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Cross-LoC trade in dual currency
Kashmiri Pandits to contest 15 seats
JU official locked up
NC leader’s son dies |
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Encroachments rampant in city
Post of librarian vacant for 28 years
Stir over but students keep away from studies
Tardy Execution of Package
Former MLA hails hydel projects
Chander Lata Verma of Jammu’s Nanak Nagar shows the snake that came out from a water tap in her house. A Tribune photograph
Govt Apathy
Militant killed near LoC
Policemen chase away stone-pelting protesters in Srinagar on Monday. Tribune photo: Mohd Amin War
Rehabilitate fire victims: PDP
Army chief visits Vaishno Devi
58 inspectors promoted
Coordination panel calls for strike on October 27
Kashmir Coordination Committee leaders headed by JKLF Chairman Yassen Malik along with Hurriyat Conference (G) acting chief Ghulam Nabi Sambji and other separatist leaders hold a meeting at in Srinagar on Monday. A Tribune photograph
Seminar on Jammu’s political empowerment
Micro-hydel Projects
Ex-servicemen rally on October 15
Conference on revival of silk route from Oct 15
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Cross-LoC trade in dual currency
Jammu, October 13 Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of an exhibition of industrial products, Abbasi said they had formed working groups in which people affiliated with same businesses would sit together and explore trade possibilities.
Abbasi admitted that there were many impediments in the smooth conduct of cross-LoC trade that needed to be addressed soon. He said: “We should not allow cross-border trade to suffer the fate of the bus service between the two countries.” He particularly stressed on free movement of traders from both sides, banking facilities, setting up of communication links and more carrying capacity for vehicles. “Travel should be made easy for the traders and they should also be allowed to move across the border in their own vehicles. Similarly, communication lines have to be opened for better trade relations,” he said. According to him, the carrying capacity of at least 15 tonnes should be allowed to make the trade viable. On how the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route will be helpful for people of the Kashmir valley as they were looking at it as an alternative route in the wake of the recent “economic blockade”, Abbasi said they didn’t see the beginning of cross-LoC trade as a “reactionary measure”. Abbasi supported the idea of reopening all traditional routes for trade and termed the demand of his Jammu counterparts regarding it as totally legitimate and logical. He said the trade bodies from both sides were contemplating to constitute a joint chamber of commerce and industry so that they could prepare joint recommendations for submission to their respective governments. Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ram Sahai said the PoK delegation had agreed to take up the demand for opening of the Suchetgarh-Sialkot and Nowshera-Mirpur routes with their government. He said they had also raised the matter of communication network with Governor N.N. Vohra.
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Kashmiri Pandits to contest 15 seats
Jammu, October 13 Addressing a press conference here today, front's working president A.K. Diwani said the outfit would contest the elections on the plank of political empowerment of minorities and respectful rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. The outfit would also field a candidate from Sopore, from where separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani hails, to give a message to the entire nation that anti-national forces would not be tolerated. "We have been ditched by mainstream political parties time and again. Now, it is high time that we send our people to the Assembly to raise our voice with full force," he added. The main objective for entering the political arena was to gain entry into legislature and other decision-making forums as prescribed in the Constitution and to secure minority rights for minorities, including Hindus and Sikhs. Lashing out at the Centre and the successive state governments, Diwani said they had been "resorting to policies of undue appeasement and ignoring the merit" while carrying out various works in the state. "While the government has been taking care of the interests of anti-national forces, the move for respectable resettlement of Kashmiri migrants has been put on the backburner," he lamented.
