Srinagar, January 31
Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor said here today that there had been a gradual improvement in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with a considerable decline in infiltration of armed militants from across the border during the past two years.

Talking to mediapersons here today on his visit to the Kashmir valley, General Kapoor said year 2008 had been the most successful in the state with the killing of a number of armed militants, including some top commanders. He said as compared to previous years there had been lesser incidents of infiltration from across the border during 2007 and 2008. The infiltration was not possible at this time of the winter due to the accumulation of heavy snow along the infiltration routes in the high mountains, and this could be judged only after the snow melts down with the onset of spring ahead of the coming summer.

The Army chief said the troops along the border were fully alert in preventing any infiltration attempt with the help of modern technology.

He said the troops were fully alert to prevent infiltration from both extreme northern snow-bound areas and Peer Panjal ranges in the southern parts of the state.

General Kapoor arrived here this morning to review the operational plans and the situation prevailing in the post-Assembly elections period. He reviewed the situation prevailing along the borders and the hinterland with the senior Army officers here. He had “fruitful discussions” with the officers during the meetings here, General Deepak Kapoor told the reporters.

Referring to the state of militancy, the Army chief said the number of active militants operating in the state was between 700 and 800 of whom 30 to 35 per cent were foreigners. “The situation is much better in the state now and the people favoured peace and stability,” he said, adding that it was reflected in the immense participation of people in the Assembly elections.

Replying questions, General Kapoor said the Army was taking serious note of any complaints about human rights violations and quick action was being taken to investigate into such reports. He said investigations had been completed in 748 cases out of 765, while investigations into 17 other cases were going on. There was fast action in the investigations of human rights violation cases by the Army than the civilian departments, he said. 

Udhampur, January 31
Decision of the Railways to conduct a new alignment on the Katra-Qazigund section of the Kashmir rail project triggered protests in Reasi and adjoining localities. A large number of people came out on streets to oppose the decision and demanded that the work on the project, which was suspended on May 25, 2008, for a new alignment, should be started as early as possible.

Reasi and its surrounding areas observed a total shut down on the call given by the Reasi Action Committee to lodge a protest with the Railways authorities for suspending works on the project to conduct a fresh alignment. Due to the suspension of work on the project more than 10,000 people working as casual labourers had been rendered jobless. Shops and business establishments remained closed at Reasi, Marhi, Gram-morh, Jyotipuram, Vijaypur, Talwara and other adjoining localities.

Locals along with these “retrenched” workers took out a protest demonstration, which started from the main chowk of Reasi, and passed through different areas of town.

Protesters shouted slogans against the Railway authorities and warned to intensify the agitation if their demands were not fulfilled.

Local residents pointed out that hundreds of skilled and unskilled people had been rendered jobless after the suspension of the work. They further said the work was suspended without any prior notice and those who were engaged in the project could not get alternative job.

Enraged over the decision of the railways to conduct the new alignment, residents alleged that the decision was taken to cut off Reasi town from the project. They warned the authorities against shifting the proposed railway station from Gram-morh village.

Local BJP MLA Baldev Sharma also joined the protest and addressed the gathering. He alleged that the Railway authorities had suspended the work and decided to conduct a fresh alignment to give benefits to certain contractors, who were close to the ruling party. He regretted that for the past six months the residents of Reasi had repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the authorities, but to no avail.

The protesters later submitted a memorandum to deputy commissioner, Reasi, Sanjeev Verma. It was also decided that a delegation of the action committee would meet the visiting delegation of parliamentarians, which is scheduled to visit Reasi on February 2. The delegation is visiting to conduct on a spot assessment of the project.

The Railway authorities had suspended work on the project and roped in an Austrian expert to suggest a new alignment for the Katra-Qazigund project.

Udhampur, January 31
As militant groups have begun outsourcing activities to accomplish their nefarious designs, security agencies too have to devise a new strategy to foil game plan of various terrorist outfits active in mountainous belt of Kishtwar and Doda districts.

Besides luring school dropouts and teenagers, terrorist groups are also started engaging some surrendered militants who have joined the mainstream and living peaceful lives with their families. Two surrendered militants, who were arrested by the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the J&K police, have made startling disclosure about new game plan of the some outfits.

Sources said a good number of surrendered militants, who had promised to live peaceful, had rejoined militant groups. Instead of actively participating in militancy activities, these surrendered ultras have been providing logistic support of the various outfits to activate activities in their respective areas.

Pointing towards re-opening of 14 years old blast case, sources said militants involved in that sensational serial blasts had surrendered before the police and majority of them were living peaceful lives after their release from the jails. But for the quite some time these militants have rejoined some outfits as they have been getting good amount in exchange of utilising their experiences to strengthen militant network.

For the last three months, the security forces have arrested more than 12 surrendered militants from different areas of Kishtwar and Doda districts. These militants were living “peacefully” in their respective areas.

A few days back local police arrested a former self-styled commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Wasim Malik, who was involved in January 26, 1995 blasts at MA Stadium in which then Governor General K V Krishana Rao (Retd) had a narrow escape. Interestingly, Wasim Malik had earlier surrendered before the security forces and was running a shop at Kishtwar.

