Day: January 28, 2016

‘Exploitation of Girl Students’ Government asks Police to probe

Editor

Taking serious note of the alleged exploitation of girl students from a school here, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir today handed over the case to police for investigation. Sources said the issue was discussed at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Asgar Samoon on Wednesday wherein the case was formally handed over to JK Police. Sources said the meeting was attended by Director School Education and several senior police officials. Two girls from Government Higher Secondary School Amira Kadal had complained to the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) that they were…

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Tourism Dept organises food festival on Republic Day

Editor

The Tourism Department organised a food festival on the occasion of Republic Day in New Delhi yesterday. Secretary Tourism Farooq Shah said the festival was held during ‘Bharat Parvah’ organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism. He termed the food festivals as ‘important and effective medium’ to promote the state as a tourism destination. Manager of JKTDC Food Court CB Koul said the Kashmiri cuisine was liked and appreciated by all visitors and participants which was an ‘encouraging sign’. The secretary said the JKTDC would organise food festivals across the…

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Met predicts wet spell for Valley

Editor

The Meteorological Department today said a short wet spell was likely in the Kashmir region over the next four days. The department said widespread downpour was likely to take place on Friday. It further said scattered rain was expected in the region on Thursday. The wet spell would cause the first major precipitation in the region this month, which had been mostly dry even though the Kashmir valley was going through winter’s harshest phase. The department added that the rain intensity would begin to decrease on Saturday and would be…

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HC doubts safety of Katra-Banihal rail link

Editor

Delhi High Court today expressed concern over safety of the Katra-Banihal rail link to the Kashmir Valley and directed the Railway Board to file a fresh affidavit vouching that the line was examined in light of various experts’ reports and the current alignment was safe. A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva issued the direction, saying it has a “lingering doubt” regarding safety of the line and bridges on the rail link to the Valley. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Singh told the bench there was already…

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Leh airport expansion caught in admn tangle

Editor

IAF seeks alternative land before vacating 11.8 acre identified for project The expansion of strategically-important Leh airport, one of the world’s highest airfields, has failed to clear administrative hurdles, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) insisting on alternative land before vacating the area identified for the project. The expansion of the Leh airport, located 10,683 feet above the sea level, includes construction of new terminal building to cater to peak-hour passenger rush and creation of new parking bays. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has requisitioned 11.8 acre of land…

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DAK warns against swine flu complacency

Editor

With expected increase in swine flu activity in coming days, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today warned public health officials not to be complacent as influenza could become more widespread as season wears on. Although so far, this flu season has been mild, President DAK and Flu expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said that does not mean we are out of woods yet. “This year’s slow start to the flu season isn’t out of ordinary as other seasons have had the same pattern. During previous flu season when we thought worst…

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A steady trickle of fresh recruits keeps insurgency alive in Valley

Editor

It was a usual militant funeral for Shariq Ahmad Bhat, killed in a night-long gunfight with security forces this week. Hundreds of mourning men and women had gathered at Braw-Bandina village of Pulwama, slogans were raised and mobile phone cameras were put on record mode. Bhat, a young and tall man, was killed at Naina village of Pulwama, one of the four districts that make up south Kashmir. At Bhat’s funeral, an unusual event unfolded — one that is helping create an aura around the militant lives and their deaths.…

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PDP terrified of polls as NC bound to win: Omar

Editor

Former Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asked PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to either form the government or dissolve the Assembly and get ready for a fresh election. “They are making double talk. They say their Agenda of Alliance is not good and we will change it, and the next day they say the Agenda is sacred and we will carry it forward. If it is sacred, for God’s sake form the government, Mehboobaji,” Omar said while addressing a meeting of party workers at Beerwah…

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The half widows of Kashmir

Editor

The case of ‘half widows’, a product of unending conflict in Kashmir, remains under reported in mainstream media. After Kashmir erupted against the rigged elections of 1987, many Kashmiris picked up guns to fight against the Indian establishment. The Indian government too decided to deal with an iron fist against the uprising to put a curb on Kashmiris joining militancy. As the crackdown on militants started in early 90s, jails and torture centers of different Indian security agencies in Kashmir became occupied with alleged militants and thousands of sympathisers picked…

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First ever ‘Essential Drug List’ finalized for JK

Editor

‘The list comprises of 1200 essential medicines, to be given free of cost to the patients in all state-run hospitals after government approval’ Jammu and Kashmir has finalized the first-ever list of Essential Drugs, comprising of 1200 essential medicines, to be given free of cost to the patients in all state-run hospitals after government approval. It took more than two years for the government to finalise the list, which will be implemented after approval by Governor or upcoming Cabinet. Chairman J&K Drug Formulary Committee, Dr Ajit Nagpal told KP that the…

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