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Moderate quake jolts North India
State Road Transport Corporation losing ground in J&K
BSF foils Pak bid to push in counterfeit currency
Fake Indian currency, arms and ammunition and two Pakistani SIM cards seized near the Chhawani border outpost in the RS Pura Sector on Thursday night.
A Tribune photograph |
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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq speaks at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar
on Friday. A Tribune photograph
BSP to lead agitation for trifurcation of state
Trans-LoC trade via Poonch runs into rough weather
Trucks parked inside trade facilitation centre at Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch. A Tribune photograph
Troops’ deployment on LoC changed
Kargil gears up for LAHDC polls
Disappointed Parvez Rasool fans set eyes on today’s game
NC-Cong not in favour of implementing property tax in state
Hemkunt Express derails, passengers safe
Labourers clear the railway track damaged due to a landslide near Samba in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Cong demands apology from NC leader for his remarks
One more militant killed
CBI probe sought into spurious drugs’ supply
Hideout busted in north Kashmir
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Moderate quake jolts North India
Doda, August 2 People rushed out of their houses. No loss of life or property was reported in Doda and Kishtwar districts. The earthquake caused panic among the people. Incessant rain since the morning added to their misery. "We have received no report of loss of life or property so far and everything is normal and under control," said Arif Rishu, Superintendent of Police,
Doda.
This was the second major earthquake to take place in the Chenab basin in last over three months time. On May 1, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre at Bhaderwah in Doda district, jolted the region, causing widespread damage to property. An official report had said more than 80,000 structures developed cracks in the earthquake on May 1 and more than 1,000 structures were completely damaged. People of the area had felt dozens of aftershocks in the last three months. The earthquake today caused widening of previous cracks, but no major loss occurred. "Cracks in our house widened, but the structure is intact. Our house was declared unsafe by the administration, but we have nowhere to go and continue to stay in the house," said Imran Yousuf of Ghat village in Doda. He said they came out of their house at the time of the earthquake, but went back in as they could not stay in the open because of the rain. The earthquake on May 1 had drawn the attention of the state government and the Centre to the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar and the state Cabinet had sent a proposal for a Rs 607.7 crore relief package to the Centre. The Centre did not pay heed to the request and turned down the package request. It told the state government to utilise the money available under the state disaster relief fund.
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State Road Transport Corporation losing ground in J&K
Jammu, August 2 The SRTC has inducted only 494 vehicles during the last 10 years out of the plan allocation sanctioned from 2000-01 to 2011-12. Furthermore, the over-aged fleet of the corporation had been 77 per cent, which according to the Transport Department, was “economically not desirable for its future survival”. “The corporation is reeling under severe financial crunch for the past many years. It does not have sufficient internal resources for the replacement and acquisition of fleet. Therefore, it has to largely dependent upon plan funding from the government,” a senior Transport Department official said. The official said the corporation had lost 135 vehicles in various militancy-related incidents during the last 20 years, besides damages to fleet during riots. He said it was yet to be paid compensation under security related expenses (SRE) as all proposals in this regard were still pending with the government. “Since 1990, the total number of vehicles condemned or auctioned is 1,594 and the number of vehicles replaced is 1,039. There is a complete mismatch between the induction of new vehicles and the vehicles auctioned by the corporation,” the official said. He added that the fleet position of the corporation had also crossed the prescribed age limit with the passage of successive years and as on date, maximum vehicles had become over-aged and their operation was “proving counterproductive” for it (SRTC). “The present state of shrunk fleet is attributable only to non-replacement of over-aged fleet in the corporation due to non-provision of required funds over the past few years,” he said. Official sources said a meagre sum of Rs 35.73 crore amount plan allocations were made to the corporation from 2002-03 to 2011-12 which was “insufficient” to meet its “operational expenses”. The corporation, however, had managed to increase its revenue generation from Rs 37.03 crore in 2009-10 to Rs 90 crore in 2012-13, they said. The SRTC had generated “no profit” from its operations and it remained “financially dependent utility” for the state government in the last three years. Going by the age profile of all vehicles-owned by the corporation, the fleet of 342 buses and 101 trucks are up to the age of 10 years, while 373 buses and 276 trucks are more than 10 years old. The percentage of overage buses is 52 per cent while the percentage of overage trucks is 73 per cent. Minister for Transport Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan was unavailable for comments. However, he had earlier admitted that the SRTC was in the red and had said it would take some time for it (corporation) to improve its financial condition.
