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Reasi, Udhampur villages searched
NC flays PDP over Amarnath land row
Land restoration people’s victory, says SDP
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Turmoil over, gearing up for poll now
Probe on Into Aziz’s Killing
Quality infrastructure must for tourism: Guv
Ban on local TV channels lifted
Insurance Cos flooded with claim calls
Child marriages common among Gujjars
Four held for Koran desecration
3 Bangladeshis arrested
Students hold protest
Jawan commits suicide
Brig Kotwal convener of BJP cell
Poonch-Rawalkote bus
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Reasi, Udhampur villages searched
Udhampur/Reasi, September 2 Reports said a minor girl spotted some youths attired in police uniforms with arms in their hands in Saraswati Nagar, ward number 11 of Reasi. After her information a massive search operation has been launched in the area. The security forces completely sealed the area and started house-to-house search to track down the militants. Similarly, a woman at Ramnagar informed the police about the movement of three suspects in the locality. She told the police that the three youths, who were roaming in the forest, ran away when she spotted her. The security forces have launched a search operation in the area. As reports about the movement of some suspects continued to pour in, the police along with the VDCs have intensified patrolling in all sensitive areas of Reasi and Udhampur districts. Infiltration points that connect Jammu with Reasi have already been plugged. Furthermore, villagers of some hamlets bordering the forest areas of Jammu district have been asked to keep a strict vigil on the movement of suspected people. Patrolling has been intensified in villages of Udhampur district bordering Samba. Village defence committees (VDCs) have intensified patrolling in the sensitive areas. Intelligence agencies have already sounded the administration that some militants have managed to enter the forest areas of Udhampur bordering Samba district. People have reportedly spotted some persons who were roaming mysteriously in forest areas. |
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NC flays PDP over Amarnath land row
Jammu, September 2 Addressing a meeting of party’s district presidents, Ajay Sadhotra, provincial president, Jammu, said, “We are concerned over the role of the PDP and its nefarious designs which failed to divide the state on communal and regional lines.” The NC has also accused the PDP and the BJP for indulging in vote bank politics, stating, “We caution the PDP and the BJP to shun vote politics by exploiting religion and region.” Sadhotra accused the Congress of playing dubious role during the agitation, “It is irony of fate that a national party like the Congress got divided on this issue.” The party expressed satisfaction over the agreement reached between the Governor’s panel and the samiti. Sadhotra said, “We salute the people of Jammu for observing traditional communal harmony and brotherhood and also appreciate the party leaders for playing effective and responsible role during the period of agitation.” He said his party played an impartial role in finding amicable, early and respectful resolution of the crisis in Jammu. “We express our gratitude to the leadership of Dr Farooq Abdullah, and Omar Abdulah for playing an impartial role in finding amicable and respectful resolution of the crisis without hurting the sentiments of the other region.” The NC demanded compensation for the people who suffered losses during the two months of shutdown in Jammu region. “We demand compensation for daily wagers, vegetable and fruit growers, traders, transporters, hoteliers and other sector who have suffered losses during the turmoil and also demand rehabilitation of the families whose houses have been damaged, including nomads as announced by the union home minister during all-party meeting at Jammu,” said the provincial president. The party also demanded an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of the kin of the people who lost their lives during the two months long agitation in Jammu. “The injured should also be properly compensated,” he added. |
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Land restoration people’s victory, says SDP
Jammu, September 2 Addressing mediapersons here, SDP president Dr Darakshan Andrabi said: “Though the people of Jammu have taken the agitation to a logical conclusion, the struggle against separatism, militancy, regionalism and discrimination should continue”. Giving credit to the people of Jammu for holding aloft the Tricolour during the turmoil, Andrabi said: “The victory of people over the secessionist forces should not be misconstrued as a triumph of any political outfit.” Referring to the Chinore terror attack, Darakshan said: “It came as a reminder to us that we are still on militants’ radar but those, who want to defeat the nationalist forces, are in fact living in a fool’s paradise.” Lashing out at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and NC president Omar Abdullah, Andrabi said: “People should not forget that both these leaders are responsible for the present turmoil in the state.” Andrabi strongly castigated Mehbooba for raking up the entire controversy and demanded that she be detained under the PSA. She also derided the UPA government for what she claimed “reluctance on its part to take stern action against Mehbooba.” “Mehbooba should be prosecuted under treason charges,” she said, adding that she had no sympathies for people of the state. |
