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Curfew imposed, Army called out
Uri firing to be probed: DGP
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They defied curfew to supply food
Centre blamed for violence in Kashmir
Govt allowed tension to build up: BJP
Media as teaching medium
‘Shortage’ of commodities in Rajouri, Poonch
Ensure free flow of traffic: Vohra
Amarnath Land Row
Land row: ‘Regroup’ time for militants
Displaced families await rehabilitation
Kishtwar flareup a conspiracy, says Samiti
Jammu West reels under power cuts
Complaints to BSNL unresolved
‘Anti-national’ Statements
India lodges protest with Pak
Infiltrator killed
Teachers to donate day’s salary to Samiti
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Curfew imposed, Army called out
Udhampur, August 12 Defying curfew, a large number of people gathered at Chougan and started a protest march headed by Hurriyat leaders. As the protesters reached near the Hariyal Chowk, they reportedly pelted a marriage party with stones of the minority community. Shouting provocative slogans, the protesters pelted stones on the house of District and Sessions Judge, Udhampur, Ashok Kumar Shan. Members of the minority community also gathered and took out a procession, pelting stones on the police. Seeing the situation go out of control, the police fired tear gas shells and some shots in the air. Two persons were reportedly killed in the firing, while many others received injuries. The agitated mob also set ablaze a showroom of bikes and attacked government and private properties. Shops at Nichalay Bazaar, Amarmarket and Hariyal Chowk were looted, while a majority of shops in the bus stand area and two hotels were also set ablaze. Meanwhile, nine critically injured persons had been airlifted to the Government Medical Hospital in Jammu, while the other injured had been admitted to a hospital in Kishtwar. The District Magistrate has also issued “shoot at sight” orders to bring the situation under control. Additional troops have also been deployed in the town to quell the rioters. DIG Hemant Kumar Lohia told The Tribune that though the situation was tense, it was under control. He said additional forces had been deployed in the town. “Some outsiders are responsible for the whole episode”, the DIG said. Following violent clashes in Kishtwar, the authorities sounded a red alert in Doda, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Ramban, Gool and other towns. “We are in touch with the Army to meet any situation”, a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, the Bar Association, Udhampur, has strongly condemned the attack on the house of District and Session Judge Ashok Kumar Shan. Bar Association president Surinder Khajuria has asked the administration to take action against those responsible for the act. |
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Uri firing to be probed: DGP
Jammu/Srinagar, August 12 In a statement issued in Jammu, the SAD (A) said, “The party on behalf of its entire cadre of J&K and Punjab condole the death of Sheikh Abdul Aziz and other protesters, who were only trying to find an alternative route of survival against the economic blockade of the valley.” The party has also extended its support to the people of Kashmir in their endeavour to seek the alterative route of survival. The statement said the leaders of the party would hold talks with the transporters of the country and would request them to restore normal transport supply to the Kashmir valley as that would be in the best interest of the nation. Former chief minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also condemned the killing of protesters and asked the law enforcing agencies to exercise maximum restraint and do not make the matters worse by more killings. Expressing grief and anguish over the loss of human lives in police firing across the Kashmir valley and Kishtwar district, including that of the Hurriyat Conference leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the PDP patron said spraying bullets on unarmed protesters was not only a “brazen defiance of the civilised conduct” but such a conduct was also absolutely out of tune with the times. He said instead of adding fuel to the fire, efforts must be made by the government to normalise the situation through a humane and reconciliatory approach. Emphasising the urgency of making the Srinagar-Muzafarabad road operational for the movement of people and goods, Mufti said India and Pakistan must formalise a hassle-free movement of people and goods on the road through a time-bound mechanism. “I hope the leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad, rising above political considerations, would act with wisdom and give a go-ahead to the opening of the road at the earliest”, he said. Meanwhile, secretary of state CPM Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident at Chahal Uri on Monday, killing at least three persons, including prominent Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz. He termed the police action against protesters unfortunate and demanded immediate relief to the families of the deceased and those injured in the incident. He urged the administration to exercise restraint in dealing with the situation. The Centre and the state administration should ensure restoration of the national highway on priority to facilitate smooth flow of essential commodities and Kashmiri produce, Tarigami added. |
