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Infiltration bid in Ramgarh sector
LeT militant shot dead in Pulwama
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Govt staff to go on pen-down strike
Kashmiri samaj welcomes employment package
JMC to shelter homeless
Shopian case: SIT questions doctors
Kashmir: Mufti urges PM to spur action
BJP: Govt neglecting militancy-hit
Gujjars rue damage to monuments
Overage PHE staff told to take VRS or face MRI test
War memorial at Zozila
JK police team scales summit
Mules continue to be Army’s lifeline
Swine Flu
PoK residents witness I-Day celebrations
Plantation drive launched
NSF seeks probe into fee hike
Teenaged girl found hanging
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Infiltration bid in Ramgarh sector
Ramgarh, August 16 The BSF claimed it successfully foiled the pre-dawn attempt by a group of heavily armed militants to cross the Indian Territory. BSF Jammu Frontier IG AK Surolia, who along with his officers rushed to the spot, claimed that the BSF foiled the infiltration attempt after it exchanged gunfire with a group of militants trying to sneak into the state from this sector. DIG (G) JB Sangwan told The Tribune that a group of three to four armed militants tried to sneak into the Indian side from near the Bhalarh Border Outpost in Ramgarh sector. “On being challenged by the BSF troops, the militants fired on the patrol party. The BSF troops also retaliated and the gunbattle lasted for around half an hour. The intruders ran back into the Pakistan side thereafter,” he said. He said the incident took place about two km beyond the barbed fencing so there is no question of fence getting damaged. When asked whether the Pak troops provided cover fire to the militants, he said, so far we had not been able to verify. However, efforts were on to hold a flag meeting with the Pak Rangers,
he said. “There was no injury on our side but we can’t say about those on the other side of the fence because of the heavy growth of Sarkanda,” he said. When his attention was drawn towards Basantar river that flow nearby, he ruled out the possibility of militants having crossed the river because of heavy rains. “In view of Independence Day and past experiences a week ago, the BSF had already been put on a high alert along the 220 km IB,” he said, adding we were anticipating some misadventure at
the borders. Meanwhile, security forces including the BSF, Army and the police launched searches in the Ramgarh sector and a high alert was sounded on the Jammu-Pathankote national highway where vehicles were being put to thorough checking. |
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LeT militant shot dead in Pulwama
Srinagar, August 16 The police said Jan Mohammad Ahangar, alias Hamza, of Buchoo-Tral village was killed soon after a gunfight broke out between surrounding columns of the Army and the police and militants hiding in a house. Pulwama SSP Kifayat Haider said in the evening that the police had called off the operation. Ahangar was in the Navy, sources said, and deserted it to join the Hizbul Mujahideen, which used to have a very strong presence in Tral he hailed from. He later switched over to the LeT. The Army later flew choppers in search of two militants. A hand grenade, two AK rifle magazines, four mobile phones and a pouch were recovered from the spot, the police said. Jammu (PTI) : The security forces arrested an alleged OvergGround worker (OGW) of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Doda district and seized mobile sets and SIM cards from him. Acting on a tipoff, securitymen launched a search operation in the Lal Darman area of Doda district, 190 km from here, and arrested 22-year-old Ishaq Lone, the police said. He was working for an LeT commander in the area as a courier, informer and guide, officials added. |
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Govt staff to go on pen-down strike
Jammu, August 16 As a part of the state-wide strike call, spokesman of the regional committee and president of the J&K National Trade Union Front Gafoor Dar said: “The government employees will abstain from their routine work on August 19 and hold protest demonstrations in their respective office complexes.” “On August 20, the employees from different government offices would come to Jammu and assemble in front of the Press Club, Jammu, which is our rallying point,” he said. However, essential and emergency services would remain unaffected and future course of action would be finalised on August 20, he said. The protesting employees have been demanding for the implementation of the 6th pay commission recommendations. Earlier, they had organised “Srinagar chalo march” and Assembly gherao program on August 12, which was, however, foiled by the government after the police used force to quell the protesters. The police action left 50 demonstrators injured. Their demands include release of arrears as recommended by the 6th pay commission in favour of employees and pensioners, removal of pay anomalies, extension of retirement age by two years, increase in house rent allowance on the par with the central government employees, increase in the salary of daily wage earners and regularisation of ad hoc and contractual employees. |
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Kashmiri samaj welcomes employment package
