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NC
worker’s custodial death
Seeking only CM’s ouster, says Mehbooba
NC leader lashes out at PDP
Bakerwal front backs CM
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Panthers Party seeks dismissal of Omar govt
Suspended BJP MLAs to expose ‘loyalists’
2 ultras killed in fierce gun battle
at Ganderbal
Advocate gets death for killing wife
Naib sarpanch joins Cong
Omar lays foundation stone of mini-secretariat at Doda
Traffic resumes at Nandini tunnel
Parivar flays BJP’s “soft attitude” towards CM
Khidmat centre operators to get Rs
5,500 stipend
4 held for bovine smuggling
State asks Centre to extend industrial
policy
Play highlights plight of common man
Punctuality of NRHM staff to be monitored
TA celebrates Raising Day
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NC
worker’s custodial death
Srinagar, October 9 "The government is committed to an expeditious and transparent judicial probe into the incident so that the truth is revealed," a source in the government told IANS. A magisterial probe is already on in the custodial death of Sayeed Muhammad Yousuf September 30. “Muhammad Akbar (additional district magistrate, Srinagar) has been provided with details of the FIR and the videographed report of the post-mortem," an official said. The officer said the probe is being held under Section 176 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPc) pertaining to death of a person in custody and not under Section 174 of the CrPc, which deals with suspicious death. "Section 174 CrPc included deaths during accidents, consuming poison or when the police officer feels somebody had died under suspicious circumstances. Whereas inquest under Section 176 CrPc is mandated only in case of a death that occurs in custody," lawyer Suhail Ahmad explained. The state government has not disputed that Yousuf died in custody. “All we are saying is that he died of natural causes and there is nothing to establish that Yousuf had been killed in custody," a police officer said. “The post-mortem report also confirmed Yousaf died of cardio-respiratory arrest and there were no torture marks or any other evidence that he had been subjected to third degree methods of interrogation," he said. However, Yousaf's son Sayeed Talib had released a picture of his father’s body which he claimed bore marks of torture. — IANS |
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Seeking only CM’s ouster, says Mehbooba
Srinagar, October 9 "(We are) not demanding dismissal of state government but only the stepping down of Omar Abdullah and his Minister of State Home (Nasir Aslam Wani)," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said at a a party workers' convention in Sopore district of north Kashmir. The Opposition leader said the stepping down of Chief Minister and his top aide would facilitate a "credible and transparent" probe as "fingers had been raised against them in the corruption and death case that took place in illegal detention." Mehbooba said Yousuf's death represents the lowest point in the ruling party's history. The last three years have been the "darkest" period for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, she added. — PTI |
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NC leader lashes out at PDP
Jammu, October 9 He said by naming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the issue of the alleged “custodial” death of NC worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf it was making desperate attempt to grab power. “It is a political stunt. PDP leaders want power at any cost. They have launched a vicious campaign against the chief minister, regardless of the fact that he had ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter on his own”, he added. Sadhotra was addressing a public meeting at Ajeet
Nagar, Gol Gujral. He said the government had already ordered a judicial probe into the matter and the PDP should not jump to conclusions. He said the PDP should respect the judicial system. “The government is committed to an expeditious and transparent judicial probe into the incident so that the truth is revealed”, he added. Taking a dig on the PDP leadership, he said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his entire team had always indulged in manipulative politics to grab power. On the occasion, the residents of Ajeet Nagar and the adjoining areas put forth their demands and grievances which include recarpeting of roads and lanes, development of parks, rationalisation of the BPL list, installation of poles and transformers at various location, regular supply of ration, water and power and construction of a stadium and an adequate transport facility at Gol
Gujral. The MLC assured them that their genuine demands would be addressed in a time-bound manner. |
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Bakerwal front backs CM
Jammu, October 9 Addressing a press conference here today, state president of the organisation, Choudhary Mohammad Akbar claimed that some political parties were levelling baseless allegations against the CM. He appealed to the people not to heed to what he termed as malicious propaganda against the Chief Minister. |
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Panthers Party seeks dismissal of Omar govt
Jammu, October 9 They demanded that investigation should be handed over to the CBI because local agencies were functioning under the pressure of the state government. Speaking on the occasion, a Panthers Party leader said that the current regime headed by Omar Abdullah had crossed all limits of corruption and the alleged “killing” of Mohammad Yosuf was result of the on-going corruption in the state. They welcomed decision of the party chairman Bhim Singh to knock the door of Supreme Court if a CBI inquiry was not ordered. Prominent among those who spoke included Anita
Thakur, Bansi Lal Sharma and Jagdev Singh.
