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Roads repaired, not paved before Durbar Move
Fire breaks out in Super Speciality Hospital
Student union elects office-bearers
Jammu varsity teams enter handball championship’s quarterfinals
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JKPF to contest maximum seats in Assembly elections
NCC cadets visit Old Age Home
Ban Toll Plaza to be functional in Dec
Jammu & Kashmir Votes 2014
Separatists waiting in the wings
The elitist politics in J&K
Mehbooba asks voters to reject NC, Cong
Chattergam-like incidents deter youth from poll process: Mir
Omar says won’t rest till Kashmir issue is resolved
BJP MLA Sapolia joins Cong
Convicted PDP leader Mir can’t contest Assembly polls
BJP deputes ‘full-timers’ from outside to manage J&K polls
Karan Singh’s son Ajatshatru joins BJP
Mufti promises representation to all sections of society
Model code is not licence for slow admn: Tarigami
Rana says will transform Nagrota constituency
State gets Rs 75.25 crore for krishi yojana projects
Pandits hold hawan for world peace
Leopard enters Army unit in Rajouri, caught after 6 hrs
Villagers allege harassment by police
68,000-tonne trash removed from flood-hit Srinagar streets
Traffic blues for old city residents
Man drowns in Jehlum
NC blot on political setup: PDP
PDP in search of Pandit face for Habbakadal segment
Unclean bedding for patients at Valley’s Lal Ded Hospital
Four arrested for illegal construction
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Roads repaired, not paved before Durbar Move
Jammu, November 9
Residents of the winter capital of the state, who were eagerly waiting for the Durbar Move, so that the city would get a better look, are feeling disappointed with the R&B Department. The department is only filling broken patches on all the roads of the city. The main roads, including the Secretariat road, are also being only repaired for damaged patches. Earlier, the department used to macadamise all the roads of the winter capital every year before the Durbar Move, but for the last two years the department is just repairing patches. Abhishek Gupta, a shopkeeper at Kachi Chawni, said, “The recent floods in the state had damaged the city roads and we all were waiting for the Durbar Move, so that the roads would be blacktopped again. But like last year they have again just repaired the damaged patches.” “They must be ignoring it due to elections, but ultimately people will suffer,” he added. Amrik Singh, a commuter, said, “The repair of patches is as good having potholes. It makes the drive more jumpy. At least once in a year the road should be blacktopped completely,” he added. Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Chief Engineer, Roads & Buildings (R&B), said, “Roads were in a bad condition due to floods, but this year we have to repair patches only. In the periodical renewal (PR), we have to completely blacktop the roads after every four years.” “We may blacktop all the roads next year and routine maintenance will continue in the city,” he added.
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Fire breaks out in Super Speciality Hospital
Jammu, November 9 As per the preliminary investigation, the fire broke out due to the short circuit. After that the electricity supply to the entire hospital remained suspended throughout the day electricity. An official of hospital said they were trying hard to restore the electricity supply and it would be restored soon. “The power supply to the Neurology Ward, Gastroenterology Ward and the ICU was snapped, which created panic among the admitted patients and their attendants”, eyewitnesses said. The lone patient admitted to the ICU Ward, who was on ventilator, was immediately shifted to the nearby Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu. Apart from this, 14 patients admitted to the Gastroenterology Ward were also shifted to the Disaster Ward. |
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Student union elects office-bearers
Jammu, November 9 The main motive of the programme was to welcome the new faces of Ladakh in the association of Jammu, who have come all the way from Ladakh to pursue various courses. The SAOJL also elected its new body. Taira Bano, a PhD scholar from the University of Jammu, was elected president. The other office-bearers included Zulfikar Ali — vice-president; Riyaz Din — general secretary; Ghulam Haider — joint secretary; Hajira Bano and Manzoor —cashiers.
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Jammu varsity teams enter handball championship’s quarterfinals
Jammu, November 9 The quarterfinals will be played tomorrow. Earlier, in the first pre-quarterfinal in the men section, PTU, Jalandhar defeated the University of Allahabad by 36-15 points. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, toppled Delhi University by 33-27 points, while the University of Jammu trounced Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, by 29-8 points in the third pre-quarterfinal. RMLA University, Faizabad, lost to Lovely Professional University by 30-36 points. In the women section, Panjab University, Chandigarh, trounced HP University, Shimla, by 22-9 points with ease. MJP Rohailkhand University, Bareilly, suffered defeat against RMLA University, Faizabad by 5-12 points in the first pre-quarterfinal match. The University of Jammu overcame defeated GADU, Ludhiana, by 13-5 points. LPU, Phagwara, trounced CCSU, Meerut, by 17-12 points. All the matches were played under the supervision of Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu The matches were officiated by Govind, Lakwinder Singh, Vikas Sharma, Kartar Dogra, Karun Magotra, Anup Singh, Iqbal Singh, Karamveer, Sanjeev Singh, Kapil Sagotra, Prabhleem Kour, Priya Charak, Reeva Rajput, Pooja Sharma, Ashish, Priya Choudhary, Rupali Sharma, Rashmi Sharma, Bhanu Priya and Anita.
