The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Pak must end ceasefire violations: Omar
‘Shelling since 1947 has brought no change on ground’
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria & Darshan Bharti/TNS

Jammu/Poonch, August 23
With the Pakistan army refusing to silence its guns on the Line of Control (LoC), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the neighbouring country to stop the ceasefire violations and shelling along the border.

Talking to a gathering in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district today during his tour to take stock of the losses due to the recent heavy rains, Omar said: “Since 1947 continuous shelling and firing from the Pakistani side didn’t bring any physical change on the ground.”

“The firing has brought sufferings to the people. Agriculture fields have turned into minefields and people have migrated and suffered huge losses. Since we are neighbours, we need to build a peaceful atmosphere for the overall development of both the countries,” added Omar.

He said, “We can change friends but not neighbours. So, Pakistan should understand this fact and stop unnecessary firing on Indian posts and villages and initiate measures for peaceful atmosphere on the LoC”.

Omar said the state on the one hand had been grappling with natural disasters and on the other its villages in forward areas had been facing shelling by Pakistan. “I do not know what they (Pakistan) get by doing this”, he added.

A few days ago, Omar had called Pakistan a double-faced country on Twitter for violating the ceasefire agreement and then blaming India for it.

Pakistan should respect the ceasefire pact for improving relations with India, he said.

Meanwhile, there has been no let-up in truce violations on the LoC in the Poonch sector. “Yesterday around 7.20 pm, Pakistan troops opened automatic fire and mortars in the Balnoi and Barasingha areas in the Poonch sector. A heavy exchange of fire between the two sides continued till 4.30 am today,” said a senior Army officer.

Defence spokesperson Col RK Palta said Pakistan troops had also opened automatic fire in the Banwat and Mendhar areas along the border in the Poonch sector around 5.30 pm yesterday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan media reports quoting a military official claimed that a civilian, Arif Kiyani, was injured in Indian firing today while two of its soldiers were killed and two others injured, again in Indian firing in the Rawalakot sector opposite the Poonch sector last evening.

Rs 87 cr sanctioned for flood-hit areas

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday approved Rs 87 crore for relief and restoration measures in the flood-hit areas of the state. An official spokesman said Rs 77.50 crore would be used for the restoration of public infrastructure and Rs 9.95 crore had been earmarked for compensation for private property losses. — PTI

Kishtwar violence
Kichloo likely to be reinstated as MoS
Judicial probe into clashes nowhere in sight
Amir Karim Tantray/TNS

Jammu, August 23
The stage is set for former Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo to get back his portfolios as the government has reportedly assured him that he will get a clean chit soon in the events leading to the communal clashes in Kishtwar.

Highly placed sources in the government told The Tribune that Kichloo is all set to get back his minister of state portfolios of home, industries and commerce, public works department and other departments.

“Kichloo has been assured that whatever be the outcome of the inquiry, either judicial or any other ordered by the government, he will be reinstated as MoS in Omar Abdullah’s council of ministers and his portfolios will be given back,” a source said.

Kichloo had to resign from the council of ministers when pressure was built up by the Opposition after communal clashes broke out in Kishtwar on Eid on August 9, in which three persons lost lives, two in Kishtwar on the same day and one in Padder on August 10. Around 60 shops were looted and set on fire, one petrol pump was damaged and few hotels were burnt by rioters.

On August 12, the state government ordered a judicial inquiry into the Kishtwar incident but the order hasn’t been issued by the general administrative department so far. Even 14 days after the communal clashes and 11 days after the announcement, there is no update from the government on the inquiry.

Sources said the state government hadn’t finalised the decision on ordering the inquiry.

“The government doesn’t have any intention or immediate plan of announcing the inquiry. The issue has been put on the back burner and the unfolding events suggest that the inquiry may not be ordered officially,” sources said. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantamanu said so far there was no update on the issue.

Neither the Law Minister nor the Chief Secretary was available for comments despite repeated attempts to contact them.

Guv chairs post-Amarnath yatra review meeting
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 23
Governor NN Vohra today thanked the administration, security forces and stakeholders involved in this year's Amarnath yatra, which concluded on August 21, for its smooth conduct.

Addressing the post-yatra 2013 review meeting at Raj Bhawan here, the Governor lauded the coordination among the state administration, Army, security forces, police, shrine board, government departments, agencies and local stakeholders involved in the management of the yatra.

He also expressed gratitude to Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Forests and Environment, and Rafi Ahmad Mir, who are Members of the State Legislative Assembly from Kangan and Pahalgam constituencies, respectively, for their support in conducting the yatra.

The Governor said the review meeting was convened every year for the past four years immediately after the culmination of the yatra with an aim to improve the future yatras based on experiences and feedback. He asked the Chief Executive Officer to start work on camp-wise and route-wise action plans covering requirements of medicare, water and power supply, sanitation, environment protection, accommodation and other facilities for the next year's yatra.

The Governor, who is the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, presented mementos to various agencies and officers as a token of the board's appreciation for their support to this year's yatra.

