Jammu, May 7
In a blatant violation of Supreme Court (SC) orders of not using any kind of shade on vehicles, city residents are covering windowpanes of their vehicles with various types of sunshades.

There is no visible action against these violators by the traffic police.

Last summer, the traffic police started a drive to remove tinted films and sunshades from vehicles and penalise people for the violation in the city. Even some vehicles were impounded.

But this time as the temperature has started increasing in the city, people moving in their vehicles are trying to adopt techniques to save themselves from the scorching heat. They are using various types of sunshades, which are readily available on roads, on windowpanes of their vehicles.

“We have been observing this and at many checkpoints of the traffic police, violators are being penalised. We can’t go soft on this violation as there is a clearcut direction from the Supreme Court and High Court in this regard,” said Shafqat Watali, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Jammu.

Watali said these sunshades are easily removable and whenever people see traffic police acting against violators, they from a distance remove these shades and get away easily without being challaned.

Boys and girls, mostly under the age of 18 years, are seen selling sunshades on city roads and people after buying these shades use them on their vehicles.

As per the directions of the Supreme Court, using any kind of shades on vehicles are banned and whosoever is found violating the law, his or her vehicles is to be impounded. But there is no direction from anywhere to ban manufacturing and sale of these shades.

“These shades are easily available and we can’t take action against people selling such items as there is no direction in this regard,” the DIG added.

Srinagar, May 7
The traffic authorities in Srinagar have booked and fined over 13,000 persons for riding two wheelers, including motorcycles, without crash helmets and for triple riding in the past two years.

This has been disclosed by the city traffic police in response to an application filed by an activist under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

In his RTI application, Manan Bukhari had sought the total number of challans made and prepared against schoolchildren commuting through bikes and scooties in the city between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013.

He had also sought disclosure of the information about the necessary steps taken by the traffic authorities in this regard.

In his reply furnished to the RTI application recently, the Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Srinagar, Haseeb-ur-Rehman stated that 10,436 persons were fined for not wearing crash helmets while driving two-wheelers. Among these, 9,438 violators were handed over compound challans, while 988 offenders were given court challans, the reply stated.

Besides, 2,988 violators were fined for indulging in triple-riding on two-wheelers, which is prohibited under the law. Among these, 2,691 violators were compounded, whereas challans against 297 violators was presented before the court.

The SP, Traffic, has, however, stated that the information with regard to the total number of challans made and prepared against schoolchildren driving motorcycles and scooties in Srinagar city is not available.

“With regard to steps taken in this regard, the young schoolchildren are being made aware about the benefits of obeying traffic rules on roads by inviting them to participate in various traffic awareness programmes,” the SP Traffic (City) has further sated in his reply under the RTI.

Seminars are conducted in educational institutions in order to address the general public, teachers, parents and the students for abiding the traffic laws on roads, it said.

The SP, Traffic, added that his office was also directing the field formations to take necessary action against the violators especially two-wheeler drivers, including bikers, and was launching a special drive against the offenders.

Leh, May 7
Undeterred by adverse and unfavourable weather conditions, enthusiastic voters, clad in traditional Ladakhi dresses, today made their way to polling booths in the largest parliamentary constituency of the country, Ladakh, with a hope for change in their living standard.

Voters, including monks and young first-timers, queued up outside polling stations with the expectation that the next government in New Delhi would ensure round-the-year road connectivity to the snow-bound Ladakh and grant Union Territory (UT) status to it for its overall development.

Interestingly, women outnumbered men at polling stations in Leh town.

“I hope these elections will not bring disappointment to Ladakhi people, who are living a miserable life. We are running short of essential commodities and food items due to the closure of all surface links for the past six months. We don't have good education and employment opportunities for our children here.

The only way to end miseries of Ladakhi people will be by giving UT status to the region,” said Mohammad Hussain, 48, a voter at Housing Colony polling station here.

Ladakhis have been expressing strong resentment against successive Central and state governments over “discrimination” against their region.

Tanzin Dolma, a victim of the August 2010 flash floods in Leh, said: “It is a great opportunity for the people to elect the representatives of their own choice. Ladakh has always been ignored and discriminated against by successive governments at the Centre and in the state. We are living in harsh weather conditions and that too without proper resources and amenities. We are hopeful of having a good government in the Centre which will take some Ladakh-friendly measures to improve our living standard.”

She said fresh vegetables, fruits and other essential goods were not available in Leh town for the past four months as the winter stock had been exhausted. “Our fault is that we are living in Ladakh. Had the same situation prevailed in the Kashmir valley, the situation would have been altogether different there.”

