The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Six yrs on, Beacon fails to complete 4-laning of Parimpora-Narbal road
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 20
As 2013 comes to an end, the Beacon has again failed to complete the four-laning of the 7.5-km road from Parimpora to Narbal on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway.

The work to upgrade the two-lane road had started in 2007 and the authorities concerned had promised that the stretch would be converted into four-lane in a year.

“Six years on, the work is still going on at a snail’s pace. It will take many more years to complete the four-laning of the road,” said Fayaz Ahmed, a resident of Mustafaabad, Srinagar. “This shows how the government agencies execute development projects in Kashmir,” he said.

Due to the slow work, commuters on the stretch are the worst sufferers and they are forced to ride their vehicles slowly, leading to traffic snarls in mornings and evenings especially at Shalteng, Narbal and various crossings on the highway.

“Due to the slow progress, the commuters have been suffering from frequent traffic congestions on the road and its adjoining routes,” said another resident of Shalateng.

“We have repeatedly asked the administration to expedite the work, but to no avail,” he said.

“The government should take Beacon officials to task for failing to upgrade the road even after six years,” Ahmed said.

Sources said Beacon authorities had put up a project with the Ministry of Surface Transport in New Delhi for various works on the stretch. The project was stuck there for a long time.

“We understand that people are suffering because of the slow work, but we are handicapped as the proposal for various works on the stretch is lying the Ministry of Surface Transport which has been tossing the file from one officer to another,” the sources said.

Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmed Shah said they had been pursuing the case with the Beacon.

“We understand that people are suffering, but we have also been constantly pursuing the case with Beacon authorities. We are trying to ensure that the road is upgraded to four lanes soon,” Shah said.

residentspeak
Six years on, the work is still going on at a snail’s pace. It will take many more years to complete the four-laning of the road. This shows how the government agencies execute development projects in Kashmir.

Fayaz Ahmed, a resident of Mustafaabad

officialspeak
We understand that people are suffering, but we have also been constantly pursuing the case with Beacon authorities. We are trying to ensure that the road is upgraded to four lanes soon.

Farooq Ahmed Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar

Commuting to school tough task for Dal students
Rifat Mohidin

Srinagar, December 20
Students of the areas inside the Dal Lake have been facing hardships in the absence of affordable means of transportation to schools and other infrastructure.

Unlike their counterparts who have easy access to school buses and other means of transportation, they have to walk some distance to reach schools and tuition centres.

Shahnaza Maqbool, a Class X student, said, “It takes her nearly a two-hour walk to reach a tuition centre. The transportation remains one of the biggest challenges for us in the absence of basic facilities. Some of us had left the study as we could not cope up with such problems.”

Moti Kalan Mohallah, a small locality of Dal inhabitants in the cradle of the Dal Lake, is 4 km away from the main road. There is no proper road connectivity to the area which is a home for 400-500 schoolchildren.

There is only a government middle school in the locality, after that most of the students join schools in Nishat and Nowhatta areas.

“It is physically challenging for students who have to cover a long distance by walking to attend school,” said a resident of the locality.

Dal residents complained that the government was not building another school in the locality where students are eager to study but get discouraged due to poor facilities. “Some children had either dropped out or were irregular because of the distance. They are discouraged to go for further studies in the absence of proper facilities,” said Dawlat Want.

The bund which connects the Dal area with the city is in a bad condition. The condition of the road worsens during rain and snow. “In the absence of proper transportation, I usually get late for school,” said Riyaz Hussain, a student.

Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) officials said they had repair works of the road in the area.

“We have started works on the road. We have been shifting residents of Moti Kalan Mohallah to some other place on a priority basis,” said Irfan Yasin, LAWDA Vice-Chairman.

Nazia Nazi, an engineer who is handling the project of building a walkway for the residents of interiors of the Dal Lake, said the completion of the walkway would depend on weather conditions. “We cannot build the road as it is inside the lake. We have started work on the walkway which can support light vehicles,” he said.

Firms refute SMC claims of selling substandard food items
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, December 20
After the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) cracked down on firms producing substandard food items, spice and milk selling companies — Kanwal Foods and Spices and Khyber Milk — today refuted its allegations saying that they were not aware about any testing of their products.

“So far, the company has not been informed by any authority for taking samples and analysing their milk contents,” said Khyber Milk spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the company intended to take legal action against the authorities. “Our company will take action against officials of the department and the government who are bent upon tarnishing reputation of the firm,” he said.

The prosecution wing of the SMC this week has started a legal process against Kanwal Group whose saunf powder was found containing harmful substances.

