The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Bar Association ‘forces’ bandh on Jammu Amit Khajuria Tribune News Service (Clockwise fron top left): Bar Association members take out a rally; lawyers stop a public transport bus from plying on the road; pieces of the broken windshield of a mini bus lie scattered on a road; and in the absence of transport facilities, tourists walk with their luggage during the bandh in Jammu on Monday. Tribune photos: Inderjeet Singh Jammu, May 5 A complete bandh was observed today on the call of the Bar Association in Jammu, demanding suspension of three police officials, who allegedly misbehaved with lawyers for violating traffic norms. The city wore a deserted look as all the schools, colleges and business establishments were closed on the call of the association Jammu. The Bar Association also issued an ultimatum of 72 hours to the government for taking action against the three police officials. MK Bhardwaj, president, Bar Association, said, “We have observed a complete bandh with the support of the civil society of Jammu and now we issue an ultimatum of 72 hours to the government for accepting our demands.” “We have been demanding only the suspension of the policemen, who misbehaved with lawyers and detained them, for the last 17 days,” he added. Hundreds of lawyers moved in mini trucks and on bikes (without helmet) with long sticks in their hands to forcefully close shops in the city. Some commercial vehicles, which were plying on roads were damaged by them. The police remained a mute spectator to the violence. Many of the shopkeepers and the owners of other business establishments opposed the bandh and opened their establishments, but finally they had to face the anger of lawyers. Sunil Kumar, a shopkeeper at Nai Basti, said, “We are working in a small market and we earn our livelihood on daily basis. So how can we close our shops on their unjustified bandh call.” “Some of the lawyers came here and started shouting to close the shops. They hurled abuses and misbehaved with the shopkeepers. How can they expect support from us?" he said. YV Sharma, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu (CCIJ), which has extended its support to the Bar Association, said, “We are extending full support to the Bar Assosiation, but we can only request shopkeepers to close their shops and cannot force them to close them.” On the issue of damaging vehicles and forceful closer of shops, Bhardwaj blamed the police for violence, “It has become a mass movement now. The violators must be the agents of the police or CID, who are creating violence in the city to divert attention from the main issue,” he said. “Our agitation is peaceful and we do not support any kind of violation,” he added.
	HoDs told to comply with HC directions Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, May 5 After the pharmaceutical companies having already been warned by the state High Court to refrain from giving any kind of gift to doctors, the state Health and Medical Education Department (HMED) has now issued a circular instructing all heads of departments (HoDs) to comply with the directions of the High Court. “It has come to the notice of the Health and Medical Education Department that some doctors have been receiving cash and gifts/freebies for prescribing medicines of some particular companies (including unrecognised companies) to patients. The matter has also been viewed seriously by the High Court. Accordingly, all the heads of departments working under the administrative control of this department are directed to comply with the directions of the High Court,” a statement from the department claimed. Sources said the circular was issued by the Health Department after it came to the fore that the doctors continued to violate the directions of the High Court. A division Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had issued directions to all the pharmaceutical companies to refrain from giving any kind of gift to doctors. “All the pharmaceutical companies are refrained from giving gifts of any kind, whatsoever, to the doctors who are practising in the field of medicine. All the pharmaceutical companies are refrained from making arrangements for tours of the doctors within the country or abroad. All the doctors in Jammu and Kashmir are directed not to accept any kind of gilt from any pharmaceutical company and to travel, either within the country or abroad, at their expenses”, the circular of the Health and Medical Education Department maintained. The circular stated that the doctors would attend a research conference only after it was certified by the head of the department and that, too, if it was in the interest of patient care. The head of the department concerned would be at liberty to authorise doctors to attend the literary seminars only after it was certified by the same authority that the same was in the interests of public, with the approval of the competent authority, the circular said.
	Special polling booth sought for Ladakhi students Tribune News Service Jammu, May 5 The Duggar Vikas Manch (DVM) today urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to establish a special polling booth for students of the Ladakh and Kargil division so that they are able to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu. A delegation of the manch submitted a memorandum to Governor NN Vohra through the Divisional Commissioner. The delegation of the manch, led by its president Dineshwar Singh Jamwal, was accompanied by Jagdish Dogra of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Vinod Kumar Gupta of the Central Mahajan Sabha, Pawan Kumar Jain of the Shri Aatmanand Jain Sabha, Bharat Hans of the Valmiki Sabha, Anoop Aggrwal, general secretary of the Aggarwal Sabha, and Balvinder Singh of the Sangharsh RTI Movement. Jamwal urged the Divisional Commissioner to create provisions of voting in Jammu for the students of entire the Ladakh region, comprising Kargil and Leh districts of the state, as majority of these students are studying in Jammu, Chandigarh and New Delhi. The memorandum calls for creating some provisions so that these Ladakhi students can also have the opportunity of electing the candidate of their choice. Jamwal said if voting provisions could be created for those Kashmiri Pandits who have migrated from the Kashmir division and are living in different cities of the country, then why could not the same provisions be made for these Ladakhi students.
