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J-K proposes to fight terror with development of remote areas
Sends Rs 932-cr proposal to Centre for road network in militancy-hit areas
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 12
The state government has decided to use development as a tool to deal with terrorism in remote and underdeveloped areas of the state.
Although the year 2012 has witnessed 35 per cent decline in violence, the state government has decided to completely eradicate terrorism by accelerating developmental activities in the areas which are considered breeding grounds for anti-national activities. This measure is being taken in addition to strengthening the security grid to track down active militants. A comprehensive proposal of Rs 932 crore for 102 road schemes in areas considered hotbeds of militancy has been sent to the Union Government for approval. Official sources said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his meeting with the Planning Commission on July 9 had put forth the proposal to spread the road network in the militancy-affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The state government has reason to send the proposal because the Union Government has already approved road projects worth Rs 7,300 crore for development of 1,202 km of national highways and 4,363 km of state roads in “Left wing extremism-affected areas of 34 districts in eight states”. Minister for Roads and Buildings (R&B) Abdul Majid Wani confirmed with The Tribune that a comprehensive proposal to spread road network in militancy-affected areas had been sent to the Union Government for approval. “As the Centre is already giving us liberal financial support for developmental activities, we are hopeful that our proposal would be approved soon,” he said, adding that the strengthening of the road network would help security forces conduct patrolling in all areas. While disclosing that the road network would be strengthened in the entire state, the minister said the erstwhile Doda district, comprising Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts, would be given priority because the belt was the worst affected by militancy and bloodshed. Wani said under the new proposal, ridges and inaccessible areas had been especially included to make them accessible for forces engaged in counter-insurgency operations. According to the official documents which were tabled in the recently held budget session of the Assembly, in 2001, there were 2,738 unconnected habitations but by the end of January 2013, 474 villages were still unconnected with roads. Doda district still has the highest number of unconnected habitations. Villagers in 168 habitations in the district have never seen a tarmac road even after 65 years of Independence.
Poor road network
Road connectivity is a major problem in Jammu and Kashmir as 474 villages in the state are still unconnected with the rest of the world
Doda district still has the highest number of unconnected habitations. Villagers in 168 habitations in the district have never seen a tarmac road even after 65 years of Independence.
The J-K Government has sent to the Union Government a comprehensive proposal of Rs 932 crore for 102 road schemes in areas considered hotbeds of militancy |
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Pak Rangers target post in RS Pura sector
Jammu, July 12
The Pakistani Rangers today opened fire on an Indian forward post along the international border in the Arnia area of RS Pura sector in Jammu district.
“Around 9.35 am, the Pakistani Rangers opened fire with small arms on the Pindi border outpost in the Arnia area. Our border guards responded accordingly,” said a BSF spokesperson. The firing went on for a brief period, he added. However, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing, he said. The post was manned by the 200 Battalion of the BSF. Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire along the LoC on June 26 in Poonch district. — TNS
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Secretariat fire: Samples sent to forensic lab
Tribune News Service
 Srinagar, July 12
The authorities today started formal investigations to ascertain the exact cause of blaze after a major fire gutted a two-storeyed wooden annexe on the Civil Secretariat premises yesterday.
Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, J&K, Inayat-ul-lah Khan said eight samples were collected by their team from the spot where fire had taken place. He said studying the samples would take some time after which the report would be submitted to the authorities concerned. “Our team of scientists will study the eight samples in detail….we will be investigating the possible cause of fire,” Khan said. Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey said “The cause of fire is being investigated by the police, FSL and Fire and Emergency Services.” The fire destroyed official records of the departments of Technical Education, Higher Education, Forest, Accounts and Treasury. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the spot yesterday. The government yesterday ordered a
high-level inquiry into the incident. An official said the inquiry will be conducted by Secretary, General Administration Department, the report on
which would be filed within 15 days.
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Himachal boy anointed Ladakh monastery head
Keylong (Himachal Pradesh), July 12
A two-year-old boy from this remote town in Lahaul Valley has been anointed the 15th head of the famous Tagna monastery near Leh town in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Friday.
The boy, the only son of agriculturist couple Nawang Chhering and Chimme Dolma, has been identified as the reincarnation of the Buddhist monk who headed the over 500-year-old monastery, considered the most significant in Ladakh's religious history, said Himalayan Buddhist Cultural and Preservation Society chief patron
Ravi Thakur. He said the boy is believed to be the reincarnation of monk Tagna Rinpoche, the 14th head of Tagna monastery who died in January 2011. Thakur, who is also the local legislator, said over 50 monks from the monastery visited the boy's house on Wednesday and carried out rituals to ascertain that the child was Rinpoche's reincarnation. "The boy has identified his (14th Rinpoche's) belongings," he added. The Buddhist system of recognising reincarnations is based on people's recollection of their past lives. "We are feeling elated that our son gets a chance to serve one of the prominent monasteries," Chhering said. Meanwhile, the couple and the child were given a ceremonial reception on Friday on reaching the Tagna monastery from here. Thousands of devotees from far-flung areas gathered at the Tagna monastery, some 20 km from Leh, to seek the boy's blessings. Monastery officials said the child would spend some initial years of his life in the monastery. Later, he will be sent to a religious training centre. — IANS
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Governor inspects facilities at Amarnath yatra camps
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 12
Governor N N Vohra reviewed the conduct of the Amarnath yatra in the first 15 days and inspected arrangements made at the holy cave,
Panjtarni, Domel and Baltal camps today.
Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board
(SASB), prayed for peace and prosperity in the state at the cave shrine. The Governor, accompanied by SASB CEO Navin K.
Choudhary, inspected arrangements at the cave shrine, Panjtarni and Domel and held meetings with the officers concerned at these three camps. Later, he inspected the functioning of the Access Control Gate at
Domel, functioning of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and the arrangements at the Baltal base camp. The Governor also chaired a high-level review meeting with the camp director and senior officers of state government departments and security forces. While reviewing arrangements put in place to facilitate the
yatris, the Governor told district and divisional heads of government departments concerned, service providers and other agencies to bring about improvement, wherever required, to facilitate the pilgrims. While inspecting
langars, he reiterated the decision that the langar organisations should maintain hygienic conditions and cleanliness in and around their
langars. He issued instructions to the camp director to enforce stringent sanitation measures for ensuring that the entire base camp area was kept neat and clean. During his visit to
Domel, the Governor reviewed arrangements with regard to Access Control Gate management and forward movement of yatris towards the cave shrine. He checked the yatra permits of some of the pilgrims and enquired from them their views about the yatra arrangements. He asked the camp director and others concerned to ensure that no yatri without valid registration should be allowed to cross the Access Control Gate. During a round of the Baltal base camp, the Governor inspected the STP and expressed satisfaction at its functioning. The Governor also reviewed the arrangements made for provision of facilities of water and power supply,
medicare, fire and emergency services, telecommunication, weather forecasting, ration and other essential commodities The Governor thanked government departments, agencies, service providers, police and security forces for their support and cooperation for the smooth conduct of the
yatra.
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Don’t communalise debate on Article 370, BJP cautions Omar
Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 12
Blaming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for
communalising the ongoing debate on Article 370 to hide the governance deficit in Jammu & Kashmir, the BJP today said the special status granted to the state had nothing to do with religion.
The party challenged the Chief Minister to have a debate on the Article, which it said, had been brazenly abused by the ruling elite of Kashmir to swindle the Central funds without any accountability. Newly appointed national general secretary P Murlidhar Rao while delivering a lecture on the topic “Indian Nationalism: Concept and Conflict Delusion”, alleged that Omar Abdullah was playing with fire by raking the sentiments of people on
the issue. “Omar Abdullah should keep in mind that there is undeclared consensus among all political parties, irrespective of political differences, on Kashmir,” Rao said. He reminded Omar about the arrest of his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah by the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. “Omar Abdullah should learn a lesson from the life of his grandfather who was arrested when he tried to dodge the people of India,” Rao said. “It is my suggestion to Omar Abdullah that he should concentrate on providing good governance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir instead of raking up the sentiments of the people on Article 370,” he said. He also reminded the
CM of “miserable condition of Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis and OBC Muslims in the state. “Those who argue that religious pluralism and sub-national identities have been protected all due to this Article are trying to befool the people,” P Murlidhar Rao said. “The identity of all religions and regions has been protected under the Indian Constitution and there is no need of Article like 370 to protect such identities,”
Rao said. “Article 370 has been misused by the ruling elite of Jammu and Kashmir to sabotage democratic institutions in the state,” the BJP national secretary further said. Eminent lawyer Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed presided over the function.
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Cabinet approves promotions in Forest Department
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 12
The J&K Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today approved various promotions and postings in the Forest Department.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, has been designated as the Head of Forest Force (HoFF). Vinod Ranjan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has been
transferred and posted as Chairman Pollution Control Board upon his promotion. AK Singh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), has been promoted to the level of above super time scale II (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests). Abhai Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has been promoted to the level of above super-time scale II (Principal Chief Conservator of Forests). Abhai Kumar upon his promotion has been posted as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K. Manoj Pant, Chief Conservator of Forests, has been promoted to the level of above super-time scale - I (Additional Chief Conservator of Forests). Pramod Kumar Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, has been promoted to the level of above super-time scale - I (Additional Chief Conservator of Forests). Om Prakash, Roshan Jaggi, Jigmat Takpa, SK Gupta, TS Ashok Kumar, Ashif Mehmood Sagar, NA Darzi and MA Tak have been promoted to the level of above super-time scale - II (Chief Conservator of Forests) on ex-cadre basis. Mohit Gera, Neelu Gera, BK Singh and Sarvesh
Rai have been promoted to the level of super-time scale - II (Chief Conservator of Forests) on proforma basis. Senthil Kumar, AR Hazari, MP Dogra, MM Hussain, Mian Javaid, Sameer Bharti have been promoted to the level of super-time scale - I (Conservator of Forests). The Cabinet also approved the release of non-functioning grade of Joint Secretary to Jigmet Takpa and SK Gupta with effect from September 2012.