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JKPF to contest maximum seats in Assembly elections
Jammu, November 9 Addressing a press conference, Poonchi said he was in favour of delay in the election keeping in view the recent floods which affected the lives of thousands of people. He said the JKPF would field Aijaz Ahmed Lone from the Beerwah constituency and Yasin Hussain Magrey from the Budgam constituency.
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NCC cadets visit Old Age Home
Jammu, November 9 During their visit, the cadets interacted with the Old Age Home inmates. The cadets also donated eatables, shawls and cash to the inmates. The inmates of the Old Age Home expressed gratitude towards the students and staff of APS, Akhnoor, for visiting them. Meanwhile, the NCC cadets entertained the home inmates with songs and dances.
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Ban Toll Plaza to be functional in Dec
Jammu, November 9 With this, all the highway vehicles, including those ferrying millions of Vaishno Devi pilgrims every year, will now have to shell out more money towards toll. Sources said the developers of the four-lane Jammu-Srinagar highway project had completed about 56 km of the total road length from Jammu to Udhampur, while the remaining stretch, except the area having land acquisition issue, would be completed by December. “The NHAI has issued strict directions to the developers for early completion of the four-lane project between Jammu and Udhampur. The project, which was scheduled to be completed in June this year, is yet to be completed following delay in construction of tunnels and vital bridges on the stretch,” the sources said. The sources said four small tunnels having the total length of about 1.5 km were being constructed in the Nandani area to make highway travel hassle-free keeping in view high steeps, sharp and narrow bends on the range. One of the tunnels was being constructed nearly 35 m below the existing Nandani tunnel. “Nearly 56-km four-lane stretch between Jammu and Udhampur has been completed, while the work has been expedited to complete the remaining road by the end of this year. We have decided to open single tube of tunnels passing through the Nandani hills in December,” RP Singh, Project Director, NHAI, Jammu, said. The project director said the Ban Toll Plaza on the Jammu-Udhampur road stretch would be made functional in December. According to the NHAI, the light motor vehicles (LMVs) and private cars would be charged Rs 75 on the Ban Toll Plaza, while it would be nearly three times for trucks. The toll tax will probably be Rs 1 per km for LMVs and it is being calculated as per the cost of the project. The toll charges would be updated as per the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). The NHAI has decided to set up a total of five toll collecting centres on the new four-lane Jammu-Srinagar highway.
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Key challenges: Harsh winter, boycott calls
Night temperature likely to hover around freezing point during elections; fragile security situation may impact voting Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 9 The key to many questions will be the number of flood-weary residents who will come out to vote. In the process, it will be a crucial test of democracy that how many will be charmed to form lengthy queues in adverse weather conditions and a dicey security situation.
It will be surprising if a single party wins the majority in the Assembly. This has not happened in Jammu and Kashmir since 1996, when the National Conference (NC) won 57 of the 87 seats. There are hints that the mandate will be fractured and the next state government is likely to be another coalition of the unwilling. In Kashmir, the main contest will be between the NC, a 75-year-old party, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a 15-year-old party. The latter had routed the former in a stunning victory in the Valley’s three constituencies during the General Election. Anti-incumbency may be the main factor in many constituencies, like it was during the General Election. The rescue, relief and rehabilitation work carried out by political parties, including separatist groups, may turn out to be a decisive last-minute factor and determine winning candidates and voter turnout.
