Srinagar, July 18
Several people were injured and property damaged after a scuffle between two stall owners led to violent clashes today at Baltal, a base camp for pilgrims to the Amarnath cave shrine, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

The police said the clashes took place after a “minor squabble” at the Baltal camp. A police spokesman said some tents and a few eateries caught fire during the incident. Baltal, situated near Sonamarg resort, is one of the two base camps for pilgrims to the Amarnath cave shrine.

“Some civilians and policemen got injured in the incident; they have been discharged after being provided first aid from a hospital,” the police spokesman said.

The clashes erupted after one of the stall owners was injured in the scuffle, which led to stone-throwing in the area. Sources said the incident turned violent after a rumour spread in the area that the injured man had succumbed to his injuries. The police have registered a case.

Senior police and civil administration officials rushed to the site to monitor the situation while the security forces had to fire tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

Sources said a few dozen tents and eateries were damaged in the fire, which spread with the bursting of gas cylinders.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to discuss the situation at Baltal.

“Shri Omar Abdullah apprised Shri Rajnath Singh of the situation and informed that the state government had sent officials to the spot for the necessary action,” the Press Information Bureau said in a statement.

Singh asked the Chief Minister to take “all necessary steps to control the situation” at Baltal, the statement said.

Srinagar, July 18
On being informed about the clashes at Baltal, Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, today told the Chief Executive Officer of the board to immediately proceed to the camp and see that harmony was restored with the help of the district administration.

The Governor also discussed the matter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, under whose direction Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar and Inspector General of Police Abdul Gani Mir also rushed to Baltal. Vohra also spoke to president of the Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation, the apex langar organisation, Vijay Thakur and urged him to ensure harmony, essential for the satisfactory progress of the yatra. — TNS

Srinagar, July 18
An infiltration attempt was foiled by troops in the north Kashmir’s Gurez sector during the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

Sources said a group of four to six militants tried to sneak into this side through the Gurez sector, but the troops foiled their attempt.

“When the militants were challenged, they opened fire, which was retaliated. After a heavy exchange of fire for almost an hour, the militants returned to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” said an official.

The soldiers have launched a massive search operation in the area to find if any militant managed to sneak into the Valley. Senior defence officials were tightlipped about the infiltration attempt in the Gurez sector, but said a search operation was going on in the sector.

Jammu, July 18
The Pakistan Rangers sprayed machine gun fire on BSF posts in Arnia till midnight on Thursday after the BSF pushed back a group of eight to 10 suspected militants from the Bakarpur post area in the RS Pura sector around 9.30 pm. This encounter was followed by intermittent gun battle till 6 am today.

“On Thursday, around 9.30 pm about 8 to 10 persons were seen approaching the border between Bakarpur and Nawapind in the Gharana area of the RS Pura sector. Our personnel noticed them and opened fire. As a result, the intruders fled back to Pakistan,” said a senior BSF officer.

The entire exercise lasted around 15 minutes, he added. Thereafter, Pakistan Rangers opened machine gun fire on Tent Guard and Pittal posts in the adjoining Arnia area.

“The Pakistani firing was intense till midnight. We also responded in equal measure and then the intermittent firing went on till 6 am today,” he said. There were no casualties or injuries in the fresh skirmish on the Indian side.

In another incident, the Pakistan Army violated the truce deal in the Balakote sector of Poonch district last night.

“Pakistani troops of 651 Mujahid Regiment opened small arms fire from 11.30 pm on MS Tekri, Big Tree and Panjini forward posts of the Indian Army and the intermittent exchange of fire continued till 3 am (on Friday),” said an Intelligence source.

Meanwhile, after two days of intense Pakistani shelling since July 16 morning, eerie calm prevailed in the Arnia area along the international border in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district. 

Srinagar, July 18
In a crucial decision aimed at preserving the fragile ecosystem of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir high court has directed the authorities to divert funds for carrying out de-weeding operations in the lake, suspended due to funds crunch.

In its orders passed in a public interest litigation, seeking preservation and conservation of the lake, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Masoodi ordered the diversion of funds to the tune of Rs 5 crore to start the de-weeding process and to ensure operation of sewage treatment plants (STPs).

Earlier, during the hearing, amicus curiae advocate Zaffar Shah had brought to the notice of the court the unprecedented weed growth in the lake and pointed out that the funds for de-weeding had not been released.

“We are not interested in finding out the nature of the weed, which has engulfed the whole lake. However, the fact remains that there is wild growth of weed throughout the lake and this has to be removed,” the Bench observed in its orders, adding that there is an indication in the affidavit by vice-chairman of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) Shafat Noor that a detailed project report is being sent to the government for technical and financial sanctions.

The court said the LAWDA vice-chairman had also said funds under “operations and maintenance” were not available but Rs 80 crore was available under “land acquisition”.

“We are persuaded to take the view that Rs 5 crore from ‘land acquisition’ be diverted to ‘operations and maintenance’ so as to start the de-weeding process and to ensure the functioning of the STPs,” the court said in its orders while observing that this order should not be subject to any bureaucratic booby traps…as any delay would not be in the interest of maintaining the lake and its beauty.

