Jammu News

M S Nazki

Jammu : An unclaimed water bottle caused panic in Panja Chowk of Rajouri with police and paramilitary CRPF rushing to the area, suspecting it to be an IED, officials said.

They said at about 7:50 a.m., Police’s Special Operation Group along with Bomb Disposal Squad and CRPF cordoned off Panja Chowk after information that there was unclaimed object. Without taking any chances, they said, the object was thoroughly checked.

“After inspection, it turned out to be a water bottle,” a police officer told GNS. Asked about the panic due to it, he said, “Security establishment does not take any chances.” (GNS)

Srinagar : A CRPF trooper ended his life by shooting self dead with his service rifle in Nowshera area of Jammu district reports said on Tuesday.

A police offical confirming the incident identified the deceased as CT Sarith of 245 Batallion.

The cause of him taking such an extreme step was not immediately known, the official said adding that investigation has been launched into the incident. (GNS)

SRINAGAR — The BJP on Monday held protests at several places in Kashmir against the killing of Kashmiri Pandit bank guard Sanjay Sharma.

Militants on Sunday shot dead the 40-year-old Sharma in Pulwama district while he was on his way to a local market.

The main protest was held in Jawahar Nagar area of the city where dozens of BJP workers demonstrated against the killing.

“Our Kashmiri Pandit brother was brutally killed in Pulwama. Militants have tried to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere established in the past three years under a well thought-out conspiracy. We won’t allow it to happen,” Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, Head, Media and IT cell of BJP, told reporters.

The protestors also burnt an effigy of Pakistan, holding the neighbouring country responsible for the killings.

“BJP is protesting against Pakistan across the valley today. We appeal to the LG administration to ensure security of minorities and take steps so that such incidents do not recur,” Bhat added.

Protests were also held at Kulgam on Monday while a candle light vigil was organised against the killing in Pulwama and Baramulla on Sunday night. — (PTI)

JAMMU — Scores of protesting Kashmiri Pandit prime minister’s package employees on Monday reiterated their demand for relocation outside the valley, saying their worst fears have come true with the latest killing of a community member in Pulwama.

The protesters assembled outside the relief commissioner’s office in Jammu and staged a protest against the killing of Sanjay Sharma (40), a bank ATM guard who was shot dead by militants in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district on Sunday.

We were apprehensive about something like this, being fully aware of the ground realities. The latest killing has dealt a severe blow to our confidence and further increased our concern over our community members’ safety in the valley,” Yogesh Pandita, one of the protesters, told reporters.

Reiterating their demand for relocation outside the valley, he said the government’s claim about a secure atmosphere for their return to join their duties stands exposed.

“The administration choked us financially by stopping our salaries to force us to rejoin our duties. We are afraid of working there given the continued targeted killings,” Pandita said.

Hundreds of prime minister package employees belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community shifted to Jammu in May last year following the killing of their colleagues, Rahul Bhat and Rajini Bala, by militants.

While Bhat was shot dead inside his office in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on May 12, Bala, a school teacher, was gunned down in south Kashmir’s Kulgam on May 31 last year.

Another protester, Ruban Saproo, said the lieutenant governor-led Union Territory administration needs to hold talks with them rather than compelling them to rejoin their duties in the valley.

“One more Kashmiri Pandit sacrificed his life for the nation, despite repeated assurances by the government that it has worked out a plan for the security of the community. We acknowledge the efforts of the administration in providing security to them but there is a need to restore our shaken confidence and trust,” he said.

Saproo appealed to LG Manoj Sinha not to force them to resume their jobs in the valley after Sharma’s killing and to accept their demand for relocation elsewhere.

“We can perform our duties only when we are alive. The government can utilise our services in Jammu as well,” a woman protester said, adding that they do not feel safe in the valley.

Meanwhile, activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena Dogra Front and Rashtriya Bajrang Dal separately staged protests against targeted killings and demanded adequate security arrangements for the safety of the minority community members in Kashmir.

Chanting anti-Pakistan and anti-militancy slogans, BJP workers staged a protest at Kachi Chawni, the Shiv Sena Dogra Front at Rani Park and the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal near the city bus stand. The protesters burnt effigies of Pakistan for sponsoring militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dogra Sadar Sabha president and former Jammu and Kashmir minister Gulchain Singh Charak raised questions over the frequent targeted killings in Kashmir despite claims of normalcy. He demanded special security arrangements for the safety of people and adequate compensation to the bereaved family.

The migrants’ wing of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also condemned Sharma’s killing and demanded an end to targeted killings.

