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PDP moves EC against Farooq
Poll campaigning continues despite militant attack
Mufti has sold his soul to BJP: Omar
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Congress doesn’t deserve Jammu mandate, says BJP
News
Analysis
Family looks to Modi for speedy trial of its son
Tosa Maidan firing range lease to expire on April 18
NC’s downfall imminent: Mehbooba
20 years on, Sopore bypass bridge not complete
Azad icon of development: Raj Babbar
Guv stresses better facilities for pilgrims
CRPF organises talent show in Kupwara
Streetlights fail to illuminate Baramulla
Kashmir University introduces choice-based credit system
Baisakhi celebrated with fervour
Spring fest concludes with laughter show
Stay away from drugs, youth told
81% stroke patients in SKIMS from rural areas
Tarigami condemns Khrew attack
JU employees’ union celebrates Ambedkar’s birth anniversary
‘Bhajan sandhaya’ organised on Hanuman Jayanti
Baisakhi celebrated with fervour in city
Affiliation panel’s nod must for upgrading pvt schools
Dev Anand Gill elected Safai Karamchari Union president
Human skeleton recovered from Pulwama forest
Two Beacon labourers killed, 4 hurt in Uri mishap
Ex-militant’s wife dead
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PDP moves EC against Farooq
Srinagar, April 14 The PDP has sought a probe into the shootout and also asked Farooq
to divulge his sources of information. “The charge is serious in nature and Farooq Abdullah should come out with the source of information about the attack,” said PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar in Srinagar. “Farooq Sahib accused the PDP of the attack despite two top police officials, including J&K’s Director General of Police, saying that the attack was not aimed at the political leader,” he added. “We want a probe into the shootout,” Akhtar said.Hours after the attack on Sunday, Farooq had hinted that the PDP was behind the attack. “I see those people, who are going in the direction of losing the elections, will use every tactic to demoralise the people (from participating in elections) but we will not be demoralised,” Farooq had told reporters after the attack on the party activist in south Kashmir. Two policemen were killed on Sunday when two militants attacked the residence of a High Court Judge, whose son Yawar Masoodi is a youth NC leader at Khrew, 25 km from here. The two militants were later killed in a nearby field. Meanwhile, Pampore town and the Khrew area observed a shutdown amid various incidents of stone-throwing. The protesters were demanding that the bodies of the two slain Pakistani militants, identified as Abu Hamza of Faisalabad and Usman Gori of Abbottabad, be handed over to them for their last rites. Eyewitnesses said youth from various villages of the Pampore area, including Khrew, Shar and Mandakpal, came to the town and staged a protest. |
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Poll campaigning continues despite militant attack
Anantnag, April 14 Two policemen were killed in the militant attack on a NC leader’s house in the Khrew area of Pulwama. The militants were also killed in a brief encounter. Widespread protests were witnessed in many parts of the Khrew area, including the adjoining Pampore town, as locals demanded bodies of the slain militants. While sources said Farooq Abdullah had to postpone his visit to Pmapore in the wake of widespread protests, a party spokesperson maintained that the visit was rescheduled as a mark of respect for the slain policemen in the yesterday's attack. "It would have been insensitive to go ahead with the rally," said a party spokesperson. In other places of the south Kashmir region, campaigning for the general elections continued despite the situation turning ugly in Pampore. The polling for the Anantnag parliamentary seat is scheduled to take place on 24th of this month. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed held public rallies in many parts of Pulwama and Shopian districts today and addressed the gatherings. He addressed gatherings in Tumulhal and Lassipora in Pulwama and Wachi and Zainapora in Shopian district. Mufti's cavalcade was stoned last week in the Gagrenm and Meemandar areas of Shopian district, forcing him to take shelter at a police camp. Meanwhile, reports of other parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP and the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), moving in cavalcades at many places across south Kashmir were also reported. (With inputs from Farooz Ahmad
Bhat) |
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Mufti has sold his soul to BJP: Omar
Srinagar, April 14 Omar also accused
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of selling “dreams of solution to the Kashmir issue”. “Poor Mufti Sayeed, PDP shelves are empty, nothing to sell, so selling people dreams of solutions to the Kashmir issue that he knows can’t deliver,” Omar wrote on social networking site Twitter. The Chief Minister also accused Mufti of trying to sell “what’s left of the state’s special status”. “Mufti Sayeed has already sold his and PDP’s soul to the BJP, now he wants to sell what’s left of the state’s special status and self-respect also,” Omar said.
