Jammu, July 9
In protest against unscheduled power cuts, residents of Nai Basti and adjoining localities today blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway for more than two hours demanding regular supply of electricity.

Hundreds of people blamed the government for ignoring the people of Jammu region, who are being denied even the basic necessities of life. Protesters alleged that there were no scheduled cuts and curtailments continued the whole day, particularly during night, forcing people to spend their nights awake.

People warned the government of intensifying their protest in case it failed to solve the problem and stop discrimination with Jammu. “Ministers and MLAs are enjoying in Kashmir, while no one is taking any interest in solving the issues of the common man here in the temple city,” said Lalita Sharma, one of the protesters.

They said though more revenue was collected from the region as power tariff, during the summer season when people needed more power the authorities enforced long-duration power cuts in the region, which was clearly injustice with the inhabitants of the Jammu. They said they would not tolerate such injustices anymore as now the government had crossed all limits.

“It is not only cuts, but the fluctuation is a major concern and many of our electronic equipment are not working properly. Most of the people having ACs are not using them”, said Gurpreet Kour, a lecturer. The power cuts are affecting the normal life and with the sweltering conditions engulfing Jammu, residents are facing tough times.

Later, some officials of the PDD and police pacified the protesters at Satwari and assured them of meeting their demands as soon as possible.

Several residential localities, including Paloura, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Channi, Parade, Kachi Chawni, Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bari-Brahman, are worst affected.

Jammu, July 9
The J&K Ayurvedic Doctors Association (JKADA) has threatened the government with coming on roads if their demands were not accepted at the earliest.

The JKADA president, Dr Amit Gupta, said the casual approach of the government towards unemployed Ayurvedic doctors would force them to come on roads to get their legitimate demands accepted.

He added that the government had done nothing for the unemployed Ayurvedic doctors, adding that no policy had been framed by the government for their complete absorption in service.

Dr Sharma stated that most of the dispensaries were without doctors and the patients were suffering, but the government was not taking any initiative.

“The Ayurvedic doctors are roaming here and there, despite having high degrees and qualification and are feeling ignored by the government,” he claimed.

The JKADA demanded complete absorption of the unemployed Ayurvedic doctors in service, recruitment of Ayurvedic doctors on yearly basis, separate directorate for Ayurvedic doctors, stipend for Ayurvedic interns and opening of a government Ayurvedic college.

Dr Varun Padha along with other members of the association appealed to the Chief Minister and Health Minister for a one-time absorption policy for unemployed doctors. They threatened the government with coming on roads if their demands were not redressed at the earliest.

Jammu, July 9
A delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by its candidate from the Jammu (East) constituency Bharat Choudhary, today met Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rajesh Kumar and appealed to him to reopen the rear gate of the historic Raghunath temple for the local residents.

The delegation included Vikram Singh, Ashok Jogi, Girish Sharma, Ram Saroop, Chaman Angral, Amit Gupta and Pandit Brij Sharma.

The PDP leader informed the IGP that the rear gate of the temple was closed by security agencies 14 years ago for security reasons, but now it should be reopened so that local residents could visit the place.

He said on one hand the government was removing bunkers form populated areas in Kashmir, while on the other hand, imposing unwanted restriction in peaceful Jammu.

Chowdhary appealed to the IGP to pass directions to reopen the gate as soon as possible and give relief to the local residents of Ragunath Pura. — TNS

Jammu, July 9
For the excellent performance of students in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12th board examinations, Union Minister for Human Resource and Development Simriti Irani has acknowledged the hard work of teachers and the principal of Army Public School (APS), Akhnoor.

The minister has sent an appreciation letter to the principal and the teachers of APS, Akhnoor, for the splendid show.

The teachers who were appreciated included Mitu Prasad (English), Anita Gupta (English), Vikash Rathore (commerce), Ankur Singh Jamwal (physics), Pravesh Sharma (IP), Pardeep Kumar (history), Atika Sharma (biology), Ari Bhau (fine arts) and Ashok Kumar (Hindi).

Jammu, July 9
Feeling ignored by the attitude of government towards promoting tourism in the Jammu region, various stakeholders in tourism and pilgrimage have formed the Jammu Tourism Action Committee (JTAC) to launch a concerted drive for making the temple city and its surroundings as independent tourist destination.

