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First batch of yatris leaves for Amarnath
Amarnath yatra kicks off today
GREF Killing |
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Raising Day celebrated
District posts should go
Bhaderwah villages hit hard by flashfloods
Sinha praises ‘Khuda Key Liye’
Permit Woes
Ensure free and fair polls: Antony
PoK help sought to trace bodies
Hurriyat leaders held
Challans against officials
550 examined at camp
Hideout busted
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First batch of yatris leaves for Amarnath
Jammu, June 17 Amidst chanting of religious hymns, and the slogans, the two-month long annual Amarnath Yatra started today. The convoy of the first batch which comprised 2,837 pilgrims, including 1,846 men, 778 women, 174 children and 67 sadhus, embarked on the journey in 59 buses and 29 light carriers, was flagged off by the minister for Higher education Gulchain Singh Charak at 5 in the morning. “Today I flagged off the first batch of pilgrims. Elaborate security measures have been taken and the arrangements for board and lodging have also been made by the government,” Charak said while flagging off the yatra. Unprecedented security arrangements have been kept in place to ensure smooth conduct of the yatra that has always been on the target list of various militant outfits operative in the state. According to official sources, as part of the security arrangements the CRPF has deployed 50 companies comprising more than 6,000 men, the Army has also set up 97 area domination posts in and around the Amarnath cave shrine in Lidder valley of South Kashmir Himalayas, besides Pahalgam and along the highway in Anantnag, Ramban and Udhampur districts. Since the outbreak of the armed insurgency in Kashmir 18 years ago, Amarnath pilgrimage has always remained the soft target of terrorists, in 2000 militants had attacked the base camp of pilgrims at Pahalgam in which 35 people, including pilgrims, locals and security personnel, were killed. Base camps have also been established at Nunwan near Pahalgam and Chandanwari, the first batch of yatris that left today would have the darshan of the ice stalagmite tomorrow. Though over 150,000 pilgrims have so far registered themselves for the yatra, more than 200,000 pilgrims are expected to go in coming weeks. “It would be the moment of divine pleasure for me when I would enter and have darsan of the holy shiva lingam in the cave shrine,” said Veena Devi. Veena who along with her entire family undertook the journey, said, “It has been a long cherished wish to visit the Amarnath cave along with my family and today with the blessings of Lord Shiva the day has finally come for which we have been preparing for the past so many years.” The yatris after reaching Pehalgam and Chandanwari would have to undertake the treacherous journey of 48 km to reach the holy cave. For the past two years the conduct of yatra has attracted various controversies, be it tampering with the natural stalagmite or the recent one about the transfer of the forest land to the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board for construction of infrastructure. |
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Amarnath yatra kicks off today
Srinagar, June 17 The outgoing Governor, who visited
Sheshnag, Panjtarni and Chandanwari camping sites on the Pahalgam axis of the
yatra, today reviewed the arrangements for the pilgrims. He is scheduled to visit Baltal axis tomorrow to review the arrangements. It would be his last yatra as the Governor and SASB chairman. He is scheduled to relinquish his office on June 25. Talking to mediapersons here this evening, principal secretary to the Governor and chief executive officer of the shrine board Arun Kumar expressed hope that the yatra would be good as all arrangements were in place well in time. It would be different in many respects, the CEO said, adding a grill had been installed around the holy cave in order to stop the pilgrims from going close to the Shiva Lingam, which usually results in rise in temperature and melting down of the ice lingam in advance. The yatra concludes on Shrawan Poornima that coincides with Raksha Bandhan in August. The Army, the
CRPF, the BSF and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been deployed adequately to provide security cover for smooth conduct of the
yatra, he said. The arrangements that were in place last year would continue in addition to some improved facilities like 50 European toilets, availability of hot water in the resting places, he added. These apart, 3,650 tents and 751 shops have been set up at various places on both the axes to the holy cave shrine. More than two lakh pilgrims have already registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the yatra while the process was going on, the CEO said. He said that helicopter services are also being provided for the pilgrims, two of which would be flying from
Srinagar, while many others would be operating from Baltal and Pahalgam. Referring to certain “controversies” related to the yatra and the
SASB, which had emerged recently, Arun Kumar said the criticism was unwarranted and based on “communal politics.” He said that the SASB had already agreed to pay Rs 2.50 crore to the state Forest Department for “diverting 800 kanals of forestland for non-forestry functions.” Over 200 insulated pre-fabricated huts on temporary basis are being installed to provide safety cover to pilgrims in case of any bad weather conditions.
