Srinagar, July 2
Life began in Kashmir with its usual vigour today after eight days of complete shutdown. All offices and schools opened and transport system was back on track.

The normalcy came a day after the state government revoked its decision of allotting forest land to the Amarnath shrine board. The Action Committee against Land Transfer subsequently called off the strike.

Kashmiris celebrated the government’s decision by bursting firecrackers last night in Srinagar and few took out rallies claiming victory on the issue.

Officials said offices witnessed full attendance and vehicular traffic and intra-Kashmir transport services were back to full steam.

However, the traffic on the Jammu-Kashmir national highway was very thin due to bandh called by the BJP and several Hindu organisations in Jammu.

Separatist leader S.A.S. Gilani, who has emerged stronger following the protests, today said their agitation was not communal and they were all supportive of the Amarnath yatra.

Some elements are trying to communalise the issue but Jammu people should not pay heed to it, he said.

He also gave a call to people to converge at Hajratbal shrine on Friday and invited Hurriyat Conference (moderate) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to join him.

The teachers should explore options like consultation, conciliation and counselling, he said. — UNI

Ghambir Mughlan (Rajouri), July 2
It was thought creditable on the part of the Army when it decided in 2005 to go in for micro-hydel projects to provide electricity to villagers under Operation Sadhbavana. But taking a look at these projects today, there exists just doubts over the Army’s intentions.

Reason: Not only the projects are lying defunct since their inauguration, these initiatives of the Army rendered two families destitute.

These families, one in Ghambir Mughlan village and other in Patrara village in Manjakote, gave their gharats (traditional water mills), which were their sole source of income, for the construction of the projects.

Villagers of Ghambir Mughlan said the 38 Rashtriya Rifles constructed this project, conceived by former Governor Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd), to provide power supply electricity to 20 households of the village after spending millions of rupees under the border area development programme and Operation Sadhbavana.

The Army had reportedly promised Khadim Hussain, the owner of the water mill in Ghambir Mughlan village, that his income would double after the projects kicks off.

The Tribune found that the project comprises of a small shed constructed in brick and cement. Inside the shed besides heaps of grass, are snapped wires, defunct turbine and alternator.

“In 2005, Army authorities approached me for installing an electric pan chakki (for setting up the so called micro-hydel project) on my running water mill. Before that we have been happily earning livelihood by operating the water mill,” said Hussain.

“Later the Army authorities dismantled my water mill. Though they left behind some machinery for the purpose but never installed the same rendering my water mill non-functional,” he added.

“I have to feed 12 members of my family and with any my water mill, we were forced to starve,” he added.

Kundan Lal of Patrara in Manjakote is the other victim. He said, “The Army has snatched my family's livelihood by dismantling my watermill for installation of the project. They didn't set up the project leaving us in lurch.”

“We have requested the Army to install the projects or get my water mill reinstalled, but they tried to scare us by threatening us of dire consequences,” he added. The Army authorities were not available for comments.

Rajouri, July 2
The state government has transferred Thanamandi block development officer Sadiq Ahmed to Poonch for allegedly demanding bribe from candidates during interviews for the post of Anganwari workers here.

A three-member committee comprising Sadiq, Nageena Kousar (medical officer) and Salim Qureshi, child development project officer (CDPO), was formed for conducting the interviews slated for June 26 to June 28, official sources said.

Candidates complained on June 26 and June 27 when the BDO asked for bribe, the sources claimed. In one such case, a female candidate from Behrote village lodged a complaint against the BDO to the deputy commissioner and the minister concerned.

Sources said after instructions from the minister, BDO Sadiq Ahmed was immediately transferred to adjoining Poonch district.

Rajouri block development officer Sukhpal Singh, who was on leave to Jammu, was asked to conduct interview on June 28, the sources added.

Udhampur, July 2
Indefinite curfew was imposed in Bhaderwah town this evening after some miscreants lobbed a grenade on the procession of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Twentyfour persons, including prominent BJP leader Dhanatar Singh Kotwal, were injured in the attack.

