The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Mirwaiz backs separatist leader targeted by JKLF Hassan has been accused by Yasin of splitting Hurriyat Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 6 A day after the JKLF fired a salvo against the moderate Hurriyat and accused one of its senior members of playing a vital role in splitting the separatist amalgam in 2003, the Hurriyat executive headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today came out in support of Aga Syed Hassan, who is the prime target of JKLF’s tirade. Expressing “solidarity” with Hassan, who is one of the Hurriyat executive members, the breakaway moderate faction said it would not react to the JKLF’s outburst “in the wider interest of the freedom movement.” Amid the ongoing allegations and counter-allegations between two major separatist groups of the Kashmir region, the JKLF headed by Yasin Malik on Wednesday had accused Hassan --- who is also the leader of the Anjuman Shar-e-Shia ---- of playing a “major role” in splitting the united Hurriyat Conference in 2003. “In an emergency meeting of the Hurriyat executive here today, while expressing complete solidarity with Aga Syed Hassan, it was said that Aga has always given preference to the collective good of the freedom movement over his personal interests. Besides, as a spiritual leader, he has also been at the forefront in many ways, which could have benefitted the ongoing moment,” a Hurriyat spokesman said here. The meeting, he said, was chaired by Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and attended by executive members, including Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone, Masroor Abbas Ansari, Mukhtar Waza, Mussadiq Adil and Aga Syed Hassan. “Showing magnanimity and large-heartedness, Aga Syed Hassan agreed with the request of other executive members that he would show restraint and will not react keeping in view the larger interests of the freedom movement and the collective discipline,” the Hurriyat spokesman said. The JKLF in its statement on Wednesday had also accused Hassan of changing his stance for “monetary benefits” and alleged that he had been “directly and indirectly” participating in every election held since 1995. Infighting in the camp The infighting within the separatist camp started on Sunday when JKLF chief Yasin Malik was barred from speaking at an event at the University of Kashmir which was organised by the moderate Hurriyat faction. Malik had blamed the moderates, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, of conspiring to bar him from speaking at the event and made an angry statement accusing the leaders of the Hurriyat faction of being “hypocrites”
	BJP to take up arrested cop’s case politically, legally Tribune News Service Jammu, June 6 The BJP today announced that it would fight the case of counter-insurgency specialist Sub-Inspector Shiv Krishan Sharma both legally and politically. The SI has been arrested on the charges of having links with militants. In a statement issued here today, the party reiterated that the decorated cop had been “falsely implicated only to appease some forces”. “A BJP delegation led by state general secretaries Kavinder Bhushan Gupta and Bali Bhagat today called on the DIG, Ramban-Doda range, and the Deputy Commissioner, Doda, in connection with Sharma’s arrest,” the party spokesman stated. The delegation told the officers that the arrest of Sharma, who was instrumental in killing a number of terrorists, had angered nationalists in the state, particularly in the erstwhile Doda district. It said people were aware that the SI was implicated only to “appease pro-militant forces in the region”. The delegation told the DIG that the BJP would fight the case both legally and politically to expose those who had allegedly hatched the conspiracy to demoralise the nationalist forces in the erstwhile Doda district. The BJP has also deputed some of its leaders to approach the high court for the bail of the arrested police officer. Meanwhile, a BJP delegation has already reached New Delhi to apprise the high command of the episode.