Jammu, August 16 Giving their opinion about the job allocation for the Kashmiri Pandits (KP), some Kashmiri Pandit organisations had expressed their misgiving about the true intention of the state government, but defying all those speculations, the YALKS has come openly in favour of the state government for this move. Previously too, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the state Finance Minister had assured their delegation in Srinagar that the employment package would be implemented after the Budget was passed. “We want to make it clear that we are eager to join anywhere in the state. Some vested interests are misleading people by stressing the adjustments of the newly incumbent in Jammu only. The fact remains that around 14,000 unemployed youth have already deposited their consent letters with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner to serve at the district headquarters in the valley. We are concerned with the employment so that our carriers are safeguarded and well protected,” Bhatt said. He hoped that the government might issue formal appointment orders at the earliest for which the spade work had already been completed. |
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JMC to shelter homeless
Jammu, August 16 “In the first phase, around 1,455 families would be provided shelters by incurring an amount of Rs 49 crore,” said Mayor Kavinder Gupta. Under this project, 608 families are to be rehabilitated at Sunjwan, where 38 four-storeyed building with 16 two-room suites each would come up for the rehabilitation of slum dwellers. However, 36 dwelling units are being constructed at Bagwati Nagar (Kusht Ashram) for the leprosy patients while 811 families, who do not have safe and proper shelter, would also be provided financial assistance by the corporation for house construction. The scheme is funded 90 per cent by the Centre and 10 per cent would to be provided by the state government. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today inspected the construction work of under the scheme at Sunjwan. He impressed upon the Commissioner and Joint Commissioner (Works) to ensure that work should b completed within a stipulated time and also ensure amenities like water, electricity and road connectivity to this colony. The Deputy CM also visited the site proposed for parking and multi-storeyed commercial complex at Narwal on self-financing basis. The JMC has proposed a five-storeyed building with additional basements dedicated for parking vehicles. Tara Chand also visited the site proposed for Group Housing Scheme for Low Income Group (LIG) and economically weaker section (EWS) of the society at Satwari Chatha. The JMC has also come up with the project of providing housing under affordable housing scheme as a sub-component of JNURM, wherein 25 per cent of the cost would be met out from the funds to be released by the Centre. The JMC has conceived the project for construction of 800 dwelling units both for LIG/EWS alongwith the facilities of shopping mall, school, community hall and health centres as an integral part of the project. |
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Shopian case: SIT questions doctors
Srinagar, August 16 Official sources said the Special Investigative Team had questioned deputy chief medical officer Ghulam Qadir Sofi and district health officer Mohammad Maqbool, who were part of the team that conducted the second postmortem on the two women. It was, however, not confirmed whether gynaecologist Nighat Shaheen, at whose house the slides were sealed before being sent to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory, was also questioned. Shaheen is currently under suspension. The SIT headed by IGP (Kashmir) Farooq Ahmed had sent these slides to the CFSL for making a DNA profile of the tissue cells present in it. Investigations into the case were severely hit when it came to light earlier this week that key forensic evidence relating to the vaginal swabs of the two victims had been possibly tampered with. The CFSL made attempts to compare the vaginal swabs with viscera and blood samples of the two victims but they did not match, sources said, prompting the CFSL officials to conclude that the slides said to be prepared from vaginal swabs of the victims were actually drawn from some other women. A quick internal inquiry found that the slides were first taken to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory (FSL) in Srinagar which refused to accept them, saying that sealing was not proper. According to the daily case diary, the slides were first taken to the doctor's residence where they were sealed and handed over to the FSL. Bodies of Neelofar (22) and her sister-in-law Asiya (17) were recovered from a stream on May 30 after they went missing in town the previous evening, sparking off massive protests by locals, who suspected hand of security personnel in the alleged rape and murder. The SIT formed in June has made little headway in the case with it not been able to secure any of the blood samples of the villagers or question one of the victim’s husband Shakeel Ahangar or brother Zirak Shah despite recommendations of the Jan Commission. The Commission in its report had said there was a clear indication suggesting enmity between Neelofar's maiden family and her in-laws. Moreover, the SIT has failed to convince the family to exhume the body inspite of it being asked by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to request the family for exhumation. “There was no serious move from the SIT to exhume the body,” Ahangar
said. — PTI |
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Workers’ body seeks hike in tax exemption limit
