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Potholes, open manholes turn Jammu roads into death traps
Ex-militants’ kin hold protest
IndiaVotes 2014 |
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Campaigning for Udhampur-Doda seat ends
Tosa Maidan lease will not be extended, says NC
Voting for PDP will be like voting for
Modi: Omar
Posh Abdullahs can’t feel pain of aam
aadmi, says AAP
Over the years, Omar has come into his own on election trail
Fight for Ladakh LS seat intensifies
Terror acts keep security men on toes, politicians on edge
Reasi gets 53 model polling stations
Petrol bombs hurled at NC workers’ houses
Stone throwing in Shopian, CM takes alternative route
Khrew attack: Three cops suspended
Enlarge facilities to promote scientific temper among students: Governor
Bar body rues destruction of civilian property in encounter
Indian Oil Corporation launches 5-kg LPG cylinder
Spring Festival to be made annual affair
Army yet to vacate Jammu Airport, Tatoo Ground in Srinagar
Training for village education committee members concludes
APMCC announces yatra calendar
200 examined at eye check-up camp
Shailender gets first Ram Nath Shastri memorial award
Central varsity to have browsing centre, micro-study room
Function marks Ambedkar’s birth anniversary
Protests against PDD in Kupwara
Lokesh Jha calls on Governor
3,942 IGNOU students to get degrees, diplomas today
4th edition of Shehr-e-Khaas run to be held on April 19
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Potholes, open manholes turn Jammu roads into death traps
Jammu, April 15 What to talk of villages surrounding the city, travelling on roads in posh colonies is a harrowing experience with drivers having to adopt zig-zag pattern to avoid portholes and the broken paths to reach their homes and offices. On some roads, potholes, some measuring about 2 feet in diameter, can be found, which makes it near impossible for the vehicles to pass and two-wheeler riders are sacred to use them to reach their destination. "Heavy vehicles pass through the area with much difficulty. Matadoor service is like a roller-coster ride for villagers, but no step has been taken to ensure repair of the roads," said Tarsem Lal, a villager in the RS Pura tehsil. Another big threat to residents is open manholes in several areas of the Jammu. Residents say that several drivers have got injured after falling in these open spaces on the roads. Shopkeepers and residents lamented that though they had informed the municipal staff several times about the open manholes in several parts of the city and requested them to cover them, nothing was being done about it. "An open manhole has caused several accidents as it is situated exactly in the middle of the road. A large number of schoolchildren use the road everyday and at times they have fell into it," said Suresh Sharma, a shopkeeper near Old Janipur. In most of the cases, contractors who are awarded the work of putting cemented or iron covers on the manholes use substandard material while making these, which is the main reason for their short life. Though the authorities concerned get lots of money to construct drains, but they keep the manholes uncovered, which cause serious problems. |
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Ex-militants’ kin hold protest
Srinagar, April 15 They appealed to the government to implement the rehabilitation policy that has been promised to them by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah four years ago. The protesters from all districts of the Kashmir valley, including women and children, demanded that their travel documents must be returned so that they could visit their families in Pakistan. “We were told that this is a peace building step and we will be allowed to travel to both the places, but when we reached here it all turned out to be a lie. We are caught between the devil and the deep sea, as since our arrival we are suffering from all sides and no one is coming for our rescue. We have been deceived by the government,” said Kousar, mother of four children from north Kashmir, who returned to Kashmir a few years ago under the rehabilitation policy. Last night, wife of a former militant, Saira Javaid, a resident of Naidkha Sumbal, who had returned to the Valley in 2012 under the rehabilitation policy, succumbed to her burn injuries at a Srinagar hospital. The family of the deceased alleged that she was forced to take the extreme step of ending her life, as the government failed to fulfil the promises of the rehabilitation policy. “Our children wander for their identity in their own home. We have nothing to do. Our parents are in Muzaffarabad and we have been snatched the right to meet them. If the government continued like this, we all will be forced to die like Saira. We are all frustrated and fed up of these things,” said another protester. There were more than 150 members who had demanded that the government must implement the policy. “If they cannot do it they should simply tell us and let us go back. They should at least allow our wives to travel to meet their families. We have no ration cards and our children cannot go to school. Tell me what is left here for us then?” a protesting woman, Amina Begum, shouted. “We are not foreigners. We do not belong to Bangladesh, Nepal or Pakistan. Our home is Kashmir. We have just come back, but we still have cases under foreign Acts against us,” a protester, Ehsan, said. They said poor implementation of the rehabilitation policy for the returned militants had discouraged other families back in Pakistan who wanted to return to the Valley. “If this continues, then no will come here?” they added. The rehabilitation policy was announced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2010 to allow militants who 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 past three years. The protesters were later dispersed by the police peacefully. |
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IndiaVotes 2014
Udhampur, April 15 “The laws made by the Centre are not implemented in the state due to the Article 370. The panchayats could not get power as 73rd amendment to Constitution did not come into force in Jammu and Kashmir thereby stopping the development at gross-roots level” Rajnath said. Addressing an election rally on the last day of campaigning for the Udhampur-Doda seat, the BJP president said the party would welcome the special status granted to the state if any political organisation could list the advantages of the Article. Rajnath said his party was against any sort of “appeasement” and was rather focused on development of people. “We are determined to get development to the doorsteps of poor,” he said. The senior leader, however, said his party was concerned about the progress of J&K and if Article 370 helped the state grow, the BJP would accept it wholeheartedly. “We want Jammu and Kashmir to progress on a par with other states. If J&K grows because of Article 370 then we have no objection to keeping it,” Rajnath said. He said J&K was important to the party as