Jammu, June 23
The Amarnath pilgrims, who are returning from the holy cave, say though the government has fixed the rates for services, they have to pay hefty amount of money to avail them during the yatra.

“The ponywallahs and porters charge as per their wish; if we try to bargain they simply refuse to provide the service,” says Vijay Kumar, a resident of New Delhi.

“There is total lawlessness. Even the police is not taking any action against the violators,” he adds.

The pilgrims say the people who have installed tents to give it on rent indulge in overcharging and the pilgrims are left with no option but to pay the amount.

Though the government had fixed a rent of Rs 120 per person per night but most of pilgrims say they had to pay more than Rs 10,000 to hire a tent for their family.

“As they see the rush of pilgrims they auction the tent,” said Mukesh Mahajan, a resident of Punjab.

The government has fixed an amount of Rs 2,800 as pony rent but the pilgrims say that the ponywallahs charge them more than Rs 6,000.

Arun Kumar, CEO of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, told The Tribune, “We can do nothing in this regard as this is the duty of the district administration, if there is any complaint it should be brought into the notice of civil administration and action needs to be taken against the guilty.”

Jammu, June 23
The huge influx of pilgrims to this year’s Amarnath Yatra has given a reason to smile to the trading community, which has been doing brisk business here.

However, yet again the early melting of the Shivalingam has become a matter of concern for pilgrims and the trading community alike.

“Owing to frequent sorties of chopper, the Shivalingam has started melting rapidly. Going by the pace of melting it may last for another 15 days and would disappear well before Raksha Bandhan,” said Inderjeet Khajuria, president of the All-Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA).

He said, “No doubt this year we have been doing brisk business evident by the bed occupancy rate in different hotels and lodges, which stands between 60 per cent to 80 per cent. But frequent chopper sorties are resulting in early melting of the Shivalingam.”

He expressed apprehensions that the boom in their business would fizzle out at the first hurdle if reconciliatory measures were not taken immediately by the shrine board.

Keeping in mind the religious sentiments of the pilgrims, the SASB should either stop chopper services or shift the helipad two to three km away from the cave shrine, he said.

Presently, the helipad is located just 500 m away from the cave shrine. Though the matter is sub-judice before the state high court, the SASB should rope in experts and explore the possibilities of maintaining the temperature inside the cave shrine, he said.

A majority of the pilgrims reach the cave shrine via Pahalgam and Baltal tracks and only rich and affluent class avail the chopper services. So the SASB should ponder over the chopper services, he said.

Varinder Sharma, a pilgrim from Jammu, said the Shivalingam had started melting.

However, Dr Arun Kumar, CEO, SASB, while expressing ignorance about the early melting of the Shivalingam said, preservation could be the way out but the matter was sub-judice before the court.

He asserted that chopper services had no impact whatsoever on the early melting of the Shivalingam.

“It has not been scientifically proven that chopper sorties are responsible for the early melting of the Shivalingam,” Arun Kumar said.

However, we have certain plans up our sleeves to preserve it, but first the matter has to be dealt by the court, he added.

Buddhal (Rajouri), June 23
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh may have done quite well in providing respite to the Kashmiri migrants by announcing a package for them, but he seems to have done precious little for the militancy affected migrants of the Jammu region.

Three families whose 11 members were slaughtered by militants forcing them to migrate from their native villages of Dhar and Gabbar, allege that though the government is providing all sought of relief to Kashmiri migrants, it forgot us and failed to provide any relief.

Shanti Devi (45), whose husband Soba Ram Sharma (50) and son Sudesh Sharma (22) of Dhar village were among 11 persons slaughtered by militants on October 9, 2005 in twin villages of Dhar and Gabbar, has always found it hard to sustain her family of four members.

After the incident, Shanti along with other members of her family migrated from their village and were forced (due to fear of militants strikes) to live in sub-human conditions in a damaged building of the Agriculture Department here.

Her only source of income is a land measuring about 30 kanals on which their tenant, a Muslim nomad (Gujjar), Shamas Din, raises crops and gives a part of the harvest to the family.

