SRINAGAR, MAY 08 : After journalists from Jammu and Kashmir’s Leh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bribe reporters for politically motivated coverage,  a new video has emerged showing sealed envelopes being handed over to the scribes at a press conference in Leh’s Hotel Singge Palace.

BJP legislator Vikram Randhawa is seen giving envelopes to journalists in presence of Jammu and Kashmir party chief Ravinder Raina.

The state election body has initiated steps to file a First Information Report following the journalists’ complaint. The complaint has been sent to the local court and that they are waiting for court directions to file a FIR, officials said.

Earlier, the journalist party had lodged complaints with district election officer Anvy Lavasa as well as the police. However, Raina had refused the claims and threatened to file a defamation suit against the body if they don’t apologize. “The BJP will not tolerate such allegations. It will file a defamation suit in the high court against the press club if it fails to make a public apology,” Raina said. He called the move as politically motivated.

Ladakh is witnessing a four-way contest between the BJP’s Tsering Namgyal, who is chief executive councillor of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council; Congress candidate Rigzin Saplbar; Independent Sajjad Hussain, who is supported by the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party; and Congress rebel Asgar Ali Karbalai.

Meanwhile Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and leader of the JK National Conference Omar Abdullah on Wednesday tweeted over the issue saying “action must follow”

Omar Abdullah in a tweet said In light of the CCTV footage purported to show BJP leaders attempting to bribe journalists in Leh I’m retweeting my original tweet with the letter of complaint by the Press Club Leh. Action must follow.

SRINAGAR, MAY 08 : Senior National leader and Baramulla candidate Mohammad Akbar Lone said that decision of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to levy toll tax from local vehicles must be revoked immediately.

While speaking to News Agency Lone said that, “People from south Kashmir in general and from Kulgam and Anantnag in particular are bearing the brunt of such a measure as there are private as well as the government employees who will have to pass through the toll plaza set up at Charsoo and they are being asked to pay money every day. (PTK)

Kashmir Despatch News

Pattan, May 08 : After Baramulla village now Forces launched a cordon and search operation in North Kashmir’s Pattan village on Wednesday evening.

Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said a joint team of Army’s 29 RR, 176 Bn CRPF and SOG Kreeri launched a cordon and search operation at Khisipur area of Pattan this evening.

Reports said joint team of forces selaed whole area and conducted house to house search operation.

A police officer also confirmed this search operation to Kashmir Despatch and said following inputs about presence of some militants in the area search operation has been launched.

Srinagar, May 08 : Despite receiving over 50 crores from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the handloom department has utterly failed to distribute the uniform among the students in the government schools.

Sources told news agency that Rs 52 crores was provided to Handloom department to prepare uniform for students but unfortunately it has failed to get the uniforms ready on time.

Half of the session is almost completed, the handloom department is still stitching the uniform, they said, adding that the department instead of buying the cloth from Kashmir handloom merchants has even bought the cloth from outside State.

Managing Director Handloom department admitted that they have received Rs 52 crore so far, adding that the work on stitching will be started soon.

However, Director SSA, Arun Manhas as per news agency correspondent said that the uniforms will be distributed among the students from May 25. (KNS) 

Suhail Khan

Pattan, May 7 : The recent decision by the local administration to shift sumo stand from old hospital road to mini-bus stand in north Kashmir’s Pattan has led to much inconvenience to the regular commuters especially students.

The residents of Neharpora and its adjoining areas while demanding sumo stand back at old location said that this move has seriously affected the regular commuters and has led to much inconvenience to the students.

Shifting bus stand has created new hassles for regular travelers like me to reach my college whileas I am now forced to leave before hour, to reach my college said Saika a college student.

She said that shifted mini bus cum Sumo stand is almost one kilometer away from the market as a result of which the people, especially the women and children are facing huge inconvenience.

Students are suffering immensely as they have to walk one kilometer to reach to the colleges, schools from this new bus stand,” said Syed Abida a local resident of Neharpora told Kashmir Despatch.

She said that if administration had shifted the stand, following regular traffic mess near old hospital road but nothing has changed but only to add to the sufferings of people especially students.

The people of the area have sought the intervention of the District Development Commissioner Baramulla in this regard.

Meanwhile when contacted SDM Pattan Naseer Ahmed told Kashmir Despatch
that illegal bus stand was operating from the area without registration and was creating heavy traffic jam there. Officer said that those drivers has been asked to operate from different location sothat traffic will ply smoothly on National Highway.