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Traditional Pahalgam route to Amarnath cave shrine opens
Kashmiri Pandits pin hopes on Modi
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Hurriyat warns BJP ahead of PM’s visit
No wish list for PM, but J&K must get its due: Omar
Cong to hold rallies in Assembly segments represented by
NC
Babri beoul — Valley’s favourite beverage during Ramadan
Day after bribery charge, custodian says illegal trader stands registered
Residents threaten agitation against water scarcity
ASHA workers urge govt to accept demands
MBBS scam: HC directs IGP to supervise probe
NC, PDP accuse each other of corruption
Cong leader demands separate secretariat for Jammu
Protest, shutdown in Baramulla over ‘misbehaviour’ with girl students
Doda parents reluctant to send their wards out of state for studies
Cabinet meeting
Govt attitude towards Jammu ReZs condemned
Army foils intrusion in Poonch
Kalakote mine labourers go on hunger strike
Chinar Corps GoC visits forward posts in Kupwara Female mallard rescued from Pampore wetlands
CRPF DG reviews security arrangements for yatra
DC reviews arrangements for Guru Hargobind’s birthday
1-kg charas seized from ambulance Registration must to attend Dalai Lama’s sermon in Leh Army to celebrate Jhangar Day
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Traditional Pahalgam route to Amarnath cave shrine opens
Srinagar/Anantnag, July 2
Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, yesterday reviewed the situation at a meeting which decided to allow the movement of the yatris from the Pahalgam route today. Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Swagat Biswas, said he had been in touch with the officials en route to the cave. “I am keeping a track of the pilgrims. Their well-being is our priority,” he said. An official spokesman said 4,166 yatris left from Pahalgam to the holy cave today while 8,922 yatris left from the Baltal route. On the fifth day of the yatra today, 10,628 pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine. Till date, 61,156 yatris have had darshan of the Shivalingam at the cave shrine. Due to overcast sky and rain in the morning, the yatra got delayed and the first batch of yatris left from Baltal at 6:50 am and from Chandanwari at 6:10 am. On a fair weather day, the first batch of yatris leaves from Baltal at 4:45 am and from Chandanwari at 6:00 am. Meanwhile, Mahant Deependra Giri has said ‘Chhari Mubarak’, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, will be carried from its abode at Dashnami Akhara in Srinagar to the Amarnath shrine on July 12 through the traditional Pahalgam route. ‘Bhoomi pujan’ and ‘dhawajarohan’ ceremonies will be performed at the resting place of the holy mace in Pahalgam after which it will return to Srinagar in the evening. On July 26, Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the Shankaracharya temple for prayers and return to Dashnami Akhara. Prayers will also be held on July 27. On July 30, ‘Chhari Sthapana’ and ‘dhwajarohan’ ceremonies will be performed at Dashnami Akhara. It will then leave for Pahalgam on August 8. The mace will leave Pahalgam on August 8 for a night halt at Chandanwari and on August 10 proceed towards the cave shrine for pujan. Rituals and prayers will be performed the whole day at the holy cave and before dusk, Chhari Mubarak will leave for night halt at Panchtarni. Arduous track
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Kashmiri Pandits pin hopes on Modi
Jammu, July 2 While the refugees are ready to give more time to the month-old NDA government to decide their case, the Kashmiri Pandits want the Prime Minister to “take stock of the overall security and the political scenario, especially in the wake of Islamic insurgency” in Kashmir before taking a final call on their return. “The Prime Minister should take stock of the security scenario in Kashmir. He must ensure that nothing goes wrong in Jammu and Kashmir and borders are strengthened. He should see the political scenario of the state in the overall context of Islamic insurgency in Kashmir and the withdrawal of NATO forces,” said Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president of the Panun Kashmir, a frontline organisation of Kashmiri Pandits. He, however, made it clear that a separate homeland in the Kashmir valley, a demand which was vehemently opposed by Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other separatists in Kashmir, was the only solution for rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. According to official figures, 24,202 families migrated after militancy erupted in Kashmir in 1990. As many as 38,119 families are registered with the J&K Revenue and Relief Ministry till now. Various KP organisations, however, have put the number of total displaced people between 6 and 7 lakh. The Centre had recently hinted that it could approve a package of Rs 20 lakh for each displaced Kashmiri Pandit family to reconstruct their houses; this is a significant increase from the existing Rs. 7.5 lakh per family that was decided in 2008. Another organisation of Kashmiri Pandits has expressed its doubts over the timing of the Centre’s announcement vis-à-vis the initiative being taken for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. “The new government should not make any move in haste. Displacement is not an outcome of a natural calamity, and doles cannot help in their resettlement. Pandits are victims of religio-ethnic cleansing by terror groups and they need constitutional and political guarantee to ensure their future safety”, said Ajay Chrangoo, chairman of the Panun Kashmir. On July 4, the Prime Minister will flag off train service to Katra, the base camp of the Vaishno Devi shrine, and review security situation in Kashmir. Labha Ram Gandhi, chairman of West Pakistani Refugees Action Committee (WPRAC), said they were ready to give more time to the Centre for settlement of their long-pending issues. “The new government has taken over just a month ago and it would be too early to expect much from them at this stage. The government can take time but must settle our issues once and for all,” he said. He also requested the Prime Minister to direct the Defence Minister to allow West Pakistan refugees to participate in the Army recruitment rally in Jammu on July 11. |
