Jammu, February 2
Security forces arrested a district commander of the Harqat-ul-Jihadi-Islami (HuJI) at Watsar Chatroo in Kishtwar district today, official sources here said.

“On specific information, the security forces cordoned off the Chatroo area and during search the presence of the HuJI commander was established,” the sources told UNI, adding that the security forces offered him to surrender.

The commander, identified as Mohd Abdulla, a resident of Kanser in Reasi district, surrendered before the security forces along with an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and seven rounds,” the sources added.

The security forces, however, achieved a major success with the arrest of the district commander, who was active in Kishtwar for the past 15 years and was responsible for killings in Reasi and Kishtwar districts.

“The arrest of the Pakistan-trained militant is a major success for the security forces and it will give a severe blow to the outfit in the area. Moreover, the militant will also provide vital information about other the outfits operating in the area,” K Rajendra, IG, Jammu Zone, said.

Meanwhile, within a week of arresting two Hizbul Mujahideen operatives along with Rs 2.20 lakh, the police has arrested another hawala operator of the militant group in Rajouri district.

The police apprehended Ismayil from the Salona Pani area in Rajouri yesterday, police said.

On Thursday, the police had arrested two HM operatives Sadiq Khan and Makhan Din (both residents of Draman village) from a bus and seized Rs 2.20 lakh on the Sunderbani-Taryath road in the district.

Ismayil was to receive a hawala consignment from the duo at Salona Pani and hand it over to a Pakistani militant, Adil, who was at present operating as a divisional commander of Hizbul in Rajouri.

Interrogation of Khan and Din has revealed that they were handed over the consignment about 12 days ago by another Hizbul militant Owaid, a resident of Gulabgarh, and at present operating in the Sunderbani-Kalakote belt of the district.

Owaid had asked them to hand over the money to Ismayil at Salona Pani. Adil, who was to receive the money, was in constant touch with the trio, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the police has launched a hunt for Owaid and Adil. — Agencies

Jammu, February 2
Panthers Party chairman Bhim Singh today suffered a head injury when he slipped from stairs in a hotel here around 11 am today.

Soon after the incident he was rushed to Government Medical College from where he was flown to New Delhi in the afternoon.

Reports said the incident occurred when Bhim Singh was proceeding to a hotel hall so as to attend a working committee meeting of the party at Hotel Ashoka here.

However, he slipped and rolled down from the stairs, suffering a head injury. Reports said doctors at the GMC advised him to take further treatment at New Delhi.

Bhim Singh said that he was stable and has reached Delhi. "I am being taken to

The AIIMS for treatment," he said, adding that the injury was not serious but his presence at the GMC emergency wing had been causing inconvenience to other patients.

Jammu, February 2
The Amarnathji Shrine Board (ASB) today decided to constitute two high-profile panels - one for the preservation of environment en route and around the holy cave shrine in the Himalayas and the other for advising it on the conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

These decisions were taken at a meeting of the reconstituted shrine board in New Delhi today. Governor NN Vohra, who is also chairman of the board, chaired the meeting.

As per a press note issued here, Vohra observed that effective steps were required to be taken all along the yatra routes and the base camps for curbing pollution and preserving ecology. In this context, the board decided to constitute a subcommittee under the chairmanship of noted environmentalist Sunita Narain for evolving practical strategies and formulation of an environment protection action plan for effective implementation with immediate effect.

The board emphasised the importance of the action plan being implemented by involving various stakeholders, including voluntary and non-governmental organisations. It was argued that the board would fund various schemes under the plan.

Vohra said a 15-member advisory committee would be constituted for advising the board on logistical and other arrangements required for smooth conduct of the yatra as well as to assist the environmental action plan-- before the commencement and after the conclusion of the yatra-- in suggesting measures that would provide crucial inputs for the board to take requisite yatra-related decisions.

The board chairman described the yatra as a shinning symbol of the pluralistic ethos of the state and said the involvement of all stakeholders was imperative for focused objective of providing various facilities to the pilgrims. This had become necessary in view of the ever-growing number of yatris to the cave shrine, which touched an all-time high of over 5 lakh in 2008.

