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Army Chief applauds efforts of soldiers guarding LoC
Pak national arrested in RS Pura
Congress secy in charge of J&K may be changed
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Governor reviews facilities at yatra camps
Planning Commission wants NSS funding reviewed
Scientist expresses concern about extensive melting of glacier
Mehbooba appoints PDP secretaries
Retired professor to pay Rs 1 lakh for repeatedly seeking trial of judges
State politicians going e-way for higher visibility
Nod to night flights in Srinagar
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Army Chief applauds efforts of soldiers guarding LoC
Srinagar, July 16 While interacting with troops at various forward posts along the LoC on Tuesday in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara districts, the Army Chief appreciated the jawans for maintaining high alertness to avert any attempt from the other side to infiltrate militants into Kashmir. “Your role and the round-the-clock vigil in these tough terrains are highly appreciated,” General Singh told jawans of 4 Kumaon Regiment during an interaction at the Keran sector of Kupwara district. The 4 Kumaon Regiment had last week foiled a major infiltration bid in which five militants
were killed. The Army Chief spent some time interacting with soldiers at various forward areas. General Singh was also given a detailed briefing about the anti-infiltration measures that have been taken along the LoC by the Army. The two General Officers Commanding of the Baramulla-based 19 Infantry and 28 Mountain Division gave a detailed briefing to the Army Chief about the situation along the LoC in their respective areas. While interacting with officers and troops at forward posts, General Singh laid stress upon the secular and apolitical ethos of the Indian Army, said a defence spokesman of the Army in Srinagar. The Army Chief later reviewed the security situation at the two Counter Insurgency Divisions of the Army at their respective headquarters, Kilo Force and Victor Force. The Army Chief was also briefed about the security aspects of the ongoing Amarnath yatra. “The Chief of the Army Staff was appreciative of the initiatives undertaken by the Northern Command and, in particular, the Chinar Corps which have led to sustaining the peaceful environment in the Valley. He lauded the Chinar Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and other security agencies for their synergised effort in the smooth conduct of the Amarnath yatra as well as other operations,” the spokesman said. The Army Chief exhorted the officers to continue to operate with zeal and uphold the law of the land, respecting human rights and undertaking people-friendly operations. General Singh had arrived on a two-day visit to the Valley on Monday to carry out the review of the security situation and to interact with troops deployed in the forward areas. |
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Pak national arrested in RS Pura
Jammu, July 16 “Around 1.26 am, our alert border guards from 200 Battalion nabbed this Pakistani national near the Stop 2 post in the RS Pura sector,” said a BSF spokesperson. He was moving suspiciously into the Indian Territory, he added. The spokesperson said during the preliminary questioning of the man, he identified himself as Fiaz Ahmed (48), a resident of Raipur in Sialkot district of Pakistan. However, nothing incriminating was found in his possession, the spokesman said. He is now being questioned by various intelligence agencies. Fiaz is the third Pakistani national to be arrested along the international border in the past 17 days. |
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Congress secy in charge of J&K may be changed
New Delhi, July 16 During the organisational alterations at the top recently, Mainul Haque, a senior legislator from West Bengal was named secretary in charge of Jammu and Kashmir. He was to assist the new Congress general secretary for the state, Ambika Soni. The Tribune has, however, reliably learnt that Haque has requested the party high command to consider his request of replacement as secretary of Jammu and Kashmir as it is far off from his own state and hence, difficult to cover. The request was made recently, following which Haque is reported to have presented his case to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Haque has sought a replacement considering the new Congress culture of secretaries being active in the field in the states they have been given the responsibility of. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has sent a clear message to party office bearers “not to sit in Delhi but move out in their respective states”. Top Congress sources said the replacement of Haque as secretary, All India Congress Committee, Jammu and Kashmir, was likely though a decision on the issue would be taken by Sonia Gandhi, who retained three states during the recent organisational reshuffle. Ambika Soni was given the responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Following Haque’s request, the Congress is in the process of finding a suitable candidate to serve as secretary in the sensitive state where the National Conference and the Congress are coalition partners. For any new secretary, it would be a challenge to assist Soni in strengthening the organisation at a time when concerns about weak coordination between the coalition partners are mounting. Meanwhile, the new general secretary for the state is learnt to have asked J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz to organise a general body meeting of the party as soon as possible. She is said to have asked for separate meetings in the Jammu and Kashmir regions. |
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Wrong to say Kashmiri students not safe outside state: Soz
