Srinagar, August 28
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today gave its nod to the government’s decision to hand over Shopian probe to the CBI.

The Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Barin Ghosh said they would not come in the way if the government wanted to hand over the probe to the CBI.

The Bench had earlier reserved its decision after questioning the SIT investigation, which has not shed any light on the alleged rape and murder of two Shopian women on the intervening night of May 29-30.

The Bench had asked if the government wanted to transfer the case to the CBI as an eyewash after all evidence were destroyed.

Home Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar told The Tribune that the government would now take a decision and communicate with the CBI as it was waiting for the high court’s decision. A CBI spokesperson had already hinted that the agency was reluctant to take up the case. “The CM will take the final call,” Sagar said.

In another connected hearing, Justice Sunil Hali deferred the hearing on the bail plea of two arrested cops for Monday.

The arguments on the bail application of suspended SP Javed Iqbal and DSP Rohit Baskotra had begun yesterday and the Bar would make its arguments against bail to the cops on Monday.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated his determination to unearth the facts of Shopian incident assuring severe punishment to the culprits. “Nobody involved in covering or perpetuating to cover up the heinous crime will be tolerated,” he asserted and said there was no let up in the strong will of the government to punish the culprits.

Speaking to Independent Women’s Initiative Group here today, the Chief Minister said he would direct the SIT to work round the clock and make investigation more pro-active till the case was taken up by the CBI. “There should be no loose ends in the investigation at any point in time,” he said, according to an official spokesman. 

Srinagar, August 28
The power situation in the state would be better next year as most of the ongoing power projects are expected to be completed by then. This was stated by Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora in the state Assembly today during question hour.

“Next year, not only power scenario will be better but it (power) will be a source of revenue for the state,” Jora said.

Replying to a question of MY Tarigami, Jora said the state hydel electric policy was being revised to ensure harnessing of optimum power potential in the state, adding that the documents in this regard are under examination of the consultants.

He said the NHPC had agreed to enhance one per cent power quota for local area development in addition to 12 per cent power provided to the state from various power projects under its control.

The Minister said under the state hydel policy 10 projects had been awarded to various IPPS in Phase-I out of which one had been commissioned and others were in various stages of implementation.

Jora said tenders for 18 power projects under Phase-II of the IPPS programme were being re-tendered. He said power projects of 2100 MW capacity were being executed in joint venture by the JKSPDC and the NHPC.

The Minister informed the House that the JKSDPC had drawn a comprehensive plan for harnessing the identified potential in phases, subject to availability of resources.

Jora said at present 12 per cent free power was available to the state out of the projects being implemented by the NHPC. He said the state had been exploring various options to increase its share of free power.

Srinagar, August 28
The state Assembly today witnessed unruly scenes as members cutting across party lines strongly resented the recruitment policy of the state government.

Noisy scenes prevailed for nearly 30 minutes when members from Kupwara and Jammu, belonging to different parties, objected to the present policy, which allows candidates to apply for district and divisional cadre posts irrespective of whether they belong to that particular district.

Five MLAs representing Kupwara district threatened to commit suicide inside the Assembly over their demand that job vacancies advertised for a district should be strictly for residents of that particular district.

Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather announced that a Bill to this effect was ready and would be presented in the House in this session inviting strong objections from BJP MLA Durga Dass and his colleagues.

BJP and Panthers Party MLAs said the Bill was against the interest of the SC/ST communities, who are much more in numbers in the Jammu region. They walked out from the House shouting slogans.

As soon as Question Hour ended Independent MLA from Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, said only one candidate from Kupwara received a call letter against over 50 posts of paramedical staff in that district. NC MLAs - Mir Saifullah, Kafeelur Rehman and Choudhary Ramzan - and PDP MLA Abdul Haq joined him and demanded that district posts should be reserved for district candidates only.

The matter took an ugly turn when Rather said the government had prepared a Bill to this effect, which a cabinet sub-committee is presently studying, and would present it in the House.

Durda Dass and Ashok Khajuria of the BJP and Harsh Dev Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia of the Panthers Party joined by their colleagues said the Bill would harm the SC/ST communities. 

Jammu, August 28
A recent advertisement issued by Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kishtwar, inviting tenders on behalf of the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir for construction of inspection hut at Lass falling under Drabshalla block in Kishtwar district published in a local daily on August 26 is the latest example of how things are manipulated and frauds committed in government departments. This was alleged here today by BJP state general secretary Shamsher Singh Manhas while addressing a press conference at party headquarters.

Manhas said: “An advertisement dated August 18 had mentioned August 18-25 as dates for collecting tender forms. When the last date to collect tender forms is August 25, how this advertisement was published in local newspaper on August 26 i.e. one day after the last date.”

The BJP leader said he had information that the PWD Minister, who is sitting MLA from Inderwal Assembly constituency, is involved in this “scam”. Block Drabshalla falls under Inderwal constituency and the minister had misused his office to get tender in favour of his own man, he alleged.

Manhas further said it was a fraud and his party demanded an immediate inquiry into the matter.

Jammu, August 28
Even as one precious life is lost almost every second day on Jammu roads, the traffic police has taken a first step to restore some sanity.

Perhaps to streamline chaotic traffic scenario and to bring some sanity among reckless drivers, the traffic police has installed 23 complaint boxes in as many squares and crossings from Ambphalla Chowk right up to Preet Nagar in Gangyal.

Jammu district traffic police chief Parminder Singh would be looking into the complaints on daily basis.

Official sources said apart from complaint boxes, cards have been kept in traffic booths and some selective shops for the people.

They said, besides mentioning nature of complaint, a complainant would be required to furnish his name, date, place, time, vehicle number and contact number in the card that would be carrying telephone numbers of the traffic control room, Jammu traffic SSP and the DSP.

