|
|
Death in police custody alleged
Start campaign against corruption, Vakil urges CM
Omar reviews security
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Police defends action during unrest
Airdropping of ration sought in Kishtwar
Valley in grip of
severe cold
Don’t make flag hoisting a prestige issue, says Rana
Seminar on merits, demerits of Article 370
VC urged to make DDE’s working accountable
Geelani seeks total troop withdrawal
Three die in separate incidents
Landmine defused in Samba
Hizbul ultra held in Srinagar
Forum protests IOC policies
Ammunition recovered
Girl asphyxiated
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Death in police custody alleged
Barjala (Jammu), January 16 The incident came to light around 4 am when a police party allegedly tried to leave after placing Vijay Kumar’s body outside the mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here.A security man deployed there alerted another guard and they asked the police to complete legal formalities, sources said.It was then discovered that Vijay was arrested by the Janipur police in connection with a case of theft and had died in custody, the sources added. As the news reached Vijay’s village, a large number of people arrived at the hospital and raised anti-police slogans. A board of doctors conducted a post-mortem and handed over the body to the deceased’s family. Demanding action against the guilty cops, the angry mob put the body on the Satwari- Phalan Mandal road and blocked traffic for three hours. They also threw stones and burnt tyres. Vijay is survived by his wife, mother, two sons and a daughter.He was the breadwinner of the family which lives in a kutcha house. Geeta Devi, wife of the the vendor, said: “Without even telling us anything, a police party picked up my husband from our house on December 22 last year and sent his body today. Is this justice ?” She added: “Vijay was not a hardcore criminal”. A senior police officer said the deceased was an addict and died due to an overdose of drugs. However, he failed to explain how the victim was able to consume drugs in police custody. Repeated attempts to contact the SSP, Basant Rath, failed. Later, the Minister of Revenue and Relief, Raman Bhalla, reached the scene and assured the bereaved family of action. The minister said it was a case of custodial death and a probe had been ordered.The matter would be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. He said: “A committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner has been constituted to investigate the matter.” Bhalla also ordered the appointment of the wife of the deceased as a Special Police Officer. |
|
Start campaign against corruption, Vakil urges CM
Jammu, January 16
Vakil, a known critic of PCC chief Saif Ud Din Soz, used the platform of the Congress Seva Dal to launch an attack on his own party ministers in the coalition.
Although Vakil, who is a leader of the pro-Ghulam Nabi Azad faction, did not mention the name of any minister, he said corruption cases were pending against many important politicians, including some members of the Council of Ministers. Therefore, there was a need to expedite the process. He urged the Chief Minister to rise above the vote-bank politics and start a campaign against corruption from the top. “To revive confidence of the people, you have to take some bold steps without thinking much about its consequences,” he requested the Chief Minister. Vakil said many politicians had amassed huge wealth during the past few years and such politicians should be forced to reveal their sources of income.Referring to a few Congress ministers against whom cases were registered with the Accountability Commission, Vakil said such leaders, whether they were in the government or holding any office in the party, should voluntarily resign. Stressing the need to revive the State Accountability Commission (SAC) to check corruption, Vakil also availed the opportunity to attack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not attending meetings to appoint members as well as chairman of the SAC. |
|
Omar reviews security
Jammu, January 16 Those who attended the meeting included Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, GoC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt-Gen KT Parnaik, Chief Secretary SS Kapur, DGP Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary, Home, BR Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, BB Byas, GOC, 9 Corps, Lt-Gen AK Choudhery, GOC, 14 Corps, Lt-Gen SK Singh, GOC, 15 Corps, Lt-Gen SA Husnain, GOC, 16 Corps, Lt-Gen JP Mehra, GOC, 26 Inf-division, Maj-Gen TPS Warach, Special DG, CRPF, A Oppal, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, BSF IGs of the state and other senior Army and police officers. Earlier,Lt-Gen Parnaik met the Chief Minister and discussed various security-related issues with him. |
|
Police defends action during unrest
