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Rare herb worth Rs 40 lakh seized in Kupwara
Sikhs celebrate gurpurb with fervour
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Ghulam Mir inaugurates high school at Dooru
Officials destroy banned gutka products in Srinagar
Hurriyat’s call for protest evokes minimal response
Sanjay Kak’s Red Ant Dream screened
One killed, 13 hurt in road accidents
Non-functional BSNL towers worry Anantnag residents
Textile Ministry gives nod to
Rs 5.87 cr for carpet training
Youth should opt for a career in sports: Agriculture Minister Mir
250 food businesses register for license during Food Safety Week
Vakil asks separatists to desist giving election boycott calls
MLA seeks relief for fire victims
Islam has made it mandatory for its followers to seek wisdom: Taj
Wild animals on prowl in Handwara
Shepherd slips to death in Sonmarg
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Rare herb worth Rs 40 lakh seized in Kupwara
Kupwara, July 5 This is the largest seizure of the banned herb in the past 10 years, a forest official said. “The market value of the seized herb is around Rs 40 lakh in the international market. A forest official was also injured in the attack by the smugglers, who were carrying the consignment,” he said. The reports said following a tip-off, the Kuligam police stopped a Sumo at Sevar Lolab. Around 40 kg of Triptri was seized from the vehicle and the accused were arrested. “Some accused are at large and we are conducting searches to nab them,” a police official said. In another incident, forest control room officials in Kralpora raided a house in Ranighar village last night. The officials seized 42 kg of rare herb from the spot. The accused, however, managed to run away. “The police is assisting us to nab the accused persons,” a forest official of Kehmil division said. The reports said medicinal herbs worth lakhs of rupees were being collected and smuggled from forests in different parts of the district. Villagers said in the absence of effective monitoring of forests, smuggling of medicinal herbs such as “Pitrees” and “Trepati” and seeds of trees such as “Deodar” and “Kail” (Pine) was rampant. Conservator of forest north circle, Main Javid, said there was a blanket ban on collection of forest herbs and people involved in the unlawful trade would be sternly punished. “The Supreme Court has put a blanket ban on the trade of forest herbs. Forest officials are working hard to enforce the ban and whosoever found guilty will be punished,” said Javid. The Kupwara police has registered six cases and seven persons have been arrested during the past five months. Illicit timber recovered
Officials of the Kehmil division recovered illicit timber worth lakhs of rupees from Chowkibal forest on Thursday evening. Two accused, identified as Changez Khan from Cheepora and Ghulam Mohd Dar from Devar Lolab, were arrested by the police.x |
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Sikhs celebrate gurpurb with fervour
Srinagar, July 5 Many religious functions to commemorate the birth anniversary of the sixth Sikh Guru Guru Hargobind Singh were held at the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara at Rainawari. A devotee Manjeet Singh said langars were served at the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara and other gurdwaras across the Valley. Besides offering prayers, Singh said religious head also threw light on the teachings of Guru Hargobind Singh. He said the day was also celebrated as gurpurb and prakash divas. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara where he addressed a congregation of Sikh devotees. Speaking on the occasion, Omar underscored the need for strengthening “Kashmiriyat”. He said “Kashmiriyat” denoted amity, brotherhood and love, while adding that this trait of the state had remained its symbol throughout the history. He also highlighted the role played by the Sikh community to strengthen the harmony. “You (Sikhs) lived with the Muslims in amity and faced the brunt of hard days together,” he added. The Chief Minister said the process of holding elections to the Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee would be set in motion soon so that the members of the Sikh community elected its representatives and got the issues faced by them addressed. He assured the Sikhs that their genuine demands would be given due consideration. Omar was also honoured with a traditional sword by the caretakers of the Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara. MLA Amirakadal and Provincial president Kashmir, National Conference, Nasir Aslam Wani and MLC Dharam Vir Singh Oberoi also accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit to the gurdwara.
