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Panchayat members to meet separatist leaders
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News analysis
Security grid in place to check infiltration: Army
Missing persons’ mothers hold silent protest in Valley
Farooq re-elected president of state cricket body
Governor inaugurates 3rd J&K Agricultural Science Congress
Army launches project to empower women in Rajouri
Police use technology to nab stunt bikers in Kashmir
Clamour for ‘one man, one post’ policy grows louder in
JU
Demolition drive: PDP accuses govt of adopting ‘selective approach’ for vote bank
Pashmina shawl weavers seek ban on spinning machines
Rollback in hostel fee hike
Akhnoor village sets example of communal harmony
Mercury dips as rain lashes Kashmir
Desh Bhagat varsity offers scholarships to J&K students
Workshop on drug de-addiction held in school
Ratnuchak Cricket Club win T20 tournament
Scholarships distributed among needy children
Bandipora shuts for Day 5 against youths’ arrest
Passengers disrupt train services in Pulwama
Arms recovered from hideout
50 hurt as bus falls into canal
Omar’s Twitter followers cross half-million mark JK Medicity completes 2 years in Jammu Police give study material to children Soldier held for molestation attempt 6 held with 206 bottles of cough syrup
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Panchayat members to meet separatist leaders
Srinagar, May 12 “We had won the elections for development works to be done at the village level and have nothing to do with politics. We have been let down by the government and, therefore, we have constituted a six-member committee to meet Syed Ali
Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah. We will also seek their suggestions on our future course of action,” he said. This is for the first time since the panchayat elections were held in J&K in 2011 that sarpanches and panches have decided to meet separatist leaders. Over 33,000 sarpanches and panches were elected in the state after the historic elections, held after a gap of over three decades. The general secretary of the J&K Panchayat Association said they had been turned into sitting ducks by the government. “The government has failed to protect us,” he said.
Malik also blamed mainstream politicians for the recent killing of panchayat members in south Kashmir. “The panchayat members were not killed by militants. We suspect that mainstream political parties are getting us killed for their own benefits,”
he said. Since April this year, three panchayat members and two of their relatives have been killed by militants in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Kulgam districts. The killings have sparked a fresh wave of resignations and some of the panchayat members have gone into hiding. Sources said 500 panchayat members had announced their resignation through newspaper advertisements from the four districts of south Kashmir. Chairman of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference Shafiq Mir, however, said his group was not meeting separatists leaders. “There is no question of meeting separatists. We are waiting for the new government at the
Centre. In case it fails to provide security to us, we will resign en masse,” Mir said. Meanwhile, dozens of panchayat members today held a protest in Srinagar. They demanded a probe into the recent killings of panchayat members. |
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Referendum on Omar’s rule in offing
Arun Joshi Tribune News Service
Here comes the real test. Lok Sabha polls, held in five phases in Jammu and Kashmir are over, but the political parties have not gone for a recess as the Assembly elections are approaching in the state. The preparation is on for the Assembly elections, scheduled for year-end. There is no recess time. After the formation of the government at the Centre, the parties will go into poll campaign mode once again. At the start of the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had told The Tribune that “this (General Election) is not a referendum on his government’s performance.” That brilliantly phrased comment will be put to test in the Assembly polls, where each and every step of his government will be under scanner. ‘Achievements’ under lens
Omar’s record from Day One, January 5, 2009, to the date of the announcement of the Assembly polls will be scanned, with all its positives and negatives put together. The National Conference is preparing an “achieved all we promised” document. This has highlighted panchayat elections, the creation of the State Vigilance Commission and the State Information Commission and other “achievements”. It also peppered with obsolete emotional slogans on “autonomy” for Kashmir and the threat of the “Hindutva forces”. In all this, it is best known to the NC that it has kept all its options on the table. The NC is going by the phrase that nobody is untouchable in politics. But the basic problem is that, Omar effectively subordinated the Congress in the coalition government, and this factor is very much in the mind of the Congress leadership. Although Omar tried to make up for the vacuum that he created in the government and its functioning by campaigning in some of the Muslim-dominated parts of the Jammu region, his party worked against the Congress candidates in Jammu. That the National Conference was paid back in the same coin in the Kashmir Valley is also an undeniable fact. Now, it is almost certain that barring a miracle, there would not be a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in the Assembly elections. Governance deficit
