Srinagar, June 21
The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various organisations of government employees, today staged district-wide demonstrations and submitted memoranda of demands to their respective Deputy Commissioners.

The demonstrations passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state. Now, the protesting employees have decided to observe a pen-down strike tomorrow and also attempt to take out a march towards the Raj Bhawan.

“Demonstrations were held at all 22 districts of the state, including those of Ladakh region, and we also submitted memoranda to the offices of the Deputy Commissioners,” said JCC leader Farooq Trali, who along with other leaders and members of the amalgam demonstrated at the Press Enclave area here.

He said they would attempt to take out a march towards the Raj Bhawan tomorrow after protesting at the Sher-e-Kashmir Park amid a complete pen-down strike across the government offices of the state.

The previous JCC attempts to gherao the Civil Secretariat or to take out processions towards the Raj Bhawan had been foiled by the police. Trail said the JCC was likely to announce its future course of action on coming Sunday.

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 resumed protests after the government failed to fulfill its promises.

This year too, the government had urged the employee leaders to resolve their issues through talks but the same had been rejected by the JCC.

The 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.

Srinagar, June 21
Three persons, including a seven-year-old boy and a woman, were killed and 21 others injured in several road accidents in the last 24 hours in the Kashmir region.

Two persons, including a woman, were killed and 13 others injured when a bus they were travelling in overturned near Khag township of central Kashmir’s Budgam district this afternoon, a police spokesman said.

The police spokesman said the passenger vehicle on its way from Magam to Iskandarpora turned turtle at Iskandarpora near Khag resulting in injuries to 15 passengers.

All the injured were shifted to a nearby hospital. Among the injured, Haseena, a resident of Gooripora, and Mushtaq Ahmad Tantry, a resident of Wata Magam, succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital.

In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a truck hit a seven-year-old boy identified as Aleem Altaf Malla of Khanpora near his residence resulting in his on the spot death.

Two teenaged girls were injured when they were hit by a motorcyclist near Baghat in the city. The motorcyclist was also injured in the accident, the police said.

The two girls identified as 17-year-old Insha of Bemina and 16-year-old Anam of Safa Kadal and the motorcyclist were admitted to a hospital for treatment.

A pedestrian was injured when he was hit by an auto load-carrier at Eidgah here. The injured was shifted to SKIMS hospital where he is being treated.

In another accident, a passenger cab on its way from Srinagar to Magam hit and injured 75-year-old Fazia Begum, a resident of Narbal, in the main market near her residence. She was admitted to the SKIMS hospital here, police said.

Class XII student Shabir Ahmad Khan, a resident of Bazipora, was injured when he fell off a bus in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The injured was shifted to the SKIMS hospital.

In another accident, a motorcyclist and a pillion rider were injured at Janbazpora in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Both the injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Srinagar, June 21
Dozens of children most of them orphans and underprivileged face uncertain academic future in south Kashmir.

Recently, the state government had shifted nearly 60 students enrolled at Markezi Falhi Atfal (centre for children welfare) at Tral in Pulwama district to Patalbagh, Pampore, during the middle of the session.

“The government had constructed a massive building at Patalbagh and we have been told that it was meant for elderly people. As no one turned up, the government acted in haste and shifted students from the 40-year-old Tral institute who were studying in various local and government schools to the new building at Patalbagh. Those shifted included students of Class IX and X,” said Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Tral.

The students at the Tral orphanage, which was housed in a rented accommodation, were being provided lodging and boarding facility. Students said the new place was secluded which had created some sort of fear in their mind.

Mostly, children at the orphanage hail from far-flung areas of Rajouri, Poonch and the local area. There are orphans as well as underprivileged children stay at the centre.

The government, however, said the new building at Patalbagh was not constructed for the elderly people and it was meant for the orphanage only.

“In our state, we don’t have any old-age home so the question does not arise that the building at Patalbagh was being constructed for the elderly people,” said Social Welfare Director Farooq Ahmed Khan. “When we were planning to acquire the land in Tral for the orphanage which was running in a rented accommodation they did not provide it,” he added.

Khan said they had also given an option to the children that in case anyone among them wanted to study in schools at Tral, they would be allowed to do so.

“But none among them agreed and they all wanted to shift to the new building,” Khan said.

Anantnag, June 21
Mirwaiz, south Kashmir, Qazi Ahmad Yasir, was today referred to the SK Institute of Medical Sciences after his health deteriorated in police custody.

He has been under arrest for the past 14 days.

