SPECIAL COVERAGE
CHANDIGARH

LUDHIANA

DELHI



THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS
50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
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J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R    E D I T I O N

Lashkar behind Nowgam attack: CRPF
Srinagar, December 12
With the J&K Police investigating yesterday’s shootout on the outskirts of the city, the spotlight is again on the 14-km stretch from Parimpora to Panthchowk bypass on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway which has turned into a death trap for security personnel this year.
Senior CRPF and police officers carry the body of ASI Udit Narayan after the wreath-laying ceremony in Srinagar on Thursday. The CRPF officer was killed in a militant attack at Nowgam on Wednesday. Senior CRPF and police officers carry the body of ASI Udit Narayan after the wreath-laying ceremony in Srinagar on Thursday. The CRPF officer was killed in a militant attack at Nowgam on Wednesday. PTI

Efforts for state’s self-reliance to continue: Omar
Srinagar, December 12
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he would continue to endeavour for the internal autonomy and financial self-reliance of J&K to achieve the goal of peace and prosperity in the state.

Panches to support groups like AAP in polls
Srinagar, December 12
An apex body of panches and sarpanches of the state today said it would support groups like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the forthcoming Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.
Members of the AJKPC address mediapersons in Srinagar on Thursday. Members of the AJKPC address mediapersons in Srinagar on Thursday. Tribune photo: Yawar Kabli



YOUR TOWN
Jammu
Srinagar



EARLIER STORIES

R-Day petition incorrect: BJP
Jammu, December 12
The BJP today dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that the state must celebrate its Republic Day on November 17 as "mischievous, absurd, factually incorrect and violative of the spirit of the Constitution".

Police to launch crackdown on unauthorised use of red beacons
An Army vehicle with a red beacon plies on a road in Jammu on Thursday. Jammu, December 12
A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Director-General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad removed red beacons from their official vehicles following the Supreme Court ruling, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has decided to launch a massive crackdown on people unauthorisedly using red beacons on their vehicles.

An Army vehicle with a red beacon plies on a road in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

Protest turns violent after police use ‘undue’ force
Anantnag, December 12
The protest against the Power Development Department (PDD) turned violent in Bijbehara town of this south Kashmir district today after the police allegedly used undue force to disperse the protesters. Several protesters were arrested by the police.

Boatmen row their boats on a cold, foggy day on the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Thursday.
MYSTIC RIDE: Boatmen row their boats on a cold, foggy day on the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Thursday. Photo: Yawar Kabli

Spalbar, Jora discuss development with Guv
Jammu, December 12
Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Rigzin Spalbar and Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

HC stays order on re-evaluation
Srinagar, December 12
The J&K High Court has directed for keeping in abeyance a single bench order which had directed the J&K Board Of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) to get the answer scripts of a student re-evaluated by a body of experts, who in her petition had alleged that the board had applied a wrong key to seven questions of biology and three questions in chemistry paper in the Common Entrance Test (CET-2013) held this year.

Eyeing polls, Govt to speed up regularisation of illegal colonies
Jammu, December 12
Eyeing Assembly elections, the government has decided to speed up regularisation of 20 illegal residential colonies in the city.

PDD labourers continue strike
Jammu, December 12
The indefinite strike of the All J&K Casual Labourers Union of the Power Development Department (PDD) continued in front of the office of Chief Engineer, M&RE Wing.

Members of the Anganwadi Workers Welfare Association protest in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office in Jammu on Thursday. Anganwari workers demand release of pending salaries
Jammu, December 12
Anganwari and other workers started an agitation at the district level and staged a demonstration at the Divisional Commissioner's office at Jammu today.

Members of the Anganwadi Workers Welfare Association protest in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

Kashmiri migrants stage protest
Jammu, December 12
Members of the Kashmiri Migrants Relief Holders and Over-Aged Youth today protested against their neglect by the government in employment package.

SMC seeks clerics’ cooperation for curbing use of loudspeakers
Srinagar, December 12
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has sought cooperation from the religious heads of the city to deal with the issue of using loudspeakers at mosques and other religious places and during wedding ceremonies.

Vehicles slowly make their way through fog near the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Thursday. Srinagar records season’s coldest night at -3.4°C
Srinagar, December 12
Srinagar city, the summer capital of the state, recorded the coldest night of this winter season following mild snowfall in the upper reaches of the Valley.