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Samiti blames admn for Poonch violence
Jammu, September 2 The samiti alleged that the officials and agencies concerned did not take precautionary measures to check untoward incidents. The samiti charged that the police remained a mute spectator to violence and the Army, which was at the disposal of the civil administration, was not authorised to intervene and bring the situation under control. As many as 77 shops were burnt during the
violence. The samiti's team also visited Mendher where it met prominent members of both communities and appreciated them for preserving communal harmony and brotherhood. The samiti urged the divisional administration to order an independent inquiry into all violent incidents, identify culprits and take action against the "erring officials". It also urged the authorities to take appropriate measures to restore confidence in the minority community and sanction a comprehensive financial package so that the losses suffered by members of both communities were adequately compensated and their grievances redressed. |
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Turmoil over, gearing up for poll now
Udhampur, September 2 Chief electoral officer (CEO) B.R. Sharma has directed all district election officers (DEOs) to submit reports regarding preparations for the poll in their respective districts. The DEOs have also been directed to hold consultations with the representatives of all political parties in this regard. While the dates of meetings for Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban and Doda districts are yet to be finalized, Kishtwar DEO Sudarshan Sharma held a meeting of the representatives of various political groups in which detailed discussions were held over issues pertaining to creation of new polling booths, relocation of poling booths, change of nomenclature and shifting of polling booths.Various other election-related issues like registration of voters and issue of identity cards were also discussed. About the registration of voters in far-flung areas of Padder, Dachhan, Marwah, Warwan, Palmar and Nagsinie area in the Kishtwar constituency and Sarror, Keshwan, Thakrie, Bunzwa, Nagbatna, and Chatroo belt in the Inderwal constituency where poll staff were yet to reach due to the absence of roads, the DEO said the process of registration of voter I-cards was in full swing. |
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Probe on Into Aziz’s Killing
Srinagar, September 2 This was stated by Governor N.N. Vohra to a delegation of the Awami National Conference (ANC) at Raj Bhavan here today. The ANC also presented a memorandum to the Governor on the prevailing scenario in the state. The delegation also drew the Governor’s attention to the recent statement of National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on
Aziz’s killing. Sheikh Aziz, who headed the Peoples League, was killed when he along with another senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, was leading the Muzaffarabad march on August 11, after giving a slip to the police, who had placed all separatist leaders under house arrest. The separatists alleged that Aziz was killed in unprovoked firing on peaceful marchers, while Narayanan said Aziz was killed by someone from within the crowd. Meanwhile, the Governor assured to take strict action against security personnel involved in unprovoked and unnecessary use of brutal force. He said medical facilities would be upgraded in all hospitals of the valley on priority basis. On the demand of appointing an adviser from the valley, the Governor said he was on the lookout for a suitable “non-controversial” and eminent personality from Kashmir. “This slot will be filled soon,” the Governor said. On the issue regarding the release of detenues and people arrested during the land row stir, the Governor assured the ANC delegation that necessary steps were being initiated at his level. Meanwhile, in its memorandum, the ANC has demanded that security forces be restrained from arbitrary actions and no loss of life and damage to civilian property be permitted. It has also demanded an immediate halt to the alleged mass arrest of youths who participated in processions. Besides, it has demanded the release of all Hurriyat and other separatist leaders. The delegation also demanded that all political detenues languishing in jails without trial be released as a goodwill gesture, holding of Intra-Kashmir Peace Conference in Srinagar be facilitated and up grade of basic medical facilities in all government hospitals be taken up on a war-footing.
