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PDP for inclusion of Pandits in peace process
Youths want to return from PoK camps
CAG tells govt to check worsening fiscal situation
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2 militants held
Suicide by RAW officer
BJP reiterates abolition of Article 370
Army no solution to Kashmir problem: PDP
Rs 11 crore recovered as fine from traffic violators
53 development works completed
Nepali Maoist held, points to militant-Maoist linkage
14 Corps gets new Commander
Soldier dies as water tanker turns turtle
J&K Rights Commission for change in pension rules
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Kin of missing youths hold rallies
Srinagar, February 12 Around 400 protestors gathered at Batamaloo carrying poster photographs of their missing kin and marched towards the nearby the police headquarters. The protestors, mostly relatives of 24 youths who have gone missing from the Batamaloo, Gangbugh and Tengpora areas of the city since 1992, later blocked traffic by lying on the road, the sources said. A senior police official persuaded the protestors to leave with an assurance that the cases of their missing kin would be investigated fairly. A similar protest rally was held at Botakadal in the Lal Bazar area where the protestors were demanding to know the whereabouts of three youths who went missing in 1999 after being allegedly arrested by security forces, the sources said. Another protest rally was carried out at Hazratbal by the relatives of a person who went missing in 1992. Sporadic protests have been going on here since early this month following the revelation that some personnel of special operations group of police were allegedly picking up youths from various parts of the city and killing them in fake encounters for claiming out of way promotions and cash rewards. — PTI
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PDP for inclusion of Pandits in peace process
Jammu, February 12 The general house also sought a The general council, which met here today under the chairmanship of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, sought a phased reduction in troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers The meeting observed that the problem of Jammu and Kashmir has four dimensions - the issues between India and Pakistan, between Centre and the state, between the people living in two parts of Jammu and Kashmir and the inter and intra-regional issues of mistrust and discord in the state's three regions Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The PDP has emphasised that while the external dimension of the problem can be resolved through negotiations with Pakistan, the internal dimension of the Centre-state relations would be resolved through inclusive deliberations in the working group set up by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, for the purpose. The third dimension of the problem involving cross-LoC confidence building measures should be resolved first through deliberations of the concerned working group and then translating this vision through a bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan. Welcoming the offer of gas and electricity for both Kashmir and Jammu region from PoK, the party expressed satisfaction that the ideas originally floated by it have started finding resonance across the sub-continent. It called for a convergence of these ideas to make the beginning of an institutional mechanism for joint cooperation in various areas. The fourth dimension of the problem concerning inter and intra-regional relationships in the state, the PDP emphasised that they should be resolved by giving an equal sense of political empowerment to the people living in Kashmir, Jammu as well as Ladakh regions and sub-regions. The PDP noted with sorrow the plight of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community which, it said, is an integral component of Kashmiri identity. The party requested the state government and the Centre to work toward creating conditions in which the community can return to the valley.
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Youths want to return from PoK camps
Jammu, February 12 “The misguided youths in PoK want to shun the path of violence and terror and return to their homes and want to live a normal life,” said Muzalim Khan, who crossed the Line of Control from PoK and surrendered before the troops in Draba area in Poonch district recently. These youths were forced to cross into PoK, imparted arms training and used as fodder for the militancy, he said. Khan, who belongs to Poonch district, said there were over 100 youths languishing in migrant camps in PoK doing menial jobs to make both ends meet. These youths belong to Hardi Bhudda, Marhote, Soliya, Elya, Fazalabad and Gonthal, he said. Most of the youths want to even surrender before the security troops to start a new life, he said. — PTI
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CAG tells govt to check worsening fiscal situation
Jammu, February 12 The balance from the current revenue of the state has also continued to be negative, indicating continued dependence on borrowings for plan or developmental expenditure. The spiralling debt liabilities, accompanied by secular trends in fiscal deficit might result in a vicious cycle of deficit, debt and debt service payments. The report indicates that there was no improvement in the management of cash balances, as overdraft facilities were used for all 365 days during 2005-06. Generally, to take care of any temporary mismatches in the flow of resources and expenditure obligations, a mechanism of ways and means advances and overdraft from the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been put in place. However, the overdraft facility was used for all 365 days of the year. The amount of interest paid on the overdraft increased from Rs 71.57 crore in 2000-01 to Rs 138.42 crores during 2005-06 and there was an outstanding balance of Rs 2047.44 crore at the close of the year. Against the total provision of Rs 14,6444 crore during 2005-06, the expenditure aggregated Rs 25,792 crore, resulting in the overall excess of Rs 11,147 crore. The revenue receipts increased by 16.34 per cent during 2005-06 mainly on account of central transfers comprising state's share in the union pool of taxes and duties and grants-in-aid from the centre. Overall fiscal liabilities of the state increased from Rs 9224 crore in 2000-01 to Rs 16,801 crore in 2005-06. The fiscal deficit increased from Rs 1311 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 2643 crore in 2005-06. The primary deficit during the same period increased from Rs 216 crore to Rs 1528 crore. The CAG has pointed out that a sum of Rs 67 lakh out of the SRE that was being provided to the J&K Government by the Centre to tackle terrorism was spent on woodwork, repair of kitchens, toilets and installing transformers in the houses of officers. The Prisons Department paid recurring electricity charges of jails amounting Rs 5.76 crore out of the SRE instead from the normal budget allotment between 2001 to 2006. A dilapidated building "Kothi Sheikh Amin" in Jammu was taken on a very high rent of Rs 47,000 per month for the accommodation of security forces. Basic facilities of electricity and toilets were lacking in the building.
