|
|
State on high alert
Ban on sale of combat dress
Carpenter’s killing
Division Bench quashes SRO 430 of 2007
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BSP woos Gujjars, Rajputs
Broken windowpanes of the Jammu University administrative block after a bloody clash on Friday. Photo: Inderjeet Singh
BJP decision to field
Leela, Nirmal infuriates RSS
Leela for citizenship rights to PoK refugees
MC to impose house tax
MBA student drowns
Women’s panel to rape victim’s rescue
Strengthen NCC activities: Vohra
Training programme for farmers
Jawan dies of burn injuries
Panthers to name other candidates soon
Security reviewed
Vohra greets people on Nauroz
Polling begins for CTA chief’s post
|
|
State on high alert
Jammu, March 20 The security agencies are fully geared up to deal with any type of crisis. They have inputs that some heavily armed terrorists, most of them from the Taliban, will try to sneak into India to create disturbances in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the country. Speaking to The Tribune, IG, Jammu range, K Rajendra said, “Let them try. We are on a high alert, and I must assure you that our security agencies, including the police, is fully prepared to foil their nefarious designs. We would ensure that no problem is caused during the general elections in the state.” He said the situation (political) in Pakistan was not good and that country would try to divert the world attention from it toward the Kashmir issue. “At present, the world attention is focused on what is happening in Pakistan and they would try to divert the attention toward Kashmir. So, we are fully prepared and the forces are already kept on a high alert.” The security agencies have taken various measures to avert the designs of the militants, who would try to infiltrate to create disturbance. “The border is being monitored by the BSF and the Army stands behind it. Then there are village defence committees and the border police posts. We have also trained people to report any sort of suspicious moment to the local police,” Rajendra said. “Various security agencies are holding regular meetings and information is being shared regularly. Frisking, checking on the national highway and surprise checks are being conducted in the city and adjacent towns. “The security agencies are also conducting surgical operations to eliminate the top leadership of terrorist organisations to make them headless,” the IG said. |
|
Ban on sale of combat dress
Udhampur, March 20 The use of Army-type painted vehicles by civilians has also been banned of Udhampur district. The ban has been imposed in view of reports that militants are moving in remote areas of the district wearing services uniforms. The militants are posing as Army men or security personnel and harassing people. |
|
Accused CRPF men in police custody
12 injured in Srinagar clashes Tribune News Service
Srinagar, March 20 An assistant commandant and three jawans have been accused of shooting in cold blood Mohiudin Malik(30), father of four children. Meanwhile, 12 persons, including four security personnel, were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in downtown areas today. The police said protests erupted soon after Friday prayers as a large number of youth took to streets condemning the killing of a carpenter in Khaigam in Pulwama on Wednesday. They started pelting stones in Nowhatta and Safa Kadal. The police resorted to cane-charge and tear-shelling to disperse the crowd. Some cops and CRPF personnel were also hurt in the stone-pelting by the crowd. Meanwhile, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ali Mohammad Sagar assured the people of Khaigam in Pulwama district that exemplary action would be taken against those found guilty for the killing of the carpenter. A government spokesperson said ordering of a magisterial probe into the incident was a clear message by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that human rights violations could not be tolerated at any cost. Sagar after his yesterday’s visit said the district administration would immediately release ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased and old-age pension to his family, besides free education for the children of the deceased. He has also ordered for appointment of one family member of the bereaved family as a government servant.
