The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

MLAs resent unused funds for weaker sections
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
Representatives of weaker sections are on the warpath against the “insensitivity and causal approach” of the state government towards socio-economic growth of the marginalised and neglected section of society.

When MLAs belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) community, irrespective of their party affiliations, were protesting on the floor the Assembly on Monday against “discriminatory” orders issued by the state government, they have reasons because an official document reflects non-serious approach of those who are at the helm of the affairs.

What to say of formulating policies for the uplift of weaker sections, the successive state governments even failed to utilise funds released by the Centre for the betterment of the deserving communities.

According to official document tabled on the floor of the Legislative Council today, during the last 10 years, an amount of Rs 23.98 crore was released by the Centre under the Special Component Plan for SCs, but only 18.31 crore were utilised for the community. The state government even failed to utilise this amount which was released by the Centre.

While on Monday it was Scheduled Caste members from the Opposition benches, today it was Scheduled Caste member from the treasury benches, who questioned the seriousness of the government in implementing Central-sponsored schemes for the socio-economic growth of weaker sections.

Congress MLC BR Kundal, who has asked a question regarding utilisation of funds released under the Special Component Plan, regretted that the government was “apathetic” towards problems of the weaker sections.

“Official documents reflect the insensitive approach of the government towards the development of the weaker section,” Kundal said and slammed the government for its “anti-weaker section” approach.

Kundal quoted a data given by the government regarding utilisation of funds under the Special Component Plan to substantiate his allegations.

A confederation of SC-ST OBC organisations has already started a campaign to mobilise people’s representatives belonging to weaker sections against the policies of the state government. “We have decided to call a meeting of all SCs, STs and OBC MLAs, MLCs, irrespective of their party affiliation, to devise a strategy for opposing anti-weaker section policies of the coalition government,” said RK Kalstora, convener of the confederation.

HC grants anticipatory bail to Shabir Khan
Tribune News Service

Shabir Khan gets court relief

Srinagar, February 18
In a big relief to senior Congress leader and former Minister of State for Health Shabir Khan, who is in the dock over allegations of molestation by a doctor, the J&K High Court today allowed his anticipatory bail plea.

The orders in this regard were announced today by a Single Bench of Justice Janak Raj Kotwal, who had reserved his final orders on Khan's plea on February 12.

“The court today allowed the application in which I had sought anticipatory bail of my client Shabir Khan against arrest in the FIR registered at Shaheed Gunj police station,” said Khan's counsel BB Slathia.

One of the grounds taken up by the court for granting the plea is that the former minister had “cooperated” with the investigating team.

While putting conditions, the court in its orders has said the accused has to inform the Investigating Officer (IO) about his movements and cooperate in the investigation of the case.

Khan had moved the High Court with anticipatory bail plea on February 11, following which the state government had objected to his plea and the police had sought Khan's custodial interrogation.

However, while reserving orders on Khan's anticipatory bail on February 12, the High Court in its interim orders had directed the former minister, who was in hiding following the registration of an FIR against him on February 6, to present himself before the IO by February 13 evening.

On February 13, Khan was let off by the investigators after a brief questioning. He was also permitted to leave the territorial jurisdiction of Srinagar to attend the Assembly session in Jammu. During the questioning, Khan had denied the allegations in the FIR as “false and frivolous”.

Cop probing molestation case transferred

Srinagar: Station House Officer (SHO) of the Shaheed Gung police station Ghulam Mohideen, probing the sexual assault case involving ex-minister Shabir Khan, has been transferred. The transfer has come at a time when investigation into the case is in full swing and the police are engaged in recording the statements and collecting evidence. Police officers said the SHO’s transfer was a routine affair ahead of the coming elections. “Not only the Shaheed Gung SHO but four other SHOs in Srinagar have also been shifted. The transfer has nothing to do with the investigation of the case,” said a senior police officer.

3,500 projects in state started without nod
Jammu dist tops the list with 748 tasks, Baramulla 311
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
The Jammu and Kashmir Government today said the state Public Works Department initiated 3,522 works, involving cost of over Rs 8,100 crore, in the last five years without obtaining administrative approval.

“The Roads and Buildings Department started a total of 3,522 works without obtaining administrative approval during the last five years. The estimated cost of these projects was around Rs 8106.58 crore,” Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani said in a 344-page written reply to a query by CPM legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami.

The Kulgam MLA had sought details of works, along with the estimated cost, executed without obtaining administrative approval during the last five years.

