Jammu, June 5
Infuriated over the fuel price hike, people including women today resorted to protest demonstrations at separate places in the temple city and burnt effigies of the Congress-led UPA government.

Strongly castigating the Central government, they claimed that the Congress has delivered a deathblow to the people under the guise of reforms.

Shouting slogans against the Congress, people burnt effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and petroleum minister Murli Deora.

“Unprecedented hike in the prices of cooking gas has badly hit the common man, particularly housewives and the hike in petrol and diesel prices will further increase transportation cost of essential commodities, which in turn would have a cascading effect on the people,” said Abhinav Sharma, a junior assistant in a government department.

Echoing similar views, Deepshikha Gupta said the common man had already been bearing the brunt of constantly rising inflation and to increase prices of LPG, petrol and diesel is cruel on the part of the UPA government.

“The government can have its reasons to justify the hike by saying that it tried to strike a balance between crude oil prices in the international market vis-à-vis whopping losses to oil companies. But why it can't slash various taxes and then gradually cut subsidies to help oil companies,” asked a banker.

At certain places people including women took to streets with empty LPG cylinders on their heads. Meanwhile, the BJP, the National Conference, the Panthers Party and various other political outfits got an opportunity to corner the Congress on the issue. BJP district president Rajesh Gupta along with his activists took out a protest rally against the Centre and burnt the effigy of the Congress-led UPA at Kachi Chawni here.

The National Conference activists led by district president Chander Mohan Sharma also staged a protest demonstration at Vivekenanad Chowk.

He also fired all salvos on the UPA government for the unprecedented hike in prices of cooking gas.

Srinagar, June 5
A protest demonstration led by general secretary of the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), MP Gurudas Dasgupta, was held today in protest against the rise in oil prices.

The state unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has criticised the Central government for the rise in prices of essential commodities. A meeting of the Kashmir Council of the CPI was held under the chairmanship of deputy general secretary of the CPI, MP Sudhakar Reddy, yesterday. The meeting held that though the UPA government had taken certain measures under pressure from the Left parties, it had adopted policies on home and foreign affairs on the lines of the BJP government.

Referring to the performance of the coalition government, the CPI claimed that the government was misleading the masses under hollow slogans of prosperity, war against corruption, self-rule, dual currency and withdrawal of troops. It added that the government had failed on all fronts.

Meanwhile, Dasgupta and Reddy called on Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday and discussed with him certain issues relating to employees of various government departments and organisations, including Social Welfare, ITI, JKPCC, Centaur Hotel and Hindustan Steel. The representatives of these organisations were also present.

The Chief Minster assured the deputation that their demands would be looked into. Former MLC, Abdul Rehman Tukroo was also present on the occasion.

Rajouri, June 5
In a report that may prove to be a jolt to the Army, the central forensic laboratory has reportedly confirmed that the DNA sample of a person allegedly killed by army troops in a fake encounter whose body was exhumed from a pit in Peer Badeswar area has matched with one of his parents. This reported findings of the laboratory mean that the assertions of his family members that he was killed by troops and buried in a pit may well prove to be right.

Sources in the police department close to officer who got the DNA report from the laboratory in Kolkatta claimed that the DNA sample of Muhammad Yousuf, son of Raj Muhammad of Kotdhara-----who was allegedly killed by troops of 18 Dogra in a fake encounter and buried in a pit in the Peer Badeswar area near LOC----has matched with one of the parents. They said since the report was positive, it substantiated the allegations of family members that he was killed by the Army in a fake encounter.

Police sources said Muhammad Yousuf, son of Raj Muhammad, Abdul Aziz, son of Sher Muhammad and Abdul Aziz, son of Muhammad Hussain (All from Kotdhara), were allegedly killed by troops of 18 Dogra in a fake encounter and were buried in a pit some where near the army camp in Peer Badeswar area near LoC in 1997. After disclosure of infamous fake killings in Ganderbal where body of Abdul Rehman Paddar was exhumed for a DNA test, families of these victims too were pressing hard to get the bodies of their members exhumed for test to ascertain whether the persons buried were their members.

Sources further said that families of the victims had urged the then Deputy Commissioner Pervez Ahmed Malik in March, 2007 and it was due to his efforts that bodies of the buried persons were exhumed in June 2007.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Farooq, brother of Abdul Aziz (sons of Sher Muhammad), another victim who was allegedly killed by the Army and buried in the same pit claimed that he was also informed by someone close to person who brought the DNA report that Yousuf's DNA matched with one of his parents.

Deputy Commissioner, Rafiq Sheikh said that "I was out of the district and have just reached. But I have also heard that the report is with SSP, Rajouri. I will see it tomorrow",  the DC said.