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BSF foils Pak bid to push in counterfeit currency
Jammu, August 2 “Last night around 2:30 AM our border guards near Chhawani border outpost of 193 Battalion in RS Pura sector observed some suspicious movement across the fence. The suspected persons entered into the Indian Territory from Pakistan,” BSF Jammu Frontier, DIG, NS Jamwal, said. He, however, informed that the intruders managed to flee taking cover of the thick vegetation in the area. “The border guards opened fire on the intruders, who took cover of thick vegetation and undulating ground to flee away to Pakistan,” he said. “On searching the area at first light two packets were found near the border that contained fake Indian currency of Rs 4, 96,000 in the denomination of Rs 1000 notes, one 9 mm Chinese pistol, one magazine with ammunition and two Zong SIM cards of a Pak cellular company,” Jamwal added. The officer informed that the contraband was meant for some “contacts” on this side of the border, which didn’t turn up because of strict surveillance by the BSF. Pointing out at the SIM cards, the officer said, “The network of some Pak cellular companies has been noticed in our border areas and they (contacts) can talk on such SIM cards.” He added that the BSF has shared the details with the police and has been trying to catch hold of the “contacts” on this side. “We are having certain clues and we are working on them with the police,” Jamwal said. He added that BSF had earlier in May also seized two Pak SIM cards and two mobile phones in RS Pura sector, besides foiling an attempt to push nearly Rs 15 lakh of fake Indian currency near Kharkola border outpost in the sector on December 12 last year.
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Mirwaiz urges India, Pak to start talks on Kashmir
Srinagar, August 2 Mirwaiz, who is chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, today said his separatist amalgam would take a lead to initiate the dialogue process and write letters to the Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers to urge them to start a dialogue on Kashmir. “We will dispatch letters to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan and inform them that the Hurriyat Conference will fully cooperate if they start a meaningful process of talks regarding the Kashmir issue,” Mirwaiz said. He was addressing a gathering at the Jamia Masjid in the old city, his party’s stronghold. Mirwaiz, a leading cleric of the region who had been the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference for nearly a decade, placed no terms or conditions in his offer. This was likely to anger many hardliners who had been demanding a referendum to decide the fate of Kashmir and had rejected any alternative solution. He said the people of Kashmir should be a part of the dialogue process between the two countries. "Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris and no dialogue process between India and Pakistan to solve the Kashmir issue can occur without the participation of Kashmiris," he said. The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaz, had shown willingness to talk to India and Pakistan and had held a path-breaking round of talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government in 2004. Hardliners led by Syed Ali Geelani had steadfastly declined to participate in any Kashmir-specific dialogue and had placed terms and conditions for such a process to begin. Mirwaiz cited the examples of Afghanistan and Palestine, saying talks were being held to solve complex issues in the evolving geo-political situation. “In the changing geo-political situation, issues are no longer being solved with force. The path of dialogue is being opted for, the latest example being the beginning of the dialogue process to solve complex issues like Afghanistan and Palestine,” Mirwaiz said. Kashmir had been passing through a critical phase as militancy had receded, giving a semblance of peace. The moderate separatist leader said Kashmir was a political issue which required a political solution. “Without a political solution, there is no guarantee of peace in the region,” Mirwaiz warned.
