FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU Excelsiordaily Established 1965 Preventing fire incidents in J&K Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra Yoginder Koul inmates. There are numerous eateries coming up in every nook and number of drinking pipes are leaking and are open which can get corner of the city which are highly vulnerable and can be the next contaminated and has potential of creating mischief and tension tragedy happened to Fire and Emergency Department per- catastrophe, if proper safety measures are not followed by owners among the citizens by antisocial elements. There are many strategic School of Architecture sons while controlling a fire incident in local area of GolePul- who run it. The enforcement agencies have to gear up and all vio- places viz. railway crossings, stranded oil tankers and unfenced live Aly, TalabTillo, Jammu on 12th Feb this year. The place where lators are booked to follow safety measures discouragingtheir lax wires of electric transmission stations especially where school chil- sans infrastructure this incident took place was a functional Timber Saw Mill and sell- attitudes. Some establishments are functioning away from main road dren and cattle movement is high and begs our immediate attention. ing firewood, sawdust etc. The area is densely populated having heads, deep down in lanes andby lanes in view of fast expanding Each section of the society along with authorities need to create nless there are basic infrastructural facili- shops and other business establishment'saround with residential business activity. The relief and rescue to be carried out is difficult mass awareness regarding following standard of safety measures. ties, no institution can contribute and per- buildings touching each others end to end. for Emergency services because of the improper access to the spot The local residents can play a major role if they develop sensitivi- The Timber Saw Mill where the incident took place had two of incident. People need to be sanitized about such incidents which ty and can act as responsible citizens near the sight of incidents Uform as per its potential and expectations storeys on it which collapsed and crumbled during fire in the early by the concerned ones from it. Experts opine can take place because of our insensitiveness ofChalta Hai attitude. before trained teams who have special knowledge and training to morning hours of 12th Feb. as no resistance could be offered by its The probability of such incidents is maximum during night hours control it in the golden hour of incident. They can contain the fury that there could be no doubt of there being a standing pillars. The collapsed structure crumbled over the saw mill of fire to minimum possible area and provide immediate relief and strong evidence that in educational institutions, trapping with it firemen who had gone to control it leaving three rescue with cooperation from the locals to allow them to work as brave firemen under debris killed inharness and many others per- per standing operating procedure, who otherwise have been among other benefits, a good quality infrastruc- sons sustained serious injuries . This is somewhat a rare incident in ture facilitates better instructions, improves stu- observed creating hurdles,panic and commotion for the smooth Jammu city with few earlier precedents , converting entire business operations. dent outcomes, reduces dropout rates and cre- into debris within no time, luckily inmates reportedly had come out The local authority and volunteers of civil defence need to reac- ates an environment of better learning. Buildings unharmed. Investigation into the cause must be on to ascertain the tivate them in conducting mock exercises to assess their readiness cause. and shortcomings in dealing with any nature of fire incidents. This of reasonably good quality and better class- This is a major catastrophe which can recur if the authorities do rooms with attractive layouts are crucial ele- is going a long way to help our citizens by sanitizing them to work not wake up from the deep slumber for inspecting periodically to in tandem with authorities. These type ofIncidents erupt suddenly ments of learning environments in educational see such business establishments which house highly hazardous without forewarning to prepare ourselves to deal with it.An area- institutions. BA students of the School of godowns containing incendiary material in densely populated areas wise vulnerable spots need to be mapped in densely populated areas are feasible places to carry their business. The establishment can be of cities and towns with an action plan on ground with men materi- Architecture which was started with much hype Petrol pump, kerosene depot, CAPD Stores, Timber Depots, dumped and currently operating from a far flung area of al required. This can mitigate the sufferings of locals to a large extent solid waste material (Kabad) by scrap dealers, condemned vehicle, in case of any incident. It needs anticipation and imagination keep- Safapora of Bandipora district in Kashmir is crav- electric transformer station, PGhostel, Hotels, Dhabbas ,Live hang- ing in view of fast growing economy activities all across Jammu ing for better facilities in order to carry on with its ing wires, wide open drains etc. Serious accidents are prone to recur, when business activity remains suspended till next morning. But, and Kashmir. A seamless coordination can save a lot with stich in goal of promoting and furthering professional leading loss