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terror attacks in kathua
Search operations on in Poonch to nab intruder
Jammu-Pathankot highway easy target for militants
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Security put on alert in Kashmir valley
Protests, anger against terror attacks in Kathua
Fraud ads offer hefty rent for mobile tower space
Open to working with BJP, Cong on Kashmir agenda: Mehbooba
Journalist, former govt official join PDP
BJP’s Jammu candidate is accused of murder: Omar
Women concerns take centre stage in Srinagar constituency
Shortage of medical staff ails Sopore hospital
Probe on in Pak prisoner’s death case
State govt starts fencing of Amira Kadal Bridge
Pandits allege mishandling of govt funds for migrants
Pandits threaten stir over ‘neglect’ of temples
Power worries for Kupwara villagers
17 teachers suspended in Poonch
Three-day seminar on Indian history concludes at JU
Free medical camp today
‘Sulabh shochalaya’ opened at Raghunath Bazaar
Poster-making competition held
YES Bank recruits 27 youth at KU
SMVDU holds seminar on philosophy
Geelani cautions Pak over Kashmir issue
Income Tax office to remain open till March 31
Anti-tobacco rally held in Poonch
Azad's week-long tour of Udhampur-Doda starts today
Achin garbage dumping site
Army in Kupwara saves life of ailing woman
BGSBU faculty is member of Allahabad University Court
Flood threat in north Kashmir
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terror attacks in kathua
Jammu, March 28 While Kamaljeet along with Gurpreet Singh (35) and Saheb Singh (55) from Gurdaspur survived the terror attack when their Bolero pick-up truck JK21A-7670 was hijacked, Ajeet Kumar from Vijaypur in Jammu died on the spot. Tarsem, the driver of the vehicle and a resident of R.S Pura who was kidnapped by the gunmen, was later found dead in a field with his hands tied. Saheb Singh, who got six bullets in his chest and has undergone a series of surgeries at the GMCH, is still in a critical condition. Kamaljeet escaped the jaws of death with a bullet in his ankle, while Gurpreet received bullet injuries in his left hand. All five of them had left the Keran Ashram of the Radha Swami sect in Bantalab, Jammu, around 3:30 am for Beas in Punjab. “They (militants) stopped our vehicle near Dayalachak (in Kathua district) at 4:45 am. All of us thought they were soldiers. We thought it was a routine checking and came out of the Bolero. One of the militants asked Tarsem to get into the vehicle,” said Kamaljeet, traumatised by the experience. “When we began talking to them, one of the terrorists told us to turn around and run. Then we realised that something was fishy. When we begun to run, they sprayed us with gunfire and left in the vehicle, taking Tarsem hostage,” said Kamaljeet. Ajeet Kumar died on the spot due to bullet injuries. Gathering courage, Kamaljeet called up an ashram at Thandi Khui on the Jammu-Pathankot highway for help. The ashram in turn informed the police, which admitted the injured to a hospital in Hiranagar and then to the GMCH in Jammu. CM condemns militant attack Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today condemned the terror attacks in Dayalachak belt of Kathua district and said such barbarian act of terrorists amply exposed their anti-human face.Commenting over the attack on Twitter, Omar wrote, “I'd like to unequivocally condemn today's militant attack in the Kathua area of Jammu. As this is very much still an ongoing operation”.? The Chief Minister in his condolence message to the bereaved families expressed solidarity with them and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and early recovery of the injured. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the Dayalachak attack. They expressed sympathy with the family of a civilian, who lost his life in the attack. In a statement issued here today, the PDP leaders said today's attack was the handiwork of anti-peace forces. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad along with Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand attended the cremation of terror attack victim Ajit Kumar at Vijaypur.