	Slapgate: CJM to decide on review petition tomorrow Jammu, June 6 The CJM, Kishtwar has put on hold the decision on a review petition filed by the police in the case of slapping of a government officer by Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo. The CJM has called the complainant to present his point of view on the matter on Saturday. Till then, the police has got time not to register an FIR against Kichloo.On April 18, Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo had slapped Riyaz Ahmad Choudhary, an executive officer of the Kishtwar Development Authority, in full public view. The police had yesterday filed the review petition with CJM Kishtwar asking him to go through the police’s point of view on the matter but as the court had already directed the police to register an FIR, now it will take a decision only after going through the complainant’s point of view. The complainant, Riyaz Ahmad Choudhary, has said he will press for the registration of an FIR against the minister. “The police has been trying to save the minister and is creating hurdles in registering the FIR. The police had already filed the status report and the court directed to register a case but now they are again creating hurdles,” Choudhary told The Tribune. The police had claimed that Choudhary had earlier filed the complaint under the non-cognisable offence which didn’t require registration of the FIR but now he made a complaint with the court and asked to register the case under cognisable offence. — TNS
	Civilian deaths in 2010 HC gives govt 4 weeks to take stand on probe panel Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 6 Expressing displeasure over the delay in appointment of new probe penal members, the J&K High Court has given the state government the “last and final opportunity” of four weeks to take a clear stand on the commission of inquiry which was formed to probe civilian deaths in 2010. These directions were issued by a high court bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi today while observing that in the absence of any finding by the inquiry commission, the court cannot proceed in the matter. The high court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by advocate Sofi Imtiyaz, seeking investigation and registration of FIRs into 117 civilian killings allegedly by the security forces in 2010. “If there is no finding before the court then how can the court proceed in the matter,” Chief Justice Kumar observed as soon as the PIL was called up for hearing today. The bench observed that earlier on October 8, 2012, the high court had directed the state government to finalise its orders on appointment of members of the inquiry commission, as the earlier members of the commission had already demitted their office. “Mr Shah, either you are doing it (appointment of new members) or not doing it. But please come clean on it as since October last a lot of time has passed,” the bench observed when Deputy Advocate General NH Shah, representing state government, sough more time to comply with the court directions. After hearing all sides, the bench in its orders said the state government was given a “last and final opportunity” of four weeks to take a stand on the commission of inquiry which was formed to probe civilian deaths in 2010. The bench in its orders further said it expected the state as well as Central governments to take a decision about providing ex gratia relief to the next of kin of those victims who were killed before June 11, 2010, or October 2, 2010, as so far the ex gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each has been provided to the families of only those victims who were killed between June 11 and October 2, 2010. As submitted to the court, so far only 102 victim families have been provided ex gratia relief among a total list of 117 persons. The court has also directed the state government to take a stand on the “rationale” behind bringing only 17 cases under the ambit of the probe panel, even as ex gratia relief has been granted in 102 cases of civilian killings by the government so far. The matter has been listed for further consideration in the first week of July. Inquiry commission Following the killing of many civilians in the 2010 summer unrest, the government had on June 26, 2010, appointed a one-man commission of inquiry headed by Justice (retd) Bashir-ud-Din to probe the killings Justice (retd) YP Nargotra was appointed another member of the commission of inquiry on July 29, 2010, and the commission was asked to probe the killing of 17 persons in Kashmir on account of action taken by the police and security forces. In October, JK government told the high court that both Justices Bashir and Nargotra had demitted office as members of the inquiry commission and the process for finding their replacement was on. However despite the passage of over eight months since October 2012, the government is yet to appoint the new members of the inquiry commission and has sought more time
	Home Secy-designate calls on Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 6 Union Home Secretary-designate Anil Goswami called on Governor NN Vohra here today. During their one-and-a-half-an-hour meeting, they discussed various important matters relating to obtaining external security scenario, existing and emerging issues relating to internal security management and various other matters relating to securing sustained peace and normalcy in the state. Matters relating to the ensuing Amarnath yatra and certain issues relating to cross-LoC trade also came up for discussion during the meeting, an official spokesman said. The Governor wished Goswami a successful tenure ahead.
