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Students block road, get water supply
Class XII exams |
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Road blocked over irregular power supply
Militant’s son, SPO among three held
MC Elections
Newspaper hawker killed in mishap
Major fire tragedy averted
Special kids leave for coaching at Gurgaon
Contempt petition against Chief Secy quashed
‘Sawhney expelled from PDP’
Governor, CM greet people on Budh Purnima
Scorching heat makes job tough for women traffic cops
2 infiltrators shot dead
37 heritage sites declared protected monuments
Make universities centres of global excellence: Governor United Jehad Council’s terms for talks
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Students block road, get water supply
Udhampur, May 26 And they did succeed in getting their demand fulfilled as the blockade made district officials rush to the spot and make arrangements for water supply. The seriousness of their grievance could be gauged from the fact that almost all 500 students on the rolls, including girls, were forced to take the step.” We resorted to this step because all our requests in this regard had so far fallen on deaf ears,” said students Anju and Puja, who requested their classes should not be mentioned. In the absence of any effort to restore the water supply disrupted about six months ago, the students had to get water from a natural spring, about one- and- a- half km from the school, daily. Those who found it difficult used to request others to get their bottles filled. The daily grind turned out to be exhaustive due to the soaring mercury. Incidentally, Reasi recorded 44°C today. As soon as the school opened today, the students came out of the classes and staged a protest on the highway in front of the school. They also raised Tehsildar, Reasi, Puran Chand, along with SHO Varinder Gupta reached the spot after an hour and requested the students to end the protest. But the
students did not relent and lifted the blockade only after a water tanker reached the school premises on the instructions of the Tehsildar. “We have assured the students that a water tanker of the Public Health Engineering Department will be available in the school daily till its closure for the summer vacation from June 1. The supply will definitely be restored when its reopens,” the officer told The Tribune. The step also elicited a promise that the shortage of teaching staff would be taken up with the higher authorities. |
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Class XII exams
Jammu, May 26 “All these students dedicated their success to the redefined system of education at SR Public School,” she said. “SR Public School also segregates students into different groups to provide them intensive and rigorous coaching for clearing competitive exams,” said Parveen Sharma, chairman of the school. |
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Road blocked over irregular power supply
Irked over the irregular power supply, residents of Shamli Colony in Satwari blocked the Jammu-RS Pura road for a few minutes today.
The protesters accompanied by the Nirbhow Nirvair Organisation also burnt tyres on the road and shouted anti-government slogans. Harjeet Singh, president of the Nirbhow Nirvair Organisation, said, “Due to the negligence of PDD officials a large number of electronic gadgets have been damaged and people have suffered huge losses. Still no official concerned has visited the area.” The protesters demanded that the state government should give some compensation to the colony residents. |
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Militant’s son, SPO among three held
Jammu, May 26 Besides arms and ammunition, the security forces also seized some hawala money from the trio, which they had been using to provide weapons
to ultras in the militancy infested border district. “In a joint operation, the Army and the police arrested three persons, including the son of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, from a house in the Sabjian area and seized some arms and ammunition and about Rs 40,000,” Brigadier General Staff of 16 Corps, Brig Gurdeep Singh told The Tribune. Manmohan Singh, SSP, Poonch district described the arrests as a big success against the depleting Hizbul Mujahideen in Poonch. “We arrested Mohammed Azam, a Class XII student and son of Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen commander Mohammed Akbar, SPO Mohammed Younis and Nissar Ahmed Bandey from a house,” he said. Azam’s father, who is a dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen militant, had crossed the LoC in 1992 for arms training in the PoK and was still there, said the SSP. “While his father is still in the PoK, Azam, along with the SPO and Nissar, had been indulging in arms smuggling using hawala money,” he added. Azam’s house in Chapryal village is located close to the LoC in the Sabjian area under the jurisdiction of Mandi police station. “Now, we would probe all aspects as to from where the arrested persons had been getting the hawala money to fund militant activities in the area,” said the SSP. However, as of now their direct involvement in militancy could not been established and it appeared that they had been indulging into arms smuggling using hawala money, the SSP said. He said the security forces seized three pistols, seven magazines, one camera, one solar battery charger and two mobile phones and Rs 39,843 from the house. The troops of 40 Rashtriya Rifles and the police participated in the operation. |
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MC Elections
