 |
Wednesday,
July 31, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
|
PRE-POLL SCENARIO Two injured in Pak shelling
Bio-diversity focus of
J-K farm policy |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
11th batch of
pilgrims leaves
for Amarnath Cop ‘strangles’ wife
|
|
PRE-POLL SCENARIO Jammu, July 30 This question is being discussed not only in NC circles, but among Opposition parties in the state too. Poll analysts are of the opinion that South Kashmir, comprising the districts of Anantnag and Pulwama, with a total electorate of over 8.20 lakh in 16 constituencies and Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu with over 5.60 lakh voters in seven segments, are likely to determine the fate of the National Conference. During the 1996 poll, the National Conference had contested 15 of 16 seats in Anantnag and Pulwama districts and won 14. It had fielded candidates in all seven constituencies in Poonch and Rajouri districts and bagged five seats. As per the reports of different government agencies, the National Conference is on a weak wicket. The Tral, Wachi and Dooru constituencies have ceased to be represented in the Assembly after its MLAs either died or were killed by the militants. In case of Tral, the NC legislator, Mr Ali Mohammad Naik, was elected to the Lok Sabha in the last elections and the vacancy has not been filled. There are some Assembly segments in South Kashmir where the people have not seen the faces of MLAs for a long time and in three other constituencies, including Homeshalibugh and Pahalgam, voters have started a tirade against NC representatives on several corrupt practices. Besides this, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has made inroads into the NC strong- hold. The Mufti and his redoubtable daughter, Ms Mehmooba Mufti, have cultivated voters in South Kashmir through unending interaction with them during the past four years. Poll analysts say if the Mufti is able to translate people’s support into the ballot boxes it would be difficult for the National Conference to win in Anantnag and Pulwama districts. The National Conference leaders do not feel worried over the response of voters in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Their confidence stems from the success its candidate achieved in trouncing the BJP and the Congress in the Lok Sabha byelection in Jammu in March. But if the anger among a sizeable section of Gujjars and Bakerwals over what they call stepmotherly treatment meted out to these groups is any guide, the NC may find it difficult to repeat its 1996 performance in these twin border districts. Inside reports said the National Conference leadership is aware of a tough time in the Kashmir valley, which has 46 seats. Hence, it has begun concentrating on 37 Assembly seats in Jammu region. The aim is to make up for the reverses in the Kashmir valley. In 1996, it had bagged 11 of 37 seats in Jammu. A prominent Janata Dal MLA, Mr Jagjeevan Lal, has already joined the National Conference. The pre-poll campaign by the Congress, the BJP and the PDP all gun the National Conference. Whether under a plan or by default, the BJP is more vocal in criticising the NC than the Congress or the PDP. The Congress roar is louder against the NC than against the BJP and the PDP. The PDP has a one-point programme, of attacking the NC. The NC banks on the possibility of a poor turnout and split in the anti-NC votes. If militants and separatists succeed in scaring away voters from the polling booths, the prospects of the NC regaining power with absolute majority, if not a two-third majority, in the House is certain. The pre-poll scene is hazy. Despite fear of militant attacks, large crowds come out to listen to PDP leaders. Even NC circles were intrigued when they found a large attendance at a public rally at Beehama in the Chief Minister’s constituency in Ganderbal recently. There was unexpected response from the people when Mr G.M. Shah, a former Chief Minister, addressed a public meeting at Chadoora in Budgam district yesterday. However, the Education Minister, Mr Mohammad Shafi, and the Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, too, attracted a sizeable crowd at their rally at Chrari Sharief in Budgam district. The only difference was that while some activists of the Awami National Conference headed by Mr G.M. Shah reached the venue of the meeting with faces masked to avoid being identified by militants, the NC rally had no masked men present. But the NC supporters do not seem to be dismayed. They have confidence in the charisma of Dr Abdullah and his son, Mr Omar Abdullah, in turning the tide in favour of the ruling party. |
|
Two injured in Pak shelling Baramula, July 30 Official sources said the Pakistani troops had started mortar and artillery shelling on the night of July 28, targeting civilian areas and security force installation in the forward areas of Machil sector. The shelling continued till last night. Mohammad Jamal and Ghulam Ahmad Shah were injured when a shell fired by the Pakistani troops exploded near their house. Indian troops retaliated and hit a number of Pakistani bunkers. However, the exact damage suffered by the Pakistani troops was not immediately known, the sources said. Meanwhile, a report from Jammu said exchange of mortar shelling between two sides was also reported at Jhanghar and Bhawani areas of the Noushera sector in Rajouri district last night. However, no casualty was reported, the sources said. Small arms firing between Pakistani border guards and the Border Security Force (BSF) troops took place along the IB at 15 places in Jammu and Kathua districts from last evening to this morning, the sources added. UNI, PTI |
|
Bio-diversity focus of J-K farm policy Srinagar, July 30 The critical features of the agriculture policy will be development of crop, husbandry, adoption of advanced harvesting management techniques, vegetable development, improving quality and quantity of horticulture produce, setting up of agriculture export zones and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in a big way, an official spokesman said. The draft policy laid thrust on development of agriculture and allied sectors on modern lines by appropriate technology intervention and applying solutions to various agro-climatic zones and region-specific problems. By tapping the vast potential, the policy sought to achieve for the state a significantly higher growth rate than the four per cent per annum growth for the sector envisaged by the National Policy of Agriculture. Risk management had been given utmost attention, which would ensure the implementation of the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme in the state as well as credit flow from banks for farmers. Smart cards, too, would be introduced in due course to enhance access of farmers to various facilities, the spokesman said. Hybrid varieties would be cultivated to break yield barriers. Private entrepreneurs and farmers would be encouraged and assisted to produce certified seed and seek proper technical guidance. Similarly, vegetable production would be enhanced, not only to meet the demand of consumers within the state, but to export these cash crops outside too. The horticulture sector, being a major contributor, both for the economy of the state and foreign exchange earnings, would be promoted by educating the fruit growers on the concept of integrated horticulture management, from quality production to proper harvesting, post-harvest handling and marketing. This would be done by linking agriculture markets with terminal and export markets in the country through optimum use of information technology for providing timely market intelligence to growers and traders. The spokesman said the food processing industry would be given a boost on the pattern of agriculture export zones already set up in the state for apple and walnut. The use of bio-technology, especially tissue culture, would be promoted.
UNI |
|
11th batch of
pilgrims leaves
for Amarnath Jammu, July 30 A senior police official said the batch, which included 2,069 men, 305 women and 20 children, besides 304 sadhus left for Pahalgam from the MAM stadium amid tight security. Official sources said 61,936 devotees had so far paid obeisance at the cave shrine.
UNI |
|
Cop ‘strangles’ wife Jammu, July 30 The constable had strained relations with his wife. He strangled her on the night of July 28 after a scuffle, they said. He tried to bury the body near the house but his daughter alerted the neighbours who apprehended the constable and handed him over to the police.
PTI |
|
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
In video: Hundreds
of camps providing food and refreshment have been put up for pilgrims
on their way to Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir. (
