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Rain ends dry spell in Valley
Kashmir Bar chief opts out of race for top post
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Stop importing laws from West: HC Chief Justice
Three killed in road accidents
Geophysical research centre at Kashmir varsity soon
Kupwara villages in grip of fear as wild animals devour livestock
Staff shortage takes toll on patients
Delay in final selection list irks students
Minister suspends 4 officials
Tourism Alliance for development
of new tourist destinations
Dealership opened in city
Debate on drug abuse held
2 commit suicide
Governor inaugurates five-day football tournament
Double delight for Delhi in throw ball meet
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Rain ends dry spell in Valley
Srinagar, August 25 Light to moderate rain is likely to last till tomorrow, which will bring down the temperature by a few notches. “We are expecting more spells of rain in the next 24 hours across the Valley. But there is no likelihood of a heavy rain. Humidity will also increase due to light to moderate thundershowers,” said Sonam Lotus, Director, Meteorological Department. Temperatures have been on a steady rise over the past week, adding to the woes of the people across the Valley. As rain lashed the city, residents ventured out to enjoy the pleasant weather. A large number of congregations have been held in the past few weeks with the hope of breaking the dry spell in the Valley. “We hope the rain lasts for a while and ends the unusually hot weather that we have been experiencing. The farmers are especially worried since their crops have been badly hit due to the dry spell. A day or two of rain is not enough,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a local farmer. While temperatures have been staying 2-3 degrees above normal, high humidity has been causing discomfort to people. “Humidity stayed in the range of 80-90 today. After August 27, it is expected to increase further, so people will have to brace for more dry and hot conditions. Though a few more spells of rain are likely to occur tomorrow,” said a Meteorological Department official. The statistics with the department suggest that the Valley has been remained rain deficient this year, as it has received just 17 mm rainfall so far in comparison to the normal range of 72 mm. Feeling the heat
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Kashmir Bar chief opts out of race for top post
Srinagar, August 25 This leaves former Bar president Nazir A Ronga and senior High Court lawyer Zaffar Qureshi face-to-face for the top post. The Bar Election Commission had set August 22 as the last date for filing of nomination papers and August 25 for the withdrawal of papers. At least 780 lawyers are eligible to cast their ballot. The commission is expected to declare the results the same date. A senior High Court lawyer, Qayoom has held the post of Kashmir Bar Association president for over 16 years since 1986. He has opted out of the race after holding the post for four consecutive years since 2008. “With the support and affection of lawyers, I have held this post for around 16 years. I want other people to come forward,” said Qayoom, who had survived an assassination attempt in the early 90s. “I also wanted to have a break,” he said, while spelling out reasons for opting out of the race. He was a key member of the committee that drafted the Hurriyat Conference Constitution in 1993. Apart from being closely associated with separatist politicians in Kashmir, Qayoom has been quite active in the Bar Association. He was at the helm when the Bar Association filed a public interest litigation in the sex scandal that rocked the state in 2006. Besides, he was also instrumental in taking up the Shopian murder case of two women in 2009 before the High Court by filing a PIL on behalf of the Bar Association. He was booked under the Public Safety Act for his role in the 2010 unrest and remained lodged at the Kotbalwal jail for several months, only to be released in 2011. Qayoom has kept a low profile since his release. Qayoom is considered close to Geelani-led Hurriyat. At one point, he was tipped to succeed Geelani to lead the Hurriyat. Sources say two nomination forms have been received from Nazir A Ronga and Zaffar Qureshi for the post of Bar Association president. They add that the Qayoom group is backing Zaffar Qureshi in the election. Others posts
The Bar Election Commission has received two nomination papers from Ajaz Bedar and Bashir Dar for the post of vice-president. Similarly, for the post of general secretary, four nomination papers have been received from GN Shaheen, the incumbent secretary, M Ashraf Bhat, Showkat Ahmad Khan and Bashir Siddique. For the post of joint secretary, two members — Javed Samad and Shabbir Ahmad Bhat — have filed their nomination papers, while as for the post of treasurer, Bilal Wani, Sheikh Hussain and Muzaffar Rather have filed their nominations papers. Top Contenders’ profile
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Stop importing laws from West: HC Chief Justice
