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Transfer unused funds to khadi industries board, KVIC told
Jaitley takes the call on Chinese activities in PoK
First list of BJP nominees for Assembly polls ready
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Ideology takes a backseat as BJP, PDP open doors for all
Cong likely to release list of candidates at eleventh hour
Scab damages apple crop, growers allege official
apathy
Srinagar warmer than Jammu
City residents on shopping spree ahead of Eid
SMC reviews arrangements for Eid prayers
Include Jammu in 100 smart cities: NMC
A decade on, Sopore bypass project in a limbo
5 forest officials injured in attack by timber smugglers
Restrictions lifted in Tulmulla
Demand for Rajpori ‘sheermal’ up
DSA dharna enters 27th day
City passenger sheds haven for beggars, drug addicts
Hideout busted in Rajouri, arms seized
Labourer killed in Handwara
Hurriyat, JKLF condole Pak scribe’s death
Govt will provide relief to flood-hit areas: Sadhotra
8 injured in accidents State climbers conquer Mt Menthosa Omar applauds shooter Bindra Foundation distributes ration kits
to widows Girl dies of food poisoning Poultry body hails contract farming order
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Transfer unused funds to khadi industries board, KVIC told
Jammu, July 27 The directions were given in the recently held meeting of the state-level PMEGP monitoring committee, under the chairmanship of Khurshid Ahmad Ganie, Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, to evaluate the performance and implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) in the state. Sources said while reviewing the progress of each agency, the chairman observed that adequate sponsorship had not been affected by KVIC and DICs of Jammu in accordance with the allocated targets. Sources added that he had asked bankers to expedite sanctioning of the PMEGP cases sponsored by the implementing agencies at an earliest. While discussing the implementation of the scheme by banks, secretary, KVIB, said PMEGP scheme envisages that choice of selecting the financing bank lied with beneficiaries but in actual practice financing banks adopted service area approach. He further stated that some financing banks were not participating in the implementation of the scheme and adoption of service area approach by the banks left certain areas unreached. While reviewing the performance of DICs of Jammu Division, it was observed that against the allocated targets of 480 units, 463 applications had been sponsored to various banks, against which 95 cases, involving margin money of ~169.48 lakh, had been sanctioned. While reviewing the performance of KVIB in Jammu Division, CEO, KVIB, said against the target of 500 units, 908 applications had been sponsored against which 352 cases, involving margin money of Rs 639.66 lakh, had been sanctioned by the banks, which indicated 70.4 per cent of physical and 107.05 per cent financial achievement against the target. Sources added that secretary, KVIB, informed the meeting that the board had already achieved the financial target fixed by the nodal agency and additional margin money funds were required to settle the margin money claims of the cases which had already been sanctioned by the banks beyond allocated target. Pertinently, PMEGP was announced on August 15 and launched on September 24, 2008, in place of Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) Scheme. The PMEGP is a credit linked subsidy programme of the Government of India. It has been introduced by merging the two schemes, namely, Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and REGP. |
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On the
frontline Arun Joshi There was an urgent need to deliver a message to Beijing that it should desist from what it is doing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Since China was involved, there was a large amount of unease in articulating what was being felt. Chinese troops are present in PoK. This revelation was first made by New York Times in August 2010, after which Indian Generals voiced their concern, saying this was a matter of grave concern for Indian security forces, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir on this side of the Line of Control (LoC). Now, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has asked China to “cease all its activities in PoK”. There is an equally urgent need to follow it up diplomatically as these activities have security implications, too. This matter concerns China, a potential superpower the influence of which transcends continents from Asia to Africa. It is trying to fulfil its quest for energy and putting its footprints far and wide in the world. The presence of PLA troops, whose strength ranges between 7,000 and 11,000 in PoK, is part of this plan. But, it evokes serious security concerns for India. The matter can be resolved only through diplomatic channels. For that, India will have to demonstrate its diplomatic astuteness. And, it has to engage China in bilateral dialogue. A good beginning was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and held talks on a wide range of issues concerning the two nations. The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and how to keep the things on track. This process needs to be carried forward. The vision of