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Three Hurriyat leaders booked under PSA
Mahatma remembered
Srinagar-Leh road to be closed from Oct 31
Tear gas shells burst to disperse mob
One-year jail for 2 Pak nationals
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Two killed, 4 houses destroyed in fire
Tourists resent bus stand’s appalling state
Encroachment by fruitsellers near Jammu bus stand. A Tribune photograph
Traders links with separatists condemned
Radio Kashmir gains popularity during Ramzan
Poll meaningless without delimitation: Panthers
MC ‘turns’ a blind eye to sanitation blues
Hideout busted
Samiti, ABVP want CET selection list scrapped
LeT militants kill shepherd in Doda
Pilgrims throng Vaishno Devi
Pollution-check drive vanishes into thin air
Jawan among 2 killed in mishaps
3 found hanging
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Three Hurriyat leaders booked under PSA
Udhampur, October 2 Although the police arrested two separatist leaders during midnight raids, one managed to give a slip to the cops. Two arrested Hurriyat leaders namely Ghulam Nabi Gundana and Abdul Gani Shah were sent to the district jail, Kathua, after their arrest. As tension flared in some parts of Kishtwar town after the arrest, Army was deployed in some sensitive areas as a precautionary measure to foil any attempt to take out processions in the town. Kishtwar DC, while confirming arrest of the two leaders, said the arrested persons were found instigating people against a particular community and had given provocative speeches at the Jama Masjid on August 12 last, after which communal riots broke out in the town. The DC said the police had been conducting raids at different places to arrest Hurriyat leader Moulvi Qayoom Matto, who managed to give a slip to the cops. Sources said intelligence agencies had cautioned the administration against role of some Hurriyat Conference leaders. Following these reports, the administration put these leaders on radar and established their involvement in instigating the people. “We have sufficient proof against them but we were waiting for the completion of the holy month of Ramzaan”, a senior officer said and did not rule out the possibility of arresting some more persons. The police conducted raids at three different places to nab Gundana and Shah. They were arrested from the Jama Masjid and Charahat areas, respectively, while Matto managed to escape. It is believed that he received prior information about the raid. As the news about the arrest of Hurriyat leaders spread this morning, some youths gathered at the Jama Masjid and resorted to shouting slogans. Some columns of the Army were already deployed at Haridyal and Jama Masjid areas so the agitated youths confined themselves on the premises of the mosque. Ghulam Nabi Gundana, a former teacher, is an active member of the Jamat-e-Ismali. Earlier, he was arrested a number of times for propagating secessionism. According to sources, Gundana was responsible for instigating people on August 12.
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Mahatma remembered
Jammu, October 2 The Jammu and Kashmir chapter of Sarvodaya International Trust in collaboration with Gandhian Study Centre, Jammu University, celebrated Gandhi Jayanti at Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium. On the occasion, rich floral tributes were given to the Mahatma, which was followed by welcome address by Prof G.M. Bhat. Noted Gandhian and president of Gandhi Seva Sadhan, Dr Ved Kumari Ghai, was the chief guest at the function. On the occasion local artistes, including Ashutosh Mangotra and Muktesh Sharma, recited favourite hymns of Mahatma Gandhi while Natrang staged a play --- ‘Suno Kahani’.
School children presented a cultural show through group songs and skits. The children, who took part on the occasion, came from Government Higher Secondary School, Rehari, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mubarak Mandi, Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Satwari. The function was attended by prominent citizens, officials of the state government, University of Jammu and its affiliated colleges. At old age home, Ambphalla, the Pradesh Youth Congress marked the occasion, where inmates of home and party activists recited bhajans. |
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Srinagar-Leh road to be closed from Oct 31
Srinagar, October 2 While the Leh road (Zojilla axis) would be closed for traffic from October 31, the stretch between Sonamarg and Gumri would remain blocked. He said this was being done to avert accidents as the road becomes slippery due to the onset of the winter with night temperatures staying below the freezing point for the most part of the season, which lasts about six months. The road is likely to be reopened in April-May next year. Meanwhile, the spokesman said the Srinagar-Leh road would be opened for only one-way traffic from October 16 to October 31. While vehicles from Srinagar to Leh would be allowed only on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the slated fortnight, traffic from the other side would be plying on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. No vehicles would be allowed on Sundays. — PTI |
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Tear gas shells burst to disperse mob
Srinagar, October 2 Hundreds of people today took to the streets at Solina-Rambagh to protest against ‘raddi’ collectors and beggars from other states, who were involved in consuming and selling liquor and
drugs in the area. The mob allegedly set on fire some tents belonging to these beggars and scrap dealers. The security forces and the police opened fire in the air and also burst tear gas shells to disperse them, who
