Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18: A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) led by its president Dr. Mubeen Shah met the Union Home Secretary R K Singh during his visit to the State.
In a statement, a spokesman of JCCI said the meeting was fruitful and all issues confronting the LoC trade were discussed. The spokesman said the delegation highlighted the importance of the placement of a full truck body x-ray scanner so that minimum time is taken to check the vehicles.
The spokesman said that the delegation said that warehouses and cold storages are needed for the creation of LoC Mandis in public private partnership. He said the Home Secretary assured the delegation demand for multiple visit permits for traders will be discussed with his counterpart in Pakistan.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 18: Security forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the forest area in frontier district of Kupwara.
Srinagar based defence spokesman said that based on specific information from reliable sources and locals of Kandi bowl, 47th Battalion of Rashtriya Rifles (BIHAR) and SOG Kupwara conducted a successful operation in Kandi forest today.
“During the search operation a huge cache of warlike stores was recovered. This include one AK 56 Rifle, one magazine of AK 56 rifle, 18 rounds, 20 Pika rounds, one UBGL, eight UBGL rounds, five RPG rounds, one RPG booster, four electric detonators, 14 IED circuits and five Chinese grenades,” said the defence spokesman.
The spokesman said that today’s recovery has foiled another attempt of militants to use the explosives and weapons to initiate unrest in the region.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 18: Expressing its serious concern over the plight of internally displaced people, which has been clustered at Jagti township, Panun Kashmir (PK) took the Government to task for its inhuman approach towards the inmates of Jagti who are facing over 18 hour long power curtailments.
Addressing the meeting PK chairman, Dr Ajay Chrungoo, said resorting to unscheduled power cuts for 18 hours speaks volumes about the intention of administration to drive the Kashmiri Pandits living in Jagti settlement to the precipice of desperation when the mercury has reached to almost 40 degree Celsius.
He said the reasons given by the administration that KP inmates should sign an agreement and agree to metering clearly reveals the apathy and ignorance on the part of the administration, without realizing that the inmates are refugees whose status has not changed by shifting them from one camp to another. By changing mere location of camp does not mean that the economic condition of these hapless people has changed, he added.
Dr Chrungoo asked the Government to explain the rationale behind the unscheduled power cuts and blocking of power supply to the KP inmates said their status has not changed and they continue to be internally displaced people away from their homeland.
He said when GOI has acknowledged their economic plight and announced the package of which Jagti settlement is an outcome, why is not State Government ready to bear the cost of power consumed by the inmates. There are many posh localities in J&K which are getting power supply without agreement and they even don’t pay power bills then why this intimidation for the KP refugees, he asked?
He warned PK will mobilize public opinion throughout the country against the inhuman treatment meted out to Jagti inmates and the repressive measures adopted by the State administration to intimidate them.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18: A two and a half year old boy today succumbed to his injuries while a 40 years old persons allegedly committed suicide by consuming poisonous substance at his home.
Reports said that a two and a half year old boy Guddu, son of Haresh, resident of Karua, district Reasi, received head injuries when their parents were working at the construction site on May 16. The boy was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, where he failed to respond to the treatment and died today.
Meanwhile, a 40 years old person committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at his native place, Darhal, district Rajouri.
Identified as Makbool Hussain, son of Magar Din, resident of Darhal, district Rajouri, he allegedly consumed some poisonous substance at his home.
Noticing him unconscious, family members shifted him to district hospital, from where he was later referred to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) yesterday. He failed to respond to the treatment and died today.
The reason behind such extreme step could not be ascertained, while a case has been registered at concerned Police Station.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 18: Three persons died while as six others were injured in different road accidents across the Kashmir valley.
Reports said that a Maruti car bearing registration number JK02AH/3047 collided with a Chinar Tree at National Highway near Nambal, Awantipora. The collision resulted in on spot death of three persons Sartaj Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Majeed Mir, Bilkees Akhter daughter of Abdul Majeed Mir and Gul Mohammad Bhat son of Sonaullah, all residents of Poonew-Kulgam.
Besides the fatal casualties, two persons namely Shamim Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Khalil and Maheera wife of Mohammad Iqbal both residents of Poonew-Kulgam received critical injuries. Both the injured were shifted to SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar for treatment.
A motorcycle driven by Tariq Ahmad Bhat aged 28 years son of Bashir Ahmad with pillion Zahid Ahmad Bhat aged 27 years resident of Marhama collided with another motorcycle bearing registration number JK02U/786 driven by Irshad Ahmad Bhat aged 25 years son of Abdul Majid resident of Chandrigam-Tral at Baliyar-Marhama, Bijbehara, resulting in injuries to all the three persons. All the injured were shifted to SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar for treatment. A case has been registered in this regard.
A Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK05B/1017 and a Video Coach bearing registration number JK02AD/3271 collided at Lethpora-Awantipora, resulting in injuries to one passenger Bashir Ahmad Awan resident of Gingle-Uri. The injured was shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital, Srinagar for treatment. A case has been registered in this regard.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 18: A young house-wife was allegedly raped by the neighbour at village Chann Gran near here who went underground after the crime.
The police registered a case and started manhunt for the accused person. The action was taken after Ram Singh, husband of the victim, lodged an FIR with the Kathua police alleging that his neighbour Kewal Krishan alias Pappy, son of Faqir Chand, forcibly entered his house during the intervening night of May 13 and 14 when he was away and committed rape on his wife.
The police said that the accused has gone under ground and raids were being conducted to trace the accused. The medical examination of the victim was also conducted.

