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Four die of severe cold
Kashmir remains cut off
For stranded passengers, a cup of tea costs Rs 40
Pashmina goats dying due to starvation
Fails to utilise Rs 1.50 cr |
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Kin of Ashok Chakra awardee get govt due
‘No relief for youth under Cong-led rule’
IG posts to be filled shortly
Rs 23 cr for old orchards
Kashmir Solidarity Day
Millat opposes Valentine celebrations
Two jawans killed, 7 rescued in avalanches
Azad orders DCs to ensure essential supplies
Students visit under cultural exchange programme
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Four die of severe cold
Udhampur, February 6 Due to intense cold wave, three persons lost their lives at Nakolata village of Chenani area in Udhampur. Deceased have been identified as Gardhari Lal (32), Ashoka Devi (15) and Pancharo Devi. The deceased were found dead due to severe cold this morning. This incident evoked strong resentment among locals, who lodged protest against the authorities for their failure to take adequate arrangements to mitigate woes of people living in the remote areas. On the other hand, Doda, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and Ramban have been experiencing heavy snowfall due to western disturbance and district administration has sounded a red alert in Doda and evicted buildings of some educational institutes to accommodate people in case of any eventuality. “Red alert has been sounded in the district. All doctors and other paramedical staff have been directed to remain their health centres round the clock as situation has been deteriorating due to continuous rains and snowfall”, deputy commissioner, Doda, Khurshid Ahmed Bhat, told the Tribune. Although there was no report of the loss of human life in Doda district, situation has been worse in some far-flung areas like Kastigarh, Gandoh, Manau, Dacchan etc. where huge snow has been accumulated. Some kuccha houses have been reportedly damaged in far-flung areas. The deputy commissioner said control rooms had been established at all blocks to keep round-the-clock vigil in these areas. “District administration is in constant touch with all blocks and senior officers have been monitoring the situation”, Bhat said adding that building of Higher Secondary School, Doda has been already evicted to provide lodging to the people in case of any mishap. Meanwhile, normal life was thrown out of gear in this hilly belt as for the third consecutive day incessant rains and snowfall going unabated. Power supply, water supply and communications virtually collapsed in Kishtwar and other far-flung areas. For the first time during the last 10 years, this belt has experienced such snowfall. As the situation was deteriorating, the deputy commissioner visited many areas of Doda to assess the situation. He directed the officers to ensure supply of essential commodities and interrupted power supply in the affected areas. PTI
adds: A youth died after being trapped in a snowstorm at Kathua district, officials said. The 26-year-old youth, a member of a marriage party, died due to severe cold after he was trapped in a snowstorm last night, they said. |
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Kashmir remains cut off
Srinagar, February 6 The snowfall has thrown life out of gear in Kashmir with disruption in the movement of traffic and power and drinking water supplies. No flights could land at the Srinagar airport for the second consecutive day today due to slippery surface of the runway and poor visibility. The vital 300-km long Srinagar-Jammu national highway continued to remain blocked to traffic for the fourth consecutive day due to heavy snow in the Jawahar Tunnel area and Patni Top. More than 8 ft of snow has been recorded at Jawahar Tunnel leading to avalanches in Shaitan Nallah in its vicinity. Shooting stones also continued to block traffic at Panthial, which has been a trouble spot for the past couple of years. About 6 ft of snow was recorded at Zig between Jawahar Tunnel and Qazigund on the valley side. With this the highway got blocked for the third consecutive day today, while traffic plied partially on the highway on Sunday when snow and rains lashed the area. The road blockade has led to disruption in the supply of essential commodities, LPG, kerosene, fruit and vegetables in the valley, though the officials here claimed that sufficient stocks were available. According to Met Department officials, there has been a warning of isolated heavy rains and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 48 hours.
