Anantnag, September 25
In the wake of a complete shutdown, life remained completely out of gear for the fourth consecutive day here in Shopian town.

According to reports, all commercial establishments remained shut. “Colleges, schools and other places of work remained closed, while public transport remained off the roads,” reports said.

Police and CRPF manned the streets to thwart any clashes in the town.

Demanding a complete removal of the CRPF camp in Gagren, people in Shopian have been observing a complete shutdown since Sunday, after a 15-day-long curfew was relaxed.

Curfew was imposed in the town after CRPF personnel of the 14th Battalion, housed at the Gagren camp in Shopian, opened fire and killed 4 persons on September 7, in the vicinity of the camp.

While three of the slain were identified as civilians, one of them, the police suspected, was a Lashkar operative. ‘Following the shoot out, one more civilian was allegedly killed by the CRPF personnel of the same camp in the same area, on September 11.

A decision to replace the CRPF personnel with Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) was taken by the state Cabinet on September 12.

Calling the replacement of thee CRPF by police a mere ‘eyewash’, the locals said they won’t settle with anything less than a complete removal of the camp.

The Traders' Federation of the town has decided to suspend all work till their demands are not met by the government.

Meanwhile, senior Hurriyat (G) leader and Tehreek-I-Hurriyat general secretary, Muhamad Ashraf Sehrai visited Shopian and expressed solidarity with the families of the slain youth.

He also addressed a large gathering outside the Jama Masjid of the town, where people raised anti-India slogans. Hailing the sacrifices of the people of Shopian, Sehrai accused India of committing genocide of innocent Kashmiri people.

“India is employing repressive tactics to gag the genuine demands of Kashmiri people,” Sehrai said, “However their tactics are only going to strengthen our resolve to fight them.”

Srinagar, September 25
Maintaining that the political resolution of the Kashmir issue was the ‘only way forward’, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the reluctance of separatists to talk in this regard was a ‘stumbling-block’.

Omar said this while talking to the European delegation led by ambassador and delegation head Joao Cravinho who called on him here. The CM underlined the need of sustained internal and external dialogues between the Centre and the separatists and India and Pakistan to resolve the K-issue once for all.

He pointed out that the accession of the state to the Union of India was on four matters --currency, communication, foreign affairs and defence. “While all the states acceded to the Union of India and then merged with it, Jammu and Kashmir only acceded and not merged. That is why we have special status, our own constitution and the state flag,” he said.

He said the political issues of Kashmir ‘were not born with the militancy in 1990, but their genesis was associated with the partition of the country’.

The CM said there were diverse views regarding the K-issue. “While one extremist view is for cession, the other extremist opinion is total merger of the state with the Union of India. Unless the process of dialogue is started with a view to find out flexibility in both of the views and carve out a roadmap of addressing the issues, the position will not change,” he said.

Regretting that initiatives like the setting up of various teams of interlocutors in the past and the Track-II Diplomacy to ascertain the public perception had not been taken to the logical conclusion, he said no headway in this regard had made the ‘people apprehensive and subscribe to the idea that the Union Government engages people of the state when there is trouble in the state and sleeps over the situation when it is more or less conducive’.

Stating that the state government had only a limited role of a facilitator to resolve the K-issue, Omar said his government was vehemently convincing the Centre to be in a dialogue with separatists and also engage Pakistan in an external dialogue.

However, Omar said he did not see any immediate headwork in the Indo-Pak or Centre-Separatist dialogues for the fact that the General Elections are in the offing.

In reply to another question relating the reduction of armed forces with the improvement of situation, the CM said the presence of armed forces was directly related to the graph of violence. “When the degree of violence and militancy reduces, there should be normal reduction in the footprints of the Army. However, this has not been the case here so far,” he said.

“Same is the case with the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Prevention Act (AFSPA)= from some areas in a phased manner repeatedly advocated by me. While I am confident that there is need to its partial revocation, the Army forces have a different view on the subject,” he said adding that he would continue to bat for revocation of the AFSPA from the state.

