|
|
|
|
|
Jammu Municipal Corporation Poll
Dateline Jammu and Kashmir
Jilted lover fires at girl, kills self
|
|
|
Cultural show enthrals audience at Vaishno Devi varsity
Eid-i-Milad celebrations
IN FAITH: Devotees react upon seeing a relic of the Prophet at Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar on Sunday. — Reuters
Valley basks in sunshine after overnight snow
SCREENING PREGNANCIES
The tipper and Winger that collided at Reasi. A Tribune photograph
Two go missing after avalanche
Constable electrocuted; FIR against Power Dept
Militant hideout busted, arms seized
‘Hawalaat’ a satire on exploitation of youth
Man held for robbing bus passengers
Five trains rescheduled
|
|
Jammu Municipal Corporation Poll
Jammu, February 5 Sources said while discussing the potential candidates, the party leadership has decided not to repeat more than 40 per cent of the candidates who emerged victorious in the 2005 JMC elections because these candidates had repeatedly indulged in cross-voting to favour the BJP and National Conference (NC) candidates for the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor during the five-year tenure of the JMC. Sources said it was all due to the pressure of some young candidates who wanted to contest the elections that the party leadership had decided to ignore the “tainted” councillors in the coming elections. The Congress leadership has reason to deny ticket to some councillors because despite being the single largest party in the JMC, the Congress candidates lost mayoral elections three times in the five-year tenure of the JMC. Out of the total 71 seats, the Congress and the BJP had won 28 and 26 seats, respectively. About half a dozen Independent candidates had also supported the Congress, but it lost the mayoral elections three times due to cross-voting by some of its councillors. In the five year tenure of the JMC, elections for Mayor and Deputy Mayor were held after every year. Despite having only 26 members in its kitty, the BJP managed to capture the post of Mayor three times due to the “help” of some Congress councillors. “We have identified those councillors of our party who had indulged in cross-voting during the tenure of the JMC from 2005 to 2010”, a senior Congress leader told The Tribune on condition of anonymity and added that ticket would be denied to these “black sheep” in the coming JMC elections. The Congress leadership has almost made up its mind to contest the civic bodies elections without entering an alliance with its coalition partner. In a meeting which was held two days ago, Congress leaders devised a strategy to win maximum seats in the JMC elections. With the cross-voting controversy in the Legislative Council elections denting the image of the BJP, the Congress wants to take benefit of the prevailing situation. The meeting was of the opinion that in view of the ensuing JMC elections, constituency-wise committees of district office-bearers should be constituted. The committees shall coordinate with the block president concerned to strengthen the party in every nook and corner of Jammu Urban. Simultaneously, the policies and programmes of the party shall also be placed before the people to win their trust and confidence. |
|
|
Dateline Jammu and Kashmir
Some Congress leaders, aspiring to get ministerial berths, have been working overtime to collect evidence against Taj and Peerzada. Although some Congress leaders have come out in support of Taj, no leader has openly come forward to defend Peerzada. Some Congress leaders are sending clippings of newspaper reports to the party high command to ensure the exit of Peerzada from the Cabinet. Allaying fears While the Kashmir valley has long been regarded as an earthquake-prone region, with fears of the Valley witnessing devastation on the scale of the October 8, 2005 earthquake that hit parts of the state, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad has tried to allay some of the fears. Delivering a lecture on “Magnetism related to plate tectonics” on Friday, organised by the Academic Staff College University of Kashmir, Professor Ahmad, through a presentation, dispelled many myths about the processes going on inside the earth. On recent reports of the possibility of a major earthquake in the region, Professor Ahmad made it clear that Kashmir could not be seen separately from the Himalayan belt and therefore, an earthquake could occur anywhere in the Himalayas, not specifically in the Kashmir region. Forgotten promises The JKSRTC employees have taken to the streets yet again. In 2009, they had called off their three-month-long strike after receiving assurances from the government that their demands would be looked into. However, the employees now allege that the government has forgotten its promises. The government had also made many promises to the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various employees’ bodies, after which they had called off their strike last year. The government employees, too, are waiting for the government to fulfil its promises. Besides the JKSRTC and government employees, contractual lecturers at colleges, too, were given an assurance when they had observed a hunger strike last year. The list of promises made by the government to the protesting groups is quite long. It is about time the government keeps its promises, lest the peeved lot takes to the streets once again. A brewing storm Whenever the guns or street protests fall silent in the Valley, groups somehow manage to raise one issue or the other. A group, Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS), which claims to represent the civil society, has threatened an agitation over the return of power projects, which are currently being managed by the NHPC, to the state. Even though it is no secret that the KCSDS is hardly known among the masses and their campaign in this regard may fall on deaf ears, the situation, however, can take a serious turn if the separatists and the