news details |
|
|
| Valley youth get paid for strikes: Omar | | | ARTEEV SHARMA
MANSAR (SAMBA), Feb 2: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that youth of Kashmir Valley are being paid for carrying out protests and strikes by some forces which are against the restoration of normalcy there.
Talking to the media persons at the sidelines of a function regarding World’s Wetland celebrations at Mansar, Omar said, “There are some forces which don’t peace and normalcy in Kashmir Valley. Time and again these forces have been trying to precipitate the situation over trivial issues for disturbing peaceful atmosphere in the State.
“Money is being paid to the youth to come on streets and throw stones,” he said, adding that tippers loaded with stones being dumped on particular spots in Baramulla, Sopore Kupwara and Srinagar districts for the purpose.
Over the killing of a teenager in Valley which evoked massive protests and strikes, Omar said that such unfortunate incident happened when people taking law into their hands. He, however, said that it was his earnest appeal to the youngster coming on roads and those who are provoking them not to play with the lives of teenagers. “Some elements for the petty political gains have been putting the lives on youth on risk by provoking them,” Omar maintained.
Over the Kishtwar incident where the undertrail militants were provided all facilities by cops, Omar said that whenever such incidents brought our notice strict actions were taken against the guilty.
Earlier, Omar said that the State Government has underlined protection of environment as one of the important sectors and special attention is being focused on restoration of depleted forests, water bodies and wetlands in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the Centre Government and the Union Minister for support to the state government to carry forward its mission of conservation and protection of lakes and forests in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister said that youth have special role to play in the stupendous task of maintaining state’s ecology and bio-diversity. “You have to educate the people about the importance of water bodies, forests, wetlands, fauna and flora of the state”, he told to the large number of youth especially students who were present on the occasion.
Omar said that large quantity of water is being drawn from the Mansar Lake daily to supply the drinking water to people in the areas. “This has increased pressure on the Lake and Government has now approved Rs. 6 crore PHE scheme to relieve the Lake from this burden,” he added.
The function was attended by the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmed, Minister of State for Forests, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Member Parliament, Madan Lal Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary, Forests, Shantmanu, Principal Conservator of Forests, Keshwani, Union Director of Environment and Wetlands, S. Koul and Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sourabh Bhagat besides other.
The Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmed in his speech highlighted various issues pertaining to restoration of depleted forests and said that the officers have been sensitized at all levels to put in joint efforts in successful implementation of the projects ensuring judicious utilization of funds. “In the 20 years of disturbance in the state the forests have received huge damage and we have to restore it and look ahead for massive afforestation”, he said.
The Minister of State for Forests, Shabir Ahmed Khan, the Member Parliament, Madan Lal Sharma, the Commissioner/Secretary, Forests, the Union Director, Environment and Wetlands, S Koul also spoke on the occasion.
The students presented an enthralling programme on the theme of conservation of water bodies and protection of forests.
The Union Minister and the Chief Minister also released a calendar depicting tourist places of Jammu and Kashmir and three publications on Wetlands Reserve, Climate Change and Fauna and Flora.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