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Search operations on in Poonch to nab intruder
Poonch, March 28 Sources said a local militant, who has been identified as Mohammad
Aziz, had succeeded in sneaking into the Indian side on the intervening night of March 26 and 27. The local police had also received inputs in this matter and shared it with the Army following which search operation was launched in the area, sources said. They, however, added that the Army did not allow the police to enter the villages to nab the terrorist. A recent incident, where a Special Operation Group of the Poonch Police had arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant from the Army area near Pintu Nullah on March 16 had raised question on the Army’s intelligence, a source said. This time the Army has made it a prestige point and has not allowed the police to enter any of the villages ahead of fence without informing the concerned Army unit deployed in the area, the source added. Sources, meanwhile, said the militant was hiding in a house of a local resident and was trying to
exfiltrate, but the Army has increased the vigil and has deployed three of its units in the area. “The Army had inputs regarding the presence of a local militant in the area and accordingly the whole area was cordoned off. The entire fence was well lit so that he may not return and the search operation is still going on,” an Army source said. On March 16, the police here had arrested Mohammad
Ishaq, alias Munna, a resident of Digwar Terwan village. Ishaq had crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on December 22, 2011. The police sources said, Ishaq during his interrogation revealed that most of the local militants wanted to return to their homes. “We had inputs and we shared it with the Army. But nothing concrete came out,” said
Superintendent of Police (SP), Poonch. Hunt on for militant
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Jammu-Pathankot highway easy target for militants
Jammu, March 28 The close proximity of the highway to the international border and the number of nullahs and rivulets running into
Pakistan in the area has aided the easy intrusion of militants. Today’s attack in Dayalachak area of Kathua district is just an addition to the number of earlier attacks carried out by militants along the sensitive Jammu-Pathankot highway. Two civilians and a soldier lost their life in today’s attack, while three militants were also killed in the protracted gun-battle that raged since 7 am in the dense forests near the III Rocket Unit of the Army. On September 26 last year, three armed terrorists had attacked a police station at Hiranagar in the early morning hours killing four policemen before moving to Samba and attacking the 16 Cavalry unit of the Army. A total of 10 persons, including a Lt Colonel were killed in the attack. The terrorists were gunned down after a day-long battle. On May 9, 2008, three terrorists infiltrated from Pakistan side through the international border at Samba. While two of them were killed on May 11 by the security forces, the third militant was neutralised on May 12. However, it was not before the militants had managed to kill three people, including a photojournalist. The deadliest of the attack was carried out by the militants in 2002,
in which 37 people lost their life. On May 14, 2002, three terrorists after boarding a bus near Vijaypur, around 30 km from Jammu, in the early morning hours stopped outside the Army camp at Kaluchak and before de-boarding opened indiscriminate fire at the passengers and the driver. They then launched an attack on the Army camp, before being neutralised by the security forces. As many as 37 people, including women and children, died in
the attack. Two common things have been observed in these terror attacks. One, the number of terrorists has remained three and the other is that these attacks have been carried out during early
morning hours. Though major thrust of militants has remained on the Line of Control, they every now and then
try to infiltrate via international border and launch attack on the security forces. Tracing Terror
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Security put on alert in Kashmir valley
Srinagar, March 28 “After the attack in the Jammu region, a general alert was sounded and all nakas (check points) around Srinagar city have been alerted. Intensive patrolling is also being conducted,” said CRPF spokesman in Srinagar Kishore Prasad. Checking of vehicles was conducted by the police and CRPF men, who were seen stopping mostly light motor vehicles. Police sources said security was beefed up just as a precautionary measure. With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, security agencies suspect that militants might try to step up violence, the sources added. The security forces have launched a massive offensive against militants in Kashmir and this year so far 23 militants have been killed in various operations. A number of militants have also been detained during these months. The sources said the security forces, including the Army, have also been asked to increase the night patrol in sensitive areas of the Valley. |
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Protests, anger against terror attacks in Kathua
Jammu, March 28 The Panthers Party youth wing staged a protest in Samba and burnt Pakistan's flag. The protest was led by Pushvinder
Manhas, senior vice-president, Young Panthers. The protesters raised slogans against Pakistan accusing it of sponsoring cowardly acts and terror attacks to create communal tension in Jammu and Kashmir.
Manhas said such type of incidents were highly condemnable and shameful. He also took Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to task and described him as a “security risk”. He demanded Omar’s immediate removal for his alleged failure in curbing infiltration and militancy. “On the other hand, he has framed policies like rehabilitation for militants, which rehabilitate militants without any verification,” he said. In Jammu city, activists of the National Panthers student Union
(NPSU) staged a protest at Dogra Chowk, Jammu, demanding immediate dismissal of the Chief Minister. The protesters, led by Partap Singh, state president,
NPSU, also burnt the Chief Minister’s effigy. The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, also condemned the terror strikes and advocated for strengthening the security forces with sophisticated weapons. In a meeting held under the chairmanship of MK
