Kashmir.Watch

Category: Union Territory

  • PDP slams govt for its inaction at avalanche hit village

    Srinagar: Expressing grief and deep shock over the loss of life and property at Balseeran village in Noorabad constituency due to the snow fury, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Thursday condemned the insensitivity and lack of concern displayed by the government.
    The senior party leader and deputy speaker of the legislative assembly, Mohammad Sartaj Madni today visited the affected area, where three persons have died and more than one dozen others got injured on Wednesday by a snow avalanche. The avalanche has also completely damaged six residential houses in the area.
    Expressing concern over the deteriorated situation in the area, Madni said it was only through the efforts of the locals that lives of others could be saved and, sadly until now, no government official has turned up to help the people. He said the snow fury has unleashed a devastation of sorts in the village and the callousness displayed by the ruling dispensation has made life very difficult there. He said had not the locals put in tireless and timely efforts to rescue the trapped people, the devastation could have been much higher and the lack of any system in place tells a sad story about the functioning of the government in the state.
    Madni said height of cruelty is that still no relief has been given to the affected people and they have been left at their own mercy in these harsh weather conditions. He said the snow wrath has let loose a considerable damage to the live stock also and the dead animals are still lying in debris of the damaged structures. “No efforts are being made to remove those dead animals from debris and their presence would mean more problems for the locals with the improvement in weather conditions,” said Madni adding it is the absence of official machinery from the ground which has complicated problems of people. He blamed that the government is completely disconnected from the people and it is least bothered about their issues and problems. He said most of the roads in the area are still snow bound and the government has been solacing itself by issuing press statements, while sitting in the cosy environs.
    He said the fresh snowfall has badly affected the horticulture industry in the entire South Kashmir and the government should immediately make damage assessment to compensate the farmers. Madni was accompanied by District President Nazir Ahmad Laway and Gulzar Ahmad Dar, a local PDP leader.

  • Omar receives brief on restoration of essential services

    Stresses on quick response to emergency needs
    Jammu: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah this morning received the brief on the status of restoration of essential services badly hit by the untimely heavy snowfall in the Valley and hilly region of Jammu Division.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, the two teams of top ranking officers headed by Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey and Financial Commissioner Revenue, Arun Kumar who visited the Valley and Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts yesterday to oversee emergency nature works and monitor the process of restoration of essential services, apprised the Chief Minister about the status of ongoing restoration operation in the Valley and hilly region of Jammu Division at a high level meeting Omar Abdullah chaired here in this regard.
    The Chief Minister was informed that 80 percent to 90 percent power supply has been restored in most of the areas barring a few where severe damage has caused to the installations. It was stated that the transmission towers in Budgam, Shopian, Anantnag and other areas have received much damage. The men and machinery is in full swing to restore the damaged towers and transformers to ensure supply of electricity.
    The Chief Minister was told that the restoration of power supply to various public service installations have been all most restored and work to achieve 100 percent goal in this direction is on. It was stated that there are 42,000 transformers installed in the State and during such calamities a good number of these develop snags which take some time to restore.
    The Chief Minister directed for installing lightning conductors with the transformers which are in lightning prone areas and get damaged due to lightning. “You should make a rule to install transformers along with lightning conductors”, he told the Power Department.
    The meeting was informed that all the priority-I roads have almost been cleared from snow while as the work is on a pace for clearing priority-II and priority-III road communication links. The Chief Minister was told that the work on clearance of landslides and snow on National Highway is on full swing and the road is expected to be opened for traffic by today evening.
    The Chief Minister also ascertained the dewatering operation in the Srinagar city and around. He said since the fast snow melting will add to this problem, as such, all resources need to be mobilized to put on the service ensuring de-watering in the water logged areas. He was informed that besides fixed de-water stations, Fire Services’ water pumps and the water pumps of Agriculture Department are also being put to service in water logged areas.
    Taking brief about the status of damages caused to water supply service due to the heavy snowfall and rains, the Chief Minister was told that about 175 water supply schemes in Jammu and 43 in Kashmir were affected. It was stated that most of these have been restored and restoration work on the rest is on fast track.
    It was stated in the meeting that as many as 17 deaths have been reported due to the snow catastrophe while 57 cattle have also got killed in the calamity. There has been tentative estimate of partially and fully damages to 1922 houses in Kashmir Division while as the damage to the property in the Jammu Division is being assessed.
    An amount of Rs. 5 crores have been released to Kashmir Division and Rs. 1.20 crore to Doda, Reasi, Kishtwar and Ramban districts for meeting the urgent exigencies, the meeting was told.
    The Chief Minister also received brief about the restoration of telecommunication services in the State. He was informed that most of the service has been restored and there will be total restoration within a couple of days.
    The Chief Minister while receiving the brief about the stock and supply position of essential commodities was informed that most of the areas hit by snow have good stocks of fuel and essential commodities. The Chief Minister directed that wherever needed supply of essentials should be despatched from the headquarters.
    The Chief Minister also directed the concerned to arrange helicopter sorties for evacuating persons from the snow bound areas. He also directed for keeping close eye on the markets so that unscrupulous elements do not exploit situation and create scarcity of essentials to highjack prices.
    The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Financial Commissioner Revenue, Arun Kumar, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary PHE, Pawan Kotwal, Commissioner Secretary Power, A. K. Mehta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, Commissioner Secretary R&B, Tanveer Jahan, Commissioner Secretary Revenue and Rehabilitation, Vinod Koul, Commissioner Secretary CAPD, Basheer Khan, Commissioner Secretary Housing, Satish Nehru, Chief General Manager BSNL, Mr. Koul.(KNS)

