J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Rehabilitation top priority: Azad
Srinagar, November 3
The Chief Minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad has given top priority to the relief and rehabilitation measures to the quake- affected, restoration of normalcy and good governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Three BSF men injured in blast
Jammu, November 3
Three BSF personnel, including a head constable, were critically injured in a grenade blast at Kleeth in Akhnoor, near here, today, according to a BSF spokesman.

Pilgrim dies en route to bhavan
Jammu, November 3
A 56-year-old devotee on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage yesterday died en route from Katra to bhavan.

The Chief of the Northern Command, Lt-Gen Deepak Kapoor, rededicates the peace road (Srinagar -Muzaffarabad road) to the people of the Kashmir valley on Thursday. The road was damaged by the earthquake on October 8. — PTI

Rehabilitation top priority: Azad
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 3
The Chief Minister Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad has given top priority to the relief and rehabilitation measures to the quake- affected, restoration of normalcy and good governance in Jammu and Kashmir. He firmly resolved to check any incidence of custodial killings at the hands of security forces and warned that his government would not allow “free hand” to those indulging in violence.

Addressing his maiden press conference after an hour-long cabinet meeting following the swearing in ceremony at SKICC here yesterday, Mr Azad said that the meeting appreciated the role of his predecessor, Mufti Sayeed, his party leaders and others across the country for the relief measures and other developments.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Muzaffar Beigh, who was also present on the occasion, said that the change of guard was a new opportunity and the PDP would extend its full support to Mr Azad’s leadership. Both the parties were working on a common minimum programme for the past three years that would be strictly adhered to and implemented in the years ahead. Mr Beigh said that Mr Azad’s resolve to have good governance in corruption free administration would not only be at the administrative level but at the political level also.

The Chief Minister has called two important meetings to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures and the other to discuss security scenario.

“The cabinet resolved to ensure a good governance without any compromises in the state”, Azad said. “We would like to give a corruption free government” in the state, he said adding that “nobody should think of corruption”. He said all the ministers, even the legislators, and officers found guilty of corruption “will have to leave”.

Mr Azad said that the recently constituted Accountability Commission would serve the purpose of a corruption-free administration.

Three BSF men injured in blast

Jammu, November 3
Three BSF personnel, including a head constable, were critically injured in a grenade blast at Kleeth in Akhnoor, near here, today, according to a BSF spokesman.

The incident took place when cops were firing grenades in a BSF firing range at Kleeth, about 35 km from here, the spokesman said.

Three BSF personnel were injured in the blast, he added.

The injured were identified as Head Constable Joginder Sharma, and cops Gurdev Singh and Suresh Kumar.

The injured were admitted to Government Medical College. — UNI

Pilgrim dies en route to bhavan

Jammu, November 3
A 56-year-old devotee on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage yesterday died en route from Katra to bhavan.

The pilgrim, Inderjeet Singh of Lucknow, died at the bhavan dispensary in Jammu yesterday, official sources said.

His body will be sent to his hometown after the formalities were over, they said.

The police has registered a case and investigations are on. — PTI