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2 militants held
Srinagar, February 12 Acting on a specific information, the police in Budgam district apprehended two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, Hilal Ahmed Mir and Mohammed Iqbal Najar, residents of the Sopore area in Baramulla district. Another militant, Mohammed Asif Bhat, battalion commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen from Lolab, Kupwara surrendered before the Police at Budgam near here. The police and the security forces busted a hideout in the forest area near Chalyan village, Teetwal area of border district of Kupwara in north Kashmir. Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen fired towards the main gate of residential house of advocate Siraj-ud-Din Shah at Baba Demb here last evening. No loss of life, injury or damage was caused in the incident.
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Suicide by RAW officer
Jammu, February 12 Reports said he hanged himself in his office-cum- residence at Badyal-More. His body was found hanging from the ceiling this morning. The police refused to give further details and said it had not been given any more information by the RAW authorities.
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Jammu, February 12 The highway was later re-opened at 10.00 hrs and one-way traffic allowed from Srinagar to Jammu, they said. Heavy rain continued in the Ramban, Banihal, Batatoe, and Udhampur areas of the state while the Pirpanchal ranges, Trikuta hills, Baravgati, Hatha top, Sansar and Shivalik hills received heavy snowfall during the night. Slight snowfall was experienced in
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BJP reiterates abolition of Article 370
Jammu, February 12 "We reiterate our demand for the abolition of Article 370 from the state. It is the root cause of alienation among people of Jammu and Kashmir, as those at the helm of affairs have only exploited this provision to establish their control over political and administrative apparatus," spokesperson and state BJP vice-president Hari Om told reporters here. The BJP had officially submitted a memorandum to the chairman of the working group on ensuring good governance, he said. "I have carefully gone through the draft final report of the working group and have no doubt that its recommendations, if accepted and implemented in letter and spirit, may help accomplish the objective of good governance. But considering the nature of our political leadership and bureaucracy, it will be very difficult," Om said. On human rights violations, he said the government should also consider the pitiable condition of refugees, who have not been granted citizenship rights even after 60 years. — PTI
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Army no solution to Kashmir problem: PDP
Jammu, February 12 Reiterating its demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and gradual reduction of troops from the state, the PDP in a resolution adopted at its executive committee meeting here today, urged the Central government to respond positively to the position taken by Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf against violence. “India and Pakistan appear today, as never before, fully and sincerely committed to address all the dimensions of this problem in a manner that will balance and promote their geo-political and national interests and also respond to the legitimate aspirations of the people of the state,” the resolution stated. “As a partner of the coalition government in the state, the PDP has pursued the goals and objectives set in the Common Minimum Program (CMP) for a peaceful resolution of the problem, rolling back of the draconian laws and pursuing a healing touch policy in its dealings with the people,” the resolution stated, adding that the PDP resolved to pursue with dedication its agenda of encouraging dialogue and reconciliation and translating its philosophy of healing touch into concrete measures. The Executive Committee meeting, presided over by party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, noted with distress, the fact that over the past 15 years thousands of acres of orchards and agricultural land have been acquired in the state, particularly in Kashmir Valley and the districts of Rajauri, Poonch and Doda, by the armed forces without paying the owners due compensation or rent. Demanding due compensation for the affected land owners, the PDP does not favour any suggestion for the acquisition of these lands and orchards by the armed forces on a permanent basis. The PDP executive committee also stated in the resolution that many institutional buildings including hospitals and schools have been occupied by the armed forces for many years. This has seriously hampered health and education sectors and has caused great sufferings to the people. The PDP impresses upon the government to find alternative accommodation for the armed forces and make these institutional buildings available for their legitimate use. The resolution stated that the people of the state, by participating in the elections of 2002 the by-elections to the state Assembly, have affirmed faith in political and democratic process. “This needs to be responded in equal measure by the central government as well as the state government,” it stated, adding the people’s faith in democratic political process can be strengthened and enhanced if focus is shifted away from military means to the democratic political means for finding solutions of the problem. The PDP has called upon the central government to reduce the strength of armed forces, engaged in anti- militancy operations, in a measured, responsive and responsible manner. The police battalions can be raised to meet the challenge of internal security and to fight militants as was done in Punjab. The Special Armed Forces Act should be withdrawn as conditions have improved to use of this legislation is proving counter-productive and detrimental to the peace process and dialogue. The party also resolved that it would pursue, its vision of intra-state conversion of resources and achievements of potentials between the people of the two parts of the state. “This will, in practical terms, meet aspiration of the people of the both sides for practical unity even though borders can stay,” the resolution stated. “As already agreed to by Dr Manmohan Singh and President Musharraf, the borders between two parts of Kashmir should be rendered irrelevant, and this can be done by allowing free trade, travel, and commerce between the two parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” the PDP resolution stated. This relationship can gradually evolve into a common market and free economic zone where the two parts of the state can undertake common projects of environment, tourism, power and disaster management. Slowly, the relationship between the two parts of the Kashmir can be improved and consolidated in social and cultural aspects also, it added. The PDP executive committee also took a serious note of the unemployment problem in the state. This problem of unemployment has critical dimensions and has the potential of impeding peace process if not seriously and addressed, the party observed in its resolution. Meanwhile, PDP president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, has welcomed the statement of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Prime Minister, Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan, offering gas and electricity to Jammu and Kashmir and seeking investment from the entrepreneurs of all the regions and religions of the J-K. She called for constituting a consultative committee comprising legislators and experts from both sides of the State to work-out the implementation of these measures.