— TNS
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Suspended BJP MLAs to expose ‘loyalists’
Jammu, October 9 “On the one hand, the party leadership has been assuring us that nothing concrete was found against us during the inquiry into the cross-voting controversy, on the other hand there are reports that the party has decided to expel us,” suspended BJP MLA Prof Garu Ram Bhagat said. Bhagat said he, along with MLA Baldev Sharma, was summoned to New Delhi some days ago. The party high command there gave them the clean chit and assured that the suspension of the six party MLAs would be revoked in a phased manner. “We two were assured that our suspension would be revoked very soon,” he said. The party high command had clearly mentioned that nothing wrong was found against any of the MLA, he said. He alleged the party leadership had been working under the influence of some local leaders who had vested interests in destroying the party. He, however, said the suspended MLAs would not accept the “harsh” decision lying down. Sources close to the suspended MLAs said dissidents had been awaiting action by the high command to expose the persons having vested interest. “We have a lot of evidences against loyalists, but we are waiting for the appropriate time to hit back,” a dissident leader said. As Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone had announced to maintain status quo on the post of the leader of BJP Legislature Party in the Assembly, dissidents were seriously thinking about expelling four loyalist MLAs from the party in case the high command took any harsh decision. Sources said expelled BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta was still the leader of the Legislature Party, so he had the power to take that decision. Another suspended MLA Baldev Sharma said none of the suspended MLA had received any official communiqué regarding their expulsion from the party. “We have only read about it in some newspapers,” he said. “Let the high command officially inform us about it, only then we will decide on our future course of action,” he added. Meanwhile, former minister Jagdish Mukhi, who is also in charge of the Jammu and Kashmir BJP, has said that a formal decision on the future of the six suspended party MLAs will be announced on Monday. “The party high command has taken decision, but a formal announcement in this regard will be made in New Delhi on Monday,” Mukhi said.
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Sharp increase in pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine
Jammu, October 9 As per the Hindu calendar, there were eight Navratras (from September 28 to October 5) this year. The number of pilgrims, which was 2,90,313 last year during nine days, was recorded at 3,19,394 this year in eight days. A senior official of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) told The Tribune that the favourable weather conditions and good hospitality arrangements made by the administration and the local hoteliers were the major reasons behind the increase in number of pilgrims. “There is almost 10 per cent increase in the pilgrims as compared to the last year. Had the festival lasted for nine days, the number of pilgrims would have crossed the 3.5-lakh mark,” said the official. The pilgrimage figures accessed by The Tribune also revealed that the total number of pilgrims, who had paid obeisance at the cave shrine so far was 12.56 lakh more as compared to the corresponding period last year. Till October 8 this year, as many as 77,57,979 pilgrims had visited the cave shrine, while 65,02,203 pilgrims had paid obeisance during the corresponding period last year. “This year the SMVDSB is celebrating its silver jubilee celebrations and the number of pilgrims is also expected to touch a remarkable figure after breaking all previous records. Last year, the total number of pilgrims visiting the shrine was 87.49 lakh, which we are expecting to cross by end of November,” he added. Officials of the Tourism Department termed it a big success in terms of pilgrimage tourism. “The co-ordination and hard work of the officials have brought positive results. The Governor NN Vohra and Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora also took keen interest in the arrangements during the festival,” said Robin Singh Mehta, Director, Tourism Department, Jammu. |
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2 ultras killed in fierce gun battle at Ganderbal
Srinagar, October 9 Officials said body of one militant has been recovered from the site of the encounter and search is on for the other. Acting on a tip-off, Army assisted by police launched search operation in Chattergul forests in Kangan area, 50 kms from here, on the Srinagar-Leh road, the officials said. They said contact was established with a group of militants, who opened firing on the security forces. The security forces returned the firing, triggering off a gun battle. Two militants were killed in the encounter during which a residential house was gutted. So far only one body has been recovered while search is on for the other militant, the officials said, adding that an AK rifle has been recovered from