— UNI |
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Quality infrastructure must for tourism: Guv
Srinagar, September 2 Inaugurating the Ladakh festival at a scintillating function at Leh, the Governor said the state government supported the need for relaxation in granting inner-line permits to foreign tourists in Ladakh and opening of more tourist circuits, particularly in Nyuma, Nubra and Khalste in the region. The festival is being organised since 1985 to showcase the virgin scenic splendour of the region, which is popularly known as the ‘Land of Endless Discovery’. He also observed that the issue of the opening of the route through Damchuk for border trade and pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar through Ladakh is being pursued with the Centre government. After taking over as the Governor of the state, this was Vohra’s first visit
to Ladakh. The Governor announced an additional Rs 10 crore to the district’s annual plan for 2008-09, currently pegged at Rs 60 crore. |
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Ban on local TV channels lifted
Srinagar, September 2 The ban on local cable television channels from telecasting news and current affairs programme was lifted by district magistrate, Srinagar, in an order passed last evening, the spokesman said. The order allowed the channels to air these programmes subject to the operators abiding by the Regulations of Cable Television Network Act, 1965. District magistrate, Srinagar, Kachoo Asfandyar Khan in exercise of powers under Section 11(I) of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, banned on August 24 telecasting of all news and other items which are inflammatory in nature and thereby disturbing the peace and tranquillity of general public. Although the channels had been allowed to air entertainment programmes, the operators decided to only flash the magistrate’s order on their screens.
— PTI |
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Insurance Cos flooded with claim calls
Jammu, September 2 Two surveyors engaged by the companies said: “We are working overtime to prepare the loss
assessment reports and are taking pictures of the damaged vehicles and houses.” One of the surveyors said: “Our company has received over 100 claims for compensation during the past two days.” Company sources said there were four nationalised General Insurance Companies and four private companies in Jammu. They said each company might have to pay compensation between Rs 1 crore and Rs 2.50 crore. The sources said those companies that had insured houses and vehicles in Kishtwar, which was rocked by communal violence and arson, would have to bear heavy losses because the extent of damage caused to private and public property was on a higher-scale. An official of a leading general insurance company informed that nearly 75 trucks had been targeted by the agitators, protesting over the revocation of the land order, on the national highway between Lakhanpur and Banihal. He said a number of house owners and shopkeepers, too, had started filing their claims for compensation after their business establishments and dwellings suffered damage in stone-pelting and police firing. The surveyors said: “Many people called us to inform about the damage caused to their cars, two and three wheelers, buses, trucks and houses. But neither the formal claims could be entertained nor the losses could be assessed because the companies were closed during the shutdown.” They said some companies had started receiving claims from government agencies, especially the police whose vehicles, too, were either torched or damaged in stone-pelting by the agitators. The surveyors said: “It may take about a month for preparing the loss assessment reports due to heavy damage caused to private and government property.” |
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Child marriages common among Gujjars
Sarai Mastan-Chandimarh (Poonch), September 2 Fifteen-year-old Rubeena Kousar (name changed), a nomad girl, is not only married but is the mother of a year-old-child. At a time when girls in cities are in high school, Rubeena fulfils the twin responsibility of being a wife and a mother. Her father Khuda Baksh (name changed) said: “Our people marry off their girls at a young age as it is a part of our tribal culture and tradition. I just followed that and haven’t done anything wrong”. Surprisingly, Khuda doesn’t even know what age a girl is eligible to be married. Rubeena’s case is not an isolated one. There have been many instances where girls of the Gujjar and Bakkarwal community, in the age group of 12 - 15 years, have been married in these twin border districts, which is a clear violation of the law. Dr Javed Rahi, national secretary, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, told The Tribune that the marriage of minor girls was a part of the culture and traditions of the Gujjars and Bakkarwal community. Meanwhile, director, Law School, Jammu University, V.K. Kapoor, said: “I have studied the tradition of minor marriage of girls among Gujjars and Bakkarwals as part of my research on “procedure for the resolution of conflicts among the Gujjar and Bakkarwals in the state”. Kapoor said: “As it is violation of the law of land, the police can take action. But these tribes prefer to resolve their matters through their “Jirzahs” (main decision-making body). These issues are hardly brought to the notice of the police for action”. Dr S.P. Vaid, IG, Crime and Railways, Jammu, said: “This is social problem and has to be addressed by the society.” Meanwhile, a gynaecologist at a local government hospital said these girls suffered from high incidences of cancer of the cervix, anaemia, miscarriage, breast cancer among other gynaecological problems. |
