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Siachen Pilferage
Lt Col, two ultras killed in Sopore encounter
Custodial Killing
No lessons learnt after deadly ’05 quake
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NC trading peoples’ honour for power: PDP
NC patron defends comment on Muslims
Project united face: Mufti
Withdraw Armed Forces Special Powers Act: CPM
BSP to contest in all Assembly seats
SRTC strike
‘Excise commissioner hampering growth’
Mild tremors in Kashmir
50 kg RDX seized
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Siachen Pilferage
New Delhi, March 16 The police approached the court in Leh and secured directions for Pathankot-based Regional Headquarters and Stores Depot (RHSD) to certify the places and the Army units where food packets of a particular batch number were sent, sources in the state home department said. The police had to approach the court after the Commanding Officer of RHSD did not acknowledge several communications from the state authorities in this regard. They said, after the court direction, some information had come which was not up to mark prompting the police to send another direction asking them to answer pin-pointed quarries of the state police. “We are asking them about a particular batch number and they are giving us everything other than this information,” a senior police official said from Jammu. The ration was supplied to Leh-based 14 Corps by RHSD. The Army authorities, meanwhile, continued to avoid all summons issued by the police asking its officers to appear for questioning. Sources said summons were issued after three local shopkeepers, arrested in connection with the pilferage, recorded their “confessional statement” under Section 164 of criminal procedure code before a magistrate. In view of the “confessional statements,” six Army officials of Third Infantry Division, who had performed their duties as Officer Commanding, and two Army officials, including a Lieutenant Colonel of the Corps headquarters, were required for questioning for their alleged role in embezzlement and pilferage of special ration, clothings and equipments meant for Siachen sector. The Army had been maintaining that it was carrying out its internal probe, which according to them was
sufficient. However, legal opinion sought by the state Home Department claimed that no parallel inquiry was sufficient when a probe by civil police was on. Defence minister A.K. Antony had informed Parliament in December 2007 that after an internal probe by the Army into the pilferage scam, the authorities had initiated administrative action against three officers and three junior commissioned officers. The entire scam came to light after the police found special rations meant for soldiers serving in Siachen Glaciers being sold in open market. The police also sought a report from the manufacturers of the seized ration items, to which some responded by providing with the name of the units of Army Supply Corps (ASC) to which it was supplied. The police has registered 11 FIRs since July last year after finding food packets and other equipment meant for Siachen being sold in the open market but the Army has allegedly refused to cooperate in the probe. Police arrested 31 people, including shopkeepers, in various areas in Leh located in north Jammu and Kashmir.
— PTI |
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Lt Col, two ultras killed in Sopore encounter
Srinagar, March 16 Lt Col M.S. Kadam of 22 RR Battalion, who was leading the troops, died after being hit, the Army said. A jawan also died in the encounter, which also left at least four police and CRPF personnel injured. “Col Kadam was leading the Army team from the front while taking on the militants inside. Shots were fired from very close range and he was able to shot at militants before he came under their fire,” an Army spokesperson said. A top militant of LeT, Hafiz Nasir, on whose trails the troops had cordoned off Chotlora village, is suspected to have been killed along with another militant, a police official told The Tribune. However, the encounter, which started at around 10 in the morning was still on till the last reports came. Troops would continue with their siege tonight and exact casualties on the militants’ side could be conformed only tomorrow when they launch search operations. Baramula SSP Anand Jain said they received tip-off about militants’ presence in the area in the morning. Militants opened a massive fire on the troops and cops causing a few injuries, he said. Soldiers from 32 RR and 22 RR were in the encounter beside CRPF personnel. It may be mentioned that Baramula-Bandipora has emerged as a stronghold of otherwise diminishing militancy in the valley and LeT has been able to build a strong presence their. The Army and police have been able to kill over 30 militants in the last few months. |
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Custodial Killing
Srinagar, March 16 The SHRC has issued the directions on a petition filed by the family members of one Bashir Ahmed Shah, alleging that he was killed after his arrest. However, police and army have claimed that he was a militant and was killed in an encounter. However, the family members contested the official claim and filed a petition before the Commission alleging that on July 17, 1997 troops of 28 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) arrested Bashir and two other people during a search operation at Dangiwachi Rafiabad in Baramulla district. The petition said troops later handed over the body of the victim to his family members. The Commission directed the police to file a repot. The then Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, in his report on August 24, 2001 repeated that Bashir was a militant and killed in a counter insurgency operation in Dalri forests. Last year the Commission again directed the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) to file his report on the case. “In this connection, the reinvestigation of the case has been completed and the case has been closed, as challan against the five soldiers of 28 Rashtriya Rifles, including a major has been submitted,” the DGP stated in the report. The acting chairperson of the SHRC in his judgment observed, “The report of the DGP has contradicted the earlier report of the IGP. This commission is justified in accepting the report of the DGP, which has substantiated the custodial killing of Bashir after he was lifted during a search operation.” “The commission has examined the matter in depth. The record has clearly established that the personnel of 28 RR during search operation had lifted Bashir and subsequently killed him. Later a report was lodged by the 28 RR justifying the death of the civilian during counter insurgency operations,” the judgment said. The ruling further says, “The petitioner’s case is therefore accepted as genuine as it has sufficiently proved that victim was killed in custody.” The Commission has recommended the government that it should “expeditiously prosecute the challan against the accused Major and his four associates.” The commission also directed the state to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation to Bashir’s family.
