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Curfew hits college exams in city
Night temperatures go up in Valley
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Mirwaiz put under house arrest, says Afzal is innocent
Over 3,000-kg polythene seized, destroyed
Illicit timber seized in Kupwara
LPG crisis: Black marketeers make hay in Anantnag
Anti-Israel protests in kashmir
7,700 Hajis return from pilgrimage
Inadequate accommodation hits studies in two Handwara schools
Call to intensify stray dog sterilisation campaign
Farmers will get subsidy to buy machinery
Hard work made state No. 1 healthcare provider: Minister
One killed, 11 injured in road mishaps
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Curfew hits college exams in city
Srinagar, Nov 23 More than 35,000 students from the Valley appeared in annual undergraduate examinations in over 300 examination centres across the Valley. However, tight security arrangements and imposition of Section 144 in areas falling under KothiBagh, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Shaheed Gunj police stations created hurdles for students who wished to reach examination centres on time. Although Kashmir University authorities had foretold the district administration officials of the likely inconvenience to students who have their examinations going on, little care was taken by the administration and security forces to prevent trouble to students. At many places in the downtown Srinagar areas, the securitymen did not accept identity cards and even examination admit cards of the students, thereby restraining them from going to their examination centres. Many students eventually failed to convince the securitymen and left for home, missing their examinations. Others reached the examination centres late and complained that the respective examination superintendents did not accept their pleas of giving them extra time. “It was chaotic all around. Although I reached my examination centre on time since I have my own vehicle, it was not possible for my friends, especially girl students. They begged for extra time from the teachers but were denied,” said Muneeb, a BCom final year student. Parents complained that although all VIP vehicles were allowed to pass through the areas under curfew, restrictions were partially imposed on students taking their examinations. “They could not control protests and violence and hence decided to impose the restrictions on students. Kashmir University authorities should come The Controller Examinations, KU, Prof Muhammad Salam Bhat, admitted that students faced inconvenience due to a day-long curfew. He said he had requested the district administration not to stop the students who had examination admit cards with them. “It is impossible to monitor all 330 centres in the Valley. Therefore, we had asked the district administration to direct securitymen not to harass the students. Unfortunately, reports of harassments were still received. We will conduct re-examination for students who have missed the examination. As for the candidates who came to their centres late, awarding the compensatory marks to them would be the examination superintendent’s discretion,” Prof Bhat said. |
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Night temperatures go up in Valley
Srinagar, November 23 Srinagar recorded maximum temperature of 13.3 degrees Celsius, a dip of around three degrees as compared to yesterday, an official of the Meteorological department said. However, the summer capital recorded minimum temperature of 4 degrees Celsius even as the night temperature had earlier plummeted to below zero degrees Celsius. It is pertinent to mention that the temperature increases from minus to around zero degrees before a snowfall. Night temperatures at other parts of the Valley too remained above the freezing point. Minimum temperatures recorded at the Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir was 0.8 degrees Celsius while Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, saw a low of 2.6 degrees. Pahalgam and Qazigund witnessed 11.8 and 12.8 degrees Celsius maximum temperature, respectively. The border town of Kupwara recorded maximum and minimum temperature of 16.3 and 1.6 degrees Celsius, respectively. The MeT official said the Valley would receive light rainfall and snow at isolated places during the next 24 hours. The authorities had already issued restrictions on traffic movement on Wednesday. “In view of forecast of light to moderate rain/snowfall on November 24 and 25 in the higher reaches of the Valley, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon has ordered traffic restrictions on the movement of vehicles on Kargil-Zanskar, Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil, Kupwara-Machil/Tangdhar, Anantnag-Sinthan-Kishtwar, Bandipora-Gurez roads and Shopian-Mughal road as a precautionary measure,” an official of the Disaster Management Cell had said. |
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Mirwaiz put under house arrest, says Afzal is innocent
Srinagar, November 23 “APHC chairman Mirwaiz was once again put under house arrest by the authorities since Thursday evening and stopped from giving Friday sermon and offering prayers at the historic Jamia Masjid,” a Hurriyat spokesman said. The spokesman quoted Mirwaiz as terming the restrictions as a “direct interference in religious matters”. “Mirwaiz denounced the government action,” the spokesman said. Referring to the recent court verdict on Lajpat Nagar incident, in which two Kashmir residents were acquitted after 16 years, the moderate Hurriyat chairman said the “decree reflects that how the Indian political system misuses its institutions to reap political dividends and thereby sticks to the power by means of such dirty tactics”. “To achieve this, the Indian system keeps its own people and international community in the dark while the innocent Kashmiris are made scapegoats by booking them in fictitious cases,” Mirwaiz said. Mirwaiz said the “exploitative forces are playing a big part” in Afzal Guru’s case, who awaits hanging after being convicted in Parliament attack case. “Kashmiris were watching how the Indian government and opposition parties were exploiting Afzal Guru issue for their vested political benefits. Guru is an innocent Kashmiri,” Mirwaiz said. The moderate Hurriyat further said it “condemns” the restrictions laid by the government to stop the Muharram processions and converting Srinagar into a “war zone”. The group also denounced the arrest of its senior leader Moulana Abbas Ansari.
