Srinagar, September 11
A flood alarm has been called off in the Kashmir valley after the water level, which had drastically increased following heavy rain, receded in the Jhelum following no fresh rainfall since last night.

The alarm was sounded on Monday when the water level of the river crossed the danger mark of 16 feet following heavy rain, which lashed the region for three days.

The water content in the river, which navigates through the entire length of the Valley, has gone below the danger mark, said Aamir Ali, coordinator, State Disaster Management Cell.

“The situation is under control, as the water level has fallen below the danger level,” he said.

During the recent spell of rain, Srinagar had received more than 80 mm rainfall in a three-day period.

A flood alarm is sounded when the river’s water level crosses the 16-ft mark and alert is sounded when the level crosses the 18-ft mark. Flood is declared when the water level in the river spills over the 21-ft mark.

The heavy rainfall had also caused flash floods in south and north Kashmir in which 37 people, including women and children, were trapped. They were rescued after a day-long operation in Shopian and Kulgam districts on Sunday.

The incessant rain, which began on Friday night and lasted till Monday afternoon, has significantly brought down the soaring mercury in the Valley.

Since mid-July, except for a few days, the maximum and minimum temperatures had remained four to six degrees above normal in the Valley, which is otherwise known for its cool weather.

A weak monsoon, expected to depart from the Kashmir region on September 15, caused little rain in Kashmir leading to a rise in the temperature.

The state weather department said the latest spell of rain was caused by western disturbances, which had entered the Valley last week.

Baramulla, September 11
Residents of Baramulla today demanded a fair and impartial probe into the death of a 16-year-old class-X student 10 days ago.

Panveer Singh, who was enrolled at Baramulla Public School, had died on September 3, a week after he attempted suicide by jumping off the second floor of his school building due to alleged harassment by the school authorities.

“Hundreds of people gathered at Panveer’s home today to pay their last respects to the departed soul,” said Karnail Singh, a Baramulla resident and a family sympathiser.

A majority of people, including some political workers from different parties, who attended the ceremony, demanded an impartial investigation into the circumstances that prompted the boy to commit suicide.

“The boy was harassed by his teacher, which forced him to take this extreme step,” a Sikh community leader said while demanding a fair inquiry by the police.

The victim’s family had alleged that their son was subjected to undue harassment by the school authorities since he belonged to a minority community.

The Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of Baramulla have voiced their support for the victim’s family.

They have blamed the school authorities for negligent attitude and demanded stern action against the teacher, Altaf Hussain Teli, who had allegedly been picking on the student for some time.

The local police has dismissed the claims that the boy was harassed for belonging to a minority community but has registered a case and is carrying out its investigations.

Srinagar, September 11
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today issued warrants against a Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) in north Kashmir for his failure to respond to an earlier court directive.

While issuing bailable warrants against Mohammad Ayoub, who is currently posted as the CDPO in the Rajwar area of Handwara in north Kashmir, Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir has directed the SP concerned to execute the warrants against the official to ensure his personal appearance.

“In the orders, the High Court has directed the SP concerned to execute the warrants for ensuring the presence of the CDPO before the court on September 17. The court also observed that in case the SP fails to execute the warrants, he shall have to explain his position before the court,” said Imtiyaz Sofi, who is representing a petition before the High Court seeking the declaration of Ayoub’s adjustment/posting as the CPDO in the Social Welfare Department “illegal”.

The court in its previous directive had asked the CDPO concerned to file a reply to the writ petition filed by Naza Bano through her counsel Sofi Imtiyaz.

Naza, hailing from the Rajwar area of Handwara, had challenged her non-selection as an anganwadi worker by the officer concerned.

“Though he had filed his objections/response to most of the points raised in the writ petition, he chose not to file his response to the para wherein his appointment/adjustment as the CDPO in the Social Welfare Department has been challenged,” said Sofi.

As the case came up before the Bench today, the counsel raised these points before the court, which, after hearing the submission, issued warrants against the official.

“The respondent No. 5 (CDPO Ayoub) is not a permanent employee of the Social Welfare Department and is a close relative of the sitting Handwara MLA. He has managed his continuance in the department without being appointed on a substantive basis in the department and in connivance with the authorities of the department has retained his posting as the CDPO of Rajwar and Ramhal blocks,” alleges the petition before the High Court.

The petition seeks the declaration of the CDPO’s appointment illegal and his removal from the department as he had not been validly appointed in the department. “The authorities be also directed to produce his service record before the court to determine the validity of his appointment as the CDPO,” the petitioner has prayed.

Kupwara, September 11
The shortage of timber at forest depots in Kupwara and Handwara for the past two months has delayed construction works. Many consumers have been forced to smuggle timber to meet their needs, sources say.

The non-availability of timber has also affected the pace of construction work at some government buildings, including schools and panchayat ghars, in the two towns of north Kashmir.

“The department had sanctioned 100 cft (cubic feet) timber in March 2011. Since then, I have made repeated visits to the Kamraj forest division but to no avail,” said Mohd Ashraf, a resident.

The situation is no different in the Kehmil forest division and the divisions of Handwara and Langate. Consumers said the construction of residential structures had been delayed due to the shortage of timber.

