Jammu, June 28
Downpour and inclement weather conditions failed to dampen the spirits of Amarnath pilgrims today with the second batch of 2,279 pilgrims leaving the Jammu base camp for the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in south Kashmir Himalayas amid tight security.

The pilgrims comprising 1,606 men, 399 women, 84 children and 190 sadhus left in a cavalcade of 79 vehicles, including 52 buses, 26 light motor vehicles and a truck from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in the state in the wee hours. “The cavalcade had crossed Ramban district on 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar highway till last reports came in. It was expected to reach Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in the Kashmir Valley by late this evening,” the police control room officials said.

Yesterday, the first batch of 3,157 pilgrims had left for Kashmir from Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar, the base camp of the pilgrimage here. The annual Amarnath Yatra started, simultaneously, on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes today and will conclude on the festival of Raksha Bandhan on August 21. The registration of the pilgrims for this year’s yatra had started on March 18.

The Shrine Board had opened 422 registration counters this year across the country against the 174 last year. The registration was started three months in advance of the yatra this year to ensure that every intending pilgrim could timely get the registration process completed.

As per the Standard Operating Procedure, framed on the directions of the Supreme Court, only 15,000 pilgrims will be allowed to move towards the Amarnath cave shrine everyday-7,500 from Pahalgam and an equal number from Baltal.

Jammu, June 28
Residents still love to buy land to build their dream homes. Apartment culture has failed to catch up here against all hopes of private real estate developers to attract residents to live in high- rise apartments.

Rising land prices has not deterred buyers for their love for open spaces.

In the absence of big industry or global level commercial activity like in the metropolitan cities, there are no takers for apartments as an investment option.

Looking for new markets, several big real estate developers had over the past decade invested crores in multi-storey apartments in collaboration with local colonisers.

Even the loan facilities extended by the banks did not help boost the sector and high-rise flats are still the second option for people here.

Most of those buying flats already own a house and keep flats only as an investment.

"J&K is an unexplored state and investment avenues are vast in the real estate sector, but people don't want to shift to multi-storey apartments. This is discouraging for developers," said Urja Singh, a housing consultant.

Influx of people to the city after militancy erupted in the Valley, dozens of colonies came up in the city to house people from Doda, Bhaderwah, Rajouri, Poonch and Kashmir.

City municipal limits have now swelled from 32 to 132 square km and the population is expected to reach two million by end of the decade. “Apartment concept is the best to deal with shrinking land due to population rise but it will take few more years before residents shift to flat culture. There is need to create awareness among the people about the benefits of organised housing colonies,” said Rajiv Sharma, a civil engineer.

Batote, June 28
The body of a youth was found hanging on a Kow tree at Kasmar Sawni in Chanderkot on Thursday night. The deceased, identified as Mohan Lal, 20, was missing since 7 pm the previous day. He had left home with a towel (parna) in his hand towards his fields.

Within an hour his younger brother found him hanging from a Kow tree with a pair of inter-wined shoelaces and the towel on a Kow tree 75 metre from his house in the jungle. A primary school drop out, Mohan had left the job of a truck cleaner few months ago. —TNS

Jammu, June 28
Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone, inspected development works at Government College for Engineering and Technology, Chak Bhalwal, today.

He took stock of the ongoing works of the administration block and the library being built at a cost of Rs 6.63 lakh by JKPCC and is expected to be completed by March next year. He assured the faculty that the issues raised by them will be addressed soon. — TNS

Jammu, June 28
Diabetes is no longer confined to urban areas and it is now rapidly spreading to semi-urban, rural and hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

This was stated by a diabetes expert and Chairman, National Scientific Committee, Dr Jitendra Singh, while speaking at a diabetes awareness programme-cum-detection camp held at Bhanara village in Block Majalta of Udhampur district.

The camp was organised under the aegis of Government of India’s national programme for control of diabetes and non-communicable diseases, in collaboration with Diabetes Care Foundation (DCF), a registered NGO.

Free medical consultation was provided to people by a team of specialists led by Dr Singh and medicines were also distributed among.

Dr Singh said during the first five months of the current year, the DCF had organised a series of similar camps in Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Kathua and Hiranagar.

“As compared to urban areas, the chances of diabetes remaining undetected for several years are much higher in rural areas. As a result, patients from villages and succumb to kidney, heart and eye complications, besides foot amputations, which leave them incapacitated and economically burdened,” he said.

