Jammu, December 16
The passengers were a worried lot at Jammu railway station here today. With most of the trains getting delayed by several hours due to bad weather conditions, the place witnessed just confusion and chaos.

Adding to the passengers’ woes, the Railway authorities make their things worse.

“We have been waiting for hours but nobody (the authorities) gave any information about the arrival and departure of our trains,” said Madan Lal, a passenger of a Delhi-bound train from Jammu.

“There was nobody at the enquiry centre and I came to know about the status from my co-passengers,” he added.

The passengers also held the faulty announcement system at the railway platform responsible in creating chaos. “We are not able to hear anything as the sound system is faulty,” said Manohar Singh, a resident of Amritsar.

Blaming the management of Jammu railway station, passenger Aman said, “the administration paid no heed to our miseries even after raising slogans.”

But according to an employee of the railway department, the chaos was a result of the entry of many non-passengers (beggars and laborers). “This is just possible by bribing the police personnel deployed at the station,” he added

Meanwhile, The Tribune was denied the access to meet the Superintendent of Police Railway Jammu.

Udhampur, December 16
As large-scale discrepancies have been detected in the revised electoral rolls, residents of Reasi have demanded fresh door-to-door survey in the town to prepare authentic and genuine voter lists.

As part of the preparations for the next Assembly elections, the revenue department has prepared revised electoral rolls by incorporating names of new voters and deleting fake ones.

After displaying of new rolls, large-scale discrepancies were detected by the political activists. Although the authorities have issued notice to the public to file objections, if any, to rectify the discrepancies, the people were of the view that existing mistaking cannot be removed just by filing objections.

Notwithstanding claims of the authorities to rectify all mistakes from the voter lists, residents pinpointed large discrepancies including fake voters in the newly prepared rolls. Activists of all political groups have been demanding fresh survey in the town to incorporate genuine voters in the electoral rolls.

It is alleged that staff of the revenue department deployed by the authorities to conduct house to house survey, has prepared lists while sitting in their office.

“What to say about the common people, even name and address of an elected member of the municipal committee has been written wrongly in the revised voter list,” pinpointed Sudesh Puri, a member of the Reasi Municipal Committee. He further said address of the elected councilor of ward number 9 has also been wrongly written in the voter list.

President of Reasi unit of the BJP, Sudesh Pandotra, termed the recently prepared voters lists as full of discrepancies. He said about 30 per cent names and addresses of the voters were wrong so there was a dire need to conduct fresh survey to prepare authentic voter list.

“New electoral rolls with large scale discrepancies reflect casual approach adopted by the authorities in rectifying mistakes,” said Pandotra and all lists should be cancelled and new electoral rolls must be prepared to ensure maximum participation of people in next assembly elections.

The revenue department selected three places- Town Hall, Government Girls School and Higher Secondary School, where revised electoral rolls being displayed.

Interestingly, in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, authorities had issued election identity cards to more than 50 per cent of the voters of Reasi assembly constituency after verifying names and addresses of the people.

Names and addresses of even identity card holders have been wrongly written in the revised electoral rolls. 

Jammu, December 16
The ‘ageing’ 220/132 KV Gladni grid station has been put on a life support system since long and may collapse to overloading anytime plunging Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts into darkness.

Talking to ‘The Tribune’ state power minister Nawang Rigjin Jora said, “We are fully aware of the problem and in fact we have already initiated the process of augmenting the grid.”

“Orders for acquiring new transformers have already been placed with the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited but being overstretched with other works in hand, they have not been able to deliver the consignment to us,” said Jora.

The power minister further said, “I personally met union power minister and BHEL chairman at Delhi and considering power scenario of the state in mind they also agreed to oblige us out of turn.”

“By February next year the first lot will be delivered to us,” he added.

When contacted, Power Development Department Systems and Operations chief engineer R.K. Saili said, “The first transformer of 160 MVA capacity would be delivered to us by the end of February next year. In all we have placed order for three transformers of 160 MVA capacity (220/132 KV) each with the BHEL at a cost of Rs 24 crore.”

Out of three transformers, one would be installed at Gladni grid station in February next year and the remaining two would be installed at Burn grid station. It may be recalled here that augmentation of various grids in the state has been moving at a snail’s pace and officials attribute the delay to lack of funds.

However, the Systems and Operations Chief Engineer assured that Burn grid on the outskirts of the winter capital would be completed by June next year.

The work on 220/132 KV Burn grid station was started way back in 1987 but even after 20 years it has not come up as yet while Gladni grid station commissioned way back in 1983 frequently develops technical snags because of excessive load.

