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Fresh snowfall in Valley, highway closed
dateline kashmir
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Have patience on AFSPA, says Army Commander
Army ‘integral’ to J&K
‘Aab-e-Hayaat’ bares humans instinct
Teachers’ Selection
Ornaments, cash stolen from Katra temple
Major uses troops to kidnap son, booked
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Fresh snowfall in Valley, highway closed
Srinagar, January 15 The highway is the only surface link connecting the Valley to the rest of the country. Due to snowfall and poor visibility, no flights took off or landed at the Srinagar airport, an official said. According to a MeT official, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -3.5 °C last night, as compared to -7.8 °C, lowest in the past 16 years, the night before. Similarly, at other places in the Valley, the night temperatures rose by a few degrees due to the snowfall. An official of the Natural Disaster Management Cell said Srinagar received six inches of snowfall from last night till this afternoon. Budgam and Khansahib in central Kashmir received eight and 12 inches of snow, respectively. Similarly, Ganderbal district and Baramulla town in north Kashmir received seven and five inches of snow, respectively. South Kashmir areas of Shopian, Anantnag, Pahalgam, Tral and Kulgam received six, two, seven, four and five inches of snow, respectively. The skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir received the maximum snow at one and half feet. Reports of light snowfall from some areas were also received in the evening. The weatherman has forecast more snow in the Valley during the next 24 hours. The snowfall threw normal life out of gear in the Valley. Even though the authorities pressed into service snow-clearing machines to remove snow from the main roads, the interior areas remained under a thick blanket of snow, making the movement of vehicles difficult. Very few vehicles plied on the main roads. However, the Power Development Department managed to supply power to the Valley despite bad weather conditions, unlike the last snowfall of January 4, after which Kashmir had reeled under darkness for almost three days. Avalanche alert
The Disaster Management Kashmir has issued a medium avalanche alert for the higher reaches of the Kashmir valley. The areas prone to avalanche are Khilanmarg and Uri in north Kashmir, besides Chowkibal, Tangdar, Keran, Macchil and Gurez, close to the Line of Control (LoC). Those living in these areas have been advised not to venture out in the hilly areas during the next 24 hours and keep the rooftops and trees in the vicinity clear of snow. |
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Varsity exams deferred
Srinagar, January 15 “Owing to the inclement weather, all undergraduate and professional examinations, which were scheduled for January 16 and 17, 2012, have been postponed. Fresh dates for these examinations will be notified separately,” a notice by the Kashmir University here said. |
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2,200 vehicles stranded
Jammu, January 15 Due to the closure of the 300-km-long highway, vehicles were seen stranded at various places, including the Udhampur and Nagrota belts. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started work on resuming the flow of traffic, but the continuous snowfall is making the task difficult, they said.
— PTI |
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Only 5-kg LPG refill till highway reopens!
“The price of a 5-kg LPG cylinder has been fixed at Rs 154 by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department,” he added. Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner, Asghar Samoon, claimed that there was no shortage of essential commodities in the Valley. He directed all Deputy Commissioners and CAPD officials to make extra efforts to ensure smooth distribution of essentials among the consumers. |
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dateline kashmir
Ever since the bad weather conditions in the Kashmir valley affected the movement of vehicular traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, the government has regularly been issuing statements regarding the availability of essential commodities.
On Friday, the government issued a statement saying: “Thirty-two oil tankers, 35 LPG tankers, 21 trucks laden with chicken, 30 with sheep, 33 carrying rice of the FCI and 40 with vegetables crossed the Jawahar Tunnel by 1 am on the intervening night of January 12 and 13.” The government has gone all-out in creating an impression that the people in the Valley were facing no problems regarding the availability of essential commodities. However, the situation on the ground is completely different. While people have been complaining of black market and hoarding, commodities like LPG and mutton seem to have almost disappeared from the markets due to the highway blockade. Therefore, instead of merely issuing official statements, which try to create an impression that everything is under control, the government should take concrete measures in resolving the issues that have resulted on account of the harsh winter this year. Power-play
People in the Valley have been facing a whole lot of problems because of the harsh winter this year. The shortage of power continues to top the list of problems. However, for the masses, the government, instead of admitting its failures, has started a war of words with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference. Issuing statements almost every day against those who flay its policies has become a norm for the leaders of the ruling National Conference. On the other hand, the PDP has yet again failed to play a constructive role. Its leaders, too, have only been issuing statements to score political points instead of suggesting measures to alleviate the hardships of the people. At a time of crisis, it is imperative that both the government and the opposition give up its differences and work collectively towards making things easier for the masses this winter. Frozen pipelines
Frozen water pipelines in the Kashmir valley are giving nightmares to the people. While water in taps continues to remain frozen at most places, residents of other areas have been complaining of bursting of water pipes. Even though people usually wrap the exposed water pipes with polythene or sacks to prevent these from freezing, this year’s cold wave has rendered these fixes useless. After today’s snowfall, people must be hoping that the increase in temperatures will make water flow back to their homes. Real help
After heavy snowfall threw normal life out of gear in the Kashmir valley, the police and Army pressed into service its men to provide relief to the people. Both the Army and police personnel can be seen at many places, helping the administration in restoring the essential services. The Army has deployed mobile as well as foot medical teams, which have been visiting far-flung areas to provide relief to those in need. Also, Army equipment like recovery vehicles and snow-clearing machines have been put in place in the remote and rural areas, and along the National Highway. The police, too, has opened medical dispensaries in the far-flung areas of the Valley, besides clearing the roads of snow. — Contributed by M Aamir Khan |
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dateline jammu
Having completed three years of his government, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is more in an “advisory” mode than into “taking action”. The government handouts on his meetings, public addresses and press statements are full of his advice, on several matters.
