Massive Indonesian quakes cause global panic, but no tsunami

Residents flee on motorcycles to high ground after receiving warning signals after an earthquake off Indonesia's western coast shook this Thai southern resort province of Phuket on April 11, 2012.

 BANDA ACEH (INDONESIA): Two massive earthquakes triggered back-to-back tsunamiwarnings for Indonesia on Wednesday, sending panicked residents fleeing to high ground in cars and on the backs of motorcycles. No deadly waves or serious damage resulted, and a watch for much of the Indian Ocean was lifted after a few hours. 

Women and children cried in Aceh, where memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "God is great" as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members. 

Patients were wheeled out of hospitals, some still lying in their beds with drips attached to their arms. And at least one hotel guest was slightly injured when he jumped out of his window. 

The US Geological Survey said the first 8.6-magnitude quake was a shallow 22 kilometers (14 miles), hitting in the sea 270 miles (435 kilometers) from Aceh's provincial capital. 

An alert that followed from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii advised countries all along the rim of the Indian Ocean, from Australia and India to as far off as Africa, that a seismically charged wave could head their way. 

Two deadly tsunamis in the last decade -- the most recent off Japan just one year ago -- have left the world much better prepared. Sirens sounded along coastlines and warnings spread like wildfire by mobile phone text messaging. Though often chaotic, evacuations began immediately with streets clogged with traffic, especially in Aceh. 

The only wave to hit, though, was less than 30 inches (80 centimeters) high, rolling to Indonesia's emptied coastline. 

Just as the region was sighing relief, an 8.2-magnitude aftershock followed. 

"We just issued another tsunami warning," Prih Harjadi, from Indonesia's geophysics agency, told TVOne in a live interview. 

He told his countrymen to stay clear of western coasts. 

Residents in Aceh could hardly believe it. 

"What did we do to deserve this?" cried Aisyah Husaini, 47, who lost both her parents and a son in the 2004 tsunami. "What sins have we committed?" 

"I'm so scared, I don't want to lose my family again," she said, clinging to her two children in a mosque in Banda Aceh, where hundreds of people sheltered. 

Again, though, the threat quickly passed. Experts said Wednesday's quakes did not have the potential to create massive tsunamis because the friction and shaking occurred horizontally, not vertically. The earth's tectonic plates slid against each other, creating more of a vibration in the water. 

In contrast, mega-thrust quakes cause the seabed to rise or drop vertically, displacing massive amounts of water and sending towering waves racing across the ocean at jetliner speeds. 

Roger Musson, seismologist at the British geological survey who has studied Sumatra's fault lines, said initially he'd been "fearing the worst." 

"But as soon as I discovered what type of earthquake it was ... I felt a lot better." 

The tremors were felt in neighboring Malaysia, where highrise buildings shook, and Thailand, India and Bangladesh. 

Those countries, Sri Lanka and the Maldives evacuated buildings and beaches and readied relief efforts in case of disaster. 

The World Meteorological Organization said communication systems set up after the 2004 tsunami appeared to have worked well. "Our records indicate that all the national meteorological services in the countries at risk by this tsunami have received the warnings in under five minutes," said Maryam Golnaraghi, the head of WMO's disaster risk reduction program. 

The alert was sent out by US National Weather Service, which operates a tsunami warning station in Hawaii, she said. 

Indonesia straddles a series of fault lines that makes the vast island nation prone to volcanic and seismic activity. 

The giant 9.1-magnitude quake and tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004, killed 230,000 people in about a dozen nations. 

AFSPA amendments ‘irrelevant’: Geelani, Mirwaiz,shah

Ask centre to dematerialize the state and hold plebiscite.

Srinagar, April 11 (VOS): Calling AFSPA and other ‘draconian’ laws irrelevant in the ongoing movement for freedom, separatist leaders  have reiterated their demand for demilitarization and right to self determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.Reacting to the statement of home Minster P. Chidambaram regarding the amendments in AFSPA, Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that such issues were the ‘off shoots’ of  what he said the  basic problem of ‘forcible occupation’ of India on Jammu and Kashmir. “ Amendments to AFSPA, black laws etc. are basically the off shoots of a bigger problem, the forcible occupation of Indian forces on Jammu and Kashmir.” Geelani  told VOS, adding that almost 6 lack people of the state had laid down their lives since 1947 for the right to self determination. “These 6 lack people have not sacrificed their lives for AFSPA amendment.” Maintained Gerelani, adding that no Kashmiri was willing to take such ‘initiatives’ seriously. “These kind of things are not a big deal for us and we don’t even give a thought to it.” Added the Hurriyat Chairman. He alleged that India had taken the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir hostage to gun point and stressed that unless the army was not withdrawn from  the state , no other ‘initiative’ was to yield results. “Let you demilitarize the state and ask people their choice.”  Demanded Geelani, adding that people’s wish and choice  in absence of military  occupation would be the supreme .

