Srinagar, May 29
The controversy relating to the reconstruction and renovation of mosques and shrines by the Army took a new turn with head Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Azam (grand) Mufti Mohammad Bashiruddin issuing a decree Muslims to resist the move. Several mosques, shrines and places of worship were renovated or reconstructed by the Army under its Operation Sadbhavana in Kashmir valley recently.

The Muslim Shariat law does not allow any person or persons other than Muslim(s) to do such an act

‘The Muslim Shariat law does not allow any person or persons other than Muslim(s) can do such act", the grand Mufti said in the statement here last evening. He said this had been done in view of the media reports that Army and other security forces located in Jammu and Kashmir were planning to renovate, reconstruct mosques and shrines under the garb of Sadbhavana operation. He stated "this action, if done, shall be contrary to the tenets of Islam and shall be construed an interference in the religious affairs of Muslim community". The Mufti added the Army and other security forces had "inflicted maximum injury on the Muslim community in the state for the past two decades. "Therefore, such steps by Army and other security agencies are nothing but a conspiracy against Muslim community and shall be resisted’, he added.

The Mufti describing it as "Fatwa" or decree issued from the office of the Supreme Court of Islamic Shariat also declared that "no person(s), organisation(s) other than the Muslim(s) can construct, reconstruct, renovate any mosque or shrine. If so done shall be treated as undue interference in our religious affairs", it stated. At least 11 mosques or shrines have been renovated spending Rs 55 lakh under Op Sadbhavana so far in Kashmir, reports here said.

Defence spokesman Lt Col A K Mathur here said Army was a secular organisation and had been working in the remote areas for development and uplift of all community services which included schools, hospital, sports, entertainment and religious places. Working to improve religious place did not in any way mean interfering with the religion as it being conveyed.

Udhampur,May 29
As Katra town has been witnessing unprecedented number of pilgrims the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been forced to stop registration of pilgrims for the smooth conduct of yatra. in view summer vacations in schools the board has made elaborate arrangements for accommodating thousands of yatris in different locations but for the past three years there is unexpected rush of the pilgrims. According to official data 1.05 lakh devotees performed yatra in the past three days.

Deputy chief executive officer (DyCEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Puneet Kumar told the Tribune registration was stopped in the interest of the pilgrims as the board did not want to exceed limit of the holding capacity at bhavan. ``We can not hold more than 10,000 people, including staff members, at bhavan so registration was stopped at Katra'', he said, adding, `` we do not want to take risk by allowing pilgrims beyond our capacity at bhavan''. He, however, made it clear this decision was taken for the benefit of pilgrims.

In winter even 40,000 to 45,000 pilgrims usually are allowed to proceed for yatra but in this season authorities are restricting the number not beyond 32,000. ``In prevailing climatic conditions only 20 per cent of pilgrims prefer yatra during day time so in the evening their number increases manifold even beyond the holding capacity, forcing us to take some restrictive measures '', he said. 

Srinagar, May 29
Lawyers in the Kashmir courts today struck work and joined separatist leaders to protest against alleged human rights (HR) violations by security forces and re-arrest of detainees being released by courts.

Chairman of the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Javid) group chief Javid Ahmad Mir, Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Shabir Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and Shakeel Bakshi were among the separatist leaders who joined the lawyers.

The lawyers marched in a procession from district court complex here raising slogans against the HR violations by security forces.

They were joined by the separatist leaders at Lal Chowk, nerve centre of the summer capital. However, traffic on the busy road was not disrupted.

The demonstrators alleged despite court orders, several detainees, in different jails in and outside the state, were being re-arrested. Geelani addressing the demonstrators alleged peace process between India and Pakistan had not changed situation on the ground. — UNI

Srinagar, May 29
The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the transfers of two Kashmir Administrative Service( KAS) officers and 15 other officers, an official spokesman here said.

Hafizullah Shah, KAS, sub-divisional magistrate, Shopian has been posted as assistant commissioner (Revenue) Shopian against a vacancy.

