Jammu, October 22
Hundreds of activists of the United School Teachers Association (USTA) of the Jammu region today observed a 24-hour mass hunger strike in front of the Directorate of School Education’s office.

The strike was observed to draw the attention of the education authorities towards the long-pending demands of the teaching community.

These demands included pending salary of teachers working under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Head 2071, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya scheme, pick-and-choose transfer policy, adjustments of masters and lecturers whose DPC was made in February 2014, removal of pay anomalies, selection grade to undergraduate teachers and issuance of 17 per cent pending Dearness Allowance.

Speaking on the occasion, USTA president Hari Singh condemned the attitude of educational authorities for not paying attention towards the burning issues of the teaching community. “Teachers working under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Head 2071, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya scheme are suffering as they have not been given salary for 12 months,” he said. Singh alleged that the authorities had made transfers a “profitable industry”, ignoring the academic needs of schools and students.

Rajeev Kumar, USTA general secretary, criticised the authorities for not making adjustments for masters and lecturers whose DPC was made in February 2014.

The USTA appealed to the Chief Minister to personally intervene and resolve their long-pending demands at the earliest.

Jammu, October 22
The Indian Dental Association (IDA) is going to organise a three-day State and Inter-State Dental Conference from October 31 to November 2 in Jammu city. More than 500 delegates from within and outside the state are likely to participate in the event.

This was informed by Dr Gautam Sharma, General Secretary, Indian Dental Association (IDA), Jammu branch, during a meeting of the association.

“This will be a mega event in which more than 500 delegates from Jammu and Kashmir as well as from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh are expected to participate,” he said.

He said last time, the State and Inter-State Dental Conference was held in 2006.

Dr Ritesh Gupta, president, IDA, Jammu, said details of the programme regarding the conference had been sent to the head office at Mumbai and the first call letter has already been dispatched to the dentists in all the states.

Dr Ajay Gupta, organising secretary of the conference, said, “Government agencies and departments must be involved to make this event a great success.” He said pre-conference courses would be held on October 31 and the conference would be organised at the Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, in collaboration with Indira Gandhi Government Dental College and Institute of Dental Sciences, Jammu.

Dr Bhupinder Singh, president elect, IDA, said they were trying to rope in dental equipment manufacturers, pharmaceutical industrialists and other industrial houses for sponsorship.

Dr YK Singla, senior dentist and Principal at the IDS, Sehora, Jammu, congratulated the new team of the IDA, Jammu, for making efforts in rejuvenating the association and organising the conference. 

Jammu, October 22
Secretary, Cooperatives Department, RK Koul today asked officials of Jammu Central Cooperative Bank (JCCB) to improve its recovery portfolio by achieving the targets of recoveries, especially the non-performing assets (NPAs).

He also directed the bank management to regularly monitor the performance of its branches by reviewing the targets of recoveries, especially in the NPA cases, as laid down for them.

Koul stated this while holding the half-yearly review meeting of the JCCB at its head office at the Rail Head Complex here today. During the review meeting, JCCB Managing Director Ganesh Chander Sharma briefed the Secretary about the performance of the bank and gave a resume of latest initiatives being taken to improve its functioning.

He said the deposits of the bank had risen to Rs 1414.37 crore till September and the advances made up to the same period are to the extent of Rs 414.02 crore.

Jammu, October 22
Residents of the Surya Vihar locality in Bhori today said they were facing problems related to the sanitation of the area as sweepers and other municipal officials never bothered to visit it.

A delegation of the residents of Lane 2, Surya Vihar, Bhori, said repeated representations to the municipal officials had not yielded any results. They said they would be forced to take to the streets to lodge their protest as the authorities had turned a blind eye towards their problems for a long time.

The residents said garbage lay littered on streets and drains also got blocked. They said leave aside sending someone to do the job, no civic official was ever available to listen to their complaints.

They demanded that the lanes be cleaned regularly. Humanity Public School holds rangoli contest

Jammu, October 22
An inter-house rangoli-making competition was conducted on the premises of Humanity Public School (HPS), Bari Brahmana, as part of the Diwali celebrations.

