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State may hike passenger fare by 15%
Pak seeks forensic report of
seized drugs, probe details
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Ministry ‘denies’ info on Bahu Fort restoration
SMC to promote organic food
Detention of Kashmiri prisoners: ‘Half-widows’ hold hunger strike
Railways defers inauguration of Katra-Udhampur track
Vohra briefed on SKUAST
Ex-DGP discusses security with Guv
Belgian official calls on Guv
Centre to fund multipurpose indoor hall in Leh
Eminent Muslim writer joins BJP
Kargil records season’s coldest night at -20 °C
Non-bailable warrants against five accused
Army, IAF focus on synergy
BSF to hear civilian witnesses at Udhampur training centre
Srinagar Air Force station lauded for its alertness
Azad writes to Badal, demands speedy probe into student’s death
Winter apparel ‘pheran’ catches fancy of young girls in Kashmir
MLA Rashid protests closure of Pathribal case
PDP holds protest against govt’s recruitment policy
Mushaira held at Jammu Club
Loktantra Ka Mantra highlights power of voting
Film on changing climate screened
Powergrid celebrates Republic Day
Saddar court canteens raided, fined
Rare spinal surgery performed in Valley
Govt official held for taking bribe
Army jawan dies at ammunition depot
Fire in cotton factory at Nowgam
Normal life hit as Littar strike enters 18th day
Patwari goes missing
Gun goes off accidentally
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State may hike passenger fare by 15%
Jammu, January 28 The state government is likely to consider up to 15 per cent hike in passenger fare in the next Cabinet meeting to be held on January 31. Though the representatives of transport unions and the Transport Department are tightlipped on the extent of percentage hike assured by the government, sources said 15 per cent increase had been accepted by both the sides during a meeting today, which was chaired by Minister for Transport Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan. “It will not be more than that, but it is up to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah how much hike he will accept,” sources said. The sources said following the strike call given by the AJKPTWA, the Transport Minister had invited the representatives of the association for a meeting. They said the association members were assured that a decision would be taken in the soon to be held Cabinet meet after which transporters called off their strike. "Frequent increase in diesel and petrol prices in addition to imposition of taxes by the government from time to time has caused huge losses to the sector in the state. The hike is necessary to save the sector. Let us wait till January 31,” said Anil Chopra, president, AJKPTWA. Meanwhile, buses, matadors, taxis and autos remained off the road affecting the normal life across the state today. Transport Commissioner Saurav Bhagat said interests of the common man would be taken into account before the announcement of the hike. “There are so many parameters which are studied before taking any decision. We had a detailed meeting in this regard,” Bhagat said. |
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Pak seeks forensic report of
seized drugs, probe details
Srinagar, January 28 The meeting was held to resolve the crisis that arose after 114 kg of brown sugar, smuggled into the state, was seized from a truck from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on January 17. The deadlock is threatening to derail the cross-LoC trade and travel between the two parts of Kashmir. The two sides have decided to meet on January 30. “During our meeting at the Kaman post, both sides tried to break the deadlock. We told them that the Pakistani driver who is in our custody after 114 kg of brown sugar was seized from his truck could not be released. We told them that the law would take its course in the case,” said Director, Industries, Kashmir, Javeed Khan who headed the Indian delegation. Khan said while the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, Pakistani officials stressed that they would like to examine the forensic report of the seized narcotic haul and details of subsequent investigation. “We will like to investigate who are the persons behind the smuggling from this side,” the Indian delegation was reportedly told by the Pakistani authorities. Pakistan also sought a copy of the FIR, registered at the Uri police station after the recovery of brown sugar on January 17. The Pakistani side was represented by Director General, trans-LoC trade, Mohammad Ismail Khan. The J&K Police had detained a truck from Pakistan which had smuggled drugs worth Rs 114 crore into the state. A Pakistani driver, Mohammad Shafiq Awan, and two Kashmiri traders have been arrested and are being questioned. After the drugs were seized, the trans-LoC trade and travel between the two parts of Kashmir has remained suspended. After the standoff, Pakistan detained 27 truck drivers from Kashmir while 48 truck drivers from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have been detained on this side. India wants Pak to give info on ‘consigner’ New Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin on Tuesday said India had proposed to Pakistan a meeting of the official-level joint working group (JWG) on trans-LoC confidence-building measures in the second week of February. “All ambiguities that may have arisen in the interpretation of the standard operating procedures must be removed immediately. There appears to be a mistaken perception that those plying trucks on the trans-LoC trade route will be granted immunity from prosecution if they indulge in criminal activities,” he said. The spokesman noted that over the past two weeks, India had repeatedly emphasised that Pakistan should allow full resumption of travel and trade across the LoC. Pakistan must also share with New Delhi information with regard to its investigation of the “consigner” of these drugs, he added. — TNS |