	Now, surprise checks in Valleyto curb overcharging of tourists Tourism dept likely to crack down on sellers of fake handicrafts M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 6 To deal with fleecing of tourists on a visit to the Valley, the tourism department will now conduct surprise checks at various tourist spots, hotels and houseboats. The department is also likely to join hands with the handicrafts authorities to check sale of counterfeit Kashmir handicrafts to tourists. Assistant Director, Tourism, Tariq Hussain Naik said the department had started a drive yesterday against erring shopkeepers and hotels and houseboats owners. He said the drive was done to create awareness and the department would now conduct regular surprise checks on a weekly basis to ensure that the tourists were not cheated. Stating that they wanted the tourists to feel comfortable during their stay in Kashmir, he said the drive had been started following complaints that the tourists were not getting appropriate facilities against what they were charged for. Naik said: “During the drive yesterday, we found out that several deluxe houseboats had displayed super-deluxe signs. We have also received complaints that tourists are not being given the promised accommodation upon their arrival to Kashmir.” To tackle complaints of sale of counterfeit Kashmir handicraft items to tourists, he said the tourism department had already approached the handicrafts department in this regard. Naik said he was hopeful that a joint drive of the tourism and handicrafts departments would be started soon to tackle the issue. Helpline numbers had been put up in shikaras on the Dal Lake and other places so that the tourists could lodge complaints, if any. Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) president Faiz Bakshi said those found cheating the tourists should be dealt with sternly as it sent out a negative message vis-à-vis Kashmir tourism. He said their group had been coordinating with the tourism department to ensure that the hotels did not charge arbitrary rates. Action had been taken against unregistered hotels, he added. While over 12 lakh tourists had visited the Valley last year, visitors have started coming back as arrivals had been hit after the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in February. During the drive launched on Wednesday, we found out that several deluxe houseboats had displayed super-deluxe signs. We have also received complaints that tourists are not being given the promised accommodation upon their arrival to Kashmir — Tariq Hussain Naik, Assistant Director, Tourism
	5 CRPF battalions to pull out from J&K for anti-Naxal ops Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, June 6 With red terror spreading its wings, nearly 6,000 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are being pulled out of Jammu and Kashmir. They will be sent to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh - two of the nine states falling in the red corridor that witnesses Naxalite and Maoist insurgency. On May 25, red rebels had killed 29 persons, including Congress leaders, in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. “On the instructions of the Home Ministry, five battalions of the CRPF are being deinducted from the state as they are being sent to the Naxal-hit Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh states,” a senior CRPF officer told The Tribune. He said 5,755 personnel from five battalions were being sent to the two states to combat Naxalites. The advance parties of these five battalions have been given a go-ahead to move to their respective destinations in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, he added. “In place of five battalions of the CRPF, as many battalions of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have already come here. Three of them have been deployed in Srinagar and two in Jammu,” said the officer. One battalion of the CRPF has 1,151 personnel. The CRPF at present has 63 battalions in the militancy-plagued state - 50 in Kashmir and 13 in the Jammu region. “Since near normalcy has returned to Jammu and Kashmir after more than 20 years of protracted insurgency and based on the feedback of the security scenario to the Union Home Ministry and the state government’s requirements, the Centre had replaced five CRPF battalions with as many of the SSB,” he said. Last year in September, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had expressed his government’s inability to relieve 2,302 CRPF personnel from the state.The Home Ministry had asked the state to relieve these men for Kokrajhar in Assam. The CRPF in J&K remains in the forefront when it comes to maintaining law and order, combating insurgency and providing security to ministers, bureaucrats and politicians. Omar and his 24 Cabinet colleagues are being protected 24x7 by at least 16 companies of the CRPF that comprise 2,000 men.
	Relief sought for quake-hit areas of Ramnagar Tribune News Service Jammu, June 6 Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) general secretary RS Pathania today demanded relief and rehabilitation of the earthquake-affected areas of Ramnagar assembly segment. In a statement issued here today after addressing a meeting of villagers of Gandh Top, Pattian, Paddar, Raslithukrai, Kaitha and Rang, Pathania sought immediate relief and rehabilitation for the areas of Ramnagar, particularly those bordering Seoj Dhar. “People are living in a realm of uncertainty as late-night tremors have sent waves of fear among residents of the area. But the district administration has not announced any relief and rehabilitation measures”, he said.
	79 officers promoted to scale of KAS Tribune News service Srinagar, June 6 The state Cabinet has approved promotion of 79 officers of various departmental services to the time scale of KAS. The Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also approved promotion of Farhat Hussain Qadri, Manager, Government Press, Srinagar, as its General Manager w.e.f August 18, 2012. The Cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of seven posts for Zila Sainik Welfare Office at Kargil, including one post of secretary, head assistant, senior assistant, junior assistant, welfare organiser and two posts of peon-cum-chowkidar. The Cabinet also approved the resolution brought to it by the School Education Department regarding recruitment of teachers under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan in upgraded primary schools through Rehabar-e-Taleem Scheme.
