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5,000 ultras waiting to sneak into India
Karan Singh’s son quits Congress, joins NC
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Farooq-Mufti rivalry a battle of one-upmanship
Amarnath Yatri Niwas
Most hospitals ailing
Pahalgam coldest, more snow falls
Avalanches cause more deaths
Threat calls don’t matter to these bravehearts
Rajouri, Poonch link road remains closed
Residents struggle for ‘power’
Govt regularises migrant substitutes
GP Fund official in vigilance net
Youth sets himself afire, dies
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5,000 ultras waiting to sneak into India
Jammu, February 16 According to the Army sources, around 5,000 militants undergoing training at 52 camps across the Line of Control in PoK are ready to infiltrate into Indian of the valley to disrupt the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. The Army has increased the vigil along the LoC in Jammu region as due to the presence of heavy snow on the LoC in valley, infiltrators looking for a chance to sneak into the Indian side of the Kashmir are now turning towards Jammu region. In view of the large accumulation of Pakistani trained militants who have gathered in various launching pads in PoK, the Indian army has increased its vigil in areas like Poonch and Rajouri. “After being trained at training camps these militants are then send to launching pads where they are trained on the measures to cross the LoC,” said an Army officer requesting anonymity. As these launching pads are situated near the Line of Control, they are kept mobile so as to avoid the risk of being detected and tracked down by the Indian Army, and the numbers of infiltrators in a launching pad are kept to a maximum of five to six. Intelligence inputs have suggested the Army that ISI has shifted majority of its launching pads from north (Kashmir valley) towards the areas falling near the Line of Control in Jammu region (Poonch and Rajouri). “As the snow in Poonch and Rajouri sector is less as compared to that in north (Kashmir), infiltrators change their routes and try to infiltrate though these area here,” Jammu-based PRO of the ministry of defence, Lt-Col S.D. Goswami told The Tribune. Following the presence of large number of infiltrators looking to cross over the Line of Control, the Army had increased its vigil along these sectors. “This is a temporary phase wherein Pakistan trained militants try to sneak into Indian side from other routes but the army is fully equipped and prepared to counter any such move by the militants,” said the PRO. Every year due to heavy snowfall in the region, a large part of the fence erected on the LoC gets damaged and militants find easy access into Indian side from such areas. “The damage caused to the fence due to the snowfall can provide conducive atmosphere to infiltrators who want to sneak into Indian side, however we have increased the vigil at such areas where we expect movement of infiltrators,” said an Army officer. |
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Karan Singh’s son quits Congress, joins NC
Jammu, February 16 If Omar feels that the anti-incumbency factor would spell doom on the two coalition partners for varied reasons in the coming elections, then former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has yet again opened the pandora’s box holding PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed responsible for the killing of Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq on May 21, 1990. The father-son duo was responding to media queries after re-inducting Congress MP Karan Singh’s son Ajatshatru Singh into the NC, who after parting ways with the Congress, claimed that he had returned “home”. On the new found bonhomie between the PDP and the Congress vis-à-vis threats to the NC in the next elections, Omar said, “I would be surprised if they don’t have a pre-poll alliance. As far as the NC is concerned, we don’t feel threatened.” “Though in the recent past we had some ideas up our sleeves but in the backdrop of the anti-incumbency wave, we considered that the NC-Congress alliance would not be viable,” he said. “Both the Congress and the PDP face anti-incumbency for different reasons. If the Congress faces it on the grounds of lack of development then the PDP faces it on hollow slogans,” Omar said. “However, we may opt for a pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties,” he said without identifying the “compatible” partner. Reacting to the announcement of the United Jehad Council (UJC), an umbrella organisation of militant outfits, of not imposing poll boycott on the people during the next Assembly elections, Omar said, “We welcome the move and we always believe that democracy is a battle of ideas where everyone should participate. They should also come forward.” “The NC has a clear stand of having the maximum participation of parties in the democratic process,” he said, adding, “People in three regions of the state should be given a free choice to elect parties they like.” On a query, he expressed reservations on using electronic voting machines (EVMs) saying, “If the device had been foolproof then why it hasn’t been adopted by the rest of the world. Still, the NC would not be reluctant to go into the next elections on
