|
|
|
|
|
Minor girl killed, four injured as Pakistan again targets Poonch
Hizb militant killed in Pulwama
BJP ropes in separatist leader from Rajouri to woo Jammu Muslims
Youth go for Tawi clean-up in Jammu
|
|
|
In absence of garbage bins, people dumping litter in vacant plots
Shat Chandi Maha Yagya concludes with ‘purna ahuti’
2-day art camp concludes
After tension, Dasehra celebrations held smoothly in Rajouri
City celebrates Dasehra with fervour and gaiety
Floods dampen Dasehra festivities
Hotel body seeks soft loan for repair, renovation of damaged infrastructure Rajouri
residents yet to get aid to rebuild houses
Valley misses premiere of ‘Haider’ as floods play spoilsport
402 flood-hit villages in Doda remain neglected
Adventure tourism suffers
Rs 5.5 crore losses due to floods
1,700 km of road, 271 bridges damaged in Kashmir
Floods give jolt to handicraft industry
Shikarawalas pin hopes on rehab measures to stay afloat
Eid-ul-Zuha arrangements reviewed
Celebrate Eid with austerity, simplicity, say separatists
Paddy harvesting on in north Kashmir
J&K Bank chairman pays surprise visit to branches
HC to resume functioning by next week
Governor briefed on status of new Central University of Jammu campus
Langer organised on Mahanavami BJYM to assess damage due to floods
PDP to follow Moulvi Ansari’s mission: Mufti De-addiction centre resumes service Soldier injured in Poonch mine blast
|
|
Minor girl killed, four injured as Pakistan again targets Poonch
Jammu/Poonch, October 3 The Pakistani shelling on the intervening night of October 1 and 2 had left six civilians injured in Gagrian and Danna villages in the same Sabjian sector. Intelligence sources say the sudden spurt in truce violations is an attempt to push in terrorists into the Indian territory. “Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in the Sabjian sector. They started firing small arms and 81 mm mortars at 1.30 pm and it went on till 4.50 pm when reports last came in. Indian troops were responding in equal measure to the unwarranted act,” said a defence spokesperson. The girl, who died in shelling, has been identified as Zahira Akhtar (16), daughter of Bashir Ahmed, while the injured are Ghulam Mohammed (60), Sher Bagh (52), Zulfikar Ahmed (17), and Javed Iqbal (14) —all from Gagrian village. “The injured have been taken by Poonch MLA Aijaz Jan to a hospital in Poonch,” he said. SSP, Poonch, Shamsheer Hussain Choudhary confirmed that the girl was killed and four other civilians were injured in Pakistani shelling in Gagrian. An Intelligence source said that around 1.30 pm today Pakistani troops of 849 Mujahid Regiment opened unprovoked fire from their Copra 1 post on KP 2 and Kobra Nain posts of the Indian Army. “Pakistani troops, who initially started off with small arms fire, soon switched over to 81 mm mortars and other automatic weapons. After intense shelling the volume of shelling came down but it is still on,” he said. Our troops are also responding in equal measure, he added. A local from Gagrian Village told The Tribune that fear prevails among the villagers in Gali Maidan, Danna, Uripora, Barmikunda and Gagrian villages, which are close to the Zero Line. In another late night incident Pak Rangers had targeted BSF posts along the International Border in Pargwal sector of Akhnoor sub-division in Jammu district. “Last night from 9.55 pm to 10.15 pm, Pakistan Rangers opened unprovoked fire on Indian posts. They had opened small arms fire from their Noor Zaman post on our Chak Phagwari post in the Pargwal sector. We had retaliated appropriately and there were no injuries on our side,” said a BSF source. Army nabs Pak intruders
Jammu: Amid shelling by Pakistan troops, the Army has arrested two Pakistani intruders along the LoC in two separate incidents in the Pallanwala area of Jammu district and the Sabjian sector of Poonch district late Thursday night. “The arrested individuals are suspected to be agents of Pakistan sent deliberately to this side to probe porous openings on the LoC after the recent flashfloods damaged the border fence and other infrastructure,” said an Intelligence source. |
