Udhampur, November 22
Enraged over police failure to take action against cops responsible for thrashing a bus operator, drivers of the Doda-Kishtwar route today held demonstration near Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar road.

Agitating drivers also blocked highway for more than one hour and were pacified only after the police registered a case against erring cops. It is reported bodyguards of Inderbal MLA Ghulam Mohammed Saroori, chairman Social Welfare Board, had a scuffle with driver Nazir Ahmed, who had reportedly not given way to the security vehicle of the MLA at Trungli near Assar.

Reports also said there was heavy movement of vehicles on the road so the driver could not make way for the MLA's vehicle. This incident was resented by drivers.

Within an hour, many drivers reached the spot and blocked the road for some time in protest. Some locals also joined the drivers and shouted slogans against the  security guards of the MLA.

In the meantime, senior police officers reached the spot and assured against those responsible for thrashing the driver. Following directions of the senior officer, SHO Assar Tanvir Geelani registered case against the cops.

Awantipora, November 22
Lieut- General A. S. Sekhon, GOC, 15 Corps, has said all hospitals and school buildings in Kashmir valley had been vacated by the troops ahead of the November 30, deadline set by the government. Defence minister A. K. Antony had during his visit to the valley on October 27 announced all security forces leave the infrastructure buildings like schools and hospitals by the end of this month.

Talking to media persons after surrender of six top militants of the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami and the Hizbul Mujahideen at the Victor Force headquarters here today, GOC of the Srinagar- based 15 Corps declined to comment on the vacation of such buildings by other security agencies. He said all schools and hospitals were vacated by the Army except for an old school building at Magam in central Kashmir, while the school had already been shifted to a new complex. He clarified the part of the school ground with a full-fledged barricade was being used by the Army as helipad for emergency.

Earlier, six militants, five belonging to the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami and one from the Hizbul Mujahideen, surrendered with their arms before the GoC 15 Corps. They have been identified as Mohammad Abdullah Khatana alias Sher Khan, deputy divisional commander, Shabir Ahmad reshi alias Burhan, Raquib Chauhan alias Saifullah, Rafiq Chaihan alias Bilal and Abdul Kareem alias Ansari from the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami. Another militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Noor Hussain Kataria alias Shabnam also surrendered on the occasion. 

Jammu, November 22
A civilian was beheaded by militants in Budhal area of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources today said. They said deceased identified as Mohammad Yusuf, living in Bassi village of Reasi district was beheaded yesterday, at Lalu Khetar in Taryath area of Budhal.

“Yusuf was kidnapped by militants on November 15 from Bassi village and his headless body was recovered last night and handed over to his family, police sources told UNI.

However, earlier militants had torched the house of Mohammad Yusuf, who was working as a porter with security forces.

Meanwhile security forces and police party today busted a hide-out of militants at Beda Dhok in Gambhir Mugalan near Harni in the Gursai area of Poonch district.

Meanwhile, militants hurled a grenade on the house of former minister and independent MLA Usman Majid in Bandipora district but there was no loss of life or damage to property, the police said today.

The grenade fell short of the residence of Majid and exploded at Mader Bandipora, 55 KM from here last night, they said. — Agencies