Jammu, October 16
National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah today asked the Election Commission (EC) to come clean on the timing of the Assembly elections.

Interacting with mediapersons after attending the party’s thanksgiving ceremony on completion of the Baglihar power project, Omar said: “We never back out of a challenge and are ready to contest the elections. We only want the EC to tell us categorically whether it wants to hold the elections now or later.”

He said the EC’s indecisiveness had not only lead to an unnecessary delay but also unnecessary uncertainty. He said: “This delay is not good for anyone, particularly in the area of governance, as the officials are not willing to work. Every second day they are being summoned to Delhi for one reason or the other”.

Omar said if the elections were not held by November or early December, then they would only be scheduled sometime in March-April next year. On the BJP accusing the EC of working at the behest of the Congress, he said it would be unfair to suggest that the EC’s decision to defer announcement of poll dates was politically tilted.

On the idea of initiating some confidence-building measures (CBMs) for people in the valley before the polls, Omar said the government should reach out to the people and address their concerns.

On the separatists rejecting the PM's call for dialogue, Omar said he wasn’t surprised at all and there was need for a meaningful, long-term and sustained dialogue with them. He said the separatists might give a call for the boycott of elections, but enforcing it would not be in the interest of the country. 

Jammu, October 16
Panthers Party supremo Bhim Singh today served a 10-day ultimatum on the Election Commission for announcing the Assembly elections in the state.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Bhim Singh said he would take up the matter with the Supreme Court in case the commission failed to announce the election dates. He said the Union Home Ministry had told the EC in writing that the situation in the state was conducive for holding the elections, besides stating that adequate security forces would be provided for the democratic exercise.

"The delay in announcing the elections is sheer injustice with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Election Commission doesn't have a veto power over the issue," he said, dubbing the EC move as the one against the wishes and democratic aspirations of the people of the state.

The Panthers Party chief also questioned the sincerity of state Congress leaders over the issue of delimitation of Assembly constituencies. He said: "The Congress, the PDP and the NC are enemies of the people and that is why they have been opposing delimitation."

Meanwhile, he urged Governor N.N. Vohra to opt for a partial darbar move by keeping all government record pertaining to the Kashmir region in the Srinagar Civil Secretariat with some of the Advisers attending work in Srinagar. "Only files pertaining to the Jammu region should be shifted to the Jammu secretariat. Why should residents of the valley be deprived of the right to seek redressal of their woes for six months?" he asked. 

Jammu, October 16
The Panthers Party has blamed the National Conference and the PDP for sacrificing their political ideology on the altar of “political and poll expediency.”

Party general secretary Harsh Dev Singh said today that “the National Conference and the PDP were throwing to the winds their known political ideology by favouring the Assembly elections to be held after January 10 for the sake of political and poll gains.”

He said over the years the National Conference had been in favour of greater autonomy while the PDP advocated self-rule. Both these parties wanted all central laws applied to Jammu and Kashmir to be scrapped. They were opposed to the jurisdiction of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the Supreme Court and the Election Commission in Jammu and Kashmir.

Harsh Dev said by favouring postponement of the elections till next year the NC and the PDP were advocating imposition of President’s rule because by January 10 Governor’s rule would end as Jammu and Kashmir could not have Governor’s rule for more than six months under the state Constitution. He alleged this was being done simply to allow breathing time for the NC and the PDP so that they could set their houses in order and win more seats for forming a government.

Srinagar, October 16
Governor N.N. Vohra has stressed the need to energise old linkages with the neighbouring countries.

Speaking at a four-day ‘International Conference on Dynamics and Revival of Silk Route: Perspective, Challenges and Opportunities’ yesterday, the Governor said the geopolitical environment must be progressively moulded to enhance the prospect of regional cooperation.

The conference was organised by the Centre for Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir.

He said the emerging Asian resurgence must lead to evolving synergies among India, Pakistan and Central Asian countries, notwithstanding varied constraints.

Referring to the Cross-LoC trade on the Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote routes, Vohra said revival of traditional links, destroyed during the colonial period, would hopefully usher in an era of peace and normalcy.

He said the trade activities have the prospects of opening up varied new avenues.

On the ancient silk route, the Governor said such linkages had been beneficial in influencing and enriching lingual, cultural and socio-religious traditions of the region.

He said the old and traditional routes were not merely travel routes but contributed to enhancing the civilisational influences.

Dr Tamerlan Karayev, ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said the history of great silk routes goes back to centuries, but it has the potential of bringing the nations in the region closer and usher in prosperity and progress.

“India, as an integral part of that cultural and economic interaction in the past, might play a bigger role in modern period and make valuable contribution to the process of restoring great silk routes,” he said.

Riyaz Punjabi, vice-chancellor, University of Kashmir, highlighted the importance of the silk routes in the backdrop of the globalisation.

