|
|
|
|
|
19 killed as matador rolls into gorge in Doda
Peerzada quits, targets Omar
|
|
|
BJP leaders find it tough to keep flock together
Surinsar Lake in state of neglect
Jammu Premier League takes off, courtesy the Army
We just pray for peace, good tourists, say people of this ‘paradise’
Hostel for J-K students in Delhi soon
Drunk cop opens fire, arrested
Daily wagers hold protest for second day
Camp for artists begins
Symposium on ‘terrorism’ held
Rare treat: Foreign scavenger sighted in Shivalik hills of Kathua
Sarpanch shot dead in Valley
|
|
19 killed as matador rolls into gorge in Doda Udhampur, February 10 The mishap took place around 9.30 am when the matador (JK06 2169), on way to Thathri from Changa, fell into a 250-foot-deep gorge near Bhatyas village as the driver lost control due to slippery road conditions. The negligence of the driver in the snow-hit area is alleged to be the cause of the accident. The mishap site, about 190 km from here, is still under about one and a half feet of frozen snow. All occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were killed on the spot, whereas its conductor Riaz Ahmed (20) sustained head and abdomen injuries. The deceased belonged to villages of Changa, Gandoh and Thathri in the district. The injured conductor was brought to the Community Health Centre at Thathri and later airlifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, for specialised treatment. Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan told The Tribune over the phone that ex gratia aid of Rs 1 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 25,000 to the injured. Cabinet ministers Taj Mohiuddin and SS Slathia rushed to the spot by helicopter. Legislators Inderwal GM Saroori and Bhadarwah Mohammad Sharief Niaz and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotal were also present. Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed grief over the loss of 19 lives in the road accident. They expressed their sympathy for the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
|
||
|
Peerzada quits, targets Omar
Jammu, February 10 Instead of submitting his resignation to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Peerzada directly sent his resignation to Sonia Gandhi because the recent statements of Omar had infuriated him. He has reportedly also raised question over the credibility of the Chief Minister in his resignation letter. “I have directly submitted my resignation to AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and now the Congress president has to take decision on my fate”, Peerzada told The Tribune after his resignation. “Being a Congressman, it is my duty to submit resignation to my leader only and not to anyone else”, he said. When asked why he has bypassed the Chief Minister, Peerzada said tweets of Omar Abdullah, in which he had stated that Education Minister’s fate would be decided in 24 hours, had hurt him. “Who is Omar Abdullah to decide about my fate? Only the Congress high command has the authority to take decision on my fate”, he said. Omar Abdullah on Thursday had tweeted that findings of the crime branch had been discussed with his alliance partner Congress. “We will decide action in 24 hours”, Omar had stated and added he was not lenient with anyone. “I am just following the natural course of justice that his guilt has to be established. I can’t go on presumptions. The guilt must be established. In this case, the minister happens to be the Education Minister also. Therefore, a thorough probe is a must,” Omar had stated. Peerzada, however, did not rule out possibility of a deep-rooted conspiracy to weaken Congress in Kashmir by targeting the Congressmen. Without naming coalition partner National Conference (NC), he said some parties were finding it difficult to digest growing popularity of the Congress in Kashmir valley. “I have won four Assembly elections as a Congress candidate from Kashmir valley so these parties were bent on targeting those Congress leaders who have mass following”, he said. Sources closed to Peerzada said he had also written a letter to Sonia Gandhi in which he levelled serious charges on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Peerzada is second Congress Minister in the coalition government who was forced to resign. Earlier, GM Saroori, a senior Congress leader, was asked to submit his papers when his daughter was allegedly found involved in an impersonation case in MBBS entrance examination in 2009. Supporters
hold protest As soon as the news of resignation of Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed spread, some of
his supporters thronged his residence and staged a demonstration in his favour. They also raised slogans against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for hatching a conspiracy against him (Peerzada). Majority of the people who were protesting belonged to Kukernag area of south Kashmir. Peerzada is an MLA from Kukernag Assembly segment. They alleged that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should also resign because an inquiry was already being held against him in the sensational killing of Haji Sayeed Yousuf. The supporters have decided to organise a massive demonstration tomorrow in front of the Congress office in support
of their MLA. His son’s father
|
||
|
BJP leaders find it tough to keep flock together
