8 killed, 4 injured in two road mishaps

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 6: Three contractual workers of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited were among eight persons killed and four others received injuries in tragic accidents in Reasi and Kishtwar districts.

An official spokesman said that five persons were killed when a mini-bus, they were travelling in, skidded off the road and plunged into one kilometre deep gorge at Banjwar under the jurisdiction of Kishtwar Police Station late last night.

A police spokesman said that the ill-fated mini-bus bearing registration number JK02-0365 was on its way from Kishtwar to village Dul when all of a sudden the vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into deep gorge at Banjwar.

All the five occupants of the vehicle including driver sustained severe injuries in the accident but they could not be rescued as till this morning nobody could come to know about the accident.

In the morning, someone rang up Kishtwar Police and informed about the accident. A Police team immediately rushed to the spot and brought out the bodies from the gorge with the help of locals. All were shifted to Kishtwar Hospital and later handed over to family members for last rites after all legal formalities.

According to the doctors, all the occupants of the vehicle died due to excessive bleeding and said that had the accident been timely detected the lives of some of them could have been saved.

The accident reportedly took place as the edge of the road caved in because of rainfall and driver could not control the vehicle leading to the mishap, a police spokesman said.

The deceased have been identified as Imtiyaz Ahmed Sheikh (driver of the vehicle), son of Abdul Aziz, Ghulam Nabi, son of Aziz Mohammad, Firdous Ahmed, son of Ghulam Haider, all the residents of Banjwar, Thakur Din, son of Taj Walli of Thagu Marh and Rafiq, son of Qasim Gujjar of Dul.

Meanwhile, National Conference MLA from Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo has expressed concern over the death of five persons in the accident and extended sympathies to the family members of the victims.

He demanded for them an ex-gratia relief from the State Government.

In another accident, three contractual workers were killed and four others received injuries when a tipper hired by UAN Raju Company on behalf of Konkan Railway Corporation for carrying scrap material from Reasi to the company site at Kauri rolled down into a nullah near Salal Kotli village on Reasi-Arnas road.

The rescue teams of Konkan Railways immediately swung into action and brought out the critically injured workers from the gorge. All were rushed to District Hospital Reasi where three of them were pronounced as brought dead.

All the four critically injured workers were, later, rushed to Government Medical College Hospital here for specialised treatment. Their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

The deceased have been identified as Suprian, son of Khamoz of Jharkhand, Dilip Singh, son of Lal Singh of Balwantkot (Mahore) and Mohinder Lal, son of Punjab Sharma of Sunderbani.

The injured are Surat Singh, son of Jyot Singh of Balwantkot, Suraj Singh, son of Prem Singh of Balwantkot, Vijay Kumar, son of Kanya Lal of Uttar Pradesh and Subash Singh, son of Faquir Chand of Surandi.

As a humane gesture, the Konkan Railways has sanctioned immediate relief of Rs 15000 each to the families of deceased workers.

Valley’s aerial link too snapped
NH remains closed; 1000 trucks, 400 passengers stranded

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 6: Around 1000 trucks carrying essential commodities and 400 Kashmir valley-bound passengers got stranded at different places as Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed since last evening because of massive snowfall between Qazigund to Banihal and rains in Ramban and Ramsu areas.

Not only the road link, the inclement weather also snapped summer capital’s aerial link with rest of the country with snowfall at Srinagar Airport coupled with poor visibility forcing the cancellation of all the flights from here.

Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police, National Highway, Danish Rana said that though the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel tried their level best to remove the accummulated snow between Qazigund to Banihal yet the road clearance operation was continuously hampered by the snowfall.

"We even allowed some vehicles on trial basis but had to stop the practice forthwith because of slippery conditions between Ramban to Qazigund", he disclosed and said that even the stretch of the highway at picturesque spot of Patnitop had also become slippery because of snow.

According to Mr Rana, around 1000 trucks, 64 Light Motor Vehicles and two buses have been stranded at different places on the highway from Banihal to Manwal and Traffic Police personnel at different check posts on either side of the Jawahar Tunnel upto capital cities have been asked not to allow fresh movement of any sort of vehicle till BRO declares highway safe for vehicular movement.

"Looking at the cloudy weather, it is very difficult to predict if the traffic on the highway could be resumed immediately", he said. The SSP Traffic National Highway, however, made it clear that only stranded vehicles will be given priority after the reopening of the highway.

The airlink to and from Kashmir valley was also suspended for the time being as all incoming flights, including the special Haj flight, have been delayed due to snowfall and poor visibility at the Srinagar airport, an official spokesman said.

