Beoli (Doda), September 3
While it will take a couple of years for setting up water treatment plants for providing safe drinking water to the entire population of Doda, panicky people living in its periphery have stopped using piped water, which is still being directly lifted and supplied from a nullah.

Seven people have reportedly died of gastroenteritis in and around Doda so far by drinking contaminated water while more than 2,000 have fallen ill since the outbreak of the waterborne disease.

While schools here have suspended classes, children in villages are saddled with a new job of ferrying water from far-flung springs in this rugged and mountainous district.

Beoli is one such village where Adil, a Class VII student, accompanied by his younger brother Haider, ferries water for domestic chores all through the day.

To make their task little easier, they transport water cans on a hand-driven cart that moves on a single wheel carved out of wood.

But there are many more children like them. Carrying small plastic bottles and small cans, the platoon of children keeps frequenting the dusty road of Beoli village for arranging water for their homes.

The Public Health Engineering Department has the network of pipes in the town and provides water from the Koti nullah. But after about 24 persons contracted gastroenteritis, the panicky villagers stopped using untreated piped water.

A natural spring nearby a stone crusher, which is 3-4 miles from their village, is the prime source of water for them. As people no longer use the water supplied by the department since the outbreak of gastroenteritis, the small natural spring remains crowded by the villagers, mostly children.

“We no longer have faith in the piped water. It’s harmful for health. After drinking piped water my mother and sister fell ill. They are still being treated at the district hospital,” said Danish Hussain, who reads in Class V.

“Last year, we got piped water from Gadhi in June and July. Thereon, the supply pipeline was damaged due to landslides and it had not been repaired till now,” said Ghulam Nabi Malik, a villager. He added, “Several pipes between our village and Gadhi have been stolen but no one has taken cognisance.”

Another villager, Wali Mohammad Bhat, said, “Now, we are getting water from the Koti nullah. It is this water source in which all drains carrying filth and sewer fall. We are still being supplied water directly lifted from this source. It is unfit for drinking and many a time traces of human excreta is seen in the piped water.”

However, the water lifted from the Koti nullah that is further supplied to Doda town is treated at two reservoirs at Machchan and Sah.

Jammu, September 3
A complete bandh was observed in Akhnoor town today in protest against an erratic power supply even as hot and humid weather conditions aggravated the miseries of residents in the winter capital here.

Reports from Akhnoor said residents of the town, including shopkeepers and traders, today downed their shutters and observed the bandh protesting against the erratic power supply to the town and its adjoining areas from the past couple of days.

Chanting slogans against the Power Development Department (PDD), residents also blocked the strategic Akhnoor road for nearly three hours thereby bringing the traffic movement to a halt.

Reports said hundreds of people from Akhnoor town and its adjoining villages flocked the main bazaar and chanted slogans against the PDD authorities for their alleged failure to ensure smooth power supply, particularly on the festival of Janmashtami.

Akhnoor SHO Naresh Sharma said all shops and other business establishments remained closed today.

PDD Chief Engineer Mohammed Qasim said in the backdrop of Janmashtami the department had lifted the curtailment schedule resulting into an overloaded system.

“While we were going for scheduled cuts on rotational basis to save the system, one of the conductors of 33 KV Burn Grid station snapped, resulting into power disruption to Akhnoor,” he said.

We rectified the snag around 10 pm last night but around 12 am it tripped again and then rains aggravated our problems, he added.

The Superintending Engineer and two executive engineers PDD visited the town and pacified the protesters, he said. 

Eventually, the people lifted their dharna around 2 pm and opened their shops and business establishments.

He, however, said on September 5 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would inaugurate the Akhnoor line of the 132 KV Burn Grid Station and, thereafter, the problem would be resolved.

Regarding the winter capital, he said the 100 MVA capacity Canal Power House had already been overloaded to 160 MVA, while Salal Hydroelectric project had shut down one of its 220 MW transmission line today.

He attributed frequent power failures to the menace of kite flying, besides power theft and a badly overloaded system.

Threads being good conductor are causing a lot of inconvenience as they entangle around wires resulting into short circuits and power failures, he said.

Srinagar, September 3
Normalcy returned to the Kashmir valley on the last Friday of Ramzan today after the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference suspended its programme of protests.

The curfew, which was imposed in Anantnag three days ago following the death of a youth, was also lifted.

Preventive measures were taken in Kunzar town on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road in Baramulla district as the authorities apprehended trouble over the mysterious death of a teenaged girl a few days ago. Area residents had alleged the failure of the police in solving the case.

All shops and business establishments were open and people in large numbers thronged markets for shopping ahead of Id. They were also busy buying essential commodities. Public transport plied normally and there were traffic jams at different places in the summer capital and other major towns of the Valley.

However, government offices and educational institutions were closed today as a holiday was declared. Some private schools were also open.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the hardline faction of the APHC, Syed Ali Geelani, who had earlier set five preconditions for talks before the government and warned of intensifying the agitation, issued yet another calendar of protest programmes spread over the next 11 days.

As per the schedule, there would be no strike on Sunday followed by three consecutive days from Thursday to Saturday in view of the Id celebrations. Geelani also urged people to celebrate the festival with austerity as a mark of respect to those killed during the past over two months.

