Jammu, July 29
The Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Narwal has not been made fully operational by the authorities for more than a year. Buses are still being operated from the old bus stand in Jammu.

The ISBT was to be shifted from the General Bus Stand to Narwal for the decongestion of the BC Road, but after the protests by the local shopkeepers, the authorities have shifted it partially, saying that “It will be shifted in a phased manner. But even after more than a year, nothing has been shifted to Narwal. The newly constructed ISBT premises remains defunct. All the ticket counters remain closed and benches are being used by drivers and mechanics of the Transport Nagar to take rest.

Kartar Singh, a shopkeeper at Narwal, said, “We are waiting for the ISBT to be shifted here for more than a year, but only private buses have been shifted here and they, too, only for the parking purpose. All the ticketing is being done at old bus stand and passengers board buses at Kunjwani Chowk.”

“The Narwal ISBT is being used for parking vehicles only,” he added.

Private bus operators alleged that the authorities are having double standards, as they allow SRTC buses in the old bus stand and divert only private buses towards the ISBT, Narwal.

Ajit Singh, a Punjab Roadways bus driver of a Jammu-Pathankot route, said, “Our buses are being diverted towards the ISBT, Narwal, from Kunjwani, but the SRTC buses are being allowed to enter the city and being parked in the old bus stand.”

“If they have to shift the ISBT to Narwal, it should be shifted completely, so that passengers can get some facilities over there and confusion among the passengers should be cleared,” he added.

Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, said, “The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) was assigned the duty to shift the ISBT to Narwal. It has been shifted partially and it will be shifted completely soon.”

“Some mechanical establishments have to be shifted from Transport Nagar before shifting it completely. After removing those mechanical establishments, the ISBT will be fully functional,” he added.

Jammu, July 29
The ongoing dharna of the Dental Surgeons Association (DSA), J&K, continued for the 29th consecutive day today. The women dental surgeons’ hunger strike also entered the 17th day.

Dr Tanya Gupta was sitting on a fast. Today, provincial chief, Jammu, National Conference, Devinder Singh Rana, Jugal Mahajan, along with other senior NC leaders visited the dharna venue at Amphalla. The association claimed that the leaders listened to their grievances and assured them that the matter would be taken up with the Health Minister.

The DSA also submitted a memorandum to the leaders for redressing its demands at the earliest.

Earlier, the unemployed dental surgeons, supported by others associations, took out a peaceful candlelight march from the dharna place, Amphalla Chowk, to New Plot. They raised slogans criticising the state government’s health policies alleging stepmotherly treatment to the dental profession. Chairman of the association Dr Pawan Singh Jasrotia said, “Our protest will continue till our demands are met. We are going to take out a mass rally on July 31 from the civil secretariat to DC office in Jammu. Other associations supporting us will also the rally.”

The demands of the association are complete absorption of unemployed dental youth in government service, recruitment of dental surgeons on every year basis and establishment of separate directorate for dental health in the state.

Jammu, July 29
Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the culmination of the fasting month of Ramadan, was celebrated in Jammu with religious fervour. Prayers were held in mosques across the region.

Despite showers in the morning, a large number of people attended Eid prayers at the historic Eidgah near Residency Road to pray for peace and prosperity of the state. Eid prayers were also held at mosques in Kachi Chawni, near Tawi bridge, Talab Tillo, Bhatindi and Sunjwan.

Later, imams, who led the prayers, highlighted the significance of Ramadan and the festival for the Muslims.

They highlighted the teachings of Islam and said it teaches peace, brotherhood and love for humanity. Reports coming from other parts of the regions said thousands of Muslims thronged religious places to offer prayer.

“Eid is also about spending time with family and friends and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. Lets hope this festival will strengthen brotherhood,” said Shabir Ahmed, a resident of Gujjar Nagar.

Meanwhile, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and civil administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the prayers and corporation had placed water tankers and additional manpower at different mosques in the city. Keeping in view the security situation, the police had also deployed additional manpower.

Srinagar, July 29
Nearly a dozen civilians and security forces personnel were today injured in clashes that broke out during anti-Israeli protests in the Kashmir region, where Eid-ul-Fitr festivities marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan were observed with austerity and prayers.

Special prayers were held in mosques across the region and thousands prayed in open grounds at several places, including the Eidgah in the city here.

Clashes broke out between protesters and security forces personnel during anti-Israeli demonstrations in several parts of the region after Eid prayers. The hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had yesterday called for a 30-minute peaceful protest against the Israeli attacks after the Eid prayers today.

