that humidity remained between 70-80 per cent during the past fortnight which could adversely affect the paddy farmers, especially Basmati cultivators who were about to harvest produce. In Jammu region, the total area under rice cultivation is around 109.60 thousand hectares and three types of rice namely Basmati, super fine, medium and course varieties are generally grown in the region and thousands of families are dependent on farming for their survival. |
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Despite ban, begging continues unabated
Jammu, October 12 Children, including girls, carrying toddlers can be seen walking along vehicles asking for money. Most of them are outsiders and it is difficult to understand the language they are speaking. In the past few months there has been a greater influx of people from outside the state. They are camping below the flyover near Jewel Chowk and several isolated places around city. A large number of beggars can be found outside religious places and other crowded destinations like bus stand, Jewel Chowk and Kachi Chawani. “The administration is totally silent on the issue. No efforts are being made to prevent people, particularly children, from indulging in begging. Police is also silent on the issue and no efforts have been made against the syndicate which is running it,” said Nadeem Qadri, who runs an NGO in the city. Beggars in Jammu are mostly from other parts of the country, which are brought here under a well-planned strategy. They are not only made to fleece, but also to commit petty crimes. The government, however, seems to be paying no heed to the issue. It is pertinent to mention here that the government had admitted its failure to curb the begging menace during the Legislative Assembly session. No children homes have been established in the city for the rehabilitation of children engaged in begging, which is banned in the state under the J&K Prevention of Beggary Act-1960. |
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High Court directs police to search Asaram’s Jammu ashram
Jammu, October 12 All followers of Asaram in Jammu gathered in the ashram at Bhagwati Nagar today as the sub-judge, special mobile magistrate, Electricity Jammu, on Friday directed the Nowabad police to conduct a search in the ashram. The directions came in a petition filed by Raj Singh Choudhary, a social worker and state president, All-India Kisan Sewa Sangh, seeking probe into the statement made by Acharya Bhola Nand, a close aide of Asaram, in a news channel claiming that there were three bodies of children buried in the Jammu ashram. In his plea, Raj Kumar Choudhary, quoting media reports, had alleged that several children were buried in Asaram’s ashram in Jammu. His plea was that Acharya Bhola Nand who had worked as the in-charge of the Jammu-based ashram for six years, had revealed this allegation in a section of media. “We have sought to call Bhola Nand here to identify the spot where bodies have been buried so that the actual picture should be cleared in front of public,” said Raj Kumar Choudhary, a petitioner. The police on the direction of the court has started investigation into the case. The SHO of Nowabad police station has been appointed as the investigating officer and asked to probe into the matter. Atul Goel, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, “We cannot search the ashram without the person who has alleged that the bodies have been buried, he (Bhola Nand) has to come here to identify the spot.” Meanwhile, Asaram’s followers and the ashram’s management has alleged that it was another conspiracy against Asaram. One of the followers of Asaram at his Jammu Ashram, requesting anonymity said, “Bhola Nand is doing conspiracy against Bapu. We respect the court’s order, so we will not stop the police to conduct the search, but Bhola Nand should come along with the police to show the spot.” “Our faith on Bapu is endless, these fake allegations cannot defame the name of Bapu,” she added. |
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Reasi admn acts tough on road blockades, unlawful protests