The Ladakh parliamentary constituency has 1.59 lakh voters — 80,000 in Kargil and 79,000 in Leh. The voters today sealed the fate of four candidates in the fray: Tsering Samphel of the Congress, Thupstan Chhewang of the BJP and two Independent candidates Aga Syed Kazim Sabri, and Ghulam Raza. A total of 531 polling stations, including 274 in Leh and 257 in Kargil, were set up in the Ladakh segment.

Stanzin Scesrap, a monk at Thiksey Monastery, some 20 km from Leh town, said: “We have cast our vote for a government in the Centre which can deliver good governance. There are 1,400 monks in Ladakh, and out of them 75 monks are in this monastery. Earlier, we used to vote for a candidate after a unanimous decision by the monastery. This time, all monks were told to cast their votes as per their wish. Ladakh holds strategic importance in view of the growing danger from China and Pakistan. There is a need to have better connectivity between the region and the rest of the country.”

The monk also endorsed the demand of the people for UT status to Ladakh. “It will change the development scenario and living standard of the people here,” he said.

Jammu, May 7
The workaholic and hardworking people of Ladakh have unflinching faith in the country’s democratic process and don’t want to miss the opportunity to vote for a right candidate.

“We believe in democracy. Instead of staying indoors and criticising those at the helm of affairs for the under-development, people in Ladakh go out and vote,” said Muzammil Hussain from Kargil.

Ladakh is one of the under-developed regions of Jammu and Kashmir and people have to brave inhospitable terrain and inclement weather almost throughout the year for their survival.

Hussain, who runs a family business, told The Tribune that people in Ladakh, irrespective of their caste, creed, colour and religion, want development.

“Unemployment is a big problem in Kargil and sectors like tourism, primary and higher education need immediate attention,” he said.

Jammu-based Imtiyaz Hussain, who is a native of Kargil, said: “Geographical difficulties are no impediment in a democracy. In fact, democracy is a way to get our rights and people in Ladakh have always been politically aware about their rights.”

Imtiyaz recently passed out of the Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar and is awaiting an assignment from the United Nations.

“Ladakh still lags behind in many spheres and people realise that they want a representative who can fight for their rights in Parliament,” he added.

Imtiyaz attributed the high voter turnout in today’s polls for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat to the race between the people of Leh and Kargil districts to have their own representative in Parliament.

“There is a craving among the people in Leh and Kargil districts to outmanoeuver each other and have the Member Parliament from their own district,” he said.

T Angchok of Leh, however, felt that high turnout was due to the strong yearning among the people of the region to elect a right candidate.

“Zanskar is one of the most backward constituencies in the state. People in Ladakh want to see overall development. To make it happen they have an unflinching faith in democracy and turn up in good numbers to vote,” he said.

The Ladakh parliamentary constituency consists of four Assembly segments — Kargil, Zanskar, Leh and Nubra — and has around 1,59,000 voters.

In the 2009 General Election in Ladakh, Zanskar registered 80 per cent voter turnout while Kargil recorded 75 per cent. Nubra recorded 74 per cent polling and Leh 60 per cent.

Uri (Baramulla), May 7
People from various villages in Baramulla district today defied the poll boycott call given by separatists and came out in large numbers to cast their votes for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat.

Women await their turn to cast their vote in Kupwara

Main Chandanwari market wore a deserted look as shops remained shut for most part of the morning. However, the locals said it had nothing to do with the poll boycott.

“No, there is no shutdown here. Today shops will open after people vote. Most of us from Khadinyar vote,” said Mohammad Rafiq, a tailor.

Areas like Uranbowa, Noorkhah, Rampur and Gingle saw a decent rush of voters since early morning, unlike Sopore and Pattan towns that witnessed near boycott. Long queues of voters could particularly be witnessed at Gingle, where people thronged to polling booths since early morning.

They were undeterred by the explosion at Palhalan and shutdown at various other places in the constituency. “We do not even have the time to take tea,” said a poll official.

A security man outside the Gingle polling booth was also busy frisking voters.

“This part of Baramulla is completely peaceful. Even though we are very busy, I am glad that I am not dealing with stone throwing youth on ground,” he said with a smile.

Despite coming out in large numbers to vote, several people of the area were found complaining of “little development” in the last five years.

“For the last five years we have been neglected and I came to vote for change,” said Ayaz Ahmad, a first time voter from Noorkhah.

