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India concerned at Pak situation
Women working as couriers for ultras
Tension in Bomai
AIDS: State tops awareness drive
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Maximise benefits of research: Vohra
Kashmiri Pandits resent stoppage of ration supply
College lecturers await salary
Navy recruitment rally a big draw
Shortage of staff, vehicles stalks MC
Entrepreneurship programme begins
Play based on Partition staged
People beat up burglars
Villagers rue slow work on road
Rs 75.9-cr credit plan okayed
Teacher held for cheating
Jawan’s bag with arms, ammunition stolen
Cornered, security guards open fire
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India concerned at Pak situation
Jammu, March 18 Talking to mediapersons here this evening after reviewing the security scenario in the state for the Lok Sabha elections he said due to the trouble in the neighbhourhood, the security forces in the country would have to remain on high alert till May 16. He said even political leaders would have to be very careful about their movement in the run-up to the elections. “I advise prudence on the part of political leaders while campaigning,” the Home Minister said, adding that there was no specific alert about a terrorist strike The Home Minister said disruptive forces ccould go to any extent in hampering the democratic process. Chidambram refused to take any questions on the IPL, saying that this was no platform to talk on the issue. Expressing satisfaction at the present situation in the state, Chidambram said he was satisfied with the security scenario to such an extent that no additional troops were required for the five-phase Lok Sabha poll in the state. Answering a query on the sensitive issue of repealing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Home Minister said the government could discuss it only after the elections. “The Unified Command (police, army and para-military) has done remarkable work in bringing peace to the state. The level of violence has come down drastically. Even the Assembly elections were the most peaceful as very less casualties were reported,” he said. Chidambram announced 6,000 police personnel would be recruited by March, 2010, completing the required number of over 79,000 cops required in the state. CM Omar Abdullah also praised the security forces, saying the Unified Command had the best possible coordination in the country. He said he had no differences with the Army over the Bomai killings. “I am happy to note that the Army would submit a report to the government shortly,” he added. Earlier, the Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram had consultations with Governor, N. N. Vohra here today. After arrival at Jammu airport, the Home Minister drove straight to Raj Bhavan and held talks with the Governor. |
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Women working as couriers for ultras
Udhampur, March 18 Although more than 20 women are on the surveillance list of the intelligence agencies for their involvement in subversive activities, the police today arrested Suriya Begum, wife of Abdul Gani of
Thathri, who has supplying SIM cards and cash to LeT militants active in the
Thathri, Gandoh and Premnagar areas of Doda. The accused woman had been working as a courier for the past two years and was involved in carrying money from the Kashmir valley for self-styled LeT commanders Khubeb and Abdullah, active in the Thathri belt of Doda district. Highly placed police sources disclosed that the name of Suriya was revealed by two overground workers
(OGWs) of LeT who were arrested with four SIM cards and cash on January 13 from
Thathri. Both arrested persons, Waseem Raza resident of Chaka Bhaderwah and Najam Din Gujjar of Ghoru
Shamdalian, Thathri tehsil, had disclosed that they used to receive consignments from women who carried the same from the Kashmir Valley. “For the past more than two months we were closely watching
Suriya, who along with other women, was on our radar”, sources said, adding that “more than 20 women, mostly housewives, are on the surveillance list of the intelligence agencies”. Police sources revealed that a large number of women have joined militant groups to work as couriers during the past six months. The main job of these women couriers is to carrying cash and mobile SIM cards for the militants active in the higher reaches. Police officers believed that the role of women in militancy in the state is not alarming. “A large number of women are involved in militancy, mostly for money”, a senior police officer of Doda said. On March 4, 2008, cops in Doda had intercepted a vehicle and seized some arms and ammunition from the vehicle which was to smuggle these to Doda from Qazigund (Kashmir). Rafiqa Begum and Rubeena Begum of Kashmir were among others arrested in this case. The arrested persons had revealed that they did the task for money. They had even confessed that they earlier carried Rs 2 lakh as hawala money from the Kashmir valley to LeT top commanders based in
Doda, Abu Yasir and Mohammad Iqbal. |
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Guilty to be punished, promises Army
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 18 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah discussed the issue with Defence Minister AK Antony in New Delhi yesterday. It was taken up by the Chief Minister with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram as well during the latter’s state visit today. In a related development, Lt-Gen Bikram Singh, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, met Omar Abdullah in Jammu last evening. The GOC, according to an official spokesman, informed the Chief Minister that the court of enquiry instituted by the Army into the Bomai firing incident would submit its report within two or three days. The Corps Commander assured the Chief Minister that those found guilty would be punished. As per the programme chalked out by the coordination committee, there would be a complete shutdown for two days from tomorrow, with a public awareness campaign to be launched on Friday prayers. All government and private establishments, including the schools, would be closed for the next two days, a spokesman of the committee told the Tribune.