It also directed the government that funds under ‘operations and maintenance’ should be released and a compliance report be filed in this regard.

Srinagar, July 18
Anti-Israeli protests broke out across the Valley after mid-day prayers on Friday, sparking clashes with security forces at several places, including the city here.

The protests took place at dozens of locations in the region, including the districts of south and north Kashmir. In the summer capital here, the largest demonstration was held outside the Jamia Masjid in the old city where several hundred youth shouted slogans in solidarity with the Palestinians and in favour of al-Qaida and Taliban, eye-witnesses said.

The protesters later attempted a march, which the police intercepted, triggering clashes between the demonstrators and security forces personnel.

Another clash between anti-Israeli protesters and security forces took place in north Kashmir’s Sopore town where residents alleged that three people suffered injuries.

In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, police used tear smoke shells to disperse a large anti-Israeli demonstration, which triggered clashes in the town, while at Qoimoh, in the adjoining Kulgam district, a protester reportedly suffered a bullet injury and was admitted to a Srinagar hospital. The clashes also broke out at Tral town, locals said.

The protests were also held in various parts of Srinagar, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and Shopian districts and in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Bandipora districts, sources said.

The separatist group led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for today’s protest to express solidarity with the Palestinians.

In New Delhi, two PDP parliamentarians staged a walked out from the Lok Sabha to protest the BJP-led central government’s “continued refusal to act” over the “unabashed atrocities” committed on Palestinians, the party said in a statement.

The PDP said its president Mehbooba Mufti, who represents south Kashmir’s Anantnag constituency, and Tariq Hameed Karra, who represents central Kashmir’s Srinagar constituency, walked out of the House while urging the BJP-led government to “use its influence to stop the aggression” on Gaza. 

Jammu, July 18
The Congress is going to hold a day-long convention at Jammu tomorrow to get feedback from grassroots workers on the pre-poll alliance with the coalition partner National Conference (NC) ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The convention attaches importance as state leaders are firmly opposing the pre-poll alliance with the NC, but some central leaders are in favour of the continuation of present arrangement in the next Assembly elections.

“It is too early to say anything about the pre-poll alliance with the NC. Before taking any decision on alliance, we have decided to interact with the party workers at grassroots level to get their feedback,” All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and in charge J&K Congress Ambika Soni told The Tribune.

She said similar interactive convention would be held at Ladakh to get feedback about the performance of the present dispensation.

Soni said after conventions at the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, party would organise similar types of meetings at district levels to give boost to the Congress’ campaign for the Assembly elections.

“We will hold such conventions at every district on Saturdays and Sundays to interact with workers,” she said.

Earlier, a similar type of convention was held at Srinagar on June 25 in which Ambika Soni was also present.

After the convention, Soni had individually interacted with senior leaders and sought their opinion on the pre-poll alliance with the NC.

On the basis of her interaction with senior leaders, she had prepared a feedback report which was later submitted to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Highly placed sources in the Congress said the party workers have decided to strongly oppose any move of pre-poll alliance with the NC during tomorrow’s convention.

“By giving their feedback to Ambika Soni, workers would try to convince the high command that pre-poll alliance is not in the interest of the party,” a source said.

The Congress leaders, meanwhile, have also decided to rake up Article 370 and the issues concerning the refugees to corner the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections.

Apart from Ambika Soni, former Union Minister and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz and AICC secretary MA Haque would attend the convention.

Sources said like the Srinagar convention, Ambika Soni would individually interact with the party workers after the function so as to get authenticate feedback about the functioning of the coalition government. 

Baramulla, July 18
The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) is planning to shift the Department of Horticulture from its north campus at Wadoora in Sopore to its main campus at Shalimar in Srinagar.

The proposal has triggered resentment among the people of the Sopore area. Traders and fruit growers in Sopore have threatened to launch an agitation if the SKUAST authorities shifted the department.

The faculty of horticulture was established on the Wadoora campus of SKUAST in 2007. Consequently, Rs 250 lakh were allotted and later spent on the infrastructure of the department.

Locals alleged that the proposed move was an attempt to make the college defunct. They said SKUAST had earlier shifted the faculty of agriculture engineering from the Wadoora campus to the main Shalimar campus and the faculty of forestry to Benihama in Ganderbal.

A social activist, Mohammad Ashraf, said since the campus was housed in Sopore — an apple rich belt — it was most suitable for students to do their practical training. “The campus is best suited for horticulture faculty,” he said.

A faculty member also expressed his dismay over the proposed plan. “We are unable to understand why some important faculties are being shifted from the Wadoora campus. There is no concrete reason such as lack of infrastructure or any other problem which can compel SKUAST to shift the faculty,” said the faculty member.

A delegation of residents, including fruit growers from the area, recently met Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir and apprised him about the matter.

Dean, faculty of horticulture, SKUAST, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Zaki, however, said there was no such proposal to shift the department.

