Copter service for Doda area
JAMMU, Nov 25 — Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah would have a helicopter service from Jammu. The service would keep the flow of traffic which gets interrupted coming to landslides on the Batote-Doda route. This was stated by the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, during his four-day-home constituency - tour which ended today.

CM flags off CRPF expedition
JAMMU, Nov 25 — Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, today flagged off a CRPF All-India motorbiking expedition in which 20 CRPF personnel including three women constables are taking part.

Martyrs' Day
UDHAMPUR, Nov 25 — The 52nd Martyrs' Day of Mirpur Baradari was observed here today.

Auto drivers' protest
KATHUA, Nov 25 — The local Auto Drivers Union held a protest demonstration at the main chowk here on Thursday.

Copter service for Doda area
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Nov 25 — Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah would have a helicopter service from Jammu. The service would keep the flow of traffic which gets interrupted coming to landslides on the Batote-Doda route.

This was stated by the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, during his four-day-home constituency-tour which ended today.

Referring to the menace of militancy in Doda district, the union minister said security measures were being further strengthened to "bury militancy" for ever. In this connection, he said, that village defence committees would be strengthened. Each member of the committee would be equipped with better weapons. The wages of VDC members would be increased. Many more would be inducted into the committees. He said the monthly salary of special police officers would be raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.

Prof Gupta explained to people in Muslim-dominated Doda district that the BJP-led Central Government had decided to take care of the minorities. He said against 91,000 Indian Muslims performing Haj pilgrimage last year more than 1.2 lakh pilgrims would visit Mecca and Madena this year. In addition to this the Government had increased the subsidy on Haj pilgrimage from Rs 62 crore to Rs 126 crore.

At many public meetings be urged militants to give up their arms and join the national mainstream failing which they would be eliminated by security forces. He suggested to the youth to channelise their energy for the development of the state as the 10-year-old militancy had caused death and destruction in the state.

CM flags off CRPF expedition
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25 — Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, today flagged off a CRPF All-India motorbiking expedition in which 20 CRPF personnel including three women constables are taking part.

The CRPF personnel on motorcycles will cover a distance of over 8,000 km from Jammu to Kanyakumari.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Farooq Abdullah said that the CRPF had played an important role in fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 10 years. He said the CRPF achieved many successes while flushing out rebels and the nation "will not forget the sacrifices made by valiant jawans of the force."

He suggested the CRPF authorities and other sports agencies to organise more such expeditions to cover SAARC nations so that the message of goodwill went from India to other countries.

The expedition is part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the CRPF.

Martyrs' Day
From Our Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 25 — The 52nd Martyrs' Day of Mirpur Baradari was observed here today.

On November 25, 1947, about 40,000 persons of Mirpur district, now in PoK, had left their homes to resist the Pakistani intruders.

About 15,000 persons were killed in the struggle. The day is observed every year as Martyrs' Day. Prayers were offered on the occasion at Shahid Smarak, Adarsh Colony, here.

Auto drivers' protest
From Our Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 25 — The local Auto Drivers Union held a protest demonstration at the main chowk here on Thursday.

They were protesting against the unauthorised use of private cars as taxis. The union raised slogans against the district administration for its failure to put an end to this illegal practice which it said had affected their business adversely.

The president of the union, Mr Kewal Krishan, alleged that their complaints to the district administration had fallen on deaf ears.