Karnah, Jun 21 : A two-storey house of former MLA Karnah, Raja Manzoor Ahmad was gutted in a fire mishap in Tanghdar area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on late Thursday night.

Reports said that the house caught fire last night. Immediately, locals and police tried their best to douse off the flames but failed to prevent the house from suffering major damage.

A policed officer also confirmed the incident and said that the cause of fire is apparently due to electrical short circuit.

He said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)

Pulwama district plunged into darkness; officials assure farmers due compensation

Qayoom Khan

Srinagar, June 21 : Apple and other crops suffered extensive damage even as three persons suffered minor injuries after heavy hail and strong windstorm wreaked havoc in parts of south and central Kashmir on Friday evening. Many residential houses and cars were also damaged in the weather fury. 

Reports reaching said that three persons were injured after the rooftops of several houses were blown away due to the high intensity of windstorm in parts of Pulwama including Rahmoo, Frasipora, Goose, Wahibugh, Kareemabad, Zadoora, Pulwama Town, Awantipora, Tral, Malangpora and its adjoining areas.

At many places trees were also uprooted as a result of which several vehicles got damaged in Pulwama district, they said.

Besides it, the hailstorm which continued for several minutes also damaged apple and almond orchards, besides vegetables and standing crops.

Similarly, reports of damage to the crops were received from Kellar area of Shopian and Pakhperpora, Charipora, Hardu Dalwan, Futlipora, Zenpanchal, Ken Dajan areas of Budgam district in central Kashmir.

Near Babagund village in Pulwama, a tree fell on 11000-KV transmissions line, plunging most of the Pulwama district into darkness.

When contacted Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Syed Abid Rasheed said that official teams are already on ground to assess the situation and estimate the loss.

“Men and machinery are on ground for restoration of affected roads and electricity. All teams deployed for restoration. Fighting nature’s fury. Damage assessment of horticulture and agriculture crops will start tomorrow,” he said.

He confirmed that initial reports suggesting that there has been a wide range of damage to horticulture and agriculture crops besides road and other infrastructure.

He, however, said that there have been no reports hitherto regarding injury to any person. He said that after the assessment, due compensation will be provided to the farmers. (GNS)

Srinagar, Jun 21 : On the second day of week-long ‘Back to Village’ programme, awareness camps and Gram Sabhas were held in North Kashmir districts which saw an enthusiastic participation of locals. The designated officers discussed measures to further boost developmental scenario and strengthening of Panchayati Raj System in their assigned panchayat halqas. Issues of public importance and devolution of powers to panchayats besides implementation of welfare schemes formed part of these interactions.

In Bandipora, the programme began with the recitation of the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on rain water conservation by Panchs and Sarpanches at all the 51 Panchayats of the district.

Gram Sabhas were held at all the Panchayats of the district with special Gram Sabhas organised for female folk. This was followed by formation of social audit committees that include officers of the state government, Panchayat Raj Institutions and prominent citizens of the halqas.

Earlier, gazetted officers met with the PRI members as well as the prominent citizens of the respective halqas in the district and gave a patient hearing to their grievances. The officers also discussed the micro-level strategies to be incorporated in future planning with PRI members and locals.

At Gurez, Director Horticulture, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, distributed Set Top boxes among the villagers to facilitate the access to Doordarshan network. Likewise in various panchayat halqas of Sumbal, visiting officers inaugurated various sports events witnessing massive participation of girls-only. They also kick-started various developmental works and also inaugurated few.

At Matrigam, Special Secretary Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu inaugurated tile paths and a number of playgrounds were dedicated to the youth of the area. At Markundal in Naidkhai, Member SSB, Abdul Aziz Sheikh conducted Gram Sabha and took note of the concerns of the locals.

Out of the 151 Panchayats in the district, 51 Panchayats were visited in the first phase while the remaining Panchayats will be visited in upcoming two phases.

The Gazetted Officers who visited the Panchayats include Director Finance M Ayoub Nasir, Director Sheep Husbandry Abdul Salam Mir, Director Horticulture Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, Special Secretary Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu, Mission Director ICDS, Shabnum Kamli and other senior officers.

IN KUPWARA, continuing with the outreach campaign, several Gram Sabhas were held in the far-flung Panchayat Halqas of the district.

Deputy Commissioner Anshul Garg visited several Panchayat Halqas of the district including Shatigam Chanjmula, Bakiakar, Khumriyal to get the first-hand appraisal of the programme during which he interacted with Sarpanchs, Panchs, Senior Citizens and other deputations.

On the second day, visiting officers listened to the issues of the people and documented their feedback on different state and central sponsored schemes. The general public flagged several issues related to Agriculture and allied sectors and augmenting the civic amenities in their respective panchayat halqas. At certain places the women folk projected their aspirations as regards their empowerment.

Prime Minister’s message regarding water conservation was also read out at the Gram Sabhas.

