Jammu, August 1
The much-awaited 14th convocation of the University of Jammu (JU), the country’s first ISO certified institute of postgraduate studies and higher learning, is set to run into a controversy as the authorities decided to give the degrees, medals and prizes to students for academic session 2012-13 only.

The varsity decision has caused strong resentment among merit holders for the years 2006 to 2012 as they have not been invited for the convocation and some of them have even warned the authorities of launching an agitation if the university didn’t amend its notification on the award of degrees and medals.

The convocation, which is being held after a gap of almost seven years, would be addressed by President of India Pranab Mukherjee on September 1.

On July 29, the university notified that the 14th convocation would confer the degrees on the candidates who have qualified for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the year 2013. It also notified that the varsity would also award certificates of merit, prizes and medals for all the examinations held for the academics session 2012-13 at the convocation.

On July 13, the university, however, had issued a provisional list of merit holders of various graduation and postgraduation (both professional and non-professional) courses for the years 2006 to 2013 and had shortlisted 474 merit holders for university gold medal apart from 300 merit holders for prizes and medals from the endowments or trusts. The varsity had sought objections about the provisional list.

“The university has resorted to its old tactic wherein it would confer award and medals on the merit holders of only one academic session, while others will be ignored. They (authorities) have already prepared the list of merit holders for the year 2006 to 2013 and we are unable to understand as to why the university is ignoring the merit holders for the year 2006 to 2012,” said a merit holder for academic session 2008.

Another merit holder said, “During the 11th special convocation of the university in 2003, the authorities had also not invited PhD scholars and merit holders for the event, which sparked off protests and agitation on the campus. The major question arises as why the varsity has been adopting discriminatory policies for old merit holders. We request Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, to personally look into the matter and all merit holders for the years 2006 to 2012 should also be awarded during the event.”

They said they were holding discussions with other merit holders and would launch an agitation if the university didn’t amend its earlier order.

When contacted, Prof Manoj K Dhar, Registrar, University of Jammu, said, “The provisional list of merit holders has nothing do to with the convocation. We have decided to present degrees, prizes and medals for the academic session of 2012-13 at the convocation. Degrees will be conferred on other merit holders and medals will be awarded to them separately.”

Jammu, August 1
The Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Jammu, Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, today inaugurated the International Centre for Cross-Cultural Research and Human Resource Management (ICccR & HRM) here.

The centre was inaugurated on the occasion of the induction ceremony of the fourth batch of MBA, International Business (MBA-IB), Session 2014. The VC was the chief guest at the function.

The function was also attended by Prof Deshbandhu Gupta, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies, and Director, College Development Council, Prof Keshav Sharma, convener, Board of Studies in Management, and Controller of Examinations, University of Jammu, and Prof Pankaj Srivastava, Dean, Students Welfare.

In his address, the VC congratulated Prof Neelu Rohmetra, the founder Director of the centre, and appreciated her efforts for developing the state-of-the-art infrastructure to bring ICccR & HRM at par with the best B-schools of the country.

He hoped the updated choice-based credit curriculum for the MBA(international business course) would keep students informed about the current business trends and the latest developments in the international setups.

Prof Rohmetra, in her welcome address, thanked the VC for his guidance for the consolidation of the MBA (international business programme) and the international centre. She presented the overview of the activities, objectives and the academic programmes at the international centre. She also announced the launch of a journal of management and a lecture series under the title and theme of “Culture, management and leadership connect”.

Srinagar, August 1
Amid protests following the Friday congregation prayers in many parts of Kashmir and a call for shutdown on Saturday against the Kousar Nag yatra, the authorities here today put separatist leaders, including hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani and moderate leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, under house detention.

Kousar Nag yatra, which was to begin from the Aharbal route in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district from July 31, ran into controversies and failed to take off on the scheduled date as the J&K Government decided to rescind the order permitting the yatra.

While the BJP and migrant Kashmiri Pandit groups have slammed the Omar Abdullah-led government for “buckling under pressure from separatists”, the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference had called for protests after Friday prayers and a “complete shutdown” against what it calls the attempts to make Kousar Nag “another yatra destination”.

Early in the morning on Friday, authorities in Kashmir put moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under preventive detention at his Nigeen residence and did not allow him to offer Friday prayers at city’s Jama (Grand) Mosque, where he was to deliver a religious sermon.

