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Panthers allege rigging in Samba, Jammu
Cong accuses NC candidate of rigging poll
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High turnout rebuff to separatists
BJP confident of making gains
No Friday protests today: Separatists
Militancy figures in Kashmir at all-time low
Water rafting to be promoted in Jammu
Student bodies hit out at state’s education policy
Rs 1-crore fund to replace damaged meters okayed
15 injured in clash
Gujjars call for DD boycott
Common body through direct elections sought
Shabir Shah held in Aziz murder case: DGP
Threat to disrupt functions of
VC as guest
5 more IRP battalions sanctioned
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Panthers allege rigging in Samba, Jammu
Jammu, December 25 "The last phase of Assembly election demonstrated a shameful and corrupt face of the administration that resorted to massive rigging from 15 per cent to 50 per cent, particularly in Samba and Jammu districts," Bhim Singh said. He said: "At 6 pm polling was about 41 per cent in Jammu East, 52 per cent in Marh, 61 per cent in Jammu West, but after 7 pm there was a sudden increase of about 5 per cent." He asserted the percentage of votes polled was much lower but after the elections were over the administration helped in bogus voting. He alleged the figures announced by the divisional commissioner, Jammu, and those supplied by the Information Department were "totally different". Bhim Singh said more than 56,000 genuine and legitimate voters were denied their right to franchise in Jammu and Samba districts. "Several hundred voters with photo I-cards and names figuring in the voter’s list were thrown out by the presiding officers who claimed that their names were crossed with red ink by the district electoral officer," Bhim Singh said. Bhim Singh demanded countermanding of the elections in the seventh phase in Jammu and Samba districts and a repoll there under direct supervision of the Election Commission. Bhim Singh said his party would hold a demonstration in front of the office of Election Commission of India in New Delhi on December 27 if the demand was not conceded. Meanwhile, the BSP has also alleged the "involvement of government machinery in helping the Congress and the PDP" during polling yesterday. In a statement released here, state BSP coordinator BS Chouhan said he toured various constituencies, including Nagrota, Gandhi Nagar, Samba, Jammu East, Jammu West, Suchetgarh and Marh, and found the voters "confused". He alleged the presiding officers were working very slowly to waste time of voters so as to benefit the Congress and the PDP. He said it was surprising that some hilly and remote areas of the state registered a polling percentage of 80 per cent while it was a mere 60 per cent in the plains. He alleged that the election process was "not free and fair". |
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Cong accuses NC candidate of rigging poll
Jammu, December 25 RS Pura along with 20 other Assembly constituencies in three districts of Jammu, Samba and Srinagar had gone to the polls in the seventh and final phase yesterday. Accompanied by nearly 200 supporters, both Bhagat and Chib lodged a complaint before Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) B.R. Sharma and District Election Officer (DEO) Mandeep K. Bhandari, who is also Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. Chib said the NC candidate along with his supporters rigged polls in Phinder, Bhou and Mehlowal. He added that in these polling booths Mottan had bolted the doors from inside to carry out the rigging. At Darsopur also, he tried to resort to the unethical means but failed following stiff resistance from Congress supporters, said Chib. However, at Mehlowal, Phinder and Bhou he remained inside the polling booths for quite a long time. After party candidate Suman Lata Bhagat took up the matter with the presiding officer at Phinder, the latter eventually entertained her complaint and subsequently we took up the matter with B.R. Sharma, said Chib. He added that on the instructions of Sharma his deputy Harcharan Singh had been handed a copy of the complaint. While we faxed copies to the Election Commission, we met the DEO in the evening. The DEO assured us to take up the matter with Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami.] Earlier, Congress supporters led by Chib and Bhagat staged protest demonstrations outside the offices of the CEO and the DC. |
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High turnout rebuff to separatists
Jammu, December 25 Talking to The Tribune, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “Though the people certainly came out to vote in rural areas in eight constituencies of Srinagar yesterday, the impact of their poll boycott call was very much visible in the urban areas. We cannot write them off with an election. I feel as long as the problem of Kashmir exists the separatists will have support among a section of people.” National Conference’s Kashmir province chief Dr Mehboob Baig said, “The huge voter turnout is certainly a slap on the separatists’ face. They tried everything to ensure the poll boycott, but failed. They could not read the public mood.” He also complimented the Centre and the Election Commission for successfully holding the elections. “The EC had played a gamble and it paid off.” He opined that now that the separatists were down the Central government should make a sincere attempt to sort out the Kashmir issue once and for all. “The status quo will not help. It is high time that we sit and discuss the issue to resolve it in a time-bound manner,” he averred. Senior Congress leader and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil said the people were “never with the separatists” and when they came out on the streets it was due to “fear psychosis”. “The people supported secessionists, as the traders apprehended