Rajouri, September 13
An alleged "custodial" death of a 65-year-old physically challenged man, Noor Hussain, of Chowdhry Naad village has rocked Rajouri with people taking to streets with his body.

The police while suspending an Assistant Sub-Inspector and two constables pending a magisterial probe, has denied the man died in their custody or he was beaten.

The police admits Noor, who already could not walk properly due to problem in legs was picked up but his condition deteriorated in the vehicle minutes later. The cops claim they "handed him alive" to the family members. Doctors at the local hospital said the man brought by cops to the hospital was sent home with them. The cops said the man had consumed poisonous substance.

The body was found near his house in the wee hours today.Following the “custodial death” of Noor, villagers lodged rotests against the police. They brought the dead body of the deceased to Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge here, and placed it on the road thereby blocking the vehicular traffic for more than an hour.

District Magistrate Jaipal Singh has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. SSP Rajouri and SSP Shafqat Wattali has ordered suspension of an Assistant Sub -Inspector (ASI) and two constables.

Resident Anita Devi said at about 7 pm last evening, a police party reached their village, picked up Noor Hussain kicked him and handcuffed him before taking him to some undisclosed location.

She added that after picking up the deceased, another police party threw his dead body on the road near his house at 3 am in the wee hours of the morning after which villagers shifted him to his home.

A senior police officer claimed that the deceased Noor was wanted by the police in connection with a family feud between two groups and a local court had issued non-bailable warrants against him.

He said acting on the directions of the court, a police party went to the house of Noor to arrest him. the police further said that after Noor Hussain was arrested he became ill and he was admitted by police to the District Hospital, Rajouri, at about 8.30 pm. They added that after the condition of the deceased improved, they handed him back "alive" to his family members and there was no question of the deceased dying in police custody.

Contradicting the assertions of the police, relatives as well as other villagers said that the police threw Noor’s body on the road . They added that after they found the body, he was shifted to District Hospital Rajouri where doctors did his post mortem.

One of the senior doctors at the District Hospital said the police brought the deceased to the hospital saying that he had consumed some poisonous substance. He added that following which the doctors washed the stomach of the deceased and the patient was let off from the hospital.

He claimed that a police team brought the body to the hospital for conducting post -mortem examination of the deceased this morning . He further said that doctors conducted the post-mortem examination of the deceased and the hospital authorities sent his viscera to Forensic science Laboratory (FSL) in Jammu for ascertaining the cause of the death of the deceased. “We will know the cause of the death only after we get the report form FSL”, he added.

Meanwhile relatives of the deceased alleged that a police team led by a DSP visited the house of the deceased in the morning and offered the family Rs 15,000 and a job of Special Police Officer (SPO) to the son of the victim.

New Delhi, September 13
The CBI has informed the Centre about its reservations on taking up the case of alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian district and said it was upto the government to take a decision.

The statement came from CBI director Ashwani Kumar on the sidelines of a two-day conference on corruption, when he was asked whether the agency would taking up the case.

“We have received the notification and informed the government about our reservations. Now it is all up to them. We shall be doing whatever they direct us to do,” he said without elaborating on the reasons of reservations.

The state government on September 9 approached the Centre for ordering a CBI probe into the alleged rape-and-murder after the special investigating team failed to make any breakthrough into the case.

A notification issued by the state government to the Department of Personnel requested for a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Neelofar (22) and Aasiya (17), whose bodies were found on May 30.

The state government had informed the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that it would be transferring the case to CBI to which the court had replied that it did not have any objection but would continue to monitor the progress in the case.

According to an official spokesperson, the government formally approached the secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, along with copies of FIR proforma and other related documents of the Shopian case for entrusting the case to the CBI.

The financial commissioner (home) had issued a notification which says: “In pursuance of Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby accords its consent to the extension of powers and jurisdiction of the members of CBI to the state”. This has been done for investigation of offences arising out of FIR regarding the murder of Neelofar Jan and Asiya Jan of Bongam, Shopian, the notification said.

CBI spokesman Harsh Bhal had last month expressed the agency's reluctance to take over the investigations. “The CBI would need the cooperation of witnesses, help of public and relatives of the deceased in the case. In view of this, it will be difficult for the CBI to take over investigations. The CBI has conveyed its views to the state government,” Bhal had said earlier.

This statement had led Chief Minister Omar Abdullah taking up the matter with a senior Union minister, who is later understood to have summoned the director and asked for restraint. — PTI

Jammu, September 13
Even though the rain has brought cheers to farmers in north India, the skies have not opened up favourably for the anxious farmers of this region.

