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Vehicles sans number plates plying on highway pose threat to security
Awareness camp on disaster management held
Bar association holds protest
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Libraries Dept organises exhibition on Book Day
Cultural programme held for Kot Bhalwal jail inmates
May Fair School celebrates ‘Red Day’
Manav Ekta Divas celebrated
Terror fallout: 28% voter turnout in Anantnag
Kashmiri Pandits voted hoping to return to homeland
For women of this village, not voting is a sin
NC, PDP claim victory in Anantnag
First-time voters make beeline for polling booths
Polling staff rue lack of facilities during night stay
Protests in Jammu after Kashmiri Pandits turned back from polling booths
Killings in Awantipora, Tral affect voter turnout
HC takes note of carcasses scattered at dumping site
Live webcast from polling booths a disappointment
German docs to organise free plastic surgery camp
Scientists attend meet on national seed project
150 tourism players honoured
2010 killings: Govt gets 3 weeks
to take stand on probe panel
Top officials discuss Amarnath yatra arrangements
Guv releases book on Urdu poetry
Guv briefed on IAF’s role in state
Police bust burglars’ gang in Sopore
Smuggler held with poppy husk
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Vehicles sans number plates plying on highway pose threat to security
Jammu, April 24 These are mostly sports utility vehicles (SUVs), which are being plied on the highway without incurring traffic police action against them. For the past few days, violence in the Kashmir valley has increased. “Vehicles without number plates could be used by people to ferry drugs and other banned items to any part of the state. The police and administration must not allow any such vehicle to ply on roads,” said Mukesh Kumar, a businessman, who had taken a halt on a tea stall at Jajjhar Kotli on the highway. Kumar said SUVs moving on the highway without numbers has become a daily routine. “Even the traffic police doesn’t dare to stop them,” he added. The traffic police said they were taking action against violators. “Most of the time, these vehicles are new ones who have temporary number slips with them and have applied for the number from various assistant regional transport officers,” said Haseeb Mughal, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), national highway. “If anybody is found violating the traffic rules, we take action against them. But sometimes they give a the traffic police a slip, but we ensure that every violator is punished,” the SP (Traffic) said. |
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Awareness camp on disaster management held
Jammu, April 24 The IGP, Home Guards/Civil Defence (HG/CD), J&K, T Punchuk, was the chief guest. TD Saini, SSP, Staff Officer to ADGP HG/CD and SDRF, Suram Singh, Additional SP, Samba, Sudershan Mehta, DSP, CD/HG, Samba, Suresh Kumar, DSP, Dar Samba, SC Verma, Divisional Fire Officer, Headquarters, Jammu, and other senior officials of different departments were present. The guest faculty, Inspector Vishal Shoor from the Police Technical Training Institute, Vijaypur, addressed the gathering and made them aware of the medical first responder and collapse structure search and rescue operation. SS Verma gave practical tips regarding the role of fire and emergency services during a disaster. A live demonstration was also given by a special State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) team from the SDRF Headquarters, Jammu, which was held under the supervision of Sanjeev Kalsi, sub-inspector, SDRF, Jammu. T Punchuk in his address spoke on the adverse consequences of drugs and toxicants. Later, a meeting of Civil Defence was also held under the chairmanship of Punchuk. |
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Bar association holds protest
Jammu, April 24 Bar members staged a dharna on the Janipur main road and also raised slogans against the alleged brutal and unwarranted acts of Station House Officer (SHO), Gandhi Nagar police station, and his subordinates. The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, reiterated that work in all courts would remain suspended till the erring police officials were suspended and an independent inquiry initiated against them. Meanwhile, Bar Associations of districts and muffasils, including Reasi, Katra, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Hiranagar, Ramban, Batote, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Bishnah, R.S.Pura, Akhnoor, Nowshera, Bhillawer, Bani, Majalata, Ramnagar, Chenani, Banihal, Thathri, Basohli and Sunderbani, also suspended work in courts showing solidarity with the J&K High Court Bar Association. |
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Libraries Dept organises exhibition on Book Day
Jammu, April 24 About 200 rare and historical books were exhibited, which include the books published in the 17th and 18th century, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini published in Sanskrit in 1867 and its translated version in English by Stein. The Mahabharta published in 1819, the Golden Books of India by Sir Roper published in 1893, Shahnama Firdousi published in 1874 were also exhibited during the exhibition. Speaking on the occasion, Director, Libraries and Research, informed that the department has 140 libraries in different parts of the state at district, tehsil and even block level. He said there are about 60,000-70,000 books in the libraries in Jammu and Srinagar. In addition, the department had about more than 8,000 manuscripts in Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic and Tibetan languages. Most of these manuscripts had been digitised recently. He said these exhibitions were being held to create interest for reading books in people, besides these libraries acted as information centres. Prominent educationists, scholars, writers, besides students and public visited the exhibition. — TNS |
