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Indian Express Report on Earthquake - Times of India Report

Death toll mounts as thousands vanish in Pakistan, India

In Pictures

Pakistanis Rush home to Retrieve Missing Relatives

Many Expatriates lost entire Family and home.

By V.M.Sathish

DUBAI - As the death toll from the devastating earthquake that destroyed part of Kashmir is mounting, Pakistani expatriates are getting sad news about the death of near and dear ones. In Diera alone many Pakistani expatriates have already left to join in the search for the near and dear ones who may be buried in the debris. Expatriates have also lost valuable property and buildings, which they have built using their earnings. Six workers of Al Zahra Walandaleep Restaurant, a Pakistani restaurant near Diera taxi stand are sad because each one of them have lost at least two to three members of their family.

These hotel workers -Mohammed Younus, Abdul Kareem Mohammed Parwesh, Abdul Aziz and Manshad Hussein hail from Bagh, one of the worst affected areas of Azad Kashmir. " Our entire area seems to have been destroyed and a new building that I have created spending Rs.8 lakh is also disappeared. Two of my family members have died," said one of the restaurant workers. While Parwesh has already left to Pakistan, others may go tomorrow to join their remaining members of the family. "I cannot say who all are left in my family. Mobile phones are not working and my new house in the bazzar area is totally gone," he said. "Three members of my family have died and I know many people who have lost two or three members in their family," added the employee who works in the kitchen. "On Friday I called up my family and there was no problem. Now I am worried and I am trying to go home," he added. "Some of my friends have already left for Pakistan and others are likely to go today or tomorrow," he added. Most of them are returning home after a gap of one to two years. "It is the first time in the last fifty years that such a devastating earthquake is affecting the area," said the worker, while trying his mobile phone to call up relatives.

Abdul Kareem says that he came to know about the destruction of his house on the first day itself. "All my earnings in Dubai was spend to make this house. It is a great loss. My colleague Younus is already in Pakistan for two months vacation. My entire village seems to have gone underground," he added. There was a big market where small and small buildings stood. "I am not sure about the whereabouts of my two sisters. Four members of my family have died when the building collapsed. My sister, her daughter and husband and a 12 years old boy also died," he added. "I am going to Pakistan by Aero Asia flight tomorrow to see what is the situation," added Parwesh. Mansoor lost four cousines - one was old but others were young. "They were inside the house when the earthquake happened. Today I confirmed their death," he added. There are many Pakistanis from the earthquake-affected area.

The watchman of a building in Diera has already rushed to Pakistan as his relatives are reportedly dead. According to Sana, an advertising executive with Mediana, her cousine who was working as a lecturer died when a college building where she worked collapsed. Ali Bahdru, watchman of Al Ghusaiba building has lost four members of his family, two grandsons and two sons of his brother. He is uncertain about the fate of 20 member family who lived in Benam Nasa, which is fully destroyed by the quake. Mohammed Ishak, Dubai driving school employee has lost every one in his family. His family of two sons and their spouses and wife are buried in the building collapse. The fate of Dubai Sea Port driver Abdul Rahman is also not different...

Hundreds killed in earthquake in Pakistan

MI5 unmasks covert arms programmes Document names 300 organisations seeking nuclear and WMD technology

Ian Cobain and Ewen MacAskill
Saturday October 8, 2005

The Guardian Link

The determination of countries across the Middle East and Asia to develop nuclear arsenals and other weapons of mass destruction is laid bare by a secret British intelligence document which has been seen by the Guardian. More than 360 private companies, university departments and government organisations in eight countries, including the Pakistan high commission in London, are identified as having procured goods or technology for use in weapons programmes.The length of the list, compiled by MI5, suggests that the arms trade supermarket is bigger than has so far been publicly realised. MI5 warns against exports to organisations in Iran, Pakistan, India, Israel, Syria and Egypt and to beware of front companies in the United Arab Emirates, which appears to be a hub for the trade.The disclosure of the list comes as the Nobel peace prize was yesterday awarded to Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the UN watchdog responsible for combating proliferation. The Nobel committee said they had made the award because of the apparent deadlock in disarmament and the danger that nuclear weapons could spread "both to states and to terrorist groups".