The state MET Department has predicted very scanty or no rainfall in the coming days. Most parts of the Jammu region have been facing drought like situation, as almost entire Kharif crop in various places have completely been damaged due to the failed monsoon.

The Agriculture Department has been conducting loss assessment for the failed Kharif crop to provide compensation as per rules to the affected farmers. “Loss assessment of the various areas has already been done. In Ramban district alone, 75 per cent maize crop has been damaged. Damage of paddy crop is more than 60 per cent and the damage to vegetables is 100 per cent,” director of Agriculture Department Vinod Bala Sharma told The Tribune.

“In Doda district, the overall loss is around 80 per cent, the assessment of the other parts of the region is going on,” she added. She said the department had been fully prepared for the sowing of the seeds in the upcoming Rabi season.

“Though there has been large scale damage to the Kharif crop, we are fully prepared to save the Rabi crop for which the seeds have already been sent to the distribution outlets,” Sharma added.

The state MET Department has said though many states of the north India were experiencing heavy downpour, but there would not be enough rain in the state, as the monsoon has already weakened.

“Out of 13 metrological divisions in the state most of the divisions have experienced rainfall, which was below normal,” director state MET Department Sonam Lotus told The Tribune.

He said in the Jammu region, the areas like Banihal, Batote, Katra, Bhaderwah and Jammu the rainfall had been below normal.

“Though there can be some light showers in the region, but there would not be much rain in the area in the coming days,” he added.

Meanwhile, the farmers, who suffered losses as their entire Kharif crop failed, had been praying for the rain during the Rabi season.

“My entire crop was damaged, due to the failed monsoon, but now as we are ready with a new beginning (Rabi crop) we pray to God to bless us with showers so that we can sow the seeds,” said Krishan Kumar, a farmer in Samba district, whose entire paddy crop was damaged, following the failed monsoon.

However, the predictions of the MET Department were not good for the farmers of the region as they say that due to the decreased rain activities there would not be much rainfall in the region in the coming days.

Srinagar, September 13
Top Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Abdul Rahman has emerged as a key conspirator in the yesterday’s car-bomb blast that killed three cops and a woman.

Said to be a south Kashmir commander of the outfit, Rahman, who hails from Pakistan, has been active in the Pulwama-Shopian belt.

LeT has been primarily responsible for the blast and Hizbul Mujahideen might have pitched with logistics support, sources said.

According to the sources, Rahman had a narrow escape in an encounter with security forces in a village on the Pulwama-Shopian border two months back, when he managed to break through the cordon.

Unconfirmed reports say he had killed two army jawans and escaped with their guns but some officials say it had not been clear whether Rahman had been the one or not.

The sources said he took over as divisional commander of LeT outfit in south Kashmir after Abu Atif, another top Let functionary hailing from Pakistan, who had been shot dead by security forces on July 4, 2008. Atif (30) has managed to keep LeT as the most formidable outfit in the region and has even recruited the locals.

He had also been behind the killing of the two CRPF personnel on the Sangam-Bijbehara highway in 2007. “We have managed to encircle him previously, but he managed to survive,” an official said.

Pir Ki Marg (Poonch), September 13
After about two decades since the militancy began in the state, the Pir Panjal Range, which was once a transit point for militants before entering Kashmir valley and saw heavy presence of terrorists, is now witnessing their negligible presence.

Local sources said areas like Kanzal Pathri, Khud Pathri,Aagas, Ghainta Pahad, Pahol Kain, Mug Naad, Palang Pathri, Dabchi and Qatarkhad in the Pir Panjal mountain area which had massive forest cover used to witness a virtual flood of militants during the summer months.

They added that the Hill Kaka area, where the Army launched Operation Sarpvanash to flush out militants few years ago also lay in the Pir Panjal range.

The sources further said that in the past two to three years less numbers of militants were seen. They added that besides serving as a perfect transit point for militants, they were running training camps and used to get food from nomads visiting the area. These nomads along with their cattle come here during summer months as the area has plenty of grass for livestock.

“Few years back, about four to five militants came and asked us for food. Since they pointed guns at us, we gave them food. While they were taking their meals inside our temporary shed, the Army raided but they managed to escape”, said a nomad of the Behrote area. He has been visiting the area since 1958.

“The militants used to move freely in the area and were even running small camps here. But after 2005, they are no longer seen. I am saying this because had they been around they would have come to us for food”.

An Intelligence Department official, who is on a mission in the area to study the presence of militants along the Pir Panjal range also confirmed that there were fewer militants in the area now. He added that few years back while he was on the same mission, he was caught by a group of militants in the Komdal area. There were 400 to 500 militants. He was let off by them on the pretext that he was a local.

