Jammu, November 27
In yet another incident of cross-border ceasefire violation, the Pakistani troops along the Indo-Pakistan border opened fire on the Indian positions in which an Army jawan was injured.

According to Defence sources, the Pakistani troops late last night opened small-arms weapons fire on the Khour Border outpost along the Line of Control (LoC) that is being guarded by the Army.

One havildar of the 9 Raj Rifles Pratap Singh was injured in the firing that lasted for a brief period. The injured havildar was airlifted to the military hospital in Udhampur.

Confirming the incident, Jammu-based PRO of the Ministry of Defence S.N. Acharya said: “The report is correct and there has been firing from across the border in which a havildar of the 9 Raj Rifles was critically injured.”

Meanwhile, defence sources maintain that the incident of cross-LoC ceasefire violation was aimed to facilitate the infiltration by heavily trained militants from across the border to disrupt the ongoing assembly elections in the state.

“This shows the desperation on part of the Pakistani intelligence agencies, the Pakistan Army and the terrorist leadership across the border, who is frustrated over the huge turnout during the ongoing assembly elections,” a senior Army officer told The Tribune requesting anonymity.

The sources said the Army guarding the border in Khour did not retaliate to the ‘provocative’ shelling on the Indian position. However, the heavily armed militants, who wanted to sneak into the Indian side of the border, could not succeed in their ‘nefarious designs’.

According to official figures, 80 militants have been killed while trying to infiltrate to the Indian side in more than 132 infiltration bids that were foiled by the security agencies manning the border since January this year.

The current ceasefire violation comes close to the heels of the promise made by Pakistan in Lahore meeting that no cross border firing would be resorted by them.

Earlier at various occasions, the Pakistani troops had resorted to the indiscriminate firing from across the border in which many Army and BSF personnel were injured.

The BSF had lodged a strong protest with their Pakistani counterparts after the latter had resorted to indiscriminate firing from across the border in Makwal sector of the Jammu region.

Two BSF jawans were injured in shelling and firing from Pakistani side on Indian posts of Durga and Naka-11 in Jammu border on November 4.

Jammu, November 27
In the wake of terror attack in Mumbai being linked with the Pakistan-based militant outfit, Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), and following intelligence inputs of a spurt in violence in the state, the state government reviewed the security scenario at a high-level meeting here today.

Further, security to the contesting candidates of the different political parties has been reviewed again so as to ensure their safety and incident-free elections. It may be stated here that despite the separatists' boycott call, the restive state had witnessed huge turnout of voters during the first two phases of the Assembly elections.

Following overwhelming response to the polls, militants had attacked a National Conference rally in Sopore in north Kashmir, killing one person and injuring two others.

On November 12, the militants had also attacked National Conference (NC) candidate from Eidgah constituency Mubarak Gul in the heart of Srinagar.

Talking to The Tribune, DGP Kuldeep Khoda said: “In the backdrop of Mumbai incident, the security has been reviewed at a high-level meeting attended by top officers of the Army, CRPF, BSF and the other central police forces.

The DGP said sufficient measures had already been initiated to thwart any misadventure while remaining procedures were underway.

When reminded about the BJP and the Panthers Party accusations of inadequate security to their contesting candidates, particularly in the Kashmir valley and militancy-infested areas of the Jammu region, Khoda said the security had been provided as per requirement.

Sources in the counter-intelligence wing of the state police told The Tribune that following inputs of a spurt in militancy security had been beefed up in the state, particularly in militancy-infested areas.

“We have inputs that LeT has been assigned the task to disrupt elections in the state,” they said, adding that after people defied separatists’ boycott call, their mentors across the border has deputed Lashkar cadres to create fear-psychosis among the people by resorting to terror attacks.

Meanwhile, the Bar Association, Jammu, boycotted courts here today in protest against the Mumbai terror attack.

Jammu, November 27
NC president Omar Abdullah today formally expelled old horse Balbir Singh Manhas from the party for six years for indulging in anti-party activities.

Talking to The Tribune, Manhas, who has jumped into the electoral battle as an independent from Nagrota constituency, expressed regrets that the NC had been giving party tickets to outsiders.

Without naming Ajatshatru Singh, former minister and party candidate from Nagrota, the expelled leader Manhas said: “Those who never had ideological or political affiliation with the National Conference are being given party mandate thereby creating dissension among dedicated party workers.”

