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6th zero deficit Budget in a row
Opposition slams Budget
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HOUSE IN SESSION
Army seeks time to decide on submission of Pathribal records
Paharis demand ST status, threaten to hold protest
MBBS SCAM
extension in mbbs degree duration
‘Rape victims’ allege police harassment
Kashmir converted into a prison: Mehbooba
MV school excels in essay competition
KV-II wins skit competition
Road safety awareness camp held
State employees' protest starts today
Cold wave continues in Valley
Afzal Guru’s ‘Last Message’ released
Govt official arrested for taking bribe
Former chief medical officer remembered
Two JeM militants killed in Shopian
Guv, CM extend greetings
Radio Kashmir focuses on women empowerment
Gagran firing
State employees' protest starts today
Road safety awareness camp held
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6th zero deficit Budget in a row
Jammu, February 13 Keeping in view the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, no fresh taxes were proposed by the Finance Minister. Instead, he announced exemption of VAT on some items to make the Budget people-friendly. In his 115-minutes Budget speech, Rather said that despite limited financial resources and multiple problems confronting the state, every possible effort had been made to provide succour to various sectors, including trade, industry, tourism and agriculture. This was the second time in the legislative history of the state that six consecutive budgets were presented in a row by a government under a single leader. The break-up of the total budgetary expenditure of Rs 43,543 crore as between plan and non-plan is Rs 11,900 crore (inclusive of Rs 600 crore under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan) and Rs 31,643 crore, respectively. The total capital component is estimated at Rs 10,595 crore. The balance amount of Rs 32,948 crore is proposed to be utilised to meet the revenue expenditure. Rather said the government had improved the tax and VAT remittance in the state resulting in more revenue to the government. He said VAT remittance during the last five years had increased from Rs 1,836 crore to the estimated Rs 4,800 crore for the current fiscal which shows a cumulative increase of 161%. The total revenue (tax and non-tax) had increased significantly from Rs 2,683 crore in 2008-09 to Rs 6,700 crore for the current year with an annual increase of 30 per cent. The non-tax revenue which stood at Rs 837 crore during 2008-09 had increased to Rs 2160 crore during last year, he said. The Finance Minister admitted that the expenditure on salaries and allowances of government employees would continue to be the biggest component of the state’s non-plan revenue expenditure. “The next year’s budget estimate contains a total provision of Rs 14,461 crore on this account, inclusive of a provision of Rs 700 crore to take care of two fresh DA installments which may become due from January 1 and July 1, 2014”, he said. “On the advice of the Planning Commission, both these installments have been presumed at 6 per cent each, though the actual incidence may be much higher,” he added. |
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Opposition slams Budget
Jammu, February 13 “The AMM is dismayed over the response to the unemployment crisis in the state as the present Budget lacks a comprehensive plan to address the problem,” the spokesman said. Former Union Minister Chaman Lal Gupta described the Budget figures as misleading, illusory and said these did not reflect the factual poor fiscal of the state. Commenting upon the Budget speech of the Finance Minister, Gupta said an effort had been made to present a rosy picture keeping in view the coming elections and the Budget being the last one of the government.
