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Jammu & Kashmir Votes 2014
Campaigning picks up in Ladakh, north Kashmir
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Constituency watch: Inderwal
Sonia to hit election trail on Nov 21
Only Cong can take on BJP: Raj Babbar
It’s boom time for traders of election material
Five-day training course on groundwater resources begins
Lawyers suspend work in courts
Agricultural technocrats rue delay in regularisation of services
School sends blankets to flood victims
KV holds activity under Bal Swachta Abhiyan
Residents allege partiality in flood relief distribution
Review package for flood-hit: Traders
Pulwama residents told to pay for ‘powerless’ Sept
Mirza Waheed’s ‘The Book of Gold Leaves’ released
Workshop on research methodology
Traffic diversions between Srinagar, Baramulla today
Give details of flood relief: HC tells govt EC objects to engaging children for poll work 6 Pandits in crime branch net for fraud Students protest ‘excess’ bus fare
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RSS remark on ‘Indianisation of J&K’ makes Kashmir parties see red
PDP, NC & separatists express outrage over Sangh Parivar’s bid to ‘saffronise’ Valley Arun Joshi Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 18 RSS leader Indresh Kumar made this statement yesterday while launching a book 'Plight of Jammu and Kashmir- The Unknown Files' by Justice (retd) G D Sharma. Indresh, who along with BJP leader Subramanian Swamy released the book, said the time had come for the people of J&K to get “industrialisation, education and Indianisation”. Kashmiri separatists and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party see in the assertion of the RSS and the BJP a “design to saffronise” the state. Guiding force of BJP
RSS national executive member Indresh Kumar, who is playing a crucial role in getting the BJP accomplish its Mission 44+ in the state, on Monday declared that this election would help the BJP form a strong government in the state. Indresh is the main leader who is guiding the course of the party and the Sangh in the state. He had nurtured the RSS in difficult times when the militancy was at its peak from the late 1980s to 2000. Indresh knows the state like the back of his hand as he was also the “prant pracharak” of the RSS for over a decade in the state and is well aware of the political and religious psyche of the people of the state. The state is widely seen as divided into three geographical and demographical compartments: the Hindu-dominated Jammu region, where the majority is proud of being Indians; the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley where “Indianisation” is read as the RSS’s basic philosophy and all Indians are considered Hindus; and the Buddhist-dominated Ladakh region. The most significant part of the RSS leader’s declaration was when he said that “Jammu and Kashmir has faced terrorism and separatism, and now the time has come to get ‘industrialisation, education and Indianisation’.” The connotation of “Indianising” J&K is being read here as a threat by the right wing organisations to “saffronise” the Valley. Politically, it is seen as an attempt to undermine the distinct Muslim and Kashmiri identity of the people in the Valley and elsewhere. Political parties of Kashmir are apprehensive that if the political ground is ceded to the saffron groups this time, it will become an irreversible trend. The Peoples Democratic Party, which is making a strong bid to form the government this time, has said that the BJP was playing a “sinister” game. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti did not mince her words when she said on Tuesday: “The RSS and the BJP are trying to implement their sinister agenda of saffronising J&K by consolidating the votes of one community and fragmenting the other. This is a very dangerous game.” Even the National Conference cadre is worried. Initially, the NC was hesitant about targeting the BJP in their election speeches, now its leaders are openly saying that the RSS and the BJP are making inroads into Kashmir with a design. Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani went a step further and asked all “religious minorities — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists — to boycott the elections to defeat the designs of the RSS and the BJP to divide the state on communal lines.” At the moment, the PDP is terming National Conference a partner of the BJP, but the fact is that there is a growing discourse in Kashmir that after the elections the two rival parties should find a common ground to stall the BJP’s entry into the Valley. Many in Kashmir feel that the RSS’s latest assertion on Kashmir would result in deep polarisation on communal lines. The separatists in Kashmir are already looking for this kind of opportunity. The state that has seen militancy for the last quarter of a century already has communal overtones in the election campaign for the 87-member Assembly, where the PDP in the