The Mirwaiz was shifted to the district hospital, Anantnag, after he lost his balance and had a fall on the premises of the Sadder police station, Anantnag.

“Doctors at the hospital, referred him to the SKIMS in Srinagar for treatment. We have been told that the left side of his body was not working and doctors feared that he has suffered a stroke,” said one of his family members.

He said the police did not allow any family member to meet him, while shifting him to Srinagar.

The doctors at the district hospital said the Mirwaiz had suffered a minor stroke. “We have referred him to Srinagar as a precautionary measure,” said a doctor.

Meanwhile, more than a dozen members of the religious wing of Ummat-e-Islami (UeI), courted arrest at Anantnag police station, demanding immediate release of their chairman and Mirwaiz south Kashmir, Qazi Ahmad Yasir.

The members of the UeI and other supporters of the Mirwaiz had gathered inside the compound of Jamia Masjid, Anantnag, and tried to march towards the Lal Chowk area. However, the protest was foiled by the police.

Earlier, addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid, Moulana Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, head of the religious wing of the UeI accused the state of handing over administrative affairs to the police. “But the police need to remember that they are here to serve the people and not harass them. We want the immediate release of the Mirwaiz,” said Barkati.

Srinagar, June 21
Legislative Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul today stressed upon the government functionaries to ensure that benefits of the Centrally sponsored schemes percolate to the targeted population.

The Speaker was speaking after inaugurating an employment fair organised by the District Employment and Counselling Centre, Srinagar, at Noorbagh in Eidgah.

He asked the authorities concerned to organise more such awareness campaigns in other parts of the state, especially in the hilly and remote areas, so that benefits of Centrally sponsored schemes reach the maximum people.

He directed the officials to organise mega employment fair in Eidgah also and agriculture awareness camp in the Sangam area of the Eidgah constituency before Eid-ul Fitr. He said agriculture mandi would also be established in the Noorbagh area soon.

He said under the animal, sheep, agriculture and horticulture sectors several schemes had been introduced besides sufficient funds earmarked under these sectors during the financial year 2013-14 with an aim to create employment opportunities for the youth of the state. He appealed the people, especially youth to come forward and avail benefits under various flagship programmes, launched by the Centre and state government for the uplift of the weaker sections.

He directed the officers concerned to gear up their field functionaries and ensure preparation of Kissan Cards and its issuance among the farmers so that they could get benefit of financial assistance.

Kupwara, June 21
At least 60 families at Ticker village in the district are without power for the past one month. The transformer which was taken away for repair on May 20 has not been repaired so far. Residents of the village said they were forced to illuminate their houses with candles.

“The village is reeling under darkness for the past one month. Despite repeated pleas to senior officials of the power division, Kupwara, the transformer has not been repaired and installed so far in the village,” said Riyaz Ahmad Chopan, a local resident.

On Tuesday, the villagers protested against the power division demanding early restoration of power to the village.

Another resident said, “We have not seen electricity for the past one month. If power is not restored before Monday, we will be forced to take to the streets in protest against the power division,” said Iqbal Ahmad.

The residents said the years old transformer installed in the village often developed snag. “During the past six months, the transformer developed snag at least three times. Last month, we collected Rs 30 each family and assisted the power officials to take away the transformer for repair work. We are forced to make repeated round of the power division at Kupwara, but the transformer has not been installed to date,” said Mohd Ramzan.

Students said they were the worst sufferers. “In the absence of power, we are forced to study under candles. The facility can ensure long hours of study during nights. We make a fervent appeal to the Power Minster to intervene and provide us the facility at the earliest,” said a group of students.

The locals demanded that the new transformer should be provided to the village to ensure smooth supply. “The lifespan of the old transformer has ended and that is why it develops snag a few days after it is repaired. At least 100-kv transformer should be installed in the village to ensure hassle-free power supply,” said Wali Mohammad, a local resident.

A senior power official said due to requirement of a few spare parts of the transformer, its service got delayed. “We have finally managed to procure the parts and the transformer will be installed in the village in a few days,” he said.

Srinagar, June 21
The concern of drug abuse among valley children, which was recently highlighted by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is now being addressed through a sensitisation drive, which started yesterday.

The week-long drive has been launched in various Valley schools by HELP NGO, in association with Mariam Wellness Centre, Hyderpora.

The drive is aimed at raising awareness among the school-going children on various facets of mental and health disorders, resulting from drug abuse.

The drive will be carried throughout the week (20-26 June) when the World Week Against Drug Abuse is being observed.

