Srinagar November 2
In the ongoing war of words between the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, the ruling party today slammed opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti’s taunts against its working president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s choice of constituencies as “hypocritical”.

Mehbooba, PDP president and parliamentarian from south Kashmir’s Anantnag constituency, had yesterday remarked that Omar by “running away” from Ganderbal had shown that his government had “done nothing during the last six years”.

Omar is contesting from Beerwah and Sonawar and skipping his family bastion, Ganderbal, for the Assembly elections.

The NC reacted harshly to Mehbooba’s criticism terming it “illogical” and “hypocritical”. “Mehbooba needs to be reminded of her father Mufti Sayeed’s historic and tragic flight from Bijbehara to RS Pura after successive defeats and eventually a sponsored rehabilitation in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on a Janata Dal ticket,” NC spokesman Junaid Mattu said in a statement.

The NC spokesman said Mehbooba should understand that Omar has challenged the PDP from Beerwah, which is represented by the opposition party in the current Assembly, and Sonawar being the Chief Minister’s “home constituency” was a “natural choice”.

“The National Conference leaders don’t believe in fleeing from Kashmir for political rehabilitation in Uttar Pradesh as was shamelessly demonstrated by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 1987,” Mattu said.

The announcement of Omar’s candidature has sparked a fresh war of words between the NC and the PDP, the two parties which are rivals in most constituencies of the Kashmir region.

“The people of JK know that it was Mufti Sayeed who brought the Disturbed Areas Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act to the state. It was Mufti Sayeed who entered into a Faustian bargain with L K Advani in 1989 to send Jagmohan as Governor to JK.

“So, Mehbooba Mufti should reflect on these facts and understand that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed owes a public apology to the families of thousands of youth who were butchered under his direct command as the Home Minister of India,” the NC spokesman said.

The ruling party also asked Mehbooba to “personally introspect and remember” how she has “hopped between” three constituencies and two political parties. “She contested on a Congress ticket from Bijbehara in 1996 and then abandoned that constituency and went to Pahalgam and then hopped to Wachi in Shopian – which she has recently abandoned as well after a disastrous term as an MLA,” Mattu said.

NC rakes up Mufti’s ‘tragic flight’ 
"Mehbooba needs to be reminded of her father Mufti Sayeed’s historic and tragic flight from Bijbehara to RS Pura after successive defeats and eventually a sponsored rehabilitation in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on a Janata Dal ticket. The NC leaders don’t believe in fleeing Kashmir for political rehabilitation in Uttar Pradesh as was shamelessly demonstrated by Mufti Sayeed in 1987." Junaid Mattu, NC spokesman

Jammu, November 2
The BJP today expressed hope that they would be in a position to form the next government in the state with the support of the people. The party is confident of achieving the ‘Mission 44+’ in the state, said BJP leader and Member of Legislative Assembly from Bishnah Ashwani Sharma

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s performance has been applauded by the people of Maharashtra and Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir will also move in the same direction,” Sharma said while addressing a public meeting at Chak Qadir village in Bishnah. A two-time MLA from Bishnah, Sharma joined the BJP few months ago.

“Development is the main focus of Modi-led government and the party would follow the same path in J&K,” he said.

Counting his achievement of the past 12 years, Sharma said: “My focus has been all round development of my constituency and things have improved on the ground.”

The Bishnah legislator assured people that all their pending issues would be addressed and asserted that the party will focus on holding a special recruitment drive for the unemployed youth of the rural and border areas which have been suffering due to cross-border shelling. Sharma also castigated Pakistan for violating the ceasefire and making the lives of people miserable.

“We have asked the Government of India to teach Pakistan a lesson so that they stop the ceasefire violation,” he said, adding that the party has sought compensation for the affected families from the Central government.

“A permanent solution should be found to settle the border issue and end the sufferings of the people,” the BJP leader said.

Hitting out at the NC-Congress dispensation, Sharma said: “The Omar-led government has been a total failure as people have been deprived of basic facilities.” 

Srinagar, November 2
Jammu and Kashmir is prone to eight types of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods and avalanches, while 13 of the 22 districts — more than half of the state — have been identified as prone to ‘multi-hazards’, as per an official document.