Srinagar, August 25 He was speaking at a two-day national seminar-cum-workshop to discuss issues confronted by the lawmakers while dealing with the labour laws and judicial pronouncements at Kashmir University. “Parliament has not been able to bring in laws that are in tune with the welfare of the poor and needy and it has always relied on importing laws from the West, which have little applicability here in India. Under such circumstances, the process of delivering justice is left to the wisdom of judges who then have to interpret these laws and legislations for the betterment of the society,” the Chief Justice said. He added that empirical studies should be carried out before enacting new laws and legislations, keeping in view the different needs of labourers and industrialists to avoid confrontation between the two groups. The responsibility of protecting the constitutional rights of the working class lay with the young law students and upcoming legal luminaries who could make a huge difference by creating awareness in the society, he said. On past amendments to the labour laws, Justice Kumar said: “In the past, several attempts were made by some eminent legal luminaries in the country to replace the 1947 industrial law and in 1976 a Bill was introduced in Parliament in the same direction. But, the introduction of the Bill resulted in the dissolution of the Parliament and again in 1980s, similar efforts were made to replace the 1947 industrial law, but things never materialised.” The seminar spread over several technical sessions is being chaired by eminent legal luminaries and has been organised by faculty of law, University of Kashmir, and school of legal studies, Central University of Kashmir in collaboration with the National Labour Law Association, New Delhi, and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. In his presidential address, Dr Pravin Sinha, executive president, National Labour Law Association, said there was a need to provide a level playing field to labourers and industrialists and bring amendments in such a manner so that a balance was maintained between the two groups. “There have been several industrial unrests over the past one year all over India and these have a direct bearing on the development of the country. Therefore, there is a need to strike a balance between the interests of the industrialists and the labour class.” Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, said: “This is an important opportunity for our students to interact with the peer group and learn from their vast experiences.” Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, emphasised the need for the enforcement of law to safeguard the interest of the poor and labour class.
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Three killed in road accidents
Srinagar, August 25 The injured were shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Pattan. Haroon was later referred to SKIMS, Soura, where he succumbed to his injuries. In another accident, a bus hit Gul Sofi, a resident of Sheikhpora, Kreeri, Baramulla, near Choora, killing him on the spot. The body was handed over to his relatives. Also, a person was killed in Shopian district of south Kashmir after an Alto car skidded off the road near the Heerpora police post. Naseer Ahmad Hakla, a resident of Tandkot, Rajouri, and Ishrat Jan, a resident of Saidpora, Shopian, were injured. They were shifted to the District Hospital, Shopian, where Naseer succumbed to his injuries. In yet another case, a mini bus on its way from Ganilara to Beerwah in central Kashmir skidded off the road near Sadipora, leaving 11 passengers injured. The injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment. The Beerwah police has registered a case. Further, a Tata Sumo collided with a motorcycle near Buhama in Kupwara district, resulting in injuries to Abdul Rashid Mir, a resident of Buhama. The injured was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
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Geophysical research centre at Kashmir varsity soon
Srinagar, August 25 The centre will focus on subjects and areas of research specific to earthquake and hydrological studies. The MoU was signed by Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, and Prof Mrinal K Sen, Director, CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, in the presence of Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of Kashmir University. They presented a copy of the MoU to the Governor. This is expected to provide a framework for enriching scientific endeavours in these fields through collaboration by developing new academic and research programmes and exchange of faculty and students. The Governor, while speaking at the ceremony, emphasised the need for well considered and mutually beneficial collaborations in the arenas of teaching, learning and research to advance the welfare of the people at large. “I hope this goes a long way in meeting the challenges of global warming, climate change and helps in better weather forecast management,” he said. Professor Sen said it was a happy occasion that both the NGRI and the KU were looking to work together in several research projects. He added that they would undertake joint research projects in earthquake mechanism, disaster management, water conservation, etc. Prof Talat Ahmad, in his welcome address, gave details of the MoU. He also dwelt on the MoUs already entered into with various institutions.
