Katra, July 3
The Katra railway station was turned into a fortress on Thursday on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to flag off the much-awaited direct train service tomorrow.

A thick security blanket was laid in Katra, particularly near the railway station, with Army, paramilitary and Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel dotting all roads leading to the town.

All vehicles entering and leaving the town were being thoroughly frisked. Security agencies were maintaining a tight vigil at crowded places in Katra as between 30,000 and 35,000 pilgrims were reaching the town to pay obeisance at the cave shrine.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) took over security at the Katra railway station and entry was restricted. Seven SPG teams headed by officers of the rank of Inspector General, assisted by Army, paramilitary and police personnel, were guarding the railway station and its periphery.

A multi-agency security mock drill was carried out at the venue on Thursday ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. Security agencies took the help of a dog squad to sanitise the area and Air Force helicopters were flown over the town to keep watch.

Sources said the authorities constructed three helipads close to the railway station, where the Prime Minister’s helicopter would land around 9:45 am. He would flag off the direct train service to Katra, inaugurating the 25-km Udhampur-Katra rail link, a part of the Kashmir rail project.

“The helicopter service for Vaishno Devi pilgrims from Katra to Sanji Chat and vice versa will remain suspended during the morning till the visit is over. The pilgrimage to the cave shrine from the base camp will remain unaffected,” the sources said.

Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office and local Member of Parliament Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha would accompany the Prime Minister during the flag-off.

Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Railway Board Chairman and senior officials of the Indian Railways would attend the function.

The Prime Minister would flag off a diesel multiple unit train from Katra to Udhampur and later address a select gathering. The Railway Ministry had decided to extend at least 13 trains to Katra after the Rail Budget to accommodate the maximum number of pilgrims visiting Katra every year.

The survey on a railway project between the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley was conducted in 1998. Work on the project was started in 1999 and it was announced that Katra would have direct train connectivity by 2005.

Omar reviews security for PM’s visit

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today took stock of the security situation and arrangements put in place on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state tomorrow. The Chief Minister received brief in this regard at a high-level meeting held here, in which Director General of Police and senior officers of various departments and security agencies participated.

Modern facilities at railway station

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sets up seven registration counters for pilgrims at railway station

Railways set escalators and lifts for senior citizens and physically challenged pilgrims, wheelchairs available

Authorities construct three helipads near railway station, to be directly linked to upcoming helipad near bhawan at cave shrine

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited establishes shopping mall, cloak room, VIP lounge, 50-room guest house, tourist guide counters, waiting hall with capacity of 200

Srinagar, July 3
A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to the state, a tight security cover has been prepared across the Valley to thwart any untoward incident.

Security forces have stepped up security in Srinagar and other towns of the Valley and the Special Protection Group (SPG) has taken over the venue close to the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Uri sector, where the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 240-MW Uri-II power project on Friday.

“All precautions have been taken,” said a senior police official. In Srinagar, large contingents of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) put up barricades across the city. They were stopping vehicles, mostly light motor vehicles, for frisking in many localities.

Security forces set up check points in various parts of the city. Many vehicles entering the city from various parts of the Valley were searched at entry points. Security forces were maintaining a tight vigil since Tuesday to ensure that no militant could carry out an attack.

“The police and the CRPF are vigilant and on alert,” said a senior security official, adding that sharpshooters were deployed atop highrises to keep a watch on pedestrian movement in sensitive areas.

Sources said security was strengthened and additional security men deployed in sensitive areas of the Valley. The Army increased night patrol in sensitive areas, especially in north Kashmir.

Security on the 125-kilometre Muzzaffarabad highway, from Srinagar to the venue where the Prime Minister would inaugurate the powerhouse, was stepped up.

With inputs from Javid A Malla in Baramulla

Srinagar, July 3
On his maiden visit to the Valley after becoming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi would be addressing nearly 1,000 soldiers at Army’s 15 Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh here tomorrow.

The soldiers, according to sources, have been drawn from various formations across Kashmir valley. The Army’s top brass would also be present during the Prime Minister’s interaction with soldiers.

Prior to his interaction, Modi will pay floral tributes at the War Memorial at the Badmai Bagh Cantonment.

“The soldiers have been drawn from various formations, including those guarding the Line of Control and those involved in counter-insurgency operations,” a source said.

