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Rajouri warms up to Buddha Amarnath pilgrims
Party committed to AFSPA revocation, says Farooq
Doda villagers suffer in absence of bridge over Sarva-Dhar river
Hurriyat mulls moving HC against restricting Mirwaiz’s movement
Srinagar reels under heat wave
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Festive mood continues to prevail in Valley
Kousar Nag yatra fails to take off
No respite from traffic jams in city
Summer break extended in Valley schools
‘Window into universe’ to open new horizons
Guv urged to provide aid to Martand temple
Pak troops open fire at Kargil posts
BJP discusses strategy for Assembly elections
CRPF jawan dies of cardiac arrest
Principals’ delegation calls on Governor
Guv condoles death of CJ’s mother
12 injured in Doda accident
The vehicle that overturned in Doda on Thursday. A Tribune photograph
Passport verification norms for ex-militants liberalised
‘Encounter specialist’ Sonu gets bail
Assault sparks tension in Patnitop
Baig flays NC for beating own record of dirty tricks
PHE workers threaten strike over regularisation of services
Delay in completion of sewerage work leads to chaos at Jewel Chowk
Commuters stand inconvenienced due to the road dug up at Jewel Chowk in Jammu. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Pre-Recruitment Training Academy opens new centre
Extension of rail link to Katra
Kousar Nag Yatra
Security guard critically injured in militant attack
Nazir Ahmad’s wife wails in the hospital in Srinagar where he was been admitted after being shot at by militants.
Army to clear Tosa Maidan range of unexploded shells
Oil Tanker Association goes on indefinite strike
Protesting oil tanker drivers and cleaners seek compensation for two drivers injured in the Kangan assault, in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Anand Sharma
Citizen Forum assails govt for delay in road projects
Ex- JU Dean awarded emeritus fellowship
Kabaddi assn announces selection committee
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Rajouri warms up to Buddha Amarnath pilgrims
Rajouri, July 31 Shri 1008 Rajguru Swami Vishwatmanand Saraswati Maharaj will receive about 1,000 yatris from Gujarat in the presence of AK Attri, DIG Police; Jatinder Singh, DDC; Mubassar Latiffi, SSP, and many other senior officials of the CRPF, BSF and the Army. Today, the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP, along with senior Army officers visited the langar area and took stock of the security arrangements Yughvir Gupta, regional general secretary of the BA&BAYN, and district president Sat Pal Sharma said on August 1, VHP’s international president Raghvendar Reddy would officially inaugurate the Baba Buddha Amarnath yatra at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Nivas in Jammu and the first batch would leave for Mandi in Poonch district where the shrine of Baba Buddha Amarnathji is situated. Organisers said the yatra would be received at Sunderbani. They said they were expecting thousands of pilgrims from all over the country to pay obeisance during the 10-day-long yatra. This year the BA&BAYN had added the Mangla Mata temple in the yatra, which is situated near the Line of Control in Nowshera tehsil. Moti Ram Chodhry, president, Mangla Mata temple, said all possible facilities would be provided to the yatris at the shrine. Many believe that the pilgrimage is incomplete without a visit to the Budha Amarnathji temple. On the occasion of Shravan Purnima, thousands pay obeisance at the temple.
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Party committed to AFSPA revocation, says Farooq
Srinagar, July 31 State ministers, senior NC leaders, legislators, prominent citizens, businessmen, party workers and numerous public delegations met Farooq during the two-day festivity, the party said. “Farooq said the NC had both history and the truth on its side and no amount of propaganda and distortion could negate the struggle and sacrifices of the party and its founding leader Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for the state and the dignity of its people,” the party said in the statement. The party president also lauded the state government’s “forthright stand on revocation of AFSPA” saying the party was steadfast in its commitment to see the repeal of the Act. Farooq also appreciated various “people-friendly measures” taken by the state government and said such measures would continue in future “as the interests of the people comes first” for the party. The ruling party president also prayed for the “suffering people of Gaza and said continued and unabated aggression of Israel in Palestine was only possible because of the sense of impunity that Israel has due to the silence of the international community”. He also urged “Muslim countries to unite in their opposition to Israel’s terror and aggression”, the party said.