opposition parties join them. The PDP and the moderate Hurriyat faction, too, have been questioning the government over the NHPC-owned power projects. Moreover, this winter people in the Valley had taken to the streets over the issue of power crisis that even claimed one life. The government, too, has been asserting that it will take these projects from the NHPC. But their promises have remained confined to issuing statements alone. Therefore, the government should come up with a clear plan of action over the taking back of the NHPC-controlled power projects. Hub of politics The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) is dedicated to the promotion of art, culture and languages of the state, but it has remained the hub of politics due to its autonomous nature, and special constitution. The Chief Minister holds the chair of president and can appoint the secretary, who has been bestowed with surplus executive powers. The minister for culture does not hold any important chair as the cultural ministry was not a part of the state Cabinet in 1953, when JKAACL came into being. The secretary’s chair provides immense freedom to the one occupying it, and successive governments have not amended the constitution to ensure transparency in the institution. Unusual but it’s happening here! Two-wheelers, including scooters and motorcycles are being used for commercial purpose in the winter capital city. In the early morning hours, milk vendors can be easily spotted ferrying five to six containers filled with milk on a scooter or motorcycle from one part of the city to another. The containers inscribed with interesting words like “Rampayari milk”, “Shudh Duud” generally attract the attention of commuters and pedestrians. Another part of the tale is that the milk vendors, who ride on motorcycles or scooters “loaded” with five or six containers, weave their way around the speeding vehicles while waving towards the traffic cops, who turn mute spectators to the rampant traffic violations. SPOs at hospital After a gap of five months, hospitals in Jammu got a security cover as the police department deputed 157 Special Police Officers (SPOs) in different hospitals in the Jammu. But these SPOS were quite confused about their new jobs. As they were told that they would be given additional name plates with hospital security written on them. The SPOs were apprehensive that they would have to work as security guards as well as helpers for patients. The administration had a tough time convincing them about their job profile. — Contributed by Ehsan Fazili, M Aamir Khan, Dinesh
Manhotra, Varun Suthra, Arteev Sharma and Sonika Raina |
|
|
Jilted lover fires at girl, kills self
Jammu, February 5 The police said the youth shot at the girl with his father’s gun when the latter went out from her residence yesterday afternoon. “We are yet to record the statement of the girl, who is struggling for her life at GMCH in Jammu. Preliminary investigations, however, reveal that the boy and the girl had a love affair. The girl might have refused to marry him,” in-charge police post, Dharamkund, inspector Mohammad Amin told The Tribune over the phone. Amin said the youth took the gun of his father, who happens to be a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member and intercepted the girl when she had gone out of her residence. “First he shot at the girl and later shot himself dead,” he said, adding that the seriously injured girl was shifted to GMCH, Jammu. Sources close to family, however, said both the boy and the girl wanted to get married, but their families were against their decision. The police was also probing the possibility of unrequited love as a motive for ‘murder’. A police team was rushed to the snow-bound Bajmasta village, which was several hours of foot journey from the Ramban town. “The critically injured girl is still unconscious and has been kept under constant examination in the hospital,” sources in GMCH said. A case under Section 307 has been registered and the police has started investigation to unravel the mystery behind the incident. |
|
|
Cultural show enthrals audience at Vaishno Devi varsity
Katra, February 5 The occasion was the 13th Annual BTIS-Net Bioinformatics Coordinators Meet, in which over 150 professors from all over the country are participating. Dr RNK Bamezai, Vice-Chancellor of the SMVDU, was the chief guest on the occasion while Roop Awatar Kaur, Registrar of the SMVDU, was the guest of honour. Conceptualised and designed by Natrang Director Balwant Thakur, the show which was primarily based on the dances of Jammu and Kashmir, beautifully showcased the cultural diversity of the state. This colourful bouquet of varied shades and cultural essences of the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions demonstrated the cultural and artistic strengths of the state. A short film by Balwant Thakur, on the tourism potential of the state was also screened on the occasion, which was highly appreciated by the audiences. The cultural diversity of Jammu and Kashmir was reflected through the folk dances of the state. A variety of different colours, rhythms, costumes, designs patterns and artistic expressions of multiple festivities of Jammu and Kashmir were expressed through Rouf, Jagarna, Pahari, Gojri and Ladakhi dances. Few filmy numbers relating to the life and culture of Kashmir were also presented on the occasion. Each dance was different from the other, representing the true essence of a wide range of cultural celebrations. Despite being different from each other in form and style, they are so integrated in each other that they always complement each other and supplement each others strength. The grand finale performance ‘Unity in Diversity’, which had exclusively been created by Thakur to celebrate the diversity of the state, kept everyone spellbound. The show was coordinated by Gaurav Jamwal, who also did the presentations. The artistes who participated in the programme included Saima, Roopali Thakur, Pooja Raina, Latika, Meenakshi, Komal Kalyan, Jyoti Kumari, Aruna Kumari, Sunny Mujoo, Rockey, Pankaj Handoo, Bunty, Ashwani and Bharat Bhushan. |