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Congress doesn’t deserve Jammu mandate, says BJP
Jammu, April 14 The party also targeted Congress candidate for Udhampur-Doda seat Ghulam Nabi Azad, alleging the senior Congress leader-led coalition government in the state caused “more harm to the Jammu province than his predecessors”. The Udhampur-Doda segment is scheduled to go to polls on April 17 and the campaigning for the seat will conclude today. “People should think whether their vote for the Congress will benefit them or harm them. The Congress in general and its candidate from Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency in particular do not deserve the Jammu’s mandate,” Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP state president, said while addressing a series of election meetings in the Hiranagar area of
Kathua district. Jugal alleged that it was the Azad-led coalition government that tore into pieces the 1983 Wazir Commission report that had recommended three new districts for Jammu and one for Kashmir and instead created four new districts in the Valley in 2007. “The people of Jammu have made sacrifices to get more districts. If voted to power, we will constitute a delimitation commission to provide due representation to the Jammu province in the Legislative Assembly,” he said. The BJP leader added that it was the Azad-led government that rejected in 2007 the Private Member’s Bill urging the state to revoke the provision concerning the state flag. “It rejected the suggestion that J&K, like the rest of the country, must have one flag - the Tricolour,” he said. Jugal appealed to the people to look into all these aspects before exercising their franchise and hoped the electorate would vote overwhelmingly for the BJP candidate Jitendra Singh to strengthen the hands of the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. |
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Winning hearts only solution to Kashmir issue, says Mufti
Pulwama, April 14 Mufti, while addressing various public rallies in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts today, recalled that the “healing touch policy” of the PDP was a step towards winning the hearts of people and establishing peace in the Valley. “Mehbooba Mufti (PDP’s candidate for Anantnag parliamentary segment) went door to door and paid visits to people, who met tragedies during the peak years of militancy,” Mufti emphasised. “She not only met common people, but also reached out to the families of militants,” he added. The PDP leader urged people to vote for his party in the coming elections to ensure that the National conference (NC) does not get re-elected. “NC has always relied on poll boycott and is trying to repeat the same
policy in this election,” Mufti alleged. He asked people to defeat the “nefarious designs” of the NC. “If people will not vote in this election, the NC will come to power again. It will lead to further victimisation of Kashmiri’s and an era of terror will repeat,” he alleged. |
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News
Analysis
The two Kashmir-centric parties, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, are unnecessarily getting edgy about Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, despite knowing that this is a temporary provision in the Constitution. They have engaged themselves in a debate on the contentious provision in the Constitution and have started selling the theory that if this Article goes then the state’s whole relationship with India would have to be revisited.
The BJP’s reference to a debate and discussion to “abrogate” the Article in its manifesto released recently has made the two parties whip up passions as if this temporary provision was something sacrosanct, which could not be touched. Former Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah know that Article 370 has already been eroded so much that the Centre is having most of its laws extended to J&K. In fact, much of the erosion took place during the NC and Congress parties’ rule in the state. The two parties have ruled the state since Independence. Under the instructions of the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir was the first state to have the Prevention of Terrorism and Ordinance (POTO) in 2001, which later became POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act). In 2004, the state government then jointly ruled by the PDP and the Congress could not pass the “Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill, again on the directions of the Congress high command. And, way back during the campaign in the 1983 Assembly elections when the National Conference was locked in a stiff fight against the Congress, then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had stated at a rally in Parade Ground in Jammu that “there is no need to talk about Article 370, it will die its own death as it is a temporary provision in the Constitution”. The issue is that the NC had asked for discussion on the autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir after the state legislature passed a resolution seeking greater autonomy for the state as it existed before August 9, 1953, when NC founder and first Prime Minister of Jammu Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah was deposed. The NC is still talking of the “debate and discussion” on the autonomy after the NDA government summarily rejected it. Farooq and Omar have said the autonomy report can be discussed and there can be a debate on what to retain and what to discard from the pre-1953 position, when the state had its control over all affairs, barring defence, communication and foreign affairs. The state also had the titles of “Sadr-e-Riyasat” for the head of the state and “Prime Minister” for the head of the government. A close reading of Article 370, which defines the relationship between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir, show that there are two separate issues involved in this. There is no disputing the fact that J&K acceded to India in October 1947 as did the other princely states of the country. Former Sadr-e-Riyasat of the state Karan Singh has repeatedly stated that the Instrument of Accession that his father Maharaja Hari Singh signed was like similar Instruments of Accession signed by other states. His words can be considered as final because he was privy to what was happening in the palace. He is the son of the last Dogra ruler of the state. The accession issue has to be seen in a different light. The Constitution and the history are clear on the issue. While the “accession” is final and irrevocable, Article 370 can cease to operate any time. It just requires one clear reading of the Article. The clause 3 of Article 370 states: “The President may, by public notification, declare that this Article shall cease to be operative or shall be operative only with such exceptions and modifications and from such date as he may notify.” The BJP’s game plan to provoke a strong reaction on this contentious issue has succeeded. The NC and PDP have deliberately responded to the provocation .This is a clear attempt to divert attention from the real issues. That is what the political class here loves the most. |