Jammu topped the list with 748 such works costing Rs 899.42 crore, followed by 311 tasks being carried out in Baramulla district of the Kashmir division, the reply stated.

In Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, a total of 308 works with an estimated cost of Rs 632.08 crore were started without permission, while the department had so far spent Rs 235 crore on these works.

Similarly, a total of 274 works costing Rs 557.51 crore were either executed or still under execution without administrative approval in Anantnag district, while the number of such works in Kupwara district was 236.

The minister, however, said these projects were approved under various sectors including the state sector, the district sector, the Economic Reconstruction Agency, the NABARD and other centrally-sponsored schemes.

On the criteria adopted for the identification of road projects under execution, the Minister said: “The percentage of road connectivity as well as demand of public through their representatives was also being taken into account while allocating funds for these projects.”

Panel formed to probe death of unborn child at hospital
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
Following the death of an unborn child a few days back in the Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, the Health Department has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the reasons for the death.

On February 16, the family of a pregnant woman had claimed that due to alleged negligence of doctors at the Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, the baby died in her womb. However, the hospital administration had denied the allegation.

The family had alleged that despite fully knowing the serious condition of the women, who was referred from the District Hospital, Samba, the doctors on duty did not perform caesarean delivery to save the life of the child. The committee is headed by Dr Gurjeet Singh, state Malaria Officer.

The woman, Madhu, wife of Omkar Singh, resident of Nud in Samba district, was referred from the District Hospital to the Gandhi Nagar hospital in view of severe complication.

When contacted, Medical Superintendent of the Gandhi Nagar hospital Dr Romesh Gupta said, “An inquiry has been ordered and suitable action will be taken after the committee submits its report.”

Sources say in a number of cases many of the children delivered in private nursing homes in Jammu and other districts are referred to the SMGS and if they are not able to survive, the blame is put on the hospital for poor service.

“Emergency cases in which there is some medical complication to the newborn and mother are almost dumped in government hospitals, but at times doctors also do not take any step to save the lives,” said a senior doctor on condition of anonymity.

Despite tall claims of the government about the improvement in the health sector, Jammu and Kashmir has a neonatal mortality rate (NMR) of 37 per cent, much higher that the national average of 34 per cent.

Also, the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the state is 43 per cent, much higher than that in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The case

On February 16, the family of a pregnant woman claimed that due to the negligence of doctors at the
Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, the baby died in her womb.

The hospital administration has denied the allegation.

J&K Kisan Tehreek protests price rise
Demands relief for peasants hit by harsh winter
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
The Jammu and Kashmir Kisan Tehreek (JKKT) today staged a demonstration at Partap Park here in protest against price rice, faulty public distribution system, non-implementation of crop insurance scheme, dismal performance of the kisan credit card scheme, erratic power supply and spurious fertilisers and pesticides.

Carrying placards and banners, activists of JKKT raised slogans against the government.

Addressing the protesters, general secretary of JKKT GN Malik expressed concern over the government ineptitude towards the concerns of the people.

“Given the present rate of inflation and prices touching the sky, it is a disgrace for the state if it cannot review its budget allocation for poor and downtrodden and instead spend huge sums on bleak areas,” he added.

He also sought adequate relief for the peasant community, whose crops suffered huge damage due to extreme weather conditions.

BJP demands white paper on unemployment
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
BJP leader Prof Hari Om today expressed concern over the fast-growing unemployment rate in the state. He charged the National Conference-Congress coalition with playing with the educated, skilled and unskilled youth and demanded a comprehensive white paper on the issue.

“The revelations made by the Economic Survey Report of 2013-2014 of Jammu and Kashmir, tabled by the government in the Assembly last week, are alarming and are a poor reflection of the working of the coalition government. The coalition partners, instead of addressing unemployment and focusing on governance, wasted its time and energy on emotive and divisive issues. It failed to make any optimum use of the huge funds it received from New Delhi during the past more than five years,” he said.

He said the acute unemployment problem in the state had the potential of causing unrest in the state.

He said this while reacting to the revelation that the state had witnessed 190 per cent increase in the number of job seekers over the last five years.

VC calls on Governor
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
The Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar, called on Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, here at Raj Bhawan today.

Prof Ishar briefed the Governor about several important matters relating to the functioning of the university and its off-site campuses.

The Governor stressed his concern about the importance of maintaining high academic standards alongside strict discipline and decorum in all institutions of higher learning.

Governor releases Amarnath yatra guide book
Tribune News Service

Governor NN Vohra releases the Amarnath yatra guide book at Raj Bhawan. A Tribune photograph

Jammu, February 18
Governor NN Vohra released the second edition of “Shri Amarnathji Yatra -2014 Guide Book” here at Raj Bhawan today.

