Jammu, June 12
Protests against the erratic water and power supply today grew shriller after women and traders came out on roads, accusing the state government of failing to provide basic facilities to the people.

Activists of the BJP Mahila Morcha, under the leadership of their state president Priya Sethi, staged a protest outside the office of the Power Development Department (PDD) at Parade against unscheduled power cuts being imposed in Jammu.

They burnt an effigy of the state government for not paying any attention towards the problems being faced by people due to electricity cuts. They also broke earthen pots to register protest against irregular supply of drinking water.

In her address, Priya Sethi said every year the people of Jammu were made to suffer during summers on account of power cuts and non-supply of drinking water.

“In these days, when the temperature hovers around 44 to 45°C, unfortunately power and water have gone out of the reach of a common man. It is the duty of the elected government to ensure that people are not made to suffer, but in Jammu and Kashmir the government has least concern for the people and its ministers are enjoying their summers in cool climate of the Kashmir valley,” she said.

Sethi alleged that the Omar Abdullah government had failed to come up to the expectations of the people of Jammu and it was their anger which resulted into drubbing of coalition partners in the Lok Sabha polls.

She said the NC and the Congress coalition government would meet the same fate if it didn’t take effective steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Meanwhile, the Jammu Business Coordination Committee criticised the government for erratic power and water supply in Jammu city and other towns of the region.

A meeting of the committee was held under the chairmanship of Kulbushan Mohitera,. He said they would launch an indefinite agitation against the government if it failed to improve power situation in the city.

Jammu, June 12
With the Meteorological Department sounding the rain deficit alarm in the northwest region of the country, the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government has set into action a “comprehensive” contingency plan to deal with any situation arising out of “deficient rains” in J&K.

While farm scientists have started issuing advisories to farmers, especially those in kandi belts of the Jammu region, the PHE and Irrigation Department has decided to discharge water in all canals irrigating arid and parched areas of Jammu to their “full capacity”.

Talking to The Tribune, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir said, “The state government was asked by the Centre to prepare a contingency plan and we complied. A weak monsoon generally has its impact in the Jammu region. We have chalked out a contingency plan for the region. The state is fully prepared to deal with any situation.”

On June 9, Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh had said the monsoon for the country as a whole between June and September was likely to be at 93 per cent of the long period average, which is below normal (96-104%). Thereafter, the Centre advised all states to keep their contingency plan ready to meet any challenge.

B C Sharma, Chief Scientist, Agrometeorology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, said the university had also readied a contingency plan and had been issuing advisories to farmers on a regular basis.

“The university has been working in tandem with the state government departments, including the agriculture and irrigation departments. We have worked out a comprehensive plan to deal with any situation,” he said.

He said the monsoon normally entered Jammu and Kashmir in the last week of June. “The advancement or delay in monsoon by a week will have little impact on crops being sown in the season,” he said, adding that around 1500-1600 mm amount of water was required for growing rice in the region.

“Although the impact of deficient rains will have no impact in the areas being irrigated through canals, the rain-fed areas, particularly the kandi belts, will definitely face a difficult time,” he said.

Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary, PHE and Irrigation Department, said they were expecting only 5 to 10 per cent of rain deficit this year for which his department had already geared up. “We will operate all canals to their full capacity so that the farmers get irrigation facility up to the tail end of the canals,” he said.

He said people in the rain-fed areas would bear the brunt of deficient rainfall, if it occurs at all, as there was no irrigation facility available with them.

Jammu and Kashmir, which is dependent on agriculture, has been struggling to hold on to its diminishing farmland. According to provisional figures for the 2010-11 agricultural census, the total agricultural land has fallen to under 9 lakh hectares in 2010-11 from over 10 lakh hectares in 1995-96 in the state. 