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Ministry ‘denies’ info on Bahu Fort restoration
Jammu, January 28 An RTI application was filed with the General Administration Department (GAD) on November 16, 2013, along with the requisite fees, which was further transferred by the GAD to the state Ministry of Culture within five days with a direction to provide the asked information, but despite passing of over two months, the Ministry of Culture has not provided any reply to the applicant, Raman Sharma. As per the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act-2009, the information must be provided to the information seeker as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days. As in this case no information has been provided to the information seeker even after two months, it is being deemed as a refusal to do so. While giving further details about his RTI application, Raman said he had sought information like “whether any intimation or message was conveyed to the state government about the condition of the fort before the collapse of the wall? If yes, please provide copy of the same and the details of steps being taken by the J&K government on that” and name of the agency department that was monitoring the restoration work, name and particulars of any consultant agency whose proficiency was sought by the government and also about the amount sanctioned for the restoration and copy of the tender documents, etc. Raman said he had asked for a general information, but the state government was deliberately denying him that because it did not believe in transparency and must be hiding facts from the people of Jammu to conceal its failure and criminal negligence. He also alleged that firstly the state government allowed the historic fort to collapse and now taking so much time even to start the restoration work. After the collapse of a portion of the historic Bahu Fort, the state government was under severe criticism from social and political organisations and then to pacify the people the state government and its minister promised to complete the restoration work at an earliest. |
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SMC to promote organic food
Srinagar, January 28 In an interview with The Tribune, SMC health officer Dr Shafqat Khan said the corporation would start conducting awareness camps across the city from March, especially at educations institutions, to motivate people to take up organic farming. “Besides taking a toll on other aspects, more than two decades of turmoil also affected the physical and mental health of the people in the Valley. As we have already tightened the noose over firms selling substandard products, we will now encourage people to have their own kitchen gardens and farms so that they stay away from adulterated food,” Khan said. As the corporation had remained in news after cracking down on top firms found selling substandard food, he said the SMC would make public the findings of the referral labs on the website of the corporation. Food products of several top local groups were found substandard after the SMC for the first time had sent samples to referral laboratories outside the state for quality check. However, the firms on the other hand had moved court and the matter is currently sub-judice. Khan said the drive against firms found selling substandard food would continue and alongside, it was important that holistic efforts were taken towards promotion of a healthy lifestyle among the locals. “There was a time when people used to grow organic food in their backyards and as they also had their own farms, they were not only self-sufficient, but also consumed unadulterated food. Now, we want to turn a new leaf in health care delivery system by focussing on preventive and social medicine,” he said. |
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Detention of Kashmiri prisoners: ‘Half-widows’ hold hunger strike
Srinagar, January 28 According to the “half-widows”, some of them believe that their disappeared husbands may still be incarcerated in “secretive” detention centres in India. “The disappeared may be political prisoners whose whereabouts are not known. There is every possibility that many of the disappeared might have been killed in custody, as the presence of 7,000 unmarked graves and mass graves in Kashmir suggest,” said APDP spokesperson. The present global campaign by Kashmir activists is also demanding the return of the mortal remains of Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and Mohammad Afzal Guru, who are buried in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. “We demand investigations into all unmarked graves and their relationship to those who have disappeared in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989,” the spokesperson added. The APDP today demanded an impartial and independent inquiry and investigation into the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir. “The APDP also appeals to the international community to call upon the Government of India to release all political prisoners of Jammu and Kashmir who have been languishing in different jails of India for many years now,” the spokesperson said. They also urged that the bodies such as the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) must be allowed to play a greater role in investigations. “The ICRC must be allowed in examining secretive detention centres used by the Indian states, in and outside Jammu and Kashmir,” they added. |