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BSP to lead agitation for trifurcation of state
Jammu, August 2 Officially, the BJP leadership is not giving much importance to the “defunct” BSP in the state, but internally there is a feeling among party (BJP) leaders that the BSP has a potential to emerge as a pro-Jammu force by successfully mobilising the public. Local BJP leaders have reason to be worried because the BSP has a strong vote-bank in most parts of the Jammu region and on the issue of a separate state and abrogation of Article 370, the party (BSP) can mobilise a large number of people, who usually vote for the BJP, in its favour on this issue. Furthermore, local BJP leaders are facing “credibility deficit” due to their alleged proximity with leaders of the ruling National Conference and the Congress and silence on the issue of statehood would further raise doubt about their credentials. On the other hand, the seriousness off the BSP to pursue pro-Jammu agenda can be gauged from the fact that the party high-command has especially deputed national general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Narinder Kashyap to announce the launching of an agitation for the statehood of Jammu. “We have decided to take up the issue of statehood for Jammu in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha because our party is in support of smaller states,” Kashyap told mediapersons here today. He said the BSP had already devised a strategy to take this agitation to its logical conclusion. When asked whether his party would join any front to jointly spearhead agitation for Jammu statehood, Kashyap said instead of joining any other front, the BSP would rather provide leadership to this movement. Trying to ally apprehension of some sections of society opposing trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, Kashyap said the BSP would involve people from all religions, sections and regions in the stir for carving out Jammu as a separate state. State president of the BSP Tulsi Dass Langeh announced that the party would also mobilise public opinion against abrogation of Article 370. He said the Article was only serving interests of the ruling elites. “This Article is the main hurdle in the implementation of Central schemes for the uplift of weaker sections in the state,” he said. He said the party had already generated a debate to highlight “abuse” of Article 370 by the ruling elites who, according to him, had snatched Constitutional rights of weaker sections under the grab of special status. |
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Trans-LoC trade via Poonch runs into rough weather
Jammu, August 2 “Suddenly waking from their slumber some over-enthusiast Forest department officials led by Ranger Officer, Tariq Kohli, seized a consignment of herbs in Poonch that had come from a trader in PoK on July 18,” custodian of Chakan-da-Bagh Cross-LoC trade facilitation centre, Mohammed Bashir Lone, said while substantiating the claims of 165 traders. “They demanded naqsha number 25 (Rabdari) from the Jammu based trader, who had imported the consignment from PoK, a practice that never existed before,” Lone told The Tribune. “Before harassing the traders they (officials of forest department) should have deputed someone on the lines of Salamabad Trade Centre in Kashmir, who issues naqsha number 25 to traders to trade herbs with their PoK counterparts,” he insisted. Lone said that following the “unjustified embargo” by the forest department, he has written letters to Minister of state for Industries, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Chief Conservator of Forests, Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce, Deputy Commissioner Poonch and Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Jammu and Kashmir regions. “The trans-LoC trade via Salamabad goes on smoothly and traders there export all 21 items listed in the export list, but here at Chakan-da-Bagh the list has already shrunk to three to four items and now the forest department has compounded the problems of the traders by seizing the herbs coming from PoK,” Lone said. “I talked to the Custodian of Salamabad Trade Center and he informed me that a forest official there issues naqsha number 25 to the traders and their trade goes on smoothly,” he added. Lone informed that the consignment of herbs seized by Kohli still remains with the department and as such he had to push back two truckloads of herbs from PoK a week ago and one truckload today. “Some forest department officials have become autocrats here in Poonch district,” he alleged. President of the Chakan-da-Bagh Traders’ Association and president of Chamber of LoC Trade J&K said that this way the traders would be forced to suspend the trade. “Going by unnecessary harassment traders would be compelled to suspend the trade from Chakan-da-Bagh,” the president said.
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Troops’ deployment on LoC changed
Jammu, August 2 “Depending upon intelligence inputs and increased activity in various militant launching pads on the other side of the LoC, we have taken some precautions, including changes in the pattern of our deployment, along the borderline,” a top Army source said. There has been a rise in infiltration attempts along the LoC this year. After the elections in Pakistan in May, there has been increased activity in 42 terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and launch pads on the other side of the de facto border, he added. The source said though there was no precise data of militants in such camps, their number was estimated to be around 3,000. Soon after taking over the reins, the Nawaz Sharif government had doled out over Rs 6.1 crore to the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the parent body of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), which carried out the 2008 Mumbai attacks. “Now, he has secretly set up a Kashmir cell at his office, with an ulterior motive to give fresh impetus to insurgency in the state. The Pakistan army along with the ISI and their Border Action Teams (an amalgam of Pakistani troops and LeT militants) were already into all sorts of ploys at the LoC,” he said. We have been making changes and precautions as per requirements in the rugged and hostile terrain, he said. From planting explosives on the LoC, brutal killings of two Indian troops on January 8 in Balnoi and raising suicide bombers to attack Indian posts, the Pakistan army has been doing everything possible to keep the pot boiling, he said. Another Army source said the Army this year had laid special focus on traditional and new routes of infiltration along the
LoC. “We have increased our patrolling from the Uri sector in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, Kupwara, Machil, Gurez and Nangi Tekri in the Krishna Ghati sector, Kanga Nullah (Rajouri-Poonch), Sonagali (Mendhar), Chirangari (Mendhar), Tain (Mendhar), Mandi sector and other areas,” he said. The officer said foot patrolling along the inhospitable LoC was the most effective method to check infiltration. “But, we are also improving our floodlighting system, sensors and other gadgetry to improve border guarding,” he said.
