Jammu, February 1
In yet another shocking incident, a baby boy was allegedly stolen from state's oldest health institution Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in wee hours today.

Without wasting any time the hospital administration has suspended three security guards, in an apparent cosmetic exercise.

Over past three months, three newborns have gone missing from the hospital while a couple from Doda had accused the hospital staff of swapping their baby boy with a baby girl December 30 last year.

Sharifa Begum, a resident of Naryian in Nowshera tehsil of Rajouri district, who was admitted to the hospital at 2.30 pm yesterday, delivered a baby boy in the hospital at 4.30 pm.

“Sharifa had a Cesarean delivery and she was unconscious. Other relatives of the patients and her husband were also in the labour room and were in deep sleep at the time of the incident which took place at 3.32 am on Friday,’ sources said.

The family came to know about the incident at 4.30 am and raised an alarm. Policemen along with the hospital staff looked for the baby but in vain.

Dr AK Sharma, Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident while three security guards, who were on duty in the ward, had been suspended.

“The CCTV camera footage has been scanned by the police and the hospital staff. A woman with her face covered is suspected to have stolen the baby," Sharma said. He said a gang of thieves was active in the hospital. "We have initiated an inquiry to find out how these thieves enter the hospital and steal babies,” the Medical Superintendent said.

However, the family of the missing infant along with activists of various political parties staged a demonstration in the hospital and accused the staff of failing to check such incidents of baby theft at the hospital.

Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Medical Education, said he had ordered an inquiry and three security guards had been suspended. “I assure the people that there would be strict regulation in the existing system so that such incidents are not repeated.

Jammu, February 1
There's good news for employees of the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC). The Corporation has announced to give 20 per cent Dearness Allowance to employees.

The decision was taken in the 70th board of directors meeting of the transport corporation here today. Minister for Transport, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, chaired the meeting while Minister of State for Transport, Manohar Lal Sharma, was also present.

The DA installment was released keeping in view the encouraging revenue generation by the transport corporation during last fiscal year.

The corporation earned revenue of Rs 83.43 crore during 2011-12 against Rs 55. 26 crore earned in 2010-11 thereby registering a growth of 51 per cent. The meeting also adopted the Sixth Pay Commission scales with effect from April 1, 2012 without paying DA to the employees so far.

The meeting also adopted Group Gratuity Scheme for the employees of the transport corporation through the LIC of India, compassionate appointment in favour of dependents of the J&K SRTC employees who died while serving on a case-to-case basis and execution of works to provide better amenities for convenience of general public, tourists and its employees at various locations in the state.

The Board appreciated the liquidation of accumulated liabilities of the corporation by Rs 33.45 crore during 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Ramzan also asked the corporation to ensure safe and efficient bus services to commuters and tourists besides timely transportation of foodgrain to every nook corner of the state. Economic Advisor to state government, Jalil Ahmad Khan, Financial Commissioner Finance, MI Khanday, Secretary Transport, Mohammad Abass were present in the meeting.

Jammu, February 1
The Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission (J&K SIC) does not have any data compiled pertaining to the “second appeals having some deficiencies” filed by applicants with the Commission since January 2012.

The information has been provided in response to an RTI application filed by a Jammu-based activist Vilakshan Singh who had sought the information in respect the second appeals filed before the Chief Information Commission, (J&KSIC) which were found to be "deficient".

The Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Commission has stated the Commission did not have compiled any data of the deficiencies found in the second appeals filed in the Commission.

The record in the Commission has been maintained in such a manner that the PIO JKSIC could not provide even the number of the second appeals which were found deficient. Ironically, the PIO even could not provide the information as to the mode in which the appellants were informed of the deficiencies in the second appeals filed by them.

Security forces try to control protesters during the JDA anti-encroachment drive in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Jammu, February 1
Even as officials of the Forest Department and the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) have launched an aggressive campaign to retrieve state land allegedly encroached by the mafia, politicians too have jumped into this controversy to politicise the issue.

