Land sinks in Ramban, over 50 houses damaged

More than 50 houses, four electricity towers, a receiving station, and a main road were damaged in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district due to the sinking of a road, officials said on Friday.

Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary visited the Pernote village, five km from the district headquarters, on Friday morning and assured assistance to the affected families and restoration of essential services, including electricity.

Houses started developing cracks and the road connectivity between Gool and Ramban snapped Thursday evening following the sudden 'sinking of land' in Pernote village, prompting several families to move to safer places.

Govt to dismiss DIG ranked officer

NEW DELHI: The Union government has initiated the process of dismissing a DIG– ranked former chief sports officer of the CRPF on charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by some women working in the paramilitary force, official sources said Friday.

A notice for dismissal has been issued against Deputy Inspector General Khajan Singh after the Ministry of Home Affairs accepted the recommendation of the Union Public Service Commission, they said. The final orders will be issued after taking into consideration the reply received from the accused officer within 15 days, the sources said.

"This is a natural disaster and being the head of the district, I take full responsibility for providing food and shelter to the affected families," Choudhary, who was accompanied by district Development Council (DDC) chairperson Shamshad Shan, told reporters at the scene.

He said the authorities have summoned geology experts to know the cause behind the sinking of the land, while a team of district officials has been deployed round-the-clock to supervise the rehabilitation of the affected population and restoration of essential services.

The deputy commissioner advised people not to panic and take precautionary measures to safeguard their lives.

Local volunteers joined SDRF and NDRF teams in helping the affected people.