Srinagar, January 16 The killing of three youth in Anantnag district on June 28 last year is the only incident in which the police has admitted to the guilt of its personnel to some extent. According to the report of the Director-General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, on the Anantnag incident, initially there was an attempt to blame the firing on "some unknown" persons. The in charge of the Laizbal police post had submitted a list to the Anantnag police station that the post had come under attack from protesters armed with lathis and stones and the mob had attacked several government properties, including police vehicles and ambulances. “In the meantime, some unknown persons fired upon the procession from SK Colony, resulting in serious injuries to some persons who were shifted to hospital,” the document, dated June 29, quoted in the DGP’s report to the Commission, said. Three youth later succumbed to their injuries. However, the special investigation team, constituted to probe the incident after a public outcry that the youth were killed in cold blood, found that the incidents of arson at Laizbal and firing at SK Colony were separate. While civilian witnesses deposed before a magistrate that police personnel had opened firing and they could identify them, no identification parade was conducted till December 7, 2010, the day on which the DGP submitted his report to the commission. “Due to the prevailing situation in Anantnag town, the identification parade of the persons involved could not be conducted so far,” Khoda wrote nearly six months after the incident. One constable has been arrested in connection with the case so far. Another incident, in which the police seems to shrug off responsibility, relates to the death of 25-year-old Fancy Jan in firing at Batamaloo in the city on July 6 last year. “During the course of investigation, it transpired that the bullet, which allegedly hit the deceased (Jan), was not fired by the security forces or police personnel deployed on the spot as they were not carrying any type of firearms and ammunition with them,” Station House Officer (SHO) of Batamaloo police station said in his report on September 19. In the death of Abrar Ahmad in the Maisuma area here, the report did not mention how the youth was killed or who opened the fire. The SHO only mentioned that there was a great law and order problem in his area as an unruly mob, armed with lathis and stones, defied the curfew, and there was a heavy deployment of police and security forces in the area.
— PTI |
|
|
Airdropping of ration sought in Kishtwar
Udhampur, January 16 Prominent political and social leaders have demanded that the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department should immediately make arrangement to airdrop ration and other essential items for residents of Marwah, Warwan, Paddar and Bonjwah as the surface link to the areas is closed due to the snowfall. Youth Congress leader and prominent Kishtwar lawyer Sheikh Nasir Hussain, while talking to The Tribune over phone today, demanded that the administration should immediately get into action and ensure the supply of the essential items by air. “I have been informed by the residents of these areas over the phone that they are suffering from shortage of ration. It is hazardous for them to venture out of their houses due to the heavy snow,” he said. Sheikh Nasir alleged that the district administration had failed to stock ration in these areas as was usually done in winter despite repeated requests made by the area residents who had been apprehending the vagaries of the weather to continue, especially after the season’s first snowfall on the eve of the New Year. “But it is painful to know that ration depots are almost empty,” he added. Noor Mohammad Malik, a social activist at Kishtwar, also supported the demand made by Shiekh Nasir Hussain, saying essential items should be airdropped till the restoration of the surface link to the affected areas. “I find it strange that the authorities failed to stock these items in time. Therefore, airdropping these items is the only way left to mitigate the sufferings of the residents there,” he said. Besides the affected areas, residents of Kishtwar town and the adjoining villages are also facing shortage of kerosene oil, domestic cooking gas and ration. |
|
|
Valley in grip of
severe cold
Srinagar, January 16 According to the traffic police, the stranded vehicles were allowed to move yesterday only after the snow started melting during the day. With an improvement in the condition of the roads, the traffic from Jammu to Srinagar was allowed today and there was slow movement along Patnitop and around the Jawahar Tunnel, the police officials said. Following the recent snowfall in many areas, the urban centres in Kashmir have been waterlogged due to the accumulation of snow in the lanes, by-lanes and the low-lying areas. The clearance of snow from the city and inter-district roads also becomes a challenging task for the authorities to ensure smooth movement of traffic and for restoring power and drinking water facilities that get disrupted due to heavy snowfall. The minimum temperature recorded here last night was -4°C, while the day temperature was recorded at 6°C today. The sub-zero temperature across the Valley last night led to freezing of the snow on road surfaces and water bodies making it difficult for the movement of traffic this morning Meanwhile, the Minister for Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar, today visited various areas of Ganderbal district comprising the two constituencies of Ganderbal, represented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Kangan, represented by the Forest Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmad. At a meeting of the district-level officers to review the restoration of essential services, the Minister impressed upon the officers to ensure immediate restoration of road connectivity, power and drinking water supplies. The Minister also reviewed the arrangements at a meeting with the divisional-level officers here last evening. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, informed the Minister about the clearance of all the roads connecting the summer capital with all the district headquarters, and restoration of electricity in the Valley, particularly in Srinagar and other district and tehsil headquarters. |