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Kupwara villages in grip of fear as wild animals devour livestock
Kupwara, August 25 Experts attribute the prevailing movement of wild animals in human habitations to change in land use patterns, habitat degradation, heat wave, biotic interference and unplanned grazing in areas close to forests. People living villages of the Lolab area, including Charkote, Dardpora, Maidanpora and Warnow, are sacred of venturing out in the evening, fearing attack by wild animals. “Wild animals are active especially during night hours. They have devoured several cattle in our village,” said Rafiq Ahmad of Charkote in Lolab. Hamlets close to forests, including Haphrada, Ophan, Kalaroose and Doolipora, are particularly vulnerable as wild animals like leopard enter human habitations in the evening. “Our movement has been restricted during the evening hours. Children are more prone to attacks by wild animals. We spotted a leopard late last evening,” said Shamas-u-din Gojri of Haphrada. Villages in Handwara, especially those located in the upper reaches, are also feeling the terror of wild animals. At some places, villagers have been building late-evening fires to scare away wild animals. Mohd Maqbool Baba, Wildlife Warden, north Kashmir, says wild animals venture into villages due to increased human interference with their natural habitat, encroachment on forest land and unplanned grazing. Wake-up call
Experts attribute the prevailing movement of wild animals in human habitations to change in land use patterns, habitat degradation, heat wave, biotic interference and unplanned grazing in areas close to forests |
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Staff shortage takes toll on patients
Kupwara, August 25 Over 750 patients are registered at out patient department (OPD) on an average day. It was upgraded to the status of district hospital under Government Order No 235 HME of 2010 in April this year. Abdul Majid Khan (47) of Awoora said, “I am recovering from a surgery of appendicitis. My story can leave one stunned. The ultra sonography (USG) conducted at the hospital showed prostrate weighing around 16 grams and the final impression of the scan was normal. but when my condition started deteriorating, the findings of the USG did not satisfy a senior surgeon, Dr Abdul Khaliq. The surgeon advised me to do fresh USG at a private laboratory.The test in comparison shocked the surgeon. The USG showed prostrate weighing 25.9 grams and inflamed appendix size 12mm. The results also showed acute appendicitis with left renal cyst.” “The doctor performed surgery just an hour after the test. I was writhing with pain and now my condition is better ,” he said adding that had the doctor not considered the observation of the test conducted at the private hospital, an immediate surgery could not be performed. Khan is undergoing post-surgery treatment at the hospital now. His case is not the only solitary-case of poor patient-care. Husband of ailing Mehfooza, whose gall bladder was removed on August 22, had to purchase a table fan to beat the heat in a hospital room. “She was feeling suffocated as the ceiling fan was not working. I had to purchase a table fan to make her feel better,” said Mohd Iqbal of Chandigam Lolab. At present 70-bed hospital has three Sonologists and no Radiologist. “Sonologists having just six months diploma are performing the vital tests. A Radiologist is a qualified doctor to perform USG,” said a senior employee in the section. “We are forced to accommodate two patients on a single bed. Despite acute dearth of staff, we are trying to ensure good patient-care. The hospital also lacks necessary infrastructure and reeling under acute shortage of specialist doctors,” said BMO, Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone. |
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Delay in final selection list irks students
Srinagar, August 25 After a four-month delay, the board issued a final selection list of candidates for the courses from the Jammu region early this month. The selection list of students from the Kashmir Valley is under scrutiny of the board. An official of the board said,“We have issued a fresh notification mentioning the counselling sessions for the students from the Valley. The counselling would begin from August 30. The process of finalisation of the selected candidates has taken a long time. We request the students to kindly bear with us.” “We put our careers at stake when we applied for these courses. I did not go for higher studies and thought that the professional courses offered at the polytechnic colleges would be a great help. However, the time taken by the authorities is unjustified,” said a student.
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Minister suspends 4 officials
Srinagar, August 25 The minister had paid a surprise visit to the site of lift irrigation scheme at Uranbuha, Chandanwari, Uri, on the complaints of local people. The minister found that the pumping station was not functional and the office was locked. “He directed the authorities concerned to take stringent action against the erring officials. He issued a directive seeking explanation from the in-charge executive engineer, MID, Baramulla, Altaf Ahmad," said an official spokesperson. The minister also issued suspension orders to the in-charge assistant executive engineer, Fiyaz Ahmad, and Umar Wani, junior engineer, along with helper (operator) Showkat Ahmad and Farooq Ahmad who were absent from duty.