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Kargil gears up for LAHDC polls
Srinagar, August 2 Coalition partners, National Conference and Congress, like in the past, would contest the elections independently, even as BJP is also looking to field its candidates. While NC and Congress have already deputed their senior leaders to monitor the election process, leaders of other political parties would be camping in the district after the Eid-ul-Fitr for a comprehensive election campaign. Senior NC leader and former Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, and former legislator, Ghulam Raza of the Congress are already camping in the area. This would be the third election to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, since its constitution in July 2003. The last elections were held after a gap of five years in 2008 and the Council was led by the NC. Congress followed with nine members. The
LAHDC, Kargil, was constituted on the pattern of LAHDC, Leh, which was constituted in 1995 for overall development of the area. The
LAHDC, Kargil, comprises of 30 members, including the four nominated by Jammu and Kashmir Government. The notification for the elections was issued on July 17, while process of filing nominations papers started on July 27. Scrutiny of papers would be held on Sunday, while August 6 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations. According to Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Fida Hussain, the real picture would only emerge after the conclusion of the nomination process. “The process of filing of nomination papers was going on. A clear picture would come to fore only on the last date tomorrow,” Hussain told the Tribune, adding that so far more than 20 nomination papers were filed. He, however, informed that all the arrangements were in place to conduct the elections smoothly. “For this purpose more than 1200 officers and officials would be engaged for polling at 257 stations across the district,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
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Disappointed Parvez Rasool fans set eyes on today’s game
Srinagar, August 2 “Parvez Rasool did not get chance in today's ODI as well. But we are sure he will make it to the playing XI soon,” posted a fan page of the cricketer on Facebook. “So Sad,” wrote Imran Fazali. India is currently locked in a five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe and fans have now pinned hopes on final match of the tournament tomorrow. “Inshallah u will play the next match and show the world u will be one of the best allrounders in India in the future,” said Faizaan Sidiq. “Its not easy to play in the eleven…India is presently the biggest cricket team in the world…we should be proud of Parvez that he is the part of Indian cricket team…he will soon get the chance hope for best,” added Farhan Ashiq. Parvez hit the limelight earlier this year in February after he took a seven-wicket haul against Australia during a practice game in
Chennai. He later became the first cricketer from the Valley to bag an Indian Premier League
(IPL) contract. The youngster gave his fans few more chances to cheer as he accounted for South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis during his IPL debut for Pune Warriors. However, Parvez has always maintained that his main aim was to represent his country and his fans are praying for his selection into the playing eleven for tomorrow’s India-Zimbabwe encounter at Bulawayo. They are hoping that Parvez would make history by becoming the first Kashmiri to represent India. Give young man a chance: Omar
Like others, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made his disappointment clear after Parvez Rasool failed to find a place in playing XI during its fourth ODI against Zimbabwe. “Really disappointed that Parvez Rasool hasn't been given a game in Zimbabwe. Come on BCCI give the young man a chance to prove himself,” Omar wrote on Twitter.
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NC-Cong not in favour of implementing property tax in state
Jammu, August 2 Sources said both coalition partners in Jammu and Kashmir view it as political suicide as the Assembly elections are just a year away. Act is an important reform process under centrally sponsored JNNURM scheme for development and modernisation of urban infrastructure in the country. Officials said that in order to buy more time, Omar Abdullah led coalition has constituted Property Tax Board (PTB) to study the tax models in other parts of the country. “What is puzzling is that the government has still not appointed Chairman of PTB Board, which clearly shows that urban reform process is not on ruling dispensation’s agenda,” a source said. It is pertinent to mention here that in 2011, the Assembly passed two Bills aimed at amending the J&K Municipal Act, 2000, and the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000, and establishing the Property Tax Board in the state. However, following stiff opposition from traders and political parties across the state, the Bill was referred to Joint Select Committee of the state Legislature. When contacted, Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigzin Jora said, “It needs a political consensus, but to start with we have constituted a board to study the tax models in other parts of the country.” He, however, claimed that state is receiving adequate funds to carry out various centrally sponsored schemes for urban development. Under the property tax law, at least 10 per cent tax would be levied on all commercial properties and four per cent tax on residential properties falling within the limits of Srinagar and Jammu Municipal Corporations. “Both the coalition partners don’t want to pursue the issue, as people have opposed it. It is one issue on which both of them agree otherwise there are several areas of disagreement. They will have to face the wrath of common man in elections,” claimed a senior bureaucrat.
