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Srinagar records coldest night in 16 years
Jammu records lowest temperature in 11 yrs
Army gears up for rescue operations
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Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens
Arrangements for R-Day function reviewed
Cong succumbing to NC pressure, says Opposition
Govt committed to uplift of weaker sections: Omar
Essential commodities: PDP rubbishes govt’s claim
Jammu’s wetlands on the verge of extinction
Officers asked to complete work expeditiously
Rs 6 crore for cotton export facility centre
Muslim body slams Rushdie’s visit, alleges him of apostasy
Four charred to death in Kishtwar
One killed, 3 hurt in road mishap
Benia wins 112th Panthal Kesari Dangal
Second Police Martyrs’ T-20 Cricket Cup ends
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Srinagar records coldest night in 16 years
Srinagar, January 14 A Met official here said the last night’s temperature in Srinagar city was the lowest ever in 16 years. The city witnessed a maximum temperature of 0.6°C today. Other parts of the Kashmir valley also recorded sub-zero degree night temperatures. The skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest place in the Valley, as it recorded a minimum temperature of minus 15.2°C. Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir and the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded minimum temperatures of minus 13.6°C and minus 12.2°C, respectively. The maximum temperatures recorded at Qazigund was 1.0°C while Pahalgam recorded a maximum of minus 1.8°C. Kargil town in the Ladakh region was the coldest place in the state, as it recorded a minimum temperature of minus 17.2°C. The weatherman has forecast moderate to heavy rain and snowfall in many parts of the Valley during the next 24 hours. The people continue to face hardships because of freezing temperatures. While the peripheries of the Dal Lake and many other water bodies continue to remain frozen, the locals have also been complaining of frozen water lines. The extreme cold conditions have also led to bursting of water pipes at many places. Severe cold conditions in the Valley have also led to slippery road conditions, especially in the interiors of the city during the morning, making the movement of people and vehicular traffic difficult. The Valley is currently going through a 40 day period, ‘chillai kalan’, the harshest period of winter, which began on December 21 last year.
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Jammu records lowest temperature in 11 yrs
Jammu, January 14 Meteorological experts say this January witnessed a lowest temperature of 3.4°C, which broke the record of last eleven years. “Such low temperature was witnessed in January 2001,” said Sonum Lotus, Director, Department of Meteorology. Though the temperature increased to 7.4°C today, the sun remained behind the clouds, giving no respite to the local residents. The cold weather conditions are likely to continue, but the temperature would go up gradually, Lotus said. He said moderate to heavy snowfall in Kashmir and in the upper reaches of the state could affect the temperature. “The harsh winter is due to cold conditions and not due to snow. That is why the plains also witnessed low to very low temperature,” he added. |
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Army gears up for rescue operations Srinagar, January 14
In addition, Army equipments such as recovery vehicles and snow-clearing machines have been deployed in the remote and rural areas and also along the national highway,” an Army spokesman said here. “All the units have been directed to ensure full support to the awam, especially in emergencies,” the spokesman added. — OC
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Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens Jammu, January 14
One-way movement of traffic from Srinagar to Jammu on the highway was allowed, officials said.
Around 300 vehicles, stranded on the highway, left for their respective destinations, they said. — PTI
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Arrangements for R-Day function reviewed
Srinagar, January 14 The meeting was attended by District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Chief Engineers of R&B, PDD, PHE, Superintendents of Police, Traffic, Security, Additional Secretary Cultural Academy, Chief Education Officer, Srinagar, officers of the Information Department and other senior officers of Kashmir division. It was stated in the meeting that the main function in Kashmir division would be held at Bakshi Stadium starting with Shahnai Wadan. The contingents of the BSF, the CRPF, the JKAP, the JKP, Auxiliary Police, IRP, Women Police, Fire and Emergency Services, NCC cadets and schoolchildren will participate in the march past. The Information Department in collaboration with the Education Department and Cultural Academy will present cultural programme on the occasion. The Division Commissioner directed the authorities of Srinagar Municipal Corporation to ensure cleanliness in Srinagar city, especially in and around Bakshi Stadium. The PDD will ensure illumination of main government buildings to mark the celebration. Likewise, departments like Health, Protocol, R&B, PHE, Fire and Emergency Services etc. were directed to utilise their men and machinery for smooth conduct of Republic Day celebrations. He also stressed for a close liaison between the departments so as to make the function a success and directed security agencies to ensure foolproof security arrangements on the occasion. Superintendent of Police (Traffic) has been issued instructions to identify parking space for the vehicles in case of snow.