Manhas said he stood with the party since 1975 but unfortunately “self-seekers” were preferred over loyalists.

He claimed that he would not only contest as an independent candidate but would emerge victorious.

Sources in the party admitted that this time around Ajatshatru might not romp home because of the resentment against him among the people of Nagrota vis-à-vis and strong wave in favour of Manhas.

Early this year Farooq and Omar had to face an embarrassing situation in a party rally in Nagrota when senior Abdullah had introduced Ajatshatru as party candidate.

Party workers had openly protested against the decision saying that they didn't need a Maharaja but a leader of the people, who could solve their basic problems.

Even today Nagrota, a vast but closest constituency to the winter capital, lacks potable water, roads, electricity and health care facilities. It is pertinent to mention here that the constituency, which has its borders with Akhnoor, Reasi, Udhampur and Samba, has three major rivers, viz, Chenab, Jhajjar and Tawi.

Srinagar, November 27
Various parties have condemned the Mumbai attacks.

PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said such gory acts were not only outrageous but inhuman as well. These are the worst kind of reprehensible acts of terror against humanity.

PDP president Mehbooba said the latest tragic violence in Mumbai had added a quite intriguing and dangerous dimension to the Malegaon blast probe as the chief of Maharashtra ATS along with his team investigating the Malegaon blasts had been eliminated in mysterious circumstances in these attacks.

The separatist Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed shock and grief over the incidents in Mumbai. A spokesman of the APHC said the people of Kashmir were in the grip of the worst kind of state terrorism and, thus, could understand the pain and suffering of the people who had suffered in Mumbai.

Jammu, November 27
Even as the uncertainty prevails over appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University (JU), various teachers and student organisations today hold a protest against the new hierarchy calendar that drops the name of pro-chancellor and places director, Centre for Quality Assurance and Strategic Planning (CQASP), above to every existing administrative and academic body.

The Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) held a demonstration at the campus today and raised slogans against the alleged “dictatorial attitude” of Vice-Chancellor (JU) Amitabh Mattoo. Routine class-work was also affected which irked the students who are yet to make up the loss suffered on account of the land row agitation.

Later, a delegation of the JUTA called on Governor N.N. Vohra and submitted a memorandum of demands to him. Talking to The Tribune, joint secretary of the JUTA Lalit Sen said the delegation apprised the Chancellor that the seniority, dignity and the respect of the teachers was not taken into account while deciding the new administrative hierarchy.

The members briefed the Chancellor about the prevailing situation on the campus regarding the appointment of director, Quality Assurance and Strategic Planning. He said the Chancellor assured that suitable and necessary remedial steps would be taken at the earliest to restore the respect and dignity of the teachers, and responsibility of the lapses would be fixed up.

Various student organisations, including the Sangharsh and Progressive Students Association, staged protest on the university campus and expressed their solidarity with the JUTA.

However, the Dean Students Welfare, Dhian Singh Bahu, had a tough time while dealing with the protesters and had a verbal duel with the student leaders.

The protesters were demanding dissolution of the CQASP as they alleged that the latter had completely failed to deliver its role efficiently.

Despite attempts, VC Amitabh Mattoo and registrar G.S. Sambyal could not be contacted.

Mahore (Reasi), November 27
Abdul Rashid, a victim of militancy, has a strong desire to cast his vote in the ongoing Assembly elections, but cannot do so - thanks to the casual approach of the local administration.

Rashid, a native of Thillu village, has migrated to the tehsil headquarters, Mahore, after members of his family were killed by militants in 1998. Since then, he has been living in Mahore but doesn't have the voting right as the authorities refused to incorporate his name in the revised voters’ list, despite being the fact that the chief electoral officer (CEO) has given directions to the local administration to make alternative arrangements for the migrants.

“For participating in the democratic process, I have to go to my native village, but can't put my life on stake due to militant threats,” Abdul Rashid said. He said he regretted that his request of deleting his name from the village list and including him as voter of Mahore town was turned down by the local administration. As all his efforts failed to get this voting right restored at Mahore, he has decided not to go to his village for casting vote.

Abdul Rashid is not an isolated case. About half of the population of Mahore town could not exercise their right to franchise as their names are not included in the voters’ list. More than 350 families have been living in Mahore and adjoining localities and majority of them are migrants from the upper reaches.

