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Government staff go on strike
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Mirwaiz supports protesting employees
Shopian shuts down again
Budgam residents demand closure of firing range
23 people injured in animal attacks
Accommodation blues for students in Handwara
Man commits suicide
One dead, three injured in accidents
Annual Tour de Kashmir from September 21
Soz raises issue in RS
One crore trees planted in last 3 years: Officials
Special funerals
offered for those killed in Egypt
Mir asks local investors to help boost tourism
Education infrastructure growth a priority, says Peerzada Syed
Body of missing girl recovered from river
Gurezi reviews functioning of PHE, Irrigation Departments
Ghulam Nabi Azad felicitated
Labourer dies in Anantnag
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Government staff go on strike
Srinagar, August 23 The strike was observed a day after the JCC march to the Chief Minister’s residence was foiled. Attendance at most of the government offices and educational institutions remained thin due to the strike. However, no protest demonstrations were staged today. Terming the strike as a success, JCC leader Farooq Trali said a complete closure was observed in Jammu and Ladakh regions as well. Pertinently several JCC members were seen visiting different schools yesterday and appealing employees to support their call. The JCC is demanding 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. Their other demands include 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. After a series of protests and strikes by the employees last year, the government had reached an agreement with the JCC wherein they were assured that a decision on their demands would be announced by September 30. The JCC, however, resumed protests saying the government had failed to fulfil the promises made to them. 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. Trali, meanwhile, said the JCC would announce its next protest programme in the next few days. “We will be forced to intensify the agitation in case our demands continue to remain unresolved,” he warned.
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Mirwaiz supports protesting employees
Srinagar, August 23 Mirwaiz said his faction supports the state government employees in their “rightful demands”. The separatist leader, who addressed a gathering before the Friday congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid here, also condemned the state government for using force against the employees. “Using force against everyone has become a state policy,” he said. The leader urged the state government employees to struggle against widespread corruption that has seeped into our system. “Corruption, bribery and deceit has seeped into society and government employees have to play an important role to eradicate the social ill rotting the society,” the separatist leader said. Mirwaiz, meanwhile, also condemned the bloodshed in Egypt, Iraq and Syria. —TNS
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Shopian shuts down again
Anantnag, August 23 According to reports all business establishments and educational institutions, apart from government offices remained closed throughout the day amid heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel. Business had limped back to normal in this south Kashmir town on Thursday after five days of complete shutdown. The Traders Federation and the civil society members had met earlier and agreed to put an end to the shutdown following which commercial establishments and other places of work had remained open on Thursday. However, some masked men last evening threatened people not to open their shops. “Yesterday evening some miscreants, with their faces masked, had appeared in the market place and warned people not to open their shops,” Superintendent of Police (SP), Shopian, Mumtaz Ahmad, said, adding that it was a partial shutdown and only one part of the market remained closed. He added that the issue has been sorted out and business will be normal by tomorrow. Clashes had started in Shopian a week ago following the demand of disbanding of Village Defence Committees (VDC) in the Chenab valley region. “Police were chasing some protesting youth and failing to get hold of them they barged into residential houses, thrashing the inmates and vandalising property,” the locals had alleged. Following the incident announcements were made from the mosque, asking people to come out and protest against the police highhandedness. However, the charges were vehemently denied by the police.
