Bandipora residents being supplied muddy water
Fear outbreak of diseases, demand clean drinking water
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 15: Residents in the municipal limits of Bandipora complained that they are not being supplied clean and hygienic water by the PHE department, leaving high risk for outbreak of water borne diseases. Residents of Bandipora's main town said that black water was pouring in from the taps. They also alleged that large quantity of sand and other particles were also pouring in from the taps. "The water is totally unfit for drinking purposes," they said.One of the resident, Malik Faheem said that the water supplied to them is muddy. "It indicates that either the sewage is getting mixed with drinking water or there is a leakage in water pipes," he said, adding, "If this can happen in an up market area where the top officials reside, the plight of the people living in the inner areas and small colonies can only be imagined".The residents said that there is every likelihood that water borne diseases may break out due to consuming of the filthy and unhygienic water supplied by the authorities. "We have taken up the matter with the concerned officials time and again, but of no avail. The officials have not even bothered to visit the area to take stock of the situation," said Mushtaq Ahmed resident of Ward No 1.He added, "We also brought the matter to the notice of the councilor. He had assured us that he will talk to the officials of the concerned department, but he too has ditched us and failed to get clean and hygienic water supplied to us".Renowned scholar and intellectual, Prof Abdul Rashid Nazki said, "People are suffering due to the callous attitude of the district officers. I fail to understand why the qualified officers have lost the responsible character in this technological period when illiterates are performing their duties honestly".The residents alleged that the local MLAs from 1996 have been misusing the funds (Rs. 8 crores), which were allotted for the construction of the filtration plant in the Bandipora. "The filtration plant is not functional and it should be probed," they said.The residents demanded that the filtration plant should be made functional so that clean and hygienic water is supplied to them.Meanwhile, the health department has advised people to boil water before using it for drinking purpose. "People should take boiled water in order to avoid falling prey to water borne diseases," said CMO Bandipora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Wani.He advised people not to drink direct water supplied from taps. Executive Engineer PHE, Ghulam Qadir Pinto said, "I will look into the matter. I will raise the issue with the concerned AEEs and filed staff".He said that immediate preventive measures will be taken to prevent people from landing in any sort of trouble. "We have only one filtration plant for the whole district and it is not sufficient to cater to the demands of people. We will demand setting up of few more filtration plants in the district so that pure and clean water is supplied to the people," he added.
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Sunday, August 31, 2008
Woman dies in mysterious circumstances in Bandipora
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 16 A woman died in mysterious circumstances inside her house in this newly created Bandipora district. Reports said that Shafiqa Banoo wife of Ghulam Muhammad, a shopkeeper, of Pahilpora was found dead in her house during the preceding night.Shafiqa, a mother of three, was married to the Ghulam Mohammad six years back. Police have registered a case and launched investigations. “The arrests will take place within few days,” said a police officer leading the team of officials to investigate the case.Shafiqa’s brother, Ashiq told Rising Kashmir that Ghulam Mohammad killed his sister. “He had formed the murder plot with his sister and killed her during the preceding night,” he claimed.“They tried to hide the crime by taking Shafiqa to hospital after killing her in their residence at Arin," claimed Ashiq.However, her in-laws maintained that the victim died due to consuming poison. “Her husband was not in the name at the time of her death and as such he cannot be blamed for her death,” they said.Talking to Rising Kashmir Ghulam Muhammad said, “My wife left her mother’s home during the early morning of July 15. She returned to her in-laws home at 6 pm. When I returned come from my shop I saw swelling in her eyes. I inquired about the problem but she did not divulge the information”.“Afterwards I left the house and when I re-entered my home, I found her unconscious in the room. I screamed and my neighbors gathered in front of my house. We rushed her to SDH Bandipora during the intervening night. The doctors referred her to Srinagar Hospital, where she later succumbed,” he claimed.He claimed that he is innocent and is not involved in her killing. “Why should I kill my wife, who had given me three children,” he added.
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 16 A woman died in mysterious circumstances inside her house in this newly created Bandipora district. Reports said that Shafiqa Banoo wife of Ghulam Muhammad, a shopkeeper, of Pahilpora was found dead in her house during the preceding night.Shafiqa, a mother of three, was married to the Ghulam Mohammad six years back. Police have registered a case and launched investigations. “The arrests will take place within few days,” said a police officer leading the team of officials to investigate the case.Shafiqa’s brother, Ashiq told Rising Kashmir that Ghulam Mohammad killed his sister. “He had formed the murder plot with his sister and killed her during the preceding night,” he claimed.“They tried to hide the crime by taking Shafiqa to hospital after killing her in their residence at Arin," claimed Ashiq.However, her in-laws maintained that the victim died due to consuming poison. “Her husband was not in the name at the time of her death and as such he cannot be blamed for her death,” they said.Talking to Rising Kashmir Ghulam Muhammad said, “My wife left her mother’s home during the early morning of July 15. She returned to her in-laws home at 6 pm. When I returned come from my shop I saw swelling in her eyes. I inquired about the problem but she did not divulge the information”.“Afterwards I left the house and when I re-entered my home, I found her unconscious in the room. I screamed and my neighbors gathered in front of my house. We rushed her to SDH Bandipora during the intervening night. The doctors referred her to Srinagar Hospital, where she later succumbed,” he claimed.He claimed that he is innocent and is not involved in her killing. “Why should I kill my wife, who had given me three children,” he added.
Teachers without salaries from 5 months in Bandipora
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Their wages will be released in few days: CEOMir Tariq Bandipora, July 17: Hundreds of teachers in various zones in this newly created district are without salary since past five months.The teachers of various educational zones including Quil, Hajin and Bandipora have not received the salaries from past five months. This has created resentment against the education department among the teachers, who claimed that the department is intentionally withholding their salaries.
“From past five months we have not been paid salary by the department. We have approached almost all the concerned officials but of no avail. They continue to withhold our salaries,” said a teacher, Meharjudin Wani.He said that the teachers are suffering a great deal as they are unable to fulfill the requirements of their families. “Our families are starving due to withholding of wages to us,” he added. Another teacher, pleading anonymity criticized the functioning of the Education department. He said, “Despite repeated requests to the officials, our from March to July has not bee released”.The District Teachers Union (DTU) leaders claimed that hundreds of teachers working in various Schools of the district have been denied salaries by the Education department. They urged the government to make arrangements for the timely disbursement of salaries.“ReT teachers are facing lot of problems due to non disbursement of salaries. The government should make proper arrangement for disbursing wages in favor of the teachers,” said one of the leaders of DTU.“We are getting a meager salary of Rs 2,000. We were somehow managing our family affairs but since past five months we have been facing starvation as our salaries have been withheld,” said ReT teacher, Muhammad Shafi. He added, “The shopkeepers are refusing to give us further credit and our wards have been thrown out from the schools due to non payment of their tuition fee”.Talking to Rising Kashmir Chief Education Officer Ghulam Mahiudin Ahanger said, “We have received an order from Secretariat through the Direction Office and pending salaries of the teachers would be released within next few days.”He added, “We have asked officials of all the respective zones to release the salaries of the teachers.”
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Their wages will be released in few days: CEOMir Tariq Bandipora, July 17: Hundreds of teachers in various zones in this newly created district are without salary since past five months.The teachers of various educational zones including Quil, Hajin and Bandipora have not received the salaries from past five months. This has created resentment against the education department among the teachers, who claimed that the department is intentionally withholding their salaries.
“From past five months we have not been paid salary by the department. We have approached almost all the concerned officials but of no avail. They continue to withhold our salaries,” said a teacher, Meharjudin Wani.He said that the teachers are suffering a great deal as they are unable to fulfill the requirements of their families. “Our families are starving due to withholding of wages to us,” he added. Another teacher, pleading anonymity criticized the functioning of the Education department. He said, “Despite repeated requests to the officials, our from March to July has not bee released”.The District Teachers Union (DTU) leaders claimed that hundreds of teachers working in various Schools of the district have been denied salaries by the Education department. They urged the government to make arrangements for the timely disbursement of salaries.“ReT teachers are facing lot of problems due to non disbursement of salaries. The government should make proper arrangement for disbursing wages in favor of the teachers,” said one of the leaders of DTU.“We are getting a meager salary of Rs 2,000. We were somehow managing our family affairs but since past five months we have been facing starvation as our salaries have been withheld,” said ReT teacher, Muhammad Shafi. He added, “The shopkeepers are refusing to give us further credit and our wards have been thrown out from the schools due to non payment of their tuition fee”.Talking to Rising Kashmir Chief Education Officer Ghulam Mahiudin Ahanger said, “We have received an order from Secretariat through the Direction Office and pending salaries of the teachers would be released within next few days.”He added, “We have asked officials of all the respective zones to release the salaries of the teachers.”
Teachers without salaries from 5 months in Bandipora
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Their wages will be released in few days: CEOMir Tariq Bandipora, July 17: Hundreds of teachers in various zones in this newly created district are without salary since past five months.The teachers of various educational zones including Quil, Hajin and Bandipora have not received the salaries from past five months. This has created resentment against the education department among the teachers, who claimed that the department is intentionally withholding their salaries.
“From past five months we have not been paid salary by the department. We have approached almost all the concerned officials but of no avail. They continue to withhold our salaries,” said a teacher, Meharjudin Wani.He said that the teachers are suffering a great deal as they are unable to fulfill the requirements of their families. “Our families are starving due to withholding of wages to us,” he added. Another teacher, pleading anonymity criticized the functioning of the Education department. He said, “Despite repeated requests to the officials, our from March to July has not bee released”.The District Teachers Union (DTU) leaders claimed that hundreds of teachers working in various Schools of the district have been denied salaries by the Education department. They urged the government to make arrangements for the timely disbursement of salaries.“ReT teachers are facing lot of problems due to non disbursement of salaries. The government should make proper arrangement for disbursing wages in favor of the teachers,” said one of the leaders of DTU.“We are getting a meager salary of Rs 2,000. We were somehow managing our family affairs but since past five months we have been facing starvation as our salaries have been withheld,” said ReT teacher, Muhammad Shafi. He added, “The shopkeepers are refusing to give us further credit and our wards have been thrown out from the schools due to non payment of their tuition fee”.Talking to Rising Kashmir Chief Education Officer Ghulam Mahiudin Ahanger said, “We have received an order from Secretariat through the Direction Office and pending salaries of the teachers would be released within next few days.”He added, “We have asked officials of all the respective zones to release the salaries of the teachers.”
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Their wages will be released in few days: CEOMir Tariq Bandipora, July 17: Hundreds of teachers in various zones in this newly created district are without salary since past five months.The teachers of various educational zones including Quil, Hajin and Bandipora have not received the salaries from past five months. This has created resentment against the education department among the teachers, who claimed that the department is intentionally withholding their salaries.