|
|
Division Bench quashes SRO 430 of 2007
Jammu, March 20 The appellants along with other candidates approached the Writ Court seeking to contend that the insertions made in SRO 158 of 1995 by SRO 430 of 2007 are inappropriate and not sustainable because such insertions stood in the way of petitioners being eligible to offer themselves for being admitted in postgraduate medical courses. The Single Judge rejected the Writ Petition on the ground that insertions so made are aimed at fulfilling the Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Section 24 of the state Constitution. SRO 158 of 1995 sets down the eligibility of candidates who are entitled to apply for being considered for admission in postgraduate courses in medical colleges. By SRO 430 of 2007, two clauses were added to SRO 158 of 1995, whereby and under an in-service aspirant seeking admission is required to have at least two years of rural service experience, he would be entitled to apply for being considered for admission. The Division Bench while setting aside the judgment and order under appeal observed that “Had there been a policy of the government that every entrant in medical services would be required to serve either two years or more in rural areas as a condition of his service, it could be said eligibility fixed by insertions was achievable by the candidate seeking admission through his own volition by exercise of his option to join medical service. In the absence of such policy, rendering of two-year rural service by the Health Department would depend on his being per chance posted in a rural area for two years. If eligibility is fixed on the basis of per chance, achievement thereof would not depend upon either effort or volition; the same will depend on fortune, and fortune cannot be regarded as eligibility. There is admittedly no such policy. We accordingly, hold that SRO 430 of 2007 cannot stand the test of law and, accordingly, allow the appeal, set aside the judgment and order under appeal and quash SRO 430 of 2007.” |
|
BSP woos Gujjars, Rajputs
Udhampur, March 20 As without support of Rajputs and Gujjars, it is difficult to win the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, the party has devised a strategy to consolidate its vote bank. To lure Rajputs, the party has given the mandate to Rakesh Wazir, a young Rajpur leader who belongs to a political family, whereas for wooing Gujjars, the BSP has been stoutly opposing reservation to Paharis and supporting political reservation for the Scheduled Tribes. Rajputs, Gujjars and the Scheduled Castes together comprise 60 per cent of the 14 lakh votes in the Udhampur-Doda constituency. “We have already initiated many steps to consolidate our base among Gujjars”, BSP state president Tulsi Dass Langeh told The Tribune, adding that “ours is the only political group in the state which has been supporting the cause of the Scheduled Tribe Gujjar community”. He pointed out that out of the six Lok Sabha seats of the state, the BSP has fielded two Gujjars - Choudhary Hussain Ali (Jammu-Poonch) and Gulam Mustafa Kasana (Baramulla). BSP leaders have been convening meetings of Gujjars to consolidate their base. Gujjars have a strong presence in the Mahore, Arnas, Inderwal, Banihal, Ramban, Ramnagar, Chenani, Dodu-Bastangarh areas that fall in the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency. In every meeting with Gujjars, the BSP leaders are raking up the issue of political reservations to the Scheduled Tribes and assured to take up this issue at platforms. Gujjars in the state have been opposing reservations to Paharies and the BSP is the only party that joined with Gujjars on this issue. Unlike other political parties, the BSP leaders are trying to bring common Gujjars and Bakerwals, especially government employees, to its fold. Instead of wooing prominent Gujjars leaders in the party, the BSP has been concentrating on common people. |
|
Ex-MLC’s son opens fire in JU
Jammu, March 20 Official sources told the Tribune that Amandeep Singh, son of former MLC Deepinder Kour, fired at least two rounds from a revolver, injuring security guard Sahil Kumar and JU student Virinder Singh Chib. They said trouble started outside the Vice-Chancellor’s chamber in the administrative block of the campus, where students were protesting against a professor of the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), who had allegedly molested a girl student recently. The protesting students were dissatisfied over their meeting with DDE Director Rajeev Gupta. However, to resolve the issue the DDE Director along with the victim and Dean Students Welfare Dhian Singh Bhau met Vice-Chancellor Varun Sahni in his chamber, the sources said. When the protests against the professor, a reader in Punjabi language in the DDE, were going on Amandeep Singh along with two friends Vinay Sharma and an unidentified Sikh boy arrived there, they added. The sources said Amandeep Singh entered into an altercation with Virinder Singh over some old issue. Virinder Singh slapped Amandeep Singh, who in turn took out a revolver and fired two rounds before fleeing, they added. While Virinder Singh sustained a minor injury, a bullet hit security guard Sahil Kumar in his leg. Panicked by gunshots, students ran helter-skelter and in the stampede a sweeper, Khursheed, sustained a fracture in his leg, the sources said. The assailants forcibly took away the motorcycle (JK02AA/6809) of physics lab attendant Vijay Kumar and while fleeing the Sikh boy attacked law student Jeetu at the main entrance gate with a Kirch. A police officer from Gandhi Nagar police station said Amandeep Singh had fired two rounds injuring the security guard. SSP Jammu, Manohar Singh said, “A protest was going on in the university. Amandeep Singh had an altercation with a student and he fired a shot from a licensed gun, injuring a security guard.” “He is absconding, but we will get him soon,” he added. Meanwhile, the Jammu University Teachers Association, Officers’ Forum, Non-Teaching Employees Association and Non-Gazetted Employees Association has condemned the incident. It has decided to observe a token protest on March 23.
