Jammu, September 18
Flood-affected people from Phali Mandal and surrounding areas today held a protest against the state government for its failure in restoring power and drinking water supply to the villages affected by the recent floods. They also blocked the national highway at Satwari Chowk.

Protesters alleged that most of the villages in the Tawi island have suffered massive devastation during the floods as the Tawi water entered the villages after breaching its embankments on September 5 and people are still in trauma.

Except help from the Army, administration officials only visited the place with assurances that the drinking water and power supply will be restored, but so far nothing has been done.

Protesters alleged that there is delay in the distribution of relief, due to which people are suffering.

“We have suffered due to floods and now the administration has adopted a totally apathetic attitude towards the people, who suffered. We demand that the drinking water supply and power should be restored immediately,” said Thoru Ram, a resident of Makwal.

Around 50 villages in the Tawi island area, a patch of land surrounded by the river, were affected by the floods and a bridge connecting the villages was washed away. Later, the Army had constructed a pontoon bridge to start supply in the area.

Jammu, September 18
As the bodies of flood victims have started arriving in Jammu, anger has been brewing among the Jammu-based employees posted in Srinagar against the state government and some local volunteers, who they say adopted a pick-and-choose policy during the rescue operations.

The body of Rajesh Dutta, an employee of the Ranbir Government Press, and Maharaj Krishan Kakapuri, Section Officer in the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Department, arrived in Jammu from Srinagar two days ago.

The body of a Jammu resident, who had drowned in the floods, also reached Jammu on Tuesday.

Some survivors fear that a number of missing employees might have lost their lives in the floods as there was no one to rescue them.

Although the state government had set September 18 as the deadline for the employees to resume their duty, a majority of the Jammu-based employees posted at Srinagar have not reported to work.

Jammu-based employees, posted in Srinagar, alleged that a majority of the untraceable employees had lost their lives because the “so-called volunteers” in the interior of Srinagar city were rescuing only locals from the marooned areas.

“Some people who were roaming in a boat to rescue trapped people took everything from me, including my watch and gold chain, to evacuate us,” said a Jammu-based employee posted at Srinagar.

“Army men engaged in the rescue operations were not aware of the topography of the lanes and bylanes of Srinagar so some volunteers roaming in the interior of the city had seized the opportunity to fleece the helpless trapped people,” he said, adding that those who did not have money or valuable items were not rescued by these so-called volunteers.

An employee of the Civil Secretariat alleged that in the absence of the government at the time of the floods, some anti-social elements, under the guise of volunteers, had looted non-locals.

“Although there were some genuine volunteers who were rescuing people, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion or colour, some groups were especially targeting non-locals to mint money at the time of the catastrophe,” he said.

Jammu-based employees have toughened their stand and said they would not resume duty till the authorities provided a conducive atmosphere in Srinagar.

“Many of our colleagues are still missing,” an employee said.

Meanwhile, family members of some of the employees met BJP leader Nirmal Singh at his residence last evening demanding a probe into the death of the two employees.

A damaged wall of a government school in the Phalian Mandal area on the outskirts of Jammu

Trail of destruction

• At least 121 schools have been partially damaged in Jammu district, while 33 institutions suffered partial damage in Samba district. One school has been fully damaged in Samba.
• 223 government schools have suffered partial damages while 65 have been fully damaged in Reasi district.
• In Rajouri district, 103 schools have been damaged partially, while 61 have been fully damaged. Nearly 180 schools have suffered partial damage in Poonch district. Another 18 have been fully damaged.

Jammu, September 18
The devastating deluge has also cast its shadow on the trans-LoC trade and travel that takes place between India and Pakistan via Jammu and Kashmir, thereby causing huge losses to traders on both the sides.

While trade and travel remain suspended via Salamabad in Baramulla district of the Kashmir region, the two services were resumed via Chakan da Bagh in Poonch district from September 15.

“Due to flashfloods, trade and travel via Salamabad in Baramulla remain suspended. The travel and trade via Chakan da Bagh trade centre resumed from September 15 and 16, respectively,” said Pawan Anand, president of the Chamber of LoC Trade, J&K. He said nearly a dozen Indian traders, who operate via Chakan da Bagh, have suffered a loss of approximately Rs 1.20 crore.

