Jammu, February 28
Attribute it to lax procedures in issuing passports or immigration loopholes, Pakistan-trained militants continue to enter militancy plagued state via porous Nepal borders.

Interrogation reports of at least nine militants, who were either captured or had surrendered before the security forces, revealed that they had entered the country and then the state via Nepal and Attari borders.

Obviously, due to strict vigil at the LoC, militants are finding it easier to infiltrate through Nepal and Attari borders, divulged sources in the security forces. This becomes possible for the militants due to lax procedures of issuing passports and immigration loopholes, they added.

Quoting instances, sources in the security forces said Pakistan-trained militants first travel by air from Islamabad or Karachi to Kathmandu and then they enter Gorakhpur by road.

Subsequently, they board trains and reach Delhi and then head towards Jammu and Kashmir to carry out militancy activities.

Sources said 23-year-old Gulzar Ahmed Khan and 23-year-old Manzoor Ahmed Wani, both of Tangmarg in Baramulla, who had joined

Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit admitted before the security forces about the modus operandi adopted by them to enter the state. The duo were apprehended on January 6 this year at Chandilora in Srinagar.

Similarly, another 25-year-old Mohammed Ramzan from Sopore, who was brain washed by one Qasim of Handwara in the name of ‘jihad’ and had joined Hizbul, returned to India via Nepal last year.

Sources said he had gone to Pakistan in 2002 and returned last year, adding that security forces nabbed him on December 22 last year at Chanpura in Srinagar.

Likewise, 34-year-old Shamim Ahmed Sheikh of Tangmarg, who had crossed over to PoK in 1991, was nabbed from Jammu railway station on September 29 last year after he also adopted similar route to enter the country via Nepal.“Another militant, 44-year-old Zahoor Ahmed Sheikh, of Pulwama, who decided to return to Kashmir valley, adopted Nepal route because of the risk involved in infiltrating into the state via the LoC,” said a senior Army officer. He was nabbed on October 13 last year in Tral area.

A 34-year-old man from Kulgam, Iqbal Ahmed Haroon, was also motivated for ‘jihad’ and he had crossed over to PoK in 1995 and after being trained in a camp, he infiltrated via Attari border, said the officer. He travelled in Samjhauta Express from Lahore to Amritsar.

However, after being apprehended he revealed that Pakistan’s ISI prepares fake identity documents and passports for the misguided Kashmiri youths, projecting them as college students of Pakistan so as to facilitate their hassle-free travel to Nepal, he said.

Two other youths, Firoz Ahmed Rather of Pattan and Rafeeq Ahmed Magray of Sopore, had also entered the state via Nepal.

Srinagar, February 28
An earthquake of moderate intensity jolted the Kashmir valley early Sunday morning forcing many people to come out of their houses in the open.

The intensity of the earthquake, measured 5.7 on the Richter scale, hit the Kashmir valley in the wee hours. Though there was no report of any loss of life or damage to the property, it gave people a shocking reminder of the earthquake of October 8, 2005, when around 1,400 persons lost their lives in Kashmir.

Spokesman of the disaster management cell of the Jammu and Kashmir government, Amir Ali said, “The magnitude of the earthquake was 5.7 on the Richter scale. The epicentre of the quake was located in the Hindukush mountain range of Afghanistan.”

He said the quake hit the Kashmir valley at around 4:51 am when majority of the people were sleeping.

Though in Srinagar, the effect of the quake was less and it went unnoticed, but reports from various towns of north Kashmir suggest that people woke up to the shocks and ran for open.

“Though there was no report of any casualty or damage to the property, people rushed out of their houses for safety in the open,” said an official source from Uri.

On October 8, 2005, earthquake, Uri tehsil situated on the Line of Control between India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was one of the worst affected areas due to the quake where every standing structure was razed to the ground and majority of deaths in the Kashmir valley were reported from Uri.