The recent floods in the state left a trail of destruction. Tribune photo: Amin War

The draft document of the JK State Disaster Management Policy 2011 — prepared by the Department of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation — has identified 11 hazards which are likely to impact the region.

Eight of the 11 are naturally occurring disasters while three are man-made.

“Owing to a unique geographical and geo-climatic setting, the state of J-K has witnessed a number of disasters, ranging from incidents of fires to destructive floods and catastrophic earthquakes,” the document says.

“In the wake of recurring disasters, the state has always paid heavily in terms of loss of life and property.”

In the latest disaster that struck the state, a devastating deluge in September this year ravaged the state, including the summer capital here, displacing thousands of residents and causing damages of Rs 1,00,000 crore to infrastructure and businesses.

The Disaster Management Policy has identified earthquakes, floods, avalanches, snow blizzards, landslides, drought, windstorms and cloudbursts as the eight natural disasters which threaten the state. It warns that 13 of the state’s 22 districts, which constitute more than half of Jammu and Kashmir, have been identified as ‘multi-hazards-prone’ districts. Srinagar, which faces threat of earthquake and floods, is also among districts prone to ‘multi-hazards’.

“Most parts of the Kashmir valley covering the districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, (and) Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar (in the Jammu region) come under Seismic Zone V, where around 50 per cent of the population of the state lives,” it notes in the assessment of the areas covered under earthquakes.

“Rest of the state, including whole of the Ladakh region and Jammu division, 90 per cent of the total area of the state, are under the Seismic Zone IV,” it further adds.

In a perfect assessment of the areas which would have been impacted in case of a flood, the policy said the “low-lying areas of Kashmir, especially Sonawari, Awantipora, Srinagar, and parts of Jammu, are prone to floods”.

“Upper catchments of all tributaries of the Jhelum, Indus, Chenab and Tawi are prone to flash floods,” it says.

The document further warns that higher reaches of Kashmir, including Anantnag, Kulgam, Gurez, Kargil, Leh, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Banihal, face dangers of avalanches while the areas along major highways particularly Ramban, Panthial, Banihal, Doda, Kishtwar, Gulmarg, Dawar, Gurez, Tangdhar and Rajouri are prone to landslides.

Srinagar, November 2
The ruling National Conference is facing open “factionalism” in the Shia-dominated Kargil district as the influential Islamia School — a traditional supporter of the party has announced an NC leader, also the Minister of State in the Omar Abdullah-led government, Feroz Khan, as an Independent candidate from Kargil.

Khan is a sitting MLA from the Zanskar Assembly segment.

Despite going to the polls in the first phase on November 25, the ruling NC is yet to decide the party candidate from the two Assembly segments of Kargil district.

Concerned about open factionalism, the NC has rushed two of its senior members and former ministers Nasir Aslam Wani and Aga Ruhulla to Kargil to hold consultations and ensure that it be left to the party to name the candidate from the two seats in Kargil.

“Islamia School after a long deliberation yesterday nominated legislator Khan as their candidate from Kargil. He will contest as an Independent,” said an Islamia School leader. “We have also decided to support an Independent candidate from Zanskar,” he said.

NC provincial president Nasir Wani said the party would soon decide the candidates for Kargil and Zanskar.

“By tomorrow, we will issue the names of the candidates for Kargil and Zanskar,” said Wani.

Islamia School’s youth leader Inayat Ali is the Peoples Democratic Party candidate from Kargil and is hoping that a faction of the influential school would support him.

In Kargil, the voters over the years have been mainly divided on their allegiance with two powerful sects of Shia Muslims. The puritanical group is associated with Islamia School and the modernists are linked with the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT).

While Islamia School has been traditionally an NC ally, the IKMT is a Congress ally. The two religious groups are, however, traditional rivals in Kargil.

The NC in Kargil is divided into two groups, one led by sitting MLA and former minister Qamar Ali Akhoon and another by former MP and NC leader Hassan Khan.

Sources said the Akhoon group was weakening and his rivals in the party were getting powerful.

