Jammu, April 16
Even as national president of the BJP Nitin Gadkari has put on hold the decision on the resignations of 11 party MLAs, the party high command is facing intense pressure from different quarters, including the Sangh Parivar, to sack state BJP president Shamsher Singh Manhas for his failure to maintain discipline in the party.

Besides, dedicated workers of the BJP, various organisations of the Sangh Parivar have stepped up their campaign to get “inefficient” Manhas sacked, as, according to them, he was responsible for the embarrassing development. They believed being the president of the party it was Manhas’s responsibility to keep the flock together.

The BJP workers alleged that Manhas was surrounded by a coterie of sycophants, which had damaged the party by its misdeeds. “Action against the erring MLAs is must, but first Manhas should be sacked. It was due to Manhas’s failure that such a large number of party legislators had resorted to cross-voting,” a senior BJP leader said. He added that Manhas had not included any of the mass base leaders in his team.

Sources in the BJP said during a meeting with the central party team, which was deputed by Gadkari to take resignations from all legislators in the aftermath of cross-voting, some MLAs trained their guns at Manhas. They alleged that instead of interacting with the legislators to devise a strategy for the Legislative Council elections, Manhas preferred to remain in the company of his coterie of sycophants.

Detractors of Manhas are also working overtime to seize this opportunity to highlight his failures. Leaders told the visiting central team that during last one year the base of the party had shrunk. They especially mentioned that the BJP had failed to muster public support in the Jammu region during the Tringa Yatra, as Manhas and his team did not work with sincerity at the grass-roots level.

The sources said the Sangh Parivar had also stepped up its campaign against Manhas because he was made the president of the BJP against its wishes in year 2010. Rejecting the candidatures of some “genuine” persons proposed for the post of party president by the Sangh Parivar, the BJP leadership at that time appointed Manhas as the BJP president as he was supported by two veteran leaders. The Sangh Parivar, they added, had made it clear to the BJP leadership that an inefficient president like Manhas would not be able to retrieve the party from the present crisis and hence there was a need to appoint a new president. 

Jammu, April 16
Cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections has snowballed into a political controversy, as the PDP has cornered Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for brazenly encouraging corrupt practices to damage a democratic institution like the Upper House.

Rejecting the Chief Minister’s challenge to the media to prove his involvement in the cross-voting episode, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the onus was on Omar to prove his innocence. “How could anyone other than the parties involved in the shady deal be privy to it?” she asked.

In a statement issued here today, the PDP president said the frequent and always conditional offer of resignation by the Chief Minister had now become his most preferred instrument to ward off all criticism, whether on governance, human rights or corruption, in his government.

“His challenge to the media to prove the case of ‘cash-for-votes’ in the Legislative Council elections is more filmy than political,” she said.

She added that the Chief Minister, as the head of the coalition that benefited from cross-voting, needed to come clean on the scandal. If extra votes polled by the coalition candidates had not been purchased, the question becomes even more serious, she said.

Mehbooba said the Chief Minister was insulting the intelligence of the people if he thought he would be taken for granted on his words over the issue. “How is it possible that the BJP’s votes are shared in a way that both coalition candidates get 30 each unless there was a proper floor management and understanding between the parties?” she asked. “And that understanding doesn’t come free or without an understanding,” she added.

The PDP chief said the functioning of the present coalition had always been disastrous for the state, but the council elections had thrown up a question of greater importance than mere winning or losing a seat. It could shake the foundations of the multi-party democracy in a state that had still to go a long way in establishing the credentials of democratic institutions and for which the people were engaged in a serious and long struggle, she added. 

Jammu, April 16
Ridiculing the statement of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections, former convener of Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti Leela Karan Sharma today demanded a CBI probe into the incident. He alleged that money from the Secret Fund was diverted to lure the BJP MLAs into voting in favour of the candidates of the Congress and the NC in the recently held Legislative Council elections.

In a statement issued here today, Sharma termed seven BJP MLAs, who indulged into cross-voting, as “anti-national” for betraying the nationalist people of the Jammu region for money.

He said the state government was equally responsible for the whole episode, as huge money was paid for ensuring the victory of the candidates of the coalition partners in the Legislative Council elections. “It is a serious matter and a shame for the Omar-led government to indulge in horse-trading and paying crores of rupees for cross-voting,” said Sharma.