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Budgam residents demand closure of firing range
Srinagar, August 23 The residents assembled in city centre in the afternoon and staged a protest demonstration. “We have already submitted a petition before the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) against the extension of the lease and simultaneously we have started a signature campaign to ensure that the lease which expires on March 2014 is not extended,” said Ghulam Rasool, a resident of central Kashmir. He said that the people of the area have been suffering because of this firing range since last five decades and now the government should not extend the lease to the Army. The entire area is up in arms against the firing range extension agreement in Tossamaidan, added another protester. “Tossamaidan is a scenic place but the Army’s artillery regiment is using it for firing drills. Many people have died in accidental blasts in this area,” he said. The protester added that the signature campaign to stop the extension of the lease would continue. The residents of around 16 villages surrounding the Tosamaidan have formed Tosamaidan Bachao Front to oppose the lease agreement and to press for the shifting of the firing range to some other place. —
TNS |
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23 people injured in animal attacks
The locals alleged that leopards and bears were roaming in these areas like stray dogs, posing great danger to human lives. “We are living amid serious danger to our lives. The animals are on a killing spree and the department is watching as a mute spectator. Dozens of livestock has been devoured and many people have got injured in attacks,” said Rafiq Ahmad Bakikar. The injured include Sharif Ahmad Lone of Chak Sodal, Qasier Ahmad Sheikh of Tumboora, Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Batpora, Abdul Rehman Mir of Vodhpora, Jabar Mir of Bakikar, Sabreena of Sogam and Latif Ahmad Mir of Karihama. Hafiza Begum of Kultoora, Ghulam Rasool of Chak, and Basit Ahmad of Wayan were also injured in the attack by the wild animals. Most of the victims were attacked near vegetable fields. The department has set up more than a dozen cages in affected villages to trap the animals, but to little avail. The locals demanded that more cages should be set up in villages to trap the animals. “Children are more vulnerable to attacks from wild animals that are on prowl. The animals are increasingly becoming dangerous for us as we are helpless to do anything to scare them away,” said Abdul Hamid, resident of Sogam. Wild Life Warden from north Kashmir, Rouf Zargar, said that the department was making all possible efforts to check the movement of animals. “People should refrain from moving into the vegetable fields and fruit orchards especially during morning and evening hours. They should move in groups if at all they visit the orchards and fields for work,” Zargar advised. |
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Accommodation blues for students in Handwara
Handwara, August 23 The overcrowding has hit their education badly and students say they feel “choked” in the cramped space. “We feel choked in one small room. Students sit almost over each other due to the lack of space. Back-benchers barely listen to the lecture due to the noise in the classroom,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a class VIII student. The locals said the construction of the school building, with six rooms, started in 2008, but so far only three rooms have been completed. “Construction of three rooms is still incomplete. Office is located in one room, while all the classes are held in another room. There is one more room where lunch is prepared and served. Despite repeated requests, the authorities have not completed the construction of the remaining three rooms,” said Mohd Sultan, a local resident. “We visited the CEO Kupwara many times and requested him to complete the construction, but to no avail. Students are suffering immensely due to the lack of accommodation and authorities continue to remain unmoved to their plight,” added Shabir Ahmad, a farmer from the area. The school also lacks toilet facility. “We are facing great difficulties due to lack of washroom. The grown-up girls are forced to attend nature’s call in the open,” said Zareena Akther, a class VIII student. Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Villgam Naseer Ahmad, said that he will visit the school on Monday and assured that the problems of the students would be addressed at the earliest. “I am unaware of the problems faced by the students, as I have taken over the charge only few days before. I will visit the school. Problems of students would be addressed on priority,” Ahmad said.
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Man commits suicide
Srinagar, August 23 Police has registered a case in this regard and has initiated inquest proceeding to ascertain the cause and circumstances of the death, he added. |
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One dead, three injured in accidents
Srinagar, August 23 Both the injured were shifted to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) Hospital for treatment, where Ganie succumbed to his injuries, a police spokesman said. In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, a car hit and injured a pedestrian identified as Ghulam Rasool Shah, a resident of Doonipawa village. The injured has been shifted to the District Hospital Anantnag for treatment, he added. In another accident in Anantnag district, a cab hit and injured a pedestrian identified as Ali Mohammad Bhat of Nowgam Kokernag. The injured has been shifted to SKIMS hospital here. |
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Annual Tour de Kashmir from September 21