Minister of State Feroz Khan is the son of former MP Hassan Khan. Feroz was elevated to the Council of Ministers after Akhoon’s was dropped from the ministry by the Chief Minister earlier last year.

Except the NC, all major political parties have announced their names for the twin Assembly seats of Kargil and Zanskar.

Two NC district presidents resign

Pulwama: The NC received a setback in south Kashmir as two district presidents resigned from their post. Those who resigned were Ghulam Nabi Niloora, district president, Pulwama, and Shabir Ahmad Kully, district president, Shopian. Both resigned after they were not given candidature by the party. Both leaders have decided to contest the elections as Independents.

2 days to go, but only one nomination filed

* With just two days left for filing nominations for the four Assembly segments in the Ladakh region, only one candidate has so far filed his papers from the Leh Assembly constituency while no nominations have been filed in the Nubra, Kargil and Zanskar constituencies.

* The last day for filing the nomination papers is November 5 while the candidates can withdraw their nominations by November 10.

Kupwara, November 2
Launching a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said the people have lost faith in the ruling party and it was not a contender in the coming Assembly elections.

“The PDP has a direct competition with the BJP in the coming elections,” said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti while dismissing any competition with the NC.

Mehbooba reiterated that by not choosing to contest from Ganderbal, Omar has admitted to his failures and urged people to strengthen the PDP and vote it to power.

“His decision to contest from Beerwah and Sonawar constituencies and not from the home constituency of Ganderbal is a proof that he has acknowledged his complete failure as the head of the state,” The PDP leader Mehbooba said while addressing public meetings at Cheepora, Devar, Dardpora, Saiwan and Lalpora areas of the Lolab valley in Kupwara district.

“If people of his own constituency would have been satisfied with his performance then he (Omar) would have contested from Ganderbal and not opt other constituencies. People in the state want a positive change and the PDP is the only regional party to fulfill their aspirations,” she said.

Mehbooba said the coalition government led by Omar “miserably failed” to reach out to the flood-affected people in Srinagar and other areas of the Valley.

The PDP president further said if the PDP comes to power she would be able to fight for the rights of the people.

“If the PDP comes to power with full majority and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed becomes the Chief Minister I would be able to fight for the rights of my people in Parliament,” she said.

Jammu, November 2
As the election process in Jammu and Kashmir has begun, the state has witnessed an 11.82 per cent increase in electorate from the last Assembly elections. There has been a 15 per cent increase in the electorate of the Kashmir valley and the Jammu region has witnessed a 6.28 per cent increase.

The total electorate for the 2014 Assembly elections is 72,25,559. In the 2008 Assembly elections, the number was 64,61,757.

In the Kashmir valley, the number of voters was 32,63,313 in 2008 and is 37,53,195 in 2014. It witnessed an increase of 4,89,882 votes in six years. The Jammu region witnessed an increase of 1,95,812.

The total number of votes in the Jammu region was 31,15,626 in 2008 and is 33,11,438 in 2014. The gap in votes between the Jammu region and the Kashmir valley increased tremendously. It was 1,47,687 in 2008 and is 4,41,757 in 2014.

There may be a couple of reasons behind this increase, which may be good for nationalist parties as more people get registered in electoral rolls.

At the same time, it may be disturbing for the Jammu-based parties which have been demanding an equal share of Assembly seats between the Jammu region and the Kashmir valley.

Kashmir-based political parties have always been saying that not everyone is registered in the voter list, as a result of which the ratio of votes has reduced.

In the 2011 census, the population of the Kashmir valley was 68,88,475 and of the Jammu region 53,78,538. There was a gap of more than 15 lakh or around 28 per cent between the two regions.

With an increase in 11.82 per cent overall votes, there are chances of improvement in percentage of voting compared to the 2008 Assembly elections.

During the 2002 Assembly elections, overall polling in the state was 43.7 per cent. It improved to 61.16 per cent in the 2008 elections.

The biggest improvement during the 2008 elections was an increase in 20 per cent female voter turnout. About 13 lakh more came out to vote in 2008 compared to 2002.