He may “tweet” his helplessness on checking power pilferage or transmission losses or advice people and officials in meetings, on checking the menace, but he is yet to tell what difference he makes to the system as the Chief Minister. People generally say that as a CM one has to take action on an issue rather than advice or criticise, which is the domain of the opposition parties. Eyeing ministerial berths
As Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz has given an indication of the Cabinet reshuffle very soon, Congress leaders who have been aspiring to get ministerial berths are utilising all their resources. Some Congress leaders are not hesitating to utilise the services of some BJP leaders, closed to the ruling NC, in this regard. Interestingly, these Congress leaders are publicly blaming the NC for undermining their party, but internally they are trying to mend their ways with NC leaders by taking the help of BJP leaders. Recently a BJP MLA, who is known for his proximity with NC leaders, approached a senior NC leader and sought his help for ministerial berth for his Congress friend. When the NC leader asked the BJP MLA why he was working overtime for a ministerial berth for his Congress friend, the BJP MLA replied that his Congress friend his highly qualified and deserved to be in the council of ministers. Although the BJP MLA had secretly discussed the issue with his NC friend, the later disclosed the same to some of his party colleagues. The BJP MLA, who is on the job to make his Congress friend a minister, is known for proximity with leaders of all political parties. Exploitation of heritage
Most of the Dogras do not know much about their cultural heritage and they hardly care to preserve the legacy. Countless events have been celebrated in
educational institutes, but not a single day has been dedicated to remember eminent personalities. People are witnessing the exploitation of heritage structures by private builders, as mute spectators. So much politicking is being done over the issue of preserving these heritage structures. Although, Dogri got included in the 8th schedule of the constitution of India, but it has lost its original manuscript ‘Ladde’. Activists have failed to get youth on board to preserve the Dogri heritage. Most of the awareness campaigns are for extracting grants or receiving awards in a less competitive field.
— Contributed by Jupinderjit Singh and Dinesh Manhotra |
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Have patience on AFSPA, says Army Commander
Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony to mark the 63rd Army Day here today, the Army Commander said the Ministry of Home Affairs, in consultation with the Ministry of Defence, was discussing the issue and useful solutions would emerge. Just ahead of border talks between India and China on January 16, Lt Gen Parnaik also said the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries had remained calm and the country faced no threat from China. “We are hopeful that the talks would be fruitful. The talks are part of an ongoing process of confidence-building measures. There have been transgressions on the LAC but I don’t see any reason for alarm,” he said. He, however, played neutral to a query about a controversy involving Lt Gen Bikram Singh, the second most senior officer in the Army who was tipped to be the front-runner to succeed the Army Chief, VK Singh. “The incident took place in Janglat Mandi in 2001 and at that time, the police in collaboration with the Army had done all the investigations. The issue was registered with the police and later a closure report was provided to us. Now an NGO has filed a writ petition. Since the matter is sub judice, it will not be correct on my part to make any comment,” he said. On the recent reports about the LeT move to revive its women cadre to push them into the state, he said there were reports that they were being trained near Muzzaffrabad but the reports had not been corroborated as yet. He put the number of cadres between 2,000 and 3,000 at various camps in the PoK and Pakistan. On the stand-off between the Pakistan government and its army, the top officer described it as a historic problem in that country. “They have had these problems before and therefore the country and the Army watch the events very closely, but I don’t see any cause for alarm at least with us,” he said. |
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Army ‘integral’ to J&K
Akhnoor, January 15 This was the message of the Army Commander for the people of the state on the 63rd Army Day. Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony here today, Lt Gen Parnaik also expressed his desire to see a peaceful 2012, akin to the preceding year. “The Army belongs to the entire country and I have said it in good faith. I have no confrontation with the state government and there is a good synergy between the Army, the state government and other agencies at the Unified Headquarters,” he responded to a query. He described the security situation in the state good, saying the parameters of violence had been down and 2011 had been a “very fruitful” year. “We have had a fair amount of peace in the state in 2011. However, they (terrorists) continued with their infiltration attempts across the LoC. We have stalled their attempts on numerous occasions but still some of them managed to infiltrate,” he said. To another question, he said terrorists would attempt to revive their relevance in the state. “We all need to remain very alert and take preemptive actions. |
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63rd Army Day
Akhnoor, January 15 Neelam drew a huge round of applause from the audience at the Sangha