The Governor said the board, in conjunction with the departments concerned of the state government, the Central government and local stakeholders would endeavour for a smooth and well-regulated yatra.

The board also discussed various measures being taken for creating temporary infrastructures, utility services and logistical support proposed for the coming yatra. It also took various decisions with regard to the management of the yatra.

Jammu, February 2
Accusing the ruling Congress and NC, besides the largest opposition party PDP of having anti-Dogra and anti-Kashmiri Pandit mindset in the wake of the approaching Rajya Sabha elections, Panthers Party chairman Bhim Singh has said people know about the “anti-Jammu and anti-minority attitude” of Kashmir-centric parties.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Bhim said people were watching the real designs of the Kashmir-based national parties and their “anti-Jammu and anti-minority attitude”.

He said Dogras and Kashmiri Pandits had been completely ignored for the Rajya Sabha elections.

“This shows that the Congress, the PDP and the NC have not given up their anti-Dogra and anti-Kashmiri Pandit mindset,” he added.

Bhim also thanked leader of the Panthers Legislature Party Harsh Dev Singh for proposing his name for the Rajya Sabha as a common candidate.

However, the political leadership in the state, which sees an enemy in the Panthers Party, could not digest my entry into Parliament, he added.

In the backdrop of jaundiced mindset of the NC, the PDP and the Congress, Bhim said he had proposed five names for the Rajya Sabha and the MLAs from Jammu could consider anyone among them as a common candidate.

Bhim has proposed the names of Santoor maestro Shiv Kumar Sharma, filmmaker and litterateur Ved Rahi, Dogri writer of Jammu Padma Sachdev, Tabla maestro and son of Ustad Allah Rakha Khan of Samba, Zakir Hussein, and former Jammu University vice-chancellor Amitabh Mattoo, a Kashmiri Pandit.

He said neither Dogra nor Kashmiri Pandits had been given any representation.

Meanwhile, Bhim Singh expressed full solidarity with the state government employees in their resolve to seek the implementation of 6th Pay Commission’s recommendations. 

Jammu, February 2
The Wildlife Department is celebrating the World Wetland Day in collaboration with NGOs and schools to create awareness for effective management of wetland ecosystems.

The theme for this year’s World Wetland Day is river basins and their management.

The state has several wetlands that are directly linked to the livelihood of the local people apart from their ecological, biodiversity and tourism values. Apart from being the primary habitat for hundreds of species of waterfowl, fish, mammals and insects, they receive about 85 species of migratory birds from Siberia, Northern Europe and Central Asia during the winter months.

The large wetlands like Dal and Wular are significant because of their ecological, cultural and economic importance, besides being of great tourist attraction. The state has four “Ramsar” sites - Wular and Hokersar in Kashmir, Tso-moriri in Ladakh and Surinsar-Mansar in Jammu region. Scientific management of these “Ramsar” sites is extremely necessary for their continued survival.

Chief Wildlife Warden AK Shrivastav said: “Realising the ecological and aesthetic value of the wetlands, the Department of Wildlife Protection has identified 19 wetlands across the three regions of the state and has given them the legal status of conservation reserve in accordance with the provisions of the J&K Wildlife (Protection) Act.”

The state government has formulated comprehensive management action plans under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Package for Wular, Tso-moriri/ Tsokar and Surinsar-Mansar lakes for funding by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Projects for Tso-moriri/ Tsokar and Surinsar - Mansar lakes have already been approved, while the Wular project is under consideration.

Udhampur, February 2
Notwithstanding claims of the authorities, residents of Kishtwar district have been confronting with the problem of an acute shortage of ration in government-run outlets.

As officials of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) are adopting a casual approach, residents have threatened to launch a stir if an adequate supply of ration will not be made in a week.

People alleged most of the CAPD-run outlets were empty, while at some places dealers were openly indulged in ‘black marketing’. The deputy commissioner has reportedly directed the Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) concerned to submit a report in this regard at the earliest.

