Jammu, February 5
After he goofed up on water crisis in Jammu west assembly constituency last year feigning his ignorance, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had little idea about demand of agitating students of Indira Gandhi Government Dental College, who had been on strike for nearly a week, demanding approval to their batches of previous three years from the Dental Council of India (DCI).

A deputation of agitating medicos, which succeeded to meet Azad at his official residence here today, was taken aback when the latter said that first batch of the college would get the DCI approval.

However, students explained him that the DCI considers the batch started in 2007 as the first batch and has described previous three batches from 2004 as “irregular”.

Talking to The Tribune, students said, “The Chief Minister had a misconception about previous three batches and he now has assured to take up the matter with the DCI chairman Dr Anil Kohli.”

“But our strike would continue till we get justice,” they said, adding “We were shocked that Chief Minister, who on at least four occasions assured to get our batches recognised, had no idea about the state of affairs and status of previous batches of the dental college.”

They further alleged, “He also asked us that why we took admission in the college.”

However, the Dental Students Association has reiterated to its stand of continuing the strike till the three batches get the DCI recognition.

Once again students closed the hospital’s OPD that was opened later in the day. However, other departments remained closed.

It may be mentioned here that 58 students of previous three batches have been pursuing their BDS course from the college without DCI’s approval.

Srinagar, February 5
Fresh snowfall since last night cut off Kashmir valley from rest of the world by road surface and air links today as heavy snowfall was reported from upper reaches of the valley, while Srinagar-Jammu national highway was blocked to traffic for the third consecutive day.

The continuous snowfall and rains disrupted normal life in the valley, as several remote areas remained cut off due to accumulation of snow, which affected power and water supplies in many areas. Nearly 20 houses have been damaged in the upper reaches where the level of snow was reported between 3 ft. and 12 ft. The blockade of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for the third consecutive day today has led to the scarcity of essential commodities in markets here, even as the authorities claimed that sufficient stocks of essentials and LPG were available.

All the Srinagar-bound flights were cancelled today due to bad weather conditions. Heavy snow was reported from Jawahar Tunnel and Patnip Top areas on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway blocking the road to traffic. Landslides also disrupted traffic at Panthial due to heavy rains between Banihal and Ramban on the highway. The border area of Karnah in Kupwara district of North Kashmir was also cut off from rest of the valley with about 12 ft of snow on the Sadhna Top that divides the area from the valley. One driver of a snow-clearing machine was injured when trapped in the heavy snow, reports here said. An alert was sounded in the Waltengo Nar area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir, where the snow avalanches in February, two years ago had led to loss of human lives and heavy damage to houses. Heavy snowfall has been reported in Sutharan, Tosmaidan, Dodhpathri, Yusmarg and Sachalpathri areas of Budgam district with 5 to 6 ft of snow at some places. As much as 6 ft of fresh snow was reported from Gulmarg, while 3 ft of snow was reported from Pahalgam and 5 ft in the Kokernag areas in South Kashmir. According to officials here the families living in six houses at Panchgam Nad in Kulgam district have been shifted to safer locations. Two houses have been damaged at Beigam in Kulgam due to snowfall. A general alert has been sounded for Panchgam Nad, Nageen Pora and Nadimarg. Reviewing situation on national highway, it was told that 93 trucks are stranded at Chanderkote and 33 light vehicles at Ramban. This information was given at a meeting of the Divisional Disaster Management Committee held to review the situation arising out of heavy snowfall and measures taken to clear snow from roads in the valley. The officers stressed the need for greater coordination among various agencies to ensure quick clearance of snow from inner link roads and provide hassle-free power, water and other essentials to the people. They said coordination in view of weather forecast extended to February 8 became more imperative for the administration.

The meeting was told that snow from all districts routes had been removed and were through for traffic. For this purpose, 19 machines were pressed into service in Srinagar and Budgam districts. In Srinagar city, the snow clearance was started in the wee hours. Similarly, 11 snow-clearance machines including two snow cutters, were in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts while 12 machines are in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts. Regarding power supply it was informed that all grid stations functioned normally and power supply stands fully restored except some remote areas.

