Menace on Roads

Look beyond ceremonial meetings
Yet another road mishap and yet another ceremonial meeting. This is what has become order of the day in this mountainous region of the state, where human lives does not seems to be any matter of concern for the people at the helm of affairs. While the last Friday once again left Kishtwar and its adjoining areas in a palm of gloom in view of the tragic road mishap which claimed around two dozen lives, the incident has once again brought highlighted the fact that the authorities are only doing lip service beside some paper work in the name of minimizing unfortunate deaths on Killer roads of the state.
The rampant menace of road mishaps is claiming previous lives by every passing day but the politicians, bureaucracy and police is only busy in holding meetings, which only seems to be measures for rubbing salt on the wounds of those who are left behind to suffer. Jammu and Kashmir is known for the killer roads and the number of those killed on roads has now even exceeded against the number of militancy related causalities in the state. As many as 1100 people were killed and 8199 persons were injured in 5945 road accidents last year in Jammu and Kashmir, while 398 people were killed and over 300 injured in 1251 militancy-related incidents. As compared to 2009, 950 people were killed and 7597 were injured in 5236 road mishaps in 2008. Of 1100 people killed in road accidents in 2009, 781 died and 5149 were injured in 3869 road accidents in Jammu region while 319 people died and 3050 were injured in 2076 accidents in Kashmir region. Mountainous Chenab region tops the list. Every road mishap leads to fatal causalities due to topography and every mishap leaves behind trail of miseries, sufferings and pain. The Disaster Management and Quick Action Team proposed by the government to be set up in this remote areas have become thing of past as the proposal failed to take off due to the callous approach of the concerned authorities. The medical services are nominal and police is ill equipped to meet emergency situations. The Transport Department and Traffic Police is busy in passing the bucks on each other. Drivers and matador operators are risking thousands of lives every day, while the number of passenger vehicles on the road is also decreasing. The authorities need to take the menace more seriously and take some concrete measures so that the precious lives are saved. The government has to look beyond ceremonial meetings and condolence messages not at the time of the mishap but even thereafter.

Pall of gloom descends on Kishtwar

Hopes diminishing as no body recovered

Ministers visits, inspect, leave, residents say "mere formality"

SHEIKH NASIR
Kishtwar: A pall of gloom descended on the mountaneous town Kishtwar in the wake of tragic road mishap, which claimed at least 22 precious lives. Many households in a few streets lost their relatives.
With crumbling hands and infaltering voices, the relatives of the victims consoled one another. On Friday evening the news of road accident spread like wild fire in the town and its adjoining areas and people rushed to the accident site, about 10 kilometers from the town. On motor cycles four wheelers and every thing they found people were seeing moving in large numbers towards Wadra where the tragedy struck. At District Hospital people in large number including women were waiting for the bodies. While grief stricken people of Kishtwar Township observed complete bandh on Saturday to mourn the death of victims of friday’s road mishap, some heart rending tragedies start coming to light where entire family members and sole bread earners have perished in the tragic accident.
Police, in the meanwhile, Saturday released a list of twenty-two persons, who were believed to be traveling in the ill-fated vehicle, which met with the tragic accident on Friday.
Even as the life came to standstill with no activity taking place any where in the town, the people were seen going from one house to another to mourn the demise of persons killed in yet another mishap in the mountainous district.
Gloom and despair prevailed among the people during whole day, while traffic remained off the roads and markets wore a deserted look. While all the schools remained closed, attendance in the government offices was also very less. Wailing people over the death of their nears and dears presented a common scene across the township
Though actual number of casualties and identification of victims is yet to be ascertained with the administration still unable to retrieve the bodies, it is reported that all members of a Bhalesa family and a brother of six sisters was among those killed in the tragic accident .
Sources said that a family hailing from Galibatoli village of Tehsil Gandoh was killed in the mishap. They said that Mashoom Ahmed hailing from this backward village along with his wife Bibi Begum and a child who were going to Kishtwar for the treatment of their minor son Maqsood Ahmed were also on board the unfateful minibus. Another youth, Mohammad Ayub, lone brother of six sisters, was also feared to have died in the accident. Ayub, the sole bread earner of his family had lost his father in a similar accident ten years back.
The tragic accident took place when ill-fated matador (774-JK06) was on its way from Thatri to Kishtwar when it met with the mishap near Wadra Bridge on Batote-Kishtwar highway (NH1-B) at around 6 PM on Friday. Eyewitnesses said that the vehicle fell into Chenab and disappeared in the fast current of the river, which was already flowing above normal level due recent rains across the region. Three passengers, they said, managed to jump out of the vehicle and were the only survivors, till the last report came in. “The only trace of the mishap at the spot was the blood mark on some of the boulders on the river bank”, they said adding, “There was completely no trace of the vehicle, which is feared to have been washed away by the water current”. Police and locals were also clueless about the exact loss of the life in the mishap, however officials said that around twenty-five persons are feared dead. One of the injured passengers, Kuldeep Kumar son of Sewa Ram, has told the police that the matador was completely loaded with the passengers, when it met with the mishap.
One of the injured was noticed lying unconscious on the road side by a passing vehicle. Sensing road mishap the passenger traveling in the vehicle reportedly went into the gorge and found two more persons in injured condition. Police and locals rushed to the spot as soon as the injured passengers reached District Hospital Kishtwar. A massive search and rescue operation was launched but all in vain. “There is no trace of even the vehicle at the accident spot”, a police officer told, from the spot. He said that only few identity cards were record from the river bank.
Meanwhile, Minister for Roads and Building, GM Saroori and the Advisor to Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul inspected the accident siteon Saturday and later held a meeting with the prominent citizens of the area. They were accompanied by MLA Kishtwar Sajad Ahmad Kichloo. During the meeting, it was suggested to erect crash barriers on all vulnerable sites on the Batote-Kishtwar highway and widening of narrow portions/zigs of the road. It was also urged to cheek overloading in buses, operationalzing the Disaster Management at district level, phasing out of outdated passenger vehicles, widening the main road from Mali-path to Girinagar sector by GREF authorities, induction of additional SRTC buses in district, setting up of Trauma hospital at district headquarter and health care improvement at the DH Kishtwar. However, the local residents took the high profile visit as another ritual by the people in the corridors of power. “This is nothing but a mere formality”, Abdul Rashid, a local resident said adding, “Government has been doing this since years after every road mishap and forgets every promise within few days”.
Police said that not a single body could be retrieved from the mighty Chenab due to strong water current.

