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Heavy turnout sign of voters’ maturity: Soz
Cong in now hurry to act against rebels
PDP show better than expected
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Playing spoilsport in NC bastions
BJP blames cops, EC for favouring Cong
Mumbai Attack
HC orders release of detained militant
Lal Chowk March
Yasin Malik hospitalised
Marriage on Varsity Campus
BSP hopes to make it big
Independent candidate withdraws, joins NC
Azad’s uncle joins NC
‘Need to set up centre for special kids’
Fake passport racket busted, 1 held
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Heavy turnout sign of voters’ maturity: Soz
PM to hit campaign trail on Dec
14 Upbeat over the outcome of the Assembly elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hit the campaign trail in Jammu and Kashmir on December 14. Soz said here today that the PM would address rallies in Srinagar and Jammu.
— PTI
Jammu, December 9 Interacting with the media at the Congress headquarters here, Soz said, “The BJP had gone hammer and tongs in spreading false propaganda against our party, but the people exhibited immense maturity and reposed their trust in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. Similarly, by turning out in large numbers to cast their ballot in Jammu and Kashmir, the voters rejected the boycott call given by the separatists. In both the cases, the people gave thumbs down to negative politics.” He said the Congress’ win in three states augured well for the party and it would not only have an impact on the remaining three phases of the state Assembly polls but also the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. He said the party’s triumph, particularly in Delhi, was not ordinary, as it implied that the people had shown their utmost trust in the Congress’ policy of “peace, progress and dignity”. Soz said the rejection of separatists’ poll boycott call by the people was a huge development in Kashmir, which proved that the democracy had struck deep roots in the state. When asked whether the separatists had lost relevance in the valley, Soz said they were the opinion leaders and they may fight for their opinion. Whether the sentiment of ‘azadi’ had lost ground in Kashmir, he simply said the people there were exercising their franchise to live in Indian democracy. On the issue of regional imbalance, Soz said they would promote a vigorous dialogue to devise a mechanism to deal with the issue. He said setting up regional councils to address the issue was not a difficult proposition and could be adopted, if needed, after a thorough discussion. The union minister expressed hope that the Congress, contesting on development plank, would have the numbers to form the government on its own in the state.
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Cong in now hurry to act against rebels
Jammu, December 9 Among the constituencies where the Congress is facing rebellion are Kathua (Babu Singh and Naresh Sharma), Billawar (Pankaj Dogra and Balbir Singh), Hiranagar (Tara Chand Bhagat), Marh (Thakur Balwan Singh), Nagrota (Shivdev Singh), and Kalakote and Jammu West (Ashok Sharma). Out of these Kathua, Marh and Nagrota are the key constituencies. The political career of Congress MP from Udhampu-Doda Lal Singh is at stake from the Kathua Assembly segment, while senior Congress leader Dharam Pal Sharma is contesting against NC's Jammu Province President Ajay Sadhotra in the Marh constituency. In Nagrota, Congress candidate Choudhary Hameed is pitted against NC candidate Ajatshatru Singh, who is son of Congress MP Dr Karan Singh, and BJP’s lone MLA in last Assembly Jugal Kishore. Interestingly, neither the party has initiated any action against the rebels who are contesting as independents nor the latter have quit the party after being denied the party ticket. Apparently the Congress as well as its rebels is interested in leaving a scope for their “homecoming” once the results of the Assembly polls are out. Political observers feel that even if none of the rebel candidates managed to win they could play a spoiler in the elections and lead to the defeat of the official Congress candidates. “They would certainly make a dent in the Congress vote bank,” they said. Replying to a query over rebels during a press conference here today, state Congress president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz said the Congress was a big party and tickets had been allotted keeping various factors in mind. He said the rebel factor would not affect the poll prospects of the party. Regarding action, he said a disciplinary panel would look into all such cases and initiate appropriate action against them. |
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PDP show better than expected
