Jammu, September 21
With the Army busy in relief operations across the state, a group of 10-15 terrorists made another intrusion bid from across the Line of Control in the Balakote sector of Poonch district last night.

However, alert troops of the 15 Bihar Regiment foiled their attempt.

Despite carrying out relief operations, the Army has maintained a high degree of vigil all along the 744-km-long LoC.

“Around 8.30 last night, a group of 10-15 armed ultras made an intrusion bid near the MS Tekri post in the Balakote sector. However, alert troops of the 15 Bihar Regiment, who had picked up the movement on their devices, immediately opened fire and a gun battle ensued. Around 9.30 pm, the ultras fled back to PoJK,” said an Intelligence source.

On September 18, 19 and 20, there had been regular attempts by militants to sneak into Indian territory in the Poonch sector.

At a time when floods have damaged the border infrastructure on the LoC, Intelligence agencies have alerted the Army about the possibilities of intrusions in the Poonch sector, especially via the Krishna Ghati and Bhimber Gali sectors, said the source.

He said the Intelligence agencies had alerted the Rashtriya Rifles and infantry battalions and one battalion of the BSF to remain extra cautious all along the mother ridge in the Poonch sector.

On the intervening night of September 18 and 19, a group of militants had tried to infiltrate from the Balakote sector. “The attempt was made around 9 pm but the alert Army troops had foiled it,” said the source.

On the intervening night of September 19 and 20, a group of nine to 10 armed militants had tried to sneak into the India from the Tarkundi forward area.

“It is believed that the group which has been trying to infiltrate is the same group that started its intrusion bids from Panjini Forward and made the latest attempt near the MS Tekri post last night,” said the source.

Nearly 50 km of border fence, several posts and floodlights were damaged in the recent floods along the LoC and the international border in the state.

Srinagar, September 21
The Government of India’s three-month free rice and flour ration to Kashmir flood victims has already hit a roadblock with people saying local ration depots are charging them for providing monthly ration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to flood-affected Jammu and Kashmir, had announced that the Centre would provide free ration to all flood victims across the state for at least three months.

In many areas of Srinagar, local residents say local Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) authorities which operates ration depots are asking them to pay for their monthly supplies.

“Till recently, the local Station House Officer has been leading flood relief distribution teams, but CAPD depots have taken over charge for distribution of Prime Minister’s package,” said Muzaffar Ahmad of Irum Lane in Natipora.

“The authorities are demanding usual charges for these supplies. Unfortunately, at this moment, we have nobody to turn to address our concerns. We are not in a position to pay for these supplies,” he said.

The Centre had directed oil companies to provide liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders to flood-affected victims in the Valley even if they did not have registration booklets.

“We have directed our distributors and dealers concerned to provide LPG cylinders at subsidised rates to the people who demand the cylinders whether or not they have their booklets,” said Shahid, a local distributor of Hindustan Petroleum LPG cylinders. “We are aware that victims may have lost the booklets along with other documents during the floods. Hence, there is a waiver for them from most oil companies,” he said.

Srinagar, September 21
The floodwaters may have receded from the city centre Lal Chowk and its surrounding areas in Srinagar but it will be a long-drawn process before business activities in the Kashmir’s commercial hub return to normal.

The flood has left behind a trail of destruction as muddied branded clothes, electronic goods, watches and handicrafts lay unclaimed on the streets of Lal Chowk. The goods have been probably damaged beyond repair due to the floods.

Nisar Ahmad Wani, who owns a shop in the upmarket Lambert Lane on the Residency Road here, and several other shopkeepers nearby are busy clearing the mess created by the floods, including the expensive merchandise, now worth a zilch, so that they can make a fresh start.

“We are thankful to God for sparing our lives. Business-wise, all goods have turned into trash and are worth nothing,” Wani said.

In fact, businessmen are keen to hasten the cleaning operations as rotting merchandise can become a liability if left inside the shops.

“We thought the government will give priority to removal of garbage from Lal Chowk and surrounding areas as this is the nerve centre of business but I think we have to do it on our own as foul smell is emanating from the shops,” said Mudasir Ahmad, another shopkeeper.