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Over 3,000-kg polythene seized, destroyed
Srinagar, November 23 The week of “saying no to hazardous polythene” has been quite an eventful one in the city with various sections of the city, ranging from schoolkids, NGOs and the SMC employees, campaigning against the polythene use. Right from shopkeepers, cart sellers to bus drivers, the campaign involved not only imposing fine on people found using polythene, but also included spreading awareness on the ill-effects of polythene on eco-sensitive place like the Kashmir valley. Although ban on polythene was imposed in the Valley a few years ago, it has never come into effect on ground. Environmental experts had cautioned against the incessant use of polythene/plastic as it creates a negative impact on environment, particularly to water bodies. SMC Commissioner GN Qasba visited several markets yesterday posing as a commoner and inquired from people about the rate of polythene consumption. Qasba said surprise checks would be a regular feature of the campaign besides roping in leading schools of the Valley. “It seems to be a good initiative. But the key to the success of this campaign will be its sustenance. It shouldn’t die within few weeks. This is what happened earlier. The SMC officials should live by their word and deliver on their promise to make Srinagar a polythene-free city,” Prof. Alliya Banday, an environment expert at Nawa Kadal College, Srinagar, said. Spreading awareness
Right from shopkeepers, cart sellers to bus drivers, the campaign involved not only imposing fine on people found using polythene, but also included spreading awareness on the ill-effects of polythene on eco-sensitive place like the Kashmir valley
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Illicit timber seized in Kupwara
Kupwara, November 23 Following specific information about the trade of illicit timber in the Maidanpora forests, the FPF officials raided the spot and seized the timber worth lakhs, a source said. The source said a beat guard and a forester were found involved in the smuggling nexus in the area. “The timber has been seized and a case registered against the officials of the department involved in the illegal act,” said the source. Locals have hailed the timely action of the FPF officials and hoped the crackdown against timber smugglers would be intensified in affected area of the Lolab valley. |
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LPG crisis: Black marketeers make hay in Anantnag
Anantnag, November 23 Locals say by creating shortage in the market, the distributors are forcing them to buy LPG cylinders from the black marketeers on escalated rates. “I have been visiting the distributor’s office for the past one month now but in vain. I was forced to buy a gas cylinder from a black marketeer for Rs 1,200,” said a resident of Anantnag town. Locals say the black marketers sell LPG cylinders anywhere between Rs 1,200 and 1,500 and that too under the nose of the administration. “If the distributors are really short of cylinders, where do these black marketeers get the cylinders from,” they questioned. They alleged that it’s impossible for the black marketeers to manipulate without the patronage of distributors. “The LPG distributors have made people busy with documentation process and they are reaping rich benefits by selling the cylinders to black marketeers on escalated rates thereby putting unnecessary burden on poor consumers,” said local residents. They said the administration was doing nothing to improve the situation. The district administration, however, maintains there is no shortage of LPG in Anantnag district. “The problem is home delivery” said Deputy Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Farooq Ahmad Shah. He said the administration would check black marketing. There has been a series of protests against the government decision to cap cooking gas cylinders. With winters fast setting in, the people find the existing quota of six cylinders in a year grossly inadequate. |
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Anti-Israel protests in kashmir
Srinagar, November 23 The anti-Israeli protests were staged at Pantha Chowk, Nowshahr in the city, at Baramulla in north Kashmir and at Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Tral and Anantnag in south Kashmir. The hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani had earlier this week called for anti-Israeli protests to denounce attacks on Gaza and show solidarity with Palestinians. The Hurriyat statement said the protest at Pantha Chowk on outskirts of the city were led by Hurriyat leader Pir Saifullah and at Nowshahr were led by Tehreek-e-Hurriyat’s district president. Sources said special funeral prayers were offered at several mosques for the Palestinians killed in the Israeli air attacks. Sources said protests were also against the murders committed by the US Army in Afghanistan. Several protests have been held this week condemning the Israeli attacks and expressing solidarity with the Palestinians. The Palestinian cause has always been an emotive issue in Kashmir where solidarity protests have been held in the past years. The eight-day firing of missiles have resulted in the deaths of 162 Palestinians and five Israelis.