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Cultural programme held for Kot Bhalwal jail inmates
Jammu, April 24 Director General of Police (Prisons) PL Gupta was the chief guest, while Superintendent of Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Dinesh Sharma presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, PL Gupta requested the Information Department to organise such type of programmes in future also in other jails of the Jammu region. He added that such type of programmes provide the inmates some moments of enjoyment. The artistes of Information Department who presented a scintillating cultural programme jointly by the J&K Armed Police orchestra in the jail included Vijay Anand, Rakesh Singh Salathia, Vishal Gupta, Kamal Kumar, Bodh Raj, Bunty Kumar, Dr Chanchal Sharma, Zulikha Farid, besides Puneet Kumar, Mangal Singh and Vishal Matoo. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dinesh Sharma highlighted the facilities being provided to the jail inmates and also vocational programme in different trades for reformation and rehabilitation of jail inmates. Later, vote of thanks was presented by Assistant Surgeon, Kot Bhalwal jail, Dr Rajinder Kumar. Cultural Officer, Information Department, Raman Joshi, dignitaries from the J&K Police and inmates in large numbers witnessed the function. |
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May Fair School celebrates ‘Red Day’
Jammu, April 24 All the students studying in nursery to Class III were dressed in red colour and many dance activities and games were organised. The titles of "Red Girl" and "Red Boy" were given to children from the participating classes. Nancy and Prince were chosen for the titles from nursery. Similarly, Vipra and Harsh for LKG, Khushali and Aryan from UKG, Parneet and Manik from Class I, Prachi and Varun from Class II, Janvi and Umar from Class III were chosen for the titles. Sohail Qazmi, secretary, Press Club, was the chief guest, while Raj Bharti, president, Viraj Kala Kendra, was the guest of honour. The chairman of the school said, "The children should know the concept of red colour in nature, so we thought of demonstrating them the same." Later, prizes and certificates were distributed among students. |
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Manav Ekta Divas celebrated
Jammu, April 24 A blood donation camp was held at Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhawan, Shastri Nagar. The camp was inaugurated by Santmanu, Divisional Commissioner. A “satsang” was also held, which was presided over by Rev Channi Faridabadi. The blood donation camp was held in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society and the Blood Transfusion Department of Government Medical College, Jammu. — TNS
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Terror fallout: 28% voter turnout in Anantnag
Anantnag, April 24 The constituency recorded a voter turnout of just 28 per cent as people preferred to stay indoors at most of the places in militancy-infested Pulwama and Shopian districts. A polling official was killed and five others, including three security personnel, were injured when militants opened fire on a bus carrying polling staff in south Kashmir’s Shopian district this evening. The polling staff was attacked near Nagbal around 7.15 pm when they were returning from the poll duty. Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Umang Narula, said: “The percentage can go up, but it seems that the recent incidents of violence in Pulwama district played a role in low voter turnout in the constituency.” While many voters came out to vote in Ananatnag and Kulgam districts of the constituency, the turnout in two militancy-infested districts of Pulwama and Shopian was low. The voters sealed the fate of 12 candidates contesting the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat spread over 16 Assembly segments. The main contest here is between sitting Member of Parliament and ruling National Conference candidate Mehboob Beg and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti. Anantnag is a PDP stronghold with the party representing 12 out of 16 seats in the Assembly across the four districts. The voting pattern has, however, put the PDP candidate on shaky ground. The voting began on a slow note in all the four districts of the constituency and picked up as the day progressed in various Assembly segments of Anantnag and Kulgam. At Ranbirpora, Anantnag, there was a long queue of women anxiously waiting to vote outside a polling booth on a bright sunny day. “I am voting as this is my democratic right,” said Ruqiya, 28, a resident of the village. In Anantnag town, people did not show interest in voting. Polling booths at majority of the places were deserted, with an occasional voter stirring up the things. At the two polling booths in Khannabal, out of nearly 1,900 votes only eight were polled by 11 am. In the neighbouring Bijbehara, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s native town, the voters showed least interest in polling. By 1 pm only 84 votes out of the total of 924 votes were polled. In Kulgam district, 17 km from here, the scene was a total contrast despite the area being considered a strong bastion of the separatist Jamaat-e-Islami. There were long queues and people anxiously awaiting their turn to cast their ballot. However, various incidents of stone throwing were reported from Qaimoh and Kulgam. The scene in twin districts of Pulwama and Shopian was entirely different. The militancy-infested Tral in Pulwama district witnessed the lowest voter turnout. The killing of four persons in the last one week had a bearing on the turnout as several people in these two districts said they were boycotting polls on the call of separatists. “We have nothing to do with elections and we are for poll boycott,” said Zahid Ahmed, a college student. Majority of the polling stations in Pulwama and Shopian wore a deserted look and there were clashes at many places. Clashes between the police and youth were reported from