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Tourism Alliance for development
of new tourist destinations
Anantnag, August 25 The emphasis of the seminar was how to develop the new tourist destinations in Kashmir and to enhance the process to boost the tourism industry of Kashmir. Speaking on occasion, Minister of Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora said, “We have to draw a fine balance so that the tourism does not harm the environment and it’s the need of the hour that new destinations are identified.” “The aim of the government will be to develop basic infrastructure and then the private players can step in. We will facilitate their negotiations with the locals for land acquisitions; however the rest of the development is to be safeguarded by these private players,” said the minister. He said, “The time is ripe to think beyond Gulmarg and Pahalgam. There is so much untapped potential in the tourism sector and so many places can be developed into major tourist destinations. This can be a major source of economic growth as well as employment generation in the state,” said Jora. Calling the seminar a welcome step, Minister of State Home Nasir Aslam Wani said: “The government is in the process of identifying some twenty new tourist destinations across the state and the duty falls upon the government to develop basic infrastructure at these destinations.” Expressing concern over the rampant construction on the agricultural land the minister said people have to share the responsibility of protecting the eco-fragile environment of the state. He said, “The Chief Minister has been very supportive of any new ventures in the field of tourism. The government is going to continue the support.” Asserting that tourism is not an indicator of peace in the valley, the minister said, “It’s just an industry and like any other industry it is considered as an economic activity. It will be grossly unfair if the huge influx of tourists is considered to be an indicator of peace,” said Nasir Aslam Wani. |
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Dealership opened in city
Srinagar, August 25 The dealership will ensure efficient operations with focus on customer retention and provide value-added services to the customers,” said a company spokesperson . — TNS |
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Debate on drug abuse held
Srinagar, August 25 The function was presided over by Principal of the Government Degree College, Tangmarg. Students from Government Degree Collage, Tangmarg; Higher secondary school, Kunzar; Higher secondary school, Lolpora; Higher secondary school, Hardshoora; Higher secondary school, Wanigam; Higher secondary school, Chandiloora; Higher secondary school, Khaipora, participated in the debate. Speaking on occasion, Tangmarg SDPO urged the student’s community, college and school administration and civil society members to work collectively and extend help to the police so that the menace of drug abuse is eradicated from the society. Kulsooma Akhtar student of HSS Khaipora bagged the first position, Zahoor Ahmed of GDC Tangmarg attained second position, while the third position holder was Owais Ahmed Bhat of HSS Chandiloora. The police presented them mementos.
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2 commit suicide
Srinagar, August 25 A girl consumed poison at her residence at Kalantra Bala village in the Kreeri area of Baramulla district in north Kashmir. “The girl was shifted to a Srinagar hospital where she later died,” said a police official. “Khursheeda Begum (50), a resident of Chandanwari village, jumped into the Jehlum in Baramulla district. The woman’s body was fished out later,” a police spokesperson said. The latest suicides have taken the death toll to six in the past three days. A 22-year-old woman and a man had consumed poison and committed suicide in Kashmir yesterday, while two minor girls, aged 11 and 15, ended their lives on Thursday. |
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Governor inaugurates five-day football tournament
Srinagar, August 25 A total of nine teams from Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Orissa, Haryana and Delhi are participating in this tournament which is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Postal Circle. This is the first time that Jammu & Kashmir Circle is hosting the All-India Postal Football Tournament, which is being played at two venues — Bakshi Stadium and Polo Ground — in Srinagar. First Lady Usha Vohra and Minister for Youth Services and Sports RS Chib were also present during the inauguration function. The Governor said sports promote close understanding and camaraderie among the youth of various parts of the country. Recalling that Jammu and Kashmir had passed through a difficult phase during the past several years, the Governor said 2012 had been a good year for the state in terms of tourists inflow. “I compliment John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, J&K Circle, for taking notable initiatives not only for reviving the past glory of the postal services but also for the promotion of sports, which have contributed to reinvigorating contacts and interactions among youth from different parts of the country," said Vohra. The players of all teams were later introduced to the Governor who declared the tournament open and wished all participating teams success. The Governor also released “My Stamp” brought out by the Department of Posts on this occasion.
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Double delight for Delhi in throw ball meet
Srinagar, August 25 The Championship, which commenced from August 23, was organised by the J&K Throw Ball Association in collaboration with Throw Ball Federation of India at sports ground Government College for Women MA Road, Srinagar. As many as 20 teams, both in male and female categories, from various states and union territories of the country participated in the championship. RS Chib, Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports was the chief guest on the valedictory function that was held today. Speaking on occasion, the minister said throw ball is a new game in the State but it is getting popularity day by day among the youth. “I hope that the game will become the most popular game among the youth in near future," he said. Expressing gratitude for holding the championship here in the state, Chib complimented the organisers for conducting it successfully. He said, “Organising a national level event in the state provides an opportunity for the participants to understand each other’s culture and traditions.” Terming the participating teams as the ambassadors of their respective state, Chib hoped that they would convey the message of amity and hospitality of our state to their respective states. In female category, the final match was played between Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Delhi team won the match by 2-1 while in male category, it was played between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh, which was also won by Delhi team, by 2-1. Later, the minister gave away trophies and medals to the winners and runners-up team. He also distributed prizes and medals between Haryana and Madhya Pradesh teams as they had secured third position.
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Srinagar, August 25
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Srinagar, August 25
