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Azad inaugurates yatri niwas for pilgrims
All set for Amarnath yatra
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First Amarnath batch leaves today
Transfer of Forestland to Shrine Board
Rights for Udhampur
Assembly Poll
Rain plays havoc with maize
United India told to make payment to insured
Unsung heroes of war against militancy
Army holds workshop on women
It wasn’t above board at all
Rajouri villages face acute water shortage
BJP lauds Karzai’s statement
Dasmunshi visits legislature complex
Woman washed away in flash floods
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Azad inaugurates yatri niwas for pilgrims
Jammu, June 16 Addressing a gathering after the inauguration, Azad said as Jammu served a base camp for the annual pilgrimage, thousands of devotees used to put up at the MAM Stadium in the absence of any proper lodging facility. “It not only caused problems to pilgrims but also left the stadium in a bad shape every year,” he added. Azad said the yatri niwas had an array of amenities for pilgrims which included ration depot, food court, general store, communication centre, travel centre, medical aid centre, police assistance, ATM facility, tourist reception centre and J&K Bank counter for money exchange and a registration counter for the pilgrimage. Azad said the yatri niwas could accommodate 1,800 people in its huge 18 halls at one time. He said all amenities had been made available under one roof so that pilgrims did not face any inconvenience. He lauded the Tourism Department for raising the building ahead of the yatra in just four months. “Though the work is yet to be fully completed, I assure you that by next year, it would be the best place for pilgrims to live in,” he added. Azad said thousands of migrants putting up in “jhuggis” on either sides of the road leading to the yatri niwas were rehabilitated. “We faced a lot of resistance from various quarters, while shifting the migrants from the area, but we did not give in to it and went ahead with our plan,” he said. |
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All set for Amarnath yatra
Srinagar, June 16 To prevent early melting of the Shivalingam, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), recently issued strict instructions not to allow pilgrims near the shrine till June 18. “Security and other arrangements related to the yatra are complete. We are waiting to welcome the pilgrims,” Jaipal Singh, DC, Anantnag said. He added that many pilgrims had already arrived at the base camps at Nunwan, Pahalgam and at Baltal on the Srinagar-Leh axis. Those already at the base camps may be allowed to proceed to the holy cave tomorrow, so that they could perform the pilgrimage on the day it commenced. The first batch of pilgrims would arrive from Jammu tomorrow at both the axes, he added. The DC informed that measures had been taken so that pilgrims and tourists did not face any inconvenience. He said the security checking point which was shifted from Serbal to Nunwan, would only be meant for regulating pilgrims through Pahalgam, while the locals and domestic tourists would be allowed via the circuit road. Meanwhile, the road from Anantnag district headquarter town linking it with the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Khannabal, is getting a facelift ahead of the yatra. Tourists are already making a beeline to Chandanwari, from where the remaining 32-km-long trekking route to the cave shrine begins. |
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First Amarnath batch leaves today
Jammu, June 16 “The pilgrims will leave for the holy cave shrine in the Himalayan range of south Kashmir tomorrow escorted by CRPF personnel from here,” official sources said. Buses, trucks and light motor vehicles carrying the pilgrims would leave around 5 am and the CRPF would provide security from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal camps, sources added. The actual yatra will begin from June 18 when the first batch will pay obeisance at the cave shrine. As many as 4,000 pilgrims have arrived and they have been housed in an Amarnath yatra camp in Bhagwati Nagar area of the city. Over 300 sadhus have also arrived in Jammu for their journey. “The three-tier security set up has been activated in and around cave shrine, base camps, eating points along the pilgrim route from Lakhanpur (Kathua) to Amarnath,” security officials said. Braving all odds, including the harsh climate, treacherous route and threats from militant outfits, pilgrims in lakhs have reached the state to embark upon the holy pilgrimage.
— PTI/TNS |
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Transfer of Forestland to Shrine Board
Srinagar, June 16 Leaders of the Geelani faction took out a protest march from the Court Road via the MA Road to the Residency Road here this morning raising pro-freedom slogans. They alleged that the move was a deliberate attempt aimed at changing the demographic structure of the state. Meanwhile, the moderate faction of the APHC, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, constituted a three-member committee for consultations with the Geelani faction and other groups to chalk out a resistance programme against the government move. The committee members include Shabir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan and G.M. Hubbi. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, the Traders Federation, industrial units, lawyers and employees union, a spokesman of the APHC said. “The meeting expressed concern over the SASB’s plan on converting a religious affair into a tourism-trade affair and change the demographic ratio and also destroy the cultural and environmental system,” the spokesman said. The issue has also created differences between the two main coalition partners, the Congress and the PDP. Senior PDP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Husaain Beig yesterday said his party had been “blackmailed” by the Congress on the issue. |
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Resume dialogue with Hurriyat: Vakil
Srinagar, June 16 Vakil said this while attending a public meeting in Bakhipora-Rafiabad in Baramulla district yesterday. Vakil said, “Atmosphere is conducive and the is stage set to pick up the dropped threads of dialogue and weave the weft of peace and development.”