The result of the clash between the two allies, actually adversaries, affected the governance in the state. The governance deficit was pointed out by the Central government time and again, and particularly during 2010, when street protests were taking their toll. People were looking for a government that they had elected by facing heavy odds and threats in 2008. The panchayat polls, which Omar also admitted were “an incomplete process”, would still be counted as his success story. But the imperfect grassroots democracy is not being counted by his critics as any sort of success story. His habit of keeping the Congress aside and not tolerating criticism by the Opposition, particularly PDP, has harmed his image. He had displayed great qualities of calling on Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 2002 when the latter became chief minister. Again in 2009, when Omar himself became chief minister, he visited the Muftis and sought their cooperation. The BJP hardly played the role of Opposition to him and his party, National Conference. The PDP has prepared a questionnaire, asking that what happened to the promise about the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), how many youth were given jobs, how many schools are in safe buildings and why are there street protests on a daily basis for “sadak” and “pani”. Poll strategy
Political strategists are at work to devise a strategy for the Assembly polls segment-wise. There are 87 Assembly constituencies. The Kashmir valley has 46 seats. Jammu has 37 seats despite its population being almost equal to Kashmir’s and its area much larger than that of the Valley. Ladakh has to remain satisfied with four seats. While it is not known as to who will win from the six parliamentary seats in the state, it is certain that voters will speak louder with longer queues outside the polling booths during the coming Assembly polls, as they had done during the last Assembly elections in 2008. The life of the J&K Assembly is six years as it had adopted a six-year-term during the Emergency in 1976. The state never reversed the move, while the rest of the nation did. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s logic is: “Why as a special status state, should we follow the Central theme”. But there is no answer to why did J&K adopt the Central plan during the Emergency, when his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was running the government in Jammu and Kashmir. “The outcome of the parliamentary elections and the government at the Centre will impact the Assembly polls,” Omar concluded even as he has been maintaining that the issues in the Assembly elections would be different. Secularism highlighted
The fate of the six parliamentary constituencies will be known on May 16. But the campaign during the LS polls was communalised by all parties. And to call it a war between secularism versus communalism would simply be a myth. There was something rather artificial about the whole campaign of “secularism versus communalism”. Rather, it was communalism versus communalism all the way. In fact, the state was not viewed as one unit. Jammu province was seen as Jammu’s plains, and Jammu’s hilly areas. Likewise, Kashmir was divided geographically into south Kashmir, north Kashmir and Central Kashmir, as if these were three different zones in the Valley. And, the divide was further carried to the Shia-dominated district of Kargil and the Buddhist-dominated district of Leh. J&K has a geographical identity, which remains undefined because its some part is with Pakistan, other with China, and as such Jammu and Kashmir that is seen on the map is not the real state that existed in 1947. That politicians used this to play their politics of polemics, has posed an exponential danger to the identity of Jammu and Kashmir on this side of the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control. Political groups have already kept their slings and arrows ready for the plan to play divisive politics in the Assembly elections. They are trying to make it a do-or-die situation. Will Omar be able to undo all the negatives remains the big question. |
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Security grid in place to check infiltration: Army
"There is an increased activity in launch pads across the borders as the weather condition has
improved."
