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Congress distances itself from Omar’s remark on Afzal Guru
Srinagar has highest urban population
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Need to create awareness about environmental concerns: Governor
Kashmiri Pandits observe Martyrs Day in city
Injured claim sheep caused mishap
More health facilities for Amarnath yatris demanded
Youth held for bid to attack
Mahant
Speaker reviews arrangements for Assembly session
Withdrawal of Manhas’s security irks BJP
PowerGrid to observe Hindi Pakhwara
Hideout unearthed in Kupwara
From bicycle mechanic to UAV maker
Pak violates ceasefire in Pallanwala sector
Militants open fire at Sopore bus stand Ensure drinking water in schools, says Chief Secy
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Congress distances itself from Omar’s
Jammu, September 14 “Neither the NC nor Omar Abdullah can be our representatives. We have our own ideology,” Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz said when his attention was drawn to the recent controversial statements of some NC leaders, including the Chief Minister. Soz, who was interacting with mediapersons in connection with the membership drive of the Youth Congress, refused to comment on the stand to be taken by the party in the Assembly, in case a resolution, seeking clemency for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was tabled in the House. “It is too early to say anything. The Assembly session is going to start on September 26 and today is 14th September 14,” Soz said. He added that the Congress members in the Assembly and the Legislative Council would take a decision as per the perception of the party. “Although we are running a coalition with the NC, it does not mean that we subscribe to all the statements of our coalition partner,” he said while opposing the reported statement of the Chief Minister in which he had stated that armed militancy was also a struggle to create political space. When asked about the coming local bodies elections in the state, Soz did not rule out the possibility of the Congress contesting the poll without entering into an alliance with the NC. “All our options are open. Except the BJP, the Congress can enter into an alliance with any other party,” Soz said. He said the proposed countrywide yatra of veteran BJP leader LK Advani against corruption would not achieve its purpose. “Advaniji has space in both the Houses (the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha). He can fight corruption democratically. He can fight together with the Prime Minister Manmohan,” he said. “Advaniji has threatened to launch a yatra. These yatras have always divided the nation. India is a mature democracy. The yatra will not achieve its purpose,” Soz said and added that the BJP was playing to the gallery. He said the Congress had an “ideological battle with the BJP and that would always continue”. “They are always on the extreme right. They bring religion into the politics and come with a parochial attitude,” Soz said. |
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Srinagar has highest urban population
Srinagar, September 14 As per the data, the urban population has increased from 24.81 per cent in 2001 to 27.21 per cent in 2011. The total rural population of the state is 91.34 lakh and the urban population stands at 34.14 lakh. The population of the state is 1.25 crore. Srinagar with 12.34 lakh people tops the 22 districts in urban population. It also has the lowest number of rural population of 15,928. Jammu has the second highest urban population of 7.68 lakh followed by Anantnag with 2.48 lakh urban people. The largest rural population is found in Baramulla district with 8.4 lakh people living in villages followed by Anantnag district with 7.91 lakh and Kupwara with 7.76 lakh villagers. Ramban has the lowest urban population with 11,786 persons living in towns. Kargil has 12,753 people living in the urban areas. The sex ratio in the rural area has shown a fall from 917 in 2001 to 899 in 2011. However, the sex ratio in the urban areas has shown an increase from 819 in 2001 to 840 in 2011. The overall sex ratio in the state caused an alarm when it was revealed that the number had fallen from 892 to 883 in the last 10 years. According to the data, the child sex ratio at 859 per 1,000 males is well below the national average of 914. It is also below the child sex ratio recorded during the previous Census. Kargil with 978 and Leh with 944 have the highest child sex ratio. The districts with the lowest child sex ratio are Samba (787), Jammu (795) and Anantnag (832). The literacy rate in the state has increased from 55.52 per cent in 2001 to 68.74 per cent in 2011. Jammu district has the highest literacy rate of 83.98 per cent, followed by Samba with 81.08 per cent. Ramban with 56.90 per cent and Bandipora with 57.82 per cent are the districts with the least literacy rate. |
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Need to create awareness about environmental concerns: Governor
Srinagar, September 14 The Governor was addressing the valedictory session of the three-day ninth annual convention of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) at the SKICC here today. The Governor said the number of pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, which was 87 lakh last year, was likely to touch the one-crore mark this year. The number of pilgrims to the Amarnath shrine was over 6.35 lakh this year. He added that with sustained peace and normalcy in the state, the flow of tourists would keep progressively increasing in the coming years. Referring to the facilities being developed by the people in their homes in the Ladakh region for tourists, the Governor asked Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora to explore the possibility of encouraging a similar approach in other tourist destinations in the Valley and Jammu to supplement the government ‘s efforts to boost the tourist infrastructure. On various recommendations of the convention, the Governor said it would be useful for according priority to the establishment of trekking trails and addressing issues relating to an insurance cover for adventure tourists, besides enforcing safety, rescue and evacuation measures and opening more areas for tourist activity etc. The Governor complemented the ATOAI for organising the convention in the state.
