Jammu, July 21
The cancellation of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz’s visit to Jammu today and the NC calling an executive committee meeting tomorrow have fuelled speculations about a reshuffle in the Cabinet, where some ministers may be dropped.

Soz was scheduled to address an important meeting of party workers here today in connection with the party organisation elections along with Birender Singh but he cancelled his Jammu visit at the eleventh hour.

“The PCC chief has to extend his stay in the Union Capital due to some emergent meetings so he could not attend today’s meeting,” Ravinder Sharma, a spokesman for the PCC, told The Tribune when asked about the absence of Soz in today’s meeting of Congress workers in Jammu. He said the emergent meetings in New Delhi were “very important”.

Sources said Soz had extended his stay in New Delhi as his discussions with the party leadership on the scheduled changes in the Cabinet and the administration remained inconclusive. “After the meeting of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with the Congress leadership, the party high command has been holding discussions with the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir on different issues, including a reshuffle in the ministry,” the sources said. They added that due to factionalism, the party leadership was finding it difficult to take a decision on ministers who could be dropped in the reshuffle. Both factions had been exerting pressure to include their loyalists in case of any expansion in the ministry. During the last one week, Soz had been holding discussions with the party leadership on the issue. Some leaders of the anti-Soz faction were also camping in New Delhi to garner support.

Interestingly, amid rumours of a massive Cabinet reshuffle, both factions of the PCC have stepped up a campaign against each other and are labelling charges of corruption against the ministers belonging to the other group.

On the other hand the NC has also decided to convene a meeting of its executive committee tomorrow to discuss the prevailing situation. Although senior leaders of both coalition partners are tight-lipped about the political developments, the sources said all eyes were on the scheduled meeting of the NC in which party would likely take some important decisions.

Besides the prevailing situation in the Kashmir valley, the party would devise a strategy to strengthen its base in the state, especially in the Valley. Union Minister for New and Renewal Energy Farooq Abdullah and party general secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, along with the Chief Minister, would participate in the meeting, which is being considered in the political circles as crucial. 

Jammu, July 21
With no let up in ceasefire violations from across the border, the Pakistan Rangers yet again resorted to unprovoked firing at two forward posts near the international border in the Arnia area of the RS Pura sector today. A BSF jawan was injured in the incident.

“The Pakistan troops first fired at the Jabowal border outpost in Arnia around 6.15 am and the firing lasted till 7.40 am. The second violation occurred at the SH Way border outpost at 10 am, again in the Arnia area, and the firing continued till 10.30 am,” said a BSF officer.

At Jabowal, a jawan, Balram Singh, a native of Jharkhand, was injured, he said. The jawan was shifted to hospital and his condition was stated to be stable. The Jabowal post was being manned by 193 battalion of the BSF.

At both places the BSF retaliated with equal might, the officer said. He described it as a clear case of ceasefire violation.

Sources in the BSF admitted that of late there had been a sudden spurt in ceasefire violations on the international border. “At flag meetings the Pakistan Rangers usually remain in the denial mode and hence the BSF has made them very clear that any unwarranted and unprovoked firing from their side would be retaliated with equal ferocity,” they said.

Pakistan had opened fire at the Deora post near the Chak Phagwari post in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor subdivision along the border yesterday. This was the ninth ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in July.

So far, two BSF jawans have been killed in such incidents this month. On July 6, the Pakistan troops had fired at Pindi, Mala Bela and Chak Phagwari border outposts in which a BSF jawan was killed and a villager injured.

They also fired at the Chak Phagwari post on July 5, killing BSF trooper Sultan Ali. Sources attributed the sudden spurt in ceasefire violations to Pakistan’s desperate attempt to push more ultras into the state. A large number of militants are waiting at various launch pads across the border to infiltrate, the sources added.

New Delhi/Srinagar, July 21
The Centre will extend an invitation to all shades of opinions of parties and groups within the state to find ways for resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The Centre is keen to have a workable solution to restore peace in the state that has reeled under stone throwing from protestors, who are largely controlled by Pakistan-based organisations.

Sources in the government said the invitation would be extended separately to each small and major group, including both factions of the Hurriyat Conference.

Letters of invitation would be sent to every party and group for separate meetings with the Central leaders, which may include Home Minister P. Chidambaram, said the sources.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been asking the Central leadership to initiate a political dialogue with all shades of opinion in the state. Omar had said recently in Srinagar that the Centre should talk to everybody who was willing to talk and also reach out to those who were not willing . He suggested some back-channel diplomacy.

Chidambaram was a keen follower of the quiet diplomacy and even met Hurriyat Conference leaders like Mirwaiz Umer Farooq last year. At an all-party meet last week, a suggestion had come to conduct panchayat and municipal polls in the state in October-November this year.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.

The Chief Minister briefed the Governor about the recent developments and the present situation in the state. The meeting lasted for an hour and a half.

Omar also informed the Governor about his recent visit to New Delhi and the meetings he had with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.

The Chief Minister apprised the Governor about the ongoing meetings of various district development boards and the steps being taken to speed up the implementation of development and welfare schemes.