All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA) president Inderjeet Khajuria will be the convener of the committee, while Rajesh Sharma, president, Border Tourism Promotion Union, will the coordinator. Kuldip Wahi, president, Jammu Hotels and Restaurants Association, will be its secretary. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of all the private stakeholders in tourism and pilgrimage held here last evening.

Addressing a press conference, members said with the train reaching Katra, which otherwise was a highly positive and welcome development, the business in Jammu city would receive a major setback, since the Vaishno Devi pilgrims would not stay in the city.

The Central Government’s latest step, as announced in the railway budget yesterday, of introducing single-ticket system for those visiting Kashmir from various places in the country, would further lead to city being bypassed by Amarnath pilgrims as well as tourists visiting Kashmir, they said.

“Under this scheme the passengers travelling by train from different stations of the country will reach Udhampur, from there they will be transported in J&K State Road Transport (SRTC) buses up to Banihal, from where they will again travel on the same ticket to Kashmir,” said Inderjeet Khajuria.

The action committee has demanded that instead of diverting vehicles from Kunjwani direct to Nagrota via the Jammu bypass, all vehicles should be routed through city. Towards making Jammu city as independent tourist destination, the action committee will launch a concerted move for expediting the tourism-related projects in and around Jammu city. 

Srinagar, July 9
A divisional commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba was killed and a soldier wounded in a gunfight in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Wednesday.

The slain militant was identified as Abu Musa, who had been operating in the Handwara, Rajwara and Ramhall belt of Kupwara district since 2012.

“The militant was involved in the killing of a police head constable in the Hangalpora area of Vilgam on July 13 last year. He was involved in the attack on an Army convoy at Dragmulla on November 16 last year,” a police spokesman said in Srinagar.

The gunfight began on Wednesday afternoon when security forces launched a search operation after receiving information about the presence of two or three militants at Hamlapati village in Handwara.

As the special operations group of the police, the 21 Rashtriya Rifles and the 92 Battalion of the CRPF cordoned off the area, militants opened indiscriminate fire, which was retaliated.

“The search operation in the area started around 3:30 pm. Almost an hour later, militants opened fire on the troops. The fire was retaliated and Musa was killed in the encounter,” a defence source said.

“An Army jawan was wounded in the gunfight. He was evacuated to he Army Base Hospital in Srinagar, where his condition was stable,” the source added. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The exchange of fire was continuing till the filing of this report. Forces suspected that more militants were hiding in the village. The sources said other militants had fled, but the operation was on.

Jammu, July 9
Army Chief General Bikram Singh is likely to visit Jammu on July 13 as part of his farewell visit before hanging his boots on July 31.

“Army Chief General Bikram Singh is likely to visit Jammu on July 13 as a part of his farewell visit as he is going to attain superannuation on July 31. His itinerary has not been finalised as yet but he is likely to visit Jammu and he may also go to Kashmir,” a Defence source said.

Sources said since it would be his farewell visit, the General might not visit forward areas and just meet the top commanders and senior officers. He may also address the troops. — TNS

Rajouri, July 9
The hunger strike by the coal mine workers of Rajouri district entered sixth day even as two of the labourers were evacuated to a hospital at Sunderbani by the administration after their condition deteriorated today.

As many as 10 casual labourers are sitting on a fast-unto-death inside the Moghla coal mine since July 4 in support of their demands.

Krishan Singh and Jagdev Singh had to be shifted to hospital after their condition deteriorated. However, there positions were filled by Manzoor Hussain and Sat Pal.

More than 450 casual workers from Mehrka, Moghla, Kalakot, Ranssoo and other coal mines in Kalakot tehsil of Rajouri are on an indefinite strike for the last 10 days.

The workers have been demanding an increase in their daily wages from Rs 150 to Rs 300, regularisation of services of those who have completed seven or more years and modern facilities at the coal mines.

Managing Director, JK Minerals Limited, Abid Suhail said the department had submitted the list of demands to the ministry and a decision would be taken in this regard soon.

“We have recommended increase of daily wages from Rs 150 to 200 and have send the files containing the names of casual workers for regularisation as per the recent directions issued by the state government,” Suhail said.

Coal mine workers union leader Raj Kumar, however, said they won’t withdraw their protest until their demands were met. “This time we are fighting a decisive battle. The authorities should give us in writing or at least announce enhancement in daily wages before the striking casual labourers. Nothing less than what we have demanded will be acceptable to us,” he said.