The MI5 document, entitled Companies and Organisations of Proliferation Concern, has been compiled in an attempt to prevent British companies inadvertently exporting sensitive goods or expertise to organisations covertly involved in WMD programmes. Despite the large number of bodies identified, the document says the list is not exhaustive. It states: "It is not suggested that the companies and organisations on the list have committed an offence under UK legislation. However, in addition to conducting non-proliferation related business, they have procured goods and/or technology for weapons of mass destruction programmes."

The 17-page document identifies 95 Pakistani organisations and government bodies, including the Pakistan high commission in London, as having assisted in the country's nuclear programme. The list was compiled two years ago, shortly after the security service mounted a surveillance operation at the high commission which is the only diplomatic institution on the list. Abdul Basit, the deputy high commissioner, said: "It is absolute rubbish for Pakistan to be included. We take exception to these links."

Some 114 Iranian organisations, including chemical and pharmaceutical companies and university medical schools, are identified as having acquired nuclear, chemical, biological or missile technology. The document also attempts to shed some light on the nuclear ambitions of Egypt and Syria: a private chemical company in Egypt is identified as having procured technology for use in a nuclear weapons programme, while the Syrian atomic energy commission faces a similar charge. Eleven Israeli organisations appear on the list, along with 73 Indian bodies, which are said to have been involved in WMD programmes.

The document also highlights concerns that companies in Malta and Cyprus could have been used as fronts for WMD programmes. The United Arab Emirates is named as "the most important" of the countries where front companies may have been used, and 24 private firms there are identified as having acquired WMD technology for Iran, Pakistan and India.A spokesman for the UAE government said it had always worked "very closely" with the British authorities to counter the proliferation of WMD. (Courtesy: The Guardian )

PAKISTAN: Powerful quake rocks northeast

ANKARA, 8 Oct 2005 (IRIN) - Hundreds are feared dead and scores injured after a powerful earthquake ripped through northeastern Pakistan on Saturday. Preliminary reports indicate wide scale damage in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, with officials warning of higher casualties to follow. "At the moment, information is just coming in and we have yet to determine the true scale of the disaster," Marie-Francoise Borel, a spokeswoman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told IRIN from Geneva, noting, however, assessment teams were on the ground. "We hope to have further information soon so that we can respond accordingly," Borel said.Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, Saturday's quake struck at 08:50 local time, approximately 95 km north/northeast of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Early reports, however, indicate the quake was felt across a vast swathe of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, with particular intensity in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, northern Pakistan and central Punjab, including the capital and the western city of Lahore. Government official have described the situation as a national crisis. While damage to the capital was limited, speaking to reporters outside a multistory apartment block that had collapsed in Islamabad, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Serpao told Pakistan's private GEO TV that hundreds had been killed and many villages wiped out.

But it was the situation in Pakistan's mountainous northern areas and Kashmir which was most worrying.

By midday powerful images of widespread devastation appeared on Pakistani TV, indicating significant damage to Muzaffarbad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as the towns of Abbotabad, Mansehra, Swat and Gilgit.

Communication throughout much of the region had been knocked out, making an accurate assessment of the disaster difficult.

Major-General Shaukat Sultan, a spokesman for Pakistan's armed forces told the BBC there had been massive landslides caused by the quake, some of which had "completely wiped" out certain villages, adding many hospitals and schools had been damaged.

"The landslides have also blocked rivers, resulting in flooding in some areas," Sultan added.

According to a US Embassy statement issued after the quake, the full impact of the disaster was still being determined, but it was clear that there would be need for emergency relief and goods and services both in rural and urban areas.