The infiltration attempts could be made in the next 10 days as the level of snow has come down at many places along the LoC, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh told The Tribune. “This year the level of snow has been higher as compared to last year. They (militants) may attempt infiltration any time now,” he said. The GOC said an effective counter-infiltration grid was in place and the Army was prepared for “any challenge” to prevent infiltration of armed militants into the Valley. The “season for terrorist” activities had started with the arrival of summer. On the counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir, the GOC said the Army, in complete synergy with the police and other security forces and with the support of people, had achieved major successes this year. During the first four months, at least 31 militants were killed and 22 apprehended. The killed included five militant leaders while a top militant leader was apprehended. The recoveries made from militants included 38 pistols, which showed that the focus was on close-range firing to create disturbance, said Lt Gen Gurmit Singh. In counter-insurgency operations last year, 77 militants were killed and 27 apprehended. The anti-militant operations were conducted in a professional manner, with the least collateral damage, which prevented cycles of violence, the GOC said. “People have appreciated and conveyed to us that there has been a change in the attitude of soldiers during operations,” the GOC said. Challenges ahead
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Missing persons’ mothers hold silent protest in Valley
Srinagar, May 12 The Association of Parents of Disappeared Sons
(APDP) during its monthly sit-in protest programme said, “Ten members of the association have died in the past two years without seeing their missing sons.” “What sort of celebrations should we indulge in? Mother’s Day is a celebration of spirit of motherhood, but we have been deprived of the same for the past two decades. We long to see our sons and die without getting their last glimpse,” said Parveena
Ahangar, who is the Chairperson of the APDP. The mothers of missing sons from north, central and south Kashmir districts assembled at Lal Chowk and sat silently for many hours with many of them crying on being reminded of Mother’s Day celebrations. “We have never asked for financial compensation and other state facilities in place of kith and kin. It is unfortunate that despite all struggle for the past 20 years, the administration and the judicial system have not been able to come clear on a single case of disappeared people in the Valley since 1990s,” Parveena said.
Haseena Begum died on October 5, 2013, whose son Syed Anwar Shah disappeared on July 21, 2000, when he was arrested in Srinagar. Anwar was a painter by profession. The APDP led by Parveena Ahanger stated that Haseena along with her son’s half widow fought for the whereabouts of her lone son for 13 years.
Mahtaba Begum hailing from Kashmir’s remote village Karhama died while looking for her son who was arrested during a crackdown by forces in the winter of 1990. Her son Mohammad Yaqub Khan was a labourer by profession. Misra Begum of Bemina’s Boatman Colony died and couldn’t see her only son Shabir Hussain Gasi who was allegedly arrested by 6RR on January 21, 2000.
Hameeda Parveen died in 2012 after waiting for her son to come for a decade. The son of Zona Begum from Raj Bagh disappeared in May 1996 when he was detained after the forces raided his house. Zona died in 2011 while waiting for her son to return home. Haleema Begum hailing from the city’s Batmaloo died in February this year. She struggled for 23 years in search of her son Basharat Ahmad Shah, who was studying at Ali Garg Muslim University. Basharat was arrested on January 7, 1990, allegedly by the CRPF from north Kashmir’s Sopore district. Mothers died waiting for their sons’ return
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Farooq re-elected president of state cricket body
Sources said some members, including bigwigs such as former Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) chairman Mehboob Iqbal and former cricketer Abdul Rouf, walked out before the poll process. They said there were heated exchanges between the members. Farooq, who has been the JKCA president for nearly three decades, will again look after the cricket body for three years. His name was proposed by Captain (retd) SK Tikoo and seconded by Ramesh Mahajan, both JKCA members. Former Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Arvinder Singh Micky was elected as the JKCA chairman while ML Nehru and Ghulam Mohammad were elected as the general secretary and treasurer, respectively. Rakesh Kumar and GM Ronga were elected as the vice-chairman of Jammu and Kashmir province. Sources said except for the post of the joint secretary, Jammu, all other office-bearers were elected unopposed by the working committee members. For the post of the joint secretary (Jammu), the contest was between Sudershan Mehta and Ankush Abrol, in which the former emerged victorious. Mehta got 24 votes while Abrol got 18 