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Junior doctors’ protest against MCI enters Day 2
Banks observe complete shutdown
Army fails to furnish Pathribal case record before court
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Cross-LoC standoff: Stranded drivers to be exchanged today
139 foreigners among 2,396 lodged in J&K prisons
Shutdown continues, relaxation in restrictions
All-terrain vehicles to ‘replace’ ponies in Gulmarg
Considerable attention given to road communication: CM
Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister
Navodaya Vidyalayas told to guard against contaminated food
Work on Jammu-Udhampur express highway stalled
‘Great wall’ along Indo-Pak border to get delayed
Youth launch campaign for women safety
‘Jammu gets less power than Valley’
In Doda, barbed wires used
as power supply lines
Kargil continues to freeze
Students accuse Kashmir varsity of delaying exams
Urs of Dastgeer Sahib to be observed today
Sikh council hails nod to 73rd amendment
Football body tells players not to compete in unrecognised events
Sumit wins chess tournament
Hizb militant held along with
family
Motorcyclist succumbs to injuries
Woman run over by train
Four arrested, 7
vehicles recovered
Lightning kills soldier in Rajouri
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Junior doctors’ protest against MCI enters Day 2
Jammu, February 11 To register their protest against the MCI, junior doctors announced boycott of their classes till the MCI reverted its decision. Medicos alleged that they were put to the subject of harassment in the shape of adding two-and-a-half year to its existing period of study to get the degree. They alleged that if the MCI's decision were to be implemented, then it would take seven-and-a-half year to get the degree, which was a prolonged period to become a doctor. They said to become a doctor, a student already had to study for seven years. But the new decision of the MCI would consume nearly 10 years to become a doctor. According to the new decision of the MCI, a student of medical needs to go through one-year course of internship and one year to serve in rural areas to the existing period of five years. |
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Banks observe complete shutdown
Jammu, February 11 Normal banking operations were hit for the second day as the nationwide strike by the national organisations of bank employees and officials across the country to mark their protest against banking sector reforms as also to impress upon the government the need for immediate settlement of their wage accord. Terming the strike a 'total success', union leaders said in response to the call of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) comprising nine bank trade unions, including 10 lakh bank employees and officers working in public sector banks, old generation private banks, regional rural banks, employees of foreign banks observed the strike demanding immediate wage revision for bank employees and officers and stopping retrograde banking sector reforms. They said the 'Wage Revision Settlement' in the banks was due from November 2012, despite the UFBU had submitted a charter of demands in October 2012. The Indian Banks Association (IBA) had been delaying the matter for the past one year. “Despite the unfavourable economic scenario, banks have been earning good profits over the years,” they said. |
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Army fails to furnish Pathribal case record before court
Srinagar, February 11 The CJM court on January 31 directed the Brigadier Adjutant of the Jammu-based 16 Corps to furnish the copies of the documents related to the Pathribal encounter case and file a compliance report or reply to the motion by February 10. “I checked with the CJM court, but was told that the Army authorities have not complied with the orders and are yet to submit the documents,” Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, the counsel for a victim, said. The Army on January 23 had announced the closure of the Pathribal case and had given a clean chit to five of its officials accused of killing an equal number of civilians during a “staged encounter” in south Kashmir on March 25, 2000. It had cited lack of evidence for closing the court martial proceedings. Following the Army’s clean chit to its men, the family of Zahoor Ahmad Dalal, who was one among the five people killed in the incident, had moved the CJM court against the decision. In his application before the CJM on January 30, Zahoor’s uncle Nazir Ahmad Dalal had demanded copies of the court martial judgement, the charge sheet and other related documents of the case. “The matter has now been listed for February 12. If the Army still fails to furnish the related documents then we have no option but to file a contempt petition against it,” Bhat said. He added that the Army authorities concerned have not even filed their objections to the application, another option provided by the CJM to the organisation. In his application, Dalal said all records should be furnished by the Army to the applicant for seeking legal remedy. The Army authorities had informed the CJM court about the closure of the proceedings against five of its accused officials in a letter dated January 20. However, the Army authorities have so far not filed the closure report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The case 14 years later *