Anti-Israeli protests have been taking place in the region for the past fortnight on almost a daily basis.

Police sources said nearly a dozen civilians and security forces personnel were injured in the clashes in Srinagar city and south Kashmir’s Anantnag town.

Eyewitnesses said a clash broke out outside the Eidgah prayer ground when the police and paramilitary personnel intercepted an anti-Israeli demonstration, which was attempting to march after the Eid prayer had ended. The police had to fire tens of shells of tear smoke to disperse the demonstrators, who retaliated by throwing stones at the police and paramilitary personnel.

The police sources said six civilians and an equal number of security forces personnel were injured in this clash which continued till mid-noon. Some demonstrators were waving Palestinian and Al-Qaida flags during the protests.

Two civilians and two security personnel were also injured in clashes during a similar demonstration in Anantnag town, the sources said. Demonstrations were also held in other parts of the region, including north Kashmir area.

Clashes between security forces and anti-Israeli protesters also broke out at several other places in the region but ended without injuries to any side.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered Eid prayers at the marble-domed lakeside mosque at city’s Hazratbal locality, where thousands had come to pray. Most separatist leaders, however, were confined to their residences as part of the preventive arrests.

Jammu, July 29
Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), the apex body for managing the affairs of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across the country, has once again issued instructions to all vidyalayas across the state to eliminate corporal punishment to students.

Sources said the advisory was issued by the samiti after the Department of School Education and Literacy (SE&L), Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), issued guidelines to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Sources said the advisory/guidelines had been issued under Section 35(1) of the Right to Education Act (RTE) Act. “There is no scope for such punishment in the learning environment and teachers should adopt strategies by which a learner realises one’s mistake, if any, rather than face a corporal punishment. Schools need to adopt such methods by which the learner develops a sense of confidence and self- dependence,” a letter circulated by the Union ministry claimed.

The sources said in spite of instructions issued earlier, some cases of corporal punishment to students were reported. Taking a serious note of it, the NVS had written a letter to all the JNV principals to ensure that such incidents should not happen in future.

The JNV managements were asked to ensure that students belonging to the weaker section or disadvantaged group were not discriminated against in playgrounds, canteens, any provision of midday meal or any other amenities provided by the school, including toilets and drinking water facilities.

The letter suggested that children must be given confidence to make complaint against any form of corporal punishment and not to accept punishment as a normal activity of the vidyalaya.

A box, where children could drop the complaint, even if anonymous, should be provided in the institution.

At present, there is no statutory definition of corporal punishment of children in the Indian law. However, in keeping with the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009, corporal punishment could be classified as physical punishment, mental harassment and discrimination. Corporal punishment also includes all forms of sexual offences as per the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

Jammu, July 29
The Bhagya Laxmi Charitable Trust, an NGO, organised a plantation drive today at the Janipur Park.

On the occasion, the chairman of the NGO, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, and its other members urged people, especially youth, to plant trees.

A lot of people attended the function and stressed on more plantation drives for the beautification of the city and environment friendly atmosphere.

On the occasion, BJP leader Sat Sharma was the chief guest. He also inaugurated the function and praised the volunteers of the NGO for social worker.

Sat Sharma said this is the right time to think about the plantation when man is destroying forests for his comfort.

He said there is a need to involve masses in the plantation drives so that ecology is saved.

Jammu, July 29
A day after violence and stone throwing in Poond village of Basohli tehsil over a sacrilegious act led to communal tension, a complete shutdown was observed in the entire Kathua district today, bringing normal life to a grinding halt.

Situation, however, remained tense in some parts of Ramban and Udhampur districts after another incident of sacrilegious act surfaced in Jaladian Shivgarh village of Chakwah Panchayat in Ramban district this morning.

Protestors comprising activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and other saffron organizations, supported by local people, blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway at various places in Ramban and Udhampur districts, disrupting vehicular movement for several hours.

Meanwhile, shops and business establishments remained closed in all major towns of Kathua including Bani, Basohli, Billawar and Hiranagar.

Public transport also remained off the road, causing inconvenience to the people. The Eid prayers, however, went off peacefully in all towns amid tight security arrangements. The district administration though decided to put the Army on standby in the Basohli area of the district following another incident of sacrilegious act in Ramban district.