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Hemkunt Express derails, passengers safe
Jammu, August 2 All the morning trains, including Rajdhani Express, Uttar Sampark Kranti and Pooja Express, were affected due to the incident as the trains were stopped midway for hours together. “The wheel of an engine of the Hemkunt Express derailed due to the sudden landslide on the track. As the train was running on a slow speed due to heavy rain, it prevented a major accident,” said RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager, Jammu. “Railway teams from Jammu and Pathankot immediately rushed to the spot. The track was resumed within a few hours. Due to the derailment, seven trains arrived late at the railway station,” he added. Senior police officials from the GRP and the Railway authorities rushed to the spot and supervised the work. “No one was injured in the incident. The track was cleared by 10 am and the traffic was resumed,” said Shiv Kumar, SP, Railways, Jammu. “Troops are patrolling the track regularly. In case of any landslide or some other problem, they will immediately inform the control room,” he added.
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Cong demands apology from NC leader for his remarks
Jammu, August 2 Kamaal, who is a senior leader of the NC and younger brother of Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, yesterday dubbed Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz as a “political turncoat”, who from time to time had stabbed in the back of the National Conference. Kamaal had said, “The Congress is not a party but a department in Jammu and Kashmir which is run and maintained by New Delhi. Congress leaders in the state are being paid on a monthly basis by New Delhi and lions share goes into Soz’s pockets for his Chanakiyan policies”. Today a meeting of Congress leaders was held under the chairmanship of ex-MLA and president, District Congress Committee, Jammu, Om Chopra. “He (Kamaal) has been abusing the Congress and its cadres. Simply to reject it on a few occasions by his party is not enough. Rather, there appears a deliberate design to vitiate the atmosphere and destabilise the coalition and malign the image of the Congress,” they said.
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One more militant killed
Srinagar, August 2 The number of militants killed in four counter-infiltration operations in the district since Monday rose to 12, defence spokesman Naresh Vij said. Sources said the operation was launched by the 5/5 Gorkha Rifles on the afternoon of August 31 after receiving an intelligence input that two militants were trying to infiltrate into the Valley through the Tangdhar sector, 180 kilometres from Srinagar. "As the search was in progress, two militants were seen hiding behind rocks and trees. They opened fire when challenged and the troops retaliated. In the ensuing encounter that lasted 18 hours, one militant was killed and another injured," an Army officer said. The exchange of fire had stopped and the troops were trying to trace the militant who was injured. The Army said they recovered an AK-47 rifle and three magazines from the spot of the encounter.
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CBI probe sought into spurious drugs’ supply
Rajouri, August 2 Mushtaq Bhat, district president, ANC, along with hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital and staged a protest. Bhat said a number of patients admitted to the hospital developed allergic reactions to glucose fluid being administered to them, which was supplied to the hospital by the higher authorities. He said the state government should take the matter seriously and order a CBI probe into the supply of spurious drugs to the hospital. He also demanded the resignation of local MLA and Minster of State for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan on moral grounds. However, the protest was called off only after the intervention of senior officials of the administration.
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The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an attempt, apparently at the behest of Pak Rangers, to pump in nearly Rs 5 lakh of counterfeit Indian currency and arms and ammunition along the International Border in RS Pura sector of Jammu last night.
The trans-LoC trade via Chakan-da-Bagh in district Poonch has once again run into rough weather, this time due to alleged autocratic attitude of the Forest Department, over the “unjustified embargo” on trading of herbs. The traders claimed that there was no such embargo on trading herbs via Salamabad in Kashmir and threatened to suspend the trade.
A major tragedy was averted when an engine of the Hemkunt Express derailed from
the Jammu-Pathankot track, near Samba, due to a landslide on the track early this morning. However, no one was reported injured in the incident.
The engine of the Jammu-bound Hemkunt Express derailed when a wheel of the engine got detached on the track while passing through the debris of the landslide.