The court on January 31 had directed the Brigadier Adjutant of the Jammu-based 16 Corps to furnish the copies of the court martial judgement along with the charge sheet and other related documents in the Pathribal fake encounter case and file a compliance report or reply to the motion by or before February 10, but the Army authorities failed to submit them *
The matter has now been listed for February 12 * If the Army still fails to furnish the related documents then we have no option but to file a contempt petition against it, the counsel said *
The Army on January 23 had announced the closure of the Pathribal case and had given a clean chit to five of its officials accused of killing an equal number of civilians during a “staged encounter” in south Kashmir on March 25, 2000 |
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Cross-LoC standoff: Stranded drivers to be exchanged today
Srinagar, February 11 The breakthrough in resolving the cross-LoC trade standoff became possible after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took up the issue with their Pakistani counterparts. The cross-LoC trade continues to remain suspended after brown sugar, worth Rs 114 crore, was recovered from a truck coming from the Pakistani-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on January 17. "We have got direction from the MEA to escort the 48 drivers from PoK to Kaman Post on Wednesday and get in touch with our counterparts on the other side for exchanging the drivers," said Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Ghulam Ahmad Khwaja, who led many rounds of talks with PoK officials after the standoff began last month. "The exchange of drivers and the trucks stranded on the both sides is a major step towards resuming the stalled trade," he added. Khwaja said the Pakistan officials must have also conveyed the same to the officials concerned in PoK for the return of Kashmiri drivers. After the recovery of the drugs, 48 truckers from PoK and their vehicles were stranded at Salamabad in Uri and 27 drivers from Kashmir and their trucks were detained at the other side. The local authorities from two the parts of Kashmir had failed to break the impasse over the resumption of the cross-LoC trade and stranded drivers, despite holding four meetings at Kaman Post near the LoC in Uri. Senior officials in Srinagar said PoK driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan, who has been lodged in Srinagar Central Jail and is on a judicial remand, would have to face the land of the law. Earlier Pakistan was adamant on his release for breaking the impasse. "The fate of PoK driver will be decided by the court," said a senior official. Two traders from Kashmir, Tariq Ahmed Sheikh from Baramulla and Showkat Habib from Bandipore, are in the judicial remand along with the PoK driver. During the interrogation, the traders had revealed that the drugs were to be unloaded in Amritsar, Punjab. The J&K Police claim that the main accused from Punjab is still absconding. After the recovery of the drug haul, the two sides had also stalled the cross-LoC travel. However, cross-LoC bus service resumed on February 3. The deadlock *
January 17: The J&K Police recover 114 kg of brown sugar that was smuggled from PoK in a truck through cross-LoC trade. The Pakistani driver was taken into custody. *
January 17: After the arrest of the driver, Pakistan detained 27 Indian truck drivers and sought the return of all its drivers. 48 Pakistani truckers are also held up on the Indian side. *
January 18 : First meeting held between officials from the two sides. Pakistan sought the release of the arrested driver. *
January 20: Cross-LoC bus service suspended between the two sides. * February 3: Cross-LoC bus service resumes from Uri in Kashmir and Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch in Jammu. |
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139 foreigners among 2,396 lodged in J&K prisons
Jammu, February 11 In response to a query of Peoples Democratic Party MLA Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, the state government, in a written reply, informed the Legislative Assembly here today that “as on January 30, a total of 2,396 prisoners are lodged in different jails in Jammu and Kashmir.” The reply was submitted on behalf of the Minister in charge Home, a portfolio held by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The total of 2,396 prisoners include 139 foreign nationals, 339 convicts, 1,875 undertrials, 35 detenues held under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and six condemned Out of 139 foreign nationals, 18 have completed their sentence. To a query on granting amnesty to the youths not involved in serious offences, the reply stated that the Jammu and Kashmir Government in August 2011 had announced an amnesty scheme for the youths arrested since March 2010 for their involvement in stone-throwing and other related violence. Under the scheme, 1,811 persons/youths involved in stone-throwing incidents in the Kashmir valley during 2010 and 2011 in 230 cases were granted amnesty, stated the reply. “Of these, 228 cases have been withdrawn while proceedings in respect of remaining two cases are under process,” added the reply. The reply said this was done to facilitate youths to pursue higher education and ensure that their involvement in these cases did not affect the verification of their character and antecedents for obtaining passports, jobs and loans from banks and other financial institutions. However, the government made it clear that there was no proposal under the consideration to grant amnesty to any militant/terrorist or any person involved in heinous crime. In August 2011, the sJammu and Kashmir Government had announced an amnesty scheme for the youths arrested since March 2010 in connection with stone-throwing and other violence in the Kashmir valley. More than 120 people, mostly youths, were killed in alleged firing by the security forces in 2010 when the Kashmir valley witnessed a vicious cycle of street protests following the death of teenager Tufail Mattoo, who was hit by a tear smoke shell. |
