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Rajouri, Poonch youths falling prey
Assembly Elections
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Kashmir Dispute
Mir open to Hurriyat connection to
take on PDP
BJP takes out rally over Kannur killings
Soz to address public meeting today
Consumer panel pulls up Drugs Controller
Crime against Women
State industries lack trained workforce: CII study
2 ultras surrender on Army’s humanitarian gesture
SRTC staff continue strike in Srinagar
Huge quantity of arms, ammunition recovered
Bid to promote ornamental fishes
MLA held for assaulting SPO
Tribune staffer bereaved
Three houses gutted by fire
School upgraded
Medical camp organised
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Rajouri, Poonch youths falling prey to drugs
Rajouri, March 11 But all these warnings failed to make any imprint in the youth’s mind and last week this 20-year-old guy died due to acute drug addiction. This case is not an exception. Nowadays, more and more youths in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch are taking to drugs. Since there is no psychiatrist at the either of the districts hospitals in these twin border districts, the patients suffering from addiction in these border districts seek treatment at the Psychiatric Hospital Jammu. Local health sources informed that the addiction is huge problem in Thanamandi, Darhal, Koteranka and the township in this border districts whereas in Poonch district, addiction cases are being regularly reported from Mendhar, Surankote, Mandi and the Poonch township. The records of the patients suffering from addiction particularly coming from these twin border districts at Psychiatric Hospital Jammu for the last about three decades suggests that there has been a shocking increase in the addiction cases. The record further suggests that in Jammu province of which these twin border districts form an important part, the maximum number of de-addiction cases come from R.S. Pura, Jammu city, Rajouri, Poonch and Doda. The records suggests that the hospital received 10-12 cases of de-addiction in one month during 1980’s from the entire Jammu region of which these border districts form a important parts, and at that time the problem was restricted to alcoholism among 30-40 years age groups. The number increased to 100 cases in 1990, and again the cases were of alcoholism within the same age group. In 2000, the number of cases shot upto 150 in a month with teenagers also taking up drugs in a big way. By the start of 2008, the number of addiction cases is touching about 300. Dr Chander Mohan, Head of Department Psychiatry and Head of De-addiction Centre, said the nature of addiction changed during the last few years. “Since drugs like cough syrups (Fencidril, Corex), tranquilisers (Alprazolam, Diazepam, Clonazipam), charas, opium derivatives are easily available, the addicts have a choice to make as per their budget,” Dr Mohan said. “If alcohol is a favourite among addicts in 30-40 years of age group, the younger generation use drugs like Injectibles (Fartwin and Tidigesic), cough syrups, tranquilisers, pain killers (Proxyvon, Brufen, Spasmoproxyvon, and inhalants (petrol, glue).” |
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Assembly Elections
Jammu, March 11 The present State Assembly will complete its six-year tenure in the month of November this year and the elections would be conducted anytime before that. The main opposition party in the state, the National Conference has formally kicked off its election campaign and in this connection workers of the party have pasted posters of their leaders at various places in Jammu. Majority of the political parties in the state haven’t opened up their cards about their election manifesto, but their leaders have started to attract the voters. President of the ruling coalition partner in the state, Mehbooba Mufti had kicked off her party’s campaign in Jammu region, though her party does not enjoy much popularity in Jammu, as it is considered as a Kashmir-based party. But the PDP leadership is keeping no stone unturned to attract the voters of the Jammu region and many senior leaders of the party, including former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, has also been holding rallies in Jammu. While the Congress leadership has planned to cash in the developmental work carried out during the ongoing regime of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Recently, a senior Congress leader and minister for social welfare, Abdul Gani Vakil, had lauded the role of the Information Department for highlighting the developmental work carried on by the state government at various levels. Though no political party has so far come up with an election manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state, but political parties like the National Conference and the PDP have hinted that both the rival parties will be going to masses with their old agendas. While the PDP will try to project its self-rule formula whose actual draft is said to be in the process of completion under the supervision of the deputy Chief Minister and senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh. Senior leader of the opposition National Conference have said they would be going to the people with their agenda of autonomy for the state. Provisional president of the National Conference Mehboob Beigh had recently said the party would again raise its demand of autonomy. The party has also started attracting the women voter of the state, as Farooq Abdullah while addressing a women convention in Jammu had said if the party was voted to power this time, it would come up with various legislations that would benefit the female population of the state. On the other hand, firebrand leaders of the BJP like L.K. Advani and Narinder Modi are expected to hold rallies in the Hindu majority region of Jammu later this month. |