Srinagar, October 16
The week-long visit of the 19-member delegation of traders from PoK led by president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Zulfikar Abbasi, concluded with the return of the delegation via the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road today.

During its visit the delegation held a series of discussions with representatives of the business community, officials and leaders of various mainstream and separatist political parties aimed at boosting cross-LoC trade due to begin via the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and the Poonch-Rawalkote roads from Tuesday next.

The two chambers - Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kashmir, led by Mubeen Shah and his counterpart from PoK, Zulfikar Abbasi, along with other members announced the formation of a joint chamber of commerce and industry here yesterday.

To be called a “Federation of Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Industries and Commerce” it would have 32 members, 16 each from both sides of the LoC, with eight members each from the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.

It will have a president on rotation basis with two vice-presidents, one each from PoK and Jammu and Kashmir. For the first year, the joint chamber will be headed by Zulfikar Abbasi from PoK.

The delegation from PoK also held a meeting with members of the Sopore Fruit Growers Association.

While the government has listed only a selected number of items for cross-LoC trade, trade representatives from both the sides have stressed upon 
the need for including several other items like Kashmiri handicrafts and 
edible items.

Jammu, October 16
Though the incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistan and infiltration attempts have been on the rise, the Army continues to downplay these.

The Army today foiled the fifth infiltration bid in less than a week along the border in the state. According to reliable sources, the infiltration attempt in which a militant was killed in the Peer Badeshwar area of Keri subsector in Rajouri was supported by covering fire from across the border.

A senior Army officer said: "The cross-border ceasefire violations are happening as a reassurance to the Kashmiris that their cause for freedom has not been abandoned."

The officer said the Pakistani army also wanted to convey that it was not completely under the command of the civil government.

The Army says that the aim of ceasefire violations is to instigate a strong reaction from the Indian side which would worsen relations between the two countries.

"There are elements in Pakistan, including some sections of the military and Jehadis, who actually want relations between the two countries to worsen so that they could topple the democratically elected government." said the officer

India wanted to see a democratically strong government in Pakistan so that it could continue building people-to-people contact and encourage cross-LoC trade.

"We do not feel threatened by almost routine and predictable ceasefire violations. The Indian Army continues to maintain its vigil and effectively dominate the Line of Control," the officer said. "Giving weightage to ceasefire violations will only give more credence to rogue elements within the Pakistan army who after years of enjoying military rule resent being placed under a civil government," he added

Besides if the Army retaliated to the ceasefire violations it would give Pakistan a chance to justify to the US that it could not fulfil its military commitments on the western border because of India.

Khelani (Doda), October 16
Fear has gripped the inhabitants of Doda and Kishtwar as the water level in the Chenab is rising and there is an inordinate delay in the construction of a road linking these two districts with the state.

After the commissioning of the Baglihar power project, the authorities closed the four gates of the project, due to which the water-level increased. Presently the water-level is just a few feet below the road and in case it rises, the road link will be submerged in water.

The Batote-Kishtwar road is the only link road to connect Doda, Bhaderwah, Bhallesa, Kishtwar and many other areas of the region with the rest of the state. After the filling of the reservoir of the Baglihar project started, many areas were submerged in water. The residents of Pul Doda have already been displaced as the area was submerged in the river.

As the national highway passes through Pul Doda, the authorities started construction of an alternative road from Khelani to connect it with Doda. Ironically, the construction of an alternative road started much before filling of the reservoir started. However, there are remote chances that the project would be completed on time.

As the construction work is going on at a snail's pace, residents fear that the existing road would be submerged in the water before the project is completed.

Meanwhile, senior National Conference leader Mohammad Aslam Goni said: “The situation is alarming. While on the one hand the vital road link is submerging into the water, on the other hand, soil erosion is taking place in the area”.

Goni warned that Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar districts would be cut off from the rest of the country if effective steps were not taken to complete the road within 15 days.

Echoing similar views, Koushal Kotwal, regretted that the authorities were very much aware that Pul Doda would be submerged in water but effective steps were not taken on time to minimise the problem.

Deputy commissioner, Doda, Sherief-ud-Din, who himself is supervising the construction work of the road, said: “The authorities engaged in the construction of the road have assured to complete the project within 15 days”. He also made it clear that presently the water-level was not touching the road.

Udhampur, October 16
Three persons, including a father and his son, were killed in a road accident at Chanderkot today. The third person was the supervisor in the company engaged in the construction of the Baglihar hydroelectric project.

Ramesh Kumar, driver of the tipper, lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve near dam site, the police said. The vehicle fell into Gajpat Nullah.

Ramesh, his son Parveen Kumar, belonging to Kunfar in Chanderkot, and supervisor Shabir Ahmed Wani of Bejbehara, Kashmir died on the spot, the police said. In another incident, Taslima Akhtar was crushed by a truck in the Kalaban area in Poonch. One scooterist Anoop Sharam was killed when he was hit by another vehicle at Udhampur bypass.