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Doda villagers suffer in absence of bridge over Sarva-Dhar river
Doda, July 31 About 50,000 residents of villages under the five panchayats of Sheinkly, Bhata, Malan, Ghai and Laloor have been suffering due to the absence of a proper bridge in the Dugadda area. Residents rued that successive governments had not been able to construct a bridge over the river despite promises. They said they were putting their lives at risk by wading through neck-deep water to reach their villages. A schoolchild had lost his life while crossing the river a few months back. “We do not have a proper footbridge and cannot take our livestock across the river. It is risky and unsafe for children, the aged and the ailing, who endure hardship while crossing the river,” said Anoop Singh of Sheinkly village. “We lose livestock every year due to the absence of a bridge. A number of animals are washed away in the river,” a nomad said. Residents demanded an iron bridge over the river for road connectivity. They rued that politicians just paid lip service during the elections and but forgot their promises after the elections. The threatened that they would boycott the upcoming Assembly elections if the authorities failed to set up a footbridge.
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Hurriyat mulls moving HC against restricting Mirwaiz’s movement
Srinagar, July 31 Though Mirwaiz had called for offering Eid prayers at the Eidgah grounds, the authorities kept him under house detention at his Nigeen residence on the eve and prevented him from offering Eid prayers at the Eidgah grounds in the city. “The amalgam is deliberating with legal luminaries and contemplating legal action, including filing a PIL in the court of law against the dictatorial authorities for time and again laying restrictions on religious activities of APHC chairman Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Umar Farooq on important occasions like during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr,” a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement. “The authorities took despotic measures on Eid-ul-Fitr by placing Mirwaiz under house arrest, thus barring him from delivering Eid sermon and addressing thousands of people who had come to Eidgah on Eid day,” he said, adding that restrictions on the religious activities of Mirwaiz tantamount to direct interference in religious affairs by the state. “These (restrictions) are carried to create a void between Mirwaiz and the people,” the spokesman said, adding that the restrictions on movements forced Mirwaiz to address people at Eidgah by phone. Soon after prayers at Eidgah, violent protests and stone-throwing broke out in the area on Tuesday, the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr.
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Srinagar reels under heat wave
Srinagar, July 31 The maximum temperature recorded in Srinagar city on Thursday was 32.1°Celsius, which was approximately two notches higher than the seasonal average, an official of the state Meteorological Department said. The temperature in the city has continuously remained on the hotter side in recent days and at times Srinagar has recorded hotter days than Jammu city, the winter capital of the state. The Weather Department said the temperature in Srinagar city on Friday was likely to reach a high of 31.0°Celsius with possibility of light rain and thundershower. In its forecast bulletin, the Meteorological Department said rain and thundershower would occur at a few places in the state while scattered rain and thundershowers would also occur during the subsequent four days. 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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Festive mood continues to prevail in Valley
Srinagar, July 31 “We do no business on the third day of Eid and, therefore, I decided to keep my shop shut today,” said Abdul Rauf, a photostat shop owner at the Magarmal Bagh chowk. A readymade garments owner echoed the same views saying: “Few people come for shopping for the next few days after Eid and there is no point in keeping my shop open. The normal business will resume from Monday.” While colleges reopened after the summer break today, locals complained of lesser availability of public transport. “We face public transport problem generally as well, but today I had to wait for a long time to catch a bus,” said a college lecturer from the Rawalpora area. A bus driver of the same area said he returned home early today as he could not find many passengers. “Not many passengers came to board the buses as most of them are still in a holiday mood,” he said. Meanwhile, employees were also found leaving their offices earlier than usual while some complained of thin attendance. Eid-ul-Fitr, which falls after the holy fasting month of Ramadan, is celebrated for two days in the Valley.
