 |
|
Farooq rules out alliance with Cong, BJP; open to BSP
Recommendations of Working Groups
Masoodi to walk free again after a ‘RAW’ deal
Pre-budget proposals |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Degree College
Damage to Green Belt
4 chargesheeted in rape, murder case
Assailants gun down two ‘informers’
Murder Case
PDS: Minister seeks support of shopkeepers
Collective approach needed to save Dal Lake: Chief secy
Sunny weather in valley raises concern
BSNL mobile services disrupted in Rajouri
Army fails to vacate historical buildings
Provide adequate funds, PM urged
Management skill grill for officers
Another soldier commits suicide
Girl rescued from NGO head’s captivity
Pt Prem Nath remembered
|
|
Farooq rules out alliance with Cong, BJP; open to BSP
Jammu, December 27 Talking to The Tribune, Farooq said as on now his party’s stand was clear that it would have nothing to do with the Congress or the BJP. About the BSP, he said party president Omar Abdullah would decide. “But as on now, the NC is fully prepared to go it alone in the coming elections,” he asserted. The NC sees a potential ally in the BSP in the Jammu region where a tie up can certainly swing balance in favour of the party. While in the valley the NC can manage of its own, in Jammu an alliance with the BSP can certainly pay handsome dividends. Responding to a question about the controversy over his praise for Gujarat Chief Minster Narendra Modi, Farooq said he had only praised his efficient government. At the same time it does not absolve him of the stigma that has stuck him in the post-Godra anti-Muslim rights. He said no right thinking person could give a clean chit to him and “not at least Farooq Abdullah”. After Modi scored a landslide victory in Gujarat elections, Farooq had praised his efficient governance, while at the same time cautioning him not make it exclusive for a particular community. He said the progress had to be inclusive involving all sections of society. He had faced flak from the leaders of People’s Democratic Party for praising Modi. About his relationship with the National Democratic Alliance, he made it clear he was “never an NDA man”. He said the relationship with the NDA had ceased long past since the day Omar had resigned from the Vajpayee-led NDA government. At the same time he clarified that “appreciating the efficiency of someone does not mean you subscribe to the ideology and everything he stood for”.
|
|
Recommendations of Working Groups
Jammu, December 27 The meeting was attended by representatives of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Home Ministry and External Affairs Ministry, who discussed the implementation of the recommendations of the working groups. The meeting also discussed the enhancement in rent of private land and property under the army’s use in Jammu and Kashmir. In view of strong persuasion by the Chief Minister, the Defence Ministry has already agreed to substantially enhance the rent of private orchards, land and property under the use of armed forces in the state. The decision to this effect was taken by Azad at a meeting with defence minister A.K. Antony in Srinagar last October. The ministry had asked the state government to submit the recommendations based on the assessment of its revenue officials. The Chief Minister told the meeting that the report would be submitted by the middle of next month. Various working groups had been constituted in the state on various issues, including the state's relationship with the Centre, greater autonomy or self rule, economic reconstruction and other things.
|
|
Masoodi to walk free again after a ‘RAW’ deal
Jammu, December 27 However, like several other innumerable cases this man and his penury-ridden
family from the state of Jammu and Kashmir have been handed a raw deal by the
Raw, country’s premiere secret agency. This is yet another sordid tale of a
secret agent Parvez Ahmed Masoodi from Aripanthan, Beerwah in Budgam
district, whose younger brother Feroze Ahmed Masoodi said, “My brother
would finally be freed on February 25 next year from Kot Lakhpat Jail in
Lahore.” Talking to The Tribune, Feroze said, “My brother was
trapped by RAW operatives in the name of patriotism and good money.
Being eldest of six siblings and acute penury, he left his petty job in
the Food and Supplies Department and joined RAW.” “He had been to
Pakistan on several espionage missions. However, after his arrest on May
21, 1992, the RAW too turned a blind eye and stopped providing financial
assistance to us forcing us to face starvation,” he added. “None
from the RAW or government cared about his release and lastly we
approached a human rights activist, who filed a petition in National
Human Rights Commission on June 1 this year,” he added. In the warrant of commitment issued by commanding officer, 92 Field Regiment Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Qamar Hanif in 1994, the Superintendent of District Jail Sialkot had been asked to take Parvez into custody to serve the sentence. Subsequently, he was shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. Feroze
said, “Dejected by nonchalant attitude of successive regime in the
state and Centre, we approached a Rajkot-based human rights activist M.K.
