Jammu, July 16
Though the parched Jammu residents enjoyed the long-awaited rainfall, but the overnight rain clogged many roads in the city leading to traffic chaos in the morning rush hour.

Srinagar, July 16
Morning showers finally brought some relief to the residents in the month of Ramadan when most of the people go without eating and drinking for more than 16 hours a day.

People were facing difficulties for the past two weeks due to rise in temperature. Keeping in view the soaring temperature, the government had also announced summer break for all schools and colleges in the Valley for 15 days starting from yesterday.

A Meteorological Department spokesman said here today that the sate would witness from light to heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours. “Srinagar recorded a maximum of 24.7 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was 20.2 degrees Celsius,” the official said.

He added that heavy rain would occur in the Jammu division at isolated places.

Dry weather coupled with four to five degrees above normal temperatures during the past few weeks had resulted in heat wave in the Valley, forcing people to use coolers and air-conditioners.

Jammu, July 16
Heavy rush of students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in agricultural sciences, veterinary sciences and biotechnology has been witnessed at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J).

This year, around 1,700 students appeared in the Common Entrance Test (CET)-2014 of SKUAST-J. Agriculture and allied sciences have become the second choice of students seeking admission within the state after medical sciences.

The result of the CET-2014 has already been declared and is available on the university website: www.skuast.org.

Since 2013, SKUAST-J has started conducting Combined Entrance Test (CET) for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Prior to 2013, the students seeking admission to SKUAST-J had to appear in CET conducted by Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) for various courses in the state, and a few students use to prefer and were admitted to BSc (honours) agriculture and seats used to remain vacant.

In the master programmes, the counselling for admission to 18 disciplines of agricultural and allied sciences, biotechnology and 16 disciplines of veterinary sciences will be held tomorrow.

For undergraduate programmes, the counselling will be held on July 21 and 22 at the main campus of the university at Chatha.

The process of admissions will be completed by August 1 and the new session starts on August 4.

Jammu, July 16
It seems to be an endless wait for a victim of sexual harassment, who happens to be a senior faculty member in the Law School of Jammu University, to get justice as the varsity administration is yet to initiate action against the accused.

Sources said the six-member committee constituted by the university to look into sexual harassment cases on the campus had completed inquiry into the complaint made by a senior faculty member of an alleged misbehaviour and sexual harassment against the then Director of Law School, Kulwant Singh, on August 31, 2012, but the varsity administration was yet to decide on action against the accused.

The faculty member, in her complaint, had alleged that Kulwant Singh entered her classroom where she was teaching students and reprimanded her for what he (director) claimed that she was teaching wrong. She had also accused the director of “abusing” her in front of her students.

“Almost two years have passed since the incident took place on the campus, which had witnessed strong protests for 10 days by the students of the Law School. Following the protests, the director was removed from the post and the committee on sexual harassment was asked to conduct a probe into the incident. It is unfortunate that the university has failed to decide on initiating action against the accused director even after the lapse of two years,” regretted a senior female professor on the campus.

During the protests, the students had boycotted their classes for 10 days in support of their demand for the removal of the director of the School of Law accusing him of harassing the students on the “basis of gender”.

Dr Satnam Kour, convener of the committee on sexual harassment, said they had submitted the inquiry committee report with recommendations to the Vice Chancellor (VC).

“I had submitted the inquiry committee report with recommendations to the VC about 15 days ago and it is now in the hands of the VC to decide on it,” she said.

When contacted, Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, said he had received the report and accepted it. “The Governor, NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, had also sought the report in this regard and at that time I had written to him that we were waiting for the inquiry committee report. Necessary action will be initiated in this case,” he said.

Jammu, July, 16
The Jammu Tourism Action Committee (JYAC), an amalgam of various trade organizations, has condemned the recommendation of the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to gradually shift the general bus stand from its present site on the BC Road to Narwal.

A report sent by the JDA to the J&K High Court has recommended that the present bus stand should be made an inter-city bus stand, while inter-state buses should operate from Narwal. It has reported to the High Court that the inter-state bus terminal at Transport Nagar is operational and the bus terminal for RS Pura buses is also operational near the old RTO office at Bear House. The present bus stand has been described as an inter-city bus terminal.

A meeting of the Jammu Tourism Action Committee held here today under the chairmanship of its convener Inderjeet Khajuria termed these recommendations as contradictory to the assurances given by the authorities at the highest level of the Chief Minister that there would be no shifting.

