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Voters throng polling booths
in remote areas
A vote for
roti, bijli, pani
They vote for development
Mirwaiz now calls for poll boycott
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Udhampur records 45 pc polling
Jehlum Embankment
Wheat crop on 139 kanals destroyed
Scrapping of AFSPA
Security forces on high alert
20 injured in Baramulla clashes
High Fees: Parents meet DSE
Yaseen Malik under house arrest
BSF jawan dies as rifle goes off
Three killed in mishaps
Leh: Five file nominations
Four held for Poonch blast
Delay in removing pay anomalies rued
Sajad Lone files papers
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Voters throng polling booths
in remote areas
Navapachhi (Kishtwar), April 23 This came to light when a team of mediapersons was flown in a helicopter to inaccessible areas like Navapachhi in Kishtwar district, which has no power supply and phone connectivity. Surrounded by snow-bound mountains, Navapachhi is situated nearly 350 km from Jammu. Long queues were seen and even though it snowed here yesterday, people braved harsh weather to cast votes. It was six months ago that a senior politician visited the area. Otherwise, it is his party workers who mobilise people. Mobeena Begum said though they would not get anything by voting in the elections, she had come for fun. “There is no activity here. Polling is just fun. I came along with other women,” she said. However, some still have a hope. “Voting is meaningless for us. But I still hope the government will provide power supply and an all-weather road in the area,” said Rukhsana Begum. “It takes three days to reach Kishtwar from here, as there is no motorable road. Just a month ago, a pregnant woman died on her way to hospital.” Election material, poll staff, security forces as well as journalists reach here by helicopter only. But the same facility is not available to Navapachhi residents, a tehsil headquarters. Mohd Ramzan chuckled at the visiting team of journalists. “You and the poll staff can come here, but ration does not reach us. We have to walk 90 km to Kishtwar to bring ration on mules,” he said. There is no power supply in the tehsil. The government provided solar lights, which were not functioning properly, claimed Ramzan. Nearly 50 per cent polling was recorded in Navapachhi by 2 pm. However, in the buzzing cities of Kishtwar and Doda the voting was just 30 and 25 per cent, respectively. The polling booths were more or less deserted here. A booth at Islia School in Kishtwar recorded just 9 per cent polling by 2 pm. In Bhaderwah, things were a little better, but largely due to the simultaneous conduct of the Assembly byelection. The voting percentage here was 42 per cent by 2 pm. |
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A vote for
roti, bijli, pani
Mundian (Kathua), April 23 Barely able to speak, she told The Tribune, “I was born in 18 century and I saw 19 century pass by and now in 20th century I see no change in the lifestyle of our village.” She said: “I have been voting in all elections that took place after our country got Independence. I have seen many politicians come and go. They made promises, but no promises have ever been fulfilled.” Hundreds of residents of this remote village, who came to vote in the polling station inside a government high school building, were annoyed with the unfulfilled promises, by the people (politicians) whom they elect to represent them at various levels. The residents in this area rue that for the past so many years their villages have been neglected by the people in power. “There is an acute shortage of potable water in our village. Women have to walk several kilometres to fetch a pitcher of water and the roads here are in dilapidated condition as they haven’t been mend for past so many years,” Parvesh Kumar, a local resident, said. People in Kathua district that fall under the Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency say that they have been deprived of basic facilities and no politician after winning the elections have ever bothered to mitigate their problems. Due to absence of bridges many of the villages in our area remain cut off during the monsoon season, they said, adding that despite making tall claims, the successive state and central governments have failed to construct a bridge. “Many of the villages in our area don’t have proper road connectivity, the power supply is too erratic and taps in our area remain dry for many days even weeks together. This time we came to vote for a change and have voted for the candidate whom we feel would be able to solve our long-pending problems,” Vijay Kumar (58) of Bani village said. Voters here expect that their elected representative would help them solve their basic problems and would make their voices heard in the corridors of power in New Delhi. |
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They vote for development
