Srinagar, October 25
The winter season is yet to begin and the power woes for the people of Kashmir valley have already gone worse.

Irked, residents of Tral town in Pulwama district in south Kashmir today observed a complete shutdown against the pesky power supply and held protest demonstrations throughout the day.

“People came out in large numbers and chanted anti-government slogans. They said they had been facing the problem of erratic power supply for the past three days,” sources said.

The reports said power cuts of more than 10 hours at a stretch were being witnessed in the rural areas.

The situation is getting equally woeful in every part of the Valley, including Srinagar.

Other districts of south Kashmir, including Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian, fare no better when it comes to power supply.

“For the past one week, we have been facing power cuts of more than 12 hours at a stretch,” said a resident of Bijebehara town in Anantnag.

Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts are also facing acute shortage of power.

The people in north Kashmir, like people from other parts of Valley, are aghast over the apathy of the administrative during the examination season.

“Our kids are frustrated. Their exams are going on and erratic power supply is affecting their performance,” said Gulazar Ahmad, a resident of Baramulla town. “The government is forcing us to come out and protest,” he said.

Moreover, the power scenario in the metered areas is as bad as in the non-metered ones.

People living in the metered areas of the Srinagar say the government tricked them into getting their connections metered.

“We were told that we will get uninterrupted power supply. However, these days we are getting a few hours of supply,” said Muhammad Irfan, a resident of the Peer Bagh area of Srinagar city.

Official of the Power Development Department were not available for comments on the issue.

Srinagar, October 25
The separatist groups of Kashmir, including the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, has called for a complete shutdown on October 27.

Terming October 27 a ‘black day’ in the history of Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference, headed by Mirwaiz Umar, in a statement issued here, has appealed to the people to observe a strike on October 27.

It said the main reason behind the current hostile relations between India and Pakistan was Kashmir, which needed a permanent solution.

“It was a black day in the history of Kashmir when the Indian troops landed here,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, calling for a complete shutdown on October 27, senior Hurriyat leader and chairperson of the Democratic Freedom party Shabbir Ahmad Shah has decided to submit a memorandum to the United Nations Military Observer in Srinagar on October 27.

“The memorandum will also have an appeal to the United Nation Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to fulfil his responsibility by resolving the Kashmir issue according to the UN resolutions or through tripartite talks,” a statement from Shah said.

Srinagar, October 25
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar today directed officials to ensure the streetlights in the city were fully functional to avoid inconvenience to the residents of the Valley.

Sagar was chairing a review meeting convened to discuss the functioning of street lighting system in Srinagar city. Power Development Commissioner Asgar Ali; Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), GN Qasba; chief engineer, Power Development Department (PDD), Bashir Khan; and other senior officials were present at the meeting, an official spokesperson said.

The minister asked the municipality and the PDD to work in coordination to ensure that the streetlights were fully functional.

He said a mechanism should be worked out so that both the departments could synergise their efforts and ensure that the people get the requisite facilities.

Sagar also directed the officials to ensure the implementation of the decision taken at the District Development Board meeting and the subsequent directions of the Chief Minister for transferring an Electrical Sub Division from the PDD to the SMC, so that the street lighting system was properly looked after and maintained.

“By doing so, the municipality would be augmented by the much-needed human resource and other related things for proper maintenance of streetlights and other things,” the minister said.

He also asked the PDD officials to ensure that people get adequate supply of power during the ensuing winter season.

Srinagar, October 25
The state authorities are yet to decide about the prosecution of the officials involved in the spurious drugs scam that rocked the state.

While seeking more time, the advocate general told the court that the decision about prosecuting these officials, against whom a charge sheet has already been filed, will be taken early next month preferably before November 11.

The matter was listed before a division bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice MM Kumar on Thursday. The court is hearing public interest litigation (PIL), seeking a probe into the spurious drugs scam.

On September 10, the HC had directed the government to decide the prosecution of the officials involved in the spurious drugs scam within four weeks.