A senior PDD official on the condition of anonymity said, “Canal grid is also overloaded and work on 100 MVA grid station at Pouni Chak has been moving at snail’s pace.”

“The government has been trying to augment various grids in and around the winter capital but the exercise should be completed before March next year,” he added.

Jammu, December 16
Slain Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Abu Tallah had got the Indian passport on the fake CID verification certificate, a crime branch spokesman said today.

An Indian passport was recovered from LeT divisional commander Abu Tallah, when he was killed in encounter in Rainawari area of Srinagar city this year, he said.

During the probe, it was found that militant got the Indian Passport based on the fake verification certificate from the Criminal Investigation Department, the spokesman said, adding the passport office, after seeing the records, came to know that the passport issued to the foreign militant was fake and no CID verification was received.

On this, the passport officer ordered officials to cross check the photocopy of the CID clearance verifications with original.

"After cross checking, it was found that original clearance certificates in respect of six persons were not available in the office including one Reyaz Ahmed Darzi of Dijbehara of Anantnag district," he said.

They were also found having connection with the militants and their passports have also been cancelled, he said.

Two passport office employees at Srinagar, Showkat Ahmed Dar and Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh had prepared the fake CID verification reports in favour of militant Riyaz Ahmed Darzi and others, and have been arrested, he said.

The chargesheet has been filed in a Srinagar court, he said. — PTI 

Udhampur, December 16
Although the number of devotees are likely to cross a record 70-lakh this year, the upgradation of civic amenities in Katra town, base camp for pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, have not kept pace with the increasing numbers, notwithstanding tall claims of the authorities. Shortage of drinking water in Katra is a routine affair but situation further aggravated last week after disruption in supply lines coupled with on-going agitation of the employees of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.

The reason behind the shortage is that against the requirement of 10-lakh gallon water every day Katra is being supplied with only half of this these days.

Sham Kesar, president of the Katra Hoteliers, Restaurants and Lodges Association, said that most of the hoteliers have to regularly purchase water to meet the requirements of the customers as the authorities have failed miserably to streamline the needed supply to this town.

Officers of the PHE have passed the buck to the Roads and Building (R&B) department for digging pipes for widening a road near Banganga. “While digging, PHE officials did not take any measure to protect the water supply lines, which were later damaged due to heavy rains last week,” said O P Bhola, engineer of the PHE. He said that main lines, passing through Banganga were washed away in the rain so the water supply to the town was badly affected. “About 50 per cent of the supply to the town has been affected after these pipes were washed away,” admits Bhola. He claimed that restoration work had been going on a war footing and supply would be restored soon. While half the supply was affected due to washing away of pipes, the situation further compounded after contractual employees of PHE resorted to indefinite strike.

Jhajjar pumping project is the only source of water supply to Katra but most of the employees of this project are on strike. An engineer of PHE while blaming the strike as one of the reasons behind shortage expressed helplessness to solve problems of employees.

PHE contractual employees have been agitating to get perks on par with their counterparts in Kashmir. The PHE employees in Jammu are being given only Rs 500 per month as compared to Kashmiris, who have been getting monthly salary of 2100. 

Magam, December 16
Thousands of people in Magam and Handwara towns of the valley took to streets today protesting against alleged police brutalities on civilians. Situation in Magam, where one person was killed and 25 injured, including policemen, yesterday, remained tense. The district authorities sealed off the township partially even as a search operation was launched for recovery of a rifle snatched by protesters from a policeman yesterday.

Handwara in northern Kashmir was another volatile place as hundreds came out against alleged torching of their houses by an anti-terrorism squad of police and killing of a man by police. Villagers claimed that they had caught two Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel on December 13 when they were trying to escape after attempting to set alight a few houses in Kakroosa village. Another SOG person managed to escape after shooting at a villager, they further claimed. This came barely a day after villagers in frontier district of Kupwara had caught hold of a SOG man on similar allegations.

Kupwara SSP Vijay Kumar denied the charge and said there was a routine police patrol in Panzgam village.

“The villagers, due to some misconception, detained and beat up the patrolling party personnel,” he said, adding during their search locals found no inflammable material on the personnel. Handwara SP Haseeb Mughal also made a similar statement on the Kakroos incident and said one of two policemen, beaten up by villagers, is in serious condition at a hospital.

Villagers said the police often resorted to this tactic as militants come down from higher reaches in night and took shelter in local villages. “We are torn between both sides. If you say no to militants they could be dangerous, but the police, too, behaves in a vindictive manner,” said Akbar Shah, a local villager said.

Meanwhile, Magam, which falls in central Kashmir district of Budgam and witness to a massive agitation yesterday that turned violent, was again rocked by protests today. The police and CRPF men had fired upon the protesters yesterday. The protesters were demanding a degree college for the township

“The police first fired in the air and creating panic among agitators,” Wasim Wani, a local, told The Tribune.