All the airlines destined to Srinagar remained grounded at Jammu due to bad weather conditions and there was virtual chaos and confusion in the airport because of lack of space and inadequate arrangements by the airlines, sources further said.

Reports said that snowfall began in the wee hours today across the Valley with Gulmarg recording two feet and Tangmarg nearly one feet of snow.

Kupwara received snowfall equivalent to 17.3 mm of rainfall, followed by Qazigund at 7.0 mm, Kokernag (6.4 mm), Pahalgam (6.0 mm) and Srinagar at 3.6 mm, they said, adding about a dozen roads in north Kashmir were also closed for traffic following one to three feet of snowfall.

Heavy to moderate rainfall was recorded in Jammu division with Banihal recording 19.4 mm of rains and snow. Batote town also recorded a high of 12.4 mm of rainfall, increasing the likelihood of landslides along the highway.

Even the upper reaches of Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, Kathua and twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch experienced fresh snowfall while the plains were lashed by rains, the reports said.

Since Friday night, the entire State was gripped in severe cold conditions due to the intermittent rainfall in the plains and snowfall on the upper reaches of the Himalayan region.

Normal life was affected due to the freezing northern-eastern winds and completely cloudy conditions.

Altaf remanded to judicial custody

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 6: Altaf Ahamad Khan, the Kashmiri youth who was arrested yesterday for suspected terrorist links, was produced before Judicial Magistrate, A Nedunkanadam, in Idukki district and was remanded to judicial custody even as the police stepped up vigil in the State, especially in tourist centres.

Police said the interrogation of Altaf indicated that he was wanted in some cases with terrorist connections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Police also recovered a fake identity card bearing the name Mohammed Ashraf Butt from Altaf. He had been slapped with the charge of forging the fake identity card.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters here that police could gather information from Jammu and Kashmir authorities that Altaf had been wanted in connection with several cases in that State.

Altaf had been running a handicraft shop in the tourist town of Kumali in Idukki for the last five years, but he had made frequent trips to Jammu and Kashmir.

He was taken into custody on the basis of certain information received from Jammu and Kashmir police in connection with verification of an application for passport made by him a few months back.

In view of Altaf’s arrest, police had been asked to keep close watch on major tourist centres in the State as there had been intelligence reports that some terrorist outfits were making the State a hide-out.

The intelligence wing of the Kerala police had also been asked to increase their interaction with their counterparts in other States to check terrorists sneaking into the State.

Also, a close watch would be made on worksites where migrant labourers are employed in large numbers.

According to Balakrishnan, the recent arrest of top PWG leader Malla Raja Reddy from Ernakulam district, reinforced intelligence reports of terrorists crossing into Kerala.

Meanwhile, police searched the shops run by people from Kashmir in Kumali but could not come across any evidence pointing to any terrorist links.

Police said two others who were taken for questioning along with Altaf yesterday were let off.

Investigators led by IG Winson M Paul were also in touch with Central intelligence agencies in connection with the case.(PTI)

33 new hospitals to be completed by April: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

Samba, Jan 6: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that any attempt to mislead the people by false slogans needed to be frustrated and his party would resist those who try to divert people’s attention from development to hollow promises.

"We have concentrated on development instead of feeding people on false slogans and misleading statements", he said and maintained that the atmosphere of progress would not be allowed to be impacted by empty sloganeering. He said the politics of selling ‘‘unrealizable dreams’’ to people had left them far behind in progress and now was the time that development of the State was made foremost agenda by all political parties.

Mr Azad was addressing a public meeting here today where he distributed ownership rights among farmers on Government land under Roshni Act enacted by the Government last year.

The Chief Minister said his Government was focused on equitable development of all regions with emphasis on rural and remote areas where the fruits of development had not reached the people so far. He said he believed in justice with all and has based his development strategy on this principle.

He said political leanings or regional and religious affiliation was not any consideration for his Government to extend basic facilities to people. These issues, he said, were decided on merit and need basis. He cited the instance of creation of 8 new districts and said that out of these only one district had a Congress MLA. He said the Government belonged to all people and was committed to development of all sections of the society.

Mr Azad alluded to the massive development initiatives taken by his Government to strengthen facilities at all levels. He said roads, hospitals and schools were in shambles and people were facing problems on account of lack or deficiency of drinking water, electricity and irrigation facilities. He said his Government has chalked out a strategy with the support of the Central Government has and drew a blueprint for addressing the situation.