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Hurriyat warns BJP ahead of PM’s visit
Srinagar, July 2 “The mischievous statements of BJP
leaders can set afire the harvest of peace in the state and a strong
reaction will come if this is not stopped immediately,” a spokesperson
of the hardline separatist faction said in a statement here. The
separatist group further warned that those “turning blind eye to the
reality” would be responsible for any deterioration in the
situation. The latest reactions come in the wake of BJP vice-president
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s statement, in which he had reportedly said the
separatists’ dream of creating a separate country in Jammu and Kashmir would be never fulfilled. The separatist faction said Kashmir has never been a “legal part of India”. The harsh statement from the hardline Hurriyat faction comes two days ahead of Modi’s visit to the region, his first to the Valley since becoming the Prime Minister. |
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No wish list for PM, but J&K must get its due: Omar
Srinagar, July 2 “Whatever is the right of the state, we should get that and we want to have that,” Omar said. The Chief Minister said Modi was coming to the state for two functions related to the Central government and “nothing more than that”. Omar said the state should get help for the loss it had incurred by being at the “front of the fight against militancy”. “We should get our share of electricity. We should get help in funding by the Planning Commission… I am not asking for anything else,” said the Chief Minister. Omar, who is also the working president of the ruling National Conference, said there was no decision yet on a pre-poll alliance with the Congress.
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Cong to hold rallies in Assembly segments represented by
NC
Jammu, July 2 Furious over Omar’s decision to address NC workers’ conventions at
Neel, Kashtigarh, Razgarh and Ukral in the Banihal and Ramban Assembly constituencies, Congress leaders are devising a strategy on how to launch an aggressive campaign in areas considered the NC’s stronghold. There is feeling among the Congress leaders that the NC has decided to go it alone in the coming Assembly polls and the conventions were organised only to send the message to the grassroots. The NC and the Congress are running a coalition government in J&K since 2009. The Chief Minister had addressed workers’ conventions at Assembly segments represented by Congress
MLAs. Although the Chief Minister has not said anything against the Congress, the party (Congress) has taken serious note of it because Banihal and Ramban are part of erstwhile Doda which is considered a stronghold of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi
Azad. Omar, who is the working president of the National Conference, while addressing the conventions, had thrown light on the achievements of the coalition regime. He also highlighted the role played by his party in the state. “We will also organise rallies in the Assembly segments represented by NC
MLAs,” Congress leader Dharam Pal Sharma said and added that the Congress leaders were busy devising a strategy to counter the NC. Sharma said by organising NC workers’ convention at Banihal and
Ramban, the Chief Minister had given a hint that chances of a pre-poll alliance between the two parties were bleak. He, however, said in a democratic system every political party had the right to mobilise public opinion in its
favour. “From the grass-roots level to senior leaders, the Congress is opposing a pre-poll alliance with the NC,” he said and added that during a meeting in Srinagar last week, party leaders were unanimous that the alliance with the NC in the Assembly elections would prove disastrous for the party. Spokesman for the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Ravinder Sharma, however, downplayed the developments. “We are still in a coalition,” he said and added that being the working president of the NC, Omar Abdullah has the right to address such conventions in the state. |
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Babri beoul
— Valley’s favourite beverage during Ramadan
Srinagar, July 2 “The tradition has continued since decades as a means to break the fast in Kashmir. This is the gift of central Asia to Kashmir. The Sufi saints and Hakeems carried it with them here and the drink of basil seeds was highly recommended by them for dehydration during Ramadan,” said a noted historian, Zareef Ahmad Zareef. Continuing the age-old tradition, Zareef said the drink of basil seeds was also used to cure several ailments, particularly stomach problems and people preferred this drink in Kashmir than juices unlike other Muslim countries. “There is no tradition of distributing fruits or other drinks. Only “Babri
Beoul” is famous in Ramadan here. However, now people are opting for different delicacies, but without forgetting “Babri
Beoul”. It is still famous,” said Zareef.
