Leh, August 4
Tsewang Narboo of Wakha village looks at his field across a seasonal rivulet and breaks into tears. About 1 acre of fertile land that fed him and his family for generations till the last year’s cloudburst is under eight-feet debris these days. And, the Ladakh administration doesn’t have money or infrastructure to get his field cleared.

It hardly gives him any strength to face the situation when told that he is not the lone sufferer and that around 250 hectares of agricultural land in Ladakh that has become unfit for cultivation like his field due to the last year’s cloudburst. The debris lay settled under the snow during winter and the summer sun baked it into a hard rock-like surface. All that time, he prayed for help, tried to do something with his shovel, but to no avail. The Ladakh administration also kept knocking at the doors of the Prime Minister’s Office for getting released Rs 133 crore for reclaiming the land lost in the cloudburst.

About 150 km away in Solar Colony, near Choglamsar, Tsering Dolma is busy cleaning willow for use in fabricating the roof of a room. This is the place where displaced victims of the cloudburst incident have been rehabilitated. Tsering Dolma was given a tent first, then she got a pre-fabricated room and now she is getting constructed another room as the Leh administration has released a compensation of Rs 2.42 lakh to her. She has now got a shelter, but has no money for the education of her children. She looks for sponsors.

Stenzin Wangmo, a young girl, has other worries. Little well off than others, her parents reconstructed the house and shops fast in the Choglamsar market. But just behind her house flows Saboo Nullah. The flow of the gentle stream was music to her ears. But last year, death flowed through it. Stenzin can’t sleep well ever since. She prays to God that nothing of that sort should happen again. She also prays to the administration to clean and widen the nullah at the earliest so that if there is a gush of water again, it can flow down smoothly.

These three persons lived miles apart, but suffered together due to the cloudburst and flashfloods of last year. A year later, they reflect on the progress made in the reconstruction of devastated Leh.

Almost a year after the cloudburst, Leh is back on its feet and is just about to move on. But to be firmly on the path of progress, it needs the Prime Minister’s Office to extend yet another helping hand, dispensing a help of Rs 407 crore.

Tourists have lent some strength to the economy, but that is mainly limited to the city of Leh. The mainstay of economy and the year-round food supply depends upon agriculture. That sector was hit the worst and would take at least yet another year, depending upon the inflow of funds, to be in a position that it was before the August 5-6 cloudburst.

Only around Rs 40 crore out of the PM package of Rs 125 crore, which included ex gratia and compensation for damaged houses, has been received so far and utilised, too. The amount received so far included Rs 25 crore for Sonam Narboo Memorial Hospital, Rs 1.25 crore for water lifting and Rs 8 crore for diesel gensets to generate 4.5 MW power daily.

The major challenge is to reclaim the lost agricultural land. Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), said around 129 hectare land was unlikely to be reclaimed. “It is covered with over six feet of debris and has become hard like rock. Another 125 hectares is inaccessible for JCB machines and has been left out for the moment,” Rigzin added.

The council roped in community leaders and motivated village panchayats and groups to clear the fields. “We are thankful to members of the JCB machine operators union who agreed to work at discounted rates. After all, it was a tragedy suffered by all,” Rigzin added.

“We were not happy taking aid and help from others. We live in extreme circumstances and the cloudburst tested our resilience. As we understood limitations of the government, we readily formed a group and cleared lot of land in our village,” said Dorji Pambar of Basgo village. This village has led the region in community service.

Chandigarh, August 4
From crying in pain on a hospital bed to clutching her mother in fear, three-and-a-half-year-old Dalden Angmo, who is known as the “Face of Leh cloudburst disaster”, has now come a long way to laughingly peddle a brand new bicycle at her home on the premises of the Chandimandir Command.

Providence helped her wade through rocks, bodies and houses floating in the flashfloods caused by the August 5-6 cloudburst at Leh. Having recovered well now, she successfully negotiates chairs, table and visitors driving the bicycle. She kind of makes a statement that she is ready to take on life having already won the greatest battle for survival she would encounter.

The tragedy took away her house and toys, but it gave her a blessing in disguise. It is to feel at home before a camera. As we stepped into her house, she remained quite, withdrawn and shy clutching to her mother till the camera was out. And it was then her show as she smiled, posed and laughed and stared in a reflective mood. She insisted on seeing each picture and her approval depended if she smiled or remained indifferent.

In perfect health and shape, Dalden Angmo may understand in many years what she went through and the importance of her survival against all odds. But her parents live through a trauma still.