Bhardwaj, president of the association, here, participants lauded the role of the police, Army and paramilitary forces in countering militancy. Describing the terrorist attack in Dayalachak as an eye-opener for those who were consistently advocating removal of the
AFSPA, the association urged the state and the Central governments to strengthen the security grid and existing village defence committees
(VDCs) and creation of more VDCs in the border villages of Jammu, Samba, Kathua and other parts of the state. The association also urged people to remain united, vigilant and cooperate with the police and armed forces in fighting militancy in every possible manner. In a meeting of the office-bearers of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(CCI), Jammu, held under the presidentship of YV Sharma, the CCI condemned the militant attacks at Dayalachak and Janglote in Kathua district. It said this type of attack by militants had come at such a juncture when the entire nation was busy with elections. The chamber said this type of attack was the handiwork of enemies to destabilise the elections, as they wanted to disturb the elections. “We urge the government to take stringent measures so that these types of attacks do not occur again,” it said. The Jammu West Assembly Movement
(JWAM) took out an anti-Pakistan rally in the city to protest against the killing of civilians in the terror attacks. The protesters also burnt Pakistan flags and the effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister. Sunil Dimple, president,
JWAM, condemned the killings, frequent ceasefire violations, infiltration bids on borders and accused the neighbouring country of creating trouble in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, activists of the Dogra Front and the Shiv Sena under the leadership of Ashok Gupta took out a procession in Jammu city against the terror attacks and burned Pakistan flag. |
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Fraud ads offer hefty rent for mobile tower space
Jammu, March 28 After the frauds related to lotteries, mischievous people have started a new kind of fraud by publishing advertisements in some local dailies, sending emails and SMSes to trap common people by offering them big amount on behalf of reputed companies. An advertisement was published in a local daily a few days ago mentioning the name of a reputed telecom company for requirement of land, roof or shop to install a digital tower for the mobile company. In the advertisement, Rs 45 lakh advance for 20-years court agreement, one job and Rs 35,000 rent per month were offered. Sunil Pandita, a resident of Bantalab, said, “I was surprised to see the advertisement and called up the given number, on which the call receiver claimed that she is from a Chennai-based company, Bharat Mobile Tower Limited (BMTL), which has got the contract to install towers in Jammu and Kashmir.” “When I failed to find the name of the company on the internet, I contacted a telecom company, which refused any link with this kind of company and said these advertisements can be fraud,” he added. The company also asked Pandita to send it a copy of his property papers, ration card, bank passbook and voter card. The company told him that if his land was selected, he had to pay Rs 4,250 for documentation and then the company would pay him an advance of Rs 45 Lakh. The telecom players of the state while refusing any link with these kinds of advertisements also appealed to people not to respond to such advertisements and cross check with the company’s office in their respective towns before sending them any amount. When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Crime, Shakti Kumar Pathak said, “These advertisements are misleading the general public and we appeal to the people not to respond to these advertisements as they are offering heavy amount to trap people.” “These people are operating from the North-East and Delhi and they regularly change their phone and bank account numbers. We have received around six-seven complaints in Jammu and working on it,” he added. |
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Mirwaiz for launching campaign to curb suicides
Srinagar, March 28 As a first step towards it, Mirwaiz, who is also a religious head, has proposed a joint session of Islamic scholars and mosque Imamas (religious heads) in the city on April 6 to carve out a joint strategy against the rising suicides. Mirwaiz made this statement in his Friday sermon in Srinagar’s Jama (grand) mosque today, where he also delivered a religious talk on the rising suicides and other social evils such as drug addiction, particularly among the youth. Adding to the number of rising suicide cases in Kashmir, particularly Srinagar city, a teenager girl jumped into the Jhelum river on March 19 from the busy Amira Kadal Bridge, which connects Lal Chowk to other parts of the city. “Mirwaiz today stressed upon launching an effective campaign against the social evils such as betting, waywardness and the increasing suicidal tendencies in the Kashmir society,” a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement, while referring to Mirwaiz’s Friday sermon delivered today at Jama Mosque. “A big section of our society has indulged in such activities as they have strayed away from Islamic teachings and set aside moral values,” Mirwaz said while addressing the people. Mirwaiz said in many districts social evils such as drugs, suicides and waywardness has alarming proportions and in many areas these things have become epidemic. He, however, said in the first phase, a joint session of Imamas from all parts of Srinagar, prominent religious scholars and personalities would be convened on April 6, wherein these issues would be deliberated and a joint strategy adopted for containing these social evils. Mirwaiz said in the second phase people behind such activities would be identified and he would also embark upon visits to such areas to sensitise people against social evils. A social problem The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) recorded 248 suicides in 2010. In 2011, over 1,000
suicides cases were registered with SKIMS and SMHS hospitals. Sociologists say stress among women due to social and economic
pressures is behind such incidents. Sociologist says many social and economic factors in Kashmir force
people take extreme steps.