of precious lives and assets accumulated through hard whether watch and ward measures are in place to take care of any time, saves life and property, if fritted away in discussing only before earned toil. This can turn a buzzing business ventures and entire studies in the field of Architecture. such incident, erupting during night along with quantum of inflam- next impending recurrence catches us up napping. This needs mass localities into smoke with all hopes dashed in no time for future mable material in stock. It to be controlled in time, the need of the awareness by both authorities to act in coordination with locals who This School was earlier functioning from sustenance. hour is our safety and saving our assets stocks, machinery etc. These are concerned citizens to protect and preserve what we have, lest Degree College ,Beminaor in other words, hav- There are proper procedures for housing such material to run incidents take place due to overconfidence, poor accountability of already smouldering embers may be still emitting smoke, injured ing no independent building and an ambiance such business outlets in cities and towns. The inspection teams of following prescribed safety standards, andmandatory absence of recouping and few still starting fresh life before next tragedy arrives. various designated agencies with powers and responsibility, need night watch and ward men. The mobile vendosr too are running a This incident was an eye opener for all of us to learn from failures. "befitting" the type of education this institution to conduct periodic checkings whether safety measures are adopt- good business these days and its volume has increased manifold who The author is IPS Officer (Retd) was believed to be imparting to the students. ed and are well placed for safety of general public,stocks and need to follow similar guidelines for safety and public hygiene. A [email protected] As if that was any less of the proverbial step motherly treatment meted out to this School, it Prof. Suresh Chander of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe to was shifted to a far flung area of Safapora in a PTM- A bulwark against Taliban take these terrorist groups head he story of Ali Wazir, a on. In such an eventuality, the dilapidated building , in a lighter note, not for giv- Pashtun Tahafaz ing practical training to the aspiring Architects as state will have difficulty dealing TMovement (PTM) with such a situation. to how a dilapidated building could be redrawn leader, is a member of National This is not an attempt to on canvas for modifications, alterations and bet- Assembly of Pakistan (NA-50 Lessons for India unnecessarily paint a grim sce- (Tribal Area – XI)) has lessons nario but only points to a worst ter designing but to carry on with their daily became the epicenter of global the crimes of an individual or In an interview during April tion at security check posts, and for leftists and public at large in case scenario like in war activities of learning their courses. Government terrorism when a host of any alleged crime committed in 2018, Ali Wazir said: “The past innocent civilians face violence the sub-continent. He is also a games. Any attempt by rabble- Taliban-allied groups sought the territory. Ali Wazir was still few months have transformed during security sweeps and College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) central committee member of rousers will be counterproduc- shelter in the communities. The in prison when his father, broth- my life. Amid the agonies I operations. As the world’s Safapora is currently controlling it but on tempo- The Struggle, a Pakistani tive and should be curbed by the presence of terrorist groups ers, cousins, and an uncle were have endured and the threats, largest tribal society, the Marxist organization. state with an iron hand. rary basis. That, in other words, denotes that was objected to by his father, killed in a single ambush in suspicion, and accusations I Pashtuns are known for their He defeated his closest rival Every community has its even its control is subject to be changes depend- the chief of the Ahmadzai Wazir 2005. face, the love, support, and hospitality, commitment, and from a religious party alliance, own psychology and behaviour tribe, and other local leaders. Ali Wazir and his family respect I receive is overwhelm- valour, and are falsely reduced ing upon the convenience of the administration. MMA by a margin of 16015 pattern. Certain communities Instead government officials were economically ruined after ing. Since February, when we to terrorist sympathizers despite Department of Higher Education in the UT of votes in 2018. react and even resist by arms ignored and silenced them. all of the notable men in his began protesting to draw atten- the fact that they are their worst The Pashtun Tahafuz and others accept it as a fait Jammu and Kashmir must find out a suitable Movement (PTM), or the Islamabad spent years denying family were eliminated. The tion to the suffering of ethnic victims. building for this School which aims at producing accompli or as a will of god. In Pashtun Protection Movement, the presence of any Afghan, militants demolished his family Pashtuns — among the worst The story of Ali Wazir is this context, it is necessary to qualified Architects. Better environmental and is a social movement for Arab, or Central Asian mili- owned gas stations. His family victims of terrorism — I have important in Indian context and point out that Kashmir Valley design elements particularly of an