Srinagar, August 20
To ensure clean environment and scientific disposal of garbage in Srinagar city, the government has directed the Pollution Control Board (PCB) to check and monitor the quality of air around the Achin garbage dumping site on daily basis.

In this regard, the Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering (PHE), has also been directed to check and evaluate ground water and portable water of the area for pollution levels.

This was stated by the Chief Secretary in his report to the high court, which, on August 1, had asked him to ensure a clean environment around the site and that potable water was provided to the people living near the Achin garbage dumping site.

He was also directed to issue directions to the authorities concerned to comply with the provisions of the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules Act, 1998, Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the rules made there under. He was also directed to submit a report to the court within a week.

The high court is hearing a PIL by the people living near the Achin garbage dumping site on the outskirts of Srinagar city. The matter was listed before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur today.

In the report by the Chief Secretary, it has been stated that following the directions of the high court, a meeting of the authorities concerned was convened on August 8. Six decisions were taken for the effective implementations of the rules and solid waste management.

During the meeting, it was decided that the J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) would take up all measures to ensure that the garbage received at the landfill site would be spread on the same day by putting more machines into use and also provide fresh soil cover on the garbage the same day.

The meeting also decided that the ERA would set up a Leachate treatment plant at the landfill in order to eliminate foul smell and other related problems.

It was decided that the Chairman Pollution Control Board (PCB) would take measures and monitor the quality of air on daily basis around the Achin dumping site.

The meeting was attended by the Advocate General, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, CEO, J&K ERA, Chief Engineer, PHE, and Commissioner Secretary, Urban Development Department.

Srinagar, August 20
After remaining partially suspended for nine day, train services in Kashmir were fully resumed today from Baramulla district to Banihal in Ramban district of the Jammu region.

Officials said the decision to resume the operations was taken at a meeting of the railway security, Railways authorities and the local administration.

“All the agencies were concerned about the partial suspension of the trains. It was causing a lot of inconvenience to the people, especially in north Kashmir. On Monday evening, a meeting was held and we got the security clearance and immediately decided to resume the services,” said a Railway officer.

Neeraj Sharma, chief public relationship officer, Northern Railways, said the full operation of trains was resumed after nine days today.

“The trains were plying partially since August 11 and today the train service between Banihal to Baramulla was resumed,” Sharma said.

The Railways had partially suspended its operation following turbulent situation in the Valley. Stone-pelting incidents were reported from many areas on the day when the railway authorities had announced six special trains for three days to cater to the rush of passengers during the Eid celebrations.

After the stone-pelting incidents on the rail rack, the Railway police had swung into action and picked up dozens of youth who were allegedly involved in the incidents. The trains were operational only between Budgam in central Kashmir and Banihal in Ramban district of the Jammu region.

Now that the Kashmir train has resumed its full operation, the trains would be making 14 trips between Baramulla and Banihal every day.

Srinagar, August 20
Traffic movement on the old Qamarwari bridge came to a halt this morning when a portion of the bridge, which connects Qamarwai to the old city locality, caved in.

Reports said the local resident informed the officials about the huge crater on a portion of the bridge which was possibly the result of either the high-water level last week or due to a leakage in a pipe.

The civil and police official rushed to the spot and immediately blocked the traffic on the bridge.

“Blocking of the traffic on this busy stretch caused a lot of inconvenience to the commuters,” said Tariq Ahmed, a resident.

Policemen were deployed on both sides of the bridge to ensure that no vehicle passes through it.

An official of the Roads and Buildings Department said, “We have started the repair work and it will be made motorable in a day or two.”

Anantnag, August 20
Much to the inconvenience of the locals, the Nehama-Shopian road link, which is one of the vital road links connecting Kulgam and Shopian districts, is in shambles.

Residents said the road was the shortest link between Kulgam and Shopian districts.

However, given the pathetic condition of the road, most of the commuters avoid taking the route.

Reports said there were more than a 10 villages located along this vital road link, including Lakhadpura, Pudsoo, Kanchi Ular, Nowgam, Chatergam, Vihal, Meemandar, Chodrigund and Gagran.

“We have to face a lot of inconvenience due to the dilapidated condition of this important road,” said Bashir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Vihal village.

Residents rued that the road was dotted with potholes, making the movement of the traffic and pedestrians difficult.

“The potholes remain waterlogged most days of the year,” a resident maintained.

They said students and office-goers suffered the most, as they were unable to make it to their work places in time.

“The situation aggravates when we have to ferry patients and expectant mothers to Kulgam and Shopian hospitals,” said Abid Khan, a resident of Nehama village.

Despite being a part of three constituencies-- Kulgam, Noorabad and Shopian - the last time the road was macadamised was in the 80s, said a resident.