Apart from Mirwaiz, the police also put other leaders from his faction, including Abbas Ansari, Javed Mir, Zaffar Akbar Bhat and Shahid-ul-Islam, under house arrest, while Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Yasin Malik and Hurriyat activist Hilal War have been taken into custody. The authorities also put hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani and other leaders from his faction under house arrest.

Criticising the government action, the hardline Hurriyat faction in a statement said that “this is the 16th time that Geelani has been prevented from offering Friday congregational prayers.” The groups also reiterated its shutdown call for Saturday, which has also been backed by the Kashmir Bar Association.

Meanwhile, clashes between youth and the police erupted in many parts of Kashmir soon after the Friday congregational prayers against the declaration of pilgrimage to Kousar Nag.

Stone-throwing youth clashed with government forces outside Jama Moqsue in downtown Srinagar. Besides, there were reports of protests and stone-throwing incidents from north Kashmir as well.

A shutdown in Kulgam district, where Kousar Nag falls, continued for the third consecutive day.

Shops and offices remained closed in the district, with newly formed Kousar Nag Bachao Front, comprising civil society members from Kulgam and Shopian, demanding a halt to the “pilgrimage” citing its effects on the environment.

(With inputs from Suhail A Shah in Anantnag)

Jammu, August 1
Fearing polarisation in the Jammu region ahead of the coming Assembly elections in the state, the Congress today cautioned the J&K Government against adopting a casual approach towards solving the sensitive Kousar Nag yatra issue.

As the BJP and other Hindu organisations are up in arms against the decision of the Omar Abdullah government to withdraw permission for the centuries-old yatra, the Congress today said the state government should take into consideration the old ritual while taking any decision on the pilgrimage.

Without naming the radical groups “raking up the emotive issue”, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) spokesman Ravinder Sharma told The Tribune that certain forces were bent upon flaring up communal tension to reap political benefits in the coming Assembly elections in the state. “Instead of allowing such fundamentalist forces to accomplish their nefarious designs, the state government should involve religious and social organisations to solve this sensitive issue amicably,” Sharma said. Instead of taking any hasty decision, the government must look into all aspects of the yatra, he added.

The Congress is worried over the way the issue has been snowballing into a big controversy ahead of assembly elections. The Jammu region has already witnessed some clashes between two communities over sacrilegious incidents. The party fears that the yatra issue will cause further polarisation. “We were the worst victims of the 2008 Amarnath yatra land controversy, which had polarised the entire Jammu region before the last Assembly polls. A similar situation ahead of the Assembly elections will prove disastrous for the party so we will mount pressure on the state government not to give any emotive issue to the BJP before elections,” a senior Congress leader said, on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, infuriated over the decision of the state government to withdraw permission to the yatra at the eleventh hour allegedly due to the pressure of fundamentalist groups of the Kashmir valley, the BJP is all out to rake up the issue to corner both the National Conference and the Congress ahead of the elections.

“We don’t want to politicise the religious issue but people are aware that the NC-Congress coalition in the state is working on the diktat of the Hurriyat Conference and other fundamentalist groups of the Kashmir valley,” said BJP general secretary Bali Bhagat.

All nationalist forces would jointly oppose the move of the government to deprive the minority community of its religious rights, he said, adding that the state unit of the BJP had decided to take up the matter with the Union Government.

Meanwhile, speaking to a deputation of displaced persons from J&K, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that controversy over the Kousar Nag yatra was disturbing, and that in matters of faith, there should be least interference from the side of the government.

Jammu, August 1
The Congress today formed a screening committee to finalise candidates for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.

The committee headed by former Union Minister Ajay Maken and Shubhankar Sarkar, Ambika Soni, Saifuddin Soz and Mohammad Sharief Naiz as its members was approved by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Sonia Gandhi.

“The list of candidates for the Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir shall be approved by the All India Congress Committee president after being screened by the Maken-led panel constituted today on the recommendations of the Pradesh Congress Election Committee, said Ravinder Sharma, Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson.

Asserting that the Congress has not approved or issued any list for the polls so far, Sharma said certain lists that were reportedly being circulated in the media and social networking sites were aimed at “creating confusion”. 