Samba, June 5
Even after a month, the residents of this village are finding hard to come to terms with the encounter, which took place in Kaily Mandi village of Samba district near the international border.

They now say that they are worried about their future in the village. They feel threatened as and when there is a knock on their doors.

Though the security agencies have taken tough measures to contain any movement of the militants and to restore a sense of security amongst the residents of this district, the residents say the measures have been taken only to increase the problems of the common man.

To fight any future terror attack on the village, the government has constituted a village defence committee (VDC) in Kaily Mandi and has also been contemplating of forming few more VDCs in the area so as to deal with any eventuality.

After the failure of the BSF in foiling the infiltration bid, the force has increased its vigil along the international borer and has passed strict instructions to the villagers not to venture out along the 1-km distance of the border from 8 pm to 5 am.

“For that time period, shoot at sight orders have been issued to the men on guard,” a senior officer of the BSF told The Tribune requesting anonymity.

The BSF has also been installing extra lightings in the area near the border, so as to increase the visibility during night.

Besides the police has issued instructions to the vendors selling Army fatigues to report to the in charge of the local police stations about the stock; the venders have also been asked to properly check the identity card and write down the number of the Army personnel purchasing the fatigues.

Despite all these “stringent measures” the residents of these villages say that they feel insecure and prefer to stay indoor most of the time.

“Even we are not secure inside our houses, as last month militants had barged into the house and killed the inmates. Now such is the condition that we get scared of even a single knocking on the door,” said Kamal Singh, a residenet of Kaily Mandi village.

“Despite the claims of the BSF, militants managed to sneak into our side and killed so many people. Now how can we trust that the measures they have taken are foolproof,” he added.

Udhampur, June 5
A piece of land was reason enough for a man to kill his younger brother.

Mahu Chand (54) of Gathwal village was hacked to death by his brother over a piece of land in Chenani area of Udhampur district today. Mahu’s wife Smitra Devi and son also received severe injuries after a clash between the two families.

Police sources said Mahu was working in his field along with his wife and son when his elder brother Prem Nath reached there and asked him to stop work as he staked claim on the piece of land. Both the brothers entered into a verbal dual which was followed by a scuffle. Later, the family members of both the brothers also attacked each other with sticks.

In the melee, Prem attacked Mahu with a sharp-edged weapon. Mahu’s wife and son also received injuries when they tried to rescue Mahu. Prem’s wife Jogindera also assisted her husband in attacking Mahu’s family.

After inflicting severe injuries to Mahu, Prem fled away, leaving his brother and his family in a pool of blood. Soon villagers rushed to the spot and took the victims to the primary health centre from where they were referred to the Chenani hospital.

While Mahu succumbed to his injuries, the condition of his wife and son was stated to be critical. The police has arrested Prem and his wife Jogindera and registered a case of murder under Section 302\34 of the RPC against them.

Jammu, June 5
On the World Environment Day, the residents of the winter capital continue to grapple with air, water and noise pollution.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board (JKSPCB) carried out noise pollution check at 14 locations in the city four times a month and according to sources, at times the noise pollution exceeded the permissible limits even in silence zones.

The scenario in residential, commercial and industrial areas is no better with noise pollution touching 80.9 decibels at Shalamar Chowk, which is well above the permissible limit of 65 decibels for commercial areas.

On the water front, the Tawi river has turned into a drain with stinking filth floating on it. The pollution has reached alarming proportion particularly from Sheetli Nagrota to Belicharana stretch as various drains in the old city carrying night soil and hazardous effluents flow into the river.

From polythene bags to biomedical waste, all sorts of garbage are being dumped into the river. The figures of the JKSPCB amply substantiate the statement. The BOD (biological oxygen demand) level has reached 48 mg/litre, which is 24 times more than the normal level of 2 mg/litre.

Similarly, the dissolved oxygen (DO) level has reduced to around 2 mg/litre as against the normal level of 4 mg/litre. According to Dr Yashpal, a scientist with the board, these figures do not augur well for aquatic life in the river. “Also it makes the river water unfit for any usage by human beings,” he said.

The Tawi largely caters to the requirements of the winter capital, especially its western parts. The situation has worsened to such an extent that the residents have stopped using the Tawi water for performing last rites of the dead.

The JKSPCB carries out water quality check at 14 locations starting from Kishanpur to Makwal in the Tawi once in a year. Apart from it the board also conducts water monitoring exercise under the monitoring of indian national aquatic resources (MINAR) scheme on quarterly basis and submits report to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

As far as air pollution is concerned, the board has put up three air monitoring stations at Narwal, M.A.M. Stadium and Bari Brahmana, from where ambient air quality for RSPM, SPM are monitored.

