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After snow, mercury settles at 0.6°C in Srinagar
2-kg heroin, Pak SIM cards seized in RS Pura sector
Shopkeepers booked for selling adulterated milk
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Jammu-Srinagar national highway reopens for one-way traffic
Kargil, Gurez remain inaccessible
Govt to act tough against ‘negligent’ officials
Encounter in Budgam, hunt on for militants
After three-day wait, tourists throng Patnitop
Tourists throng the hill resort of Patnitop on Christmas Eve.
A Tribune photograph
Enlarge research in traditional medicine:
Guv
Poonch landmine victims at Jammu on Tuesday. Tribune Photo: Anand Sharma
Approve new administrative units on merit:
JKNPP
Woman killed, nine hurt in road mishaps Peaks Auto’s e-outlet launched at Shopian Battle of Bands begins Agri-Business Centre inaugurated
Now, ZPEOs want drawing and disbursing powers
Army holds medical, veterinary camp
Kids take part in painting contest
Governor, CM extend Christmas greetings
Double treat for special children
PDP mourns death of poet Kamal Sidiqui
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After snow, mercury settles at 0.6°C in Srinagar
Srinagar, December 24 The minimum temperature in the city fell to a low of 0.6 degree Celsius, the official said. The Kashmir region received a spell of rain and snowfall which continued intermittently in the past three days and had a maximum impact in south Kashmir district where snowfall was heavy. The forecast bulletin
of the state Meteorological Department said light rain and snow might occur during the next 24 hours, which end on Wednesday evening, at isolated places over the state while the weather is likely to remain dry in the state during the subsequent four days. In north Kashmir’s Gulmarg resort, a skiing destination during winter months which received snowfall in recent days, the night temperature fell to a low of minus 9.2 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam resort settled
at minus 3 degree Celsius while the maximum temperature there was recorded at 6.4 degree Celsius, the official said. In south Kashmir’s Qazigund town, the mercury fell to a low of 0.4 degree Celsius, while the minimum temperature in north Kashmir’s Kupwara town was recorded at minus 0.3 degree Celsius. In Leh town of the Ladakh region, the mercury fell to a low of minus 8.9 degree Celsius while the maximum temperature there was recorded at minus 1.9 degree Celsius, the official said. In the nearby Kargil district, the night temperature fell to a low of minus 11 degree Celsius while the maximum temperature there was recorded at minus 0.6 degree Celsius.
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2-kg heroin, Pak SIM cards seized in RS Pura sector
Jammu, December 24 The BSF yesterday detained four villagers, Des Raj and Shamsher Singh (brothers), Tarsem Kumar and Rakesh Kumar, all residents of Korotana Khurd. “They are being questioned by Narcotics Control Bureau sleuths. So far, we have not been able to trace the tail of the consignment but apparently it had come from across the border,” said a senior BSF officer. The officer said three or four days ago there was dense fog on the border and smugglers from Pakistan probably took advantage of the weather conditions crossing the Zero Line in the night and dumping the consignment in Des Raj’s paddy field before escaping back to Pakistan. Several Indian agricultural fields are located between the border fence and Zero Line along the 198-km-long international border. “A nexus between Pakistani narcotics smugglers and couriers on this side cannot be ruled out,” said the officer. “Now, the NCB sleuths are assessing call details of all detained persons. We have also got certain inputs about them, which we have already shared with the NCB,” he said. “Though the four detained persons are pleading innocence, it cannot be denied that the consignment was hidden in a heap of paddy in Des Raj’s field, located between the border fence and Zero Line. When paddy was being loaded onto a tractor, a border guard on duty noticed the consignment and immediately alerted the nearest post of the 94 Battalion,” he said. The heroin in two packets weighed 2 kg. The officer said the villagers picked up for the questioning could have been the couriers but definitely a large syndicate was active on this side of the border in the RS Pura sector and it had to be unearthed. Incidentally, there have been a number of incidents in the past wherein Pakistani smugglers and militants have thrown narcotics, Pakistani SIM cards and Indian counterfeit currency into the Indian territory in the RS Pura and Arnia sectors. Four detained
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Shopkeepers booked for selling adulterated milk
Jammu, December 24 A team of health officials under the supervision of Dr Muhammad Saleem Khan inspected shops at Bohri, Talab Tillo, Akhnoor Road, Gandhi Nagar, BC Road, New Plot, Janipur, Roop Nagar, Barnai, Bantalab and Muthi area of the city and took samples. The adulterated milk was seized by officials, while samples have been sent for lab testing. In all about 1,000 litres of milk was checked. Meanwhile, 12-kgs of polythene was also seized from different parts of the city, while sweets and food found stale and that cooked under unhygienic conditions was also destroyed on the spot. Awareness was created among vendors, shopkeepers regarding the Food Safety and Standards Act. “All food establishment owners have been warned to ensure supply of pure milk and fresh and good quality food items to the general public. Any shopkeeper found selling sub-standard items will have to face legal action,” said Dr Khan. To stop transportation of adulterated milk in the temple city, the civic body had deployed different teams of food safety officers at the entry points from where milk vendors enter the city. In case of any complaint against shopkeepers, people can contact on 2571308, 18001807034-a toll free number. “If traders continue to use adulterants, we may cancel their license in future. We cannot tolerate such practices in city and people should come forwards if they have complaints,” the health officer said.