	NC signs off with anti-Modi rant, PDP bats for change in Baramulla Campaigning comes to a close for the last phase of polls in J&K M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 Campaigning for the Baramulla constituency ended today with the main political parties of the state firing their trademark salvos at each other during rallies across north Kashmir. While the National Conference (NC) continued with its tirade against BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) batted for change. Parliamentary elections in Kashmir will end once the strategic constituency close to the Line of Control, comprising Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore districts, goes to the polls on May 7. The main fight in Baramulla constituency is between NC candidate Sharifuddin Shariq and PDP’s Muzaffar Hussain Beigh. Adressing a rally at Bandipore, both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah sought votes for the NC candidate so that the “communal forces” could be defeated. Just like addresses during previous campaigns, the NC particularly targeted Modi vis-à-vis the BJP stand on the abrogation of Article 370. The Congress too continued its support to the NC. Though its pre-poll alliance with the NC had not gone well with party workers, the Congress had later tried to convince its cadres by stating that the support to the NC was imperative to defeat communal forces. During the rally, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Saifuddin Soz, just like Omar, held Modi responsible for the recent killing of Muslims in Assam. The BJP has already strongly reacted to Omar’s allegations. Elsewhere at Sonawari, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed sought votes for Beigh by highlighting the NC’s “exploitative politics”. “The politics of deceit and exploitation practised by the National Conference, all these years, has reached a dead end and people have started looking towards the PDP as a viable regional alternative,” he said. Other PDP leaders too appealed to people that a vote for them meant a vote for change. During a roadshow in Kupwara, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti urged people to give a “final push” to their “movement for change”. Meanwhile, Omar, who addressed another rally at Handwara in Kupwara, accused the PDP of misleading people in the name of change. He said the present elections had got nothing to do with changing the state government even as he claimed that the NC had brought the “real change”. Just like the NC and the PDP, Engineer Rasheed-led Awami Ittehad Party and Sajad Lone’s People’s Conference too ended its campaign with a series of rallies. Though these two parties pose no challenge to the NC and PDP, they have the potential of eating into their vote bank.
	Hundreds rounded up to check violence during polls Javid A Malla Baramulla, May 5 Following violent clashes during the polls in south and central Kashmir parliamentary constituencies, threat of stone-throwing is a major concern for the authorities in the Baramulla seat, which is going to the polls on May 7. A crackdown on stone-throwers in Hajin town of Bandipora district triggered fresh protests today after the police arrested many youths during nocturnal raids. Locals said the police had been looking for youths involved in stone-throwing since the last two weeks and had arrested many youths on the charges of stone-throwing in the area. Earlier, a noted writer and renowned Islamic scholar, Doctor Ghulam Qadir Lone of Hadipora, Rafiabad, was arrested by the police under precautionary measures to avoid instigating youth of his locality. The crackdown on stone-throwers is obviously a precautionary measure to avoid clashes and violence on the polling day in Baramulla parliamentary constituency. The police had already confirmed arrests of hundreds of youths from various volatile areas of north Kashmir on charges of their past involvement in stone-throwing to avoid law and order problem and ensure violence-free polling. Sources said keeping in view apprehensions of stone-throwing and protests on the polling day at some places, deployment of security forces would be made in high strength in restive areas like old Baramulla town, Sopore, Pattan, Palhallan, Naidkhai, Sumbal and Hajin. Around 95 per cent polling stations have already been declared hyper-sensitive and sensitive by the authorities across the three districts of Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
	Ladakh constituency braces for four-cornered contest Arteev Shamra Tribune News Service Leh, May 5 With the campaigning for the Ladakh parliamentary segment coming to an end today, the candidates, in a last ditch effort, tried to woo the voters with their respective election manifestos today. The parliamentary segments of Ladakh and Baramulla will go to polls on May 7 in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir. On the last day, the campaigning remained a low key affair in Leh district as candidates preferred to hold small interactive meetings over large rallies and road shows. A four-cornered contest is on cards for the seat as the Congress, the BJP and a couple of Independents would be trying their luck on Wednesday. While the BJP has fielded Thupstan Chhewang for the Ladakh seat, the Congress is being represented by Tsering Samphel. Rebel Congress leader Ghulam Raza, who is being backed by Congress councillors in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, and the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, Kargil, is fighting as an Independent. Also in the fray is Aga Syed Kazim Sabri, an Independent supported by the Islamiya School Kargil and the National Conference. There is strong ideological and religious difference between Buddhists and Shia Muslims and both the communities would play a crucial role on the polling day. The Ladakh parliamentary seat comprises four Assembly segments --- Leh, Nubra, Kargil and Zanskar. Leh is predominantly inhabited by Buddhists, while Shia Muslims are in majority in Kargil district. There are two Buddhist and two Shia Muslim candidates in the fray from Leh and Kargil district respectively. The BJP is riding high on the “Modi wave”, but the Congress is a divided house in Ladakh as the party’s Kargil district president Ghulam Raza recently resigned from the post and decided to contest as an Independent candidate. The move followed the Congress high command’s decision to field a Bhuddist face from Leh, Tsering Samphel, for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat. There is also no bonhomie between the alliance partners, Congress and National Conference, in Ladakh as the former is openly supporting Aga Syed Kazim Sabri, an Independent. A total of 1,59,631 voters will exercise their right to franchise at 531 polling stations across the Ladakh parliamentary constituency. The numbers include 80,994 male and 78,637 female voters. Poll cauldron * BJP’s Thupstan Chhewang, Congress’ Tsering Samphel and Independents Ghulam Raza and Aga Syed Kazim Sabri are in the fray for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat * The constituency has 1,59,631 voters, comprising 80,994 male and 78,637 female voters. 531 polling stations have been set up across the constituency for the May 7 polling.
	Poll panel overlooking NC violations: BJP Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 The BJP today accused the Election Commission of adopting a discriminatory attitude towards them while overlooking the repeated cases of violation of the model code of conduct by the National Conference (NC). Addressing a press conference here, BJP state vice-president and in charge of Kashmir affairs Ramesh Arora said: “No serious view was adopted over complaints lodged by the BJP regarding Farooq Abdullah. It (EC) is discriminatory. An FIR was registered against Narendra Modi for showing the party symbol after voting in Ahmedabad but no FIR was registered over the provocative, anti-national and anti-unity speeches of Farooq.” Arora was referring to the NC leader’s recent comments that “those who vote for Modi should drown in the sea” and also his “unparliamentarily” comments during a rally in Baramulla district. Arora claimed that seven complaints had been registered in the Valley but the EC continued to maintain “criminal silence”. “We even released a CD of the Baramulla rally but no action was taken,” he added. Arora flayed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for alleging that Narendra Modi’s speech was responsible for the recent Assam killings. “Omar should set his state in order. He has no knowledge about the country’s affairs,” he said.
