Anantnag, June 14
Four boys, all of them in their twenties, lost their lives when the vehicle they were travelling in plunged into the Lidder river last night near Nunwan in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir. One of the passengers, however, survived miraculously.

Sources said the five youths had gone for a picnic to Pahalgam and were coming back just before midnight when the driver of the Tavera vehicle, bearing number JK03C-5947, lost control over the vehicle.

“The vehicle plunged into the Lidder River that runs along the road in this area,” said a senior police official.

He said a rescue team was sent to the spot as soon as the news of the accident reached the police.

“While one of the passengers had miraculously escaped with minor injuries, the police had to work for hours at a stretch to fish out the bodies,” said the police official, adding that the injured person was undergoing treatment at the sub-district hospital at Pahalgam.

The police official said they were trying to ascertain the cause of the accident, while a case had been registered in this regard.

“The injured person is not in a condition to tell us anything. We are waiting for him to get well so that we can ascertain the cause of the accident,” said the police official.

The deceased have been identified as 23-year-old Lateef Ahmad Bhat, 20-year-old Mohammad Rafi Bhat and Umar Farooq, all residents of Puchal village in Pulwama district.

The fourth victim, 28-year-old Bilal Ahmad Dar, who was driving the vehicle, was a resident of Lajoora village in Pulwama district.

Meanwhile, the injured person has been identified as Ijaz Ahmad Bhat, also a resident of Puchul village.

Sources said thousands of people attended the funeral ceremony of the deceased youths at their native village before they were laid to rest.

Srinagar, June 14
To ensure maximum transparency in management, maintenance and allotment of assets, the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) has embarked upon an ambitious project of digitising all the records pertaining to its land and built-up properties.

As per the directions issued by SDA vice-chairman Mohammad Shafi Rather, all the records pertaining to the land transferred by the government to the SDA, from time to time, its utilisation, details of built-up assets and allotments made, both in case of plots and commercial properties, would be first converted into digital form and then uploaded on the authority’s official website for ready reference.

“As per the standing instructions of the government and as required under Section-4 of the J&K Right to Information Act, all such information is to be regularly uploaded on the official website of the organisation for public scrutiny,” Rather said.

He said digitisation of records would not only prevent misuse of SDA assets, but faster delivery of services to the public as well. He said putting such information in the public domain would also help the SDA to boost the revenue generation and institutionalise the recovery mechanism as the list of persons who have been allotted plots and commercial assets by SDA and have turned chronic defaulted would also be uploaded on the website.

The vice-chairman said the SDA had also started compiling list of all such Nazool land properties, which were transferred to the authority by the government under a Cabinet order, but were still to be taken over by the SDA physically for various 
reasons.

“We have recently identified some prime land in Srinagar, including big chunks of undeveloped land near Rawalpora and Harwan that have since been transferred by the government to the SDA, but have remained unused,” he said and added that these properties would be utilised for raising infrastructure mostly for housing purposes, parking lots and other community facilities keeping in view the rapid growth of the Srinagar city and mounting demand for such facilities.

Rather said a Task Force comprising officers from various wings of the SDA as also from various departments concerned would be constituted to conduct a detailed survey of all such properties, scrutinise the revenue and other records pertaining to the same and then detailed project reports would be formulated for the planned and integrated development of these properties in the larger public interest.

Handwara, June 14
Residents of Vodhpora, Pohru Chakla, Waripora, Hanji and a few other adjoining villages in Handwara tehsil are facing a severe shortage of drinking water for the past two months. Local residents said many people, including women and children, were suffering from jaundice and gastroenteritis due to the consumption of contaminated water from Pohru nullah.

They said the water supply to the village was snapped two months ago and had not been restored so far. They said the Public Health Engineering (PHE), Handwara, had suspended the water tanker service to the villages for the past three weeks, forcing the women folk to fetch contaminated water from Pohru nullah.

Sharifa Begum from Pohru Chakla said, “We are forced to fetch contaminated water from the nullah, which has led to the outbreak of intestinal infection. For past three weeks, the water division has suspended the tanker service leaving us high and dry.”