Jammu, August 16 While addressing a workers’ rally at Brahman Sabha here today, Subash Shastri, president of the NMC, resented that due to inflation, salaried class is facing hardships. “Raising income tax exemption from existing Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 3 lakh would be a genuine measure to provide some relief to the working class,” he advocated. Shastri also appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to regularise services of daily wagers and casual labour of the government departments. Shastri also hailed the state government for releasing 6 per cent DA besides enhancing wages of daily workers from Rs 70 to Rs 110 a day. Pleading the cause of clerical staff, Shastri further urged the CM to intervene and ensure that all anomalies in the SRO 93 were removed.He also demanded that arrears on account of pay panel be released in two instalments, wages of motivators working under Integrated Water Development Program be regularised, COLA be turned into DA for PSU employees, enhancement of house rent allowance from 15 to 20 per cent, timely release of wages of workers of Trikuta Hills Project of the Social Forestry Department. |
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Kashmir: Mufti urges PM to spur action
Srinagar, August 16 "This stemmed from the laws like the Armed Forces Special Protection Act (AFSPA) that grant immunity to violators of human rights," Sayeed said while addressing a workers' convention in Pulwama, 32 km from here. He said the revocation of harsh laws and revival of civil society institutions without the interference of security forces was one of the prime objectives of the self-rule vision of the PDP, the first step for solution to the Kashmir issue. "Self-rule has the potential of scripting a new destiny for the people of both parts of the divided state," he said. Referring to the stalled peace process, Sayeed urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate substantial and visible action "to arrest the rising levels of alienation and unrest in the state". “The Kashmir issue could be solved only through a sincere and focused effort on the part of our country and Pakistan while taking care of the "sensibilities, sufferings and development needs of the people of all regions and sub-regions of the state", he said.
— PTI |
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BJP: Govt neglecting militancy-hit
Jammu, August 16 Sharma said under Operation Sadbhavana, a children’s home - Ankur - was constructed at Mari, Reasi, in January 2006. But the state government did not provide any kind of assistance to it and later refused to even take over the same. Ankur has 33 militancy-orphaned children (23 boys and 10 girls) between the age group 5-19 years from remote areas of Gool, Mahore, Budhal, Ramban and Reasi. Apart from Ankur, the Army also constructed Shakti Sadan with an investment of Rs 35 lakh. It is a residential vocational training centre-cum-women empowerment centre. Shakti Sadan was inaugurated in April 2007 by the then Governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha with capacity to train 144 women annually in various vocations like stiching, knitting, food processing and computer training. The MLA said he had also called upon the Speaker to apprise him about the matter. He further said: “When Ankur and Shakti Sadans were formed under Operation Sadhvabhana, it was principally agreed between the Army and the state government that the government would take over these two missions. But soon it adopted callous attitude in this aspect. It is unfortunate that corruption is on the rise and senior bureaucrats are either involved directly or patronising the same.” |
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Gujjars rue damage to monuments
Srinagar, August 16 The Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation [TRCF], an organisation of Gujjars, has alleged that more than a dozen under construction building belonging to Gujjars “were intentionally ruined during last few years”. The TRCF has served a legal notice to Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC) and others asking them to stop ruining historic and traditional monuments. The organisation has also demanded conservation of cultural heritage sites and restoration of the glory of heritage “sarais” at Chandi Marh, Pushana, Duggran, Dongi Marag, Alaiabad, Shukta Saran, Thana Mandi, Saaj, Changes, Fethey, Muradpur and Narian. “We’ve asked HCC and others to stop damaging and destroying nomadic assets including dohaks (mud houses)and baheks and also initiate steps for restoration of all “sarais” alongside the Mughal Road with in a month otherwise we’ll move court,” says Dr Javaid Rahi, national secretary of the foundation. He has also alleged that local land mafia is also involved in destroying tribal properties constructed under Gujjar Bakerwal sub-plan on tribal migration routes. According to TRCF, “Gujjars constitutes around 20 per cent of total population of the state. They are mostly nomads, practice primitive cultural treats and migrate along with their livestock to upper reaches of Himalaya through seven major tribal migration routes, including the route presently known as the Mughal Road.” |
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Overage PHE staff told to take VRS or face MRI test
Srinagar, August 16 Public Health Engineering and Irrigation Minister
Taj Mohi-ud-din told The Tribune that such employees numbering around 4000 and had benefited from the largesse of successive regimes as their official
age was fixed on the basis of unreliable certificates issued by general doctors when they were regularised. “Many are in their late 70s and 80s and it is obvious if you see them. I would not want to indulge in blame-game as to who is
