Jammu, February 18
To provide better facilities to pilgrims of the Amarnath cave shrine, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has decided to enhance helicopter capacity for the pilgrimage to be held from June 29 to August 13 this year.

The board has also reduced the one-way fare between Pahalgam and Panjtarni from Rs 3,800 to Rs 3,495 for adults and from Rs 1,900 to Rs 1,745 for children between two and 12 years.

Chairing the 20th meeting of the board in New Delhi today, Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the board, took several important decisions to improve the pilgrimage and at the same time ensure the protection of the environment around the cave shrine.

The meeting was attended by the board members, including Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr Kapila Vatsyayan, Justice GD Sharma (retd), Dr Sunita Narayan, Vijay Dhar and Dr Ved Kumari Ghai. Besides, RK Goyal, CEO, and Saugat Biswas, Additional CEO, were also present.

During the meeting it was decided that a comprehensive plan would be drawn to protect the environment in consultation with Sunita Narain, an eminent environmentalist and director of the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi.

“The expressions of interest have been invited from various reputed and experienced agencies for undertaking environmental protection tasks,” it was decided.

The board said in the past 15 years the pilgrimage had varied from 15 to 60 days and about 85 per cent of the pilgrims complete the yatra in 30 days.

It urged for the timely registration of pilgrims and effective management of the pilgrimage.

Regarding the pilgrims dying during the yatra due to medical reasons, particularly cardiac failure, the board decided that an advisory would be issued to the pilgrims to undergo a proper medical check-up to assess their fitness before undertaking the yatra.

The board urged the CEO to create awareness among people about the difficult nature of the yatra through appropriate features in the print and electronic media. It said the initiatives taken in 2010 in the form of a group insurance cover to the yatris, ponywallas, labourers, dandiwallas and ponies would be adhered to this year as well.

Jammu, February 18
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad visited Jammu today to attend a religious function in connection with the 634th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass.

During his five-hour stay in Jammu, Azad held interactions with his supporters as well as social organisations, besides presiding over a function organised by Guru Ravidass Sabha. As former Chief Secretary BR Kundal was one of the organisers of the function, Azad made it a point to attend it to boost the morale of his supporters. Kundal had resigned from the post of Chief Secretary to become a minister in the government headed by Azad in the year 2008.

Although today’s visit of Azad was purely non-political, as he especially came to address the function of Guru Ravidass Sabha, none of the leaders belonging to the faction owing allegiance to PCC chief Saifuddin Soz turned up to receive him or attend the function. “Guru Ravidass Sabha of Samba had invited me so I could not attend the main function in Jammu,” said Swaran Lata, vice-chairperson of the Scheduled Caste Advisory Board.

Interestingly, a Cabinet minister belonging to the Congress, who earlier used to remain neutral, today received Azad at the Jammu Airport. As soon as Azad reached Jammu, he went to Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand’s house, where a large number of his supporters had gathered.

He held detailed discussions with them on the current political situation in the state.

Later addressing the function of the sabha, Azad called upon the people to follow the teachings of great saints and seers to make the world a better place to live in.

He described Guru Ravidass as an embodiment of justice and piety, who worked for the uplift of the weak and the downtrodden throughout his life.

Srinagar, February 18
As part of the efforts to reduce the visible presence of security forces in Srinagar city, the government has decided to remove 12 more bunkers, while 27 security pickets have already been removed from the area.

This decision was taken at a security review meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here yesterday. “As part of our efforts to reduce the visible presence of the security forces in Srinagar, we are removing 12 more bunkers,” the Chief Minister said on his Twitter after the meeting last evening. He said this decision would follow “the earlier two rounds, all from Srinagar”. With this the total number of bunkers removed from the capital city would increase to 39.

The Chief Minister said the bunkers would also be removed from other major towns of the Valley. However, no time frame had been indicated for the removal of bunkers from Srinagar city and other major towns of the Valley. The presence of a large number of security pickets in the capital city has been the focus of attention over the years in the wake of a gradual improvement in the situation on the ground. The trading community in the Lal Chowk area in Srinagar had last year fervently demanded the removal of bunkers from the commercial hub. They pleaded that the presence of the bunkers in the commercial areas were being targeted by the militants, thus affecting their businesses.

The decision to remove bunkers was taken in the wake of the unrest in the Valley for about five months. The Central government had proposed an eight-point programme on September 25 for the restoration of normalcy in the Valley.

Meanwhile, describing as unfortunate Defence Minister AK Antony’s statement rejecting the demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said here today that the people of the state could not be held hostage to the unilateral opinion of security agencies.

