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Probe into alleged mid-day meal scam
Violence continues for 6th day, 25 injured
Call to valley women to assemble at Eidgah
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Tawi struggles for survival
Devotees throng Sudhmahadev mela
Rs 67 lakh dues to be recovered from BSNL
NREGA has ‘benefited’ 22,210 households
Varsity students hold rally
Minister inspects schools
Snowfall in Sonmarg after 40 years
Panel to highlight problems of Nagrota
Evict illegal occupants of MLA hostels, says Lone
Arms seized in Bandipora forests
Training centre at Kalal village
Gang of burglars busted
Vehicles recovered
Two Army men die
Canadian fellowship for Dr Parikshat
Con man Jadeja booked
Man commits suicide
Attacks on Sikhs flayed
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Probe into alleged mid-day meal scam
Rajouri, June 6 The inquiry follows raids by the state Vigilance Department on 70 schools across the districts. The authorities of more than 30 schools had complained that they had not received ration meant for the scheme for the past six months from the district education authorities concerned and the authorities might have sold it in the open market. Sources in the Education Department and the Vigilance Department told The Tribune that of the 70 schools raided more than 30 schools had alleged that they had not received ration meant for the scheme for the past six months. And as a result they could not provide mid-day meal to students from Class I to VIII. They said besides the complaint and the findings of the Vigilance Department, it had come to light that the district education authorities might have sold the ration meant for scheme in the open market. “In Rajouri districts, of more than 40 schools raided by the vigilance in Buddhal, Baddhal, Khawas, Thanamandi and Manjakote areas, it was found that in large number of schools mid-day meal ration has not reached these schools,” the sources said. Sources in the Directorate of School Education in Jammu confirmed that director had ordered an inquiry into the matter. They added that the director convened a meeting of the Education Department officers of the two districts at Sunderbani over the issue. |
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Violence continues for 6th day, 25 injured
Srinagar, June 6 At least 25 persons, including security personnel, were injured today in clashes in downtown areas of Nowhatt, Rajouri Kadal and adjoining areas. The protesters alleged that police and CRPF personnel used disproportionate force to quell protests. Protests also occurred in Shopian, Pulwama and some other areas. Close to 25 persons were injured, an official said, adding that they included security personnel. Opposition PDP held demonstrations at district headquarters across the state, its spokesperson Nayeem Akhtar said, demanding the withdrawal of the Army and the CRPF from internal security. “These forces are the root cause of most of the problems that have affected us in the past. It’s time they are moved out,” he said. Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has given a strike call till tomorrow and called for a march to Shopian on Monday, which is most unlikely to be allowed by the government wary of volatile situation in the valley over the suspicious death of two women at
Shopian. |
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Shopian Aftermath
Srinagar, June 6 “I appeal to mothers and sisters to come to the Eidgah at noon tomorrow so that we can learn how to defend ourselves. The participants should carry black flags as a mark of protest against atrocities being committed on women,” said Andrabi while talking to The Tribune. “Ideally, women should not go alone to fields and orchards. But in case they have to go they should carry an axe or a dagger. They can
also carry pepper as a form of self-defence, said Andrabi. Asked what would be her plan of action if she was not allowed to assemble at the Eidgah, she said she would renew her call for ‘Eidgah Chalo’. She added that she had received calls from across the Kashmir valley and exuded confidence that her programme would be a success. “I have asked women to stage a protest as and when they are stopped by police or security forces. In case the programme is thwarted, we will issue a fresh date for ‘Eidgah Chalo’. We are fighting for freedom, but at the same time it is important that honour of women is not played with,” says Andrabi. She said the “huge presence of troops in the Kashmir valley does not guarantee the safety of women.” She has been under house arrest for the past few days. Given the present scenario where almost all separatists have been either arrested or put under house arrest, it is highly unlikely that the authorities would grant permission to Andrabi. |
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PDP calls for Banihal bandh