It happens only in J&K

SMS Services have been banned for the third time in three years in Jammu and Kashmir.
The SMS services of all telecom companies operating in the State were banned for the third time in three years after the State government termed it as a "security reason". The State said the SMS services were being used to "spread rumors and cause chaos". First time, SMS services in the State were banned for a few months after the controversial transfer of State land to the Amarnath shrine board. A ban was also imposed on prepaid cellphones in November 2009. The ban was revoked in January 2010 on conditions that the telecom companies would re-verify the identity of the existing subscribers and strictly verify the new subscribers. This year in April too, the ban was imposed on SMS services but was revoked within a few hours. Jammu and Kashmir is the only place where the State government and Government of India can ban the SMS services or ban telecommunication services and get away with it.
It is admitted fact that nothing can replace the glory of communicating through SMS anywhere in world.
As suspension of SMS services this time over is nothing new. Although it does deserve to be discussed as an infringement of public rights, but faced with far tougher restrictions people in Kashmir have almost taken it lying down. There is no attempt from any quarter to take government on this. At least our political leaders and representatives should have raised the issue as to why entire population is being put to trouble without trying alternatives that could spare some degree of trouble. Even cellular companies could become a part of that complaint as to why they don’t compensate the reduction of services monetarily. Why the monthly fee of subscribers is not reduced, if an important service is dropped from the list of services. Last time when SMS services were banned for sometime, it passed off without the government or the service providers facing any public resentment. People should think over it and a demand be raised through out the state either to restore it or companies should compensate for the reduction of services.

Doda scribes stage demo in support of valley colleagues

DODA: The local media persons under the banner of Chenab Valley Journalists Association (CVJA) including Journalists of Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Ramban and others parts of the region held a protest demonstration at Doda against the media gag by the government. Weaing black armbands holding palte cards with different slogans, the journalist passed through different markets and streets of Doda town and raised slogans. Later they met DDC Doda and submitted a memorandum. The Association Members strongly condemned the restrictions on the movement of Journalists, curbs and attack on them. DDC Doda gave a patient hearing and assured all the Journalists that he will forward their demands to the concerned authorities. Among others who participated in the protest included Ishtiaq Ahmed Dev, Haq Nawaz Nehru, Sheikh Nasir Hussain, Fiaz Pampori, Mushtaq Dev, Tufail Lone, Gazi Tak, Faizan Ali Tramboo, Abid Malik, Gh Hassan Pampori, Vishal Jain, Shehzada Feroz Butt, Arpan Dutt, Abhimaniv Kotwal, Rohit and others