“At present, we are not shifting the department. What will happen in the future I do not know,” Zaki said.

However the official order, a copy of which is with The Tribune, reveals that the SKUAST authorities have recommended shifting of the Horticulture Department.

Srinagar, July 18
The Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, came to the rescue of an Amarnath pilgrim by performing thrombolysis surgery on him at an altitude of 9,000 feet.

An official of the Directorate of Health Services said during the July 16 night, a 43-year-old yatri from Agra was received at Baltal Base Camp Hospital in Sonamarg.

“The patient showed symptoms of hyperglycaemia and severe breathlessness. A team of doctors headed by Dr Nasir Shamas managed the patient instantly. The patient was diagnosed as a case of heart attack and urgent thrombolysis was performed. Around 2 am, after stabilising the patient, he was referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Services for further evaluation where the patient is doing well,” the official said.

Stating that the surgery is usually performed at the tertiary care hospitals, he said conducting the operation at an altitude of 9,000 feet was an achievement.

“The health personnel who were part of the procedure included Dr Rajinder Sharma, Dr Bilal Ahmed, Dr Tufail Ahmed, Dr Nazir Khan, Dr Shoaib Khan and the paramedical staff. Thrombolysis, usually performed at premier institutes, is only possible at such temporary hospitals when they are equipped with emergency and modern gadgets along with availability of trained staff and emergency medicine,” the official added.

He said the Directorate was focusing on upgrade of medical care, logistics and human resource during the ongoing Amarnath yatra.

“All medicos and paramedics on yatra duty have been given high-altitude management training. The endeavours of the Directorate of Health Services have brought down mortality and morbidity drastically compared to the past years,” he said. —TNS

Srinagar, July 18
Around 900 houseboats, a majority of which are moored on the Dal Lake, are in the process of introducing septic tanks to prevent the flow of untreated human waste into the water.

If the process is implemented, pollution levels will be checked to a great extent. The Dal Lake is among the world’s 100 most polluted water bodies.

The state government and the High Court have blamed houseboats for the rising pollution levels in the Dal and Nigeen lakes even though those add to the splendour of the world-famous lakes.

Houseboats Owners Association chairman Muhammad Yusuf Chapri has said owners will have to spend at least Rs 50,000 each to set up the waste disposal system.

The Tourism Department will help houseboat owners in setting up septic tanks, which will involve an expenditure of Rs 1.5 lakh per houseboat.

The association is mulling outsourcing the project to one of the three agencies which have shown intent. Chapri has said they are coordinating with the Tourism Department and a final call will be taken soon.

Environmental activists have described the initiative as a welcome step as houseboat owners have been facing flak from the state authorities and the High Court over pollution of the two lakes.

The High Court has directed the state government to shift houseboats moored in the Dal Lake boulevard to the alternative site at Doldum, a 300-kanal land mass inside the lake.

Houseboat owners are adamant on not shifting to the proposed site due to the potential risk to houseboats there.

They say untreated sewage from Srinagar flows directly into the Dal Lake, blocking water circulation and lowering quality. The blame game goes on while the Dal Lake suffers.

Increased human habitation, lack of waste management and growth of weeds and ferns have shrunk the lake from 25 sqkm two decades ago to 11 sqkm at present.

Solution to pollution

* With the Dal Lake among world’s 100 most polluted water bodies, the state and the HC have blamed houseboats for the rising pollution levels in the Dal and Nigeen lakes

* Tourism Department to help houseboat owners in setting up septic tanks, involving expenditure of Rs 1.5 lakh each, with the final call on agency to undertake project to be taken soon

Jammu, July 18
The Jammu Club is not allowing entry to members and guests wearing kurta pyjama, salwar kameez or lungi. Guards at the gate stop them and ask them to change their attire. There is relaxation for those wear white or light pastel shade kurta pyjama with waistcoat.

“We have to follow the dress code which is in place since 1978. As secretary, I cannot change the dress code. It is the prerogative of the general body of the club,” said VR Samnotra, honorary secretary of the Jammu Club.

A few employees wearing salwar kameez or kurta pyjama were barred from entering the club during a function of the Animal Husbandry Department on May 30.

But when it comes to VIPs and VVIPs, the club management is relaxing the dress code and allowing the dignitaries to enter the club.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, ministers and legislators are allowed to enter the club wearing salwar kameez or kurta pyjamaas from time to time. Rahul Gandhi visited the Jammu Club on November 6 last year.

The club is adopting double standard in implementing the dress code. When a VIP enters the club, rules are relaxed. In case of other members and guests, the dress code is enforced.

“The club secretary has been authorised to relax rules in case of a few VVIPs. It is because many ministers and legislators only wear kurta pyjama. When they are invited, we relax the dress code,” Samnotra said.

“Salwar kameez and kurta pyjama are traditional dresses and clubs not allowing entry to people wearing such dresses is against the basic ethos of the country,” said an employee of the Animal Husbandry Department who was denied entry.

The honorary secretary of the club said they had placed a couple of waistcoats at the reception counter so that any guest wearing kurta pyjama or salwar kameez could enter the club.