Kanwal Foods and Spices, one of the largest spice selling products in the Valley, has come under the scanner of the Food and Control Department for allegedly producing and selling substandard food items. It denied the allegation that their products contain any carcogenic ingredients. It said vested interests were trying to malign the image of the company.

“We have tested our samples in other laboratories, but we didn’t find anything,” said Farooq Amin, owner of Kanwal Foods.

SMC officials said it was a routine exercise by the department and it would take strict action against the companies selling substandard and unsafe food items.

“From January 2013, we have tested 60 spices and of them, many were found substandard and one product sold by Kanwal Foods was found unsafe. No matter what the company owners say, the court will take its decision,” said Health Officer Shafaqat. He said the court would decide who had followed the procedure of the Food Safety Act.

Coaching centres agree to follow govt’s guidelines
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 20
A day after the state government asked coaching centres of Srinagar to streamline their functioning, the Coaching Centres Association of Kashmir has unanimously agreed to implement all guidelines put forward by the government.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the association here on Wednesday.

“The problem with the coaching centres has been going on for a long time and now it seems to be heading for a resolution. We have agreed to all demands put forward by the government,” said GN Var, chairman of the association.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar, had asked the association to submit all documents of the coaching centres with the authorities concerned within three days so that the registration papers would be issued to the eligible coaching centres within 10 days.

“The DC was annoyed with Education Department officials after they failed to convince him as to why the department has been unable to register the coaching centres during this year,” said Var. “Now, the entire process is set to be completed within 10 days,” he said.

Tuitions by government teachers and other small tuition points devoid of facilities would have to either be shutdown or comply with guidelines, which include separate classes and timings for boys and girls and definition of fee criteria etc.

“Post the deadline for registration, a task force will demolish the coaching centres operating from tin sheds and other such mediocre facilities. The guidelines will help in the growth of quality privation tuition facilities.”

The association has also announced that no coaching centre would be inducted into the association whose coaching centre does not fulfil the criteria laid down by the government.

Taj inspects site for Rs 45-cr cancer centre
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Medical Education Minister Taj Mohiuddin today visited the super specialty hospital here and inspected a site for the proposed tertiary cancer centre being set up there.

The unit is one of the two tertiary cancer centres being set up under the National Cancer Control Programme in the state. One such centre would be set up at SKIMS, Srinagar.

The minister inspected the hospital and took stock of the space available and other logistics for the setting up of the cancer centre. He also reviewed the feasibility of setting up of units like day care, PET scan, bunkers for radiation, emergency etc at the centre.

To be set up at a cost of Rs 45 crore, the centre would have facilities like PET scan and linear accelerator which are used in cancer screening. At present, there is no PET scan and linear accelerator facility available in the state and the patients have to go to outside the state for the same.

It may be recalled that the demand for setting up of the tertiary cancer centres in Jammu and Kashmir was raised by Taj Mohiuddin soon after becoming the Minister for Medical Education early this year.

Accordingly, the Union Health Ministry suggested preparing a proposal and submitting the same for funding under the National Cancer Control Programme.

Interacting with the faculty members, the minister hoped that the two tertiary cancer centres would go a long way in meeting the requirement of the cancer-related treatments within the state and would provide the mush-needed respite to the patients.

Sanitation workers seek timely release of wages
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
The Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh (ABSMS) has demanded timely release of salaries to the sanitation workers engaged by various NGOs or they will suspend their work.

The sangh has urged the Municipal Corporation to intervene in the matter so that the sanitation workers are not discriminated as most of them are dependent on the salary provided by private operators.

Addressing a meeting here today, sangh’s state president Dev Anand Gill also demanded time-bound promotion for Municipal Corporation employers and extension of date for requirement of casual civic workers by a month.

Gill said hundreds of civic workers had been engaged on contractual basis by various NGOs engaged by the Municipal Corporation to keep the city clean, but the NGOs seldom disburse salaries to them on time.

He urged the Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, to pressurise the NGOs so that the poor workers receive the salary of this month well on time.

“We are being given a raw deal despite the fact we maintain the sanitation of the city with minimum of resources and modern gadgets. We suspended our work because the tolerance level has crossed all limits,” said Robin Gill, a sanitation worker.

Regularisation process of thousands of daily rate workers and causal labourers in the state has been delayed as the respective departments have failed to submit details to the Sub-Committee constituted by the government for the purpose. The sanitation workers lift nearly 300 tonnes of solid waste generated everyday by 15 lakh inhabitants of the city.

IRP jawan kills self with service rifle
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
A jawan of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service weapon here today.

