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Violence-hit Pak thins out troop strength at LoC
Trikuta hills get season’s first snow
Cops foil bid to stop Kranti Express
BJP for CBI probe against ‘tainted’ ministers
Corruption charges: Azad made to |
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Bribe Case
Jawan commits suicide as
Army fails to
combat stress
Kashmir Issue
Continuous snowfall dips temp in valley
Highway closed
Passengers airlifted
Shabir Shah sends letters to appease separatist comrades
Health Dept officials in police net
Rs 4 crore wasted in name of improvement
BJP activists hold protest
Army organises awareness camp
Retail shops big hit with residents
Pakistan sings ‘self-determination’ tune
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Violence-hit Pak thins out troop strength at LoC
Jammu, February 3 To meet the worsened situation on its western borders, which had escalated after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan has thinned out its troop strength against India, including across the Loc in Jammu and Kashmir, well-placed sources told UNI. At least nine brigades of various Strike Corps, including two from the crucial I Corps's (also known as Army Reserve North) Kharian-based 17 Infantry Division, have been moved towards violent Afghan borders, sources said. The Army Reserve North across the Line of Control (LoC), especially its troops at Kharian on the South of Jehlum and West of Chhamb sector of Jammu region, always had a strategically advantageous position against India. Sources said three Brigades of Peshawar-based XI Corps and two of Quetta-based XII Corps were also moved to take on violence in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) on bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan had moved the X (Rawalpindi-based Corps responsible for Jammu and Kashmir), XI and XII Corps from its Afghanistan frontier locations to the eastern borders with India, when New Delhi ordered probably its largest ever military build-up after the Parliament attack in December 2001. Meanwhile, sources said one Brigade each from the XXX Corps (Gujaranwala) and Bahawalpur-headquartered XXXI Corps has also been relocated to meet the ''internal crises'' in Pakistan. The Bahawalpur-based XXXI Corps, which was created in 1986-87 from the Multan-headquartered II Corps, holds the responsibility of international border (IB), primarily with the Rajasthan whereas the XXX Corps is primarily responsible for areas bordering Punjab and J&K. By relocating its nine brigades, sources said Pakistan had undertaken an ''unprecedented depletion of troops'' from its borders against India. ''In this process, Islamabad has withdrawn a Corps worth of troops from its various key positions against India,'' sources said, noting that it is for the first time it (Pakistan) has thinned out its forces against India with which it had fought in 1948, 1965, 1971 and 1999 (Kargil). Defence analysts, however, said that the relocation of its troops had become more important for Pakistan as its failure to curb unrest in Waziristan and the NWFP in Afghanistan borders could invite foreign forces, which the latter would never like. ''Pakistan has to fight unrest with its own resources because the foreign intervention can not be favourable for its security plans,'' they equip. The increased attempts of militants to destabilise Pakistan in the remote tribal areas on the Afghan borders has also triggered US concerns. The US had also expressed willingness to send troops Pakistan to fight against militants, which the latter have rejected. Pakistan has declared the action of militants, who had also carried out several concerted attacks on Luddah fort in South Waziristan recently, as an ''open war against the state''. The situation in areas bordering Afghanistan becomes further alarming with the ensuing election in Pakistan. The Election Commission of Pakistan has estimated that some 25,000-27,000 polling stations are to be marked as sensitive with NWFP and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in the lead. Earlier, around 17,000 troops were deployed in these sensitive areas to check the ANY communal violence during Muharram. — UNI |
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Trikuta hills get season’s first snow
Udhampur, February 3 Keeping in view the snowfall and incessant rain, which has been continuing since Saturday evening, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has taken immediate measures to avoid any eventuality on the track. “Keeping in view the hostile weather, pilgrims have been advised to proceed only in groups and to remain in touch with the teams of the track enforcement wing”, deputy chief executive office (DCEO) of the board, M.K. Deweedi told The Tribune. He said employees had been pressed into service to remove snow from the track but continuous rain and snowfall had hampered the operation. It is for the first time in this season, that the Trikuta hills where the shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is located, has witnessed heavy snowfall. Since Saturday night, the area has been witnessing incessant rain and snowfall. The hills surrounding the cave are covered with snow. The number of pilgrims has come down due to severe cold and hostile weather. Instead of proceeding towards the bhawan, a majority of pilgrims were staying in hotels and lodges in Katra waiting for the weather to improve. About one-and-half-feet of snow has accumulated at Bharoan Ghati, Shanji Chat and in adjoining areas. The track to Bharoan Ghati has become slippery and difficult to trek. As the temperature came down to freezing point, authorities have decided to provide heaters to pilgrims lodging at various places on the route. Furthermore, officials have been directed to provide as many as blankets to the pilgrims. On the other hand, a large number of tourists today thronged Patnitop as the area has been witnessing heavy snowfall since the past 24 hours. Most of the hotels and lodges have been occupied by tourists from outside the state. |
