Woes of LPG consumers UDHAMPUR: LPG consumers of Udhampur are facing exploitation and rough treatment at the hands of LPG distributing agencies operating in the town. Although gas agencies are committed to make home delivery of cylinders to consumers, the latter are usually denied the facility on one pretext or another.

Differences in Jamaat-e-Islami
SRINAGAR, Nov 18 — Differences have surfaced in Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir with senior leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani dissociating himself with the recent statement of party chief Ghulam Mohammad Bhat that the organisation has no role in the ongoing militancy in the state and wanted a solution to the Kashmir issue in "a democratic way".

8 villagers die in blasts

SRINAGAR, Nov18 (PTI, UNI) — Eight civilians were killed and six wounded when the Army was destroying unserviceable and expired ammunition in Renipora firing range of Anantnag district yesterday.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said that the unfortunate incident occurred when Army personnel were destroying old and unexploded shells and ammunition inside the notified range area. He said that villagers of the area were warned of Army exercise a week ago.

Despite the warning, villagers gathered there to collect brass, copper and other metal from the exploded shells. Immediately after the first blast destroying half of the shells, villagers ran towards the area in an effort to collect metal pieces. The spokesman said immediately after the second blast took place, resulting in civilian casualties.

Asked if the area was cordoned off before destroying the shells, the spokesman said no cordon was necessary since it was a restricted area and all villagers were informed through the police about the exercise.

According to a PTI report, one person was killed in the first blast at 1645 hours, five were killed in the second.

Mr Mohammad Aslam Shah, a prominent National Conference worker, was gunned down by unidentified militants who barged into his house at Kellar-Rajpora in Pulwama district last night, he said.

Unidentified gunmen shot dead two activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami after stopping a passenger bus and dragging them out of the vehicle at Qazigund, 80 km from here in Anantnag district.

The victims, Abdul Khaliq Mir and Ghulam Mohiddin Khan, were on way to Pahloo.

Four militants, two of them Pakistani intruders, were killed and two security personnel injured in separate incidents in Jammu region today.

The Pakistani intruders were shot dead by BSF troops at an outpost in R.S. Pura sub-sector when they tried to sneak into India from across the international border around 0200 hours.

Two militants were killed and two security personnel injured in an encounter at Bhaderwah. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter.

Woes of LPG consumers

UDHAMPUR: LPG consumers of Udhampur are facing exploitation and rough treatment at the hands of LPG distributing agencies operating in the town. Although gas agencies are committed to make home delivery of cylinders to consumers, the latter are usually denied the facility on one pretext or another. The consumers instead of receiving home delivery have to collect the cylinders from the godowns, which is not only a cumbersome process but unjustified. This process has added to the woes of the people living on the outskirts of the town.

The problem is especially being faced by consumers of Hindustan Petroleum. The godown of this company falls in an inconvenient area of the M.H. Road. Hindustan Petroleum though has engaged a vehicle, collection of gas cylinders from the Dhar road is a difficult task. Consumers living in areas located in the heart of the town like Mukerji Bazar, Gurdwara Gali, Lambi Gali and Main Bazar face difficulties.

Besides, some of the Hindustan Petroleum gas distributing agencies are known to indulge in black marketing and illegal profiteering. These agencies even sell domestic gas cylinders to confectioners, hoteliers, tea stall and dhaba owners on remunerative rates of Rs 170 to Rs 190 per cylinder, thus amassing wealth through unfair means.

The Food Supplies Department, Udhampur, seems to have slept over the menace of black marketing which is flourishing. Department officials are equally responsible for spreading the menace of black marketing as they are getting their due.

On marriages, gas companies make no provision of issuing spare cylinders and people have to collect these on remunerative prices in the black market.

There is also a general complaint from consumers that sometimes they are provided cylinders with leakages. This risky process of distributing leaking cylinders is not being properly attended to by the management.

* * * *

Unlike Rajouri, Poonch and Doda districts, militancy has also taken Udhampur district in its grip. Militancy is spreading rapidly in Mahore, Chenani and Ramnagar tehsil areas where people are living in terror and all development activities have come to a standstill. No district officer has visited these areas. Most of the officers visit these areas accompanying the DC under the full cover of security. Several massacres in the past, particularly in Mahore tehsil, have taken place.

Among the district officers, only District Chief Agriculture Officer, M.L. Gupta, soon after holding the prestigious assignment as the Chief Agriculture Officer, showed exemplary courage by touring militancy-infested areas of Mahore, Chenani and Ramnagar tehsils along with his team of department officers without a security cover. He organised agriculture seminars, training camps, conferences and exhibitions to impart technical know-how to farmers in the farming process and to ascertain their problems concerning improved seeds, chemical fertilisers, pesticides and implements etc. The process of holding these activities was also aimed at marking the celebrations of 50 years of Independence.

Differences in Jamaat-e-Islami

SRINAGAR, Nov 18 (PTI) — Differences have surfaced in Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir with senior leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani dissociating himself with the recent statement of party chief Ghulam Mohammad Bhat that the organisation has no role in the ongoing militancy in the state and wanted a solution to the Kashmir issue in "a democratic way".

"The impression Bhat tried to give during his news conference on November 14 here that the policy he is following enjoys the support of the entire Jamaat cadre is far from being true, Syed Geelani, said in a statement.

Syed Geelani, who is chairman of the political bureau of the Jamaat-e-Islami, also refuted the statement of Mr Bhat that before making it he (Bhat) had "consulted Syed Ali Shah Geelani and taken him into confidence.

"I want to make it very clear that I have all along and at every level differed with the policy being pursued by the Jamaat chief...I made my differences known to Bhat from time to time through letters.

"If need arises my communication on this issue with the Jamaat chief can be released...I strongly refute and contradict the views expressed by Bhat at the press conference."

Admitting that the organisation was involved in militancy, Syed Geelani said it extended full support to the armed struggle" in the state.