Chenani/Udhampur, April 23 The LS parliamentary constituency went to the polls today amidst heavy security. Oblivious of the power equation which always had a tilt in favour of the Kashmir region, if young voters, including first-timers, exercised their franchise for job avenues, an end to the regional discrimination besides setting up of delimitation commission, the old ones turned up in the hope to see welfare of senior citizens. “I exercised my vote in the hope that the MP would ensure developmental works in our area,” said 42-year-old Yashpal Sharma at a polling station in Tikri. “Apart from checking inflation and communal forces, I voted to elect an educated candidate, who can bring back black money deposited by our politicians in Swiss banks, said 65-year-old retired headmaster Mansa Ram at Mand, apparently toeing BJP’s prime ministerial candidate LK Advani’s line. Mansa Ram felt that casting votes should be strictly made mandatory. “A law should be passed in Parliament that those who fail to exercise their franchise would lose their fundamental rights,” he added. At Government Girls High School, Garhi, a 40-year old woman Meena Devi was simply at a loss of words to cite the reason for casting her vote. “I voted for the sake of voting. I have no hopes whatsoever from politicians as they have time and again failed to fulfil our aspirations,” she said. First-timer Monica Sharma said she had come to cast her vote in the hope of better job avenues for the unemployed youth, besides equal opportunities and equal share in professional courses to youth of the Jammu region. Apart from this, youth like me would like to see an end to the discrimination against the Jammu region since 1947. We would like our elected representative to vociferously raise the demand for delimiting Assembly constituencies and give Jammu its due share,” she said. Sita Devi (99), who was brought to the polling station at Government Higher Secondary School in Chenani by her son, felt that the elected representative should ensure old-age pension.
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Mirwaiz now calls for poll boycott
Srinagar, April 23 He disclosed that it was “working on an agenda” and would come forward with a comprehensive programme having a political, social and economic agenda within two to three months with a new structure of the Hurriyat Conference. “The APHC has been for the resolution of Kashmir issue and the elections are a futile exercise,” Mirwaiz said this while addressing a press conference at his Nigeen residence here this afternoon. The APHC had always rejected elections, Mirwaiz said, adding that the elections over the past six decades had not resolved the basic Kashmir issue. The announcement came after deliberations by the executive members of the APHC here today that followed a marathon meeting of the general and executive council yesterday, after his return from New Delhi. During his absence over the past few weeks, speculations had been made following the statement of acting chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari who had described the elections as a non-issue and left the decision on participation in the elections to the people of Kashmir. “We reiterate that the elections are a non-issue. The APHC’s agenda is Kashmir resolution, right of self-determination and
azadi. These elections were an agenda of India and its agencies,” he
said. Mirwaiz held that the APHC had always tried to go ahead by “adopting a positive approach” with the thrust and focus on Kashmir issue. He favoured a comprehensive Indo-Pak dialogue and APHC talks with both India and Pakistan. He hoped that the new government that takes over in New Delhi would have a new approach to solve the issue. “We are ready to extend support to India and Pakistan on the basis of principles,” Mirwaiz pointed out. |
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Udhampur records 45 pc polling
Jammu, April 23 Though there was no major violence incident reported from anywhere in the constituency, a polling booth in Sarthal created a record of sorts with not a single vote polled there. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) B R Sharma reasoned that about 300 listed voters were Nomads and had moved elsewhere. The voting began slowly and it seemed the area would record the poorest figure. However, the voting picked in the last two hours, but still it was marginally short than the last Lok Sabha elections (46 per cent). The Bhaderwah Assembly bypoll also witnessed a dip with 56.78 per cent voting recorded today. In the 2008 Assembly elections the voting was 65.29 per cent. Polling was delayed in the Nagri Paroll and the Ramban areas when angry electorate boycotted the voting saying they were living without basic amenities. The voting took place in the afternoon. Minor skirmishes were reported from few areas but there was no disruption to the poll process. Rumours of booth capturing in the Banihal area created some tension but the reports were soon declared untrue.