The business community claims that the losses caused by the floods in Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk, Residency Road, Maisuma, Court Road and the Koker Bazaar area alone will run into several thousand crores.

“Every outlet has suffered losses and there are hundreds of shops in these areas. You can imagine the extent of the damage,” said Shakeel Ahmad, a businessman.

Most of the businessmen were caught on the wrong foot when the Jhelum breached its banks at several places and its waters entered Lal Chowk on September 7.

First, the day was Sunday when most of the shops remain closed as per the local municipal laws.

Second, and more important of the factors, was the belief of the trading community that the government would not allow the commercial hub to get marooned.

“The traditional practice during such situations has been to cut the banks of the Jhelum at Kandizaal that would prevent the water from entering into the city. For unexplained reasons, it was not done this time,” said Aijaz Ahmad Dar, who runs a photo-printing lab and sells cameras.

All stocks at Dar’s showroom have become muddied by the floods and will take at least a week before he can start operating his printing lab again.

“We will start the operations again. We have been through ups and downs before but this time it will be a long time before we come back to normal (business) activity,” Dar said. — PTI

Ramnagar (Udhampur), September 21
With the roads connecting various blocks and panchayats in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district yet to be restored, flood victims in this hilly tehsil are left at God’s mercy by the state administration.

Contrary to the claims made by the senior most officials, the ground reality is that the majority of the affected areas in this tehsil remain devoid of any relief from the government.

The roads connecting Basantgarh, Dudu, Jakhed, Latti, Ghordi, Khaned and other blocks of Ramnagar are yet to be restored. Neither the relief material nor any official has reportedly visited these areas so far. People in this flood-affected tehsil are forced to live in the open.

“No one from the Revenue Department has yet even come to assess the loss on ground,” Babli Devi of Kulwanta village, whose already dilapidated house was completely damaged in the recent rain and flash floods, told The Tribune.

The story of 475 households, which have been fully damaged in the recent rains, in the area, is no different.

As per the figures available with the Tehsildar Office here, 1,900 houses have suffered partial damage.

The people in the most rural parts of the tehsil alleged that no one from the state administration reached them with any relief material, including tents, food material, blankets and ration.

“In our district nearly 143 roads were severely damaged. Out of these nearly 70 per cent have been opened in the past 10 days. But there are few roads in this remote tehsil which are yet closed and hence men and machinery is working round the clock to get these roads traffic-worthy at the earliest,” said the Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department (R&B), Udhampur.

He conceded that there were parts where relief work was hindered. “Definitely it has stopped the pace of relief work in these areas,” he said.

Srinagar, September 21
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and Member of Parliament Mehbooba Mufti has alleged that after the natural calamity and government inaction, mishandling of the relief and rehabilitation process was compounding the miseries of the people.

She called for coordinated efforts to provide respite to the flood-affected people.

Mehbooba, after visiting several flood-affected areas of the Budgam, Beerwah and Tangmarg constituencies, said the situation on the ground was grim as people were not only susceptible to the outbreak of diseases but were also on the verge of starvation.

The PDP president said the process to provide relief to the affected families was slow and was being carried without any coordination, thus compounding the miseries of the people.

She observed that people were alleging that in the name of relief distribution, the ruling parties were trying to cash in on their miseries.

“It was the general complaint of the people that the relief was being routed through ruling party members,” she said, adding that the process was so slow that relief material was yet to reach to the most affected areas.

She said the government, ironically, had not paid any heed to the suggestions made by her party during the recently held all-party meeting.

“Distribution through religious and social organisations with proper coordination and monitoring could have ensured speedy relief to the people,” she said.

Mehbooba said a large number of areas continued to be submerged as the process of draining out water remained non-existent or ineffective.

The floods have destroyed paddy crop completely while a large portion of the land in many areas has also suffered damage.

She said a huge chunk of the population had been rendered homeless.

“Tents have been erected at some places on the roadsides while some people have taken shelter at the houses of their relatives,” she said, adding that till now the government should have established the tented accommodation at a proper place with proper facilities of sanitation and electricity.

She also reiterated her concern about the slow draining out of water from all affected areas, especially the business centres in and around Srinagar city.

