Chilyari (Indo-Pak border), October 10
Mohan Lal, owner of the sole shop in this border village, did brisk business Friday as the fear-stricken residents returned to their native place in the morning to lock their abandoned homes. By 1:30 pm, Mohan Lal sold the stock of locks available.

“I had nearly 70 locks of different types. Within a couple of hours, people bought the stock as they desperately wanted to lock their abandoned houses,” said Mohan Lal. He said inhabitants of this “deserted” village returned home after three days as Pakistani guns largely fell silent on the night of October 9.

Although a group of people gathered in front of this shop and deliberated on the prevailing situation on the border, an eerie silence engulfed the entire village and streets wore a deserted look.

Located on the international border, Chilyari has nearly 325 families with over 700 people. It bore the brunt of shelling from across the border when two women were killed Wednesday morning. Four members of the family are battling for life at the Government Medical College in Jammu. As tension mounted on the border, residents started deserting their homes Tuesday morning. The population rushed to safer places after shelling on Wednesday.

“Most people left the village hurriedly amid shelling. They could not lock their homes. People came back Friday to lock their houses,” said Subash Chander, a farmer who had rushed to safer places with his family without closing the doors.

He said there was heavy shelling from across the border, targeting civilian population. “Without any support from the authorities, we rushed to safer places with our family,” he said.

Most of the villagers came back to lock their homes and provide fodder and water to their livestock. Ramesh Lal today came with a veterinary doctor to get his injured ox treated. The ox, along with scores of other heads of cattle, received injuries in shelling. Local authorities had not made any arrangement to treat the animals.

Fear was visible on the faces of those who were discussing the prevailing fragile peace on the border. Anger was high against apathetic attitude of the local authorities.

“In 2002, the Congress had promised to provide alternative land at safer places, but nothing was done,” said Tarseem Raj. He said border villagers had been reduced to cannon fodder for Pakistani guns. “In relief camps, the authorities are adopting an apathetic approach to our misery” he claimed. He pointed out that half-cooked rice was provided to those who were shifted to relief camp at the Nonath temple.

Jammu, October 10
After conducting the last round on October 8, the Army today declared the Kalith firing ranges in the Akhnoor sector free of explosives.

The Army under the ‘Mission Humsafar’ had started the exercise on August 5 this year that concluded on October 8, said a Defence spokesperson.

The aim of the ‘Mission Humsafar’ was to build confidence among locals by showing concern of the Army for their safety and security.

During this period, the Army carried out extensive search of the entire firing ranges by using explosive detector dogs, remotely-operated vehicles, mine prodders, deep search metal detectors and bomb disposal teams.

The mission was carried out in two phases. During the phase one, the search of entire impact area of the Kalith Field Firing Ranges was carried out by using state-of-the-art technology.

Five unexploded shells found during the search were destroyed on the spot, he said.

To fully ensure that no unexploded shells were left on the ranges, the Army carried out a second round of search in phase two and declared the Kalith Field Firing Ranges as ‘100 per cent safe’. This effort was undertaken to reassure the locals about safety and security of the entire ranges. The locals supported the mission and lauded the efforts put in by the Army to clear the ranges.

Khanpur (Ramgarh sub-sector), October 10
Since the Pakistan Rangers started shelling civilian areas along the international border (IB) in Jammu, Salam Din is a worried man.

With more than 70 buffaloes and cows, he is unable to move from his forward village, Khanpur in the Ramgarh sub-sector close to the IB, which is in the line of fire from October 3.

Though the government has established relief camps for people affected by border firing, hundreds of members of the Gujjar community are finding it difficult to move out of their homes despite intense shelling. They have no place to shift their cattle, forcing them to risk their lives to stay put in mud houses.

As livestock is the centre of their economy, they are anxiously waiting for peace on the border, but are angry about the way Pakistanis have destroyed their lives.

“Where will we go? It is impossible to shift the entire cattle daily to avoid being killed by shells as there is no alternative place. Relief camps cannot accommodate them all. There is no help from the government. Many people want to permanently shift from the village,” said Salam Din.

Members of the Gujjar community, also known as Dodhi Gurjars, are mostly Muslims who settled in villages along the IB during the last three decades and are main suppliers of milk to Jammu and other towns in southern districts.