Arihal, Gudoora, Parigam, Samboor, Koil, Malangpora, Pinglena and Pahoo villages in Pulwama. In Pulwama, Rajya Sabha Member and National Conference leader Ghulam Nabi Ratanpori and district president Showkat Ahmad Gayoor were pelted with stones when they went to polling booth to cast their votes. Eyewitnesses said people in Ratanpora also tried to damage the panchayat building, but it was prevented by the security forces. Clashes were also reported from Dadsara and Seer villages in Tral where the police and the CRPF personnel had to resort to teargas shelling and aerial firing. Mediapersons thrashed Nearly four mediapersons were allegedly thrashed by the police in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday while they were covering the election process. The IGP, Kashmir, AG Mir said a probe has been ordered into the incident. Polling percentage 1999: 14.32 per cent 2004: 15.04 per cent 2009: 27.10 per cent 2014: 28 per cent |
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Kashmiri Pandits voted hoping to return to homeland
Jammu, April 24 Living in exile and far away from his village in south Kashmir, the elderly couple is still hopeful that democratic process will lead to peace in their homeland so that they could return there, which has been engulfed by terrorist violence since 1990. Like Raina, thousands of elderly Kashmiri Hindus have spent the last two decades on hope that some day they would again walk through their village road and farms, which they left behind. “He was adamant to cast his vote despite his frail health. For the last two decades, his only dream is to again live in his ancestral village,” said Manoranjan Dhar, son-in-law of Brij Lal Raina. “We are not considered as vote bank by political parties, but our community has always believed in democratic system despite living as refugees in our own country. I voted for change and may be my one vote will end bloodshed in Kashmir,” said Arjun Nath Bhat (78), from Anantnag, presently living in Nagrota camp. Although the state government and even separatists are calling for the return of the Kashmiri Pandits, the gulf between Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir, who share a common history till the arrival of Islam in 13th-14th centuries, is so wide that there is still trust deficit. However, while outside the polling stations voters had made a beeline with both women and men jostling to cast vote despite protests by people whose names were missing from the list, some community members are quite dejected by the entire process. "In 1990, neither the Indian government nor secularism or Kashmirayat came to the rescue of the Pandits when they were selectively targeted and hounded out from their land,” said Aseem Bhat (32), who had never cast his vote. |
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For women of this village, not voting is a sin
Damhal Hanjipora (Kulgam), April 24 “I think wasting a vote is a sin. That is why I came out to vote leaving in between my work,” she said. She was not alone in her resolve as in most of the areas of south Kashmir, women voters outnumbered men. There was a long queue of women waiting to cast their votes. “I cast my vote, but it is secret. I am told at home that wasting a vote is not good," said 18-year-old Ahtisham Bashir, a first-time voter. The area is part of the Noorabad constituency of Kulgam district in south Kashmir, which is represented by woman NC member Sakina Ittoo. Some of the women even voted to get jobs for their children as promised by ministers during their campaigns. “My son is a postgraduate with no job in hand. We are poor people. We vote to get benefits," said Shakeela Bano, a resident of Arijan, Kulgam. |
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NC, PDP claim victory in Anantnag
Srinagar, April 24 NC spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu claimed that the NC-Congress wave had swept south Kashmir as was indicated by the low voter turnout in the PDP strongholds of the Anantnag constituency. “Low voter turnouts were seen in Pulwama and Shopian districts of the Anantnag constituency, which are so-called PDP bastions. Voters stayed away from polling booths because they are disgruntled with the PDP,” Junaid said. Meanwhile, the PDP said the NC had already conceded defeat by ensuring election boycott in districts where the PDP had a strong base. “The NC stands no chance of winning from Pulwama and Shopian districts. Hence, deliberate attempts were made by the ruling party to create fear psychosis among voters in these areas, who maintained a distance from polling booths. It is true that a spate of violent incidents in the recent past had decreased the voter turnout, but that was coupled with the National Conference’s propaganda of ensuring poll boycott so that people don’t vote for the PDP,” PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhter said. The PDP said it would give a close fight to the NC even in Anantnag district, where the NC had a stronghold, including Kokernag, Noorabad and Dooru. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party’s parliamentary candidate from Anantnag, Tanvir Maqbool Dar, levelled allegations against the NC and the PDP of bribing the people in their bastions to ensure poll boycott. He said the election boycott was favoured by both parties so that the “aam aadmi” doesn't come out and vote. “Two days ago, PDP aides were found bribing people so that they stay away from polls,” Tanvir said. Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, BJP candidate from Anantnag, said he was confident of performing well and that the party was pleased with the voter turnout. |
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First-time voters make beeline for polling booths