|
|
Hizb militant killed in Pulwama
Srinagar/Pulwama, Oct 3 The encounter took place days after chief of the United Jihad Council, an umbrella group of nearly a dozen militant outfits, Syed Salahuddin told a local news agency in Srinagar that they had “suspended” militant activities in the wake of the floods in the state. “The slain militant was identified as Showkat Ahmad from Bahoo in Awantipora. Showkat, father of three, had joined the militant outfit two months ago after snatching a carbine rifle at Awantipora,” said a police officer. “The snatched rifle and other warlike stores were recovered from the encounter site,” he said. An Army spokesman said an input about the presence of militants was received on Thursday after which an operation was launched. “The area was effectively cordoned, preventing the escape of the terrorists. As the noose was tightened in the morning, the militant hiding in the house opened heavy fire. The contact with the militant was established at 7.15 pm yesterday and in the encounter, a militant was killed,” the Army spokesman said. Sources said at least one militant had managed to escape by taking advantage of darkness. They said the police had detained Nisar Ahmad Lone, owner of the house, in which the militants were hiding. Protests erupted at Charsu against Lone’s detention. There were reports of clashes from the area. Since September, the Army and the police have killed 14 militants. “The terrorist activities in September 2014 were overshadowed by the floods which struck Kashmir, affecting a large percentage of the population, particularly in Srinagar. However, the month also saw a number of infiltration attempts and militant activity which were foiled by the Army, resulting in the elimination of 14 terrorists and apprehension of six more,” an Army spokesman said. |
|
BJP ropes in separatist leader from Rajouri to woo Jammu Muslims
Jammu, October 3 “I am impressed with the dedication and commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has dedicated himself to the development and uplift of society,” former Hurriyat Conference leader Nazak Shah told The Tribune after joining the BJP. Rejecting the allegation that the BJP was anti-Muslim, Shah said the BJP’s slogan “Sab ka saath, Sab ka vikas” was an eye-opener for those who had launched a malicious campaign against the party. Shah, who remained associated with the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, led by Shabir Ahmed Shah, said the propaganda launched against the BJP had proved false because during the last four months, the BJP government at the Centre, under the leadership of Narendra Modi, had proved it was committed to the betterment of every section of society. Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party leader from Rajouri Abdul Gani Kohli also joined the BJP at the function. Sources in the BJP said Kohli would be the party candidate from the Kalakote segment. They said Nazak Shah was likely to contest for the Assembly elections from the Darhal seat. The party has also roped in prominent Gujjar leader of Rajouri Choudhary Talib Hussain who joined the party two months ago. A former Lok Sabha member from the Jammu-Poonch segment and ex-minister, Choudhary Talib, is likely to be the BJP candidate from the Rajouri segment. At the function, Kohli and Shah joined the BJP along with their supporters. BJP state president and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, State Election Campaign Committee chairman Nirmal Singh, state vice-president Vibodh Gupta, state general secretary Bali Bhagat and other leaders welcomed them into the party-fold. Nirmal Singh said the people of the country were fed up with the politics of the Congress and its co-travelers and self-proclaimed secularists.