educational Pashtun human rights based in tants. owned apple and peach learned a lot about the potential particularly for secular leftist Muslims by and large did not Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and By 2003, the militants had orchards in Wana were sprayed of ordinary Pakistanis. Their forces in India. There are no give shelter to Taliban like institution leads to better academic progress as Balochistan. Formerly called established a foothold in South with poisonous chemicals, and thirst for change is inspiring and two opinions that secular left is better light and quality of air, stimulation or com- groups with some exceptions the Mahsud Tahafuz (or and North Waziristan tribal tube wells were filled with dirt heralds a peaceful, prosperous supporting the fears of the here and there in spite of the plexity and colour, and flexibility of learning Protection) Movement, it was agencies and were attempting to to force them to surrender to the future we must build for gener- Muslim community, these fears fact it would have given them space or individualisation are the interrelated founded in May 2014 by eight build a local Emirate. Ali forces of darkness. In 2016, his ations to come”. real or imagined have to be short term gains. They are intel- factors for better learning. A small of more invest- students at Gomal University, Wazir’s elder brother Farooq family owned market in Wana He contested parliamentary addressed, in the valley and ligent and pragmatic people and Dera Ismail Khan as an initia- Wazir, became the first victim was dynamited elections in 2008 and 2013 too. now anti CAA movement. Anti ment in buildings and ambiances is worth it as, are aware of the consequences tive for removing landmines of a long campaign in which The government prevented In the 2013 general elec- CAA movement is fast radical- of aligning with extremists. on long term basis it produces fantastic results. from Waziristan and other parts thousands of Pashtun tribal the local community, mostly tions, his victory was changed ising the youth, particularly the These are dangerous times, Policy makers in the Department of Higher of the former Federally leaders, activists, politicians, members of Ahmadzai Wazir into a defeat at gunpoint. He women. The concerns of the our actions today will decide Education should focus on these mandatory pro- Administered Tribal Areas, and clerics were killed with tribe, from collecting donations lost the election by just 300 secular left may be genuine - the course our country is going affected by the war in North- near absolute impunity. Their to help them. They were told votes after the Taliban intimi- that's not the point of debate. to take - there will be no Modis visions when it comes to learning and imparting West Pakistan. only crime was to question or that jit would set an unaccept- dated voters and tortured his But it may lead to sheltering of or Rahuls at that time to blame. higher education. Ad hoc approaches as in the Presently, PTM is headed by oppose the presence of danger- able precedent because the gov- supporters and campaign volun- Taliban-allied groups amongst It may lead to a fire fighting sit- instant case, should be avoided and never sup- Manzoor Pashteen. Other ous terrorists in their homeland. ernment cannot let anyone help teers. these radicalised groups. The uation. Let us avoid it. Ali Wazir was arrested those it punishes. Amidst violence, thousands radicalised persons may be in ported unless under extreme unavoidable short prominent leaders are Ali Wazir (The author is former Head of and Mohsin Dawar. under the draconian colonial- Total of 16 members of his of civilians have disappeared, microscopic numbers in a par- term reasons. The other lacuna in the system is Computer Engineering Department in G B Ali Wazir's hometown, era Frontier Crimes Regulations family, including his father, two and thousands have fallen vic- ticular group. These sit-ins have Pant University of Agriculture & that of under which autonomous body or parent Wana, the headquarters of (FCR) law that holds an entire brothers were killed by the tim to extrajudicial killings. The given them an opportunity to Technology) institution School of Architecture should be func- South Waziristan agency, tribe or region responsible for Taliban during that period. leaders of PTM face humilia- network. But there are no likes [email protected] tioning. That element is still undecided and all other requirements like notices for admissions in the courses and the subsequent selection list Systemic failure causing flux in Delhi were all done under the auspices of Kashmir University but it does not have administrative Anil Anand to fixing of responsibility, the testing assembly elections rent situation in Delhi which has people. directing its local leadership and control over it . It appears that apart from the Government though expressed against each other. The silence of caused curiosity in the quarters If certain quarters close to Mr rank and file to reach out to the ven two weeks after its willingness to allow the the three political parties, of concerned. Suddenly, despite an Kejriwal are to be believed then society and undertake relief basics of a reasonably better building to operate North-East part of Delhi debate is adamant to do the same course in their own way and impressive electoral victory for a he decided against reaching out measures. from, the absence of up-gradation of the basic Ewas rocked by communal on a day, date and time of its style, is the