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GREF Killing
Udhampur, June 17 The arrested include local officials of the GREF engaged in Project BEACON to construct an alternative highway from Kishtwar to Anantnag. “We have picked up some suspects for questioning”, Himant Kumar Lohia, DIG, Doda-Ramban range, told The Tribune. The DIG said: “Investigating agencies have been questioning the arrested persons to get some clue.” He informed that since all five persons travelling in the vehicle were killed, there was no eyewitness to the incident. Sources said before Lt-Col Ajay Kumar Verma was appointed as the commanding officer of the project, militants had engaged some of their sympathisers as “labourers” to collect ransom for them. “A majority of militant agents were shunted out after Verma took charge, but some are still working under the guise of labourers”, sources added, and did not rule out the possibility of these “militants turned labourers” into the killing. Sources said relatives of some militants were engaged by the GREF authorities as “supervisors” to protect them from ultras active in this belt. These supervisors usually provided labour to the GREF authorities and charged money from the officer in lieu of saving them from militants. “Due to non-availability of labour, locals were engaged by the GREF authorities”, the DIG said and admitted that there was a possibility of engaging militants’ relatives in the project. “We are scanning activities of all suspects engaged by the GREF authorities”, he said. Although the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has claimed responsibility of the killing of five GREF officials, police authorities believe the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) was behind the attack. Police sources said HuJI dominated in the Chatroo belt, while the LeT had taken responsibility for the killing to divert police attention from HuJI’s activities. Meanwhile, search operations continued on the fifth successive day today. The Army and the state police have launched a combing operation from both sides of the Pir Panchal to track militants involved in the killing.
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Raising Day celebrated
Udhampur, June 17 The Northern Command based in Udhampur celebrated its Raising Day in a befitting manner. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Command War Memorial where wreaths were laid by Lt-Gen P.C. Bhardwaj, GoC-in-C, Northern Command. Earlier, a concert by the Army Symphonic Orchestra was organised. The troops of the Northern Command rededicated themselves in the service of the nation and reaffirmed their resolve to work for peace, prosperity and development in the state. Col D.K. Kachari, PRO, said the Northern Command was at the forefront of the nation's efforts in eliminating terrorism in the state. On the occasion, Lt-Gen P.C. Bhardwaj extended his greetings to all ranks, civilian staff and families of the Command. He appreciated their professionalism, courage, endurance and motivation. He said under Operation Sadbhavana, micro-hydel projects, Army goodwill public schools, orphanages and hostels had been opened. Lt-Gen Bhardwaj added that the Army was sponsoring education of children affected by terrorism in other states of India, besides, taking a large number of elders and students on tours outside the state. |
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District posts should go to locals: BJP
Jammu, June 17 In a statement released here, he said a large number of youths from Srinagar and Jammu besides other towns of the state are appearing in the interviews for the post of teachers in Ramban district, which could certainly mar the chances of recruitment of the local youth. The BJP leader said in the absence of additional funds and due quota in employment, the creation of new district has not benefited the people in any manner. He emphasised that a mechanism be evolved forthwith to ensure that all the available vacancies in newly created Ramban district were filled up with the local youth and no outsider was selected against any vacancy. |
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Bhaderwah villages hit hard by flashfloods
Udhampur, June 17 The people in the remotest belt of Doda district now face acute shortage of the essential commodities. Initial reports said Kansoo, Bathri, Jakyas, Beli, Tantly, Chinyas, Malikpura, Gundoo and Challer villages were badly affected by the flashfloods and have been cut off from the rest of the state. Flashfloods have caused heavy loss to the standing maize crop. Cloudburst also washed away a large chunk of land in these villages. Building of the primary health centre at Kansoo also met the same fate, reports reaching here said. The ruling Congress MLC, who is native of that area, has termed the situation as grim. Meanwhile, the district administration has yet not assessed the total loss of property. “We have deputed teams of officers from the Revenue, Agriculture and PHE Departments to assess the total loss in the area,” Doda deputy commissioner Khurshid Ahmed Bhat told The Tribune. When asked whether the district administration has dispatched some relief material to the affected areas, the deputy commissioner said they were waiting for the report of the teams. He, however, admitted that there were reports of cloudburst and flashfloods in some remotest areas of Bhalessa in Bhaderwah. “After getting information about the flashfloods we have rushed our teams to the affected areas,” he said. Former minister and MLC Mohammed Sharief Niaz demanded immediate assessment of the total loss and asked the local authorities to sanction relief material to the affected families. Niaz, who is visiting that area, said most of the villages were cut off as paths connecting these hamlets with link roads, were washed away in the flashfloods. He further said water pipes, which were laid to supply water in these villages, also got washed away. The ruling party MLC expressed his anguish over lacklustre approach of the district administration in dealing with the situation. He said inhabitants of the affected areas were facing shortage of ration but the authorities concerned have yet not deputed relief teams.
