THEDAILY

VOICE OF SRINAGAR

SRINAGAR, MONDAY, 25 SHABAN 1433 AH ; 16 JULY 2012

Email:-editorvosgr@gmail.com

NEWS

Pranab leaves with full support from Kashmir

Gets support from PDP, others

He will be one of India’s best presidents: Mufti

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): United Progressive Alliance (UPA) presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee Sunday met members of the ruling National Conference-Congress alliance and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek support for candidature for the President’s post.
Mukherjee was received by J&K Pradesh Congress Committee President Saifuddin Soz at the Srinagar airport this morning.(cont on page 2)

Mirwaiz disappointed over Lama’s ‘restricted Kashmir visit’

“Should have met civil society, rights organizations”

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Responding to Budhhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama’s statement, where he had asked Kashmiri people to remain peaceful, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said peace is only possible when justice is done to people.

“We respect Dalai Lama and recognize his genuine cause, however, peace is only possible with justice, until justice is done, there cannot be peace”, Mirwaiz told VOS. .(cont on page 2)

Protests in Rajwar over excesses

Allegations baseless: Army

Kupwara, July 15 (VOS): People in Rajwar area of Handwara staged protest demonstrations against Army today after they allegedly beat up civilians without any provocation.

Locals said that at around 1.30 pm army men belonging to Rani Post of 21 RR Army camp at Zachaldara Rajwar caught and beat up several youth who were working in fields and grazing their cattle. “Army men swooped on us and beat us ruthlessly, without any provocation,” said one of the youth. .(cont on page 2)

Engineer submits memorandum on Afzal Guru mercy petition to Pranab

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): MLA Langate Engineer Rasheed today submitted a memorandum on mercy petition of Muhammad Afzal Guru to UPA Presidentail candidate Pranab Mukherjee at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convenetion Centre here.

“I take this opportunity to remind your good self about the mercy petition of Parliament attack convict Muhammad Afzal Guru which is pending in the President’s office since past many years. Being a seasoned politician of India having deep knowledge and understanding of issues, I hope your good self is also aware about the sensitivity of the issue of Muhammad Afzal Guru in Kashmir”, read the memorandum. .(cont on page 2)

PDP supports Pranab Mukharjee as presidential candidate

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decided to support Pranab Mukharjee in the upcoming presidential election.

“The decision of the party was conveyed to Mukharjee when he called the party Patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed at his residence here today”, said a party press release.

Mukharjee expressed his gratitude to Mufti for his party’s support and said he greatly appreciate it. .(cont on page 2)

Geelani a trader of Death and Destruction: Kamal

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): The National Conference Additional General Secretary today launched a scathing attack on senior separatist leader and Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani calling him ‘a traitor and double agent’.

“A four time MLA who has been drawing pension and has been even on the payroll of ISI, should we consider him fit enough to talk about morality?” said Dr Kamal in a statement.

“Whenever even a Pakistani clerk comes to India and summons this ex-Lawmaker, he rushes to Delhi to take dictation about how to ensure that uncertainty prevails in the state” said Kamal “Like the one he masterminded in 2010 by killing innocent people” he added .(cont on page 2)

“Days of brand name politics over”

Parties will have to compete hard for peoples support: Mehbooba

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said it is time that the people of the state judged political parties on the agenda and track records rather than hollow slogans and brand names.

Addressing an impressive public meeting at Kralpora in Kupwara District today Mehbooba said the emergence of PDP has provided people of the state with an alternative to the exploitation and deceit practiced by NC for many decades. “It is for the people now to decide on the basis of what they gave to NC and what they received in return and applied a same standard to PDP while making political preferences”, she added. Senior party leader and MLA AB Haq Khan,  Fayaz Ahmed Mir ,Raja Manzoor, Mohd Afzal Wani, Mushtaq Ahmed and others were also present and spoke on this occasion. .(cont on page 2)

Tarigami bats for ReTs, EVs, asks Govt to fulfil just demands 

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): State Secretary CPI (M) Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has urged the government to concede the genuine demands of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers.