After eruption of militancy in this belt, a large number of people migrated from the Gulabgarh area of Mahore subdivision. Tuli, Chana, Lancha, Saldhar, Thalkot, Dandakot, Malikot, Chasot, Ninoch, Dewal etc. are some of the villages which witnessed large-scale migration. As these helpless people do not have sources to reach either Jammu or Reasi, they took shelter at Mahore to protect their families from the wrath of the militants.

“It was in 1996 when I had last time exercised my right to franchise,” recalled Mohammad Ismail of Shajroo, presently putting up at Mahore. He also wants to participate in the election process, but does not have the voting right at Mahore. The residents complained that like displaced Kashmiri migrants, the authorities should make some arrangements for them so that they can cast their votes.

Jammu, November 26
What would you do if you were to vote for a candidate from the constituency where you have never been to?

Young Kashmiri Pandits here, who were either newly born or born after their parents fled from Kashmir in 1990s, have got little hints to find a solution to this problem.

They are totally unaware about the state of affairs in the constituencies they are voting for in the ongoing Assembly elections. Similarly, they remain ignorant about the profile of the candidates, they vote for.

It is mere a hit and trial method for them. More than the developmental work in their constituencies, they are concerned about the solution of their long-pending problems such as lack of employment and rehabilitation back to their homes.

Inhabiting various localities on the city’s outskirts, there are a large number of young displaced Kashmiri Pandit voters.

Umesh Kant Dhar, a youngster from Devsar constituency in Anantnag, says: “I have never visited my constituency due to the militancy raging in the area. The only alternative to be sure of a probable good candidate is to listen to all the candidates about their agenda for the development of the area, and then zero in a candidate who sounds more promising. I don’t know whether they really do what they claim to do but then I don’t have ways to corroborate it either.”

The helplessness of these youngsters is understandable. They have sought their own unique ways to ascertain the ideal candidate for their constituencies. For instance, in case of Vijay Raj Kaul, who hails from Sonawar Constituency, he prefers to trust old candidates than the new arrivals.

He says: “I bet on a known face than the strangers. The ones who have been visiting us are more reliable though it is true they never show their faces after the election. As far as issues we will vote for this elections are concerned, we plead candidates to create better environment and separate homeland in Kashmir.”

Indeed their own issues and problems are more acute for them than the ones surmounting in their constituencies. Rajinder Kaul who vote for Kulgam constituency says: “I don't know whether the roads or electricity or water conditions are in dilapidated state in my constituency. But I know we need better employment facilities, better package, good homes or a separate homeland here. I select my candidate on the basis of my issues.” 

Jammu, November 27
The state unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has condemned the major political parties of the state for allegedly ignoring the issues pertaining to the Sikh community.

In a joint press note, state SAD president Gurdev Singh and general secretary Dayal Singh Wazir criticised the National Conference, PDP and the Congress for not accommodating issues of the Sikhs in their election manifestos.

They said the Sikh PoK refugees of partition were living in miserable conditions, but none of the major political outfits of the state was taking cognisance of their grievances.

Among other demands raised by the organisation included, appointment of Punjabi teachers in educational institutions, minority status to the Sikhs of the state, reservation of three Assembly seats for them, besides reservation for the Sikh youth in professional educational institutions and government jobs.

Srinagar, November 27
PDP patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehboob Beigh, provincial president of the National Conference, filed their nomination papers from Anantnag today. Elections to seven constituencies of Anantnag district and three of Kulgam district would be held in the sixth phase on December 17.

The NC candidates who filed their nomination papers today included Sakina Itoo, Safdar Ali Khan, Abdul Majid Bhat, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah and Mehboob Beig from Noorabad, Kulgam, Homshalibug, Devsar and Anantnag, respectively. — TNS

Srinagar, November 27
With the completion of first two phases of the elections to 16 constituencies in the state, the campaigning has been further geared up with leaders of different political parties rallying across the constituencies, particularly in the Kashmir valley.

Polling in five constituencies of the newly created districts of Bandipore and Ganderbal in the valley has been completed in the first two phases, registering a considerable increase in the poll percentage as compared to the 2002 elections.

The process of polling in the remaining 41 constituencies out of 46 in the valley is scheduled in the next five phases ending on December 24.

Protest demonstrations and anti-poll demonstrations have also been witnessed in different areas, including Bandipore, Sopore and Baramulla.

Senior leaders of different political parties, including union minister for water resources and state PCC president Saifuddin Soz, former Chief Ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Farooq Abdullah, and MPs, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and NC president Omar Abdullah have been engaged in the election campaigning across the state.