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Railways defers inauguration of Katra-Udhampur track
Jammu, January 28 “So far, the Northern Railway has not announced any dates for the commissioning of the track. Its inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) is on. The three-day inspection will conclude tomorrow,” Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northern Railway Neeraj Sharma said. The CRS would submit his report to the Northern Railway headquarters, depending on which the latter would take a decision on the commissioning of the track, Sharma said. Official sources said initially the Railways had a plan to flag off a train to Katra from Udhampur during the Prime Minister's visit. On January 23, a team of the Special Protection Group led by Deputy Inspector General L Dogree had reviewed security and other arrangements ahead of the Prime Minister’s proposed visit to Katra for the rail link inauguration. “The Railways backed out because the CRS does not want to give clearance in haste. It wants to go into minute details to ensure that the safety of passengers has been give utmost care and thought,” said a source. |
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Vohra briefed on SKUAST
Jammu, January 28 The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Vice Chancellor briefed the Governor about the academic programmes when the university reopens after the winter break. The Governor discussed with the Vice Chancellor, Tej Pratap, the establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendras at Gurez and Changthang and the extension project at Zanskar. He urged the Vice Chancellor to take steps to re-examine the area covered under the new hybrid fruit species, as one of the measures to enhance productivity. |
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Ex-DGP discusses security with Guv
Jammu, January 28 Khajuria shared his views on current security scenario and certain growth and development issues, particularly need to revamp higher education system, with the Governor. The Governor complimented the former Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Police for continuing to raise voice on various public matters which were important for the development and growth of Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Belgian official calls on Guv
Jammu, January 28 Beersmans briefed the Governor about the findings of his study tour of the state in July 2013 and the opinions expressed by various sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir. The Governor appreciated the efforts of Beersmans and the Belgian Association for Solidarity with Jammu and Kashmir for providing deeper understanding, which he said may lay the basis for sustained peace and normalcy. — TNS
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Centre to fund multipurpose indoor hall in Leh
Jammu, January 28 The hall will be built under the Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme . The estimated cost of the complex is Rs 7 crore but the ministry has made it clear that the grants admissible under the USIS for the project is Rs 6 crore and the extra amount will have to be borne by the LAHDC, Leh. The grant would be released in three instalments in the ratio of 30:40:30. Sources said the Ministry had also sanctioned an amount of Rs 13,66,200 as a special component for the Scheduled Castes while Rs 19,62,000 had been sanctioned for the Tribal Area Sub-Plan. The sources added that the second instalment would be released to the Chief Executive Officer, LAHDC, after it submits a progress report, duly signed by the competent government engineer along with the statement of expenditure and the utilisation certificate. — TNS |
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Eminent Muslim writer joins BJP
Jammu, January 28 State president of the BJP Jugal Kishore Sharma along with BJYM state president Ravinder Raina and Yuthvir Sethi welcomed Shah in the party. Speaking on the occasion, Shah said he got the opportunity to visit Gujarat and was impressed by the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in the state. “The economic condition of Muslims in Gujarat is better than all other states,” he said. Shah said today India was at a stage where development was the core issue and people were rejecting slogans of regionalism and dynastic rule. Welcoming Aqib Shah and others into the party fold, Jugal Kishore Sharma claimed that there was a strong wave in favour of the BJP and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi across the country. Those who joined along with Aqib Shah included Ali Ahmed Bukhari, Raj Kumar, Narender Singh Pathania, Akshit Dayal, Rajesh Manhas, Nikhil Mahajan, Shehraz Hussain Shah, Musharraf Bukhari, Shakeel Ahmed Shah, Tahir Shah, Shantmanu Jamwal, Raj Kumar, Shouqat Bukhari, Arun Bali, Sunil Sharma, Parveen Malhotra, Talib Hussain, Paras Verma, Bashir Ahmed Khan, Mubassar Khan, Sunny Singh, Bharat Sharma, Karan Sharma, Ashish Sareen, Rajiv Dubey, Arif Raja and Rinku Chauhan. |