“The beverage keeps bowl movement perfect and prevents accumulation of fat in the body. It also helps in digestion, reduce frequent thirst, improve appetite, lower body temperature and keep skin in good condition,” a Srinagar-based physiologist said. The drink is prepared by leaving the basil seeds in water till they are swollen and later they are mixed with milk and sugar. Dry fruits and dates are added in the end. Besides preparing the drink at homes, it is also distributed among devotees in mosques and shrines during the holy month. “We have been drinking this sharbat from childhood and we cannot do our Iftaar without it. There is some uniqueness in this tradition,” said Fareeda, a homemaker. The sale of basil seeds also goes up during the holy month. People stock the seeds in advance in their homes as part of their Ramadan shopping. “People stock up these seeds in advance for the whole month as no household goes without this drink during the month,” said a shopkeeper from historic market of Srinagar in Zainakadal.
Doctors and dieticians also recommend the drink, saying that it provides relief from many health problems. “Basil seeds provide relief from stomach upset. Due to its carminative effects, it is effective for treating digestive disorders such as stomach cramps, flatulence, constipation, and indigestion. It also helps reduce stress level. Consumption of this drink is very healthy in Ramadan when people go without eating for long hours,” said a doctor. Kashmiri sharbat
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Jia Pota attracts Jammu youth on weekends
Jammu, July 2 Though the Tourism Department has failed to create enough facilities for the visitors to the place and it is still unknown to the lakhs of tourists visiting Jammu every year, but hundreds of people from Jammu, particularly youth, visit the place to enjoy the serene flow of the mighty Chenab passing through the historic place on weekends. Since several places associated with the erstwhile Dogra dynasty have been converted into hotels or commercial places, the young generation, having greater access to historical records, is digging records of history. “Just a few years ago I came to know about the glorious past of this place and since then I regularly visit the area. After marriage, I had made it a routine to visit the place along with my family. The Tourism Department should create better infrastructure at the place as it can become a attraction for the tourists,” said Avinash Gupta, who regularly visits Jia Pota. When it comes to the Dogra rulers, Jammu and Kashmir valley is like two sides of the coin. Youth in the Kashmir valley will have different views on the former rulers, while in Jammu, they are seen with pride. “We need to be proud of our forefathers, who founded the present J&K state. We need to remember our ancestors who fought with bravery and made the Dogras proud,” said Daleep Singh, a resident of Kot Bhalwal village, near Akhnoor. Notwithstanding more than one crore tourists and pilgrims visiting Jammu and Kashmir every year, the state has failed to formulate any long-term plan for its development and most of the activities for infrastructure development and promotion have been undertaken in an ad hoc manner. |
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Day after bribery charge, custodian says illegal trader stands registered
Jammu, July 2 He took the plea that Vasu’s father was a registered trader in 2008. Lone had denied all the allegations and claimed that Vasu’s name had been included in the list at serial number 159 as his father Bansi Lal Sharma of Akhnoor existed on the list in 2008. Vasu’s name was included only after he attained the age of 18 years and after following laid down procedures, Lone claimed. The president of the Chamber of LoC Trade, J&K, Pawan Anand, said, “The custodian of the Chakan da Bagh Trade Centre had given serial number 159 to the unregistered trader in the list of 165 registered Indian traders. In 2010 serial number 159 stood in the name of Yasir Trading Company of Surankote, whose proprietor’s name was Shagufta Begum.” The Chamber of LoC Trade had yesterday accused the custodian of taking a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from Vasu Sharma before allowing his truck to the PoJK