“Barring sporadic protests in Hiranagar, Kathua and Mahanpur areas, overall situation was peaceful and normal in the entire district. There was a partial shutdown in Kathua and Bani areas, while Billawar, Basohli and Mahanpur observed complete bandh,” Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told The Tribune.

Choudhary, however, said the administration had decided to put the Army on standby in view of fresh incident in the Ramban area. “Eid prayers were peaceful and people dispersed off quietly after prayers. We are closely monitoring the situation,” the DC said.

According to reports people at various places in Kathua district held strong protests against the sacrilegious act and demanded immediate arrest of culprits. The protestors also burnt the effigy of the state government and raised slogans.

Some protestors reportedly smashed the window panes of a shop in Kathua town after they found it open amid the shutdown call.

Similar protests erupted in several parts of Ramban and Udhampur districts after another incident of a sacrilegious act surfaced in Jaladian village in Ramban district.

The people closed their shops and business establishments in Batote, Patnitop, Kud and Chenani areas and held demonstrations against the administration demanding arrest of the culprits involved in the crime.

They blocked the national highway at Patnitop and Chenani, disrupting vehicular movement for almost six hours, which led to huge traffic jam.

Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Rashid Azam Inqlabi; DIG, Ramban-Doda-Kishtwar range, Ashkoor Wani and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ramban, Javed Iqbal Mattoo held discussions with the protestors and assured them necessary action under law would be initiated against the culprits. 

Jammu, July 29
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today offered Eid prayers at Hazratbal Dargah in Srinagar among thousands of Muslims.

After the prayers, he exchanged Eid greetings with the people there and wished them peace and prosperity. The chief minister during the day received hundreds of visitors from all over the state who visited his residence to convey Eid greetings and best wishes to him personally.

Omar while thanking the visitors also conveyed his best wishes and greetings to them. Those who visited the CM’s residence included ministers, Members of Parliament, legislators, political activists, journalists, senior citizens and locals. 

Jammu, July 29
Amid repeated truce violations by Pakistani forces (Pakistani army and Rangers) on the frontiers of J&K, the Indian Army today reached out to the Pakistan army on the Line of Control (LoC) and exchanged sweets on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

However, similar celebrations between Pakistan Rangers and the BSF were conspicuously missing at the Octroi border outpost along the International Border in RS Pura sector of Jammu district.

“Despite unprovoked firing by the Pakistan soldiers and spurt in intrusion bids, the Indian Army officers at the local formation level this morning exchanged sweets and pleasantries with the Pakistan army officers at Chakan da Bagh and Roshini post in Mendhar along the LoC in Poonch district,” said an Army officer.

The formation-level commanders exchanged sweets, fruits and greetings with their Pakistani counterparts and functions at both these places lasted for half an hour, he added.

It was after a long gap of more than a year that officers of both the armies met at any festival and greeted each other. “Such occasions form an indispensable part of international diplomacy and therefore we should not miss them. These festivals keep the channels open for a dialogue and help in restoring peace and normalcy on the borders,” said an Army source.

However, there were no such celebrations between the BSF and the Pak Rangers at the Octroi border outpost along the International Border.

“There were no such celebrations between the BSF and the Rangers this year at the Octroi post. We had approached the Rangers seeking their consent but they refused,” said a BSF officer. The officer further said the Rangers cited volatile and tense atmosphere on the International Border as the reason for their refusal.

“After unprovoked firing and shelling by the Rangers in RS Pura sector from July 16 to 20, they described the atmosphere as tense and asked us to set it right first. After killing one of our jawans (Constable Sanjay Dhar) in sniper fire and injuring seven others in Arnia on July 16 that led to skirmishes on the border, the Rangers blamed us for the flare-up in the RS Pura sector,” he said.

Last year, the Rangers had approached the BSF to celebrate Eid, but the latter had refused in the wake of flare-up along the International Border. The situation and the ties had returned to normal only after a DIG sector-level meet between the BSF and the Rangers at the Octroi post on October 29.

Meanwhile, the BSF last evening celebrated the occasion at 94 Battalion camp which was organised by GS Dhaliwal, Commandant. The celebrations were attended by RK Gurung, DIG sector headquarters of Indreshwar Nagar. 

Srinagar, July 29
A three-member search panel constituted for the selection of the Kashmir University (KU) Vice Chancellor (VC) is expected to meet representatives of Kashmir University Teachers Union, Kashmir University Ministerial Staff Union, students and officials on the campus on August 1.

