Srinagar, July 12
Three bodies were taken out from Jhelum today after a boat ferrying at least 10 persons capsized at Ladoora near Sopore in Baramula district late last evening. Search for three other bodies was on with the help of th police and Watlab-based naval divers led by Commander ‘Marcos’, officials here said.

The incident took place at 8.30 p.m. last evening when labourers were crossing over to Ladoora side from Johama as the boat capsized in the middle of Jhleum. Four of them were rescued by locals and the Army troops on duty in the area.

Those whose bodies have been retrieved today were identified as Ghulam Mohammad Dar and Manzoor Ahmed Parray Ladoora village and Mohammad Zaman Khan of Draman Rafiabad, the police said.

A Defence spokesman said here a boat carrying 10 civilians, who were returning to their homes after completing the day’s work in the orchards, capsized in Jhelum near Ladoora in Rohama tehsil of Baramula district. Four of the civilians swam ashore whilst six apparently drowned and were carried away by the swift water current.

The Army assistance was requested at 8.45 p.m. Soon thereafter a party under an officer which was patrolling in the area was diverted to the scene of incident. Additional troops in the meantime were rushed from Watergam, with search lights, ropes and inflated rubber tubes to assist in the rescue operations. Efforts were through the night to rescue the civilians. Marine commandos from Watlab, with two Army boats fitted with outboard motors also joined the relief and rescue operations early this morning. Three bodies of the civilians were recovered so far. Search to recover the remaining three civilians was carried out by divers from the Navy, the police and the civil administration, the Defence spokesman said.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has mourned the loss of human lives in the boat tragedy and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. He also announced ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, an official spokesman said here this evening.

Jammu, July 12
The J&K State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission yesterday ordered the Department of Posts to pay Rs15,000 compensation to retired junior engineer Hem Raj, who was overcharged Rs 20 for a speed post packet. Justice G.D.Sharma president of the commission and Khalid Hussain, member, ordered the secretary, Posts, to identify the officials involved in overcharging and recover the compensation amount from their salary.

Hem Raj was charged Rs 50 instead of Rs 30 for a speed post packet he booked in Bari Brahmanan post office near here on July 29,2003. He was made to shuttle from one office to another for over a year when he sought refund of the excess amount of Rs 20 charged by the post office.

The commission appreciated Hem Raj, who despite old age fought the infringement of his statutory rights and perpetuation of injustice for four years.

Initially, he had approached the divisional consumer protection forum, Jammu, following which the senior postmaster sent him a refund cheque of Rs 20. The forum arrived at the conclusion that overcharging was a bona fide mistake which caused no wrongful loss or gain to either of the parties of the case.

Udhampur, July 12
The Agriculture Department has introduced seed multiplication programme in Doda district. These seeds will be location specific, cheaper vis-a-vis traditional seeds.

The chief agriculture officer, Doda stated this at a review meeting held under the chairmanship of district development commissioner, Doda, Sourab Bhagat..

The agriculture officer informed the meeting locals farmers would be encouraged to adopt these seeds as these would be a direct source of earning for farmers.

The DDC advised the officers to prepare projects for encouraging cultivation of high- value crops like zeera, saffron, turmeric, garlic, in compact areas in suitable locations for funding.

Srinagar, July 12
The National Conference today roped in former state chief secretary Vijay Bakaya into its fold.

Bakaya, who retired as chief secretary last year, joined the opposition party in the presence of former Chief Minister and NC patron Farooq Abdullah and party chief Omar Abdullah.

It is believed the former chief secretary will be fielded from Habba Kadal Assembly constituency in next year’s elections. — PTI