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JU official locked up
Jammu, October 13 The students were protesting against the authorities for fixing October 23 as the date of examination for “Family Law”, which was earlier boycotted by them on October 7. President, PPSU, Mahinder Singh, said: “Students of the Law Department appearing in the second semester examination had earlier stayed away from the Family Law paper as they were denied parallel choice among all five units against the prescribed norms”. Mahinder said the authorities without consulting the students had declared October 23 as the next date for the examination. Later, the controller pacified the students and assured to postpone the examination. He said the examination will be held after consultations with the VC. |
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NC leader’s son dies
Jammu, October 13 His elder brother Mustafa Saber said: “At around 5 pm, Murtaza got a call from his friends who wanted him to accompany them on a picnic to nearby Nagrota”. Mustafa said: “After a few minutes, I received a call by one of Murtaza’s friends who said he had gone missing. I asked his friends to search for Murtaza.” Mustafa said his brother’s friend again called after 15 minutes and said their car had met with an accident and that Murtaza had been rushed to the Batra Hospital in a serious condition. “I rushed to the hospital but my brother’s friends came after 20 minutes. The doctors attending on my brother declared him brought dead. The doctors also said Murtaza had been poisoned”, Mustafa said. Meanwhile, Murtaza’s family suspects that his friends allegedly killed him. The police has registered a case and the body has been sent for a post-mortem at the Government Medical College, Jammu. Senior police officals, including the SSP, Jammu, rushed to the hospital. Murtaza's friends have been called by the police for questioning. |
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Encroachments rampant in city
Jammu: The city’s look has been marred. Thanks to the growing number of encroachments at various places by shopkeepers, vegetable and fruit vendors. The irony is that the authorities concerned have failed to check this menace. Encroachments have become a common sight in the city’s main markets like Super Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Gummat and Jewel Chowk. Shopkeepers have extended their shops and encroached upon footpath to display their products.
This not only obstructs the flow of traffic but also causes inconvenience to pedestrians. In Indra Chowk and Talab Till, fruit and vegetable vendors have encroached upon a large area. Besides encroachment, traffic jams have also become the order of the day. At Canal Road, Residency Road, Parade, etc, people usually park their vehicles on the road. This disrupts the smooth flow of traffic. “The problem can be solved to a large extent if the civic body enforces strict rules. They should make off-street parking rules more stringent and take action against fruit and vegetable vendors who encroach upon footpaths for selling their products”, Santosh Kumar, a resident of Indra Chowk, said. “It is the duty of the authorities concerned to demolish illegal structures on footpath by shopkeepers and fruit vendors. Also the authorities should pay attention towards rehabilitation of vendors who earn their livelihood by selling fruits and vegetables”, Sudha Verma, a resident of Talab Tillo, said. Meanwhile, mayor Kavinder Gupta said: “We are working hard to control encroachment by some shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable vendors in these markets and at several other places. There is a need to construct a separate market for these vendors. I have directed my officials to keep a check on this practise. All illegal structures will be demolished. Defaulters will also be charged a fine up to Rs 500”.
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Post of librarian vacant for 28 years
Jammu, October 13 Presently, Dr Naresh Padha from the Physics Department is in charge of the library. Apart from it, the posts of deputy librarian and assistant librarian - which were advertised last year, are still vacant. “The recruitment process for the posts of assistant registrar and assistant librarians was undertaken simultaneously. The appointments in the former case were made past year, but nothing has been done in the second case,” official sources disclosed. They said over the years, the number of departments in JU had multiplied but the library staff remained more or less the same. At present most of the employees are engaged on an ad hoc basis without requisite qualification. Sources said there were certain pay anomalies in the pay grade of semi-professional assistant (SPA) and professional assistant. “One who joins the department as an SPA gets Rs 5,000 as basis salary and after 15 years of service, is supposed to get a pay grade of Rs 8,000. But JU gives only Rs 6,500 which is against UGC’s norms,” they said. “Posts for the SPA were advertised two years back and meanwhile, the screening test was conducted, no recruitment has been made till date despite the fact that there are 50 vacancies,” they said. “Posts for SPA were advertised with Rs 5,500 as basic salary in 2005, but when the recruitment was done, candidates started getting Rs 5,000 as the basic pay. This is still going on,” the sources said. JU registrar
G.S. Sambyal said: “The JU is a growing institution and we have added several institutions like the British Study
Centre, internet and video conferencing labs to the existing library. Recruitments are in process as vacancies have been advertised in most of the cases.” |
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Stir over but students keep away from studies
Jammu, October 13 Earlier, Saturday like Sunday used to be a holiday. But after the agitation, several holidays, including Saturday were curtailed by the JU administration to make up for the academic loss. Going by the present trend, a cold response is being accorded to the varsity's new proposal as almost all departments have registered thin attendance. “There is thin attendance in all departments despite the faculty being present on Saturdays and on holidays”, a professor in the Chemistry Department said. However, he attributed this to the ongoing festive season and said students from peripheral areas were at home. “For the time being, the classes of only first semester are on while most of the classes for the third semester are yet to start”, he added. “Students generally don't come to the campus on Saturday as most of the hostellers or students having rented accommodation in the city visit their home,” said a bunch of students sipping coffee near the Dhanwantri library. Due to eruption of agitation, the new academic year got delayed by nearly one month. Earlier the academic year had to start on August 1 but instead it commenced on September 1. During the agitation days, each department suffered a loss of eight lectures per day, while the Department of Sciences had to stall their research works and experiments. Dean, Academic Affairs, B.P.S. Sehgal, said: “Since the class work has just started it will pick up in the days to come.” Sehgal further said the JU administration had cancelled the winter vacations and the pooja holidays had also been curtailed. “This year only three holidays would be observed in connection with Diwali on October 27, 28 and 29,” he disclosed.
