Srinagar, July 4
The authorities had to reimpose curfew in the Anantnag town of south Kashmir after a group of youths took to streets and resorted to stone pelting and clashed with police and security forces. The district administration had relaxed the curfew for two hours in the morning, but after the youth resorted to stone pelting, it had to reimpose the curfew in the town.

In most parts of north Kashmir, including Baramulla, Sopore, Kulgam and various parts of Srinagar city, curfew was completely lifted, though in Sopore, night curfew would remain in force till further orders.

Government-run ration depots in these areas opened this morning and long queues were seen outside them. Shops in uptown Srinagar also opened and traffic plied on all routes.

However, in Anantnag, when the curfew was relaxed in the morning for two hours, people took to streets at various places and attacked the Deputy Commissioner’s office, two police stations and threw stones at security forces, prompting reimposition of curfew.

“The police had to fire teargas shells and used batons to disperse protestors who targeted the police and paramilitary personnel at several places, including Lal Chowk, Cheni Chowk, Mattan Chowk and Barakabad, demanding registration of murder case against senior civil and police officers over the death of three youths on June 29,” an official source said.

One person was injured in the clashes, the sources said.

Meanwhile, after nine days of protests and curfew in various parts of the valley, life today limped back to normal in most parts as the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference gave relaxation in its ongoing strike.

The Syed Ali Shah Geelani faction of the Hurriyat Conference had yesterday announced a fresh protest programme and declared that there would be no strike on Sunday so that the residents could purchase items of daily requirement.

People today thronged markets in Srinagar to purchase the items of daily necessity as they had been facing acute shortage of the same for the past many days. Huge rush could be seen in the markets with people busy buying items of daily need for the coming days of strike. “We were running out of stock and today we got a chance to buy vegetables, milk and other items for daily need,” said Abdul Hamid of Jawahar Nagar locality.

Despite it being Sunday, some private schools had opened, as there was not a single working day in the past one week due to the ongoing protests.

The separatists in Kashmir have also given a “fresh protest programme” for the next week according to which the demonstrations would continue till Friday and the next course of action would be decided then.

According to the “protest calendar” issued by the separatists, people have been asked to gather and march towards Anantnag on Monday to protest the killing of three youth allegedly by the CRPF.

On July 6, students have been asked to hold peaceful protest demonstrations inside their institutes while for July 7 and 8, people have been asked to hold a 48-hour sit-in on roads and the residents have been asked to arrange food for the protesters.

On Friday, people have been asked to protest ta district headquarters and offer Friday prayers in one particular mosque that would be disclosed later, the “protest calendar” stated.

It was also stated that the next “protest calendar” would be decided on July 9.

Jammu, July 4
Differences have cropped up among constituents of the Sangh Parivar after the disintegration of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra Sangharsh Samitti (SAYSS), as various organisations affiliated with the RSS have taken serious note of the virtually “non-cooperative” attitude adopted by the BJP leadership in response to the Jammu bandh call.

Poor response to the bandh on Saturday, given by the SAYSS, was considered as setback to the Sangh Parivar, and organisations associated with it have shifted blame on the BJP for this failure.

“When various organisations had disassociated themselves from the call, we were hoping that the BJP would support the strike, but unfortunately BJP leaders succumbed to government pressure,” regretted a senior Sangh Parivar leader. He told the Tribune on the condition of anonymity that the bandh had evoked poor response due to, what he alleged, backstabbing by BJP leaders.

Interestingly, three prominent BJP leaders were out of station on Saturday and those who were present in the city failed to mobilise people.

Sources said a meeting of various constituents of the Sangh Parivar was held today to analyse the reasons for failure of properly mobilising people in support of the bandh. While some participants pointed out that giving Jammu bandh call was a premature decision, many others raised doubt on the intention of BJP leaders.

“Poor response to bandh in the old city, which is stronghold of the BJP, has taken seriously by the organisation as the party is capable of enforcing strike in the area,” said another leader of the Sangh Parivar, who further disclosed that it had been decided to take up the issue with the party high command.