Irrigation facility

* The PHE and Irrigation Department says it expects only 5 to 10 per cent rain deficit this year and it is geared up for the shortfall. It will operate all canals to their full capacity so that the farmers get irrigation facility up to the tail end of the canals

* People in the rain-fed areas, particularly the kandi belts, will bear the brunt of deficient rainfall, as there is no irrigation facility for them.

* Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, has also readied a contingency plan and is working in tandem with the state government departments

Srinagar, June 12
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board today set up control room and a 24x7 helpline for intending yatris in the office of the Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Board. The helpline will be operational between 9.30 to 18.00 hrs on all week days till June 26 and will function 24x7 from June 27 to August 10, the day yatra concludes.

The annual Amarnath yatra is scheduled to commence from June 28.

Shrine Board CEO RK Gupta said any person desirous of seeking information or assistance in regard to the forthcoming yatra can call on 0194-2501679 or 09469722210 or send an email at sasbjk2001@gmail.com.

He also said any people can call the control room/helpline to make enquiries about the yatra arrangements.

Interested pilgrims can also gather yatra-related information through the Board’s website — www.shriamarnthjishrine.com. They can also send e-queries through the website, the CEO added. — TNS

Srinagar, June 12
The wait is finally over for the music lovers of Kashmir. Come June 21, the Valley will groove to rock music with Bollywood’s singing sensation Nikhil D’ Souza all set to perform at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre on the banks of the Dal lake here.

Nikhil has sung some hit songs for music directors Vishal Shekhar, Pritam, Amit Trivedi and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The Valley last hosted a rock concert in 2008 when Pakistan’s popular Sufi rock music band ‘Junoon’ held an open-air concert on the Dal Lake banks. The concert registered a record presence of music enthusiasts, particularly youth. Pakistan’s famed rock and pop bands ‘Jal’ and ‘Noori’ were supposed to perform in Kashmir last year but could not due to security reasons.

However, this time around, LoudBeetle, event management company based in Srinagar, which is organising the event, is confident that the concert will be a success and draw big crowds.

“Nikhil is going to perform along with his fellow guitarist on a Saturday evening. This concert will be a big tourist attraction because the venue (Boulevard Road) is usually flooded with tourists at this time of the year. We hope to fill the music void in the Valley through this concert,” said Ahmer Khan, Chief Executive Officer of LoudBeetle.

With music concerts in Kashmir inviting criticism from conservatives, some local music groups last year cancelled their concerts and campus performances.

Security concerns have also prevented musicians from holding music events in recent past.

“We have had a full discourse with security officials on arrangements for the concert. There shouldn’t be any problems this time,” Khan said.

Now, music to echo

* Bollywood sensation Nikhil D’ Souza to perform on the banks of the Dal Lake on June 21

* The last rock concert in the Valley was held in 2008 by Pakistan’s Sufi rock band ‘Junoon’.

* LoudBeetle, company which is organising the event, is confident that the concert will be a success and draw big crowds

New Delhi, June 12
Three days after President Pranab Mukherjee set the agenda for the new regime to re-settle displaced Kashmir Pandits in the Valley, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today told his Ministry officials to work for the return of Pandits to the Valley.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a statement saying, “The minister asked officials to take Kashmiri migrants into confidence and work on measures that should be taken up for their return to the Valley.”

The Home Minister, who was briefed by Army Chief General Bikram Singh on Friday, today told his officials to ensure that measures taken up for checking infiltration were further strengthened and gaps in border fencing were bridged. Rajnath Singh issued the instructions after a meeting with officials. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was also present at the meeting.

The Border Security Force, under the MHA, takes care of the 198-km international boarder in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Army is deployed along the 749-km-long Line of Control.

Srinagar, June 12
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley will arrive on a two-day visit to J&K on Saturday to review the security situation. Jaitley will be the first minister to visit the state after the formation of the Narendra Modi-led government in New Delhi. The minister will chair a high-level security meeting in Srinagar, and will also meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor N N Vohra.

Top officials in the Defence Ministry said Jaitley would be accompanied by Army Chief General Bikram Singh. After his arrival in Srinagar on June 14, he would be briefed by top Army officials about the security situation in the state.