Though Shanti Devi has resolved to educate her sons for their better future, at times she finds herself helpless due to financial crisis.

“After militants slaughtered my husband and son, I couldn’t cry and hide the shock that I suffered due to their death. I knew my husband had left behind many responsibilities,” says Shanti with tears in her eyes.

“Even as the government gave us compensation of Rs 1 lakh for each member of our family slaughtered by militants, they didn’t provide us any relief after that. We gave several representations to the district administration but nothing happened.”

“Even as Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh announced a special package for Kashmiri migrants, he forgot to provide relief for us. If they have migrated from the valley due to fear of getting killed by militants, our family members have been actually killed by militants,” she demanded. “The government should also compensate us on the pattern of Kashmiri migrants.”

Rafiq Sheikh, deputy commissioner, Rajouri, confirms that the migrants are not being provided relief and says they were compensated at the time of killings of their members.

“We have forwarded their cases to the higher authorities so that they are provided relief,” the DC said. 

Srinagar, June 23
The police today lobbed teargas shells and lathi-charged demonstrators belonging to the factions of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, who were protesting against the transfer of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

More than 12 persons were injured. Forty persons were arrested. Though several separatist leaders were kept under house arrest, the protesters took to streets in different towns of the Kashmir valley today.

Those kept under house arrest included moderate APHC leaders, Shabir Ahmad shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Javed Ahmad Mir.

APHC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq accompanied by two senior leaders Abdul Ghani Bhat and Bilal Lone is currently on a tour to Pakistan.

Protest demonstrations led by hardliner APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani were held in central Lal Chowk area this afternoon. Leaders from the Geelani faction including Mohammad Ashraf Sahrai, Mohammad Shafi and Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar along with moderates also took out a procession from the Khanqua-e-Moalla shrine in interior city.

Those arrested included Mohammad Yusuf Naqash, Hakeem Abdul Rashid, Bashir Ahmad Andrabi and Mohammad Shafi Reshi.

The call for protest demonstrations was given by the Geelani-led faction and supported by the moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Jammu, June 23
Militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir have allegedly reverted to the use of the satellite phone system for receiving and sending messages within the state and from across the Line of Control.

According to official sources, militants have started changing the call signs making it difficult for the security and intelligence agencies for decoding the messages.

Sources said messages conveyed through satellite phones had been intercepted from Domana, Purkhoo and Paloura, near the Jammu city, in recent days. On the basis of one intercept search operations were launched in areas around Mishriwalla and Purkhoo Kashmiri migrant camps.

The intercept had indicated that militants planned to target the camps. They said so far nobody has been arrested and there were no signs of arms and ammunition dumps in the belt.

A week back, security forces launched search operations in areas around Paloura where the BSF headquarters is located. They said all these developments were part of the plan to create fear amongst people.

A senior police officer said militants have been asked to fortify ‘dhoks’, situated on the mountain slopes in Doda and Kishtwar belt, where they could store weapons and ammunition.

Militants have been asked to lie low till the schedule for ensuing Assembly poll process was announced, the senior police officer added.

Jammu, June 23
Minister for higher education Gulchain Singh Charak today denied the BJP’s charge that the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society was shifting valuable assets of the Dogra dynasty from the State Archives to Ram Singh Palace, which was in a dilapidated state.

Charak stated this, while attending a press conference here. He announced that Union tourism and culture minister Ambika Soni and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad would inaugurate the restoration work of the Mubarak Mandi Complex on July 5.

“There is no question of shifting or destroying Dogra archives, valuables and allied material as alleged nor are these being shifted to any other location outside the Mubarak Mandi, as per the decision of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society. A concept plan has been prepared by the INTACH and care is being taken to preserve each and every item of the archives and other museum articles in a professional manner,” he said.