the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, sacrificed his life for the Kashmir cause. The BJP’s Jitendra Singh is facing a direct challenge from Congress leader and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Udhampur-Doda segment, which is scheduled to go to the polls on April 17. Rajnath also raised the issue of killing of panches and sarpanches in the state. He alleged that the government had failed to provide security to the elected panchayat representatives. “Everyday sarpanches and panches are being killed in Jammu and Kashmir, but instead of providing security to its citizens, the government only cries for Article 370,” he said. The BJP president also made an attempt to woo the refugees living in the state by lashing out at the National Conference and the Congress for their “deplorable condition”. “The NC and the Congress have failed to solve the problems of migrants and refugees for the last four decades,” Rajnath alleged. He endorsed BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s views that those who have not been able to uplift the refugees living in the state in 40 years have “no right to stay in power” at the Centre and in the state. “Have you heard of any country where people are even struggling for basic rights for more than 40 years?” Rajnath asked. “The BJP will work towards the resolution of refugees’ problems and give them the right to
vote by bringing a rehabilitation policy for them,” he added. Pointing out at the “soft approach” of the Congress-led UPA towards terrorism, the senior leader said: “We want good relations with our neighbouring countries, but not at the stake of our sovereignty and integrity.” “The Congress-led UPA was responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, increasing cross-border terrorism and barbaric killing of Indian soldiers on the Line of Control,” he said. Rajnath also expressed serious concern over the economic crisis and rampant corruption in the country. “Corruption is a disease. If India is to be made corruption-free, it should be first made Congress-free,” the BJP leader said. Rajnath also said secularism meant development for the BJP, while it meant vote bank politics for the Congress. Comparing the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government with the UPA, Rajnath said: “The Congress has not given anything to the country. On the contrary, one has to see the approach and vision adopted by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who created hope among the people of J&K.” Rajnath urged people to vote for the BJP candidate and strengthen Modi’s hands. What BJP president promised
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Campaigning for Udhampur-Doda seat ends
Udhampur, April 15 Thirteen candidates are in the fray for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat. However, it will be a fight between the Congress, the BJP and the
PDP. While the Congress has nominated Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat, the BJP will be represented by Dr Jitendra Singh. The PDP has nominated Arshad Malik for the seat. The other candidates in the poll fray include Prof Bhim Singh of the National Panthers Party, Dharam Pal Balgotra of the Bahujan Samaj Party), Amrit Barsha of the Samajwadi Party, Anil Gupta, Jagdish Kumar, Sham
Lal, Girdhari Lal, Anil Khajuria, Bansi Lal and Nazakat Hussain. Apart from 10,000 police personnel, the authorities have also deployed 166 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces to ensure smooth conduct of elections to the seat. The Election Commission has set up 2,051 polling stations for 14,34,759 electorate in the Udhampur-Doda segment. The constituency comprises 17 Assembly segments, five in Kathua district, three each in Udhampur and Reasi districts and two each in
Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts. “Special focus is being given to 45 hyper sensitive polling stations in Reasi district. Out of 762 polling stations in Udhampur and Reasi districts, 45 are hyper sensitive and 220 sensitive,” DIG, Udhampur-Reasi range, Gareeb Dass said. Yesterday, a meeting was held here to review the election preparedness. The meeting was attended by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu,
Shantmanu, IGP, Jammu, Rajesh Kumar and IG, CRPF, Kuldeep Dhar. 13 candidates in the fray
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Tosa Maidan lease will not be extended, says NC
Srinagar, April 15 Rather, who was addressing a rally in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, said the government, through the special committee constituted for the purpose, had offered alternatives to the Army. “It would be ensured that the lease for the range is not extended,” the Finance Minister said. “It was the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) that extended the lease of the Tosa Maidan artillery range in 2004 when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the Chief Minister of the state. It is for this reason that the PDP has chosen to talk in a hushed, apologetic voice about this issue rather than categorically opposing the extension of lease,” the minister
said. Tosa Maidan in Budgam is a vast meadow used by the Army and other security forces agencies as
a firing range. National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, who is the party candidate for the Srinagar constituency, also addressed the rally and said “friendly relations and bilateral cooperation” between India and Pakistan were important for lasting peace and sustained development in the
subcontinent. Farooq said National Conference founder Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah was “one of the biggest advocates” of the Indo-Pak friendship. “It was Sheikh Sahib who envisioned the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarbad road and permanent economic and cultural exchanges between the two sides of the Line of Control,” Farooq said. “It was Omar Abdullah who in the presence of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi unequivocally and unambiguously said the Kashmir issue was political in nature and not an economic or governance-related problem and hence, needed a political initiative,” the NC patron
said. Farooq said the NC had advocated for the partial revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, unlike PDP leaders who chose to remain silent. Earlier in the day, he visited the Makhdoom Sahib shrine and said he had gone there “to pray for peace”. While talking to reporters, he said the two recently released books which were critical of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were aimed at creating chaos. “There are two motives behind these books. One, is to earn money because it is the election time and, two, is to create chaos,” he said. The National Conference (NC) on Tuesday accused Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of killing 22 militant commanders who had “stepped forward for talks” during his tenure as the Chief Minister. “The PDP eliminated most of the top militant leaders in Kashmir as soon as Mufti Mohammad Sayeed came to power as the Chief Minister. These targeted killings were done while the militant commanders were talking to the government and were in an effective unilateral ceasefire,” said NC spokesman Junaid Azim