Another resident Mohd Sultan said, “We made several representations to the office of the Executive Engineer, PHE, Handwara division, requesting him to restore the water supply to the village but to no avail. The criminal silence of the water division will force us to launch an agitation against the division.”

The residents said by delaying the restoration of drinking water to the village, the authorities were playing with their health. “We made several representations to the PHE office, Handwara, but to no avail. The authorities are playing with our health by forcing us to consume contaminated water,” said Ghulam Hassan, a resident of Waripora.

A senior official of the PHE division said the division would soon start the tanker service to the affected villages till water supply was restored in a few weeks. “We will provide them drinking water through tankers on daily basis. The supply would be restored in a few weeks as we are working to install pipes at a few places,” said the official.

Srinagar, June 14
The three-day State-Level Inter-District Kabaddi Tournament, which started on June 10, concluded today with a colourful finale. The tournament was played at Bakshi Stadium and was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports.

In the 52 matches played, 260 players from all the districts of the state, except Leh, took part in the tournament.

The teams which qualified for semifinals included the teams from Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua.

The final was played between Jammu and Rajouri and was won by Rajouri district.

Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohi-ud-Din was the chief guest on the occasion and distributed prizes among the players.

He said the state government had given sports a re-look and the sports infrastructure across the state was being upgraded.

“Every block in the state will have a sports complex and every panchayat would have a playfield,” he added.

Taj said the Centre had agreed to a sports package for the state under which the sports infrastructure would be upgraded and strengthened. Under the package, every town would have an indoor stadium and all the existing stadia in the state would be equipped with sports equipment, he added.

Srinagar, June 14
Facing a financial crisis, Kashmir University has asked its research scholars to collect their scholarship money on the first-come-first-served basis.

Scholars who are doing their PhDs have been waiting for their scholarship money since a long time and it was only recently that the KU management had issued a grant of Rs 25 lakh in favour of the scholars.

Sources said the requirement of the scholarship money was almost three times the aid provided.

“We need more than Rs 96 lakh to provide money to our research scholars. But, we are clearly low on budget. Although research remains to be the core area of interests at the Kashmir University, the shortage of money a big concern for us,” said an official of the university.

The money released for research scholarships now is being provided to scholars on first-come-first-served basis.

A research scholar said they had been instructed to collect the money as soon as possible.

“Research scholarships are being treated like lottery tickets here. Every researcher is paid a good amount of stipend in other universities, but at KU, it takes months to get our deserving stipend,” said Farzana Ahmad, a research scholar.

Handwara, June 14
Nearly 130 families at Shadipora village, 20 km from Handwara, are without power and road facilities for the past many years. A 63 KV transformer installed in the village develops snag every second day forcing the inhabitants to reel under darkness for weeks.

“We have not seen smooth supply of power for the past one year. At times, the supply is snapped for weeks together and for the past two months, we are subjected to a very low voltage, which does not serve any purpose,” said Shamas-u-din Khan, a local resident.

The village is close to the forest area and devoid of a motorable road. The residents said the Power Development Department (PDD) had tied the electric wires on poplar and wall nut trees and a slight wind disrupts the supply for weeks. They said fear of electric short circuit looms large due to improper network of electricity in the village.

“Last week, the main supply line fell down in the evening due to a low intensity windstorm. Fortunately, most of residents were indoors and tragedy was averted. Had the supply line fell down during the day, somebody may have unintentionally walked over it,” said Feroz Ahmad.

“The low capacity transformer often develops snag as it fails to take load of the entire village. A large capacity transformer should be installed in the village to ensure smooth supply of electricity,” said Nasir Ahmad Najar.

Students said they were the worst suffers. “Our studies are badly affected due to grim power scenario. The voltage is so low and we are forced to study under candlelight,” said Muneer Ahmad, a Class XII student.