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Family looks to Modi for speedy trial of its son
Srinagar, April 14 The family claimed that its son Bashir Ahmed Baba was “framed and implicated in a false and frivolous case” by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in March 2010, and sought Modi’s intervention for a speedy trail. The family maintained that Bashir was scheduled to undergo 15-day training programme at Ahmedabad organised by a German NGO, Maaya Foundation, which ran a project for surgical treatment of cleft lip for children in rural areas. The family said a day before his arrest Bashir had informed them that he would be coming back within a day, adding that he had also booked a train ticket. “The hostel in Ahmedabad where my brother was staying was raided overnight by the police. They arrested four persons. My brother was the only Kashmiri among those caught. But the ATS later mentioned that Bashir was arrested from Anand district,” said Nazir Ahmad, the younger brother of Bashir. Nazir also showed a copy of the original FIR and other documents related to the Maya Foundation, where his brother worked as Assistant Project Manager before being arrested by the ATS on March 14, 2010. He added that as per the FIR nothing incriminating was recovered from Bashir at the time of his arrest. Gujarat ATS officials had claimed that they foiled a plan by the Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen to set up base in Gujarat by arresting Bashir from Samarkha village in Anand district. Nazir, who works as a salesman here, is now the only support of his aged parents and sisters. He further claimed that the former SHO of the Rajbagh police station in Srinagar, who had gone to Gujarat to question Bashir, immediately after his arrest, also told the family that he was innocent and had been framed. “My son is innocent. I appeal to Gujarat Chief Minister to look into the matter and ensure speedy trial in the case,” said Bashir’s ailing father Ghulam Nabi Baba.
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Campaigning for 2nd phase of polls in J&K ends today
Jammu, April 14 While the Congress candidate for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat Ghulam Nabi Azad held roadshows at different villages between Udhampur and Kathua, the BJP nominee, Jitendra Singh, visited the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar to reach out to the people. Singh held an extensive tour of Doda and Kishtwar before reaching Udhampur in the evening to gear up for BJP national president Rajnath Singh’s rally tomorrow. Union Health Minister Azad was accompanied by Bollywood celebrity and Member of Parliament
Raj Babbar. Udhampur-Doda segment is scheduled to go to polls on April 17 and it would be a triangular contest with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trying hard to woo the “secular vote”. The “underdogs” today held a rally in the Ramsu area of Ramban district. The rally was addressed by PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and witnessed a huge participation. There are more than six lakh Muslim voters in the constituency and both the Congress and the PDP are trying hard to get them on board ahead of the polls. The PDP has nominated Arshad Malik for the seat. Malik, who quit the National Conference to join the PDP few months back, enjoys healthy support in Doda. While the PDP will have a direct bearing on the Congress vote share, the National Panthers Party might play a “spoilsport” for the BJP in Udhampur. The party has got two MLAs from Udhampur district and enjoys a strong hold in the area. The Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency comprises 17 Assembly segments, out of which eight seats are with
the Congress and four with the BJP. The National Conference, which has a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, and the National Panthers Party have got two legislators each from the area, while the remaining one is an
Independent. Going by the statistics, it looks like a “cake walk” for Azad as the Congress-NC alliance enjoys a strong position in the area. But the BJP is trying to ride “Modi wave”
to derail Azad’s campaign. As per the official data, more than 14 lakh voters will cast their vote to decide the fate of 13 candidates in the fray.
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Tosa Maidan firing range lease to expire on April 18
Srinagar, April 14 The high-powered government panel headed by the Chief Secretary is expected to hold its meeting on April 16 to decide the matter as the lease of the Army on the Tosa Maidan firing range in Budgam district ends on April 18. Following a shutdown call by Mirwaiz over the issue on Saturday, the government on April 12 imposed restrictions in downtown Srinagar and detained several separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz, to prevent protests over the extension of the lease. “Hurriyat views the proposed move of the government to extend the lease to the Army over the Tosa Maidan firing range as anti-people,” a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement here, while terming it as “a ploy to further the hold of the Army over Kashmir.” He said that as part of its agitation to oppose the extension of the lease, the Hurriyat had convened a seminar over the issue at its headquarters here on April 16. The seminar would be presided over by its chairman Mirwaiz and attended by several intellectuals, environmentalists and law experts. Even though the government-appointed panel is yet to make progress in identifying an alternative site for relocating the Tosa Maidan firing range, sources said the two “viable options” before the government are: offering a short-term lease or an alternative site. “Even if the government does not extend the lease beyond April 18, de facto, the Army is in possession of the land and may continue to hold it beyond the expiry if it wishes,” a senior J-K official said wishing anonymity. The issue came up for deliberation during the Civil Military Liaison Conference held at Jammu on November 12, 2013, which was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. During the meeting, it was decided that a “committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary will be set up for suggesting viable options, including short-term lease and relocation of the field firing range.” Another senior government official, who is likely to attend the April 16 meeting of the panel at Jammu, told The Tribune that “the alternative site is yet to be identified.”