This guide book has been brought out by Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Tourism Development Cooperative Limited (JKLTDC).

Navin K Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, was present.

The Governor appreciated the efforts of the JKLTDC in bringing out a comprehensive guide for assisting potential yatris to the shrine.

He said the dissemination of relevant information would help intending pilgrims to undertake a safe and comfortable yatra.

The guide provides information about yatra registration centres and the procedure to be followed for obtaining compulsory health certificates, group registration, NRI registration, health advisory, dos and don’ts to be followed by the yatris, important telephone numbers, guidance about hotel and helicopter bookings, etc, for the facilitation of the yatris.

The JKLTDC delegation comprised Rajesh Gupta, chairman, JKLTDC, Sardar Amrik Singh, president, JATO, Ajay Kumar Gupta, president, ARTO, Sardar Gurmeet Singh, joint secretary, KFTO, SS Madni, secretary, JKFTO, Nishant Kumar Gupta, president, ADTOJ, Advocate Shakeel Ahmad, director, JKLTDC, Rauf Tramboo, president, TAAK, Sanjay Sumbh, representative of Global Vectra Helicopter Limited, and Wangchuk Shamsoo, representative of Himalayan Heli Services. This year, the pilgrimage is scheduled to start from June 28.

Bloeria briefs Governor on infrastructure development
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
Vice Chancellor, Central University, Jammu, Dr Sudhir S Bloeria called on Governor NN Vohra, who is the Chancellor of the varsity, at Raj Bhawan here today and briefed him about various issues related to the ongoing infrastructure development at the institute.

Bloeria, who is also a member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, furthermore discussed certain matters related to the functioning of the residential Gurukul, being run by the Board, with the Governor.

Gurukul provides Sanskrit education to young aspirants, who are admitted in the institute on the basis of competitive assessment.

Mir releases collection of Naatiya Kalam
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
The Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Hassan Mir has called on the leading writers, poets and literary persons to work collectively for the promotion of languages spoken in the state.

Addressing a gathering of eminent literary personalities of the state after releasing a collection of Naatiya Kalam, “Hub-e-Hazoor", by Ghulam Nabi Mir Shaheen, the minister called for launching well-organised literary movements by leading writers to promote the local language in all regions.

The function was jointly organised by the Funkar Cultural Organisation, Kashmir, and Bazn-i-Adab, Batapora, Kanihama, at KL Saigal Hall here.

“The eminent writers of all regions should work as a collective entity towards the promotion of local languages instead of contributing as individuals,” he said, adding that they would also attract the attention of the government for its support.

Stressing the need for the preservation and promotion of local languages of the state, he appreciated the Kashmiri Pandits for not leaving their culture and speaking Kashmiri while living in different parts of the country.

He said Dogri, Kashmiri and other languages spoken in various parts of the state form the composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir, which was needed to be preserved at
any cost.

National body takes serious note of JK Netball Association polls
Two groups conducted separate elections and claimed to be real association
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
The Netball Federation of India (NFI) had recently constituted a Disciplinary Committee for conducting an inquiry into the elections to the J&K Netball Association. Sources said the NFI general secretary placed the report of the Disciplinary Committee at a meeting of the federation, which stated that two rival groups --- one of a former president and the other of a former general secretary of the J&K Netball Association --- conducted separate elections and claimed to be the real J&K Netball Association.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of president of the federation Vagish Pathak. The Disciplinary Committee recommended that the matter was very serious matter and the case might be forwarded to an election expert, who would give his report to the Executive Committee/AGM.

The sources claimed that after the perusal of the report of the Disciplinary Committee, Executive Committee member Ashok Anand proposed that the matter be forwarded to SK Mendiratta, legal adviser, Election Commission of India (ECI).

The matter came to the fore when Rakesh Kumar, who was observer of the NFI for the election to the J&K Netball Association, informed that the two groups were conducting elections to the office-bearers of the association separately.

The members of the Disciplinary Committee are Lalit Jiwani, Chairman, Rajendra Prasad and Ashok Anand, both members. The sources claimed that Hari Om Kaushik stated that no report had been finalised by the committee and the inquiry was still on.

He assured to the executive body that after the finalisation of the report of the Disciplinary Committee, the same would be placed before the federation for taking decision.

The executive body directed to the Disciplinary Committee to enquire the matter and submit its report in the next Executive Committee meeting.