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Jammu-Srinagar national highway reopens for one-way traffic
Anantnag/Udhampur, December 24 Hundreds of passenger as well as goods vehicles remained stranded at many places along the highway. However, this morning more than 500 vehicles stuck on both sides of the Jawahar Tunnel were cleared on priority basis before fresh traffic was allowed to ply on. “The stranded vehicles were given preference and were allowed to move towards Jammu this morning,” a senior traffic police official said, adding that as of now no passenger was stranded along the highway. “The light vehicles were allowed to ply first and the heavy vehicles proceeded only after the road condition improved,” he said. With the Met Department predicting clear skies for the next three or four days, the national highway will remain open, at least on one side, with traffic being allowed to move from Jammu to Srinagar tomorrow. “In view of the slippery conditions near the Jawahar Tunnel and the tourist resort of Patnitop it is not possible for us to allow both-way convoy for few days,” a traffic official at Ramban said. Meanwhile, many villages in south Kashmir remained cut off from the major towns following heavy snow fall and alleged inaction by the authorities to clear snow. More than 20 inches of snow has accumulated in parts of Anantnag district. “Upper reaches of Kokernag, including Daksum, and many areas on the Kokernag-Sinthan-Kishtiwar road and the Kokernag-Warwan road witnessed heavy snowfall, due to which many villages remained cut off,” reports said. An avalanche warning was issued for some villages in Kulgam district, including Waltengoo Naar.
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Kargil, Gurez remain inaccessible
Srinagar, December 24 While the vital 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh highway, connecting the Valley with the Ladakh region was closed from December 12, the route from Anantnag to Kishtwar via Sinthan and the Mughal Road, connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Poonch in Jammu, were closed at the end of October. Though the movement of light vehicles on the Srinagar-Leh highway continued till last week, the recent snowfall along the Zojila Pass, has led to the complete closure of traffic. The road would remain closed till March next year. The district headquarter at Kargil was cut off from Zanskar and Kashmir due to recent snowfall, reports said. The Kargil-Leh road, however, remained open for traffic, it added. The Gurez area of Bandipora is also cut off from the rest of Valley due to heavy snow and slippery conditions on the 85-km-long stretch from Bandipora. Efforts are, meanwhile, on to reopen the Kupwara-Karnah road, blocked by three feet of snow on the Sadhna Pass. “The Kupwara-Karnah road will be reopened in a couple of days. However, the far flung areas of Keran, Machil and Jumgund will remain cut off for the winter,” Kupwara Deputy CommissionerItrat Hussain said. — TNS
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Govt to act tough against ‘negligent’ officials
Jammu, December 24 The General Administration Department (GAD), headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also took exception to non-adherence of directions issued by all administrative secretaries to their subordinate officials for handing over the keys of offices and clerical halls to security personnel at the Civil Secretariat immediately after office hours. The GAD took note of officials, who leave their electronic gadgets, including computers and UPS in working condition, which can increase risk of short-circuit as over heating of these gadgets could be one of the reasons for such incidents. It said all officials would be held responsible and necessary action would be initiated against them in case they were found guilty. “It has been observed that instructions issued by the administrative secretaries were not being implemented in letter and spirit and the officials of the departments retain keys of the rooms with them or keep them at a place outside the room without handing them over to the security personnel,” MA Bukhari, secretary GAD, observed. He said the SP, security, would forward a list of defaulting departments on this account, to the GAD on a weekly basis, adding that the director, estates, should ensure circuit points are periodically checked. Past Incidents
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Encounter in Budgam, hunt on for militants