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NC’s downfall imminent: Mehbooba
Jammu, April 14 Mehbooba was apparently replying to the allegations levelled by NC chief and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah that the PDP was involved in the militant attack in the Khrew area of Pulwama district. “The NC is thriving on violence as they know people are not with them anymore. It is now looking for the ways to turn the situation ugly because it suits them,” she said. Farooq had yesterday pointed out at PDP’s involvement in the attack on its workers in Pulwama district saying: “You know who will carry out the attack on our workers, those who have sensed defeat in the polls. I don’t want to name them. But I want to tell them that we have seen worst and we won’t surrender before bombs and bullets.” By terming the entire population of the state as “maha chors (big thieves)” and using derogatory language against its political opponents, Farooq has “stooped too low” in his political conduct. “He is not even sparing the dead,” she said. Mehbooba said after having miserably failed to fulfil their poll promises the NC was resorting to “cheap tactics” to divert attention from its failures. “Using abusive language against the PDP can’t stop the NC regime’s downfall. It is very imminent,” Mehbooba added. She alleged that instead of providing good, corruption-free governance to the people, the present government was busy in looting the state to build huge assets within and outside Jammu and Kashmir. The PDP leader further said the NC can’t seek votes without giving an account of its performance. “Till now the NC was able to get away without offering an account of its performance and misdeeds in the absence of a viable alternative. But now with the emergence of the PDP it can’t avoid presenting a report card and vision while seeking votes,” Mehbooba said while addressing a public meeting in Ramban. She accused the NC and the Congress of promoting violence in the state and said: “The NC-Congress alliance has always proved fatal for the state, as it was this combination which forced youth to pick up guns after rigging the Assembly elections in 1987,” the PDP president said, adding the two were now compelling the Valley youth to pick
up stones. |
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Yasin Malik detained, clashes erupt in Anantnag
Anantnag, April 14 He was scheduled to address a rally in the Lal Chowk area of the town. The JKLF chairman has been holding poll boycott rallies across the Valley, particularly in south Kashmir, which is going to the polls on April 24. Reports from the area said Yasin and his associates were accompanied by a lot of people and were going from the Malak Nag area to Lal Chowk where he was scheduled to address a gathering. Police and CRPF personnel had erected barricades and did not allow Yasin to move further. He was detained along with his associates. Those accompanying Yasin raised pro-freedom slogans and clashed with the police and the CRPF. The security forces resorted to aerial firing and tear-smoke shelling to disperse the protesters. Yasin was in police custody at the time of filing of this reports. “He will be released later in the day,” a senior police officer said. |
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20 years on, Sopore bypass bridge not complete
Baramulla, April 14 The work on the bridge has come to a halt since the past six months as the government was yet to negotiate the price escalation with the with the concerned contractor. The bridge was sanctioned more than 20 years ago, however, the work on the project started only in 2004 after the M/S Mir Constructions got the contract to build the pass from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Locals said several of deadlines were violated by the government and as a result they continue to suffer because of the traffic chaos in the town. Earlier, Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani had blamed unavoidable circumstances for the delay in the work. “Work could not be progressed due to unprecedented floods and adverse law and situation in 2008 and 2010 in the Valley,” Wani had told the Assembly. He, however, had assured that bridge will be thrown open to the public use within a month following which the deadline was further extended to March 1. “The tussle between the BRO and the contractor over the cost escalation has been the biggest hurdle in the completion
of the bridge,” said Haji Mohammad Ashraf, president of the Traders Association. He said in December last year, Chief Secretary Iqbal Khanday had personally visited the construction site and had assured the locals that the bridge would be completed within shortest possible time, but nothing
happened. National Conference MLA from Sopore Mohammad Ashraf Ganaie told the Tribune that the matter was being discussed with the Chief Minister and the Border Roads Organisation. “The BRO isn’t taking any action, fearing a stay from the court. If the contractor gets the stay order, then it will take another 20 years to complete the bridge. I will take up this matter with the Chief Minister again,” Ganaie said. |
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Azad icon of development: Raj Babbar
Udhampur, April 14 “He is a man of development and his politics starts with public grievances in the morning and concludes with redress of the same in the evening. He is the man who always rises above party politics,” the Bollywood star said. “Union Health Minister Azad ensured establishment of 55,000 hospitals throughout the country which is a record in itself in the health sector,” he said. Taking a dig at the saffron brigade, Raj Babbar said: “Unlike the BJP which is fighting the elections on the rhetoric of Narendra Modi, the Congress is contesting the elections on a historical background in the freedom struggle, it’s tireless and continues efforts to develop infrastructure in the country, which includes roads, airports, railway lines, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities,” said the actor-turned-politician. “The BJP is solely dependent on the artificially managed leader who is trying to get votes on myths and dreams but the Congress is seeking mandate of the people on