Samba, July 18
Mubarak Singh today took over the charge of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Samba, from RK Varma, who has been transferred and posted as special secretary to the government Health and Medical Education Department.

The civil society welcomed Singh’s second stint as Deputy Commissioner, Samba.

After assuming the charge, Singh met with officials and asked them to put their sincere efforts in providing quality service to masses in an early possible manner.

Singh said he would convene a meeting with the district heads of all the departments and chalk out strategy to resolve the grievances of general public. “Let us hope for the best,” he said.

Udhampur, July 18
Udhampur has turned into a garbage dump with litter scattered across the city following the strike by safai karamcharis of the Udhampur Municipal Council since the last 15 days.

Heaps of garbage could be witnessed at every nook and corner of the city leaving people suffocated. There is also an apprehension of epidemic as foul smell continues to emanate from these dumps.

“Heaps of garbage are lying at every nook and corner of the city. There is an apprehension of epidemic. Pedestrians feel suffocated. It is a hell like situation,” said former president of the Udhampur Municipal Council Pawan Khajuria.

“I have personally requested safai karamcharis to abandon their strike in view of the ongoing Amarnath yatra and the holy month of Ramzan, but all in vain,” he said.

The protesting safai karamcharis, however, said they would continue their protest till their demands were not met.

“We are demanding regularisation of our services. We are working as casual labourers from the last more than 15 years. We have also not received our salaries from the past one year. Our families are suffering,” said president of the Safai Karamcharis Association, Udhampur, Girdhari Lal.

“We have neither got any assurance from the administration so far nor has any official concerned approached us for the resolution of our issues. Our strike will continue till our problem is not resolved,” said vice president of the association Pappu David.

He said shopkeepers and residents were also supporting their strike.

“I have apprised the higher authorities regarding the ongoing strike of safai karamcharis and we are awaiting further orders,” said KK Chalotra, Chief Executive Officer of the Udhampur Municipal Council.

On the issue of regularisation of safai karamcharis’ services, the official said: “The matter pertains to the state government.”

He, however, added that pending wages of these workers would be released soon after the receipt of funds from the directorate.

Srinagar, July 18
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today blamed the state government and the artillery unit of Army for the deaths taking place at the Tosamaidan firing range in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

“Both (government and Army) of them have failed to clear the area of unexploded bombs and live shells,” AAP leader Raja Muzaffar Bhat said in a statement.

Bhat said the death of Bilal Ahmad Parray from Cherahaar Beerwah in Budgam was once again a case of negligence on the part of the artillery unit of the Army which had failed to clear the area of unexploded shells, littered in and around Tosamaidan.

Bilal Ahmad Parray, 25, was killed when a littered shell exploded in the Tosamaidan firing range on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, the Army has regretted the loss of life.

“In the past, scores of people have died in bomb blasts in several villages located around Tosamaidan but till date no protective measures have been taken by the Army and the government to clear the area of such unexploded shells. The government, especially the Army and the police, have modern gadgets to find out explosives and live bombs but we fail to understand why the gadgets and technology are not pressed into service by the authorities to clear Tosamaidan and its adjoining areas of unexploded shells,” the AAP leader said. — TNS

Jammu, July 18
The Jammu State Morcha (JSM) has expressed dismay over poor road connectivity in the state and demanded special grant, exclusively for the region, for building of roads and other infrastructure.

It also requested the Centre for expediting the work on road connectivity, which has been awaiting completion since long.

In a memorandum to Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for road and transport, today, JSM president Virender Gupta said the Jammu province has been “discriminated” in all fields by the state government and the successive governments at the Centre.

“Proper attention has not been given to developing roads and other means of transport in the Jammu province. The critical condition of the roads, particularly in the mountainous areas of the Jammu province, is causing hardships to the people living in the remote areas. The roads from Batote to Kishtwar, Batote to Doda and other interlinks in the hilly terrain are completely in a bad shape and are causing frequent road accidents resulting into the loss of precious lives,” Gupta wrote.

He said the people residing in these areas mostly remain disconnected from the rest of the world due to bad weather conditions. “It is a sorry state of affair that more than 50 per cent of the funds allocated by the Union Government for the constructions of roads remain unspent,” he alleged.

Substantiating his claims, he said the Jammu region has 4,200 km of road network as against 6,700 km in the Kashmir region, while the area of the two regions was 26,293 sq km and 15,893 sq km, respectively. “In Kashmir, the road network covers about 50 per cent of its area, whereas in Jammu it covers only 20 per cent of its area,” he said.

He said the region has a huge inaccessible area in Doda, Rajouri, Udhampur and Kathua districts. “The cost of construction of roads in Jammu is much higher due to its hilly and difficult terrain. The cost of construction in the Jammu region is three-four times the cost in the Kashmir region. But still the expenditure in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th plan on the road connectivity in the Jammu province is about Rs 400 crore less than the Valley. Furthermore, in the Jammu region a total of 1,401 villages are still not connected with roads as compared to just 314 villages of Kashmir,” the JSM leader said.

