|
|
|
|
|
City Lawyer faces chargesheet
Omar opens bridge over Jhelum
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Pattan residents protest against power outages
Maths monster hits students again
Kashmir set to rejuvenate spiritual journey at Sultan-ul-Arifeen’s abode
STC Sheeri first centre to set up model police station
Power woes hit AnantNag units
Separatists rue destruction of civilian property
Er Rasheed questions MPs’ silence over rape cases in Kashmir
Mirwaiz condoles death of kabba’s former Imam
Training on safe injection practices conducted
J&K important market for used cars, says M&M
Open Indo-Pak border to boost trade, says NC
Financial institutions advance
Rs 847 crore
Omar inaugurates luxury resort
One killed, two hurt in road accidents
|
|
City Lawyer faces chargesheet
Srinagar, December 20 The lawyer, Babar Jan Qadri, if convicted on the charges framed against him under Section 353 (Ranbir Penal Code), faces two years of rigorous imprisonment. The case dates back to November 2010, when Babar Jan Qadri, who had gone to collect reports of his detained client at Ganderbal police station, was allegedly detained and beaten up by the then Station House Officer (SHO), Arshid Khan, in the lock-up. Babar had alleged that he was hanged upside down and beaten up with bamboo sticks and gun butts by the police officer and his subordinates at the police station. Babar is a practising lawyer at the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Srinagar lower courts. Subsequently, he had also approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ganderbal, with a complaint against the police officer concerned. The High Court Bar Association had also voiced its concern over the alleged beating and harassment of one of its members. However, the police had refuted the allegations levelled by Qadri and registered an FIR against the lawyer for allegedly misbehaving with the police officers at the police station. “Now after two years, the police has presented a chargesheet against me in the case FIR 20/2012 under Section 353 RPC, wherein they have alleged that I had assaulted a police officer on duty”, Babar told The Tribune. The chargesheet was presented by the police before Munsif Court at Ganderbal today, which has now put the case for arguments on the chargesheet on March 15, Babar said. “The case framed against me by the police is totally false and frivolous. The fact of the matter is I was tortured and misbehaved by the police officer concerned when I had visited his office in connection with bail of one of my detained clients in November 2010”, Babar said. Adding that he would fight the “false case” in the court of law, Babar claimed these charges had been brought against him after two years only to “contain” his “judicial activism.” The case
The case dates back to November 2010, when lawyer Babar Jan Qadri, who had gone to collect reports of his detained client at Ganderbal police station, was allegedly detained and beaten up by SHO Arshid Khan in the lock-up. The police had refuted the allegations levelled by Qadri and registered an FIR against him for allegedly misbehaving with the police officers at the police station.
|
||
|
Omar opens bridge over Jhelum
Srinagar, December 20 The Chief Minister said the state had witnessed disturbances and militancy during the period of over 20 years that had marred avenues of economic prosperity, education, health, trade and day-to-day activities of life process. “We want to showcase heritage, handicrafts and art of this area (Zainakadal) on the international tourist map and rope in visitors from all over the country and abroad here,” he said. He said the government was committed to the development of infrastructure and facilities in the old city to attract direct flow of tourists to this place so that economic benefits of the tourism industry are shared equally by the people of this area. He said Zainakadal, Maharaj Gunj and other areas in the old city were known for its heritage characteristics and the shrines of renowned religious scholars and saints in the area could also be showcased. Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar was also present on the occasion. |
||
|
Pattan residents protest against power outages
Baramulla, December 20 They said their villages were reeling under darkness due to acute shortage of power and if at all power comes, the voltage was very low. The protesters blocked the Srinagar-Sopore-Baramulla road and did not allow traffic movement for about two hours. Angry protesters, including women and children, said they were forced to pay power tariff according to the recently hiked curtailment schedule but power was not supplied at all according to the schedule. “We will not allow any traffic movement unless power is fully restored to the villages. We are made to pay tariff in time but the power woes continue unabated,” said a protester. The protesters raised slogans against the PDD and demanded early restoration of power to their villages. They said in few villages live electricity wires tied on poplar trees were posing a threat to human lives, especially children. “We are facing danger due to suspended lines as well. Power plays hide and seek in our villages,” they said. Residents of the metered areas in Pattan said power outages had become a routine matter. “Erratic power supply has become the order of the day. There are too many unscheduled power cuts and situation worsens in the evening hours,” said Nazir Ahmad. People had to suffer a lot of inconvenience as traffic remained suspended on the busy road for about two hours due to the protest. Following assurances from the civil and the police officers that their problems would be addressed soon, the protesters were pacified and dispersed peacefully.