In a statement, he called for implementation of proposed increase in the honorarium of ReT’s from rupees 1500 per month to uniform level of rupees 3000 per month.

He rued that the initial five years service of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers is not given effect for inclusion in their service records thwarting them from the promotion benefits. “Compared to three and half months maternity leave with full wages for general line teachers ReT’s are being provided with only one month maternity leave without wages which is against the principle of social security”, he said. He said the demand of Women ReTs regarding transfer to their respective areas after marriage deserves due consideration.

Tarigami suggested that Education Volunteers who have completed their initial five years of service be regularized on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem, adding delay in their confirmation breeds disgust and dejection, which tells upon their performance and work culture.

Calling upon the government to fulfill the legitimate demands of ReT’s and EV’s, he said that assurances need to be corroborated by practical measures on part of the government. .(cont on page 2)

Peoples’ Conference holds Convention at Budgam

Budgam, July 15 (VOS): Senior Peoples’ Conference leader Mohammad Kamal Malik presided over a Peoples’ Conference workers’ convention at Soibug yesterday.

Various delegations of workers from across the entire Budgam District participated in the convention and highlighted various public issues and grievances faced by the people of Budgam, said a press handout issued by the PC.

Lashing out at the adminstration, Kamaal said that the government had summarily neglected Budgam District and paid no heed to the pressing grievances of basic facilities and infrastructure faced by the people. .(cont on page 2)

Mir expresses shock over fire incident at Baba Hanif-ud-Din’s (RA) Ziarat

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir today expressed grief and shock over the fire incident at Ziarat Baba Hanif-ud-Din (RA) Rupson, Beerwah.

The fire incident that gutted the Ziarat was took place in the intervening night of July 14 and 15.

Expressing sympathies with the people of the area, Mr. Mir appealed them to not to pay heed on rumours and maintain calm in this hour of sorrow. .(cont on page 2)

15 killed in Digdol bus accident

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Fifteen people, mostly Amarnath pilgrims, died and 18 others were injured when a bus carrying them skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and rolled down into a deep gorge near Ramban.

The State Road Transport Corporation bus registered under number JKOY-0382, which was on its way from Srinagar to Jammu, fell into Digdol nallah last night after the driver lost control over the bus, police said.

15 people have died and 18 others were injured, many of whome are stated to be critical.

14 bodies were recovered, after a massive rescue operation was launched by police and army which concluded Sunday morning, sources said. One of the injured later succumbed to his injuries at District hospital Ramban, they added.

The injured have been admitted to the Ramban district hospital from where some of the critical were referred to GMC hospital, the SP said, adding that most of the victims were outsiders.

"Most probably they are Amarnath pilgrims. But we have to go through a process to ensure compensation in case the victims are Amarnath pilgrims," police officials said.

Meanwhile, people across the board today expressed grief over the accident. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Governor N N Vohra, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, Congress Chief Saifuddin Soz and Agriculture Minister Gulam Hassan Mir has expressed shock over the accident. They also conveyed their condolences to the friends and relatives of the victims.

The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. One lakh each for the deceased and Rs. 10,000 each for those injured in the accident. .(cont on page 2)

04 Die, 10 injured in other road mishapsSrinagar, July 15: At least five persons died and eleven others were injured in different road accidents across the valley.

A motorcycle, with three boys on board collided with an electric pole at Newa Pulwama, resulting in on the spot death to one youth namely Fida Hussain of Chatergam Budgam. Two others were injured in the accidents, the conditions of one among them is stated to be critical.