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They defied curfew to supply food
Srinagar, August 12 Official sources said a message was received by people at Sonawar that no food was being provided to patients and attendants in the hospital due to the ongoing turmoil and curfew restrictions. The locals immediately contributed rice, pulses, vegetables and other material for cooking food who also offered free of cost service. However, after preparing the food, security forces deployed outside three camps did not allow people to
take food through the main road. Later, the locals had to jump over two big walls to reach the hospital where they were handed over food to hospital cooks for distribution. Meanwhile, curfew restrictions and a shortage of newsprint due to the blockade in Jammu has hit newspapers in the valley. Only less than 12 newspapers were today published due to curfew restrictions and a shortage of newsprint. The newspapers that were published printed limited copies as distribution would have been a problem because of the curfew. Even leading newspapers, including Greater Kashmir and its sister publication, Daily Uzma, have reduced their pages as the trucks carrying newsprint have not reached here. Another leading newspaper, Kashmir Monitor ,failed to hit the stand because of the same reason. — UNI |
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Centre blamed for violence in Kashmir
Jammu, August 12 Party general secretary and spokesman Harsh Dev Singh said today that had the Centre acted fast in resolving the land row the situation in the state would not have become as alarming as it was at present. The Centre slept over the violence and agitation in the Jammu region for nearly 40 days and when the crisis had touched a new high the Prime Minister convened an all-party meeting in Delhi and later sent an all-party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir for holding talks. Harsh Dev Singh said "after the vehicular traffic was restored on the highway and over 1300 trucks, carrying consumer items, had reached Srinagar
during the past five days there was no justification for the separatists for giving a call for Muzaffarabad chalo rallies." He accused these separatists and some mainstream political leaders in the valley of having engineered violence in which precious lives were lost. The Panthers Party leader appealed to the people of Kashmir not to get misled by the propaganda launched by different political elements. He said further delay in resolving the land row could prolong the turmoil in the Jammu region. Meanwhile, the NC leadership in Jammu has condemned the loss of human lives in Kashmir and Kishtwar and have appealed the people of the region to maintain communal brotherhood at all costs. They condemned the forces that were bent upon disturbing strong secular credentials of the Jammu region. |
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Govt allowed tension to build up: BJP
Jammu, August 12 "The opposition to the land transfer in the Kashmir valley was allowed to build up by certain vested interests after May 20 when the state government ordered the diversion of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board. The entire Jamait-e-Islamic and Dukhtaran-e-Milat leadership was deliberately allowed to mobilise public and preach communalism," charged state BJP vice-president Hari Om here today. He alleged that Kashmir-based papers were also allowed "unbridled freedom by the authorities to spit venom" against India, the then Governor, Lt Gen S.K. Sinha (retired) and his principal secretary Arun Kumar. Hari Om said the Centre only swung into action when there were "motivated and false complaints of economic blockade" of the Kashmir valley. He said: "The so-called mainstream leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami have been describing the mass movement in Jammu as divisive and communal and the anger in the valley as an expression of humanitarian needs which the so-called blockade has created." The Prime Minister sent a special letter to JKLF leader Yaseen Malik to call off his fast. The BJP leader alleged that the Prime Minister's letter was a "signal for the separatist rank and file to build more pressure" so that the attention was diverted from the issue brought to fore by the massive agitation in Jammu. The Muzaffarabad chalo call given by the fruit growers at the behest of the separatists and the likes of Mehbooba Mufti needed to be viewed in this context. |
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Media as teaching medium
