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NC, BJP welcome poll, PDP keeps mum
Hurriyat, JKLF to boycott
Cong, BJP out to woo women
Cross-LoC trade brings cheer to many
Dry run of truck service held
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Ad hoc varsity staff rue low salaries
NBP woos ex-BSP leaders
Panthers’ rally in Udhampur
Scholars dwell upon Sir Syed’s teachings
Home secretary
shifted
PoK refugees hold demonstration
PoK refugees hold a demonstration in Jammu on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
Vohra: No land to CRPF
Infiltration bid foiled; hideout busted
GI certification for shawl, pashmina
Medical education programme
Sweets shops raided
Morcha urges EC to
ensure fair poll
Operation Sadbhavana: 15 visit Delhi, Agra
AISAD to set up school
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NC, BJP welcome poll, PDP keeps mum
Srinagar, October 19 The National Conference has, however, welcomed the announcement as its president, Omar Abdullah, said any form of democratic government was much better than a non-elected government. He was not sure about the turnout as public mood was not very conducive for elections but it would give people a chance to choose their representatives, he said. He dismissed concern about winter elections in the state with the valley and the Ladakh region reeling under severe cold in December, saying that it was not a new thing. The PDP top brass has apparently asked its leaders to keep away from offering their views over the poll as a host of its leaders refused comment on the issue. "Whatever you ask, my only answer is 'no comments'," senior PDP leader Nizamuddin Bhat told The Tribune. Party sources said Mufti Sayeed and his daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, are calibrating their likely options and might come out with a statement later. Congress leader and former minister Abdul Gani Wakil said his party had made it clear that it would go with the decision of the Election Commission. State BJP vice-president Hari Om said they had always been advocating timely elections as any delay would have given political space to the separatists. By announcing the poll the Election Commission had "inflicted a psychological and political defeat" on separatists and political outfits like the PDP. On the two-month-long schedule, he said it would have been better if the poll was conducted in four or five phases. "In the current schedule, the pressure on security forces as well as political leaders operating in the valley will be more," he said. Jammu: Panthers Party supremo Bhim Singh said holding elections in areas like Leh and Kargil along with Poonch district on November 17 is an "unmindful act which will only help those having choppers for their poll campaign". "The Bandipora election on the same day in the first phase amounts to negating the election process. Does the EC understand that it takes three days to travel from Bandipora to Poonch," he asked. Bhim Singh also objected to the two-month-long poll schedule, alleging that it was meant to give advantage to a particular party. He termed it as a "fraud on democracy and fundamental rights". He later left for New Delhi, where he would raise the matter with the EC and the Prime Minister. |
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Hurriyat, JKLF to boycott
Srinagar, October 19 "Hurriyat has nothing to do with this meaningless exercise and would ask the people to stay away from it as well," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the separatist amalgam's moderate faction, said. The Hurriyat leader said rather than focusing on the real issue-- the settlement of Kashmir, the government was trying to give an impression that Kashmir was an "administrative" problem which could be fixed by holding elections. JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik said his group would canvass actively for a poll boycott. The JKLF chief said :"Elections are not a solution to the issue ... these have failed in the past and will fail in future as well," he added.