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Tardy Execution of Package
Jammu, October 13 Panthers Party General secretary Harsh Dev Singh had apprised the Prime during his recent meeting of "tardy implementation" of the package. Harsh Dev today said :"I caused a flutter during the meeting when I told Dr Manmohan Singh that not more than 10 per cent of the package had yet been spent on various development schemes." Harsh Dev Singh said he conveyed to the Prime Minister that not a single penny had been spent on the construction of health centres for which Rs 831 crore had been earmarked in the package. Not even 5 per cent of Rs 359 crore allocated for augmentation of drinking water supply to greater Jammu had yet been spent on the project. As far as upgrading the sewer and drainage system was concerned, over Rs 1470 crore had been earmarked but there had been no progress. As many as 50 villages had to be developed as tourist villages but work in this direction had been started only in six villages.
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Former MLA hails hydel projects
Udhampur, October 13 Kitchloo suggested that work on these projects should start immediately and demanded that local youths should be given priority in these projects so as to solve the problem of unemployment in this belt. He said the executing agencies should develop local areas while constructing projects in the hilly areas of Kishtwar. |
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Snake found in tap water
Jammu, October 13 People from various localities of the city have complained that instead of drinking water, “live snakes” were coming out of their taps. Chander Lata Verma, a resident of Nanak Nagar alleged that in the past one week, two live snakes had come out from the main supply tap. She said: “I was shocked while filling water when a live snake came out of the tap. We called up the PHE authorities who assured that such a thing would not be repeated in the future. But today another live snake came out of the tap.” Meanwhile, residents of the area are planning to hold a protest demonstration against the PHE department for what they term as “criminal negligence” in discharging their duties. Executive engineer, PHE Division 2, Sharab Bhasin said: “We haven't received any formal complaint in this regard.” |
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Govt Apathy
Khelani (Doda), October 13 With the commissioning of the first phase of this project, the authorities promising to provide round-the-clock power in this area but the miserable conditions of locals who have been living in the darkness for the last more than 45 days, exposed lack of coordination among the difference government agencies. Poles and supply lines, meant for supplying power to the Sheraj belt, being submerged after collection of water started in the reservoir. Instead of taking precautionary measures, the authorities watched submergence of power infrastructure, which led to total blackout in six Panchayats namely Bhartund, Bidrotha, Chaka, Chachator, Chil and Shamti of Sheraj belt. Filling of the Baglihar project reservoir was started way back in the month of March this year but the authorities did not take preventive measures. For the last two months, a large number of poles have been submerged in the reservoir and there was total breakdown in the power supply system. “For the about two months we have been approaching the concerned authorities to restore power in these areas but of no avail,” Dr Chaman Lal, former MLA told The Tribune and pointed out that instead of taking effective steps, the government agencies are passing the buck and skirting responsibilities. “It is a cruel joke with the inhabitants of Sheraj belt as the Baglihar project, which provides power to entire state, is located at their area but the locals have been living in darkness,” rued Bali Bhagat, ex-MLA of Ramban, who has brought this matter to the notice of the Doda deputy commissioner. He pointed out that the Power Development Department (PDD) has shifted responsibility on Power Development Corporation (PDC) for creating infrastructure for restoring power supply but the former blamed later for prevailing problem. Dewan Chand, a resident of Chil panchayat, while highlighting miseries of the masses, said that people have been living virtually in “dark age” as this belt was cut off from the rest of the world after submergence of foot bridges. Echoing similar views, Krishan Lal of village Kundi regretted that authorities treating them like second-class citizens. Doda DC Sayed Sharif-ud-Din expressed his ignorance about the total black out in such a huge number of villages. He, however, said the authorities have been directed to solve the problem as early as possible in the area. |
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Militant killed near LoC
Rajouri/Jammu, October 13 Army sources said troops of the Madras Regiment manning forward post of Kancha near Sheshva Naag area in Laam sector of Nowshera here challenged the infiltrators last night. However, the militant refused to surrender and opened fire. The army retaliated, they added. In the ensuing
