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Two ultras killed; IED seized
Hurriyat leader held
NC, BJP leaders join ANC
Mir quits NC
Poll staff to be airlifted to Kishtwar
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PDP, NC to focus on Muslim-dominated districts in Jammu
Sonawari
Mehbooba seeks support in Darhal
Migrant Pandits eye Habba Kadal
Fighting for Lone legacy in Kupwara
Ex-chief of Praja Parishad joins BJP
A doctor prescribes medicines to a patient at the newly opened psychiatry OPD at Govt Medical College, Jammu. A Tribune photograph
Film crew returns as locals resent shooting
Movement mooted for Jammu statehood
Panthers accuses EC of favouring political parties
Red Ribbon Express chugs in
Tourney for women held
Hoteliers rue delay in compensation
State to get 100 MW from Chhattisgarh
NC gives mandate to ex-minister
GNDU stuns Delhi varsity in TT final
Sikhs hold protest
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Two ultras killed; IED seized
Srinagar, November 9 Meanwhile, the police detected and defused a powerful improvised explosive device
(IED) in the city, official sources said today. Acting on a tip off, a special police party intercepted a vehicle near the Batmaloo bus stand. During the search, an IED was recovered from the tool box. The driver has been taken into custody. The IED was meant to cause disturbances during the Assembly elections, police sources said. |
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Hurriyat leader held
Jammu, November 9 Leader of the Hurriyat conference Moulvi Abdul Qayoom was arrested during a raid on his house, the police said today. Qayoom was wanted in connection with triggering communal violence in Kishtwar town on August 12 in which one person was killed and 34 others injured, the police added. Around 60 shops, few buildings and over 24 vehicles were also set afire during the violence. He had incited violence over the Amarnath row, they said, adding that two other Hurriyat leaders - Gulam Nabi Gondana and Abdul Gani Shah were already arrested in the case in September.
— PTI
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NC, BJP leaders join ANC
Srinagar, November 9 Former MLA Sheikh Mohammad Rafi, Asia Nishat, Shakeela and Syed Mohammad Hanief Geelani (all NC) and Sheikh Abdul Rashid (BJP) announced their decision to join the ANC at a press conference here. Welcoming the leaders into the party, senior ANC leader Muzaffar Shah said the doors of the party were open for those who had contributed in the "plebiscite" front under the leadership of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Shah, son of former Chief Minister and president of ANC Ghulam Mohammad Shah, said the ANC had decided to contest the elections to scuttle any attempt by New Delhi to make the poll a "selection process". "We will not allow New Delhi to select its blue-eyed boys to further its agenda on Kashmir," he said. "Kashmir issue needs to be resolved through a tripartite talks to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in the subcontinent". Rafi, whose father and former legislator Sheikh Mohammad Mansoor was killed by militants in May. 1990, said his joining the ANC was "homecoming". "My family had a long association with the ANC and I believe that the party leadership has a clear agenda unlike the National Conference which is playing politics with the sentiments of the people," Rafi said.
— PTI
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Mir quits NC
Srinagar, November 9 "I have resigned from the National Conference and will fight as an Independent from Rajpora in Pulwama district", Mir told a public rally at Muran village, 40 km from here, today. Mir, who won the Rajpora seat on the NC ticket in 1996, also announced the formation of a new party 'Awami Front' at the rally attended by a large number of party supporters.