The US military has offered assistance to their Pakistani counterparts to provide appropriate supplies and assistance for relief efforts. In addition, the Ministry of Interior Air Wing, a joint US-Pakistan programme, has also been authorised to provide helicopters for aerial relief support.

Seismic activity is common in the volatile Hindu Kush Mountains of the region, but Saturday's quake was reportedly the strongest in years.

20:41 IST
Event

An earthquake occurred at 0920 hrs IST on 8th Oct 2005.
The intensity of the earthquake was initially reported as 6.8 on the Richter scale later upgraded to 7.4 The epicenter of the earthquake is reported to be 34.6 N Latitude and 73.0 E Longitude at the location 40 Kms., west of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan. The tremors of the earthquake were felt in the northern States of India i.e. J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttranchal. 06 aftershocks of intensity more than 5.0 on Richter scale have occurred in Pakistan during the last 7 hours following the main Earthquake. This includes one moderate aftershock of intensity 6.0 on Richter scale which occurred at 1616 hours with epicenter at 34.8 N Latitude and 72.7 E Longitude near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan

The districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar and Poonch are the worst affected districts. Deaths/injuries

213 Civilian deaths, 32 deaths of Army personnel and 05 deaths of BSF personnel have been reported, mainly due to house collapses

The road to Tangdhar has been blocked due to landslides.
Army Columns have moved to these affected area sin Uri, Tangdhar, Baramulla, Kupwara Sector. Air support has also been put to operation.
Seven Buildings have reported to be damaged in Punjab i.e. 5 buildings in Amritsar, one each in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur.
The MHA Control Room is functioning round the clock.
The Union Home Secretary Shri V.K. Duggal has spoken to the Chief Secretary, J&K and to the Secretaries of the Central Ministries/Departments discharging Emergency Support Functions.
Advisories have been issued by MHA activating the Ministries/Departments of Defence, Power, Health, Telecommunication, Road Transport & Highways and Petroleum to discharge necessary emergency support functions in the affected areas particularly in J&K.
The Army and Air Force have extended full support to the Civil Administration in J&K in undertaking Search & Rescue activities.

EMERGENCY MEN AND MATERIAL BEING KEPT READY TO BE SENT TO THE QUACK AFFECTED AREA

The Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Anubumani Ramdoss immediately after hearing the news of the earth quack got in touch with the DG, Health Services and directed him to take care of the relief operations and he is also keeping a close watch on the situation. The emergency medical relief measures were discussed with the Disaster Management Group also. A round the clock Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Room No. 555, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, Telephone No: 23061302 or 23061457 (F).

The Rapid Relief Team comprising 30 physicians, surgeons, orthopaedicians, anaestheticians and specialists from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Harding Hospital and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has also been asked to keep standby. The Health Ministry officials are also in touch with the State Authority as well as the Red Cross for relief measures. The worst affected districts are Baramulla and Kupwara. Uri in Baramulla and Sangdar in Kupwara have reported maximum number of casualities. The dealth toll is likely to go further

Army Swings Into Action

The Army today launched large-scale rescue operations, OPERATION ‘IMDAD’ in aid of the earthquake affected in J&K. A total of 19 Army personnel have also lost their lives while 14 are reported missing and several injured. Despite casualties to own troops and damage to buildings and other structures, the Army swung into action almost immediately after the quake struck the region.

Army is providing relief in Uri, Rampur, Baramullah, Naogaon, Tanghdhar, Poonch and other areas. Civilians are being providing medical aid at Camps established in Uri and Poonch and other areas. Tentage accommodation has also been established at these locations. Civilians are being provided rations, medicines and blankets. Army’s Patrols have been dispatched with medical staff to the remote areas also.

Army is utilizing helicopters of IAF to move doctors and medical teams to the affected regions and to evacuate the seriously injured. Over 20 seriously injured civilians have been evacuated to Srinagar for medical aid from Uri alone. Army’s Engineer Task forces have been deployed to clear landslides and debris. The road to Uri from Barammulah was cleared of roadblocks by early afternoon today. Joint Control Rooms have been established with civil Administration and Police at Sri Nagar, Baramullah and Uri.