Constituents have also alleged that instead of coming on the streets to mobilise public opinion in support the bandh, BJP leaders enacted “arrest” drama to hoodwink the people of Jammu.

Meanwhile, SAYSS convener Brig (retd) Suchet Singh expressed gratitude towards the residents of the province for observing the bandh. In a statement issued here, he said despite the measures by the government, the people had expressed their support to the SAYSS. He alleged that government had been trying to create division among various sections of society.

Srinagar, July 4
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the Kashmir issue was a political issue and needs a political resolution in which all stakeholders must make an effort in the right earnest to find the solution.

“We have been strong votaries of dialogue both internal as well as external to help resolve issues,” he said underlining the importance of urgent need of restoring the dialogue process. Omar also appealed to the civil society to join hands with him and his government to make an all-inclusive effort to bring peace and normalcy in the state to deliver better governance.

Chairing a meeting people from various walks of life here today, Omar said in a democratic setup expression of views was the right of every citizen. However, he added that anger should not be expressed by throwing stones and disturbing law and order, as there were other democratic methods of registering protest. Maintenance of law and order and tranquility is the responsibility of both citizens and the government, he said adding that both should complement each other in this task.

He impressed upon the civil society the need to rise to the occasion and help in restoration of peace and order in the state. Peace is a must to enable us to move forward on all fronts whether political, social, economic or developmental, he said.

Amarnath Cave, July 4
It is good news for the devotees. This year the ice lingam has attained maximum height. The pilgrims from all across the country after passing through the tough terrain and less oxygen areas pay obeisance at the holy cave shrine on the height of 13,500 feet from sea level.

The Lingam at its maximum height. Tribune photos: Anand Sharma

This year the snow is abundant. En route the holy cave on the traditional route of the yatra, its snow-covered mountains and the oxygen is less than the requirement. From Chandanwari to Pissu Top, the climbing is tough, but there is no snow on the track. After Pissu Top, the next stoppage is Joji Bal and then Sheshnag.

As soon as the pilgrims reached Sheshnag, BSF personnel offer hot water to the pilgrims for drinking. Sheshnag is also considered as the first night stop for the pilgrims where tents have been placed for the yatris.

With the beginning of a new day, the pilgrims start their journey for Wavbal Top. Then comes Maha Ganesh Top known as MG Top, which is on the maximum height of the journey. The pilgrims are not allowed to stay there for long periods. Langars (community kitchen offering free food to the pilgrims) have been established to cater to the pilgrims.

Then the toughest track comes that links MG Top to Posh Pathri. It is all glaciers on the way and the pilgrims have to slide downwards to reach Posh Pathri as no track is visible. Ater Posh Pathri it is Panjtarani where five rivers meet. It is the second night stoppage en route the holy cave and the pilgrims are not allowed to move forward after 5 pm. It also has a helipad that links Baltal-Panjtarni-Pahlgam.

A base camp with the facilities of first aid, stay accommodation and langars has been established there to facilitate the pilgrims. It caters to nearly 10,000 pilgrims and the next day the rest of the journey for the holy cave starts.

It takes nearly two hours to reach the holy cave. The ponies and porters are stopped a km before the shrine. The pilgrims are not allowed to carry any cameras, cellphones or other gadgets.

“A large number of devotees are coming everyday and the yatra will set a record this year. Everyday the yatra is crossing the limited quota of releasing the pilgrims to have the darshan,” said SR Meena, Assistant Commandant, 96 CRPF, deputed at the holy cave.

Those who took the Baltal route reached the holy cave the same day they started their journey, but the route is tough as at some places the track is less than one feet in width and a river flows parallel to it.

9,561 pilgrims leave for Amarnath

Srinagar: As many as 9,561 pilgrims today left from Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg base camps for the onward yatra of the holy Amarnath Cave.

According to official sources, 2,991 pilgrims, comprising of 2,114 male, 558 female, 112 children and 207 Sadhus left for the cave shrine from Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, while 6,570 pilgrims, comprising of 4,450 male, 1,519 female, 446 children and 155 Sadhus left from Baltal base camp.

In the past four days, 47,937 pilgrims have had darshan of the ice Shiv Lingam. They expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the government to ensure hassle-free pilgrimage.