Qazigund, Kashmir valley’s first halting point after crossing over from Jawahar Tunnel, recorded the maximum of 42 mm of rain equivalent to snow today. Banihal recorded 15 mm of rains or snow followed by 10 mm of rain and snow in
Srinagar. This capital city has been witnessing intermittent rains and snow during the past 48 hours resulting in the accumulation of a thick blanket of snow on the ground. This has been the season’s major snowfall here this year, though intermittent snow intercepted by sub-zero Meanwhile, the divisional administration, Kashmir, has geared up all its agencies to combat the situation arising due to continuous snowfall in the valley. An official spokesman said the Power Development Department (PDD) had taken immediate measures for restoring 33 KV lines interrupted due to snowfall. However, the timely restoration has facilitated in providing power supply to all essential installations and district headquarters. He said the forced cuts in load after restoration were affected due to disturbance in the northern grid system due to dense fog. For attending to any further damage to the lines due to continuous snowfall, disaster management teams of the Power Development Department are already formed. Giving details of the road connectivity, the spokesman said traffic was restored on all the inter-district roads in the valley, including Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal in central Kashmir, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian in South Kashmir, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore in North Kashmir. The District Development Commissioner, Kulgam, while reviewing the situation arising due to heavy snowfall appealed to people, particularly living in higher belts, to restrict their movement in view of avalanches. All kinds of heavy vehicles will remain off the road in view of snow clearance restoration work in the area. . Similarly, all people are advised to remain indoors except government employees who will remain at their respective headquarters for performing official duties. |
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For stranded passengers, a cup of tea costs Rs 40
Jammu, February 6 With the absence of any relief from the government for the Srinagar-bound passengers stranded at various places on the 300-km long Jammu Srinagar National Highway that was blocked following the heavy landslides triggered after continuous snowfall in the region, life has become very hard. The miseries of the stranded passengers have come as a blessing in disguise for the shopkeepers who continue to fleece them by raising the prices of the essential commodities. “Since the highway was closed the shopkeepers and the hotel owners who run shops on the highway have increased the price manifolds. As for a boiled egg a stranded passenger has to shed Rs 20 and Rs 40 for a cup of tea,” said Manzoor Ahmed, who somehow managed to return back to Jammu after remaining stranded at Pantal near
Ramban. Manzoor had to walk several miles before he could catch a vehicle back to Jammu, but thousands of stranded passengers had not enough luck. “The passengers, who were not in a position to make it back to Jammu are really in a terrible condition and adding to their miseries is the bone chilling cold,” said
Manzoor. Manzoor rues that no help from government has so far reached for the stranded passengers, and the hotel operators are charging them as per their own will. After the closure of the only road link between the two parts of the state, it has been a tough time not only for the passengers, who got struck on the highway, but the passengers in Jammu, who wait for the opening of the road are also subjected to various hardships. In view of the non-availability of any proper arrangements for the stranded passengers at the general bus stand in Jammu, hundreds of them were seen lying on the ground waiting for the road link to open for traffic again. “For the past three days we have been waiting for the highway to open, I had gone to Delhi for the medical check up of my mother and now on my way back home to Anantnag I got stranded as the highway was closed,” said Mushtaq Ahmed a resident of Anantnag district of south Kashmir. He said, “I don’t know where to go, as the money that I had with me is about to finish.” |
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Pashmina goats dying due to starvation
Jammu, February 6 Due to heavy snowfall most of the pastures are covered with snow, thus, leading to the extra consumption of the stored fodder. Leh deputy commissioner M. K. Bhandari told The Tribune that the administration had identified all places faced with the fodder shortage. However, some of these were inaccessible due to the heavy snow. Where transportation is available, the fodder has been rushed, the DC said. For those areas which cannot be reached by road, the administration had written to the state government to take up the matter with the defence authorities so that the Army could help in airlifting fodder for pashmina goats and other animals, he added. Bhandari said, this year the Ladakh region had heaviest snowfall in many decades. Since the temperature is as low as - 30°C, snow does not get melted easily even after the snowfall has stopped. This has led to pastures remain covered resulting in non-availability of vegetation for the animals. He said, although the entire pashmina goat population was not threatened, but quite a number of these were faced with starvation. Reports reaching here said, the harsh weather conditions coupled with prolonged snow carpet in the region had threatened thousands of goats there. The reports said the winter pastures used by the shepherds in the region had remained covered for quite sometime, thus, blocking the fodder supply to the goats. Although the region remains intensely cold during the winters, but