In Srinagar, the main business centres around Lal Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Residency Road and Moulana Azad Road continue to be filled with water, she said, adding that the continued inundation of residential areas such as Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh, Batamaloo, Karan Nagar, Bemina and Qamarwari also speaks volumes about the government’s claims that draining of water has been initiated. 

Batote, September 21
Ramban MLA Ashok Kumar Sunday visited landslide-ravaged areas under Rakhjadokh and Dharmoond panchayats in Batote tehsil and reviewed resettlement of 40 affected families.

He visited Dhak and Rataal localities of Batote where 53 families had been provided tents by the Indian Red Cross Society.

He approved land for their resettlement at Dhalawas village and directed revenue officers to take up the land with the Power Development Corporation.

The families had lost their land during the recent rain due to heavy landslides and were being relocated by the Ramban district administration.

He directed the PHE Executive Engineer to sort out the long-pending tap water supply issue in the area. He was accompanied by Batote Tehsildar Srinath Suman, Naib Tehsildar Saifullah Shah and local leaders.

Jammu, September 21
With the authorities failing to temporarily restore traffic on the damaged fourth bridge over the Tawi, people of the adjoining areas a facing lot of hardships.

A span on the left bank of the bridge was washed away in the flood on September 6 and even after the passage of 15 days the civil authorities have failed to restore traffic on the bridge

The bridge was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on May 26, 2013. It was built at a cost of Rs 89.05 crore.

Due to the damage to the bridge the local milkmen, who supply milk to Gandhi Nagar and adjoining localities are forced to cross the Tawi on foot. Students of the area are bearing the maximum brunt as they have to cover long distances to reach their schools.

Chief Engineer, Roads and Building, Hamid Sheikh claimed that the bridge would be temporarily restored for vehicular traffic within a week’s time. “The repair work is going on,” Sheikh said.

“Keeping in view the pace of the ongoing works, it was expected that the bridge would be opened for vehicular traffic within a week’s time,” he said.

He further said the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation was assessing the loss due to floods.

The world has seen what happened in Jammu and Kashmir – how the ravaging floods destroyed life and property and intercepted the future of lakhs of people with unspoken brutality. “We shall overcome” – that is the spirit which is giving hope to one and all in this state, which is not new to natural calamities.

This great spirit of overcoming the crisis of this magnitude, which has no parallel in the state’s history, was displayed in the way the people of the state, particularly in the capital city of Srinagar, stood by one another to brave the ravaging floods. That showed the best of the people. More than in writings or spoken words, these efforts of one and all need to be acknowledged in hearts.

In this hour of crisis, which unfortunately is not showing any signs of coming to an end anytime soon, regrettably politics has been injected. Some elements have made it a saga of “you versus us” episodes. Certain aberrations cannot be ruled out, but that is not the complete picture. Tragedies befall without making any announcement for any particular section of population nor do they make any distinction between the commoners and the millionaires, between religious, ethnic and sectarian affinities, locals or outsiders. The response to this is to make bridges between people.

Why is it important to build bridges between people? This question needs to be addressed in a dispassionate manner. The whole country is shocked by the disaster that has taken place in Kashmir. From the common man to the corporate world and media organisations (incidentally, The Tribune, was the first to set up the relief fund for the flood victims), they all have tried to reach out to the affected people in their own way. The donations would sustain the relief camps set up by voluntary organisations. But, at the end of the day, people will have to stand up on their own. People of this state have already realised that they will have to stand up on their own. They have demonstrated their will to do so. That is what is giving hope that they will overcome the crisis, howsoever long it may take.

The stagnant waters will not keep them marooned forever. The status of being marooned has to be erased. The population has to be brought out of this crisis, without trying to get into the competition of the credit-taking game, and also this occasion should not be used to devalue the contribution of all those who were involved in the rescue operations, whether they were men in uniform or local volunteers. All of them saved the people in distress.

Once the bridges are there between people, they can make the task of overcoming the crisis easier. It is shocking that some people are still trying to create and widen the divide to show that one side did everything while the other didn’t do anything. That is not true. The truth is that some rescuers operated in areas where they could venture, and others went to submerged areas they were familiar with. The objective was the same: to save distressed souls and bring them to safety.