Dr Singh said lack of specialised medical help, coupled with lack of diagnostic or screening facilities, contributed to the dismal rural health scenario.

Referring to a spurt in diabetes cases from rural areas, Dr Singh said urbanisation of rural areas was a major factor responsible. “People living in villages and semi-urban areas are also gradually switching over to dietary habits and life style culture of the city folk,” he said and added that the level of stress had also gone up tremendously in traditionally peaceful rural areas while the level of physical activity had gone down.

Katra, June 28
The Army is all set to promote tourism after decades of lull in the industry. On the occasion of 10th Raising Day of 61 Rashtriya Rifles, an adventure camp was organised by the Sarh based Rashtriya Rifles unit to promote tourism and adventure activities in Chinkah village of Reasi. A large number of locals, including students and about 10 girls, attended the camp.

The major highlight of the camp was para-sailing which was enjoyed by one and all.

General Officer Commanding, Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform), HS Gill was the guest of honour at the event. He also engaged in adventure activities.

When asked about his views on the potential for tourism in this area, the GOC said there were numerous potential tourist sites like Chenab River Rafting and Ghora Gali which had monuments that were from the times of the Mughals. Then there were Salal Reservoir and Kaunsar Nag which are comparable to the best in the country, he added.

The locals said the Army exercise to promote tourism would come as a major boost to tourism prospects in the area and would generate job opportunities.

Batote, June 28
The finals of Bhalessa Inter School Girls Badminton tournament was played at the Degree College, Kilhotran in Gundoh yesterday. The tournament was organised by the Rashtriya Rilfes (RR), Sohandam, camping in Doda. The league matches were played from June 21 to 26 at six locations in the Gundoh sub-division. As many as 137 girls from the 35 different schools took part in it.

The competition was held in the singles category in the under 14 and 18 age groups. The winners were Sakshi Thakur of Summer Hill Public School, Gundoh, in the under-14 category and Meyan Nusrat Shaheen of Government Higher Secondary School,Gandoh and Shunu in the under 18 age group.

Commander, RR, Suigarh Sector, gave away prizes and certificates to the winners and participants.

Commanding Officer, RR, Sohanda, and V Prasana Swamy, SDM, Gundoh, were also present.

Rajouri, June 28
Two infiltrators who were killed in a gun battle with the security forces on the Line of Control (LoC) in Keri sector of Rajouri on Wednesday were buried near the LoC after completing all legal formalities, Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajouri Mubassir Latifi, said.

“Both militants were buried after we completed all legal formalities and postmortem in Keri Sector,” he said.

“One of the two slain militants has been identified as Riyaz who was nearly 20 years old,” he added.

Sources said the Army and the police faced a tough time in evacuating the bodies of the militants from the LOC owing to continuous shelling by Pakistan on Indian posts, which resulted in delay in completing the formalities.

Personal Relation Officer, SN Acharaya has also confirmed the killings of the two Pakistan based terrorists who tried to intrude into Indian side yesterday, but got killed by Indian alert troops on the LoC.

A group of three militants were seen moving towards the Indian side of the LoC in R-3 Moda Gape in Keri forward area at 1100 hours on Wednesday. Simultaneously, the Pakistan Army posts in the area breached the ceasefire agreement and opened fire on the Indian posts.

Indian troops returned fire at the Pakistani posts and challenged the terrorists who opened indiscriminate fire. In swift retaliation by the troops, two terrorists were killed while one was injured. The injured fled to the Pakistani side of the LoC.

Search of the area resulted in recovery of bodies of the two terrorists and war-like stores consisting of 2 AK 47 rifles, 9, magazines, 5 grenades and 2 rucksacks with food and other articles.

Jammu, June 28
A delegation of the All J&K Plus 2 Lecturers Forum yesterday met the Director School Education, Jammu, SK Gandotra, and apprised him of the current education scenario prevailing in the School Education Department.

Led by the Forum president, NS Jamwal, the members of the delegation requested Gandotra to prioritise the adjustment of newly promoted teachers and masters as lecturers as a number of schools especially in the far-flung areas, facing the shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff.

Jamwal also demanded that the newly-promoted teachers be adjusted as masters to fill up the vacancies in schools. He also requested him to expedite the clearance of the pending files.