Katra, October 12 This was done after the District Magistrate imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure directing that no person shall take away the fundamental right of free movement of any citizen either by blocking road or disrupting civil supplies and essential services. The police has been asked to immediately identify persons engaging in such activities and register an FIR. Keeping in view the prevailing security scenario, the DM has also directed that prior permission will have to be taken from the Magistrate for carrying out any rally, procession or public meeting so that proper security arrangements are made. Persons violating this procedure are liable to be held personally responsible for violation. The Chief Education Officer has been directed to ensure that school students are not forced to be involved in any kind of protest, for which, the head of the institution will be held responsible and rustication of students will be ordered. He has also been asked to lay emphasis on moral education in this regard and direct the ZEOs to organise parent-teacher meetings. ACDs, BDOs and tehsildars have been asked to convene meetings of sarpanches, lumberdars and chowkidars to make them aware of the legal provisions and directions of Supreme Court in the matter. Any officials or elected representatives shall now be booked under the CrPC if their involvement in road blockades or disruption in civil supplies is reported. Forcible closure of the markets and business establishments by pressure groups has also been held illegal by the DM and political parties holding public rallies will have to seek prior permission from the Addl District Magistrate, failing which, legal action will be taken. The ARTO has been directed to suspend licence of commercial vehicles involved in road blockades. Authorities in SMVD Shrine Board, SMVD Shrine University, Municipal Committees of Katra and Reasi, NHPC and other organisations have also been asked to take cognizance of the ban and sensitise students, employees, workers and associated organisations about the legal action in case of violation. Persons involved in frequent violations and organising of road blockades or any kind of violent protest will be booked by the district administration under the Public Safety Act. The decision to impose restrictions on road blockades and initiate criminal proceedings against persons involved was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of District Magistrate Shahid Iqbal, SSP Sharief Chouhan, ADC Rajinder Singh and other senior officers of the district. Section 144 of CrPC imposed
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Potholes, mismanaged traffic give nightmare to commuters
Jammu, October 12 The Panama Chowk is one of the busiest crossroads in the city from where people head towards the railway station, inter-state bus terminal (ISBT) Narwal, commercial business hub Bahu Plaza, and the road leading to the old city, covering the University of Jammu. The Narwal area houses fruit and vegetable markets where vehicles move throughout the day. On the mid-way, a small overhead railway bridge is hindering the widening of the existing road. The road leading to the area is narrow and has to bear the burnt of thousands of vehicle which ply on the route everyday. Heavy monsoons have created potholes at many places damaging the road, due to which traffic movement has become slow. “I commute through the same road daily, but due to heavy rush of vehicles, traffic jam has become a routine affair. Now, as the road divider is coming up, it has increased the traffic jam,” said Rakesh Sharma, an employee. The rush on the route increases during evening when passengers head towards the Jammu Tawi railway station to board trains to different parts of the country. Everyday thousands of pilgrims from outside the state take the train route and vehicles ferrying them to and fro increase the rush on the Panama Chowk-Narwal road as well. “Due to heavy rush of traffic, we are not able to complete the work. We are working during nights and in a few days, things will turn better,” said Ram Pal, executive engineer, Division One, Jammu, Roads and Building Department. |
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Minor raped in Rajouri, one arrested
Rajouri, October 12 Station House Officer (SHO), Dharal, Mussadiq Basu said the girl came to the police station along with her parents and registered a complaint against three persons for allegedly abducting and raping her. In her statement, she mentioned the names of three persons, including a Jammu and
Kashmir Armed Police personnel Basharat Hussain and a CRPF jawan Kabir Hussain, Basu
said. He, however, said based on the victim’s statement the police has arrested a local resident named Shamsher, who is believed to be the third person involved in the incident. The officer added that a case has been registered in this regard and a manhunt has been launched to nab the other accused.
