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Kashmir valley shuts down in memory of 1931 ‘martyrs’
Regional divide marks July 13 function
Army Chief pays homage to martyrs at war memorial in Udhampur
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‘Martyrs’ day’: NC, PDP pay tributes, separatists detained
Tension in Jammu after wrestling row
Pahari leaders hold meeting to discuss demand for ST status
Cong mulls tie-up with JKNPP, BSP
To counter BJP, JKNPP rakes up statehood issue for Jammu
Jehangir Chowk flyover project — a potential health hazard for residents
Ministry sends proposal to state on rural sports competitions
PDP hits out at Omar over IIT remark
Several hurt in Anantnag clash
Panel on education, language policy set up
No home delivery of LPG in Anantnag
class x examination
AFS Jammu boys lose to Ambala in basketball
150 participate in dance workshop
Two-day school workshop on continuous evaluation ends
Regularisation of daily wagers demanded
Kupwara villagers face scarcity of potable water
Illicit timber worth lakhs seized
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Kashmir valley shuts down in memory of 1931 ‘martyrs’
Srinagar, July 13 The shutdown was observed in markets across the Valley as the authorities imposed restrictions in dozens of localities in the Old City, where the 21 men had been buried in a mosque compound. The graveyard at Khwaja Bazar in the Old City, where the 21 civilians had been buried, was put under strict security cover. Politicians visited the graveyard on Sunday morning to pay their homage. They included Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) parliamentarian. Protests broke out at several places in the Old City on Saturday night and Sunday dawn. Residents said security forces had to fire teargas shells to disperse the protesters. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the Old City, where the authorities imposed restrictions on civilian movement in areas under the jurisdiction of five police stations. The restrictions were imposed on movement of public and transport under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in areas under the jurisdictions of Rainawari, Khanyar, Nowhatta, Safakadal and MR Gunj police stations. The police had rolled out barbed concertina wires to block all roads leading to the Old City, where a large number of security personnel were deployed to enforce the restrictions. The shutdown was called by separatists, most of whom were detained at their residences or taken in police custody. |
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Regional divide marks July 13 function
Jammu, July 13 While the day is of little significance in Ladakh, July 13 is observed as ‘black day’ in the Jammu region and several organisations, including displaced Kashmiri Hindus, protest every year to mark the day of the ‘first reported case of organised communal violence’ in Kashmir. Except for some functions and laying of wreaths at the ‘martyrs’ graveyard’ in Srinagar, people across the region have never attached much importance to the event, which started a chain reaction leading to formation of the National Conference, rise of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and fall of the Dogra dynasty, which had ruled the state since 1845. The incident of 1931 revolves around Abdul Qadeer, a cook with a British officer, who delivered a fiery speech against Maharaja Hari Singh. Qadeer was arrested and put on trial for sedition, but in view of a popular upsurge, his trial was shifted to the Srinagar Central Jail. The gathering near the jail was fired upon after a mob tried to enter the jail to free the inmates, leading to the casualties. The Kashmira Vahini, a displaced Kashmiri Pandit women’s organisation, led a protest. The function was addressed by writer and poet Dr Khema Kaul and Panun Kashmir leaders Dr Ajay Chrangoo and Dr Agnishekhar. “Official history has always tried to portray the incident as an outburst against the autocratic rule of the maharaja, but it was an event which shook the foundation of secularism in Kashmir. Members of the minority community and traders were attacked,” said Kaul. Panun Kashmir chairman Chrangoo and convener Agnishekhar alleged that while the freedom struggle in the rest of India was against British imperialists, the local uprising in Kashmir in 1931 was against Dogra rulers, who were from the state and had established the modern state. |
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Army Chief pays homage to martyrs at war memorial in Udhampur
Jammu, July 13 At Udhampur today, General Bikram Singh addressed all ranks of the Northern Command. He was accorded a warm farewell by troops. He complimented all officers and men for their exemplary sense of duty, people-friendly approach during counter-terrorist operations, extending humanitarian assistance to people and guarding the northern frontiers. The Army Chief stressed upon rich military traditions, ethos and the value system and the importance of remaining committed and focused to discharging their responsibilities while catering to all contingencies. Later in the day, General Bikram Singh and his wife visited Rajouri and Tanda and then left for Jammu. The Army Chief will retire on July 31. Meanwhile, Bubbles Singh honoured 21 war widows during a ceremony at Udhampur. “Young Achievers” award for outstanding achievement in academics and “AWWA Achievers” award for exemplary contribution to the AWWA activities were awarded in the presence of the wives of all ranks of the Northern Command. Bubbles Singh interacted with the families of the Northern Command and complimented them for their efforts towards implementation of inclusive welfare schemes through AWWA and impressed upon them to lead happy and progressive lives in an enriching and conducive environment. Yesterday, the Army Chief had addressed troops at the 15 Corps headquarters in Srinagar. He also met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Governor NN Vohra yesterday. |
