Jammu, February 22
The brutal killing of two Sikhs by Taliban militants in Peshawar, Pakistan, has left the Sikh organisations in the state fuming with anger. They have decided to gather under the joint banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Sikh United Forum to observe a bandh in Jammu tomorrow.

“So far, neither the Pakistan government nor the Indian government have reacted over this serious issue. If the situation remains the same, result will be bad for both countries,” warned Sudershan Singh Wazir, convener of the forum.

The entire Sikh community in the state is deeply hurt and has slammed the killings. They stated that the Prime Minister should ask the Pakistan government to ensure the security of Sikh community in their country.

Various organisations, including the Bar Association of Jammu, the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, all transport unions and student unions have supported the bandh call given by the community. “We are also requesting the BJP to come out in support of the minority,” said Wazir.

The forum also called upon the international community to come forward to demand isolation of Pakistan for failing in its duty to act as a responsible state against the Taliban, who have become law unto themselves.

Meanwhile, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Chairman, Jammu Kashmir Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Board (JKSGPB) raised the matter during the Assembly session and requested the government to take up the matter with the Centre.

Later in the evening, a meeting of all Sikh leaders was also held under the leadership of Sudershan Singh and Mohinder Singh.

Srinagar: The Sikhs in the Kashmir valley have condemned the killing of two youths belonging to the community in the restive tribal region of Pakistan. The community in strong words condemned the act and termed it ‘inhumane’ and ‘barbaric’. It said no society in the world approved of such heinous crimes against humanity. The Sikhs demanded that those who had been living in restive Pakistan areas be shifted to safer places and the Pakistan government should take care of their life and property.

“It is the duty of the Pakistan government to provide security to the members of the minority community and it should ensure the safety of its citizens,” said Nirmal Singh, chief organiser of the Shiromani Khalsa Dal Kashmir.

Another Sikh leader Harbans Singh said the Pakistan government should take the full responsibility of families of those who were killed and should provide them security and rehabilitate them at a safer place in the country.

Various other religious and social organisations in the Kashmir valley, including Muslim organisations, have also condemned the act and termed it as a crime against humanity.

“Islam is a religion of people that preaches tolerance. The killing of innocent people is highly condemnable and against the basic tenants of Islam,” said a Muslim scholar.

Jammu, February 22
The 45-day Budget session of the state Assembly began on a stormy note today as opposition parties -- BJP, PDP and Panthers Party -- sought the dismissal of the government and raised slogans against the ‘pro-terrorist’ surrender policy proposed by the Omar Abdullah government.

Governor NN Vohra addressed the joint session of the state Legislature as well as the Legislative Council amid sloganeering against the surrender policy and a simultaneous speech by Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the PDP Legislature Party.

The Governor went on with his address and eventually the slogan-shouting leaders sat through it quietly. Mehbooba, however, later created a flutter in the Assembly when during obituary references to key personalities, she named five youths who died in police firing during protests in the valley and demanded condolences for them also. Tarigami of the CPI rose to oppose her move. No other party leader in his condolence speech supported Mehbooba on the issue.

While the BJP having 11 MLAs and the Panthers Party having three MLAs sought the dismissal of the government for its alleged ‘pro-terrorist’ stance reflected in the surrender policy, the PDP sought its removal over the alleged killings of innocent youths in the valley.

The Panthers Party led by Legislature Party leader Harsh Dev Singh started sloganeering even before the Governor had entered the hall. They shouted “terrorist-supporting government should be dismissed”.

Vohra in his nearly 50-minute address said the government supported the renewed dialogue process with Pakistan, counted difficult circumstances under which the government came to power and listed its achievements as well as future projects and schemes.

He said, “My government has welcomed the initiative taken by the Central government to recommence the dialogue process. We also welcome the proposed discussions between the foreign secretaries of Indian and Pakistan.”

The Governor noted that after more than two decades of militancy-related violence and terrorism, there was a palpable yearning for peace across all sections of society in all regions of the state.