|
|
|
BJP decision to field
Leela, Nirmal infuriates RSS
Udhmapur, March 20 The RSS leadership has taken a serious note of the BJP’s attempt to make a political gain out of the Amarnath land agitation, as the Sangh Parivar has been working overtime to maintain the apolitical character of the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti. Though the RSS has not openly expressed its unhappiness, sources said the Sangh had directed its cadre to maintain a distance from the election campaign of BJP candidates. “This is the second time during the past four months that the arrogant BJP leadership has ignored our suggestions,” a senior RSS leader told the Tribune. “Earlier, the Sangh Parivar had opposed Shilpi Verma as BJP candidate from Bishnah. But our suggestion was outrightly rejected by influential BJP leaders, who had some personal grudge against sitting Bishnah MLA Ashwani Sharma.” Shilpi Verma is the wife of late Kuldeep Verma, who had allegedly committed suicide during the Amarnath land agitation. Sources said the RSS vociferously opposed the BJP decision to field Leela Karan Sharma, former convener of the samiti. Leela Karan had successfully led the Amarnath land agitation and emerged as the tallest nonpolitical figure in the Jammu province. “We were of the view that the nonpolitical character of Leela Karan Sharma should be maintained because political activists of other parties were also actively involved in the sangarsh samiti. But the BJP wooed him into politics to reap political benefits of the agitation”, rued a former ABVP leader. The Sangh Parivar, the sources said, had proposed the name of Dr Jatinder Singh for the Udhampur-Doda seat and suggested the BJP leadership not to drag Leela Karan Sharma into politics. “Instead of accepting our proposals, the BJP leadership gave ticket to Leela Karan and rejected our proposal of Dr Jatinder Singh”, he said. The sources further said the annoyed RSS cadre were giving sleepless nights to the BJP leadership. To placate the infuriated RSS, senior BJP leader and in charge of state affairs Manohar Lal rushed to Jammu and held a close-door meeting with senior RSS functionaries to resolve the crisis.
|
|
|
Leela for citizenship rights to PoK refugees
Jammu, March 20 Khajuria said for the remaining four Lok Sabha seats “the party would announce candidates soon. The party might go in for an alliance with like-minded parties as and when such a possibility arises. Since the election in Ladakh is far, the party will decide about the candidate later”. Asked about the impact of the Amarnath land agitation, Khajuria said, “All communities, including Muslims, supported me in the agitation. It was not a fight against any community, but erosion of our ethos. The BJP does not believe in polarisation.” Asked about joining politics, Leela Karan said, “Without a political platform, I can never wage a fight against discrimination against Jammu. As a lawyer, I took up the fight for Amarnath land to its logical end. I am determined to do the same for Jammu, which has unfortunately stuck between the Centre and Kashmir.” He said his second priority would be to deliver citizenship rights to 1.5 lakh refugees from the PoK, who had settled in Jammu since year 1947. Dr Nirmal Singh said besides working for the empowerment of Jammu, he would also work toward resolving the issue of unemployment in the state. He criticised disbanding of VDCs in the state. |
|
|
MC to impose house tax
Jammu, March 20 Mayor Kavinder Gupta said the house tax would be charged on those who have houses on plots measuring more than five marlas. Besides, other criteria would also be formulated for charging house tax from the Jammuites. Gutpa said: “After the election process for the Lok Sabha is over, I will place this proposal before Chief Minister Omar Abdhullah for consideration.” While justifying imposition of house and sanitation taxes to make the corporation self- reliant, he said every house who pays Rs 300 per month as TV cable fee could afford to pay this meagre house tax and sanitation fee. |
|
|
MBA student drowns