The Director assured the delegation that the problem of the shortage of staff in schools would be addressed soon.

Charan Dass, vice-president, Tarsem Singh, general secretary, Ashwani Kumar, chief organiser, Arunesh Kumar, district president, Udhampur, Ashwani Kumar, vice-president Udhampur, Ashok Kumar, general secretary, Udhampur, and Parjesh Kumar, financial adviser, Udhampur Unit, were part of the delegation.

Jammu, June 28
Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) yesterday sealed a private building at Gandhi Nagar for violating norms. It was 
allegedly being used for commercial activity.

KL Khajuria, Commissioner, JMC, and Kapil Sharma, Joint Commissioner (Administration), the enforcement staff sealed the premises of a building belonging to Des Raj at Gandhi Nagar.

The building has been sealed under Section 8 (1) of the Jammu nad Kashmir Control of Building Operation Act, 1988. The owner had started the interior work to launch commercial activity in violation of the land use norms of the area from residential to commercial.

A Jammu Municipal Corporation team also conducted checks at Gandhi Nagar, Gole Market, Green belt etc and seized 15 kg of polythene carry bags and also charged Rs 7,200 as compounding fee from defaulters on the spot who were found using polythene carry bags.

The team also made the people aware about the ban on the use of polythene carry bags and the adverse effects of polythene carry bags which are made of non-bio degradable material and requested them to use the bags made of bio-degradable material.

The team conducted the two operations with the help of the police.

Rajouri, June 28
The Jhangar Day celebrations will be held on July 3, to evoke a sense of patriotism amongst the civilians and soldiers alike. The day is commemorated every year to mark Indian victory against Pakistan at Nowshera in 1948.

Various dignitaries, along with government officials, Army personnel and local populace are likely to attend the function in large numbers and pay homage to ‘Saviour of Nowshera’ Brig Mohd Usman, Maha VIr Chakra, who displayed exceptional bravery, resoluteness and leadership qualities to save Nowshera and Jhangar, with active support from the local populace. The event reflects true bonhomie amongst the local populace and the Army.

During the commemoration function, an artificial limb camp will be organized, under the aegis of Nowshera Brigade, for providing replacement of artificial limbs and calipers to disabled mine causalities and polio-affected persons of Nowshera, Rajouri and Poonch, to enhance their mobility and improve their quality of life.

Other philanthropic activities that will be conducted on the Jhangar Day include gifting of modified two wheelers to selected disabled persons, besides felicitation of some brave hearts.

The guest of honour will also unveil a ‘Heritage Hall’, as a mark of tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives, under the leadership of Brigadier Usman.

Rajouri, June 28
The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), organised street plays on road safety at Manjakot, Thanamandi and Palma in Rajouri yesterday.

The plays aimed to bring about awareness among people, especially the youth, about the importance of following traffic rules and implication of rash driving and overloading on vehicles.

Besides, a class on safe driving and road safety in coordination with the civil administration was organised by the RTO and the traffic police at Thanamandi for residents.

Mushtaq Ahmed, DEO, Thanamandi, applauded the efforts of the Army in educating people on road safety. Residents thanked the Army for educating them about road safety in the innovative form of street plays.

Jammu, June 28
People of Doda and Kishtwar districts may have to wait for some more time to be able to have a safer road link connecting Pul Doda with Khelani. The project is hanging mid-way due to non-payment of compensation for land.

The new road link, connecting Pul Doda to Khelani on the NH 1-44, has been left unaddressed as the Public Works Department is waiting for funds from the Revenue Department to pay the land compensation. For past more than a year, the PWD has not received the money to pay for compensation.

The need for the road was felt as the 11-km link between Pul Doda and Khelanni failed to meet the needs of the people. It was difficult ply vehicles on the road to its steepness due to which loaded vehicles were unable to ply.

"The earlier road in Pul Doda got submerged in to the reservoir of Baghliar power project making people lose connectivity with the rest of the world," said a senior PWD official. The new road link will shorten the distance by six km, he said.

It was after people demanded a road link, that the government swung into action and announced the construction of road but the work got stuck mid way due to lack of funds to pay for compensation for the land acquired for the project.

"We had forwarded our demand of Rs 6 core to the Revenue Department but we haven't received the money so far. We are waiting for the funds so that the work is expedited," the PWD official said.