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Ghulam Mir inaugurates high school at Dooru
Srinagar, July 5 The construction work of the building was accomplished at an estimated cost of Rs 31.30 lakh and will strengthen the existing accommodation for students, an official spokesman said. Mir said expansion of the network of educational institutions in the state and providing quality education was the priority of the state government. During the past over four years, the state government had focused attention to improve these areas and a strong infrastructure had been developed in the rural areas, Mir said. He said, “In a fast emerging knowledge-based society, I call upon students of the state to concentrate on their studies and acquire as much knowledge as possible. |
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Officials destroy banned gutka products in Srinagar
Srinagar, July 5 “On a direction of Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Shaleen Kabra, a special squad of the Drug and Food Control, Maisuma SHO and other police officials and volunteers of the J&K Voluntary Health Association (JKVHA) raided various shops in Maisuma, Maharaji Bazaar, Koker Bazaar and Lal Chowk and seized a huge quantity of banned gutka products worth Rs 15,000. “The state government has already banned gutka, pan masala, khaini etc, which contain tobacco,” an official said. He said the squad also imposed fine on shopkeepers today. The official said the shopkeepers had been warned that their registrations could be cancelled, if they were caught selling gutka again. Meanwhile, AM Mir, Executive Director of the J&K Voluntary Health Association (JKVHA), urged Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner GN Qasba to issue appropriate instructions to the Food Safety Officers of the corporation to prohibit sale of gutka and smoking in public places during the ongoing Food Safety Week.
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Hurriyat’s call for protest evokes minimal response
Srinagar, July 5 The protests were called by the hardline separatist faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani to demonstrate against the killing of two civilians earlier this week in alleged Army firing. Two civilians, Irfan Ahmad Ganai (17) of Markundal village in Bandipora and Tariq Ahmad (in his early 20s) of Kondbal village in Ganderbal, were allegedly shot by Army soldiers during a counter-insurgency operation at Markundal village of Bandipora district on Sunday. The Army denied shooting Ganai and said it shot Ahmad in self-defence when protesters agitating against Ganai’s killing tried to attack an Army ambulance. The protest call had an effective response in Bandipora district, where the two civilians had been killed. In Bandipora, groups of youth pelted stones at the police and paramilitary forces in the Hajin, Naidkhai and Sumbal areas of the district. Protest demonstrations were also held at Bandipora town where youth shouted slogans and later dispersed peacefully, an official said. There were also isolated protests at few other places, including in north Kashmir’s Sopore, where residents said the main market remained shut and stones were being thrown at the police and paramilitary personnel. Members of the hardline separatist held a brief protest after Friday afternoon prayers near Amira Kadal in the city here, while most of the city remained unaffected by the protest call. A spokesman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat separatist group said the protests were held at around 20 locations across the Kashmir Valley, including at Baramulla, Sopore, Handwara, Tral, Shopian, Kulgam and Bandipora towns, where its members led the demonstrations.
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Sanjay Kak’s Red Ant Dream screened
Srinagar, July 5 Kak’s latest film, Red Ant Dream, is about the stories of resistance from the areas of Bastar, Odisha and Punjab and about the life of revolutionary possibility in India. The 120-minute film, directed by Kak, has been mostly shot in Bastar forest and shows the life and operations of the Naxalites. The film has been been edited by Tarun Bhartiya and is shot in Gondi, Odisha and Punjab. The screening was held at Lala Rukh Hotel in the city where members of the civil society and students were the the audience. — TNS |
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One killed, 13 hurt in road accidents
Srinagar, July 5 A police spokesperson said in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, an SUV met with an accident at Puthroo Mood resulting in in the death of Allah-u-din, who died on the spot, while four others were injured seriously who were travelling in it. All injured were shifted to Subdistrict Hospital, Kralpora for treatment, while the deceased’s body was handed over to his relatives for the last rites, the police spokesperson said. A woman was injured in the city here when she was hit by a car near Bemina on the city outskirts. The police spokesperson said the woman identified as Saleema of Usmania Colony had been shifted to a hospital for treatment. In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a cab met with an accident at Hutmoru resulting in injuries to three tourists travelling in it. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for the treatment. In another road accident in Anantnag district, three pedestrians were hit by a bus at the Dooru Market. The three injured pedestrians were shifted to the District Hospital, Anantnag for the treatment. In central Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a vehicle rammed into a tree at Balaharan resulting in injuries to two persons, including the driver of the vehicle, the spokesman said. The injured person an the driver were shifted to a hospital for the treatment. |
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Non-functional BSNL towers worry Anantnag residents
Anantnag, July 5 The locals in Shangus, Dooru, Mattan, Achabal and some main towns like Bijbehara rue that the services of the company are very pesky. “Their towers remain non-functional most of the times,” said Abdul Majid, a resident of Shangus. He said, “Even at times when the towers are working, the signal is so weak that one can hardly make a call.” Sources said the problem persists because most of the company’s towers were located within the premises of residential houses and a member of the house was usually appointed as the caretaker of the tower. “These people tend not to run the generator, which most of the times is necessary in the wake of frequent power cuts,” the sources said. “They save the fuel and use it for other purposes, some of them even selling it in black.” However, the irony is sources say that the officials at the company do not bother to take these people to task. Moreover, the locals say that the Internet services of the company are too pathetic to say the least. “The wireless devices meant for the Internet service, they sell these days work only in Anantnag town and that too in some particular pockets,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a resident of Bijbehara town. Meanwhile, the officials acknowledge that their services are pesky and maintain that they are working for the betterment. “I would have loved to provide you with more details, but I am at Yatra duty right now. I can talk to you in detail once I am back in the office,” said a senior BSNL official.