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Cops foil bid to stop Kranti Express
Udhampur, February 3 The BJYM activists were protesting against decision of the Railway authorities not to provide reservation facility at Udhampur. Furthermore they were also agitating over failure of the Railway authorities to fulfill their promise of providing job to each member of the family whose lands were acquired while constructing railway station at Udhampur. As the BJYM activists had publically announced to stop the train, there was heavy development to cops in the area. Police has virtually sealed the Railway Station to foil attempt of BJYM to stop the train scheduled to be departured at 6.50 this evening. At about 6.30 this evening, large number of BJYM under the leadership of their state president Pawan Khajuria reached Railway Station but they were stopped at entry point. As the youth entered into scuffle with the cops, the police used mild force to disperse the agitating BJYM activists who were shouting slogans against the Railway authorities for ignoring Udhampur. Later Pawan Khajuria told the reporters that their party would continue their struggle unless all the demands of the people fulfilled. He regretted that Railway authorities were not serious towards solving problems of the people of Udhampur. |
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BJP for CBI probe against ‘tainted’ ministers
Jammu, February 3 Addressing media persons here today, Gupta said, “In the backdrop of Kundal Committee Report and startling revelations by Sangrama legislator the present dispensation headed by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has lost all the moral rights to remain in power.” “However, present regime continue to degenerate constitutional authorities with impunity endangering unity and integrity of the country only to save its PDP-backed government,” he said. He added, “Under coalition rule corruption has crossed all the limits aggravating the miseries of common people.” “Instead of sacking tainted ministers the government shamelessly defended them,” he said, adding “The BJP not only demands sacking of such ministers but strongly advocates a CBI probe against them.” In an ostensible attack on PDP, he said, “Security forces including the Army have been doing yeoman’s service in the state.” |
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Corruption charges: Azad made to shed cool composure
Jammu, February 3 Azad, who had launched a vigorous campaign against corruption and tried to nail quite a number of officials seems to have been hit below the belt by the two accused officials, who are alleged to be behind the news reports that he (the Chief Minister) favoured his two brothers in awarding forest contracts. Never in his career has the Chief Minister lost his cool as he did yesterday after the reports appeared in a section of the press and were also aired on an electronic news channel that he had allegedly favoured his brothers. An angry Azad remarked, “Ghulam Nabi Azad nay churian nahi pehni hai…(Ghulam Nabi Azad has not worn bangles).” This was quite unexpected of the Chief Minister, who is known for maintaining his cool even under extreme provocations and even wearing a constant smile on his face. Azad feels he has been hit below the belt. Because an allegation that too about his own brothers is certainly too difficult to defend. The Chief Minister was made so much defensive that he said he had left his home 40 years ago and had nothing to do with his family members even if they had done any wrong. To come clean he has already announced that the loot in the Forest Department would be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. It is understandable that anyone who has planned these allegations against Azad has planned it carefully. Azad has consistently been maintaining, “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.” In fact he has tried to live up to it. As during the last two and a half years of his Chief Ministership never has any allegation being leveled against any of his family members. And the allegation had come at a time when he had made Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed resign from the ministry and the party post after his wife and driver were accused of having accepted bribe from an independent legislator. Azad has gone on record that the two accused officials of the State Forest Corporation were behind the allegation leveled against him. And one of the officials was supposed to be a close confidante of finance minister Tariq Hameed Karra. In fact it was during Karra, who as the forest minister had inducted him into the SFC. But whether he still remains close to Karra or not is difficult to say. But one thing is certain that it must have created some suspicion in Azad’s mind about the intentions of his alliance partner, the People's Democratic Party. Karra is not only the general secretary of the PDP but also a close confidante of the PDP patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. And whether it would reflect upon the political relationship between the two alliance partners remains to be seen. Otherwise they had moved quite close in recent past after about a couple of years of suspicion and mistrust. |
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Bribe Case
Srinagar, February 3 A VO spokesman said the challan was produced in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Kashmir against Mohammad Ismail, then superintendent, ITI Shopian, who was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 on August 28 last year. He said one Mir Mudasir Rashid of Shopian alleged that the accused was demanding Rs 5,000 for his admission in the institute, though he was selected on the basis of merit. But, the deal settled at Rs 1,000. Meanwhile, Mir approached the VO and sought their help also. Later, a trap was laid and the accused was caught accepting the bribe from Mir in the presence of independent witness by the VO officials. The money was also recovered from Ismail’s possession, he said. — UNI