Jammu, July 9
With the appointment of Amit Shah as the national BJP president, the state unit of the party is optimistic of accomplishing the “impossible” mission of getting 44-plus seats in upcoming Assembly elections.

Local leaders are confident that Shah, who is known for his organisational skills, will help the party fulfil the task of forming the BJP government in the state.

“Amit Shah has already prepared an action plan for the state. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held by the end of the year,” said state BJP general secretary Bali Bhagat.

Bali attended a meeting in New Delhi on July 2 to devise the strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections in various states. He said Jammu and Kashmir was Shah’s priority.

“Shah announced that an action plan had been prepared for the state,” Bhagat said. He exuded confidence that Shah’s appointment would help the BJP strengthen its organisational structure in the state.

After winning three Lok Sabha seats in the state in the General Election, the BJP had set a target of winning 44-plus seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.

State BJP general secretary Kavinder Gupta said they had invited Shah to visit the state as early as possible to assess the situation and formulate a policy to win the Assembly elections.

“As general secretary, Shah was in touch with the state unit regarding preparations for Assembly elections. His appointment will give impetus to our campaign” Gupta said.

He added that Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Ram Madav’s induction into the BJP would boost the morale of the state unit as well since he was aware of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah visited Jammu on May 17 last year to review the functioning of the state unit and sought detailed feedback about the prospects of the BJP in the General Election.

Since then, Shah had been in touch with some leaders of the state unit and getting feedback regularly about the functioning of the BJP, sources said.

Jammu, July 9
At least eight Vaishno Devi pilgrims, including the driver, were injured when the bus they were travelling in overturned after it rammed into a divider at Kalibari in Kathua district this afternoon.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kathua, Mohan Lal told The Tribune over phone that the pilgrims, after paying obeisance at the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi in Katra, were on their way to the Jwala Ji temple in Kangra when their bus met with the accident at Kalibari in Kathua district.

The bus was carrying 22 pilgrims, including the driver.

While 20 of the devotees belonged to Madhya Pradesh, two were from Uttar Pradesh, the SSP said.

After the bus hit the road divider, it overturned resulting in injuries to the pilgrims and the driver, he said. Soon after the mishap, a police party reached the spot and shifted the injured to District Hospital in Kathua.

“The driver of the bus was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu in view of his condition, while seven others have been kept under observation in District Hospital in Kathua,” the officer said.

Srinagar, July 9
A rare stone sculpture of Lord Hanuman dating back to the 9th century has been discovered in central Kashmir. Experts say the stone sculpture, made during Raja Avantivarmana’s rule, is ‘rare’ and the first-of-its-kind excavation.

“This is a path-breaking find. It is for the first time that any such archaeological find has been reported from Kashmir,” said Mohammad Shafi Zahid, Director Archives, Archaeology and Museums.

He led the three-member team that discovered the sculpture at Kralpora in Chadoora, Budgam district. “There is no record of any sculpture of Lord Hanuman having been found in any archaeological site of Kashmir,” he added.

Archaeological experts had been studying the sculpture. Zahid said the sculpture, measuring 43 inches by 19 inches, had Lord Hanuman standing on a lotus pedestal. He said the sculpture belonged to the 9th century when Kashmir was under the rule of Raja Avantivarmana of the Varma dynasty.

Zahid said Raja Avantivarmana had got built his capital city at Awantipora, now in Pulwama district, where two temples had been built. There are remains of the huge stone temples on the right bank of the Jhelum.

Zahid counted the excavation of the sculpture among the most significant ones of his 18 discoveries.

Lord Hanuman’s sculpture was housed in the archaeological gallery of the SPS Museum in the Lalmandi area of the city. Zahid said a detailed report on the finding would be made public soon. Local Pandits said the deity had a ‘Kashmir connection’.

“When Ragnya Mata came to Kashmir as she was unhappy with the ways of Ravana, she was accompanied by Lord Hanuman. A local sage had a vision of her arrival with Lord Hanuman and 360 ‘nagarajas’ before her arrival,” said Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir spokesman Chunni Lal.

Srinagar, July 9
Chief Engineer of the Uri-II Hydroelectric Project SK Singh along with Senior Manager (Human Resource) Rajeev R Asthana and Deputy Manager (Environment) Vara Prasad called on Governor NN Vohra here today.