  • Syed Ali Gilani leaves for Delhi for medical check up

    Srinagar: Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, has left for New Delhi for medical check-up.
    Syed Ali Gilani fell seriously ill after he complained of pain in his chest a few days ago due to infection. The ailing leader was escorted by a large number of people from his Hyderpora residence to Srinagar airport.The people, on the occasion, raised pro-freedom slogans.
    Syed Ali Gilani will undergo medical check-up at Apollo hospital in New Delhi.

  • CEO urges media to play balanced role during election process

    Jammu: The Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, today organized one-day workshop to sensitize media persons on the issues related to election process and role of the media thereto.
    According to a statement Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Mr. Umang Narula, Deputy Commissioner (District Election Officer), Jammu, Mr. A.K. Sahu, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Rishpal Singh, Joint Director Information, Ms. Samita Sethi, Consultant (SVEEP), S. Harcharn Singh, Resource Persons and large number of media persons attended the event.
    The main objective of the workshop was to provide latest inputs to the media about the issues related to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and their day-to-day role for highlighting the events. The major thrust was on the strict implementation of Model Code of Conduct by various stakeholders of the society and disseminating important information to the masses during the electioneering.
    Describing the role of media as paramount in the election process, the CEO urged upon the media persons to endeavor to inform the public in an objective manner about relevant electoral matters, political parties, candidates, campaign issues and voting processes as per the rules and guidelines laid down by the Election Commission of India. He appealed the media fraternity to work in close coordination with the Election Office and verify all sensitive issues before reporting in order to ensure conducive environment for smooth conduct of election. He also apprised about the arrangements put in place for monitoring the election related complaints from the general public as also from the political parties.

    The CEO also replied to the queries of the media persons on the issues connected with the election process. The Resource Persons deliberated in length on the latest guidelines on the Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission of India and its implementation by various stakeholders during the election process. They discussed specific issues related to the role of media during the elections. (KNS)

  • JKP organizing youth promotional coaching camp

    Sahai discusses arrangements
    Jammu: As a part of its Civic Action Programme, Jammu and Kashmir Police(JKP) is organizing week long Youth Promotional Coaching Camp for boys this month end here at winter capital in which more than 400 youth, drawn from poor pockets and far-flung areas of the State, would be participating.
    This was revealed by the Additional Director General of Police Armed (ADGP), S. M. Sahai today, while chairing a high level meeting of officers to discuss various arrangements for week long promotional coaching camp . It was attended by senior police officers.
    Sahai said that the event is being organised by JKP under its Civic Action Programme. He said under-19 boys, drawn from various educational institutions of backward areas of the State would participate in the camp.
    While discussing the arrangements, Mr. Sahai sought reports from different committees constituted for making arrangements for the event in a befitting manner. It was informed that the arrangements with regard to venues for different games viz volleyball, football, basketball, handball and Kabaddi, accommodation transport, security and other arrangements have been made for smooth conduct of the week- long event. He stressed upon the organizers to work in close coordination and make all arrangements for smooth conduct of the camp.
    Sahai, while deliberating on the objectives of the camp, said that such events help the budding sports players to refine and reshape their skills. He said that such events also provide an opportunity to the youth to share and exchange experience with each other and added JKP has been organizing such events regularly under its popular Civic Action Programme.
    Among others, the meeting was attended by IGP Armed Jammu, P. R. Manhas, DIsGP, K. L. Bhagat and Vijay Singh Samyal, all Commandants of armed and IRP battalions and other police officers. (KNS)