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‘Martyrs’ day’: NC, PDP pay tributes, separatists detained
Srinagar, July 13 Separatist leaders, however, remained confined as they were placed under detention either at their residences or in police stations. The authorities concerned also imposed restrictions on the civilian movement in the old city areas falling under the jurisdiction of Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj, Safakadal and Nowhatta police stations. Omar, who is also the working president of the ruling National Conference, led the senior leaders of the party to offer floral tributes to the 1931 ‘martyrs’. “The sacrifice of the ‘martyrs’ to free our people from autocracy laid the edifice for democracy and liberty in our state. Their struggle is one of the richest chapters in the history of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Chief Minister said. Omar was accompanied by party General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Provincial President, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, senior ministers and party leaders, including Abdul Rahim Rather, Mubarak Gul, Peerzada Ahmed Shah, Mohammad Sayed Akhoon, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, Mir Saifullah, Ali Mohammad Dar and Salman Ali Sagar. Senior PDP leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra also visited the site to offer prayers and tributes and criticised the ruling party for imposing restrictions in the old city and for detaining the separatist leaders. “The restrictions, shutdown and imprisonment of separatist leaders along with the rest of the city are a grim reminder of the treachery that the National Conference practised against the people of Kashmir, who had reposed their faith blindly in its leadership,” Karra said. Karra accused the Omar-led government of replicating the 1931 atrocities on a larger scale as in 2010, 126 civilians were killed during an agitation. Meanwhile, separatist leaders continued to remain under preventive detention. A statement issued by the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) said party chairman Yasin Malik and other party leaders were in police detention. The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Political Party in its statement said party chairman Hilal Ahmad War was also detained by the police during a nocturnal raid at his residence. |
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Tension in Jammu after wrestling row
Jammu, July 13 The mob torched a Gypsy of security forces and an Ambassador car in protest against the alleged denial of permission for holding the contest. It resorted to heavy stone-throwing on security personnel and vandalism, damaging around a dozen of vehicles and shops. Police personnel assisted by paramilitary jawans lobbed teargas shells and cane-charged the mob to disperse it. At least a dozen protesters were injured in the clashes. The troubled began after the administration reportedly denied permission to one community for holding a wresting competition on “disputed” land which, according to the community members, used to be organised in Bassi village, near Bari
Brahmana, for several decades. Sources said senior administrative and police officers visited the “disputed” land on Saturday and decided not to grant permission. The contest was scheduled to be held on Sunday evening. Infuriated over the decision, the protesters marched towards the
Jammu-Pathankot highway and blocked it at Bari Brahmana around 5 pm. Raising slogans against the administration, the protesters, including members of the organising committee, claimed that the objection was a “deliberate move” to disrupt peace. Traffic movement remained suspended with protesters continuing the stir. Around 7:45 pm, the protesters allegedly turned violent and damaged around a dozen vehicles. They set two vehicles on fire, besides vandalising two shops. The administration rushed additional security personnel to the spot to control the situation. The protesters threw stones on security personnel who fired teargas shells in retaliation and cane charged them. Samba Deputy Commissioner RK Verma said they imposed Section 144 of the
CrPC, banning the assembly of four or more persons, in the area as a preventive measure. “The situation is normal, but we have deployed security personnel to keep a tight vigil on troublemakers,” he said. |
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Pahari leaders hold meeting to discuss demand for ST status
Rajouri, July 13 General secretary of the Pahari Forum Vijay Koachar and executive chairman of the J&K Pahari People Movement (JKPPM) Shahbaz Khan were present on the
occasion. RS Mehta, a JKPPM leader, said: “Some anti-peace forces active in J&K had been misguiding political leaders (of the state and the Centre) against our community.” Shahbaz Khan said some leaders who were also members of the state Cabinet and were sure that they could not win the elections without the support of the Paharis, were also opposing the status to the Pahari community. “If these leaders continue to work against the interests of the Pahari community, they will be taught a lesson in the forthcoming Assembly elections as more than Rs 30 lakh Paharis reside along the borders and will not tolerate any more discrimination against their youth,” said Khan. The Pahari community has been struggling for the ST status for the last more than 30 years. Despite assurances by the successive state governments, former Prime Ministers, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, nothing has been done so far. To show their resentment, the Pahari community, mostly inhabitants of border districts of Jammu and Kashmir, voted against the coalition partners in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. The community leaders have been holding meetings at various places in Rajouri, Poonch and Uri districts to aware the Paharis about their rights and demand so that
