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Army, CRPF cautioned about honey traps
Cabinet okays 414 posts for 18 new colleges
Amarnath Yatra
Airlines hike fares as tourists throng valley
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Gojri’s inclusion in 8th schedule sought
Need to resume talks with Pak: Farooq
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah waves to his supporters on arrival in Srinagar on Saturday. A Tribune photograph
Withdrawal of CRPF
KAS officers promoted
1,500 students participate in education expo
No respite from heat wave
A market in Leh presents a deserted look on Saturday following a bandh against the imposition of VAT. Photo by writer
Forest fire on Vaishno Devi route
Separatists shifted to Jammu jails
Two killed in land mine blast
Three MLAs
administered oath
Militant shot in Kupwara
1 killed, 17 hurt in accidents
Cop among two shot
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Army, CRPF cautioned about honey traps
Srinagar, June 13 In a letter, a copy of which is with The Tribune, circulated to Army and CRPF battalions, the CID warns that attempts to lure these officers into “illicit relations” with certain girls were being made. “Whether the aim is to catch some officers and then raise a hue and cry to defame the Army or whether the aim is to kill some officer is not yet clear,” the warning reads. The CID claims that some officers seem to have already fallen prey to such traps and are seen moving around in Srinagar city with such women. “An alert needs to be sounded to all officers to desist from falling into such a trap,” it says. There had been a few cases in the past where acquaintances between personnel of the central forces and local women had snowballed into huge controversies, bringing embarrassment to the forces. And any such relation also goes against the rules governing the conduct of these personnel. Senior officers though downplayed the significance of the CID warning. “Being an intelligence set-up, they keep issuing timely warnings. The contents of the warning are not specific, but general in nature. It’s only that it is topical these days due to the smear campaign launched against us after the Shopian incident,” an official said. Though no concrete evidence is on record so far against any uniformed personnel, the Shopian tragedy has been exploited by the separatists and a section of politicians to fuel their campaign against the Army and the paramilitary forces, alleging their involvement in the incident. |
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Cabinet okays 414 posts for 18 new colleges
Srinagar, June 13 Of the 414 posts created, 18 are of principals in the pay scale of Rs 16400-22400, 180 lecturers, 18 PTIs and 18 librarians in the pay scale of Rs 8000-13500, 18 senior assistants and 18 computer assistants in the pay scale of Rs 4000-6000, 18 junior assistants, 18 medical assistants, 18 lab/lib assistants in the pay scale of Rs 3050-4910, 18 laboratory bearers, 18 library bearers, 18 chowkidars, 18 orderlies and 18 safaikaramcharis in the pay scale of Rs 2550-3200. The Cabinet also approved the transfer of land for the construction of 200-bedded institute of traumatology and its allied super specialities and a nursing coll ege. It also approved the maintenance and upkeep of Hari Niwas Complex in Srinagar by the Hospitality and Protocol Department. The said department shall run the complex on a trial basis for a period of six months. The position shall be reviewed thereafter. In another decision the Cabinet approved the maintenance of separate seniority by the Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and the Roads and Bridges Department from the level of draftsmen up to the level of Chief Engineer. |
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Shrine board’s advisory to pilgrims
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 13 Keeping in view the recent snowfall, rains and slushy track on the route from Domel to the holy cave, time-bound regulation of the pilgrimage assumed greater significance in order to ensure the safety and security of the yatris, a spokesman of the SASB said. Board officials and engineers would be keeping strict vigil on the entire track to ensure smooth movement of the pilgrims, he said. The spokesman said the yatris registered since June 7 for the Chandanwari route would not be permitted to undertake the journey on the Baltal route and they would need to register afresh. However, if they wish to take the traditional Chandanwari holy cave route, they would need to register afresh for a new date convenient to them after the Board had announced the opening of the traditional route via Pahalgam. The pilgrims registered for the Baltal route between June 7 and 15 should also re-validate their yatra registration for any date convenient to them, subject to availability of the quota. While recognising and appreciating fully the inconvenience caused to pilgrims due to revision in the yatra schedule, the spokesperson said the regulation of the yatra had become inescapable as only a fixed number of yatris would be permitted even on the Baltal route in view of the prevailing weather situation. As the pilgrims have to trek through high mountains, the spokesperson has advised the yatris to carry adequate woollen clothing, which are essential as the climate is unpredictable. The yatris must carry a slip their shows their name, address and mobile number (if any) and details of any accompanying yatri. They must also carry with them their identity cards or driving licences, besides yatra slip. Every yatri must carry general medicines. The yatris are advised not to stop at places which are marked by warning notices. Keeping in view the difficult nature of the yatra, physically unfit persons and small children should not undertake the yatra, while aged persons and those suffering from any heart or breathing ailment or any orthopaedic disability must get medical advice before embarking on the yatra. The yatris must not use slippers because there are steep rises and falls on the route to the holy cave. They must not attempt any short cuts on the route as doing so would be dangerous. The yatris are also advised against doing anything during the yatra that could cause pollution or disturb the environment of the yatra area.