— UNI |
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No lessons learnt after deadly ’05 quake
Jammu, March 16 Ever since killer quake flattened structures in 2005, the state government framed a disaster management committee and a senior official measures the state’s progress at 8 on 10 level to meet any contingency. But despite all these preventive steps, high rise buildings minus requisite technology continue to come up. “The state falls under seismic zone categories 4 and 5 where seismic activity happens every five days and even this morning a temblor measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale struck south Kashmir,” said Project Coordinator Disaster Management, Amir Ali. He, however, claimed that state government has made big strides forward ever since October 8, 2005 saying, “The state as of today has sufficient seismographs with V-satellite connection and two to three Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so as to help geologists and experts in their research.” Official sources said, “Situated on the faulty lines, the state today needs micro-zonation study and space-based remote sensing research so as to predict major tremblers in future.” It may be recalled here that 1,400 people in Jammu and Kashmir and over 70,000 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were killed on the fateful morning of October 8, 2005. The state government in collaboration with the Unesco recently conducted a workshop in Srinagar forwarding its recommendations to the housing and urban development department. “However, we cannot implement the recommendations unless and until a techno-legal regime including by-laws are put in place,” said an official of the Housing and Urban Department. “Leave aside financial implications, a legal framework is required to ensure every new structure is constructed with quake resistant technology,” he said, adding, “It is possible only after state legislature makes necessary amendments in Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act.” He said that ‘lifeline’ buildings like hospitals, civil secretariat, schools, colleges and other multi-storied structures in the state shouldn’t crumble during quakes. “The matter has been taken up with the government,” he said. Responding to a query, he expressed apprehensions that high-rise buildings in Jammu and Srinagar may not endure another seven plus temblor. The 2005 quake had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale. When contacted, an official of the Jammu Municipal Corporation said, “Undoubtedly unplanned constructions have been going on in the winter capital and the old city faces a major threat because fault lines are passing beneath Gujjar Nagar and Tawi River.” “Leave aside unplanned and illegal constructions in the city, a danger constantly lurks over old and ageing Town Hall housing JMC office,” he said. The unplanned Jammu city, particularly western part, has several localities where not even an ambulance can enter in the wake of any unforeseen event and to aggravate the problem people after hobnobbing with the JMC officials have been managing illegal
constructions. |
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NC trading peoples’ honour for power: PDP
Srinagar, March 16 “We are approaching the problems of our youth in a holistic manner so that they can draw maximum benefits from the spiraling economic opportunities,” Mufti said adding that the party would continue to work for the rehabilitation of all those families, irrespective of their affiliation, adversely affected by the turmoil. Launching the PDP’s pre-election mass contact programme here in the valley, Mehbooba said, “People across the board are now convinced that only Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has the capability and commitment to pull Jammu and Kashmir out of the morass and put it on the path of political stability and economic prosperity,” she said. Mufti was speaking at a public meeting at Batamaloo here yesterday that was also addressed by the senior party leaders, including deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig and finance minister Tariq Hameed Qarra. She said even though Mufti Sayeed headed the coalition government for a very short span of three years, he had left indelible landmarks of his impeccable performance not only at the ground but on the public minds as well. Mufti said with 16 legislators in its kitty and three years of governance, amid difficult circumstances, the PDP had done what the National Conference couldn’t achieve in 30 years with around 60 legislators in the house. “Give us six years and see how we are going to transform your lives,” she told the gathering. “And today we are more than satisfied to see that the principled stand taken by the party on the issues concerning the people is being widely acknowledged,” she said and added that this public recognition of the party’s contribution in transforming the state’s security and developmental scenario is the PDP’s greatest strength. Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said the PDP’s alliance with Congress was based on the principle that both the parties would work together for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue without compromising the honor and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said in tune with the PDP’s agenda, the Congress supported all the initiatives taken in this regard by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and later carried forward by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “And let me tell you the time is not far away when you will be traveling to Rawalpindi and Islamabad as you are presently traveling to Jammu or Delhi,” he said. |