Life limping back to ‘normal’ in Padder

BJP gears for another round of agitation

SHEIKH NASIR
Kishtwar: After the days of protest, shutdown and stone pelting the life is returning to normal in Gulab Garh Padder, but still some agencies and politicians for their vested interests are bent upon to tensify the situation again. BJP has already constituted a team for holding parallel enquiry. This is not for the first time in mountainous district Kishtwar that police has crossed the limits then what compelled a national level party like BJP to take such a step? is a question roaming in everyone’s mind? Police has already registered as many as four F.I.Rs regarding the incident one (No. 15/10) against the SHO and his men for wrongful confinement and rest three (No.s 16, 17 and 18 of 2010) have been lodged against the mob with few person nominated most of them government employee.
It is pertinent to mention here that the situation in the mountainous township Padder, which otherwise is known for peace, became worst after the two local teenaged girls went missing after the alleged harassment by the police. Both the girls identified as Sapna and Sangeeta were picked up by police along with a local boy Pardeep Kumar from Maharaja Gulab Singh Qilla ( Fort) located at Gulabgarh. The situation turned ugly when the news spread in the area, regarding missing of girls. A large number of people took to street and laid siege of the police station Padder. Shouting slogans against the police, the angry mob ransacked the office furniture of the police station and damaged at least two vehicles. Station House Officer (SHO) of the police station, Farooq Ahmed Wani, was attacked by the mob when he allegedly tried to escape from the backdoor of his retiring room. A revenue officer (Naib Tehsildar) was given severe thrashing after he tried to intervene. Eyewitnesses said two cops were also beaten up after they opened fire in air to disperse the mob. As per police 23 police personnel including one inspector and two head constables have received injuries. The girls, as per the family members, were released by the police after being subjected to harassment and humiliation. “Both did not return home and it was later learnt that they have jumped in Chenab River”, a local resident alleged adding, their slippers and some other belongings had been found from the river bank. Police on the other hand claimed that there was no confirmation of their suicide, but the duo was missing.
However, police claims that the duo was released immediately after their detention. “They went back to their homes, where they were reprimanded by their families”, a police officer said adding, “They both left the house and are missing since then”. As per police clothes of one of the girls have been recovered from her home which he was wearing when brought to police station which means after police station she had gone to her home where she had even changed her dress.
Senior civil and police officials, including DC, SP and ASP Kisthwar rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. People were demanding registration of FIR agisnt the Inspector Farooq Ahmad Wani SHO Paddar As soon as the news of the incident reached Kishtwar, the politicians from different political parties including BJP, NPPP and Congress reached the Padder and joined the people’s demands for action against the culprits.
Besides DIG Doda-Udhampur Range, IGP Jammu and Divisional Commissioner Jammu also reached Pader to take stock of the situation. Ultimately in order to pacify the agitating people FIR was registered and besides release of immediate ex-gratia of Rs. 75000/- to each family, job to one of the family member of missing girls was also assured. Life has almost returned normal in Pader, but if sources are to be believed various organizations including Bhartia Janta Party which has its stronghold in Padder is gearing up for exploiting the issue.

Omar should surrender or tender opology

How long will people be killed like this on streets and how long will the blood of our youth wash our streets. This bloodshed in valley should be stopped now. Now the worst thing which had not even happened in last two decades, the journalist were denied to work and were beaten to pulp by the security personnel. Jammu and Kashmir government firstly cancelled the curfew passes issued to the media persons and restricted their movement. Media persons were told by the men in uniform to stay indoors if they want to remain alive. From all over the world the right minded people termed media gag as an assault on the freedom of press by the government.
The Omar Abdullah government has done everything to stop media persons from discharging their professional duties.
In the wake of present turbulence, the government should have ensured free flow of information to keep people updated and to discourage rumour mongering. However, the reverse has happened.
Among others the Indian Federation of working Journalist also condemned the use of force against the journalist fraternity in Kashmir terming it a direct attack on Press. However across the world journalists expressed deep anguish over ‘the unashamed approach of the government,’ which has not shown any respect for the media as an important institution. Omar is committing mistakes over mistakes, attack on press, deployment of army all this will not help him to come out of the adverse situation but can cause more trouble for him and his government. Army may succeed in preventing protests but it cannot help Omar reclaim people’s confidence in the government. For that he will have to apply civilian means. The longer he relies on military means the more difficult he will find to restore normalcy in the valley. If Omar is serious about the issue and does not take casually, he has the only two option either to surrender or to render open opolgy.