good neighbourly relations without compromising the security of the country should be the underlined theme. That is what the Defence Minister seems to have underscored when he asked China to “cease activities in PoK”. On its part, India has to be firm on its own security. There is a multiplication of threats on the border. That the threats from across the border are of a serious concern has become obvious with recurring ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the LoC and the international border and Chinese incursions into the Indian side of the LAC. Almost 60 ceasefire violations have taken place this year so far. On the internal front, the problem on the security front can be seen quite easily. In less than eight hours from Friday evening to the wee hours on Saturday, two policemen were killed and four others injured in Kashmir. This problem has also to be seen the way the local youth are getting radicalised and joining the ranks of the militant groups. Security experts have correctly analysed that the times have gone when the two aspects of the security could be separated in two different watertight compartments. At this point of time, the threat of internal and external threats is the same and a comprehensive approach is needed to secure the nation and Jammu and Kashmir in particular against emerging threats. China has its strategic interests in PoK. It wants unhindered access to the Gulf through Pakistan and that is possible when its high-speed rail and road links through Gilgit and Baltistan are completed. These troops, who are also referred to as construction workers of the PLA, are working on the Karakoram highway. The presence of Chinese troops in Karakoram has added to the threats to the Siachen glacier, where India is in a dominant position. Pakistan has been asking for demilitarisation of the glacier for long without acceding to the Indian plea of authenticating the Actual Ground Position Line there. As the Chinese are in full control of the Karakoram highway that links China to Pakistan, it can spell more trouble there. This became obvious when Pakistan, during the Indo-Pak defence secretary level talks in June 2011, suggested that China should be involved in talks on the Siachen glacier. The PoK has been the beneficiary of Chinese companies’ work. Its road network has been built by Chinese companies. China is also helping Pakistan in the construction of the 4,500-MW Diamer Bhasha Dam and the 7,100-MW Bunji Dam. Both dams are on the Indus in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is a part of Jammu and Kashmir. As such, these activities in PoK are questionable. Chinese in PoK
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First list of BJP nominees for Assembly polls ready
Jammu, July 27 Although there was no consensus on alliance with the National Panthers Party, it was informed in the meeting that the lone legislator of the Jammu State Morcha
(JSM) from Bishnah Assembly segment, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, would join the BJP. Sources said the party, during the meeting, finalised names of candidates on those seats where there was no dispute. However, the official announcement would be made by the BJP parliamentary board in New Delhi. The has finalised name of Chander Parkash Ganga for the Vijaypur Assembly seat, Pardeep Sharma for Poonch-Haveli segment, Sunil Sharma for
Kishtwar, Shakti Parihar for Doda and Dalip Singh for the Bhaderwah Assembly constituency. From Amirakadal in Srinagar Dr Heena Bhat’s name has been
finalised. Bhat had joined the party recently, sources said. The meeting also discussed names of some candidates for
Banihal, Inderwal, Rajouri, Darhal, Surankot and Mendhar segments, but it was decided that party would try to rope in some prominent Muslim faces for these seats. Sources said name for former Lok Sabha member and veteran leader Choudhary Talib Hussain was also discussed for the Rajouri segment, but it was decided that a decision in this regard would be taken after consultation with the local leaders. Other prominent Muslim candidates were also discussed in the meeting. “The meeting was informed that some Muslim leaders of other parties are in touch with the
BJP,” a source said. Sources said the election committee also discussed the possibility of entering into a pre-poll alliance with the Panthers Party. However, some of the members strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that surrendering Udhampur and Chenani seats would prove disastrous for the BJP and therefore, there was no reason to have such an alliance. Some of the members though argued that the alliance with Panthers Party would help the BJP in other seats and there was nothing wrong in the tie-up, sources said. However, due to lack of consensus it was decided that the issue would be discussed in the next meeting, they added. In the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had secured huge lead in the Udhampur and Chenani segments so a group was opposing the alliance with the Panthers Party. Sources further said the meeting was informed that JSM legislator from Bishnah Ashwani Kumar Sharma would join the party within week’s time. A two time MLA from
Bishnah, Sharma has mass following in the border areas of Jammu. He has also stood for the cause of West Pakistani refugees and commands respect within the community.