Budgam DC Farooq Renzu told The Tribune that he had a meeting with locals yesterday and had assured them that the administration would consider their demands sympathetically and also ordered a probe into firing. “I am surprised over today’s agitation but the situation is peaceful and under control,” he said.

Srinagar, December 16
Two policemen, held hostage by villagers in Kakroosa in frontier district of Kupwara alleging that they were trying to set afire civilian houses, were freed after over 20 hours in captivity today, officials said.

The two policemen were handed over by the villagers to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara, Bashir Ahmed Wani, at around 3 pm, they said.

The duo was taken hostage by villagers around 6 pm last evening when a group of people chased a police party returning from an army camp on the suspicion that they were trying to set ablaze civilian property.

Haseeb Mughal, Superintendent of Police, Handwara, strongly denied the allegations of the locals and said the police personnel were on official duty.

Mugal said a police vehicle which was on its way back after dropping some policemen in 36 Rashtriya Rifles camp for a joint operation was stopped by villagers at Kakroosa who encircled the jeep and detained two police personnel.

Four persons were injured when the policemen opened fire on residents to escape their wrath. One of them later succumbed to his wounds.

The SP said the police personnel were not involved in any kind of arson as has been reported by some newspapers and they have never attempted to set ablaze any property.

Referring to a similar incident at village Panzgam on December 13, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, Vijay Kumar said a police party which was detained by the villagers on suspicion of trying to torch houses was in fact being taken out following the orders of District Magistrate for patrolling to protect private property following several fire incidents in the area. — PTI

Jammu, December 16
After the defeat in the Poonch-Haveli by-election at the hands of Congress, the National Conference leaders are treading on different paths. Though no official comments have come from party patron Dr Farooq Abdullah or his son, some insiders have blamed the high command of choosing a wrong candidate.

But jolted by the defeat in Poonch, considered to be its stronghold, the largest opposition party in the state legislative assembly-- National Conference (NC) has to do some salvage work for the next assembly polls standing just 10 months away.

Congress candidate Mir Jehangir had emerged victorious defeating his rivals including party's rebel leader Yashpal Sharma, who contested as an independent candidate and NC's Aijaz Ahmed Jan, who finished third. The seat had fallen vacant after the death of National Conference legislator GM Jan in September this year.

Not ready to give any credit to the Congress, National Conference Jammu province president and former minister Ajay Sadhotra said, "I don't think that victory of the Congress in this by-poll should be an indicator for the coming assembly elections," he said.

“The National Conference had lost the seat to Bashir Ahmed Naz way back in 1987, who at that time had contested as an independent but thereafter he joined our party and since then we had been winning Poonch-Haveli seat.”

He further said, “But certainly we have to do some introspection. Party president Omar Abdullah will hold a meeting next week wherein senior leaders besides me would put forth our views, which we feel were responsible for the defeat.”

Responding to a query, Sadhotra said, "In the backdrop of the Congress win there would be no negative repercussions on the prospects of National Conference in the next elections.” “In fact we would go with full might in the next elections to reclaim the seat," he added.

On newly found bonhomie between the Congress and Peoples Democratic Party after the induction of Muzaffar Hussain Baigh as Deputy Chief Minister that may trouble the National Conference in next elections, Sadhotra remarked, “Their bonhomie doesn't matter at all. Under the stewardship of party patron Dr Farooq Abdullah and president Omar Abdullah we would be able to romp home in next elections."

However, a senior party leader on the condition of anonymity said, "Party high command committed a blunder when it gave party ticket to Aijaz Ahmed Jan at the cost of party MLC Bashir Ahmed Naz."

"Naz had a strong mass base in Rajouri-Poonch enjoying unflinching faith of Gujjars, Pahari speaking people, Hindus and Sikhs. Had the party given him the mandate then certainly picture would have been rosy today," he said.

When contacted, Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Ravinder Sharma altogether had a different take.

"Congress candidate Ghulam Mohammed Mir Poonchi had won it in 1972 and winning it after 35 years shows that we have regained the faith of the people of Poonch because of our people friendly policies and programmes," he said. 

Jammu, December 16
The veterans of 1971 war feel that the Indian armed forces have come a long way since then and are now better equipped to fight any kind of war.

Col Prem Singh (retd) who served as the commando instructor in Belgaum during the war feels that it was not the equipments or weaponry but the willpower and the well planned and executed strategy that helped the Indian army to achieve the task of making 91,000-strong Pakistan army surrender before them. “I was in Belgaum, when I got the orders to go behind the enemy lines in Guard area of Silit. I was handed over the command of 800 men of EBR (East Bengal Regiment) and their Major Amin operated under me,” the Colonel told The Tribune.