Bakerwals given warm send-off by Army at Drass
Tribune News Service

Minimarg (Drass), August 23
A farewell function was organised by the Army for Bakerwals who have started their annual return movement with their flocks of sheep and cattle to the warmer region of the state, after spending summer months the area.

Hundreds of Bakerwal families assembled here on the occasion and were felicitated by Army officers.

Speaking on the occasion, Shameem Ahmad, the head of 338 Bakerwal families who fed their cattle in the upper reaches of the Drass area, thanked the Army for their help during their stay. He said the Army provided them various facilities such as education to their children through mobile schools, medical and veterinary facilities for their cattle. He said it was due to the cooperation of the Army that they were getting all possible help while staying in the area from Gumri to Pandras.

Government mulls setting up more old age homes
Jammu has 3 such homes, Kashmir none
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 23
The state government, on the directions of the J&K High Court, has constituted a high-level committee to explore the possibility of opening more old age homes in the state.

At present, there is no old age home in the Kashmir valley, while the Jammu division has three old age homes.

The committee will be serviced by the Social Welfare Department and submit its report within 15 days.

According to an official order which was issued yesterday, the government has constituted a four-member panel, with Chief Secretary of the state as the chairman and the Principal Secretary, Finance, Secretary, Health and Medical Education, and Secretary, Social Welfare, as the other members.

“The committee has been entrusted with the task of exploring the possibility of more old age homes in other districts of the state,” the order said.

The government issued the order after the high court directed the state to submit a detailed report on old age homes on or before the next date of hearing.

In his earlier report, the Chief Secretary had submitted that there were only three old age homes in the Jammu division at Amphalla, Kathua and Udhampur. He, however, admitted that there was no home for the aged in the Kashmir division.

Police seizes JCB machine used to raze shops
Dinesh Manhotra/TNS

Jammu, August 23
Keeping in view the pressure mounted by people to book culprits involved in Kishtwar violence, the police has seized a JCB (earth mover) machine, which was allegedly used in the August 9 riots to raze and demolish shops, houses and business establishments.

Although the authorities are tight-lipped, recovery of this machine substantiates the allegations that there was a "free-for-all" situation in Kishtwar during the riots and rioters were fearlessly moving around in big vehicles such as earth movers to demolish properties.

"One can gauge the lawlessness in Kishtwar on August 9 from the fact that a JCB was used for razing our shops," Rakesh Gupta, president, Beopar Mandal, Kishtwar, told The Tribune.

Highly placed sources said the JCB machine was recovered from the Hullar area of Kishtwar. "The owner of the machine has been detained by the police for questioning but his involvement in razing the structures is yet to be established. Initial questioning reveals that the owner was not aware that the operator of his JCB machine had used it in rioting and violence," a source said, adding that the machine was seized after some affected shopkeepers informed the police that some youths had been using a JCB during the riots.

"This machine was also used to break shutters of some shops to facilitate looting of these establishments," said the source.

Meanwhile, sources said the police had constituted teams of local intelligence officials to identify rioters who looted rifles from a gun shop during the riots. "These intelligence officials have been trying to collect videos and pictures shot by some individuals during riots on their mobiles to identity culprits who had looted rifles from a shop," a source said, adding that the police was confident that the rifle would be recovered.

Former Union minister and MLA Chaman Lal Gupta has demanded deputing of a team of a Central agency to recover the weapons and ammunition mysteriously looted from the shop. He demanded compensation for people whose shops were looted.

He questioned why security arrangements were missing and why even after several days of the incident, no serious effort seemed to be made to recover the looted arms.

BJP deputes 2 senior leaders to seek justice for victims
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 23
The BJP has deputed two of its senior leaders at Kishtwar to devise a strategy for intensifying the “agitation for justice” for riot victims.

BJP leader and former Ramban MLA Bali Bhagat, who is also a native of Kishtwar, along with general secretary (organisation) Ashok Koul reached Kishtwar this afternoon to hold meetings with members of a minority community to “revive their shattered confidence”.

Sources in the BJP said the decision to depute the senior leaders had been taken following the directions of the high command that at least one senior leader from Jammu should camp at the trouble-torn Kishtwar to boost the morale of the minority community. Besides holding meetings with party activists, these leaders would interact with members of the Santan Dharam Sabha and Beopar Mandal to intensify the struggle for getting justice for the victims.

Sources in the BJP said the state party leadership had asked the party high command to send some central leaders to Kishtwar so as to exert pressure on the state government to restore confidence of the minority community.

BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma today said, “We are with the agitating people of Kishtwar as the state government is not ready to give adequate compensation to the victims.” He lambasted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for not visiting Kishtwar even two weeks after the riots.

Fearing apprehension of attack on party leader Sunil Sharma, the BJP has also decided to bring this matter to the notice of DGP Ashok Prasad.

Kargil polling likely to cross 80%
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Kargil (Ladakh), August 23
A day after the polling for 24 constituencies of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) was held, the candidates have their fingers crossed over the results as the two main parties, the National Conference and the Congress, were in a tough contest.