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Leaking water pipe may cause breach
Afsana Rashid
Srinagar, April 23 Almost two weeks ago, the PHE pipe supplying water to areas like Padshahi Bagh, Mehjoor Nagar and some parts of Nowgam developed a breach, but the PHE officials concerned had not bothered to repair it properly. Locals alleged that PHE employees turned up only when they were paid “money”, but they did not carry out works properly. “It was only after we paid Rs 3,000 that the pipe was repaired. The officials covered the broken pipe with rubber instead of using sockets for plugging the hole. As the pipe is still leaking, there are chances that the embankment of the river would cave in and thus increasing the chances of floods in the area,” said a group of residents. Sources in the PHE Department say that it had been observed that the line staff would demand money from people for repairing damages. “In the past, it has been a practice that the line staff would ask for some amount for carrying out repairs. I believe same is the case here,” the sources said. Niyaz Ahmad, executive engineer, Chadura Division, PHE, said he would look into the matter. “As I don’t have information about it, I cannot say anything. I would ask the officials concerned to repair the leak at the earliest,” he said. GM Dar, chief engineer, PHE, said he would take action against the guilty officials. “We have a control room working in our department and all complaints are routed to the complaint cell set up there. Once the names of ‘guilty’ officials are known and bribery charges proved, I would not let them go scott free,” Dar said.
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Wheat crop on 139 kanals destroyed
Jammu, April 23 Three incidents of devastating fire in different villages of RS Pura and Vijaypur have already damaged mature wheat crop on nearly 233 kanals this week. Aggrieved farmers rued that during all these incidents, fire engines could not reach the fields on fire in time. Today, the affected farmers converged on their fields and held a protest demonstration before mediapersons. They shouted slogans and demanded adequate compensation. Maintaining that the incident occurred due to the negligence of the Power Development Department, the farmers said loose transmission wires passing over their fields were not placed in order despite repeated requests to the authorities concerned. “There is only one fire fighter for 200 villages of RS Pura. Time and again, we have asked the government to increase the number of fire fighters, but to no avail,” the anguished farmers said. “Farmers suffer heavy losses on account of fire incidents every year, but despite that the administration is least bothered about us. Neither we get compensation, nor any fire fighting assistance in the time of need,” said a farmer, Dutta Prakash, who lost the ripe crop on 10 kanals. Other farmers who lost their wheat crops included Dina Nandv (20 kanals), Narain Dass, Keshav Ram, Labbu Ram, Babu Ram, Om Prakash (10 kanals each), Nand Lal, Kamal Kishore, Prabhu Dayal, Yog Raj, Labbu Ram, Ishwar Lal, Bansi Lal, Brij Lal and Devi Dayal (7 kanals each).
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Scrapping of AFSPA
Srinagar, April 23 Addressing election rallies in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency today, Mufti Sayeed said the recommendations made by the working group constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reflected the collective will of the people of the state. The group that comprised, like other working groups, all shades of public opinion in the state had categorically recommended the scrapping of AFSPA. “People would rise against the continued denial of justice if these recommendations are not implemented at the earliest,” he cautioned and said it was time that the Union Government took up the matter seriously. Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has said the NC not only traded the state’s political and economic interests for power, the party even bartered with Delhi the people’s right to elect their political representatives. Addressing public meetings in the Srinagar constituency today, Mehbooba said it was an open secret now that how in January 2009, the NC was deprived by some interested quarters in Delhi, even of the choice to have its projected candidate as the Chief Minister.
