Srinagar, May 3
Deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig today claimed that the Kashmir issue was close to settlement and a result would soon come out of the ongoing Indo-Pak dialogue.

Addressing public meetings in south Kashmir, the PDP leader, though, refrained from spelling out the specifics of the likely solution, said both countries were committed to settle the issue in amicable fashion.

He said both India and Pakistan government were keen to bring an end to the issue, which has been in the root of hostilities between the two countries.

Baig said the coalition government in the state has made progress on all counts whether it was developmental or bringing a political solution to the Kashmir issue. He admitted that unemployment was a grave issue in the state, especially in the valley where private establishments were negligible and the government was the sole job provider. He added that the government has devised a fast track mechanism to give jobs to thousands of people against the vacancies available in the state.

He said trade across the Line of Control (LoC) would resume soon and it would give a boost to economic activities in the state.

Considered a moderate among top PDP leaders, Baig has refrained from publicly commenting upon proposals like joint management and dual currency even as his leaders Mufti Sayeed and his daughter Mehboobo Mufti have been trying to consolidate votes by harping on these issues, which remain vague and has not been supported by the Central government, at least officially.

Jammu, May 3
Two villagers were shot dead by militants in Kishtwar district, the police said here today. Militants shot dead Imtiyaz Ahmed Mir, a former insurgent, in Kuchal village of Chatroo area in the district last night, the police said.

The ultras then barged into the house of one Bashir Ahmed Hajam-an, an employee of Public Health Engineering (PHE), in the same village and killed him.

Mir, who was arrested by the police in 2006 for indulging in militant activities in Nowgam area of the Kashmir valley, was later released by the court in February this year.

The militants had probably killed the duo on the pretext of being informants, the sources said. The police and the security forces have launched operation to track down the militants responsible for the killings.

Meanwhile, a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant was held by the security forces in Kishtwar district while a sympathiser of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was arrested by the police in Jammu district, official sources said today.

LeT ultra Qasimdin was arrested from Kither-Patnazi area of Kishtwar district during a joint search operation by troops of Rashtriya Rifle (RR) and the police early today.

One self-loading rifle with its two magazines and 26 rounds were also recovered from the militant, they said.

The police also arrested one sympathiser of JeM outfit on Akhnoor road in Jammu district following a tip-off yesterday, they said, adding, some documents including posters were recovered from his possession.

Identified as Mohammad Arif of Narole village in Poonch district, the JeM sympathiser has been booked under the unlawful activities act, they said. — PTI

Jammu, May 3
Surgical anti-militancy operations based on concrete information by security forces has significantly reduced the strength of militants and their activities in the state, the army claimed today.

“The strength of terrorists as well as their potential in terms of weapons and related infrastructure has shown a perceptible decline in the state due to surgical operations based on hard intelligence by the security forces”, a defence spokesman said.

Violence has been brought down considerably by effective counter infiltration operations along the Line of Control (LoC) and sustained counter terrorist operations by the security forces in the hinterland, he said. He added that it was not possible without the hard intelligence provided by locals on the movement of terrorists.

He, however, said despite assurances to the contrary, terrorist activities in the state and other parts of the country continued to be sponsored and supported from across the country. Intelligence assessments indicated continued existence of terrorist infrastructure and camps across the borders.— PTI

Srinagar, May 3
While the ongoing peace process has been able to bring solace to people in the Kashmir valley, the sharp decline in deaths has affected the income of epitaphists. Epitaph writing has been in demand in Kashmir. It is about personal details about the deceased being carved on tombstones.

The frequent deaths due to routine clashes between militants and the security forces during 19 years of turbulence in the state kept epitaphists busy. But these days due to peace in the valley, it’s tough time for these writers.

“During 1990-95 when militancy was at its peak we had enough work. But with the decline in militancy during the last two years, we are also facing a severe crunch in our profession,” said Farooq Ahmad, an epitaphist.

The practice of writing epitaphs gained currency, as it helps in identification of graves.

“In earlier days, epitaph writing was not much in vogue. But now it is almost mandatory, as it is convenient for people to submit information to the government officials looking for identification of the dead,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, an epitaphist.

It normally takes two days of hard work to chisel and engrave a marble epitaph and five days to prepare a 'Peur' or, a tombstone.

Usually, apart from holy verses from the Quran and relevant Urdu couplets, it is the name of the dead, his or her lineage and the day and date of death, which are inscribed on the epitaphs.

People feel that the government should take serious steps to keep the art and the livelihood of artists alive.

“As a local resident, I feel that the government should take some steps to keep the art alive so that their (epitaph writers') families can be provided with enough livelihood,” said Niyaz Ahmad, a resident.

Hundreds of families have been associated with the trade for over a century in the valley. Their ancestors used to carve idols and statues but now their job is limited to etching epitaphs.

The Kashmir valley has been under the shadow of militancy since 1980s. There are about a dozen militant groups operating here.

Officials say violence has declined in Kashmir since India and Pakistan, who have gone to war twice over the region, launched a peace process in 2004.

More than 42,000 people have died since militancy erupted in the valley in 1989, as per official Indian figures. Human right groups put the toll at about 60,000. — ANI

Jammu, May 3
Residents in Jammu are forced to bear the brunt of scorching heat this summer, thanks to the ever-increasing inflation in the country, as many cannot afford to buy an air-cooler as the price rise has affected it badly.

The prices of air-coolers have increased manyfolds and those who cannot afford to purchase it are left high and dry and have no other option but to bear scorching sun.

“I was planning to purchase an air-cooler this summer, but its price has increased so much that I may have to rethink about the purchase,” said Angat Kumar, a resident of Nai Basti in Jammu.