“Militants are no longer using this route. There are about 10 to 15 militants, who are still present in the area. Since they are not having much ammunition with them they are just passing their time”, said the intelligence official. A senior police officer on condition of anonimity said that security forces had worked tirelessly to clean the Pir Panjal Range to a large extent.

RS Pura, September 13
Seeking reforms in the agriculture sector, the agriculturists of RSW Pura today held a Kissan Panchayat and urged the state government that the job of “research and development” in the agrarian sector be given to Sher-e-Kashmir University for Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

The panchayat adopted a resolution that RS Pura be classified as export zone and its paddy be given the status of industry on the pattern of apple industry of Kashmir.

Farmers rued that in the absence of any mechanism for procurement of paddy set up by the Food Corporation of India, the major portion of profits was accruing to mill owners and middle men. The put up a demand for an “anaaj mandi”

The Panchayat that was chaired by president of the RS Pura Rice Growers Association said: “The farmers gave away their lands to the varsity in the hope that they would get benefited but it never happened.”

The panchayat also hailed the state government for lifting the ban from paddy export and demanded a 50 per cent subsidy on seeds and fertilizers besides 33 per cent subsidy to marginal farmers.

Association vice-president Tajinder Singh alleged that artificial scarcity of fertilizers is created by the unscrupulous elements. “We have to purchase fertilizers in black. The government should end the controlled sale of fertilizers and they must be sold in open market on the pattern of Punjab and Haryana,” he added and sought that fertilizers be exempted from all sorts of taxes.

Singh further demanded that paddy cultivation be brought under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) so that the farmers could be again motivated for the paddy cultivation.

The panchayat adopted another resolution seeking the removal of discriminatory practices prevalent in the distribution of canal water and asked government to make sure that farmers in the tail end areas get sufficient supply of water.

Rajouri, September 13
MP Madan Lal Sharma has said that the government is re-designing all the major roads in Jammu and Kashmir on the modern lines to ensure smooth traffic flow and better fuel efficiency.

Sharma said this after laying the foundation stone of two link roads at Katarmal, Kanyalgali and Sora- Dodaj in presence of Minister of State for Forest, Environment, Employment, Ecology,Transport Labour and Employment, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department Shabir Ahmed Khan in Manjakote block here today.

Unfolding the modality worked out for up keeping and maintaining of the roads which are the lifeline of a nation and also reflects its development profile Sharma said link road also provide employment for the people. He said that the stress was being laid to ensure construction of quality work on new roads especially in the hilly terrain of border districts of the state.

Udhampur, September 13
Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon today ordered probe into denial of ration to 200 Below Poverty Line (BPL) families living in the remotest areas of Kishtwar district.

When the minister was reviewing stocks of essential commodities, a person brought this matter to his notice at Sounder. The complainant alleged that the concerned Teshil Supply Officer (TSO) has not released ration that was meant for the BPL families.

The minister immediately ordered probe and said he would not tolerate such misconduct on the part of any of the functionaries and stringent action would be taken.

The minister reviewed the functioning of the PDS at a joint meeting of the officers and public representatives at Kishtwar.

He was apprised that under the new system of distribution of ration to Marwah-Wadwan, Nearly 4,000 out of 5,000 ration-card holders of these blocks have taken three month ration at Inshan Gujjar, while the other families, who could not reach Inshan Gujjar were provided ration at respected sale centres.

He also ordered that all sale centres must display BPL lists and rate list for PDS food grain within one week failing which action will be taken.

Sunder Bani, September 13
Sukhdev Singh’s first stint as the principal of Government Higher Secondary School, Bajabain, has been far from happy so far. Promoted and posted to the school at Bajabain, 10 km from the Pakistan border, Sukhdev Singh is yet to receive his first salary as principal.

He is not alone. Scores of principals and teachers of various schools upgraded by the state government have not been paid salaries for several months.

In Sukhdev Singh’s school itself, a science teacher, Mudassir Hussain, has found a board and lodging with a villager. “Hussain’s house is 120 km away and it is not possible for him to commute daily from such a distance. Moreover, this is the month of Ramazan and it will have been difficult for him to survive without any salary so I requested a villager to help him out,” Sukhdev Singh said.

“Before I was appointed this year, the school was headless and there were no chairs for the teachers. Classrooms had no desks and most of the students even now sit on the ground,” he laments.

As many as 12 schools were upgraded in Rajouri district in 2006 and the one at Bajabain with 500 students is the most crowded. “Students come here from as many as 27 secondary schools in four panchayats,” the principal said.