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Four held for Koran desecration
Srinagar, September 2 The Handwara police said a group four entered the mosque of Chalpora in Wadipora after evening namaz on August 24, the same day when curfew was imposed across the valley, and took out the Koran from the mosque and desecrated it on the main road of Wadipora. After this they left for their respective homes. As local people found the holy book in a desecrated condition, the entire locality erupted as word went round that "Hindu forces" had done it to humiliate Muslims. Handwara remained on boil for several days and at least two persons were killed in firing. The police has held responsible a group of four persons headed by Tariq Ahmad Dar for the desecration. They were locals and hatched a conspiracy at Wadipora Chowk. The other three have been identified as Javid Ahmad Khan, Khursheed Ahmad Shah and Tariq Ahmad Dar Wadipora. |
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3 Bangladeshis arrested
Jammu, September 2 Official sources said the three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested from near the BSF’s forward post in the Makwal area near Niki Tawi late last night. They were identified as Saiful, Mayoom and Nadeem. Subsequent interrogation of the three revealed that the trio had infiltrated into India from Bangladesh, from where they went to Delhi and then to Saharanpur in UP. “They took the help of a tout who brought them to Jammu and also guided them to this place to cross over to the other side of the Line of Control”, an official source said. The Bangladeshi nationals have been taken into custody and a case filed against them. The source said they were being interrogated and efforts were on to catch the tout who helped them. Meanwhile, the BSF is also trying to find out whether the three had any prior links with terrorist organisations. “Initial investigations have revealed that they wanted to cross over to Pakistan, but we want to find out whether they have links with any terrorist organisations or not”, the source said. |
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Students hold protest
Jammu, September 2 The protesting students maintained that they have suffered on account of two-month-long agitation and be given promotion, as they have to prepare for competitive exams. They further apprehended that “if exams are conducted, it will further affect next academic year.” Dean academic affairs P.S. Pathania, said, “The demand of students is impossible to be conceded. We have reconstituted the academic calendar and are taking all requisite steps to ensure that students don’t suffer in future. |
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Jawan commits suicide
Udhampur, September 2 Constable Sabindhu Dan, a resident of West Bengal, was deployed on guard duty in the district police headquarters, Kishtwar. Dr Hasib Mugal, SP, Kishtwar, told the Tribune that Sabindhu was a constable of the 74 Battalion. Sabindhu shot himself in his neck and died on the spot. Although the police has registered a case to ascertain the real cause of his extreme step, it is believed that Sabindhu committed suicide due to some family problem. The police, while quoting CRPF sources said: “Sabindhu had talked to his family members on phone today.” |
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Brig Kotwal convener of BJP cell
Jammu, September 2 According to a statement released here, Brig Kotwal has been bestowed with this responsibility keeping in view his vast
experience in human resource management and concern for the welfare and uplift of ex-servicemen,
servicemen and widows of soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the
country. Brig Kotwal has the distinction of serving the Army in various capacities during his 34 years of service. After his retirement
in 2003, he joined the Sainik Board as director of Sainik Welfare Department under the Jammu
and Kashmir government. |
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Poonch-Rawalkote bus
Srinagar, September 2 An official spokesman said the Governor took the decision at a high-level meeting held here today to review the progress on the opening of the Muzaffarabad road for trade and
commerce. Earlier, the bus service was plying on fortnightly basis. |
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