— PTI
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Gujjars protest against govt
Srinagar, June 16 Though there was no conformation from the police about the number of arrests, an Akhil Bharatiya Gurjar Mahasaba spokesperson put the figure close to a hundred. After gathering at the Press Enclave here, Gujjars marched towards the civil secretariat. They accused the state government of neglecting them and also protested against the atrocities on Gujjars in Rajasthan, who were demanding ST status on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. “The government cannot crush the voice of Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir. It is our struggle to gain rights available under Constitution and to show solidarity, oneness with our fellow Gujjars in Rajasthan, who are being killed, jailed and subjected to various atrocities,” said Ashfaq-ur Rehman Poswal, state president of Akhil Bharatiya Gurjar Mahasaba. He said they would continue the struggle till they get their rights. “Gujjars of J&K were granted ST status in 1991 but they are living in a pathetic condition in the state,” he added. UNI adds: But, when Gujjars refused to disperse, the police resorted to baton-charge. Later, about 40 protesters were taken into custody and lodged in the Maisuma police station. The Gujjars, among other things, were demanding reservation in both the Houses of state legislature, raising of Gujjar regiment in the Army, allotment of land to rehabilitate nomadic Gujjars, including of Gojri in 8th schedule of the Constitution, increase of seats for them in professional colleges and suitable market facilities for livestock and milk productions. |
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Rights for Udhampur
Udhampur, June 16 Interestingly, Jammu-based political parties have always blamed the Kashmiri rulers for discriminating with Jammu. But, now the people of Udhampur have charged Jammu with a similar allegation of ignoring the wishes and aspirations of this place. “We are sandwiched between the Jammu and Srinagar cities,” pointed out Hoteliers Association president Vikram Singh Slathia, who has taken the initiative to form a joint front. “Instead of involving all regions and sub-regions in the developmental process, the successive state governments concentrated either on Srinagar or Jammu,” he added. Slathia regretted that Udhampur, despite having vast tourism potential, had been deliberately ignored by the government. “Huge funds were utilised for promotion of tourism in Bhaderwah but this area was ignored by the present dispensation,” he said and added that there were a number of pilgrim centres in this district but the Tourism Department never initiated steps to attract tourists towards these centres. Interacting with mediapersons, Slathia lambasted the coalition regime for concentrating only on Jammu and Srinagar cities only. “Now our patience is running out. We have decided to launch a joint struggle against domination of Jammu and Srinagar,” he said. Pointing towards decision of the authorities to ignore Udhampur in the forthcoming Amarnath yatra, he said it was game plan to destabilise economy of this area. “We were demanding setting of sub-base camp for Amarnath yatra in Udhampur but our demand was rejected due to the pressure of business class of Jammu,” he said and alleged that pilgrims who want to enter Udhampur are being stopped either at Dayala Chak or at Mansar. “Udhampur is route of Amarnath yatra and there is no reason for ignoring this city as there is adequate infrastructure,” he said and hastened to add that this decision was taken to serve economic interests of some people of Jammu. Representatives of different social organisations alleged that some vested interests in Jammu even opposed train to Udhampur. “It is high time for the people of Udhampur to come forward to oppose this discrimination,” he said and expressed satisfaction that representatives of almost all political parties attended today’s meeting. BJP leader and Beopar Mandal president Ramanand Baria, president of the Chamber of Commerce Ram Saroop Kalsotra, Congress leader Rajinder, advocate, social activist Swantar Dev Kotwal, B B Khan and Ram Parkash, NC, S.S. Baru, chairman of the Udhampur Bar and Hoteliers Association were prominent among those who attended the meeting. |
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Assembly Poll
Jammu, June 16 A party called the Jammu and Kashmir National Democratic Front has been formed for the purpose. The party plans to contest over 20 Assembly seats in the valley in the forthcoming elections. Claiming it to be the first political outfit of Kashmiri migrants, its president A.K. Deewani said the list of party candidates would be out within 10-15 days. Underlining the party's agenda, he said: “Our fight is not only for the return of Kashmiri migrants to the valley. We believe in political empowerment of all minorities in the state, including Hindus. Minorities should be given reservation in the state Assembly on the lines of PoK refugees. We can't go unrepresented simply because we are out of the valley.” Hinting at the National Conference (NC) and the PDP, he said his party would also fight against the “dynastic pattern of democratic set up in the valley”. “The youth should be allowed to come forward in politics,” he added. “The announcement of packages and employment opportunities would not serve the purpose, as the jobs being offered to our youth are not commensurate with their qualification and capabilities. The government must create special economic zones (SEZs) in the valley and facilitate self-employment ventures. The government should also set up three satellite towns for us in Kashmir,” he added. Deewani revealed that the party already had over 20,000 registered members. The party had also launched a drive to get non-registered and new eligible voters registered, he added. “A large number of new voters have been included in the voters list. The Election Commission has also accepted our plea for displaying voters’ lists at prominent places so as to facilitate corrections,” he added. |
