Srinagar, September 8
The medical shop, which was sealed by the GB Pant Children Hospital on July 24 for allegedly selling spurious drugs and violating lease agreement, was opened today after the high court directed the authorities to remove its seals.

The high court had on Thursday directed the Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Hospital to remove the seal of a paediatric medical shop located on the premises of the hospital.

“On the directions of the high court, the seals of the shop were removed today morning and shop opened”, said advocate Bashir A Bashir, who represented shop owner Rifat Khan in the high court.

GB Pant Hospital, the only tertiary care children’s hospital of the Valley, is under the scanner for high rate of infant mortality. The high court is monitoring the tertiary care children hospital after a public interest litigation petition was filed in May. It (PIL) pleaded that the court must direct the state government to order an inquiry into the high infant mortality rate at the hospital.

During the previous hearing, the counsel had submitted to the court that his client’s lease agreement for the shop was still valid for one and a half years. “Despite having a valid lease deed, the authorities sealed his shops without any adequate proof”, he had submitted.

He had also pointed out that in their status report to the court, the hospital administration had failed to provide any sample or medicine from the shop which could be termed as spurious.

The court has already allowed Rifat Mohammad Khan, the owner of one of the sealed medical shops at GB Pant Children Hospital, to file a case against the hospital administration demanding Rs 10 lakh as damages.

Srinagar, September 8
The BJP’s nationwide protest against the Coalgate scam reached Kashmir today. The BJP’s state wing organised street protests in Srinagar.

The BJP’s activists gathered at the Press Enclave, Residency Road and were marching towards the Lal Chowk when the police intervened and foiled their attempt.

The protesters were taken into preventive custody at nearby KothiBagh police station.

Earlier, the protesters led by Muhamad Ashraf Reshi, president, BJP wing, Central Kashmir, burnt effigies of the UPA government and raised slogans against the widespread corruption within the government.

“Our party’s ‘Sadak se Sansad Aandolan’ against the corruption, price rise in the country orchestrated by the Congress-led UPA government would be taken to its logical end. The recent coal allocation scam which involves Prime Minister has been exposed and the BJP will fight against it on streets,” Altaf Thakur, general secretary, state BJP wing, said.

Srinagar, September 8
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said today the Central government would not beg separatist Hurriyat’s moderate faction to come forward for talks on the Kashmir issue.

“No one has any initiative. If you want to talk, India will not beg before you. If someone wants to talk, they will have to initiate,” Abdullah told reporters in response to a question on moderate Hurriyat faction chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq showing willingness to talk with the Centre.

Abdullah, who was in the city here on the 30th death anniversary of his father and NC founder Sheikh Abdullah, said no one from the government would send an invite to the separatists for talks.

“No one will come with an invitation card for talks. If they (separatists) want to have a solution, which is also acceptable to the people here, they will have to make the initiative. India will not come begging,” he said.

Moderate Hurriyat chairman Miwaiz Umar Farooq had yesterday said his separatist amalgam has “always stood for meaningful talks.”

Terming Kashmir as a “long-drawn problem”, Abdullah, who is also Union Renewable Energy Minister, said it would take “many years” to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.

“It will take many years. Don’t jump at it. Pakistan has its own problem and we have our own problems, nothing is going to be accepted just like this,” he said.

“We are part of India that is not going to change. Let’s make that very clear,” he said.

Abdullah said talks between India and Pakistan’s foreign ministers were a “very good” step which would lead to better understanding between the two countries.

“Things are going to improve. We are hopeful that travel arrangements will become easier, trade facilities will increase and more areas will open up,” he said. “There will be tourism, there will be cultural tourism and above all there will be a better understanding.”

He said the cross-LoC trade needed a proper banking facility so that the trade between the two divided Kashmirs could grow.

“As far as we are concerned, we feel the banking facilities between this side of Kashmir and that side of Kashmir are necessary if we want to have good trade, otherwise barter system is not going to work,” he said.

Kupwara, September 8
The youth are increasingly falling prey to drug menace in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Handwara and Baramulla towns. The number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and use of other drugs indicate that the menace is more widespread in Kupwara.

Since February this year, Kupwara police station alone has recovered brown sugar, charas, codeine and other prohibited drugs worth lakhs of rupees. The recovery of drugs include at least 380 bottles of codeine commonly consumed by the addicts to overcome stress. Over 24 youths have been arrested on the charges of consuming drugs and doing “lucrative” trade.