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Airlines hike fares as tourists throng valley
Jammu, June 13 With the ever-soaring temperature in the country, more and more tourists are finding their way towards the Kashmir valley as the valley enjoys a moderate temperature. Various airline companies, which fly between Srinagar and other parts of the country, have increased their rates following the unprecedented rush of passengers bound for the Kashmir valley. For instance a one-way air ticket of Go Air from Jammu to Srinagar, which was available at Rs 2,356 a week ago, is now being sold at Rs 11,332. The one-way airfare from New Delhi to Srinagar, which a week ago stood at less than Rs 4,500, is now available at Rs 18,078. Though there has been not much increase in the airfares for passengers coming from Srinagar to Jammu, there is a remarkable increase in the airfare for passengers going to Srinagar from other parts of the country. “During the protest demonstrations in the Kashmir valley, following the Shopian incident most of the airlines to Srinagar went almost with no passengers. But for the past few days since the situation in the Kashmir valley has returned to normal, the flights are going with full capacity,” an officer of the Go Air said. “The inflow of tourists to the Kashmir valley is the reason for all airlines flying to their capacity, in order to secure a seat in the airlines passengers have to make the booking many days in advance.” Ajay Sharma, a tour operator in Jammu, said. |
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Gojri’s inclusion in 8th schedule sought
Srinagar, June 13 “Gojri is one of the oldest and significant languages of South Asia. The language is spoken by Gujjars of the state. As such our case for the inclusion of Gojri in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution is strong and just,” says Dr Javaid Rahi, national secretary of the TRCF. Rahi says since the Constitution provides facilities for linguistic minorities, the state government should recommend the inclusion of Gojri in the Eighth Schedule. The TRCF has already submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking his recommendation on the issue. The memorandum has been signed by prominent writers, poets and intellectuals of the language and has been sent to chief ministers of different states. The TRCF has demanded for safeguarding the interests of the Gujjars. “Gojri has been recognised as a tribal language of India by the Sahitya Academy. It is also read and spoken by many people and has received recognition both at national and international levels,” says Rahi. “The state government has already recognised Gojri by including it in the Sixth Schedule of the constitution and now millions of Gujjars demand its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution,” he says. He adds that Gojri is being spoken by 20 million people in South Asia, living in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. |
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Need to resume talks with Pak: Farooq
Srinagar, June 13 Addressing a gathering of party leaders and workers on his arrival here today, Farooq said the dialogue between the two neighbouring countries was necessary to ensure peace in South Asia and particularly in the state. He hoped Pakistan “takes action against elements involved in the Mumbai attacks”. Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s stand on the restoration of dialogue with Pakistan, the Union minister held that the dialogue would be in the interests of both countries. He, however, lamented that certain elements were against it. Farooq arrived to a warm welcome by his party men here today, first time after assuming the charge of the Union ministry. He was received by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his ministerial colleagues and senior party leaders. Farooq asserted that stern action would be taken against those found guilty in the Shopian incident. He pointed out that Omar had already taken proper action against those involved in the incidents of human rights violations in Bomai, Sopore in Baramulla district and Khaigam in Pulwama district. Without identifying the PDP, the NC president lamented that such parties were trying to give a political colour to the incidents of human rights violations. He added that during the previous coalition government a number of such incidents of the human rights violations had taken place in which the sex scandal case was also unearthed. Farooq said tourists had started coming to the valley in large numbers, but because of the recent incidents had cancelled their bookings. Those dependent on the tourist trade had suffered a lot due to the disturbances, he added. IED seized on airport road
SRINAGAR: An IED planted by militants on the Srinagar Airport road was detected by the police this morning, hours before Union minister Farooq Abdullah was to arrive, officials said here. The IED was found in a drain at Nadir Gund crossing by the bomb disposal squad while conducting an anti-sabotage check on the Indra Gandhi Road, the officials said. It was defused on spot.
