Jammu, April 20
Separate incidents of fire reduced standing wheat crop covering as many as 143 kanals of land to ashes yesterday.

A major fire razed bone-dry crop in the border village of Agra Chak in RS Pura tehsil and at Goh-Brahmna village in Vijaypur tehsil of Samba district.

At Agra Chak, the fire broke out last evening due to unknown reasons, which was further spread by high-velocity winds.

Subsequently, it engulfed wheat crop in adjoining fields of Kotala Badyal village as well. As many as 20 farmers have suffered losses, including 18 in Agra Chak village and two in Kotala Badyal.

Police sources said the Fire and Emergency Services Department immediately pressed fire tenders into service to douse flames but only after fire had reduced wheat crop to stubble on around 98 kanals of land.

Though field agencies term the incident as “accidental”, farmers have been accusing the local Municipal Corporation of the incident.

According to them, municipal employees burnt the garbage dump in a dry pond near the cremation ground that is adjacent to their fields. Eventually, the strong winds spread fire to their fields.

“We have reported the matter to the police,” farmers said, adding that, “Last year, too, wheat standing on thousand acres had reduced to ashes in different incidents but we did not get any relief or compensation despite assurances.”

Subdivisional Agricultural Officer Ashwani Koul said: “We have assessed the losses and handed over a report in this regard to the director. It will be submitted to the government tomorrow.”

He said due to the fire, farmers had lost 175 quintals of wheat produce. Now, revenue officers would make verifications in the light of several aspects and accordingly compensation would be given, he added.

In another incident, wheat fields over 45 kanals of land reportedly went up in flames at Goh-Brahmna village of Vijaypur tehsil yesterday due to short circuit of overhead transmission wires.

Farmers alleged that it happened due to the slackness of the Power Development Department (PDD), as wires were loosely hanging over their fields.

However, Samba Chief Agricultural Officer Arun Kumar Makhnotra expressed ignorance over the matter and said, “No such incident has been reported to me.”

Jammu, April 20
Almost four decades after an MoU was signed between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab over the sharing of Ravi waters, the project lays buried under the carpet.

As a consequence, not only are farmers in the Kandi areas of Kathua and Samba
districts being deprived of irrigation water, but the state also continues to lose
foodgrain production.

As per the agreement signed in 1979, the Ravi canal was to take off from the proposed Shahpur-Kandi barrage to be constructed by the Punjab government, approximately 12 km downstream of the Ranjit Sagar dam.

But Punjab has not constructed the Shahpur-Kandi barrage even 39 years after the agreement was signed.

The state government has completed the construction of 80 km of the main Ravi Canal Irrigation Project with approximately 585 km of distribution network with the interim lift arrangements in the form of Basantpur and Lakhanpur lift stations.

Besides, the department concerned has also set up Ujh barrage to augment supplies from the Ujh River.

Experts believe that the agreement will never be transformed into reality by Punjab as after the Ranjeet Sagar dam, water is not running down to Pakistan.

“In Punjab, water is being utilised for 1.33 lakh acres and if it diverts the same amount of water to the state, farmers are bound to suffer. We apprised the Punjab government last month and it has assured us to take up the construction of the barrage soon,” said Chief Engineer, Ravi Tawi Irrigation Complex (RTIC), BR Dogra.

He added: “We will have to explore other options in case the proposed barrage take more time to come up or Punjab government continues to dishonour the agreement.”

Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din said: “In the absence of
the Shahpur-Kandi barrage, 10 lakh kanals of agricultural area is lying barren in the
catchment area along the Ravi.”

“The Punjab government is no more reliable and we have come up with a Rs 522-crore irrigation project of the Ravi near Basolhi Morh. It will be taken up by a Cabinet Subcommittee soon,” the minister added.

Jammu, April 20
State BJP spokesperson Ramesh Arora has condemned the statement of National Conference president Farooq Abdullah that "the BJP-PDP combine is planning to bring back former Governor Jagmohan to abrogate Article 370" and termed it as an act of Farooq’s frustration.

Talking to mediapersons at the party headquarters here today, Arora said being power hungry, Farooq Abdullah had gone to the extent that he had crossed all limits of political ethics.

His allegation that LK Advani had paid money to the PDP was irresponsible and unsustainable, he added.

Asking the NC president to maintain the morality of politics, Arora threatened Farooq to desist making false, baseless and frivolous statement.

He said his frustration had much to do with the fear of shifting the NC’s vote bank and growing popularity of the BJP among the masses.

Arora said the BJP was not responsible if the Congress had given conditional support to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah instead of Farooq Abdullah.

“The atmosphere of the state was spoiled earlier in the land row agitation by such irresponsible statement made by Farooq, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. The BJP will not allow them to spoil the atmosphere again for the sake of vote bank and will expose every attempt made to disturb communal harmony,” he maintained.

