|
|
|
|
|
38 EVMs from Kishtwar district without polling staff signatures
Poll campaign ends for Anantnag constituency
|
|
|
NC, Congress sideline vital issues to target Modi
Key
Players: Stakes and Strategy
Ladakhi voters living in Srinagar threaten protest
Those against elections behind violence: Omar
NC responsible for killing of sarpanches: Shafiq Mir
J&K wary of fate of Central schemes after elections
Kashmir remains unpredictable towards Lok Sabha polls
State govt objects to Idea’s pashmina ad
J&K gets Rs 28 cr assistance for
MGNREGA implementation
Governor inaugurates Wadia Chamber at Jammu college
Army holds eye camp, 61 operated upon
Relatives of slain Lolab youth demand probe
Rice for mid-day meal stolen from Kupwara school
Schools hold ‘walkathon’, special assembly to celebrate Earth Day
‘Influential’ woman held for abetment to rape
GGM Science College organises alumni meet
Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra taken out in Jammu
CBSE tells schools to develop websites containing all information
SHRC takes suo motu note of ‘medical negligence’
Geelani lashes out at religious sects for ‘silence’ on poll boycott
Gopalpora residents yet to get relief from waterlogging
Anti-smoking drive around educational institutions loses steam in Srinagar
12 injured in Uri accident
Body of missing person fished out
Bootlegger held with 50 liquor pouches
|
|
38 EVMs from Kishtwar district without polling staff signatures
Jammu, April 22 Accordingly, the ‘serious’ lapse invited the ire of the BJP, which expressed apprehensions of proxy voting by the ruling NC-Congress alliance to scuttle the prospects of party candidate Jitendra Singh Rana. The ruling alliance had fielded Congress’ lucky mascot and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. This Lok Sabha constituency comprising six districts of Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Reasi, Doda and Kishtwar had witnessed 72 per cent polling - 27 per cent more than 2009 Lok Sabha elections. However, Kathua Deputy Commissioner Jatinder Kumar Singh ruled out the possibilities of any foul play. He said, “Today we received 117 EVMs from the Kishtwar Assembly segment and 108 from the Inderwal Assembly segment out of which 32 from the Kishtwar segment and six from the Inderwal segment didn’t have signatures of presiding officers and polling agents, but on the outer casings.” “EVMs have three to four types of sealing. Neither there was any breakage nor any tampering of the EVMs that we received today from the Assistant Returning Officers of Kishtwar and Inderwal. Only outer casings of 32 EVMs from Kishtwar and six from Inderwal didn’t have signatures of the presiding officers and polling agents,” Singh further explained. The Kathua DC, who was the Returning Officer for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, informed that missing signatures on the outer casings of 36 EVMs doesn’t matter. “Now all the 2051 EVMs have been deposited in 17 strong rooms under CCTV surveillance in three-tier security grid,” said Singh. “We have also explained everything and convinced BJP’s covering candidate Prem Nath Dogra of no foul play,” he added. However, Dogra insisted upon an independent inquiry. “I raised objections to the serious lapse before the Kathua DC, assistant returning officers of Kishtwar and Inderwal,” he said. “The EVMs reached Kathua today after four days of polling on April 17. The administration attributed the delay in their arrival to snowfall and difficult terrain, but we should also not forget that both the Assembly segments also recorded high voter turnout. So, we have strong doubts of proxy voting,” said Dogra. He alleged that the present coalition government wanted to win the elections by hook or crook. |
||
|
Poll campaign ends for Anantnag constituency
Anantnag/Pulwama, April 22 Two major rallies were held by the coalition
partners National Conference (NC) and the Congress in the Noorabad and Devsar areas of Kulgam district today. Speaking at a rally in Noorabad, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the militant attacks on panchayat members and termed the attacks an attempt to enforce poll boycott in the Valley. The public rally in Devsar was attended by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz. The leaders made a last-ditch effort to woo the voters. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held no major rally in Kulgam and Anantnag districts. Only a few vehicles were seen campaigning for the PDP. With elections on April 24, the political parties have been making a beeline to south Kashmir to woo voters. In Pulwama and Shopian districts, a series of public meetings were held by the major parties recently. |
||
|
NC, Congress sideline vital issues to target Modi
Jammu, April 22 The poll campaign in the Valley is going on amid militant attacks but no political party has so far touched the issue of restoring sustainable peace. The ruling National Conference and the Congress have been criticising BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi despite the BJP not being a formidable force in Kashmir. The Congress is also availing of every opportunity to indulge in Modi-bashing just to divert the attention of the people from vital issues such as governance, peace and development. For the last two days, the poll campaign in Kashmir is revolving around the controversial statement of former Bihar minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh. On Saturday, Giriraj had triggered a controversy after he said at a rally in Godda district of Jharkhand, “Those opposing Narendra Modi are looking towards Pakistan. In the coming days, such people will have no place in India. They will only find a place in Pakistan.” Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz and Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have reacted to Giriraj’s remarks. Reacting to Giriraj’s statement, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he would prefer to migrate to Pakistan rather than stop talking against
Modi. |
||
|
Key
Players: Stakes and Strategy
This time perhaps Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti is facing the toughest political battle in her 18-year-old political career. She is fighting all odds stacked against her by the ruling alliance — the National Conference and the Congress — and at the same time she has to demonstrate her winning capabilities to her supporters all across Jammu and Kashmir.
