The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Modi strikes emotional chord with Dogras, Gujjars in Jammu
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 1
BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today tried to strike an emotional chord with the Dogras and Gujjars of the state. He invoked last Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh and termed him a social reformer who took initiatives for the education of women. He also reminded the Gujjars of their roots in Gujarat.

Modi also recalled the contribution of late Pandit Prem Nath Dogra in the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

Modi, who delivered a 55-minute speech during the “Lalkaar rally”, recounted his association with the Jammu region and similarities of the Gujaratis with the Gujjars of the state.

“The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir have roots in Gujarat and I realised this when I visited Gujjar families of the region,” he said.

“I have an emotional attachment with the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir because their forefathers were from Gujarat,” he said. Modi has a reason to woo the nomadic community because Muslim Gujjars dominate a large number of Assembly seats.

“It was Maharaja Hari Singh who abolished untouchability in Jammu and Kashmir during his tenure,” he said but regretted that the late Maharaja had become the victim of political conspiracy.

To encash on the popularity of Praja Parishad leader late Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, Modi seized the opportunity to highlight Dogra’s role in strengthening relations of Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian Union. Dogra is suffixed with the title of Sher-e-Dogra so Modi made it a point to highlight his role.

The BJP prime ministerial candidate vociferously took up the issue of discrimination against the Shias of Kargil and the Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Makes a connect

BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who delivered a 55-minute speech during the “Lalkaar rally”, recounted his association with the Jammu region and similarities of the Gujaratis with the Gujjars of J&K

Modi said during his tenure as the BJP national general secretary in charge of Jammu and Kashmir, he used to have his meal with Gujjar families

He vociferously took up the alleged discrimination against the Shias of Kargil and the Jammu and Ladakh regions

Muslims, Gujjars raise slogans in Modi’s favour

Jammu, December 1
Hundreds of Muslims and Gujjars of the state mingled with the crowds at BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s “Lalkaar rally” today and raised slogans “Har Har Modi, ghar ghar Modi”.

For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, a political rally has recorded more than 1 lakh people.

Muslims who were eagerly waiting for Modi’s speech welcomed him with slogans in his favour.

Mohammad Ashraf, 41, from Srinagar said, “I am a big fan of Modi because of his stand towards Pakistan, China and terrorism. This is the time to take some hard steps against forces not in favour of the country. And, only Modi can do it.”

“The Congress is conspiring against Modi and Muslims by highlighting the 2002 issue. It is playing divide and rule politics,” Ashraf said.

Bhagh Hussain (22), a Gujjar from Doda, said, “I do not belong to any political party but Modi’s speech has impressed me a lot. So, I am here to listen him live.”

“My religion will not change if I vote for Modi or the Bharatiya Janata Party,” Hussain said.

People from all three regions of the state had assembled at the MA Stadium to listen to Modi. The discrimination with the Gujjars and Shias in the state mentioned by Modi impressed Gujjars and Muslims at the rally. — TNS

on the frontline
Get back to five-year term of J&K Assembly
Arun Joshi

Jammu and Kashmir is paying a heavy price for its greed to have a longer term for its legislative Assembly. It has a term of six years and this tenure is now proving a liability for the people, who feel that they should be given a chance to exercise their right to vote every five years, like voters in other parts of the country.

A close look at the evolution of politics in the state since 1977 clearly demonstrates that the change that the state effected in the 1970s, during the Emergency era by extending the life of the state Assembly from five to six years, has been one of the causes of the political instability and trouble in the state. The state followed an amendment moved by the Congress government in Parliament during the Emergency in letter and spirit. But when the Centre reversed the amendment and brought back the life of the Lok Sabha to five years, Jammu and Kashmir continued with the six-year term rule. It refused to reverse it, saying that it was the prerogative of the state under the special status granted to it under the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

Voters are disillusioned with the extended term of the state Assembly.

A look at what happened in the past few decades, especially after the 1977 elections reveals that the six-year term amounts to demotion of democracy in the state. This immutability of the law under the state constitution caused a lot of trouble. An undeniable fact is that during Sheikh Abdullah’s lifetime, the trouble had started. His deteriorating health had created a vacuum, and at the same time new power centres had emerged - first his deputy Mirza Afzal Beg deserted him, then there was his brother-in-law Ghulam Mohammad Shah eyeing the Chief Minister’s chair.

And when Farooq Abdullah became the Chief Minister of the state in September 1982 after the death of his father Sheikh Abdullah, the old guard started playing games. The Congress was already looking for its pound of flesh. It made a huge issue of the Resettlement Bill that envisaged the return of all those residents of Jammu and Kashmir — who had migrated to Pakistan — for reclaiming their properties.

The Congress exploited the issue to the hilt in the Jammu region where a vast majority of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir refugees were settled. On the other hand, Farooq Abdullah entered into an alliance with Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq, head of the Awami Action Committee and father of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in the name of “Muslim unity”.