the excessive snowfall has created the problems for the shepherds this year. Due to the blockage of the
natural fodder, the stored fodder has run out of stock. Usually the fodder is stocked according to the requirements. Since there was no natural grazing available this time due to snow, it ran out of stock. |
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Fails to utilise Rs 1.50 cr
Jammu, February 6 “The programme had to be implemented in four districts of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Rajouri, for which principal of the Government Medical College and Associated Hospitals, Jammu, who had been appointed as nodal officer, had received Rs 1.48 crore,” says an official document. Out of Rs 1.48 crore an amount of Rs 1.05 crore was advanced to the Director Health Services, Jammu, for implementing the programme in district and sub-district hospitals, while the balance was retained by the GMC principal in students’ fund bank account with SBI. If the GMC principal, Jammu, retained Rs 43 lakh in the student’s fund bank account, then Director Health Services, Jammu, deposited the public money with Jammu and Kashmir Bank without initiating any action for implementing the programme till July, 2006. It is worthwhile to mention here that the Government of India launched district mental health programme with a sole motive to protect patients suffering from mental illness, human rights abuse, stigmatisation and discrimination. The programme inter-alia had to provide early detection of mental disorder, rehabilitation of patients besides reducing burden on mental hospitals of the state. Not to be forgotten here that Jammu region has only one 75-bedded psychiatric diseases hospital, which has been in shambles since its inception during 60s. Finally, sparing some time for the mentally challenged, a proposal for training MBBS doctors in basic psychiatry, creation of new posts of psychiatrists and allied staff for implementing the programme was sent to the coalition government. However, coalition government till December, 2006, didn’t act on the proposal and the inordinate delay resulted in non-utilisation of Rs 1.48 crore for three long years. After a long wait the union government asked the coalition government to immediately refund the amount, but later retained it till July, 2007. When contacted, a senior official of the Health and Medical Education Department said, “For some time the scheme could not be implemented due to acute dearth of psychiatrists, but last year we roped in psychiatrists from National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, who conducted a three-month workshop training a dozen doctors.” However, document has clearly pointed out that lack of foresight, inaction and slackness of the department not only resulted in non-utilisation of Rs 1.48 crore for three years, but denied benefits to the people. “The state government had not taken any effective steps to overcome the shortage of staff,” it adds. The state - a hotbed of militancy since 1989 - has just 25 psychiatrists (five in Jammu region, 20 in Kashmir valley and none in Ladakh region) for a population of 11 million people. |
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Kin of Ashok Chakra awardee get govt due
Udhampur, February 6 The government has decided to give full honours to the family of Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, who was awarded Ashok Chakra (posthumously) this year for sacrificing his life while fighting militants. Doda deputy commissioner Khurshid Ahmed Bhat visited the house of the martyr at Bhara-Kellar village in Bhaderwah and presented a cheque to Chinta Devi, wife of Naib Subedar Chuni Lal, as monetary grant from the state government. “We have decided to construct a huge gate on the entrance of Bhara-Kellar village, which is native place of martyr,” the deputy commissioner told The Tribune and added that this gate would be constructed to encourage younger generation to take inspiration from the supreme sacrifices made by brave officer. The district administration has directed the concerned authorities to make estimate for the construction of the gate. The authorities have already decided to construct a park at the same village in the memory of the warrior. Naib Subedar Chuni Lal had the rare distinction of being awarded the Vir Chakra and the Sena Medal for gallantry in earlier operations. He earned his first commendation while accompanying Naib Subedar Bana Singh in capturing the 21,000-foot Pakistani post, now renamed Bana Top, on the Siachen Glacier. While Naib Subedar Bana Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, Naib Subedar Chuni Lal was honoured with the Sena Medal. |