For her, it is just not a contest for a particular parliamentary constituency —Anantnag — but also a fight against the well-entrenched coalition led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. She has to stand against all the power of the Abdullahs — Farooq and Omar. They have used all their political ammunition against her and her party and so she too had to do something similar to “apprise” the people of how much have they “suffered” during the coalition regime. In fact, the stakes are high for her in this election. First, she is president of the party that had secured the second largest number of seats (21) after the National Conference’s 28 in the 2008 Assembly elections. She is seen as a leader who scripts victories in unknown terrain, and south Kashmir is considered to be her family bastion. Anantnag, the constituency from where she is contesting, is at the heart of her party’s support base. The voting in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency is going to impact voting pattern in the rest of the Valley. The incidents of killing of sarpanches and village heads have already instilled fear among the minds of people in this constituency. The PDP sees this atmosphere of violence as a tool used by the ruling alliance to scare voters and keep them away from polling booths. Predictably, Omar and Farooq have denied this. But, this lady, who had propelled her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to the coveted chair of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in 2002, has a never-say-die attitude. So, she has her strategy in place, which she has played out so far and will continue to do so till the elections are over in the Valley and Ladakh on May 7. She is determined to make her party the “voice of people of Jammu and Kashmir”. As part of her strategy, she has touched on all subjects under the sun — from non-availability of ration to the Kashmir problem “We will voice grievances of the people of Kashmir and at the same time talk about the amicable resolution of the Kashmir problem. We were close to our goal in 2005 (when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was ruling the state),” she tells voters. She had represented Anantnag constituency from 2004 to 2009. She did not contest in 2009. She never lost any election but for one against Omar when she was fielded as the party candidate from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency in 1999. Familiar with constituency like the back of her hand, Mehbooba is popularly called “Baji” or elder sister by her admirers. Her opponents have mobilised all resources to ensure that she doesn’t enter Parliament this time. She is extra cautious with her words while speaking for she knows that she has a lot more responsibility on her shoulders than just winning her own seat. It is a tough contest. She is vigorously campaigning for the party, traversing from one hilly area to another to compete with her opponents. Dressed in “abaya”, a loose cloak from shoulders to toes, and a scarf carefully placed on her head, Mehbooba is taking up concerns such as lack of development, unemployment and the emotive issue of the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru — everything that generates anger against the current coalition government. That is the weapon
in her armoury against the ruling alliance. Mehbooba Mufti inspires mixed feelings. Some have not forgotten her remark (“Hindu India versus Muslim Kashmir”) during the height of the Amarnath land row agitation. That was 2008. But, in 2014, she is a different person altogether, talking of unity and integrity of the state and also of the Kashmir solution. |
||
|
Ladakhi voters living in Srinagar threaten protest
Srinagar, April 22 While the government has so far remained non-committal to the demands of Ladakhis living outside the region to set up special polling stations in Jammu, those stranded here say they will not be able to make it to their respective destinations by the polling date (May 7) due to lack of sufficient air service run by the government. Right to Information (RTI) activist Haji Aishan Ali, a resident of Kargil, said only two daily courier flights having a capacity of 40 passengers were supposed to ply to Kargil and that was not sufficient to ferry all voters. He said, moreover, the cancellation of these flights had become a norm in the recent past due to adverse weather conditions. “Will the authorities tell us how many months and years it will take them to ferry all passengers. The government is spending crores on campaigning but they do not have the money for eligible voters who will be deprived of their right to cast their vote,” Ali said. He said 2,500 Ladakhis were stranded in Jammu and Srinagar. Haji Sidiq, a stranded Ladakhi here, said 1,000 persons were held up in Srinagar and in case adequate flights were not made available, the government should set up a polling facility in the summer capital. Ali said the government should press into service more flights so that people were not deprived of casting their votes. He said in case the demand was cold-shouldered, they would come on roads and gherao the civil secretariat. After getting a cold response from the state over their demand to set up special polling stations in Jammu, Ladakhis staying outside the region have already written to President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking his intervention to enable them to vote. |
||
|
Those against elections behind violence: Omar Srinagar, April 22 Omar tweeted that the decision to boycott the polls should be based on “conviction, not fear”. Three persons - a sarpanch, his son and another villager - were killed by the suspected militants in two separate attacks on Monday evening at Amlar and Butgund villages of Tral in Pulwama district, where the campaigning for elections to the Ananatnag parliamentary constituency came to an end today and voting will be held on Thursday. “I unequivocally condemn the attacks in Pulwama that left three political workers dead. By all means call for a boycott of the polls”, Omar wrote on twitter. Omar questioned the poll boycott campaign by separatists and allegedly being enforced by the suspected militants by the violent attacks. He said the government did not force people to vote. So why should militants terrorise the people to enforce election boycott in the Kashmir Valley. “The decision to boycott should be based on conviction not fear. We don’t terrorise people to vote so why instill fear to enforce boycott,” Omar said. In Kashmir, voting for three parliamentary seats in three constituencies will begin on April 24. It will be held in three phases and end on May 7.