destruction of property while the rest feared killings. It was all due to fear,” he said, adding that at times the people didn’t even respond to their strike calls. He said the people have shown full faith in the democratic system by coming out to vote in large numbers. “It also proved that there is not hegemony of one party, but all parties matter.” Former state BJP chief Nirmal Singh dubbed the high turnout as a befitting reply to the separatists. “The people have reposed their faith in democracy and it has come as a setback to the secessionists who were singing the paeans of azaadi,” he said, adding that it was also a jolt to Pakistan, which had been harping on the wish of the Kashmiri people. “The people have clearly expressed their wish by casting their votes,” he said. On the other hand, the separatists, for whom 20 per cent polling in Srinagar is probably the only saving grace, contend that it was “not a democratic exercise”, as almost every separatist leader was arrested and the valley converted into a “fortified security force camp”. |
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BJP confident of making gains
Jammu, December 25 Former state president of the BJP and candidate from Gandhi Nagar Nirmal Singh said: “Our prediction is not baseless but is a cumulative response gathered from our activists, voters, bureaucrats, media, agencies and even opposition parties as well.” National leader and BJP in charge of J&K affairs RP Singh said: “We will play a major role in the formation of new government in the state. Be it forging an alliance or sitting in opposition, both ways the party will emerge as a potent voice for the rights of Jammu people in the Assembly.” The success of the Amarnath land agitation has also infused a great deal of confidence among the party workers and top brass as they feel that party is deemed to gain from it. State BJP president and BJP candidate from Jammu East Ashok Khajuria said: “The Amarnath land agitation was a wake up call for the people of Jammu who waged a strong and successful battle against the discrimination which has been meted out to them for decades. The result of recent Assembly elections of five states also proved that public do not vote for plain rhetoric but development, which the previous government here has failed to do. The BJP is bound to gain in that respect as well.” |
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No Friday protests today: Separatists
Srinagar, December 25 The committee said in a statement that people should continue with their daily lives and it would give out plan for further actions later. Life has been coming to a standstill, especially in separatist-dominated places like Srinagar, Baramulla and Sopore, on Fridays for over 10 weeks. With the government toughening measures to curb protests, the city used to wear a state of undeclared curfew every Friday. Coordination committee leaders said they would "contemplate" their future course of action in coming days and announce new programmes. Meanwhile, normal life returned normal here today with markets buzzing with usual activity and commercial establishments opening. "We had been witnessing some amount of normalcy in the past few years. But these last weeks have been terrible. It has destroyed our businesses," Sheikh Majid, a manager in a hotel based in Dal Gate said. The authorities have also released some second-rung separatist leaders but top ones like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Shah Geelani continue to remain under house arrest. |
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Militancy figures in Kashmir at all-time low
Srinagar, December 25 DGP Kuldeep Khoda today termed the outgoing year as "historic" as the number of terror incidents came down to 700, also a first as the number earlier used to be in four figures, and the killing of mainstream politicians in the election year also hit a record low. Khoda said the number of civilians killed in militancy was 89 this year (till December 23) against 164 and 387 in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The highest number of civilian killings by militants occurred in 1996 when 1413 persons were killed. Terror incidents fell to 703 this year comparing favourably to 1092 in 2007 and 1667 in 2006.The number of militants active in the state had come down to 808 as compared to over 1000 in the previous years. Another heartening fact is that only three political killings occurred this year, when even the assembly elections were held, while 101 persons were bumped off for political reasons in the 2002 poll. Even in a non-election year like 2007, nine persons fell victims to political killings. When it comes to civilian killings during elections, the figure is 12 against whopping 220 in the 2002 elections. Significantly, no killing of any office-bearer of a political party occurred this time while 48 of them, including candidates, were assassinated in 2002. As many as 85 personnel from the security forces, including the police, laid down their lives while fighting militancy this year against 122 in 2007 and 182 in 2006. They killed 350 militants in encounters across the state. Khoda attributed the steady fall in terror numbers to increased surveillance of the Army on the LoC and robust intelligence. The human rights record of the security forces also showed a marked improvement with no case of custodial disappearance, with only one case of custodial death in which Major SK Saroj of 62 RR has been booked. |
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Water rafting to be promoted in Jammu