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AIDS: State tops awareness drive
Jammu, March 18 In 2008-09, 84 per cent awareness was recorded among urban populace, while it jumped to 64 per cent in rural areas, 15 per cent higher than the national percentage. However, with the detection of 211 fresh HIV cases, the state as on date has 1,811 People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) compared to 1,600 in 2007-08. So far, as many as 95 persons have died of AIDS in the state, while 447 cases of matured AIDS are on anti-retroviral treatment. Further, 2007-08 witnessed .03 per cent prevalence rate of HIV infection among high-risk group while it stood .06 per cent among antenatal women. Out of 8,000 blood samples collected from 22 sentinel sites across the state from November 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009, not even a single sample was tested positive. Owing encouraging results to the sustained awareness campaigns, SAPCS project director MA Wani said: “Last year, 60,000 persons voluntarily underwent HIV test at the voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCTC).” The Behavioural Surveillance Survey (BSS) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in their surveys conducted last year reported that the state had 84 per cent awareness among urban areas while rural areas recorded 68 per cent. Going by the figures, an inference could be drawn that epidemic in the state was static and under control, he added. “However, it doesn’t mean that the SAPCS should become complacent. We have been reaching out to common people far and wide increasing the intensity of awareness campaigns,” he added. He attributed the detection of 211 fresh cases of HIV infection to the sustained awareness campaigns. Last year, 60,000 people turned up at the 22 VCTC centres set up in various hospitals for undergoing HIV test, out of which 211 were tested positive and that is our job to bring hidden epidemic to the surface and then bring them under care and support programme, he said. Within a fortnight, the state would also be having its first community care centre in private sector. It would be set up at the Bee Enn Charitable Trust Hospital in Jammu for PLWHAs, who prefer confidentiality because of social stigma attached to the infection, he said. The government would provide ART drugs, staff and other requisite things, he added.
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Maximise benefits of research: Vohra
Jammu, March 18 He said this while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day workshop on ‘Trends in Bioinformatics’ organised jointly by the Bioinformatics Centre, School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and the Bioinformatics Centre, School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, in Katra today. He said the need of the hour was to develop most pragmatic and adoptable technologies for optimally utilising and harnessing the locally available natural resources, particularly herbal and medicinal plants, to boost the pharmaceutical and related industry, which, in turn, will quicken the pace of growth and development. He said the country had vast potential and capability in achieving excellence in areas like biotechnology. Referring to the need for optimising the use of energy, the Governor said he had asked the Vice-chancellor of the SMVDU to hold special “sensitising” programmes for officers of the Power Development Department in the state government and executives in the private sector to sensitise them about the fundamental concerns of energy conservation. |
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Kashmiri Pandits resent stoppage of ration supply
Jammu, March 18 Bhushan Lal Pandita, a government employee from Purkhu Camp, complained “even earlier, they gave us ration less than the quota and that too on odd dates. But now they have discontinued the supply.” Davinder Singh of Muthi Camp also said depot holders had told them that no ration would be supplied henceforth. The ration, which is distributed free of cost as relief to migrants who do not have a government job, is given at subsidised rates to government employees and pensioners. Ever since it has been discontinued, people living in different camps have been meeting ministers and director, food and supply, Hemant Kumar. SK Raina, a migrant from Mishriwala Camp, said, “When we went to the Food and Supply Department, the then deputy director told us that our ration quota was being sent to Kashmir. We are perplexed over different versions.” Hemant Kumar refuted the charge saying that the department was unable to meet the demand and therefore it had stopped ration supply temporarily. He, however, said the supply would resume in two-three days. |
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College lecturers await salary Jammu, March 18 Government Degree College, Bani, in Kathua district started functioning on May 26, 2008, and is at present operating from four rooms of a overcrowded higher secondary school. The college offers six subjects--English, Hindi, Urdu, education, history and political science. Moreover, the college is one of the 18 newly opened colleges in the state which is yet to get a regular principal . These colleges have been working from school premises in the absence of basis infrastructure and permanent staff. Though it’s a college, it has no peon or chowkidar and as a result teachers have to do odd jobs like opening locks, managing books in the library, arranging drinking water etc,. Maintaining that they were promised Rs 12,000 per month, the contractual lecturers said they had not been paid since their appointment and the government had turned a blind eye toward their plight. “We feel like being orphans. Even as we have been doing assignments other than our main job, we have not got any remuneration,” said lecturer in Urdu Sudesh Kumar, who also happens to be the officiating vice-principal of the college. Suresh joined the services in June last year, but has not got any salary so far like other colleagues. “At the time of appointment, we were promised the hill area allowance as well, but I have not got even basic remuneration since September last year,” said lecturer in history Manmohan Singh. He added “we have been spending our own money. Now, the academic year is about to close and no one seems to be concerned about us.” The quality of education could be gauged from the fact that there is no English teacher even on ad hoc basis. Head of the institute Sham Lal said, “We have started disbursing the salaries of the teachers under local funds for which Rs 94,000 have been sanctioned. Those who have not got their dues will get salary cheques within two-three days.”