He said he had brought the matter to the notice of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has decided to visit the areas to assess the situation. Kitchloo said the CAPD department had released 1,000 quintals of ration for the Marwah and Decchan areas, but it was inadequate.

Commissioner secretary, CAPD, Mehboob Iqbal, however, claimed there was no shortage of ration in Kishtwar. He said allotted quote for Kishtwar had already been dispatched to destinations.

Meanwhile, a meeting of office-bearers and members of the BJP Inderwal constituency was held here under the chairmanship of Shakti Parihar, contested candidate from the Inderwal constituency. 

Jammu, February 2
The main opposition party, PDP, today expressed concern over the unnecessary delay and suspension of work on the Katra-Qazigund railway line.

“The unnecessary delay and suspension of work on the Katra-Qazigund railway line tantamount to unwarranted impediments in railway contact between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country,” a PDP spokesman said.

In a statement issued here today, the party said it had always stressed for resumption of all traditional routes besides construction of new surface communication routes like the Qazigund-Katra-Udhampur railway line to improve the surface transport system in the valley.

“Our party is advocating opening of all traditional routes that include Kargil-Askardu, Suchetgarh-Sialkote and other roads for people-to-people contact and trade,” the spokesman said. The party has demanded a railway contact between the valley and the rest of the country.

“During the Mufti Muhammad Sayed’s tenure, considerable progress was made on the Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund railway line and all agencies concerned were working with better coordination, but during the past two years or so the railway project has received many setbacks due to lack of interest by the government,” the PDP said.

The PDP said the proposed re-alignment would cause losses to the tune of hundreds of crores. “Moreover, if the alignment was relocated, the executing agencies will have to carve out new approach roads in a difficult terrain which will further delay the project.”

Jammu, February 2
Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma said today the tremendous potential of the Jammu region in horticulture and floriculture could determine efficient land use for generating higher returns, promote eco-friendly environment and provide better employment opportunities to youth.

He asked the farmers in the sectors to grow more fruits and cash crops for better returns. He also asked them to learn the finer aspects of proper marketing so that their produce reaches high-end markets outside the country, giving them greater economic returns.

The minister said this during a review meeting of horticulture and floriculture departments of the Jammu region here today.

During the meeting, the minister was informed that 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of fruit production had been registered in Jammu division as against the production of 1.34 lakh metric tonnes last year.

He asked the people to cultivate fruits like mango, citrus, guava, litchi and loquat in subtropical areas and olive, peanut and kiwi in intermediate zones. He added that these fruits offered greater returns.

Sharma advised the farmers in temperate areas, who grow apple, pear, plum, apricot and walnut, to also cultivate cash crops and other high value-low volume horticultural crops like strawberry because they gave lucrative returns. Regarding floriculture, the minister said the success stories of European countries like Holland and France should be emulated as in these two countries over 70 per cent of the economy directly depended on floriculture.

Jammu, February 2
Meera Bai, who worked as a maid with a hostel warden of Jammu University, Amisha Gupta, and was allegedly beaten by the latter, was produced in court here today, where her statement was recorded.

According to police sources, the agent who provided the services of Meera to Amisha Gupta is also expected in the city this evening. Meera had alleged that she had not contacted her family for the past two years after she started working with Amisha Gupta and was “handed over” to her against Rs 4,000 payment.

She had also alleged that she did not receive any wages for her services till now. Meera had accused her employer of thrashing and abusing her continuously over petty issues.

Meanwhile, Meera’s brother has reached here from Chhattisgarh to take her custody. Meera is at present putting up with hostelers at Sarojini Naidu Girls Hostel of the varsity. 

Jammu, February 2
Residents of the Gujjar Nagar and Dogra Hall areas are living in unhygienic conditions due to the presence of slaughterhouses here.

In Gujjar Nagar, the residents allege that stinking water drained out of the slaughterhouse enters their houses. Their repeated pleas to the municipal authorities for finding a solution to the problem have fallen on deaf ears.

Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Gujjar Nagar, says: “This slaughterhouse is a nuisance for us. When its employees clean it at the end of the day waste water enters our houses and increases our misery. We have complained about it several times, but the authorities concerned are not paying any heed to it”.