“From past five months we have not been paid salary by the department. We have approached almost all the concerned officials but of no avail. They continue to withhold our salaries,” said a teacher, Meharjudin Wani.He said that the teachers are suffering a great deal as they are unable to fulfill the requirements of their families. “Our families are starving due to withholding of wages to us,” he added. Another teacher, pleading anonymity criticized the functioning of the Education department. He said, “Despite repeated requests to the officials, our from March to July has not bee released”.The District Teachers Union (DTU) leaders claimed that hundreds of teachers working in various Schools of the district have been denied salaries by the Education department. They urged the government to make arrangements for the timely disbursement of salaries.“ReT teachers are facing lot of problems due to non disbursement of salaries. The government should make proper arrangement for disbursing wages in favor of the teachers,” said one of the leaders of DTU.“We are getting a meager salary of Rs 2,000. We were somehow managing our family affairs but since past five months we have been facing starvation as our salaries have been withheld,” said ReT teacher, Muhammad Shafi. He added, “The shopkeepers are refusing to give us further credit and our wards have been thrown out from the schools due to non payment of their tuition fee”.Talking to Rising Kashmir Chief Education Officer Ghulam Mahiudin Ahanger said, “We have received an order from Secretariat through the Direction Office and pending salaries of the teachers would be released within next few days.”He added, “We have asked officials of all the respective zones to release the salaries of the teachers.”
Death of housewife
Parents, locals accuse police of cover up
Mir TariqBandipora, July 18: After demanding exhumation of Shafiqa's body, the parents of the victim on Friday alleged police of shielding the accused, Ghulam Muhammad Chopan.The parents and relatives of the victim Shafiqa Begum, who was mysteriously found dead at her residence in Phalipora Arin on Wednesday night said police was not listening to them although they had staged protest demonstrations to highlight their problem.Talking to Rising Kashmir, the victims’ mother Khotnie Begum said, "Shafiqa come to parents' home for inquiring the health condition of her father who has weak eye sight. When we attend her last rites after death, we found injuries in her body which indicate that she was forcibly poisoned or beaten to death.”Wailing over the death of her daughter, Begum said, “Police has received the bribe from the accused. So the SHO Bandipora is avoiding we people but we will approach the higher authorities for justice.""They (in- laws) have buried the victim in a hurry in the corner of a wall to hide the heinous crime," locals said.The victim’s relatives said that Shaifqa had strained relations with her husband and in-laws."Her relations with her husband Ghulam Muhammad Chopan were not good. Her husband didn’t even allow her to visit her parents and sisters," said Ghulam Qadir, the victim’s relative. "Police is trying to hide the case as we are poor. Why isn’t the SHO allowing the exhumation of the body.”Raising slogans against SHO Bandipora, locals said, "For the past two days, we are approaching the SHO Bandipora for taking necessary action against the victim but he is avoiding us."Questioning the medical report, the locals said, "If the victim consumed poison then why injury marks are visible on her body. The case should be properly investigated."The relatives of the victim are demanding immediate exhumation of the body and action against the police officers who are shielding the accused.Senior Superintend of Police Bandipora Sheikh Junaid Ahmed said, "We are ascertaining the cause of the death. In the coming days we will come up with the factual position. We have written to the Additional Deputy Commissioner for the permission of exhumation of the body. After we get the permission we will exhume the body."
Parents, locals accuse police of cover up
Mir TariqBandipora, July 18: After demanding exhumation of Shafiqa's body, the parents of the victim on Friday alleged police of shielding the accused, Ghulam Muhammad Chopan.The parents and relatives of the victim Shafiqa Begum, who was mysteriously found dead at her residence in Phalipora Arin on Wednesday night said police was not listening to them although they had staged protest demonstrations to highlight their problem.Talking to Rising Kashmir, the victims’ mother Khotnie Begum said, "Shafiqa come to parents' home for inquiring the health condition of her father who has weak eye sight. When we attend her last rites after death, we found injuries in her body which indicate that she was forcibly poisoned or beaten to death.”Wailing over the death of her daughter, Begum said, “Police has received the bribe from the accused. So the SHO Bandipora is avoiding we people but we will approach the higher authorities for justice.""They (in- laws) have buried the victim in a hurry in the corner of a wall to hide the heinous crime," locals said.The victim’s relatives said that Shaifqa had strained relations with her husband and in-laws."Her relations with her husband Ghulam Muhammad Chopan were not good. Her husband didn’t even allow her to visit her parents and sisters," said Ghulam Qadir, the victim’s relative. "Police is trying to hide the case as we are poor. Why isn’t the SHO allowing the exhumation of the body.”Raising slogans against SHO Bandipora, locals said, "For the past two days, we are approaching the SHO Bandipora for taking necessary action against the victim but he is avoiding us."Questioning the medical report, the locals said, "If the victim consumed poison then why injury marks are visible on her body. The case should be properly investigated."The relatives of the victim are demanding immediate exhumation of the body and action against the police officers who are shielding the accused.Senior Superintend of Police Bandipora Sheikh Junaid Ahmed said, "We are ascertaining the cause of the death. In the coming days we will come up with the factual position. We have written to the Additional Deputy Commissioner for the permission of exhumation of the body. After we get the permission we will exhume the body."
Sweet Wular turns poisonous
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Large quantity of fungicides, pesticides and chemicals used in orchards and agricultural land is getting washed into various rivers, streams, brooks and other aquatic bodies directly or indirectly draining into Wular Lake thus making it poisonous, reports MIR TARIQ
Wular Lake once the famous tourist destination and what people called Asia's largest sweet water lake located in foot hills of Bandipore 60 km from Srinagar city is now turning into poisonous lake.Being at the terminus of the drainage system, Wular has become a dumping pool of pollutants, carcasses of dead animals, heavy dosage of fertilizers and pesticides through various rivers like Jehlum, Madhumati and Arin channel, streamlets, and other water bodies. This discharge of solid, liquid and other wastes flowing downstream from urbanized area of Bandipore, Sumbal and Srinagar has transformed the sweet Wular into a poisonous one.
"On entering the Lake one can come across the hundreds of animal carcasses and Skeletons, heaps of plastic bottles and polyethylene bags, which is causing bio-chemical process (reaction) and disturb the natural hydro ecosystem in Wular Lake" said Ghulam Rasool Kuchhay, adding "Heavy dosages of fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural fields besides spraying chemical in orchards for pest control are ultimately washed into Lake, which should be immediately check" "Municipality Bandipore is dumping tones of the garbage in Zalwan area which is part of Wular Land, when the water level increases all the garbage is washed out into the lake" said Muhammad Ramzan Shaida, adding "There are no regulations or guidelines for disposal of solid wastes including carcasses throughout District; there is also lack of sewerage system. The worst part of it is that even dead dogs are dumped on the bank of Wular" "The growing population in the environs of the lake has polluted it to a large extent" said Mushtaq Ahmed, adding, "Nitrates, phosphates and what not have got deposited from the surrounding landmasses, which have led to the excessive weed and plankton growth""Accumulated garbage prevents the sunlight to penetrate through the dense phytoplankton and water crops which results in the death and destruction of the aquatic fauna" Mushtaq added. Chemicals worth about Rs 50 crore find their way into Kashmir's apple orchards and eventually into the local water bodies annually. Scientists feel the per capita fungicide consumption exposes Kashmir to alarming levels of toxicity since it consumes these chemicals at the rate of eight kg per hectare.Large quantity of fungicides, pesticides and chemicals used in orchards and agricultural land is getting washed into various channels (Jehlum major), streamlets, and other aquatic bodies directly or indirectly draining into Wular Lake."Orchard owners in Anantnag, Shopian, pulwama, pinjura, Spore, Bandipora, Sumbal, Gander bal and Srinagar are using chemicals in orchard or in agriculture land which either indirectly through Jehlum enters Wular or directly pours down into Lake incase of Bandipore, Spore and Safapora" said Parvaiz Ahmed president Kashmir Social and environmental Organization NGO (KESCO), adding "Fish, Lotus, Nadroo and other productivities like caltrops etc are now vanishing due to pollution in Wular waters"Water quality deterioration was also mentioned in a report submitted by Wetlands International-South Asia as underWater quality changes in Wular Lake during 1992 to 2006 Water quality changes in Wular Lake during 1992 to 2006 Parameters Units 1992 2006water temperature 0C 3.1 - 25 6.3 - 27.3Transparency m 0.1 - 1.3 0.16 - 0.73 PH 7.1 - 9.8 7.2 - 7.7Conductivity s/ cm, 57.0 - 429 118 - 3.5Dissolved oxygen mg/l 1.3 - 15.2 4.5 - 8.0Chloride mg/l 11.0 - 81.0 11.8 - 28.0Calcium mg/l 4.6 - 73.8 20.5 - 62.3Magnesium mg/l 0.8 - 35.6 12.2 - 30.1Ammonia _g/l 1.0 - 205 64.0 – 101Nitrate nitrogen _g/l 9.0 - 580 205 – 419Ortho phosphate _g/l 0.0 - 31.0 79 - 131.7Total phosphorus _g/l 0.0 - 103 180.0 – 292.5 Despite a rapid increase in human population, there has been no up gradation of the civic infrastructure leading to an increasingly higher proportion of wastes being dumped into the water bodies. Presently none of the settlements have been provided with sewerage treatment facilities, the result is the discharge of wastewater directly in the water body leading to poor and unhygienic water quality.However the fishermen said "The production of fishes in the lakes is falling down day by day as the concerned departments have failed to check the growing pollution in the lake""We are apprehensive that the fish might get extinct in the lake, due to entrance of poisonous material in the lake through Jehlum and other streams" they added.While talking to Rising Kashmir Nazir Ahmed Mir Chef executive Officer Wular development Authority (WDA) said "We have sent a project for the conservation of Wular Lake to central government and in coming months the work for conservation will be initiated""Presently the conservation work is being done by the Forest department "Added Mir.However, denying the responsibility of Wular Conservation, D.F.O Bandipore Altaf-ul-Rehaman Gillani said "We have nothing to do with the conservation of Wular Lake; we are following the orders of WDA not more than that"
"On entering the Lake one can come across the hundreds of animal carcasses and Skeletons, heaps of plastic bottles and polyethylene bags, which is causing bio-chemical process (reaction) and disturb the natural hydro ecosystem in Wular Lake" said Ghulam Rasool Kuchhay, adding "Heavy dosages of fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural fields besides spraying chemical in orchards for pest control are ultimately washed into Lake, which should be immediately check" "Municipality Bandipore is dumping tones of the garbage in Zalwan area which is part of Wular Land, when the water level increases all the garbage is washed out into the lake" said Muhammad Ramzan Shaida, adding "There are no regulations or guidelines for disposal of solid wastes including carcasses throughout District; there is also lack of sewerage system. The worst part of it is that even dead dogs are dumped on the bank of Wular" "The growing population in the environs of the lake has polluted it to a large extent" said Mushtaq Ahmed, adding, "Nitrates, phosphates and what not have got deposited from the surrounding landmasses, which have led to the excessive weed and plankton growth""Accumulated garbage prevents the sunlight to penetrate through the dense phytoplankton and water crops which results in the death and destruction of the aquatic fauna" Mushtaq added. Chemicals worth about Rs 50 crore find their way into Kashmir's apple orchards and eventually into the local water bodies annually. Scientists feel the per capita fungicide consumption exposes Kashmir to alarming levels of toxicity since it consumes these chemicals at the rate of eight kg per hectare.Large quantity of fungicides, pesticides and chemicals used in orchards and agricultural land is getting washed into various channels (Jehlum major), streamlets, and other aquatic bodies directly or indirectly draining into Wular Lake."Orchard owners in Anantnag, Shopian, pulwama, pinjura, Spore, Bandipora, Sumbal, Gander bal and Srinagar are using chemicals in orchard or in agriculture land which either indirectly through Jehlum enters Wular or directly pours down into Lake incase of Bandipore, Spore and Safapora" said Parvaiz Ahmed president Kashmir Social and environmental Organization NGO (KESCO), adding "Fish, Lotus, Nadroo and other productivities like caltrops etc are now vanishing due to pollution in Wular waters"Water quality deterioration was also mentioned in a report submitted by Wetlands International-South Asia as underWater quality changes in Wular Lake during 1992 to 2006 Water quality changes in Wular Lake during 1992 to 2006 Parameters Units 1992 2006water temperature 0C 3.1 - 25 6.3 - 27.3Transparency m 0.1 - 1.3 0.16 - 0.73 PH 7.1 - 9.8 7.2 - 7.7Conductivity s/ cm, 57.0 - 429 118 - 3.5Dissolved oxygen mg/l 1.3 - 15.2 4.5 - 8.0Chloride mg/l 11.0 - 81.0 11.8 - 28.0Calcium mg/l 4.6 - 73.8 20.5 - 62.3Magnesium mg/l 0.8 - 35.6 12.2 - 30.1Ammonia _g/l 1.0 - 205 64.0 – 101Nitrate nitrogen _g/l 9.0 - 580 205 – 419Ortho phosphate _g/l 0.0 - 31.0 79 - 131.7Total phosphorus _g/l 0.0 - 103 180.0 – 292.5 Despite a rapid increase in human population, there has been no up gradation of the civic infrastructure leading to an increasingly higher proportion of wastes being dumped into the water bodies. Presently none of the settlements have been provided with sewerage treatment facilities, the result is the discharge of wastewater directly in the water body leading to poor and unhygienic water quality.However the fishermen said "The production of fishes in the lakes is falling down day by day as the concerned departments have failed to check the growing pollution in the lake""We are apprehensive that the fish might get extinct in the lake, due to entrance of poisonous material in the lake through Jehlum and other streams" they added.While talking to Rising Kashmir Nazir Ahmed Mir Chef executive Officer Wular development Authority (WDA) said "We have sent a project for the conservation of Wular Lake to central government and in coming months the work for conservation will be initiated""Presently the conservation work is being done by the Forest department "Added Mir.However, denying the responsibility of Wular Conservation, D.F.O Bandipore Altaf-ul-Rehaman Gillani said "We have nothing to do with the conservation of Wular Lake; we are following the orders of WDA not more than that"