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Cong succumbing to NC pressure, says Opposition
Jammu, January 14 The Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh has written a letter to Congress chief chief Sonia Gandhi asking her to save the state Congress leaders from humiliation at the hands of coalition partner NC. Another opposition party BJP has lambasted the local Congress leadership for maintaining “criminal silence” over discrimination with the Jammu region. “It is unfortunate that despite having substantial mandate from the Jammu region, the Congress leadership has been watching government’s discriminatory policies as a mute spectator,” said Jatinder Singh, spokesman for the state BJP, adding, “during the last three years, Jammu region has been discriminated in all spheres of life but the Congress leaders have maintained a guarded silence.” He observed that the state Congress leadership had maintained silence following direction of the party high command to “blindly” support NC Chief Minister. Bhim Singh has urged the Congress president to intervene and save the state Congress for further humiliation at the hands of coalition partner. Seeking to exploit the brewing resentment among the Congress cadre for not formally inviting them at a recently held Maha Panchayat at Jammu, Bhim Singh alleged that they “deliberately” discarded all invitations, which were supposed to be sent to the Congress legislators and coalition ministers. He further alleged that the Congress ministers and legislators were deliberately sidelined at the official function on which a huge amount was spent from the public exchequer. The Panthers Party chief, however, said the Congress was the only national party in Jammu and Kashmir with secular credentials and a history behind it. He urged Sonia Gandhi to send Omar Abdullah on a long leave keeping in view his three years of disastrous achievements to save the Congress in the state.
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Govt committed to uplift of weaker sections: Omar
Jammu, January 14 The Chief Minister said the state government had initiated an ambitious strategy of public empowerment adding that the empowerment of women constitutes its important part. He said the government was committed to ameliorate the lot of women and weaker sections of the society. He said the state-sponsored and centrally assisted schemes were under implementation in the state in the social welfare sector to provide various assistances and financial help to poor, needy and economically backward sections of the society. Omar laid stress on putting missionary zeal in the implementation of welfare schemes aimed at all-round socio economic development and rehabilitation of destitute, orphans, needy and weaker sections of the society. He said added efforts were required to pull these sections above poverty and bring them on a par with others. The Chief Minister also interacted with various beneficiaries and NGOs on the occasion. The Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, chairperson CSWB, Prema Caraippa, Adviser to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Chairperson, Social Welfare Board, Khem Lata Vakloo, vice-chairman, Kisan Board, Rachpal Singh, were among those present on the occasion.
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Essential commodities: PDP rubbishes govt’s claim
Srinagar, January 14 “The response of the government towards the ongoing crisis is sloppy and it has deliberately chosen to remain callous to the sufferings of people as the situation on ground has deteriorated from bad to worse,” PDP general secretary Mohammad Dilawar Mir said here. “The government’s response to snowfall can be gauged from the fact that 20 feet of snow has accumulated. The official machinery has altogether collapsed resulting in a chaos-like situation that has brought life to a complete standstill,” he added. Mir alleged that the “turtle approach” of the government had only “deepened the crisis” this winter as basic amenities such as LPG, kerosene, ration had “altogether disappeared”, thereby accentuating
the people’s problems, who have been already suffering due to acute power shortage. Calling the government’s response to the people’s woes this winter a “colossal failure,” he claimed that the government had also failed to check black marketing. “The government has only allowed black marketing to flourish as its officials are working hand in glove with the unscrupulous elements to take undue advantage of the situation,” Mir added. |
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Jammu’s wetlands on the verge of extinction