Electoral fight in winter
Assembly elections in Kashmir will be held at a time when mercury is around freezing point. It will be a wintry morning and a short day when Kashmir’s five constituencies will go to the polls on November 25 in the first phase of elections. The sun will rise at 7.15 am and set at 5.24 pm. The night temperature will hover around freezing point and the day temperature is expected to rise to a maximum of 15 degree Celsius if the sun shines. In the Ladakh region, where the polls will be held in all four constituencies the same day, the situation will be extreme. On the night of November 25 last year, mercury fell to minus 8.7 degree Celsius in Leh town. When polling in the state will conclude on the fifth and last phase on December 20, it will be on the eve of the year’s shortest day and mark the beginning of the 40-day harshest phase of winter. Political activists in the Kashmir region, at least some of them, are already uncertain about the turnout. They say it is unlikely that the numbers and fervour of 2008 will be replicated. The total voter turnout in 2008 had reached 61.16 per cent. “There is no air of elections in the region now,” said a worker of the state unit of the CPI(M). “It may change in the next 10 days, but it is difficult to predict voters’ mood and issues,” he said. Kashmir’s oldest political party, the NC, had governed the state in coalition with the Congress for six years since January 2009. Stunned by its rout in the General Election, it was shocked when election dates were announced. The ruling alliance has faltered and leaders of the two coalition partners are fighting most of the pre-poll battle against each other. The PDP, which routed the NC from the region in the General Election for the first time earlier this year, is in a confident mood. All permutations suggest that it will return with a winner’s swagger, at least in much of the Kashmir region. The vote share of the PDP increased from 9.28 per cent in 2002 to 15.39 per cent in 2008. There is no sign that the trend will reverse or change in the elections. Boycott by Jamaat-e-Islami
The Jamaat-e-Islami, an influential socio-political organisation, which has played an instrumental role in Kashmir’s separatist movement and militancy in the past, has decided to go with its latest policy. It will not participate in the poll process, which will directly and indirectly impact the decision of 1 lakh people who are its members. “Only around 3,000 members are bound by instructions not to take part in elections. Supporters are expected to follow the instructions, but are not bound to do so,” a Jamaat-e-Islami member has said. Mohammad Abdullah Wani, emir of the Jamaat-e-Islami, says his group will neither take part in elections nor campaign against it. “If we do not participate in elections, it means that we advise people not to take part either,” he says. “We are not against elections, but the Muslim United Front election made us distrustful,” he said. The election in 1987 was a significant event in the region as allegations of rigging against an amalgam of pro-separatist and pro-Islamic parties triggered years of militancy and forbade the polls for separatists. Even in the absence of the boycott campaign by separatists, there are little signs on the ground that an election is knocking on the door. The deluge sank the headquarters of mainstream political parties. The Nawa-e-Subah complex, housing the main office of the NC, was submerged under 12 feet of water for nearly a fortnight, which damaged electioneering material, including 12 lakh party flags. Threat from militants
There is a tangible threat from militants who have presence in south Kashmir and are scattered across central and north Kashmir. A spate of attacks on political workers and panchayat members in the run-up to the General Election had led to an abysmal turnout in many parts of south Kashmir. Security agencies are wary of the situation in south Kashmir where 20 youths joined militants in recent weeks. An officer of the state police’s counter-insurgency wing says there is a threat in Tral, Awantipora, Pulwama, Shopian and nearby areas. South Kashmir is the hideout and area of operation of Qasim, a foreign militant. The officer says candidates with security cover are not under threat, but there are chances of attacks on low-rung activists. In the General Election, voter turnout in Pulwama was a meagre 6.32 per cent. Security forces are likely to intensify anti-militancy operations and area-specific exercises as elections draw near. Key separatists leaders
Low voting areas
North Kashmir: Sopore, Baramulla and Pattan Central Kashmir: Downtown Srinagar South Kashmir: Pulwama district, Islamabad and Shopian town |
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Separatists waiting in the wings
Srinagar, November 9 Not everyone votes in Kashmir. The turnout will depend on multiple factors including the security situation during the run-up to the polling. The separatists’ call for a boycott has always had a positive response in Kashmir’s urban centres and failed to a large extent in the rural landscape in recent years. The elections are scheduled months after the devastating deluge which halted electioneering by mainstream political parties and changed the focus of Kashmir’s separatist parties. “The mental state of pro-establishment politicians has fallen so low that they are engaged in politics over disasters. Like in the past, their designs will fail,” says Shakeel Bakshi, a leader of the Islamic Students League, a separatist group. “It will change the dynamics of pro-establishment politics in Kashmir. The people of Kashmir will not take the bait of relief for votes,” he has said. In Kashmir, elections are a matter of life and death even though its intensity has diminished since 2002. Political workers, candidates and legislators have been killed for taking part in elections and political rallies have been attacked. Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar, who is reviewing security arrangement for elections, has said ground work is complete and an action plan has been put in place. “I am confident that elections will be held in a peaceful atmosphere,” he said. |