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Ideology takes a backseat as BJP, PDP open doors for all
Jammu, July 27 With the beginning of the countdown for the Assembly elections, there is a scramble among social workers, retired officers and politicians, who are annoyed with their parties, and want to join other political groups before the elections. The PDP and the BJP are the two favourite destinations for people who want to play a political inning in the elections. In the recently held Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and the PDP shared three seats each out of the six parliamentary segments of the state and so, these two parties are the natural choices for politicians and retired officers. Interestingly, some politicians and retired officers in Jammu province are trying their luck in both the parties despite the fact that the ideologies of the PDP and the BJP are entirely different. Recently a senior leader of the Congress, while quitting his party, publicly hinted about joining the PDP by announcing that he would wear a green turban for his future politics. A day after this announcement, he took a U-turn and announced to join the BJP to “serve” the nation and to “strength” nationalist forces in the state. Two retired police officers were hobnobbing with BJP leaders for a long time but when all their conditions were not accepted by the leadership of the saffron party, they embraced the green flag of the PDP without hesitation. A former minister from Jammu district is in touch with both PDP and BJP. He is looking into the pros and cons of joining each party. This politician was earlier in the National Conference, then joined the BJP and again went back to the National Conference by dubbing the BJP as a “communal” party. Sources in the BJP said the party leadership was in touch with this former minister because he had potential to give challenge to a sitting Congress MLA. Meanwhile, retired Inspector General of Police Satinder Singh Bijral and some other social activists joined the BJP in the presence of Avinash Rai Khanna, in charge of the state BJP unit and Jugal Kishore Sharma, state BJP president. |
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Cong likely to release list of candidates at eleventh hour
Jammu, July 27 Although the party has given the green signal to some of its leaders for contesting Assembly polls, candidates for most of the seats would be decided after announcement of the election schedule. All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ambika Soni, who is in charge of the J&K Congress, has publicly announced that names of candidates would be finalised only after party completes its first phase of poll campaign, which will include workers’ conventions in all 22 districts of the state. As of now the Congress has organised only three such conventions —- one each at Srinagar Jammu and Leh respectively. Although Ambika Soni missed Leh convention yesterday, former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Saifuddin Soz were present in the convention. The party would take not less than three months to hold such conventions in all the 22 districts of the state. Sources said the Congress has decided to move cautiously this time while selecting candidates. The party has decided to field strong as well as winnable candidates on most of the seats so as to get a good number of seats to become part of the government. Although the Congress has claimed that the party has decided to seek the opinion of grass-roots workers during the proposed conventions to select genuine candidates, it is believed that the dilly-dallying approach adopted by the party is aimed at roping in leaders who would not get a ticket from their respective parties. “The Congress will try to rope in leaders of other parties in those areas where the party is weak,” a source said, adding that the party had decided to field some new faces in Kathua and Udhampur districts, where the party had performed badly in the Lok Sabha elections. “Candidates in these two districts would be finalized only after other parties announced their nominees,” a source said. The Congress will also try to accommodate leaders of other parties in the Kashmir valley to give a tough fight to the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party.
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Scab damages apple crop, growers allege official
apathy
The scab has taken a heavy toll on the apple crop this season in north Kashmir and fruit growers fear that industry may suffer badly. There may be less production of ‘A’ grade apple fruit since scab has damaged the crop, feared fruit growers. They alleged that pesticides sold in the open market were of sub-standard quality and also blamed the Horticulture Department for lack of soil testing. “The authorities concerned have maintained a criminal silence over the issue. Scab is a natural phenomenon and pesticides are the only option of cure. But pesticides have been ineffective this time around. It is only due to sub-standard pesticides and fungicides sold to the fruit growers in the open market in nexus with the officials,” said president Fruit Growers Association Mohammad Maqsood. “The government has failed to maintain standard pesticides in the market,” Maqsood alleged. He also said the Horticulture Department never conducted soil tests to detect diseases and deficiencies that resulted in scab. “The apple rich Rafiabad and Sopore are major sufferers. Around 50 per cent apple crop has been hit by scab in these areas,” said Maqsood. Chief Horticulture Officer, Baramulla, Zahoor Ahmad, however, said only 20 per cent of the apple crop was hit by scab in Baramulla district as per official assessment. “The scab has hit those orchards where growers could not spray stickers with pesticide and fungicides during March-April,” Ahmad said. “No deficiency or disease was detected in soil during tests and pesticides/fungicides, which the department had recommended to fruit growers, were of standard quality,” he said.