Sources said Wasim had again developed links with some militant outfits. Sleuths of intelligence agencies found Wasim moving suspiciously in Jammu some days back and later it was established that he was working with LeT and providing logistic support to the outfit. It was only after his questioning, the CI also picked up another surrendered militant Zahid Sarooi from Kishtwar.

Zahid was re-arrested on the basis of disclosures made by Wasim during his interrogation which revealed his involvement in the serial blasts that had taken many lives besides rendering several others injured.

Srinagar, January 31
On the second day of his visit, a large number of people and several deputations from all over the valley met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his official residence in an open public darbar here today.

The Chief Minister was informed about difficulties regarding basic amenities, public utility services and listed problems of individual nature, an official spokesman here said.

A deputation of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association led by Haji Mohammad Yousuf pleaded for an insurance scheme for fruit crops. They also demanded the timely availability of fertilisers and pesticides. The association underscored the need for modern fruit mandis and cold storage facilities.

A deputation of Urdu Academy led by Noor Shah presented a proposal to the Chief Minister regarding the improvement and propagation of Urdu.

A deputation comprising councillors of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation led by Mayor Salman Sagar discussed issues relating to the functioning of the MC with the Chief Minister and gave various suggestions for strengthening the corporation. Omar Abdullah, while assuring every support from the government to the MC, said the MC should channel resources and enhance revenue generation to have a strong economic base.

Jammu, January 31
Two more persons were arrested in connection with the killing of a BSF personnel, whose headless body was found lying near a nullah in the Mendhar area of Poonch district and Rs 90,000 was also seized along with weapons of crime from them, sources here today said.

“On the disclosure of Ulfat Bi, wife of the deceased, and Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, son-in-law, the police surfaced the involvement of two more persons, who were arrested yesterday along with Rs 90,000, which was offered to them by the wife and son-in-law of the deceased,” sources told UNI.

The police, however, seized the amount and also the weapons used in the offence. The arrested people have been identified as Mohd Zakir, a fruit merchant, resident of village Arhi and Arif-ur-Rehman, resident of Dachhan, Mendhar.

A headless and limbless body of BSF personnel Mohd Lateef, a resident of Mendhar, who was posted at Siliguri in West Bengal and had come to his native village on leave, was found from the nullah on January 25 in Mendhar.

However, his wife and son-in-law were arrested for conspiring his killing along with two others, who were arrested yesterday. A case has been registered against the accused while they were questioned to ascertain the motive behind the killing, sources added. — UNI

Jammu, January 31
With the detention of two personal security officers (PSO) of tainted IPS officer Saji Mohan, who was arrested by the Mumbai Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) smuggling narcotics, more information is expected to come out regarding the links of and deals done by Saji Mohan during his tenure in the state.

According to reports, the state police has handed over two of its constables to the Mumbai Police on the latter’s request. The Mumbai Police had reportedly asked for the custody of the two constables who had served as PSOs of Saji during his tenure as the director, Narcotic Control Bureau, Chandigarh.

The 1995 batch IPS officer of the Jammu and Kashmir cadre during his tenure as director, NCB, Chandigarh, held the additional charge of the zonal director, NCB, Jammu and Kashmir, from February 14, 2007, to May 16, 2008, and during his stint in the state he was instrumental in making various prized recoveries.

The duo identified as constable Devinder Singh and constable Naveen Kumar, at present posted with the security wing of the state police, had served as PSOs of Saji Mohan and the Mumbai ATS expected to get some vital information about the deals by the officer during his tenure in the state.

Acting on the summons from the Mumbai ATS, the duo were taken into custody and flown to Mumbai via New Delhi by a special team of the state police.

“For now, the duo has been detained only for questioning, as the ATS is not sure about their direct involvement in any narcotic trade.

They served as PSOs of the arrested IPS officer and they might have knowledge about his shabby drug deals,” a senior police officer said, requesting anonymity. He said, “After the state police received a formal summon from the Mumbai ATS, the duo were flown to Delhi and then to Mumbai where they were arrested by the ATS team immediately.”

The police and the Narcotic Control Bureau of the state are also verifying the seizures made by the officer during his tenure as the zonal director of the NCB as the department has come to know that the officer used to mix white powder in the seized heroin.

Jammu, January 31
The state government has submitted a Rs 29.29 crore project proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for handling the increasing incidents of man-wild animal conflicts in the state.

Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmed gave this information at a review meeting of the department convened here today. During the meeting, the minister reviewed various schemes and wildlife projects being implemented in the state.

The meeting was informed that some components of the project would be sanctioned by the ministry for the management of wildlife outside the protected area network under the new Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme.

The minister was also informed that the Wildlife Department had devised a project for national parks, sanctuaries and wetlands with a view to promoting ecotourism to attract tourists to the protected areas with active an involvement of local communities.

The state has 16,000 sq km under the protected area network, forming 15.6 per cent of the total geographical area of the state comprising five national parks, 14 wildlife sanctuaries and 35 conservation reserves.