The number of people jumping into the electoral fray had seen an upward trend. In 2002, 609 candidates were in the fray. In 2008, it increased to 1,394, of which 67 were female candidates.

To facilitate smooth polling, the Election Commission had set up 7,083 polling stations in 2002. The figure rose to 9,073 in 2008 and 10,005 were put in place for 2014.

Voters in the Marh Assembly segment of Jammu district led in terms of turnout in 2008 as 81.97 per cent polling was recorded. The Habbakadal Assembly constituency in Srinagar district witnessed the lowest turnout of 11.62 per cent.

Jammu, November 2
The National Conference today said the party would emerge as a “force to reckon with” in the coming Assembly polls and asserted that it was poised to achieve the highest ever tally in the Jammu region.

“Given the support of the people and the enthusiasm among the cadre the National Conference is all set to make it a big in the region,” said National Conference (NC) provincial president and party candidate for the Nagrota Assembly seat Devender Singh Rana.

He said the party was entering into the electoral arena on the strength of “enviable developmental profile” of the past six years and a progressive agenda for all the three regions of the state.

Rana, while addressing a gathering of people at Kathar Manwal in the Nagrota Constituency this evening, said: “The NC alone was capable of meeting the challenges faced by the state.”

He described the national Conference as a “people’s movement” with a vision of a vibrant, progressive and united J&K.

Ran sought cooperation of the people in further strengthening the party at the grassroots for achieving the objective of peace and holistic development.

“An ambitious beginning has been made and substantial achievements registered during the past six year years. Continued cooperation of the people will help in steering J&K to new heights of progress and development,” Rana said.

Spelling out his vision for Nagrota, the NC leader said all out efforts would be made to develop the area on modern lines with a focus on its linking with the capital city as a residential-cum-economic hub.

Despite being so close to the winter capital, the area has remained distant from progress and development due to multiple reasons and time has come to make the constituency a vibrant centre of activity, Rana said. — TNS

Srinagar, November 2
The four nationalised insurance companies — National Insurance, New India Assurance, United India Insurance and Oriental Insurance — operating in the state have so far paid Rs 284.10 crore as interim relief to the claimants affected by the September floods.

As per the documents accessed by The Tribune, of the 9,777 insurance claims reported to the companies post floods, 7,492 claims have been settled as on October 26.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court, in its policy decision on September 26, had asked the insurance companies operating in the Kashmir region, to pay 50 per cent of the insured amount for the policies above Rs 25 lakh and 95 per cent for the policies below Rs 25 lakh as interim relief to the people affected by the floods.

As per the documents submitted to the High Court by the insurance companies this week and accessed by The Tribune, the National Insurance Company reported 3,514 claims, of which 2,450 claims were settled by October 26 and Rs 108.93 crore paid to the claimants as relief as per the court orders.

The New India Insurance has settled 2,210 of 2,803 claims, thereby paying Rs 64.21 crore in claims.

The United India Insurance has so far settled 2,521 of the total 2,874 claims and disbursed Rs 101.94 crore as claims.

As revealed in the documents, the Oriental Insurance had by October 26 settled 411 claims of the total 586 reported to it and disbursed Rs 9.02 crore to the claimants who reported loss of property during the September floods which devastated large parts of Srinagar city, including residential and commercial areas.

In their status report to the High Court this week, the companies further submitted that from October 14 to 26, there has been substantial progress and quantum jump in the settlement of claims and amount paid to the insured parties.

“The relevant consolidated figure of all four public sector general insurance companies up to October 26 would show that out of 9,777 claims so far received by all four companies, 7,492 claims have been settled and in the process, Rs 284.10 crore settled/released/disbursed to the claimants,” the insurance companies submitted in their report to the High Court.

The High Court, in its orders on October 1, had asked the insurance companies to release the money to the flood-affected people without waiting for the final settlement reports by the surveyors.

The court had observed that “dependence on preliminary survey reports is likely to take a long time and that in the wake of misery created by the unprecedented floods, the time is a crucial factor and practically it is not possible to depute adequate number of surveyors for such a large number of claims which may take years.