Srinagar, December 24 While security forces were laying siege to the house, the militants opened fire, triggering the gunfight. After the initial exchange of fire, the militants made an attempt to escape from the house during which one of them was wounded, a police officer said. The officer said two militants were trapped in the house. They have been identified as Umar, a Pakistan national, and Riyaz, a local militant from Budgam’s Chadoora area. Security forces have cordoned off the village and are searching the houses for the militants, the officer said. The operation will continue till the entire village is searched. Security forces in Budgam district have been on an alert since the killing of a police officer at a market in the district earlier this month. Sub-Inspector Shabir Ahmad and the Station House Officer of the Chadoora police station was shot from a close range at the Chadoora market on December 2, killing him instantly. There has been a spike in militant attacks this year, in which more than 50 police, paramilitary and Army personnel have been killed. The number of security forces personnel killed this year is highest in the past several years, when militancy had significantly receded in the region.
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After three-day wait, tourists throng Patnitop
Patnitop, December 24 Vikram is on a week-long trip to the state. Though dejected at not witnessing the snow fall, Vikram was ecstatic to see the surroundings covered under a thick blanket of snow. “We were expecting to watch snow fall, but enjoying in snow is something I will cherish for a long time,” Patnitop has so far received one feet of snow, while Nathatop, which is 15 km away from here, has got one and half feet of snow. With hundreds of visitors from the adjoining areas of Katra and Jammu planning to spend the week at the hill resort, the hoteliers and guest house owners at Kud, Patnitop and Batote are looking forward to a great season ahead. “Tourists from Chandigarh, New Delhi and other parts of northern India have already got their bookings confirmed online and our hotels are almost packed till December 31,” Koushal Sharma, president, Hotel Association Patnitop, said. Owner of the Santoor Hotel, Shakeel Shah, said: “By the grace of the god we have experienced snowfall few days ahead of Christmas. It will increase tourist arrival by about 200 per cent.” Taxi operators are also enthusiastic about the season ahead. “We have got confirmed bookings from Jammu railway station till Patnitop during the winter and we are expecting a heavy rush of tourists. Already our occupancy is near full,” Ravi Kalsi, president Taxi Operator Union, said.
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Enlarge research in traditional medicine:
Guv
Jammu, December 24 Governor’s wife Usha
Vohra, Minister of State for Health (independent charge) Shabir Ahmad Khan, state Health Secretary Gazzanfar Hussain and Joint Director, Union Health Ministry, Ravi were present on the occasion. The Governor termed the mela a comprehensive health fair on
Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy and an encouraging step towards the revival of the traditional systems of medicine. He congratulated the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, Jammu and Kashmir, and minister Shabir Ahmad Khan for successfully organising the
mela. The Governor observed that more such initiatives should be taken by the state Health Department to popularise the traditional healthcare systems. Referring to the effectiveness of the traditional systems of medicine and health, the Governor said “our indigenous medicinal systems, which had been existing in the country since ancient times, were suppressed during the colonial rule.” He observed that considering the value and effectiveness of these time-tested medicinal systems, the time had come to reinvigorate them to their fullest potential for the welfare of millions of people in India. Khan said the Health Department was making planned efforts in educating the people about the Indian Systems of Medicine. He said in every district hospital of the state there was a 10-bedded unit of AYUSH
(Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) and all primary and community health centres in the state also had AYUSH units. The Governor, his wife and the Health Minister visited the stalls set up by 45 manufacturers of indigenous systems of medicine and inquired about the types of medicines, patents registered and the innovations taking place in their respective pharmacies.