|
|
Eid-i-Milad
celebrations
The shrine and the area around it wore a festive look, as it was decorated with colourful lights amid the hustle and bustle of devotees and roadside vendors selling eatables and other goods. Many households and shops were also decorated with colourful lights and bunting. Emotional scenes were seen when the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad was displayed at the Hazratbal shrine. The most unique feature of the Milad celebrations in Kashmir is the public exhibition of the holy relic (the Prophet’s hair strand) after each of the five daily prayers at the Hazratbal shrine on the day of Milad. The display of the holy relic is considered to be un-Islamic by the orthodox Muslim groups but the practice continues to be a part of the distinct Milad celebrations in the Valley from the dawn of the 18th century. The holy relic of the Prophet will be displayed after every prayer tomorrow as well exclusively for women. The 12-day-long Milad celebrations had begun on January 25, the first “Rabiul-Awwal” of the Islamic calendar. Meanwhile, the authorities had made necessary arrangements for the Milad festivities at Hazratbal. Buses of the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation were engaged to ferry the devotees, while many medical and refreshment stalls were set up. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the shrine today to offer “Asar Namaaz” (late afternoon prayers). He also interacted with the residents and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state. |
|
|
Valley basks in sunshine after overnight snow
Srinagar, February 5 Srinagar was covered in a thin layer of snow in the morning but it melted away during the day. The tourist resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir received around 14 inches of snow till the morning and also remained the coldest place of the Valley, recording a minimum temperature of -7.5 °C. Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, and the tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir received 27.9 mm and 23.4 mm overnight snow and rainfall, respectively. The border town of Kupwara recorded 33.5 mm snow and rainfall. Four houses were partially damaged following an avalanche at Resin village, near the tourist resort of Sonamarg, in Ganderbal district, Divisional Kashmir Asgar Samoon said. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. Meanwhile, the authorities here have extended the medium avalanche warning in snow-bound areas of the Kashmir valley by another 24 hours. The avalanche warning remains in effect till 5 pm tomorrow. The areas prone to avalanches include Chowkibal, Tangdhar, Machhil, Keran, Gurez and Uri along the Line of Control; Zojila, Sonamarg and Drass on the Srinagar-Leh national highway; and the higher reaches of Baramulla and Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts. People living in these areas have been advised not to venture into avalanche-prone slopes. People living near the forests had been advised not to go out to collect firewood during this period. Also, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway continued to remain closed to vehicular traffic today, a police official said. Earlier, the weatherman had forecast rain and snow from February 3 to 7.
|
|
|
SCREENING PREGNANCIES
Jammu, February 5 “The test called TORCH Panel is a blood test to determine infection,” said a gynaecologist, adding that infections could turn into a breeding ground for some congenital disorders in the newborn. The patients have to pay more than 100 times for the same test in private laboratories. “At GMCH it costs Rs 20, whereas the same test costs from Rs 1800 to Rs 2000 at private laboratories,” said hospital sources. “As many as 10-12 patients are being prescribed the test in routine but not even a single test has been performed at the hospital in the past one year. Although the apparatus required for conducting the test is available, it is of little use due to the unavailability of testing kits,” added the sources. The sources say that internal strife between GMCH officials was responsible for the chaos, as the test kits had not been procured even though the purchase committee had given its approval. Principal of the GMCH, Jammu, Rajinder Singh said: “The TORCH tests are not performed at the GMCH, these are performed at SMGS Hospital, Shalamar. And SMGS does not fall in our ambit.” |
|
|
10 pilgrims hurt in accident
Katra, February 5 Three of the injured were shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, in a critical state after being administered the first aid at the District Hospital, Reasi. Those critically injured have been identified as Kamlash Sharma (54), Muni Devi (48) and Babu Ram (60), all residents of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The other injured - Joginder Sharma (46), Rani Sharma (40), Vimla Sharma (45), Ashok Pandey (50), Sushantar Pandey (45) and Bavita Devi (35), all residents of Ghaziabad, and Makhan Singh (26) of Bharak Reasi - have been admitted to the District Hospital. The incident occurred when the Winger (JK 20 1140), going from Katra to Shiv Khori, was hit by the tipper (JK 20 0241), heading towards Reasi, near Kheral village. Villagers reached the scene soon after the accident and informed the police. The police shifted the injured to the District Hospital, from where three were referred to Jammu. |
|
|
Two go missing after avalanche
Katra, February 5 “An avalanche struck
Khuni-Chad in Chassana at 2 pm. A special police officer Baldev Raj (30) and a youth, Vikram Singh (28), were hit by the avalanche and are unaccounted for,” said Sher Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate,
Mahore. He said around 10 villagers were clearing snow in the area when the avalanche occurred.
