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Shopian Case
Shopian shut against Omar's proposed visit
JCC suspends strike
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Two militants killed in Kupwara
Former XEN convicted
Waterborne disease claims two lives
Swine Flu
Eviction of Gujjars
Contract killer arrested
Boy killed, 11 hurt in mishap
Rather advocates
area-specific planning
Students boycott classes
Teachers lathicharged
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Shopian Case
Srinagar, August 20 If a series of bungles by the police and doctors, who are primary responsible for tempering with forensic evidence collected from the women’s private parts, had already derailed the probe, the SIT’s single-minded chase of police and CRPF personnel as the likely suspects has thrown up no clues so far. Much to many people’s surprise, the SIT has not arrested any doctor, the chief suspect being Nighat Shaheen, who had collected and sealed the victims’ vaginal samples, even though the CFSL , New Delhi, report brought their role under question. The SIT has collected the blood samples of only police and CRPF personnel, apparently thinking that the DNA profile of some of them would match with those found in the vaginal samples of the victims, now irretrievably lost after CFSL, New Delhi, found them drawn from women other that two dead women, Neelofar and Asiya Jan. A police official said a difficult case like this demanded an open-ended investigating approach, exploring all probable theories. “In popular imagination in Kashmir, four suspended cops are the villains of this case. The SIT has also gone by this convenient belief in its probe rather taking a firm and professional approach,” he said. SIT officials, however, said they had not received adequate cooperation from locals, some of whom could be important witnesses. Though with no scientific proof, so important in cases like rape and murder, as all medical reports like forensic and autopsy remain far from conclusive, it will be a big task for any investigating agency to prove its case even if it gets hold of any accused. Interestingly, the police had registered a case of rape only after FSL, Srinagar, found traces of semen in women’s private parts but CSFL has rejected those very samples as not drawn from two victims. It means it is unlikely to be ever known whether the two women were indeed raped unless somebody makes a dramatic confession in a court. Forensic experts said the bodies of two women would also be of not much use after being buried almost 12 weeks ago. |
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Shopian shut against Omar's proposed visit
Srinagar, August 20 The 'civil curfew' was called by the Majlis-e-Mashawarat, a non-political body spearheading the movement for justice for two women, who were allegedly raped and murdered in the town, 52 km from here, in May. Although Omar cancelled his visit to the town, all shops and business establishments remained closed, while vehicles went off the roads in response to the announcement made through loudspeakers of mosques early in this morning. According to official sources, the Chief Minister changed his plan to visit Shopian in view of the development. "We have called for a civil curfew to protest the visit of the Chief Minister," spokesman of the Majlis-e-Mashawarat Mohammad Shafi Khan told PTI over the phone. He said Omar was scheduled to inaugurate a stadium in close vicinity of the area from where 17-year-old Asiya and her 22-year-old sister-in-Law Neelofar Jan went missing before their "brutal and barbaric" killing. "The inauguration of the stadium by the Chief Minister is like rubbing salt on our wounds. The culprits of the victims are still at large," Khan said.
