J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Soz moots navigation in Jhelum to boost tourism
Srinagar, September 17
Concerned about the shrinking water bodies in Kashmir, union water resources minister Saifuddin Soz here today envisaged a 170-km-long navigation plan for the Jhelum cutting across the valley to restore its lost heritage and tap tourism potential. A basin plan to this effect had been presented to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as the initiative taken in this direction more than three decades ago had been kept in abeyance, Soz said during his visit.

Landslide kills 3 labourers
Udhampur, September 17
Three labourers were buried alive while another one received severe injuries when a landslide struck near Doda this afternoon.

Freedom fighter Tegh dead
Jammu, September 17
Sant Singh Tegh, a freedom fighter and a crusader for social justice, died here yesterday. His mortal remains were consigned to the flames on the banks of the Tawi today.

Accused Army officer names civilian
Rajouri, September 17
After an Army officer was arrested for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, further interrogations from him have reportedly pointed towards the involvement of a civilian in this case.

Soz moots navigation in Jhelum to boost tourism
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 17
Concerned about the shrinking water bodies in Kashmir, union water resources minister Saifuddin Soz here today envisaged a 170-km-long navigation plan for the Jhelum cutting across the valley to restore its lost heritage and tap tourism potential. A basin plan to this effect had been presented to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as the initiative taken in this direction more than three decades ago had been kept in abeyance, Soz said during his visit.

"We must do something for future generations to remember us", Soz said at a press conference this morning. The stretch of the Jhelum from Khannabal in south Kashmir to Khadinyar in the north did not have potential for hydel power. The navigation plan that envisages pollution-free transport through the river like in the past would also help attract tourists.

Soz lamented that steps had not been taken though the issue had been dealt with twice since 1972. He pointed out that the plan of taking up 27-km-long stretch from Pampore to Chhattabal weir for navigation, cutting across Srinagar city, had not been finalised even after eight years.

Soz also urged Azad to take steps to utilise navigation potential of the Jhelum to restore culture of the valley. He suggested in the first instance the 27-km-long stretch cutting through the city, could be taken up for the purpose which could later be extended to the southern and northern areas of the valley. The Indus Water Treaty did not bar navigation within the valley, Soz clarified. He said with navigation, old means of water transport like Bahatch and Dhoongas would be revived. He added that development of the river banks across the valley and areas closer to the river would beautify it and attract tourists.

Replying questions, Soz held water bodies in Kashmir, particularly the Dal Lake, were deteriorating despite court orders from time to time for remedial measures. There was no check on encroachments on the Dal Lake, which attracted tourists visiting the valley, Soz said adding that the lake needed to be saved. He lamented that progress on the Dal conservation was slow though work under the Rs 18-crore project was going on. Cleaning and beautification of the Jhelum was slow, he said, and assured to take up the matter with the state government.

Landslide kills 3 labourers

Udhampur, September 17
Three labourers were buried alive while another one received severe injuries when a landslide struck near Doda this afternoon.

The labourers were engaged in digging the foundation of a house at Parmaj road near Doda, when a large portion of the hill caved in. The landslide struck with a great speed which gave the labourers little time to save themselves, said the police.

All four labourers, who were engaged in digging plinth, were buried alive before the police and other authorities reached the spot. Some locals rushed to the construction site and started rescue operations.

Three of the victims were declared brought dead at the Doda hospital. The deceased have been identified as Basant Raj, Angrez Singh and Bittu Rana. The injured has been identified as Dinesh Kumar. — TNS

Freedom fighter Tegh dead
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 17
Sant Singh Tegh, a freedom fighter and a crusader for social justice, died here yesterday. His mortal remains were consigned to the flames on the banks of the Tawi today.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah were among those who attended his funeral.

Remembering the freedom fighter who struggled along with Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah during the freedom movement, Farooq Abdullah said Sant Singh Tegh was a national figure who fought against the autocratic rule and made a place in the hearts of the people of J&K.

"I have been watching him since I was a small boy," Dr Abdullah said. "I remember that when my father was in jail, Sant Singh used to run around, helping him (Sheikh Abdullah) and other partymen during the struggle," he added. Born on April 13, 1907, at Hattian in Mazaffarabad district of Pakistan, Sant Singh Tegh had spent 17 years in jail during the freedom movement.

"He was still on the move, never listening to our pleas not to travel at this age," said his octogenarian brother Manna Singh, who remained by the bedside of the freedom movement hero after his fall from the horseback 10 days ago.

Drug Trafficking
Accused Army officer names civilian
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, September 17
After an Army officer was arrested for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, further interrogations from him have reportedly pointed towards the involvement of a civilian in this case.

The arrested accused, Army officer Naik Tejinder Singh of 10 Sikh Regiment posted in the Jhangar area at Nowshera here, was taken into custody by the Army authorities after his involvement in drug trafficking was named by his colleague arrested by the Punjab police with a huge consignment of heroin.

Naik Tejinder Singh told interrogators that one Bunty of the Manjakote area, near here, lured him to join drug trafficking as there is huge money in this business. Tejinder Singh further revealed that Bunty gave him the heroin consignment to be sold in Punjab and the money would be shared later on, sources said.

Tejinder Singh told the interrogators that after he failed to sell the heroin, he buried it in his field before returning to duty. He then narrated the whole plan to his colleague Sukhwinder Singh and offered him money to which the latter agreed and dug out the consignment from the field.

Sukhwinder Singh, then proceeded to Fazilka to meet his sister and also look for customers, but the Punjab Police nabbed him, along with the drugs, before he could find customers, sources said.

Reliable sources further disclosed that after the revelations by Tejinder Singh about the involvement of Bunty of Manjakote, senior Army officers rushed to the Manjakote area to ascertain the whereabouts of the civilian involved in drug trafficking.