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The political elite has come to dominate the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections-2014, born and brought up in public schools within the country and abroad. This is a unique feature of these elections, but it is not unique to one particular political party. All parties have the faces and voices which sound alien to the common man. This transformation is attributable to the power that the politics brings with it. These minds vigorously debate the state’s future in terms of politics and the international acceptability rather than talking about the issues that touch the life of a common man. Some of them are business tycoons, highly qualified, well positioned, rich and opinion makers. There are a few who have dealt with the people at the grassroots level. Many of them have no connect with the masses whom they claim they would be representing in the Assembly. Cutting across the party lines, they are a class in themselves. They draw their knowledge from textbooks, newspapers and TV panels. And when it comes to the real hardcore issues that the people are facing, they seek to compensate that with their theories in which kind of larger picture Jammu and Kashmir would fit in future. Jammu and Kashmir is learning to reconcile with the elitist way of politics and politicians, who quite often deal with the bashing of their rivals in drawing rooms and statements in newspapers and their appearances on TV channels. When it comes to the issues which the poor and the downtrodden face, they tend to look the other way. For the common people, a vast majority of whom are poor and who look toward their leaders for the employment for themselves or their wards, day-to-day issues such as laying of drinking water pipes, availability of ration at ration depots, metalled roads, good schools and health centres, they find their elitist leaders dismissing them even at this time of elections. They are far removed from the reality of the poor, instead appeal to their religious, sectarian, regional, sub-regional and caste identities. Even the leaders who were poor when they first contested elections and won two or three terms have adopted the way of the new political class. This might also be happening elsewhere in the country. But in Jammu and Kashmir, this attitude of the politicians can cause serious problems. Jammu and Kashmir is faced with a situation where the dignity of the common man has been mauled. It is the result of the violation of the honour of the common man and the creation of the communal and regional divide in the 1980s that the state is suffering. Their sufferings have been ignored. They are frustrated and adding further anger to their thinking is simply dangerous. Militancy was an off-shoot of the neglect of the people. Their concerns were sought to be shadowed by the issues that had the emotional appeal but did not touch the subjects which could have improved their lives. During the past quarter of the century, the problem has grown. The society has been further divided into classes. This malaise has afflicted the parties that claimed themselves to be different, but the Assembly elections and the choice of the candidates and condescending behavior of the men has disillusioned the diehard cadre of these parties. This is proving correct the Orwellian saying: “All are equals but some are more equal than others.”
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Mehbooba asks voters to reject NC, Cong
Kishtwar, November 9 “You must reject the people who have been exploiting you for the past more than four decades and vote consciously as the people’s urge for change under the PDP’s banner is getting momentum,” she said during public meetings in the Kishtwar constituency. Mehbooba said people of Kishtwar cannot afford to go with the NC which has been decimated in the Lok Sabha elections. The PDP president said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had to run away from the Ganderbal after failing to address the concerns of the constituency. “What will he do to a distant constituency like Kishtwar where his candidate is seeking vote on his name. Don’t waste your vote by going with a single digit party,” she said while seeking votes for PDP candidate for Kishtwar constituency Firdous Tak. “Firdous won’t let you down. He will represent you in a better way and resolve your problems under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” she said. Mehbooba said as the electoral contest is now mainly between the PDP and the BJP, voting for the NC or the Congress would be a sheer wastage of your power to change. The PDP president said her party was contesting the forthcoming elections to uphold Jammu and Kashmir’s special position, protect its distinct identity, undertake a massive development programme and resolve the political, social and economic issues facing the state. “Our aim is not only to see J&K on the path of progress and peace, but we want to ensure that the unique identity of the state and its people is protected at any cost,” she said. Referring to the local issues, Mehbooba said construction of Sinhgpor-Chatru-Vailoo tunnel to connect Kishtwar and Inderwal would be a priority of the PDP once it is voted to power. Mehbooba said development of minerals in mountainous region would also be the prime focus of her party. The PDP president said the world famous sapphire which is found in the area in abundance and has remained unexplored and open to loot. Mehbooba said hydropower projects in the area have not helped the people by any means. “We will ensure that the people in Kishtwar and other areas of the Chenab region not only get sufficient electricity but they should get preference in jobs in these projects,” she said.
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Chattergam-like incidents deter youth from poll process: Mir
Jammu, November 9 “What I feel is that this time youth are very much involved in the election process, but sometimes few things take place which keep them off. Like the unfortunate incident of Chattergam where two youngsters died. The youth get angry and goes against the system. Their belief in the system shakes and they don’t want the political process,” Mir told The Tribune. He said such incidents are always “unwanted” and “disheartening”. “During the past decades, our youth have been dismayed. They have suffered a lot and as a result they have become hopeless. They see future going nowhere. They are groping in darkness. My effort is to give them the hope that future is yours. It is in your hand to make or mar your future,” he said. Mir, who is going to contest Assembly elections from Gulmarg, meanwhile, said people would judge him by his performance. “I have not let my people down at any point of time. Whether it is education, health, road connectivity, power, drinking water or any other field, I have always worked for the benefit of people,” Mir said. Emphasising agitations over essential supplies in parts of the Valley, Mir said: “You will find people of my area never agitate for anything because I am just a phone call away. Whenever they feel any problem, they call me and I am available.”