HC directions

* The J&K High Court, in its policy decision on September 26, had asked the insurance companies operating in Kashmir, to pay 50 per cent of the insured amount for the policies above Rs 25 lakh and 95 per cent for the policies below Rs 25 lakh as interim relief to the people affected by the floods.

* The High Court, in its orders on October 1, had asked the insurance companies to release the money to the flood-affected people without waiting for the final settlement reports by the surveyors.

Jammu, November 2
Continuing his endeavour to reach out to the each and every corner of his constituency, Congress nominee for Inderwal seat Ghulam Mohammad Saroori today visited 20 villages in the Bhaleesa area of Doda district that fall in this Assembly segment.

Addressing public meetings at various places in the area, Saroori, who is a two-time MLA from Inderwal, counted the achievements and development works done in the Assembly segment in the past twelve years.

He appealed to the people to support and strengthen the hands of Congress leader and former Union Health Minister Ghuam Nabi Azad in the ensuing state elections so that Jammu and Kashmir moves on the path of progress, development and prosperity.

“The Congress has always stood for the welfare of common masses and fought for their legitimate rights,” Saroori said.

He urged people to remain united and maintain the age old tradition of mutual brotherhood and communal harmony and frustrate the evil designs of those who are bent upon to divide society on communal and regional basis.

Saroori told the party workers to campaign vigorously and highlight the achievements of the UPA-1 and UPA-II, which had brought revolutionary legislations like the MGNREGA, NRHM, RTI, Right to Food, Right to Work and Right to Education and took care of the interest of each and every section of society.

On the occasion around 60 activists of different parties joined the Congress.

Jammu, November 2
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today kick-started its election campaign in Jammu province. It raked up the issue of discrimination against the Jammu region to “expose” its arch-rival National Conference (NC) for propagating divisive politics in the state.

As the party had chosen the Nagrota Assembly constituency to start its campaign, PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had especially invited party’s senior leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Yuvraj Vikramaditya Singh, son of Karan Singh, for the occasion to focus on some ethnic groups.

Although Mufti avoided raising the issue of marginalisation of the Jammu region, Baig and Vikramaditya minced no words in targeting the NC for adopting discriminatory policies against the region.

“The NC leadership has always created religious divide to reap political benefits,” Baig said and pointed out that the feeling of getting step-motherly treatment among residents of the Jammu region was a result of such discriminatory policies being propagated by the successive NC leaderships.

As the Nagrota segment consists of a good number of Rajput voters, Baig sought to remind the people about the humiliating treatment meted out to Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler, to invoke the Dogra sentiment.

“Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had backstabbed Maharaja Hari Singh and this behavour of the NC stalwart had sowed the seed of mistrust between people of the Jammu and Kashmir regions,” he said.

Baig also lambasted the Omar Abdullah-led government for not giving due representation to various castes, ethnic and religious groups. “There was only one Rajput in the Council of Ministers but he was thrown out,” he said, with an obvious reference towards former minister Surjeet Singh Slathia.

In his address, Vikramaditya Singh raked up the issue of discrimination against the Jammu region and blamed the successive NC regimes for ignoring the region.

“Earlier, the people of the Jammu region used to avail some benefits under the Dogra certificate but this government has stopped issuing the certificate,” he said and tried to strike an emotional chord with the people of Nagrota while reminding them of the revolutionary steps taken by Maharaja Hari Singh.

As the Nagrota constituency comprises Gujjars, Rajputs, Scheduled Castes and Brahmins, so Mufti was seen asking the PDP leaders to speak in local languages.

While Baig spoke in Pahari, Vikramaditya Singh delivered his address in Dogri to connect with the people.

Jammu, November 2
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PowerGrid) handed over an ambulance to the authorities of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, on Sunday under its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

SK Sharma, Executive Director, Northern Region-II, handed over an ambulance to IGMC Principal SS Kaushal in the presence of senior doctors and officers of the college.

The corporation had decided to donate 28 ambulances to various government hospitals across the country under its corporate social responsibility initiative.

It aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure, increasing confidence of the people in public healthcare services and enhancing utilisation of public health infrastructure.