Srinagar, July 18
Following the allegations that a luxurious five star hotel in Gulmarg was raising illegal constructions in the area, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today constituted a two-member panel to carry out on the spot inspection of the area.

In its orders made available today, a Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi, asked Mohammad Maqbool Shah, law officer with the Pollution Control Board (PCB), and lawyer Salman Mattoo to “personally visit the spot and furnish a report” with regard to the allegations made in an application.

“The report be filed within one week,” the High Court directed.

“This is with regard to an application about the raising of illegal construction by the proprietors/owners of Hotel Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa and that there is willful and deliberate violation of orders passed by this court,” the Bench observed in its orders while referring to the contents of the application filed by one Mohsin Qadri, who has also been directed to file a complete status report with regard to the allegations made in the application.

In a separate order, the High Court has directed the Executive Officer of Municipal Committee, Tangmarg, to ensure that no waste was dumped on the forest land (in the area) till further orders.

The court also asked the Forest Department to furnish a comprehensive report about the damages caused due to dumping of the waste in the area.

The orders followed an application, in which it had been submitted that the waste generated in the area, particularly by the hotels and other commercial establishments at Tangmarg, a small tourist place adjacent to Gulmarg resort, was being dumped in the nearby forest, thus damaging the fragile eco-system there. 

Samba, July 18
Drug trafficking has been going on unabated in Samba town. Youths in the town have been using sleeping pills, painkillers, cough syrups, cannabis and its derivatives, including charas, ganja and bhang, to which they have easy access.

“Drug traffickers continue their business without fear. So we can say that there is something wrong in the government’s policy to tackle the menace. It is the need of the hour to mount pressure on the government for a concrete anti-drug policy and also to strengthen the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,” said Raj Kumar Badyal, who runs an NGO, Peoples Forum for Human Values.

The drug abuse can be curbed with the cooperation of the parents concerned, police and other government organisations, Badyal added.

“Drug abuse is in its full swing in Samba and no action has been taken in this regard. Drug consumption leads to increase in crimes,” said Mandeep Singh, a social activist and advocate, adding that drugs were one of the factors responsible for increasing violence against women.

“We need to be aware of drug abuse and take up preventive measures to put an end to it,” said Harbans Singh, a local.

The authorities should take action to control drug trafficking in Samba, he added.

“Drug trafficking has been controlled in Samba. Awareness camps have been given priority under the civic action programme to make the young generation aware about the ill effects of drugs,” said Vijay Pal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Samba.

Handwara, July 18
A complete shutdown was observed here today against alleged “highhandedness” of a police officer. The government and private offices in the area witnessed thin attendance as traders threatened to continue their strike if Deputy Superintended of Police Tanvir Ahmad Jeelani was not transferred at the earliest.

The officer had allegedly abused Traders Federation president Aijaz Ahmad Sofi and few others during a “peaceful protest” against Israel yesterday.

“We were protesting peacefully against Israel yesterday when the officer suddenly appeared on the spot. He abused me and few others without any provocation,” said Sofi. The traders had also held a protest demonstration against the officer in front of Handwara police station last evening.

They also faxed their complaint to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan and demanded “immediate transfer” of the officer.

Handwara SSP Maqsood-ul-Zaman said: “If the officer was found guilty, action will be taken against him under law.” — OC

Srinagar, July 18
Though the government spent a huge amount on constructing Chinar Bagh three years ago, the place today has become a breeding ground for dogs due to lack of maintenance.

The garden which was inaugurated in 2010 for tourists at the tourist hub of Dalgate has been awaiting official attention. Local residents of the area say with the inauguration of the park, they had expected that it would pave the way for more economic activities, but the park has lost its glory due to "government apathy".

Residents of Dalgate say Chinar Bagh, also known as Boene Bagh, has been a part of the rich culture of the Kashmir valley.

"In past due to its ambience, the park had emerged as a preferred camping site for tourists who used to pitch tents beneath Chinar trees, but today it looks more like a graveyard," said a local of Konikhan.

Chinar Bagh Heritage Park is turning into a dull place due to lack of efforts by the Tourism Department to maintain it properly. The park was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2011 and constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore. Though at that time the officials had said the objective of the park was to provide evening recreational spot particularly for tourists, with its deteriorating conditions it has only become a breeding ground for dogs and a resting place for gamblers.

"No tourist comes here due to its pathetic condition. The government has failed to maintain its beauty. It has become the breeding ground for dogs and a favourite haunt for gamblers," said another local of Tchuntkol.

Owing to its serene shade of trees, the residents say Chinar Bagh used to a favourite haunt of the British who used to stay in tents beneath the mighty Chinar trees, but due to the official apathy the Chinar trees were encroached upon with hundreds of illegal structures, wiping it of the tourist map of Kashmir. However, after the intervention of the High Court, the authorities took measures to restore the park's glory in which the Tourism Department restored the park's three islands equipping it with musical foundations, swings and kiosks showcasing the culture of Kashmir. However, in the absence of marketing and proper utilisation, the park has failed to attract tourists.