Jammu, May 26 All this because of an anomaly in Form-3 meant for applying for the inclusion of names in the voter list. The form asks the claimant to just mention he is a citizen of India. But in the state, having a special status under Article 370, only a Permanent Resident Certificate holder is eligible to vote in the Assembly and local body polls. Now, after applicants have submitted the forms, many political parties and prospective candidates have realised that many ‘outsiders’ could have become voters due to the anomaly. Hence, they are collecting the certificates from genuine cases so as to get their names included in the list. A former councillor, Shiv Chander Verma, told The Tribune that many voters in his area were now submitting the requisite certificate so that they could cast vote. Assistant Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Charanjit Singh said as the voter list was being revised after 2005 and for some reasons people seem to have not been properly informed about the
eligibility criteria for becoming a voter. He said the MC Act clearly stated that anyone eligible for casting vote in the state Assembly was eligible to cast vote in the MC polls as well. Sources in the MC told The Tribune that many non-state residents had also applied for the inclusion of their names in the voter list and some of them also got through
till the anomaly was pointed out. These voters would have eventually got the Permanent Resident Certificate. The Assistant Commissioner ruled out any such problem. “We have taken due care and only genuine state residents will become voters,” he added. |
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Newspaper hawker killed in mishap
Jammu, May 26 Sham Lal, driver of the car, a resident of Ram Nagar, has been arrested and the
car was also seized, the police added. An eyewitness, Rajpal Verma, said after hearing a loud noise they rushed towards the spot and found Rashpal lying in a pool of blood. “We immediately informed the police who later arrested the driver and took him to the police station,” said Rajpal. He added that Rashpal was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, where the
doctors declared him brought dead. The deceased is survived by with two sisters, one brother, father and mother. Chanchal Singh, SHO, Channi Himmat police station, said: “A case has been registered and we are investigating the matter.” |
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Major fire tragedy averted
Bari Brahmana (Samba), May 26 Around 3:30 pm, a bundle of cable came in touch with a welding set in the yard of Singla Cables and caught fire. Though the employees tried to douse the fire, it spread and engulfed the whole factory. Nearly 100 employees of the factory were trapped when they tried to save the shed of the factory and the fire melted the steel roof partially. Tarun Kumar, owner of Singla Cables, said, “Our employees tried their best to fight the fire but it was so devastating that it could not be controlled without the help of firemen.” He further said they immediately called the police and Fire Department personnel, who brought the fire under control after three or four hours. “By the time the fire was doused all goods had been burnt which could have been saved had the fire engines arrived early,” said Tarun. He said they had an order from BSNL for the supply of cable on time but due to the incident they had lost the stock of ready cable. “Though the factory is fully insured, we have suffered a huge loss,” he added. A total of eight fire engines, which were summoned from Jammu and Samba, were pressed into service to douse the flames and the fire was finally doused around 7:30 pm. An eyewitness, Surinder Singh, said, “The smoke billowing out of the factory formed thick black clouds.” All senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sourabh Bhagat, SSP, Samba, Raghbir Singh, DSP, Bari Brahmana, Munish Anand, reached the factory. The Deputy Commissioner said, “A timely action by firemen saved a major tragedy from happening, which could otherwise have burnt the entire industrial area as the factory is near the Power Grid station.” The owner of the factory, who is considered to be a prominent businessman, is a resident of Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, and also owns a steel factory, Kashmir steels, in the same industrial area. |
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Special kids leave for coaching at Gurgaon
Jammu, May 26 The camp is being organised by Haryana chapter of the Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), under
the guidance of national director Ali Kazim and national chairman, SOB, Air Marshal (retd)
Denzil Keelor. Five coaches of special athletes from Jammu and Srinagar were flagged off by Mehmood Rana, director, social welfare, at sports complex, MA stadium, this morning. On the occasion, Rana appreciated the efforts of the state unit of the SOB and assured support for such good samaritan acts. “The state has tremendous potential in remote hilly areas which needs to be traced and honed. The state chapter of SOB has been carrying a massive campaign in this regard,” said Dr Ashvini Jojra, state president, SOB. YV Sharma, chairman of the state chapter of SOB, was also present. |
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Contempt petition against Chief Secy quashed