The panel is headed by Goverdhan Mehta, former Director, Indian Institute of Sciences.

Over 40 applicants have submitted their applications at the KU Registrar’s office for selection to the top university post. July 16 was the last date for submission of application forms.

Sources said applicants for the post of Vice Chancellor included academicians from the Kanpur IIT and the University of California. Among KU professors who have applied for the coveted post are Javaid Ahmad, Khursheed Andrabi, Tassavur Kanth, Mushtaq Kawa, GM Shah, AM Shah and MA Sofi.

The search panel will shortlist three names from among the applicants on the basis of their academic achievements and feedback received from students, officials and KU faculty members.

On August 2, the Registrar’s office will submit the curriculum vitae of the applicants to the search panel, which will later hold deliberations with Governor and KU Chancellor NN Vohra and submit the names of the three shortlisted candidates.

Vohra will take the final call on the appointment of the KU VC in consultation with Pro-Chancellor and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The university is likely to get its next VC by the end of August.

The Kashmir University Teachers Association had, in one of its meetings, pressed for a resolution in favour of a candidate from the Valley, but the KUTA could not arrive at a consensus and withdrew the resolution.

The sources said a non-local applicant was most likely to be made the KU VC again after Talat Ahmad, who held the top post for more than three years before being shifted to Jamia Millia Islamia as the VC.

Jammu, July 29
Jammu Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief and Rajya Sabha member Saifuddin Soz today called on Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar.

Soz discussed with the Governor several matters relating to the funding of several important projects and the pace of certain ongoing developmental programmes, some of which are covered under Centre-sponsore schemes.

Jammu, July 29
Despite being bona fide citizens of the state, displaced persons from Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), settled out of J&K, have been facing hardships in getting Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) because of the alleged cumbersome procedure adopted by the authorities concerned.

Unlike other parts of the country, PRC, an official document popularly called as “State Subject”, is required for everyone to prove that he is permanent resident of J&K.

Any citizen of J&K is entitled to get PRC by producing certain documents, but some displaced persons of PoJK have been denied this document by the authorities concerned.

“It is a glaring example of abuse of Article 370. Displaced persons from PoJK are entitled to get PRC, but the authorities are deliberately creating hurdles in issuing such a certificate to the families settled outside J&K,” said Rajiv Chunni, a leader of displaced persons of PoJK.

He pointed out that a number of displaced families from outside the state have approached them to get PRCs as the authorities concerned were deliberately creating hurdles.

Residents of PoJK are entitled to get PRCs because areas from where these families had been displaced during partition were part of the pre-1947 J&K at the time of last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh.

After partition in 1947, thousands of families from Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh and Rawalakote areas of PoJK were forced to leave their homes.

After the 1947 holocaust, 31,619 families were registered as displaced from PoJK. Out of the total 31,619 registered families, a large numbers of them were settled outside J&K.

A document - “Form A” - carrying the details of the displaced persons - was given to all registered families as identification document to prove that these families were displaced from PoJK.

“Form A is sufficient enough to prove the citizenship of pre-1947 J&K. Therefore, those who have the form are entitled to get PRC,” argued Rajiv Chuni, but regretted that the authorities concerned were not treating this form as a valid document.

Instead of treating “Form A” as valid document to grant PRCs, the authorities are demanding local ration card and voter lists for the Assembly elections to prove as citizen of J&K. “How can a person who is settled outside J&K after 1947 would provide local ration card and voter list for PRC?” asked Dr Narinder Singh Raina, another leader of displaced persons. He demanded that the procedure to issue PRCs to the displaced persons of PoJK should be simplified.

Chuni alleged that the process had been made cumbersome only to discourage displaced families from going and getting PRCs. “Some persons in the state administration are working with a biased mindset. Instead of serving the people they are furthering agenda of some forces in the administration,” he alleged.

Commissioner Secretary, Revenue, Vinod Koul said there were rules and norms for issuing PRCs. “This certificate cannot be refused to any bona fide citizen of J&K,” he said, observing that there might be some individual cases that could be facing some problems in getting PRCs.

Meanwhile, the Sikh United Forum demanded that the issues of PoJK refugees should be solved on priority. 

Katra, July 29
Under high security cover, the five-day historical Kousar Naag yatra, along with Charri Mubarak, was flagged off by MLA Reasi Baldev Raj Sharma and Mahant Ram Saran Dass Maharaj from the Shiv temple, Nai Basti, Reasi, here this morning.