— PTI
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Poll staff to be airlifted to Kishtwar
Udhampur, November 9 District election officer Sudershan Sharma told The Tribune that the most remote polling station was located at Sansari in Paddar block- bordering Himachal Pradesh. Out of the 38 inaccessible polling stations, 11 located in the Marwah area, 13 in Dechhan, seven in Wardwan, six in Paddar and one in Inderwal. The Marwah, Dechhan and Wardwan areas are located on the border of south Kashmir while Paddar block borders Himchal Pradesh. As there is no road connectivity in these areas, the authorities have decided to airlift polling staff and material for these polling stations. "We want to make sure that material and staff reach polling stations before 4 p.m. on December 16 ", he said. Meanwhile, chief electoral officer B. R. Sharma along with Jammu divisional commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey and IGP K. Rajendra took stock of poll preparedness in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts. All three districts have six constituencies. The chief electoral officer asked the participants to adhere to the EC guidelines. He stressed on close rapport among district election officers. He asked the DEOs to ensure that staff on duty reached their respective polling stations 48 hours in advance to avoid any inconvenience on the polling day. |
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PDP, NC to focus on Muslim-dominated
Jammu, November 9 Even though the PDP failed to win even a single seat from the Jammu region in 2002, party sources maintained that this time around it would create ripples in Poonch, Rajouri Doda, Ramban and Bhaderwah districts. They said the PDP had been subtly focusing on these pre-dominantly Muslim-populated districts, adding that dissension within the NC would be an added advantage to the party against its archrival. Senior party leader and former finance minister Tariq Hameed Qarra says that PDP's good governance during its three-year rule in the coalition government would be the motivating factor not only in Muslim-dominated areas but also in Hindu-populated constituencies. “We will highlight the PDP's achievements during its three-year rule in the coalition government and the feel-good factor would drive the people to repose their faith in us,” he asserted. It may be stated here that Nowshera has Hindu majority while Poonch-Haveli, Surankote, Kalakote, Mendhar and Darhal constituencies in Poonch and Rajouri districts have Muslims in majority. Likewise, Doda, Ramban, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Banihal and Inderwal constituencies have Muslims in majority. Sources in the National Conference described the PDP's scheme of things as "wishful thinking". The PDP had been exposed ever since the change of guard in the coalition government when Ghulam Nabi Azad took over the reins of power, they said. Soon after the Congress took over power in November, 2005, the PDP had started demanding revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), troops reduction and then coined inimical ideas like dual currency and self-rule, they added. When Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was the Chief Minister, he never raised these issues and suddenly the PDP started crying hoarse, demanding revocation of the AFSPA and demilitarisation, they said. |
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22 trying their luck this time
Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 9 This constituency has the highest number of 22 candidates, including those from the National Conference, Congress, PDP, BJP, other national parties and Independents. Mohammad Akbar Lone, Deputy Speaker of the last Assembly, was elected from this constituency in 2002. Others in the fray are: Mohammad Akbar Dar (BSP), Ghulam Hassan Dar (INC), Mohammad Ashraf Reshi (BJP), Mohammad Yasir Reshi (PDP), Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh (NPP), Syed Abbass (PDF), Shabir Ahmed Mir (JKDPN), Abdul Aziz Hurra (LJSP), Imtiyaz Ahmed Parray (AL), Ali Mohammad Kawa (JKANC), Mohammad Yousuf Rather (SWP), Zahoor Ahmed Mir (IND), Mohammad Aslam Fofo (Ind), Abid Hussian Ansari (Ind), Zulfkar Ali Malla (Ind), Mohammad Maqbool Malla (Ind), Ghulam Mohammad Mir (Ind), Afrooz Ahmed Mir (Ind), Ghulam Ahmed Lone (Ind), Abdul Majid Lone (Ind), and Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai (Ind). It has 84,726 voters, including 43,722 men and 41,004 women voters this time as against 78,299 in 2002. The total number of polling stations in the constituency is 101 as compared to 72 in 2002. Mohammad Akbar Lone (NC) won this seat in 2002 when he defeated his nearest rival Mohammad Yusuf Parray of the Awami League by 12,758 votes. Lone polled 25,687 of the 44,246 votes polled while Parrey got 12,929 votes. In 1957, Sonawari was represented by NC candidate Abdul Khaliq Bhat. Abdul Kabir Bhat won seat as an NC candidate in 1962. While Abdul Aziz Parrey won the 1967 and 1972 elections from Sonawari on the Congress ticket, he was elected as an NC candidate in 1977. In the 1983 poll, this segment was represented in the Assembly by Ghulam Rasool Bahar while Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Kuchay was elected from here in 1987. Mohammad Yusuf Parray (Ind) won from here in 1996 as a representative of the Awami League.
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Mehbooba seeks support in Darhal
Rajouri, November 9 Addressing a series of public meetings in the Darhal Assembly constituency in support of party candidate Choudhary Zulfikar, Mehbooba regretted that instead of pursuing the pro-peace policy of his predecessor, Ghulam Nabi Azad as chief minister of the state had tried to solve this problem by adopting “oppressive measures” of a fire fighting nature without caring for people’s wishes. Mehbooba urged the people to elect a leader who would serve them with dedication. “It is due to the wrong policies of the Congress-led regime that the situation worsened and residents of both Jammu and Kashmir had to bear the brunt of the unwise decisions taken after the change of guard in November 2005,” she lamented Mehbooba said the state was passing through a crucial juncture and there was a dire need to implement a constructive, comprehensive and productive policy for sustainable peace in this region. Reiterating her party's commitment to remove disparity with remote and backward areas, Mehbooba said many comprehensive steps were taken by the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led coalition regime for the development of the neglected areas. Mehbooba assured the local people to solve their problems if voted to power. PDP candidate from the Darhal Choudhary, Zulfikar, and other local leaders also addressed the rally.