Rajouri, February 5
The twin frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch received fresh snowfall today throwing the normal life in many areas out of gear. However the fresh snowfall did give the residents the much needed respite from the cold wave conditions that has swept North India.

The higher reaches of these frontier districts, including Darhal, Buddhal and Dera Ki Gali (DKJ) in this district, received snowfall ranging from 1 feet to 4 feet, DKJ receiving maximum of 4 feet and Darhal receiving minimum of a feet. In the neighboring Poonch district, Mandi, Loran and Sawjian received 3 feet snow each. The traffic on the Jammu-Poonch national highway remained disrupted for the second consecutive day cutting off this border district with the rest of the state.

Reports said that it was snowing at many places in the semi-urban areas in this border township. These included Darhal, Buddal , Dera Ki Gali. Remote and backward tehsil of Buddal received a feet of snow.

Reports said several areas in Poonch district, especially Buflaiz and Chandimarh which are located at the foot hills of mighty Pir-Panjal mountain range, received snowfall ranging from 4 feet to 4.5 feet. These areas lying on the under-construction hyped Mughal road project remained cut off from not only the other places within the Poonch district, but also from rest of the state.

The vehicular traffic on the Jammu-Poonch national highway remained disrupted on the second straight day because of snowfall and landslides at many places along the road.

Reports further said that Buddal tehsil in this district also remained cut off from rest of the state as the road to this remote tehsil was closed due to snowfall and landslides at Behram Gala.

Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed told mediapersons here that red alert had been sounded in the district and all the block heads had been asked to remain present in their respective areas to monitor the situation. He further said that doctors at the district hospital here had also been asked to remain present in the hospital for 24 hours to meet any urgency.

Rajouri, February 5
The Army gunned down two Pakistani militants at Bindigala in Sunderbani sector here this evening.

Defence sources said troops of 18-JAK Rifles killed these militants, believed to be Pakistanis, after an operation that lasted more than 24 hours. They further said militants probably receding party of some infiltrating group were spotted near the Line of Control (LoC) at Binda Gala in Sunderbani sector, yesterday morning.

Sources said yesterday morning a group of four to six infiltrators managed to successfully sneak into this side from the Keeri Battal area in Sunderbani sector here. They said after coming to this side two militants were first spotted by the troops of JAK Rifles at 10.30 am near Beri Nullah, 15 km from Keeri Battal.

The troops opened fire after spotting the infiltrators, sources said. However, the militants managed to escape in the dense forest after a brief encounter.

Intelligence sources said the troops spotted these two militants at 12.30 pm near Sensar Nullah about 2 km from Beri Nullah resulting in the exchange of fire from both sides. They further said the militants were hiding in a natural cave near Sensar Nullah and were intermittently firing at the troops.

Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt-Col S.D. Goswami said some suspicious movement was noticed in Bindi Galla in Sunderbani sector yesterday and the troops were launched to trace these persons believed to be militants.

“This evening, troops of 18 J&K Rifles killed these two Pakistani militants,” the spokesperson said. He further said troops recovered an AK rifle and pistol from the site of an encounter.

Jammu, February 5
The separatist establishment in Pakistan is in favour of not only bringing about unity among various separatist groups, but also win back the support of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chief of the Tehrik Hurriyat Conference.

Geelani, who has been in Delhi for rest under medical advice, has virtually fallen out with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf because of the way the latter granted recognition to the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders as being a representative body. Geelani had been criticising Musharraf in the past two years for giving importance to trade and travel, instead of discussing the Kashmir issue with India.

The hardliner had twice declined invitation sent to him by Pakistan high commissioner Shahid Malik in Delhi. Political observers were amazed when Malik and his deputy called on Geelani in his room in Delhi on Monday. Though what transpired between the two sides is not known. Informed sources said it was a courtesy call aimed at winning over the support of the senior most and highly influential separatist leader.

According to these sources, the unity formula too was briefly discussed and Geelani is said to have informed Malik that he would have no objection for returning to the APHC fold if his five-point proposal was accepted by the APHC leadership. His condition for rejoining the party is that its 1993 constitution be restored to its original spirit and the APHC leader should stop the dialogue process with Delhi.

