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Nothing distracted us while fighting ultras: CRPF trooper
Valentine’s Day |
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Handling Stone Throwing
Decline in saffron production worries industry
Foreign Secretary-level Talks with Pak
Coalition govt has lost credibility: Mehbooba
Surrender Policy
Eight rebels rejoin Cong
Surrender Policy
Ministers flayed for remarks on Kashmiri Pandits
PC to visit Jammu on Feb 17
JJSF continues protest
Army builds 30 schools
Six thieves held
Music competitions
Pak fires rockets at Indian posts
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Nothing distracted us while fighting ultras: CRPF trooper
Jammu, February 13 troopers, who were awarded DG’s discs and commendation letters by CRPF’s Special DG, J&K zone, NK Tripathi here this morning. Hailing from Amritsar, head constable Arshal Singh and constable Abdul Rauf of 151 Bn and 191 Bn of the CRPF, respectively, the two troopers while in the front line, liquidated the four militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in the Shahi Gowari area of Gandoh in Doda district on March 19, 2008. “I did my job for the country and nothing distracted me for those five hours,” said Arshal Singh, who had also exhibited professional acumen during his stint in Punjab and Naxalite-hit north-east. Around 5 am, we laid a cordon around a house where the four militants were hiding and at 9 am the militants fired indiscriminately from their AK assault rifles, he said. “We also retaliated and the gun battle lasted for over five hours resulting in the killing of all four militants,” he said. Though Arshal Singh and Rauf were instrumental in killing the terrorists, like true soldiers they attributed the feat to joint efforts. During the encounter, two SOG personnel and one Army soldier were injured. SSP, Doda district, Parbhat Singh and SSP, Reasi district, Anand Jain were also honoured with the DG’s commendation letters for their significant contribution in counter-insurgency operations. Talking to The Tribune after the investiture ceremony, Parbhat Singh said, “If mountain warfare against terrorists has to be won, the involvement of the CRPF was indispensable.” Working in tandem with the CRPF has paid rich dividends in Doda and if we want to combat terrorism, the CRPF’s help was necessary, he added. Responding to a query, he said, “Of course, women were being misused by terrorists for all wrong purposes, but wherever we found women to be involved in providing logistic support or transporting weapons, strict action under law was initiated.” He quoted an instance of a Gujjar girl, who was repeatedly raped by four Laskhar militants in their hideout and had a four-month-old pregnancy. Earlier, Tripathi congratulated the two SSPs and CRPF troopers for the honour and avowed to defeat forces inimical to the integrity and sovereignty of the country. He also paid homage to officers and soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Others awarded at the ceremony were SI Deshraj Singh, SI Madan Lal, SI Manoj Kumar, HC Kailash Singh, HC Parshuram Naithani, Baban Rajak and Umar Shanker Ram. |
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Pigeons carry message of love across border
Archit Watts Tribune News Service
Suchetgarh (Indo-Pak border),
February 13 Dedicated to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and the people of Pakistan, the roses tied with balloons and pigeons flying across the border carried a special message of love and peace. The heart-pleasing scene near the octroi post here filled the atmosphere with positive vibes. “Rose is a symbol of love and this is the message we want to convey to Pakistan. Our aim is to have peaceful relations with the neighbouring country,” Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, president of the Socialistic Democratic Party (SDP), said while celebrating Valentine’s Day on the border. “We call Valentine’s Day as Indo-Pakistan Peace and Love Day. If this day can bring cheer to lovers, why we cannot create love between the two countries,” she said. “Our message is addressed to Zardari to check anti-India activities and let us together vow to shun violence and spread peace in the region,” said Andrabi, adding that their party wanted to have normalcy in the state and that was the motive behind organising the event. “We also invited BSF troopers to join the celebrations. Senior officers of the BSF did not allow us to hold a public gathering inside the BSF area,” said Andrabi. “Love transcends borders and our gesture will definitely touch the hearts of sane Pakistanis,” she added. Andrabi had been organising such events from the past three years.
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CRPF battalions being trained in Punjab
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 13 “To deal with the problem, five battalions of the CRPF are being imparted specialised training in Punjab,” CRPF Special DG, J&K Zone, NK Tripathi told The Tribune on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony here today. Around 1,500 troopers were injured in the past couple of years in stone-throwing incidents and other related incidents and we felt that there was a need to train them, he said. “To tackle angry mob, patience is very important and at the same time we have to work within the law,” he said, adding that some CRPF companies deployed in the Kashmir valley were already being trained in Punjab. Tripathi said the weaponry was also improving with the changing times, but the question was of intelligence network to combat insurgency in the state. “We have initiated a process in this direction to strengthen our intelligence network,” he added. CRPF DG Vikram Srivastava had already made it clear that to effectively maintain law and order, requisite equipment and weaponry would not be a constraint and hence, things had started improving, he said. “The internal security of the state is being looked after by the CRPF along with the police, and because of our good track record when it comes to human rights, trust of the people in the CRPF has started increasing,” he said. There was not even a single complaint of human rights abuse against the CRPF in the past few years in the state, the DG said, adding that increasing trust among the people has resulted in surgical operations against the militants, who suffered a major setback in recent times. “Now, people come forward with vital information and that is why militancy suffered a major blow in the state,” he added.