Vehicles slowly make their way through fog near the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Yawar Kabli

KU Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad (c) gets an award in Srinagar on Thursday. Kashmir varsity VC gets Dr SM Naqvi Gold Medal
Srinagar, December 12
University of Kashmir (KU) Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad has been conferred the “Dr SM Naqvi Gold Medal” by the Geological Society of India (GSI) for his distinguished academic and research career in geosciences.

KU Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad (c) gets an award in Srinagar on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Efforts on to improve healthcare sector: CM
Srinagar, December 12
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the state government had been making efforts to improve the healthcare sector so that people were not compelled to visit outside the state for treatment.

Constable killed, three cops injured in road accident
Srinagar, December 12
A police constable was killed and three others were injured in a road accident in south Kashmir last evening.

State told to identify specific needs in areas of gender, equity
Jammu, December 12
The Joint Review Mission (JRM) on teacher education in the state has emphasised upon the need to identify state-specific requirements in the areas of gender and equity.

Nullah Parigam reduced to a drain. Water bodies in Pulwama encroached upon
Pulwama, December 12
The Water Act, 2010, is being violated with impunity in Pulwama district of south Kashmir with vested interests encroaching upon the water bodies in the area for commercial and agricultural purposes.





Nullah Parigam reduced to a drain. A Tribune photograph

Governor NN Vohra interacts with Chief Information Commissioner GR Sufi at Raj Bhawan in Jammu on Thursday. CIC briefs Vohra on RTI Act
Jammu, December 12
GR Sufi, State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here.

Governor NN Vohra interacts with Chief Information Commissioner GR Sufi at Raj Bhawan in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Kashmir most beautiful, most abused place: Ketan Bhagat
Srinagar, December 12
Kashmir is the most beautiful but also the most abused part of India, which has not got what it deserves, says Ketan Bhagat, the author of the recently released novel “Complete/Convenient: There is more to men than bromance”.

Governor NN Vohra releases the 14th edition of Raghvendra Panchang in Jammu on Thursday. Governor releases Raghvendra Panchang
Jammu, December 12
Governor NN Vohra today released the 14th edition of Raghvendra Panchang, brought out by Shri Raghvendra Jyotish Sansthan, at Raj Bhawan here.

Governor NN Vohra releases the 14th edition of Raghvendra Panchang in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Govt headed by Sadiq most honest: Cong
Jammu, December 12
Taking a dig at coalition partner National Conference, the Congress today said the government headed by GM Sadiq in the state was the most clear and honest one.

J&K Forest topple Sainik Colony Club in football tournament
Players in action during a match in the Sher-e Kashmir Gold Cup Football Tournament at GGM Science College in Jammu on Thursday. Jammu, December 12
The J&K Forest team defeated the Sainik Colony Club by 2-1 to seal a berth in the semifinals of the ongoing fourth Sher-e-Kashmir Gold Cup Football Tournament being played at GGM Science College Ground here today.

Players in action during a match in the Sher-e Kashmir Gold Cup Football Tournament at GGM Science College in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

T20 tourney begins
Doda, December 12
The 5th Police Martyrs Memorial (T20) Cricket Tournament, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Baseer Ahmed Khan at the Chowgan Ground in Kishtwar yesterday. District Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kotwal was also present at the inaugural ceremony. — OC






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Lashkar behind Nowgam attack: CRPF
Wednesday’s attack fourth militant strike this year on 14-km highway stretch
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
With the J&K Police investigating yesterday’s shootout on the outskirts of the city, the spotlight is again on the 14-km stretch from Parimpora to Panthchowk bypass on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway which has turned into a death trap for security personnel this year.

In the four deadly attacks (including Wednesday’s) carried out this year by militants at different spots on the stretch, 15 security forces personnel, including eight Army men, six CRPF and one BSF personnel, have been killed. This stretch of the highway is secured by the CRPF.

The stretch is on the border line of three districts — Srinagar, Budgam and Pulwama. Security forces say militants disappear easily in these districts after attacking Army and CRPF convoys on this route. “They keep changing their hideouts. They come from one district to attack and later hide in another district,” a source said.

Security officials in Kashmir claim that most of the attacks on the stretch have been carried out by a militant module from south Kashmir. About yesterday's attack, CRPF Inspector General P K Singh today said, "Though the investigation into yesterday's attack is being conducted by the J&K Police, our inputs say that the Lashkar-e-Toiba’s militant module of south Kashmir carried out the attack on the bypass which left an Assistant Sub Inspector dead and a jawan injured.’’

“The militant who attacked the ASI had concealed his assault rifle in a bag and before firing at him, he even spoke to the CRPF officer,” Singh added. The IG said it was a matter of concern that militants could come so close to paramilitary men on duty and carry out the attack.

