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Buses collide head on, 34 pilgrims hurt
Amandeep Murder Case |
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Sikh bodies hail CM’s decision
Centre for research fails to take off
Vohra hosts farewell dinner for Lt-Gen Bhardwaj
Pak wrestling team on ‘Mission Dosti’
Haryana wrestler clinches title
Corporation intensifies sanitation drive
Id festivities continue a day later
Protests in valley over ‘sacrilege’
Militant, jawan killed in encounter
Army builds girls hostel in Ladakh
Indira Awas Yojana
Maharaja Hari Singh remembered
LPG distributor penalised
2 Tibetans killed in blast
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Buses collide head on, 34 pilgrims hurt
Jammu, September 22 The mishap occurred at around 4.30 pm. All the injured were pilgrims enroute to Vaishno Devi. However, passengers of the other bus (UP78DN/4899), on way from Katra to Jammu, escaped unhurt as it rammed into a rock after the collision. “The driver of the bus was talking on his cellphone when the collision took place,” said Raj Kumar of
Gorakhpur, who along with 12 of his family members was in the ill-fated bus. “The bus landed upside down in the gorge and for a while I thought we would all die,” he added. On the other hand, SDPO
Nagrota, Dy SP Faisal Qureshi said 29 passengers were injured in the mishap. “They were all pilgrims
on way to Vaishno Devi shrine,” he said. Qureshi attributed the mishap to negligence on the part of drivers, who were also injured in the mishap. As soon as the news reached authorities, a police party from Nagrota was rushed to the spot. They shifted the injured to the local hospital in police vehicles and ambulances. Later, a crane was pressed into service to lift the bus
out of the gorge. Medical superintendent of Government Medical College Dr Romesh Gupta said 34 passengers were brought to the hospital. “Although some of them have sustained multiple injuries, none looked serious as of now,”
he said. Meanwhile, after the mishap vehicular traffic remained disrupted for over an hour. |
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Amandeep Murder Case
Jammu, September 22 Official sources said Latifi, who arrived here from Ramban, straightaway drove to Gandhi Nagar police station and questioned three suspended officers, Sultan Mirza, Sub Inspector Satnam Singh and munshi Talib Hussain. Thereafter, the SIT in charge left the police station and returned in the afternoon with DIG Farooq Khan, they added. The sources said Khan and Latifi then had another marathon round quizzing the three officers separately. It may be stated here that the state government had suspended six officials — SSP, Jammu, Manohar Singh, SP, South, Mumtaz Ahmed, SDPO, Gandhi Nagar, JS Katoch, SHO, Gandhi Nagar, Sultan Mirza, investigating officer, SI Satnam Singh and munshi Talib Hussain — after they allegedly fudged evidences in the high profile murder case. IG Ashok Gupta, DIG, Jammu-Kathua range, Farooq Khan and newly appointed SSP, Jammu, Basant Kumar Rath had visited Gandhi Nagar police station
yesterday. Following a government order, a new SIT headed by SP, Ramban, Mubassir Latifi was constituted. It comprises of Deputy Director Prosecution Omkar Singh, Deputy SP of IRP Abdul Rouf Lone and Deputy SP of CID, Jammu, HS Gill. The new SIT would be briefing DIG Farooq Khan about its investigations, said the sources. They added to ensure a fair investigation Basant Kumar Rath, SSP, Jammu, had been brought from Poonch district. The sources said the SIT was likely to question two youths Manik Jamwal of Sainik Colony and Ishuk Choudhary of Gandhi Nagar this evening. After their arrest, Manik and Ishuk had procured bail orders from a court. Both of them had provided shelter to the main accused, Jatinder Singh, alias Raja, after he had fired from the pointblank range on Amandeep Singh on August 29. The victim was the son of former MLC Deepinder Kour. The SIT has seized the records pertaining to the case so as to prevent further tampering of evidences. Section 201 RPC (destruction of evidence) has already been added to the FIR, they added. Amandeep’s mother Deepinder Kour had told The Tribune that Rs 2 crore had exchanged hands to change the weapon, a country-made pistol, and to fudge other evidences so as to provide a safe passage to the main accused Jatinder Singh. |
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Sikh bodies hail CM’s decision
Jammu, September 22 Addressing a press conference, Rangil Singh former minister and senior Sikh leader said the government’s action would send a strong signal to those who were bent upon demolishing the basic tenets of civil society for their petty interests. Various prominent Sikh leaders also spoke on the occasion and demanded stern action against the accused police officers and the person involved in the killing of Amandeep Singh.
