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6 hurt in protests over death of 2 women
Human Rights Violations |
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PM assures Omar of help to speed up development
Inadequate Security
A view of the Bhairon temple near Katra town that requires more security arrangements to deal with the rush of pilgrims.
Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Anti-Tobacco Day
Students take out rally
Varsity to reconduct maths exam on June 6
No headway in post office robbery case
Harmful effects of smoking highlighted
Over 50,000 likely to visit Khir Bhawani shrine today
Central team visits Jagti migrant camp
Finance panel inspects art academy
Robbery bids at 3 places
Students suspend strike
Mobike-borne youths snatch chains
HM militant nabbed
Jawan hurt in accidental fire
Lineman electrocuted
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6 hurt in protests over death of 2 women
Srinagar, May 30 Several protesters were injured in the clashes with the reports of angry demonstrators attacking some government buildings, including the district hospital, following the recovery of two bodies. The police said six persons were injured in the clashes and strict restrictions were imposed on the movement of people in the town to avoid any further disturbances. The GIG police, south Kashmir, said Asiya, 17, and her sister-in-law Neelofar from Bonagam, Shopian, had gone to their nearby orchard at Kanipora on Friday afternoon but did not return. A police spokesman said here this evening that Shakeel Ahmad Ahangar of Bongam, Shopian, reported to Shopian police station that his wife, Nelofar Jan and Asiya had gone out and did not return home till 11.50 pm. A missing report was lodged in the police station. A body was found early this morning from the Ranbiarra nullah, while another was recovered at some distance after about one hour. The post-mortem on the bodies was conducted, but the residents resented and demanded a post-mortem by a board of doctors. The bodies were later handed over to the family members, the police said. Meanwhile, the PDP has demanded a through probe into the death of the two women. In a statement, a party spokesman said the entire Shopian area was upset over the death of two young women. This happened apart of the fact that there is enough security presence in the area. It demanded immediate action to find out the cause of death of two women. MY Tarigami, state secretary of the CPM, also condemned the deaths of the two women and demanded a through probe into the incident. |
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‘Only 2 pc cases’ against Army genuine
Tejinder Singh Sodhi Tribune News Service
Jammu, May 30 As per the details, among all allegations levelled against the Army only two per cent had been found true and action had been taken against the guilty officers and the soldiers. The Udhampur-based Northern Command of the Army has established a Human Rights Branch that functions under the General Staff Branch. “The branch issues instructions, guidelines for prevention of human rights violations by troops during their operations. It also deals with all such cases received from integrated headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Army) and after carrying out an analysis forwards the recommendations along with detailed investigation reports,” reads the report. Right from the time when militancy started in Kashmir valley in 1990 up to 2008, the number of allegations of human rights violation received by the headquarters of the Northern Command were 1508. The Army investigated 1498 cases. As many as 10 of them were still under investigation. Out of 1498 cases that were investigated, 1,453 cases were found false. Thirtyfive cases were found genuine in which 100 officers and the soldiers were punished. As per the details, army had cashiered and awarded rigorous imprisonment to five of its officers and eight PBOR for human rights violations. “Five officers and eight PBORs were cashiered from their service and awarded rigorous imprisonment, 9 PBORs were reduced in their ranks, one officer and 34 PBORs were dismissed from service, one officer saw forfeiture of seniority for promotion, eight officers and seven PBORs were reprimanded or severe reprimanded, 24 officers and three PBORs were shown displeasure or severe displeasure. We also awarded compensation in six such cases to the victims” a senior most officer of the army requesting anonymity said.