SK Singh and his colleagues briefed the Governor about various aspects of the Uri-II Hydroelectric Project, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state on July 4.

The officials also apprised the Governor about the to-date status of the power generated by the URI-I and URI-II projects and the quantum supplied to Jammu and Kashmir as its share. — TNS

Jammu, July 9
Thousands of candidates, who had to appear in a written test for more than 1,000 posts of fireman and driver in the Fire and Emergency Services Department in Jammu and Srinagar, today staged protests against alleged mismanagement, chaos and postponement of examination, forcing the police to use force to disperse them.

The written test was to be conducted by the department simultaneously at Indoor Sports Complex in Srinagar, Kala Kendra in Jammu and Indoor Sports Complex in Kargil at 9 am.

Officials said nearly 14,000 candidates, 9,500 in Srinagar and about 4,000 in Jammu, who had qualified the physical test, were called to appear in the written test.

They said the situation became chaotic after the candidates, who were dropped from the physical test, reached the exam venues and tried to enter.

“The authorities allowed only those candidates who had original call letters and identity cards while the entry of disqualified candidates was restricted. This led to chaos at the examination centres,” an official said, adding that the disqualified candidates forcibly entered the examination centre in Srinagar which forced the authorities to postpone the examination.

After the news regarding postponement of examination reached the candidates at Kala Kendra in Jammu, it led to an instantaneous reaction from aspirants who came out on the roads and blocked the Hotel Asia-Bikram Chowk road stretch, bringing traffic to a halt for almost two hours.

Candidates from far-off and remote areas of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and Kathua, who had come for the exam, alleged that there was no proper seating arrangement at exam centres which caused a mess.

“There were more than 5,000 candidates at Kala Kendra and the centre did not have the seating capacity for all of them. The authorities should have conducted the written test at government degree colleges but they failed to properly conduct the exam,” said a candidate from Kishtwar.

He asked, “I came to Jammu after travelling 270 km and the visit would cost me around Rs 5,000. I belong to a poor family and my parents will not be able to send me again to Jammu for the written examination. Who will pay for my next visit?”

After two-hours of high drama, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Ajit Kumar Sahu and Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Uttam Chand reached the spot and tried to pacify the protesting youth but all in vain.

The angry youth damaged the window panes of some private vehicles.

Later, the police used force to disperse the protesters and cleared the roads for traffic. Many youths were injured in police action.

Director General, Fire and Emergency Services, J&K, GA Bhat said nearly 67,000 candidates had applied for around 1,050 posts in the department. “The department conducted the physical tests which were videographed to ensure transparency. Around 14,000 candidates qualified for the written test. Of them, 9,786 candidates were called for the written test in Srinagar while around 4,000 were called in Jammu,” he said.

He said the candidates were told to bring their identity cards and call letters with them at the time of the exam but the situation turned worse after the candidates who were dropped from the physical test reached the venue and created a scene. “We decided to postpone the written examination after the chaos. Fresh dates for the examination will be re-notified,” he said.

Meanwhile, commuters had a harrowing time in Jammu following protests by the candidates.

Following the closure of three bridges over the Tawi, which divides Jammu city, traffic came to a halt for almost two hours in various parts of the city, subjecting commuters to hardship in sweltering heat.

Srinagar, July 9
Students and activists from different institutes across the country today protested the harassment of female paramedical staff and medicos at the Pratap Park here.

The protest was a part of the countrywide agitation by activists of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union, New Delhi; Islamic University Students Union, Kashmir; United Nurses Association, Kerala and the All India Progressive Women’s Association.

The activists also held sit in protests at Delhi, Mumabi and Thrissur.

Emphasisng the alleged molestation of a nurse by the Director, Health Services, the activists termed the closure of the case against the accused official as a “strategic hush up” by the authorities.

The protestors claimed that the one-man committee formed to investigate the case did not even record victim’s statement.

“The committee was formed in complete violation of the Supreme Court guidelines, which says that such a committee should be headed by a woman and at least half of its members should be women. It also states that an external member, who has understanding of these issues, should be on the committee,” said Shehla Rashid Shora, a member of the JNU Students Union.

She said the only proof which the accused seemed to have in his favour was the CCTV footage, adding that it was not sufficient to negate the charges leveled against him.