— TNS |
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Centre for research fails to take off
Jammu, September 22 The release of first-year instalment of Rs 40 lakh has not been utilised even after more than two years. Jammu University has put blame on lack of funds, space and faculty for the purpose. Jammu University is among 35 universities throughout the country which has been asked by the UGC to establish this department under the five-year plan (2007-2011). The university has not been able to fill up four pending vacancies - one for the post of assistant director and three for other associate directors - as yet. Advertisement for the vacancies too has not been published in the newspapers till date. Director CSEIP and head of Political Science Kulwant Kaur said the state had been busy in holding various elections and no attention was given to the projects of the university. She also held lack of space and funds responsible for putting this project in a cold box. She said: “We do not have enough space for another such centre in the university. Then after the term for the CSEIP expires in 2011, the UGC will stop aiding the project and the state government will have to fund the project, so the state government is not taking initiative in this direction.” Already two years have gone by and two more are left now. “No teaching faculty will be interested in joining the department now for the remaining two years, even if we take initiative at this stage,” she added. The funds allocated by the UGC for the first year to the tune of Rs 40 lakh have not been utilised yet. She said: “Some of the amount has been spent on organising extended lectures, seminars and workshops on marginal sections of society. But we could not utilise the entire amount in the absence of an exclusive department.” The project, which was handed over to the Department of Social Sciences, failed but she said researchers of the departments of sociology, economics and history were still doing research on marginal sections of society. |
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Vohra hosts farewell dinner for Lt-Gen Bhardwaj
Srinagar, September 22 Lt-Gen Bhardwaj is scheduled to take over as the next Vice-Chief of the Army Staff at the Army Headquarters on October 1, an official spokesman said here today. Presenting a memento to Lt-Gen Bhardwaj, the Governor lauded his distinguished services over the past four decades, particularly during his tenure as the Northern Army Commander. He wished Lt-Gen Bhardwaj a bright and successful career ahead. Governor’s wife Usha Vohra, DGP Kuldeep Khoda, Corps Commander, 15 Corps, Lt-Gen Bikram Singh, Corps Commander, 16 Corps, Lt-Gen RK Swamy, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University Riyaz Punjabi, Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora, Sidiq Wahid and Principal Secretary to the Governor Raj Kumar Goyal were among those present on the occasion. Jammu: Meanwhile, the chief of the Udhampur-based Northern command, Lt-Gen PC Bhardwaj, paid a farewell visit to the Principal Controller Defence Accounts (PCDA), Northern Command, office at Satwari, Jammu, today. The GOC-in-C was received by Gautam Sen, Principal Controller of Defence Accounts, Northern Command, and was introduced to his senior officers. In the farewell programme, Lt-Gen PC Bhardwaj addressed the officers of the PCDA, and spoke on the synergy in functions between the Army Northern Command and the PCDA, office. Lt-Gen Bhardwaj appreciated the support given by PCDA officers and staff and said joint efforts be strengthened for the optimum utilisation of funds towards the operational efficiency of the armed forces in the state. |
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Pak wrestling team on ‘Mission Dosti’
Katra, September 22 “For the first time in my life, I have celebrated Eid without my family members, but I have no regrets because people of this region gave us overwhelming love and affection,” said Khawaja Flahuddin Naik, assistant manager of the visiting Pakistani team. A resident of Lahore, Naik has affection for this land because Ludhiana is his birth place. He preferred to speak in Punjabi while giving details
about his team. Naik is visiting Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, although he has seen other parts of India. The seven-member team, including four wrestlers and three officials, were accorded a rousing reception in this holy town where “Navratra” festival is in full swing. Hundreds of people, including devotees from outside the state, cheered the Pakistani wrestlers who were seen wearing traditional Dogra turbans while attending a huge procession in the city. And even as the wrestlers were slugging it out, flower petals were being showered on them by a chopper. The coach of the Pakistani team Mohammad Shafiq, who belongsto Lahore, said their main aim was to strengthen ties friendship and brotherhood among people of both sides. “Mission Dosti was started in 2004 and I am fortunate enough that I got the opportunity to participate in it every year,” said Sadiq. “I pray that ‘Allah’ grants me this opportunity every year in the future as well,”
he added. Abdul Ramzan, one of the wrestlers who lost to Prince, a grappler from Amritsar, said: “It is not a question of winning or losing; what matters is the love and the friendship between two countries.” “Such events will not solve border problems, but will definitely help in strengthening people-to-people ties,” observed Safiq. Hundreds of people from Reasi, Katra and adjoining localities attended the event. The minister for technical education and sports RS Chib was the chief guest on the