Valley and Muslim-dominated parts of the Jammu region is on ascendancy, while the BJP is in a strong position in Jammu plains and is desperately trying to open account in the Muslim-dominated Valley. The BJP is aggressively wooing the Shia sect, Gujjars, Paharis and Kashmiri Pandits to register its presence in Kashmir. The RSS had been working hard in the Valley, where its cadre was active during floods and thereafter. Today, it is a strong voice, but by opening its cards in the manner in which it did --- Swamy said that ex-servicemen should be settled in Kashmir --- it would evoke a strong reaction. Both the NC and the PDP have vowed that they would not allow the state subject laws to be changed under any circumstances. Shah to reach Jammu today Jammu: BJP president Amit Shah will arrive in Jammu on Wednesday to interact with party leaders and give impetus to the campaign. He will give final touches to the manifesto which is likely to be released on November 20. He will be accompanied by Union Health Minister and state affairs in charge JP Nadda. Sources said Shah would convene a meeting of the manifesto committee. The manifesto was likely to be released on November 20 if Shah approved it. The sources said instead of demanding abrogation of Article 370, the BJP would demand a debate on the issue. — TNS Talking point
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Campaigning picks up in Ladakh, north Kashmir
Actor Raj Babbar and state Congress president Saifuddin Soz Tuesday organised rallies in Bandipora and Ganderbal districts. Chief Minister and NC working president Omar Abdullah held a rally in Ganderbal, represented by him, and had been to Beerwah in Budgam district. He is contesting from Beerwah, which will go to the polls in the third phase. He is also in the fray from Sonwar in Srinagar district, which will vote in the fourth phase. He is camping in Ladakh at present. Former Chief Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had held election rallies in Zanskar and Kargil constituencies of Kargil district last week. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has been holding rallies in parts of the Valley with focus on north Kashmir. She Tuesday held rallies in Sonawari constituency of Bandipora. The constituencies going to the polls in the first phase are Gurez, Bandipora and Sonawari in Bandipora district, Kangan and Ganderbal in Ganderbal district, Kargil and Zanskar in Kargil and Leh and Nobra in Leh. Most of these areas have an early winter, which affects life and disrupts road connectivity. Ladakh is cut off for six months a year. Gurez remains cut off during winter as well. Poll pitch on rise
Congress leaders Raj Babbar and Saifuddin Soz held
rallies in Bandipora and Ganderbal districts on Tuesday, while Omar canvassed in Beerwah, Ganderbal and Ladakh. |
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PDP gave J&K Gujarat-like growth model, says Mufti
Pulwama, November 18 He said it was not possible to change the fortune of the state in just three years but a model had been framed to govern a complicated state such as J&K. “I guaranteed rights to the people, ended the reign of corruption and established institutions. The NC-Congress government which came next, however, did not follow the model,” Mufti Sayeed said, adding that he had waited for six years and did not try to topple the government like Imran Khan was doing in Pakistan. He said during his chief ministership the Centre had opened all locks of its treasury and made money available for the state because it knew that the money was being utilised for development projects and progress of the state. While asserting that becoming Chief Minister was not his ambition, Mufti said he wanted to tackle challenges that the state was facing. “I would deem myself successful only when the NC and the Congress would be shown the door, and a change is brought in the state,” Mufti said, adding that the Congress had vanished and the NC was struggling to stay in politics. Terming the present government’s approach apathetic towards orchardists, Mufti promised that if his party came to power it would focus on their development. “Spurious pesticides would be banned and new fruit markets would be established to give the horticulture industry a boost,” said
Mufti. The PDP patron urged people to vote for the PDP and ignore the boycott calls given by separatists. “Separatists have a right to boycott but the people of Kashmir should understand the subtlety of time and come out to vote,” Mufti Mohammad Sayeed told voters while adding that their vote to the PDP would save the unique identity of J&K. |
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No serious challenge for incumbent MLA
Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service
Thathri, November 18 Saroori first one the seat in 2002, defeating sitting National Conference MLA Qazi Jalaluddin by record 18,884 votes. He repeated the feat in 2008 state polls pipping BJP’s Shakti Raj Parihar by 10,415 votes.
