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Snowfall shuts Srinagar-Leh National Highway
Mirwaiz urges people to maintain harmony, unity
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Curfew hits work at Srinagar courts
Differently abled boy brings laurels to Handwara
LPG Crisis
War of words continues between National Conference and PDP
Handwara traders call off stir after assurance of inquiry
New district court complex by June
Kailash Mehra gets ‘SaMaPa’ award
Four rooms for 600 students in Kokernag college
Two injured in road mishaps
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Snowfall shuts Srinagar-Leh National Highway
Srinagar, November 29 The maximum snowfall in the Valley was recorded in north Kashmir’s ski resort Gulmarg. The resort received 1.5-foot snow, an official said. Similarly, south Kashmir’s tourist resort Pahalgam received six inches of snow while Gurez in Bandipore district received 1-foot snow. Reports of snowfall were also received from Tangmarg, Sonamarg, Machil and Tangdhar areas of the Valley. While Zanaskar in Ladakh region experienced light to moderate snowfall, the Zojila area received around two feet snow. Due to the snowfall, an official said, all roads leading to Kargil, Machil, Tangdhar, Gurez, Zanaskar remained closed today. “However, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was open for traffic. Air traffic remained normal with all flights operating on time,” the official added. After snow and rain, day temperatures plummeted across the Valley. Srinagar recorded maximum temperature of 6.3 degrees Celsius against yesterday’s 15.1 degrees Celsius. The summer capital received 11.1 mm rainfall from last night till 5.30 pm today, an official of the Meteorological department said. Similarly, Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded maximum temperature of 7.6 degrees Celsius as compared to yesterday’s 13.6 degrees Celsius. The day temperatures recorded at Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Kupwara were 2.4, 3.2 and 6.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Gulmarg recorded the coldest night of the Valley at minus 4.5 degrees Celsius. However, night temperatures at other parts remained above zero. Srinagar, Pahalgam, Qazigund and Kupwara recorded minimum temperature of 3.3, 1.4, 3.2 and 1.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Even as light to moderate rain/snow is expected in the upper reaches of the Valley during the next 24 hours, the Met official said the weather is expected to improve from tomorrow. Meanwhile, in view of snowfall and slippery conditions of the Tangmarg-Gulmarg road, the authorities have ordered that only vehicles having 4x4 facility or fitted with anti-skid chains on tyres would be allowed to move from Tangmarg up to Gulmarg till further orders. 1.5-foot snow at Gulmarg
The maximum snowfall in the Valley was recorded in north Kashmir’s ski resort Gulmarg. The resort received 1.5-foot snow. Similarly, south Kashmir’s tourist resort Pahalgam received six inches of snow while Gurez in Bandipore district received 1-foot snow. Reports of snowfall were also received from Tangmarg, Sonamarg, Machil and Tangdhar
areas.
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Mirwaiz urges people to maintain harmony, unity
Srinagar, November 29 He criticised the decision taken by the authorities
to impose a curfew in Srinagar. “APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called upon the Kashmiri people, especially youth, to maintain unity and mutual bonhomie so as to foil the evil designs of enemies who want to divide the Kashmiri society,” a Hurriyat spokesman
said here. The spokesperson added Mirwaiz asserted that the agencies were hell
bent on to create a tension between the Kashmiri Muslims. He demanded immediate release of detained youth and shopkeepers. Mirwaiz said as a part of their (agencies’) well-planned conspiracy, they want to break the social fabric of Kashmir as it suits their vested interests. Scores of people were made hostage in their homes during the curfew restrictions. “He expressed serious concern over the restrictions laid on the movement of people and also resented the wanton arrest of dozens of youth,” the spokesman said. The Hurriyat spokesman claimed that many homes were ransacked and inmates beaten up by the police during the nocturnal raids in the old city. “Mirwaiz said the action taken by the police was highly shameful and a matter of concern. Youth who were not present in their houses, the police had put their parents behind the bars,” he said. “Following an instruction of APHC chairman, a delegation led by Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam visited the detained youth and shopkeepers,” the spokesperson said. |
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Curfew hits work at Srinagar courts
Srinagar, November 29 Though the courts, including the high court in Srinagar, were open but most of the cases were adjourned as a majority of the lawyers and judges were not able to reach the court due to the restrictions. Following some sectarian clashes in the old Srinagar city on Wednesday, the authorities had imposed curfew in the areas of Srinagar city falling under nine police stations. “I was unable to reach the high court today, as the police did not allow me to move out of my house due to curfew”, said Mohammad Asif, an assistant working with one of the senior lawyers at the high court. “For the whole day, I coordinated with my colleagues at the high court over the phone. A majority of the cases were either deferred or adjourned”, he added. Besides, work at the high court was also affected as most of the litigants were not able to reach the courts to pursue their cases because of the curfew and non-availability of public transport in the areas where curfew was not imposed. A week earlier, the Kashmir High Court Bar Association had criticised the police for its alleged high-handedness by imposing curfew-like restrictions in the city on November 23.