Jammu, May 26 Complaining disobedience of the directions issued on a writ petition, whereby a judgement delivered was ordered to govern the dispute raised in the writ petition with regard to the selection of Junior Engineers (Civil) Grade-II and SRO 180 of May 26, 1997, by Vijay Bakaya, the then Chief Secretary, Dr RK Jerath, the then Commissioner/Secretary to the government, Public Works Department, and KM Wani, the then chairman of the Subordinate Services Recruitment Board, the petitioner, Sumeet Sharma, filed a contempt petition against the functionaries aforementioned of the state government. The petitioner, in a nutshell, submitted that the state functionaries had failed to draw the merit list of candidates who had participated in the selection process for the post of Junior Engineers (Civil) Grade-II in terms of the directions of the court applying the provisions of SRO 180 of 1997 minus Note 3 appended thereto, which stood quashed by the court. “The Chief Secretary of the state has filed the compliance report indicating that on redrawing the merit list, ignoring the ratio of 1:3 as indicated in Note 3 to SRO 180 of 1997, which stood quashed by the court, the last candidate selected in the open merit category would secure 61.06 points whereas the petitioner had obtained 61 points. The petitioner, accordingly, figured at serial No. 03 of the waiting list of the degree holders. The last selected candidate in the open merit category among the degree holders obtained 61.22 points, whereas the last selected candidate among the diploma holders would secure 60.74 points.” “I have considered the submissions of Sumeet Sharma and found that the issue sought to be projected by the petitioner questioning the appointment of two persons who, according to him, were ineligible for such appointment, is foreign to the scope of these proceedings where the limited question that falls for consideration is as to whether the respondents had committed any wilful disobedience of the directions issued in the petitioner’s petition,” ruled the Judge. |
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‘Sawhney expelled from PDP’
Jammu, May 26 Sawhney, in a statement issued here, said he tried to do whatever best he could do for re-establishing the PDP in the Jammu region, especially the post-Amarnath land row. He added that the party leadership was surrounded by a coterie, who was hampering the interest of the party and the PDP decision-making was in the hands of this coterie, which was anti-Jammu region. PDP general secretary Balbir Singh on the other hand said after the completion of the inquiry ordered by party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Sawhney was expelled from primary membership of the party. He claimed that Sawhney’s involvement had been established into creating ugly scenes during the April 26 rally and the PDP leadership had taken serious note of such indecent acts and ultimately expelled him from the party. |
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Governor, CM greet people on Budh Purnima
Srinagar, May 26 In his message, the Governor described, “Lord Buddha as an apostle of peace whose message of ahimsa and non-violence assumes greater relevance today when the world is faced with growing intolerance and the cult of violence.” Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also felicitated the people on the eve of Buddha Purnima wishing welfare and prosperity to them. In his message, Omar said festivals and religious occasions provide us an opportunity to share the happiness with each other and further unite the bonds of brotherhood, communal amity and love. |
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Scorching heat makes job tough for women traffic cops
Jammu, May 26 To issue challans to the female traffic offenders, the Jammu police has deployed lady constables for a trial period of six months. “If this proves beneficial, the period will be extended,” said a senior traffic cop. Though the female constables were seen performing their duties with heart and soul, yet they were desperately looking for water. Santosh Kumari, who was earlier deputed with IRP-15 Batallion, said, “It is a good experience. Earlier, we used to sit in a complex and occasionally came on roads for duties.” Another female constable, Sureshtha Devi, who had worked with the Jammu Kashmir Armed Police at the police lines said, “The job is challenging and difficult to perform, but we have already decided to serve the people. So, it is also a part of our duty.” She further said it was very difficult to manage the traffic in this scorching heat, but she will try her best to perform her duty.” SP (Traffic), Jammu, Zahid Manhas said, “Though adequate arrangements were not made to provide relief to the women on the first day of their duty, but all arrangements will be made soon.” He further said a total of 40 women constables were deployed on roads today for training purposes and within a few days they would be permanently deployed. He added that the women constable would surely help in streamlining the traffic scenario of the city and keep a check on female traffic rule offenders. |
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2 infiltrators shot dead
Srinagar, May 26 “Detecting suspicious movement, the troops challenged the infiltrators, who opened fire and tried to escape under the cover of darkness. However, in the ensuing gunfight both infiltrators were killed,” said an Army officer based in Srinagar. The identity of the slain militants was yet not known. The operation was still going in the area. Meanwhile, a joint search operation was conducted by the Kokernag police with the assistance of 36 RR and 3 RR in the Souf-Shali forest area near Hangalgund village today. Four Chinese grenades, one UBGL, two AK magazines, one radio set and 215 AK cartridges were seized. |
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37 heritage sites declared protected monuments