The absence of a strong contender and highly polarised nature of the constituency in the aftermath of the communal clashes in Kishtwar last year in August has only multiplied Saroori’s chances on this seat. Inderwal, which is a part of Kishtwar district, has 80 per cent Muslim population. Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is fancying its chances of forming the next government in the state, its impact on this part remains subdued. Abdul Majeed Bhat, party candidate from Inderwal, is not a known figure and what influence he can have on voters can be judged only after the election. However, Bhat is campaigning hard to project Saroori as an outsider and himself as some who belongs to Inderwal. “This constituency has always been represented by an outsider and Saroori is one among them. Our main aim is to free our constituency from outsiders,” said Bhat. The situation for the BJP is no different. Though the party has gained enough momentum in the Chenab valley since the parliamentary polls, it has not been able to penetrate Saroori’s fortress. The BJP has nominated Tariq Hussain Keen for the seat. The ruling National Conference also does not seem to pose a serious challenge to former alliance partner, Congress. It has fielded lesser known Salam Din from the constituency. People in Inderwal, which is spread among two mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar, have been voting for development and better road connectivity.
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Sonia to hit election trail on Nov 21
New Delhi, November 18 The locations have been carefully chosen. In Bandipora, the Congress has fielded Usman Majeed, former counter-insurgent and ex-minister in the Congress-PDP government of 2002, as its candidate. Chitrakoot falls in the Chenab region where the Congress currently holds four of the five Assembly segments. The party hopes to retain the seats. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has planned three trips and six public meetings in the state. His travel schedules are being worked out. Speaking to The Tribune, Congress general secretary and in charge of party affairs in J&K Ambika Soni today said the party was hopeful of positive results and its main contest was with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and not the BJP. On recent emergence of the BJP in the state, Soni said the BJP would be lucky to repeat its best-ever performance in Jammu when it had secured 11 segments. |
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Omar has got no chance of winning, says Alvi
Srinagar, November 18 “I just returned from touring Beerwah from where Omar Abdullah is contesting…. He has got no chance (of winning)….Omar has failed completely,” Alvi told reporters here. Though differences between the coalition partners are no secret, this is for the first time that a senior Congress leader has openly attacked Omar. When asked why the Congress did not withdraw support to its coalition partner National Conference (NC) earlier, Alvi said they had high hopes from Omar initially and had given him a chance to complete the six-year term. “On chances of forging another alliance with the NC, Alvi said it was a hypothetical question and a call in this regard would be taken after the results. Hitting out at the BJP for demanding abrogation of Article 370, he said other states also had special status and the Congress considered the Article a part of the Constitution. He said there was no BJP wave in the Valley. “I travelled a lot for two days but did not even come across a BJP flag anywhere,” he said. On the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Alvi said the Congress would go by the sentiments and wishes of the people. He censured Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ‘criticising’ the work done by the previous governments during his Australia visit. “He is the prime minister of the entire country and it does not suit a Prime Minister to criticise the previous regimes,” Alvi said. |
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NC has perennial bond with all regions: CM
Srinagar, November 18 He credited his party with equitable political will and prosperity in Ladakh. He said this while addressing rallies in Tyakshi, Turtuk and Bogdang villages of Ladakh. “No political party has demonstrated greater and more equitable political will than the NC to usher Ladakh into prosperity, connectivity and progress. This has been our legacy since the time of Sheikh Abdullah. His land-to-tiller reforms had an enormous liberating effect on peasants,” Omar said. Omar said his grandfather had ensured fair representation of Ladakh in his first popular government by inducting Kushak Bakula Rinpochee. “The concept of Ladakh Affairs has been envisioned by the NC to ensure equitable development,” Omar said. He said communal harmony and regional cooperation formed the basis of the NC’s political vision. “We have to stick together and breach new frontiers of development and progress. Those trying to divide us for political interests are enemies of the state and future generations,” he said. He appealed to voters to strengthen the hands of Tsetan Namgyal, NC candidate from Nobra. He castigated the BJP and the Congress for “divisive politics” in the region.
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Only Cong can take on BJP: Raj Babbar
Srinagar, November 18 He is among the star campaigners of the party and was on his first visit to the state as a politician. On the Congress’ allegation that it is not the BJP but the RSS that is fighting the elections, Babbar said: “The RSS is promoting communalism in the country and is a danger to the unity and integrity of India.” He appealed to the people to defeat the RSS in its designs. Later, Babbar addressed gatherings at Hajin and Ganderbal. NC did not support us: Soz Srinagar: JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz today claimed that its coalition partner National Conference did not support its endeavours especially those related to the empowerment of the panchayats.
