PDP condemns media restrictions

Mehbooba for broadcasting news by local cable operators

Srinagar, July 23(VOS): Strongly condemning media restrictions in Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said ban on cable operators in Kashmir is akin to curbs enforced under martial law and emergency.

Talking to a delegation of cable operators of Kashmir that called upon Ms Mehbooba at her Gupkar residence, the PDP president demanded that the government should immediately grant permission to the local cable operators to broadcast news programmes.

“If broadcasting of news progarmmes in one part of the state is good, how can it be bad in the other part? The restriction on cable operators is not only tantamount to violation of democratic rights but also has rendered hundreds of youth unemployed,” she lamented.
The PDP president said that ban on news programmes shows as if martial law has been imposed in the Valley. “With local news channels off-the-air, the government has not only censored media but denied people their constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression,” she observed.

“People of Kashmir can not forget contribution of local cable operators who have run the cable network in Valley while witnessing testing and hard times. So many people associated with this business lost their lives while performing their professional duties,” she said.

The PDP president said that instead of supporting and facilitating the cable network business for transparency and dissemination of information in the state, the government seems in denial mode. “At the behest of some vested interests, these cable operators in Kashmir are being intimidated and harassed. Government offices should not be misued for practice of intimidation and censorship,” Mehbooba added.

Expressing her support, Mehbooba assured the aggrieved cable operators that she will take up their problems with the ministry of information and broadcasting New Delhi in order to mitigate their sufferings.

Article 370 safeguards people’s identity, interests: NC

‘Jaitley’s speech disruptive, divisive’

Srinagar, July 23(VOS): Reacting to BJP Leader Arun Jaitley’s statement where he said that Article 370 is doing more harm than good to people of J&K, National Conference spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said that Article 370 safeguards the identity and interest of the people of the state. Accusing the BJP of playing petty politics,  he said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has categorically said that his party will not let anyone change, alter or weaken that special status.

“I am surprised that leaders of a party which was once headed by a person of A.B Vajpayee’s stature would talk so lame, these leaders are either suffering from senile dementia or are deliberately ignoring the ground realities ”, said Tanvir.

“The BJP always had an agenda to divide people on region and religion basis. They are suffering from the so-called policy paralysis and they feel by racking such issues might fetch them some votes and improve their credibility in the country,” said Tanvir “A party which does not respect the stand of the parliament about article 370 of which Mr. Jaitley is also a member, what do you expect from them other then unconstitutional, disruptive and divisive politics” he added

“Even after so much of suffering and pain, BJP still shamelessly uses people’s miseries to meet their petty political ends”, Tanvir said..

Advising BJP to read history the spokesman said that Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah meticulous as ever ensured that they discuss even the minutest details when the parleys happened on the provisions in the proposed constitution of India that would embody the terms of the State’s membership of the union

“The powers to change that feature or abrogate it can only be done by the President on the recommendation of the constituent assembly but since it seized to exist on 17 November 1956 the feature should be deemed to be considered as permanent” said Tanvir

“Mr. Jaitley should know that peace will prevail always but for that Autonomy has to be restored, all the promises made under ‘Insaniyat ke dayire’ should be fulfilled and all the laws extended unlawfully have to be revoked” he remarked 

PDP to celebrate Foundation Day on July 28

Srinagar, July 23(VOS): Calling the party’s foundation as watershed event that has emerged as a viable force to break the decades old political monopoly in Jammu and Kashmir’, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is all set to celebrate its thirteenth foundation anniversary on July 28.

On this day, according to the chief spokesman of the party, Naeem Akhtar a large public rally will be held in Srinagar.

Going into the history of the party, Akhtar said though it originated as an idea for restoration of dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999, the party has with inputs from various sections of opinion evolved an agenda that it believes could lead to liberate the state and the region from decades of strife, bring a sense of achievement to its people and usher in a new era of sustainable peace and prosperity.

The spokesman said it was a matter of satisfaction for the party that its agenda was now seen positively not just in Kashmir valley but Jammu and Ladakh regions as well where also it was welcomed as a serious statewide political force with credibility and established credentials in governance and political acumen.

13 injured in road mishaps

Srinagar, July 23 (VOS): Thirteen persons were injured in different road traffic accidents across the valley.

