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Spurt in terrorist strikes More aid
assured for border areas
Faith for some, bread and butter for others |
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Plan to develop model villages in J&K Turning green trees in charcoal with impunity 95 AIDS patients
in J&K Telecom services hit
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Spurt in terrorist strikes Jammu, August 6 Militants are striking at targets of their choice almost every day here as well as in the Kashmir valley. Those responsible for security view these attacks as a usual phenomenon around Independence Day, but political parties describe this as a deterioration in the situation because of the “militant-friendly” policies of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. Terrorist outfits have adopted a strategy of attacking VIPs and camps of the security forces in the Kashmir valley, besides brutally killing innocent persons in Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts of Jammu. Terrorist incidents have suddenly increased at a time when the Centre and the state government started claiming that the situation was under control. As many as 14 CRPF personnel lost their lives within a week in two daring militant attacks on their camps right in the heart of the city. This has caused concern as the CRPF is gradually replacing the BSF, which was engaged in anti-terrorist operations for the past 15 years in Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister, survived two terrorist attacks recently in the valley. What is worrying is the killing of innocent men, women and children in the three districts of Jammu, where terrorists are virtually calling the shots. Not a day passes when reports of militants slitting throats of innocent persons, particularly in Poonch and Rajouri districts, are not received. The security forces and the police in these districts have miserably failed to protect the people living in far-flung hamlets. The Chief Minister has come under severe criticism for the deteriorating situation. Mr Omar Abdullah, President of the opposition National Conference, has urged the Centre to take immediate steps to ensure that the violent situation in the state does not reach a point of no return. Referring to the recent spurt in violent incidents in the heart of Srinagar, Mr Omar Abdullah said the state government had failed to contain the deteriorating situation and the violence level had increased to an all-time high. On the other hand, Mr Bhim Singh, Chairman of the Panthers Party, a partner in the Mufti-led coalition government, has accused the state government of having failed to meet its commitment to deal with terrorism and restore peace. |
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2 jawans among five killed Srinagar, August 6 Militants kidnapped and later killed a person, Abdul Hamid Piswal, at Behak Pahalgam in south Kashmir today, while the body of Samad Lone was recovered at Kralpora in the frontier district of Kupwara. Militants attacked a security force camp with rifle grenades and automatic weapons at Shopian in Pulwama district late last night. One of the grenades missed the target and hit the roof of Ghulam Qadir’s house, causing damage. Security forces retaliated but the militants escaped under the cover of darkness.
— UNI |
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More
aid assured for border areas Srinagar, August 6 It is the only state which got Rs 100 crore for the BADP, which constitute nearly 29 per cent of the total plan. Out of the total plan of Rs 350 crore for 17 border states, this year Rs 135 crore is being spent on various works under it, an official spokesman said. Reviewing BADP being implemented in 44 border blocks in nine districts of the state at a high-level meeting of civil, police and Army officers here yesterday, the minister said the Centre accorded a priority to complete border fencing on the one hand and speedy execution of other infrastructure development schemes in health, education, agriculture, rural development, road communication etc on the other hand. Stressing the need for formulation of new schemes under the BADP that could improve the living standard of the people of the border areas, the minister also underscored the need for taking up five important road projects by the Border Roads Organisations (BRO). The
state government sought additional funds for the completion of health
institution and electrification in 500 villages.