occasion. |
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Haryana wrestler clinches title
Katra, September 22 The final turned out to be a virtually one-sided affair. In the four contests that were held between Pakistani and Indian grapplers, the latter won three. Mohammad Ali was the only Pakistani wrestler who won. Hitesh Kumar, Gurinder Singh and Prince won the matches for the Indian side. Hitesh Kumar, who was also the champion last year, was awarded Rs 51,000 and silver ‘Gurj’. According to president of J&K chapter of Indian Style Wrestling Championship, Shiv Kumar Sharma, as many as 50 wrestlers from different parts of country participated in the contest. |
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Corporation intensifies sanitation drive
Jammu, September 22 Instructions have been issued to the sanitary inspectors of the corporation to keep the city clean during Navratras. The road from Airport to Governor House, Vikram Chowk to Railway Station and Dogra Chowk to DC office would be made garbage free. Health officer of the corporation Anwar Choudhary said sufficient safai karamcharies had been deputed on this assignment and one additional vehicle for the garbage collection had been engaged. “Though these roads fall under the Public Works Department and it is their responsibility to make these roads clean, they are not doing so. Now, we have decided to look after it,” Choudhary said. “Every year, during Navratras we witness a huge rush of tourists who come to pay obeisance at the Mata Vashno Devi shrine in Katra. The garbage scattered on the roads give wrong impression about the city,” said the health officer. He said: “We have given clear instructions to the safai karamcharies to maintain cleanliness in all city temples, particularly at the Bagh-e-Bahu Fort and railway station.” The anti-adulteration drive is also going on in the city. “Usually during festival season shopkeepers import adulterated khoya in a large quantity from neighbouring states like Punjab,” Choudhary said. “We have lifted a few samples of khoya from various markets. However, the samples were found fit for human consumption,” he added. Various samples of sweets, cheese and ghee have also been lifted from the market, which would be sent to the municipal testing laboratory for analysis. |
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Id festivities continue a day later
Srinagar, September 22 Most of the private educational institutions observed a holiday today as well. However, as compared to the huge traffic congestion at various places yesterday, there was little traffic on city roads today. There was thin attendance at government offices as well. Hundreds of people continued to throng Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence to felicitate him. These included cabinet ministers, ministers of state, members of Parliament, legislators, mediapersons, advocates, et al. A large number of young men, women and children also visited the CM’s residence. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union ministers, members of Parliament, among other leaders also greeted the CM over the telephone. Meanwhile, cellphones were flooded with SMS greetings among relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances yesterday. “We got no time to even visit relatives yesterday as most of the day was spent responding to SMSes and answering the phone,” said a schoolteacher whose husband is a bank officer. On the other hand, yesterday’s festivities have left the city in a mess with polythene bags and other waste material spreads all over roads, lanes, bylanes, footpaths and parks. |
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Ex-varsity contractual staff hold protest
Jammu, September 22 The demonstrators protested under the banner of the All SKUAST Jammu Ad hoc, Contractual Employees Union. Stating their strength to be 300, they maintained that they were dismissed by the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar recently. “We have been working for 16 hours a day for a monthly remuneration of Rs 2,100,” they said. They alleged “the Vice-Chancellor asked us to open account deposit certificates that cost each employee Rs 600. But after the process was over we were disengaged.” Their demands included the reinstatement of all former employees, removal of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar
and a vigilance inquiry into the appointment of the PRO and his promotion to the rank of Deputy Registrar within a span
of five years. |
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Protests in valley over ‘sacrilege’
Srinagar, September 22 The trouble started when the residents of Rambagh and Natipora localities noticed firecrackers wrapped in papers inscribed with Koranic verses, official sources said. Protesting against the “sacrilegious” action, the residents assembled at Baighpora on the Srinagar-Chrar-e-Sharief road and staged a sit-in demanding registration of a case against the manufacturers. The police seized the firecrackers from all shops in the area and gave assurance of action in accordance with the law, but the protesters refused to disperse and tried to stage a march. However, they were stopped by the police leading to minor clashes between the two sides, the sources said, adding none was hurt in the
lathicharge. Tension also gripped Warpora village in Sopore, 55 km from here in Baramulla district, this afternoon against a similar “sacrilegious” action, but the police intervened and controlled the situation.