The deceased has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar. He was posted with the 19 Battalion of the IRP.

“Mushtaq shot himself with his service rifle at 3.30 pm when he was on duty at the main gate of the Government Guest House. He was manning the gate in view of Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami’s visit to the guest house. It is yet to be established as to why he took this extreme step,” a police official said.

He, however, said the jawan was under immense stress which could be the reason behind the incident.

He was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, where he was declared brought dead, said the official.

Sun Pharma holds camp on disaster management
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd, Bari Brahamna, organised a one-day awareness camp on firefighting, first aid and rescue operation.

The camp was conducted by the deputy controller, Civil Defence, on the premises of the laboratory. Workers from nearby industries, including Lupin Pharma Ltd and Accent Pharma, also attended the camp.

Most of the industries and manufacturing units have established disaster management cells to provide first aid and rescue training to the workers in case of any disaster.

Minister releases book on research methodology
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
A book, “Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques” was released by Planning and Development Minister Ajay Sadhotra.

The book was written by former bureaucrat Dr DR Kapoor and Puja Saigal.

Dr Arun K Gupta, chairman, MIER Group of Institutes, was the guest of honour, while Higher Education Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed presided over the function.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister highlighted the practical implications of research in transformation of society. Role of research in developing new technologies, innovative practices and processes in the fast emerging socio-economic scenario cannot be overlooked to get the best results.

The Planning and Development Minister said, “In the technological age, it is now easy to access, analyse, discuss and make use of research findings for policy planning.”

“Research has given qualitative boost to our institutions, programmes and manpower as well as in redesigning our policies,” the Planning and Development Minister added.

Abhinandan bags first prize in inter-college elocution competition
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Abhinandan Singh, a student of Government College of Engineering and Technology, bagged the first prize in the Inter-College Elocution Competition organised by the Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu.

Neha Jamwal, a student of Government College of Education, and Shaveta Sharma, a student of Satyam College of Education, Lakhanpur, Kathua, secured the second and third position, respectively.

The topic of the elocution competition was “Secularism”.

The participants were required to speak for 10 minutes on the topic and express their views effectively.

Educationist Jagdish Chander and Dr Savita Nayyar, assistant professor, Department of Law, were the experts for the contest.

Prof Pankaj K Srivastava, Dean, Students Welfare, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Abhinandan Singh is also representing the university in the 40th Kamal Nayan Bajaj Memorial National Inter-University Competition being organsied by the Shiksha Mandal, Wardha, on January 10-11 next year.

3 skaters win bronze in national tourney
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Three skaters from the Roller Athlete Skating Club, Jandrah, have brought laurels to the state by winning bronze medal in the 51st National Roller Skating Championship held at Sirsa in Haryana. The three skaters are Ankush Kohli, Gagan Singh Jamwal and Sanjeev Kumar.

Narinder Malhotra, Aaditya Malhotra, Abhey Veer Singh Jamwal and Abhinav Anand, all belong to the club, also participated in the championship.

Club general secretary Venus Sethi, chief patron Joginder Kohli and Vidhi Singh Jamwal congratulated the team and said modern infrastructure would help the players perform better.

Christmas celebrated at district jail
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
To mark the celebrations of Christmas, a function was organised for inmates of the District Jail, Amphalla, by Presentation Convent High School, Gandhi Nagar, and St Peter’s Higher Secondary School, Karan Bagh, Jammu.

Director General of Prisons K Rajendra Kumar was the chief guest while Dinesh Sharma, Superintendent, District Jail, Jammu, was the guest of honour on the occasion.

During the function, students presented cultural extravaganza and various cultural items like carols, dance and skit were performed by them wherein they exhibited the true spirit of Christmas.

Both male and female inmates participated in games during the programme and prizes were distributed among the winners.

Rajendra, in his speech, emphasised on universal brotherhood and forgiveness and said: “We must strive to bring peace in our lives and in the lives of those connected to us to make the world a better place to live in.”

Sweets were distributed among the inmates by the Director General of Prisons and senior faculty members of Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School. It was a festivity like atmosphere and prisoners sung patriotic songs and bhajans.

Kishtwar riots: Interim report exonerates Kichloo
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
The one-man commission of inquiry probing the infamous Kishtwar riots of August 9 submitted its interim report today evening.

Although authorities were tightlipped over the content of the report, highly placed sources said Justice RC Gandhi (retd) has reportedly exonerated the then Minister of State for Home, Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo for the riots in which three persons were killed and properties worth crores burnt to ashes by rioters. Kitchloo had resigned after the riots, which broke out after Eid prayer at Kishtwar and continued uninterrupted for more than six hours.