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Textile Ministry gives nod to
Rs 5.87 cr for carpet training
Srinagar, July 5 “Under the project, 4,300 persons are being trained, which includes 4,200 persons under certificate course in carpet manufacturing (CCM) of four months’ duration and 100 persons under diploma in carpet technology and entrepreneurship development (DCTED) of one year duration,” said Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Sajad Ahmed Kichloo while interacting with a delegation of artisans from Srinagar. He said the Union Ministry had approved the Rs 5.87 crore project for carpet training. Kichloo said the handicrafts sector of the state was being given a boost. “Ten handicrafts clusters in Srinagar city have been set up to promote various types of handicrafts. A handicrafts cluster for paper machine has been set up at Zadibal and Khatamband, walnut wood carving and cooper ware cluster at Safakadal and Pashmina weaving cluster at Noor Bagh,” an official spokesman said while quoting Kichloo. Kichloo said in order to bring qualitative and quantitative improvement in handicrafts, modern looms are being provided to all artisans and weavers in a phased manner. “About 2,000 such looms have been distributed among the artisans,” Kichloo added. Under the project, 4,300 persons are being trained, which includes 4,200 persons under certificate course in carpet manufacturing (CCM) of four months’ duration and 100 persons under diploma in carpet technology and entrepreneurship development (DCTED) of one year
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Youth should opt for a career in sports: Agriculture Minister Mir
Srinagar, July 5 Mir said this while attending the concluding function of a local cricket tournament, organised by the panchayat committee, Seri Warapora, at Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Urging the youth to opt for sports as a career, he said “The time has gone when medical, engineering, business, management and other public and private sector jobs were considered as prosperous career avenues. Today, sports is considered as one of the lucrative career avenues.” He said adequate funds had been made available at the disposal of Sports Council and Directorate of Sports for upgrade of sports infrastructure and organising sports events of different sports across the state, particularly in rural areas, for nourishing the hidden talent of the youth. Later, Mir distributed awards and mementos among the winners and runner-up teams and other players who performed well during the tournament.
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250 food businesses register for license during Food Safety Week
Srinagar, July 5 SMC Health Officer Rubeena Shaheen said more than 250 FBOs were registered for the issuance of license and were brought under the ambit of the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), 2006. She said the FBOs of Lal Chowk, Dalgate, Nishat, Shalimar, Zainakadal, Soura, Buchpora, Malbagh, Illahi Bagh and other areas of the city were registered. Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora had kick started the Food Safety Week on July 2. Meanwhile, an SMC official said the corporation had conducted various events to create awareness about the importance of food safety among Food Business Operators and the general public. The official said awareness programmes were also held in various schools, including Tyndale Biscoe, Mallinson, Islamia Public School and Green Valley Educational Institute. Rubeena said during these programmes, the SMC Food Safety Officers held interactive sessions with the students while debates were also conducted on the importance of food safety.