— PTI |
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Militant, jawan killed in encounter
Srinagar, September 22 Another encounter started between hiding militants and 13 RR personnel at Ajas in Bandipore district this evening, sources here said. The sources said 32 RR personnel gunned down a militant in Ladoo forests in Baramulla district. The operation was still in progress. According to the police, three Army personnel -- lance naik Devkar Sagar Ramdass, lance naik Bharat Singh and rifleman Ram Sharma of 32 RR -- were critically injured in the encounter. They were shifted to the 92 Base hospital here. Lance naik Devkar Sagar Ramdass died in the hospital, the police said. Meanwhile, the security forces seized two AK rifles, nine magazines, 258 rounds, two UBGL grenades, two hand grenades, two GPS, two compass, an I-Com set, a Thuraiya Sat phone with batteries, a pocket knife, a matrix sheet and a mobile phone from a site of encounter in Kupwara district. Two foreign militants were killed in the encounter with the security forces in Trehgam forest area of Kupwara district the other day, the police said. |
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Army builds girls hostel in Ladakh
Srinagar, September 22 The hostel, constructed at a cost of Rs 20 lakh by the Tiger Hill Brigade, was inaugurated yesterday, much to the delight of the people of remote Skurbuchan, 550 km from here, an Army spokesman said today. He said the Army constructed the hostel at the request of locals for the girls who come from far-flung areas to study in the school. The Army has also set up women empowerment centres, besides conducting winter tuitions for students who need additional classes, he said. — PTI |
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Indira Awas Yojana
Jammu, September 22 They were raising slogans against the chief engineers of the Irrigation & Flood Control, PHE and the block development officer (BDO) of Khour block for ignoring their repeated requests. They, through a memorandum, demanded immediate removal of the Khour BDO and an inquiry into the bungling in the distribution of financial aid under the Indira Awas Yojana, favouring influential persons in matters of distribution of sewing machines and benefits under the below poverty line (BPL) scheme. Later, a 12-member delegation headed by Khajuria called on the Divisional Commissioner and submitted a memorandum of their grievances. |
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Maharaja Hari Singh remembered
Jammu, September 22 Schoolchildren also presented cultural programmes on the occasion. Minister for Medical and Technical Education RS Chib was the chief guest on the occasion while president of the Dogra Sadar Sabha and former minister Gulchain Singh Charak was the guest of honour. Representatives of the Brahman Sabha, Rajput Sabha, Arora Sabha, Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Balmiki Sabha, Sanatan Dharam Sabha and the VHP also attended the function. Speaking on the occasion, organisers of the newly floated organisation contradicted the recent statements of some Kashmiri leaders that accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India was made under compulsion. |
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LPG distributor penalised
Jammu, September 22 During the inspection, he found Harnam Singh issuing bills of Gulmohar Gas Green Belt, Gandhi Nagar, to the consumers while the LPG cylinders were being issued from a vehicle (JK02H 4825) bring driven by Om Prakash. Sambyal got some of the cylinders checked in a laboratory and verified their weight. It was found that 13 cylinders were weighing less by 400 gms to 2 kg than the prescribed weight. All cylinders were later seized and legal proceedings was ordered. He compounded the case for Rs 40, 000 and directed the distributor to ensure correct weighing of the cylinders. |
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2 Tibetans killed in blast
Srinagar, September 22 The deceased have been identified as Tashi Tundup, a resident of Camp No. 11, and Ishy Dolma, a resident of Camp No. 5, both Choglamsar. Tsering Udon, a resident of Camp No.11, was injured near the MAHY Army range, Leh, the police said. An FIR has been registered. |
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