However, as the matter came up before the Bench this week, the advocate general, representing the state government, sought further time in this regard.

“On the last date of hearing, various directions were issued. The first direction was with regard to according sanction for the prosecution of persons against whom challan (charge sheet) has been presented and adequate evidence has been found,” the Bench observed in its orders passed on yesterday.

“It was stated on the last date of hearing that the decision, with regard to according sanction, would be taken within four weeks, i.e. on or before October 10.

However, according to the status report filed, the matter is still pending with the General Administration Department and it is stated that some more time is required,” the Bench further observed in its orders, while adding that the advocate general has stated that the “needful will be done” before November 11, 2013.

The Bench also directed the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to file its status report about the samples of the drugs sent for testing to forensic laboratories in Chandigarh and Kolkata.

“Another direction issued on the last date of hearing was that instead of sending the small number of samples to Kolkata and rest of the samples to Chandigarh, we have asked respondents no6 (CDSCO) to send all the samples to both the laboratories,” the Bench observed in its orders.

“According to the status report filed by the respondent no. 6, the samples have already been sent for testing but the test reports are awaited. Let the test report be placed on the record by the adjourned date,” it said while directed for listing the matter on November 11.

Earlier in its status report to the court in August, the CDSCO had informed the court that reports of all the 156 drug samples lifted by its staff from various places in Jammu and Kashmir have been received, out of which 27 drug samples were found spurious/sub-standard.

Srinagar, October 25
A Srinagar-based social activist group, People’s Rights Movements, has claimed that it has found nearly 150 unmarked graves in the Sumbal area of Bandipora district of north Kashmir.

President of the group Abdul Gadeer Dar told The Tribune that after a camp of the special operations group of the J&K police was removed near Sumbal in the Sonwarai area of Bandipora, the group volunteers began their search for the unmarked grave posts receiving queries from the local villagers.

“The villagers told us that they would bury the bodies in the two graveyards in that area. They claimed that the bodies were unidentified and were given to them by the police personnel. There were rumours in the area about these unmarked graves being present. After the special operations group camp was removed, we began searching for an area and found this graveyard adjacent to the place where the camp was located,” Dar said.

He said after thorough investigations, the group had come out with a public report on the unmarked graves.

This is not for the first time that someone has claimed to have found such graves. Earlier, said Dar, his team had found 200 mass graves in the Beerwah sector.

He said his disclosure was substantiated by the witnesses who live in the areas of remote north and central Kashmir districts where the mass graves were found.

Dar urged the state government to look into the issue seriously and further dig into unmarked graves being found in the Valley from time to time.

“This issue will certainly raise eyebrows as the state government has no clear cut answers on the people buried in these graves. We are not the first group to have found these graves. Earlier, the Associations of Parents of Disappeared Persons also claimed the same. But in enquiry in this connection has not moved further,” Dar added.

Kupwara, October 25
Kupwara town witnessed a 12-hour-long power cut last night, causing inconvenience to the residents. The supply was snapped around 8 pm and restored 8 am.

Unscheduled power cuts continue to irk consumers in the metered and unmetered areas of Kupwara district alike.

The situation in remote villages of Handwara is no different. Many remote villages, including Rajpora, Bakikar, Vadipora, Chak, Datipora Lasipora, Kumoora, Sarmarg, Shalal and Sudal, are facing acute shortage of power. The consumers said the power supply was erratic for the past one week and voltage was also low.

They said supply lines tied to poles and trees were lying naked in Sudal village and posing a serious danger to humans and livestock. “The electricity is disrupted for hours despite our paying a monthly power tariff of Rs 338. The voltage is so low that it fails to illuminate even a small room. We have no choice but to take dinner in candlelight,” complained Gh Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Sudal.

Residents of Kupwara, Trehgam and Kralpora towns complained that power was playing hide and seek and during night hours, the supply went off for hours. They said they were forced to pay the power tariff according to the curtailment schedule but electricity was not provided to them.

“We do not have power supply for hours. Unscheduled power cuts have become order of the day,” said Altaf Ahmad of Handwara.