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NC patron defends comment on Muslims
Jammu, March 16 The NC patron, who had earlier been criticised by the PDP for labelling Muslims across the world as terrorists, seemed to defend himself and projected his party’s secular outlook. “My party leaders asked me not to attend today’s function which was being organised by the Hindu Shiv Sena, but I came here as I wanted to show the entire nation that Farooq is a secular person who respects each and every religion,” he said. He said, “Whatever they (PDP) say, I had never said the world is afraid of Muslims as they are terrorists, I had just said that Muslims were being labeled as terrorists.” He said people should help in spreading love and not hatred and religion was one such mean, which help people to come closer. “No religion teaches its followers hatred instead religion is a mean to bring people closer, the fire of hatred has harmed our country a lot and now I want to see love spreading everywhere,” said the NC patron. Without naming the ongoing armed insurgency in Kashmir, Farooq said Islam never teaches to kill innocent people in the name of jihad. “Those who kill innocent people in the name of jihad are doing wrong, and instead we should call jihad against social evils like illiteracy, female feoticides and dowry which is making our society hollow,” Farooq said. |
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Project united face: Mufti
Jammu, March 16 Chairing a meeting of senior party functionaries at the party headquarters last evening to discuss the arrangements for the grand rally scheduled for on April 1 in Jammu, the PDP patron made a fervent appeal to senior party leaders to remain united and not fall apart. Sources said Mufti Mohd Sayeed was keeping a close watch on the conduct of dissident leaders in the party after the party leadership decided to expel one of its founding members, G.H. Mir, for indulging in anti-party activities last week. Mufti urged the PDP leaders not to fall prey to the “hate campaign” spearheaded by dissident leaders who are eagerly awaiting for the PDP’s downfall. Reliable party sources said the PDP was organising a party rally on April 1 in Jammu to test its political waters. |
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Withdraw Armed Forces Special Powers Act: CPM
Jammu, March 16 These demands were made in a resolution passed at the eighth delegate session of state CPM here today. It was attended among others by senior central and state leaders of the party. Addressing the session, Mohd Salim, MP and deputy leader of the CPM in Lok Sabha said, the party would raise its voice and fight for the genuine rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir. G.N. Malik, on behalf of the state committee, presented the political and organisational report, which was later discussed by the delegates. The resolution on agriculture demanded waiver of loan to horticulture growers, extension of crop insurance scheme to cover all agricultural crops and the provision of loan facilities to agriculture growers at four per cent simple interest. Another resolution by youth sought filling up of posts lying vacant in various government departments without any further delay, release of long pending wages to daily wagers, regularisation of those working on adhoc and contractual basis for many years and provision of unemployment allowance to unemployed youth. |
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BSP to contest in all Assembly seats
Jammu, March 16 The BSP has decided to contest all assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir with the objective of helping the downtrodden and poor who had undergone miseries during the last two decades of turmoil in the state, BSP general secretary Narinder Kashyap told reporters here. The party will also field candidates in Lok Sabha constituencies of the state, he said. “Our party has already sounded election bugle in the state and decided to put candidates from different constituencies of the state without consideration of caste, creed or religious affiliation,” Kashyap said. BSP, under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, has already approved first list of 18 candidates for assembly elections and two candidates for Lok Sabha seats in the state, he said. Releasing the list, he said 18 candidates in the first list include state unit president Yashpal Bhagat. Besides, Gujjar leader Choudhary Hussain Ali will be the BSP candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency and Khalid Lone would contest in Baramulla LS seat. Expressing concern over the suffering of people during the turmoil, he said the people in this border state were not happy with the present dispensation of coalition government and wanted change.
