Jammu, May 19
With the summer season at its peak, people in Jammu are not only facing frequent power cuts but also many areas in the city are facing an acute water crisis, forcing many residents to fetch water from supply pipes.

Although the Public Health Department (PHE) has pressed its fleet of water tankers to augment the drinking water supply in many localities, at a number of places, people have been heading for the pipes to draw water for their daily use.

Further, inability to repair its pipes supplying drinking water to households is putting lives of thousands of people at risk, as leakage is an open invitation to spread of diseases.

“Earlier, we used to get water supply regularly but for the past few days, the supply has been erratic. Summer season is always worse for the common man,” said Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Bag-e-Bahu area.

The department is presently providing nearly 42 MGL of water per day to a population of over 13 lakh in Jammu city. The net requirement of potable water against this population is 45 MGL of water per day. So, 3 MGL of water shortage is still there.

Erratic supply has severely affected areas like Roop Nagar, Janipur, Indira Colony, Buta Nagar, Naseeb Nagar, Ploura, Durga Nagar, Muthi, Ban Talab, New Plots, Sainik Colony, Bathindi, Sunjwan, Narwal and Greater Kailash.

Officials said there is a problem in some areas.

In many parts of the city, damaged water pipes can be found, from which water keeps leaking.

At many places, the distribution pipes, which supply water to the city have not been changed for the last over four decades and they have almost rusted, allowing rain and sewerage water seepage, which is detrimental to the people’s health.

The people of Jammu city got organised water supply in the year 1934 when Maharaja Hari Singh built the first water treatment plant at Panjtirthi and pipes were laid to cover the old city area.

Rajouri, May 19
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri, Anis A Nabi today initiated an inquiry against three doctors of National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) posted at Community Health Centre (CHC) Thriyat in border district Rajouri after a woman allegedly died due to unavailability of medical services in the hospital yesterday.

Muzaffar Hussain, sarpanch of village Thriyat at Kalakote area of Rajouri, told The Tribune on the phone that Satya Devi (40), wife of Mohan Singh, resident of Poni of district Reasi, complained of chest pain. After that, she was admitted to CHC Thriyat, but doctors were found absent from duty. Even the ambulance driver was not available, which led to the woman dying in the hospital without treatment.

Not only this, several other patients including pregnant ladies faced hardship after three doctors of the hospital went missing over the past two days without intimation, which forced patients to head to Sub-District Hospital Sundarbani.

Another villager Krishan Lal was rushed to hospital after heart attack struck him this morning, but there was no doctor available at the hospital and no driver was available for ambulance service at CHC Thriyat. Relatives of Krishan Lal first took him to Sub-District Hospital Sundarbani and later to Government Medical College, Jammu, hiring a private vehicle for treatment, the sarpanch added.

Block Medical Officer, BMO Kalakote, Dr Suresh Gupta, admitted, “Two doctors from Srinagar and one from Jammu who were posted here were found absent from duty without intimating me or giving me any leave.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Rajouri Anis A Nabi said, “I have instructed Block Medical Officer, Kalakote Suresh Gupta to rush to the spot to take stock of medical facilities and also depute some doctors from Mogala and other areas in this hospital so that patients get proper treatment.”

The Deputy CMO said, “We are not going to spare anybody found guilty. The services of all those at fault will be terminated without any hesitation.”

Doda, May 19
Nine tremors ranging from 3.5 to 4.8 on the Richter scale have been felt in the Doda region since the 5.8 magnitude earthquake of May 1 which jolted Doda and Kishtwar districts. The tremors were recorded by the Meteorological Department in Srinagar.

The small-magnitude tremors are giving sleepless nights to the people of the Doda region.

At 12.27 pm on May 1, a moderate-intensity earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale jolted Doda and Kishtwar districts with its epicentre near Bhaderwah in Doda district. It was followed by two tremors of 3.7 and 4.6 magnitude, respectively, at 2.12 pm and 2.49 pm on the same day.

A 3.9 magnitude tremor shook the region at 6 am on May 2, followed by a couple of small tremors throughout the day. Around 7.08 am on May 3, a 3.7 intensity tremor made people run out of their houses in search of safer places.