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Sikh bodies protest Saharanpur riots
Jammu, July 27 Leading the protest at Digiana, Harjit Singh, president of the Nirbow Nirvair Organisation (NNO), said, “The Uttar Pradesh Government has failed to provide security to the minorities.
Strong action should be taken against those who burnt the shops. Compensation should be announced for those who lost their property.” NNO activists burnt tyres on the national highway near Digiana. They blocked the highway for about an hour. The police later cleared the blockade. The NNO appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to announce compensation for those who had lost their shops in the Saharanpur riots. National Sikh Front chairman Varinderjeet Singh demanded that President’s Rule should be imposed in Uttar Pradesh with immediate effect as the state government could neither provide security to the minorities in Saharanpur nor stop violence and loss of property. He termed the Uttar Pradesh Government as a failure in controlling the riots. He said the riots which broke out in Saharanpur showed the negligence and helplessness of the administration and the government. He claimed that the riots were preplanned, but the administration could not stop it. Varinderjeet Singh demanded an inquiry into the Saharanpur riots by a sitting High Court or Supreme Court judge. He said the culprits should be tried in fast-track courts and punished as soon
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Srinagar warmer than Jammu
Srinagar, July 27 The maximum temperature recorded in Srinagar city on Sunday was 32.6°Celsius compared to Jammu city’s maximum of 32.0°Celsius, according to an evening bulletin of the state Meteorological Department. The heat wave in Srinagar, which is the summer capital of the state where the seat of the government is based during summer months to escape the heat of Jammu city, is continuing for the last several days. On Saturday, Srinagar city had recorded a maximum of 32.9°Celsius while Jammu city recorded a maximum of 31.1°Celsius. The maximum temperature on Friday in Srinagar city was recorded at 32.1° Celsius compared to Jammu city’s 27.8 ° Celsius. The Weather Department said the temperature in Srinagar city on Monday was likely to settle around 31.0 ° Celsius with partly cloudy sky. In its forecast bulletin, the Meteorological Department said moderate to rather heavy rain and thundershowers would occur at many places over the Jammu division while light rain and thunderstorm would occur at isolated places over the Kashmir division during the next 24 hours. The Kashmir region has witnessed a lengthy winter this year receiving heavy snow and rainfall in March, which was unprecedented in recent decades.
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City residents on shopping spree ahead of Eid
Srinagar, July 27 With just two days left for the festival, Srinagar markets witnessed a huge rush today with people buying bakery, mutton, poultry and kitchen items. The Sunday market, which is held in the heart of the city at Lal Chowk from the Tourist Reception Centre to Amira Kadal Bridge, also witnessed a huge rush of people. The Traffic Department has restricted the movement of public transports from the Tourist Reception Centre stretch to the Hari Singh High Street keeping the rush into consideration. Bakery shops witnessed long queues, as demand of bakery items reaches its peak during this time. State government employees are expected to get their salaries on July 28 as per a government announcement. Though there were occasional traffic jams on the roads, the Traffic Department had deployed extra personnel to regulate the traffic and make shopping trouble free for the people. Henna artists also witnessed a huge rush of customers as young girls queued up for getting henna applied on their hands for the festive occasion. “I applied henna on my hands because this Eid I want to look my best,” said Fatima, a 15-yaer-old girl, who was waiting for her turn at the crowded Goni Khan Market in Srinagar. A number of henna artists have arrived from outside the city keeping the huge rush in mind. They said they were witnessing a huge rush with mostly young girls as their customers. “We expect more rush for the next two days. This is the most demanding time of the year and we make a good profit,” said a henna artist. People were also seen buying fruits, vegetables and juices, as the 30-day-long month of fasting will end on Monday.