with a consignment of bananas. Being the apex body of the LoC traders in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chamber of LoC Trade, J&K, has the list of all the registered traders, Anand said. Chamber’s general secretary Krishan Singh said, “Since the trans-LoC trade started in 2008-09, Vasu Sharma never existed in the list of traders. Furthermore, owing to a dispute, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Poonch has banned registration of new traders till the disposal of a case. Therefore, the trade official not only violated the law but also exhibited contempt of court.” “We are consulting our lawyers and will file a contempt petition against the official in a day or two,” he added. Lone said Vasu Sharma’s father Bansi Lal Sharma of Akhnoor was among the first few Indian traders, who did neat and clean dealings with their Pakistani counterparts in 2008. “Thereafter, he stopped doing trade for some reasons and wanted his son to take over. Since Vasu was a minor at that time, the CID imposed a restriction. The then Deputy Commissioner Poonch and the then custodian of the trade centre, however, had given in writing that Vasu’s name would be included in the list of traders after he attained the age of 18 years,” claimed Lone. “Out of 165 traders, I banned six of them and one of the traders (proprietor of International Trading Company) died. Therefore, we had 158 traders left and Vasu was given serial number 159, that too, after following due procedures,” he added.
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Residents threaten agitation against water scarcity
Srinagar, July 2 People from areas of Srinagar such as Rajbagh, Ram Bagh, Magarmal Bagh, Batamaloo and adjacent areas said in summers and scorching heat they hardly get water supply for two hours during the day. “We are facing a lot of difficulties during this holy month and the temperature is also high. Potable water is hardly available,” said a resident of Kanil Bagh, Raj Bagh, Srinagar. The complaints of water scarcity also came from residents of Alocha Bagh. Locals say even if there is availability of water, the pressure is very low. “Though the water works department claim that they are inspecting people using water booster pumps, I don’t think there is any change on ground. We want strict action against such people who don’t think about other people. May of them leave taps open for watering their lawns, gardens and washing cars leaving others sans water,” said a local from Alocha Bagh. Officials of the PHE Department have started an inspection team and drive against people using water booster pumps and they assured that the water supply to respective areas will improve in a week’s time. “We regularly supply water to these areas during prime hours. The supply is only closed during night, but again there is problem with people using water booster pumps. We have seized many of them and the drive is on,” said Executive Engineer of the PHE Department Lateef Ahmad.
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ASHA workers urge govt to accept demands
Jammu, July 2 Sham Prasad Kesar, senior leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), expressed anguish over the alleged stepmotherly treatment being meted to the ASHA workers by the state and Central Government. Kesar raised demands of the regularisation of services of ASHA workers, implementation of recommendations of the 45th Indian Labour Conference for regularization of service, payment of minimum wage of Rs 15,000 per month and providing social security, including pension, gratuity, EPF and medical facilities. He also demanded payment of pending incentives/ arrears, linking of remunerations with consumer price index, implementation of order of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for revision of incentives, including Rs 1,000 per month, to ASHA workers. ASHA workers should be covered under the Aam Admi Bima Yojna on the pattern of Anganwari workers, he added. General secretary of the state CITU Om Prakash urged the ASHA workers to unite and intensify their struggle to get their demands accepted. He added that this was the only way for the survival of working class in these days of anti-working class and pro-capitalist policies of the Centre and state governments.