most intriguing as it second successive time, Mr to the riot affected people under The biggest loser in this riots leading to 48 deaths, the own choice which has created a is directly hitting the interest of Kejriwal changed tacks particu- advice from the central leader- game Congress had an occasion infrastructure and even basic amenities being in capital city despite having two tatters, School of Architecture appears to be no situation of conflict in those who faced the onslaught of larly in the midst of the riots and ship particularly the Home to connect with the people systems of governance- Centre Parliament House and thereby the communal frenzy. Under went into a silent mode. Not only Minister, Amit Shah. If that is through exposing failures of the body's baby. and the local AAP Government adding to the flux. such circumstances the ruling that his lips were sealed, an true then this is a significance Centre and the state dispensa- It is high time, the authorities concerned headed by Mr Arvind Kejriwal- These are not the only rea- party rank and file usually is in intriguing departure from his development in the context of tions on relief and rehabilitation is in a state of total flux. Even sons behind the uncertainty the fore-front to help their earlier style of politics of con- BJP-AAP relationship. This is front and assuring foolproof addressed the concern of students and their par- almost two weeks after the riots ents and paid their preferred heed towards the which has gripped Delhi. There Government in implementing flict, but in his wisdom he decid- yet another extreme from Mr security in the Capital, but it that left at least 48 people dead is a total political vacuum in the the relief and rehabilitation ed not to visit the affected areas Kejriwal who has taken a full seem to be have squandered it problems faced by the students and the faculty and hundreds injured, and a psy- aftermath of total lawlessness plans. Both BJP and AAP rank to take stock of the situation turn from his earlier virulent self once again. The party is leader- members of the School of Architecture and che that is deeply hurt and that was witnessed in North East and file are found wanting on which as chief minister he against the BJP top leadership less in Delhi as appointment of a arrange erection of the requisite infrastrcuture as bruised no clear directions have Delhi with police remaining a this account. should have done at the first including Prime Minister, new Delhi president does not emerged on the issue of relief per the guidelines of Indian Council of silent spectator for at least three Since both BJP and AAP are available opportunity. Narendra Modi, to a sudden con- seem to be insight in near future. and rehabilitation, probing the days. Was this reluctant on the the ruling parties- at the Centre This has raised many ques- ciliatory approach. The manner Ritualistically, the party's inter- Architecture. Let this institution appear, qualify causes behind the mayhem and part of the police was due to and in Delhi local, it becomes tions in the public mind, among in which he has done so, by im president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi as well perform as an educational institution fixing the accountability at all lack of will or was the elite force more incumbent upon the large swath of his support base ignoring the riot affected people, formed a committee to tour the imparting professional education like that of the levels beginning from Union waited for instructions from the Congress to act an alert watch- and of course within his rank and is jarring and bound to create affected areas and highlight the Home Ministry, which is directly discipline of Architecture and not be an apology Centre to wield the stick? This dog being the only opposition file as to what prevented him doubts. systematic failures in providing in charge of law and order in question is today staring all party but it seems the over centu- from visiting the riot hit North On its part the BJP ruling at relief to the victims. for one . Better connectivity and safety and secu- Delhi, Kejriwal Government and those directly responsible for ry old party is strongly gripped East Delhi. If Mr Kejriwal has the Centre is busy deflecting the Despite this flux the normalcy rity of the students should be the hallmark of an above all Delhi Police. governance and maintaining law by indecisiveness which has decided to shift from politics of blame and trying to heap it on is slowly returning on its own. To educational institution and School of Architecture Consider this scenario in the and order Delhi, in the face. unfortunately become a strong confrontation to politics of coop- either AAP Government or sustain the process on a long term light of yet another uncertainty should not be an exception. The third and most important trait of its personality. Of course, eration and coordination, it Congress. Despite having pulled basis, it is imperative that the two prevailing on account of the reason that has further added to the party is smarting under the should be welcomed by all but if all stops and spending fortune in Governments and the political PG course at IGGDC Jammu Centre's reluctance to debate the the confusion and deepened the pressure of crushing defeat that that entailed buckling under the elections with a hope to form parties soon come to terms with matter in the two Houses of inertia that Delhi is currently it received in the assembly elec- some pressure that ultimately led the Government, the BJP