The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Plea to deal terror with iron hand Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 Even as the UPA government’s alleged weak-kneed approach to fight terror in the wake of Delhi serial blasts comes under sharp criticism, experts and commoners in the militancy-plagued state felt that instead of mouthing platitudes, New Delhi should not only give more teeth to the existing anti-terror laws but also implement them in the right earnest. “The country today faces a major threat to her sovereignty and remaining soft on terror won’t help us,” said Vaibhav Sharma, a law student. He added the perpetrators of violence should be paid back in the same coin so as to send a strong signal to others of their ilk. “Jammu and Kashmir has been bearing the brunt of militancy for the past 20 years and several innocent lives fell prey to the scourge. Had the successive regimes at New Delhi crushed the perpetrators of mindless violence with an iron hand, the situation today would have been different,” said Sharma. He attributed the weak-kneed approach of the successive regimes at New Delhi to vote-bank politics. President of the Bar Association Jammu B.S. Salathia said: “If the country has to be protected then we need stringent laws to fight terror.” There were strict provisions in POTA but unfortunately it was repealed and the existing laws are not sufficient enough to deal with terrorism, he said, adding that what made things worse was lack of political will to implement available laws. “Mumbai, Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi. Tell me which part of the country is safe today,” he said. To a pointed query, Salathia responded none should be appeased at the cost of the country’s sovereignty and extremism in any form must be dealt with strictly. Former state DGP M.M. Khajooria attributed frequent terror attacks in India to the ‘disinterest’ of political outfits vis-à-vis pan-Islamic forces, who want to dismember the country. Though laws should be made stringent people should also make it clear to political parties that time has come for them to rise above party affiliations so as to save the country, said Khajooria. He said, ironically, national security today is a casualty to the ‘disinterest’ of political parties but a strong voice should come from civil society that they (politicians) should bury their agendas under the carpet for the sake of innocent people, who elect them to power. He remarked even if “we resolve the Kashmir dispute pan-Islamic forces would not leave us alone. They have an agenda to disintegrate this country and hence it’s time to strengthen existing laws, have a federal intelligence agency and adopt other measures.
	Govt out to sabotage pact: Samiti Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 The Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti has accused the state government of 'sabotaging' the peace deal. The samiti said the government was trying to disrupt the situation in Jammu by unduly delaying the implementation of the agreement reached with the Governor’s panel. "The government wants to spoil the situation in Jammu and yesterday's incident is a perfect example as we were not allowed to honour the family members of the people who laid down their lives during the Jammu stir." Leela Karan Sharma, convener of the samiti, said here today. He warned that the “agitation would be renewed at a much larger scale if the agreement was not implemented. If the government fails to implement the agreement the backlash would be felt in the entire country." He said the cancellation of permission to hold the programme at Abhinav Theatre was a 'deliberate attempt' of the administration to "provoke the people of Jammu" "They not only canceled our booking, but deployed a large number of police personnel who not only canecharged us but also lobbed tear gas shells and fired bullets on innocent people." Sharma said. When asked about the allegation by some samiti supporters that they were not taken into confidence before announcing the two-day stir, Sharma said during the formation of the samiti he was given the power to take any decision on its behalf.
	Hike in fares pinches commuters Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 The 20 per cent hike in the fare of mini-buses and Matadors, considered to be the city’s lifeline, has put an additional burden on daily commuters. The hike has come as a bolt from the blue for daily commuters, who have just come out of the nearly two-month-long strike, called by the Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti to restore land to the Amarnath Shrine Board. Rajesh Kumar, who works in a private bank at Bahu Plaza, said he recently got a job after completing his studies and found the increase in hike shocking. Nearly the 7-km stretch from Jewel to Bohri now costed Rs 6 from the previous fare of Rs 5. The fare for the busy Shastri Nagar to the Parade has also increased from Rs 4 to Rs 5. Meanwhile, for students, the hike has been half. Students have to pay 50 paise more than the earlier fare. Shastri Nagar resident Sunita Kaur said: “I have to shell out Rs 3 instead of Rs 2.50 for going till Vikram Chowk. I study at Jammu University and it is an unnecessary hike.” Maninder Singh, a private transporter, said diesel saw an increase in prices, following the rise in prices of oil in the international market.” Tarlochan Singh Wazir, president, All Jammu and Kashmir Motor Transporters Association, said: “The decision for hike in fare was taken at the association’s meeting and the government appointed a committee at Srinagar before the beginning of the agitation over the Amrnath land row.