|
||
|
Militants’ relatives put under arrest
Pulwama, April 22 The police have arrested Sayyar Ahmad of Rathsuna village, who is the brother of an active militant in the area, along with relatives of many other militants active in the area. “Soon after the killing of the sarpanch, the police raided my house and arrested my son,” said Sayyar Ahmad’s father. He said many other people, especially kin of some active militants, were also put under arrest. The police confirmed the arrests and said they had taken the relatives of a few militants under arrests and were interrogating about the militants’ movement from the last few days. The police, CRPF and the Army started a hunt for the suspected militants in the area and cordoned off various villages. Security was tightened and frequent frisking of people and vehicles was done in the area. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was scheduled to visit Tral today, also cancelled his visit owing to security reasons after the killings. Meanwhile, about 24 panches and sarpanches from different political parties in the Tral area have tendered resignations. Reports said sarpanches and panches, who were not willing to tender resignation, had left their houses and had gone into hidings. |
||
|
NC responsible for killing of sarpanches: Shafiq Mir
Jammu, April 22 Mir was reacting to the killing of a sarpanch, his son, and a nambardar in the Tral area of Pulwama district yesterday evening. Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Mir termed the incident unfortunate and lashed out at the National Conference for not providing security to the panchayat members despite repeated requests. “This is the second incident in a week in which a sarpanch was killed. I think this is an attack on democracy.” “It is being done to derail the election process by creating panic among the voters. They want the poll percentage to remain low,” he said. Mir said, “Like the earlier elections since 1987, the NC wants less polling in Kashmir, which may help them in winning the elections.” “If the National conference-led government fails to provide security to the sarpanches and maintain safe environment in the state, then it is responsible for the killings of sarpanches,” he said. He appealed to the Election Commission to intervene and provide free, safe and secure atmosphere to the voters. Mir said they were demanding security for the sarpanches in the state for the last two years, but the government had failed to provide it, leading to killing of eight sarpanches. Targeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mir said, “If he cannot provide security to the sarpanches, he should resign.” |
||
|
Farooq embezzled funds meant for sports development: Beigh
Handwara, April 22 “Dr Farooq Abdullah embezzled crores of rupees, which were to be spent by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association for building sports infrastructure and making career of budding sportsmen in the state. He was the main accused in the cricket scam that rocked the state in 2012,” Beigh said. Beigh was addressing party supporters at Kulangam in Kupwara district. Earlier, he held a roadshow from Handwara to Kulangam in which hundreds of party supporters took part. Launching a scathing attack on the National Conference and the Congress, Beigh said the coalition government had proved a “failure” in the state and people would show “exit door” to the NC and the Congress in the forthcoming elections. “People have realised the failures of the coalition government and will not spare the parties in the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. The PDP has demonstrated its good work in the past and the people of the state want the party to come to power to end corruption and other issues affecting their lives,” Beigh added. He said a meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan was the only way to resolve the Kashmir issue. Senior PDP leader and former minister Sofi Ghulam Mohidin also addressed people and urged them to vote in favour of the party. |
||
|
J&K wary of fate of Central schemes after elections
Jammu, April 22 There is an anxiety in the official circles that the new government could review schemes sanctioned during the 10-year rule of the Congress-led UPA government, which included Rs 27,902-crore Prime Ministers Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the state in 2004. It comprised 67 schemes for revamping economic infrastructure in the insurgency-hit state. Though a senior bureaucrat from the Planning Department of the state said there would be negligible effect on strategic projects, which included road development and power projects, but schemes marred by long delays in completion and cost overruns could face scrutiny of the new government at the Centre. Further, as the state has a limited working season, departments will get allocation after the Central government presents its final annual Budget expected in July. The UPA government presented an interim Budget in February and has taken Vote on Account till June 30. Sources said the Planning Commission of India (PCI) would then start