|
||
|
Youth go for Tawi clean-up in Jammu
Jammu, October 3 Concerned about the condition of the Tawi, several youth associated with NGOs and individual initiative this year did not allow people to dump polythene bags and other hazardous material into the river during immersion of ‘saakh’ on the concluding day of the Navratras. They collected the material, which earlier used to find its way into the river. Volunteers of the Direction for Innovative Social and Humane Activities and the Tawi Bachavo Samiti remained camped for two days (October 2 and 3) on the river banks. During the two days, thousands of people visited the river to perform religious ritual. “We requested people not to carry non-degradable material such as plastic bottles, red cloth and polythene bags which earlier used to lay littered everywhere, giving an ugly look to the riverbed. People politely handed over the material to us which has been collected at a place and will be removed later,” said Dipesh, a university student who is actively participating in the save Tawi campaign. However, none of the employees of the Jammu Municipal Corporation or the Pollution Control Board offered help to the volunteers. “For the last several years, the river had virtually become a dumping ground. However, a greater threat to the river comes from the waste dumped by the abattoir at Gujjar Nagar and untreated sewage for which the government has done little so far,” said Ashwani Sharma, an activist with the Tawi Bachavo Samiti. As there has been an increase in the population in the past two decades, the river has turned into a dump, as untreated sewage is released into the river and solid waste is also thrown into it. The consistent dumping has increased the biochemical oxygen demand of the river above the permissible limits and deteriorated the quality of water. The state has halted the plan to divert highly polluted nullahs till the 13th Five-Year Plan (2017-21) is implemented in the country to save the river, having religious significance in the Jammu region. The river is also a source of irrigation and drinking water. River dying a slow death
|
||
|
In absence of garbage bins, people dumping litter in vacant plots
Jammu, October 3 “It was great to see our Prime Minister hold a broom and clean the Delhi roads and to make people aware about the cleanliness. Unfortunately the JMC does not seem to be serious enough about the cleanliness,” said Rafiq Ahmed, a resident of Talab Khatikan. “Residents always want to keep their locality clean, but where shall we dump the garbage if there are no containers in the locality?” Rafiq asked. Most of the localities in Janipur, Roop Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Bakshi Nagar, Talab Tillo and the old city are deprived of garbage bins. And wherever the JMC has installed the bins, they are not being cleared for weeks together. Raman Sharma, a resident of Mubarak Mandi, said: “The JMC has installed a garbage container in our locality but no one is ready to even go near it. The container is not being cleared for months. The stink emanating from it is pungent enough to keep the citizens at bay.” “Holding a broom in your hand just for a photo opportunity is not enough. Along with the general public, the authorities concerned should take strong steps to make the city clean,” Sharma said. The JMC officials, however, claimed that they were on the job of making the city green and clean. “We were already cleaning the city actively. After the launch of this drive, we have stepped up our efforts and JMC officials are personally monitoring the cleanliness in the city,” said Saleem Khan, Health Officer, JMC. Deepak Gupta, Assistant Executive Engineer, Mechanical, sanitation section said: “We were short of (garbage) containers, but now there is no shortage. We are ready to install containers wherever required.” He, however, admitted that there were some issues regarding the clearing of garbage bins. “There are some issues in certain areas, but we are doing our best to clear it on time,” Gupta said. |
||
|
Shat Chandi Maha Yagya concludes with ‘purna ahuti’
Katra, October 3 Dr Mandeep K
Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), shrine board, Ranjeet Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate,
bhawan, Devinder Bhau, Dy CEO, Rajan Gupta, Executive Engineer, and other officers of the shrine board and a large number of pilgrims participated in the ‘purna
ahuti’ and other religious ceremonies performed amidst vedic mantras on the occasion. The bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and the surrounding areas were decorated with flowers. The shrine board had also made elaborate arrangements for pilgrims. The arrangements included sufficient water and uninterrupted power supply along the track leading to the shrine, sanitation and availability of special fast related food at the bhojanalayas of the shrine board. The CEO accompanied by officers and engineers of the shrine board took stock of the ongoing development works at the bhawan area and stressed on timely completion of the ongoing projects. He also reviewed the progress of the construction work of the Queue Complex at
Adhkwari, the upcoming colony at Himkoti and an alternate track from Adhkwari to
Bhawan. |
||
|
2-day art camp concludes