votes. Idrees Gandro was elected as the joint secretary for Kashmir province. Immediately after the elections, the JKCA chief announced that a five-member committee, to be headed by senior working committee member CL Chrungoo, will be constituted for making necessary amendments in the JKCA constitution. Farooq also announced to form various sub-committees within a week for the smooth conduct of the cricket body. “The JKCA president told at the working committee meeting that former treasurer Ehsan Mirza, whose name had surfaced in the infamous multi-crore cricket scam, had agreed to return the embezzled money,” a source in the JKCA claimed. Sources said noisy scenes were witnessed at the election venue as more than 15 members of the state cricket body, including office-bearers of the three clubs, International Club, Friends Club and Shastri Club, were disallowed to enter the election venue. The sources said the office-bearers walked out, alleging unfair practices in the poll process. One of the aggrieved members, in a telephonic conversation, told The Tribune: “We are going to file a petition in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, challenging the elections and the decisions taken in the working committee meeting. “The main agenda before this election was to take a concrete decision on the multi-crore scam but the proceedings were done in a way which hushed up the entire matter,” he claimed. “If needed, we will go to the Supreme Court. Within a few days, a new government will be formed at the Centre and we are planning to apprise it about the sorry state of affairs in the JKCA,” another member said. |
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Governor inaugurates 3rd J&K Agricultural Science Congress
Srinagar, May 12 Sharing his concern over the continuous decline in soil fertility and increasing residual toxicity in soil and water due to intensive use of chemicals, the Governor said the prevalent agricultural practices had led to serious health problems and adversely affected the sensitive biodiversity. Congratulating
SKUAST-K for its efforts in reviving and marketing of “mushkbudji”, the traditional rice variety of Kashmir, he said this initiative should be made as the stepping stone to larger public-private partnerships in the arena of agriculture. He hoped that with strong market linkages, organic agriculture would bring more profits to farmers. He also appreciated the efforts of Sarveshwar Company in marketing of this rare aromatic variety of rice from Kashmir valley. The Governor also released
“kamad”, another traditional variety of rice in Kashmir. He urged scientists to work towards raising new varieties and seeds and to change the cropping pattern as per the changing climatic and weather conditions. The Governor also lauded the establishment of krishi vigyan kendras
(KVKs) at Gurez and Nyoma and hoped that these KVKs and the research station at Zanskar would help in increasing wool and agricultural production in the arid region of
Ladakh. He emphasised the importance of increased coordination between various agencies related to agriculture and allied sectors and said quality coordination between stakeholders could provide better support to farmers in increasing production and productivity in agriculture. He wished success to the participants of the Science Congress. The Governor released 3
SKUAST-K Policy and Research Publications: Apple Orchards of Kashmir Valley- A Study on the State of Affairs; Rainfed Farming- A Review of Past and Future; ?Organic Agriculture Vision and Strategy- A Framework for J&K. He also released a Souvenir on the 3rd J&K Agricultural Science Congress. The Governor felicitated Allauddin Ahmad, MY Kamal and Anwar
Aalam, former Vice Chancellors of the SKUAST-K, and lauded Dr Parray for his work to support the farmers of Sagam village of Anantnag in reviving “mushkbudji” rice. On the occasion,
Sompal, former chairman, National Commission on Farmers and former Union Minister of State for Agriculture, presented the keynote address on decreasing soil fertility and adverse effects of intensive use of chemicals to the living organisms. Dr Tej
Pratap, Vice Chancellor, highlighted the research work being done in the university. Dr Shafiq A
Wani, Director, Research, presented details about the conference. Syed Ajaz Ahmed, a progressive farmer, spoke about bio-control agents and availability of markets for adoption of organic agriculture. The Governor inaugurated Nund Reshi Convention
Centre, Boys Hostel and Villa Willows Guest House on the campus. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University; Dr
Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology; Pradeep K Sharma, Vice Chancellor,
SKUAST-J; BB Vyas, Principal Secretary, Finance; Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, and Asgar Hassan
Samoon, Commissioner, Agriculture Production, were among the many dignitaries present. |
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Army launches project to empower women in Rajouri