its working group meetings for the annual plan allocation with the states. As per the procedure, administrative heads of various government departments take part in working group meeting to present sector-wise requirements of states, while the wrap up meeting is held between Chief Minister and the Planning Commission by the end of April-May every year. “The Union Government was already unhappy with the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government regarding the progress of the PMRP as slow implementation of flagship programme has already led to stoppage of funds which forced the state to set up a high-level committee for coordinating with the Government of India authorities for speedy execution of the
programme,” said a source in the Planning Department. Jalil Ahmed Khan, Economic Adviser to J&K, said provisional allocation was available to carry out development work of already sanctioned
projects. “The National Development Council for reason of continuity provides a special allocation to states, but the full release of funds will be available after the new government passes its Budget. I don’t think that there will
be any effect on the ongoing projects,” Khan claimed. He said it was up to the Central Government to make changes in scheme implementation and
that too in consultation with the respective states. |
||
|
Kashmir remains unpredictable towards Lok Sabha polls
This month, when the Kashmir valley’s two of the three constituencies will go to the polls, there are no electioneering banners and hoardings hanging on the street corners, few political rallies are being held in the region and much fewer in the Srinagar constituency — the urban heartland where the majority of the people have boycotted all previous elections. The road shows held by mainstream political parties have also attracted fewer crowds, where security forces personnel remain more visible than enthusiastic supporters, while the outreach has also remained restricted by security constraints. In Kashmir’s crowded bazaars and cramped alleys, in its villages and towns, mainstream politicians seem to have got little success in wooing the majority of around 70 lakh people to their fold of politics, as hinted by the data of previous elections and an official study. At the traditional talking points, like tea stalls and baker's shops, and its modern avatars — which include the city’s few cafes and social networking sites — there is little debate about the elections. On a sunny Friday afternoon, at one such tea stall in the city here, a young group of bank employees sipping tea remained averse to discussing the elections. The tea stall owner, who said he had never cast vote and cared more about the price of onions which he needed for preparing omelets, said this time people should vote. “They still come to power even if we don’t vote. So it is better we vote. We are getting ruined by all this,” he said, preferring not to be named, a common refusal in the region, where most such outlets have pasted signs, prohibiting “political discussions”. A few kilometres away in the old city, a cleric addressed a weekly mid-day prayer of several hundred men and spent a lengthy part of it talking about the elections. “I ask you this question. Those who are asking for charity of votes from you today, tomorrow you have to accept their godliness,” the preacher said in his sermon, his voice blaring out into the neighbourhood through the public address system, as he quoted Islamic references to convince men to stay away from vote and protect their “hereafter”. The elections in Kashmir have not only been about which party emerges the winner but also about the number of electors coming out to cast their ballot. Separatists, many of whom actively campaign against the elections, also play a major role in keeping the voter turnout and the interest low in the region. Data regarding Kashmir’s past parliamentary elections, hailed as continuous landmarks, are grim and scenes of the present elections project little evidence that a major change is underway in the region. The numbers of votes cast in the past elections — 2009, 2004, 1999 and 1998 — provide a black-and-white picture about how a majority of the electors have chosen to stay away from casting their ballot. In the Srinagar constituency, a whopping 8.23 lakh electors, constituting 74.45 per cent of the total electorate, did not cast their vote in the 2009 parliamentary polls and 8.58 lakh electors, or 78.08 per cent, stayed away from the polls in 2004. In the three constituencies of the Kashmir valley, 22.94 lakh out of the total registered 33.37 lakh electors did not cast their vote in the 2009 parliamentary elections. The Election Commission, in its comprehensive Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation plan for the state, has said the voter turnout in the Kashmir valley remains a “matter of concern”. A baseline study on Knowledge-Attitude-Behaviour-Belief-Practices of voters in the state, conducted to determine the factors responsible for participation and non-participation of registered voters in the electoral process, provides quantified answers for the low voter turnout. Anger against the candidates and political parties, voter apathy in urban areas, not having election photo IDs, and no faith in the political system are among the major reasons for non-participation in all previous elections. The survey also found that a vast number of respondents were apathetic and angry towards democracy and the elections.