the basis of substantiated work it has done for nation-building,” he said. “There has been a three-fold increase in food subsidy during the UPA tenure,” he told the public during his address. |
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Guv stresses better facilities for pilgrims
Jammu, April 14 He also urged the niyas to identify requirements and prepare a plan for supporting the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board’s arrangements to register sadhus and provide them various facilities for undertaking the pilgrimage. To enable them to carry forward some of their commitments, Vohra gave Rs 1 lakh to the niyas. — TNS |
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Slain ultra was involved in Hyderpora attack: Police
Srinagar, April 14 The slain militants have been identified as Abu Hamza of Faisalabad, Pakistan, and Usman Gori of Abbottabad, Pakistan, the police said. Hamza, a category “A” militant was recently recommended for “A+” category, the most wanted and hardcore category militants, it added. “The Hyderpora convoy attack was carried out by two Pakistani militants Abu Hamza and Abdullah Haroon. Haroon was shot dead in September last year in south Kashmir’s Shopian district and Hamza continued to remain at large,” the police said. It added that Hamza was mostly operative in
central Kashmir, and south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The Hyderpora attack was masterminded by Abu Qasim along with Abu Hamza, the police said. Eight soldiers were killed and 16 others were injured when two LeT militants had attacked an Army convoy near Hyderpora, in the city outskirts, on June 24, last year. The attack had took place a day ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi’s two-day visit to the state. In September last year, the police had claimed to have cracked the Hyderpora case and had arrested two local accomplices of the militants, who had carried out the attack on the Army convoy.
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CRPF organises talent show in Kupwara
Kupwara, April 14 A large number of senior citizens, including women from different areas of Kupwara, watched the children perform and lauded the CRPF for providing them a platform to promote their skill. Commanding Officer, 98 Battalion, Syam Chand De said the programme was aimed at providing the children a platform to explore their hidden talent and better the relations between the people and the CRPF. “The CRPF is committed to strengthen the relations with people and serve people of the state,” the CO said. “I am sure that such programmes will bring people closer to the CRPF and strengthen the bond of love and trust between the two,” he added. Radikha Bhagat, wife of Commanding Officer of the 92 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force Jagmohan Bhagat, was the chief guest on occasion. Ehsan Sayedi, Commandant, 69 Battalion of the Border Security Forece and AN
Pandey, Commanding Officer, 162 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force, were also present on the
occasion. |
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Streetlights fail to illuminate Baramulla
Baramulla, April 14 According to official sources, more than 400 sodium vapour streetlights and 14 high mass streetlights were installed in the town six years ago by the Power Development Department and the Roads and Building Department to give the town a metropolitan look. However, the short-lived lights developed technical snags a year after, leaving the whole town in darkness. Locals said the streetlights installed in the town, including the Srinagar-Baramulla Highway, all major bridges, Main Chowk, Tehsil Road, Old Town and Civil Line area, have been rendered defunct. The bulbs of lights have either got damaged or the service lines are cut off. This hampers movement of people during evening hours. They blamed the Power Department and the Baramulla Municipal Committee of not undertaking the maintenance work for the past six years. A local, Mudasir Naqashbandi, said, “We are unable to move out during evening hours in the absence of proper lighting. We have many a time apprised the district administration about the problem, but the authorities seem to have turned a deaf ear to our pleas. Lack of funds has remained a usual excuse of the authorities. However, whenever the funds are provided to the departments concerned, it fails to utilise it on necessary works.” He added that only two streetlights were functional from Khanpora to the main market of Baramulla and the rest were lying defunct. The Power Development Department, Baramulla, and the Baramulla Municipal Committee, meanwhile, have dissociated themselves from undertaking the maintenance of streetlights. Executive Engineer, PDD, Baramulla, Lateef Ahmad Shah told The tribune that it had made around 33 streetlights functional in Khajabagh, while the maintenance of the rest, if withheld, was due to lack of funds. “Though our department has installed the streetlights, as per the Cabinet order, the Municipal Committee has to do the maintenance,” Shah said, adding that the MC should take responsibility for maintenance, like the Srinagar Municipal Council that maintains the streetlights in the city. Expressing helplessness, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather said, “We don’t have funds, technical manpower and the latest machinery to maintain these lights. We are handicapped because of financial constraints and lack of manpower. Seniors will decide on the matter. Let them take a decision, but we cannot undertake the maintenance at our own.” |
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Kashmir University introduces choice-based credit system