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Demand for woollens, heating appliances shoots up
Srinagar, November 29 The demand for the woollens and heating appliances has also gone up in the markets. The weatherman has predicted further dip in temperatures as more snow and rain is expected within next few hours. The decline in the temperatures and chilly winds have forced the people to wear woollens, including 'phirans', the traditional long woollen gown worn by the local populace during winters. Most of the office-goers could be seen wearing woollens, blazers and feathered jackets to keep themselves warm. At many places people could be seen warming themselves around bonfire while others sipped tea to beat the chill. Besides, to brace the chilling temperatures, people in the Valley also used kangri, the traditional firepot. The affluent sections warm up their homes by using traditional ‘hamams’ and central heating systems. The continued chill in the Kashmir valley has shot up the demand for heating appliances and woollens. Though most of the businesses in Srinagar city were affected by the imposition of curfew today, in other major towns of the Kashmir valley, people could be seen buying warm clothes and other heating appliances such as kangris and electric blankets. “As temperatures are now constantly nosediving, the demand for jackets, warmers and woollens is increasing day by day,” said a shopkeeper. |
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Differently abled boy brings laurels to Handwara
Handwara, November 29 Resident of Geeripora, a remote village in Handwara tehsil of Kupwara district, Amin, a budding karate player brought laurels to his village and team by winning a silver medal in in fourth Asia Intercontinental World Union Of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF) Championship held at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, from November 21 to 25. He was a member of Yuwa (Young) Marshal Arts team of Jammu and Kashmir, which participated in the mega event. Unable to speak and hear, Amin expressed his excitement through gestures. A total of 19 countries, including India, took part in the event. The Jammu and Kashmir team bagged three medals. Junaid Zahoor and Shahid Maqbool won bronze medals. Amin belongs to a poor family. His father is a daily labourer. Team coach Faisal Nazir expressed satisfaction over Amin’s performance in the game. He said despite getting injured during the game, Amin fought with high morale and emerged victorious. “He is a skilled player and plays with high spirits. In spite of getting injured during the fight, he did not give up and beat his opponent,” said Faisal. “He refused to go to hospital and continued the fight till the game was over. He is a talented and courageous player,” he added. In his native village, relatives of Amin celebrated his success by bursting fire crackers and dancing on the streets. The coach of the team was awarded “Third Don” degree certificate and international passport and visa in the event. The team members were given a warm welcome in Handwara today on their return from Delhi. Chief Education Officer Kupwara was the chief guest. Teachers, students and members of the civil society hailed the performance of the team. |
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Minister reviews stock position
32,000 cylinders currently available at the Pampore bottling plant Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 29 One of the officials present at the plant, which is owned by Hindustan Petroleum, said as many as 32,000 LPG cylinders were currently available in the bottling plant. “In order to ensure adequate LPG supply to consumers of the Valley, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Qamar Ali Akhoon today visited the LPG bottling plant,” a government spokesman said. “He was informed that 32,000 metric tonne of gas has been dumped in various bottling plants,” the spokesman added. He said the minister also visited the godown of the Food Corporation of India at Lethpora and checked the availability of rice. He was told that 70,000 quintals of rice was available in the godown. Earlier, J&K chief secretary Madhav Lal had urged the oil companies to start home delivery of the cooking gas in Kashmir to avoid crisis on account of winter conditions in the Valley. However, despite the government directions, the LPG dealers are yet to start the home delivery of the cylinders, which has caused inconvenience to a majority of the consumers in Kashmir. In the absence of home delivery, consumers of rural areas of Kashmir are compelled to commute long distances to fetch cylinders from the dealers. The consumers’ woes are likely to increase with the dropping temperatures as the demand for the energy increases many folds in winter, especially during snowfall, when consumers rely on LPG for heating and cooking purposes. Besides, the supply lines of the gas in the Valley get choked due to snowfall. Dealers, on the other hand, say they face certain hurdles related to law and order in starting the home delivery of cylinders, as consumers insist on subsidised gas supply everywhere.