Srinagar, July 16 Pointing out that around 10 lakh Kashmiris were pursuing studies in various Indian universities and colleges or were earning their livelihood by selling handicrafts outside the state, he said: “It is imperative for people who have apprehensions regarding any adverse situation to check facts before making statements.” Soz said this while addressing a gathering at Handwara in Kupwara district. The comments were made following the recent deaths of two local youths in Mumbai and Rajasthan that triggered protests in the Valley. He urged people to develop the “culture of investigation of individual complaints before giving credence to rumours which are floated by vested interests.” Complaints must be brought to the notice of the authorities, he added. Asserting that no government in the state could be formed without the support of the Congress, he claimed that the party would have the ‘largest numbers’ in the 2014 Assembly elections. Soz declared that “no power on earth” could amend or abrogate Article 370 of the Constitution of India without the will of the people of the state. The Article would continue to remain an integral part of the Constitution, he added. Housing, Horticulture and Culture Minister Raman Bhalla and Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan were also present at the rally. |
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Amarnath
yatra
Jammu, July 16 Around 60 to 65 deaths occurred in the first 15 days of the yatra last year. After the last year’s death toll had seen the intervention of the Supreme Court, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) went all out to put in place a near foolproof mechanism to ensure minimum deaths this year. “We get saddened by the loss of even one life. But compared to the last year, we have six deaths so far this year in the past 19 days (all due to cardiac arrest). We attribute the positive change to the involvement of all stakeholders, including the pilgrims,” said SASB CEO Navin Kumar Choudhary. This year the state government did a lot of meticulous planning in effectively and smoothly regulating the pilgrimage right up to the cave shrine, he said. There is no overcrowding and jamming of pilgrims this year, especially between Panjtarni and the cave shrine and Brari Marg and the cave shrine. The pilgrims also were serious about getting the compulsory health certificate from authorised doctors and hospitals before embarking upon the pilgrimage, he said. The CEO informed that the SASB in tandem with the state administration, police, Army, CRPF, BSF and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had put in place improved facilities. He appreciated the mass media for giving publicity to the SASB’s advisory for the pilgrims. “We are not allowing any unregistered pilgrim from the two access control gates at Baltal and Pahalgam. And, in case doctors at medical camps en route the two axis ask an ill patient to return without visiting the cave shrine, he or she has to return. It is mandatory,” said Choudhary. Every 2 to 3 km the state government has this year set up medical camps on both routes while six rescue teams and security personnel from the NDRF, Army, BSF, CRPF and police dot the tracks every 50 metres. The SASB has also put an upper ceiling of not allowing more than 7,500 pilgrims each from the twin tracks every morning, that too, after getting the weather update. On evacuation of ill patients to hospitals in copters, he said, the SASB did it last year and the practice is in place this year also, subject to feasibility and fair weather conditions. The SASB this year airlifted a critically ill pilgrim, Kavita, from Andhra Pradesh, an acute diabetic patient, from Zojibal to a hospital and the hard work paid off as she survived. So far, over 2.50 lakh pilgrims have offered prayers at the cave shrine. |
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Governor reviews facilities at yatra camps
Srinagar, July 16 The Governor, accompanied by Navin K Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, inspected arrangements at Sheshnag and Chandanwari and held meetings with the camp Directors and other officials. He inspected the functioning of the access control gate at Chandanwari, CCTV cameras and held discussions with the camp director, Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police and other officers about the difficulties faced by the pilgrims. The Governor called upon the camp director and the district authorities to ensure that duly registered pilgrims did not face any inconvenience. At Chandanwari, the Governor inaugurated a free of cost medical camp set up by the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a Kolkata-based NGO. He appreciated the organisation’s gesture and enquired about the medicare facilities and other support made available by it to the pilgrims. He also interacted with the pilgrims and ponywallas and listened to their suggestions about the yatra arrangements. Later, the Governor did an intensive inspection of the Nunwan base camp and took stock of various arrangements and logistics to facilitate the pilgrims. During inspection of the Base Hospital at the camp, he interacted with doctors, enquired about the difficulties faced in the functioning of the hospital, spoke to some of the pilgrims admitted to the hospital and advised the doctors to ensure against any ill person being allowed to undertake the pilgrimage. He also advised the doctors to refer all seriously ill pilgrims to hospitals at Srinagar. The Governor asked the langar organisations to maintain hygienic conditions and cleanliness in and around their langars and serve food to the pilgrims strictly as per the prescribed menu. |
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Army Chief, Omar discuss security scenario in state