Jammu, October 3 A felicitation function was also organised on the occasion where Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Vijay Bakaya was the chief guest. Sohail Kazmi, general secretary, Press Club, Jammu, was the guest of honour and Triloke Kaul, a veteran artist, presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, general secretary the society said it was
encouraging that the artist community came forward to help the people in need and expressed their concern over the
sensitive issue. Kaul appreciated the efforts made by the society and hoped that more such events would be conducted in future. Well known artists like Bhushan Kesar, Jang S Verman, Ashok Mehra and Reecha Gupta, all from Jammu; Prabhinder Lall and Anand Sharma from Chandigarh; KS Gill, Dharmender Sharma and Mala Chawla from Amritsar; and Lucknow based Pratima Singh participated in the camp. The young and upcoming artists like Pathankot’s Vaishali Soni; Sahil Ohri of Kurukshetra; Amrit Kaur, Anuradha, Vandana and Shiveta Pandit from Jammu and Amritsar based Gomti Sharma were also part of the event. |
||
|
After tension, Dasehra celebrations held smoothly in Rajouri
Rajouri, October 3 Some people from the other community had claimed that the land where the effigies were to be burnt belonged to them. To avoid communal tension, the district administration didn’t allow the residents of Jawahar Nagar to use the disputed land and offered an alternative site at the backside of the PHE complex. After the issue was resolved amicably, people celebrated Dasehra with religious fervour and gaiety and effigies of Ravana and others were burnt at Jawahar Nagar. A procession, led by Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and other artistes from the Ram Leela club, Rajouri, started from Sanatan Dharam Sabha. After passing through the main bazaars, the procession reached the Dasehra ground where the effigies were put on fire. Elaborate security arrangements were made on the occasion by the Rajouri police, under the supervision of Mubassir Latifi, Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajouri, and AK Attri, Deputy Inspector General, Rajouri-Poonch police range. The officers extended Daserha greetings to the people of Rajouri district. Alternative site offered To avoid communal tension, the district administration didn't allow the residents of Jawahar Nagar to use the disputed land and offered an alternative site near the PHE
complex. |
||
|
City celebrates Dasehra with fervour and gaiety
Jammu, October 3 Earlier, religious rituals were performed at temples across the city. Sanatan Dharam Sabha organised the main function at the Parade Ground, where scores of devotees witnessed to torching of the effigies marking
the final victory of Lord Rama over the demon armies of Lanka. At Gandhi Nagar, Minister for Housing Raman Bhalla was the chief guest on the occasion and
hundreds of people witnessed the burning of the demon king. The fire crackers lit up the skies and crowd burst into cheers as the effigies went up in flames. Reports of celebrations from other parts of the city were also received. |
|
Floods dampen Dasehra festivities
Srinagar, October 3 “We are going through tough times and people have to rebuild their lives. Therefore, we decided not to hold any function to celebrate Dasehra in the usual manner,” said Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir (HWSK) spokesman Chunni Lal. He said floods had dampened the religious obligations and functions that were held prior to Dasehra. “We used to fast for nine days prior to Dasehra. However, so many Pandit families living in the Valley have been displaced by the devastating floods and last few weeks have been very testing,” Lal said. He said no major religious functions were held at the temples either and people mostly offered pooja at their residences or the temporary accommodations they were currently staying at. He said they prayed for ‘end to miseries’.
|
|
|
Hotel body seeks soft loan for repair, renovation of damaged infrastructure Jammu, October 3 A delegation led by All Jammu Hotel and Lodges Association president Inderjeet Khajuria held a detailed meeting with Minister for Tourism GA Mir in this regard here today. Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Shalender Kumar was also present on the occasion. Khajuria expressed his thanks to the Army, Air Force, Navy, para-military forces and Centre and state governments for providing relief to the affected people. He said the tourism industry has suffered huge losses and demanded that the government should provide soft loans to the businessmen involved in the tourism sector for renovating and upgrading their hotels/lodges depending upon the room capacity. Khajuria also sought waiver of one year interest on the standing loans of hoteliers and hundred per cent exemption in power tariff for a period of one year. To make Jammu an independent tourist destination, the association demanded that the ongoing mega projects, which have been stuck due to floods and incessant rain, should be completed as early as possible. “Artificial Tawi Lake project requires appointment of a nodal officer as it involves execution by three departments, the Irrigation & Flood Control, the UEED and the Tourism Department, along with the involvement of the members of tourism trade association,” Khajuria said.