“We are time and again told that timber will be made available at depots but nothing has happened,” a consumer said.

He said many consumers had resorted to illegal means to obtain timber. “The shortage of timber has forced people to resort to smuggling,” said another consumer.

Hundreds of consumers having the requisite sanction from the department continue to make rounds of depots only to return empty-handed.

They say if the department does not make the timber available at the depots, they may not be able to complete the construction work before the winter season, which begins in November.

Tikker sarpanch Ghulam Nabi said: “The panchayat ghar at Tikker has remained incomplete for the past four years for want of timber.” The village is just 2 km from Kupwara town.

Construction of many government buildings, including health centres and schools, in north Kashmir has been affected due to the shortage of timber.

Residents of Charkote, Dardpora, Lalpora, Warnow and Devar in Kupwara said there was no timber available at depots in Hayhama, Lolab and Zangli. The villages fall under the Kamraj forest division.

They said they were unable to make full use of the ongoing construction season due to the shortage of timber.

Sayeed Farooq Raza Geelani, Conservator, Forests (North circle), said: “Over 60 per cent timber had been dumped at depots in north Kashmir. The Social Forest Corporation (SFC) has not been able to make the rest of the timber available. The timber will be made available at all depots by last week of this month.”

Anantnag, September 11
Most private schools across the Kashmir valley continue to ferry children in old passenger vehicles and auto-rickshaws, showing complete disregard for the Supreme Court directives concerning the transportation of schoolchildren.

The Supreme Court directive specifies that all private schools should provide comfortable transportation to schoolchildren in buses painted in yellow, besides providing proper space to keep bags and other belongings.

But throwing caution to the winds, private schools either ferry their students in local transport like old passenger vehicles and auto-rickshaws or transport them in overcrowded school buses, with most students forced to stand during the journey.

Sources said at least 60 to 70 per cent private schools across the Valley have engaged uncomfortable private transport to ferry children despite charging the parents a hefty amount as transport fee.

Parents say such gross violation is possible only if the authorities are hand in glove with the management of these private schools.

“We are fed up with complaining. I have been approaching the school management as well as the transport authorities for almost three years, but nobody seems to care,” says Muhammad Amin, a resident of Anantnag.

Other parents say the mode of transportation remains the same be it the sweltering summer or the biting chill of the winter.

“Everybody cannot afford to enroll their children in elite schools. The authorities should pay some attention towards the violation for the safety of the children,” says Mushtaq Ahmad from Pampore.

The parents further allege that old vehicles fitted with gas kits also expose the children to undue risk.

Srinagar, September 11
The board of directors for the SC, ST and the Backward Classes Development Corporation under the chairmanship of Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo today approved Rs 13.25 crore action plans for 2012-13.

The board while deliberating on various issues agreed to enhance the subsidy component for the Backward Classes and the bank type schemes from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000.

The board also decided to enhance the loan component under the education loan scheme for the target groups to the tune of Rs 10 lakh within country and Rs 20 lakh abroad in professional courses. Earlier, the minister revised the annual performance of the board of directors and the targets achieved during the financial year 2011-12.

The meeting was attended by Ghulam Rasool Khan, managing director, J&K, SC, ST/ BC, DCB; Ishaq Wani, Director Budget; Special Secretary Planning MH Malik; Director SW Kashmir Bashir Ahmad Bhat; MH Bhatti, Director, Social Welfare Jammu; BA Wani, additional secretary, SWD, and GN Itoo, OSD with Minister for Social welfare.

It was informed that target of 21,00 beneficiaries under direct financing and Bank tie-up schemes has been fixed and 1,000 beneficiaries under skill training programme was approved under the action plan. Various issues regarding the welfare schemes launched by the corporation for the welfare of the SC/ST, handicapped, safai karamcharis and other Backward Classes under direct financing schemes and bank tie-up schemes were discussed during the meeting.

It was said that during the last financial year Rs 4.90 crore loans was advanced to 330 beneficiaries under direct financing and 556 beneficiary were provided bank loan up to Rs 1.95 crore and subsidy to the tune of Rs 0.43 crore.

It was also said that Rs 5.37 crore has been recovered from the loans during the last financial years.

Later addressing the board members the minister stressed upon the corporation to synergise the efforts to improve the percentage of the recovery component under direct financial schemes of Apex Corporation which should be above 75 per cent. Sakina Itoo asked the corporation to improve the performance both under direct financing and bank tie up schemes.

The minister also directed the members to disseminate necessary information about various welfare schemes launched by the state corporation in the interest of weaker sections. She said thrust should be given for the maximum coverage of target groups at block and district levels. 

Srinagar, September 11
As part of its effort to revive the Bhand Peather (folk theatre) in Kashmir, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Natrang Jammu staged two plays in Kulgam district of south Kashmir today.

The first play, ‘Aahesar’, was presented by Sultan Bhagat Theatre at Mondhol, Kulgam. “The play through its highly rooted theme on the culture of Kashmir made the audience aware about the damage being done to it in reality,” said Balwant Thakur.