An open air theatre in the park, constructed for hosting cultural programmes in the evenings, has also not been used properly.

"It is unfortunate that despite spending huge amount on building this park, the government has failed to maintain and utilise it properly. It leaves a bad impression on tourists," said a hotelier in Dalgate.

Director, Tourism, Talat Parvez said, "We will work on the garden to make it better." Accusing locals of discouraging tourists from visiting the place, he said, "Locals of Chinar Bagh and Tchuntkul discourage tourists visiting the park. They tease and abuse them."

Srinagar, July 18
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ali Mohammad Sagar on Friday directed the officers to speed up the implementation of MGNREGA so that more and more people living in rural and far-flung areas of the state got benefit from it, besides ensuring asset creation.

The minister was addressing officers during the fifth meeting of the State Employment Guarantee Council under MGNREGA. Secretary Rural Development Shafat Noor Barlas, Directors Rural Development Jammu and Kashmir Shafiq Ahmed Raina and Mir Altaf Ahmed, Member Secretary MGNREGA Pawan Rathore and senior officers from various department like R&B, Forest, Planning, CA&PD, Social Welfare, Horticulture, Sericulture and Agriculture were present in the meeting.

Sagar impressed upon officers to ensure that status of implementation of MGNREGA was speeded up so that people living in rural and far-flung areas of the state got benefit from it. He said the scheme had been instrumental in providing the much-needed employment opportunities to people at their doorstep, besides the creation of infrastructural assets.

“The MGNREGA has been instrumental in changing the rural landscape of the state since its implementation and has registered a phenomenal growth in its execution for last five years. Now the onus lies on officers to ensure its further acceleration and broaden its scope through convergence”, the minister maintained.

Asking for dovetailing the implementation of MGNREGA with the schemes of other departments through convergence, the minister directed the officers concerned to prepare comprehensive detail project reports in time before the start of the financial year. He said all modalities of expenditure on the labour part would be provided out of MGNREGA funds.

He said by doing so, they would broaden the ambit of this flagship programme so that more people got benefit from it. “The quarterly review of the implementation of convergence projects under the MGNREGA should be done and officers of different departments should work in a synergised and coordinated manner so that bottlenecks are removed,” he added.

The council decided that wages being paid to unskilled workers under the MGNREGA would be enhanced to Rs 157 per day with effect from April 1. It decided to hike the emoluments of the support staff being employed under the scheme.

Srinagar, July 18
The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of various traders’ bodies, on Friday urged the government to regularise 42 business establishments that had been de-sealed earlier.

“We feel that the government has slept over the matter of regularising 42 business establishments, which had come under sealing in the month of October, 2013,” KEA chief spokesman Siraj Ahmad said in a statement.

“However, the government, by virtue of a bill passed in both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council, de-sealed these 42 establishments in April, 2014,” he added.

“The Bill further contained that the government, by giving a moratorium of one year, would devise a mechanism to regularise these business establishments,” he further said.

Regretting that the government had so far not taken any decision, he said it had created uncertainty and confusion in the minds of owners and employees of these establishments.

“The KEA appreciates the steps the government has initiated in regularising the presence of establishments that were sealed,” he stated.

“A permanent and timely order for the regularisation of these establishments will be essential for their efficient and economical functioning,” he noted.

“The state government is duty bound to issue these orders without any delay and much before the expiry of the one-year moratorium period,” he added.

Srinagar, July 18
A meeting of the Committee on Petitions was held under the chairmanship of MLA Syed Bashir Ahmad here on Friday.

Legislators Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Charanjit Singh and Durga Dass attended the meeting and gave their suggestions with regard to dispose of petitions received by the Assembly Secretariat so far. A discussion was held on various petitions.
These included petitions by Ashiq Ahmad Wani, Abdul Manan and Vanita Mahajan. — TNS

Srinagar, July 18
The Department Related Standing Committee-III of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council on Friday reviewed the functioning of the R&B Department under the chairmanship of MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga.

Legislators Bashir Ahmed Magray and Shahnaz Ganai attended the meeting and gave their suggestions for completion of ongoing projects of the R&B Department and its allied sectors. A discussion was held on the status of work done on the Mughal Road.

Discussing issues related to pending works on roads and bridges, the committee asked the officers concerned to complete the work in a time-bound manner.
The committee directed officers of the JKPCC, ERA and NABARD and other agencies to accelerate the pace of work on Chandanwari, Jula and Gingal bridges in Uri and other major roads and projects in the Kashmir division.

Poonch, July 18
Villagers from Kanoyian and its adjoining areas blocked the Jammu-Poonch highway for about two hours protesting against the Power Development Department (PDD) authorities for not providing regular power supply here today.

The villagers also demanded transfer of their power line to Poonch town. The villagers, including women and children, came out in a large number on the road at Kanoyian and raised barricades at around 6.30 am today. They raised slogans against the PDD authorities for their failure to provide regular power supply to the area.

