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CRPF: No role in 2010 civilian killings
Settling Kashmir
issue PDP’s core agenda, says Mufti
In 2 yrs, 4,259 penalised for fuel pilferage in state
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Health sector a priority, says Omar
Frequent quakes a wake-up call for disaster preparedness
Cong determined to enforce food security scheme in J&K
Bhim Singh meets Governor
Expose elements behind Budgam clashes: BJP
Geelani gives policemen the slip, addresses gathering at mosque
Sarpanches remain sitting ducks for militants
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CRPF: No role in 2010 civilian killings
Srinagar, July 28 Stating that “non-lethal” weapons were used as a “last resort on the orders of a Magistrate”, the CRPF has said the onus for any action taken or combating the situation remains that of the civil administration. This has been stated by the CRPF in its counter affidavit submitted to the J&K High Court this week, which is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by advocate Sofi Imtiyaz seeking investigation and registration of FIRs into 117 civilian killings allegedly by security forces in 2010. The response of the CRPF has come even as the J&K Police has made it clear that it does not need to further investigate the civilian deaths in 2010 as “investigation in almost all cases has been completed”. “In reply to the affidavits filed by the legal heirs of persons allegedly killed during civil disturbances in the summer of 2010, it is submitted that out of the 44 affidavits, 15 have made allegations against the CRPF, and in reply to those, it is categorically denied that any personal of the CRPF is responsible for the deaths,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the CRPF, Group Centre, Rambagh, Srinagar, AL Dutta has submitted in his counter affidavit before the high court. “The allegations against the CRPF personal are incorrect and vague in material and cannot be relied upon,” the counter affidavit states. To quell the civilian protests during the unrest in 2010 summer, the state government had also deployed the CRPF alongside the J&K Police personnel in the Kashmir valley. Apart from allegations against the J&K Police, there were also widespread allegations against the CRPF that its troopers resorted to “indiscriminate” use of force during the unrest, resulting in scores of civilian deaths. However, in its submissions to the court, the CRPF has brushed aside all these allegations saying that maintaining law and orders during the unrest was the responsibility of the civil administration. “The law and order is the responsibility of the state government, which it maintains through the state police and, if required, with the assistance of the Central Police organisations”, the CRPF has said. “Even when the CRPF is deployed, the responsibility for coordination remains with the civil administration. To assist the CRPF, a magistrate and the police are attached to it and the onus for any action taken or combating the situation remains that of the civil administration”, the CRPF has further submitted. Stating that the CRPF has been “requisitioned on a long-term basis” in J&K in view of the “grave law and order situation” arising out of militancy, it has been said that the CRPF is trained in “minimum and graded” use of force as laid down in Standing Operating Procedure (SOP). “The allegations against the CRPF are pure imagination and completely false. The deponent categorically denies the blame as there is not even a single indicator to show that the CRPF was responsible for the alleged deaths,” said the CRPF DIG in the counter affidavit while adding that despite provocation and injury, the CRPF had showed maximum restraint during the 2010 summer unrest in Kashmir. “Non-lethal weapons were used as a last resort for self-defence on the orders of a Magistrate”, it is said. Allegations made
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Settling Kashmir
issue PDP’s core agenda, says Mufti
Srinagar,
July 28 He was speaking during a function organised to celebrate the party's 14th foundation day here. The
former Chief Minister, while addressing a rally at the party
headquarters, said, “The party will strive to pursue its policies and
programmes in this regard by taking all the relevant stakeholders on
board.” The PDP, formed in 1999, was part of the coalition
government with the Congress from 2002 to 2008. Mufti said any attempt
of pushing the Kashmir issue "under the carpet" was bound to
fail. “My sole aim in life is to bring the state out of uncertainty
and darkness which have engulfed it for the past 65 years,” he said. The
PDP patron sought a “decisive mandate” for his party saying it would
provide legitimacy to its efforts. “I have no hesitation in promising
a dignified solution to this vexed problem if people repose their faith
in my party,” he said. He said a “very positive” beginning with
regard to creation of a conducive atmosphere for the resolution of the
Kashmir issue was made in 2003 when the then Prime Minister, AB Vajpayee,
visited the state. “To arrive at a solution we have to create an
internal atmosphere of trust. Also, an external environment of
understanding between India and Pakistan is essential,” he said. “During
our brief tenure, we had attempted this and achieved a breakthrough.