— PTI
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Cong, BJP out to woo women
Jammu, October 19 Addressing a convention of the party's women's wing, Union Minister for Water Resources and state Congress chief Saif-ud-Din Soz said: "Women should come forward and we are ready to give 33 per cent tickets to them in the Assembly elections in the state." In another development, Soz didn't rule out a post-poll alliance with the PDP, stating that "You cannot rule out anything in politics." On the other hand, interacting with the media after an impressive women's rally at Parade, BJP Mahila Morcha president Kiran Maheshwari said the BJP had already given 33 per cent reservation to women in the party organisation. Addressing the rally, Maheshwari said women of Jammu exhibited immense courage during the Amarnath land agitation. "You constitute half of the electorate and every vote of yours counts. You must come out in large numbers in the coming elections and vote for the BJP. You have already scored a victory in the agitation and now is the time to make the BJP triumphant in the battle of the ballot," she told women. She lashed out at the previous Congress-PDP regime for its "failure on all fronts". "The parties you voted for in the last elections could not provide your children employment. They failed to facilitate education to the poor. They did nothing for women empowerment and could not even constitute Women's Commission. The prices of essential commodities were at an all time high. You must seek answers from them on these issues when they knock at your doors for votes," Maheshwari said. Earlier, riding high on the success of the Amarnath land agitation, BJP leaders exhorted the electorate to vote for the BJP which played a key role during the agitation while giving a call to wipe out the Congress, the National Conference and the PDP from the Jammu region. The BJP leaders recreated the atmosphere of the agitation days during the rally by raising slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Bam Bam Bhole'. Wooing women voters, the party leaders commended the contribution of women in the 63-day-long Amarnath land
agitation. State BJP president Ashok Khajuria exhorted women to realise the power of their votes and send those people to the Assembly who could fight for the cause of Jammu on the floor of the House. He said it was high time that the parties like the Congress, the PDP and the NC were defeated in Jammu. |
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Cross-LoC trade brings cheer to many
Rangarh Nullah-(Poonch), October 19 Thanks to the peace process and confidence-building measures (CBMs), peace is returning here and on Tuesday, trucks carrying goods will roll through this belt on the
Poonch-Rawalkote road. The area, which used to be shelled by Pakistani gunners, now has the last cross LoC-trade terminal on this side of the
Poonch-Rawalkote road. “There was heavy mortar and artillery shelling from across the border and we feared for our lives. But thanks to the peace process and confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan, it will be a historic occasion when trucks carrying trade items will cross over across the border from our area. We are happy about the start of cross-LoC trade”, Muhammad Sageer Khan of Gilbhar village said. Sageer said: “My father Muhammad Akbar Khan died in 1994. He used to carry trade items like maize, ghee and rice on mules to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and would bring salt from Pakistan. Trade between both sides will boost the economy and will bring people closer.” Muhammad Sadeeq of Khai village has set up a tea stall inside the cross- LoC trade terminal. He said: “There were times when we used to live under constant fear due to shelling from across the border. But now we will trade with them”. Additional district development commissioner, Poonch, Dr Rattan Lal, said: “Most of the offices meant to streamline cross-LoC trade have started functioning.” |
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Dry run of truck service held
Jammu, October 19 Two trucks accompanied by security personnel underwent several checks during the journey from the international trade terminal to Chakahan-da-bagh crossing point on the LoC and covered the 3 km distance in about half an hour. “The dry run of truck service was held on the Poonch-Rawalakote route around 1200 hours. It passed off successfully and there was no problem in this regard,” Poonch deputy commissioner Mohmmad Afzal Bhat said.
— PTI
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Ad hoc varsity staff rue low salaries
Jammu, October 19 As Jammu University (JU) remained closed in the wake of land row agitation, employees engaged under ad hoc and contractual system have not received their salaries for July and August. They rued that due to skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, it had become difficult to survive. “At a time when prices of almost everything are soaring, it is not possible to manage household expenses,” said a gardener on the varsity campus, adding, “Its a cruel joke that regular staff which gets handsome salary has been paid off and we who are being given scanty wages have been left high and dry.” They alleged the administration had been making backdoor appointments and those who have influence or reference are getting jobs. “Whereas, those having an experience of only two months are being preferred over the workers having nine years of experience,” they said. “If the recruitment is transparent and justified in every way then why the administration is not coming out with the selection list?” they questioned. Meanwhile, Abdhul Majid Khan, president, Low-Paid Employees Union, said most of the daily-wage employees in departments like Public Health Engineering, Power Development Department, and Sericulture had not received remunerations for several months. Khan said most of the daily wagers in the Power Development Department (PDD) had not been getting any remuneration since 2006. He demanded a thorough enquiry of daily wagers by the government. “It will expose fictitious names, while the genuine employees will get their dues,” said Khan. |