they do not fall prey to politicians who have been opposing the ST status to them. |
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Cong mulls tie-up with JKNPP, BSP
Jammu, July 13 The Congress leadership is tight-lipped over this proposal. Sources said a senior leader proposed the idea of leaving some seats for the JKNPP and the BSP to cleectively take on the BJP in the state in general and in the Jammu area in particular during a meeting last week. Leaders gave serious thought to this proposal as the Congress leadership had realised that the BJP had emerged as a strong force in Jammu after the General Election and there was a need to form an alliance of like-minded parties for the Assembly elections. The sources said the Congress leadership was ready to leave at least seven seats for the JKNPP and the BSP in Jammu to accommodate candidates of the two parties. “The Congress leadership is ready for a debate on the Chenani Assembly segment to convince the JKNPP,” the source said. They added that the party proposed to leave four seats for the JKNPP and three for the BSP. The Congress leadership was ready to leave Chenani for the JKNPP provided it agreed on of four seats. The seat was represented by Congress MLA Krishan Chander Bhagat. The Congress was ready to leave the Udhampur, Ramnagar and Samba segments for the JKNPP. The segments were represented by the JKNPP and the Congress had weak organisational structures in these Assembly constituencies. The sources said Congress leaders was thinking of leaving Kathua, Bishnah and RS Pura for the BSP as it had strong vote bank therein. In the 2008 Assembly elections, Congress candidates had forfeited their deposits in most seats which it was thinking of leaving now. The sources said there was a feeling among Congress leaders that an alliance with the JKNPP would help the party in Ramban, Reasi and Rajouri districts. Some Congress leaders were of the opinion that an alliance with the BSP would help it in Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts. |
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To counter BJP, JKNPP rakes up statehood issue for Jammu
Jammu, July 13 Earlier, the JKNPP was demanding re-organisation of Jammu and Kashmir but now the party has came out openly in support of granting statehood to Jammu province. The state unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Jammu State Morcha have been agitating for the statehood demand. After its July 6 convention at Jammu, the JKNPP kicked-started a campaign for statehood to the Jammu region. Since then, the party has been holding protests in some parts of Jammu province in support of the demand. Two days ago, the party held a protest at Vijaypur. Today, party workers, led by party president Balwant Singh Mankotia, organised a similar protest at Udhampur. Mankotia is the Udhampur MLA. Sources in the JKNPP said the party had decided to rake up the statehood issue to counter the growing influence of the BJP, especially in areas which were considered the JKNPP citadel before the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP got overwhelming support in the Assembly segments which were considered the JKNPP stronghold. In the Udhampur Assembly segment, where from Balwant Singh Mankotia had won two successive Assembly elections, JKNPP candidate Prof Bhim Singh got 4,483 votes while the BJP got 49,623 votes and the Congress got 19,429 votes. Similarly, in the Ramnagar segment, the JKNPP candidate got 10,805 votes while the BJP candidate got 33,588 and the Congress got 18,407 votes. In the Samba segment, party candidate HC Jalmaria got only 985 votes while the BJP got 36,879 and the Congress 13,331 votes. The JKNPP also faced humiliation in the Chenani Assembly segment. Sources in the party said the fear of the BJP had forced the JKPNN to pursue the statehood agenda to hijack the pro-Jammu agenda of the saffron party. The BJP is not supporting the demand of statehood for the Jammu region. |
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Jehangir Chowk flyover project — a potential health hazard for residents
Srinagar, July 13 The construction project, which is in its preliminary stages, has already contributing to dust pollution forcing residents in nearby areas to wear masks before stepping out. The private construction firm hired by the Economic Reconstruction Agency has deployed heavy machinery for loading and unloading cement and saw dust along the route. As the one-way traffic movement from uptown Srinagar to the city centre has also been allowed along the same route, cement and saw dust emanating from construction sites has turned into a health nuisance. As the construction work is slated to take three more years, there may be more problems in store for at least half of the Srinagar population which commutes through this route. “One cannot simply walk without wearing a mask from Rambagh, Tulsi Bagh, Solina and Iqbal Park areas. The work goes throughout the day and in night too and the pollution level is increasing day by day. We fear that with the pace of work intensifying in days to come, the pollution level will increase further,” said Muhammad Mujeeb, a resident of Aloochi Bagh, Srinagar. Vehicles that ply along the narrow stretch of the road adjacent to the construction site have only added to the pollution level, thus putting the health of residents at risk. Doctors say asthmatics and people with other respiratory problems need to take precautions while the work is on. “There is definitely no escape route other than to take precautions. Wearing masks is a must especially for those with breathing issues. The government can at best avoid large-scale traffic movement along this route. The Traffic Police can jump into action by checking the pollution indicators of the vehicles,” said Dr Ismail, a