“Earlier Pakistan Rangers used to target villages with bullets. It is for the first time that they directly targeted our homes with 81-mm mortars. We are caught in politics between India and Pakistan. We want to sell milk and live in peace,” said Ruksana Bibi of Kanachak village in the Akhnoor sub-sector.

Some community members have more than 100 cattle. In relief camps, there is no provision for water and fodder for such a large number of animals.

The situation of nomads along the Line of Control is the same. Bakkerwals and Gujjars are facing the brunt of the conflict between India and Pakistan.

Till 2003, the Army had restricted the entry of tribals in pastures near the border in districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, Kathua and Samba. The ceasefire led them to settle down close to the border.

“One cow costs more than Rs 50,000. The government gives Rs 5,000 in case a head of cattle dies in cross-border firing. Keeping in view past experience, after promises are made, the government forgets to help us when the situation is normal,” said Maroof Gujjar.

Srinagar, October 10
The state Cabinet has approved Rs 44,000 crore relief and rehabilitation project for submitting it to the Central Government to overcome the financial burden of the recent floods that resulted in heavy damage to life and property in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley.

J&K was hit by the worst floods in the first week of September which left nearly 300 dead and damaged property worth hundreds of crores. The Cabinet meeting was held here today under the chairmanship of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and continued for several hours.

For the first time, all Secretaries of different Departments were kept on the standby as the meeting was underway at the Civil Secretariat.

"We discussed threadbare and have included all sectors affected by the floods and approved a detailed relief and rehabilitation project which will be forwarded to the Central Government for flood victims across the state," J&K Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir said.

He said it was suggested in the project to provide a compensation of Rs 9 lakh per house that is completely damaged and Rs 6 lakh for those houses that have been partially damaged in the floods.

An official spokesman said the approved proposal under the special financial package includes payment of ex gratia relief against the loss of private structures to the tune of Rs 9 lakh for fully damaged pucca house, Rs 6 Lakh for fully damaged kutcha house, Rs 4 lakh for partially damaged kutcha/pucca house, including boundary walls, and Rs 1 lakh for other structures.

"The affected families whose houses are fully damaged can also avail housing loan up to Rs 20 lakh at 4% interest only, as the balance interest to be charged by the banks shall be borne by the government. The re-payment shall be worked out up to 10 years with a moratorium of two years initially. Moreover, those people whose houses are fully damaged can shift to a hired accommodation nearly for one year till they rebuild their houses. The rent of this one year shall be reimbursed to them by the government.

The proposal includes financial support and concessions for business community, agriculture and horticulture sector, transport sector, tourism sector, industrial sector, artisans and various other sectors," he said.

The Cabinet also decided to approach the Union Home Ministry for releasing funds to the tune of Rs 1947.20 crore under the NDRF besides requesting the Central Government to declare tax holiday for the state for a period of 10 years to help in the revival of the state's economy.

The spokesman said the Cabinet also recommended the Centre for issuing directions to all banks/financial institutions for re-scheduling of loans/granting of moratorium and remission of interest during the moratorium period and providing of fresh loans in favour of flood affected people, besides waiving of loans availed by an individual up to Rs 3 lakh and interest subvention of 5% on the loans already raised after completion of the moratorium period.

Jammu, October 10
The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) gave away the Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Administration to Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra in New Delhi today.

The Paul H Appleby Award in public administration was given to Vohra by IIPA chairman TN Chaturvedi, former Governor of Karnataka. The award was named after Paul Henson Appleby, who was an important and well-known US theorist of public administration in democracies.

Vohra, who is also a Padma Vibhushan awardee, was given the Paul H Appleby Award for his contribution in public administration and service to the nation. In 2008, he became the first civilian Governor of Jammu and Kashmir after 18 years. Vohra was educated at Panjab University and Oxford University and served in the IAS between 1959 and 1994.

He served as the Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister IK Gujral in 1997-98 and was a member of the National Security Advisory Board from 1998 to 2001 when the NDA government was in power.

He also headed the National Task Force on Internal Security and co-chaired the India-European Union Round Table in 2001. Since February, 2003, until he became the Governor of J&K, Vohra was the government’s interlocutor on Kashmir. For his service to the nation, Vohra was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2007.