He called for end to protests and demonstrations. “It is clear that people want to put the past behind them and get on with their lives. Over the years, violence, strikes, bandhs have taken a heavy toll on their lives. The repeated disruption of academic schedules has done irreparable damage to the future of the younger generation.”

“The only way for the state to progress was for its three regions -- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh -- to develop and grow in a spirit of mutual cooperation and coexistence. To achieve this objective, the government is pursuing single-mindedly its agenda to promote the equitable development of all three regions and sub-regions of the state,” the Governor added.

Seeking cooperation of all, Vohra said the government had been in office only for one year of its six-year tenure. “While this is not a long period, any objective assessment of the work done by my government during the last year will show that the pace has been set and various activities are moving in the right direction.”

The Governor listed new schemes and developments in power generation, employment, rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, tapping of natural resources in the state and especially harnessing wind and solar power in Ladakh.

Jammu, February 22
Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today castigated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for allegedly following a ‘bullet-for-stone’ policy in a bid to restore law and order in the turbulent Kashmir valley.

After vociferously raising human rights violations issue during Governor NN Vohra’s joint address to both Houses here this morning, Mehbooba said we had heard about the bullet-for-bullet policy, it was for the first time that we were seeing the bullet-for-stone policy.

Serious sections like 121 of CrPC, which calls for life imprisonment and even death sentence, were invoked against innocent Kashmiri youths, she alleged. She added that it was for the first time that any state government had resorted to such a ‘brutal’ step.

The government in certain cases had slapped charges under the Public Safety Act (PSA) against youths throwing stones at security forces, Mehbooba said.

Such repressive steps against protesters would further alienate Kashmiri youths, said the PDP chief. Even today similar incidents happened in Baramulla and Srinagar, she added.

Supporting youths throwing stones at security personnel, Mehbooba said people were angry with the present government because it had failed utterly on two vital fronts of effective governance and carrying forward the political process, which was initiated by the previous PDP-Congress regime.

Instead of adopting reconciliatory measures, this government was trying to suppress the voice of angry Kashmiris that was evident from the worsening situation in the valley, she said.

Mehbooba said, paradoxically, this government lacked both agenda and leadership oblivious of how to take the political process forward.

Echoing similar views, Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh said there was total mismanagement on the part of the government in tackling the law and order scenario in Kashmir.

This government neither wanted to deal with the situation nor go to the root cause of such incidents in the valley, said Harsh Dev. He believed that the present dispensation did not want to find solution to the problem. “It is the failure of the government, which is solely responsible for the deteriorating situation in the valley,” he added.

However, BJP legislator Ashok Khajuria asked what was the alternative left with the security forces to tackle stone-throwing youths?

Jammu, February 22
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today took digs at the Hurriyat, the BJP and the PDP on their arguments over the incidents of stone-throwing and the new surrender policy.

He claimed a major business house in the valley was providing funds for stone-throwing incidents. The government agencies had also intercepted calls from across the border and SMSs by some Hurriyat Conference leaders, encouraging the youth to pelt security forces with stones, he said.

He called upon all to also see security personnel’s point of view, who were suffering eye and facial injuries in stone-throwing incidents.

Accusing the BJP of hypocrisy, he asked why the party opposed the surrender policy in Jammu and Kashmir, but not in Punjab. He expressed these views in an exclusive interview to Jupinderjit Singh. Following are the excerpts:

Q: The PDP today accused the government saying youths were killed in the valley due to its “bullet for stone” policy.

Omar: We have no such policy. Instead of dramatising such a situation, Mehbooba Mufti should try to look at the issue from the security forces’ point of view too. It is unfortunate that someone was injured, but do they realise that hundreds of security personnel have suffered eye and facial injuries due to stones thrown and even catapulted at the speed of 80 kmph? That is nothing less than a bullet.