	Assembly Poll Panthers shortlists 45 nominees Our Correspondent Jammu, September 21 While the PDP leadership is waiting for a “positive response” from the Election Commission and the Government of India to its demand for the postponement of the Assembly poll, the Panthers Party has selected candidates for 25 out of 37 constituencies in the Jammu region and 20 out of 46 in the valley. According to general secretary, Panthers Party, Harsh Dev Singh, “We have decided to contest all the 37 seats in the Jammu region.” In reply to a question, he said, “Initially we had planned to contest 20 seats in the Kashmir valley but in the light of pressing demand from a large number of ticket-seekers, we may field candidates in all the 46 constituencies in the valley.” Asked whether the party had the resources to contest all the 87 seats, Singh said, “We have decided to concentrate on 25 to 30 seats in the Jammu region and 10 in the valley. We do not have to make any investment because the ticket-seekers have informed us that they would not demand even a penny from the party leadership.” He disclosed that the party supremo, Professor Bhim Singh, who is already a member of the Legislative Council, has decided not to contest the forthcoming Assembly election. He explained that since Prof. Singh was going to be the party's star campaigner for the election, he would not like to get tied to his constituency. Contrary to this, the PDP leadership has suspended its exercise on selecting party candidates who could be given the tickets. Party general secretary, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat today said, “We are awaiting response to our demand for the postponement of the election from the Election Commission and the Central government." He further said that both the party patron, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, and chief, Mehbooba Mufti, have already conveyed to the Commission and the central leaders that the current situation in Kashmir was not conducive for holding the poll. In reply to a question, Bhat said, “We are not discussing the election, but ways and means for restoring normalcy and peace in Kashmir.”
	Cong, NC, PDP let down people, says Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 The state BJP has accused the Congress, the National Conference and the PDP of playing with the sentiments of the people of the state. “These political parties have let down the people as they were a party to the decision under which 800 kanal of land at Baltal was taken from the shrine board”, state BJP president Ashok Khajuria said, while addressing a rally in Marh sector of Jammu region. Khajuria blamed the Kashmir-based political leadership and their party cadre in Jammu for the plight of the people living in far-off areas of Jammu region, including Scheduled Castes, Schedule Tribes, farmers, migrants and other communities. Senior BJP leader and former union minister Chamn Lal Gupta, while addressing the rally lambasted the successive governments in the state for denying political power to the people of Jammu and accused the Jammu-based Congress and NC leaders of “betraying their constituencies to please their Kashmiri leadership.” The BJP leaders demanded that the village defence committees should be strengthened and more power should be given to the Army and paramilitary forces operative in the state.
	SDP: Reject failed political experiments Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 Claiming the Socialistic Democratic Party (SDP) to be “clean”, party president Darakshan Andrabi today urged the people to discard the “previously failed political experiments” so as to pave way for a clear economy-orientated programme in the state. Addressing a public rally at Badyal Brahmana in Suchetgarh today, the SDP president expressed concern over the step-motherly treatment meted out to the Suchetgarh Assembly constituency by the successive regimes. She also accused the representatives elected to power for the backwardness and poverty of the constituency. Andrabi said: “Though people at the helm of affairs seldom miss an opportunity to boast about their achievements, people here are still deprived of the basic amenities.” “All political parties in the state, which claimed to be representatives of the people, in fact proved themselves as blackmailers and exploiters of people’s sentiments,” she said. Andrabi said: “While people-oriented policies and programmes remained a casualty, these parties kept on exploiting the poor people with hollow slogans”. She urged the people to reject failed political experiments and elect her party candidates. She, however, expressed regrets that regional, communal and separatist forces under the garb of being “mainstream parties” had been dividing the people thereby furthering their vested interests. The SDP has already nominated Surendra Choudhary as the party candidate for the Suchetgarh Assembly constituency for the upcoming elections.
	Cong moves to regain lost ground Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Panchari (Udhampur), September 21 To regain its lost ground in Udhampur and Reasi districts, the Congress has started an aggressive campaign to counter, what the party called, the malicious propaganda of the opposition. Keeping in view the involvement of people's emotion in the Amarnath land issue, Congress leaders can be seen claiming that it was all due to their intervention that Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti succeeded in its agitation. Former minister and former MLA from Reasi, Jugal Kishore, has been assigned the job to remove the misconception among the masses about the role played by the party in the 62-day long movement on the Amarnath land row. Although party leaders have been touring different localities to educate people, they have to face anger of the masses at many places on the land issue. While on the one hand, Lok Sabha member Choudhary Lal Singh is conducting the tours of remote areas of Udhampur district, on the other hand, Jugal Kishore Sharma is visiting far-flung areas of Reasi district to recover the lost ground. To placate the masses on the Amarnath land row, Congress leaders, in every public meeting, are candidly admitting that the party had committed a mistake by canceling the order of allotting the land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Party leaders, however, are claiming that it was all due to their sincere efforts that land was restored to the Shrine Board. Congress leaders are also highlighting the developmental issues to counter the propaganda of the BJP and other political groups. Sharma, while addressing meetings at Bhomag and Panchari areas, drew people's attention towards developmental activities during the Congress regime. He highlighted the achievements of the Azad government, wherein it concentrated towards the development in rural and remote areas. He said the status of district to Reasi was the gift of the Azad government, besides giving new schools and promting the existing institutions.