The locals have urged the authorities to look into the matter and put an end to the woes of the public.

Anantnag, August 20
Members of a minority community in the migrant colony of Haal village of Pulwama today staged a protest against the alleged stone-pelting incident on their residential quarters by some unidentified miscreants yesterday.

Police sources maintain that the stones were thrown at a party carrying out a demolition drive in the nearby area.

“Some stones might have landed in the migrant colony also. However, the members of the minority community were not the target,” a police source revealed.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

Residents of the colony said Pulwama Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) Manzoor Ahmad Lone visited had their colony yesterday and took stock of the living conditions of the families.

“After leaving our colony, the DDC ordered demolition of some illegal structures nearby. Following this, some unidentified youth threw stones at our houses,” said a resident.

“We have lodged a protest to make sure such incidents do not take place in the future,” he said.

Local MLA Syed Bashir visited the colony yesterday and assured the residents that strict action would be taken against the miscreants.

Vijay Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir Range, Pulwama, SSP Amit Kumar and Minister of State for Revenue Aijaz Khan were among those who visited the spot to pacify the protesters. —OC

Srinagar, August 20
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today claimed that the idea of change was getting strengthened in the state because a large number of people, especially youth, were joining the PDP to become a part of the movement for the change.

Addressing a function here today to welcome hundreds of National Conference (NC) workers from Sonawari areas, who joined PDP under the leadership of Abdul Gani, Mohammad Aslam, Ghulam Nabi, Abdul Rashid Mir and Abdul Rehman, Mufti observed that workers from the ruling party were joining the PDP which was a clear indication that there was a strong resentment against the present dispensation which has miserably failed to address grievances of the people.

She said it was a result of the people's disillusionment with the present regime that youth is coming forward to join the Peoples Democratic Party to become a part of the movement for change.

She exhorted upon the party works to channelise power of the common masses to bring change in the upcoming Parliament and Assembly elections. "There is a need to elect credible and tested representatives in the coming Parliament and Assembly elections," she said. 

Srinagar, August 20
Former deputy Chief Minister and senior leader of Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Muzaffar Hussain Baig today regretted that despite huge losses due to incessant rain in different parts of J&K, the state government has failed to reach to the affected families.

Expressing his concern over the loss of precious lives and properties in the incessant rains and floods in different parts of the state, Baig said that it was the result of the inability of the government to reach to the masses that woes of affected persons were compounding with every passing day and the government was busy in just giving assurances.

In a statement issued here today, Baig asked the state government to take all measures for the rescue and rehabilitation of the affected people in the state.

"Baig asked the government to depute teams of officers to assess the actual losses so that adequate relief should be given to the affected families as early as possible," the statement said .

While expressing his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in floods and incessant rain, Baig said rains had wreaked havoc in the state and claimed several lives, besides causing colossal damage to property and standing crops.

He said a large number of roads were also washed away in the remote areas so there was a need to restore road connectivity in the cut-off areas. He regretted that collapsed houses had rendered several families homeless all over the state in general and Jammu region, in particular, but requisite steps had not been taken by the government to provide them shelter. 

Srinagar, August 20
A week-long training course in book publishing organised jointly by the National Book Trust (NBT) and Allama Iqbal Library, KU, began at the University of Kashmir on Tuesday.

While inaugurating the week-long course, Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad said the training course would provide an opportunity to the library professionals and authors to come in contact with the key players in the publishing world across India.

"It will help them in understanding the dynamics involved in the overall process of printing and publishing of books,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed said such types of training courses provide a platform to the library professionals and authors to explore the huge employment opportunities available in the world of book publishing.

“India's book publishing industry is the fastest growing book publishing industry across the world which in itself explains that the sector offers huge employment opportunities to the talented professionals, including writers, authors and other professionals associated with printing, publishing, designing and editing of the books,” the VC said.

“However, it is very important that before writing a book an author must ask himself/herself whether the book is going to benefit the readers or not because the sole aim of any writing piece is the betterment of society and in case of scientific publications, the assertion becomes more significant,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, University of Kashmir Registrar Prof Zaffar A Reshi said there had to be a huge quality control in publishing of books and those published in scientific disciplines need factual accuracy so as to avoid any confusion.

Chief Librarian Allama Iqbal Library Dr AM Baba welcomed the participants and the experts Sridhar Balan, senior consultant, Ratnasagar Private Limited, said the training course was started in 1995 by the National Book Trust.

Srinagar, August 20
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar today asked officers to ensure double shift on restoration of Dastigeer Sahib Shrine which was gutted in a mysterious fire incident last year.

The minister said this while addressing officers during a meeting convened to discuss the status of implementation of various beautification and developmental projects being undertaken by the government.