pulmonologist. |
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Police clamp down on stunt bikers in Kashmir
Srinagar, July 13 A police handout said the bikers who were booked were performing life-threatening stunts on roads, thus putting the lives of other people and property at risk. “All bikes that were seized were without number plates. The bikes were modified for performing stunts. The mudguards of the rear wheel were removed so that it doesn’t touch the road while performing stunts,” the police statement said. In 2014 alone, the Saddar police station had taken cognisance of 102 violations of the Motor Vehicles Act in their area, where a number of tuition centres are located. Out of 102 cases around 90 cases involved motorcycles. In most of the cases, parents of the erring bikers were called to the police station and apprised about their children. The Srinagar police have advised the parents of the students riding motorcycles in general to maintain a vigil on their wards so that they could be saved from fatal accidents. The parents should advise their wards to ride motorcycles as per norms and see if they have modified the bike in any manner. “Some stunt bikers have formed groups such as ‘Hells Angels 81’ and ‘Racing Rebellz’. These groups have defaced walls at many places by writing their group’s name with spray paints,” the police statement read. The Tribune had earlier carried a report on frequent incidents of stunt biking in various parts of the city. Last month, a Class-9 student from old Srinagar city died in a stunt biking incident which led to outrage among worried parents. |
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Unscheduled power cuts leave residents sweating
Jammu, July 13 Though the PDD blames it on the excessive burden on grid stations caused by the unregistered load that is leading to further tripping of transformers, the department has failed to ensure regular power supply in areas which are paying a regular rent Power supply remained affected for the entire day in Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Channi Himmat, Sidhra, Nai Basti, Satwai and Trikuta Nagar. Situation was no different on the outskirts of the city. “Power supply was given for just one or two hours on Sunday. When we called the Executive Engineer of our area, he expressed helplessness as he said the problem was at the grid station,” said Bupesh Sharma, a resident of the Gandhi Nagar area. Erratic power supply has created a lot of trouble for the people of the entire region, which is already reeling under an intense heat wave for the last two months. “Residents are spending sleepless nights for the past one week as they are not only facing frequent cuts but also long hours of power shutdown. Despite paying regular power tariffs, we are not getting electricity,” said Naresh Gupta, a trader from Shastri Nagar. Several localities like Paloura, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Channi, Parade, Kachi Chawni, Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bari Brahmana are the worst affected. “People across the state are suffering due to the power shortage. The government should take immediate steps to streamline the supply system. Steps should be taken so that people should not suffer,” said Kuldeep, an employee of a private
organisation. |
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Ministry sends proposal to state on rural sports competitions
Jammu, July 13 Sources said the competitions would be conducted in 21 disciplines. Some of them included athletics, volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho, cycling, football, judo, weightlifting, archery, handball, hockey, swimming, boxing, badminton, table tennis, basketball, gymnastics, wrestling and tennis. The sources claimed that the initiative of conducting rural sports competitions, women sports competitions, sports competitions was taken by the Central Ministry to promote sports culture in the state under this new scheme. They said the matter related to allotment of national-level sports competitions to the states organisations and coordination of conduct of the competitions would be handled by the Mission Directorate, RGKA, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The national-level sports competitions would be conducted by December of every year or by January of subsequent year. However, the actual schedule will be work out by the ministry on the basis of offer received from the state. “The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will provide financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh per discipline out of which Rs 8.5 lakh will be provided to the host state for conducting the annual rural sports competition, while the remaining 1.5 lakh will be utilised for providing shields, medals, certificates, identity cards etc,” a Central Sports Ministry statement said. “The state interested in hosting such competitions of national repute in 2014-15 has been requested to send its offer to the Central Ministry. The ministry has stated that venue where the competitions will be conducted should be district headquarters. The venue should be well connected with the Railways having adequate playing facilities for the sports disciplines,” it added. The Central government introduced it under the National Youth Policy 2014 in February this year with a vision to empower the burgeoning youth of the country. It aims at building sports infrastructure at the grassroots level. An estimated outlay of about Rs 9,000 crore has been approved to be utilised till the end of the 13th Five Year Plan (2022). Its main objectives are to promote sports as a way of life among the youth, to take sports facilities throughout the country down to the lowest level and to identify and hone talents through organising various sports competitions across the country. |