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Kousar Nag yatra fails to take off Srinagar, July 31 Vinod Pandit, chairman of the All Parties Migrant Co-ordination Committee (APMCC), which was to undertake the yatra from Aharbal, said the government had earlier promised them security and support but backtracked later. “Unfortunately, the government succumbed to the pressure of the separatists and other communal elements,” Pandit said. Stating that the yatra was an annual affair before the militancy broke out in the state, he said misconceptions were created over the matter. “Even though the yatra was restarted two years back from Gool Gulabgarh, Reasi (in the Jammu region), we only wanted to resume it from Aharbal, the traditional route for Kashmir Pandits, after 25 years. One can find the mention of the cave and the yatra in our holy books, history books and also in Rajatarangini. It is sad that misconceptions were created and the government did not even bother to check the facts,” he said. Rajatarangini (Chronicle of Kings) is an account of Kashmir's ancient history written by the 12th century historian, Kalhana. There was opposition among several quarters to the yatra from Aharbal on the grounds that it would damage the ecology of the area. Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has called for protests tomorrow and a shutdown on Saturday while alleging that the yatra would be ‘disastrous for the environment and water resources’. He alleged that through the yatra the “communal forces” in New Delhi wanted to “destroy peace in Kashmir”. Such forces also were out to “destroy environment, identity and culture” of the area. Geelani said the Hurriyat was not against Hinduism but termed the yatra ‘a political decision and not a religious one’ with the sole aim to “harm the just freedom struggle of Kashmir”. However, Pandit questioned how 40-odd devotees could have damaged ecology? APMCC senior coordinator Amit Raina termed opposition to the yatra a ‘ploy’ to keep Kashmir Pandits out of the Valley. APMCC national spokesperson King Bharti said a “communal colour” was being given to the issue to create "fear psychosis" among the Pandits. He accused the government, separatists and mainstream politicians of joining hands to prevent Kashmiri Pandits from performing their religious activities. Meanwhile, the government foiled the attempt of Kousar Nag Bachao Front (KBF), which was formed earlier to oppose the yatra, to march towards Aharbal. Reports said the KBF march was stopped near Gurewattan village, a few miles from Aharbal. Several parts of Kulgam and Shopian districts observed a shutdown amid sporadic clashes as the KBF has been demanding that the yatra to KousarNag be called off keeping in view the fragile ecosystem of the area. Separatists ruling the roost in J&K: BJP The BJP on Thursday slammed the Omar Abdullah-led government for its alleged inability to control radical groups of the Kashmir Valley from sabotaging the annual Kousar Nag Yatra. “The attitude of the state government is an indication that separatist and fundamentalist groups are ruling the roost in J&K,” said Lok Sabha member and state president of the BJP Jugal Kishore Sharma. The matter would be brought to the notice of the Union Government, he added.
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No respite from traffic jams in city
Srinagar, July 31 Locals criticised the authorities for not taking permanent steps to streamline traffic in Srinagar. “Despite tall claims by the government that various measures have been taken to streamline traffic in Srinagar, the city witnesses massive traffic jams every day leaving thousands of people stuck for hours,” said Sameer Ahmad, a local resident. However, traffic policemen blame narrow roads and increasing strength of vehicles for frequent jams. “Widening of roads is the only solution. We are only meant for management of traffic. The reasons for jams are narrow roads and increasing strength of vehicles,” said a senior traffic police officer.— OC |
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Summer break extended in Valley schools
Srinagar, July 31 According to a government order issued today, the summer vacations is extended up to August 2 in respect of all government institutions, including recognised private schools up to the level of higher secondary falling in the Kashmir division and winter zone of the Jammu division. The schools will now open on August 4. The officials said appropriate action would be initiated against the schools that do not follow the said order and show deviation from the same. The holiday has also been extended in colleges of Kashmir division, including winter zone colleges of Jammu division keeping in view the rising temperatures. From the last week, there is no respite from heat in the Valley with people protesting in many areas against the shortage of water. Earlier, the government announced summer break for all schools and colleges from July 15 up to July 31. The schools were supposed to open today, but now more two days have been given.
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‘Window into universe’ to open new horizons
Jammu, July 31
The telescope, which will be a major achievement in astronomy, will help the scientific community in India to unravel the mysteries of the universe. “The first truckload of tools and equipment to set up the 180-tonne gamma ray telescope has reached Hanle. We hope to send more consignments by mid-August,” said Ramesh Koul, head of the astro-physics division at Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) in Mumbai. The first truckload was dispatched from Hyderabad on June 28, he said. He added that 50 truckloads of equipment would be dispatched to Hanle by October next year. From the middle of August to early September this year, BARC would send 10 more truckloads of equipment, Koul said. “We hope to embark on installation by early September itself,” he said. He added that installation would continue till November 15 before cold weather conditions turned harsh in Ladakh. “We will have over two months from early September to mid-November and want to complete some part of the installation by then. Thereafter, the remaining process will be begun in May next year and continue till October,” he said. BARC hoped to conduct