Srinagar, April 14 Students, who have got admitted in the university this year, expressed pleasure with the introduction of the choice-based credit system. ? “I am happy that apart from my own course, I opted for a subject in communications. This is a good step and can benefit students at large,” said a student of law, who has also opted for a subject from the Department of English. The Dean, Academic Affairs, Kashmir University, said they had provided an open choice to students from academic year-2014, where they could choose subjects from any 50 departments in the university. “Though the system is already there in some Central universities in the country, here we have given wide choice than those institutes. Students can choose any subject from 50 departments. If a student of physics wants to apply for a subject in politics, he can now easily do that. We had to do a lot of work on it,” said AM Shah, Dean, Academic Affairs, Kashmir University. He said as it was the first year of the system, they had also advised all heads of departments to provide a counsellor to new students so that they could decide what subjects could be more helpful to them. ? “We have also put every guideline for students on our official website and also provided counsellors in every department so that it becomes easy for students to choose subjects,” he said. “Apart from choosing core subjects of their departments concerned, students can choose four different subjects throughout the course and get a credit of 24 points in each semester,” the official said. With the introduction of the new system, he said they had received an excellent response from the students. |
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Baisakhi celebrated with fervour
Srinagar, April 14 Harjot Singh, a local, said, “Chatti Padshahi Gurdwara has immense historical significance for them as their sixth guru Hargobind Singh had visited the shrine during the Mughal period. A decent rush of devotees was also seen at the Barzulla gurdwara. Traditionally on Baisakhi, not only Sikhs, but also a large number of locals visited the Mughal gardens, especially Nishat and Shalimar. As weather remained pleasant and sunny today, people along with tourists were seen visiting the Mughal gardens. Earlier, the government used to throw open the doors of the Mughal gardens on Baisakhi only. However, for the past few years, the garden remained open throughout the year. |
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Spring fest concludes with laughter show
Srinagar, April 14 While a series of cultural programmes and water sporting events were held over the last three days, the festival concluded with a laughter show at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the banks of the Dal Lake, an organiser of the fest said. Earlier during the day, work on the “Rolling Canvas” was started by a group of local artists. More than 200 artists from 18 cities from 12 countries are getting together to paint a 33x5 ft rolling canvas. As the work on the canvas began here today, over a period of one year it will travel to 12 countries, including China, Pakistan, UK, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland and the US. The artists of these countries, who will be in touch online, too will contribute to the work of art. Finally, the canvas will be returning to Kashmir after a year and will be displayed on the banks of the Dal Lake, which happens to be the main tourist hub of the summer capital, said Syed Mujtaba Rizvi of the Kashmir Art Quest Group, who is managing the project. He said their aim was to interpret Kashmir
visually, establish an international network of artists and put the Valley on the international tourism map. The main attraction of the festival remained the presence of several Bollywood personalities, including director Imtiyaz Ali of the “Rockstar” fame. Bollywood and TV actors, directors, producers and writers were taken on sightseeing to various locations so that they plan major projects in the Valley. |
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Stay away from drugs, youth told
Srinagar, April 14 The event was organised by "Forum for Revival of Human Values", a religious organisation working for the welfare of youth in the Valley. The scholars stressed on focusing on religious and moral education and urged the youth to stay away from bad activities like drugs. “We have gathered today to bring the youth towards religion. We want you to be focused in life to get real success," said one of the scholars. The event was attended by nearly 2,000 youth at Masjid Wazir Khan Baghat Barzulla, Srinagar. The scholars appreciated the presence of students in a large number and promised of holding such workshops in the other parts of the Valley as well. The scholars urged youth to stay away from drugs and immoral activities. “My message to the Kashmiri youth is that they should live a pious and purposeful life. They should learn to convert challenges into opportunities. No person will be successful until he learns the art of converting challenges into opportunities. The youth should become professionals and adopt true values of Islam,” the scholars said. |
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81% stroke patients in SKIMS from rural areas
Srinagar, April 14 A stroke, sometimes referred to as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), cerebrovascular insult (CVI) or colloquially brain attack is the loss of brain function due to a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This disturbance is due to either ischemia (lack of blood flow) or hemorrhage. The study was conducted among all the stroke patients aged above 15 years admitted at the hospital. Stroke is the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death worldwide. The study says that stroke incidence and mortality rates are declining in developed countries while in developing countries, there is an emergence of stroke epidemic. Dr Zahid Ali Khan, Dr Rauf-ur-Rashid Kaul, Dr Shiekh Salim and Dr M Rafiq Mir from the Community Medicine Department conducted the study. The study was aimed to estimate the magnitude and mortality as well study the risk factors associated with stroke. The results showed that 3.08 per cent of all admissions made in 2012 to SKIMS were stroke patients. “Among the stroke patients, 56.7 per cent were men, which definitely proves higher incidence of this fatal disease among men,” the study corroborated. The risk factors (people susceptible to stroke) were hypertension patients (91 per cent), tobacco exposure (70 per cent), diabetes (21 per cent), overweight/ obesity (32 per cent) and family history of stroke (11.7 per cent). The study says that surprisingly only hypertensive and diabetic patients were taking treatment for stroke regularly.