Srinagar, July 16 The Army Chief briefed the Chief Minister about the functioning of the security grid in the state and the status of coordination between various agencies connected with security and law and order. “Matters pertaining to Hyderpora and Markundal incidents also came up during the meeting,” an official spokesman said. Eight Army men were killed and over a dozen injured in a militant ambush on an Army convoy on the outskirts of the city on June 25. Days after the Hyderpora attack, two youths, both residents of Markundal village, were allegedly killed by the Army on June 30. The killings had sparked protests in Bandipore district. "The Army Chief assured the Chief Minister that necessary measures would be taken to ensure that such incidents do not take place in future," the spokesman said. GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Sanjiv Chachra and GOC, 15 Corps, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh were also present in the meeting. Sources said the Army Chief also briefed Omar about the situation along the Line of Control. — TNS
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Planning Commission wants NSS funding reviewed
Jammu, July 16 Sources said the funding pattern for J&K, Union Territories (UTs) without legislature, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) would continue to be funded 100 per cent by the Central government. Sources added that the cost implication of the proposed modification for 32.59 lakh volunteers for the Central share would be Rs 122.30 crore. The state share on this account will be Rs 42.51 crore. The NSS is presently the only Centrally sponsored programme of the Department of Youth Affairs. As per the existing funding pattern, the expenditure is shared in the ratio of 3:1 between the Centre and states in North East and hilly areas; 100 per cent Central funding in case of J&K, UTs without legislature, KVs and NVs and in the rest of India, the funding is shared in the ratio of 7:5 between the Centre and the states. Sources said the proposed fund sharing of 75:25 for the rest of India and 90:10 for North East states and hilly areas was taken up with all states and Union Territories. Eleven states had agreed to the proposed fund sharing. The remaining states/UTs are yet to give their views/concurrence on the fund sharing between the Centre and the states. The National Council on Skill Development along with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences is actively working out a revised framework for the NSS. A series of discussions have already been held at various levels, wherein implementing universities have participated. The focus of the scheme would be on students attaining employable skills while undertaking work with the community to bring about sustainable social change and equity. The main objective is to make the youth responsible citizens, position youth as agents of social and economic transformation and gain sustainable and relevant employable skills along with their degree to find work after graduation. Even the University Grants Commission, in 2006, issued an advisory encouraging universities and colleges to introduce career-oriented programmes at the first degree level. State governments were requested to include the skill development component in the NSS scheme. |
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Scientist expresses concern about extensive melting of glacier
Leh, July 16 This was disclosed by a senior scientist of the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, Dr Renoj J Thayyen, at Leh. Dr Thayyen has been studying the impact of climate change on the three glaciers of Ladakh - Khardong, Nangtse and Fuchesince - since 2007. These are the glaciers
on which people of Leh town depend for water and livelihood. This is for the first time that glaciers of Ladakh are being studied individually by scientists with the support of the Department of Science and Technology. Dr Thayyen said, “The snow piled on the Khardong glacier melted early in May 2011, which resulted in a huge melting of the glacier during the later months of that summer. The possibility of black carbon being the main reason of glacier melting is also being looked into as traffic towards Khardong La
has increased due to the increase in the influx of tourists.” Dr Thayyen said a 10-day workshop to study the climate change impact on water resources and the changing habitat and livelihood pattern of people of Ladakh will be organised in Leh in September. Young scientists of various disciplines such as glaciology, geology, geography, anthropology, sociology and political sciences from different parts of the country are expected to attend the workshop. Five villages adjacent
to Leh have been selected as sample villages for the study during the workshop. The workshop is being sponsored by the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, Jammu University, Indian Himalayan Climate and Adaptation Program, Ministry of Earth, Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Indian Council for Social Research and Jammu and Kashmir Bank. |
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Mehbooba appoints PDP secretaries
Jammu, July 16 According to an order issued here today, while executing a reshuffle in the party, the PDP president relieved all incumbent state secretaries with immediate effect. While Fallail Singh has been reappointed as state secretary and in charge, press and media, at the province and state levels, two
new faces Surinder Choudhary and Abdul Rashid Malik have been given the responsibilities of state secretary. Surinder Choudhary, a PDP leader from Nowshera segement of Rajouri distict and a prominent trade union leader of the state, has been given the important post due to his organisational capabilities. He lost in the last Assembly elections from Nowshera segment by a narrow margin. Rafiq Malik is a prominent leader of weaker sections of society and
has a strong base among people. He had contested the last Assembly elections from Nagrota assembly segment.