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Kashmir Dispute
Jammu, March 11 “Unfortunately, the Government of India wasted two precious years when Pakistan President Gen Parvaiz Musharraf had showed a soft approach towards resolving the matter through dialogue process,” Dr Abdullah told media persons. He said the attitude of New Delhi towards resolving the matter could also be gauged from the fact that recommendations of Kashmir Working Groups were still not implemented and instead the fate of dialogue process between India and Pakistan is hanging in balance. “We have been strongly advocating the participation of people of Jammu and Kashmir, through their representatives, in the dialogue process between the two countries,” he said adding, “We have seen the fate of the dialogue process without the subjects of the state.” Referring to the resolution passed in the state Assembly during the NC regime, he said, “The Government of India has to restore the autonomy status to Jammu and Kashmir and there is no other alternative to it.” He said the coalition government has miserably failed to deliver on all fronts. “A team of senior government officials from Delhi had recently visited the state and observed that the state government failed to achieve what it was expected with regard to some major projects,” he said. “If I would have been the chief minister of the state, I would have resigned immediately after going through the observations,” he added. |
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Mir open to Hurriyat connection to
take on PDP
Jammu, March 11 Throwing enough hints that he was already targeting the PDP’s prime constituency in the Kashmir valley, he quipped, “There is nothing wrong in talking to Hurriyat leaders.” He was a speaking at the ‘Meet the Press’ programme at Jammu Press Club here today. The PDP had capitalised on the anti-National Conference sentiment in the Hurriyat, which had brought good dividends to the party in the last elections. Mir was one of the founding members of the party and had an important role in framing its policies that were deemed to be appealing to the secessionist sentiment. Mir was expelled from the PDP on Sunday for “anti-party activities.” He remarked, it was a good riddance, as he had always felt suffocated in the PDP from day one because of the “dictatorial and autocratic attitude” of the PDP patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his president daughter Mehbooba Mufti. When asked why he had noticed the “dictatorial tendencies” in the father and the daughter only after he was refused a place in the ministry, Mir said, his differences with the leadership had started from day one itself. He claimed to have continued with the party only to ensure that no wrong signals were conveyed among the people. Mir was a minister during the first three years of the Congress-PDP term but was denied berth in the Cabinet, as his name was not recommended by the party. His differences with the party leadership started since then only. He said, he was not targeting the PDP, but only wanted to present a good alternative to the people of the state. He regretted that the PDP had failed the expectations and betrayed its agenda of people’s welfare. However, he hastened to remark, the PDP would die its own death because of the dictatorial policies of its leadership. He asserted that the formation of Third Front was inevitable in the state and he was seriously working towards it. The former minister also maintained that everybody must participate in the elections to choose right people for governance. |
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BJP takes out rally over Kannur killings
Udhampur, March 11 Activists of BJYM-youth wing of the BJP took out a protest march in Udhampur demanding action against the CPM-led government in Kerala for, what they alleged, killing RSS workers and Sangh Parivar sympathisers. The BJYM activists took out a rally, which started from Salian Talab area and passed through different localities. Party activists shouted slogans against the CPM for murdering RSS workers in Kerala. Speaking on the occasion, BJYM state president Pawan Khajuria lambasted the Union government for watching the killing of RSS workers as mute spectator. The BJP workers, while condemning killings of RSS workers at Kerala, warned to take the fight to streets of Jammu region. “We will not remain mute spectator of the killing of RSS workers in Kerala,” a BJYM leader said. He said the Congress-led Union Government has been encouraging “murder culture” being propagated by the CPM-led regime in Kerala. Although the CPM does not have any presence in Udhampur, the BJP leaders have reasons to take Kerala’s issue to this mountainous district as they want to be in the good book of RSS for getting party mandate in the next Assembly elections. The BJP leaders are very much aware that without blessing of the RSS, it is difficult rather impossible to get party tickets so there is competition among leaders to prove themselves as “more loyal” to the fountain head of the Sangh Parivar. In the 2002 Assembly elections, the RSS had opposed the BJP candidates by supporting Jammu State Morcha (JSM), then a newly formed political party, in the polls. Due to the non-cooperative attitude of the RSS cadre, BJP had even lost Jammu East and Udhampur seats, which were considered as bastion of the Sangh Parivar. |
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Soz to address public meeting today