This was not accepted by the Congress, the then ruling party at the Centre because the next elections were too far away. It resulted in the July 1984 episode --- Farooq Abdullah’s government was dismissed and a government headed by Ghulam Mohammad Shah was installed with the outside support of Congress.

Farooq was given back power after he entered into a spoken alliance with the Congress in November 1986, after six months of Governor’s rule in the state because the G M Shah Government was dismissed following communal riots in Kashmir in March 1986. Then came the infamous 1987 elections. These polls were rigged. This caused eruption of militancy in the state. Even after the 1996 Assembly elections, which the National Conference (NC) had won with a two-thirds majority, there were moves to dislodge the Farooq Abdullah government.

It was during this era that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) arrived in the state. The aspirations of the regional party, set up in 1999 as an alternative to the NC, changed the whole political scenario in Kashmir. With the PDP’s arrival on the political map of Kashmir, it has become imperative for all parties to think of coalition governments. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s government was not allowed to have the full term because of pressure from the Congress for rotational chief ministership. This move was very much articulated by the NC too, thus creating a situation where Mufti had to step down and make way for Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The party did not allow the Assembly to complete its six-year term. It forced elections, preceded by Governor’s rule, as Azad lost the majority — the PDP withdrew its support to the Azad government. After the 2008 elections, the Congress and NC alliance was a foregone conclusion. The year 2010 saw unprecedented street protests — again there was an attempt to show the door to the Omar Abdullah government. But the Centre rescued him.

But political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have refused to accept that six-year term is a poison. They have also failed to realise that it is proving a political suicide for this sensitive border state.

lalkaar rally
Security restrictions hamper movement of locals, tourists
Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Passengers walk on foot to reach railway station in the absence of public transport on Sunday. Tribune Photos: Inderjeet Singh

Jammu, December 1
Traffic diversions and security restrictions in and around the city restricted common masses from reaching the venue of the 'Lalkaar Rally', which was addressed by BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at MA Stadium here today.

The district administration and security agencies had converted the entire city into a cantonment. Barbed wires on all crossings, diverted traffic, deserted roads and markets restricted the common people from reaching the rally venue.

Though it was the biggest ever rally in Jammu and Kashmir with a crowd of over 1 lakh people, thousands of people returned home due to traffic diversions and security restrictions.

"My only plan for today was Modi's rally, but when I came out of my home, all the crossings were closed with barbed wires and there were long queues for frisking at all the check posts. I preferred to return and watch it on TV," said Sahil Sharma, a resident of Gandhi Nagar.

"I think, it was the conspiracy of the state government to reduce the crowd at Modi's rally as his fan following is increasing like anything," he added. Ankush Khajuria, a government employee, said, "Had administration not restricted the traffic, the crowd would have been more than the double."

Meanwhile, the main bridge on the Tawi and flyover was closed for the vehicular traffic for about six hours and buses for Katra, Reasi and Udhampur were not allowed to enter the city and were told to go back from Manda.

Tourists and pilgrims were moving here and there with their baggage on their shoulders to get transport for Katra and other destinations. Many of them waited at the railway stations and ISBT Narwal, for the rally to get over so that the administration opened the public transport for them.

"I am looking for a bus to Katra with my family since 9.30 am, but there is no transportation," said Sudhir Mishra, a tourist from Delhi.

"The administration should have opened other routes for buses to Katra and other places. Modi's rally is not an excuse," he added.

Rajesh Kumar, IGP, Jammu, said, "The restrictions were there as the gathering was more in the rally. We had removed the restrictions after the rally was over."

Modi badly informed or economical with truth: Omar
Says BJP leader factually wrong on Article 370
Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, December 1
BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s speech at ‘Lalkaar Rally’ has generated a debate on Article 370 as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have reacted sharply to Modi’s address.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hit out at Narendra Modi, saying that the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate was being economical with the truth.

“Modi is either badly informed or very economical with the truth. I am not sure which one is worse though,” Omar wrote in a tweet.

Omar made a point-by-point rebuttal of Modi’s speech and taunted the BJP leader of being in need of a “pre-speech fact check”.

“Women do not lose their domicile right by marrying non-state subjects regardless of the propaganda surrounding the issue,” Omar said.

Omar threw a challenge before the Gujarat Chief Minister asking him to reproduce the sections of Article 370 which determine the JK state subject law.

“He very conveniently used me and my sister as examples to illustrate a point that has no bearing in truth,” the Chief Minister said.

PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said even Parliament of the country was not constitutionally mandated to review or scrap Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

Mufti said even ordinary students of constitutional history know that Article 370 providing special status to J&K has gained a permanent status.

“Even the Article 1 of the Constitution of India determining the territory of the country applies to J&K by virtue of Article 370 only. Scrap this bridge with rest of the country and the entire gamut of accession and related issues stare at your face,” Mufti said, adding that if Modi aspires for the top job of a country as diverse as India, he would have to rise above prejudices, perceptions, propaganda and work for uniting people rather than dividing them.