|
||
|
Maths monster hits students again
Srinagar, December 20 Mathematics has recorded a poor pass percentage of 67.25 as compared to other subjects. The pass percentages of English, science and social sciences stood at 75, 75 and 78.45, respectively. As per the State Board of School Education (BoSE) figures, 49,027 candidates had appeared in the examination for each subject. “We can’t blame students only. We have to admit that there are not enough trained teachers, especially in government schools. This is one of the reasons for the poor output,” said Prof Nisar Ahmad Rather, a mathematics expert. Prof Rather said the School Education Department was responsible for the dismal performance of students as it failed to recruit subject experts in the government schools. “Only six schoolteachers came across as subject specialists at a workshop of the District Institute of Education and Trainings (DIETs) held recently in Chattabal, Srinagar,” he said. Prof Nyla Khan, a mathematics lecturer at the Government College for Women, Nawa Kadal, said there was a need to evolve attitude of parents or local guardians who discourage their children from taking mathematics a subject for higher studies. “Mathematics is an interesting subject. One needs to love this subject and that is something Kashmiri children are not known for,” Prof Nyla said. Experts opined there was no dearth of mathematics teachers in the Valley as approximately 150 mathematics postgraduates pass out from the University of Kashmir annually. “I am unable to understand why the state government is not appointing these subject specialists as teachers in the schools. The general subject teachers can never do justice with such jobs,” Prof Rather said. |
||
|
Kashmir set to rejuvenate spiritual journey at Sultan-ul-Arifeen’s abode
Srinagar, December 20 The Sufi saint, who is popularly known as Makhdoom Sahib and Sultan-ul-Arifeen meaning ‘King of Gnostics’, is the most venerated sage of the summer capital and his followers. Muslims and non-Muslims have been paying obeisance at the shrine for nearly 500 years now. Noted historian Prof Muhammad Ishaq Khan said Makhdoom Sahib lived in the 16th century and originally hailed from Tujjar Sharif in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He said the sage spent most of his lifetime praying at the mountain where his shrine is located. While the shrine is thronged regularly, Prof Khan said the saint’s followers particularly pay obeisance for 13 days on the Urs. “They seek resolution to their mundane needs related to difficulties finding employment, marriage, etc. Besides regular five times prayers, prayers are held on a large-scale during these 13 days,” he added. Even as veneration of Sufi shrines has been objected to by other Muslim schools of thought, Sultan-ul-Arifeen’s followers have not been deterred from praying at his shrine. Dr Imran Nabi, a devotee, is looking forward to the Urs saying Makhdoom Sahib’s shrine was the stairway to heaven. “For me, Makhdoom Sahib’s shrine is the stairway to heaven. If I ever face something in life that I can’t solve on my own, these are the stairs I take. He is my envoy to the Greater Power,” he said. The authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Urs. The District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, conveyed a meeting of officers of various departments, including the Power Development Department, Public Health and Engineering, Roads and Buildings, Health, Police, Traffic, Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), Fire and Emergency Services, and representatives of Wakf Board and Makhdoom Sahib Shrine here yesterday to review arrangements for the Urs. After the meeting, directions were passed to the officers to ensure availability of necessary facilities, including proper sanitation, cleanliness around the shrine, and adequate supply of essentials for the devotees. While the Health Department has been directed to set up a medical camp at the shrine, SRTC has been directed to provide adequate transport facilities for ferrying the people till late in the evening besides parking facility for the devotees on the occasion. |
||
|
STC Sheeri first centre to set up model police station
Sheeri (Baramulla), December 20 The STC, Sheeri (Baramulla), has become the first centre among the six training institutes in the state to have set up the model police station for imparting practical training in police science. “The recruits, which were drawn from Executive and Armed Police, for the training were imparted practical training in the working of police, especially in investigation of cases and maintenance of police records through model police station at the centre,” Additional DGP (Armed, Law and Order) K Rajendra Kumar said. Principal of STC Sheeri Fareed Ahmed Khan said apart from learning skills of the police work during the nine-month training, the recruits were trained in registration of cases (First Information Report), recording statements of witnesses and accused, preparing case diaries, memos, and challans at the model police station. “We also enacted simulated crime scenes and took the cases all the way through to moot the courts to help train the police recruits," Khan said. The Principal said they had also displayed all the registers, forms and records in the model police station as per the Police Rules, so that recruits function properly in the police stations. |