Rajouri, May 12 Officers of the Army and civil administration and locals were present. The project was undertaken by senior officers of the headquarters of the 80 Infantry Brigade. A senior Army officer said the aim of the project was to create gender equality and empower women of the area. “This will provide a platform to the women of the border and remote areas to learn and hone their skills of stitching and knitting. For that, all modern equipment, machinery and raw material have been provided at the
centre,” said the officer. “People were demanding such project so that the women of the area could become independent. The matter was taken up with the headquarters of the 80 Infantry Brigade and the Army agreed to start a vocational training centre for women,” said the
SDM, Nowshera. She said a room at the panchayat ghar in Qilla Darhal village was provided to the Army for the purpose. For the first three months, Army trainers will provide training in cutting, stitching and weaving. The civil administration will help the women sell their products in the market. The naib
tehsildar, Nowshera, said after the training, the women would create their self-help group and run the
centre. Mohammad Nawaz, tehsildar, said the project would help women in the rural areas of Nowshera achieve self-dependence. “All sections of society must work towards empowering women and creating opportunities for their personal growth as they play an important role in creating a healthy society,” said Maj Gen Saranjeet Singh, General Officer Commanding of the
Rajouri-based Infantry Division |
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Police use technology to nab stunt bikers in Kashmir
Srinagar, May 12 On May 3, stunt biking claimed the life of young boy in the Nowpora locality of Srinagar city. The youth who was performing stunts lost control over the motorcycle he was riding and hit a nearby car. He died on way to a hospital. Residents of many areas, including Residency Road, Boulevard, Foreshore Road, Gupkar Road, Barbar Shah stretch and
Rajbagh, alleged that the authorities concerned have failed to take strict action against such rash riders. They said the bikers perform deadly stunts in full public gaze even in the presence of police personnel in the city. Commuters alleged that the youths, riding powerful bikes, also indulge in rash driving, mostly at the banks of Dal Lake on Foreshore Road. “The pedestrians also feel threatened due to the actions performed by these youth as we are also apprehensive of being hit anytime,” said a resident of Boulevard. To check the menace, the officials with the help of interceptor vehicles would track down these bikers. The Traffic Police have received one special interceptor vehicle equipped with speed guns, breath analysers and CCTV cameras for enforcement of rules. Traffic Police officials said this vehicle would help nab stunt bikers in the city. “We always keep a track of bikers if there are any violations, but from today we are tightening the grip more,” said Superintendent of Traffic Police, City,
Haseeb-ur-Rehman. “We have also written letters to educational institutions seeking their cooperation as most of these bikers are students,” he said. Now, with the introduction of the interceptor vehicle for the first time in the Valley, the official said it would help the department in identifying the violators. “We have been able to stop stunt biking to some extent, but in certain areas like Foreshore Road and Railways it is still prevalent and we will take strict action against them. Parents should also cooperate in it by keeping a watch on their children,” the official added. Special interceptor vehicles
Police personnel have received special interceptor vehicles equipped with speed guns, breath analysers and CCTV cameras. The police officials with the help of interceptor vehicles will track down stunt bikers. The vehicle will help them impose rules
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Clamour for ‘one man, one post’ policy grows louder in
JU
Jammu, May 12 The NSUI activists said the violation of the "one man, one administrative post" policy has a direct bearing on the career prospects of the highly educated youth of the state, who were still deprived of job opportunities. Later, they submitted the signatures to the Dean, Academic Affairs
(DAA), University of Jammu, demanding the implementation of "one man, one administrative post" policy on the campus in letter and spirit. Meanwhile, the Jammu Students Morcha
(JSM), too, has joined the movement and has requested the Vice Chancellor for strict implementation of the "one person, one post" rule in the university. Talking to mediapersons here, Vijay Kumar, state president,
JSM, said senior professors were calling the shots as they had been holding more than one prized position since long, notwithstanding it was upsetting the normal functioning of the varsity. "As per norms, one man should hold one post only. And what is happening on the campus is contrary to the rules. A group of professors occupies more than three or more key posts which eventually affect the students as well as administrative functioning of the varsity," he said. Citing instances, he said Manoj K Dhar has been occupying four key positions in the university.