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Kashmiri Pandits observe Martyrs Day in city
Jammu, September 14 Ajay Chrungoo, chairman of the organisation, said the day was dedicated to the memory of those killed by militants and the glorious history and heritage of the ancient community. A similar function was held at Jagti and a large number of members of the community, including women and children, participated in it. Convener of the Panun Kashmir Agnishekhar, who presided over the function, said innocent Kashmiri Pandits were treacherously killed. He expressed dismay over the problems being faced by the inmates of the tenements at Jagti. He said discrimination against the community and the denial of political rights to it continued even today. Meanwhile, a delegation of the Jagti Kashmiri migrant township called on Congress leader Ravinder Sharma and highlighted the problems being faced by them due to unscheduled power cuts. They demanded uninterrupted power supply to the township. |
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Injured claim sheep caused mishap
Jammu, September 14 Talking to this correspondent in hospital, Shameema, who, along with her husband, Farooq Ahmed, was travelling in the minibus said the vehicle was overloaded and suddenly a flock of sheep came in front of it. “The driver tried to save the animals, but lost control over the vehicle. He also applied the brakes, but the bus skidded off the road and fell into the gorge,” said Shameema, who sustained a head injury. She added, “While falling into the gorge, the vehicle overturned thrice and most of the passengers fell out of it.” The driver, Farid Ahmed, who received multiple injuries, is also admitted at the GMCH. “He can’t speak properly and is lying unconscious. He has received serious injuries.He told us in the morning that he did not commit any mistake, but tried to save the passengers,” said a relative of Farid. Kifayat Hyder, SSP, National Highway, who had visited the accident scene yesterday, said, “According to the statements of some eyewitnesses, the accident took place when suddenly a flock of sheep came in front of the moving vehicle. In an attempt to save the animals, the driver took the minibus to a corner of the highway. He lost control over it and the vehicle fell into the gorge.” The SSP added, “It is now confirmed that the vehicle was overloaded, which is an offence. Now, we are trying to confirm whether it was also a case of overspeeding.” Repeated attempts to contact IGP, Traffic, Hemant Kumar Lohiya failed.
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More health facilities for Amarnath yatris demanded
Jammu, September 14 Interacting with members of the sub-committee of the SASB, the SBAYN delegation while expressing concern over the death of over 100 pilgrims during this year’s yatra, suggested that a permanent hospital should be set up at the Nunwan and Baltal base camps to provide adequate health facilities to the pilgrims. The delegation pointed out that the pilgrims would get the benefit of these hospitals during the two months of the yatra while the local population should be treated at the hospitals in the remaining 10 months. The delegation also suggested that mobile clinics should be pressed into service on both the routes of the yatra to provide timely medical facilities to the pilgrims. It was also suggested that the yatra period should be extended beyond two months, keeping in view the heavy rush of pilgrims. The Niyas delegation comprised Maj-Gen (retired), Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Dr Jitendra Singh, Dr RL Bhat and Dineshwar Singh Jamwal. The members of the delegation put their suggestions before the members of the sub- committee of the SASB regarding the yatra. The delegation said the yatra should start from Jayeshth Purnima every year. Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shanker headed the sub-committee of the SASB, which held discussions with the Niyas representatives. |
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Youth held for bid to attack
Mahant
Jammu, September 14 Police sources said the Mahant was sitting in a park in the gurdwara when the youth, identified as Karamjeet Singh, a resident of Phinder village in the RS Pura subdivision, allegedly tried to attack him with a kirpan. They said the youth was angry as the Mahant had allegedly been projecting himself instead of propagating the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib. As the irate youth entered into a heated argument with the Mahant and allegedly tried to attack him, devotees intervened and snatched the kirpan from him. The youth was arrested today and a case under Section 307 of the RPC and Section 4/25 of the Arms Act was registered against him. —
TNS
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Speaker reviews arrangements for Assembly session
Srinagar, September 14 The meeting held here yesterday was attended by the officials of the Security and Traffic departments, the Fire Services, the JKPCC, the Hospitality and Protocol and the PHE departments, the PDD, the municipality, the JKTDC, the Medical, Information, Government Press and Floriculture Departments, besides the BSNL and MLAs’ Hostel. |
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Withdrawal of Manhas’s security irks BJP
Jammu, September 14 Addressing a press conference here, the chief spokesperson for the party, Jitendra Singh, said discrimination in providing adequate security to BJP leaders and office-bearers had always been a cause for concern, but after the sudden withdrawal of the security of the state BJP chief ,it had now become an issue of self-respect and honour for the party. Jitendra described as outrageous the state government’s refusal to give security to the BJP’s Kashmir provincial president, Dr Ali Mohammad Mir. He said India was the only country in the world and Jammu and Kashmir a unique state, where the perpetrators of secessionism, militancy and anti-India activism were provided state security while those fighting to uphold the sovereignty of the Indian Republic faced threats to life and property. He called upon the government to explain the parameters and the threat perception assessment on the basis of which even the national and state office-bearers of the BJP had been denied adequate security while small-time or part-time workers of the ruling coalition parties were having categorised security and vehicles. He added it was a clear case of discrimination against and subjugation of the BJP and if need be, the party’s central leadership would be urged to take up the matter with the Union Home Ministry.