Though the city has witnessed a manifold increase in per capita number of vehicles, the board officials claimed the SPM (suspended particulate matter) level is within permissible limits and attribute the same to the “absence of any thermal power station or brick kiln in and around the city.”

Srinagar, June 5
Curtains would be falling down on the weeklong drama over the induction of B.R. Kundal into the Azad-led council of ministers. He would be administered oath as a minister here tomorrow.

The oath ceremony earlier scheduled for Monday last had been deferred due to various reasons including differences within the Congress party and with its coalition partners, the PDP.

“Things have been settled and the oath ceremony is being held here tomorrow,” a senior officer told The Tribune this evening.

He said the oath ceremony would be followed by a decision on the appointment of senior most IAS officer, S.S. Kapur as the new chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir replacing B.R. Kundal, who was due to retire next year.

Kundal had assumed office as chief secretary only in October last year. Since he had already applied for premature retirement, decks had been cleared for his induction into the state Cabinet as a member of the Congress party.

The delay in oath ceremony, had however, led to speculations and hampered working in the civil secretariat over this week.

Ahead of the Assembly elections due to be held in Jammu and Kashmir later this year, Kundal, belonging to SC category, would be Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s choice in the Jammu region.

Kundal is to get the portfolio of power ministry relieving Babu Singh. Kundal’s induction would also fill up the slot vacated by former education minister and Pradesh Congress Committee chief Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, who had to resign from both the positions earlier this year.

The senior Congress leader, Peerzada, tendered his resignation following charges of corruption against him leveled by independent MLA Shoab Lone.

Meanwhile, Assembly speaker Tara Chand has described dragging his name in the issue of B.R. Kundal’s induction into the Cabinet as unfortunate. He said the post of speaker is apolitical and should not be dragged into controversies and made it clear that he had not expressed any reservation regarding this decision.

As a disciplined party worker, he said he would abide by all the decisions taken by the Chief Minister and the party high command.

Jammu, June 5
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has held that the in-service doctors must serve in the rural areas for two years in order to become eligible to appear for the Entrance Examination Test for undertaking post graduate/super specialty courses in the medical colleges of the state.

Justice J.P. Singh of the high court, dismissing the petition filed by Dr Kailash Chander & others, held that the restriction placed on in-service doctors on their eligibility to participate in the Entrance Examination Test is reasonable and justified.

Eleven doctors filed a writ petition on December 27, 2007 calling in question the SRO 430 of 2007 and termed it arbitrary, unjust and unwarranted for the in-service Assistant Surgeons and said it violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

Defending the amendment introduced vide SRO 430 of 2007 to Jammu & Kashmir Government Medical Colleges (selection of candidates for post graduate degree and diploma courses) Procedure Order, 1995, the state respondents argued that there was shortage of doctors in rural areas of the state.

“To meet the requirement of improving public health, particularly in remote and backward regions of the state, the state government, pursuant to the directions issued in a public interest litigation, to the state functionaries to devise ways and means to ensure presence of doctors in rural areas, to take care of the heath of those who reside in these areas, had undertaken a drive to post doctors in these areas,” the respondents said.

These doctors, when appointed to the government service, would, however, in one or the other way, manage their posting in urban areas thereby affecting state's resolve to cater to the need of public health in rural areas, they further said.

The high court observed, “SRO 430 of 2007 is thus, certainly a step in the direction of achieving the object contemplated by Section 24 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. Besides that, it is a step of the state government in ensuring protection of fundamental rights of those living in rural areas to enjoy life with dignity, which right flows from Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”

“The restriction placed on the in-service doctors to participate in the entrance examination for undergoing post graduate courses/super specialty courses in the medical colleges of the state, has a rational relation with the object which the state government wants to achieve by ensuring presence of doctors in rural areas,” the court further ruled.

Srinagar, June 5
There is an auspicious news for intending pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath. The Shivalingam has been showing signs of growth for the past few days as the temperature has dipped. Moreover, the ice lingams of Parvati and Ganesh have also formed fully.

This was stated by Governor Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd) during his visit to the holy cave and Baltal today. He took stock of the arrangements made with regard to track clearance and raising of temporary pre-fab structures at Baltal and the cave. He was also briefed on the steps taken to ensure a smooth and secure yatra.

The Governor was informed that no pilgrim had visited the cave shrine ever since the watch and ward had been taken over about one month ago. Even the security forces deployed in the cave periphery had been kept at bay.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of doves eaves dropped on this conversation and having learnt the secret, they are reborn again and again, making the cave their eternal abode.

Many pilgrims reported seeing the dove-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the Shivalingam.