Waqf Board vice-chairman MY Qadri, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Shah, JKPCC managing director TR Bhagat, R&B chief engineer Mushtaq Lone and other senior officers were present.

"The Minister also directed the officers to speed up the work on the lower craft centre being constructed on the site of the Maqdoom Sahib Ropeway Project so that it could be developed as a heritage centre depicting history and culture of the old Srinagar city," an official spokesman said.

Referring to the Maqdoom Sahib Ropeway Project, the minister said that it would come up as a major tourist spot in the old city in the near future and they had to ensure that it gets completed in all respects within the shortest possible time. He also directed the officers to acquire the structures coming in and around the project as early as possible.

Sagar asked the officers concerned to speed up the restoration work on Dastigeer Sahib Shrine and ensure that the same is done on double shift pattern so that it could be completed within the shortest possible time and it gets completed before the annual Urs. 

Srinagar, August 20
Minister for Floriculture, Haj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today flagged off the Annual Dal Cross and Re-cross event at Nehru Park.

The annual event was being organised by Tindale Biscoe and Mallinson schools.

An official spokesperson said 141 students from both the junior and senior wings of Tindale Biscoe, Mallinson and Kashmir Valley School, Humhama, participated in the event.

The participants covered 10 km cross and 15 km re-cross distance by swimming across Dal Lake.

The event is organised every year after imparting training to the participants in three phases. It was the 55th event in the history of the school.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister hailed the management for organising the event.

“Such extracurricular activities are helpful in bringing forth the talent of the students and creating awareness about the significance of natural resources. The youth of the state possess ample potential to succeed in diverse fields and there is a need to chisel their talent in right direction,” the minister said.

Srinagar, August 20
Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan on Tuesday inaugurated the first Downtown Champions League (DCL), a cricketing championship beginning later this month in which 12 teams will take part.

Pathan had been invited by the organisers as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony. He also handed over the certificates of ownership to the owners of 12 teams which are participating in the league.

The 12 teams participating in the cricketing championship are: Kehwa Kings, Imperial Strikes, Baba Reshi Lions, Pride Riders, Mirza Gladiators, Kashmir Royal Stars, Team Alkhudam, Adlife Stars, Ghani Gliders, Kashmir Super Kings, Ahad Sultans and Jawahar Housing Hawks.

Pathan, along with the Srinagar District Development Commissioner Farooq, were the main guests at the inaugural event where the logo and the website of the championship were also unveiled.

The all-rounder, who has been a star player in the T-20 version of the game, while speaking to the reporters said it was a healthy sign that private players were teaming up to promote the game in Kashmir. He said such tournaments would promote the game in the region.

“It is very good that the private tournaments are happening. It is a very good platform for the local youth. I congratulate this for you. I hope good boys will come out of this tournament,” Pathan said.

Pathan said he was hopeful of a return to the national squad in the next six months. About Kashmiri cricketer Parvez Rasool, he said the selection was decided by the team management. He refused to make any further comment.

DCL, which begins later this month, is being organised by a group which described itself as “cricket enthusiasts, experienced cricketers and crickets pundits.” “The main reason behind launching this cricketing extravaganza is to encourage youngsters to play the game and show what they are capable of,” said Gowhar Geelani, a member of the organising committee of the DCL.

Geelani said the tournament was an attempt to provide budding cricketers an appropriate platform to express themselves.

“We want to give our state more Parvez Rasools,” he said. It has been made mandatory for the 12 teams to play at least four cricketers from the downtown area of the city in the playing squad.

Downtown, a congested heartland of the city which includes many old neighbourhoods, has remained a bastion of stone-throwing protesters during agitations of previous years. 

Srinagar, August 20
Two persons were killed andfive injured in seperate accidents across the Valley today.

A school bus hit and injured a pedestrian, identified as Gulzar Ahmad Wani, at Kadipora in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, a police spokesman said. The injured was shifted to the SMHS hospital where he died.

Another pedestrian was killed when he was hit by a car in Budgam district. Abdul Rehman, a resident of Lalpora village of Tangmarg, was hit by a car at Chechloora near Magam in Budgam.

The injured was shifted to the SMHS hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

In another accident, a car hit and injured a 15-year-old boy, Tawseef Lateef, of Jaggerpora near Dragmulla in Kupwara district.

In Kupwara district, a cab hit and injured two pedestrians at Kulangam Chowk near Handwara town. Both the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment, the spokesperson said.

A car hit a scooter at Fateh Kadal in the city here resulting in injuries to Mohammad Maqbool, a resident of Safakadal. The injured was shifted to a hospital for treatment, the spokesperson said.

In another accident, a CRPF vehicle hit and injured Irfan Ahmad Beigh, a resident of Cheek Dudbugh Bala, near JVC hospital . The injured has been shifted to hospital for treatment.