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Geelani wants minorities to boycott polls
Srinagar, November 18 He claimed that the BJP and the RSS wanted to divide the people of Jammu and Kashmir
oncommunal lines and disturb communal brotherhood in the state. Launching the book ‘Plight of Jammu and Kashmir- The Unknown Files’ by Justice (retd) GD Sharma, RSS leader Indresh Kumar Monday said in New Delhi, “There is an opportunity in 2014 to get back into the mainstream bost lost Kashmir and Kashmiriyat.” In a statement Tuesday, Geelani said, “The BJP’s policies and targets are prudent which aim to make India a Hindu nation and subjugate its religious minorities.” He said the BJP had come to power and wanted to achieve its targets and designs in Kashmir. “The BJP has a dangerous policy on Kashmir and wants to quell the movement of its people for the right to self-determination by using military power,” the hardline separatist leader said. He added, “To target and silence this movement is the main objective of this party. It is for these fascist policies of the BJP that I have issued a boycott call of the elections.” Taking a dig at the RSS and the BJP leaders for their statements on Kashmir, he said, “We are aware about their intentions and their conspiracies are no more hidden. In our passionate appeal to the minority communities, we seek their attention to prove their wisdom and not to fall in the trap.” He said, “In this appeal are included our Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Christian brethren. The BJP and the RSS have entered the jurisdiction of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with all their might and the agenda and design to tarnish its communal brotherhood.” He further said, “Day in and day out, leaders of the BJP and the RSS are expressing this fascist policy in their statements. It is in this background that I appeal to all religious communities in Jammu and Kashmir not to cast their vote so that their policies and designs could be defeated.” |
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Jitendra Singh fails to attend rally in Batote
Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh could not attend an election rally at Batote on Tuesday after the chopper he was flying in developed a technical snag and could not land at the Dharmoond helipad. National Panthers Party general secretary and sitting MLA from Samba Yashpal Kundal on Tuesday said his party alone could salvage the Jammu region. “The Panthers Party is the only regional party which alone can salvage the Jammu region and stands committed to addressing poverty and discrimination against the region,” Kundal said. |
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It’s boom time for traders of election material
Jammu, November 18 Campaign material like vinyl box posters, flex, paper posters, cut-outs, banners and flags printed with party symbols are top draws among the candidates and traders are finding it difficult to cope with the pressure of supplying bulk orders, which they say, are still pouring in. Officials said the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is expected to earn revenue worth crores of rupees during the election season. “There is a huge demand from the political parties and we are running out of stocks. Several candidates had booked their demands about a month back. We as individuals may have our political beliefs, but when it comes to business, all are same for us,” said Ramesh Chander, a shopkeeper. Traders have received orders from all the Assembly constituencies in the Jammu region and special arrangements have been made to dispatch the consignments to the candidates. “Bigger the party, bigger the order. But there are some Independent candidates who are our major customers,” Ravi Kumar, a trader, said. In the past two weeks huge banners and posters have also made appearance in the city with the candidates of political parties like the BJP, Congress, NC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) putting them at important road junctions and national highway. A cursory round of city is just enough to conclude that cutouts and other advertising material of political parties have taken over Jammu and other districts of the region. |
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Five-day training course on groundwater resources begins
Jammu, November 18 The training course is being conducted under the aegis of the Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Research and Training Institute, Raipur. The main objective of the programme is capacity building among scientists, engineers, technocrats, scholars from academic institutes, NGOs and other stakeholders in water resources sector. Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department, Jammu, was the chief guest at the inaugural function, while NR Bhagat, Regional Director, CGWB, Jammu, presided over the function. Vinod Sharma, scientist, CGWB, Jammu, briefed about the activities and achievement of the board in the state and introduced to the officer trainees about tier–III trainings for capacity building at the village level and future activities of the board in the next five-year plan. In his address, Bhagat informed the trainees about the national aquifer mapping project taken up by the CGWB and approach to be adopted for mapping of water-bearing units called aquifers. Speaking on the occasion, Aima emphasised on the importance of the training programme for stakeholders and policy makers. He also related the groundwater system with the traffic system, as with the increase in population more stress was being felt on road and groundwater systems. KP Singh, scientist and course coordinator, CGWB, Jammu, welcomed the trainees and told them about the need of one-week training, which is being imparted to the participants from various state government departments. |
