Srinagar, April 3
Residents of Khaigam village in south Kashmir held protests today demanding the shifting of a camp of the CRPF in the village, where a carpenter was killed by the security personnel on March 18.

The demonstrators, who have constituted a coordination committee on the pattern of Bomai in north Kashmir, also gave a deadline of April 20 for the shifting of the CRPF camp from the area, failing which they would start migrating en masse.

The protesters led by Abdul Rahim Bhat, head of the coordination committee, blocked the Pakharpora-Chrar-e-Sharief road today against the administration inaction. “In case the camp is not shifted by April 20, we will migrate from the village and hold a sit-in in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office”, said Bhat.

He said people had decided to migrate en masse, as they were not feeling secure in the presence of security personnel.

Having taken place about a month after the killing of two youths at Bomai village near Sopore in Baramulla district, the killing of the carpenter in Khaigam village of south Kashmir seems to be taking the same turn.

The government and the Army inquiries into the incident of Bomai killings had indicted the Army following which the 22 RR camp on the persistent demand of the residents was shifted from the village in month-end.

The villagers of Khaigam in the Pakharpora area of Pulwama district are also going along the same lines seeking the shifting of the camp of 181 CRPF.

Jammu, April 3
Ramnavami was celebrated today with full religious fervour and gaiety as thousands of devotees started visiting temples since early hours in the city to pay their obeisance to the Lord Rama.

A religious procession was taken out from the famous Raghunath Temple, in which idols of Lord Rama, Lakhsmana and Sita were kept on display. The procession went from various localities of the Jammu city and finally culminated at the Raghunath Temple.

“This is a tradition here that every year we come out with this type of procession where people from all walks of life and religion participate,” Ram Kumar, a priest at the Raghunath Temple, said.

Full security arrangements were made near the temples to maintain law and order and thwart nefarious designs of anti-national elements.

Srinagar, April 3
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inspected the newly constructed Legislature Complex and also reviewed the blueprint of proposed additional Civil Secretariat block here today.

He inspected the Assembly and Council Secretariat and also visited the Main Halls of the Legislature Complex, meeting rooms, Speaker’s and Chairman’s Chambers and other facilities available for the officers and staff at the new complex.

Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather and acting chairman, Legislative Council, Arvinder Singh Micky accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit.

The Speaker asked for some modifications in the main Assembly Hall as well as additional seats for the Council Hall.

Omar Abdullah asked the projects construction agencies to take necessary action for improvement in the facilities being provided in the complex. 

Rajouri, April 3
Residents of the Taryath area of Dharamsaal held a protest here today after unidentified gunmen shot dead a Bakkarwal in the Bei Nullah area late last night.

Demanding security for themselves and adequate compensation to the family members of the deceased, locals blocked the Siot-Kalakote road for over two hours in the morning and lifted the blockade only after the Tehsildar, Kalakote, assured them of action on their demands.

Police sources said a Bakkarwal, Muhammad Ashraf, was gunned down by unidentified gunmen at his house in Bei Nullah around 10.15 pm yesterday. They added that protesters around 50 in number blocked the Siot-Kalakote road, which also serves as an alternate road to the Jammu Poonch National Hghway through the Kalakote area, disrupting vehicular traffic for over two hours from 9 am to 11am.

The sources said the protesters were demanding security for the Bakkarwals living in the area and adequate compensation to the family members of the deceased. After the tehsildar, Kalakote, assured them that their demands would be considered sympathetically that the protesters lifted the blockade, they added.

Jammu, April 3
Though a physically challenged youth died due to the alleged negligence of an X-ray technician at the “prestigious” Government Medical College (GMC), the hospital authorities feigned ignorance about the incident. An FIR, too, had been registered following orders from the Chief Judicial Magistrate in the incident.

Mohammed Younis Choudhary, 28, a physically challenged youth, died on March 17 because of the alleged negligence of the technician. “The police refused to register an FIR against him forcing us to approach the court of the CJM”, said Manzoor Hussein Choudhary, younger brother of the deceased.