In the absence of a motorable road, the residents are forced to cover a distance of about 4 km on foot to board a vehicle at Drugmulla. “We have to ferry patients on stretcher for about 4 km. Handwara MLA or for that matter no other official has ever visited this village,” said Mohd Jamal, a village elder.

Srinagar, June 14
The state will soon get 50 new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). This came to light during the 16th meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of Technical Education held under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Technical Education, Parliamentary Affairs, Law, Justice and Power, Viqar Rasool at Government Polytechnic for Women, Bemina, Srinagar.

The minister said a proposal for establishment of 50 new ITIs was on the cards. The meeting discussed various agenda points, including sanction to the creation/change of designations and upgradation of the posts for the State Board of Technical Education, consideration of job opportunity in the government sector for various posts in the related disciplines, lateral entry system in the various government/private polytechnics/ engineer colleges for degree, construction of buildings for the State Board of Technical Education, enhancement of remunerations charges of conducting of examination and other related matters.

Srinagar, June 14
Peeved at the slow pace of work on 2.6 kilometers road stretch from Parimpora to Qamarwari, traders have threatened to block the highway in case the work is not finished immediately.

The work on the age-old link of the city from Parimpora-Qamarwari which is being upgraded to four lanes has been going on since 2010.

“The work was supposed to be completed last year. But till recently, only 33 per cent of the work has been completed in two years,” said Nissar Ahmed, a trader from Qamarwari. “We have pleaded many times before the authorities that the work be finished immediately, but they are not paying any heed. So, we all have decided to block the road in coming days and will not allow the traffic to ply,” he added.

What is annoying the local residents and the shopkeepers living around this stretch is that the road continues to be engulfed in dense dust throughout the day.

“With dust all around, we have been facing health problems,” said Ghulam Rasool, another resident of Parimpora. “It is shocking that despite being a vital link road, the authorities are not concerned about the woes being faced by the locals,” he added.

An official in Road and Building Department said various structures on stretch that were to be demolished were still existing and they were hindering the executing agency in taking up works at a speedy pace.

“But, we have said that we will complete the work on the stretch by March 2014,” he said.

Srinagar, June 14
Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said passengers travelling on the cross-LoC bus from Muzaffarabad to Srinagar were not being provided basic services.

“We had welcomed the bus service so that the Kashmiris on the two sides will benefit, but it is unfortunate that after so many years the bus service is merely meant for propaganda,” Mirwaiz said addressing a gathering in the city’s Jamia Masjid.

Mirwaiz said the passengers travelling in the cross-Line of Control (LOC) bus, especially those coming from Muzaffarabad, were not even provided with the basic services.

“Even though, this issue is in the jurisdiction of the state government, but due to interference of central agencies in Kashmir people are suffering from unnecessary trouble,” he said.

Mirwaiz said the procedure to procure permission for travel was lengthy and recommended the travel should be allowed on basis of state subject certificate.

Srinagar, June 14
Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir (KU) Prof Talat Ahmad visited various social service camps organised by the Department of Students’ Welfare, KU, for the devotees visiting Hazratbal shrine on the occasion of Friday following Shab-e-Meraj.

Under the supervision of Dean, students’ welfare, Prof Nilofar Khan, student volunteers from the department’s debating club, Red Ribbon Club and Cultural Club and Cell for Physically Challenged provided water and juice to pilgrims at the stalls erected at different places.

Vice-Chancellor congratulated the volunteers for their effective coordination in providing various facilities to the devotees.

“Such training prepares students to take bigger roles in the times to come,” Vice-Chancellor said. He also served water and juice to devotees at the stall at Sir Syed Gate of University of Kashmir. Registrar, University of Kashmir, Chief Proctor, Department of Students’ Welfare and other officials joined Prof Talat Ahmed and served the devotees. 

Srinagar, June 14
Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone, along with Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saif-Ullah visited Government Degree College, Karnah, on the eve of a one-day educational conference at the college.

The ministers took stock of the ongoing construction work of the college, being executed at the cost of Rs 15.50 crore. They were informed by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Itrat Hussain Rafique that till date, Rs 6 crore had been spent on the college building.