Paul, who filed a petition in NHRC, which in turn has taken up the
matter with Union ministry for home affairs.” “Recently an
official Fateh Singh from the ministry asked me to forward photographs
to the local police for verification and a couple of days ago a
policeman had come for the purpose,” he said. “Finally, some
process has been initiated and now we hope that he (Parvez) would walk
into freedom on February 25 next year,” he added. Paul in his petition
to the NHRC has also mentioned names of 15 other Indian secret agents
languishing in the same jail. A portion of his petition reads, “It
is very shocking and shameful that dependent families of such agents
including their old parents were not paid even a single penny by the
RAW.” |
|
Pre-budget
proposals
Jammu, December 27 The parties which were invited included Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF), National Panthers Party (NPP), the BJP, the Congress, CPM and Jammu State Morcha (JSM). The representatives of PDP demanded provision of social security in the budget. It was also suggested that appropriate efforts be made for the revival of public sector undertakings in the state. The finance minister said during the previous budgetary preparations adequate arrangements were made for the revival of different PSUs adding that Rs 40 crore were earmarked for voluntary retirement scheme of the employees but the proposal could not be implemented because of poor response from the employees. The Congress representatives suggested simplifying the procedures of taxation and demanded that relief be given to people in payment of taxes. The PDF representatives stressed for adopting single window system for generating employment through various self-employment schemes. They also suggested for identifying more tourist destinations for giving boost to tourism sector so as to generate employment for the educated youth. They also demanded adequate utilisations of water resources of the state for generating more electricity and enhancing the outlays plan for development of infrastructure in the state.
|
|
Degree
College
Srinagar, December 27 Meanwhile, life remained paralysed for the fourth day today in town and adjoining villages due to a total shutdown, demanding setting up of a degree college. Similar protests were also held in other areas in the valley last week after the Cabinet announced the decision to set up 18 new degree colleges across the state. A resident Ghulam Nabi told UNI over phone that thousands of people from different villages, who gathered near the holy shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin Wali, were peacefully protesting against the government’s silence over the issue. He said Nazir Ahmad, a municipal councillor of the People Democratic Party, who was on hunger strike for the past three days, has been taken to hospital in critical condition. The agitators, raising slogans against the government, burnt tyres and wood in the middle of the road. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off the road in the town. Reports of total strike were also received from other adjoining villages, including Nougam, Chadoora, Kandajan and Pakherpora. — UNI
Jammu, December 27 He said a high-power committee to identify areas where degree colleges should be opened should be constituted. In a statement issued today, Hakeem Yaseen said the new colleges had been sanctioned recently by the government considering the need of various areas. He said the selection of these areas had been made purely on merit and there was no interference from any quarter. Hakeem said the steps taken by the coalition government for uniform development of all areas in the state were highly appreciable. He said politicising of sensitive issues like opening of new colleges was uncalled for as such matters could be settled amicably.
|
|
Home guards stage protest
Jammu, December 27 “The Chief Minster had earlier promised to the welfare
association when we earlier took out a protest on the very same place
for 38 days in 2006, that our services would be made regular and there
would be an enhancement in our wages, but nothing in this regard has
been done so far,” Kamala Sharma said. She said though the home guards
were employed much earlier than the Special Police officers, their
services had still not been regularised. “The SPOs were enrolled in
1998 whereas the home guards were enrolled in 1992. The government has
given all employment benefits to SPOs but home guards have been denied
of it. In other states, home guard is a regular force and we should be
given benefit accordingly,” she said.