Jammu, January 14 The state government and the Wildlife Department have ignored this as people have settled at leisure on the wetlands. Records of Wildlife Reserves and Wetland Reserves of the department state five wetlands of the region, including Gharana Wetland Reserve (0.08 sq km), Pargwal Wetland Reserve (4.82 sq km), Kokrian Wetland Reserve (2.40 sq km), Sangral Wetland Reserve (0.68 sq km) and Nanga Wetland Reserve (1.21 sq km). Of those, Nanga in Ramgarh sector and Sangral in Abdulliyan sector near At Nanga, the vast pond has dried up giving way to wild growth or construction by villagers. Shiv Ram, sarpanch of Nanga, told The Tribune: “Huge wetland existed here about 25 years ago. It was a vast pond which has completely dried out and now only 2-3 kanals of dry land is left here.” No migratory bird visits it now. “Elders told us flocks of migratory birds used to arrive there in winters but with the passage of time inhabitants started using the land for cultivation and birds started ignoring due to increased human activity.” Today, the villagers rue that the pond could have been an attractive tourist destination and attracted money and jobs for locals. He said only a great effort by the government could revive the pond. At Abdulliyan, the villagers deny the very existence of a sanctuary ever though the wildlife land records show its existence. Bachan Lal, sarpanch, said they had never seen or heard about migration of any bird in Sangral for last several years. “The department constructed some rooms here claiming this was wildlife land but no one comes here. As per our records, no wildlife exists here.” Enquiries revealed that villagers at all wetlands discouraged the migratory birds all these years as they damage crops. “There is a huge pressure on land for human use for living or for food. Who would think about the birds,” said villagers. The Gharana wetland still receives birds but the conflict between man and nature is much visible there also. Villagers try their best to discourage the birds and there were reports few years ago of villagers trying to scare away the birds by gunshots or crackers. Bhushan Parimoo, president of the Environment Awareness Forum, said these places were declared reserved wetlands way back in 1981 but still they could not be saved. “The Gharana wetland exists but its future is bleak as its area has been reduced from 1,600 kanals to 800 kanals now. AK Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden, Jammu and Kashmir, said the department was trying its best to develop and save Gharana wetland but the issue of ownership of land was under process with the Revenue Department. Regional Wildlife Warden, U Pachnanda said the district administration was to be blamed as no initiative was taken to settle the issue despite issuance of a notification in 1982. |
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Officers asked to complete work expeditiously
Jammu, January 14 Addressing a series of public meetings in Gandhi Nagar assembly segment, Bhalla said the government was committed to solving basic problems of the people. He said massive development activities had been launched across the state to ensure safe drinking water, better sewerage, lanes and drains and hygienic surroundings in every nook and corner of the state. He said the provision for road connectivity, accessibility to education and health services were the first thrust areas of the government. He asked the executing agency to put efforts in completing all the ongoing construction work of play field, including ground levelling well before the ensuing Republic Day celebrations at Bahu Fort so that the people of the areas could celebrate their national event at their door step stadium for which government had earmarked Rs 63 lakh. Bhalla called upon the people not to put debris on the road side, adding that it was duty of every citizen to make their surrounding areas hygienic and pollution-free. Responding to demands of the people, Bhalla announced Rs 12 lakh for construction of lanes and drains. He asked the JMC to complete the projects within stipulated time frame by fixing colour paver tiles besides grating facilities. He called upon the people of the localities not to encroach lanes land by extending their ramps. |
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Rs 6 crore for cotton export facility centre
Jammu, January 14 During the inspection of the facility centre at Samba today, the minister said upgradation of the Centre would facilitate export of the world famous cotton fabrics produced in Samba area, including dusuti cloth, crewal dusuti, khadder and majri cloth. He said Rs 4.30 crore had been spent on the modernisation of the facility centre so far. Slathia was accompanied by the District Development Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh and Managing Director, J&K State Handloom. He was informed that new machines were required for the modernisation of the facility centre, including mercerising machine and hot air stenter machine. Slathia also inspected the fabric testing lab and weaving sections of the facility centre. He directed the officers to increase cotton production capacity by improving the marketing strategy and managerial skills. |
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Muslim body slams Rushdie’s visit, alleges him of apostasy