“It is serious concern for the security agencies,” he said. Police sources said raids were being conducted at various places in three districts of Budgam, Srinagar and Pulwama to nab the militants involved in the attack .

“The militant module which carried out the attack yesterday has been operating in three districts of Budgam, Srinagar and Pulwama,” said a police source.

The police suspects that the module is also behind the killing of station house officer Shabir Ahmad in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on December 2.

Meanwhile, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Recruit Training Centre in Humhama on the outskirts of the city to pay homage to the slain CRPF ASI Udit Narayan. His body was later sent to his home state.

Cause for concern
The CRPF IG on Thursday said it was a matter of concern that militants could come so close to paramilitary men on duty and carry out the attack (in Nowgam). The militant who attacked the ASI on Wednesday had concealed his assault rifle in a bag. Before firing at the CRPF officer, the militant even spoke to him.

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Efforts for state’s self-reliance to continue: Omar
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he would continue to endeavour for the internal autonomy and financial self-reliance of J&K to achieve the goal of peace and prosperity in the state.

Addressing a public gathering at Lalpora village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Chief Minister said the gun had inflicted great injuries to the state both humanly and economically.

“Our development remained standstill while other states went much ahead on the road to progress during the period of militancy which gripped the state for over 20 years,” he said.

Omar said his government worked sincerely and with commitment to get the economy back on the rails and make good the losses and the damage caused by the gun.

“We worked for the restoration of peace, took sincere efforts to safeguard human rights, reform the security and law and order machinery, create employment opportunities for youth, and launch new power projects during the last about five years, which have started showing encouraging results on the ground,” he said.

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Panches to support groups like AAP in polls
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
An apex body of panches and sarpanches of the state today said it would support groups like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the forthcoming Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We are highly impressed with the way the AAP performed in Delhi election. If there are groups like AAP, who will contest polls in the state, we will support them,” provincial president, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), Bashir Ahmed Malik told reporters here. Malik, however, said in the absence of any such party, the organisation will decide upon whom to support in the elections.

“If we do not have such choices of candidates, the executive committee of the body will decide whom we shall support,” he said.

The AJKPC provincial president said they were fed up of the current dispensation and added that the organisation has vowed to teach coalition partners National Conference and the Congress a lesson. “We have vowed to teach both the NC and the Congress a lesson. It is they who have become a hurdle in the empowerment of panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir,” Malik said. He alleged that panches and sarpanches were made “scapegoats” by the government and added that the whole exercise to conduct panchayat polls was attempted to portray a better image of Jammu and Kashmir at the international level.

“It was the wrong propaganda of the government due to which our six sarpanches have been killed so far. But our intention to participate (panchayat) elections was only to serve the people at grass roots level,” he insisted.

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R-Day petition incorrect: BJP

Jammu, December 12
The BJP today dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that the state must celebrate its Republic Day on November 17 as "mischievous, absurd, factually incorrect and violative of the spirit of the Constitution".

State BJP chief spokesman and member of national executive council Dr Jitendra Singh today said, “First of all, the contention itself is erroneous because the constitution of J&K came into force on 26 January, 1957, and secondly, the Republic Day on January 26 was observed to commemorate the Constitution of India, which has precedence over the constitution of J&K and the state constitution itself acknowledges this fact.”

“The PIL has been deliberately filed by persons with vested interests in the wake of a countrywide debate on the merits and demerits of Article 370,” Jitendra said. The timing as well as the motive behind the PIL vindicates the widely held view that Article 370, instead of serving as a bridge between the state and the rest of India as claimed by certain political parties such as the National Conference, has in fact provided ground for separatist and semi-separatist tendencies to grow, he added.

The BJP leader said the mindset behind the misguided PIL is also a vindication of the argument that Article 370 has not only created physical but also psychological barriers to the ultimate disadvantage of the people of the state. — TNS

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Police to launch crackdown on unauthorised use of red beacons
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
A day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Director-General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad removed red beacons from their official vehicles following the Supreme Court ruling, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has decided to launch a massive crackdown on people unauthorisedly using red beacons on their vehicles.

“As per the directions of the Supreme Court, only the specific high dignitaries will be authorised to use red lights on the top of their vehicles. The red beacons can only be used on the vehicles by the Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice and Judges of high court, Chairman, Speaker and Cabinet ministers. We will launch a massive crackdown on violations in this regard,” Shakeel Ahmed Beig, the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police, Jammu, said in an official statement issued here today.