	Governor meets staff at Raj Bhawan secretariat Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 The Governor’s Secretariat, which closed in Jammu on April 25 evening, reopened at Raj Bhawan here today morning. Governor NN Vohra went around various wings of the Raj Bhawan secretariat and met all officers and staff. The Governor told all functionaries to ensure prompt disposal of all references and ensure effective maintenance of all official records. He also went around the Raj Bhawan estate and gave instructions for ensuring cleanliness and proper upkeep of the gardens. Rakesh K Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, accompanied him during his round of the offices. Raj Bhawan houses the Governor’s secretariat and Durbar Move offices, including that of the Chief Minister, Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and the Director General of Police.
	Guv briefed on preparations for agri-science congress Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 Vice Chancellor of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Tej Pratap called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. Pratap as per an official statement briefed the Governor about the preparations underway at SKUAST-K for hosting the third Jammu and Kashmir Agricultural Science Congress, which is scheduled to commence next week. The Governor also discussed with the VC the ongoing research projects on livestock development in the university, establishment of the new Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), which have been sanctioned by the Government of India, and ensuring that the existing KVKs perform a definite role in enhancing agricultural production and productivity in the state. The VC informed the Governor about the status of the ongoing admission process and issues related to providing the required faculty strength for the 2014-15 academic session.
	‘Pharaoh’s chick’ rescued from Kashmir village Egyptian vulture has been declared endangered species Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 An Egyptian vulture, marked as a globally endangered species and dubbed as “Pharaoh’s chick”, made its first recorded sight in the region when it was rescued from a village house in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The rare vulture was located by a team of Wildlife SOS headed by its state coordinator Tahir Gazanfar in a house at Derend village of Ganderbal district adjoining Srinagar district. The rescue operation was launched last month after Gazanfar received a call about the presence of an unusual bird in the area. “The bird was frightened, injured and in bad health,” Gazanfar told The Tribune. He said the bird would have gone into “wrong hands” if the rescue operation was even delayed by a night. The Egyptian vulture is the smallest among all vultures and is a globally endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Gazanfar termed it as the “first recorded sighting” of the bird in Kashmir. “It is a summer migrant and is also called “Pharaoh’s chick” because it used be the pet bird of the Egyptian kings and is also found on the ancient Egyptian pictures,” he said. The rescue operation was hindered by the “hostile nature of the villagers” who had taken the bird into captivity for a few days, as being evident from the bird’s condition, read the account written on the website of Wildlife SOS. The vulture was given initial first-aid. It was treated for a week and was released on Saturday last week, Gazanfar said.
	Durbar reopens in Srinagar Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 Having completed more than five years in office, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said this would be the last time that the Durbar Move offices complete a move before the government ends its term. “This is the last time the offices will complete a move before the Assembly elections so let’s make it a good and productive one,” Omar wrote on Twitter, hours after the civil secretariat and other Durbar Move offices reopened here today. He said this after he was accorded a guard of honour and welcomed by employees of the civil secretariat today morning. The Chief Minister did not go for a round of the secretariat and there was no customary interaction with the media. Adequate security had been put in place around the civil secretariat. In view of campaigning in the Baramulla constituency of north Kashmir, that goes to the polls on May 7, Omar, working president of the National Conference, had to leave for rallies. “Thanks to the election code I have to do away with the walk through the secretariat and press conference, only the ceremonial salute happening,” he tweeted. This is for the first time since he took over as the Chief Minister that he did not address a press conference on the reopening of the offices here. Even as his office was stationed in Jammu during the winter months, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spent most of the time campaigning across the Valley. “Thanks to the campaign. I didn’t even notice the transition from Jammu to Srinagar,” he wrote on the social networking site. Omar Abdullah took over as the head of the National Conference-Congress coalition government on January 5, 2009, after the Assembly elections in November-December 2008. Jammu and Kashmir, which has a six-year term, is going to the Assembly elections later this year.
	As Durbar opens, Srinagar witnesses traffic jams Commuters from Qamarwari and Batamaloo had to wait for hours Our Correspondent Srinagar, May 5 As the Durbar offices opened today, the Valley witnessed traffic jams in parts of the city making commuters suffer. Locals commuting from Qamarwari and Batamaloo areas said they had to wait for long to get out of heavy traffic gridlocks. The city roads witnessed heavy traffic jams due to the movement of official vehicles from the area as the civil secretariat is situated near Jehangir Chowk. "We had to wait for more than 30 minutes near Batamaloo due to a traffic jam. Besides, there was usual rush and overcrowding in buses which worsened the problem. The authorities concerned should take some major steps for regulating the traffic," said local Gulzar Ahmed. Though the traffic department in the city had made extra arrangements to regulate traffic in wake of the reopening of Durbar offices here today, traffic jams were witnessed during the first part of the day. The officials last week changed the school timing of all city schools to lower the burden of traffic during peak hours. Another local alleged that the authorities were only concerned about the smooth movement of traffic to government offices, leaving commoners to suffer. "The authorities are only concerned to assure free flow of traffic to the secretariat leaving people like us to suffer. They hardly care about commoners," said Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Shitrashi. The civil secretariat reopened in the summer capital after a gap six months. The move of the traffic department to deploy more personnel on roads, install dividers and block certain diversions though had some impact on ground, but in areas like Batamaloo and Pantha Chowk traffic jam was witnessed from morning. The situation was similar at Pantha Chowk, the other major entry point of the city from south Kashmir. The officials of the Traffic Department said except a few places the traffic flow remained smooth in all parts of the city. "There was a special deployment of traffic officers and we had also made a diversion for heavy vehicles like Sumos and Tata 407, which were coming from south Kashmir and Budgam, that helped in regulating traffic to a large extent. Overall it was a very smooth flow of traffic except at some places in Batamaloo," said Superintendent of traffic police, city, Haseeb-ur-Rehman.