Mattu. Junaid said the National Conference government had achieved success in bringing the militant leaders to the negotiation table after convincing them to announce a ceasefire. The NC spokesman accused Mufti of turning Kashmir into a “mass graveyard within months of taking over as the Union Home Minister”. “(He) forced thousands of Kashmiri youth to take
up arms.” |
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Voting for PDP will be like voting for
Modi: Omar
Pulwama, April 15 Addressing election rallies at Pulwama and Shopian districts, Omar said, “The PDP is not shying away from supporting a person
(Narendra Modi), who was responsible for the mass killing in Gujarat in 2002.” “Modi cannot wear a Muslim cap saying that he does not want to play politics, but wears Sikh turban and caps in north-eastern states,” Omar said. He alleged that this had shown Modi’s sense of discrimination against Muslims. Omar, while praising the Congress vice-president said, “Rahul Gandhi is the best candidate for becoming Prime Minister as he is honest, humanitarian and believes in communal harmony.” Terming nomination of candidates by the PDP as a conspiracy against the NC-Congress coalition, Omar said the PDP had shaken hands with the
BJP, which was evident from the nomination of its candidates for the Jammu and Udhampur constituencies. “They belong to areas from which they can divide votes of the National Conference and the Congress and help the
BJP,” he added. He rubbished PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s statement where she said she had seen Vajpayee’s shadow in
Modi. “I have worked with Vajpayee for three years and Modi can in no way be compared with Vajpayee’s shadow, leave away the stature of his personality,” said Omar. He also criticised Mehbooba for not being able to speak in the Parliament for Kashmir during the Amarnath
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Posh Abdullahs can’t feel pain of aam
aadmi, says AAP
Srinagar, April 15 AAP candidate from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency Raja Muzaffar Bhat said “the aam aadmi of J&K thinks that the Abdullahs are a spent force and in no way represent their aspirations”. “In a state where the poor don’t even get the BPL cards, I fail to understand what kind of development is the father-son duo talking about? A majority of the areas on the outskirts of Srinagar have no adequate drinking water resources. The much-touted water supply scheme of the state government has not been implemented in the last four years,” Raja said. He accused the National Conference (NC) of giving in to the VIP culture of the Abdullah dynasty. “These powerful families live in high-security zones of Srinagar and are not concerned about the aam aadmi grievances. The public issues such as unemployment, increasing number of unmarried women, damaged electricity transformers and harassment of youth by police and armed forces personnel are still unsolved,” the AAP's
Srinagar parliamentary constituency candidate said. Raja has held rallies in the
Gampora, Banut, Hokhlitter, Churmujur and Gondipora villages of central Kashmir’s Budgam district. In Srinagar constituency on Monday, he said the entire district had been ignored by the National Conference-Congress regime in terms of development. |
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Over the years, Omar has come into his own on election trail
It is the same Omar Abdullah who way back in 1998 used to struggle for Urdu words while campaigning for himself as a candidate for Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency. It was his debut in politics and militancy was at its peak in February 1998. His senior colleagues in the party Ali Mohammad Sagar and Mian Altaf used to offer him tips on connecting with the people. His basic qualification in politics was that he belonged to the first political family of the state. He is Sheikh Abdullah’s grandson. Omar’s father Farooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at that time. Even his talking points were picked up by his party colleagues.
In contrast, now he is campaigning in his own style. He has become a passionate campaigner. Everything is his own — style, language and the ability to speak extempore in Urdu, though he still faces the problem of using the right Kashmiri words. But that doesn’t matter much because he is able to convey his message to the people who come to hear him. Over the years, he has acquired oratory skills in Urdu, while in English he is at his best. There is hardly any leader in the state, who can match his skilled oratory in English. The overhaul of his campaign style is attributed to the fact that he has brought down the walls of inaccessibility to some extent. He has learned to be himself. His entry into politics was accidental. This 1970-born man wanted to become a pilot, for he was “very fond” of sketching aircraft and felt an inner excitement as he watched planes flying high in the air. In 1996, when his father was campaigning for the Assembly elections, he had no idea he would ever be a politician. But his grandmother Begum Akbar Jehan and father lured him into politics, and his journey began when he contested the 1998 parliamentary elections. When he became president of the National Conference in June 2002, his speech left many wondering whether he would be able to connect with the people. Some of his senior colleagues whispered that he was a “poor communicator” in the land where people were used to theatrics of his father. Farooq was a perfect communicator in Urdu, Kashmiri and sometimes in Jammu’s plains he would pepper his speeches with typical Punjabi proverbs. People wanted Omar to be the carbon copy of his father. That he was not. Now, as both the Chief Minister and working president of the National Conference, he has carved out a niche for his style of campaigning, where he is alternatively explaining as to what his achievements are and is ruthless in targeting opposition parties. The BJP represents, according to him, the forces of divisiveness. The Peoples Democratic Party is “opportunist”, and his harsh language evokes applause. The opposition is in equal hurry to return the compliments. The charge against him goes that “he has wasted six years”. That is an indictment of Omar. The man, who won all parliamentary elections that he contested in 1998, 1999 and 2004 and lost in his maiden bid to enter the Assembly in 2002, is now a sought after man in poll campaign. He attracts crowds. That is his success in politics. But whether his sharpened skills of oratory will deliver the requisite results that he wants, will be known in May. This parliamentary election has provided an opportunity to him to meet the people of almost all Assembly constituencies. The best thing is that this time he has made his own decisions and his oratory and attack on opposition parties has kept his government’s performance under wraps... as he told The Tribune that “this election is not a referendum on my government.” |