Highly placed sources privy to the report said Qazi Sarwar, Secretary to the Justice Gandhi Commission, handed over the report to the Secretary General, Administration Department (GAD), today.

"The Gandhi commission in its interim report gives a clean chit to former MoS Home, slams different wings of the police, including the CID and administration, for non-cooperation. It has held the former DC, DIG, SP, police personnel on ground duty and magistrates of violence-hit areas responsible for negligence of duty. It has recommended grilling of senior police officers for not registering an FIR into the case pertaining to attack on MoS Home Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo. The report also stated that Kichloo be treated as a victim and not accused," sources said, adding, "The commission has also advocated formations of mixed VDCs to strike a balance."

The state government had constituted the Gandhi commission to probe the Kishtwar communal riots on August 24. The terms of reference for the commission included inquiring into the circumstances that led to the violence and arson and the consequent loss of life and property in Kishtwar district.

The commission was also supposed to look into the administrative lapses, if any, while handling the situation and fix responsibility of persons involved in acts of violence, arson and the loss of life and property.

The commission was supposed to submit its report within a period of one month from the date it was appointed, but the government later granted extensions to it.

Sajjad Kichloo, who was Minister of State for Home at that time, was very much present in Kishtwar town when rioters were on rampage and especially targeted a particular community.

Kichloo came in the firing line and the Opposition BJP and other minority organisations had demanded his removal for his alleged inaction and failure to prevent the violent clashes despite his presence in Kishtwar, his hometown and constituency.

Following pressure from Opposition parties, Kichloo resigned on August 12. While resigning, Kitchloo had stated, "I want the truth to come out. The Chief Minister has ordered a judicial probe. My conscience does not allow me to continue as a minister till the probe files its findings."

'Treat Kichloo as victim'
The report slams different wings of the police, including the CID and administration, for non-cooperation
It has held the former DC, DIG, SP, police personnel on ground duty and magistrates of violence-hit areas responsible for negligence of duty
It has recommended grilling of senior police officers for not registering an FIR into the case pertaining to the attack on the then MoS Home Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo
The report also stated that Kichloo be treated as a victim and not accused
Three persons were killed and properties worth crores burnt to ashes in communal riots that broke out after Eid prayer at Kishtwar on August 9

Days before DGMOs meet, Pak violates ceasefire in Akhnoor
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Barely two days after the battalion commander-level flag meeting at Chakkan-Da-Bagh crossing in Poonch district, Pakistan today violated the mutually-brokered ceasefire agreement and targeted Indian posts with small arms in the Akhnoor sector.

"The Pakistan army targeted our troops with small arms in Jourian and Gigriyal areas of Akhnoor sector at 1420-1430 hours this afternoon," SN Acharya, officiating public relation officer (PRO), Defence, Jammu said. The PRO said the Indian troops gave a calibrated response with small arms and automatic weapons. "No loss to human life was reported in the incident," Acharya said.

On December 18, India and Pakistan had held a flag meeting at battalion commander's level at Chakkan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch and discussed ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).

The Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan would meet on December 24 as part of measures discussed between the PMs of both nations to scale down tension along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting will be held at Wagah border after 14 years.

Last meeting held after Kargil War
The Director General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan would meet on December 24 to scale down tension along the LoC
The meeting will be held at Wagah border after 14 years.
Although the DGMOs talk almost every week over a hotline, but the last meeting of DGMOs had taken place after the Kargil War in 1999

BJP: Introduce 73rd, 74th Amendments in entirety
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Taking on the NC-Congress coalition government in the state for its move to introduce the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendments in a modified form, BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma said the party will not accept anything short of complete implementation of the historic amendments that are aimed at empowering grassroot-level democratic institutions such as panchayats and urban local bodies.

Sharma said it was disturbing that the Congress could not make the National Conference adopt and introduce these amendments in letter and spirit. “The BJP believes only in the Indian Constitution and not in a regime that treats Jammu and Kashmir and its people differently and subverts the democratic rights and interests of the people,” he said.

He said it was only because of Article 370 that the Kashmir’s ruling elite and its supporters in Jammu and parties such as the Congress have been ignoring the aspirations of the people and converting elected panchayats into toothless instruments.

Hundreds of trees axed to widen highway
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, December 20
Hundreds of trees, including over 100 endangered plane (chinar), have been reportedly felled to widen the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, particularly on the Sangam-Pampore stretch.