  • Heavy snowfall kills 11 more, toll reaches 12

    Kashmir remains cut-off; Vacations extended, schools, Colleges to re-open on Monday

    Srinagar: Eleven people were killed including two army troopers, dozens injured and hundreds of houses damaged due to fresh snowfall across the Valley, even as majors towns and district of the Valley continued to remain under darkness.
    Yesterday, a septuagenarian woman, Fazi wife of Jalal-Ud-Din, had died after her residential house collapsed at Kansoo village of Imam Sahab in south Kashmir’s Shopian district. Meanwhile, the vital Srinagar-Jammu highway also remained out of bounds, while the air traffic resumed after improvement in weather.
    Reports reaching GNS said that an avalanche hit Baalsaran area of Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district burying at least eleven people who were in sleep. While 12 people who were injured and rescued by the locals police and army, 3 other were found dead. They  have been identified as Abdur Rashid, Talib Hussain, and Altaf Hussain. The injured were removed to the nearby hospital for treatment. 8 houses also suffered massive damage in the avalanche. At least 30 houses in the district were damaged partially due to the snowfall.
    In Anantnag district, where officials said, forty residential houses suffered damages, a woman died when she was collecting firewood from her store that collapsed due to the weight of snow. The deceased has been identified as Rehti Begum, wife of Abdul Rashid Lone of Qazigund.
    A 48-year-old woman, Jana wife of Abdullah Ahad Dar died after a Tin-shed collapsed under snow at Wadipora Chadoora. Jana, sources said, had gone to collect firewood from the shed adjacent to her house. While as Gulzar Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Aziz resident of Alamdar Colony Char-i-Sharief got injured near his house in Budgam area.
    In another incident, 37-year-old Manzoor Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Rasool of Kadalibal Pampore died after he was swept away by an avalanche near Ramsoo in Ramban on Srinagar-Jammu highway. His body has been retrieved.
    In Pulwama, four people suffered injuries while clearing snow from the roof of their houses this morning. The injured were removed to the hospital by police. The injured have been identified as Mushtaq Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat resident of Prichoo, Farooq Lone, son of Abdul Gani Lone, resident of Muchipora, Adil Mir, son of Farooq resident of of Gundipora, and Fayaz Ganai, son of Ghulam Mohiuddin, resident of Sarnaw. In Lehjura, 2 shops and a cowshed were damaged. A godown belonging to Abdul Ahmad Hafiz of Dailpora also suffered damages. A residential house was also partially damaged in Kareemabad area.
    Two army men and three Nepali labourers were killed in two avalanches that hit Batra, Drass and Kaksar areas of Kargil. The slain army men have been identified as constable Vijay Prasad and constable Dharminder of 288 Medium Regiment.
    Eight people were injured in Ganderbal district, where 20 houses suffered damages. Fayaz Ahmad Guroo, son of Abdur Rehman resident of Badergund and Firdous Ahmad Ganai, son of Abdul Ahad resident of Saloora were injured when a tree fell upon a tin shed in the house of Ghulam Rasoo Wani in Gadoora area.
    Four people, whose identity is not known, were injured when residential houses of Mohammad Rafiq Khayee, and Abdul Hamid Wani collapsed in Hayan village of Palpora area of the district. Two more houses belonging to Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai and Mehboob Sheikh were damaged in Kangan. In Lar, Mohammad Amin Shah was injured after a
    branch of Chinar tree fell upon his house this morning. At least 20 houses have suffered damaged due to fresh snowfall in the district. Meanwhile, traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained suspended for the third day today due to the landslides of accumulation of snow at several places. No vehicles were allowed to move towards the either side as the administration was making efforts to make road motorable.
    Similarly, the train service also remained suspended for the second running day. However, one flight operated from Srinagar International airport.
    The Director, School Education, Kashmir, on Tuesday announced that all the schools from Primary to Higher Secondary level (both Government and recognized Private schools) shall remain closed till March 15, 2014 in view of heavy snowfall in Kashmir Valley. “Violation in this regard shall be reviewed seriously,” an official spokesman said.
    A Government official in a statement issued to GNS said that all Colleges to remain closed upto 15th March.
    According to a order issued by Higher Education Department, all the Government and Private Degree Colleges of Kashmir Division shall remain closed till 15thMarch 2014, the statement said.
    Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued to GNS said that 7 people, including two army men were killed and 9 others injured in house collapse and avalanches. (GNS)