Meanwhile, at least 10 persons were injured in clashes which took place at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar, Kangan and Sopore after Friday prayers. The police lobbed teargas shells to disperse protesters indulging in stone throwing in the Nowhatta area here where the Jamia Masjid is located.

Jammu, September 3
To protest against the deployment of the Chinese troops in some parts of the occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Shiv Sena Hindustan along with the Nirbhao Nirvair Organisation (NNO) submitted a memorandum to the United Nations Organisation (UNO) today and demanded action against China.

The Sena activists also drew attention of the UNO towards the role of Pakistan in fuelling trouble in the Kashmir valley. Earlier activists of the two organisations held a rally that passed through different parts of the city. They also burnt Pakistan’s flag in protest against that country’s interference in the internal affairs of India, especially in the Kashmir valley.

The Sena pointed out that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India was full and final and the state was an integral part of India. It was also mentioned in the memorandum that a number of free and fair elections had been held in Kashmir and the high percentage of people’s participation in the elections was nothing less than a referendum.

It was also mentioned in the memorandum that there was no need of the United Nations Military Observer Group to remain in the state after the 1972 Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan. It asked the UNO authorities to pressure Pakistan to remove the Chinese forces from Gilgit and Baltisatn as their presence was a threat to India’s sovereignty and integrity.

Jammu, September 3
The Urdu Department of Jammu University organised an extensive lecture as part of “Bazyaft” Programme started by it here today.

Speaking at the function, Head of the Urdu Department, Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, criticised the sate government for neglecting its official language.

He demanded the establishment of an Urdu academy in the state and the compulsory teaching of the language up to Class X.

The function was organised in the Prof Gian Chand Jain seminar hall. Noted Urdu scholar Prof Ali Javeed said, “Urdu poetry is based on protest and many Urdu poets had from the very beginning protested against social evils of society, particularly against atrocities and inequity through their verses.”

He said Urdu had united India from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and from 1757 to 1947 it was a language that was spoken widely.

“Urdu poets by writing protest poetry against Britishers played a vital role in the freedom struggle of India,” said Javeed. He also presented some important verses those were appreciated by the audience.

The programme was attended by students, scholars and teachers of the university. The function was presided over by Prof Veena Gupta, Dean Faculty of Arts, while Zahida Khan, Director School Education, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Meenakshi Kelam, Director, DDE, was the guest of honour. 

Jammu, September 3
Gujjars, who usually migrate to the Kashmir valley during the summer, have been bearing the maximum brunt of the ongoing turmoil in the Valley as they are finding it difficult to sell their milk products in the cities and towns.

Many helpless nomads have to face the wrath of stone throwers and other protesters whenever they try to move from one place to another with their cattle.

As the prevailing situation is not conducive for them to earn their livelihood, a majority of them have decided to return to Jammu months before the commencement of winter. Gujjars usually return to Jammu in November but this time a majority of them have reached this side of Pir Panchal before the end of August.

A delegation of Gujjars, who were forced to migrate well before the winter season, today called on president of the Socialist Democratic Party Darakhshan Andrabi at Jammu to narrate their tales of woes. “We were repeatedly targeted by protestors in different parts of the Valley so we decided to migrate well before time,” rued Shakil Ahmed Poswal, who had migrated to hill areas of Anantnag before the commencement of summer, but returned to the plains of Jammu due to the hostile conditions in the Valley.

“Conditions are not conducive for nomadic people to stay in the Valley,” Poswal said and pointed out that majority of the Gujjars were finding it difficult to sell their products in the Valley.

Echoing similar views, Farooq Ahmed Chouhan, who also migrated to south Kashmir as per routine exercise in April this year, said some protesting people had taken the entire Kashmir valley hostage and the poor people had been facing tremendous problems due to this.

The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, a frontal organisation of Gujjars in the state, had recnetly pointed out that in the wake of continued strikes in the Kashmir valley, the Gujjars and Bakerwals, who have migrated to upper reaches of Pir Panjal and Zojila hills in mountain ranges of northern western Himalaya, which are connected with the Valley, were facing an acute shortage of foodgrains, medicines and other items in all areas connected with the (Dhoks) tribal belts.

The foundation had written to the state and Central governments for an immediate help in the form of food, fodder and medicines to tribal Gujjars and Bakerwals, enabling them to sustain their tribal way of life in this extraordinary situation.

Responding to the woes of Gujjars, Andrabi said, “An ineffective government and the defunct law and order machinery in Jammu and Kashmir are responsible for the alarming situation in the Valley, which has been prevailing for the last three months now.”

She said the life in the Kashmir valley was completely paralysed and it was Geelani and company that had been ruling the state. She addedd the situation in the state had completely exposed the so-called Kashmir experts in Delhi and proved them wrong. 

Jammu, September 3
The Panthers Party has taken exception to the proposed move of the Central government to announce an exclusive employment package for militants and those who have surrendered.

Addressing a press conference here today, working chairman of the Panthers Party and MLA Ramban Harsh Dev Singh said the move was disastrous and fraught with dangerous consequences.