The IIPA, an autonomous academic institution of national eminence for training, research and information dissemination in streams related to the ethos of public administration, was conceived by Appleby and founded by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India. The IIPA is now known internationally as a premier centre for training and research in public administration and management. It has published about 400 books, monographs, reports, working papers and compendiums in spheres of governance and public administration.

Prolific profile In 2008, he became the first civilian Governor of Jammu and Kashmir after 18 years. Vohra was educated at Panjab University and Oxford University and served in the IAS between 1959 and 1994. He served as the Principal Secretary to former Prime Minister IK Gujral in 1997-98 and was a member of the National Security Advisory Board from 1998 to 2001 when the NDA government was in power. He also headed the National Task Force on Internal Security and co-chaired the India-European Union Round Table in 2001. Since February, 2003, until he became the Governor of J&K, Vohra was the government’s interlocutor on Kashmir. For his service to the nation, Vohra was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2007.

Doda, October 10
Thirteen passengers were critically injured when the bus they were travelling in rolled down into a gorge in mountainous Bagger area of the district today.

The incident took place when the bus was on its way to Bhaderwah from Jammu. The driver lost control over the vehicle while manoeuvring a sharp curve and fell into a deep gorge.

Locals informed the police and the local administration about the incident and helped in rescuing the injured. Initially, the rescue teams shifted all injured passengers to nearby Public Health Centre, Assar, for first-aid, but later six passengers were referred to Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. A case has been registered and investigations are on in this regard. — OC

Srinagar, October 10
Seeking implementation of its orders in letter and spirit, the J&K High Court has sought personal appearance of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all insurance companies operating in the state if they fail to file compliance report of the earlier court directions.

The court added that these CEOs should be present in the court along with the records and answer queries if the compliance report was not filed by October 14, the next date of hearing.

“Compliance (report) in respect of shopkeepers’ policy exceeding Rs 5 lakh and more than Rs 25 lakh, house and automobiles in terms of the prayer made in the application and in the order dated September 26 and October 1, be filed by October 14,” a Division Bench of the J&K High Court.

“If the compliance is not filed, the CEOs of all insurance companies shall remain present along with the records and answer the court’s queries,” the Bench observed while issuing notices to the respondent companies in an application by the shopkeepers praying for contempt proceedings against the CEOs of the insurance companies for not fully complying with the earlier High Court directions.

The High Court is hearing a PIL seeking directions to insurance companies to settle claims of the flood-affected in J&K.

The court in its orders on October 1 had observed that dependence on preliminary survey reports (to finalise the claims) was likely to take a long time or even years and asked the insurance companies to file compliance report of the court directions by or before October 10.

However, after perusal of the compliance reports filed by certain companies, it was observed that the orders of the court issued on September 26 and October 1 have not been followed or complied with in letter and spirit.

Besides, the Insurance companies operating in the state had in the meantime also approached the Supreme Court with a special leave petition (SLP) against the J&K High Court’s September 26 and October 1 orders. The SLP was however junked by the apex court today.

The plea Insurance companies should be directed to provide copies of the surveyors’ reports, whether interim/tentative or final, as the case may be, to the claimants, wherever such reports have been received by the companies CEOs of all insurance companies be directed to be personally present in the court to explain as to why the court orders have not been complied with The insurance companies should be directed to furnish details of assured amounts of all claimants and 50% of the amount be frozen or paid to the claimants

New Delhi, October 10
The Supreme Court today refused to interfere with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's orders directing insurance companies to pay the insured amount to victims whose shops and vehicles were damaged in the recent floods.

"We will not change even a word of the orders passed by the high court," a Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu said when Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi sought time till November 30 for verifying the insurance claims.

"High Court Chief Justice MM Kumar had witnessed the tragedy caused by the floods and, therefore, he was justified in passing the orders," the Supreme Court Bench, which included SA Bobde and AM Sapre, said.

"Sometimes we have to ignore rules and regulations. Please don't ask us to pass any order, which will affect the interests of the suffering people," the Bench told the AG, who appeared for the state-run insurance companies.

The high court had directed insurance companies to pay 50 per cent of the insured amount for policies above Rs 25 lakh and 95 per cent for policies below this amount as an interim relief. The companies pleaded that at least the percentage be reduced. "Not even a penny we will reduce. Normally, we would not have said this, but not in the present situation," it said.