There are also horror stories of greed, extortions, looting and thefts. It is pointless to recall them at this stage because that would not serve any purpose. Now, the need is to find what is common among all human beings. Isn’t it a fact that all places of worship — mosques, temples and gurdwaras — served as shelters and provided food and water to whosoever came to seek refuge? There are numerous tales, some would be narrated, and others would never be known of the rescue measures — even about how some rescue work cost lives.

Today Kashmir is devastated. It needs positive support — of people walking shoulder to shoulder — to come out of the tragedy. More importantly, besides building buildings, there is an urgent need to rebuild mutual confidence. That’s when the “we shall overcome” phrase will get translated into reality.

Rajouri, September 21
Most of the flood and landslides victims in Rajouri district have not received adequate relief from the state government.

The district administration, under the supervision of Jatender K Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, has been providing succour to the flood victims from its own resources.

Most of the victims have been provided relief by the local Army units, NGOs and social organisations.

The amount of relief provided by the district administration is not enough for the victims who have lost everything.

In the Kalakot and Ghambhir Muglan areas and at some other places, a family of three to four persons has been provided 1 kg of flour, 1 kg of rice, two bread loaves and 1 kg of onion, which many have not accepted.

On the other hand, many NGOs and unions have been providing ration, milk, biscuits and blankets to the victims.

The organisations have been collecting material in the district in a haphazard manner and distributing on their own without consulting the district administration.

Some NGOs and other organisations have collected cash and relief material from Rajouri and have taken it to Valley for distribution, sources said.

To streamline the system of relief distribution and to educate the organisations as to what flood victims need, the Rajouri Deputy Commissioner (DC) has issued a circular, in which the organisations have been directed to contact the district administration so that only required material is bought and sent for distribution among the affected families.

As per the circular, the district administration has been facing a lot of problems due to unplanned distribution of relief material by the organisations.

“The appeal has been made to the organisation to avoid repetition of relief material in the areas which have already been covered by the administration and other organisations,” said the DC.

The sources said MLAs, MLCs, leaders, workers of the BJP, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress and the National Conference had been distributing material in the areas where the parties had their supporters while other victims were neglected.

The Deputy Commissioner, in the circular, has said the district administration at present required tents, blankets, family packs, including utensils and other kitchen items.

According to some reliable reports, many people who are not victims of the natural calamity have managed to get tents, tarpaulins from the local Army units in the border and far-flung areas and have erected them on the forest land just to grab it.

Jatender Singh said the administration was busy in the relief distribution and rehabilitation processes.

He said as soon as the rehabilitation process was completed, action would be taken against such elements, if found guilty.

Jammu, September 21
The mobile service of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been down in Jammu since this morning, effecting connectivity of thousands of subscribers.

BSNL subscribers in Jammu have been getting messages of “Call cannot be completed” or “Number out of reach” on dialing any number since this morning and no calls are getting through on BSNL numbers.

“I have been trying to call from my BSNL mobile since morning, but it is not working at all. Even no one is able to call me on my mobile,” said Pankaj Saroch, an IT engineer.

“This is the worst-ever network in the state. At the time of crises in Jammu, when other operators are busy in restoring their network in the flood-affected areas, the BSNL, which is being used by most of the VIPs in the state, is not even working in the winter capital of the state,” he added.

As the BSNL was the first operator, which has started mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir in 2003, most of the people are using BSNL number in the state, especially all the VIPs of the state.

Apart from the poor connectivity, the toll-free customer care of BSNL landline is also not responding properly. They don’t even have alternate landline numbers of the BSNL officials.

As it was Sunday, no official was available at their offices and due to network failure no one could be conducted.

Jammu, September 21
Promising all possible help to flood victims, Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra and National Conference (NC) provincial president Devender Singh Rana Saturday said focused attention was being paid to rehabilitation of those whose houses had been damaged during the natural calamity.

“This is imperative because of the ensuing winter and less time available for undertaking renovation and reconstruction of houses and restoration and upgrade of utility services,” Rana said.

The NC delegation is on a tour of the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on the instructions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“An overview of the damages speaks of colossal losses, but the actual position will be known only after the survey and assessment, which is currently underway,” said Rana.

He said the damage to houses, infrastructure and crops had been immense and special measures were required to be taken to cope up with the situation. Rana lauded the administration for its initial response that helped save precious lives in a big way.