Jammu, August 12 The delay in covering their syllabus in time will have a direct impact on their preparations for competitive exams, which they have to face in June-July next year. In view of the loss of precious time and uncertainty of the situation, a premier educational institute has decided to reach out to the students of class 10 and 12 by starting classes through The people here have appreciated the move and hope that the government would also follow suit and start classes through the Doordarshan, Jammu, so that students are able to study at homes and make best use of their time. Sudershan Mahajan, a resident of Purani Mandi, Jammu, has urged the government not to air film programmes on Doordarshan and instead start classes for student so that they did not waste time. Asha Devi, a resident of Janipur, is anxious about her two daughters studying in class 11 and 12. Asha said: “One month has adversely affected the study of my daughters who are preparing for the Common Entrance
Test (CET)”. Meanwhile, director, school education, Zahida Khan, could not be contacted for comments. |
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‘Shortage’ of commodities in Rajouri, Poonch
Rajouri, August 12 Residents said the districts, which get the supplies from Jammu, have not received the lot for weeks. “Since the members of a particular community are agitating over the Amarnath land issue in Jammu, the supply of the essential commodities and medicines has been hit very badly. People here are been made to suffer due to this agitation,” said Abdul Hameed, a resident. Sources claimed due to disruption in Jammu, the fresh supply of essential commodities and medicines could not reach these border districts. A health officer at the district hospital here confirmed that the hospital is grappling with shortage of life-saving drugs and has limited stock for two days if some emergency happens. “We have asked the director, Health, to supply medicines. The supplies are awaited,”
he maintained. There have been protests in Mandi, Mendhar and Surankote areas of Poonch district wherein members of majority community had alleged that the government has failed to restore supplies of essential commodities and medicines to these areas. They also had reportedly warned the state government that in case the supplies were not restored they would be forced to get these from Rawlakote in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Rajouri deputy commissioner Sheikh Rafiq admitted that there was some shortage of essential commodities and medicines but added that same would be overcome within a day or two. DC Poonch, Muhammad Afzal also confirmed that there was shortage of essential commodities and medicines in Poonch but added that the supply lines would be restored in two days. |
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Ensure free flow of traffic: Vohra
Srinagar, August 12 In view of the sporadic attempts by unseemly elements in the Jammu and Kashmir regions to attack or delay the movement of trucks and tankers carrying supplies, the district SPs concerned have been ordered to provide police escorts with wireless communication facilities to ensure unhindered and safe movement of essential commodities. Each such convoy would be taken over by the next district SP along the highway, and handed over to the successive district police authorities till the vehicles leave the J&K boundary. This arrangement will cover the highway from Baramula to Lakhanpur, an official spokesman said here. The Governor had ordered that each range DIG would deploy mobile patrols to ensure that no truck or tanker was stranded on the highway. The Governor has reiterated the need for ensuring adequate stocks of medicines in hospitals and retail stores. Meanwhile, about 2600 trucks carrying supplies had entered the state in the past four days while 1961 heavy vehicles had moved out, including 267 that carried fruits to the plains. |
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Amarnath Land Row
Jammu, August 12 Furthermore, if New Delhi fails to end the stalemate before August 15, the doctors’ fraternity here would wear black ribbons to express their resentment. “The Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti has decided to organise functions in every district, tehsil and block where tri-colours would be hoisted,” said an office-bearer of the umbrella organisation, which has been spearheading the agitation from the past one month. We would organise parallel functions to that of government’s, and a pledge would be taken on the day to take the ongoing agitation to its logical conclusion, he added. The Jammu Bar Association has also decided to celebrate the occasion on its own. Association president B.S. Salathia said, “We will leave no stone unturned to celebrate the Independence Day.” He, however, refused his comment on government functions saying that it will not be in good taste. We would appeal to the people to ensure maximum participation because our strength lies in nationalism, said Salathia. Though he expressed regrets over New Delhi’s lukewarm response to the Jammu agitation, he felt that people of Jammu shouldn’t remain aloof from the celebrations. Meanwhile, Arshad Bhat, president, Junior Doctors’ Association, Government Medical College and Associated Hospitals, Jammu, said: “We hope that the UPA government resolves the imbroglio, otherwise, the doctors would be forced to wear black ribbons as a mark of the protest. We once again appeal to the union government and Governor N.N. Vohra to find a solution acceptable to leaders of the state, he added. He also urged Kashmiri leaders and the Sangharsh Samiti to soften their stands so as to restore normalcy and peace in the strife-torn state. |