Tension mounted in Bhaderwah-which is home town of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad after the blast and demonstration was held against the state government.

Seven critically injured persons were airlifted to Government Medical Hospital, Jammu, for advanced treatment. Conditions of three injured were reportedly serious and they were being operated upon.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Bhaderwah, Kalyan Singh, told The Tribune that indefinite curfew had been imposed in the town after the blast and additional forces had been deployed in the town. He said situation was tense but under control.

In connection with the on-going protests against decision of the state government to cancel allotment of land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the Bhaderwah unit of the BJP today organised a rally in town.

Activists of other Hindu groups, including Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, also joined the protest.

The demonstration started from Seri Bazaar and passed through different areas of the town.

As the procession proceeded towards Takia Chowk, members of majority also came on streets and resorted to shouting pro-government slogans.

The SDM, who was accompanying the procession, tried to persuade both the communities but of no avail. Both the groups resorted to shouting slogans against each other.

The situation took an ugly turn when both the groups started pelting stones. In the meantime, some miscreants threw a grenade on the procession of the BJP in which more than two dozen people received injuries. After the blast mob turned violent and attacked some shops and vehicles.

All the injured were immediately shifted to the Bhaderwah hospital from where seven critically injured were airlifted to GMC, Jammu.

The injured included prominent BJP leader Dhanantar Singh Kotwal, who had contested by-election against Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

On the other hand, protest demonstrations continued at Doda, Ramban and Kisthwar against the decision to cancel allotment of land to the shrine board.

Activists of Hindu groups joined by leaders of other political parties took out a procession at many places and lodged their strong protest against, what they called, decision of the Congress government to bow before secessionionsts and anti-national forces.

Udhampur, July 2
Notwithstanding claims of the state government to provide security to Amarnath pilgrims, devotees returning from Kashmir were allegedly attacked by miscreants at Banihal, on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today.

Although the Banihal police has registered a case against 14 persons for attacking pilgrims, no arrests have been made so far.

Three families, who bore the brunt of the miscreants, told mediapersons that they were forced out of their vehicles by an unruly mob, who asked them to raise anti-India slogans.

“After beating us with rods and sticks, some youths asked us to shout anti-India slogans”, Gurmeet Singh of Uttar Pradesh said. “The cops were standing nearby and acted as mute spectators”, he rued. It was only after some locals intervened that we were allowed to proceed towards Udhampur, he added.

Narrating the whole incident, Vishal Yadav of Lucknow, who received injuries on his forehead, said a mob stopped their vehicle and thrashed them.

Reports said the miscreants also misbehaved with some women pilgrims. When the situation went out of control, the civil administration sought help from prominent citizens of Banihal, who rushed towards highway and rescued trapped passengers.

Jatinder Mishra, tehsildar, Banihal, said it was after locals intervened that the situation was brought under control.

Mishra said some miscreants had been identified by the police and they would be arrested soon. He said local Muslims had expressed their anguish over the incident and assured to protect the pilgrims.

Sources said some anti-social elements had spread rumours that Kashmiri drivers had been attacked, after which the mob started targeting pilgrims.

Meanwhile, a case under Section 147/148/149 of the RPC has been registered against the 14 culprits.

Kuccha Talab (Bishnah), July 2
Ecstatic ever since they received the news, family members of Ram Prakash (54) are eagerly awaiting for him to return home, after over decade of agonising separation.

Like several other Indian prisoners languishing in different Pakistan jails, Ram Prakash was arrested in Pakistan in 1997, and was convicted under espionage charges.

Since then, he had been languishing in Kot Lakhpat jail at Lahore, where a majority of Indian prisoners are imprisoned.

Ram’s 27- year-old son, Deepak, said, “We came across news that he has been released and will come via Attari border. Since then, our joys knew no bound.”