— TNS |
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Opposition stages walkout over electricity, water crisis
Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 13 As soon as the House assembled this morning, Bharatiya Janta Party members trooped towards the Well and started raising slogans. They were demanding resignation of the Power Minister for his failure to ensure supply of power in rural and urban areas. Within no time, members of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and the Jammu State Morcha (JSM) joined the agitating BJP members and stood up on their benches and raised anti-government slogans over its “failure” to provide uninterrupted power and water supply to the people in the state. Choudhary Sukhnandan, BJP Member of Legislative Assembly from Marh segment, said power supply in many areas in his segment had been snapped for the last 15 days, but no action had been taken to restore the supply. Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party member Harsh Dev Singh alleged that funds allotted for repairing damaged transformers had been diverted. The members were demanding reply from the government. As the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly asked them to raise this issue after the Question Hour, Opposition members minus the Peoples Democratic Party staged a walkout. Annual Financial Statement presented
JAMMU: Minister of State for Finance Manohar Lal Sharma presented the Annual Financial Statement for 2014-15 in the Legislative Council today. The minister delivered a Budget speech after presenting the Annual Financial Statement. Manohar also presented a Statement of Supplementary Expenditure for
2013-14. BJP wants Power Minister to quit
As soon as the House assembled on Thursday
morning, Bharatiya Janta Party members trooped towards the Well and started raising slogans. They were demanding resignation of the Power Minister for his failure to ensure supply of power in rural and urban areas. |
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Army seeks time to decide on submission of Pathribal records
Srinagar, February 13 In its application before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, the Army has submitted that Pathribal is a “sensitive” matter and the decision for submitting the record or objections has to be taken at the “highest” level. “Today we moved an application before the CJM seeking time to file reply/objections to the motion,” said standing counsel of the Union of India Mujeeb Fazili. The CJM court on January 31 had directed the Brigadier Adjutant of the Jammu-based 16 Corps to furnish the copies of the documents related to the Pathribal encounter case and file a compliance report or reply to the motion by February 10. In its application, the Army has submitted that the Brigadier Adjutant could not file his reply to the motion as he was on leave and he had joined back on February 10. Adding that the “Pathribal case being a sensitive” matter, the Army in its application submitted that the “draft” reply/objections need to be “vetted” at the “highest level” by the military authority before submission to the Chief Judicial Magistrate court and thus might take time. Though in its application the Army had sought eight weeks to file the reply to the motion, the Chief Judicial Magistrate in his orders passed today granted it four weeks to file the same. Accordingly, the matter has been posted for further consideration to the second week of March. Victim’s kin sought verdict copies
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Resumption of LoC trade may take time
Jammu, February 13 Furthermore, Indian traders were also skeptical of resuming trade without an assurance by the Indian authorities of no harm to them in PoK once the trade resumes. Transfer of Baramulla Deputy Commissioner GA Khwaja as Special Secretary, Agricultural Production Department, who would be replaced by Farooq Ahmed Lone, may also delay the resumption. Yesterday, the Pakistani authorities set free 27 Indian truckers, who had been detained by Pakistan-occupied Kashmir officials demanding release of Pakistani driver arrested by the J&K Police for smuggling narcotics worth Rs 100 crore in his truck “Though the 27 Indian truckers were released yesterday, we have no idea about the resumption of the trade. The Pakistani authorities are still demanding the release of their driver, who was caught with the narcotics,” said GA Khwaja, Baramulla DC. “We need to have further talks at diplomatic level to pave the way for the resumption of trade between the two sides,” he added. Khwaja has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Agricultural Production Department, and in his place Farooq Ahmed Lone would take over as the new DC of Baramulla district. “Yes I have been transferred, but my reliever has not joined as yet,” said Khwaja. The standoff began on January 17 when the J&K Police arrested a PoK driver after 114 packets of brown sugar worth Rs 114 crore was recovered from his truck. Since then the Pakistani authorities started mounting pressure demanding the release of the driver along with the truck and the brown sugar. “How can we release a drug trafficker, who was caught red-handed? Law is the same for everyone,” said a State Home Department official. Meanwhile, Indian traders wanted an assurance from the government about their safety once the trade resumed. |