|
|
|
Rajouri residents yet to
get aid to rebuild houses Jammu, October 3 The Rajouri district administration has only received Rs 11.8 crore from the state government under the State Disaster Relief Fund since the floods. More than 26,000 houses had been damaged in the floods, more than 48,000 kanals washed away and 21,168 families in 368 villages affected. The two major crops, maize and paddy, had been damaged and official assessment said around 54 per cent of the total crop was affected. As many as 11,058 cattle sheds had been damaged as well. Rajouri district recorded the highest number of deaths in floods with 93 declared dead and eight still missing. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced Rs 200 crore each for the Kashmir and Jammu regions under the State Disaster Relief Fund. Rajouri had received only Rs 11.8 crore even though it was one of the worst affected areas. Of this, the district administration had given Rs 1,15,50,000 to 77 families. The next of kin of deceased were given Rs 1.5 lakh each. An amount of Rs 6.25 crore had been released to repair various works damaged in floods. After the deluge, 180 relief camps had been set up in Rajouri district, in which 695 families took shelter. The families were given 104 quintals of rice, 41 quintals of flour, 24 quintals of pulses and 6,000 packets of bread, besides other food items. The Chief Minister had announced free ration for flood victims with 35 kg per month for six months. So far, only 799 quintals of rice and 699 quintals of flour had been distributed throughout the district. Only 330 tents had been distributed even though more than 21,000 families were affected by floods in the district. Not many relief trucks had reached Rajouri district. During the first few days after floods, some relief material had been brought and distributed. The practice had been stopped and the administration was distributing free ration as per requirement of tehsildars.
|
|
|
Valley misses premiere of ‘Haider’ as floods play spoilsport
Srinagar, October 3 As Haider released countrywide yesterday and has film reviewers going gaga over it, the Valley missed the opportunity to play host to the film, featuring crème de la crème of Bollywood actors, due to
the floods Kashmir witnessed in a century. The floods may have played spoilsport and not let Kashmir premiere Haider, but people want to watch the film as it promises to present a whole new aspect of the Valley. With almost 90 per cent of the film shot in Kashmir, including the volatile old Srinagar city, and 15 Kashmiri actors featuring in the film, people of Kashmiris are excited to watch the film, although the theatres in the Valley have long been shut. Since electricity also has been affected in the aftermath of the floods, many areas in and around Srinagar are still reeling under darkness and watching the film at home, as is the routine in Kashmir, may also not be possible as of now. However, relatives of the 15 local film actors who have acted in the film have their fingers crossed and are keen to see what the film has to offer. Hawa Bashir, mother of actor Amir Bashir, a national film award winner and an important character in the film, said Haider would present the dark side of the Valley, which has remained under-represented till now. “I feel Kashmiris have not been able to make an emotional connect with Bollywood because they feel films only portray the beautiful landscapes of the Valley, undermining the problems of people. However, this film is not about breathtaking scenes of Kashmir, it is about the people who have witnessed horrible tragedies in the mid-1990s,” Hawa Bashir said. Vishal Bhardwaj has scripted the film along with Kashmiri journalist Basharat Peer and adapted it from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Bhardwaj has reportedly said Haider is not just any commercial masala movie. “The film is an effort to share the pain that Kashmir has endured in all these years. It is about how one could have been brought up in Kashmir in the last 25 years,” the director had said. |
|
402 flood-hit villages in Doda remain neglected
Jammu, October 3 The state government has remained biased towards these districts as free ration has been distributed among more than 1,200 families which were affected in the floods. Besides, 35 kg flour and 35 kg rice have been distributed among the affected families. As per the official record submitted to the divisional commissioner’s office by the Deputy Commissioner, Doda, it has been stated that around 1,693 structures including, 1,254 houses in 402 villages in Doda district were fully or partially damaged. One person died in the torrential rain and 158 cattles were washed away. Doda district has been facing the threat of natural calamity since May last year when a moderate earthquake of 5.8 magnitude struck the entire area. The administration claims that 320 tents have been distributed to the affected families but, not a single blanket has been given to them. Sources told The Tribune that not a single truck of relief material had been sent to Doda district and the focus had been on the Kashmir Valley and a few areas of the Jammu region. The administration claims to have distributed Rs 5.80 lakh among the affected families. |