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NBP woos ex-BSP leaders
Jammu, October 19 Chief of the NBP Satpal here today said: “I had a couple of meetings with Bhagat and others. We are finalising certain modalities for them to join the NBP.” Satpal, who was expelled from the BSP an year ago, was quite hopeful that he would succeed in his mission of getting Bhagat and his colleagues in the BSP into the NBP. If Bhagat and others join the NBP, it would be a major setback for the BSP, which had already lost the support of a large number of leaders and workers after Satpal’s expulsion. Bhagat had alleged that he and his colleagues in the BSP were not consulted when Narender Kashyap and Bhagwan Singh selected party candidates for the ensuing elections. He alleged those who were authorised by BSP supremo Mayawati to select candidates for the elections had demanded money from each candidate. Though Kashyap denied the charge, Bhagat remained adamant and conveyed to Mayawati that if she wanted to save the BSP in the state, she should recall Kashyap and Bhagwan Singh. One thing is certain if Mayawati did not concede the demand of Bhagat, he and his supporters were likely to join the
NBP. |
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Panthers’ rally in Udhampur
Udhampur, October 19 Panthers Party chief Prof Bhim Singh claimed it was due to his party’s stance that the Election Commission had announced the poll schedule. Although the rally was scheduled to be held at Udhampur, the party leadership availed the opportunity to formally launch the election campaign from this Assembly constituency, considered to be the party’s stronghold. Bhim Singh minced no words in attacking the Congress and the NC for meting out step-motherly treatment with the region. He cautioned the people against the undeclared alliance between the Congress and NC and alleged these two parties were responsible for the discrimination with Jammu region. In the 2002 Assembly elections, the Panthers had snatched Udhampur and Chenani seats from the BJP and its leader Harsh Dev Singh had comfortably retained the Ramnagar constituency. This time the party is not only working hard to retain its tally in Udhampur district, but is also trying to open its account in Reasi and Ramban districts. |
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Scholars dwell upon Sir Syed’s teachings
Jammu, October 19 Participating in a special programme on Doordarshan's Kashmir Channel on Friday to mark the 191st birth anniversary of Sir Syed, vice-chancellor of Kashmir University Prof Riyaz Punjabi said Sir Syed had pioneered modern education for the Muslim community when Muslims considered English education a taboo. “Sir Syed faced criticism from people of his own community but he never gave up,” Prof Punjabi said. He said Kashmir University was considering the idea of constituting a chair in the name of the great visionary. Former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Bashir Ahmed Khan, stressed upon the need to have visionaries like Sir Syed in contemporary times. Underlining the role of Sir Syed in promoting education, former secretary of the J&K Academy of Art and Culture, Mohammad Yusuf Taing, said: “Sir Syed not only contributed towards the importance of higher education but also promoted Urdu language through his books”. Tracing the roots of Sir Syed to Kashmir, Taing said: “There are few people who know that Sir Syed’s mother was a Kashmiri”. Advocate Majid Jehangir, founder of the Aligarh Students Union Kashmir Chapter, urged the youth to follow the principles of Sir Syed. |
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Home secretary
shifted
Srinagar, October 19 An official spokesman said today the decision was taken yesterday, and probably the most important transfer is of home secretary Anil Goswami to the Revenue Department. Revenue secretary Khurshid Ahmad Ganai will replace Goswami.
Arun Kumar, who faced much flak for his controversial statements as the CEO of the Amarnath Shrine Board following which he was attached to the General Administration Department, has been posed as principal secretary, Information Technology Department, relieving Ashok Kumar Parmar, secretary, Science and Technology Department, of the additional
charge. Tashi Dorjee, posted in the Ladakh Affairs Department, has been transferred as joint financial commissioner in agrarian
reforms. Anantnag's deputy commissioner Gazzanfer Hussain and M.A. Bukhari, special secretary, Forest Department, swap places.
Mohammad Abass Dar, director, rural development, Kashmir, and Poonch deputy commissioner Mohammad Afzal Bhat would replace
him. Kishtwar's DC Sudershan Sharma would be special secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, replacing Mubarak Singh, who would take over from him in Kishtwar.