Chief Minister tweets

Women do not lose their domicile right by marrying non-state subjects regardless of the propaganda surrounding the issue

Kingpin admits to paying Rs 60 lakh to Peer for CET papers
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
The kingpin of the alleged scam involving the sale of question papers of the Common Entrance Test (CET)-2012 has nailed former chairman of the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE) Mushtaq Peer in his confessional statement, saying he had given Rs 60 lakh to Peer in three instalments for making available three question papers and their answer keys.

The kingpin, Farooq Ahmad Itoo, had recorded his confessional statement before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, under Section 164 of the CrPC on November 7. While Peer has been arrested by the Crime Branch, Itoo is yet to be formally arrested for his involvement in the MBBS scam.

“I know that I am standing before a judge and I am making this statement on my own, voluntarily,” Itoo said when asked by the investigators whether he knew where he was making the statement and that the statement recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC before a magistrate may become an evidence against him. “I fully know it.”

Itoo has revealed that he developed a close association with Mushtaq Peer in 2001 when as an inspection officer of the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Peer had inspected his computer centre in Bijbehara, Anantnag, for its recognition by the NCPUL.

“After my computer centre was recognised, I went to meet Mushtaq Peer at the University of Kashmir, where he was then heading the department of computer sciences. The meeting proved positive and soon our acquaintance developed into friendship,” Itoo said, adding that he continued to be in touch with Peer even when he was appointed as the chairman of BOPEE.

He further said during this time one of his friends Bashir Ahmad asked him to approach Peer for the selection of his son in a medical college.

“I told this to Peer, who said it is difficult to get him (Bashir’s son) admitted to the MBBS course but asked me to wait for sometime

“Later, Mushtaq Peer told me to arrange three boys, saying he will give them question and answer papers of the CET-2012 before the exam date in lieu of Rs 20 lakh each, which comes to a total of Rs 60 lakh.

“I told Peer that Rs 60 lakh won’t be made available in just one instalment and he would be provided the first instalment of Rs 30 lakh before the exam. I got eight students as it was difficult to arrange Rs 60 lakh,” Itoo said.

Itoo has revealed that he handed over the first instalment of Rs 30 lakh to Mushtaq Peer at his residence a day before the CET-2012 exam on June 22, 2012.

He handed over the balance amount in two instalments to Peer later.

Separate townships sought in Valley for Pandits’ rehab
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 1
Days after the state Cabinet accepted a modified rehabilitation plan for the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir valley, Jagti camp inmates have said resettlement is only possible in separate townships in the Valley.

In a statement issued by the Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC), a representative organisation of the displaced people living in Jagti camp, said the government was not sincere in rehabilitation of the Pandits in the Valley.

In a statement, JTC president Shadi Lal Pandita has demanded construction of three satellite townships near Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.

“It is not possible for the community to resettle in the villages proposed by the government as most of the people have lost their homes either to vandalism or have been burnt. Township is the only solution to mitigate the problems of the community,” said Pandita.

JTC members have also expressed grave concern over lackadaisical approach of the government in implementing the Prime Minister's employment package for the youth in letter and spirit despite lapse of more than five years.

The JTC has urged the government to ensure implementation of the Prime Minister's employment package by filling the remaining posts in government departments.

Artisans must get due share of profit: Omar
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the dealers of Kashmir handicrafts to ensure that enough money went down to artisans whose skill and magical workmanship was responsible for high returns of the products such as carpet, pashmina shawls, “sozini”, wood-carving and papier mache.

Sounding an alarm over the meagre amount of wages trickling down to workers out of the huge profits earned at the apex level, he said, “Unless you give them deserving share out of the profits you earn by the sale of these products, I fear, they will lose their enthusiasm in the trade. If an artisan will not earn substantial living from his skill and the product which fetches handsome amounts at the terminal market, why would he stick to this activity?” he said while addressing the Federation of Indian Export Organisations’ (FIEO) meet in Srinagar on Sunday.

“While the government is taking all efforts to strengthen the artisans’ economy by various initiatives, the basic responsibility is on the shoulders of exporters and traders to ensure remunerative returns to the artisans,” he added.

“We also observe that for meagre wages and fewer earnings even after manufacturing craft marvels of highest quality, standard and market value, offspring of master craftsmen do not want to venture in this field. They instead want to struggle for getting some government jobs than to take up the noble activity of handicrafts which has earned name and fame to Jammu and Kashmir since times immemorial,” said Omar, adding that economic welfare of artisans and converting their workmanship in a lucrative business was the need of the hour.

The Chief Minister identified the areas where the state possesses high potential for being a successful exporter.

“Instead of becoming jack of all trades, we want to be the masters in few and our world famous handicrafts and handloom sectors, spices, fresh and dry fruit, leather products and electronics could be these fields and
core sectors to focus on by the investors,” he said.