“The Chief Minister has been monitoring the rehabilitation and relief measures himself, and the field teams deputed for the purpose are keeping him abreast with the progress of relief being provided to the flood victims”, he added.

“It’s the time to rise above politics and wipe out the tears of the sufferers and ensure their rehabilitation with immediate effect,” said the NC provincial president.

Speaking to groups of flood-hit, Sadhotra reiterated the commitment of Omar-led government to mitigate the sufferings of people and ensuring reconstruction and rehabilitation on priority basis.

He said an action plan was being put into place to ensure optimum results in a time-bound manner.

Sadhotra gave an overview of relief measures taken so far and told the sufferers not to feel alone in this hour of crisis as the entire state was behind them.

After taking a detailed briefing from the district-level administrative heads of various developmental departments, he sought the restoration work to be taken on priority basis. — TNS

Jammu, September 21
The All Jammu Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) —- a frontline organisation of the panchayat members —- has appealed to over 33,000 panches and sarpanches to contribute and collect relief for the flood victims.

In an appeal, AJKPC president Anil Sharma requested all panchayat members to come forward and donate generously for the flood victims as they were their real representatives.

“They should also launch a relief collection campaign so that the maximum number of people who have suffered due to the floods are provided relief,” Sharma said.

He also donated his total honorarium, which he had received as the sarpanch from the state government, to the victims of the natural calamity.

Sharma had received Rs 24,000 as honorarium since his election as the sarpanch, panchayat halqa Jandrah.

He handed over the cheque of Rs 24,000 to Jammu Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Sahu as his contribution to the flood relief.

Other senior officials of the district administration, including the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jammu, Tehsildar and the Block Development Officer, Dansal, were present on the occasion.

Udhampur, September 21
The Chhattisgarh Government has sent 26,000 quintals of rice as relief for the flood victims of the state. The relief was sent in a 42-bogie goods train which reached the Udhampur railway station today.

The Railways authorities confirmed that a goods train carrying 53,298 packets of rice, with 50 kg in each, had reached the Udhampur railway station.

The consignment is marked as “relief material for Jammu Kashmir flood victims from Chhattisgarh state” and posters are pasted on each bogie with the photograph of Dr Raman Singh, Chief Minister of the state, on them.

“We had informed the Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, that a goods train will be reaching here today and nearly 350 trucks along with 1,000 labourers should be kept ready to ensure that the entire train is unloaded within hours so that it goes back to the next loading point. Unfortunately, the entire day has passed and the indifferent attitude of the district administration has made things worse for us.

“We are in tremendous pressure to send the goods train back in time but of 42, only 4 bogies were unloaded today,” said a senior official of the Railways.

“With limited resources at our disposal, we are making our best efforts to load the train at the earliest. Hopefully, the work will be completed within two days. We also have to make sure that all relief material is kept at a safe place so that it remains fit for consumption. We have informed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, and further action will be taken as per his instructions,” said Rakesh Jamwal, Joint Director, Planning, posted at the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Udhampur.

Railways sources said two more goods trains with relief were likely to arrive from other states in the next two days.

Jammu, September 21
Member of Legislative Council Shenaz Ganai today released a sum of Rs 20 lakh from her constituency development fund (CDF) for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of Poonch.

She also sanctioned two ambulances, one each for Sawjain and Loran.

Ganai today visited various villages in Loran and took stock of the damage caused by recent rain and flash floods. She also reviewed the progress of relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken by the district administration.

She gave a patient hearing to the people and assured them of all possible help. The National Conference legislator said the government was aware of the problems being faced by the people and it was taking all the measures to mitigate them.

Ganai alleged that some political parties were “politicising” the issue for “petty political gains”, and advised people not to pay heed to them.

She advised the political groups to rather work on ground and help in redressing the peoples’ grievances.

Ganai exhorted the people to be united and meet the challenge by rising above the party politics.

While referring to the massive destruction caused to life, property, crop, and live stock, Ganai said a massive rehabilitation programme was necessary. “The people of the area are dependent on agriculture and the same has been damaged. Their livestock has perished in the flash floods,” she stressed and appealed to the government to announce free ration and free electricity for at least six months.