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Shutdown continues, relaxation in restrictions
Srinagar, February 11 Markets, business establishments and banks remained closed and public transport vehicles remained off the roads. The authorities, however, relaxed restrictions in many parts of the region, while certain volatile neighbourhoods remained under the strict vigil. Barricades were lifted in many parts of the city as the third day of the shutdown went off without any major incident of violence. Over the past two days, since the shutdown began in the region on Sunday, there had been sporadic incidents of stone pelting in several parts of the Valley. However, there were no signs of protests turning widespread like in previous years. Most of the separatist leaders in the region were detained and lodged in various police stations as a preventive measure. Today’s shutdown call was against the killing of Maqbool Bhat. The militant leader, who hailed from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, was executed in 1984 for his role in the killing of an intelligence officer. The Valley has now remained shut for three consecutive days, beginning with the first death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru on February 9. Guru was also hanged at the Tihar Jail. Both Bhat and Guru remain buried within the jail premises and separatist leaders, who had called for a three-day shutdown, have been demanding the return of their mortal remains. |
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All-terrain vehicles to ‘replace’ ponies in Gulmarg
Srinagar, February 11 Though touted to replace ponies in north Kashmir’s Gulmarg resort, the all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) did not find any takers two years ago. “Around 15 ATVs are expected to run in Gulmarg this year and a launch event would be held in March,” said Ufair Ajaz, head, marketing and development, Kashmir Motors — a group that has tied up with the Polaris India to import ATVs from the US. The idea to ply all-terrain vehicles was first mooted in 2011 but could not paddle forward, mainly because of the high cost of the vehicle and lack of financial assistance for interested buyers. Even though 50 per cent subsidy was announced for the ponywallahs, the proposal to finance the project through J&K Bank did not mature. However, Ufair said HDFC Bank had now come forward and ponywallahs had started booking the all-terrain vehicles, each of which costs around Rs 11 lakh. On its high cost, he said a group of ponywallahs would be buying one ATV, and as per their estimate, it would fetch them a profit of Rs 8,000 daily. As Gulmarg is famous for its ski slopes and cable car ride, Ufair said the all-terrain vehicles had the potential of being an added attraction. He said the vehicle was perfect for mountainous terrains and could go up to Apharwat, where tourists usually go in the gondola. “Besides catering to adventure tourism events, the vehicle will also come in handy for tourists, who have to walk to marketplaces from their hotels. Moreover, stakeholders at other tourist spots have also started approaching us,” he added. Ufair said though it would take time for around 1,700 registered ponywallahs in Gulmarg to switch to ATVs, a beginning had been made. Only 15 would be financed in the first phase, he said. He said more ponywallahs would come forward once they saw others getting huge returns through the all-terrain vehicles. |
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Considerable attention given to road communication: CM
Jammu, February 11 “This was also aimed at ameliorating the lot of people living in backward areas by helping in the generation of economic activities of wide range,” Omar said. Inaugurating 310-m span double-lane pre-stressed concrete bridge over the Tarnah Nallah, built at a cost of Rs 17.18 crore, at Magloor in Kathua district of Jammu division this afternoon, the Chief Minister said about 265 major bridges were completed in the state during the last five years, besides 500 road construction projects. The Chief Minister said the road communication sector being essentially important for inclusive socio-economic growth received priority attention and about 10,000 km of roads had been constructed and upgraded, besides macadamising 15,000 km in the state during the last five years. The Chief Minister said two flyovers, one each at Jammu and Srinagar, had been launched to provide better road communication in the twin cities and give relief to the commuters from frequent traffic jams. He said under the PMGSY over 1,150 road projects were launched in the rural areas and 713 had been completed so far. Omar Abdullah said the state government got 650 road schemes, costing Rs 1,774 crore and aimed at constructing about 3,500 km, cleared from the Union Government under Phase VIII and IX of the PMGSY. He said a massive roads and bridges construction programme was in full swing in the state and the current year would witness the completion of a lot of more roads and bridges schemes. The Magloor Bridge inaugurated today by the Chief Minister would benefit villages of Magloor, Torsi, Rehni, Malani, Gurah Panditan, Satt, Bakhta, Forelain, Dhani and Baria and adjacent areas. It would benefit about 25,000 people and generate economic activities in these areas. Those present included Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani, Minister of State for Cooperatives Dr Manohar Lal, Minister of State for R&B Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, member of Parliament Lal Singh, various sarpanches, panches, managing director, JKPCC, PR Bhagat, Chief Engineer R&B, Jammu, Abdul Hamid, various officers and a large number of local residents. |
