The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Attack on LoC Army ranks bitter over Delhi’s soft approach Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, August 7 Known as a highly professional and disciplined force, which always obeys and honours democratically elected governments at the Centre, a sense of bitterness has started creeping into the Indian Army over the soft approach of New Delhi towards Pakistan. “Our soldiers are certainly not cannon fodder for Pakistan but our hands are tied. Untie our hands and it would be very difficult for them (Pakistani Army) to fend for themselves in their home,” said a top Army source, who declined to be named for obvious reasons. He said lack of political will in the country was being exploited by Pakistan. “On January 8, they brutally killed, mutilated and beheaded two of our soldiers and almost seven months on they killed five of our valiant men. We have enough guts to teach them a lesson but New Delhi, it seems, has not learnt lessons from the past experiences,” said the source. Another Army source said this lack of political will may cost the country. “On the one hand, Pakistani troops and terrorists have been killing our troops and on the other, Chinese troops have been indulging in frequent misadventures along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. It’s time to act tough to give a clear message to the mischievous neighbours,” he said. He rued that the country’s establishment had not woken up to the new emerging challenges on its borders. “Despite severe provocations, we remain soft to neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and China, where anti-India factories keep working 24x7,” he said. “Hundreds of miles away from their homes, soldiers make a new home on borders and killing of even one of them by such a deceitful neighbour enrages others. They get incensed,” he said conveying the feelings of soldiers. “While China has not indulged in ghastly acts so far, a rogue country like Pakistan should be dealt with sternly. Issuing statements of condemning such incidents are not going to change Pakistan,” said the source. A war veteran said India should wake up to the changing scenario on LoC and LAC in the backdrop of ever-growing ties between China and Pakistan before it becomes too little and too late.
	JKPCC contradicts Antony, blames Pak Army Tribune News Service Jammu, August 7 The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today contradicted the statement of Union Defence Minister AK Antony as to who was responsible for the attack on the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan. While Antony had stated in the Parliament yesterday that it was terrorists dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms who had executed the attack killing five soldiers, in a statement issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee today, it held Pakistan army responsible for the Poonch attack. Although Antony had given benefit of doubt to Pakistani army, the J&K Congress has directly blamed Pakistan for the attack. “The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress CommitteeC has strongly condemned the audacious and provocative attack by Pakistani troops in the Poonch sector yesterday in which five Indian soldiers were killed,” a release issued by Congress stated here today. A meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, under the chairmanship of its senior vice president and former MP Dharam Pal Sharma was held here today. The leaders condemned the attack and described it as an audacious and provocative act by the Pakistani troops who had entered the Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch Sector yesterday and ambushed a patrolling party in which five soldiers were killed. They said the attack could cast a shadow on the resumption of the Indo-Pak dialogue process and will affect the process of normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan. They also said the hand of friendship cannot be extended from one side only. Pakistan has to stop the killings of Indian soldiers, they emphasised. Differing stand Union Defence MinisterAK Antony had stated in Parliament on Tuesday that it was terrorists dressed in Pakistan army uniforms who had executed the killing of five soldiers. In a statement issued by the JKPCC today, it held Pakistan army responsible for the Poonch attack
	Mufti calls for restraint Srinagar, August 7 Strongly condemning Pakistan’s attack on soldiers on the Line of Control, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for restraint and a careful handling of the situation. He said the attack on soldiers was an act of provocation but great nations having stakes in the regional stability and prosperity of their peoples must avoid falling into the trap laid obviously by those elements which are uncomfortable with the growing prospect of amity between the country and Pakistan. “War mongering is an easier course but our objective is to create an environment of sustainable peace. We will have to rise above such provocations and stay on the course that has resulted in immense relief to those living in border areas since 2002,” Mufti said in a statement issued here today. “It does not bear repetition that no problems can be solved through war and the way our country has shown signs of maturity by extending hand of friendship to Pakistan in the wake of attack on the parliament and the Mumbai attack in 2008, it has been established that peace is the only way forward. There is fortunately a strong peace constituency in Pakistan also which has got a strong voice and the success of our national leadership lies in harnessing the peace potential in that country so that the hoax in either side are marginalised,” the statement added. Mufti said while the loss of lives was unfortunate it should not derail the process that alone can ensure peace and security in future. “Jingoism will lead us nowhere and it would serve our national as well as strategic interests to understand how ultimately every war has to be ended through dialogue and peace initiative. The US, even after the decade of using human histories in most formidable war machines in Afghanistan, is finally withdrawing without resolving any issues but not without entering into dialogue with its adversaries there,” the statement added. “Efforts should be made to not let the ceasefire on the borders collapse as it would entail another period of instability in the region without achieving anything for either side accept miseries to those who become its victims,” the statement said. — TNS
	BJP: End ambiguity over LAC Jammu, August 7 State BJP spokesman Jitendra Singh has appealed to the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) team to assess the ground situation in the wake of recent incursions by the People’s Liberation Army of China in Ladakh. The NSAB team, led by its chairman Shyam Saran, is on a visit to Ladakh and northern borders. Singh said no lasting solution was possible unless the Centre took a determined initiative to end ambiguity about the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He said the ongoing “hide and seek” game between Indian and Chinese troops in the Himalayas was primarily the result of ambiguity that India continued to accept over the LAC. In a statement issued here today, Singh went on to explain that the LAC, also known as the MacCartney-MacDonald Line, was an assumed border between India and China. He said the 4,057-km-long LAC traversed three areas of North Indian states.
