Jammu Mar 31 PTI Six people were killed and seven others injured when a car skidded off the road and rolled down into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district on Thursday officials saidA Tata Sumo which was on its way from Surankotes Marha village towards Bufliyaz skidded-off the road and rolled down into the gorge at Tarran Wali they saidSix people have died and seven others are injured a police office saidThe injured have been shifted to a hospital The vehicle was carrying wedding guests they said PTI AB AB TDS TDS

Jammu Mar 28 PTI Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf board to construct schools colleges industrial training institutes and hospitals to serve the 125 crore citizens of the Union TerritoryHe also said the board must also look into setting up of multi-purpose community halls girls hostels Hunar Haats and employment-oriented skill development centresThe board now operating according to the Central Waqf Act will bring transparency in the administration of Waqf properties and provide an environment for utilisation of properties for larger benefit of the community Sinha saidHe also felicitated the newly appointed chairperson of the JK Waqf Board Dr Darakhshan Andrabi and members- Dr Ghulam Nabi Haleem Syed Mohammad Hussain Sohail Kazmi and Nawab DinSpeaking on the occasion Sinha said I have been told that there are more than 32000 registered Waqf properties in JK today Many of these properties have the potential of generating considerable returns which in turn could be used for the socio-economic development of the community The Lt Governor said that the Waqf Board should sow the seeds of friendship and goodwill among communities through impactful social welfare initiatives aimed at bringing positive changes in the lives of ordinary citizensIn India we have always followed and promoted the principle of Sarva Pantha Sambhav This invaluable Indian tradition has to be nurtured by all of you through the Waqf Board in the UT with your social welfare activities and developmental actions in the coming times he saidThe Lt Governor also noted that the JK Waqf Board under the chairpersonship of Andrabi is now empowered for survey of Waqf properties maintenance of Waqf deeds revenue generation and prevention of encroachment of Waqf propertiesI express my gratitude to the Prime Minister who on 5th August 2019 extended the Central Waqf Act along with 890 central laws to Jammu and Kashmir after seven decades giving Dr Andrabi and other eminent personalities a chance to serve the UT and 125 crore people through Waqf Board he saidSinha observed that Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing growth and development in every sphere of lifeDedicated efforts are being made to bring in investment in the UT generate ample employment avenues make recruitments transparently and utilise every penny for the welfare of ordinary citizens he added PTI AB AB ANB ANB

Jammu Mar 28 PTI Over 900 sheep and goat units have been established in the financial year 2021-22 under the Integrated Sheep Development Scheme ISDS in Jammu and Kashmir officials said on MondayISDS is one of the schemes of the Jammu and Kashmir sheep husbandry department aimed at achieving breakthroughs in wool and mutton production and addressing the problems of unemployment in the union territoryAccording to official data 594 sheep and goat units have been established under the scheme in Kashmir valley while 329 units were provided to the beneficiaries in the year 2021-22 in Jammu regionUnder this scheme for establishment of sheep or goat units on participatory mode comprising of 25 ewesdoes livestock is supplied free of cost Retrieval of equivalent livestock from female progeny is carried out in a phased manner from the third year an official of the sheep husbandry department saidLast year Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had said that his administration would provide a major fillip to the animal husbandry sectorRecently the Jammu and Kashmir government also signed a memorandum of cooperation MoC for transforming the sheep farming sector in the union territory PTI TAS IJT

Jammu Mar 28 PTI A senior army officer on Monday cautioned youngsters against drug abuse saying the enemy nation is using narcotics as a weapon to destroy our coming generations General Officer Commanding GOC White Knight Corps Lt Gen Manjinder Singh said this addressing a cultural function held in Mendhar town of Poonch district The event was organised by Bhimber Gali Brigade under the Ace of Spades Division The officer also announced the Jammu Premier League from this year to be held on pattern of Kashmir Premier League a Twenty20 cricket league started by the army in the valley in 2011 to engage young people in positive activity The league will see participation of one team from each of the 10 districts of Jammu region he said The teams are sponsored by the army which also provides them with cricket kits and refreshments during the tournament The enemy nation used to send militants and weapons but now they are also using narcotics as a weapon to destroy our coming generations Singh said We all are committed and will continue to work together for maintaining a conductive environment of peace and prosperity in the region The youth of the border village are today enjoying the peace dividends and are moving forward with the people of the rest of the country he said at the event which was resumed after two years break forced by the COVID pandemic The two-day festival started on Sunday is being held to encourage young people and locals to celebrate the cultural vibrancy of the region a defence spokesman said PTI TAS TAS VN VN

Jammu Mar 26 PTI An alleged fraudster was arrested for preparing and selling fake qualification certificates here on Saturday police saidRavi Kumar a resident of Kotli Gala Bana was caught along with 100 fake degrees and diplomas from his hideout in R S Pura area on the outskirts of Jammu a police spokesperson saidKumar was arrested on a complaint lodged by one Sunny of Nai Basti he saidThe spokesperson said a case was registered against the accused under relevant sections of Indian Penal CodeThe accused used to sell fake degrees marksheets and diploma certificates in order to earn money illegally he saidHe said the accused used the names of various universities in different parts of the country and was taking Rs 25000 for providing a fake diploma or marksheet and Rs 45000 for a fake degree PTI TAS RHL