Under FIR No.122/2012 (NDPS), the police had recovered 1 kg of brown sugar from Mohd Amin Lone. At least 500 gm of charas was recovered from Nazir Ahmad Mir of Khumriyal under FIR No.156/2012. Similarly, under FIR No. 164/2012, Kupwara police post had arrested eight youths on the charges of consuming drugs. At least 308 bottles of codeine were recovered from their possession.

“The addicts include educated jobless youth. Despite stern action by the police to demoralise the potential drug addicts, the menace seems to be luring more youth towards it,” a senior police official said. Under FIR No. 36/2012, the Handwara police had arrested Showkat Khan, Abdul Majid Gojri, Abdul Majid Banday Showkat Ahmad Shah and two others. The police had recovered around 300 gm of charas from the accused.

In Baramulla, the situation is no better. However, over 24 youths, according to the police, had reported to a de-addiction centre in the town to get rid of drugs. In Baramulla police station, four cases under the NDPS Act have been registered and at least five youths were arrested for using drugs.

Over 12 criminal cases had also been registered in the town against the youths for consuming drugs like codeine.

“Educated youth have been found using drugs like codeine and phensydyl. In the recent past, over 24 youths have voluntarily attended the drug-addiction centre to get rid of drugs,” said a senior police official.

The youth resort to anti-psychotic drugs, including insulin and codeine, to overcome stress.

“The use of insulin and hypoglycemic stops neuron-muscular transmission in human body. They feel drowsiness for some time,” said a senior doctor.

Handwara September 8
The Indian Navy today provided essential medicines worth Rs 1.50 lakh to the paediatric ward of the Handwara District Hospital.

The Indian Navy had donated the ward in memory of children drowned in the Wular boat tragedy in 2006. Twenty schoolchildren and two teachers of the Burning Candle School, Handwara, lost their lives on May 30, 2006, when a naval boat capsized in the Wullar Lake.

The hospital authorities said help from the Navy had improved patient care at the paediatric ward.

“The Navy has provided the hospital a baby warmer and a photo therapy unit. Earlier, we had to send ailing children to Srinagar hospitals but now we are able to treat them here,” said Sajad Ahmad, medical superintendent, Handwara District Hospital.

A naval team comprising Commander DS Sodhi and surgeon commander RW Thergaonkar (paediatrician) visited the hospital on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff. Ailing children referred by the local doctors were also examined by the Navy paediatrician.

The Indian Navy has been maintaining a liaison with the hospital authorities and doctors are making visits to ensure good patient care of the ailing children.

Srinagar, September 8
An assault rifle and its ammunition has been recovered near a stream in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the police said today.

A police spokesman said the recovery was made after specific information was received about the weapons.

The spokesman said an AK-56 assault rifle, one AK-56 magazine and 30 rounds of AK ammunition, were recovered from the Lal Pora area of Kupwara district, which is located on the Line of Control.

The rifle and ammunition were concealed near the banks of Kawari Nullah, the spokesman said. — TNS

Srinagar, September 8
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, several state ministers and party members of the National Conference (NC) today paid floral tributes to the party founder Sheikh Mohmmad Abdullah on his 30th death anniversary.

The leaders offered prayers at the grave of the party founder, who was also the chief minister and a prime minister of the state.

Omar described Sheikh, who is also his grandfather, as an architect and the founder of educative, progressive and secular democratic society in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Sheikh Sahib propagated and nurtured amity, brotherhood and mutual trust between various sections of the society and lived as a torch-bearer of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian unity,” said Omar.

According to the statement, the Chief Minister said that his government would put in all efforts to work for the realisation of progress, peace and welfare of new Jammu and Kashmir as envisioned by his grandfather.

Union Minister Farooq Abdullah also offered prayers at his father’s grave.

Other who paid homage to the NC founder included Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Law Minister Mohammad Ali Sagar, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad and Transport Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon.

The Member of Parliament: Sharif-ud-Din Shariq, Mehboob Beg and speaker of state Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar K Lone also offered their homage.

Srinagar, September 8
J&K PCC president Saifuddin Soz visited the Baramulla district of north Kashmir, where he held Congress party workers meeting and took stock of the problems being faced by the people of the area.

Soz visited the district hospital along with Deputy Commissioner, officers of health department, joint director planning and engineers.

He urged the officers to ensure timely completion of the remaining construction work by January.

He took notice of the deficiencies of the medical infrastructure and told the people that he would take up the matter with the Health Minister and necessary medical facilities would be provided soon.

He also visited the site for the construction of community centre at Old Town (Baramulla) along with the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, other Officers, Chairman of Auqaf-I-Islamia and President Traders Federation where land was identified on which a Community Centre would be built to serve the residents of the town.

