Udhampur, June 6
The coalition regime of Jammu and Kashmir had announced with fanfare the formation of eight new districts in the state. Three new districts— Reasi, Ramban and Kishtwar were carved out of the existing Udhampur and Doda districts to fulfill aspirations of the people of these areas.

But government's `historical' decision proved to be a damp squib as proper functioning of these new administrative units has not yet started despite the fact new deputy commissioners took charge from April 1, 2007. Except appointing new deputy commissioners the authorities have done nothing to delegate administrative powers in these new units, resulting in chaos and confusion.

Functions of almost all departments are affected as authorities so far have failed to provide much needed establishment and staff to make these districts functional. Worst affected are the Health and Education departments. As authorities have not made appointments of chief medical officers (CMOs) and chief education officers (CEOs) in these districts, day- to -day affairs of these important departments are managed from Udhampur and Doda.

Failure of the government to appoint adequate staff is affecting not only new districts but it also is making existing districts defunct as staff from these administrative units are being directed to attend duties in new districts.

Residents of these districts find it difficult to get their problems solved as officers sitting in Udhampur and Doda are not serious in mitigating people's woes as they are very much aware that these are temporary arrangements.

Former education minister Harsh Dev Singh has reasons to term functions in these districts as `mockery of government's announcements'. ``On an average every newly created district required a minimum number of at least 500 employees but save deputy commissioners not even a single employee has been so far deployed'', he pointed out, adding, ``officers of the existing districts are directed to attend the neighbouring newly created districts in addition to their own duties which speaks about prevailing ad hocism in the state administration''.

Similar are the views of MLA Ramban Dr Chaman Lal, who terms the formation of new districts as cruel joke with people. ``No district -level officer, except deputy commissioner, has been appointed as people find it difficult to solve their day- to- day problems'', he told the Tribune and added the residents findit difficult to get Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) as there was not adequate staff in the offices. He hinted people were thinking of launching an agitation to awaken the authorites from slumber. 

Udhampur, June 6
One of the three persons, who were kidnapped by militants on Tuesday night from the Mahore area escaped from the captivity of terrorists. Although police teams fanned out in different areas,the whereabouts of two brothers are still not known.

Superintendent of police (SP), Reasi, J L Sharma told The Tribune that teams had been deputed in far-flung areas to locate the kidnapped persons.

According to reports, a group of militants stormed into Adhbesh village of Mahore tehsil of Reasi district. They kidnapped three persons, Bashir Ahmed and Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, both sons of Jamal Din, and Abdul Rashid, son of Ghulam Qadir, at gunpoint on Tuesday night and took them away.

All kidnapped persons were sitting with their families when they were picked up at gunpoint. Today morning Abdul Rashid returned to his village and said he had dodged the militants. 

Srinagar, June 6
When Javed Umar (25) recently received a letter from a nationalised bank, informing him of his success in its competitive test, his friends bought a smuggled bottle of cheap rum and made merry whole night at the back of a friend's restaurant, watching latest movies on VCD.

The long spell of violence has put the clock of development and reform back by decades in the valley, once popular with Bollywood and tourists visiting it to capture its languid beauty. "We had nine theatres in and around city and a balcony ticket of Rs 20 often sold for Rs 100 in the black market. There was craze for releases of superstars like Amitabh Bachchan,Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna," reminisces Mohammad Ishfaq, whose aged eyes have seen cinema halls turning into fireballs as militants had these shut .The previous Farooq Abdullah government had tried to resurrect Broadway, once a popular theatre.

The locals, caught between militants and the fighting uniformed forces, have been forced to live a life sans fun and pleasure common in big cities. Asked if he missed the absence of the latest releases and bars in the city, Wani said it would do a lot of good to a place the economy of which largely depended on tourism.

Though interaction with a cross-section of society suggests people are less enthusiastic about drinking places, as Islam disapproves of it. However, fear of militants means few would dare revive theatres in the city even as CDs of the latest movies continue to have a brisk sale. "If the government is able to find a solution to this two-decade-old strife, then the change will be visible. Till then people will prefer living a restricted life to inviting militants' wrath," locals said.

Apparently it is the youth, a generation grown up under the shadow of the gun, which is the worst victim. Asked if he missed the amenities of other cities here, Mohammad Ashraf (23), who has been to cities like Delhi and Hyderabad, replied wistfully, "who would not". His latest proud possession is a recorded MTV event of singing sensation Himesh Reshammiya, as cable operators prefer not to run "ribald" music channels like MTV lest they should invite somebody's wrath.

Bhimber Gali (Poonch),June 6
Bhimber Gali (BG) brigade of Indian Army today launched adult education programme to supplement total literacy campaign of the state government at Pine Wood school at Hamirpur. Major General Rameshwar Roy, General Officer Commanding, Ace of Spades Division was the chief guest and inaugurated the programme whereas Brigadier I.S.Singha, commander BG brigade was the guest of honour on the occasion.

The GOC said there were nearly 8000 persons, who were not literate in the BG Brigade's area . They were brigade’s responsibility. He said before starting the programme, fraternisation patrols were sent to make people aware of this campaign.

GenRoy said the programme would be in two phases— one month basic and one month advance course and be extended by a month after review. The programme will cover farming practices of cooperative societies, lectures on loan schemes by officials of national banks and self- employment schemes related to agriculture besides lecture and documentary films will be screened by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST-J).

The GOC said Hamirpur battalion would be the nodal agency and 13 sub nodal centres had been identified across the brigade’s area of responsibility. He said teaching staff for the programme includes senior school students from Pine Wood School, serving teachers of government schools/retired teachers and volunteers from the District Education Department, Poonch. He added study material for the programme had been provided by the Poonch district education office Hamirpur battalion, for supply to other battalions for the conduct of the programme.

On this occasion, Rajouri centre of SKUAST and district education office, Poonch had set up stalls for educating the locals on farming and importance of education.