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Open to working with BJP, Cong on Kashmir agenda: Mehbooba
Srinagar, March 28 Mehbooba told The Tribune in an interview that people were tired of the NC-Congress alliance for not having delivered during their five-year rule. “If they have collective strength, they have collective weaknesses too. I am not scared of them coming together. Had that been the case, I would have never chosen to opt out of power during the Amarnath agitation. I enjoyed a great camaraderie with the Congress and I could have been a Chief Minister or a Union Minister now,” Mehbooba said. Launching a scathing attack on the NC- Congress alliance, Mehbooba said the two political parties had not met the expectations of the people. “There were scams related to the MBBS exam and cricket, peaceful protesters being fired at and unemployment figures spiralling up. That is demoralising for the people,” she said. She brushed off rumours of her alliance with the BJP as well as the NC accusing her of cashing in on the NaMo wave. “It was thoroughly misunderstood by the media. What I had said was that I supported the initiatives taken by Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was the Prime Minister, especially his willingness to hold talks for the solution to the Kashmir issue. I also endorse Manmohan Singh’s vision, who I believe worked hard to usher in development in the violence-hit state. We are on our own in this election, not forming an alliance with any party. But we are open to working with the BJP or the Congress at the Centre on the Kashmir agenda,” Mehbooba added. She believes that a poll boycott call will strongly favour the National Conference, as in the past. “If the polls are boycotted, it is naturally going to benefit them,” the PDP chief said. When asked what different is she offering to the people of the state, Mehbooba termed measures, including presenting the ‘J&K Policy’ before Parliament, framing Union Ministry of J&K Affairs, advocating self-rule, de-militarisation, revocation of Article 356 and setting up of a joint advisory council for discussing Kashmir issue, as some of the highlights of the PDP election manifesto. “These are some of the viewpoints endorsed by the BJP and the Congress-led Central governments as well,” she said. Mehbooba’s opponent from Anantnag, Mehboob Beigh, who comes from a reputed political family of the district and is a sitting MP from there, had earlier alleged that she had misused funds as an MP by not utilising them for welfare of people. “These accusations are mere propaganda. I have established a relationship with the people from south Kashmir and they never let me and my father down. The first militant attack that was carried against me was during my first public rally in Anantnag during which the residents offered me shelter,” the single mother of two daughters told The Tribune. She said the PDP was right now concentrating on party workers meetings and door-to-door campaigns. Mehbooba, whom many women in the state look up to as an inspiration for pursuing politics, is surprisingly against her daughters’ joining politics. “Although I leave the choice of profession to my daughters, but I don’t personally think they should join politics. It comes with a great price. I have not been able to shoulder my responsibility as a mother after I joined politics,” she said. Even though her arch-rival, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wanted Mehbooba to join Twitter, she denied being on any social media. “I only BBM my daughters. I was on Whatsapp for some time, but my father says I have started behaving like Omar,” Mehbooba said. However, she said the social media undoubtedly was crucial in the present-day election campaigning but on-ground interactions were more effective. |
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Journalist, former govt official join PDP
Srinagar, March 28 A PDP spokesman said party president Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the new entrants into the party fold in the presence of senior party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig. Syeed is a Kashmir-based journalist, who has been associated with the media for the past
eight years. Andrabi, who hails from Pulwama district, had some time ago voluntarily retired from the government job as deputy director, prosecution. Cheetah, a prominent Gujjar leader, has been active in the state politics for decades now. He was provincial organiser of the National Conference. “It is the performance of the PDP, both in the government and in the opposition, and the credibility of the party leadership that motivated them to join the party,” the PDP spokesman said.
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BJP’s Jammu candidate is accused of murder: Omar
Srinagar, March 28 “I am not sure why the BJP is taking a holier than thou attitude. Their Jammu candidate stands accused of murder, that didn’t stop them,” Omar wrote in a tweet. BJP's candidate for the Jammu constituency is Jugal Kishore Sharma. The Congress, which has a pre-poll alliance with Omar's National Conference, has fielded Madan Lal Sharma as its candidate for the Jammu constituency. Omar said if “absence of conviction” applied to Jugal, it applied to others also. “If in his case the absence of a conviction is the fig leaf they needed to nominate him, how come that can’t apply to others,” he said.
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Women concerns take centre stage in Srinagar constituency
Srinagar, March 28 Bhat alleged that the NC has failed to address the issues concerning the women of the state. He also said the NC failed to deliver on its promise of establishing an all women university in the state. “The party had promised to set up a women’s varsity in the state during the 2008 Assembly elections, but it failed to fulfil its promise. Besides, it was during the NC-Congress rule that the rape and murder of two women from south Kashmir rocked the Valley,” Bhat said. Farooq had yesterday said “history is witness to the fact” that the National Conference had always given “utmost respect, dignity and a sense of equality” to women and made education accessible to them in the state. “It is because of the leadership of the National Conference, its vision and policies that women of J&K are today playing a vital role in the transformation and development of our state,” Farooq had said while addressing the women workers of his party. Women centric issues have suddenly sprung up in the election agenda of all the major political parties of the state, especially in the prestigious Srinagar constituency where women constitute nearly 48 per cent of the total electorate. Earlier, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti had held a convention in the Hazratbal Assembly segment urging women to engage in politics by becoming active members of the party.
