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)