Sources added that Modi was likely to offer soldiers words of encouragement and wisdom. He may also talk about Pakistan during his interaction with the Army men. It will be Modi’s first address to the soldiers after assuming the office on May 26. This is not the first time that a Prime Minister would be addressing the troops engaged in strife torn state. Earlier, former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had addressed the Army men in frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir on May 22, 2003.

Vajpayee has been known for his stand on Kashmir at various occasions. In his address to the troops in Kupwara, the former Prime Minister had remarked that the time had come to wage a “decisive war against cross-border terrorism”. 

Jammu, July 3
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu, various agencies including the Jammu and Kashmir Police today held a mock drill at the technical airport here. Modi is visiting the state for the first time after becoming the Prime Minister and various agencies, including the J&K Police, are leaving no stone unturned to ensure his hassle-free trip.

“Whatever is necessary during any VVIP visit has been done. The J&K Police as well as other agencies are fully prepared,” said Ashok Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Jammu airport.

The Prime Minister will land at Jammu airport at 9.25 am tomorrow. And from there Modi will board a chopper to Katra, where he will flag off the train to Udhampur. After the event, the Prime Minister will head towards Uri in north Kashmir to inaugurate the Uri-II hydroelectric project.

Meanwhile, the security has been increased in and outside Jammu airport and in the city ahead of Modi’s visit and all agencies have been put on high alert.

Katra, July 3
Cloudy sky with a light drizzle added to the cheer of the locals, shopkeepers and pilgrims in Katra, who are ecstatic ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the town.

The Prime Minister will flag off the much-awaited direct train service to the town tomorrow.

The town, which is the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Trikuta hills is abuzz with a slogan, “Katra ke ache din aa gaye hai” (good days have begun for Katra).

The town, including the ultra-modern railway station, is all decked up for the direct rail connectivity with the rest of the country.

Locals and shopkeepers believe that the direct rail connectivity will not only increase the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine every year but also boost the economy of the region.

“It’s a dream come true for the people of Katra as they have been waiting for the inauguration of the 25-km Udhampur-Katra rail link since 2005. We are thankful to the Government of India, particularly the Prime Minister, for making this dream a reality for us,” said Ravi Kumar, 43, a resident of Serali village, located close to the Katra railway station.

Kumar has set up his own travel agency and his business depends on the arrival of pilgrims in Katra town.

“We have learnt that trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh are likely to chug off in the near future which will significantly add to the total number of pilgrims visiting the cave shrine. We are hopeful of seeing a major boost to the economy of the town soon,” he said.

Kumar’s younger brother, Laddi Sharma, who runs a private school, said: “I must say ‘Katra ke ache din aa gaye hai’. After the start of the train service to Katra, it will not only generate employment avenues for unemployed youth of the region, but also improve the overall economy of the people. It will also provide a hassle-free journey to pilgrims coming from various states of the country and abroad. Earlier, they used to face difficulties in reaching Katra via road.”

Thakur Prem Singh, a retired Tourism Department employees, who now runs a ‘dhabha’ near the Katra railway station said, “The people in Katra town are happy over the inauguration of the Udhampur-Katra rail link. Hoteliers and shopkeepers were eagerly waiting for this day and it will be a reality tomorrow.”

Nearly 10 million people visit Katra town every year to offer prayers at the Vaishno Devi shrine.

Last year, around 9.5 million people had visited the shrine, being maintained by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. 

Srinagar, July 3
Senior J&K Minister and Member of Legislative Assembly from Uri Taj Mohiudeen and Member of Parliament from the area Muzzaffar Hussain Beigh have not been invited for the inauguration of the Uri II Hydroelectric Power Project.

The project would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow.

As per the protocol, both Taj and Beigh should have been invited for the official function which will be held close to the Line of Control in Uri, a government sources said.

“I have not been invited for the function,” Taj told the Tribune. “How can the NHPC invite me as I have been speaking against them for exploiting the water resources of our poor state,” the ministermocked.

The Uri II Hydroelectric Power Project is the second such project of the NHPC on the river Jhelum to be commissioned in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Peoples Democratic Party MP from Baramulla, meanwhile, said he too has not received any invitation for the inauguration of the project.

“As per the protocol the Prime Minister’s Office should have sent an invitation. But I have not received any such invitation,” Beigh said. 

