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Employees resume strike, to gherao secretariat on June 10
Casual labourers protest, seek regularisation of services
New methodology on cards to reduce man-animal conflict: Mian Altaf
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CM inaugurates Srinagar Post Office Fest-2013
Palhalan village tense after the killing of LeT militant
Arrest of dervish sparks protest
Govt urged to curb black marketing of mutton
Speaker Gul for making House committees result-oriented
Six houses gutted in fire
Governor for setting up fodder banks in Ladakh
Yasin Malik to observe hunger strike from today
DGP commissions Zonal Railway Police Hqrs
MoS Health inspects sub-district hospitals
400 avail healthcare facilities at medical camp
Zafar is PDP’s state secretary
Two killed in mishaps
100 students participate in inter-college road race
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Employees resume strike, to gherao secretariat on June 10
Srinagar, May 23 Talking to the Kashmir Tribune, JCC leader and Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC-K) president Khurshid Alam said the employees staged protests across all the districts of the state and submitted memorandum of demands at the offices of the respective Deputy Commissioners. Alam said the JCC would intensify protests if the government continued to overlook their demands. He said the amalgam had decided to gherao the Civil Secretariat on June 10 and the future course of action would be decided after the scheduled protest next month. Another JCC leader Farooq Trali said the employees were protesting against the 'betrayal' of the government as it had failed to implement the agreement made with the amalgam. He said employee leaders from all over the state would participate in the scheduled Secretariat gherao programme. While the employees’ protests remained peaceful elsewhere, Trali said a few JCC members were detained after they tried to take out a procession towards the Civil Secretariat after protesting at the Press Enclave area here. The employees’ demands include release of arrears recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of pay anomalies and regularisation of daily wagers and casual workers working in various government departments. The other JCC demands are inclusion of five years of contractual service of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers in the service book and regularisation of education volunteers after seven years of service. The JCC had postponed its earlier protest and strike programmes in February following assurances from the authorities that their demands would be met and also because of the situation in the aftermath of the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. After a series of protests and strikes by the employees last year, the government had reached an agreement with the JCC wherein the employees were assured that a decision on their demands would be announced by September 30. However, the JCC then resumed protests, saying the government had failed to fulfil the promises made to them. This year too, the government had urged the employees’ leaders to resolve their issues through talks but the same had been rejected by the JCC. The Demands
Release of arrears recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission Enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years Removal of pay anomalies Regularisation of daily wagers and casual workers working in various govt departments Inclusion of five years of contractual service of ReT teachers in the service book Regularisation of education volunteers after seven years of servicex
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Casual labourers protest, seek regularisation of services
Kupwara, May 23 Raising slogans against the state authorities, they marched throughout the town. They were carrying banners highlighting their demands.” The government has cheated us after so many years of service. We worked round the clock during the years of turbulence, hoping that our services will be recognised, regularised, but it appears that the government has forgotten us,” said Abdul Rashid, a casual labourer. Many others said they had not been paid their salaries for the past 10 months. “Our children are facing starvation like conditions due to the non-payment of salaries. The education of our children is badly affected due to lack of resources. The government has meted out a step-motherly treatment with us,” said Shakeel Andrabi, another labourer. The protesters said in spite of repeated assurances from the higher authorities that their services would be regularised, nothing had been done in this regard. They said many of them had already crossed the age-limit and if their services were not regularised, they would be forced to take the extreme step to force the authorities to take a decision in their favour. “I am a father of three children and have been doing service for the past about 15 years in the department. I have worked in the turbulent times and the department should take my services into consideration,” said Reyaz Ahmad, a protester. The protesters assembled in the Town Hall, here where a few leaders in speeches reiterated their demand for regularisation. — OC
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New methodology on cards to reduce man-animal conflict: Mian Altaf
Srinagar, May 23 “Under the methodology, an organic fence is used to keep wildlife animals like bear and leopard away from human habitation,” Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad said during an officers’ meeting of the Wildlife Department here today. The minister asked the officers to identify the critical areas and take the experts, invited for the purpose, there besides imparting necessary training to local people and officials of the Forest and Wildlife Departments about this methodology to reduce man-animal conflict. “Human life is precious,” said the minister adding there was a need to take necessary steps for reducing the man-animal conflict. The minister instructed the Chief Wildlife Warden to launch a massive awareness campaign about the precautionary measures to be taken by the people living in man-animal conflict proven areas of the state.