“The illegally formed one-man committee giving a clean chit to the Director Health Services and other accused does not make any sense,” said Qurat-ul-Ain, a member of the Islamic University Students Union.

“How could Health Minister Taj Mohiuddin from day one of the enquiry say that he knows the Director Health is innocent? This statement is nothing but a blatant admission of the bias,” Ain said.

The protestors also questioned the promotion of the accused on June 18, while the enquiry was still underway.

“There is more injustice being meted out to the victim as a case under Section 182 of the RPC has been registered against her. The same police which pledged to support her at the outset are now plotting against the women,” Shehla told The Tribune.

The protesters demanded constitution of a new committee under the Vishaka guidelines to look into the case.

They also called for immediate setting up of a committee by all workplaces in J&K with the State Women’s Commission overseeing the formation of these panels.

Rajouri, July 9
The Rajouri police, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police AK Attri and Superintendent of Police (SP) Mubassir Latifi, have solved the blind murder of a newly-married woman within 24 hours and arrested her husband for committing the crime.

On July 7 morning, the Rajouri police station received information that a throat-slit body of a woman, Kousar Begum, a resident of Nain Sukh Aitti village, was lying in a maize field.

On receipt of information, a police party headed by Inspector Yash Pal Singh rushed to the spot and started investigation.

After legal formalities, the body was taken to District Hospital, Rajouri.

SP Mubassir Latifi said during investigation it was found that Kousar Begum was married to Wazarat Iqbal just 13 days ago and immediately after the marriage, their relation had got strained as this was his second marriage. Kousar was not happy with his four children from his first wife.

Sources said Kousar she had threatened Wazarat that she would walk away from the marriage.

Enraged by the threat, he chalked out a plan to eliminate her.

On July 7 night, Wazarat took Kousar to a nearby field on the pretext of reconciliation and slit her throat with a sharp-edged weapon.

Kousar’s two brothers were also present at Wazarat’s house when he committed the crime. They were also taken away by the police for questioning on Tuesday.

Wazarat and his brother were also picked up by the police on Tuesday and put to sustained interrogation. Wazarat later broke down before the investigating officer and admitted to the crime.

The police had registered a murder case under Section 302 of the RPC.

The SP, Mubassar Latifi, said the investigation into the case was conducted in a professional manner by Inspector Yash Paul Singh Jamwal, Station House Officer. “The police have also recovered the weapon used in the murder and further investigation is on,” said the SP. 

Doda, July 9
Minister of State for Animal, Sheep Husbandry, Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today visited the residences of the veterinary officers and officials, killed in a road accident near the Simthan Top in Kishtwar district yesterday, to offer his condolences and also of the department.

Interacting with the families of the deceased, the minister assured them all possible help and said the government would take necessary steps to ensure that every possible help was provided to them.

The minister also thanked the Chief Minister for announcing ex gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. — OC

Jammu, July 9
A condolence meeting was held today at the Directorate of Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu, to pay homage to the officials of the Sheep Husbandry Department, killed in an accident in Kishtwar yesterday.

The meeting was presided over by Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu, Sham Lal Bhagat and attended by the department officials.

Ramesh Raina, Deputy Director (Central), on behalf of the department expressed sorrow over the incident and prayed to almighty to give strength to the families of the departed souls to bear the loss.

He informed the meeting that Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Animal/Sheep Husbandry Department Nazir Ahmed Khan (Gurezi) and the Secretary to the government had telephonically expressed their grief over the accident and shown solidarity with the bereaved families.

The Director of the Animal Husbandry Department conveyed his condolences and expressed solidarity with the families of the deceased. 

Srinagar, July 9
The state government today banned a lecture by Prof Mridu Rai, a US-based academician and author of the book, “Hindu Rulers, Muslim Subjects”, which she was supposed to deliver in a city hotel.

Terming the government ban on her lecture as appalling, Prof Rai said, “If the government considers a talk by an academician like her as dangerous, then the state is in for a trouble.”

She made these comments while addressing a press conference at a public park in Srinagar.

As part of the Pandit Rughonath Vaishnavi Annual Talk-2014, the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a Kashmir-based human rights group, had invited Prof Rai to Kashmir to deliver a lecture on “Languages of Violence, Languages of Justice: the State and Insurgent Kashmir”.

The event was to honour and commemorate Vaishnavi, a Kashmiri Pandit who fought alongside National Conference founder Shiekh Abdullah against the autocratic rule in J&K.