The NC president, while addressing an election rally at Kulgam in south Kashmir, today said “False, hollow promises made by Mufti in the 2002 Assembly elections have exposed him before the people of the state.”

Omar said the first priority of the National Conference would be to take youth of the state out of hopelessness and despair by redressing the unemployment problem. He said the party would come out with a special package for employment of the youth.

Soz accompanied by senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Syed Ahmad visited the Lolab and Langate constituencies of Kupwara district of north Kashmir today.

He urged the people to vote for the Congress as this party alone could organise programme of building infrastructure.

Saifuddin Soz said the party could organise an unfettered dialogue for resolution of all problems and respect to the people's aspiration.

Srinagar, November 27
State CPM secretary Yusuf Tarigami was injured when a truck hit his car near Awantipora today. He was admitted to SKIMS hospital at Soura in Srinagar, where his condition is reportedly out of danger, the police said.

But condition of his driver Javed Ahmad Dar and liaison officer sub-inspector Rajesh Raina is serious. His PSO Sajjad Ahmad also suffered injuries. The police said Tarigami, who is seeking a reelection from Kulgam constituency, was on his way to address a public meeting when the accident occurred in the afternoon.

Jammu, November 27
Black-tinted films, in violation of traffic norms, are being used on vehicles here.

Caring two hoots for the established rules, the violators also seem to be indifferent towards the fact that the state was grappling with menace of cross-border terrorism. Moreover, these anti-national elements are on the prowl to disturb the atmosphere during the elections.

As per the rule book use of dark, black or reflective glasses in vehicles is not permitted. As provided in Rule 100 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the glass of windscreen and rear window of motor vehicles should have a visibility of at least 70 per cent and that of side windows a minimum visibility of 50 per cent.

A person, driving a car with black tinted glasses, when asked, replied that nobody ever objected to its use. “Otherwise, I would have definitely taken it off,” he added.

SSP (Traffic) Parminder Singh said after terrorists had carried out attacks using black glasses on vehicles in the Kashmir valley, its use was totally prohibited in the state.

He said his department held drives against use of tinted glasses from time to time.

Jammu, November 27
Chief secretary S. S. Kapur and members of the Pay Committee, constituted by the government under the chairmanship of financial commissioner, Planning and Development Department, S.L. Bhat, had detailed discussions with representatives of the employees' associations, here on Tuesday.

An official spokesman said the representatives of the employees’ association were assured that the committee would start functioning soon and endeavour to complete the assigned task within the shortest possible time.

The six-member Pay Committee comprises, besides chairman, the administrative secretaries of Home, Finance, GAD and Law Departments as members, while the Director, Codes, Finance Department, is the member-secretary.

Giving details, the official spokesman said the proposal with regard to the implementation of the recommendations made by the Sixth Central Pay Commission in favour of the state government employees was considered by the State Administrative Council, headed by Governor N.N. Vohra on September 24 and November 3.

The council decided to constitute a Pay Committee to work out the modalities for implementation of the recommendations of the sixth pay commission in respect of the state government employees.

The spokesman said as the elections to the state assembly had been announced by then, a formal reference was made by the state government to the Election Commission of India through the chief electoral officer (CEO), Jammu & Kashmir, for obtaining clearance of the commission to the constitution of the Pay Committee.

The chief electoral officer has conveyed the no objection of the commission to the proposal of the state government.

Formal order constituting the Pay Committee under the chairmanship of S. L. Bhat has now been issued by the State Finance Department.

Udhampur, November 27
Stressing on the need of interaction among police officers of different states, DGP Kuldeep Khoda has said that such interactions are of great relevance in the present scenario.

Speaking on the concluding function of the six-day vertical interaction course on tactical preparedness for counter-terrorism at Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA) Udhampur, yesterday, the DGP said the programme would go a long way in sensitising the participants about the growing menace of terrorism at national level and strategies required to be adopted in tackling it effectively.

Appreciating the efforts of State Police in coordination with other Security Agencies operating in the state, the DGP said that these agencies are putting their best to deal with the terrorism for safeguarding the unity and integrity of the State and the country. He said that there has been a gradual decrease in the terrorism related activities in the State since last few years.

The DGP said that during the entire phase of militancy in the state till October 2008, there were 67,000 militancy related incidences. In 2002, the state witnessed 4,000 such acts and in 2003 about 3,500 incidents and subsequently reduced to a great extent.