Srinagar, September 25
The Khyber 12th Tour de Kashmir cycling expedition yesterday reached Gulmarg.

Valley’s famous cyclist Umer Nabi from the Team Khyber bounced back by showing his strength on mountainous terrain and bagged Yellow jersey from Akber Khan.

While in the third stage held from Srinagar to Gulmarg, Saket of Chandigarh surprised everyone by cruising to victory ahead of Umer.

Earlier, the third stage was flagged off by international skier of the state Shabir Ahmad Wani along with officials of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Development Association (JKSDA) Tourism and the Police Department.

Missing the first stage marginally, Umer knew it from the start that he could make up the time lost on the mountainous terrain. Umer and Saket were riding together till 200 m of the finish line. Close to the finish line, Saket pushed hard surprising Umer with a last moment trick. He finished ahead of Umer with a fraction of second.

Saket won the third stage with the timing of 34:14:048 while as Umer finished second with the timing of 34:14:798. Jagdhish finished third with the timing of 35:29:701 while as Hilal Sofi finished fourth with the timing of 36:11:792. The winner of first two stages Muhammad Akber of Team Magpie finished fifth with the timing of 36:13:030.

By cruising two minutes ahead of Akber and other riders, Umer Nabi grabbed the leaders’ Yellow jersey on the basis of average time format while as Saket got stage winner’s green jersey.

Riders like Saket and Jagshidh with their constant close top finishes are also in contention for the top slot. With only two stages left in the event, the fourth stage from Gulmarg to Tangmarg, the total steep downhill will be real challenge for both riders and organisers.

The Traffic Police and the Health Department have made arrangements all over the expedition route for making the event a success. The event aimed at promoting the cycling tourism in the state. The traffic squad is being led by SP Traffic, Manzoor Ahmad.

As many as 55 cyclists are participating in the event organised by the J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA) in collaboration with the JK Tourism and Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) is being held for tourism development and to bring Kashmir on the cycling tourism map of the world. 

Srinagar, September 25
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated the ‘Dast-e-Hunar’ Handloom Expo-2013 at the Kashmir Haat here.

The 15-day-long exhibition is being organised by the State Handloom Department in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Textiles. The Chief Minister went around various stalls set up at the exhibition and interacted with stall holders. As per an official statement, he was informed that 68 cooperative societies from all over the country are participating in the Handloom Expo-2013.

Earlier, Omar reviewed the achievements and progress registered in the state in the Industries and andicrafts sector in a meeting held here.

Speaking on the occasion, Omar said there were tremendous opportunities for investors for venturing in the state in various sectors of agriculture, horticulture, information technology, science and technology, tourism, health, power generation, education, handicrafts, handlooms, animal rearing and allied sectors that would catapult J&K’s economy.

He said the same would also generate huge employment for locals. He asked the Industries Department to make coordinated and befitting efforts in this direction.

In a powerpoint presentation, Secretaries Industries commissioner Farooq Ahmad Factoo gave detailed account of the status of the functioning of various departments under the control of the Industries Department. He provided profile of achievements registered during the past four years and also spelt out salient features of the futuristic plans of the department to achieve new goals in the development of industries, handlooms and handicrafts in the state.

He also mentioned the achievements registered in Geology and Mining, Craft Development, JK Cements, Industries Development Corporation, Handicrafts Development Corporation, Handloom Development Corporation, JK Industries, Government Silk Factory, Government Woollen Mills, Khadi and Village Industries Board, J&K Minerals, Small Scale Industries Development Corporation, Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation.

Srinagar, September 25
State Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir chaired the 87th Board of Directors meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation here today.

Physical and financial achievements of the corporation the last fiscal year till date were reviewed at the meeting. Appropriate decisions were taken on several matters pertaining to make the corporation more vibrant and commercial, an official spokesman said.

The meeting discussed issues like consideration and approval of provisional balance sheet and profit and loss account, enhancement of dearness allowances (DA), enhancement of gratuity to the employees, rectification of pay anomaly, regularisation of temporarily workers, outsourcing of assets, confirmation of promotions of the employees and other decisions for success of the corporation.