“Thank God there was no casualty or damage, but the early morning shocks gave us the reminder of the last earthquake when there was a lot of bloodshed and people were forced to live for months together in temporary tin sheds,” said Ishfaq Ahmed Lone, a resident of Uri on phone. He said relatives who have been living outside Uri started calling their relatives in the town to inquire about their well-being.

“People are afraid as they feared that another major after-shock might hit so majority of them preferred to stay outside and many people from other parts of the state started calling their relatives to inquire about their well-being,” said Ishfaq.

As per the officials of the disaster management cell, Kashmir valley lies on the default line of the seismic line and it could experience major jolts anytime, so the people have been asked to construct quake-resistant structures.

Srinagar, February 28
Though the curfew clamped in some of the villages of Pattan in Baramulla district that witnessed violent sectarian clashes on Thursday continued, the authorities today said the situation was fast returning to normal.

“The situation in two most affected villages of Kangamdura and Hangarpura was fast returning to normal though the curfew remains in these two villages,” said an official.

The town witnessed the worst-ever violent clashes last week when members of two different sects of Muslims clashed following a controversy over the erection of a hoarding of a spiritual leader.

“These were the worst sectarian clashes between the two sects in recent decades in which 20 people were hurt and more than 60 structures, including houses and shops, set ablaze,” said Waseem Ahmed, a local resident.

He said it was for the first time that the authorities had to use force, fire teargas shells and clamp curfew to disperse the mob.

“Though the situation is under control, but the curfew continues in two villages of the town as a precautionary measure.There were no reports of fresh violence from any part of the area,” a senior police officer said.

The officer said peace committees comprising village elders and leaders of both sects also helped ease the growing tension.

Meanwhile, senior Hurriyat leaders have also appealed to members of both sects to maintain peace and harmony.

Jammu, February 28
Gaiety, joy and enthusiasm marked Holi, the festival of colours, in the Raj Bhavan lawns, here this afternoon. The event made the auspicious occasion a memorable one for the participants.

Governor NN Vohra and the First Lady Usha Vohra extended Holi greetings to all revellers, who had assembled on the occasion.

They interacted with all members of staff of the Governor’s secretariat and their families and children, about 200 in number, and posed for photographs with them. The children were most delighted to be able to play in the Raj Bhavan lawns.

The Governor and the First Lady inquired from the children about their studies and hobbies and wished them a bright future ahead.

Governor said: “Holi provides us an opportunity for sharing our joy, sentiments and good feelings and to spread happiness all around.” He observed that the festivals were an important component of our pluralistic ethos, which strengthens bonds of harmony, brotherhood and amity.

Srinagar, February 28
Saffron is the most valuable cash crop of Kashmir valley and it is expected that people associated with this trade devote their attention to the same. However, of late, the younger generation has been found disinterested in this trade and they aspire to join government jobs.

Senior saffron growers say vigour and passion is missing in younger generation as far as saffron farming and other related things are concerned.

“We used to work hard and give our full time to this trade which has given us great profits in the past, but the situation is different nowadays and the younger generation does not look upon saffron business with dignity and pride,” says Haji Mohammad Subhan, a resident of Kranchoo-Pampore, an old hand in saffron trade while sharing his views with The Tribune.

Subhan says children of saffron growers believe that a government job is the ultimate solution and “it is here when the problem starts.” He suggests that the younger generation should change its mindset and should not go for government jobs.

“This would solve the problem and losses on account of decline in saffron production in future could be minimised,” he said.

Echoing Subhan’s views, Abdul Karim, a saffron grower of Lethpora-Pulwama, says the government cannot provide jobs to all and more so to those who have some sort of ancestral business.

“The younger generation should understand this, otherwise, I am pained to say that saffron business would vanish from here,” says Karim. He added that the younger generation could apply latest techniques and improve production of saffron.

On their part, the younger generation says that the disinterest in the present generation is due to the negligent attitude towards production of saffron.

“I believe the person who runs after a government job despite better avenues available to him is mad. Same holds true with saffron. However, at the same time, it is important that difficulties being faced in the present day context are taken seriously. Sprinkle irrigation facility is primary requirement for saffron farming and in the absence of same, one should not expect wonderful results,” says Mohammad Shakeel, a resident of Chandahar-Pampore.