Project coordinator Dr Arif Maghribhi told Kashmir Tribune that the concern of drug abuse had reached alarming levels among schoolchildren and it has become all the more necessary to create awareness among this target group.

“We are witnessing an increase in the cases of drug abuse among schoolchildren and there has been little or no support from the government in addressing the issue. Although the authorities realise and talk about the pressing need to eradicate drug abuse, there has been no action on ground,” he added.

The drive was launched in the form of a seminar on various mental health illnesses at Prime Public School, Hyderpora.

“Over the next few days, we have similar kind of events lined up for various other schools in Srinagar and its outskirts. Lectures will be given on various mental health topics, followed by interactive question answer sessions between visiting doctors, psychologists, students and teachers,” Dr Arif said.

On 26th June, the NGO, along with school students, will organise a joint rally against drug abuse among valley youth.

The week-long awareness drive will also inculcate skills among the girl students on how to fight against sexual abuse.

“The recent episode of fake mystic Gulzar Peer, who allegedly exploited girls in the name of education, has made it mandatory for our girls to equip themselves with the tactics on how to deal with such abusers,” Dr Arif said.

Srinagar, June 21
The North-Zone Badminton Championship, which was held at Baramulla in north Kashmir, concluded today. Baramulla badminton team won the tournament in which 26 teams from all across the state had participated.

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

Taj said the government was contemplating construction of indoor stadia in all major towns of the state to facilitate players who faced difficulties in carrying out sports activities during winter months. He said for the purpose, an “ambitious” plan had been drawn up by the government.

He said Baramulla would soon have a sports academy to give sports talent in the district a boost. He said an astro turf would also be laid which would upgrade and improve the quality and standards of sports in the district.

Srinagar, June 21
In the ongoing football event, the J&K Forest and J&K Bank entered the semifinals. In the first quarterfinal played at Polo Ground, the Forests defeated J&K Bank Academy.

It was a attacking football played between both teams . The lone goal of the game was scored by Shahid in 22nd the minute. The J&K Bank Academy created chances, but could not utilise them. The Forest won 1-0.

The second encounter of quarterfinal round was played between the J&K Bank XI and AG’s office XI at Bandipora. The J&K Bank XI won by 2-0 goals. The first goal was scored by Prem Kumar in the 41st minute while Umer increased the margin in the 68th minute.

Semifinal line up:

The J&K Bank take on the PDC Blue in Ist semifinal on June 23 at 4:30 pm at Polo Ground, Srinagar.

The J&K Forest XI take on the J&K Police on June 24 at 4:30pm at the same ground.

Today’s fixtures at Polo Ground

The Regal Sports takes on Alfath FC at 3:00 pm and the Maharaja FC takes on Jhelum Sports at 4:30 pm.

Srinagar, June 21
Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and several members of the JKLF, including its vice-chairman Bashir Ahmad Bhat, were detained by the police today.

Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, continues to remain under detention at his Hyderpora residence. The group’s spokesman said he was not allowed to offer Friday congregational prayers.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads the moderate Hurriyat faction, was also placed under house arrest since this morning, a party statement said.

The moderate Hurriyat chairman was scheduled to address a Friday afternoon gathering at Jamia Masjid, where he makes a weekly address. The Mirwaiz later made a telephonic address.

He also called for a shutdown on June 25 against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leaders Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Noor Mohammad Kalwal, Showkat Ahmad Bakshi, Mohammad Sideeq Shah, Bashir Ahmad Kashmiri were detained when they were going to Puchal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, said a party statement.

The JKLF members were scheduled to address a public rally, but were arrested at Kakapora.

Baramulla, June 21
The finals of Pattan Athletic Meet, organised by Army’s 29 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) under the aegis of 10 Sector RR Pattan, was held at Degree College sports ground here today. The youth from Pattan tehsil displayed competitive spirit in the finals.

The month-long event had started with inter-school trials of track and field events from the areas of Khanpeth, Pattan, Palhalan, Hyderbeg, Kreri and Nihalpura. Events like 100m, 200m sprint, 4 x100m relay, long jump and shot put throw were organised in two categories of junior and senior age group.

An Army spokesman said the athletic meet, organised for the first time at tehsil level, drew a sizeable crowd of spectators who cheered the athletes enthusiastically during the finals. Shahid Ahmad Shah of Government Higher Secondary School, Pattan, was adjudged the best athlete of the meet and bagged two gold and one silver medal in both individual and group events.

Col Prashant Pande complimented the participants and thanked local sports officials for their support in organising the event. He also reiterated the Army’s commitment to engage the youth in progressive and positive activities and help them realise their untapped potential.