Srinagar, November 2
Strict restrictions were imposed in several parts of the city today to foil the main Muharram 8 procession even as Shiites held other religious functions in the interiors.

Srinagar, November 2
With most of the city roads turning dusty after the devastating floods, commuters say travelling around the city have become a major concern for them. They say due to the presence of excessive dust particles in the air and dirt lying on the roads, lot of it settles on face, skin and eyes, causing irritation and allergies.

Doctors have also warned that excessive dust can lead to severe ailments.

People who are more exposed to this dust on roads say despite wearing masks and helmets while travelling, dust settles on their body and lead to infection.

“I wear mask and often helmets while riding a motorcycle, but it has become very difficult to travel. Dust is everywhere,” said a university student from Qamarwari, Srinagar.

Roads across Srinagar city, especially in worst-hit flood areas such as Jawahar Nagar, Raj Bagh, Radio Colony, Lal Mandi, Rambagh, Gogji Bagh and Jehangir Chowk, have become very polluted, making travelling difficult for commuters.

“I suffer from throat infection twice a week. The presence of excessive dust in the air has made it difficult to move out of home,” said Parvez Ahmad, a city resident.

The doctors who also have witnessed increasing number of patients suffering from infections due to presence of dust in the city said breathing problems, nose blocks, asthma and even lung damage could occur when a person inhales a lot of dust.

“Silica particles, when breathed in, get deposited in the lungs and it would be impossible to take them out. This deposition can cause swelling and lung damage,” said a Srinagar-based physician.

President of the Doctors’ Association Dr Nisar-ul-Hasan also cautioned that the increasing air pollution levels in Srinagar city could turn harmful to people resulting in various health problems.

“The air pollution levels in Srinagar city are already quite high and due to increased dust on the road after floods, the pollution levels are reaching an alarming rate. The dust can cause different skin and eye allergies,” he added.

Excessive dust can lead to severe ailments: Docs

n Medicos say due to the presence of excessive dust particles in the air and dirt lying on the roads, a lot of it settles on face, skin and eyes, causing irritation and allergies

n The number of patients suffering from infections due to the presence of dust in the city has increased. Breathing problems, nose block, asthma and even lung damage can occur when a person inhales a lot of dust

n Silica particles, when breathed in, get deposited in the lungs and this deposition can cause swelling and lung damage, says a Srinagar-based physician

Srinagar, November 2
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani, who is in New Delhi, today condemned the police crackdown on separatist leaders and activists, which is underway ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections.

Geelani said the police raids on residences of separatist leaders and activists would not be able to create a “scare” among the people. He also dismissed the elections, which are scheduled to begin later this month.

“We will be right to say that all elections since 1947 have been a military operation. These elections have no relation to democracy or practical politics,” Geelani, who contested several elections, including in 1987, said.

Geelani claim that the elections have “no justification” when the Kashmir valley has been made “hostage” under a “military siege”. 

Srinagar, November 2
With temperatures dipping several notches below normal and cold setting in, the Power Development Department (PDD) has resorted to unscheduled power cuts in the Valley, adding to the winter woes of people.

Various residential and commercial areas in the city and outskirts reel under darkness during evening hours due to long power cuts.

Although the PDD has been charging monthly electricity tariffs from households and business establishments, the power supply is being continuously reduced in metered and non-metered areas likewise.

“With temperatures plunging, electricity is needed more for warming purposes,” Sumaira Khan, a housewife said.

The PDD usually reasons that the power supplies in the Valley during winters go down due to a huge gap in demand and supply because people tend to use electricity for heating purposes.

The PDD usually issues notifications on power cuts which are missing so far.

“We pay bills on time and the department charges us extra if the bills aren’t paid. But when it comes to delivering, they are not able to do so,” said Mushtaq, a businessman. — TNS

WAPCOS findings

n Quantum of illiterate earners in city just 3%

n Main earner graduate in 35% households

n Postgraduates 11% and literacy rate 77%

n Average monthly income in city Rs 13,000

Jammu, November 2
Various Sikh organisations in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday welcomed the announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to next of kin of the 1984 riot victims.