“Some concrete steps should be taken against the targeted killings of minority community members,” it said in a statement. — (PTI)

Srinagar : Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday said that with the implementation of various central government schemes, Jammu and Kashmir will soon achieve its target of ensuring round-the-clock electricity.

Talking to the reporters here, Sinha, as per the news agency said that the power generation, distribution and transmission capacity has been increased in the past three years.

“We have increased 56 per cent capacity of distribution and generation in the three years compared to what we had in the past 70 years,” he said, adding that with the Rs 152 crore project in Kashmir, the capacity of power distribution will be increased further.

“At present, Rs 5000 crore wiorth central government schemes are there to strengthen the distribution grid in J&K. With the support of NTPC, REC, others including the installation of smart meters, J&K will soon achieve its target of 24*7 electricity to the consumers,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that 40 per cent of the J&K population will have to pay no property tax and the remaining 60 per cent have to pay nominal amount between Rs 600 to Rs 1000 maximum amount per annum. He said that tax amount fixed is one-tenth of the tax being paid by Shimla, Ambala and Dehradun.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at SKICC here, the LG as per news agency, said in J&K, 2, 0, 3,680 households are less than 1500 Sq feet.

“Fourty per cent people won’t have to pay the tax. Eighty percent of the 2,0,3680 households will have to pay nominal amount of Rs 600 only while rest will have to pay a nominal amount of Rs 1000 as property tax per annum. This amount is one-tenth of the tax amount being paid by Shimla, Ambala and Dehradun,” the LG Sinha said.

About the commercial including shops, the LG said that 1,01000 shops are in J&K of which 42 per cent shops are less than 100 sq feet. “These shops will have to pay less than Rs 700 per anum. 76 per cent of the total shops of 1,1000 shops will have to pay very minimum amount as the property tax,” he said, adding that the amount collected will directly go into the accounts of Municipal Corporations and utilized for the development of the areas where tax will be collected.

“I urge the common people of J&K to come forward and help build a better J&K,” the LG said.

Pertinently, the J&K government announced imposition of property tax in the UT from April 1. The move evoked sharp criticism from the cross section of the society and the political parties, who demanded immediate rollback of the order—(KNO)

JAMMU: The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project is heading towards completion with 90 per cent of its sanctioned cost of Rs 37,012.26 crore utilised, a senior railway official said on Monday.

With the completion of the project, Kashmir will be linked with rest of the country.

The official said the prestigious national project, being personally monitored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, is progressing “very well” and the works are taking place in “top gear” at all fronts.

“The latest sanctioned cost of the USBRL project is Rs 37,012.26 crore. Cumulative booking of expenditure till February 23 is Rs 3,34,21 crore which is 90.29 percent of the total sanctioned cost,” Chief Administrative Officer, USBRL, S P Mahi told PTI.

The Railway ministry sanctioned the construction of the railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla via Srinagar in phases 25-km Udhampur to Katra in 1994, 118 km Qazigund to Baramulla and 129 km Katra to Qazigund in 1999.

In view of the importance of the USBRL in providing seamless and hassle-free connectivity to Kashmir, the 272 km-long USBRL project was declared as a “National Project” in 2002.

Out of the total 272 km USBRL project, 161 km was commissioned in phases with first phase 118-km Qazigund-Baramulla section commissioned in October 2009 followed by 18-km Banihal-Qazigund in June 2013 and 25-km Udhampur-Katra in July 2014, while the work on 111-km Katra-Banihal stretch is going on.

“Indian Railways is moving closer to connecting Kashmir to the rest of the railway network day-by-day. The USBRL project is progressing very well. The world’s highest railway bridge across Chenab river has been completed and track-linking work on it has started, while work on Indian Railways ‘first cable-stayed bridge’ is nearing completion,” Mahi said.

He said the works are progressing in top gear at all fronts. “The morale of officers and staff working on the project is very high and they are highly motivated to complete this prestigious work expeditiously.” “The alignment of USBRL Project is a culmination of a large number of tunnels and bridges, which are to be implemented in highly rugged and mountainous terrain with the most difficult Himalayan geology,” he said.

He said the project involves 38 tunnels (combined length of 119 km), the longest tunnel (T-49) is having a length of 12.77 km and has been made through on February 15 last year.

The official said the Katra-Banihal section predominantly involves tunnelling 163.82 km (97.42 km main tunnel and 66.40 km of escape tunnel). At present 163.08 km of tunnel mining – 97.02 km (24 numbers) out of 97.42 km (27 numbers) of main tunnel and 66.06 km (7 Nos.) out of 66.4 km (8 Nos.) have been completed. Tunnel lining of 149.23 km – 93.17 km (20 Nos.) out of 97.42 km (27 nos) of the main tunnel and 56.06 km (2 Nos) out of 66.4 Km (8 Nos) have been completed.