— TNS |
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Paramedical colleges form association
Jammu, July 2 The newly elected president, while talking to mediapersons said there were 58 paramedical institutions in the Jammu province imparting education to more than 10,000 students hailing from different parts of J&K as well as adjoining states. Katoch said the institutions as well as students faced many difficulties, which needed to be addressed immediately, and the formation of association would help work as a bridge between students, colleges and the government. He said the paramedical field was an emerging sector where a lot of opportunities were available in different areas for the youth. Katoch said they would make the sector more vibrant and educate young aspirants and would also find suitable placement for them so that after the completion of the courses they could earn livelihood easily and the problem of unemployment could be solved to some extent. He said the office-bearers of the Kashmir province also participated in the meeting of the association. |
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MBBS scam: HC directs IGP to supervise probe
Srinagar, July 2 “We accept the suggestion by Bashir Ahmad
Bashir, amicus curie, that the IG (Crime) should be asked to exercise overall supervision in the case so that any extraneous influence in execution of arrest warrants is effectively checked,” a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi said in its orders today. The Bench directed the authorities concerned to file a progress report in this regard within two weeks. The High Court in its orders also reprimanded the crime branch, the probe agency, for its failure to arrest the 15 absconding persons in the case. It observed that the “15 persons who are still at large must be wielding some type of
influence”. Govt seeks time to collect evidence
“With respect to (probe into CET conducted in) 2009, 2010 and 2011, the status report suggests that some evidence has been unearthed in respect of admissions made in the year 2010. In 2009 and 2011, (it is stated) there was no evidence, therefore the investigation agency should close the investigation”, the Bench noted in its orders. “We are unable to appreciate how investigation in respect of admission made with respect to 2011 could be closed when the evidence is readily available in respect of admission made in year 2010.”, the court observed, while directing the respondents to file a status report with regard to the conduct of CET in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Earlier, the advocate general had sought more time to collect evidence in respect of the exam conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011. |
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NC, PDP accuse each other of corruption
Srinagar, July 2 “This has punctured the balloon of falsehood of the PDP crying hoarse against corruption by inducting elements with charges of corruption in the partyfold and allotting tickets to them speaks volumes about the lust of the party to grab power by hook or crock,” Omar said. The CM told his party members to “teach a befitting lesson to the amalgam of opportunists, who were hatching conspiracy against the state and its people to grab power”. “They have converged yet again to confuse the people by unleashing false propaganda against the NC and the government to attempt at power grabbing,” Omar
said. Mehbooba accused the NC of having become the “fountainhead of corruption” in the state. “It will only need an honest investigation into allegations against its top leadership to bring them to justice,” said
Mehbooba, who was addressing meetings in the Pahalgam constituency. “The CM is in control of the entire investigation set up. He should be the last person to advise the use of the RTI because he can have the exposure and prosecution of any guilty person conducted whenever he likes,” she said. |
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Cong leader demands separate secretariat for Jammu
Jammu, July 2 “Even factors like employees’ strikes, public holidays and erratic climatic conditions keep the secretariat non-functional every year and about 182 working days are wasted on this account,” he said. Gulchain Singh Charak also pointed out the difficulties being faced by the people of the Jammu province during summer months to get their work done at the civil secretariat in Srinagar. The senior leader welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement that the age-old practice of Durbar Move was no more required. Charak appealed people of the Jammu region in general and elected representatives in particular, to raise the issue at different forums to pressurise the government to do away with this “unwanted and wasteful exercise”. The Congress leader, meanwhile, also demanded that a “Duggar channel” be immediately started at Jammu. |
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Protest, shutdown in Baramulla over ‘misbehaviour’ with girl students
Baramulla, July 2 Reports said class work in the school remained suspended today as students took to the streets to protest the alleged misbehaviour with girl students. The students were demanding action and arrest of the accused who allegedly misbehaved with students on the roadside last evening. As soon as traders came to know about the incident today, they downed their shutters to mark their protest. A shutdown was observed in the area over the incident today. “A youth along with his friends yesterday misbehaved with some girl students,” said one of the protesting students and added that instead of arresting the accused, the police used force against them. “He made lewd comments on (girl) students and threatened that no one can take action against him as he belongs to a politically influential family,” the student said. The protesting students threw stones at police vehicles, prompting the police to fire teargas shells and lathicharge them. Meanwhile, the police in a statement said they had lodged an FIR under Sections 294 and 506 of the RPC and arrested the accused. The students were pacified following the arrest of one of the accused. |
