Jammu, January 23
The CRPF has deployed nearly 3,000 jawans across the state for manning vantage points on the Jammu-Kashmir National Highway in view of the BJP’s Rashtriya Ekta Yatra.

“ Till January 27, at least 30 companies of the CRPF will be deployed to maintain law and order,” sources in the CRPF told The Tribune.

The development took place after the state government approached the Centre, which, in turn, asked the CRPF to keep at least 30 companies at the disposal of the state police, they added.

“Out of the 30 companies of the CRPF, 20 have been deployed in the Kashmir valley, while 10 have been put on law and order duty in the Jammu region,” said the sources.

“Out of the 10 companies for the Jammu region, we have already deployed eight companies at Kathua and Lakhanpur-the gateway to the state from where the BJP’s Rashtriya Ekta Yatra will enter,” they further said. The remaining two companies had been deployed in the city.

Besides,the CRPF had also withdrawn six companies out of a total of 12 from deployment on the national highway.

“ The six companies have been sent to Udhampur, Ramban, Kud and Batote to maintain law and order till January 27,” said the sources.

“Our jawans will work in tandem with the state police to ensure that peace was not disturbed,” said a senior CRPF officer.Non-lethal weapons to quell mob violence had also been provided to the jawans, he added.

Srinagar, January 23
With the BJP determined to go ahead with its plan to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk here, security in Kashmir has been stepped up for a smooth conduct of Republic Day at the Bakshi Stadium,the main venue of the celebrations here, and other district headquarters across the Valley.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the law and order situation at a meeting here.

To prevent the BJP’s Yuva Morcha from going ahead with its flag- hoisting plan, the police has already arrested at least six members of the morcha and seized posters and flags.

The police has also arrested the provincial president of the BJP, Sofi Mohammad Yousuf, who has been making preparations for the yatra for the past some days.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who has called for a march to Lal Chowk on Republic Day, has gone into hiding along with other leaders. A spokesman of the party said Malik took the step to evade arrest and ensure that the march to Lal Chowk was not foiled by the authorities.

Malik reiterated his call to the people to march to Lal Chowk in a “peaceful manner” and show that “ours is a peaceful and democratic answer” to the BJP’s challenge.

The police and security forces have increased checking and frisking people at all entry and exit points here and in other district headquarters. A three-tier security ring has been thrown around Bakshi Stadium.

“The area domination has been increased”, a police officer said, and added that night surveillance had also been increased. “All security arrangements are in place”, he informed. Adequate measures were being taken to avoid any inconvenience to the public, said P Tripathy, spokesman for the CRPF.

Meanwhile, the state Congress president, Saifuddin Soz, today urged the BJP not to go ahead with its plan to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk as it could create acrimony on Republic Day.

Leaders and cadres of the BJP would be welcome to join the celebrations wherever the flag-hoisting ceremony would be held, Soz said in a statement here this evening.

However, they must desist from hoisting the National Flag at Lal Chowk as it might be perceived by some elements as a provocation, which should be avoided, he said. He expressed the hope that a large number of people would attend the Republic Day functions.

Jammu, January 23
With the state government and the BJP firm on their stand on the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra and the plan to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Republic Day, eminent citizens here feel that both sides should act resposibly.

Former DGP MM Khajooria opined that the BJP and the state government should act responsibly.

“It is the right of every citizen to hoist the National Flag,but at the same time,politics can’t be played on such a sensitive issue. The BJP should reconsider its decision.If the party is really keen on hoisting the National Flag at Lal Chowk, it should participate in the official function.” It shouldn’t create a situation, which could disturb peace in the Valley.

Mahesh Kaul, president of Sangarsh, an NGO, was of the view that the hue and cry over the issue was not justified.

“The stand of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that the hoisting of the National Flag will create a law and order problem is shocking. By saying that, he is admitting that the nationalist space in Kashmir has shrunk and Indian nationalism should take a back seat. His stand on the Kashmir issue became clear when he questioned the accession of the state to India last year.”