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Fight for Ladakh LS seat intensifies
Jammu, April 15 After both the Congress and the BJP had fielded candidates from Leh district for the polls, there were speculations that the two religious bodies would nominate a consensus candidate for the seat in the wake of the decision of two mainstream political parties Leh district is predominately inhabited by the Buddhist population, while Kargil is dominated by Shia Muslims. Both the religious bodies were of the view that alliance partners, the Congress and the National Conference, should have nominated someone from Kargil for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat. The development is seen as a major setback to the alliance partners as the Islamiya School Kargil has traditionally supported of the NC, while the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust has favoured the Congress. The Congress, which is in pre-poll alliance with the NC, has fielded Tsering Samphel for the Ladakh Sabha seat, while the BJP has nominated Thupstan Chhewang. Chhewang had won the seat as an Independent in 2004. “We will field our own candidate for the Lok Sabha elections, but we are yet to take a final decision on the selection of the candidate. We are in the process and hopefully things will be settled by tomorrow,” Haji Mohammad Hanifa Jan, vice president, Islamiya School Kargil, told The Tribune over phone from Kargil. Sheikh Hussain Lutfi, chairman of the Khomeini Trust said he had written to the Islamiya School for evolving a consensus on the choice of candidate but they didn’t respond. “They (Islamiya School Kargil) didn’t respond to our request and now we have decided that we will field our own candidate. The nomination of candidate will be done in next couple of days,” Lutfi said. The BJP nominee, meanwhile, said the move will help the party. “Although the number of voters in both the districts is near same, but our winning prospects will be more if there will be three or more candidates from Kargil district in the fray.” “As the Congress and the BJP have fielded their candidates belonging to Leh, they (the two
religious bodies) are trying to field their own candidate. We are closely watching the development unfolded,” Chhewang said, adding that he would file his nomination papers on April 17. The Congress candidate Tsering Samphel filed his nomination papers before Returning Officer
Simrandeeep Singh in Leh today. So far, only one nomination has been received for the seat, Currently, the Ladakh segment is represented by Ghulam Hassan Khan, an Independent. |
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Terror acts keep security men on toes, politicians on edge
Jammu, April 15 After the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 10, the state is all set to go to the polls for the second phase on April 17 for the Udhampur-Doda constituency. The terror trail began in the state with twin attacks on March 28 in Kathua district which left two civilians and a soldier dead in the day-long encounter. Then the focus shifted to the Kashmir valley on April 8 when militants struck in Kupwara district, killing a soldier and two policemen. On April 12, militants struck in Pulwama district when they tried to storm into the house of a National Conference leader, killing two policemen. Two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in a gunfight on the outskirts of Srinagar city yesterday. Two policemen were injured during the encounter between the militants and security forces. A defence source said, “In Kashmir, militant outfits and others of their ilk don’t want people to be part of the democratic process and we all know about the poll boycott call given by the separatists. So, these militancy-related activities since April 8 could be an attempt to terrorise people who believe in democratic process.” “The way the militants struck in Kathua or in Kashmir, we anticipate more trouble in the coming days, especially for the politicians, during the Assembly elections,” said the source. While the Army has been guarding the frontiers, the police along with the CRPF have a strategy in place to deal with the situation, he said. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir refuses to call militancy-related activities since April 8 a ‘spurt’. “In the last three months, we eliminated over 27 ultras in Kashmir. And, as far as the three militancy-related incidents --- April 8, April 12 and April 14 --- are concerned, barring one incident where militants tried to storm into the house of a National Conference leader, the other two incidents were initiated by us,” claimed the IGP. “We are confident of peaceful conduct of the remaining three phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the Kashmir valley,” Mir said. On security of politicians in Kashmir, Mir said precautions were being taken. |
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Reasi gets 53 model polling stations
Katra (Reasi), April 15 As many as 16 kinds of services and facilities have been made available at these polling stations. There will be no queues, especially for women, and instead tokens will be given to voters as per their serial number on arrival. A red carpet welcome, decorated tents, seating arrangements, new furniture, voter facilitation counters, drinking water bottles, refreshment, first-aid centre, live entertainment, help desk, special facilities for disabled and aged voters are few among these services. |
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Petrol bombs hurled at NC workers’ houses
Srinagar, April 15 The bombs were hurled yesterday night, hours after an encounter between militants and security forces ended
on the outskirts of Srinagar city. The police said the three houses were attacked in the Jamalatta area of the old city and belonged to National Conference workers Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, Mohammad Shafi Lone and Latief Ahmad Bhat. “There was no damage to life, but partial damage to their property,” the officials said. It is a first such attack targeting mainstream political workers in the city here since the nomination for the Lok Sabha election was announced earlier this month. The Srinagar parliamentary constituency is going to the polls on April 30. The official said the miscreants, who hurled the petrol bombs, were on
a motorcycle. Earlier on Sunday, militants had attacked the residence of a National Conference's youth wing member, in which two policemen and two militants were killed. |
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Stone throwing in Shopian, CM takes alternative route