Udhampur, June 6 The PDP has also given a bandh call on Monday to lodge protest against human rights violation in the state. Addressing the protesters, PDP leaders regretted that the coalition government has been watching killing of innocent people as mute spectator. District president of the PDP Abdul Ahad Wani regretted that after taking over as Chief Minister of the state, Omar Abdullah had promised to stop the human right violations but after the formation of the new regime, incidents of the killing of innocent people have increased manifold. He pointed out that the cases of human rights violation had been occurring after repeated intervals during the past five months. He recalled that just a few days ago a youth, Manzoor Ahmed Beig, was tortured to death by the SOG and now there was a incident of “rape and killing” of two women. Demanding strict action against the culprits involved in the incident, the PDP leader regretted that the government had been buying time to divert the attention of people towards such act. Earlier, a large number of PDP workers took out a procession and shouted slogans against the government in Banihal town. They demanded strict action against the culprits involved in the “rapping and killing” of the two women. During the demonstration, the PDP gave a call for Banihal bandh on Monday against the ongoing alleged atrocities of the security forces on innocent citizens of the state. PDP workers also demanded immediate scrapping of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) to keep a check on the security forces. They also demanded that internal security should be handed over to the state police. |
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Tawi struggles for survival
Jammu, June 6 Unfortunately, one STP, which is under construction at Bhagwati Nagar, has not been completed because of the laxity of the state government and lack of funds. Now as the work of channelising the sewerage proposed to come under the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), funded by Asian Development Bank, the work will speed up. ERA director Vinod Sharma assures that when it comes under the ERA, it will be completed within 18 months. Dr Yash Pal, scientist at the Pollution Control Board, has been entrusted the task to check Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) at the Tawi. “I have been taking samples from the Tawi for the past 10 years on quarterly basis, and found that the BOD level has increased while the oxygen content has gone drastically down, which can be harmful for the survival of aquatic life,” Yash Pal said. He also blamed that the locals, who live near the riverbank, release their waste into the river in the absence of septic tank at their homes. This untreated water was consumed by people living in the area surrounding Bellicharana, which can any time lead
to epidemic. Only time will tell when all these projects will get completed, till then, the Tawi is under compulsion to bear the brunt. |
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Devotees throng Sudhmahadev mela
Udhampur, June 6 Over 60,000 devotees from various parts of the Jammu region and adjoining areas of Sudh village paid obeisance at the temple on the first day of the mela. About two lakh devotees are expected to participate during the three-day-long mela. Long queues were seen from early morning awaiting their turn to pay obeisance at the
temple. The Trust has set up langer for the devotees. For the convenience of pilgrims, a yagyashala has been recently constructed and parikrama of the temple complex has also
been widened. The district administration, Udhampur, has also made adequate arrangements for the
devotees. |
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Rs 67 lakh dues to be recovered from BSNL
Jammu, June 6 During the course of the meeting, it was decided that the outstanding amount on account of licence fee of Rs 67 lakh for the installation of towers within municipal limits should
be recovered from BSNL immediately. It was also decided that the hoarding of M/S Selvel Private Limited, whose contract with the MC for advertisement expired and a writ petition filled by the agency had also been dismissed by the high court, should be removed immediately and fresh tenders be floated. The issue of encroachment upon lanes and bylanes was also discussed and the committee asked the enforcement wing of the MC to clear the pavements of any encroachment on a regular basis. Besides, it was also decided to enhance the rent of residential quarters by 20 per cent and fix a minimum rent of Rs 500 per month for dwelling units. The rent for open spaces would also rise to Rs 5 per square feet
per month. Municipal Commissioner Mubarak Singh presented a draft budget proposal worth Rs 62 crore for the current year and apprised the committee of the details of expenditure under various heads to be made in the current year. The committee stressed that various wings of the MC
should deliver better services to the residents. The members of the committee also desired that coffee houses at Amphalla and the Circular Road be made functional. |
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NREGA has ‘benefited’ 22,210 households