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CM inaugurates Srinagar Post Office Fest-2013
Srinagar, May 23 The festival was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Dr Kruparani Killi at the General Post Office, Srinagar. “The aim of the festival is to associate postal service with the efforts of the SMC to make Srinagar city hygienic and clean,” a DoP official said. DGP (Prisons) K. Rajendra, SMC Commissioner Dr GN Qasba, Postmaster-General, J&K Circle, John Samuel and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. After inaugurating the festival, Omar released two special covers - one on ‘Clean Srinagar Green Srinagar’ and Lal Chowk. He also released two post marks on Chinar and Ghanta Ghar Lal Chowk. The Chief Postmaster General announced that all letters posted at Srinagar GPO will bear post marks depicting Chinar while letters posted at Lal Chowk Post Office will bear post marks depicting Ghanta Ghar, which reflects the rich heritage of Kashmir. The Chief Minister also dedicated modernised Lal Chowk Post Office under ‘Project Arrow’ to the public. Later, Dr Killi inaugurated the Philately Exhibition that will remain open to public till May 27. The exhibition has 100 frames depicting rare and costly stamps on various themes and subjects. During the festival, the DoP and the SMC will hold a series of events, including letter writing competition, ‘Srinagar Walk’, stamp design competition and other events on ‘Clean Srinagar Green Srinagar’ theme.
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Palhalan village tense after the killing of LeT militant
Srinagar, May 23 The situation in Palhalan village, 30 km from here and located on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, remained tense throughout the day and minor clashes were also reported from the village. However, heavy deployment of the police and paramilitary personnel ensured that the situation did not go out of hands. Local residents alleged that the police had sealed all the entry and exit points to the village. “No one was allowed to enter or leave the village,” said Abdul Rashid, a local resident, over the phone. “Hilal was harassed by security agencies so much during the 2010 unrest that after he was released from the jail he joined militant ranks,” he added. Rashid said people from Palhalan and neighbouring villages had assembled in the village since morning and were waiting for the arrival of his body. Maulvi’s body reached his native village in the evening and people raised “pro-freedom” slogans. Maulvi is the second militant of the village who was killed in the past two months. On April 18, Shabir Ahmad Sheikh, also an LeT militant, was killed in an encounter with security forces near north Kashmir’s Sopore town. The village had also remained shut for four days after his killing. The village is a stronghold of separatists. The situation continues to remain tense in the area. |
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Arrest of dervish sparks protest
Srinagar, May 23 Eyewitnesses said supporters of Bhat raised slogans in favour of Bhat and said allegations against him were baseless. “It looks like a conspiracy,” said a protester from central Kashmir’s Budgam district. “Some people have succeeded in maligning the image of Gulzar Ahmed Bhat,” he added. The protesters also included women. The police later swung into action and many protesters were detained. Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of the Shamsabad area of Kashmir’s Budgam district, was arrested by the police on Tuesday on the charge of raping four of his ‘disciples’ - all minor girls. The police said the medical examination of all the four girls had confirmed that they were raped. Bhat has been booked under Section 376. Apart from Bhat, one of his accomplices, identified as Abdul Gani Ganai of Yaar village of Budgam, who was working as a cook at the bogus seminary, was arrested on Wednesday and searches were being conducted for another accomplice, a resident of Srinagar’s Zakoora locality. |
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Govt urged to curb black marketing of mutton
Srinagar, May 23 In a statement issued here, CCIK president M Shafi Khan said the chamber was concerned over the strike that had been going on for over a month and also over “black marketing” of mutton to marriage parties and other function holders, hoteliers, ‘wazwan’ shops and other food units. “With the result, both poor retail meat sellers and common consumers suffer. We consume lamb meat worth Rs 10 billion yearly in a normal condition and its trade is in the hands of meat mafia, who are monopolist and are free to get its rate increased every now and then,” he added. Khan urged the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department to ensure regular supply of good quality meat at reasonable rates. He also said the monopoly of mutton dealers could be curbed by starting the production locally. Stating that the Valley had sufficient infrastructure in this regard, Khan urged the Department of Sheep and Animal Husbandry to start mutton production on a war-footing basis. |
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Speaker Gul for making House committees result-oriented
Srinagar, May 23 The Speaker chaired a meeting of chairmen of the financial and other committees of the House and reviewed the working of these committees, an official statement stated. The Speaker said they should work with team spirit and it was their joint responsibility to make the working of the committees more active. “The Speaker directed the authorities of the General Administration Department (GAD) to issue a circular to all departments with regard to the implementation of the recommendations and observations of the reports laid on the table of the House from time-to-time impressing upon them to strictly adhere to the Rule 308-A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly,” the statement added. Gul also called for coordination between the administration and the Assembly Secretariat at the meeting, the statement said. “Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohammad Sartaj Madani, Public Accounts Committee chairman Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, Committee on Estimates chairman Mustafa Kamal and Environment Committee chairman MY Tarigami gave their suggestions to make the functioning of the financial and other committees of the House more viable,” it added.
