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  • Snowfall aftermath: Valley still paralyzed

    People aghast over condition of roads Authorities claim to have restored vital links
    Srinagar: More than 650 houses including residential commercial ones were damaged due to the massive snowfall that shook valley on March 11.
    According to the reports received by KNS, the electricity supply continues to remain affected in various areas across Kashmir valley on Thursday with the authorities claiming t has restored around 60 percent of the supply. People belonging to various areas of Srinagar city Thursday complained that the SMC officials once again failed to clear the now on roads and dewater the streets that virtually have turned into cesspools.  The residents of Chanpora, Safa Kadal, Hari Singh high street, Lal Bazar, Zakura and various others told KNS over phone that they are unable to move out of their houses due to the heavy presence of water on Streets. People also seem aghast over the absence of concerned ward officers- stating that the authorities have left the Srinagarites in the midst of worst crises.
    In most of the areas, the shops and business establishments remained closed on Thursday due to the huge presence of water and snow on roads.
    Due to the closure of Jammu- Srinagar highway during the past three days- people stated that the dearth of necessities has emerged and the rates of the available essential commodities have been hiked without any reason. “The market checking squad is nowhere. The snow is not being cleared. We still have no water supplies restored, what the government is doing to the people?” said Mir Mukhtar Ahmad- resident of old city.
    Commenting over the restoration of electricity in valley, authorities Thursday claimed to have restored its major portion and the rest if being done on priority basses. It was stated further that complete electricity restoration will be done by March 14.
    It was further claimed 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 reports informed further that the rail links in Kashmir were restored at large and that after the improvement in weather conditions, the services were resumed. The massive snow clearance operation was launched at various areas including banihal, Anantnag and Baramullal rain tracks. (KNS)

  • Have cleared roads: SMC

    Srinagar: The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) rushed its men and machinery to clear key roads in the city in the wake of heavy snowfall and has cleared snow from important destinations and installations like hospitals, ration depots, banks, offices religious places and other important institutions.
    According to a  statement issued to KNS, the snow clearance, which was started on a war footing, was supervised by SMC commissioner Dr GN Qasba, who conducted personal tours of various areas to instruct the ground staff and pass orders with regard to snow clearance dewatering. More than 2700 sanitary workers, 75 dewatering pumps, 20 loaders, four JCBs, two robots and several hoppers were into service  to ensure public faces no inconvenience. Sixty four caterpillar machines was also forced into action. At least seventy percent lanes and by lanes have been cleared off snow. Thirty eight mobile dewatering pumps have been put in place  by  drainage division of SMC in the areas which have been inundated under water and since yesterday evening the water level in submerged areas has gone down appreciably  said Commissioner SMC. With the restoration of power supply to the Daresh Kadal dewatering station it is expected that water level in and around Magarmal Bagh and similarly in other areas would rise down considerably further said Dr Qasba. Adequate quantity of diesel has been placed to drainage division for working smoothly in case of power failure he further added
    The SMC has set up a control room. People can call on these two numbers 0194-2474499, 2450620 to register their complaints. At least over hundred complaints were responded for snow clearance, water logging and removal of building material and trees from general public which were addressed swiftly.

  • Gindbaash: Kashmir Cultural festival 2014 Postponed

    Gindbaash: Kashmir Cultural festival 2014 Postponed 

    Srinagar: Gindbaash a Family program which will show case the cultural tribute of our kashmiriyat with some Modern kashmiri touch as well Has Been Postponed Due to unfavorable weather event has been now rescheduled to 29th of march 2014.

  • Suspicious death of a man in Srinagar

    Srinagar: Some locals informed Police Station Rajbagh that a person who was later identified as 24 years old Mohammad Azad resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar was brought dead to SHMS, Hospital, Srinagar in suspicious circumstances.
    According to a police statement issued to KNS, Raj Bagh Police has initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPC in the regard. The deceased was working in SPS Museum, Lal Mandi as electrician Police. After completing all legal formalities the body of the deceased was handed over to his legal heirs for last rites. (KNS)