Students of the four houses — Prithvi, Agni, Akash and Trishool — participated in the event. Before the commencement of the competition, school Principal Gaurav Charak, along with staff and students, performed Lakshmi puja.

The Principal, in his address, told the students to learn a lesson from Lord Rama’s teachings to love all human beings irrespective of their caste, creed and colour.

He also motivated students to celebrate Diwali without using crackers.

During the competition, students made colourful rangolis depicting Lord Ganesh, kalash, kumbh, peacock etc.

The first position was bagged by the Prithvi House team. The team comprised Anjali, Shivani, Rumani, Preeti, Priya and Shruti. The second position was secured by the Trishool House team, which comprised Itika, Aditya, Subani, Mamta, Anuradha and Sabina.

The Agni House team secured the third position. The participants of the team were Anjali, Veena, Komal, Sazia, Pooja and Aditi. The whole competition was supervised and judged by Ajay Sharma, Sandeep Zutshi, Rekha Mehra and Kanchan Chalotra.

Jammu, October 22
A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Srinagar for spending time with flood-affected people on Diwali, Pakistan Rangers opened unprovoked fire on four Indian posts along the international border in the Arnia and Ramgarh sub-sectors of Jammu and Samba districts, respectively. The BSF retaliated in equal measure.

“Last night around 10 pm Pak Rangers opened unprovoked small arms’ fire on our Vikram and Tent Guard posts in the Arnia sub-sector. The BSF men retaliated in equal measure,” said Inspector-General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, RK Sharma.

He informed that the intermittent gun duel lasted for two hours till midnight.

“Similarly, this morning they (Pak Rangers) again opened small arms’ fire on our Narainpur post in the Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district. They started it around 12 pm and intermittent exchange of small arms’ fire lasted till 1.30 pm,” said Sharma. There was no damage on our side, he added.

However, an Intelligence source said the Stop 2 post of the BSF was also targeted.

The IG said the Pak firing was not intense and heavy compared to what it had been earlier this month when rangers had targeted heavily Arnia and RS Pura and then spreading it to the Hiranagar, Ramgarh, Kanachak and Pargwal sub-sectors.

“They (Rangers) might have fired last night and today in view of Diwali. As far as the safety of people in border villages is concerned, we have asked them to stay indoors and do not venture out in the night on Diwali,” he added.

An Intelligence official said at both the places —Ramgarh and Arnia — the BSF truly responded in an “equal measure” to the intermittent small arms’ fire by the Rangers.

“Rangers only used small arms’ fire and no mortars or automatic weapons’ fire was used by them,” he added.

Another report stated that a BSF post in Pindi Charakan Kalan was also targeted for some time by Rangers this morning.

Srinagar, October 22
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Army understands that the lease for Tosa Maidan” firing range in central Kashmir’s Budgam district would not be renewed.

“The lease has not been renewed. We are in discussions with the Army. They understand that the lease for Tosa Maidan is not likely to be renewed. We want to declare and open this area for tourism and that is exactly why the Army has demined this area,” Omar told reporters at the closing of the “Mission Falah”.

The mission was launched by the Army in August this year to clear the field firing range of unexploded or other dangerous objects.

The lease for the firing range ended in April this year and since then the Army and other security agencies have not been conducting any firing exercise in the area.

The artillery firing range spread over 11,000 kanals was being used by the Army and other security agencies for the field firing practices since 1964. The people living around the Tosa Maidan and its adjoining villages have been demanding that the meadow should be vacated by the Army.

As per government records, over the past five decades, 65 people have been killed and many others disabled in the explosion of unexploded shells littered in the villages around the firing range.

Following the public resentment, the J&K Government had constituted a high-power committee headed by Chief Secretary to identify an alternative site for relocating the firing range from Tosa Maidan.

Omar, however, said there would be security presence in the area even if the firing range was shifted.

