The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Five burglars arrested in Budgam
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
Police in central Kashmir’s Budgam district arrested five burglars, including three non-locals, in various raids. Police said the burglars were arrested by a team headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Charar-e-Sharief, Shalinder Mishra. The team was constituted after many cases of house breaking and other burglaries were reported in Budgam district in the recent past.

“In one case three burglars Nizamudin alias Kalta, Shamim and Chatoo, all residents of Bengal, were arrested by the police. On their sustained questioning, 30 mobile sets, a motor cycle, iron bars and copper utensils worth lakhs of rupees were recovered,” a police spokesman said.

“The trio had formed an organised gang which was believed to be involved in many burglaries in Budgam and Srinagar. Their arrest has solved many cases registered in Chadoora and Charar-i-Sharief police stations of the district,” he said.

The trio was being questioned and further recoveries were expected.

The police also solved another case of burglary in which gold jewellery worth lakhs of rupees was stolen on October 18, 2012.

The burglars had decamped with golden ornaments in broad day light from the house of Tauseef Ahmad Khan, a resident of Wahadatpora. A case was later registered in Budgam police station.

“During the investigation, it was found that two persons, Manzoor Ahmad Kumar alias Jumkral, a resident of Sheikhpora Budgam and Mohammad Altaf Bhat alias Alla Chore, resident of Drigam Khansahib, were involved in the crime. Police arrested both the burglars and recovered the stolen ornaments from them,” the spokesman said.

Hurriyat criticises government for ‘harassing’ youth
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
The Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani has criticised the government for what it calls unleashing an ‘arrest spree’ across Kashmir ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

Alleging that Omar Abdullah-led administration was involved in “severe human rights violations”, Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar described the arrests and the alleged human rights violations as “state terrorism”.

“Despite court orders for the release of Shakeel Ahmad Yatoo, he is still in custody. Besides the police has raided the houses of cores of youth, including Huriyat leader Showkat Ahmad Hajam,” the spokesman said in a statement.

The Hurriyat in its statement said the police and forces had unleashed a ‘reign of terror’. “The police is pursuing these youth and trying to implicate Arif Ahmad Nata, Lateef Ahmad Parray, Firdoos Ahmad Shah, Zameer Ahmad Dar, Fayaz Ahmad Hajam, Mohammad Ashraf Bato, Bashir Ahmad Lone, Mudasir Ahmad Patwari, Bashir Ahmad Kaya, Meraj-u-Din Gojri and Ab Rashid Shah,” he said.

Expressing concern, the spokesman said the Hurriyat had appealed to international human rights organisations to take cognisance of their concerns.

Valley shivers as Srinagar records -3.2 °C
Temperature at Leh falls to -20°C, Kargil registers - 19°C
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
Residents in Kashmir continue to endure an unabated shivering cold, with the mercury during the night continuously falling many degrees below the freezing point even as the harshest phase of winter nears it end.

The overnight temperature in and around Srinagar fell more than three degrees below the freezing point, a state weather department official said.

The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at minus 3.2 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature was 5.1 degrees Celsius.

Two days back, on January 23, the city recorded its coldest day as the mercury could rise to a maximum of one degree Celsius, beating the previous record of 3.2 degree Celsius, the maximum temperature recorded during the day on January 18.

Mercury, most of the nights this month, has fallen several degrees below the freezing point as the region passed through the harshest part of winter, locally called Chillai Kalaan.

The Chillai Kalaan, which begins annually on December 21, is a 40-day-long phase of extreme cold when the mercury plunges drastically, freezing surface portions of Dal lake and shutting down water supply as the water in pipes freezes in the extreme weather.

Chillai Kalaan will end the next week on January 31, capping the harsh phase.

Despite Chillai Kalaan nearing its end, its grip continues to be strong as the mercury overnight continues to fall drastically across the region.

In Leh town of remote and snow-bound Ladakh region, the minimum temperature fell to minus 20.0 degree Celsius while the day temperature there rose to a maximum of 0.8 degree Celsius.

The day temperature in Kargil district of Ladakh was recorded at a maximum of minus 1.2 degree Celsius. The night temperature there fell to minus 19.0 degrees Celsius, the official said.

Mercury in snow-bound Ladakh region plummets to extreme levels during the winter season.

In Qazigund, the southern gateway town to Kashmir valley, the minimum temperature overnight settled at a low of minus 7.0 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature there was recorded at 5.4 degrees Celsius.

In the frontier Kupwara town in north Kashmir, the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius while the day temperature there rose to a maximum of 7.5 degrees Celsius, the official said. Kupwara recorded the warmest day throughout the region on Friday.

In Kokernag township of south Kashmir, the maximum day temperature was recorded at 3.1 degrees Celsius while the night temperature there fell to minus 7.5 degrees Celsius.

The skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, which is enveloped in several feet of snow, recorded an overnight low of minus 11.0 degrees Celsius, the official said.

At Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, the mercury overnight fell to minus 13.0 degrees Celsius while the day temperature there was recorded at a maximum of 1.8 degrees Celsius, the official said.

Voter cards distributed on 3rd National Voters’ Day
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
On the occasion of the 3rd National Voters’ Day today, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, distributed voter I-cards among the youth who had attained 18 years of age till January 1, 2013.

Samoon said by getting the voter I-cards, the youth could vote and make the choice of their representatives in the ensuing elections to strengthen the democratic set up in the state.

He also read out the message from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India on the day.

Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Baseer Khan also spoke on the occasion.

The day was observed at all district head quarters, including Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag.