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Land row: ‘Regroup’ time for militants
Jammu, August 12 The Army had earlier made it clear that the militants would try to exploit the situation in Jammu by triggering blasts during the protest demonstrations to inflict maximum casualty amongst the locals. “Due to increased vigil at the Line of Control, militants active in the state have been facing an acute resource crunch, however the present turmoil in the state and the increase in cross-border ceasefire violations have acted as a booster,” an intelligence source said. It is feared that militant outfits would take advantage of the polarisation of the two regions of the state and exploit the sentiments of the people and induct more cadres. “They are taking advantage of the anger amongst the Muslim youth and are compelling them to join their outfits to take revenge,” the source said. Speaking to The Tribune, Lt-Col A.K. Mathur, PRO of the Army, said, “Militants are trying to exploit the sentiments of the people, but the Army will not let this happen as there is no letup in the vigil on the LoC and in the hinterland.” Meanwhile, sources said in wake of the killing of militant-turned-separatist leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was killed in police firing in Kashmir yesterday, militants would try to retaliate in a “big way.” |
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Displaced families await rehabilitation
Sarya-Jhangar (Nowshera), August 12 Vijay’s family has been dislocated four times ever since the country was partitioned in 1947. He, now, lives along with his family in this border village, which lies in the firing range of the Pakistani army. Although the government had rehabilitated the border migrants of Khour and Pallanwala, who were dislocated during the Kargil war, it failed to rehabilitate these people. Vijay, along with his parents and brother, migrated from his native village in Khamba Qilla to Sarya village here, just yards away from the Line of Control (LoC), during the country’s partition in 1947. Vijay said that was the first time when his family was dislocated. Hoping that it would be their permanent abode, the family constructed a house in Sarya village. However, his family was again dislocated during the Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971. The family was forced to seek refuge in Nab village and Siot village, respectively. When the wars ended, the family decided to return back. But, much to their dismay, they found their house in ruins due to shelling and firing from the Pakistan army. During the Kargil war in 2000, Vijay’s family was left with no other option, than moving to a safer place. The family shifted to Bagnoti, only to return back here in 2005. “It is not easy to be dislocated from one place to another. We were dislocated four times. For us the pain is unending”, Vijay said. “The fear of being dislocated is so intense that many families like ours don't even construct permanent houses. We are living in temporary mud sheds”, he added. “Every time there was unrest between India and Pakistan after 1947, we were told by the government to shift as our houses fell in the firing range of the Pakistani army”, Vijay said. “However, even as we suffered, the government never bothered to rehabilitate us in safer areas. We were provided a tent to live in. We have been living like this for years now. Now we don’t even complain”, he added. Echoing a similar tale is Surjeet. His family is one of the more than 60 such families, who were also dislocated four times, ever since Independence. Surjeet said: “Even as the government did rehabilitate the border migrants of Khour and Pallanwala, who were dislocated during the Kargil war, we were forgotten, despite having been dislocated four times”. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and a local resident, Ravinder Sharma told The Tribune that these people had not rehabilitated by the successive governments. “Even as our government did compensate the border migrants of Khour and Pallanwala and sanctioned more than Rs 70 crore for their welfare, the border migrants of Nowshera, who have been dislocated four times, have not been given anything”, Ravinder said. “Though the government is constructing colonies in safer areas for migrants of Khour and Pallanwala, it must do something for the border migrants of Nowshera”, he added. Meanwhile, senior officers in the district administration refused to comment on the issue. |
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Kishtwar flareup a conspiracy, says Samiti