|
|
|
Damage to
Green Belt
Rajouri, December 27 The Forest Department sources said the Public Works Department officials, being misled by the local political party leaders on Monday, allegedly started destroying forest closures while constructing a link road from Bakhar to Dharma Sthan (temple). During the process, eight forest trees and 13 forest protection poles were destroyed, sources added. Immediately after receiving the reports that PWD officials were causing damage to the precious green belt, a forest department team headed by Range Officer Sunderbani, N.C.Sharma reached the spot and stopped the work. “The
case was registered against PWD and also against some local political
leaders for causing damage to the forests during construction of link
road from Bakhar to Dharma Sthan. The road is being constructed after
local Member of Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma sanctioned Rs 2 lakh
for its construction,” said a forest department source. Confirming the incident, Range Officer N C Sharma said the department has registered a case against PWD officials and some local leaders under Section 6 of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act 1990, on Monday. He further said he had also constituted a team headed by block officer to probe the matter.
|
|
|
4 chargesheeted in rape, murder case
Srinagar, December 27 The chargesheet presented in the court of Sessions Judge Kupwara Nazir Hussain Fida yesterday alleged that the accused raped and subsequently murdered an eight standard student on July 20, 2007. The court ordered the accused and the key witnesses to be produced in the court on January 21-22 for recording their statements. The victim had been waylaid and assaulted on July 20 afternoon when she was returning home from school. The incident sent shock waves throughout the valley and sparked off widespread protests following which the police arrested the four accused, Muhammad Sadiq Mir and Azhar Ahmad Mir of Langate, a cobbler from West Bengal Jehangir Ansari and a Rajasthani labourer, Suresh Kumar. An FIR under Sections 34, 302, 376 and 363 of the Ranbir Penal Code had filed against the accused in the Handwara police station on July 20 and they were given into police remand during hearings in Handwara and Kupwara courts. The police told the court that the knife that had been used in the crime had been recovered from a shop at the instance of the accused. The police has obtained statements from 60 witnesses so far and the samples taken from the scene of the crime have been examined by the forensic laboratory in Srinagar which has confirmed that the four arrested persons are involved in the savage murder. The
foursome were produced in the court amid tight security. — PTI
|
|
|
Assailants gun down two ‘informers’
Srinagar, December 27 As has been the precedence, no outfit has claimed responsibility for the death of Mehrajuddin Rather, a first year graduate student, of Magam and Rashid Khan (40), a resident of Handwara. Going by the official probes in recent cases, different militant outfits have taken to the violent route in instilling a sense of fear among the locals, whom they suspect of being Army informers. Possibility
of terror groups’ involvement in these two attacks gets more stronger
as they were carried out in north Kashmir, which had already witnessed
six similar killings by unidentified gunmen. The militants have taken out some serious beating from the security forces of late and official sources said they have killed 55 of their ranks. The police believe that their success has a lot to do with tip-offs passed to them by locals, and it has apparently riled militants. The police had solved two such cases on December 15 and said Harkat-ul-Mujahideen was behind them. They had termed it a vindictive act by militants. Even
hardcore separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani, an ardent supporter of
“armed struggle”, had come out against these killings, which angered
locals, and advised militant groups to shut it. But rattled by steep
loss in their ranks, they continue to resort to these terror tactics,
the police said.
|
|
|
Murder
Case
Srinagar, December 27 The order to police by the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) came on a petition filed by the Forum Against Social Evils (FASE). The SHO of Soura police station has been directed to submit the status report of the case. FASE alleged that the girl, a resident of Soura, was murdered after sexual assault when she named some people, including Sahiba of Lal Bazaar, who were forcing innocent girls in to flesh trade. In the petition, FASE had alleged that the girl was done to death on the direction of these people. During the argument, counsel for the petitioner, Bashir Siddique, said the girl had revealed to FASE members how Sahiba mentally and physically assaulted her while keeping her in illegal confinement. Counsel said the victim was subjected to physical and mental torture by the accused during her 25 days illegal confinement. The
victim was also given sedative drugs, he informed the court.
