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Infiltration bids foiled, 2 killed
NH closed after massive landslides at Samroli
Situation along border tense, BSF on alert
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Tourist influx on decline after Gool firing
Budgam back to normal
Wildlife park project makes no progress
Police remains clueless about arrest of 3 Chinese in Ladakh
Dalai Lama on 25-day visit to Ladakh
Vohra, Omar discuss internal security, governance
Moderate tremor in Valley
Age limit, tenure of sports bodies’ office-bearers fixed
Governor for developing Jammu Kala Kendra
Stone-throwing spreading from Valley to Jammu
Beggars throng mosques to make most of Ramadan
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Infiltration bids foiled, 2 killed
Srinagar/Jammu, July 29 One militant was killed and two injured when Army personnel manning a post near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of north Kashmir intercepted the three gunmen attempting to infiltrate into the Valley. Three militants were spotted about 200 metres inside the LoC by soldiers at the Shalabato post in the Keran sector of Kupwara district, 140 kilometres north-west of Srinagar. The gunfight began at 3 am and lasted 30 minutes. Two militants were wounded, a senior Army official said. The pre-dawn attempt to sneak into the Valley was the third infiltration bid foiled in the Keran sector this month. "Our troops at the fence fired at them and we killed one terrorist," the Army official said. He said the fence, built inside the Line of Control soon after The Army recovered the body of the militant and was searching the area for the other two, who were believed to have been seriously injured. "We do not know where they are, but are getting inputs they are seriously injured," the official said. General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 28 Infantry Division, Major General Lalit Pandey said two AK-47 assault rifles, three magazines with ammunition, walking sticks and three bags were recovered from the site. "The operation is going on. Our assessment is that there were three militants. One has been killed and two are injured. They are lying somewhere in a gorge. We know that one of them has been seriously wounded," the GOC said. In the other incident, the Army foiled an intrusion bid last night and shot an intruder, suspected to be a militant, along the LoC in the Pallanwala sector, 60 km from here, of the Akhnoor subdivision in the Jammu district. "Around 8:30 pm, troops of the Sunderbani Brigade in the Akhnoor Division observed suspicious movement on the Indian side of the LoC at Lalyali," said Jammu-based officiating Defence PRO SN Acharya. "The troops challenged the intruder, who started running back to the Pakistani side. The troops subsequently opened fire and shot the intruder," he said. The official added that the intruder was wearing a grey pathani suit. "No weapon were found from the possession of the slain intruder," he said. The body was later handed over to the police, he added. Sources divulged that the Army recovered an AK-47 assault rifle from the possession of the deceased, believed to be between 40 and 45 years of age. The sources said the troops observed the suspicious movement of two or three suspected militants. The action by soldiers led to the killing of one militant while others returned to Pakistan, they added. |
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NH closed after massive landslides at Samroli
Jammu, July 29 After receiving information, the administration requested the Army to rescue the trapped persons who had probably gone to collect sand from the river bed,” a police officer said. SN Acharya, Officiating Public Relations Officer (Defence), Jammu, said soldiers rescued four persons stranded in the raging waters by using boats and brought them to safety. “Soldiers of 15 Engineering Regiment rushed to the spot and rescued the trapped persons, including two minors, from the raging waters,” the PRO said. The administration has advised the people not to go closer to river bodies following the possibility of flash floods in view of the monsoon season. Meanwhile, vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road link connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, remained suspended for the day following landslides in the Samroli area at 10 am. “The Border Roads Organisation personnel with the assistance of the local administration pressed its men and machinery into service after heavy rains triggered landslides. Thousands of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the national highway, causing inconvenience to commuters,” a source said. Sources said the road was made motorable for a one-way traffic, which was moving at a snail’s pace till the reports last came in. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Highway, Faisal Qureshi said the road clearance team was rushed to the spot following the landslides and the clearance work was in process. “A large boulder rolled down during the landslides and blocked the road completely. The road clearance work is in process and it will take some time to clear the boulders from the road to make it motorable,” the DSP said. |
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Situation along border tense, BSF on alert
Jammu, July 29 The BSF has braced up for another possible misadventure by the Rangers along the border in the coming days. On Saturday, the Rangers opened sniper fire and critically injured BSF guard Baljeet Singh. Around 8:30 pm that evening, the Rangers opened fire on civilian population at Manyari, Pansar, Chandrechak and other forward villages, injuring a civilian which caused panic among villagers. “After the firing, the situation is tense, but under control,” said NS Jamwal, BSF DIG, Jammu Frontier. He further said going by their tendency, the Rangers might target another area along the border. “We are aware of the situation,” he added. The Rangers, in a bid to meet their ulterior motives, had raised a tree line on their territory along the 192-km border to obstruct the view of the BSF. Sources said the BSF had braced up for possible misadventures, based on intelligence inputs. “We anticipate a major intrusion bid in days ahead and have accordingly made some changes in our strategy,” they said.
