Srinagar, April 21
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)has sought a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims of violence and the safe return of the boys gone across for training in arms and were eager to return to live in peace.

Addressing a public meeting in Pulwama district today,PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said the party would raise the issue of the rehabilitation of the victims of violence and safe passage for the boys who wanted to return and join their families..

Mufti Sayeed said as a reconciliatory measure, the government must announce free passage to all the boys, gone across for arms training and now were eager to return and live peaceful lives. He said as most of the boys had realised violence only brought death and destruction to people of the state. they must be given a chance to come and contribute towards the rebuilding of their own and the state’s future.

The PDP patron said India and Pakistan must speed up the implementation of the inter-State confidence building measures, including facilitation of free movement of people and goods through all cross-LoC traditional routes. "It is dismaying to note that till now this movement has remained just symbolic in nature and despite announcements nothing has been done to allow trade through the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road," he said.There must be tangible progress on these issues to make the peace process meaningful.

The Mufti called for the transfer of the Dulhasti power project to the state and speeding up work on the Udhampur-Qazigund rail project to boost development.

He also called for speeding up work on the Mughal Road and four-laning of the Pampore-Shopian road for better connectivity to the border districts of Poonch and Rajauri with Srinagar via Shopian.

Srinagar, April 21
At least three contract teachers were injured when the police resorted to a lathicharge to quell them near Partap Park, near here, today.

Official sources said a group of about 100 contract teachers from the frontier district of Kupwara today took to the streets here demanding regularisation in the department.

They said they had been working in different schools in the district for the past few years on a contract basis.

Demanding their regularisation, the teachers marched through different streets in the Civil Line area, including historic Lal Chowk, the nervecentre of the city.

However, when were moving towards Regal Chowk in a procession, the police sprang into action and stopped them near Partap Park.

Later, the police resorted to a lathicharge after the teachers clashed with them. Three teachers suffered minor injuries in the incident. — UNI

Srinagar, April 21
Jobless doctors have been on an indefinite fast, demanding government jobs, since Monday here and threatened self-immolation if their demands are not met.

About 300 unemployed doctors for the past 12 years had qualified for bachelor of electro-medicine and surgery (BEMS) recognised under the Naturo Electro Homoeo Medicos (NEHM), Delhi. "We will continue the strike till justice is done to us", a spokesman of the striking youth said.Many of the doctors had become overage and the government did not take any steps despite assurances, they claimed.

"We are left with no option but a peaceful fast. If it does not convince the authorities for justice, we are going for self-immolation and other steps for which the government will be responsible", a spokesman of the striking jobless doctors said.

Manjakote, April 21
Opening of the Poonch-Rawlakote road not only fulfilled the long-cherished desire of people but also enabled large number of divided families residing on either side of Line of Control (LOC). Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said frequency of bus service on this road would be increased to allow a large number of intending visitors from either side of LOC.

"We have dismantled barriers between brothers and provided them ample opportunity to visit each other and spread the message of love and good will", Azad said, while addressing an impressive gathering here.

Claiming that during the past ten months, more than thousand persons from across and this side traveled through this route, Azad said government would also plead to simplify travel procedures particularly in case of emergent situations like illness, death and marriage.

Azad said the work of the Mughal road is gaining pace and there is no dearth of funds for the construction of the road.

He said with the construction of this road, entire area would open up for socio-economic development.