— PTI |
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JCC suspends strike
Jammu, August 20 Though fissures had started to appear in the JCC after its faction in Kashmir called off the strike after a late night meeting with the Cabinet subcommittee, but in the Jammu region the impact of the strike could be seen as working in most of the government departments was affected for the second consecutive day. The employees today held a protest rally in Jammu and demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission and the removal of the various pay ‘anomalies’. “We have decided to suspend our agitation till the darbar comes to Jammu,” JCC member Mohammad Gafoor Dar said. He added, “To show our strength to the state government, we held a protest rally in Jammu in which a large number of employees from various departments participated. Gafoor said work in almost all government departments in the region remained suspended for the second day. The employees would resume normal duties from August 21, he added. The protesting employees raised slogans against the government for its failure to implement the recommendations of the pay panel. “The government had said it would wait for the award of the 13th Finance Commission and if the grant was satisfying it would give us the pending arrears in cash,” Dar said. Among other things the employees are demanding the removal of discrepancies in SRO 93, 20 per cent HRA, enhancement of retirement age to 60 year from 58 years, conversion of cost of living allowance into dearness allowance (DA) and 20 years of qualifying service for pension. |
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Two militants killed in Kupwara
Srinagar, August 20 Abdul Qayoom Manhas, DIG, Baramulla range, said they had surrounded the hideouts of militants in Dangwari and Kasab forests and both militants were killed in the encounters. The operations were still on, he said in the evening. The identity of the slain militants and their outfits was not established yet,
he added. The decomposed body of a militant was recovered from the Keran sector, which had seen fierce encounters between the militants and the Army around 10 days back. The police believed the militant was killed in
that encounter. A prize catch for the state police Gazi Musbahuddin, chief commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, escaped from a court in south Kashmir, leaving the police red-faced who later claimed that he had been granted bail by the court. The incident happened when Misbahuddin, who was arrested from Bemina locality on December 6, 2007, was being taken to a court at Anantnag to seek his further judicial custody. However, around 12.30 pm, Misbahuddin managed to give a slip to the escorting policemen and fled from the court premises and mingled with the crowd, official sources said. Misbahuddin's act gave a jolt to the policemen who within an hour claimed that the dreaded terrorist, who has also been the driver of Hizbul chief and chairman of the United Jehad Council Syed Sallahuddin, had not escaped but was released on bail. Neither any senior police official was willing to come on record nor agreed to take any further questions on this issue, but sources said an internal inquiry had been launched to fix the responsibility. Misbahuddin had taken over the command of Hizbul Mujahideen in 2003. |
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Former XEN convicted
Srinagar, August 20 The convict has been awarded a rigorous imprisonment of five years and a fine of Rs 2 lakh for the commission of offences, and in case of default to undergo a further simple imprisonment of one year; a rigorous imprisonment of five years and fine of Rs 1 lakh for the commission of offence, and in case of default the accused shall have to undergo further simple imprisonment of six months, and; rigorous imprisonment of five years and fine of Rs 1 lakh for the commission of offence and in case of default the accused shall undergo a further simple imprisonment of six months under various sections of the RPC. Accused Bashir Ahmad Bhat, the then Executive Engineer, in connivance with Ghulam Mohammad Shah, the then Assistant Registrar, Kashmir University, (now dead) and Chaman Lal Razdan, the then senior assistant int the Examination Section, had obtained a forged date-of-birth certificate from Kashmir University in the early sixties by showing the date of his birth as September 16, 1943, instead of September 16, 1937, and used it in his service records. Thereafter, the accused, while being posted as Executive Engineer, R&B Division, Handwara, in 1993-94, had again shown the date of his birth as September 16, 1945, in the yearly establishment list submitted to the authorities. By acting in this manner, the accused abused his official position and illegally overstayed in the department and conferred undue pecuniary advantage on himself by withdrawing undue salary. The court, however, acquitted co-accused Chaman Lal giving him the benefit of doubt, a spokesman for the State Vigilance Organisation, Kashmir, said. |
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Waterborne disease claims two lives
Udhampur, August 20 Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Ajay Khajuria today deputed a tehsildar to the affected villages. A camp has been setup for the emergency treatment of affected persons in Sundla village, which is the worst victim. Sapna Kotwal, tehsildar, Majalta, who had gone to the affected areas to assess the situation, said she would submit her report to the Deputy Commission today. “It is yet to be ascertained whether the people fell ill due to the supply of water by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department or the water of natural springs became contaminated,” she said. Though the authorities have confirmed only one death, unconfirmed reports said a minor girl had also lost her live due to this waterborne decease in the remotest village of this tehsil. One of the deceased has been identified as Mohinder Kumar (28) of Sundla village. All his family members had been referred to the Udhampur hospital for treatment. Residents alleged that the drinking water being supplied by the PHE Department in this belt was contaminated. Though a filtration plant had been setup in Sundla village, it was yet to be made functional. Former sarpanch of the village Kirpal Singh alleged that the matter was repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities concerned but nothing concrete had been done so far. Meanwhile, local leader RS Pathania alleged that the PHE had been supplying unfiltered water to the inhabitants of Nakki, Balpur, Sundla and Khoon and other adjoining localities. |