Congress MLA from Bhaderwah Mohammad Sharief Niaz has condemned the police for helping Forest Department and the JDA officials to retrieve state land. He has alleged that the authorities take action against small fry and ignore big sharks that have encroached huge chunk of land in the same area.

Many influential politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen have encroached thousands of kanals of government land but no action is being taken against them. Force is used only against the poor, Niaz said in a statement today.

He demanded that all non state subjects, politicians, bureaucrats and rich persons be evicted from the state land and poor people be rehabilitated on the land.

Meanwhile, protest continued on the second day today at Sidhara Bypass. People evicted from the JDA and Forest land blocked vehicular movement on the road.

The protesters lifted the dharna following assurance of Minister for Forest Mian Altaf and National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana. Both Altaf and Rana visited the site and assured to form a 12- member committee to access the losses being suffered by the people during the anti-encroachment drive and said adequate compensation would be given to them.

Protests against the JDA officials began in the morning. The protesters alleged that action of the JDA to retrieve their land had rendered them homeless. They alleged that cops, who were helping the JDA officials in the anti-encroachment drive, have committed atrocities on the people.

Jammu, February 1
Chairman of the Panthers Party, Harsh Dev Singh, has expressed concern over the growing unrest amongst SPOs and Home Guards working with the police due to the apathetic and indifferent attitude of the government towards them.

Urging the government to fulfil their demands, he insisted on the formulation of a definite policy for regularisation of their services in conformity with the policy framed for regularisation of other categories of ad-hoc, temporary and contractual employees in various other government departments.

Singh said the SPOs were performing a very significant role in security operations and help maintain the law and order situation in the state but were disregarded and ignored by successive governments despite repeated assurances to redress their grievances.

He said a specific time schedule was required to be stipulated for conversion of SPOs as Police Constables in view of highly sensitive nature of their jobs and responsibilities and duties performed by them. He also demanded that a specific number of seats be fixed in the police recruitments for SPOs.

Harsh Dev Singh also demanded an increase in their honorarium from the meagre honorarium of Rs 3000 being given to SPOs despite the round-the-clock services provided by them.

He regretted that whereas the daily wages had also been enhanced to Rs 3,750 per month, the SPOs were made to settle for nominal wages of Rs 3000 per month. He alleged that the inhuman treatment towards SPOs was not only a violation of human rights but also a violation of the Minimum Wages Act. He called for immediate increase in the emoluments of SPOs.

Jammu, February 1
All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association today hailed the announcement of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to open the Amarnath Yatra for 55 days this year and start it from June 28.

It also hailed the decision to allow 15,000 pilgrims per day, 7,500 each from Baltal and Pehlgam routes, to undertake the yatra. In addition to this, 1,000 pilgrims would be allowed to undertake the helipad journey daily. This way, over 8 lakh pilgrims would be able to perform the yatra during the whole period.

The association, in its meeting held here today, under the chairmanship of its president Inderjeet Khajuria, also welcomed the board’s decision to instruct the pilgrims to get health fitness certificates issued by authorised medical practioners and medical institutions of the respective state governments and Union Territories.

The association asked the SASB and the government to strictly adhere to the schedule and not allow any un-registered pilgrim to undertake the pilgrimage, to avoid uncontrolled rush and tragedies.

The association also suggested that measures be taken to ensure that almost equal number of pilgrims performed the yatra every day during the 55 days.

“It has been observed that in the early days of the yatra there is very heavy rush of pilgrims, while in the later days the number goes on declining and towards the fag end only a few pilgrims perform the yatra. This is so because the pilgrims like to perform the yatra when Shiv snow lingam is in its best form, as the same goes on melting with the heat of pilgrims in the later days,” the association said.

It suggested that Shiv snow lingam be preserved in its maximum form throughout the period of the yatra, so that the number of pilgrims performing the yatra remained almost equal throughout its duration.

The meeting was also attended by Ajay Gupta, senior vice-president, HS Manhas, vice-president, Pawan Gupta, general secretary, Baldev, treasurer, Bikram Singh and Sunil Suri, secretaries.

Meanwhile, Shri Ram Sena also welcomed the decision of SASB to extend the period of Amarnath yatra to 55 days.