Srinagar, August 1
Over 2,000 devotees paid obeisance at the Amarnath shrine today, taking the number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave this year so far to 3,58,051.

“As many as 2,387 devotees paid obeisance at the Amarnath shrine today. With this, a total of 3,58,051 pilgrims have offered prayers at the holy cave since the commencement of yatra,” an official statement said.

The annual Amarnath yatra had began from the Baltal route on June 28, while the pilgrims were allowed to move towards the shrine from the Pahalgam route on July 2.

Rajouri, August 1
The first batch of Buddha Amarnath yatra pilgrims reached Rajouri at 6 pm today. The yatris started for the pilgrimage at 5.30 am from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp.

The yatra was flagged off by VHP international president Raghav Reddy and was received at Sunderbani by Shri 1008 Rajguru Swami Viswatmanand Saraswati Maharaj.

Later, pilgrims visited the Mangal Mata Shrine in Nowshera tehsil. As the yatra was delayed by about 3 hours, Deputy Commissioner, SSP and other senior officials left the venue and the pilgrims were received by Shiv Kumar Chohan, ASP, and Hamid Cohudhry, DSP headquarters.

The Rajouri unit of the Baba Buddha Amarnath Yatra Nayas headed by Sat Pal and assisted by regional general secretary Yughvir Gupta have made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims for their to and fro journeys.

The Rajouri police under the supervision of AK Attri, DIG, Rajouri-Poonch range, and Mubassar Latifi, SSP, have provided security to the pilgrims from Sunderbani to Bhimber Gali, a crossing point to Poonch district.

Jammu, August 1
The Tourist Taxi Operators Federation (TTOF), Jammu province, has announced 20 per cent discount on taxi fare for to and from Katra to Bhaderwah and Jammu to Bhaderwah for the pilgrims undertaking the Kailash yatra in Bhaderwah. The historical Kailash yatra will be held from August 14-24 this year.

The decision was taken by Tourist Taxi Operators Federation at a meeting of its members held today under the chairmanship of its president Davinder Choudhary. “The taxi operators carrying the pilgrims for Kailash Kund Yatra will take them up to Chatargala, which is 28 km ahead of Bhaderwah town, on the Bhaderwah Bani-Basholi highway. From Chatargala to Kailash Kund there is a distance of only 6 km, which is to be covered on foot by the pilgrims,” Choudhary said.

The federation members decided to motivate Vaishno Devi pilgrims to undertake the Kailash Kund yatra in Bhaderwah by enlightening them about its historical and religious significance as well as about the beautiful landscape, salubrious climate and scenic panorama of the area.

Choudhary said taxi operators were promoter of tourism and pilgrimage in an area by informing their passengers about the importance of these places along with their situation, climate and beauty. The federation hailed the J&K Tourism Department for promoting the yatra as a part of promotion of tourism pilgrimage in Jammu province, in particular, and J&K state, in general.

Operators Federation, Jammu province, members decided to motivate Vaishno Devi pilgrims to undertake the Kailash Kund yatra in Bhaderwah by enlightening them about its historical and religious significance as well as about the beautiful landscape, salubrious climate and scenic panorama of the area.

Jammu, August 1
Former minister and Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak today demanded strict action against the accused involved in the recent acts of sacrilege in Sheetal Nagar, Bhasoli and Patnitop.

He alleged that attempts are being made to communalise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir under a conspiracy.

Charak alleged that there was some deep-rooted conspiracy for destroying the age-old communal harmony in the region by committing such heinous crimes and warned that the most dangerous and ugly situation could arise if such culprits were not brought to book at the earliest.

Charak, who also heads the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS), a social organization, said the sabha had always played an important role in maintaining the age-old brotherhood among the people of different faiths and had shown the serious concern about such type of intrigues and conspiracies being hatched to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the state, in general, and Jammu province, in particular.

“We appeal to the public of this region to be vigilant and not fall prey to such anti-national elements as this whole region has already suffered a lot due to worst type of discrimination in the developmental works, be it the Tawi Lake project, Gandola project, preservation and restoration of heritage, cultural heritage, suffering of the border people and refugees’ problem,” Charak said.