The widening process is being carried out by Hyderabad-based construction company Ramky Infrastructures. It is mandatory to plant a particular number of trees for every tree felled, but no such rule has been implemented in the state, putting the eco-fragile environment at risk. Experts say the felling of trees, especially the chinars, on such a large scale would add to pollution.

The Ramky authorities say they are not in-charge of tree-felling. “We just need the working area clear. The tree-felling is being carried out by some local contractors,” said an official from the firm.

Government authorities said they were mulling planting trees in bulk at pre-identified locations across the affected area. “We are in talks with the higher- ups. A proposal has been extended to use the money collected from the sale of felled trees to plant saplings,” Pulwama Assistant Deputy Commissioner Muneer-ul-Islam said. He said the over Rs 24 lakh generated by the sale of the trees would go into the state treasury for now.

Won’t bow before militant threat: Panchayat members
‘Omar govt responsible if LeT attacks any sarpanch’
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Undeterred by LeT posters in various parts of Srinagar, elected panchayat members today said they would not succumb to “pressure tactics” of terror outfits to “destabilise” democratic institutions in the state.

They, however, made a scathing attack on the ruling Omar Abdullah-led coalition for its alleged failure to ensure the safety of panchayat members and warned that the government would be responsible if any terror group attacked any panch or sarpanch in the state.

“We are not scared of these life threats. We are in the democratic process just to serve the masses and have nothing to do with the larger political Kashmir issue. And those who are issuing such diktats to innocent panches and sarpanches are selectively choosing helpless targets just to mark their presence,” Imtiyaz Afzal Beigh, general secretary of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) said while reacting sharply to the purported LeT threat to panchayat members.

Beigh, while making a fervent appeal to over 33,000 panchayat members across the state not to resign from their posts, said they would not succumb to these threats. He also condemned the “casual approach” of the state government, especially of the state police department, “for doing nothing to ensure the security of elected panchayat members in vulnerable areas of the state”.

He claimed AJKPC president Anil Sharma had submitted a request to the Director General of Police for providing security to panchayat members on November 5 last year but nothing had been done in this direction and the letter was gathering dust in the Police headquarters.

“This is shameful on the part of the state police. Six panchayat members have been killed by terrorists so far. We are deceived by the state government and even the Union Government has not come to our rescue and left us at the mercy of the militants,” Beigh said.

LeT top gun’s stamp on posters
The posters, handwritten in Urdu, carry the stamp of LeT District Commander, Srinagar, Nawab Gaznavi and another name, Yaseen Kashmiri
They have asked sarpanches and political workers to tender their resignations within one week through newspapers or mosques or prepare for serious consequences.
It is for the first time that such posters have appeared in Srinagar

Cops register case, probe source of LeT posters
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 20
A day after Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba’s posters appeared in various parts of the city warning panchayat members of dire consequences if they failed to resign within a week, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said they were investigating the genuineness of the posters.

“We have registered a case against unidentified men in at the Kralkhud police station under Criminal Intimation Section,” Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir, Ahfad-ul-Mujtaba, said. “We are investigating whether the threat is genuine or the work of some criminal elements,” he said.

These posters had also warned people associated with mainstream political parties of dire consequences if they continued to support these parties. "Whether affiliated with National Conference, PDP, Congress or BJP or planning to vote in their favour (during the forthcoming elections), they should immediately snap their ties with them," the LeT said in the posters handwritten in Urdu.

Carrying the stamp of LeT District Commander, Srinagar, Nawab Gaznavi and another name, Yaseen Kashmiri, they asked sarpanches and political workers to tender their resignations within one week through newspapers or mosques or prepare for serious consequences.

Similar posters threatening panchayat members have surfaced in various areas of north and south Kashmir, but it is for the first time that such posters have appeared in Srinagar.

The LeT posters were found pasted in walls and electric polls in Habakadal, Gowkadal and Basant Bagh localities of the city on Thursday.

Student enacts kidnap drama, booked
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
A Class XII student, scared of failing in pre-board examinations, kept the police of three districts on their toes for at least 18 hours by enacting a drama of his kidnapping by two terrorists, attired in Army uniform, from the Ramkot area of Billawar tehsil in Kathua district.

The student, Ganesh Kumar, son of Hans Raj, resident of Upper Rajwalta in Ramkote, has been booked under Section 505 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) "for circulating rumour with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public" at the Billawar police station. He is a student of arts in Government Higher Secondary School, Ramkot.

Unnerved by his "concocted and sensational story", the police of three districts — Kathua, Udhampur and Samba — conducted a massive search operation in the forest areas in their jurisdiction to "locate the position of terrorists" in foggy and icy conditions in pitch-dark night. The high alert also led to panic among the public.