Sources said Lalit Jiwani stated that some netball players, who had been playing other games also, were not preferring the netball game.

It was then decided in the meeting that all netball players will give undertaking to the NFI that he/she will give preference to the netball game than other games.

No office-bearer of the J&K Netball Association was available for comments, despite repeated attempts.

Lokpal Bill sought for state

Jammu, February 18
A meeting of members of the Anna Hazare's movement against corruption was held at Jeevan Nagar, Digiana.

Om Parkash Sharma, a social worker and follower of Hazare, said Jammu and Kashmir required a Lokayukt or Lokpal Bill to eradicate the corruption in the state. He said for this purpose an agitation had been launched since July 30. Sharma alleged that the successive state governments had turned a blind eye towards the corrupt and inefficient politicians. — TNS

City coaching centres up ante against Directorate of Education
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
Coaching centres of the Valley have upped the ante against the Directorate of Education, Kashmir, accusing it of bungling huge sum of money.

In a press conference convened here today by the Coaching Centres Association (CCA), Kashmir, chairman Ghulam Nabi Var told mediapersons that the officials of the Directorate, Education, have been deputed at various places in the Valley to collect money from the owners of the coaching centres.

Var alleged that the Director, Education, Kashmir, Mir Pariq had fraudulently approved the registration of two coaching centres, although there were over 100 applications lying pending with the Directorate, Education, office for registration.

Around 550 coaching centres, a part of the CCA, where 50,000 students are studying, have decided to close the centres on February 21 in protest against the alleged illegal registration process in which higher-ups in the bureaucracy and the ministry concerned are alleged to be involved.

"The education minister on February 13 had given a written reply to two separate questions by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and PDP legislator Abdul Rehman Veeri in the Legislative Assembly. The reply stated that of the total 140 coaching centres functioning in twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu, only two operating in Srinagar are registered and all others are illegal. We don't know which coaching centres are the authorities talking about?" Var said.

The CCA also claimed to have garnered the support of the district administration initially which resulted in the initiation of the registration process. "It is the responsibility of the department of education to ensure that the process is carried on impartially, which has not been the case so far. Therefore, we are resenting any such move," Var added.

The Director, Education, Kashmir, was not available for comment.

Centres to remain close

550 centres to remain close on Friday in protest against the ‘illegal’ registration process being allegedly followed by the Directorate of Education, Kashmir.

Mercury stays below freezing point
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
Mercury in the city fell below the freezing point for the second consecutive night, registering a drop of more than two degrees from the zero-degree mark, after a brief spell of warm weather.

The minimum temperature in the city last night was recorded at minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, a departure of three degrees from the normal, an official of the state Meteorological Department here said.

The minimum temperature in the city dropped to minus 3.3 degrees Celsius last night. The region is already past the harshest part of winter, which ended last month, and the mercury remained above the freezing point for a brief spell this week and last week.

The department in its morning forecast bulletin said light rain and snow “may occur” at isolated places in the state during the next 24 hours which will end on Wednesday morning.

During the subsequent two days, Thursday and Friday, the department said there would be an increase in night temperature and fall in day temperature.

Hepatitis-C: Govt starts mass screening
Two pregnant women test positive for virus in Lal Ded Hospital
Rifat Mohidin

Srinagar, February 18
In wake of the Hepatitis-C alarm in the city, the government has started conducting mass screening of patients at all associated hospitals. Two pregnant women were tested positive in Lal Ded Hospital.

Two patients admitted in the Kashmir’s lone maternity hospital have been tested positive with Hepatitis-C after the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine (SPM), Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, conducted the screening.

Head of the department Dr Safoora Bilquees said, “There is a possibility of many cases and the screening is being conducted to find if there is a cluster of cases from any particular area.”

“There is a possibility that there are many other cases. The screening will continue for three months in Government Medical College associated hospitals - Bone and Joint Hospital, Lal Ded, SMHS and GB Panth Hospital,” said Dr Safoora.

After facing severe criticism for failing to identify people infected with Hepatitis-C in the old city of Srinagar, the decision of mass screening was taken by the Public Health and Medical Education Department, sources said.

The SPM Department has been assigned the job of screening. The doctors associated with screening said they would make a strategy for treatment of patients tested positive after the screening drive concluded.

More than 100 patients and blood donors have been screened in the past one week.

The Superintendent of LD Hospital said, “Extra precautions are being taken in the hospital to prevent the disease from spreading and more patients are being screened. I have issued fresh directions for precautionary measures in the hospital. Precautions have been issued to the blood bank department and all laboratories as the disease spreads through blood transformation and injecting needles,” said Dr Mushtaq Ahmad, Medical Superintendent of LD Hospital.