This process needs to be carried forward and the PDP would pick up the
loose ends again with the support of people." Mufti said his
party had emerged as a credible voice of the state. “We don’t claim
to have a monopoly on wisdom, popularity or representation but we will
seek everybody’s help in arriving at a just and practical solution of
the Kashmir issue,” he said. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti also spoke
on the occasion and said Srinagar has “always been the victim of
political exploitation” by the National Conference. She alleged
that the NC's description of accession as "conditional"
revolves around the condition that it should be in power. "Once out
of power, Kashmir for this party becomes disputed,” she said. |
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In 2 yrs, 4,259 penalised for fuel pilferage in state
Jammu, July 28 Ironically, the management of not even a single filling station has been booked for fuel adulteration in this duration despite several complaints about mixing of common adulterants in petroleum products. "At times, customers, mostly bus drivers, fill up directly from government-run vehicles and oil tankers. The pilfered product is sold at a value lesser than the market price to customers in connivance with drivers of government vehicles. The authorities concerned have failed to check the adulteration of diesel and petrol," said an official of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department. The official said to check adulteration of petroleum products, mobile laboratories of oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, were deputed on a rotational basis at filling stations by the department in association with oil companies, crime branch and traffic department. The move aimed at detecting the violation besides taking necessary action against the defaulters. Sources said a total of 5,499 inspections regarding pilferage were conducted and 840 defaulters were penalised in the Jammu region in 2011-12 while 1,172 defaulters were penalised in Srinagar during the period. In 2011-12, a total of 7,172 inspections were conducted in Srinagar. "As many as 1,765 inspections were made in Jammu and 12,771 in Srinagar in 2012-13. Of all these inspections, 595 defaulters were penalised in Jammu and the number of violators in Srinagar was 1,652," the official said. He said only three FIRs were registered in Jammu during the last two years, while a total of 96 FIRs, including 73 in 2011-12 and 23 in 2012-13, were registered against violators. "Around Rs 30 lakh was realised from the defaulters for indulging in pilferage," the official added. However, no petrol pump owner was booked for adulteration in the Valley during the period. "Not even a single filling station was inspected and booked for fuel adulteration across Jammu in the last two years whereas in 2011-12, at least 770 filling stations, including 401 in 2011-12 and 369 in 2012-13, were inspected but the inspection teams didn't find any adulteration at petrol pumps," said the official. Anan Sharma, president, J&K Petroleum Dealers Association, claimed there was no complaint of adulteration against any filling station in any part of the state and that petrol pump owners were discharging their duties with "sincerity". "As far as fuel pilferage by drivers of oil tankers is concerned, it is not an easy task to check such a malpractice," he said. At times, customers, mostly bus drivers, fill up directly from government-run vehicles and oil tankers. The pilfered product is sold at a value lesser than the market price to customers in connivance with drivers of government vehicles. The authorities concerned have failed to check the adulteration of diesel and petrol |
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Health sector a priority, says Omar
Srinagar, July 28 Omar said this while inaugurating a modern testing gadget at GB Pant Children’s Hospital in Srinagar, a government spokesman said in statement issued here today. “The development of the health sector has been flagged as one of the most important sectors in the state’s development policy and focused attention is on to ensure all-round and comprehensive development in all disciplines of the health sector in the state,” Omar said. Omar said along with providing modern equipment, better infrastructure is being added in the hospitals in both urban and rural areas, the statement added. The Chief Minister received the appraisal of the status of treatment being provided to infants in the hospital, the statement said. “The Medical Superintendent of the Hospital told the Chief Minister that the 15-bedded paediatric intensive care unit had been made functional in the hospital, expanding the orbit of specialised treatment and medicare in the hospital,” it added. On the occasion, the Minister for Medical Education and the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, were also present. New testing gadget The new medical testing gadget known as Bact Alert, which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister, is a comprehensive machine that can undertake the culturing of blood sample within 24 to 36 hours to decide the requisite antibiotic for the treatment of the patient. The gadget has the capacity to handle 240 samples at a time. For purchasing the gadget, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah had given Rs 30 lakh from the MP Local Area Development fund |
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Frequent quakes a wake-up call for disaster preparedness
Jammu, July 28 In geological terms, it is no longer a Seismic Locked Area, a term coined by the geologist few years back in view of dormant plate activity in the state. A locked fault means equal resistance exerted by two faults. Such faults may store strain for extended periods making the area dormant for time, eventually released in an earthquake when frictional resistance between them is overcome. After Bhaderwah quake of May 1, which was measured 5.8 on the Richter scale, scientists say the state needs to invest more in research activities and disaster management, to prevent large-scale destruction. More than two dozen aftershocks were felt across the region over past two months. The state and the entire Himalayan region has been experiencing increased seismic activity as for years, the epicentre was mainly in the Hindukush or Pamirs and the state was only experiencing the aftershocks. But Bhaderwah quake changed all this and the centre of the quake was a small village in the area. “Still nothing can be said with certainty when it comes to predicting an earthquake. We have been monitoring and studying the geological activity in the state for a long time. At times it remains dormant and between certain periods it becomes active as experienced across the world,” said Prof GM Bhat, a geologist at Jammu University. Prof Bhat, who himself is a leading earthquake expert had conducted extensive study on the subject in the state. “The need of the hour is extensive funding from the government to understand the geological and fault lines better which could be used for future urban planning,” he said. After the devastating earthquake in parts