Eminent scholar and veteran journalist Balraj Puri felt that it was a clash between the BJP’s Indian nationalism and Yasin Malik’s Kashmir nationalism. He said no party, be it the Congress or the BJP,could replace the security forces in establishing the sovereignty of the country. He did not buy the BJP’s argument that it was trying to establish the sovereignty of India in Kashmir by hoisting the National Flag at Lal Chowk.Puri appealed to the BJP leadership to reconsider its decision.

Prof Raju Goel, a teacher in the Department of Political Science, University of Jammu, said instead of allowing the BJP to politicise the issue, all groups in the state should jointly hoist the National Flag at various places, including Lal Chowk, and local residents must be involved in the process.

“I don’t know why parties give an opportunity to the BJP to exploit the issue. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of separatists, all mainstream parties must show courage.

It is high time to separate the masses from the separatists who have been exploiting the sentiments of Kashmir.I fail to understand why leaders in Kashmir have been hesitating to condemn the JKLF and other groups who have dared the BJP to hoist the National Flag”, he asked.

Srinagar, January 23
A close aide of hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was arrested in connection with an alleged hawala racket and Rs 21 lakh was seized from him,the police said here today.

"Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, who financed disruptive activities, has been arrested," Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir, SM Sahai said.

He said Rs 21 lakh was recovered from Bhat's Hyderpora residence yesterday. Bhat was injured in a scuffle between the police and his family, who tried to resist his arrest, and was admitted to SKIMS Hospital in Soura.

Official sources said a Delhi police team arrived here to arrest Bhat,who claimed to be an advocate.He was arrested in a similar case three years ago from Udhampur district while returning to the Valley with Rs 55 lakh concealed in a gas cylinder.

Two others, one hailing from Kupwara and another from Sopore in north Kashmir -- were also arrested, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Geelani condemned Bhat's arrest and alleged that the police tortured him at the time of his arrest in the Bemina area,resulting in a serious head injury. "Besides causing a grievous injury to Bhat, the police raided his house and ransacked it. Bhat's driver was also arrested and vehicles parked on the premises were impounded," he said.

Geelani claimed that the police action was a clear violation of Bhat's human rights as he was subjected to third degree torture in the custody.

The Hurriyat chairman said Bhat was heading the legal cell of the amalgam and was pleading the cases of arrested persons in various courts. — PTI

Jammu, January 23
Unfazed by warnings of party leaders, dissidents in the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) organised a meeting here today and asked workers to attend a function to observe the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at Parade Ground on January 30.

The function was organised by veteran Congress leader and former Lok Sabha member Janak Raj Gupta.

As reported already,Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will be the chief guest at the function which will be held under the banner of the Gandhi Global Family, a non-political organisation.

To counter the move of the dissidents, the PCC has also announced that the official party function will be held under the leadership of its president, Saif Ud Din Soz, in which a senior leader from Delhi will participate.

Although the dissidents had gathered today to observe the birth anniversary of Netaji Subash Chander Bose, their agenda was to moblise party workers for the January 30 function.Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand was the chief guest.

Instead of attacking their rivals, the speakers stressed the need to mobilise the maximum number of workers for the parallel function.

The function being organised by the Gandhi Global Family has become a prestige issue for the dissidents who owe their allegiance to Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Jammu, January 23
The fifth edition of the annual SaMaPa Aalap Festival-2011, after its two-week programme in the region and the border areas, saw a captivating vocal recital at Government MAM College here today.

The festival was presented by the Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts (SaMaPa) in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism.

Principal Dr Ajit Angral was the chief guest. He congratulated the SaMaPa and Abhay Sopori on their contribution to culture in the state.

The programme started with a brief vocal recital by two students of the Music Department of the college. Sanjeet Kumar of BA (part III) and Shobhit of BA (Part I) presented ‘Jare Jare Kagwa’ and ‘Dum Ta Na Na’ in Raga Malkaunce, respectively. Sanjeet also presented a ghazal.