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Retired professor to pay Rs 1 lakh for repeatedly seeking trial of judges
Srinagar, July 16 The high court in its detailed judgment has also observed that the petitioner Abdul Gani Bhat, a retired college professor from Srinagar, was scandalising the courts and the judges by repeatedly lodging petitions seeking prosecution of judges. “Apart from derogatory expressions, the petitioner is scandalising the courts and the judges and has been repeatedly lodging petitions seeking prosecution of the judges because of their judicial acts undermining the courts and the majesty of law, thereby lowering the authority of the courts which amounts to interference with the administration of justice”, a single bench of Justice Virender Singh observed in its detailed judgment passed on Monday and made available today. While imposing exemplary costs of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner, the high court also allowed an earlier reference by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, for initiating criminal contempt against the petitioner in terms of Section 15(1) b of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1997. “The statement so made by the petitioner that ‘he has no faith in the court’ amounts to an interference in the administration of justice giving cause for contempt proceedings against him,” the single bench observed while agreeing with the observations made earlier by another bench of the court that the statement amounted to contempt. “I wish that the petitioner calls it a day to his adventure and understands that appearance in person does not entitle him to malign the judges and the judicial officers by recklessly making aspersions on them and undermining the dignity of the courts because they have denied his desired directions to him, as is evident from the (earlier) observations of the division bench, orders of the learned CJM, learned 4th Additional Sessions Judge and the learned Single Judge,” Justice Virender Singh observed while concluding the judgment. Observing that the “conduct” of the petitioner showed that he had “no inclination to regret”, the bench said expeditious disposal of the contempt proceedings initiated against him would be in the interest of the institution so that “this Court is not used as a platform by him all the time to play to the gallery disrespecting the judicial system as a whole, which amounts to an attempt striking at the roots of the administration of justice”. The court directed the registry to place the orders before the Chief Justice for assigning the two contempt proceedings before an appropriate bench.
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State politicians going e-way for higher visibility
These politicians are following the footsteps of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is active on Twitter with 3,12,671 followers. Being the youngest Chief Minister in India, Omar has been getting a lot of attention from across the country. The Chief Minister is mostly followed by youth from outside the state, critics, journalists and his friends. His tweets on various issues keeps his page filled with comments from across the country. The trend of keeping in touch with net-savvy
people is a strategy adopted by politicians of countries in the West. Many politicians from the state are following suit and have come up with pages and accounts on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly Mehbooba Mufti has a page on Facebook which is liked by 2,677 people. Apart from Omar, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz has an account on Twitter, but is followed by only 20 people. Separatist leaders, too, are visible on these social networking sites. Hardliner separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has an account on Twitter in which he is followed by 5,765 people. Apart from these high-profile leaders, second-rung leaders, including ministers, are active on Facebook and share their pictures related to various events. J&K Legislative Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul, Minister for PHE Sham Lal Sharma and Housing and Horticulture Minister Raman Bhalla are active members on Facebook who share their pictures and views from time to time. Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo’s page on
Facebook is liked by 7,118 people. |
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Nod to night flights in Srinagar Srinagar, July 16 Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh had written to Defence Minister AK Antony on June 24 seeking clearance for facilitating night landing and take-off from the Srinagar airport. — PTI
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Jammu, July 16