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Rs 11 crore recovered as fine from traffic violators
Jammu, February 12 “The traffic police has come down heavily on drivers who indulge in traffic violations and recovered Rs 11,06,24,392 as fine from the traffic violators in the past three years between 2003-05,” officials told PTI. The police recovered a fine of Rs 3,85,85,198 in 2003, Rs 3,95,43,022 in 2004 and Rs 4,24,96,172 during the year 2005, they said. During year 2006 (till November 30), 2,00359 challans were issued under various Sections of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 for traffic violations and a fine of Rs 3,68,71,493 was recovered. In Srinagar city alone, 35799 challans were issued to traffic violators and a record amount of Rs 27,79,135 was recoverd as fine. — PTI
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53 development works completed
Srinagar, February 12 The works were executed in the Beerwah block of Budgam district under SGRY scheme, the spokesman said after a meeting to review the pace of work. The spokesman said 91.3 tonnes of rice worth Rs 5.70 lakh were provided to the beneficiaries up to January end this year which generated large scale employment in the Beerwah block. —
PTI
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Nepali Maoist held, points to militant-Maoist linkage
Srinagar, February 12 A Defence spokesman said here that Nepalese Maoist Pasang Lama was apprehended. He was on a visit to Baramula for negotiations with the Lashkar-e-Toiba cadre. “In fact, this is the first incident of its kind in the valley in recent years which has established close linkage between Kashmiri militant outfits and Nepalese Maoists,” the spokesman stated. Admitting that he had been the conduit for most of the negotiations, the apprehended Maoist had confessed many such small ventures had been continuing for the past five years, he added. This was for the first time that “such a bold venture of large supply and sale of weapons, ammunition and explosives” was likely to be finalised, the spokesman said. The spokesman added that Pasang Lama had already made a payment of Rs 5 lakh to the cadre and was to make second token payment during his current visit. Thereafter, the consolidated payment was to be made in Delhi subject to delivery of full consignment. He revealed that the cadre had agreed to finalise the deal on January 17 in Baramula and make the delivery in Delhi. Owing to security alert in the country in the wake of the Republic Day celebrations, the deal and consignment delivery was planned in the second week of February for supply to the Maoists in Nepal, the Defence spokesman said. The apprehended person confessed to having links with the cadres and some affluent citizens of the valley. Primarily his areas of activity for the past five years have been Srinagar and nearby towns. He also confessed that the group was also trying to establish linkage with other major outfits in the valley and planning a joint specialist IED training.
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14 Corps gets new Commander
Srinagar, February 12 Lt-General Mohanty will be assuming his responsibilities as Commandant Army War College, a defence spokesman said here today. The spokesman said Lt-General Bhardwaj had served as Defence Attache in Myanmar from 1994 to 1997 and later commanded a Mountain Brigade in the North-East and the Parachute Brigade. |
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Soldier dies as water tanker turns turtle
Jammu, February 12 The driver of the tanker lost control and it turned turtle at the Chingus area of Rajouri district last night leading to the death of a soldier, they said. Sukh Chain Singh, the soldier, died on the spot, they said. —
PTI |
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J&K Rights Commission for change in pension rules
Srinagar, February 12 SHRC Chairman Justice M Y Kawoos issued the order in a case filed by a man whose son is mentally challenged since birth. “There is no dispute about the rule position but the question is only of timing. Here the plea is genuine that after the death of the parents, how can a mentally challenged person be able to plead his or her case for pension,” Justice Kawoos added. Appreciating the gravity of the case, the SHRC Chairman recommended to the state government through the Chief Secretary to direct the Finance Department to consider altering the pension rules so that such cases are covered for entitlement of family pension in advance and the effect be given only after the demise of the parents. —
PTI
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