“There will be presence of the Army for various reasons. But it will not be used as a field firing range. We will find an alternative for them. A couple of sites have been identified and if it weren’t for the fact that we lost almost two months of regular government work to the floods, we would have taken this decision in the Cabinet and handed over an alternative place to them and I am sure the moment the elections are over this will be done,” Omar said while emphasising that “as of now, Tosa Maidan is not a field firing range”.

It took the Army 83 days to complete the “Mission Falah” and clear the field firing range of the dangerous material.

During the drive, the Army also conducted civic action programmes by organising medical and veterinary camps at various villages around the firing range.

On the occasion the General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar based 15 Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, gave a detailed briefing about the “Mission Falah.”

On the Jammu firing range, Omar said it was a “slightly complicated issue”. “In case of the Jammu firing range, we were in the process of exchanging land, but the Army took a decision that all the issues would be clubbed hence we couldn’t resolve the issue so far,” the Chief Minister said. 

Srinagar, October 22
A day after Omar Abdullah said it was the “opportune time” for partial revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Chief Minister today asserted that he was not compromising the national security by raising the issue.

“I have always maintained that the AFSPA should go. The Union Defence minister has taken a line which is not new. They find different reason to keep the AFSPA,” Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function in the Tosa Maidan area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

“I will continue to maintain that this is the most opportune time despite the Army and the Ministry of Defence having reservations. We can agree to disagree but that doesn’t stop me from talking about this,” Omar asserted.

“I am not compromising the national security. Raising an issue doesn’t mean compromising the national security. If you can pick holes in my argument logically, please do so. I am telling you that every year there has been a steady decline in militancy,” he said.

“There are areas in Jammu and Kashmir where the Army does not participate in the anti-militancy operations now. On that basis alone, I believe that there is a moment that has arrived where we need to start looking at this,” the Chief Minister added.

On holding the Assembly elections in the state, the Chief Minister said his opponents were in a hurry for their own “political rehabilitation”.

“The state government at the official level has made its views known to the Election Commission. At the political level, the consultations were held with the political parties and in this the National Conference has made its position well known. Other political parties seem to be in a hurry for their own political rehabilitation rather than the rehabilitation of people affected by the floods, it is unfortunate,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister said he had no doubt that the flood-affected areas would show a very poor turnout in these elections.

Srinagar, October 22
All eyes are set on the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on his goodwill gesture is scheduled to be with flood-hit people on Diwali here tomorrow, while he is also to review the rehabilitation process in the state.

The Prime Minister would be meeting some of the flood-affected families at Raj Bhavan, the main event during his day’s visit. Modi would also be reviewing the relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected areas of the state at a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior officers of the state administration.

Welcoming the PM’s visit, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has pinned hopes on getting the flood relief package of Rs 44,000 crore, submitted to the Central Government. “If the PM is coming and significantly coming on Diwali, we hope that this package is going to be granted,” Omar Abdullah said. As the Prime Minister is coming to “express solidarity with the flood-affected” people, Omar hopes that the visit “means that the package is going to be accepted and announced”.

Security has been beefed up across the Valley ahead of Modi’s visit to Srinagar. The police and Central armed police forces have been put on an alert to foil any attempt by militants to carry out attack in the city ahead or during the Prime Minister’s visit. Surprise frisking of vehicles was conducted by security men, who were seen stopping the vehicles, mostly light motor vehicles, in the city today. Sources said over two dozen “nakas” have been placed at various places here to ensure that no disruption takes place.

The security men have intensified patrolling in sensitive areas since Tuesday evening after coming to know about the PM’s visit to Srinagar. The Army and security men in neighbouring districts of Srinagar have been asked to be on an alert.

Nearly two dozen members of the Special Protection Group, responsible for the security of the Prime Minister, arrived in Srinagar today to ensure PM’s security during his visit. The team also held a high-level meeting with security officials here.

Srinagar, October 22
Senior BJP leader and Union Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh today dismissed the notion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was coming to Srinagar city tomorrow with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state or for a particular community.