Auto drivers, passengers take to streets
Demand separate stand, traffic beat
Mir TariqBandipora, July 19: Hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers on Saturday stage sit-in protest behind the DC office and demanded separate auto-rickshaw stand here in north Kashmir district of Bandipora. Protesting against the absence of an auto-rickshaw stand in the area, hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers along with passengers staged a sit-in behind the DC office Bandipora for about three hours.They said the area should be provided with separate auto-rickshaws and traffic police booth in the Bandipora town to facilitate smooth movement of vehicular traffic and decrease overcrowding in markets.The passengers are facing a lot of problems in the only congested mini bus stand where auto-rickshaws temporarily park in Bandipora.“We are facing a lot of problems while running auto-rickshaws. This temporary mini-bus stand remains congested which adds to the problems of the passengers," said Ali Muhammad, President Autorickshaw Association Bandipora. “To ease traffic congestion, we are demanding a separate auto-rickshaw stand for the convenience of drivers as well as passengers."“It takes a lot of time to cross few meters from the mini bus stand to main road as the stand remains congested with the trucks, Tata Sumo vehicles, min buses and wheel carts,” said Bashir Ahmed, an autorickshaw driver. “Trucks and other goods carrying vehicles should be asked to park in the new bus stand yet to be opened for the public after construction."Condemning the proposed traffic regulating system adopted by the district administration, the passengers said, "The district administration is not thinking seriously about the growing traffic and congested roads. We are facing a lot of problems and district administration is acting a mute spectator."Deputy Commissioner Bandipora during the fasting month of Ramadan in 2007 announced the opening of newly constructed bus stand but the stand is yet to be opened for public.“It takes a lot of time to cross few meters through the congested roads of Bandipora," said Mushtaq Ahmed, a local teacher.Malik Faheem, a local said: “For years, the town has been facing inordinate traffic system and the administration had to face protests for not enforcing traffic rules properly."Another resident of Bandipora, Zahoor Ahmed said, “Although we had staged protest demonstrations to highlight the problem of growing traffic and lack of bus stand but the authorities were unmoved.”Superintend of Police, Bandipora Sheikh Juniaid Ahmed said, "I have taken charge of the district three days back. In the coming days, the problem of auto-rickshaw drivers and passengers will be solved."Additional Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bhat said, “The construction of new bus stand is complete now. The bus stand will be opened for public in the coming three to five days
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ASHA workers demand pending dues
July 19Mir TariqBandipora, : Demanding immediate released of their wages, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers on Saturday came out on roads in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district and threatened to stage massive demonstration if their incentives are not released.The ASHA activists working under the Sub District Hospital Bandipora said that they are not being paid by the concerned authorities although they had rendered work for their respective villages."We are working in our respective villages. We look after the pregnant women in our locality, inform the health department about the births and deaths and immunize the children in schools and home," said Waheeda Begum. “The concerned officers in the department are not giving compensation for services which we provide under various ongoing State Government and Government of India schemes like institutional delivery under Janani Suraksha Yojana(JSY), completion of DOTS treatment under Rural National TB Control Programme, promotion of household toilets under Total Sanitation Campaign and the overall guidance of District Health Mission.”Another ASHA worker Mehjabeen said, “We counsel women on birth preparedness, immunization, contraceptive, RTI and STI. We mobilize the community and assist them in accessing the services already available at Aganwadi Sub-Centre and PubliC Health Centre. Instead we are getting abuses and disrespect from the concerned authorities."The ASHA workers said that they have not received any wages for their services for the previous one year."We are paying money from our pockets to take pregnant women to the hospital but we are not getting anything," said Sara Begum. "Only those workers are being paid who have influence in the hospital."Under the National Rural Health Mission, these women function as links between the community and the health system. They reinforce community action for universal immunization, safe delivery, newborn care, prevention of communicable diseases, improvement in nutrition and promotion of household toilets.ASHA worker are the health activists in the community who have been engaged by the Health department to create awareness on health and its social determinants, mobilize the community towards local health planning and increased utilization of existing health services. Talking to Rising Kashmir, Block Medical Officer Bandipora, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Malik said, "ASHA worker gets performance-based incentives for promoting universal immunization, referral and escort services for Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) and other healthcare programmes. They have no monthly salary. We are sending the report to higher authorities, which takes time as a result of which ASHA workers are facing problems."He said the pending payment of 2007 of ASHA workers would be released within few days.
Demand separate stand, traffic beat
Mir TariqBandipora, July 19: Hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers on Saturday stage sit-in protest behind the DC office and demanded separate auto-rickshaw stand here in north Kashmir district of Bandipora. Protesting against the absence of an auto-rickshaw stand in the area, hundreds of auto-rickshaw drivers along with passengers staged a sit-in behind the DC office Bandipora for about three hours.They said the area should be provided with separate auto-rickshaws and traffic police booth in the Bandipora town to facilitate smooth movement of vehicular traffic and decrease overcrowding in markets.The passengers are facing a lot of problems in the only congested mini bus stand where auto-rickshaws temporarily park in Bandipora.“We are facing a lot of problems while running auto-rickshaws. This temporary mini-bus stand remains congested which adds to the problems of the passengers," said Ali Muhammad, President Autorickshaw Association Bandipora. “To ease traffic congestion, we are demanding a separate auto-rickshaw stand for the convenience of drivers as well as passengers."“It takes a lot of time to cross few meters from the mini bus stand to main road as the stand remains congested with the trucks, Tata Sumo vehicles, min buses and wheel carts,” said Bashir Ahmed, an autorickshaw driver. “Trucks and other goods carrying vehicles should be asked to park in the new bus stand yet to be opened for the public after construction."Condemning the proposed traffic regulating system adopted by the district administration, the passengers said, "The district administration is not thinking seriously about the growing traffic and congested roads. We are facing a lot of problems and district administration is acting a mute spectator."Deputy Commissioner Bandipora during the fasting month of Ramadan in 2007 announced the opening of newly constructed bus stand but the stand is yet to be opened for public.“It takes a lot of time to cross few meters through the congested roads of Bandipora," said Mushtaq Ahmed, a local teacher.Malik Faheem, a local said: “For years, the town has been facing inordinate traffic system and the administration had to face protests for not enforcing traffic rules properly."Another resident of Bandipora, Zahoor Ahmed said, “Although we had staged protest demonstrations to highlight the problem of growing traffic and lack of bus stand but the authorities were unmoved.”Superintend of Police, Bandipora Sheikh Juniaid Ahmed said, "I have taken charge of the district three days back. In the coming days, the problem of auto-rickshaw drivers and passengers will be solved."Additional Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bhat said, “The construction of new bus stand is complete now. The bus stand will be opened for public in the coming three to five days
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ASHA workers demand pending dues
July 19Mir TariqBandipora, : Demanding immediate released of their wages, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers on Saturday came out on roads in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district and threatened to stage massive demonstration if their incentives are not released.The ASHA activists working under the Sub District Hospital Bandipora said that they are not being paid by the concerned authorities although they had rendered work for their respective villages."We are working in our respective villages. We look after the pregnant women in our locality, inform the health department about the births and deaths and immunize the children in schools and home," said Waheeda Begum. “The concerned officers in the department are not giving compensation for services which we provide under various ongoing State Government and Government of India schemes like institutional delivery under Janani Suraksha Yojana(JSY), completion of DOTS treatment under Rural National TB Control Programme, promotion of household toilets under Total Sanitation Campaign and the overall guidance of District Health Mission.”Another ASHA worker Mehjabeen said, “We counsel women on birth preparedness, immunization, contraceptive, RTI and STI. We mobilize the community and assist them in accessing the services already available at Aganwadi Sub-Centre and PubliC Health Centre. Instead we are getting abuses and disrespect from the concerned authorities."The ASHA workers said that they have not received any wages for their services for the previous one year."We are paying money from our pockets to take pregnant women to the hospital but we are not getting anything," said Sara Begum. "Only those workers are being paid who have influence in the hospital."Under the National Rural Health Mission, these women function as links between the community and the health system. They reinforce community action for universal immunization, safe delivery, newborn care, prevention of communicable diseases, improvement in nutrition and promotion of household toilets.ASHA worker are the health activists in the community who have been engaged by the Health department to create awareness on health and its social determinants, mobilize the community towards local health planning and increased utilization of existing health services. Talking to Rising Kashmir, Block Medical Officer Bandipora, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Malik said, "ASHA worker gets performance-based incentives for promoting universal immunization, referral and escort services for Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) and other healthcare programmes. They have no monthly salary. We are sending the report to higher authorities, which takes time as a result of which ASHA workers are facing problems."He said the pending payment of 2007 of ASHA workers would be released within few days.
Guns roar in J&K as India, Pak begin 5th round of talks
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• Major, cop killed in LeT attack in Rajouri• 2 militants die in B’pora gunfight• Blast rocks Gulmarg, tourist among 2 killed• Militants ambush army patrol in Gandarbal, Handwara
Mir Tariq/Rising Kashmir NewsRajouri / Bandipora / Gulmarg / Srinagar, July 20: An Army major, a policeman, two militants, a tourist and a civilian were killed in fresh militancy related incidents that occurred in both Jammu and Kashmir provinces on Sunday, a day ahead of Indo-Pak talks scheduled to be held on Monday in New Delhi. On Saturday a powerful landmine explosion in city outskirts had claimed 10 army personnel. Meanwhile, two fierce gunfights were going on between militants and troopers at Nagabal, Gandernal and Waderbala, Handwara in border district of Kupwara till late into night.