“Her mother has grown very thin. Even a year after the incident, she is yet to recover both mentally and physically. She rarely feels like eating,” says Tsering Dorjey, brother of XX Dolma. Dolma’s husband, also named Tsering Dorjey, said Angmo used to get scared after hearing the sound of clouds, rain or winds. However, she was now perfectly fine. “But her mother still gets panic,” he said.

Dolma said those bad moments haunt her again and again. “I have consulted many doctors, but my fears are not going away and keep on haunting me,” she adds.

But she is happy at the way Angmo is growing up. “Thanks to the media, especially The Tribune. She is known everywhere now.” Dolma said.

She said apart from psychological scars, she was always tensed at the future of her daughter’s education and that would they be able to rebuild a house. “The Indian Army has done so much for us. But unfortunately, the Leh administration is yet to approve our application for a house in Solar Colony, where the cloudburst-hit families have been given accommodation. “Whenever we ask, the only answer the administration gives is that our file is under process,” she said. She rued that they even did not have enough money for their daughter’s education.

Dorjey said after his transfer, he decided to move to Chandigarh along with his family so that they could get good accommodation here and his wife and daughter could recover well. 

Leh, August 4
The controversy over the alleged “non-fulfilment” of promises made to two Sikh families and to a Leh girl by Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal refuses to die down. Now, the Leh Deputy Commissioner has said that the Rs 1-crore relief given by the Punjab Government was not meant for fulfilling those two promises. The DC appreciated Punjab Government’s gesture of providing Rs 1 crore and 500 trucks of fodder, but distanced himself from having any knowledge about the promises, “if any”, made to any individuals.

After having a telephonic talk with a senior official of the Punjab Government, the DC said Sukhbir offered more help, but they (the Leh administration) felt embarrassed to ask for anything more.

However, he insisted that the Rs 1 crore was not meant for any promise Sukhbir made to any individuals. “I don’t know about any promise made. I also read about them in newspapers only,” he added.

Jammu, August 4
The Samba police today detained an Army jawan and was now awaiting the consent of the Southern Command to formally arrest him for the alleged rape of a college girl, who later committed suicide, in 2007. The accused has been identified as Lance Naik Abdul Gaffar, alias Captain Aman Kumar.

Confirming the development, SSP, Samba, Israr Khan said the jawan had been detained and would be formally arrested after the consent of the Southern Command, where he was posted,was received. “He has been booked under Sections 376 and 306 of the RPC,” he said.

Police sources said the girl had an affair with Gaffar, who posed as Captain Aman Kumar.

The Samba police had reopened the case. The girl died after consuming poison in her hostel room at the industrial township of Bari-Brahmana in Samba district in 2007.

“During the course of investigations, the police established that the girl, who had an affair with the Army jawan, was also going steady with a college mate, Satpal Singh of Haryana. After knowing about her affair with Satpal, Gaffar got furious and threatened Satpal with dire consequences several times,” the sources said.

Gaffar had even demanded from Satpal the gifts, including a cellphone, which he had given to her, who in turn had given these to Satpal, they added.

On September 16, 2007, the girl left her hostel along with Gaffar, who took her to a hotel at Bari-Brahamana. They had a heated exchange at the hotel and Gafffar allegedly raped her in a room, the sources said. The girl returned to her hostel and was in a state of shock. Before her hostel mates could realise the situation, she consumed poison in her room and died at a hospital three days later, they added.

When the girl was struggling for life at a hospital, Gaffar went to Satpal’s house to take back the cellphone, which she had given to him, said the sources. 

Jammu, August 4
Continuing their struggle for the Central University of Jammu, students of various degree colleges in the capital city boycotted classes here today and offered bangles to MLAs, MPs, MLCs and ministers of the Jammu region for their failure in raising the issue.

The colleges where the protests were held included Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, SPMR College of Commerce, GGM Science College, MAM College and Government Degree College, Paloura.

The students of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, boycotted classes under the leadership of Shalu, Preeti Chib, Neha Chib, Wazeefa Khan and Meena Kumari.

While addressing the gathering, the leaders said the MLAs, MPs, MLCs and ministers of the Jammu region had failed to raise the issue of the Central varsity.

Meanwhile, the Jammu Province People’s Forum’s relay hunger strike entered its 11th day today.

Speaking on the occasion, Paviter Singh, chairman, JPPF, warned the administration against not adding fuel to the fire by the use of brutal force against the youth, who were agitating in a democratic way.

He urged the state and the Central governments to avoid further delay, as it would cause frustration, which could lead to an uncontrollable situation in the entire Jammu province.