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Omar says won’t rest till Kashmir issue is resolved
Srinagar, November 9 Omar said “neither him nor the National Conference would rest or withdraw its political and ideological stand” till the Kashmir issue was resolved with a political solution that “takes into account the political realities and sentiments” of the people of the state. “I have always maintained that Kashmir needs a political solution. I have said this not only on the floor of the Assembly but also in front of the visiting Prime Minister,” Omar said while addressing an election rally in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district today. “Let me assure you that we will never ever waver in our stand on the resolution of the Kashmir issue. We are not like others whose fancy, innovative political slogans have a one-year shelf life after which they cease to exist for that party,” he said. The Chief Minister also criticised opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of insulting “the dignity and intelligence” of the state’s people by “embracing” Srinagar’s former police chief Ashiq Bukhari, who recently retired from the department and addressed a PDP rally earlier this week. “What will Mufti Sayeed have to say about the Task Force today after he has so gloriously and brazenly rewarded a Task Force stalwart?” Omar asked. Bukhari had served as an officer in the state police’s counter-insurgency unit, Special Task Force and Special Operations Group, and is credited with leading multiple operations against militants. He was made the police chief of Srinagar city by the Omar-led government in June 2010 during widespread street agitations. Bukhari held the post for more than three years till December 2013. Omar also criticised the PDP for giving candidature to those who were accused in scams. “Are these the alternatives the PDP has to offer to the people of Jammu and Kashmir? God save this state from these expert thieves and their evil designs to barter every inch, tree and rice bag in this state for filling their own coffers,” said Omar, who is the working president of his party. Omar said the National Conference had delivered a “historic six-year term of good governance, responsibility and transparency”.
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BJP MLA Sapolia joins Cong
Jammu, November 9 Spolia said he was impressed with the working and secular approach of the Congress. He said the Congress was progressing under the leadership Saifuddin Soz and Ghulam Nabi Azad in the state. Party vice-president Hari Singh said it was homecoming for Sapolia, who earlier was a Congress member.
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Convicted PDP leader Mir can’t contest Assembly polls
Srinagar, November 9 However, the PDP leader and former minister said he would move the Delhi High Court against the verdict. “I will be moving the High Court against the verdict,” said Mir who expressed hope to get relief from the High Court. On Friday, a special CBI court in New Delhi had convicted Mir and awarded him three years imprisonment in a case related to wrongful release of Rs 30 lakh and contract for sale of urea to his firm by National Fertilizers Limited in 1993-1996. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 3.21 crore on Mir and then general manager of NFL Dilbagh Singh Kanwar. However, the CBI court had allowed their bail plea and suspended their sentence till January 2. Both were released on bail. The verdict has threatened Mir’s electoral prospects, who was nominated by the PDP as party candidate from north Kashmir’s Rafiabad Assembly seat, which is going to the polls on December along with 15 other Assembly segments. The notification for polls in these Assembly segment would be issued on November 14. In case, Mir did not get any relief from the High Court, the PDP is likely to give mandate to his son from Rafiabad. To move HC against CBI court conviction
Srinagar: PDP leader and former minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir (in pic) has decided to move the Delhi High Court against the verdict by a special CBI court, sentencing him to three years in jail in a corruption case. “We had legal consultations over the verdict and we have decided to move the Delhi High Court,” said a senior PDP leader. “We will seek stay against the verdict of the subordinate court,” he added. PDP sources said detailed deliberations were held on the verdict on Saturday and lawyer-cum-MP Muzzaffar Hussain Baig was consulted as well. — TNS . |
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BJP deputes ‘full-timers’ from outside to manage J&K polls
Jammu, November 9 Sources in the BJP said the local unit had earlier promised to convince workers to work as full-timers in all 37 Assembly segments of the Jammu province, but it could not mobilise enough number of workers for this cause. As the Assembly elections in J&K are very crucial for the BJP, the party has decided to depute “full-timers” from other states, who have expertise in managing elections in different parts of the country, to take charge of electioneering. A source said, “Most of the full-timers are those Sangh Parivar activists who have been deputed in the BJP to strengthen the organisation structure of the party.” The party leadership has also directed all “full-timers”, who have worked in J&K as general secretary organisation, to reach Jammu to mobilise the party cadre. Mohinder Panday, former national leader of the ABVP, who has been deputed in the BJP by the Sangh Parivar, has been looking after all election affairs in J&K along with a huge number of leaders from other states. Panday has been camping at Jammu for the past three days and he has started assigning important duties to those full-timers who came from different parts of the country. Being organisation secretary of the ABVP, north India, Panday had worked in the Jammu region so the party has decided to utilise his experience in the elections. Meanwhile, former minister and Congress leader from Darhal area of Rajouri district, Thakur Puran Singh joined the party. Jugal Kishore Sharma, state president of the BJP, termed the joining of a grass-roots leader of such a high stature and imminence as a matter pride for the party. He said joining of leaders like Thakur Puran Singh would further strengthen the party and contribute in achieving “Mission 44 Plus”. He assured full dignity and standing to all those who are joining the BJP to ensure the defeat of the Congress, NC, PDP and other smaller parties. Singh, in his address, said the Darhal constituency was the most backward and under-developed due to the discriminatory policies of the successive state governments. Congress block president Budhal and Sarpanch Misri Khan, Abdul Rashid Shaheen, Kamal Nain, senior Congress leader Abdul Rashid Bangaal, Pandit Pars Ram and others joined the party. To accomplish Mission 44+