Jammu, February 10 While four senior leaders resigned yesterday from the primary membership of the party, the entire Basholi unit of the BJP had quitted the party three days ago over the “biased” decision of the high command to expel their MLA Jagdish Sapolia on the charges of cross-voting. All senior leaders of the Bani unit of the party who resigned from the BJP a month ago have come out openly in support of their MLA Lal Chand, who was expelled from the party. During the last two months, a large number of BJP workers, including some veteran leaders, have quit the party and came out in support of those seven legislators who were expelled from the party. Although the BJP leadership has been holding tehsil-level meetings to keep a check on the “exodus” of party workers, all efforts of the party proved futile because rebels have been successfully luring the cadre. “It is just the beginning. In the days to come many more leaders would leave the BJP to join our front,” claimed Anil Gupta, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF), a forum constituted by the rebel BJP leaders. Claming that not only
BJP leaders but activists from other parties were also joining the front, Gupta told The Tribune that the city unit of the front would be announced on February 19. On November 18, 2011, the BJP had expelled six MLAs from the membership of the party and had written a letter to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to disqualify them as members of the House on the charges of cross-voting in favour of Congress and National Conference candidates in the Legislative Council elections which were held on April 13, 2011. Another veteran leader of the party and former Union Minister Chaman Lal Gupta, who was leader of the party in the Legislative Assembly, was earlier expelled from the party on May 31. Although BJP leaders tried to project the expelled legislators as “traitors” among the party cadre, supporters of these MLAs started deserting the party as a mark of protest against, what they called, biased decision of the
high command against their leaders. As Chaman Lal Gupta has been associated with party since 1950, he has a strong lobby in the party and his supporters have been deserting the BJP in “installments”. Influence of these leaders in the party can be gauged from the fact that leaders from all regions of the Jammu province have resigned from the BJP against the high command’s decision. |
||
|
Surinsar Lake in state of neglect
Surinsar, February 10 Furthermore, a pumping station of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department continues to squeeze life out of it. The station lifts water
rom the lake thereby sounding a death knell to the fresh water body. “The old pumping station had caved into the lake around two years back, but the PHE authorities came up with another pumping station a year ago, which continues to lift water from the lake, supplying it to Panjoa, Barchilla, Badga, Cholana, Sangad, Tarjad, Jaithli, Sakoon and few other villages in the area,” said Haroon Rashi, a government teacher. “The government had launched a project around six months ago in Chilla village, on the Tawi banks to come up with a pumping and filtration stations. Once the project is completed the PHE authorities will stop lifting water from the lake,” Rashi added. However, a PHE employee informed The Tribune that presently the pumping station near the lake lifted 40,000 gallons from it during night. “It seems the ambitious plan to develop the Surinsar Lake as a tourist destination has been put into back burner because the SMDA in the name of development has installed only floodlights around the lake some four years ago,” said Bhushan Kumar, who runs a grocery shop near the lake. We also heard that the government has spent Rs 1 crore on the lake, but the fresh water lake not only continues to shrink, but its aquatic life also faces extinction threat, Kumar added. He, however, informed that the SMDA had acquired 32 kanals near the lake to raise tourist huts in future. The fresh water body has a radius of 2.56 sq km and had 17 species of rotifers once. Over the years the SMDA has just given cosmetic touches to the lake and its surroundings by renovating a tourist bungalow, shelter sheds, four wooden decks, installing plastic dustbins and electricity poles, added Kumar. Located some 42 km from Jammu, the Surinsar and Mansar Lakes are known as ‘twin lakes’. Locals believe that the mythical lakes of Mansar and Surinsar are connected by underground waterways and their depth remains a mystery till date. |
||
|
Jammu Premier League takes off, courtesy the Army
Jammu, February 10 The tournament is being organised by the Army with the active support and encouragement from the Department of Sports. Over 200 teams from 10 districts of the Jammu region will participate in the T-20 cricket. The inaugural match was played between the United Cricket Club and the Tiger Cricket Club. The tournament which is being organised as part of the Army’s Sadbhavana activities would be played in two phases. The first phase which commenced today is being played at the district level in the Jammu region. All eligible teams of the district would play on knock out basis up to the quarter finals and thereafter the ranking of four teams would be decided in the semi-final and final matches. A total of 16 teams would be selected from 10 districts to participate in the second phase, which will be played in Jammu in April this year. Maj Gen BS Negi, GOC, Uniform Counter Insurgency Force, and many other dignitaries were present during the ceremony. The Sports Minister, while speaking during the opening ceremony, expressed the hope that the league would open new avenues for the youth of the Jammu region and hopefully its players would represent the state in the IPL in the near future. The minister thanked the Army for generating resources at such a massive scale and for bringing together the entire region for a noble cause. Sporting Ties
|
||
|
We just pray for peace, good tourists, say people of this ‘paradise’