EVMs.” Regarding the rehabilitation package for kith and kin of slain militants, Farooq and Omar said, “It appears that the Congress is trying to hijack the issue despite the fact that all political parties have unanimously agreed to the proposal in the roundtable conference.” “The Prime Minister should make it clear that the proposal was adopted unanimously in the RTC,” said Omar. On a specific question, Farooq said, “Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq was under threat and had requested the then Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for security. But it was denied and he was killed.” |
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Farooq-Mufti rivalry a battle of one-upmanship
Jammu, February 16 The Mufti has taken the fight literally to Farooq's home turf. What Mufti could not do while being in the Congress, he has been doing with the
PDP. In the Congress Mufti's line was defined. In the PDP he defines his own line of action. That is why he has been trying to overtake the NC on each issue that finds an echo in people's sentiment in the valley. While the NC has been demanding greater autonomy, the PDP goes to the extent of self-rule, while the NC seeks better behaviour by the security forces with the civilian population while dealing with the militants, the PDP has been demanding total withdrawal of troops, while the NC wants the government to negotiate with secessionists, the PDP goes much beyond demanding safe passage to all the militants stranded in Pakistan. Mufti and his PDP have always tried to outdo the NC in whatever way they can and they have succeeded to a great extent. Till 2002, there hardly appeared any mainstream alternative to the NC in the Kashmir valley. The PDP provided the one that replaced it and even formed the government in alliance with the Congress. The NC has not only to confront the secessionist
Hurriyat, which has been pushed to the margins, it has to counter the
PDP, that is trying to match it man for man in almost each assembly segment. Obviously, Farooq hasreasons to selectively pick up Mufti for his Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad while reserving his rap for Mufti only. Farooq's rivalry with Mufti dates back to mid-eighties when the Mufti was the Jammu and Pradesh Congress Committee president. Mufti had built up an effective and forceful opposition against the NC when the party's following in the valley was too widespread and the Congress was supposed to be too alien. And it was Mufti, who with the patronage of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, engineered a split in the NC in 1984 that led to the fall of Farooq's government and installation of his brother in law, GM Shah as the chief minister of the state. With the chances of a
Congress-PDP alliance already bright, the NC has the reasons to feel concerned. Hence Farooq's criticism of Mufti, that was more a personal one, needs to be viewed in the backdrop of the electoral politics. The
Congress-PDP together will certainly make things difficult for the NC despite a strong anti-incumbency factor prevailing across the state. |
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Amarnath Yatri Niwas
Jammu, February 16 Speaking on the occasion, Azad said a state-of-the-art infrastructure was being put in place to ensure equitable and balanced development of all areas of the state in a time-bound manner. He said road connectivity, education, healthcare facilities, drinking water, power supply besides, other civic amenities were being ensured in all areas to bring development in the state. The Chief Minister said the facility would largely benefit Amarnath pilgrims who otherwise had to face lot of inconvenience due to the vagaries of weather. He said the yatri niwas would have adequate boarding and lodging facilities for the pilgrims. He said the Haj House in Srinagar also provided much-needed facility for Haj pilgrims. Appreciating the Tourism Department for the speedy construction of infrastructure at various places in a time-bound manner, Azad impressed upon the department authorities to ensure construction of the yatri niwas well before the commencement of the Amarnath yatra this year. He said the number of pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine had already reached 75 lakh and in the coming years, it was likely to touch the 1 crore mark. He said the yatri niwas would also benefit the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. The yatri niwas is being constructed at a cost of Rs 4.91 crore with Central assistance. The complex has been designed keeping in view the specific needs of pilgrims. The multi-storeyed complex will have 15 halls and an administrative block comprising the registration office, SRTC office, ATM facility, fair price, medical shops and dispensary, etc. The bhojanalya block will have a langar hall and two kitchens on each floor connected with the main dormitory block. Other facilities being made available include blocks for safai karamcharis and security personnel, toilets as well as parking for light vehicles. |