However, the leadership is not willing to stop talking to Delhi on the plea that the dialogue with India and Pakistan was the only way to find a solution to the Kashmir issue. In the meantime, chief of Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmed Shah has conveyed to Geelani and others that in the six-point proposal adopted by the APHC, most of the conditions laid down by Geelani were covered.

Sources said after the meeting with Malik Geelani said he wished to see a “stable Pakistan” after the current political turmoil ends. This indicates that the level of rancor against the establishment in Pakistan had started getting diluted. And if Malik’s visit to Geelani was aimed at bringing about unity among different separatist groups, it could strengthen the hands of Shah, who has been making frantic efforts to bring not only Geelani, but others, including JKLF chief Mohd. Yasin Mailk under the APHC umbrella.

Jammu, February 5
In view of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, the People’s Democratic Party have urged the Government of India to involved Hurriyat Conference and other political groups in the process of finding a resolution for the long pending Kashmir dispute.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who met Prime Minister in Delhi on Saturday told him that given the fast-changing equations in the sub-continent, fresh initiatives must be taken to bring various shades of the state’s political opinion on board to work-out a broad-based consensus for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

“The Centre will be well-devised to realise this historical opportunity and expressively involve Hurriyat Conference and other political groups in meaningful deliberations for realistic and just resolution of the problem,” she told the Prime Minister.

According to a statement issued by the PDP here in Jammu, the PDP president is reported to have said the measures like rehabilitation of the victims of violence irrespective of their affiliation, easing restrictions on the cross-LoC movement of people and goods and rehabilitation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits would mark a welcome beginning that would further consolidate the constituency for peace.

During her meeting with the Prime Minister, she once again raised the demand of her party about the withdrawal of troops from the valley.

Mehbooba Mufti told the Prime Minister that in present scenario such measures (of troop withdrawal and scrapping of armed forces special powers act) have become mandatory.

According to a press statement party said Mehbooba apprised the Prime Minister that the there was considerable improvement in the situation in the state and that the government of India must now start “pruning the strength” of troops deployed for anti-militancy operations and act with political resolve on the recommendations of one of the Working Groups for scrapping the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Reiterating her party’s demand of the safe return of the youth and political leaders, who had gone across the Line of Control, she told the PM that the government of India should facilitate safe return of the youth and the political leaders, who had gone across during the turmoil and were now eager to return back and live peacefully with their families.

“Any relief to the youth who had gone across for arms training and are now eager to return back and live normal lives, should be extended to the non-combatant as well, who had gone across during the turmoil under whatever circumstances,” she said.

“It would be a significant goodwill gesture and a reconciliatory move of great essence on behalf of the Government of India,” she told the Prime Minister.

Jammu, February 5
Eighteen years ago on this day, late Benazir Bhutto, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan had descended on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day and express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, who had waged a war for “independence” against India.

But that rhetoric was missing today. Except the national holiday and formal meetings, the day passed off as good as unnoticed. Probably due to the sustained atmosphere of uncertainty and instability in Pakistan, the Kashmir has gone down on the priority list of Pakistanis.

Not only has there been widespread indifference, even the voices of dissent have been raised against observing this "ritual". Former Pakistan law minister Syed Iqbal Haider was quoted saying, a strike or holiday on February 5 (Kashmir Day) did not serve in any way the Kashmiris’ struggle for the right to self-determination.

He said Pakistan had failed to win world’s support for its stand on Kashmir. This has added to the disillusionment among a large section of the secessionist leadership in Kashmir, which had always banked upon the Pakistani support.

The Kahmiris have always set a score about Pakistan observing Kashmir Solidarity Day. And it was too disappointing this year, he said.

So far, the February 5 was observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day every year across Pakistan. It is a national holiday there and all government and private establishments remain closed on this day. Even the Karachi Stock Exchange remains closed today.

Over the years, the Kashmir Solidarity Day started loosing it sheen with not many Pakistanis too keen to observe it.

Compared to February 5, 1990 when Benazir had said oft quoted line, “Ek khoon ka kattra girey ga, ek naya mujahid paida hoga…(every drop of blood will lead to birth of another mujahid)”, this year it proved to be a lackluster affair. Observing the Kashmir Solidarity Day was the idea of Benazir only.