the first trial of the telescope by November next year. It would be made fully operational by July 2016. The MACE telescope, 21m in diameter with a 27m track diameter, was the largest in the northern hemisphere and the second largest in the world, he said. Koul said Rs 50 crore had been spent on it. He further said successful trial runs had been conducted in Hyderabad before dispatching parts of the telescope. “Once installed, it will be 45 metres in height with a 21m diameter. The largest gamma ray telescope of the same class has a 28m diameter and is being operated in Namibia,” he said. “However, our telescope will match the 28m diameter telescope in Namibia because we are installing it in a higher altitude area. In fact, we will have an edge because of the higher altitude,” he said. He added that at least three engineers from Ladakh were being trained at Electronics Corporation of India Limited in Hyderabad and BARC in Mumbai at present. “Since trained manpower is required to operate this telescope, the engineers, who are from Ladakh, are being trained for the purpose. The telescope has the facility to be operated via satellite,” he said. MACE gamma ray telescope in Ladakh * Will be largest telescope in northern hemisphere * Three engineers from Ladakh being trained in Hyderabad and Mumbai to operate it * Will help scientists in fields of astrophysics, fundamental physics, particle acceleration mechanisms and spectral cutoff of pulsars * Designed by ECIL with BARC technological support * Has integrated imaging camera, which contains 1088 photo multiplier based pixels and all signal processing and data acquisition electronics * Structure designed to operate in wind speed up to 30 kmph and retain structural integrity in parking position in wind speed up to 150 kmph * Very high energy gamma rays offer unique insight into extreme phenomena of universe * Consists of large area tessellated light collector of 356 sq metres, made up of 356 indigenously manufactured mirror panels
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Guv urged to provide aid to Martand temple
Srinagar, July 31 The deputation requested for suitable financial support to enable the maintenance and running of the day-to-day developmental activities at the Martand temple, besides one-time grant for carrying out major repairs, additions and alterations to the existing structures. The group also requested that the left out families of purohit’s of Mattan be compensated by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. The Sabha offered land of the Martand temple complex for being used as a yatra camp for the annual Amarnath yatra. The delegation also highlighted issues relating to delay in appointments under the Prime Minister’s Employment Package. The Governor gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured it that its problems would be examined on an urgent basis.
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Pak troops open fire at Kargil posts
Jammu, July 31 “Pak troops opened unprovoked small arms fire on the Indian forward posts along the LoC in the Mushkoh valley today prompting the Indian troops to give them an equal response,” a Defence source said. However, there was no loss of life or injury on the Indian side, the source said. — TNS
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BJP discusses strategy for Assembly elections
Samba, July 31 A meeting of the party was held here under the chairmanship of Punjab Health Minister and Samba district in charge Madan Mohan Mittal. All office-bearers, senior leaders, district, mandal and morcha presidents were present at the meeting. Addressing party workers, Mittal said it had become a necessity to have a BJP government in J&K. The BJP alone would be able to defeat regressive forces and promote mainstream politics in J&K, leading to the state’s complete constitutional and emotional integration with India, he added. “To achieve this target, the party has launched Mission 44+. The goal is achievable as the BJP broke all previous records during Lok Sabha elections and got more than 35 per cent of the total votes polled. Earlier, BJP state vice-president Chander Prakash Ganga sought details about the organisational and political activities being undertaken across the region from district and mandal presidents. He said the district and mandal working committee meetings were held from June 10 to July 31 to strengthen the party. BJP leaders Kashmir Singh, Narsingh Dayal, Jangveer Singh, Naresh Singh Kaka, Omkar Padha and Subhash Bhagat were also present on the occasion. — TNS
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CRPF jawan dies of cardiac arrest
Jammu, July 31 “He had developed heart ailment in 2007 and died of a heart attack today,” said Sunil Kumar,
Commandant of the Sixth Battalion. The jawan was posted at the headquarters of the battalion at Yogashram in
Katra. After paying homage to the deceased, his body was sent to his native place in a CRPF vehicle. |
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Principals’ delegation calls on Governor
Srinagar, July 31 The delegation discussed with the Governor several important issues which relate to promoting effective and sustained academic interactions and two-way flow between the teachers and principals of colleges and the university to which they are affiliated with. In this context the delegation suggested the usefulness of principals of colleges being considered for appointment as controller of examinations for undergraduate and post graduate courses, their involvement and representation on the university council, syndicate, academic council and other bodies and committees of the varsity. The Governor assured the delegation members that their suggestions would be discussed in the coming meetings of the university councils. He urged the academicians to work collectively for continuously raising the academic standards in all the colleges of the state. The deputation comprised Dr Nutan Kumar Resutra, nodal principal, GGM Science College, Jammu; Dr Hemla Aggarwal, principal, Government College for Women, Parade, Jammu; Dr Satinder Singh, principal, Government SPMR College of Commerce, Jammu; Prof ZA Hashmi, principal, Government Degree College, Doda; and Prof Javed Ahmed Qazi, principal, Government Degree College, Rajouri.