Srinagar, December 9 Those keeping an eye on voting patterns, whether neutral watchers or intelligence officials, say the Mufti Sayeed-led party is in the reckoning even in many seats of Kupwara, Poonch and Rajouri districts, where it could not win a single seat out of 12 in 2002 elections. The party had won a total of 16 seats last time and observers say it is likely to improve upon its tally as things stand today. “The key for PDP is how well it does in its stronghold of south Kashmir. They are likely to repeat their show and in such eventuality they could reach 20,” a political source, who is not from the PDP, said. In the16 constituencies, the PDP had bagged 10 seats last time, spread across four districts in south Kashmir are going to polls in the fifth and the sixth phase on December 13 and 17. . “ The PDP’s show so far has definitely surprised one and all,” a senior intelligence official said, adding it is “neck and neck” with the NC, which had won a majority of seats in the areas having gone to polls. Prior to the announcements of elections, the considered view among observes was that the NC was a clear frontrunner and the PDP would find it tough to salvage itself post the shrine board land fiasco. The NC's openness to elections and PDP's reluctance were seen as a pointer of things to come. However, it seems to be immaterial in the unpredictable political dynamics of Kashmir, which have shocked separatists with a turnout not expected by even most enthusiastic supporters of elections. |
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Playing spoilsport in NC bastions
Ramban, December 9 Although the PDP has been contesting all six seats of Doda district, the party is concentrating more on three segments namely Banihal, Ramban and Kishtwar where the NC has consolidated its position. Seriousness of the PDP to defeat the NC can be gauged from the fact that Mufti Mohammad Sayed has himself taken the charge to dislodge arch rival from the Kishtwar and Ramban assembly segments where the NC had emerged victorious in 2002 Assembly elections. The PDP patron has reasons to specially concentrate on those segments, which were won by the NC in 2002 elections. Strengthening of the PDP in such segments will ensure defeat of NC candidates as majority of these seats are witnessing triangular contests and the former is cutting vote bank of the latter and playing as “spoilsports”. First priority of the PDP is to win these seats but the party is also working on the line to ensure the defeat of NC, in case of triangular contests on these seats. “In case we could garner enough support to snatch the seats from the NC, I will make it sure that the NC does not retain such segments”, a senior leader of the PDP told the Tribune and added that emergence of the PDP on this side of Pir Panchal would prove disastrous for the NC in Jammu region. As the party has singled out some key constituencies to dislodge the NC, the PDP has fielded potential candidates from segments considered as stronghold of its arch rival. |
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BJP blames cops, EC for favouring Cong
Jammu, December 9 The district police has not taken any action on FIR no. 231 under the Arms Act and another FIR 230, registered on December 6 against Jugal Kishore Sharma, the local candidate of the Congress, his brother Kuldeep Kumar and his followers. He said when the campaign was over on the eve of December 5, Jugal Kishore and his men came to “lure” local people in Katra with various favours such as money, liquor, and blankets. When public protested then they indulged in hooliganism. He pointed finger at the police for taking action on the behest of Jugal Kishore against the BJP workers, but not doing the same for the FIR lodged against Kishore. Refuting allegation levelled by Gupta, DIG Alok Puri, without taking names of any political party, said: “We caught four drunkard young men for setting Kishore's car on fire on the day clashes happened. They were let off on bail in the court next day. A day after, few men came and lodged complaint against Kishore that we registered.” Electoral office too has denied the allegation of Gupta categorically. B.R. Sharma, CEO, clarified, “The EC has nothing to do with this case now as the investigation has already been taken over by the district police.” The Congress too lambasted the BJP for attacking it and called for Election Commission to take action against the BJP for flouting election
code. |
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Kashmiri Pandits banking on weather God
Jammu, December 9 The separatists’ boycott call is another factor that too can play trump card for them. Sanjay Kachroo, who is standing from Sonawar, said: “If less people from the valley turn out for voting, then the votes cast by the displaced Kashmir Pandits will swing the polling in favour of the their candidates.” Parikshit Kaul, a candidate from Amira Kadal, agrees that weather can play an important role in reducing the numbers of voters but call by Hurriyat might not be as effective. The voters had rejected the separatists’ call in the initial four phases, he said. Sanjay said: “Urban region has been the Hurriyat’s stronghold. The separatist group have specifically earmarked December 24, and put all their energies to persuade people of the valley to boycott the polls that day. Their call will certainly tilt the poll results in favor of Kashmiri Pandit
candidates. |
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Id celebrated, amidst rain