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Most hospitals ailing
Chenani (Udhampur), February 16 Anger is brewing among residents of snowfall-affected areas due to non-availability of medical facilities to the people. It was a result of this anger that residents of Chenani had locked the community health centre (CHC) as no doctor was available for treatment when some patients from snowbound areas were shifted. Chenani is not an isolated case. Indeed, most of the primary health centres (PHC) are without doctors and paramedical staff. The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that out of a total 194 sanctioned posts of doctors, 110 posts have been laying vacant in Udhampur district alone. Ironically, 31 ISM doctors have been working on the posts of assistant surgeons in this district. Although the hospital which caters to people of all 46 snowbound villages of this block, was opened, following intervention of the chief medical officer (CMO) B.B. Sharma, medical facilities were virtually on the verge of collapse in remote areas. On the one hand, inhabitants have been facing nature’s fury, while on the other hand, the authorities have failed them at the time of crisis. There is a single doctor at the PHC, Sudhamahadev, which caters to more than 14 snowfall affected villages of this belt. “The only doctor appointed in this hospital was promoted three months back and since then, the post has been laying vacant”, said Lal Chand, a resident and pointed out that the matter was repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities concerned but to no avail. It is worthwhile to mention here that Chenani and adjoining hilly areas of Udhampur district experienced the worst ever snowfall last week. It was a result of hostile weather that many people have been suffering from one or other ailments. “We are at the mercy of God as medical facilities are only on papers”, rued Vivek, a resident of Sudhmahadev. It was a result of the non-availability of medical facilities that some people had lost their lives due to severe cold, he alleged. Officers on the other hand expressed helplessness to appoint doctors in remote areas. Most of the qualified doctors prefer private practise than to serve in rural areas. He said instead of serving in rural areas, many doctors due to their political influence, got themselves either transferred or attached in capital cities. A majority of doctors, who got selected on the basis of the quota fixed for the residents of backward area (RBA) category, have got themselves attached in the cities. |
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An all-woman’s affair
Bari Brahmna (Jammu), February 16 “No work is big or small provided you have the commitment to do it with honesty and dedication,” Isha told The Tribune. Situated on the outskirts of Jammu on the Jammu-Delhi National Highway, Ganga Filling Station is the only petrol pump in the entire region which is manned by female staff. Right from filling fuel in the vehicles, to collecting money and keeping record of all transactions, the entire work at this petrol pump is being looked after by female staff. For the four girls working at the petrol pump, their job has come as a blessing. “Few years ago, I lost my father and responsibility fell on my shoulders. We were almost on the verge of starvation, but this job has come as a blessing,”said Isha. Like Isha, another girl, Seema, who had also lost her father a few years ago, opted to work at the petrol pump to earn her livelihood. “What I earn from my hard work is sufficient to feed my entire family. In the absence of any other source of income, I have to look after everything, right from feeding the family to arranging money for educating my younger siblings,” said Seema. The four girls said in unison that the owner of the station had not only provided them employment but had emerged as a father figure for them. “Our boss takes care of us and we approach him whenever we face a problem. He trusts us, never checks the meter and relies on whatever records we show him,” said Ravinder Kaur, another girl working at the petrol pump. Owner of Ganga Filling Station Jay Ram Sharma said there was a rise in sales after the girls were
employed. |
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All set for Winter Games at Gulmarg