Wonder bra that stopped a bullet

Indian Workers Jailed in Kuwait : Suicide of Worker Triggers Unrest

About 24 Malayali workers are lock-up in Kuwait following their agitation surrounding the suicide of a worker at their labour camp. The twenty-four Indian workers employed with a well-known local company and arrested for allegedly taking part in a protest involving the death of a worker continue to languish in jail as tension continues to reign supreme at the workers camp in Mina Abdullah, reported Arab Times . "This comes on the heels of the death of an Indian worker Shakoor on Friday, who allegedly died due to the negligence on the part of a supervisor, who turned down his fervent appeals that he be taken to the hospital. The workers said Shakoor's death has cast a gloom on the camp given the fact that Shakoor was popular among the Indian workers," it said. "While the workers say their arrested colleagues are innocent and believe a systematic campaign is underway to muzzle their voices, the company allegedly holds the detained workers accountable for fomenting trouble. All detained workers hail from southern Indian state of Kerala.

Giving boost to the claims of tension at camp, an Indian allegedly committed suicide unable to cope with the tense moments prevailing around the camp, the paper siad quoting unnamed source said. The worker was allegedly disturbed following "a culture of harassment and intimidation adopted by the company" against certain Indian workers, who have been accused of deflating the tires of company's vehicles after protests involving the death of an Indian worker took an ugly turn last week Expounding the situation at the camp, a source said the workers live in constant fear of being arrested and deported as they claim that some of the supervisors at the camp have embarked on a programme of "witch-hunting" and are desperately trying to shield the guilty."The morale among the workers is at the rock bottom and they are planning to resign en masse if the company does not take immediate action to reverse the campaign of harassment unleashed by certain people.

There is a web of deceit and allegations, which have been carefully spun to discredit us."He added that the company could face serious labour shortage if Indian workers decide to go ahead with their decision to quit. "Majority of the workers working on the project are Indians and as such work will come to a virtual halt."Renewing complains about the accommodation, a worker said the rooms are in run down condition and lack basic amenities . "The toilets are in an awful shape and get choked regularly. The food provided by the company is of substandard quality. The concerned supervisors are unwilling to discuss these pressing issues with us despite numerous requests. Some of the arrested Indian workers were innocent and had nothing to do with the incident. While Pakistanis and Egyptians were also involved in the incident they went scot-free.

Free Iftar in Abu Dhabi Express Bus

Dubai 8 October 2005

Dubai Municipality Public Transport Department has started distributing Iftar packets to the fasting passengers who board the Emirates Express bus service that plies between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Iftar service, which will continue till the end of the month of Ramadan, is being provided with the co-operation of the charity organization, Human Appeal International.Abdul Aziz Malik, Director of Public Transport Department said that the initiative comes as a fruit of the co-operation between Dubai and Abu Dhabi municipalities, who jointly operate the Emirates Express bus service. He said that the Public Transport bus services have been re-scheduled to facilitate the passengers during the month of Ramadan. “All the 62 routes have been re-scheduled to run for extra time. The 24 hour Airport service will run with 30 minutes frequency. The free service at Al Awir Vegetable Market will start at 3am,” said Malik.“In general, for most of the other normal routes the first departure from the bus station / terminus will be at 5am and the last departure will be at 23:57pm,” he said.“We have charted out a comprehensive plan to run the bus network at convenient timings for the passengers during the Holy month of Ramadan. When many routes have increased frequencies, many others have extra timings in the evenings,” said Malik.He said that passengers can also benefit from their E-go cards during the month of Ramadan. “Officials will be available at main bus stations for issuing and renewing E-go cards,” said Malik.He also welcomed suggestions and remarks from passengers about the Ramadan services of the Public Transport buses.Passengers who desire more information on the services can contact the Toll Free Number 800 4848 or visit the website of the Public Transport department, www.dubaipublictransport.ae.