Udhampur, December 25 As normalcy is prevailing in erstwhile Doda district, various sports associations have decided to start activities in this belt. White water river rafting is the first adventure sports that will be started in the ferocious Chenab soon to attract tourists from other parts of the country and abroad. After constituting the Jammu chapter of the association, the White Water Rafting Association has stated that the association will focus on promoting the white water rafting in the Jammu region so as to open new avenues of tourism in the region. “The Jammu chapter of the association will promote white water rafting by training youth of the region”, a spokesman for the association said. He added that, “The association is also aiming at organising state and national level competitions in the region, which will provide a platform for the rafters, besides attracting adventurous tourists to the region”. There are so many things to do in Jammu with regard to adventure sports, but nothing more challenging than rafting in the white waters of many rivers that cut through the state. The most famous river where one can go for this extreme sport in the region is the Chenab, which has few stretches that are good enough to keep any rafter enthralled? The river runs trough few of the most mesmerising landscapes, providing the opportunity to explore those wonders of nature, which are otherwise unreachable through land routes. |
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Student bodies hit out at state’s education policy
Jammu, December 25 Questioning the education policy of the state, pamphlets being distributed by the student organisations, say: “The present education scenario in the government degree colleges presents a grim picture and the sudden outburst of the students is also due to frustration caused by several ills prevailing in the education system.” According to it, there is an acute shortage of teachers in colleges besides inadequate infrastructure. It also said class XII lecturers have been teaching college students on deputation basis and the newly opened colleges are operating from school buildings. “Despite the fact that the colleges have been given extra funds for holding extra classes to complete the remaining syllabus, no such class is being taken as of now,” it maintains. “Technically, holding extra classes is not practical as city colleges are running morning and evening shifts from the same building,” it said, adding: “Most of the teachers in the colleges have been engaged on an ad-hoc or contractual basis while the permanent posts have not been advertised from the past several years despite record increase in the number of students.” Attributing the university examination system as “inefficient and equally responsible for students plight”, it alleges that answer sheets are “poorly checked, general and revaluation results are much delayed putting student careers at stake”. “It is unfortunate that the varsity and the government are not willing to talk to students,” PSA president Rahul said. He further expressed concern over converting colleges into balloting and counting centers and accused the government of being callous towards the welfare of the students. Commenting upon the demand for open choice or reduction in the syllabus, Prof P.S Pathania, controller examination, Jammu University, said: “It is premature to consider the student’s demand at the moment given the exams are held in March-April.” However, director (colleges), N.D Wani said: “Loss of teaching days was much more in the valley but it was covered up and exams have been conducted well in time. We still have time to cover up syllabus as colleges in the Jammu region lost only 17 days due to agitation. Extra classes and other remedial measures are being taken and students need not panic.” He said reports from principals of the colleges confirm that 75 per cent of the syllabus has already been completed. |
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Rs 1-crore fund to replace damaged meters okayed
Jammu, December 25 According to the decision taken by the Governor during his interaction with the Jammu Chamber of Commerce Industry here today, the consumers will be charged the cost of the replaced meters in three instalments and not in one go. It may be mentioned here that a large number of electricity meters were damaged during the two-month long Amarnath land agitation in Jammu. The Governor also reviewed the supply position of power to the domestic consumers and the industrial sector. The meeting attended by representatives of the Chamber and senior officers of the Finance, Industries and Power Development Departments took several decisions on the issues raised by the Chamber of Commerce Industry. The issues include streamlining of power supply and its distribution, implementation of the Five-Point Economic Package, round-the-clock functioning of the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, single window clearance system for the smooth flow of goods carriers, extension in VAT audit returns, exemption at service tax on work contracts etc. He gave directions for expediting the procedure of single window clearances at Lakhanpur, the entry point to the state, to ease congestion of goods-carriers entering into the state. Vohra also reviewed the Cross-LoC trade and the impending return visit of the traders' representatives from the state to PoK. |
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15 injured in clash
Srinagar, December 25 A crowd of election boycott supporters picked up a fight with the people of the Hanji community, who are traditionally boatmen and who voted in large numbers in the elections yesterday while a majority of local residents kept away. They pelted each other with stones and over 15 persons were injured, a local said. As the fight turned ugly, security forces reached there and baton charged the violent mobs. To control the situation, they fired several shots in the air, creating panic in nearby areas as people took the shots for some encounter or militant attack. Hanjis basically make their living through boats they row in the Dal lake. They are the worst victims of the long strife in Kashmir as the tourist flow has been reduced to almost zilch. |
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Gujjars call for DD boycott