Srinagar, March 11 The visit follows his recent tour to Jammu and also having accompanied UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to review the situation and damage caused due to heavy snowfall in the region. Among other engagements, he is scheduled to address a public meeting at the Sheer-e-Kashmir Park soon after his arrival from the union capital while he would also be addressing a press conference later in the afternoon. His appointment as the new PCC chief at a time when the Congress and other mainstream political parties are gearing up for the Assembly elections later this year, is believed to have further rejuvenated the ruling party at the grassroots level. Though majority of the 20 members of the ruling Congress party belong to Jammu region, against nearly an equal number of its alliance partner, PDP members from Kashmir valley, fresh hopes have soared among Congress workers in the valley. Many Congress leaders attach greater significance to Soz’s appointment and his way of handling the party affairs at this juncture when the parties are gearing up for an electoral exercise. They hold the opinion that both senior party leaders, Soz and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, were “mature enough” to handle the party affairs at this juncture. Earlier, Azad had asked his party colleagues to desist from touching the issues related to possible alliance with other political parties ahead of the elections. The Congress leaders here also are of the view that under the new leadership of Saifuddin Soz it would be a revival of the historic period of a former Chief Minister Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq. Soz, who had a long association with the National Conference, quit that party following his crucial vote against party whip which felled the Vajpayee government. Having remained associated with the Congress for quite some time, he played a pivotal role in the constitution of the Congress-PDP coalition government in the state five years ago. |
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Consumer panel pulls up Drugs Controller
Jammu, March 11 The commission, while giving its ruling in favour of the complainant in a case where she was sold a packet comprising only three tablets instead of six, censured conduct of manufacturing firm as well as the Drugs Controller for allowing sale of such spurious drug in respect of quantity shown in packet. It also enhanced the compensation from Rs 1,500 to Rs 50,000 in favour of consumer and directed that efforts should be made in the first instance to recover the same from manufacturer, who is villain of carrying out unfair trade while vendor is an innocent fly in ointment. The commission further held the consumer entitled to interest at 8 per cent per annum from date of filing of complaint before the Divisional Forum, Jammu, till final payment is made. Appellant Anju Anand had filed a complaint alleging that she purchased “Allegra” tablets from Nishat Medicos, Palace Road, Jammu, for a sum of Rs 50.88. On opening the sealed packet, she found that packet contained only three tablets. When taken to notice, the vendor pleaded either manufacturing defect or package defect by Aventis Pharma Ltd, G.I.D.C Estate, Ankleshwar. But the said firm denied any lapses in package of medicine and emphatically pleaded that package contained six tablets but did not lead any evidence to support their averments. However, the Divisional Consumer Forum, Jammu, awarded Rs 1,500 along with interest at 9 per cent per annum from May 1, 2003, till its realisation. The Commission further held, “The practice of allowing unfair trade has inherent nature of causing financial losses to consumers who are inflicted with diseases. Such human conduct can be viewed as fiendish and most reprehensible.” “Right to live quality life is a recognised right under Constitution of India and equally to receive quality healthcare from the state is its essential component,” the panel further said. The commission commended the role of consumer while observing that “the credit goes to appellant for exposing morbidity of pharmaceutical firm of repute who succeeded in selling such a packet of medicine which could have not been sold in open market had the Drugs Controller been performing its duty diligently and honestly.” |
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Crime against Women
Jammu, March 11 Addressing women convention of the party, here yesterday, Farooq said the crime against women had increased manifolds in the country and the state had also witness steep increase in the menace. “Special legislations are required to deal with the menace”, he said while assuring that his party if voted to power would focus on the problem, and laws would be enacted to empower the law enforcing agencies to meet the
challenge. Further assuring that party’s election manifesto will also have special focus on problems confronting women in society, Farooq said the situation was alarming and it was a dire need of the hour that greater social awareness was created among the people against harassment of women. “Women who act as mother and play main role in development of society needed to be protected from cruelty and torture”, he said and added that under all religions and beliefs the women had special status, but the gender was being subjected to inhuman acts by the male dominated society. Farooq said a lot was yet to be done in the field of women education. “Special packages for women by the National Conference will also include opening of evening schools on the pattern of adult education, where these women can learn.” Referring to reservation for women in Parliament and State Assembly, Farooq said he had already pleaded the case in Parliament. He also added: “I really wish that women candidates will take active part in forthcoming panchayat and assembly