Indian Express Report on Earthquake - Times of India Report Death toll mounts as thousands vanish in Pakistan, India In Pictures Pakistanis Rush home to Retrieve Missing Relatives Many Expatriates lost entire Family and home. By V.M.Sathish DUBAI - As the death toll from the devastating earthquake that destroyed part of Kashmir is mounting, Pakistani expatriates are getting sad news about the death of near and dear ones. In Diera alone many Pakistani expatriates have already left to join in the search for the near and dear ones who may be buried in the debris. Expatriates have also lost valuable property and buildings, which they have built using their earnings. Six workers of Al Zahra Walandaleep Restaurant, a Pakistani restaurant near Diera taxi stand are sad because each one of them have lost at least two to three members of their family. These hotel workers -Mohammed Younus, Abdul Kareem Mohammed Parwesh, Abdul Aziz and Manshad Hussein hail from Bagh, one of the worst affected areas of Azad Kashmir. " Our entire area seems to have been destroyed and a new building that I have created spending Rs.8 lakh is also disappeared. Two of my family members have died," said one of the restaurant workers. While Parwesh has already left to Pakistan, others may go tomorrow to join their remaining members of the family. "I cannot say who all are left in my family. Mobile phones are not working and my new house in the bazzar area is totally gone," he said. "Three members of my family have died and I know many people who have lost two or three members in their family," added the employee who works in the kitchen. "On Friday I called up my family and there was no problem. Now I am worried and I am trying to go home," he added. "Some of my friends have already left for Pakistan and others are likely to go today or tomorrow," he added. Most of them are returning home after a gap of one to two years. "It is the first time in the last fifty years that such a devastating earthquake is affecting the area," said the worker, while trying his mobile phone to call up relatives. Abdul Kareem says that he came to know about the destruction of his house on the first day itself. "All my earnings in Dubai was spend to make this house. It is a great loss. My colleague Younus is already in Pakistan for two months vacation. My entire village seems to have gone underground," he added. There was a big market where small and small buildings stood. "I am not sure about the whereabouts of my two sisters. Four members of my family have died when the building collapsed. My sister, her daughter and husband and a 12 years old boy also died," he added. "I am going to Pakistan by Aero Asia flight tomorrow to see what is the situation," added Parwesh. Mansoor lost four cousines - one was old but others were young. "They were inside the house when the earthquake happened. Today I confirmed their death," he added. There are many Pakistanis from the earthquake-affected area. The watchman of a building in Diera has already rushed to Pakistan as his relatives are reportedly dead. According to Sana, an advertising executive with Mediana, her cousine who was working as a lecturer died when a college building where she worked collapsed. Ali Bahdru, watchman of Al Ghusaiba building has lost four members of his family, two grandsons and two sons of his brother. He is uncertain about the fate of 20 member family who lived in Benam Nasa, which is fully destroyed by the quake. Mohammed Ishak, Dubai driving school employee has lost every one in his family. His family of two sons and their spouses and wife are buried in the building collapse. The fate of Dubai Sea Port driver Abdul Rahman is also not different... Hundreds killed in earthquake in Pakistan MI5 unmasks covert arms programmes Document names 300 organisations seeking nuclear and WMD technology Ian Cobain and Ewen MacAskill Saturday October 8, 2005 The Guardian Link The determination of countries across the Middle East and Asia to develop nuclear arsenals and other weapons of mass destruction is laid bare by a secret British intelligence document which has been seen by the Guardian. More than 360 private companies, university departments and government organisations in eight countries, including the Pakistan high commission in London, are identified as having procured goods or technology for use in weapons programmes.The length of the list, compiled by MI5, suggests that the arms trade supermarket is bigger than has so far been publicly realised. MI5 warns against exports to organisations in Iran, Pakistan, India, Israel, Syria and Egypt and to beware of front companies in the United Arab Emirates, which appears to be a hub for the trade.The disclosure of the list comes as the Nobel peace prize was yesterday awarded to Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the UN watchdog responsible for combating proliferation. The Nobel committee said