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Navodaya Vidyalayas told to guard against contaminated food
Jammu, February 11 While instructing the authorities concerned to maintain high level of hygiene in the institutes, the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti warned of strict action against the vice-principal, house master, catering assistant and the staff nurse in case of The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has also directed the Regional Office to obtain a compliance report from all the Vidyalayas in this regard on quarterly basis. The instructions were reportedly issued by the organisation after it was realised that better arrangements were made by the school staff during the visit of Assistant Commissioners to conceal the real position. The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti also suggested that Assistant Commissioner and cluster in-charge should carry out surprise checks to know about the exact status being maintained by the schools. The organisation further directed the schools that food should be prepared according to the strength of students and if the food is spared it should be disposed off immediately. Directions were also issued to clean the school mess on daily basis. “Entry of animals in the mess and kitchen area should be strictly restricted,” the Samiti directed the school authorities. It added that before serving any packaged material to the students its expiry date should be checked. “Food items being sold at the tuck shops/kiosk in the Vidyalaya campus should be inspected by a committee from time to time for their quality, cleanliness, etc… and report submitted to the principal,” the organisation said in statement said. It has also made the regular health check up of all mess staff mandatory and has instructed staff nurses engaged at the vidyalayas to test the food before it is being served to students. |
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Work on Jammu-Udhampur express highway stalled
Udhampur, February 11 The protesting labourers working for the AFCONS Infrastructure Limited were demanding reinstatement of 64 labourers and fulfilment of other demands. Vice-president of the labour union Mohammad Hanief was taken to the Rehamble police station. On hearing the news of Hanief's arrest, hundreds of labourers blocked the highway and protested in Udhampur city. Labourers at various construction sites of the Jammu-Udhampur project, being constructed under the public-private partnership mode by AFCONS, stopped work and gathered at one place. Protesters blocked the highway outside the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police in Udhampur. They marched in the city and demanded removal of Station House Officer, Rehamble, Pardeep Gupta and Hanief’s immediate release. After protesting outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the labourers sat on a dharna where they were addressed by senior Congress leader Ashwani Khajuria. “Mohammad Hanief was holding a peaceful protest at the construction site for a few hours to force the AFCONS management to consider their demands. It was a matter between a private construction company and its labourers but the police unnecessarily intervened and illegally arrested their vice-president in front of the labourers. He was also beaten up in front of labourers and false charges made against him,” alleged Khajuria. A senior AFCONS official said: “Hanief has been constantly misguiding workers for his personal gains and spreading rumours due to which discipline was not maintained. We were forced to lodge a formal complaint against him and it is only after our complaint that the police have arrested him.” An FIR has been lodged, said a police officer. |
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‘Great wall’ along Indo-Pak border to get delayed
Jammu, February 11 The actual work on the 135-feet wide embankment hasn’t yet started and even if the state government completes the land acquisition process in 118 forward villages along the international border in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts by the end of the current fiscal, the structure in all likelihood will not be built this year. “The state government is still busy acquiring land in 118 border villages. As of now, no actual work has been started. Even the cost of the project is yet to be worked out by the Home Ministry,” a senior BSF officer said. He said the project would be executed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) only after the state government hands over the land to the BSF. “It is a big project. We first need the land from the state government,” he said. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu said the acquisition process was no ordinary task and “it may take another six months” for the government to complete the entire exercise. “Out of 118 villages, no objection certificate has been obtained by the Home Department from 50 to 55 villages and survey process is on in the remaining villages. It’s not a normal process,” Shantmanu said. He, however, hoped that by the beginning of 2014-15 fiscal the government will be able to complete the acquisition process. “By the start of the next fiscal we hope to give land to the BSF in a phased manner in villages where we have completed the process so as to enable them to start the project,” Shantmanu said. The compensation for the land that would be acquired for the project will be given by the Union Home Ministry. “It (the embankment) may com up in patches this fiscal provided the Union Home Ministry works out the cost of the project and releases funds, including the compensation to farmers, in time,” a state Home Department official pointed. The international border in the region runs from Paharpur on Kathua-Punjab border to Akhnoor. Pakistan has not only raised an embankment 100 to 150 metres inside their territory from the zero line, but has also planted a tree-line on it, which completely blocks the vision of the BSF. The embankment on the Indian side will replace the earthen mounds that lie behind the existing cattle fence, border fence and flood lights and would be connected to a parallel road network running from Paharpur to the Chicken Neck area in Akhnoor. The marshes and rivulets will be covered with culverts, causeways and bridges and a communication network connecting all the posts along the fence will also be set up. The idea behind the proposed embankment is to provide a secure atmosphere to the people living along the border and shield them from flat trajectory weapons’ fire from across the fence. It may be recalled here that three armed fidayeens, who had staged twin terror attacks in Hiranagar and Samba in September last year, were believed to have infiltrated from across the international border. |
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Youth launch campaign for women safety
Srinagar, February 11 A group of young social activists have planned to join the international campaign, “One Billion Rising”, on February 16 in Srinagar, wherein the organisers will put together stories (in the form of writings and drawings), depicting various forms of violence against women in Kashmir. “The group will subsequently launch a book which will mark the acknowledgement of the violence against women in our society. It will serve as a basis for researching the theme further and will be the first step towards providing these women justice, if they want their cases to be pursued,” said Ejaz Ayoub, the event coordinator. Awareness campaigns have also been launched on the social media by Valley youth, especially for women employees in the state, for seeking a safer workplace in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines and provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013. Idrees-ul-Haq, a social activist and an engineer, who has started an online awareness campaign, asserted that the women in the state, particularly those from the underprivileged sections of society, needed to be fully informed of their rights at work. “The women who have been harassed, in any way, at their workplace could seek free legal aid, have a definite right to privacy under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), flexibility of registering an FIR with a police station, irrespective of the time elapsed after the sexual harassment incident, not being interrogated at the police station under Section 160 of the CPC, the responsibility of the employer of not disclosing any details of the complainant,” Idrees said. |
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‘Jammu gets less power than Valley’
Jammu, February 11 In a written reply to a question from Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh, the government said during 2011-12 the Kashmir division was supplied 6,136.09 million units of electricity compared to 4,979.32 million units of electricity to the Jammu division. The Power Department is headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In 2012-13 the Kashmir division got 6,854.94 million units of electricity, while the Jammu division was supplied 5,252.72 million units, government stated in its response. It added that in 2011-12 the government realised a power tariff of Rs 478.83 crore for 6,136.09 million units of electricity consumed in Kashmir, while the Jammu region contributed Rs 721.32 crore for 4,979.32 million units of electricity. Likewise, in 2012-13 the government realised a power tariff of Rs 691.87 crore for 6,854.94 million units of electricity supplied to the Valley, while the Jammu region contributed Rs 1,005.29 crore for 5,252.72 million units of electricity supplied to it in the same year, the government said. |
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In Doda, barbed wires used
as power supply lines
Doda, February 11 Bigrani,
Kanhan, Prem Nagar, Barshla and Khankote are some of the villages in Doda district where electricity is being supplied through barbed wires which pass along trees. This not only poses a threat to people but also endangers their livestock. When during the monsoon trees get uprooted, the transmission system breaks down. Though the practice of providing electricity through barbed wires and using trees as poles has been condemned, the department seems to be unmindful. A Department Related Standing Committee constituted by the Legislative Council, in its report for 2011-12, had told the Power Development Department to immediately replace barbed wires carrying electricity. The report was tabled in the Legislative Council in March 2013. “The barbed wires, wherever used for power transmission, should be immediately replaced with proper low tension lines and electric poles should be installed where trees are used for the purpose,” the panel had recommended to the government. Eleven months have passed but nothing has been done on the ground. “We have told officials to replace barbed wires as they pose a threat to our children. Nothing has been done except assurances,” said Gulam