|
Adventure tourism suffers
Rs 5.5 crore losses due to floods
Srinagar, October 3 “A preliminary estimation has revealed that the losses incurred to equipment, infrastructure and office buildings are worth Rs 2.5 crore. We have also lost business worth Rs 2.5 crore. The entire infrastructure raised by the operators at different tourist destinations is either washed away by these flash floods or is not usable for undertaking any adventure activity,” an official handout by Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir said. “Camping gear, rafts, adventure equipment and trekking and climbing equipment was either badly damaged or washed away by the flash floods at Srinagar, Pahalgam, Yennar, Sonmarg, Wusan, Betab Valley, Gulmarg, Kangan and Mamar,” it said. It said rafting equipment provided on loan to the police, Army and voluntary organisations by them was either lost or damaged. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir has submitted the loss estimates to the Tourism Department for consideration of compensation and relief to affected adventure tour companies for rebuilding and raising necessary adventure equipment. Rauf Tramboo, Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir president, and secretary general Mohammad Yusuf presented a detailed report of losses and a formal written request for an interim relief and soft loans to the Director Tourism, Talat Parvez, who has assured them full cooperation and support in this regard. |
|
|
1,700 km of road, 271 bridges damaged in Kashmir
Kulgam, October 3 Chief Engineer SK
Razdan provided the details in an interaction with the media here in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Razdan said the department infrastructure has suffered unprecedented damage during the recent floods in Kashmir. These have been the worst floods in the Kashmir valley in over a century. Razdan said of the 1,700 km of roads damaged, more than 127 km have been completely washed away and were beyond repair as of now. “Forty seven bridges have also been completely damaged or washed away by the floodwaters and cannot be immediately repaired,” Razdan said. Some areas in Kulgam district in south Kashmir and parts of Anantnag district have been the worst hit by the recent flooding and massive damage has been done to the road connectivity and bridges. Stretches of roads have been altogether washed off and bridges have collapsed. Razdan feels that a mammoth task lies ahead for his department and it will need a
herculean effort financially and in terms of labour as well. “We need to restore connectivity on a war footing so that no relief operation is hampered,” Razdan said, adding that his department has succeeded to a great deal in this regard up until now. He said the department has created diversions and makeshift bridges to provide connectivity to the areas which were cut off. “I appeal to the people to stay away from roads and bridges that have been declared unsafe and cooperate with the department,” Razdan said. |
|
Floods give jolt to handicraft industry
Srinagar, October 3 With most of the handicraft shops situated in the elite markets of Poloview, Koker Bazar, Residency Road and Bund, tonnes of products have been washed away in the floods leaving the industry shattered. The Poloview lane, which is a favourite shopping destination among high-end tourists, has lost its charm. Pashmina shawls and saffron worth crores of rupees have been ruined due to the floods. “It is all gone. Nothing has been left behind except mud and silt. It will take us another 50 years to recover the losses, whatever we had built in decades,” said Nazir Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Lal Chowk, who deals with handicraft products. “I cannot hold my tears to see what has happened to our life-long of hard work. The business was set-up by my grandfather. The loss in unimaginable,” said another shopkeeper at the Residency road, Srinagar, who was cleaning the stock in his shop. The Bund, a famous walkway along the Jhelum, which earlier used to be thronged by tourists every day, is now in a deplorable condition from Raj Bagh to Amira Kadal presenting a gloomy look. “People from all walks of life used to throng this place, but now it wears a deserted look,” said an elderly, Ghulam Muhammad, a resident of Court Road. “We had kept adequate stocks keeping in view the coming Eid and marriage season, but all is gone now. We have lost our stock and whatever was left is in a bad shabe, so we have thrown that into the Jhelum,” said Javaid Ahmad, who deals with dry fruits at the City Centre. Many people who are dealing with handicraft business have lost their houses. Traders are now demanding financial help from the government to re-establish their business. The Fderation of Chambers and Commerce Industries Kashmir (FCIK), an amalgam of businessmen, estimated that there was nearly Rs 30,000 crore loss to the business industry in the Valley.