“As far as the BJP is concerned, we are committed to the abrogation of Article 370 and for the integration of the state with India. We will take the support of everyone in this process and Farooq Abdullah is welcome to join us in the drive,” he added.

He termed the NC president’s allegation that “for the abrogation of Article 370, they have a hidden agenda or understanding with PDP” as shameful and condemnable.

Arora also questioned the sincerity of former CM whereby he first contested the recently held Assembly election from two constituencies and thereafter resigned from both to reach the Rajya Sabha.

He also threatened Farooq Abdullah not to level baseless charges against the BJP otherwise his party would have no option but to initiate legal proceedings against him and bring matter to the notice of the Election Commission.

Khaigam (Pulwama), April 20
An eerie silence prevails in this sleepy village nestled in the karevas dotted with blooming apple orchards, pear and almond trees amid the carpets of mustard fields in full bloom, waiting for the prosperous summer season ahead.

The restiveness over the killing of a carpenter, Ghulam Mohiuddin Malik, allegedly
by CRPF personnel from a nearby camp on March 18, draws attention away from
its serene surroundings.

The deadline for an en masse migration threat from the village in case the CRPF camp was not shifted, set by the coordination committee, ended today and any final decision would be taken tomorrow, Abdul Rashid Bhat, chief of the committee, told The Tribune here today.

They earlier had meetings with district officers of the police and civil administration, which had been impressing upon the villagers to reconsider the decision.

After the killing of the carpenter, Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, who visited the village, had assured them that adequate measures would be taken in this regard. “But, so far there has been no positive response”, said Bhat.

An officer and three CRPF constables were suspended in connection with the incident, though the inquiry report is awaited.

District police officers have called a meeting with the representatives from the village at Pulwama tomorrow. “We are trying to address the problem,” said Rafiq-ul-Hassan, SSP, Pulwama district.

The police investigations into the incident were under way and the report would be submitted soon, he said.

The police officers held that the administration had assured the villagers that their concerns over the alleged harassment of farmers in fields and pollution in surroundings had been taken note of.

However, any decision to shift the security camp depends upon the overall security scenario in the area that falls between the two districts of Pulwama and Budgam, about 50 km south west of Srinagar.

“We have been demanding action against those involved in the killing of the carpenter,” said Bhat.

The coordination committee comprising over 30 male members of the village had also upheld its demand for shifting of the security camps from the area that were occupying over 300 kanals of agricultural land.

For the past 15 years, people had been demanding the shifting of the camps from the vicinity of the village, the villagers said.

Srinagar, April 20
Five persons, including two militants and a CRPF personnel, were killed in three incidents in the valley while the security forces unearthed a hideout in Tral and seized arms, ammunition and a few gas cylinders.

In the wee hours of today, the police joined by 29 RR and 117 battalion of the CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation at Mandyari village in Pattan when militants present in the house of Ghulam Mohammad Khanday fired on them, the police said.

In the ensuing encounter Hizbul Mujahideen militant AR Baigh of Sumbal and CRPF jawan Amit Kumar were killed.

Two CRPF jawans, Bhopal Singh and Pratap Yadav, besides two police constables, were also injured in the encounter.

A retired cop died in the firing from a militant hiding in his house when the security forces surrounded it. The militant was also gunned down later, the police said.

During a cordon-and-search operation carried out by the Kupwara police and 47 RR at Checki Nutnusain Kupwara, militants who were holed up in the house of Shafi Khan began firing and killed him. A militant was also shot dead in the shootout.

However, locals alleged that the Army pressured Shafi into persuading the militants for surrender which caused his death, an allegation denied by the Army.

Militants killed Manzoor Ahmad Kolie, who was a former militant and presently leading normal life, in Tral.

Though no militant body has taken the responsibility, the police suspect that it was a revenge killing as the deceased was a former militant.

The Army unearthed a big hideout in Tral today, recovering arms, ammunitions and a large quantity of food and cooking materials. Some gas cylinders were also seized.

In another operation, the Baramulla police along with 129 battalion of the CRPF and 32 RR seized one IED, one AK magazine, 14 AK-47 rounds, 11 detonators and one remote control at Fedarapora near a bridge. They defused the IED on the spot.

Officials said different miliatnt groups active in the valley were coordinating their plans to carry out some serious terror attack during the poll.

Areas with good presence of militants like Doda and Tral have seen vigorous grouping and meetings among militants. Security officials have also stepped up their drive to take them out.

Reports said the LeT had warned people to keep away from electioneering as its suicide squads would target mainstream politicians and their functions.

“We oppose the elections as they are a drama to hoodwink the international
community,” he said.

Srinagar, April 20
Traditional silverware of Kashmir with intricate artwork is finding great favour in the international market while its popularity has also increased in the domestic market.

The artwork on silver item is known as ‘naqash’ that covers a wide range of silver items. Prominent among them are flower vases, chinars, ornamental picture-frames, cigarette cases, tumblers and others.