Elaborating, the meeting was informed that a tentative initial requirement of Rs 6 crore for the first year of launching the Ecotourism Project was envisaged in the report submitted to the Union government for funding.

It was made out that as desired by the Ministry of Tourism, site-specific plans were being prepared as per the revised guidelines of the scheme of the Ministry of Tourism for product and infrastructure development for destinations and circuits.

Reviewing the progress of the implementation of the centrally-sponsored schemes, Altaf stressed the need for devising a mechanism for the timely submission of management plans of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves, including wetlands, to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and the timely release of funds by the Centre as well as the state government to enable 
their utilisation.

It was noted that Rs 3.55 crore had been released under the centrally-sponsored scheme titled Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries and Wetland Conservation Programme. The Central government would be releasing 100 per cent funds in the first instalment from the next financial year, keeping in view the short working season in most of the protected areas because of harsh winter conditions, the minister was informed.

The minister also reviewed wetland at Hangul and other habitat conservation projects under implementation in the state. 

Jammu, January 31
Sanskrit has been made compulsory for junior classes at St James Independent School, London, whereas, we Indians- from where this language originated- have been ignoring this language for years. Sanskrit, which once used to be a language of communication, has now become confined to textbooks. Scholars in Jammu are concerned about its status quo and they have decided to initiate efforts for its active revival.

Paras Shastri, president of the Sanskrit Parishad, says, “The reign of colonialism thrust English language upon us by making it more expedient for employment purposes. It is not possible to revive Sanskrit to its original glory unless it becomes viable for multiple job opportunities. It is equally necessary that politicians, who have been promoting their respective local languages for votebank politics too share this responsibility.”

The trend of translating the ancient books into English has also dimmed further hopes of breathing life into this language. ND Wani, Director Higher Education, J&K, Says, “The knowledge of Sanskrit is mandatory to comprehend the literature of ancient history and literature from the days of Arya Bhatt to medieval period. Mere translation, which at times do not do justice with the original script, will not help. For this all the organisations related to the promotion of Sanskrit need to join hands to come up with various strategies to promote the language so that we can save our literary heritage of golden period. As far as the Education Department is concerned, we are bringing more and more degree colleges to our ambit to promote Sanskrit language as a separate subject. More than 12 colleges have already been covered under this in Jammu.” He strongly advocated for making Sanskrit compulsory at the school level.

Interestingly, the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan has already begun three months’ informal courses in some senior schools and degree colleges so that students get to know the conversational aspect of the language. Says Vijinder Shastri, Sanskrit teacher at Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Samba, said, “These courses have been started for the past two years in the school. The students too have shown positive response. From next year, we are planning to admit people from outside. I hope, if we continue to extend period of such courses for all kinds of people, the status of Sanskrit is bound to improve in near future.”

Jammu, January 31
Working swiftly on the Snow Leopard Project approved by the Ministry for Forest and Wildlife, the Department of Wildlife Protection has sent an annual plan of operation to the ministry.

The ministry is expected to approve the plan soon as the plan is meant for the current financial year. The works proposal for 2008-09 for the Wildlife Division, Leh, has been estimated at Rs 2.42 crore.

The project includes 25 nature interpretation centre-cum-office building at Leh, purchase of vehicles, SLR still cameras, high definition video camera, camera tripods, cranes, thermal imaging device, purchase of high altitude equipment, transportation cages, communication equipment like wireless/walky-talky, printing of publicity material, eco-cafes, facility of training and requirement of additional staff.

The Wildlife Department is currently looking for appropriate landscape and is all set to develop good intelligence network which involves local participation in wildlife protection through the Community Protection Forces. AK Shrivastva, chief wildlife warden of the state, said, “We will support alternative generation activities for the community so that they can support us in our drive to protect snow leopard. Local GREF and military establishment will be engaged in self-regulation regarding illegal hunting. Labour camps in the wildlife areas will also be engaged to curb poaching. We are also formulating alpine pasture/rangeland management strategies to focus research and experimental studies in order to understand pastoral production, optimal stocking densities and pasture improvement.”

Research on wildlife will also gain momentum after the plan gets approved. “The department will also support scientifically well-designed research projects by reputed governmental and non-governmental research institutions. Under staff welfare and financial strategies economic and other service benefits will be extended to staff working in the project areas. We will prefer young and committed staff to be posted in the high altitude areas,” said Shrivastva.

According to him, 60 per cent of the country’s snow leopard population is found in the state and its conservation would require active involvement of the local communities.

Jammu, January 31
Minister for Education and Public Enterprises Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said today there was tremendous scope for private players, NGOs and social entrepreneurs to contribute their lot in strengthening the educational infrastructure of the state by donating generously to the government schools.

He was speaking at a function organised by Government Girls High School, Dogra Hall. Secretary, Education, GA Peer; Director, School Education, Jammu, Zahida Khan; Chief Education Officer, Jammu, Suresh Sharma and other officers of the school and the staff attended the function.

He appreciated the gesture of some private organisations, which donated 70 sets of uniforms for the students.