	AOC-in-Chief reviews operational capabilities of Air Force station Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 6 Air Marshal Arup Raha, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, today inspected the Air Force station, Srinagar, and assessed the operational capabilities of each unit. A defence spokesman said Air Marshal Raha appreciated the professionalism of personnel of the Air Force station and the state of operational preparedness that they are maintaining. Air Marshal Raha along with Lily Raha, president, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), arrived here today. They were received by Air Commodore B Balachandran, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force station, Srinagar, Preetha Balachandran, president AFWWA (L), and other senior officers. On his arrival, Air Marshal Raha was presented a ceremonial Guard of Honour by a contingent of 53 Air Warriors led by Wing Commander Ajay Ahlawat. The Army band, led by Naib Subedar Ashwini Kumar, was also present. “The AOC-in-C was given a presentation on operational role of the Air Force station. The AOC-in-C visited and assessed the operational capabilities of each unit and section of the Air Force station,” the spokesman said. He interacted with officers, airmen, DSC personnel and the civilian staff of the station. “He also lauded the high state of alertness and determination displayed by the staff in securing the base,” the spokesman added.
	BSP to fight for RS Pura acid attack victim Dinesh Manhotra/TNS Jammu, June 6 The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today warned of taking to the streets to seek justice for Ruman Lata, a Dalit acid attack victim. “Discrimination with Ruman Lata is a glaring example of biased and discriminatory policies being propagated by the National Conference-Congress government towards the weaker sections and minorities,” alleged Tulsi Dass Langeh, state president of BSP. He was addressing the weekly meeting of party workers here this afternoon. He rued that those at the helm of affairs had miserably failed to treat people of Jammu and Kashmir equally. “We appreciate humanistic approach of the state government to bear the expenditure of Rs 8 lakh spent on the treatment of an acid attack victim from Kashmir besides providing her a government job,” he said. He rued that same human approach was not adopted in case of the Dalit girl of Banota village of RS Pura. “Why are different yardsticks adopted for people of the same state,” he asked. He warned that the BSP would not remain a mute spectator to such discriminatory policies of the coalition government. “We have decided to take Ruman Lata’s battle on the streets,” he said. Langeh attacked the Congress leaders representing Jammu for their failure to protect the interests of the people. “Except enjoying power, the Congress leaders have done little to minimise the miseries of the people,” he rued. The authorities have so far failed to provide proper treatment for the acid attack victim.
	Transfer of 13 officers okayed Tribune News service Srinagar, June 6 The state Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accorded approval to the transfers and postings of 13 officers of civil and Police Department with immediate effect. An official spokesman said Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Director, Libraries, has been transferred and posted as Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, in place of Atta-u-Rehman Natnoo, who has been posted as Director, Libraries. Uttam Chand, Superintendent of Police, Budgam, has been transferred and posted as AIG (CID), Police Headquarters, against available post. Atul Kumar Goel, Superintendent of Police, Kathua, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Jammu, against a vacancy. Sujit Kumar, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Rural Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Kargil. Sunil Gupta, Superintendent of Police, West, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, against a vacancy. S. Tejinder Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, West, Srinagar. Abdul Jabbar, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kulgam, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Kupwara. JavedMattoo, Superintendent of Police, Kargil, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Ramban. Anil Magotra, Superintendent of Police, Ramban, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Udhampur. Zahid Nasim Manhas, Additional Superintendent of Police, Kathua, shall await orders of posting in the Police Headquarters, Srinagar. Zubair Ahmad Khan, Additional Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, against a vacancy. Mohan Lal, Additional Superintendent of Police, Katra has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Kathua. Mohammad Arshad, Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as SP, Budgam.
	Married woman raped in Rajouri Ranjit Thakur Rajouri, June 6 A married woman was allegedly raped in Nowshera area of the border district Rajouri today. This is the fifth rape case in the area in the past two months. Confirming the reports, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Nowshera, Parshotam Sharma said the 20-year-old woman was returning after withdrawing money from an ATM yesterday when she was allegedly raped by Suresh Kumar alias Godi of Lanngar who also looted Rs 10,000 from her. Sharma said immediately after receiving the compliant, the police launched a massive manhunt against the accused and arrested him this morning. The victim was medically examined at a local government hospital. The police has registered an FIR under Section 376, 382 of the RPC in police station Nowshera and started further inquiry. Sources said rape attempt cases were continuously increasing in border areas of Nowshera and in past two months, the police had registered two rape cases in Dharamasal police station and two in Kalakote area of Nowshera. In another incident, a married woman and her husband registered a complaint against a policeman and a hotel owner at the City Police Post, Rajouri, for misbehaving with them on the mane of security checking last night. The police quizzed the hotel owner and assured of strict action against the guilty.