Though the Bakshi Nagar police had registered an FIR, no action had been taken against the technician so far, he added.

“In 2001, my brother lost his legs in a fatal road accident. But despite being physically challenged, he took life head on and had been working for the welfare of other physically challenged people”, said Manzoor.

Younis had constituted the Confederation of Physically Challenged to fight for the welfare of other people like him.

Meanwhile, he suffered from a urinary tract infection and had to be admitted to Rajouri District Hospital on March 1, said Manzoor. He added subsequently he was referred to the GMC hospital here on March 4. He later died at his home on March 17.

The X-ray technician despite being told that Younis could not stand forced him to do so. Younis fell down with a thud and sustained a fracture in his hip, Manzoor said, adding that while we picked him up, the technician fled.

Thereafter, the condition of my brother deteriorated sharply and he died on March 17, he said.

We approached former Power Minister Mohammed Sharief Niaz, and the minister assured us to take up the matter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Manzoor said.

Though an FIR was registered with Bakshi Nagar police station, no action had been taken against the technician till now.

On March 14, GMC doctors told us that Mohammed Younis had remote chances of survival and suggested us to take him home. Later Younis died on March 17, said Manzoor.

Meanwhile, the police officer concerned said a case under Section 338, RPC, had been registered and investigations were on.

However, GMC principal Dr Rajinder Singh feigned ignorance about the incident.

“ I have no knowledge about the incident and no complaint has come to me,”he said. He added around 500 cases report at the hospital emergency daily and it was not possible to keep track of every single case.

Jammu, April 3
The High Court has set aside the conviction of Simbo Devi and others by the Udhampur Sessions Judge holding that suspicion cannot be a substitute of legal proof.

The evidence led by the prosecution in this case does not prove any suspicion against the appellants and in such view of the matter, failure of the appellants to justify their submission that the deceased might have committed suicide, would not lead to any interference that they were responsible for the Poli’s death.

Accused of subjecting Poli Devi, wife of Hans Raj, to cruelty, five persons namely Phambi Ram, father-in-law, Krishni Devi, mother-in-law, Amita Devi, sister-in-law, Simbo Devi, wife of Phambi Ram’s brother and Parkash Chand, brother-in-law of Poli Devi, were sent for trail before the Udhampur Sessions Judge.

The Trial Court acquitted Parkash Chand and found the rest four guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 under Section 302 of the RPC and imprisonment of two years and a fine of Rs 5,000 under Section 201 of the RPC and in default of fine to one-year-and-six-month imprisonment.

Amicus Curiae appearing for appellants submitted that there was no evidence on records to prove that the appellants had been last seen with the deceased so their conviction for her murder was unsustainable.

The Division Bench while acquitting the appellants observed: “There is no acceptable evidence on records for holding that the appellants had any motive to kill the deceased. Statements of her relations are contradictory. So we do not find any evidence on records and on the basis whereof conclusion may be reached at, beyond any reasonable shadow of doubt, establishing the guilt of the appellants, excluding every hypothesis except that of the appellants guilt, because the prosecution has failed to prove the chain of events pointing out irresistibly only to the guilt of the appellants excluding entirely any hypothesis consistent with their innocence.”

Jammu, April 3
For excellence in the field of art and culture, youngest music maestro from the state Abhay Rustum Sopori was awarded the prestigious ‘Maa Sharika Samman’ in a function held at New Delhi today.

Abhay is the youngest Santoor maestro and classical musician to compose and conduct orchestras and folk ensembles, and has also been the youngest artist from the country to be awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award - Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar. He has also been honoured with the prestigious D\ogri Award, Sangeet Bhushan Award, Excellence Award, Young India Award, Juenjo Korean International Heritage Award and Kalawant Samman amongst others. He has participated in various prestigious festivals across the world.

The award was presented by Prof ML Madan, VC, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University and secretary of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Others who were honoured for their contribution in their respective fields include Brig. Sunil Razdan for Defence Services, MK Kaw for Civil Administration and Dr. Shakti Bhan for Medicine and Community Service.