Srinagar, June 6 Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ali Mohammad Sagar reviewed NREGA works in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts in a meeting with Minister for Industries and Commerce SS Slathia, legislators of the districts and bureaucrats concerned. The meeting was the last in the series called by Sagar to review the district-wise working of the Rural Development Department so that various schemes were implemented in a transparent manner, he said. Sagar asked the officers to complete the schemes in a time-bound manner so that the real objective was achieved. He asked the authorities to ensure that schemes were completed within stipulated time frames. “Around Rs 3.67 crore has been spent in Jammu district under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) by undertaking work on 1,703 houses. Nine model villages are also nearing completion at an expenditure of Rs 10.12 crore. Four roads under the Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana at an estimated cost of Rs 6.23 crore are also under way. Around Rs 1.41 crore has also been spent on 110 works under community development and panchayats during 2008-2009,” the spokesperson said. |
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Varsity students hold rally
Jammu, June 6 Banners and the placards with slogans like ‘say no to polythene bags’, ‘help the mother earth’, ‘together we can save earth’, ‘think green go green’ etc were displayed by faculty members, officers, staff, research scholars and students. While flagging off the rally, Vice-Chancellor Prof Varun Sahni said pollution prevalent in our environment was relentlessly on the rise and it was our duty to save the environment. Meanwhile, Environment Education Unit of Model Institute of Education and Research (MIER) College of Education has celebrated World Environment Day by organising a painting competition and an exhibition on the college premises. Students of BEd, BEd Special Education (MR) and PGDCA prepared models, charts and paintings on themes like noise, air and water pollution, conservation of resources, save earth and save life. Meanwhile, Model Academy celebrated the day by launching a tree plantation drive and organising an inter-house painting competition on the theme - Save Environment. The winners were awarded with trophies and certificates. |
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Minister inspects schools
Jammu, June 6 Peerzada inspected various educational institutions during his tour of Rajouri district . He ordered early completion of work on newly opened and upgraded schools and kitchen sheds for mid-day meals. He ordered monitoring the distribution of rice to the schools as per norms. The minister directed Chief Education Officers to prepare a calendar to pay visits to the schools falling under their jurisdiction, and register their visit on the teachers’ diaries. Reacting to the delay in distribution of textbooks, the minister pulled up the board authorities and ordered supply of these books to all schools before the summer vacation. |
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Snowfall in Sonmarg after 40 years
Srinagar, June 6 Met officials said close to four inches of snow fell in Sonmarg, around 85 km from here, and adjoining areas since last night. This snowfall has occurred after over 40 years. They said the valley had witnessed snowfall last in 1969 when life was affected badly. Snowfall in the upper reaches of the valley is not an unusual event in summers, but it is rare for an area like Sonmarg. The officials said, “If situation returns to normal and the cold weather stays for a while, tourists’ arrival could see a fillip. The minimum temperature in Srinagar today dipped to 10.6 °C after overnight rain. |
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Panel to highlight problems of Nagrota
Jammu, June 6 He said 62-year-old Independence was virtually meaningless for the people of Nagrota as they were forced to live with adversities without basic amenities, and the major problem was non-availability of drinking water in the Kandi areas of the constituency. He said pipes had been installed by the PHE Rural Division, but no water supply had been made properly. “Many times the people of Nagorta approached the officials concerned, government representatives and leaders of political parties to raise their demands and grievances, but nothing has done so far except hollow and false assurances,” Sharma said. |
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Evict illegal occupants of MLA hostels, says Lone
Jammu, June 6 He directed the hostel management to ask all illegal occupants to handover the possession of rooms within three days, failing which they would be forcibly evicted without any notice. The Speaker issued these instructions during his meeting with the officers of the Estate Department here today. Secretary of the Assembly Mohammad Ramzan also attended the meeting. Lone impressed upon the estate officers to identify works to be executed during the current financial year so that the resident legislators did not face any inconvenience on this count. |
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Arms seized in Bandipora forests
Srinagar, June 6 During the operation, the troops unearthed the arms cache buried underground in the Choatar forest in Bandipora district. A Pika gun, four AK rifles, seven Mouser pistols, one UBGL, nine AK magazines, 165 rounds of AK ammunition, 15 pistol magazines, 19 UBGL grenades, eight 60 MM mortar bombs, 99 hand grenades, 22 electric detonators, 168 packets and explosives were seized. Rajouri: The police arrested two alleged overground workers of a militant outfit from the Gursai area of Mendhar on Friday night. Police sources said a police team led by SHO of Gursai area Jan Muhammad raided a house and arrested Khursheed Ahmed of Gursai area and Muhammad Taib of Salwa with some cash. The duo was providing logistic and monetary support to the militants. Meanwhile, a case has been registered against the duo and the police is interrogating them. |