The ministers directed the concerned executing agency to ensure quality of work and expedite the construction work within the stipulated time.

On the occasion, Lone announced funds for the construction of college auditorium, boys and girls hostels, besides residential quarter for the college principal.

He said the government was developing higher education set-up in far-flung areas on war footing so that youth were enlightened and were able to prove themselves at national and international competitions, besides leading the state to new heights of excellence.

Saif-ullah also highlighted the importance of higher education and said in the present era, it was the right of every youth to get higher education so that he/she was able to adjust in the modern society.

Srinagar, June 14
Army in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district organised an educational-cum-motivational tour for the elders of Lolab valley. The 12-day tour was flagged off from Gujjarpatt and is sponsored by Army under Operation Sadbhavana.

Thirty village elders are participating in the tour, named ‘watan ki sair’.

An Army official said the tour was flagged off by 28 Rashtriya Rifles, under the aegis of HQ 8 sector RR. The village elders will visit places like Udhampur, Amritsar, Hisar, Delhi and Ambala.

“The participants will get an opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the country and learn about their culture and traditions. They will also have the privilege of visiting such places of tourist importance as India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid and Lotus Temple in the capital and the Golden Temple and Jalliawala Bagh in Amritsar,” the officer said.

“In addition, interaction with panchayat of a village near Ambala has also been planned,” he added.

The officer said the aim of the tour was to expose the minds of the elders to the rich cultural heritage of the country in order to have a positive impact on their mindset, as they were the decision makers in the society. 

Srinagar, June 14
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday demanded a prompt investigation into the alleged attack on its Srinagar district vice-president, Abdul Rouf Bhat, whose car was destroyed near his Solina residence night.

The attack came hours after Rouf had convened a meeting of party workers at his residence, after which some of the workers held a peaceful demonstration against the Chief Minister’s close associate for his baseless allegations against the Peoples Democratic Party, a PDP spokesman said.

“Rouf’s car was completely destroyed.The attackers had some kind of a government cover otherwise such an attack could not have been possible in densely populated place like Solina,” he said.

The spokesman of the party said immediately after learning about the attack senior party leaders led by Syed Mohd Altaf Bukhari visited Rouf’s house and conveyed their solidarity with him.

“We demand a thorough and prompt investigation of the incident for which an FIR has been already lodged in police station Shergari,” he said, adding that the government would not be allowed to hush up this case and it will have to come out with full facts. 

Srinagar, June 14
The 1st National High Altitude Ball Hockey Camp being organised in Pahalgam at Good Will School, Pahalgam, in which all the leading National players from different states of the country are participating.

The first match was played between J&K and Maharashtra which was won by J&K defeating Maharashtra by 2-1. The second match played between Punjab and Delhi was won by Punjab by 3-2.

After completion of these two matches a training session was organised under the guidance of world famous Ball Hockey Coach from Czech Republic, Michael. He provided necessary coaching and training tit bits to the participating players.

“He expressed his great admiration for the organisers of the camp for organising such a world level coaching camp and thanked for giving him an opportunity to provide necessary coaching to the players and also helping him to explore the world famous beauty of Pahalgam Area,” an official spokesman said.

Michael also added that the youth of J&K state are very much energetic and can grow in all spheres of life if proper guidance and facilities are provided to them.

Jammu, June 14
The Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu (JU), in collaboration with the “Display Your Talent” Alumni Association, JU, is organising a five-day national Art Camp 2013 at Patnitop. Ten senior and eminent artists of the country have been invited for the camp.

Prof MPS Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, was the chief guest on the occasion and inaugurated the camp. Lida Singh, was the guest of honour. Prof NK Tripathi, Dean, Students’ Welfare, welcomed all the artists, including the students of different departments and colleges. The objective of organising the camp is to inculcate awareness about the contemporary art scene at national and international level and to create contemporary art collection for JU.

Another aim of organising the camp is to provide an opportunity to the students to interact with the artists and appreciate their creative work.