IN BARAMULLA, under the programme interactive sessions and discussions were held at panchayat halqas of Seelu; Budshah Mohallah, Dangarpora B, Zainageer block; Dooru B; Muqam-e-Shaheed Mir. At Watlab, Zainageer, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah inaugurated the washroom block under the programme in presence of Secretary Panchayat, Sarpanch, Panchs and locals. He as well as the other visiting officers sought feedback from the locals about the welfare schemes and suggestions for making these more people oriented.

Issues related to macadamization of roads, improvement in electric supply, replacement of old water pipes, transformers, repair of damaged electric poles and increasing transportation facilities were also highlighted during the Gram Sabhas.

In districts of North Kashmir all walks of life thronged to the Gram Sabhas and were seen very much enthusiastic to receive the government functionaries and have their concerns registered for improving the facilities in their respective areas. They youth were seen very much serious in projecting their demands regarding creation of livelihood opportitines and creation of sports related infrastructure. At most of the places traditional means of media were also used for awaring the locals and motivating them to be part of the week-long ‘Back to Village’ campaign. 

Srinagar, June 21 : The International Yoga Day was observed at the Raj Bhavan, where Yoga experts from ‘Yoga Society of Kashmir’ conducted an hour long session of Yoga exercises.

Governor Satya Pal Malik, Sh. Umang Narula, Financial Commissioner to Governor, Officers, security personnel, household and secretariat staff of the Raj Bhavan participated in the yoga session.

Srinagar, June 21, : A Ceremonial Border Personal meeting (BPM) on the occasion of “International Day for Yoga’ was conducted today at the Indian BPM huts in Chushul and DBO sectors of Eastern Ladakh.

The Delegations were lead by Brigadier VK Purohit of the Indian side and Senior Colonel Ying Hong Chen from the Chinese side.

The Ceremonial Border Personal Meeting was marked by saluting the National Flag of India by both the delegations members. This was followed by the conduct of Yoga by both the delegations and thereafter reading of ceremonial address which composed of exchange of greetings, wishes and Vote of Thanks.

Both the delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment. The delegation parted amidst feeling of friendship and commitment towards enhancing the existing cordial relations and maintaining peace along the LAC. Both sides also sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreement signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the LAC.

Baramulla : Kashmiri Sikh Community leader Indumeet Singh has orgainsed  two  seminars on ” Drug free Kashmir” in Baramulla district and distributed the booklets among the participants.

The first seminar was orgainsed at North Campus of Kashmir University and second at Budding Bloom school.  Huge number of students and teachers participated in the seminars.

At Kashmir University’s North campus, Director North Campus Prof. Naseer Iqbal gave a warm welcome to the organisers and put light on various issues related to drugs here in Kashmir . He urged to people to come forward and support to campaign.

The guest and speakers for the seminars were Mushtaq Ali Ahmad Khan renowned Cultural and Social Activist, Syed Aijaz Keshani Socio- Political activist, Naveed Bukhtiyar, young youth Activist, Tajamul Islam of J&K Students Movement, Barkat Kaur of SAAYA-Shadow of Hope.

Both the seminars was supported by Saaya-Shadow of Hope  and Drug free world. Adeeba Nisar  hosted the event at North Campus and Imtiyaz Khanday at Budding Bloom High School.

Meanwhile,  While talking to the media persons  Indumeet Singh said, “the situation is alarming and its time to gear up otherwise kashmir will turn Punjab”.

“We have to change our conditions on our own, god help those who help themselves,” Indumeet added.

Srinagar, June 21, : Octogenarian pro-freedom leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was barred from attending a seminar about Urdu at Kashmir University while sensing trouble, the authorities at Kashmir University cancelled his proposed visit to Varsity.  

  Students of University of Kashmir had invited Syed Ali Geelani to deliver a talk on “Is there a conspiracy against Urdu? And why it is important to read it.
   “You must know that an Urdu book fair has been organized in the Kashmir University and people from all walks of life are coming to the venue. Your contribution to the Urdu literature is unmatched be it your Wular Kinaray, a treasure of history, politics, and your treatise on Allama Iqbal. It will be honor for us, students and scholars of KU that we be your host. We invite you to deliver a talk on ‘Is there a conspiracy against Urdu? and why it is important to read it’ outside Kashmir University’s Allama Iqbal Library on June 21 at 11 am,” read the invitation letter sent to Geelani by the students,” the invitation sent to Geelani by students and scholars read.

The programme held outside Allama Iqbal Library at Kashmir University on Friday, however, Geelani according to a spokesperson was neither allowed by authorities to visit the varsity nor did authorities at Kashmir University approach him on Friday. “We came to know through media that Kashmir University has cancelled his proposed his visit,” he said adding that Geelani was ready to participate in the event but was barred by authorities.
Pertinently, Geelani has been placed under house arrest since 2010 and he is not allowed to venture out from his Hyderpora based house.