Sukhdev Singh is worried about the plight of some of his bright students in the absence of science laboratories. There is no library either and the Education Department has not felt the need for appointing lab assistants and a librarian.

Teachers helplessly introduce Vaishali Kumari, a teenager studying in class XII, who treks 16 km every day to reach school and she is seldom absent. She passes through a treacherous terrain and mountainous slopes, which become dangerous and slippery after rains.

Vaishali wants to become a teacher and is not averse to risk her life and limbs. But she is sore that in the absence of labs, she is unable to do practical experiments and learn. The inability, she is scared, could also come in the way of her dream of becoming a teacher.

Hers is a classic case of a “well-meaning” government spending public money but failing to provide basic infrastructure to diligent students like Vaishali. Is anyone responsible and will anyone be held accountable?

Director, School Education, Zahida Khan told The Tribune that schools upgraded before 2003 were fully equipped, but others were being equipped in a phased manner. A proposal has been sent to the Finance Department. Regarding Bajabain school, she said: “If the staff is without salary, the principal concerned should approach me.”

But there is no answer to why the department chose to upgrade schools and introduce science teaching, if it did not have sanctions, budget or both.

Jammu, September 13
Jammu and Kashmir Income Tax Commissioner BL Razdan has appealed to the business community of the state to pay their income tax returns with honesty.

Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the associated chambers of traders’ federation, Razdan asked the tax payers to be generous in paying their income tax as it was the tax paid by the people that helps in national building.

“Last year, there was turmoil for two months in the Jammu region still the tax paid by the people exceeded the limit. This year, I expect it to cross all the limits,” Razdan said.

He said the IT Department does not want to act as a policeman, but tax payers themselves should come to pay their dues. “People file false details and on verification it is found that their details were incorrect, so we ourselves assess their income and take action,” Razdan added. Earlier, the president of the Trader’s Federation Yashpal Gupta briefed the tax commissioner about various problems being faced by the tax payee and assured him that the business community in Jammu would pay their taxes accordingly.

Lakhanpur, September 13
A constable of the state police has no idea about diseases or how to check them. This is simply not in his police training. He is more at ease in running after criminals or eyeing suspects. But due to spreading of swine flu, his daily brief is to spot persons entering the state at Lakahnpur border with cold and fever like symptoms.

Those he found suspicious are directed to a make shift swine flu check up camp erected just before the Lakhanpur barrier to avoid free movement of the patients in the state.

But Ram Kumar (name changed) and other cops are (much to their relief) called away for other “pressing” duties leading the swine flu infected persons, aware or unaware of the disease, to pour into the city.

Plagued by staff or sheer practical problems of checking each of the thousands of persons coming to the state daily, the Health Department has been using just passive surveillance methods to monitor persons coming by the road.

The number of the swine flu positive patients has reached 26 with 20 of them being youngsters, who were either studying or had been on a trip to Pune or Banglore. Most of them had come by road or by train and managed to reach here infecting many others on the way.

The surveillance of people with swine flu like symptoms started at the Lakhanpur post is not a foolproof method as a Tribune team went past the surveillance post without anyone bothering to stop them, despite four jaunties through the barrier.

The doctors posted at the tent said it was the duty of the police to stop vehicles. Doctors said about 600 persons have been checked so far, “No one was found positive.”

Regional epidemologist RS Charak said round the clock surveillance of every visitor to the city via road or train was not possible. There would be traffic jam on the road if all vehicles are stopped. We can only do passive surveillance.

Srinagar, September 13
Expressing concern over receding glaciers, shrinking wetlands, encroachment in lakes and shortage of drinking water, noted environmentalist and former mass media officer, Directorate of Ecology and Environment, Gurcharan Singh said there was a need to preserve forest cover so that basic requirements of people were met.

Delivering a lecture organised by the Dara Shikoh Centre for Art and Culture on ‘environmental issues in Jammu and Kashmir’, Gurcharan Singh said it was important to pay attention to the burning environmental issues.

“It is necessary to conserve water resources so that the people get adequate supply of drinking water and this would also help in hydro-electric projects,” the environmentalist said. He laid emphasis on conservation of forest resources “so that genuine needs of the people regarding clean water, air and energy requirements are met”.

Expressing concern over ‘ever-increasing’ rush of traffic, he said 5,70,000 vehicles were operational in the state as per records of 2007, but there had been no corresponding increase in road specifications. He urged the people and the authorities to conserve soil and landholdings.

A question-answer session regarding legal issues concerning environment was held at the end of the session. The lecture was attended by journalists, lawyers, social activists and students.