Jammu, August 12 Addressing a press conference here today, samiti leaders said: "We are ready for the dialogue provided the Centre has some concrete proposal for us." They said the Centre should seriously think about resolving the issue at the earliest and normalising the situation in the state. On the violence in Kishtwar, they said the samiti strongly condemned the flareup in Kishtwar. They termed it as a "conspiracy of the PDP and Hurriyat to give a communal turn to their agitation and divert the people's attention from the real issue". They said their agitation was not communal and it had support of all communities. Meanwhile, the Ex-servicemen League today extended support to the Amarnath land row agitation in Jammu. |
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Jammu West reels under power cuts
Jammu, August 12 Balbir Kumar, a resident of New Plot said: “Ever since the Gladni grid collapsed on July 2, the power scenario has really turned worse in Jammu west”. Balbir said: “The Assembly constituency is inhabitated by middle and lower class families. Hence the power development department (PDD) has deliberately turned a blind eye to these localities supplying electricity to localities like Trikuta Nagar, Channi Himmat, Bhatindi, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar that houses politicians and bureaucrats, who possess all sorts of electronic gadgets, including air-conditioners”, he added. Sarwal resident Sushma Sharma said: “After the Gladni grid collapsed, the PDD had said that there would be a 12-hour power cut, every two hours, on a rotational basis. But from the past over 15 days, we have been getting sparse supplies which has made our life hell”. Admitting that the power scenario had turned grim in Jammu West, official sources said: “Three years have passed but the department has failed to replace the 31 MVA transformer with a 50 MVA transformer at the Janipur grid station. |
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Complaints to BSNL unresolved
Jammu, August 12 “My landline telephone is out of order since August 4, and a complaint stands registered with the city’s main telephone exchange, but it has not been addressed till date”, said a senior citizen Sham Lal, living in Panjtirthi locality. Sanjeev Sharma of Janipur locality said he had booked a telephone complaint and even got a computerised docket number four days back. He said no one visited the area to rectify the fault. Sanjay Kumar of posh Gandhi Nagar locality said during the curfew hours, he was feeling virtually cut off from the world, as his broadband connection, linked with landline telephone, was not functioning. An official of BSNL attributed the delay in addressing to the grievances of the subscribers to the ongoing bandhs. |
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‘Anti-national’ Statements
Jammu, August 12 A spokesman of the Bar Association said: "We asked the state administration to register a criminal case and initiate prosecution against PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for her anti-national statements, which were given in national and international media." "If the state administration fails to initiate proper action against her under the law of land then the association would be compelled to take up the matter with an appropriate court of law," he added. He further said: "The Bar has constituted a five-member committee to look into the anti-national utterances of the PDP president. We are also trying to get a copy of her unlawful speech on various television channels so as to prosecute her." If the administration remains silent to her unwarranted and unlawful statements the Bar would file a complaint before the chief judicial magistrate here, he added. |
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India lodges protest with Pak
Jammu, August 12 "We have lodged a strong protest with the Pak authorities over yesterday's firing of rockets on an Indian position in the Brachar forward area of Swajian sub-sector in Poonch district," a top defence official said. Company commanders of the two armies held a meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point along the LoC in Poonch district this morning where the Indian commanders lodged a strong protest to their Pak counterparts, defence sources said. India provided Pak commanders with evidence of the rocket firing.
— PTI |
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Infiltrator killed
Jammu, August 12 Alert BSF troops observed movement along the international border at a post in the Chilyari belt of Samba at around 4:40 am, they said. The infiltrator was negotiating the border fence when troops challenged him. Defence sources added when the infiltrator tried to escape towards the Pakistan side, security forces opened fire and killed him
on the spot. His body was recovered and further details are awaited. Meanwhile, militant Rasheed Ahmed of the Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) surrendered before the security forces in Doda district.
— PTI |
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Teachers to donate day’s salary to Samiti
Jammu, August 12
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