Dhar, who is the Registrar of the university, is also holding the charge of Director, School of Biotechnology, which comprises three wings, bio-chemistry, microbiology and bio-technology, and adviser to the Health
Centre. "He is holding three more posts. We demand removal of Sharma from multiple posts and confine him to a single post for which he is eligible and the policy of 'one man, one administrative post' should be implemented. Similarly, Keshav Sharma has been given charge of the Controller of Examination, convener the the Bushiness School and also coordinator, UGC (NET) examination," he said. The special secretary to Vice-Chancellor, Jai Kumar Sharma, was also holding multiple posts, he said, adding that he was occupying the post of in charge, Zorawar Singh Auditorium, also. "Prof Desh Bandhu Gupta has been occupying four key positions in the university. He has been given the important charge of Director, Colleges Development Council. He is also the Dean, Business Studies, apart from being member of the university Syndicate," the JSM leader said. He appealed to the Governor, NN
Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, to take cognisance of it and initiate measures to streamline the functioning of the university. |
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Demolition drive: PDP accuses govt of adopting ‘selective approach’ for vote bank
Srinagar, May 12 “The National Conference-led government after having failed to rehabilitate the Dal Lake dwellers outside the lake in the past more than five and a half years of it misrule is now targeting the Dal dwellers to hide its failures and incompetence. The latest demolition drive going in and around the lake is politically motivated and only specific areas are being deliberately targeted by the government which is totally unacceptable,” said PDP youth wing in charge Waheed-ur-Rehman. “Till now, the ruling party had been using the Dal Lake dwellers for its vote bank politics and when it feels that it has lost the ground, the NC is resorting to political vendetta,” he added. Condemning the use of the “brute force” against agitators, Waheed said: “Instead of listening to their grievances and making serious efforts for their rehabilitation, the ruling government is again making it clear that it has nothing to offer to the people except pain.” He said the PDP had a comprehensive plan to safeguard the interests of not only the Dal dwellers, but it would be the party’s priority to restore the grandeur and glory of the lake if voted to power. Meanwhile, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said it had removed/demolished around 81 unauthorised constructions since March 1. An SMC official said they were keeping a tight vigil on illegal constructions and would not allow anyone to raise construction without permission. SMC Commissioner GN Qasba appealed to the people to construct residential or commercial establishments after getting proper permission. |
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Pashmina shawl weavers seek ban on spinning machines
Srinagar, May 12 “We want a blanket ban as our craft has been destroyed by the machines. Thousands of weavers have also been rendered jobless,” said Ehtesham Hussain, general secretary of the KPKU. Carrying banners
and raising slogans, members of the Shawl Weavers’ Union protested at the Press Enclave area that is close to city centre Lal Chowk. The protesters also objected to the selling of machine-made shawls as original Pashmina shawls. “A machine-made shawl is no match for the one that is woven by hands. It takes us four days to weave one shawl and on the other hand, it takes a machine just 10 minutes to produce a shawl. Unfortunately, the machine-made shawl too is sold as if it is woven by hands and has not only hit hard the artisans, but has also given a bad name to Kashmir’s famed Pashmina industry,” Hussain said. He said the worst affected were women. He said the women were able to weave from home earlier, but after the onset of machines, it was not feasible for all to work outside. |
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ABVP takes out victory march on Jammu University campus
Tribune News Service
Jammu, May 12 Speaking on the occasion, Ashwani Sharma, president of the Jammu University unit of the ABVP, said the university authorities had enhanced the hostel fee by 85 per cent, which was in violation of the university statutes but the committee which was constituted by the varsity administration to look into the matter had accepted the demand of students for reduction in the hike of hostel fee. He said after agitating for 59 days, the Jammu University authorities succumbed to the pressure by students and now they would pay back Rs 1,700 to each student residing in hostels for the 2013-14 session and they would not enhance fee for the 2014-15 session. “They will return the money, which was overcharged from the students, after the constitution of an inquiry committee,” he said. The procession concluded near Central Library, where the activists distributed sweets among students and staff members. The ABVP, which had started fast unto death on the campus, yesterday called off its strike after a university panel had conceded the demands of the students.