Enthusiasm and high spirits were visible on the faces of pilgrims hailing from Reasi, Talwara, Gran Salal Mahore, Chassana who were chanting bhajans and had queued up early morning to become a part of this historical leg of Kousar Naag yatra despite challenging weather conditions.

The yatra along with historical Charri Mubarak was organised successfully in the past due to which the popularity and awareness about Chassana route gained huge momentum and a lot of public hailing from different parts of the state expressed willingness to join the yatra this year from Rajouri. 

Jammu, July 29
The Army’s Chushul Brigade under the aegis of the Trishul Division today organised an ex-servicemen rally at Tangtse village in Leh district.

The rally was organised with an aim to reach out to the veterans, widows and their dependents residing in treacherous and rugged areas of the eastern Ladakh region, said a Defence spokesperson.

The rally provided a single platform for resolving various issues of ex-servicemen regarding their pension, healthcare, banking and other welfare schemes.

Various helpdesks including those of Zila Sainik Welfare office, DPDO and State Bank of India and information boards were established to educate the ex-servicemen and address their grievances.

During the rally a medical and dental checkup camp was also organised in which many veterans and their dependents were rendered medical assistance and provided free medicines, the spokesperson said.

During the rally, Brigadier JKS Virk, Commander of the Chushul Brigade, interacted with the veterans and their dependents and assured every possible help from the Army.

Jammu, July 29
With the Assembly elections round the corner, the BJP has decided to rake up the issue of the mysterious death of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, the founder of Jan Sangh.

The party has decided to take up this issue with the Centre to reopen this case to ascertain the real cause of the death of Mukherjee.

During a seminar organised by Jammu & Kashmir Study Centre at Jammu two days ago, Ashok Koul, general secretary of the state BJP, said Mukherjee was murdered as part of deep-rooted conspiracy to demoralise the nationalist forces. “The case should be reopened to ascertain the real cause of the death of Mukherjee,” Koul demanded.

Koul blamed Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Pt Jawaharlal Nehru for the mysterious death of Mukherjee, who had died 45 days after getting detained for entering J&K.

Mukherjee was arrested in May 1953 and died in detention on June 23, 1953, for violating Article 370, which disallowed those from the rest of India to enter Jammu and Kashmir without a permit, which was mandatory at that time.

Stating that no inquiry was conducted into the death Mukherjee, Koul said the death of a political stalwart of his time was still a mystery.

The BJP leader’s demand to reopen the case of Mukherjee attached importance because Koul has raised this demand at a time when debate on relevance of Article 370 has already started in the country.

Instead of directly initiating a debate on Article 370, the BJP has decided to rake up this 60-year-old issue to mobilise people against special status given to J&K because Mukherjee was held for opposing this Article.

Quoting some historical document, Koul said, “Dr Mukherjee did fall ill. It is true, but what was the treatment given to him. How it happened, we do not know,” Koul said.

Irfan Ahmad Khan, main accused in the Mendhar blast case, in the police custody on Tuesday. A Tribune photo

Poonch, July 29
The police here today claimed to have re-arrested the main accused of the Mendhar niabat complex blast. Irfan Ahmad Khan had on July 16 fled from the police custody.

“The main accused, identified as Irfan Ahmad Khan, son of Abdul Qayoom Khan, a resident of village Dhargloon in Mendhar tehsil was arrested from Ganderbal district of Kashmir and during interrogation he has committed to his crime and has narrated the whole story about how he gave shape to the crime,” said DIG Rajouri-Poonch range AK Atri here today.

The officer said during the investigation Irfan revealed that he had been promised Rs 1.5 lakh by a local for blowing up the niabat office.

Atri said Irfan took the help of a surrendered militant, Majeed Dar of Kupwara, to procure the IED and on the intervening night June 24 and 25 he went to one of his friend’s house near the niabat office and planted the explosive in one of the court rooms, on finding an opportune time.

“Though he has not divulged the name of the real mastermind behind the explosion, we cannot overrule the involvement of a political person or any individual behind the blast,” the DIG said when asked about the involvement of any political person.

Irfan’s associate, Majeed Dar, had also fled from the police custody early this month. He, however, still remains absconding, the DIG said.

Jammu, July 29
Nearly 3.5 lakh pilgrims have visited the Amarnath shrine so far this year. This was stated by Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Rakesh K Gupta here today.