Srinagar, August 4
A day after a strike called by separatists in protest against the custodial killing of a youth in Sopore hit life in Kashmir, normalcy returned to the Valley today.

All the shops, banks,business establishments and educational institutions were open and attendance in government offices was normal.There was heavy rush in markets due to the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan.

Meanwhile, a magisterial enquiry into the custodial death is in progress.The police and the CRPF have been directed to exercise utmost restraint while handling the situation.

A senior security official said there was an immense “public support” for the maintenance of peace and normalcy, as the people had suffered a lot during the past three years.There were elements bent upon disrupting peace, the official confided.

However,the Valley had received the highest number of tourists so far this year.The Amarnath yatra had also recorded the highest number of over six lakh pilgrims till now.

Meanwhile, doctors, who carried out an autopsy on Nazim Rashid, who died in police custody, have confirmed finding torture marks on the body. The youth died in Sopore on July 31.

According to official sources, the SDM, Sopore, who is conducting the enquiry, has recorded the statements of the doctors. He also visited the Tarzoo police station where Rashid was initially taken.The government had earlier ordered a magisterial enquiry into the killing.

Srinagar, August 4
The Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here today, has approved the policy for the regularisation of the services of Rehbar-e-Zirat (agricultural assistant) candidates. It also okayed the creation of 2,642 posts of Village Agriculture Extension Assistant in three phases.

However, these posts would be utilised for the regularisation of the services of the eligible selected Rehbar-e-Zirat candidates in phase-I from April 1, 2014, April 1, 2015 (phase-II) and April 1, 2016 (phase-III).

The Planning and Development Department would be providing plan funds for the initial two years for each phase of the regularised candidates on account of their salaries, an official spokesman said.

The regularisation process would be implemented only after a proper verification of the Rehbar-e-Zirat candidates, including their degree certificates, engaged in the department at present.

The Cabinet also approved the appointment of Saleem Mohammad, Settlement Officer, Jammu, on a notional basis to the time scale of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services. It also approved the appointment of Muhammad Amin Khan, former Deputy Director, Hospitality and Protocol Department, as Toshkhana Officer on a contract basis, initially for six months with effect from August 1, 2011.

The Cabinet also approved an amendment to sub-section 1 of Section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir VAT Act, 2005, read with Rule 59 of the Jammu and Kashmir VAT Rules, 2005. It also approved the Judicial Pay Commission and the Jammu and Kashmir Subordinate Judicial Pay Rules, 2011, effective from January 1, 2006.

It okayed the payment of claims amounting to Rs 16.46 lakh plus sales tax for reimbursement to Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation Ltd on account of the catering services provided to the Raj Bhawan staff during 1998-99.

Jammu, August 4
The BJP leadership has reopened channels with six suspended party MLAs to solve the cross-voting controversy , despite the fact that a section has been vociferously demanding strict against the “traitors”.

The newly-appointed in-charge of the state BJP affairs, Jagdish Mukhi, during his first visit here, not only interacted with the six suspended legislators, but also met the expelled party leader, Chaman Lal Gupta.

“I held discussions with many persons, including suspended MLAs,” Mukhi told The Tribune over the phone.

“The suspended MLAs are legislators of the party, as suspension is not a punishment.Therefore, there was nothing wrong in meeting them”.

Although Mukhi refused to divulge what transpired at the meeting,sources said they (suspended MLAs) had again questioned the parameters adopted by the party to single them out for cross-voting.

The MLAs, including former Union Minister and veteran leader Chaman Lal Gupta, were placed under suspension on April 20 on charges of voting for NC and Congress candidates in the Legislative Council elections, which were held on April 13. Out of total 11 BJP MLAs, seven allegedly indulged in cross-voting, as the BJP candidate got only four votes.

The suspended MLAs had revolted against the high command and repeatedly accused the chief whip of the party, Ashok Khajuria, of hatching a conspiracy against them. As all the suspended MLAs had refused to appear before the high command, the leadership on May 31 expelled Gupta from the primary membership of the party.

Despite the expulsion of Gupta, the suspended MLAs have repeatedly reposed faith in his leadership and have made it clear that he (Gupta) is the leader of their group in the Legislative Assembly.

Since May 31, there has been no communication between the suspended MLAs and the leadership due to the adamant stand adopted by both sides. After the appointment of the new in-charge of the party affairs in the state, the leadership reopened channels with the suspended legislators to solve the issue.

Jammu, August 4
The Department of Lifelong Learning, University of Jammu, organised a special extension lecture on “Truth About Global Warming: A Case Study of Glaciers in Ladakh” here today.