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War of words continues between National Conference and PDP
Srinagar, November 29 He said the PDP has a fear about a humiliating defeat in the forthcoming LC elections. He made this statement while addressing a convention of the party workers and panchayat members at Budgam in Central Kashmir today, an NC spokesman said. “Rather said foreseeing their defeat, the opposition was spreading canards and resorting to character assassination of senior leaders of ruling parties,” the spokesman said. “Reiterating that the coalition government is committed for a vibrant 3-tier Panchayati Raj system in the state, the finance minister vowed to ensure maximum empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs),” he said. Rather, the spokesman said, added that the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act is one of the best panchayat models, which has been conceived after a hectic exercise and study of various panchayat modules in vogue in other advanced states of the country. “However, it can be further broad based to make it in tune with urges and aspirations’ of the panches and sarpanches of the state with regard to their empowerment,” the spokesman quoted him. While asking panchayat members to cast their vote in favour of coalition candidates in the upcoming LC polls, the spokesman said that Rather cautioned them about the false and mischievous propaganda of the opposition. “The opposition, Rather told the panchayat members, is desperately trying to create mis-understanding and disillusionment regarding empowerment of the panches and sarpanches”, the spokesman added. “In-fact they (opposition) never wanted empowerment of PRIs in the state,” the spokesman quoted Rather’s statement. |
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Handwara traders call off stir after assurance of inquiry
Handwara, November 29 ATMs and banks also witnessed good rush of clients. Traders in Handwara had gone on a two-day strike on Tuesday after a team of local Municipal Committee employees had allegedly thrashed Aijaz Ahmad Sofi, president, Traders Federation, Handwara, during their drive against polythene. Following assurances by the district administration that an inquiry will be conducted into the alleged high-handedness by local MC employees, the traders today called off their strike. “The district administration has assured us that an inquiry will be conducted and if found guilty, employees of the MC will be dealt under the law,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a trader. The traders had
also held demonstrations against the MC employees for manhandling president of the Traders Federation
during the past two days. According to president of the Traders Federation, employees of the MC behaved rudely with shopkeepers while seizing the polythene. “When I requested them to behave properly
with the shopkeepers, they got infuriated and started beating me ruthlessly. I was
rescued by some shopkeepers,” said Aijaz. Handwara MC executive officer said, “Employees were following a Supreme Court directive but the shopkeepers did not cooperate with them. Instead, they clashed with the MC employees.” |
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38 students return from Bharat Darshan tours organised by BSF
Srinagar, November 29 Deputy Inspector General of Police, BSF Kashmir Frontier, received 18 girls and 20 boys at a colourful function at Humhama, in the outskirts of Srinagar. “All the students of varied and remote areas of the Kashmir valley were jubilant at the concluding session. They cherished the fond memories of their journey,” a BSF spokesman in Srinagar said. Inspector General of Police, BSF, Kashmir K K Sharma, had flagged off the tours from Srinagar on November 19. “These students of the Valley visited Ahemdabad, Gandhinagar, Delhi, Agra, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur during the tours,” he said. These students also visited places of historical and cultural importance in these cities. In New Delhi, the students, alongwith Director General BSF, U K Bansal, called on Union Minister of State for Home M Ramchandarn Pillai at his residence. “During the tours, the students carried the message of peace and love from the Valley to the rest of India. These tours provided a unique opportunity to them to have a glimpse of rich cultural and historical heritage of their country. It also enabled them to gain first hand knowledge about various developments taking place in different parts of the country,” the spokesman said. As a goodwill gesture, BSF Kashmir has so far sent 687 students of varied and remote areas of the Valley to Bharat Darshan tours.