Still, the security forces use maximum restraint and reply with tear gas shells, which may cause injuries to some persons.

Look, I don’t absolve myself of the responsibility. I feel partly responsible as the Chief Minister but we have to understand that the security forces don’t go out there and shoot people or injure them. The protesters and those encouraging them will have to understand that when you engage security forces you have to be ready for the consequences.

Q: It has been reported that Pakistan was funding stone-throwing incidents. The CPRF, Special DG, also said this recently.

Omar: There is a nexus of leaders, businessmen and youths behind such incidents. A high-level investigation is on into the role of a major business house in the valley that was allegedly providing money for such incidents. We have arrested some youths and kerosene dealers. It won’t be appropriate for me to divulge further details right now.

I would also like to stress that not all youths take to stone-throwing for money. Some are driven by ideology also. We have intercepted calls from across the border as well as SMSs from Hurriyat leaders, encouraging the youth to indulge in stone-throwing. I can’t give more details at this point.

Q: What happened to the quiet diplomacy?

Omar: Unfortunately, it has gone quiet. The process was on but after meeting the Pakistan high commission in Delhi, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s statement changed. However, now, as the dialogue process with Pakistan has resumed, I hope there will be some development.

Q: There is quite a storm over the new surrender policy for militants. The BJP is opposing it. Your comments?

Omar: See, it is very important to understand that we already have a surrender policy. It is for those who were engaged in terror activities in the state, but have shunned the path of violence and want to return to the mainstream. But we are now talking of a rehabilitation policy for those youths who went for training across the border and want to return. If they have to surrender, they should come to the Border and lay down arms.

But many are reaching the state on fake passports via Nepal etc. We are trying to work out a transparent system to know who and how many are coming and offer to rehabilitate them.

Even for a moment if we see it as a surrender policy, I note that the BJP opposes it when we talk about it in Jammu and Kashmir, but when the Punjab CM demands it, the BJP, being its ally there, remains silent. This is hypocrisy. The BJP needs to come clean on the issue. If they are opposing it, they should start it from Chandigarh.

Q: Those opposing it also argue that the government wants to rehabilitate militants, but has failed to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits.

Omar: We have never absolved ourselves from the responsibility towards the Kashmir Pandits. The process for their return to the valley is already under way. The valley is incomplete without them. We have opened 3,000 job options for them and nearly 15,000 applications have been received. The opening and reconstruction of temples in the valley is already an indication of changed times. Transit accommodations have been arranged for them.

Regarding the success of the policy, I feel that at least we should first create a policy. Why do we all talk that the policy would be a failure? Why don’t we say that let us give it a chance? India and Pakistan relations may improve and it will be unfortunate if we don’t have a policy.

Q: What are the important Bills you are pressing for in the Budget session.

Omar: Among the most significant are: The Electricity Bill and the Domestic Violence Bill. The state has the worst record of losing 72 per cent of power in transmission and distribution. The annual losses hover around Rs 2,500 cr. Time has come for all of us to pay for electricity. Power theft has to be checked and there has to be complete metering.

The Bill on domestic violence would go a long way in empowering the women.

Q: There are reports that the Home Ministry is upset over clearance to so many prepaid phone connections after the ban was lifted. Is this dangerous?

Omar: Yes, this is an issue. The telecom companies have to realise their responsibility and scrutinise the cases carefully. Otherwise, not only will they suffer losses, but I am afraid the ban may be re-imposed.

Jammu, February 22
Senior PDP leaders, including party president Mehbooba Mufti, had to face tear gas shells and a mild cane-charge here today when they were protesting against the coalition government for alleged increase in human right violations in the state and the prise rise.

It was the first day of the Assembly session and the PDP first raised the issues during Governor NN Vohra’s joint address to both houses and then protested after the conclusion of the day’s proceedings. The party leaders gathered on the Samadhian road and started moving towards the Civil Secretariat with vegetables in their hands to mark their protest against the prise rise. Despite prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC, the PDP leaders marched towards the high security Civil Secretariat, forcing the police to take action against them.

