Gupta is Red Cross honorary secy

Jammu: Dinesh Gupta, former RBI official, has been appointed honorary secretary, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Jammu region. He has assumed the office by relieving RC Puri. Gupta is a social worker and has been associated with the IRCS since 1983. He has already worked as the honorary secretary, IRCS, Jammu.  TNS

AFCONS Jal bags Pakal Dul project

Jammu: In a major breakthrough in harnessing the vast hydropower potential of the Chenab, the civil works for the construction of the 1,000-MW Pakal Dul project has been awarded to AFCONS Jal at a total cost of Rs 1,051 crore.  A letter of acceptance has been issued by the Chenab Valley Power Projects to AFCONS Jal. TNS

Militant hideout busted in Kishtwar

Jammu: Acting on specific information, the Army and police on Wednesday afternoon launched a search operation in the Kesna forest area of Kishtwar region and recovered arms and ammunition from a hideout. During the search and seek operations, two AK-56 rifles, three 9-mm pistols, one country-made pistol, 15 magazines of AK-56 rifle, 98 rounds of pika, two rounds of UBGL, one round of RPG, two binoculars, 12 detonators and two radio sets were recovered from the spot. The operation was launched jointly by the RR Battalion of Kishtwar and the J&K Police. Giving details, PRO, Defence, said the joint parties cordoned the area and carried out a meticulous search. TNS

Let pvt players handle speciality hospital: CCI 

Jammu: Expressing concern over the poor functioning of the multi-crore Super Specialty Hospital, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, on Tuesday urged the government to outsource the functioning of the hospital to private players for smooth functioning. The issue was raised by the CCI with Minister for Health Bali Bhagat during his visit to the Chamber office. TNS

Gang of car lifters busted, 3 arrested

Srinagar: A gang of car lifters was busted and three of its members were arrested by the police in the Parimpora area of the city, the police on Wednesday said.  The arrests were made by Parimpora police station following a series of complaints about car and motorcycle thefts during the last few months.  "In order to crack the cases, a special investigation team headed by the SHO, Parimpora, under the supervision of the Sub Divisional Police Officer (West) was constituted and investigation started," a police spokesman said.  During the course of investigation, three people were arrested and five stolen vehicles recovered. The recovered vehicles include four four-wheelers and a two-wheeler, the police said. TNS

Drive against traffic violators 

Srinagar: The police on Wednesday said it had launched a drive against traffic violators in the Parraypora area of the city, seizing or fining 40 two-wheelers under the Motor Vehicles Act. The drive was launched by Sadder police station to check traffic violations by the bike riders in the Parraypora area, a police spokesman said. During the drive, 40 two-wheelers were seized or fined. TNS

Mirwaiz unimpressed with gateway to old city

Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chairman of a faction of Hurriyat Conference, on Wednesday described the construction of Bab-ul-Iqbal, the gateway to downtown, as a "cosmetic measure." The separatist leader, who has a support base in the old city - also known as downtown and Shahr-e-Khaas, said attracting people to downtown by constructing the gateway was a "cosmetic measure." He also accused the state governments of resorting to "revengeful and dictatorial measures of repeatedly subjecting (downtown) residents to curfews, restrictions and harassment." TNS

Rasheed observes daylong fast 

Srinagar:  Independent MLA and AIP leader Engineer Rasheed on Wednesday observed a daylong fast following his detention by the Handwara police. He later ended it after reaching an agreement with the administration regarding the release of detainees booked under the PSA. A consensus was reached after deliberations between administration headed by ADC Handwara and Rasheed at the Handwara police station, AIP spokesman said in a late evening statement. The administration agreed to release few of the detainees, he added. TNS