Pulwama, April 24 Many of the young brigade were also seen working as agents for various political parties. “It is not only me who has taken up the job of an agent for a political party but many of my friends have jumped into the fray,” a youngster in Bellow village of Pulwama said on condition of anonymity. He said he has been wooing voters to come and cast their votes in favour of the party he was promoting in the elections. Many participating youth said the state was faced with unemployment and they were desperate about their future. “I will not maintain the status quo, which the people have been generally doing in previous elections. I will cast my vote for a good job and better career,” said another youngster. Many others said they would cast their votes against the insecurity and uncertain situation prevailing in the Valley. “We do not want the gun culture, which has been prevailing in the Valley for the last many years and has consumed innumerable lives,” said a youngster. |
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Polling staff rue lack of facilities during night stay
Anantnag, April 24 However, lack of facilities at polling stations turned out to be a nightmare for poll officials. The polling staff comprising mostly government employees said no facility had been taken care of, subjecting them to inconvenience overnight. Most of the staff, including the presiding officers, had to spend the night at the polling stations, with no arrangement for them to sleep. “While some of us managed to get a place to sleep in houses near to the polling stations, most of the officials were sitting in chairs throughout the night,” said a Presiding Officer at one of the polling stations in Anantnag town. The staff themselves have to make food arrangements. The money is later reimbursed to them. Many people on poll duty in far-flung areas complained that they could not arrange food for themselves. “I spent the whole night sitting in a chair without having any food. The restive nature of this place kept us from venturing out of the polling stations,” said an employee posted in the Tral area of Pulwama district. The staff also had to face inconvenience due to non-availability of toilets at polling stations. They said they had to request people living near to the polling stations to let them use their toilets. Poll officials said they had to face the same difficulties in every election and the government didn’t care much about providing better staying conditions to them. Meanwhile, some of the staff were happy with the arrangements and said they had a comfortable stay. “I was posted at a local college and the facilities there were good enough, given the good infrastructure of the college,” said a poll official. The officials in charge of the election process were not available for comment. |
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Protests in Jammu after Kashmiri Pandits turned back from polling booths
Jammu, April 24 Even the community members, who had filled the mandatory M-Form, were turned back at several places after their names had been deleted from the voter list leading to protests at Muthi, Purkhoo and Jagti townships. Agitated Kashmiri Pandits raised slogans against the Election Commission of India and the Relief Commission and alleged that it was a “conspiracy to deny Pandits their voting rights”. At majority of the places though there was enthusiasm among voters and long queues could be seen. According to estimates there are about 27,000 Kashmiri Pandit voters in the Anantnag constituency, however, the data from the Relief Commissioner’s Office claimed that only 8,700 Pandits had filled the mandatory ‘M-Form’. The filling of M-Form has been made mandatory for the lakhs Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced to leave their homes in the Valley in 1990 due to insurgency. Kashmir Pandits, however, alleged that thousands of people from the community did not receive their necessary Elector’s Photo Identity Card and their names were not included in the list. “We know the value and importance of our vote. But it appears that the authorities have decided to oust us from the electoral process under a well planned conspiracy as some candidates want to get benefit from the low turnout,” alleged Sameer Bhat from Kulgam. Assistant Returning Officer Sachin Dev, however, said the EC was not to be blamed for the missing names in the voter list. “We rely on the data provided by the Relief Commissioners’ Office. We received M-Form from them but several names were not tallying with our data,” said Dev. Pertinently, the Election Commission had established special 18 polling booths for displaced people from the Valley. While 13 polling stations were established in Jammu district, one polling station was set up at Udhampur. Four polling booths were established in New Delhi. “During 2009 parliamentary election in Tral Assembly constituency there were 1,200 Pandit votes. It has come down to just 300 voters. How could such a large number of voters go missing? We filled the required form several times in the past one year but still our names are missing from the list,” said Ramesh Raina, originally a resident of Avil, Kulgam. Number crunch According to estimates, there are about 27,000 Kashmiri Pandit voters in the Anantnag constituency. However, the data from the Relief Commissioner’s Office claimed that only 8,700 Pandits had filled the mandatory ‘M-Form’ to get registered as voters. |
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NC has always safeguarded minorities’ interests: Farooq
Srinagar, April 24 According to a statement issued by the party, Farooq addressed the convention and said his party had always played a frontal role in safeguarding the interests of minorities. “The minorities have played an important role in our history right from 1947 and have always played an active role for the betterment of society,”
Farooq, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Srinagar constituency, said. The Union Minister further said the Sikh community in Kashmir had always walked hand in hand with their Muslim brothers and sisters. “Despite several machinations and conspiracies, the Sikh community never left Kashmir and chose to stay back and empathise with society at large,” he said.
