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Rs 4 lakh stolen from Nanak Nagar ATM
Stadium shut for R-Day security check
Security personnel conducting a check at the MA Stadium ground, the main venue for Republic Day celebrations, in Jammu. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh
akshay verma murder |
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In collusion with Khalistanis, Pak planned terror strikes in Jammu
Stand on Article 370 not diluted, says BJP
Cong plans fresh strategy to enthuse workers
Ravi-Tawi project hits green roadblock
Row over slain militant’s identity ends
Patients given free medicines at camp
Machil case should have gone to civil court: Mirwaiz
ISI forcing PoK youth to carry out subversive activities
NCC R-Day contingent calls on Governor
PDD casual workers’ stir continues
Article 370 acts as bridge between state and country, says Rana
Arrangements for Jammu fest reviewed
Tuition centres turn a blind eye to govt directive
CEO for strict action against violators
Kichloo discusses developmental issues with Guv
Another Pahari girls’ hostel for Rajouri
Srinagar slips back to freezing level
delay in medical aid
Woman killed, 5 hurt in road mishaps
Missing boy traced in Punjab
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Rs 4 lakh stolen from Nanak Nagar ATM
Jammu, December 27 Police sources said that some unidentified miscreants removed the ATM installed at Sector 7 of Nanak Nagar area in the wee hours on Friday and took it towards Bishnah in a vehicle. “There were around five to six miscreants, who took the ATM in a vehicle and later escaped with Rs 4.1 lakh. The area was under a power cut when the theft took place and no security guard was present at the ATM,” sources said. Soon after receiving the information, senior police officers and FSL team rushed to the spot. The ATM was located at the main road in Sector 7 of Nanak Nagar. “The CCTV footage reveals that five to six people managed to remove the ATM. Following preliminary investigation, the police have recovered the damaged ATM from Bishnah, but the miscreants managed to take away the cash,” sources said, adding that some suspects have been picked up by the police for questioning. Rahul Malik, Superintendent of Police, City South, said the investigation was on and identity of those involved in the crime is yet to be established. |
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Stadium shut for R-Day security check
Jammu, December 27 All sports activities have been stopped at the stadium till January 29 and all players have been instructed not to enter the stadium playground till further orders. Sports officer Rajan Sharma said: “The stadium has been closed from today till further orders from security officers and till then all sports activities have been stopped.” “It is an annual feature. Every year, security officers take over the stadium in view of Republic Day celebrations for security reasons,” he added. MA Stadium is regularly used for political and commercial activities and it is the sportspersons, who have to bear the brunt. For the past two months, political rallies have disrupted regular practice of players in Jammu. The stadium was closed for about a week due to VVIP’s visit, as first Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi held a panchayat conference here on November 6 and then BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi held a rally on December 1. “It is good that we celebrate our Republic Day with full enthusiasm and patriotic spirit, but we should not discourage sportsmen spirit of youth in state,” Sushil Sharma, a retired government teacher said. “We usually blame our sportsmen when they fail to perform well in national and international level championships, but are we giving them sufficient infrastructure and other facilities?” he said. Ramesh Angral, Superintendent of Police, security said: “We have taken over the stadium from today and it will remain closed for sports activities till January 29.” “Only the main ground has been closed due to security-related activities. The Indoor stadium would remain open. The anti-sabotage team has started their activities,” he added. |
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akshay verma murder
Jammu, December 27 Mohinder Tar Singh, a veteran social activist, while addressing the gathering alleged that IAS aspirant Akshay Verma was brutally murdered and his body thrown on the “It is unfortunate that despite our sincere and honest efforts, no FIR has been registered so far. We are wholeheartedly supporting the cause so that the deceased’s family and the near and dear ones get justice,” he said. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he added. “We strongly urge upon the Chief Minister and the Director General Police to intervene and handover the case to the CBI for fair and transparent trial so that the hapless and the bereaved parents of Akshay Verma get relief,” Tar Singh said. Dejected protestors carried placards highlighting “handover Akshay’s case to CBI”, “we want justice” among other messages. The dharna lasted for around three hours. Prominent among others who attended the protest, included Satpal Saini (EPTWSR), Sukhvinder Singh (Shiromani Akali Dal), Hari Singh (sarpanch) Ashok Vasudev, Amarjeet Singh, Balbinder Singh, Showket Bhatti, Shanker Singh Chib, Neelam Devi, Vanita Verma (all social activists) and others. The Case It is alleged that IAS aspirant Akshay Verma was brutally murdered on September 24, 2012, after which his body was thrown on the railway track at Channi Himmat in Jammu to make it appear like a suicide case . |
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In collusion with Khalistanis, Pak planned terror strikes in Jammu