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Jawan commits suicide as
Army fails to
combat stress
Jammu, February 3 According to Jammu-based defence spokesman, Signal Man Balbir Singh (32) a resident of Gandhi Nagar Jammu, who was presently posted with 80 Brigade Signal Company in Jammu committed suicide by hanging himself with a tree outside a military hospital in Jammu, where he was undergoing treatment for some stress disorders. “He was admitted in the military hospital in Jammu on January 9 but today in the morning he was found hanging with a tree in the premises of the military hospital complex in Jammu,” Lt-Col S.D. Goswami, Jammu-based PRO of the ministry of defence told the tribune. Balbir, who was married a few years ago, also has a daughter from his wife. The jawan had recently returned from a leave and according to sources he had some domestic problems going on in the family. “One of his colleagues had earlier informed that he had some domestic problem, which led to an increased level of stress, he was later admitted to the military hospital,” said one of the Army doctors at the military hospital. The Army authorities have ordered a court of inquiry into today’s suicide and an FIR has also been lodged at a local police station to ascertain the exact reasons behind the suicide. Already facing a major problem of operation stress amongst the soldiers deputed in hostile condition like that of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army authorities are also worried due to the increase level of stress amongst the soldiers due to their domestic problems. Various remedial measures like introduction of Yoga, meditation and counseling by qualified psychologists have been introduced by the Army authorities to counter the increased level of stress amongst the soldiers. |
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Kashmir Issue
Jammu, February 3 He said, “As far as our reports are concerned, even the US and the British governments support Musharraf's four-point proposal on Kashmir.” Prof. Bhat said those who were party to the Kashmir issue supported the four-point proposal. He added that there could be no escape for India if it tried to ignore or reject the proposal. He explained that some modifications in the proposals were not even warranted as the four-point plan was an “ideal” way to resolve the Kashmir issue. The APHC leader explained that once the level of violence touched zero, the Army could be directed to withdraw to the barracks and this could lead to demilitarisation as suggested by Musharraf. He said it would be “fruitful for both India and Pakistan if there is joint cooperation between Delhi and Islamabad not only in managing affairs in Kashmir but in conserving and developing water and energy resources.” Prof. Bhat said there was no need for altering the borders between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir but making them “irrelevant” with a hassle free people-to-people contact. He added that the veil of mistrust between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue could be removed once the state was allowed to become a self-governing unit. Prof. Bhat said he wanted Delhi to consider Musharraf's proposal with “sincerity and flexibility.” |
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Continuous snowfall dips temp in valley
Srinagar, February 3 There was some respite in the freezing temperatures with mild rains and snowfall across the valley since early this morning resulting in a decline in the day temperature and a welcome rise in the night temperature. The upper reaches of Kashmir valley including the scenic spots of Gulmarg and Sonmarg, and Banihal and Patnitop areas along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway witnessed heavy snow and rains since last night. The Met Department forecast say that rain and snowfall will occur at many places in the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. The maximum temperature here today was recorded at 4.3 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature last night was minus 0.6 degrees Celsius. Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded the minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius last night while the maximum day temperature was recorded at 4 degrees Celsius. This was followed by minus 4 degrees Celsius minimum temperature at Pahalgam last night with a maximum of 2.5 degrees Celsius today. Pahalgam, the world famous tourist spot, which also serves as the base camp for Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, has recorded the least temperature upto minus 15 degrees Celsius last week. The Kashmir valley has been witnessing severe cold this season with the temperature running three to four degrees below normal this year, though there have been frequent rains and snowfall since early last one month. While Srinagar had the lowest temperature of minus 7.6 degrees Celsius last month, it recorded minus 6.6 degrees Celsius on Friday night. The tourist spot of Gulmarg, which is preparing to hold the fifth National Winter Games from February 18 has witnessed heavy snowfall during the past few weeks with a depth of over seven ft. This is being regarded as good omen for hosting the Winter Games that will be having several snow skiing and other related sports events. The frontier cold desert region of Ladakh is also continuing under severe freezing cold conditions. |
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Highway closed
Udhampur, February 3 Huge snow has been reportedly accumulated at Patnitop, Ramsu and Banihal so the track has become slippery in many places between Patnitop to Banihal. Hundreds of vehicles got stranded on the highway due to blockade of the road. |