Students said they were the worst sufferers. “We are forced to study under candlelight. One major reason behind dismal performance in studies is erratic power supply,” claimed Altaf Ahmad, a Class X student of Halmatpora, Kupwara.

Srinagar, October 25
Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today inaugurated two water schemes at Shirmal Sherpathri and Palpora Gagran in Shopian district. The schemes have been completed at an estimated cost of Rs 12.57 crore under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme.

By commissioning these two water supply schemes, 32 habitations having a population of 26,670 would get adequate drinking water facilities, the minister said on the occasion. He said 13 water supply schemes at an estimated cost of Rs 40.94 crore in Shopian district would be completed by the end of this year. He said by the completion of these schemes, 57 habitations, comprising a population of 87,000, would get adequate drinking water.

Referring to the development works underway in Shopian district, the minister said the construction work on several micro and macro projects were in a full swing, adding that once completed, these projects would improve the socio-economic profile of the people of the district. He said the construction work of a hospital at Shopian at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore was also apace.

Srinagar, October 25
West Bengal today retained the All-India Postal Cricket Tournament trophy by beating Uttar Pradesh by 75 runs in the final of the 27th All-India Postal Cricket tournament, played at Kashmir University Cricket Ground. Asif Iqbal of J&K was awarded the man of the series award for his 165 runs and 5 wickets haul. Assam secured the third place by defeating J&K by nine wickets.

Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes among the winning team and the man of the series, in the presence of Chief Postmaster General, J&K, Chandra Prakash and Director, Postal Services, J&K, Jagdeep Gupta.

Ahmad appreciated the game of the winning team. He complimented the Department of Posts for hosting the tournament in Srinagar and further said sports and games provided an opportunity to understand each other and strengthen the relations between people of different parts of a country. “It also infuses spirit of confidence and boosts the morale of the players,” he added.

Ahmad and Chandra Prakash released a special cover on the 27th All-India Postal Cricket Tournament-2013, brought out by the J&K Circle to mark the occasion.

Prakash, while speaking on the occasion, expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of tournament. Describing sports as an imperative for overall development of the personality, he said the J&K circle had taken many steps to improve sportsmanship among the postal employees. He congratulated West Bengal for retaining the trophy.

Earlier, Jagdeep Gupta gave the welcome address and said it was for the first time that J&K had reached the semifinal of the All-India Postal Cricket Tournament. “Organising such events in the state will go a long way in boosting tourism,” he said.

Showkat Ahmad Parrey, Assistant Chief Accounts Officer, J&K Circle, was also present on the occasion. Superintendent of Post Offices, Srinagar Division, N D Prajapati presented the vote of thanks. P K Gupta and Pawan Kumar, observers of the tournament from the Postal Directorate, New Delhi, Director Sports, University of Kashmir, and senior officers of the University were also in attendance. Certificates were also distributed among all the participating players.

In the morning match played for the third position, Assam beat J&K by nine wickets to secure the third place in the tournament. After winning the toss, J&K opted to bat but the entire team was bowled out for 112 runs in 20 overs. Tariq was the top scorer for J&K with 53 runs. Chanakya and Roshan took three wickets each for Assam.

Assam achieved the target in 13.2 overs for the loss of one wicket. Chanakya Sharma was awarded the man of the match for his knock of 53 runs and three wickets.

Asif Iqbal of J&K scored the maximum score of 165 runs in the tournament and took five wickets was awarded the man of the series title for his performance.

In the final last year, West Bengal had beaten Uttar Pradesh by 75 runs. West Bengal had won the toss and elected to bat and scored 152 for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Abishek had scored the highest 47 runs for West Bengal.

While chasing the target, Uttar Pradesh had a poor start and the entire team was all out on 77 runs in 18 overs. S Ansari had claimed three wickets in three overs and gave six runs and was awarded the man of the match title. 