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Security forces on high alert
Jammu, April 23 After reports appeared that over 100 heavily armed terrorists had managed to sneak into the Indian side, the Centre yesterday admitted that nearly 50 militants had managed to sneak in and security apparatus throughout the country has been kept on alert. To infiltrate into the Indian side the militants had used various latest gadgets that enabled them to infiltrate even before the snow had melted completely on the rugged terrain of the LoC. There were 22 infiltrations in 2008. However, during the first four months the number of infiltrations have already crossed the 50 mark (as per the home ministry report). Speaking to The Tribune a senior Army officer said: “Now they (Militants) don’t wait for the snow to melt completely, the militants that were gunned down in Kupwara few days ago were wearing multi-layered winter cloths, they had ice axes and were equipped with GPS devices.” |
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20 injured in Baramulla clashes
Srinagar, April 23 Three of the injured were stated to in a serious condition, of whom two were being treated at the district hospital in Baramulla, Adil Hussain Mir was shifted to the SKIMS hospital here for the treatment of a rubber bullet injury. The trouble started when groups of youths pelted police and CRPF personnel with stones. The youths were taking out a procession on the death anniversary of two former militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, Tanveer Ahmad Khan and Imtiyaz Ahmad Zargar. However, after prayers on the occasion and during a shutdown in the town, violence broke out when some agitated youths pelted security personnel with stones. The protesters were demanding the release of those arrested from the area and elsewhere in the valley. At least six police and CRPF personnel were injured in the incident. The security forces lobbed teargas shells, cane charged the protesters and fired into the air. Three youths were injured when they were hit by rubber bullets and were admitted to hospital. The condition of three persons with rubber bullet injuries was stated to serious. |
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High Fees: Parents meet DSE
Jammu, April 23 Sunil said a detailed discussion was held on the charging of exorbitant fees, charging of transportation fees during vacation and selling books and uniforms on high prices. The delegation demanded that the Directorate of School Education fixed the fee structure and a task force comprising prominent citizens, parents and officers of the directorate should be constituted to have a check on the private schools. They also demanded that the schools should display their fee lists on notice board on their premises. Zahida assured the delegation that all problems of the parents would be sorted out with immediate effect.
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Yaseen Malik under house arrest
Srinagar, April 23 Malik, who led an anti-election rally in Pulwama district of South Kashmir on Tuesday, was placed under house arrest at his Maisuma residence in the heart of the city around 4 pm, officials said. Earlier, chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani was placed under house arrest while over a dozen separatists, including the spokesman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Ayaz Akbar were arrested, on April 12. Criticising the government action, a spokesman of the JKLF said: “It is the murder of democracy... It is our democratic right to reach the people with our stand on the elections but by placing restrictions the government has snatched this right from us.”
— PTI |
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BSF jawan dies as rifle goes off
Jammu, April 23 Sources said BSF jawan of 4 Battalion, Suresh Kumar of Haryana, died on the spot after sustaining a gunshot from his service rifle. He was immediately shifted to a Samba hospital where doctors declared him as brought dead. After autopsy the body was taken to his native place today.
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Three killed in mishaps
Jammu, April 23 Deepak Kumar was killed and three others were injured when a truck hit their motor cycle at Mela Morh in Hiranagar on Tuesday night. The wounded persons are Deepak Sharma, Parmodh Kumar and Pawan Kumar, all residents of Hiranagar. Meanwhile, a 30-year-old woman was killed after she was run over by a train. |
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Leh: Five file nominations
Leh, April23 LUTF sources said sitting MP Thupstan Chhewang and Lama Lobzang, a former ST Commission member, are expected to file their nominations tomorrow. |
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Four held for Poonch blast
Jammu, April 23 Five persons were killed in the blast and nine others injured. Four of the arrested have been identified as Abdul Aziz, an employee of the PHE Department, Wilayat Ali, an ex-serviceman, Wazir Mohammad and Jameel Ahmed, all residents of the Bufliaz area in Surankote tehsil of Poonch, they said, adding that they have been sent to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) for
questioning. — PTI |
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Delay in removing pay anomalies rued
Jammu, April 23 According to a statement issued here today, it was decided to continue the struggle till the removal of pay scale disparities of the clerical cadre.
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Sajad Lone files papers
Srinagar, April 23 Those who filed their papers today included Sharifudin Shariq of the NC, Mohammad Dilawar Mir of the
PDP, Ghulam Mustafa Kasana of the BSP and Sajad Gani Lone of the People’s Conference and Ghulam Rasool Shah of the ANC.
— TNS |
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Setting at rest speculations over its stand on boycott of elections, the APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here today said teams were being constituted to ask people for “staying away” from the Lok Sabha elections in Kashmir.