Others who were present at the press conference included sabha vice-president Dr NK Dogra, general secretary Prem Sagar Gupta and in charge, Youth Wing (DSS), Gambhir Dev Singh Charak.

Jammu, August 1
The Oil Tanker Association has called off its strike after getting compensation for two drivers injured in an assault and the assurance of their security by the state administration.

The Oil Tanker Association had gone on an indefinite strike from Thursday over the assault on two tanker drivers at Kangan on Monday.

Member of the Oil Tanker Association today met the Divisional Commissioner, Inspector General of Police and Deputy Commissioner.

“The officials have assured us that it will be the duty of the SHO of the area to make safe movement of all the tankers in the state. Rs 10,000 each have been paid to both the injured drivers and Rs 10,000 more will be paid to each of them through the Red Cross Society,” said Anan Sharma, president, Oil Tanker Association.

“After getting the compensation and security assurance, we have called off our strike and oil supply has been resumed from today,” he added.

Ramesh Kumar, driver of oil tanker bearing registration number JK02AJ 5528, and Madan Lal, driver of the oil tanker bearing registration number JK02AU-8161, were attacked by some miscreants at Kangan on Monday.

Tosa Maidan (Budgam), August 1
General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha on Friday said any decision on Tosa Maidan firing range should be taken in the “interest of the nation and people from the security point of view” by the committee constituted by the state government.

A high-powered committee of the state government headed by the Chief Secretary is looking into identifying an alternative site for relocating the Tosa Maidan firing range. “The decision is pending with the high-level committee and they are examining all the issues. They are ascertaining whether the firing range can continue here. If not, they will look for alternatives. We hope they will soon come up with a decision in the interest of the nation and people from the security point view. We need to conduct the drill, but that is up to the government to notify the place,” General Saha said after launching a three-month-long drive “Mission Falah” to clear the Tosa Maidan field firing range of any unexploded or other dangerous objects.

Over a hundred locals from various villages around the field firing range and officials of the civil administration attended the function, which was held in a meadow in the Pir Panchal ranges of Budgam district. “The three-month-long drive is being done on pure humanitarian grounds so that the vast area is cleared of unexploded or other dangerous objects,” General Saha said.

After the lease of the firing range ended earlier in April, the Army and other security agencies have not been conducting any firing exercise in the area, spread over 11,000 kanals of land. The Tosa Maidan firing range was being used by the Army and other security agencies for field firing practices since 1964. As per official records, in the past over five decades, 65 persons have been killed and many others disabled in explosions caused due to unexploded shells littered in villages around the firing range. The residents of villages surrounding the Tosa Maidan have formed a committee, the Tosa Maidan Bachao Front and they are up in arms and are pressing for the shifting of the firing range to some other place.Chairman of the Tosa Maidan Bachao Front Dr Sheikh Ghulam Rasool also attended the function. The Army said the area would be cleaned through sophisticated machines and also explosive detection dogs. A mock drill was also conducted by the Army to detect litter explosives in the firing range.

While the Army started the drive to clean up the area, the locals who attended the function stressed the need for shifting of the firing range.

“The Army effort is all right but we want the firing range to be shifted,” said a local.

* A high-powered committee of the state government headed by the Chief Secretary is identifying an alternative site for relocating the Tosa Maidan firing range.

* After the lease of the firing range ended in April, the Army and other security agencies have not been conducting any firing exercise in the area.

* As per official records, in the past over five decades, 65 persons have been killed and many others disabled in explosions caused due to live shells littered in villages around the firing range.

Srinagar, August 1
Well known poet and writer Ghulam Nabi Khayal called on Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhawan here today.

Khayal, as per an official statement, presented to the Governor a copy of “Kashmir ki Waadi”, which is the Urdu translation of the two volumes of “The Kashmir Gazetteer”, written by the Walter R Lawrence of the ICS, who had been invited by the Maharaja to serve as the Settlement Commissioner of the state.

This invaluable gazetteer of J&K was also published as “The Valley of Kashmir” and comprises the most reliable source of information on geography, political and physical history, geology, flora and fauna, and almost every aspect of the rich socio-cultural traditions of J&K.

The 600 page translation of Lawerence’s classical work, sponsored by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, has involved over eight years of devoted research work by Khayal.