  • CS reviews restoration works in valley

    Asks divisional administration to expedite restoration of essential services
    Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey Wednesday urged the divisional administration of the valley to expedite the restoration of essential services and clearance of snow from roads for smooth plying of traffic. He instructed dewatering of inundated areas due to recent heavy snowfall.
    Mr. Khandey expressed satisfaction over the restoration works being carried out and directed complete restoration of power supply and ensuring better healthcare facilities in all the health institutions of the valley.
    Chief Secretary was addressing a Divisional Level officers meeting at Banquet hall today morning, convened to assess the situation arising out of the heavy snowfall in the valley.
    The Chief Secretary arrived from summer capital early today specially to monitor and supervise the restoration of essential services and clearance of snow from the roads for smooth plying of traffic.
    Among others the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. B.B. Vyas, Principal Secretary, PDD, Mr. A. K. Mehta, Commissioner-Secretary, PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Shailendra Kumar, IG, Kashmir, Mr. A. G. Mir, Commissioner/Secretaries besides Chief Engineers and HoDs of various Departments.
    The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir informed the meeting that due to heavy snowfall about 600 structures have been partially damaged in different parts of the valley and the field functionaries have been instructed to submit the damage assessment report for early relief to the affected families.
    The meeting was informed that 75 dewatering pumps, 45 mobile pumps and 15 Fire and Emergency tenders were put in service to clear water from various inundated areas of the city besides snow was cleared from the compounds of various hospitals on priority to ensure hassle free movement of people for medicare facilities.
    The meeting was told that the progress of snow clearance on the National Highway has been speeded up besides road upto Jawahar tunnel was made operational within hours despite heavy snow and rest work is apace.
    Chief Engineer, BEACON informed the meeting that roads from Baramulla to Chowkibal were also made traffic worthy whileas 105 snow cutter machines were put in service by Mechanical Engineering department.
    With regard to restoration of power, which was disrupted mainly due to felling of trees, the meeting was told that 60 percent of power supply has been restored today and it is expected that 90 percent restoration will be assured by tomorrow and day after tomorrow will be restored completely. Emergency services to all the hospitals with regard to power and water supply were restored on priority, the meeting was told.
    The meeting was also informed that adequate quantities of essential commodities have been stocked and about 264000 quintals of rice, 42000 quintals of wheat, 6270 quintals of sugar and 580 KLs of K-Oil besides sufficient stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders are available in the valley.
    The Chief Secretary was informed that all the associated hospitals of GMC Srinagar including G.B. Panth hospital are functioning smoothly and adequate medicines are available in all the hospitals of the valley.
    He was told that 1450 OPD patients were provided medicare facilities and 300 patients were admitted for further medicare treatment in these hospitals besides 105 surgeries and 1800 lab tests were conducted during these days.
    Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Salim ur Rehman informed the meeting that a pregnant lady from Balhama, Rohama, Rafiabad contacted the local staff of the Health Sub centre through the concerned ASHA worker after which a team was sent and the lady was brought to the sub centre where she delivered a baby and both mother and child are fine.
    The meeting was told that movement of train in the Valley has been restored and stranded passengers have been ferried to and fro Budgam and Banihal. Similarly the Srinagar International airport was made operational and many flights landed and took off.
    Later, the Chief Secretary accompanied by divisional administration visited Hazratbal, Saidakadal, Rainawari, Khanyar, Nawpora, Dalgate besides other down town areas of the city. During the visit, snow clearance and other restoration works were inspected.
    The Chief Secretary also visited JLNM hospital Rainawari to enquire about the facilities being made available to the patients and interacted with the admitted patients in the hospital. He also went round the various wards and took stock of the facilities being provided to the patients and was informed that adequate stocks of medicines are available. (KNS)