The Defence Ministry had last week told the Army Headquarters in Delhi to be ready for the minister’s first visit to the state.

While senior officials in Srinagar are tightlipped about the Defence Minister’s visit and his plan during the visit, sources said that apart from reviewing the security situation with the top Army brass, Jaitley was scheduled to visit frontier areas in Kashmir to get a first-hand account of the situation along the Line of Control (LoC). The Minister is likely to interact with soldiers deployed on the LoC.

The sources said the Army top brass would brief the Defence Minister on issues relating to infiltration, Chinese incursions in Leh, counter-insurgency grid in the state and the possible impact of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan scheduled later this year on the region.

The Army fears that militant influx to Kashmir could increase once the US troops withdraw from Afghanistan.

The Defence Minister is also likely to review the development projects of the Army and various initiatives taken by the force in J&K.

Jammu, June 12
Bizarre it may sound but it’s true. The state government has no contingency plan vis-à-vis electricity supply in 10 districts of Jammu region, where mercury shoots up to 45 degrees Celsius and even above during peak summer.

Jammu region that comprises 10 districts of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch had a total population of 53,78,538 with 28,52,487 males and 25,26,051 females in 2011.

The dismal scenario can be gauged from the fact that in the winter capital of the state — Jammu city - which has 71 municipal wards - at least four to five transformers get burnt (damaged) everyday due to overloading, while the overstretched Power Development Department (PDD) has little resources to get them replaced or repaired in time.

In the first three days of June, 10 transformers were damaged, while a total of 170 were damaged from April 1 to June 3 in Jammu city alone.

In 2011, Jammu district had a population of 15,29,958. In case transformers get damaged on the outskirts of the city, they are replaced after four to five days, causing immense hardships to people in searing heat.

However, 12 districts on the other side of the Pir Panjal range, including Ladakh region, comparatively has a cool atmosphere even during peak summer, where the mercury oscillates between 10 and 30 degrees.

“People need electricity during summer. If they do not get it at the time of need then various programmes of the department virtually makes no sense. Before the onset of summer, I have been telling the higher-ups to put in place adequate funds and resources to meet the situation at the time of contingency, but they simply don’t bother,” said a senior PDD officer.

And, when the transformers get damaged, people would obviously take to streets, he added.

He said transformers in every urban area were overloaded and hence getting damaged.

“The remedy lies in enhancing the capacity of transformers and at the same time checking power pilferage. Simply, doing a cosmetic exercise, which has become a custom over the years, will take us nowhere,” he said.

The entire transmission and distribution network that was set up in 70s and 80s needed to be refurbished, he added.

However, another top official largely blamed the consumers for the dismal scenario. “The problem is not with the department. It lies with the consumers, who indulge in power theft,” he said.

He further said, “The department is doing its job responsibly. The power deficit has improved from 37 per cent to 28 per cent and T&D losses from 64 per cent to 55 per cent.”

According to the official figures, the per capita consumption of the electricity is 960 units per month in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, evaded queries on the contingency plan and power infrastructure in the Jammu region.

Srinagar, June 12
A new foundation is being laid in Kashmir politics here. If Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Parliament are aggressively pursuing a pro-Kashmir agenda while seeking a special discussion on the Kashmir issue, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is emerging as a political fighter, willing to face political opponents with all the strength at his command.

In this fight between the PDP and the ruling National Conference, all other players are watching the unfolding of a new battleground ahead of the Assembly elections in November- December this year.

The story of the Congress and the BJP is different. Their battlegrounds are essentially in Jammu and Ladakh regions with a slight presence in the Valley.

Trying to deliver on the promise that the “K- issue” would be central to their role and articulation in Parliament, the PDP leaders started their role from Day One.

On Monday, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and her colleague Tariq Hameed Karra, moved an amendment to the President’s address to the joint session of Parliament.