Srinagar, February 10 There is not much snow on hills around the raised plateau of Srinagar city and the black hills further away fill one with disappointment. But all that evaporates at the sight of joy on the faces of locals, who have seen months of peace after decades of violence that had bruised their psyche and bled their souls. Imtiaz, a taxi driver, thanks Allah for peace and prays that it lasts for ever. “Hum Kashmiri aman pasand log hein (We Kashmiris are peace-loving citizens). But we don't talk much about peace as it is as fickle as the weather these days,” he says. Just as he utters these words, one spots a posse of cops patrolling two streets in the Maisuma area, which is the stronghold of JKLF leader Yasin Malik. Not many seem to be troubled at the sight. Life goes on amidst such protests. People, including foreign tourists, walk past the security cover as though it is the most natural thing to do. It is Friday and protests are no 'big deal', a local journalist educates me. But stressing on the “fickle peace”, he adds that anything could worsen a situation. “There is little more tension today than the usual,” he admits. “Today is the eve of the death anniversary of Maqbool Bhat, founder leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, who was hanged to death in 1984 for killing policemen. Posters hailing him are seen on walls and poles in the city. "Anything can trigger violence here. That is why public contact programmes of the government as part of its confidence-building measures become so important,” points out another local journalist. The Dal Lake is not frozen. The sun is shining bright. The boatmen and guides are taking it light. The Punjabi dhabas along the lake are locked as
there is not much business before March. “The chilly days of the 40-day Chillai Kalan period are over. Now it is Chillai Bacha, which means less winter. Everyone remains hidden or indoors to conserve energy for the good summer ahead. We just pray for peace and good tourists,” says Mohammad Bilal, a guide at the Dal Lake. |
||
|
Devotees throng Hazratbal
Srinagar, February 10 Following Friday is observed exclusively among the Muslims of the Valley, a week after the Prophet’s birth anniversary and continues to remain a part of Kashmir’s distinct Milad celebrations. Jammu and Kashmir is also the only place in the country where a state holiday is observed on the day. While special prayers and supplications at many mosques and shrines marked the day across Kashmir, the main Following Friday functions were held at the Hazratbal shrine, on the banks of the picturesque Dal Lake here. People from all over the Valley visited Hazratbal for prayers and to catch a glimpse of the holy relic (Prophet Muhammad’s hair strand). The most unique feature of the Milad celebrations in Kashmir is the public exhibition of the holy relic, each time after the five daily prayers at Hazratbal shrine on the day of Milad and the following Friday. The Hazratbal 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. Earlier, the 12-day-long Milad celebrations were held from January 25 to February 5. The government had made adequate arrangements for the devotees. DGP Kuldeep Khoda and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon visited the Hazratbal shrine yesterday and took stock of the arrangements there. They had also inspected the medical camps established by the authorities in the vicinity of the shrine that had been set up for the convenience of the pilgrims. |
||
|
Clash between JKLF activists, police
Srinagar, February 10 The JKLF organised the rally to reiterate its demand for the return of mortal remains of Maqbool Butt, who was hanged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail on February 11, 1984. When the police prevented the rally from marching ahead in view of the prohibitory orders, there were clashes between the JKLF supporters and the police near Budshah Chowk. The police held Mohammad Yasin Malik, and two of his associates, Noor Mohammad Kalwal and Mohammad Ashraf, leading to the protests in the area. The police said at least five constables, including a Selection Grade Constable, were hurt in a stone-pelting incident at Maisuma. They were identified as Sg Constable Javaid Ahmad and Constables Tariq Ahmad, Shabir Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad and Iftikar Ahmad. The hiding miscreants resorted to heavy stone- pelting on these policemen from the rooftops. One of the constables, Shabir Ahmad, received severe injuries. The police, however, exercised restraint while dealing with the situation, the police spokesman said. All the injured were rushed to the Police Hospital, Srinagar, from where constable Shabir was referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences for further treatment. Meanwhile, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik has sent a memorandum to the UN Secretary-General Ban KI Moon citing reasons for the protests on Butt’s 28th death anniversary. The JKLF has called for a general strike on the occasion tomorrow. In his memorandum to the UN Secretary- General, the JKLF leader said “even the mortal remains of our beloved leader were not handed over to his family and it still remains in the custody of Indian government at the same jail. This is the greatest human rights violation as every human deserves a proper burial after his death.” |
||
|
Governor has busy schedule in summer capital