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Guv condoles death of CJ’s mother
Srinagar, July 31 Speaker expresses grief Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul conveyed his condolences to Chief Justice MM Kumar. “The Speaker conveyed his condolences and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul,” said a press note.
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Doda, July 31 The vehicle (JK06-3115) was on its way from Shiva to Garsui when it met with the accident. The tyre burst resulted in injuries to 12 persons. Immediately after the incident, local residents came to the rescue and took the injured to the district hospital in Doda. All of them were reported to be out of danger. — OC
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Passport verification norms for ex-militants liberalised
Srinagar, July 31 “Keeping in view the improvement in the security scenario in the state, representations received from the general public, political representatives and in keeping with its citizen friendly policy, the government has considered the matter and decided to further liberalise the policy for issuance of verification for obtaining passports,” an statement read. “The policy provides for issuance of clearance for obtaining passport for Haj/Umrah in respect of an applicant who had crossed over to PoK/Pakistan for obtaining arms training, but has returned, eschewed violence, is silent, has exhibited a good conduct and completed 15 years or more in the state from the date of return and on date of application,” it stated. The amended policy further provides that clearance for issuance of passport would be granted in favour of “applicant(s) whose relative(s) have crossed over to PoK/Pak, 15 years ago, is/are silent there and do not have any adverse report from the concerned agencies”. — TNS
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‘Encounter specialist’ Sonu gets bail
Doda, July 31 The officer has been facing trial for his alleged involvement in running a militant module in the region. Recipient of President’s Medal, Sharma had been instrumental in killing 68 militants in the Doda-Kishtwar belt before he was arrested at Thathri in Bhadarwah sub-division of Doda district last year. Speaking to The Tribune, Member of Legislative Council from Bhaderwah, advocate Naresh Gupta confirmed that the officer had been granted bail by the Bhaderwah Session Court. Harish Kotwal, Superintendent of the District Jail Amphalla, where the officer has been lodged, however, said: “I have not received any written order yet.” — OC
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Assault sparks tension in Patnitop
Patnitop, July 31 Members of one community assembled at Patnitop and held a peaceful demonstration, demanding security arrangements by the administration for all families of a particular community. Udhampur Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammad Khalil Poswal and Deputy Superintendent of Police NS Parihar reached the spot. They pacified the protesters by assuring them that the identity of the persons involved in the sacrilegious act was being ascertained. The dispute between two communities was resolved with this assurance. A partial bandh was observed at Patnitop, Kud and Chenani on Thursday. — TNS
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Baig flays NC for beating own record of dirty tricks
Srinagar, July 31 The National Conference has stooped even lower than its own worst level of tricks against its political rivals in wake of a humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha election, Baig said while addressing a gathering at Naidkhai village of Sonawari. “The NC has gone into total desperation following the defeat,” the PDP leader said. Citing the latest example of a Gund-e-Jehangir village, where the government tankers were allegedly instructed to provide drinking water only to the supporters of the local NC legislator and not to the PDP supporters, Baig said: “This left more than half the population of the village crying for even a drop of water and led them to protest.”
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PHE workers threaten strike over regularisation of services
Doda, July 31 “We will hold kam choro hartaal in Jammu province from August 4,” state president of the union Tanveer Ahmed told reporters here. Tanveer flayed the government for delaying their long-pending demand of regularisation and demanded immediate framing of a policy for the same. He said the casual and need base workers have been working for the last 15-20 years, but till date the government has not been able to frame a policy for their regularisation. “We want that ITI trained and CP workers should be regularised on the pattern of Rehbare-e-Taleem and Rehbare-e-Zarat employees,” Tanveer said. He appealed the government to consider their “genuine demands” and regularise the casual labourers, failing which the union would have no option but to hit the streets and launch an agitation against the administration. Subash Chander, Deepak Gupta, Manjeet Singh, Ashiq Ahmed and Shoket Ahmed Bhatt were also present on the occasion.