The Supreme Court also asked state Advocate General MI Qadri to ensure that the high court was able to function from its own building from October 13 instead of using the present makeshift arrangements.

It was unimaginable that the high court was not in a position to conduct its normal proceedings due to the floods, the Supreme Court said.

Qadri gave a detailed account of the relief work being carried out by the state government and the Army. The Bench was hearing a batch of PILs seeking adequate relief and rehabilitation.

Srinagar, October 10
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday passed directions to procure prefabricated structures in view of the approaching winter.

Passing directions to the Kashmir Divisional Commissioner during a meeting, Omar said 500 prefabricated structures would be procured in the first phase.

The Chief Minister said all arrangements should be finalised to meet the challenges on account of providing temporary shelter and warm clothing to affected families residing in tents and camps.

He directed the Housing Department to speedily provide permission to people whose houses had collapsed. The recent floods had rendered many families homeless.

It was stated that the Housing Department, under directions of the Chief Minister, had earmarked 40 kanals for relocation of families residing at Chounti Kul in Srinagar.

The Srinagar Deputy Commissioner, who was asked to take urgent action in this regard, said interim relief would be disbursed by Monday among families whose houses had collapsed.

Srinagar, October 10
As mark of restoration of educational institutions in Kashmir post floods, the 15 Corps of the Army in Kashmir in a brief ceremony attended by Governor NN Vohra, reopened Army Public School (APS), Badami Bagh Cantonment here today.

Although senior classes had started running on September 18, within 10 days from the day floods ravaged parts of Srinagar, some of the classes were started from September 24. However, these classes were being run in makeshift places. The first floor of the school building has now been fully restored, while the work on the ground floor is in progress.

The Governor was received by Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC of the 15 Corps. He was briefed by Brig Vinay Bahl, chairman, Army Public School, on the efforts being made by the Army through a collaborative mechanism enlisting the support and cooperation of the Headquarters Northern Command, Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), Military Engineering Services and parents, who ensured that children start attending school at the earliest.

The Army went about the restoration of the school infrastructure in a methodical manner following de-watering, cleaning, drying walls, maintenance of buildings and restoration of services.

Major financial assistance was made by the HQ Northern Command where free books and notebooks worth Rs 1.58 lakh were provisioned. On the front of restoration of academic facilities, the Army Welfare Education Society provided support to revive physics, chemistry and IT laboratories as also for procurement of furniture lost due to the floods, a Defence spokesman said.

The Governor during his second visit to the school addressed the children, staff and Army personnel involved in restoration of the school.

He said, “Calamities take place, but the important part is speed and ability with which we try to restore normalcy. In this case, I compliment Lt Gen Saha, 15 Corps Commander, and all men of the Corps for not only restoration of the school but also for range of activities, including rescue, relief, repair of roads, construction of bridges, restoration of hospitals and blood donation. Children missed only 10 days of their classes and this is an occasion to compliment the Principal and the staff.”

The Governor also appreciated the HQ Northern Command and AWES for the prompt financial assistance towards stationery and academic infrastructure.

Rangoor Camp/Govindgarh (Ramgarh), October 10
With an aim to pre-empt any nefarious design of Pakistan, the Indian Army has taken over the ditch-cum-bundh (DCB) line all along the 198 km-long international border (IB) and the defences are being reinforced and realigned on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have been asked to remain on duty here and have been asked not to talk to anyone,” a couple of soldiers at an uncut gap on the DCB line here responded to The Tribune queries.

The defence establishment in New Delhi strongly believes that in the ongoing shelling, Pak rangers are being covertly helped by their army.

However, the Indian Army has so far not involved itself in the present skirmishes.

“The Army is not firing at all at the Pak rangers, but yes their soldiers have been deputed in ones and twos along the DCB here and we have also seen some army officers visiting the DCB line in army vehicles,” said, Girdhari Lal of Nanga village.

The Army took over the DCB line here last evening, which during normalcy largely remained abandoned, he added.

“Last evening some troops had asked us to vacate the village telling us that if Pakistan fired even a single shell, they won’t spare them and make them feel the pinch of their firepower,” he said.

The Tribune team during its visit to the international border in the Samba sector today found Army convoys ferrying “requisite” material to the frontiers of Jammu and Kashmir, including the LoC.