Srinagar, December 25 Condemning “cultural invasion” unleashed on Gujjars by Doordarshan Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir channel, Rahi alleged that the electronic media in state did not represent all communities and tribes. Secretary, TRCF, said Doordarshan was not following the guidelines set by the Prasar Bharati Broadcasting Corporation of India, which provides for two per cent representation for Gujjar programmes. He alleged that few agencies under a conspiracy were bent upon rooting out the Gujjar culture from Jammu and Kashmir. Rahi said three memorandums signed by Gojri writers were submitted to President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunsi and a protest was lodged against the channel, but in vain. |
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Common body through direct elections sought
Jammu, December 25 “We strongly demand for open elections of a common student body for highlighting the grievances of students. I appeal to the new Vice-chancellor to immediately take up the matter with the varsity syndicate and chancellor,” cultural secretary of the university Sachin Bhagat said. Rosy, a student of law, said: “There are as many as 300 students in my department, besides at least 500 in Law School, but they don't have any say in the administrative body of the JURSEA.” Researcher of department of zoology, Rajinder Manhas said: “The scope of the JURSEA is restricted and there is a need for joint student body to look into the students’ issues.” Chairman of the election panel constituted for the JURSEA BL Sharma said: “We have intimated heads of all 38 departments to conduct elections for the department representatives before January 15. These representatives will elect new executive body for the JURSEA.” |
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Shabir Shah held in Aziz murder case: DGP
Srinagar, December 25 Khoda declined to explain the exact role of Shah in Aziz’z death, which the separatists blame on firing by the police and the CRPF, but added that the ongoing investigation would bring out the truth. Shah was accompanying Aziz when a bullet wounded him and he was declared dead in a Srinagar hospital. Due to coincidental firing by forces on the crowd marching toward the line of control, media reported that Aziz was a victim of it. However, the police later said he was not killed in the firing by its personnel but from bullets fired by some people in the crowd they were leading. The police had arrested Shah under the Public Safety Act due to his leading role in separatist marches, but a high court Bench had quashed his detention. The police subsequently arrested him in the Aziz murder case. |
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Threat to disrupt functions of
VC as guest
Jammu, December 25 President of the scholar body Vikas Sharma told mediapersons “we won’t allow any function inviting the VC as guest within the campus if our demand is not fulfilled.” Vikas said the admission process for the post-graduation students concluded in November-end and the varsity was holding exams in mid-January. He said it was not possible to complete the syllabus within two months. Most of the students complained that teachers were covering syllabus with utmost haste, which was putting extra burden on them, Sharma said. |
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Christmas celebrated
Srinagar, December 25 Since morning devotees thronged churches and the festival was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety. The decoration of the Christmas tree and greetings were extended by Santa Claus on this occasion. Children were excited and they could not hide their joy once they received candies, sweets and gifts from Santa. The Holy Family Catholic Church, located in the heart of the city on the Maulana Azad road, presented a festive look with colourful buntings, illumination in form of mini-bulbs and other energy devices. The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated and colourful candles were lit by followers. The fragrance of incense sticks (agarbattis) mesmerised the ambience within the compound of the church. |
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Maps seized from Hizb ultras
Udhampur, December 25 The arrested militants have been identified as Bashir Ahmed Lohar, alias Bilal alias Rafiq, a resident of Kuddhar, Dessa (Doda district), and Ashiq Hussain, alias Shameem, a resident of Koushall, Kishtwar. Lohar had been evading arrest for the past 15 years. Bashir Ahmed
Lohar, a self-styled ‘area commander’ of the HM, was trained in Pakistan and Afghanistan from 1991 to 1993 and was expert in carrying out IED explosions, the police said. Ashiq Hussain, a local militant, was an accomplice of Bashir Lohar. After initial questioning, the police seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions from Neel area of Banihal. Police sources said the terrorists, who were camping at Udhampur for the last one month, were planning to carry out a terrorist strike in the town. Maps of some important buildings of Udhampur and adjoining localities were also recovered from the arrested militants. |
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5 more IRP battalions sanctioned
Srinagar, December 25 DGP Kuldeep Khuda told mediapersons this afternoon that the Centre had sanctioned five more IRP battalions for the state. He said 5,053 persons would be recruited in these battalions, which included 20 SPs, 35 DSPs, 40 Inspectors, 135 SIs, 115 ASIs, 820 head constables, 3,505 constables and 335 followers. Khuda said the government had also cleared a proposal for the creation of 1,700 posts in different ranks in the first phase in respect of newly created districts in the state. The state police chief said during 2008, 3,290 new posts were created for traffic and railway forces.
— UNI |
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