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Delay in completion of sewerage work leads to chaos at Jewel Chowk
Jammu, July 31 The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) Ltd had started digging at Jewel Chowk, which is the busiest spot of the city, in the last week of May, but it has not been completed till now. The traffic system in the area has been totally disturbed due to the closer of the road. Commuters, as well as tourists, get struck in traffic jams on the road for hours together during peak hours. It is also creating problems for Amarnath pilgrims as the current registration counter is at Exhibition Ground, near Jewel Chowk. However, the administration has made an alternate way, but that road is too tight for the mini-buses, which creates long traffic jams. “The administration has made the people of Jammu habitual of traffic jams and getting late for their work as during winter the traffic load of secretariat creates traffic jam and when they move to Srinagar in summers, the administration starts this kind of work,” said Kabir Mahajan, a student of Jammu University. “Roads at Jewel Chowk were already very congested and this digging has made the situation worst,” he added. Moreover, there is a heavy rush of Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Amarnath pilgrims and tourists of some other places in the state and this is the only way to go towards Katra and Srinagar, via the General Bus Stand. |
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Pre-Recruitment Training Academy opens new centre
Jammu, July 31 Provincial president of the National Conference Devender Singh Rana was the chief guest on the occasion, while MLA Bimla Luthra was the guest of honour. This is the third local centre established by the AIPTA after Vijaypur and Udhampur. The motive of the academy is to motivate and prepare semi-educated youth for seeking recruitment in the armed forces, state police and paramilitary forces, besides private security agencies in the country. Members of the AIPTA management team, president Vijay Luthra, MD Rohit Grover and, CEO Manmeet Singh, besides board of directors were also present. The training centre at Nanak Nagar is having the requisite standard infrastructure, besides training ground for physical activities. The selected candidates after going through a screening process for pre-recruitment training will be imparted both academic and physical training through specialised trained staff. |
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Extension of rail link to Katra Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 31 A deputation of the JTAC comprised of Inderjeet Khajuria, convener, JTCA, Ravi Mahajan, chairman, JPVM, and Pawan Gupta, general secretary All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA), met with the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, and apprised him of the burning problems being faced by the tourism-related traders. Khajuria said the tourism-related traders had suffered huge losses in business due to the extension of rail link to Katra from other parts of country and were now unable to sustain their families. He said the government and administration should give a serious thought to save the suffering business community. “Jammu should be made an independent tourist destination for attracting tourists so that stakeholders may be compensated for the losses suffered due to the extension of the rail link,” he said. The JTCA convener said the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) should be retained in any situation at the General Bus Stand, Jammu, for encouraging tourism potential in the city, besides, convenience of tourists and pilgrims. He requested the Divisional Commissioner to highlight all these burning issues before the Chief Minister’s review committee meeting at Jammu, which had now been postponed to August 8. According to the JTCA, the Divisional Commissioner gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured it that the administration would try to find out a solution for the retention of the ISBT at the General Bus Stand, Jammu, after convening a meeting with the authorities concerned. The JTCA said the Divisional Commissioner agreed to the suggestion made by it regarding constituting of a monitoring committee to monitor the progress of ongoing mega projects in Jammu.
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BJP slams Omar govt for ‘buckling under pressure from separatists’
Pro-Pandit groups threaten to take up matter at the national level Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 31 The yatra issue is snowballing into a big controversy as separatist groups of the Valley have opposed the pilgrimage in the name of ecology while the BJP and groups of the minority community in the Valley have decided to take up the matter at the national level to expose the “biased” approach of the Omar government. “The attitude of the state government is an indication that separatist and fundamentalist groups are ruling the roost in J&K,” said Lok Sabha member and state president of the BJP Jugal Kishore Sharma, who announced that the matter would be brought to the notice of the Union Government. “With the Assembly elections round the corner, the Omar government is hell bent on creating disturbances in the state by giving a free hand to radical groups to terrorise the minorities,” he said. “In the name of ecology, separatist leadership in the Kashmir valley is trying to implement Taliban agenda in the Valley,” said eminent historian Prof Hari Om. “Sabotaging the centuries-old Kousar Nag Yatra is a very dangerous development as fear psychosis has gripped minorities of the state after this episode”, he said. “Not allowing minorities to perform their religious rituals in the Valley shows that some forces in Kashmir have become totally intolerant,” he added. Meanwhile, the All Parties Migrants Co-ordination Committee (APMCC) today condemned the state government for buckling under the “pressure of some elements bent upon foiling the return of Kashmiri Pandits by stopping the Kousar Nag Yatra.” The national spokesperson of the APMCC, in a statement issued here, said: “A communal colour is being given to it to create fear psychosis among the Kashmir Pandits that they won’t be allowed to worship according to their will.”