Farooq alleged that former state Governor Jagmohan had tried his best to spark exodus of Sikhs from Kashmir, but his evil designs failed due to the communal harmony and brotherhood. He said the NC would continue to work for the rights and interests of the minorities and would not allow communal forces to polarise the society for political gains. The ruling party president also appealed to the state and the Central governments to ensure that justice was delivered in the Chattisinghpora massacre. The minority convention was also attended by provincial president Nasir Aslam
Wani, MLC Dharamveer Oberoi, Minority Cell organiser Sardar Jagdish Singh
Azad, Senior Vice-President Mohammad Sayeed Akhoon, Provincial Vice-President Mushtaq Guroo and Provincial Secretary Showkat Ahmed Mir. |
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Killings in Awantipora, Tral affect voter turnout
Pulwama, April 24 Out of 7,065 registered voters in the three affected villages of Amlar and Batgund in the Tral area and Gulzarpora in the Awantipora area, 58 cast their vote. In Gulzarpora, where militants recently killed sarpanch Mohammad Amin Pandit, no vote was cast and people remained indoors due to the volatile situation in the village. The total number of voters in the village was 3,801 and there were four polling booths. “In Gulzarpora, those who represented themselves as agents at the polling booth were minors from some other villages and no one from the village cast vote,” said a villager, adding that fear had gripped the village after the killing of panchayat members and circulation of threatening posters by militant outfits in the area. The two polling booths at Batgund village in Tral, which had 1,429 registered voters, also gave a deserted look, with only the polling staff and security forces seen at the booths. Sectoral Officer, Upper Tral, Raouf-ur-Rehman said only one vote was cast in Batgund village. “The only vote cast at Batgund A was of senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir,” he said. “We are scared to look towards polling booths. We do not want to get into trouble and meet the same fate as Ghulam Nabi Mir and his son, Firdous Ahmad Mir, (killed by militants),” said Mohammad Afzal, a resident of Batgund village. Meanwhile, some people cast their vote in Amlar village of Tral where the sarpanch was shot dead recently. Sectoral Magistrate, Lower Tral, Mushtaq Ali said 57 votes were cast in the village at two polling booths, Amlar A and B, out of which 36 were by men and 21 by women. Fear keeps voters at home *
Out of 7,065 registered voters in the three affected villages of Amlar and Batgund in the Tral area and Gulzarpora in the Awantipora area, 58 cast their vote. *
In Gulzarpora village, where militants recently killed sarpanch Mohammad Amin Pandit, no vote was cast and people remained indoors due to the volatile situation in the village. *
The two polling booths at Batgund village in Tral, with 1,429 registered voters, also gave a deserted look. *
The only vote cast at Batgund A was of senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir. |
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HC takes note of carcasses scattered at dumping site
Srinagar, April 24 Observing that photographs taken from the site depict a horrible situation, the court has further asked the municipal authorities to indicate the area earmarked for taking care of the animal carcasses at the Achin dumping site. These orders have been passed by a two-judge Bench of the J&K High Court, which is hearing a PIL regarding the dumping site. In its earlier orders on March 28, the court had appointed a commissioner to visit the garbage dumping site on the city outskirts and give his report on whether the three leachate treatment plants are working properly and if leachate is being treated or not. However, he was not able to file his report as directed. “The Registrar, Judicial, was to file a report after conducting spot inspection. However, he has sought more time to file the same. Now, he shall file it by next date,” the Bench observed in its fresh orders made available today. In its orders, the High Court further observed that, ZA Qureshi, the counsel representing the petitioners, has highlighted that the situation on ground