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Passengers airlifted
Srinagar, February 3 Similarly, 11 passengers (including one child) were airlifted in Air Force flight from Bandipora to Tulail and 18 passengers to Gurez. On return, the plane carried two passengers from Tulail and 16 passengers from Gurez upto Bandipora. The divisional administration Kashmir has made special arrangements in Air Force couriers for airlifting the stranded passengers of far-flung areas like Gurez, Tulail and Kargil, where access get blocked for months together due to heavy snowfall. |
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Shabir Shah sends letters to appease separatist comrades
Jammu, February 3 In his newest attempt, he has sent letters to these leaders of several separatist organisations and suggested them to join the APHC. Confirming this yesterday, Shah said, “I have sent letters to leaders of Tehrik Hurriyat Conference, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, JKLF chief, Mohd.Yasin Malik, and those in the Jamait-e-Islami, Muslim League and others.” “I have requested that once all the factions get united it could build a representative body for securing amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue,” he added. In reply to a question, Shah said he had conveyed to Geelani that his five-point proposals for rejoining the APHC had been covered under the six-point proposals mooted by the APHC leadership. He said he also informed Geelani and others that once the 1993 constitution of the Hurriyat Conference was restored in its original spirit it could clear decks for their return to the conglomerate. “I have not given up my unity moves. I am waiting for their reply,” he said adding that any further delay in uniting the separatist leaders would “weaken our movement for resolving the Kashmir issue.” However, a senior APHC leader, Abdul Gani Bhat said chances for Sajjad Lone, chairman Peoples' Conference, returning to the Hurriyat Conference were remote because his brother Bilal Gani Lone, already represented the Peoples' Conference in the APHC. The Lone brothers had fell out after Sajjad quit the APHC in protest against Molvi Umar Farooq's participation in the funeral procession of a militant, who was alleged to have been involved in the killing of Sajjad's father, Abdul Gani Lone. Hence Sajjad reentry depended on the patch-up between the two brothers.
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Health Dept officials in police net
Srinagar, February 3 A spokesman for the CB said FIR 02/2008 under section 420, 120-B RPC was registered against a company from Jammu after it was found that it sold anti- Hepatitis B vaccine on exorbitant rates with the help of Health Department officials in Kashmir. The investigation has been taken up and action against the accused will soon be taken, he said. He said a complaint was received that Hepatitis-B Vaccine provided by a pharmaceutical company from Jammu for vaccination programme in Kashmir valley in 2000-2001. It said the health department here promoted the programme by issuing advertisements in local newspapers. Consequently, 10 ml of Hepatitis vaccine was sold to general public for Rs 1,000. However, during investigation it was found that the Sher-e- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura, had purchased 10 ml Hepatitis vaccine from the same company for Rs 690. But surprisingly the Director Health Service Jammu had purchased it from the company for Rs 480. Official sources said there was massive protests by people against the Health Department and the particular company. However, the then government did not take any action and the anti hepatitis vaccines programme received a major set back in the valley. — UNI
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Rs 4 crore wasted in name of improvement
Jammu, February 3 Initiated under the norms of the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), the Power Development Department (PDD) abandoned five system improvement schemes (SISs) due to unavailability of funds, non-procurement of equipments, incurring expenditure in excess of estimates and non-completion of schemes within the stipulated period, says an official document. Out of Rs 1.84 crore, an amount of Rs 1.44 crore was spent on the construction of 66/11 KV sub station in Kathua way back in 2001. However, six years on the work on remaining components range between zero and 70 per cent whereas the department incurred an expenditure of Rs 50.27 lakh on 12 components of the sub-station in excess of estimates. Though the PDD attributed the delay to non-procurement of 66-KV system and unavailability of funds, it has resulted in an idle investment of Rs 1.44 crore. Subsequently, the estimated energy loss has also been worked out at Rs 54 lakh. Similarly, the PDD initiated work on sub-transmission division Bijbehara in 2003-04 under the SIS and incurred an expenditure of Rs 79.70 lakh, but abandoned the work in April 2004. The REC had stopped reimbursing the funds due to non-completion of the schemes within the stipulated period of five years. It may be mentioned that the work on Bijbehara sub-transmission division was started in March 2002. However, a fresh proposal was initiated to complete the scheme under a composite project at an estimated cost of Rs 3.98 crore but till April 2007, the project had not been cleared by the Techno Economic Committee of the department. Once again living up to the tradition, the PDD’s poor performance resulted in a wasteful expenditure of Rs 79.70 lakh. The sub-transmission division in Srinagar also had a sordid tale to tell. After incurring an expenditure of Rs 50.20 lakh till March 2005 to construct 33 /11 KV sub-station at Bemina, the department could complete only 16 components out of a total of 34. The work on the remaining 18 components had not been completed till February 2007 and eventually an amount of Rs 50.27 lakh was wasted.