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Navy recruitment rally a big draw
Jammu, March 18 The two-day recruitment drive launched by the Navy to induct sailors in the technical and non-technical wing saw a tremendous response from the youth from far off areas, especially the areas highly infested with militancy. “I want to serve my motherland and I am not afraid of any sort of terrorist threat. If I get selected, it would be the happiest moment of my life,” an aspirant from Anantnag district said while requesting anonymity. “First we conducted a written examination, then those who qualified had to undergo physical and then a medical check up,” a Navy officer said. Though today’s recruitment drive was only for the students who had earlier applied for the position in the Navy, seeing the response, the Navy is planning to conduct more such drives in the state in the upcoming month. “This is a good gesture of the Navy to absorb educated unemployed youth by providing them with job. Otherwise, out of frustration, these youth could have been misled by terrorists to join their ranks,” said Ashraf Ali of Doda, whose son appeared for the examination. He said: “As the militants earlier wanted to take my child to join their ranks, I migrated to Jammu, and here we had no resources to support our livelihood. But now we are hopeful that if my son gets selected, it could be a good thing for us.” Another aspirant, who had come from militancy-infested Bhaderwah district, said: “If today I am not selected, I will opt for the Army and will fight those who have destroyed our culture by taking up the gun against our own people.” |
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Shortage of staff, vehicles stalks MC
Jammu, March 18 Stinking drains, choked and overflowing sewers and accumulated garbage in lanes and on roads is the common scene in the city. According to sources, the corporation collects about 300 metric tonnes of garbage every day. For that, it has only 70 garbage-lifting vehicles, that include loaders, tippers and a few garbage-handling equipment. These vehicles are deployed for the disposal of garbage, solid wastes and lifting of stray animals. Expressing disappointment over the poor condition of sanitation in the city, MC health officer KD Singh said the poor sanitation was a crucial issue for the corporation and it was trying to find out a solution. KD Singh said, “We have a shortage of vehicles and manpower for lifting and dumping garbage. The lack of funds has aggravated our problem for providing better sanitation facility to the people of the city.” He further said at present the corporation was deputing around two to three labours per ward, while five labours were needed. “Due to a shortage of manpower, equipment and vehicles, we are not able to lift garbage on time. That is why garbage is lifted in some areas after two to seven days”, said KD Singh. The corporation has only 19 sanitary supervisors and eight sanitary inspectors, besides 70 operational staff. Whereas, the corporation needs more manpower and around 30 additional vehicles and machinery, the health officer said. The corporation has sent a proposal to the government suggesting the 71 wards to be divided into four zones. Available manpower, vehicles and equipment would be distributed proportionately in these wards to keep the city clean. It would prove a successful measure to some extent for the corporation, said KD Singh. Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact Joint Commissioner JS Tandon proved futile. |
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Entrepreneurship programme begins
Srinagar, March 18 The programme has been sponsored by the Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB). S Khursheed-ul-Islam, In charge, academics, JKEDI, said the financial institutions would approve the business venture proposals of any person after checking the EDP participation certificate. He highlighted the role of JKEDI in promoting entrepreneurship across the state. Hafizullah Shah, district officer, KVIB, Budgam, said the board had been working hard to promote entrepreneurship in the rural areas across the state. He said the PMEGP was the merger of two central schemes -- Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (REGS) and Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yogna (PMRY). |
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Play based on Partition staged
Jammu, March 18 The story begins with a scene when an Indian Muslim family from Lucknow is allotted a big house of a jeweller Rattan Johri at Lahore, who had disappeared in the riots of 1947 leaving her old mother in the house.