Srinagar, May 7
The parliamentary polls in the Valley ended today with 39.6 per cent turnout in the north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency.

Even as lower turnout was recorded in previous rounds of elections in Anantnag (28%) and Srinagar (26%) constituencies, rural areas of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora recorded a decent voter turnout.

Towns like Sopore and Pattan, however, recorded low turnout amid poll boycott and shutdown call by the separatist groups.

The strategic north Kashmir constituency located close to the Line of Control comprises Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts.

The largest voter turnout was recorded in Kupwara district where 63.19 per cent votes were polled.

In stark contrast, only 25.04 per cent votes were cast in Baramulla district as per the official figures, while Bandipora district recorded 35.65 per cent turnout.

Segment wise, the highest turnout of 71.57 per cent was recorded at Karnah, while Sopore saw the lowest (1.02 per cent) turnout, said Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula.

Meanwhile, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani thanked the people of north Kashmir for boycotting the polls, even as he said the separatist group “rejected” the poll figures provided by the government.

An official said over 60,000 security personnel had been deployed to ensure peaceful polls in the constituency.

Pertinently, Baramulla had recorded 41.84 per cent turnout during the last elections in 2009.

Baramulla, May 7
Over hundred Pandit migrant voters were unable to vote in Baramulla today as they claimed the authorities had failed to provide a designated polling station for them.

Settled at Migrant Pandit Colony in the Veeriwan area, some 3 km from main Baramulla town, the Pandits expressed their resentment over lack of administrative interest in providing a special polling booth for them.

Ashitosh Raina, a young voter, said he was unable to cast his vote today.

“It is impossible for me to go Jammu and vote since I am busy in my business here. Despite fulfilling all formalities before the Election Commission, besides representation by the district administration and politicians for a special polling booth in Migrant Colony in Veeriwan, our demand has fell on deaf ears,” said Ashitosh.

He said around 100 Pandits, both men and women, who were into government jobs in Baramulla, could not vote in the absence of a polling booth.

“This is disappointing as the Election Commission has failed in its obligation to give the fundamental right to vote to the migrants,” said Trilok Nath Panditha.

Jammu, May 7
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits today came out in large numbers to cast their votes for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency at special polling booths set up at various places in Jammu, despite names of scores of community members missing from the electoral rolls.

The first time voters were particularly excited to exercise their right to franchise.

Though many of them have never seen their native villages since the community was forced out of the Valley in 1990 due to insurgency, they wanted to contribute their bit to make democracy in Jammu and Kashmir stronger.

Jyoti Bhat, a first time voter, whose family originally belongs to the border town of Kupwara was quite eager to push the button of the electronic voting machine and reached the polling booth at Government High School, Jagti camp, early in the morning.

“I have lived my entire life in a refugee camp, but I am eager to cast my vote as my community has strong faith in the democratic institutions of the country. I may never see my native village, but casting vote for a candidate of my constituency gives me the sense of belonging to my roots,” said Jyoti.

Of the 18,257 Kashmiri Pandit voters registered for voting in the Baramulla constituency, the Election Commission had received only 6,187 M-Forms, made mandatory for the displaced Pandits belonging to the Valley to cast their votes.

However, the community blamed the inapt handling of the records at the Relief Commissioners office, which deals with the issues related to the displaced Pandits, for the mess and keeping them out from the whole election process.

Radha Krishan Pandit (78) from Baramulla said it was his duty to cast his vote.

“My vote is a slap on the face of separatists and terrorists who forced us to leave our homeland. They may enforce boycott in Kashmir but we should vote even if our numbers are less,” Pandit said.

There are 15 candidates in the fray for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, including former Deputy Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, sitting Member of Parliament and National Conference leader Shariefuddin Shariq and Member of Legislative Assembly and Awami Ittehad Party chairman Engineer Abdul Rashid. 

Srinagar, May 7
As curtains fall on the Lok Sabha polls today, the two main parties of the state, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seem confident of their victory in all three constituencies of the Valley.

The NC today said the voter turnout in the Baramulla constituency was on expected lines and added that the PDP-BJP nexus in the state would be dismantled with its victory.

The PDP said the Lok Sabha elections would be a turnaround for Kashmir, with the NC-Congress being shown the door by people.

The party said it was confident of making a clean sweep for the Anantnag, Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies in Kashmir. The PDP admitted that the voter turnout in Baramulla and Sopore towns of the constituency was affected by the boycott call given by separatists.