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CM attends Kalachakra, welcomes Dalai Lama
Jammu, July 13 Addressing a large gathering of devotees, Omar highlighted the pluralistic ethos of Jammu and Kashmir and described it as an essential ingredient of Kashmiriyat. Omar said that it was remarkable and noteworthy that the event was being observed in the state for the third time. He said J&K was the abode of different faiths and cultures. To have people of diverse cultures living in amity and brotherhood was the speciality of the state, he added. He underlined the need for strengthening the bonds of amity between various sections of society. Nearly 5,000 followers of the Dalai Lama from abroad, including China, Myanmar, Colombia and US, participated in the
Kalachakra. Ancient ritual
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PDP hits out at Omar over IIT remark
Srinagar, July 13 “It seems in his frustration the Chief Minister tries to undo the history of his ancestors and forgets even his own tweets… the Chief Minister has only one month back opposed establishment of IITs and IIMs in every state as a terrible idea,” Karra said. Quoting Omar’s tweet on June 9 where he stated that “IITs and IIMs in every state is a terrible idea and will dilute these institutions”, Karra said: “Omar Abdullah must explain his objections to the proposal in the light of announcements of an IIT for Jammu. He must not try to again mislead the people of Kashmir who are aware of the PDP’s performance in three years as against the National Conference’s dominance over the political scene of Kashmir for more than eight decades.” “If the head of the state government himself opposes the very idea of setting up new institutions, how does he expect the Opposition to get him out of the mess of his own making,” he added. Omar had yesterday hit out at the PDP for maintaining “criminal silence” over the discrimination against Kashmir as the Centre had allotted an IIT to Jammu only.
— TNS |
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Several hurt in Anantnag clash
Anantnag, July 13 There was a dispute between the two communities over a piece of land housing a gurdwara and Surya temple. The case was in the Supreme Court, which had ordered status quo, barring both communities from constructing any new structure in the area. Tension escalated on Sunday morning when the move to replace Nishan Sahib, a flagpole erected outside the gurdwara, was opposed by the Surya temple management. Members of the parbandhak committee alleged that they were attacked by members of the temple management with stones, injuring many of them. Members of the temple management refuted the allegations. They said they opposed replacing of Nishan Sahib, but only verbally. “There was no violence at all,” they said. Anantnag DC Swagat Biswas visited the spot and talked to members of both communities. “We made them resolve the issue amicably. Everything is under control.” |
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Task cut out for Modi on Kashmir
Arun Joshi Over the past little over a week, the political significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir has evolved rapidly, although no political announcement was made when he visited the state on July 4. For this state, visits of Prime Ministers are synonymous with announcements of economic and political packages. Modi’s visit so far has been in the spotlight for its thrust on development. There was a veiled assertion that he would carry forward the socio-economic and political agenda of his NDA predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee to its logical conclusion. This could mean many things. The Vajpayee government had initiated development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, and it was also during his tenure that the first face-to-face talks were held between the then Union Home Ministry and the Hizb-ul Mujahideen in Srinagar in August 2000. In less than two years’ time, there were direct talks between the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference and then Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. All this became a reality only after Vajpayee had extended his hand of friendship to Pakistan and sought reciprocation from the soil of Kashmir on April 18, 2003. Within a fortnight, he had opened the channels of communication with the leadership of Kashmir by appointing N N Vohra as interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir. It appears now that Modi will make some announcement of intent on Kashmir in political terms at an appropriate time. Kashmir is such a complex issue that it requires a lot of patience and hard work. It is clear that he doesn’t want to make any statement in haste. It is evident from the fact that he has not uttered a single political jargon after becoming the Prime Minister. At the moment, some kind of groundwork needs to be done. There is a sense among the people in Jammu and Kashmir that once concrete inputs are with the Modi government, the Prime Minister will come out with his own outlook on Jammu and Kashmir. Fortunately, a mood is developing in Kashmir that the ghosts of violence should be reined in. Violence is becoming more and more reprehensible, and even those leaders who used to talk about guns and grenades are today looking for some confidence-building measures. No one expects the BJP government and the Prime Minister to say something drastically dramatic with regard to Kashmir. He can make a choice of his own words and phrases which would appeal to the public of Jammu and Kashmir. To begin with, it should help the state to strengthen its institutions. The public trust will follow. It has to be done both at the macro and micro level without trespassing on the sensitivities of the people of the state. Modi should go by his own mantra of inclusiveness. That is the step that can script a successful story in the days to come.