were pelting stones. About five persons were injured in the clash. About 90 per cent of the labourers from outside the state, including Biharis, had left the valley after the recent agitation on the Amarnath land row. However, beggars and ‘raddi’ collectors stayed in the valley. About four lakh labourers and other workers come to the Kashmir valley after the winter every year and work till November-end. — UNI |
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One-year jail for 2 Pak nationals
Srinagar, October 2 The sub-judge of Uri court also slapped a fine of Rs 1,000 each on Amir Badshah and Gauhar Rehman, residents of Byid village in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, on Tuesday, official sources said today. Badshah and Rehman were arrested by the Army two weeks ago after they were found under suspicious circumstances in Uri sector close to the LoC. With Eidul Fitr being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, the duo lodged at Uri police station, were allowed to offer prayers with the public on humanitarian grounds. They were shifted to central jail, Srinagar today, sources said. — PTI |
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Two killed, 4 houses destroyed in fire
Srinagar, October 2 Three persons riding a motorcycle were injured when it turned turtle at Kichhama. The injured where admitted to hospital where one of them died. A motorcyclist hit and injured a minor girl, Bismah (5), at Batwara on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway last evening. The injured was admitted to hospital. A vehicle hit and injured a pedestrian near Frestibal Pampore Joinery Mill. The injured was hospitalised. Bashir Ahmad Wagay of Sogam Kokernag in Anantnag district was seriously injured after falling from a Matador. Four houses and other structures were gutted in fire incidents at Chandigam Sogam and Hyhama in the frontier district of Kupwara.— UNI |
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Tourists resent bus stand’s appalling state
Jammu, October 2 Arvind Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar, had a tough time finding a way out amid a number of kiosks that were put up on the footpath on the bus stand premises. “We had to struggle to get across to an eating point to have some refreshment before resuming the onward journey,” he said. The congestion caused due to kiosks and vendors selling eatables also puts the security of the bus stand complex in jeopardy. Pankaj, a tourist from Chandigarh, said keepers of a toilet charged him for utilising the service despite the latter being in bad shape. “It shows the city with immense tourist potential in bad light and efforts must be made to ensure neat and clean environment at the bus stand,” he added. Echoing similar views, Ghulam Baksh, who arrived from Shopian district of the valley, said unhygienic condition prevailing in toilets as well as the surroundings were an eyesore. Another common complaint of tourists, which was unanimously shared by locals, was garbage strewn all over the place. After entering from the bus stand’s main gate, one finds sugarcane juice sellers disposing the waste nearby, which further eats into the space. A full fledged market is running in the complex, which gives it a cluttered look and makes the entire area appear more like a market than a bus stand. When contacted, Pandurang K. Pole, vice-chairman, Jammu Development Authority, said with a view to improve the situation, a multi-storey parking facility would be constructed. He said other steps like removal of encroachment, regularisation of kiosks and cleanliness of the complex would also be initiated. |
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Traders links with separatists condemned
Jammu, October 2 A meeting of the coordination committee held here today under the chairmanship of Kulbushan Mohtra appealed to all commission, forwarding agents and distributors of Jammu region, to unite under the panel's umbrella to safeguard their common business interests and give a befitting reply to Kashmiri separatists who were exploiting dealers in Kashmir and threatening them against having dealings with Jammu distributors and commission agents. Mohtra said presently 130 commission, forwarding agents and distributors in Jammu region were members of the Jammu CFA and Distributors Association, who had automatically became a part of the JBCC. |
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Radio Kashmir gains popularity during Ramzan
Srinagar, October 2 For many the radio act as a “reliable” time indicator in the wake of different sects observing varying time for Sheri and Iftar, while others tune in to listen to various religious programmes, including speeches by yesteryear religious leaders, aired during the festival season only. “Mosques were traditionally used to announce Sehri and Iftar times but different sects nowadays choose their own time for the purpose to make their presence felt... In this situation, Radio Kashmir is the most reliable time indicator,” Maulvi Mohammad Aslam said. Listeners of the programmes cling to the radio station which bring to them various facets of Islam and its teachings, besides devotional songs. “There are nasheeds (religious songs) in the praise of Allah and Prophet Muhammad besides speeches by leading Islamic scholars and religious leaders on Islamic issues. It helps in refreshing the beliefs and memory about Islamic history,” Abdul Gani Dar, an ardent fan of the programmes, said. The 70-year-old, who has been listening to the programmes for the past 30 years, says though most of the times same radio shows are aired, they do not seem repetitive as they are run only once a year. “In fact, I feel nostalgic, these programmes are history.... We can listen to the speeches of people who have passed away long ago,” Dar said. Among the most repeated programmes are the nasheeds sung by Mohammad Abdullah Tibetbakal who passed away several years ago. Equally popular is the speech made by slain Awami Action Committee Chairman and then Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq which is played on the night of 26th Ramzan every year. “We have several records of the Mirwaiz speeches recorded at Jamia Masjid but the audio quality is not as good as the one that comes on Radio Kashmir,” Farooq Ahmad Ahangar, a resident of Rajouri Kadal, said. Recent additions in programmes have given an edge to Radio Kashmir to its rival radio stations operating in the city. This year, AIR introduced a segment where religious leaders gave social-religious message. In one of the programmes, even hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who does not possess any significant credentials as religious leader, read out a message on teachings of Islam. — PTI