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Tourist influx on decline after Gool firing
Jammu, July 29 On the one hand, taxi operators of Jammu have no customers while on the other, only 10 per cent occupancy has been registered at hotels in the Jammu region. Taxi operators, who were charging Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per day for a tour to Srinagar, are now charging Rs 2,000 per day. Some of the taxi operators are sitting idle. “It has become difficult to arrange the EMI and insurance of the vehicles in this scenario. Only some Vaishno Devi and Amarnath pilgrims are visiting these days. Many tourists cut short their visit while others put their trip to the state on hold,” said Hans Raj Sharma, a taxi operator, in Jammu. “This is the peak time when tourists are expected in the state and we can earn some handsome amount. But after the Gool firing incident, all our bookings were cancelled or put on hold. There is a sudden decrease in the number of tourists visiting the state,” Sharma said. Before the firing incident, the inflow of tourists in the state was up to the mark and the taxi operators and hoteliers were expecting good business in Jammu. There was a good flow of tourists in the Jammu markets, especially Raghunath Bazaar, and some famous tourist places such as Bahu Fort and Raghunath Temple. But today there are only a few tourists. Many hotels in Jammu are lying vacant and some of them are offering heavy discount on rooms. Hoteliers were already giving 20 per cent discount to tourists and pilgrims visiting the state during the Amarnath yatra. The hotels in the Jammu City recorded more than 80 per cent occupancy in the last month. Inderjit Khajuria, president of the Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association, said, “A drastic fall has been noticed in the number of tourists. All our hotels are vacant. There are no tourists, only some pilgrims who stay in Jammu for a day or two. They pay only 50 per cent of the rent after negotiations.” “The main reason behind the fall in tourists is the firing incident at Ramban, which created panic among travellers,” Khajuria said. The officials of the Tourism Department at Jammu have also noticed a drastic fall in the number of tourists in the state. |
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Srinagar, July 29 Deputy Commissioner Khursheed Ahmad Shah said no restriction was in force, no deployment was made in any village and the situation was normal. This was the first time no restriction was enforced in any area since trouble started on July 20. There had been tension in several villages after a scuffle between two individuals. There were clashes between two sects, keeping the civil administration and the police on their toes. Political parties and various organisations had appealed for peace and harmony over the last one week. Around 20 villages in the area were the worst affected and the authorities had to deploy paramilitary forces to check any untoward incident. While peace was restored in many villages, three or four villages continued to remain tense. Tension again prevailed in Budgam town following the death of a woman at the SKIMS on Friday night. — TNS |
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Wildlife park project makes no progress
Jammu, July 29 Though the master plan for the project has been completed, the Forest Department is being slow in transferring the forest land to the Wildlife Department, a major impediment in starting work and getting necessary funds from the Central government. Sources claimed that it might take months before the decision was taken on the transfer of land as the officials concerned were not seriously pursuing the matter. “Like the delay in several tourism projects in Jammu, the proposed zoo seems to be becoming a lost project. Not much is being done to speed up the land acquisition process by the respective departments,” said an official source. The Central Zoo Authority had approved the revised detailed project report after much lobbying as it had rejected the earlier plans mainly because of the design problems. For the purpose, a 2-sqkm area was identified near Khanpur in Nagrota on the city outskirts. Work on the project was to start some four year ago, but the officials entrusted with its execution had expressed dissatisfaction over the way the project was planned, after which a fresh proposal was approved from Centre. Chief Wildlife Warden AK Singh said, “We are in touch with the Forest Department and it has assured us that the transfer of land is in the advanced stage. I recently met senior officials to discuss the issue.” Jammu and Kashmir does not have a full-fledged zoo. Besides an isolation ward and visitor education facilities, arrangements are to be made for civic amenities, service roads, administrative blocks, entry plaza and car parking. Chief Conservator of Forests Ravi Kesar said the decision on the land transfer would be taken in the next few weeks. “The transfer (of land) will be completed soon. We have completed the groundwork.” At present, there are around 85 animal species at the Manda sanctuary, which include jungle cat, civet cat, black bear, blue bull, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, goral, porcupine, peafowl, ducks, guinea fowl, turkey, cinereous vulture, eagle and owl and there is a need for a bigger space. |
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Police remains clueless about arrest of 3 Chinese in Ladakh
Jammu, July 29 The Leh police has not yet been intimated about
the incident. “So far none from the Army has intimated us about the incident and there is no communication with us about it (the arrest),” Leh SSP Vivek Gupta told The Tribune over phone. On July 2, the SSP