	Separatists condemn arrest of activists Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 Various separatist organisations and Human Rights groups have condemned the arrest and detentions of scores of youth and activists ahead of the last phase of elections in Kashmir scheduled for May 7. Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while condemning the arrest and detention of Hurriyat leaders, hundreds of youth from central and south and north Kashmir, said the state authorities were resorting to vindictive tactics. In a statement issued here, he said after south and central Kashmir, people of north Kashmir were subjected to suppression and arrests. Mirwaiz, who continues to be under house arrest, in his statement has also called for a peaceful strike on May 7 in Kashmir, when Baramulla and Ladakh parliamentary constituencies would go to the polls. While as Ladakh constituency is spread over two districts of Leh and Kargil, Baramulla constituency comprises three districts of Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara. "It is part of the civil and political right of an individual to boycott the elections and also carry out a campaign against the elections," Kashmir-based human rights and civil liberties groups, J&K Coalition of Civil Societies (JKCCS), said in a statement here.
	Warrants issued against 4 for supplying substandard apparatus to SKIMS Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 A Srinagar-based TADA court today issued non-bailable warrants against four persons for supplying substandard and spurious surgical equipment to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar, the premier medical institute in the state. The warrants against four persons, including the owner of the firm, which supplied spurious surgical bandage to SKIMS, were issued here today by Special Judge, TADA Court, Sikandar Azam, following filing of a chargesheet by the Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) of J&K in three cases. A spurious drugs scam, which hogged the limelight, was unearthed in the state last year. Under the J&K Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the TADA Court in Srinagar is a designated court to hear complaints related to spurious and adulterated drugs in Kashmir. In its complaint before the TADA Court, the DFCO has stated that its officials had lifted three batches of surgical bandage supplied to SKIMS by Standard Surgical Dressings, manufactured by Aroma Surgical House. After lifting and sealing the samples, these were sent for laboratory tests and analysis. As per the report received by the DFCO, it has been found that the three batches of surgical bandage, supplied to SKIMS, were found to be spurious and not of standard quality. “The analysis report further stated, during tests, the weight and the width of the bandages was not as per standard, thus declared spurious,” said Mussavir Joo, special public prosecutor, representing the complainant, DFCO.
	Youth’s killing in Srinagar impacts election mood in Baramulla Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Baramulla, May 5 With polling in this north Kashmir Lok Sabha constituency on May 7, an uneasy calm prevails in various towns as police and paramilitary personnel dot densely populated areas. There are no deafening sounds from loudspeakers as is usual in the elections and, buntings of various political parties and Independent candidates are seen in some areas. Peasants are busy ploughing paddy fields and orchardists looking after their apple trees. A number of election rallies have been organised at various places across the constituency which comprises Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts. The momentum was disrupted due to the killing of a youth in Srinagar on Wednesday evening after voting concluded. The main political parties, National Conference (NC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suspended their rallies for a day. However, they resumed campaigning in far-flung areas on Friday. Earlier, the killing of three persons, including a sarpanch, in Pulwama district of south Kashmir had resulted in a decline in the voter turnout in Pulwama and Shopian districts. The two districts along with Shopian district constitute the Anantnag constituency which went to the polls on April 24. Even as the ruling NC and the PDP held rallies in the Tangmarg, Handwara, Uri and Machhil areas in the past two days, the scene in major towns of Baramulla, Sopore and Bandipora was different as the normal life was partially affected to protests against the killing of a youth in Srinagar on polling day allegedly by paramilitary forces. “It was normal but for the death of a youth in Srinagar,” said a resident of Sopore town. The town, once a hotbed of militancy, stronghold of separatists and the home town of hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, bears no buntings or flags of political parties. 15 candidates in fray Voters in the Baramulla constituency will decide the fate of 15 candidates, including Sharifuddin Shariq of the NC, seeking reelection, and Muzaffar Hussain Beigh of the PDP. The contest here is unlike the two other constituencies of the Kashmir valley, Anantnag and Srinagar. “This is a direct battle between the National Conference and Muzaffar Hussain Beigh,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Baramulla. Beigh, who is representing the Baramulla constituency for the second consecutive term, has remained the finance minister between 2002 and 2005 during the PDP-Congress coalition government, led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. He was the deputy chief minister in the Congress-PDP coalition government, led by Ghulam Nabi Azad between 2005 and 2008.