Srinagar, July 3
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the working president of the ruling National Conference, today accused the leaders of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party of being the “biggest hurdle” in bringing socio-economic and political transformation to the state.

“The lust for power makes the PDP cross all limits in selling the interests of the state and its people,” Omar said while addressing party workers in Budgam district today. Omar backed his party’s demand for autonomy to the state, saying it will restore powers and authority to the people.

“The aim of restoration of autonomy to the state was to empower Jammu and Kashmir to take all major decisions for inclusive development and economic welfare of the state and restore its dignity and self-governance,” he said.

Omar claimed that the PDP was created to “manoeuvre scuttling of the (autonomy) demand” and keep the state in the “standstill situation”.

The Chief Minister said the PDP wanted to “hide its real face of being a source of misgovernance, misconduct, misappropriation, embezzlement, nepotism and lust for power” by making false allegations against the National Conference.

National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar and party’s provincial president for Kashmir zone Nasir Aslam Wani also addressed the meetings.

Srinagar, July 3
A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Bashirudin has warned New Delhi against any step to create separate settlements for migrant Kashmiri Pandits wishing to return to the Valley.

He also threatened to launch a mass movement against “imposing” Hindi language in the state, which he termed was a conspiracy against Urdu.

“Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part of society and were made to leave as part of a conspiracy during the dark reign of (the then Governor) Jagmohan to label Muslims as terrorists and extremists. They (Pandits) will be given a grand welcome if they come back to live among us, but we will not allow any separate homeland,” Mufti Bashirudin told reporters here today.

The Grand Mufti made the statement as the head of the Majlis Itihad-e-Millat, a conglomerate of several religious bodies, including Jamat-e-Islami, Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadees, Anjuman-e-Shari Shian and Islamic Study Circle.

Terming reports of creation of separate settlements as a “conspiracy” to divide the state on communal lines and harm centuries-old brotherhood, the Grand Mufti said settling Pandits away from Muslims in a security ring would have dangerous consequences and will be strongly opposed.

He was reacting to the media reports on creation of separate settlements for Pandits.

Other quarters, including hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, too have been strongly opposing the idea of creating separate settlements for Kashmiri Pandits.

The Grand Mufti, meanwhile, also warned to launch a mass movement against the “conspiracy” to “impose” Hindi language.

Asserting that they will not allow anyone to harm the status of Urdu language, the religious leader said: “A strange and unfamiliar Hindi language is being imposed as a part of a conspiracy…we will launch a mass movement and make unsuccessful any attempt to impose Hindi.”

Last month, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too had objected to the Centre’s circular to give prominence to Hindi on official accounts in social media.

Srinagar, July 3
On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Kashmir visit, the moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Thursday issued a policy statement, urging the government to tread the path of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who had proposed talks and a solution to Kashmir “under the ambit of “insaniyat” (humanity).

The Hurriyat Conference, which along with other separatist groups called for a shutdown against Modi’s visit on Friday, in its policy statement urged the Prime Minister to “adopt a fresh approach” and start a “full-fledged peace process” for a “lasting” Kashmir solution.

“On the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Kashmir will observe a complete and total strike. It is our earnest wish that Modi and the newly elected NDA government understand the ardent political message we seek to convey through this act,” the Hurriyat Conference said in a statement issued on Thursday.

“The Modi government should adopt the path of veteran BJP leader Vajpayee, who once declared that it was his ‘dream and wish to resolve the Kashmir Issue’ and proposed talks and a solution ‘under the ambit of insaniyat”, the Hurriyat said. It added that it was yet to see any sign of a clear commitment to the effective resolution of the Kashmir Issue.

It urged the Modi-led NDA government to “adopt a fresh approach” and start a “full-fledged peace process” over Kashmir, warning that that peace overtures between India and Pakistan would not succeed if the Kashmir issue was left festering.

“An unconditional and imaginative approach is needed to jointly search for a solution,” the amalgam said, adding that such a solution needed to “accommodates the needs and interests” of all parties, besides “reflecting the will” of the people of Kashmir.

The amalgam said the NDA government, which had been given a strong democratic mandate by the people, should not repeat the mistake of relying on militaristic approaches. “It is up to the newly elected NDA government under the leadership of Modi to spell out its Kashmir policy and decide whether it was truly serious about resolving the Kashmir issue,” the Hurriyat said. It added that it would respond positively to any signs of a serious, imaginative and courageous engagement by the government over Kashmir.

