extreme-weather-conditions-cripple-normal-life-ruin-crops-in-northern-india

Extreme weather conditions cripple normal life, ruin crops in northern India

New Delhi/Nainital, Jan 11 (ANI): Severe winter has crippled normal life in northern India. Several cities are witnessing poor visibility due to dense fog, resulting in delayed train traffic. Farmers too are bearing the brunt as crops get ruined in the extreme weather conditions. While trains run late, passengers in New Delhi faced inconvenience. Meanwhile, farmers in Haldwani region of Uttarakhand suffer losses worth millions as the extreme weather conditions ruined their crops. Located in the tropics, most of India witnesses a very hot summer and a largely temperate winter. Snowfall in states like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has a direct impact in other northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Jan 11, 2015
people-await-snowfall-as-cold-wave-persists-in-jandk

People await snowfall as cold wave persists in JandK

Srinagar, Jan 10 (ANI): There is no respite from severe cold in Kashmir where residents await snowfall in hope of better weather conditions. The plummeting temperature has left several water bodies, including the famed Dal Lake, frozen. The persistent cold wave has forced people to stay indoors in capital city, Srinagar. Another resident Mohammed Iqbal said that it became extremely difficult to go out for work in these conditions as the number of public vehicles plying on roads too comes down with the dipping temperature. The Kashmir Valley is in the midst of the 40-day-long Chillai Kalan, believed to be the harshest winter period. It had begun on December 21, 2014. Snowfall in states like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has a direct impact in other northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Jan 10, 2015
villagers-in-kashmir-seek-permanent-solution-to-end-ceasefire-violations

Villagers in Kashmir seek permanent solution to end ceasefire violations

Samba, Jan 10 (ANI): Villagers living along the de'facto border dividing India'Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir appealed the central government to find a permanent solution amid continuous cross'border firing between the two nuclear armed neighbours. People are agitated with Pakistan for violating ceasefire truce time and again. While hundreds of them have left their homes with their belongings towards safer places, many others walked to the relief camps. Meanwhile, alert was sounded in Hiranagar border area after a woman sighted movement of six suspected persons at border village Spral Pian on Friday morning. Army was deployed in suspected areas and National Highway. The army was also deployed in populated areas adjoining the Ujh River connecting to International border of Pakistan. Jan 10, 2015
passengers-miffed-as-pakistan-restricts-run-of-bus-service-at-wagah-border

Passengers miffed as Pakistan restricts run of bus service at Wagah border

Wagah, Jan 10 (ANI): The decision of Pakistan to restrict the run of a bus service at Wagah border following an intelligence alert that militants may target the bus has angered passengers. Passengers travelling from Pakistan said they were severely inconvenienced as it involves more time. Early this week, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation decided to restrict the entry of buses running under the Pakistan-India friendship service from Lahore to Delhi till Wagah border due to militant threats. Earlier, the bus used to travel from New Delhi to Pakistan's Lahore city. A passenger from Pakistan's Faislabad, Rashid Hanif was visibly upset. Jan 10, 2015
residents-traders-face-discomfort-after-authorities-close-off-historic-mughal-road

Residents, traders face discomfort after authorities close off historic Mughal road

Rajouri, Jan 10 (ANI): Residents and traders who are dependent on the historic Mughal road linking Jammu to the Kashmir valley are facing discomfort after authorities closed it off. The road which is 170 kilometers long, links Shopian in Kashmir Valley with Poonch in Jammu region. The traffic police in the region say the harsh cold weather has become a hazard for vehicles to ply on the road. But residents claim that the road is clear and are angry at the authorities for closing off a source of their livelihood. People now have to take a longer alternative route to reach Jammu from the Kashmir valley which is about 450 kilometers long. The government has funded more than 6 billion rupees for the project. Jan 10, 2015
it-happens-camel-fest-in-rajasthan-enthralls-tourists

It Happens : Camel fest in Rajasthan enthralls tourists

Bikaner, Jan 9 (ANI): Camel race in shimmering sand dunes of Rajasthan enthralled Indian and foreign tourists at the International Camel Festival. Camels, which are also known as the ship of the desert due to their ability to store water for several days, mesmerised the onlookers as they competed with each other with great vigour. The tourists, who arrived in Bikaner district of Rajasthan from western countries like Australia, Germany, Canada and England, were thrilled as they watched the race keenly and enjoyed every moment of it. Apart from camel race, camel dance, camel decoration competitions and camel wrestling, and several village sport events were also organised at the festival. A tourist from Germany, Gehash said he was delighted to witness the camel race. The tourists were fascinated as they saw beautifully decorated camels dance to traditional tunes at the festival, jointly organised by Rajasthan Tourism and Bikaner district administration. A tourist from Canada, Christine said that the camel race would be etched in her memories. Tourists hailed the warm and traditional reception accorded to them. They were amazed by the exotic ethnic ornaments and costumes adorned by Rajasthani women. Jan 9, 2015
politicos-react-as-jandk-heads-for-governors-rule-after-omar-decides-to-quit-as-caretaker-cm

Politicos react as JandK heads for Governor's rule after Omar decides to quit as Caretaker CM