In a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mohinder Singh, chief organiser of Kaniya Wiskarn Seva Society, Jammu and Kashmir, they said the Sikh community wanted that the culprits responsible for the riots be penalised.

He claimed that the wounds of the families affected by those riots were yet to heal. He appealed for setting up of of fast-track courts by the Centre to punish the culprits of the 1984 riots.

Those present in the meeting included Pararnit Singh, Kulwant Singh, Surinder Singh Kala, Gajjan Singh, Ramnik Singh Bijral, Surjit Singh Kuku, Kultar Singh, Kapoor Singh Dutta, Harpal Singh Prince, Tej Pal Singh and Charanveer Singh Lad.

Jammu, November 2
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set up 21 special polling stations in Jammu district for Kashmiri migrants who are desirous of casting their vote during the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference, assistant returning officer Sachin Dev Singh said these special polling booths had been set up at Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar; Government Engineering College Canal Road; School Education Director’s office, Muthi; Directorate of Economics and Statistics Department, Janipur; Migrant School, Purkhoo; Agriculture Complex, Talab Tillo; and Migrant School, Roop Nagar.

Others had been set up at Migrant School, Nagrota; Government Higher Secondary School (Migrant), Jagti; Government Higher Secondary School (Migrant), Jagti-B, Panchayat Ghar, Barnai; Agriculture University Complex, Udhaiyawala; J&K Board of School Education, Rehari; Government Middle School (Migrant) Jagti; Community Hall, Jagti, Government Girls Middle School, Chak Changerwan Chinore Chowk; Government Girls Primary School, Gangyal, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Ponichack; Government Boys Secondary School, Sarwal; Government High School, Sagoon Miransahib; and Government Higher Secondary School, Channi.

In the event of any problem, Kashmiri Hindu voters could approach Sachan Dev Singh, ARO(M), on 0191-2478995 and 2478993 (fax); SK Fotedar, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing, New Delhi, from office of Resident Commissioner, JK House, New Delhi, on 09810105881, special polling stations in New Delhi; and Ranjit Singh, Collector, Northern Railway, Udhampur, on 01992-273756 and 09419151433.

Jammu, November 2
The three-day 10th Inter-State Dental Conference organised by the Jammu chapter of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) concluded here on Sunday.

Dr Gautam Sharma, general secretary of the IDA, said about 700 specialists and dental surgeons participated in the conference that provided exposure to newcomers in the profession. Practical sessions were organised during the conference.

The IDA had conducted pre-conference courses, hands-on lectures and workshops at the Institute of Dental Sciences (IDS), Sehora, and Indira Gandhi Government Dental College (IGGDC), Jammu.

On the concluding day, scientific programmes were conducted by Dr Harpreet Singh, Dr Amulya Chadha, Dr Abhijeet Lele, Dr Amnish Singh and Dr Rachna Dhani. Dr Rajiv Verma spoke on the subject ‘Life after BDS, Life after MDS, What after 10 years and 25 years of Dentistry’.

Dr Rohit Punga, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, congratulated the organising team of the conference. cultural programme was presented by IGGDC and IDS students.

Jammu, November 2
The three-day 15th north zone conference of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists concluded at Acharaya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS) Hospital here on Sunday.

The conference was organised by the department of anaesthesiology and critical care, ASCOMS hospital, in association with the Jammu Society of Anaesthesiologists.Dr Nandita Mehta was the organising chairperson and Dr Shikha Sharma the organising secretary. Dr SSC Chakra Rao from Vizag was the chief guest and Dr MV Bhimeshwar from Hyderabad the guest of honour in the inaugural session.

Dr Rohit Lahori, said various sessions and workshops were organised during the three-day conference and were attended by various faculty members and delegates from all over the country and abroad.

Jammu, November 2
The All Jammu and Kashmir Passengers’ Welfare Association has welcomed oil companies for slashing petrol and diesel prices and asked the government to reduce passenger fares by 30 per cent immediately.

Convening a meeting of the association, its president RC Sharma said oil companies had done a people-friendly task by slashing diesel price and it was up to transporters and the government to come forward for the welfare of people.