“The traders, who had to send consignments of fresh fruits such as mango and banana to Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), suffered a loss of nearly Rs 1.20 crore as trucks could not be sent to the other side because of heavy rain and flash floods,” he added.

Over 600 Indian traders from Kashmir and 165 traders from Jammu are associated with the trade via Salamabad and Chakan da Bagh trade centers, respectively.

“Though there had been no loss of life and damage to infrastructure at Chakan da Bagh, we hope that Indian traders, who suffered losses because of the natural calamity, would be compensated by the government,” said Anand.

“Yesterday and today, a total of 50 Indian trucks carrying merchandise crossed over to PoJK,” he added.

The trans-border trade takes place four days a week from Tuesday to Friday while “Caravan-e-Aman” (peace bus) crosses the border every Monday.

“At least 68 PoJK citizens, who had come here on the trans-LoC bus but were left stranded due to floods, were sent back via Chakan da Bagh yesterday,” he said.

These PoJK citizens could return home only after the Indian Army repaired an iron bridge linking Poonch with Rawalakot.

Jammu, September 18
The recent floods, which ravaged several areas of Jammu, has also damaged 2 km-long portion of the Ranbir Canal after water from the Tawi, which washed away two pillars of the fourth bridge, entered the canal.

As the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has begun survey to assess the damage inflicted by the Tawi and Chenab, officials said that several sections of the canal, the lifeline for thousands of paddy and basmati farmers in Jammu, has been damaged and the repair work has started on the war-footing.

Thousands of hectares of land is irrigated by canals in the southern districts of J&K, including the world famous basmati growing area of RS Pura.

“About 2 km-long portion from the fourth bridge to Beli-Charana and beyond has been damaged after floodwater from Tawi entered the canal on September 4. In several areas from its origin from Akhnoor, water from the Chenab has been diverted and damages have been seen,” said HC Jeerath, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control.

Though on the first day after the Chenab began to swell, the department had closed the gates to save the city from floods, but near the fourth bridge the Tawi breached the banks and dumped a huge amount of silt and material in the canal.

Extending from Akhnoor to the tail-end of Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Gajansoo, Trikuta Nagar, Satwari and other interior areas, the Ranbir Canal provides irrigation to several areas.

“We will complete the repair work by next week and after that water will be released for the irrigation purpose. So far we are making every effort to mend the damaged portions,” said Jeerath.

The 110-year-old canal network, constructed by the erstwhile Dogra Maharajas, was used for the transportation purpose to carry essential commodities from Akhnoor to Jammu and vice- versa, but now it is mostly used for the irrigation purpose.

Jammu, September 18
Community outreach medical relief camps by the Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS) and Hospital for people in flood-ravaged areas were conducted at Makwal village in the Phallayan Mandal area of Nikki Tawi and Purkhoo, Mishriwala, Jammu, in coordination with the HelpAge India Society.

At Makwal, the floodwater had entered the houses of people and there was apprehension of water-borne and communicable diseases.

Dr Thanjana Duggal and Dr Mangat Ram along with other supporting staff examined 180 patients on the school premises there.

At Purkhoo, Mishriwala, Dr Sakul and Dr Ish Kalra (medicine), Dr Shivani Razdan (skin), Dr Rushali Gupta and Dr Anjali Salathia (eye), Dr Prachi Dubey and Dr Niharika (obstetrics and gynaecology) and Dr Asma Shaheen (paediatrics) examined over 150 patients.

The camp was conducted with active assistance of Yugal Mahajan (sarpanch) and Mubarak Singh.

Free medicines were distributed among patients in both the camps. Those requiring further treatment were advised to attend ASCOMS and Hospital.

The camps were conducted under the guidance of DK Batra, secretary, ASCOMS, and Dr RP Kudyar, Director Principal, ASCOMS and Hospital.

Jammu, September 18
President of the Marh Vikas Morcha Deepak Kumar Sharma visited the flood-hit Phallian Mandal village on the outskirts of Jammu and listened to the grievances of the affected families.

People told Sharma to restore electricity in the area and also appealed to the government to provide free of cost ration to the affected families.

Sharma said a 30-feet-long embankment around the Tawi should be constructed to protect people from the future floods.

He also demanded construction of a two-lane bridge over the Tawi which would provide better road connectivity to the area.

Jammu, September 18
The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, has established a helpline to provide free legal aid to the flood-affected people of the Jammu region. It has urged the state government to make proper assessment of loss suffered by general public in flood-hit parts of the state and make equitable distribution of relief fund/donation received from the Central Government.