“There was an impact of the separatist boycott call on the Lok Sabha polls, but we know that people who trust the PDP came out despite the risk and voted for us. We are confident of getting a sizeable winning margin in many villages of Handwara, Lolab and Uri in Baramulla,” PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhter said.

NC’s Baramulla parliamentary candidate and sitting MP Sharifuddin Shariq told The Tribune that his rival, PDP’s Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, should concede defeat as the NC would maintain its winning streak in the Baramulla constituency.

Engineer Rashid, Independent MLA and founder of the Awami Ittehad Party, attributed the high voter turnout at Langate in Kupwara to his strong support base in the area and said the use of ballot by people would make sure their voices were heard in Parliament so that the Kashmir issue could be solved.

Kupwara, May 7
Pir Adil Ahmad (21), an unemployed science graduate, was among the first few voters who exercised his franchise for the first time with the hope that problems like unemployment, inflation and under-development would be addressed.

“I am happy that I cast my vote on merit. Exercising franchise is our democratic right and we must vote to elect well-qualified representative, who could be capable of addressing problems of people. I am confident to say that a vote cast on merit can help address issues like corruption, unemployment and inflation,” said Adil from a remote Tikker village of Kupwara district.

Eager to see such issues resolved, many first-time voters exercised their franchise.

"I will exercise my franchise to seek good roads, health care facilities and more educational institutions in my native district, which is lacking development," said 18-year-old Faisal Ahmad Malik from Khumriyal.

“Only democratic governments can address problems that the common man is facing. Everybody should exercise their franchise on merit to ensure that qualified and sincere representatives are elected," he added.

“Elections have nothing to do with Kashmir resolution. Able and well-qualified representatives should be elected to the Lok Sabha so that they can represent aspirations of the people and seek to address road, power, health care and other issues,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad (19), a-first time voter in Kupwara.

Women voters said they cast their vote to seek better facilities. “Our village is devoid of proper facilities like water supply, power, road and health centre. Today I cast my vote with the hope that better facilities are provided in our villages,” said Zareena Nabi from Hirri, 6 km from Kupwara.

Out of a total of 3,93,400 electors in Kupwara district, there are 41,615 first-time voters.

Jammu, May 7
With Jammu and Kashmir anticipating a delay in the approval of the annual plan (2014-15) by the Planning Commission of India (PCI) in view of Lok Sabha elections, the state is all set to face a financial crunch in the coming weeks hitting the completion of development projects and several welfare schemes introduced during the National Conference-Congress coalition government in J&K.

Sources said though the State’s Planning Department had allocated 25 per cent plan amount in favour of all the district development commissioners (DDC) for the current financial year from its own resources (internal tax base) to facilitate expenditure on ongoing development works, the annual plan meeting with the Planning Commission of India was not expected till July after the new government in New Delhi would presents its formal Budget.

Officials said J&K was also heading for Assembly elections likely in the month of October-November and even if funds were released in July, which was just a hope, the government would have few weeks to take policy decision before the imposition of the model code of conduct, which would put a curb on the functioning of the government.

“By all the accounts, this fiscal year will be interesting. There is likely change of guard in New Delhi and maybe in Jammu & Kashmir, which will cast its effect on several fronts,” said an official from the Planning Department.

He claimed that in view of the Union Budget being a vote on account this year, the level of the gross budgetary support to the annual plan had also not been decided by J&K.

However, Principal Secretary, Planning, BR Sharma claimed that there was a mechanism already in place to deal with the fiscal needs of the state.

“We have allocated enough money to respective district development commissioners till the Planning Commission of India communicates the state for a working group meeting,” Sharma added.

The government has authorised all the district development commissioners to utilise 25 per cent of the plan amount for meeting requirement of development and other works in their districts till annual plan of the districts are approved.

Principal Secretary, Finance, BB Vyas said Lok Sabha or Assembly elections had never had an impact on the fiscal position of the state. “Elections have been held in the past and this time it is not new. Neither development works suffer nor the flow of finance,” Vyas said.

The state government has projected Rs 7,300 crore worth annual plan for 2014-15, Rs 600 crore under the PMRP and Rs 4,000 crore under Centrally-sponsored schemes for the current financial year 2014-15, totalling Rs 11,900 crore.

“The Centre has been blocking funds worth crores of rupees under the Special Plan Assistance in the past. We don’t feel that whatever the state has projected, the new team at the Planning Commission of India will concede to demands of state planners,” a senior bureaucrat maintained.

Srinagar, May 7
Residents of Old City, Nowhatta and adjoining areas have alleged that they are forced to drink contaminated water, which was being supplied to the area for the past few days.