Janvi Dhar was also felicitated for her meritorious achievement in academics. Maa Sharika Samman is given to individuals who have done exemplary work for the welfare of society. Various dignitaries attended the felicitation ceremony.

Jammu, April 3
A police team has left for Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to recover gold ornaments, which were looted from a shop, disposed of to jewellers in the two states. On March 30, the Jammu police had arrested four robbers who had looted Suri Jewellers at gunpoint in the densely populated New Plots area.

Official sources told The Tribune the police team had left for Jalandhar and Ludhiana where the robbers had sold the looted jewelry.

The team would also go to areas in Himachal Pradesh visited by one of the robbers to sell some of the looted ornaments, they added.

The Domana police had arrested one Rakesh Sharma, alias Mantu, of Bhour Camp, who during questioning confessed that he was an active member of a gang of robbers, which had looted the jewelry shop.

Jammu, April 3
Nabard has sanctioned a Rs 342.43-crore loan to the state government in the current financial year for the construction of rural roads, bridges, drinking water schemes, flood protection and irrigation projects.

Nabard chief general manager AK Mathur said Rs 410.64 crores was released during 2008-09 to the government for the development of rural infrastructure.

The cumulative amount sanctioned to the government by Nabard for infrastructure works out to Rs 2510.09 crore since 1995-96.

Jammu, April 3
Unemployed youth of the families that gave their agricultural land to the Bhaderwah campus of Jammu University (JU) have accused the previous state government of betraying their faith.

Maintaining that the previous state government had promised job to one member of the each family while they provided land to the campus at throwaway prices, they said no such promises were fulfilled even after two years.

Local youth have reportedly been observing a chain-hunger strike at the Bhaderwah campus for the past 27 days and have threatened to intensify their stir on the main campus of the university if their demands were not fulfilled.

Activists of the Bhaderwah Youth Organisation yesterday distributed pamphlets on the campus and sought support of various student organisations to stress upon government to fulfil the promises made by previous regime.

“As many as 212 families gave land to the campus after being assured by former Pro-chancellor and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad that the unemployed youth would get job on the campus,” president of the organisation Mudaseer Zargar said.

At that time the market rate of the land was Rs 15,000 per marla but villagers were convinced to sell their land at Rs 7,000 per marla. Now, the rates have soared up to Rs 30,000 per marla,” he added.

Naaz Zargar, another youth, said: “Agriculture was the prime occupation of the people. Now, having lost their land, younger generation has no means of income.”

The varsity has appointed as many as 45 candidates on the campus out of which families of only two candidates had given land for the campus.

Meanwhile, several student organisations have supported their demands, which include cancellation of jobs allotted to undeserving candidates, replacement of rector, Bhaderwah campus, and employment package for the youth of affected families.

Rector of the campus IA Hamal could not be reached out for his comments despite repeated attempts.

Srinagar, April 3
Continuing with protests after Friday prayers, youths held protests and clashed with the security forces leaving at least 20 persons, including some mediapersons and three CRPF men, injured.

Protests were also held in the apple rich town of Sopore in north Kashmir against the Supreme Court’s remarks on the sporting of beard, this being a day after hardline APHC leader Syed Ali Geelani had expressed serious concern over the remarks. At least six persons were injured in the clashes between the angry demonstrators and the police and the CRPF in Sopore after the Friday prayers today.

Though a heavy deployment of the police and the CRPF to avert any disturbance was made in the downtown localities around Jamia Masjid, trouble started in the nearby Kawdara area here this afternoon. Eyewitnesses said the youths took to streets after the prayers and held protests, prompting the police and the CRPF to resort to cane charge and teargas shelling. At least 20 persons, including some mediapersons and three CRPF men, were injured. The protests after Friday prayers have been going on over the past couple of months, which began with the killing of two youths in Bomai village of north Kashmir on February 21 last. This had also resulted in further clashes resulting in the killing of another youth at Nowhatta in the Jamia Masjid area here.