They were accompanied by Shri Bua Ditta, a well-known musician of the state on harmonium and Shri Rampal on tabla. This was followed by a vocal recital by guest artist Dr Ojesh Pratap Singh, who enthralled students and music connoisseurs.

He commenced his recital with Raga Madhuwanti presenting Aalap, Bada Khayal ‘Karam Karo Mo Pe Khwaja Mohiuddin’ in Vilambit Jhaptaal, a 10-beat cycle and Chota Khayal ‘Unhi So More Lagan Lage Re’ in Drutlaya Teentaal highlighting the characteristic features of the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana.

He also presented the Agra Gharana style of singing presenting Raga Multani with the traditional Agra Nom-Tum Aalap and Bandishes ‘Yeh Gokul Gaon Ka Chora’ in Tilwada Taal and ‘More Mandirwa’ in Drutlaya Teentaal. This was followed by another Bandish ‘Baaje More Payaliya’ in a rare Raga Barwa in the traditional Agra style.

He explained the students the distinction of various Gharanas and how various styles of singing had different features.

He concluded the recital with a composition in Raga Bhairavi. He was accompanied by Shri Sarit Das on tabla, a disciple of Pt Bhajan Sopori, and Ustad Sajjad Ahmad on harmonium.

Prof Kailash Mehra, HoD, Music, coordinated the function. She said the Sopori family for generations had contributed a lot in preserving, promoting and propagating the culture of the state and the country at the international level.

Renowned Santoor maestro and music composer Abhay Rustum Sopori, who was the guest of honour, urged youths to come forward and be a part of the SaMaPa movement to preserve the culture of the state.

Jammu, January 23
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will address the Xth state-level Departmental Vigilance Officers’ Conference at the Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, here on January 27.

The vigilance organisation, over the years, has launched a campaign against corruption in the state in line with the Omar-led government’s policy to provide a clean and transparent administration.

Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVOs) are being sensitised to play a supplementary role in stamping out corruption.The DVOs are actually performing the role of nodal officers to monitor the redress of complaints received from the vigilance organisation, heads of department or directly from the public.

These officers function in close coordination with the organisation and enquire into the complaints within a specified time-frame whenever such complaints are brought to the notice of the department.

In the pursuit of its functions, the organisation has intensified its crusade against bribery and graft. The goal is to purge the administration of corrupt elements.

A circular issued in 2002, provides for strengthening the internal vigilance in the government departments and public undertakings to implement the programme of vigilance and anti-corruption.

Srinagar, January 23
Like other parts of the country, comprehensive arrangements for the pulse polio (phase-I) drive were made throughout Kashmir division today with a target to immunise 10.71 lakh children.

The Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, launched the campaign by administering pulse polio drops to a baby at Government Gousia Hospital, Khanyar, here today, an official spokesman said.

On the occasion, the Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr Mohammad Amin, informed the minister that during the campaign, a target of 10.71 lakh children in the 0-5 age was fixed for which 5,489 booths were established in the Valley.Nearly 22,000 persons, including 229 ASHA workers and 334 Anganwari workers,were engaged for the purpose.

The minister was informed about the number of children that were administered pulse polio drops in various districts of the state today. In Budgam district, 1.20 lakh, Baramulla 1.55 lakh, Bandipora 73,690, Kupwara 1.32 lakh, Pulwama 69,597, Shopian 51,013, Anantnag 1,31,428, Kulgam 92,607, Kargil 16,397, and in Leh 12,086 children were the beneficiaries.

Jammu, January 23
The Management and IT festival, organised by Trikuta College of Computer Sciences and Management Studies, concluded today with the organising of some interesting events such as a personality test, Group Discussion and model-making. According to a statement issued here today, students of the college enthusiastically participated in a personality test, which was adjudged by Prof Arti Bakshi , Head of Psychology Department, University of Jammu.