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Karan Singh’s son Ajatshatru joins BJP
New Delhi, November 9 Ajatshatru, grandson of the erstwhile ruler of J&K, Hari Singh, joined BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah, union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jitendra Singh and party general secretary Ram Madhav. "People of the state who want a corruption-free and dynasty-free government and want the state to join the national mainstream, I want to appeal to all those to join the BJP,” Shah said. "I want to assure that till our mission is complete, we will not sleep peacefully. In Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh, our effort will be to bring a new government. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants new thinking to come, it should also come in Jammu and Kashmir," Ajatshatru said. Asked which constituency he will fight from, Ajatshatru said it was up to the party to decide on that.Asked whether Article 370 will be raised, he said it would also depend on the party and one would get to know once the election manifesto comes. Ajatshatru has been a MLC from the Nagrota seat. — PTI
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Mufti promises representation to all sections of society
Jammu, November 9 Addressing a public meeting in border town of RS Pura in support of party candidates Trilok Singh Bajwa for Suchetgarh and Bhushan Dogra for RS Pura Assembly segments, Mufti took the present coalition regime to task for completely ignoring religious minorities such as Sikhs and Kashmiri Pandits during the past six years. “In a democracy, all religious, ethnic and linguistic groups should be part of the composition of the government so that no section of the society should feel ignored and neglected,” he observed, but added that Sikhs and Kashmiri Pandit communities were marginalised by the present regime. “Jammu and Kashmir is like mini-India where every community resides so aspirations to every religious, linguistic and ethnic should be addressed by empowering these groups,” Mufti argued, adding, “Democracy can be made vibrant only by involving every section of the society in the decision-making process”. Assuring to rectify the mistakes committed by the present regime, Mufti promised to give due representation to the Sikhs and Kashmir Pandits, if voted to power, in the next government. “We will fulfil all promises and commitments we are making with the people,” he said and reminded the people that during the PDP-led regime adequate representation was given to every section of the society. He especially mentioned that Sikhs and KPs were given due representation in the government as well as in the legislature during his tenure.
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Model code is not licence for slow admn: Tarigami
Srinagar, November 9 Addressing a public rally at Pariwan village of Kuglam district in south Kashmir, Tarigami said the Model Code of Conduct was not a licence for “sluggish administration.” In his address, Tarigami urged the people to participate in the elections in a big way and vote for those parties and candidates who could help people come out of the present difficult situation and ensure better future for them. “The need of the hour is to put an end to the miseries being faced by the masses,” he said. “Despite the EC’s several clarifications and clear-cut directions that the routine works should go on and people should not suffer for the basic amenities during the elections, the administration which was already suffering from inefficiency has taken refuge behind the Model Code of Conduct,” Tarigami said, while alleging that the administration had become “motionless”. “This (inertia) has resulted in great inconvenience to people in general and the flood victims in particular,” Tarigami said while appealing to the Election Commission of India to issue fresh guidelines to the administration so that it “does not sleep” and carries on with the “routine job” of providing basic amenities to the people and the necessary relief to the flood-affected. “Many families whose houses got destroyed or severely damaged during the floods are yet to receive even initial relief,” Tarigami said.
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Rana says will transform Nagrota constituency
Jammu, November 9 Rana is contesting the Assembly elections from the Nagrota seat on the National Conference (NC) ticket and is putting all-out efforts to make it his bastion. “We have made a humble beginning of changing the development profile of the area during the past few years, which has placed Nagrota in a good stead to get transformed into a model constituency,” Rana said during a series of meetings in the Dansal block yesterday evening. He said the development of Nagrota was a big challenge which he could meet with fortitude, given the goodwill and support of the people. He complimented a cross section of society for supporting him in the initiatives taken for the development of each segment of the constituency. “As a result of the active cooperation of people, we have succeeded in bringing about a discernible change in basic sectors of development such as road connectivity, supply of power and drinking water, besides rural development,” he said and described the establishment of new administrative units as a triumph of resilience and single-mindedness of the people. Rana said Nagrota was at the threshold of a new era and the day was not far when the vision of people in making it ‘Nava Jammu’ would become a reality. He said the concept has already caught the imagination of youth who would be the real stakeholders of change. He unfolded his vision on Nava Jammu and said this would open up vistas of opportunities for every segment of society as economic activity would gain momentum in a big way. The NC candidate said the area had a huge potential as a residential, commercial, industrial and tourism hub, given its location on the national highway. Urging youth to become a part of change, the NC provincial president referred to their enthusiasm and said this inspired him to devote his energies for the holistic development of the constituency.