Srinagar, February 16 The inaugural function would be held with the Chief Ministr Ghulam Nabi Azad as the chief guest. This time a larger number of 18 teams from across the country comprising about 500 participants, including the largest contingent of 60 from Jammu and Kashmir are attending, Secretary, Tourism, Nayeem Akhtar said here today. There are teams as far as from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherri, he said. The inaugural function includes sky diving demonstration by air devils of the Indian Air Force, march past by athletes, declaration of the opening of the games and lighting of flame. Different events like alpine skiing, cross country and ice events would be held between February 19 and 21, while the concluding event takes place on February 22. "We have used these occasions to upgrade facilities for training in various winter games at Gulmarg", Akhtar, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir Government, said. This, he added, would help in hosting bigger events at Gulmarg. "As we upgrade the facilities we will try to make Gulmarg a destination for international events", Akhtar commented. Akhtar said that Gulmarg was one of the best spots for the quality of slopes and quality of snow. This was for the first time that the torch marking the event was flagged off from New Delhi on Tuesday and which reached here today would be taken to Gulmarg tomorrow. It was flagged off by Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association. Gulmarg, at a distance of 52 km north of here at a height of 2650 metres from the sea level, is the premier ski resort in the country. |
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Pahalgam coldest, more snow falls
Srinagar, February 16 The summer capital, Srinagar, and its adjoining areas experienced fresh light snowfall today after witnessing one degree below normal temperature in the morning. It was - 0.9°C temperature in the morning against zero degree normal temperature, a weather office spokesman said. He said Qazigund on the highway in south Kashmir was the coldest in the night, after the temperature dipped to - 7°C. Pahalgam, the most attractive tourist destination in south Kashmir, recorded - 6.8°C this morning, while - 5°C was recorded at Kokernag, he said. The upper reaches in the Kashmir valley also experienced fresh snowfall since last evening. Holy Amarnath cave and its periphery also experienced fresh snowfall since last night. Sheshnag, Mahagun, Pisso top and Panjtherni, also received fresh snow. — UNI |
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Avalanches cause more deaths
Udhampur, February 16 Reports reaching here said a group of four special police officers (SPOs) were shifting from one police post to another as their routine duty. When the group was near Vissal Nullah, they were trapped in an avalanche. One SPO, Bansi Lal, was buried alive in the snow while his colleagues somehow managed to come out. The survived SPOs later contacted the district headquarters from where rescue teams were deputed. On the other hand, Power Minister Babu Singh today continued with his on-the-spot assessment of situation by visiting the affected areas to energise efforts for restoration of supplies and communication. This afternoon he convened a meeting of the officers at Doda and reviewed progress of the on-going relief work. During the meeting he directed the officers to work with zeal to solve problems of the people as early as possible. The power minister met party representatives and prominent citizens at Kishtwar. Similar meeting were taken in Doda, Pul Doda and Bhaderwah also. Directive for relocating the inhabitants of areas of Puldoda, being submerged in Baghliar project, was also issued by the power minister. Besides, revenue authorities were also asked to speed up the process of land compensation. In Bhaderwah, the minister directed chief engineer Pawar to replace all wooden and other damaged poles on war footing. Besides this an announcement for setting up an electric workshop at Bhaderwah was also made by Babu Singh. This will remove unnecessary delay in repairs of the damaged transformers of Bhaderwah region, which are otherwise transported to Doda or Jammu. |
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Threat calls don’t matter to these bravehearts
Talwara (Reasi), February 16 Gulzar Ahmed’s village falls in a tehsil, which is infamous for the atrocities being committed by militants on innocent civilians. Militants, this time also, pasted posters in many villages in the remotest areas of Reasi district to warning people against joining the Army. But every danger, as if, enhanced Ahmed’s spirits to join the prestigious outfit. And Ahmed was not alone in making such a gutsy choice. Over 12,000 boys belonging to different violence-plagued areas, turned up to participate in this much publicised recruitment rally. Some youth even covered a distance of more than 100 kilometres to attend the rally. Gulzar Ahmed had tried last year too but cold not make it through. “I am confident that I will get the opportunity to serve the country this time,” the boy said but admitted that he is apprehensive of militants attack on his family. Same is the case with Ahmed Din of Neoz village of Mahore tehsil. Although fear of militants was very visible on his face, he was determined to join the Army. “As many as 50 boys have come from worst militancy-affected areas of Mahore tehsil,” he said. He pointed towards Shabir Ahmed of Agrala village, whose family has already been received a threatening message from militants for allowing their son to participate in Army recruitment rally. Though this huge turn up reflects increasing unemployment in the areas, their enthusiasm and zeal to join the Army could not been rejected. “Mujahids (foreign militants) have warned us against attending this rally but we ignored their threat this time,” asserted Mushtaq Ahmed of Balmantkote village of Mahore. |