Among other matters, the Governor expressed serious concern over the grave consequences of the disruption of academic schedules due to the closure of schools, colleges and universities. To identify various possible remedial steps, it was agreed that the Governor, along with the Chief Minister, would convene an urgent meeting with the vice-chancellors and the state education board authorities.

Jammu, July 21
The state government has decided to reward those officers who complete development works in stipulated time with quality.

This was announced by Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla while addressing a series of public meetings in the Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment here today.

Bhalla said realising the needs of the state, the Centre had been giving liberal financial aid to it and it was duty of the officers to properly utilise the funds.

He asked the officers to work in coordination and complete all projects within the stipulated time-frame. The government, he said, had decided to reward the good officers whose performance would be adjudged in terms of completion of their assignments in time.

Bhalla said the government was striving to fulfill aspirations of the people of the state, especially on the development front and, therefore, machinery had been geared up to improve the infrastructural facilities.

Jammu, July 21
While much water has flown down the Tawi River since the government announced to come up with an artificial lake on its bed and cable car over it, the Jammu hoteliers today appreciated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for giving nod to take up tourism related development projects in Jammu city and district as a whole at the earliest.

After the CM reportedly gave his consent to expedite such projects in the district development board meeting here yesterday, All-Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association now anticipates a boost to the tourism sector in Jammu district.

Meanwhile, the artificial lake on river bed and a cable car over it, connecting two heritage sites of Mubarak Mandi complex and Bahu Fort, had been announced long back.

“We find the vindication of our persistent stress and demand for making Jammu as independent tourist destination by creating some attractions for tourists and pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi,” said association president Inderjeet Khajuria in a meeting here.

The association hailed the CM for his assertion in the meeting that he would review the pace of work in September this year. “Besides creating a lake with boats in it, the area should have walk ways, green trees in abundance, neon lights, besides resting spots on both banks of the river to attract the tourists,” he said.

Khajuria also coined a suggestion of having “arti” on the bank of the lake to attract the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, so as to make them stay in Jammu for a day or so for the purpose.

Regarding cable car project the association urged Omar Abdullah to extend it to Mahamaya hilltop from Mubarak Mandi, via Bhau Fort. The association expressed satisfaction that the government had already released Rs five crore and Rs seven crore for cable car and Tawi barrage projects.

On golf course developed at a cost of Rs 110 crore at Sidhra, the association observed that this project would attract high budget tourists to the city.

Srinagar, July 21
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said the state, especially Valley, was passing through a very sensitive phase and some people with vested interests were not willing to see the state to prosper.

“But the state government is fully prepared to face any situation,” said Omar, while addressing party workers here last night. He said his government would continue to work for achieving the goal of a prosperous and peaceful Kashmir.

Attacking the separatists without naming them, he said they were using the common man for their vested interests.

“Innocent people are being killed due to their wrongdoings, but the government will continue to go ahead with its development work at an accelerated pace,” he said. He also appealed to the people to be part of his initiative to bring peace in the Valley.

He said he would be strengthening the tradition of holding a public contact programme, so as to interact and meet people to know their problems and redress them.

Meanwhile,a senior minister said here today the government would take action against those found responsible for the killings in the past one month after it received an inquiry report.

“The Chief Minister has already made it clear that whosoever is found guilty would not be spared”, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar said while addressing a public gathering.

He said some groups were trying to exploit the “unfortunate incidents” for their political interests without giving a thought to the problems being faced by the people.

“The government has already initiated inquiries into incidents that occurred in different parts of the Valley”, Sagar said.

He said the government was aware of problems being faced by people and several measures had already been initiated so that they got essential items.

He said people should also understand that their economy as well as the education of the children was being affected and they should come forward and help the government restore peace and normalcy. 

Jammu, July 21
Almost a month after the mysterious death of an old Kashmiri Pandit couple whose naked and decomposed bodies were found from their house in Trikuta Nagar Extension, the police and family members of the deceased are still waiting for the post-mortem report to know whether they were murdered or committed suicide.

The couple had been living alone here for the last five years and their son, Nitish Koul, an engineer, is based in Bahadurgarh in Haryana.

Though the police had seized a number of medicines and other articles from the house of deceased Rajesh Koul and his wife, Rajni, who were in their sixties and found everything intact in the house, it has not made any breakthrough till now.

Initially, the police had denied any foul play and termed it a case of suicide, but it is still to confirm it.

A team of Central Forensic Science Laboratory experts,a dog squad and other police officers were called as the bodies were found lying on the bed in the outer room of their house and that too for two to three days.

Aabid Rafiqi, SHO, Trikuta Nagar police station, said:”Initially, it seemed to be a case of suicide, but it has not been confirmed yet. We are investigating the matter, but the post-mortem report will clear the facts”. He further said a board of doctors was constituted to conduct the post-mortem , but the report was awaited.

After the sensational incident, panic has gripped the area as people living in the locality called the deceased, Rajesh , an easy-going person.”He was a good person and could not have committed suicide. There is definitely foul play”, said a neighbour of the deceased.

Posh Pathri, July 21
Gone are the days when langars were organised in a traditional way as organisers now arrange many items, including junk food, during langars.