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BJP activists hold protest
Rajouri, February 3 District president of the BJP, Yogesh Sharma, and state secretary Vibodh Gupta, said the Electricity Department imposed power cuts. They said in addition to the scheduled power cuts, the department also enforced six to seven hours of unscheduled cuts during the day. The BJP leaders warned to launch an agitation within the next two days in case the government failed to streamline the power supply in the district. |
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Army organises awareness camp
Rajouri, February 3 A defence spokesperson said the aim of the camp was to generate awareness amongst the youth and educate them about various employment opportunities available with special emphasis on the Armed Forces and in the business and corporate sectors. It also provided a platform to students of different schools of Thanamandi tehsil to interact with each other. The spokesperson said about 1,000 students and teachers of 12 schools participated in the camp. |
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Retail shops big hit with residents
Jammu, February 3 Despite the absence of big shopping malls in the city, the two medium-sized outlets of a chain shopping store which have come up in the city, have registered a huge rush of shoppers. “After the response we received from the people after we opened our first outlet in the city, we decided to open another store here,” said one of the managers of a newly opened retail outlet in Jammu. People also seem to be satisfied with these retail stores as they can find a majority of items of their requirement under one roof. “For a working lady like me these shopping centres are very helpful as now I don’t have to roam from shop to shop to purchase items of daily requirement. Now everything is available in these stores,” said Sunita Sharma, a resident of Gandhi Nagar. The small retail shops in Jammu are also trying to offer some competition to these retail outlets which have come up in Jammu as many small stores have started selling different commodities under one roof. “People like to spend very little time on shopping, so it becomes convenient for them when they find everything they need in one shop. So we too started to sell various items in our shop,” said Vikram Manhotra, owner of a small retail store in Jammu. To attract customers these small and medium-sized retail outlets in Jammu are offering huge discounts and have announced various attractive schemes to attract customers. “Not only we registered a remarkable sale after our company announced a discount of more than 40 per cent on the products that we sell, but we also have been able to retain our old customers,” said Ashok Mehra, a hosiery store owner in Jammu. With the announcement of various attractive schemes and discounts, customers in Jammu seem to be a happy lot these days. “The reduction of price and the announcement of attractive schemes by these stores have proved beneficial for the common man, as now he has to put a lesser pressure on his pocket while making a purchase,” said Dipika Gandotra, a lecturer. With people showing interest in the retail sector, more chain retail stores will be opened in the future.
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Pakistan sings ‘self-determination’ tune
Jammu, February 3 Recently, Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq had said that Musharraf's four-point proposal on the Kashmir issue or any other suggestions did not amount to a shift in its stand that the dispute be resolved in line with the UN resolutions. He said, “Pakistan provides political, diplomatic and moral support in Kashmir and favours a solution to the Kashmir issue through the UN resolutions…in addition to India and Pakistan, Kashmiris are a party to the dispute and they should be on board (in efforts to resolve the issue).” He said, “The stated position is (the resolution of the Kashmir issue on the basis of) the UN resolutions. We have never moved from that.” Although Sadiq's statement was not noticed much in India, this is being viewed as a major shift in Pakistan's stand on Kashmir. That too at a time when the two countries are supposedly moving closer towards reaching a solution to the long-pending problem. The spokesman’s statement has also come in the backdrop of the preparations in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) for the “Kashmir Solidarity Day” being observed there on February 5, to express support to the people of Kashmir for their “struggle for freedom.” Analysts view the foreign office spokesman's statement as a “pressure tactic by Pakistan to ensure that India does not act like a big brother during the final round of negotiations.” Since Pakistan already remains under tremendous pressure due to domestic uncertainty and instability, it apparently does not want to be seen as a weak party in any settlement. This seems more to be a bargaining game than any real shift in its changed policy towards Kashmir. Otherwise, Pakistan had bid farewell to the UN resolutions long ago. Moreover, Pakistan apparently wanted to reiterate and reassure to those Kashmiris who were fighting a secessionist battle against India. Of late there has been considerable disillusionment about Pakistan among the Kashmiris. And when Pakistan started talking about self-governance, joint management, demilitarisation and soft borders, radical sections among the secessionists felt it (Pakistan) had succumbed to Indian pressure. Apparently realising that the ground situation was changing a lot in Kashmir, Pakistan started to revert back to the demand of right to self-determination according to the UN resolution. Because this found a lot of resonance among the Kashmiri secessionist sections who had been insisting on it. Under the prevailing circumstances, Pakistan is as good as having been forgotten by the Kashmiris, particularly the secessionists, who had otherwise found great support from that country. Like in the rest of India, not many people in Kashmir took the foreign office spokesman's statement about right to self-determination seriously. |
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