Group discussion , model-making and also some interesting games were performed by the students.

K Bhaskar, chairman of ‘The Civils’, an institution of IAS and KAS, was the special judge.The festival concluded with a special message from Shabir A Khan, Principal of the college, followed by the presentation of Dogri and Kashmiri songs.

Srinagar, January 23
The registration branch of University of Kashmir, in collaboration with the Directorate of Information Technology and Support System has introduced a computerised registration system for the benefit of students.

More than 1 lakh students, seeking admission to various undergraduate courses, will have a direct access to the university website to know the status of their registration for a course, a spokesman of the university said.

The system will reduce the difficulties faced by the students at the time of the commencement of examinations and also in obtaining other documents.

The spokesman added that for the first time, in the history of the university,the students would be provided with pre-filled examination forms which would be made available in colleges or could be downloaded from the university website. This system of registration had been initially introduced for the undergraduate general course and would be followed by other courses.

Besides providing the opportunity to clear the deficiencies, the students would also be able to use various communication facilities.

Srinagar, January 23
In a bid to upgrade Jammu and Kashmir libraries, University of Kashmir will soon start digitising eight million pages of various books.

“In the first phase, eight million pages from books in various libraries of Jammu and Kashmir will be digitised,” an official of said.

He said old and rare books which were in private possession would also be digitised. “The valuable rare books available in private collection shall also be digitised under the project and put on the Internet,” he said.

The digitisation project would be financed by the Union Government's Department of Information Technology. “Digitisation of books will enable users to browse and read them even at their homes and one copy of the book can be simultaneously browsed by multiple users,” the official said.

The university librarian, Riyaz Rufai, who is the chief coordinator of the project, said the digitised books would be part of the National Digital Library and would be accessible throughout the world on the website. — PTI

Jammu, January 23
‘Ghaat Ki Naav’, a Hindi play written by Balwant Gargi and directed by Neeraj Kant, was staged at the Natrang Studio Theatre under its weekly theatre programme here today.

The emotionally-packed play revolved around a triangular relationship that unfolded various aspects of love and relationships.

Deepo, a young and beautiful lady, is deserted by her husband Surjeet on the pretext that she once had an affair with Sunder, a youth from the same village. However, it was more of a silent kind of relationship between the two before marriage.

Though they had an inclination for each other, both never got an occasion to meet.

Life again brings Deepo across Sunder and in the meantime Surjeet again appears on the scene with an intention to patch up with her. But on seeing both of them together, Surjeet’s suspicion deepens and he leaves her forever.

Neeraj Kant as Sunder was very impressive and he played his character with the required sentiments. He was supported by Rahul Singh as Surjeet, Tajsvi Sharma as Deepo and Nikarika Sharma as Laajo.

Aaina Sharma performed the role of Bua. Lights and music were by Deepak Virdhi and Mohd Yaseen, respectively. Sumeet Sharma coordinated the show.

Jammu, January 23
Minister for Youth Services and Sports R S Chib has appealed to the people to treat the physically challenged diligently and help them play a constructive role in society.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of the three-day District Games for Disabled at the Sports Stadium Complex in Kathua today.

About 300 persons from across the district participated in the event,which was organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Special Sports and Games Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.

Chib termed the event as a turning point in the lives of the physically challenged as it provided them an opportunity to explore their potential. He said the government would provide all support to Special Olympics Bharat,J&K, and appreciated it for putting in sincere efforts to make the event a success.

Kathua MLA Charanjit Singh, in his address, said persons with disabilities had contributed a lot in the past, especially in literary works.

Ninety community coaches and master trainers, including Ram Lal Tak, district coordinator, Kathua, supervised the event.

SSP, Kathua J.L Sharma, Commandant, 121 Bn, CRPF, V.C Joon, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Kathua, Vikas Gupta,the Tehsildar, Kathua, the CMO, Kathua, and other dignitaries were present. Later, Chib gave away the medals.