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Rain plays havoc with maize
Jhullas-Salhotri (Poonch), June 16 “It rained heavily last night. The flash flood caused total damage to our maize crop. We are destroyed and don't know what to do,” rued Muhammad Aarif, whose standing maize crop on 10 kanals was washed away in the flash flood. “I was expecting a yield of about 200 kg, but rain played havoc and destroyed everything. Now we expect the government to come to our rescue and save us. If it does not help us, I will not be able to feed my family and would also not be able to send my children to the school,” he added. The sordid tale of Muhammad Aarif is shared by Gian Chand of the adjoining Salhotri area. “It was around 9.30 pm when water started entering our house. Till the time we could evacuate our children to the adjoining Laxmi Narayan Mandir, a strong current of water swept the wheat seed stored by us for sowing. The wall was also broken by a strong current of water and 25 quintals of wheat were washed away,” Gian Chand said. There has been extensive damage to maize in these areas of the district and there is not a single farmer whose crop has not suffered 90 per cent damage. Since it is sowing time for paddy, the water current has also deposited silt in the ploughed fields. Not only did the water currents damage the standing crops in these areas, but it also has damaged houses in these areas located just close to the Line of Control (LoC). The Poonch MLA who visited these areas to take stock of the situation said, “Untimely rainfall had caused severe damage to crops in Jhullas and Salhotri area, besides, it has also damaged some houses. I have already requested the district administration to assess the damage and compensate the victims.” Meanwhile, senior officers of the district administration also visited the spot to take stock of the situation. |
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United India told to make payment to insured
Jammu, June 16 The commission has given the company one-month time to make the payment. Earlier, the insurance company had approached the Divisional Consumer Forum, Srinagar, but the forum on June 7, 2004 gave its ruling in favour of Parray. Parray, who runs a grocery shop, insured his stocks in trade after obtaining insurance policy by paying premium through cheque to be drawn upon the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd, Magam. On the basis of this cheque, the insurance cover was issued. During intervening night of August 9/10, 2000, a burglary took place in his shop. Parray raised a claim with the insurer, who deputed surveyor for the assessment of the loss and submitted an assessment report calculating the loss to the tune of
Rs 1,00,544. After trial of the complaint, the Divisional Consumer Forum, Srinagar, held the United India Insurance Co Ltd liable to pay an amount of Rs 1,03,544 with nine per cent interest from three months after the receipt of surveyor’s report. The insurance company challenged the award that the actual payment of the premium cheque was not received from Parray and in this way the contract of insurance between insurer and insured had not become complete. The company pleaded that in case the insurer has not received the amount of cheque from the UCO Bank, Sopore because of negligent conduct, the insurer had independent cause of action to proceed against the UCO Bank. The commission observed, “We find no illegality or infirmity in the impugned order on the ground that the payment of the premium through cheque in question has to be deemed to have been received because the cheque was not dishonoured but the payment could not be received because of the negligent act of the UCO Bank.” |
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Unsung heroes of war against militancy
Jammu, June 16 These are men of the Army’s special bomb disposal (BD) squad who are always ready to risk their lives to save the lives of other people. In view of the upcoming assembly elections, annual Amarnath yatra and the sudden increase in the militancy- related activities in the state, the bomb disposal squad of the Army has been kept on high alert to diffuse any sort of bomb that is being planted by the militants to sabotage the peace in the state. “When people run away from the bomb we are the people who run towards it and to avoid any causality,” said a member of the bomb-disposal squad of the Army. Adding, he said “When diffusing a bomb we know that a minute mistake of ours cannot only kill us but can lead to a disaster, but still we love our job as we risk our lives to save lives of so many innocent people.” The members of the squad are the specially trained personnel in the Army and the police, who have specialised training to handle various aspects of any explosive device. Militants these days are using various forms of IED (improvised explosive devices) that are difficult to be identified from other objects in the area. “There are various types of bombs being used by militants that are difficult to be differentiated from the surroundings, other than various types of IEDs they have been using- nail bombs, transistor bombs and other type of bombs,” said Jammu-based PRO of the Ministry of Defence Lt-Col S.D. Goswami. He said “Though the people in the squad wear a special dress to minimise the impact of the blast, however, the risk of life is there. These people risk their lives to save the life of others.” Militant outfits operating in the state have been using various kinds of IEDs that are camouflaged in such a way that it becomes difficult for people to identify them. “We have disposed off IEDs placed in streams, they make a stone hollow and fill RDX in it and make it an IED, they make bombs out of hollow tree trunks, and many other such type of bombs, these type of bombs get activated by various means, some get activated by sound, some by light, some by pressure and so on,” said a senior army officer. These unsung heroes of the Army many of whom have lost their lives while diffusing bombs and many lost their body parts in various anti-insurgency operations across the country; risk their lives on daily basis. “After disposing a bomb we feel happy that we have again saved innocent lives,” said a member of the squad. |