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SMC reviews arrangements for Eid prayers
Srinagar, July 27 An SMC official said Qasba visited most of the religious places where Eid prayers are scheduled to be offered. The official said he also conducted a survey of
Eidgah, Aali Masjid, Hazratbal, Jamia Masjid, Naqshbandh Sahib and several Imam Baras of the city. The official said the corporation also continued with its extensive drive in the city to ensure up-to-mark sanitation and cleanliness on the festive occasion. At
Hazratbal, Qasba interacted with members of the Waqf Board. They discussed the issue of grass cutting, cleanliness and encroachments. The commissioner assured the Waqf Board members of all help to ensure cleanliness and dissuade any encroachments. He issued special instruction to the SMC staff to do necessary grass cutting, fumigation, and lifting of unattended garbage ahead of Eid congregation from the area. He also visited the dewatering station and inspected its functioning at Aali
Masjid. The commissioner directed the SMC staff to put in all men and machinery into service to make sure devotees faced no sanitation issues during Eid prayers. During his city tour, Qasba was accompanied by joint commissioner administration Bashir Ahmad among others. |
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Story of revenge comes alive on stage
Jammu, July 27 The play opened at the house of one Siddiqui. He arrived early from work one day and was stopped at the entrance by his loyal housekeeper, who claimed that there was something gruesome happening there which he could not bear to see. He was informed that his wife had been cheating on him and his dear friend was the culprit. Hearing that, Siddiqui burned with rage and wanted to finish everything, but the old wise servant told him to be patient and wise as revenge was not the answer of every problem. But Siddiqui was still determined to punish his wife and friend. He went to an arms and ammunition shop to buy weapons which would enable him to take revenge. He was offered sophisticated costly guns. Having a gun in his hand, he started having an insight as to what he may do with it. He had a nightmare and gave the weapon back, giving excuse that it was costly. He was then offered another cheap weapon, which also gave him a scary dream. He realised that he was not brave enough to take revenge and forgiveness could be his only weapon. The young actors of Natrang who performed the play included Rajan Thakyal, Mohammad Yaseen, Mahikshit Singh, Varun Sharma, Susheel Raina, Namarta Chib, Sachin Saini, Ruqaya Khatoon Qazi, Juhi Singh and Pankaj Verma. The lights were operated by Neeraj Kant. Varun Sharma gave the music. The show was coordinated by Sumeet Sharma, whereas Sakshi Prakash did the presentations.
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Include Jammu in 100 smart cities: NMC
Jammu, July 27 Subash Shastri, president of the NMC, said “Including Jammu city in the list of 100 smart cities would ensure more flow
of funds to upgrade infrastructure and modernise civic amenities of the city.” He has sent three separate memorandums to Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley and Dr Jatinder Singh. He added that Jammu city had lot of importance from the tourism point of view. He hoped that the Central Government would concede the aspirations of the people at the earliest and include the city in the proposed list of 100 smart cities. Since the cost of living had increased in Jammu, including the city in 100 smart cities would benefit the salaried class with enhanced house rent allowance (HRA) and city compensatory allowance, Shastri added. Stressing the need for early sanction of 20
per cent interim relief in favour of both Central and state government employees and pensioners, the NMC leader
urged the ministers to personally intervene and take a step at the earliest in view of inflation and
hike in prices of essential commodities. Shastri said the Centre should provide special package to all states for meeting the expenditure on account of interim relief so that there were no financial constraints for them to provide the benefit to state’s employees and pensioners. |
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A decade on, Sopore bypass project in a limbo
Sopore, July 27 The issue was discussed in the State Legislative Assembly in the last session, but to no avail. The matter has now reached the Rajya Sabha, where JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz recently raised it during Zero Hour. He said the Border Roads Organisation, which was entrusted with the project, had gone defunct in its operations in the state. The bridge on the Sopore bypass, once completed, will provide an alternative link to Asia’s second largest apple fruit mandi at Sopore. This road link will facilitate a smooth movement of vehicular traffic on the Srinagar-Kupwara road, without getting affected by the snarls of the town. Soz stated that he had raised the matter with the Central government but nothing seemed to be moving in this regard. The entire North Kashmir was facing hardships, he said. “Even the state administration is feeling dismayed over this issue,” Soz stated. Calling the attention of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Soz urged the Central government to take immediate and necessary action. District Development Officer, Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Lone during his recent visit to Sopore expressed dissatisfaction over the delay caused in the completion of the
road project and directed the executing agency to put its work force on the job round the clock to
get the project completed at the earliest. Project's significance
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Impersonator held for extortion
Pulwama, July 27 Aijaz Ahmad Shah, alias Molvi, Bilal and Suhail, from the Tral area of Pulwama district was arrested when the police laid a trap in the Littar area on a tip-off on Saturday evening. The police have also recovered a fake pistol, a militant outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen’s letter pad and some money that was extorted from people. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pulwama, Tejinder Kumar Singh said the accused had been extorting money on gunpoint from people in the area for the past four months. He said the accused was arrested earlier too in an extortion case in 2010, when he used a grenade as a tool to threaten and loot people. He was then booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA). The SSP said the accused targeted panches and sarpanches, whom he used to send threatening letters on Hizbul Mujahideen letter head. When asked about militant links of the accused, the SSP said they were investigating the matter. However, he said the accused was linked to a slain militant, Rafiq Dada, earlier.