“The Chief Minster had on the occasion of the laying of foundation stone of the Jammu Cable Car project announced that the present bus stand will continue as a terminal point for the buses of all routes,” Khajuria said.

Kulgam, July 16
An Army man was shot dead today by militants while he was on a holiday at his home in the Khodweni area of Anantnag district.

Gowher Ahmad Mattoo, a resident of Ganjipora village in the Khodweni area, was a former government gunman (ikhwani). He was subsequently inducted into the Territorial Army.

The incident took place around 4 pm today in the busy Khodweni-Qaimoh market.

“Mattoo was in the market, probably shopping, when the militants shot at him,” said a senior police officer from the area, adding that he was shot in his head from a point-blank range.

He said the people in the market rushed Mattoo to the hospital but he died on the way.

Sources said panic gripped the area and people were seen running for shelter when the militants fired the gunshots. They said the militants managed to escape.

Shopkeepers in the area downed their shutters immediately after the firing. The market was soon flooded with Army, police and CRPF personnel.

“The area has been cordoned off and searches are being carried out,” the police officer said.

“We are trying to nab the culprits.”

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and general secretary, south Kashmir, Ghulam Mohideen claimed that his vehicle was attacked at Niana village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir with a petrol bomb today afternoon.

The police said they were investigating the claim made by the PDP leader.

A local PDP leader’s cavalcade was attacked with a homemade petrol bomb in the Khodweni-Qaimoh market of Kulgam district yesterday.

Srinagar, July 16
The police have arrested a suspected militant, accused of being a member of the group which was behind the attack on a police post and snatching of rifles in Budgam district of central Kashmir last month.

Sources said Tawheed Ahmad, reportedly a new recruit of the Hizbul Mujahideen, was arrested after the receipt of specific information from Budgam.

The sources said a pistol was recovered from his possession.They said he was being questioned by a joint team of security agencies.

Tawheed and two other youths from central Kashmir had joined militant ranks and were reportedly involved in the attack on June 6, wherein they attacked a policeman with an iron rod and decamped with three rifles.

Doda, July 16
Eight people were killed and two others injured after a passenger vehicle fell into the Chenab in the Pinjrari area of Kishtwar district this morning.

Officials said a Tata Sumo on its way from Pinjrari to Kishtwar skidded off and plunged into the Chenab.

After the accident, the police, rescue teams of the Medical Department, Army and the villagers rushed to the spot and started rescue operation.

Javed Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar; Sanjay Kotwal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar; and Additional Superintendent of Police Abdul Quoom along with other officials reached the spot and supervised the rescue operation.

The deceased have been identified as Vidya Lal of Janakpur Dachan, Ghulam Hassan of Patimhalla, Mangat Ram of Hanzal, Mushtaq Ahmed of Juda Mohar, Renu of Dachhan, Parvaiz Ahmed of Dangdoro Dachhan, Krishna of Kalno Dachan and Sachin Kumar of Kalno Dachhan.

The Deputy Commissioner said, “The accident took place due to overnight rains as the road became slippery.”

Senior Congress MLA from Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori expressed grief over the loss of lives. — OC

Srinagar, July 16
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the working president of the National Conference, today said his government would enhance the scale of ration and reduce the electricity tariff in the state.

“We are working on these matters and I have asked the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister to formulate a proposal for enhancing the scale of ration even if the state has to bear the cost on its own,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a convention of party workers in north Kashmir’s Handwara area.

After facing a rout in the parliamentary elections recently, the National Conference has pushed for several populist measures, including increasing the retirement age and cancelling an unpopular employment policy.

Omar also accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being an “amalgam of opportunists”.

“The PDP is an amalgam of opportunists who have joined hands and unleashed a malicious propaganda against the National Conference to mislead the people and carry forward their agenda of dividing the voice of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.

Omar told the people to scan the political ideology and works done in the past and the present activities of the PDP leaders.

“You will easily come to know that the party is actually a group of people who have always worked against the interests of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said according to a statement issued by his party.

“Don’t you see that all those charged with the highest degree of corruption, land-grabbing, malpractices along with turncoats, agents, opportunists and power-greedy people are joining the PDP and getting nominated to fight the upcoming Assembly elections,” the Chief Minister said.

The convention was also addressed by National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, provincial president of the party for Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani and state CAPD minister Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan.