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PM assures Omar of help to speed up development
Srinagar, May 30 In his meeting with the Prime Minister, Omar discussed various issues pertaining to the state’s development. The Prime Minister reiterated his earlier commitment to Omar Abdullah to make Jammu and Kashmir a model state, saying the Union government would provide impetus to the development process. Manmohan Singh in his first meeting with the Chief Minister on March 26 last had expressed his desire to make the state a model state and had assured him that once the UPA returns to power, a comprehensive plan for the accelerated development of the state would be formulated. An official spokesman said Omar also took up with Manmohan Singh the implementation of the recommendations of the four working groups set up by the Prime Minister for the state. The Prime Minister told the Chief Minister that he would review the recommendations of the working groups to see what had been implemented and what more was required to be done. In a separate meeting with P Chidambaram, Omar suggested the need for resuming internal dialogue in the state and taking further action on the recommendations of the working groups. He said these issues could heal hearts and minds of the people of the state. Chidambaram told the Chief Minister that the Prime Minister was keen to make Jammu and Kashmir a model state and reach out to people by accelerating developmental works. He said the Home Ministry would try to push the recommendations of the working groups. Omar also had an informal get together with journalists belonging the state and working with various media organisations in New Delhi.
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Inadequate Security
Jammu, May 30 When the matter was brought to the notice of DIG, Udhampur, Guljar Singh Slathia, he admitted the fault of neglecting the sensitivity of the Bhairon temple. He assured of quick measures, including the deployment of more security personnel, in close coordination with the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, at this holy place. A visit to the Bhairon temple is considered to be mandatory for all devotees who come to seek blessings at Mata Vaishno Devi temple, otherwise it is regarded as uncompleted. Therefore, the entire crowd which visits Bhawan also visits Bhairon temple. But unfortunately, all the security arrangements remains adequate all the way to the Bhawan, but remains missed at Bhairon temple. The crowd, which prefers to climb up during night time, multiplies and gets jam-packed at Bhairon temple, as darshan comes to a halt for two hours because of the prayer which is offered at the temple from 6.30 am up to 8.30 am. As and when the temple door opens, the crowd becomes impatient and pushes each other to get access to tiny stair case which leads to the temple. A scene at this Friday morning, showed the utter chaos, when a child fell amidst the crowd, who was quickly picked up by her mother. Shanti Bhosle, woman from Maharashtra, rued, “I timely saved my child otherwise he could have got crushed under the feet. The administration which makes crores as revenue from devotees can not even provide us the basic safety.” The unmanageable crowd could anytime give rise to a serious stampede as complained, Shiv Prasad Pandey, devotee from Allahabad, “It is shocking that policemen are just standing like mute spectators and not doing their duty to manage the crowd.” The policemen deployed during this time, prefer to maintain distance as they fear the enormity of the crowd. “People do not listen to us. What can we do? ” said a policeman. It is the duty of the authorities which are responsible for the security arrangement to take into account of such vital security lapse.
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Ban goes up in smoke in valley
Afsana Rashid
Srinagar, May 30 Smokers could be seen puffing cigarettes and hubble-bubble at important busy public places like hospitals, bus stands, bus stops, public parks and markets; thus involving the non-smokers into the process of smoking. “There is a Supreme Court ruling which bans the smoking in public places. But as far as Kashmir is concerned there is no such binding. No action whatsoever has been taken against people found smoking at places where there is rush of common masses,” says Mohammad Ayub, a lawyer. Like Ayub there are others who say that even though there are clear directions that fine should be imposed on people who smoke at public places, the authorities fail in taking the desired action. “The law enforcing agency can easily slap a fine on a smoker if he smokes in open and causes inconvenience to others. But, it is important that the people concerned are sincere in taking action against the defaulters without any favour. Once action is taken against a smoker it would act as a deterrent to others,” says Imran Ahmad, a student. “People travel by buses and as such drivers as well as conductors are expected to abide by rules and regulations. It is important that the police plays its role to perfection and takes action against such transporters,” said Abdul Rahim, a retired government official.
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Students take out rally
Udhampur, May 30 Deputy Commissioner Ajay Khajuria formally flagged off the rally from the premises of Government Higher Secondary School. The rally was organised with the collaboration of Chief Education Officer, Assistant Controller Drugs, Rotary Club and District Information
Centre, Udhampur. |
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Varsity to reconduct maths exam on June 6
Jammu, May 30 Addressing a press conference here today, JJSF’s state vice-president Partap Singh Jamwal demanded that the students, who were not willing to appear in the part III mathematics exam to be conducted again on June 6, be given grace marks.