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Decline in saffron production worries industry
Srinagar, February 13 Apart from providing aesthetic taste to visitors in autumn, it offers an economic security for saffron growers here. Saffron cultivation is mostly concentrated around Pampore, 14 km from the city, and other Karewa areas of the valley. “Saffron production has declined over the past 15 years. From 45,000 kg, it has declined to 7,000-9,000 kg,” president of the Saffron Growers Association GM Pampori said. He said the saffron industry was next to the fruit industry in the state. “About 12 lakh people from all over the state are associated with it. A total of 226 villages are at present engaged in saffron production.” Pampori informs that about 1,60,000 kanals under saffron have been lost in the past 15 years, owing to various reasons. He said saffron produced in the state was indigenously consumed in India, leaving negligible scope for export. Saffron, a bulbous perennial herb, is treasured for its golden-coloured pungent stigmas that are dried and commercially important for its medicinal, flavouring, colouring and perfumery properties. According to Aijaz Ahmad Shah, an agriculturalist, area under saffron cultivation in the state in 1997 was 5,361 hectares and 2,928 hectares in 1996. “This reduced to 4,161 hectares, the next year with production coming down to 130.24 quintals from 173.70 quintals, the preceding year. Productivity decreased from 3.24 to 3.13, respectively.” In subsequent years, he quotes, saffron production declined to 77.68 quintals followed by 35.91 quintals in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Productivity declined from 1.92 to 1.268, respectively. In 2002, out of 2,880 hectares, production was 65.250 quintals and productivity 2.265 per hectare. The next year, area under saffron cultivation showed further decline. 2742 hectares yielded 51.54 quintals and a productivity of 1.88 per hectare. Land under saffron cultivation showed an increase the following year, but production and productivity declined comparatively. Out of 3,063 hectares, the production was 48.17 and productivity 1.572. In 2005, the land under cultivation showed further decline, but production and productivity enhanced. About 2,989 hectares of land yielded 88.52 quintals and a productivity of 2.967. The following year, 2,928 hectares yielded just 48.49 quintals of saffron and productivity reduced to 1.656 per hectare. Shah advocated for adoption of improved technologies in the farming system. “From statistical data, it is evident that during the last decade, 2,433 hectares of saffron-growing area has gone astray from saffron-growing map of the state that is a frightening condition for sustainability of crop.” He emphasised that being a principal liability of development agencies and planners, they should play special concentration towards its reduction edges and agricultural scientists, researchers and extension functionaries should play significant role in technology transformation of this crop. Saffron growers demand that fake-saffron making should be strictly curbed so that it doesn’t affect their bread and butter. “This year, the price of saffron declined due to such malpractices. It appears fake-saffron making will ruin us,” 65-year-old Abdul Khaliq of Pampore said. His concerns were echoed by many others present.
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Foreign Secretary-level Talks with Pak
Jammu, February 13 Addressing a press conference in Jammu today, Tarigami said there was a need to create a wider space for goodwill and mutual trust so that the level of hostility was scaled down and serious efforts made for creating a conducive environment for the peaceful resolution of all disputes, including Kashmir. Urging the leadership of India and Pakistan to give up rigidities during negotiations, Tarigami said every effort had to be made to ensure that the peace process was not made hostage by vested interests and hawkish elements. He said though the peace constituency was widening in the region as a whole, the fact remained that the spoilers succeeded in derailing the process temporarily. He urged the political leadership, civil society and the media to unite for making the process sustainable and irreversible. “The confidence building measures (CBMs) have been marginalised and become symbolic,” Tarigami said. He added that these should be rejuvenated and strengthened. The CPM leader said consolidating the CBMs could be helpful in creating a cordial and favourable atmosphere for making the talks meaningful at all levels. He said the cross LoC trade started with much enthusiasm had been rendered a mere barter system and suggested its expansion and a provision of banking and telecommunication facilities across the LoC to make it viable and vibrant. He urged upon both countries to facilitate the opening of Sialkote, Askurdoo and Suchitgrah surface links for trading and people-to-people contact. He demanded simplifying the procedures for the cross LoC trade and people-to-people contact, saying this should not be confined to divided families only. |
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Coalition govt has lost credibility: Mehbooba
Jammu, February 13 “People of Jammu and Kashmir has lost faith in the NC-led regime, as this government has done nothing on ground,” she said, adding that the achievements of the government was only on papers as this regime was more particular about issuing press statements and conducting photo sessions. “The growing alienation among masses is a clear indication that this regime has been exposed before the people,” she observed. It had now become clear that the present coalition had failed in delivering what it promised, she added. “It is really a matter of concern that this dispensation is not realising the ground situation. Instead of taking steps to address the aspirations of the people, the government is adopting oppressive measures to stifle the voice of the people,” she said while pointing towards the recent killings of innocent civilians at the hands of security forces. Mehbooba further said the coalition’s inability to assess the ground realities would be proved disastrous for the state. “People have started comparing three years’ regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed with decade-long mis-governance of the NC,” she said. She regretted that the NC had failed in carrying forward the process of political resolution initiated by the previous regime headed by the Mufti. “The present government has failed even in consolidating the gains made by the previous government. Not to speak of taking any fresh initiative, the government had reversed the process by its failure to reach out to people in their hour of need,” she said. Taking a dig at the ruling NC for staking claims on projects started during the regime of the Mufti, she said instead of taking some new initiatives, this government had been gratifying itself by trying to lay claim on every good initiative made by the PDP-led regime. “Be it the opening of the cross LoC routes, construction of the Mughal road or establishment of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, this regime has been brazenly trying to put these projects in its accounts,” she said. |