The Governor congratulated Khayal on the excellence of his translated work and also complimented him on receiving the State Award-2012, in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of literature, which was conferred on him a few days back.

Kupwara, August 1
Residents of remote Hajinakah village in Kupwara district are facing problems due to non-availability of a proper road.

The village, which comprises nearly 500 families, most of them Pahari speaking, remains cut-off from the district headquarters in the absence of a motorable road.

Hajinakah is also devoid of a health centre and villagers alleged that even for first-aid they had to cover about 6 km on foot to reach the nearest facility in Manigah.

“Since the formation of the village in 1976, it has been devoid of roads. We are forced to ferry ration, cooking gas and other essential commodities on head from Manigah to Hajinakah. We visited Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, many times with the plea to construct road from Manigah to our village, but nothing has been done so far,” said Mohammad Sayeed, a local resident.

The villagers threatened to boycott the forthcoming Assembly elections if the work to construct a road was not started at the earliest. “The successive governments have ignored this village on developmental front. Even in this information age, the village lacks road connectivity. We will be forced to boycott the upcoming elections if the work on the road is not started at the earliest,” said Mohammad Yaqoob Malik.

The residents also said children were forced to cover a long distance on foot to attend schools in Manigah. “Many children abandoned education due to the long distance they had to cover to reach their school in Manigah. The government claims that it is doing everything to ensure basic facilities in every nook and corner of the Valley, but our village is a living example of official apathy,” said Nazir Ahmad. 

Jammu, August 1
The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today flayed the Health Department for shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in various hospitals of the Ramnagar segment in Udhampur district.

“There has been acute shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in the sub-district hospital, Ramnagar, besides other primary health centers, dispensaries and health centres of the constituency. The department has been transferring even the meagre staff which was earlier posted in the sub-district hospital, Ramnagar, without providing any substitutes,” Harsh Dev Singh, JKNPP chairman, said in a statement here.

Harsh Dev, who is also the Ramnagar MLA, alleged it was “most shocking” and “utterly distressing” to note that health institutions in the remote and far-flung areas of Ramnagar had virtually become defunct due to the non-availability of desired medical staff.

Warning the Health Department to take immediate note of the emergent situation, the JKNPP leader sought early posting of adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff in the Ramnagar hospital and other institutions in the far-flung areas of Ramnagar, failing which people would be forced to observe a complete shutdown.

“All representations and reminders in this regard made to the health authorities concerned had fallen on deaf ears, which had forced the residents to hold demonstrations in Ramnagar, besides blocking of roads and organising protests,” he said.

Warning the Health Department to take immediate note of the emergent situation, the JKNPP leader sought early posting of adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff in the Ramnagar hospital and other institutions in the far-flung areas of Ramnagar, failing which people would be forced to observe a complete shutdown. 

Jammu, August 1
The Army’s Trishul Division today organised a medical, dental and veterinary camp at Ranbirpura and Stakna villages in the eastern Ladakh.

“The camp was aimed at enhancing awareness of the local populace about the health and sanitation, disease due to weather change, treatment of livestock, prevention measures and treatment of villagers and animals of village,” said a Defence spokesperson.

During the camp many villagers and animals were treated, he said. — TNS

Pampore (Pulwama), August 1
The police last night came to the rescue of four families, which were trapped in flood in Dusso village of Pampore.

As per reports, a heavy downpour was witnessed in the adjoining Gundbal village leading to swelling of water level in a nearby stream, which engulfed some houses in Dusso.

The police said soon after they received the message that some houses were submerged in water they reached the spot and rescued the affected families.

The families were rescued and shifted to Government Middle School, Dusso, said a police official.

The police said the evacuation was made as a precautionary measure to avoid any loss of life. 

Samba, August 1
Six days after the murder of driver Bhanu Pratap Singh, his family, expressing lack of confidence in police investigations, demanded a high-level probe into the case.

The incident took place when Bhanu (30) along with his wife Madhu and daughter had gone to his sister-in-law’s house at Sanoora village in Ghagwal town of Samba last Saturday. He was found murdered in the village with his hands entangled in an electrical wire.

Anger is seething among locals who came out in solidarity with the family members of the victim at Kehli Mandi, Samba.