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Six houses gutted in fire
Anantnag, May 23 Four structures were damaged in a fire in April. In November last, 46 residential houses were gutted at Frislan village. — OC |
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Governor for setting up fodder banks in Ladakh
Srinagar, May 23 He also stressed the need for construction of shelter sheds for livestock in such areas. The Governor was briefed about the status of development of agriculture, horticulture, animal and sheep husbandry and other sectors in Leh district at a meeting held at Leh today. Recalling the loss of Pashmina goats, sheep and cattle in the Changthang area of Ladakh this winter, the Governor stressed the importance of all required measures being taken, including procurement of feed and fodder, setting up units for baling the fodder to enable economical transportation, establishment of feed and fodder storage centres in the remote areas and putting in place animal shelters, wherever required in the Ladakh region. He said a comprehensive action plan needs to be put in place in this regard well before the onset of the next winter. LAHDC, Leh Councillors from the Changthang area presented a memorandum to the Governor highlighting their development demands, including interalia, opening up tourist routes in the area, enhancement of funds under the BADP, construction of roads, provision of mobile telephone facility, filling posts of principals at Higher Secondary Schools at Nyoma and Tangtse. The Governor assured the councillors that the issues raised by them would be taken up with the authorities concerned.
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Yasin Malik to observe hunger strike from today
Srinagar, May 23 “Mohammed Yasin Malik will start his 48-hour-long hunger strike against human rights violations in Kashmir from Friday, May 24”, a statement issued by the JKLF said here. The hunger strike that will start at 3 pm would be attended by the kith and kin of martyrs, prisoners, lifers, victims of fake encounters and enforced disappearance in custody, he said. Earlier this month, Malik had decided to hold a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi but he was not allowed by the Delhi Police to do so and he had to cancel his strike. “On the one hand, our people are hanged secretly and even their bodies are not returned to their families, on the other hand, a complete ban has been imposed on every protest”, Malik was quoted as saying in the statement. “Through this hunger strike, we will raise our voice for martyrs and for returning the mortal remains of Mohammad Maqbool Butt and Mohammed Afzal Guru”, Malik said in the statement, adding the hunger strike was proposed to show “solidarity” with the families of disappeared, prisoners and those killed in “fake” encounters. “We will show our concern for those who have been sentenced to life and are languishing in jails for a long time”, the statement added.
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DGP commissions Zonal Railway Police Hqrs
Srinagar, May 23 He was speaking on commissioning Zonal Railway Police Headquarters on the outskirts of Srinagar at Nowgam. He said with the inception of train services in the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had been entrusted additional responsibilities to ensure the safety of railway tracks as well as commuters and deal with crime pertaining to the railway premises. “ The new zonal office will enhance the working facilities for the police besides improving the delivery of public service in the Valley. It will facilitate the passengers to report any crime promptly and the police to respond quickly to any emergent situation,” the DGP said in a statement issued here. Referring to the coordinated efforts put by the Northern Railways and the J&K Railway Police for maintaining railway services in the state, the DGP said the services had benefited the common people, particularly the working class and student community at large. He said it was the responsibility of all sections of society to ensure the safety of railway tracks and other railway properties. Stressing upon the officers present on the occasion for coordinated synergy, Prasad said their motive should be uninterrupted and safe train service for the passengers. He emphasised upon the officers of the Northern Railway and the JKP to work together for the betterment of the society. He told them to beef up the security system regularly for the railways and its employees and assured that sufficient manpower with required logistic support would be provided to the Railway Police for proper deployment to ensure security of the passengers and assets of the railways. Earlier, the Inspector General of Police (Railway) J&K, Dr K K Saini gave details of increased security measures taken for the railways in the Valley.