Nabi, a villager. Som Lal Thapa, Executive Engineer, Doda, said: “Our transmission system is of 1965-70s when we used wooden poles for electricity wires.” “Yes, our supply lines passes through trees in many villages. We raise the issue of replacement of transmission system in every District Development Board meeting, but nothing has happened so far,” Thapa said. “We have submitted our proposal to the government for stabilising the high tension and low tension lines in rural and far-flung areas but owing to financial constraints the proposal is hanging in the balance,” he said. |
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Kargil continues to freeze
Srinagar, February 11 The maximum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, was 9.1 degrees Celsius and minimum was 0.4 degrees Celsius. There was a light rainfall in parts of the city. In Qazigund area of South Kashmir, the maximum temperature was recorded as 7.5 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 1 degree Celsius, MeT Department officials said. In the famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, the maximum temperature rose and was recorded at 9.1 degrees Celsius and the lowest was recorded at minus 3.7 degrees Celsius. The border region of Kupwara recorded the maximum temperature at 9.1 degrees Celsius against minus 1.9 degrees Celsius the previous night. A slight rise in temperature was witnessed at Kokernag in south Kashmir and was recorded at 5 degrees Celsius and the lowest was recorded at minus 2.7 degrees Celsius. The weather department officials said the weather would remain dry in the Valley for the coming next days. In the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, the maximum temperature was 0.4 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 9.8 degrees Celsius. There was a slight snowfall in upper reaches of Kashmir and rain in some parts of the Valley, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Kokernag and Qazigund. Leh town recorded a low of minus 11.8 degrees Celsius, an increase of nearly two degrees from the previous night’s 13.7 degrees Celsius. |
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Students accuse Kashmir varsity of delaying exams
Srinagar, February 11 The university officials, however, owe delay to poor implementation of mid-term exams by the college authorities. Students of various colleges pursuing under-graduation course in first year have accused the university authorities of delaying the yearly final exams. “Last year, first-year exams were almost over by February end, but we have been waiting for two months now, our date-sheets are yet to be notified,” said Saba a student of Arts, first year. “Our minds were pre-occupied with exams during these two months. We couldn’t enjoy our winter vacations too,” said another student of first year, Aliya Bhat. This year, the Kashmir University authorities introduced mid-term exams for first year and also single paper system. The students had to pass the mid-term exams to become eligible for final exams. The Kashmir University officials said poor implementation of the new exam system by colleges was the sole reason behind exam delay. “We introduced single paper system for convenience of students and also mid-term exams, but at the 11th hour it all turned out to be a failure due to poor implementation by colleges,” said Controller of Examinations, Kashmir University, Prof Salam Bhat. He added that scores of students had not qualified the mid-term exams and were falling short of attendance, which according to the new exam system, were not eligible for the final exams. “Many students were not eligible for exams. We had so much pressure from colleges and students and also political pressure to give relaxation to students due to which we had to make changes at the end,” he added. The officials said, “All problems have been sorted out and the date-sheet will be notified within two days and the exams will commence from February 20.” |
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Urs of Dastgeer Sahib to be observed today
Srinagar, February 11 Even though the actual shrine of the revered saint is located at Baghdad in Iraq and he never visited the Valley in person, a sea of devotees throng the shrines dedicated to him at Khanyar and Sarai Bala areas. A caretaker of the Dastgeer Sahib shrine at Sarai Bala said, “Shab Khwani (nightlong prayers) will be held from tonight. Devotees usually throng the shrine sfor 11 consecutive days till the main Urs function when the holy relic of Dastageer Shib is displayed.” However, restrictions imposed by the government besides the shutdown call of the separatists dampened the ongoing Urs festivities at the shrines during the past three days. Due to restrictions that had been put in place from Sunday in view of the death anniversaries of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and JKLF founder Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, devotees were not been able to visit the shrines in large numbers. However, devotees are hopeful that the main Urs would be observed with fervour like before as restrictions were expected to be lifted from tomorrow. In memory of 11th-century Sufi saint *
