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Rahul coming tomorrow
Azad’s brother joins BJP
Candidates told to submit expenditure details
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NC deceiving people, says Mufti
Rajouri, April 12 Former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said yesterday that the NC had once again started deceiving the people of the state through its “deceitful tactics.”
Cong holds women’s convention
27 polling personnel for 7 voters
Exodus of Pandits
No Taliban in Kashmir: Farooq
IAF choppers to ferry poll staff, material
Jora for facilities for tourists
We will one day regain homeland: Kashmiri Pandits
Joy shortlived as merit list revised
10 yrs on, Kargil ‘hero’ awaits recognition
JeM commander killed in Pulwama
Governor, CM extend Baisakhi greetings
Disappeared Persons
Govt urged to ensure supply of essentials
1,400-year-old idol recovered
Ansari PDP choice from Srinagar
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Rahul coming tomorrow
Jammu, April 12 The scion of Gandhi clan will be visiting the highway towns on April 14 to canvass support for the Congress in the LS elections. “Rahul’s visit has infused a fresh blood in the party cadre and we are confident of retaining both the Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies of the Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda,” party spokesperson and newly nominated MLC Ravinder Sharma told The Tribune. “We are already through with our campaigning in Jammu and it has gained momentum in Udhampur and Kathua,” he added. In the next two days, PCC president and Union Minister for Water Resources Prof Saifuddin Soz, Union Minister of state and in charge J&K Affairs Prithvi Raj Chavan and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would address rallies in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, he said. The state unit of the Congress has decided to go full throttle canvassing support for party candidates and sitting MPs Madan Lal Sharma and Lal Singh from the Jammu-Poonch and the Udhampur-Doda constituencies, respectively. In a meeting held at the party headquarters here today, Pradesh Youth Congress vice-president Pawan Raina exuded confidence that the Congress would form the next government at the Centre. He said youth of the country had high hopes from Rahul Gandhi to mould India into a viable and modern country. Meanwhile, sources in the Congress said the party had asked its rank and file, particularly the youth wing, to mobilise optimum number of youth for the Rahul’s twin rallies in Vijaypur and Kathua towns. |
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Azad’s brother joins BJP
Jammu, April 12 Ghulam Ali went a step further by justifying the BJP stand on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, saying that a place where no prayers were offered could not be called a mosque. The former Chief Minister’s younger brother saw all ills plaguing the state in Article 370 and felt that Article 370 should be repealed. “If residents of Jammu and Kashmir can own property, land and houses in other states, why people from the rest of the country were restricted in this state?” he asked. Earlier, state BJP president Ashok Khajuria and other senior leaders accorded a rousing reception to Ghulam Ali Azad. Retired District and Sessions Judge KK Proach, Congress activist from Bhaderwah Raju Sharma and a prominent social figure from Bishnah were also welcomed into the party. |
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Candidates told to submit expenditure details
Jammu, April 12 The contestants have been directed to submit the details of their expenditure on the telecast of audio-visual advertisements, publication of advertisements in print media, transport and printing of election material in person or through nominated agent. The officer had also informed them to attend a meeting regarding election expenditure in the office of Returning Officer, Jammu parliamentary constituency on April 14. Meanwhile, polling staff of all 11 segments of the district were today imparted EVM training under the supervision of the assistant returning officers concerned at the designated training
venues. |
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NC deceiving people, says Mufti
Rajouri, April 12 He said the situation in the valley had again started “deteriorating” after the formation of the NC-Congress alliance in the state. While “analysing” 100 days performance of the coalition, the former Chief Minister said within the period of just three months this regime had lost faith of the people. “I do admit that the new coalition don’t have a magic lamp to solve all problems of masses with one stroke, but this regime has failed to initiate even a single step to fulfill aspirations of the people”, he said, adding that instead of minimising miseries of the people, this government has further compounded their woes through its casual approach. He opined that beginning of coalition reflects that the rulers of this regime were more concerned about enjoying power rather than addressing problems of the common masses. Addressing an election meeting here in support of PDP candidate Trilok Singh Bajwa, Sayeed said there was a feeling among people that they were once again deceived by the NC. “All promises