The villagers also raised slogans against the executive engineer, PDD, Poonch. They alleged that the residents of Kanoyian and its adjoining villages had been facing a lot of problems due to irregular power supply in the area. The villages had been without power supply for the last two days and no one from the department had come there to restore the power supply.

The villagers claimed that they had provided Rs 5 lakh to the PDD from MLA funds, but the department had failed to provide regular supply to the villages.

Assistant Executive Engineer, PDD, Poonch, Mohammad Ashraf, DSP (Headquarters) Deepak Digra and SHO, Poonch, Raqesh reached the spot and assured the people of taking up their issue with the higher authorities concerned, but the protesters refused to call off the protest till the executive engineer of the PDD gave them an assurance.

The Executive Engineer, PDD, Poonch, Maqbool Naik, along with DSP (Operation), Poonch, Javid Naz rushed to the spot and pacified the protesters. He also assured them that necessary steps would be taken to provide regular power supply to the areas.

The protesters then lifted the blockade saying that if the power supply was not restored by Friday evening, they would launch a bigger agitation. — OC

Srinagar, July 18
Three persons, including a boy, have been killed in separate road accidents in Kargil and Kulgam districts, the police said on Friday. A vehicle fell into a river at Tangol in Kargil district after its driver lost control over the vehicle, a police spokesman said.

The police launched an operation to retrieve the vehicle and fish out the bodies from the river. The police had been able to retrieve the body of a boy so far, the spokesman said.

In another incident that took place in Kargil district, a truck met with an accident at Changla. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Rinchen Nagmail, died on the spot.

In the third incident, a tipper hit a pedestrian in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. The victim, identified as Mohammad Iqbal Shah of Chanser, was taken to a hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.

Rajouri, July 18
A youth was killed while the two pillion riders were injured seriously when their motorcycle was hit by an ox on a sharp curve near the Gurdwara on the Jammu-Poonch highway about 12.30 am today.

The victims were on their way to Rajouri after meeting their relatives at Nowshera.

Sources said the deceased had been identified as Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Jawahar Nagar in Rajouri. Sindhu Sharma of Gagrot in Nowshera and Paramvir Singh of Jawahar Nagar were injured in the incident.

As the trio reached near the Gurdwara, an ox appeared on the road, Sandeep couldn’t control the speed and hit the animal. Sandeep died instantly, while Sindhu and Paramvir received serious injuries. Locals rushed to the accident site to help the victims and also informed the police. — OC

Jammu, July 18
An inter-college symposium on the life and contributions of great South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela was organised at Government College for Women (GCW), Parade, in collaboration with the Gandhi Global Family, J&K, on the 96th birth anniversary of Mandela.

Dr Ram Vishawakarma, Director, IIIM, Jammu, was the chief guest. Among other dignitaries present were Padma Shri SP Verma, national vice-president of the Gandhi Global Family RL Bharti, former member, PSC, Jammu, Abdul Majid Malik, VK Sawhney, Prof Kalidas and Principal of the college Dr Hemla Aggarwal.

Floral tributes were paid to Mandela by the guests.

The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Dr BB Anand formally welcomed the gathering and spoke on the contributions of Dr Nelson Mandela towards the society.

The chief guest, Dr Ram Vishawakarma, in his speech, said Mandela is an inspiration for people across the world and urged the students to follow into his footsteps.

Dr RL Bharti, who presided over the function, also spoke on Mandela.

Jammu, July 18
The Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department has started a helpline for consumers to lodge their complaints against hoarders and profiteers in the city.

Officials said the helpline numbers — 1967 (landline users) and 0191-2502609 (for mobile phone users) — had been started as despite regular drive launched by the CAPD and Legal Metrology Department in the city, traders continued to be deceive residents by selling sub-standard commodities or indulging in hoarding.

A few days back, a joint team of assistant directors, area inspectors of the CAPD Department and inspectors of the Legal Metrology Department had conducted the checking of essential commodities in the markets of Ware House, railway station, Bahu Plaza, etc. As many as 70 establishments were checked and a fine of Rs 30,000 was realised from 15 business establishments on the spot.

But a source said this is just the tip of an iceberg and thousands of people are being duped daily in Jammu, which include pilgrim tourists, who leave the temple city with bitter memories.

“We have been organising regular drives, but our laws are very weak and with just some fine, traders are back into the business of duping the consumers. The state government needs to come up with a strong law,” said an official source from the Legal Metrology Department.

Director, CAPD, Jammu, GS Chib said the drive against hoarders and profiteers would continue. “We have been taking strong action against the traders found indulging in illegal activities and this helpline will allow consumers to directly talk to our team,” Chib said.

The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has fined 1,450 shopkeepers and businessman in Jammu for selling poor-quality goods and charging inflated prices for commodities from consumers in violation of the Weights and Measures Act.

At present, it is the manufacturers who determine and mark the MRP, which include cost of production, distribution and margin of profit at different levels up to the retail point in the state. How this is fixed nobody knows.