Kishtwar police solved blind theft case in less than 24 hours,

Kishtwar: Kishtwar police solved a blind theft case of Tanveer Electronics in less than 24 hours and recovered the goods worth more than Rs. 93000/- stolen from this electronic shops situated only few meters away from Police Station Kishtwar. It was during the intervening night of 3/4-07-2010, some unknown burglars carried out a burglary in a shop namely Tanveer Electronics situated Near Hospital Road Kishtwar only few yards away from Police Station Kishtwar and decamped with Mobiles, Cameras, Prepaid mobile vouchers, TFT Screen, Memory Cards, Digital Cameras and various other electronic items. Immediately Kishtwar Police registered a Case FIR No. 117/2010 U/S 457/380 RPC on the written report of owner of the shop and took up the investigation of the case.
While giving details, SP Kishtwar, Dr. M. Haseeb Mughal said that burglars had sneaked into the shop of Tanveer Electronics on the fateful night of 3-4 July 2010 after breaking open the wall of the shop. Scene of crime revealed that burglars had taken the benefit of concealed portion of stairs lying with the said shop. On specific information generated by Police with the help of Local Public, a trap was arranged and laid down wherein suspects were identified while selling Mobile Sets already stolen by them from the above shop and subsequently arrested burglar namely Mudassir Hussian Dev S/O Abdul Latief Dev R/O Zewar Kishtwar and on his discloser his another associate Saleem Javed Kripak S/O Javed Iqbal Kripak R/O Kripakh Gwari Kishtwar has also been arrested in a raid conducted at his residence at Kripak Gwari and put both the accused to sustained interrogation in order to extract the modus oprandie adopted by the above named burglars.
During interrogation the above burglars made substantial disclosures and on their instance stolen property worth Rs. 93805/- including Mobiles, Cameras, TFT Screen, Grocery items and some cash have been recovered from their residences located at Kripak Gwari Kishtwar hide in lockers, almera and inside food stuff.
Local Public especially shop keepers have hailed the quick action of Local Police and they have also taken a sigh of relief after hearing the news about the apprehension of above notorious criminals.

Work resumed on Bhaderwah Chamba inter-state Road after 20 years

Bhaderwah: The Bhaderwah-Chamba road project has been sanctioned under Inter-State Connectivity program at a cost of Rs. 73.33 crores.
The total length of road is 145 Km and the road upto 22Km has been opened to traffic. This road was motor able for vehicles up to 1986, but due to the militancy the road has been abandoned.
Construction and widening of the 42-km-long Bhaderwah- Chamba road which had been hanging fire for the past three years has started and this will facilitate connectivity between this part of the state and Himachal Pradesh for the promotion of tourism.
"We have been dreaming since our childhood that this project will be completed one day and will further improve the economic condition of Bhaderwah and will connect Bhaderwah to rest of the country and will open the road for tourism in the state," said Jawed Ahmed
The upgradation and augmentation of Bhaderwah-Chamba project is alternate road connectivity, which will connect India with Kashmir Valley.
The completion of the project will certainly help in giving a fillip to tourism, trade and people to people contact. There by strengthening the local economy. It will improve the primitive culture, lifestyle and tradition of the mountainous valley Bhaderwah. It will also increase the potential of pilgrim tourism of the Bhaderwah which is known for Machail Yatra, Mani Mahesh Yatra etc.
The road length from Bhaderwah to Chamba is total 50 kilometers whereas first seven and a half kilometer is under GREFF and from Naltha bridge on wards it the R&B departmentn who is entrusted with the execution work. After the global tenders were floated MGCPL has obtained the contract of execution and the company has to complete the road by 2013.
Imtiaz-ur Rehman said: "Jammu and Kashmir Government has resumed work of widening of this road and reopening of this road is a major achievement for us. Our culture and climate resembles that of Himachal Pradesh and we feel connected to the state."
Completion of Bhaderwah Chambha road will help in diverting the tourists to different small tourist destinations in Bhaderwah and adjoining areas. The local made products and other items will get huge exposure in other parts of the country. It will strengthen the employment opportunities in the region.
"The work on this project is going on with full pace and you will see that the whole machinery is installed there. It has the potential to complete the width of Four Kms in one month. We have acquired the land for the width of sixty feet out of which thirty three feet width will be the actual road the mechanized road." Said Farooq Khan DC Doda. The project will exploit the potential of Bhaderwah as transition between Kashmir valley and Himachal Pradesh thereby increasing the inflow of tourists in the state and escalating the economy of the state. By Taheer Nadeem Khan (Courtesy: ANI)