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Doda parents reluctant to send their wards out of state for studies
Jammu, July 2 “I can send my son to Jammu or Srinagar for studies, but not beyond that,” said
Anayatullah, a retired government teacher from Doda. Anayatullah’s only son,
Suhail, recently cleared class XII examination, but couldn’t pass the common entrance test conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examination to pursue a professional course. “My son has now taken admission in Degree College Doda where he will pursue simple bachelor’s degree. I am a bit disappointed as Suhail couldn’t get a seat in any professional course, but I will not risk his life by sending him outside state,” Anayatullah said. On January 19, Khalid
Mintoo, son o Riyaz Ahmad Mintoo, died under mysterious circumstances in Punjab. He was pursuing engineering from Rayat Bahra Institute of Engineering and Technology. In another incident, Yousuf
Iqbal, son of Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh, died in a road accident in Pathankot on November 24 last year. |
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Revenue Dept told to workout rehabilitation package
Srinagar, July 2 It also approved restructuring of the Auxiliary Police Battalions (now State Disaster Response Force). The Cabinet gave sanction to the creation of 60 posts of different categories by corresponding reduction of 86 posts in the two Auxiliary Police Battalions. In another decision, the Cabinet has approved promotion of Mohammad Hussain Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, to the Super Time Scale of KAS. It also approved promotion of Ravi Kant, Secretary in the J&K Water Resources Regularity Authority, to the Selection Grade of KAS. An official spokesman said the Cabinet also approved the proposal for issuance of an ordinance to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions) Act, 2010. — TNS
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Govt attitude towards Jammu ReZs condemned
Jammu, July 2 While speaking on the occasion, Amrik Singh, chief spokesman for the Employees Joint Action Committee
(EJAC), showed resentment over the higher authorities not issuing the appointment orders of ReZs of the Jammu division. He said it was very unfortunate that the government was using different yard stick for the Jammu division in issuing the appointment orders of
ReZs. Amrik Singh appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally look into the matter. Other members of the association who were present in the meeting were Naresh Sharma, JP
Verma, VN Khajuria, Deep Kumar, Pawan Singh, Ajay Kumar and Isam Din. |
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Army foils intrusion in Poonch
Jammu, July 2 Consequently a gun-battle broke out between the troops and the ultras around 1.45 am. Till 2.00 am small arms fire continued between the troops and the ultras and then intermittent fire was exchanged till 2.30 am, the source said. He, however, said this time around the Pakistani troops neither provided any cover fire to the ultras nor did they open their guns on the Indian posts —- a modus operandi frequently used by them to push the ultras to the Indian side. The Army effectively foiled the bid and there were no casualty or injury on the Indian side, he added.
— TNS |
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Kalakote mine labourers go on hunger strike
Rajouri , July 2 The protesters said in the past also they had launched various protests and hunger strikes, but despite promises from the management they didn’t get anything. “Now we have decided to continue our chain hunger strike till our demands are met with,” one of the protesters said.
Kirtan Singh, project manager, coal mines, said their demands were brought to the notice of the Managing Director of the J&K Minerals. “The MD has forwarded the file with recommendations to the Finance Department for action,” he said.
— OC |
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‘Durbar Move’ after every six months.
“Besides wastage of several crores of public money in the form of recurring expenditure on the transportation of a huge quantity of official records twice a year, renovation works and movement of hundreds of families of the officials, the official work remains suspended for full one month in a year due to the process of secretariat movement,” Charak told reporters here.
Baramulla, July 2
his earlier stint in Kahsmir, Saha had served as a Brigade Commander in Farkian in Kupwara district.
A Defence spokesperson said Lieutenant General Saha also met some elders of Keran, Mandian, Kundian and Patra villages in the Keran sector. “The interaction helped the GOC to reconnect with the jubilant residents of villages in the Keran sector. The people were appreciative of initiatives being taken by the Army for their security and well being,” the spokesperson said.
“The Chinar Corps Commander also took the opportunity to visit vocational training centre and met the students and staff,” he said.
TNS
Executive Director Nadeem Qadri reached the spot and rescued the mallard. Before release, the mallard was brought to the Wildlife Rescue
Centre, WCF, for treatment. After some time the mallard was released back to the place from where it was rescued and it joined its
family. Qadri appreciated the efforts of chief coordinator Jalal-ud-Din Shah and coordinator, Wetland Conservation Project, Abdul Rasheed Raina for their dedication and awarded them with a cash prize.
TNS
The drink made of basil seeds is prepared in every house during the holy month and as per historians the tradition has
continued from the time of Sufi saints who entered Kashmir from central Asia