||
|
Power woes hit AnantNag units
Anantnag, December 20 Unit holders say they are facing utmost difficulties because of erratic power supply. “The manpower remains idle for a major part of the day because of frequent power cuts. We are suffering huge losses as we have to pay wages to them. Without a regular power supply, efficiency of these workers has reduced to 50 per cent ,” said Mohsin, a unit holder in Anantnag district. Other unit holders say they have been pleading the authorities concerned to provide the essential power lines in the region, however, nobody is paying heed to their demands. “We have been running from pillar to post to get a proper power feeder for our industrial estate but to no avail. All we get is hollow promises from the authorities,” said Danish, a unit holder at Bijebhara industrial estate. People associated with the industrial sector say even a power supply of 6 to 7 hours a day will suffice them provided it is uninterrupted. “If the power supply is uninterrupted, we can manage our chores according to that and it will help us to improve our productivity without actually hampering our manpower,” says Farooq Ahmad, another unit holder in Pulwama. The individual unit holders operating from places other than the estates are the worst hit of the power crisis. “At least some of the authorities listen to the unit holders operating from the estates. I have been using all my energies to get an essential line but the authorities concerned don’t even listen to me,” said Tawseef Ahmad. The unit holders say if the power scenario continues to be like what it is these days then Kashmir will see a lot of unit holders winding down their units in the near future.
|
||
|
Separatists rue destruction of civilian property
Srinagar, December 20 In the encounter, which started in Saidpora village in the Sopore area on Tuesday, the security forces killed six militants. In the operation which was going on till last evening, the residential houses where militants were holed up were also damaged. “The All Parties Hurriyat Conference condemns the destruction of residential houses and civilian property in the Sopore encounter by the government forces,” a Hurriyat spokesman said. He said the security forces, operating in the region, have taken “refuge behind the unprecedented powers vested with them”, which is one of the “main reasons behind” the destruction of civilian property. “These unbridled powers have resulted in human rights violations in Kashmir,” he said, adding that the Kashmiris have so far rendered countless sacrifices for their cause.
|
||
|
Varsity’s cafeterias no more affordable
Srinagar, December 20 The cafeteria management has cut down the number of simple vegetarian dishes from its menu and added costlier mutton and chicken dishes. Consequently, the students are forced to eat from outside the campus. The cafeteria is now becoming infamous for its “Kebab, Kaanti” menu as many students crib about the same menu as they all cannot afford it. Furthermore, there are no fixed lunch time provisions in these cafeterias as Rice Thalis, which used to available earlier, are no longer part of the menu. “During the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Jalees Ahmad Khan, a strict provision was made for lunch time when cheap ‘thalis’ were made available. The university top management should look into this concern and regulate the affairs of the cafeteria,” Prof Maqsooda said. Staff asked to furnish details of casual leaves
Members of teaching and non-teaching faculty at the University of Kashmir have been asked to furnish details of the number of casual leaves they have taken in 2012. KU Registrar Prof Zaffer Reshi in a recently issued circular has directed those teachers, who have taken more casual leaves than the allotted number, to apply for earned leaves within three days or face strict action. Sources say the Registrar has directed to stop the salaries of those teaching or non-teaching faculty members who do not comply by the order. Students have welcomed the initiative taken by the university management. “The accountability on part of the teachers was missing for a while now. Our academic sessions mostly suffer due to negligent behaviour by teachers. At least consistent monitoring will bring such irresponsible teachers to book,” Imtiaz, a PG Biochemistry student said. 4,000 students to appear in UGC-NET