Even as the reports of the number of votes polled in the elections are yet to be clear from three constituencies of Zanskar, the overall poll percentage is expected to cross 80, officials said. The exact number of votes polled from these constituencies is expected to reach the district headquarters by tomorrow. The exact poll percentage would be clear only after that, they said.

The elections are crucial for coalition partners NC and Congress as their candidates are in a direct contest against each other. The alliance of each of them with the two religious schools of Shia-dominated Kargil, Islamia School (NC) and Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (Congress), is also going to play a vital role in the outcome. The Islamia School, which supports the NC alongwith some of its own candidates, is regarded as more influential on the ground. “It is going to be a close fight,” said a keen observer of the developments.

All the ballot boxes from 21 constituencies in the Kargil area reached the strong room here by this evening. Those from three constituencies are expected to be transported from the Zanskar area tomorrow that would also be deposited in the strong room at the District Institute of Education here. The counting of votes will be held on August 28 and the entire process of the constitution of LAHDC, Kargil, will be completed by September 2.

Of the 26 constituencies, elections were held in 24 constituencies on Thursday. Two other Independent candidates were declared uncontested on the day of last date for withdrawals on August 6.

Governor inaugurates national rugby championship
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 23
Governor N N Vohra inaugurated the Senior National Rugby 7’s Championship at Bakshi Stadium here today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said he was very happy to learn that there were very good rugby players in the state. He hoped that with the organising of the national-level rugby event here, the game would become even more popular in the state.

To give a boost to the youth who play rugby, the Governor suggested to Sarmad Hafeez, President, J&K Rugby Association, to organise rugby matches at Srinagar and Jammu. For this initiative to take off, he announced Rs1 lakh. He also urged Hafeez to organise rugby matches in Leh and Kargil districts next year.

Earlier, the players of the participating teams were introduced to the Governor. He interacted with them and wished them a successful performance during the three-day championship.

The Governor declared the championship open by releasing colourful balloons. He also saw for some time the inaugural match of the championship which was played between J&K and Uttar Pradesh teams. Hafeez also presented a memento to the Governor on the occasion.

Pramod Khanna, president, Indian Rugby Football Union, thanked the Governor for declaring the championship open. He said an international rugby championship may be held in the state in the future.

Hafeez, in his welcome address, dwelt on the initiatives being taken for promoting rugby in the state. He said 20 rugby teams from various states of the country were participating in the championship.

Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dilip Thussu, Secretary, State Sports Council, functionaries of the Youth Services and Sports Department, Sports Council and J&K Rugby Association, players, coaches and managers of the participating teams and sports lovers were also present on the occasion.

Defence Ministry official in Jammu gets national photo award
Tribune News Service

SN Acharya

Jammu, August 23
The 24th National Photo Contest 'Commendation Prize' (Colour Section) was conferred upon SN Acharya, the Senior Photographic Officer of the Jammu-based public relations unit of the Ministry of Defence, at New Delhi last evening.

The award was presented by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag during an impressive ceremony at All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS) in the presence of a large and distinguished audience.

Director General Comptroller and Auditor General Govinda Bhattacharya was the chief guest on the occasion.

The ceremony was followed by a photo exhibition of all the award-winning photographs.

Acharya had also been conferred the National Photo Awards (2011-12) 'Special Mention Award' in the professional category earlier this year.

The National Photo Awards was instituted by the Photo Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in 2010.

The award-winning photograph in the professional category, clicked by Acharya, was on 'Harnessing of clean, green and sustainable energy’ and shows the solar power system installed at the Air Force Station, Leh.

Acharya, being the only photographic officer from the Ministry of Defence to cover the entire Northern Command theatre and a part of the Western Command theatre, has a vast experience of photo coverage for the Ministry of Defence.

Budding engineers show skills at techno fest

Srinagar, August 23
Budding engineers from prestigious institutions such as IIT-Bombay, IIT-Kanpur, National Institute of Technology (NIT)-Hamirpur and NIT-Jaipur today got together at the NIT here during the inaugural function of the first-ever techno-cultural festival, 'TechVaganza', in the state.

These students built models of fighter planes, bridges and robots in different workshops, which took place under the supervision of alumni of IIT-Bombay and IIT-Kanpur.

While using their skills in the projects, the participants sought tips from experts such as Managing Director, Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), UK Chaterjee, former IIM president EL Pugaxhenthy and J&K Chief Post Master General John Samuels.

The three-day mega science event will see a host of techno-cultural activities, documentary screenings and science photography event.

Experts emphasised the need to do more work on the research and development sector, which they said the country was lagging behind in.

“India has not been doing great in the research area. India's universities ranked low in the recent survey conducted by the Association of World Universities. It is a matter of great concern. Students need to put in more effort and time in research. The aero-modelling, robot-making workshops, which were conducted here today, form a positive step in that direction,” said the IIM Managing Director.

Agricultural policy analyst Tej Pratap Singh, who is the Vice-Chancellor at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Agricultural Sciences, said innovation was the need of the hour. “With improvements in science and technology, new opportunities are being created and we see massive migration of people from rural areas to urban areas for seizing such opportunities,” he said. — TNS