J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

7 ultras, NC leader killed
SRINAGAR, April 29 — Ten persons, including seven militants and a leader of the ruling National Conference, were killed and three members of the village defence committee abducted in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

Minister launches education policy
JAMMU, April 29 — The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an ambitious education policy. "Rehbar-e-Taaleem" to improve standards of education in the state.

Five killed in car accident
JAMMU, April 29 — Five persons were killed when an Ambassador car in which they were travelling rolled down a gorge at Digdol, 160 km from here, today.

7 ultras, NC leader killed
VDC members kidnapped

SRINAGAR, April 29 (PTI) — Ten persons, including seven militants and a leader of the ruling National Conference, were killed and three members of the village defence committee (VDC) abducted in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

The security forces arrested two militants in the state during the period, an official spokesman said here today.

Four militants were killed and a jawan was injured in a gunfight at Devsa in Mahore sector of Udhampur district of Jammu region last night.

Two militants were killed in a cross-fire between militants and the security forces at Rajpora-Malah in Hiranagar sector of Jammu last night.

One militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba was killed in a clash with troops in Banihal area last night, a report from Doda said.

The Block President of the ruling National Conference, Abdul Rehman Thakur, was shot dead by militants at Halshedora-Kairan in Anantnag district of south Kashmir last night.

A 13-year-old boy was killed and four, including three policemen, were injured in a grenade blast in Anantnag. Militants gunned down a man working for the Army in Handwara town of Kupwara district.

Militants kidnapped four VDC members from Kahal-Jugsoo in Gandoh area of Doda district. One of the hostages, Bishen Singh, escaped. Efforts were on to trace the remaining three hostages — Bishen Lal, Davinder Singh and Karam Singh.

A report from Baramulla said Pakistani troops shelled Karnan sector targetting security installations. However, some shells fell in Kandi area near the Line of Actual Control, killing a girl and injuring some.

The shelling was on when reports last came in.

About a dozen houses were damaged in Pakistani shelling in Uri and Teetweal sectors yesterday. However, no one was injured.

An official spokesman said militants shot dead Mohammad Ramzan in his Radpora Handwara house this morning, while a body was fished out from the Jhelum at Ali-Kadal in the afternoon.

Minister launches education policy

JAMMU, April 29 — The Jammu and Kashmir government has launched an ambitious education policy. "Rehbar-e-Taaleem" to improve standards of education in the state.

Launching the scheme at the foundation laying ceremony of the Rs 108 lakh building for the State Institute of Education at Muthi Jammu yesterday, the Minister for Education, Mr Mohammad Shafi said the scheme would ensure accountability and people’s participation besides the universalisation of elementary education in the state.

Under the scheme, "Rehbar-e-Taaleem" (teacher) would be engaged for a period of two years on contract at a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500. The performance of "Rehbar-e-Taaleem" will be evaluated and reviewed by the village committee after two years before extending his appointment for a further period of three years. From the third year onwards the teacher will be paid Rs 2,000 per month. After five years his/her performance will again be evaluated and certified by the village committee before he/she is considered for permanent appointment.

The education department has also started constituting village-level education committees. These committees comprise two members from the parents, a social worker and a representative of women, and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe.

The village-level committee will supervise the functioning of the school and report the cases of absenteeism to the authorities. They will also address the problem of dropouts and supervise the implementation of various government schemes.

Mr Shafi said the village committees would assess the requirement of the staff in schools as per the existing norms and prepare a panel of qualified candidates from the village itself. The deputy commissioners will approve the names of those to be appointed as teachers out of the panel.

The significance of the scheme was that the "Rehbar-e-Taaleem" will be from the same village where there was shortage of staff. The scheme will not only compensate shortage of teachers, but also provide teachers in the far-flung areas where many do not want to go, Mr Shafi said.

The minister stressed the accountability at every level in the Education Department.

The good work, he said, would be rewarded and action would be taken against those who do not perform their duties properly.

He directed all CEOs/ZEOs to deploy the staff as per the need of the institutions. He also stressed the need for regular inspections of all schools and corrective steps wherever deficiencies were noted.

Five killed in car accident
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, April 29 — Five persons were killed when an Ambassador car in which they were travelling rolled down a gorge at Digdol, 160 km from here, today.

Reports said the car No. (JK-01C-468) belonged to the Consumer Council. Five passengers were possibly employees who had left Jammu this morning for Srinagar as part of the durbar move. The driver, who lost control of the car while negotiating a turn was among those killed.

The bodies are yet to be retrieved from the wreckage.

Police teams have been rushed to the spot.