has not changed and also produced the photographs of the dumping site, which suggest that the situation on the spot is horrible. The photographs shown indicated that carcasses of animals are scattered at the dumping site. However, the counsel representing the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), which is responsible for the upkeep of the site, submitted to the Bench that animal carcasses were brought to the site by the municipal authorities and it was the SMC which had to take care of the carcasses. After hearing submissions of both the sides, the High Court in its orders directed the SMC to file a response in light of the photographs. “He (SMC counsel) shall also indicate the area earmarked for taking care of the dead animals (carcasses),” the Bench said in its orders while posting the matter for further consideration on May 1. Garbage disposal and management *
In its orders passed on August 29, 2013, the High Court had termed the situation at the Achin garbage dumping site as ‘grave’ and had directed the advocate general to take up the matter with the Chief Secretary in order to expedite the installation of modular leachate treatment plant and setting up new plants of additional capacity at Achin *
The disposal and management of garbage in Srinagar has witnessed a face-off between different government agencies. In this regard, the operation of the leachate treatment plant at Achin garbage dumping site has become a bone of contention between the J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency and the Pollution Control Board *n While as the ERA maintains that the existing leachate treatment plant is operational, the PCB in its latest inspection report to the court has said the leachate treatment plant at the Achin garbage dumping site has not been fully installed, adding that a small Reverse Osmosis system was found in place during the inspection carried out by the PCB scientists on August 27 in 2013. |
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Live webcast from polling booths a disappointment
Srinagar, April 24 The election webcast was supposedly an added feature this Lok Sabha elections in order to maintain a strict surveillance on the polling stations in the violence-hit south Kashmir constituency. In the wake of violent attacks in the constituency, all polling stations were declared hypersensitive. The CEO, J&K, website had provided an online streaming link on its website for monitoring of all polling stations. For monitoring by officials of the CEO, J&K, a separate username and password were provided, whereas for general public another link for viewing the polling booths online was provided. The online streaming, however, was made available for select polling booths of Anantnag constituency creating ire among the observers online. "Only 46 out of 1,615 polling stations were accessible online. If all polling booths were declared to be hypersensitive, the webcast should have been made available. That was not the case," said Iqbal Ahmad, a local journalist. The live webcast of voting, however, was seen as a welcome step by many analysts that would have helped bring down the suspicion of rigging at these polling booths. "Though we expect the streaming links to work better, the very introduction of this feature will add transparency and stop the unfair practices in the elections," said Suhail, a networking engineer based in Srinagar. |
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German docs to organise free plastic surgery camp
Srinagar, April 24 An official for the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK), which is organising the camp in association with Interplast, Germany, an international non-profit organisation, said the surgical camp would be held till May 9. Last year, the DHSK in collaboration with Interplast had conducted around 100 free-of-cost reconstructive surgeries at JLNM Hospital. Meanwhile, the doctors at the DHSK performed a rare reconstructive Rhinoplastic surgery of nose at the Budgam District Hospital on a 24-year-old male patient previously operated with completely collapsed nose. The operative team was headed by Dr Shafqat Islam, consultant, ENT, and plastic surgeon Dr Owais Habib and by Dr Shabnum on Anaesthesia side, the official said.