Jammu, February 28
The state government has decided to promote dairy farming in Leh by introducing various schemes this year.

Taking into consideration the long-pending demands of people to improve dairy farming in the region, the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department has given a nod to improving dairy farming, especially in the Indus area of Leh.

Comprising about 112 villages, people living in Leh have only two sources of income - cultivation and animal husbandry. They are facing difficulties in earning their livelihood. Replying to a question of a member in the Legislative Council, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi had admitted that people in this region were living a miserable life.

He said, “There is a good scope for dairy farming in this area. But due to some reasons, the government could not sanction any plan to promote dairy farming, especially in this region, last year.”

He added, “The question raised by the member will surely be taken into consideration and the government is seriously contemplating the issue. We will try our best to uplift poor people living in Leh and various new schemes will be announced within a short period.”

The minister further said it was not right to say that the government had done nothing to promote dairy farming.

Earlier, in the Upper House of the Assembly, Nurboo Gialchan, a member of the Legislative Council, asked, “Why the state government has not sanctioned any scheme to promote dairy farming in this remote area where people have dairy farming as their main occupation?”

A senior official of the Animal Husbandry Department also said a proposal to promote dairy farming in Leh district was under the active consideration and a debate was going on. Within one month, the scheme would be launched, he said.

Jammu, February 28
Amidst tears, deputy general manager of PowerGrid Corporation, Bhola Ram Gupta was cremated at Shastri Nagar cremation ground here this afternoon.

Gupta was one of the nine Indians, who lost their lives in Taliban’s coordinated suicide attacks at two hotels in Kabul on February 26.

Family members, relatives, friends, employees and senior officials of the PowerGrid Corporation, including director personnel VM Kaul, besides hundreds of people attended the funeral procession of Gupta.

Tears rolled down cheeks of mourners as family members, including widow of the deceased Sarla Gupta, and their two children Sonia Gupta and Viren S Ram wept inconsolably.

The 50-year-old Bhola Ram hailed from Pathankot but had settled in Trikuta Nagar here before being shifted to Kabul in connection with construction of 220-KV single circuit transmission line from Phulkumari to Kabul and 220-KV sub-station at Kabul.

The project had been completed and Bhola Ram was in the process of handing over the responsibilities to Afghans, for which they were being trained. He was instrumental in bringing electricity to Kabul from Uzbekistan.

Earlier this morning, the body of Gupta, draped in Tricolour, reached Jammu from Delhi in a SpiceJet aircraft and was taken to his Trikuta Nagar residence.

Before moving to Kabul, he had served in various capacities in Jammu and Kashmir for over 10 years at Kishenpur Manwal, Kathua, and other places.

Jammu, February 28
Stressing on the need of solving the vexed Kashmir problem for restoring sustainable peace in the subcontinent, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said today that the government should seriously consider the proposals given for the solution of this issue. She said there was no alternative but to solve this problem once for all as this festering sore had already dampened the economic growth of the South Asia.

According to a handout issued by the party, Mehbooba, while addressing a seminar on self-rule, said the document prepared by her party was the only viable solution to the Kashmir problem as it aimed at addressing both internal and external dimensions of this issue.

“The self-rule is a document of promises and reconciliation without any compromise with the rights of the people of the state,” she said, adding that this proposal has the potential to write a chapter of peace and development in this region.

“Wishes and aspirations of all regions and sub-regions have been incorporated in the self-rule document, and only through this proposal both internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir problem would be addressed,” she said and announced that the party would educate the masses about this proposal to evolve consensus.

Reiterating her party’s resolve to remove regional disparities, she said this proposal aimed at empowering all regions and sub-regions and making an institutional arrangement to address aspirations of all sections of society.