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Swine Flu
Srinagar, August 20 Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, said this while on a visit to the centre here today to take stock of the facilities available. Mohammad Amin Wani, Director Health Services, Kashmir, Abdul Kabir, Director Indian System of Medicines, J&K, and doctors and paramedical staff associated with the Surveillance Centre were present there. The minister went around the isolation ward, collection room and OPD rooms and reviewed the arrangements and facilities available to handel suspected H1N1 cases. Sharma was told that necessary drugs for treating suspected swine flu patients and masks etc., were available at the centre. The doctors and paramedics were on duty round-the-clock to meet any eventuality and a day-to-day account of visiting patients was being maintained. The minister was informed that the ISM Department was supplementing the efforts and in this connection the department had launched an eight-day awareness campaign for ‘Promotive Healthcare and Development of Body Immunity’ in Jammu and Srinagar. |
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Eviction of Gujjars
Jammu, August 20 A senior Army officer, while speaking to The Tribune, said the charges levelled by M. Anwar Chowdhary, president of the Gujjar front, during a press conference yesterday, were baseless as the Army did not ask the Gujjars to vacate any pastures in the region. The Army said they had always provided all necessary help to the Gujjars whenever they started their annual journey upward toward the pastures. “When they go to their pastures we provide them with medicines. Even senior doctors of the Army hold medical camps in the most inaccessible areas where these Gujjars migrate to,” a senior Army officer said. He added, “Besides, we hold veterinary camps for the livestock of these Gujjars. There is no reason why we should ask them to vacate their traditional pastures. The allegations are totally false and baseless.” The Army said as part of Operation Sadbhavna it had been providing computer education free of cost to the children of the Gujjars and had constructed a hostel at Talwara for these children. |
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Contract killer arrested
Jammu, August 20 Official sources said he was nabbed while travelling in a vehicle, adding that weapons, including a Chinese pistol, were also seized from him. A member of the Billoo gang, he had been on the run, said the police. Official sources said that the criminal was involved in the murder of another gangster Parveen Singh Salathia and his friend, Bholla, in Udhampur. He was also involved in a murder in Pahargunj area of Delhi, besides the killing of Vikram Singh at Simbal Camp and Mulkh Raj in Paloura. It may be stated that after committing crimes the criminal used to take shelter in his sister’s house in neighbouring Punjab. Meanwhile, Bachan Singh, who was stabbed by his son in the RS Pura area on August 18, died at the Government Medical College here last night. |
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Boy killed, 11 hurt in mishap
Udhampur, August 20 The ill-fated vehicle was carrying pilgrims from Ramban, who were on their way to Mani Mahesh, Himachal Pradesh. All injured belong to Rajgarh, Ramban. Meanwhile, Mohammad Khalid of Majalta, who was admitted to a hospital after being injured in a road accident at Jakhani Chowk here yesterday, died today. The police seized 14 head of cattle from a truck at Amar Chashma in Batote. While the driver fled, the the truck was impounded. |
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Rather advocates
area-specific planning
Srinagar, August 20 Replying to the discussion on the budget in the Legislative Council today, he assured the House that there would be no regional disparity in the allocation of funds, adding that the government had already constituted the Finance Commission to look into such complaints and its report was expected soon. The report would be implemented in letter and in spirit. The Finance Minister defended his decision to levy taxes on sheep and poultry imports, and a cess on petrol and diesel. The aim was to boost resource mobilisation, increase the GDP and provide sufficient funds for entrepreneurship development. Describing unemployment as a major concern, Rather said the government was continuing with its recruitment drive and had even created new vacancies. During the past eight months, 11,000 new appointments had been made by the PSC, SSRB and Police Recruitment Board while 11,500 more vacancies had been created which would be filled by year-end. |
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Students boycott classes
Udhampur, August 20 In Udhampur town, the college students took out a procession and shouted slogans against the state government for adopting delay tactics in opening the proposed central university at Samba. They also condemned leaders of the ruling coalition for not clearing their positions. They asked the Jammu-based leaders to support the cause of Jammu. Addressing a rally in the heart of Udhampur town, student leaders warned that they would launch a movement in near future. |
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Teachers lathicharged
Srinagar, August 20 The administration had imposed prohibitory orders to stop the protest march. Abdul Rashid Jan, an agitating employee, said the aim of the protest was to press their demand for confirmation of their posts. Scores of employees were injured in the police action.
— ANI |
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