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Scientists attend meet on national seed project
Srinagar, April 24 Deputy Director General (Crop Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Swapan Kumar Dutta was the chief guest on the occasion. More than 200 scientists working in different research organisations in India participated in the meeting. Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir, Tej Partap presided over the meeting. Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir, Shafiq A Wani highlighted the significances of seed research vis-a-vis conducting the Annual Group Meeting 2014. Project Director, Directorate of Seed Research, Mau (UP), S Rajandra Prasad presented the achievement made under National Seed Project (Crops) at national level and stressed on strengthening this programme in order to expand outreach and achieve identified targets under the 12th Plan. The chief guest in his address highlighted the role of seed as a significant input in agriculture. He said, "Seed is important which encapsulates the past, present and the future of the whole agriculture and is the seat of the transcending important traits." |
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150 tourism players honoured
Srinagar, April 24 Umar Tramboo, MD, Pinnacle Resorts Pvt Ltd, promoter of the Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg, said 150 travel agents from the Kashmir valley were felicitated with “The Khyber Travel Agents’ Excellence Awards” during a special ceremony held at the resort last night. The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa was opened in north Kashmir’s tourist resort Gulmarg in December 2012. Tramboo said: “Celebrating success with partners is a moment of great pride. The Khyber Travel Agents’ Excellence Awards are an acknowledgement of your contribution to our growth and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your invaluable support.” The “Khyber Inheritance Award” was conferred on Mascot Travels, while “Leaders in Business Support Award” was given to Mascot Travels, Peakmark Travels, Shangloo Travels, Dastan Travels and Shah Travels. Similarly, Earth Explorers, Shiraz Travels and Elizabeth Travels received the “Emerging Travel Agents”, while “Ethos Awards” was conferred on Mazda Travels. |
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2010 killings: Govt gets 3 weeks
to take stand on probe panel
Srinagar, April 24 The High Court also directed the government to consider granting ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh in 15 cases, even as the government said an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each had been paid to the next of kin in 102 cases. The directions were issued by Double Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Hasnain Masoodi, hearing a public interest litigation by advocate Sofi Imtiyaz, seeking investigation and registration of FIRs in 117 civilian killings allegedly by the security forces in 2010. “The direction No. 5 of the order dated June 6, 2013, has not been complied with. Confronted with the same, Additional Advocate General RA Khan seeks three weeks for filing a compliance report,” the Bench observed in its orders made available yesterday. Following the killing of many civilians in the summer of 2010, the government had on June 26, 2010, appointed a one-man commission of inquiry, headed by Justice (retd) Bashir-ud-Din, to probe the killings. The government had later appointed Justice (retd) YP Nargotra as another member of the commission. However, they have since demitted office and the government is yet to restore the commission of inquiry by finalising the appointment of new members of the commission. On June 6, 2013, expressing displeasure with the delay in appointment of new probe panel members, the High Court had given the state government ‘last and final opportunity’ of four weeks to take a clear stand on the panel. The High Court had observed that in the absence of any findings by the inquiry commission, the court could not proceed in the matter. However, it has been over 10 months but the government has not taken any decision on the restoration of the commission. In July last year, the state police, in its status report to the High Court, had made it clear that it did not need to further investigate the civilian deaths in 2010 as investigation in almost all cases had been completed. The government, in its fresh reply to the court, has submitted that out of the 117 cases of civilian killings in 2010, 102 cases have been settled and ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each been paid to them while the decision to provide ex gratia in 15 cases has not been taken yet. “The decision vis-à-vis grant of Rs 5 lakh ex gratia in the said 15 cases shall be taken and compliance report submitted by the next date,” the Bench observed in its orders made available today. The court posted the matter for further consideration on May 15. Justice delayed *
The government had on June 26, 2010, appointed a one-man commission of inquiry, headed by Justice (retd) Bashir-ud-Din, to probe 117 killings. The government had later appointed Justice (retd) YP Nargotra as another member of the commission. *
Since both of them have demitted office, the *
The government has submitted that out of the 117 civilian killings in 2010, 102 have been settled and ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each been paid to them while the decision to provide ex gratia in 15 cases has not been taken yet.