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Govt appeasing anti-national elements: Migrants
Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 13 The Jammu Migrant Front (JMF), a collective body fighting for the rights of internally displaced militancy affected families, has threatened to launch a stir if their demands were ignored any longer. Claiming their number to be 13,000, secretary of the JMF Som Raj said such migrants had been languishing for the past 18 years with no one to take their cognisance. “Despite the ruling of the Supreme Court and the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, our people are not getting any compensation. And the bait from the relief commission to a few was not on a par with Kashmiri Pandit migrants,” he said. “At least 541 families from the Balakote area of Mendhar tehsil deserted 12 villages due to militancy, what the government is doing to rehabilitate such villagers?” he asked and added: “900 families in Talwara are another glaring example of official neglect.” According to JMF president Mohammad Aslam Kohli, “People of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda Reasi and Udhampur, who assisted security forces in wiping out militancy, had to migrate under threat. The government should address their issues first as they are living in inhuman conditions.” Chairman of the erstwhile Doda Migrants Committee Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Beig said: “We have been demanding a rehabilitation package on the pattern of the Prime Minister’s package given to Kashmiri Pandit migrants, besides seeking a survey of district migrants for compensating militancy-hit people on account of movable, immovable property left behind, registration of our family members for ration cards, free education to our children and reservation in government jobs.” “If our issues were not redressed first, the message will get flashed that the government listens to only those who speak the language of violence,” he added. Accusing the government of appeasing anti-national elements, convener of the Refugee Sangharsh Morcha said: “Since Partition, we have been living in camps without basic amenities. We are nationalist and still the government has not accepted our single demand.” “It’s very unfortunate that the government is welcoming people who have undergone militant training ,” he said. He added that such steps by the government were likely to demoralise the morale of security forces.
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Eight rebels rejoin Cong
Jammu, February 13 “Many of these leaders have expressed regret over their decision that had invited the party’s displeasure. Now they have expressed their desire to work in the party again,” he
stated. Soz has accepted the request of the these leaders to return to the party-fold and play the role as the party would assign to them from time to time. Those included in the party are former PCC president Khwaja Ghulam Rasool
Kar, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, Abdul Qayoom Shah, Fayaz Ahmed, Shiv Dev Singh, Pankaj
Dogra, Choudhary Qamar Hussian and RS Pathania. |
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BJP plans mass movement
Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 13 The party, which has already launched an agitation against the recommendations of the working group headed by Justice Sagir Ahmed (retd), has decided to take up this ‘anti-national’ policy decision with the masses. “Yesterday, we discussed the issue with party president Nitin Gadkari and other leaders comprising the high command to devise a strategy for launching an agitation,” Shamsher Singh Manhas, state BJP president, told The Tribune over phone from Delhi. Though Manhas was called to Delhi to finalise the names of new office-bearers, the endorsement of the surrender policy by Chidambaram recently had changed the schedule of his visit. The state unit of the BJP has cautioned the high command that this policy would prove disastrous for the region and there was a need to launch a mass movement against it. Sources said the BJP high command had also taken the issue seriously so all senior leaders of the state BJP were called to Delhi to discuss the matter. Besides Manhas, BJP legislature party leader Chaman Lal Gupta, former state presidents Dr Nirmal Singh and Ashok Khajuria were also called to the National Capital to discuss all aspects of the issue. Keeping in view resentment shown by the people of the Jammu region on the surrender policy, the BJP leadership is hoping to regain its lost ground by raking up the emotive issue. All four leaders, who reached the Union Capital, met with senior functionaries of the party and stressed on the need to launch a nationwide agitation on the issue. They had been directed by the party high command to extend their stay in Delhi so that the final decision on the issue could be taken in consultation with them. The sources said the BJP high command had suggested the local leadership to rope in all political parties opposing the policy to form a joint front against the state government. Some political groups, including the Panthers Party, Jammu State Morcha and the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Forum, have decided to come on the roads if any attempt was made to give amnesty to those who had crossed the border for arms training. As a majority of Jammu and Ladakh-based political groups have come on a platform to oppose the recommendations of Justice Sagir Ahmed report, the BJP is hopeful that the same attitude would emerge on the surrender policy.