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Paharis demand ST status, threaten to hold protest
Rajouri, February 13 The meeting decided to launch a statewide campaign to aware the Pahari people about the ongoing struggle and to fight against the step-motherly treatment and discrimination against them by the Central and the state governments. Shabaz Khan, chief executive, JK Pahari People Movement (JKPPM), said the community was fighting for the Scheduled Tribe status for the last about 23 years and had warned the coalition partners (Congress and National Conference) that the community would vote against them, if
their demand was not conceded before the coming parliamentary and Assembly elections. About 30 lakh people in J&K belong to the Pahari community. They have been alleging that the Gujjars and Bakerwals, who share the same culture and topography and face same kind of difficulties and circumstances as the Paharis, have been enjoying benefits under the ST status. Khan said, in 1989, the state Cabinet had recommended ST status to sub-castes, in which Pahari community was at
the number 1 position on the list. However, some anti-social and anti-national elements, engaged in disturbing peace in J&K misguided the Union Government, leading to the deletion of the Paharis from the list. Khan said almost 90 per cent of the border areas in the state were dominated by the Pahari people who had sacrificed their lives for the integrity of the nation in three wars with Pakistan. He warned the government of a large-scale agitation, if their demand was not conceded. “For that, the Paharis have started an awareness campaign,” said Khan. Amzad Ali, president, JKPPM, said the state government had
recommended the ST status for the Paharis many times. “Even former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairman Sonia Gandhi and many other leaders, during their visit to Jammu & Kashmir, had promised to consider our demand but nothing has been done yet,” said Amzad. Those present at the meeting included Abdul Qadir, state president, Pahari Youth Forum, Tilak Raj, Susheel Kumar, Manjeet Singh, Lohitkash Kocchhar, Amir Mir and MR Khan. |
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Crime branch records statement of approver
Ishfaq Tantry Tribune news Service
Srinagar, February 13 Itoo is a key witness and aide of prime accused and former chairman of the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) Mushtaq Ahmad Peer. Both were involved in selling question papers for selection to medical colleges in the state. “Today the statement of Farooq Ahmad Itoo was recorded before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, under 164-A, during which he reiterated and upheld his earlier confessional statement,” said Chief Prosecuting Officer of the crime branch Khalid Muzaffar Shah. In his confessional statement recorded earlier before the CJM, Srinagar, on November 7, 2013, Itoo had said he had given Rs 60 lakh to Peer after receiving CET-2012 papers from him. Itoo later sold these papers to eight candidates. Later on February 8, a Special Court (Anti-Corruption) had allowed the application of the crime branch seeking pardon and approver status for Itoo, who was named as one of the accused in the chargesheet in the CET scam by the probe agency. After recording his statement, Itoo, who is now a key prosecution witness, is likely to be subjected to cross-examination when the matter comes up for hearing before the Special Judge (Anti-Corruption) Mohan Lal Manhas on February 18. Confession recorded
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extension in mbbs degree duration Tribune News Service
Srinagar, February 13 President, GMC, Srinagar Cultural and Academics Union, Chowdary Muzaffar said the extension in the MBBS tenure would demotivate students from studying MBBS courses and it would also trigger frustration among students. The MCI had recently moved a proposal seeking extension in the course duration, which besides 4.5 years of MBBS studies will include two years of internship and one year of posting in a rural area. The one year of rural posting has been made mandatory for students seeking admission to MD/MS courses. The Resident Doctors' Association, Kashmir, has also lent its support to medical students, stating that it will take at least 10 years to become a specialist doctor. "After 7.5 years of toil, the MBBS pass-outs from medical colleges still need to sit for exams conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) for admission to PG courses. Even PG doctors need to be confirmed by the PSC yet again for recruitment. It has become very tough to become a doctor," said Dr Aadil Ashraf, member, RDA, Kashmir. The students reiterated that they did not have any problem working in rural areas, but that should be included in the MBBS course. "The 5.5 years of MBBS training should include rural postings as well so that years aren't lost in becoming a doctor," Mahid , an MBBS student, said.
