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Mercury plummets, Jammu records season’s coldest day
Valley’s upper reaches get snowfall
Omar from Ganderbal? NC says no decision yet
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NH expansion takes toll on health, ecology
Cabinet sanctions new polytechnic for Pulwama
No debate on 73rd Amendment; Cong fumes
NC’s autonomy, PDP’s self-rule two sides of same coin, says BJP
Pulwama villagers want bridge on Romush nullah
1991 ‘mass’ rape: Army gets one week to file objections
An inspiration for young entrepreneurs in Valley
Power theft: 26,077 illegal connections active in Jammu
Unani hospital sealed for selling expired drugs
No sign of militants, Kupwara op called off
BSF man hurt in cross-border firing
‘Govt creating artificial scarcity of ration in Jagti township’
Bandh in Kishtwar over temple sacrilege
7-year-old’s murder: Police set to question more people
Substandard food: Doctors’ body to file PIL in high court
SKIMS surgeons awarded fellowship from American College of Surgeons
U-14 Volleyball Championship
JKPYC hails passage of Lokpal Bill
Lashkar posters come up in Srinagar
Teenage girl jumps into Dal Lake, rescued
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Mercury plummets, Jammu records season’s coldest day
Jammu, December 19 The School Education department has decided to close all government and private schools in the summer zone of Jammu division from December 24 following the chilling weather. “Given the prevalent cold wave and chilly conditions, all government and private schools would observe winter break from December 24,” Tara Chand, deputy chief minister, who holds the portfolio of the School Education Department, told The Tribune. Earlier, there was speculation that the education department could delay the winter break by a week. According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, Jammu saw its coldest day of the season as the maximum temperature dipped to 13.9°C. The minimum temperature was 9.5°C. “People have been battling the chill following sudden fall in day temperature. There seems to be no immediate relief to the people from intense cold conditions for the next couple of days,” an IMD official said, adding that icy winds forced people to stay indoors as there was difference of just 4°C between maximum and minimum temperature, which was the main reason for the intense cold. The official predicted cloudy weather conditions along with dense fog and mist tomorrow while the maximum and the minimum temperatures would be around 14°C and 8°C, respectively. Meanwhile, inclement weather coupled with dense fog and haze continued to affect the movement of air and rail traffic as five flights were cancelled today. “Due to dense fog and poor visibility, five flights — two of IndiGo, one of Spicejet, one of Go Air and one of Air India — were cancelled today. The first flight landed at Jammu Airport at 12.35 pm while all other flights were late,” Ashok Sharma, Superintendent of Police (Anti-Hijacking), Jammu Airport told The Tribune. The inclement weather also affected train services at Jammu Railway Station. A Railway official said that Pooja Express train was running six hours behind the schedule due to poor visibility while all other trains were running behind the schedule. “The Jhelum Express was running four hours late, while Jammu Mail was late by more than three hours. Al most all other trains were also two to six hours behind schedule,” the official said, adding that the movement of all other trains was badly affected due to dense fog and poor visibility in Northern parts of the country. |
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Valley’s upper reaches get snowfall
Srinagar, December 19 An official of the Meteorological Department said 1.6 cm snowfall was received at south Kashmir tourist resort Pahalgam. Similarly, 1.6 cm snowfall was also recorded at ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir. While the minimum temperature increased by a few notches, day temperature dipped. Srinagar city recorded maximum temperature of 10.3 degree Celsius today as against 14.9 degree Celsius yesterday. Qazigund, gateway town to Kashmir, recorded 10.3 degree Celsius maximum temperature, while border town Kupwara saw a high of 13.2 degrees. Similarly, Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded 8.4 and 3.2 degrees Celsius maximum temperature, respectively. The minimum temperature in Srinagar, Qazigund, Kupwara, Pahalgam and Gulmarg was -0.4, 1.8, -3.0, -2.6 and -2.6 degrees Celsius, respectively. The weatherman has also forecast light to moderate snowfall in the upper reaches of the Valley on December 21 and 22. |
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Omar from Ganderbal? NC says no decision yet