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Rajouri, Poonch link road remains closed
Bufliaz (Poonch), February 16 The approach road to the under construction Mughal road through Dera Ki Gali (DKG) also serves as the shortest link road between Rajouri and Poonch districts. The approach road that besides serving as approach road to the Mughal road at here also functions as alternate link road between Rajouri and Poonch passes through Thanamandi and DKG. However, as the approach road to the Mughal road, the alternate road link between Jammu and Kashmir province, remains closed due accumulated snow of 4-5 feet at DKG. The government failing to get the road opened by the Border Road Organisation, the residents, who have pinned hopes from this road for economic growth, are questioning the sincerity of the government in constructing the Mughal Road and keeping it open throughout the year. “We are hoping that the government will keep its promise and will get the historic Mughal road constructed by 2009. But what makes us feel that it (government) is not sincere in getting the road constructed and open it for vehicular traffic,” they said. “It has failed to open one of the main approach roads even after a month of its closure due to heavy snowfall,” said Muhammad Rafiq, resident of Behramgala near here, who along with his wife Taj Begum had to trek about 20 km from their native place to Thanamandi to reach Rajouri to attend the last rites of his nephew Muhammad Taroof who died in a road accident. Another resident, Munshi Khan, a shopkeeper here, said the BRO authorities did not send a single snow-clearing machine to open this road. Instead, he claimed, that the BRO authorities terminated some of the additional labour, involved in snow clearing job and only 15 labourers are left to complete the work. The officer commanding, 79 Road Construction Company, BRO, said the approach road would be possibly opened within three to four days. “We are using the available resources like dozers and loaders to clear snow and open the Mandi-Sawjian road first. After this road is opened for traffic, we will shift our resources to open the road at DKG,” he said. |
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Residents struggle for ‘power’
Udhampur, February 16 The agitators burnt effigy of the state government and alleged that situation has been going from bad to worse but the authorities were only busy in holding review meetings. Speakers pointed out that this town has been facing severe fuel crisis as neither power nor kerosene or LPG was available in the town. They demanded additional quota of kerosene and LPG in the town as the allotted quota has already been exhausted by the people due to severe cold conditions. Residents of Kishtwar also expressed their anguish over step-motherly treatment meted out to them. They pointed out that stranded passengers of Kashmir, Bhaderwah, Gandoh and other localities were airlifted but those of Wardwan, Dacchan, Marwah, Padder and Machail were still trapped in Kishtwar. |
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Govt regularises migrant substitutes
Jammu, February 16 The Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also approved the appointment of G.A. Shah as principal, Government Medical College, Srinagar. The Cabinet also approved the creation of new posts in the judiciary and also in the Social Welfare Department. Besides, it also accorded approval to the transfer of land to various social and religious organisations on lease. The regularisation of employees against the vacancies caused by the migration of a section of employees was pending since a long time. While the employees had migrated to Jammu, they were being paid the salaries. Since the work was affected in Kashmir, the government had made temporary appointments which were now being regularised from time to time on a case-to-case basis. |
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GP Fund official in vigilance net
Srinagar, February 16 A VO official said one Muthir Fazili had lodged a complaint that one Nisar Ahmad, auditor of the GP Fund cell, zone police headquarter, Kashmir, had demanded a bribe for providing GP fund schedule to him. He said a trap was laid and the accused was arrested red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 500 in February, 2007. He said after completing the investigation and accord of sanction for prosecution by the government, the challan of the case was presented in the special court.
— UNI |
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Youth sets himself afire, dies
Jammu, February 16 After having a verbal duel with his family, Balbir poured kerosene oil over himself, bolted the door of the room and set himself afire in Garanee village in R.S. Pura town, they said. Family members and villagers broke open the door and rushed him to a hospital, where he died. In another incident, a government school teacher, Ranvir Singh Chardak committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of his house in Afghan Mohalla in Jammu city this morning.
— PTI |
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