Talking about infrastructure development, the Chief Minister said that it remained a priority area for his Government. He said construction projects that normally took decades were now completed in a year or two. He said the construction of 33 district and sub-district hospitals started last year and would be completed by April. Similarly, he said, the buildings for newly created degree colleges would be ready by that time.

He said the construction of buildings for just announced 18 new colleges would begin from next month. He said the work on office complexes for 4 new districts had commenced in Jammu division while for the remaining 4 in Kashmir division it would start in February, given the weather conditions there. He said within one year all these office complexes would be ready and functional. He said all district offices would be housed in these complexes.

Mr Azad said a Cabinet Sub- Committees had been set up to recommend measures for addressing unemployment problem and looking into the problems of ex-servicemen in the State. The Sub-Committee on unemployment had several meetings and deliberated upon employment avenues for the youth in and outside Government sector. He said the Government was seriously engaged in addressing this problem.

The Chief Minister said that the Cabinet Sub-Committee on ex-servicemen had submitted its report and the Government would take a decision soon. He said the ex-servicemen were the pride of the country and the State who gave their blood for the nation and it was our duty to reciprocate in terms of whatever little help we could provide. He said the Government has doubled the reservation quota in promotion for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe employees and raised manifold the honorarium of Nambardars and Chowkidars last year.

SSP Samba Rajinder Gupta supervised security arrangements for the rally.

‘Zero deficit budget coalition’s drama’
NC’s strategy to expose Govt on every front: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 6: National Conference president Omar Abdullah has said that his Party has chalked out a strategy to expose ‘ruling coalition’ in the Jammu and Kashmir during Budget session of the State Legislature commencing tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, the Party president said National Conference MLAs and MLCs are fully charged and have geared up to play the role of strong opposition in forthcoming Budget session. Our legislators will fully expose the Government on many issues of the public interest.

Omar said the Party MLAs will also be discussing the strategy and some issues during a meeting being held this evening at the Party headquarters here. The session has been reduced to mere 20 days which is a mockery. It shows that Government was not much serious in resolving public issues.

Referring to next poll strategy Omar said, "for certain constituencies we have decided to declare candidates much earlier before elections. We will be selecting the candidate among the 2-3 strong contenders. If anybody goes against Party’s decision he may not damage the party or may go in contest at his own.

Responding to a question on Congress-PDP poll alliance decision for next Assembly elections, Omar said NC may also go in for alliance with any like minded party. But we have kept our options open. Poll alliance is possible with any party which suits to NC and not damages the interest of the either. But it would be premature to comment on this issue at this juncture, Omar maintained.

Commenting on opening of bus service across LoC, NC president said it is just fraud and illusion. Families intending to go there are not given clearance. Those intending to go are supposed to give list of at least 10 relations. Such restrictions were not announced at the time of opening of roads. It was made a big fanfare just to seek publicity but in reality it is just fraud with the innocent people on both the sides. He said such restrictions be lifted by both the sides.

Welcoming Romesh Motton, former PDP general secretary, hailing from R S Pura in the NC fold on the occasion, Omar said with the joining of Motton Party will become more stronger in RS Pura-Suchetgarh area. He said many more are knocking the doors of National Conference to join but Party would take only those who are really needed to serve the people and the State.

Former Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather while describing "Zero Deficit Budget" of the coalition Government as mockery and a drama, said that it is just another attempt to befool the innocent public. He said even the State Finance Minister during a TV programme yesterday admitted the fact. "It is unfortunate that for the first time in the history of J&K such a minimum time is being given for Budget Session. It shows how much Azad Government is serious in dealing with public issues.

Mr Rather pointed out that in just 20 days, Government would discuss 29 Ministries, take up over 1200 questions, hold discussion on budget and Governor’s address besides moving and discussing bills and resolutions. He said Opposition will expose the Government and it will try its best to take advantage of minimum time being given to take up public issues in the Legislature.

Provincial president of the Party Ajay Sadhotra, Mushtaq Bhukhari, Rashpal Singh-MLAs, Devinder Rana (MLC) and others were also present.

Bank Manager held for embezzlement

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 6: A Manager of the State Co-operative Bank has been arrested for alleged embezzlement of over Rs 20 lakh.

An official spokesman said that Abdul Rashid Mir, Manager Re-cancellation of State Co-operative Bank was arrested by sleuths of Crime Branch on Thursday as part of investigation in a case of embezzlement in Ganderbal Branch of the Bank,

The spokesman said Crime Branch received information that an amount of Rs 20,44,552 has been allegedly embezzled by then Branch Manager State Co-operative Bank Ganderbal, Shamshada, in connivance with other officials of the Bank.