The electronic dealers in Jammu say that the rise in the price of air-coolers was directly associated with the inflation in the country.

“An air-cooler which was easily available for Rs 2,500 per unit now costs more than Rs 4000; this is due to the increase in the price of steel and other material used in making an air-cooler,” said Praveen Kumar, an electronic dealer in Jammu.

Adding, he said, “Not only the prices of coolers but also the prices of air-conditioners and refrigerators have witnessed a steep rise.”

The cost of the normal ceiling and table fans have also increased many-folds, thus it is becoming out of reach of the purchasing power of the people having a limited source of income.

“If I go to purchase a fan or an air-cooler this summer, my entire budget would get disturbed, so it’s better to tolerate the heat,” said Angat Kumar.

However, the residents of the region would not find any respite from the surging heat and inflation as the common person here might have to bear the brunt of both, for some more time.

While the meteorological department here has said that the normal day time temperature in Jammu region might increase and would remain above normal for the next few weeks and also there were no chances of an early shower.

On the other hand finance minister P. Chidambaram has said that the inflation would remain high for the next few months.

“It is only the common man like me who has to suffer due to the ever-increasing temperature and the rising prices of everything,” said Mangat Singh, a resident of Digiana, Jammu.

Jammu, May 3
The shoppers in Jammu are delighted with the opening of a first of its kind shopping mall where items of various brands would be on sale.

Various national and international brands have opened their showrooms inside the mall. Former finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather inaugurated the first ever shopping mall in Jammu “Kashmir Square” on Thursday.

“The promoters of the mall have done a brilliant job for initiating the venture and through it, have brought Jammu on the map of the cities with international shopping standards,” Rather said.

People who had come on the function organised to mark the inauguration of the mall said they felt happy as they could buy different brands under one roof.

“The opening of this mall in Jammu has proven the fact that Jammu, too, has emerged as a major market for national and international brands,” Anita Manhotra, a postgraduate student of Jammu University said.

Anita added, “Now youngsters can buy trendy clothes. Now everything would be available under one roof.”

Chairman, Kashmir Square Subash Gupta said, “The Kashmir Square is built around the concept of bringing top brands. Shoppers can buy garments for men and women, including formal, casuals, western and ethnic Indian wears, household and home accessories at the mall.”

Subash added, “Apart from a great shopping experience, shoppers can enjoy various national and international foods and beverages like never before in Jammu.”

Meanwhile, people in large numbers thronged the mall to have a glimpse of what was available at the mall.

Jammu, May 3
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakru of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has set aside the judgment of a Single Judge while allowing the appeal of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), thus, upholding the government order exempting the FCI from paying overtime allowance at double the rate of its employees stationed in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bharatiya Khadya Nigam challenged the notification dated September 23, 1988 on the ground that the government did not have power under Section 5 of the J&K Shops & Establishments Act, 1966 to grant exemption from a part of the provisions of the Act; either it can exercise its power fully or not at, but not partly.

Referring to Section 48 of the J&K Shops & Establishments Act, 1966, it was contended that where an employee in any establishment is required to work in excess of the limits of hours of work, he shall be entitled to wages at the rate twice his ordinary rate of wages in respect of the overtime work.

The single judge opined that the Food Corporation had failed to show any law on the aspect that the government while exercising the power under the Act could grant exemption from part of the provisions of the Act. The Single Judge took the view that no notification can also be issued restricting payment of overtime wages, since the government lacked power.

The Division Bench allowing the appeal filed by FCI observed, “The corporation is a public sector undertaking and completely owned by the Union of India. It is engaged in transportation of essential commodities throughout the country. The notification was issued by the government in public interest.”

The bench further ruled, “The petitioners herein are working in the offices of the corporation. Only those employees who are working in the ports, godowns and depots are entitled to double the wages for overtime work. The nature of work performed by the employees who are working in the offices cannot be equated with the above-mentioned employees.”

“We have found that the government has powers to grant exemption fully or partly. Once the power to grant exemption is conceded, the court cannot sit in judgment over the wisdom of the legislature, or the rule making authority. On facts also, we are of the view that the exemption order is justified, so is also the view expressed by various high courts,” the bench added.

Srinagar, May 3
The National Conference (NC) patron and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to direct the Jammu and Kashmir government to implement the recommendations of the sixth pay commission in the state immediately.

In a statement here today, he also urged the Prime Minister to impress upon the state government to bring the KAS (Kashmir Administrative Service) and KPS (Kashmir Police Service) officers at par in terms of pay scales with IAS and IPS officers so as to encourage sons of the soil who have understanding of the local problems.

Noting that in a state like Jammu and Kashmir where education was not yet accessible to all and it was difficult for the state subjects to compete at the all-India level, Abdullah said the move would encourage the unemployed among locals to strive harder to make it to the state administrative services. — PTI

Jammu, May 3
An exercise started by the Jammu and Kashmir Police of bringing back drug addicts to the right track is bearing fruit. They had made this beginning at Kupwara by holding a de-addiction camp where a large number of addicts came to attend the camp.

The attempt proved to be a major success and saw appreciation of those concerned parents, whose wards had fallen to drugs. Now the movement is being carried forward in the police hospital, Srinagar. According to a senior police officer, in Srinagar police hospital, a large number of drug addicts attend regular course on de-addiction. He says during the last 18 years of militancy, lots of youths took to drugs due to frustration and on account of fear of uncertain future.

He says director general of police Kuldeep Khoda is keen to promote health community policing, which involves saving these youths, who had either resorted to unfair means of minting money or have taken to drugs for temporary respite.

The police officer says the DGP has plans of introducing de-addiction programmes in other police hospitals and hold camps where youths could get proper guidance to free themselves from the shackles of drugs.