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Migrant Pandits eye Habba Kadal
Jammu, November 9 So are the regional and national political parties, who too want to field only Pandit candidates from this constituency. Although the migrant leadership here wants to contest the election even from other valley-based Assembly segments, including Amirakadal, Sopore, Baramulla and Anantnag, all eyes are on Habba Kadal Assembly seat that has a history of mostly sending KP candidates to the state Assembly. It was former law minister Piyare Lal Handoo who won the election from Habba Kadal in 1987 and 1996 on a National Conference ticket. S.L. Kaul of the Congress was sent to the Assembly from this seat in 1967, while as in the last Assembly election of 2002, Raman Matoo emerged victorious as an independent candidate. Interestingly, in 2002 elections, out of the 11 candidates, 10 were Kashmiri Pandits. The other lone non-KP candidate who unsuccessfully contested from Habba Kadal was Shameema of the National Conference. She has, this time again, been given the ticket by the party high command, who anticipate that the fielding of KP candidates could divide the votes of others and finally help the NC candidate. Considering the low turnout of just three per cent in 2002 elections from this constituency, most of the parties and independent candidates amongst the migrants this time want to try their luck. They are of the opinion that 2008 election could again be a low-turn-out contest. Parties like the J&K National United Front --- a political party launched by the Pandits --- and All Migrant Camp Coordination Committee are actively considering putting up their representatives from Habba Kadal, informed sources said.
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Fighting for Lone legacy in Kupwara
Srinagar, November 9 Shabnam Lone, a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, says hundreds of party workers who once served her father almost forced her to file nomination papers. "They were not my workers. They were my father's. I could not say no," she told The Tribune. Hundreds of villages of Kupwara, which was one of the early hotbeds of militancy, do not seem to belong to the 21st century, she says, ruing their poverty. She is fighting as an Independent, apparently rejecting overtures of some political parties. But developmental plank is not really the most useful agenda in Kashmir politics, where a candidate's ideological leanings and pedigree are woven into its multi-layered matrix. Her two brothers, Sajjad Lone and Bilal Lone, are ensconced in separatist camps and claim to be the real heirs of their father's legacy. It does not help her either that she had an estrangement with family when Abdul Gani Lone was still
alive. Sajjad Lone, who wields more clout than his brother, has come out in the open for the election-boycott campaign after keeping himself tacitly away from a similar decision in the 2002 elections, when he even encouraged his supporters to prop up a couple of friendly candidates. If anything, he will work to defeat his sister as her victory would eat into both brother's political roots, a separatist politician told this paper. But it is apparent that Shabnam Lone has no intention of bringing the family feud into open. "We are all adults and have our own space. My brothers have a right to their ideology as I to mine," she says. Aware that despite being a moderate, her father remained a strong voice for Kashmiri nationalism till his last day, when he was killed in a Hurriyat rally, Shabnam Lone says she was aware of the problems facing Kashmir and elections are no solution to that, a refrain common among all mainstream parties these days. "The issue of Kashmir has to be decided by all parties concerned, including separatists. I am fighting the election to serve the needs of my people," she says. |
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Ex-chief of Praja Parishad joins BJP
Jammu, November 9 In a fresh boost to the BJP, former Praja Parishad president Chander Mohan Sharma, along with his supporters, today joined the party in the presence of BJP’s state affairs in charge and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shanta Kumar. It was only a few days back that Shilpi Verma, a land protester’s widow, and three Shiv Sena leaders - Kuldeep Luthra, Rajesh Gupta and Ranjeet Singh Bali - had joined the BJP. The party had won only a single seat in the last elections and it sees a golden opportunity to improve its tally this time in view of the two-month long land agitation in the region. The BJP is making quick moves in including the key leaders of other “pro-land agitation” outfits who may play a vital role in strengthening the party ahead of the elections. In a bid to connect with the electorate as early as possible, the BJP has taken a lead in announcing its candidates, particularly for Hindu-dominated Assembly seats in the Jammu region. Party candidates like Nirmal Singh from Gandhi Nagar constituency have opened their election offices and also kicked off poll campaign. Though the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti had urged its constituents, including the BJP, to unite on a single platform for contesting the elections, its appeal was yet to deliver any result. The samiti had argued that the move would help them avoid division of “pro-Jammu vote”. However, the BJP instead of joining hands with other outfits opted to include the leaders into the party fold. On the other hand, defending his party, former state BJP Chief Nirmal Singh said they had sincerely made all efforts to bring together all political outfits fighting for the cause of Jammu, but it could not lead to desired result. He said the parties with whom they initiated talks were “over ambitious” and were demanding Jammu City seats, which were the BJP strongholds.