New Delhi/ Jammu, Jan 09 (ANI): Political leaders on Friday react as Jammu and Kashmir heads for Governor's rule with incumbent NN Vohra sending a report to the Centre on the political impasse after Omar Abdullah asked him to relieve him as caretaker Chief Minister of the state. Omar Abdullah told him that the state needed a full-time administrator to deal with the situation along the border with Pakistan and providing relief to flood-affected people in the Kashmir valley. Reacting on the same, NC leader Davinder Singh Rana said that Abdullah has taken this decision in view of the larger interest of the people of the state. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said that since JandK got a fractured mandate, situation in the state is obvious. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that the governor's take on the issue would be ultimate decision. Meanwhile, NCP and CPI also called for early establishment of government in the valley. Jan 9, 2015
kashmir-police-prepared-to-deal-with-any-situation-jandk-dgp

Kashmir police prepared to deal with any situation: JandK DGP

Jammu, Jan 09 (ANI): Police of Jammu and Kashmir are prepared to deal with any eventuality, said top official amid heavy shelling and infiltration bids in the border region from Pakistan. In the disputed region of Kashmir, thousands of Indians have fled their homes as fighting between India and Pakistan spread along a 200-km (124-mile) border stretch. At least 10 people have been killed since December 31. Meanwhile, Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Rajendra Kumar said his force was ready to meet any challenge. The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled three infiltration bids from Pakistan last week, said BSF Director General DK Pathak after cross-border firing intensified between the two neighbouring countries. Tensions have been high since Prime Minister Narendra Modi called off peace talks in August, and border clashes have erupted intermittently since. Jan 9, 2015

Snowfall in Kufri boosts tourism

Kufri, Jan 09 (ANI): An early spell of snowfall in Kufri this year has brought cheers to the small business community. Nestled in hills, Kufri in Himachal Pradesh has been attracting a steady stream of visitors after temperatures plummeted to zero levels. One of the preferred tourist destinations for people from plains, Kufri has reported a significant jump in tourist numbers. Locals are happy as all sectors linked to tourism industry are doing well. Tourists, both domestic and foreign, have been thronging Kufri since a thick blanket of snow enveloped the hills. Travel agent, Kuldeep Sharma, said the rush of tourists has boosted the revenues of hotels and small traders. A large number of tourists could be seen enjoying snow in forests of Kufri covering almost 23 kilometers of the area. Jan 9, 2015
police-say-no-prisoners-languishing-in-jails-of-punjab-after-punjab-cms-letter-demanding-release

Police say no prisoners languishing in jails of Punjab after Punjab CM's letter demanding release

Chandigarh/Poonch, Jan 08 (ANI): Deputy General of Police in Punjab, Sumedh Singh Saini, denied claims that there are prisoners languishing in the state jails despite having completed their sentences. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal caused a flutter by seeking early release of 13 militants, including the assassins of former Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh. Badal's request comes after a resident of Punjab, Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, went on a hunger strike in November 2014 demanding the release of six convicts, including the assassins of Beant Singh. Saini said not even a single person is languishing in Punjab prisons beyond their term. Khalsa claims that keeping prisoners in prison beyond their period of conviction is a violation of human rights. Meanwhile, various Sikh organisations held a march in Poonch district of northern state of Jammu and Kashmir in support of Khalsa's hunger strike. President of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of Poonch, Narinder Singh, said they are hopeful the memorandum will be forwarded to Prime Minister's Office (PMO) at the earliest. Jan 8, 2015
passengers-peeved-by-shortened-route-of-india-pak-bus-service

Passengers peeved by shortened route of India-Pak bus service

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Passengers of the Pakistan-India friendship bus service who arrived in New Delhi termed the shortened route of the bus service inconvenient. In an unprecedented move, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation decided to restrict the entry of buses running under the Pakistan-India friendship service from Lahore to Delhi till Wagah border due to militant threats. Buses to Delhi will now start from Wagah border instead of Lahore. A passenger said this tweak in the route has put the passengers at risk. Another passenger said the passengers were caught unaware and they were not given any prior information about the change. Reportedly, Pakistan is not taking any chances with regards to security issues after recent incidents. Jan 8, 2015

Women police squads deployed in Srinagar to check crimes against women

Srinagar, Jan 08 (ANI): Police in Jammu and Kashmir have begun deploying women police squads at sensitive and crowded areas in Srinagar to check increasing crimes against women. The move comes in the wake of recent acid attack on a 21-year-old law student by three car-borne assailants outside her college in Srinagar's Nowshera locality in December. A member of the women police squad, Ruksana, said the incident forced the authorities to take this step. Applauding the move, students said they felt much safer now. Jan 8, 2015
delhi-lahore-bus-service-restricted-to-wagah-border-after-warnings-of-terror-attack-politicos-react

Delhi-Lahore Bus Service restricted to Wagah Border after warnings of terror attack; politicos react

New Delhi/ Gandhinagar, Jan 7 (ANI): Reactions poured in as Pakistan restricted the entry of buses run under the Pakistan-India Dosti service from Lahore and Nankana Sahib to Delhi till Wagah border citing terror threats. The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has said the bus service will now on be operated only up to Wagah Border. The MEA said that if there are security concerns, it is then for Pakistan to decide what is in their interest in terms of security. Jan 7, 2015