Senior National Conference leaders have tried to dispel reports that Omar Abdullah, who currently represents Ganderbal constituency near here, would contest from Sonwar constituency in Srinagar. “It is mere speculation. Anyway, it is too early to decide on candidates,” Nasir Aslam Wani, provincial president of the National Conference told the Tribune. He said since Assembly elections were nearly a year away, there was no question of deciding on candidatures. As per the practice, Assembly elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir every six years, instead of five in other states or the Lok Sabha. The last Assembly elections were held in the state in November-December 2008. There were also reports of Omar contesting from Srinagar’s Sonwar constituency that has been represented by the National Conference in all three elections in 1996, 2002 and 2008. NC patron and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah was elected from Sonwar and Hazratbal constituencies simultaneously in the last elections. He, however, quit both seats to contest the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in 2009. The two seats were then bagged by NC members in the bypoll that followed. In a related move, National Conference senior leader and Additional general secretary Mustafa Kamal (MLA Hazratbal) had yesterday said the PDP was creating an adverse impression and that any NC candidate had the potential of defeating others from Ganderbal. Except for one election in 2002, the National Conference has been representing Ganderbal since 1977. It was first represented by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1977 and later by his son, Farooq Abdullah in three elections in 1983, 1987 and 1996. The seat had, however, gone to the Opposition PDP in 2002when Qazi Mohammad Afzal defeated Omar Abdullah. However, Omar, having represented Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency earlier, got elected in the last Assembly elections from Ganderbal constituency. Speculation rife
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NH expansion takes toll on health, ecology
Jammu, December 19 Though the state government had taken action against 688 privately owned stone crushers, no action was taken against some of the big units established by the National Highways Authority of India and AFCONS, which is working on the four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. According to the data collected by the State Pollution Control Board, suspended particulate matter and respiratory suspended particulate matter have witnessed a steep rise in the past two decades, crossing the limits suggested as safe by health experts. Officials said the dust generated as a result of site clearing and grading, heavy machinery travelling over exposed soils, truck traffic and the production of construction materials at borrow pits and off-site quarries. Smog and high level of dust in air has now become a major environment and health challenge. Airborne suspended particulate matter is an important marker of air quality. The particulate matter includes organic and inorganic matter, nitrogen and sulphur compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Chairman of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) Arun Tikku said this was a complex issue and the companies had been told to minimise air pollution and damage to the green cover. “When it comes to big Centrally sponsored projects, there are some guidelines which the construction companies have to follow, which include establishing their units outside the population centres. For these projects, there is always a possibility of some environment issue,” the PCB chairman said. Construction activities have the potential to generate a substantial amount of air pollution which is detrimental to plant growth and the health of local inhabitants. Environmentalists say that there is a provision of sprinkling water near the construction sites so that dust settles down but the contractors don’t do it just to make money. “In recent years, suspended particles in air have increased due to the vehicular traffic and the dust generated by the construction activity and big crushers established outside Jammu near the forests. It has become a major cause for respiratory diseases and burning eye symptoms among the labourers and commuters,” said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist, who runs a NGO. |
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Cabinet sanctions new polytechnic for Pulwama