Though the BSF has the operational responsibility, the entire 198 km-long international border, which had been flared up by Pakistan since October 3, falls under the Chandimandir-based Western Command.

“Yes, there has been movement of the Army as a precautionary measure to pre-empt any mischief by Pak forces. We have to be ready and should not be caught unawares, said a top Defence source.

The source confided to The Tribune that the reinforcements were being sent from Mamun Cantonment in Pathankot.

Srinagar, October 10
Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today announced the launch of an initiative under which a charity unit run by his organisation will construct about 100 homes for flood-affected families.

“The goal of ‘Akh Akis’ initiative is to build homes, community and hope in Kashmir,” Mirwaiz said, while announcing this project during Friday prayers at Jamia Mosque here. Mirwaiz said the initiative focuses on helping some of the most needy families in Kashmir who lost their houses in the recent floods. — TNS

Kamore Camp/Chak Babral (Ramgarh), October 10
This Karva Chauth, married women in forward villages and hamlets along the 198-km-long international border are a harried lot.

Somewhere deep inside they harbour an apprehension that Pakistan may resort to heavy shelling after last night’s lull and they won’t be able to celebrate the festival.

Unprovoked Pakistan shelling since October 3 on the frontiers of Jammu and Kashmir has claimed the life of eight people, including a minor girl and four members of a family.

“Every evening we flee to safety, to the houses of our relatives and our men stay back to look after cattle and houses. It seems that Pakistan shelling will deprive us of a peaceful Karva Chauth,” said Gayatri Devi of Kamore Camp.

Savitri Devi of Rangoor Camp said, “How could we observe fast when there is no guarantee of Pakistan shelling tomorrow?”

“Though there had been no shelling on Thursday night, we won’t be taking risk. This evening again we along with our children and elderly members would be moving to the houses of our relatives and acquaintances,” she added.

A newly married woman, Sonam of Chak Babral village, said, “If they (Pakistan Rangers) could open indiscriminate fire on the festival of Eid, they could go to any extent.” Sonam, who had gone to Vijaypur’s main market to shop for the festival, said in the prevailing scenario, she had all sorts of fears. “I am not going to leave my husband to stay back home tonight,” she added.

“There had been umpteen instances in the past when they (Pakistani forces) spoiled our festivals and this time around, the situation is even more tense,” she said.

Srinagar, October 10
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today urged the political leadership of India and Pakistan to show greater magnanimity and replace the hawkish rhetoric with talk of friendship and peace.

“Ironically at a time when the two countries should have been working for the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people on both sides of the LoC, they are engaged in virulent and dangerous confrontation along the borders thereby multiplying the miseries of the people whose lives have been shattered by the devastating deluge,” Sayeed said in a statement issued here today.

He said instead of resorting to blame game or sounding jingoistic with slogans of strong retaliatory action, the political leadership of the two countries must immediately resume the snapped process of composite dialogue for resolving all issues, including the recurrent ceasefire violations along the borders.

“New Delhi and Islamabad must open the channels of communication realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders,” he said, adding that peace between the two countries was crucial not only for stability and economic prosperity of the region, but also for sustainment of budding democratic institutions and forces in Pakistan.

Srinagar, October 10
Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar today promoted 27 officers in the telecommunication wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The officers include six Sub-Inspectors and 21 Assistant Sub-Inspectors.

The Sub-Inspectors promoted as Inspectors are Iqbal Matoo, Romesh Chand, Muno Ji Sumble, Raghuipati Singh, Noor Mohammad and Mohammad Yousuf.

The Assistant Sub-Inspectors promoted as Sub-Inspectors include Mohammad Ashraf, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Shaban, Raj Nath, Predhman Kirshan, Reyaz Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Farooq Ahmad, Kuldeep Kumar, Ghulam Mohji-ud-Din, Abdul Rehman, Abdul Hamid, Sanjay Raina, Shuban, Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Farooq, Chaman Lal, Sona-Ullah, Mohammad Ramzan and Romesh Lal.

K Rajendra congratulated the officers. He said the organisation was focussing to provide promotions avenues to its personnel and whenever the vacancies were made available, promotions were cleared by the Departmental Promotion Committees on merit basis. — TNS

Jammu, October 10
Various social and political organisations in Jammu protested against the Pakistan army for unprovoked firing on Indian posts at the international border as it has led to the killing of many civilians residing near the border.