The police lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to a cane-charge to disperse the protesters. A few protesters received minor injuries. However no one was reported to be severely injured in the police action.

Mehbooba, while addressing a public gathering in Raghunath market later, said, “The government is showing zero tolerance towards those raising human right issues and this can’t be tolerated. We will continue our protest to raise the concerns of the people of the state.”

Jammu, February 22
Indefinite dharna of the Jammu and Kashmir Refugee Front — 1947, 1965, 1971 — started today in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office.According to a statement issued here today, the front has decided to fight for their rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

The members of the front demanded financial package for the settlement of around 15 lakh displaced persons, political empowerment by granting seats in the assembly, reservation for children in the education sector, employment package and allocation of agricultural land according to the 578(c) cabinet order of 1954.

The dharna was held under the leadership of general secretary Rachhpal Singh, president Capt Yudhvir Singh and member Swaran Singh.

Udhampur, February 22
The family of a local youth who was picked up for questioning in a murder case today alleged that he was tortured by the Udhampur police, a charge denied by the police.

Balbir Singh Jamwal, father of Shakti Singh Jamwal of Barrian Mohalla, Udhampur, alleged that the police had raided his house on February 18 suspecting his son's involvement in the murder of a local youth. The police had recovered his half-burnt body recently near Railway Road, Jakhani.

Since Shakti Singh was not in the house when the police came looking for him, his father promised to produce him at Udhampur police station. As promised, his father and other residents of the locality took him to the police station on February 19. Claiming his son as innocent, Balbir Singh alleged that the police used third-degree methods on him to implicate him in the case.

Under pressure from area residents and the family, the police released him on Sunday night. Since the family alleged grievous injuries after seeing his condition, his medical check-up was done. The doctor advised CT scan. The infuriated family and residents of the area have demanded action against the guilty policemen.

An application was also moved through their counsel in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Udhampur, in this regard. It may be recalled that the police had earlier picked up two more persons for questioning in the case.

Jammu, February 22
The All- India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) has alleged that the state government is adopting dilly dallying tactics in regard to passing of the Kashmiri Hindus Shrines and Temples Bill as it is under pressure from some vested interest groups and land mafias active in the the valley.

While addressing a press conference here today, president of the AIKS Pandit Moti Kaul said though the bill was tabled in the Assembly by the National Conference (NC) when they were in power in 2002, it had been deferred for unknown reason.

“The government did not waste time on passing the Shiv Khori Bill. However, despite many assurances the Kashmiri Hindus Shrines and Temples Bill has been lingering for quite sometime,” complained Kaul.

While expressing concern over the death threat given to the president of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), Sanjay Tikoo, by some land mafias in the valley, Kaul said, “We are aware of the forces that are hellbent upon stalling this bill to be passed. Delay in passing of the said bill has increased security concerns of the people living in the valley.”

Tikoo has reportedly been threatened by land mafias of dire consequences for his consistent efforts for protecting the land belonging to the Kashmiri Hindus Temples and Shrines in the valley which goes against the interest of this mafia.

Kaul stressed that this time Kashmiri Pandits would not allow Assembly session to be concluded without passing the bill.

Inviting all political parties for their support, Kaul said during the session pressure would be built up on the the government to make ways to table the bill.

Appealing to the apex committee members to genuinely respond to the challenges which the community is facing, Kaul said, “We have the moral duty to put the problems of the community in the right perspective before the government.” He warned that the Kashmiri Pandits would come on the roads and fight tooth and nail to take this struggle to the logical conclusion.

Meanwhile, various Kashmiri Pandit organisations demanded passing of the said bill.

Surrinder Ambardar, senior leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Party has said passing of the Kashmiri Hindus Shrines and Temples Bill would go a long way in restoring the faith of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the state from which they are largely alienated. He demanded the passing of the bill in the present Assembly session by the NC-Congress coalition government.