Madhu and her sister are the prime suspects and continue to be elusive. “Madhu in conspiracy with her sister murdered Bhanu Pratap,” alleged Bhanu’s family members.

“We were informed that Bhanu received an electric shock and was admitted in the District Hospital, Samba, where we found him dead,” said Jagdeep Singh, victim’s father. Alleging that there were efforts to hush up the issue, Jagdeep Singh said he had no faith in the police investigations and demanded a high-level inquiry into the case.

“An FIR has been registered in the Rajpura police post and investigations are going on in this regard,” said a police official. 

Srinagar, August 1
Garbage has piled up in city public parks post Eid celebrations. Locals are irked with the authorities concerned for not cleaning the garbage from roadsides and public parks in the city after Eid. They say in the simmering heat, garbage has been emanating stinking smell, thus making it difficult for people to walk.

Locals said they it had become difficult for them to visit parks due to scattered garbage.

A city resident, Abi Guzar, alleged that parks such as Iqbal Park, Children Park and Badamwari were not cleaned post Eid. “There has to be a proper cleaning management that too after heavy rush of Eid, but unfortunately it is not in place,” said a local, Mushtaq Ahmad.

With temperature continuously increasing in the Valley, many complained that garbage was being dumped on roadsides in many parts of the city.

“There is a danger of falling ill. The authorities concerned clean it after weeks, but there should be dustbins installed in the area so that no one throws garbage on roads. It is unhygienic and leaves a bad impression,” said a resident of Magarmal Bagh, Srinagar.

A senior official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said, “There is a separate management team for parks that looks after its cleaning purposes. We are not part of it, whereas cleaning in other areas is going on continuously in parts of Srinagar.” 

Srinagar, August 1
Five persons, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector and two minor boys, drowned in separate incidents in the Valley today, the police said.

The police official drowned in Jhelum near Khanpora bridge in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, a police spokesman said.

He said ASI Sonaullah, a resident of Uri, was posted in the telecommunication wing and was taking bath when he drowned. His body was fished out and handed over to his relatives.

Two unidentified boys drowned in a flood channel near Solina Bund in uptown Srinagar.

The boys were taking bath when they got drowned this afternoon, the spokesman said. The identity of the two boys could not be immediately ascertained. Their bodies have been kept in the police control room for identification.

Mehraj Ahmed Parray drowned in Nilnag Lake in the famous Yousmarg hill resort in Budgam district of central Kashmir, the spokesman said, adding that efforts were on to retrieve his body.

The spokesman said the police also fished out the body of Gulzar Ahmad Ganai, a resident of Kangan, from Sindh river at the Sonamarg hill resort in Ganderbal district. 

Srinagar, August 1
The Jammu and Kashmir Government today ordered transfers and new postings of three Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) officers, including the Director of Social Welfare, Kashmir.

According to an order of the General Administration Department of the state government, Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, Jahangir Mir has been transferred and posted as Director, Rashtriya Uchachatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), against an available vacancy and relieving Secretary to the Government Higher Education Department of the additional charge of post.

Peerzada Hafizulla Shah, Special Secretary to the Government, ARI and Training Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary, State Information Commission.

Gazanffer Ali, Secretary, State Information Commission, has been transferred and posted as Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir.

Srinagar, August 1
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (PSC) today declared the result of the Combined Competitive Examinations-2013.

An official statement issued here said Saba Noor has topped the merit list.

A total of 20,236 candidates had appeared in the preliminary examination. Later, 2,477 candidates were declared to have qualified the Combined Competitive (main) Examination-2013.

“The main examination was conducted in March, during which 341 candidates qualified for the interview which was conducted from June 23 to July 21 in Srinagar,” the statement said, adding that one candidate did not appear for the interview.

The PSC has notified a list of 99 candidates on the basis of merit to be called for medical examination, it said, adding that Saba has topped the examination.

It said 30 women figure in the merit list of 99 candidates published by the PSC, adding that 13 candidates belonging to the reserved categories have found place in the open merit category.

The applications for the preliminary examination were invited in June 2013. The preliminary examination was conducted on September 29, 2013. The whole exercise has been completed in less than a year.

Srinagar, August 1
The traditional “Chhari Pujan” was performed with religious fervour and gaiety at Dashnami Akhara here today.

