Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Samba Police headed by SI Mohinder Pal, Incharge PP Rakhambtali under the supervision of Munish Anand, Dy. SP HQ Samba succeeded in recovering the minor kidnapped girl of Rakhambtali, Samba from Bus Stand Samba, today. A Case FIR No. 02/2012 u/s 363/109 RPC P/S Samba was registered earlier in PS Samba. The girls was recovered within 24 hours by the police and here kidnapper Sunil Dutt S/o Beeru Ram of Rakhambtali, who had kidnapped the girl and trying to escape outside the State was also arrested.
Police said yesterday father of the girl lodged a complaint at Police Post Rakhambtali that his daughter has been kidnapped by somebody during the intervening night of January 2 and 3. Police swung into action and immediately lifted one suspect (friend of the kidnapper). He was put on sustained questioning and on his disclosure nabbed the kidnapper when he was trying to escape outside the State. After conducting the medical examination of recovered girl, she was handed over to her legal heirs.
Police recovers kidnapped girl
Wani conducts aerial survey of snow bound areas
Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Jan 4: Minister for R&B and Mechanical Engineering Abdul Majid Wani, alongwith MLA Bhaderwah Mohammad Sharief Niaz today conducted aerial survey of snow bound areas of the Doda district and also addressed a public meeting at Gandoh.
The Minister also convened an officers meeting at Bhaderwah and reviewed the post snowfall scenario in the area besides received brief about the restoration of essential supplies and services in the district.
District Development Commissioner, Doda Mubarak Singh apprised the Minister about the measures taken by the district administration in restoration of utilities, supplies and services in the snow bound and hilly areas.
Mr Wani directed the officers to redouble their efforts and take restoration work of supplies and services on war footing basis so that relief is provided to the people living in snow bound and hilly areas of the region. He said that monitoring of restoration work should be made on daily basis and any sort of carelessness / low performance will not be tolerated.
The Minister also directed CA&PD Department to ensure dumping of adequate quantity of ration in Bhaderwah and other snowbound areas. Regarding shortage of K-Oil , the Minister directed the concerned officers to ensure adequate stock and supply of K-Oil in the area.
Mr Wani expressed dissatisfaction over slow pace of construction work on Bani-Basohli- Bhaderwah Inter-District road and directed BRO to speed up the pace of work and ensure its completion within shortest possible time, besides also directed them to redouble their efforts in clearance of snow from the vital Doda-Bhaderwah link road.
Minister also directed the officers to submit their reports regarding any damages suffered due to the snow fall as per the prescribed format of SDRF. He also directed the officers to keep their action plan ready for dealing any sort of extreme weather conditions. Mr. Wani impressed upon all the officers to make all out efforts in restoration of services and supplies as the people living in snow bound and remote areas are facing extreme weather condition.
Earlier, Minister for R&B and Mechanical Engineering Abdul Majid Wani and MLA Bhaderwah Mohd. Sharief Niaz conducted an aerial survey of the snow bound areas .
While addressing the public meeting at Gandoh (Bhalessa) Mr Wani reiterated the commitment of the Coalition Government in restoration of supplies and services in each part of the district. He said that Government is fully aware about the problems being faced by the people living in the area and efforts on war footing basis are being made to provide all the basic amenities to the people in such extreme weather conditions.
Orientation program on Disaster Management held at KU
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 4: University of Kashmir in collaboration with Disaster Management Cell of Divisional Commissioner’s office Kashmir, organized a one-day orientation program on “Role of NSS volunteers in Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation.”
During the orientation program, a mock drill on disaster management and preparedness was performed by the personnel of Ist battalion of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the lawns of KU campus.
A reference guide titled ‘Sailaab’ (Flood) issued by Directorate of Home Guards Civil Defense and SDRF Kashmir was circulated amongst the participants of the orientation program to update their knowledge on various Do`s and Don`ts and precautionary measures to be taken at the time of floods so as to minimize the loss of life and property.
Addressing the NSS Program Officers and NSS volunteers on the occasion, who had come from various schools and colleges of the valley, Vice Chancellor KU, Prof Talat Ahmad, said such initiatives aimed at mobilizing the public support and awareness by bringing all stakeholders on a single platform are always effective.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailinder Kumar, who was chief guest on the occasion, laid stress on pre-emptive measures and effective collaboration amongst the Government agencies, voluntary groups and educational institutions so as to spread awareness about disaster preparedness and mitigation in the society.