Srinagar, July 3
Ahead of Narendra Modi’s visit to the Valley on Friday, the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani today cautioned the Prime Minister against taking any step towards abrogating Article 370 and warned any attempts to “fiddle” with it would have “serious consequences”.

The separatist group accused the ruling BJP of implementing the “agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh” and alleged that the new Government has initiated a “dangerous game plan” to change the demographics of the state.

The hardline Hurriyat Conference singled out plans to create separate settlements for migrant Kashmiri Pandits, issuance of state subject for Pakistani refugees and abrogation of Article 370 as part of the new Government’s “aggressive policy”.

“The new Indian Government has initiated an aggressive policy to destroy the identity of Jammu and Kashmir’s Muslim population and turn it into a minority,” the separatist group alleged in a statement issued here today.

The group termed Article 370, which guarantees special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Constitution, as a “living proof” of the state’s “disputed” nature.

“Any attempt to fiddle with it will be akin to setting ablaze the harvest of peace and it will draw serious consequences and all the responsibility for it will be on the rulers,” the separatist group said.

Modi, who will be on his first visit to the Valley after assuming the Prime Minister’s office, during the campaign for parliamentary elections, had sought a debate on Article 370, which has become a major politicking issue for separatist as well as mainstream political parties.

Jammu, July 3
The Dulhasti power station management has warned residents of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts not to move near the Chenab from the morning of July 5 to the night of July 6 as gates of the dam will be opened for periodic reservoir flushing.

The power station management has said the water level may rise temporarily during this period. “People residing near the Chenab in areas downstream are cautioned to refrain from moving themselves and their cattle, trucks and tippers near the banks of the river,” the Dulhasti management said.

“They should cooperate for the safety of their lives. Anybody who violates this request will do so at his own risk and responsibility. The NHPC management of the power station will not be responsible for any consequences thereof,” it added.

Srinagar, July 3
Ravi Thakur, vice-chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), met Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan on Thursday.

They discussed issues relating to enhancing attention on advancement of welfare of tribal societies, most of which lived in remote and difficult mountainous areas close to the border.

Several measures relating to rapid improvement of road connectivity in tribal areas and social uplift of tribals were discussed.

Kupwara, July 3
Many areas of Kupwara district, including the district headquarters, have been are groping in the dark since Wednesday evening. Power supply was disrupted around 8 pm following a storm.

The supply was not restored till the time of ‘sehri’ (pre-dawn meals) on Thursday, forcing residents to eat in candlelight. “The supply went off last evening and was not restored so far. We ate ‘sehri’ in candlelight,” said Altaf Ahmad of Batergam.

Residents of Kupwara and Handwara said that the supply was disrupted on Wednesday evening and was not restored so far.

“Even if supply was disrupted due to a storm, power officials could have restored it by the next morning. The department should improve the grim power scenario, at least during Ramadan,” said Shameem Ahmad of Kupwara.

Residents of many villages in the Lolab valley alleged that power employees had been delaying repairs of supply lines in the garb of changing weather conditions.

“It has been raining intermittently for the last three days and employees are delaying repairs. The supply lines which were disrupted at a few places in Lolab could have been repaired in just a few hours, but the employees did not perform their duty,” said Abdul Rashid Khan of Maidanpora Lolab.

Local residents demanded that the supply should be restored at the earliest so that they did not face problems, especially at the time of ‘iftar’ and ‘sehri’.

Samba, July 3
The power supply to the town was snapped today after fire broke out in the main receiving station at the Samba power house here this morning.

“The station caught fire due to short-circuit triggered by heavy load around 08:00 am. Consequently, the nearby equipment caught the spark and went up in flames,” said Junior Engineer, Power Development Department, Ashok Charak.

No loss of life was reported, but panic gripped the residents as thick fumes spread over the entire area.

“The fire broke out in the outgoing feeder, but did not cause any loss to employees on duty. Power supply would remain disrupted for 24 hours,” Charak said.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flame, even as officials and workers of the Fire Department reached the site to take stock of the situation. — OC 

Jammu, July 3
The Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC) has criticised the National Conference-Congress regime for ignoring the demands of refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

A meeting of the JKSAC was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Gurdev Singh, president of the action committee.