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Tributes paid to jawan killed in encounter
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 12
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Chinar Corps in the Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar, to pay tributes to Sepoy Govind Singh of the 31 Rashtriya Rifles who died during an encounter in Kupwara on Wednesday morning.
“General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based strategic Chinar Corps Lt Gen Gurmit Singh and all ranks of the Chinar Corps laid a wreath as a mark of honour to the brave soldier,” a defence spokesman said. The troops of the 31 Rashtriya Rifles carried out a search operation on specific inputs about presence of three to four militants in the forests of Lolab area. During the search operation, the Army troops came under heavy fire from the militants. Govind Singh was critically injured and shifted to the 92 Base Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.“Chinar Corps is proud of the martyr and his name will be embedded at the corps memorial. His contribution towards peace in the Valley will become part of history,” Lt Gen Gurmit Singh said.
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Rifle recovered during search op in Kupwara
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 12
An AK-47 rifle was recovered today by the security forces during a search operation in the forests of Kupwara in north Kashmir to trace the militants involved in the encounter which had left an elite paratrooper of the Army dead on Wednesday morning.
The search operation was continued for the third consecutive day, which is jointly being carried by the Army and the police. “The search operation in the Lolab area of Kupwara continued for the third day today,” General Officer Commanding of Army's Counter-Insurgency Force in north Kashmir, Kilo Force, Maj Gen Sarat Chand said. “We have so far recovered one AK 47 rifle from the area,” he added. About six units of the Rashtriya Rifles are carrying out searches in the forests of Kawari Khurahama in Lolab, 120 km from Srinagar. Govind Singh, a paratrooper of the 31 Rashtriya Rifles, had died in the attack on Wednesday. Police sources said the operation might be called off by Friday evening as they were of the opinion that militants had managed to flee from the area after the shootout.
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Martyrs’ Day divides state on regional lines
Sumit Hakhoo
Jammu, July 12
Observing Martyrs’ Day on July 13 in the state is a topic of discussion in Jammu and Ladakh regions. The day is observed to pay tributes to 22 protesters killed by soldiers of erstwhile Dogra rulers in Srinagar in 1931.
For decades now, the day, except laying of wreath at the martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar, is not given much importance in other regions of the state. Even in Kashmir, views remain divided. Historians in the Valley consider it the first mass awakening against the autocratic rule of Dogra rulers, while Kashmiri Pandits have been observing it as black day to remember victims of communal riots which took place after the killing of the protesters about eight decades ago. Any debate on the event clearly divides people of the state on the basis of religion, region and ideology with many considering it a day marking the formation of Kashmiri political identity and not political identity of other regions of the state. “The incident shaped the identity of Kashmir, while it is looked into with a different frame in Jammu and Ladakh regions. State’s identity is yet to be made and politics is still divergent on various historical events,” said Prof Rekha Choudhary, former head, Department of Political Science, Jammu University. The incident revolves around Abdul Qadeer, a cook with a British officer who delivered a fiery speech against Maharaja Hari Singh. Qadeer was subsequently arrested and put to trial for sedition but in view of his popularity, his trial was shifted to the Srinagar Central Jail. A gathering near the jail was fired upon by soldiers after a mob tried to enter the jail to free inmates. Historian Hari Om said, “It was an anti-state movement and security forces acted to prevent people from entering the central jail. Later, Khatri traders of Maharajgunj were looted, shops from Bohrikadal to Alikadal were burnt and several Kashmiri Pandits were attacked.” Prof Om said many people leading the protests later became part of the Muslim Conference (now National Conference) formed by late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in 1932. Former Ladakh MP Thupstan Chewang said, “For common man in the region, it is just an official holiday and does not hold much importance. We are still facing discrimination and denial of political rights even after six decades of Independence”. Panun Kashmir (PK), an organisation of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, organises protests and seminars every year. “There were riots at Vicharnag, Maharajganj, Amirakadal, Kanikoot and several other places. Since 1932, the community has been observing July 13 as black day. There is a need to study correct history surrounding the event,” said PK president Ashwani Chrungoo. Former Union minister and MLA Chaman Lal Gupta said July 13 could not be a national day as the unrest was engineered by agents of British imperialists. “They wanted to teach a lesson to Maharaja Hari Singh for supporting the cause of Indian Independence at the Round Table Conference of princes and nawabs held in London in 1930,” Gupta said. However, there may be divergent views on historical events in the state prior to 1947, but the July 13 incident shook the very foundation of the Dogra rule since 1846 when Maharaja Gulab Singh purchased Kashmir from British Empire after the fall of Sikh kingdom in a series of Anglo-Sikh wars.
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