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No relief for youth under Cong-led rule’
Jammu, February 6 Addressing a party meeting here today, state BJP general secretary and BJYM in charge Shamsher Singh Manhas said, “The youth in this state are the worst sufferers due to the policies of the Congress-led coalition government.” “Parents spend their hard earned money on the studies of their children but after they pass out from colleges and universities their hopes dash to the ground,” he said. And if some of them get government jobs, they are absorbed under schemes like Rehbar-e Sehat, Rehbar-e-Taleem and Rehbar-e-Ziraat where they get peanuts and find it hard to live a dignified life, he added. |
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IG posts to be filled shortly
Jammu, February 6 Official sources said L. Mohanty was being tipped to get promoted to the IG rank. The sources said CM Ghulam Nabi Azad had accepted the suggestion of director general police Kuldeep Khoda on filling all vacant posts of senior functionaries so that work in the Police Department did not suffer. Khoda, who took over as DG police in September last year, had been instrumental in filling 10 vacant posts of deputy inspector general police. |
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Rs 23 cr for old orchards
Jammu, February 6 Minister for horticulture Mohammad Dilawar Mir said the Union Ministry for Agriculture has given a nod to this prestigious project after it was earnestly projected by the state government. The minister said it would go a long way to promote Horticulture Sector in the state, which directly or indirectly provides livelihood to about 25 lakh people annually. |
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Kashmir Solidarity Day
Srinagar, February 6 The leaders, including acting chairman, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Bilal Ghani Lone, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Fazal-e-Haq Qureshi expressed hope that Pakistan, which has been observing the day for the past 18 years, would continue to extend its moral, diplomatic and political support to the people here. Speaking at the seminar, the APHC leaders highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s solidarity with Kashmiris, which continued its moral and diplomatic support to the “Kashmiris’ freedom struggle.” The UN Security Council on February 5, 1949, had passed a resolution directing India and Pakistan to make arrangements for holding plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir to allow its people to decide their own future, the speakers at the seminar said. The speakers reiterated Hurriyat Conference stand that the Kashmir issue be resolved under UN resolutions or the trilateral talks, adding that any resolution under the ambit of the Indian Constitution would not be acceptable. They sought withdrawal of the laws giving absolute powers to the security forces and an end to the human rights violations. The leaders also supported Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf’s four-point formula. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Forum (JKLF) chairman, Javed Ahmad Mir led a march on the Residency Road here on the occasion. Meanwhile, the Pakistan-based United Jehad Council (UJC) chief, Syed Salahuddin has said the idea to observe February 5 as a day of solidarity with the people of Kashmir had come from the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan 17 years ago. It showed to the world that the people of Pakistan continued to extend political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris, a spokesman of the UJC quoting Syed Salahuddin said. |
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Millat opposes Valentine celebrations
Srinagar, February 6 This call, which gets support from other religious organisations in Kashmir, unlike in the past has been given much in advance in view of the complaints made by the business community close to the occasion. In its statement, the organisation appealed to the people of Kashmir to desist from “celebrating events that have been prohibited in Islam.” The appeal made by the organisation, which has also been spearheading campaign against other social evils, on Wednesday last urged the shopkeepers and the owners of restaurants to desist from making arrangements for the Valentines Day. The appeal has been made public through the vernacular press, much in advance, to avoid any inconvenience to those belonging to the business community, related with such arrangements on Valentines Day. |
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Two jawans killed, 7 rescued in avalanches
Srinagar, February 6 A defence spokesman here said a jawan was killed near the LoC in Nowgam sector of Kupawar district today, while five others, who were trapped in the avalanche due to the continuous heavy snowfall in the region, were rescued this morning. The body of the jawan killed in the avalanche had also been retrieved, the spokesman said. In another incident, a jawan of the GREF was killed and two others were rescued, who had been trapped in an avalanche near the famous Sadhna Pass in frontier district of Kupwara. The three workers were trapped under more than 20 feet of snow, when there road opening dozer came under an avalanche at Tangdhar sector. Giving details, the Army spokesperson said around 11:30 on Monday, the Army post near Sadhna was informed about the accident. The Army immediately launched a rescue mission and trekked for four hours from Tangdhar to the site. The team managed to rescue all three people. However, one of them succumbed to the injuries. |