	Provide polling booth facility to Ladakhis in Jammu: BJP Jammu, May 5 The BJP has demanded that polling booth facility should be provided to Ladakhis like displaced Kashmiri Hindus so that they (Ladakhis) could exercise their right to franchise in the Lok Sabha elections. In a statement issued here on Friday, state president of the BJP Jugal Kishore Sharma said there was a need to create a polling booth facility for Ladakhis in Jammu like migrants and other groups of voters who were provided the same facility. He supported the demand raised by the Ladakhis living in Jammu that they should be given an opportunity to exercise their democratic fundamental right. Sharma said the sole parliamentary constituency of cold desert region Ladakh would be going to the polls on May 7 but a large number of voters who have been putting up in Jammu were facing problems as they were not in a position to reach their respective polling booths in different areas of Ladakh. "The difficult topography of Ladakh region do not permit frequent travel by common Ladakhis who reside in other areas of the state and particularly the expensive travel from other areas of the state to Ladakh add to the financial burden of Ladakhi voters in particular," he said. Sharma appealed to the election authorities to provide a polling booth facility to Ladakhi voters who were in Jammu. — TNS
	Govt, victim’s kin can directly approach us for documents: Army Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 The Army today said parties, including the government and the victim’s family, could directly approach the competent Army court/authorities directly for seeking the certified copies of the final decision and documents related to the effectual proceedings in the Pathribal encounter case. This was submitted today by the Army counsel in his arguments before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar, even as the Army maintained that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Crime, and the victim’s family had no locus standi to approach the civilian court for seeking the final judgment and documents. Following the Army’s refusal to furnish copies of the Pathribal case verdict and related evidence to the Crime Branch and the victim’s family members, the CJM on April 16 had directed the prosecution to furnish an authority letter from the state government, authorising the IGP (Crime) to procure copies of orders and documents pertaining to the effectual proceedings in the case from the Army. As the matter came up for arguments today, Central Government counsel MO Fazili, representing the Army in the case, submitted that both parties, IGP (Crime and victim’s family) have no locus standi, praying that both applications are non-maintainable. “They (parties concerned) should have approached the competent forum (military authorities/court) for seeking certified copies of the judgment or relevant documents,” Fazili submitted, adding that as per the procedure, they (the Army authorities) have intimated the CJM court about the closure of the proceedings in the case. “We don’t need to supply the documents or the judgment to the CJM court. Mere intimation is enough as per rules,” he said. “What stops the aggrieved parties to approach the Army authorities directly for seeking the documents?” he asked. However, the Army counsel’s arguments were countered by the prosecution lawyers and the counsel representing the victim’s family. They said they were before the right forum (CJM court) for seeking judgment and other documents from the Army. “Since the chargesheet in the case has been transferred to the Army authorities by the CJM for conducting the proceedings, the Army needs to satisfy the court that proper proceedings were conducted by it,” counsel M Ashraf submitted, while seeking directions to the Army authorities to provide them all relevant documents. After hearing both sides, the CJM adjourned the matter till May 10. The case file... * The Army had on January 23 announced the closure of the Pathribal case and given a clean chit to five of its men, accused of killing five civilians during a “staged encounter” in south Kashmir on March 25, 2000. * It had cited lack of evidence for closing the proceedings in the case. * In its report to the CJM court on January 20, 2014, the Army authorities had not specified at what stage the proceedings were closed and charges dropped against the accused. * In March this year, the state government had approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, with an application, wherein it had sought all records related to the Pathribal case.
	Brisk polling expected in Baramulla hinterland, near boycott in towns M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Chandoosa (Baramulla), May 5 The election mood is palpable in this village, 14 km from Baramulla town of north Kashmir. Posters of Muzaffar Hussain Beigh stand out on the rustic walls of Chandoosa, which is also the native village of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the Baramulla constituency. The parliamentary elections in Kashmir will conclude after this strategic constituency, located close to the Line of Control, goes to the polls on Wednesday. Just like other rural areas of the Valley that went to the polls, people here are upbeat about casting their vote. They claim that the National Conference-Congress coalition government had neglected them and no development took place in the last five years. Residents of this village want to vote for change. They are hoping that this time Beigh will defeat the National Conference (NC) in its stronghold as the party has been consecutively winning the Baramulla seat since 1998. “Do you see this concrete road? It was laid when Muzaffar Beigh was the deputy chief minister (in 2007-08). A sub-district hospital, zonal education officer’s office and a police station were also set up then. However, after that we were neglected,” said AR Zargar, a villager. However, the mood in towns is just the opposite and residents say they will stay away from the polls. Though red NC flags dot a chowk in Pattan, Bashir Ahmad, a middle-aged shopkeeper, boasts of ‘foiling’ Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent election rally. “Nobody turned up at his (Omar’s) rally. Later, the CM went to (former MP from Baramulla) GN Shaheen’s residence and then went back as they could not hold the rally. Elections mean nothing to us,” he said. Meanwhile, the mood in separatist stronghold Sopore town of Baramulla is no different where there are no party flags and banners on roads — a norm during the election time. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Baramulla is bustling with activity as preparations are being made for the poll day. As the first two rounds of elections in Kashmir saw the killing of a poll official in a militant attack and the death of a youth in protests, holding polls peacefully is the top priority of the government. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Lone, who is also the returning officer of the constituency, said all preparations were in place to make sure polling went smoothly.
	Assault on Kashmiri students condemned Srinagar, May 5 Mainstream political parties and separatist groups across the Valley condemned the alleged assault on Kashmiri students in Uttar Pradesh and flayed the government for not providing adequate security to them. In charge of the youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party Waheed Parra said such incidents “fuel the sense of alienation” among Kashmiri youth. He said the “ultra-nationalistic attitude” of students displayed at varsity campuses were uncalled for. Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said repeated assaults on Kashmiri students prove they are not safe in India. He hit out at the Centre for failing to provide security to the students from Kashmir. — TNS
	Kichloo briefed on development work at Jammu varsity’s Kishtwar campus Our Correspondent Doda, May 5 Director of the Kishtwar campus of Jammu University (JU), Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, today met Minister of State for Home and Member of Legislative Assembly from Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and apprised him of the ongoing construction work at the varsity campus. Prof Malik informed the minister that the administrative block of the campus was completed in a very short span of time and was likely to be inaugurated in the first week of July. He also said the girls’ and boys hostel was likely to be inaugurated in the month of October. The director also briefed the Minister about the recent visit of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu to the Kishtwar campus. He said it was due to the efforts of the Vice Chancellor that the Kishtwar campus made tremendous development during the last two years. The director also discussed in detail various other problems being faced by the campus. He demanded that permanent teaching and non-teaching posts be created at the Kishtwar campus and also urged that government should provide more financial assistance to the campus so that it could be run in a good manner. Kichloo gave a patient hearing to the director and thanked the Vice Chancellor for visiting the varsity campus. He lauded the efforts for making the campus a model one and also assured Prof Malik that he would take the matter of permanent positions of teaching and non- teaching staff with the government. The minister also assured that more grants would be provided to the Kishtwar campus.