Jammu, April 3
Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh called on Governor NN Vohra here today and discussed the overall security situation in the state. They briefed the Governor about their assessment of the overall security scenario and the meetings that they had during their two-day visit to the state.

The Governor, the Union Home Secretary and the Defence Secretary reviewed issues relating to the recent attempts of infiltration from across the LoC.

Earlier, Gupta and Vijay Singh met senior officers of the state administration, the police, army and the paramilitary forces here and reviewed the security scenario.

Chief Secretary SS Kapur and DGP Kuldeep Khoda briefed the Union Secretaries about the security situation in the state and apprised them about the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Expressing satisfaction, the Union Secretaries said the elections would be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

Those present in the meeting included Financial Commissioner, Home, Samuel Verghese, DG, CID, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IG, Jammu, K. Rajendra, besides senior officers of the Army, CRPF and the BSF.

Jammu, April 3
With the police failing to check smuggling of bovines, irate villagers burnt another Kashmir-bound truck after unloading 11 animals at Magarkhad near Lakhanpur today.

This was the third incident in less than a month when angry villagers torched a vehicle being used to smuggle bovines in the Magharkhad area. Official sources said a truck bearing registration number JK02AD/3154 carrying 11 oxen developed a technical snag at Magarkhad during wee hours this morning

The bovine smugglers frequently use Magarkhad, a transit route of barren land, to smuggle animals to Jammu and then to Srinagar. After the truck broke down, both driver and cleaner fled leaving the truck, they said.

However, villagers spotted the truck with bovine animals in it, the sources said. They added that the irate villagers after unloading the animals set the truck on fire.

Meanwhile, two motorcycle-borne youths were killed when they were hit by a speeding vehicle on the sole bridge that connects Madhopur and Lakhanpur today. The police was yet to identify the youths.

Leh, April 3
Lack of experience of the Indian team of playing ice hockey on artificial ice that participated in recent International Ice Hockey Federation Challenge up Asia held in Dubai recently was main reason for the team not winning the tournament, said the Indian team Tundup Siksa. He was speaking on the occasion of reception party organised in the honour of the Indian team in Leh by the Ladakh winter sport club Friday.

It was the first Indian team to participate in an international event. And ice hockey association of India selected all members of the team from Ladakh. Ice hockey was recently recognized as a sport in the country. PT Kunzang, president, Ladakh winter sport club, said “Lack of infrastructure and equipment also affected the team performance at Abu Dhabi. Entire country does not have an international standard ice rink. The equipment which was used by the team during practice was either donated or second hand.” 

Udhampur, April 3
Governor NN Vohra today paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Trikuta Hills on the auspicious occasion of Ramnavami.

He prayed for brotherhood, communal harmony, peace, progress and prosperity in the state. Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), offered puran ahuti at the Chhat Chandi Maha Yagya, performed during the Navratras for world peace. The Maha Yagya concluded today.

He interacted with a large number of pilgrims and enquired about the arrangements made by the shrine board for them. He also took stock of various development works under execution and discussed measures for further development of the shrine area to provide more facilities to the pilgrims.

He issued instructions for immediately replacing the CGI sheets of rain and shelter sheds from Sanjichhat to the bhawan, besides repainting of iron grills and poles en route. He also asked for replacing the sodium vapour lights with energy saving bulbs. He also emphasised the need for raising of Vatikas on the alternate track from Adhkunwari to the bhawan for further improving the aesthetics and ambiance of this route.

Srinagar, April 3
Emphasising the importance of integrated industrial development for addressing the unemployment problem and improving the economy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stressed the need to focus on the growth of small and medium entrepreneurship in the state.

He was addressing a one-day leadership brief session on industrial growth and development organised by the Federation Chamber of Industries, Kashmir (FCIK) at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre here today.

The Chief Minister said the small industrial sector had a pivotal role in sustained economic development. He added that small and medium entrepreneurs in the state provided jobs to eight lakh people. “The sector, if properly supported, can absorb another 4-5 lakh people, easily reducing the pressure on job market. Here comes the role of the government, which it will render in its full capacity”, he said.