Prof Rajinder Kumar Ganjoo, Director, Institute of Himalayan Glaciology, University of Jammu, spoke on the issue and educated students about various cycles of climate change that operated on the scale of millions of years, thousands of years and hundreds of years. He said the Ladakh glaciers had largely remained unaffected by climate change.

Prof Ganjoo focused on the facts about global warming and climate change. He said it was after a controversial statement by Prof Hasnain on the complete melting of the Himalayan glaciers by 2025, which was widely quoted in the reports of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), that it became absolutely essential for the people working on climate to educate non-scientists about the facts and myths of global warming and climate change.

Prof Ganjoo has contributed significantly to the study of Himalayan glaciers vis-à-vis climate change and global warming and has carried out studies on the glaciers of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.

“The glaciers of Ladakh have behaved totally differently from the glaciers of the rest of the world,” he said, emphasising that they had largely remained unaffected by climate change.

Some of these glaciers had a monitoring record of more than a century to convince that the change, if any, in the glaciers was not because of global warming but several other factors that were not well understood yet, added Prof Ganjoo.

He also highlighted the climate change the earth had undergone since its birth when there was no trace of human beings and industry. He also threw light on various factors that caused these cycles.

Dr Poonam Dhawan, Director, Department of Lifelong Learning; Dr CM Seth, Chairman, World Wide fund (India); Prof Baidyanath Labh, Department of Buddhist Studies; Prof Anil Raina, Head, Department of Environment Sciences; Dr Sanjay Sharma, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Jammu; Dr Kavita Suri, Assistant Director, Department of Lifelong Learning; faculty members of the Department of Lifelong Learning, including Dr Priyanka Sharma, Dr Bharti Prabhakar, Dr Pallavi Sachdeva, Dr Sandeep Singh, Sita Anand, Rewa Khajuria, attended the lecture.

Jammu/Sinagar, August 4
Six militants were killed in encounters with the security forces in Kishtwar in the Jammu region and Kupwara and Pulwama in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.

Two militants were killed in a fierce gunbattle with security forces and the police in the Keshwan area of Kishtwar district today.

Acting on a specific information about the presence of two militants, a self-styled district commander and a deputy commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Army and the police launched a joint operation.

Bhim Sen Tutti, SP, Kishtwar, along with the operation party, reached the spot. The 11 Dogra of the Army and troops of the 74 CRPF also joined them. After cordoning off the house at Keshwan where the militants were hiding, the security forces challenged them to surrender. But the militants opened heavy firing on the operation party, who retaliated, resulting in the gunfight. In the ensuing gunbattle, two ultras were killed.

The slain militants have been identified as district commander, Habib, alias Salman of Sarawan Keshwan village and deputy commander Irshad Ahmed Kohli of Kohli Mohalla Chatroo.

The security forces recovered one AK 56 rifle, three magazines of AK rifles, 134 rounds of AK, two Chinese grenades, two matrix sheets and a few strategic maps.

Meanwhile, at least four militants, including a district commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), have been killed in encounters with the security forces in Pulwama and Kupwara districts.

The police said in Srinagar Shakoor Ahmad Teli, alias Saif, alias Abu Bakar, self-styled district commander of the LeT, was killed in an encounter with the security forces in Puchal village of Pulwama district today.

Acting on specific information about the presence of armed militants, the police and the 55 Rashtirya Rifles cordoned off the area in the wee hours today. As the advance party was carrying out searches, the hiding militants fired at it. In the ensuing gunfight, Saif, a local militant, was killed. He had been active since 2007 and was involved in a number of militancy-related incidents.

Soon after the operation concluded, groups of agitating youth resorted to stone throwing on the police and the security forces and set ablaze a police vehicle. However, the situation was brought under control later.

Two militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces in the S-Malli forest area of the Keran sector, near the Line of Control (LoC), last evening.

In yet another encounter with the security forces, one militant, Abid, alias Abu Darba, was killed in the Waddar Bala forest area of Handwara in Kupwara district yesterday. One AK rifle, four AK magazines,

92 AK rounds, one UBGL, four UBGL grenades, one wireless set, one GPS, one map, one mobile phone with two SIM cards, four diaries and Rs 2,000 were recovered from the encounter site, the police said.

Jammu, August 4
Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of the Mansar lake, senior vice-president of the Youth Congress RS Pathania said yesterday that the water level in the lake was continuously receding and pollution and contamination of water was threatening the flora and fauna.

Addressing a meeting of prominent citizens at Mansar, Pathania said unplanned construction and incessant deforestation around the lake threatened the existence of the lake. — TNS