Jammu, December 27 Following inputs from across the border after Guru’s hanging, the security agencies were directed to remain on high alert at these locations. Additional forces were also deployed at various other vital installations like the Civil Secretariat, Raj Bhawan, Chief Minister’s residence, Police Headquarters and the railway station. This “classified and secret” information was “erroneously” leaked to the media by the Zonal Police Media Centre after a meeting of top brass of the police, including Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) and district police chiefs, chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad, at the zonal police headquarters on December 17, 2013. “According to an input received from a sister agency, a meeting was held in Sialkote, Pakistan, in the second week of February. The meeting was convened by Major Javed Akhtar of 325 FIU, Sialkote, which was also attended by KZF chief Ranjit Singh, alias Neeta, and Irfan of Tanda, who was involved in IED blasts at MA Stadium in Jammu on January 26, 1995. During the meeting, it was decided that ‘fidayeen’ attacks would be launched at the bus stand and the airport in Jammu city within a short period to avenge the hanging of Afzal Guru,” said the ‘classified’ note contained in the comprehensive document that provided almost all details of the working of the police department in Jammu and Kashmir. The document also provided details on internal security situation, counter-infiltration grid, high-level security review meetings, graphic details of the security review meetings held at the 16 Corps Headquarters in Nagrota and minutes of the Unified Command meeting. At 7.26 pm on December 17, the police media centre through an email to all media houses had circulated a press statement regarding a meeting chaired by the DGP but it also “erroneously” circulated the “secret and classified” notes. Ten minutes later, the police media centre realised its mistake and sent another email requesting mediapersons to delete the previous mail. A fresh mail was later sent to the mediapersons at 8.34 pm after deleting the crucial document. “In the light of the input, there is a need to alert and sensitise the deployment at these locations besides the deployment at various other vital installations like the Civil Secretariat, Governor House, CM residence, PHQ, railway station, district Special Branch needs to be activated, nakas located in the city and its outskirts also need to be briefed and level of supervision over their working increased….” the document said referring to the meeting of the Pakistani Major, KZF chief and other terror outfits in Sialkote. Incidentally, several banned anti-India militant groups, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, had reportedly vowed to avenge the execution of Afzal Guru and step up ‘jihad’ in Jammu and Kashmir during a “conference” organised by the United Jihad Council at the National Press Club in the Pakistani capital on February 13 this year. |
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Stand on Article 370 not diluted, says BJP
Jammu, December 27 “There is no change in BJP’s position on this matter,” Sitharaman insisted, she said. Referring to BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi’s public rally in the city early this month, Sitharaman said the party called for a debate over the Article because some vested interests had “cunningly attached sentiment of gullible people” with the legislation. She reiterated that Modi had called for the “rational debate” on the Article 370. “Post Narendra Modi’s reference to the Article 370, it was felt that a healthy debate on the Article which was only a temporary provision for the smooth integration of J&K has begun,” Sitharaman told the reporters here today. “The party has always advocated the abrogation of this special provision in the Indian Constitution and by asking for a debate on it, the party wants the people to realise the disadvantage suffered by them on account of the Article 370,” she said, adding that the Article has only harmed the state by creating hurdles in the development and hampering the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. Sitharaman alleged that few families have misused the Article 370 to keep progressive legislations out of Jammu and Kashmir. “This Article discriminates with women and other weaker sections like OBCs, SC and STs,” she said. “This Article has been used as a shield to stop many of those great legislations that have been passed in the country from reaching J&K,” Sitharaman added. |
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Cong plans fresh strategy to enthuse workers
Jammu, December 27 Sources say that the unprecedented turnout at BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally at Jammu on December 1 and the debacle of the Congress in four states has demoralised party workers in the Jammu region. While the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz is going to address a rally at Shangus in south Kashmir, national secretary of the party Mainul Haque is especially coming to Jammu tomorrow to participate in the foundation day function. Local leaders have directed party workers to ensure participation of all important office-bearers at the function in Jammu. Sources in the Congress said party leaders had decided to devise a new strategy to counter the Modi wave in the state, especially in the Jammu region. Instead of organising a big rally to counter the BJP, the party has decided to hold small meetings at different places to mobilise support. After Modi’s rally at Jammu, the Congress had announced it would organise a counter rally. But after its poor performance in the Assembly polls, it abandoned the idea.