}Unless you give the dealers a deserving share out of the profits they earn by the sale of products, I fear, they will lose their enthusiasm in the trade. If an artisan will not earn substantial living from his skill and the product which fetches handsome amounts at the terminal market, why would he stick to this activity?~

Omar Abdullah, chief minister

BSF, Pak Rangers exchange sweets in RS Pura sector
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Pakistan Rangers Wing Commander Mohammed Ali (left) and BSF 94 Battalion Commandant GS Dhaliwal exchange sweets in the RS Pura sector on Sunday. A tribune photograph

Jammu, December 1
With a focus on improving its defences along the 198-km-long Indo-Pak border in Jammu region, the BSF kept its word celebrating its 49th Raising Day with the Pakistan Rangers at the Octroi border outpost in Suchetgarh area of RS Pura sector in Jammu district today.

“The BSF was led by 94 Battalion Commandant GS Dhaliwal while rangers were led by Wing Commander Mohammed Ali and two other officials, Javed and Maftah.

The BSF and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets and congratulated each other in a congenial atmosphere to mark the occasion,” said a BSF officer.

Sweets diplomacy eventually returned at the 198-km-long International Border (IB) on November 3 after heavy shelling by Pakistan Rangers in October escalated tension between the two sides. Pakistan smashed all previous records violating the ceasefire for over 241 times on the frontiers of Jammu and Kashmir,

The situation was defused and the normalcy was restored only after a sector-level flag meeting on October 29 where both sides agreed upon exchanging sweets on major festivals and occasions. The rangers were informed in advance about the Raising Day and the exchange of sweets was fixed at a local level to mark the occasion, he added.

However, the 744-km-long Line of Control (LoC) has not witnessed any such pleasantries between Pakistani Army and Indian Army this year.

Besides intrusion attempts and ceasefire violations, the LoC had witnessed killings of seven Indian soldiers-on January 8 and August 5 and 6 in two different raids of the Pakistan’s border action teams.

On January 8 Pakistan’s BAT had brutally killed two soldiers-Lance Naiks Sudhakar Singh and Hemraj Singh of the 13 Rajputana Rifles and had decapitated body of Hemraj Singh in Balnoi area of Mendhar sector of Poonch district.

On the intervening night of August 5 and 6, at least 20 heavily armed men comprising Lashkar terrorists and Pakistan Army regulars had ambushed a six-member Indian patrol some 450 meters inside the Indian Territory on the LoC killing five soldiers and injuring another in the Sarla Battalion area near Chakan-da-Bagh of Poonch district.

Shopkeepers told to keep milk testing machine
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 1
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has directed the shopkeepers dealing with milk distribution to keep milk testing machines on their premises. Despite their best efforts to curb adulteration, the municipal authorities are still receiving complaints.

A team of health officials led by Dr Vinod Sharma conducted inspection of shops at Raghunath Bazar, Purani Mandi, Peer Mitha, Kachi Chowni and New Plot areas.

The MC has directed all shopkeepers dealing with milk to place cow, buffalo and mixed milk separately on their premises.

Directions have also been passed to completely discontinue the use of polythene material and during the inspection, a fine of Rs 5,100 was imposed on shopkeepers. About 5-kg polythene was seized from 21 defaulters.

All business owners have been instructed not to use polythene bags which are injurious to health and can cause cancer and impotency.

PDP yet to announce candidate for Baramulla constituency
Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is yet to announce its candidate for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency even though it had nominated candidates from other two constituencies of the Valley —Srinagar and Anantnag—almost ten days back.

Though the party maintained that a decision on the same would be taken shortly, sources said that three PDP legislators from north Kashmir had been shortlisted.

The sources added that former deputy Chief Minister Muzzaffar Hussain Baig, who represents the Baramulla Assembly, Bandipore MLA Nizam-u-Din Bhat, and MLC Nayeem Akther were the three legislators from north Kashmir whose names were being deliberated by the party high command for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency.

“The party high command will sit and decide as to who will contest the polls from the Baramulla parliamentary constituency,” said a PDP leader. “We will take different aspects into consideration before announcing the name. All this will be done in consultation with local party leaders,” he added.

The PDP on November 21 had announced that its president Mehbooba Mufti would be party’s candidate from Anantnag and former finance minister Tariq Hamid Karra would contest from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency. All the three parliamentary seats from the Valley are presently being held by the ruling National Conference (NC).

PDP chief spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said the party was in a no hurry to announce the name for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency.

“We will hold deliberations and we are in a no hurry to announce the candidate for Baramulla,” Akther said. “There is no question of anyone being in race, but the party high command will take a decision as to who will contest the polls,” he added.

While the PDP has announced two party candidates from the Valley, the ruling NC is likely to announce the candidates for three seats on December 5 during a function to celebrate the birth anniversary of its founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

The NC and Congress are yet to take a decision on any pre-poll alliance in the state. Local leaders from both the parties have been asserting that there would be no pre-poll alliance for the forthcoming parliamentary polls.