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7,700 Hajis return from pilgrimage
Srinagar, November 23 “Around 7,700 Hajis have arrived to date and the last Haj flight will reach the Srinagar International Airport on November 30,” Dr Abdul Salam, executive officer, State Haj Committee told The Tribune. While Air India is operating direct Haj flights from here to Saudi Arabia after a gap of four years, around 9,170 pilgrims from the state performed Haj this year. This year’s quota for Jammu and Kashmir had been increased from 8,441 to 8,670. In addition, private Haj operators facilitated around 500 Haj pilgrims. Mir said the last Haj flight would, however, reach here via New Delhi. “Tomorrow and day after, regular flights will ply while the last fly will come via New Delhi. The last flight will be carrying only 113 pilgrims,” he said. Each Haj flight from Saudi Arabia carries 270 pilgrims. The first Haj flight from Saudi Arabia had reached the Srinagar International Airport on November 2 and was received by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Haj is among the five fundamentals of Islam and every Muslim aspires to perform the annual pilgrimage at least once in his/ her lifetime. Relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours can be seen pouring in the house for at least a week after a Haji returns home. Many also prepare wazwaan, a range of special Kashmiri cuisine, on the arrival and departure of Hajis. The airport witnesses a heavy rush of people to welcome the Hajis. However, the authorities had earlier announced that it would allow only one attendant and a vehicle with driver at the airport to avoid heavy rush of people that is usually seen while welcoming the Hajis.
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Inadequate accommodation hits studies in two Handwara schools
Kupwara, November 23 As many as 280 students of the high school are confined in five small rooms of the school building. Similarly, there are only four rooms available for around 152 students of the middle school, which is adjacent to the high school. Local residents said the authorities had left construction work of the two buildings mid-way after it was started in 2001. They said due to some internal controversy between the Department of Education and the construction agency concerned, the work was suspended in 2003 and never resumed to date. “We are forced to sit uncomfortably in the classroom due to shortage of space. Against a seating capacity of 30 students, more than 50 students are forced to sit in the classroom. We feel choked and often fail to listen lecture of teachers,” said Ashiq Hussain, a Class X student. Local residents demanded completion of additional buildings for accommodation of students at the earliest. They alleged that by ignoring the accommodation problem of students, the authorities concerned have put their career at stake. “In spite of repeated representations to the officials concerned, the work on the school buildings has not been resumed,” said Ghulam Hassan, a resident of Wadipora. The students from far-flung villages of Handwara, including Badarkali, Machipora, Tragpora, lachipora, Kohipora and Bakiakar, are enrolled in the schools. The students of middle school said they were facing immense problems due to lack of accommodation. “The classroom becomes noisy due to overcrowding of students. The students, especially seated in the back rows, fail to listen to teachers,” said Mahjabeen, a Class VIII student. Bad weather conditions make the matter worst. The students said they take shelter in the adjoining panchayat building when it rains. They said the teachers are even forced to suspend classrooms when it rains for days. Hanifa Khanday, zonal education officer, Rajwar, said she had already written to the chief education officer, Kupwara, about the problems of students and urged for the resumption of work on the school buildings. “I am hopeful that the department will soon resume the work and the accommodation will be made available to the students soon,” she said.