made by this party in the Assembly elections remained only on papers,” he observed and reminded the people that NC leaders had promised to curtail educational qualification for recruitment in the police, stipend for unemployed educated youth, waving off of power tariff etc. Pointing towards “increase” in the cases of human rights violations and killings of innocent people at the hands of security forces during the last three months, Sayeed that cautioned that situation had been deteriorating after the formation of this regime in the state. “It is the same coalition which is responsible for two decades long bloodshed and destruction in the state”, he observed and recalled that it was the same NC-Congress regime that had subverted the democracy in the state by blatantly rigging the infamous 1987 Assembly elections in the state. |
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Vote for BJP, pleads Mayor
Jammu, April 12 Addressing a press conference here, Gupta said the Jammu and Ladakh regions continued to be discriminated against in many matters. Jammu province too continued to remain deprived politically. The Mayor claimed that both Congress and the NC did not care for the refugees from PoK and western Pakistan as they had been living in
adverse conditions for the past 60 years. District president Rajesh Gupta sought support for Leela Karan Sharma, saying that he alone could work for self-respect and pride of Jammu. |
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Cong holds women’s convention
Jammu, April 12 He said: “Rajiv Gandhi had paved the way for the entry of women in block, zila parishad and panchayat elections through one-third reservation. The Congress wants the same for Parliament and the Assembly as well.” He asked women to consolidate their position by making groups and addressing their problems in unified manner and start the revolution of their emancipation. Soz also advocated the replication of ‘Ladli scheme’ in the state which has done well in Delhi. |
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27 polling personnel for 7 voters
Jammu, April 12 The voters belonging to two families have a separate booth for them. The village has two booths. A migrants’ colony separates the two families from rest of the village in the remote part of the district. Further, the houses are located in a further remote hilly terrain. Official sources said the first booth in the village was set up for 223 voters, while the second one (booth no: 33) was for the seven voters. The 27 employees deputed include the polling as well as the security staff. The two families of two brothers have 12 members. Five children are below the age of 18. The village falls under the Udhampur-Doda seat for which the elections would be held on April 23. Another booth (78) set up in the Kothi village under the Basoli tehsil in Reasi district has just 43 voters. The number seems minuscule when weighed against the total number of 13,54,499 voters in the parliamentary constituency. But the elections have proved so many times that just one vote can turn
the tables. |
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Exodus of Pandits
Jammu, April 12 Addressing an election meeting at Talab Tillo, Gupta said the Congress leadership was not having such a virtue because of their lust for power, whether it was the coalition with the “controversial” PDP or “dubious” NC. He added the Congress never had a Kashmir policy resulting in serious problems, but the bunglings of the NC-Congress in the 1987 Assembly elections in the electoral process caused great resentment in the valley. Gupta said the renewed alliance of the Congress-NC was a matter of new concern as they had started old tactics to play foul in many ways, including election of all four Rajya Sabha members through manipulation and changing of the strength of electorates of Kashmir to continue the political dominations over the Jammu region. |
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No Taliban in Kashmir: Farooq
Srinagar, April 12 In his unique style, the former Chief Minister blew hot and cold when pressed on the speculative presence of the Taliban and said no less than “his Chief Minister has dismissed such reports” and he could not bring “Allah down on earth to say the Taliban are not here”. Downplaying the recent concerns over increased infiltration, he said media should not read much into it. The PDP had recently tried to gain political mileage over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s apprehensions over infiltrations, saying that he was trying to scare away voters as low polling mostly benefited the NC. The NC, he said, would declare its candidates for the Srinagar and Baramulla Lok Sabha seats tomorrow. When asked if he could also contest elections, as speculated, he said he could not rule it out. “We welcome Lone’s decision and it only proves our point that 20 years of separatist politics has got nothing for the valley. Mainstream politics of participation is the only answer for Kashmir’s problems and I ask other separatists to join the mainstream,” he said. On the occasion, Prof Ismail Ashna, chairman of the JK Citizens Council and the Kashmiri Writers Foundation, joined the NC, with Abdullah saying that this would strengthen the party in Bandipora, his hometown.