          Calling P. Chidambarm’s AFSPA related statement as ‘Patch work’. Geelani said that such ‘tactics’ wont work and vowed to take the movement to its logical end. “Patch works cant provide relief to Kashmiris.”  added Geelani. Meanwhile Chairman of another faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also termed the amendments to AFSPA ‘irrelevant’ and said that New Delhi had been ‘non serious’ in addressing the Kashmir issue. “They have been non serious all the way.” alleged Mirwaiz, adding that India had turned Jammu and Kashmir into a Military and Police state. Talking to VOS, Mirwaiz while pressing for withdrawal of forces from the state, said that People were being traumatized by the presence of a huge quantum of armed forces in the state. “New Delhi needs to address the Kashmir issue seriously.” Maintained Mirwaiz.

Senior Separatist leader and President of democratic front  Shabir Ahmad Shah also castigated New Delhi for what he said indulging in ‘delaying tactics’ to address the Kashmir problem. “Amendments to AFSPA can’t be an alternative to our freedom movement.” Shah told VOS, maintaining that Kashmiris should be included in the talks between India and Pakistan. “There must be a Conducive atmosphere for any dialogue process to take place.” Told Shah, elaborating that revocation of AFSPA, and PSA and releasing of all detainees were the initiatives which could create a Conducive atmosphere in the state.

SMC to launch dog sterilization drive from May.

Avoid dumping waste on road side : Qasba’s appeal.

Srinagar,April 11 (VOS) :After  continuous  pressure from public and the man-animal conflict in Srinagar turning leathel for the masses especially school going children, Srinagar Municipal Corporation has finally decided to go for the sterilization and immunization of stray dogs in Srinagar. The process of sterilization which is aimed to control the population of the dogs will get underway from 1^st of the next month. Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation Dr. G.N Qasba told VOS that there were as per official statistics around 91,110 stray dogs  on the streets of summer capital. “We will be starting the sterilization drive from first may and 20-40 dogs would be sterilized every day. Told Qasaba, adding that  the  pilot project of birth control was being implemented to check the increasing menace in the city. He appealed people not to dump waste on the road side which according to him was attracting dogs easily.

Earlier the issue of stray dogs threatening the life of people especially children had rocked the assembly during the recently concluded budget session also forcing junior minster for Urban and Development Nasir Aslam Wani announcing on the floor of the house about the pilot project.Pertinently the poising of dogs by state government was halted in 2008 after the activists led by BJP leader Monika Ghandi approached supreme court . since then the number of stray dogs has increased many fold  unleashing a new kind of animal- man conflict in the already troubled valley.

Darbar Move;

Summer secretariat to function from April 30

Srinagar, April 11 (VOS): The summer secretariat would start functioning in Jammu on the first working day (April 30) after the day of Darbar Move from here.

              As per a government order the summer secretariat would function with an officer of the rank of special secretary/Additional Secretary, 2 Deputy Secretaries / Under Secretaries and others.(VOS)

End Kargil isolation, fast track
Zojilaa tunnel and open Skardu route: Mehbooba

Srinagar, April 11 (VOS):  Calling for bold and visible measures to unshackle Kargil district from physical and economic constraints, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has called for fast tracking of the construction of tunnel across Zojilla.

During an interaction with the delegation of respected citizens of Kargil, she urged the govt of India that the work on proposed tunnel at Zojilla be started from Kargil side as well so that the facility is made available in minimum possible time.

Under the leadership of Sheikh Mohd Ishaq Waaizi, a religious scholar from Barsoo and Najjaf Ali, a retired police officer from Kaksar, a team had called on the PDP president in Srinagar and later expressed willingness to join the PDP and subscribed to its membership and agenda.

Those who joined the PDP include Haji Ali Ghulam Hangis Chiktan, Nisar Ahmed Chiktan, Ali Mohammed Budgam, Gh Nabi Chokiyal Drass, Mohd Shabir Suru Khawas, Gh  Hyder Panikhar and Mohd Hussain Kaksar.

Mehbooba said Kargil was one of those areas which had tremendous potential for growth but had remained backward as a result of the political apathy of those who had been elected on their vote. The only time the district voted for the party other than the NC in many decades was in 2002. It was then that the hill development council was created and empowered for carrying on the developmental tasks.

She said it was unfortunate that the present govt has reversed the process of empowerment of this backward district with the result the development process has come to a standstill.

She said construction of tunnel was pursued by the PDP as part of its connectivity plan for better inter-regional transport between the three regions of Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu. She said it was necessary that the construction of tunnel that has received approval is taken up from the both ends.

Mehbooba said in order to let the full potential of the region to be exploited it was also necessary that Kargil-Skardu road is thrown open. She said the governments of India and Pakistan had in principal agreed to do so. Once implemented this would revive not only the cultural contacts of Kargil with Gilgit and other northern areas but would also open up a whole world of trading opportunities to entire state. 