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Tarigami condemns Khrew attack
Srinagar, April 14 “Tarigami had condemned the attack on National Conference youth leader in Khrew, Pulwama, yesterday,” Tarigami’s spokesman said in a statement here. Describing the attack as dastardly and an inhuman act, Tarigami said it was carried out by elements inimical to peace and progress of Jammu and Kashmir. — TNS
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Telecom firms damage roads for laying cables
Jammu, April 14 Many residents said at times it seemed the government was preparing the city for a war and digging trenches to fight the enemy. It was frustrating at times to see good roads being damaged by using JCBs and labourers. They felt helpless to see the damage and these potholes are not repaired for months. One will not find a place where the digging work for laying cables is not going on. This results in traffic jams, besides causing a lot of problems for pedestrians. Problem is more during the evening hours. “They are happy in first constructing these and then damaging them. It seems there is some inherent problem in our system which does not want to see clear roads,” said Akhil Sharma, a university student. Residents allege that the construction agencies leave the roads dug up for several months, putting them to great inconvenience. The dug-up roads also become a cause of accidents. “An entire portion along the Janipur road to Bantalab road has been dug up, which results in frequent traffic congestions. Same is the condition in other parts of Jammu,” said Ramesh Gupta, resident of Rehari. The basic issue is why such thing is allowed and why agencies like the Municipal Corporation (MC) and Roads and Buildings Department (R&B) Department remain silent over the whole matter. However, both the government agencies associated with giving approval for digging roads pass the bucks to each other. At many places properties of the corporation were dug up and many drains have been damaged in the process. In other parts of the country, civic bodies have created fixed marked areas, where the underground cables are laid, but roads are never dug up. |
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JU employees’ union celebrates Ambedkar’s birth anniversary
Jammu, April 14 The association organised a function at the Jammu Press Club to pay floral tribute to Dr Ambedkar. President of the association RL Kaith highlighted the contributions of Dr Ambedkar towards the society. Kaith said he (Ambedkar) was a great national leader of the 20th century and he was an intellectual scholar and statesman, who contributed greatly to the nation building. “He led a number of movements to emancipate the downtrodden and to secure human rights for millions of deprived classes. He has left an indelible imprint through his immense contribution in framing the Constitution of free India. He stands as a symbol of struggle for achieving the social justice,” Kaith said. Om Parkash, general secretary of the association, described Dr Ambedkar as a “literary genius and an eminent educationist” On the occasion, the association presented Dr BR Ambedkar Award to HR Phonsain in recognition of his "constant and valuable services" that he has rendered to promote the teachings of Dr Ambedkar. Meanwhile, association members said a proposal to set up Dr BR Ambedkar Chair in the University of Jammu was agreed to in principle by the Academic Council in 2008, but unfortunately not a single step had yet been taken by the university to set up
the Chair. They appealed the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof MPS Ishar, to look into the matter seriously. |
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‘Bhajan sandhaya’ organised on Hanuman Jayanti
Jammu, April 14 Prominent devotional song singers from within and outside the state presented a "bhaints" creating a spiritual ambience all around. A large number of devotees of Lord Hanuman participated in the "Brahmin sabha" at Parade Ground, which commenced at 9 last evening and concluded in the wee hours this morning. The prominent artists who presented "bhaints" including Anita Sharma, Jatinder Kour Sharma, Purnima Sharma, Indu Bala, Kapil Thapa and Vishal Gupta. Famous artiste Rajesh had specially come from Amritsar, Punjab, to present devotional songs in praise of Lord Hanuman.