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Security guard critically injured in militant attack
Srinagar, July 31 Nazir Ahmad Shah, a resident of frontier Kupwara district, who was working as an inspector with a private security firm, was shot at from a point blank range while he was purchasing medicines from a shop outside the hospital. “He received two bullets and was immediately rushed to the hospital where his condition is stated to be critical,” said a police officer. The incident took place in an area, which is barely few metres away from the local police station. Sources said the militants managed to flee from the spot. Panic gripped the vicinity and police and the CRPF personnel later cordoned off the area and questioned many shopkeepers. Senior police officials also rushed to the spot, sources said. The police said Shah had retired from the BSF earlier this year and had joined as an inspector of a private security firm. The police have registered a case and taken up the investigation, it added. Army man dies in accidental firing An Army jawan was killed in accidental firing in Ganderbal district on Tuesday night. Sources said Parvinder Kumar of the 5 Rashtriya Rifles received bullet injuries when he was cleaning his service rifle in the Duderhama area of Ganderbal. He was taken to the Army’s 92 base camp hospital in Srinagar, where he succumbed to his injuries.
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Army to clear Tosa Maidan range of unexploded shells
Srinagar, July 31 The task of clearing the firing range of unexploded shells has been named as ‘mission falah (welfare)’ and the Army said the drive, beginning tomorrow, would run for over two months. It added that the mission had nothing to do with the extension of lease to the firing range. “Mission falah is an exercise to clear the firing range of explosive material and all this is being done on humanitarian grounds,” a Defence spokesperson said here today. “More than two months will be required to clear the entire firing range. We will use human resource, technology and explosive detection dogs during the exercise. Each inch of the firing range area will be scanned and cleared of littered explosives during the mission falah,” the spokesperson said. He said this was a “purely humanitarian initiative” and was aimed at getting the 11 kanal field free of littered explosives so that local people were able to move freely in the area. After the lease of the firing range ended earlier this year, two persons, including a minor, were killed when unattended artillery shell exploded in villages around the Tosa Maidan firing range. The 50-year lease had ended in April, but the state government has yet to take a decision on the extension of the lease. As per government figures 63 people have been killed in the past five decades and many others left disabled due to explosion of litters shells on the meadow’s slopes. All the victims belong to the villages around the Tosa Maidan. “The dangerous material in the area, a legacy of terrorist infiltration, hideouts and field firing will be cleared in a sustained effort of the Army making the area safe for the locals. Simultaneously, the Army will carry out medical camps, veterinary camps and sport events for the people of the area during the mission falah,” the spokesperson said. The Army, the Air Force, the BSF and other security agencies have been conducting firing practice at the Tosa Maidan over the past five decades. The Army, which has already applied for re-notification had made it clear that they have no problem if the J&K Government relocates the firing range. The residents of around 16 villages surrounding the firing range have formed a committee, Tosa Maidan Bachao Front (Save Tosa Maidan Front), to oppose the extension of lease and to press for the shifting of the range to some other place.
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Oil Tanker Association goes on indefinite strike
Jammu, July 31 Protesting against the state government at the Oil Depot, Jammu, the association announced that oil tanker would remain off the road till the government provide security and compensation to the injured drivers. Ramesh Kumar, driver of the oil tanker bearing registration number JK02AJ 5528, and Madan Lal, driver of the oil tanker bearing registration number JK02AU-8161, were allegedly attacked by some miscreants at Kangan on Monday. Ramesh Kumar, who has injuries on his head and an arm, said, “We were coming back from Leh. When we reached near Kangan, a group of boys attacked the tankers with stones. They also beat us and broke the tankers.” Madan lal, another driver, who had a head injury, said, “They were asking why are you coming here? Don’t come here again. It has become difficult to go towards Valley now.” President of the Oil Tanker Association Anan Sharma slams the state government for not providing security to the tanker drivers. “Like every year, people from the Valley have attacked our tankers, in which two drivers were injured and 10 tankers were damaged,” said Anan Sharma. “Despite giving assurances, the state government failed to provide security to the tanker drivers and now it has become difficult for them to move in the Valley. So we have decided to go on an indefinite strike from Lakhanpur to Leh till the government fulfils our demands,” he added. Anan Sharma alleged that the police at Kangan refused to lodge an FIR against the miscreants, who had assaulted the drivers and damaged the tankers. “When our drivers went to lodge a complaint against the assaulters, the police misbehaved with them using abusive language and refused to register an FIR,” said Anan Sharma. |
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Citizen Forum assails govt for delay in road projects
Jammu, July 31 RK Chadha, president, Citizen Fourm, alleged that this dereliction of the ministers and officers in the department concerned was a criminal negligence on their part. The funds allotted under the PMGSY projects worth Rs 2715 crore were not utilised by the authorities, despite the roads in many parts of Jammu region, particularly in the hilly areas, being in a dilapidated condition, resulting in frequent road accidents and loss of human life. While, as per the report, the projects under the scheme in the Kashmir valley had been completed, the rural road projects in the Jammu division remained neglected, RK Chadha said. He added that the Union Ministry for Rural Development was reported to have castigated the state government for delaying these projects and had taken a serious view of the matter, resulting in stoppage of funding for the projects in future as well. Chadha stated that while no separate minister for rural development was appointed by Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad during his tenure for two years, and when the minister was appointed for the department, he was changed three times, resulting in the projects being ignored. In over five-year tenure, the NC-Congress coalition government, headed by Omar Abdullah, instead of expediting the work of rural roads construction under the PMGSY, also adopted apathetic approach, resulting in not completion of projects in time. The road connectivity in rural areas, particularly in the hilly belts of Jammu, was essential. But the poor condition of roads is leading to frequent road accidents as also hindering the development of these areas, Chadha added.