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IAF choppers to ferry poll staff, material
Jammu, April 12 Official sources in the Chief Electoral Officer’s office told The Tribune that the election authorities had proposed 218 sorties in precise for the 78 polling stations in Kishtwar, Bandipora, Leh and Kargil during the second and fifth phase of the elections beginning from April 16. The IAF had given its consent to ferry poll officials and election material to these areas in MI-17 and Cheetah choppers, said sources, adding that the choppers will transport poll staff and material a day or two earlier than the day of polling. Talking to The Tribune, Jammu Divisional Commissioner Dr Pawan Kotwal said as far as the Jammu region was concerned, the IAF choppers would make sorties to inaccessible areas like Warwan, Marwah, Machail, Kither and Dacchan in the mountainous Kishtwar district. In Marwah, the MI-17 choppers would land at Navapachi helipad, while in Warwan they would be using Inchan Top helipad. However, in Machail,the smaller version ‘Cheetah’ helicopters would be used because of very difficult mountainous terrain, Dr Kotwal said . From the helipads the polling parties would be inducted to the polling stations, he said, adding that after polling was over the officers and election material, including EVMs would be de-inducted via choppers. Meanwhile, Election Observers here yesterday held another round of meeting with various political parties apprising them about dos and don’ts besides getting the feedback. |
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Jora for facilities for tourists
Jammu, April 12 He said the creation of conference halls, clubs, gymnasiums and other paraphernalia was imperative for attracting tourists from all over the world. The minister was speaking while reviewing the under-execution work on the first phase of the Sidhra golf course in Jammu. This was the minister’s second visit to the golf course in less than two months to take a firsthand review of the progress of the work at the site. The 18-hole course, spread over 14 kanals, was being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 44 crore. In the first phase, a nine holes course will become operational in June later this year. Director, Tourism, Jammu, SM Sahani, besides other senior officers of the department, accompanied Jora during the visit. The minister directed the authorities concerned to activate their efforts and formulate plans for developing integrated tourist facilities at various scenic and adventure places across the state. The minister said the new golf course at Sidhra would have latest golfing facilities that would make for a magnificent vacation for the tourists. He said the facilities would meet international standards, adding that the course would be accessible for one and all and provide opportunity to the youth to take up the sport in a big way. Outlining Jammu’s potential in the tourism sector, the minister said the high-end visitors had to be targeted to harness potential in the sector. He made specific reference to the pilgrim tourists. He added that every step would be taken to extend their stay by offering them attractive packages, golf being one of them. |
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We will one day regain homeland: Kashmiri Pandits
Jammu, April 12 “Today, tomorrow, someday, we shall regain homeland one day,” this was the optimism exhibited by the community, especially youths. The KPs assembled at the jam-packed Zorawar Singh Auditorium showered praise upon people of Jammu for giving them “shelter” after their mass exodus from the valley. “Vitasta (Jehlum river) flows in the valley of our souls, in our sub-conscious mind, we see the splendor of Shankaracharya temples in the reflection of Dal Lake, writers like Habba Khatoon and Rehmaan Rahi keep on haunting us….in our dreams we revisit the lanes and bylanes of the ruined cultural civilisation,” said head of Hindi department, MS University, Baroda, Shailja Bhardwaj. Dr Shailja was speaking during the first session; KP Women: Challenges in Exile. Coming down heavily upon extremists in the valley, she asked the Muslim youth not to fall prey to evil designs of separatists. She urged them to redirect their minds towards the era of modernisation from religious bigotry. Sikh cleric, Sant Mehar Singh and MLA, Ashok Khajuria in their formal addresses extended all support to the community. Younger generation presented cultural extravaganza on the occasion. The youth also shared their experiences of being away from their roots, collective problems and viable solutions in the second session: KP Youth in Exile- Challenges Galore. In the third session a documentary film, “Journey to homeland” by Roots in Kashmir was screened. |
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Joy shortlived as merit list revised
Jammu, April 12 Though the mistake has been corrected by the Directorate within 24 hours, it has subjected the meritorious students to tremendous mental agonies. The revised merit list has also created anxiety among the class X students who are waiting for their results. They also fear that the State Board of School Education (BOSE) may commit a similar mistake. The revision of the merit list has cast an aspersion on the genuineness of the
list itself. Lakshmir Rajput, a class X student, said: “We have put in our best and we are worried that if the BOSE also commits such a mistake that would spoil the career of meritorious students. The BOSE may crosscheck the results many times before making that public but this mistake has created an anxiety among us.” Chief education officer, Jammu, Suresh Kumar Sharma said: “The list was revised because the department prepared the first list in hurry and under pressure of heavy workload due to which mistake occurred. The same was corrected through revision of the merit list.” However, Director Education Zahida Khan was reluctant to accept the mistake and said since the result of certain schools was not received in time due to which some students of these schools who were meritorious were left out and revised list was published after incorporating their names in the list. |
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10 yrs on, Kargil ‘hero’ awaits recognition