|
|
Shikarawalas pin hopes on rehab measures to stay afloat
Srinagar, October 3 While the recent floods left a trail of destruction on the Dal Lake by destroying quite a few houseboats and shikaras, owners are also faced with a grim future as they wonder when the tourism sector will revive again. “There are around 750 houseboats in the Dal and Nigeen lakes. Around 10 houseboats have been completely damaged while almost every houseboat has suffered some sort of minor or partial damage. For example, the passages of almost all houseboats that connect them to the land were washed away,” said Domestic Tour Operators Kashmir (DTOK) president Abdul Hamid Wangnoo, who also owns houseboats on the Dal Lake. For long now, the owners have been expressing their apprehension that the houseboats, counted among Kashmir’s heritage treasures, may soon become extinct in view of the “tough laws” that involves “lot of hassle” to get permission for repair work due to ecological concerns. “Now, the revival process is going to be tough. Besides damage caused to the houseboats, nearby offices and houses too have been destroyed,”
said Wangnoo. Houseboat owners usually live in houses constructed on land close to the lake and that too had remained submerged during the floods. Besides being worried about the revival of the tourism sector, the houseboat and shikarawalas are also concerned about
their rehabilitation. “While many shikaras got damaged, we were hit harder when floods damaged our houses. Our first concern is to rebuild our houses for our families before resuming business,” said Abdul Rashid, a shikarawala. Wangnoo said houseboat owners would soon submit a proposal for their rehabilitation. Houseboats damaged
There are around 750 houseboats in the Dal and Nigeen lakes. Around 10 houseboats have been completely damaged, while almost every houseboat has
suffered some sort of minor or partial damage. |
|
Eid-ul-Zuha arrangements reviewed
Srinagar, October 3 Inspector General of Police,
(IGP), Kashmir Zone, AG Mir, informed a meeting about arrangements being made at different places, where Eid prayers would be held. He said all required arrangements would be made for the convenient of people. During the meeting,
IGP, Traffic, Muneer Ahmad Khan briefed about arrangements being made for the smooth flow of traffic to the leading roads in cities and towns during Eid congregations and celebrations. DIG, Central Kashmir Range, Syed Ahfadul Mujaba and DIG North Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat also apprised the meeting about measures taken with regard to ensuring security in and around Eid prayer venues in their respective ranges. They informed the meeting about deployment of personnel in their jurisdictions. The meeting was told that all arrangements had been made to maintain law and order in the Valley. Despite engagements of personnel in relief activities, it is being ensured that the deployment on security front does not get affected.Expressing satisfaction over the law and order situation, K Rajendra stressed upon the participants to coordinate with each other for ensuring peaceful Eid celebrations in the state. |
|
|
Celebrate Eid with austerity, simplicity, say separatists
Srinagar, October 3 “Kashmir is passing through difficult times in the wake of the recent floods. Life has been shattered and many areas are still inundated. There is no clue of the government and its machinery, leave aside providing relief to the needy,” he said, while urging people to donate generously for the rehabilitation of the affected people. While urging people to celebrate Eid with austerity and simplicity, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has asked the people to donate generously for the cause of flood-affected
people. Geelani said the current times were testing times for the people of Kashmir. |
|
|
Paddy harvesting on in north Kashmir
Handwara, October 3 “The weather has improved for the last over a week, allowing the harvest. We have engaged scores of labourers to complete harvesting in the shortest possible time,” said Mohamamd Sadiq Malik of Handwara. After harvesting, the crop is dried in the fields for a number of days and then thrashed. “Thrashing of the crop requires a great deal of labour. The foodgrain is dried and later milled in rice mills to obtain rice,” said Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Kupwara. Rice is the staple diet and the entire harvesting operation depends on the weather. Labourers from outside the area are in great demand. “People from other states, mostly Bihar, know the job well and come handy during the season. A labourer is paid between Rs 400 and Rs 500 a day,” said Nazir Ahmad Sheikh of Rafiabad in Baramulla district. The harvesting operation lasts about three weeks, beginning the last week of August or the first week of September. Unseasonal rain had delayed the harvesting of the crop this year. |