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Panel on education, language policy set up
Jammu, July 13 The DSE secretary said a separate cadre of teacher educators had been created. Regarding backlog of untrained teachers, he said the state had initiated a special drive to train 60,000 undergraduate teachers through 22 District Institute of Education and Trainings. Sources said the state had initiated steps for converting the State Institute of Education to the State Council for Education Research and Training and the proposal was with the Finance Wing. The sources claimed that Hirdesh had urged the department for financial assistance for technology support claiming that there was no education satellite facility. “One of the major issues with the state is that the data which comes from the state needs to be validated. The minimum qualification (10+2) is still an issue in the matter of restructuring of teacher educator cadre. The state government was advised to follow the norms of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), even though J&K does not come under the purview of the NCTE or devise it own norms on similar lines,” a statement from the School Education and Literacy Department claimed. The state government was also urged to make a case for financial assistance for non-plan components before the 14th Finance Commission, especially in the area of repairs and renovations. The Tribune had earlier reported that the DSE secretary in the earlier attended meeting of the Teacher Education Appraisal Board was told to clarify bifurcation of requirement/utilisation of funds in respect of SC/ST/minority areas. |
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No home delivery of LPG in Anantnag
Anantnag, July 13 Locals allege that the delivery trucks arrive at odd hours during the day and people are expected to leave their work and stand in queue. ”It’s Monday today and I had to leave my work and wait for two hours in the sun to get my LPG cylinder,” said Tawseef Ahmad, a resident of Bijbehara town in Anantnag district, adding that the distributors choose a spot for delivery as they wish. Sources in the district administration here said it had been two years since the LPG agencies were directed to start home delivery. They said LPG agencies had chosen to ignore the reminders on the issue. “They continue to do what they like. The district administration has been unable to do anything for the betterment of people,” said Farman Ali, a member of the South Kashmir Civil Society. He said the nexus between officials and the gas agencies gave the distributors a free hand to do things as per their whim, adding that “people always remain at the receiving end”. The administration is, however, blaming lack of infrastructure for the delay. “We are in touch with the gas agencies and hopefully we will get things done soon,” said Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Muhammad Yousuf Bhat, adding that the agencies do not have proper infrastructure and that needs to be taken into consideration as well. |
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Candidate eligibility in school authorities’ hands
Javid A Malla
Baramulla, July 13 The schools in Baramulla district are conducting the golden test (‘pre-examination’) to allow only select students to appear in the annual examination to secure a satisfactory pass percentage. This is being done to avoid any disciplinary action in case a school has a poor result (pass percentage of below 33 per cent) in the examination. Sources said the school authorities did not have the authority to bar any student from appearing in the annual examination even though they could conduct tests regularly to check performance. The issue came to the fore when students of the Government High School at Binner in Baramulla protested against the school authorities outside offices of the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Education Officer. “Only six of the 59 students were allowed to appear in the annual examination on the basis of the performance in the golden test,” said Aamir Hamid, a student. The students complained that the Government High School at Heewan in Baramulla barred 40 students from appearing in the annual examination, due in October-November this year. “Only 20 of the 60 class X students of the Heewan school have been allowed to appear in the annual examination. The authorities categorised the rest in March as having performed poorly,” said Farooq Ahmad, an affected parent and village education committee member. He alleged, “The school authorities are deliberately detaining students in the golden test, which is not mandatory as per norms.” The protesting students later met Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Lone, who directed Chief Education Officer Abdul Rouf to look into the matter and submit his report within three days. The latter wrote to the Headmaster of the Binner school to look into the issue. Result-oriented move
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IAF women cycling expedition flagged off from Pathankot