|
||
|
State govt objects to Idea’s pashmina ad
Srinagar, April 22 Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce Department, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, in his communication to the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has requested that the matter be taken up with the Advertisement Council and the telecom provider be asked to stop the telecast of the misleading advertisement. In his letter, Ganai has clarified that a ring test is not at all a confirmatory test for certifying the quality of a genuine pashmina product. Infact, it is learnt that shawls made out of synthetic fibre such as viscose could also easily pass through a finger ring, he wrote, adding that the parameters under the GI (Geographical Indication) Act are the only testing parameters to check the genuineness of pashmina. He has stressed in the letter that no other method can prove the quality of pure pashmina. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently lashed out at the private telecom company on Twitter for projecting the Kashmiri traders in a bad light. |
||
|
J&K gets Rs 28 cr assistance for
MGNREGA implementation
Jammu, April 22 Besides sanctioning the amount, the Central Ministry has put forth certain conditions, which are to be fulfilled by the state in utilisation of these funds. As per conditions, in all Electronic Fund Management System (eFMS) ‘implemented’ areas, the funds would be maintained at the state level and there would be no intermediary accounts. The ministry said all payments in these areas would move directly from the state fund to the destination accounts based on the pay order generated at the block/gram panchayat level. Sources said where eFMS was not yet implemented, funds being released would not be released to gram panchayats/implementing agencies, who were already having funds for running the programme for 30 days. Further, release to the deficit gram panchayats/ implementing agencies will be restricted to the level required for running the programme for 30 days at a time. “Material component, including wages of skilled and semi-skilled labour, shall not exceed 40 per cent at gram panchayat level and in the case of implementing agencies at the block level. The material component is to be shared on 75:25 basis between the Centre and the state government, respectively. This grant is towards plan expenditure and shall be utilised for approved items of works subject to the conditions laid down in MGNREGA guidelines. “No deviation from the provisions of the guidelines is permissible,” a MoRD statement said. Sources claimed that the accounts of the grantee institutions would be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Internal Audit of the Principal Accounts Office of the Ministry in terms of Rule 211 (1) of the General Financial Rules. The state has been told to ensure that the fund available at each gram panchayats/implementing agencies will not exceed the requirements for 30 days at any point of time. |
||
|
Governor inaugurates Wadia Chamber at Jammu college
Jammu, April 22 The Governor showed interest in the books and research-related material, instruments and artifacts belonging to Wadia. The Governor went round Wadia Museum, having a large and rare collection of fossils, minerals and rocks in the whole of North India. It also has a large collection of early geological maps, topographical maps, equipment, models, photographic material, meteorites, zoological specimens and neolithic stone implements. The museum also houses the Wadia Archive, containing a large collection of books and journals of the early 20th century. The Governor also visited Heritage Gallery, located in another wing of the college, and went through old photographs and albums, containing rare pictures of Jammu town taken more than 100 years ago. The gallery also contains vintage scientific equipment, some of which is in working order. The Governor told Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, secretary, Higher Education Department, and Prof Nutan Reusotra, Principal of GGM Science College, to take steps to restore and preserve all precious manuscripts and photographs. He suggested that help could be sought from experts for preservation and digitisation of books and monograms, particularly those related to the researches done by Wadia. He also urged preservation of the pictures and other material kept in the gallery. Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was present. |
||
|
Army holds eye camp, 61 operated upon
Udhampur, April 22 A total of 61 persons were operated upon by Col VK Baranwal and Maj Sankalp Seth, eye specialists. All surgeries were successful and patients gained good visual recovery. The valedictory ceremony was attended by Col AK Sharma, Col (Medical) Headquarters, 10 Division. — OC |
||
|
Relatives of slain Lolab youth demand probe
Kupwara, April 22 Ishfaq went missing on Saturday evening. His body was found near a forest area, some 2 km from his home Sunday morning. He was later buried in a local graveyard. “We suspect that he was murdered as there were a few injury marks around his arm, neck and back. It does not appear to be a case of falling from a hillock,” said a relative. “The police should conduct a thorough investigation into his death and punish the guilty,” he said. Locals said Ishfaq’s death was the third such death in the area. The deceased was a labourer and his mysterious death has shocked his family. “The killing is not the result of a man-animal conflict. We suspect somebody’s involvement in Ishfaq’s death,” said Riyaz Ahmad, Ishfaq’s relative. A police officer said the body was recovered from a slope in the forest. “We have registered a case and investigations are on,” he said. |
||
|
Rice for mid-day meal stolen from Kupwara school
Kupwara, April 22 Locals said thieves broke open the door of the storeroom at the school and took away about 400 kg of rice and other commodities. “This is the third incident in the past two years. We suspect that the peon may have stolen the ration in league with some other people,” said a local resident. “The peon is also the in charge of the storeroom,” he said. Sarpanch of Shundi Kalarose Manzoor Ahmad said, “I have reported the matter to the ZEO but he did not take any action,” said the sarpanch. Chief Education Officer, Kupwara, Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Wani said, “I will look into the matter and the guilty will be dealt under law.” — OC |