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Top officials discuss Amarnath yatra arrangements
Jammu, April 24 They chaired a high-level meeting of officials concerned to ensure timely arrangements for the yatra. The meeting was told that the first batch of yatris would be flagged off on June 27 morning from the Yatri Niwas base camp at Bhagwati Nagar here. They stressed upon the need for greater synergy and coordination between the civil administration, police, security forces, shrine board authorities and other departments. To ensure the quality and rates of eatables and other essential commodities during the yatra, especially along the national highway, they issued directions to the officials of various departments to conduct regular inspection of markets to check overcharging by shopkeepers. All aspects related to the yatra registration, accommodation, transport, langars, face-lifting and renovation of Yatri Niwas and security arrangements were discussed. — TNS |
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Guv releases book on Urdu poetry
Jammu, April 24 The volume of Urdu poetry has been penned by Dr Jitendra Udhampuri and published by Taskeen Press. The book is a collection of 71 poems and ghazals on varied themes, which are based on the author’s experiences relating to nature, cultural life of Jammu and Kashmir, problems of a common man, glory of motherland, universal love, brotherhood and so on. Vohra congratulated Dr Udhampuri, a Padamshri awardee, for his book and wished him success in all his future writings. He also discussed with Dr Udhampuri about his other ongoing literary projects. Vohra, on the occasion, urged Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, J&K Cultural Academy, to hold book reading sessions and discussions to promote the book reading culture among the youth. He suggested to him the usefulness of the classics of Waris Shah and Bulleh Shah being translated into Urdu and Kashmiri languages. Aransh Sehbai, Professor Zahur-ud-din Zahur, Sohail Kazmi, Aslam Qureshi and Dr Virendra Gupta were also present on the occasion. |
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Guv briefed on IAF’s role in state
Jammu, April 24 Khosla briefed the Governor about the IAF’s role and responsibilities in the state. Vohra lauded the valuable support extended by the Indian Air Force in support of the logistical arrangements for the ongoing Parliamentary elections and for the rescue, relief and evacuation operations carried out during the recent prolonged spell of bad weather in the state. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Prof Sudhir K Jain called on the Governor, chancellor of the university, here today. The SMVDU Vice Chancellor (VC) briefed the Governor about the to-date status of the ongoing teaching programmes and infrastructure development projects, steps being taken to fill vacant faculty positions, preparation for the admissions to academic session 2014-15 and measures underway to boost research activities in various departments. He apprised the Governor about the conferences recently held at the varsity and the ongoing co-curricular activities on the campus. The Governor advised Jain to enforce sustained initiatives to improve the standard of teaching and research and disciplined conduct at all levels. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu and Kashmir, Abhai Kumar, also called on the Governor today. Kumar briefed the Governor about efforts being made by his department to carry out plantation in the state. They discussed issues related to conservation of biodiversity, soil and water and the steps being taken by the Forest Department to ensure against environment pollution and increase the use of new techniques and technologies to maintain and enhance the forest cover in the state. Dr Ashok Bhan, former DGP and member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, called on the Governor, chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, at Raj Bhawan today. Dr Bhan informed the Governor about his feedback on the existing systems and procedures related to yatra management. The Governor urged Bhan to focus on all aspects of security management of the pilgrimage and also told him about the more effective utilisations of the Spiritual Growth Centre at Katra. Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, AK Mehta also called on the Governor here today. Mehta briefed Vohra about various initiatives of the power department to launch new hydropower projects and maintain optimum transmission and distribution of electricity in the state. The measures required to meet the challenges faced by the department were also discussed. |
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Police bust burglars’ gang in Sopore
Sopore, April 24 The police said it had arrested 11 burglars, who hailed from Handwara, Banidpora, Sumbal and sopore areas. The police have also arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 30 kg cannabis along with 400 bottles of banned Codeine from their vehicle. A case has been registered in this regard and further investigations are on. |
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Smuggler held with poppy husk
Jammu, April 24 The arrested drug smuggler has been identified as Mohammad Arbi, resident of Manjakot, Rajouri. The police said during the checking of vehicles by a joint team of the CRPF and police at the naka on Thursday morning 11.56 kg of poppy husk was recovered from a truck, bearing registration number JK02-AW-8335. The poppy husk was concealed inside a specially fabricated box inside the cabin of the truck. Mohammad Arbi, who was transporting the contraband from the Kashmir valley towards Jammu/Punjab was arrested on the spot and vehicle impounded. A case under Section 8/15 of the NDPS Act was registered. — TNS
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elections are going on in the state and anti-social elements are waiting for an opportunity to derail the process, vehicles without number plates are plying on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway without getting caught.
May Fair Higher Secondary School celebrated "Red Day" in the school to make children understand the concept of red
colour. All the students studying in nursery to Class III were dressed in red colour and many dance activities and games were
organised.
South Kashmir’s Anantnag parliamentary seat went to polls today amid violence that claimed the life of a poll official.
Though it is almost 24 years since 76-year-old Brij Lal Raina has seen his village Tral in Pulwama district, still he along with his wife Roopwati Raina (72) today cast his vote for change at a special polling booth for the community belonging to the Anantnag-Pulwama Parliamentary Constituency at Talab
Tillo, Jammu.
Damhal Hanjipora (Kulgam), April 24
The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in south Kashmir’s Anantnag parliamentary constituency, which went to the polls today, pitched for their respective victories from the constituency, traditionally considered to be a PDP bastion.
Jammu, April 24
Jammu, April 24