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Poll meaningless without delimitation: Panthers
Jammu, October 2 Interacting with mediapersons here today, senior party leader Harsh Dev Singh said the moratorium imposed on delimitation was not only prejudicial to Jammu region but it had also adversely affected the interests of SCs and STs in the state. He said delimitation alone could ensure justice to the region by increasing its seats, besides facilitating adequate representation to SCs and STs. |
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MC ‘turns’ a blind eye to sanitation blues
Jammu, October 2 The state of cleanliness can be gauged from the fact that a drain in Kaleth Nagar adjoining the office building of the JMC is filled with heaps of garbage. On top of it, a six-foot-deep drain passing beneath the footpath on the Bus Stand-Indira Chowk road has damaged slabs at various points, particularly at the crossing that leads to the entrance of the JMC building. Similarly, two drains on both sides of Shakti Nagar road near the Accountant-General’s office are a constant cause of worry for the residents of Shiv Nagar and Shakti Nagar . A big portion of the drain coming from that side and flowing along the Rajpura road is currently without banks. There is always a possibility of someone falling in it as the road adjoining it is too narrow. Despite repeated requests by colonies’ residents to either raise the level of the embankment of these two drains or cover them with concrete slabs, nothing has been done so far. The residents also complained of being neglected at the hands of their MLA M.R. Sharma, who was the former deputy chief minister of the state. Shiv Nagar corporator Manmohan Singh said, “This is a serious problem in our area but due to rainy season I was not able to start construction work on it. Now we have allotted the construction work to the UEED. This construction work will cost around Rs 4 lakh and it will be completed within 15 days.” Satpal Grover, corporator, Kaleth Nagar, said, “The corporation has allotted funds to us and I will visit this colony once again. I will also construct a concrete slab over the footpath within a week.” Mayor Kevinder Gupta said: “We have allocated funds to the corporators for all development works and it is up to them to utilise the money.”
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Hideout busted
Jammu, October 2 Acting on a tip-off, troops launched a search operation near the LoC in Gursai area of the district and recovered a pistol, three AK magazines, a radio set and explosives, official sources said. — PTI |
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Samiti calls for Omar’s boycott
Jammu, October 2 Addressing a press conference here, samiti convener Lila Karan Sharma said the leaders like Omar Abdullah should not be allowed to set their foot on Jammu's soil till they apologise for their utterances. He warned the NC leadership against insulting people of the Jammu region to "appease fundamentalist forces" in the Kashmir valley. During a convention of the National Conference in Jammu on September 29, Omar had reportedly blamed the samiti for resurgence of the separatist forces in the valley. Strongly reacting to Omar's reported claim that he and his father had played a vital role in resolving the land row, Sharma asked "If they were the ones who made the agreement possible what were we fighting for for 63 days? What for our 12 men lost their lives during the agitation? What for Jammu's traders suffered losses of Rs 10,000 crore?" He termed it as an attempt to undermine the samiti's agitation. He regretted that instead of taking a stand against the fundamentalist forces of Kashmir, who have already started social boycott of Jammu people, Omar was brazenly trying to mollify them. "He didn't utter a single word on Kashmiri traders snapping trade ties with their counterparts in Jammu and chose to rake up the issue of so-called economic blockade." He alleged that the "anti-national forces in the valley in connivance with the so-called mainstream political parties have launched a campaign to weaken the economy" of the Jammu region. He lambasted the Jammu-based National Conference leaders for remaining a "mute spectator" when Omar was rubbing salt on the wounds of the people of Jammu. Regarding the agreement, the samiti urged the Governor to implement it in letter and in spirit for restoring lasting peace in the Jammu region. Meanwhile, the samiti has announced that it would felicitate the family members of those who lost their lives during the agitation at SD Sabha School, Rehari, on October 5. The felicitation function was earlier scheduled for September 20, but the samiti was reportedly not allowed to go ahead with it, forcing it to give a two-day bandh call to warn the government. |
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Samiti, ABVP want CET selection list scrapped