The DIG said in case of emergency duties, such as ambulance services, fire services, emergency maintenance and police vehicles used as escorts or pilots or for law and order duty, the vehicles would be entitled to use blue, white and multi-coloured lights only instead of red lights.

“Anybody violating the directions of the Supreme Court would be sternly punished under law by the police,” Beig said.

The Chief Minister, who had advocated for removing red beacons from official vehicles, wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter: “As of yesterday the red beacons have been removed from all the vehicles in my cavalcade. I hope others will follow this example now.”

He had also written, “It’s amazing how some people are married to this symbol of power. If the PM doesn't need a red beacon, why should anyone else."

“I must admit I'll be happy to see this red beacon culture go. I never use one on my private vehicles and don't see the need for one anyway,” he had added.

Yesterday, the DGP had also removed the red light from his official vehicle and ordered beacons removed from vehicles of police officials in the state following the Supreme Court ruling.

On Tuesday, the apex court had ruled that red beacons could be used only on vehicles of high constitutional dignitaries and blue or multi-coloured lights should be used only on emergency services and police vehicles.

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Protest turns violent after police use ‘undue’ force
Our Correspondent

Anantnag, December 12
The protest against the Power Development Department (PDD) turned violent in Bijbehara town of this south Kashmir district today after the police allegedly used undue force to disperse the protesters. Several protesters were arrested by the police.

Earlier, a large number of people gathered near the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, running through the town, to lodge their protest against the deteriorating power scenario. The protesters blocked the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for not more than 15 minutes when the police and other administrative officials reached the spot.

While the protesters were talking to a senior official of the district administration, a senior police official allegedly ordered a lathicharge.

“The police went on the rampage,” said a local, adding, “They not only thrashed the protesters, but also broke window panes of many vehicles parked in the vicinity.”

The alleged high-handedness by the police irked the locals, who in turn resorted to stone-throwing.

The police and the CRPF clashed with the locals for more than two hours, during which the traffic flow on the highway remained suspended.

The locals questioned the use of “undue” force by the police. “Are we not allowed to even demand essential services?” asked a protester. “We don’t get even a single minute of electricity throughout the day and not more than a couple of hours of power supply during the night,” he said.

There have been many protests against the pesky power scenario in many parts of the Kashmir valley in the last one week. People have been alleging that politicians forget people in the Valley after moving to Jammu.

The protesters in Bijbehara said they did not get more than two hours of power supply a day in the past fortnight. “We have been forced to take to the streets. We don’t have any other option,” said a protester.

The PDD officials maintained that some maintenance work was going on due to which they had to snap electricity during the day. “During evening hours, we have to make sure there is no overloading,” said a senior official of the PDD. “It will take more than a week to resume the normal power supply to the area.”

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Spalbar, Jora discuss development with Guv
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Rigzin Spalbar and Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

Spalbar briefed the Governor about the steps being taken the council with regard to various developmental activities going on in Leh under the Ladakh Vision Document, 2025. He also briefed Vohra about the preparations for the upcoming Losar festival.

Spalbar apprised the Governor of the efforts being made to attract more tourists to Ladakh and upgrading of tourist infrastructure in consonance with the fragile ecology of the region.

The two also discussed the role of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, in promoting agricultural activities in the remote areas of Leh.

Meanwhile, Jora briefed the Governor about the progress achieved in the implementation of Master Plan, 2021, of Jammu and Srinagar cities.

He also talked about the implementation of Rakh-i-Arth project for the early settlement of the Dal Lake dwellers. 

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HC stays order on re-evaluation
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
The J&K High Court has directed for keeping in abeyance a single bench order which had directed the J&K Board Of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) to get the answer scripts of a student re-evaluated by a body of experts, who in her petition had alleged that the board had applied a wrong key to seven questions of biology and three questions in chemistry paper in the Common Entrance Test (CET-2013) held this year.

The division bench of the high court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar, which passed the orders today, also directed the BOPEE to keep the whole record available when it is expected to hear the case for final consideration on December 17.

These directions have come in the wake of an appeal by the BOPEE against the orders of a single bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.

While directing the board to disclose the answer key to the aggrieved student Qazi Basara, who appeared in this year’s entrance examination, Justice Magrey in his detailed orders on November 30 also told the board to set its home right immediately, cautioning it that “enough is enough”.

While arguing his appeal before the division bench today, BOPEE Standing counsel GA Lone submitted that the issue was already settled by the board.