Dehradun, July 16
The Dehradun-based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) is constantly monitoring the waxing and waning of the ice Shivalingam at the Amarnath cave shrine.

Amid reports of its speedy melting, the institute has been sending a team of glaciologist to the shrine for the past few years.

Earlier, the institute had also proposed to set up a field observatory at the Amarnath shrine to study the possible reasons behind the speedy melting of the ice Shivalingam. Later, the Department of Science and Technology directed the Indian Meteorological Department to establish such a field laboratory. DP Dobhal, a glaciologist with the WIHG, said their team was constantly monitoring the Shivalingam at the Amarnath shrine. It was keeping a close watch on any major waxing and waning changes this year.

He said the monitoring included eight to 10 parameters ranging from snowfall, rain, wind speed in the Valley among other factors.

Dobhal, however, said Jammu and Kashmir had been experiencing good snowfall in the past two years.

A WIHG team had visited the Amarnath shrine in 2006 after a controversy over an artificial Shivalingam there.

Reports of the speedy melting of the Shivalingam had been a cause for concern, with scientists citing climate change, anthropogenic causes and winter snowfall as the reasons behind it.

Katra, July 16
For the first time the state administration is likely to introduce helicopter service for the Kounsar Nag yatra, Additional District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Rajinder Singh Tara said during a meeting to review the arrangements for the six-day annual pilgrimage commencing from July 28.

During the meeting threadbare discussion was held on various arrangements, including medicare, transportation, boarding and lodging, provision of adequate ration, security and uninterrupted power and water supply, to be made for the convenience of intending pilgrims.

It was decided in the meeting that adequate medical facilities would be put in place for the convenience of devotees. For the purpose, six teams of doctors and paramedics would be stationed at specified locations with ample stock of medicines and oxygen cylinders.

The meeting was also informed that the Army will provide sufficient number of tents for the comfortable stay of pilgrims at the base camp of the yatra in Harshu village in Mahore tehsil of Reasi district.

The pilgrims after staying at Harshu village will proceed for Kounsar Nag to pay obeisance on the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami on July 30.

The devotees will travel through Salal, Arnas, Dharmari, Mahore, Chasana and Sungri areas of Reasi district to reach Kounsar Nag.

Kousar Nag is one of the highest altitude springs of Kashmir situated at 30 km from Aharbal.

The spring shimmers with fresh, crystal clear glacial waters and covers an area of 5 km in length and two and half kilometres in breadth.

Addressing the meeting, Tara said efforts would be made to promote the Kounsar Nag as tourist destination.

He told Tourism Department officials to chalk out a comprehensive strategy to popularise the spot by erecting hoardings at prominent locations, so that pilgrims after visiting the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi here could be diverted to such locations. 

Jammu, July 16
A deputation of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, led by Bharat Chowdhary, today met the joint commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), regarding desilting of drains in Chand Nagar, Prem Nagar, Lower Peerkho, Rajinder Nagar, Kassim Nagar, Peermitha, Jain Bazaar and Bawe Wali Gali.

Chowdhary told the joint commissioner that all the drains and nallahs of these areas are chocked and filled with silt and garbage. So when rain comes, the whole downtown is choked with dirty drain water as the authorities have failed to clean the drains at proper time.

He said the drains of city were constructed 40 years back and after that not cleaned properly. Almost 80 per cent of the drains are filled with garbage and silt. — TNS

Jammu, July 16
Encouraged by the overwhelming response of the people of the state in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has decided to directly take on the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by utilising all its resources in the Kashmir valley for the upcoming Assembly polls.

During a meeting with state BJP leaders, which was held today at New Delhi to devise a strategy for the coming Assembly elections, national party president Amit Shah made it clear that the party would aggressively fight elections in the Valley and would leave no stone unturned to take the NC and the PDP in their home turf.

Sources in the BJP said Shah had told local BJP leaders that instead of depending upon the present “exploitative leadership” in Kashmir, the party should encourage new leadership with clean image in the Valley so as to take on the NC and the PDP.

The sources said a strategy had been devised in the meeting to confine both the NC and the PDP in the Valley so that no Kashmir-centric party would be able to make inroads into the Jammu region where the BJP had taken lead in 24 out of total 37 Assembly seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

The sources said it had been decided in the meeting that Amit Shah would formally launch an election campaign from Jammu in September after the party finalises candidates.