LS poll talk

Sources say former deputy Chief Minister Muzzaffar Hussain Baig, who represents the Baramulla Assembly, Bandipore MLA Nizam-u-Din Bhat, and MLC Nayeem Akther are the three legislators from north Kashmir whose names are being deliberated by the party high command for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency

Geelani again calls for poll boycott
Tribune News Service

Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani addresses a rally in Kulgam on Sunday. Tribune photo: amin war

Srinagar, December 1
Chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani addressed a rally in Kulgam district of south Kashmir today.

Geelani continued his election boycott campaign, asking people to stay away from ballot. The separatist leader also condemned BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar, who accompanied Geelani to the rally, said.

The spokesman said Geelani also commented on reports of eight militants, including Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, being declared as a “proclaimed offender” by a New Delhi court.

“He (Geelani) said they (militants) are not terrorists but freedom fighters,” the spokesman said.

Geelani, who was released by the authorities in the last week of October after 236 days of detention, has addressed several rallies in north and south Kashmir since his release and campaigned against participation in the elections next year. The hardline separatist leader was detained on two occasions when he had scheduled rallies in south Kashmir’s Tral town and north Kashmir’s Palhalan town. Geelani will address a rally in Tral town on December 4, at north Kashmir’s Bandipora town on December 6 and in the city here on December 8.

sangarmal complex row
SDA to act against traders for not paying rent arrears
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
Though the business community of Sangarmal Commercial Complex is on an indefinite strike against the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) for its alleged maladministration, the latter on Sunday said that around Rs 9 crore premium and rent arrears were outstanding against the former.

The SDA said it would soon launch an intensified drive to recover the pending arrears from the allottees of its commercial spaces to meet the revenue targets set by the government.

In a statement issued here today, the SDA said notices had already been issued to the defaulters, including those at Sangarmal City Centre, for immediate clearance of premium and rent arrears running into crores of rupees.

"If the allottees fail to pay the premium and rent arrears, the SDA will be forced to stop their business operations by sealing the commercial or office space being used by them illegally," the statement said.

It said an amount of Rs 8.41 crore, including monthly rentals amounting to Rs 28.22 lakh, was outstanding against various allottees at Sangarmal City Centre.

The statement said the SDA had incurred around Rs 60 lakh on the centre in the past 15 months.

The SDA asked the allottees to pay all outstanding dues without any further delay. "In case of non-payment, the names of the defaulters will be published in local newspapers," it said.

Accusing the SDA of "irregularities and breach of trust", the Sangarmal traders had begun the indefinite strike on Saturday.

"We are not defaulters," a trader said, urging the state government to conduct a high-level probe into the issue. The traders have accused the SDA of not living up to its promises it had made through its printed literature to those who purchased space in the mall that was inaugurated in 2010.

Doc turns to B’wood to acquaint people with ‘real’ Kashmir
Rifat Mohidin

Srinagar, December 1
Disappointed with the portrayal of Kashmir in the Bollywood, Dilnawaz Muntazir, a Kashmiri doctor-turned-movie-director, has come up with the first Kashmiri 35mm digital feature film "Partav", which he claims tells the true story of Kashmir.

Muntazir says the movie, which is set to hit the screens in Kashmir on December 7, is an attempt to show real Kashmir to the world. "It's a fictional film that depicts the social scenario of Kashmir's language, culture and heritage," he says.

The film focuses on the life of a professor who abandons everything, except his love, for literary works. The movie had its world premiere at the 19th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF).

"Partav" has won the award of excellence at Canada Film Festival. It was also selected for the Delhi International Film Festival this year.

Muntazir said it was the "wrong portrayal of Kashmir in Bollywood movies" that motivated him to make "Partav".

"Bollywood does not depict the real Kashmir. Through my movie, I want to show the life of a common Kashmiri," said Muntazir, the director, screen writer and music composer of the film.

About conflict in Kashmir, he said: "It has been misused and exploited in many movies. To show the true picture of conflict, we first need to unleash the true feelings of Kashmiris to the world," he said.

Claiming that people across the globe would be able to connect with the characters, he said the crew belonged to Kashmir. "We have recorded the entire movie in Kashmir without any outside help. Through this movie I also aim at showcasing the real talent of Kashmir," he said.

Muntazir, a 36-year-old dental surgeon, said "Partav" was an experiment, but he was happy with the appreciation he was receiving.

NF chief lauds Muslim law board’s role
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
Nayeem Khan, senior Hurriyat leader and chairman of National Front (NF), has lauded the efforts and role played by Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Personal Law Board (MPLB) towards religion and society.

The board is being headed by government-appointed Grand Mufti (chief cleric) Mufti Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad.

Hailing Khan for praising the MPLB, the board, in a separate statement, said it was ready to join hands with the NF to further its goals.

Khan issued the statement after a joint meeting of the MPLB and National Front here on Saturday, which was presided over by Ahmad.

The statement said Khan represented the NF and board's deputy president Syed Mohammad Aslam Andrabi and other religious scholars also attended the meeting.