Pulwama, April 15 Omar had to reach the villages in Shopian via Kulgam as incidents of stone throwing were witnessed in the town ahead of his visit. The incidents were witnessed at Mimendar, Bungam and the Batpora areas of the town. Eyewitnesses said after the news of the Chief Minister’s visit spread in the town, a few youth started searching vehicles of National Conference workers and started throwing stones on them. “Soon after the news about the Chief Ministers’ visit spread, some youth came on the roads to protest,” eyewitnesses said. Reports said most of the shops remained closed for the day and youth were seen searching vehicles and asking for NC workers. It said announcements were made from loudspeakers of mosques and shopkeepers were asked to close their shops against the CM’s visit. Meanwhile, Jan Muzaffer, Station Head Officer, Shopian, said some people were trying to create panic in the town. "We took the miscreants to task and brought the situation under control," he said. |
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Khrew attack: Three cops suspended
Srinagar, April 15 Head constable Abdul Hamid and constable Vinod Kumar were killed when two militants attacked the residence of Masoodi on Sunday. The two militants were later killed by security forces. “The three cops guarding the residence have been suspended and a probe has been ordered,” a police officer said. Those suspended, include Ali, Nazir Ahmed and Fayaz Ahmed, the officer said. Sources said the three policemen were found absent from their duty when militants carried out the attack. “The three were absent from their duty. It is a security lapse. The leader was inside the house at the time of attack along with party workers,” a source said. “After preliminary investigation, the three have
been suspended,” the source said. The slain militants have been identified as Abu Hamza of Faisalabad and Usman Gori of Abbottabad. |
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Geelani to arrive in Kashmir today
Srinagar, April 15 Geelani was flown to Delhi on March 13 after he had complained of severe chest pain. Since then he has been recuperating there besides undergoing regular medical check-ups at different Delhi hospitals. Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar in a statement here said Geelani would arrive at the Srinagar airport at 3pm tomorrow. “Immediately upon his arrival in the Valley, Geelani would resume his routine activities. He will also like to inform the people about the current situation and certain other important issues,” Ayaz said while appealing to the people not to visit the airport to receive Geelani. “People can receive and meet Geelani at his Hyderpora residence without any hindrance,” he added. Upon his arrival, Geelani is also expected to chair a meeting of his amalgam wherein the strategy of the poll boycott would be discussed. |
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Enlarge facilities to promote scientific temper among students: Governor
Jammu, April 15 He said this while chairing the 76th meeting of the University Council of Jammu University here at Raj Bhawan today. He urged the Vice Chancellors of both Kashmir and Jammu universities to evolve an internal recognition scheme for encouraging teachers, who excel in their fields, publish research papers in known national and international journals and achieve promising results in implementing research projects. The council also discussed institutional development plan of Jammu University submitted to the state government for its inclusion in the state higher education plan under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). The over Rs 115-crore plan includes research, innovation, faculty improvement, and infrastructure grants for the university. The council approved the introduction of the broad scheme of choice-based credit system (CBCS) at the postgraduate level through regular mode and semester system at the undergraduate level from the academic session 2014-15. For facilitating adequate understanding of students of the choices available under the CBCS, the university will provide counselling to the aspiring youth. The council approved the implementation of the 2nd Amendment to the UGC regulations w.e.f July 1 and adoption of minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and maintenance of standards in higher education with modifications as suggested by the Vice Chancellor’s committee in state universities. Amendment in the regulations governing the Jammu University Entrance Test for admission to the various academic programmes of the university/ offsite campuses/private affiliated colleges from the academic session 2014-15 were also approved by the council. Those who were present at the meeting included Prof MPS Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, BB Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance, Rakesh Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Prof Vinayshil Gautam, founder director, IIMk and 1st Head, Management Department, IIT, Delhi, Prof RP Tandon, HoD, Department of Physics and Astro Physics, University of Delhi, Dr Sameru Sharma, Dean Faculty of Engineering, Government College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu, Prof DS Jamwal, president, JUTA, Dr Avinash Kumar Gupta, president, College Teachers Association, Jammu Wing, Prof Tejinder Singh, principal, Government Degree College, Poonch, and Prof Manoj K Dhar, registrar, Jammu University. |
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Bar body rues destruction of civilian property in encounter
Srinagar, April 15 In a statement issued here today, the Bar spokesman said, “The Bar association has expressed concern over the blasting of a house belonging to a woman advocate, Asma Rangrez, and the house belonging to an uncle of advocate Aijaz Ahmad Dar at Ahmad Nagar by the forces here yesterday.” In the encounter at Ahmad Nagar, which lasted for over 22 hours, two militants were killed while as two residential houses were destroyed in the gunfight between the holed up militants and the government forces. “The Bar in its meeting today observed that the state forces in the name of anti-militancy operations are deliberately and intentionally damaging and destroying the civilian property so as to harass the common masses and to perpetuate psychological fear,” the Bar alleged in its statement. It added that the destruction of the civilian property during encounters was also aimed at forcing people to shun its struggle. The Bar association added that destruction of civilian property during encounters was “forbidden” under law and human rights. |
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Indian Oil Corporation launches 5-kg LPG cylinder
Jammu, April 15 The cylinder was formally launched by Sudeb Gupta, Executive Director, IOCL, Punjab State Office, Chandigarh. Gupta said the free-trade LPG cylinder would be a step forward in the area of customer service and convenience. He said 5-kg free-trade LPG cylinders could be procured from the department store just on the submission of an identity proof. The customer would be required to pay Rs 1,000 as the cost of the cylinder plus applicable VAT, which would be one-time charge, and in addition to this cost of 5 kg LPG, which was currently Rs 494.50 in the Jammu market. Citing the launch of the cylinder as a Baisakhi gift to customers of J&K, Gupta emphasised on the safe handling of LPG cylinders and said these cylinders were standard equipment, which were checked, filled and sealed at the Indane Bottling Plant. The launch of the cylinder was also attended by other Indian Oil dignitaries - MK Sinha, Senior Area Manager, IOCL, Jammu, AK Wazir, Manager (LPG-S), Vijay Garg, Chief Divisional Manager (Consumer), Jammu, and Mohinder Kumar, Plant Manager, IOC Jammu. |