gunbattle, the troops gunned down one infiltrator and injured another, who reportedly fled back into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The other infiltrators taking advantage of darkness and trees, too, managed to flee. Confirming the operation, defence spokesperson Col D.K Kachari said troops gunned down a militant in Laam area of Nowshera in Rajouri district. He stated that the troops recovered two AK 47 rifles, four AK Magazines and 112 rounds of ammunition. This is the sixth infiltration bid in past 16 days and eighth in the last three weeks along the Indo-Pak border in the state. A top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen also was today gunned down in an encounter in Doda district. Mohd Hanief Bhat alias Irfan, the self-styled deputy divisional commander of Hizbul, was killed during an operation by the Army and the police in Nandani area of Dessa belt after a tip off, official sources said. Meanwhile, security forces and the police yesterday busted two hideouts and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition, including RDX, in the valley, official sources said today. They stated that the police busted a hideout at Chitragam in south Kashmir district of Shopian. The arms and ammunition recovered from the hideout included one AK 56 rifle, five magazines, 60 rounds of ammunition, three mortar shells, one grenade and four kg of
RDX. In another operation, the police and security forces recovered two hand grenades, one UBGL and four rounds of ammunition after a brief encounter with the militants. However, the militants managed to escape.
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Clashes in Srinagar, Baramulla
Srinagar, October 13 Agitating youths pelted stones on the police and the CRPF as people observed the fourth day of mourning of the two youths killed in police firing on Friday last. Tension also gripped the Nowhatta, Rajveri Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Nawab Bazaar and Saraf Kadal areas. Shops and business establishments were closed, while thin transport plied on the roads. Tension also gripped Baramulla town for the fourth consecutive day in protest against the arrest of about 12 youths over the past one week and the damage caused to a mosque and several residential houses by CRPF personnel, while quelling demonstrators on Sunday. The residents have demanded release of the arrested youths. An official spokesman, however, said the situation across the valley remained peaceful. He said traffic was partially suspended in the Nowhatta, Rajveri Kadal and Gojwara areas of Srinagar where shops were also closed. |
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Rehabilitate fire victims: PDP
Srinagar, October 13 She also urged the Governor's administration to immediately take steps for the rehabilitations of the fire victims. A relief team led by PDP senior leader Syed Asghar Ali today visited the affected village and distributed relief items among the fire victims. Mehbooba appealed to the government to provide immediate relief to the fire victims and demanded that the affected families be provided timber, galvanised tin sheets for reconstruction of houses, besides free ration. — UNI
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Army chief visits Vaishno Devi
Jammu, October 13 After having darshan of the deity, he returned and later interacted with army officers in Udhampur before
flying back to New Delhi.— PTI |
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58 inspectors promoted
Srinagar, October 13 Those promoted included Rana Sajad, Vijay Kumar Sharma, Ashotosh Sharma, Kiran Bala, Gurmeet Singh, Abdul Rashid, Mohammad Yousuf, Ghulam Nabi, Mohammad Ilyas, Krishan Singh (SC), Mohammad Ibrahim, Behri Lal, Rafiq Ahmad, Mohan Singh, Abdul Rashid, Daljeet Singh (SC), Ghulam Nabi, Sita Ram, Showkat Ali, Pushkar Nath, Prem Raj Shan, Farooq Ahmad, Ashok Singh Ms. Ranu Devi Kundal, Munish Kumar, Parveen Singh, Ms. Rajni Sharma, Sunder Kumar, Balwant Raj (SC), Khalil-ul-Rehman, Mohammad Ashraf, Mushtaq Ahmad, Avtar Krishan, Mohammad Shafi, Nisar Ahmad, Mohammad Ashraf, Bashir Ahmad, Shahid Parvaz, Nazir Ahmad (RBA), Abdul Rashid, Mohammad Shafi, Kulbir Chand (SC), Mukhtar Ahmad, Mohammad Akram, Assadullah, Vijay Kumar, Shabir Ahmad, Tashi Phunsog (ST), Pritam Singh, V. K. Bhat, Santok Raj (SC), Narinder Singh (RBA), Karamveer Singh, Shamsher Singh (RBA), Mohan Lal (RBA), Mohammad Aslam (RBA), Mohammad Farooq Khan, (ALC), Ghulam Hyder Khan (ST). |
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Coordination panel calls for strike on October 27
Srinagar, October 13 This was announced by Mohammad Yasin Malik, JKLF chairman, here today after presiding over a meeting of the coordination committee. Malik said protests and demonstrations after the first half of every Friday up to November 6 would continue as part of the agitation. He also stated that “Lal Chowk chalo” programme had not been deferred and the new date would be announced later. |