responsible for it. Such people have been gradually absorbed during elected governments as well as Governor rule,” he said. This veritable scam came to light, official sources said, when Taj Mohi-ud-din ordered large-scale transfers after taking charge when he was told that most employees had not been shifted from their places of work for many years. In most of the cases, employees’ posting places and residences were close by, breeding a culture of absentee. Jolted out of their
comfort zones, employees across the state went on a strike and a compromise
was reached. However, the minister remains determined on his voluntary retirement scheme for overage employees and has given them a three-month deadline. |
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War memorial at Zozila
Srinagar, August 16 The Army said the memorial stood testimony to the remarkable achievement of their men in the recapture of Zozila on November 1, 1948. About 102 km east of Srinagar, Zozila, a pass, connects Ladakh
to the valley. The GOC along with Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, chief executive councillor of Kargil, unveiled the bust of Subedar Harka Bahadur, a Military Cross awardee, near the Harka Bahadur bridge. He had made the supreme sacrifice in saving Kargil town and the Harka Bahadur memorial had been constructed
on the bank of Shingo river to keep his memory alive. |
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JK police team scales summit
Srinagar, August 16 The expedition started on August 4 and after proper acclimatisation an advance base camp was established at 14,000 ft on the base of Kohli glacier on August 7. As there was no record of the route to be followed for expedition, the team leader constituted two groups for recee from the north and south wings of the glacier. The team submitted the report on August 9 after which the route was finalised. On August 10, the police said a camp was established at 16,000 ft and the team started fixing ropes for the route ahead. The first attempt made on August 12 was successful, making the team of mountaineers scale the summit. |
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Mules continue to be Army’s lifeline
Srinagar, August 16 Soldiers of the Mahar Regiment that are currently posted at the region believe that mules are playing a crucial role in their survival. “We are living a good life here. Here ponies (mules) transport ration, water to ammunition that's why we don't face any problem,” said Lok Nath, a soldier. Soldiers accompany mules on their way in order to ensure that supplies reach its destination. The lives of these soldiers and ponies have now become interdependent as the Army has become a good source of income for their owners. “We not only transport ration for our Army but ammunition too. This is our life. Our lives are now interdependent," said Romesh Kumar, another soldier Mules play an important role in transportation and supply of essential commodities in high altitude areas of Kashmir. Most of the pony owners are from Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
— ANI |
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Swine Flu
Jammu, August 16 |
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PoK residents witness I-Day celebrations
Srinagar, August 16 Tafazal Budoo along with nine natives from PoK, who had recently travelled in Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to meet their relatives here, were welcomed at the I-Day function at Mini Stadium in the border town of Uri in Baramulla district. Budoo said it was due to the cross-LoC bus service that he could witness the Independence Day function and meet his relatives after six decades. Uri SDM Manzoor Ahmad Qadiri unfurled the Tricolour.
— PTI |
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Plantation drive launched
Jammu, August 16 According to the statement issued here, the JMC has already started the plantation drive during the current spell of monsoon for making Jammu clean and green. Around 50,000 plants of various species would be planted during the drive. The plantation is being done in various locations like cremation grounds, graveyards, municipal parks, educational institutions and road side slopes in active coordination with the Social Forestry as well as the Urban Forestry Department and various NGOs. |
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NSF seeks probe into fee hike
Jammu, August 16 While addressing a press conference, Vikas Sharma, state president of the NSF, alleged that besides charging admission fee from the students, the university authorities also charged fee for the services which were not used by the students. He said the charges like examination development funds of Rs 100, quality assurance cell charges of Rs 100, magazine fee of Rs 40, games fee of Rs 200, sports fee of Rs 75 and NSS fee of Rs 50 were addition charges being charged from the students. |
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Teenaged girl found hanging
Jammu, August 16 Official sources said the incident occurred when her parents had gone out for some work. However, Anu’s younger sister aged around four years was present in the house, who after spotting Anu hanging, informed neighbours. Sensing foul play neighbours rushed to the room only to find Anu hanging. Nek Ram, father of the deceased, is a painter by profession. The police has begun investigations. |
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