Jammu, December 19 The Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also approved creation of two posts of senior private secretaries in the pay scale of Rs 15,600-39,100 with grade pay of Rs 6,600 by corresponding reduction of the equal number of posts of private secretaries of heads of departments in the pay scale of Rs 9,300-34,800 with grade pay of Rs 4,800 and re-designation of existing five posts of Principal Private Secretaries as senior private secretaries. It also approved the creation of four posts of principal private secretaries (PPS) in the pay scale of Rs 15,600-39,100 with grade pay of Rs 7,600 by corresponding reduction of equal number of posts of private secretaries of the heads of the department in the pay scale of Rs 9,300-34,800 with grade pay of Rs 4,800, to be filled up by promotion from amongst the senior private secretaries having at least four years of qualifying service. The Cabinet also ordered the transfers and postings of three senior Civil Administration officers. Shabir Ahmad Bhat, director area planning and ex-officio special secretary, Planning and Development Department, has been transferred and posted as the Director, Command Area Development, Jammu, relieving the Director, Agriculture, Jammu, of the additional charge. Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Special Secretary, Chief Minister’s Private Office, Srinagar, has been transferred and posted as the Director, Area Planning and ex-officio Special
Secretary, Planning and Development Department. Soujanya Kumar Sharma, Director of the Information Department, Jammu and Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Director, Tourism, Jammu. He would, however, continue to hold charge of the Director, Information Department, J&K, till further orders. |
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No debate on 73rd Amendment; Cong fumes
Jammu, December 19 National Conference leaders had last week announced to include the issue in the agenda of the next Cabinet meeting and Congress leaders were hoping that the final decision on the amendment will be taken in today’s Cabinet meeting. Vice-president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Dharam Pal Sharma said there was no reason to further delay the extension of the 73rd Amendment to J&K. “We were expecting that a discussion will be taken in today’s Cabinet meeting because a consensus had been evolved on the issue in the Coalition Coordination Committee,” Sharma said. He said the Congress cadre was worried over the inordinate delay in extending the amendment to J&K. All India Congress Committee vice-president Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a panchayat conference at Jammu on November 6, had told the state government to empower the panchayats by extending the 73rd Amendment to J&K. As the National Conference (NC) was opposing the extension, the Congress had softened its stand and agreed to incorporate only relevant clauses of the amendment to the J&K Panchayati Raj Act. Congress leaders have a reason to be worried over the “delaying tactics” being adopted by the NC because the party’s archrival, BJP, has raked up the issue at the national level. “The failure of our own government to empower the panchayats in J&K will provide much ammunition to the BJP to further substantiate the argument that the Article 370 has been misused in J&K,” a senior Congress leader said, adding, “The behaviour of our coalition partner authenticates BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s allegation that some families have been abusing the special status to erode the sanctity of democratic institutions in J&K.” Chairman of the Panthers Party Harsh Dev Singh has flayed the government for its delay and deny approach in empowering the panchayats and incorporating the provisions of the amendment in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act. |
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NC’s autonomy, PDP’s self-rule two sides of same coin, says BJP
Jammu, December 19 Addressing a public meeting at Nagrota, Sharma said the NC's autonomy concept and the PDP's self-rule doctrine were two sides of the same coin. He urged the party leaders and cadres across the state to educate the public by exposing the divisive ideologies of the NC and PDP and the Congress' support for an equally divisive 1975 Indira-Sheikh Abdullah accord, the acts of omission and commission committed by the ruling coalition and their failure to deliver on any front. The BJP state president rejected the suggestions of the NC and PDP that their respective demands would end unrest in the Valley and resolve regional tensions in the state. He said these demands, if accepted, would not undo what the Indian nation did in the state during the past 65 years and only also provoke protests in Jammu and Ladakh and in the refugee camps. "The greater autonomy concept and self-rule doctrine are fundamentally bad, reactionary, retrograde and highly injurious to the vital interests of India and its people in Jammu & Kashmir. They are nothing but a replica of the two-nation theory that resulted in the partition of India in 1947 and consumed millions of lives. The BJP will defeat their demands," said Sharma. He told the party leaders that it was their national duty to work for the welfare of the people of the state and fight against the discriminatory policies of the NC-Congress coalition government. "We have to work overtime to strengthen the BJP in the state and hands of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to ensure the party's victory in at least three Lok Sabha constituencies in the state," he said. Earlier, Sharma visited Kol Kandoli Mandir in the morning to inspect the ongoing work of the construction of a shed for the convenience of pilgrims. |
