Month: February 2018

J&K Govt hires consultant to quantify Indus Water Treaty losses

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After years of delay, the J&K government has hired a consultant for quantifying losses suffered by the state on account of Indus Water Treaty (IWT). A source said the Power Development Corporation (PDC) has awarded the contract to Danish Hydraulic Institute (DHI) India Water and Environment Pvt Ltd. The Institute has already started the work and a team of its officials visited some river sites in J&K last month. There was also a meeting between officials from PDC and DHI a few days ago, said the source. The institute, part…

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Mehbooba Mufti promises fair trial in minor’s rape case, Section 144 imposed in Hiranagar

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Hindu Ekta Manch seeks CBI probe, fails to get audience with Mehbooba Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today did not meet a delegation of the Hindu Ekta Manch (HEM) from Hiranagar which had come to her with a request for a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of an eight-year-old tribal girl in Rasana village of Kathua district. The CM, however, made it clear that “the probe would be transparent and fair” to ensure that the culprits got exemplary punishment for the heinous crime. In view of the simmering…

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Army foils BAT attack in Poonch sector, 3 Civilians injured during Pak Firing in Uri Sector

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Averting a major tragedy, the Army on Sunday night foiled an attempt of Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector, killing one intruder. Two other BAT members were seriously injured but they managed to return amid heavy firing. The body of the intruder and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered in the morning. The incident occurred ahead of the fence in the Gulpur area. The BAT team had reached near an Indian post when its movement was observed…

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MeT predicts Rain, Snow in Kashmir from Tuesday

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A fresh spell of rain or snow was likely to be witnessed as the western disturbance (WD) will affect the region from February 20, Meteorological Department predicted on Sunday. “A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect Western Himalayan region from 20th February onwards and is likely to cause isolated to scattered rainfall or snowfall activity over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh,” IMD said in its weather forecast. On February 11, Kashmir valley along with other parts of the state received major snowfall after a long dry spell. The…

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Man shot down while trying to enter IAF base station in Budgam

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An unidentified man, trying to intrude into the security zone of Indian Air Force (IAF) base station in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district, was shot down by security forces on Monday morning. Around midnight, the unidentified individual tried to cross the security fence and came close to perimeter wall of the IAF air station, reported news agency ANI. The sentry gave warning shots but the man continued to proceed. Later, the forces shot at him. According to latest reports, the man was believed to be mentally unsound. “Spot examination revealed…

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Family living near LOC seeks police probe, apprehends Army fired on their house

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A family which lives near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar area of Poonch has sought a police probe after their house was hit by a bullet and members had a narrow escape Saturday evening. The family apprehended that the house was targeted by army men as it falls nearly 5 kilometer away from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. A resident Mohammed Younis and his wife were in their kitchen during the dinner time when a bullet hit the tin shed and pierced it. The family was scared and had sleepless…

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Anti-cancer properties in three rice varieties: Research

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Scientists have claimed to have detected anti-cancer properties in three traditional varieties of rice found in Chhattisgarh. A research has concluded that three medicinal varieties of rice – Gathwan, Maharaji and Laicha – have the ability to fight cancer, said scientist Deepak Sharma. The research was conducted by the Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai. These varieties were taken from the rice germplasm bank preserved in IGKV, said Sharma, principal scientist at the genetics and plant breeding department of the agriculture university.…

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Efforts on to make tourism main engine of state’s economic growth: J&K Govt

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The Jammu and Kashmir government has adopted a multipronged strategy to harness the tourism potential of the state and make the sector the principle engine of its economic growth, Tourism Minister Tassaduq Mufti said. The minister, who visited Poonch yesterday to explore the possibilities of developing tourism infrastructure in the district, “A multipronged strategy has been adopted to harness the tourism potential and position Jammu and Kashmir as the leading global tourist destination.” “The idea is to make the tourism sector as the principle engine of the state’s economic growth,”…

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CRPF brings in Sherpa vehicle for gun battles

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To minimise losses during gunfights with militants, the CRPF is using the French-made anti-mine Renault Sherpa armoured vehicle in Kashmir on a trial basis. The bulletproof vehicle has a camera atop, providing the outside view to four paramilitary personnel to fire at the target from inside. “We are using it (Sherpa vehicle) on a trial basis. Our men used it in the recent gunfight at Karan Nagar and are sending the feedback to the top authorities,” said Rajesh Yadav, CRPF spokesman. Yadav said the vehicle, one of the six versions…

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Walnut trade register drastic dip in prices

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The walnut farmers and traders in Kashmir are worried about the decline in prices of Kashmiri walnut due to large imports from California and Chile. According to traders, Rs 800 crore industry is in deep crisis with prices falling drastically due to large imports of California and Chile produced walnuts. “Kashmiri walnuts producers and traders are suffering badly and Centre and state governments are watching as mute spectators. Walnuts grown in Kashmir particularly Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora are purely organic, as no fertilizer or pesticide was used…

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