He added that there was no reason for bus fares to remain the same even though prices of diesel and petrol had been slashed. He appealed to the people to come forward and force the government to reduce fares by 30 per cent immediately.

“Only poor people are travelling on public transport. Those who are rich are travelling in their private vehicles,” Sharma said. He asked transporters to come forward for the noble cause and reduce fares by 30 per cent for the cause of the public.

Launching a scathing attack on the government for remaining mute over the issue, he said, “it seems that the government is backing such an organised loot of the people everyday and the government machinery has adopted criminal silence over the issue.”

He appealed to the Governor to immediate intervene in this matter and save the poor from the hands of capitalists. Others who attended the meeting included TS Abrol, Jaspal Singh, Iqbal Singh Iqbal, Nazir Ahmed and MS Nazki.

Jammu, November 2
Three children who went missing from Jammu on October 27 had been traced by the police in Dehradun. They were brought to the city on Sunday morning.

Talking to media persons here, Shiv Dev Singh Chauhan, Superintendent of Police, North, Jammu City, said the three children did not return to their respective houses after attending tuition classes on October 27.

They were identified as Aarush Singh, son of Khushi Ram in Prem Nagar, Arif Mehroof, son of Maroof Ahmad, and Masqoor Ahmed, son of Abdul Hamid in Dalpathian Mohalla. The SP said the families of these children lodged missing person complaints with the police on October 28.

“On scrutinising CCTV footage, it was found that the trio had boarded a Delhi-bound train. One of the children who went missing withdrew money from the account of his father through an ATM card which was used in Dehradun,” the SP said.

“The SMS alert on his mobile phone helped the police trace them,” he said. He said a police team was rushed to Dehradun and it traced them there.

Pulwama, November 2
Miffed at regular thefts in their village over the past couple of years, the Balpora residents in south Kashmir’s Shopian district have accused the police of “inaction”. The residents alleged that since the last couple of years items worth Rs 20 lakh have been stolen from the village, especially during the night hours.

They said the thieves generally run away with the farm produce like walnuts and apples, besides stealing the mechanical equipments.

“Recently, walnuts worth Rs 2 lakh were stolen from a store which is just 20 metres away from the 44 Rashtriya Rifles camp,” said Raja Waheed, a Balpora resident.

The villagers said despite making several complaints in the Shopian police station the police have not arrested anyone in this regard.

The police had earlier arrested two persons in this regard but they were set free later, said one of the residents.

The Balpora residents said the timber smugglers in the area were involved in the incident and urged the police to tighten the noose around them.

“We demand an inquiry into these thefts,” said Bashir Ahmad. He also sought compensation for the affected families.

Station House Officer, Shopian, Javed Ahmad, however, said they have not received any complaint from the residents so far and if any report would have been filed in this regard they would acted against the culprits.

Pulwama, November 2
The 180 Battalion of the Centre Reserved Police Force (CRPF) organised a medical camp in Tahab village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday.

“A large number of people were checked in the camp and free medicines worth Rs 1 lakh were provided to the patients,” said a Centre Reserved Police Force official here today.

Deputy Inspector General (Operation), CRPF, South Kashmir, OS Charak inaugurated the medical Camp.

Srinagar, November 2
Around 4,200 kg polythene was today seized by the Commercial Taxes Department on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

The recovery was made after a truck was intercepted at the Commercial Taxes check post at Lowermunda in south Kashmir.

The department has seized a bulk quantity of banned polythene weighing 4,200 kg from a truck bearing registration number JK03B/3231, said Commercial Taxes Officer Hamid Ganai, adding the polythene bags were handed over to the State Pollution Control Board for disposal.

The driver was under surveillance as he was in constant touch with other drivers trying to sneak in polythene into the Valley, Ganai added.

“The driver is associated with a Srinagar-based dealer, who is actively engaged in polythene trade. Some professional drivers from Bra Bandina village of Pulwama district are habitual offenders and they make regular attempts to import the banned polythene for this Srinagar-based dealer,” the officer said.

He added that Lowermunda check post has seized over 221 quintals of polythene over the past year. — TNS