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PowerGrid to observe Hindi Pakhwara
Jammu, September 14 Various speakers, including the Executive Director of the Northern Region Transmission System-II, SC Singh, appreciated the efforts of the PowerGrid in spreading the usage of Hindi amongst its |
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Hideout unearthed in Kupwara
Srinagar, September 14 Ten 10 AK rifles, six pistols, 40 AK and six pistol magazines, 2,999 rounds of AK ammunition, six grenade-launchers, 50 grenades, 34 rocket-propelled grenades, 10 pistol rounds and three radio sets were recovered from the hideout, he said. The recoveries came a day after the security forces shot dead LeT's chief operational commander, Abdullah Uni, in a gunfight in Sopore town. |
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From bicycle mechanic to UAV maker
Jammu, September 14 Ramesh repairs aeroplane and UAV parts and provides annual maintenance care for power generators, air-conditioners and humidity controllers in civil and military hospitals and industries. He had made an inverter at his house in mid-1960s and made a UAV using a bicycle frame and thermocol last year. He was inspired by eagles while making the invention. In late 1970s, Ramesh made a remote-controlled device to facilitate the drawing of curtains from a foundation stone of the Sidhra bypass bridge. The then President of India, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, had laid the stone. Though the technique is common today, it was unheard of at that time. “Though I got a few rupees for the work, my greatest honour was that the President congratulated me.” Ramesh claimed that he repaired a UAV while highly qualified engineers of the defence forces and foreign engineers failed to do so. His friend, Flt-Lt Gobind Singh Rana (retd), said: “A British engineer came here especially to enquire about it. That inspired Ramesh to make a UAV.” Ramesh had to leave studies due to the sudden death of his father, who had a bicycle repair shop near Satwari Chowk. “The ‘can’t do’ claim gives me a kick. When someone tells me that qualified engineers have failed to do something, I know I have to do it.” Assistant Executive Engineer, Power Development Department, Sanjay Sharma vouches for Ramesh’s achievements. “I clearly recall how in the early 1990s, he repaired a generator and installed a transformer at the Dulhasti power project when French engineers had failed to repair the generator. Then, a crane could not move a 1,000 kg transformer due to a low ceiling, but Ramesh managed to do it with the help of some workers. The French engineers could not believe what they witnessed. Ramesh claims that he is making a vehicle that will run without fuel.“I can’t share much information about it, but it will be made soon.” |
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Pak violates ceasefire in Pallanwala sector
Jammu, September 14 An Army spokesperson said the Pakistan troops opened small arms fire on the post around 11.45 pm last night and the intermittent firing continued till 1 am. A protest was lodged with the Pakistan authorities, the spokesman said. |
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Militants open fire at Sopore bus stand Srinagar, September 14 The attempt by the militants to show their presence at the main square of Sopore town comes a day after Uni was killed in a gunfight with the police and the Army in the Batapora locality of the town. Meanwhile, Sopore town and its adjoining localities observed a bandh today as protesters threw stones at the security forces deployments at main chowk, Uni’s death is considered a major setback to the LeT in the region. His name surfaced in almost every high-profile militant attack in the recent years. Meanwhile, the security forces today unearthed a hideout of militants and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district. “The hideout was unearthed during a joint search operation by the Army and the police in the Keran sector," defence spokesman Lt-Col JS
Brar said.
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Ensure drinking water in schools, says Chief Secy
Srinagar, September 14 Chief Secretary Madhav Lal has directed the officials concerned to submit status reports on the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) under which every school was provided drinking water, an official spokesman said here. Madhav directed them to cover all the schools under the NRDWP to ensure the compliance of the Supreme Court order, he said. The Chief Secretary said funds had been released for extending the potable water facility to nearly 2,000 schools in the state. — PTI
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The Congress today made it clear that it had its own perception and stand on various contentious issues despite the fact that the party was a coalition partner in the government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Even as a majority of the population of Jammu and Kashmir resides in villages, there is an increasing trend of urbanisation in the state, according to Census- 2011.
Jammu, September 14
Jammu, September 14
The theme of the convention was “Indian Adventure Creating Opportunities”.