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Ministers flayed for remarks on Kashmiri Pandits
Jammu, February 13 Wani and Ahmed said yesterday that the state government was duty-bound to take steps for the return of Pakistan-trained terrorists to their homes in the same way as it had done for the return of Kashmiri Pandits. Bali Bhagat said there was an urgent need to get verified the antecedents of both these ministers. He described the statement as most unfortunate, amounting to insulting the nationalist Kashmiri Pandit migrants, whose exodus was forced under a well-planned design of ethnic cleansing in the Kashmir valley by the anti-national elements and their mentors across the border. The BJP leader said Wani and Ahmed had no constitutional and moral right to continue as ministers, and the Governor should immediately sack them. Describing the proposed surrender policy for terrorists and their rehabilitation as dangerous and security risk for the state and the country, Bhagat said it would amount to smooth en mass infiltration of terrorists in the state to carry on their activities. |
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PC to visit Jammu on Feb 17
Jammu, February 13 “He will visit Jammu on February 17 and would discuss security-related issues, besides holding parleys on surrender policy,” a senior bureaucrat told The Tribune. The minister would also hold a meeting of the unified command wherein the modalities of the new surrender policy would be discussed, he added. |
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JJSF continues protest
Jammu, February 13 Similar protests were held in Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Government College for Women Parade, SPMR College of Commerce and MAM College. In Government Degree College, RS Pura, GGM Evening Science College and GDC, Paloura, students also boycotted classes under the banner of the JJSF. However, some JJSF members were arrested at Parade College. But were released later. |
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Army builds 30 schools
Srinagar, February 13 An Army press note said in 2008-2009, class X and XII CBSE results testifies that children studying in Army schools have done exceedingly well even though schools are located in remote areas. Out of 289 children who appeared for class X CBSE exams in 2008-2009, 263 passed with distinction and first and second divisions. Army schools are enabling children to become engineers, doctors and even join civil services at a later stage. Parents had also appreciated this endeavour of the Army to meet the aspirations of their children. It said the Army-run institutions organised tours for children to various places in India to give them a feel of the rich cultural and democratic values of the country and help them interact with persons of eminence like the President of India, Chief Ministers of various states and Governors. This inculcates an all round education while teaching them various values. The Army will continue this noble work till children of the valley meet their aspirations and become model citizens of India. |
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Six thieves held
Jammu, February 13 It said those arrested have been identified as Sunny, Sanjeev, Ajay, Romi, Sonu and Anil Kumar. Attempt is made to identify the original owners of the recovered goods. —
TNS |
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Music competitions
Jammu, February 13 According to a statement issued here, in the percussion event, Padam Kalotra from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts was adjudged first, whereas Ashish Atri from Government Degree College, Kathua, and Gurpreet Singh from Sant Mela Singh College of Education bagged the second and third prizes, respectively. The participants played “Teen Taal” on tabla and presented “Tukras”,”Tihaies”, “Parans” and “Relaas”. In the non-percussion category, the first prize was won by Rohit Sharma from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, who played “Raga Aheer Bhairav” on santoor whereas Pooja Sharma from MIER College of Education and Sheetal from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts bagged the second and third prizes, respectively. Sonam Mahajan from Government Women’s College, Parade, got the Certificate of Merit. The participants presented raga, Malkauns, Miyan Malhar, Pooria Kalyan, Shudh Sarang, Bageshwari, Rageshwari and Aheer
Bhairav. |
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Pak fires rockets at Indian posts
Jammu, February 13 The three posts targeted included Kranti, Kranti 1 and Kripan posts along the LoC, he said, adding that the rocket attacks were followed by a heavy machine gun fire. The rockets exploded away from the posts, prompting the Indian troops to retaliate, which resulted in an exchange of fire which is still on, the officer said. This was a clear violation of the ceasefire as firing and rockets came from the Pakistani posts, he said. There were no casualties in the intermittent firing from both sides so far, he said. —
PTI |
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“Amid booming guns and flying splinters nothing distracted me for those five hours, not even my two children and wife back home.
With internal security in Pakistan in a shambles, Indians yet again conveyed a message of peace and brotherhood to the neighbouring country.