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Media orientation course begins
Jammu, June 16 The course with the aim of acquainting media people with the working and other functions of the Army, especially in counter-insurgency operations, was today inaugurated by Major-Gen D.L. Chowdhary, General Officer-in-Commanding, Tiger Division. Speaking on the occasion General Chowdhary assured the media of full cooperation, but asked them to restrain from showing sensitive issues that relate to the security of the nation. Journalists from various organisations are taking part in the course that is scheduled to end on June 20. |
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Army holds workshop on women
Jammu, June 16 The workshop was initiated by president of AWWA Rising star Corps, Rupa Sharma. The focus of the three-day workshop was on time management, financial planning, understanding child psychology, managing marital discord and sessions on yoga as a stress reliever. The workshop started with an introductory lecture by Archana Shahi on the Art of Home Making. President AWWA, Tiger Division, Aruna Chowdhary highlighted the aspect of a woman being a true companion and her role in building a happy atmosphere. |
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It wasn’t above board at all
Udhampur, June 16 Bearing roll number 661045, Arshad Mohammad, a resident of Seuti village in Ramnagar area of Udhampur, appeared in the matriculation examination conducted by the JKSBSE in April this year. Arshad’s result was withheld by the board and it was mentioned in the gazette that he adopted unfair means during the examination. Arshad’s father, a milkman, approached the board authorities and pleaded that his son was innocent. But instead the board served a notice to Arshad and summoned him to appear before the committee. The board authorities repeatedly called him to Jammu and he was harassed in the presence of a high-level committee. The committee had almost decided to disqualify him on the grounds of “misconduct” during the examination. It was only after a police officer, belonging to the boy’s village intervened, that the board admitted its fault and assured to declare the result within a day or two. “It was really a mistake on the part of our staff”, admitted Dr V.K. Gupta, joint director, JKSBSE. Dr Gupta told The Tribune that those responsible for harassing the student would be punished. It was found that the board had lost one of the answersheets of the student. |
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Rajouri villages face acute water shortage
Rajouri, June 16 More than 4,000 people living in Choudhary Naad, Dhindiyaan, Gharisyan, Dhanore and Danidhar villages located just few kilometers from here are suffering due to acute shortage of drinking water supply. Villagers, who had often lodged protest against the shortage, said despite installation of pipes by the Water Supply Department, no water is provided through them. The department supplies water through tankers and that too after a gap of three to four days in insufficient quantity, complained Razia Begum of Dhindiyaan village. “Since the election in the state is round the corner, we will cast our votes for the candidate who ensures that our villages are supplied adequate quantity of water,” he added. Ashok Gupta, department superintendent engineer, Rajouri Division, admitted that these villages were facing water shortage. “The department has proposed improvement in the water supply project in the town and the adjoining villages. The project worth Rs 31.70 crore is awaiting approval,” he claimed. Meanwhile, the department sources said these villages were supplied water through pipes from a source in Ujjan. But due to the huge population load, villagers pump out water near the water source and these villages don’t get adequate supply of water. |
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BJP lauds Karzai’s statement
Jammu, June 16 Taking a dig at the Congress-led UPA government, BJP state president Khajuria said, “The UPA government should imitate the Afghanistan president and undertake definite steps aimed at destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK, including the terrorist training camps.” He said the situation in India was no different from Afghanistan as it was Pakistan which was seeking to destroy both India and Afghanistan using terror tactics. Khajuria said that it was not only Jammu and Kashmir but several parts of the country, which like Afghanistan, were being targeted by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and ISI agents. |
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Dasmunshi visits legislature complex
Srinagar, June 16 Union minister for information and broadcasting P.R. Dasmunshi, who visited the complex with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad last evening, was impressed with the workmanship. Appreciating the breathtaking woodwork on the roofs, he said it was a wonderful complex and an excellent engineering feat. The Chief Minister said in view of the severe inconvenience to people in general and shopkeepers and pedestrians in particular due to security restrictions placed during the session of the legislature in Srinagar, it was decided to look for an alternate place for the legislature. |
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Woman washed away in flash floods
Jammu, June 16 Over 300 acres of farmland was also destroyed, while over 100 heads of cattle were washed away in the floods. The Chenab was flowing at 28 feet, just two feet below the danger level at Akhnoor in Jammu, while large swathes of land in
Udhampur, Samba, Kishtwar and Ramban remained under water, sources said.
— PTI |
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