Srinagar, November 8
Admitting a petition challenging the appointment of incumbent Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the state government to file counter-affidavit within two weeks.

The petition challenging the appointment of Nasreen Khan as the Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums (J&K), was filed by the Deputy Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums Mohammad Shafi Zahid, who has termed her appointment as “illegal.”

In his petition filed through advocate Mian Qayoom, Zahid has submitted that she is not medically fit. “Nasreena Khan is suffering from hemiparesis for quite a long period and has been unable to work in her parent department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums”, Zahid has submitted in the petition.

“She has been attached with the Institute of Education for withdrawal of pay as she can’t perform any teaching job or any official duty and needs some helper to move, walk and even to occupy a chair”, Zahid’s counsel submitted while arguing the petition this week.

The court, after hearing both the sides, has reserved the matter for final hearing in the first week of December. In the meantime, the single Bench of Justice Mohammad Yaboob Mir, before whom the petition came up for hearing, has directed respondents, including secretary, Tourism & Culture (J&K), Nasreen Khan (Director) and the establishment-cum-selection Committee to file their counter affidavit within two weeks.

“On scrutiny of records, it is found that certain issues require adjudication. (Respondents directed) to file counter affidavit within two weeks with advance copy to the counsel for the petitioner so as to enable them to file rejoinder (if any)”, Justice Yaboob directed in his orders.

In the petition it has also been alleged that the state-level selection committee has “flouted appointment rules” by appointing her (Nasreen Khan) Director in “stop-gap arrangement” for six months.

“The recommendations for her promotion came from the establishment Committee, which had earlier rejected the claim of Nasreen Khan on the ground that she is a physically handicapped and not able to attend her office,” the counsel submitted before the high court.

The high court in its earlier directions had asked the state government to consider petitioner (Mohammad Shafi Zahid) for the post of Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums. The government had later on June 6, 2012, submitted before the court that the selection committee would take decision in the matter accordingly.

The appointment has been challenged by Deputy Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums Mohammad Shafi Zahid. Zahid has submitted that the incumbent is not medically fit and has been unable to work for quite a long time due to her illness.

Srinagar, November 8
The ongoing Class XII examinations have pitted the candidates against the Board of School Education (BOSE), the authority conducting the examinations, for setting question papers out of syllabus and for resorting to unjustified series system.

After mathematics examination, the students alleged that even physics question paper was out of syllabus and they could barely attempt half of the questions asked.

Besides, the students alleged that the BOSE, by resorting to different questions in each series, has discriminated students by setting easy questions in one series, making the other question paper series difficult.

The students said even after approaching the authorities, they were not convinced of their response and that they might approach a court for seeking justice.

“In case, we do not get justice, we will go to court since our careers are related to this,” Mukeet, a Tyndale Biscoe School student told The Tribune.

The BoSE authorities have decided to scan the question papers via technological interface and thereby take the final decision.

“We are looking into the matter. We have opted for scanning the papers using latest softwares to see if they abide the standards of Class 12,” a BoSE official told The Tribune.

However, the students are not satisfied with the technological intervention solution and demand nothing less than compensatory marks.

“BoSE cannot befool us. There is no software available in the world which can track down whether a question paper is out of syllabus or not. They should conduct the examinations again or give us the compensatory marks or else face the consequences. Our careers at the stake,” Roheela, a Presentation Convent Girls School student said.

The BoSE authorities, meanwhile, are not ruling out the compensatory marks option.

“If we find out that the norms have not been adhered to while framing the question papers, we can award a maximum of nine compensatory marks to the students,” a BoSE spokesman said.

Sopore, November 8
As many as 420 patients, including women and children, from Sopore and its adjoining areas received free medical check-up and medicines at a medical camp organised by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Government High School, Adipora, in Sopore, under CPG-2012.

IGP (Operations) Kashmir SS Sandhu inaugurated the camp, which was organised by 179 battalion of the CRPF.

The camp would provide benefits to the needy people of far-flung areas of Sopore.