The amendment suggested, “The Government of India will address the Kashmir issue and the issues facing the people in Jammu and Kashmir within the parameters of insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat (coexistence in Valley).

Mehbooba pointed out that the presidential address had presented an inclusive vision for all sections of the population but it was disappointing that the problem of J&K had been excluded.

She said, “While it was good that improvement of intra-regional connectivity in the state and return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes were mentioned in the agenda for the government, but it was unacceptable that the government had remained silent over the larger issue of J&K, its political resolution and development needs.”

This assertive line on the “K-issue” has come at a time when the National Conference, which lost all three Lok Sabha seats that it contested in the Valley to its arch-rival PDP, is working on two –pronged strategies.

NC president Farooq Abdullah, who lost to Tariq Hameed Karra in Srinagar constituency, is holding indoor strategy sessions with party members at the grassroots as well as those at the top.

Already, the important post of general secretary has been given to Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, who is known for his aggression and art of campaigning. Sagar and then Health Minister Mian Altaf had successfully campaigned for Omar Abdullah’s debut in Parliament in 1998.

Omar has pressed all necessary buttons to do something in the next six months, all that he could not do or sell in the past five and a half years.

Simultaneously, he is visiting the places he should be. For example, he visited the Pahalgam tourist resort on Tuesday morning where a devastating blaze on Monday evening left hotels and shops gutted. Then, he took time off to talk to party workers and others to tell that he would not go down without fighting.

Many in his party feel that had he adopted the do-it approach earlier, he could have transformed the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and the NC would have been sitting pretty. But there are others who still believe in his grit and determination.

Srinagar, June 12
Former bureaucrat BA Runyal on Thursday joined the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Runyal joined PDP in presence of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and other senior party leaders in Srinagar here.

Mufti, on the occasion, said his party was moving on the path of peace, reconciliation and good governance to establish a new system of justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir.

He called upon the people to rise above the narrow consideration and support the progressive and visionary agenda of the PDP for the inclusive growth and equitable development of the state.

Runyal, who recently retired from the rank of Commissioner Secretary, joined the PDP along with his supporters. 

Shopian, June 12
Lured by the beauty of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, Bollywood actor Javed Jaffrey today said filmmakers should visit the place and capture its serene and tranquil beauty on their cameras.

He said tourism should be promoted in the area and various recreation facilities such as paragliding and rafting should be introduced to entertain the tourists here.

Jaffrey said it was not only Kashmir where film crews needed security. “We need security at every place in India and I think the security in Kashmir is much better than in any other part of the country,” the actor said.

Jaffrey is in this south Kashmir district to shoot for a Malayalam movie, Picket 43.

He said if filmmakers shed shooting of terrorism acts and demonising the image of the Valley, it could help Kashmir become a hot spot for the film industry, replacing Switzerland.

“I have and am telling people to come and capture the natural beauty of the state and show the world that there is nothing that you cannot shoot (here). Security is enough and untoward incidents do happen everywhere,” Jaffrey said.

He said films which do not hurt sentiments should be shot in the Valley.

The Malayalam film is based on the story of two soldiers from India and Pakistan, guarding their respective borders.

They befriend each other and are posted at the same place on either side of the border.

Jaffrey said the script of the film did not demonise the armed institutions of India and Pakistan but showed that there were some external agencies which exploited the powers of security forces for their own interest.

“In the film, I am a Pakistani soldier and speak pure Urdu. The soldier on the Indian side talks to me in the same language,” he said.

Jammu, June 12
A three-day Singhey Khababs Sindhu Festival commenced at the Shey Manla Sindhu Ghat in Leh district of the Ladakh region today. Minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora, who was the chief guest on the occasion, declared the festival open by hoisting a Tricolour.

Ambassador of the Czech Republic to India Miloslav Stasek was the guest of honour.

Addressing a gathering, the minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies said the festival was a means of paying a tribute to Sindhu, which was the most ancient civilisation (Indus civilisation) and speaks of the heritage of India and Pakistan.