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Shortage of medical staff ails Sopore hospital
Sopore, March 28 Against 20 sanctioned posts of assistant surgeons, only seven doctors are working in the hospital. Similarly, posts of junior laboratory technician, junior pharmacist and junior theatre technician are lying vacant for the last 10 years. The medical staff is also facing problems. "There are only three nurses taking care of surgical wards and four general wards against 20 sanctioned posts of junior grade nurses. Despite shortage of staff, we are sparing no efforts to cater to the medical needs of patients,” said
Asifa, in charge night duty nursing staff. The hospital receives around 700- 800 patients in its Out Patient Department. Dr Gulzar Ahmad,
sonologist, said the ultra sonography machine was dysfunctional for the past some months and new machine had not been installed as yet. “The block medical officer has installed his own machine in the hospital to provide service to patients,” he added. Senior technician Jahangir Javid said, “We are lacking latest technical equipment like digital X-ray facility. Computerised radiology system, which is essential for every hospital, is also not available here.” He added, “Similarly, colour doppler and CT scan machines must be installed in the hospital.” Block medical officer Dr Syed Masood said, “The authorities should address shortage of staff at the earliest and make available the necessary medical equipment to ensure better patient care”.
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Probe on in Pak prisoner’s death case
Jammu, March 28 However, probe continues against six officials of Kot Bhalwal Jail where Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay --- a Hizbul Mujahideen militant --- suffered fatal injuries in an attack. The third probe is currently on in the case. Sanaullah was attacked inside Kot Bhalwal Jail near here on May 3 last year. He died at the PGI, Chandigarh, on May 9. “In Sarabjit’s case, the motive behind the attack was to kill him. Second post-mortem of his body in India had revealed that his vital organs were missing,” said an official source. Pakistan has not initiated any serious action against its prison officials despite Sarabjit being killed in cold blood, he said. Pakistan’s inquiry and suspension of its prison officials was an eyewash and that was ordered after the suspension of then Kot Bhalwal Jail Superintendent Rajni Sehgal and five other officials on May 3, following the attack on Sanaullah, said the source. While the attack on Sarabjit was pre-planned, what happened on May 3 morning inside Kot Bhalwal Jail between Sanaullah and court martialled soldier Vinod Kumar was a sudden provocation by Sanaullah that led to the incident, he said. Sanaullah had provoked Vinod Kumar following Sarabjit’s death at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore on May 2 which infuriated the latter, who in a fit of rage hit him with a shovel. “At 8.25 am, he (Sanaullah) was attacked and at 9.15 am, his treatment had started at Government Medical College and Hospital. At 5:15 pm, he was flown to the PGI in Chandigarh,” said the source. “Sarabjit was attacked on April 26 last year and the Pakistani authorities initiated a cosmetic exercise only after the Indian authorities suspended six officials on May 3,” said the source.
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State govt starts fencing of Amira Kadal Bridge
Srinagar, March 28 Recently, two young girls ended their lives by jumping from the bridge, adding to the number of in Kashmir. A 17-year-old girl, a resident of Srinagar, jumped from the busy Amira Kadal bridge last week. Her body is yet to be fished out. The services of marine commandoes have also been taken, but to no avail. “The Srinagar Police are continuously making efforts to retrieve the girl’s body. The search operations are going on expeditiously. Services of Marcos (Marine commanders) of the Indian Navy are also being utilised,” a police official said. “Marcos has placed 16 best divers and speed boats at disposal led by an officer of the rank of Major. The police have also deployed Nafri during night hours to locate the body. In spite of best efforts, the body could not be traced,” the official added. People gathered on the bridge following the incident and divers jumped to save the girl, but the water level of the river was running above normal level. After the first incident of suicide took place on March 5, fencing of the bridge was ordered and the work was going on, but it could not prevent another incident. A city counsellor says there can be multiple reasons behind youth ending their lives. “There are multiple reasons such as fight with family. They are not able to cope up with the stress or they may be suffering from some disorder,” said counsellor Yasir Arafat Zahgeer. Besides, there could be reasons such as unemployment, personal issues and social pressures, he added. |
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Pandits allege mishandling of govt funds for migrants
Jammu, March 28 Shadi lal Pandita, president of the Jagti Tenement Committee, while giving details of funds sanctioned by the Central government from 1989 to 2014 said the amounts released by the Central government for the welfare of the migrants and how much of them were spent properly needed to be investigated. According to the details given by Pandita, about Rs 200 crore have have been given to the state government for Kashmiri Pandits, out of which Rs 11,202.329 lakh were for cash assistance, Rs 586.552 lakh for food grains, Rs 114.708 lakh for infra-facilities and Rs 70.453 for civic action programme. Pandita said under the Prime Minister’s Relief Package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants only one family had partially availed itself of the financial assistance under the housing component of the scheme. The scheme had not achieved its intended outcome though an amount of Rs 120.41 crore had been spent up to March, 