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Akhnoor village sets example of communal harmony
Akhnoor, May 12 A few days ago, when 80-year-old Noor Muhammad suffered a heart attack, his two sons with the help of their Sikh neighbours took him to a nearby hospital. However, before reaching the hospital, he breathed his last. “After his death, all his Sikh neighbours gathered at his house and made arrangements for his last rites,” said Nek Muhammad, Noor Muhammad’s relative. “When we completed our religious formality of offering the final prayers and burial, the Sikh brothers stayed with us,” said Deedar Hussain, Noor Muhammad’s cousin. He said communal harmony runs deep into the hearts and minds of people of the area and they never allowed any outsider to vitiate the
atmosphere of their village. He said even in 2008 when the entire place was divided on religious and regional basis, their
area remained peaceful as not a single incident of violence took place there. adad |
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Mercury dips as rain lashes Kashmir
Srinagar, May 12 The rain began early morning and continued intermittently throughout the day. The mercury plunged by several degrees in the Valley. In the city, 10mm rainfall was recorded during the day when the temperature rose to a maximum of 16.3 degrees Celsius, a statement of the state Meteorological Department said. The maximum temperature in the city was a departure of seven degrees from the normal. The minimum temperature settled at a low of 12 degrees Celsius, which was again a departure of two degrees from normal. Kashmir region witnessed a prolonged winter this year, with several spells of heavy snowfall and rain. The weather department said moderate to heavy rainfall and thundershower would occur at most places over the state in the next 24 hours till tomorrow evening. It said there was a possibility of snowfall at higher reaches and hailstorm at some places during this period. However, the department warned that heavy rain and thundershowers could occur at isolated places in the state. "In the subsequent four days till Friday, there are chances of decrease in precipitation," the department said. |
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Desh Bhagat varsity offers scholarships to J&K students
Jammu, May 12 "We are happy to announce scholarship benefits for the students of Jammu and Kashmir. The scholarship benefits include wavier in fee structure that too up to 80 per cent for meritorious students," Sethi said. He claimed that the university had achieved remarkable distinction in the field of education and it came into existence as a state private university under the Punjab Government, Desh Bhagat University Act, 2012. |
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Workshop on drug de-addiction held in school
Srinagar, May 12 Around 400 students, 30 staff members of the school and guests from the State Bank of India participated in the workshop. The Principal of the school inaugurated the workshop in which various speakers deliberated on the rising cases of the drug menace particularly among the Valley youth. Faizan Khan, general manager of the NGO, said organising drug de-addiction awareness campaigns in schools of Kashmir was the need of the hour as an alarming number of schoolchildren were taking to drugs to cure mental illness. “The drug problem is eating our system as a whole and there is an urgent need of the civil society and social activists to come forward and organise education programmes so that harmful effects of drugs are highlighted,” Faizan said. He thanked DK Kaul, AGM, State Bank of India, for sponsoring the event. “We have just started with the campaign and we intend to organise more such programmes to curb this social menace,” Khan said. |
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Ratnuchak Cricket Club win T20 tournament
Jammu, May 12 Earlier, batting first, after winning the toss, the ICC set a target of 127 runs after losing all wickets in 19.5
overs. Rajeev and Rinku remained top scorers with 22 and 23 runs, respectively. For the
RCC, Rohit bowled a deadly spell to grab four wickets, while Muzamil chipped in with two wickets. In reply, Ratnuchak overhauled the total in just 16.3
overs. Jatin played a match-winning knock of 88 runs while Romy contributed 14 runs in10
balls. Jatin was declared "Man of the match" while the "Man of the series" trophy went to
Imran. The final was officiated by Zorawar Singh and Surjit Singh as umpires, while Rohit Singh and Jagjit Singh maintained the scorecard. In the final match and prize distribution function, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA and state president of the
BJP, was chief guest, who gave away trophies to the winners and runners-up teams. Prominent among those present on the occasion were senior BJP leader Chander Prakash
Ganga, Suryadev Singh, Shuvnandan Singh, Rikhi Singh, Major Parhlad Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Jagjit Singh, Vikram Singh, Dharamvir Singh and Sanjiv Sharma.
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Scholarships distributed among needy children
Jammu, May 12 Speaking on the occasion, the DDC appreciated the role of the Loomba Foundation for such a cause and stressed that more and more deserving children be brought under the scholarship ambit. The chief guest also applauded the efforts of the Swanzal Foundation and the event organisers. Dr KL Choudhary, who was the guest of honour, suggested that wider publicity needed to be given about the scholarship, so that more deserving or needy children are benefited by it. MK Yogi, president, Surya Bhawan, was also present on the occasion. The Swanzal Foundation was represented by Bihari Kak, Vijay Dhar, Ravi Kachroo, Kuldeep Saproo, Sahiba Bhat, Jitinder Jotshi, Virender Raina, Rakesh Mirza, Kamal Ganjoo, Veena besides other members of the society. The function concluded with a colourful dance item presented by children.