elections.” He said widow and old age pension should be streamlined and deserved people should be benefited by the scheme. He said still hundreds of widows were without pension, which needed to be given special attention. The former CM said if his party would come to power; it would keep a provision for free medicare facility for old age women, especially widows. |
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State industries lack trained workforce: CII study
Jammu, March 11 According to a study conducted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J & K State Council, there are serious skill gaps in the state, which would lead to severe skill shortage in the state in the coming years. The CII has suggested setting up of ITIs with private public participation to churn trained manpower for various industries. The study has identified six sectors including construction, agro processing, hospitality, auto repair servicing, information technology and household repairs which have a potential to grow in the state but will have a severe skill shortage in years ahead. The study suggested identification of the skill gap and include the training in the curriculum. The study was jointly released by National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah, minister for health, labour and employment Mangat Ram Sharma and minister for industries and commerce Nawang Rigzin Jora, here last evening. Abdullah said the greatest problem today in the employment sector in J & K was the mindset of the people to go in for government jobs only. He exhorted the industry to assist the government in changing this mindset by providing employment to the youths of state so that the burden on the governments exchequer is reduced and the funds are diverted to the development of the core sectors. The implementation of the study recommendations and the adoption of the six ITIs by CII members will bring in a new life into the ITIs leading to enhancement of the skills of the youth and there subsequent absorption in the industry, he observed. The industries should come forward and partner the government in harnessing the untapped hydro power, mineral wealth and tourism potential of Ladakh Deep Kapuria, Chairman CII Northern Region said the study released by CII needs to be seriously considered and passionately implemented by the government, he added. He exhorted the entrepreneurs that through the CII platform of affirmative actions they must adopt as many youths as possible and skill them. This would lead to a cascading affect and will contribute to the growth of the country. |
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2 ultras surrender on Army’s humanitarian gesture
Udhampur, March 11 Condition of Reehana, the pregnant wife Hizbul Mujahideen commander Mohammed Anzar alias Arsalan, got deteriorated on Saturday evening. As there was no gynecologist or doctor in the Dharmari area, family members of the militant approached the local army unit for help. Without wasting time, a medical team of the Army rushed to the house of the militant and provided emergent medical treatment to her. In the night when militant got information about the humanitarian service rendered by the Army, he contacted the local unit 51 RR and decided to lay down his arms. "Although troops have exerted pressure on militants operating in this area, Mohammed Anzar along with another commander laid down his arms due to the service rendered by the troops", defence sources said. The militants who laid down their arms have been identified as Mohammed Anzar alias Arsalan and Mohammed Mumtaz alias Tahir Saddiqui. According to defence authorities, the Rashtriya Rifles under the aegis of Uniform Force in Reasi region continues to carry out surgical and professional operations based on hard intelligence, the focus is also on inducing surrender amongst terrorists, while encouraging them to join the mainstream. It was all due to the pressure of the security forces that the main accused involved in killing three members of the family of VDC member were nabbed by the police. Main accused Abdul Rashid was arrested by the police and he had confessed to his involvement in the attack. In another success, the troops of 11 Rashtriya Rifles, under the aegis of Rashtriya Rifles Delta Force and the Jammu and Kashmir Police killed Qasim Gujjar alias Babar, a ‘district commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in Kuchhal village of Chatroo tehsil of Kishtwar district. One pistol, one hand grenade and warlike stores were recovered from the slain militant. The militant was said to have been active in that area since 2001. |
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SRTC staff continue strike in Srinagar
Srinagar, March 11 The striking employees, who gathered at the SRTC yard in Lal Chowk, claimed that despite the official claims that their demands had been fulfilled and strike called off, there was no satisfactory assurance to the employees. “Unless we get a written assurance, we will continue our strike,” the employees said. They held that the representatives of the Kashmir wing of the employees presently in Jammu had not informed them about any progress in the fulfilment of their demands so far. An official spokesman in Jammu yesterday said following the assurance by minister for transport Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen that the pending salary and COLA of the SRTC employees would be released soon, the SRTC employees’ Joint Action Committee Union had called off the strike. The announcement was made by the committee’s leaders soon after the successful dialogue between them and Yaseen at a meeting held yesterday, the official spokesman stated. |