had given a similar response to the queries of this correspondent. As per the law of the land, any foreigner who illegally crosses the border has to be handed over to the local police first so that the person can be booked under relevant sections of the law. “Though the Indo-Tibetan Border Police which has the operational responsibility of the LAC might have the authority over the three Chinese men. Bit it is a thumb rule under the law of the land to report such matters to the local police first. Whenever security forces apprehend intruders on the border, they are handed over to the local police. In this case (three Chinese men) it has not happened even after 47 days,” said a police officer. The three Chinese
men were identified as Salamo, Abdul Khaliq and Adil Thorsong. However, it has been reliably learnt that the Army has kept them at the Margo post for the past 47 days. “We smell a dangerous game plan in the presence of the three Chinese men in Sultanchusku. They were carrying arms, ammunition and ration. Their sustained questioning has so far revealed that they had ample knowledge of the inhospitable terrain,” said a top Army source. The three men spoke Yarkandi and Uyghur dialects and the Army had to face a tough time as they could not understand the languages the men spoke. The three men were kept and probed separately, added the source. Interrogators believe that the Chinese men were lying about the route they had taken to reach Sultanchusku, he said, adding that they also came up with contradictory statements on their motives to enter Ladakh. |
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Dalai Lama on 25-day visit to Ladakh
Leh, July 29 The district police and the district administration provided tight security along the 15-km route of his motorcade from the airport to Choglamsar. Thousands of people from various areas of Ladakh queued up on both sides of the route with
garlands and traditional white scarfs. Delegations of Shia and Sunni Muslim sects from Ladakh also joined Buddhist monks and leaders in welcoming the Dalai Lama. Addressing the gathering of Buddhist monks and religious and political leaders at Fotang, he stressed unity and oneness among various communities. He said, “Wherever I go, I present the unity between Buddhists and Muslims
and Shias and Sunnis in Ladakh as an example of coexistence among different communities.” He further said, “This unscheduled visit is for a retreat and meditation in Ladakh and a reunion with trusted friends of Ladakh.” |
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Vohra, Omar discuss internal security, governance
Srinagar, July 29 They also discussed the conduct of the ongoing Amarnath yatra. |
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Moderate tremor in Valley
Srinagar, July 29 The official said the epicentre of the earthquake was 36.6 degree North and 17.6 degree East in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan. There were no reports of damage or injuries from the region. The Kashmir region
is a high seismic activity zone and is prone to earthquakes.
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Age limit, tenure of sports bodies’ office-bearers fixed
Jammu, July 29 The 129th standing committee of the J&K State Sports Council today approved the engagement of an equal number of coaches in Srinagar and Jammu on a contract basis. It would also set up a sub-committee comprising two joint secretaries and two members of the council to rationalise the number of coaches and identify trained coaches, who are willing to train youth in the state. Some more important decisions were taken today at meeting, held under the chairmanship of Minister for Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohiuddin. The minister said sports would soon be incorporated into the school curriculum and the Sports Department was in touch with the Education Department in this connection. Sources said the fate of the contractual coaches and instructors, who were awaiting regularisation, was also decided at the meeting. “The contractual coaches who are awaiting regularisation are likely to be confirmed. The meeting was informed that a proposal has been submitted to the Finance Department for the release of their salaries after they are regularised,” a source said. The committee also approved setting up of District Sports Councils for coordinating and managing sports activities in districts. These councils would have representation from the Youth Services Department, Sports Council and the district administration. Sources said it was also decided that outstanding players, being recruited in various government departments, would be hired by the Sports Council on deputation to provide expert coaching to promising sportspersons. Sportspersons were authorised journey in 3-tier AC for participation in national-level competitions outside the state. Refreshment of sportspersons was increased from the existing Rs 40 to Rs 100 while the TA and the DA has been hiked to Rs 200. Threadbare discussion was also held to change the J&K State Sports Council to J&K Sports Authority. It was also decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sports Council and the J&K Police for the smooth conduct of competitions at different levels. |
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Governor for developing Jammu Kala Kendra
Srinagar, July 29 The Governor was chairing a meeting of the Governing Council of the Kala Kendra, Jammu, at Raj Bhawan here today. Vohra, who is also the president of the Governing Council of the Kala Kendra, said all possible sources should be tapped so that the functioning of the Kendra meets its aims and objectives. Referring to the suggestions put forth by Minister for Housing and Culture Raman Bhalla for setting up a planetarium at Jammu as part of the Kala Kendra, the Governor asked the Commissioner, Tourism and Culture, to take up the matter with the authorities concerned and explore other possible sources