The police, however, withdrew the search operation when the student, after 18 hours, confessed that he had enacted a drama to avoid appearing in pre-board examinations as he was not prepared for them.

"We have booked him (student) under Section 505 of the RPC at Billawar police station. We withdrew search operation at 12 noon today after he confessed that he was enacting a drama to avoid pre-board exams," Mohan Lal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kathua, said.

Giving details about the incident, the SSP said the student, in his statement, said he was "kidnapped" by two armed terrorists, who were in Army uniform, from the Choh Nullah in Ramkot at around 5.30 am when he was going for morning walk.

"He had woven a well-fabricated story. He said his kidnappers (terrorists) took him towards the national highway on a gunpoint and stopped a truck. They travelled a distance of 7-8 km in the truck before leaving it near the Khoon bridge. Thereafter, they covered a long distance towards the Majalta area in Udhampur district on foot," the SSP informed.

The SSP said, "The boy said they (terrorists) later took him to the Sumbh area in Samba district and stayed in the house of a Bakerwal for several hours before he managed to escape from their clutches in the evening. Finally, he reached the residence of his maternal uncle, Chain Singh in Sumbh and narrated him the entire episode. His uncle brought the matter into the notice of an Army officer, who later alerted the local police."

The police could not take his statement lightly, especially after twin terror attacks in Hiranagar and Samba on September 26, yesterday's sniper fire incident on the international border in Hiranagar and due to foggy weather conditions, the SSP said, adding that they issued a high alert in all the areas, which were disclosed by the student, last evening.

"A massive search operation was launched by the police of all the three districts, which continued whole night. The boy was taken to the areas, but he could not explain the things properly. We subjected him to questioning and he finally confessed that he enacted a drama to avoid pre-board exams," the SSP said.

The reason
The student, Ganesh Kumar, a resident of Upper Rajwalta in Ramkote, kept the police of three districts on their toes for 18 hours to avoid appearing in pre-board examinations

‘Chillai Kalaan’ to begin with snowfall
Light rain, snow likely at isolated places during next 24 hrs; to continue up to 5 days
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 20
An annual spell of Kashmir’s harshest winter period, known as "Chillai Kalaan" in the local parlance, will begin tonight with the state Meteorological Department forecasting snow in the region during the coming 24 hours.

The state Meteorological Department forecast said light rain and snow were likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the next 24 hours and would continue up to five days.

"Chillai Kalaan", which begins tonight, is the winter’s harshest phase in Kashmir, which lasts for 40 days till the end of January and brings in snow and freezing weather to the region. Kashmir is already having a brush with extremely cold climatic conditions as the mercury has been continuously settling below the zero degree mark.

A night before the start of "Chillai Kalaan", the mercury in and around Srinagar city, the main town in the region, plummeted to -3.0°C, which was a departure of one notch from the normal, an official of the Meteorological Department said.

In north Kashmir’s Gulmarg resort, which is covered with a layer of snow, mercury fell to a low of -7°C, while the night temperature fell to -7.3°C at south Kashmir’s Pahalgam resort, the official said.

Qazigund, the southern gateway town to the Kashmir valley, recorded the minimum temperature of -4.8°C, while in the frontier Kupwara town in north Kashmir the minimum temperature was recorded at -5.2°C.

Leh and Kargil towns in remote Ladakh region recorded a low of -11.2°C overnight, while the maximum temperature today in Kargil was recorded at --2.2°C.

Ladakh region remains cut off from rest of the state during winter as the mountainous pass at Zojilla, which connects Ladakh with Kashmir, remains buried under snow.

No respite from fog, mercury to dip further
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
The foggy conditions in and around the Jammu city have not only paralysed the normal life, but it has also disrupted the taxi services and rail traffic, putting hundreds of tourists to inconvenience.

Most of the travel operators, who ferry the visitors to the base camp of Vaishno Devi Shrine at Katra and various other places, are avoiding driving during the morning hours in the wake of the inclement weather.

In the past few days, mercury has also plunged below normal forcing people to put on additional layer of woollens.

The fog has also disrupted the rail and air traffic, with most of the trains and flights running behind schedule.

According to the Met office, the maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to dip further in the next few days. It added that there will be no rains till last week of December.

Though, a strong western disturbance is developing in the Western Himalayas, there will be no rainfall till last week of December, a Met official said.

Labourers protest against district administration
Our Correspondent

Kupwara, December 20
Scores of labourers, including women, from different villages of Kupwara district today protested outside the office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner here alleging “unprecedented delay” in the completion of necessary documentation required for availing monetary benefits.