— PTI |
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State on threshold of tourism boom
Srinagar, March 16 “The government has identified other areas on the tourism map of the state and set up 19 development authorities (in different parts of the state),” assistant director, J-K Tourism, A. Maqbool, told a team of journalists from Karnataka. The idea was to develop more attractions under “Brand Kashmir”, catering to the requirements of different segments of tourism, including pilgrims, skiers, rafters, golfers, adventure and amateur tourists, the official said. “We have identified core segments of future”, he said. Infrastructure at various places like providing access, roads and electricity, was being built with private participation and in some others, it was being upgraded, Maqbool said, adding that the government expected results from these proactive measures in the next three-four years. According to him, local municipal committees have been formed to oversee tourism-related development activities, as new resorts are being established. Maqbool said the idea was to set up tented colonies in some places, which depended on tourist inflow, could be moved to another location in the next season. “This is an initiative that also gives a respite to the environment,” he said. “We are on the threshold of a tourism boom. We expect a big splash this year. We are seeing an upswing”, he said. Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal contribute the bulk of tourist inflow into the border state, which is keen to attract people from other states. Officials expect Gulmarg, a premier ski resort in winter, to become the “next big thing for state tourism if things go as planned”. The state plans to host mega winter games (skiing events) at Gulmarg as it seeks to boost the brand of this mountain resort.
— PTI |
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Beauty of flowers enthralls all
Jammu, March 16 Around 116 participants took part in the one-day event in which different varieties of flowers were put on display in eight different categories. People were enthralled with the different varieties of flowers that were put up on display. “I am speechless. I haven’t seen so many different varieties of flowers at one place in my entire life and I would spend my entire day enjoying the fragrance and colours of these flowers,” said Meenaskhi Sharma, a postgraduate student of Jammu University. The first such flower show in the state was held in 1961 and today’s show was the 43rd show as the department had to abandon the show for a few years due to the ongoing turmoil in the state. According to IIIM officials, all flower shows that were held by the department had been widely appreciated by people from different walks of life. Speaking to The Tribune, vice-president of the IIM, Dr B.K. Kapahi said, “This is the 43rd annual flower show that we have organised. We got a huge response from people who came to see these flowers. The not only enjoyed different varieties of flowers but also showed interest in learning different methods to grow these flowers.” Due to the ongoing turmoil in the state, the department had discontinued the show for a few years, but it was again started in 2007. To encourage people to grow more flowers and to attract them to participate in the show, the department would give out 175 prizes in various categories to the participants. “About 17 judges, including officers from the floriculture and agriculture university would judge the best entry and we would be awarding 17 trophies and around 175 prizes would be given in total,” Dr Ashok Ahuja, secretary, IIIM told The Tribune. |
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SRTC strike
Srinagar, March 16 SRTC Employees Union chairman Shakeel Ahmad Kuchey said they would resort to any means to get their due from the government. When asked if it meant resorting to violence means, he said they have been betrayed by the government and the employees in frustration could get destructive. Over half a dozen employees are in jail as they were arrested three days back for attacking some policemen who had stepped in to drive some SRTC buses on important routes. He said the managing director of the corporation was behaving like a “dictator”. “He is acting in frustration and instead of trying to understand our views he is trying to frighten us,” Kuchey said. Official sources said it was unlikely that the Congress-PDP government would go to the extreme of sacking the employees. Even if they do so, it would be a symbolic exercise to force them to join duties. With elections only months away, any move to harm SRTC employees would not go down well with the people, they said. |
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‘Excise commissioner hampering growth’
Jammu, March 16 According to “Bari Brahamana Industries Association in an emergency meeting of its advisor/executive committee convened under the president Anil Suri strongly flayed the apathetic attitude and step-motherly treatment being meted out by the commissioner, Central Excise, Jammu, to the industrial sector of Jammu,” the statement read. According to the statement, the commissioner after taking over the charge had visited the BBIA bhawan and assured to streamline the systems, reduce documentation for the filing of monthly returns and checking harassment to industrialists. The actual ground reality was that since the day the commissioner joined, the situation had gone from bad to worse, the statement read. |
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Mild tremors in Kashmir
Srinagar, March 16 This comes as yet another reminder of seismic vulnerability in the valley which has seen at least four recorded earthquakes in the past two months, though none of them were severe enough to cause any losses. Resident of Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag districts said they got panicky and people ran outside for safety. “The tremors lasted for a few seconds and there was no loss of life or property,” Nisar Bhat, a
resident said. |
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50 kg RDX seized
Srinagar, March 16 SP, Awantipora, Sardar Khan said they received information that militants were planning to smuggle the deadly explosive and they laid a naka. “We were checking all vehicles and when we discovered the RDX in two cans which were apparently dumped by their occupants,” he said. One can weighed around 20 kg and the other over 30 kg. Meanwhie, police officials said they suspected the LeT to be behind the RDX haul. |
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