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Ex- JU Dean awarded emeritus fellowship
Jammu, July 31 The Public Relation Officer of the university said, “He is a brilliant and reputed nuclear theorist with 33 years of postgraduate teaching and research experience. He is the founder of the research group in theoretical nuclear physics in Jammu University producing 15 PhDs, 15 MPhils and 68 journal papers.” — TNS
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Kabaddi assn announces selection committee
Jammu, July 31 The selection committee will select the talented players during the coaching camp before participation in the tournaments. According to a press note issued by the association, the performance of the selection committee members will be reviewed by the president and after accessing the performance, the active members will also be taken in consideration for next year. The members of the selection committee are Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, Ghulam Mohammad Ganai, Mohammad Shafi, Rakesh Sharma, Shakti Dutt Sharma, Vishal Jamwal, Mohan Lal, Tarandeep Singh, Ankush Gupta and Manik Sharma.
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National Conference president Farooq Abdullah received numerous public delegations over a period of two days on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and wished people and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state, the ruling party said in a statement.
Kousar Nag
yatra, which was to be 'revived' from Aharbal route in South Kashmir, ran into controversies and failed to take off today. While the devotees accused the government of succumbing to the pressure from the separatists, the hardline Huriyat faction called for a shutdown against the attempts to make Kousar Nag ‘another yatra destination’.
A delegation of principals of colleges in the Jammu province called on Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhawan here today.
The delegation discussed with the Governor several important issues which relate to promoting effective and sustained academic interactions and two-way flow between the teachers and principals of colleges and the university to which they are affiliated with.
At least 12 persons were injured when a tyre of the tempo they were travelling in burst in the Garsu area of Doda district on Thursday afternoon.
The vehicle (JK06-3115) was on its way from Shiva to Garsui when it met with the accident. The tyre burst resulted in injuries to 12 persons.
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Health Engineering (PHE) ITI Trained and CP Workers Union today threatened to go on a 72-hour-long strike in support of their demand for
regularisation. “We will hold kam choro hartaal in Jammu province from August 4,” state president of the union Tanveer Ahmed told reporters here.
The delay in the completion of laying sewers at Jewel Chowk in Jammu is creating chaos, especially for the pilgrims of the Vaishno Devi shrine and Amarnath cave.
The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) Ltd had started digging at Jewel
Chowk, which is the busiest spot of the city, in the last week of May, but it has not been completed till now.
The BJP today slammed the Omar Abdullah-led government for its alleged inability to control radical groups of the Kashmir Valley from sabotaging the annual Kousar Nag
Yatra. The yatra issue is snowballing into a big controversy as separatist groups of the Valley have opposed the pilgrimage in the name of ecology while the BJP and groups of the minority community in the Valley have decided to take up the matter at the national level to expose the “biased” approach of the Omar government.
Militants today shot at a retired BSF man,
who was working as a private security guard at the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh
(SMHS) hospital in Srinagar. Nazir Ahmad Shah, a resident of frontier Kupwara district, who was working as an inspector with a private security firm, was shot at from a point blank range while he was purchasing medicines from a shop outside the hospital.
The Oil Tanker Association today went on an indefinite strike demanding security and compensation to two tanker drivers, injured in an assault at Kangan on Monday.
Protesting against the state government at the Oil Depot, Jammu, the association announced that oil tanker would remain off the road till the government provide security and compensation to the injured drivers.