|
|
PDP demands transparency in
police recruitment drive
Srinagar, January 16 Speaking on the occasion, Mir alleged that the National Conference-led government was not transparent while launching an on-the-spot police recruitment drive here on January 12. It was a positive step, but the manner in which it was conducted had led to disappointment among the youth in the district, he added. Mir demanded similar recruitment drives in all eight Assembly constituencies of Srinagar district after proper announcements and advertisements in the local media for information to the deserving unemployed educated youth. He alleged that the youth having association with the National Conference cadres were informed clandestinely to ensure their recruitment in the recent drive. Both leaders said the drive was conducted only to favour youth in the Khanyar constituency that was represented by the Rural Development Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar, and the Hazratbal constituency that was represented by Mustafa Kamaal, a former minister and younger brother of NC president Farooq Abdullah.
|
|
|
Akhoon for moral-based education system
Jammu, January 16 According to an official statement issued here today, speaking at a parent-student interaction programme held at the Zorawar Singh Auditorium here today, Akhoon said the teaching community had an important role to play in shaping the destiny of the younger generation which should be reciprocated by the students by giving due respect and honour to their teachers. The function was organised by the Students Association of Ladakh Jammu (SAOLJ), in collaboration with the Friends of Ladakh Society University, Jammu. The minister enjoined upon the parents to keep a close rapport with the teachers to know the activities of their wards, adding that the parents had to act as a watchdog to save their children from going astray. He said adolescence was a sensitive phase of life and children needed the right guidance and direction to become responsible citizens. Akhoon asked the student fraternity to work hard and come up to the expectations of their parents and pursue their objectives vigorously. He said talented students not only brightened their future but also made a name for the society and the country. He directed them to adopt good habits and imbibe the spirit of honesty and dedication in their lives and prepare themselves for the modern competitive world. The minister paid rich tributes to those who were killed in the cloudburst last year in Ladakh and expressed his sympathies with the affected families. A two-minute silence was also observed on the occasion. Responding to the demands put forth by the association, the minister said two uiniversity campuses, one each for Leh and Kargil, had been sanctioned, and the same would be established soon. He said the efforts for opening of government B.Ed colleges in the twin districts were under consideration. |
|
|
Don’t make flag hoisting a prestige issue, says Rana
Jammu, January 16 Rana was speaking at a one-day convention organised by Surinder Singh Jamwal, president, Youth National Conference of Jammu District (Urban). Rana said the youth were the power of the nation as they had to shoulder the responsibility of its progress and prosperity. He said the government was aware of the problems of the youth and several welfare schemes had been launched for their betterment. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia said the problem of unemployment had assumed an alarming proportion throughout the world.He added that the steps taken by the state government to tackle the problem had started yielding positive results. Slathia said unemployment among the youth had increased manifold over the years and the state government had taken every possible step to solve the problem. He advised the unemployed youth to avail the benefit of various self-employment schemes under which the government provided incentives in the form of subsidy, seed money, tax exemptions etc. All speakers asked the workers to be ready to participate in the ensuing panchayat elections in large numbers. They said establishment of panchayats would help in involving the common man in the process of development and implementation of schemes on the ground as per the local needs. The panchayat elections would empower people and strengthen the democracy as well, they added. |
|
|
Seminar on merits, demerits of Article 370