Jammu, October 2 The ABVP today urged Governor N.N Vohra to scrap the selection list and implement the recommendations of the Singhal Commitee. Mukesh Kumar, President, ABVP, Jammu University unit, requested the Governor to personally look into the matter and take a decision in order to give justice to the deserving students of the Jammu and Ladakh regions. He alleged that candidates from the Jammu and Ladakh regions were discriminated against and hence they did not get enough seats. "Even a cursory look at the list would indicate the extent of bias harboured by the Kashmir-centric board." He also drew the authorities' attention towards the JE (Civil) result declared in May, which had just 11 candidates from the Jammu region in comparison to over 80 from the valley. The ABVP warned of intensive agitation if their demands were not met. |
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LeT militants kill shepherd in Doda
Jammu, October 2 “The militants of LeT kidnapped Ghulam Mohammad, resident of Tanta from lower Jai area of tehsil Gandoh, and killed him on the intervening night of October 1 and 2,” the sources said. However, police reports said the militants accused the deceased of providing information to the security forces, resulting in the killing of two LeT militants on May 13, 2008 in his house at Tanta. Meanwhile, security forces recovered a cache in Gursai Nala area last evening on receiving some specific information. “The troops of the 37 Rashtriya Rifles and the police recovered one Chinese pistol with magazine, 12 rounds ammunitions, one Chinese grenade and a radio set,” the sources added. — UNI |
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Pilgrims throng Vaishno Devi
Katra, October 2 With the beginning of Navratras, the number of devotees has increased manifold. Official figures revealed that during the past two days, more than 50,000 pilgrims had so far visited the holy shrine on the occasion of the first and second Navratra. It is for the first time during the past three months that the number of pilgrims has crossed the 25,000 mark in one day. In August this year, the number was only 2.71 lakh, which was a sharp decline from the figure of 7.03 lakh recorded in 2007. Meanwhile, the ongoing festival is attracting pilgrims as well as locals. Famous Punjabi singer Lakhvinder Lucky enthralled the audience at the All-India Devotional Song Competition. Lucky along with SDM, Katra, and the deputy director, Tourism, were special guests during the occasion. |
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Pollution-check drive vanishes into thin air
Jammu: While air pollution continues to take a heavy toll on the people, the much-hyped initiative of the erstwhile coalition government to check vehicular emissions in the winter capital has vanished into thin air.
The practice of putting vehicles to random checking for emission of different gases at various places of the winter capital has disappeared. It may be recalled here that in an effort to check air pollution, particularly vehicular emissions the previous coalition government had authorised over 35 pollution check centers across the winter capital. An official at the Regional Transport Office said: “Even though the State Pollution Control Board do undertake periodical checks of vehicles on the highways but certainly the enthusiasm has fizzled out as far as Jammu city is concerned.” He said the transport authorities had authorised over 35 pollution check centers in the city and the State Pollution Control Board in consonance with the Motor Vehicles Department and the traffic police had launched a regular drive putting vehicles to checks. However, the joint effort did not last long and the practice stands abandoned, he said. Talking to The Tribune, SSP Traffic Parminder Singh said though on requisition, we do provide transport authorities or the SPCB traffic personnel for undertaking pollution check drives but the traffic police had little role in such drives. Our job is to check pollution control certificates issued by the authorised centers and we simply penalise those vehicle pliers, who don’t posses it, said Singh. Owner of one such pollution control centers, Pawan Sharma said ever since the SPCB, transport authorities and traffic police abandoned the drive, his business has recorded a steep decline. Though people do come to us for getting emission of their vehicles checked but the number has gone down considerably, he said. Sharma said no doubt initially we did brisk business but the situation has changed drastically after the departments concerned abandoned their joint drive. It may be stated here that owners of such pollution check centers had invested nearly Rs 5 lakh to set up the centre. Expressing concern over ever-increasing air pollution in Jammu, a research scholar of the Jammu University said apart from haphazard industrialisation the increasing number of automobiles has aggravated the problem of pollution. These automobiles continue to spew carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and are not only polluting the air but also disturbing the heat and radiation balance. |
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Jawan among 2 killed in mishaps
Jammu, October 2 A jawan from Rajasthan, Shishu Pal, died on the spot when an Army vehicle turned turtle and rolled down a hill in Krishna Ghati area of Poonch district, they said. Three others — sepoy Mahesh, sepoy Ritesh and civilian Shabir Ahmed — were injured. In another mishap, an Army vehicle hit a motorcycle at Koshi Morh on the Vijaypur-Ramgarh road in Samba district in which one motorcyclist Raj was killed. — PTI |
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3 found hanging
Jammu, October 2 Gursharn Kour (20), a BEd student, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her rented accomodation in Nanak Nagar area this morning. The house owner informed the police and her body was recovered. In another incident, a 27-year-old housewife, Pinki Devi, was found hanging from a tree in Domana area, from where another body of a 35-year-old man was recovered. The deceased was identified as Vikramjeet Singh. The police has registered cases. — PTI |
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Jammu, October 2