Leh, April 12 Namgail had escorted the Army in locating the Pakistani intruders on the high mountains of the Indian side of the line of actual control in Kargil sector. Seeking recommendation of the GOC Corp 14 Lt General SK Singh for Bharat Ratna award for his services, Tashi Namgail, who belongs to Drokpa tribe, has also sought financial assistance for his son’s education and permanent labour job in the Army for the son who lost his hands in the Kargil war. Namgial said: “I had approached two Defense Ministers George Fernandes and AK Antony through ST Commission member Tsering Samphel for their recommendation for the award but nothing happened. I have received a letter from Defense Minister AK Antony saying that the matter is being looked into.” Namgail said: “My alertness saved our country from a large-scale tragedy and my services should be recognised.” The Army has rewarded him Rs 50,000 and monthly ration allowance of Rs 5,000. |
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JeM commander killed in Pulwama
Srinagar, April 12 Babar Bhai had been active in the region for a long time and was the most wanted militant, official sources said. Another JeM commander, Abu Afaque, an accomplice of Babar, is still holed up in a hideout in a house. Both militants hail from Pakistan. After the security forces were tipped off about the presence of Babar yesterday, a joint team of CRPF’s 182 Battalion, 53 RR and the police surrounded his hideout. The encounter began this morning and officials said it was still on with Afaque remaining alive. “He is being instructed by his accomplices over a mobile phone to try to flee in the night by firing at the cordon. The house’ location is such that using IED to blow up the hideout is a bit difficult,” an official said. Meanwhile, the security forces today busted a militant hideout in Kupwara district and seized a cache of ammunition and explosives. Acting on a tip off, the police assisted by the BSF troops carried out a search operation at Takyabal forest and seized three UBGLs, three anti-personal IEDs, a bomb and three rocket boosters among others, a police spokesman said. |
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Muslims celebrate demon’s slaying
Aishmuqam, April 12 Local scholar Zakir says the mythical tale is straight out of the pages of the Hindu book in which Bhim and Pandava with enormous physical prowess, rids a village of a demon who had forced the villagers to send him food and a man everyday for his meal. We believe that Bumma Sen persuaded a widow not to send her only son to the demon and instead offered himself to the demon. He fought with him and killed him. Villagers lit mashals to see if he was indeed killed and have been celebrating it since then, Dr Zakir said. Kashmir changed its faith over the course of history but not the tradition as the week-long zool (Kashmiri word for mashal) festival symbolises its syncretism despite the loud noises of the orthodox religious bodies like Jamaat-e-Islami and neo-conservative sects like Ahle-Hadith. And very much like all symbols of Kashmiri’s pluralistic strains, the festival somewhat faded under threats of militants, who lobbed a grenade at a gathering in 1994 killing one and injuring many, but has been enjoying resurgence for the past few years. The Sufi saint is known to have encouraged locals to participate in the festival as an ode to the valley’s mystique culture and is revered like a deity in this part of the south Kashmir as buses and small vehicles bring people from distant places. This is the true Kashmir that you will find in the pages of history. Thousands of villagers do not eat meat for five days in obeisance to the saint who is said to have eaten only 23 kg of grains all his life. He is our protector. We live in his patronage, Asif Bhat, a student, said. When asked that many Islamic bodies term these practises un-Islamic, he shot back, Zain Shah was a better Muslim than most of them. |
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Governor, CM extend Baisakhi greetings
Jammu, April 12 In his message, Vohra said the day had a special significance for the Sikh community as Khalsa Panth was born on this day. He hoped Baisakhi would be celebrated in a spirit of harmony while praying for peace, brotherhood and tranquility in the state. Omar greeted the people, hoping that the festival would be celebrated in a spirit of joy and harmony. He urged the people to celebrate the festival in unison with traditional fervour to further strengthen the secular and social fabric. |
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Disappeared Persons
Srinagar, April 12 Briefing mediapersons, Advocate Mir Hafizullah, legal adviser, APDP, lead by Parveena Ahangar said 81 countries, including India, were signatory to international convention on enforced disappearances. “Out of these 10 countries have ratified the convention while as others, including India, are yet to do it,” he said. Parveena said her group was carrying out the protest in order to “impress” upon the Central government to ratify the convention. She said during the monthly sit-in the victims were briefed about a visit of delegation of the APDP to Geneva last November. |
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Govt urged to ensure supply of essentials
Jammu, April 12 According to the statement issued here yesterday, Tarigami said havoc had been created among the consumers in these two districts due to acute shortage of foodgrains as the CAPD ration retail outlets were running dry. He said the CAPD Department was not coming up to the expectations of the consumers. Tarigami urged the government to take immediate and contingency measures for rushing supplies of essential commodities and ensure adequate supply of foodgrains in the state. Expressing concern over non-implementation of the decision for restoring previous monthly ration scales at the rate of 11 kg per head per family, Tarigami appealed the government to implement the decision without any further delay. He further appealed the government to take the matter of seeking additional quota from the Union Food and Civil Supplies Ministry. |
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1,400-year-old idol recovered
Srinagar, April 12 He said the farmers stumbled upon the idol when they were digging a field in Waghama-Bijbehara, 45 km from here. They kept the idol with them but some villagers tipped the local police who seized it and handed it over to the Archaeology Department. The idol was seven-inch-high and 4.5 inch-wide and was a rare find bearing Gandhara art influence, Ashraf said.
— PTI |
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Ansari PDP choice from Srinagar
Srinagar, April 12 Ansari, the sitting MLA from Pattan in Baramulla district, has been cleared as the PDP’s candidate from the Lok Sabha seat by the party leadership, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said here.
— PTI |
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