They criticised the government for not taking seriously the issue of one-time settlement of persons displaced in 1947. They alleged that the government was adopting delaying tactics.

They said the proposed Rs 15-lakh package for rural category and Rs 20-lakh package for urban category was not commensurate with the material and physical loss suffered. Gurdev Singh said the Rs 7,000-crore package submitted to the Cabinet sub-committee was withdrawn and the Revenue Minister was directed to submit the same package afresh, which was unjustified and illogical. — TNS

Srinagar, July 3
The month of Ramadan has also got some good news for traders selling dates, for it is considered as the prophetic way of breaking fast in Ramadan, thus surging the sales.

With imported dates from Pakistan and Middle East flooding Kashmiri markets, locals and dealers say that dates from these countries are gaining popularity among the local population here with no demand for other dates.

Omar Farooq, one of the dealers of fresh dates from Mahraja Bazar, Srinagar, said dates market this time was much beneficial and in demand than the previous Ramadan. “We sell dates mostly during this month and people are well aware of the quality. They mostly prefer dates from the Middle East and other Arab countries, which are of good quality and expensive,” Omar said.

Another dealer from the old city, Srinagar, said during the month of Ramadan there was more than 50 per cent increase in the sale of dates with people also preferring them due to the religious importance and Prophetic way of breaking fast.

“People prefer to break their fast with dates because of their health and religious benefits. Also, its rich source of energy containing major vitamins, proteins, potassium and fibres that makes it easily digestible, which is required in Ramadan when people go without eating for more than 15 hours,” a dealer in the old city said.

The most popular type of dates is Ajwa dates, which come from Saudi Arabia. “Its popularity is also because according to Hadith, it is believed to be the favourite fruit of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It costs around Rs 2,500 per kg,” a dealer added.

Next comes Iranian dates, which are of seven types and also dates from Pakistan and Dubai, which are also sold during this month. “The other types of dates which are imported in the Valley are Safwy from Dubai and Mabroom, Majdool, Naboot seif dates, Helwah dates, Khudry dates and Shurwa from Pakistan,” the seller said, adding that the market of dates in the Valley for the past several years had gone under tremendous change and the locals were slowly accepting dates as a fruit than a specialty of only Ramadan.

The dealers, however, said these dates were not directly imported to Kashmir. They were shipped to Mumbai and Goa mostly and from there they get them.

The traders also receive stock from Delhi and Amritsar, which are of low quality and are mostly sold in open by street vendors.

“Cheap dates are not processed through a safe mechanism to prevent infection. With people becoming conscious about hygiene and quality, they are not being liked much,” said Younus Ahmad, a local.

According to the locals, the demand of Middle East dates in the Valley is also due to variety and assurance that they are not adulterated like local dates sold by hawkers.

Srinagar, July 3
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) today hailed the efforts of the Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce Department and the J&K Bank towards the uplift of the artisans’ community.

KCC&I president Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad said during a meeting with the Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, several orders for the benefit of the artisans’ community had been passed.

Syed Musadiq Shah, secretary general, KCC&I, said the orders included that the J&K Bank will allow a moratorium period of six months to all cases to be sanctioned after July 1, 2014 as against a period of moratorium of only one month allowed at present.

The other orders as per the KCC&I are: “Interest subsidy of 10 per cent will be available for 5 and half years, including the moratorium of only one month allowed at present, and that the Director, Handicrafts Department will prepare proposal for consideration of the government to enhance the loan amount from Rs 1.00 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh to make the scheme more effective and vibrant for the beneficiaries.”

Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad said the KCC&I thanked the efforts of the Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, and the J&K bank authorities for efforts towards uplift of the artisans of the Valley.

Srinagar, July 3
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Vice Chairman Ravi Thakur today held a meeting with the heads of various departments of the state government to review the status and implementation of development programmes, recruitment policy and safeguards concerning the Scheduled Tribe community of the state.

He also called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here and discussed with him various issues related to the development and uplift of weaker sections of society, particularly those belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

The Chief Minister said inclusive and equitable development in the state was the benchmark of the policy programme of the coalition government 
and wide-ranging measures had been initiated during the last five years for the uplift of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Gujjars, Bakerwals, Pahari people and Other Backward Classes.

Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Director Horticulture, Director, Tribal Affairs, representatives from health services, Kashmir, School Education Kashmir, Director, Animal Husbandry, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir State Tribal Advisory Board, besides other officials were present in a separate meeting with the Vice Chairman.

Thakur appreciated the initiatives taken by the state government towards development of socio-economic status of downtrodden class like Scheduled Tribes (ST), while expressing satisfaction with the overall development measures for their welfare. He said socio-economic gaps should be reduced and tribals should get all basic amenities which make them self-reliant in earning their livelihood and also get adequate representation in employment and other development works.

He asked the departments concerned to prepare a detailed report on the present status of all welfare programmes under execution in the state and forward the same to the commission by the end of this month.

Secretary, Social Welfare, Mohammad Shafi Rather gave a detailed report on status of Scheduled Tribe in the state, special funds allocation for their development and welfare programmes taken for the community.

Earlier, a delegation led by state president, J&K Youth Gujjar and Bakerwal Wing, met Thakur and apprised him about the suffering of the ST community and also submitted a memorandum pertaining to the welfare of Gujjar community in Jammu and Kashmir.

Various demands put forth by the delegation included allotment of land for landless nomads, opening of mobile schools and dispensaries in hilly and far-flung areas, timely and regular distribution of scholarships, and enhancement in funds allocation, besides other development demands.

Rajouri, July 3
A function was organised at Brig Mohd Usman’s memorial near the Line of Control at Jhangar in Noushera on the occasion of his martyrdom day on Thursday.

The function was organised by the Rajput and Sikh Light regiments under the aegis of the Noushera Brigade commanded by Brig Pratik Sharma.

Lt Gen KH Singh, GOC, White Knight Corps; Maj Gen Saranjeet Singh, GOC, Ace of Spades Division; AK Attri, DIG, Rajouri-Poonch Range; K Kataria, DIG, BSF; and other officers were present.

Brig Mohd Usman was born at Bibipur, Azamgarh, on July 15, 1912. He sacrificed his life at Jhangar during the 1947-1948 war and was awarded the Mahavir Chakra posthumously.

Pulwama, July 3
Posters of the Hizbul Mujahideen surfaced today in the Tral area of Pulwama, threatening the panches and sarpanches to resign immediately.

The posters read “the outfit knew each and everything about the dealings of panches and sarpanches” and said if they did not comply with the warning, they would face the brunt of the outfit.

The posters warned people to avoid any communication or connection with security forces in their respective areas.

“Any person who will be found having connection with military, paramilitary and police would be dubbed as a source and death will be close to him,” read a poster.

The poster further read that they had warned the local representatives a number of times and this was the last and final warning.

Three persons were killed in the Tral area during the parliamentary elections, resulting in fear and chaos in the town. The killings had affected polling as only 1,157 votes were cast in the Assembly constituency.

Posters threatening panchayat members have also appeared in the past.

Srinagar, July 3
KS Bhandari has taken over charge of Srinagar Sector CRPF. He has replaced PK Singh, who has been shifted to the Special Director General’s office in North East Zone.

A CRPF spokesman said Bhandari was a directly appointed gazetted officer of the 1984 batch.

“Bhandari has experience of serving in various insurgency, militancy, terrorist-infested states such as Manipur, Nagaland, J&K and Punjab. He has a vast experience of serving in Jammu and Kashmir in various operational, training and staff capacities in the last 25 years,” the spokesperson said. — TNS

Srinagar, July 3
On the sixth day of the ongoing Amarnath yatra, 9,344 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine. Till date, 70,500 devotees performed darshan of the ice lingam.

The forward movement of yatris from Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni camps had to be stopped a number of times due to inclement weather and intermittent heavy rains.

Earlier, the yatra from the traditional Pahalgam route had to be delayed due to accumulation of snow along the track. — TNS

Srinagar, July 3
Three more pilgrims, including a sadhu, died today en route to the Amarnath cave shrine, taking the death toll in the ongoing yatra to eight, officials said.

A 59-year-old sadhu, hailing from Tamil Nadu, died at the Baltal base camp hospital in Ganderbal district soon after he was admitted there after he complained of breathlessness, they said.

The officials said another pilgrim, identified as Balwant Singh (43), a resident of Haryana, died at the holy cave of cardiac arrest this afternoon.

A pilgrim was found dead en route to the cave shrine.