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Poonch landmine victims demand compensation
Jammu, December 24 They alleged that successive governments had failed to fulfil the promise to release the relief money despite repeated assurances by the state as well as the Central government. Addressing a press conference, chairperson of NGO Voice for Rights Deepika Singh Rajawat said most of the victims had lost their limbs to landmine blasts along the Line of Control, but they had received no compensation for their loss. “The authorities need to be sensitive towards the issue and their immediate attention is warranted to end the victims’ sufferings. The government that claims to have zero human rights violation in the state needs to be sympathetic towards these people,” she said. “The State Human Rights Commission
(SHRC) has recommended compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh in most cases, but none of the victims have got it so far. The authorities are sleeping over such a sensitive issue,” Rajawat alleged. She said an ex gratia scheme for causalities was launched by the Ministry of Defence in 2003, under which a victim or the affected family would be paid compensation ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. In
Poonch, which is surrounded by the LoC on three sides, many child victims are living a scarred life, without any aid from the government, she said.
Nizam Din Mir, an activist from Poonch who is working for the rehabilitation of mine blast victims, revealed that many young victims had taken to begging or were at the mercy of well-wishers. The NGO claimed that a study had revealed that at least 550 victims of landmine blasts from Poonch district were awaiting compensation.
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Approve new administrative units on merit:
JKNPP
Jammu, December 24 “There are numerous reports suggesting that the new administrative units, including sub-districts,
tehsils, blocks and niabats, are being recommended by the CSC on political considerations, ignoring the claims of eligible and other deserving areas,” Harsh Dev Singh, JKNPP chairman, said in a statement here. Singh alleged that the constituencies of the opposition parties were being overlooked in the process, creating widespread resentment in such areas. Warning the members of the committee of any such neglect of the opposition-held constituencies, he said any “biased or prejudicial treatment” to such areas would be fought tooth and nail. Singh threatened that the JKNPP would hold protests, demonstrations and gherao the ministers concerned constituting the
CSC, in case of neglect of any deserving area. Singh said the issue of creation of new administrative units was raised in the September-October session of the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar and his party had opposed the recommendations of the Ganai Committee, constituted for the identification and creation of the new administrative units. He alleged that the said committee report had also shown undue favours to the coalition partners’ constituencies. Urging the CSC to strictly follow the prescribed guidelines, Singh said the topography of the area, distance from the existing administrative unit, development index were important factors, required to be taken into consideration.
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Woman killed, nine hurt in road mishaps Srinagar, December 24 In another incident, Tawseef Rashid Ganie and Rehana Bano were injured after being hit by a vehicle. A case has been register in this regard. The diver of the vehicle fled from the spot, said the police spokesperson. In another incident, a Sumo overturned at Nowpor in Anantnag, injuring four passengers. All injured have been admitted to a hospital. In Anantnag, two persons, Ghulam Rasool Mir and his wife Zareefa, residents of Rang Paristan Rainawari, Srinagar, were injured when a Tavera driven by Showkat
Ahmad Matoo skidded off the road. Bashir Ahmad Mir was injured after being hit by a passenger bus at Geeripora Magam, Handwara. The injured has been shifted to a hospital, Handwara. A case has been registered in this regard.
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Peaks Auto’s e-outlet launched at Shopian
Srinagar, December 24 A spokesperson for the group said a mega car loan mela, Maruti Suzuki Utsav, was also held. The firm delivered 40 vehicles on the spot and registered 11 bookings. Hashimoto said Maruti Suzuki was committed to provide customer service satisfaction and reach out to rural customers. Group vice-president SN Burman said Peaks Auto had become the second largest dealer in North in the past five years. “Peaks Auto has shown tremendous growth and achieved many milestones in this short span of time. There is a huge potential in rural market and the motto to open e-outlets at district levels is to reach out to the rural customers and provide them best services,” he said. Mushtaq A Mir, Zonal Head J&K Bank, said the tie-up of Maruti Suzuki and J&K Bank had proved beneficial for the customers.