When asked how his father went to Pakistan, he described it to be case of “inadvertent crossing.”

Deepak added, “Little hiccups due to incomplete documentation delayed his repatriation. But officials concerned informed us that my father will be free as the Pakistan authorities have cleared his name.”

“Despite law and order problems in the state because of the Amarnath land transfer row, I immediately left for Wagah border but had to return from Madhopur after officials informed us that it would take a few more days for his repatriation,” he said.

After Ram was arrested in Pakistan, his family had to toil hard for its survival. Though the agency for which Ram worked, did provide some financial help,
besides, a paltry monthly remuneration, the family has definitely suffered socio-
economic setback.

“My mother, Raj Kumari, did petty jobs to feed us,” Deepak said. Deepak, a science graduate, now works as a driver in a private factory and earns a petty sum of Rs 2,400 every month.

Because of economic exigencies Deepak’s two sisters Jyoti Bala (23) and Pooja (20) also faced enormous difficulties in pursuing their academics.

It has been reliably learnt that even though Pakistani authorities cleared Ram Prakash’s name for his release but the Indian embassy in Islamabad has not been officially informed. Hence, it will take a little longer for the family to reunite.

Jammu, July 2
After three days of violence in the Jammu region, the Ghulam Nabi Azad government finally woke up to the situation and sent two ministers to cool down tempers here.

Talking to The Tribune, health and medical education minister Mangat Ram Sharma said they have called an all-party meeting in the evening, in which they would put forth the government's viewpoint before them and try to make them understand the entire issue.

“Some parties have made an issue out of the land transfer move, though there exists none. The state government has revoked the land transfer only after the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) told it to take over the arrangements of the Amarnath yatra. Earlier too, the government was taking care of the yatra logistics right from medical camps to langars.”

On the protesters’ demand of restoration of land to the shrine board, he put the ball in the shrine board's court and said, “If the board asks us to restore the land to it, we will do it in a minute.” He said the BJP “should not have politicised” the issue.

Higher education minister Gulchain Singh Charak said, “Till date the people in Jammu have been acquainted with only one side of the story. Some parties are terming the move as an attack on Hindu religion, which is not the case.”

He said the shrine board didn't have enough resources to manage the affairs of the Amarnath yatra.

“The Tourism Department will be provided budget for creating facilities for the Amarnath pilgrims,” he said, alleging that the issue was a political stunt of the PDP.

“While those protesting in Jammu blame some elements in the valley who want to disturb the pilgrimage for the crisis, but I want to ask them now why are they acting on the same lines. Aren't the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath pilgrims facing inconvenience due to the bandh in Jammu,” he asked.

Meanwhile, the BJP, the VHP and the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, which claims to be representing over 30 agitating outfits, boycotted the all-party meeting called by the state government authorities. The meeting was on till the filing of this report.

“They are the ones who revoked the land transfer order. Now what for they have come to Jammu,” asked Leela Karan Sharma, convener of the samiti.

Jammu, July 2
According to a list circulated from quarters close to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad among selected media reveals that Azad banks on the support of a majority of independent MLAs besides, two from the CPM, four from the Panthers Party and one from the State Morcha.

The list carries numbers and names from each group whom the Congress claims would support the Azad when he will seek vote of confidence on the floor of the House on July 7.

Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh ridiculed the claim saying that “After the revocation of the land diversion order, no MLA from the Panthers Party will support the government.” He said, “If anyone does so, he will surely invite the wrath of the voters in his constituency.”

Traditionally a Congress man, Ashwani Sharma, who won the 2002 Assembly election from the Bishna constituency as a candidate fielded by the Jammu State Morcha, contested as an Independent after he was denied the Congress ticket. His supporters say he will not support the Congress.

Manjit Singh, who had been elected to the Assembly on the BSP ticket in 2002, later associated himself with the PDP, also denied that he was going to support Azad.