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State gets Rs 75.25 crore for krishi yojana projects
Jammu, November 9 The state government has been told to ensure that the details of all projects approved are entered in the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Database and Management Information System (RDMIS). Besides, the status of the projects approved and taken up till 2013-14 should also be entered in the RDMIS at the earliest. Sources said the state authorities would have to report on utilisation of funds released and submit the physical and financial performance reports as well as utilisation certificates at the end of 2014-15 financial year. Further, project-wise accounts are to be maintained by the implementing agencies and they are subject to the normal process of statutory audit. Sources added that the Central ministry had instructed the state government to utilise the released amount as per the guidelines for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana during 2014-15. It maintained that the financial assistance/cost norms should be as per the existing centrally sponsored/central sector/state plan schemes. Further, the state government has also been advised to ensure that there is no duplication or overlapping of activities/areas covered under RKVY projects vis-a-vis existing schemes of Central or state governments. The ministry has told the state that for trainings/awareness camps/ demonstration/publicity, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) funds available with it should also be utilised. It made it clear that it was not be advisable to have ATMA funds remain unutilised at the end of the year, whereas RKVY funds have been used. Pertinently, under ATMA, there is a provision for a governing board that functions as a policy-making body and provides guidance as well as reviews progress and functioning of ATMA. A separate management committee constituted under ATMA would be responsible for planning and reviewing of the day-to-day activities under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. In order to ensure more transparency, the ministry has also told the state that without detailed physical and financial progress of the RKVY projects and their updated entry in the RDMIS during 2013-14 and audited accounts from 2007-08 to 2012-13, the release of second instalment will not be considered. Submit report on fund utilisation: Centre
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Pandits hold hawan for world peace
Srinagar, November 9 “We consider the floods of Jammu & Kashmir in September as a direct result of nature’s fury towards populated areas for not respecting the nature as it was the Vaishav that brought the large-scale flooding in the Kashmir valley submerging entire Srinagar City for several days,” he added. National spokesperson of the APMCC King Bharati said earlier they had organised a yatra to the holy pond to seek nature’s blessings which was foiled by ‘some anti- social elements’. The hawan was supported by the APMCC and the Harmukh Ganga (Gangbal) Trust.
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Leopard enters Army unit in Rajouri, caught after 6 hrs
Rajouri, November 9 The Army area is situated near to the main bus stand in Rajouri and has residential areas on three sides while on its fourth side is a thick forest, under the control of the headquarters of the Ace of Spades Division. Safeer Shah, wildlife warden of Rajouri, said around 6 am today, his office received a call from the Army about the presence of a leopard inside the unit. A wildlife team, headed by Safeer Shah, along with a cage and a tranquiliser gun rushed to the unit where the soldiers were on an alert after seeing the leopard. After seeing the leopard lurking in the area, Army personnel had raised an alarm. Soldiers along with the wildlife team cordoned the whole area but failed to tranquilise the leopard as it was constantly moving and trying to cross the barbed wire from where it had entered into the area. “A paw of the leopard received injuries while it was trying to cross the barbed wire. Around 1 pm, the team succeeded in tranquilising the animal and brought it to the wildlife office in a cage,” said the wildlife warden. As a protocol, the medical analysis and examination of the animal was done at the wildlife office near Baba Dhudadari Mandir Complex in Rajouri. The wildlife warden said the leopard may be shifted to the Manda Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu on Monday. “Increased human interference in the natural habitat of wild animals, encroachment on forest land and grazing cattle near the forests has forced the wild cats to enter human habitations for water and prey,” said a wildlife official. Man-animal conflict
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Villagers allege harassment by police
Anantnag, November 9 As many as four CRPF men were injured after militants fired at their vehicle in Lewdoora, Qazigund, Saturday evening. People in Rampura village of Qaimoh today alleged that police personnel entered their village at midnight and went on a rampage. The locals blocked the Anantnag-Kulgam road for some time. The protesters raised anti-government and anti-police slogans. Shops and other commercial establishments also remained closed in the area for the most part of the day. The police, however, have refuted the claims of the villagers, saying that nothing more than a regular patrol was done in the area. “Some miscreants are deliberately trying to vitiate the atmosphere. The allegations are absolutely baseless,” Kulgam SP Mumtaz Ahmad said.