JP Nadda and Ram Lal, national general secretaries of the BJP, RSS leader Ram Madhav, Avinash Rai Khanna and RP Singh were also present at the meeting.

All three BJP Lok Sabha members from the state, Jatinder Singh, Union MoS Jugal Kishore Sharma and Thupstan Chhewang were also present at the meeting.

Jammu, July 16
The BJP has decided to select candidates for the coming Assembly elections in J&K through secret ballots. The party has distributed forms which have to be filled by workers by mentioning names of the candidates of their choices in their respective constituencies.

Highly placed sources said the BJP had taken this decision to accommodate views of grass-roots level workers in the process of selecting candidates. The party devised the strategy to satisfy workers as many of them had complained that the high command ignored their choices and candidates were usually imposed on them by New Delhi, the sources added.

After winning three of the six Lok Sabha seats in J&K, the BJP has set a target of 44 plus seats to form a government on its own in the state. “The selection of candidates is a difficult task for the party,” a senior leader of BJP said on condition of anonymity. He candidly admitted that there was a wave in favour of the party in the region but the party was not finding suitable candidates in many segments.

“The process of secret ballot has been adopted to ensure involvement of all party workers in the process of electioneering so that the Assembly elections are fought with the same zeal like the Lok Sabha poll,” he said.

The sources said the secret ballot process had been completed in Gandhi Nagar and the Jammu East Assembly segment where nearly 250 workers have filled the forms in which they have mentioned their choices. The process of the secret ballot in all 87 Assembly segments would be completed by the end of this month, the sources said, adding that later a list of potential candidates would be formed.

“The meeting of the election committee of the state BJP will be held on July 26 to review the progress of the secret ballot,” the sources said.

Srinagar, July 16
Though the BJP government at the Centre today refused to debate in Parliament on Israeli attacks on Gaza, the state wing of the BJP staged a protest in Srinagar against the ongoing attacks on Gaza. The protest was led by state BJP vice-president GM Mir.

The protesters marched from the Sher-e-Kashmir Park to the Press Enclave in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, raising pro-Palestine slogans. Senior state BJP leaders, including Sofi Yousuf, Muhammad Ashraf, Ashok Bhat and Altaf Thakur, took part in the protest. The state BJP workers urged the Central government to take a lead role in condemning Gaza killings by Israel.

Various other political parties, including the National Conference and the CPM, took out procession rallies in Srinagar and on the outskirts.

Earlier, the Youth National Conference and National Conference Students’ Union held massive protests against Israel.

NC youth wing workers marched from the party headquarters at the Nawa-e-Subah Complex and went through TRC, Dalgate Chowk and finally reached the UN Office at Sonawar and submitted a memorandum.

NC youth wing president Salman Sagar condemned the UN office’s refusal of acknowledgement of memorandum of protest and said the UN could not wash its hands off the matter.

The NC workers marched with black flags and raised slogans in favour of Gaza and Palestine and against Israel's war-crimes against innocent men, women and children in Gaza.

The protest rally was led by NC additional general secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, NC youth president Salman Ali Sagar, NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu, NC women's wing provincial vice-president Sabiya Qadri and other senior leaders.

The CPM staged a protest in Shopian district of south Kashmir which was led by party’s state general secretary Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami.

He called the ongoing attacks on Gaza as mass genocide.

He also questioned the silence of the UN and Arab countries over the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Lawyers’ fraternity also took out a separate protest rally in the Shopian court complex and later staged a sit in protest in solidarity with Gaza victims.

In Baramulla town of north Kashmir, the Baramulla Traders Federation also took out a procession rally from the Main Chowk, Baramulla, to the Deputy Commisioner’s Office urging for boycott Israeli goods.

Jammu, July 16
The Jammu Muslim Coordination Committee (JMCC) today condemned the atrocities being committed by the Israel forces in Gaza. It raised concern about the rights violations in Iraq and Egypt.

The JMCC said atrocities committed against the innocent people in any part of the country were condemnable.

The body, during a meeting under the chairmanship of Zahur-ud-din, appealed to the United Nations to take serious note of human rights violations in these areas.

It urged the UN to bring the contending parties to the negotiation table to resolve the issues and help stop atrocities against innocent people. All peace loving organisations and people should organise marches and hold peaceful protests against the nefarious designs of the dark forces, the JMCC said.