More than 43.5 km Ballastless Track (BLT) has also been laid out of the total scope of 118 km, the official said.

The CAO USBRL said there are 37 bridges (combined length of 7 km) and includes 26 major bridges and 11 minor bridges.

“At present 22 major bridges and 11 minor bridges have been completed and work on all fronts are in full swing.” He said these bridges include the iconic Chenab bridge (overall length 1315 m, arch span of 467 m and height of 359 m above river bed) which is the highest railway bridge in the world.

Mahi said the Chenab bridge has been completed, track linking and some ancillary works such as grating fixing for arch deck protection and inspection platforms are in progress.

The official said Indian railway’s first cable-stayed bridge is also being constructed on Anji Khad. The launch of the super structure of Anji bridge is in an advanced stage of progress and 39 segments out of 47 launched.

He said electromechanical for Katra-Banihal is sanctioned and all tenders which include integrated sub-stations, power supply arrangement, tunnel ventilation, tunnel lighting, fire fighting and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) have been awarded and work is in progress.

The electrification works of Katra-Banihal section are sanctioned and work is in progress, he said, adding electrification works in Banihal-Baramulla section were completed in September last year.

In addition, more than 205 km access road has also been completed.

“Construction of a wide network of access roads has provided connectivity to far flung and inaccessible remote areas, leading to socio-economic development,” he added.

SRINAGAR: The Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed his deep concerns over the soaring use of drugs by youth in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said if his party forms the Government, the youth will be his first priority since it is the future of the nation. Azad said that it is disturbing for us all that a huge number of our youth are diverted to drugs and other anti-social activities. He said dwindling economic conditions, lack of job opportunities has pushed our youth to this menace.

“We have been reading news almost on a daily basis now regarding the youths involved in drugs. This should serve as an alarm for all of us and we can’t afford to lose our future assets,” he said while attending a youth interaction programme in Srinagar.

Azad said that it is the responsibility of the Government to engage the youths positively and empower them so that drug menace is controlled.

“If we form the government, I will pay special attention to the issue and I will assure you that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir will not face any crisis. Jobs will be provided to all in both the Government and private sector,” he said.

Azad said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir post August 5, 2019 are feeling dejected and disappointed with the political class. He said the poor outreach by the present dispensation has pushed everybody to wall and his party is engaging with all sections of people to re-infuse their faith in polity.

“We can’t afford any gap between the political establishment and the common masses. In democratic setup people are supreme and people want a Government which can listen to them and their concerns,” he said, urging the Union Government to hold elections in the UT immediately.

The DPAP chairman said that in present times his party is the only political party which emerges as hope for the distraught class and he will continue to stand by the side of poor people.

The convention was organised by youth leader Amir Bhat. Among others who attended the convention were Saddam Nabi Azad, Taj Mohiuddin DPAP treasurer, GM Saroori vice chairman, RS Chib general secretary, Mohd Amin Bhat Provincial president, Gulzar Wani Zonal president, Kaiser Jin, Meer Momin, Khalid Tufail, Arif Maqbool, Adv Heena Sultan & others.

The one-way traffic resumed on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Wednesday after remaining suspended for about 38-hours following a landslide in Ramban district, officials said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic (national highway), Banihal, Asghar Malik said the road clearance operation at the landslide-hit Sher Bibi near Banihal was still going on.

Hundreds of vehicles were left stranded on the highway after a massive landslide blocked the arterial road at Sher Bibi around 2 am Tuesday. The road clearance operation was hampered by continuous shooting of stones from the hillock throughout the day.

“Despite intermittent shooting of stones, the road clearance agencies worked hard since this morning to ensure that the road is opened for one-way traffic which was allowed at around 4 pm (Wednesday),” Malik said.

No fresh traffic was allowed either from Srinagar or Jammu for the second day in the morning as authorities focused on road clearance operation and to clear the stranded vehicles on priority, a traffic department official said.

He said some more time is needed to make the road two-way at the landslide hit stretch.

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway continues to be shut as shooting stones continued to hamper road clearance work at Shalgadi Banihal in Ramban district on Wednesday, officials said.

“Highway is still closed. Restoration work is underway. People are advised not to travel on highway till the restoration work is completed,” a traffic department official here . However, he said that the shooting stones continue to hamper the road clearance work.

The highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, was closed on Tuesday due amid heavy landslides in the area and the situation was described “dire” by the officials. (GNS)