RajouriThe Lashkar militants attacked an army party, posing as militants at Pagail, Rajouri on Sunday, killing an Army Major and a policeman. Three troopers were also injured in the gunfight.Police sources said that major of 43 RR Bhanu Pratap Singh accompanied by a trooper and SOG man, masquerading as militants, entered into the house of one Mohammad Sharief at Pangai in Thanmandi area of Rajouri. “Major and his men were wearing the attire being used by the militants. He introduced himself as a militant commander to Sharief and asked him that he wants to meet his colleagues, who were present inside the house,” the sources said, adding, “Without smelling any foul play, Sharief informed the hiding militants that their colleagues want to meet them. They asked him to verify the given code. As Sharief was seeking decode from the posing militants (soldiers), the militants got feel of the situation and fled from the house”.They opened fire from automatic weapons towards Major and his party. “Major Banu Pratap and police constable Angurana died on spot while three other troopers were injured. The injured were hospitalised,” sources said, adding, “Militants managed to escape from the area”.After the militant attack, 43 RR personnel arrested Sharief along with his whole family. The arrested include the house owner, his won, Mohammad Zubair, Gulzara Begum and Samina Begum. The army cordoned off the whole area and launched massive combing and search operations to flush out the militants. However, no arrests were reported. Defence spokesman, Col S D Goswami confirmed the killing of the officer and policeman. “We had information that a group of militants was roaming in Kundapangai forest in Thanamandi belt of Rajouri. At around 2 am, 43 RR and SOG men launched a joint operation to flush out the militants. During the operation, militants fired on the troopers, killing Major and policeman and injuring three soldiers”, he said.He identified the injured troopers as Rifleman Ravinder Singh, Lance Naik Gain Prakash and constable Javed . Meanwhile, Lashkar-e-Toiba has claimed the responsibility of the attack and claimed that its cadres 'inflicted heavy causality to the security forces'.In a telephonic statement to a Jammu based news agency, NAK, Lashkar spokesman, Dr Abdullah Gaznavi claimed that army ambushed a group of LeT militants during the night hours and in counter ambush by activists of the group, four soldiers including an Army Major was killed. “Our cadres reached their destinations safely", he claimed. BandiporaTwo militants including a top commander of Lashkar Toiba (LeT) were killed in an encounter at Challivan, Bandipora on Sunday.Police sources said that army’s 23 Punjab Regiment and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel on specific information launched a combing and search operation at village Challivan, Aragm in Bandipora. “Two militants were hiding in the area and we got the information after tapping the mobile phone of a militant Gowhar Bhat who talked to his family members in Shopian last night,” sources said.They said “After plugging off all the possible escape routes, the soldiers zeroed-in on a residential house of Muhammad Yousuf Qureshi and asked the militants present inside to surrender,” sources said.They said that the militants turned down the offer and fired from automatic weapons towards the troopers. “The fire was returned and in the ensuing gunfight, a Lashkar commander and his associate were killed,” they said, adding, “The house suffered damage during the gunfight.” A cowshed was also damaged during the encounter.Police identified the slain militant commander as Abu Zaid alias Abu Zair alias Abu Zubair of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. His accomplice was identified as Gowhar Ahmed Thokar alias Zubair son of Muhammad Hussein Thokar of Chaki Chollan Shopain.Police sources said that Gowhar joined Lashkar in March 2008 while Abu Zaid was a senior militant of the outfit. “Abu Zaid was operative in Lolab, Bandipora and Kangan area of North Kashmir. He was active since 2001 in Bandipora and Sopore areas of North Kashmir and was involved in the killing of a Territorial Army soldier at Bandipora in the year 2006. He was the master mind behind LeT operations in Sopore and Srinagar city. He also acted as the launching commander of Lashkar for North Kashmir since 2003,” police claimed. Troops claimed recovery of 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 magazines and some quantity of ammunition from the encounter site.Talking to Rising Kashmir, Brigadier U K Grung termed the killing of two militants as a setback to Lashkar Toiba. “The movement of militants is now confined to the forests and the upper reaches of the district. We are following their movement and trapping them before they enter the town or rural areas,” he added.GulmargA tourist hailing from Uttar Pradesh and a 13 year old pony-wala were killed and six others injured in a powerful explosion at health resort of Gulmarg on Sunday.Police said the militants lobbed a hand grenade towards a parked vehicle near Telephone Exchange, Gulmarg. “The grenade rebounded from the vehicle and exploded on the road, causing on spot death of a tourist, Ashok Kumar son of Ram Shankan of Utter Pradesh. Eight persons including a tourist were also injured and were hospitalised,” police said.One of the critically injured identified as Mohmmad Yousf son of Jalal-ud-Din of Baba Reshi died in Sub District Hospital, Tangmarg. He was a pony-wala.The injured identified as Joginder Singh, Joginder Swami, Parkhair Tiwari, Mohammad Yousuf Chouhan and Parvez Ahmad are undergoing treatment in SDH Tangmarg and SMHS, Srinagar. The blast created caused panic among the tourists and locals in the health resort and they ran for cover. SSP Baramulla, Anand Jain while confirming the killing of two persons said that investigations are going on to ascertain the nature of the blast.IGP operations, North Kashmir, B Srinivas and DC Baramulla Basir Khan rushed to spot to review the situation. No militant group has owned the responsibility of the blast. This is the third explosion in Valley in as many days. On Friday, militants targeted a CRPF vehicle in Banihal, injuring 35 persons including six troopers. On Saturday, Hizbul militants blow up an army vehicle, killing nine soldiers and injuring others. SrinagarPolice and army cordoned off Nagbal area in Ganderbal after militants opened fire and hurled grenades on vehicles passing through the road on Sunday evening, police said.SP Ganderbal Razak Khan said soon after the firing and grenade blast, police and 5 RR sealed the entire area of Nagabal and launched combing and search operations. “During initial contact, there was an exchange of fire. The intermittent firing is going on,” said SP, adding, “It is dark now and we may suspend operation and resume it on Monday morning.”CRPF spokesman, Prabhakar Tripathi said that no attack has taken place on Yatris in the area. Meanwhile, the encounter between militants and troopers is going on at Wadarbala, Handwara in border district of Kupwara.Police said that on specific information, 21 RR and SOG Handwara personnel cordoned off the dense forest area of Wadarbala. “During the search operation, militants hiding in the forests opened fire on the search party, triggering a fierce gunfight”, police said.Police said the heavy exchange of gunfire between troopers and militants was going on till late evening. There were no reports of any causality so far
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• Major, cop killed in LeT attack in Rajouri• 2 militants die in B’pora gunfight• Blast rocks Gulmarg, tourist among 2 killed• Militants ambush army patrol in Gandarbal, Handwara
Mir Tariq/Rising Kashmir NewsRajouri / Bandipora / Gulmarg / Srinagar, July 20: An Army major, a policeman, two militants, a tourist and a civilian were killed in fresh militancy related incidents that occurred in both Jammu and Kashmir provinces on Sunday, a day ahead of Indo-Pak talks scheduled to be held on Monday in New Delhi. On Saturday a powerful landmine explosion in city outskirts had claimed 10 army personnel. Meanwhile, two fierce gunfights were going on between militants and troopers at Nagabal, Gandernal and Waderbala, Handwara in border district of Kupwara till late into night.
RajouriThe Lashkar militants attacked an army party, posing as militants at Pagail, Rajouri on Sunday, killing an Army Major and a policeman. Three troopers were also injured in the gunfight.Police sources said that major of 43 RR Bhanu Pratap Singh accompanied by a trooper and SOG man, masquerading as militants, entered into the house of one Mohammad Sharief at Pangai in Thanmandi area of Rajouri. “Major and his men were wearing the attire being used by the militants. He introduced himself as a militant commander to Sharief and asked him that he wants to meet his colleagues, who were present inside the house,” the sources said, adding, “Without smelling any foul play, Sharief informed the hiding militants that their colleagues want to meet them. They asked him to verify the given code. As Sharief was seeking decode from the posing militants (soldiers), the militants got feel of the situation and fled from the house”.They opened fire from automatic weapons towards Major and his party. “Major Banu Pratap and police constable Angurana died on spot while three other troopers were injured. The injured were hospitalised,” sources said, adding, “Militants managed to escape from the area”.After the militant attack, 43 RR personnel arrested Sharief along with his whole family. The arrested include the house owner, his won, Mohammad Zubair, Gulzara Begum and Samina Begum. The army cordoned off the whole area and launched massive combing and search operations to flush out the militants. However, no arrests were reported. Defence spokesman, Col S D Goswami confirmed the killing of the officer and policeman. “We had information that a group of militants was roaming in Kundapangai forest in Thanamandi belt of Rajouri. At around 2 am, 43 RR and SOG men launched a joint operation to flush out the militants. During the operation, militants fired on the troopers, killing Major and policeman and injuring three soldiers”, he said.He identified the injured troopers as Rifleman Ravinder Singh, Lance Naik Gain Prakash and constable Javed . Meanwhile, Lashkar-e-Toiba has claimed the responsibility of the attack and claimed that its cadres 'inflicted heavy causality to the security forces'.In a telephonic statement to a Jammu based news agency, NAK, Lashkar spokesman, Dr Abdullah Gaznavi claimed that army ambushed a group of LeT militants during the night hours and in counter ambush by activists of the group, four soldiers including an Army Major was killed. “Our cadres reached their destinations safely", he claimed. BandiporaTwo militants including a top commander of Lashkar Toiba (LeT) were killed in an encounter at Challivan, Bandipora on Sunday.Police sources said that army’s 23 Punjab Regiment and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel on specific information launched a combing and search operation at village Challivan, Aragm in Bandipora. “Two militants were hiding in the area and we got the information after tapping the mobile phone of a militant Gowhar Bhat who talked to his family members in Shopian last night,” sources said.They said “After plugging off all the possible escape routes, the soldiers zeroed-in on a residential house of Muhammad Yousuf Qureshi and asked the militants present inside to surrender,” sources said.They said that the militants turned down the offer and fired from automatic weapons towards the troopers. “The fire was returned and in the ensuing gunfight, a Lashkar commander and his associate were killed,” they said, adding, “The house suffered damage during the gunfight.” A cowshed was also damaged during the encounter.Police identified the slain militant commander as Abu Zaid alias Abu Zair alias Abu Zubair of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. His accomplice was identified as Gowhar Ahmed Thokar alias Zubair son of Muhammad Hussein Thokar of Chaki Chollan Shopain.Police sources said that Gowhar joined Lashkar in March 2008 while Abu Zaid was a senior militant of the outfit. “Abu Zaid was operative in Lolab, Bandipora and Kangan area of North Kashmir. He was active since 2001 in Bandipora and Sopore areas of North Kashmir and was involved in the killing of a Territorial Army soldier at Bandipora in the year 2006. He was the master mind behind LeT operations in Sopore and Srinagar city. He also acted as the launching commander of Lashkar for North Kashmir since 2003,” police claimed. Troops claimed recovery of 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 magazines and some quantity of ammunition from the encounter site.Talking to Rising Kashmir, Brigadier U K Grung termed the killing of two militants as a setback to Lashkar Toiba. “The movement of militants is now confined to the forests and the upper reaches of the district. We are following their movement and trapping them before they enter the town or rural areas,” he added.GulmargA tourist hailing from Uttar Pradesh and a 13 year old pony-wala were killed and six others injured in a powerful explosion at health resort of Gulmarg on Sunday.Police said the militants lobbed a hand grenade towards a parked vehicle near Telephone Exchange, Gulmarg. “The grenade rebounded from the vehicle and exploded on the road, causing on spot death of a tourist, Ashok Kumar son of Ram Shankan of Utter Pradesh. Eight persons including a tourist were also injured and were