He added any announcements for militants or for those who had surrendered would amount to humiliating and dispiriting the nationalist forces, besides having a cascading effect on the morale of the other eligible meritorious unemployed youth in various parts of the state.

Cautioning the Centre as well as the state government against indulging in any sort of misadventure or one-sided approach at the present juncture, the Panthers Party chairman called for a comprehensive and inclusive package so as to address the concerns and aspirations of people of all the three regions, namely, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

He said any employment package could not be confined to a particular section or region and had to be extended to all regions providing equal opportunities to all eligible unemployed youth and selections made in a transparent manner.

He said the unemployment issue was required to be tackled in all its seriousness. He said the issue of more than five lakh unemployed youth of the state called for a holistic approach.

Srinagar, September 3
Civilian air traffic was diverted to Indian Air Force’s airport at Awantipora in Pulwama district today after Srinagar Airport was closed for two weeks for upgradation and repairs.

The airport was earlier scheduled to be closed on September 1, but the operations continued for two more days following the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the PCC chief Saifuddin Soz,who urged the Centre to make alternative arrangements so that the closure of the airport did not affect the tourist season.

“All inbound flights to Srinagar will land at Awantipora Airport till the works at Srinagar Airport are completed”, an official of the Airport Authority of India said here today.

All passengers boarding from here have been asked to reach Srinagar Airport three hours before the scheduled departure of their flights.

After security check here, the passengers will be transported in buses of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) to Awantipopra. Those coming in from Jammu, Delhi and other destinations and landing at Awnatipore will be taken to the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) here.

Meanwhile, GoAir is the only airline which will continue its two flights daily to and from the Valley during the closure period even as most of the airlines flying to Srinagar have cut their operations till September 15.Indian Airlines will operate a total of only three flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu till September 15.Earlier, the state-owned carrier was flying to Srinagar twice daily from Delhi.

Jet Airways has cancelled all flights till September 6 with an official saying a decision on resuming flights to Srinagar will be taken after that.Air India has announced that it will operate its flights to and from Srinagar during this period on a selective basis,deciding to operate them monstly around Id.

Srinagar, September 3
On the auspicious occasion of Jumat-ul-Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramzan, lakhs of devotees today thronged shrines and mosques across the Kashmir valley.

The main congregation was held at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar where Mirwaiz Umar Farooq addressed a large gathering. Many devotees also visited the revered shrine at Hazratbal. Similar congregations were held at all shrines and mosques across the city and elsewhere in the Valley.

Addressing the gathering at Jamia Masjid, the Mirwaiz dwelt upon the rich tenets of Islam in the light of the last Friday of the holy month and appealed for unity among people. The Mirwaiz also appealed to the hardline APHC chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, for unity of approach in the prevailing situation.

The Mirwaiz rejected the self-rule or autonomy proposols of the PDP and the National Conference, respectively, for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He stressed the need for tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the issue. The Mirwaiz reiterated the demand for the withdrawal of troops; end to the killings and human rights violations, revocation of special powers to security forces and unconditional release of all political detainees.

Jammu, September 3
Even as the SHO, Thathri, was transferred and two policemen were suspended following suicide by a Tata Sumo driver that led to violent protests yesterday, a bandh was observed in Thathri till 1 p.m today.

Unable to bear harassment allegedly by the police, Mohammed Rafi jumped into the Chenab yesterday, triggering massive protests.

Shops and other commercial establishments were closed while commercial vehicles also remained off the road. Meanwhile, while enforcing the bandh, Tata Sumo drivers today allegedly roughed up one of their colleagues, who was spotted plying his vehicle on the Donadi-Bonjwah route this morning. Identified as Mohammed Hussain, the driver was thrashed by the protesters and rendered unconscious. He has been admitted to the Kishtwar district hospital and the police has taken cognisance of the incident. However, barring this incident the bandh passed off peacefully.

Meanwhile, the DIG, Doda-Ramban range, MK Sinha has transferred SHO, Thathri, Ravinder Singh Rakwal and suspended two policemen, Surjit Singh and Mohammad Amin.

Pending a magisterial probe, the SHO had been transferred to the District Police Lines in Doda while the two cops had been suspended, Sinha told The Tribune over phone.

Sinha said Mohammed Rafi’s widow Shahida Begum had been given a job of a Special Police Officer (SPO) in the police department. However, it has now come to light that Rafi was being taken to Thathri police station in connection with a missing girl case when he suddenly acted in a bizarre manner yesterday and jumped into the Chenab that flows nearby.

“Mohammed Rafi was being taken to the police station in connection with the missing girl case, but he acted strangely. He ran towards the river and jumped into it,” said the DIG. The reason behind the bizarre act was being investigated, he added.

The DIG, however, said the missing girl’s father, Abdul Karim, had informed them that his daughter, Shafia was seen travelling in Rafi’s vehicle a few days ago. “The father of the girl, in fact, had lodged a kidnapping report with the police and we eventually traced the girl’s location through her mobile phone calls to a place called Baggar,” said Sinha. He added that Abdul Karim himself had brought his daughter from Baggar.