	Data recovery centres not to be functional this year Sumit Hakhoo Jammu, August 7 The much-hyped data recovery centres (DRCs) being established by the Power Development Department in Jammu and Srinagar will not be made functional this year, as the state has failed to achieve targets set under the Revised-Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) to modernise the transmission and distribution (T&D) process. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced that the centres would be made functional during 2013 to monitor power usage and manage revenue data, a key reform process directed by the Planning Commission of India. The centres are being constructed at Bemina in Kashmir and Gladni in the Jammu region, two key power receiving stations which supply electricity to nearly all districts of the state. Their aim would be to keep an eye on power distribution, consumer-related services, including metering, billing, revenue collection and customer care. Officials said the project included a data centre which was to be hosted on the department’s web portal on a dedicated server, enabling consumers to download electricity bills and make payments through the Internet. “These centres for which 35 per cent of the cost of the project is being borne by the Central government will be another milestone in the failed projects in the kitty of the coalition government because the state still lags behind in infrastructure and hasn't achieved 100 per cent metering,” said an official source. The need for the introduction of the new system was felt in the backdrop of the failure of the department to meet the revenue targets. The ever-increasing T&D losses have been a major worry for the state government as they continue to put a huge strain on the state finances. Minister of State for Power Vikar Rasool admitted that there would be delay in making them operational. “We are making every possible effort to achieve the set targets and only after that, DRCs will be made operational and be integrated with the Internet for better monitoring of the electricity usage.” The minister said the government was laying stress on completing the projects. The Union Power Ministry had sanctioned nearly Rs 1,700 crore to the government under the R-APDRP in 2011 to strengthen the grid stations, transmission lines and feeders. Since 2002, the Union Government has pumped Rs 3,900 crore in J&K for reforms in the power sector but most of it has been utilised for purchasing power to meet the growing electricity demand in the state.
	BJP Kisan Morcha to launch campaign for farmers Tribune News Service Jammu, August 7 The BJP Kisan Morcha has decided to launch an agitation in support of the farming community. The Morcha members have alleged that the farmers were not getting genuine prices for their products because of the anti-farmer policies of the UPA government, BJP Kisan Morcha national executive member Mool Chand Sharma told mediapersons here today. Sharma, who was in Jammu to take part state working committee meeting of Kisan Morcha, said the rise in the prices of seeds, fertilizers etc. had resulted in losses to the farmers across the country. “The farmers are not getting the desired prices of their crops. Many farmers have even committed suicides as they were not able to pay heavy interests on the loans,” he said. The members have chalked out a programme to launch a yatra under the slogan of Kisan Bachao Andolan to be launched in September from Utter Pradesh to highlight the problems of the farmers and demand for a separate agriculture budget on the pattern of the Railway Budget. He said the yatra will pass through many states before culminating at New Delhi where lakhs of farmers will hold a protest and submit a memorandum to the President to draw his attention towards the plight of the farmers and seek interference for justice to the farming community.