Meanwhile, a woman pilgrim today died on her way to Amarnath, the first case of death on pilgrimage this year. The woman, who was in her mid-sixties, hailed from Bangalore and died due to cardiac arrest last evening near Panjtarani.

“We have received the information of sudden demise of a woman pilgrim who had difficulties while breathing due to less oxygen,” said Mithilesh Kumar, Commandant, 164 CRPF at Pahalgam.

Srinagar, July 4
Though the downtown locality of the Srinagar city has attained a notorious image, as the place is always associated with violent protests and stone pelting, a young girl from the locality has tried to change the image of the area by topping this year’s common entrance test (CET).

Ifra Abid of Hawal area has topped the CET securing 210 out of 225 marks.

“I am feeling on top of the world,” Ifra told The Tribune.

She attributed her success to her self-discipline saying: “I had a daily schedule and I used to stick to it come what may be as my only aim was to become a doctor”.

When asked about the hardships she had to face as the area where she lives is notorious for frequent protests and many of her peers were engaged in stone pelting, she said:“No matter what the circumstances are, one has to keep the target in focus. I would suggest other students to work hard and believe in themselves to attain what they want.”

Ifra, who would now be joining a medical college in the state, said after becoming a doctor she would like to work for the poor and the needy as she credits the God for her success.

Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Professor Riyaz Punjabi said, “If some elements in the downtown are engaged in stone throwing, that does not mean that everyone is the same there. Students like Ifra should be encouraged and should be given an opportunity and proper guidance.”

Srinagar, July 4
For saving the ecosystem en route the Amaranth cave shrine during the ongoing yatra, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has introduced a new technology to dispose of solid waste. A large number of pilgrims from different parts of the country willl visit the cave shrine located at a height of 13,500 feet from sea level. To treat biological waste, the board had last year installed two biowaste treatment plants the technology of which was improved this year to work more efficiently.

Speaking to The Tribune, additional CEO of the shrine board Saugat Biswas said: “The technology to treat the waste has been improved.” He said with improvement in the technology the time required to treat the waste had been considerably reduced. “Now, the waste that used to take almost three days to decompose is now done in a matter of three hours. This is possible due to the use of organic compounds and decomposers,” Biswas said. To discourage the use of plastic bags en route the yatra, the district administration has already banned its use and the shrine board has instructed the yatris not to use the same as the “use of plastic is strictly banned and punishable under the law”.

Sources say Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the shrine board, has been taking a keen interest in the preservation of ecology en route the yatra and has instructed the agencies concerned to maintain and preserve environment and ecology by taking all possible measures and timely collection and treatment of all type of wastes.

Two projects to treat and manage the waste under the improved technology have been installed at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps.

Jammu, July 4
To develop creativity among the nomadic Gujjar children, a week-long theatre workshop for children organised by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, concluded here today.

On the occasion, Gojri play “Ustaad” was staged at Gujjar Basti, Bajalta, this afternoon.

A total of 23 children participated in this event and the play was directed by Mushtaq Kak, a reputed theatre director of the country.

In his valedictory address, Javaid Rahi, Secretary, Tribal Foundation, said in order to promote education among nomadic children through theatre skills, the organisation had been regularly organising a number of events every year and the workshop was a part of its efforts aimed at educational and mental development of tribal and marginalized children.

Rahi said the foundation, with the help of the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, was planning to hold a series of theatre workshops in tribal localities of Jammu and Kashmir.

The main objectives of these workshops would be to encourage basic education and to develop a since of confidence among nomadic Gujjar kids.

Mushtaq Kak, the director of the workshop, said this was his first rendezvous with nomadic Gujjar children of the state and added that he was very happy to note that the children were very capable and full of energy that could be channelised for the development of nomadic and suppressed communities.

He hopped that some extraordinary children who participated in this workshop would be cast in TV plays also.

“Ustaad” was written by eminent playwright Babu Noor Mohammad Noor and is about the contribution of a teacher, who dedicated his entire life for educating the tribals.