Omar said the thrust in the education sector would be on enhancing employability of the educated youth.

The Chief Minister said in the past it had been observed that big industrial houses came to the state, took advantage of the packages and concessions, but left midway without contributing to the larger goal of industrialisation. “We have to encourage local entrepreneurs at large, but continue our efforts to rope in big industrialists as a bonus”, he said.

He said while there was a need to work hard to persuade and change the mindset of big businessmen, “we have to concentrate on upgrading, improving and growing the local SMEs.”

Omar said industrialisation in the targeted sectors of agriculture, horticulture, sericulture, floriculture, food processing and information technology should be the goal.

Referring to the availability of power for industrial growth, the Chief Minister said this was the key area for economic development and steps were already afoot for a “comprehensive development of the power sector”.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Ali Mohammad Sagar said industrial growth was kick-started in the state by late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1977 and the private sector received a considerable boost under his leadership.

He said the number of small industrial units, which were around 600 in 1970’s, jumped to 33,000 in over a decade. 

Srinagar, April 3
Expressing dismay over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s disapproval of using the NSA against BJP’s Varun Gandhi for his anti-Muslim utterances, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has said Omar’s remarks had “exposed the deceitful politics” of his party.

“On one hand Omar Abdullah is enjoying power in the state with the Congress while on the other hand trying to keep his old friends in the BJP in good humour for a future alliance post-Lok Sabha polls,” Mehbooba said.

Addressing party workers here today, she said Omar Abdullah by opposing the use of the NSA against Varun Gandhi, only endorsed the stand of the right-wing groups like the RSS, Bajrang Dal and the VHP on the issue.

Mehbooba said instead of shedding tears over the plight of Varun, Omar should have shown same concern for the hundreds of Kashmiri detenues booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).

“Though Omar has not kept his election promise of releasing all political detenues within one week of the formation of his government, it would have been appropriate if he had at least shown similar concern for them as he did for Varun Gandh,” she said and referred to the re-arrest of separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah.

Udhampur, April 3
As atrocities committed by militants have crossed all limits, people in the remotest areas of Doda and Kishtwar districts have started sharing information with the security forces about the movement of militants or suspects in their respective areas.

It was all due to vital information provided by the people that the security forces have eliminated 186 militants, including some top commanders, during the last one year in the mountainous districts of Kishtwar and Doda.

Killing of six militants, including two top commanders, in Sadhwa village in 15 days was possible only due to the cooperation and support of the residents. “After March 14 encounter, the locals were themselves chasing three militants who had managed to escape from the site,” a senior police officer told The Tribune and admitted that it was all due to efforts of the locals that the security forces managed to track down all three of them.

Earlier it was only “paid informers” of the security forces who used to provide information about the movement, location and the activities of the militants, but now the common people are coming forward to share information with the cops.

“Strengthening of democratic institutions, besides bringing transparency and accountability in the functioning of the government contributed for this change,” DIG, Doda-Ramban range, Hemant Kumar Lohia said.

Incidents of extortion and kidnapping of women by the militants have increased, especially in the inaccessible and remotest areas. People want to get rid of such atrocities so they are coming forward to share information with the security forces about the activities of militant groups in their areas.

Though the Kishtwar police has rescued women and teenager boys from the clutches of the militants, reports of forcible marriages and recruitments continued to pour in from far-flung areas.

Jammu, April 3
The Jammu and Kashmir National Sikh Front has expressed dismay over the CBI giving a clean chit to Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

In a statement issued here today, chairman of the front Varinder Jeet Singh said post-assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, there were no riots against the Sikhs, but termed it as a genocide in which thousands of Sikhs across the country were brutally murdered.

“We ask the Congress to tell us that if there was no hand of the party in the 1984 killings then why Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apologised in the Parliament and expelled Tytler from the Cabinet in 2004 after the Sikh protests” Varinder Jeet Singh said.

He said the minorities in the country were not safe and the Congress was trying to save the skin of the people who killed thousands of innocent Sikhs in the country.