— OC
|
|
|
Constable electrocuted; FIR against Power Dept
Jammu, February 5 The police said constable Sunil Koul, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, died after getting an electric shock due to accidental flow of high voltage power in domestic wiring around 6.30 am. The constable was posted in District Police Lines, Jammu. The family and the relatives of the deceased constable staged a demonstration in the area and raised slogans against the PDD for its alleged negligence. They held the demonstration for two hours, demanding registration of a case against the electricity department. On the assurance of the police, the protesters lifted the dharna. In charge of the Pouni Chak police post said a case Under Section 304 had been registered against the
PDD. |
|
|
Militant hideout busted, arms seized
Srinagar, February 5 An Army spokesperson here today said they had received inputs on the movement of two foreign militants in the forests of
Chanadaji, a village around 10 km north of Bandipora, following which 3 Madras Battalion along with the Special Task Force,
Bandipora, launched search operations in the area. The Army troops and the STF busted a militant hideout in a mountain cave located on a steep cliff in
Chanadaji. During search, the Army recovered one AK-47 rifle with 200 cartridges, four pistols of Pakistani origin with 15 bullets and a Chinese hand grenade. |
|
|
‘Hawalaat’ a satire on exploitation of youth
Jammu, February 5 The play was a hard-hitting satire on the establishment, which has failed to tap the most energetic human resource of the country. The problems of the dejected youth have been beautifully portrayed in the play. The story of the play revolves around three youth, who have no place to live. On a cold winter night they are without food and shelter. Since nobody is ready to offer them shelter, they think it proper to have the same in a police lock-up. For this they approach a policeman as criminals. The play is a big satire on exploitation of the youth by the present system. The cast included Uplaksh Singh, Pankush Verma, Rahul Singh and Mohammad Yaseen.
— TNS |
|
|
Man held for robbing bus passengers
Jammu, February 5 Official sources said the police found two persons lying unconscious in a Jammu-bound bus near Bari Brahmana late last night. The victims were identified as Salman Nazir, a resident of Kupwara and Altaf, 24, a resident of Sopore. The police took them to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu. The bus was on its way to Jammu from Punjab. Sources said passengers, who were also travelling in the bus, said the detained person had offered biscuits to victims, who immediately fell unconscious. An amount of Rs 35,000 was recovered from the possession of the detained person. |
|
|
Jammu, February 5 Train No. 19226 running between Jammu and Bathinda, via Ferozepur, will now depart from Pathankot and the passengers of this train will be ferried in the Jehlum Express from Jammu up to Baroli where they will board their train. Also, train No. 19224 running between Jammu and Ahemdabad will run from Pathankot and the passengers will board their train from Chakki Bank. They will be ferried in the Malwa Express up to the Chakki Bank station. Similarly, train No. 12356 running between Udhampur and Patna will run from Pathankot and the passengers will be taken in the Sampark Kranti up to the Chakki Bank station. Also, passengers of the Jammu-Varanasi Express will travel in the Moori Express up to the same station.
— TNS |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
January, February 5
Two senior Congress ministers - School Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, and PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Taj Mohiuddin - have been in the news lately for wrong reasons. In spite of voices of resentment both within and outside the party, the two continue to hold their respective positions in the coalition government with the National Conference led by Omar Abdullah. Both ministers face charges of irregularities. While Peerzada has been accused of seeking favour from the State Board of School Education for his son during his matriculation examination two years ago, Taj Mohiuddin has been under fire from one of his party colleagues and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil for alleged irregularities in the departments under him. Both have enjoyed ministerial berths in two consecutive coalition governments - earlier with the PDP and now with the NC.
January, February 5