President, Shia Federation, Jammu, Ashiq Hussain Khan, urged all Muslims and members of other communities to foil evil designs. — OC

Srinagar, July 16
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has come down heavily on the crime branch for “lacklustre” approach adopted in investigation into the case involving the killing of a teenager boy, Tufail Mattoo, in 2010 unrest, which was reopened after court directions.

In its directions passed today, the High Court has asked the crime branch to gear up and conclude the investigation within six weeks.

Mattoo was killed on June 11, 2010, when he was returning home from tuition and the police fired a teargas shell near Gani Memorial College in old city that allegedly hit him. He was killed on the spot.

Mattoo’s death had triggered violence in the Valley. More than 120 persons were killed in subsequent incidents of firing by the police and security forces.

The case was earlier investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the SP city north, which later closed the case, terming it as “untraced”, which was later challenged by the family before the High Court.

The case was reopened by the High Court on February 14 this year, following which the DGP had entrusted the investigation to the crime branch, Kashmir, vide an order dated March 10.

“In our constitutional scheme, it is the duty of the state to protect the life and liberty of its citizens. When an offence is committed, it is the duty of the state to investigate the case fairly and expeditiously and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice,” the High Court observed in its orders today, while adding that until such justice is meted out to the aggrieved persons, there will be no peace in society.

“In this case, the occurrence took place in June 2010 and it is yet to be ascertained as to who are the actual perpetrators of the crime,” the High Court observed while adding that the status report would show that the investigation (by CBK) was being conducted in a lacklustre manner.

“The investigation agency must gear up and conclude the investigation within a reasonable period of time. In the interest of justice, time is further extended by six weeks for concluding the investigation,” the High Court said in its orders today while observing that any further delay in the investigation would cast serious reflections upon the competence of the investigation agency.

“The parents of the deceased must be waiting for the day the accused are identified and brought to justice,” the court further observed while posting the matter for August 25.

Srinagar, July 16
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today ordered the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to “wake up” and direct the police authorities concerned to ensure that no land filling or illegal construction is carried on the agricultural land situated right behind the court complex in Pampore town.

The court also issued bailable warrants against two contractors, who are involved in the illegal land filling and construction on the particular site.

The directions were issued by a Division Bench of the J&K High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Masoodi following an application by lawyer Mohsin Qadri.

Qadri in his application had brought to the notice of the High Court that construction was being carried out on agricultural land situated right behind the court complex in Pampore.

The court in its earlier order on June 30 had directed that construction on the agricultural land behind the court complex in Pampore shall remain stayed.

“The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has to attend to the wake-up call and direct the police officer concerned to ensure that no land filling or conversion is carried out,” the Division Bench stated in its orders issued after hearing the submissions of the Tehsildar concerned.

The court also issued bailable warrants against two contractors, Tariq Ahmad and Nazir Mir, to be executed by the Superintendent of Police (SP), Awantipore.

It, however, told the officer that he might accept the bail and surety bonds from the duo.

The court also directed the SP, Awantipore, to ensure that there is no movement of trucks/tippers/load carries carrying construction material to the site by having appropriate check points at the two approach roads to the site in dispute.

The Bench also expressed its displeasure against the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, observing that he has not taken any care to ensure the compliance of earlier High Court directions.

The court also directed the respondents concerned to file status report of the cases registered against the violators and the progress report, while also directing the municipal authorities to proceed with issuance of show cause notices to the violators under the relevant building permission laws.

Srinagar, July 16
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the government authorities, including the police, not to harass the family of 95-year-old Peer Ghulam Nabi Shah from Batagund village of Dooru in Anantnag district.

The court also directed the government authorities to ensure the safety of the life and liberty of the petitioners as guaranteed by Article 21 of Constitution and not summon the family to police or interrogation centre.

In the petition filed by Peer Ghulam Nabi, his son and daughter-in-law, through advocate Mian Qayoom, it had been submitted that Peer Ghulam Nabi, who is in his old age has already lost one of his sons, who was killed by the security forces in 2000.

Peer’s another son, Muhammad Ashraf Pir is in jail for the past over eight years and has since then been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) eleven times in a row, the petition stated while alleging regular harassment, mental torture and ill-treatment by the security agencies, particularly the Special Operations Group.

Peer Ghulam Nabi and six of his family members were arrested by the police in November last year. They have allegedly been subjected to interrogation and have also been regularly summoned to police stations or the Joint Interrogation Centre at Khanabal, Anantnag.