In another accident, a girl namely Shameema of Khansahib Budgam, while sticking her head out through the window of a bus in which they were heading for a picnic, was hit by another vehicle at Awantipora, resulting in her death on the spot.
A Truck bearing registration number Jk01F/5393 hit and injured a pedestrian, Bashir Ahmad Sheikh son of Ghulam Mohi-u-Din resident of Monchewa Margay Mohalla at Kralpora, in the jurisdiction of Police station Chadoora. The injured was shifted to SKIMS Soura where he
succumbed to his injuries. The body of deceased was handed over to his next of kins for last rites. Police has registered a case in this regard.
 A Tractor with out registration number turned turtle at Dachipora, Panzala, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Panzala, resulting in injuries to 70 years old Ghulam Mohidin Rather son of Ghulam Muhammad resident of Dachnipora, Panzala. The injured was shifted to District
Hospital, Baramulla where he succumbed to his injuries. The body of deceased was handed over to his legal heir for last rites.  Panzala Police has registered a case in this regard.
Meanwhile, a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK07/0658 hit and injured 58 years Ghulam Ahmad Ganai son of Ghulam Muhammad resident of Hayan, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kangan. The injured was shifted to SKIMS Soura for treatment. Kangan Police has registered a case in this regard.
A Ritz car bearing registration number An-540 and Toyota Innova bearing registration number JK04A/7895 collided near Hung Mode, Sonamarg, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Sonamarg, resulting in injuries to five persons. All the injured were shifted to
Sub District Hospital, Kangan  for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.
In another accident, a Tractor bearing registration number Jk08/2192 and Alto car bearing registration number JK15/1718 collided at Tangpora, bypass, in the jurisdiction of Police Station Batamaloo, Srinagar, resulting in injuries to the Alto driver Manzoor Ahmad Mir
son of Wali Rehman resident of Bandipora and a pedestrian Mukhtar Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Hassan resident of Tengpora. Both the injured were shifted to Hospital for treatment.

Farooq Abdullah expresses shock and grief over Digdol incident.

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): The National Conference President and Union Minister for Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah on sunday expressed deep shock and grief over an incident in which a bus skidded of the National highway and rolled down into a deep gorge in Ramban killing 15 people and injuring many others.

According to the spokesman of the Party, Dr. Farooq expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for their soul.

He asked the administration to ensure all the facilities are provided to the injured who are admitted in the hospitals

Governor grieved at loss of life in Ramban bus accident

Omar, Mir condole demise of yatris in road accident

Sanctions Rs. One lakh each for deceased, Rs. 10,000 each for injured

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the sad demise of Shri Amarnathji Yatris in a road accident on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. One lakh each for the deceased and Rs. 10,000 each for those injured in the accident.

In a condolence message to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy to them and prayed for peace to the departed souls.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party Nationalist President Ghulam Hassan Mir has expressed shock over the accident. He has expressed sympathies towards the victim's friends and relatives.

Governor grieved at loss of life in Ramban bus accident

Directs immediate help  

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, has expressed serious concern and grief over the loss of life and injuries to Shri Amarnathji pilgrims consequent to a major bus accident near Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway late last night.

The Governor conveyed his sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for speedy recovery of all those injured in this tragic accident.

On the Governor’s direction, Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, CEO of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, spoke on phone with Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to convey Chairman’s direction that there must be no delay in the required medical attention being given to all the injured Yatris.

The Governor has also directed Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, to immediately proceed to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu to personally ascertain the help and support required by the injured persons and provide the same without any delay whatsoever. .(cont on page 2)

Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz remembered

“Was unhappy over joining Janta Party”

Srinagar, July 15 (VOS): Controversial Kashmiri Pandit writer and politician Prem Nath Bazaz was unhappy later in his life with his decision to join the Janta Party in 1977 elections, which saw Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah coming to power once again, says Bazaz’s son-in-law Omkar Razdan.

“He told me once that ‘it was the biggest blunder by me to be part of the Janta Party (of Morarji Desai) in 1977’,” said Razdan, a retired director general of Indian Air Force’s works department.

Bazaz’s son-in-law and daughter Vijay Razdan organized a memorial meeting on his 107th birth anniversary on Saturday evening at Srinagar’s Sri Pratap College; this was first such tribute ever since Bazaz died in 1984. .(cont on page 2)