they had made the award because of the apparent deadlock in disarmament and the danger that nuclear weapons could spread "both to states and to terrorist groups". The MI5 document, entitled Companies and Organisations of Proliferation Concern, has been compiled in an attempt to prevent British companies inadvertently exporting sensitive goods or expertise to organisations covertly involved in WMD programmes. Despite the large number of bodies identified, the document says the list is not exhaustive. It states: "It is not suggested that the companies and organisations on the list have committed an offence under UK legislation. However, in addition to conducting non-proliferation related business, they have procured goods and/or technology for weapons of mass destruction programmes." The 17-page document identifies 95 Pakistani organisations and government bodies, including the Pakistan high commission in London, as having assisted in the country's nuclear programme. The list was compiled two years ago, shortly after the security service mounted a surveillance operation at the high commission which is the only diplomatic institution on the list. Abdul Basit, the deputy high commissioner, said: "It is absolute rubbish for Pakistan to be included. We take exception to these links." Some 114 Iranian organisations, including chemical and pharmaceutical companies and university medical schools, are identified as having acquired nuclear, chemical, biological or missile technology. The document also attempts to shed some light on the nuclear ambitions of Egypt and Syria: a private chemical company in Egypt is identified as having procured technology for use in a nuclear weapons programme, while the Syrian atomic energy commission faces a similar charge. Eleven Israeli organisations appear on the list, along with 73 Indian bodies, which are said to have been involved in WMD programmes. The document also highlights concerns that companies in Malta and Cyprus could have been used as fronts for WMD programmes. The United Arab Emirates is named as "the most important" of the countries where front companies may have been used, and 24 private firms there are identified as having acquired WMD technology for Iran, Pakistan and India.A spokesman for the UAE government said it had always worked "very closely" with the British authorities to counter the proliferation of WMD. (Courtesy: The Guardian ) PAKISTAN: Powerful quake rocks northeast ANKARA, 8 Oct 2005 (IRIN) - Hundreds are feared dead and scores injured after a powerful earthquake ripped through northeastern Pakistan on Saturday. Preliminary reports indicate wide scale damage in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, with officials warning of higher casualties to follow. "At the moment, information is just coming in and we have yet to determine the true scale of the disaster," Marie-Francoise Borel, a spokeswoman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) told IRIN from Geneva, noting, however, assessment teams were on the ground. "We hope to have further information soon so that we can respond accordingly," Borel said.Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, Saturday's quake struck at 08:50 local time, approximately 95 km north/northeast of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Early reports, however, indicate the quake was felt across a vast swathe of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, with particular intensity in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, northern Pakistan and central Punjab, including the capital and the western city of Lahore. Government official have described the situation as a national crisis. While damage to the capital was limited, speaking to reporters outside a multistory apartment block that had collapsed in Islamabad, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Serpao told Pakistan's private GEO TV that hundreds had been killed and many villages wiped out. But it was the situation in Pakistan's mountainous northern areas and Kashmir which was most worrying. By midday powerful images of widespread devastation appeared on Pakistani TV, indicating significant damage to Muzaffarbad, capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as the towns of Abbotabad, Mansehra, Swat and Gilgit. Communication throughout much of the region had been knocked out, making an accurate assessment of the disaster difficult. Major-General Shaukat Sultan, a spokesman for Pakistan's armed forces told the BBC there had been massive landslides caused by the quake, some of which had "completely wiped" out certain villages, adding many hospitals and schools had been damaged. "The landslides have also blocked rivers, resulting in flooding in some areas," Sultan added. According to a US Embassy statement issued after the quake, the full impact of the disaster was still being determined, but it was clear that there would be need for emergency relief and goods and services both in rural and urban areas. The US military has offered assistance to their Pakistani counterparts to provide appropriate supplies and assistance for relief efforts. In addition, the Ministry of Interior Air Wing, a joint US-Pakistan programme, has also been authorised to provide helicopters for aerial relief support. Seismic activity is common in the volatile Hindu Kush Mountains of the region, but Saturday's quake was reportedly the strongest in years. 