The JKTDC had earned revenue of Rs 36 crore during in the last financial year while the revenue targets for the current financial year were fixed at Rs 40 crore.

Mir exhorted upon employees of the corporation to work with dedication. He underscored the need for providing better boarding and lodging facilities to the tourists and impressed upon the authorities concerned to ensure time-bound completion of the on-going projects at tourist spots, the spokesman said.

Commissioner Tourism and Culture Atul Duloo, Director General Finance Ravi Magotra, Director Tourism Kashmir Talat Parvez, Director Tourism Jammu Soujanya Kumar Sharma, JKTDC managing director Shamim Ahmad Wani, and other senior officers were present at the meeting.

Srinagar, September 25
CPM state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, PDF president Hakim Mohammad Yasin, Samajwadi Party state president Sheikh Abdul Rehman, ANC vice-president Muzaffar Shah, JKNDF president Abdul Rashid Kabuli, IPD president ID Khajuria, CPI state secretary Abdul Rehman Tukru and youth president Lok Janshakti Party held a meeting in the city to discuss the prevailing situation in the state.

The leaders issued a communiqué after the meeting saying that there was more than a “single layer of problem” that confronts the people in the state.

“And at its heart is the political uncertainty. This essential factor has had a huge impact all these years of the turmoil on all important dimensions of day-to-day life. From deprivation of political rights, transparency, accountability, effective and participatory governance, the people here have been facing a range of challenges like irresponsible administration, price rise, corruption, ever increasing unemployment, malpractices, favoritism, lack of accountability and delayed justice,” the leaders said.

The group of leaders said holding round table conferences, appointing interlocutors and then “sleeping over their recommendations” had virtually eroded the “credibility of the political process” in the state.

“We are of the considered opinion that there is no security solution to the Kashmir issue and the leadership of India and Pakistan need to exhibit statesmanship to find out acceptable solution to all outstanding issues, including Kashmir,” they said.

“India and Pakistan cannot afford to continue with the present hostile atmosphere and for this, alternative solutions are to be looked into. It is our firm belief that only a sustained, meaningful dialogue can lead the two countries towards that goal,” the leaders said in the statement.

They said the recent killing of civilians in Gool and Shopian demand a “serious approach and appraisal”.

“These unfortunate killings only refresh the memories of firing on protestors in 2010. Instead of prosecuting the guilty, administration is only relying on curfews and indiscriminate arrests of youth,” the leaders said.

Srinagar, September 25
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked a leading bank to go for a campus recruitment of the local youth.

Omar welcome the “intension of ICICI Bank” to be an active partner in the development of economy in the state. The Chief Minister asked them to focus on localisation of process of expansion and address the needs of farming community, horticulturists and budding entrepreneurs in a liberal approach.

“I would like you to go for campus recruitment of locals for your expansion programme,” he said.

Omar maintained the bank would find most suitable, qualified and talented local youth to handle important assignments and positions in ICICI Bank branches in the state.

While e-launching 12 new branches of ICICI Bank in the state at a function here, the Chief Minister expressed the hope that the existence of ICICI Bank in the state would prove a positive factor in the growth of economy and entrepreneurship development.

The Chief Minister said the state possesses ample opportunity for growth and development of industries and handicrafts, besides having ample potential for investment in the sectors of horticulture, agriculture, animal rearing, handlooms, handicrafts, health, education, tourism and housing.

He asked the bank to help the growth and development in these sectors and be active partners in the transformation of state’s economy.

“You will find conducive and progressive atmosphere for you to work,” he told the ICICI Bank delegation, led by senior general manager and head of North India, Kumar Ashish.

The ICICI Bank senior general ganager assured the Chief Minister of taking measures to recruit locals to man various assignments and activities of the bank. 

Srinagar, September 25
The Department of Business and Financial Studies (DBFS), University of Kashmir, is organising a two-day international conference on “Contemporary Issues in Business, Management and Finance (CIBMF-II)” from September 28.

The conference will be held in the backdrop of challenges of the modern era which are characterised by ongoing global crisis, cut-throat competition and the need for making changes which are widely acclaimed to have placed huge demands on business panorama.