Around 4,000 students studying under various branches of sciences as chemical, earth, life sciences and Mathematics would be taking University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) on December 23. As many as 1,500 students from life sciences subjects alone would appear in the national-level examination, which opens doors for successful careers in the research and teaching field. The examinations will be conducted in two sessions on the varsity campus for which elaborate arrangements have been made. |
||
|
Er Rasheed questions MPs’ silence over rape cases in Kashmir
Srinagar, December 20 MLA Langate demanded stern punishment for the culprits involved in the Delhi rape while saying ‘entire Kashmir can feel the pain’. One must applaud Indian politicians, print and electronic media, intellectuals, students and human rights activists for raising their voice against the case, he said. “But it is astonishing and so sad when these people keep mum if incidents worst than this take place in Kashmir,” he said. “Who other than Kashmiris can better understand the pain and the grief as a result of such barbaric incidents as they have seen such countless incidents, including that of Kunan-Poshpora mass rape and Tabinda Gani rape and murder case,” Rasheed said. Alleging that the history is the witness that incidents like Kunan Poshpora have been ignored in the name of so called national interest,” he said adding that these incidents were being interpreted as propaganda by anti-national elements. MLA Langate questioned why parliamentarians like Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Sawraj, Ambika Soni and Jaya Bachan were not feeling the pain of Kashmiris who are witnessed to such dozens of incidents during past two decades. Stating that the recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) seeking punishment for culprits and compensation for Valley’s rape victims had been thrown into a dustbin, Rasheed said adopting ‘double standards when it comes to Kashmir deserved full condemnation’. He appealed the political parties of the state to learn lessons from the recent Delhi incident and rise to the occasion to ensure that culprits involved in rape cases of the Valley were hanged as soon as possible.
|
||
|
Mirwaiz condoles death of kabba’s former Imam
Srinagar, December 20 The Hurriyat spokesman, while quoting Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has described the demise of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdullah as a great loss for the whole Muslim world. Mirwaiz, heading a seven-member delegation of Hurriyat leaders, is currently in Pakistan on a week-long visit. He said former Imam of Kabba Sheikh Mohammad had lead Friday prayers at historic grand (Jamai) mosque of Srinagar when he had visited Kashmir in 1987 on the invitation of late Mirwaiz Farooq, the deceased father of Mirwaiz Umar, who was assassinated in early nineties. “Mirwaiz has said the death of Sheikh Mohammad is a great loss, who apart from being Imam-e-Kabba was a great religious scholar,” the spokesman quoted Mirwaiz as having said. “Mirwaiz has said Sheikh would always urge for the unity of Muslims all over the world in his sermons,” the spokesman said.
|
||
|
Training on safe injection practices conducted
Srinagar, December 20 Inaugurating the programme, Dr Rafiq Ahmad Pampori, principal of the Government Medical College, Srinagar, stressed on holding regular trainings and assessment of para-medical staff members at all associated hospitals. GB Pant Hospital medical superintendent Dr Muneer Ahmad Masoodi elaborated on various developmental aspects. He said such trainings are necessary for skill upgradation of the hospital staff. These programmes would be held regularly covering paramedical staff from sweepers to matrons on management of biomedical wastes and infection control practices. Dr Kaiser Ahmad, head of the department Paediatrics emphasised on a wider role of nursing and para-medical staff in providing better care of patients. He said the hospital is in a process of implementing baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI) for promoting exclusive-breast feeding practices. GB Pant Hospital deputy medical superintendent Dr S Muhammad Salim Khan conducted the training through a power point presentation. He stressed upon the participants to develop their stations and work places as model injection centres. Sharing that two-third injections given are unsafe, he emphasised to prescribe injection when necessary to reduce injection-related complications and generating excessive hazardous waste. It is the first such training programme conducted by the hospital administration.