2013, which had necessitated a detailed investigation as to on what account the amount of Rs 120.41 crore had been spent. He said an amount of Rs 8 crore was sanctioned for the construction of 40-bedded hospital, including cost of equipment, and the construction was to be completed and the hospital made functional by July, 2011, but the project was still lingering on as only superstructures had been raised and the balance work was still incomplete and the hospital had not been made functional despite the lapse of more than two years of its stipulated date of making it functional. Pandita said the inmates of the Jagti migrant camp were presently facing a lot of difficulties due to irregular drinking water supply. The reason being that the water reservoir had been constructed in a nallah, which usually remained flooded during rains and rainy season thereby adversely affecting regular drinking water supply. This had been done to misappropriate funds released for such a water supply scheme. He appealed to the government for the implementation of Prime Minister's employment package, enhancement of cash assistance relief and grant of compensation on account of losses suffered by the migrants due to damages to their properties in the Kashmir valley during the past 25 years. He said though the Central government had been providing sufficient funds for ration supplies to the migrants, but it was unfortunate that the ration was not being supplied to the ration depots/dealers timely, which had made the migrant community to suffer a lot. |
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Pandits threaten stir over ‘neglect’ of temples
Srinagar, March 28 “We will come on roads in case the government does not come up with a clear policy towards safeguarding our religious places. The scuttling of the shrine bill that will prevent the neglect of temples and shrines is a clear indication that some big players with vested interests are hatching a conspiracy,” said Chunni
Lal, spokesman for the Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir (HWSK). The Kashmir Hindu Shrines Bill for management of temples was referred to the joint select committee in the last budget session of the legislative assembly after it saw stiff opposition from the
BJP, Panthers Party and a few Congress legislators. Lal alleged that the Bill was “deliberately” placed in the House towards the end of the session to “prevent” its passage. “Unfortunately, people with vested interests are not allowing Kashmiri Hindus from controlling our own religious places and also want that some institutions remain outside its ambit to avoid audit. Passage of the Bill will make all trusts accountable and keep a tab on funds they receive,” he added. He said the HWSK would soon announce a detailed plan of action that would include protest programmes to safeguard their religious places. Other Pandit bodies too have been pressing for the passage of the Bill as it would bring their temples and shrines under a single management. |
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Power worries for Kupwara villagers
Kupwara, March 28 They alleged that the village was groping in the dark for the past one month as the Power Department failed to install the transformer lifted for the repair. Villagers yesterday blocked the Trehgam-Chowkibal road and raised slogans against the department. “Despite repeated complaints, the transformer has not been repaired and installed. We will not pay our power tariff if the transformer was not installed before Monday,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a local resident. Villagers said there was no point paying regular power tariff if they had to live in the dark. “What is the point in paying the fee when we are without power for the past one month? If the supply is not restored at the earliest we will be forced to intensify our agitation,” said Ghulam
Nabi. Students are the worst hit in the absence of electricity. “For the past one month we are forced to study under candle light. In the absence of electricity our studies are getting affected,” said Zubair Ahmad, a BA first
year student. Meanwhile, following the assurance from the power officials, villagers called off the protest. |
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17 teachers suspended in Poonch
Poonch, March 28 Earlier, the residents of Saujian had lodged a written complaint to the ZEO, Mandi, alleging that the teaching staff at government schools often remained absent from duty. The errant teachers/masters have been asked to explain their position in person within two days in the office of the ZEO.
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Three-day seminar on Indian history concludes at JU
Jammu, March 28 As many as 33 research papers were presented in the seminar. Two academic sessions were held on the last day of the seminar. The first session was presided by Prof ID Gaur, Punjab University, Chandigarh, and nine research papers were presented covering the issues pertaining to women, Schedule Castes and psychoactive patients. The second session was presided over by Prof Suman
Jamwal, Department of History, University of Jammu, and four research papers were presented covering literary and social perceptions of "We and others". The sessions were followed by the valedictory function, presided over by Prof Surinder Singh, Punjab University, Chandigarh. Prof Jigar Mohammad, director of the seminar, welcomed the delegates and sought the opinion of the delegates regarding the academic aspects of the seminar. The valedictory function was attended by Prof ID Gaur, Prof Arti
Bakshi, Prof Abha Chowhan, Dr Shyam Narayan Lal, Dr Idris and research scholars of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Arts. The academic and management aspects of the seminar were meticulously handled by Ainee
Ambreen, organising secretary of the seminar. |