Jammu, January 16 Addressing a press conference here today, Ramesh Sabherwal, convener of the forum, said besides issues like discrimination, problems of refugees, woes of militancy-affected people, discussions on merits and demerits of Article 370 would also be held in different parts of the state. He said debate on the issue had been gaining a momentum, adding that the main aim behind organising such programmes was to make people aware of such issues. He said the forum would try to involve all sections of society in the discussions so as to evolve a general consensus on the contentious issue. However, the forum had also decided to prepare research papers on various issues pertaining to the state, he added. Mohammed Razak Khan (retired) principal of Degree College, Prof Narinder Singh and Dr RL Bhat have been appointed as co-conveners of
the forum. |
|
|
VC urged to make DDE’s working accountable
Jammu, January 16 Addressing a press conference here today, Sandeep Singh Chib, president, JYF, alleged that the DDE had failed on all fronts resulting in the misuse of funds and was not providing quality education to the students. Chib alleged that Prof Sahni had adopted an indifferent attitude towards the functioning of the DDE. He further alleged that though the DDE had its own faculty, new members of faculty were being hired from outside the campus. “More than Rs 18 lakh per year is being given as salary to the staff hired from other colleges; we do not understand why permanent staff is not being kept, who would be more responsible and accountable to the students,” Chib asked. He alleged that the faculty of the DDE hardly came to the office, and instead of taking action against them, the Director, DDE, Dr Meenakshi Kilam, was hiring faculty from outside for conducting personal contact programmes. |
|
|
Geelani seeks total troop withdrawal
Srinagar, January 16 Reacting to the recent statement of Union Home Secretary G.K Pillai about the plan to reduce troops, Geelani claimed that such remarks were misleading and there was no surety of the implementation of such decisions. He lamented that the Centre was maintaining silence over the basic issue of Kashmir and was trying to mislead the global community.He asked the government to accept Kashmir as a dispute that was yet to be settled. The party has called for a shutdown on January 26 and observing Republic Day as a “black day”. Meanwhile, the state unit of the CPM said today that the troops in Jammu and Kashmir should be cut in proportion to the waning militancy in the state. |
|
|
Three die in separate incidents
Srinagar, January 16 In another incident, the body of a private security guard of AMCOARTO Mobiles Private Limited, Waseem Raja Mir of Lasipora Sogam in Kupwara district, who was asphyxiated, was recovered from his room at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. Meanwhile, Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Solina, Srinagar, who complained of a chest pain, was brought to the Bone and Joints Hospital, Srinagar, where he received treatment, but died after half an hour. |
|
|
Landmine defused in Samba
Jammu, January 16 Meanwhile, the forces also busted a hideout of militants in the Kandi area of Rajouri district, and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition, including two improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The police said acting on a tip-off, the security forces launched a search operation in the forests and recovered arms and ammunition kept in a cave there. Besides the two IEDs, the troops recovered 437 bullets, three detonators and a large quantity of other arms and ammunition. However, no arrest was made as the militants managed to run away before the security forces reached there. |
|
|
Hizbul ultra held in Srinagar
Srinagar, January 16 One pistol, one magazine and four rounds were recovered from his possession. War had crossed the LoC in 2000 and was active in the Sopore and Bandipora areas of north Kashmir. He had been functioning as a commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the police added. |
|
|
Forum protests IOC policies
Jammu, January 16 According to a statement, the activists of the NSF expressed concern over the alleged black-marketing of cooking gas cylinders in the Jourian area of Akhnoor. The NSF activists expressed resentment against the police for not taking any action against the culprits, as also against the IOC for not providing services to the people of Jourian. The protesters shouted slogans against the company. The residents of the area said for the last one year the IOC had a dealer in the Akhnoor area, but the people of Jourian were not given the facility of home delivery that resulted in black-marketing of the cooking cylinders in the area. |
|
|
Ammunition recovered
Udhampur, January 16 On a tip-off, personnel of the 60 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation and recovered 18 kg of explosives packed in two separate bags, 400 AK rounds, 2 magazines, 4 Chinese grenades, 5 UBGL grenades, 3 detonators and 2 IEDs.Officials said the ammunition was hidden under thick grassy patches in the dense part of the forest. |
|
|
Girl asphyxiated
Jammu, January 16 The police said the deceased, identified as Jyoti, a relative of the BSF constable, had come to visit him and a gas emission from a kiln led to her death. The constable and his wife also fell unconscious. In the morning, some residents found them and took them to Government Medical College and Hospital, where Jyoti was declared brought dead, while the couple was said to be in a serious condition.
— TNS |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