Though there are several Acts, such as Essential Commodities Act, Drug Control order, Central Excise Act and and Hoarding and Profiteering Ordinance operational, but they deal with the quality of the products sold in the market, but not with the prices of the goods.

In 2012, the state government also constituted a working group (WG) to examine the issue of the fixation of MRP of consumer goods and drugs sold in the state, but it failed to come up with a proper mechanism so far.

“The way business is practiced in our state speaks largely of dishonesty and can easily be described as robbery in a broad daylight. To achieve this goal most of the traders resort to unethical, unlawful and unjustified practices of making profits,” said Adarsh Ajit, a social worker and writer.

Srinagar, July 18
The first Intra Kashmir University Sports Festival will be organised in the main campus of Kashmir University, Government Women’s College on MA Road and the Government College for Women at Nawa Kadal on August 5.

The Department of Physical Education, Kashmir University, will organise the sports festival, in which 45 degree colleges of the Valley affiliated to Kashmir University are likely to participate.

In addition, students from 42 departments of the university will participate in this mega event, which will include various sports tournaments like cricket, football, basketball, table tennis, swimming and badminton.

“The idea behind the event is to generate the interest of young sportspersons who will represent the state in national sports events,” said Hinan Manzoor, event facilitator and director of Amblin, the event management company coordinating with Kashmir University.

“We have coordinated for various games with state sports associations, which will oversee the events scheduled during the festival,” Hinan said.

“Experts from individual sports academies will adjudge best players from each sports event and pick them for state teams. This will certainly serves as a great opportunity for sports enthusiasts for their selection in top tournaments,” he said.

The events for girls will be held at the Government College for Women and Government Women’s College. The events will be organised for an entire week and will be a one-stop platform for sportspersons to exhibit their talent.

Sports activities previously organised in colleges and Kashmir University were not at this scale. “There are tournaments for each sports discipline. We have put all forms of sports activities together to make it a mega event,” Hinan said.

Jammu, July 18
The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF) today demanded the release of salaries of 2,211 female multi-purpose health workers (FMPHW) engaged on a contract basis. The health workers have not been paid salaries for the last 18 months by the state government.

A delegation of the JKMEF, led by its president Sushil Sudan, met Director, Family Welfare, Dr Baldev Raj Sharma and urged him to speed up the process of the release of salaries of health workers.

In a statement, the federation has said Director, Family Welfare, Dr Baldev Raj Sharma told them that the matter was taken up with the Central Government, which advised the state government to meet the salary requirements on their own.

He told the delegation that the requirement for the funds had been forwarded to the Finance Department of the state, which would soon come up with a detailed report.

The delegation has urged the government to release the pending salaries of the contractual health workers before Eid.

The FMPHWs were appointed after the successful completion of training of one-and-a-half-year duration and have been offered pay scale of Rs 3050-4500 (pre-revised).

Jammu, July 18
In connection with the conclusion of the 20-day-long summer theatre workshop, the Nirvana Academy, a cultural club, organised a function at Pammy Art Academy, Sanjay Nagar.

More than 15 participants from different parts of Jammu got an opportunity to know about the cultural heritage through the basic training of the theatre. The theatre training programme was designed to make participants aware of their talent and abilities with the help of experts’ training.

The workshop was a wholesome supplement for the personality development and self-enhancement of the participants with the help of the latest developed techniques in theatre and other art forms.

Meenakshi Sharma, general secretary, Nirvana Academy, said the aim of organising these workshops was to motivate the youth towards the eminent and rich tradition, culture and values through the medium of theatre and performing arts.

On the last day of the workshop, a short play, “Jootha Nawab”, prepared by participants, was staged, which was highly appreciated by the guest and the audience as well.

The workshop was conducted by Tarun Sharma, a young theatre actor and director.

Jammu July 18
An extension lecture was organised by the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) University of Jammu, for its faculty.

Prof Kalpana Purohit, Director, Centre for Women Studies, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, delivered lecture to the faculty of the Directorate of Distance Education, University of Jammu, on a topic, “Remapping the narratives as agency: Indian woman writing - an overview”.

She talked about the emancipation of. She appraised the history of woman writing in her lecture.

In his presidential remarks, Prof VD Singh, Director, Directorate of Distance Education, appreciated and encouraged further research in the areas where women play a crucial role in the society. Prof Jasbir Singh, Provost, Hostels, Prof Neeru Sharma, Director, Women Studies, Prof Anita Billowria, Director, Centre for History, Art and Culture, Prof Sandeep Tandon, Dr Vishav Raksha, Dr Hema Gandotra, Dr Sandhya Bhardwaj, Dr Geetanjali Rajput and faculty members of the DDE also attended the lecture. — TNS

Srinagar, July 18
A teenage girl has been found dead under suspicious circumstances at her house in Budgam district of central Kashmir, the police said on Friday.

Eighteen-year-old Maqsooda Akhter, a resident of Hardsursh village in Budgam who was studying in class XII, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her house, a police spokesman said.

The police started investigation under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code to ascertain the cause of her death, the spokesman said.