“As of today, the yatra is continuing at a steady pace and the number of pilgrims who have visited the Amarnath cave this year is slightly more than the number that had visited the shrine last year,” the CEO said.

Despite the yatra starting late this year from the Chandanwari route, 3,46,752 yatris had paid obeisance at the holy cave till July 28, he said.

Till the corresponding day last year, 3,27,507 pilgrims had visited the shrine, the official added. This year, the yatra commenced on June 28 from the Baltal route, while the Chandanwari route was opened for the pilgrimage on July 2.

Meanwhile, 3,443 devotees paid obeisance at the cave shrine today.

Jammu, July 29
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has blamed poor network coverage of banks and post offices in the state for an alleged delay in wage payments to workers under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). This was revealed in the recently held Performance Review Committee (PRC) meeting at New Delhi.

Sources said delay in closure of the Muster Roll (MR) and its computerisation, inadequate staff for taking measurement of work done, inordinate delay in measurement of work in spite of dedicated staff, delayed generation of wage lists, generation of Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) and their uploading where electronic-Fund Management System (e-FMS) had been made operational were some of the main reasons behind delay in payment of wages.

Sources said in order to overcome them, the ministry had suggested various measures. These included identification of 800-1000 blocks on criteria of low or nil internet connectivity and non-existence of banks/ post offices for cash payment, trained mates for measurement of work and identification of suitable persons from the families of workers or one of the best performing workers from the local community.

“The state government has to notify the rules and implement the system of compensation for delay in wage payment. The MoRD will examine the state suggestion for decoupling of the data entry of attendance and measurement of works. Data on compensation for delay in wage payment will be calculated from the date of notification of rules,” a MoRD statement said.

Sources claimed that during the meeting, the state representatives did not support the idea of cash payments claiming that it involved issues of security. 

Rajouri, July 29
Three persons, including a woman, were killed in Sunderbani and Kotrnka tehsils during the past 24 hours in the district, the police said. They were washed away in the floods. Mubarak Shah, a resident of Gakhrot, was washed away in the floods. His body was retrieved today.

Safia Begam,32, a resident of Panhad, was washed away in the floods while grazing her live stock at the Khudi Wali dhol under Kotranka police station yesterday.

The body of the deceased was recovered today by the police and was handed over to the family members. All three bodies were handed over to their family members by the Kotranka police after completing the necessary legal formalities.

In another incident, the body of Roshan Lal, a resident of Bhakar under Dharamshal police station was recovered from the Bhakar rivulet today.

The police said the youth had gone to take a bathe in the rivulet and was washed away in flash flood. His body was fished out by the police today and was handed to his family members after legal formalities.

Meanwhile, in another incident, Mohd Ashraf, a resident of Ghakrot village, along with his family members and live stock had gone to Dhandi Baik dhok (pasture at high mountains).

At about 5 am, he came out of the temporary shelter, a wild bear attacked on him.

On raising the alarm, some people rushed to the spot and rescued Ashraf from the clutches of the bear and shifted him to a hospital at Kotranka, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way.

Srinagar, July 29
Two labourers have drowned in the Jhelum river near Sangam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, police said here yesterday.

A police spokesperson said the two labourers of RAMKAY Construction Company, Shrivind Kumar and Bittu Singh, drowned in the river on Sunday evening.

The duo was taking bath in the river near their work site at Sangam. The police is on job to fish out the bodies of drowned persons, the spokesman said.

Doda, July 29
Aimed at preventing death due to diarrhoea among children, the District Health Society, Doda, under the banner of the National Health Mission has launched a newly introduced Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) programme here.

The 12-day programme was inaugurated by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Doda, Imam Din at District Hospital, Doda, yesterday.

Chief Medical Officer, Doda, Dr Yaqoob Mir gave detailed information about the programme and said children should be taught about maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness.

Talking about the IDCF programme, the CMO said it includes awareness generation activities, diarrhoea management service provision, establishing ORS-Zinc Corners, proper way of hand washing before mid day meal to be taught by mission officials, promotion of water sanitation and hygienic activities in schools through different competitions for children, besides ORS distribution and promotion of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.

The ADDC stressed upon all the field workers, Asha workers, doctors and other health representatives of the Health Department to reach out the people for proper implementation of the programme so that diarrhoeal deaths among children can be eradicated.

District president, Medical Federation, Mehboob Kariapak said the IDCF programme would go a long way in checking diarrhoea cases.

He told parents to always keep a packet of ORS at home to save their children from dehydration.