the spot. Although the identity and group affiliation of the militants was not immediately known, a senior police officer said preliminary investigations have revealed that they were foreigners. "The inmates of the house where the militants were hiding told us that they were speaking a language which they could not comprehend. Probably, they were Afghans or from NWFP (Khyber
Pakhtunhhwa)," SP Ganderbal Shahid Mehraj said. — PTI |
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Advocate gets death for killing wife
Jammu, October 9 During the course of inquiry, the accused had admitted before the Nagrota SHO that he wanted to get rid of his wife as he had developed certain differences with her. On the fateful day, he pushed her into the Tawi river while she was taking bath near Harki Pouri. In order to evade arrest, he concocted a story that his wife got drowned near Tawi Par Bagh while taking bath in the river. He visited that spot in order to create evidence in his favour to throw dust
into the eyes of investigating agencies. While awarding death penalty to Subash Chander, the court observed: “The accused/convict has been a practising advocate and was well aware about the consequences of the offence he was going to commit. He tried to project the murder as an accidental death. The act of the accused has shaken the conscious of the court and has extended a rein of terror amongst the women folk.” “The accused/convict has committed the breach of trust with his profession. In case this type of person is treated leniently, the womanhood will be shattered. The doctor who conducted the autopsy has categorically stated that the woman was pregnant at the time of death. The accused, of course, is not a hardened criminal, but at the same time is a cunning killer. He committed murder of a woman on whom he exercised dominance and who was incapable of self-defence.” With these observations, the court ordered that the convict be hanged by the neck till death under Section 302 of the
IPC. |
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Naib sarpanch joins Cong
Udhampur, October 9 Former president of the Kishtwar district unit of the Youth Congress Sheikh Nasir Hussain formally welcomed Akhoon into the party fold. Sheikh Nasir said this would help strengthen the party in the district, especially in its remote areas. Akhoon expressed faith in the programmes and policies of the Congress. He assured to work for strengthening the party base in the Marwah area. Former district unit president of the NSUI Yassir Rashid Lone, Sandeep Sen, Jalal-ud-din, Tousif Iqbal Butt, Ajay Kumar and other Youth Congress and student leaders were also present on the occasion.
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Omar lays foundation stone of mini-secretariat at Doda
Udhampur, October 9 It would house all important district offices and facilitate general public to visit the offices and get their cases attended to. The need to have a mini-secretariat at Doda was being felt for a long time as the existing District Development Commissioner’s office was housed in a 50-year-old barrack type structure which was inadequate for smooth functioning of the office. The most of the district offices were housed in a rented accommodation at different places causing inconvenience to the public. While speaking on the occasion at a function, the CM emphasised that the government functionaries have an important role to play in translating the development schemes into reality ensuring that the benefits of these schemes reach the people. For the purpose, his government enacted Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) to provide legal rights to the people to get services from the administration in a fixed time frame, he said adding that 45 services of six departments of CAPD, Power, Transport, PHE, Housing and Revenue have been notified as public services under the Act in the first instance and time frame for the delivery of each has been fixed. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation of Doda Truck Terminal. It will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 2 crores. He released a sum of Rs 1 crore for launch of the project. Both these projects will be executed by the JKPCC. Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla, legislators Abdul Majeed and Khalid Najeeb were also present. The District Development Commissioner, Doda gave construction details and utility of the mini-secretariat complex and the truck terminal. |
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Traffic resumes at Nandini tunnel
Jammu, October 9 The tube was closed yesterday for the construction of concrete floor inside the tunnel. Though the authorities had allowed the movement of vehicles from the other tube of the tunnel, it caused a lot of hardships to the commuters. A police officer at Jajjar Kotli police station said that the traffic was going smooth from both the tubes of the tunnel.