	HC asks state to clarify on amendments to J-K Anti-Corruption Act Government directed to file fresh compliance report Ishfaq Tantry Tribune news Service Srinagar, August 7 The Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which had suggested several changes in the proposed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, 2006, has directed the state government to file a fresh compliance with regard to the set of directions passed by the court on July 4. The High Court has also asked the Chief Secretary to explain his position as to how he stated incorrect information in the earlier compliance report, which was not based on facts. On July 4, the High Court had passed seven suggestions which were to be considered by the state Chief Secretary, who had been further directed to file a compliance report by or before the next date of hearing. However, in his compliance report to the court last week, the Chief Secretary has said the suggestions have been sought from the authorities concerned in relation to the amendments in the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006. However, in its fresh orders passed this week, which were made available today, the High Court has expressed dissatisfaction over the compliance report by the Chief Secretary. “(In the report by the Chief Secretary) it is not made known to the court as to what steps they have taken and what material they have collected with regard to the suggestions made in the order dated July 4,” the bench comprising Justice Mansoor A Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar said in its orders. “It is also not made known to the court as to how they have dealt with the direction(s),” the High Court has said in its fresh orders. With regard to the creation of two special courts at Srinagar and Jammu for trying the offences under the provisions of the Act, the High court has said the reply of the Chief secretary in this regard was “evasive and incorrect”. “This is not the subject matter at all. The direction was unambiguous. Thus the reply is evasive and incorrect,” the High Court said. “It is further stated (by the Chief secretary) that for purposes of conferment of powers under the J&K Prevention Act, 2006, to all the courts of additional and sessions judges, the response/compliance from the Registrar General is awaited. It is blatantly incorrect because the Registrar General has already responded to the afore mentioned communication,” the bench observed in its orders. “In this regard, the respondent Chief Secretary is to explain his position as to how he has stated incorrect information in paragraph 3, which is not based on facts,” the bench said in its orders, while further directing the Chief Secretary to “file a fresh compliance report” by or before the next date of hearing, fixed for August 21. “The respondents are further directed to comply with the directions contained in the judgment, besides the directions passed by this court from time to time, in letter and spirit,” it added. Changes suggested by High Court The suggestions also called for making bail provisions in anti-corruption cases stringent and parallel to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act. The court also sought a response from the government to the suggestions of the Vigilance Organisation for creation of two special courts at Srinagar and Jammu for trying offences under the provisions of the Act. The others suggestions include posting and appointing of more trained investigation officers in the Vigilance Organisation and prescribing outer time limit for conducting investigation, ensuring that once the charge is framed, trial shall continue on a day to day basis till its conclusion and investigation officer shall be made responsible to ensure attendance of the prosecution witnesses before the trial court.
	Governor urged to enforce laws to discourage smoking Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 7 A joint delegation of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), India Chapter, Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), New Delhi, and J&K Voluntary Health and Development Association, Srinagar, called on Governor NN Vohra here today. Executive Director of the J&K Voluntary Health and Development Association AM Mir and other members of the delegation briefed the Governor about activities of their organisations, particularly those aimed at spreading awareness about the effects of smoking and consumption of tobacco products. Mir gave the details of various initiatives taken by the associations in the past and those planned in the coming months. The delegation presented a memorandum to the Governor, urging him to enforce all related laws to discourage smoking and consumption of tobacco products, with a view to secure the goal of making J&K a “tobacco-free state”. They felicitated the Governor on his continuing association with the future growth of the state and thanked him for taking a keen interest in public health issues. The Governor complimented the CTFK, Voluntary Health Association of India and the J&K Voluntary Health and Development Association for their endeavours and assured the delegation that the authorities concerned would be addressed with regard to the issues raised in the memorandum. The delegation, led by Mir, comprised Vandana Shah Aggarwal, Jaspreet Kaur and Sanjay Seth from the CTFK and Bhavna Mukhophadhyay and Seema Gupta from the VHAI, an official spokesman said.
	Police lauded for recovering yatris’ baggage Srinagar, August 7 Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, has lauded the Anantnag police for recovering the stolen baggage of three Amarnath yatris from Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh. The pilgrims had entrusted their bags to a labourer from Chandanwari for carrying them to the Sheshnag yatra camp. The baggage contained Rs 11,000 in cash, three cell phones, PAN cards and clothes. Gagan Jaiswal, Abhishek Jaiswal and Nishant Tripathi, who were on their way to Sheshnag, had handed over their baggage and other belongings to a ponywallah at Chandanwari after retaining his voter identity card. When they reached Sheshnag, they could not trace the ponywallah. On their return home after offering prayers at the holy cave, Gagan sent an email to the chairman of the Shrine Board and complained about the loss. — TNS
	Night flights from Srinagar airport soon: JKPCC chief Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 7 J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz today claimed that night flights at the Srinagar airport will be started soon. “I am very confident that the evening flights to and fro Srinagar will be operated soon. I met Ajit Singh, Minister of Civil Aviation, today (in New Delhi) and urged him to take steps to start early morning and late evening flights to and fro Srinagar,” Soz said in a statement issued here today. “I emphasised the fact that since the Defence Ministry has granted the much-needed permission for operating evening flights, the Ministry of Civil Aviation should not now hesitate to operate its flights in the evening to and fro Srinagar. I also told the minister that people of Jammu and Kashmir have been seeking this facility for long, especially from the time ILS (instrumental landing system) was installed at Srinagar airport, two years ago,” the statement added. The Defence Ministry had last month given clearance for the operation of civilian flights at the Srinagar Airport till 10 pm everyday. Soz said the Civil Aviation Minister had assured me that he will initiate action shortly and keep him informed in this regard. “The minister agreed that it is a profitable proposition for various airlines as the flights can operate to and fro Srinagar, packed to capacity,” the statement added.