According to spokesperson, Soz later visited Khanpora, Gunatmulla Bala and Payeen, Chichama, Zendapheran, Budmulla, Pehliharan and Namblan to inspect the developmental works.

He also sanctioned money out of his MP LAD Funds for different projects.

He was accompanied by the former PCC chief, Gulam Rasool Kar, and other party leaders.

Srinagar, September 8
Seven persons have been injured in three different roads accidents in the Kashmir valley, the police said today.

With this, the total number of injured persons in road accidents has increased to 32 in the past two days. A passenger cab turned turtle on the national highway in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district near Sopore.

Five passengers travelling in the cab were injured in the accident. They were taken to the Sub-District Hospital, Pattan, the police spokesman said. In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a vehicle turned turtle near Sether-Sangam resulting in injuries to Abdul Jabbar Ahangar, who was travelling in the vehicle.

The injured has been shifted to a hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a car hit a pedestrian identified as Mohammad Hussain Bhat. The police spokesman said he was shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Kupwara, for treatment. The number of fatal and non-fatal casualties is constantly rising in Kashmir as two to three road accidents are being reported on a daily basis.

Yesterday, 27 persons were injured in different road accidents in the Kashmir valley of which two later died at a hospital. — TNS

Srinagar, September 8
CPM state secretary for Jammu and Kashmir Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has called for the formation of a youth commission which will frame “special and result-oriented” projects for the development of youth.

Describing the youth as builders of future, Tarigami, who is also an MLA from Kulgam district, emphasised on evolving a comprehensive vision document for the long-term solution to problems being faced by the youth in the state.

Tarigami advocated the formation of a State Youth Commission to frame a special and result-oriented projects and schemes for the harmonious development of the youth.

He deplored the approach of the government while dealing with the youth and suggested that the government should accommodate their political, social and cultural views and should not brand all the youth as anti-social elements as has been the trend in the administrative circles.

The CPM leader expressed satisfaction on the obvious shift from violence to peaceful protests by the youth and said the government should take it as an opportunity for dealing with the youngsters in the same way as it does in the rest of the country.

While interacting with a group of youth, Tarigami exhorted them to unite and launch a strong and steady struggle for their rights and also discharge the specific responsibilities peculiar to their age group.

In addition to general problems faced by youth in India and the entire world, the J&K youth have some specific issues, which include the non-availability of quality vocational education, suitable employment opportunities and denial of economic and social empowerment, he said.

The youth of the state are also facing government indifference, neglect and even repression, Tarigami said.

Srinagar, September 8
Members of the Democratic Party of Nationalist (DPN) met yesterday to discuss the possibilities of roping in the state youths for the economic development of the state.

The party called the intellectuals of the Valley to come forward and re-strategise the policy for youth to channelise their potential for peace, progress, prosperity and development.

The resolution to this effect was passed in a one-day party convention of DPN at the party headquarters.

Srinagar, September 8
The eighth day of the Bhand Pather series was marked with the outstanding performances of the Luk Pather Centre and the Valley Folk Theatre, who made the crowd spellbound with their engrossing presentations.

Today’s play was staged at central Kashmir’s Budgam district in which the popular Kashmiri television actor, Bashir Kuoter, participated.

The play, ‘Anpad Gau Kharie Khuadaye’, revolved around the funny characters who had developed a world vision of their own and were not ready to buy any argument on corrective measures.

The play, ‘Shaal Chalith Bathen Loray’, written and directed by Fayaz Ahmed Rather portrayed that how in a society one has to bear the brunt of few blacksheeps of the society. The play concluded with a social message telling the audience that one cannot escape from bearing the fruit of his good or bad deeds. The artistes included Fayaz Rather, Abdul Rehmaan, Mushtaq , Shafi, Mohammad Hasham, Mohammad Younus, Irshaad Majeed, Zahoor Ahmed, Tariq Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Ghulam , Jalal , Ghulam and Nazir Bhat. former PCC chief Gulam Rasool Kar, and other party leaders.

Srinagar, September 8
To enhance the standard of basic public facilities, more particularly in government established residential colonies, innovative initiatives are required.

This was said by Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Science Technology Aga Syed Rahullah during a function organised by the Ompora Government Housing Colony in Budgam district on Friday.

“Efforts are on to bring in new lease of life in the living standard of the habitants of these colonies by taking up many developmental and welfare projects during the current financial year,” said the minister.

He said, “For the improvement of basic public facilities innovative initiatives are required.”

Around 1,400 families, living in the area, are facing various problems. Reassuring the residents, managing director, housing board, RK Watal, said Rs 70 lakh would be spent on many developmental and repair works in the colony.