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Pulwama villagers want bridge on Romush nullah
Pulwama, December 19 The villages falling in Pulwama and Shopian are about 15 to 20 km from their respective district headquarters. Achagoza, Check Dewa Badrinath, Bamnoo, Kellar, Zama Pathri, Chewa, Mastpora, Monshwara and Pahalpora villages have been suffering due to the absence of a bridge. Residents of the villages said the government had constructed a bridge at Abhama village on the Romush nullah but it didn’t serve the purpose as the distance between the villages could be covered in less time on foot than by a bus. “It takes 20 minutes to reach Pakharpora on foot as compared to bus which takes an hour to reach Pakharpora,” said Parvaiz Ahmad, a resident of Achagoza, adding that it is the shortest route to the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali at Charar-i-Sharief. Being the business hub, many people from these areas have established units in Pakharpora and have been facing a lot of problems, especially during the summer, when the water level rises in the stream. “During the summer, particularly in August and September, the nullah overflows and the water in the stream moves at a fast speed which cuts off the contact between villages for several days,” said Manzoor Ahmad, who has a shop at Pakharpora. Locals said the construction of the bridge could save their time and increase employment avenues as the bridge would connect them to two other important places, Charar-i-Sharief and the famous tourist spot of Yusmarg. They said the construction of the bridge could save the time of the people who come from Shopian district to visit the shrines of the Sufi saints at Pakharpora and Charar-i-Sharief. “The bridge will not only save time but also enhance tourism activity in the area as people, especially devotees and tourists, coming from the Mughal Road, will find a short cut to these shrines and Yusmarg,” said Achagoza sarpanch Mohammad Shafi Wani. |
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1991 ‘mass’ rape: Army gets one week to file objections
Srinagar, December 19 The Kupwara Sessions court, where the matter was listed today, directed the Army to file objections to the application within one week while posting the matter for further proceedings on December 26. Over 30 women were allegedly raped by Army personnel in Kupwara’s remote Kunan Poshpora village on February 23, 1991. The charges have not been proved as no trial has been held. Acting on a protest petition by the victims and survivors of the incident, a magisterial court in Kupwara district had on June 18 reopened the Kunan Poshpora ‘mass’ rape case after 22
years. Sending the case “back” to the police for “further” investigation, the court directed that the probe be completed in three months. As the matter came up for hearing before the Kupwara sessions court, the Army’s counsel, Karnail Singh, sought more time to file the objections. However, this was objected to by Parvez Imroz, counsel for the survivors. He said it was another one of the “Army’s continuous excuses and delaying tactics”. Imroz said five alleged victims of the 1991 ‘mass’ rape had already died and 22 years had passed without investigations. The victims/survivors of the Kunan Poshpora incident are seeking their impleadment as parties in the revision petition filed by the Army early this month. After hearing out both the sides, the judge -- while giving the Army the last opportunity -- directed its counsel to file objections within one week. In its revision petition, the Army has challenged the identification parade of its personnel accused in the 1991 Kunan Poshpora ‘mass rape’ case, as was directed by the judicial magistrate Kupwara in his decision announced on June 18 this year. The magistrate had observed that the identity of the 125 suspected Army personnel, whose list had been provided, had not been “revealed” even as the victims in their protest petition had sought to "ascertain
the role of 125 Army personnel" allegedly involved in the incident. The police have failed to complete the investigation and sought extension on two occasions. The case file
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J&K lifts Silver Rolling Trophy at Fourth Annual Inter-State Declamation Contest