Srinagar, May 26 Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora said this during a visit to the historical shrine of Hazrat Sayeed Mohammad Madni Sahib at Hawal here today. Renowned scholar and MLC MY Teing, filmmaker Rama Panday, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah and other senior officers and experts accompanied the minister. Jora said the government was going to enact a law for the conservation and protection of all state monuments. He added that a few more monuments were in the process of being declared as state protected monuments. The shrine of Hazrat Syed Mohammad Madni Sahib is a state protected monument and its historical and architectural glory has been restored to a large extent by the State Archaeological Department. The mosque and Hamam on the shrine complex was built during the period of Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin in 1440 AD. It is believed that the shrine was one of the pre-Mughal structures carrying very distinct architectural features, including earthen roof, and the monument is also famous for its glazed tile work throughout the world. Giving details of the conservation works of heritage places in the state, the minister said the restoration work on Hari Parbat, Chingus, Bhahu, Reasi Forts and Mubarak Mandi Palace, besides the Kathyar ancient temple and spring was going on in full swing. Jora said, “Kashmir is also rich in heritage tourism and the government endeavours to promote it in the valley.” He added, “We have to educate our children about our rich culture and ethos through organised visits to the historical and religious places so that they remain fully aware about Kashmir’s decades’ old cultural values known all over the world. Appreciating the role of filmmaker Rama Panday for making a documentary on the historical shrine of Hazrat Syed Mohammad Madni Sahib, the minister said this documentary would not only be beneficial for preserving our historical and religious place, but would also make aware people outside the state about this centuries’ old pilgrimage and historical monument.
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Make universities centres of global excellence: Governor Srinagar, May 26 He was addressing a gathering after felicitating the best performers of the University of Kashmir at a special award function which was organised by the Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance (DIQA) to honour those who have contributed significantly to the development of the university in its various fields. The Governor recalled that ancient India had the distinction of being the most renowned seat of learning and knowledge. With historical events over the centuries and, in more recent times, due to the adverse impact of the colonial rule, the centres of learning were destroyed. He dwelt on the development of the education system in the country, particularly from the Education Policy adopted by Lord Macaulay and the scenario which prevailed till Independence. Referring to state universities being evaluated as A- grade institutions by National Assessment and Accredition Council (NAAC), the Governor said these should set their own standards of measuring performance which could be even higher than the parameters fixed by the UGC or NAAC. The ISO-9000 Certificate awarded to the Library of the University of Kashmir recently was presented to the Governor, who is also its Chancellor. Deputy Adviser, NAAC, Bangalore, Dr M. S. Shyamasundar, who was the guest of honour, in his keynote address, dwelt upon the functioning of the centre and various parameters fixed by it for evaluation of any institution of higher learning. He said the University of Kashmir was among the few in the country which had implemented its recommendations.He also stressed the need for proper documentation of all initiatives taken by any institution for future reference. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Riyaz Punjabi, dwelling on the aims and objects of organising the function hoped that holding of this event would go a long way in promoting and establishing healthy practices to inculcate the spirit of competition among the stakeholders.
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United Jehad Council’s terms for talks Srinagar, May 26 In a statement issued from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK) and circulated here, UJC spokesman Syed Sadaqat Hussain said: “The militant leadership is ready to join tripartite talks if the Government of India accepts Kashmir as a dispute and initiates confidence-building measures, including the revocation of the Armed forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).” He also said the Centre should release all political prisoners and check all kinds of human rights violations in the state. “If Dr Manmohan Singh is sincere about initiating meaningful talks with the militant leadership, he must take these initiatives to set the process in motion. The Government of India must realise that bilateral efforts made in the past have proved futile due to the absence of the real Kashmiri representatives in such initiatives”, Hussain said. The UJC spokesman said there should be no precondition of asking militants to lay down arms before entering into any parleys. “If the talks process with the militant leadership is initiated in good faith and with a sincerity of purpose and it makes headway towards the resolution of the issue, the militant activities would cease on their own,” he said.
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Almost all students of Government High School, Kheral, about 15 km from Reasi, today boycotted classes, but for a different reason. They blocked traffic on the Reasi-Pouni stretch of the National Highway.
Bari Brahmana (Samba), May 26
On the first day of their deployment for managing traffic yesterday, women constables were heard requesting their male colleagues to allow them to go back early because of the scorching heat.The temperature, which touched 43 degree Celsius , proved a major hurdle for these female cops, who were earlier performing their duties at the district police lines.