He said Modi was coming here purely for the flood victims and that the Centre would announce compensation for them before the harsh winter months.

“The Centre is very much concerned about the flood victims…His (Modi’s) visit tomorrow proves how concerned he is about the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Jitendra Singh told reporters after his arrival in Srinagar.

However, he said the BJP was “anytime ready” and had “no objections” to conducting the Assembly polls.

While the main political parties except the ruling National Conference have expressed no reservations over holding the elections, Jitendra Singh said the timing of the process was the prerogative of the Election Commission.

As Modi had yesterday tweeted that he would be celebrating Diwali with the flood victims in Srinagar, some quarters had questioned why he had not made a visit here on Eid after the devastating floods.

Jitendra Singh said Modi would visit the Valley again next year to celebrate Eid.

Regarding the delay in announcing a package for the flood victims, he said the Centre would announce compensation before the winter. He said due to prolonged rescue operations in view of the extent of the tragedy, the rehabilitation process had got delayed.

Asserting that nobody in New Delhi was sitting ‘idle’, the Union Minister said a decision on the state’s demand of Rs 44,000 crore aid would be taken soon after the administrative procedures.

He said the comparison of the floods with the 2005 earthquake was ‘unfair’ as the present tragedy had resulted in far greater devastation. “The magnitude of the devastation caused by the floods is many times that of the earthquake,” he said.

Srinagar, October 22
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Kashmir on Diwali has given a ray of hope to the flood victims here. The victims are expecting Modi to announce a substantial package for them so that they can rebuild their lives.

The news through PM’s tweet on Wednesday has raised hopes among thousands of flood-hit who have been rendered homeless by the deluge.

Many flood victims feel that the Prime Minister will announce a comprehensive plan so that the state and its people are able to rebuild the infrastructure destoyed by the floods.

“I want the PM to come and see our condition. I have hope that he won’t let us down like the state government. I am sure he won’t come without a gift for us who are left with nothing due to the recent floods,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Jawahar Nagar, who is now putting up in a makeshift shelter with his wife, elderly mother, two sisters and children.

With winters having already approached in Kashmir, Fayaz, who works as a daily wager, hopes for a help from the Centre for families like him. “We want the Central government to help us in standing again. At least, we expect them to help us in building shelter. No one from the state government came to help us till now, but all our hopes are tied now to the PM’s visit,” he added.

The flood-hit people in Srinagar are now pinning hope to Modi’s visit, expecting him to announce a substantial package. “We had no insurance or anything that could help us. All our hopes are now pinned to the PM’s visit. He will give us some good news this Diwali,” said Abdul Aziz of Mehjoor Nagar.

In Srinagar alone, thousands of people were affected by the floods. Some people lost everything - their dwellings, business and even family members.

“The expectations from the PM’s visit are higher this time as people are in a desperate need of help,” said Anjum Bano of Kursu.

Poonch, October 22
The police nabbed two youths on the Mughal Road in Poonch district and recovered arms and ammunition from them last evening.

The duo was travelling in a Mahindra Xylo and was on its way to Kashmir when a police party nabbed them at Behramgala on the Mughal Road.

They have been identified as Mohammed Azam and Sikander Khan, residents of Chaprian village in the Sabzian sector of Poonch.

“We have recovered one pistol, four pistol rounds, 15 rounds of AK rifle and three hand grenades from the vehicle. An FIR under Section 120, 120-B, 5/25 and 7/27 of the Arms Act has been registered against them at the Surankote police station,” said a police officer.

The police officer said Mohammed Azam, who worked for militant outfits, had been arrested in an arms smuggling case some four years back.

“A pistol and an IED were recovered from him four years ago. He was out on bail,” said the officer.

The police said they were working on the case and more arrests were likely.

It has been learnt that a third youth, who was also travelling in the vehicle, had managed to escape. He belongs to Seri village of Surankote. A manhunt has been launched by the police to nab him.

The vehicle has been seized by the police Surankote police. — TNS

Jammu, October 22
Buoyed by its election success in Haryana and Maharashtra, the BJP is confident of repeating the performance in the upcoming Assembly poll in Jammu and Kashmir.