The residents said, "There is a problem in the filtration plant, which is located in Nishat, Srinagar, and distributes filtered water to Old City and adjoining areas."

They say despite bringing the issue to the notice of the officials of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), the plant authorities have ignored the issue.

"Coloured water is being supplied to the whole locality for the past few days. It comprises dust particles. Some people have already fallen ill," said a resident of Nowhatta, Srinagar.

Another resident alleged that there was a fault in the filtration plant and the authorities instead of repairing it were supplying contaminated drinking water to them.

"We have already brought the issue to the notice of the officials concerned that the water supply is dirty, but they seem to have turned a blind eye towards the issue," said a local.

Residents of Saraf Kadal and the adjoining locality also complained of unclean water supply. "The colour of water has changed and the dust is clearly visible in it. We boil the water before consuming it. It can become the cause of sickness in the area. Many people have already complained of abdominal pain," said a local of Saraf Kadal, Srinagar, adding that no proper filtration of water was being done before supplying it to the locality for the past few days.

They said the water supply pipes were very old and have gathered rust inside, which had also become the cause of contamination.

They appealed to the PHE authorities to look into the problem and also replace the old pipes with new ones.

"The pipes were installed a decade ago and they have gathered rust which is also the reason of contamination. We appeal to the authorities to replace these pipes and provide us clean drinking water," they said.

Officials of the PHE department, however, were not available for comment, but the Srinagar Deputy Commissioner said no one brought the issue to his notice and assured that he would look into the matter.

Srinagar, May 7
Chief Secretary Muhammad Iqbal Khandey today asked the administrative secretaries to gear up for the summer season to ensure that all developmental and welfare targets were met.

The directions were passed during a meeting which was chaired by the Chief Secretary.

An official spokesman said the Chief Secretary received brief from the administrative secretaries regarding the functioning of their respective departments with the directions to ensure that all developmental and welfare targets were met and any lacunae perceived in efficient implementation of programmes addressed.

“The Chief Secretary also asked the administrative Secretaries to gear up for the summer, besides taking periodic review meetings to monitor and further improve departmental functioning,” the spokesman said.

He said the Model Code of Conduct as prescribed by the Election Commission of India had been enforced in the state and expressed satisfaction with the overall compliance of the same by all quarters concerned.

“He also appreciated the smooth transition of offices from Jammu to the summer capital,” the spokesman said.

The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khurshid A Ganai, Principal Secretary, Finance, BB Vyas, Principal Secretary, PDD, Arun Kumar Mehta and other administrative secretaries.

Katra, May 7
Lawyers at Reasi today held a protest march and demanded an impartial probe into the alleged assault on their counterpart by some policemen at Jammu a fortnight ago.

Lawyers hold protest outside Tehsil Office, Reasi, on Wednesday. A Tribune Photograph

They also demanded that the erring police personnel be suspended.

On April 16, the police had allegedly assaulted and detained advocate Harshvardan Gupta after he was caught riding a two-wheeler without a registration number plate in the Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu.

Lawyers, led by Reasi Bar Association President Ajay Nanda, took out a protest march and raised slogans against the police.

The protesters passed through various market places before sitting on a dharna in front of the Tehsil Office, Reasi. They demanded immediate action against the erring officials and said they would continue their agitation until the accused are not punished.

“We will continue our agitation until our demands are not fulfilled,” said Ajay Nanda.

Doda, May 7
The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Federation today held a protest outside the office of the chief medical officer in Doda for not fulfilling their long-pending demands.

A large number of employees of the Health Department participated in the protest.

Federation president Sushil Sudan said: “Today’s protest was against the government as it has failed to fulfill our demands.”

Sushil said protests were held at all district headquarters in the past few days.

He said, “We want immediate clearance of the departmental promotion committees and filling of vacant posts in the Health and Family Welfare Department as per seniority.”

Their other demands are release of pending salaries, risk allowances to all categories of employees in the Health Department, regularisation of contractual employees, framing of policy of regularisation of the National Rural Health Mission and enhancement of their honorariums.

He said if their demands were not met by the government before May 12, they would hit the streets more aggressively.

District president of the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Federation Mohammed Hussain Kripak also spoke on the occasion.

Others who spoke were Vinod Kumar Sharma, Asiq Hussain Amjad Ali and Sonika Kotwal.

They also submitted a memorandum containing a charter of their demands to Chief Medical Officer Anwar Butt.