In a statement, Mehbooba said of particular concern was the remark of the Defence Minister that “he did not want any public debate on the subject”. She reminded Antony that a debate was the fundamental principle of a democracy and said it was sad that a senior leader of the UPA government should convey such a shrill and negative message to the people of a state that acceded to India on the basis of shared democratic ideals.

Srinagar, February 18
A large number of devotees attended the Friday following prayers at the Hazratbal shrine here and had a glimpse of the holy relic of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).

Similar functions were also held at various shrines and mosques across the Valley at Aasaar-i-Shrief, Pinjoora, Shopian, Takyapora in Pulwama, Khiram, Sirhama, Kaba Marg in Anantnag, Jinab Sahab in Soura and Aasaar-i-Shrief, Shahri Kalashpora.

The divisional administration had made elaborate arrangements for ensuring hassle-free Milad celebrations on the Friday following. The arrangements included transport, electricity, drinking water, medical aid camps, a public address system by the Information Department and sanitation.

A joint control room headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, was also set up at the Hazratbal shrine for maintaining coordination between various departments engaged with the Eid-i-Milad celebrations.

Meanwhile, two persons suffered minor injuries at the Hazratbal shrine after the Friday prayers when an iron gate they were passing through broke. The injured were identified as Ghulam Ahmad Kambay and Ali Mohammad Sheikh. They were admitted to the Bone and Joint hospital, Srinagar.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof Riyaz Punjabi, accompanied by some top officials visited various social service camps organised by various units of Kashmir University for the devotees visiting the Hazratbal shrine.

Jammu, February 18
Bickering in the state unit of the BJP has come to the fore after a group of five party MLAs organised a press conference yesterday without “discussing” the issue with the party leadership. State party chief Shamsher Singh Manhas also distanced himself from the press conference in which the MLAs demanded a White Paper on political killings in the Kashmir valley.

Although the MLAs did not raise any contentious issue, the party leadership was not happy with them for keeping it in the dark over the conference. When the press conference was being held, Manhas, along with other senior leaders, was addressing a function of the Kissan Morcha.

Sources in the BJP said the press conference was organised by a faction of the party to give a message to Manhas that they were not willing to accept his authority. Manhas, on the other hand, had already started showing his teeth to two veteran leaders, who were instrumental in his appointment as the party chief.

The MLAs, who organised the conference, are close to a veteran party leader and their decision not to hold the media interaction at the party headquarters is a clear indication that things are not normal in the BJP.

Since his appointment as the state president of the party in January last year, two stalwarts of the party have been pressuring Manhas to work as per their wishes. That is why Manhas had to accommodate some loyalists of these two leaders on important positions in the party to keep them in good humour.

The sources said during the last few months Manhas had started exercising his authority. Instead of succumbing to the pressure tactics of the veteran leaders, he was taking decisions on his own and this assertiveness on his part had infuriated the former. Not only Manhas had adopted an assertive attitude to run the affairs of the party, but he also had mended his ways with the Sangh Parivar, which was earlier annoyed with him after his appointment as the state BJP chief.

Jammu, February 18
As a part of their ongoing efforts to help the people of the border areas, the Bawan Brigade of the Crossed Swords Division organised a Sadbhavana Mela at Panjgrain, near Akhnoor, today.

Payal Sharma, chairperson, FWO, Crossed Swords Division, inaugurated the mela. Several senior military officials, including General Officer Commanding, Crossed Swords Division, Major Gen Rakesh Sharma, and civil dignitaries, including Ashok Sharma, SDM, Akhnoor, were also present.

Medical consultations in gynaecology, paediatrics and orthopaedics were provided free of cost, besides the distribution of medicines to the needy people.

As part of the veterinary camp, the livestock belonging to Bakarwals in the area was checked and treated by the Army veterinary 
doctors and their owners were given guidance about the better care of their livestock.

A total of 714 persons were provided medical aid and assistance. Waterproof rain capes and plastic sheets were also distributed to the Bakarwal families, who migrate to the plains during the winter months. In his address, Major Gen Sharma highlighted the importance of a synergy between the local population, civil administration, the Bakarwal community and the Army towards ensuring a peaceful and incident-free environment.

Jammu, February 18
Seeking the re-measurement of its land, the chairman of Sainik Cooperative House Building Society Ltd, Jammu, Col (retd) KS Padwal, claimed today that the land mafia backed by senior police officials and politicians had encroached upon a portion of its land. He also sought an inquiry into the incident.

Addressing a press conference here, Padwal demanded the re-measurement and demarcation of land allotted to the society by the field staff in accordance with the site plan.