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GMC opens psychiatry OPD
Jammu, November 9 Much to the relief of such patients, the OPD under head of the Psychiatry Department, Dr Chander Mohan Sharma, would function on Wednesdays and Fridays. It may be stated here that the Jammu region, which has 10 districts and faced acute dearth of qualified psychiatrists, has only one psychiatric diseases hospital in the winter capital. The 75-bedded hospital, which has just three post-graduate doctors in psychiatry, on an average witnesses 200 patients at the OPD. Even though mentally ill patients had been visiting the only Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital but those reluctant to visit the hospital because of social stigma attached to the disease had been going unnoticed and untreated, thereby adding to the number of such patients. The research conducted on 500 patients at the GMC OPD by a team of psychiatrists headed by renowned psychiatrist Dr Jagdish Thappa found 38.6 per cent of them suffering from psychiatric morbidity in one form or the other. Talking to The Tribune, Dr Thappa said psychiatric diagnosis using mini international neuropsychiatry schedule was applied on 500 patients, who reported at the GMC. Oblivious about nature of their mental illnesses we found that 38.6 per cent of them suffered from different psychiatric disorders, he added. He said various studies have consistently shown that physicians in their clinical settings fail to diagnose and treat 50 to 70 per cent patients suffering from mental disorders. Of 500 patients, 231 were females and 269 were males while 198 belonged to rural areas, 302 were from urban areas. Dr Thappa said out of 500 patients, 198 had psychiatric disorders, adding that psychiatric morbidity was more in females compared to males. He said psychiatric disorders were found to be high in medically ill patients, who had no idea of being in the grip mental disorders. It is pertinent to mention here that GMC caters to the entire Jammu province including militancy-infested areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Doda districts where exposure to trauma and its accompanying psychiatric manifestations is bound to be high. He said, major depressive episode was the most common psychiatric diagnosis in the patient attending medical OPD with 141 patients having this diagnosis while generalized anxiety disorder was found among 93 patients followed by panic disorder current among 84 patients and dysthmia current among 73 patients. Concerned over high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly major depressive episode and anxiety disorders, the team of psychiatrists strongly underlined the need of having a psychiatry unit at the GMC so as to diagnose and manage such patients before they become chronic ones.
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Film crew returns as locals resent shooting
Srinagar, November 9 Ever since the film’s shooting began in the valley, the film has been surrounded by one controversy or the other. The first shocker came from fruit growers who reacted sharply to a shot in the film showing guns being recovered from fruit boxes. The fruit growers at the fruit mandi, Parimpora, swooped on the film’s unit and thrashed the camera crew. Some of the cameras were broken and the shooting was stopped. A few days later, the camera crew faced a harrowing time, while capturing shots in Wazir Bagh, near Lal Chowk. The locals objected when the camera crew took a few shots of some veiled women passing by. Even though CRPF personnel cordoned off the area, the locals protested against the film’s shooting. This forced the film production unit to pack their bags, leaving the shooting midway. Rahul Dholakia, director of “Lamhaa”, while briefing mediapersons here today said he would portray the true picture of Kashmir even if it was disliked by the people. He voiced his concern over the human rights violations in the valley. The Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM) (daughters of faith) also objected to Bipasha Basu playing the role of Asiya Andrabi, DeM patron. Meanwhile, Sanjay Dutt had planned to celebrate his first wedding anniversary in Kashmir and was expected to reach Srinagar on November 19. The plan is likely to upset Dutt, following the decision of the film unit to leave the valley.