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2 associations support junior doctors’ protest
Jammu, February 13 The Junior Doctors Association (JDA) and Medical Teachers Association (MTA) have extended their support to the protesters. To register their protest against the MCI order, more than 300 medical students of Government Medical College (GMC) today marched towards the Press Club via super-speciality hospital. A team of medical students also met members of the JDA and MTA, who also extended their full support to them and ensured that if the administration and police do any kind of manhandling with the medical students, they may stop emergency services in all the hospitals. A junior doctor of GMC said, “After getting the support of the JDA and MTA, we also met the Principal of the GMC, who assured us that she will take up the issue with the higher authorities, but our protest and strikes will continue till the MCI takes back the decision.” |
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Unsafe school building poses threat to students, staff
Jammu, February 13 The building of Government Middle School, Brij Nagar, at Miran Sahib was declared unsafe many years ago, but even after bringing it to the notice of the administration by the staff as well as local residents, it has not taken any action for the safety of the students. Most of the teachers prefer to hold classes outside the school building and during the rainy season children prefer to stay at home. Pawan Raina, sarpanch of the Kharia panchayat, said, “Students' lives are under threat and the administration is not bothered. We have requested ministers as well as the officials concerned to do something in the matter, but no one seems to be taking it seriously.” Raina said in case of any mishap, the government and the Education Department would be responsible. Residents of Brij Nagar said many people have shifted their children to private schools due to the unsafe building, but many poor families of the locality could not afford to send their children to private schools. Bansi Lal Sharma, a resident of Brij Nagar, said, “This school is not less than a joke for the locality, but this joke may take lives of the innocent children.” “Now the staff of the school also avoid going inside the building, but the Education Department seems to be waiting for a big tragedy to happen,” he added. No official of the Education Department was available for comments. Sorry state of affairs at Government Middle School, Brij Nagar
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‘Rape victims’ allege police harassment
Udhampur, February 13 They also alleged harassment by the police posted in that area, who not only “refused” to lodge an FIR but also “harassed” the victims during the last three days. The victims along with their family members told mediapersons here today that they were raped by two youths at Dandota panchayat falling under Landher police post in Panchari tehsil of the district. According to the victims’ statement, they had visited a shop to purchase some items on February 9. However, the owner of the shop told them that they could see variety of items in the godown behind the shop. The victims alleged that they were locked in the godown and were threatened if they shouted. “The shop's owner along with his friend repeatedly raped them throughout the night at gun point,” the victims said. As they approached the Landher police post, policemen posted there not only abused them but forced them and their parents to sit at the police post for two days continuously, they alleged. The family members were “forced” to bring the case to the notice of the Station House Officer of the Panchari police station, who they alleged instead of registering an FIR, called the accused and forced the victims to come to a compromise. They said they were
left with no other option but to approach the court for justice. |
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Probe demanded into Doda student’s death
Doda, February 13 Khalid was pursuing engineering in Punjab. He was found dead in Hoshiarpur under mysterious circumstances on January 19. A number of social organisations, including the Civil Society Doda, All India Students Federation, Doda, Doda Development Front, and president, National Rural Health Mission Paramedical Associations, held a protest here at old Bus Stand. They demanded a CBI probe to know the cause behind Khalid’s death. They expressed resentment and anguish over the delay in starting investigations in to the death case by the Punjab Government and the Punjab Police and also criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Government for its failure in sending a police team to Punjab for investigation. Protesters said with Khalid’s death, the death toll of Doda students had gone up to six. All of them were studying outside J&K. They said nobody knew the cause behind their death and added even the state government had failed to come out with the cause of their death, raising a question on its functioning. The protesters demanded a fair probe to ascertain the cause behind the death of the Doda student. Ishtiaq Ahmed Dev, spokeperson for the Civil Society Doda, said the government should get all such cases probed by the CBI where J&K students studying in various parts of the country were found dead. Social activist Nuzat Iqbal slammed the J&K and Punjab governments for delaying investigation into the case. The protesters threatened they would march to Hoshiarpur, if the government didn’t conduct a fair and speedy probe into Khalid’s death.