  • We will never go to Meerut: Suspended students

    ‘Our career and security is at stake’
    Srinagar: Stating that they are willing to study in Kashmir valley alone, the group of 67 students who were suspended due to cheering for Pakistan during a cricket match Thursday stated that they are scared that the communal forces might attack them once they return to varsity in Meerut.
    The reports received by KNS informed that the suspended students Thursday categorically stated that they are not returning to Meerut as they feel ‘threatened’ and ‘insecure’.
    The students maintained further they feel ‘dejected’ by the chief minster Omar Abdullah and that in the midst of the worst crises there security and future is at stake. “The recent attack  on Kashmiri students at Delhi has vindicated that how much insecure are the youth of Kashmir outside valley- we ourselves and our families are much worried over the issue at present and reality is that we don’t want to return to Meerut,” said one of the suspended student on the condition of anonymity. He added that the politics for the vested interests is being played with our career.
    “Irony is this that the VC of our university stated that our suspension has not been revoked and the same will be done once the probe into the incident is complete. Contrary to this- for gaining the political scores Junaid Matoo- someone deputed by the government over the issue says he has resolved everything and now students can go to Meerut ay ease.”
    The students observed further that they continuously are receiving the reports that the communal forces in the university are planning something fishy against us and that we are concerned now over our career. The students maintained that if other institutions could accommodate them here then they are willing to study in their own homeland. (KNS)

  • Geelani reaches Delhi for treatment

    To visit Apollo hospital tomorrow
    Srinagar: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani today reached New Delhi where the renowned chest specialist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai conducted his detailed checkup in Medanta Hospital Gurgaon.
    According to Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar, Geelani has been advised to visit Apollo hospital where Dr Sameer Kaul is scheduled to conduct a thorough examination of the ailing separatist leader. Dr Kaul will be is to see the cause for weight loss, low hemoglobin level and acute chest infection affecting the health of Geelani.
    Meanwhile, Akbar has once again appealed all the pro-freedom people to pray for the speedy recovery and safe return of Geelani. According to Hurriyat (G) spokesman, Geelani left for New Delhi today at 1:30  p.m. from Srinagar Airport in a scheduled flight of Jet Airways and he reached at Indira Gandhi International Airport New Delhi at about 3:00 p.m. In the evening Geelani will be taken to a private Hospital situated in Gurgaon where a prior appointment with a renowned chest specialist Dr. Vikram Sarabhai has already been taken. It will be decided after his general checkup by the doctors that whether Geelani Sahab will be admitted in the hospital or not.
    Hurriyat said that though Geelani is a patient with multiple ailments with severe chest infection, so doctors have advised many important medical investigations which will be conducted there.
    According to the spokesman, when Geelani was about to leave for Airport, hundreds of people assembled at Hyderpora to see off their leader with wet eyes and Geelani thanked them by waving his hand. People there raised slogans in favour of Freedom and Islam. A prayer meeting was immediately held at Hyderpora head office after the Geelani left for airport which was presided by Hurriyat General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Sumji and in which many executive members of Hurriyat participated.
    “At the end of the meeting, Sumji said that the Geelani is a unique and daring leader who doesn’t have any substitute and the affectionate attachment that people have shown with respect to the health of Geelani, is very encouraging and which proves that the nation is alive and had not forgotten the sacred cause. The executive body also praised the stand adopted by Geelani with respect to the state government’s offer of providing him a chopper and said that he (Geelani) is a unique character who has always given the preference to the cause over his personality and he will never compromise over these issues.” (KNS)

  • Autonomy, revocation of AFSPA, demilitarization in NC’s manifesto: Kamaal

    Srinagar: Greater autonomy, revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), reducing footprints of army and the development are a few catchphrases with which the National Conferences will go to people to seek votes for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to start from April 7.
    Talking to KNS, Dr Mustafa Kamal, additional general secretary National Conference said: “The NC will seek votes on our unfinished political task that is getting greater autonomy as per the resolution passed by the state assembly, revocation of AFSPA, reducing footprints of army, clearing government buildings and other civilian areas from army and above all pursuing with New Delhi to start meaningful talks with Pakistan to sort out the festering problem of Jammu and Kashmir.” Kamaal said that NC will put its weight behind New Delhi to involve Pakistan in a resolution of Kashmir issue.
    The NC’s additional general secretary observed that its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election will also include developmental agenda like further pace development particularly concentrating on the power sector. “For return of some of the power projects are under at the stage of negotiations and similarly the construction on some projects is on. Our endeavour will be to address the power woes of people of Jammu and Kashmir in next five or six years,” he added.
    Meanwhile, when asked about the ill preparedness of the administration to tackle the post snowfall situation in Kashmir, Kamaal agreed that there was slackness on part of the administration but nevertheless, such situation arose because of an unprecedented snowfall this spring.
    “You see such situation emerge in highly mechanized western countries. The city was inundated here because over loaded drainage and you would have not seen such a situation if this snowfall would have occurred in the month of January or the beginning of February. People also were not prepared for such a heavy snowfall and everybody was caught unaware,” he said. Kamaal remarked the advisories issued by the metrological department had predicted early weather warnings about high altitude areas and there were no specific warnings about the plains.  (KNS)

  • 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.