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Spring Festival to be made annual affair
Srinagar, April 15 An organiser of the festival said besides boosting tourism-related activities, the events held also gave a platform to local artists to showcase their talent. He said the festival would be held every year from now onwards and continue to give platform to local talent. While the three-day festival was primarily held to attract tourists, a series of cultural programmes were also
organised. These included “Shaam-e-Sama”, an opera of Kashmir’s ancient music and dance performances that was a first-of-its-kind performance on stage here presented by at least 100 music, theatre and media professionals of the Valley. Other performances included
Raqs-e-Bahaar, a group performance in Sufi fusion. Other main attractions included “Rolling Canvas” for artists, kite-flying event and a stand-up comedy show. Local painters, theatre artistes and musicians, who do not get opportunities to showcase their talent, took part in the events and welcomed the step that Spring Festival will now be held annually. Several Bollywood personalities, including director Imtiaz Ali of “Rockstar” fame, attended the event. Bollywood and TV actors, directors, producers and writers were taken on sightseeing to various locations so that they could plan major projects in the Valley. |
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Army yet to vacate Jammu Airport, Tatoo Ground in Srinagar
Srinagar, April 15 The prominent sites to be vacated by the Army and handed over to the government include Tatoo Ground camp in the Batamaloo area of Srinagar and the Jammu Airport. The lease to Army over Tosa Maidan field firing range, spread over 11,000 kanals, expires on April 18. However, the issue of lease extension has become political, with the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference projecting it as a design to extend the hold of the Army over Kashmir and mainstream political parties making it a poll issue. The government had also desired that the Kalith field firing range in the Jammu region be shifted as it caused inconvenience to the locals. The state government has provided alternate 100 acres to the Army at Shariefabad on the outskirts of Srinagar to vacate the Tatoo Ground camp, spread over 212 acres. However, the Army has not vacated it. The issue came up for discussion during the Civil-Military Liaison Conference in Jammu on November 12, 2013, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In the conference, sources said, it was decided that “the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, in consultation with the Army will recommend various options for transferring alternate additional 112 acres to the Army at some other location acceptable to it in Kashmir, as there is no land available at Shariefabad.” It was also decided and agreed upon by the government and the Army that “Tatoo Ground be transferred to the state government at the earliest on confirmation of availability of suitable land in lieu”. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand had, in the conference, stressed the need for shifting of the Kalith field firing range in the Jammu region to some other location “in view of the inconvenience caused” to the locals. However, the Army had insisted on re-notifying the field firing range, arguing it was “very critical for the combative preparedness” of the Army. “Accordingly, it was decided that the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, in consultation with the locals and the Army, shall recommend the case for re-notification,” a sources said, adding that the Army had also agreed upon enhancing the compensation given to locals. The Army was also required to vacate the Jammu Airport. “The Army has been given land at Sunjiwan. But it continues to occupy the Jammu Airport,” a senior government official told The Tribune. He said the Army continued to hold several other places in J&K despite lease having expired in many cases. “In matters of security, the state government also demonstrates caution. It cannot force the Army out of these areas,” he said. Army stays on
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Training for village education committee members concludes
Jammu, April 15 The programme was held under the chairmanship of Padma Dalkar, Zonal Education Officer, and attended by Shiv Nath, Zonal Education Programme Officer, Sukhwinder Singh, Zonal Resource Person, and Kiran Bhat, Zonal Coordinator. A large number of members of VEC, school management committees, panches and sarpanches were also present in the programme. It was deliberated during the training programme that the government has started many schemes, including the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhmik Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meal for upgrading standards of education in government-run schools. The Zonal Education Officer asked the participants to spread the awareness among people and encourage them to enrol their wards in government schools. — TNS |
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APMCC announces yatra calendar
Jammu, April 15 Announcing the yatra calendar, the yatra coordinator of the APMCC, Amit Raina, said the Kousar Naag yatra from the Kashmir side, which would be conducted from the Kongwatan side after decades, had been added to the yatra calendar. The yatra would be organised on Naag Panchami from July 30 to August 3, the details of which would be given later. The yatra, which had also been going on from the Jammu side for the last four years, was also being organised from July 30 and the pilgrims from both sides would meet at Kousar Nag on Naag Panchami, Raina informed. Raina also announced the dates for the other regular yatras of the APMCC, which includes the sixth annual yatra of historic Harmukh Ganga (Gangbal), which the APMCC started in 2009 at the mountainous North-East Harmukh Range, 14,500 ft above the sea level. The yatra would be conducted by The Harmukh Ganga (Gangbal) Trust (HGGT), only trust for Gangbal yatra, and the APMCC jointly from August 31 to September 4 for which the registration would close on May 12. This year there would be a registration fee of Rs100 for the smooth conduct of the yatra, he added. — TNS
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200 examined at eye check-up camp