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Ravi-Tawi project hits green roadblock
Jammu, December 27 The work on the project is likely to be delayed as the state government has sought clearances from the National Board for Wildlife. The project will also have to get approval from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the apex court. The ambitious project on completion would provide irrigation to about 1.33 lakh acres in arid areas of southern districts Kathua and Samba. This would help increase the agriculture production by Rs 250 crore every year and generate 25 MW of power from the hydro project at the site. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 410 crore, including Rs 275.14 crore for civil works and the remaining for developing two power houses. The project, which was approved by the Planning Commission in May 1973 with an estimated cost of Rs 29.84 crore, has faced several bottlenecks till date -- owing to differences between the Punjab and J&K governments over the share of water from Ravi river. J&K claimed it was being denied its 20 per cent share of power and 1100 cusecs of water from Ranjit Sagar Dam under the Interstate Agreement of January 29, 1955. Jammu and Kashmir claims it has been denied of its 20 percent share of power and 1100 Cusecs of water from Ranjit Sagar Dam under the Interstate Agreement of January 29, 1955. Under another bilateral agreement executed on January 20, 1979, it was mutually agreed that J&K would start the Main Ravi Canal from the proposed Shahpurkandi barrage to be constructed by the Punjab Government, 12-km downstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam along the Ravi river. In pursuance of the Agreement, J&K curtailed the construction of the main Ravi canal. The Punjab Government has failed to construct the Shahpurkandi barrage so far besides it has also scrapped the agreement through a legislation in 2004. On August 16, the Cabinet had given its nod for the construction of the extension of the Ravi-Tawi canal from Basantpur up to the inflow of the Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir. “Nearly 90 per cent of the area of the project falls under the Thay wildlife sanctuary. We have sought clearance from Central Empowered Committee and the apex court for the execution of project. We are hopeful about getting clearances in the next four months,” said H C Jeerath, Chief Engineer, Ravi-Tawi canal project. He, however, said a tender had been floated for raising the “intake structure” in the area outside the wildlife sanctuary besides Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) Ltd had been entrusted with the task of conducting a study on local biodiversity and environment, which was mandatory to get clearance from the CEC and the apex court. Official sources said the Central Water Commission (CWC) had approved the Shahpurkandi barrage under a national project and the Punjab Government had recently started work on the construction of the barrage. The Chief Engineer, however, claimed that Punjab was not in a position to execute the Shahpurkandi barrage project without the concurrence of J&K. “For the project, the Punjab Government had earmarked 33,000 hectares of J&K land while the land share of neighbouring state was just 5,000 hectares. The CWC has now stopped the funding for the project as J&K has not given a ‘no objection’ certificate for the project,” Jeerath said. J&K had been demanding a compensation of Rs 8,500 crore (Rs 6,000 for agriculture losses and Rs 2,500 crore for power losses) from Punjab for the use of its land and for non-supply of the “promised” power being generated from Ranjit Sagar Dam. |
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Row over slain militant’s identity ends
Pulwama, December 27 The controversy over the identity of the militant had erupted when Budgam SP Irshad Ahmad, while interacting with the media, had identified him as Umer, a resident of Pakistan. While Showkat’s family had claimed that the slain militant was Showkat Ahmad Lone, a resident of Lelhara, Kakapora in Pulwama. Kakapora observed partial shutdown as the chaos prevailed in the town over the identity. However, the protesters were pacified when the police said it would carry out a DNA test of the militant to know his identity.