Jammu, July 13 The Jammu-based Public Relations Officer (PRO), Defence, said at the Pathankot base camp, the cyclists went through rigorous training and were taught how to cycle better and faster and to stay fit. The women officers were trained on all aspects, focusing on riding, yoga and gruelling riding sessions in and around Pathankot. The PRO said the first two segments would be all-acclimatisation segments from Pathankot to Palcham (Manali) and Palcham to Leh. The third segment will be the high-attitude cycling route in Leh. The aim of the expedition is to foster team spirit, inculcate zeal for adventure, encourage better understanding of the terrain and appreciate diverse environment in the south east region of Leh, the PRO said. This is an opportunity for the women with a flare for adventure to enhance synergy between the sister services and to add to the glory of the IAF, he said. |
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AFS Jammu boys lose to Ambala in basketball
Jammu, July 13 In girls section, the AFS Jammu team secured third place. The top honours were bagged by AFS Ambala by defeating
AFS Chandigarh with utmost ease. Air Commodore, PE Patange, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Jammu, was the chief guest on the occasion. He appreciated the sportsmanship and enthusiasm of the students. The chief guest reiterated that sports provide an excellent pathway for students to develop mental strength, camaraderie and competitive spirit. Vikesh Sandhal, Principal, Air Force School, Jammu, presented a report on the entire events of the championship. A small cultural bonanza was presented by the school students to mark the event. Trophies, certificates, medals and mementoes were also distributed to the teams. A total of seven Air Force schools of western Air Command namely AFS Hindan, AFS Sarsawa, AFS Halwara, AFS Chandigarh, AFS Ambala, AFS Pathankot and the host team AFS Jammu participated in the championship. |
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150 participate in dance workshop
Jammu, July 13 As many as 150 students participated in the workshop and learned various techniques from experts to further improve their dancing skills. Sohail Kazmi, general secretary of Press Club of Jammu, was the chief guest on the occasion. Parents of the participating students appreciated the efforts of the academies for conducting such workshops and hoped that they would continue with more such in future. Nitin Sanotra, MD of Auspicious Academy, Raj Shavotra, MD of Acharya Academy, and Abhishek Sharma were also present.
— TNS |
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Two-day school workshop on continuous evaluation ends
Jammu, July 13 The workshop was attended by principals and teachers of MV International School, Kartar Public School, and Spring Dales Public School, Kathua. A total of 70 teachers were benefited from the workshop with regard to various tools, techniques and methodologies to be adopted by teachers in order to implement CCE in letter and spirit. During the sessions, teachers were given group tasks in their concerned subjects to show case their expertise. |
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Regularisation of daily wagers demanded
Jammu, July 13 Addressing a meeting of workers, NMC president Subash Shastri said contractual employees should be regularised before the enforcement of model code of conduct due to the ensuing Assembly election in the state, so that confusion and uncertainty among these workers should come to an end. Shastri said early amendment in SRO-64 was the need of the hour which was bound to have near about 55,000 daily workers working in various departments of the state government and public sector undertakings. “These daily wage workers are facing financial hardships due to price hike as their services have not been regularised for the last 18 to 23 years nor are they are getting their salary in time,” he said. |
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Kupwara villagers face scarcity of potable water
Kupwara, July 13 “The DC assured us that the supply will be restored at the earliest. He has told the Executive Engineer of the PHE division, Kupwara, to take necessary steps and restore the water supply,” said Abdul Ahad Wani, a local resident. The locals said they had been receiving intermittent water supply earlier, but three weeks before the supply was snapped leaving them without a drop of potable water.
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Illicit timber worth lakhs seized
Kupwara, July 13 “We have tightened the noose around smugglers, especially in Rafiabad, Kandi and Rajwar forest ranges of north Kashmir. People have been cooperating by providing information,” said Mian Javid, Conservator of Forests, North Circle. The department had seized 12,917 cubic feet of illicit timber and 108 quintals of firewood, he said. The timber was worth lakhs, he said. |
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