PDP seeks probe into ‘political nexus’
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti yesterday said that the investigations must look beyond the former chairman of the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), Mushtaq Peer, to find out the facts about the possible political connections to the BOPEE scandal.

Addressing public meetings at Sheeri, Chandoosa and Khitangam in north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency, Mehbooba said refusal to take responsibility for the acts of omissions and commissions of his government, had become the part of defence mechanism of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The PDP chief said the startling facts reported so far were sufficient to suggest that Mushtaq Peer was handpicked for the BOPEE job and given subsequent extensions and re-employed with full knowledge about his “shady” past and activities as the head of the BOPEE.

Mehbooba said the BOPEE selection scandal had been reported by the media immediately after the results were declared on June 28 last year.

“But, instead of taking immediate action, the government gave an extension of two months to Mushtaq Peer, obviously, to ensure that conspiracy involving the sale of papers was taken to a logical conclusion and overseeing the admission of the tainted students. Not only this, Peer was later given the charge of the so-called fast-track recruitment process in spite of the BOPEE scandal having come into the public domain,” Mehbooba said.

Questioning the arbitrary method of re-employment and selection to sensitive, senior positions, she said the re-employment of retired persons had itself assumed the dimensions of a mega scandal.

Rare cardiac surgery performed at SKIMS
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, December 1
The departments of Cardio Vascular Thoracic Surgery (CVTS) and Cardiac Anesthesia, Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), performed a very complex congenital cyanotic heart surgery on a patient this week.

Professor Abdul Majid Dar of the CVTS Department, who led the surgical team, said a total correction of this complex congenital heart defect was performed by a team of doctors, including Dr Shyam Singh, Dr Zubair and Dr Nasir.

"This was the first case of such a complexity and is corrected fully and the patient is doing well. The patient is now in the cardiac ICU, breathing without support, fully active and conscious with an oxygen saturation of 98 per cent and will be shifted to a ward soon," Said official spokesperson for SKIMS.

Director, SKIM, Dr Showkat Zargar congratulated the team and other doctors of the CVTS department for conducting the complex surgery.

Coaching centres flay govt over tax
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, December 1
The Coaching Centres Association (CCA) of Kashmir today criticised the state government over its double policy of taxation on the private coaching centres. They said the policy forced them to raise the tuition fee by 20 per cent.

After its meeting here, the association said the move of the government would make education unaffordable for the poor students.

“The government is denying registration to around 550 coaching centres due to unknown reasons,” said CCA chairman GN Var.

“We were promised formal registration after our provisional registration expired in March this year, but after eight months and numerous reminders, the officials concerned are denying us the same. This will put the future of nearly 50,000 students enrolled in our institutes at risk,” Var added.

The government has framed rules three years ago under the Regulation of Private Tuition Centre Rules, 2010, to regulate the functioning of the private tuition centres in the state. The association said the government had so far failed to decide the future of the coaching centres in Kashmir.

38 farmers get PNB credit cards
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 1
Punjab National Bank (PNB) today organised a function to disburse Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) at Shamachak.

The function was inaugurated by Muhammad Latif Mir, Deputy General Manager, Circle Head, J&K Operations, who was accompanied by Ashok Mahajan, sarpanch of Shamachak panchayat.

As many as 38 credit cards, involving a credit outlay of 46 lakh, were distributed among farmers of Shamachak, Manyal Brahmana, Dab Karamdin and Paryal villages.

Speaking at the function, Mir said the KCC was providing adequate and timely support to the farmers for their short-term credit needs. He said the scheme had proved beneficial to the farmers for expansion of their agriculture activities and helping them in meeting timely short-term credit requirements for cultivation of crops, post-harvest expenses and profitable marketing of their produce.

He said the KCC had also helped farmers to buy quality seeds, enhance land use and increase agricultural production. He said KCC happened to be the cheapest credit available from the banking system as the effective interest rate for a regular repaying borrower availing credit up to Rs 3 lakh comes down to as low as 4 per cent per annum.

Rs 3.41 cr recovered from power defaulters
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 1
The Power Development Department (PDD) has recovered a fine of Rs 3.41 crore from illegal power users in Jammu this year.

Sources said most of the people were drawing electricity excess of the sanctioned load and had tempered with electronic meters. Even in metered areas, power theft was detected with consumers bypassing meters and running their air conditioners and other gadgets illegally.

In the absence of proper training and police protection, the enforcement wing of the department could not achieve its targets in the recent years.

“Under the J&K State Electricity Regularity Act, there is a provision of legal action against those who misuse electricity and indulge in illegal acts, but the state government has failed to create separate police stations or depute staff for strengthening the enforcement wing,” said a senior PDD official.

“Specific directions have been issued to the field staff to identify illegal power users and disconnect their supply. We have achieved success in curbing power theft but more hard work is needed,” said Minister of State for Power Vikar Rasool.

Man detected with male and female reproductive organs
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
In a rare medical condition, a 60-year-old patient from Baramulla has been diagnosed with both male and female reproductive organs.