He said the action of the government to ‘purchase’ votes for winning the Legislative Council seats had undermined the democratic institution. He alleged that the deal for purchasing MLAs was sealed in an official building on April 10 and 11 and money was paid in lieu of cross-voting, which was managed by top ministers and leaders of the ruling coalition. A senior Congress leader was involved in horse-trading, he added.

Jammu, April 16
The sudden rescheduling of the first year exams of the Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) course by the J&K State Board of School Education is not only giving a harrowing time to above 40,000 students, but is also giving sleepless nights to board officials, as it has raked up a major controversy.

The government records procured by The Tribune reveal that above 70 per cent of the total ETT institutes/colleges in the state have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kathua districts alone. These two districts account for over 88 per cent (32,262 students) of the total 36,475 students enrolled for the course. However, there is no information about 6,000 students enrolled recently, as the education board authorities are tight-lipped over the issue.

Both Jammu and Kathua districts are near Punjab and the board has sanctioned 323 colleges of the total 439 there alone, which raises a number of questions.

The document further reveals that Jammu district alone has 173 ETT colleges, which are catering to 16,519 students. Similarly, there are 150 ETT colleges in Kathua district and 15,743 students have been enrolled for the course there.

On the other hand, there are eight districts in the state which do not have even one ETT institute. Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed had recently acknowledged that a large number of ETT students belonged to other states, mostly Punjab, but he had not mentioned why were the students of the state not opting for the course.

The ETT controversy erupted after the school board officials rescheduled the date sheet for the ETT first year exams. Earlier the exams were scheduled to begin yesterday (April 15) but were rescheduled for April 20.

Following this a number of disturbing facts, including some private ETT institutes running on fake addresses and above 100 institutes without adequate infrastructure, have come to light. However, the board officials are not ready to accept that there has been any negligence on their part. 

Jammu, April 16
Saying that the preaching of great saint and Guru, Lord Mahavir, was of greater significance for peace and prosperity, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla called upon the people to follow spiritual teachings to fight confusion and chaos in today’s world.

The minister was addressing a gathering during the birthday celebrations of Lord Mahavir at the General Zorawar Singh auditorium in the University of Jammu today. The function was organised by the SS Jain Sabha.

Describing Lord Mahavir’s teachings as more relevant in the present time for heralding peace, prosperity and amity in the state, Bhalla said today’s society was lurching in materialistic needs and greed and spirituality was the only way to liberate it from this unending web of self-destruction.

Extending greetings to the Jain community on the occasion, Bhalla said such occasions were celebrated to attain spiritual excellence by maintaining ethical behaviour and following a proper code of conduct.

The minister said Mahavir Jayanti had a greater religious significance because Lord Mahavir preached the essence of life, virtue and non-violence towards all living beings and exhibited an exemplary control over his senses, which later earned him the title Mahavir.

Jammu, April 16
Amid intelligence reports of a spurt in militancy during summer, the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), in tandem with the police and the civil administration, yesterday reviewed the security scenario in Rajouri and Poonch at its headquarters at Palma.

The meeting took stock of the prevailing security situation in the area and chalked out a methodology for improving it. The meeting was chaired by Major Gen KAS Bhullar, GOC, CIF (Romeo), and attended by representatives of various security and intelligence agencies.

Addressing the meeting, Major Gen Bhullar stressed the need for synergy in intelligence sharing by fastest means and the conduct of counter-terrorist operations based on specific intelligence.

He added that coordination between all security forces at various levels of functioning was the need of the hour to achieve synergy in operations against terrorists. The DIG, Rajouri-Poonch Range; Additional Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of Rajouri and Poonch districts also discussed the present situation. 

Jammu, April 16
A delegation from the Bhadarwah area of Doda district called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here last evening and submitted a memorandum of demands to him.

The delegation led by Naresh Kumar Gupta, MLC, raised various issues and demands, including the setting up of a Sanskrit University, vedic research centre, meditation centre, an old-age home, a research centre for medicinal plants and a super-speciality hospital in the area.

The delegation thanked the Governor, who is the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, for undertaking the renovation of Shri Vasuki Nag Temple and requested him that the board should construct a hall and dharamshala rooms adjacent to the temple for providing accommodation facilities to the pilgrims.

The Governor gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured it that its demands would be duly considered by the state government and the shrine board.

Udhampur, April 16
An employee of the Government Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) allegedly committed suicide on the official premises here yesterday.

The deceased has been identified as N Purshothman (49), a native of Kerala. He had joined duty after a long leave a few days ago.