|
||
|
J&K important market for used cars, says M&M
Srinagar, December 20 “With approximately 2,500 used cars sold per month, Jammu & Kashmir is an important market in the North. We currently have four dealers in the state but we plan to increase this number to 10 by the end of the financial year 2015,” Mahindra First Choice Wheels Ltd (MFCWL) president (HR, after-market & corporate services) Rajeev Dubey said. He said the outlets would be opened to tap the increasing potential of the used car industry and also consolidate the presence of the Mahindra group. “Forty per cent of our dealers are first time entrepreneurs in the car retail business, which is a clear validation of the credibility enjoyed by the brand. With its new look and feel, MFCWL hopes to change this perception and create a unique, aspirational experience for consumers, right from the point of entry till final exit from its showrooms,” Dubey added. The MFCWL dealerships in the state are presently located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kathua. Dubey said MFCWL had 14 outlets in 115 cities across India and the company planned to expand this number to 500 outlets in the next three years. He said after purchase, every car was refurbished and underwent an extensive ‘118 point quality check’ by a trained engineer, as part of the company’s robust certification process. |
||
|
Open Indo-Pak border to boost trade, says NC
Srinagar, December 20 “Our party stands clear and we have been reiterating that borders between two countries should be opened for more people-to-people contact,” the party’s additional general secretary Mustafa Kamal said, addressing a meeting of panchayat members in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Kamal said more cross-border routes should be opened and Line of Control should be made “irrelevant” for free movement of people and trade. “Not only will more interaction between the two neighbouring countries bring about lots of changes in the mindset of people but also it will help in giving an impetus to trade between the two countries,” he said. |
||
|
Financial institutions advance
Rs 847 crore
Srinagar, December 20 This information was stated at the District Consultative Committee (DCC) meeting held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Baseer Ahmad Khan. Srinagar joint director planning Basharat Ahmad Makhdoomi, lead bank officer Manzoor Ahmad Tantray, district officers and the representatives of Reserve Bank of India, Dinesh Chandra and NABARD Desraj Jaryal respectively attended the meeting. “While reviewing the achievements of the financial institutions, it was informed at the meeting that under the agriculture sector had advanced Rs 37.52 crore during the same period in the district, while as Rs 107.73 crore was advanced under the small enterprises sector and Rs 12.83 crore under the micro credit sector in the district,” he said. The meeting was also told that Rs 9.86 crore was sanctioned under the education sector in the district while as Rs 117.90 crore was advanced under the priority sector. An amount of Rs 562.17 crore was advanced under the non-priority sector in Srinagar during the same period. District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, on this occasion impressed upon the district officers and representatives of the financial institutions for implementation of policies framed by the Reserve Bank of India in toto so that the dissemination of credit is made expeditiously. He said this would not benefit the weaker sections of the society but would also ensure overall growth of the economy.
|
||
|
Omar inaugurates luxury resort
Srinagar, December 20 “The Khyber will be the first resort in Gulmarg to offer comforts and facilities that a discerning international traveller seeks. We have attended to every detail to make this resort truly unique,” said Umar Tramboo, managing director, Pinnacle Resorts Pvt Ltd, promoters of the hotel. After inaugurating the hotel, the Chief Minister said development of requisite tourist infrastructure was necessary to restore tourism glory of the state and make world famous resorts like Gulmarg a round-the-year tourist attraction. — TNS |
||
|
One killed, two hurt in road accidents
Srinagar, December 20 A police spokesman in Srinagar said Feroz Ahmad Dar of Bemina, Srinagar, who was driving a Maurti car, died in a road accident on the Baramulla-Srinagar National Highway last evening. He said the accident took place when a tipper hit his car at Haritrath Singhpora, Baramulla, injuring Dar. He was shifted to SKIMS, Srinagar, but was declared brought dead. In another accident, Rahina Rouf, 43, of Srinagar got injured when she was hit by a police Gypsy. She was shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar, for treatment. The police said Mohammad Abdullah Malik, 60, a resident of Anantnag, was injured when he was hit by a Santro car.
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE |
| Punjab |
Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | |
Abdullah today inaugurated a 76-metre-long old heritage Zainakadal Timber Bridge in the old city after it was restored and made pliable for pedestrians and light vehicles. 
Srinagar, December 20
The Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) group yesterday said it intended to open 10 outlets in the state by the end of the financial year (FY) 2015. Jammu and Kashmir is an important market for selling used cars.