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New district court complex by June
Srinagar, November 29 “We plan to shift the district courts to the new complex by June. The new complex will be state-of-the-art structure,” Commissioner Secretary (Law) GH Tantray said. The new district court complex will have adequate number of court rooms, facilities for judges and judicial staff, administrative sections, Special Services Wing and car parking facilities. The old complex, located in the heart of the city, is not spacious enough to accommodate the offices and various sections of the judiciary for carrying out its day-to-day affairs properly. Moreover, the condition of various building blocks within the premises of the district court has also worsened. |
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Kailash Mehra gets ‘SaMaPa’ award
Srinagar, November 29 In a statement, the Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts (SaMaPa) spokesperson said the award was conferred on him during a function held at New Delhi. Sadhu was given the award for her contribution to Kashmiri and Dogri music. Her Kashmiri songs are very popular in the Valley and are frequently aired on the radio besides being telecast on Doordarshan. Many other awards were given on this occasion. The spokesman said “The festival saw a great lineup of audiences coming to enjoy the performances from Delhi and other states of the country. The festival was a huge success for all the artists as more than scores of people came to enjoy and the sizzling performances of the artists left them mesmerised.” The festival also included a special painting exhibition organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. SaMaPa chairman Pandit Bhajan Lal Sopori, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Member Parliament Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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Four rooms for 600 students in Kokernag college
Anantnag, November 29 Reports said these colleges were sanctioned at different places since 2008 and since then students and the college administrations are waiting to move to their respective buildings. The students and the teachers of the colleges say they have been operating in worst of the conditions from rented buildings. “We have identified the land for our college. However, a clearance from the Revenue Department is still pending. As of now, we are operating the college form a rented building,” said Professor Ghulam Mustafa, principal of Government Degree College, Larnoo, Anantnag. Studies of students are also getting affected due to this. “We are crammed into small rooms of this rented place. The absence of basic facilities like a library or a washroom is also posing difficulties for us,” said Ishan Amin, a student. Sources say the condition of Government Degree College, Kokernag, is even worse. “We have nearly 600 students and just 3 to 4 rooms to accommodate them. The rooms have been rented from the Higher Secondary School,” said a teacher on the condition of anonymity. He said even though the work on the new building has commenced in April this year, it is far away from its completion. Reports say despite the locals donating land for the college, the work on Government Degree College, Pampore, is yet to commence. “Chief Minister had inaugurated the college in September 2011, however, nothing more has been done after that. We are running the college from a couple of rooms given to us by the Higher Secondary School,” said a member of the college administration. According to a report, Government Degree Colleges at Shangus and Bijbehara are others in the list of college running from a rented place. However, the authorities concerned maintain that there are some minor hiccups in the land acquisition process at some of the colleges and the construction work is going on at other places. “Construction is a time-consuming affair but we are hopeful that the colleges will operate from their respective buildings soon,” said Nalini Kohili, Director Colleges. |
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Two injured in road mishaps
Srinagar, November 29 The police said a tipper bearing registration number JK01A/2102 turned turtle near Ratipari Keran, Kupwara, resulting in injuries to Masroor Ahmad Khan, a resident of Keran. The injured was shifted to a hospital for treatment. The police has registered a case in this regard. In an another accident, a motorcycle bearing registration number PBo5AC/7210 collided with a Sumo (JK03C/8014) near Hangalgund, Anantnag. Motorcyclist Mohammad Amin Bhat, a resident of Khargund Anantnag, got injured in the mishap. He was hospitalised for treatment. A case has been registered in this regard.
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The season’s first heavy snowfall in the upper reaches and incessant rains in the plains today forced the closure of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and several other roads.
Handwara, November 29