During the course of investigation, it was found that the woman officer in connivance with Mir, the then second officer of the branch, after forging the records of the Bank diverted an amount of Rs 20,44,524 from an account belonging to one Sonaullah Mir.

The money was allegedly diverted to the account of the nephew of the Manager and misappropriated by the accused, the spokesman said.

Bodies of 3 animals exhumed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 6: Police today exhumed bodies of three sacred animals, buried under sand, at village Basantpur, about 9 kms from Lakhanpur on Lakhanpur-Basohli road on being tipped off by the people about the burial of animals.

SSP Kathua, J P Singh, who rushed to the spot after getting a report of animals’ burial, told the Excelsior that all three bodies were exhumed late this evening and apparently they had no mark of killing.

All three appeared to have died a natural death and buried by the people at an isolated place. Nevertheless, Veterinary doctors were immediately called by police and a post-mortem was conducted on the animals.

There were no marks of any cut visible on bodies of all three animals, Mr Singh said, adding a report of the post-mortem will be made available to the people at 10 pm tomorrow.

A number of people gathered on the spot after getting a report of animals’ burial and blocked traffic. However, after realising that it was not a sacrilegious act, the people dispersed peacefully.

It may be recalled that Bani area in Kathua district had reacted violently to a sacrilegious act last month leading to burning of houses, bandh, road blockades and protests for a couple of days.

Additional SP Kathua Benam Tosh was camping at the spot.

Oppn boycotts Governor’s address to joint
Legislative session

JAMMU : The budget session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislature today began on a disconcerted note as the opposition boycotted the customary joint address of the Governor.

As Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha (retd) entered the hall, the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (jknpp) Legislators stood up and started raising issues to show their dissatisfaction over the working of the Government.

The Governor, however, started his speech despite the din in the hall. The JKNPP Legislators, including its chairman Prof Bhim Singh and former Education Minister Harsh Dev Singh, boycotted his address, raising anti-Government slogans.

National Conference (NC) Legislators — the largest opposition party in the State Legislature — did not attend the Governor’s address.

Prof Bhim Singh accused the Government of encouraging corruption in the State, and said convening budget session in advance again a mockery after last year’s bad experience of the people of the State.

Both the discontented opposition parties — NC and JKNPP — have chalked out strategies to "expose" the Congress- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) coalition on various issues.

While the NC has decided to raise public issues, pertaining to development, corruption, unemployment, education and price rise, the JKNPP said it would also"expose" the Government on various issues.

Although there is a confusion on the post-cabinet expansion relation between the PDP and the Congress, the sources said: "They will keep the differences away to face jointly the opposition in the Houses (Assembly and Council)."

At a meeting of the Legislators of coalition Government last evening, Mr Azad strongly advised them to counter the opposition in the budget session "with facts and figures".

"The Legislators should be fully acquainted with the measures taken by the Government from time to time to change the economic profile of the State and utilise the opportunity of the month-long (budget) session to highlight the achievements," he said.

Meanwhile, PDP mlas have also geared up themselves, especially to counter it’s arch rival NC in the budget session, the last before the State goes for Assembly elections later this year. (UNI)

Passenger traffic resumes on highway

SRINAGAR 7: Two-way passenger traffic was resumed on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today after remaining suspended since January 5 evening, as authorities used salt to defreeze the frozen portion of the road at some places.

"Yes, we have resumed the passenger traffic from this side after receiving green single from the highway," a traffic police official told UNI.

He said no heavy vehicles, particuarly trucks, will be allowed till the passenger vehicles cross the danger area.

Traffic on the highway, only road linking the Kashmir valley, was suspended on January 5 evening after the road strip at Shatan Nullah became slippery. However, yesterday the road remained closed due to heavy snowfall between Jawahar tunnel, the highest point on the highway and Banihal and rains in Ramban and Ramsu area.

The stranded vehicles between the Jawhar tunnel to Ramsu were allowed to proceed toward Srinagar last evening after the Border Roads Organisation (BRP), responsible for the maintainance of the highway, cleared the snow after pressing into service sophisticated snow clearance machines and men.

However, this morning because the major portion of the road near Shatan Nullah was frozen due to minus temperature, it was decided to use salt to defreeze it before allowing normal traffic.

Official sources said becuase the road had become slippery, it was decided to allow traffic only after the frozen parts got defreezed and became safe for journey.

A large number of trucks, loaded with essential commodities from Jammu and fruits from here are stranded on either side of the highway.

(UNI)