Those who participated in the play included Mohammad Rafeeq Thedwa, Bashir Ahmed Poswal, Ali Mohammad Boken, Diawal Hussain Khatana, Dilmer, Hasham, Khadam, Dilsheer, Adam Ali among others.

Srinagar, July 4
For almost the past three weeks, Kashmir has been on the boil, beginning with the protests over human rights violations, which led to 11 killings, putting the NC-Congress coalition government in a tight spot.

This is not for the first time that violence has engulfed the entire Valley, particularly around this time, rather this has been the practice for the past three consecutive years now, on different issues.

While the agitation over the alleged rape and murder of two Shopian women engulfed the Valley around this time last year, the trouble over Amarnath land agitation engulfed both regions of Kashmir and Jammu on regional and communal lines in 2008.

Three persons were killed in the agitation last year, whereas at least 43 others lost their lives in the Amarnath land agitation in 2008, apart from toppling the Azad government.

As of now, the police and security forces, particularly the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been accused of fomenting trouble instead of providing a healing touch since the trouble spread from Srinagar to Sopore to Anantnag since June 11.

In the prevailing scenario, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah both maintained that anti-national elements were vitiating the atmosphere. “I have reiterated the instructions to the CRPF to observe maximum restraint while dealing with rioters and stone pelters,” P Chidambaram stated recently.

Referring to the incidents that had occurred in the Valley since June 11, P Chidambaram said the CRPF had to fire in self-defence at Chhanakhan on June 25 and at Kapran cinema hall on June 28. The CRPF had to use force on stone-pelters on June 27 at Muslim Peer, Sopore, in which the CRPF and J&K Police acted jointly.

“Whether excessive force was used during any of these incidents is a matter that will be enquired into,” P Chidambaram said.

He added that 53 CRPF personnel had been injured in Sopore and Baramulla since June 25. In the incident on June 25 at Chhanakhan, Sopore, a CRPF Inspector and a CRPF jawan suffered bullet injuries, he added.

Earlier, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar blamed the CRPF for “lack of command and correspondence” as he sought the Central government’s help to reign in the para-military force.

But for the death of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, who had died of a teargas shell fired by the police on June 11, there have been reports of the targeted killings by the CRPF in the deaths that took place during clashes in Kashmir later.

However, the CRPF officials rejecting these claims opined that it had been assisting the police in tackling law and order. “Our men have always exerted maximum restraint,” an official said adding that the CRPF had been assisting the police elsewhere in the country as well. “We are doing it successfully”, the official asserted and pointed out that the questions were being raised about the CRPF since it was the only force assisting the police in Kashmir.

Jammu, July 4
The second merit list was declared by the colleges here today. Majority of admission seekers were happy as they found their names in the merit list.

The admission process, which started on June 30, will continue till July 6.

According to the authorities, some colleges would declare the third merit list on July 5, as per the availability of seats in their respective colleges.

In Government Sri Pratap Memorial Rajput (SPMR) Commerce 
College, the cut-off in the boys list was 47 per cent and in the girls’ merit list, the cut-off was 40.13 per cent.

In Government Maulana Azad Memorial (MAM) College, the cut-off for the arts stream was 35 per cent, while in the science stream, it was 45 per cent.

Similarly, in Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, the cut-off was 57 per cent in the medical stream and 52 per cent in the non-medical stream. In the arts stream, the cut-off was 46.5 per cent.

Jammu, July 4
Panthers Party MLA Harsh Dev Singh and the former Education Minister has expressed grave concern over the extremely slow pace of various central sponsored schemes especially the Prime Minister Gramin Sarak Yojna (PMGSY) and utter failure of the Public Works Department (PWD) in ensuring time bound execution of various projects.

In a statement issued here today, Singh said the government is interested more in making big announcements and media statements but in actual there is a wide gap between the claims made and the delivery recorded on the ground.

He flayed the government for its poor performance and extremely slow pace in implementation of the PMGSY, NABARD and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sponsored schemes in the state. He said the pace of execution of road under the PYGSY was extremely slow with several road projects lingering for years together despite guidelines of the Union Government to complete in stipulate time of nine months to one year period for their construction and completion.