— PTI |
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Withdrawal of CRPF
Jammu, June 13 He said this decision was implementation of the PDP demand regarding demilitarisation. Chidambram has stated that Omar have talked to him even before the elections that the Armed Force Special Power Act (AFSPA) should be withdrawn. “The BJP will not tolerate this at any cost. It will raise the issue in the Assembly and agitate on roads to force the government not to do it. The time is not ripe for the withdrawal of armed forces. The chief of Army staff has endorsed our view point,” Arora said. Arora said: “We are surprised over the Home Minister’ statement that infiltration is still going on and we are concerned with law and order in the state and on the other hand he has assured the state government and the CM for all assistance to implementation the demand of PDP about demilitarisation and abolition of AFSPA.” He said: “Delay in commencement of the Amarnath Yatra is the demand of Sayeed Geelani as he has demanded that the yatra should be confined up to 15 days only. Recent protests in Srinagar were not only confined to the demand of registration of FIR in rape and
murder. They were having hidden agenda to stop or disturb the yatra on one pretext or the other.”
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KAS officers promoted
Srinagar, June 13 Ghulam Nabi Lone, Mohammad Shafi Rather, Sudershan Sharma, Syed Altaf Hussain, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo, Satish Nehru, Satya Pal Bhardwaj, Parvez Ahmad Malik, Jia Lal Sharma and Anil Kumar Gupta were promoted to the super time scale, an official spokesman said. He added that Kamala Devi, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Satish Chander Sawhney, Ali Raza, Ravinder Gupta, Narinder Kour, Abdul Rashid Lone, Roshan Lal Vishen, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Bashir Ahmad Bhat and Dr KK Kitchlu were promoted to the special scale. The Cabinet also approved the promotion to the selection grade of Talat Parvez, Anil Kumar Gupta, Dr Satpal, RS Mehta, Ali Asgar Choudhary, Rukhsana Gani, RK Sharma, Rehana Batul, Inderjeet Singh, Ravinder Kumar Pandita, Zubair Ahmad, Nazir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Hanif, Ram Rattan Sharma, MH Bhatti, Onkar Nath, Mushtaq Fatima, Reva Kumari, Masood Ahmad Raja, Shamima Rashid, Mohammad Shafi, Ram Gopal, Nasir Iqbal Parae, Rattan Lal Bhellum, Ajay Singh Jamwal, Mohammad Akbar Ganai, Hafiz-ullah Shah, Arif-ullah, Mir Tariq Ali, MK Raina, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Syed Shabir Hussain, S. Bachan Singh, Ghulam Rasool Khan, Gulzar Hussain and Sheela Bhagat. The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Dr Shahida Mir as principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, and the promotion of Mohammad Ramzan, Additional Secretary, Legislative Assembly, as the Secretary, Legislative Assembly.
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1,500 students participate in education expo
Jammu, June 13 As many as 1,500 students visited the education fair, who were provided counselling in different courses like
B.Tech, MBBS, MD, MMDS, BDS, MBA, BBA, MCA, BCA, aeronautics, hospitality and aviation. Majority of aspirants, particularly boys, showed their interest for B.Tech
course. Sheela Sharma, a mother, said: “Such types of fairs are time-saving and on-the-spot counselling helps us to select better career options for our wards. Such fairs should be organised every year.” In the expo, over 50 engineering colleges, management institutes, medical and dental colleges have displayed their stalls that visited huge rush of aspirants along with their parents. On-the-spot registration and admission was available in the education fair. Manish
Dhande, director marketing, said: “It is an ideal platform for
counselling/ admission assistance to aspirants for engineering streams through
AIEEE/ state engineering tests, medical sciences through AICBSE/state-PMT and management courses through management aptitude tests.” He said participating institutes had a track record of over 90 per cent placement with leading MNCs and Indian
Corporates. |
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No respite from heat wave
Jammu, June 13 In the past few days, the mercury in Jammu has crossed the 43° mark and continues to soar with every passing day. “We prefer to stay indoors as the soaring temperature is not good for health as it soaks all the vital salts and water from the body,” Ajay Sharma, a local resident, said. Most of the people prefer to come out during the evening when the temperature drops a bit. “When the sun sets we prefer to walk along the Ranbir canal as the cold water in the canal send out a cool breeze that is a bit soothing from the scorching sun,” Sham
Lal, a local resident, said. The hawkers and the vegetable vendors also remain off the roads in the daytime and set up their kiosks after the sunset. “All vegetables could dry if we place them in open during daytime. So we come on the streets during the evening to save our vegetables from the direct sun,” Sanjeev Kumar, a vegetable vendor, said. Officials of the Metrological Department say that the residents of Jammu may have to bear the brunt of the scorching sun for some more days. |