Udhampur, March 20 Six MBA students from a private management institute of Bangalore were on their way to Mata Vaishno Devi. The boys had reportedly gone to Patnitop where they spent a night. While returning from Patnitop, the students track down into Toldi Nullah at Samroli to have a bath. The police said while taking a bath, two students namely Rohit Kumar and Amit Kumar slipped into the water. The students raised alarm and some locals rushed to the spot. Amit Kumar was rescued by his friends. However, Rohit Kumar drowned in Toldi Nullah. A case has been registered. |
|
|
Women’s panel to rape victim’s rescue
Jammu, March 20 It has been learnt that the SCW has also decided to approach the district administration so as to ensure justice to the victim vis-a-vis her rehabilitation. Regarding the rehabilitation of the victim, who has none to look after her, the SCW secretary said the commission would do whatever possible to help the victim. Cooling their heels in a police lock-up in Narwal police post here, one of the two rapists, Rajan Kumar, alias Raju, of Narwal Bala, has seven daughters. Rajan Kumar along with his accomplice, Sanjay Kumar of Sudh Mahadev in Udhampur, had allegedly raped the 40-year-old woman in a truck in Rajeev Nagar here yesterday. Official sources said, Rajan Kumar and Sanjay Kumar, both drivers, have confessed their crime in their statements to the police. The police said medical examination of the victim had been conducted at the Government Medical College. |
|
|
Strengthen NCC activities: Vohra
Jammu, March 20 The Governor expressed keen interest and emphasised the need to revitalise the NCC in the state and enlarge its coverage to include students from
Kargil, Zanskar and Leh areas. He said the NCC needed to be taken to the farthest and far-flung areas of the state to bring more and more youth under its umbrella, and to particularly have more girls in the junior and senior divisions. The Governor observed that the NCC inculcated discipline and spirit of camaraderie and resilience, which were the pre-requisite for a balanced personality development. |
|
|
Training programme for farmers
Jammu, March 20 While inaugurating a technical session on residual effects of chemical fertiliser & pesticide, their judicious use and prevention of farming accidents, Sharma highlighted the role of extension functionaries and impact of information to be exchanged for the welfare of farming community. During a field trip to the fungicide/pesticide units of
Bari-Brahmana/Samba, farmers were introduced to organic farming. Scientists also gave tips on global warming, cultural practices for insect pest management, preventive measures, safety parameters and balance dose of chemicals. |
|
|
Jawan dies of burn injuries
Srinagar, March 20 Lance Naik Mahesh Prasad of 175 Medium Regiment succumbed to his injuries received after a kerosene stove developed a snag in sentry post at Panzgam under Kralpora police post early morning, the spokesman said. A case has been registered
In another incident, an eight-year-old girl drowned in a stream at Palpora in the Qazigund area of Anantnag district this morning. Shaafi, a third standard student, fell into the stream while playing near her house and drowned, the spokesman said, adding that her body was later fished out and handed over to her relatives.
— PTI
|
|
|
Panthers to name other candidates soon
Jammu, March 20 JKNPP Legislative Party leader Harsh Dev Singh said: “There is no negative implication on us if the BJP has decided to field its candidate as the party will go ahead with Prof. Bhim Singh as its candidate from the Udhampur Doda constituency.”
|
|
|
Security reviewed
Jammu, March 20 The meeting reviewed the security situation in the Jammu region in view of the forthcoming parliamentary elections from April 16 to May 13. |
|
|
Vohra greets people on Nauroz
Jammu, March 20 Vohra hoped that the auspicious occasion would be the harbinger of harmony, brotherhood, peace, progress and prosperity in the state. |
|
|
Polling begins for CTA chief’s post
Jammu, March 20 There are 35 colleges in Jammu province. Voting was held in eight colleges of the city today. These colleges have submitted their ballot boxes to the College Election Commission. The election process would continue till Monday and the results would be declared on March 24. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