The second play, ‘Anpad’, written and directed by Gul Mohommad Bhagat was staged at Behi Bagh. “

Srinagar, September 11
A symposium on the theme ‘Save the Girl Child’ was organised at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sonwar, in collaboration with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Kashmir today.

On the occasion, participants spoke in detail on the topic and highlighted the social issue of female foeticide. The dignitaries also threw light on the issue and educated the audience about the importance of females in the society and strongly advocated the need to abandon the malpractice of female foeticide. Ayesha Latief, Nida Nek, and Bisma Altaf secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in the symposium, respectively.

They were awarded cash prize by the Chief Education Officer, Srinagar, who was the chief guest on the occasion. 

Srinagar, September 11
Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani today claimed that the change in the neighbouring country’s stand on Kashmir would prove fatal for them. He regretted that India and Pakistan had preferred to discuss LoC trade and travel over the Kashmir issue during the recent Foreign Minister level talks.

Geelani said, “It was unfortunate that the two countries were discussing steps to expand ‘potatoes and onion’ trade when people are being ‘killed’ in the Valley.”

He said, “Discussing the LoC trade and travel and ignoring human issues is like adding insult to the injuries of Kashmiris.”

Asserting that any change in Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir would prove harmful for the neighbouring country, Geelani said: “Pakistan has to explain if this change has come due to its own will or is it just a personal decision of a single party.”

He said a majority of people in Pakistan would not ‘compromise with the aspirations and sacrifices’ of the people of Kashmir. He alleged that New Delhi was initiating talks only to seek Islamabad’s endorsement on ‘maintenance of status quo’ in Kashmir.

Geelani made the comments with reference to External Affairs Minister SM Krishna’s recent meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar and other leaders in Islamabad.

Srinagar, September 11
The Director General of Prisons, Jammu and Kashmir, Navin Agarwal, has issued orders for promotions of three selection grade warders to the rank of head-warders and five warders to the rank of selection grade warders, an official spokesman said.

“Bashir Ahmed Kuchay, Mohammad Ashfaq Khan and Bashir Ahmad Dar have been promoted as head warders while as Mohammad Ashraf Daing, Abdul Qayoom Ganie, Javid Iqbal Malik, Farooq Ahmad Katoch and Javid Iqbal Khan have been promoted as selection grade warders,” said the spokesperson.

Srinagar, September 11
The state government today rescheduled the vacation calendar for the degree colleges located in the Kashmir valley.

As per the order issued by the Higher Education Department, the degree colleges from now onwards will observe 45 days summer vacation from June 1 to July 15. The colleges will also observe 10 days winter break from December 26 to January 4.

The colleges will also observe three-day holiday around Diwali (one day before and two days after the festival). Similarly, the colleges will also observe holiday for two days preceding the Holi festival, the communiqué said. 

Srinagar, September 11
The Department of Posts today announced a special discount of 6.5 per cent on the sale of gold coins for the upcoming festive occasions of Pushya Nakshtra and Ganesh Chuturthi through their designated post offices in the J&K Circle.

“The 24 carat Swiss made gold coins will be available at General Post Office, Srinagar; Jawahar Nagar post office, Baramulla; head post office and Bandipora post office,” said an official.

He said the offer will be valid only on September 12, 17 and 18. 

Srinagar, September 11
Adviser to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul presided a meeting of the office bearer of J&K Football Tennis Association here today and discussed the matter regarding the participation of two eminent players from the State in the forthcoming International football and tennis championship to be held in Croatia from December 27 this year.

The meeting was informed that selection of third players is under consideration of the association.

Interacting with the office bearers of the association, Gul said that camp of J&K State players for participation in national championships will be held at Hyderabad from October 17 this year. He said, “Similar camp will be held at Srinagar from October 1 to 7 during which selection will be made for international championship.”

He said from 2013, J&K open football tennis international championship will be held on a regular annual basis, in which various international teams shall be, invited which includes Turkey, Korea, Croatia, Spain, New Zealand and Bangladesh.

The meeting was attended by Manzoor Ahmed, Joint Secretary; Raja Javid Khan, technical director and RGN Wani, president of the association, and Zargar Mansoor convenor.

Srinagar, September 11
As many as nine persons sustained injuries in four road accidents in the Valley, the police said. This takes the number of injured persons in road accidents to 62 in the past five days.

“Two passenger vehicles collided with each other in central Kashmir’s Budgam district resulting in injuries to five passengers. All the injured persons were shifted to the hospital,” said a police spokesperson.

He said, “In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a vehicle rammed into a tree resulting in injuries to its driver who has been shifted to hospital for treatment.”

“In Baramulla’s Sopore town, a tractor and a van collided with each other resulting in injuries to two women,” he said.

“A load carrier hit a motorcycle in south Kashmir resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist who has been shifted to hospital for treatment,” said the spokesperson.

The number of casualties is on a constant rise in Kashmir. At least, two to three road accidents are being reported on a daily basis from the region.

As many as 16 persons sustained injuries in four road accidents in Kashmir on Sunday while seven persons got injured in three roads accidents on Saturday and 27 persons sustained injuries in road mishaps on Friday of which two persons succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.