Zaffar Ahmad, special secretary to the Governor, has been posted as director, handicrafts. Handicrafts' director Rafiq Ahmad Qadiri has been posted as the J&K Tourism Development Corporation MD and SKICC's director. |
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PoK refugees hold demonstration
Jammu, October 19 The refugees later submitted a memorandum to Vohra through the divisional commissioner, Jammu. “We have some rational and strong reservations over the date for the start of cross-LoC trade on October 21. We are not against any individual, group, region or religion, but the government did not take us into confidence while taking any decision in the context of PoK”, said Rajiv Chunni, chairman, SOS International, an organisation of PoK refugees. Chunni said: “Our reservation is on the date - October 21. The first tribal attack was planned on October 21, 1947, and was executed on October 22. More than 70,000 Hindu and Sikhs, including children, women and elders. It was the world's largest genocide”. The refugees further demanded that they be accorded refugee status
so that they could be granted benefits under various national and international laws. The refugees have also demanded participation in the dialogue process and setting up of a PoK refugee's development board with financial powers and liberal aids for the uplift and betterment of the refugees. |
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Vohra: No land to CRPF
Srinagar, October 19 The controversies were sought to be raised by the totally unfounded reports regarding the alleged handing over of power projects and the alleged transfer of land at Pampore to the CRPF, he said. He regretted that the mischievous twisting of facts by some vested interests was being done to mislead the public and promote mistrust of the administration. He explained that there was no proposal to allow use of agricultural land for any non-productive purpose. As regards the future establishment of power projects the MoU recently signed with the NHPC was in furtherance of a Cabinet decision taken in April
this year. The Governor appealed to the members of the Advisory Council to discourage rumours and unfounded reports, which caused avoidable unrest. Mr Vohra reiterated that the government would take all necessary measures to mitigate the problems faced by the people.—
UNI |
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Infiltration bid foiled; hideout busted
Jammu, October 19 On specific information, a team of 39 Rashtriya Rifles and the police launched a search operation in the forest enclosure of Chhatral and found a militant hideout having a huge quantity of arms and ammunition inside, official sources said. The recovery included two Chinese pistols, two RPG rounds, three pistol magazines, 225 round of AK ammunition, three UBGL grenades, 300 gm IED powder, three meters safety fuse wire and wireless set with antenna, the sources added. Meanwhile, in the eighth infiltration bid from across the border this month, a group of five militants tried to intrude into the Indian side today. However, the attempt was foiled by the Army. Army sources said five militants entered into the Indian territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Chajjar forward post of Mankote belt in Poonch district. The infiltrators fled when challenged by the Army. — Agencies
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GI certification for shawl, pashmina
Srinagar, October 19 Vohra presented the certificates under the Geographical Indications Goods Act of India for Kani shawl and Kashmiri pashmina to artisans at a function held here today. Union minister of the state for commerce Jairam Ramesh, who was also present on the occasion, came in for special praise for singular efforts in getting the registration, which would go a long way in removing duplicate Kashmiri products made in commercial markets of Punjab and UP. Vohra said the GI certification was a significant milestone towards building a better prospect for these world-renowned crafts and the whole lot of artisans involved with the traditional handicrafts. “This is indeed a great day for the artisans”, he said, adding, “The main job now is to get international registration in the European and American markets.
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Medical education programme
Jammu, October 19 The CME was inaugurated by Major-Gen Charanjit Singh of the Western Command who was also the chief guest. Major-Gen D.L. Chowdhary, G-o-C, Tiger Division, was the guest of honour. Major-Gen Chowdhary deliberated upon the need for organising medical conferences as they were an impetus to the dispersion of medical learning and skill management. The CME programme had a panel of speakers from the GMC, Jammu. —
TNS |
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Sweets shops raided
Jammu, October 19 The officials seized and destroyed 2.5 quintals of adulterated khoya and challaned the guilty shopkeepers. Sambyal also issued a warning to the shopkeepers to maintain hygiene and not sell adulterated sweets. He said: “We will continue this drive till the end of the festival season. With Diwali approaching, we have intensified our drive”. Sambyal said 3 to 4 quintals of adulterated khoya had been seized at different places and 100 shopkeepers had been challaned. |
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Morcha urges EC to
ensure fair poll
Jammu, October 19 “Updating of electoral rolls in all areas of Jammu region is still not complete. There are many individuals who are being denied their right to vote”, Morcha president Virender Gupta said. He said: “The process of issuing voter identity cards has still not started and this will prevent genuine voters from exercising their franchise. The EC must issue necessary instructions to ensure that the electoral rolls are updated and voter identity cards are issued immediately to enable all eligible voters to exercise their rights”. Gupta said his party would contest on all 37 seats of the Jammu region. “Candidates for seats, which have not been announced yet, will be done soon”, he said. The Morcha has also expressed resentment over the “discrimination” with the Jammu province over the selection of candidates by the State Public Service Commission for government jobs. |
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Operation Sadbhavana: 15 visit Delhi, Agra
Srinagar, October 19 The purpose of the tour was to broaden their horizon and to make them aware about the rich cultural legacy of these places. Major-General SA Hasnain, GOC, 19 Infantry Division had flagged off the tour at Baramulla. The women visited various historical and religious places. They saw India Gate, Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Mughal gardens Jamia Masjid and Raj Ghat in Delhi. They also took small tour in a metro train and visited Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Seekri in Agra, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amber Fort, and famous cinema hall Raj Mandir in the pink city of Jaipur, a defence spokesman here said. |
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AISAD to set up school
Srinagar, October 19
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Jammu, October 19