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Parivar flays BJP’s “soft attitude” towards CM
Jammu, October 9 Although RSS leaders are not officially committing on the stand taken by BJP, other organisations of the Sangh Parivar are opposed to the viewpoint of the BJP on the controversial issue. “I don’t know why the BJP is hesitating in demanding resignation of Omar Abdullah. Our stand on the issue is very clear. For an impartial and fair inquiry, Omar Abdullah should resign from his post”, said Pawan Sharma, senior leader of the ABVP, the student wing of the Sangh Parivar. Sharma said that the matter was very serious. Therefore, the Chief Minister should resign to ensure a fair inquiry. “If Omar Abdullah proves his innocence in the case he should come back as Chief Minister”, he argued. |
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Khidmat centre operators to get Rs 5,500 stipend
Srinagar, October 9 "Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed a monthly stipend of Rs 5,500 for each Khidmat centre established in the state, which is a major relief for the 700 youth operating these centres as VLEs," an official spokesman said. Omar gave a directive to this effect yesterday, the spokesman said. Under the new framework, monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,500 will be given to the VLEs. While Rs 3,000 will be direct financial assistance as a means of hand-holding support, the balance Rs 2,500 will be paid toward the adjustment of loans given by J&K Bank for infrastructure development at these centres, he said. The announcement follows the recommendations of the core committee set up for the purpose by the Chief Minister. The Khidmat centres are mandated to provide government-to-citizen (G2C) and business-to-citizen (B2C) services at the village level. Upon achieving full functionality, the centres will also provide online services like air and railway ticketing, internet surfing, financial services, examination and result notifications and e-learning at affordable charges. These centres will also provide many offline services like desktop publishing (DTP), digital photography, scanning and CD writing, JK Bank loan documentation, payment of mobile bills and recharges for pre-paid users. The scheme is an important component of the National e-Governance Programme (NeGP), the spokesman said. He said the scheme envisages the creation of service centres at the village level for delivery of identified government and private services through the electronic medium. — PTI |
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4 held for bovine smuggling
Jammu, October 9 Special “nakas” were laid on the national highway at Jakhani and Kheri to check bovine smuggling into Kashmir, the police claimed. The police party deployed at Jakhani naka intercepted a truck and recovered 12 buffaloes that were being smuggled into the Valley. Abdul Hamid Lone of Rakshalla in Budgam district and Muzaffar Ahmed of Kandiwara in Anantnag were arrested in this connection. In another case, the police intercepted two alleged smugglers near Kheri in the wee hours and recovered 11 animals from them. Those arrested were later identified as Mohammad Rafi of Beli Charana and Mohammad Mushtaq of Ramban district. Udhampur SSP Shakeel Ahmed Beig said the drive against bovine smuggling would continue till the menace was completely eradicated from the district.
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State asks Centre to extend industrial
policy
Srinagar, October 9 Slathia said a large number of industrialists had sought an extension of the existing policy, which was scheduled to expire in 2012, beyond next year so that its benefits could be fully availed off. “We have approached the Centre to extend the existing industrial policy for a few years as industrialists of the state could not get the benefits of the package fully so far,” Slathia said. Kashmir has witnessed widespread protests over the last three summers, which had a severe impact on industries and businesses here. Slathia said the government would be organising national-level handloom expositions and buyer-seller meets to provide better marketing channels for artisans of the state to sell their products.