	Stray cattle - a threat to commuters Ashutosh Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu: In view of the acute shortage of cattle catchers and pounds with the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), stray cattle have become a roving threat to commuters as well as vehicle operators. With only two cattle pounds at Rehari and Gandhi Nagar with a capacity of 15 and 20 cattle, respectively, along with 12 cattle catchers and two vehicles(one generally remains out of order) to ferry such cattle, the JMC is struggling to get rid of the menace. According to official sources, due to a shortage of funds the JMC has never conducted any survey regarding the number of stray cattle. Thousands of cattle are seen roaming on the roads. “Mindset of people is required to be changed as they disown milk-yielding cattle when they cease to prove beneficial,” said an activist of the Peoples for Animals, Jasdeep Singh. He further said, “Most of the times such old stray cattle can be seen badly injured on the roads or gravely sick. People should seriously ponder over such crimes against innocent animals.” “The diameter of the city has grown from 30 Km to 112 Km over the years but its still surrounded by villages who rear animals for their sustenance. Generally, they let loose their domestic animals on the roads,” said president, Municipal Employees Union, Paras Ram Poonchi. He added, “Most of the dairies have been operating from within the city and animals are set free by the owners after milking them.” However, municipal veterinary officer T.R. Bharti said, “They have set target of 10-15 stray cattle to each vehicle across the Tawi river .” He added that preference is given to the animals, which are injured, sick, or victim of rabbis. He further said a fine of Rs 100-200 was charged per young animal whereas Rs 200 for cow which ceases to yield milk and Rs 500 for milk-yielding animal, coupled with an extra fine with each passing day, was charged. Impounded cattle are auctioned thrice a month and in case the claimants don’t come the cattle are either handed over to NGOs or released into forest areas. Admitting that lack of manpower and a worn-out vehicle are a big impediment, he said, “Last year the government had allotted 80 kanals of land at Bajalta but the high court has stayed construction of the cattle pond as locals were opposed to it.”
	Tourism set for a rollercoaster ride Tejinder Singh Sodhi Tribune News Service Jammu: The tourism industry, after witnessing a steep decline owing to the two-month-long agitation over the Amarnath land row, has started pulling crowds. According to official figures, the number of tourists visiting the state increased ever since the Governor’s panel and the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti agreed on a deal to end the impasse in Jammu. “With return of normalcy, the number of tourists coming to visit places of interest in Jammu and adjoining areas of Patnitop increased manifolds,” an official of the state Tourism Department said. He said there had also been a steep increase in the number of pilgrims visiting various places in the region. “The number of pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori temple has also gone up and with every passing day the number of pilgrims is showing an increase,” the official said. The hotel industry in Jammu, which suffered a whopping loss of more than Rs 30 crore during two months, hopes good fortunes will arrive soon. “Let’s hope that the inflow of tourists increases so that we can at least earn something for our livelihood,” said Dheeraj Kumar, a hotel owner. Bag-e-Bahu, one of the Jammu’s famous tourist resort that presented a deserted look during the agitation period, is again abuzz with people. “The hill resorts of Patnitop have pulled domestic tourists as well as foreign tourists,” the official said. “For the past seven years, we have been coming to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. This year we thought we would not be able to come because of the turmoil, however, as the situation improved we came on the pilgrimage,” said New Delhi resident Anil Kumar.
	Srinagar throbs with life Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 21 There were little signs of it being a Sunday on the streets of Srinagar as markets opened and people poured onto roads to make up for the lost business in the past two days due to protest and strikes. Interestingly enough, United Jihad Council, an amalgam of 13-odd militant outfit operating from Pakistan, has also asked separatists not to call strikes often as, he said, it hit hard over 80 per cent of the population depending upon daily earnings for their livelihood. Its chairman and Hizbul Mujahideen's supremo, Syed Salahuddin, told a local news agency that separatists should call for strikes pragmatically as it affected the local population. Markets, otherwise closed on Sundays, were crowded and the weekly Sunday market also opened to its full strength. Banks and schools were also open as their managements said they had not been able to fulfil their business and study obligations due to frequent strikes. Shoppers milled around the shops, especially in the flea market. Today being the second last Sunday before Eid and uncertainty prevailing in the valley over the law and order situation, many said they wanted to do their festival shopping rather than waiting for Eid to come closer. "We can't buy all items now. But things like bedsheets, shoes and even clothes could be purchased. You never know when we will have the next Sunday market," Javaid Ali, a government employee, said. There were also no report of any serious clash between security personnel and protestors anywhere. Ever-restive spots of Srinagar like Maisuma also witnessed robust commercial activities. It was as if the perennial stone-throwers had vanished into thin air, more so as the city had seen clashes yesterday in which over 10 security personnel were injured.