The officials of the hospital said that isolated wards have been provided to the positive tested patients and hospital is taking extra care to prevent it from spreading and also to provide required treatment to them. “Two women who have been identified as Hepitatis-C positive have been kept in isolated ward,” said Medical officer LD hospital Dr Javaid Ahmad.

The officials of the preventive medicine department said a person had been diagnosed with Hepatitis-B in Safakadal area of Srinagar, who was being treated by the department.

The doctors said there was a possibility of more cases and urged people to adhere to cleanliness and proper sanitation in their respective areas so that virus could be controlled from spreading.

Skiing training course inaugurated
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
Deputy Inspector General, north Kashmir, JP Singh inaugurated the basic skiing training course for the youth of the Valley at Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg, today.

The first course commenced today, while the second course will start on March 3.

"The 15-day training camp is organised with the aim to promote winter sports activities among the youth and provide a platform to the youth of Kashmir to explore their hidden skills. In the skiing training camp, 40 youths from all over the Valley in two batches of 20 each would be imparted basic training in skiing in collaboration with the IISM," a police spokesman said.

Tehsil status row
Shutdown in Achabal enters Day 19
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, February 18
Demanding tehsil status, residents of the Achabal area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district observed a complete shutdown for the 19th consecutive day today.

According to reports, all shops and other commercial establishments remained closed for the 19th day today. Traffic was disrupted by the protesters at the Achabal market. The protesters alleged that they had been subjected to neglect on political lines, while the adjoining areas had been getting all benefits.

"Achabal was declared a naibat in 1970. If any place deserved a tehsil status, it was our area," said Saleet Mohiuddin, a local student.

“It has been happening all the time. Something gets sanctioned for our area and it ends up being implemented in some other adjoining area,” said Reham Muhammad Bhat, a local.

The protesters said they were going to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections if their demands were not met with immediately. They said no official had visited them since they went on the strike, "We even held a hunger strike for over a week, but to no avail,” Bhat said. Similar protests are being witnessed in other parts of the South Kashmir region, particularly Pulwama and Shopian districts. Soon after the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) were made public, people in many areas started agitating.

Tourism dept bags award

Srinagar, February 18
The state Tourism Department was conferred the National Tourism Award for 2012-13 in the category “Best State — Comprehensive Development of Tourism” by the Union Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi today.

The department got the award for the second consecutive year. The award was received by state Tourism Minister GA Mir at a function in New Delhi. — TNS

Army holds programme on rescue operations
Our Correspondent

Doda, February 18
The Rashtriya Rifles today organised a demonstration-cum-awareness programme at the landslide- prone Dradu village in Bhaderwah to educate people about rescue and relief operations.

Personnel from 4 Rashtriya Rifles, police and fire services, besides officials of the Roads and Buildings and several other departments participated in the programme.

Army soldiers along with fire services men, on the occasion, presented a demonstration on how to rescue people when they get trapped in landslides and how to inform the local police and the Army about the incident.

Indoor Futsal Championship in city soon
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
The J&K Football Association will be soon organising an Indoor Futsal Championship.

“The last date of applying for the championship has been fixed as February 23,” an official handout of the J&K Football Association said.

The event will be held in the indoor stadium in Srinagar and football matches will be played on the synthetic indoor floors.

“The event is the brainchild of the organisers of the Kashmir Football Festival, 2013, where matches were played under floodlights for the very first time in J&K. There are two categories for this event: Junior U-17 and F-Cube for seniors. The registration forms are available on website www.kashmirfootballfestival.com and on Facebook page www.facebook.com/kashmirfootballfestival,” the handout read.

Dogra school celebrates annual day
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 18
Dogra Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, celebrated its annual day at the auditorium of Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar.

Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, was the chief guest, while Gulchain Singh Charak, former minister and president of the Dogra Sadar Sabha (J&K), presided over the function.

Principal of the school Davinder Kour read out the annual report. A colourful cultural programme was presented by students. The cultural programme included Punjabi folk dance, garba dance, English song, etc.

Later, the chief guest distributed prizes among the winners.

Crime branch to file chargesheet against 9 more MBBS students
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 18
The crime branch of the state police, investigating the sale of Common Entrance Test (CET-2012) question papers for selection into medical colleges, will file a supplementary chargesheet against nine more beneficiary students. These candidates allegedly secured admission in MBBS through fraudulent means.