Srinagar: At least 22 people were injured when a bus in which they were travelling in overturned at Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, official sources said on Thursday.

The bus was on its way to Srinagar from Jammu. The injured were shifted to Sub-District Hospital Qazigund. Among them, five were referred to Bone and Joint Hospital here, six were referred to Shar-e-Kashmir Institute Medical Science, Soura while six others were discharged after given first aid, the sources said.

Srinagar, October 16
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the administration to pay a compensation of Rs 70,000 to a journalist and human rights activist, who was brutalised by unidentified people last year.

SHRC acting chairperson H U Bhat gave the verdict on a petition filed by journalist Naseer Ahmad Khora of Doda district in which he alleged that unidentified armed people kidnapped him in a jeep on the evening of May 5, 2007, and tortured him before release. A part of his beard was also shaved, causing scratches on his face.

A case was registered but investigation did not yield any result.

The journalist was also hospitalised and it appeared that he was subjected to brutalities and extreme type of torture.

The SHRC, therefore, should come to the rescue of the petitioner whose human rights violations are not exceptionally grave but also pose a threat to the freedom of the press and expression.

''Attacking, assaulting and brutalising a journalist and human rights activist is a contempt of the Constitution and an insult to democracy,'' the SHRC noted.

The freedom of the press and expression cannot be throttled by undesirable elements and nobody should be protected if found to have curtailed a journalist's voice, it said.

The petitioner deserves compensation of Rs 70,000 from the state for the brutalities he suffered at the hands of miscreants, the commission noted.

The recommendation is submitted to the government through the chief secretary. 
— UNI

Jammu, October 16
It seems Diwali will be a dull affair for all those planning to purchase white goods to cash in on the offers of the festive season as the ongoing financial crisis has forced many companies not to come out with attractive schemes and discounts.

There is no hustle and bustle in the markets prior to Diwali. Be it the purchase of vehicles or electronic gadgets, the usual rush is missing.

Retail outlets of LG, Samsung and Sansui have nothing much to offer to the buyers except for a scratch card offer, while Whirlpool is offering some gifts.

Despite a discount on footwear, garments and jewellery, markets present a deserted look. “This year Diwali does not seem to be inspiring both for the customers as well as for the business community”, Vijay Sharma, owner of a Samsung outlet in Gandhi Nagar, said. Meenakshi a customer said: “Without discount offers on electronic goods, the festive spirit is missing”.

Echoing similar views, Veena Rajput said: “I was waiting for Diwali to purchase a washing machine on a discount offer. But nothing of that sort has been announced so far by any electronic goods company. Im disappointed now”.

Ritu Mahajan, another customer said: “We came to the LG showroom with a lot of expectations but there is no attractive offer for us. They are not even offering a discount on goods”.

Rahul Mittal, owner of LG showroom, said: “We don’t wish to disappoint our customers but in this competitive market we want to do things differently. Instead of offering gifts of small amount, we want to make our products more attractive and sell them at reasonable rates.”

Rajouri, October 16
In a miraculous development, waters in the famous Tatapani spring located in the Kalakote tehsil here has resurfaced. The hot water spring is believed to have magical powers of healing certain ailments, including joint pains.

The abrupt gushing of water in the spring has rejuvenated the hopes of those people who believe that muscle, bone and joint maladies are cured by taking a dip in the popular hot spring.

Tourist officer Jyoti Koul said water in the spring had disappeared in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake. Anticipating that the tourist inflow would increase as the spring water had resurfaced, she said the Tourist Department was geared up to construct tourist huts. Koul said besides a dormitory, the department had planned to raise tourist huts with about 12 rooms. 

Jammu, October 16
The Trust for Reviving Ancient Indian Therapies (TRAIT) has decided to take help of art and craft to popularise Ayurveda.

Addressing a press conference here today, trust director Varun Suthra said art was the most expressive medium, which is why we would use the medium to re-invent Ayurveda. He said, “We intend to bring the magic of the Indian System of Medicine into the open.” The trust would hold camps and give presentations on the relevance of the traditional system.

“Ayurveda is a noble therapy yet it has not been pursued in right perspective here,” said Mrinalini and Shipra, executive heads of the trust.

Jammu, October 16
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) today pooh-poohed the reports in a section of the media about Sikhs in the valley being concerned about their security.

As per a statement issued here, SAD (A) leaders said: "The media reports have cited the recent communal flare-up over the Amarnath land row as the cause of concern for the security of Sikhs. However, everybody knows that the land agitation turned into a communal flare-up owing to “economic blockade” of Kashmir while the people of Kashmir protested peacefully against the blockade. To us there seems a valid point in the struggle of Kashmiris for the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the international norms.”