The minister clarified that all archives that were taken out of the basement record rooms of the Archive Department were shifted to the old high court building for proper preservation and packing with year-wise numbering. “The job has been completed and renovation of the archives record rooms has also been done with proper ventilation. The records are now being placed at their original place with proper inventory and display.”

Charak said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH), National Museum, New Delhi, and Geological Survey of India (GSI), had been roped in to assist in restoration of the Mubarak Mandi Royal Dogra Palaces to their original glory. He said though Rs 53 crore had been sanctioned for the restoration work, the society would make efforts for financial aid from various international agencies. Following the launch of restoration work, he said, the society would also make it a point to come out with a monthly progress report to maintain transparency in the matter.

Earlier, the BJP had alleged that the state government was shifting the entire record and published works from the well-maintained library adjoining the old high court complex to Ram Singh Palace. 

Jammu, June 23
Posing a security threat, the mobile phone operators in the region continue to float norms while selling new connections.

In some cases, the operator-appointed dealers are responsible for selling these connections without proper verification and documentation. The dealers also provide pre-activated SIM cards on rent to the tourists.

In places like Katra, which see thousands of pilgrims everyday and which remain on the hit list of various militant outfits, the dealers provide SIM cards on a rent for Rs 200 per day with a security deposit of Rs 1,000.

“If this is actually happening, this can pose a serious threat to the security of the lakhs of pilgrims and other people who come here,” said a police officer at Katra, requesting anonymity.

Security agencies have cautioned the operators against selling new connections to the subscribers without proper verification.

The importance of verification becomes vital taking in view the use of mobile phones by the militants in triggering blasts.

In the recent past, security forces have recovered large number of SIM cards from the arrested or slain militants.

Militants not only used forged documents to obtain new SIM cards but in many occasions they obtained SIM cards after putting fake stamps of Army officers.

This came to light last year when militants carried out an IED blast in Baramulla using a mobile phone. Later it was found that militants obtained the SIM card after submitting forged papers with fake stamp of an Army officer.

Security agencies had cautioned the mobile phone operators against issuing of new SIM cards without proper verification.

“If anybody is found violating the issued security guidelines, then the dealer or the mobile service operator would not be spared,” said a senior police officer. “We will investigate 
and punish the culprits,” he added.

Jammu, June 23
The leadership of the state unit of the BJP has decided to woo back all those leaders and activists who had snapped ties with the parent organisation.

Stating this, BJP chief Ashok Khajuria today said, “We have started initiating unity moves with those who had left the BJP on one pretext or the other during the past five years.”

He said talks were afoot with Chander Mohan Sharma, who as earlier vice-president of the BJP and had quit the party to revive the Praja Parishad. He said Chander was being persuaded to return to the party.

He said “after all we all belong to the RSS and there will be no difficulty for him to rejoin the BJP.”

Sources said Chander Mohan Sharma had been expelled from the BJP on the charge of anti-party activities about five years ago. Later, he floated the Praja Parishad and managed to win over other disgruntled BJP leaders and activists.

When contacted Chander Mohan said he would discuss the unity issue with the BJP leadership. When asked whether he was willing to rejoin the BJP he said, “since I have my roots in the RSS, my return in the BJP may be like homecoming.”

Srinagar, June 23
The PDP has accused the BJP and the VHP of polarising the situation in the state at the behest of certain quarters from the Raj Bhawan.

“We will at no cost allow such dangerous designs to take shape in the state that has been an epitome of communal harmony and amity,” the PDP spokesman said here today.

Condemning the provocative outbursts, the spokesman said in the past also when the government tried to check the untenable activities of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), a vicious campaign was instigated by the Raj Bhawan through the BJP and the RSS to incite communal frenzy across the state.

“The quarters from where the Raj Bhawan has been taking directions all these years have now got exposed, putting a question mark on the credibility of this highest constitutional institution in the state,” he said.

The PDP spokesman hoped that the new governor would fully restore the constitutional sanctity of the Raj Bhawan. The spokesman urged the government to initiate action against the VHP leaders for openly brandishing weapons at a rally in Jammu yesterday. “This is an unfortunate trend and such elements must be dealt sternly,” the spokesman said.