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68,000-tonne trash removed from flood-hit Srinagar streets
Srinagar, November 9 “Some people have abandoned their homes and have left the trash inside their houses. We appeal to them to come and clean it so that it doesn’t affect our operation. It can also cause problems for their neighbours,” Tarry said. For the worst hit localities like Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh and Shivpora, the chief sanitation officer said the department has hired extra machinery to clean the debris from the roads and residential areas so that people can start the reconstruction work. “We have hired extra machinery from private companies and keeping in view the increasing cold our men are working extra hours to ensure these areas are cleared before the winters intensify,” Tarry said. The SMC, which started the cleaning operation from September 11, said the drive would continue till the roads are not cleared and hassle-free vehicular movement is not ensured. “The drive will go on, but it is becoming a bit challenging due to cold weather,” said the official. Over 15 lakh families spread over 5,794 areas of the Valley were affected by the September floods. As per the initial assessment made by the government around 3,44,607 structures have suffered damages while 90,000 cattle/sheep perished in the floods. Crop loss was reported on 6.52 lakh hectares of land. There was also huge loss to the public/private infrastructure.
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Traffic blues for old city residents
Srinagar, November 9 “As most of the markets in the heart of Srinagar city have been affected by the floods, shoppers are forced to visit the old city. But regular traffic jams are making life difficult for the people,” said Manzoor Ahmad, a businessman from Nawabazar, Srinagar. “Even the traders are facing difficulties in bringing the stock to their shops. If the authorities fail to solve the problem, we will be forced to launch an agitation,” he said. Another trader said the rubble of flood-hit shops and houses was making things worse. “We repeatedly brought it into the notice of the officials but they are not doing anything. The traffic officials are also nowhere to be seen,” said a local shopkeeper. Also, in other localities like the Civil Line people have been complaining of the worst traffic snarls and congestion on roads. Superintendent of Police (SP), Traffic, Srinagar, Haseeb-ur-Rehman said due to lack of sufficient manpower they were not able to deploy personnel in the old city. “We are already short of manpower as 60 policemen have moved to winter capital as part of the biannual Durba Move. We do not have sufficient men to deploy in old city… encroachment of roads is just adding to the problem,” the SP said.
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Man drowns in Jehlum
Srinagar, November 9 Ghulam Hussain Khan, a resident of the Sarai area of Safa Kadal locality, drowned in the river last evening, the police said. A police spokesperson said a search has been launched to fish out the body. He added deep-water divers have also been pressed into the service.
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NC blot on political setup: PDP
Srinagar, November 9 “J&K cannot be transformed into a developed and peaceful destination unless the NC is fully wiped out,” said PDP youth wing president Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra. He added the time ahead belongs to the youth and it is they who would have to make sure that a responsible, caring and sensitive government is formed in the state.
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PDP in search of Pandit face for Habbakadal segment
Srinagar, November 9 A senior PDP leader, who is also a member of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the apex body of the party, said they were looking for a prominent Kashmiri Pandit to contest polls from the seat. “Last week when we met for a PAC meeting, we could not decide on the Habbakadal seat. We are looking for a prominent Kashmir Pandit face to contest from there,” said the senior leader. The Habbakadal contest has gained importance as the BJP is also eying the seat. The BJP has named Moti Koul, a Kashmiri Pandit, as its candidate for the constituency. The party is banking on high count of migrant Kashmiri Pandit voters in the Assembly segment. The Congress has also nominated a Pandit face for the segment, former minister Raman Mattoo. Habbakadal had 14,892 migrant Pandit voters in the General Election held earlier this year. The Assembly segment is, at present, represented by National Conference's Shameema Firdous. The ruling NC has nominated the sitting legislator for the coming polls. The Lok Janshakti Party headed by Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has also named a Pandit leader Sanjay Saraf as the party candidate for Habbakadal.
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Unclean bedding for patients at Valley’s Lal Ded Hospital
Srinagar, November 9 “The flood waters rendered all the machines defunct and so far we have been able to make only two of them operational. Although the machines are being put to work round-the-clock to cater to the huge work load it is not proving sufficient,” said Medical Superintendent Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather. “I have asked the mechanical department to make these machines operational at the earliest and I hope they will be operational in a week,” he said. Patients said clean bedding was important to instill confidence in them. “A patient is bound to be low on confidence if she is laid on shabby bedding. It can also cause infection. The hospital management should make all machines functional and keep the bedding clean,” said Naseema Begum, an expecting mother.
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Four arrested for illegal construction
Srinagar, November 9 He said the action was part of an ongoing drive to remove illegal constructions as well as encroachments from the city, especially those which have come up along the banks of water bodies. Last week, the authorities demolished a cowshed constructed on the banks of Doodhganga in Barzullah area of the city while other encroachers were given time after they assured to remove their buildings voluntarily. — PTI
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Jammu, November 9
Jammu, November 9
Srinagar, November 9
Srinagar, November 9
Jammu, November 9
Ajatshatru Singh, son of senior Congress leader Karan Singh, on Sunday joined the BJP and said he would work for the party's "mission" to achieve a majority in the upcoming Assembly polls in J&K.
Srinagar, November 9
Rajouri, November 9
Srinagar, November 9
