J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

1,000 join BJP in Jammu region
Jammu, December 22
In a bid to strengthen its base in the Jammu region, the state unit of the BJP has begun targeting political activists of various organisations and those belonging to the weaker sections of society.

Villagers allege woman’s rape by Army men
Srinagar, December 22
Residents of Sallar village, near Pahalgam, in south Kashmir today held protest demonstrations against the alleged rape of a woman by some Army personnel at Sheikhpora on Monday night.

Hizbul commander among 4 killed
Srinagar, December 22
A Hizbul Mujahideen group commander and two other militants were among four persons killed, while the security forces recovered 40 kg of RDX and other explosives in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

Jha inaugurates dist courts complex
Jammu, December 22
Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court S.N. Jha today inaugurated the District Court complex. It has been built on the premises of the High Court at a cost of Rs 12 crore. It has the capacity of housing 27 courts on its completion.

1,000 join BJP in Jammu region
Our Correspondent

Jammu, December 22
In a bid to strengthen its base in the Jammu region, the state unit of the BJP has begun targeting political activists of various organisations and those belonging to the weaker sections of society.

According to the president of the state BJP, Dr Nimal Singh, “Our efforts to attract people to our party have borne results. During the past fortnight, about 1,000 people, including a large number of women, joined the organisation.”

Dr Nirmal Singh presided over a function here today where a large number of political activists, including women, were enrolled as primary members of the BJP.

The party leadership has succeeded in “hooking” a number of people belonging to the Christian community and those from the scheduled castes.

The idea behind this move, which is to continue for a couple of weeks, is to infuse life into the BJP in the wake of the ensuing elections to the municipal corporation and other civic bodies. The BJP has faced difficulties during the past several years when it won one assembly seat in the 2002 poll and drew a blank in the Lok Sabha poll in 2004.

Dr Nirmal Singh said large groups of people of the Jammu region had shown interest in joining the BJP after they felt disillusioned with the ruling coalition and the opposition National Conference.

Mr Madan Lal Khurana, former Rajasthan Governor, and other senior party leaders were scheduled to visit Jammu to finalise the reorganisation programme.

These leaders are likely to have a detailed discussion on the problem of internal dissensions and explore the possibility of narrowing down the difference among senior party functionaries.

Mr Khurana is scheduled to reach Jammu on December 24 and as in charge of the party affairs, he may discuss the issue pertaining to the resignation of six BJP leaders from the party with senior party functionaries here.

Those who have resigned from the BJP have decided to revive Prajya Parishad, which had remained a force to reckon with till the mid-sixties before it merged with the then Jan Sangh.

Mr Chander Mohan Sharma, who spearheaded the revolt, told The Tribune today that the Prajya Parishad would come into existence again on December 26.

He said, “We have decided to contest the ensuing civic elections in Jammu district and in case we received requests from individuals from other districts we will support them”.

At least in Jammu city, the Prajya Parishad had the potential to harm the BJP in the forthcoming civic elections.

Villagers allege woman’s rape by Army men
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 22
Residents of Sallar village, near Pahalgam, in south Kashmir today held protest demonstrations against the alleged rape of a woman by some Army personnel at Sheikhpora on Monday night. An FIR has been lodged against the Army, while the Army and police authorities have denied that any rape was committed.

According to reports, the residents protested against the alleged rape of a 60-year-old woman, Hakim Jan, wife of Mohammad Shafiq Shah, when troops of 3 RR entered their house on Monday night. The FIR has been registered against. Kishan Bahadur of 3 RR. Tense situation prevailed in the area due to the demonstrations.

Police officials claimed that there was no case of rape and added that it was a case of molestation. However, further investigations into the incident were going on.

Denying the reports, defence spokesman here said that a complaint was received by the Army authorities against two persons who entered the house of Mohammad Shafiq Shah of Sheikhpora, Sallar in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir. He said that two persons entered the house at 7.30 p.m. on Monday and there was allegation against one person of misbehaving with the 60-year-old woman. The matter was being investigated jointly by the police and the Army, he added.

A medical examination of the woman conducted at District Hospital, Anantnag said that no rape had taken place, the defence spokesman said. He added that in case any person was found guilty, he would be punished according to the law.

Hizbul commander among 4 killed

Srinagar, December 22
A Hizbul Mujahideen group commander and two other militants were among four persons killed, while the security forces recovered 40 kg of RDX and other explosives in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

He said the security forces gunned down HM group commander Ali Mohammad Dar in an encounter at Nagbal Tral in Pulwama district last night.

The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by militants, he said, adding that one AK rifle, three magazines and 15 cartridges were seized.

He said militants attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) picket near the general bus stand at Batmaloo last evening. In the exchange of fire, Mohammad Sikander Sheikh, a resident of Uri, was injured. He died in the hospital this morning, he said.

The security forces killed two militants during a search operation at Ganjot Mahore in Udhampur district of the Jammu region last night. Two jawans were injured in the encounter. Two AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militants.

The security forces during a search operation recovered 20 kg of RDX, 20 kg of gun powder, four AK magazines and 108 cartridges at Bandpawa in Pulwama district.

The explosive was enough to make more than 10 powerful improvised explosive devices, he said. — UNI

Jha inaugurates dist courts complex
Our Correspondent

Jammu, December 22
Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court S.N. Jha today inaugurated the District Court complex.

It has been built on the premises of the High Court at a cost of Rs 12 crore. It has the capacity of housing 27 courts on its completion.

While the government built a new complex for the High Court seven years ago, the District Court continued to function in a dilapidated complex at Mubarik Mandi. Inaugurating the complex, Mr Justice Jha said the new building would be fully equipped with modern facilities.

He said subordinate courts were to play a pivotal role. He said over the years the delivery of justice had become very delayed and cost-oriented. He appealed to the lawyers to maintain the credibility for easy dispensation of justice.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge the new courts complex had ample facilities.

President of the Bar Association Sunil Sethi said the new complex was the realisation of a long-cherished dream of the association.