The minister said the primary purpose of the festival was to attract more tourists, domestic and foreign, to the region.

Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Rigzin Spalbar, while welcoming the guests and tourists at the festival, said the main objective of celebrating the Sindhu festival was to extend the tourist season from two to six months and to educate the national and international tourists about the importance of the Sindhu river from which India derived its name.

Earlier, Executive Councillor for Tourism Mohammad Shafi Lassu welcomed the guests and tourists.

Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Simrandeep Singh presented a vote of thanks. — TNS

Srinagar, June 12
A 25-member delegation of the Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj, led by its president RK Bhat, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

Bhat informed the Governor about difficulties being faced by the Kashmiri migrants living in camps.

He demanded urgent implementation of the state Cabinet’s decision to appoint Kashmiri migrant candidates against the de-reserved posts advertised under the Prime Minister’s Employment Package. Vohra assured the delegation that he would take up its demand with the chief minister. — TNS

Srinagar, June 12
Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra today said the police had faced many challenges in the past and should remain ready to face challenges in the future by remaining prompt in delivering services to the people while upholding the law of the land.

The DGP was addressingjawans at the District Police Lines, Baramulla, today.

An official spokesman said that Rajendra was accompanied by Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, AG Mir during a day-long visit to Baramulla where they reviewed security with the top police officers and security forces besides addressing the police jawans.

This was the maiden ‘darbar’ of the DGP after assuming charge.

Speaking to the jawans, the DGP said about 1,500 police officers and jawans had sacrificed their lives so far which was huge, keeping in view the size of the department. "Keeping the sacrifices of our martyrs in sight, we must continue their mission of securing the life and property of the people of our state and eliminating terrorism," he said

Jammu, June 12
A delegation of the state BJP Art and Culture Cell yesterday called on Union Minister of State (MoS) in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh at New Delhi and demanded “rejuvenation” of various forts and promotion of religious tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, besides starting a Dogri channel on Doordarshan.

Accompanied by BJP Art and Culture Cell national convenor Mithlesh Kumar Tripathi and J&K convener of the cell Vipin Shastri, the delegation while submitting a memorandum to the minister said there was a need to rejuvenate various forts in Jammu and Kashmir, make people aware about the history of Dogra rulers, start a Dogri channel on Doordarshan, teach Sanskrit language to children at least up to Class V, develop various cultural academies and a cultural auditorium, provide a platform to diverse artists and explore various ideas of Lama’s, monks and spiritual gurus.

The minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation and forwarded the memorandum to the ministry concerned for appropriate action.

National co-convenors Asitabh Sinha and Ravi Satija, national working committee member Ravinder Singh Parihar and Jammu district convenor Amit Gupta were part of the deputation.

Jammu, June 12
A team of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited has completed the Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of the Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project (KHEP), located in Bandipora district of Kashmir, in record 37 months.

The work on the 14.75-km-long tunnel was completed on June 10, seven months ahead of the scheduled date of completion.

The tunnel was constructed using Double Shield Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).

The KHEP will generate 1,350 mega units of energy on completion and will also enable additional energy generation of 363.57 mega units from downstream power stations like the Uri-I, Uri-II and Lower Jhelum.

In addition to allocation of power as per the power sharing norms, Jammu and Kashmir will get 12 per cent free power, besides one per cent additional power for local area development from the project.

Pertinently, Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project is a part of a run-of-the river hydroelectric scheme that is designed to divert water from the Kishanganga river to a power plant in the Jhelum river basin.

It is located 5 km north of Bandipora and will have an installed capacity of 330 mega watt.

The project, executed at a cost of Rs 3,642 crore, began in 2007 and is expected to be complete in 2016.

It involves construction of a 37-metre-tall concrete dam, comprising three units of 110 mega watt each.

Director, Projects, JK Sharma on the occasion appreciated the project team for achieving the major breakthrough.