He said on the representation of the particular student and others, the board authorities had already done the re-evaluation two times and awarded the marks to the candidate accordingly. He also questioned the single bench orders while submitting that the court could not order the re-evaluation as, according to him, the discretion for re-examining or re-evaluation lay with the board. After hearing both sides and admitting the appeal, the bench directed that the orders of the single bench should be “kept in abeyance” till December 17, when it was expected to hear the arguments for the final disposition of the appeal.

BOPEE Answer Key Row

Candidate’s version
Petitioner Qazi Basara had challenged the key with the claim that in biology paper (series-C) she had correctly answered questions 16, 28, 31, 41, 44, 60 and 70, but the BOPEE authorities had applied a wrong key for evaluating her merit

Single Bench orders
To verify Basra’s claims, Justice Magrey in his orders had asked the BOPEE to disclose the revised keys in series-C of biology and chemistry papers to her by December 1 so as to enable her to recheck the questions and her answers and thereby make a representation to the board for re-evaluation

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Eyeing polls, Govt to speed up regularisation of illegal colonies
Sumit Hakhoo
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
Eyeing Assembly elections, the government has decided to speed up regularisation of 20 illegal residential colonies in the city.

The decision has been lying pending for the last several years and facing the worst infrastructural problems. Officials said the survey process of these colonies was being expedited to push the agenda in the coming board meeting of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

A few months back, a high-level committee, headed by the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, was constituted by the government for the conduct of survey and other formalities, but so far the process is going on at a snail's pace. Sources said these colonies contained a huge vote bank and played an important role in elections.

"There is much resentment among the people as they feel that the government has always taken them for a ride. Orders have now come to proceed quickly on the issue, even if some compromises have to be made with the people," said an official source in the Urban Development Department (UDD).

The 20 unauthorised colonies, under the jurisdiction of the Jammu Development Authority and J&K Housing Board, identified for regularisation are Sanjay Nagar, Balmiki Colony, Shiva Colony, Channi Rama, Kacha Talab, Goswami Colony, Hyderpura (Janipura), Puran Nagar, Vikas Nagar, Shant Nagar, Qasim Nagar, Kabir Colony (BC Road), Indira Colony (Janipura) Gorkha Nagar, Jogigate, portion of Gujjar Nagar, Basant Vihar, Gorkha Nagar Extn Bahu Fort, Mohallah Masjid Bagh-e-Bahu, Nai Basti and Rampura.

Vice-Chairman, JDA, KL Khajuria said survey was in the final stage of completion. "We have almost completed our field work and now the decision has to be taken by the JDA board. It will allow us to check encroachment of land and provide better civic amenities," Khajuria said.

Under terms of regularisation laid by the government, unauthorised occupation of state land up to the maximum of 1 kanal by a single family may be considered, but land occupants must be a permanent resident of J&K and should have constructed residential house latest by March 31, 2013.

Further unauthorised occupation of land in excess of 1 kanal by any single family should be surrendered to the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board and Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

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PDD labourers continue strike

Jammu, December 12
The indefinite strike of the All J&K Casual Labourers Union of the Power Development Department (PDD) continued in front of the office of Chief Engineer, M&RE Wing.

The association alleged that the concerned AEEs and executive engineers had not cleared the verification of the list of casual labours/need-based workers. It demanded that their list be published in local dailies.

The association stated that the Chief Secretary had informed that a fund of Rs 6.50 crore was sanctioned by the government to pay the pending wages of casual labourers/need-based workers, but nothing has been done so far.

It said in 2012, 75 casual labourers had lost their lives, while 150 got handicapped while doing their jobs. Those who were present included Shes Kumar, Sham Lal, Mohinder Paul Sharma, Sanjeev Kumar and Sumit Kumar. — TNS

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Anganwari workers demand release of pending salaries
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
Anganwari and other workers started an agitation at the district level and staged a demonstration at the Divisional Commissioner's office at Jammu today.

The workers were demanding the release of pending salaries, introduction of pension scheme at Rs 3,000, gratuity, EPF, insurance and ESI scheme for all the workers.

Sham lal Sharma, Ravinder Sharma, Karnail Chand, Swarna Choudhary and Neelam Sharma were among other leaders present in the protest.

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Kashmiri migrants stage protest
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
Members of the Kashmiri Migrants Relief Holders and Over-Aged Youth today protested against their neglect by the government in employment package.

They alleged that the state government had failed to provide them justice. They also expressed dismay over the recent meeting of members of the Youth All-India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and alleged that nobody had given them any mandate to take any decision on the behalf of the community youth.