|
J&K Bank chairman pays surprise visit to branches
Srinagar, October 3 A bank spokesman said the chairman had ordered all J&K Bank business units (branches) and extensions counters in the Kashmir valley to remain open today for normal banking transactions. He said the bank branches would remain open on Sunday for normal banking services, where business hours would be from 10 am to 4 pm and working hours from 10 am to 5 pm. Mushtaq Ahmad also interacted with customers during his visit to the branches and he assured them hassle-free services and full support in all conditions. “Customers’ comfort is our peace of mind. In order to obviate inconvenience to our customers, which was likely to be caused due to continuous holidays ensuing
Eid, we decided to keep all our branches in the Kashmir valley open for all banking services and facilities today. Even the branches will be functional on Sunday also,” said the chairman. — TNS |
|
|
HC to resume functioning by next week
Srinagar, October 3 The flood waters not only kept the High Court Complex inundated for over two weeks, but also destroyed the court records and case files which were stored in the record rooms of the complex at the ground floor and basement. “We are hopeful to resume work from the main complex by next week as the cleaning work is almost complete,” said Suresh Kumar, Registrar General of the High Court. Currently, the High Court is functioning from the official residence of a judge at the Gupkar area. The official residence of Chief Justice MM Kumar in the Sonawar area was also submerged. It has been decided by the authorities to formally reopen the High Court complex on October 8 after Eid and the Bar lawyers have also been intimated about the date. However, the court may start functioning from the main complex only after October 13, said a lawyer at the High Court.
— TNS |
|
Governor briefed on status of new Central University of Jammu campus
Srinagar, October 3 Devanand briefed the Governor about the to-date status of the new campus of the university, under construction at Bagla village in Samba district, recruitment of faculty, final position of the admissions to the current academic session and issues related to the administrative and academic functioning. The Governor urged the Vice Chancellor to ensure that there was no compromise in maintaining high academic standards and planned pursuit of research facilities at the varsity. He told Devanand to ensure early completion of at least some part of the upcoming campus so that there could be partial shifting of the facilities presently functioning on hired premises.
|
|
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Kashmir’s Pulwama district today. The gunfight erupted last evening after a joint search operation was launched by the counter-insurgency unit of the police, 55 and 42 Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF in Charsu village, 35 km from here.
With the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) failing to install garbage bins in every
locality of the
city, the people here are forced to dump the litter in vacant plots or on the roadside.
Impressed by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday, lot of people in the city came out of their homes with a broom and started cleaning their localities, but they had no place, except the vacant plots, to dump the garbage.
The Shat Chandi Maha Yagya which was organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at the holy cave shrine concluded today with ‘purna
ahuti’ on the auspicious occasion of Mahanavami. Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), shrine board, Ranjeet Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate,
bhawan, Devinder Bhau, Dy CEO, Rajan Gupta, Executive Engineer, and other officers of the shrine board and a large number of pilgrims participated in the ‘purna
ahuti’ and other religious ceremonies.
Dasehra, marking the victory of the good over the evil, was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm across Jammu with people torching the effigies of demon King Ravana, his son Meghnatha and brother
Kumbkarana. As the effigies were put to flames, the slogans of “jai Sri Ram” reverberated in the air with thousands of people celebrating the destruction of evil.
Acting Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu (CUJ) Devanand called on Governor NN
Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, here
today.