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Baisakhi celebrated with fervour in city
Jammu, April 14 Most of the people visited Rajinder Park on the Canal Road and the Bag-e-Bahu Fort garden to celebrate the day. A craft exhibition by artists from Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Assam was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Shantmanu at Mubarak Mandi. The art and craft of these states was exhibited by the artisans through their paintings and other craft items. Visitors to the exhibition appreciated the role of the Tourism Department in organising such festivals, which depict the rich heritage culture of the state and country. In the evening a cultural programme was also presented by artistes of Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. The artistes of Rajasthan performed the famous puppet show of the state, which revived the old memories of famous putali dance. The artists of Rajasthan depicted the various moods of puppets, which were applauded by the huge gathering. |
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Affiliation panel’s nod must for upgrading pvt schools
Jammu, April 14 The important decision was taken in the recently held Affiliation-cum-Recognition Committee meeting for Summer Zone and Winter Zone (Jammu Division) at BOSE Complex, Rehari Colony. “It shall be binding upon all the institutions to overcome the deficiencies as have been pointed out by the designed inspection teams within a period of three months from the date of issue of affiliation letter. Further, it shall be mandatory upon all the upgraded/extended academic institutions affiliated by the BOSE to obtain recognition order from the Department of Education, Civil Secretariat. Affiliation letters must carry a specific mention in this regard,” a press note from BOSE said. Sources said the institutions had been informed to keep themselves ready for surprise inspections to be conducted by the JKBOSE and government. Random inspections will be conducted in different schools to check the credibility of the inspection reports as and when required. Educational institutions have been instructed to keep all its infrastructure, like examination halls, laboratories, furniture, etc, ready for inspection by the BOSE as and when required. “It shall be mandatory for all the academic institutions to adopt fire safety measures. In particular, the institutions shall ensure the installation of live/functional (ISI) brand fire extinguishers, safe custody of lab chemicals in schools and provision of the transport facilities to its students. It should also ensure comfortable picking up and dropping of students at their points/stations. This shall be strictly in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court,” the BOSE statement said. The committee warned the school managements that they should firmly adhere to the instructions, notification, orders, etc, issued in public interest by the state government or BOSE from time to time. It added that any deviation or non-compliance of the same would warrant a disciplinary action and imposition of penalty up to Rs 25,000. The sources said it was also resolved by the sub-committee that all such institutions which had been granted provisional permission/under process certificates till March, 2014, in respect of Summer Zone and November, 2013, in respect of Winter Zone stood regularised. However, it should be made mandatory that requests for extension cases must come as per the calendar fixed by the
BOSE. |
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Dev Anand Gill elected Safai Karamchari Union president
Jammu, April 14 As per a press note, a meeting to elect the new body of the union was held at Ambedkar Hall, Bari Brahmana, wherein presidents and general secretaries of all district committees participated. In the meeting, Dev Anand Gill was unanimously elected president of the Jammu region. Other office-bearers of the union are senior vice-presidents - Sohan Matto, Rafiq Mashi and Joginder; vice-presidents - Usah, Padmini, Jass, Vikas, Ravi and Krishan; general secretary - William and Dil Mohammad; secretary - Subash Mashi, Kunti and Ashok Mashi; cashier - Lucky; and adviser - Ashok Bhatia. |
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Human skeleton recovered from Pulwama forest
Srinagar, April 14 The skeleton was recovered from compartment No. 5 of the Yarwan forest near the Rajpora area of Pulwama, a police spokesman said. The spokesman said some locals informed the police that a skeleton was lying in the forest. “A police party rushed to the spot and recovered the human skeleton. The skeleton was sent for DNA sampling,” the spokesman said. The police have started investigation under Section 174 of the CrPC to ascertain the cause and circumstance of the death. — TNS
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Two Beacon labourers killed, 4 hurt in Uri mishap
Baramulla, April 14 Reports said a Beacon truck carrying labourers rolled down 50 to 100 foot near Syedpora on the Uri-Nambla road. Two labourers were instantly killed. They have been identified as Farooq Ahmad Mir and Arif Sheikh son, both residents of Nambla in Uri. The injured have been identified as Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Saleem Khan, Zameer Ahmad Sheikh, all residents of Nambla, and the driver, Inderjeet Singh. Block Medical Officer, Uri, Farooq Ahmad Shiekh said: “We referred the injured to District Hospital, Baramulla, for special treatment because their condition was critical.” — OC |
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Ex-militant’s wife dead
Srinagar, April 14 Saira Javaid, 30, who was married to Javaid Ahmad Bhat, an ex-militant, had returned to Kashmir last year with her husband and three children. Saira’s family had alleged that she
was forced to take the extreme step after the government failed to fulfil their promises of rehabilitation policy. Other family members of the former militant, who were accompanying them in the hospital, today alleged that they were not even provided ambulance by the hospital authorities to carry the deceased to Naidkha Sumbal in north Kashmir, the residence of the family. The rehabilitation policy was announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2010 to allow militants, who were trained in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, to return home through Nepal. Around 400 families returned to the Valley from Pakistan-administered Kashmir via Nepal in the last three years. The Pakistani wives of these returned ex-militants have called for a protest rally in Srinagar tomorrow to demand their travel documents from the government. |
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Srinagar, April 14
People should think whether their vote for the Congress will benefit them or harm them. The Congress in general and its candidate from Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency in particular do not deserve Jammu’s mandate
The case file