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Campaign launched to protect Tawi
Jammu, October 12 Its volunteers created awareness among the people for the need to prevent pollution in the river. During the past few years, polythene and other solid waste have choked the river after the rituals. Since morning, devotees thronged the banks of the Tawi to immerse ‘Saakh’ which is grown during the nine-day-long festival dedicated to Goddess Durga and along with it polythene bags, plastic bottles and red cloth which is being dumped in the river bed, thus creating environmental problems. In the past, efforts of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Pollution Control Board (PCB) and several NGOs working to save the river had failed to stop the practice. “Rather than giving portrayal of the spiritual place, the river had virtually become a dumping ground. We appealed to the people not to dump solid waste in the Tawi, some followed our advice, while a few ignored it. But we conveyed our message,” said Ashwani Sharma, a volunteer. Despite a ban being imposed by the High Court, the civic bodies have failed to protect the river from becoming a dumping yard and the ban is just deep inside the office files. Chetan Verma, another activist of Samiti, said the state government should take strict action measures against the residents living in nearby colonies, who dump their solid waste. During the day-long activity, members of the association tied “Sankalp Sutra” to the devotees and took an oath not to put any plastic, polythene and chemical in the water to maintain sanctity of the holy river which has a religious history and is also known as Surya
Putri. |
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Minister for developing more green patches within city
Jammu, October 12 The directions were issued during the Minister’s tour of Gandhi Nagar Block-A here today. Bhalla said the government is committed to develop healthy environment in the urban cities by developing greener patches in the open spaces, adding that for this purpose, a comprehensive plan has been prepared to develop the recreational parks with facilities like seating, drinking water, illumination, walkway, landscaping and fencing. The Minister added that all out efforts were
made to beautify the open spaces to make the city more alluring. He, meanwhile, called upon the people to avoid littering inside the parks and help in maintaining cleanliness. |
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Students lauded for project models
Vijaypur, October 12 In a statement issued here today, Singh was invited to a function organised by the school management. He was
the chief guest on the occasion. Before the formal ceremony, he viewed project models by students. He visited stalls of projects in which around
70 models were presented by the students, highlighting deforestation, pollution, water harvesting etc. After observing all models, Singh was quite happy with the preparation of students for such exhibition. Speaking on the occasion, he said such activities and sports help for an all round development of the students. These activities help in psychological, moral, social, scientific and physical development of the child which would contribute for a better society. |
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Army provides infrastructure to border schools in Akhnoor
Jammu, October 12 Realising that the schools were functioning without adequate infrastructure, the Kalidhar Brigade of the Army undertook the noble project, which will go a long way in improving the educational standards of the children in the area, a defence spokesman said here today. The computers provided to the schools will give an opportunity for imparting computer education to the students, he added. Computers and accessories, which include UPS, voltage stabilisers, tables, computer chairs and printers, were given to Government Middle School Danna Amboshani, Government Middle School Sandal and Government Primary School Gani. Meanwhile, 100 desks and benches were distribute among High School Paneh, Middle School Dager, Middle School Ghar, Primary School Dager, Primary School Dori, Primary School Cheral Paya, Primary School Upper Sandal, Primary School Paneh, Primary School Sanori and Primary School Boom Kouliyan, the spokesman said. It may be stated here that all these school are located in the remote border villages in the Khour block, about 50 km from Akhnoor. Expressing gratitude to the Army, headmaster Ved Raj Puri of Government Middle School Sandal said the availability of computers and furniture in the school will inspire children to attend classes regularly. |
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Traffic on Rajouri-Budhal road disrupted
Rajouri, October 12 The protesters rued the sluggish approach of the police demanded prompt action. The traffic was restored after the intervention of senior police officer, who assured the people of resolving the case on
priority. |
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Citizens form body to promote peace
Jammu, October 12 “The JPPF is an idea of harmony and non violence. Forum is mainly set to promote a sense of being one nation, a culture of harmonious living, integration through interaction and implementation of constitution as the best path for achieving a harmonious balance between unity and diversity,” Sanjeev Gupta, president, JPPF, said. He added that the forum aims to empower the outreach workers in order to vastly expand quality education, environmental responsiveness and human rights in the focus areas of Jammu region. “It places priority on good governance, health, gender equality and educational professionals targeting disadvantaged segments of the society,” Gupta said. “Forum will use non violent struggle for attainment of a peaceful society. It believes that peace is achievable only if all the citizens, irrespective of their religion, gender and ethnicity, are equal in the eyes of the state,” he added. He stressed the organisation is totally non political and meant only for social causes.
— TNS |
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Dental camp held at Bhatindi
Jammu, October 12 During the camp, a team of dental care centre illustrated the need
for the maintenance of good oral hygiene and dental care. The aim behind organising a free dental camp was to create awareness about dental health and hygiene through oral health education and classroom talks. People were provided an opportunity to seek clarification from the specialists on various myths regarding the dental care. Schoolchildren were given advice on the intake of balanced diet and were educated about the ill-effects of chewing tobacco and smoking. The team of dental care centre comprised of Dr Gurpreet Kour and Dr Puja Khanna. Principal Romesh Kumar Sharma and the faculty of
government school played an important role in making all arrangements for the camp. |
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