Vaishnavi’s daughter Dr Poornima Bhan, who was present on the occasion, said, “It would have been great if it was allowed.”

The police and the administration threatened the hotel administration that the hotel would be sealed if they allowed the lecture, said Parvez Imroz, patron of JKCCS, while addressing the press conference.

Stating that the hotel was not a public place where assembly of people under Section 144 could be prevented, Parvez said the ban on the lecture by the administration and the police was aimed at stifling the voice of the people, which was a new pattern.

Terming the ban on her lecture ludicrous, Prof Rai said, “It is appalling that the voice of an academician like her is silenced by the government alongside the voices of all others who were going to speak during this event.”

“What I was going to do was simply talk during the event and if that is dangerous, then I am sorry to say that the state is in for a trouble,” she said.

“I will still speak and you will hear me wherever I speak but we are not going to speak to each other, which is a real tragedy,” she said, adding that greatest violence that can be done is to silence the voices and to make sure that voices cannot be heard. “And I am seeing an illustration of that here today,” Rai said. 

Srinagar, July 9
With traffic jams turning out to be a major problem in Srinagar city, President of the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan today said traffic chaos in the city was taking a toll on patients by wasting their crucial time in transit.

“Critical patients, who are referred from peripheral to tertiary care hospitals in Srinagar, lose their golden time because of traffic congestion with the result when they reach hospitals they are either dead or morbid. Time is very important for salvaging critically ill patients which poor patients lose in traffic jams,” Hassan said.

Quoting a German Research Centre, Hassan said, “Traffic congestion poses an additional risk of eliciting a heart attack in persons already at elevated risk which according to research can be due to air pollution and road rage of traffic gridlock.”

“The hospital staff cannot reach in time to hospitals to take care of patients due to traffic blockade which adds to the miseries of poor patients,” he said, adding that the government has failed to come up with alternative routes or lanes for ambulances carrying critical patients during traffic chaos.

He said the entry roads to tertiary care hospitals were chock-a-block due to traffic snarls further delaying arrival of patients to hospitals.

Holding the government responsible for the mess, he said, “There is complete negligence on part of the government in handling the growing menace of traffic congestion. There is neither any planning nor any policy to do away with this menace,” he said.

Maintaining that the government has failed to widen roads and create new ones, he said during roadwork there was no alternative for traffic.

Blaming the traffic department officials, Hassan said, “Though it is their duty to be innovative in managing the transportation system, they are mostly busy in clearing roads for VIPs.” 

Srinagar, July 9
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) today welcomed the action taken by the Power Development Department (PDD) to procure additional 200 MW of power to ensure uninterrupted power supply to people during the holy month of Ramadan.

The KCC&I said it hoped that the PDD would continue its efforts to manage and maintain the power supply in the coming months also.

The body also urged the Public Health Engineering Department and Municipal Corporation to provide sufficient, clean, potable water and other civic facilities to people without fail.

Baramulla, July 9
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former youth coordinator of the party Shahzad Asim, who was denied the ticket from north Kashmir’s Sopore Assembly segment, resigned along with nearly 400 workers.

The musician-turned-politician, Asim held a meeting of his workers in Sopore today and decided to resign from the party along with the workers. The workers also tore the party cards and decided not to support the party in the upcoming Assembly elections. Workers also raised slogans against PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.

The PDP on July 6 had nominated Nazir Ahmad Naikoo, who is brother-in-law of PDP’s senior leader and former Rafiabad MLA Dilawar Mir, as the party candidate from Sopore.

“The PDP raises slogans against the family-rule of the National Conference, but they themselves want family rule here,” said Asim.

“When no one dared to hold rallies in Sopore due to militant threats, it was we who organised functions for the party,” he added.

He said the PDP had no courtesy to even consult him before announcing the candidate for Sopore.

Asim said after giving the ticket to Dilawar Mir’s relative Naiko in Sopore, party MP Muzaffar Hussain Beigh was now toiling hard to give the ticket to his nephew, Javid Beigh, or his wife Safeena Beigh from Baramulla constituency. There is also anger among the PDP leaders in the border constituency of Uri. The resentment is brewing among Syed Najeed Naqvi and his supporters and former PDP candidate from Uri Shabir Mangriyal after the PDP gave the ticket to former IGP Raja Ajaz Ali Khan. Naqvi was the key supporter of Uri MLA and senior minister Taj Mohiuddin. However, he later joined the PDP.