The arrest of Peer’s family in November 2013 and their “ill treatment” at the hands of the Special Operations Group of the J&K Police had prompted a strong reaction from the hardline Hurriyat, with its chief, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, issuing a statement condemning the police action.

“The respondents are directed to ensure that the petitioners are not harassed. The respondents shall ensure the safety of the life and liberty of the petitioners as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution,” Justice Muzaffar Hussain observed in the orders made available today.

“It shall be further ensured by the respondents that petitioners live in their house at Batagund, Dooru,” the court said while adding that “till next date before the Bench, petitioners shall not be summoned by any police station or by the authority of respondent No. 6, that is, in charge, Joint Interrogation Centre, Khanabal , Anantnag.

Srinagar, July 16
At a time when dates are selling like hotcakes in the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan, several vendors and shopkeepers have been found selling substandard dates and tampering with package labels.

Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Health Officer Dr Rubeena Shaheen said while conducting market checks of various areas along with a team of food safety officers, they found expiry labels of several branded packaged dates tampered with. She said some dates were also found substandard.

While the SMC team destroyed the seized items, Shaheen said they would intensify the drive during the fasting month as dates are consumed in tonnes here.

She said they had raided marketplaces of Soura, Nowhatta and Koker Bazaar and would continue raids at other marketplaces. The Health Officer urged the general public to remain cautious and check the expiry labels before purchasing dates. She said expired dates could pose serious health risks.

Pertinently, dates are consumed mostly during Iftar (fast breaking) time and these days the markets are flooded with dates from all over, including Pakistan, Iran and Middle East.

The most popular variety of dates is Ajwa, which is imported from Saudi Arabia and sells for around Rs 2,500 a kg. Other popular varieties are Safwy, Mabroom, Majdool, Naboot, Helwah, Khudry and Shurwa.

However, these dates are not directly imported to Kashmir, but first shipped to Mumbai and Goa.

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

Jammu, July 16
As the state government has failed to fulfill its commitment of setting up a full-fledged department of journalism and mass communication at University of Jammu, the Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) has decided to take up this matter with the Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Smriti Irani to earlier redressal.

“This is glaring example of discrimination against the Jammu region. The department was sanctioned nearly seven years ago by then Chief Minister of the state Ghulam Nabi Azad, but no action has so far been taken to set up the department”, state president of BJYM, Ravinder Raina told The Tribune.

“We have already taken up the matter with Vice Chancellor of Jammu University and gave him an ultimatum to start the department because students of Jammu region are suffering due to delay in setting of this much ambitious project”, he said and announced that very soon a delegation of youth of Jammu would meet Union HRD Minister to apprise her about inordinate delay in setting up of this department in Jammu University.

Despite repeated assurances by the successive governments, the department of journalism and mass communication at University of Jammu yet to be established.

Despite the growing popularity of the print and electronic media and keenness among the youth for pursuing diploma and degree courses in journalism and mass communication, Jammu University took no initiative in setting up a full-fledged department.

Former Union Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, during his tenure as Chief Minister of the State had announced setting up of full fledged department of journalism and mass communication in Jammu University on December 10, 2007.

“Delay tactics being adopted in setting up this department is part of the deep rooted conspiracy hatched by the Kashmir centric successive state government to deprive students of Jammu region of such an important department”, Raina said but asserted that after formation of BJP government at Centre such conspiracy would be exposed.

Srinagar, July 16
With the Northern Railway introducing additional trains from Banihal in the Jammu region to Budgam in central Kashmir to cater the heavy rush of passengers, a decision on increasing the frequency of trains up to Baramulla in north Kashmir will likely be taken during a meeting in New Delhi next week.

“We have already introduced additional trains up to Budgam and a decision on increasing the frequency up to Baramulla in north Kashmir will be taken during a meeting on July 22 in New Delhi,” a senior Railway official said. The official also said the Northern Railway would seek inputs from the local rail authorities over the issue.

There is a strong public demand for introducing more trains up to Baramulla and PDP MPs had recently taken up the issue in Parliament. — TNS

Singerwani, July 16
Despite establishing a transmission line a year ago under the Centrally sponsored Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna (RGGVY) in the remote village of Singerwani in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the authorities have failed to provide electricity to the area as no transformer has been installed yet.

Singerwani is one of the remotest villages, about 40 kilometres to the west of the district headquarters. The village comprises about 500 households with about 3,000 residents, most of whom belong to the Gujjar community.