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On a country tour, M’rashtra adventurer reaches Jammu
Jammu, November 18 Hailing from Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, he has already achieved the feat of registering his name in the prestigious Limca Book of Records by driving down from the southernmost tip to the northern tip of India five years ago. He had travelled 3,847 km in six days, five hours and 25 minutes from 22 May, 2009, from Kanyakumari and to Leh on May, 28, 2009. Dr Chaudhary, while reaching Jammu said, “I am in the second inning of my life. Planning is the key and meticulously I have considered all possible permissions and licences needed for this expedition. Life should be taken as a challenge and adventure.” According to Dr Chaudhary, he has driven over 4 lakh km in various expeditions. As a gesture of celebrating the same and fulfilling his son Ramakrishna’s dream, Dr Chaudhary took up the challenge of driving down to all four corners of the country and hence, registering his name in the Limca Book of Records once again. |
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Lawyers suspend work in courts
Jammu, November 18 In a meeting here, the members of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, unanimously condemned the action of the Additional District Magistrate, Kathua, of ordering “wrongful” confinement of a senior member of the Kathua Bar Association, Arvind Kumar Gupta, for more than two hours. The members also condemned the misbehaviour of the Additional District Magistrate with other members of the Bar Association, Kathua, who tried to intervene into the matter and pacify the parties. The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, has also extended its full support to the Kathua Bar Association. The meeting was attended by office-bearers of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu, namely MK Bhardwaj (president), Sindhu Sharma (vice-president), Ranjit S Jamwal (general secretary), Prem Sadotra (joint secretary) and Gurveer Singh (cashier) and members of the Young Lawyers Association (YLA). |
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Agricultural technocrats rue delay in regularisation of services
Jammu, November 18 While addressing mediapersons, Dr Surinder Radotr claimed that in both the regions of the state cases were filed in the court against the Cabinet decision, but instead of publication of list of 881 candidates list of only 440 candidates of the Kashmir division was published. “Earlier when the association had met with officials and minister concerned they said the list will be published as soon as the court gives its verdict, but we are still looking for the list in every newspaper of the state,” he added. |
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School sends blankets to flood victims
Jammu, November 18 Raman Bhalla, Minister for Rural Development, Horticulture, Relief and Rehabilitation, was present on the occasion. He appreciated the chairman of the trust, Prof Harbans Singh, for the noble service. The minister also thanked the students and staff of the institute for contributing to the noble cause. Principal of the school Gurtaj Singh and administrator Charanjeet Kaur were also present. |
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KV holds activity under Bal Swachta Abhiyan
Jammu, November 18 Manish Tuli, Principal of the vidyalaya, encouraged the students by appreciating their efforts and also told them to take precautions against water-borne diseases. The activity was coordinated by Meera Mahajan. |
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Residents allege partiality in flood relief distribution
Srinagar, November 18 Residents of Nowgam and Natipora, Srinagar, said they were given Rs 3,800 for partially damaged houses, while in other adjacent localities like Peerbagh, Rs 12,600 were paid for the same type of damage. “If our houses come under partially damaged houses, we should be paid the same amount. The government is not verifying properly. They should come and again assess the damages and see our condition, as only the structures of our houses are there, but we have lost all our belongings,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Hajam Mohalla, Nowgam, Srinagar. Some people claimed that more than one family was living in a single house and they were given a single cheque to be shared among them. They said it was a meagre amount and they event couldn’t buy the essentials from it. “My husband is a labourer and there is no work for him at present. We were given a cheque of Rs 12,600 to be shared among three families as we live in a single house,” said Rafiqa Bano, a city resident, claiming that some people who were single families and had two structures were given two cheques. They said same problem persisted in the relief distribution of various NGOs as well, who were working in Srinagar city after the floods. “The NGOs also don’t verify properly. Most of the time, the needy does not get anything. There is partiality in distribution. There is no proper mechanism in place,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Kursu Ghat. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Rohit Kansal, while acknowledging the fact that there were complaints from people, said the government had constituted a reassessment committee in every district to solve the problems of flood victims. “There were such types of complaints coming from people. We have constituted a re-verifying and reassessment committees in all districts in the office of the District Commissioner to take the complaints of people regarding distribution of relief and compensation under disaster management fund,” he said.He added that people were being paid under different categories. “People are asked to visit the office and register their complaints with the committee which will be looked into and verified again,” he said. After September 7 floods that inundated entire Srinagar city and damaged houses and affected business of people, the government announced interim relief for people which included Rs 75,000 for fully damaged houses. However, even after two months, the government is yet to announce the proper relief package for flood victims, even at a time when harsh winters are increasing difficulties of the people. |
