Mehbooba welcomes India, Pakistan commitment to border peace
Srinagar, May 30: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday welcomed the decision of Indian and Pakistani army commanders to uphold the 2003 bilateral ceasefire agreement in "letter and spirit".
Reacting to Tuesday's development in which the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries decided to ensure that the ceasefire holds on borders and the Line of Control (LoC), Mehbooba Mufti wrote on Twitter: "Wholeheartedly welcome the reiteration of the commitment to the ceasefire on the border by both DGMOs.
"This brings great relief to the people residing in the vicinity (of the borders). Peace on our borders is the first essential step to a larger understanding and I truly hope it sustains."
Jammu and Kashmir has been the worst victim of border hostilities between India and Pakistan. Hundreds of families on the two sides of the LoC and the International Border have been living on the edge as mortars fired from across the border claim human lives, cattle, houses and agricultural fields.
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LPG crunch hits Mangaluru, canteens, hotels shut
Mangaluru: After major cities including Bengaluru and Chennai, the LPG shortage crisis has also struck Mangaluru now.
Reports are emerging about the closure of several hotels, canteens and street food outlets in the city.
The shortage is triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has been worsening day by day.
According to reports, several hotels, canteens and street food preparation units have been forced to shut down operations in some areas due to the lack of commercial LPG cylinders.
In Dakshina Kannada district, hotels, restaurants and street food stalls have reportedly remained closed for the past two to three days in several locations.
On Saturday as well, hotel owners in many parts of the district, including Mangaluru city, faced difficulties in obtaining commercial gas cylinders.
Some establishments had stocked cylinders in advance and managed to continue operations for a few days.
However some owners said they may have no option but to shut down if the shortage continues.
The impact of the situation has also been felt in the fisheries sector.
Fishermen said that there is strong demand from abroad for fish varieties such as shrimp, anjal, manji and bondas, which are usually exported. However, restrictions on the movement of container ships have affected the fishing industry as well.
Leaders of the hotel owners’ associations in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have urged the authorities to distribute LPG cylinders equally to their sector as well.
They warned that if the supply is not ensured, more hotels may have to shut down.
At present, district administrations have prioritised LPG supply for essential sectors including domestic households, educational institutions, hospitals, hostels, dormitories and religious institutions.
Meanwhile, a few hotels that still use fire wood for cooking have continued their operations.
Meanwhile, timber traders have also said that even firewood is now facing a shortage, as supply is unable to meet the rising demand.