The Jammu Pragti Manch staged a massive protest against unprovoked firing by the Pakistan army, in which many civilians, including women and children, and cattle were killed and they were forced to leave their houses and spent sleepless nights under the open sky.

Leaders and workers of the Jammu Pragti Manch raised slogans against the Pakistan army and Pakistan Government and burnt the national flag of Pakistan.

Brij Mehra, president of the Jammu Pragati Manch, condemned the action of the Pakistan army for firing on the civilian areas of Jammu.

Chander Shekhar Sharma, senior vice-president of the manch, warned Pakistan if it did not stop its inhuman acts it will have to pay heavily for it. He also appealed the state government to provide medical treatment and shelter to the affected people.

He asked the state government to provide all the medical facilities to the injured and all the expenses should be borne by the government, failing which the Jammu Pragati Manch will come on roads to fight for firing victims.

Meanwhile, Karuna Prakash, regional organising secretary, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) expressed his anger about the non-cooperative attitude of the state government in rehabilitating the border migrants, who have been forced to vacate their houses due to heavy firing by Pakistani rangers/troops.

The VHP demanded that the migrant people from Pargwal should i5mmediately be shifted to the Purkhoo/Mishriwala camp. The VHP demanded that the family of the person killed in firing/shelling should be provided a compensation of Rs 5 lakh, 5 marla plot and immediate care for medical and education needs.

The VHP urged the Central Government to pay compensation to the families of the persons killed in shelling, recruit people of the border areas in the Territorial Army and construct a pantoon bridge between Indripattan and Jourian, as due to floods and heavy shelling the whole area from Sua No 1 to Mirpur Kona and other villages stands totally cut off.

Jammu, October 10
The PoJK Refugee Front today held a “sangharsh rally” to protest against the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government for "blocking" the final settlement package for the refugees.

Hundreds of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), refugees led by Rachhpal Singh, gathered at the Press Club to protest against the state government for not fulfilling their long-pending demands.

“The state government, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, has obstructed the final settlement package of refugees uprooted from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir 67 years ago,” said Rachhpal Singh, president, PoJK Refugee Front.

“The state government has not been sincere in implementing the financial packages sanctioned by the Union Government on the recommendations of the Natural Human Rights Commission, resulting in injustice to the persons displaced from the PoJK in 1947, 1965 and 1971,” he said.

Rachhpal said the state government had always given “poor” treatment to the PoJK refugees uprooted from Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Chhamb, Deva, Watal, Palandari, Manawar, Bagh, Poonch, Nah, Muzaffarabad and other areas, which were now occupied by Pakistan. About 90 per cent of these families were made to settle along the international border and the Line of Control.

Jammu, October 10
The recent storm has made traffic lights dysfunctional in the city. The high-velocity winds snapped the power lines and also destroyed vital sensors of the signals, creating chaos on city roads.

Several traffic lights were already dysfunctional due to some technical snag and after the storm, many others were affected. Sources said repair and maintenance of traffic lights within two years of their installation was mandatory for the company which had the tender of the project in the city. However, due to the "callous" approach of the Traffic Police and the Municipal Corporation, commuters were facing inconvenience.

“Traffic lights at some of the busiest places are not working and need immediate repair, but agencies are yet to start the repair work,” said an official source.

Earlier, the authorities had decided to relocate traffic signals to places where they were required more, but that plan had also being shelved, he said.

He said the number of vehicles is quite high as compared to the road space and in addition to registered vehicles in the state, around 10 lakh vehicles carrying tourists, pilgrims and security forces entered the state annually, adding to the congestion on roads.

The road length in Jammu city is 704.22 km and the density of vehicles is 574 per km.

Jammu, October 10
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has asked candidates from Baramulla, Anantnag and Srinagar districts in Kashmir to appear in the combined graduate level exam in the Jammu centre.

An official spokesperson said the SSC would conduct the examination on October 19 and 26. “Due to unavoidable circumstances and the natural calamity, the examination will be held in Leh, Kargil and Jammu centres only,” the spokesperson said.

He said candidates from Baramulla, Anantnag and Srinagar would appear in the Jammu centre and such candidates could download fresh call letters from website www. sscnwr.org.