The Labour office is causing unprecedented delay in completion of documentation work, mandatory to avail the monetary benefits from the department, the protesters alleged.

The labourers raised slogans against the district administration and threatened to go on hunger strike if their pending cases were not disposed off before Monday.

“Despite fulfilling all the requisite formalities, we are being forced to make repeated rounds of the office to complete our cases. The employees at the Labour office are delaying our cases on one pretext or the other. If our cases are not disposed off before Monday we will be forced to go on a hunger strike,” Ghulam Ahmad Khatana, who hails from Moori village in Lolab valley, said.

The agitated labourers also alleged that the employees at the concerned office were demanding bribe from them to complete their cases.

“An employee demanded Rs 300 to clear the case of my husband, but I denied paying him the money. As a result the case is pending for disposal since past four months. Although I have completed all the requisite formalities I am forced to make repeated rounds of the office,” alleged Sakeena Begum from Kawari village, 17 km from here.

The protesters, meanwhile, tried to ransack the Assistant Labour Commissioner’s office but were restricted and dispersed by the some policemen present there.

Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kupwara, Pir Zamir Ahmad said conceded that about 6,000 cases were pending for disposal. He, however, said the staff was working round-the-clock to dispose off the pending cases.

“I have joined this office just a few weeks ago and my staff is working round the clock to dispose-off the pending cases. I will look into the allegations of bribe and if any employee is found guilty he will be dealt sternly under the law,” Ahmad said.

Javed Rana, Bhim Singh call on Governor

Jammu, December 20
The newly elected Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Javed Rana today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today and briefed him about various matters relating to the functioning of the Upper House of the state legislature.

Rana, on the occasion, also requested the Governor for setting up a Gojri and Pahari Research Centre at the Jammu University.

This was Rana’s first meeting with Vohra after being elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council.

Meanwhile, chief patron of the National Panthers Party, Prof Bhim Singh, also called on the Governor today.

Prof Singh discussed with the Governor various issues related to the development of the state and matters relating to the larger benefit of the people of J&K. — TNS

Security discussed
Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan on Friday. During an hour-long meeting, the two discussed issues relating to internal security management and measures to be undertaken for maintaining sustained peace and harmony in the state. Goswami also briefed Vohra about several important matters relating to stricter watch on movements across the borders of the state.

Govt’s apathy causes decline in almond cultivation
Farooz Ahmad Bhat

Pulwama, December 20
As more land is being used for commercial and residential purposes in Pulwama, almond orchards are shrinking due to negligence and ignorance of the government as it has not provided any scheme to promote its cultivation.

The almond orchards are being converted into apple orchards and thousands of almond trees have been replaced by apple trees.

It is said that Karewa land on the left bank of the Jehlum in Pulwama district was all planted with almond trees and almond orchards were the glory of the land a few years ago, but today apple orchards seem to have overtaken that glory.

About 50 per cent of the land has come under apple orchards as apples fetch good prices in the market as compared to almonds.

The growers said apples are fetching good prices in the market, while almond trees have become a burden for the growers, that is why they have switched over to apples.

“One fully grown apple tree can produce apples worth Rs 10,000-15,000, but an almond tree can give almonds worth maximum of Rs 1,500-2,000 in a season,” said Abdul Rehman, an almond grower, who has replaced almond trees with apple trees.

Chief Horticulture Officer, Pulwama, Farooq Ahmad said there were no takers for almond trees in the district as almonds fetched very less price to farmers, while apples got good price in the market at the national level.

He said it would have been a better option that the almonds were grown along with saffron fields, which would promote the almond cultivation without any bad effect on saffron.

“The growing of almond with saffron would be helpful for saffron cultivation as the almond trees can help the saffron fields to retain moisture required, which most of the time fails due to insufficient rains,” said Farooq.

However, Younis Bhat, a social worker, said it was unfortunate that the world would miss the taste of Kashmir’s almond in near future as it was facing apathy from the government and growers, who had switched over to apples.

Apple orchards replace almond plantations
Almond orchards are being converted into apple orchards and thousands of almond trees have been replaced by apple trees
About 50 per cent of the land has come under apple orchards as apples fetch good prices in the market as compared to almonds
“One fully grown apple tree can produce apples worth Rs 10,000-15,000, but an almond tree can give almonds worth maximum of Rs 1,500-2,000 in a season,” said Abdul Rehman, an almond grower

Day 12 & counting: Work halted at Kishenganga site
Residents want jobs, free power; NHPC suffers Rs 11 cr loss
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 20
Work on the prestigious 330-MW Kishenganga hydel power project near Bandipore remained suspended for the 12th day on Friday as residents of nearby villages continued to protest demanding permanent employment and other facilities to those affected by the project.