At least six medical officers from sub-district hospital (SDH), Sopore, and the doctors from the CRPF, including a woman doctor, examined the patients. Local residents hailed the initiative of the CRPF and hoped that such camps would be held in future as well.

Kupwara, November 8
As many as 21,366 patients were treated by a team of three doctors at Ayush unit of the Community Health Centre (CHC), Kupwara, from January to September.

These patients are from the border areas of Karnah and Machil in the Kupwara district.

Senior medical officer and nodal officer of the unit Dr Shabir Ahmad Bhat was awarded best performance award at an annual award function held by the Directorate of Health Kashmir on October 25. He bagged the honour for providing best healthcare facilities to the patients.

The award was presented by State Minister of Health and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma at a function held at auditorium of Dental College in Srinagar.

Dr Shabir said “Ayush unit at CHC Kupwara will continue to work hard to ensure better patientcare in the district.”

“I am pleased to receive the award, which obviously reflects the hard work of the Ayush unit, Kupwara. It is good that the state health department has recognised the outstanding services of the doctors in the frontier district. The Ayush unit will continue to provide better healthcare facilities to the ailing people of the district,” said Dr Shabir.

Out of the total number of patients treated till September this year, five persons had tested sputum positive (suffering from tuberculosis) and two malaria positive. Only one patient had been found suffering from hepatitis-D.

On a single day, more than 200 patients register at the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of the Ayush unit in CHC Kupwara.

Head of the unit Dr Shabir said a team of three doctors was working hard to ensure that every patient is attended and best possible treatment is provided to them.

“I have asked the doctors to give due time to each patient. Thankfully, most of the patients treated at the unit are cured of ailment in due course of time. We also ensure that medicine of standard drug companies are prescribed to them for an effective treatment,” said Dr Shabir.

According to the OPD of the Ayush unit, as many as 16,869 patients were treated last year. Out of total number of patients treated, at least 11 tested sputum positive and six tested positive for malaria.

Srinagar, November 8
Kashmir University rode high on the management-faculty bonding this week with the newly inducted Registrar of KU, Prof Zaffar Ahmad Reshi, assuring the Kashmir University Teachers Association (KUTA) that genuine demands of the teachers would be met so that quality education is imparted in the varsity.

The KUTA, which represents university’s teaching staff, has been voicing concerns of the enhancement in the retirement age, one man-one post and streamlining of University transportation services.

“We are hopeful that the new management looks into our demands and 
promotes the provision of quality education in the varsity,” a KUTA member said.

In order to promote the interest of students in the technical education sector, the North Western Regional Office, Chandigarh, of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), organised a one-day workshop for the students, where they were apprised of the benefits of e-governance though a single application form for various courses at the University.

KU’s Business School students had a busy week competing for placements in the Godrej Industries. The Godrej team visited the campus on November 3 for campus recruitments. Eventually, three students got selected and would be heading to Mumbai for pursuing their jobs soon.

CCTV cameras installation raised concerns among the students, particularly, with regard to invasion of privacy if CCTV cameras are installed inside the classrooms.

“I don’t think students will allow this to happen. The KU management will have to face the music if the CCTV cameras are installed since many students think that the management is doing this to bring student protests to halt,” a member from the Kashmir University Students Union (KUSU) told the Tribune.

Apprehending students rage in case the CCTV cameras are installed, the KU authorities decided to side with the students on the issue against the Ministry of Higher Education. “I don’t think the campus activities need to be monitored by installing these cameras. Their requirement is only at a few strategic locations of the campus where the damage to the University property is feared,” Prof Zaffar Ahmad Reshi, Registrar, KU said.

• Management Teacher Bonding
• KU students to work for Godrej Industries
• TCCTV cameras - a big NO by Kashmir University

Srinagar, November 8
A faction of the separatist Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), led by Javed Ahmad Mir, has appealed to Barrack Obama, who was elected for second term as the US president on Wednesday, to solve Kashmir and Palestine issue.

“US President Barrack Obama can play a messiah’s role to solve Kashmir and Palestine issue,” Mir said.