Raj Kumar Sharma, SHO, Rehamble, said Purshothman was working as a pioneer with the GREF. His body was found hanging in a shed close to an officers’ mess in the GREF Camp at Phalata.

Though the reason behind Purshothman allegedly taking the extreme step could not be known, according to unconfirmed reports, he was believed to be facing financial problems. His family has been informed about his death.

A case under Section 174 of CrPC has been registered.

Srinagar, April 16
Minister for Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar, during a visit to Shehr-i-Khass (old town) in Srinagar yesterday, said an ambitious project was on the anvil to promote Maharaj Gunj and Zaina Kadal, including the Budshah Tomb, as cultural heritage sites.

He said the old glory of Shehr-i-Khass would be restored for which a project was under consideration of the government. He added that Shehr-i-Khass had a rich history and therefore could be utilised as a tourist spot.

During a visit to the shrine of the Sufi Saint Bulbul Shah in Shehri-i-Khass, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1.90 crore, the minister directed the executing agency concerned to complete the work by June 7 this year.

Sagar also inspected the under-construction stadium in the Rainawari area in Srinagar, which is coming up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. The minister asked the officers concerned to complete the work within 15 days.

Srinagar, April 16
The police today claimed to have solved the murder case of the Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees chief, Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, and arrested three persons in this connection.

According to the police, a conspiracy to take over the control of the Jamiat-e Ahl-e-Hadees by a little known radical religious, political outfit, Sout-ul-Haq, led to the killing of Moulana Showkat on April 8. “Within eight days, we succeeded in cracking the murder case of Moulana Showkat. Three persons have been arrested in this connection,” IGP, Kashmir, SM Sahai told mediapersons here. He added that the arrested persons were Abdullah Gazalli, Javed, alias Bill Papa, and Nissar Ahmmad Khan.

Moulana Showkat was killed in an IED blast on April 8 near the Ahl-e-Hadees Mosque at Gawkadal in Srinagar.

“An investigation was set into motion immediately after the incident and during which the criminal conspiracy behind the killing was uncovered. Members of a radical religio-political outfit, Sout-ul-Haq, and some other radical elements have been found to be behind the killing,” Sahai said.

He added that Moulana Showkat was perceived as one who stood against sectarianism and helped defuse sectarian clashes. His work in the field of education, especially to get a university sanctioned from the government, was perceived by the Sout-ul-Haq as a compromise with the government. When it failed to dislodge him through elections, a conspiracy was hatched to eliminate him. In addition, the Sout-ul-Haq did not like his proximity with some separatist leaders, Sahai said.

“Abdul Ghani Dar, alias Abdullah Gazalli, and Ashiq Hussain Fakhtoo, alias Dar Qasim, who is at present lodged in the Central Jail, Srinagar, had discussed the broad contours of the conspiracy when Gazalli visited Qasim,” Sahai added.

However, the actual execution of the plan was left to Javaid Ahmmad Munshi, alias Bill Papa, a resident of Chanapora in Srinagar, who sought the help of Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Abdullah Uni. “Munshi received some material from Abdullah Uni and arranged some of it locally. Other members did various other things to execute the conspiracy to kill Showkat. The task to trigger the IED was entrusted to Nissar Ahmmad Khan, alias Ishaq, of Chanapora, who detonated the bomb, killing the Moulana,” he said.

Udhampur, April 16
The Kishtwar unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) celebrated the foundation day of the organisation on the Chowgan ground here today.

Activists of the NSUI hoisted the organisation’s flag and renewed their resolve to strengthen the base of the organisation and uphold the unity and integrity of the country.

Addressing the function, Youth Congress leader Sheikh Nasir Hussain urged the NSUI activists to follow in the footsteps of Rahul Gandhi, who according to him, was striving for the development of the backward class.

Yassir Rashid Lone, president of the district unit of the NSUI, urged the activists to remain united for the cause of students. He said the NSUI unit would launch a mass campaign against corruption in Kishtwar district. Besides the district headquarters, various activities would also be organised at the tehsil level in the district, he added.

Those present on the occasion included the president of the NSUI unit of Government Degree College, Kishtwar, Saqib Hussain and student leaders Saddam Ali, Waqar Mattoo, Surinder Singh, Sheikh Naveed, Waseem Sajjaad, Abhishek Sharma, Shah Saleem and Sharik Kelam.