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Movement mooted for Jammu statehood
Jammu, November 9 Addressing mediapersons here today, samiti president Amarnath Gupta said the mode of agitation would be decided in the samiti’s meeting, to be held after the government was formed in the state. Gupta said: “Being a non-political entity, the samiti would not contest the Assembly elections and would strive to evolve a consensus among all organisations and groups advocating separate statehood for Jammu to unite on a single platform. Once the consensus is reached they would field joint candidates to avoid any infighting or division of pro-statehood vote.” He said the movement would promote secularism and would oppose communalism tooth and nail. “The nefarious designs of “Kashmiri secessionists and religious fundamentalists” to disintegrate any part from the Jammu region would be thwarted,” he said. Gupta said the samiti advocated unity of Jammu region from Lakhanpur to Poonch and up to the Jawahar tunnel. |
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Panthers accuses EC of favouring political parties
Jammu, November 9 Addressing a press conference here, Singh accused the EC of staying the transfer orders of deputy commissioners of Poonch, Reasi and Kishtwar, who were transferred by the Governor on October 19 before the notification was issued by the EC on the same day. He said the EC took this step at the behest of some Congress leaders. He alleged the Poonch DC had imposed curfew in all municipal towns of Poonch banning elections rallies of the Panthers “only to please the Congress and the NC.” He said party’s activists were assaulted by the police in Surankote on Friday and prohibited from addressing a public meeting. Bhim also accused the state administration of “deliberately discriminating with the Panthers candidates by denying them security cover, which had been provided to other candidates. Meanwhile, the party today announced the formation of an Election Campaign Committee headed by Prof Bhim Singh. |
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Red Ribbon Express chugs in
Jammu, November 9 Director of the Jammu and Kashmir State AIDS Control Society Dr M.A. Wani said: “The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had asked the Railway Ministry to run a special train to promote multi-sectorial efforts by which HIV/AIDS could be streamlined.” The seven-coach express is believed to be the largest initiative in the world to create ‘total awareness’ about the disease. “By ‘total awareness’ we mean educating public with different aspects of the disease- how it spreads and how to control it- besides how to deal with people who are already infected with it,” Wani added. The train has designed three coaches for exhibition on HIV/ AIDS in which counsellors will guide people how to fight social stigma and discrimination against AIDS. |
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Tourney for women held
Srinagar, November 9 In the 100 metres race, Sehrish (GVEI), Shazia (GPS) and Afreen (Meridian School) got the first, second and third positions, respectively. In the 200 metres race, Bushra (GVEI), Iqra (GVEI) and Arooja (Kashmir Harvard) stood first, second and third, respectively. In javelin throw, Ishrat (GVEI), Shafia (GVEI) and Mansha (Kashmir Harvard) got first three positions. In shot put, Romana (GVEI), Uzma (GVEI) and Suraya (GVEI) secured first three positions. In discuss throw, Munazah (GPS), Tanshobu (Kashmir Harvard) and Insha (Kashmir Harvard) bagged first, second and third positions, respectively. |
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Hoteliers rue delay in compensation
Jammu, November 9 In a statement issued here today, association president Inderjeet Khajuria said: “Despite a detailed report regarding the losses incurred at the time of the two-month-long agitation and curfews submitted with the director, Tourism, they have not received any compensation.” “Now with the announcement of the Assembly elections, the government can make excuses that the compensation for losses can not be paid off. Governor N.N. Vohra should approach the Election Commission in this regard,” he said. The association further apprehended that after the elections, the future state government might ignore the commitment made by the Governor's dispensation, which would tantamount to the betrayal of trust.
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State to get 100 MW from Chhattisgarh
Srinagar, November 9 A senior officer of the Power Development Department (PDD) said an agreement had been signed with Chhattisgarh to get 100 MW of power during winter months. However, it would give 100 MW of power to Chhattisgarh during summer months when the generation goes up against local demand. He said in both cases no state haf to pay the cost of energy. The PDD had recently announced over 14-hour power cuts daily, which was resented by the people, forcing Governor N.N. Vohra to direct the PDD authorities to implement last year’s power curtailment schedule. — UNI
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NC gives mandate to ex-minister
Jammu, November 9 The NC has given mandate to Singh from the Nagrota Assembly constituency, which he had lost to the BJP candidate- Jugal Kishore- in the 2002 elections. Addressing a meeting of the party delegates from the constituency at Hari Niwas Palace here, he said after the NC came to power, the party had decided to give stipend to unemployed youth till they got employment. He said even less educated youth would be given jobs in the police and Army. He also promised that if voted to power, he would ensure unprecedented development of the constituency in all spheres. |
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GNDU stuns Delhi varsity in TT final
Jammu, November 9 In women’s section, Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi lifted the coveted trophy after a gap of two years. In the final, GNDU defeated Delhi University 3-2. The Delhi eves clinched the title beating Punjab University Chandigarh 3-0. For third place, men of Punjab University Chandigarh trounced Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, 3-0. In women’s section, GNDU beat Punjabi University Patiala 3-1 for the third place. |
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Sikhs hold protest
Jammu, November 9 They alleged Wazir was trying to run the gurdwara affairs as per his own wishes and was misusing money offered to the gurdwara. |
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Darbar Move offices open today
Jammu, November 9 |
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56 cops transferred
Jammu, November 9 ''In a major reshuffle, 56 police officers, including inspectors, sub-inspectors and ASIs, were transferred,'' sources added.
— UNI
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