	Colonies turn into cesspool Sunaina Kaul Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 The colonies situated on both the banks of a flood drain, which passes from Shakti Nagar Ghat to Gole Gujral via Talab Tillo lane 1-A, are flooded during monsoon instead of providing a safe passage to the floodwater. Heaps of garbage, rags and polythene bags get accumulated on both sides of the drain. This is a glaringly example that the drain has never been visited by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) authorities. The drain has becoming a dumping ground. It is an oulet where waste and garbage of the colony accumulates. It is also learnt that the carcasses of animals were also dumped into the drain. “The drain is always filled up with heaps of garbage. Animal carcasses decompose and become breeding grounds for flies and mosquitoes, besides spreading foul stench in the area”, Avtar Krishan, a shopkeeper, said. Colony resident Vijay Ohri said: “The flow of water in the water pipe is obstructed as rags and polythene bags get stuck in it.” Krishan Lal, a resident of Vasant Vihar, said: “Besides bad stench, floodwater enters our house and the lanes of the colony are inundated, making movement difficult.” However, JMC mayor Kavinder Gupta, said: “Through a survey of the area, we found that the area is low in height. I will visit this area personally and will take steps to minimise the problem.”
	PDP for early completion of Mughal Road Tribune News Service Rajouri, September 21 The PDP has called for timely-completion of the Mughal Road to provide relief to the people of Poonch and Rajouri by way of better connectivity with the Kashmir valley. “I hope the government will keep its latest commitment of making the Mughal Road motorable by Eid”, senior PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra said, while addressing a day-long convention of party workers here today. Karra said the recent “economic blockade” enforced against the Kashmir valley, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts by the Sangh Parivar-sponsored communal elements in Jammu had only reinforced the urgency of making the Mughal Road operational at the earliest. Karra said: “Whether it is setting up of the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, focused development of Shahadra Sharief Shrine or construction of the Mughal Road, all these projects were piloted under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” he said. Karra further said the Mughal Road would have been completed by now, but the lack of interest in the project after the change of guard in 2005 resulted in its inordinate delay.
	PSA slapped on two Hurriyat leaders Tribune News Service Rajouri, September 21 Tightening the noose against “anti-national” elements for creating tension in the area and preaching secession, the district administration has reportedly slapped the Public Safety Act (PSA) on two local Hurriyat leaders. This follows a recommendation from the police that the duo was indulging in anti-national activities and were preaching secession. Sources in the district administration said the PSA had been slapped on chairman of the J&K Peoples’ movement, Ghulam Ahmed Mir of Thanamandi, who is also associated with the Hurriyat and general secretary of the JKPM, Zaffar Khursheed, of Khablan Behrote.
	Time not ripe for poll: ANC Tribune News Service Srinagar, September 21 Awami National Conference president and former chief minister G.M. Shah has said time was not ripe for elections and the state government should take appropriate measures to alleviate the alienation of the people. Shah said people’s anger will only increase if they see government taking unpopular measures or being callous to their problems. He said all parties should arrive at a consensus on the problems facing Kashmir and only a durable solution would usher in peace and prosperity.
	Army school wins quiz contest Tribune News Service Udhampur, September 21 Army Public School Udhampur won the Northern Command quiz competition held in the school premises today. The host team comprising Akhil Jerath, Ajay Singh Rudaraksh Bhatyal and Shubham Gupta won the competition with a large margin. Other teams participating in the competition included the teams from Army School Nagrota, Akhnoor, Rakhmuthi and Army Public School Udhampur. The team will now represent the school at the national level competition to be held in New Delhi. Major General KN Mirji, chairman, Army Public School was the chief guest on the occasion. The competition was inaugurated by Lt Col (Retd) VK Bector, director, AWES. The programme was attended by Dr Kiran Singh, principal; Col Ripu Daman, staff officer to chairman; Col RK Katoch; and Sanjeev Kumar, co-ordinator, Army Public School Udhampur. Ryan Shaw enriched the competition with his humor and added spice to the show by his outstanding performance.
	Plea to extend IT filing date Tribune News Service Jammu, September 21 Representatives of the various trade bodies today demanded the extension of the date of filing of the income tax returns pertaining to audit-related cases. According to a press statement issued here today, they had earlier approached the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) but it turned down their demand. Now, they have urged upon president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Ram Sahai, to take up the issue again. Ram Sahai assured them that the matter would be taken up seriously as the Chamber was in touch with the president of the Chartered Accountants Organisation. He said that a joint delegation of business organisations and the J&K Branch of NIRC of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India would approach the chairman of the CBDT shortly.