hospitalised,” police said.One of the critically injured identified as Mohmmad Yousf son of Jalal-ud-Din of Baba Reshi died in Sub District Hospital, Tangmarg. He was a pony-wala.The injured identified as Joginder Singh, Joginder Swami, Parkhair Tiwari, Mohammad Yousuf Chouhan and Parvez Ahmad are undergoing treatment in SDH Tangmarg and SMHS, Srinagar. The blast created caused panic among the tourists and locals in the health resort and they ran for cover. SSP Baramulla, Anand Jain while confirming the killing of two persons said that investigations are going on to ascertain the nature of the blast.IGP operations, North Kashmir, B Srinivas and DC Baramulla Basir Khan rushed to spot to review the situation. No militant group has owned the responsibility of the blast. This is the third explosion in Valley in as many days. On Friday, militants targeted a CRPF vehicle in Banihal, injuring 35 persons including six troopers. On Saturday, Hizbul militants blow up an army vehicle, killing nine soldiers and injuring others. SrinagarPolice and army cordoned off Nagbal area in Ganderbal after militants opened fire and hurled grenades on vehicles passing through the road on Sunday evening, police said.SP Ganderbal Razak Khan said soon after the firing and grenade blast, police and 5 RR sealed the entire area of Nagabal and launched combing and search operations. “During initial contact, there was an exchange of fire. The intermittent firing is going on,” said SP, adding, “It is dark now and we may suspend operation and resume it on Monday morning.”CRPF spokesman, Prabhakar Tripathi said that no attack has taken place on Yatris in the area. Meanwhile, the encounter between militants and troopers is going on at Wadarbala, Handwara in border district of Kupwara.Police said that on specific information, 21 RR and SOG Handwara personnel cordoned off the dense forest area of Wadarbala. “During the search operation, militants hiding in the forests opened fire on the search party, triggering a fierce gunfight”, police said.Police said the heavy exchange of gunfire between troopers and militants was going on till late evening. There were no reports of any causality so far
Parties kick start election campaigning in Bandipora
Nizam to contest for Bandipora constituency: Bukhari
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 20: The mainstream political parties' on Sunday kick started the election campaign in this newly created north Kashmir district.Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples National Front (PNF), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and Citizens Party (CP) officially kick started the election campaigns in Bandipora on Sunday.While announcing Advocate Nizamudin Bhat as the contesting candidate for Bandipora constituency, PDP chief spokesperson and MLC, Syed Basharat Bukhari launched the poll campaign for Bhat.The PDP delegates preferred to hold the rally inside the official compound of the Bock development Office (BDO), located close to police station. Addressing the workers, Basharat Bukhari said “There was always conflict between the ex-governor, Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayed. “The transfer of land was initiated by the NC but was opposed by the Mufti Sayed,” he said.“PDP and its members strongly protested against the land transfer when people and Syed Ali Shah Geelani did not know about it,” said Bukhari, adding “We fought and forced the government to revoke the controversial land transfer order”. "For the sake of peoples commitment and sentiment we left power and supported peoples’ voice. When Azad was rejected by the people, we supported the Kashmiris and left he power" said Bukhari.On the occasion, Bukhari announced that Advocate Nizam-ud-Din Bhat will contest the coming elections from the Bandipora constituency.He addressed youth during the convention of PDP’s youth wing and made aware them about their responsibilities towards the society. “Youth have a vital role in development of the societies, they should work for the betterment of the downtrodden people,” added Bukhari.In another rally, ex-MLA and patron of Peoples Nation Front Usman Majeed launched his election campaign from the sports stadium. While addressing his supporters, Usman said, “Kashmiris have rejected PDP, Congress and NC. We need the regional parties, who will work according to the desires of the people. Other national and sate level parties are working according to Indian interests”.Alleging that NC, Congress, PDP and BJP leaders in the state are not sincere to people, Usman claimed that want to sell Kashmir and its people and this was proved by the land transfer order to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. “Had people not resisted, they would have been sold off”, he added.Another rally was organised by the Hakeem Yaseen's PDF candidate Muhammad Abdullah Wani.Addressing the party workers Wani said, “We should make the people conscious about the national and international developments regarding the Kashmir Issue. We should expose them to the reality of the politicians and leaders, who are working for their own interests”.Academician turned politician, Prof Muhammed Isamil Ashan also launched his poll campaign from Kaloosa Bandipora. He addressed hundreds of his supporters and asserted that if voted to power he will work for the welfare of the people.
Nizam to contest for Bandipora constituency: Bukhari
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 20: The mainstream political parties' on Sunday kick started the election campaign in this newly created north Kashmir district.Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples National Front (PNF), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and Citizens Party (CP) officially kick started the election campaigns in Bandipora on Sunday.While announcing Advocate Nizamudin Bhat as the contesting candidate for Bandipora constituency, PDP chief spokesperson and MLC, Syed Basharat Bukhari launched the poll campaign for Bhat.The PDP delegates preferred to hold the rally inside the official compound of the Bock development Office (BDO), located close to police station. Addressing the workers, Basharat Bukhari said “There was always conflict between the ex-governor, Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayed. “The transfer of land was initiated by the NC but was opposed by the Mufti Sayed,” he said.“PDP and its members strongly protested against the land transfer when people and Syed Ali Shah Geelani did not know about it,” said Bukhari, adding “We fought and forced the government to revoke the controversial land transfer order”. "For the sake of peoples commitment and sentiment we left power and supported peoples’ voice. When Azad was rejected by the people, we supported the Kashmiris and left he power" said Bukhari.On the occasion, Bukhari announced that Advocate Nizam-ud-Din Bhat will contest the coming elections from the Bandipora constituency.He addressed youth during the convention of PDP’s youth wing and made aware them about their responsibilities towards the society. “Youth have a vital role in development of the societies, they should work for the betterment of the downtrodden people,” added Bukhari.In another rally, ex-MLA and patron of Peoples Nation Front Usman Majeed launched his election campaign from the sports stadium. While addressing his supporters, Usman said, “Kashmiris have rejected PDP, Congress and NC. We need the regional parties, who will work according to the desires of the people. Other national and sate level parties are working according to Indian interests”.Alleging that NC, Congress, PDP and BJP leaders in the state are not sincere to people, Usman claimed that want to sell Kashmir and its people and this was proved by the land transfer order to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. “Had people not resisted, they would have been sold off”, he added.Another rally was organised by the Hakeem Yaseen's PDF candidate Muhammad Abdullah Wani.Addressing the party workers Wani said, “We should make the people conscious about the national and international developments regarding the Kashmir Issue. We should expose them to the reality of the politicians and leaders, who are working for their own interests”.Academician turned politician, Prof Muhammed Isamil Ashan also launched his poll campaign from Kaloosa Bandipora. He addressed hundreds of his supporters and asserted that if voted to power he will work for the welfare of the people.
Allegations of copying in Bandipora exam centres
Special team formed to check copying: BOSE Chairman
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 21: The private schools in this newly created Bandipora district are flouting the rules of Board of School Education (BOSE). There are allegations that unfair means and copying is being resorted by the students of these institutions during the ongoing private 10th class examination.There are allegations that students are resorting to mass copying in the examination centres. There are even allegations that teachers are openly dictating the answers to the students. “The school authorities charge hefty amounts from students or their parents for getting them passed in the exams. The copying facilities are provided to students in accordance with the amount paid by them” alleged a teacher Aashiq (name changed) who refused to attend exam duties after detecting mass copying in the school. “The school owners and exam contractors are making lots of money,” he further alleged.Thousands of students are appearing in the 10th and 12th class private examinations at nearly 35 centres set up in the district. Of these centres, four have been set up in private educational institutes Mehboob-ul-Aalam College (C.No:406,407), Wular Valley College (411), Eaglets Public School (409, 410) and Green Land Educational Institute Sumbal, SonawariThe students and the parents demanded the exam centre set up in private institutes should be shifted to other schools in order to ensure smooth conduct of examinations. "The centres in the private institutes should be changed to government schools in order to stop the mass copying further" said Ghulam Ahmed.A BOSE pleading anonymity claimed that the owners of private BEd Colleges and higher secondary schools approach the board authorities and succeed in arranging the examination in their colleges and institutes by resorting to some unfair means.When contacted Sectional Officer Sub –Office BOSE Bandipora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sheikh said, “We are following the roaster issue by BOSE’s central office”. He, however, said that interference of non staff member in the exam has to be eliminated at all costs. Sheikh said that 45 cases of copying have been registered in three days. “This shows that we are taking every measure to ensure smooth conduct of examinations”.Talking to Rising Kashmir, BOSE chairman, Prof Nazir Ahmed said, “The copying will be checked at all costs. A special team will be deputed to the examination centers, where from complaints of mass copying have been received.”
Special team formed to check copying: BOSE Chairman
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 21: The private schools in this newly created Bandipora district are flouting the rules of Board of School Education (BOSE). There are allegations that unfair means and copying is being resorted by the students of these institutions during the ongoing private 10th class examination.There are allegations that students are resorting to mass copying in the examination centres. There are even allegations that teachers are openly dictating the answers to the students. “The school authorities charge hefty amounts from students or their parents for getting them passed in the exams. The copying facilities are provided to students in accordance with the amount paid by them” alleged a teacher Aashiq (name changed) who refused to attend exam duties after detecting mass copying in the school. “The school owners and exam contractors are making lots of money,” he further alleged.Thousands of students are appearing in the 10th and 12th class private examinations at nearly 35 centres set up in the district. Of these centres, four have been set up in private educational institutes Mehboob-ul-Aalam College (C.No:406,407), Wular Valley College (411), Eaglets Public School (409, 410) and Green Land Educational Institute Sumbal, SonawariThe students and the parents demanded the exam centre set up in private institutes should be shifted to other schools in order to ensure smooth conduct of examinations. "The centres in the private institutes should be changed to government schools in order to stop the mass copying further" said Ghulam Ahmed.A BOSE pleading anonymity claimed that the owners of private BEd Colleges and higher secondary schools approach the board authorities and succeed in arranging the examination in their colleges and institutes by resorting to some unfair means.When contacted Sectional Officer Sub –Office BOSE Bandipora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sheikh said, “We are following the roaster issue by BOSE’s central office”. He, however, said that interference of non staff member in the exam has to be eliminated at all costs. Sheikh said that 45 cases of copying have been registered in three days. “This shows that we are taking every measure to ensure smooth conduct of examinations”.Talking to Rising Kashmir, BOSE chairman, Prof Nazir Ahmed said, “The copying will be checked at all costs. A special team will be deputed to the examination centers, where from complaints of mass copying have been received.”