Respective Deputy Commissioners distributed voter I-cards among voters and read out the message of CEC of India at all these places.

600 Kisan Credit Cards distributed in Ganderbal
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
The J&K Bank organised a Kisan Mela at Gund village in Ganderbal today. Around 600 Kisan Credit Cards were distributed to beneficiaries in the fair.

The fair was attended by a large number of people from the farming community, a bank spokesman said. The fair was organised with the view to boost credit dispensation under direct agriculture lending through Kissan Credit Card scheme, he said.

The Zonal Head Kashmir (Central) of the J&K Bank, Bashir Ahmad Lone, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was flanked by other officers from the bank.

“The J&K Bank is committed to providing required finances to the farming community of the state as and when the need arises,” J&K Bank zonal head Bashir Ahmad said.

“Out of 18,980 cases received by the business units under Cluster III, 14,101 cases have been sanctioned Rs 27.46 crore, out of which 6,794 cases amounting to Rs 11.08 crore have been disbursed,” an official said while giving details of the Kisan Credit Card cases received in the area.

ICCR organises cultural programme in Hajin
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Kashmir centre, organised a programme under its ongoing Horizon Series at Town Hall Hajin, Sumbal, in north Kashmir.

The programme comprised of Kashmiri folk music, which was presented by local artistes and a play written by late Ashiq Ahmad and directed
by Riyaz-ul-Hassan under the banner of Wahab Dramatic Club, enthralled the audience in the jam-packed hall.

The Play titled “Intiqaam” (revenge) received a thunderous applause for its unique depiction of exploitation by various vested interests in the society.

Regional Director, ICCR, Kashmir, Prof AR Nazki assured the public of the centre’s continuous support for improving the
cultural scenario of the region.

Earlier, while welcoming the guests, the patron of Wahab Dramatic Club, Dr Aziz Hajini, dwelt upon the contribution made by poets, writers and artistes belonging to the hajin region.

He hoped that the traditions set by the ancestors would continue. The programme was attended by local poets, writers, artistes and various prominent persons from the area.

J&K Bank holds literacy camps in Baramulla, Bandipora
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
The J&K Bank organised financial literacy camps, with the Agriculture Department, in Baramulla and Bandipore districts of north Kashmir.

“The camps were held at Hamray, Pattan in Baramulla and Onagam, Quil, Mangnipora, Malangam, Kema, Aloosa, Binilipora, Ashtangoo and Kehnusa villages in Bandipore,” the bank spokesman said.

He said the farmers were briefed on employment generation schemes, education loan, trade loans and consumption loan schemes of the banks. Importance of budgeting, savings and investing in various savings plans of the banks for better future were also deliberated upon, the spokesman added.

Kissan Credit Cards (KCCs) were also distributed among the farmers.

Agri minister tours Tangmarg constituency

Srinagar, January 25
Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today exhorted upon the officers of the Road and Building Department to ensure clearance of snow on the roads in remote areas. He also impressed upon the Power Department to ensure restoration of power supply in these areas.

An official spokesman said “He directed the concerned authorities to double their efforts and ensure time-bound completion of works taken up by the government for the benefits of locals”.

“Mir assured the people that all their genuine demands and developmental needs would be fulfilled in a phased manner and health, education, power and drinking water in remote and hilly areas would be upgraded on priority,” the spokesman added.—TNS

KU to hold workshop on institute management

Srinagar, January 25
Academic Staff College of University of Kashmir (KU) is organising a two-day seminar cum workshop on ‘management in higher educational institutions’ from 29 to 30 January 2013. The workshop would be held for college principals and senior academic administrators in the conference room of the administrative block.—TNS

‘20 tourism projects sanctioned in 2012-13’
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmed Mir today said the centre had sanctioned 20 new tourism projects worth Rs 97.36 crore to the state during the current financial year. He said this while interacting with a delegation of trade and travel associations here. “Rs 19.18 crore have been released as first instalment to take up the developmental works,” Mir added.

The Minister assured the delegation that the government would take all necessary steps to redress their genuine demands adding that providing all modern facilities to the visiting tourists was the priority of the government. He said the necessary directions had been issued to the concerned executing authorities to double their efforts for the timely completion of the projects so that the visiting tourists did not face any inconvenience.

“We have a lean tourist season at present and this time we are moving to different places in India and abroad to promote J&K as an attractive tourist destination. But we have to help bring peace in our region so that tourism is given a chance to flourish,” Mir added.

KU in pact with Gurgaon institute for summer course
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 25
The University of Kashmir entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Management Institute of India (MDI), Gurgaon. The MoU was signed at the MDI campus, Gurgaon, by a University of Kashmir team led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, Prof AM Shah (Dean Academic Affairs), Prof Shabir A Bhat (Director, Business School) and a team of Management Institute of India comprising its Director, Prof Mukul P Gupta and Prof Gita Bajaj.

The MoU envisages participation of University of Kashmir students in the MDI’s “International Summer University (ISU)” Project, which the Management Institute of India will host in April 2013. Students from around 10 Indian Universities and foreign universities will participate in the course. The course will be conducted by the international faculty on the Management Institute of India campus. KU was the first to sign an MoU with the Management Institute of India to become part of this international programme.

Prof Talat said the Management Institute of India will provide an opportunity to KU students for international and multinational education, supplemental learning. He said students will learn from foreign faculty alongside their counterparts from Erasmas University Rotersdam, McGrill University and Richard Ivey School of Business of Canada or Grenhole Ecole de Management.