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Call to intensify stray dog sterilisation campaign
Srinagar, November 23 He emphasised the need to intensify the sterilisation programme in view of the sensitivity issue in the city. He stressed on the augmentation of dog sterilisation facilities at Tengpora with the involvement of the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Humane Society International (HIS). “The society for prevention of cruelty to animals which has recently been reconstituted by the government shall be actually involved in conduct of stray dog sterilisation at Tengpora,” said Madav lal. The Chief Secretary asked the Municipal authorities to ensure that such facilities are completed at Tengpora by March 2013 so that ABC programme could be started to control the dog menace. He also stressed that improvisation in sanitation should also be taken up by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation which has helped to control the stray dog population in Srinagar. The Chief Secretary was informed that the sterilisation programme with improvised sanitation has resulted in the control of dog population whereas in many areas it has remained stable. The population of dogs has come down from 2,340 to 1,393 in the Lal Chowk area.
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Farmers will get subsidy to buy machinery
Srinagar, November 23 The mela was thrown open by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama Shafat Noor. Authorised dealers displayed their machinery equipment and other tools at the mela. The farmers of sub Kakapora purchased 25 tractors, 30 tillers, 172 irrigation pump sets and 15 poly green houses, for which Rs 43.3 lakh would be provided to the farmers as a subsidy component. DDC Pulwama stressed farmers to adopt the modern technology for crop cultivation and attaining self-sufficiency in agriculture produce. He described the agriculture sector as the backbone of the economy and urged for increase in food production by adopting the modern technology and machinery. He advised farmers to coordinate with the Agriculture Department for successful implementation of schemes launched for increase in agriculture production and economic status. He impressed upon the officers that plans should be framed at the village-level in accordance with the need of the particular area, so that benefits of schemes should reached at the ground-level. Nigeen Ahmad Lone, chief agriculture officer, Pulwama advised the farmers to come forward and take benefits of various schemes launched by the department. He said the main aim of the farm machinery mela was to create awareness among the farmers about the latest agriculture technology, machinery and avail benefits from various schemes at their doorstep. The mela facilitated farmers to purchase latest machinery and other tools to their own choice from authorised dealers. Among the others present on the occasion were SP Pulwama, District agriculture officer, officers and field functionaries of the department and large number of farmers.
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Hard work made state No. 1 healthcare provider: Minister
Srinagar, November 23 Sharma, who was addressing a facilitation function and launch of the Society of Consultant Doctors (SCD), organised by the SCD, JK Health and Family Welfare, hailed the contribution and efforts of the doctors and said it was the hard work of the medical and paramedical staff which portrayed the state as number one health facility provider in the country. The minister said it was a matter of pride for all the people and medical fraternity of the state for bagging award for best healthcare services in the country. “Escalating graph of improvement in health sector is due to the dedication, enthusiasm and confidence of the medical fraternity of the state,” Sharma said. “Despite various challenges, including tough topography and inclement weather conditions, JK state is providing hilly terrain patient care facility to the needy, particularly the poor and down trodden in the remote areas.” The minister assured that libraries, consultant chambers and other modern facilities shall be extended to every nook and corner of the state. Health Services Director , NRHM director, AIDS project director, drug controller, Family Welfare president, chief medical officers, members of SCD and officers of the health department were present on the occasion.
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One killed, 11 injured in road mishaps
Srinagar, November 23 The police said a pedestrian died and another was injured when a Tata Sumo hit them in Srinagar on late Thursday. He said the Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK01J/0542 hit and injured two pedestrians, Abdul Rehman Dar, son of Fateh Mohammad, and Rehti, wife of Abdul Rehman Dar, resident of Dangerpora Malbagh at Ellahi-Bagh in Srinagar. The police said, “Both the injured were shifted to the SKIMS, Soura, where Abdul Rehman Dar succumbed to his injuries.” In another accident, a motorcycle bearing registration number JK04A/6808 driven by Azim Ahmad Ahangar, son of Mushtaq Ahmad, resident of Bijbehara, Anantnag, collided with an unknown load carrier at Bilal Colony in Anantnag, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist, who was shifted to the District Hospital, Anantnag, for treatment. The case had been registered in both the cases. |
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