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Azad orders DCs to ensure essential supplies
Jammu, February 6 Azad also talked to 19 deputy commissioners to know about the situation arising out of continued snowfall in different parts of the state. It may be recalled here that the state had witnessed unprecedented snowfall and rains in March, 2005 causing deaths and widespread damage. Eventually, on the instructions of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the IAF had to press into service its flying machines to airlift stranded passengers. Azad had a telephonic conversation with the deputy commissioners of Kupwara, Baramulla, Anantnag, Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipore, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Leh, Kargil, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban and Reasi taking first hand information about the post-snowfall situation. He asked the deputy commissioners to take all measures to ensure that people shouldn’t suffer on account of disruption in essential supplies. He also issued instructions to clear snow in all district and major link roads on priority and restore plying of public transport at the earliest. The administration has also been asked to set up price monitoring committees so as to keep constant vigil on prices of essential commodities. Azad specifically enquired about remote areas like Gurez, Tulel, Kanzalwan, Dawar and Tangdhar in Kashmir valley, Zanaskar in Kargil district and Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan in Jammu division which remain cut off for six to seven months during winters. Areas like Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan have no road connectivity at the moment while areas like Gurez, Tulel, Kanzalwan, Dawar, Tangdhar Warwan, Marwah and Dachhan have had 9 feet to 11 feet snow. The Chief Minister has also asked deputy commissioners to take help from security forces in demanding conditions. Azad also had video-conference with the divisional administration in Kashmir valley to get an update on the situation. At several places men and machinery have been pressed into service to clear roads of snow and ensure essential supplies.
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Students visit under cultural exchange programme
Udhampur, February 6 Unconcerned about the on-going militancy in the state, these youth seem to be enthusiastic as they would stay in different districts to understand, appreciate and imbibe the secular traditions of the state. It is for the first time that the Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) with the support from the Union Home Ministry has initiated such a bold and courageous step in Jammu and Kashmir under the banner of “Reciprocal Youth Cultural Exchange Programme”. “The main aim of this programme is to provide an opportunity to participants from various parts of the country to interact with the local community so that the essence of cultural exchange is achieved”, said K.L. Khanna, director, NYK, who is also supervising the programme. He said these special programmes were aimed at strengthening national integration and in imbibing the spirit of secularism. “With these types of exchange we ensure that knowledge prevailing in one society on the matters of development, physical, cultural and civilisation, pervades in other societies as well”, he observed. Students from 12 different districts of the country have arrived in Jammu and they will later be adjusted in other districts of the state. The group from Ajmer, Rajasthan, has been allotted the militancy-plagued Doda district, while students from Gangtok, Sikkim, would stay at Udhampur. During their stay at Udhampur, students from Gangtok would be educated about traditional Dogra culture as well as folk as this belt is known for preserving the rich heritage and Duggar traditions. “We have planned special programmes for these students to interact with the local community so that they get acquainted with traditions of this belt,” he added. “The students are enthusiastic to stay at Doda”, replied Khanna. “Before finalising this programme, I myself had visited these areas to assess the ground situation”, he said and exuded confidence that cultural exchange of this type of programme did make a difference in the dynamics and progress of different societies involved in such an exchange. He said he was hopeful that it would raise aspirations and urge the local people to participate in the pan-India economic and political movement of progress and development. Students from Silvassa (Dadar and Nagar Haveli), Puri (Orissa), Kodagu (Karnataka), Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh), Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Udaipur (Rajasthan), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Trivandrum (Kerala), south Goa (Goa) and Gangtok (Sikkim) are participating.
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