	Overcrowding irks rail commuters Suhail A Shah Anantnag, May 5 The authorities have failed to take any notice of overcrowding in trains here. Commuters, particularly from the south Kashmir region, have been demanding an increase in capacity or frequency of trains ever since the Qazigund-Banihal link of the train service was inaugurated in June last year. Terming it a nightmare to board trains, passengers last month blocked railway track at different places bringing the service to a halt for more than three hours. "The train gets overcrowded by the time it reaches Qazigund making it almost impossible for commuters to board a train," said daily passengers. "Many passengers are forced to board a bus or a taxi at least several times a week," they said. The number of commuters after the commencement of the second leg last year has increased more than thrice. However, the capacity and the frequency of trains remains the same. People rued that the train service had been just a political photo opportunity for the Government of India and the state government. A senior railway official said they had time and again raised the issue with the authorities concerned but to no avail.
	Mid-day meal scheme runs on debt in Poonch district Zonal Education Officers fail to release funds to buy ration for the last seven months, told to clear all dues in 10 days Darshan Bharti Poonch May 5 Government schoolteachers in Poonch district have been running the Centre-sponsored mid-day meal scheme from their own pockets for the past seven months as the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) have failed to release the available funds for reasons best known to them. Poonch Chief Education Officer Abdul Hami Fani has directed all ZEOs to clear all pending dues within 10 days or face action. "We have not received funds to buy ingredients since September last and are managing either from own pockets or on debt from a shopkeeper. However, now the shopkeepers have refused to provide the required cooking material on debt. We will not be able to run the scheme, if the practice continues," said a teacher. "On the one hand, the education department has constituted numerous teams to check mid-day meal in schools and on the other hand we have not been provided funds to buy ration. We have to manage ourselves to run the scheme," said Rajni Sharma, Headmaster, Middle School, Dalera. "The government has issued us a new menu for the week days, but enrolment in schools is so large that no teacher can manage it from his/her pocket. All funds to run the scheme should be released timely," said Rajni. Shamim Akhtar, Head, Primary School, Kanoyian, said, "It has become very difficult for us to cook the mid-day meal in the school as we have not received funds to buy ingredients and we cannot manage it from our own pockets." Teachers said the condition was worst in rural areas, where no official came to check the scheme. In rural areas, the mid-day meal is being managed by Rehber-e-Taleem teachers, who get just Rs 3,000 per month. They have to pay carriage charges, which they never get despite special grant for the purpose. The teachers allege that the ZEOs concerned are responsible for the purpose as they deliberately delay the release of the funds. Fani said, "We have released all dues to buy ingredients in three phases since September last and if any ZEO has not released the same, we will take action." "I have issued them directions to clear all pending mid-day meal dues within 10 days of face action," Fani added.
	School holds rally for clean environment Our Correspondent Doda, May 5 Chenab Valley Public School, Doda, yesterday held “Walk without Talk” rally to draw attention of the general public towards cleanliness of surroundings and degrading environment due to destruction of forests. The rally was flagged off by Director of the school Shahab-ul-Haq. With an aim to keep the surroundings clean and save forests, students from Classes 4 to 10 walked through the town carrying placards in hands. Principal Ulfat Rashid Khan said such initiatives were the need of the hour to create awareness among the masses. “It is not only the duty of the government agencies to take care of the cleanliness of the surrounding, but every individual should also contribute to the environment,” Khan said. The Director said, “The environment of the city is getting polluted day by day due to heaps of garbage at every nook and corner.” He said, “It is commonly seen that people collect their household waste in buckets and polythene bags to keep their houses clean, but they throw it on the roadsides, which pollutes the surroundings and creates problems for passers-by.” “Besides, these heaps of garbage attract stray animals too,” he said. Such kind of rallies spread awareness among people to avoid such things in future and keep their surroundings clean, the director added.
	Alternative highway at Pul Doda renders many homeless Ranjit Thakur Doda, May 5 A mother of four, Shamshada Begum is among several victims who have been forced to spend their nights in the open. Shamshada has not only lost her home due the construction of the alternative Jammu-Doda highway at Pul Doda but the 40-year-old claimed that even her husband died because of resultant miseries. “Just a couple of days before my son and daughter were going to get married we lost our home due to the construction of the alternative highway,” Shamshada said. “My husband could not bear the shock and died, leaving us all in trauma. I had no other option but to cancel the marriage of both my children,” she said. Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani has permitted the family to take refuge in a government accommodation for a month, but Shamshada is worried what will happen to the family after the time period ends. “I am afraid. Where will we go after this? We have no other option. We also don’t have a source of income, how will we survive?” Shamshada feared. “The government should rehabilitate us and provide assistance so that I could marry my daughter and three sons,” she said. Nazia Kosar said, “Before the construction of the road the authorities had assured us that they will compensate victims within two months, but two years have passed and we are still waiting for the compensation.” The story of 70-year-old Zona Begum is no different. Zona, who continues to live in the damaged house along with her husband, said: “The construction work has damaged my house, which was built by my husband after so much of pain and hard work. Now the administration is forcing us to leave this place. On the name of any help they are just providing us the tents. We want that government should rehabilitate us properly. We don’t want tents.” Paras Ram, a resident of Pul Doda, said the Roads and Buildings and the Public Works Department was constructing the alternative highway since the past two years and because of it several houses were damaged. “People have been forced to live at the mercy of god,” Paras Ram said. “My house, including nine kanals of land, was completely damaged due to blasts and digging of land for the highway. We have been forced to live in a temporary shed. We have not received even a single penny from the government so far,” he alleged. Meanwhile, tehsildar, Doda, Tanvir Ahmed said he was instructed to distribute tents and a month’s ration among the seven affected families but they refused any help. Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Mubarak Singh said, “We are well aware of their problems and will take up their compensation issue after the elections are over.”