Jammu, June 23
To commemorate Shaheedi Divas of Dr Shama Prasad Mukherji, BJP activists of Jammu district, donated blood at the Gandhi Nagar hospital here today.

Led by district president Rajesh Gupta, over 30 party activists donated blood at the camp. Speaking on the occasion, state BJP president Ashok Khajuria, while appreciating party workers said blood donation was the greatest service to mankind.

He said this day reminded people of the great sacrifice of Dr Mukherji, the then national president of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, who opposed the permit system in the state.

Khajuria said “Dr Mukherji considered the state to be an integral part of India and that there was no need of having a separate flag and separate constitution.”

Rajouri, June 23
The claims of the coalition government of doing wonders in the field of education by providing adequate facilities and infrastructure, is nothing more than a mere false claim.

Aijaz Ahmed Jan, provincial secretary, J&K Youth National Conference (YNC), said this while pacifying students of Mandi Government Higher Secondary School, Poonch, after the students staged a protest against the failure of the government to provide teachers in the school.

The students alleged that the school principal and teachers did not attend to their duties and they were being made to suffer. While giving a patient hearing to the agitating students, Aijaz said “The present situation is because of the non-serious attitude adopted by the state education department”.

He said the matter was repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities concerned, but nothing was done and the department remained a mute spectator.

“All this contradicts the tall claims of Chief Minster Ghulam Nabi Azad of bringing change in the field of education”, he said, adding, the upgrade and opening of schools just for the sake of publicity was not enough.

The schools need adequate infrastructure, teachers, laboratories, which were not seen anywhere, he said.

It is only after Aijaz complained to the chief education officer, Poonch, and the director, School Education Board, that they ordered immediate posting of teachers at the school and action against the erring teachers.

The aggrieved students who blocked the national highway for about 5 hours called off their protest after getting assurance from Aijaz.

Srinagar, June 23
With the arrest of two persons, the police claims to have solved the blind murder case, a spokesman said. The police said a written complaint was received from an Army patrolling party that a body of an unidentified civilian was found lying in a nullah at Chaliwan near Brar in Bandipora.

After fulfilling the legal formalities, a post-mortem was conducted. The body was later handed over to one Jamia Auqaf Nassu for burial.

Sources said one Nazir Ahmad Sheikh of Draway Kokernag approached the police claiming that the deceased was his missing brother, Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh.

Investigations revealed that one Reyaz Ahmad Chachi, resident of Chitaybanday, arrested in a case in Budgam, had planned to kill Ashraf in connivance with one Tahir Pattan.

He said Tahir was later arrested and during course of investigation, both the persons admitted to have killed Sheikh.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a partner in the coalition government, demanded an inquiry into Ashraf’s killing, while chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has termed it a killing in a “fake encounter”. — UNI

Poonch, June 23
Two members of a gang producing fake documents and identity cards for assisting job-seekers were arrested in Mendhar town in Poonch district, the police said today.

A weekend raid at a rented house yielded fake departmental seals, certificates, identity cards and driving licenses from its premises leading to the arrest of tenant Qasim Nazir Khan, they said.

During police interrogation, Khan disclosed the name of printing press owner Tarif Hussain Shah as his accomplice.

A search was conducted in the presence of District Magistrate M.H. Shah and a cache of fake government stamps, seals and certificates was hauled. These included blank permanent resident certificates, category certificates, actual line of control certificates, income certificates and fake identity cards with the seal of SDPO, Mendhar, as well as several fake seals.

The district development commissioner, Poonch, sub-district magistrate, Mendhar, tehsildar of Mendhar, subdivisional police officer, assistant regional transport officer, block medical officer and chief education officer were among the ostensible owners of the seals.

Police said the racket had been operational for four years and did not rule out a possible nexus with terrorists. A fake identity card had been found on the person of a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant killed in an encounter at Janipur in Jammu last year.

A search is on to arrest the remaining members of the gang. — PTI