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Kargil records season’s coldest night at -20 °C
Srinagar, January 28 “Kargil recorded minimum temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius, which is lowest for this winter,” an official of the MeT department said. The town in Ladakh region had yesterday recorded a low of minus 18.6 degrees Celsius. Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, recorded a low of 0.3 degrees Celsius, down by more than half a degree from yesterday’s 0.9 degrees Celsius. Mercury in Qazigund - the gateway town to the Kashmir valley - settled at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, slightly down from minus 1.2 degrees Celsius the previous night. Kokernag, in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 4.1 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night’s minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, the official said. The mercury in the tourist resort of Pahalgam plunged to minus 10.4 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius the previous night. The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg registered a low of minus 11 degrees Celsius, decrease of more than two degrees from minus 8.8 degrees Celsius the previous night. Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of 0.1 degrees Celsius, as against the previous night’s 0.6 degree Celsius. The official said the mercury in Leh, in the frontier region of Ladakh, dipped by more than four degrees to settle at a low of minus 13 degrees Celsius as against minus 8.6 degrees the previous night. — PTI |
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Non-bailable warrants against five accused
Srinagar, January 28 The court directed the crime branch, investigating the sale of CET-2012 question papers for selection into medical colleges, to produce the accused persons by February 1, the next date of hearing. The accused against whom the court today issued non-bailable arrest warrants include Farooq Ahmad Itoo, an accomplice of prime accused and former head of Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) Mushtaq Peer, and two female MBBS students. The crime branch had named 25 persons as accused in the chargesheet filed before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption (Kashmir), Mohan Lal Manhas on January 12. The accused included Peer, 12 students who got admission in the MBBS course by fraudulent means in 2012 and nine parents. On January 18, the court had sent six students and six parents of “beneficiary” students to judicial custody and had directed the Investigation Officer of the case to produce the other accused in the court by January 28. However, as the matter came up before the court today, only two accused (parents) were produced before it. Itoo has not been taken into custody even though he recorded his confessional statement before a magistrate two months ago. “I fail to understand why he (Itoo) was let off by the Investigation Officer when he recorded his statement. Even if Itoo is your witness and is to be arrayed as the approver, he is to be taken into custody first,” the special judge observed while reminding the Investigation Officer that on the previous hearing he had furnished an undertaking that he would produce all the accused by January 28. Chief Prosecuting Officer Khalid Muzaffar, representing the crime branch, submitted that to him Itoo was just an accused as there was nothing on the chargesheet to suggest that he was an accomplice or an approver. “The non-production of the accused despite giving an undertaking amounts to contempt by the Investigation Officer,” the court observed. After hearing all sides, the court issued non-bailable warrants against the five accused who are at large. Charges against accused
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Army, IAF focus on synergy
Jammu, January 28 The interaction was held to improve inter-services cooperation in the state. The meeting was chaired by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal SS Soman. Issues of synergy between the Army and the Air Force operations were discussed in detail. Aspects of peace-time operations being conducted in the state by the two services were also covered. Air Marshal SS Soman paid tributes at Dhurva War Memorial, dedicated to the martyrs of the Northern Command. |
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BSF to hear civilian witnesses at Udhampur training centre
Jammu, January 28 The BSF will conduct proceedings against its men accused in the case under the BSF Act. “Nearly 150 pages of the challan handed over to us are written in Urdu. They are yet to be translated into English and duly attested by an attorney and only after that will we begin the proceedings. As of now, no charges have been framed by the BSF,” said a BSF source. “Keeping in mind the convenience of the civilian witnesses, the BSF has decided to conduct the proceedings of the trial at the STC, Udhampur, as it would be easier for the witnesses to travel to Udhampur from Gool for deposing before the designated court,” said the source. The incident had left four persons dead and many other injured in alleged BSF firing after the camp of the paramilitary force was allegedly attacked by a mob in Ramban district on July 18 last year. Security forces personnel were also injured during a stone-throwing incident on that day. While Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had condemned the incident, the BSF had claimed that its personnel had acted in self-defence. Then BSF IG, Jammu Frontier, Rajeev Krishna had said the BSF camp of the 76 Battalion in Gool, having a weaponry store, was attacked by a mob at 6.30 am and at 9.30 am on July 18, leading to the incident. The BSF had also claimed that Mohammed Latif, a resident of Dalwa in Gool, had instigated the mob leading to the situation. The BSF had said its troops had restrained themselves from firing and informed the local police of the likelihood of the deterioration in the situation. |
