J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Mixed response to new anti-terrorist law
Jammu, September 30
What was the need of formulating a new anti-terrorist law in Jammu and Kashmir when the Public Safety Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act are already in force in the state? Will the proposed law, which provides for death sentence or life imprisonment for the killers of innocent people, prove effective in containing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir? These questions have assumed significance following the state government’s move to moot a more punitive and draconian anti-terrorist law than TADA. 

19 burnt bridges repaired in Anantnag
Srinagar, September 30
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Works, Ali Mohammad Sagar has dedicated to people two major bridges in the Anantnag district. The minister inaugurated a 120-metre-long bridge over the Ladder Nullah near Matin, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.86 crore. 

Mixed response to new anti-terrorist law
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 30
What was the need of formulating a new anti-terrorist law in Jammu and Kashmir when the Public Safety Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act are already in force in the state? Will the proposed law, which provides for death sentence or life imprisonment for the killers of innocent people, prove effective in containing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir?

These questions have assumed significance following the state government’s move to moot a more punitive and draconian anti-terrorist law than TADA. Official circles are of the opinion that after the repeal of TADA the state needed a law that could ensure quick trial and harsh punishment for the militants found involved in killings. These circles said the Armed Forces Special Powers Act was not a substantive law but preventive in nature.

Similarly, the provisions of the Public Safety Act provides for detention without a trial for two years. Cases continue to be tried in courts under the provisions of this Act but it has not yielded the desired results so far.

However, those critical of the government plan have argued that there was no dearth of laws under which the killers could be tried and awarded punishment. But there has been no effective implementation of the provisions of various laws and the inordinate delays in court verdicts have allowed scores of militants to languish in jails for years together.

They cite the instances of a series of arrests and rearrest of Hurriyat Conference leaders and some militants in the recent years.

The critics of the proposed law say what is needed is a policy and not a law for tackling the activities of the militants. If a militant is found to be involved in killing or killings. It is not easy for the security forces to arrest him and produce him before the court. Even if he is nabbed there may not be witnesses prepared to testify his involvement. Those who support the new move said that under the Public Safety Act there was no provision for death sentence. Even if 1 per cent of the killers are arrested and awarded death sentence or life imprisonment as provided under the proposed law, it could discourage other militants.

They say that the government was drawing flak for keeping militants in jails without a trial and wherever trial was ordered the procedure was delayed. With the special courts trying killers under the proposed law it is expected that trials will be speedy.

19 burnt bridges repaired in Anantnag

Srinagar, September 30
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Works, Ali Mohammad Sagar has dedicated to people two major bridges in the Anantnag district.

The minister inaugurated a 120-metre-long bridge over the Lidder Nullah near Mattan, which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.86 crore.

Mr Sagar later inaugurated another 76-metre-long bridge over river Jehlum at Zirpora near Bij-Behara that has been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.28 crore.

The minister informed that out of 37 major bridges gutted in Anantnag district during militancy, 19 had been completed at a cost of Rs 24.50 crore.

He said out of 51 minor bridges, 34 had been completed while work was in progress on the remaining bridges, which would be completed within the stipulated time.

He said around 215 bridges had been constructed during the past four years, besides extending upgraded road network to the far-flung areas of the state, which had been cut off from the rest of the world during the turmoil.

Mr Sagar said about 825 water supply schemes had also been commissioned during this period to provide safe drinking water to the people across the state.

Responding to the demands of the people, the minister said Goripora bridge would be also completed shortly.

He also ordered the immediate completion of the Zirpora water supply scheme and said a project had been submitted to Nabard for the construction of a bypass to Pahalgam. UNI