has not themselves and act accordingly. t may be recalled that there was not only the Parliament. The Opposition par- experiencing, is the sudden inac- tions and failing for the second to his abandoning the very peo- forgotten the defeat and so its After all, it is only they who have resentment in not upgrading the Indira ties have been pressing for a tion of the political parties name- successive time to open its ple who just days back voted attention is more focused on to stand as a surety for people's Gandhi Government Dental College debate which if held in a mean- ly BJP, AAP and Congress who account. Firstly about the BJP- him back to power, certainly coming out with fresh political safety and security. I ingful way could certainly lead (IGGDC), Jammu but lot of persuasions and were only a few weeks back con- AAP equation vis-a-vis the cur- owes an explanation to the same narrative everyday rather than [email protected] struggles in respect of starting PG courses ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// were not bearing any results. On the contrary, in (The views expressed by the authors are their personal) Srinagar such facility was available right from \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ the year 2007. However, better late than never, Union Health Ministry has, now, given its No 'Swacch Bharat' in Nowshera approval for starting such advance courses in Sir, The poor management of Municipal Solid Waste leads to the con- seven out of nine specialities in IGGDC, tamination of environment whether it is air, water and soil. All are being Back to Village On 2nd October 2014, Our Prime Minister started a Swachh Bharat polluted because of the carelessness and negligence of Administration Sir, Jammu right from the academic session of Mission a nationwide campaign to clean up streets roads and infrastruc- 2020-21, a good news for aspiring eligible can- of Nowshera. Many poisonous gases are continuously coming out of ture of cities, towns, rural areas. On regular basis funds have been allo- the disposal site which is harmful for the environment. It's not only This is in response to article 'Allow BDOs to execute Back didates. cated to Swachh Bharat Mission and concerning departments. But as a about the environment but also about the health of the people's espe- to Village prog' by Dr Raja Muzaffar (28/02/2020). Though initially, there are seven courses only concerned citizen of this country I have few questions like Is Swachh cially small children and senior citizens. Their health is at risk because In this regard I want to say that Back to Village prog can and the seats are 14 in all or 2 in each special- Bharat really possible? Has it made any impact on the ground level? Is they are consuming contaminated water thanks to the Administration never be a successful endeavour unless officials of Rural it being followed with proper methods? The reason why I am asking Development Department are not taken into full confidence. ity , to start with , it is hoped that all the nine dis- of Nowshera. Recently I interacted with one of the doctors of Nowshera these questions is that in reality our local civil bodies are not follow- Sub District Hospital. He said every day he is getting 15-20 cases of It is very sad to know that BDO Chadoora was transferred ciplines would be allowed to be specialised in ing any guidelines to manage Municipal Solid Waste. water borne disease. soon after restart Back to Village prog part 2 .Not only has from this college too and the seat numbers too Let me begin with highlighting the case of Nowshera. The whole As per the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules 2016, the dis- BDO Riyaz been prematurely tansferred but even the SDM enhanced in future since Government Dental garbage of Nowshera city is being collected by concerned bodies and posal site should be 100m away from any water bodies like rivers, ponds Chadoora was also transferred recently before he had com- then it is thrown just near the bank of Manovar River which directly pleted the two years tenure in Chadoora. Both BDO and College Srinagar has been enhanced in seat and lakes. So it is clear cut violation of MSW rules 2016. Our Prime contaminates water quality of the river. Also the disposal site is near Minister is working so hard for the Swachh Bharat Mission. From every SDM had been doing a great job to implement works taken capacity to 28 and two additional specialities to the main road which is connecting National Highway to Nowshera stage he is promoting Swachh Bharat but the lower administration has up during "Back to Village prog '' meetings especially about too sanctioned. We also hope that things would City. So the movement of people and vehicles is in large numbers. Dur- failed to do so. Therefore I would like to request Our Prime Minister implementing solid waste rules in Chadoora sub division. I go all well , targets would be duly completed so ing rainfall the leachate which is coming out of the garbage also leads to take some mandatory actions to save the Manovar River and also the appeal authorities especially Lt Governor Murmu and Chief to the contamination of water. My reason for concern is getting more Secretary BVR Subramanian to intervene. that the permission given by the Central health of the Nowshera peoples. serious when I understand that this river is the only source of water for Harmeet Singh Raashid Ashraf Rather Government is renewed on due date. the Nowshera people and nearby villages. Environment Activist Kralpora Budgam