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Bandipora shuts for Day 5 against youths’ arrest
Baramulla, May 12 Shops, commercial establishments in the town remained closed. Residents, including parents of the arrested youths and traders, gathered at Gulshan chowk and staged a protest against the continuous detention of youths by the police. They were demanding unconditional release of the youths, while the police said the youths would be released after legal procedures. Many youths have been detained by the police under precautionary measures before and after the Lok Sabah polls on charges of stone-throwing. Meanwhile, life returned to normalcy in Baramulla town after observing a complete shutdown for the last three days against the pre and post poll arrests of youths on charges of stone-throwing and harassment of rural voters. The Kashmir Economic Alliance and the Trade Federation,
Baramulla, yesterday in a joint meeting decided to call off the strike and resume business activities in the town. The Srinagar police said this evening that seven accused, whose bail orders were issued by the court, were bailed out today. |
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Passengers disrupt train services in Pulwama
Pulwama, May 12 They said everyday they struggled to board the train as there was a huge rush and when they tried to sit on the roof of the train, the authorities did not allow them to do so. “It is the rush that compels us to sit on the roof of the train as we have to reach our destinations
on time,” said Asif Ahmad, a contractual lecturer working at Dooru, Anantnag. However, the railway officials said they would not allow anybody to
sit on the roof of the train as it would enhance the probability of an accident. “Boarding on the roof of the train increases the risk of accidents. Refraining passengers from doing so is my duty,” said Railways Superintendent Zahid Malik. The pressure on the Railways has been increasing ever since its inception in the Valley. |
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Arms recovered from hideout
Rajouri, May 12 Troops, headed by Zaheer Abbas Qureshi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Operations, busted the hideout in a natural cave in the Thirka Chouth Margari forest and recovered the arms and ammunition, wrapped in a polythene bag and hidden behind boulders. The recovery included one AK rifle along with two magazines and 20 rounds, four Chinese hand grenades, one Motorolla wireless set and three detonator wires. The cache was rusted and the hideout is reported to have belonged to a local Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, Billa, active in the area before 2004 when militancy was at its peak in the district. |
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50 hurt as bus falls into canal
Jammu, May 12 “The driver of the bus lost control over the vehicle, which skidded off the road and fell into a canal at Dabbad village,” the police said, adding that all the passengers were rescued and shifted to a nearby hospital. Two critically injured children were shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where their condition was stated to be stable. A case has been registered at the Bishnah police station in this regard. A hunt has been launched to nab the driver, who managed to escape from the spot.
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A day after Mother’s Day was celebrated all over the world, mothers of missing persons braved rain in the city’s Pratap
Park today and held a protest against the state and Central governments “apathy” in helping them locate their kith and kin.
Governor NN
Vohra, Chancellor of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir
(SKUAST-K), has stressed the usefulness of enhancing organic agricultural practices in the state.
He said this in his inaugural speech at the opening of the 3rd J&K Agricultural Science Congress organised at
SKUAST-K. The theme of this Congress is “Organic Agriculture: Prospects in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Srinagar, May 12
The Rajouri police in collaboration with a Rashtriya Rifles unit based at Thanamandi recovered arms and ammunition from a militant hideout yesterday in a forest under the jurisdiction of the Darhal police station.
Sources said on a tip-off, a search operation was launched jointly by the Special Operations Group of the police and the Army in the upper reaches of the Darknari forest.
JK Medicity has completed two years in the city with the vision of "Health to one and all".
The JK Medicity hospital, equipped with the latest technology, in a period of two years has became a benchmark in the field of healthcare delivery in this part of the country. It can boast of its ultra modern
OTs, ICU, NICU and dialysis wings. The hospital has well-equipped diagnostic wing having computerised lab, digital X-ray, CT scan, USG,
ECG, TMT, Holter, Echo and endoscopy.
— TNS
Srinagar, May 12
Jammu, May 12