A meeting, chaired by Bar Association president MK Bhardwaj, was held. Bhardwaj said no part of the state should be discriminated against in the distribution of relief fund and all attempts should be made at the earliest to reach out to the people who are still inaccessible.

Senior advocates present in the meeting offered their services, support and help to the flood victims. Any individual can contact the J&K High Court Bar Association on contact numbers, 0191-2531111, 094191-36302, 094191-91871 in case any injustice is done to any flood-affected person or is denied the relief to which the citizen is entitled to.

The Bar Association has also made an appeal to medicos and paramedical staff of the state to provide free medical aid in flood-affected areas till the normalcy is restored. “It is also appealed to teachers of the state to provide free education to the children affected by the floods, even if they have to take extra classes,” Bhardwaj said.

All Deputy Commissioners, Director, School Education, CEOs are requested to prepare the lists of the students affected by floods, so that the school uniforms and study materials are fairly distributed in the state at the earliest in order to ensure that their education is not hampered any more, they said.

The association appreciated the efforts of the Army, IAF, NDRF, paramilitary forces and all those who have made selfless efforts to carry out the operation to save persons and property in the flood-hit areas.

Srinagar, September 18
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed gratitude to Governor NN Vohra for donating his one month’s salary to the J&K Chief Minister’s Flood Relief fund.

Reviewing the situation in the aftermath of floods at a high level meeting here, Omar also announced Rs 1 lakh donation out of his salary to the flood relief fund and appealed to the parliamentarians and legislators of the state to donate as much as they could for the flood-affected families, an official statement said.

He said MPs and legislators can also earmark funds out of their MPLADS and constituency development fund for the restoration of flood-hit infrastructure.

Deposit as much amount as possible in the J&K Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, account number 0110040100001275 (IFSC --- JAKAO) of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited, Omar urged the rich and affluent.

During the meeting the Chief Minister was also apprised of the supply position of essential commodities, including distribution of ration and supply of medicines. He was also informed about the functioning of health institutions and removal of garbage from roads and streets.

Omar laid thrust on intensifying dewatering of submerged areas in the Srinagar city. He also approved procurement of high density and heavy discharging dewatering pumps for the purpose. Each pump of this make is capable of dewatering 18000 to 20000 liters of water per minute, the statement added.

New Delhi, September 18
The Supreme Court today asked the Centre, J&K Government and other states and agencies to put their “heads and hands together” to deal with the gigantic task of ensuring relief and rehabilitation to the flood-hit people.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha said the nation had the “capacity, capability and strength” to deal with the aftermath of the natural disaster. What was required was prioritization, proper planning and execution.

The immediate task of the authorities involved in the relief work was to ensure supply of food, drinking water, medicine, doctors and paramedical staff, tents, blankets and fuel and steps for disposal of wastes, including carcasses, to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, it said.

Acknowledging that massive efforts were being made by the armed forces and civilian authorities, the Bench however asked them to take note of the deficiencies pointed out by the PIL petitioners and initiate remedial steps.

The apex court had to intervene in the matter as it had the constitutional mandate to protect the fundamental rights of people to basic necessities for survival and lead a decent life.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and the state’s Additional Advocate General Gaurav Pachnanda questioned the veracity of the grim picture projected by the petitioners. Most of the banks were open and ATMs were functional and this was evident from cash withdrawals amounting to over Rs 100 crore. There was a traffic jam in Srinagar yesterday which showed that fuel was available, they pleaded.

The Bench, however, advised them not to take the petitioners as adversaries. When people were faced with such calamities, “there will be complaints which may not be without reason. We have to see the overall situation,” it told both the sides. The SC also advised the state government to consider a suggestion for reconstruction of damaged houses using pre-fabricated material.

Samba, September 18
Amid tall claims of the government of providing relief to those affected by the recent floods across the state, flood-hit victims of Samba district have alleged that they are being neglected by the government and no relief has reached them.

Activists of political and social organisations have also been alleging that most of the people in their areas have not received the official relief as yet. However, the district administration has distributed some relief material with the help of a few NGOs and social organisations.

Many areas in Sujwan, Bada, Dagorh, Gujjar Basti, Palth, Mananu, Goran and Sumb areas were badly affected by the recent flash floods, followed by landslides. Most of the victims in these areas have alleged that the state government has not being paying any heed to their problems.