Obama was elected on Wednesday for his second term as US president after he defeated Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Despite various assurances given by every US president, the issue remains unsolved for the past six decades in the sub-continent and Middle-East, Mir said.

“But every time they placed their own interests before the will of the people of the sub-continent and of Middle-East,” he added.

Srinagar, November 8
The first national seminar on Kashmiri Drama was thrown open today at Sri Pratap Singh College auditorium in presence of towering theatre personalities from the state, many of whom described the seminar as a breakthrough in the history of reviving theatre culture in Kashmir.

MK Raina, Kashmir’s renowned theatre and film actor, who acted in Bollywood films, like Taare Zameen Par and Ayesha, was the guest of the honour on occasion.

He emphasised on the portrayal of turmoil in Kashmir through cultural expression of theatre and drama, thereby, reviving the theatre culture as well as making people aware of an important chapter in the history of Kashmir.

Raina, in his address, mentioned the significance of Kasher Open Air Theatre (Bhand Pather) in the movement of bringing back life into the Kashmir theatre industry, which had lost its appeal in the last two decades of violence.

“I can say that Bhand Pather, which is our unqiue street theatre, distinguishes us from the theatre groups of any other part of the world and therefore we should preserve it at any cost,” Raina said, while outlining the need to redefine Kashmiri drama, through synergising the traditions with modernity.

Makhan Lal Saraf, Valley’s dramatist, actor and director, whose plays are regularly telecasted on Doordarshan’s Kasher, brought forth the issues of non-utilisations of funds by the government authorities for revival of the Kashmiri theatre culture, which has shooed away the contemporary talented artists from the industry.

“There is no scarcity of financial resources for the industry, we just don’t have sufficient honest people who could channelise the money in proper ways and help showcase the talent of people in Kashmir,” he said.

Earlier, the inaugural address was presented by ML Kamu, a theaterist, who spoke on the lack of infrastructure like the absence of theatre halls in the state, funding for organisation of theatre programmes in colleges and universities and polling in more money for an active theatre throughout the year.

The seminar is being organised by Sahitya Academy, in collaboration with the Kashmir Theatre Federation.

Srinagar, November 8
Hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani has decided to conduct a seminar to discuss about the construction of the road to Amarnath shrine on November 10. The construction work has been vehemently denied by the state government.

“Intellectuals and experts from the civil society will participate and will express their ideas with regards to functioning of the Amarnath Shrine Board and its modus-operandi. We will have a discussion on its negative impact as well,” the hardline party spokesman said.

The separatist amalgam’s spokesman said the Hurriyat will decide the future course of action after considering the suggestions put forward at the seminar.

The issue, as alleged by the hardline separatist leader Geelani, has triggered a verbal duel between separatists and the state government which maintains that no road is being constructed.

The state administration, along with a group of journalists, went on an aerial tour over the Baltal route to check the ground reality.

Geelani said he never mentioned the construction was taking place at the Baltal route but at Pahalgam route to the cave.

Hardline Hurriyat has threatened an agitation if the government moves ahead with the construction process of the road.

The coming seminar will be held at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence, the head office of the hardline separatist party.

Anantnag, November 8
A Kashmiri shawl vendor, hailing from Anantnag, has been found murdered in the Rohru area of Shimla.

Sources say, a 28-year-old man has been identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin Tantray, a resident of Watnar village of Kokernag, Ananatnag district. As per reports, he was missing since November 6. “He did not return to his rented accommodation after the day’s work. On November 7, after receiving a call from nearby village, where he used to go to sell shawls, his reached the spot along with a police team they found Tantray’s strangulated body” said Bashir Ahmad, a Shimla-based Kashmiri businessman.Meanwhile, the JK Police has been in contact with the Shimla police about the incident.

“We had send the body to Kashmir after conductiong a post-mortem examination,” said Anantnag, SSP R K Jalla.

He said that his counterparts in Shimla have told him that two people have been apprehended by them, “Investigation has been initiated,” SSP said.