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Panthers Party terms 2013 as darkest period of governance
Jammu, December 27 “The governance has failed in all disciplines, including dealing with law and order, health, administration, recruitment, education, and Panchayati Raj. It was the darkest era of governance. The present coalition should be dismissed without any delay,” said Bhim Singh, JKNPP chief patron. He alleged that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were subjected to “oppression and suppression” for the past five years. “The government has failed to register an FIR in the custodial death of Yousuf Haji, a National Conference worker, in two years. Fiazan (12) has been facing terror of the government. Both cases are pending before the Supreme Court,” Singh said. The JKNPP leader said over15 lakh refugees from Pakistan, Pakitan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Chhamb, Deva-Batala and migrants from Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Doda and Reasi had remained neglected because of the “hostile attitude” of the NC-Congress government. He alleged that despite the Supreme Court’s judgment, Jammu migrants (mostly in Talwara) had not been paid the balanced relief of Rs 21 crore. “For the past six months, they have not been provided any relief. Discrimination by the state and the Central governments has come to the fore when the relief for the Kashmiri migrants in cash and kinds was raised two times where as the Jammu migrants were ignored,” he alleged. The Kashmiri migrants had been provided some kind of accommodation whereas the Jammu migrants, though they are prepared to return to their homes, have not been brought under any scheme, he said. “Kishtwar residents were subjected to death and destruction on August 9, 2013 (on Eid) under a conspiracy to create a communal divide. The state government played a mischief by appointing a retired High Court judge to probe the matter. This was done only to play hide and seek with the Supreme Court which is hearing the Kishtwar riots case,” he said. He alleged the interim report of the judge was mala fide and drawn only to mislead the people and benefit the National Conference. |
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Patients given free medicines at camp
Jammu, December 27 Well-known industrialist Ashish Kapoor who, according to a press statement, has been providing regular funds for running free dispensaries and providing education to the poor children, inaugurated the camp. The objective of organising the camp was to provide free healthcare services to mankind and also to promote homoeopathy in Jammu. A team of doctors examined the patients and gave free medicines to them. Several people attending the camp benefitted during the camp. |
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Machil case should have gone to civil court: Mirwaiz
Anantnag, December 27 “The accused should have undergone a trial at a civil court for the simple reason that an Army court lacks credibility,” Mirwaiz said while addressing a gathering at the grand mosque in Shangus area of Anantnag. Mirwaiz said the trial would merely be an “eye wash” and the victims’ families will be “denied justice”. “We cannot expect the trial to be a transparent one, given that the perpetrators of the crime are conducting a trial themselves,” he said. Mirwaiz said AFSPA had been providing immunity to the armed force. “It is not an isolated case. All such cases should be opened and the guilty should be punished,” he said.