Kargil, Mehbooba recalled, had been a trading hub between South Asia, Central Asia and China till 1948 and it was the PDP’s vision to reopen those opportunities by activating these traditional routes. Opening up of Kargil-Skardu road, she said, would be part of the process started with the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabd and Poonch-Rawalakote roads in Kashmir and Jammu regions.

“The biggest CBM of the cross-LoC initiated by India and Pakistan with the PDP pushing hard for it will remain incomplete without opening up of Kargil-Skardu road,” she said. The delegation apprised Mehbooba about problems being faced in Kargil and urged her to take them up for redressal. The delegation representatives said Kargil needed a flyover to reduce traffic congestion and also demanded the beautification of the banks of river Suroo. They urged the upcoming campus of the university should be located centrally, close to the district headquarters so that it is easily accessible to students from the entire region.

Referring to the neglect that the Kargil district had suffered at the hands of the present dispensation, the delegation pointed out that a small 24 ft bridge Goma – Kargil that had been  washed away in 2010 was still awaiting reconstruction. This, they said, only reflected the general attitude of apathy the administration has adopted towards Kargil. They also pointed out that in 2010 floods most of the Hagnis had been washed away but none of the residents had received any relief till now nor had any rehabilitation effort been under taken.    

One person missing in Zadibal

Srinagar, April 11 (VOS):  Mohammad Ibrahim Dar son of Ghulam Ahmad resident of Shalbagh Zadibal, Srinagar reported in police station Zadibal, Srinagar that his son Muzamail Ibrahim age 27 years is missing since 8th April 2012.The missing person is 5’-6” in height and his colour is wheatish.Any body having any information regarding the missing person may please contact SHO Police Station Zadibal 9797066094, or Police control Room, Kashmir on 100.

1 Dies, 5 Injured in road mishaps

Srinagar, April 11 (VOS):  A Tipper bearing registration number JK05C/2955 driven by Mohammad Aslam Khan son of Mohammad Ibrahim resident of Mongra, Muqam hit and critically injured a lady Mst Raja Begum @ Nida age of 54 years wife of Mohammad Maqbool Mir resident of Limber, Baramulla, falling under the jurisdiction of police station Boniyar. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. A case has been registered in this regard.

               Meanwhile, a Tipper bearing registration number JK01C/5543 hit and injured Abdul Hamid Wani son of Abdul Rashid resident of Barzulla, Dobiwan, Baramulla at Dobiwan falling under the jurisdiction of police station Kunzar. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment.A Sumo bearing registration number JK01H/4345 on way from Wanigam to Pattan skidded off the road near Tilgam crossing, falling under the jurisdiction of police station Kreeri, resulting in injuries to two persons namely Mohammad Yousuf Ganie son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Tilgam and Ishfaq Ali son of Naiz-u-Din Malik resident of Boorwan, Tilgam. The injured were hospitalized. A case has been registered in this regard.

               In another accident at Tilgam, a Sumo bearing registration number JK05A/8707 skidded off the road at Tilgam, Baramulla, falling under the jurisdiction of police station Kreeri, resulting in injuries to two girls namely Rehana age of 14 years daughter of Ghulam Ahmed Mir resident of Mugalpora and Rehan Akhter age of 15 years daughter of Abdul Majeed Sheikh resident of Woegund. Both the injured were hospitalized. A case has been registered in this regard.   Mean While, Today due to leakage of gas fire broke out in the residential house of Nayeem Ahmad Rather son of Ghulam Nabi at Shalimar, Srinagar, falling under the jurisdiction of police station Harwan, resulting in partial damage to the house. However, no loss of life or injury was reported in this incident. 

Iran bans imports from 100 European companies

Iran reportedly plans to ban imports from European companies as part of its countersanctions against the European Union (EU).

Deputy President of Iran Trade Promotion Organization Sasan Khodaei confirmed that Iran has banned imports from 100 European countries. 

In an interview with Press TV on Wednesday, Khodaei said Tehran has imposed sanctions against 100 European companies in line with the policy to counter “antagonistic measures” by the EU. 

Khodaei added that the banned goods include “luxury items” which Iran has been able to produce them itself. 

Tehran’s decision to counter hostile European measures against the country was made after the EU foreign ministers agreed on January 23 to ban oil imports from Iran and freeze the assets of its Central Bank. 

The EU has also banned selling grains, diamonds, gold, and other precious metals to Tehran. 

On February 15 Iran's Oil Ministry announced plans to cut oil exports to six European countries -- including the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal -- and in the first step cut crude sales to British and French firms on February 19. 

Tehran has so far cut oil exports to Greece, Spain and Germany and is considering halting crude exports to Italy as well. 

The US and EU accuse Iran of pursuing a military program under the cover of its nuclear energy work despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no evidence to this end. 

Tehran refutes their claims arguing that as a committed member of the IAEA and a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty it is entitled to peaceful uses of the nuclear energy.