— UNI
|
|
|
PDS: Minister seeks support of shopkeepers
Jammu, December 27 While speaking at a convention of the Jammu fair-price shop federation (JFPDF),
he said, “Fair-price shops have been opened for the convenience of the people
and dealers are proving to be the backbone of the public distribution system in
the region. Dealers should come up to the expectation of the people and the
administration.” Replying to the demands of the JFPDF, the minister
clarified that there was no quota system fixed by the government and
supplies were made as per demands. “Five per cent commission, fixed
by the Central Government, is being paid all over India and cannot be
increased,” he said. Regarding the issuance of new dealerships, the
minister asked the director, CAPD, to stop the process immediately. He
also instructed the director, CAPD, to supply stationery to the dealer’s
so that a proper record was maintained by them on a regular basis. The minister warned the dealers not to keep the ration cards of consumers in their custody and said it was a punishable offence under the Essential Commodity Act. He further asked the dealers to display the rate list on their shops at conspicuous places.
|
|
|
Collective approach needed to save Dal Lake: Chief secy
Srinagar, December 27 The famous fresh water lake demands attention from one and all for protection and conservation, Kundal said while addressing a meeting of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and other departments concerned with the protection of water bodies and environment, an official spokesman said. Meanwhile, forest minister Qazi Mohammad Afzal said today that about 10 projects worth over Rs 21 crore were being implemented to ensure better road connectivity in the Ganderbal district. “Three
road projects worth Rs 3.68 crore are under execution under Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadak Yojana and would be completed by May, while five road projects costing Rs
8.83 crore would be taken up next month under Bharat Nirman Programme,” Qazi
said during a visit to his home constituency.
— PTI
|
|
|
Sunny weather in valley raises concern
Srinagar, December 27 The Met department officials said the maximum temperature for the last three days have been consistently hovering over 11 degree centigrade with balmy sunshine proving to be just perfect contrast for the cold wind. The
night, however, remains cold, but less than the consistent sub-zero
weather until a week back. “We hope that these conditions will
continue for few more days,” an official said. Even as bright days have come as a big comfort, many people, including those having a keen eye on weather patterns, say these were not good omens. “These
are days for snow and cold which helps consolidate glacier insuring good
flow of water when temperature rises. If glaciers do not thicken during
these weeks then the valley could face a water problem,” said Mohsin
Zargar, a government teacher. He expressed concern that water level in the valley's river was already at a low and increase in average temperature would do no good. Besides, an engineer in the local electric department said cold conditions were a must for the high production of electricity in the valley. The electricity project, he said, in the valley is dependent on the river and it required a heavy flow of water to work at its optimum. “We
pray that conditions turn colder in coming days,” he said. Lack of rain, which is a normal feature in the run-up to winter in the valley, has also been a concern for experts this year. Less cold would only make things worse for the next year, the official said.
|
|
|
BSNL mobile services disrupted in Rajouri
Rajouri, December 27 The mobile phone service of BSNL remained down for hours together today with subscribers trying hard to connect their near and dear ones within and outside the state. “You
see the difference between BSNL's claims and their service here. There
is much difference between its claims and the services they provide,”
said Aejaz Ahmed, a resident. “I am trying a local mobile number for
the last half-an-hour but its not getting connected. I am facing the
same problem since many days but they (BSNL authorities) are doing least
to rectify the problem.” Sources in BSNL said erratic power supply
had affected the mobile services badly.
|
|
|
Doda migrants stage protest
Jammu, December 27 “Migration from Doda started from 1990 to
1996 when the situation in the area worsened due to militancy. But
migrants from Doda were denied any sort of relief. Only 87 families were
granted ration and relief benefits whereas 32 families were only granted
ration and 667 families were not given any relief benefits,” Suraj
Parkash Rana, chairman, Doda Migrants Committee said. He added “Our
repeated appeals to the state government proved futile so we held this
protest demonstration.”