The police are trying to ascertain his identity and cause of death, the officials said. — PTI

Srinagar, July 3
During market inspections in the city, field executives of the Legal Metrology Department under the supervision of the Deputy Controller, Kashmir, booked several erring traders for violating packaged commodity laws.

Three Gujarat-based tile factories namely Kajaria Ceramics Limited, Slogan Ceramic, Landmark Tiles Private Limited are mmong the erring traders, an official said.

“These three firms have supplied tiles to distributors of the Valley which are without the mandatory declarations of MRP, thickness, e-mail address, customer care number, etc,” he added.

Legal notices were also served on the management of the firms. “One firm namely Kajaria Ceramics Limited confessed the shortcoming and a penal sum of Rs 25,000 was slapped on the management,” the official said.

Udhampur, July 3
Notwithstanding the 10-year imprisonment for killing her daughter, Kali Dass, a resident of Pinger village in Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district, has been booked for allegedly murdering his son this time around.

According to the police, Kali Dass brought the body of his son to the sub-district hospital at Ramnagar on June 16 and claimed that he was killed by some unidentified persons.

Following Kali Dass’ claims, the police started inquest proceedings in to the case under section 174 of the CrPC. The investigations, however, revealed the shocking story of a son being killed by his father in a fit of rage.

“Investigations revealed that Kuldeep Kumar was killed by none other than his father Kali Dass,” said Additional Superintendent of Police, Udhampur, Khalil Poswal.

“The accused had beaten his son to death for a visit to the house of a relative, Behari Lal, without his consent,” the officer said.

The police said the accused during his childhood had killed his three-month-old brother and later in 1998, 10 years after his marriage, Kali Dass also killed his eight-year-old daughter.

He was convicted and remained in jail for 10 years, the police said.

After his release in 2008, Kali Dass started living a normal life, but in 2013 he chopped off ear of his younger son over some minor issue. He also tried to kill her other daughter by chasing her with an axe. Though she managed to save her life, she had to take refuge in some other village for 15 days before returning home, the police said.

“My husband has one by one attacked all the members of the family. He not only loses temper over minor issues, but crosses all limits of brutality. He must remain in jail for ever. As a wife I cannot demand death sentence for him,” a pained Koushalaya Devi, wife of Kali Dass told reporters at Ramnagar.

Rajouri, July 3
The police here today claimed to have apprehended a cheat, which was involved in siphoning of Rs 2.35 lakhs from the account of one Prithvi Raj.

Mohd Rafiq, a resident of Rehan village in Kotranka tehsil of Rajouri, was arrested following the complaint by Prithvi Raj on June 22.

“We were looking out for this notorious cheat since long as number of such cases have been reported in the past also,” Superintendent of Police, Rajouri, Mubassir Latifi.

The officer said Rafiq, who happens to be a diploma engineer, would be subjected to detailed interrogation to ascertain whether he was operating alone or was a part of an organized group.

Prithvi Raj, on June 22, had approached the Rajouri police with the complaint that someone had fraudulently withdrawn Rs 2.35 lakh from his account.

On being questioning by the police, Prithvi Raj recalled that he was helped by an unidentified person inside an ATM at Jawahar Nagar to withdraw money.

During investigations, the police retrieved the CCTV footage of the ATM and the accused was identified by Prithvi Raj.

A team of Rajouri police headed by inspector Yash Pal Singh launched a manhunt and the accused was identified as Mohd Rafiq, a resident of Rehan in Kotranka tehsil.

Rafiq was arrested by the police and was booked under section 420/380 of the RPC.

The police also recovered Rs 2.35 lakh from his possession.

The police said while helping Prithvi Raj to withdraw Rs 20,00 from the ATM, the accused changed the ATM card with the old one and later withdraw Rs 2.35 lakh from his account. — OC

Jammu, July 3
Opposing any move to include all the Hindu shrines in the Kashmir valley in the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill-2009, the Dharmarth Trust and other religious bodies, who are managing 50 religious places in the valley, have demanded their exclusion from the ambit of the Bill.

They have threatened to oppose any move to wrest control of the shrines, managed by various non-Kashmiri Pandit trusts and organisations.

Addressing a joint press conference, major organisations and trusts, which include the J&K Dharmarth Trust, Shri Chander Chinar Akhara Trust, Srinagar, Hanuman Mandir Trust and Laxman Joo Ashram Trust, alleged that the passage of the Bill would be a great injustice to the organisations who had run temples during the height of militancy in Kashmir when Pandits left the Valley.