Despite the Amarnath shrine being at a height of 13,500 feet, these items are available in the langars. Earlier, daal, rice and chapati were available, but now snacks and junk food are also being served to pilgrims.

A Delhi-based organisation, Shiv Sewak, has been organising langars for the past 18 years at Posh Pathri, 5 km ahead of Panjatarani. Oxygen here is less and the area is covered with snow.Still, 175 devotees of Lord Shiva have set up a langar, offering 125 items to the pilgrims. Spicy snacks and junk food, including Chinese, are also available free of cost. The organisers do not accept any donation and are self-sustained.

This destination has become a favourite for women pilgrims, as pizza, chilla, paani puri, tikki, rabri, ras malaai, rasgulla, murabba and kulfi are available there.

Despite repeated attempts, president of the organisation refused to comment, saying “we are true devotees of Lord Shiva and do not believe in publicity”.

Jammu, July 21
The Jammu Joint Students Federation (JJSF) today demanded that the state government should immediately start academic session in Central University of Jammu.

The activists of JJSF held a demonstration for their demand and burnt effigy of the state government in front of the Government Gandhi Memorial Science College.

The protesters said all over the country, the Central universities have started their academic session, whereas the political issue over the Central University of Jammu was still going on.

State vice president of JJSF Partap Singh Jamwal said the government should immediately appoint Vice Chancellor for Central University of Jammu, without which commencement of academic session was not possible.

Srinagar, July 21
Many parts of the Kashmir valley had heavy rain since early today,which brought down the temperature and led to people taking out woollens.State Meteorological Department said various parts of the valley, including Srinagar city, witnessed moderate to heavy rain since morning.

“For the past few days, there was humidity in the air.Today’s rainfall has brought down the temperature,” said an officer of the department.

Meanwhile,the rain also helped the police in the valley maintain law and order as at various places that usually witness demonstrations and stone throwing, it forced most of the people to remain indoor.

“Due to rain, there was a relative calm in the area as at most places where frequent protests take place, people preferred to stay indoor,” said a senior police officer.

At certain places, despite the presence of large number of police and CRPF personnel, people were seen enjoying the showers.

However, the rainfall also played spoilsport in various parts of the city as owing to the continuous turmoil in the valley, garbage has not been lifted.

“There are heaps of garbage piled up in our area as it has not been cleared for days, but because of today’s rain, the garbage got scattered everywhere and now it has become difficult to walk on the road,” said a resident of the Aulochi Bagh locality.

Srinagar, July 21
Residents of various parts of uptown today alleged that they were being harassed by the security forces and were not being allowed to move out even as restrictions had been lifted from their areas.

“It seems that the police deployed to maintain law and order is actually enforcing the strike call given by the separatists,” said a resident of the Jawahar Nagar locality.

Despite the fact that there was no curfew in Srinagar city and restrictions had also been lifted from various parts of the city, the police was seen stopping people and forcing them not to come out of their houses.

At some places, police vehicles were placed horizontally on the roads, blocking the entry of people and at other places the police had erected barricades.

“It (administration) should not befool people. If it has declared curfew or restrictions, people should be informed. On the one hand the administration says that there are no restrictions and curfew and on the other it does not allow us to move out. This is not done,” said a resident of the Maharaj Bazaar locality.

However, refuting the charges, a senior police officer said elaborate security arrangements were in place in the area in view of the protest march called by the residents of that area. “We were expecting that after offering prayers at the mosque people would assemble and hold a protest march.

To thwart the protest march some restrictions were kept in place and some roads in Maharj Bazaar and Goni Khan localities were sealed,” the officer said.

However, due to undeclared restrictions people had to face a lot of hardships, as they could not move out of their houses.

Srinagar, July 21
The curfew was imposed in Baramulla town in north Kashmir today after an unruly mob tried to disrupt law and order there.

People in large numbers were protesting against the alleged drowning of a boy by men of SOG and the killing of a youth in police firing.

Tension had gripped the town on Saturday when the boy, Faizan Ahmad Buhroo,drowned in a river.The locals alleged that Buhroo,who was returning home from school, was beaten up by the police and then thrown into the river. But the police maintained that he had jumped into the river after being chased away by the security forces as he was part of a stone- throwing mob. The situation again became tense on Monday when the body of the boy was fished out which led to protests in the town, prompting the police to fire at the protesters in which another youth, Fayaz Ahmad Khanday, was killed.

Sources said after the family of Faizan lodged an FIR against his drowning, the services of a Special Operations Group member Tanveer Ahmad alias Kaka were terminated as people had accused him of throwing Faizan into the river. The sources said tension gripped the town last night when locals clashed with the police, prompting it to resort to tear-gas shelling and firing in the air.

Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmad Bhat said an inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the drowning of Faizan and the firing that led to the death of Khanday.

Meanwhile, the curfew which was clamped in Sopore yesterday following clashes between the police and locals continued for the second consecutive day today.

In Srinagar, there was no restriction on the movement of people in certain areas, but prohibitory orders were strictly being enforced in old city areas.