For years these are being used and liked by the Kashmiri people. Kashmiri silverware, especially ornamental picture-frames and other items, are in demand in Europe.

“We export it also. We make items of traditionally Kashmiri houseboats, chinars kangariyas and samovars and they are exported to Europe,” said Tufail Ahmad, a shop owner and dealer of silverware.

Silverwares are commonly used gift items during marriages in Kashmir. The main production centres of silverware in Kashmir are areas in the old city of Srinagar.

Silver products of household items are also made by craftsmen such as fruit bowls, plates, samovars (tea kettle), flower vases, tea-sets, soap boxes, purses, ornamental picture-frames, cigarette-cases, tumblers and trays.

Craftsmen of Kashmir are trying to upgrade this traditional artwork by ensuring the quality and beauty of silver products. — ANI

Jammu, April 20
Governor NN Vohra reviewed facilities set up for pilgrims by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at Railhead in Jammu today.

The Governor visited both Vaishnavi Dham and Saraswati Dham and interacted with pilgrims and the staff in these dharamshalas.

He appreciated the quality of services being offered to the pilgrims, particularly in regard to accommodation, bhojanalayas, cloakrooms.

The Governor directed the chief executive officer of the shrine board, BB Vyas, to take all necessary steps to ensure proper maintenance of buildings and provide best sanitation and hygiene in the dharamshalas.

The Governor emphasised the need for improving maintenance, sanitation and upkeep of the dharamshalas to make pilgrims’ stay comfortable.

The Governor discussed plans for Kalika Dham to be constructed on a patch of land between Saraswati Dham and Vaishnavi Dham for the facilitation of pilgrims keeping in view the yatri groups that visit Jammu in transit to the pilgrimage to the shrine.

He laid emphasis on the effective designing of the new Complex keeping in mind its aesthetic look as well as satisfying the functional requirements of the pilgrims.

The Governor desired that the best quality material should be used and the project should be completed in a time-bound manner.

He asked for getting the design and plans ready within two months time so that the project can be started at the earliest.

The Governor also directed that measures should be taken to strengthen working of the Information Centre at the Jammu Airport and at Vaishnavi Dham and Saraswati Dham so that pilgrims were suitably guided and facilitated on all aspects of yatra.

The Governor also stressed further introducing staff welfare measures, particularly medical facilities, through an appropriate health insurance scheme.

He directed the functionaries of the board to address the issue of putting in place terminal benefits for the employees working in the board.

They demanded that the strength of a section should be 30 students and a representative of parents may be kept in the management body of the school.

Jammu, April 20
Congress candidate from the Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency Lal Singh accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Industries Surjit Singh Salathia and former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma addressed a series of meetings in Kathua district today.

Intensifying the party’s election campaign, senior leaders of the coalition addressed nearly 12 meetings in Kathua, Basohli Assembly segments today.

They asked the electorate to be vigilant about the vicious propaganda of the opposition parties like the BJP, which were bereft of any policy and programme for the welfare and development of the state.

Lal Singh said these parties were sowing the seeds of division and hatred in society. Slathia warned that the opposition parties were creating a wedge between regions and religions for their political interests.

“Nowadays, the BJP and other parties like the PDP and Panthers Party compliment and supplement each other,” Sharma added.

They appealed to people to vote for the Congress to bring back UPA at the Centre and carry forward the development of the state.

Jammu, April 20
The state National Panthers Party has intensified its elections campaign to woo voters from the Doda-Udhampur parliamentary constituency, as party supremo Prof Bhim Singh has been contesting the seat.

Party leaders are leaving no stone unturned to woo voters in the area. The party claims that it has established a hedge around Congress and BJP candidates. The Panthers Party has been organising rallies to show its strength in the constituency.

Bhim Singh also made an appeal to voters to defeat Congress, BJP and other national parties’ candidates so that he could represent the voice of the people of the state in Parliament.

He assured the voters to involve the people of the state, particularly the youth, in the national reconstruction and strengthening integration between the state and the rest of the country.

Bhim Singh flayed the ‘opportunistic alliance’ between ‘the NC and the Congress’ for the sake of power, as there was nothing common between the two parties.

The NC leaders said the coalition was committed to an equitable development of all regions and areas.

They said both parties believed in a secular, democratic setup and unity of Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Jammu, April 20
The Shiv Sena Hindustan today held a demonstration at Exhibition Ground in protest against the increase in the annual fees, supply of books and uniform at higher rates by CBSE-affiliated schools here.

The protesters burnt an effigy of Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed
on the occasion.

Dimpy Kohli, president of the sena, said it seemed that the government was hand in glove with the owners of these schools.

However, he appreciated the director, school education (DES), for forming a committee to have a check on the malpractice.

Kohli alleged that teachers in these schools were not getting adequate salaries.

He alleged that the salaries were given by cheques 60 per cent of which was taken back in cash.

“We will also approach the Income Tax Department to have a check on these schools,” he added.