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ISI forcing PoK youth to carry out subversive activities
Jammu, December 27 “In a startling incident that reveals the latest operating philosophy of the ISI, 27-year-old Mohammed Iftikhar, a resident of Khuni Batakot village in district Sudhnutti in PoK, has told the interrogators that the ISI has been recruiting unemployed youth from low income households in PoK to carry out subversive activities on Indian soil,” a top Army source said. “These activities range from carrying out reconnaissance of Indian posts in proximity of the LoC to dissident activity like planting improvised explosive devices or landmines to kill or maim Indian troops,” the source said. Identified from his Azad Kashmir Riyasat (J&K) Hukumat Pakistan identity card as Mohamed Iftikhar, he was apprehended while crossing over to the Indian side of the LoC, whereupon he was challenged and subdued by the troops in an operation conducted with prodigious competence and proficiency. “Despite moving in a stealthy and tactical manner in areas heavily beset with landmines, Iftikhar was apprehended alive, which clearly demonstrates the fire control and restraint exercised by the Army despite grave provocation,” the source added. While Pakistan’s sponsoring of such terrorist activities is not a new phenomenon, its recruitment of local civilians in PoK to aid and abet terrorism, certainly is. Individuals such as Mohamed Iftikhar are neither trained nor possess the requisite competence to match the highly proficient Indian Army and are almost certain to be killed or captured in the process of undertaking these clandestine operations. “These daily wage earners, bearing the burden of poverty and looking to bolster their impoverished lifestyles, undertake these missions without fully comprehending the hazards of the task and the probability of imminent death,” a senior Army officer said. Pak national discloses ISI role A 27-year-old Pakistani youth, who was captured by the Army on December 16 after he illegally crossed over the Line of Control in Poonch, has told interrogators how the ISI has been “forcing unemployed youth” from poverty-ridden families in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to carry out “subversive activities” on the Indian soil |
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NCC R-Day contingent calls on Governor
Jammu, December 27 The NCC group was led by Major General Neeraj Verma, Additional Director General, National Cadet Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Directorate. The cadets presented a cultural programme which comprised a group song on environment, a group dance depicting the dance forms of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and a ballad dedicated to the invaluable devotion and sacrifices of the armed forces. The Governor congratulated the NCC cadets for presenting the cultural programme and complimented Brigadier NK Khajuria, Commander, NCC Group, Srinagar, for composing a meaningful song to spread the message of environmental preservation. The Governor said the group of cadets from all three regions of the state should be proud to be part of the NCC junior and senior divisions and make the best use of this period to imbibe discipline and develop the capacity of living and working together and strengthening the bonds of unity and enriching their personalities with a larger vision of their role in carrying the country forward. |
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PDD casual workers’ stir continues
Jammu, December 27 The Power Development Department casual labourers are on an indefinite strike for the past 22 days and today they marched towards the Civil Secretariat under Akhil Sharma, vice-president, All J&K Casual Labourers Union, PDD. Sharma said: “This march is to recall that worthy Chief Secretary in April this year had said the pending wages amounting to Rs 6.50 crore in favour of need-based casual labourers have been sanctioned, but nothing has been done so far. ” — TNS |
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Article 370 acts as bridge between state and country, says Rana
Jammu, December 28 “While Article 370 serves as a bridge between the state and the country, the Permanent Resident (PR) law is a steel frame that stands guarantee for maintaining and preserving the special and distinct identity of the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” Rana said while winding up a daylong debate on the issue at a workers’ meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan this afternoon. The debate is a part of a series initiated by the National Conference to generate awareness among the people on the importance of the special status. Rana dared the critics of Article 370 to get engaged in a productive debate on the issue and prove how it was detrimental to the interests of the people of the state. |
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Arrangements for Jammu fest reviewed
Jammu, December 27 He took a round of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and inspected the renovation works being carried out. He also reviewed the viability for execution of sewage project by National Building Construction Corporation in the area. — TNS |
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Tuition centres turn a blind eye to govt directive