The annual Urs is observed in the memory of 11th-century Sufi saint Shaikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, popularly known as Dastgeer Sahib by devotees *
Though the actual shrine of the saint is located at Baghdad in Iraq and he never visited the Valley, a sea of devotees throng the shrines dedicated to him in the Khanyar and Sarai Bala areas *
Devotees usually throng the shrines for 11 consecutive days till the main Urs function when the holy relic of Dastageer Shib is displayed.
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Sikh council hails nod to 73rd amendment
Jammu, February 11 Harmohinder Singh, president of the organisation, and Harasis, youth president, said individuals, organisations and politicians, who raised voice for the noble cause deserved all the appreciation. Both leaders also appreciated the role of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference led by Shaifq Mir (chairman) and Anil Sharma (president). — TNS
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Football body tells players not to compete in unrecognised events
Jammu, February 11 The association has issued this advisory after reports poured in about the alleged participation of players of the state in unrecognised national tournaments held across the country. Zamir Ahmed Thakur, JKFA president, told The Tribune that the association had received a number of complaints of fake certificates being received by players having no value. “The matter is of serious concern because a lot of football players from all three regions of the state are now falling into the trap of some individuals who convinced them to play in non-official tournaments saying that it will help them to get a government job under sports quota, but there is no truth in it,” JKFA president said. “Recently, a woman football player has approached us saying that she is facing some problems getting government job despite having certificates of national participation. But later, it was found that the tournament in which she participated was not recognised. She was rejected on that basis,” he added. “I again urge the players to not become target of individuals, who are taking full advantage of your innocence and asking you to compete in unrecognised tournaments, which have no support from the apex body, AIFF,” Thakur said. When asked about the initiatives being taken by the association to uplift the standard of the game in the state, JKFA president said, “The game is hugely popular in the Valley and there is no dearth of talent. Same is the case with Jammu. We will continue with our endeavours to promote the game in all three regions of the state in a bid to tap maximum potential”. Sources claimed that lack of domestic activities, coaching camps and inadequate infrastructure has been the major hurdle for the JKFA to strengthen the sport. The sources added that women footballers had recently met the office-bearers of the association and expressed resentment over the alleged step-motherly attitude towards them. |
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Sumit wins chess tournament
Jammu, February 11 Sumit secured highest 12.5 points out of 13 rounds in the five-day competition which was held among top 14 players of the state. Promising player Meenal Gupta finished second by securing 11 points from 13 rounds. Maxim Singh bagged the third place, while the fourth position went to Rohit Bhardwaj. Mohammad Sharif finished fifth. The top four top players will now represent the state in the upcoming Senior National Chess Championship slated to be held at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. In the valedictory function, sports officer of the J&K State Sports Council Rajan Sharma was the chief guest, who gave away the prizes to the winners. Those who were present on the occasion included president of the association Atul Kumar, vice-president Baldev Raj, general secretary Ashiq Ahmed Kolu, chief coordinator FA Dar and chief arbiter Ajit Singh. |
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Hizb militant held along with
family
Doda, February 11 Arshad Hussain (43), a resident of Doda, had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
(POK) in early 1990’s when he was a college student. He had joined the Hizbul Mujahedeen ranks and has now returned under the rehabilitation policy of the state government, a source
said. Arshad has returned home along with wife Sumaira (36), daughters Mehrookh (10) and Adeeba (6) and four-year-old son Ahmed, police said. “We have arrested them and investigation in this regard is on,” Superintendent of Police (SP),
Doda, Mohammed Sharif Chouhan said. — OC
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Motorcyclist succumbs to injuries
Srinagar, February 11 Farhat Hussain, son of Ghulam Hussain, a resident of Dab, Ganderbal, was injured when his motorcycle skidded off the road near the Wayil bridge, Ganderbal. The police said Hussain, who was rushed to SKIMS hospital, succumbed to his injuries today. The police had already registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, in another incident, an autorickshaw bearing registration number JK03/2258 driven by Muzaffar Ahmad Sheikh of Doonipawa, Anantnag, hit and injured a minor girl, Mehvish Jan, daughter of Mohammad Iqbal Malik, a resident of Check-i-Nesu, Badragund, Anantnag. She was shifted to the Anantnag district hospital.