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SMC seeks clerics’ cooperation for curbing use of loudspeakers
Warns of strict action if violations continue in Srinagar city
M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has sought cooperation from the religious heads of the city to deal with the issue of using loudspeakers at mosques and other religious places and during wedding ceremonies.

Talking to the Tribune, SMC Chief Enforcement Officer Hakeem Aijaz Ali said initially, they had sought cooperation from muftis, other religious heads and organising committees of religious places. Later, he said the SMC would act tough following the receipt of complaints.

Ali said acting on complaints, the SMC would depute its team to seize loudspeakers. It would initiate strict action under the laws of the corporation. He said action would also be taken against the use of loudspeakers and firecrackers during weddings.

The SMC has sought cooperation from the religious heads through notices published in the local dailies.

In the notice, the SMC has pointed out that the use of loudspeakers and firecrackers in weddings was causing inconvenience to sick persons, students and pregnant women.

With the notices, the civic body has appealed to the religious heads and organising committees of the religious places to cooperate so that the ‘grave situation’ was put under control.

The general public too has been advised to cooperate and play the role of responsible citizens.

Even though the use of loudspeakers at the religious places has raised many eyebrows, much action has not been taken in this regard by the authorities concerned due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The trend of using firecrackers during weddings has picked up in the summer capital in the past couple of years, causing inconvenience to the public.

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Srinagar records season’s coldest night at -3.4°C
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
Srinagar city, the summer capital of the state, recorded the coldest night of this winter season following mild snowfall in the upper reaches of the Valley.

An official of the Meteorological Department said Srinagar city recorded a low of minus 3.4 degree Celsius last night, which was the lowest of the season so far. The pervious coldest night in the city was witnessed on December 4-5 when the minimum temperature had dipped to minus 3 degree Celsius.

Meteorological Department director Sonum Lotus said the weather was likely to remain mainly dry and cold for the next six days.

Other parts of the Valley also recorded a dip in night temperature following the light snowfall in the upper reaches.

Qazigiund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4 degree Celsius while border town Kupwara recorded a low of minus 2.5 degree Celsius.

The minimum temperature in the tourist resort of Pahalgam was minus 5.2 degree Celsius while ski resort Gulmarg remained the coldest place of the Valley at minus 6.1 degree Celsius. Kokernag in south Kashmir recorded a night temperature of minus 2.4 degree Celsius.

The Valley’s harshest 40-day winter period called “chillai kalan” will begin from December 21.

Meanwhile, Leh in the Ladakh region remained the coldest place of the state at -11.8 degree Celsius, said an official of the Met Department.

The nearby Kargil town recorded a low of minus 9.2 degree Celsius.

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Kashmir varsity VC gets Dr SM Naqvi Gold Medal
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
University of Kashmir (KU) Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad has been conferred the “Dr SM Naqvi Gold Medal” by the Geological Society of India (GSI) for his distinguished academic and research career in geosciences.

He did not attend the felicitation ceremony held at the Indian School of Mines, Dhanabad, as he was abroad. So, a function was today organised at Gandhi Bhawan, KU, to formally hand over his medal, including citations, to him.

On behalf of the GSI, KU Dean Academic Affairs AM Shah read the citation and presented the medal to Prof Talat Ahmad at the function.

Deans of several faculties, heads of various departments, directors of various institutes/ research centres and senior administrative officers of the university attended the function.

Expressing gratitude to the members and jury of the GSI, Prof Talat Ahmad said, “It is encouraging for him to get recognition for his research work and such moments and times are always to cherish for and inspire researchers to work with more passion in understanding various phenomena of life and unraveling the secrets of this universe.”

Talat said he had been making untiring efforts to develop strong linkages between the KU and other research institutions at national and international level.

Recently, the GSI has expressed its desire to collaborate with the KU for a research project.

Prof Talat Ahmad is the first recipient of the SM Naqvi Gold Medal named after Syed Mahmood Naqvi, an Indian scientist specialising in geochemistry who made remarkable contributions in his career.

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Efforts on to improve healthcare sector: CM
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the state government had been making efforts to improve the healthcare sector so that people were not compelled to visit outside the state for treatment.

Inaugurating advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment and other patientcare facilities at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS), Soura, the CM said, “While priority attention is being given to improve and upgrade healthcare facilities in the rural areas, the equal thrust is on providing modern health gadgets in the hospitals of tertiary care nature.”

Omar said by upgrading rural hospitals and health centres, the huge population living in the villages would not be travelling to towns and cities for the treatment which could be provided to them in their native villages.