The pooja, which was held under the supervision of Mahant Dependra Giri, is performed every year at Dashnami Akhara temple on the day of Nag Panchami.

A large numbers of sadhus and devotees, besides Amarnath pilgrims participated in the special prayers and had darshan of Charri Mubarak.

On August 10, the day of Raksha Bandhan, the Chhari-Mubarak would proceed for the cave.

The Amarnath yatra traditionally concludes once the Chhari Mubarak reaches the shrine. — TNS

Srinagar, August 1
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today sanctioned a relief of Rs 1 lakh in favour of a boatman who died in an accident when a car slipped into the Dal Lake and crashed into his boat.

The Chief Minister sanctioned the relief in favour of Abid Ahmad Dar, the boatman who died earlier this week, an official spokesman said.

The boatman had died when the car slipped into the lake on the Boulevard road and crashed into Dar’s boat.

The car had breached the concrete embankment and hit the houseboat, killing Dar and injuring four others.

The car driver, who was apparently drunk, was arrested after the incident.

Srinagar, August 1
The Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) of Jammu and Kashmir has started the cleaning drive of Nigeen Lake, after some improvement in weather. The locals and houseboat owners are very happy about the step taken as it will improve the tourist footfall.

Shikara owner Ishfaq Ahmad said, "It will be very good if the lake is cleaned up. Tourists will be happy too. We earn our bread from this, so if it is cleaned more tourists will come."

Malik Meraj, Junior Engineer, LAWDA, said, "Nigeen is a sensitive lake from the tourists' point of view. The moment the weather got fine, we started with the cleaning. It will continue till the time it is completely cleaned. It is important to maintain the aesthetic look and the quality of water of the lake."

"It is important for us to give a clean lake to the tourists. This year the weather was cold for comparatively longer time, but now we have fixed up the machines for cleaning. After this the process of de-weeding will also be done," he added.

Another houseboat owner Muhammad Shafi said, "LAWDA has taken a good step of cleaning this lake. The weather is also fine now. Nigeen Lake is famous all over the world."

"LAWDA cleans this lake sometimes once in a year, but if this is increased to three times then it will be very helpful," he added.

Another houseboat owner Muhammad Rafiq warned, "If the lake is not cleaned then it will be finished."

The drive plans to restore the lake's beauty through traditional cleaning process. — ANI

Srinagar, August 1
A trade facilitation centre at a cost of Rs 12.3 crore will be set up in the city.

“On the matter of setting up a permanent exhibition of Kashmiri arts and crafts in Kashmir, Union Textile Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar (independent charge) told Saifuddin Soz that Government of India had already moved in this direction and announced a programme for Pashmina promotion in J&K in the budget proposals 2014-15. The minister also said a trade facilitation centre has been approved by the government,” said a statement issued by the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) here today.

The statement said the project had been approved under the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS). It said the J&K (S&E Corporation), Srinagar, had been identified as the implementing agency for the said project. Stating that the minister informed Soz that as per the scheme guidelines, the land would be contributed by the implementing agency, the statement added: “It has been suggested to the minister by Soz through a written communication that the Centre should first commit itself to provide funds for raising infrastructure within a premises where it will be possible for identified artisans and craftsmen to produce artefacts and display these permanently.”

Srinagar, August 1
The Kashmir High Court Bar Association has condemned the police action on the protesters in Kulgam and Shopian districts.

“The Bar strongly condemns the police and paramilitary forces for using tear gas shells, lathis and other criminal force against the people of Kulgam and Shopian areas who were peacefully protesting against the declaration of Kousar Nag as a Hindu pilgrimage destination,” Bar General Secretary M Ashraf Bhat said in a statement here.

He claimed that the proposed yatra if allowed would destroy the ecology and environment of the area and deprive the people of the area of water for drinking and other purposes.

“The Bar association strongly believes that ever since Narendra Modi has taken over the Prime Minister of the country, the fanatics have joined their hands and have started imposing themselves on the people of Kashmir,” the Bar claimed. — TNS

Jammu, August 1
A BSF officer was killed while one of his colleagues was injured in an “accidental fire” near the headquarters of the BSF’s 94 battalion in the Miran Sahib area of the RS Pura sector in Jammu district today.