A Tavera bearing registration number JK03C/5479 rammed into a Popular Tree near Parigam, falling in the jurisdiction of Police Station Yaripora, resulting in injuries to 40 years old Fahmeeda wife of Bashir Ahmad Ganie and 20 years old Shoki Jan daughter of Bashir Ahmad Ganie residents of Meminder Shopian. Both the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, a Wagon-R bearing registration number Jk05B/3824 collided with a Maruti car bearing registration number JK05/6840 at NHW Palhallan, Baramulla, resulting in injuries to seven persons. All the injured were shifted to Hospital for treatment. Pattan Police has registered a case in this regard.

In a similar accident, an EEco vehicle bearing registration number JK05C/4256 collided with a Maruti car bearing registration number JK05/8254 near Gantamulla, falling under the jurisdiction of Police station Sheeri, Baramulla, resulting in injuries to three persons. All the injured were shifted to Hospital for treatment.

In another accident,  a Motorcycle bearing registration number JK01H/1952 hit and injured 10 years old Junaid Manzoor son of Manzoor Ahmad Mir resident of Kulangam, near FCI Kulangam on NHW, falling in the jurisdiction of Police Station Handwara. The injured was shifted to Hospital for treatment.

Workshop on scientific writing and publishing held at KU

Experts from American Society of Microbiology interact with students, scholars

Srinagar, July 23 (VOS): In order to assist students, researchers and faculty in the development of the skills needed in writing and submitting scientific manuscripts and to improve the overall process of dissemination of research and enhanced knowledge sharing the department of Bio - Technology University of Kashmir organised a virtual workshop on scientific writing and publishing here on Monday.

Senior undergraduate students, graduate students, doctoral students, researchers and faculty members of the department of biotechnology participated in the seminar during which they were informed about various nuances of scientific writing and publishing which included topics like organizing ones data, powerful titles and compelling abstracts, tables and figures, what do reviewers look for? the submission process, dealing with reviews and ethics in scientific publishing by experts from American Society of Microbiology (ASM).

During a virtual interaction Dr Larry McDaniel a Professor of Microbiology, Surgery, and Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Centre and a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and the American Academy of Microbiology provided the participants with an insight and training into the overall processes required to successfully publish a scientific article.

Prof. Rup Lal, Ambassador American Society of Microbiology delivered a lecture on role of genetics, genomics, metagenomics for the development of bioremediation technology of hexachlorocyclohexane after which he interacted with the students and scholars and responded to their queries.

Prof Sunil K Lal another member and Ambassador of ASM provided an introduction of the American Society of Microbiology and informed the participants about the various membership programs offered by the society which provides them access to reputed journals and research papers.

Earlier in his welcome address Co-ordinator of the workshop and Associate Professor department of biotechnology Prof Raies Qadri said that the idea of a lecture series on manuscript writing, and the topic for this afternoon’s interaction with Dr. Larry McDaniel, University of Mississippi Medical Centre, assumes contemporary relevance in the larger context of the rising expectations of the students and the faculty in general.

Saffron worth lakhs seized at Srinagar airport

Srinagar, July 23 (VOS): Sleuths of Commercial Taxes Department have seized 10 Kgs of Saffron valuing approximately 6 Lac Rupees at Srinagar Airport.

“On 23 July 2012 vigilant personnel of Commercial Taxes Department with the assistance of Assistant Commandant 35 Bn CRPF Jagan Mohana Roa  foiled attempt of one Showkat Ahmad Mir S/o Mohd.Ramzan R/o Pampore of exporting Saffron weighing 10 Kgs ,valuing approximately 6 Lac Rupees illegally outside J&K State without paying VAT under J&K VAT Act 2005”, read an official statement.

“The saffron has been seized and a case under section 67(10) of J&K VAT Act 2005 has been registered against the defaulter, added the statement

Operation was carried out under supervision of DC vigilance and Inspections M.H.Beigh and Inspector Shams and Mohidin”.

Deputy Commissioner M.H.Beigh has thanked and appreciated the role of Asst. Commandant 35 Bn CRPF posted at main entrance gate of international airport Srinagar in curbing the menace of tax evasion, the statement added.