Jammu, August 10
Normal life was affected here today due to a near total Jammu bandh, call for which had been given by the Central University Andolan Samiti (CUAS), demanding setting up of the proposed central university in Samba. The bandh was also observed in Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Udhampur districts.

While no untoward incident was reported from any part of Jammu region, around 30 BJP leaders, including state president and sitting MLA Ashok Khajuria, general secretary Charanjeet Singh Khalsa and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha vice-president Munish Sharma, courted arrest.

However, another BJP leader Yudhvir Sethi was arrested in Purani Mandi when he was allegedly trying to enforce bandh in the area.

The leaders courted arrests when they tried to take out a procession in the violation of Section 144 of the CrPC.

Amidst an intense sloganeering by BJP activists against the coalition government, Khajuria warned the government of intensifying the agitation if it failed to set up the institution in Jammu.

Though the state administration had clamped Section 144 of the CrPC prohibiting the gathering of more than four persons at public places, CUAS activists also defied the orders and took out rallies in and around the temple city.

Outside Jammu University, the CUAS activists blocked the road leading to the railway station and burnt tyres besides shouting slogans against the NC-Congress government accusing it of harbouring malafide intentions vis-à-vis the central university.

Earlier in the morning, the activists, led by its convener retired Justice Paviter Singh, assembled outside the Raj Bhawan here to take out a rally to Purani Mandi.

Talking to mediapersons, Paviter Singh regretted that despite protests by students from the past over a fortnight, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had maintained silence over the issue.

As per the decision of the Union government, the central university should have been set up in Jammu, he said, describing students’ agitation as genuine.

While the bandh was near total and peaceful, most of the shops and business establishments remained closed. Schools and colleges also remained closed and thin attendance was reported in various government offices and banks.

By and large, public transport also remained off the roads but a few minibuses and auto-rickshaws plied in the city. Tourists and pilgrims, who reached Jammu railway station and bus terminals, had to face hardships. The Bar Association, Jammu (BAJ), also suspended work in the high court and lower courts.

However, the state government had made all arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

Srinagar, August 10
An employment cess was levied on petrol and diesel prices, while the GST on liquor was increased from 20 per cent to 25 per cent in the state Budget presented by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in the state Assembly here today. The increase in petrol and diesel prices on account of employment cess would be Rs 2 and Re 1 per litre, respectively.

Five months after presenting the vote on account, the Finance Minister here presented a Rs 2,081-crore deficit Budget for the current financial year, first after the NC-led coalition government took over in January this year.

Measures for boosting the local production of eggs, chicken and mutton included exemption on the import of day-old chicks and an increase in toll on poultry birds from Rs 2 per bird to Rs 5 per kg. An increase in toll on the import of sheep and goat by Rs 10 per head was also announced by Rather.

The additional proceeds were also to be earmarked for the development of the poultry sector and mutton production in the state, the Finance Minister added. He said measures would also be taken to promote self employment under poultry schemes. Rather also announced waiver of the arrears of passenger taxes for the period between 1990 and 1997.

The fiscal deficit is estimated to be less by Rs 306 crore, representing 5.4 per cent of the current year’s estimated GSDP in comparison to 6.9 per cent last year, the Finance Minister said. He said the current year’s total receipts were estimated at Rs 22,739 crore in comparison to the last year’s Rs 19,077 crore. In the current fiscal, Rs 19,462 crore were expected as revenue receipts and Rs 3,277 crore as capital receipts. The current year’s total revenue expenditure was estimated at Rs 14,949 crore, indicating a revenue surplus of Rs 4,513 crore. The total capital expenditure had been estimated at Rs 7,790 crore, Rather said in his 90-minute-long Budget speech.

He said the total tax revenue of the state was estimated at Rs 3,111 crore for the current financial year as against Rs 2,693 crore last year. The VAT collections were estimated at Rs 2,066 crore as against Rs 1,853 crore last year, indicating an increase of 15 per cent. The state excise tax was expected to yield Rs 260 crore in comparison to Rs 250 crore last year. Taxes on goods and passengers were expected to reach Rs 316 crore against Rs 297 crore last year. There was also an expected increase in non-tax revenue to Rs 1,219 crore from Rs 1,127 crore last year, the Finance Minister said.

Udhampur, August 10
The security forces gunned down four suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists in Reasi district today. Three militants reportedly were still trapped in the area, where the encounter was going on.

According to sources, the security forces started a search operation in the Gajanitop area of Mahore, about 60 km from Reasi, late Sunday evening. This morning, when the security forces neared the terrorist hideout, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately on them. The security men retaliated effectively and a fierce encounter started. Four militants were reportedly killed in the encounter.