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Seminar on Jammu’s political empowerment
Jammu, October 13 Addressing the seminar, veteran journalist Yash Bhasin said the two-month-long Amarnath land row agitation in Jammu marked people’s pent-up emotions against regional discrimination and injustice hurled on them by Kashmir-based politicians. He said it was also the manifestation of Jammu's resolve to gain political power thus ensuring an end to alleged partisan approach in job-oriented courses and administrative services in the state. Advocate R.S. Jamwal stressed upon political empowerment of people from Lakhanpur to Jawahar tunnel in Banihal and up to Poonch on the other side. A social activist Uday Chand said apprehensions of the Central leadership that the separation of Jammu would pave way for secession of the Kashmir valley from India were ill founded. Former director, Information, Narinder Singh, lamented the role of the Jammu political leaders and added that they had failed to project the demands of the region in the Assembly. |
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Micro-hydel Projects
Rajouri, October 13 The micro-hydel projects were constructed by the Army under Operation Sadbhavana and were to benefit people living in backward and far-flung areas of the district. About Rs 2 lakh had been spent on each project. These projects were installed in the traditional water mill (Gharath) - used for getting maize flour - on small streams. Soon after being installed, the projects turned non-functional. After the issue was raised by the media, the Army in a damage-control exercise had reportedly carried out repairs and made some of the projects functional. However, physical inspection of three out of the four projects suggested that not a single project generated power. Inspection of the micro-hydel project at Gala which was installed on the water mill owned by one Khadim Hussain suggested that the project had turned non-functional soon after being installed. A visit to the projects - Ojhan-I and Ojhan-II - installed on the water mills owned by Faiz Muhammad and Muhammad Yousuf showed
that the projects had failed to provide electricity. The Army claims that the micro-hydel projects were handed over to the beneficiaries (villagers) after a joint inspection by the civil administration and the Army. However, over a period of time, the projects became non-functional. Later efforts were made to reinstate functional micro-hydel projects during 2007-08 and the same had been handed over to the civil administration. A certificate to this effect is with the Army which has been duly countersigned by the BDO of the respective blocks. The Army claims that the responsibility of maintenance of these assets lied with the civil administration as stipulated by various meetings and planning development department of the state government. Assistant commissioner development (ADC), Rajouri, said since the micro-hydel projects were not the asset of
the civil administration, there is was no question of maintaining the same. “Why should a BDO countersign a certificate of handing over when the asset in question is not of the Rural Development Department”, the ADC said. Meanwhile, executive engineer, Power Development Department, Rajouri, V.K. Khajuria said though the department had inspected some of these projects, they had rejected most of them due to major faults in their installation and infrastructure. |
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Ex-servicemen rally on October 15
Jammu, October 13 According to a release, the aim of the rally is to hold interaction between ex-servicemen and senior military dignitaries and give an opportunity to ameliorate their grievances and synergise the potential of ex-servicemen to combat terrorism. The Army will also organise a medical camp on the occasion. Representatives of the Zila Sainik Board, Recruiting Office, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme and APN will attend the function. |
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Conference on revival of silk route from Oct 15
Srinagar, October 13 The conference would be attended by Governor N.N Vohra. According to Mushtaq A. Kaw, coordinator of the conference, besides academicians from India, large foreign participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Japan, Turkey, Italy, France and the US are expected to take part in the conference. The timing of the conference is significant as the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route for trade is scheduled to open on October 21. “There will be a special session for discussion on the restoration of trans-Kashmir silk route network,” G.M Mir, director, Centre of Central Asian Studies at the University, said. The seminar organised by the Department of Sociology and Social Work is aimed at understanding the impact of globalisation on societies and the role played by Sociology in tackling the issue of globalisation. |
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Srinagar, October 13