The case came to the fore at the District Hospital, Baramulla, when the doctors were conducting a hernia operation on the 60-year-old.

“When a team of doctors operated upon him earlier this month, they found full female reproductive system, including a uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes in his lower abdominal region. The doctors later conducted hysterectomy to remove the female reproductive organs,” Deputy Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Barmaulla, Dr Masrat Iqbal Wani said.

The medical examination of the patient, father of three, revealed that he was a hermaphrodite, a medical condition in which a person has both male and female sex organs, he said.

“We were clinically sure that they were female reproductive organs, but to be absolutely sure about it we sent the specimens to the Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, for pathological tests and even the pathologists there confirmed that the specimen contained uterus and other female reproductive organs,” Wani said.

The GMC also sent the specimen to a Delhi-based laboratory, which has also confirmed the rare findings, the doctor said.

The doctors in Baramulla, who performed the surgery, meanwhile, said the patient was absolutely normal.

The surgery was conducted on November 2 and the patient was released thereafter, Wani said.

“The patient had no external female genitalia and he faced no problems whatsoever with regard to his sexuality,” one of the surgeons who operated upon the 30-year-old said.

The senior officials in the Health Department, meanwhile, said it was a first that a person had been diagnosed with such a rare medical condition in Kashmir.

“It is for the first time that a person was diagnosed as hermaphrodite in Kashmir,” a senior official at the Directorate of Health Services said.

“We will publish the rare discovery in the prestigious medical journals,” he added.

Ringside view

Mubashir Shinali from Doda with his wife Fatima Begum who is a citizen of Thailand.

Facebook plays cupid for Doda boy, Thai girl

They first met on social networking site Facebook three years back and on November 12, they tied the knot and pledged to stay together for the rest of their lives.

Mubashir Shinali (26), who runs a boutique in Doda town, 180 km from Jammu, said: “After meeting Fatima Begum (26) of Thailand on Facebook, our friendship turned into love. Chatting, phone calling and picture-sharing ended up in both of us sharing our lives,” he added. The “nikah” ceremony took place at Doda.

Mubashir said that his decision to marry a foreigner came as a shock to people in Doda. “It is the first of its kind (love marriage) here but not only are both of us thrilled, my family too is happy that my wife is coping well with the new atmosphere and family,” he added. According to him, though Fatima’s family couldn’t be present at the nikah, they will soon come to Doda to meet their daughter.

The two admit that language is a barrier. “My parents are not able to understand her as Fatima speaks only English but she is trying to learn Urdu to be able to communicate better with them,” Shinali said.

Fatima is a businesswoman who deals in import-export of cosmetic items between India and Thailand. Since she intends to stay in Doda, hopefully, this little J&K town can look forward to some business with Thailand.

Mutton for mid-day meal

On November 27, many students of Government Upper Primary School at Bhatiyari in Ramban town were in for a pleasant surprise when they were served mutton and their favourite razma in mid-day meal.

In fact, the children were expecting the usual dish of mixed vegetable as per the menu fixed in all schools of the state. But, soon after the MLA, Ramban, Ashok Kumar, other Congress leaders and a few prominent local citizens had their lunch following the inauguration of the upgraded Upper Primary School from the Lower Primary School, the students were served their day's mid-day meal. Finding mutton and razma --- a favourite of children — on a heap of rice, they were thrilled.

Nisha Lata, in charge of mid-day meals in the school, explained, “Sometimes we do serve them special dishes or soft drinks but today it was different. Omkar Chand Katock, a retired lecturer, who had donated one kanal of land for this school, arranged the lunch for all guests and students as a special gesture. But, only 20 students could enjoy the 'feast", as the rest, who were still awaiting their result, had not turned up. The retired teacher is also constructing a three-room building for the school costing Rs 10.41 lakh.”

Srinagar, the talking point

Usually when the “Durbar” shifts to Jammu in winter months, Srinagar takes a back seat politically. Occasionally, of course the quiet is disturbed by the occasional crackle of the militant gun. But, with the fourth Assembly elections in the post-militancy era due next year, Srinagar continues to be the “prestigious talking point” in these winter months. Almost all political parties are focusing on issues relating to Srinagar city. In the past, the National Conference has been maintaining its hold on all eight seats, though with certain exceptions. Habbakadal constituency had gone to an Independent in 2002 elections, while the PDP (then in power) later won the Batamaloo seat during a byelection following the death of NC stalwart Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah.

The PDP says, “Srinagar city has always been the victim of the National Conference‘s systematic neglect and misrule”. Says Sajjad Lone, “The People’s Conference will work towards the end of freeing the historic and beautiful city of Srinagar from both the political as well as economic tyranny and oppression of the National Conference”. The Congress has also been focusing on the issues related to development and welfare of artisans in Srinagar.

For once, the “Kashmir issue” is on the backburner.