“Due to some reasons, 44 kanals and four marlas in khasra number 772 measuring 89 kanals, besides 112 kanals and eight marlas in khasra number 773 measuring 279 kanals, could not be acquired,” he said.

Padwal added that the question of the Agrarian Reforms Act 1976 needed to be resolved for the claim over the Sainik Colony, which dates back to 1970.

Substantiating his allegation, he said, “A person approached the High Court on January 14 alleging that Sainik Cooperative Building Society Ltd, Jammu, was raising construction on his land in khasra No. 772 and 773 forcibly. On January 19, he along with the police started the construction work on the vacant land in the sectors C and G of the colony.”

He said a total of 4,198 kanals and 15 marlas was earmarked for the establishment of the proposed Sainik colony. “As far as land falling under the khasra No. 772 and 773 is concerned, we want the department concerned and the DDC office to clear it to the society as to how much land comes under its jurisdiction,” Padwal said.

He claimed that the Additional District Development Commissioner, Jammu, had already submitted a status report to the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. “If need be, the society is ready to acquire the land, but it cannot make the payment as per the market rate.”

He added that the society had developed the land and allotted a substantial part of it to its members, where houses had been built, besides other constructions. Meanwhile, Padwal hailed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for ordering an inquiry into the matter.

Srinagar, February 18
The Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted 370 stranded passengers from Zanskar, Leh, Kargil, Jammu and Srinagar in two AN-32 aircraft today.

Amir Ali, coordinator of the Disaster Management Cell, Kashmir, said, “Fifty-four passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Jammu and 118 passengers from Jammu to Kargil. Fifty passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Srinagar; 98 from Srinagar to Kargil; 50 between Leh and Padum (Zanskar), and 18 passengers from Padum to Leh.”

The IAF also deployed one ALH helicopter today and shifted 122 passengers between Bandipora and Gurez. Thirty-four passengers were airlifted from Sonarwani (Bandipora) helipad to Dawar, 10 to Kanzalwan and 11 to Baduab; 46 from Dawar to Bandipora; 11 from Kanzalwan and 10 from Baduab to Bandipora.

The Kargil Courier operates thrice a week between Kargil and Srinagar and once a week between Kargil and Jammu. But the Kargil Courier as well as the helicopter service for Gurez have not operated since February 2 due to the inclement weather.

“Arrangements have been made for airlifting the remaining stranded passengers between Bandipora and Gurez.

The Kargil-bound passengers, who have purchased tickets of flight No. 10 and 11 of the Kargil Courier, have been asked to contact the Liaison Officer at the Kargil House in Srinagar and Jammu before 8 am on Saturday,” Amir Ali said.

Meanwhile, the stranded passengers of Machhil and Karnah have also appealed to the Chief Minister for the helicopter service, as their areas are also cut-off due to heavy snowfall.

The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has assured that the matter would be taken up with the state government so that the IAF could be requested to make available a helicopter for the stranded passengers.

Jammu, February 18
Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s scheduled visit to the flats constructed for Kashmiri Pandits at Jagti in Nagrota, Rajiv Chuni, chairman of the SOS International, an organisation of the PoK refugees, asked the state government to allot the flats to the refugees, failing which they would forcibly occupy these.

He condemned the Central and state governments for applying two yardsticks for providing relief and rehabilitation to the migrants from the Valley and the PoK refugees. He said the government had been generous in extending financial assistance to the Valley migrants in the form of a monthly cash relief, free ration, reservation in professional/technical colleges and government jobs. While the PoK refugees were languishing in 39 filthy camps under subhuman conditions in the Jammu province for the past 63 years, he added.

The government had constructed modern flats with all amenities at Jagti in Nagrota in Jammu. It would prove counterproductive as the government was constructing separate habitations for the safe return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir also, Chuni said.

“The hapless PoK refugees living in the camps for more than six decades are discriminated against,” he added.

“If the government is serious about addressing the grievances of the refugees, it is the right time to allot the flats to them proportionately as per their population,” Chuni demanded.

He appealed to all political parties and social groups to come forward and support the just demand of the refugees.

Udhampur, February 18
With the opening of a government ration depot at Pangara-Khalsa village in the Panchari block of the district today, the long pending demand of about 2,000 families of Mali village and Jassar Kote, Pangra, Pangara-Jagir and Bhatti areas was fulfilled. Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA, Udhampur, inaugurated the depot.

The facility will be especially beneficial for the people belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, as they will now be able to avail of essential food items at subsidised rates. Mankotia urged the Tehsil Supply Officer, Udhampur, to issue new ration cards to those who did not have them so far.

He also informed the people on the occasion that they would get an improved road connectivity between Udhampur town and Landher village before the end of the current fiscal year.