Jammu, June 12
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Vice Chancellor Sudhir K Jain today inaugurated the Solar Radiation Resource Assessment (SRRA) station on the varsity campus.

The university has been chosen by the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), Chennai for setting up the SRRA station at its School of Energy Management.

The station has been set up on the roof top of the academic block of the institute.

While congratulating the School of Energy Management for such kind of activity, the Vice Chancellor enquired about the details of the project and said the school should look into the possibilities of other centrally-funded schemes in the areas of renewable energy.

The project is fully sponsored by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The SRRA station is an automatic stand-alone system using high quality, high resolution equipment to assess and quantify solar radiation availability along with weather parameters to develop a Solar Atlas.

Sanjeev Anand, Assistant Professor, School of Energy Management, said the station would be extremely useful for the professionals working in the area of renewable energy as the data required for any research and development activities of the university can be accessed from it.

He said these stations were established to estimate reliable ground solar radiation and meteorological data that were crucial for planning and implementation of solar power plants and other devices.

Anand also said the SMVDU was the only institute in Jammu and Kashmir offering research programs in the area of renewable energy, energy management, and such achievements would be helpful in increasing the research output for sustainable development.

The Vice Chancellor was accompanied by Dean, Faculty of Sciences, VK Bhat; Dean of Students Yugal Khajuria; Private Secretary to Vice Chancellor Vinod Sharma and other senior officers of the varsity. 

Srinagar, June 12
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said various processes of the Education Department, including issuance of no objection certificates to private educational institutions, should be brought under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA).

“All of us should be concerned about the education to students in a conducive and palatable atmosphere as also safeguarding the interests of teachers and other staff working in private schools and colleges,” Omar said during his meeting with the Unaided Private Schools Coordination Committee here.

“We are more than ready to address all your genuine issues meticulously and sympathetically, but you have to meet us at the halfway so far as charging fee from students, providing salaries to the staff and buiding infrastructure for ensuring quality education is concerned,” he told the Committee. — TNS

Udhampur/Reasi, June 12
The three-day historic Sudhmahadev Mela got underway amidst colorful festivity today. Thousands of devotees thronged the Sudhmahadev temple in Chenani tehsil of Udhampur district to seek blessings of Lord Shiva during the first day of the fair.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Vikas Sharma inaugurated the mela.

Sharma, on the occasion, greeted people and said such events helped in exchange of culture and tradition.

He added the fair played a pivotal role in maintaining brotherhood, peace and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the three-day historic Agar Jitto Mela also got underway at Aghar village in Reasi district amid beating of drums and cultural ambience.

District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary inaugurated the three- day mela.

Complimenting people of the area and pilgrims from across the country, Choudhary said such type of festivals provide an opportunity for all of us to see the rich culture and tradition of the area.

He said it also helps in strengthening the bond of brotherhood and communal amenity.

Srinagar, June 12
The police today said initial investigation into the attack on the house of Tariq Ahmad Kakroo, officer on special duty (OSD) with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, negated involvement of militants.

The police, however, said they were continuing their probe in the case.

“Our investigations are on, but so far we have found nothing that establishes that militants fired at the house,” said a senior police officer in Srinagar.

Kakroo, last evening, had claimed that militants opened fire at his house in the Kanispora area of Baramulla district.

A police officer, however, said they carried searches in the area but could not trace anything that could establish militants had opened fire at Kakroo’s house. “There was a marriage ceremony going on in a nearby locality and may be Kakroo’s guards mistook fire-crackers burst in the function as a militant attack,” said the police official.

Kupwara, June 12
The rooftops of two houses in Hirri village were damaged while power supply to many areas was disrupted and trees damaged in Kupwara district of north Kashmir due to gusty winds late last night.

“Gusty winds last evening swept away the rooftop of my house. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. I appeal to the district administration to compensate the loss,” said Bilal Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Hirri village.