A 3.5 magnitude tremor was felt in the region on May 5.

However, no major tremors were felt and people started their normal work. Schools and colleges started functioning, though small tremors were being felt at regular intervals.

Around 1:28 am on the interviewing night of May 14 and 15, a 4.4 magnitude tremor was felt. Two minutes later, a 4.8 magnitude tremor jolted the region. At 2.31 am, a 3.8 magnitude tremor was felt and people had to stay out all night.

During the wee hours on May 15, three small-intensity tremors were felt.

The tremors continue to jolt the region.

Almost 80 to 90 per cent of the structures in the region have been damaged and the survey for assessing the loss is in its final stage.

Doda, Bhaderwah residents a worried lot

People of Doda and Bhaderwah are worried about their future as tremors are continuously being felt in the region creating panic among them.

People of Doda and Bhaderwah shared their views with The Tribune.

“Tremors have made the lives of people miserable. It is like an unending process and people prefer to stay spend nights outdoors even in cold conditions. People, who have some accommodation arrangements at Jammu or Srinagar, have left Bhaderwah and its adjoining areas. Others have no option but to face the situation,” said Shabir Ahmed Khateeb, retired principal and a resident of Bhaderwah

“Smiles have gone from the faces of people. They feel that the worst is yet to come. The people have got only assurances from the government and nothing concrete has been done so far. Those living near the Ashapati glacier in the upper reaches haven’t received tents yet and many people are still spending nights under the open sky,” voiced Neeraj Manhas, social worker, who runs a private school in Bhaderwah.

“A pick-and-choose policy is being adopted while distributing tents among the affected families,”  said Prema Gupta, a housewife and a resident of Bhaderwah.

“Some say it is happening due to the Baglihar power project reservoir, but neither the administration nor the government is coming up with a clear message about the actual reason behind these tremors,” said Ashiq Hussain, a contractual employee from Ghat, Doda.

“We have no option but to face the situation. It is not possible for most of the families in the area to flee to safer places as they have meagre sources of income,” said Sajjad Ahmed Butt, a computer operator from the Thathri area of Doda

“Awareness programmes should be held. The government must provide relief to every affected family,” said Tariq Ahmed, a Gram Rozgar Sevak with block development office, Doda.

Batote, May 19
The Commander Sector, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Suigarh, alongwith Doda DC Mubarak Singh and other civil officers inspected the relief works being jointly carried out by the RR and the civil administration in Doda for the victims of earthquake tremors of May1 and May 13, today.

The Doda DC thanked the RR for providing medical care with free medicines to the injured and traumatised persons and providing tents for the shelter to the displaced population.

The Commander and the DC were told that the RR, under the aegis of Sector RR Battalion, Suigarh, had reached out to hundreds of earthquake victims of Bhadarwah, Gandoh, Thatri and Doda tehsils.

The RR donated medicines to 536 persons during the medical camps at Bhadarwah and Sirtingal on May 9 and May 10. At Sohanda, RR doctors examined and treated 428 patients. At Doda, the RR provided 19 tents in Doda Stadium, Ban Doda, Dak Mohalla, Shah Mohalla, Ghat, Arnora, Doda COB, Akramabad Tondwa, Faridiya Mohalla and Basti Mohalla. Two artic tents, having a capacity of housing 30-40 people, were pitched at Shah Mohalla and Fareediya. Two hundred tents were already erected by the Sector RR, Suigarh.

Batote, May 19
The subscribers of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts had to suffer for five hours because of the snapping of the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) at Kud at 9 am in the morning today. The telephone (landline and cell phone) and the internet services remained completely off the air in the area from 9 am to 2pm.

According to the BSNL officers, the OFC was damaged by a JCB machine during the ongoing road repair work on the highway.

Being a Sunday, all the government offices, banks and other business establishments were closed and thus the official did not suffer but the work in the military, paramilitary, media and other offices, besides cyber cafes, STD, PCOs and other related businesses were badly hit.

