New Delhi, June 8
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says the killing of three civilians in an alleged staged shootout in Nadihal village on April 30 has raised doubts over the genuineness of other gunfights between security forces and separatist guerrillas with many cases being re-investigated now.

Speaking on a television show last Saturday, Omar Abdullah also sought more transparency in the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

The chief minister told NDTV's "Left Right and Centre" programme that the Jammu and Kashmir Police was flooded with complaints questioning the genuineness of previous shootouts, all of which are being probed again now.

"I am saying that almost every encounter, unfortunately, that has taken place now has question marks being posed by people and it is our duty to address those questions," Abdullah said.

"We have dug up bodies and are verifying whether the encounters are genuine or not. This has really put a lot of additional work on the already burdened police force because a whole host of questions are being asked about these encounters.

"Obviously, there would be doubts. This is the problem when a handful of people for their short-term gains are willing to sacrifice the long-term interests of not only the forces they represent but also of everybody else," Abdullah added.

Three villagers -- Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Riyaz Ahmad Lone and Muhammad Shafi Lone -- were allegedly framed as separatist guerrillas and killed in a staged shootout in north Kashmir's Machil sector of the LOC, which divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

The police has arrested four persons -- a soldier of the Territorial Army and three Army informers -- for luring the three civilians to work as labourers for the Army. An Army officer has also been accused in the case.

Abdullah maintained that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was still required in Kashmir, but said it should be made more transparent.

The AFSPA, which dates back to 1958, is considered by rights activists as a draconian law that gives the security forces unrestricted power to carry out their operations in a "disturbed area". Under the legislation, even a non-commissioned officer is granted the right to shoot based on mere suspicion. It gives the armed forces wide powers to shoot, arrest and search.

"Unfortunately, under the AFSPA, the Army is the judge, jury and the hangman. Therefore, there is absence of transparency as a result of which people have lost faith in the system," Abdullah said.

Accepting that the AFSPA was still required to tackle separatist violence, he said: "It needs to be amended so that it is more transparent, more accountable and people have more faith in the system." — IANS

Mattipora-Singhpora, June 8
At a time when the government is claiming a lot over the development of infrastructure in government schools, picture emerging from most of the government-run schools continues to be disturbing. Students belonging to different classes are flocked in one room and are imparted education according to their syllabus.

Situation is no less than chaotic as students of a particular class are disturbed while reading, as their companions of other classes are engaged in some other educational activities.

“We have combined pre-primary classes in one room. As one group is involved in writing exercise, other does reading,” says Abdul Rahman Bhat, headmaster, Government Middle School, Mattipora, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Bhat said for 186 students in the school, there are six teachers. “Out of 48 subjects taught in the school, 8-9 subjects have to be taught per teacher. In a nearby primary school, there are 40 students”. He informed that as per the last census, education zone, Singhpora, shows 33 per cent of literacy. “However, it is less in this area”.

Bhat said at the most, students in the area study up to middle level, a few up to the secondary level and many drop out. “Lack of financial resources and quality education are responsible for this. They don’t get what they want. It is a faulty system”.

The headmaster, however, sounds optimistic about the future education scenario in the village. “Women here have now started coming forward for 
higher education. Some children are moving out of the village to seek admissions in private schools, as there no such institution exists in the area. But the percentage of such students is low”.

A majority of the population in the area is involved in carpet weaving followed by shawl embroidery and farming. Bhat said most teachers prefer to join schools located in and around main roads. “Interior areas mostly suffer for the want of teachers”. He observed that though mid-day meals have, to a certain extent, helped in attracting students at the pre-primary level, but the response is not encouraging.

The headmaster pointed that since there is no accountability on part of parents in these schools, results are not appreciating. Education status in these institutions would improve if parents come forward.

Almost similar situation exists in Government Middle School at Shar Shalli in south Kashmir’s Ladhoo-Pampore. About 65 students are enrolled in this three-room middle school, about 28 km from city centre.

“There is not only a lack of proper space for classrooms, but also absence of playing facility as well,” said a group of students here.

Often students are taught in open, but in case of poor weather condition, more than one class is clubbed in a room and it becomes difficult for teachers to teach and students to comprehend.

The middle school has been upgraded recently. “No infrastructure has been developed. It has been upgraded on paper only,” said residents, adding, “Facilities should have been developed first. There is no point in upgrading a school without proper and updated infrastructure”.

Srinagar, June 8
The government has released Rs 3 crore for immediate relief to those affected by untimely snowfall, rain and hailstorms in several parts of the state, which led to 10 deaths and damage to crops and property.

The amount has been released to the divisional commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu for further distribution among the deputy commissioners concerned, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla said after taking stock of the situation arising out of rain and snowfall in several parts of the state.

At least 10 persons died and 20 others were injured due to lighting, hailstorm and unseasonal snowfall in certain areas of the state, besides heavy losses to crops and properties.