“The state as well as the Central government has to take steps to ensure the safety of Kashmiris in other parts of the country,” said a Shimla-based businessman.

Srinagar, November 8
The seven-day-long inter-district football tournament, organised by the Army, for the children, concluded here today.

“Josh-e-Awam U-19 Football Tournament” was conducted by the 7 Rashtriya Rifle (Punjab), under the aegis of Headquarters 31 Sub-Area, in which a total of eight teams from different parts of Srinagar participated, an Army spokesperson said.

He said the aim of conducting the tournament was to engage youth of in healthy sports activities.

The final match was played between Young Madina, Zadibal, and FC Soura, Srinagar, at Boys Higher Secondary School, Zadibal, in which Young Madina, Zadibal, emerged winner by defeating FC Soura, Srinagar with a margin of 1-0.

The final and the concluding event was graced by Colonel Arun Awasthy, Commanding Officer, 7 Rashtriya Rifle (Punjab), who was the chief guest on the occasion.

The other civil dignitaries, who were present on the occasion, were Peer Aafaq Ahmad, MLA Zadibal, Srinagar, Abdul Quyoom SP, Hazaratbal.

Jammu, November 8
Atman Sports Club scripted a thrilling 3-run win over Vishal Cricket Club (VCC) while JKP XI beat ACC XI by 15 runs today in the ongoing Eid-Diwali Milan T20 Cup Cricket Tournament being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department, in collaboration with Simula Software, at M A Stadium here.

In the first match, JK XI got better of ACC X1 by 15 runs to secure a berth in the quarterfinals.

Batting first, JKP XI accumulated 145-6 in the stipulated 20 overs. Skipper Rajesh Gill was the top scorer with 52 runs off 
48 balls, including 8 boundaries.

For ACC XI, Ajay, Madan and Sambyal took 2, 1 and 1 wicket respectively.

In reply, ACC XI could not able to chase the target and managed to score 130-5 in the process. Sunil Sambyal played a fighting knock of 37 runs. For JKP XI, Rajesh Gill, Dilbag and Shamsher Singh snared 2, 1 and 1 wickets respectively. Rajesh Gill of JKP XI was adjudged the man of the match.

In another match, Atman Club notched up a thrilling win over VCC by 3 runs. Batting first, Atman Sports XI scored 118-5 in the stipulated 20 overs. Chetan was the top scorer with 62 runs. For VCC, Bansi was the chief destroyer who took 3 wickets while Kaka took 2 wickets.

In reply, VCC skittled out for 115 runs in 18 overs. Parveen Singh was the top scorer with 54 runs off 42 balls. For Atman Club, Chetan, Sidhant and Baljit shared 2 wickets each. Chetan of Atman was declared the man of the match.

Jammu, November 8
A 32-member karatekas team of Amateur Karate Do Association, Jammu and Kashmir, (AKAJK) today left to participate in the 1st AIKF Open National Karate Do Championship slated to be held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, from November 8 to November 10.

Amateur Karate Do Association of Jammu and Kashmir (AKAJK) president Ambedkar Gupta accompanied the team.

The team: Boys U-14 (Junior Category): Utkarsh Khajuria, Prakhar Jyoti, Anjan Chopra, Sparsh Bhat, Sushan Sharma, Avril Attri, Manik Sharma, Gourish Pratap Singh and Rhytham Sharma

Boys 14-15 years (Cadet Category): Amit Sharma, Sourav Mehra, Yuvraj Singh, Sahil Singh and Satyam Mahajan.

Boys 16-17 years (Junior Category): Abhishek Sharma, Nahiem Ahmed Khan, Mohiem Ahmed Khan, Wasim Iqbal Khan, Niaz Ahmed, Khurfid Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Sadeeq and Shabaz Khan.

Boys above 18 years (Senior Category): Aman Sapolia, Ravi Kumar, Anup Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Parveen Singh, Ibrar Khan and Rajesh Kumar.

Girls below 14 years (Junior Category): Fiza Khan, Ishita Raina.