Jammu, June 27
The City of Temples echoed with the chants of 'Bham Bham Bhole' as the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims was flagged off from the Yatri Niwas here amidst inclement weather conditions in the wee hours.

The pilgrims, including women, were in an upbeat mood as they danced to the drum beats before proceeding towards Kashmir. Organisers of community kitchens also shared their excitement.

A large number of Amarnath pilgrims particularly sadhus from various parts of the country reached today. The pilgrims have been camping in various temples and sabhas being managed by religious and social organisations.

"It is for the third time that we have come here for the yatra. Excellent arrangements have been made by the administration for the pilgrims and we are happy that we are the part of first batch," Geeta Aggarwal, a pilgrim said.

She said the pilgrims were unfazed by the terror threats and said the pilgrimage would be peaceful and trouble-tree.

Naveen Kumar, another pilgrim from Punjab said he was going on the pilgrimage for the second time and said he was happy to see the arrangements made by the authorities.

"Earlier, I had gone on the pilgrimage two years back. We appreciate the authorities for the security as well as other arrangements made by them. The Uttrakhand disaster is fresh on the minds of the people but they are unfazed," Kumar said.

Earlier, Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir, flagged off the first batch from Yatri Niwas.

Security agencies made elaborate arrangements in Jammu and its outskirts.

Reasi, June 27
To identify poor girls in the urban and rural areas of the district, a panchayat-level survey will be conducted in 20 to 25 days. The aim is the socio-economic uplift and improvement in the standard of education through various centrally-sponsored and state schemes.

It was decided at a meeting of the inter-departmental coordination committee chaired by District Development Commissioner, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, here today. The Assistant Commissioner Development and District Social Welfare Officer have been nominated as the nodal officers, he said.

It was also decided that revenue, social welfare, statistics and evaluation and rural development department officials will take part in panchayats for transparent identification of poor girls.

Batote, June 27
Two persons were killed and three injured in separate accidents here today. The driver of a police vehicle constable Gopal Krishen was killed on the spot when the minibus he was driving rolled down a 100-feet deep gorge from the NH-44 at Sherbibi in Banihal in the wee hours today.

In another accident, Santosh Kumar, a Class XI student died as he was buried under the portion of the wall being constructed in his house. He was helping in its construction.

Superintending Engineer Ramesh Chander Menia and PDD XEN Manhar Gupta and driver Mohd Ashraf were injured when the driver lost control over the car they were travelling in on the NH-44 at Bhoom in Chanderkot yesterday. Menia was referred to a hospital in Jammu.

Jammu, June 27
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has failed to address the problem of water logging Jewel Chowk near Press Club, Canal Road near GGM Science College, Panama Chowk etc. While the monsoon brought relief from heat, water logging in various areas is causing great inconvenience to the residents.

Heavy rain today led to the problem of water-logging in many areas giving a tough time to the commuters.

With water comes filth from the overflowing drains creating more problems for the residents.

For past several years, water-logging has become a routine affair in several areas; but the JMC has failed to address the problem so far. “There is a problem of water logging in these areas and we can’t do anything as it is the job of town planners to make plans to deal with water logging issue,” said Vinod Sharma, Health Officer, JMC.

He said their job starts after rain stops and they clean the city afterwards.

The situation is similar in the city’s only planned colony, Gandhi Nagar, which has a better drainage system. “When it comes to Mumbai or Delhi, water logging is a routine affair but in Jammu it is a small issue and we have some problem only at few places,” Sharma added.

Srinagar, June 27
The Jammu and Kashmir Contractors Coordination Committee (JKCCC) held a protest at Raj Bagh area of the city here today demanding release of pending bills.

JKCCC chairman Ghulam Jeelani Purza, who led the protest, claimed that payment of bills worth over Rs 700 crore was still pending with the government.

He said the contractors were facing several problems due to the non-clearance of dues. Purza said carrying forward further work was also difficult till the clearance of pending bills. He also demanded that e-tendering should not be applicable for the 'T-class and D-class' contractors.

He regretted that the government had not met the JKCCC demands despite several rounds of protests in the past.

Meanwhile, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of various traders’ bodies, threatened to launch an agitation in case the contractors’ demands were not met.

KEA chief spokesman Siraj Ahmad said the contractors and their families had been put in “dire financial straits, misery and virtual bankruptcy” due to the non-clearance of pending bills. “Unpaid bills of this magnitude have put the entire economic and developmental activities of the Valley to a virtual halt,” he added.

Srinagar, June 27
Describing the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police as the backbone of the organisation, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) SM Sahai today emphasised on greater synergy between the executive and armed police in order to provide better policing to the people.

Sahai was addressing the 11th Commandants’ Conference of Armed and IRP Battalions here this morning.

The two-day state-level annual conference was convened to discuss the role of armed police and future strategies. In the conference, various issues and requirements were discussed to enhance the proficiency of armed police.

Sahai highlighted the role of the Armed Police in maintaining law and order to ensure safety and security of the people. He said the force had been working with the executive police and other law enforcing agencies in every nook and corner of the state. He stressed upon better coordination between the forces working on different fronts to provide efficient service to the public.

“The officers should maintain a close liaison and ensure welfare of their subordinates so that a “feel good factor” is created within the organisation,” Sahai added.