|
|
|
Army fails to vacate historical buildings
Rajouri, December 27 With the November 30 deadline set by defence minister A.K. Anthony for the vacation of troops from government buildings and public places having passed, troops of the army continue to occupy some of the buildings. Interestingly,
the buildings were the troops are stationed are the “historical
buildings.” Tourism experts state that these buildings can serve as
“heritage tourism sites” and can earn huge revenue for the state. “It
is ironical that even though the army authorities here have vacated most
of the government buildings occupied by them. But they have not vacated
the historical buildings or “forts”, rued a tourism department
official. “These forts can attract a large number of tourists since
they form important sites for promoting heritage tourism.” Sources
in the district administration identified the historical buildings under
the occupation of the army as - Thanamandi fort, Rajouri fort and
Chingus fort. They said Thanamandi Fort was occupied by the 13 Sector Romeo Force and serve as its sector headquarters, while the 25 Infantry Division occupied the Rajouri and Chingus Fort. However,
an army officer said on the condition of anonymity, that the troops
would vacate the buildings very soon. “We have almost vacated the
Chingus Fort. We are looking for some alternate accommodation in
Thanamandi and troops will vacate the Thanamandi Fort very soon,” he
said. “Talks are also going on with the district administration about
vacating the Rajouri fort, but given its strategic importance and
geographical location, we would have to work out the modalities.” Deputy
comissioner, Sheikh Rafiq, said these buildings would soon be vacated.
“The Army are extending good cooperation in vacating the buildings,”
he assured. “Since these buildings form important tourist sites, we
will be renovating them,” he added. A Jammu-based defence spokesperson
told The Tribune that the army authorities in Rajouri had been asked to
furnish the details of such buildings.
|
|
|
Provide adequate funds, PM urged
Jammu, December 27 Addressing the party activists here today, Congress leader and chairman of All India Mahatma Gandhi National Foundation Zahir Abbas Bhatti requested the Prime Minister and finance minister to make a special dispensation in ensuing union budget, especially for Jammu and Kashmir. “It
would enable the state government to implement the pay panel
recommendations in favour of its employees,” he said. Bhatti also
appreciated Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s view point at the
National Development Council meeting in Delhi that liability arising out
of the pay commission needs to be addressed more directly and
clearly.
|
|
|
Management skill grill for officers
Jammu, December 27 The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Directorate of Economics and Statistics and Water and Power Conservation (I) Limited. Prem
Sagar said the aim of conducting the workshop was to enhance the working
capacity of officers in their respective fields by providing them the
latest training. “The workshop would cover various subjects related to
project formulation, appraisal and monitoring techniques,” he said,
adding “It was necessary for transferring knowledge and skills to the
state functionaries for better project management and its successful
implementation.” Referring to the 11th Five Year Plan, he said the outlay for the state had been adopted for Rs 25,834 crore which was 78 per cent higher than the previous plan. “The
capital component of the plan constitutes 87 per cent of the total plan
outlay,” he said.
|
|
|
Another soldier commits suicide
Srinagar, December 27 Official sources said soldier Dharminder Kumar was critically wounded when he shot himself with his service weapon at the Wussan camp in Ganderbal district. However, before he could be shifted to hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. It was not immediately known why the soldier took such extreme step. There was no end to such acts by the security forces even after the authorities introduced yoga classes and Art of Living to help them to deal with stress. More than two dozen security force personnel have committed suicide in the valley during the past one year. About dozen others, including some senior officers, fell to the bullets of their colleagues during the same period.
|
|
|
Girl rescued from NGO head’s captivity
Jammu, December 27 Chinar Handicrafts (NGO) chairman Shahnawaz, a resident of Gandoh in Doda district was arrested by the police from Billawar area of Kathua yesterday, sources said. Shahnawaz had kept the girl under illegal confinement, and raped her repeatedly on the pretext of providing her a government job. The accused, who had also taken Rs 2 lakh from six persons on the assurance of arranging government jobs for them, claimed that his NGO had the headquarters at Anantnag, sources said. The police has registered a case against him under sections 419, 420 and 376 of the RPC. — UNI
|
|
Pt Prem Nath remembered
Jammu, December 27 “He was a pro-national figure who always stood for the Indian nationality
in the valley. He was an advocate and always fought for upholding the Indian
constitution in the valley,” Hira Lal Bhat, general secretary of the trust
said. Various luminaries of the community threw light on the life of the martyr who was killed, while upholding the concept of national integration in the valley.
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