600 kg spices destroyed
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 4: Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) destroyed over 600 kilogrammes of sub-standard spices that were being sold in markets in Srinagar city.
Large quantity of open spices including turmeric, chilli powder, fennel powder and other spices were destroyed on spot by the SMC Health Officer Dr. Shafkat.
A statement issued by SMC said that sale of open spices under FSSA 2006 is banned and no colouring agent has to be present in these spices.
The Health Officer SMC, Dr Shafkat, stated that large number of complaints had been received from Athawajan and Batamaloo areas that some unscrupulous traders are selling spices which are not in conformity with rules and regulations.
“These spices are substandard and are of very low quality which is harmful to human health and nobody will be allowed to sell this lot within the jurisdiction of SMC”, said Dr Shafkat.
Mahila Battalion organises route march
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: In order to keep the troops in high degree of alertness and ensure quick retaliation in responding any unforeseen situation, Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police has been organising route marches at battalion level.
In this connection, an impressive route march was organised by IRP 15th Battalion, a Mahila Battalion in winter capital this morning. The march was started from Gulshan Ground and concluded at Batallion Headquarters. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Armed, Jammu, Vijay Singh Sambyal flagged off the march. More than 150 jawans and officers participated in the march in a smart turnout, tugging its way to pollution free and hilly route of Maha-Maya Temple covering a distance of 11 kms.
On the conclusion, Mr. Sambyal addressed the jawans and officers and said that such activities robust health level of the cops and provides them an opportunity to move out in open air and overcome stressed life. He said that besides boosting the morale of the force it develops highest standards of public conduct, strengthening the people’s confidence.
Besides other officers, Commandant Mahila Battalion, Anita Sharma also participated in the march.
Protestors block NH over power cuts
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 4: Hundreds of people today blocked the Srinagar-Jammu Highway for hours at Chursu village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district to protest against the Power Development Department’s failure to provide electricity in freezing winter.
They said that despite paying huge electricity bills on time, the PDD has always followed their trend on curtailment.
Meanwhile, reports said that passengers of dozens of vehicles exchanged heated arguments with anti-PDD protesters, as the later were demanding the smooth flow of traffic.
“We were stranded on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for many days, we are exhausted and health of scores of passengers was unwell, so we requested them (protesters) to leave us, but they did not bother for our miseries, so we entered into a verbal dual with them,” the passengers said.
18 Industrial Estates coming up to boost industrialization: Kitchloo
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Reiterating present Coalition Government’s resolve to boost industrial activities for socio-economic transformation of the State with main focus on employment generation, the Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo today said that 18 new Industrial Estates, 9 each in Kashmir and Jammu divisions are being development in various districts. He said about 2,523 kanals of land valued at about Rs. 82 crore in Kashmir division and about 5637 kanals of land valuing about Rs. 87 crore in Jammu division is being acquired for this purpose on war-footing basis.
Speaking to media persons, Mr. Kitchloo said that new places identified for developing Industrial Estates in Kashmir included Vessu in Anantnag district, Ashmuji-Anantnag, Ompora-Budgam, Khanmoh Phase-III, Malwan-Kulgam, Mehmood Abad-Dooru, Redbug-Kupwara and Changrathang-Kargil whereas the new Industrial Estates in Jammu division are being established in IGC Samba Phase-III, Lamberi-Rajouri, Surankote-Poonch, Beoli-Doda, Nibla-Reasi, Majalta-Udhampur, Heeranagar-Kathua, Dambra-Billawar and Pocchal-Kishtwar.
He said at present there are 53 Industrial Estate spread over 4,442 acres of land in various parts of the State which are managed by SICOP, SIDCO and Directorate of Industries. “While SICOP is primarily promoting Small Scale Industrial Sector by way of providing raw material and marketing support to the entrepreneurs, the SIDCO has been entrusted the job to promote medium and large scale industries.
Mr. Kitchloo said besides setting up new Industrial Estates, the existing ones are also being upgraded in a phased manner to provide better infrastructural support to the entrepreneurs, adding that upgradation of Industrial Estates Khanmoh Phase-II and III, Industrial Estate Gangyal and Bari-Brahamna at a cost of Rs. 32.57 crore is in full swing.
