J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

10 militants give up
Srinagar, December 23
Ten more militants laid down arms and surrendered before the Army and the police authorities at Naugam in north Kashmir today, raising the total number of surrenders to 91 before the 19 Infantry Division in Baramulla sector this year. These militants had crossed over to the other side of LoC from early 1990’s to 2001.

A worker carries a Santa Claus idol to be erected for the upcoming Christmas celebrations, in Jammu on Saturday. — PTI

Computers purchased at exorbitant rate
Jammu, December 23
The State Vigilance Organisation yesterday registered a case against seven members of the Technical Education Department’s purchase committee who had given orders to purchase 409 computers out of funds provided by the Prime Minister under the state's reconstruction plan.

PDP on goodwill hunt in Jammu dist
Jammu, December 23
Upbeat over the tremendous response to its recent public meeting in this fortress of the BJP, the PDP has inked a roadmap to consolidate its position in the Jammu division.

Resentment against decision to shift artefacts
Jammu, December 23
Resentment is brewing here over the decision of the state government to shift to the Secretariat the valuable artifacts of the Dogra regime that survived a recent fire in “toshakhana” of the old palace complex.

10 militants give up
Tribune News Service & UNI

Srinagar, December 23
Ten more militants laid down arms and surrendered before the Army and the police authorities at Naugam in north Kashmir today, raising the total number of surrenders to 91 before the 19 Infantry Division in Baramulla sector this year. These militants had crossed over to the other side of LoC from early 1990’s to 2001.

This group of 10 militants with two families, infiltrated into India from PoK in Baramulla sector, a defence spokesman here said. The group opted to surrender when they were challenged by an ambush, he stated.

The militants laid down arms in front of Brig Manjit Singh, Officiating General Officer Commanding 19 Infantry Division, and Mr A.S. Lone, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), North Kashmir Range, at a ceremony, attended by senior officers of the Army, police and civil administration. Relatives of the surrendered militants and the people of the area were also present.

Two of these militants have surrendered with their families who came with them from PoK, the spokesman said, adding that they had brought a large number of authentic documents to confirm their activities.

Computers purchased at exorbitant rate
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 23
The State Vigilance Organisation yesterday registered a case against seven members of the Technical Education Department’s purchase committee who had given orders to purchase 409 computers out of funds provided by the Prime Minister under the state's reconstruction plan.

According to the Vigilance Commissioner, Dr Ashok Bhan, the state-level purchase committee had given orders to purchase these computers at an exorbitant rate of Rs 43,000 each against the market price of Rs 33,900 from a local dealer last year.

The former director, technical education, the former deputy director (Central), accounts officer, principal of Government Women Polytechnic College, Jammu, principal of Government Polytechnic College, Srinagar, and the financial adviser, Technical Education Department were members of the committee.

The accused officers instead of purchasing computers of the same configuration at DGS and D rates with three years warranty went for assembled ones with only one-year warranty.

PDP on goodwill hunt in Jammu dist
Tribune Reporters

Jammu, December 23
Upbeat over the tremendous response to its recent public meeting in this fortress of the BJP, the PDP has inked a roadmap to consolidate its position in the Jammu division.

The party has so far concentrated all its resources in strengthening network in 15 out of 37 Assembly constituencies in the district. The main focus is in R.S. Pora, Suchetgarh, Bishna, Vijaypur, Nagrota constituencies. As part of its plan to strengthen the party units in the rural areas, the PDP leadership has galvanised efforts in three Assembly segments in Poonch and Rajouri districts, besides four in Kathua and Doda districts.

PDP leader Mufti Sayeed today asked the ministers and activists of the party to reach out to the masses with the party’s programme and policies that had generated interest in the region.

He warned that a misinformation campaign was on from various quarters, especially in the Jammu region, to create confusion in the minds of the people about self-rule.

He said self-rule, besides enshrining respect for the people’s verdict, proposed certain measures that would go a long way in eliminating the political causes of intra-regional dissent.

Meanwhile, party general secretary Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said, “Mr Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Ms Mehbooba Mufti are being assisted by senior PDP leaders, including Mr T.S. Bajwa, MP, and Mr Manjit Singh, Minister of State for Education, in spreading the party’s tentacles to various unexplored areas in the region”.

“We have made inroads in the areas inhabited by various ethnic groups. The PDP has received support from members belonging to the communities of Sikhs, Dalits, Scheduled Tribes and other segments of the society.”

Mr Bhat confirmed that in the midst of changing political scenario “no party can bank on support of electorates only from one of the three regions in the state”. He said during the next Assembly elections political leaders’ individual performance would be of more importance than the party’s image.

Resentment against decision to shift artefacts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 23
Resentment is brewing here over the decision of the state government to shift to the Secretariat the valuable artifacts of the Dogra regime that survived a recent fire in “toshakhana” of the old palace complex.

The decision is being seen with suspicion by the common people who fear that the Dogra heritage might be carried to the Kashmir valley once it was shifted from the old palace complex.

The Duggar Pradesh Party and the Dogra Liberation Front today organised a rally outside the office of the divisional commissioner against the decision of the government.

Mr Udey Chand, president of the joint front, demanded that the treasure should not be shifted.