“At that time the weaponry was not so modern but it was the motivation and professionalism of the Indian army that helped us to liberate East Pakistan from the clutches of Pakistan’s dictatorship.”

According to the war veterans, who executed the plan and actively participated in 1971 war, the strategy to hit hard and cut off the supply lines of the Pakistan army helped India to win the war.

“We laid the siege around Pakistan army in East Pakistan and stopped reinforcements from reaching them, we destroyed their supply lines by destroying rail and road links and finally Gen AAK Niazi had to surrender before us,” recalled the Colonel.

He feels that after three wars with Pakistan and the ongoing Pakistan-sponsored proxy war in Kashmir and North East, the Indian armed forces have seen a see change as far as induction of modern equipments and weaponry is concerned.

“Today’s armed forced are well equipped with modern weaponry, now there is better artillery as compared to what we had. Our Air force and marine forces are also a pillar of our strength as they too are well equipped these days,” he added.

He said, “With such a huge army this rate is negligible. If you compare this number with that of American army their rate is many times higher as compared to ours.” 

Srinagar/Jammu, December 16
Rich tributes were paid to Indo-Pak 1971 war heroes at Badami Bagh Cantt, Srinagar today. Lt Gen Mukesh Sabharwal, GOC, 15 Corps, led his officers in commemorating the memory of officers and jawan on the occasion.

The Army said they also organised ceremonies in Leh and Lt Gen PC Bhardwaj, the GOC of Fire and Fury, laid a wreath to pay homage to troops, who laid down their lives safeguarding the country during the 1971 War. The chairman of the Leh ex- servicemen league and eminent citizens also laid wreaths, it said.

In the valley, a musical extravaganza of ghazals, folk songs, drama and qawwalis was organised by 10 sector Rashtriya Rifles at Haiderbeg (Pattan).

The Northern Command of the Army held two functions in Udhampur and Tiger Division Jammu. Major General Sanjeev Loomba, general officer in command of Tiger Division Jammu lauded the role of 1971 war heroes.

Jammu, December 16
Security forces have unearthed four hideouts and recovered ammunition in Reasi and Kishtwar districts, official sources said today. In a joint search operation, troops unearthed a natural cave-type hideout at Jhanid in Reasi district, they said, adding recoveries from the hideout included five grenades and 4.5 kg of explosive material.

Three hideouts were also unearthed by security forces in Paddar (Kishtwar district), Hander and Lasooli area of Arnas tehsil of Reasi district, they said. Troops recovered four grenades, 17 detonators, one pistol with its two magazines, one rpg, IED box and 8 pencil cells. — PTI

Srinagar, December 16
A leopard, which killed six persons and injured 17 others in Handwara belt of Kupwara district in the past few months, has been captured by the officials of Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department, much to the relief of residents of the area.

The leopard was trapped in an automatic cage last week at Mawar village of Handwara, an official spokesman said today.

Other than killing six persons, mostly children, the animal had also devoured several domestic animals, causing panic among people in Mawar, Machipora, Hanga, Darashpora, Magnadar and adjoining villages over the past five months.

The leopard has been shifted to the rescue and rehabilitation centre at Dachigam after tranqulisation.

Soon after the news of the trapping of the animal spread, hundreds of jubilant people thronged Mawar village to have a look at the animal, the spokesman said. — PTI

Jammu, December 16
Fish keeping is fast becoming popular in the state as the Department of Fisheries is enthralled with the response it has been getting from the newly-opened underground Bahu aquarium in Jammu.

Director, Fisheries Department, T. Angchook said, “Fish keeping is becoming very popular in the state as it is a great stress buster and people are being attracted towards it.”

The department has so far generated a revenue of Rs 16 lakh since the opening of the fish aquarium in Jammu five months ago. The department has also imported the technology from Singapore and is already working on phase two of the project to make the Bahu (Jammu) aquarium, one of the largest fish aquarium, in entire south-Asia.

“The state government is providing help and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is himself monitoring the construction of the aquarium,” Angchook said.

He said the second phase of the project would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities with underground tunnels. At present, the Bahu aquarium has different varieties of fish that have been imported from around the world, he added.

“We have 220 varieties of fishes imported from various countries, we have certain rare fishes that are found deep inside the oceans. All fishes have ornamental value.” he said.

The department has also established a fish breeding farm in Akhnoor where different varieties of fish are being hatched. It has also opened a small fish aquarium in Srinagar.

The police said an Army bunker, a garage, a temple and a bridge were destroyed
by the slide.