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Srinagar Air Force station lauded for its alertness
Srinagar, January 28 He said this while on a trip to Srinagar yesterday. He was accompanied by Chitralekha Sharma, vice-president of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association. “They were received by Air Commodore B Balachandran, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Srinagar, and other senior officers,” a defence spokesman said today. The VCAS assessed the operational capabilities of each unit the station. “He also assessed the infrastructure development being undertaken at this premiere base of the Indian Air Force. He interacted with the officers, airmen, DSC personnel and the civilian staff of the station and appreciated the professionalism and operational preparedness that was being maintained even during inclement weather conditions,” the spokesman said. |
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Azad writes to Badal, demands speedy probe into student’s death
Doda, January 28 Khalid Hussain Mintoo died under mysterious circumstances at Hoshiarpur in Punjab on January 19. He was pursuing his engineering at a college in Punjab. His family has suspected foul play in his death and demanded a CBI probe. “While the cause of the death is to be established, serious doubts are being expressed by his parents and relatives keeping in view the circumstances in which the death of this young boy has taken place. They are suspecting some foul play, the way the events before his death have unfolded. Though I am not inclined to draw any hasty conclusion, I think a fair and speedy probe will help to allay misgivings and apprehensions of his parents, relatives and people at large,” the letter written by Azad to Badal on January 23 stated. “You would appreciate the fact that the Government of India has consistently been striving to encourage youngsters from Jammu and Kashmir to move out for seeking employment and education in the rest of the country. “Numerous initiatives have been taken by the Government of India in this regard. The objective has been to foster mainstreaming of the youth, better understanding and greater integration,” Azad has mentioned in the letter, referring to increasing insecurity among parents whose children are studying or doing job outside the state. “As a result of a wholehearted effort of all of us, we have been able to achieve discernible result on this front and in the past few years, hundreds of boys and girls have shifted to other parts of the country in search of better avenues of education and employment. I am told that hundreds of students from Jammu and Kashmir, including my home district, are studying in your state. “Incidents such as mentioned above have a damping effect on the initiatives and efforts that have been made so far. I hope you will appreciate the importance of holding a fair speedy and probe into the death of Khalid Hussain Mintoo. I request you to intervene personally in view of the gravity of the matter,” the letter read. |
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Winter apparel ‘pheran’ catches fancy of young girls in Kashmir
Srinagar, January 28 Clothing markets across Kashmir are abuzz with the surge in sales of the traditional
“pheran”, which is treasured the most during bone-chilling winters. The demand for “pherans” has increased with the cold tightening its grip across the Valley. Traditional Kashmiri “pheran” with latest designs and embroidery has become a trend among Valley girls. Besides shielding from the winter chill, the new designs have become a fashion statement. “Pheran” that was earlier made of wool, nowadays can be found tailored in different styles using variety of clothing like tweed,
tericot, ruffle, count, velvet, pashmina, semi-pashmina and casmelon. The people associated with the business have observed increase in sales due to latest designs that has become a trend among women. “This year, pheran is more in demand than the previous years. Even actors shooting in Kashmir wear
“pheran”. We make different designs according to the taste of people. It costs between Rs 800 and Rs 4,000,” said Mudasir
Rashid, a 26-year-old trader, who owns JB Pashmina House at Polo View,
Srinagar. To make the apparel eye-catching, they are stitched in different styles using colourful designs of Ari work and Tilla (silver or golden coated thread), with wide sleeves. “Nowadays, girls want to follow tradition as well as mix fashion with it. They want embroidery on collar, neck, and border and want the “pherans” to be stitched on fitting. We sell according to the demand,” said another businessman, Javaid Ahmad. It is not only loved by
Kashmiris, but traders say tourists feel more attracted towards this winter costume due to its warmth and ease. Despite the availability of latest attractive modern outfits in the market, girls can be seen wearing
“pheran”. Tilla work that was traditionally worn by elderly women now has become favourite among girls. |