“The snapping of the OFC, either due to theft or damage during road construction works at one or the other location on the highway, is a regular nuisance here, which badly affects our working as we are totally dependent on the mobile and internet communication,” said Atul Gupta, reporter for Amar Ujala from Batote. “No serious efforts have ever been made by any of the responsible agencies to prevent this problem in the interest of the BSNL consumers,” he added.

Nashri (Batote), May 19
The CPI (M) state secretary, state president, Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) and Kulgam MLA Yousuf Tarigami castigated the national and foreign construction firms engaged in different rojects in Ramban district for not implementing the Labour Laws, Workmen Compensation Act, the Minimum Wages Act and other relevant rulings of the Supreme Court, thereby violating their rights.

He said this while addressing a gatherings of the workers of under-construction Chenani-Nashri road tunnel and Reasi-Banihal railway projects, Sawlakot and Baghlihar hydel projects at Nashri and Sangaldan today, during his two-day tour of the district.

He was accompanied by CPI (M) and CITU leaders Omprakash and Shayam Prasad Kesar, besides Arshad Malik of Chenani, Irshad Ahmed Bhatti of Batote, Liaqat Hussain of Pahadi Railway Workers’ Union, Sangaldan and several sarpanches, panches and prominent residents.

He urged the employer companies to ensure fool-proof safety measures for workers, shun the vindictive measures against workers participating in CITU or other labour union activities for their rights, ensur minimum salary of Rs 10,000, due salary, increments, gratuity and priority in recruitment to the experienced workers by the new firms.

Assuring the workers of all support only if they get united in their struggle against their exploitation and for their rights, he flayed the state government also in failing to get the workers’ grievances redressed.

He urged the J&K government to tap the potential of Tourism and Hydroelectric Power of the Chenab valley or erstwhile Doda district to generate enough electricity and employment for residents.

At Nashri and Sangaldan, work remained suspended on the ongoing projects yesterday and today respectively.

Earlier in the morning, many north and south portal workers of other factions had protested in Batote against MY Tarigami for inciting workers and hampering the peaceful atmosphere at the construction sites.

The police and CRPF deployed in large number, in apprehension of a clash among the different factions of workers, ensured that the rally was peaceful.

Rajouri, May 19
An education-cum-motivational tour, comprising of 23 girl students and two lady teachers from Kalakote and Mahogala, was flagged in by Commanding Officer of the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Kalakote, today.

The tour, conducted under the ongoing Operation Sadbhavana, to Nainital, Dehradun, Mussourie and Haridwar, had been flagged off from Kalakote by the Sector Commander, Tain Sector Rashtriya Rifles, on May 10.

The aim of the tour was to spread the message of peace and bring awareness about the educational and professional avenues available to the students and to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the country. Many civil dignitaries and parents of the students were present in the gala function organised by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Kalakote.

Tina Sharma, a student of class XI of Higher Secondary School, Mahogala, said the event had given them an opportunity to have a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage and the progress and development of the country.

During the tour, they got a chance to visit old and premier institutes like Sherwood College, Birla Vidya Mandir, Doon Girls School, Forest Research Institute, Graphic Era Institute of Technology and Welham Girls School.

Neelam Kumari, a teacher accompanying the group, said the students were happy having had a chance to visit so many places. They had come back richer with experience and confidence. It was possible with the efforts of the Army to organise such an activity, she added.

Nandni (Jammu), May 19
Famous ‘cheese pakoras’ of Nandani may soon disappear when the four-laning project of Jammu-Udhampur National Highway will be completed.

The widening of the National Highway seems exciting, as it will reduce the traffic jams and road blockades, but it is sure to disappoint the lovers of the cheese pakora of Nandani, as the main market will be by-passed by tunnels and bridges coming up on the new highway.

There is a sense of insecurity among the owners of these dhabas, who serve on the Jammu side of the Nandani tunnel, 30 km from Jammu. They do not know what will be their future after the completion of the new highway.