Srinagar, August 23 The event, which would feature around 70 top riders from the state and across the country vying for the top honours, would be flagged off on September 21 from the Verinag in Anantnag district. “It is a great step and organisers need to be applauded for coming up with the idea of turning the annual event into a national championship,” Mir said. “Cycling events have got great potential in the promotion of tourism and this event has the potential to turn out as a showpiece for the J&K state in future,” he said. “The JKSDA has been organising this event since 2000 and is now turning it into a national level 5-stage event on the pattern of Tour-de-France. It will be first of its kind cycling event in the country,” Mir added. He informed that the event would start from Verinag in Anantnag district, which is known as the gateway of river Jehlum. “The event would be inaugurated at Verinag on September 21 and on the first day riders will compete from Verinag to Pahalgam. The tour will cover all the major tourist destinations of Kashmir during its five day programme,” Mir said. The minister assured the organisers of promoting the event in a big way and making it an annual feature in the Tourism Department’s calendar. The JKSDA, meanwhile, thanked Mir and Director Tourism, Talat Parvaiz, for their support. “We are thankful to the Tourism Minister and the Director Tourism for their support. We are also hopeful that corporate houses will come forward to help JKSDA in making the event a success,” JKSDA patron, Taffazul Hussain, said. During the first 10 editions, the tour was held from Srinagar to Pahalgam, covering a total distance of 100 km. However, in the 11th edition change were made to the race route which saw the cyclists competing around the 60 km long stretch between Srinagar and Gulmarg. “The experiment with change of route from traditional Pahalgam to Gulmarg worked, as it opened new venues for us. Initially we were hesitant to change the route but with the help of almighty everything worked smoothly and event turned as a great success,” said the founder of the event and JKSDA senior vice-president, Rouf Ahmad Tramboo. “We are delighted with the outcome and now we have decided to make it 5-stage event this year. First day will see riders going from Verinag to Pahalgam. On the second day, they will compete from Pahalgam to Srinagar. For the third stage, riders will compete from Srinagar to Gulmarg. The fourth day will see them competing for the title from Gulmarg to Srinagar. The fifth stage would be held around Dal Lake and most of the old city areas,” he informed. “Tour-de-Kashmir is based on the concept of Tour-de-France which is known all over world and involves millions of dollars. Though we can’t compare our event with the 25-stage Tour-de-France, but Kashmir tour has got the potential to lure cyclist from all over the world. We have got similar terrains, natural beauty as that of France and hence we can also achieve a fair bit of success,” Tramboo added. The JKSDA has also approached Cycling Federation India for their approval in making the tour event a recognised invitational open event. |
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Soz raises issue in RS
Srinagar, August 23 “Many a well-intentioned schemes do not get implemented because segments of civil services remain glued to tradition of routine that necessitates a sluggish operational strategy. The Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for the students of J&K state was announced one-and-a-half-years ago. Its implementation was next to nothing until the students in large numbers left universities and colleges outside the J&K state and returned home as scholarships were not disbursed to the institutions,” Soz stated in the Rajya Sabha as per a JKPCC statement issued here. Stating that his letters written to the Ministry of HRD had “only fetched a response which does not answer the requirement,” he further said, “If the Ministry selects 500 colleges in the country and 5,000 students according to a criteria and disburses money directly to the institutions, the scheme would be best implemented. At the moment, the students who have sought admission under the scheme are suffering a great hardship.”
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One crore trees planted in last 3 years: Officials
Srinagar, August 23 Officials informed the Steering Committee of CAMPA here today that 144 nurseries had been established by the authorities where 1.41 crore plants had been raised in the past three years, a government spokesman said. “During the same period, over 1 crore trees were planted in various forest divisions of the state,” he added. Chief Secretary M I Khanday, who chaired the seventh Steering Committee meeting of CAMPA here today, emphasised upon the need to achieve the aforestation target of covering at least double the forest area diverted for non-forest use across various forest divisions of the state. The Chief Secretary called for sustained focus on plantation of trees in the forest areas for regeneration of existing natural forests and conservation, protection and management of the unique wildlife of the state. The Steering Committee approved the proposed outlay of Rs 51.43 crore for executing works under CAMPA for the year 2013-14. The committee also approved the Annual Plan of Operations for Wildlife Protection, amounting to Rs 18.38 crore, for the year 2013-14, the spokesman said. To ensure high survival percentage of trees planted under compensatory aforestation, the Chief Secretary called for regular monitoring and protection of the plantations. He also emphasised upon computerisation and application of latest communication technology to further improve functioning of the Forest Department. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B R Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister B B Vyas, Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Ejaz Iqbal, Chief Wildlife Warden A K Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests JK Abhay Kumar, Additional PCCF, Chandigarh, A K Goyal, Chief Conservator of Forests, Compensatory Aforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, L K Sharma and other senior officers.