Jammu Mar 26 PTI Resources are being expanded to completely transform the sporting ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday urging officials to redouble their efforts to quickly complete over 300 sports infrastructure projects being executed in all 20 districtsSinha was addressing sportspersons sports officials at the first-ever national archery championship being held at M A Stadium hereThis year 221 state-of-the-art playfields will be built in all 20 districts and 157 sports courts will be constructed and upgraded A multi-purpose indoor sports hall with world-class facilities will be constructed in almost all districts by the end of this financial year the Lt Governor saidUnder the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi with ample resources and strength efforts are being made to fulfill the aspirations of farmers women youth and sportspersons of Jammu and Kashmir with utmost seriousness through fast decisions and formulation of requisite policies he said In a path-breaking move to infuse sporting culture and achieve sporting excellence Jammu and Kashmir is setting up a Khel Gaon at Nagrota near Jammu the Lt Governor saidWe are witnessing sporting revolution in JK Players like Arif Bavleen Shreya Sadia Danish have made the UT proud Many more are raring for a place in the national team in different sports discipline I hope that they earn glory for themselves and for the country through their performances on the field the Lt Governor said Sinha underscored that as part of the transformative policies the first-ever sports policy has been notified and adopted for the promotion of sports and sporting activity in the Union TerritoryBesides monetary incentives it envisages provision of government jobs for sportspersons who secure medals in national and international competitions he said The endeavour is to facilitate players of Jammu and Kashmir in getting ample sporting experience throughout the year and also provide opportunities for adequate exposure outside the Union Territory he said With aim of Har Din Khel 175 lakh youth from the Union Territory were engaged in sports activities last year This year also under a special programme efforts are being made to connect 75 lakh youth with different disciplines of sports besides organising national level competitions in at least 17 sports disciplines the Lt Governor said He said the administration has ensured that girls also get an equal opportunity to showcase their talent in sports Women teams of rugby football cricket volleyball kabaddi and hockey have been formed in all the 20 districts besides 357 girls from underprivileged sections are being trained for hockey he said Sinha congratulated the Archery Association of India and Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council for organising a national level archery competition for the first time in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Later the Lt Governor distributed medals to all the winners from different states and Union Territories of the country in the compound event of 41st Senior National men and women Archery Championship PTI TAS RHL

Jammu Mar 26 PTI Two low-intensity explosions in quick succession sparked panic among the people in a busy market in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening officials saidA police spokesperson said security forces are at the site for a probeOn Saturday evening between 815 pm and 830 pm two low-intensity explosions occurred at Kotranka No loss of life or property happened the spokesperson saidHe said technical teams have been dispatched to the sites of explosionsEarlier officials said the first blast was heard around 815 pm near a garbage dump in Kotranka marketPolice and other security personnel rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to investigate the cause of the blastAs the investigation was underway another blast occurred 10 minutes later the officials said adding the whole area has been cordoned offThe officials did not rule out terror angle in the incident PTI TAS NSD

Jammu Mar 26 PTI Two explosions in quick succession sparked panic among the people in a busy market in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening officials saidNo one was injured they saidThe first blast was heard around 815 pm near a garbage dump in Kotranka market the officials saidPolice and other security personnel rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to investigate the cause of the blastAs the investigation was underway another blast occurred 10 minutes later the officials said adding the whole area has been cordoned offThe officials did not rule out terror angle in the incident PTI TAS NSD

Jammu Mar 26 PTI The fifth battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry was conferred with the Lieutenant Governors Unit Citation at the Raj Bhavan here on Saturday an official spokesperson saidThe citation was presented by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to Commanding Officer of the Ashok Chakra Battalion Colonel Gurpal Singh Jambal and Subedar Major Daler Singh he said According to the spokesperson the battalion played a lead role in the JK Republic Day parades in 2020 2021 and 2022Lt Governor praised the battalion for its professional proficiency and commended the efforts of the officers and drill instructors who have toiled hard to bring about a very high level of synchronisation and impressive marching standard of the participating contingents in the republic day parades he saidFelicitating the commanding officer and personnel of the fifth battalion the Lt Governor called upon the members of the armed forces to motivate the youth to play a key role towards nation-building PTI TAS RHL

Jammu Mar 26 PTI The work on redevelopment of the Shankaracharya Temple in Katra in Jammu and Kashmir has begun officials said on Saturday The redevelopment of the temple will add another destination for those undertaking a pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine and help boost economy of the area Ramesh Kumar the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board SMVDSB visited the temple and reviewed the ongoing work on the directions of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Sinha is the SMVDSB chairman There has been a persistent demand from various quarters for early redevelopment of the Shankaracharya Temple located atop a hillock on the eastern side of Katra town in Reasi district a base camp for Vaishno Devi pilgrims PTI TAS SMN