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Review package for flood-hit: Traders
Srinagar, November 18 The moratorium of two years given by the bank at 10.50 per cent is exempted for two years time period. But after the completion of two years, the traders have to pay interest at 13.50 per cent which is same and equal to the credit given on CC-based accounts,” KTF spokesman Aijaz Shahdar said after a meeting of the federation. The KTF demanded lowering of interest rates. “It is killing point for the traders because the repaying capacity will be small and the interest will be huge. And the capital will be
shrinked. This should have been at 4.00 per cent instead of at 10.50 per cent for two years,” Shahdar said. The KTF also demanded that other banks like the State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank should come up with packages for the flood-affected businessmen of the Valley. |
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Pulwama residents told to pay for ‘powerless’ Sept
Pulwama, November 18 The supply had remained erratic for the first few days the month and was totally suspended when water level began to rise on September 5. Customers drawing electricity from the Narwa receiving station here said since the restoration of power supply they have been getting electricity for only six hours as one of the main transformers at the receiving station was damaged by incessant rain. “It is a cruel joke. Charging customers when we have not seen electricity for nearly a month,” said Abdul Rahim, a resident of Sanziwatroo village. Irked by the PDD move, the residents said they would lodge protest against the department for charging customers at a time when even the government offices were reeling in darkness. “The whole world knows that Kashmir remained in darkness for more than a month. Even those who were not affected by floods did not see electricity as most of the stations were left dysfunctional following incessant rain and floods,” said Mohammad Jabbar, a resident of Pulwama. “How can they charge us for something that we have not consumed?” he asked. Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had promised that the PDD would not charge customers for September. “It is ironic that even Chief Minister’s orders are not implemented on ground. The official apathy is only adding to the sufferings of flood-hit people,” said Farooq Ahmad Mir, a social activist from Pulwama. Assistant Executive Engineer, Pulwama Division, Nazir Ahmad Malik, however, said: “We have been advised to send bills to areas where electricity was restored within 15 days. And these areas fall under that category.” |
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Mirza Waheed’s ‘The Book of Gold Leaves’ released
Srinagar, November 18 Mirza, who is based in London, has come up with the book after his first novel “The Collaborator”, which was an international bestseller. Mirza read several passages from the book today at an auditorium in Lal Chowk comprising journalists, writers, medicos and students. Mirza’s memories of the Jhelum are also included in the book. He expressed how the river was angry with the people for not being able to take care of it. Mirza’s writings on the Jhelum led a huge applause from the audience. Roohie and Faiz, the protagonists of his novel, apparently belong to two different sects of the conservative Kashmiri society and are fighting the hurdles based on caste to get married. But certain turn of events seemingly in the early 90s, when insurgency broke out in the Valley, leads Faiz to take up gun. “I would leave the plot of the story for the readers to explore. But the love story of a young couple living in one of the most populated areas of downtown Srinagar is not an ordinary one. There are political undertones to it as was the case with everything in the
Valley in those times,” Mirza said. He said, “Smaller characters in my novel too have their significance to which every Kashmiri can relate to.” Mirza advised young writers to read a lot in order to hone their writing skills and not necessarily delve into plot. “I think about my characters more than the theme of my stories. The story flows as my characters interact with each other. But, Kashmir is always the core to my stories,” Mirza said. |
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Workshop on research methodology
Srinagar, November 18 Dr Rafiq Ahmad Pampori, Principal and Dean, GMC, Srinagar, while inaugurating the workshop conducted by its Department of Community Medicine, stressed on participating faculty to take research in medical college as a priority with establishment of multi-specialty research laboratory funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The faculty members from 13 departments of Government Medical College, Srinagar, are participating in the second such in-house workshop where lecture discussion are conducted on developing research protocol, research questions, research design, sampling, study instrument and data management. |
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Traffic diversions between Srinagar, Baramulla today