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Kashmir converted into a prison: Mehbooba
Jammu, February 13 Intervening during the question hour in the Legislative Assembly, Mehbooba said, “Kashmir has been virtually converted into a prison where only the government and its apologists enjoy the freedom. Teenagers are arrested under draconian laws and the place has been virtually handed over to the police and security forces.” The Bandipore police had arrested several boys and one of them identified as Arif Hussain Wani was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and two among them has been sent to the juvenile detention centre as they are below 13 years of age. Wani was booked on January 31 and he is in Udhampur hospital in serious condition. Mehbooba said, “Imprisonment of teenagers, who should be in schools, is the real picture of the present government’s performance.” “A sense of anger prevails in Kashmir and even liberal section of Indian society feels that Guru was wronged by picking him out of the death roll from No 28 to fit into the political strategy of the ruling party,” she said, adding that subsequent relief by the Supreme Court granted to the convicts, whose execution has been commuted, has further deepened the feeling of anger and discrimination among the people. “Instead of trying to empathise with the public sentiments, the state government let loose its might on mourners who wanted to express sympathy with Guru’s family who were denied even the most elementary facility and their right to meet the executed prisoner even at his last time,” Mehbooba said. She said the government had lost the argument on human rights violation. |
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Talwara migrants call off strike
Katra, February 13 Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, said: “The migrants have suspended the strike and we have assured them of relief and redressal of other issues." “We have decided that all families, whose names were cleared by the screening committee, will be given assistance by the government, " he said. "The migrants had gone on a strike demanding that the government should extend assistance to all families instead of only 308 families,” said a protester. Balwan Singh, a migrant leader, said by denying the benefits to the migrants of Talwara, the government was neglecting the Jammu region as the Kashmiri migrants, who are also the victims of militancy, are being given assistance in both cash and kind. Singh added that the state government had violated the orders of the High Court and Supreme Court who directed it to retain parity between Kashmiri migrants and those of
Talwara. — OC |
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Physically challenged hold protest against SSB
Srinagar, February 13 Chairman of the Humanity Welfare Organisation Helpline, an NGO working for the rights of physically challenged people, Javaid Ahmad Tak said, “The government has turned a blind eye to the Supreme Court orders, which says 3 per cent reservation should be given to physically challenged people.” “Under the Supreme Court rulings, the SSB has to give 3 per cent reservation to physically challenged people, but they are not following the rules which make us to suffer,” Tak added. He said, “In the recent teacher selection list notified by the SSB, discrimination with physically challenged people is clearly visible. They don’t consider our plight. More than 500 persons should have been selected among us, but only 105 persons were shortlisted for the interview.” Hundreds of physically challenged people from all districts of Kashmir participated in the protest, demanding the government to give them relaxation in government jobs. “Some of us have multiple degrees, but they have not been shortlisted. If reservation has been implemented, more of us should have been shortlisted, but the government has no proper policy for us,” said another protester. The protesters said, “We have to face discrimination in most of the state policies. We are provided relaxation in national exams, but the state government, especially SSB, shows discrimination against us.” According to the data released by an association representing physically challenged people in the state, Jammu and Kashmir has more than 3.6 lakh physically challenged people. |
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MV school excels in essay competition
Jammu, February 13 The award was received by the Principal, MV International School. Rahul Verma of Class X, who secured 10th rank among 4,200 participants, representing more than 300 schools in the country, received a certificate of honour and trophy from the Korean Ambassador. Komal Bhagat of Class X also received a certificate for excellent performance. A special memento and gift were given by the Korean Embassy to the Director of the school, Gourav Abrol, for his stewardship qualities in facilitating the contest in Jammu.