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MoS Health inspects sub-district hospitals
Srinagar, May 23 “During the visit, the minister reviewed the functioning of the health institutions. He enquired about the available medicare facilities and welfare of patients,” a government spokesman said in a statement here. “He directed the Medical Superintendents concerned for ensuring all possible healthcare facilities, including clinical diagnostic facilities, to the patients with a special focus on maintaining hygienic conditions in the hospitals,” the spokesman said. He said the minister also directed the authorities concerned to ensure ‘free medicare facilities’ and a proper diet to the pregnant women during deliveries.
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400 avail healthcare facilities at medical camp
Baramulla, May 23 A team of doctors, including a dentist and women doctors, examined the patients. As many as 400 patients from Palhalan and its adjoining villages availed the healthcare facilities. According to a press release, an open interaction with senior Army and civil officials also held after the medical camp. Brig Sanjay Puri, Commander 10 Sector RR; Col Prashant Pande, CO 2RR; Moin Ahmad, Tehsildar Pattan and Fayaz Ahmad, SDPO Pattan were present at the camp. The commander, in his address, reiterated the commitment of the Army to bring peace and harmony in the region. He assured villagers of all possible assistance for the development of the area. He felicitated the meritorious students of Palhalan schools and distributed books and stationery among poor students. The CO 29 RR highlighted the importance of maintaining peace for carrying out development activities and promised full assistance from the Army. |
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Zafar is PDP’s state secretary
Srinagar, May 23 In a statement issued here today, a party spokesman said the appointment had been made by the party president on the recommendation of party general secretar, Mohammad Dilawar Mir. Zaffar Manhas is a noted writer and activist who joined the party a few months ago. |
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Two killed in mishaps
Srinagar, May 23 Police said a five-year-old Simran of Baihama, Kulgam, injured after being hit by a Tata 40 vehicle on Wednesday evening. The baby succumbed to her injuries while on her way to a hospital. A case has been registered in this context. In another accident, constable driver Sunder Kumar of the 18 RR Camp Cherkote killed in an accident inside the premises of the camp in Kupwara. A case has been registered in this regard. The police said a four-year-old Daishah Jan of Nowgam injured after being hit by a speeding Figo car at Khanmooh, Srinagar. The injured was admitted to a hospital. Jabbar Wassim (9) injured after being hit by an unidentified Maruti near the Old Bus Stand, Anantnag. He has been admitted to the SMHS, Hospital, Srinagar. A case has been registered in this regard. |
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100 students participate in inter-college road race
Srinagar, May 23 The event was organised by the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, a statement from the university said. “Director Physical Education Bashir Ahmad Khan flagged off the race. As many as 100 boys from various colleges of the Valley participated in the race, the statement stated. Hamid Aziz of Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, bagged the first position and Sameer Ahmad Dar of Govt. Degree College, Bemina, had to contend with the second spot. The third position went to Ishtiyaq Ahmad, a student from College of Education, Srinagar, the statement said. Bahsir A Khan praised the physical directors of the colleges for the uplift of the sports sector in the region, the statement added. He distributed prizes among the winners. — TNS
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Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various government employees' bodies, resumed protests today after it had earlier postponed its stir for over three months.
A five-day-long festival on the theme ‘Clean Srinagar Green Srinagar’ being jointly organised by the Department of Posts (DoP), J&K Circle, and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) was inaugurated here today.
The native village of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Hilal Maulvi, who was killed in an encounter in Srinagar today, observed a complete shutdown.