Srinagar, October 25
Pre-conference workshops, to be followed by the 23rd Annual National Conference of Research Society of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology (RSACPCON 2013) on October 26 at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, was inaugurated today at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) auditorium by Director SKIMS Dr Showkat A Zargar.

Dr Zargar, while highlighting the importance of the conference, hailed the department for conducting an event of great educational value. He said the world-renowned experts participating in the event would benefit the students and the faculty with their experiences and knowledge of the field.

Three workshops, including ultrasound guided neuro and vascular access and difficult airways management and neuro monitoring, were conducted by eminent faculty from abroad and India, including Dr Naresh N Koul and Dr Rashid Khan, along with his team from Muscat, Oman, Dr Naveen Malhotra from Rohtak and Dr Mary Abraham from New Delhi. The workshops were predominantly video presentations and lectures from the participants.

Dean, Faculty, Dr Khursheed Iqbal in his inaugural address, stressed upon more ultrasound-guided workshops.

Dr Imtiyaz Naqash, HOD, Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, SKIMS, and organising chairman, welcomed the delegates. He said such conferences were of great importance for the students and the faculty and helped to evolve better patient care system through detailed interactions with experts of the field.

The workshops will be followed by a two-day conference to be inaugurated at SKICC on October 26.

Dr V M Katoch, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, Indian Council of Medical research (ICMR), New Delhi, will be the chief guest and Dr Mehraj-ud-din, ex-director, SKIMS, will be the guest of honour. Organising secretary Dr Qayoom Lone said around 200 delegates were expected to attend the conference and extensive arrangements had been made for the participants. 

Srinagar, October 25
Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly speaker Mubarak Gul today visited various localities of the Eidgah constituency in the city and took stock of the on-going development works in the area.

Gul visited Palpora, Noorbagh and SDA Colony localities in the Eidgah constituency and took stock of the pace of work of all development works, an official spokesman said.

Gul, who was accompanied by a team of officials and engineers during the tour, also visited the Government High School, Shinglipora.

The speaker directed the executing agencies to speed up the pace of work on all ongoing works and complete them in a stipulated time.

He directed the concerned officials to prepare Detailed Project Reports of all lanes, drains and streets of these areas so that funds could be arranged for the same. At Government High School, Goripora, Gul announced cricket kits for all the players of the institution. — TNS

Anantnag, October 25
A fine of Rs 1,000 each was imposed on three officials of three different hospitals in Anantnag district by Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan, during a surprise inspection late Thursday evening.

The Minister paid a surprise visit to the District Hospital, Anantnag, Sub-District Hospital, Bijbehara, and Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH) in Anantnag.

According to the reports, Shabir found some officials absent from their duties and imposed a fine on them.

During his visit to the hospitals, Shabir inspected the emergency, surgery, orthopaedic, child care and SNCU units, and blood banks. He enquired about the facilities being provided to the patients.

Meanwhile, the Minister gave nod for an additional ambulance for MCH, Anantnag, besides Rs 10 lakh for its renovation.

He said the government contemplated to make the MCH the first Referral

Unit and a proposal had been mooted to the Centre for approval of funds in this regard.

He said an ICU ward, with the required diagnostic equipment, would be set up in the new block of District Hospital, Anantnag.

Srinagar, October 25
Shah-e-Hamdan T20 cricket tournament concluded in Sopore town of north Kashmir today as a team from the host town won the title.

Minister for Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohi-ud-Din was the chief guest on the occasion and later distributed prizes among the winners.

A local team, Coaching Centre, Sopore, defeated Bandipora team in the final match of the tournament to clinch the title.

An official spokesman said 106 teams participated in the tournament, organised by the JK State Sports Council.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony, Taj said the state government was keen to expand the sports infrastructure for which ambitious plans had been drafted.

He asked the youth to take active part in the extracurricular activities, adding that the government was making all out efforts so that the youth of the state got maximum exposure.

Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, G A Khawaja, Secretary, the JK State Sports Council, Dileep Thusu, former legislators Haji Rasheed and Shoaib Lone and other district officers were present on the occasion, the spokesman said.