“This aspect has been focused and the expansion and consolidation of healthcare centres is carried forward simultaneously besides providing specialists and paramedics in the government hospitals all across the state,” he said.

The centrally-sponsored flagship programme and various state-sponsored schemes are being implemented to achieve the results and enhance treatment facility for the patients in the rural areas, he said.

He asked the doctors to render their service with the highest degree of responsibility and commitment towards society.

Focus on improving state’s financial health

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today highlighted the need of upgrading the financial status of the state to generate adequate resources for development projects.

The CM said this after inaugurating the building complex of the Excise and Commercial Taxes (ECT), constructed at a cost of over Rs 34.5 crore, at Solina here.

“The gap between the resources and expenditure puts a big hurdle to take up the development projects in hand and complete them in a fixed time frame. The funds received from the Centre are earmarked for the identified schemes and the untied funds are insufficient to cater to the particular needs of the people in a particular area,” he said.

“While the state is thankful for the financial assistance provided by the Union Government for the development purpose, yet there is need that the state catapults its own resource generation to give a fillip to the development activities,” Omar said.

The CM expressed the hope that State Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather who is also the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers of India, would use his office to get additional share of taxes from the Centre Government to the state.

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Constable killed, three cops injured in road accident
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
A police constable was killed and three others were injured in a road accident in south Kashmir last evening.

A police spokesman said the policemen were travelling in a Maruti Zen which collided with a tractor at Susman village, Kulgam. All four policemen were injured in the accident.

They were admitted to a Srinagar hospital where constable Ghulam Ahmad succumbed to his injuries.

The Qazigund police have registered a case in this regard.

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State told to identify specific needs in areas of gender, equity
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
The Joint Review Mission (JRM) on teacher education in the state has emphasised upon the need to identify state-specific requirements in the areas of gender and equity.

It claimed that there had been little understanding of gender and equity issues in all three regions of the state.

Recently, a nine-member JRM team visited the state and later, conducted a meeting in Delhi to make certain recommendations in this regard.

“In Kargil, there are still issues of access, enrolment and a high dropout rate that need to be addressed, both in terms of working with the community and taking on board survival and subsistence issues,” a JRM study said.

“In Leh, while girls’ participation is not a critical issue, the role of the school and its own ability in developing skills and aspirations among girls seems to be limited,” it said.

The JRM further claimed that in Jammu district, it was reported that parents concerned about co-education in the middle and secondary classes, as a result of which there was dropout among girls.

The study maintained that the absence of gender trainings was reflected in the nature of work that had taken place in the Sarava Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

The JRM claimed that there was a little evidence of concern for special or inclusive education. Out of the 57 programmes outlined in the action plan 2013-14 for the District Institute of Education and Training (DIETs) by the State Institute of Education (SIE), Kashmir, not a single programme was directed to either of these two issues.

“At the SIE, Jammu, the issue of education of nomadic children came up. The concern was that there needs to be coordination between Chief Education Officers (CEOs) in various districts. While mobile teachers have been appointed, the system is not working smoothly as there are months when children are absent or then teachers are idle,” the JRM said. 

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Water bodies in Pulwama encroached upon
Our Correspondent

Pulwama, December 12
The Water Act, 2010, is being violated with impunity in Pulwama district of south Kashmir with vested interests encroaching upon the water bodies in the area for commercial and agricultural purposes.

The violations particularly increase in the winters as water level in streams recedes. And it is during this period that some people encroach upon these water bodies by constructing bunds and filling up the area with soil.

In one such act of violation, Nullah Parigam which was 15 to 25 feet wide has been shrunk to few feet.

“Nullah Parigam is dying, as are several other streams in the area which have been completely ignored by the government over the years,” said Wali Mohamamad, a resident of Newa village, which lies on the banks of the water body.

“The water of the nullah was safe to drink a few decades ago, but it has become so polluted today that people don’t even dare to bathe in it.”

The encroachments are also going along the stream at Talangam and other villages. “Pulwama is known for its network of fresh water streams. These water bodies irrigate vast areas of land and are a source of potable water for the people,” social activist and Chairman, District Development Forum, Abdul Rahim Khan said.

“It is unfortunate that people are behaving irrationally. They are not thinking about the future generation,” he said.

Executive Engineer, Pulwama, Munu Karwal said they were taking necessary action against the encroachers for violating the Water Act.

“We have already issued challans against violators in Awantipora and Wanpora. The department would continue the drive to restore the water bodies,” Karwal said.