Power supply to many areas remained affected as strong winds snapped electricity wires at many places. A Power Development Department official, however, said the supply was restored around 3 pm today in Kupwara town and its adjoining areas.

People from some remote areas though said there was no electricity since last evening. — OC

Srinagar, June 12
In the wake of increasing number of accidents, the police have deployed at least two dozen vehicles fitted with the Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices to improve traffic management on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all-weather road linking the Valley with the rest of the country.

Twenty-three vehicles fitted with high-tech GPS tracking devices, including three recovery cranes, have been deployed at various places on the highway, especially in accident-prone areas, a spokesman for the traffic police department said.

The deployment of vehicles on the highway has been done in such a way that trouble spots, jamming points and accident spots could be reached in shortest possible time, he said.

The network has been started so as to coordinate the deployment in a better and purposeful manner on daily basis.

“This will make the officers more responsive and accountable,” the official of the traffic department said.

The highway has turned into a death trap engulfing lives of people in major accidents which take place every year mostly during winter months. “The GPS network will also monitor the speeds of vehicles and hence control the rate of accidents,” the official said.

Besides, the traffic police department has prepared a list of 65 officers with their mobile phones so that the road users can contact them for any sort of assistance, complaints or other grievances.

“Road safety is fast becoming a concern for all of us as nearly 1,000 people have died in road accidents last year,” the spokesman added.

He said the latest measures were taken due to increase in the flow of traffic on the highway which was posing new challenges to the department.

The traffic police, national highway, look after the traffic management in Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Udhampur and Reasi districts, which include NHW1A/1B and a large network of rural roads.

“In an attempt to enhance the public outreach programme and offer timely assistance, a permanent mechanism of having identifying mobile numbers of every officer - the CUG network - has been established by the traffic police headquarters at Ramban,” they said.

The CUG system is bound to help the public in larger interest and will act as a strong feedback mechanism for the traffic police, national highway.

To streamline traffic

* 23 vehicles fitted with hi-tech GPS tracking devices, including three recovery cranes, have been deployed at various places on the highway, especially in accident-prone areas

* The deployment of vehicles on the highway has been done in such a way that trouble spots, jamming points and accident spots could be reached in shortest possible time

* The introduction of GPS technology will help in knowing the details of the duties carried out by the ground staff, the movement of the officers and response time taken to attend a public/traffic issue on the national highway

* The traffic police department has prepared a list of 65 officers with their mobile phone numbers so that road users can contact them for any sort of assistance, complaints or other grievances

Srinagar, June 12
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) launched a special sanitation drive at Women’s College, MA Road here today. The drive as per an SMC official was supervised by Chief Sanitation Officer of the corporation Manzoor Ahmad Tarray.

At least 40 sweepers with state-of-the-art machinery were put to work for cleaning various areas of the college, including the washrooms within the college premises, the official said.

“Besides trimming wild grass and washing of paths, the SMC fumigated all necessary patches within the college premises. The college students provided full support and joined hands with the SMC workers to clear off all garbage from the college,” the official added.

Srinagar, June 12
With the Assembly elections just months away, a new political party - “Front of Revolutionised Creative Efforts” (FORCE) - under the chairmanship of Anand Khajuria, a former Congress party worker, was launched here today.

Addressing a press conference, Khajuria of Udhampur district said the step was taken after they found that the state had lost control over democratic values.

“Under the shadow of corruption, poverty has increased and development has decreased. The youth is depressed because of corruption in each department,” he said. He stressed that the party would work to protect the special status of J&K by saving Article 370.

He said the government machinery was under pressure of “corrupt politicians” that had affected its functions. He said, “We are committed to provide social, economical and political justice to all who are deprived of justice.” Khajuria highlighted the aims and objectives of the party that included uplift and channelising the youth, women empowerment and reducing electricity rates.

FORCE declared that the party candidates would contest on all 87 assembly seats of the state and appealed to the people to join hands with the party.