||
|
Schools hold ‘walkathon’, special assembly to celebrate Earth Day
Jammu, April 22 The children carried placards with various messages of saving environment written on them. They also raised slogans to mark the occasion. Children along with parents pasted red-colour hearts on trees and tied green ribbons on trees to show their love for Mother Earth. Earlier, the event was flagged off by journalist Pardeep Dutta, Sunil Jain, president, Rotary Club, Jammu, and Dr Chand Trehan, child psychologist. Rajeev Khurana and Mona Khurana, director and principal, respectively, of the school, were also present. Children from junior and senior KG performed on a lovely song and showcased their gratitude to Mother Earth, besides depicting its importance. The event concluded with a pledge taken by everyone to contribute to the best of their capabilities to save Mother Earth. Rich Harvest School
Rich Harvest School, Bari Brahmana, celebrated Earth Day. The school organised a function to develop awareness among the students regarding conservation of natural resources for future use and the present condition of global warming and continuous environment degradation. Ruchi Charak, trustee of the institution, Dr Shivani Singh, Principal, and other staff members of the school were present. The function started with a special assembly with a theme "Save the environment", wherein importance of this day was highlighted to students. A rally with theme of "Go green, think green, stay green" was taken out by students. They created awareness among the local residents regarding cleanliness of the surrounding area. Later, saplings were planted by students of the school. |
||
|
‘Influential’ woman held for abetment to rape
Jammu, April 22 Shahida Parveen was arrested following a complaint lodged by a woman, who was allegedly raped by some unknown persons after being lured into a trap by Shahida Parveen. Superintendent of Police (SP), North, Jugal Manhas said Shahida Parveen was arrested by the Janipur police following a complaint by another woman. Manhas said a case under Sections 376/109 and 506/342 of the RPC and Section 4/5 of the Immoral Trafficking Act was registered against Shahida Parveen. Sources in the police said Shahida Parveen had allegedly lured a woman from Punjab, married in a village of Jammu. “The woman has reportedly some dispute with her husband and in-laws, so she was easily lured by the accused as the later had promised to arrange a job for the former. The victim was called by the accused at a place where she was allegedly raped by some unknown persons, who were already present there,” the sources said. The sources said the accused had threatened the victim with dire consequences if she narrated the incident to any one so she (victim) remained silent for one week. “Two days back, she lodged a written complaint at the Janipur police station in this regard. Following the complaint, the Janipur police conducted a raid and arrested the accused on late Monday night,” the sources said. The accused has been shifted to the Women Cell. The SP said the victim was not known to those who raped her. “We are interrogating Shahida to ascertain the identity of those who raped the woman,” he said. |
||
|
GGM Science College organises alumni meet
Jammu, April 22 A large number of old students participated in the alumni meet for which illumination of the old arch and college building was made. A number of old students, both serving and retired officers of various organisations, attended the meet. They were thrilled to visit their old classrooms, labs and ‘nooks and corners’ where they used to play mischief during their student days. Earlier, the Principal of the college, Dr Nutan K Resutra, extended a warm welcome to those former students. He called upon the alumni to form a body that would guide the college administration in not only taking up the development works, but also maintaining the heritage character and glory of the prestigious college. He added that the college administration was initiating steps to erect a heritage gate as also providing an alumni venue where the alumni would be able to plant trees as a contribution to their alma mater and the environment. A colourful cultural programme was organised wherein different artistes presented Gujarati and Rajasthani dances. Army jawans performed bhangra and alumni and their families also joined them. Some volunteers displayed Sikh martial art
Gatka. |
||
|
Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra taken out in Jammu
Jammu, April 22 As per a religious belief, Lord Jagannath comes on the streets to embrace everyone, even such of his children who are otherwise missing the ambit of his mercy. The procession started from Kacchi Chawni and after passing through Parade, Shalimar Chowk, Kanak Mandi, Rajinder Bazaar, Shahidi Chowk, Raghuath Mandir, Indira Chowk, Gummat, Vinayak Bazaar, Canal Road and Talab Tillo reached Kashmir Hills Resort, Patta Borhi Road. Speaking on the occasion, Navyogendra Swami said the pulling of the Rath during the Rath Yatra procession by devotees symbolises the attempt of the residents of Vrindavan, especially "gawalas" and "gopis", to bring Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra back to Vrindavan, the holy "dham" in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, from
Kurukshetra. |
||
|
CBSE tells schools to develop websites containing all information