A member of the state Cabinet said, “In case we feel we are falling short by three to four MLAs, we may motivate some MLAs to remain absent on July 7.”

Constitutional experts say those MLAs who remain absent on the day of the trial may face disqualification from their respective parties. And those who vote in favour of the Congress in violation of their parent party directions will be disqualified under the State Anti-defection Law.

These very experts, however, said the disqualification issue had to be settled by the Speaker of the Assembly, who belongs to the Congress, and thus could take his time for giving his ruling.

He said even if Azad followed an easy route by motivating some MLAs to remain absent on the D-day, it would then depend on Governor N.N.Vohra. If the Governor feels satisfied, Azad could continue to be the Chief Minister.

Jammu, July 2
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court dismissed a writ petition of Enchante Jewellery Ltd, Gurgaon, which had sought quashing of state sales tax commissioner’s order of September 20, 2001.

A Single Bench comprising Justice J.P. Singh observed, “I do not find merit in petitioner’s counsel’s submission that he had not been allowed sufficient opportunity to represent its case before the Commissioner.”

The petitioner had appealed to the Commissioner against the deputy commissioner sales tax (Adm.) Jammu’s order of March 23, 2001 passed under Section 15-A (4) of the J&K General Sales Tax Act.

Enchante Jewellery Ltd was found carrying gold/jewellery in a vehicle on March 6, 2001 unsupported by documents as required under Section 15-A (2) of the J&K General Sales Tax Act.

After assessing goods’ worth at Rs 87, 65, 162 by DC Sales Tax, Jammu, a show-cause notice was served on the petitioner’s representative as to why penalty be not imposed as the goods were being carried by unregistered dealer and without requisite documents.

As the representative failed to reply, the company was fined Rs 7, 36, 272.60. The petitioner filed an appeal before the commissioner pleading that it had brought jewellery in the State to explore the market and find out buyers to start its business in the state and not with any clandestine intention.

The high court while dismissing the petition observed, “The appeals before the authorities under the Act are governed by self contained procedure prescribed in Rule 52 of the J&K General Sales Tax Act.”

Jammu, July 2
Despite curfew in place, the winter capital continued to simmer on the third day of the bandh call given by the BJP and other outfits.

The protests today spread to other parts of the Jammu region as well. While 24 protesters were hurt in an explosion at Bhaderwah, curfew was also imposed in neighbouring Samba district.

In Jammu, fearing that the situation may spiral out of control, the administration extended the curfew in the entire city at 5 am today. A large number of police and CRPF personnel were deployed in the sensitive areas.

However, caring two hoots about the curfew, the protesters hit the streets in areas like Muthi, Nagrota, Digiana, Nai Basti and Talab Tillo.

The police lathi-charged and used teargas shells to disperse the mob in Muthi area, which houses Kashmiri migrants. Kashmiri migrants blocked the Jammu-Poonch and Jammu-Srinagar highway while protesters from different outfits clogged the Jammu-Pathankot highway.

Former state BJP president Nirmal Singh was arrested after he along with the party workers attempted to defy the curfew order in Gangyal area. Reports of stone pelting were also received from Nagrota.

While unconfirmed reports said 15 persons were injured in clashes between the police and the agitators in the city, DIG Farooq Khan stated the day was peaceful.

A curfew was imposed and the Army held a flag march in the neighbouring Samba district as well after scores of motorcycle-borne protesters tried to set afire some “jhuggis” of a minority community at Devak, about 10 km from the town.

Samba DC Saurav Bhagat said the curfew was imposed at 2 pm as a preventive measure in view of the situation in Jammu and tomorrow's nationwide bandh. The protesters also blocked rail traffic at Vijaypur.

In Kathua too, a strong mob of around 2,500 belonging to the BJP, VHP, Bajrang Dal and other outfits had gathered at the Lakhanpur barrier.

Kathua SSP J.P. Singh said initially the protesters started pelting stones on the government building, following which there was a lathi charge and teargas fire by the police.