— TNS |
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KV-II wins skit competition
Jammu, February 13 The ADC, Sushma Chauhan, was the chief guest. Tahira Parveen, Principal, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar, delivered the welcome address. Sushma Chauhan appreciated the efforts of children and messages delivered by them on water and sanitation through the medium of skits. The principal asked the children to adopt and maintain hygiene and spread the message among others. Children drawn from 15 schools of Jammu presented skits regarding the importance of safe water. Skits also emphasised the importance of saving water and proper sanitation to remain healthy. Prominent among others present on the occasion included Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Kamal Sharma, Dr Arvinder Sharma, Sumit Sharma and Neeraj Sharma. KV-II, Jammu Cantonment, won the first prize of Rs 5,000, while Boys Higher Secondary School, Sarwal, got the second prize of Rs 3,000. Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, won the vthird prize of Rs 2,000. |
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Road safety awareness camp held
Jammu, February 13 The camp was part of the ongoing drive by the department to make the school and college students aware of the importance of observing the road safety rules and the procedures for making driving licences. A power-point presentation on procedures for filling licence forms, traffic signs and road markings was shown during the camp. A film show on road safety was also organised and learner’s licence forms were also distributed among students and staff of the college. Chairman of the college Rangeel Singh, RTO Arvind Kotwal, staff members of the college and officials of the MVD were present. The RTO in his address emphasised on the need for observance of the road safety rules and called upon the students to further disseminate the message of road safety among the peer group and family members. |
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State employees' protest starts today
Jammu, February 13 Abdul Qayoom Wani appealed to all the employees to make the protest programme a success and fight against all such steps which were against the employees and people. The EJAC gave final touches to the two-day programme and said a peaceful protest would be held at Assembly on February 14 followed by pen-down strike in the whole state on February 15. The leaders were advised to have close contact with district and zonal-level office-bearers and make the protest a success on the ground level. Meanwhile, Qayoom Wani also urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene to avoid confrontation between the government and state employees.
— TNS |
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Cold wave continues in Valley
Srinagar, February 13 Kargil, in Ladakh region, continued to be the coldest place in Jammu and Kashmir as the mercury settled at a low of minus 23 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 21.8 degrees Celsius, the previous night, an official of the MeT Department said. The town had recorded the season's coldest night at minus 23.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. The nearby Leh town registered a low of minus 15 degrees Celsius as against minus 15.9 degrees Celsius the previous night. Srinagar witnessed a drop of two degrees as the minimum temperature fell to minus 4 degrees Celsius last night. Mercury in Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as base camp during the annual Amarnath Yatra, settled at minus 11.6 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 12.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 11 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's minus 10.8 degrees Celsius. The day temperature in the Valley has started improving as the sun shone brightly for the third consecutive day today. The MeT Department has said there was a possibility of rainfall for two days from tomorrow.
— PTI |
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Afzal Guru’s ‘Last Message’ released
Srinagar, February 13 The book titled “Last Message of Mohammad Afzal Guru” was released during a function in Muzaffarabad today, which apart from senior Hurriyat leaders was also attended by Arif Mughal, who is advisor to PoK’s Prime Minister, Nayeem Khan-led National Front said in a statement here. The statement said, “The book is a compilation of Afzal Guru’s writings in jail, who was executed in Tihar Jail on February 9, 2013.” Earlier, the same book, published by the National Front, was released in Srinagar in September in 2013 by Nayeem Khan and Shabbir Shah, who are now part of the breakaway faction of the moderate Hurriyat Conference. “The function was presided over by National Front Deputy Chairman Altaf Hussain Wani and senior Hurriyat leader Ghulam Mohammad Safi participated as a guest of honour in it,” the statement from the National Front said. A compilation of Afzal’s writings in jail
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Govt official arrested for taking bribe
Srinagar, February 13 Gulzar Ahmad Lone, who was working as Senior Assistant in the office of Joint Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir, was arrested by the vigilance sleuths yesterday on a complaint lodged by Niyaz Shafi Rather, the spokesman said. Rather, a resident of Bonapora Nowgam here, had lodged a complaint claiming that the official was demanding Rs 5,000 as bribe for release of CDR amounting to Rs 50,000, he said. "On the basis of the complaint, a case was registered and he was arrested," he said.
