Srinagar, December 30
Five militants were among seven persons killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

The police here said that militants shot dead two persons, including a former militant, and injured another when they intruded into the house of Assadullah Bhat at Wagoora in Budgam district last night. Those killed included Abdul Rashid, a released militant of Hizbul Mujahideen, who was in the house of his relative Assadullah Bhat. The house owner’s son, Mohammad Ayub Bhat, was also killed in the shootout. Another son of the house owner, Ashraf Bhat, a tractor driver, sustained injuries and has been hospitalised. A large number of residents joined the funeral prayers of the deceased today.

Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Harpora in the Shopian area of Pulwama district today.

A Pakistani militant identified as Zahid Abbasi was killed in an encounter with security forces at Mantribugh, Shopian in Pulwama district yesterday, the police here said. A security forces jawan sustained injuries in the exchange of fire. One AK rifle, three magazines and a grenade were recovered from the site of encounter.

An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Batgund, Dooru in Anantnag district today. One AK rifle, and a cellphone were recovered from the slain militant, the police said. Sources said that the militant, identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Chopan from Panzath, Qazigund area, had been picked up a day earlier and later killed under mysterious circumstances.

A militant of the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HUJI), Shabir Hussain Chechi, was killed in an inter-group clash with the militants of Hizbul Mujahideen at Morian in Manjakote sector of Rajouri district yesterday, the police said.

Jammu, December 30
Maintaining that only working as a team could produce tangible results in the functioning of the State Vigilance Department, Mr P. Shankar Central Vigilance Commissioner, today called for appointing right persons in the department by seeking feedback from various sources, including the public.

Speaking at the inaugural function of a two-day workshop organised by the State Vigilance Department to update the knowledge of its officers, Mr Shankar said utmost precaution should be taken while appointing officers. He said the screening of the officers for appointment should be made by the department itself.

Appreciating the measures taken by the department to improve its working, the Commissioner said the first step after constituting vigilance cells within various departments should be the appointment of full-time vigilance officers.

Highlighting the idea of appointing departmental vigilance officers, he said they could work as eyes and ears of both the State Vigilance Department and the Central Vigilance Commission

Stressing on adopting fool-proof procedures during investigation, he said the investigation should be within the rules. He, however, said the rules could be modified where they hamper investigation. He also acclaimed the programme of the vigilance department to educate people about their duty to identify corrupt officials.

The Chief Secretary, Dr SS Bloeria, who presided over the function, said the state government had endeavoured to improve the working of the vigilance department by laying thrust on taking the investigation to the final conclusion.

He said in the last two years precautions had been taken to minimise harassment of the officers under observation.

Earlier, the Commissioner of vigilance, Mr Radha Vinod Raju, spoke on the working of the organisation and the challenges before it. A visual presentation depicting the effects of corruption on social life was presented by the DIG, Vigilance, Mr RR Swain, and the AIG, Police, Mr Satish Khaandyaray, presented a vote of thanks.

Jammu, December 30
Fears are being expressed over the diversion of funds earmarked for the development of infrastructure of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, on the plea that the amount allotted for spending by the end of March for acquiring land has not been utilised so far.

NIT sources told this correspondent that out of Rs 20 crore earmarked for the development of the institute, over Rs 9 crore were meant for building the infrastructure in the first phase.

However sources said the land had been identified and measured but the acquisition could not take place for the past over two years.

As per the law, the government could not make part payment without securing an affidavit from the land owner that he/they would not move the court and were ready to accept payment in instalments.

During his visit to the institute, the President, Dr A.P.J. Kalam, had announced that if the NIT required additional funds for developing infrastructure, the same could be arranged. But the NIT authorities did not knock the doors of the right agencies.

One employee of the NIT said since the financial resources warranted development of infrastructure in phases the authorities, including the state government, should first acquire the land on which additional facilities were to be provided for the students.

A retired teacher, who taught regional engineering college students in Srinagar and then in Jammu, said in case the government felt that the atmosphere was not conducive for expansion of facilities at NIT, Srinagar, the funds could be diverted for the development of Jammu Engineering College.

Others fear that the amount earmarked for land acquisition may be diverted for other activities. They have requested the Chief Minister to intervene and remove the bottlenecks in the land purchase programme.