“The militants opened fire on the security forces during the search operation. In the ensuing encounter, unidentified militants were killed,” a senior police officer said.

Though police officers were waiting for the details of the encounter, the sources said three militants were still trapped in the area where the encounter was still on. The security forces have cordoned off the entire belt to eliminate the hiding militants.

The sources said the slain militants were yet to be identified, it is believed that the slain militants belonged to the LeT and had infiltrated into the Mahore area recently.

They said the security forces had launched the search operation following information that a group of 10 militants had managed to sneak into this belt from the other side of Pir Panchal. Recently, militant activities had increased in the Mahore belt, where the security forces had attained an upper hand after killing some self-styled commanders during the last three years. Just three days back, an over ground worker from south Kashmir was arrested from the area.

Meanwhile, the security forces have busted a hideout of militants in Reasi district. A cache of arms and ammunition, including an RPG launcher, were also seized. A Special Striking Reserve team of the police launched a search operation and busted the hideout in the Davel area in the Gulabgarh forest belt of the district today.

Srinagar, August 10
The Army shot dead two infiltrating militants in the Gurez and Keran sectors today while two of its personnel also lost their lives. An Army spokesperson said one infiltrator was killed in Gurez in Bandipora district and another in Keran in Kupwara district, marking a spurt in encounters along the LoC, a clear evidence of increased infiltration attempts by Pak-based terror outfits.

Police sources said a JCO and a jawan of the 12 Mahar Regiment of the Army were killed in firing from militants in Gurez.

At least 10 militants and two army personnel have been killed in encounters over the past 10 days or so and the Defence Minister is on record expressing concern over the rise in infiltration attempts.

Army sources said they have intensified their patrol across these areas and are aggressively chasing militants resulting in on-and-off encounters with them. “Small groups of militants have infiltrated from different locations in a clear strategy to divide our strength. Their idea seems to be that some of them are more likely to get through,” an officer said.

Meanwhile, the Anantnag police busted a hideout in the forest area of Rain Kapran falling under Dooru. 165 detonators with wire, 8 kg of RDX, two hand grenades and 84 rounds of AK rifle ammunition were seized from the hideout.

Srinagar, August 10
Controversy over the location of a central university hit the Assembly again today as MLAs from the Jammu region, including from the BJP and the Panthers Party, raised slogans when proceedings started in the House.

BJP members walked out from the House and the issue was raised as soon as Zero Hour began. Harsh Dev Singh of the Panthers Party demanded that the government should make a categorical statement in the view of growing unrest in the Jammu region. “It is an insult to the House,” he said, adding that the government remained silent on the issue.

Higher Education Minister Abdul Gani Malik told the House that the government had sought two universities from New Delhi and was waiting for its reply. He said they had received a positive response and asked the members not to politicise the issue.Doda MLA Abdul Majid Wani demanded that the university should be located in Doda.

Protesting MLAs said the previous government had identified land in Samba for the university but the new government changed the mind and opened the Vice-Chancellor’s office in Srinagar.

Jammu, August 10
Even as the state health authorities await the reports of three suspected cases of swine flu, four more persons, including a BSF jawan, with similar symptoms reported at the Government Medical College (GMC) here today.

“We are expecting to get blood reports of three suspected cases of swine flu from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi, tomorrow morning,” epidemiologist Dr RS Charak told The Tribune.

However, Dr Charak said, “One contracts the H1N1 virus after he or she either comes in contact with a person suffering from the virus or has returned from a place where there was an epidemic outbreak.”

“The symptoms of simple flu and swine flu are same and only cases having a history of one to seven days arouse our suspicion. We then send blood samples in such cases to the NICD,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Romesh Gupta, Medical Superintendent, GMC, confirmed that a BSF jawan from Uttar Pradesh and three locals having the symptoms of suspected swine flu reported at the hospital today. “They are aged between 20 and 30 years,” he added.

Their blood samples had been airlifted to the NICD, New Delhi, he said.

Srinagar, August 10
Governor NN Vohra here today called for reviewing the different statute and laws in a bid to address the new crimes and problems faced by people in the wake of globalisation and technological advancement.

He was addressing a two-day international conference on “Law and Social Obligation: The Way Forward” organised by the Department of Law of the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, in collaboration with Ahmad Ibrahim Kullyah of Laws, International Islamic University, Malaysia. Vohra said there was a need to examine as to why so many cases were pending in the courts and tribunals.

Referring to different principles and amendments in the Constitution, Vohra said it was a duty of the states to apply these principles. “We are facing new problems in the wake of technological advancements and the concept of globalisation. So, there has been a change in the social obligations as well,” he said.

