Month: January 2016

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

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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

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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

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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

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‘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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Govt. to raise five military battalions from Kashmir

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The Indian cabinet Wednesday approved raising of five military battalions from disputed Jammu and Kashmir, a news report said. The union cabinet approved the raising of 17 India Reserve Battalions (IR Bns) by Jammu and Kashmir and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states, the report said. “Five IR battalions will be increased by Jammu and Kashmir, four by Chhattisgrah, three by Jharkhand, three by Odisha and two by Maharashtra,” an official release said. According to the statement, local youth would be recruited with relaxation in the age and educational qualification…

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Probe indicts 2 companies for death of 10 workers

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Inquiry committee says safety measures remained on paper Beig Construction Company, which is building the country’s longest 9.2-km Chenani-Nashri tunnel, has been found guilty of criminal negligence that resulted in the death of 10 labourers in a fire in Ramban on December 31 night. Besides Beig Construction Company (BCC), a Turkish construction company, Servonik, which is also involved in construction of the tunnel, has been found equally responsible for the incident. The inquiry committee, headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Babu Ram was assigned the task to probe the incident.…

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Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir Valley

Editor

The higher reaches of Kashmir, including the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam received fresh snowfall during the night, while some areas in the plains were lashed by rains, even as the Meteorological department here predicted a wet spell over the next few days. There was light snowfall in the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg and the hill resort of Pahalgam during the night, an official of the Meteorological department said today. He said while the department keeps no record of the snowfall in most of the higher reaches of Kashmir,…

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