Residents of nearby villages, including Kralpora, Mantrigam, Chak and Pazalpora, have been demanding permanent jobs for all villagers in NHPC, round-the-clock free power, drinking water and sports ground facilities since December 9.

On Tuesday, the authorities clamped Section 144 in the area to bring the situation under control and allow the entry of local workers at the project site.

Bandipore Deputy Commissioner MY Zargar said a group of residents of Kralpora village and some others from nearby hamlets were restricting the entry of local labour and employees.

This had led to suspension of work inside the tunnel, an important feature of the project under construction, and has caused the NHPC a loss of over Rs 11 crore, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner said efforts of the administration to normalise the situation did not yield result.

He said though the NHPC had promised employment for locals after completion of the project, some vested interests were causing disruptions.

The issue
Residents of Kralpora, Mantrigam, Chak, Pazalpora and other adjoining villages have been demanding permanent jobs for all villagers in the NHPC, round-the-clock free power, drinking water and sports ground facilities since December 9.
A group of residents of Kralpora village and some others from nearby hamlets are restricting the entry of local labour and employees leading to suspension of work inside the tunnel, an important feature of the project under construction, and has caused the NHPC a loss of over Rs 11 crore.

Governor invited for 250th anniversary of Military Hospitals
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 20
Commandant, Military Hospital, Jammu, Brigadier MM Harjai today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today and briefed him about the new facilities and technologies being introduced at the institute.

Brigadier Harjai, on the occasion, also invited the Governor for the 250th anniversary celebrations of the Military Hospitals.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor, Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technologies (SKUAST), Kashmir, Dr Tej Pratap also called on the Governor here today.

Dr Pratap briefed the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the SKUAST, about his recent visit to China and the progress achieved in setting up a Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Nyoma.

He also informed Vohra about the work being done at Changthang with regard to the development of pastures.

Dr Partap also briefed the Governor about the ongoing research, academic and extra-curricular activities at the University and the steps taken to enhance the infrastructure at the institute.

Rajouri students on all-India study tour

Rajouri, December 20
The Education Department today flagged off a 10-day study tour for the meritorious students of the hilly district of Rajouri under its non-plan scheme.

The group of 40 meritorious students, drawn from different schools of the district, was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner Hemant Kumar Sharma from the Government Boys Higher Secondary School here.

Chief Education Officer Lal Hussain, District Education and Planning Officer Suresh Kumar and Additional Senior Superintendent of Police, besides the parents of the students were present on the occasion. — OC

State to get 20 PM Rural Development Fellowships

Leh, December 20
The Centre has announced 20 seats under the Prime Minister Rural Development Fellowship Scheme for the budding professionals of Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme is being introduced in the state for the first time.

Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Rigzin Spalbar while informing about the scheme said: “The Council had approached Union Minister for Rural Development Jai Ram Ramesh for allocation of fellowship for the Leh district to create opportunities for the young professionals.”

The scheme was introduced by the Centre in 2011 to provide a short-term work opportunity for young professionals to work with the district administration in rural areas. — OC

Lolab residents protest shifting of bank branch
Our Correspondent

Kupwara, December 20
Residents of Kuligam, Nard, Margund and Kandhar villages in Lolab valley of Kupwara district today protested against shifting of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch from Kuligam to Khurhama.

The protesters, which included women, blocked the Kupwara-Lolab road near Kuligam and disrupted vehicular movement till 2 pm. Shops and business establishments in the area also remained closed.

The protesters said the bank authorities had recently approved opening a branch at Kuligam to cater to the banking needs of its customers. Land was also identified for construction of the bank building at Kuligam, but some bank officers were trying to shift the branch to Khurhama for their vested interests, residents alleged.

“We will not allow shifting of the bank branch to Khurhama. Some bank officials in connivance with some influential persons are shifting the branch to benefit only a few families,” the protesters said.

Bank cluster head North Fayaz Ahmad Sidique rushed to the spot to pacify the protesters.

BSP: Trifurcate state

Jammu, December 20
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has demanded the trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir to address the aspirations of all the three regions of the state.

Addressing a meeting in the Nagrota Assembly segment, BSP state president Tulsi Dass Langeh said trifurcation was the only solution to all problems of the state. He demanded statehood for both Jammu and Kashmir regions and declaration of Ladakh as a UT. — TNS