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Jammu, March 28 Dr Ashok Vaid, chairman of the Institute of Oncology, Medanta Medicity, Gurgaon, will provide free consultation and check-up to the patients suffering from cancer-related ailments. The patients needing check-up and consultation should get themselves registered. Those already under treatment of Dr Ashok Vaid may also avail themselves of follow-up check-up and consultation. — TNS |
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‘Sulabh shochalaya’ opened at Raghunath Bazaar
Jammu, March 28 The sulabh shochalaya has been constructed for the facility of shopkeepers and shoppers coming to Raghunath Bazaar with the coordination of the MC and the Raghunath Bazaar Businessmen Association (RBBA). The public convenience has separate arrangements for males and females coming to Raghunath Bazaar. Arrangements for the sanitation of the public convenience have been made with the permanent appointment of safai karmcharis. The maintenance of the shochalaya, including sanitation, electric and power supply, will be done by the Sulabh International Organisation for 30 years. Speaking on the occasion, RBBA president Baldev Khullar said a large number of Vaishno Devi pilgrims and other visitors to Jammu come to Raghunath Bazaar for shopping. They were feeling great inconvenience for want of public convenience in the bazaar and around it. In view of this the RBBA undertook the project and sought help of the agencies concerned for constructing a sulabh shochalaya in the area. He thanked the Sulabh International for the same. |
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Poster-making competition held
Jammu, March 28 Students from MC Khalsa College, MIER College, KCS College, RK College, JK College, RM College and the Chenab College of Education participated. Vishal Mengi, Dr Jugal Puri, Prof Virender Gupta, and Chenab College principal Kamaldeep Kour, were the adjudicators for the competition. In the slogan writing competition, the Chenab College of Education bagged the first place while RM College bagged the second and the RK College of Education claimed the third spot. — TNS
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YES Bank recruits 27 youth at KU
Srinagar, March 28 During the visit, 27 appointment letters were handed over to the selected candidates. Dutta said they always look for bright and talented youth and further added that the youth of Jammu & Kashmir was second to none in terms of their competence and capabilities. Dutta said many students from J&K selected for the first batch have proved to be an excellent lot. Pulkit Honda, Assistant Vice-President Trainings, YES Bank, while going through a power point presentation said YES Bank started its operations just nine years ago and was evolving as the professional bank of India. Zaffar Ahmed Reishi, Registrar, KU, said YES Bank was one of the largest growing banks in the country and its interest in the J&K youth clearly indicated that the state had a rich talent pool.
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SMVDU holds seminar on philosophy
Katra, March 28 Vice Chancellor, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Prof Bhuvnesh Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof VK Bhat, dean faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, was the chairperson of the inaugural session. “All sciences explore the laws of nature and philosophy gives the complete understanding and cognition ability to those laws of nature,” Sharma said during his inaugural address. He emphasised the six schools of Indian Philosophy are the discoveries of the higher laws of nature and said the modern education must incorporate these disciplines to become holistic in nature. Bhat, meanwhile, said the spirit of enquiry, which is the essence of philosophy, is the main reason for its survival. He added that this spirit needs to be carried forward. Registrar, SMVDU, Ajay Khajuria pointed out that the “reflexive nature” of philosophy has brought it thus far and the subject should be able to address day to day problems of our life. The theme of the seminar was presented by Anil Towari, while VK Tripathi, Director, School of Philosophy and Culture, delivered the welcome address. |
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Geelani cautions Pak over Kashmir issue
Srinagar, March 28 “The Hurriyat would never accept any solution to Kashmir, which is within the ambit of the Indian Constitution and it (Hurriyat) would also expect Pakistani government not to look for out of box solutions and instead focus its energies on implementing the UN resolutions over Kashmir,” a Hurriyat spokesman quoted party chief Sayed Ali Shah Geelani having told to an international conference on Kashmir. The spokesman also said Geelani hoped that Pakistan won’t enter into any agreement with India against the aspirations of people of Kashmir. Geelani reportedly made the comments during a two-day international conference on Kashmir, being held in Islamababad, over phone. The octogenarian is currently camping in New Delhi. Geelani, however, reiterated that solution to the problem lies in dialogue and wars were no solution, the spokesman said. “Unless India accepts Kashmir as a dispute, any talks over the issue are meaningless and won’t fetch any results,” Geelani said, while cautioning Pakistan that time was not ripe for it to enter into talks with India given its “fragile” and “volatile” domestic situation. He also criticised the Tehreek-e-Taliban for launching attacks on the Pakistan army and civilians, the spokesman said. The Hurriyat leader, however, hoped the ongoing dialogue between the Pakistan government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban bear dividends. |
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Income Tax office to remain open till March 31
Srinagar, March 28 “In order to facilitate the tax payers to file their income tax returns before the closing of the financial year 2013-14, the office of the Joint Commissioner, Income Tax Range-3, Srinagar, will remain open on March 29, 30 and 31 during normal office hours,” the official said.