Expressing similar views, Farooq Ahmed, another resident of the area, says: “The situation worsens during rainy season when sewers in the locality overflow with rainwater and polluted water from the slaughter house. Besides generating a foul smell, it has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies.”

Naza Akthar says: “It is health hazardous for us as it can spread diseases in the area”. She adds, “Stray dogs pick up waste from the slaughter houses and leave them in front of our homes.” Besides, the condition of lanes and drains in the area is also pathetic.

Municipal councillor of the area Rashida Begum said, “I am aware of the problem being faced by the residents due to the slaughter houses. I have taken up the issue with the MC officers many times, but I have not been provided with sufficient funds for constructing a drain for waste water flowing out of the slaughter houses. It will cost at least Rs 12 lakh.” The MC officials had earlier talked about providing equipment to these slaughterhouses for disposal of waste in a hygienic way, but no such measures had been initiated so far.

Srinagar, February 2
A data on air traffic in the valley as well as Jammu during the last summer complied by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and accessed by The Tribune has thrown up some interesting figures. Interestingly, during that period the whole state was burning over the Amarnath land controversy.

The air traffic in Srinagar, Kashmir’s only airport, dropped by 10.6 per cent during April-October in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Against 5,11,013 persons in 2007, their number fell to 4,57,015 previous year in the corresponding period.

The air traffic in Srinagar, Kashmir’s only airport, dropped by 10.6 per cent during April-October in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Against 5,11,013 persons in 2007, their number fell to 4,57,015 previous year in the corresponding period.

However, the loss for Jammu was much more severe as it suffered a drop of 32.4 per cent in air traffic. The official figures say its airport received 2.20 lakh passengers in those seven months against 3.26 lakh for the same period in 2007.

Officials said the Jammu figures were surprising as a common tourist was expected to be more at ease in Jammu than the valley, where anti-India sentiments fuelled by the separatists ran high during those volatile months.

In fact, the rate of decrease in air traffic to Kashmir is more or less in line with rest of the country in the same period due to steep increase in airfare last year. An overwhelming majority of airports suffered a fall in domestic air traffic, officials said.

Officials told The Tribune that a large number of tourists arrived in weeks before the agitation erupted. The number of pilgrims for Amarnath yatra and tourists as well in the days before the turmoil had broken all records.

Srinagar, February 2
The steps taken by the Army to contain the worrying trend of suicide and fratricide have shown positive results with the number of such cases coming down.

The figures for Northern Command, which is the Army’s biggest command with the strength of over 4.5 lakh troops, say that 38 soldiers ended their lives in 2008, while there was only a single case of fratricide. To put things in perspective, suicide numbers in 2005 were 44, while there were 10 cases of fratricide.

Northern Command has three corps, 14, 15 and 16, headquartered in Leh, Srinagar and Nagrota, respectively, in the state with its troops deployed in some of the harshest and inclement territories to be found anywhere in the world.

An Army spokesperson said one of the major initiatives they took to check these cases was training of counsellors. “Two separate categories of counsellors have been trained by specialists. One comprises Junior Commissioned Officers from the Army Medical Corps who are available for monitoring stress management programmes, training and advice.

The second category comprises Junior Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers from the units and are trained to act as a fried and guide at the functional level,” he said. They are capable of identifying indicators of stress and take immediate remedial action, he said, adding that a total of 1,200 individuals had been trained and deployed so far.

He said these measures were based upon an in-depth analysis of the past incidents and identification of ways of prevention. The major causes of these deaths were martial discord and domestic reasons. Other reasons include medical problems, failed love affairs and orgainsational factors, he said.

Continuous vigil, relentless counter-infiltration and counter-terror operations, coupled with unresolved domestic problems, become the causative factors of stress.

Some other measures are education of all ranks to understand stress and how to manage it, practice of yoga and other stress relieving techniques, increased emphasis on group cohesion and constant interaction among officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, other ranks and their families. Various recreational facilities, including multi-gyms, have also been provided, he said.