— TNS
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Battle of Bands begins Srinagar, December 24 The two-day event is a part of the annual musical band competition which is being organised by the CRPF in collaboration with the Valley Youth X-pression, said Kishor Prasad, CRPF spokesman commandant. He said 16 musical bands today auditioned for the final, which will be held tomorrow. Four bands selected for it. He said five rappers out of 12 who auditioned were selected for the final. CRPF Inspected General (IG) PK Singh is likely to preside over the function, the spokesman said. The 'Battle of Bands' was first organised in 2010 and since then it has become an annual event. The second season was held in 2011 and the third in 2012. Musical treat
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Agri-Business Centre inaugurated Srinagar, December 24 A spokesperson for the Agriculture Department said the centre had
been allocated to a self-help group, Kisan Dost Agency, comprising four unemployed youths headed by Bashir Ahmad Bhat. The department would provide Rs 5
lakh to the group. Speaking on the occasion, The director, agriculture, said the centre would provide agricultural machineries to the farmer community of Malroo on a custom hiring service basis at subsidised rates. It would also
provide job avenues to unemployed educated youth. Srinagar Chief Agriculture Officer MA Wani urged the farmers and the unemployed youth to come forward and take benefits of the farm-friendly schemes launched by the department. An awareness-cum-training camp for the farmers of the region was also organised by the Agriculture Extension Office Zone Harwan at Khimbar under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna scheme.
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Now, ZPEOs want drawing and disbursing powers
Jammu, December 24 Sources said the posts of ZPEOs were created by the state government in the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) to reduce the burden of district sports officers. They added that the re-organisation of DYSS was specially done to create posts of ZPEOs on the lines of Zonal Education Officers (ZEO) in the education department, but all executive powers vested with the ZEOs were not provided to the newly elected 199 ZPEOs. The Tribune had earlier reported that the ZPEOs in absence of DD powers, were facing hardships in performing their duties smoothly and had even apprised the authorities about the issue. “We again appeal the authorities to grant us DD powers and provide separate office so that we can discharge our duties efficiently,” a ZPEO said. “If our duties have been specifically mentioned by the department, then why is it hesitating in granting powers, which is a genuine demand?” he said.
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Army holds medical, veterinary camp
Jammu, December 24 A painting competition for students of the Dori Dager region was also conducted. Later, prizes were given to 30 students. An interaction of the chief guest with war widows, disabled soldiers, ex-servicemen, Bakerwals and eminent person from the civil society was also organised during the camp.
Padmashree Patnaik, chairperson, Family Welfare Organisation of the Crossed Sword Division, gave wheel chairs and gift hampers to Veer Naris and women of the village.
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Kids take part in painting contest
Jammu, December 24 The contest was divided into junior and senior categories. Juniors were given a free choice to paint anything, whereas the themes for seniors were Pollution, Monuments of India and Scene at a Railway Station. In the junior group, Mamta Sharma of Army Public School,Jammu Cantt, came first, while the second and third prize was won by Hirdeshte Mahajan of Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School and Pranav Singh of Kendriya Vidalaya No 2, respectively. In the senior category, Ankita De and Tahirah Rehman of Army Public School, Jammu Cantt, bagged the first and second prize, respectively.
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Governor, CM extend Christmas greetings
Jammu, December 24 The Governor expressed sincere hope that the auspicious occasion would help in further strengthening the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, secularism and high traditions of the pluralistic ethos for which Jammu and Kashmir has been known for centuries. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also extended Christmas greetings to the people, wishing them well-being and prosperity.
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After remaining closed for two days, following heavy snow fall, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was opened for one-way traffic today. The vehicles were allowed to move from Srinagar to Jammu.
With the Jammu-Srinagar national highway being opened for one-way traffic today, scores of tourists thronged the hill resort of Patnitop to enjoy the season’s first snowfall.
“We were waiting for the highway to get cleared. We have to leave for our home town from Udhampur on Sunday…Somehow we managed to reach here again today after paying obeisance at the Vaishnoo Devi shrine on Monday,” Vikram Gupta, who hails from Lajpat Nagar area of New Delhi, said.
A painting competition for children below 15 years of age was organised here on Tuesday. Hotel Asia organised the event, in which a large number of students from more than 30 schools participated.
The contest was divided into junior and senior categories. Juniors were given a free choice to paint anything, whereas the themes for seniors were Pollution, Monuments of India and Scene at a Railway Station.