Kewal Krishan Sharma, KAS, assistant commissioner (Revenue) Rajouri has been transferred and posted general manager, District Industries Centre, Rajouri against a vacancy.

Bashir Ahmad Khan, sub-divisional magistrate, Kulgam has been posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Kulgam against vacancy. Bikram Singh Jamwal, collector, land acquisition, J&K Housing Board, Jammu has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Reasi against vacancy.

Sudershan Kapoor, sub-divisional magistrate, Bani has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Kathua against vacancy. Farooq Ahmad Shah, tehsildar, Kotranka has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Kishtwar against vacancy.

Anil Koul, tehsildar, Relief Organization, Jammu has been transferred and posted collector land acquisition, Northern Railway, Udhampur against vacancy. Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza (RBA), tehsildar, Thanamandi has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Poonch against vacancy.

Inderjeet (SC), tehsildar, Relief Organisation, Jammu has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Rajouri vice Kewal Krishan Sharma. Kusum Badiyal, tehsildar, Relief Organiation, Jammu has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Relief Organisation, Jammu.

Vivek Sharma, tehsildar, J&K Special tribunal, Jammu has been transferred and posted collector, Land Acquisition, J&K Husing Board, Jammu vice Bikram Singh Jamwal.

Muneer-ul-Islam, tehsildar, Kulgam has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Ganderbal against vacancy. Mohammad Rafi (ST), tehsildar, Karnah has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Baramula against vacancy. Mohammad Shafiq Chak (RBA), tehsildar, (Settlement) Ramban has been transferred and posted collector, Land Acquisition, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Srinagar relieving Mohammad Ayub Sheikh, collector, LAWDA, Srinagar of the additional charge of this post. Shahnawaz Bukhari, tehsildar, Khansahib has been transferred and posted assistant commissioner (Revenue), Bandipore against a vacancy. 

Srinagar, May 29
An ex-gratia relief of Rs 508.27 crore has been sanctioned to the October 8, 2005 earthquake victims of the valley so far and the disbursement of it has been carried out and is nearing completion.

An official spokesman said here according to the Calamity Relief Rules, a brick and mortar house damaged fully due to natural calamity is entitled for relief of Rs 10,000 and a mud house damaged fully is entitled for a relief of Rs 6,000 only.

However, having due regard to the devastation caused by the earthquake, the state government, with assistance from the Government of India, decided to provide Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged house and proportionate compensation to the partially damaged house upon a maximum of Rs 0.30 lakh per structure.

He added the first instalment of Rs 0.40 lakh was provided at the start of the construction and second instalment of Rs 0.60 lakh after the construction reached the plinth level. He added 1.75 lakh partially damaged houses/cases have been assisted in the valley.

Similarly, 23731 fully damaged houses have been provided the first instalment of Rs 0.40 lakh each. Of these, 19663 cases, where plinths were constructed up to May 12, 2007, have been provided the second instalment of Rs 0.60 lakh each as well. 19502 families have been provided assistance for the construction of temporary sheds. He said regarding Uri sub-division, a total of 12435 fully damaged houses have been provided the first instalment of Rs 0.40 lakh each. Out of these, the second instalment of Rs 0.60 lakh each has also been sanctioned in respect of 12180 cases where construction up to plinth level has taken place. So far as the Jabla area of Uri Sub-Division, which has found mention in the news item, is concerned, 220 fully damaged houses were reported. Out of this, full relief of Rs 1 lakh has been provided for 215 houses as on May 27. 

Srinagar, May 29
Three persons died and 11 others got injured in an accident on the Taknakpo Shay Changla road, 15 km from Tanchay in Leh district of the Ladakh region, today.

The police said a tipper met with an accident in the wee hours today in the jurisdiction of the Chushul police post under the Numah police station. Four of the injured have been admitted to the Sonam Nurboo Hospital in Leh.