Justice Barin Ghosh said the concept of the “ruler and the ruled” was vanishing. “The need of the hour is to render the social justice,” he said. “Everyone should do justice to himself and to the society within his parameters and the area of his work. Only then social justice can be rendered.”

Justice Ghosh said, “It is our obligation to use knowledge and resources for the betterment of the society,” adding that the concepts have undergone tremendous change over the years.

Dean, AIKL, Malaysia, Muhammad Akram Shair Muhammad said, “It is a moment of pride for us to have collaboration with the University of Kashmir.”

Srinagar, August 10
A mason was shot at and injured by army personnel after he allegedly ignored a signal to stop during an anti-militancy operation in Kupwara district, sparking protests by locals.

Bashir Ahmad Magray, who was returning home last night on his motorcycle, was shot at by troops of 47 Rashtriya Rifles, about 100 km from here, a defence spokesman said, adding that an inquiry had been ordered into the incident.

"The troops who had laid an ambush in the village following information about the possible movement of militants got suspicious when Magray did not pay any heed after he was signalled to stop," the spokesman said.

Soon after the incident, the residents took to the streets and staged protests till late last night alleging high-handedness by the security forces, officials said.

The protesters assembled again this morning but dispersed after senior police and civil officials visited the area and assured them of appropriate action against the erring personnel.

Magray, who was brought to Soura Medical Institute here, was out of danger. "A bullet hit him in the left forearm and his condition is stable," the officials said. — PTI

Jammu, August 10
Protesting ad-hoc employees of the health department demanding regularisation have extended their strike for another three days. As a result of it, surgeries in the Government Medical College Hospital and associated hospitals have to be deferred yet again.

The agitated employees have been protesting under the banner of the Ad hoc, Contractual and Consolidated Employees Association with the support of the Medical Employees Association. They went on a three-day strike on August 7 but extended it to put pressure on the government.

“We have extended the strike. Next course of action would be decided tomorrow,” said ACCEA president Garu Ram, adding that, “The government was not taking their pending demand despite several representations.”

The protesters staged a sit in before the OPD block at GMCH and shouted slogans against the government for not heeding their demand. “We have been getting Rs 1,500 per month for the past several years whereas the salary of the health secretary has manifold over that period,” alleged the protesters.

“As many as 350 contractual and ad hoc employees are on the strike. It has crippled the functioning of almost every section of the hospitals, especially OPD and wards,” said principal of GMCH and associated hospitals Dr Rajinder Singh.

Jammu, August 10
Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma asked all BPL families to get them enlisted as the government is conducting a fresh BPL survey. The minister was addressing a monthly meeting in his constituency. Officers of different departments were also present on the occasion.

Sharma said the government had made it mandatory for the survey conductors to reach out to the BPL families as there names were not mentioned in the earlier list. He said a committee had been constituted to conduct fresh survey of the BPL families.

Sharma said, “It is for the first time the state has received the biggest plan outlay of Rs 5,500 crore for carrying out development projects in the field of health, education, roads, bridges, power etc. All departments have been directed to work hard, adding that, “the delay in the Budget session has also decreased the working time in the year available with the departments.”

The minister said the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission were implemented by the state to give succour to its employees despite the state having a meagre resource base. He said the government did not hesitate to give benefit to its employees. He said a committee was looking into the issue of daily wagers and contractual and a final decision would be taken on this front also.

Meanwhile, the minister visited grid stations at Akhnoor and directed engineers to prepare a proposal for conducting immediate repairs in the grid stations.

Sharma also distributed cheques worth Rs 7.87 lakh to 45 beneficiaries under the Indira Awas Yojana.

Jammu, August 10
A Pakistan national, who was jailed for illegally entering India via the Chakla border post in the Akhnoor sector, escaped from Khour police station last night. Official sources said Mohammed Zahid, 26, a resident of the Nadi area in Punjab of Pakistan, disappeared from Khour police station around 10 pm yesterday.

The sources said Zahid had illegally entered India in April 2006, but landed in police custody. They added that subsequently he was imprisoned for a couple of years before being sent to the Khour police for repatriation to Pakistan.

The sources said after Zahid finished his sentence in a Jammu prison, his case was taken up with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and he was being kept at Khour police station.

They said during his stay at Khour police station he was employed by a contractor for construction work and he had earned around Rs 1,500 for the work done.

However, around 10 pm yesterday he escaped from the police station, sending SHO Rakesh Akram and other policemen into a tizzy. “A manhunt has been launched to arrest him,” the police said.

Mohan Lal Bhagat, ASP, Rural, confirmed the incident saying a search operation had been launched to arrest him. The ASP said a stern action would also be taken against the police officers concerned.