“Through our document, we have been demanding more powers for the state and the decision-making powers would be further trickled down at grassroot-level,” she said, and reminded the gathering that regional and sub-regional aspirations were addressed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

“The PDP through its agenda wants to restore dignity and honour of the people and to take this problem to the logical conclusion, making Jammu and Kashmir economically self-reliant,” she said.

Pointing towards discriminatory water agreements, she said water was to J&K as oil was to the oil-producing countries, but despite being such rich in natural resources we could not exploit it properly due to discriminatory agreements signed by the successive NC governments. She pointed out how the natural resources of Jammu and Kashmir were systemically sold out for the lust of power.

Srinagar, February 28
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and president of the NC Farooq Abdullah said today that resumption of foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan was a welcome step.

“I am hopeful that the restoration of foreign secretary-level talks between the two nations is a welcome step and will prove fruitful in the long-run,” Farooq said while talking to mediapersons.

He said the restoration of talks would help in solving all long-standing disputes between the two nations.

When asked whether he or his party was contemplating for a legal action against the opposition PDP for its alleged circulation of a poster and a derogatory SMS against the Abdullah clan, he said, “They are not worth it.”

Srinagar, February 28
The Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) today staged a demonstration here accusing both the ruling NC and the opposition PDP of "playing politics" on the issue of human rights in the state.

"Both the parties are playing politics over the issue of human rights....the subject finds favour with both these parties, but only when they are out of power," APDP spokesperson Ghulam Nabi Mir told mediapersons after members of the organisation staged a peaceful demonstration.

Mir accused both parties of using human rights as one of the important election planks during the 2002 and 2008 the Assembly elections.

"While sitting on the opposition benches, both of them have accused the ruling party of committing human rights violations, but did not take steps to bring the perpetrators to justice," he alleged.

“It is quite apparent that only the struggle of relatives of the disappeared persons with the help of the international organisations can persuade the government to address the issue seriously, to know the fate of their loved ones and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

According to figures available with the APDP, about 10,000 persons have allegedly disappeared after being arrested by security agencies since militancy broke out in the state two decades ago. — PTI

Jammu, February 28
The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched Species Recovery Programme (SRP) for the endangered snow leopards, Mrkhor and Kashmiri stags to prevent their extinction.

"Jammu and Kashmir government's forest department has launched Centre-aided SRP for three species - snow leopard, Hangul (Kashmiri stags) and Mrkhor - for reversing the extinction process of such species in J&K," Forest Minister Mian Altaf said here.

"In year 2009, the estimated population of Hungul has been recorded at 175 only," the minister said.

He said a breeding centre for Hangul was being established at Shikargah Tral in Kashmir.

"The project, being funded by Central Zoo Authority of India, Dehradun, has been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India," Altaf said.

It is being funded under the species recovery programme of centrally sponsored scheme 'Integrated Development of Wild life Habitats', he said.

Five National Parks and 13 Wildlife sanctuaries are presently being controlled and looked after by the State Wildlife Protection Department, he said.

Three species hangul, mrkhor and snow leopard are specifically covered under Species Recovery Programme (SRP), he said.- PTI

Jammu, February 28
Students of class XII could not celebrate Holi this year as they had to prepare for the final examination scheduled from tomorrow. The students were seen “coloured” with examination fever today, as they remained busy in preparing and revising their syllabus, instead of celebrating the festival.

“Since Holi has coincided with our examination which will start tomorrow, we could not celebrate Holi with our family and friends,” Vandana Gupta, a Class XII student, said while expressing unhappiness.

Arun Sharma, another student, said, “Last year, I participated in processions held in our locality and celebrated the festival with enthusiasm. But this time the examination schedule has spoilt the festival for me.”

Around 43,456 students would appear in this Board examination. The examination would be conducted in around 445 examination centres selected in the Jammu province. The State Board of School Education (BOSE) has made all arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination.

According to sources, help from the district administration has been taken and Section 144, RPC, has been imposed around all examination centres.

A three-tier mechanism has been adopted to ensure that the students do not resort to unfair means during the examination process. Special flying squads have been constituted by the BOSE under this three-tier mechanism.