20:41 IST Event An earthquake occurred at 0920 hrs IST on 8th Oct 2005. The intensity of the earthquake was initially reported as 6.8 on the Richter scale later upgraded to 7.4 The epicenter of the earthquake is reported to be 34.6 N Latitude and 73.0 E Longitude at the location 40 Kms., west of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan. The tremors of the earthquake were felt in the northern States of India i.e. J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Uttranchal. 06 aftershocks of intensity more than 5.0 on Richter scale have occurred in Pakistan during the last 7 hours following the main Earthquake. This includes one moderate aftershock of intensity 6.0 on Richter scale which occurred at 1616 hours with epicenter at 34.8 N Latitude and 72.7 E Longitude near Muzaffarabad in Pakistan The districts of Baramulla, Kupwara, Srinagar and Poonch are the worst affected districts. Deaths/injuries 213 Civilian deaths, 32 deaths of Army personnel and 05 deaths of BSF personnel have been reported, mainly due to house collapses The road to Tangdhar has been blocked due to landslides. Army Columns have moved to these affected area sin Uri, Tangdhar, Baramulla, Kupwara Sector. Air support has also been put to operation. Seven Buildings have reported to be damaged in Punjab i.e. 5 buildings in Amritsar, one each in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur. The MHA Control Room is functioning round the clock. The Union Home Secretary Shri V.K. Duggal has spoken to the Chief Secretary, J&K and to the Secretaries of the Central Ministries/Departments discharging Emergency Support Functions. Advisories have been issued by MHA activating the Ministries/Departments of Defence, Power, Health, Telecommunication, Road Transport & Highways and Petroleum to discharge necessary emergency support functions in the affected areas particularly in J&K. The Army and Air Force have extended full support to the Civil Administration in J&K in undertaking Search & Rescue activities. EMERGENCY MEN AND MATERIAL BEING KEPT READY TO BE SENT TO THE QUACK AFFECTED AREA The Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Anubumani Ramdoss immediately after hearing the news of the earth quack got in touch with the DG, Health Services and directed him to take care of the relief operations and he is also keeping a close watch on the situation. The emergency medical relief measures were discussed with the Disaster Management Group also. A round the clock Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Room No. 555, A Wing, Nirman Bhavan, Telephone No: 23061302 or 23061457 (F). The Rapid Relief Team comprising 30 physicians, surgeons, orthopaedicians, anaestheticians and specialists from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Harding Hospital and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has also been asked to keep standby. The Health Ministry officials are also in touch with the State Authority as well as the Red Cross for relief measures. The worst affected districts are Baramulla and Kupwara. Uri in Baramulla and Sangdar in Kupwara have reported maximum number of casualities. The dealth toll is likely to go further Army Swings Into Action The Army today launched large-scale rescue operations, OPERATION ‘IMDAD’ in aid of the earthquake affected in J&K. A total of 19 Army personnel have also lost their lives while 14 are reported missing and several injured. Despite casualties to own troops and damage to buildings and other structures, the Army swung into action almost immediately after the quake struck the region. Army is providing relief in Uri, Rampur, Baramullah, Naogaon, Tanghdhar, Poonch and other areas. Civilians are being providing medical aid at Camps established in Uri and Poonch and other areas. Tentage accommodation has also been established at these locations. Civilians are being provided rations, medicines and blankets. Army’s Patrols have been dispatched with medical staff to the remote areas also. Army is utilizing helicopters of IAF to move doctors and medical teams to the affected regions and to evacuate the seriously injured. Over 20 seriously injured civilians have been evacuated to Srinagar for medical aid from Uri alone. Army’s Engineer Task forces have been deployed to clear landslides and debris. The road to Uri from Barammulah was cleared of roadblocks by early afternoon today. Joint Control Rooms have been