Jammu, July 31
The BJP today stepped up attack on the Congress saying the latter was supporting the NC’s demands for the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and the rehabilitation of those who had been found involved in stone-throwing incidents.

In its state executive committee meeting held here today, the BJP targeted the Congress and minced no words in attacking its leadership and ministers for the prevailing situation in the Valley.

The BJP’s attack revolved around the Congress leadership for allegedly betraying the people of the Jammu region and other nationalist forces by giving in to the secessionist agenda of the NC.

“This selfish and power-hungry Congress is continuing its support to the controversial decisions like the constitution of an inquiry commission against the security forces, withdrawal of troops, repeal of the AFSPA, rehabilitation of stone-throwers and secessionists. Leaders of the party have not uttered even a single word for the families of the victims of the 2008 Amarnath land agitation,” the BJP stated in a resolution, which was passed in the meeting.

“The opportunist Congress had remained silent even when its coalition partner PDP was demanding self-rule. The same Congress is not uttering a single word over the demand of autonomy while sharing power with the NC. In fact, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz is ready to consider the easy version of azaadi,” the BJP’s resolution stated and blamed the Congress for the prevailing situation.

Keeping in view the brewing resentment among the Congress cadre, the BJP also charged the Congress high command with handing over the party to Omar Abdullah in the state. “Omar Abdullah is not only the leader of the NC, but he is also managing the affairs of the Congress in the state,” the BJP stated. It added that the Congress was the main culprit for the prevailing situation in the state, especially in the Valley, because the party had given a free hand to inexperienced Omar to manage this sensitive state.

Jammu, July 31
As the BJP and other Jammu-based political groups have stepped up their campaign against the Congress for maintaining silence on the demands of its coalition partner, National Conference, a group of senior Congress leaders have rushed to New Delhi to sound the party high command about the prevailing situation in the state and impress upon the leadership to take a clear stand on such “controversial” issues.

The National Conference had recently demanded greater autonomy for the state and the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). The Congress leadership has not taken any stand on such demands as there is no unanimity among the party leaders on the issue.

Although some Congress ministers from Jammu have been privately opposing such “controversial” demands, they are finding it difficult to take a stand publicly as the party high command has not given any direction in this regard. “The BJP and other groups have launched an aggressive campaign against the Congress for not taking a stand on the demands of our coalition partner and we are also finding it difficult to counter such a propaganda,” pointed out a senior Congress leader. He regretted that Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz had not given any direction to the party cadres on the NC’s demands.

Earlier, the Congress had opposed the demand of greater autonomy and the party was also not in favour of withdrawing the AFSPA without taking all sections of society into confidence. However, the present Congress leadership had failed to clear its stand on such controversial issues despite the fact it was the coalition partner.

Sources in the Congress said the anti-Soz faction in the party had been blaming the PCC chief for the confusion among the party cadre. Interestingly, a majority of the leaders, who are camping in New Delhi, belong to the anti-Soz faction and they have been trying to project the PCC chief’s failure in giving proper guidelines to party worker at the juncture.

Sources said Congress leaders from Jammu were worried over the present situation as the civic elections were nearing. Some Congress leaders also expressed reservation over a Cabinet decision in which the government had decided to sanction ex-gratia relief to those who were killed in the recent turmoil in the Valley.

The BJP and others organisations of the Sangh Parivar have made it a public issue.

The BJP in its every public meetings has been targeting only the Congress for, what it called, virtual surrender before the separatist agenda of the National Conference.

Jammu, July 31
Chairman of the Panthers Party Bhim Singh has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to act without delay to save the Kashmir Valley from more deaths and destruction as the present government headed by Omar Abdullah had failed on all fronts.

“The Centre has to choose between Omar Abdullah and 10 million people of the state,” he said while addressing the party workers at Doda today.

Bhim Singh said the present government headed by the NC had failed to respect the sentiments of the people of the state. He condemned the ongoing bloodshed in the Valley and stated that the prevailing situation in the Valley was a clear indication that Omar had lost the confidence of the people of the state.

He called upon the party activists to mobilise public opinion to maintain communal harmony in the state. He also accused United Nations Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon for attempting to add fuel to the internal crisis in the state.

Bhim Singh demanded the withdrawal of all UN military observers from the state, who had been working for the US to foment trouble in the state.

In a special communication to the Prime Minister, the Panthers Party leader reiterated the demand for imposing Governor’s Rule in the state and urged him to convene a meeting of all political parties in Delhi to form an acceptable democratic government in the state. He said there would be no peace as long as the NC-Congress government continued.

Srinagar, July 31
Governor NN Vohra visited the Amarnath cave shrine and Panjtarni today to review the status of arrangements for yartis following bad weather conditions during the past few days. The yatra was resumed from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps yesterday after remaining suspended for two days due to rain and slippery conditions on the two tracks.

Vohra was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) RK Goyal. The Governor, who is also chairman of the SASB, along with the camp director and other board officials, spent one-and-a-half hours inspecting sanitation, water, power supply and other facilities for the pilgrims. The Governor gave on the spot directions to the General Manager (Works) regarding the urgent repair of steps, railings etc., to avoid accidents. He along with the CEO also paid obeisance at the shrine.