Srinagar, February 10 He had meetings with delegations of cross-LoC traders, the Sikh body leader, Jagmohan Singh Raina, Nodal Officer of the Rehabilitation Council and others. Nirupama Kaul, alias Rabia Baji, Nodal Officer, Rehabilitation Council and In charge, All India Centre for Urban and Rural Development (J&K), called on the Governor. During the meeting, Kaul briefed the Governor about the activities of the Rehabilitation Council and the All India Centre for Urban and Rural Development in the State. She discussed with the issues relating to the welfare of youth and urged the urgent regularisation of the services of those youth who are working on ad hoc basis in the various departments in the State. The Governor assured that he would address the Chief Minister in this regard. Meanwhile, Waheed Ur Rehman, chief executive, HBN Channel, Pulwama, also called on the Governor. He informed the Governor about various programmes being telecast by this private local news channel, particularly in Pulwama and Shopian districts since its establishment in 2007, for spreading the message of peace and development. |
||
|
Hostel for J-K students in Delhi soon
New Delhi, February 10 This is part of the initiatives taken by the Government of India to enhance confidence-building measures for the people of J&K. The proposed hostel facility will be for 400 students of postgraduate, graduate and school-level students (separate for boys and girls). The estimated cost of the project is Rs 16.22 crore and it is expected to be completed within 24 months from the date of construction. Funds will be released in instalments by the J&K Government to Jamia Millia Islamia. The amount will be reimbursed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The land for the hostel shall be provided by Jamia Millia Islamia within its campus. It was felt that the students from the state find it difficult to get accommodation in the campus hostel and the adjoining areas. In order to overcome this problem, the project was envisaged. After the construction of building, hostel facility for 400 students from J&K will be available in addition to those who obtain hostel accommodation under the regular system. These 400 students from J&K, to be admitted in the hostels, will only be those students who are admitted to Jamia Millia Islamia University and its affiliated schools. Home Minister P Chidambaram congratulated the Chief Minister of J&K and Vice-Chairman of Jamia Milia Islamia for coming together for this project. Omar Abdullah said this step will help in providing accommodation and also further integration of the students from the state. |
||
|
Drunk cop opens fire, arrested
Jammu, February 10 The constable has been arrested and was identified as Yuvraj Singh (belt number 429). He was posted with IRP 11 Battalion and was presently serving at government quarters here. The police said he opened fire in the air under the influence of liquor. Soon after the gunshots, panic gripped the area and cops from the nearby police station rushed to the spot. The constable was overpowered by the cops and was taken to the police station. His service weapon was also seized.
|
||
|
Illegal appointment
Katra, February 10 Protesting daily wagers alleged that it was an unjustified step on the part of the district administration and the department of local bodies that the senior department officials had issued a permanent order to Sunita Devi, who was working as a computer assistant on a consolidated basis, in the Municipal Committee, Katra. The employees of the department said how a permanent appointment order can be issued for Sunita when she was appointed in the office a year ago. They added we are being ignored despite our seniority. We have been working on a consolidated basis from the last 10 to 12 years, they said. In the order copy, it has been mentioned that Sunita Devi, presently working as a computer assistant on a consolidated basis in the Municipal Committee, Katra, as per order issued by Executive Officer, MC, Katra, with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, is hereby confirmed as a computer assistant in the MC, Katra, against the available post with immediate effect. Director of the Local Bodies FC Bhagat on Thursday said the order copy issued to Sunita Devi was ‘fake’. Sources revealed that over 300 daily wagers of the Municipal Committee, Katra, had planned to hold a chain hunger strike and a protest rally at Katra on Monday against the illegal appointments, which will also be supported by the daily wagers and safai karamcharis, working on the 13-km-long Katra-Vaishno Devi track. Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Sheetal Nanda said the administration had sought the documents related to Sunita’s appointment order and the matter was being looked into. Nanda added there was no need to worry, as the administration was vigorously pursuing the matter. |
||
|
Camp for artists begins
Jammu, February 10 The state Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), GR Sufi, was the chief guest, who inaugurated the camp. Speaking on the occasion, Sufi appreciated the initiatives taken by the JKCCA, Jammu, and said the activities like this would certainly benefit the artist community and project their works at different platforms. About 40 artists from different parts of the country are participating in the camp. The main aim to organise the camp was to bring closer the artists’ community from different corners of the country and to promote their talent in the field of painting. The camp had been organised to provide opportunity to the young people to work with senior artists. Earlier, OP Sharma, Director of the JKCCA, welcomed the chief guest. While highlighting the achievements of the centre, he said the centre had organised various state and national level programmes on art, literature and culture. |
||
|
Symposium on ‘terrorism’ held
Jammu, February 10 The programme was organised under the supervision of DIG, Rajouri-Poonch Range, Rajesh Kumar in which nearly 500 students participated. As many as 17 students expressed their views on the topic. Ishatiq Ahmed, Aalia Iqbal and Harpreet Kour were adjudged as first, second and third, respectively, in the competition. The DIG presented cash reward and certificates to the participants.