Mr. Kitchloo said that in order to provide industrial infrastructure to Information Technology entrepreneurs of the State a modern I.T Park spread over 150 kanals of land in Industrial Estates Ompora is being established shortly for which MoU has already been signed by the SIDCO and I.T Department. Similarly, two Biotech parks over 80 kanals of land in Industrial Estates of Ompora Budgam and Ghati Kathua are being set-up very soon to promote technology based industries in the State.
Govt instrumenting fragmented return, says JKNM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: A meeting of the Executive Body of Jammu Kashmir Nationalist Movement (JKNM) was held under the chairmanship of S K Koul chairman of its advisory committee in which strong resentment was shown against Government. Instrumenting fragmented return of displaced Kashmiri people fomenting further trouble, and thus risking the future generation.
The meeting alleged that the State Government on one hand demand implementation of interlocutors report and on the other hand mulls their recommendations on displaced persons. The selective and double yard stick is deliberate and intentional said P L Koul Badgami one of the ex. members of JKNM.
A K Raina senior ex. member said that Chief Minister has not taken once the issue of vote enrollment and issuance of EPIC cards of displaced community either in the Assembly or with Election Commissioner of India.
V K Kashkari co convener, JKNM said that in the action taken report of the Parliamentary Standing on Home Affairs (DRPSC) the answer to why State Government has not fulfilled 3000 posts, is – Legal implications. This attitude of disowning amounts to communal intent.
Veer Saraf, another Executive. Member raised question as why no reservation was made in the professional colleges of J&K during last five years, mere lip service of C M that Pandits are integral part of Kashmir will not work.
The meeting also took strong note of the callous attitude of the Government toward the passage of Temples and Shrines Bill besides its apathy towards Jagti inmates for 18 hrs power cut and muteness on loss assessment of both movable and immovable properties during last 24 years.
The meeting took also serious note that State Government has not implemented the Parliamentary Standing Committee report and change of demography in Kashmir.
3 accused facing trial in murder, rape case acquitted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Principal Sessions Judge Kathua, A K Koul has acquitted Mohd Aslam, Sadiq Hussain, both sons of Mushtaq Ahmed and Mushtaq Ahmed, son of Mohd Jamil, all the residents of Billawar, who were facing trial in murder and rape case as prosecution miserably failed to prove the offence.
While acquitting the accused persons, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the prosecution has failed to establish the circumstances which could connect the accused with the crime. It is true that conviction can be based solely on circumstantial evidence but we have to bear in mind that while deciding a case of serious nature based on circumstantial evidence, the facts should be consistent only with the hypothesis of the guilt of accused and they should not be explainable on any other hypothesis except that the accused is guilty”.
“Every circumstance must be of conclusive nature and the chain of evidence must be so complete as not to leave any reasonable ground for the conclusion consistent with the innocence of the accused and must show that in all human probability the act must have been done by the accused”, the Court said, adding “majority of the witnesses have not supported the prosecution version. There are only four witnesses, who were supposed to state about the circumstances, which as per prosecution, could lead to the inference of guilt against the accused but nothing material has surfaced on a scrutiny of their versions”.
“None of the two circumstances pressed in aid by the prosecution has been established beyond reasonable doubt. So the case fails because the link between accused and the guilt is altogether missing”, the Court said, adding “why did we fail to identify the culprit. Are we so helpless that we cannot trap the person(s) who has/have committed the crime of brutally killing the deceased. What protection and safety would the people expect from the law enforcing agencies. Why does the police invariably fail to act effectively so that the culprit is brought to justice and if such remains the state of affairs, the crime chart, which has already touched the heights, would go higher leaving the society in peril”.
“Police needs to increase its efficiency so that the criminals do not find an exit route after they commit a crime. After all life is valuable and it needs to be protected with seriousness, sincerity and might”, the court said.
Suman Gupta invited to attend “Art-in-Industry camp”
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Suman Gupta, one of the finest and senior artist belonging to the State, has been invited by the Tata Steel Limited to attend Art-in-Industry camp to be held at their Center for Excellence at Jamshedpur from February 6 to 9, 2014.
The concept of Art-in-Industry in Tata Steel fulfills three objectives. It brings together eminent senior artists and emerging artists from across the country on a single platform and brings the talent of lesser known artists to the notice of leading industrialists and patrons of art.