The residents said that it had been about four years since poles were installed in the village, after which the transmission line was established in the middle of 2013. The establishment of transmission lines had brought happiness on the faces of Singerwani residents.

“Every time a person from the Power Development Department gets in contact with us, we enquire about the installation of transformers,” said Liayakat Ali, a resident of Singerwani. He added that they had got nothing but assurances.

Mohammad Shafi, Executive Engineer of the department in Pulwama, said the role of the department solely depended on the RGGVY. “When RGGVY executors ask us to take over the project, we can act and take care of our responsibility,” he said.

Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Executive Engineer of the RGGVY said he had asked the Assistant Executive Engineer to supervise the work in the area and would sort out the matter soon.

“The Assistant Executive Engineer has been given charge to execute the plans under the scheme. If transformers are yet to be installed, he will look into the matter and hold an inquiry,” he said.

The Comptroller and Auditor General had unearthed irregularities, violation of rules and diversion of funds in implementation of the RGGVY, the previous UPA government’s flagship programme, in 2012-13.

Kathua/Samba, July 16
The underconstructed toll posts on the busy Jammu-Pathankot highway have turned into a “death trap”, with the speeding vehicles often colliding with these abandoned barriers, particularly during night hours.

The toll barrier at Seswan in Kathua district and the one at Sarore in Samba district have become a major hurdle for the fast moving traffic. The construction of these toll posts was initiated by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

“The toll barrier in the Seswan area of Kathua district, nearly 20 km from Lakhanpur, is in ruins as speeding vehicles, especially trucks, frequently collide with it during the night. Since this toll barrier, constructed a year back, was not made functional and there are no lights in this particular stretch, drivers often fail to see it from a distance and at times ram into it,” said Sanjay Sharma, a resident of Kathua town.

“The toll barrier in Seswan is also surrounded by wild growth on both sides of the highway, which hampers the vision of drivers, particularly when the vehicle is being driven at a high speed,” he said.

“Though there has been no casualty till date, this abandoned and half-raised toll barrier has virtually become a death trap for the hundreds of passengers,” Sharma added.

He recalled that at the time of the construction of the toll post at Seswan, a year ago, locals had protested the move, following which the NHAI had to abandon the construction work midway.

“Since then several load carriers have rammed into it,” Sharma said.

Another toll barrier at Sarore in Samba district, though in a better condition, has not been made functional till date.

“The locals here have reservations against the toll barrier and it remains non-functional since January this year,” said Vikas Gupta, a Sarore resident.

NHAI project director in Jammu and Kashmir RP Singh said talks were on with the state government vis-à-vis the two toll barriers.

“Signages have been placed in Seswan to caution the vehicle pliers about the toll barrier,” Singh said, adding that it has been decided to remove the toll post from the area and club it with the Lakhanpur toll plaza. “It will be done soon,” he said.

Singh, meanwhile, said the toll post at Sarore would be made function soon. “The toll plaza at Sarore would remain where it has been constructed and it will be made functional at the earliest,” he said.

Samba, July 16
With the administration failing to evolve a proper mechanism for the maintenance of the vital Jammu-Pathankot highway, the stretch has developed several vulnerable points resulting in fatal road accidents.

Nearly three years after the road link was widened, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to ensure its proper maintenance.

The stretch from Lakhanpur in Kathua district to Jammu has been almost complete. Most of the portion was laid more than two years ago, but no thought has been paid on the maintenance of the road link till date.

The NHAI had erected toll posts at Sehanswan and Jakh in Kathua and Samba districts respective to generate money for the maintenance of the highway, but the entire set up has been rendered useless after objection from the locals.

The toll post at Sehanswan was established in March last year for the maintenance of the highway.

“These toll posts could not be made operational due to some law and order problem created by the local population. A ministerial-level meeting has been scheduled in this regard,” an official source said.

“The toll post at Jakh was damaged by the locals. We hope the matter will reach to its conclusion soon,” the source said. — OC

Swankha (Samba), July 16
Swankha village, whose foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2010, today reflects a grim picture, with unhygienic conditions and no proper basic amenities.

The village is known across the country for the shrine of Baba Sidh Gouria.

Omar had laid the foundation stone for developing a cluster of 12 villages (Swankha, Chang, Rakh Chang, Radma, Ghore Chak, Kala, Swankha Than, Ghou Rakwala, Ghou Brahmana, Raika and two other villages) in the Vijaypur block at a cost of Rs 6.50 crore under the Border Area Development Programme.