Although the Election Commission of India (ECI) has yet to take a decision on the timing of the Assembly elections in the flood-ravaged state, the BJP has started preparations for the polls without waiting for the formal announcement of the dates.

Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna, who was re-appointed as the in charge of party’s J&K affairs by BJP national president Amit Shah yesterday, said the BJP was going to “script a new chapter” in the political history of the state.

“We are going to form the government on our own in the state because there is a strong BJP wave here,” Khanna told The Tribune after being re-appointment as the in charge of the strategically important state.

“I am grateful to the party leadership for giving me such an important responsibility ahead of the Assembly elections,” Khanna said and claimed that the BJP would repeat its Lok Sabha performance in the state.

The BJP had created history by winning three out of the six parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time during the Lok Sabha elections.

“People of J&K are fed up with the present corrupt and inept system and they are looking towards the BJP to provide them a clean government,” the BJP leader said, adding that the party has devised “a well-knit strategy” to form the government on its own in the state.

The J&K Legislative Assembly comprises 87 elected members and the BJP has set a target of winning 44 seats to form the government in the state on its own.

In the 2008 Assembly elections, the BJP had won a record 11 seats. But during the recent Lok Sabha elections, the party had secured lead in 25 Assembly constituencies, which included 24 segments from Jammu province and one from the Ladakh region.

Although the party had failed to secure lead in any of the 46 Assembly segments of Kashmir in the Lok Sabha elections, it is hopeful of opening its account in the Valley 
during the upcoming Assembly elections.

“We are going to create history in Kashmir also,” Khanna said and claimed that in the entire state there was a strong BJP wave.

Apart from 37 Assembly segments of Jammu province, the BJP has also decided to focus on four seats of Ladakh and 10 seats of the Valley.

Srinagar, October 22
Member of Legislative Assembly Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today called on Governor NN Vohra here today.

Tarigami apprised the Governor of issues and problems relating to the ongoing relief and rehabilitation work in his constituency and elsewhere in the Valley. He also spoke to the Governor about issues relating to the forthcoming elections and the obtaining political environment. — TNS

Rajouri, October 22
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jatender K Singh has directed the Thanamandi tehsildar to stop relief distribution till further order after receipt of several complaints of favouritism by government officials.

Residents of the area and flood victims alleged that most of the material was being distributed among supporters of ruling parties on the direction of political leaders while beneficiaries were being ignored.

“I have directed the tehsildar to stop distribution of relief material till further orders as complaints of favouritism are pouring in from various parts of Thanamandi tehsil,” said the DC.

Civil society members demanded stern action against erring officials and requested the Deputy Commissioner to investigate the allegations. — OC

Srinagar, October 22
The Governor, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), gave away cheques of Rs 28.65 lakh to ponywallahs for the loss of their horses/ponies in accidental deaths during the Amarnath yatra this year.

A total of 94 owners were given compensation at Rs 30,000 for each pony/horse lost while two owners were given Rs 22,500 each at a function held at Raj Bhawan here yesterday.

The Governor interacted with the claimants and lauded their cooperation and contribution in facilitating the pilgrims and making the Amarnath yatra a successful event every year.

On the suggestion of Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Mian Altaf, the Governor told Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the shrine board, to take up with insurance companies the possibility of disease-related deaths of ponies and horses being brought under the insurance cover.

The Forest Minister said the insurance cover for ponies/horses in case of their accidental death during the yatra was a laudable welfare measure.

He thanked the Governor for taking a keen interest in promoting the welfare of the ponywallahs and observed that various aspects of the yatra had been streamlined by the shrine board and this had resulted in bringing about tremendous improvement in the management of yatra, particularly in the past four years, benefiting the yatris, stakeholders and the people who earn their livelihood from the pilgrimage.

Referring to the laudable measures taken by the shrine board for ensuring cleanliness and protection of environment of the entire yatra area, the minister observed that: “It should be our endeavour to bring about further improvements in the yatra management, wherever required, and to facilitate the visiting pilgrims.”

Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) thanked the Governor for taking the initiative of putting in place the provision of insurance cover, launched with the support of the state government for compensating the loss suffered by the ponywallahs on account of the accidental deaths of their animals during the yatra.

Gurezi put forth suggestions for bringing about progressive improvements in the management of the yatra and thanked the Governor and the management of the shrine board for prompt settlement of the insurance claims of the ponywallahs.

Pahalgam MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir thanked the Governor for the mechanism devised to compensate the losses of ponywallahs by providing insurance cover to their animals. He put forth various suggestions for bringing about improvements in the management of the yatra.

Rakesh K Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor and the shrine board CEO, said the ponywallahs were an important part of the yatra and the Governor had issued directions to get their insurance claims settled expeditiously every year.

The CEO said the Governor had directed him to ensure that the remaining insurance claims of the ponywallahs were settled without any delay. He said collective efforts had resulted in the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and the Governor had, at the post-yatra review meeting, particularly thanked and complimented Forest Minister Mian Altaf, Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Nazir Ahmad Khan, Pahalgam MLA, the Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal, officials concerned, all stakeholders and the people at large for their commitment to ensuring a smooth yatra.

Preet Pal Singh, Additional CEO of the shrine board, gave details of the insurance claims of the pony/horse owners who were given cheques.

Tasaduq Jeelani, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, MR Gassi, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shamas-ud-Din Makhdoomi, Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Kashmir, Ghulam Qadir Shah, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Ganderbal, Tahir Hussain Beig, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Anantnag, and pony and horse owners were present on the occasion. 

Rajouri, October 22
Residents from Kharakpanja, Bharevi, Deblian and Panhar panchayat areas today held a protest before the office of the Deputy Commissioner alleging that instead of creating tehsil at Solki the state Cabinet had decided on tehsil headquarters at Dharamshal.

The protestors said Dharamshal was situated at more than six kilometres from the Jammu-Kalakot-Poonch highway while Solki was on the highway and already has a niabat office.

“We are against the decision of the government and will launch an agitation if our demand for tehsil status at Solki was not considered,” said Amar Nath, a sarpanch.

Rasool Shah and Baisakhi Ram, both sarpanches, said in the past inhabitants had to visit the tehsil office at Kalakot and now they have to go to Dharamshal, which is situated at about same distance from the area.

“Government should create tehsil headquarter at Solki and niabat should be moved to Dhasramshal,” said Om Parkash, another sarpanch.

The protesting members also met the Deputy Commissioner and apprised him of their demands. He assured them that their demands would be forwarded to the state government.

Srinagar, October 22
Governor NN Vohra extended greetings to the people on the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights, and hoped the auspicious occasion would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message, the Governor observed that the festival symbolises the triumph of truth and righteousness over falsehood and of good over evil, highlighting the high values and ethos of the country’s civilisational history.

The Governor hoped that the festival would further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, tranquility and secularism, which are the hallmarks of our glorious composite cultural traditions. On the occasion, he prayed for the well-being of the people of the state.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his Diwali message urged people to celebrate the festival with simplicity keeping in mind the plight of flood-hit and border-shelling affected families.

He called for dedicating this year’s Diwali to the flood-hit and the sufferers of border shelling.

Omar asked people to contribute greatly for the rehabilitation and welfare of the affected families.

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand also called for celebrating the festival with simplicity, saying the state had gone through tough times in the recent past.

Jammu, October 22
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Northern Command Lt Gen DS Hooda has extended greetings to the people of J&K and all security forces personnel, their families and dependents on Diwali.

Lt Gen Hooda expressed hope that the festival would be a harbinger of joy and happiness for society and bring peace and prosperity to one and all. “May the festival illuminate the lives of our people for a better tomorrow,” the GOC-in-C wished. — TNS

Srinagar, October 22
Decrying what they call the government’s “delaying tactics” in rehabilitation of flood-affected people of Kashmir, the separatists have termed Modi’s Diwali visit to the region as a “publicity and election” stunt.