Jammu, April 22 Sources said the initiative was earlier taken by the apex body in 2010 after reports came to the fore that parents of the students faced hardships in getting necessary details on websites before getting their wards admitted to CBSE-affiliated schools. The sources said majority of the schools failed to respond to the circular issued. As a result, the CBSE authorities have once again issued instructions to the affiliated schools to develop websites. "The information to be provided on the website of the school includes affiliation status, details of infrastructure, names and designation of teachers, class-wise enrolment of students, address -postal and email, telephone numbers, details of members of the school managing committee, etc. For this purpose every school should prepare its annual report containing above information and upload the same on its website before September 15 every year. This is mandatory as per rule 8.8(iv) of the affiliation bylaws of the board," a CBSE circular said. The sources claimed that it had come to the notice of the board that some of the schools had not yet developed their own website and had not uploaded the required information on their websites. Therefore, to ensure the effective compliance of the circular, the board had decided to link the compliance of the order by the school with the registration of Class IX and Class XI candidates of each affiliated school. Further, the CBSE has warned that the school failing to comply with the direction will not be able to register their candidates for boards examination and the responsibility would lie with the school management. "Besides, a school prescribing private publishers' books should also put a declaration on its website as per the directions, which is also available on the CBSE website. All the managers/principals of the schools affiliated to the board are again requested to comply with the above orders otherwise the board will initiate necessary action against the defaulting schools," the CBSE circular said. |
||
|
Kargil residents stranded in Jammu protest against administration
Jammu, April 22 About 5,000 passengers for Kargil, including old people, women, children, students and labourers, are stranded in Jammu and Srinagar due to limited air services. Some of the passengers are living in Kargil House and some in rented accommodations. There is only AN-32 courier service with a capacity of 40 passengers which is provided by the Defence for the passengers for Kargil, which takes off twice a week. But due to bad weather, the last flight took off on April 4. Ansar Hussain, a student of Class XI from Drass, said, "I have been here since September for tuition classes, now my schools are open, but due to non-availability of flight I am stuck here in Jammu." "Now I don't even have money for food or to pay the rent at Kargil House," he added. The passengers were demanding IL-76 aircraft for Kargil, which has the capacity of 250 passengers per flight. "Only IL-76 can clear the rush of stranded passengers from Jammu," said Haji Aishan Ali, a social worker from Kargil "The government is spending a huge amount on the electoral process, but we the eligible voters, will be deprived of casting our votes due to getting stranded in Jammu," he added. Passengers also demanded free accommodation and food for themselves at Kargil House, as many of them are out of money due to delay in flights. There are about 270 children, 60 old persons and 600 students among the stranded passengers in Jammu. The stranded passengers gathered outside the Kargil House and raised slogan against the Chief Minister, state government and district administration. |
||
|
SHRC takes suo motu note of ‘medical negligence’
Srinagar, April 22 In this regard, the SHRC today issued notices to the Director, Health, and the Block Medical Officer, Handwara, where the doctor in question is posted, asking them to file a detailed factual report into the incident. The commission has also asked the accused doctor to appear in person on next hearing to put forth his version of the events. As per the news reports appearing in a section of Press here, a doctor is alleged to have unsuccessfully operated upon a patient, namely Shabir Ahmad Wani, hailing from Bata Gund, Handwara, at a private nursing home at Khayam Chowk, Nawpora, Srinagar for removing/extraction of stone from his gall bladder for which he was heavily charged, but the stone was not removed, the SHRC said in its orders, while taking suo motu cognisance of the incident. “The news report prima facie makes out a case of grave human rights violations at the hands of the doctor, who is posted in the Handwara District Hospital”, SHRC acting chairman Rafiq Fida observed in his orders today. “Complaints have been pouring in regarding poor health care and negligence of doctors almost every day. The authorities concerned seem to be insensitive towards the health care system, which is the basic right of every citizen irrespective of creed, colour, caste, religion, age, nationality and birth place,” the commission further observed. “We have issued notices to the Director, Health Services, Kashmir, and the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Handwara, who be directed to submit their detailed factual reports in the matter,” the SHRC ordered. “Besides, in order to give a fair chance of hearing to Dr Munfat Malik of the Handwara District Hospital, the doctor has been directed to appear in person before the commission on the next date of hearing and also file personal response in the matter,” it added, while posting the matter for hearing on May 15.
|
||
|
NC told to come clean on RK Singh’s revelations over Afzal Guru hanging
Srinagar, April 22 Not just Guru’s family and the opposition parties, but other groups also have hit out at Farooq calling his claims an election gimmick. Tabassum, wife of Guru, said Farooq had got no right to use her husband’s name for electoral gains. Stating that the family was not surprised over the “misleading” statement, she has accused him of “shedding crocodile tears” for political benefits. Besides flaying Farooq, the ruling National Conference has been told to come clean over RK Singh’s revelations who in reaction had stated that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was informed about the hanging. “RK Singh’s revelation that Afzal Guru was hanged with the consent of Omar Abdullah has made it shockingly clear that NC leaders want bloodbath to continue in Kashmir as it suits their political interests,” PDP candidate for Srinagar parliamentary constituency Tariq Hameed Karra said while addressing a roadshow here. Karra said the onus now lied with Omar and his father Farooq Abdullah to come clean on the “appalling revelations”. Singh had made the statement after Farooq had held him responsible for Guru’s hanging. Meanwhile, Zahid Ali, spokesperson for the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, said Singh’s statement had once again exposed the dubious policies of so-called local rulers who have always exploited Kashmiri people for their petty interests. “They have always certified all orders from their masters in New Delhi so as to stick to power in the state…. The so-called rulers have left no stone unturned to exploit and deceive the innocent Kashmiri people on all accounts,” he added. The Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) said Farooq’s remark holding Singh responsible for the hanging of Guru was an election stunt. “He is befooling naive Kashmiris to generate a sympathy wave for gaining votes. Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah are responsible for the secret execution of Afzal Guru. They first fabricated a case against him and then got him hanged. The father-son duo is camouflaging their misdeeds by blaming others. They are playing politics on the sacred blood of a martyr, thus hurting the sentiments and emotions of people of Kashmir,” a DAK statement said. |