— TNS
|
||
|
Rare treat: Foreign scavenger sighted in Shivalik hills of Kathua
Jammu, February 10 Dr CM Seth, chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature, has claimed to have spotted
the scavenger called Steppe Eagle. Interestingly, the local vultures, though decreasing in number, seem to have offered the well-known Indian hospitality to the guests. Seth said local vultures were comfortable with the foreigners. “They allow them to share their habitat and their feed, which includes remains of dead animals.” The Steppe Eagle, a rare species of winter migratory bird found in Romania, Egypt, South Russia, Mongolia and other parts of the Central Asian belt, has been reportedly sighted for the first time in the lower Shivalik hills in the Galakh region in Kathua district of the state. It is the national bird of Egypt. Seth has shared his findings and pictures of the bird with The Tribune (see pic). The sighting of the bird has come close on the reports of the Siberian Bar Headed Geese choosing the Gharana Wetland near Jammu over the Chinese wetlands this winter season. Few Siberian Geese were spotted carrying Chinese tags, indicating that these must have been migrating to China earlier. “Steppe Eagle or Aquil Nipalensis is a native of the region that falls between Romania and Mongolia. The process of migration may not be new but only it has been realised for the first time,” said Seth. Mentioning the peculiar features of the bird, he said: “The total length from tip of the bill to the tail of the Steppe Eagle is from 72 to 81 cm, and it weighs approximately 2.5 to 4 kg. Its general appearance is dark brown. Its wing flight feathers are blackish, with primaries being banded. Legs and cere (area at the base of the beak) are yellow.” “It is a matter of chance that I could capture the local vulture Himalayan Griffon with Steppe Eagle, amazingly in a single frame. The former is a local resident throughout the year and has a special metabolism that enables it to conserve the energy needed to survive in harsh winters,” he said. Bhushan Parimoo, a Jammu-based wildlife expert, has welcomed the sighting of the bird. “I have seen the pictures. I am delighted at the sighting of the foreign bird. It is a ray of hope... that Steppe Eagle is finding a favourable environment in this region. Vultures are natural scavengers, our well-wishers, so we should create the conditions to preserve them as they are on the brink of extinction,” he said. Akin to Vultures The Steppe Eagle, a rare species of winter migratory bird found in Romania, Egypt, South Russia, Mongolia and other parts of the Central Asian belt, has been sighted for the first time in the lower Shivalik hills of the Galakh region in Kathua district. Steppe Eagles may be called “eagles” but their behaviour is anything but what one may expect from an eagle. They prefer to scavenge and, just like vultures, prefer others to kill the prey. They choose fresh meat only. Steppe eagles also steal prey from other wild carnivores. The Steppe Eagle will only go hunting if it is really necessary.
|
||
|
Sarpanch shot dead in Valley
Srinagar, February 10 Unidentified gunmen fired upon and injured two persons, sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Dar and a carpet weaver Abdul Qayoom Allai late last night after they were returning home to Hawoora Mishpora in Kulgam. Both the injured were shifted to a public health centre at Quimoh where Dar died.
|
|
| 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 | |
As many as 19 passengers, including three minors and a couple, were killed and one seriously injured when the matador in which they were travelling skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge.
After two days of suspense, Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, whose son was involved in using unfair means for his secondary school examination, submitted his resignation this evening.
There’s not a tinge of greenery on land or on trees to welcome one as one enters Srinagar — the paradise on earth.
There is not much snow on hills around the raised plateau of Srinagar city and the black hills further away fill one with disappointment.
But all that evaporates at the sight of joy on the faces of locals, who have seen months of peace after decades of violence that had bruised their psyche and bled their souls.