established with civil Administration and Police at Sri Nagar, Baramullah and Uri. Wonder bra that stopped a bullet Indian Workers Jailed in Kuwait : Suicide of Worker Triggers Unrest About 24 Malayali workers are lock-up in Kuwait following their agitation surrounding the suicide of a worker at their labour camp. The twenty-four Indian workers employed with a well-known local company and arrested for allegedly taking part in a protest involving the death of a worker continue to languish in jail as tension continues to reign supreme at the workers camp in Mina Abdullah, reported Arab Times . "This comes on the heels of the death of an Indian worker Shakoor on Friday, who allegedly died due to the negligence on the part of a supervisor, who turned down his fervent appeals that he be taken to the hospital. The workers said Shakoor's death has cast a gloom on the camp given the fact that Shakoor was popular among the Indian workers," it said. "While the workers say their arrested colleagues are innocent and believe a systematic campaign is underway to muzzle their voices, the company allegedly holds the detained workers accountable for fomenting trouble. All detained workers hail from southern Indian state of Kerala. Giving boost to the claims of tension at camp, an Indian allegedly committed suicide unable to cope with the tense moments prevailing around the camp, the paper siad quoting unnamed source said. The worker was allegedly disturbed following "a culture of harassment and intimidation adopted by the company" against certain Indian workers, who have been accused of deflating the tires of company's vehicles after protests involving the death of an Indian worker took an ugly turn last week Expounding the situation at the camp, a source said the workers live in constant fear of being arrested and deported as they claim that some of the supervisors at the camp have embarked on a programme of "witch-hunting" and are desperately trying to shield the guilty."The morale among the workers is at the rock bottom and they are planning to resign en masse if the company does not take immediate action to reverse the campaign of harassment unleashed by certain people. There is a web of deceit and allegations, which have been carefully spun to discredit us."He added that the company could face serious labour shortage if Indian workers decide to go ahead with their decision to quit. "Majority of the workers working on the project are Indians and as such work will come to a virtual halt."Renewing complains about the accommodation, a worker said the rooms are in run down condition and lack basic amenities . "The toilets are in an awful shape and get choked regularly. The food provided by the company is of substandard quality. The concerned supervisors are unwilling to discuss these pressing issues with us despite numerous requests. Some of the arrested Indian workers were innocent and had nothing to do with the incident. While Pakistanis and Egyptians were also involved in the incident they went scot-free. Free Iftar in Abu Dhabi Express Bus Dubai 8 October 2005 Dubai Municipality Public Transport Department has started distributing Iftar packets to the fasting passengers who board the Emirates Express bus service that plies between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Iftar service, which will continue till the end of the month of Ramadan, is being provided with the co-operation of the charity organization, Human Appeal International.Abdul Aziz Malik, Director of Public Transport Department said that the initiative comes as a fruit of the co-operation between Dubai and Abu Dhabi municipalities, who jointly operate the Emirates Express bus service. He said that the Public Transport bus services have been re-scheduled to facilitate the passengers during the month of Ramadan. “All the 62 routes have been re-scheduled to run for extra time. The 24 hour Airport service will run with 30 minutes frequency. The free service at Al Awir Vegetable Market will start at 3am,” said Malik.“In general, for most of the other normal routes the first departure from the bus station / terminus will be at 5am and the last departure will be at 23:57pm,” he said.“We have charted out a comprehensive plan to run the bus network at convenient timings for the passengers during the Holy month of Ramadan. When many routes have increased frequencies, many others have extra timings in the evenings,” said Malik.He said that passengers can also benefit from their E-go cards during the month of Ramadan. “Officials will be available at main bus stations for issuing and renewing E-go cards,” said Malik.He also welcomed suggestions and remarks from passengers about the Ramadan services of the Public Transport buses.Passengers who desire more information on the services can contact the Toll Free Number 800 4848 or visit the website of the Public Transport department, www.dubaipublictransport.ae.