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CIC briefs Vohra on RTI Act
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
GR Sufi, State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here.

Sufi, informed the Governor about initiatives taken by the Commission for the implementation of the ‘Right To Information Act, 2009,’ in J&K and the efforts being made to generate awareness among the masses regarding their right to seek relevant information from all public offices.

Vohra discussed with Sufi the impact, so far, of the RTI route on eradication of corruption.

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Kashmir most beautiful, most abused place: Ketan Bhagat
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 12
Kashmir is the most beautiful but also the most abused part of India, which has not got what it deserves, says Ketan Bhagat, the author of the recently released novel “Complete/Convenient: There is more to men than bromance”.

Ketan Bhagat, who is noted author Chetan Bhagat’s brother, was in Srinagar to launch the January-2014 batch of a Chandigarh-based educational institute “Aryans”. Talking to the Tribune on the sidelines of the function, Ketan asked the people of the Kashmir valley, particularly youth, to get educated and move out for jobs and other opportunities awaiting them.

“I was living outside India and came back just three years ago and so, my perception about Kashmir is related to bomb blasts, firing and killings. Howewer, that is not always the case when one comes and personally observes things on ground in Kashmir,” said Ketan, who is in the Valley for the first time.

He said after penning down his novel about seven months ago, he has now started visiting interiors of India. “I feel happy to be in Srinagar. However, my opinion is still that Kashmir is like a beautiful daughter who is being eyed by everyone. The politicians of the country have also not done any good to this place,” he said.

“Kashmir, which has a lot of potential and is the most beautiful place, is unfortunately also the most abused and ignored place in the country,” he said, adding that Kashmir did not get what it deserved.

My message to the people of Kashmir is that they should not bother about the politics surrounding their place, said Ketan. “It has been almost seventy years and we still have not arrived at a solution to the Kashmir issue and I also fear that there won’t be any solution.”

“I would like to see people here, particularly the youth, get themselves educated and look after their lives and ignore everything else. I would also like them to move out of this place, out of the country, find jobs, and send money back home to make this place prosperous,” Ketan suggested, adding that is how the whole nation had prospered.

Ketan said he is currently working on his second novel, which is based on father-child relationship. “I am enjoying being an author and getting love and criticism for my first novel,” he signed off.

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Governor releases Raghvendra Panchang

Jammu, December 12
Governor NN Vohra today released the 14th edition of Raghvendra Panchang, brought out by Shri Raghvendra Jyotish Sansthan, at Raj Bhawan here.

Appreciating the utility of the Panchang, Governor said it was a ready source of information about local fairs, festivals, auspicious occasions and the dates on which various religious faiths celebrate important occasions.

Vohra, on the occasion, also enquired about the procedures and techniques which are used for carrying out accurate calculations to prepare the Panchang. He congratulated Dr Chander Mouli Raina, the Editor-in-Chief of the Raghvendra Panchang, and his team for bringing out the valuable volume. Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was also present on the occasion. — TNS

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Govt headed by Sadiq most honest: Cong

Jammu, December 12
Taking a dig at coalition partner National Conference, the Congress today said the government headed by GM Sadiq in the state was the most clear and honest one.

Paying tributes to Sadiq on his death anniversary Congress leaders described him as the most competent and able administrator.

Sadiq, who headed the state from 1965 to 1971, provided a corruption-free and efficient administration. He also played an important role to cement the State- Centre relationship, the party said.

He was a revolutionary and most honest leader whose thoughts, policies and programmes are still relevant and a guiding factor for the times to come. He was the first Congress Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and his tenure is remembered even today as an exemplary one in terms of clean and efficient administration, the party said. — TNS

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J&K Forest topple Sainik Colony Club in football tournament
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12
The J&K Forest team defeated the Sainik Colony Club by 2-1 to seal a berth in the semifinals of the ongoing fourth Sher-e-Kashmir Gold Cup Football Tournament being played at GGM Science College Ground here today.

The J&K Forest team scored the first goal in the 12th minute through Ashiq, while Toufiq stretched the lead further in the 20th minute to make it 2-0. Sainik Colony Club strikers had their chances in the first half to minimise the margin, but just could not capitalised on them.

Dharampal Singh scored the lone goal for the Sainik Colony Club in the 51st minute, but it was too late. Two yellow cards were shown to Toufiq and Ubaid of the J&K Forest team, while Bhanu Kumar of the Sainik Colony Club was also shown the card.

The match was officiated by Vijay Kumar, Harneel Singh, Harmanjeet Singh and Sunil Kumar.

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