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Vakil asks separatists to desist giving election boycott calls
Srinagar, July 5 Addressing a function at Wanpora, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Vakil said election boycott calls were “very unfortunate” as these could facilitate corrupt people to occupy the centre stage in the state. He also urged Hurriyat leaders to give up their “nagging attitude” as the centre had always welcomed and preferred dialogue. Vakil said the centre was keen to re-engage separatists for finding an honourable solution of the Kashmir issue. He said the separatist leaders would be welcomed if they agreed to become a part of the dialogue process. He also welcomed the decision of the Union Coal Ministry of allocating 130 million tonnes of coal block for Jammu and Kashmir. He said the development would help address the power crisis faced by the Kashmir valley during the winter season.
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MLA seeks relief for fire victims
Srinagar, July 5 In a statement issued here, Shah demanded financial assistance for the fire victims who suffered loss of property during an encounter between holed up militants and the security forces at Mondoora village in Tral on Monday. “The two houses in which militants were hiding were completely damaged and have rendered the residents homeless. The government must take immediate steps to rehabilitate the victims,” he said. Shah also demanded proper medical treatment and monetary aid for the persons who got injured while clearing debris at the encounter site, as some left over ammunition went off. Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants and a policeman were killed in a gunfight at Mandoora on Monday. Two paramilitary personnel and a policeman were also injured in the encounter in which two houses were damaged. |
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Islam has made it mandatory for its followers to seek wisdom: Taj
Srinagar, July 5 Addressing the valedictory function of a two-day national seminar “Muslim Response to Modern Education: Approaches and Prospects” at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, Taj said Islam had made it mandatory for its followers to seek knowledge and wisdom, whatever may be the cost. He asked the students to adhere to this principle and contribute positively in the development of human society. “The modern education does not stop Muslims to practice their religion. There is perfect harmony between Islam and modern education,” he remarked. “We need to change our approach towards the modern system of education,” he added. He said the state had fully adopted the modern education system and people had excelled in every field. Abdul Wahid Qureshi, Vice-Chancellor, Central University Kashmir, and The two-day seminar was organised by the Islamic Studies Department of the Islamic University of Science and Technology. Scholars of national and international repute, including Hamidullah Marazi from University of Kashmir, Ishtiyaq Danish and Baseer Ahmad Khan from Jamia Hamdard (former Pro VC, IGNOU) and Iqtidar Ahmad Khan from Jamia Millia Islamia, also attended the seminar in which 36 research papers were presented.
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Wild animals on prowl in Handwara
Handwara, July 5 Locals said about a dozen leopards were roaming in the villages, posing serious danger to their lives. They were forced to accompany their children to the schools due to the fear of attacks from the animals, locals added. “Children are more prone to attacks from the wild animals. We are forced to take children to the schools and accompany them back home,” said Tariq Ahmad Sheikh, a teacher from Mawar. “Dozens of leopards are roaming freely in Mawar and its adjoining villages. Dozens of cattle have been devoured by them. We fear working in the orchards and vegetable fields due to fear of these animals,” he added. A leopard killed three goats in the cowshed of Shabir Ahmad Dar of Warpora on Tuesday. Locals of Zachaldar, Ringpath and adjoining villages said leopards increased their movement in the evening hours and posed serious threats. They demanded that cages be set up in the villages to trap the animals and save them. “The department has not set up even a single cage in the village. The animals come down to villages even during the day time. We fear venturing out of our homes,” said Mohammad Afzal, a farmer from Shatgund. Residents of Zachaldara, Bawan, Hanjishot and Shatgund said they had arranged major fires near cowsheds to scare away the animals and save their cattle from attacks. Habibullah Mir, Block Officer, Wild Life, said, “Despite acute shortage of manpower, we are trying our best to reach out to the affected villages. We will set up cages and also use tranquilisers to trap the wild animals,” “People, especially children, should not venture out of their houses during the evening hours,” he added.
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Shepherd slips to death in Sonmarg
Srinagar, July 5 The police said Bashir Ahmad Chopan (35), a resident of Prang of Kangan, was grazing his cattle in the forest area of Sonmarg resort when he slipped and was stuck with a stone last evening. “He slipped and was hit with a stone resultingin his death. The deceased’s body was handed over to his relative for the last rites,” the police said. — TNS |
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Srinagar, July 5