	Cracks widen in coalition Cong leaders under pressure to pass resolution against NC Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, August 7 The Congress leadership is facing pressure from workers to pass a resolution against the coalition partner, National Conference (NC), in the delegate session of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), to be held on August 11. As NC additional general secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal has continued his tirade against the Congress leadership, there is a feeling among party (Congress) workers that the coming delegate session will be an appropriate platform to warn the coalition partner. Sources said JKPCC members had suggested the local leadership to prepare a hard-hitting resolution against the NC so that it would be placed before the delegate session for discussion and debate. As All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and in charge of the state Congress Ambika Soni is coming to attend the meeting, Congress workers want to seize the opportunity to convey their anger against the NC to the high command, sources said. They said the local Congress leaders had devised a strategy on how to inform the high command about the NC’s “mischief”. The sources said the local leadership was also facing pressure to include Kamal’s recent statements in the agenda of the delegate session. Senior vice president of the JKPCC Dharam Pal Sharma, while admitting that Kamal’s “irresponsible utterance” would definitely be discussed, said the agenda of the delegate session would be finalised a couple of days before the meeting. “It is early to say what would be the main agenda of the meeting. We will sit with JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz to finalise the agenda of the meeting,” Sharma said. He said the national general secretary’s consent would also be taken. Sharma admitted that resentment was brewing among the party cadre, especially after the recent “indecent” remarks by Kamal against Soz. “It is obvious that the issue is likely to dominate the delegate session,” he said and said the party would take some “concrete step” on August 11 to counter the NC’s vicious propaganda. Interestingly, in the last delegate session of the JKPCC on May 18 and 19, 2012, the party had passed a resolution to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the state. More than a year has passed since the passing of the resolution but no action has been taken by the government so far. “During the delegate session, some leaders may take up the issue of the deliberate delay in strengthening of the PRIs to humiliate the Congress,” a source said.
	Two elected unopposed to LAHDC Tribune News Service Srinagar, August 7 Two Independent candidates have been elected unopposed to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, after the withdrawal of nomination papers yesterday ahead of the polling for 26 constituencies scheduled to be held on August 22. They include advocate Mohammad Amir from Stakchey Khangral constituency and Syed Hassan (Arman) from Saliskote constituency. With this, polling will be held for 24 out of 26 constituencies on August 22, while four other candidates to the 30-member LAHDC, Kargil are being nominated by the government. Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Fida Hussain, said 178 candidates had filed their nomination papers between July 27 and August 3, while scrutiny of papers was held on August 4. He said that two candidates were elected unopposed after the withdrawal of nomination papers till August 6. The Deputy Commissioner said 95 candidates had withdrawn by the last date for the withdrawal of papers yesterday. The elections to the LAHDC, Kargil, will be a litmus test for the coalition parties as both of them have decided to contest separately. The previous LAHD was led by the National Conference followed by nine members of the Congress. For the forthcoming elections, the Congress has 17 candidates in the fray, followed by 12 members of the National Conference. The opposition PDP has eight candidates contesting the elections, while the BJP has got 12 nominees in the fray. All other candidates are the Independents. The two coalition parties, the National Conference and Congress have got their local representatives camping in Kargil for the election process. They include senior NC leader, MLA and a former minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, who is also Adviser to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah. The Congress has got its former legislator, Ghulam Raza camping in Kargil for the elections, while other leaders from the ruling parties and opposition are expected to launch the campaign from next week after the Eid celebrations.
	SC notice on PIL plea for elected Bar Council Legal Correspondent New Delhi, August 7 The Supreme Court yesterday sought the response of the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir to a PIL plea for constituting an elected Bar Council in Jammu Kashmir to enable the advocates in the state to share the fruits of democracy with fellow legal practitioners in other states. While advocates are electing the Bar Councils in every state under the Advocates Act 1961, in Jammu and Kashmir the council was being headed by the Chief Justice of the High Court with the HC Judges as the members without any election. A Bench comprising Justices TSThakur and Vikramajit Sen also issued notice to the HC Registrar and the Bar Council of India. “There is no reason or justification to deprive the advocates in Jammu and Kashmir of their basic and constitutional right to elect and constitute the Bar Council as is being done in other states of the country,” Prof Bhim Singh has pleaded in the PIL.