  • Omar Govt offers state airplane to Geelani

    He rejected the offer: Hurriyat (G)
    Srinagar: Complying with the directions from the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the deputy commissioner Srinagar accompanied by SSP Budgam on Wednesday visited the residence of Syed Ali Geelani at Hyderpora offering him state airplane in order to take him Delhi for treatment.
    Well placed sources revealed to KNS that Farooq Ahmad Shah, DC Srinagar along with SSP Budgam Irshad Ahmad visited Geelani’s residence offering him all the services in case he wanted to avail them.
    The visiting official delegation also inquired about Geelani’s health. However, Hurriyat (G) spokesperson Ayaz Akbar told KNS that DC Srinagar and SSP Budgam arrived at Geelani’s Hyderpora residence where they met some of the office bearers but they could not meet Geelani because of his ailing health. “The official delegation had offered state airplane to ferry Geelani Sahib to Delhi for treatment but when he was appraised about the offer he categorically rejected it saying there was no moral justification to accept the offer,” said Ayaz Akbar when contacted by the KNS.
    He told KNS that the offer was politically motivated move from the Chief Minister who according to Akbar wanted to gain political mileage out of it. “Geelani sahib rejected the offer saying that there is no justification to accept any favours form an occupational authority,” Akbar added. Due to the prevailing health conditions of Huriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Geelani, his family has decided to shift him to Delhi for treatment and is leaving on March 13.  (KNS)

  • Few inches of snow lay government to rest: PDP

    Srinagar: Stating that the ruling government has completely got buried under few inches of snow, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday expressed concern over the deteriorated state of affairs in Kashmir due to the fresh snowfall.
    According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, the senior party leader and former Finance Minister, Tariq Hameed Karra said though the snow is not something new to place like Kashmir, but the NC-led government has always made people suffer badly, on account of its inefficiency and insensitivity, over the last five years.
    Karra said the people are presently suffering throughout the Valley on various fronts particularly power, water and other essential commodities and the government is nowhere seen to tackle the situation, which has resulted into chaos like situation. He said though it is not time to do politicking at a time when the political stalwart of the state, Mr Syed Ali Shah Geelani is seriously ill, but the party has been receiving frantic calls from every nook and corner of Kashmir about the terrible situation on the ground, which has literally thrown life out of gear. And, the government, he accused, is no way in mood to minimize the soreness of people, which speaks loud about its callousness and arrogant attitude.
    Accusing the government of turning blind eye to the prior weather warnings, he said had there been strategies and plans in place to tackle the emerging situation, things would not have gone worst, as it is presently. He said the entire Valley has been plunged into complete darkness and even the essential services like hospitals are badly hit resulting into huge hardships to the patients. “In such a situation the government should have started the gas turbine to feed the hospitals, but it is not done,” said Karra adding PDP, during its tenure in 2004, when the Valley witnessed heaviest snowfall, restored the power supply in record eight hours.
    He said all the major roads networks are yet to be clear of the snow, which has added to the people’s woes. He said patients are unable to reach the hospitals due to snow bound roads, and there has been no effort yet to clear the roads. Paying homage to the people, who lost their lives due to the snowfall, Karra said there are people still trapped in snow avalanches in the South Kashmir and immediate efforts should be made to evacuate them.
    He said all roads in Srinagar are heavily flooded and it has turned into a serious affair for people, which exposes the government claims of being serious about the city. Demanding immediate dewatering of the city roads, Karra said if it is not done on war footing basis, it will become life threatening in the days to come in.
    Calling for relief to the people who have suffered, Karra said the government should make damage assessment caused by the snowfall to the horticulture sector.
    During the press conference, Karra was flanked by the senior PDP leader and MLC Mohammad Ashraf Mir; party leader, Nisar Ahmad Mandoo and Mohammad Shafi Mir, zonal president Sonwar. (KNS)

  • Mobile internet likely to be banned in some areas in Kashmir

    Srinagar: The mobile internet services could be snapped in several areas in Kashmir valley as the Defense Ministry New Delhi Wednesday maintained that the militants are making phone calls by using the mobile internet (GPRS). According to the reports, the defense ministry has asked DoT to take the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs GoI so that the mobile internet services in some sensitive areas of Kashmir valley, where militant activities are high in number, could be suspended.
    It has stated further that the ban must be within the legal limits and that the communication services need to be denied in the affected areas for the effective conduct of the counter insurgency and terrorist operations. (KNS)