— PTI |
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Former chief medical officer remembered
Srinagar, February 13 “Dr Koul was an honest person and worked with utmost dedication. He served people in the Valley during turmoil,” said an official of the health department. “When Kashmiri Pandits migrated in early 90s, Dr Koul preferred to live here. His service will be remembered by everyone in the department and the people whom he has served,” he added. Dr Koul, who retired as Chief Medical Officer, Budgam, passed away
on February 10 in New Delhi. |
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Two JeM militants killed in Shopian
Pulwama, February 13 The police said acting on specific information, a joint operation was launched by the 44-RR, Special Operation Group of the police and
the CRPF at Gagloora village to hunt down militants who were taking shelter there. The hiding militants opened fire on the search party from a house and in the exchange of fire two militants were killed. While confirming the identity of the slain militants, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) said the two slain militants were identified as Shabir Ahmad Gujjar of Rajouri and Arshad Ahmad Sheikh of Shopian. Meanwhile, a few protesters started pelting stones on the vehicles of the armed forces soon after the encounter started. The police in retaliation fired tear gas to disperse them. |
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Guv, CM extend greetings
Jammu, February 13 He said Guru Ravi Dass’s teachings of peace, love and compassion had influenced millions of people and continued to inspire the coming generations to work for a harmonious society. The Governor prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the state. The Chief Minister also greeted the people and wished them well-being and prosperity. Omar said the best homage to Guru Ravi Dass would be to create a society free from evils. He prayed for peace and progress of the state and the country.
— TNS |
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Radio Kashmir focuses on women empowerment
Srinagar, February 13 There was a discussion on women empowerment, which continued to be the focus of attention among the masses, said Bashir Arif, Deputy Director General, AIR, who heads the Radio Kashmir, Srinagar. He said the achievements of Radio Kashmir over the last six decades were also highlighted on the occasion. Talking to The Tribune, Bashir Arif said women empowerment, awareness about the policies of the government and many other things like the RTI would have not reached the common man in the absence of the radio. He said the Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, had the distinction of voicing the concerns of women, underprivileged and those in far-flung areas. “We have successfully expressed the concerns of these sections. It (Radio Kashmir) has also the distinction of preserving music and folklore of Kashmir,” he added.
“The station has also played a vital role in preserving our tradition, culture, language and heritage,” the Deputy Director General, AIR, said. |
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Arms seized in Kishtwar
Doda, February 13 The Army said based on Intelligence inputs about the presence of a hideout, a joint operation was launched by the Army and the the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Dangar Nala area of Kishtwar. They seized one AK-56, five magazines of AK-56, 300 rounds of AK-56, one 7.62mm pistol, one
magazine of 7.62mm pistol and four rounds of 7.62mm pistol. |
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Witness records statement
Our Correspondent
Pulwama, February 13 Justice Kaul said a witness, who was injured during the incident, recorded his statement. “Many more witnesses were expected to record their statements, but due to unavoidable circumstances in the town their statements cannot be recorded,” he said. He announced February 18 as the new date for recording evidences of other witnesses. At earlier occasions, no witnesses had come forward to record their evidences pertaining to the incident before the commission. The commission was set up to probe the Gagran incident by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on October 1.
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State employees' protest starts today
Jammu, February 13 Abdul Qayoom Wani appealed to all the employees to make the protest programme a success and fight against all such steps which were against the employees and people. The EJAC gave final touches to the two-day programme and said a peaceful protest would be held at Assembly on February 14 followed by pen-down strike in the whole state on February 15. Meanwhile, Qayoom Wani also urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene to avoid confrontation between the government and state employees. — TNS
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Road safety awareness camp held
Jammu, February 13 The camp was part of the ongoing drive by the department to make the school and college students aware of the importance of observing the road safety rules and the procedures for making driving licences. A power-point presentation on procedures for filling licence forms, traffic signs and road markings was shown during the camp. — TNS
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