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MLA Rashid protests closure of Pathribal case
Srinagar, January 28 Supported by his party activists, Rasheed emerged from the Tourist Reception Centre crossing and tried to march towards the Lal Chowk area. However, he was stopped by the police from reaching Lal Chowk. The Army is drawing flak for its decision to close the Pathribal fake encounter case and dropping all the charges against five Army officers accused of killing five innocent civilians in a fake and staged encounter in the Pathribal area of Anantnag on March 25, 2000. Raising slogans and carrying placards condemning Army’s decision to close the case, Rasheed along with his supporters questioned the immunity enjoyed by the security forces under special powers like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). He said the forces in Kashmir were enjoying unlimited powers under the AFSPA. He alleged that it had been done by the Army with the consent of the ruling National Conference and the Congress. |
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PDP holds protest against govt’s recruitment policy
Jammu, January 28 The protest was led by senior PDP leader Sham lal Bhagat, who alleged that the present government in the state had totally failed to solve the issues of common man, especially the youth. Dubbing the NC-Congress coalition as worst-ever dispensation in the state, the party today predicted that 2014 would be a year of change in Jammu and Kashmir because there was a strong wave in favour of the PDP all over the state. Meanwhile, in another function senior leader and former MLC Ved Mahajan said the countdown of ruling NC had started and the year 2014 would usher a new era of growth and development in J&K. Mahajan pointed out that the present situation in the state was similarly to that which prevailed in pre-2002. “The tenure of the present regime will be remembered as a dark period in the history of J&K,” he said. |
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Mushaira held at Jammu Club
Jammu, January 28 Prominent and widely acclaimed Urdu poets from across the country participated in the mushaira and enthralled the audience with their thought provoking poetic works. The mushaira, held in the Jammu Club, was presided over by senior poet and pride of Urdu language, Gulzar Zutshi Dehelvi, who is actively serving the cause of Urdu language even at the ripe age of 89. Others who recited their verses included Zubair Rizvi, Muzaffar Hanfi, RaufKhair, Kishan Kumar Toor, Shahpar Rasool, Farhat Ehass, Zero Bandhvi, Ashok Sahil, Pritpal Singh Betab, Arsh Sehbayee, ShakeelAzmi, Muzaffar Iraj, Haseeb Soz, Rukhsana Jabeen, Fayaz Farooqi, Prem Kumar Ashk, Javed Anwar, Syed Raza, Shahbeeb Rizvi, Ahmad Shinas, Sardar Panchhi, Balraj Bakhshi and Atul Ajnabi. — TNS
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Loktantra Ka Mantra highlights power of voting
Jammu, January 28 The play starts with the aggression of the frustrated youth who do not see any hope in the future as their present is being spoilt by the greed of the corrupt rulers. When asked by a literary person "what are they doing for the cure of this unfortunate situation?", the youth fail to answer as they just want the things to be changed, but are not ready to be part of that change and want it without doing any effort. Then they are very elaborately told by that person that India is the country of youth and they may bring any reform if they use their energies in a channelised manner and that way is the way of voting. This is the most peaceful and effective way to bring big reforms. As the play proceeds, different mindsets of people are shown in a satirical manner who explained their reasons to not vote and also whom to vote. The cleaver politicians took the process of voting as a game not because it is ineffective, but because people are unaware of the power of their vote and seldom use it when it is required. The artists who performed in the play included Anil Tickoo, Neeraj Kant, Sumeet Sharma, Pawan Verma, Sajra Qadir, Sakshi Prakash, Mohammad Yaseen, Ashwani Bali, Uplaksh Singh, Mihikshit Singh, Syed Mudassar, Rajan Thakyal, Pankaj Verma, Vicky Kaw, Susheel Raina, Sanyam Gupta, Shreya Gupta and Masood Qadir. The lights were operated by Ashwani Bali. Aarushi Thakur rendered the music and the show was coordinated by Sumeet Sharma. |
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Film on changing climate screened
Jammu, January 28 A film, "Changing Climates: The Impact", was screened in the college auditorium. About 150 students of the BEd Department along with staff members watched the film with keen interest. The film was provided by the Centre for Science and Environment, a public interest research and advocacy organisation. The film was produced by the Television Trust for the Environment, which is an international non-profit organisation working globally to raise awareness about environment development through the audio-visual media. The film highlighted the impact of climatic changes on oceans, glaciers, forests, mountains, agriculture, health, etc, across the world. Monika Bajaj, Head, Environment Unit of the institute, said global climatic changes were occurring at a fast pace. |
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Powergrid celebrates Republic Day