The government constituted a committee to assess the damage caused to crops and vegetables after a three-member ministerial team visited the affected areas on Friday.

The committee has been asked to submit its report to the government within a week. — PTI

Jammu, June 8
Kashmiri migrants of Nagrota camp are facing acute scarcity of potable water. They say the problem has aggravated during this summer.

Around 604 families are residing in old one-room tenements (ORTs) and 384 families are residing in new multi-storey two-room tenements (TRTs).

The migrants living in the old camp allege the government has increased the number of TRTs without making a provision for potable water for newly shifted families that has led to the shortage of water supply in the camp.

Mahraj Krishan Pandita, who lives in an ORT, says, "Water is supplied to both camps from a single source. It comes irregularly and that too for a few minutes during which a family cannot store the required quantity".

Ashok Hangloo, another ORT resident, says though there are around 11 tubewells in both camps, only three are functional.

"We used to fill air coolers thrice a day with tubewell water, but with these having got defunct we are facing a lot of problems," said Tej Krishan, another resident of the camp.

Girja Koul, a TRT occupant, says, "We are facing acute shortage of potable water. The department should immediately consider our problem and take effective steps to provide uninterrupted water supply to the camp".

The migrants allege that despite approaching the Public Health Engineering Department several times about the insufficient supply of water and defunct tubewells, nothing has happened so far.

The camp dwellers also express resentment against the Power Development Department for long power cuts and erratic power supply to the camp. Residents of ORTs are facing sanitation problem as well. Drains are chocked and garbage is scattered on the streets.

Jammu, June 8
The Yatri Niwas, a base camp for Amarnath pilgrims situated at the Bhagwati Nagar area, is getting a facelift ahead of the commencement of Amarnath Yatra from July 1.

Renovation work at the base camp is moving on a fast track. Almost all defunct tube lights, lamps and fans installed in the Niwas have been replaced. Works like plaster of cracked walls, replacement of water taps, broken mirrors of widows and doors of the building and construction of a shed near security check point are in progress.

Basic amenities like 24-hour potable water, power supply, toilet facility and banking and communication facilities are all set in the Niwas.

One big underground water tank and around 38 plastic water tanks have been cleaned by the employees of the Niwas. The Niwas has its own bore well/pump house which supplies water to the entire building.

According to the employees, two water coolers are functioning properly in the premises of the Niwas and two more water coolers would be installed soon by the authorities to facilitate the pilgrims.

While talking to The Tribune, MK Koul, in charge of the Yatri Niwas, said almost all arrangements for the pilgrims have been completed. “Some minor repair work is still going on which would be completed soon,” he said.

To address accommodation woes of the pilgrims, the Niwas was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2008. Around 15 big halls were constructed to accommodate the pilgrims, but only 13 halls are being used for the same purpose, whereas two halls are being used by some other government departments. One hall can accommodate around 100 pilgrims at a time.

Amarnath pilgrims get number of facilities under one roof like food court, general store, communication centre, travel centre, medical aid centre, police assistance, tourist reception centre and J&K Bank counter for money exchange and a registration counter for the pilgrimage.

Srinagar, June 8
Appealing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a comprehensive socio-economic package for the tribal community, Gujjars have demanded a tribal university, inclusion of Gojri into Schedule VIII of the Constitution and a special census of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals.

“Gujjars have been demanding a tribal university in the state since 2007 when the first-ever National Tribal University was established in Madhya Pradesh,” said Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF).

He said the demand was still pending. “The university, if established, will promote studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medicinal systems, forest-based economic activities, including special studies on flora and fauna and advancements in technologies related to natural resources of tribal areas of the state”.

Dr Rahi said the case for the inclusion of Gojri language into official languages of India was pending with the Union government since 1991, which had been adversely affecting the development of tribal culture of Gujjars in the state.

Urging upon the Prime Minister to resolve the issue, he said, “Tribal language deserves more constitutional safeguards. It should be inducted into the list of official languages of India on merit. Being one of the oldest and ancient languages of South Asia, it requires urgent preservation and indispensable propagations on priority”.

The foundation has demanded a special census of nomadic and homeless Gujjars and Bakerwals, who are presently under seasonal migration along with their livestock in upper reaches of the northwestern Himalaya. The organisation has also demanded a special census survey of Gujjars with correct enumeration of their tribe under “shelter-less category”.

Dr Rahi said Gujjars had demanded raising of a full-fledged Gujjar regiment in the Army on the pattern of Jat, Raput and Dogra regiments.

He informed, “Lakhs of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals in the state are landless, shelter-less, illiterate and without health facilities. They deserve a special rehabilitation package”. He said in all states, Scheduled Tribe communities were rehabilitated on forestlands as per the Forest Act 2006, passed by Parliament and the same should be extended to the state as well.