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5 forest officials injured in attack by timber smugglers
Handwara July 27 The other officials, who are being treated at District Hospital, Handwara, have been identified as forester Mohammad Ayoob, forest guard Mushtaq Ahmad and watcher Naseer Ahmad. The police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to apprehend the 10 accused named by the forest officials in a written complaint. Conservator of forests, north Kashmir circle, Mian Javid said around 3 am today, a group of about 10 smugglers attacked the forest officials near Panzla in Rafiabad tehsil when the team challenged them. “We have seized two horses and recovered 40 cubic feet of illicit timber from the spot. The accused have been identified and I am hopeful that they will be behind the bars soon,” the forest conservator said. Four of the 10 accused have been identified as Nazir Ahamd Lone, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Parvaiz Ahmad and Sabdar
Khan, all residents of Khudwan village. A forest official said the smugglers were returning from the forest compartment 38, when they were confronted by the officials. |
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Restrictions lifted in Tulmulla
Srinagar, July 27 “The restrictions have been lifted and the situation is under control and back to normal,” a senior police official in the district said. The hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani, however, condemned, what it termed, the “police violence” in Tulmulla and demanded an “impartial investigation”. “If people have protested against any immoral practice, they should be encouraged for this and it is their religious as well as moral responsibility,” Geelani said in a statement. The district administration had to impose restrictions in the area after locals staged protests against the police accusing it of “shielding the erring employee”. The employee was saved from the mob fury by the police on Friday afternoon. The police had taken cognisance of the incident at the Zonal Education Office Tulmulla where locals had “allegedly spotted” the employee with the girl. The employee was detained. The situation deteriorated on Friday night when people clashed with the police and CRPF personnel. Over a dozen policemen were injured and police had to fire tear smoke shells and use force, following which the restrictions were imposed. The police said the prayer leader of a local mosque had incited locals in the evening which led to clashes.
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Demand for Rajpori ‘sheermal’ up
Pulwama, July
27 Sheermal, which is made of flour, ghee, saffron and milk, has also found many takers like the Kashmiri cuisine
“wazwan”. Sheermals are served during special occasions. During marriages, it is served with Kashmiri “nun
chai” (salt tea) or "kehwa" (traditional green tea). “Sheermal is basically from Iran but we have just used our expertise and increased its shelf life,” said Ghulam Mohammad, the baker from
Rajpora, who has taken over the centuries-old family business. About 30 families in Rajpora town bake this particular bread throughout the year. He said till 2000 only well-off families from the Valley were his customers as sheermal was costlier than most breads available in the local market. He said due to advancement in lifestyle of the
Kashmiris, their business was booming and the bakers were making good money. He said on a normal day, they sell about 8,000 to 10,000 sheermals which goes up to 20,000 to 25,000 during the marriage season and other festivals and occasions. “It is not only the people from the Valley who come here and purchase sheermal but also Kashmiris living in the Gulf and other countries,” said Ghulam Mohammad, adding that sheermal was getting famous as many people in those countries tell their Kashmiri friends to get sheermal for them. |
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DSA dharna enters 27th day
Jammu, July 27 “It is very sad on part of the incumbent government that despite women dental surgeons sitting on a hunger strike, not even a single representative from the government has approached us,” a release from the association said. Dr Pawan Singh, chairman of the DSA, said “Today we burnt our aprons to show anger and resentment against the government and the ill-fitted policies of the state government.” The government was ignoring the agendas of the civil society in lieu of coming elections, Dr Singh added. He appealed to people to come forward on humanitarian grounds and join a candle light march on July 28 from dharna site at Amphalla. He reiterated that the protests would continue till their demands were met. The demands of the association include complete absorption of unemployed dental doctors, recruitment of dental surgeons on yearly basis and establishment of separate directorate for dental health in the state.