for establishing the facility which will be of benefit to students and the people at large. The Governor asked the Commissioner, Culture and Tourism, to take measures for securing the required amounts of water and power supply at the Kala Kendra Complex, besides undertake the beautification of its lawns. He said an electricity meter should be installed at the Kendra and all the bills be paid timely. The meeting decided to constitute a Sub-Committee to consider all relevant aspects with regard to the amendments required to be made in the existing rules and regulations of the Kendra. The committee would focus on the management aspects, regular financial support, allotment of additional land, sanction of necessary staff, scale of rentals for hiring of seminar hall, galleries and other spaces and preparation of a logo for the Kendra. The Sub-Committee would be headed by Atal Dulloo, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture. It comprises Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Nilambar Dev Sharma and Balwant Thakur. It would finalise its recommendations within a month. The next meeting of the Governing Council would be held in September to take a final view on all matters. Minister for Housing and Culture Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Home and Tourism Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, BR Sharma and Principal Secretary, Finance, BB Vyas were present at the meeting. |
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Stone-throwing spreading from Valley to Jammu
Jammu, July 29 A recent example was seen during the protest against the Gool killings when youths in Ramban, Doda and Bhaderwah resorted to stone-throwing to show their resentment. Stone-throwing has not been witnessed in the region like in the Kashmir valley, but youths in areas south of the Pir Panjal ranges are adopting this method. “Stone-throwing is a symbolic way to send the message of challenging the power of the state. I am not surprised if Muslim areas of Jammu adopt the method,” said Gul Muhammad Wani, a Kashmir-based political analyst. Stone-throwing started in the Kashmir valley during the 2008 Amarnath land row when the state witnessed street protests against the transfer of 100 acres to the Amarnath shrine board. “Stone-throwing was indulged in before 1990 by everyone, including mainstream political parties, to express resentment, but not on a large scale. It faded after guns took over in 1990,” Wani said. Stone-throwing is spreading outside the Valley, but its result is not overwhelming as it has proved fatal in the Valley. “Stone-throwing can be fatal as the state is armed with laws. It can easily take on civilians armed with stones,” Wani added. The police is not thinking on these lines. “I do not think that stone-throwing has reached the Jammu region. What happened in Doda, Bhaderwah and Ramban was different and we dealt with it accordingly,” said Rajesh Kumar, Inspector-General of Police, Jammu zone. |
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Beggars throng mosques to make most of Ramadan
Srinagar, July 29 Over the past few years, the number of beggars has drastically increased in the Valley. However, the state government is yet to implement the rules under the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960. The Act aims at providing an alternative means of livelihood to beggars in the state. However, beggars say no government official has come forward to provide them rehabilitation or means of sustenance under this Act. “We are compelled to beg because we have no means of livelihood. If we are entitled to a means of livelihood, the government should provide it to us. We will stop begging,” said Ghulam Ali, a beggar. Recently, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation’s anti-encroachment and beautification drive led to dislocation of beggars from the integral points of the city but they came back when Ramadan started. The month is a treat for beggars as people give lots of charity during this time as it is believed to be fruitful as per the Islamic faith. “Giving alms is one of the basic tenants of Islam and in the month of Ramadan, giving charity has more rewards. Many families either give their part of zakat (charity) to local mosque welfare boards, which in turn distribute them among poor and needy. Since a lot of beggars throng mosques, some people directly give zakat to them,” Rehman Siddique, a local masjid cleric, said. There are huge donations to various orphanages and homes of widows and destitutes in the Valley. “We cannot disclose the exact amount we get as zakat from people in this month but it easily amounts to lakhs of rupees. This amount is spent on the welfare of orphans and widows. The donations keep coming till the end of Ramadan and on Eid,” Zahoor Ahmad, an official of the J&K Yateem Foundation, said. |
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Two militants were killed while trying to intrude into Jammu and Kashmir in two separate incidents. Two militants were injured
while others fled to the Pakistani side. One militant was killed and two injured when Army personnel manning a post near the Line of Control
(LoC) in Kupwara district of north Kashmir intercepted the three gunmen attempting to infiltrate into the Valley.
Due to the lack of coordination between the Forest Department and the Wildlife Department, there has been no headway in setting up of the much-awaited wildlife park in Jammu.
Though the master plan for the project has been completed, the Forest Department is being slow in transferring the forest land to the Wildlife
Department
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Governor NN Vohra here this evening. The Governor and the Chief Minister discussed issues relating to internal security, governance, communal harmony, enhancement of internal fiscal resources and likely hindrances in the path of the speedy execution of development and welfare projects.
Governor NN Vohra has emphasised the need for developing the Kala Kendra, Jammu, as a centre for preserving, conserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state by putting in place required infrastructure and logistics.