The foundation has urged the Prime Minister to enhance centrally sponsored tribal sub-plan to empower Gujjars in terms of financial resources and appealed that a new scheme should be formulated and introduced in this board so that the institution functioned properly in every field for the development of Gujjars.

It further stressed that a task force should be constituted for the speedy implementation of developmental schemes in Gujjar-populated areas and suitable market facilities should be provided to nomads for the sale of livestock, milk products and introduction of cattle insurance schemes for Banharas and Bakerwals. The community has also demanded employment share in the government sector.

Srinagar, June 8
A three-day “Bharat Nirman” public information campaign (PIC) was organised in Anantnag by the Press Information Bureau, Srinagar, in collaboration with the Directorate of Field Publicity, Song & Drama Division and the district administration, Anantnag, from June 1 to June 3.

The campaign was inaugurated by Minister for Higher Education Abdul Ghani Malik. Parliament members Ghulam Nabi Rattanpuri and Mehboob Beigh also attended the event. Various state and central government departments, NGOs and voluntary organisations put up stalls of their product and services, and highlighted their achievements and various schemes.

Malik said such programmes should be organised in rural and far-flung areas to make people aware of different centrally sponsored welfare schemes. He appealed to NGOs to come forward and help mak rural masses aware about different central flagship programmes and schemes.

Ghulam Rasool Shah, district education planning officer, gave details regarding achievements under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in the district. Abid Hussain, deputy director, employment, gave information about Sher-e-Kashmir employment and welfare scheme launched by the state government and other employment generating programmes.

While Dr MM Shafi, chief medical officer, Anantnag, gave details of the progress under the National Rural Health Mission in the district, Muzamil Ahmad from J&K Bank spoke about bank’s achievements under corporate social responsibility (CSR).

T. Jayaraj, additional director general, Press Information Bureau, said the campaign was aimed at making public aware of different centrally sponsored welfare schemes.

On the second day of the event, Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad stressed the need for long-term futuristic approach while implementing the flagship programmes and schemes under Bharat Nirman for equitable socio-economic uplift of common masses. He also distributed prizes and cash rewards among schoolchildren who had participated in various pre-campaign programmes organised by Directorate of Field Publicity at different places in the district.

On the concluding day, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo said the initiative by the PIB had emerged as a bridge between the government and the people. She said this initiative would go a long way in making masses aware. She urged people to keep a strict vigil on the implementation of different schemes so that the objective of equitable socio-economic development of all sections of society could be achieved.

The PIB has so far organised 365 public information campaigns throughout India since 2006. Over 100 such PICs have been proposed during 2010-11 in different parts of the country. In J&K, the PIB has so far organised 12 PICs while both branch offices i.e. Srinagar and Jammu have proposed another five PICs to be organised in Kupwara, Pulwama, Ramban, Sambha and Anantnag districts.

Srinagar, June 8
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Cultural House of Islamic Republic of Iran and the University of Kashmir to strengthen mutual collaboration in the fields of education and culture during an international seminar organised by the Department of Persian, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with Iran Culture House, New Delhi, on June 1.

Dr Karim Najafi, cultural counsellor, Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi, accompanied by Dr Laley Iftikhari, a member of Iran's parliament, called on the Vice-Chancellor to sign the MoU, said Showkat Shafi, PRO, University of Kashmir.

The MoU also included exchange of scholars in library science and manuscripts, apart from organising seminars, symposia and conferences in Persian language, literature and culture.

However, the seminar deliberated on life and works of Syed Abul Hassan Hafizian, a Sufi saint in Kashmir, and the event marked the commencement of the silver jubilee celebrations of the postgraduate Department of Persian of the varsity.

Prof Riyaz Punjabi, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, making special references to relations of Iran with Kashmir in the past, said: "Kashmir was known as Iran-e-Sagheer because of our close cultural affinity with that region".

Dr Karim Najafi lauded the way Iran Culture House, New Delhi, and the varsity's Department of Persian have designed a road map for various events depicting similarities between Iran and Kashmiri culture. He made references to life and teachings of Syed Abul Hassan Hafizain, saying that he was one of the pioneering saints who devoted his life for cause of humanity.

Describing him as a towering Sufi saint of Kashmir, Prof Muhammad Munawwar Masoodi, Head, Department of Persian, said: "Persian language and Persia, the land of its origin, have had a profound impact on socio-cultural fabric of Kashmiri society". "We'll especially concentrate on exchange of scholars in field of library sciences and humanities".

Known for making commitments, Union Minister for New and Renewal Energy Farooq Abdullah has invented a strong excuse for not fulfilling promises. When the management of Kawa Institute reminded Dr Abdullah of his commitment made two years back, he replied: “You are talking about a commitment I had made two years back. I even forget what I said in the morning so it is not my fault that promises were not fulfilled”. “As I am growing old, I usually forget my words. So keep me reminding if you want to get my commitment fulfilled”, he asked the management of the Kawa Institute.