Even President Pervez Musharraf was guarded in his message on the occasion, harping more on peace and consensus than confrontation. He said peaceful atmosphere was needed to be created for resolving the issue. Although he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue extending “moral, political and diplomatic support” in order to settle the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people, there was no rhetoric that could raise alarm bells anywhere.

In his message Musharraf said the government was engaged in a “sincere, sustained and purposeful dialogue with India” on Kashmir. The president said Pakistan always stressed the need for an end to violence and human rights abuses in “Indian-occupied Kashmir.”

For the first time Musharaf sought to bring at a par the two sides of Kashmir.

Jammu, February 5
Various steps have been taken under state and Centre-sponsored schemes to give fillip to industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister for industries and commerce Nawang Rigzin Jora said on Monday.

Work on three industrial projects has been initiated at a total cost of Rs 15.55 crore, which on completion would generate employment to skilled and unskilled youth on large scale, the minister said while chairing a high-level review meeting of officers of industries department here.

At present, seven industrial units of State Industrial Corporation (SICOP) are functioning in the state, involving a total investment of Rs 251 crore and providing employment to over 7,000 persons, he said.

The minister also told the meeting that work on a seven-storey Udyog Bhavan in Jammu is in progress for which Rs 14.48 crore have been earmarked.

Land has been acquired for establishing nine more industrial estates while four new industrial estates have been proposed for Bidda (Reasi), Thanda Pani (Rajouri) and Arnore Ghat (Doda) for which 131 acres of land have been identified.

To develop skills among locals, the department has introduced mini tool-cum-training schemes for which the centre has been established at Bari Brahmana under the aegis of ministry of human resources and development, he said. The meeting was further informed that Rs 20 lakh had been provided for revival of 169 such units in the state. — PTI

Udhampur, February 5
The district Horticulture Department has taken a revolutionary step to empower women belonging to weaker sections. In Udhampur and adjoining localities, 50 women have been trained in fruit preservation to start their own ventures and to generate income to help uplift their families.

A 10-day training camp of women concluded here today. The participants would now get help of some self help groups to start such ventures.

Udhampur is said to have a vast potential in horticulture and allied products due to its varied topography and climatic conditions. And considering this factor, the training camp might prove to be a turning point in the life of these women, who were earlier confined only to their houses.

“Our aim was to train as many as women to solve problem of unemployment among woman folk,” J.L. Raina, chief horticulture officer, Udhampur told The Tribune. He said this training was conducted under Central-sponsored scheme and department’s first target was 50 women. Such training programmes is the first of its type for women in this belt.

Raina said all women were from the weaker sections and after the training they would start their own income generation unit with the help of some self help groups.

Besides exposing them to the latest techniques of preserving fruits and preparing fruit products, these women were also informed about the various self-employment schemes launched by the government exclusively for women.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy commissioner Udhampur, O.P. Kalandari appreciated the Horticulture Department for especially targeting women in imparting trainings. He suggested that more such camps should be organised as economic empowerment of woman folk was must for the development and upliftment of the society as a whole.

Rajouri, February 5
Believe it or not, there is colony named as “Suicide Colony” in the heart of this frontier township.

In fact, this colony, also known as Bela Colony, came up because of slow migration of people from the semi-urban areas after the beginning of militancy in 90s. Migrants from Thanamandi, Darhal, Chandi-marh and Bufliaz built up the houses that later took the form of a colony.

However, this unplanned colony didn't get its name because of this factor. The colony, on the banks of Rajouri nullah, gets its name from the fact that it can be washed away by flash floods of even moderate intensity.

“This colony is prone to floods since majority of the houses have been constructed in the river bed. During every monsoon water enters the houses of these hapless people who are living at risk,” said Abdul Qayoom Dar, retired senior police officer and social worker.

“When this unplanned colony was coming up, the government didn't do anything, but now since the residents life is at risk, it should act.” He further said now the only option with the government is that it should take flood control measures so that precious lives of thousands of the inhabitants could be saved.

Deputy commissioner, Rajouri, Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed told The Tribune that district administration has proposed a project for three areas including this colony in the district for flood control measures.