Mirza, the allottee of the house, gets irritated by the old Hindu woman and tries to get rid of her. However, later, he realises that the woman is harmless for his family and allows her to stay in the house. Annoyed with this act of
Mirza, some fundamentalists try to throw the woman out. The play portrays a situation of conflict between extremist and moderate society, making the woman a focal point of the situation. A moderate Maulvi tries to teach the fundamentalists the right message of Islam. When the old woman dies, all the right thinking people, including the
Maulvi, perform the last rites of the lady as per Hindu customs which agitates the fundamentalists who later on kill the
Maulvi. |
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People beat up burglars
Udhampur, March 18 Eyewitnesses said, two thieves managed to enter the house of Anil Kumar in ward No 13 this morning. Anil Kumar was at his shop while his children had gone to school. Anil Kumar’s wife, Kamla Devi, had gone out for purchasing vegetables. As soon as the woman went out, both of them sneaked into the house and started breaking the safe. With in 15 minutes she returned and found two youths standing in her store. When inquired, both of them ran away, making Kamla Devi raise the alarm. People chased the running thieves and caught them. Locals gave them a severe thrashing before they were handed over to the police. Theft has been become routine in Udhampur town. During the past two months, burglars struck at 30 places but the police failed to solve any case. |
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Villagers rue slow work on road
Udhampur, March 18 They regretted that work was started on this road two years ago with a stipulated time of one year. They rued that work had been going on at a snail’s pace, putting the residents to great hardship. The villagers later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, demanding early completion of the project.
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Rs 75.9-cr credit plan okayed
Udhampur, March 18 Udhampur district development commissioner Ajay Khajuria asked the departments and bankers to lend special attention to deserving beneficiaries under various government-sponsored poverty-alleviation schemes for socio-economic transformation of the economically weaker sections of society. He stressed the need for strengthening the recovery machinery in the district but also urged the bankers to be liberal while processing the cases of educated unemployed and poor sections of society to raise their economic status. |
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Teacher held for cheating
Jammu, March 18 Official sources said AnujTrikha, a resident of Ban Talab and a teacher at a government school in Domana, had collected thousands of rupees from the residents of Gandhi Nagar and Nanak Nagar after faking himself as a PHE employee. Trikha, along with his accomplice, had been collecting water tax by issuing fake receipts of the PHE Department. However, his accomplice is yet to be arrested. |
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Jawan’s bag with arms, ammunition stolen
Jammu, March 18 The bag contained 140 bullets of Insas rifle, 60 other bullets, three magazines, two uniforms and an ATM card. The case was being investigated by the
CRPF.
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Cornered, security guards open fire
Srinagar, March 18 Karan Nagar Police Station SHO Sunil Gupta was travelling in his vehicle in his area today evening when it hit a car, official sources said. When he allegedly tried to speed away, people stopped his vehicle and attempted to manhandle him, prompting the security guards to open fire in the air. No one was injured in the incident. However, the firing created panic as people mistook it for a militant attack. Things returned to normal once the actual reason was known.
— PTI
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CTA elections tomorrow
Jammu, March 18 Voting would be held on March 20 and results would be declared on March 24. These elections are conducted after every two years. The candidates in the fray are Prof. Haqeeqat Singh Ishar, Government Degree College Poonch; Prof. Mukhtyar Singh Saini, Prof. Sanjay Verma , Prof. Avinash Gupta and Prof. Kuldeep Singh, all from GGM Science College, Jammu; and Dr. Vijay Sharma, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar.
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Woman’s chain snatched
Jammu, March 18 Meanwhile, the police today arrested a notorious drug peddler and seized 550 intoxicant capsules from his possession. Sources said Sanjay Sharma of Ghadwal was arrested at Jatwal check-post.
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Drug peddler held
Srinagar, March 18 On January 24, the Crime Branch had seized 9.531 kg and 470 gram of charas from Rather’s house at Wandina and another peddler Nissar Ahmad Sheikh's residence at Kanidevar locality of Hawal in Srinagar, respectively.
— PTI |
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Udhampur, March 18
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Udhampur, March 18
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