The probe agency has also recommended that action should be taken against these nine candidates by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE). The BOPEE has already cancelled the admission of 12 MBBS students, whose names were forwarded to it by the crime branch earlier.

In its latest status report to the J&K High Court, which heard the matter today, the investigating agency has submitted that to date 21 candidates were found to have prima facie made it to the selection list of MBBS-2012 by fraudulent means. Out of them, a chargesheet has been filed against 12 candidates, who are now facing trial.

“A chargesheet against the second list of nine candidates is being filed by February 25, 2014 (before the Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Srinagar)”, the crime branch has submitted before the High Court, which is monitoring the investigation into the case.

The court in its directions on February 6 had asked the crime branch to take steps to present a supplementary chargesheet against the nine beneficiary MBBS students.

The crime branch in its report has said the list of nine candidates was sent to the crime branch headquarters in Jammu on February 15, wherefrom it was sent to the BOPEE on the same date “for further action in terms of the rules governing the admission in CET-2012.”

The BOPEE in its status report to the High Court also said that before taking any final decision with regard to the grant of admissions against the vacated seats in favour of meritorious candidates, consultation with stakeholders, including the Medical Council of India and Dental Council of India, was necessary as the admissions against the available vacant seats would be mid-term.

Ex-serviceman booked for murder
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, February 18
An ex-serviceman was today booked for murder after he allegedly killed his cousin over a land dispute in Manzidhara village here.

At about 11 am today, Mohammad Sadeeq and his brother Mohammad Aslam were working on their fields when Qayoom told them to stop the work, following which a scuffle broke out between the cousins, the police said.

Qayoom allegedly shot at Sadeeq from his licensed 12 bore gun, killing him instantly, while Aslam was critically injured in the incident, it added.

“A case under Section 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the RPC has been registered against the accused Abdul Qayoom, an ex-serviceman,” Varinder Gupta, Station House Officer (SHO), Rajouri, said.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, Rajouri, Mubassar Latifi said the accused had been arrested along with the weapon.

43 pouches of illicit liquor seized

Doda, February 18
The police today claimed to have seized 43 pouches of illicit liquor from Badherwah area of the district.

“During checking 43 illicit liquor pouches were recovered from the possession of one Davinder Singh,” the police said, adding that accused has been arrested and an FIR has been lodged in this regard. — OC

125 errant officials suspended in Kishtwar
Our Correspondent

Doda, February 18
Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Mohammad Javed Khan has placed 125 officials from various departments under suspension for dereliction of duty.

Suspensions followed surprise visits by a team of senior district officers deputed by the Deputy Commissioner to check the functioning of various district offices.

After he took over as the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Khan deputed a team of senior officials to conduct surprise inspections of various offices across the district, an official spokesperson said.

During the exercise, the team found more than 125 officials, including the Block Development Officer, the Child Development Project Officer and Range Officer, absent from duty.

The errant officials were placed under suspension and inquiry has been initiated against them, the spokesperson said.

Banihal traders protest potholed road

Batote, February 18
Shopkeepers at the Banihal market today observed a half-day bandh against the bad condition of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway stretch passing through the market.

Shopkeepers and people residing near to the market took out a procession and raised slogans against the Municipal Committee and the Ramky Infrastructure Limited, responsible for the maintenance of the highway stretch.

The shopkeepers opened their business establishments in the afternoon after they were pacified by in charge Tehsildar, Banihal, Niaz Ahmed Wani and SDPO, Banihal, Mohammad Rafiq Choudhary. — OC

Doda roads cry for attention
Ranjit Thakur

Doda, February 18
The tall claims of the state government to provide better road connectivity in rural areas have fallen flat in Doda as a majority of roads here are in a bad shape.

Ghat road in Doda, which provides connectivity to over hundreds of villages, is in a deplorable condition owing to a landslide that struck the area recently. A major portion of the road at Doda nullah has been washed away in a recent downpour due to which commuters have to face a lot of difficulty.

“We have been demanding repair of the road, but to no avail,” said Ghat sarpanch Riyaz Ahmed.

“The road is without blacktopping due to which transporters avoid plying their vehicles and villagers have to walk on foot to reach their destinations. Due to lack of maintenance, the road is going from bad to worse each day,” Ghulam Mohammed, a local resident, said. Instead of repairing the road, the Public Works Department and the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department had declared the road unsafe for traffic.

Mubarak Singh, District Development Commissioner, Doda, said, “We are aware about the problem and the agencies concerned have been instructed to start work on the damaged road."