Bandipora village without electricity
Vewan villagers burn firewood to illuminate houses
Mir TariqBandipora, July 6: Even in this scientific age the residents of Vewan in Bandipora burn the “dilli lash” (torch wood) to illuminate their homes. The village, which is few kilometers away from the district headquarters has not been provided electricity yet by the Power Development Department (PDD)The villagers said that electricity has not reached to their village yet. “We are still living in the dark age. More than 60 years have passed since India became independent but we haven't been provided electricity by the government," said Wali Muhammad. He said, "Leaders come here and make false promises. Nobody is bothered to provide us with basic facilities like electricity. We are living in the dark age." Around 200 families inhabit the Vewa village, situated amidst thick forest in Athwatoo division. “Though the village is not far from the district headquarters, people continue to suffer due to the callous attitude of the respective regimes,” said the villagers.An elderly person, Mohammad Ismail said, “During my life, I have never seen electricity and I think I won't be able to see it in my lifetime”.The residents said that they have not fitted wires in their houses. “We know that electricity won't reach to this village so we haven't undertaken wire fittings. We burn wood to illuminate our houses,” said another villager. Children are the worst sufferers as they cannot study in the evening and during night hours. "Most of the children fail in the exams because they don't have electricity to study during night hours,” said Fayaz Ahmad, headmaster Middle School Vewan.He said that most of the students have to travel 10 to 15 km daily to reach the school. “By the time they reach home in the evening, it is already dark and hence they cannot complete their homework,” he said.Meanwhile, various villages in Athwatoo division like Labkachaal, Tangtari, Herpora, which are situated few kilometers from the district headquarters, lack basic facilities like potable water, electricity, healthcare facilities and road connectivity. People in most of the villages in Athwatoo division have to walk for hours together to fetch a bucker of water from a Tresangam stream. “The water in the stream flows fast and so far it has claimed more than 50 lives. We don’t have any option but to fetch water from the fast flowing stream. We are putting our lives to risk,” said the villagers. The situation is worst at Vewan village, where the authorities have not even installed a water pump. The government is compelling people to rely on natural resources. “The state government never bothered to provide clean and hygienic water to us. We rely totally on natural resources. Despite fully knowing that water is not worth drinking, we use it for drinking purposes,” said Mohammad Amin The villagers said that the successive regimes in the State have totally ignored them. “They have not carried out any developmental activities,” said the residents. However, officials refuse to share the blame and instead accuse the residents of the villages for causing unnecessary delay in the developmental works. Talking to Rising Kashmir, Executive Engineer PDD Bashir Ahmed Wani said "Vewan is a remotest village of the district and we are going to connect it with 11000 KV transmission line under the centrally sponsored Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) scheme”.He expressed the hope that all Vewan would be having electricity soon.
Vewan villagers burn firewood to illuminate houses
Mir TariqBandipora, July 6: Even in this scientific age the residents of Vewan in Bandipora burn the “dilli lash” (torch wood) to illuminate their homes. The village, which is few kilometers away from the district headquarters has not been provided electricity yet by the Power Development Department (PDD)The villagers said that electricity has not reached to their village yet. “We are still living in the dark age. More than 60 years have passed since India became independent but we haven't been provided electricity by the government," said Wali Muhammad. He said, "Leaders come here and make false promises. Nobody is bothered to provide us with basic facilities like electricity. We are living in the dark age." Around 200 families inhabit the Vewa village, situated amidst thick forest in Athwatoo division. “Though the village is not far from the district headquarters, people continue to suffer due to the callous attitude of the respective regimes,” said the villagers.An elderly person, Mohammad Ismail said, “During my life, I have never seen electricity and I think I won't be able to see it in my lifetime”.The residents said that they have not fitted wires in their houses. “We know that electricity won't reach to this village so we haven't undertaken wire fittings. We burn wood to illuminate our houses,” said another villager. Children are the worst sufferers as they cannot study in the evening and during night hours. "Most of the children fail in the exams because they don't have electricity to study during night hours,” said Fayaz Ahmad, headmaster Middle School Vewan.He said that most of the students have to travel 10 to 15 km daily to reach the school. “By the time they reach home in the evening, it is already dark and hence they cannot complete their homework,” he said.Meanwhile, various villages in Athwatoo division like Labkachaal, Tangtari, Herpora, which are situated few kilometers from the district headquarters, lack basic facilities like potable water, electricity, healthcare facilities and road connectivity. People in most of the villages in Athwatoo division have to walk for hours together to fetch a bucker of water from a Tresangam stream. “The water in the stream flows fast and so far it has claimed more than 50 lives. We don’t have any option but to fetch water from the fast flowing stream. We are putting our lives to risk,” said the villagers. The situation is worst at Vewan village, where the authorities have not even installed a water pump. The government is compelling people to rely on natural resources. “The state government never bothered to provide clean and hygienic water to us. We rely totally on natural resources. Despite fully knowing that water is not worth drinking, we use it for drinking purposes,” said Mohammad Amin The villagers said that the successive regimes in the State have totally ignored them. “They have not carried out any developmental activities,” said the residents. However, officials refuse to share the blame and instead accuse the residents of the villages for causing unnecessary delay in the developmental works. Talking to Rising Kashmir, Executive Engineer PDD Bashir Ahmed Wani said "Vewan is a remotest village of the district and we are going to connect it with 11000 KV transmission line under the centrally sponsored Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) scheme”.He expressed the hope that all Vewan would be having electricity soon.
Athwatoo: An Amazing Trek by Mir Tariq
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The sound of these gushing waters turns musical amid the calm ambience when one closes all the windows of self to the outside world. The mere stay for an hour seems to be a spiritual meditation of ages. This brief excursion inwards is the rewarding experience in the contemporary times when we hardly get time to be with our own self, writes Mir Tariq.
Crystal clear waters, cool breeze, mountains, and deodars — this all makes what is known as Athwatoo! Once the famous tourist destination in Bandipore has now turned into ruins due to careless attitude of government.Having beautiful natural scenery, Athwatoo 20 Km from Bandipore town was receiving huge flow of tourists till 1989. Time and the public indifference have rendered the tourist huts constructed in early 70's dilapidated and in extremely bad condition needing urgent government attention.
Athwatoo has alpine weather conditions. Summers are mild and pleasant from April to October, while winters are harshly cold accompanied by heavy snowfalls from November to March. Athwatoo is located in the midst of mountains bordering forests, where two beautiful rivers Sangam and Tanghta meet enhancing the beauty of the spot further which attracts every visitor whether tourists or locals. There are road signs to lead you to Athwatoo, which indicates that the area was once fully developed."Road was constructed with finished stones (Diver Kani) in early 70's by the government and tourists were visiting the spot in huge numbers" said Muhammad Anwar a local, adding "now only locals are visiting this spot, if government advertise this spot again same tourists flow will be regained" To reach Athwatoo one has to cross a narrow wooden bridge from where you get view of Athwatoo and other adjacent beautiful peaks of Vewan, Branar, Tanghat and Tangpatri. From here you could take pictures of the scenic beauty as well as the relieving natural showers that tourists would enjoy during the sweltering heat of summers. Now the showers seem to be waiting for the tourists and other visitors.Just keep following the track, and in a few minutes you would find yourself facing the beautiful mountains of Athwatoo and Vewan, where local mountaineers can be seen busy in making arrangements for the trekking trips."We come here every year to enjoy the trekking in the peaks of Athwatoo. It is a beautiful tourist destination and government should ensure that it appears on tourist maps of the state as it was visited by outsiders particularly foreigners before 1989"said a mountaineer Inam-ul-Rehman, adding "this tourist Spot needs immediate attention of government especially tourist department. It can boost the revenue of the government""The opening of this tourist destination will make the area peaceful. And every one can enjoy the natural beauty" said Ghulam Ahmed Kucchay, a mountaineer.One can really relax on the big boulders that dot the rivers with rushing waters. The sound of these gushing waters turns musical amid the calm ambience when one closes all the windows of self to the outside world and begins to settle within. The mere stay for an hour seems to be a spiritual meditation of ages. This brief excursion inwards is the rewarding experience in the contemporary times when we hardly get time to be with our own self. Submerging ones feet in cold water while laying back on the boulders during summers is a cool thing one enjoys a lot there. If you find the water not too cold, you could perhaps bathe in the river. This is a nice place to have a lunch, but if you don't have it packed. If you have a camera or a video camera, there is lot of photo opportunities here. Short treks could be made further up by following the river, but one must not venture too far. Even in summer, you could easily spend half a day in this place, as the wind is quite cool. The hydro Electric Project under construction (opening in September) is adding more to the beauty of the spot, it looks a foreign tourist destination. Executive Officer Wular and Mansbal Development Authority (WAMDA) Farooq Ahmed Mir said that the government is going to develop the Athwatoo tourist spot in coming few months."A project proposal worth 300 crore has been sent to the union government which has been approved also. Due to some technicalities the work has not been started on the spot, which will be initiated in coming few months" Mir said
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The sound of these gushing waters turns musical amid the calm ambience when one closes all the windows of self to the outside world. The mere stay for an hour seems to be a spiritual meditation of ages. This brief excursion inwards is the rewarding experience in the contemporary times when we hardly get time to be with our own self, writes Mir Tariq.
Crystal clear waters, cool breeze, mountains, and deodars — this all makes what is known as Athwatoo! Once the famous tourist destination in Bandipore has now turned into ruins due to careless attitude of government.Having beautiful natural scenery, Athwatoo 20 Km from Bandipore town was receiving huge flow of tourists till 1989. Time and the public indifference have rendered the tourist huts constructed in early 70's dilapidated and in extremely bad condition needing urgent government attention.
Athwatoo has alpine weather conditions. Summers are mild and pleasant from April to October, while winters are harshly cold accompanied by heavy snowfalls from November to March. Athwatoo is located in the midst of mountains bordering forests, where two beautiful rivers Sangam and Tanghta meet enhancing the beauty of the spot further which attracts every visitor whether tourists or locals. There are road signs to lead you to Athwatoo, which indicates that the area was once fully developed."Road was constructed with finished stones (Diver Kani) in early 70's by the government and tourists were visiting the spot in huge numbers" said Muhammad Anwar a local, adding "now only locals are visiting this spot, if government advertise this spot again same tourists flow will be regained" To reach Athwatoo one has to cross a narrow wooden bridge from where you get view of Athwatoo and other adjacent beautiful peaks of Vewan, Branar, Tanghat and Tangpatri. From here you could take pictures of the scenic beauty as well as the relieving natural showers that tourists would enjoy during the sweltering heat of summers. Now the showers seem to be waiting for the tourists and other visitors.Just keep following the track, and in a few minutes you would find yourself facing the beautiful mountains of Athwatoo and Vewan, where local mountaineers can be seen busy in making arrangements for the trekking trips."We come here every year to enjoy the trekking in the peaks of Athwatoo. It is a beautiful tourist destination and government should ensure that it appears on tourist maps of the state as it was visited by outsiders particularly foreigners before 1989"said a mountaineer Inam-ul-Rehman, adding "this tourist Spot needs immediate attention of government especially tourist department. It can boost the revenue of the government""The opening of this tourist destination will make the area peaceful. And every one can enjoy the natural beauty" said Ghulam Ahmed Kucchay, a mountaineer.One can really relax on the big boulders that dot the rivers with rushing waters. The sound of these gushing waters turns musical amid the calm ambience when one closes all the windows of self to the outside world and begins to settle within. The mere stay for an hour seems to be a spiritual meditation of ages. This brief excursion inwards is the rewarding experience in the contemporary times when we hardly get time to be with our own self. Submerging ones feet in cold water while laying back on the boulders during summers is a cool thing one enjoys a lot there. If you find the water not too cold, you could perhaps bathe in the river. This is a nice place to have a lunch, but if you don't have it packed. If you have a camera or a video camera, there is lot of photo opportunities here. Short treks could be made further up by following the river, but one must not venture too far. Even in summer, you could easily spend half a day in this place, as the wind is quite cool. The hydro Electric Project under construction (opening in September) is adding more to the beauty of the spot, it looks a foreign tourist destination. Executive Officer Wular and Mansbal Development Authority (WAMDA) Farooq Ahmed Mir said that the government is going to develop the Athwatoo tourist spot in coming few months."A project proposal worth 300 crore has been sent to the union government which has been approved also. Due to some technicalities the work has not been started on the spot, which will be initiated in coming few months" Mir said
Dead figure in fresh voter-list
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Mir TariqBandipora, July 23: Hundreds of dead have surfaced in the voter lists of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.Moreover, the changed names, repetition and missing of names is a common feature in the voter lists"On Page No 30/31 of the voters list of Panzigam (31) the entry states: Sajad Ahmed Khan, 40 of Khan Mohalla Panzigam, Voter No 165. I cried today after learning that his name has figured in the voter list. He died three years back,” said his 63-year-old mother Misra Begum.