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Huge quantity of arms, ammunition recovered
Udhampur, March 11 According to defence PRO, troops of 54 Rashtriya Rifles under the aegis of Uniform Force and J&K Police recovered a huge cache from Hanshawali Gali near Dharmari. The cache comprises one AK 47 rifle, one AK 56 rifle, two Chinese pistols, one rifle, two radio sets, two Chinese grenades, two
Pakistan-made grenades, one RPG booster, one remote-controlled IED mechanism, huge quantity of assorted ammunition and other warlike stores. Worthwhile to mention here that two militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen had surrendered before security forces at Reasi on Sunday. The militants who laid down their arms have been identified as Mohammed Anzar alias Arsalan and Mohammed Mumtaz alias Tahir
Saddiqui. |
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Bid to promote ornamental fishes
Jammu, March 11 This decision was taken to further promote aquarium culture in the state. A large number of people in the state have evinced interest in setting up aquariums in their houses after they were impressed by the ornamental fish preservation in recently set up aquarium near the historic Bahu Fort in Jammu city. The aquarium has cost the state government Rs 8.55 crores. Under the second phase, the government has allocated Rs 2 crores for setting up oceanarium. Over 2.50 lakh people had visited the aquarium during the last seven months enabling the Fisheries Department to earn revenue of Rs.28 lakhs from the sale of entry tickets. During their visit, the people suggested the authorities to make arrangements for the sale of aquariums which they would set up in their houses. Director of the Fisheries Department T. Angchook said “We had to import ornamental fishes from Chennai and Gujrat for the first ever aquarium, which is the largest underground aquarium in the subcontinent. He said: “In order to upgrade the aquarium through variety of ornamental fish varieties, we do not want to bank on imports.” Angchook said “We have decided to raise number of ornamental fish varieties in the ponds in Doomi village so that those keen to set up small aquariums at their houses would get the stuff at cheap rates.” He said that as part of the department’s programme of cultivating peoples’ interest in setting up aquariums in their houses “We will make arrangements for the sale of ornamental fish and their feed.” Citing scientific research, Angchook said setting up aquariums in the rooms of patients could result in their speedy recovery. Asked whether the department would help hospitals in the state to set up small aquariums in the indoor wards he said “It will be decided after we have sufficient stock of ornamental fish.” |
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MLA held for assaulting SPO
Jammu, March 11 MLA Faquir Chand, who is from Chenani constituency, along with three others were booked for manhandling and thrashing SPO Sukhdev Singh, who was posted at his residence on the night of March 9 and March 10, they said. The MLA along with his brother and nephew were allegedly drunk and entered into a verbal duel with the SPO, who was later beaten by them, they said. The injured SPO was hospitalised. A case under Sections 353, 332 and 147 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) has been registered.
— PTI |
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Tribune staffer bereaved
Jammu, March 11 Deewan Chand Khajuria, a retired army officer, was 77 when he breathed his last on Monday. His last rites were performed at the Jogi Gate cremation ground today. A similar condolence meeting was held at the Jammu Press Club which was attended by journalists and some political leaders.
— TNS |
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Three houses gutted by fire
Udhampur, March 11 Reports reaching here said that fire broke out in the house of Mohammed Latif of Chinar Mohalla on Monday night at Chinar Mohalla, about 2 km from Bhaderwah town. With in no time, the fire engulfed the adjoining houses of Mohammed Aslam and Noor Mohammed. Although people immediately swung into action to control the fire, three houses were completed gutted. The fire was ultimately controlled with the help of fire tenders. Four inmates in these houses- Abdul Latif, Abdul Gani, Shahid and Aiyaz Ahmed- received minor injuries in the fire. They were discharged from the hospital after first-aid. Owners of the gutted houses resorted to slogan-shouting when fire tenders reached the spot. |
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School upgraded
Jammu, March 11 It was a long-pending demand of residents of Kattal Batal village in Dansal block of the
constituency to upgrade the middle school to a high school. While emphasising on the need of education, Kishore urged parents to make sure that their children avail the education facilities being provided to them.
— TNS |
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Medical camp organised
Rajouri, March 11 A defence spokesperson said that the camp provided services of specialists to the villagers. In addition to this, a special veterinary camp was also organised for the livestocks of nearby villages. The camp was attened by a large number of people. In addition the opportunity was utilised for conducting an awareness camp on AIDS and other communicable diseases followed by counselling on health and hygiene by medical
specialists. |
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