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Total bandh in Leh
Leh, June 13 Adjoining areas, including Skalzangling and
Choglamsar, were also affected by the bandh. Life, which has started to pick up in the snowbound region with the reopening of the
Srinagar-Leh National Highway and the Leh- Manali road after remaining close for the past six months, has been completely affected by the
bandh. People are not getting fresh vegetables and fruits, as vendors too joined the bandh to express solidarity with the traders. Tourists are not able to find meals in restaurants. Christ Martin from England lamented, “The tourists are facing problems to get food as restaurants are also
closed.” Sonam added, “The Leh bandh was observed to pressure the state government to relax the imposition of VAT in
Ladakh.” |
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Forest fire on Vaishno Devi route
Udhampur, June 13 Additional chief executive officer of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board MK Diviadi said a wild forest fire broke out in the Sanjichat area and started towards Bhairon ridges with the help of speedy winds. “The area being inaccessible, the fire started spreading to the lower reaches,” he said, adding over 250 employees, including Shrine Board staff, firemen, CRPF and police personnel, were pressed into service to control the fire. In another incident, a fire broke out on the ridges across the Adhkuwari while preventive measures such as temporary shifting of LPG stores, deploying of adequate firefighters etc. were taken to ensure the fire did not spread to the Adhkumari
establishment. |
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Separatists shifted to Jammu jails
Jammu, June 13 Hurriyat leaders Shabir Shah and Naeem Khan, Asia Indrabi, president of the Dukhtran-e- Milat, her close aide Famiza, Mohd Ashraf Sarai (second only to Hardline Hurriyat Leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani) and two others have been put up in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur and Kot Bhalwal jails. Sources said the leaders arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) had been specially kept away from the valley as a step to maintain peace. They may have to remain behind bars for over a year, unless the government feels their release would not compromise the safety of the masses. The leaders, who are not used to summer conditions outside the valley, were shifted quietly and had been kept in a tight security.
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Two killed in land mine blast
Jammu, June 13 Sources said the victims were working in the fields when the blast took place. The deceased are identified as Mohd Riyasat and Mohd Arif Khan and injured are Mohd Taufeel and Mohd Khaleel. Brig Gurdeep Singh, Brig General Staff of the 16 Corps, said the Army had marked warnings for the villagers at the areas where mines had been laid and it was unfortunate that the incident took
place. |
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Three MLAs
administered oath
Srinagar, June 13 The legislators were administered oath at a function held at the Rajgarh lawns of the Assembly, an official spokesman said. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, state Cabinet ministers, including Abdul Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar, and several legislators were present on the occasion. |
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Srinagar, June 13 The operation was launched at Kamghari village, 140 km from here, following specific information about the presence of militants, a defence spokesman said. The militants opened fire on troops of 47 Rashtriya Rifles, the spokesman said, adding that one militant was killed in the gunbattle. This is the second encounter between militants and the security forces in the area within a week. On June 8, three militants and two Amy personnel, including an officer, were killed at Gulab Post near the LoC. — PTI
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1 killed, 17 hurt in accidents
Jammu, June 13 Police sources said a motorcyclist, Sukhdev Singh, was crushed to death when he was hit by a speeding truck
near the Balole bridge at Indra Nagar. The body was handed over to family members after the postmortem. Meanwhile, seventeen other persons were admitted to the GMC, Jammu, after they sustained injuries in different road accidents in the city today. |
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Cop among two shot
Srinagar, June 13 The police said militants were suspected to have carried out the killing around 10.55 am. The victims have been identified as constable Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Sopore and at present serving in Budgam, and Asif Ahmad Dar also of Sopore. Official sources said “Dar’s kin is a policeman and their murder may be a revenge killing by militants, two of whom were killed in an encounter in this apple town. |
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Srinagar, June 13