Sajad Ahmed Khan died four years back but electoral roll shows he is alive.There is another entry in the name of Khawaja Rahat Mir on Page No 5/36 in voter list of Kaloosa Nathpora having voter No 47."On April 2007, we observed fifth death anniversary of our father," said son Muhammad Sultan Mir.Muhammad Rajab Hajam voter No 72 on Page 10/36 of the same ward and in the same voter list is shown alive although he died in 2004."The voter lists are replete with mention of died voters, missing of names, repetition and name change. It should be modified and responsible persons should be punished in order to avoid repetition of these blunders," said Muhammad Arif Lone, a voter adding, "The employees deployed on duty of framing voter lists are committing these blunders because of some their ulterior motives."They are not the only people who, according to the official list released by the government are eligible to exercise their franchise in the coming elections. Of the thousands of voters in the district, dozens of people who have died long ago have their names in the list.There are also some repetitions with some names figuring in more than one voter list.Abdul Majeeed Mir son of Abdul Gani Mir and his family members who have shifted to Ward 1 Nowpora from Ward 14 Nathpora 5 years back have their names in the voter lists of two wards while in Panzigam, only two members of Safder Ali's eight-member family figure in the list. "We have been staying at the same place for over 50 years now but only two members are in voter list," he says.In Kaloosa Nathpora, Abdul Majeeed Mir son of Abdul Gani Mir has voter No 203 and house No 44. Mir also figures in the voter list of Nowpora Ward 1 under No 1402 on page No 64/72. Similarly the eight member family of Abdul Majeed Mir figures in two separate voter lists."The repetition of voters in more than one ward is deliberately done by the Booth Level Officers (BLO) who have been given this job by the pro-India politicians,” an official source said adding they are doing these this to increase the voter turnout.The names who have figured twice or more are mostly the people affiliated with the pro-India political parties.However the concerned BLOs say that the voter lists were prepared after tallying it with the voter lists of the last assembly elections.Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Bashir Ahmed Bhat who is also the election officer said that I will check it and clear the mistakes.“Anybody having any complaint regarding the repetition of voters in the voter list should call at 951957-22099.”Bhat said all the BLOs are locals and are aware of their localities. “They are impartial,” Bhat added
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Mir TariqBandipora, July 23: Hundreds of dead have surfaced in the voter lists of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.Moreover, the changed names, repetition and missing of names is a common feature in the voter lists"On Page No 30/31 of the voters list of Panzigam (31) the entry states: Sajad Ahmed Khan, 40 of Khan Mohalla Panzigam, Voter No 165. I cried today after learning that his name has figured in the voter list. He died three years back,” said his 63-year-old mother Misra Begum.
Sajad Ahmed Khan died four years back but electoral roll shows he is alive.There is another entry in the name of Khawaja Rahat Mir on Page No 5/36 in voter list of Kaloosa Nathpora having voter No 47."On April 2007, we observed fifth death anniversary of our father," said son Muhammad Sultan Mir.Muhammad Rajab Hajam voter No 72 on Page 10/36 of the same ward and in the same voter list is shown alive although he died in 2004."The voter lists are replete with mention of died voters, missing of names, repetition and name change. It should be modified and responsible persons should be punished in order to avoid repetition of these blunders," said Muhammad Arif Lone, a voter adding, "The employees deployed on duty of framing voter lists are committing these blunders because of some their ulterior motives."They are not the only people who, according to the official list released by the government are eligible to exercise their franchise in the coming elections. Of the thousands of voters in the district, dozens of people who have died long ago have their names in the list.There are also some repetitions with some names figuring in more than one voter list.Abdul Majeeed Mir son of Abdul Gani Mir and his family members who have shifted to Ward 1 Nowpora from Ward 14 Nathpora 5 years back have their names in the voter lists of two wards while in Panzigam, only two members of Safder Ali's eight-member family figure in the list. "We have been staying at the same place for over 50 years now but only two members are in voter list," he says.In Kaloosa Nathpora, Abdul Majeeed Mir son of Abdul Gani Mir has voter No 203 and house No 44. Mir also figures in the voter list of Nowpora Ward 1 under No 1402 on page No 64/72. Similarly the eight member family of Abdul Majeed Mir figures in two separate voter lists."The repetition of voters in more than one ward is deliberately done by the Booth Level Officers (BLO) who have been given this job by the pro-India politicians,” an official source said adding they are doing these this to increase the voter turnout.The names who have figured twice or more are mostly the people affiliated with the pro-India political parties.However the concerned BLOs say that the voter lists were prepared after tallying it with the voter lists of the last assembly elections.Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Bashir Ahmed Bhat who is also the election officer said that I will check it and clear the mistakes.“Anybody having any complaint regarding the repetition of voters in the voter list should call at 951957-22099.”Bhat said all the BLOs are locals and are aware of their localities. “They are impartial,” Bhat added
Students suffer as teacher perform poll revision duty
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Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 22: The district administration’s decision to involve teachers in the poll revision duty is affecting the studies of thousands of students as the schools are facing shortage of teachers in this newly created district. Hundreds of government schools in Bandipora district are facing shortage of teachers. “The teachers have been assigned the duty to revise the electoral rolls and as such they are unable to visit the schools,” said a teacher of a government school. He said that the studies of students have suffered a lot in absence of teachers.
“The schools already confront shortage of teachers and by involving the teachers in the poll revision process, the authorities have aggravated the problem and put the career of students at stake,” he added.Sources said that the election department has involved hundreds of teachers of the district for the revision of the electoral rolls. They said that at least 80 per cent of the total poll duty staff comprises teachers only. Some of the teachers, who have been assigned the duty to monitor the poll revision process, told Rising Kashmir, “We have been asked by DC Bandipora and higher authorities of the education department to be part of the process. It is impossible for us to do two works at the same time. The revision of electoral rolls is a lengthy process and is taking its toll on us. We are unable to concentrate on our profession due to which students are suffering”.The schools with just one or two teachers are the worst hit. “Scores of schools have been rendered totally functionless as the lone teacher in the institutes too has been involved in the poll revision process,” source said."We are facing lot of problems as our teachers remain busy in the revision of poll materials. Our studies have been badly affected," said Muhammad Amin, class 8th student. A 10th class student, Shahida said, “We were close to finishing the syllabus but unfortunately our teachers have been deputed to some other work by the government. The exams are nearing and we have still not completed the main portion of the syllabus”.Shahida urged the district administration to relieve their teachers from the poll revision duty so that they can teach them and finish the syllabus. “They should be allowed to finish our syllabus so that we can prepare for the examination,” she added.Parents complain that due to non availability of teachers in the schools, their wards are not spending much time in the institutes. “Exam time is near and the authorities should not disturb teachers and let them complete the syllabus of the students. For us the education of our wards is more important than the poll revision process,” said a group of parents.Sources said that shortage of teachers in government schools have been brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora and officials of education department. When contacted Chief Education Officer Bandipora Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Ahanger said, "The revision of electoral rolls being performed by teachers is a part-time job. They can do it after finishing the school work"He added, “"If there is shortage of teachers in schools, alternative arrangement will be made to ensure that the studies of students is not hit”.
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Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 22: The district administration’s decision to involve teachers in the poll revision duty is affecting the studies of thousands of students as the schools are facing shortage of teachers in this newly created district. Hundreds of government schools in Bandipora district are facing shortage of teachers. “The teachers have been assigned the duty to revise the electoral rolls and as such they are unable to visit the schools,” said a teacher of a government school. He said that the studies of students have suffered a lot in absence of teachers.
“The schools already confront shortage of teachers and by involving the teachers in the poll revision process, the authorities have aggravated the problem and put the career of students at stake,” he added.Sources said that the election department has involved hundreds of teachers of the district for the revision of the electoral rolls. They said that at least 80 per cent of the total poll duty staff comprises teachers only. Some of the teachers, who have been assigned the duty to monitor the poll revision process, told Rising Kashmir, “We have been asked by DC Bandipora and higher authorities of the education department to be part of the process. It is impossible for us to do two works at the same time. The revision of electoral rolls is a lengthy process and is taking its toll on us. We are unable to concentrate on our profession due to which students are suffering”.The schools with just one or two teachers are the worst hit. “Scores of schools have been rendered totally functionless as the lone teacher in the institutes too has been involved in the poll revision process,” source said."We are facing lot of problems as our teachers remain busy in the revision of poll materials. Our studies have been badly affected," said Muhammad Amin, class 8th student. A 10th class student, Shahida said, “We were close to finishing the syllabus but unfortunately our teachers have been deputed to some other work by the government. The exams are nearing and we have still not completed the main portion of the syllabus”.Shahida urged the district administration to relieve their teachers from the poll revision duty so that they can teach them and finish the syllabus. “They should be allowed to finish our syllabus so that we can prepare for the examination,” she added.Parents complain that due to non availability of teachers in the schools, their wards are not spending much time in the institutes. “Exam time is near and the authorities should not disturb teachers and let them complete the syllabus of the students. For us the education of our wards is more important than the poll revision process,” said a group of parents.Sources said that shortage of teachers in government schools have been brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora and officials of education department. When contacted Chief Education Officer Bandipora Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Ahanger said, "The revision of electoral rolls being performed by teachers is a part-time job. They can do it after finishing the school work"He added, “"If there is shortage of teachers in schools, alternative arrangement will be made to ensure that the studies of students is not hit”.
Fear comes full circle in Bandipora
Mir TariqBandipora: Bandipora residents on Monday alleged that masked men supported by BSF and army are terrorising some villages of Bandipora.According to locals, some masked men with able support of army and BSF roam at night and throw stones at the residential houses. Monday evening these masked men at Hashmir Masjid attacked the Nimazis with iron nails. One person was injured. “The injured person raised hue and cry and that arrested our attention. We rushed to the spot and chased these men who were wearing mask and iron nails. As soon as they saw us they run away and to our amazement an army vehicle picked them up,” said a local on pleading anonymity fearing reprisal from the army. Locals allege that this is going on for the past one week. The terrorised village include, Ayat Mohallah, Ajaar, Garpora, Nowpora. The locals also alleged that the Station House Officer (SHO) didn’t pick up the phone when called. “When we went to the police station to complain, police didn’t open the door of the station,” they added.