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Woman run over by train
Jammu, February 11 The woman was identified as Rajni Devi, wife of Mohan Singh, a resident of Low Chowadi in Sainik Colony. Sources said the woman was run over by the Sealdah Express near Sainik Colony when she was on her way to her parental house in Arnia in the RS Pura sub-division. It was not clear whether she was crossing the railway track when the incident took place, the sources said, adding that the woman got married just six months ago. The family of the deceased has suspected foul play in her death and has demanded investigation into the case. A case has been registered by the General Railway Police and investigations are on.
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Four arrested, 7
vehicles recovered
Jammu, February 11 “We have solved 10 theft and burglary incidents that took place under the jurisdiction of Gandhi Nagar, Bahu Fort and Gangyal Police stations during the past one month. A total of two groups and a individual were involved in the theft and burglary incidents,” Atul Goel, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, told reporters here. The SSP, flanked by the Superintendent of Police, City South, Rahul Malik, SHO, Gandhi Nagar Police Station, Rajinder Sharma and other senior police officers, said gold ornament weighing 32 tolas, 265 gm silver, seven vehicles, including two cars and five scooters, one LCD and Rs 1.30 lakh was recovered from the arrested persons. Partap Singh of Haryana used to dupe people in buses and managed to give them the slip by snatching gold ornaments, the SSP said. The police officer said two groups, Sunny Massi and Vicky Gorka, and Kehar Singh along with his accomplice were involved in theft incidents. Deploy guards at ATMs, police tell RBI The Jammu police have written to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requesting it to issue an advisory to all nationalised and local banks to deploy security guards at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the wake of recent incidents of attempt to loot ATMs. “I have written to the RBI with a request to issue an advisory to all banks that they should deploy security guards at ATMs to prevent incidents of theft or loot,” Atul Goel, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, told reporters here. On December 27 last, burglars had taken away an ATM of Punjab National Bank from Nanak Nagar and decamped with Rs 4.1 lakh cash. |
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The protest of junior doctors of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, against the Medical Council of India (MCI) continued for the second day today.
The almost four-week-long crisis over the stalled cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade is expected to end shortly as India and Pakistan have decided to exchange 75 stranded truck drivers and their vehicles held up on either side tomorrow.
The Kashmir valley remained shut for third consecutive day today to mark the 30th anniversary of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged in 1984 at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
The dream of providing high-class adventure tourism facilities alongside suitable rehabilitation for the ponywallahs is all set to see the light of the day after the winter.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that considerable attention was given to the construction of bridges and roads during the last five years of his government to provide better road communication and link up rural and remote areas with highways.
“This was also aimed at ameliorating the lot of people living in backward areas by helping in the generation of economic activities of wide range,” Omar said.
The proposed ‘great wall’ along the Indo-Pak border in the Jammu region may take a little longer time to come up than expected as the state government is still busy acquiring land along the fence for the project.
Despite a Legislative Council panel pulling up the Power Development Department for providing electricity to houses through barbed wires in far-flung areas of Doda district, no corrective measures have been taken yet.