Srinagar, June 12
A Special National Integration Camp (SNIC), Srinagar 2014, will be conducted by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Group, Srinagar, at JAK LI Regimental Centre, Rangreth, Srinagar, from June 14 to 23 under the aegis of the NCC Directorate, Jammu and Kashmir.

A defence spokesman said the main aim of SNIC, Srinagar, was to foster the spirit of national integration, solidarity and develop camaraderie among the 300 participating NCC cadets and associate NCC officers representing the 17 NCC directorates from all over India.

This year, true to its aim, the theme selected for the camp is “Jammu and Kashmir, the jewel of India’s crown”.

“The SNIC, Srinagar, will provide an opportunity to the cadets to live together, share views and opinions and participate in a host of sports, cultural, educational and recreational activities to include visits to various places of tourist interest in and around Srinagar,” he said.

The camp will be inaugurated by J&K Governor NN Vohra on June 14.

Besides the Governor, various civilian and defence dignitaries, including the Director General, NCC, General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps, General Officer Commanding, 31 Sub Area, and the Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, are scheduled to visit the camp and interact with the cadets.

Samba, June 12
A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and three of his colleagues were injured when a motorcycle they were riding on was hit by a van near Rakh Amb Tali here.

“A BSF jawan was killed and his colleague sustained injuries when a motorcycle they were riding on was hit by a Maruti van last night near Rakh Amb Tali,” a police officer said.

The deceased has been identified as Sanjay Narkar and was deployed with the 09 Battalion of the BSF. Two persons travelling in the van were also injured in the incident, the officer said.

Jammu, June 12
Over 350 persons took part in a “Run for thalassaemia & say no to tobacco”, organised by the Gian Jyoti under the aegis of the Gian Jyoti Education Society in collaboration with Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali, here this morning.

The event was powered by the Rotary Club, Bari Brahmana, Sharma Industries, Shree Agencies and Urban Farm to raise awareness about ill-effects of tobacco. The run started at Bari Brahmana and culminated at Adda Sarore.

Students and faculty members of institutions and general public participated in the run.

The chief guest was Deputy Commissioner, Samba, RK Verma, who flagged off the run. Chander Prakash Ganga, senior vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was the guest of honour.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Jai Ram Sharma, president, Rotary Club, Bari Brahmana, Sanjeev Sharma, vice-president, Rotary Club, Bari Brahmana, Pawan Bakshi, Satish Sharma, Ashwani, Dr Gurdeep and Dr Aneet, Dean, Academics, Gian Jyoti Group.

The Group distributed T-shirts among the participants. Prizes were also given to first 50 students and participants.

Jagvinder S Thakur, senior lecturer, Gian Jyoti Group, Chandigarh, who was the event coordinator, said the run was organised in support of thalassaemia patients and also for a social awareness against smoking and tobacco use.

He added that the menace of tobacco had gripped the youth and it was high time that the younger generation be sensitised to it. JS Bedi, chairman, Gian Jyoti Group, said, “Our group was committed to produce ethically sound and socially responsible professionals. We have always been on the forefront to discharge our duties towards societal well-being.”

Jammu, June 12
The annual day-cum-prize distribution function was held at the Sacred Heart College of Education, Paloura. Rajni Bala, chairperson of the college, was the chief guest, while managing director of the college Hari Singh Chib was the guest of honour.

Dr KK Tiwari, Principal of the college, read out the annual report. The chief guest distributed prizes and certificates among the students who excelled in different co-curricular activities.

The winners of tug-of-war included Arvind Sambyal, Jeevan Lal, Manmohan, Sunil Kumar and Nitesh Raina, while Sunil, Minkal, Vishal, Vimal and Nitesh emerged winners in kho-kho.

The winner of chess competition was Sudhir Chauhan, while Arvind Sambyal got certificate in a state-level seminar.

Poonam Sakshi, Nisha Kalla and Rohail Khajuria got participation certificate in an inter-college quiz competition held at GCW, Gandhi Nagar.