Jammu, December 19 The runners-up trophy was bagged by the team comprising Akanksha Rajput of the Government College of Education, Jammu, and Vishal Pathania of Government Degree College, Kathua. The topic of the declamation contest was "Clamour for rights of citizens: What about duties". Governor NN Vohra was the chief guest, while Prof MP Isher, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, was special guest. Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Higher Education, presided over the valedictory session. Usha Vohra, wife of Governor NN Vohra, was also present. The Governor observed that while the Constitution of India provides an eminent position to the fundamental and human rights of the citizen, there is extremely inadequate awareness about the fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution. He said, "The rights and duties must go hand in hand if we are to build a just and equitable welfare state and if we want our country to progress." Stressing the usefulness of debating contests, the Governor observed that such activities enable the students to improve their articulation and enhance their potential to be successful while appearing for interviews. The Governor said the rolling trophy was instituted four years back with the assumption that boys and girls from the Valley, Leh, Kargil and neighbouring states could participate in the contest. As it is not possible, due to climatic and other factors, for this annual contest in Jammu to attract a large enough number of students from other parts of the state, it had been decided to expand the horizon of the contest and another rolling trophy has been instituted by him to enable the Government College for Women, Srinagar, to organise an annual inter-state debate during the summer season. The Governor congratulated Kiran Bakshi, Principal of the Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, and her colleagues for the successful organisation of the event. Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Higher Education, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for instituting the rolling trophy. He said the contest, conceptualised by the Governor, had emerged as an important and popular event among the students. Later, the Governor presented the rolling trophy to the winning team and also gave prizes to the runner-up team. He presented cash prize of Rs 11,000 to Vini Mahajan of Government Degree College, Gandhinagar, for being adjudged first, Rs 7,500 to Akanksha Rajput of the Government College of Education, Jammu, for being adjudged second and Rs 5,000 to Shreya Raina of Government Degree College, Parade, for coming third in the contest. He also gave away consolation prizes to Vishal Pathania of Government Degree College, Kathua, and Vivek Tariyal of DIT College, Dehradun, Uttranchal. Besides, mementos and participation certificates were given to all the contestants. The Governor also presented mementos to Prof Ved Ghai, Prof Zeenat Ara, Prof Zahurruddin, Prof Varun Tripathi and Seema Shekhar, Additional Advocate General, Jammu and Kashmir High Court, who were the jury members, and to Dalip Singh and Prof Zahoor Ahmad Shah, who were the observers of the declamation contest. The Governor and his wife were honoured and presented mementos. Dr Kiran Bakshi, Principal, Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, Jammu, in her welcome address gave details of the participants of the declamation contest. She said 35 students from Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir participated in the contest. Prof Nutan Reusotra, Nodal Principal, GGM Science College, Jammu, presented the vote of thanks. Earlier, students of the college presented a captivating cultural programme. |
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An inspiration for young entrepreneurs in Valley
Sandhiya, 38, a Kashmiri Pandit, was born and brought up in Srinagar city’s Abi Guzar area until 1990s, when she left the valley due to continuous shutdowns and curfews. Her parents, however, did not leave the valley. Sandhiya finished her higher secondary education in Jammu and completed her Bachelors in Commerce from Jammu University. After that she did a post-graduate diploma in cosmetology from VLCC College, where she later joined as a skin faculty. “At VLCC I realised that one has to go through a lot of pressure while being on job, after which I decided to leave it,” she said. In the meantime, situation improved in Kashmir and Sandhiya decided to return. “I decided to do something of my own,” she said. Streamlining her experience and professional knowledge of specialty in cosmetology, Sandhiya started her own beauty parlour at Residency Road with an initial investment of Rs 9 lakh and shifted it near Maulana Azad Road earlier this month. “My father was my inspiration,” she said. Sandhiya admits that the first year of business was crucial and challenging for her. “I kept my fingers crossed, but slowly clients started coming in and I started making profit,” she said. Arguing that it was easy for her to set up a business in Kashmir, Sandhiya believes that she has made the right decision. “I have spent my childhood here and my roots belong to this place, even though I spent two decades away. My heart was always here,” she said. “It was not a bad decision to come back,” she reiterated. Sandhiya celebrated her 13th marriage anniversary this year, but said that initially the