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Sinha praises ‘Khuda Key Liye’
Srinagar, June 17 Sinha, who watched the film yesterday, appreciated the movie and said it had a very powerful theme, which is relevant in the present strife-torn world. He also complimented the producer of the film and the actors for the bold initiative. However, people in Kashmir did not show much enthusiasm towards the film. — PTI |
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Permit Woes
Chela Dangri-Mandi (Poonch), June 17 He applied for the permit in May 2005 to travel to Muzzafarabad in PoK but he is yet to get the same. Meanwhile, he has lost about 70 of his relatives, including his parents, who lived in PoK. He got separated from his parents during 1965 war and majority of his relatives live on the other side of the LoC in PoK. Ghani last met his parents and other relatives in 1985 when he travelled to PoK. His father Ghulam Joo and mother Khabali Bi died in 1992 and 2002, respectively, and he regrets till date that he didn’t get their last glimpse before they died. He also lost his paternal aunt Noor Jana Begum’s husband Muhammad Rasheed and niece Hazira Begum. “Even as about 70 of my relatives died in PoK but I cannot attend their last rites. I am so unfortunate that I couldn’t attend the religious rites of my parents,” rues Ghani in tears. “After the Indian government opened Uri-Muzaffaradad road I applied for the permit in May 2005 so that I could travel to PoK so that I could at least pray at the graves of my parents before I die,” he says. “I have heard that my brothers Muhammad Hussain (85) and Mir Hussain (75) both diabetic and sister Noor Jana Begum (65) (heart patient) too remain terminally ill and may not survive for too long. I wish to meet them before I die,” he adds. Ghani complains that though many of his known persons who had applied for travel permit after him had got the requisite permission, but he could not get the one. “I fail to understand how influential persons who applied after me got the permit and in fact returned back after meeting their relatives across the LoC,” Ghani says. “I hope that government will speed up the process so that we can meet our dear ones,” he adds. Though the district administration maintains silence over the issue, sources in the administration and the police don’t rule out the role of money and influence in the CID and the police to get the verification done within less time.
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Ensure free and fair polls: Antony
Srinagar, June 17 Antony, who arrived on a two-day visit here today, is scheduled to visit some forward areas in the state and interact with the jawans before returning to Delhi. Soon after his arrival, Antony chaired a meeting with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to review the security situation in the state and the progress made on the recommendations of the Expert Panel Committee. The meeting was held at the SKICC and was attended by Gen Deepak Kapoor, Chief of the Army Staff; defence secretary Vijay Singh; chief secretary S.S. Kapoor; special secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, M.L. Kumawat; among others. Antony said the coming months were crucial as forces within and outside the state would make efforts to thwart the process of holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir. He complimented the security forces for their sacrifice and determined efforts, which had helped in bringing down the level of militancy-related incidents in the valley. He called upon the security forces to achieve the objective of neutralising militants with minimum inconvenience to the people. In this regard, he asked he security forces to vacate all remaining public buildings and ensure that human rights were not violated in the process. The defence minister said, “Security forces alone could not provide lasting peace, stability and prosperity. For this, people have to realise that peace alone pays dividends. He said the Centre would provide all support to make the state one of the frontline states in development.
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PoK help sought to trace bodies
Baramulla, June 17 The matter was taken up to the PoK administration and their help was sought to trace the bodies. Last month, the body of a driver was fished out in PoK and buried there. However, the body was returned after the Indian Army took up the matter with the Pakistan army. — UNI |
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Hurriyat leaders held
Srinagar, June 17 The rally started from Pratap Park in central Srinagar and was stopped at the Regal Chowk by Kothibag police. About 10 activists were arrested. While Geelani has protested the land transfer calling it an attempt to “alter the demography of J&K,” the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has launched a mass contact programme to raise awareness against the move, sources added. —
PTI |
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Challans against officials
Srinagar, June 17 A spokesman of the VO said today a challan was produced against Shafiq Ahmad Shah, senior assistant, Forest Department in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Kashmir. He said Shah was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 500 on August 13 from a forest guard, Fayaz Ahmad Hamdani, against cancellation of his transfer order. The spokesman said another challan was produced against Mohammad Afzal Ganie, a lineman, in the Power Development Department (PDD) in the same court. The lineman was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 2000 on June 1 |
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550 examined at camp
Jammu, June 17 The medical camp was inaugurated by Major-Gen D.L. Chowdhary, GoC, Tiger Division. While addressing the gathering he emphasised that the aim of the medical camp was to provide medical assistance to the rural citizens who were facing difficulties in getting medical treatment. “This medical camp is part of the effort by the Army to provide healthcare and medical assistance to the civil population living in the interior areas of the region,” GoC said. The medical team included doctors from the Army and civil hospitals. The team of doctors gave top priority to medical problems of senior citizens, women and children. A total of 550 were provided expert medical advice and medicines distributed free of cost. |
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Hideout busted
Srinagar, June 17 During the operation, security forces unearthed a hideout in an orchard. One pistol a magazine and five rounds, three AK magazines, 125 rounds of ammunition, one GPS made in Germany, one binocular high resolution, two hand grenades, two UBGL grenades, two audiocassette and other material was recovered. — UNI |
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Jammu, June 17
Srinagar, June 17