Srinagar, January 14 "A meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Personal Law Board was held yesterday to discuss the issuance of visa to Salman Rushdie and extreme displeasure and anger was expressed on the issue because Rushdie has already been found involved in apostasy and Islamic scholars have unanimously passed death edict against him as per Shariah law," JKMPLB said. "Rushdie's entry into India will naturally hurt the sentiments of 22 crore Muslims, including those in Jammu and Kashmir," it said. Accusing the Congress of exploiting Muslims for electoral gains, the organisation said the Centre should have been sensitive to the sentiments of the community but it is being felt that they are more interested in patronising the entry of Salman Rushdie into the country. Several Islamic religious bodies have demanded cancellation of Rushdie's visa even as the controversial author said he does not need a visa to come here. The 65-year-old Rushdie had earned the wrath of Muslims worldwide due to the alleged blasphemous content in his novel "The Satanic Verses", published in 1988. — PTI |
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Old cave at Vaishno Devi
reopens
Katra, January 14 According to sources, The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has decided to throw open the old cave of the shrine during the day between 10 am and 4 pm. “This mechanism will remain in vogue only when the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine are comparatively lesser than the daily average,” said Additional Chief Executive Officer
(ACEO) Mandeep Kumar Bhandari. He added when the pilgrims’ rush swelled, the old cave might be closed for “darshan” due to management reasons. Meanwhile, the ACEO also informed that over 1.8 lakh pilgrims have already visited the holy shrine during the past 15 days. — OC |
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Four charred to death in Kishtwar
Jammu, January 14 The deceased were identified as Chamail Singh (30), Sunita (25), Mahendar Singh (24) and Sharmali (6). At least 10 houses were reportedly charred in the massive fire. NN Vohra, Governor, while expressing grief over the loss of life and property in the incident, has asked the District and Divisional Administration to provide all necessary assistance to the affected family. In a message, the Governor expressed his sympathy with the bereaved family.
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One killed, 3 hurt in road mishap
Katra, January 14 The dead has been identified as Mohammad Aasif (26), a resident of Thru. The injured Mohammad Azam, Mohammad Namaz and Ashraf were shifted to Government Degree College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu. — OC
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Benia wins 112th Panthal Kesari Dangal
Katra, January 14 Benia was adjudged the best wrestler in the vishal dangal organised by the Shri Swami Nitya Nand Wrestling Association, Panthal, in collaboration with the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association. The winner of the first bout, Benia, was given a cash prize of Rs 11,000, in addition to traditional silver gurj and patta by chief guest and president of the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association Shiv Kumar Sharma. Runners-up Mool Chand got a cash prize of Rs 5,000. Prof Shiv Nirmohi was the guest of honour on the occasion. Panthal Kesari Dangal is being organised regularly for the last 112 years on Makar Sakranti with the active cooperation of locals from Panthal, Katra, Udhampur, Jammu, Manoon, Bhagata, Kunya, Chak-Bhagta and other areas. In all, 54 bouts were played in the day-long dangal. In the second main bout, wrestler Sagar of Delhi beat Pura of Pathankot (Punjab). They won cash prizes of Rs 6,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively. The third bout was played between Goga and Billa, which was won by
Goga. |
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Second Police Martyrs’ T-20 Cricket Cup ends
Jammu, January 14 The tournament was organised by the state police, in the memory of police martyrs, who offered their lives while fighting for the nation. A cultural programme was presented by students on the occasion. In the final match, the Punjab State Power Corporation defeated the Sandhu Cricket Club, Ludhiana, and lifted the championship. Speaking on the occasion, DGP Kuldeep Khoda said the sacrifices of personnel of the police and other security forces had helped to bring the state back to normalcy. Khoda said with the culmination of militancy, people of the state were now feeling themselves in a peaceful atmosphere. He also had an interaction with the members of martyrs’ families and enquired about their welfare. |
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The city recorded the coldest night of the season on
Friday, as the minimum temperature dropped to minus 7.8°C. 
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the new office complex of J&K State Social Welfare Board at Pragati Bhawan here. He also inaugurated electronic Application For Women Empowerment and Development Action (e-AWEDAN). Omar had online interaction with the functionaries of the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), New Delhi. He was briefed about the functioning of e-AWEDAN by the officials of the CSWB through video conferencing.
Two out of the five wetlands in Jammu division of the state have completely vanished while migratory birds are choosing just one of the remaining three wetlands for their seasonal trips.
Wrestler Benia of the state police and a resident of Basantgarh in Udhampur district lifted the 112th annual Panthal Kesari Dangal title outplaying Amit of Delhi, in a closely fought contest that lasted for 15 minutes at Panthal in Reasi district today.