— PTI
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Play highlights plight of common man
Jammu, October 9 Balwant Thakur has adapted the script in such a manner that the audience can identify it with the contemporary socio-political happenings. The play is based on the basic instinct of some people who tend to shirk their responsibilities and work and pass it on to others. The instinct is symbolised by a person falling into a ditch whose pleas for help go unheeded. People pass by him like surveyors. A youth, a religious leader, a policeman, a political leader and a foreigner walk past the ditch in which that person has accidentally landed. The person in distress is extended different excuses by passers-by, expressing their inability to help him. The youth says he is unable to find time out of his fixed schedule of hunting for girls. The “sadhu” showers blessings on him and advises him to enjoy the situation that he is in. The policeman asks him to lodge a report at the police station, knowing well that he will not be able to come out of the ditch on his own. The foreigner woman enquires about his choice between India and Pakistan. The situation becomes more humorous when a minister makes a round of the area following public complaints about the worsening condition of the road. Instead of taking him out from the ditch, workers of the Public Works Department put wooden planks over the ditch and create a stage for the minister to deliver a speech. The minister talks highly about his development policies. After the public meeting is over, wooden planks are removed but no one pays any heed to the man fallen into the ditch. Finally, a man from the audience appears and appeals to everyone to lend a helping hand to the common man who is still trapped in a ditch despite having celebrated 64 years of Independence. The play reflects the plight of the poor masses who continue to suffer for want of help from those at the helm of affairs. Balwinder Singh, as “aadmi”, was very impressive. He was well supported by talented artistes of Natrang which included Dimple Sharma, Syed Fardeen, Rahul Singh, Uplaksh Singh, Sunil Raina, Abhinav Vimarsh, Pawan Verma and Pankaj Kumar. |
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Punctuality of NRHM staff to be monitored
Udhampur, October 9 The instructions were passed by the DDC Khan while chairing a meeting organised here yesterday to review physical and financial achievements of the centrally sponsored scheme as registered by the District Health Society, Udhampur, up to September this fiscal. The Joint Director (P&S), the Chief Medical Officer, the Chief Education Officer, the Executive Engineer (R&B), the Medical Superintendent District Hospital, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and the Block Medical Officers were present on the occasion. Deliberating on the issue of regularity and punctuality among medicos and paramedics posted in the field, DDC Khan instructed the Block Medical Officers (BMOs) to conduct surprise checks at health institutions under their jurisdiction and submit a report about erring officials to the Chief Medical Officer for strict action as per rules. It was felt that the delivery of medical services under the NRHM could be improved if the field staff concerned observed punctuality while performing their duties. Appreciating the good performance of doctors, the DDC asked officers of the Health Department to have more frequent periodical reviews with proper follow-ups of the decisions taken at such meetings as this would help in better implementation of various components of the scheme at the grass-roots level for the target beneficiaries in rural areas. Regarding the construction and renovation of various health centre buildings, the DDC directed the BMOs concerned to monitor the progress in the execution of various civil works under their respective jurisdictions and submit reports to his office. Presenting details of activities undertaken under the scheme, the Chief Medical Officer, Udhampur, said 3,91,113 outdoor patients were treated so far, thereby registering 20.89 per cent increase over the corresponding period last fiscal. |
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TA celebrates Raising Day
Udhampur, October 9 In a press note issued here, Defence PRO, Northern Command Lt.Col. Rajesh Kalia informed that the TA was raised in 1857. It has performed distinguished service to the nation whenever called for duty in synchronisation with Indian Army since Independence. Today it has expanded to more than 50 infantry battalions (TA) and other departmental units. Six Home & Hearth units have been raised especially for the state of Jammu and Kashmir to generate employment, create opportunities and enhance socio economic condition of the youth in the state. The services of the Territorial Army have been duly recognised by the nation and today the Territorial Army can boast of a number of awards, both civil and military, added Lt.Col. Kalia On this auspicious occasion, the union Defence Minister, Chief of Army Staff, Army Commander, Northern Command, and Additional Director General, Territorial Army, conveyed greetings to all ranks of the Territorial Army and their families.
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Srinagar, October 9
Srinagar, October 9
Jammu, October 9