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City passenger sheds haven for beggars, drug addicts
Jammu, July 27 “These stops have turned out to be a waste of money, as these are not being utilised for the purpose they were constructed. At some places, fruit sellers are using them as a storing place. Beggers should be removed from these immediately,” said Sanjay Kumar, a daily commuter. People alleged that drug addicts could also be seen “using” these sheds during the evening hours. When contacted, Kiran Wattal, Municipal Commissioner, said they had already started a drive against such encroachment and the sheds would be cleared soon. “Whenever we get information, beggars are evicted and everything is being done to beautify the city,” Wattal said. Being the city of temples, Jammu is a paradise for beggars who mostly come from other states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Gujarat, along with their families, with the hope of getting good alms, and also indulge in petty crimes. |
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Hideout busted in Rajouri, arms seized
Rajouri, July 27 The recovered items were handed to the Manjakot police for further action. Sources said a civilian informed the Rashtriya Rifles unit about the
hideout in the forest near Katarmal village under the Manjakot police station, following which the troops cordoned off the area yesterday
and recovered the items hidden in a natural concealment. A senior police officer denied any fresh attempts being made by the
militant or their sympathisers to dump the arms, ammunition for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state and said: “The items are very old and might have been dumped by the militants killed many years back.” |
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‘Chhari Mubarak’ puja at Sharika-Bhawani temple
Srinagar, July 27 Sharika-Bhawani is popularly known as
‘Tripursundari’ and is believed to be ‘Isht Devi’ (presiding deity)
of Srinagar who manifested herself in a figure of ‘shila’ (holy rock) at Hari Parvat. Sadhus who participated in the puja prayed for everlasting peace in the state. After ‘Chhari sthapana’ on July 30, the holy mace will be kept in Shri Amareshwar Temple for ‘darshan’ till it leaves for the main pilgrimage on August 6. The Amarnath yatra traditionally concludes when ‘Chhari Mubarak’ reaches the holy cave shrine. This year’s yatra commenced via the Baltal route on June 28 and via the Pahalgam route on July 2. The Amarnath yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 10. |
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Labourer killed in Handwara
Srinagar, July 27 He said the labourers had gone down into a well at Batpore village near Handwara town to clean it. When none of them came out for a long time, some residents raised alarm and a team of local police and Fire Service and Emergency Department was called for the rescue. The team pulled out the labourers, lying in an unconscious state, and shifted them to Sub-district Hospital, Handwara, where Fayaz Ahmad Hajam of Batkoot village was declared dead. The three other persons have been referred to a Srinagar hospital for further treatment.
— TNS |
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Hurriyat, JKLF condole Pak scribe’s death
Srinagar, July 27 Yasin Malik, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), paid tributes to the veteran journalist describing him as a human rights advocate and a “selfless supporter of Kashmir cause”. The separatist group also organised special funeral prayers, Gayeban-a-Nimaz-e-Jinaza, at Madina Chowk near Maisuma in the city here. Malik said Nizami’s death was his “personal loss.” In a separate statement, hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani termed Nizami’s death as “national loss” and expressed grief and shock. “Nizami was a bold supporter of an ideological Pakistan and an
active and sincere well-wisher of Kashmir cause,” Geelani said.
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The BJP finalised its candidates for some of the Assembly segments during a meeting of the party’s election committee here today.
The passenger sheds in the city have become a resting place for beggars and drug addicts.
In the absence of any action by Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and the police, sheds at Gole Market, the one near women’s college, Gandhi Nagar, Jewel Chowk, Amphalla, Main Stop, and at Parade Ground have been encroached upon by beggars and drug addicts.
Baramulla, July 27