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Training centre at Kalal village
Jammu, June 6 An Army spokesman said: “A state-of-the-art building with modern machinery to impart training in embroidery, stitching and knitting has been established besides computer education for youth. It has also been furnished with a library for all age groups. The management committee of local residents has employed talented staff for the centre.” The centre was inaugurated by the GOC of the Dah Division in a colourful ceremony attended by civil dignitaries, locals, ex-servicemen and serving officers of the Army. |
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Gang of burglars busted
Jammu, June 6 The police has arrested Sukwinder Singh, alias Shibu, a resident of Resham Garh colony, and Vinod Kumar of Rehari, while Roshan Singh is still at large. “On their confession, we recovered about 100 grams of gold jewellery, Rs 11,000 and some electronic items stolen from the area,” Manohar Singh, SSP, Jammu, said. He said two goldsmiths, Parkash from Maharashtra, at present living in Jullaka mohalla, Jammu, and Neeraj Malhotra from Himachal Pradesh, at present living in Jain Bazar, Jammu, had been arrested, as they had knowingly purchased stolen property from the accused. The accused were involved in seven burglary cases registered in Channi Himmat police station. Interestingly, it was the same gang that had set ablaze furniture and other household items of Tulsi Dass Vermani of Channi when they failed to break lockers after entering his house. |
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Vehicles recovered
Jammu, July 6 The Trikuta Nagar Police recovered a Tata Safari, bearing a fake registration number, from transport yard in Narwal. The vehicle was stolen from the Peermitha area and a case has already been registered. In another incident, the Bathindi police recovered a Honda City car, which was stolen by some unknown thieves from the Bari Brahmna area. The same car was found parked in an abandoned plot in Sunjwan Morh. The Channi Himmat Police recovered a Maruti Swift car, which was stolen from outside Punjab National Bank at Sector-1, Channi Himmat. Meanwhile, the Narwal Police recovered a Splendor Motorcycle from the possession of accused Durinder Sahoo in Valmiki Colony, Nanak Nagar, which he had stolen from fruit Mandi Narwal. |
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Two Army men die
Rajouri, June 6 Local sources said JCO Harbans Lal and Kartik Singh, both from the Signal Company, deputed with the 10 Infantry, died and three other Army personnel were injured when the vehicle they were travelling in with an accident in Poonch today. Harbans Lal and Kartik Singh died on the spot, whereas the injured were rushed to the nearby hospital. |
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Lt-Gen Karwal visits NCC office
Jammu, June 6 Gen Karwal was presented a salute by the cadet guard on his arrival. Later, he was briefed on NCC activities in the state by Brig Anil Gupta, Deputy Director General, NCC. Gen Karwal appreciated efforts made to revive NCC activities in the otherwise difficult conditions and reaching out to remote areas in the state. He was impressed with the number of NCC cadets from the state joining the armed forces as officers. Gen Karwal was pleased with enthusiasm displayed by youths toward NCC activities. |
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Canadian fellowship for Dr Parikshat
Jammu, June 6 According to statement issued here, Dr Parikshat is the only management teacher from the country who has been conferred with this prestigious fellowship. This fellowship is funded by the International Council for Canadian Studies and Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada.
— TNS |
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Con man Jadeja booked
Jammu, June 6 Police sources said people had complained to the police that a con man had duped them promising them to triple their money in a few years. When the people came to know that Jadeja was a con man, they protested and asked the police to register a case against him. |
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Man commits suicide
Jammu, June 6 He was found hanging inside his room by his family members and was shifted to Government Medical College, where doctors declared him brought dead. The police after conducting post-mortem and other legal formalities handed over the body to Diwan family members. A case has been registered in this regard. |
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Attacks on Sikhs flayed
Jammu, June 6 The committee has urged the state government to provide adequate compensation for the property damaged in the attacks and sought stern action against the people who were involved in the act. — TNS |
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