of the state in October 2005, an international workshop of geo-scientists organised in March 2008 by the Department of Geology and Mining urged the state to establish seismological observatories for monitoring of seismic activities on a regular basis. With the help of the Union Ministry of Earth Science and the Jammu University, a network of Broad Band Seismograph (BBS) was established at Kupwara, Poonch, Uri, Dooru and Bani, which has been operational since 2009. Former coordinator, Disaster Management Cell, Prof Aamir Ali, said with frequent quakes in the region, the government needs to invest in disaster management to minimise loss of lives. “The only shield is a strong disaster management plan and awareness among people about how to save themselves. Major concern is the design and construction of homes in the state, which cannot resist any strong earthquake,” Ali said. It may be mentioned here that a study conducted by a prominent United States based seismologist Roger Bilham had warned that the region needs to get prepared for a high-intensity quake in near future, which could be up to the magnitude of 9 on the Ritcher scale. Past quakes
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Cong determined to enforce food security scheme in J&K
Jammu, July 28 Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz, who had attended the briefing of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday on the Bill, told reporters here this afternoon that there was no reason to delay the implementation of the “revolutionary scheme” in J&K. “Being a partner in the coalition government, we will convince the National Conference leadership to implement this scheme in J&K,” Soz said, adding that he would take up the issue in the next meeting of the Coalition Coordination Committee (CCC) because implementation of the scheme was necessary to provide subsidised food grains to the poor. Soz said since the Centre had been providing liberal financial aid to the state, there was no reason for the J&K Government to be worried about implementation of the Act. He was optimistic about the state government implementing the scheme in the state. Earlier addressing a function to pay a tribute to local Congress leader Mohan Lal Sharma, Soz termed the Food Security Bill as revolutionary and challenged the BJP to hold a debate on the Bill in Parliament. Soz claimed that the Congress would emerge as the single largest party in the coming Assembly elections in J&K because people of the state had realised that the Congress was the only party which could solve their problems. |
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Bhim Singh meets Governor
Srinagar, July 28 Singh, as per an official statement, discussed various matters concerning the efficient and timely implementation of major welfare and development schemes and programmes. They also discussed issues relating to the interests of the
state. |
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Expose elements behind Budgam clashes: BJP
Jammu, July 28 In a statement issued here today, Singh said the common Kashmiri, irrespective of the community or sect he or she belonged to, wished to live in harmony but some Kashmir-centric politicians and groups for their competitive upmanship triggered such volatile situation. He said as the election time was nearing, the phenomenon assumed acute proportions. This could also be the handiwork of some Kashmir-centric political party which apprehends a decline in its political fortunes in the ensuing elections, he alleged. He said instead of seeking mileage from such unfortunate loss of life and property, it was the responsibility of all political parties to come together for restoring peace in Central Kashmir areas at the earliest because foreign-sponsored militant outfits were on a lookout for taking the advantage of the situation. He said there was enough intelligence evidence that Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Indian Mujahideen were planting rumours to instigate violence. — TNS
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Geelani gives policemen the slip, addresses gathering at mosque
Srinagar, July 28 Geelani later addressed a gathering at a mosque near to his house at Hyderpora. Two eyewitnesses, who had gone to participate in a Koranic conference at Geelani’s residence, which also houses the office of the hardline separatist faction, said the police did not allow the people to enter the premises following which it was decided to hold the conference in the mosque. “When a huge crowd began to gather outside Geelani’s residence, the police gave the permission for the conference. When people were entering, Geelani left the place in a car and went to the mosque,” they said. A spokesman for the hardline faction said Geelani broke the police cordon around his residence. A police officer, however, said Geelani was not under house arrest and had been allowed to organise the conference. Addressing the gathering, Geelani condemned the arrest of youths who had protested against the desecration of the holy book and the subsequent killing of four civilians in Ramban recently. He also reiterated his call for the election boycott. Geelani also expressed his concern at the security situation in Pakistan, saying those attacking mosques are the “enemies of Islam and Pakistan”. He praised the Afghan Taliban, saying they were fighting against the occupation. |
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Sarpanches remain sitting ducks for militants
Jammu, July 28 “Neither the present dispensation has empowered us by incorporating the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act nor has it done enough to ensure our safety. We remain sitting ducks for militants,” said Shafiq Mir, convener of the All J&K Panchayat Conference (AJKPC). A total of 4,125 sarpanches and 29,700 panches were elected in the state in May 2011. The National Conference-Congress coalition had described the panchayat elections as one of their biggest achievements. Sarpanch Khazir Mohammad Parray, 45, a resident of Krankshivan village in Sopore, was shot at by militants on July 26. Mir blamed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the killings of unarmed and unprotected panchayat members. AJKPC general secretary Anil Sharma said, “Leave aside this government, the Opposition also has failed us in the state. The PDP, BJP and Panthers Party did not play the role of a true Opposition. They are also maintaining a discreet silence.” “The UPA government should have realised that amid separatist sentiment lives a vast majority that believes in democracy in Kashmir and wants development. They are the torch bearers of democracy in the Valley and both the governments (state and the Centre) should have left no stone unturned to strengthen Panchayati Raj in the state,” said Sharma. Six panchayat members have been killed by militants in the Valley so far. The Chief Minister, on September 26 last year, had said the government would increase the deployment of forces and change the pattern of their deployment according to the threat perception. |
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Srinagar, July 28
Jammu, July 28
