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Tuesday,
April 29, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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More SPOs revolt, leave posts
End alienation among youth: PDP Sarswati Dham
Complex opened |
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JKPDF for dialogue with all sections AIR, DD staff may be insured
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More SPOs revolt, leave posts Jammu, April 28 According to official sources, a group of SPOs, equipped with sophisticated weapons, ammunition and wireless sets, left the police post at Bhaderwah. They were joined by other colleagues at Sardhangal and Phanala posts. After traversing mountain ranges for two days, the deserters reached Padri Dar, the highest mountain peak in Bhaderwah which divides Himachal Pradesh and Doda district, this morning. Senior police officers have begun negotiating with them. Sources said the SPOs had left their posts in protest against the delay in the release of their monthly wages. Five days ago, 40 SPOs had revolted in Doda and after prolonged negotiations returned to the Police Lines. Senior state government functionaries have taken serious note of the development. These functionaries blame the top echelons of the police for lack of effective leadership which has encouraged the SPOs to stage a revolt. They are surprised at the mutineers carrying weapons, ammunition and wireless sets provided by the government for operations against the militants. A police officer told this correspondent that certain BJP leaders had instigated groups of SPOs to revolt against the government. However, government functionaries find the charge untenable, saying that “the BJP-led Central Government is responsible for the delay in releasing funds earmarked for disbursement of wages to the SPOs.” The SPOs have been protesting against the inordinate delay in the payment of wages but there has been no response to their repeated plea. So far 64 SPOs have revolted. The state government apprehends that if the Centre does not release funds under security-related expenses, more groups of SPOs may revolt. |
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End alienation among youth: PDP Srinagar, April 28 A 12-member delegation led by senior leaders of the People’s Democratic Party including its president and J&K Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, vice president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti and general Secretary and MLC, Tariq Hameed Qarra had over three hour-long meeting with Mr Vohra here last evening. The PDP delegation reiterated its stand on the need for negotiations between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. Sources said that the delegation had a multi-pronged discussion on political and economic aspects of the state. It suggested short-term and long-term measures to eradicate the feeling of alienation among the youth in particular in the state. Mr M Y Tarigami, MLA and State secretary of the CPM one of the coalition partners, at the head of delegation of 11- member J&K People’s Democratic Forum (PDF) also had over 90 minute-long meeting with Mr Vohra on his the penultimate day of his first visit here this morning. The PDF delegation of the CPM and other independent MLAs urged the Government of India “to take fresh initiatives and imaginative measures to abandon “beaten tracks” and build new paths, which can enthuse the common man in the state towards a new beginning”. In a memorandum, submitted to Mr Vohra on Kashmir it sought an end to the “Kashmir tragedy” envisaging a “secular democratic solution, which alone can take care of the fulfilment of genuine inter and intra-regional aspirations and a guarantee for harmonious development of the State. It also urged the centre to come out with a special economic and political package for the state. They strongly urged sustaining a meaningful dialogue with representatives of the people, the separatists and others. The Forum cautioned against Pre-emptive strikes against a neighbouring country and reiterated that peace in Jammu and Kashmir was linked to peace in the sub-continent. A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) led by Mr Charan Singh Bali and accompanied by eight others apprised Mr Vohra of the marginalisation of Sikhs who were increasingly becoming uncertain of their future in the State. In the absence of any policy to provide employment opportunities to their children, the latter were facing a hopelessness. They regretted that the government had not provided them state Subject certificates even though they had been residents of Jammu and Kashmir for generations. They demanded inclusion of Sikhs in any dialogue process, reservation in the State Legislature, employment opportunities in the government, release of innocents from jails, and necessary measures to provide a sense of security to their community. Usman Majid militant-turned-politician, and MLA in his meeting with Mr Vohra highlighted the need for the
restoration of peace. He advocated dialogue with all sections of people in the three regions of the state, including those who preached secession. He also urged a dialogue between India and Pakistan to restore normalcy and elimination of militancy. |
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Sarswati Dham
Complex opened Jammu, April 28 Speaking on the occasion, the Governor highlighted the facilities being augmented with the operationalisation of Sarswati Dham. Built at a cost of Rs 3.15 crore, adjacent to Vaishnavi Dham and encompassing a covered area of 47500 sq feet, it has facilities of souvenir shop, bhaint shop, restaurant besides open lawn and parking area. The Dham will augment the available bed capacity for the visiting yatris to more than 700 besides hygienic vegetarian food at reasonable rates. Facilities for booking of room, cloak room, pujan and sewas at the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi have also been made available. Information and donation counters have also been set up. He said many philanthropic activities were also being undertaken by the shrine board. In this direction, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University was being set up and Prof Chatoo had been appointed the Vice-Chancellor. Mr Saxena said that the shrine board was not in competition with local hotels but acted as their supporter. He added that around Rs 1000 crore was being added annually to the economy of the Jammu region by the yatris. |
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JKPDF for dialogue with all sections Srinagar, April 28 Asserting that the road to peace has to be built on a continuing process of debate and dialogue, the JKPDF said “patience and perseverance” would be required in carrying on with talks to find a lasting solution. “The Centre needs to take fresh initiatives and imaginative measures to abandon beaten tracks and build new paths,” the JKPDF said in the memorandum. “This course is, no doubt, arduous, full of difficulties, beset with ups and downs and may not give overnight results but a meaningful dialogue with the representatives of the people, the separatists and others can certainly pave the way for a fresh beginning,” it said.
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AIR, DD staff may be insured Srinagar, April 28 “Prasar Bharati is seriously considering to provide life insurance cover to its employees just as organisations have introduced in the valley”, Mr Sharma, also Director-General of AIR, told reporters. The matter would be taken up at the board meeting of Prasar Bharati on May 8, he said. He also met Inspector-General of Police, K. Rajindra and conveyed his concern at the security of the staff in the valley. The team later left for Jammu to meet the Chief Secretary and senior police officials on their way back to Delhi, officials said.
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