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No headway in post office robbery case
Udhamapur, May 30 After a streak of murders and thefts, the robbery in the post office has put a question mark on ‘effective steps’ taken by the police to contain crime in the town. Facing criticism from all quarters, senior police officers have maintained silence over the robbery case. They refuse to divulge details about the on going investigation into it. Sources, however, said the police today picked up six suspects, including some villagers, from Panchari block because the guard of the post office belongs to this area. “Our investigation is revolving around the guard,” a police officer told The Tribune. He hastened to add, “The police has so far failed to make any headway in the case.” The police has been questioning Mulkraj, guard of the post office, since last morning, as it suspects his role in the robbery. The police also picked up a person, who was allegedly involved in a bank robbery in the town earlier and interrogated him. “The suspect picked up by the police was allegedly involved in a bank robbery case in 2006,” the sources said. Senior police officers, including DIG, Udhampur-Reasi zone, Gulzar Singh Slathia and SSP, Udhampur, Surinder Gupta today visited the post office along with teams of experts. Meanwhile, employees of the post office today observed a one-hour token strike against the robbery. They also demanded security in the post office. Located on the Dhar Road, the post office caters to the needs of five districts, namely Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar. After the robbery yesterday, the post office authorities have demanded the deployment of three guards on the premises. |
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Harmful effects of smoking highlighted
Jammu, May 30 According to the statement issued here, students and teachers of the school informed the public about the harmful effects of intake of tobacco. They wore caps highlighting the World No Tobacco Day and distributed pamphlets among the general public and thereby warned them against the deadly menace of smoking and intake of other drugs. Teachers repeatedly informed the public about how smoking and other drugs destroy the lives of younger generation in the whole world. They also laid stress on complete ban on exposure and publicity, especially at public places, to any kind of tobacco product. Mayor Kavinder Gupta was the special invitee on the occasion and he appreciated the initiative taken by the management of Sprawling Buds. Later, Principal of the school Puja Sharma stressed on ensuring a smoke-free environment to protect the world from the dangerous ill-effects of tobacco
smoke. |
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Over 50,000 likely to visit Khir Bhawani shrine today
Tulamulla (Ganderbal), May 30 “This gives an opportunity to meet our relatives and friends, as most of us are scattered outside the valley,” said Makhan Lal Bhat, 70, who arrived at the shrine two days ago. He had been visiting the shrine almost every year, while his family members had been frequently visiting Kashmir. “The sky blue colour of water” in the hexagonal spring wherein the deity of goddess Ragnya is decorated, is the “the most auspicious colour and a good omen”, said RL Bhan, additional secretary of the Dharmarth Trust that runs the temple. The water colour changes in accordance with the situation, the Kashmiri Pandits believe and say it turned black about two weeks before the Kargil war. “The presence of local Muslims is the biggest aspect of the temple and its festivals”, opines Bhan. He adds the locals provide all requisite facilities to the pilgrims. “The participation of local Mulsims makes the festival a success every year,” he says. Local Muslims had been performing the pooja after Kashmiri Pandits left the valley, said another pilgrim.
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Central team visits Jagti migrant camp
Jammu, May 30 As many as 5,242 flats are to be constructed for migrants at Jagti under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction plan. The state government had constructed 1,024 flats so far and the construction work on the remaining would start in October, the Home Ministry team was told. The team along with state Migrants Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner Vinod Kaul visited the site to check the progress of the construction of flats. The team was scheduled to meet migrant Kashmiri Pandits later today to assess the disbursement of relief to them. Vinod Kaul told The Tribune that the central team expressed satisfaction over the pace of the work. “We would be starting construction work for the remaining flats in a phased manner from October,” he said. There are lakhs of migrant Kahmiri Pandits living in the city. The state and Union governments spend crores of rupees to provide them with monetary compensation, relief and housing facility. The flats at Jagti would fulfil a long pending demand of migrants.