The deceased has been identified as inspector Ratiram, while the injured officer has been identified as sub inspector Ramji Thakur.

The incident happened around 9 am when the duo was returning from their duty at a forward post.

“There was an accidental sniper fire from the 9 mm pistol of inspector Ratiram while he along with others was returning from their duty from a forward post in an official vehicle near Indreshwar Nagar, the BSF Headquarter of the 94 Battalion, in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district today,” said a BSF officer.

One round went off from the pistol that hit Ratiram and Ramji Thakur. While inspector Ratiram died, sub inspector Ramjit Thakur, who sustained injury on his chest is stable, said the officer.

“It was an accidental fire. They were returning from their duty along with three other BSF personnel from a forward post on the international border when 9 mm pistol of Inspector Ratiram went off accidentally,” the officer reiterated when asked whether any foul play was suspected in the incident.

“There is no foul play, it is a case of accidental sniper fire,” he asserted.

However, a police source said two rounds went off from the pistol, adding that the vehicle was just 100 metres away from the 94 Battalion Headquarters at Indreshwar Nagar when the incident took place.

The police have seized the 9 mm pistol and an INSAS rifle and registered a case in this regard at the Satwari police station. 

Srinagar, August 1
Two more militants have been killed in an ongoing operation that began on Thursday evening near the Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier Kupwara district. The Army had managed to neutralise two militants late last evening.

The Army said two militants were killed on Friday when they tried to break the cordon along the LoC in the Keran sector, 130 km from here. The identity of the slain militants could not be ascertained immediately and the Army was trying to establish whether the duo was trying to sneak into the Valley or moving to the Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

“The operation is still in progress and it will be little immature to say whether it was an infiltration attempt or an ex-filtration attempt,” General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha told reporters on the sidelines of a function in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The GOC said so far four militants have been killed in the operation.

“We have recovered eight AK rifles and lot of ammunition from the area,” Lt General Saha said, adding that the Army had a robust counter-infiltration grid in place, which had foiled many infiltration attempts in the Valley.

Srinagar, August 1
A day after a private security guard was attacked in the city, militants snatched the service rifle from a policeman posted as security guard of a Session Judge.

“Service rifle of a policeman posted as security guard with the district judge was snatched today,” a police official said.

Sources said the incident happened this morning when gunmen barged into the residential quarter of a Session Judge in the Qamarwari area of the city. They overpowered one of the security guards and decamped with the rifle.

The source said the militants fired few shots before fleeing.

Doda, August 1
At least 18 persons were injured when clashes erupted between two groups of Muslims over an alleged land dispute and an old issue of the Masjid Management Committee in Sartangal, Bhaderwah area of Doda district, officials said.

The violence broke out in Bhaderwah yesterday when two groups of people got into an altercation over the issue, which turned violent soon.

Both groups started throwing stones on each other which resulted into injuries to 18 people, eight of them critically injured.

However, the police rushed to the scene and controlled the situation and shifted the injured to the Sub-District Hospital, Bhaderwah.

Mohammed Yakoob Mir, Superintendent of District Hospital, Doda, said, “We have referred two critically injured patients to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, and one more injured has been referred to the GMCH, Jammu.” Shaym Vinod Meena, DC, Doda, said, “It’s an old issue of the Masjid Management Committee. A clash broke out yesterday in which a few people of the same community were injured. We have sent a team to the spot to solve the issue peacefully.”

Mohammed Sharif Chouhan, Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, said the clashes triggered between two groups of the came community over a “land dispute”. — OC

Jammu, August 1
Mansi Lalotra, a student of class VII at Humanity Public School, Bari Brahmana, has brought laurels to the school by winning a gold medal in the first Asian Matsogi-Do Championship held in Nepal.

About 400 players/officials from six countries (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan and Bangladesh) participated in the championship to hone their skills and vie for the top honours. Mansi Lalotra defeated two Nepali girls to clinch the gold.

After returning from Nepal, Mansi was given a warm welcome on the school premises by Gaurav Charak, Principal, along with Anku Charak, Vice-Principal. Pankaj Mehra (coach), Poonam (coach), Akashdeep Raina (in charge), Nitin Jamwal, Ajay Kumar (PT teacher) the other staff members were present on the occasion.