No festivities for Barnoi
residents Srinagar: Rendered homeless by a devastating inferno on the eve of Id-ul-Azha, residents of Barnoi village near the LoC in Bandipora district celebrated festival in a subdued manner
today. “There is no Id for us today. We have no reason to celebrate the festival as our houses were razed to the ground in a blaze yesterday,” residents
said. Union ministerSaiSoz met Governor
N.N. Vohra and discussed about the relief measures for the fire sufferers of Burnai in Gurez Valley. The Governor reportedly assured Soz that the divisional commissioner and other officers of the administration had been given clear instructions for relief to the
victims. — TNS
Srinagar, December 9 Though large crowds of Muslims were present in Eidgah and Hazratbal, which houses a holy relic of Prophet Mohammad, but the numbers were still less than the thousands, who usually throng these historical places of religious significance. Weather was the main culprit as rain fell in the night, turning open grounds soggy at many places. “I usually go to Eidgah. But I believed that ground would be wet there, making it hard for me to offer prayers. I instead went to a nearby mosque,” Javed Malik, a student, said. The festival is of biggest significance among Muslims after Id-ul Fitr, which is celebrated after the month of fasting known as Ramazan. The state government had released several separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is also the head priest of Jamia Masjid, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and several others from house arrest on the eve of the festival. The festival passed off peacefully without any major untoward incident. |
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Residents rue bad sanitation
Jammu, December 9 Garbage scattered on the main roads and the main drain choked with polythene bags, rags, plastic remains, earthenwares etc. reflects the laid-back attitude of the JMC towards this locality. The garbage bins and the choked drains have become a cause of health hazards for residents due to their irregular cleaning and could become a cause of epidemic. The residents complain that since long the main drain had not been cleaned by the JMC. “It has become a breeding ground for rats, flies and mosquitoes thus creating health problems for the residents,” they said. Kamal Sharma, who runs a PCO near the drain, said choked with all sorts of refuse the drain had become a big nuisance in our area. Due to shortage of garbage bins in the locality the residents dump their garbage into the main drain, which can cause epidemic because of irregular cleaning. The JMC should put concrete slabs on it to restrain the residents from dumping garbage into it, he said. They should also place more bins in the area and should clean the drain as soon as possible, said Arun Jamwal, another resident of the area. “The JMC has provided us only two garbage bins, which are not sufficient, said Suresh Sharma, shopkeeper of the area. When contacted, JMC Mayor Kavinder Gupta said, “The municipal officials and employees have been assigned election duties as a result corporation has been rendered defunct.” However, he assured to depute employees within a week to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the
area. |
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Unhygenic food being sold at dhabas
Jammu, December 9 Mostly the students, who come from far off areas to pursue education in the city, have their meals at these dhabas that sell adulterated food openly at Jewel Chowk and Bus Stand “I have taken ill many times after consuming food from such dhabas,” said Iqbal Baht, a student of class X hailing from Kashmir valley. Amo Dolma, another student, also felt that the authorities concerned had failed to check food adulteration at these dhabas. “I work at a private company at Bari Brahmana and have food at a dhaba daily. Using chemicals and colour to enhance taste and life of food is a common practice among these dhaba owners. The authorities should take strong action against them,” Ramesh Chander said. |
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Mumbai Attack
Jammu, December 9 Poonch-Rawalakot bus service, which was started to facilitate people-to-people contact as a part of the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, had received a very warm response from the people of both the parts of divided state. “For the first time since opening of the cross-LoC Chakan-da-Bagh for people of both the sides, not even a single citizen of POK travelled to this part of the state in the weekly Poonch-Rawlakot bus service, which carried 34 persons of state who returned home after staying with their relatives on the other side of the LoC” an official said. However, 35 visitors from the state were among 58 persons -- 23 PoK returnees -- in the bus, which headed towards the PoK from Poonch. A total of 92 civilians crossed Chakan-da-Bagh point yesterday, the official added. Strained relations between India-Pakistan in the aftermath of Mumbai terrorist attacks are being seen as a main cause of this decline in number of visitors from the other side.