During his visit to the Panjtarni camp, the Governor inspected the camp area for nearly two hours, and particularly reviewed the logistical facilities for ensuring the smooth conduct of the ongoing yatra. In view of Panjtarni emerging as an important base camp, the Governor asked the board CEO to draw up plans for adding to the existing number of toilets and baths. He also inspected the Medical Unit, the Animal Husbandry Dispensary and sheds for pony-wallas and dandi-wallas. He issued strict instructions to the camp officers to ensure sanitation and cleanliness in and around the camp and stressed the need for protecting environment.

The Governor interacted with the officers of the shrine board, the district administration and the representatives of various government departments and agencies concerned who had been providing services to the yatris in the camps.

Jammu, July 31
In an ongoing effort to make people of the state conscious about preserving environment, the Ace of Spades Division of the Army carried out a massive afforestation drive in Poonch and Rajouri districts today.

Army jawans planted 63,000 saplings in an organised manner. The aim of the drive was to spread awareness on environmental protection and encourage civilians, including children, and Army personnel to understand the relevance of protecting and sustaining a greener environment, an Army officer said.

The afforestation drive culminated at a grand event presided over by Major-General Om Prakash, SM, GOC 25 Infantry Division, at Rane ALG, Rajouri.

Students of Army Goodwill School and Valley View Army Public School presented programmes on environment during the event.

Major-General Om Prakash said, “It is the duty of each and every person to pay back to the nature and appreciate the unparallelled significance of it in our lives.”

Jammu, July 31
In the wake of reports of chemically-treated vegetables and fruits being sold in their localities, residents of Bhagwati Nagar, Druga Nagar, Bhori, Gangyal and Shubash Nagar are worried over their adverse effects on health.

“We have come to know that some growers are injecting chemicals into vegetables and fruits to get more yield. They are also using chemicals to make the produce look fresh and green to sell in the market,” said Nitasha Zutshi, a resident of Bohri. “I have stopped buying vegetables like pumpkin and cucumber as I have heard about an incident where two persons lost their lives after consuming juices of cucumber and pumpkin,” said Sunita Bhat, a resident of Gangyal.

“I have observed in the market that many vegetables are given artificial colour to make them look fresh,” said Rajinder Kumar, a resident of Bhagwati Nagar.

People in some areas are not buying vegetables like bitter-gourd, brinjal, lady-finger, cucumber and pumpkin, causing losses to vendors. Many have also stopped buying banana, apple and mangoes.

Banu Pratap, a vegetable seller, said, “Due to rumours about the sale of chemically-treated vegetables, the sale of pumpkin and cucumber has become absolutely nil. I have been incurring losses for the past one month .”

Dr Anwar Choudhary, Health Officer of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, said the municipal corporation would act against anyone who was found playing with the health of people.

“People should inform us whenever they observe such malpractices. We will immediately book the culprit under the Municipal Act after receiving a complaint,” the Health Officer added.

Choudhary further said around two months ago the corporation acted quickly on complaints about the sale of chemically-treated bananas in the market. “Earlier, we had challaned three fruit sellers for selling chemically-treated fruits in the market. People should immediately inform us about the sale of such vegetables and fruits,” added the Health officer.

Srinagar, July 31
In view of the tense situation in the Valley arising out of yesterday’s violence, that prompted the authorities to impose curfew restrictions, Kashmir University and other institutions today postponed examinations and official functions scheduled for the next week.

A meeting of the District Development Board, Baramulla, scheduled for today was postponed, an official spokesman said.

All Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held up to August 6 had been postponed, PRO of the university Showkat Shafi said here. Earlier yesterday he had informed that all examinations scheduled for today had been postponed.

The State Public Service Commission had extended the date for the sale and receipt of application forms of the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination, 2010, up to August 10, a commission spokesman said. The aspirants, accordingly, had been informed that they could obtain forms from various designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank on all working days.

The forms are also available at the bank counters at the J&K Public Service Commission office, Polo Ground, Srinagar, and Resham Ghar Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu, on all days, including Saturday and Sunday. 

Jammu, July 31
The Congress today appointed Shoiab Lone, a former MLA from Sangrama, as the state Youth Congress president.

Son of former Minister of State for Education Ghulam Nabi Lone, Shoiab became an MLA after militants assassinated his father, who was a minister in the Congress-PDP government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Earlier, Shoiab contested the elections as an Independent candidate and had won on his father’s seat. However, after the 2008 Assembly elections, Shoiab joined the Congress. RS Pathania has been appointed as the senior vice-president of the party and will look after the Jammu province. 

Jammu, July 31
Keeping the spirit of ex-servicemen alive, a rally was today organised for them at Surankot tehsil in Rajouri district. The event was organised by the sector Rashtriya Rifles under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) and was attended by a large number of ex-servicemen.

It was inaugurated by the sector commander of the Rashtriya Rifles, who assured the ex-servicemen of all possible help from the Army.

He explained to the gathering about the importance of the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and felicitated women, whose husbands had made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

The officer-in-charge of the Zila Sainik Welfare Board, Poonch, apprised the veterans about welfare schemes introduced by the Central and state governments and various welfare activities being undertaken by the Sainik Welfare Board. Besides, information kiosks were also established by various departments of the state government to assist ex-servicemen.