||
|
Geelani lashes out at religious sects for ‘silence’ on poll boycott
Srinagar, April 22 The hardline separatist leader, who was recuperating in Delhi, had returned to Kashmir on April 16 and since then has sharpened attacks on his political opponents and the groups not taking his poll boycott call seriously. "Geelani has expressed his displeasure and distress over the policies of those Islamic scholars and sects who prefer to remain silent over this collective issue and who are not describing their stand on the poll boycott," a statement quoted Geelani. "Prophet Muhammad (SAW) curses a person who doesn't say truth at the time of need or who remain silent when needed to speak and termed him a dumb "Satan" (dumb devil)," the statement said. "Vote is a substitute of Biyah (oath and resolve) in Islam and the Islamic teachings are totally and categorically denying the right to vote to any criminal or hypocrite, which is why the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hazrat Hussain (RA), preferred to cut his head, but did not vote," Geelani said while invoking religion against those religious sects and groups in Kashmir who have preferred to remain silent on the boycott call. Geelani also reiterated his call for civil curfew on the poll days in the respective constituencies, adding, "The so-called elections are held in Jammu and Kashmir in a situation where the Army and the police has been activated to create an environment of fear and panic among the common people by arrests and detention." |
||
|
Gopalpora residents yet to get relief from waterlogging
Srinagar, April 22 The residents said despite repeated pleas and protests, the authorities concerned have failed to dewater the area. “There are nearly 300 households in the area and the whole area is inundated,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Gopal Pora Wathoora. The residents said water in lanes and bylanes has made it difficult for students to go to their schools and colleges and they have to wear long boots. “Ninety per cent of the area is waterlogged,” said a group of agitated residents. Budgam DC Khursheed Ahmad said, “People construct houses on water bodies then expect us to dewater them. We have dewatered the area before.” — OC
|
||
|
Anti-smoking drive around educational institutions loses steam in Srinagar
Srinagar, April 22 As per the state government guidelines, there is also a ban on the sale of tobacco and related products around schools and colleges of the city. The school/college administrations as well as the city police personnel are supposed to implement the laws as well as fine the smokers, especially the students on finding them smoking outside the institutions. As per the official guidelines, the students will be fined Rs 200 if found smoking in public places. Various banners displayed at educational institutions in Srinagar have, however, made a little impact on ground with rampant sale of tobacco products going on in the vicinity and on the premises of schools/colleges as well as students openly indulging in smoking. The rising cases of smoking in the state were recently indicated by Global Audit Survey which said the state has the highest number of smokers in India. Pulmonologists have been emphasising on the need to check the habit of smoking, especially among children and youngsters, who are at a higher risk for respiratory diseases. “The rate of mortality among patients suffering from respiratory diseases is directly proportional to the duration for which the patient has been smoking. Therefore, if someone starts smoking at an early age, the chances of putting oneself at grave health risks increase,” said Dr Mushtaq, a
pulmonologist.
|
||
|
12 injured in Uri accident
Baramulla, April 22 The Sumo was on its way from Noorkha to Dachna Salamabad when it skidded off the road and fell into a gorge after the driver lost control over the vehicle. At least 12 passengers, including six students, were injured in the accident. The injured have been identified as Mohammed Ashraf Shiekh, Abdul Aziz Shiekh, Abroo Hamid, Basharat Ahmed, Junaid Ahmed, Abdul, Jabbar, Saleema, Zulilkha, Mohmmed Din, Bilal Ahmed and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Soon after the mishap, locals rushed the injured to a nearby sub-district hospital, Boniyar, from where doctors referred them to the district hospital, Baramulla.
|
||
|
Body of missing person fished out
Baramulla, April 22 The body was later identified as Anoop Singh of Shalpora, Rafiabad. The deceased was missing since April 10. "The police have started investigation under Section 174 of the CrPC
to ascertain the cause of the death,” the statement said. It added that after completion of all medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to his family. |
||
|
Bootlegger held with 50 liquor pouches
Jammu, April 22 The accused has been identified as Angat Singh, a resident of Khari tehsil in Bhaderwah. Reports said the police established a special checkpoint at Domail in Bhaderwah and tried to stops a person who ignored the signal, creating suspicious among the police. The police chased and overpowered him and seized liquor from his possession. The accused was booked under Section 48-A of the Excise Act at the Bhaderwah police station. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
This time perhaps Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti is facing the toughest political battle in her 18-year-old political career. She is fighting all odds stacked against her by the ruling alliance — the National Conference and the Congress — and at the same time she has to demonstrate her winning capabilities to her supporters all across Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu, April 22
Srinagar, April 22