Kupwara December 27 Setting aside government’s directive of ensuring basic facilities such as making heating arrangements and providing proper infrastructure to students at tuition centres, especially during severe cold, they are openly seen flouting it. Students and parents have made several complaints to the management of the respective tuition centre, but the pleas have fallen on deaf ears. “We are forced to sit without any heating equipment in sub-zero temperatures especially during morning hours. The centre has not made any heating arrangement and to make things worse, even the window panes are broken. We have made several requests to the management, but no one listens,” Lateef Ahmad, a Class XII student taking tuitions at Crescent Coaching Centre in Lalpora village said. “When we took admission, the management promised to provide proper heating arrangement,” he rued. Most of the tuition centres start running their classes during morning hours, when it is the coldest. On being asked, the management had a ‘sound’ argument to justify as to why they do not make heating arrangement at their centers. Farooq Iqbal Shah, running Crescent Coaching Centre in Lalpora said: “We do not have any heating arrangement at the centre. Moreover, we charge less from students as compared to other centres operating in major towns of the district. Students are satisfied as they pay less and have not demanded any heating equipments too.” Parents, meanwhile, want authorities to take strict action against such centres where no heating arrangements have been made. “Students are made to pay so much. In absence of heating arrangements students can fall ill. Tuition centres lacking heating arrangements should be derecognised and should not be allowed to operate,” Abdul Hamid, a Sogam resident, said. Students taking tuitions at Al-Noor Tuition Centre in Sogam also complained that no arrangements were in place to beat the chill at their center. Chief Education Officer (CEO) Ghulam Miohidin Wani, meanwhile, said he will take up the issue with Kupwara Deputy Commissioner and centres violating norms would be dealt under law. “Centres lacking facilities such as heating arrangements and infrastructure will not be allowed to operate in any circumstances,” he added. |
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CEO for strict action against violators
Jammu, December 27 In a handout issued here today, the CEO has warned that if the erring schools do not adhere to the government order, action as warranted under law would be initiated against them. The order further said that the schools that do not adhere to the government order would face strict action, which includes withdrawal of NoC, recommendations to CBSC chairman for de-recognition of such schools and imposition of penalty under rules.
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Kichloo discusses developmental issues with Guv
Jammu, December 27 Kichloo discussed various problems and developmental issues concerning his area and the lines, on which these were being planned to be tackled. The Governor stressed the importance of internal security and communal harmony being maintained at all costs and also urged the minister to take urgent steps to deal with the alarming frequency at which fatal road accidents were taking place in the Kishtwar area. |
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Another Pahari girls’ hostel for Rajouri
Rajouri, December 26 With an intake capacity of 50 students, the hostel was inaugurated at a rented building near Tariq Bridge, where poor Pahari community girls from far-flung areas of the district would get free accommodation, uniforms, education and food, among other facilities. “JKPAB is running nine hostels in state, including two girls hostels at Poonch and Kupwara districts, and presently providing pre-matriculation scholarships to more than 1,30,000 students and post-matriculation scholarship to 4,000 students,” Shokat Hussain Qazmi, secretary, JKPAB, said. The health minister said that the land for the hostel has been identified and soon the work on the project will start. He added that he would instruct the CMO to provide doctors to treat students in every hostel in Rajouri district. |
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Srinagar slips back to freezing level
Srinagar, December 27 The minimum temperature in the city fell to -0.6°C, which was a drop of nearly two degrees from the
low of last night, an official of the state Meteorological Department said. Last night, the mercury dropped to 1.8 degree Celsius, above the zero-degree mark, in the city. In south Kashmir’s Pahalgam resort, the mercury settled at -9.6°C, making it the coldest place in the Valley. It recorded the maximum temperature of 6.5°C. 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 -8.6 °C. The mercury in the Kokernag area fell to a low of
-3°C, while the minimum temperature in north Kashmir’s Kupwara town was recorded at -3.4°C, the official said. In Leh town of the Ladakh region, the mercury settled at a low of
-14.8°C while the maximum temperature was recorded at 1.6°C. In the adjoining Kargil town, the mercury dropped to a low of -15.7°C while the day temperature was recorded at a high of
-1.2°C, the official said. |
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delay in medical aid
Srinagar, December 27 Addressing a press conference here, Rashid said ex gratia and other benefits should be given to the family of Abdul Rehman Dar. His relatives