However, no development can be seen at least in this model village Swankha in the Ramgarh sub-sector, close to the Indo-Pak border in Samba district.

Every year in July hundreds of pilgrims from across the country visit the shrine during the Baba Sidh Gouria Mela.

“With much pomp and show, the Chief Minister had laid the foundation stone in 2010 for developing 12 villages as model villages with the main focus on Swankha but the dilapidated roads lanes, missing basic amenities and unhygienic conditions convey everything,” said Vijay Kumar, who runs a grocery shop in the village.

The government, for the first time, had picked up 12 villages on an experimental basis to develop them as model villages and it truly remained an experiment, Kumar added, while pointing towards dilapidated roads, worn out electricity poles and looping transmission lines.

“Four years ago, I also witnessed the foundation stone-laying ceremony with keen interest but ironically, the facilities which we dreamt of were not provided. The stone has also turned old over the years,” said Sham Lal, a resident of Ghou village.

The announcement of declaring Swankha a model village has not brought any major development in the village, he added.

When told that a man in the village was praising the development work post the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Vijay Kumar and Sham Lal dubbed him a National Conference worker.

“Can’t you see for yourself the poor condition of the roads, lanes and drains. Can it be called a model village by any standards?” they asked.

Panch of Ward Number 5 Bachan Singh, however, was reluctant, to speak on the issue.

Srinagar, July 16
Minister for Health & Medical Education Taj Mohiuddin today visited Super Specialty Hospital, Srinagar, and reviewed the pace of work there.

The minister took round of several units of the upcoming hospital. He also inspected the ramps, theatres and wards. He impressed upon the executing agencies to speed up the completion process and finish it as early as possible so that the hospital is thrown open to public.

He directed immediate macadamisation of the path and completion of the remaining works of the hospital. The minister was assured by the executing agency officials that the work on the hospital was in full swing and a major portion of the hospital building would be handed over by August.

Principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Rafiq Pampori; Medical Superintendent, SMHS Hospital, Dr Nazir Ahmad; Medical Superintendent, Lal Ded Hospital, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad and representatives of CPWD were present on the occasion.

Later, the minister visited the SMHS hospital where he reviewed its functioning with the faculty and staff.

Jammu, July 16
The government today constituted a high-level panel for setting up of a separate Veterinary University in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the General Administration Department, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, sanction was accorded for the constitution of nine-member committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, J&K, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey.

Other members of the committee include secretary Planning Department; secretary Finance Department; Vice Chancellors of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) at Kashmir and Jammu; secretary Agriculture Production Department; secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department; Professor Saleem Iqbal; Head of Veterinary Physiology at SKUAST, Kashmir; and Professor Pramod Baru, officer on special duty to the Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu.

The panel would submit its recommendations within a period of one month.

Srinagar, July 16
Seven people, including a pregnant woman, were killed today when an Army vehicle and a passenger cab collided head on on the outskirts of Srinagar city, triggering a protest in the area which disrupted traffic on a busy highway.

The accident took place in the morning rush hour near Parimpora on the highway connecting Srinagar with north Kashmir districts.

The police confirmed that seven passengers had died in the head-on collision between the Army’s recovery vehicle and the cab which triggered a day-long protest in the area. The cab was ferrying passengers from north Kashmir’s Sopore town to Srinagar.

A police spokesman said a case had been registered and the Army vehicle seized. The driver of the Army vehicle has been arrested, the police said.

The Army in a statement said it regretted the “unfortunate accident” and assured to provide “all possible assistance” to the police during investigation.

A doctor at the hospital, where the injured were admitted, told The Tribune that an eight-month pregnant woman was among the dead. Three passengers died instantly while four others succumbed to their injuries either on way to the hospital or while undergoing treatment.

The deaths triggered protest in Parimpora and nearby localities along the highway. Protesters tried to set ablaze the Army vehicle, raised slogans and threw stones at police and paramilitary personnel who swooped on the area to maintain the law and order situation.

Sources in the state Health Department said several civilians who received pellet injuries during the protests were also being treated at the hospital.

The police had to use tear smoke shells and pellet guns to disperse the protesters who kept reappearing and threw stones at security forces personnel throughout the day, locals and police sources said.

The death of the civilians has heightened tension in the region where anti-Israeli protests have been taking place for the past several days.