He said the money was required to pay compensation for the land and the construction of support walls on the road link. "Once we get the money, the work on the road will resume and people will get the new link," he said.

Jammu, June 28
The Dulhasti power station management has warned the residents of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts not to go near the Chenab from June 29 to 30.

The warning has been issued as the gates of the dam will be opened for regular cleaning of the reservoir due to which the water level may rise temporarily.

A statement issued in this regard states the people living near the river downstream areas is being warned to refrain from moving themselves / their cattle/ trucks and tippers near the banks of the river to avoid any mishap. The general public has been requested to co-operate for their safety. Anybody violating the request shall be doing so at his risk and responsibility and the NHPC or the management of the Dulhasti Power Station will not be responsible for consequences thereof, the statement added.

Rajouri, June 28
Bela Colony has acquired the name of 'Suicide Colony' for thousands of residents here live under the constant shadow of death. The colony gets this name as it is located in the middle of the bed of the Rajouri river and even a mild flood can wash it away.

With the approaching monsoon there is every apprehension of flash floods which can wash away the entire population the same way we witnessed in Uttrakhand which claimed many lives and left many more missing.

The Bela Colony came up because of the migration of people from semi-urban areas after the beginning of militancy in 1990s.

Natives of Thanamandi, Darhal, Chandi-Marh and Bufliaz built houses here illegally, which later took the shape of a colony, sources said.

Unchecked increase of illegal construction in riverbed of Bela Colony, Naban Mohallah and many other places pose a major threat of destruction. Last year's flash floods damaged property and washed away a number of vehicles in the area.

The unplanned colony comprising 400 houses and inhabited by more than 3,000 is located in the middle of the riverbed of Rajouri Nullah under the shadow of flash floods.

"It can be washed away by floods of even moderate intensity and the government needs to take some serious steps to protect residents here from any harm," senior leader of the BJP Vibodh Gupta said. He also said the government needs to build a master plan for the people who came to live here illegally during insurgency.

Additional District Development Commissioner (ADC), Rajouri, Matloob Khan said, "Illegal construction and encroachment of the land has became a serious concern for the administration for a long time. We have taken up the issue with senior officers several times."

He admitted that a number of buildings had been constructed illegally without valid permission. He also blamed the apathetic attitude of several departments like the PHE, Town Planning, and Executive Officer of Municipality for the same. "I have stopped a number of illegal constructions in Rajouri. People of the area are still unaware about importance of getting permissions for the construction of houses. They are ready to spend money illegally, but are not ready to adopt legal course which is far cheaper than false means," Khan added.

He said new bye-pass bridge had been half completed over the river in Bela Colony. "We will use bulldozers to demolish illegal construction in the area for early completion of the project and compensation will be given to only legal owners of the property," he added.

Jammu, June 28
Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone flagged off the fourth Mughal Road car rally at Hari Niwas Palace here today. A total number of known rallyists with 62 cars and nine motorbikes from different parts of the country are taking part in the rally. In this year’s rally, four all-women teams are taking part for the first time.

Organised by the Himalayan Motors Sports organisation with the sponsorship by the J&K Tourism Department and the J&K Bank, the rally is an effort to showcase and promote adventure sports in the state.

The rally has been divided into three categories- rally extreme (cars), rally extreme (motorcycles) and rally enduro. The first two categories are fast paced, while rally enduro follows the time-speed-distance (TSD) format.

The rally takes its name from the Mughal Road, the historic path said to be used by the Mughal emperors, including Jahangir and Shah Jahan, to travel from Delhi to Kashmir. The 84-km-long Mughal Road connects Shopian in Pulwama district in Kashmir with Bufliaz village in Poonch.

Rajouri, June 28
The Army Battalion, under the aegis of “Tithwal Brigade” distributed computers, classroom furniture and sports items to the schools of Naunihal and Garhi villages, situated near the Line of Control, under the ongoing Operation Sadbhavna, today.

The distribution ceremony was conducted at the Government Middle School, Naunihal in which more than 250 students of both schools were benefitted. The computers with the UPS, classroom furniture, including chairs, tables and sports items, were distributed.

The ceremony was attended by a large gathering, including Jitender Kour Behal, Dy Chief Education Officer and Trilok Singh, Zonal Education Officer, Nowshera.