Jammu, January 28 General Manager (in charge-projects) SK Sharma, who was the chief guest, unfurled the Tricolour. Senior officials, including Meena Sharma, president, Shrishti Mahila Samiti, employees, their families and children were present on the occasion. In his address, SK Sharma, gave a brief account of the fruits reaped by the citizens of India after attaining republic status. He highlighted the role of the Indian Constitution in protecting fundamental rights of its citizens. He also highlighted milestones achieved by the Powergrid. He urged the employees to continue serving the organisation with dedication. He also congratulated employees and families on the occassion of Powergrid entering into its silver jubillee year of operations. He announced details of various programmes that were being organised as part of the silver jubilee year celebrations of the Powergrid. — TNS |
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Saddar court canteens raided, fined
Srinagar, January 28 A team of food safety officers checked the food items and the utensils being used there and found these to be violating the standard sanitary rules of the SMC. The team fined the canteen owners on the spot and destroyed the unhygienic items, including cups, saucers and bakery. This was done in the presence of Municipal Magistrate Khursheed-ul-Islam. The SMC has started a drive against unhygienic eating joints of the city recently and the canteens have also lately come under scanner. — TNS
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Rare spinal surgery performed in Valley
Srinagar, January 28 “A landmark spinal surgery was performed outside a tertiary hospital at Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Hospital (JLNM), Rainawari,” said an official of the Directorate Health Services Kashmir. He said a 75-year-old male patient from the remote area of Kalaroose in Kupwara district underwent the surgery. “The patient, who had weakness in both legs with decreased sensations below umbilicus, was admitted to JLNM Hospital. — TNS |
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Govt official held for taking bribe
Srinagar, January 28 Niyaz Ahmad Rather, a computer operator in the electric division, Tulmulla, was caught by the State Vigilance Organisation on a complaint by Ganderbal resident Mohammad Rafiq Najar. Najar of Saloora village of Ganderbal had lodged a complaint, claiming that the official was demanding Rs 1,500 as bribe for settling his high electricity bill. — PTI |
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Army jawan dies at ammunition depot
Jammu, January 28 He has been identified as Sepoy Balbir Singh, posted at 15-Field Ammunition Depot (FAD) at Jandrah, under the jurisdiction of the Jhajjar Kotli police station. “The soldier complained of chest pain and was taken to the MI Room where he collapsed,” said a police official of the Jhajjar Kotli police station. After the post-mortem at Dansal Primary Health Centre, his body has been sent to his native place in Uttarakhand, the police official said. |
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Fire in cotton factory at Nowgam
Pulwama, January 28 Eyewitnesses said they informed the police and the fire and emergency services when they saw smoke rising from the factory. The police said the fire broke out due to electric short circuit around 3 am in Gousia Industries, owned by Merajuddin. “We rushed to the spot as soon as we were informed by locals. We controlled the fire and extinguished it with the help of personnel of the fire and emergency services,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Awantipora, Tannveer Ahmad. — OC
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Normal life hit as Littar strike enters 18th day
Pulwama, January 28 The residents alleged that they were being deprived of the status due to the vested interests of politicians. Traffic on the Shopian-Pulwama-Srinagar road remained suspended for the 11th day today. “Vehicular movement disrupted as Kakpora residents blocked the road. On the alternative road via Newa also remained closed as people were protesting against erratic power supply,” said Maqbool Ahmad Dar, a resident of Pulwama. Meanwhile, the strike continued at Imam Sahib for the second day and Kaprin residents also joined the protest. “We have been granted ‘nayabat’ in 1960 when the present district headquarters were not granted district status. |
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Patwari goes missing
Doda, January 28 “We have received a missing complaint and a search operation has been launched,” SHO, Kishtwar, said. He said the missing person was “mentally unstable”, but admitted that he had taken some training of patwari.? “Ashwani is mentally sound and has been recently appointed as a patwari, but has yet not joined. He has been missing from the Kishtwar market since January 23 evening,” Ashwani’s elder brother Amit said. “His cellphone is also switched off and we have no clue about him,” he said. “We are from a poor family and have no personal rivalry,” he said. The family is running from pillar to post in search of their son. However, the family suspects some foul play in his missing. — OC
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Gun goes off accidentally
Srinagar, January 28 Police sources said one round was fired accidentally when the jawan was cleaning his service rifle. However, no one was injured in the incident. The gun shot
created panic for a brief time on the court premises. |
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Jammu, January 28
Jammu, January 28
Jammu, January 28
Srinagar, January 28
Jammu, January 28