In a press statement, Rajiv Mahajan, state president of Sena expressed gratitude to the SASB chairman NN Vohra, the Governor of the state for the decision.

Mahajan said the SRS intended to donate 10 blood pressure machines for the pilgrims during the yatra period this year.

Poonch, February 1
To commemorate the 12th raising day of 39 Rashtriya Rifles, Jashan-e-Awam (mela) was organised at Jhullasa village near the LoC in the KG sector in Poonch district today. The GoC, Romeo Force, Maj Gen I Narayan, was the chief guest on the occasion.

After the restoration of peace on the LoC in KG sector, this was the first event where thousands of villagers participated in the sports mela. A number of events were organised on the occasion, which included cooking competition, best traditional dress, vehicle pulling, tug-of-war etc. Matka-breaking, tug-of-war and strongest and fastest man were the main attractions of the event.

Organising secretary of the event, Major Harmohit said, “39 RR was raised on February 1, 2001, to fight against militancy that had shattered the peace and harmony in the state”. “As a token of love, respect and appreciation, we dedicated the event to local population for their cooperation in bringing normalcy in the state,” Harmohit said. ‘Veer Naris’ were also felicitated on the occasion. The chief guest also distributed prizes among the participants.

Commander 6 Sector RR, Brig HS Shanbag, CO 39 RR, Col Maneesh, Padma Shri awardee SN Khajuria, and Poonch ASP Yougal Manhas were present on the occasion.

Srinagar, February 1
Independent MLA Abdul Rashid Sheikh has asked the Chief Minister and other politicians to explain their position over the reports that they were power defaulters.

Addressing a public meet in Langate Kupwara, he said it was most unfortunate that those ruling the state and enjoying all privileges and giving poor people sermons of morality, were themselves defaulters towards the Power Development Department.

“In a state where there is always a huge power crisis and people are facing continuous and intolerable power cuts, the rulers are enjoying the same round the clock and still fail to pay their bills regularly. It is unfortunate enough that the power connections of common people are still disconnected for a few hundred rupees if they fail to pay their bills on the due date,” Sheikh said in a statement.

He said the power department had, just two days ago, lodged an FIR against poor villagers of Shanoo in Langate for demanding repairs of their old damaged transformer. Why could it not start proceedings against the real defaulters now, including the owners of Nawa-e-Subh Complex (headquarters of ruling National Conference), security forces, industrialists, bureaucrats, politicians and their relatives.

On Thursday, PDD had issued a public notice to the power defaulters. They included Nawa-e-Subh Complex and 49 other defaulters.

Jammu, February 1
The Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) held a meeting at its Palma headquarters in Rajouri district last evening to take stock of the prevailing security situation in the area. The meeting aimed to chalk out a strategy to improve the security environment.

The meeting began with two-minute silence observed in memory of two children who died in a blast near Thanamandi recently.

It was also decided to start an awareness campaign for residents especially children in remote areas to avoid a repeat of such incidents. The General-Officer-Commanding chaired the meeting attended by Danish Rana, DIG Police, Rajouri, RS Kataria, DIG BSF, Rajouri-Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, DC Poonch, Saugat Biswas, DC Rajouri, Shamsheer Hussain Chaudhary, SSP Poonch, Mubassir Latifi, SSP, Poonch and representatives of various security and intelligence agencies.

In his opening address the General-Officer- Commanding appreciated the efforts of the administration, police and security agencies to ensure peaceful environment for the common people.

He said coordination between the security forces at various levels of functioning was the need of the hour to achieve synergy in operations against terrorists.

Danish Rana, DIG Police, Rajouri, spoke on the prevailing security situation in the districts and the steps initiated to maintain the confidence of the people. The security arrangements and role of different agencies for the forthcoming important events was also discussed.

Participants expressed their views on improving the prevailing security situation and measures to be adopted to maintain peace in Rajouri and Poonch. The entire administration, police and security forces are geared up to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.

The organisers thanked the people of the two districts for their valuable contribution and assured the participants about the commitment of the security forces towards maintaining peace.