Mir TariqBandipora: Bandipora residents on Monday alleged that masked men supported by BSF and army are terrorising some villages of Bandipora.According to locals, some masked men with able support of army and BSF roam at night and throw stones at the residential houses. Monday evening these masked men at Hashmir Masjid attacked the Nimazis with iron nails. One person was injured. “The injured person raised hue and cry and that arrested our attention. We rushed to the spot and chased these men who were wearing mask and iron nails. As soon as they saw us they run away and to our amazement an army vehicle picked them up,” said a local on pleading anonymity fearing reprisal from the army. Locals allege that this is going on for the past one week. The terrorised village include, Ayat Mohallah, Ajaar, Garpora, Nowpora. The locals also alleged that the Station House Officer (SHO) didn’t pick up the phone when called. “When we went to the police station to complain, police didn’t open the door of the station,” they added.
Body fished out from Wular
Deploy coast guards in Lake: FishermenMir
TariqBandipora, July 26: Body of 25 year old woman, who was drowned in Wular Lake, was fished out by a fisherman on Saturday. Hameeda, 25, daughter of Mohammad Ramzan had drowned in Wular Lake after fast winds blew in the Thursday afternoon in Bandipora. After three days, a fisherman namely Nazir Ahmed Dar managed to pull out her body from the weeds in the Wular Lake."I was on fishing in the Wular on Saturday. When I put fishing hook in the water, it clung to the clothing of the deceased," said Nazir Ahmed, adding, "I managed in pulling out her body from the lake". It is pertinent to mention here that police and army divers were trying to locate and fish out her body from the Lake during past three days. They, however, failed in their efforts.Meanwhile, the fishermen have demanded that proper arrangements should be taken to avoid the routine drowning incidents in the Lake."May to August are the months of caltrop (Singardy) extraction, which is done by female folk of the community;" said Muhammad Akram, adding "Government should appoint coast guards order to prevent the people from drowning into the lake".It is here pertinent to mention that every afternoon the fatal wave are erupting from the Wular lake.
Deploy coast guards in Lake: FishermenMir
TariqBandipora, July 26: Body of 25 year old woman, who was drowned in Wular Lake, was fished out by a fisherman on Saturday. Hameeda, 25, daughter of Mohammad Ramzan had drowned in Wular Lake after fast winds blew in the Thursday afternoon in Bandipora. After three days, a fisherman namely Nazir Ahmed Dar managed to pull out her body from the weeds in the Wular Lake."I was on fishing in the Wular on Saturday. When I put fishing hook in the water, it clung to the clothing of the deceased," said Nazir Ahmed, adding, "I managed in pulling out her body from the lake". It is pertinent to mention here that police and army divers were trying to locate and fish out her body from the Lake during past three days. They, however, failed in their efforts.Meanwhile, the fishermen have demanded that proper arrangements should be taken to avoid the routine drowning incidents in the Lake."May to August are the months of caltrop (Singardy) extraction, which is done by female folk of the community;" said Muhammad Akram, adding "Government should appoint coast guards order to prevent the people from drowning into the lake".It is here pertinent to mention that every afternoon the fatal wave are erupting from the Wular lake.
Woman injured in shoot-out
Mir TariqBandipora, July 26: A 55-year-old women was seriously injured in Ajas area of Bandipora last night.Khutnie Begum wife of Late Muhammad Shafi Khan of Bazipora Ajas was seriously injured when unidentified gunmen fired towards her house at Bazipora Ajas.Locals alleged that few unidentified gunmen during the late night barged into Khutnie’s house and fired indiscriminately on her house. She received gun shots on her legs and was later shifted to hospital, where she was operated upon.Talking to Rising Kashmir, Khutnie Begum said, “The gunmen were trying to abduct my brother-in–law, Ghulam Mustafa Khan. When we resisted and raised hue and cry, the gunmen open fire, injuring me”.She claimed that it was the second attack on her house during two years. “My 25 year old daughter Nasema Bano got killed in similar kind incident," she said.When contacted, DSP Sumbal, Dr Harmeet Singh said, "A group of militants barged into the house of Khutnie Begum and fired on her. She received two injuries”.He said that police have registered case under section 302/725and launched investigations.
Mir TariqBandipora, July 26: A 55-year-old women was seriously injured in Ajas area of Bandipora last night.Khutnie Begum wife of Late Muhammad Shafi Khan of Bazipora Ajas was seriously injured when unidentified gunmen fired towards her house at Bazipora Ajas.Locals alleged that few unidentified gunmen during the late night barged into Khutnie’s house and fired indiscriminately on her house. She received gun shots on her legs and was later shifted to hospital, where she was operated upon.Talking to Rising Kashmir, Khutnie Begum said, “The gunmen were trying to abduct my brother-in–law, Ghulam Mustafa Khan. When we resisted and raised hue and cry, the gunmen open fire, injuring me”.She claimed that it was the second attack on her house during two years. “My 25 year old daughter Nasema Bano got killed in similar kind incident," she said.When contacted, DSP Sumbal, Dr Harmeet Singh said, "A group of militants barged into the house of Khutnie Begum and fired on her. She received two injuries”.He said that police have registered case under section 302/725and launched investigations.
DHB lacks basic medicare facilities: Patients, attendants
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 27: The patients admitted in District Hospital Bandipora (DHB) and their attendants have complained that the hospital lacks basic facilities. The patients alleged that that there is no light arrangement in the hospital. They further complained that hospital also faces shortage of oxygen cylinders. They also accused doctors of not attending to the patients in the evening hours.Attendants of a patient Muhammad Fazili of Gamroo, 75, of Bandipora, who is admitted in DHB said, “On the advise of doctors, we admitted the patient in the hospital. When we entered the ward there was no arrangement of light and fans. The ward is full of mosquitoes and house flies and these will further complicate the problems of a patient,” he said, adding, “A patient needs clean and hygienic environment for his or her recovery”.Another attendant, Zeeshan Rafiqi told Rising Kashmir, “Our patient needed oxygen but to our surprise the hospital was not having oxygen, which is the basic requirement in the hospital". The attendants of patients said that the hospital lacks the basic infrastructure. “The doctors and medical assistants are not available in their rooms in the evening. We had to move from room to room to search the doctor so that he can attend to the patient, who developed complications,” said Akhtar Husain, an attendant of a patient. A patient admitted in the hospital said that on occasions even glucose drips have to be purchased from the markets. He said that besides the hospital does not have any generator to cope up with any emergency situation. A hospital employee, pleading anonymity, said “We have informed our superiors about the problems being faced due to non availability of oxygen and drugs. The officials are not doing anything to improve the medicare facilities in the hospital”.When contacted, Director Health Dr Muzaffar Ahmad said he will talk to the concerned BMO in this regard. “I will personally be visiting the District Hospital Bandipora to ascertain the facts and problems being confronted by patients and their attendants,” he added.
Mir Tariq Bandipora, July 27: The patients admitted in District Hospital Bandipora (DHB) and their attendants have complained that the hospital lacks basic facilities. The patients alleged that that there is no light arrangement in the hospital. They further complained that hospital also faces shortage of oxygen cylinders. They also accused doctors of not attending to the patients in the evening hours.Attendants of a patient Muhammad Fazili of Gamroo, 75, of Bandipora, who is admitted in DHB said, “On the advise of doctors, we admitted the patient in the hospital. When we entered the ward there was no arrangement of light and fans. The ward is full of mosquitoes and house flies and these will further complicate the problems of a patient,” he said, adding, “A patient needs clean and hygienic environment for his or her recovery”.Another attendant, Zeeshan Rafiqi told Rising Kashmir, “Our patient needed oxygen but to our surprise the hospital was not having oxygen, which is the basic requirement in the hospital". The attendants of patients said that the hospital lacks the basic infrastructure. “The doctors and medical assistants are not available in their rooms in the evening. We had to move from room to room to search the doctor so that he can attend to the patient, who developed complications,” said Akhtar Husain, an attendant of a patient. A patient admitted in the hospital said that on occasions even glucose drips have to be purchased from the markets. He said that besides the hospital does not have any generator to cope up with any emergency situation. A hospital employee, pleading anonymity, said “We have informed our superiors about the problems being faced due to non availability of oxygen and drugs. The officials are not doing anything to improve the medicare facilities in the hospital”.When contacted, Director Health Dr Muzaffar Ahmad said he will talk to the concerned BMO in this regard. “I will personally be visiting the District Hospital Bandipora to ascertain the facts and problems being confronted by patients and their attendants,” he added.
Foreign tourist picked up by Army, released
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Mir TariqBandipora, July 31: A woman foreign tourist and her local guide were arrested by the troopers of 15 Rashtriya Riffles in this north Kashmir district on Thursday. However, she was later released after the intervention of the local administration.
According to the officials, Kathleen Maria of Michigan USA and her guide Ghulam Rasool Beigh were picked up by the troopers of 15 RR this morning from Watlab when they were returning from the famous Sufi Shrine of Baba Shakur-ud-din. “Troopers later handed over the duo to police station Sopore. After the intervention of district administration Maria and her guide were released,” the officials added. After her release Maria termed her arrest as “sheer harassment.” “I had sought the permission from the district administration and shown all the documents to the concerned officers. I repeatedly told troopers that I have sought the permission of authorities, but they didn’t pay any heed,” said Maria. Maria said that she was not on a routine visit like other tourists. “I was completing few elements of my mystic journey and a visit to Baba-Shakur –Din shrine was last spot in northern side of Kashmir, It was displeasing to meet Indian Army." However, Army spokesman said that the tourist was picked up in order to verify the documents, “They didn’t inform our officers before entering into the area,” the spokesman added. Brigadier 5 sector, 15 RR S K Sindhu said that the tourist failed to show them original documents. “We felt doubtful and detained the tourist and her guide. We later handed them over to police. They were set free by police after the tourist showed original documents to them,” said Sindhu.
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Mir TariqBandipora, July 31: A woman foreign tourist and her local guide were arrested by the troopers of 15 Rashtriya Riffles in this north Kashmir district on Thursday. However, she was later released after the intervention of the local administration.
According to the officials, Kathleen Maria of Michigan USA and her guide Ghulam Rasool Beigh were picked up by the troopers of 15 RR this morning from Watlab when they were returning from the famous Sufi Shrine of Baba Shakur-ud-din. “Troopers later handed over the duo to police station Sopore. After the intervention of district administration Maria and her guide were released,” the officials added. After her release Maria termed her arrest as “sheer harassment.” “I had sought the permission from the district administration and shown all the documents to the concerned officers. I repeatedly told troopers that I have sought the permission of authorities, but they didn’t pay any heed,” said Maria. Maria said that she was not on a routine visit like other tourists. “I was completing few elements of my mystic journey and a visit to Baba-Shakur –Din shrine was last spot in northern side of Kashmir, It was displeasing to meet Indian Army." However, Army spokesman said that the tourist was picked up in order to verify the documents, “They didn’t inform our officers before entering into the area,” the spokesman added. Brigadier 5 sector, 15 RR S K Sindhu said that the tourist failed to show them original documents. “We felt doubtful and detained the tourist and her guide. We later handed them over to police. They were set free by police after the tourist showed original documents to them,” said Sindhu.
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