auditorium. With a somber, but determined face, Neelam received the Sena Medal (Gallantry) posthumously from Lt Gen Parnaik, who with a nod of his head, acknowledged the supreme sacrifice of her late husband. On July 20, 2010, Lance Naik Sanjay Kumar of the 52 Rashtriya Rifles despite being critically injured in a gunfight, had eventually gunned down a terrorist before sacrificing his life in the line of duty. Kumar was part of a search operation in Baramulla district when a armed terrorist had used some women as a shield to break the Army cordon. On 63rd Army Day, gallantry and distinguished service awards were presented by Lt Gen Parnaik to 71 soldiers of the Northern Command at an investiture ceremony here today. The Army Day is celebrated every year on January 15 to commemorate the appointment of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa, OBE as Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, succeeding Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander in 1949. On this occasion, Lt Gen Parnaik presented 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry), four Sena Medals (Distinguished) and four Vishisht Seva Medals to the awardees. He also presented Northern Command’s Appreciation Cards to 16 units from different arms and services, which had excelled in their respective operational duties during the last one year. The investiture ceremony was attended by senior civil, military and paramilitary dignitaries. Lt Gen AS Nandal, General Officer Commanding of the White Knight Corps, Maj Gen NPS Hira, General Officer Commanding of the Crossed Swords Division, and Honorary Captain Bana Singh (Param Vir Chakra) were among those present. |
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‘Aab-e-Hayaat’ bares humans instinct
Jammu, January 15 The play opens at a very mysterious and weird laboratory of Dr Ghosh, who is famous for his out of the box inventions. He is very excited, as he is going to perform the biggest experiment of his life today and for this he has invited four elderly people at his place, who would volunteer to get the experiment done on them. All the four elderly people Lala Kirorimal, Vikram Singh, Daya Ram and Chanchal Kuwar have their pasts well linked to each other. They have committed many sins in their life and are fed up with the effect of age. To their surprise Dr Ghosh tells them that he has got some wonder water, which can reverse the effect of age and can make them young once again. Dr Ghosh puts one condition that they can drink as much water and can become as young as they want, but they have to promise that they will not commit all those sins and mistakes again. The four elderly men readily agree. A miracle happens after drinking the wonder water. All of them become young again, but instantly forget their promise and start their usual malpractices. They even ridicule Dr Ghosh. But to their surprise and dismay, the wonder water was just an intoxication, the effect of which lasted till it captured the senses. Though the mirage ends and they all become old once again, justifying the doctor’s experiment that we don’t leave our instincts no matter how many promises we make. On stage cast included Vikram Sharma, Abhinav Vimarsh, Rahul Singh, Uplaksh Singh, Sajra Qadir. Neeraj Kant operated the lights. Balwinder Singh did the music and presentations. Sumeet Sharma coordinated the show. |
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Teachers’ Selection
Jammu, January 15 In a statement issued here today, senior PDP leader and MLA of Darhal, Rajouri, Choudhary Zulfikar pointed out that many deserving candidates with good merit were not selected, while a number of undeserving candidates managed to get on the selection list, thanks to the 20 marks of interview allotted to the interviewers. To substantiate his allegations, he said some candidates with lower academic merit were given 19.6 marks, out of 20, in the interview to ensure their place on the selection list. “On the other hand, some meritorious candidates with good academic merit were give only 3 marks just to deny them the job,” he alleged. Demanding a high-level probe to single out those responsible for playing with deserving candidates’ future, Choudhary Zulfikar said the credentials of the Service Selection and Recruitment Board (SSRB), which was assigned the job to make the selections, were already under a cloud due to its misdeeds. Choudhary Zulfikar demanded the scrapping of the teachers’ selection lists so that the left-out meritorious deserving candidates could be given a chance to face a fair interview again. The PDP leader further demanded that instead of allotting 20 marks to the members of the SSRB, the government should introduce a written examination system to bring fairness and transparency to the selection process. |
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Meritorious Sikh students felicitated
Jammu, January 15 Those who were present on the occasion included
SJS Johar, Chanderpal Singh, Surjit Singh and Narinder Singh. |
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Ornaments, cash stolen from Katra temple
Katra, January 15 A Special Police Officer (SPO) has been sacked and four other police officers have been placed under suspension, police officers said here. DSP, Katra, Mohan Lal said the matter came to the notice of the police after a complaint was made regarding the theft. The complainant told the police that on Sunday morning he had come to the temple to perform early morning prayers when he noticed the doors of the temple open and the ornaments missing. At the time of theft, the security was manning the front gate of the temple, the DSP added. “A case under Section 352 and 380 of Indian Penal Code for stealing silver ornaments and cash has been registered at the Katra police station,” DSP Mohan Lal said. “Special Police Officer Sewa Singh and four other police officers, including assistant sub-inspector Jagdish Singh, constable Vijay Kumar, constable Manjit Singh and havaldar Romesh Chander have been placed under suspension for negligence and security lapses,” the DSP said. An enquiry has been ordered into the matter and the investigation is on, he added. |
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Major uses troops to kidnap son, booked
Jammu, January 15 The Major, identified as Rajnikant Tiwari, belongs to the 310 Field Regiment. The sources added that the Major had earlier lodged a missing person’s report, claiming that his wife and child were missing.
— TNS |
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Srinagar, January 15
Akhnoor (Jammu), January 15