Kuldeep Pandita, convenor, JK Thinkers Forum, also echoed the same ways.

Jammu, February 22
Governor N.N Vohra has called for expanding the area of coverage and ambit of activities of the Red Cross to secure benefits for larger number of people.

The Governor was addressing a gathering after presenting certificates and mementos to Junior Red Cross Campers and Counsellors, who had participated in the 6-day-long Red Cross Inter-State Training-cum-Study Camp at Bhubaneswar in Orissa.

The function was organised by the District Red Cross Society, Jammu, in recognition of their excellent performance during the camp. In all,15 students, including nine girls and six boys, besides three counsellors from Jammu district were felicitated.

The Governor also presented certificates to Dr Renu Nanda and Vikram Jain, vice-patrons, Red Cross, for their contribution to the Red Cross activities.

The honorary general secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, J&K State Branch, Feroze Ahmad, dwelt on the activities of the Red Cross in the state and its future plan of action.

He said that participation in the Red Cross activities prepared the children for serving the humanity. He hoped that more students would come forward for receiving training.

The Director, School Education, Jammu, Zahida Khan, speaking on the occasion, said that such camps provided an opportunity to the students to meet their counterparts from other parts of the country and share experiences with them.

The Executive Secretary, District Red Cross Society, Jammu, Suresh Sharma, in his address of welcome, threw light on the functioning of the District Red Cross Society.

Udhampur, February 22
The Sainik Welfare Department today organised a rally of ex-servicemen at the Talwara Army camp. A large number of ex-servicemen (ESM) and widows from the far-flung areas participated.

Addressing the rally, Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Udhampur, Lt-Col Man Singh Jamwal, informed the participants about various concessions and welfare schemes extended by the central and the state governments for the welfare of ESM/widows. He appraised ESM and widows the importance of Joint Notification for family pension and publication of Part II Orders.

He gave detailed information about the Prime Minister Scholarship schemes for the wards of Ex-servicemen /Widows, Daughter’s marriage grant, Demise Grant, ADLR Scheme, Relief to Ex-J&K Militia personnel who have discharged at their own request/on medical grounds and to non-pensioners.

He also stressed to become members of the ECHS under which complete medical cover is provided to the pensioners as well as dependents.

Speaking on the occasion,Col Jamwal assured the participants to provide every possible help to them. A medical camp and CSD canteen stalls were established by the Army at the camp site.

Free medicines were also distributed and several tests of patients were carried out by the medical team. 

Jammu, February 22
Thirty-two vigilance teams have been constituted by the Chief Education Officer in view of the ongoing class III, V and VIII examinations in the district.

These teams have been constituted to prevent students from adopting unfair means during the examinations and ensuring the smooth conduct of the examinations.

A vigilance team includes principals of higher secondary schools, senior lecturers, head of departments and some members of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) as its members.

“Besides these 32 vigilance teams, the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) of the district have also been assigned the duty to ensure the peaceful conduct of the examinations,” said NR Dhingra, Chief Education Officer (CEO), while talking to The Tribune.

Dhingra said in all examination centres students were given instructions before the start of the exams that if they were found adopting unfair means, their paper would be cancelled.

The examinations of class VIII students of both private and government schools started on February 18 and the examinations of class III and V students of government schools started on February 19, but till date not a single case of cheating had been registered.

However, the examinations of class III and V of private school students had not started so far.

Srinagar, February 22
About 12 persons were injured today as police resorted to cane charge and used teargas shells to quell the protesters who came on to streets and hurled stones towards the security forces. They were demanding the release of the youth who have been arrested in the past few days in connection with the stone-throwing.

Senior police officers said at least 12 persons, including two cameramen and a photographer, were injured today when around 500 protesters clashed with the police in Maisuma and other parts of the city.