Spelling out the issues to be discussed during the conference, Sahai said there was an urgent need to reorient the functioning of the armed wing. “The force has faced various situations successfully and has to recast its role in the future also,” he said.

Sahai added that emphasis would be laid on structural and functional reforms in the armed police.

Srinagar, June 27
To create awareness and provide insight into the new advancements in Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) conducted a scientific program- “Case Capsules in GI surgery” at its auditorium today.

During the event, three scientific sessions were held. Papers on critical subjects were presented by faculty and post doctoral students of the institute.

Some of the important topics deliberated upon included haemobilia secondary to portal vein injury and liver abscess, unique cases of failed ERCP, Jejunal tumour and emphysematous pancreatitis.

Former director and ex-officio secretary to government and presently vice-president, National Board of Examinations, Professor Dr S Jalal was the Chief Guest who inaugurated the programme.

He stressed upon a collective approach to achieve collective goals.

“We should shun individualism and must have collective goals. People with better ideas face resistance but we must stand by virtue and deliver with commitment for better patient care system,” he added.

Director, SKIMS, Dr Showkat A Zaragar said the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology had evolved as one of the best centre at SKIMS.

“This programme is of great educational value and will benefit the students,” he said.

HOD, Surgical Gastroenterology, Professor Omar Javed Shah, in his welcome address, said the department was busy providing optimal treatment to the needy patients.

“Every effort is being made to centralise various advanced procedures so that the multidisciplinary treatment team develops substantial expertise in the management of such patients. This concept of volume output relationship is vital to the development of centre of excellence and the administration stands firmly behind achieving this goal,” Shah said.

Srinagar, June 27
A meeting to finalise the arrangements for Mughal Rally-2013 which is scheduled to pass through south Kashmir’s Shopian district was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Shopian.

As many as 150 competitors will take part in the fourth edition of the Mughal rally which begins today. The rally will also be the first motorsport event in the country to be a hill climb battle. State Minister for Tourism and Home Sajad Ahmad Kichloo will flag-off the Mughal Rally from Royal Spring Golf Course, Srinagar.

An official spokesman said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Shopian informed the DC that he had constituted five medical teams one each at Pir Ki Gali, Lal Gulam, Dubjan, Heerpora and Tokroo. “The CMO was directed to deploy ambulances, fully equipped with oxygen and trauma care related supplies (oxygen cylinders, orthopaedic supplies, splinting) and doctors, trained staff and experienced drivers, especially at Pir Ki Gali, Dugjan, Panar Bridge and Bufliaz Bridge,” he said.

Among others SP, ADC, CMO, DSP (Traffic), Executive Engineer, R&B, Division, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Executive Officer, MC and Representatives of Divisional Forest Officer attended the meeting.

Srinagar, June 27
Chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has questioned the delay in completion of the investigation into the burning of Dastgeer Sahab shrine in a fire in June last year.

A Hurriyat spokesman stated here that Mirwaiz said the shrine burning incident at Dastgeer Sahib had completed one year, but no breakthrough had yet been achieved into the case, which had hurt the religious sentiments of the majority community.

“The investigation into the case remains a mystery and no breakthrough has been achieved to expose the conspirators. No efforts have been undertaken by the authorities to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice”, the Hurriyat spokesman said.

He said Mirwaiz also expressed anguish over the policies of the government, adding that the authorities had completely ignored the religious sentiments of people with regard to the burning of the shrine of Dastgeer Sahab.

The Hurriyat spokesman also condemned the arrest of DAK President Dr Nissar-ul-Hassan and supported his protest programme against the fake drugs scandal.

Anantnag, June 27
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, today said the resolution of Kashmir issue lied only within the ambit of the Indian Constitution.

“We want to restore the dignity and the self-respect of Kashmiri people, which is only possible through a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue,” Mufti said while addressing a public rally in Deunthu village of Shangus area, Anantnag.

However, he added that the resolution was only possible within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

“People who want Azadi are well within their democratic rights in doing so. However, we need to be pragmatic and look for a resolution viable to all the parties concerned,” Mufti said.

Praising former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his vision and the work he did to restore peace in Kashmir, Mufti said “Vajpayee told General Parvez Musharraf that Indian people will not be ready to let go of even an inch of land and urged that the borders be made irrelevant,”— OC

Srinagar, June 27
Minister of State for Science & Technology and Information Technology Feroz Ahmad Khan today laid the foundation stone of Energy Bhawan here.

The Energy Bhawan will be built at the estimated cost of Rs 5.36 crore at the SDA Colony Bemina.

After laying the foundation state, the minister also kick started the construction work on the complex, a statement said.

Spread over 13,824 square feet, the 3-storey building will have 36 rooms and a conference hall with all modern facilities and is to be completed by December, 2014.

The minister was informed that the complex will have office accommodation for the Joint Director, Science Technology, Chief Executive Officer, Jammu And Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) and Jammu and Kashmir State Council for Science and Technology. These offices are presently housed in various rented buildings.

Speaking on the occasion the minister said the JAKEDA is a state nodal agency working under the control of the Science and Technology Department for the promotion and implementation of the projects aimed at meeting the energy requirements in general, including non-electrified areas of the state by harnessing new and renewable energy sources, like solar energy, wind energy, bio-mass energy and the energy from mini and micro-hydro power projects, the statement added.