Hariyangwari Padder again sinking, 25 families at risk

NARBEER CHOWHAN
Kishtwar: haryan Gwari village in Padder has started sinking againg. About 25 families living in this village are constantly living under threat as authorities had already declared it a unsafe for living’.
Locals told Bold Voice that the fresh sinking of the village has multiplied the problems of the inhabitants. It is pertinent to mention that in village from past six years fissures were visible on the ground. Despite repeated assurances from the administration, no steps had been taken for the rehabilitation of the villagers. A man was killed and scores others were injured in the village after portion of a land caved in 2005, the locals added.
Official sources said a team vide its report No 2G/TG/DGM/25/06-07/II/4327 dated 24-11-2008 declared the entire village insecure and asked the villagers to take precautionary measures. As per the report, the village is situated at an elevation of 1900 meters and lies between Latial Nallah (North) and Kher Nallah (South). "During the reconnaissance, cracks, fissures, fractures and subsidence were observed in the agricultural fields. The cracks were also observed in the walls of newly constructed houses rendering the houses unsafe for living", the report reads.
However, the administration failed to take cognizance of the report and subsequent representations of villagers submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar urging resettlement of the households. The administration again deputed concerned Tehsildar to the village, who after visiting the village wrote to the Deputy Commission vide letter No 591/MM dated 4-11-2009 that the "village is awaiting a major catastrophe as it was not fit for living. He also sought the direction for resettlement of 25 families comprising 159 souls." Taking strong note of the report, the DC Vide his order No 1132-34/010 dated 7-7-2010 directed the concerned revenue officers to allot five Marlas of state land to each family under Khasra No 442 at Gulabgarh. However, the residents have refused to abandon their village and settle at Gulabgarh. "We want financial assistance to construct rooms, which the government has declined to provide," the residents said adding they were not in position to undertake any construction. Recently a head of tour of Tibetian leader Dalai Lama to Padder, Divisional Commissioner Jammu along with MLA Kishtwar took a Arial visit of this sinking village and the Divisional Commissioner assured the people that appropriate steps will be taken but despite lapse of more than a month nothing has been done in this regard. After fresh sinking a deputation of the villagers led by Kartar Singh Rathore met MLA Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and demanded and till any permanent arrangement is made the villagers be at least given temporary shed or tents so that they leave the village for a safer place.

BJP holds protest

Serious allegations leveled against district administration
Kishtwar: BJP held demonstration at district headquarter Kishtwar accusing the state and center government for price hike. Speakers while speaking on the occasison leveled serious allegations upon the district administration. Party state secretary Sunil Sharma while terming the deputy commissioner’s office a den of corruption alleged that number of back door appointments have been made in department of Rural Development under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. He demanded immediate enquiry and action against all those officers who have been instrumental in engaging number of blue eyed candidates as Gram Rozgar Sewa in RDD. Accusing R&B minister of being communal Sharma said that the minister is ignoring the areas of minority community. He also accused MLA Kishtwar for adopting pick and choose policy while recommending schools for upgradation. Sharma said that in one ward more than four schools have been opened whereas in far flung areas like Padder students have to cover more than ten kilometers distance to attend their schools. Besides Sunil Sharma, district president BJP Hukum Chand, senior leaders Ved Parkash Gupta, Ravi Badyal, Sanjeet Kumar, also spoke on occasion and criticized state and centre governments for their alleged anti-people attitude.

Kashmir protests reach Chenab Valley

Kishtwar, Banihal obseves bandh against innocent killings
SHEIKH NASIR
Kishtwar / Banihal: Kishtwar and Banihal townships observed complete shutdown, in protest against the killing of innocent youth across Kashmir Valley, on Friday.
All the shops and other business establishments in both the towns remained closed, while attendance in the government office was also thin. Schools and other education institutions were also closed, following the strike, while heavy security arrangements were made to avert any untoward incident.
Hundreds of youth took to street in Banihal town, this morning, and staged a protest demonstration. Shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans the protests marched on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway.
However, the protest remained peacefull and no untoward incident was reported. Later in the day, Imamas of various locals Masjids condemned the brutal use of force on innocent youth across Kashmir Valley, which has led to killing of several youth, in the last few days. They warned the government that the people in other parts of the state will not remain mute spectators to the access by the security forces and police. Bandh also passed off peacefully in Kishtwar town, which almost wore a deserted look. However, in some parts of the town the call witnessed mixed response. Addressing people during Friday sermon, Imam Jamia Masjid Molvi Farooq Ahmed said that the sacrifices of the people will not go waste and India government will have to budge before the aspirations of the people. He asked the people to remain calm but warned that the people will come on street in case the security forces are not restrained from using unnecessary force against the innocent people. District administration and police had made unprecedented security arrangements in the communally sensitive area. Heavy contingents of police and para-military personnel guarded roads and sensitive places throughout the day.