Jammu, April 15 Raju Sharma, vice-president, Kissan Khet Congress and Mazdoor Congress (KKCMC), who was the chief guest, inaugurated the camp. A medical team comprised of Block Medical Officer (BMO) Balkar Choudhary and Dr Anu Radha, eye specialist. More than 200 people of surrounding villages were examined in the camp. They were also provided free medicines. During the camp, some eye operations were also conducted. Speaking on the occasion, Sharma appreciated the steps taken by the trust and said by from such camps people from poor families could get medical benefits. Sharma assured the trust members that his organisation would also support the initiative in the future and necessary help would be provided for organising such camps. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Avinash Choudhary, Rakesh Sharma, Vikas Sharma and
Chand Sharma. |
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Shailender gets first Ram Nath Shastri memorial award
Jammu, April 15 The celebrations were held in KL Sehgal Hall in which a number of writers, intellectuals, associates and relatives of Prof Shastri and prominent citizens of Jammu were present. The other highlights of the programme were the release of a book, published by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, entitled "Prof Ram Nath Shastri - Samagra Rachanavali'', which is based on the life and complete works of Prof Ram Nath Shastri and musical renderings of poetry of Prof Shastri, composed by Brij Mohan. Prof Ved Ghai was the chief guest, while noted Dogri writer Prof Nilamber Dev Sharma presided over the function. Rangeele Thakur, Director, All-India Radio, Jammu, was the guest of honour. The Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award has been instituted by the Dogri Sanstha and is sponsored by the family members of Prof Shastri. It will be given annually for the best first book of Dogri written by an author in the preceding five years. This year, the jury constituted for the purpose has awarded "Hashiye Par", first book of Shaileder Singh, a novel published in 2009. The award carries a cash amount of Rs 21,000, shawl and a memento. Om Goswami, author of the book released during the function, presented a paper on the book touching various aspects of the life and works of Prof Shastri. Prof Ved Ghai narrated in her speech the qualities of leadership, hard work and foresightedness in Prof Shastri. Prof Nilamber Dev Sharma, a close associate of Prof Shastri, said he inspired a complete generation of writers and narrated a many instances of his life which portrayed Prof Shastri as a person who was completely and wholeheartedly dedicated to the cause of Dogri. Earlier, Prof Lalit Magotra, president, Dogri Sanstha, while welcoming the audience, said the presence and emergence of Prof Shastri at the crucial period of 1940s was a rare and most significant event which played a defining role in the history of development of Dogri language and literature. Haroon Rashid, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, presented vote of thanks, while Prof Veena Gupta, general secretary, Dogri Sanstha, read the citation for Shailender Singh during the award ceremony. |
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Central varsity to have browsing centre, micro-study room
Srinagar, April 15 "The university is also starting two vocational courses on the designated campus," Mir said while interacting with the students of Boys Higher Secondary School, Khurhama. Mir, who was accompanied by Dean, School of Languages, Muhammad Aslam, Controller of Examinations Nazir Ahmad Gilkar and Assistant Professor, Department of MSc, IT, Zahoor Ahmad, said after the establishment of the browsing centre, the students could get connected to the outside world and remain abreast with the advancements in the field of education and other allied subjects and current affairs across the globe. He said the students could also study for competitive examinations and other tests in the micro-study centre. The CUK Vice Chancellor asked the students to think and provide details about the new courses they were interested in pursuing so that the same could be incorporated in the university curriculum, after evaluation by experts. He added that the university was also constructing pre-fabricated structures on the designated campus area so that the academic activities were shifted to the campus at the earliest. Aslam while addressing the students said the establishment of the university building would not only be beneficial for the students, but also for the local populace. "The upgrade of the university will usher in a new era of development for the area as the students and faculty would need different services during education and stay respectively," Aslam said. He asked the students to become the ambassadors of the institution and create awareness about it among the masses in the district. He said the programmes offered by the university were different from the traditional subjects and had a huge scope in the competitive job market. Gilkar said the people of the area should take full advantage as an institution of higher learning was being established in the area. "The Government of India has established the institution to bring education to the doorsteps of the children intending to pursue higher studies," he said. Nazir said the area had given several intellectuals and bureaucrats to the state. He said the establishment of the university in this area would altogether change the socio-economic landscape of the area. |
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Function marks Ambedkar’s birth anniversary
Jammu, April 15 The function was organised by Chitamber Singh, panch, at Kheri Bishnah yesterday where PCC secretary Ashwani Puri was the chief guest. At the function, Congress leaders termed the BJP as “anti-weaker section” and said the party was responsible for the “socio-economic condition of weaker sections in the country”. The speakers alleged that the BJP had always created hurdles in making laws for the uplift of weaker sections of society. The speakers recalled the services of Dr Ambedkar and described him as the “masiha” of the downtrodden. While paying tributes to Dr Ambedkar, Puri said the best way of remembering him was to work towards the realisation of his dream of a
society which guaranteed social justice and equal opportunities of progress and development to all. Those who paid tributes included Surjit Singh Charak, Mulkh Raj, Janak Raj, Pritam Singh, Sitander Kudan, Kirpal Singh Jamwal, Chuni Lal, Mulkhi Ram, Parkash Chand and Suman Gupta. |
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Protests against PDD in Kupwara
Kupwara, April 15 The people Anwarabad raised slogans against the PDD and blocked the Sulkoote-Kupwara road for about two hours. The protesting residents alleged the PDD officials had lifted the transformer for repair three weeks ago and had not installed it back so far, forcing the area into darkness. “For the past about three weeks, we are groping in darkness due to the negligence of the PDD. The power department employees lifted the transformer for repair work about three weeks ago, but they have not installed it back to date,” said Altaf Ahmad Malik, a local. At Hirri, the protesters blocked the Kupwara-Trehgam road for couple of hours and demanded immediate redressal of their grievances. “The power department employees have so far not lifted the transformer, which developed a snag on Thursday. We are groping in dark for past five days and despite repeated pleas the PDD employees are not lifting the transformer for repair,” claimed Nisar Ahmad, a local. |