Sources said both Naqvi and Mangriyal are telling their supporters to vote according to their will. 

Srinagar, July 9
The J&K Government Employees Joint Action Committee today held a day-long convention of the state government employees, workers and teachers.

Over 500 delegates, including employees and teachers, attended the meet, where speakers condemned the state government for failing to meet the agreement dating back to February 19, 2009, and also delaying the regularisation of casual workers and daily wagers who have completed seven years of their service post their recruitment in 1994.

The speakers said other demands, including removal of pay anomalies of clerks in public departments and teachers as well as medical insurance policy, were also not met. The delegates said the state government’s recent decision on increase in enhancement of retirement age was nothing but an election ploy.

The other demands raised during the convention included implementation of medical insurance policy on minimum premium basis or to implement the Central government employees/pensioners medical claim policy and enhancement of medical allowance and grant of special duty allowance at 12.5 per cent to the employees of Ladakh region on the pattern of Central government employees.

Srinagar, July 9
The Kashmir Traders Federation (KTF) today alleged that the squads of the government formed to check prices were harassing shopkeepers.

“The government is inspecting only for the sake of bribe and nothing else. They harass dealers in the name of checking,” a KTF statement said after President of the federation Jan Mohammad Koul along with other members paid a visit to different marketplaces.

The statement urged the government to discontinue this unnecessary harassment to the traders in the name of checking squad. “The commercial taxes officials have also increased the discrimination with the traders of the Valley while in other places they have given them full freedom. There is easy access to the vehicles carrying goods to Jammu but the vehicles carrying goods to Srinagar have to face lot of troubles and are fined unnecessarily,” the statement added. 

Srinagar, July 9
Director, School Education, Kashmir, Mir Tariq Ali along with a team of officers paid surprise visit to various schools of Srinagar and Bandipora districts.

The director took a strong note of absence of 168 students and the locked classrooms of Government Primary School, Dangerpora, and Boys Middle School, Dangerpora.

He later appointed an investigating committee headed by the chief education officer, Bandipora, which would probe the poor performance of the two schools and submit a report to the director within a period of one week.

It was also found that the Headmaster of Middle School, Sheikh Mohalla, Panzinara, has availed undue number of leaves in the current academic session which has affected the school badly.

Besides, on inspection of the ZEO office, Sumbal, the ZEPO was found absent from duty. The director ordered immediate suspension of the said officer.

The director also found that at Primary School, Ali Abad Gund Hasi Bhat, both the teachers, including one Rehbar-e- Taleem teacher, were absent from duty who have been placed under suspension.

The Director, School Education, Kashmir, has said he would continue surprise visits to government schools to infuse sense of accountability and responsibility.

He emphasised upon the field officers to vigorously continue the inspection of schools and subordinate offices so that the school education system comes up to the expectations of the department and the people in particular. 

Srinagar, July 9
An employee of the block development office in Budgam district was today arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance organisation for allegedly accepting bribe.

"Mohammad Maqbool Mir, a Technical Assistant (JE) in the BDO office, Khansahib, Budgam district, was caught by a special surveillance squad of the J&K Vigilance Organisation while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000," a spokesman of the organisation said.

Mir had allegedly demanded bribe from Mudasir Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Kulbugh in Khansahib tehsil in central Kashmir, for releasing payment of Rs 90,000 related to the construction work of a lane under the MNREGA scheme.

The spokesman said the accused had initially demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the complainant, but it was then settled at Rs 2,000.

Mir registered a complaint with the organisation, following which a trap was laid by the vigilance sleuths and the accused was caught, the spokesman said. — PTI

Chandigarh, July 9
The Central Reserve Police Force’s 54th Battalion won the Inter-Operational Battalion Volleyball Championship - 2014 organised at Srinagar, while the 75th Battalion emerged as the runners-up.

As many as 21 teams from different battalions had participated in the event that was hosted by the 44th Battalion located at HMT Complex on Gulmarg Road, according to an official statement. There are 23 CRPF battalions deployed in Srinagar.

The championship had commenced on June 30. Presiding over the closing ceremony today, CRPF Deputy Inspector General KM Yadav gave away the trophies and prizes to the winning teams.