	Upgraded RBI sub-office starts function Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 The upgraded sub-office of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) started its functioning here for the summer session from today. An RBI official said the cell of the Rural Planning and Credit Department (RPCD) had also become operational from the existing premises at Rajbagh, Srinagar. He said the RPCD cell would attend to the issues pertaining to the rural/urban development, besides having regulatory control over the functioning of regional rural banks and sate/central co-operative banks operating in the Valley. “The cell will also monitor the performance of banks under the annual credit plan and implementation of poverty alleviation and employment generating government sponsored schemes. The RPCD cell will also organise financial literacy programmes across the Kashmir division to create awareness among people and achieve the goal of financial inclusion,” he added.
	Govt official visits city, reviews SMC works Srinagar, May 5 A senior government official today visited several parts of the city here to review the ongoing works undertaken by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). Secretary to the Housing and Urban Development Department Satish Nehru visited various areas of the city to review the ongoing works, an official statement said. Nehru toured several areas of the old city, including Karan Nagar, Safa Kadal, Saiki Dafar and Eidgah. The official was accompanied by SMC Commissioner GN Qasba and Special Secretary to the Housing Department Mohammad Akbar. “During his tour to the Boulevard stretch, the secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, emphasised on putting in place more garbage bins to ensure complete cleanliness,” the statement said. “There is a need to install more bins on the stretch so that no local or domestic tourist faces inconvenience when it comes to throwing away waste while passing it,” the statement quoted the official as saying. — TNS
	Students urge KU authorities to declare results soon Our Correspondent Srinagar, May 5 First-year undergraduate students, pursuing various professional and non-professional courses from University of Kashmir, today accused the authorities of unnecessary delay in declaring results. The students said, “Over one and a half months have passed after their examinations, but our results have not been announced.” Students of BA/BSc/BCom (first year) appealed to the Kashmir University authorities to declare their results immediately so that they could start their class work on permanent basis. Though the students have got provisional admission in their respective colleges, they said they were anxious to know their results and appealed to the authorities to do it as early as possible. “Our examinations were also delayed by two months and now they are delaying our results. It is affecting our academic work. The university should declare our results so that we can go to colleges regularly,” a group of students said. Earlier, the students had to wait for their exams till March, which further delayed the annual calendar of the students. The authorities claimed that the results were ready and would be declared within two days. “The results of first-year graduation courses are ready and will be declared within two days,” said Professor Salam Bhat, Controller of Examinations, University of Kashmir.
	Non-functional streetlights hitting our business: Traders Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 The Kashmir Traders’ Federation (KTF) today appealed to the government to fix non-functional streetlights in the city, saying the same was affecting their business during evening hours. “Non-functional streetlights in Srinagar city are causing a lot of inconvenience to public and affecting the traders as the market shuts down early due to dark that is causing huge losses to the traders,” KTF spokesman Ajaz Shahdhar said in a statement. He also appealed to the government to look into the problems being faced by the affected shopkeepers of Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh due to the ongoing construction of the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover. “The KTF appreciates the construction/modernisation of the city, but not at the cost of livelihood of the traders and shopkeepers,” the statement added. The KTF also regretted that the government had done nothing concrete to punish those involved in the drug scam despite having surfaced a long time ago. “It seems that the officials concerned are involved in sabotaging the process of bringing the culprits to justice as is evident that till date nothing concrete has been done. In another terms it means that genocide of Kashmir is being done through supplying and marketing suspicious and sub-standard drugs freely and culprits are roaming freely,” the KTF said.
	Hat Trick School celebrates ‘Red Day’ Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 5 Hat Trick Public School, a unit of Chowdhary Group, today celebrated Red Day to introduce the colour red to students and also make them aware about the different articles present in their surroundings. The students were asked to collect as many articles including their own toys available with them at home which are red in color. Around 90 students of the three sections of KG class participated in the competition and displayed their articles in their classrooms. The students identified all articles, read their names and were made aware about the importance of the articles they had collected. The students were also awarded for making best collections. On the occasion, Master Red and Ms Red were chosen from each class for making best collections, dresses they had worn and props they had used. The students were also awarded on the occasion. From KG 1 A Farisah Shakeel and Maryam Suhail, Makeen Basharat and Saleh Mohammad Razi from KG 2 and Zainub Tafazul Chest and Tamana Azad from KG 3 were declared as Master Red and Ms Red. Principal of the school Siraj Ahmad Bhat said, “By observing Red Day, people are made aware about different issues in society.” He said Hat Trick Public School celebrated Red Day on the school premises primarily to introduce colour Red to children and also make them aware about the things in their surroundings. He said Red Day was observed in the west to make people conscious of heart ailments.