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Finance panel inspects art academy
Srinagar, May 30 Chairman of the commission Mehmood-ur-Rehman also reviewed the overall financial position and functioning of the academy. Members of the commission - Swami Raj Sharma, Sonam Dewa, Prof Nissar Ali, and Zaffar Iqbal Manhas - were also present on the occasion. The commission was apprised of the functioning of the academy and informed about as many as 500 programmes which were held during last year. It was also informed about more than 100 titles that were published in Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari, Punjabi, Ladakhi, Balti, Urdu and Hindi. The commission agreed to furnish a comprehensive report regarding financial viability and grant of autonomy to the academy, and to submit the same to state government, a handout said. The commission is looking into issues relating to equitable distribution of resources, employment backlog, micro-economic stability, etc. |
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Robbery bids at 3 places
Jammu, May 30 According to the police, this morning around 3.30 am, 8 to 10 men broke open the locks of the offices of Town Area Committee and post office but could not get access to cash. Not deterred by their unsuccessful attempt, they made another bid of robbery in Government Girls Higher School. The unidentified burglars thrashed school watchman, tied him with a bed and locked the room from outside before scanning the school office in search of cash. However, this attempt of theirs couldn’t materialise too. Before leaving the school the burglars allegedly took Rs 1,200 from the watchman. However, SSP Kathua Gareeb Dass said though watchman was roughed up and tied up with a bed, no money was snatched from him. No arrests have been made so far. |
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Students suspend strike
Jammu, May 30 While talking to reporters, Bindusar Abrol, committee spokesperson, said that in a meeting between the committee members and the Vice-Chancellor here last evening the latter assured them of strict action against faculty members allegedly involved in molestation. He said Sahni assured them that the university would soon impose a strict code of conduct regarding molestation incidents. Regarding show cause notices issued to students allegedly involved the university shooting incident, the committee leader said, “We took up the matter with the Vice-Chancellor and he categorically said all students who had been served notices had given their explanations and they would continue as regular candidates.” Abrol declared that after the Vice-Chancellor assurance the committee decided to suspend its indefinite strike. He cautioned that if the university authorities tried to misguide students, the committee would resume the
agitation. |
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Mobike-borne youths snatch chains
Jammu, May 30 According to the police, with handkerchiefs around their faces, the youth, who were riding a Bajaj Pulsar, snatched gold chain weighing three tolas from Sarfo Devi. The incident occurred around
12 noon. The victim was standing outside the school when the duo approached her on a false pretext asking her about a road leading to a particular locality. The police suspects that the same youth might have been involved in two other incidents of chain-snatching that happened in Trikuta Nagar and Digiana localities of Jammu later in the day. |
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HM militant nabbed
Srinagar, May 30 Fayaz Ahmad Dar, alias Fahid-Ullah, of Mattan in Anantnag district was arrested yesterday after a tip-off regarding his movement. The police said Fayaz was involved in several subversive activities. Hideout
busted
Rajouri: Security forces has busted a militant hideout and seized a cache of arms and ammunition from it in Krishna Ghati area of
Poonch. Police sources said acting on specific input, a joint team of the
SOG, Poonch, and troops of 39 RR busted a militant hideout in the Kuhadiyaan area of Krishna Ghati in Poonch district and seized a cache of arms and ammunition last evening. The seizure include a Chinese pistol, four Chinese grenades, six local made hand grenades, 11 UBGL grenades, 32 AK rounds and one kg of
RDX. |
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Jawan hurt in accidental fire
Jammu, May 30 Official sources said jawan Tarsem Lal of 157 Territorial Army sustained a gun shot injury when his weapon went off accidentally. He was rushed to a military hospital and was stated to be out of danger. An officer from Kanachak police station confirmed the incident saying the Army authorities were investigating the case. |
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Lineman electrocuted
Jammu, May 30 Official sources said Raghubir Singh of Samba was repairing transmission wires on an electricity pole when he was electrocuted and he suffered critical burns. He fell from the pole, they added. Raghubir was taken to Government Medical College (GMC) here where he died around 10 pm yesterday.
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The police lobbed tear- gas shells and resorted to cane charge when residents of Shopian town in south Kashmir held protests over the mysterious death of two women, whose bodies were recovered from a nullah in the district this morning.
A stampede can happen anytime at Bhairon temple, situated 1.72 km away from Mata Vaishno Devi temple, due to insufficient security arrangements. Security men, four or five in number, are not sufficient to manage a bustling crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 at a time at the temple. The situation can anytime turn tragic.