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Special funerals
offered for those killed in Egypt
Srinagar, August 23 According
to a statement issued by Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s Tehreek-e-Hurriyat,
its members led the special funeral prayers at Hyderpora, Sarai Bala,
Chadoora, Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore, Baramulla, Pulwama, Awantipora,
Tral, Ganderbal and at other places. Geelani had called for offering
funeral-in-absentia after Friday prayers for Egyptian president Mohammad
Morsi’s supporters, who were recently killed by the Egyptian security
forces. Several hundred members and supporters of Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood were killed during a crackdown in the recent days. KU students rally for Egypt Students of University of Kashmir today took out an 'Egypt Solidarity Rally' after Friday Duhr (afternoon) prayers. Scores of students assembled after the Friday prayers and marched through the campus, shouting slogans in favour of Egypt citizens and calling for an end to the military coup there. The students also shouted slogans against Bashar Al Assad and Egyptian Army Chief Abdul Fattah Sisi. The students condemned the July 3 military coup by Egyptian Army and described it as West's proxy war on Muslim world. The students also condemned the Saudi Arabian government's support to the Egyptian army. The students concluded the rally with funeral prayers in absentia for those martyred in massacres of Egypt and Ghouta chemical attack in Syria by Assad regime. |
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Mir asks local investors to help boost tourism
Srinagar, August 23 The Minister said this after inaugurating a hotel in the Khanyar area of the city.“With ever increasing influx of tourists to the valley, the creation of standard tourism infrastructure is the need of the hour. Local investors can help the state fill this gap and the government is always ready to encourage them at every level,” he said. Mir also urged the big business houses of the state to invest in the tourism sector to tap the flourishing business market while adding that it would also help create job opportunities for the local youths.
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Education infrastructure growth a priority, says Peerzada Syed
Srinagar, August 23 He said in Breng Assembly Constituency, a wide network of educational institutions, besides two degree colleges, one sub-district hospital, nine health centres and 28 first aid centres and dispensaries had been set up over the past four years. “The development of far-flung and backward areas is the prime concern of present coalition government and every possible step is being taken to take the benefits of developmental activities to these areas,” Peerzada said. The minister was addressing a public rally at Wandevalgam Kokernag in South Kashmir today. Reacting to the demands projected by the locals, he announced Rs 3 lakh for the development and compound walling of local Ziyarat Sharief shrine. He also announced opening up of three additional anganwari centres and construction of a sports ground in the village. Peerzada further said the creation of new administrative units in the constituency was on the cards and the announcement by the government in this regard was expected shortly. He said the Sub-District Hospital, Kokernag, had been connected with state-level telemedicine network to extend high-level technical expertise available at SKIMS and other major health institutions round the clock. He also attended operative workshop on Continuing Surgical Educational Programme (CSEP) at Sub-District Hospital, Kokernag.
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Body of missing girl recovered from river
Srinagar, August 23 He added that the teenage girl had gone missing since August 20. Police has registered a case in this regard and
has initiated the investigation to ascertain the cause and circumstances of the girl’s death, he said. Meanwhile, the body of the girl has been handed over to her family after the medico-legal formalities. |
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Gurezi reviews functioning of PHE, Irrigation Departments
Srinagar, August 23 “These directions were given by him today in a meeting held here to discuss and review the functioning and progress of the Public Health Engineering , Irrigation and Flood Control sector in Bandipora district”, the statement added. It said discussions were held to revitalise various defunct schemes and pace of progress of all ongoing schemes of the district. “The Minister directed the Public Health Engineering authorities to start the construction work on 16 defunct schemes to be revived, for which funds will be released by the government. He also asked them to start construction work on two new water supply schemes in Bazipora and Budhbuthi Matrigam, for which Rs 3.34 crore have already been sanctioned”, the statement added. He said the schemes would benefit about 5,000 persons, comprising 4 habitations of Bandipora constituency, it added. |
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Ghulam Nabi Azad felicitated
Srinagar, August 23 Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Cooperative Manohar Lal Sharma described Azad, who is also the country president of the GGF, as “the son of the soil” who “not only made us proud but set an example of excellence”. State president, Gandhian Global Family (GGF), Padamshri SP Verma were among others present on the occasion. |
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Labourer dies in Anantnag
Srinagar, August 23 He said Wani was declared brought dead by the doctors. Wani’s body has
been handed over to his family after the completion of medico-legal formalities, the spokesman added.
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Srinagar, August 23
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