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Anti-tobacco rally held in Poonch
Poonch, March 28 The rally was flagged off by Chief Education Officer, Poonch, Abdul Hamid Fani from the Parade Park. Students from various schools participated in the rally, which passed through the main market before culminating at the Chander Park. Participants held banners and placards and raised anti-tobacco slogans. “The rally was organised to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco,” the CEO said. — OC
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Azad's week-long tour of Udhampur-Doda starts today
Udhampur, March 28 Azad will be reaching Udhampur on Saturday morning and will hold a meeting of party workers. Thereafter, he will start a road show from Chopra Shop, Udhampur, towards Katra, covering scores of villages. He will address a big rally at Katra. Thereafter, another road show is planned at all smaller stations between Katra and Reasi, as a big rally will be addressed by him there. "Azad has himself insisted that covering such a big Lok Sabha seat, which consists of 17 Assembly segments, is only possible when road shows in an open jeep are organised while passing through a particular area making voters feel his presence and rallies are addressed at tehsil levels," said Ashok Bakshi, state secretary, Congress. "It seems to be a best strategy of covering every nook and corner possible," he added. The Congress candidate will move towards Arnas, Mahores, Gool-Arnas and Gulabgarh on Sunday and reach Ramban. He is schedule to cover Ramban and Banihal Assembly constituencies on Monday. In the next three days, he will be addressing rallies in Doda and Kishtwar districts. — OC |
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2 cops injured in stone-throwing
Srinagar, March 28 The two policemen, including a sub-inspector, were injured in stone-throwing at the Khanpora locality of Baramulla district, a police spokesman said.The spokesman said another stone-throwing incident took place at Palhalan town. Though the police did not specify the reason for the clashes, the hardline separatist faction had today called for a peaceful demonstration against the Egyptian court order sentencing members of Muslim Brotherhood to the gallows. |
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Achin garbage dumping site
Srinagar, March 28 In its orders passed this week and made available today, a High Court division bench headed by Chief Justice MM Kumar has appointed Registrar Judicial of the J&K High Court as the commissioner to visit the site. According to the orders, the Registrar Judicial has been asked to inform the authorities concerned about his visit to the site, where he has to ascertain if the leachate, which is generated from the garbage being dumped there by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, is treated by the three leachate treatment plants or it goes untreated into the landfill site. The case is listed before the High Court on April 2, which is hearing a PIL regarding the Achin dumping site. In its orders passed on August 29, 2013, the High Court had termed the situation at the Achin garbage dumping site as “grave” and had directed the Advocate General to take up the matter with the Chief Secretary in order to expedite the installation of modular leachate treatment plant and setting up new plants of additional capacity at Achin. The disposal and the management of garbage in Srinagar had led to a face-off between various government agencies. The operation of the leachate treatment plants at the Achin Garbage dumping site had become a bone of contention between the J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) and the Pollution Control Board. While the ERA maintains that the existing leachate treatment plants are operational, the PCB in its latest inspection report to the court had said the leachate treatment plant at the site has not been fully installed, adding that a small Reverse Osmosis (RO) system was found in place during the inspection carried out on August 27 and 28 in 2013. |
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Army in Kupwara saves life of ailing woman
Srinagar, March 28 A Defence official in Srinagar said an Army unit located in Machhil village of Kupwara was today approached by locals for help to shift a seriously ill woman to a hospital. “Zuna Begum, a resident of Machhil village, developed serious pain in her abdomen. Due to heavy snowfall and rain, the road from Machhil to Z Gali was cut off. Her relatives approached the nearest Army camp at Machhil and requested for help. The request was immediately responded to by the Army. The woman was evacuated to Z Gali by Army jawans on foot where she was given first aid. Thereafter, she was taken to District Hospital, Kupwara, by road in an Army ambulance,” the Defence official said.
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BGSBU faculty is member of Allahabad University Court
Rajouri, March 28 Mohammad Asghar is the Dean, mathematical sciences and engineering and technology, at the university and the Principal of the College of Engineering and Technology. He has been appointed as the member by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for three years. A notification in this regard had been issued by the Ministry. Vice Chancellor of Allahabad University Dr Anil Kumar has informed Asghar of his appointment and congratulated him. |
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Flood threat in north Kashmir
Kupwara, March 28 In Kupwara district, people living in low-lying villages, including Bohipora, Kanthpora, Mughulpora and Gushi, said the areas were submerged and water level in the Kehmil nullah had gone up considerably. — OC
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“I can remember their cold looks when they asked us to run. And then they fired at us. Their uniform made us believe that they were Army soldiers and we could not do
anything.”
The militant attack along the 108-km Jammu-Pathankot national
highway doesn’t come as a surprise as the road has remained on the terror radar for over a decade now.
In the wake of the militant attack in Kathua, security men have been put on an alert across the Kashmir valley. Immediately after the attack, a general alert was sounded across the Valley and security men were asked to increase the vigil. The security forces also set up check points in various parts of the Valley, including Srinagar city.
Protests and anger spilled onto roads against the killing of innocent persons, including a soldier, in separate terror attacks in the Dayalachak and Janglote areas of Kathua district in the wee hours this morning.
The Panthers Party youth wing staged a protest in Samba and burnt Pakistan's flag.
J&K opposition leader and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti believes that it is the five years of “misgovernance” of the National Conference-Congress alliance, which will “vote them out” in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
Mehbooba told The Tribune in an interview that people were tired of the NC-Congress alliance for not having delivered during their five-year rule.
Worried over the spiralling suicide graph in the Kashmir valley, the state government has started fencing the Amira Kadal bridge from both the sides to stop any untoward incident in future.