idea of starting her own business did not go well with her in-laws. Sandhiya who got married in Jammu has a daughter and was financially supported by her husband to realise her dream. “My in-laws were not happy with the idea initially. They thought the parlour will have no scope in Kashmir and I won’t be able to handle it,” she said, adding that she was committed and stuck to her decision. Sandhiya is now mulling expansion of her parlour into a full-fledged spa, but this will require an investment of around Rs 30-40 lakh. “There is no concept of spa in Kashmir right now and people tell me that it will not work here,” she said. “But now, I am thinking to take this risk. I want to be an inspiration to young Kashmiri girls who want to start their own business,” she said smiling. |
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Power theft: 26,077 illegal connections active in Jammu
After imposing fine on defaulters, they have been regularised, but the figures clearly show the extent of power theft going on in state particularly in Jammu and Srinagar. Notices under Section 50 of J&K Electricity Act were issued recently to consumers having arrears above Rs 10 lakh with warning to either pay the bills or face disconnection. A survey revealed that in some areas inhabited by businessmen and politicians, the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses have increased to 80%, with most of them not paying regular tariffs amounting to lakhs of rupees, leading to shortcoming in revenue targets, forcing government to divert money from developmental funds to purchase power from Northern grid. In the past few years, Jammu and Kashmir has spent crores in improving the power sector in state, but to some extent these measures have failed to curb losses, because government departments, ministers, MLAs are themselves major defaulters. Last year, the government had found 34,753 illegal connections across the state. “Even in metered areas, we found that consumers are bypassing the meters and running their electronic gadgets. At some places there is active support of PDD staff as well, who are helping people,” said a senior officer requesting anonymity. Since 2004, when the state started a massive project to streamline the power sector in J&K, several steps have been taken to curb power loss, but it has failed to bear fruits. “This is another experiment being done by the department, but its outcome depends on the sincerity of officials involved because so far all measures taken in this direction have failed to produce optimum results,” an official source said. Cracking the whip
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Unani hospital sealed for selling expired drugs
Anantnag, December 19 According to official reports, Unani and Panchkarma Hospital in the Lal Chowk area of the town was raided following a complaint. “Most of the medicines seized at the counter were found to have expired,” an official from the district administration said. He said the raid was conducted after a woman made a formal complaint regarding the sale of expired medicine at the counter. “The patient was sold septilin (batch number H701003E), as prescribed by one of the doctors at the hospital,” said the official. Not only the medicine sold to the woman was found to have expired, but many other drugs seized during the raid were also found to have expired, the official said. Following the raid, the hospital was sealed. The owner of the hospital and the pharmacist concerned have been taken into custody and further investigation has been initiated. Official sources said this was the second time that the hospital had been sealed. “It has been sealed earlier also as the hospital was functioning without proper registration. However the hospital started functioning again,” sources said. Town residents have demanded that the hospital administration be dealt with strictly. “How are they functioning without proper registration and flouting norms right under the nose of the district administration. They should be given an exemplary punishment,” residents said. |
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No sign of militants, Kupwara op called off
Srinagar, December 19 A joint operation was launched by troops of 18 Rastriya Rifles and Special Operation Group (SOG) of the J&K Police on Tuesday after an input that a group of militants was hiding in the Lolab forest. “We have called off the search operation,” Kupwara Superintendent of Police Abdul Jabbar said. “One militant was killed in the gunfight and we also recovered arms and ammunitions from the encounter site,” he said. There was no exchange of fire between the two sides since yesterday afternoon, sources said. Troops, however, continued to carry out searches in the forest area till Thursday afternoon despite the bad weather conditions. The militants are believed to have escaped the cordon, in place since Tuesday afternoon, by taking advantage of the dense fog. Fog helped?