Srinagar, May 7
The Kashmir University Students Union (KUSU), a banned students’ group, expressed dismay over the use of educational institutions in Kashmir as polling booths for the Lok Sabha elections.

The union said, “On one hand, the state authorities had opposed any political link-ups with the educational institutions by banning the student unions, shutting down schools during the 2010 youth unrest, but on the other hand the government is hushed up over using schools and colleges as polling booths.”

The union said the academics had immensely suffered over the course of the Lok Sabha polls in the Valley due to the hypersensitive nature of the polling booths here due to which the schools were shut a few days prior to the polling date.

“If the state government was concerned about the falling standards of education, then they could have avoided the use of these educational institutions as polling stations. They could have used other public department offices instead,” the union statement read.

Jammu, May 7
Continuing their agitation, stared 56 days ago, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) activists today sat on a fast unto death against the alleged unjust 85 per cent hike in hostel fees by the University of Jammu (JU) authorities.

Those who sat on fast unto death included Ashwani Sharma, president, ABVP, JU, Sandeep Sharma, and Gagan Khajuria.

While speaking on the occassion, Ashwani Sharma said, "We had given an ultimatum of 24 hours to the JU administration to fulfil our demands, but the Vice Chancellor has failed to find any solution."

"We are even ready to sacrifice our lives and till our demands are not fulfilled we will continue our hunger strike," he added. He also appealed to other students to come forward in support of the ongoing agitation.

Jammu, May 7
Choudhary Naseeb Ali, national delegate of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), today claimed that the administrative machinery of the University of Jammu (JU) was not working properly as per the expectations of students.

As per a handout issued by the NSUI, Choudhary alleged that a JU official had been appointed in charge of General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, despite not qualifying for the post. The in charge has to be PhD or MBA with 10 years of experience, but he did not possess any such qualification and experience.

Claiming that the official is holding dual posts, the NSUI demanded removal of the official from the post within 24 hours and fill the vacant posts in JU by advertising them in newspapers.

Kaamal Magotra, Ajay Kumar, Nitin Bakshi, Pankaj Rajput, Manav Sharma, Gautam, Tarun Mahajan and Rahul Sharma were also present.

Jammu, May 7
Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), Bantalab, celebrated annual day with fervour and gaiety.

The DIG, CRPF, and chairman of the Vidyalaya Management Committee (VMC), KV, Bantalab, was the chief guest and Tanu Arun Kumar was the guest of honour.

The function commenced with the lighting of the lamp amid chanting of Vedic mantras. This was followed by "Saraswati vandana".

Principal of the school, V Santhosh Kumar presented the welcome address and gave a brief appraisal of the achievements made by the school at different levels.

A colourful bonanza, highlighting the richness and elegance of great India, was presented by students, leaving the audience spellbound.

The dignitaries congratulated the principal, staff and students for presenting a spectacular show. They appreciated the achievers for doing the school proud and admired the efforts of the teachers.

Srinagar, May 7
A Pakistani militant is believed to have been injured in a gunfight last night in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

The gunfight broke in the Tral area of Pulwama district, some 40 km from here, at a time when the focus of the entire security grid was on north Kashmir, which went to the polls today.

Sources said militants ambushed a patrol of the Rashtriya Rifles 3 Battalion between Naibugh and Amerabad in Tral around 11 pm yesterday.

There was an exchange of fire between militants and security forces, which continued for a short time.

“The area was cordoned off and during searches, an AK-47 rifle was recovered from a field. Blood stains were also seen in the area which indicated that a militant was injured in the encounter,” said a senior police officer. “A search operation was later conducted in the area to trace the injured militant,” he said.

The sources said the militants fled from the area in a Maruti Santro which was found abandoned around 8 km from the encounter site today morning.

The car also had blood stains which indicated that the militant was critically injured in the encounter, sources said.

The officer said they suspected that Jaish-e-Mohammad militant Sayeed Bahi, a Pakistani national, had got injured in the encounter.

This was the first encounter in the militancy-infested Tral area after the elections in south Kashmir’s Anantnag constituency on April 24.

Three days ahead of the polls in Anantnag, three persons, including a Congress sarpanch and his son, were shot dead by militants in Tral.

The Tral Assembly segment witnessed 1.34 per cent voter turnout, the lowest in the entire Lok Sabha constituency, in the recently concluded polls.

Reasi, May 7
The Art of Living conducted a day-long meditation camp at the Deputy Commissioner Office, Reasi.

Arunima Sinha, general manager, Training Government Executive Programme, Jammu & Kashmir for the Art of Living, conducted the meditation. —OC