Over 150 Indian and foreign delegates are expected to present their research papers at the event.

Faculty, scholars, students and businessmen interested in the conference are expected to benefit colossally from this conference.

DBFS head Mohi-ud-Din Sangmi, who is the Conference Director, said the objective of holding such an event was to bring luminaries in the area of business, management and finance to deliberate upon profound challenges facing business and industry and also to understand and deliberate upon the multifarious and ever changing business scenario prevailing across the globe.

He said the conference was expected to integrate both conceptual and empirical research that should link knowledge to different contexts of the industry.

He said all alumni of the department in particular and those interested in the subject were invited to grace the occasion.

The conference is being sponsored by J&K Bank, the State Bank of India and HDFC bank.

Srinagar, September 25
The Jammu and Kashmir Bank said today some fraudsters had been posing as J&K Bank officials over phone and in the name of updating personal information in the bank record were seeking their account details, particularly credit and debit card and ebanking details.

In a statement, the bank spokesman urged the customers not to share their personal details like user Id, password, personal identification number (PIN), etc to anyone. “J&K Bank does not ask for such details from its customers. Don't respond to such phone calls,” the statement added.

Srinagar, September 25
A local court in north Kashmir has sent a man, convicted for unnatural offences, to a reform home for three years.

Sopore Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Masarat Roohi convicted the man (was a minor when a case was registered) in a 2005 case.

“The accused being a juvenile is sent to Home Harwan, Srinagar, for three years,” the CJM order read.

The case dates back to 2005 when a complaint was lodged by the father of an eight-year-old boy that another local boy from Mundji Sopore had indulged in unnatural offences with his son.

“On the evening of July 13, 2005, the son of the complainant did not return home and he began a search for him. During the search, he saw his son in an orchard, half a kilometre away from the village, where the accused was forcibly committing an unnatural act with his son,” the father of the victim had said in the police compliant.

Later, a case was registered at the Sopore police station. The police produced a chargesheet and Sopore Chief Prosecuting Officer Abdul Majeed Bhat represented the state in the case. The prosecution produced many witnesses during the case who all stated that the minor had been victimised at the hands of the accused.

Srinagar, September 25
Government College for Women (GCW), Srinagar, won the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) debate competition. The valedictory function of the event was held yesterday on the University of Kashmir (KU) campus.

As many as 26 participants from different universities and colleges of the Valley participated in the contest. Articulated and strong arguments were made in favour and the topic, “Laws are not powerless in preventing crime against women and children”.

The college was represented by Mehwish Shafi and Asma Zahoor who lifted the annual IIPA debate competition’s trophy.

Increased economic participation of women in society can go a long way in their emancipation from depravity and discrimination, said by Kashmir Inspector General of Police Abdul Ghani Mir, who was the guest of honour at the function.

“The Criminal Justice System, in place that that keeps a check on crimes against women and is multi-tiered. We need to implement the laws in letter and spirit at all these tiers to curb the issue of discrimination,” he said.

In his presidential address, KU Vice-Chancellor Talat Ahmad hailed the quality of the debate and complimented the organisers and participants for articulating their views in a lucid and forceful way. Talat said the aim of the universities was not just to offer degrees, but to produce leaders who can lead society.

IIPA vice-chairman AM Watali underscored the need for better coordination between law enforcing agencies such as police, judiciary and the legal fraternity.

The VC and the IGP awarded trophies and certificates to the best speakers.

Srinagar, September 25
JK Bank Academy defeated JK Forest XI in the ongoing J&K State Power Development Corporation Annual League Football Tournament 2013 being played at the Polo Ground, Srinagar.

It was Ashiq Mushtaq from the Forest XI who scored the first goal in the 30th minute and gave his team a lead.

An equaliser came from JK Bank Academy in the 74th minute through Owais. JK Bank Academy took the lead in the 79th minute when Mansoor from the Forest team scored a self goal. JK Bank Academy won by 2:1.

The football tournament is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (DFA Srinagar).