“A single management body will not be able to effectively manage the shrines spread in hundreds of villages of Kashmir, when most of the Pandits have left and moved out of the Valley,” said Shashi Khajuria, secretary, Dharmarth Trust.

The Dharmarth Trust has alleged that vested interests among the Kashmiri Pandits were blocking the Bill and lobbying for unjustified inclusion of 50 odd temples and religious places run by various non-Panidt organisations.

“Reviving 500 ruined temples requires tremendous human, financial and political capacity. Unfortunately the Pandit community cannot muster the required capacity without the help of the entire Hindu Samaj,” organisations said.

Jammu, July 3
More than 300 unemployed dental surgeons have threatened to go on hunger strike against the failure of the government to fill the vacant posts in the Health Department, despite assurances given by it. They have also demanded the establishment of a separate directorate for dental health in the state.

Scores of unemployed dental surgeons, under the banner of the Dental Surgeon Association (DSA)-Jammu and Kashmir, have been demonstrating at the Amphalla Chowk for the last three days and protesting against the state government for its failure to address the long-pending issues of jobless dental surgeons.

“We have been holding protest for many months and also met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minster for Health Taj Mohiuddin seeking recruitment of dental surgeons, but nothing has been done so far to address our issues,” president of the Dental Surgeon Association Dr Iqbal Choudhary said, while addressing the protesters.

He said the members of the Dental Surgeon Association had unanimously decided to sit on a hunger strike if their demand was not fulfilled by the government. He added that the main purpose of the protest was to convey message of resolving the issues regarding unemployment of the dental surgeons of the state to the government.

Choudhary said no post of dental surgeon had been advertised since 2008 and thousands of dental surgeons were sitting idle.

Jammu, July 3
In connection with the concluding of the 20-day-long summer children theatre, dance and painting workshop, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised a valedictory function at KL Saigal Hall.

Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, was the chief guest, who awarded the budding artistes.

More than 50 children from different schools got an opportunity to know about the cultural heritage through the basic training of the classical dance and theatre and the visual art as well.

Dr AS Amin, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, said the aim of organising these workshops was to motivate the youth towards the eminent and rich tradition, culture and values through the medium of visual and performing arts.

On the last day of the workshop, a hilarious comedy play, “Girgit’, prepared by children, was staged, which was highly appreciated by the chief guest and the audience as well.

Shantmanu also inaugurated an exhibition of paintings prepared by the children.

Naresh Kumar and Marvi Sharma were instructors of painting, while the play was prepared by Dr Sudhir Mahajan. Bishan Dass and Bhupinder Singh designed the music of the play.

The children who participated in the play were Raginee Gupta, Bhanu Priya, Yaenakshi Koushal, Bhuvan Mahajan, Adhishwar Narayan Tak, Aashram Mahajan, Aryan Anand, Neharika, Nipun Anand, Devvrat Sharma, Tanvi Mahajan, Raisa Gupta, Sahil Choudhary, Tanvin Arora, Ansh Arora, Mukul Sharma, Arihant Sudan, Akanksha Jamwal, Vishali Sharma, Yogini, Anandi Mahajan, Abhijit Khajuria, Sckand Khajuria, Nandita Sharma, Yashasvi Pandita, Arpit Gupta, Aabhas Upadhaya, Yuvraj Upadhaya and Arnav Gupta. — TNS

Jammu, July 3
The Jammu Air Force Station organised a lecture on “Road safety” for schoolchildren. A large numbers of schoolchildren participated in the event enthusiastically. Children expressed their imagination and knowledge on the road safety by drawing beautiful posters.

A lecture was delivered by Sunil Cannie, Inspector, RTO, Jammu. Thereafter, a motorcycle rally was organised across the city as a part of the Road Safety Week celebrations. The rally was flagged off by Air-Commodore PE Patange, Air-Officer-Commanding. The motorcycle rally was led by Air-Commodore Patange. A large number of Air Force warriors participated in the rally, which covered almost all the main places of Jammu.

Addressing the participants and spectators after the culmination of the rally, Air-Commodore Patange congratulated the participants for the successful completion of the rally and exhorted them to take part in more and more such activities.