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, May 18: Deputy Commissioner, Tsering Angchok today inspected pace of work on drinking water lift scheme, which is being executed under Prime Minister’s package to augment water supply.
The scheme is being executed at three stages. The initial stage is the lift station along Indus at Choglamsar, second stage is one lakh gallon capacity reservoir at Teyar-rong and the third stage is the 1.5 lakh gallon reservoir at Diskit-Tsal (Housing Colony).
The Deputy Commissioner also examined the lift water supply scheme at Solar Colony which is being constructed under NRDWP at the cost of Rs 4.95core and instructed the engineers to complete the tap connectivity for the supply of water, internal roads and road side drainage system at the earliest. He also inspected the construction of houses by the flood affected people.
He also visited Ladakh Dharma Center at Choglamsar, which is being constructed under Central Government funding of Rs 5 crore and inspected Bal Ashram.
The children’s park made on 100 kanal land at Diskit-Tsal (H/C) was also inspected by DC and he was informed that J&K Bank has committed to provide recreational facilities on 10 kanal portion of the park.

SRINAGAR, May 18: Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today said that 3 tourist circuits would be developed one each in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh regions for promotion of pilgrim tourism in the State, adding that in this regard the Government has submitted detailed project reports of Rs. 150 crore to the Union Ministry of Tourism for approval.
He said the Centre in principle has agreed to provide funds to the State Government for creation of these circuits and the development of this tourism circuit would be taken up soon after receiving the nod from the Central Government.
This was stated by the Minister today during his visit to Ziyarat Sharif Syed Mir Shamas-ud-Din Iraqi (RA) at Chadoora.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Science and Information Technology Aga Syed Ruhulla accompanied Mr. Jora during the visit. The Ministers paid obeisance at Ziyarat Sharif and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State. Besides, he also took stock of proposed face lift and development work of the Shrine.
Mr. Jora said that Jammu and Kashmir has a distinct pilgrim and culture heritage, which would be explored fully by developing pilgrim sites and ensuring adequate infrastructure facilities for visiting pilgrims.
The Minister said that a Sufi circuit would be developed at a cost of Rs. 50 crore in Kashmir Valley. He said in Jammu province a pilgrim tourism circuit would also be developed at a cost of Rs. 50 crore, adding that Rs. 50 crore would be also expended on development of Buddhist circuit in Ladakh region.
Mr. Jora while taking stock of the proposed development and face lift works of Shrine of Syed Mir Shamas-ud-Din Iraqi (RA), said that development and renovation work of the shrine would be carried out in phased manner. He said this year the architecture work of interior portion of the shrine would be taken up, adding that development of park in shrine area and its fencing would be carried out next fiscal.
He instructed Director Tourism Kashmir Talat Parvez for formulation of detailed project report for funding and taking up the development works of the shrine. He also asked for INTECH for carrying out architectural work of the shrine.
Director Tourism apprised the Minister about the works programme being carried out in the area.

SRINAGAR, May 18 : Chief Minster, Omar Abdullah on Friday said that his Government is taking appropriate measures for upgrading the civic facilities in the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu.
He said while focus is on the development of roads, construction of bridges, cleanliness, improvement of drainage system and management of traffic, equal attention is being paid for the beautification of the cities and creation of lung places to make the environment palatable and provide recreational facilities to the citizens.
Addressing a gathering after inauguration of Joggers’ Park at Raj Bagh here, Omar Abdullah said that traffic signal system has been made operational in Srinagar on pilot basis which will be installed gradually on all roads.
“This system is showing positive impact in managing the flow of traffic and avoiding the disruption of traffic rules by the commuters”, he said and added that a major flyover from Jahangir Chowk to Natipora is coming up at a cost of Rs. 256 crores with ADB funding which will further streamline the flow traffic in the city.
Omar Abdullah said utility shifting for launching the construction of the flyover and rehabilitation of the affected traders is on full swing. “We expect the ground breaking for the project by July end this year”, he said, adding that about a dozen of new bridges are also being constructed in Srinagar at a cost of about Rs. 100 crores to decongest the traffic system and provide better and easy communication facilities to the people.
The Chief Minister said that the launch of water transport in the River Jehlum in Srinagar city is yet another step to provide commuting facilities to the citizens. He said upgradation and widening of city roads is on full swing while the macadamization programme for Jammu and Srinagar cities will continue this year.
Omar Abdullah said that development of parks and lung places in the two cities of Jammu and Srinagar is all the more important to provide recreational facilities to the citizens and the visitors. He said beautification and conservation of heritage sites in the two cities has also been focused and various measures are already in place to achieve this goal.
Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani and Minister of State for R&B, Javid Ahmad Dar also spoke on the occasion.
The Joggers’ Park at Rajbagh has been developed at a cost of Rs. 2.54 crore over an area of 2.50 hectares.