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BSF man hurt in cross-border firing
Jammu, December 19 "Sub-inspector Jitender Singh was injured in sniper fire from across the international border at Manayari post of Hira Nagar sector in Samba district. The injured officer is being shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu city," the police officer said. India has been accusing Pakistan since the beginning of this year of frequent violations of bilateral ceasefire signed between the two countries in November 2003. However, the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir have remained peaceful during the last two months. A flag meeting was held on Wednesday between the Indian and Pakistan army battalion commanders at Chakan-Da-Bagh cross-point in Poonch district in the state to ensure that the ceasefire agreement is observed in letter and spirit. There have been 196 ceasefire violations along the LoC in the state this year till Dec 15 and all were taken up with Pakistan, Defence Minister AK Antony had told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that there were 93 ceasefire violations along the LoC by Pakistan in 2012.
— Agencies How it happened
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‘Govt creating artificial scarcity of ration in Jagti township’
Jammu, December 19 Addressing a meeting of workers, senior leaders of Jagti Unit of PK, including Sanjay Raina and Chand Pandita, alleged that for the past several months, ration supply was not regular and that people were forced to buy it from the market. They alleged that several families were dependent on the relief being provided by the government and they were the worst sufferers. “It seems the officials are deliberately trying to choke the supply of ration to force inmates to toe the line of government, who are opposing several anti-people policies of the administration. There should be no blackmailing tactics, when it comes to the community,” Sanjay Raina, senior PK leader said. Raina said employment package announced by the central government for return and rehabilitation is against the established norms. PK reiterated the demand for separate homeland in Kashmir with the union territory status and free flow of the Indian
constitution. |
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Bandh in Kishtwar over temple sacrilege
Doda, December 19 Superintendent of Police (SP), Kishtwar, Sanjay Kotwal, while confirming the incident, said the motive behind it was possibly theft and an investigation had been started. “We have not yet arrested anyone in the case,” the Kishtwar SP said. Sources confirmed that the number of miscreants involved in the theft was four or five. Eight policemen have been deployed at the temple for its security. At the time of the incident nobody was around, sources said. The incident has hurt the sentiments of a particular community. Hans Raj Bhutyal, district president of Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Kishtwar, said the people of the minority community lodged their protest against the incident at Madwa. Business establishments in the district under the banner of Sanatan Dharam Sabha remained closed in
support of other Hindu organisations, Bhutyal said. |
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7-year-old’s murder: Police set to question more people
Jammu, December 19 The police added that cooperation of villagers has also been sought to crack the case. “We are yet to achieve any success in the case. Our investigating teams are on job and villagers’ help has been sought to solve the mystery. It appears to be an incident of religious sacrifice, but it is yet to be verified, as to who killed the boy and what was the motive behind the killing,” Rahul Malik, Superintendent of Police (SP), Jammu South, told The Tribune. Sahil Kumar, a Class 2 student, was brutally
murdered and one of his eyes was gouged out by some unidentified miscreants. The minor went missing at around 6pm on December 16, when he was playing with his friends in Khandwal area. The police suspect that the boy could be a victim of religious sacrifice as there were multiple injuries on his body. A four-member board of doctors had conducted the autopsy at Government Medical College and
Hospital, Jammu, in presence of a magistrate yesterday. |
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JKPC threatens to hold protest against erratic power supply
Srinagar, December 19 Addressing a meeting at the party headquarters, Rawalpora, here, JKPC General Secretary Rasheed Mehmood termed erratic power supply and “undue” hike as complete anarchy on part of the government. Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir had necessary resources for generating surplus electricity, he regretted that “no serious attempts” were being made by the successive regimes to exploit the resources and make the state self-reliant in the power sector. “The resources were outsourced to outside companies which left the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the mercy of these companies for their power requirements. Rather than dealing with these companies, the government and PDD are interested in waging a war against the common people,” he added.