Vehicles jump the traffic signal in Srinagar. Tribune photo: Yawar Kabli

Jumping lights

When traffic signals started operating for the first time in Srinagar in summer last year, the public, though surprised, followed the rules. Like in 2004, when the first-ever flyover was thrown up, most motorists did not jump the signals. But over the years, things have changed and for many breaking rather than following the traffic signals is the rule of the game. The law-abiding motorists feel humiliated when others cock a snook at those waiting and jump the lights. Perhaps, it is time the Traffic Police cracked the whip and took the law violators to task. After all, the violators not only risk their own lives but also of others.

(Contributed by Amir Karim Tantray, RK Kichlu and Ehsan Fazili)

Kishtwar to get 6,000 solar cookers

Doda, December 1
Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission Scheme of the Union Ministry and Renewable Energy, as many as 6,000 solar cookers will be given to the people of Kishtwar district, where electricity is still a distant dream.

The initiative has been taken after the success of the Remote Village Electrification Programme in 2010-11 in which solar lights were distributed to the far-flung areas of erstwhile Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.

District officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency of the Science and Technology Department PK Sharma said it’s for the first time solar cookers were being introduced in the state. They would be distributed among the people of Kishtwar to save energy and generate new energy sources. — OC

Youth energy base of NC: CM
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 1
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today described the youth of the state as the “energy base” of the ruling National Conference (NC).

Omar, who is also the working president of the National Conference, said the “amalgamation of experience and energetic enthusiasm” had always been the strength of the party.

The Chief Minister while addressing the party’s youth and student wings in the city here advised them to be active in “every field of public service”, a statement issued by the party said.

“You are the legacy-holders and torch-bearers of a party which even under challenging circumstances did not compromise its high principles,” Omar said.

Panch held for raping mother of three kids
Tribune reporters

Rajouri, December 1
The police today arrested an elected member of a panchayat for allegedly raping a 28-year-old woman, a mother of three minor daughters, in a remote village under the jurisdiction of Kotranka police station.

The accused committed the crime when the victim’s husband was away from the village. Sources said the accused entered her house around 8pm last evening and allegedly raped her after locking the children in another room.

On hearing cries of the children, brother-in-law of the victim, who was in his nearby house, rushed to the victim's house but found the door locked. Apprehending trouble, the accused, identified as Muneer Hussain, a panch of the village, escaped from a rear window of the house and disappeared in the nearby forest. "On the complaint of the victim, Muneer Hussain has been booked under relevant sections of the RPC," said Nissar Hussain, Investigation Officer (IO).

Haji Bashir, SHO, said the accused had been arrested from a forest near the village.

One held with charas

Udhampur: The police have arrested Shamis Din, a resident of Ramban, and seized 1-kg charas from his possession on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in the district.

In the past 15 days, the police had arrested three persons and seized drugs kept in apple boxes from the highway.

The police had intercepted a truck carrying apple boxes near Kud and seized a huge quantity of ‘bhukki’ from the truck. In another case, the police had seized poppy straw kept in the apple boxes from a truck three days ago.

“We are trying our best to prevent drug smuggling on the highway. But due to shortage of staff and technical equipment, we are finding it difficult. Our policemen have to perform other duties also. So, it is difficult to concentrate on drug smuggling only,” said a senior police official.

One killed, nine injured in Doda
Our Correspondent

The vehicle which fell into a gorge in Doda on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Doda, December 1
One person was killed and nine others were injured today when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge here today.

Reports say the ill-fated vehicle (JK03B-7049) was on its way from Srinagar to Doda when it met with an accident at Khelani area, 13 km from Doda.

The driver lost control over the vehicle and plunged into the gorge, resulting in injuries to nine passengers, including two minor girls, Sanya and Mahjbeen. The injured were rushed to the District Hospital in Doda for treatment.

The reports said three passengers were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, for improved treatment.

3 dead in blast

Udhampur, December 1
Three persons engaged in a road-widening project were killed and two others injured after a detonator exploded accidentally in the Mongri area of Panchari block in Udhampur district early morning today.

Police sources said some people, who were engaged in road construction work under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana scheme, in order to keep themselves warm, lit a fire on the roadside early morning. As they saw an empty wooden box lying aside, they picked it up and threw it in the fire to keep it burning.

A detonator and some gelatin sticks kept in the box exploded abruptly, instantly killing one of the persons. Two others died on their way to Primary Health Centre, Panchari. Two more workers who were at some distance received minor injuries.

The dead have been identified as site manager Sukh Raj and JCB operator Janak Raj, both residents of Punjab, and a worker, Sudesh Kumar of Udhampur. — OC

BSF, JKP clinch titles

Katra, December 1
Border Security Force (BSF) clinch first position in the marathon round while Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) clinch first position in sprint round in the three-day National White Water River Rafting championship held in Reasi.

The event was organised to promote adventure tourism in the Jammu region by the Tourism Department in collaboration with the district administration, which commenced on November 29 and concluded at the Tourist Reception Centre, Reasi, here today. — OC