The police said it had arrested more than 100 persons and registered cases against them under the Acts of disturbing peace and damaging public property by indulging in stone-throwing in the past two weeks.

In the downtown area of Maisuma, the agitating youth pelted the police and the CRPF personnel with stones, prompting the security forces to resort to cane change and lobbing of teargas shells to disperse the mob.

The protesters were demanding immediate release of a youth arrested for stone-throwing in the city during the past few days. In the morning, life had returned to normal as shops and business establishments opened. However, as the stone throwers reached the area they forced the shopkeepers to close their shops.

The youth also forced the shopkeepers to close the shops at Lal chowk, residency road and other parts of the city.

The agitators were demanding the release of the persons booked under the Public Safety Act and other acts in the city. They said they would intensify their struggle, if the government did not release them immediately.

However, the police said in order to crack down on the stone throwers in the city it was essential to book them under the PSA so that others could desist from the practice.

Srinagar, February 22
The state police has arrested the kingpin of a syndicate running the ‘stone-throwing business’ in the Kashmir valley.Police sources said Irshad Ahmed was arrested from the downtown area of Srinagar. He is considered to be the kingpin of the gang involved in organising the stone-throwing protests by supporters of separatists and a local party.

“Irshad Ahmed was getting money for running the stone-throwing syndicate from Pakistan and had engaged some kerosene, pesticide and carpet dealers in the valley. He was also getting money not only from separatists but also a mainstream party,” said a police source.

The source also said the police seized several SIM cards,a few cheque books and fake media identity cards from his possession.

After the arrest of Irshad, his accomplices took to streets and started pelting security forces and people who refused to follow their diktat with stones.

People were at the receiving end as stone throwers attacked their vehicles too.

Srinagar, February 22
An 11-day-old baby died while his four-year-old brother was injured when protesters stopped a minibus and roughed up passengers in Baramulla district today.The protesters, demanding the release of youths arrested on the charges of stone-throwing on security forces in Kashmir, dragged passengers out of the vehicle and beat them up.

In the process, the ailing baby died apparently due to suffocation and his brother was injured, the police said.

The pleas of the family members to the protesters to allow them to proceed to hospital in Sopore fell on deaf ears, it said

Meanwhile, about 12 persons were injured today as police resorted to cane charge and used teargas shells to quell the protesters who came on to streets and hurled stones towards the security forces. They were demanding the release of the youth who have been arrested in the past few days in connection with the stone-throwing.

Senior police officers said at least 12 persons, including two cameramen and a photographer, were injured today when around 500 protesters clashed with the police in Maisuma and other parts of the city.

The police said it had arrested more than 100 persons and registered cases against them under the Acts of disturbing peace and damaging public property by indulging in stone-throwing in the past two weeks. In the downtown area of Maisuma, the agitating youth pelted the police and the CRPF personnel with stones, prompting the security forces to resort to cane change and lobbing of teargas shells to disperse the mob.

Srinagar, February 22
Sikhs in the Kashmir valley have condemned the killing of two members of the community in the restive tribal region of Pakistan.The community in strong words condemned the act and termed it ‘inhumane’ and ‘barbaric’. It said no society in the world approved of such heinous crimes against humanity.

The Sikhs demanded that those who had been living in restive Pakistan areas be shifted to safer places and the Pakistan government should take care of their life and property.

“It is the duty of the Pakistan government to provide security to the members of the minority community and it should ensure the safety of its citizens,” said Nirmal Singh, chief organiser of the Shiromani Khalsa Dal Kashmir.

Another Sikh leader Harbans Singh said the Pakistan government should take the full responsibility of families of those who were killed and should provide them security and rehabilitate them at a safer place in the country.

Various other religious and social organisations in the Kashmir valley, including Muslim organisations, have also condemned the act and termed it as a crime against humanity.

“Islam is a religion of people that preaches tolerance. The killing of innocent people is highly condemnable and against the basic tenants of Islam,” said a Muslim scholar.