Srinagar, November 18 A police spokesman said Srinagar-bound vehicles from north Kashmir viz Kupwara, Handwara and Sopore would move via Hygam to Sumbal to HMT, while vehicles from Baramulla, Uri, will move from Hamrey Gate, Pattan to Sumbal to HMT, Srinagar. “Vehicles from Pattan will move to Srinagar via Hartrath Bridge to Khanpath to Shadipora to HMT, Srinagar,” he said. The heavy motor vehicles moving towards north Kashmir from Srinagar will move via Narbal, Magam turn right near SDPO Office Magam to Kungumdara to Khore to Hanjiwera to Pattan. “Light vehicles moving towards north Kashmir from Srinagar will move to Baramulla via Narbal to Kanihama to Nooripora to Archanderhama to Gund Khoja Qasim to Singpora Pattan,” the spokesman
said. — TNS |
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Give details of flood relief: HC tells govt Srinagar, November 18 The direction by a Division Bench of the High Court came following submissions by Amicus Curiae GA Lone that he had information that Rs 1,000 crore had been sanctioned by the Centre as an interim relief for the benefit of the flood-hit in the state and that nothing was known as to how it
had been spent by the government. Taking these submissions made at the Bar on record in its orders passed today, the High Court has directed the state as well as the Central government to inform the court about these submissions within the course of this week. Lone in his submissions also said the Centre had also sought information and details from the state government about the immovable property of those, who had suffered complete or partial damage in the recent floods, so as to enable the authorities to deposit/ disburse the compensation amount to the affected people. In its orders today, the High Court granted divisional commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu time to file their response to the earlier directions, where these authorities had been asked to file detailed information by or before November 18 as to what is the mechanism in place for regulating the distribution of relief to the flood victims by NGOs and individuals. Court directive
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EC objects to engaging children for poll work Jammu, November 18 “The District Election Officers and Returning Officers will be personally held responsible for any such violation and will face severe disciplinary action apart from facing the consequences of law, if any such instance comes to the notice of the Commission,” said a circular issued by the General Administration Department. The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, inter alia bans employment of children below 14 years in specified occupations such as transport of goods that are considered “unsafe and harmful” to child workers and regulates the conditions of work of children in employment. The circular said the ECI had taken exception to the engagement of children in various election-related activities. “It has further held that no such insensitivity is shown by any political party anywhere in the country and that such a violation of children rights for any work connected with the election process such as campaigning and carrying of campaigning material would not be acceptable,” it stated. The Commission also invited the attention towards the Bombay High Court’s order of August 4, 2014, in which the court has stressed the need to ensure that the political parties do not allow participation of minors in any election-related activities.
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6 Pandits in crime branch net for fraud Jammu, November 18 The accused were identified as Shadi Lal Pandita, his wife Lalita Pandita, Babli of Pattan in Baramulla, presently residing at Jagti in Jammu, Mithun Ji Pandita of Pattan in Baramulla, presently residing at Durga Nagar Sector-I, Sarwa Nand and Meena Shorie of Tangwari in Pattan, presently putting up at Jagti in Nagrota. The charge sheet was produced before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, yesterday. An official spokesperson said the General Administration Department had forwarded a letter along with enclosures regarding the case registered at the Police Station, crime branch, Jammu, to the crime branch Headquarters, Jammu. During investigation, it was found that Shadi Lal Pandita had fraudulently withdrawn Rs 30 lakh as relief from the government treasury after managing fraudulent and fictitious ration cards under various migrant relief zones and a total of eight ration cards were made by the accused on his name and the names of other family members. The involvement of the accused was established after seizure of fraudulent records, statements of witnesses and the Forensic Science Laboratory reports. From the evidence, oral and documentary, collected during investigation of the case, the accused were found to have committed the offences under Section 420, 465, 468 and 471 of the RPC and were accordingly
challaned.
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Students protest ‘excess’ bus fare
Rajouri, November 18 They blocked the road near a bridge at Argi for more than four hours and raised slogans against the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the ARTO, demanding immediate action in the matter. “Most of the times students miss their classes as the drivers of overloaded passenger vehicles do not stop for them. The worst sufferers are the girl students who can’t cover long distances on foot to their schools,” said Sapna, a student. The students said they had brought the matter to the notice of the ARTO several times but nothing had been done in this regard so far. — OC
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Srinagar, November 18