	Despite ban, smoking at public places a common sight Tribune News Service Jammu, May 5 Despite ban, smoking at public places is rampant in the city with many of the tea stalls near educational institutions providing space for smoking. Students in groups could be seen smoking cigarettes. Vendors selling tobacco products outside hospitals and educational institutions are a common sight and the authorities tend to overlook the violation. People buy cigarettes from small outlets, carry them inside hospitals and educational institutions unchecked and smoke in prohibited areas. Surprisingly, the constitution of special teams by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to check the violations and impose fine on violators seems to have little affect on people. Despite ban on smoking in public places, people of the city can be witnessed smoking openly at various public places in the city, like bus stands and railway stations. Municipal Health Officer Muhammad Saleem Khan said a new campaign was being launched against the vendors selling tobacco products openly."We have also received complaints against certain vendors that they are selling banned products. Action will be taken against them soon," Khan said. The law enforcing agencies have failed to enforce this law despite strict orders from the High Court and government. "In the initial months the ban was enforced strictly and many people were fined by the authorities, but in past one year it seems that the authorities are sleeping. It is a matter of concern that youth below 18 years of age have open access to the tobacco products," said Kamal Sharma, a bank employee. The nationwide ban on smoking at public places was imposed in October, 2008, under the provision of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition and Advertisements and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution)-Act 2003.
	Tribute paid to Dogri folk singer Jammu, May 5 A "shradhanjali samaroh" was organised by the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) to pay tribute to late Pradhuman Singh Jindhrahia, a renowned Dogri folk singer and an eminent writer. Gulchain Singh Charak, president of the sabha, highlighted the achievements of Jindhrahia in the social, cultural and literary fields. The other office-bearers and members of the sabha who paid tributes to Jindhrahia were Prof NK Sharma, senior vice-president, Maj Gen (retd) GS Jamwal, Prem Sagar Gupta, Kulbir Singh, treasurer, Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, in charge, youth wing of the sabha. — TNS
	‘Beaten’ by NC worker, PDP supporter battles for life Our Correspondent Kupwara, May 5 A PDP worker, who was allegedly beaten up by a National Conference (NC) worker at Darpora in Kupwara district yesterday is battling for life at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Tantary from Darpora was beaten up by Mushtaq Ahmad, an NC worker after the two got involved in an argument over some political issue. A few local boys, who were present on the spot, said Mushtaq got infuriated and hit Tantary with a bat on his head. “The accused is at large and we are trying to nab him,” the police said. A case has been registered and investigations are on. Victim’s father Ghulam Mohammad Tantary said his son had suffered a grave injury in his head and was battling for life at the SKIMS. “My son fell on the ground and was taken to the sub-district hospital, Kupwara, from where he was referred to the SKIMS for specialised treatment,” he said. In another incident, Hilal Ahmad Mir, a PDP worker, was thrashed by Congress and Peoples Conference (PC) workers at Wavoora in Lolab valley. The workers also damaged Hilal’s vehicle when he was busy hoisting flags of the PDP at Wavoora ahead of the PDP patron’s visit to Darpora. Five to six Congress and PC workers thrashed Hilal when he was busy hoisting PDP flag. He was rescued by some locals, said Tariq Majloon Mir, a localzsident.
	2 held for chasing girl Our Correspondent Doda, May 5 Two youths were booked for chasing a girl in the Khelani area of Doda today in which the girl was injured critically. The girl sensing their ill intension started running away and in the process fell down and got injured, police post in charge Khelani Rahul Dogra said. “We shifted her to the district hospital, Doda, where she is undergoing treatment and is out of danger,” he added. The police said an FIR had been registered against the two youths. Both the youths had been arrested and further investigations were on, it added.
	Two constables booked for rape Rajouri, May 5 Two constables of the 5th Battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) stationed at Rajouri have been booked under Sections 376-452 of the RPC for allegedly raping a married woman here recently. The victim said she was alone in her house when the two constables raped her. Sources said the crime was committed on May 1, but despite approaching the police by the victim and her family, the police tried to “hush up the case reportedly to save the policemen”. However, the victim’s family approached the court on May 4 and on the directions of the court the police booked and arrested both the accused. Further investigations are on. — OC
	Gang of burglars busted, 16 cases solved Tribune News Service Jammu, May 5 The police today solved several theft cases and foiled a bovine smuggling bid. The police busted a gang of burglars in Bishnah and solved 16 cases of burglaries and thefts. Giving details, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) said the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Bishnah police station along with a police party laid a naka at Kot Morh, Bishnah, and intercepted five pedestrians, Rohit Kumar, resident of Habowal, Ludhiana, Vipin Kumar, resident of Bishnah, Sandeep Kumar, resident of Janak Puri, Ludhiana, Sunil Kumar, alias Mohit, resident of Chora Bazaar, Ludhiana, and Akshay Kumar, resident of Bishnah. The police recovered one "katta", three rounds of .303 rifle, two revolvers, three sharp-edged weapons, 16 rounds of .12 bore gun and two empty cartridges of .303 rifle. They also recovered 121.72 gm of gold, 200 gm of silver, LCD (big), 52 mobile phones, three motorcycles, gas cylinder, computer, LED television, UPS, monitor, key pad, monitor of AOC, CPU, mouse, two cameras and a number of coins from their possession. A case has been registered. Meanwhile, the SHO, Bishnah police station, also laid a naka at Deoli Pull and intercepted a Tata Mobile (No JK02AS-8572). During a search of the vehicle, the police recovered five head of cattle, which were illegally being transported from Bishnah to Poonch. A case was registered. Another police party laid a naka at Panama Chowk and recovered 18 head of cattle, which were illegally being transported from Jammu to Srinagar. A case was registered. A police party of the Khour police station conducted a raid on a shop at Laam Khour, and arrested Bhola Ram, resident of Laam Khour, Kartar Chand, resident of Kajiyan Khour, and Shakti Singh, resident of Dariyan, and recovered 375 ml of illicit liquor. A case was registered.