While as moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq questioned “blocking” of international aid to flood-hit Kashmir by the union government, hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani has called for a shutdown tomorrow to, what he calls, remind Modi about the status of Kashmir and to protest against the government’s response in rehabilitating the flood-hit people of the Valley.

However, so far neither the state government nor the Central government has got any offer from any international donors to help flood-hit Kashmir.

“At a time when the people here are devastated by the floods, New Delhi is indulging in politics over the tragedy,” Geelani said in a statement here, adding that the shutdown is a reminder to PM Modi regarding the “disputed and unresolved” nature of Kashmir issue.

The call for shutdown on October 23 is also a protest against the “biased attitude” of the Government of India towards the flood-hit people of Kashmir, he said.

“If this kind of tragedy had struck some other state of India, the government would have swiftly acted to provide relief to the affected people. However, despite the passage of over one and a half months, except statements and politics, no government help is visible on ground,” Geelani said, adding that any help of announcement of package by PM Modi for flood hit Kashmir “won’t be any favour towards Kashmir as New Delhi owes it to the people here for exploiting” its natural resources, including water.

Terming PM Modi’s decision to spend Diwali in Kashmir as a “publicity stunt”, Mirwaiz in his statement said: “For almost two months now, the people of Kashmir have been battered by the floods, which have forced scores of people to spend their days and nights under open skies. However, neither Government of India is taking any step for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected Kashmiris, nor is it allowing international aid to reach Kashmir.”

Urging Modi to desist from “erecting the edifice of his election politics over the ruins of Kashmir”, Mirwaiz criticised the state as well as the Central governments for what he called “delaying tactics” in initiating any relief and rehabilitation programme for the people devastated by the September floods. 

Srinagar, October 22
Shopkeepers of the Exhibition Crossing road today staged a protest and blocked traffic against the demolition drive of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

Due to the protest, traffic movement remained hit for around two hours on the routes leading to Jehangir Chowk. The protest caused a lot of inconvenience to commuters as the Jehangir Chowk area and the connected routes otherwise also remains very busy due to heavy traffic flow.

After the protest, the shopkeepers near the Exhibition Crossing opposite Kashmir Haat observed a shutdown.

A protesting shopkeeper said they were protesting against the SMC “hooliganism” even as the corporation intensified its anti-encroachment drive.

The drive was intensified in the wake of floods as people were found taking undue advantage of the situation. An SMC official said the drive had been intensified to curb the “growing tendency of illegal constructions” in the city after the recent floods. The SMC said illegal constructions both of commercial and residential nature had come up after the floods.

Srinagar, October 22
Deputy General Manager, Air India, Mohammad Iqbal Dar delivered a special lecture on “Aviation and its job perspectives” to the students of the Department of Tourism Studies, Central University of Kashmir (CUK), here.

Iqbal gave details about the operations of Air India and the need of professionals in this sector. He presented an overview about the aviation sector of India in general and Kashmir in particular.

He stressed upon the students to improve the professional standards and asked them to be more focussed on career. He shared his experiences, which enhanced the perspective of the students. Iqbal discussed various challenges being faced by freshers in this industry. — TNS

Srinagar, October 22
The Congress today alleged that free-of-cost ration meant for the flood victims was being distributed in an unfair manner.

“Under the SDRF (State Disaster Relief Fund) scheme, ration should be given to the needy and particularly the ones who suffered during this tragic flood and not to those who remained safe as that will promote unfair distribution of relief,” J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz said in a statement.

“My hunch is that maldistribution of relief has already set in and this situation has to be kept in check,” he added.

Soz said during his visit to other parts of the Valley, including Watlab Ghat and Zirmanz, he found out that those people who were poor and had suffered immensely during the floods were not given ration for September and October.

Soz said he had already taken up the matter with the Director Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) and other officials, who had launched inquiries. He also regretted that he had not so far come across notifications or cabinet orders that categorised people for grant of free-of-cost ration.