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Lokesh Jha calls on Governor
Jammu, April 15 This was Jha’s first meeting with the Governor after his return to the state from the Central deputation. |
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3,942 IGNOU students to get degrees, diplomas today
Jammu, April 15 As many as 3,942 candidates of the Regional Centre, Jammu, have been declared eligible for receiving degrees and diplomas in the 27th convocation. However, only those who will be awarded Master's degree are being invited for the convocation function. Ashok Thakur, Additional Secretary, Higher Education, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, would be the chief guest and deliver the convocation address and Dr Vijitha Nanayakkara, Vice Chancellor, The Open University of Sri Lanka, would be the guest of honour at New Delhi Headquarters. Prof M Aslam, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, will preside over the function there. In Jammu, Kiran Wattal, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, would be the chief guest and would distribute degrees and diplomas among the students. The convocation function is being organised in the auditorium of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, here. The 27th convocation will be held at the Convention Centre on IGNOU’s main campus at Maidan Garhi from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. It will be simultaneously organised at the 53 regional centres wherever the number of candidates attending the convocation will be more than 100. |
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4th edition of Shehr-e-Khaas run to be held on April 19
Srinagar, April 15 The run will be flagged off from the Tourism Reception Centre (TRC) ground and will pass through Munawarabad road, Baba Dawood Khaki Bridge, Baba Demb, Naid Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Rajouri Kadal and Gojwara and will culminate at Islamia College, Hawal gate. The event will be held in the open and under-17 category for boys only. Giving details about the event, JKSDA president Bashir Ahmad Malik said, “This is our flagship event. After three successful editions, we are adding a number of features to it this year apart from a larger number of participants in both the participating categories.” “Last year, we had organised a number of events that included “Run for Old City” (Shahr-e-Khaas), Kashmir Cycling Challenge, Spring Champions Run, Tour-de-Kashmir and Highland Sports Meet. All events were a huge success, in which a large number of athletes and cyclists participated,” he said. “It is a known fact that there is a lot of talent among the Old City youth in sports activities and they have been bringing laurels for the state at various national and international events. Our aim is to dedicate this run to the Old City talent, heritage and culture, which is unique in itself,”
he added. The run would be sponsored by J&K Bank and is being named after the sponsoring body. “It is great to see J&K Bank coming forward to sponsor the event. They have been promoting sports activities for the past many years. We are thankful to them as it is almost impossible for a voluntary body like JKSDA to organise an event like this on its own,” he said. The last three editions of the event were won by JK Police athlete Reyaz Ahmad. The organising secretary said, “This will be the second event organised by the JKSDA this season as we have already organised Spring Champions Run earlier. The first five positions in both the categories would be rewarded with prizes and certificates would be given to each and every
participant. It will be the biggest run of the season and we are expecting around 1,500 athletes to participate in it. The Under-17 category will involve school students, while the open category will involve some of the known top athletes of the state so competition is going to be tough.” |
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Despite claims of the government of investing crores of rupees in urban infrastructure development, particularly roads, on ground the realty is something different.
BJP chief Rajnath Singh today said Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to the state had caused it “immense loss”.
Blaming the Peoples Democratic Party for supporting the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that voting for the PDP was like voting for Modi as the next Prime Minister.
It is the same Omar Abdullah who way back in 1998 used to struggle for Urdu words while campaigning for himself as a candidate for Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency. It was his debut in politics and militancy was at its peak in February 1998. His senior colleagues in the party Ali Mohammad Sagar and Mian Altaf used to offer him tips on connecting with the people.
The spurt in militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir since March 28 has not only brought security forces on their toes and politicians on the edge, but the increased attacks also indicate how things will unfold in the state, going to the Assembly polls later this year.
Stressing the importance of enlarging all infrastructural facilities for promoting scientific research, Governor NN
Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of Jammu University, asked academicians to take appropriate steps for inculcation of scientific spirit among students from an early stage.
To fulfil the need of the outsiders in the city, Indian Oil Corporation Limited
(IOCL), today launched a 5-kg free-trade LPG (FTL) cylinder for the first time in Jammu & Kashmir at Pritam Variety Store, Kunjwani Chowk here.
The Tourism Department’s Spring Festival, which concluded here yesterday, will be made an annual affair from now onwards.
An organiser of the festival said besides boosting tourism-related activities, the events held also gave a platform to local artists to showcase their talent. He said the festival would be held every year from now onwards and continue to give platform to local talent.
Shailender Singh got the first Prof Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award at the birth centenary celebration function of Padmashri Prof Ram Nath
Shastri, organised by the Dogri Sanstha in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Despite claims of the government of investing crores of rupees in urban infrastructure development, particularly roads, on ground the realty is something different as most of these have turned into death traps even in the winter capital.
The Tourism Department’s Spring Festival, which concluded here yesterday, will be made an annual affair from now onwards.