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Faith for some, bread and butter for others Jammu, August 6 Over the years Amarnath yatra and year-round rush of pilgrims to Vaishno Devi yield crores per year. Those connected with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and hotel business say Amarnath pilgrimage yields Rs 1.25 crore in the Jammu area and Rs 1.50 crore in the Kashmir valley. Mr Inderjeet Khajuria, President Hoteliers Association, and Mr Ram Sahay, President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry traders, horteliers and transporters are main beneficiaries of the Amarnath pilgrims. They said those visiting shrine of Amarnath also visit tourist spots in the Kashmir valley and shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board authorities receive offerings in cash silver and gold, worth several crores. These are utilised for the development of the shrine and its environs, like roads, sanitation and accommodation. From the offerings the Shrine Board could earmark Rs 25 crore for the establishment of Mata Vaishno Devi University last year. With the extension of Amarnath Yatra from 30 days to 45 days occupancy of hotels in Jammu and Pahalgam, two base camps, touched 60 to 80 per cent. Already 2.50 lakh pilgrims have visited Amarnath cave and by August 30 the figure is expected to touch 3.50 lakh and yatra may yield over Rs 100 crore which is more than the earning from tourism between May and July. Reports from Katra and Jammu show traders. transporters and hoteliers, besides ponywallas and porters, earn mainly from Vaishno Devi yatris who spend Rs one crore a day while travelling from Jammu to Katra and to the cave. The state Government has become aware of this and several shrines, including those at Hazratbal, Chrar-i-Sharief, Rajouri and Sudh Mahadev were being developed for more pilgrims. |
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Plan to develop model villages in J&K Srinagar, August 6 Disclosing this here yesterday, the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, issued instructions to take up three villages each in Kashmir and Jammu province for the implementation of the plan in the first instance to transform the rural profile. He was addressing a high-level meeting to review the progress of various rural development schemes in the state. He said the development of rural areas was essential for the state. The Chief Minister said the government had formulated a plan to develop model villages in every block of the state taking care of the entire rural requirements, including electricity, drinking water, sanitation, education, employment avenues, healthcare, communication and road connectivity. Mufti Sayeed said the identification of the villages should be made on the basis of places of social or religious importance thronged by people so that its impact is on a wider level. He added that special projects were being formulated and implemented with central assistance to achieve the objective. The Minister for Rural Development, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, informed the meeting that the government was working towards transforming the panchayats into the centre of all development activities. He said additional financial and administrative powers had been given to the panchayats to make these vibrant grass-roots level institutions. |
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Turning green trees in charcoal with impunity Kathua, August 6 Reports of burning of willow trees for the purpose in the Kashmir valley have also been received. Neither the Pollution Control Board and nor the Forest Department has taken action against the charcoal manufacturing mafia reportedly backed by politicians of the area. A number of such kilns were operating illegally, but the authorities have not collected any data of the number of trees being burnt by them. The kiln owners buy wood at the rate of 10 paise per kg and sell charcoal for Rs 6 per kg. Barren land on both sides of the highway was turned green with great difficulty, but these kilns have started eating up the trees. The authorities describe it as a ‘socio-political’ problem which could not be tackled by them without political support. These kilns were denuding the green cover and cause pollution as the smoke emanating from these spreads in the area, At times, driving on the highway becomes difficult because of thick smoke. Wood is stacked in earthen kilns and burnt to make charcoal. A kiln owner said that nearly 20 quintals of wood is burnt in one go in each kiln to yield five quintals of charcoal. The coal is purchased by dhaba owners here and also sent to places in Srinagar and Doda district. Some of the charcoal manufacturers have more than three kilns each at one place along the highway. There were reports that willow trees were being burnt in certain areas of the Kashmir valley to prepare coal used for heating in winter. Chairman of the state Pollution Control Board, S.D.
Swantatra, said that he would look into the matter and issue notices to the kilns operating illegally. |
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95 AIDS patients
in J&K Jammu, August 6 This was stated here today by Dr M.A. Wani, Director, AIDS Control Society, while speaking at a seminar organised by the Jammu Consumers Council. Dr Wani said that 379 HIV patients had been detected in the state and 35 of them had already died. The seminar stressed the need to educate the people about AIDS and its preventive measures. The Health Minister, Mrs Suman Bhagat, said that the awareness campaign should be launched in industrial and rural areas. Mr Amitabh Mattoo, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, said that it was important to handle the AIDS patients in a manner that they did not feel humiliated. |
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Telecom services hit Jammu, August 6 These services were suspended throughout the day and were not restored till filing of the report. An officer of the BSNL said that the cable was damaged due to rains at three places near Pathankot, Bari-Brahmanan and Katra. Telephone subscribers were unable to contact anyone outside the state. The services within the state were also badly hit. Media- persons were unable to send their reports. |
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