— UNI |
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HC orders release of detained militant
Jammu, December 9 Pronouncing the order yesterday on a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Justice J.P. Singh ordered the release of Mohammad Sadiq who was in detention since March 2007. On an order of the Doda District Magistrate, Sadiq was detained last year under the Public Safety Act while he was still in the police custody. The Judge said the reason advanced by the DM for detaining Sadiq that he might influence and terrorise witnesses in the event of his release was unsustainable.
— PTI
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Lal Chowk March
Srinagar, December 9 He denounced the elections and asked the people to march to Lal Chowk to express their protest against the elections. Though it is unlikely that authorities will allow him or his supporters to either galavanise support for his call or to assemble on the December 24 but the announcement will certainly set stage for a confrontation between his supporters and security forces. A police official said most of the released leaders are likely to be put under house arrest again. Geelani was again restricted from moving out, he said, because his plans to go to Pulwama would have created law and order problems. |
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Yasin Malik hospitalised
Jammu, December 9 Malik, who is lodged in Ambphalla district jail here, was shifted and admitted to the ICU of the GMC hospital after he complained of chest pain. GMC principal Dr Rajinder Singh said, he complained of chest pain and his heart rate was fast. The separatist leader had returned from AIIMS New Delhi on December 7 after undergoing thorough treatment there. Singh described Malik’s condition as improving but said that being a chronic case of heart disease he had to stay in the hospital till he recovered completely. Security has been stepped up in the hospital. Malik had been detained under the Public Safety Act on October 28 on the charges of inciting people to boycott Assembly elections. Subsequently, he was shifted to Amphalla district jail here, but on November 24 his deteriorating health forced jail authorities to shift him to AIIMS on November 24. |
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Marriage on Varsity Campus
Jammu, December 9 In press note issued here today, the student organisations criticised the administration for the “illegal permission” granted to an outside party for holding a wedding function on the university premises over the “insistence” of Choudhary. The student organisations said it was breach of norms and assault on discipline as well as sanctity of the campus. They alleged that in the wake of the marriage ceremony, police personnel harassed the hostel boarders and students by restricting them to enter hostel from the arrangement site. They also appealed to the student community to raise voice against such type of activities and threatened to launch an agitation if their demands were not met. |
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BSP hopes to make it big
Jammu, December 9 In an attempt to woo the electorate, UP CM and BSP supremo Mayawati would address a public rally in Jammu tomorrow. “The rally of Mayawati will be a turning point in the politics of the state as it will have positive impact in the three districts of Jammu division, including Jammu, Samba and Kathua.” Narinder Kashyap BSP’s national general secretary said at a public rally in Bishnah today. He claimed that the wave was in favour of the BSP. |
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Independent candidate withdraws, joins NC
Jammu, December 9 “After being inspired by the policies of the NC I decided to quit in support of Trilok Singh Wazir, who is the NC candidate from the Gandhi Nagar segment,” Pawan Kumar told newspersons at a press conference.
— UNI |
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Azad’s uncle joins NC
Jammu, December 9 Mir, a former advocate-general of Jammu and Kashmir, will also campaign against Azad in the Bhaderwah constituency in favour of Congress candidate Aslam Goni.
— PTI |
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‘Need to set up centre for special kids’
Srinagar, December 9 “Society does not pay attention to special children despite the fact that some scientists who have achieved fame across globe faced disability in one form or other. Instead of passing on the buck, it is time to stand up and take concrete steps,” says
Renzu. |
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Fake passport racket busted, 1 held
Jammu, December 9 According to police sources, a fake passport carrying the photograph of his brother Talib Hussain was recovered from his possession. The police said he was engaged in making forged passports for trips to Dubai and recovery of more fake documents was also expected. |
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