J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Daughters’ Bill may lapse
Jammu, June 2
The PDP-led coalition Government is in no hurry to take up the Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill for consideration in the Legislative Council this month. As per the state Constitution, if the controversial Bill, providing for divesting inheritance rights of those women who marry nonstate subjects, is not taken up for consideration in the Legislative Council this month it will be referred back to the Assembly which adopted the Bill in March.

Corps celebrates raising day
Jammu, June 2
The Nagrota-based corps celebrated its 32nd raising day yesterday. The corps was raised on June 1 on the banks of the Tawi river. Over the years the corps has grown to become the largest in the Indian Army.

Tourists enjoy a shikara ride in Dal Lake, Srinagar, on Wednesday.  — Photo by Amin War

Three IAF personnel die in accident
Srinagar, June 2
Three Indian Air Force personnel were killed and six others injured, some of them critically, when their jeep fell into a gorge near Jawahar Tunnel, 100 km from here, on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, last evening. Chauhan Sajajeet, Rajesh Kumar and Dilman Lama died on the spot.

21.53 lakh visit Vaishno Devi shrine
Jammu, June 2
Record number of more than 21.53 lakh pilgrims have visited cave shrine of Vaishno Devi so far since January 1 this year, officials said here. During corresponding period of the last year, 17.92 lakh devotees had darshan of the shrine, officials said, adding thus, an increase of more than 3.61 lakh pilgrims was registered this year. 

Civilian killed, jawan hurt in encounter
Jammu, June 2
A civilian was killed and an Army jawan injured when militants fired at security forces in the Mohra Bachai area of Poonch district in the state since last evening, official sources said here today. A search party of the Rashtriya Rifles was attacked in the Mohra Bachai area last evening and the troops retaliated. 

Two petrol sale outlets sealed
Jammu, June 2
Sale outlets of two diesel dealers were yesterday sealed in Darhal area of Rajauri district, following complaints of illegal sale of diesel and petrol against them. Mr Mohammad Abbas Dar, District Development Commissioner (Rajauri) who sealed the outlets, has warned dealers of action if they did not desist from selling diesel and petrol on the black, an official spokesman said.

Daughters’ Bill may lapse
M.L. Kak
Our Correspondent

Jammu, June 2
The PDP-led coalition Government is in no hurry to take up the Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill for consideration in the Legislative Council this month. As per the state Constitution, if the controversial Bill, providing for divesting inheritance rights of those women who marry nonstate subjects, is not taken up for consideration in the Legislative Council this month it will be referred back to the Assembly which adopted the Bill in March.

The Bill could not be adopted because the Chairman of the Legislative Council adjourned the House saying that since the matter was very important it needed opinion from legal and constitutional experts.

Though the Congress, which has 20 members in the Assembly, supported the Bill in the Lower House, they and those in the organisation later changed their postures and demanded that it be referred to the select committee of the two Houses.

The issue generated a lot of heat in the state and the PDP and the National Conference openly supported the Bill.

A senior Congress leader, holding a ministerial rank, today said: “We will not allow the Bill to be adopted. If we support the Bill it may erode our strength in the Jammu region where majority of people favour its scrapping.”

On the other hand the main opposition National Conference has started demanding special session of the state legislature for adopting the Bill.

A senior NC leader said: “The Chief Minister had assured the supporters of the Bill of taking it up for discussion during a special session of the state legislature.”

He said in case a special session of the Legislative Council was not convened within the next 10 days, the Bill would lapse and automatically be referred back to the Assembly.”

Several Congress leaders says: “Our initial mistake of supporting the Bill in the Assembly had enabled the BJP candidate to secure more votes in majority of Assembly segments in Jammu Lok Sabha constituency, as the party had campaigned against it vehemently.”

They said: “We managed to win both the Lok Sabha seats from the Jammu region and we are not prepared to lose our ground by supporting the Bill.” They suggested the Chief Minister to allow the Bill to lapse.

Corps celebrates raising day
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 2
The Nagrota-based corps celebrated its 32nd raising day yesterday. The corps was raised on June 1 on the banks of the Tawi river. Over the years the corps has grown to become the largest in the Indian Army.

The corps is operationally committed towards guarding the International Border, maintaining the sanctity of the Line of Control and fighting terrorists while at the same time carrying out development programmes within its area of responsibility in the volatile Jammu division of the state.

The General Officer Commanding of the Corps, Lieut-Gen Ashok Kapur, exhorted the troops to ensure steady development of the state through adequate security. Homage was paid to those who have laid down their lives for the cause.

Meanwhile, Sikh LI battalion celebrated its 33rd raising day in the northern Sector. The battalion was raised at Meerut.

For its performance on the Line of Control, the unit recently received the Northern Army Commander’s unit citation. Officers and men of the battalion have received three Shaurya Chakras, one Yudh Seva Medal, 10 Sena Medals, one Vishisht Seva Medal and 20 Chief of the Army Staff’s commendation cards and 20 GOC-in-C’s commendation cards.

Three IAF personnel die in accident

Srinagar, June 2
Three Indian Air Force personnel were killed and six others injured, some of them critically, when their jeep fell into a gorge near Jawahar Tunnel, 100 km from here, on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, last evening. Chauhan Sajajeet, Rajesh Kumar and Dilman Lama died on the spot.

A Defence Ministry spokesman today said the injured were airlifted and admitted to base hospital here. — UNI

21.53 lakh visit Vaishno Devi shrine

Jammu, June 2
Record number of more than 21.53 lakh pilgrims have visited cave shrine of Vaishno Devi so far since January 1 this year, officials said here. During corresponding period of the last year, 17.92 lakh devotees had darshan of the shrine, officials said, adding thus, an increase of more than 3.61 lakh pilgrims was registered this year. 

In May this year, more than 6.89 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the shrine, located at 5300 feet above sea level in Trikuta hills, 13 km from Katra town. Presently, 27,000 to 28,000 pilgrims are arriving daily at the base camp Katra town for journey to the shrine. — PTI

Civilian killed, jawan hurt in encounter

Jammu, June 2
A civilian was killed and an Army jawan injured when militants fired at security forces in the Mohra Bachai area of Poonch district in the state since last evening, official sources said here today. A search party of the Rashtriya Rifles was attacked in the Mohra Bachai area last evening and the troops retaliated. 

The exchange of fire continued for two hours. One civilian, Mohammad Azam, was killed and a jawan, identified as Sanjeev Kumar, was wounded. The militants fled. Reinforcements have been rushed to track down the militants.

During a search operation in the Dhundhak area of Poonch district, security forces seized one AK rifle with one magazine and 220 rounds.

In another search, security forces seized 30 rounds of AK ammunition, one improvised explosive device, one pistol with a magazine, one AK piston and two hand grenades from the Noushera area of Rajouri district. — PTI

Two petrol sale outlets sealed

Jammu, June 2
Sale outlets of two diesel dealers were yesterday sealed in Darhal area of Rajauri district, following complaints of illegal sale of diesel and petrol against them. Mr Mohammad Abbas Dar, District Development Commissioner (Rajauri) who sealed the outlets, has warned dealers of action if they did not desist from selling diesel and petrol on the black, an official spokesman said.

Dealers were issued licences by the government for sale and storage of diesel and petrol in inaccessible areas for agricultural purposes only. — UNI