Kaku Sharma of Des Raj Tea Stall, who is earning more than Rs 500 per day from his shop, said, “This highway will finish our employment, the government has not announced anything for us, not even space for a shop on the new highway. This shop was feeding my family of seven for the last many years, we do not have any other job to do,” he added.

Gulshan Kumar of Bittu Tea Stall said, “Our paneer pakora is famous all over the country, whosoever comes to Vaishno Devi, stops here for paneer pakora, but after the road widening, they will miss it.”

“Administration should make some arrangement for us on the new highway, so that it does not affect our business and the taste of Nandani pakora can also be preserved,” he added.

A tunnel is being constructed, nearly 35 m below the existing Nandini tunnel, which will bypass this stretch, where around 20 shops exist.

Vinay Sharma, an engineering student from Jammu, sitting in a tea stall at Nandani having paneer pakora said, “I just love this pakora, there is something special in it, you cannot get this taste in any other part of the country.”

Aditya Gupta, enjoying at a pakora shop, said, “Whenever we get some time from our hectic schedule, we plan a long drive to have paneer pakora with chatni and tea here at Nandani, it is so tasty, so crispy and crunchy outside and soft and juicy inside.”

“The administration should think about these vendors and the popularity of the paneer pakora of Nandani, they should allot some space to them on the new highway, else this amazing taste will only exist in the stories,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner (DC), Jammu, SK Sahu said, “We are giving compensation to the people, whose land comes under the road widening. We cannot compensate everyone, this is not the responsibility of the state.”

“If they want some space on the new highway, we can think about it, there will be some provision for that,” he added.

Jammu, May 19
Tikri Zone overcame the challenge of Ghordi Zone in the final to clinch the under-14 boys’ volleyball title today in the daylong Inter-Zonal Tournament in multi-disciplines at Sports Stadium, Udhampur.

In kho kho final, Udhampur got the better of Tikri Zone to bag the top honours. Udhampur Zone trounced Jib Zone in the final and lifted the under-14 boys’ kabaddi title.

In wrestling, under-14 boys (25-kg), Ajay Kumar of Jib Zone bagged the gold medal while Sudesh Kumar of Chenani Zone had to settle for the silver medal.

In 30-kg weight category, the gold medal went to Rajinder Kumar of Chenani Zone while the silver medal was claimed by Jugal Kumar of Ghordi Zone.

In 35-kg, Ajay Kumar of Jib Zone fetched the yellow metal whereas the silver went to Kewal Kumar of Ghordi Zone.

In under-17 volleyball, Udhampur proved too good for Tikri Zone in the final while in under-17 kabaddi final, Panchari Zone prevailed over Chenani Zone. In under-17 kho kho, the boys’ title went to Udhampur Zone by defeating Tikri Zone in the final.

Ganesh Kumar and Pawan Kumar of Chenani Zone, Mohammad Saleem, Shakeel Mohammad, Bhupinder and Dheeraj Singh of Tikri Zone clinched the gold medal in various weight categories in under-17 boys’ wrestling. The silver medal went to Ashok Kumar of Jib Zone, Vikas Sharma of Ghordi Zone, Ishvat Hussain of Dudu Zone, Manzoor Hussain of Udhampur Zone and Muzaffar Farooq of Ramnagar Zone.

The matches were officiated by Pawan Kumar, Rakesh Modi, Ajay Kumar, Pushap Kumar, Raj Kumar, Rakesh Sahni, Desh Raj, Shashi Bala, Vaishno Devi, Reena Gupta, Rishi Kumar, Amrit Sharma and Sanjeev Sharma.

The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, under the overall supervision of Sukhdev Singh, DYSSO Udhampur. Earlier, Benam Tosh, in charge SSP, Udhampur, was the chief guest on the occasion who declared the tournament open wherein 174 players drawn from nine zones of the district are participating.

Jammu, May 19‘
Lucknowi kebabi’, a restaurant opened at shop no 4, Green Belt Park yesterday, with an idea to give Jammuties the taste of different Mughalai dishes.

Munir Ahmed, Rakesh Kumar and Feroz Ahmed, three special chefs have been brought from Lucknow for delicious preparation of Mughalai dishes.— TNS