JKPC leader Mohammad Suliman Bhat said the government should take immediate measures to address the problems faced on account of poor power supply. Warning that the JKPC will be forced to come to the streets in protest against the poor power supply, he urged the people to desist paying any “exaggerated” bills issued by the PDD. |
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Substandard food: Doctors’ body to file PIL in high court
Srinagar, December 19 “It is shocking to know that a large number of eatables have been found either adulterated or with foreign matter in the tests carried out by the drugs and food control organisation. The DAK has decided to file a PIL in the high court so that culprits are taken to task and precious human lives are saved,” DAK president Nisar-ul-Hassan said today. “Adulterated food items are a health hazard. They can cause cancer, cardiac problems, liver disorders, kidney failure, GI disturbances, paralysis and other neurological problems and even death. It is because of these adulterated food items that the number of people suffering from cancer is on the rise in the valley,” he added. The DAK also appealed to the public to raise their voice against food adulteration in order to save present and future generation. Several food products, including “saunf” powder of Kanwal group, Khyber packaged milk and ‘P Mark’ brand of mustard oil, were found substandard after the SMC for the first time sent samples to referral laboratories outside the state for quality check. The SMC has also urged people to refrain from consuming food products declared substandard. |
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SKIMS surgeons awarded fellowship from American College of Surgeons
Srinagar, December 19 “The surgeons on whom the fellowship was conferred include Prof Nisar A Chowdri, Prof Ajaz Ahmad Malik, Prof Fazal Q Parray and Dr Rauf Wani,” a spokesperson for the SKIMS said. “In the congress, which was held recently in Washington, there was exchange of ideas in patient management between world stalwarts of surgery and SKIMS faculty. The surgeons from SKIMS also got an opportunity to highlight their research work in world’s top surgical forum and to watch latest developments in surgical field like navigational surgical approaches and robotics. The surgeons from the US agreed for exchange programmes pertaining to surgical knowledge and research in future,” the spokesperson added.
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Hosts beat Chattisgarh in inaugural match
Jammu, December 19 The girls’ team of the host state was leading by 1-0 sets, when last reports came in. The five-day long sporting tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, wherein 42 teams comprising 502 spikers are participating. Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister in his address said that the event would not only provide a platform to the budding players for showcasing their talent, but would also prepare them for future international level participations. “Besides ensuring a successful tournament the department should also organise local tours of historical places for participants so that they act as brand ambassadors for the state,” he added. — TNS
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Christmas celebrated at JMC office
Jammu, December 19 JMC Commissioner, Kiran Wattal and vice-chairman, Jammu Development Authority (JDA), KL Khajuria were also present. A cultural programme comprising Christmas carols and songs was presented by the union members to mark the occasion. The performance was highly appreciated by the dignitaries along others who attended the function. Later, the chief guest and other senior officials lauded the efforts of all three unions. Head priest St Mary Church, Gandhi Nagar, Kuri Kose, was also
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JKPYC hails passage of Lokpal Bill
Jammu, December 19 PYC vice-president Pranav Shagotra, general secretary Manjit Singh Jatt, secretary Rajveer Singh Manhas and Satish Sharma termed the bill as a major achievement of the Congress. Shagotra described it as a landmark decision and said the credit goes to Anna Hazare and Rahul Gandhi. Manjit Singh Jatt said the attempt at creating an ombudsman was made in 1960 and subsequent attempts were being made, but nothing constructive was coming out.
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Lashkar posters come up in Srinagar
Srinagar, December 19 “In case the sarpanches and panches don’t resign in one week, they will face dire consequences,” the poster in Urdu reads. The posters were found pasted on walls and electric poles in Srinagar city, including Habbakadal and Basant Bagh. The police said they were verifying the authenticity of these posters. |
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Teenage girl jumps into Dal Lake, rescued
Srinagar, December 19 “The minor girl jumped into the lake near Makyie point, Cheshmashahi. She was rescued due to timely action of the police,” a police spokesman said. The police spokesman said the girl was immediately shifted to Maharaj Hari Singh hospital.
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Srinagar, December 19
Srinagar, December 19
Jammu, December 19