“The floods have affected hundreds of families in different areas of Samba. We have lost our fields and houses as well. We demand timely relief for our damaged houses and fields,” said Madal Lal, a local resident.

“Instructions have been issued to the officials concerned to take up the protection work of the land in and around the houses to prevent further damage to the houses, besides providing free-of-cost ration for two months and blankets to the sufferers whose houses have been completely damaged,” said Mubarak Singh, Samba Deputy Commissioner.

“We also met drivers and cleaners of more than 100 Srinagar-bound trucks which are stranded at Nud due to blockade of the National Highway. They have run out of ration and money. After meeting them, directions were given to the Assistant Director, CA&PD, to provide free-of-cost ration to them,” he added.

Last evening, Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh also chaired a meeting with the district administration and took stock of the rescue and relief measures put in place to provide necessary help to the flood victims in Samba. He instructed the administration to make sure that the relief material was swiftly distributed to each and everyone.

Jammu, September 18
District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Shabir Ahmad Bhatt, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, Vivek Gupta along with other civil and police officials today took stock of the relief measures put in place to provide necessary help to the rain-hit families of the district.

The duo visited Seari, Dera Baba, Talwara and adjoining areas and interacted with the locals and assessed the present situation.

The district administration assured all possible help to the flood victims.

Bhatt directed teshildar and naib teshildar to submit a comprehensive assessment of losses caused due to floods/landslides to the administration as soon as possible.

Both Bhatt and Gupta appealed to the people and corporate houses to contribute towards the relief fund.

Floods claimed about 20 lives in Reasi district while one person was still missing. Also, 7,166 houses, 2,245 cattle sheds and other structures were damaged in the flash floods and landslides followed by incessant rain.

More than 210 villages and about 68,579 families of the district have been affected by the floods in the district, the District Development Commissioner said.

Jammu, September 18
Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani has expressed grief over the death of former Member of Parliament (MP), ex-Health Minister and ex-Ambassador of Jordon, Haji Abdul Gani Goni Mohammad.

Describing him as a veteran political personality of the state, Wani said Abdul Gani Goni’s death had created a vacuum in the political arena of J&K.

He said Goni was a great statesman and well known for his principles, integrity and his love for the poor.

“Goni was a popular leader, who always raised issues of the poor in the Legislative Assembly, Parliament and other forums. He played a great role in the growth and development of J&K,” the minister said.

Jammu, September 18
Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda reached Srinagar today on a one-day visit to review the ongoing relief and restoration operation in the Valley.

In Srinagar, the Army officer was received by Lt Gen Subrata Saha, General Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps (Chinar Corps), and briefed on the relief and restoration operations launched by the Chinar Corps under the “Mission Sahayata”.

He also visited the flood-affected areas inside the Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar and was given a detailed overview of the damages suffered by various establishments of the Army in Kashmir.

Lt Gen DS Hooda commended all ranks of the Chinar Corps for their relentless efforts during the floods in Kashmir towards rescue, relief and restoration operations, despite enormous challenges faced by the Chinar Corps as its own areas and personnel were affected by the floods. He assured the 15 Corps of all support to help overcome the losses suffered during the floods. — TNS

Jammu, September 18
Government College for Women (GCW), Parade today conducted elections to the presidium 2014-15.

The elections were conducted under the joint supervision of Dean, Students Welfare, Dr Aruna Dubey and Staff Secretary Prof Amrit Kaur in the presence of Dr Hemla Aggrawal, Principal of the college, and all heads of departments in the college.

Supriya Salaria of BSc-III was elected president, Meenakshi Manhas of BSc-III ambassador, Shefali Sharma of BCom-II vice-president, Akansha Gupta of BCom-III general secretary, Malika Dogra of BSc–II treasurer, Mutqueen Khan of BA-I, Vasudha of BSc-I and Kritika Sharma of BCom-I joint secretaries and Preeti Sharma of BA –III volunteer head.

Jammu, September 18
The Bakshi Nagar police today arrested an absconder, who had been evading arrest for the past 11 months.

The arrested person was identified as Bodh Raj, resident of Gandu De Chawni. He was arrested at Hans Raj Park, Gandu De Chawni, Jammu.

He was arrest under Section 309 of the RPC.

The police produced him in the court today.