Ganai said as the winter was approaching the administration needs to set up pre-fabricated huts at the affected places for housing the affected families.

Jammu, September 21
The recent flash floods have destroyed the road network in several areas of Jammu as hundreds of kilometres of macadamised stretches of roads have been washed away, particularly along the banks of the Tawi, flowing through the city. Officials said it will take years before the network is restored.

In areas damaged by flash flood, the roads are unfit for the movement of people, who are avoiding using their cars and heavy vehicles as big boulders and silt have been deposited on them by the roaring water.

Even though several areas close to the Tawi have been constructed illegally at Gujjar Nagar, Gorkha Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar and Beli Charna, the civic infrastructure established by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and private builders have been destroyed.

While a portion of the fourth bridge between Bhagwati Nagar and Beli Charana and fifth one connecting villages from the Tawi island with Satwari have been washed away on September 5, along with it hundreds of roads in the interior area have been destroyed.

“We have started a survey of damaged roads and everything will be done by the Roads and Building Department (R&B) to restore them on war-footing. Officers have been asked to take immediate action so that the people do not suffer and ensure compensations are provided in time,” said Deputy Commissioner Ajit Sahu.

As per the data collected by the R&B Department, over 2,500 roads and 163 small bridges have been damaged in the Jammu province alone due to the flooding in the state. A total of 163 footbridges and motorable bridges have also been damaged in the region.

“The repair work on roads had already been delayed for months and now these flash floods have destroyed everything. We don’t think these links will be build so easily by the administration and its agencies,” said Mangtu Ram, a resident of Beli Charana.

Jammu, September 21
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today dedicated Rs 1.25-crore multipurpose community hall to the people of Gorkha Nagar in Bahu Fort.

After dedicating the multipurpose community hall at Gorkha Nagar, the minister said the government is making all-out efforts to provide all basic amenities to every section of the society. He said the people of the Gorkha Nagar locality would be able to celebrate their social as well as religious functions in the multipurpose community hall at minimum cost.

He appealed to the people to protect public property in their locality, adding that the government has spent crores of rupees in improving the living standard of the people across the state.

Bhalla asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to upgrade the lanes and drains with grating facilities in Gorkha Nagar for the convenience of the general public.

The minister asked Jammu Municipal Corporation officials to immediately start the repair work of damaged deep drain so that the people do not face any inconvenience. He said due to damage of deep drain by flash floods, the foul water entered into the houses of the residents, which damaged their household items.

Jammu, September 21
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Rajesh Kumar flagged off the Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) Expedition from Bahu Plaza today.

The theme of the expedition is “To save the girl child”. Six riders, including one female, would cover the whole nation passing through various destinations with the motive of creating awareness among the people of the country to save the girl child.

The female rider, Anushriya Gulati, a 19-year-old girl from Dehradun, is the youngest rider. Other riders are Ankush Gulati (Uttarakhand), Sumpreet Singh (Ludhiana, Punjab), Karan Chahal (Patiala, Punjab), Aryaman Sethi (Uttarakhand) and Navdeep Sidhu (Chandigarh). The expedition is being organised by Harley Davidson.

Jammu, September 21
R S Pathania general secretary of the Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) today demanded that tents should be given to the homeless of the Ramnagar area.

After conducting a door-to-door visit to Badhole, Ramein, Plaran, Nambla, Blandh, Rang, Malti, Thelay, Bainsta, Kogharmarh, Chapprian and Surni areas of the Ramnagar assembly segment, Pathania sought immediate provision of tents, six-months ration, medicines, utensils and cash relief for displaced families.

He also sought immediate restoration of suspended road network in the area and repair-cum-replacement of damaged transformers and sub-stations so that electricity supply would be restored in the area at the earliest.

Pathania has sought measures on the war-footing for restoring shattered houses, orchards, agricultural land, link-roads, drinking water-supply lines and electricity lines in the area, besides proper indemnification for whopping losses to standing maize crop and fruit-bearing trees in the Ramnagar, Majalta and Dudu-Basantgarh areas. 

Jammu, September 21
A medical camp regarding the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases was organised at Panchayat Ghar, Salehar, RS Pura.