had claimed that he had died after the ambulance carrying him was stopped
by the police at Seelu in the Sopore area of north Kashmir on December 10. Dar, who had suffered a heart attack, died later after being admitted to a hospital. Expressing dissatisfaction over the inquiry report submitted by the Baramulla Deputy Commissioner over the death of Dar, he said the report had ‘failed to point out many important facts’. He accused the national media of keeping ‘complete silence’ over the issue. “Had the incident taken place in any other part of the country, the reaction of the media
and civil society would have been altogether different, he said. Meanwhile, Rashid said ordering the court martial of those involved in the Machil encounter ‘hardly makes a difference as it is too little too late’. “It does not make a sense unless hundreds of other Army officers involved in cold-blooded murders of innocents and human rights violations are not given the same treatment,” he said. Criticising the government for failing to prevent incidents of stray dog bites, Rasheed said, “The government seems to be more worried about the protection and welfare of dogs rather than caring for the humans.” He said the Awami Ittihaad Party would go for ‘tough and innovative measures’ to overcome the dog menace in the
city and villages if the government failed to tackle the issue. |
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Kashmiri girl carves out her ‘web’ space
Srinagar, December 27 She is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Information and Technology from Sri Pratap College, Srinagar. She has started Sysarche’— a combination of system and architecture-— with a dream of making it a portal for industries. “When I was 14, I got inspired after watching a businesswoman being interviewed on television. I have come from a background where women have only been teachers or housewives. My family has never been into a business,” said Saifaa. However, the business plan was always in her mind. After passing her higher secondary examinations, she took various competitive exams under family pressure, but failed to crack them. “Even if I had become a doctor, I would have still set up my own hospital,” she said. After one year of passing Class XII, Saifaa discussed her dream with a friend, who told her about a start-up programme run by an NGO in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI). Saifaa submitted her business plan to the NGO and later, it was accepted. Besides receiving training about various business skills and other management tactics from the JKEDI, Saifaa received full financial support from the government to start her venture. Her business is still at a nascent stage, but she is receiving projects and orders from various institutions and enterprises. Right now, Saifaa outsources all projects to a network of graphic designers and web developers in the absence of permanent manpower. Presently, she is working with two Delhi-based companies on a project. Being the only child of her parents, Saifaa attributes all credit to her family, particularly her mother, for the much-needed support and encouragement “Initially, many people criticised my decision to be a businesswoman. But my family provided me encouragement and the freedom to choose my career,” she said. Saifaa is disappointed from the fact that the youth of the region have restricted their career choices. They have a fixed goal of either becoming
a doctor or an engineer. They are not exploring other profitable opportunities. “The youth should try to convert their skills into opportunities,” she said. In Kashmir, the trend of women entrepreneurs is slowly picking up with the state government working towards making women self-reliant. “Things are gradually changing in the Valley as girls are coming forward to create their own ways of employment. They should tap every opportunity as they are talented and skilled,” she said. Looking for a life partner, who would accept her the way she is, she said she would continue her business even after marriage. |
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Woman killed, 5 hurt in road mishaps
Srinagar, December 27 The injured were identified as Hajra Begum, a resident of Achabal, Sopore, and Bashir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Aloosa, Bandipora. They were admitted to a hospital where Hajra Begum succumbed to her injuries, the spokesperson said. In Srinagar city, two persons were injured when
a car collided with a motorcycle. The injured — Mohammad Amin Dar, a resident of Gousia Colony Chanpora and Syed Tajamul Hussain Qazmi, a resident of
Boniyar, Uri — were admitted to a hospital, the spokesperson said. Two persons, including a 50-year-old woman, were injured in road accidents in north Kashmir towns, the spokesperson said.
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Missing boy traced in Punjab
Srinagar, December 27 “With the swift and vigorous efforts of the Srinagar police, Ibrahim Tramboo was traced in Pathankot, Punjab,” a police spokesperson said. The boy has been brought back home, he said. It was not clear how and under what circumstances he had reached Punjab. |
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The Moulana Azad (MA)
Stadium at the winter capital of the state has been closed for sports activities from today for security reasons in view of Republic Day
celebrations. All sports activities have been stopped at the stadium till January 29