A total of 250 patients were examined and diagnostic tests like blood sugar and ECG were done free of cost and free medicines were also distributed.

The camp was organised under the supervision of Dr Sushil K Sharma, Head, Department of Cardiology, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. A team of doctors, consisting of Dr Nasir, Dr Mohi Kalsotra, Dr Zulfi, Dr Shahbaz, and Dr Saqib, an ECG technician and paramedical staff members conducted the camp.

Camp coordinator Dr Sharma stressed upon the importance of physical activity, walking, avoiding smoking and diet modifications for cardiac patients.

The aim of the camp was to screen the patients in rural areas who have limited access to tertiary centres and also to create awareness about risk factors like diabetes, obesity, stress and sedentary lifestyle responsible for cardiovascular diseases.

Jammu, September 21
Mathwar is all set to host the fifth ‘Mathwar Kesari Dangal’ scheduled to be held on September 26, at Baba Ballo Dev Shathan in Mathwar village.

The decision regarding organising this Indian Style Dangal was taken at a meeting held at Mathwar under the chairmanship of Baba Yash Paul Sharma.

The event has become an yearly event for the past five years. It was informed at the meeting that the event would be held as per the norms of the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association under the overall supervision of Shiv Kumar Sharma and Naresh Kumar (Pappu Lakri).

Shiv Kumar Sharma, who is also treasurer, Indian Style Wrestling Association of India, said wrestlers from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Railways, BSF, J&K Police and Jammu and Kashmir have already confirmed their participation in the one-day competition.

An amount of Rs 4,00,000 is likely to be spent for hosting the event and more than 20,000 people are expected to witness the event.

The prize money for the major bout is Rs 71,000 along with traditional silver ‘gurj’ (gada) and Mathwar Kesari Tittle 2014 ‘pata’, while the prize money for the second ‘malli’ bout is Rs 51,000.

“Elaborate arrangements have been made for the lodging of visiting wrestlers at Jammu, Katra and Mathwar,” said Sharma. The inaugural function of the competition shall be held at Baba Ballo Dev Shathan Mathwar.

Jammu, September 21
Humanity Public School (HPS) organised an art and craft exhibition on the school premises.

During the exhibition, students displayed their creative talent by making different items like wall-hangings, flower vases, photo frames, first aid boxes and greeting cards and pot decoration and file-making.

Vice-Principal of Humanity Public School Anku Charak said these events help students to use more environment friendly things as most of them were made by recycled material.

She complimented the students as well as the art and craft teacher for the exhibition.

Principal of Humanity Public School Gaurav Charak congratulated the students and the teachers.

The exhibition was organised under the guidance of Sandeep Zutshi, Rekha Mehra and Kanchan Chalotra.

Later, students were awarded for excelling in different categories.

Jammu, September 21
Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under Romeo Force gave furniture to Government Higher Secondary School, Sandot, in Rajouri district here Sunday.

The Romeo Force conducted a debate competition and motivational talk at Government Higher Secondary School, Kakora.

The students took keen interest and showcase their talent in the event.

Important aspects regarding the challenges of the job and advantages of serving the Army were covered in detail. The motivational talk received a positive response from the youth of the area.

A cultural programme was performed by the students and refreshments were distributed by the Army.

“This programme will particularly benefit the students belonging to the less-adressed sections of the society by encouraging them to join the Army,” said a spokesperson. 

Jammu, September 21
Post-flashfloods, the Army has started providing educational amenities in remote areas of Poonch district.

“A number of children lost their educational belongings to the floods and schools also suffered sizeable damage. In order to recoup the lost assets, the Army provided Government High School, Degwar, and Government Primary School, Noorkote, much needed furniture for students in terms of benches, almirahs and shelves,” a Defence spokesperson said.

The Army also provided prescribed books to the affected students. — TNS

Srinagar, September 21
In the first political killing since floods devastated Srinagar, unidentified gunmen shot dead a member of the National Conference (NC) in the Old City area of Srinagar Sunday afternoon.

The police said unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire from short range on Lateef Gupkari in the Nowhatta area, resulting in critical injuries.

He was taken to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, where he succumbed to his injuries, the police said.

No militant outfit had claimed responsibility for the killing so far. Gupkari was a businessman. — TNS