Traffic police would not only take prompt cognisance of the complaint every day, but also allegations of corruption and dereliction of duty, if any, against traffic cops would be looked into seriously, they said.

Confirming this, Jammu traffic police DSP Shahzad Salaria said complaints of corruption and misbehaviour by traffic cops would also be entertained at the earnest.

However, those who don’t want to be identified would not be required to mention their names and contact numbers, said Salaria, adding: “Those interested in getting feedback of their complaints would be required to furnish their address and contact 
numbers.”

Batote (Ramban), August 28
Killing of a fake traffic constable reportedly in a road accident has triggered protest in the area with the people blocking the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for more than three hours. The dharna was lifted only after some senior officers from the police and civil administration rushed to the spot and promised to give adequate compensation to the kin of the killed youth, who was “engaged” by the traffic police to collect money from truckers and taxi drivers at night.

Making a mockery of the system, traffic cops deployed at Batote on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway have engaged some unemployed youth to collect money during the night. Mohammad Zubaid, son of Hyder Sheikh, one such youth who was “engaged” by the traffic police to stop passenger vehicles at night and collect money.

Although senior police and traffic officers are tightlipped over the incident, sources said Zubaid, along with two traffic cops, had laid a naka at Batote on Thursday for “checking” vehicles. While as the cops remained in the van, Zubaid was standing on the highway bearing uniform of a traffic constable when an unknown vehicle hit Zubaid. Instead of taking him to the hospital, the cops fled away.

Some truck drivers took Zubaid to the Batote Hospital where doctors pronounced him brought dead. As the deceased was wearing uniform, doctors presumed him as a traffic cop. They immediately informed the police.

Later it was established that the deceased was fake traffic cop who was engaged to collect money during night.

Today when the traffic police refused to claim the deceased as one of their own, people came on road. Carrying the body, they staged a dharna in front of the dak bungalow, Batote, and blocked traffic on the highway. They were demanding action against traffic officials and adequate compensation for the family of the deceased.

The protesters lifted the blockade only after the authorities announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the family of the deceased. 

Srinagar, August 28
A state-of-the-art high tech Information Technology (IT) centre, having connectivity with all the district police headquarters in the state, was inaugurated by DGP Kuldeep Khoda at the state police headquarters here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Khoda said the facility would help in sharing data with different zones, ranges and districts across the state. He said it was being contemplated to connect the state police headquarters with other police headquarters across the country. The DGP said the centre was equipped with facilities like intranet, data sharing and video connectivity and all police stations would also be connected with the IT Centre in a phased manner to ensure better policing. The centre would also be utilised optimally for collection, raising and storing efficient data management. He had a detailed voice chat with the senior police officers headquartered at zones, ranges and district headquarters across the state.

Jammu, August 28
Division Bench comprising Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain and Justice JP Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has dismissed a criminal appeal filed by Pritam Singh, while upholding the life imprisonment awarded to him by the Additional Sessions Judge, Reasi.

Division Bench observed that: “It is settled principle of law that while assessing and evaluating evidence of eye witnesses, the court must adhere to two principles: (a) Whether in circumstances of case, is it possible for eye witnesses to be present at scene of occurrence?, and (b) whether is there anything inherently improbable or unreliable? Creditability of a witness has to be decided by referring to his evidence and finding out how he has fared in cross-examination and what impression is created by his evidence taken in other context of the case and not by entering into realm of conjectures and speculations.”

Bench further held: “In the present case, there is nothing on record to detract evidentiary value of testimony of injured Altaf Hussain, who deposed that he had dragged himself near house of Dr Chuni Lal and during this period village defence committee (VDC) members reached the spot and had taken him to the house of Dr Chuni Lal, where he was given medical aid. Even Chuni Lal, in cross-examination, testified that when Altaf Hussain was brought to his house, he was conscious and informed that Pritam Singh had shot him.”

Prosecution, on the basis of telephonic message given by Constable Nazir Ahmad, concluded that Pritam Singh, a member of the VDC, fired at one Irfan Mohd Khan and Altaf Hussain with hios official gun, resulting in the death of Irfan Mohd.

The counsel for appellant pleaded that the court has not taken note of contradictions in statements of witnesses examined by the prosecution that had suffered from inherent infirmities and improbabilities.

Division Bench further noted: “The direct evidence adduced by prosecution against the accused is by way of testimony of Altaf Hussain, who had sustained injuries and is the sole eye witness. His evidence is in conformity with case made out in the FIR. The unchallenged evidence on record, when considered together with ocular testimony of eye witnesses cogently and conclusively, establishes guilt of accused beyond any shadow of doubt that the accused and none else was responsible for crime. The minor discrepancies in evidence will lend assurance to credibility of prosecution case.”

Jammu, August 28
With an increased inflow of people from different parts of the state, especially from the rural areas, to Jammu, the city has witnessed a steep increase in house rentals during the past few years.

Earlier, the rental accommodations were easily available in the city but now they have become scarce due to the growing demand. Property dealers in Jammu say in the past more than five years, there has been more than 100 per cent increase in renting of houses.

“There has been a steep increase in house rentals in the city. Five years ago, the accommodation which was available for Rs 400 is now available for more than Rs 1,000,” said Prem Kumar, a property dealer in Shastri Nagar locality.

Rates of rental accommodation in Jammu varies from locality to locality.

“In places like Trikuta Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Channi Himat, monthly rental for an accommodation of a single room, kitchen and bathroom is more than Rs 2,500 whereas one has to pay only Rs 1,200 per month in areas like Gangyal, Satwari and old city,” said Arjun Kumar, another property agent in Trikuta Nagar locality.

The rental also depend on biannual shifting of the state government from one capital to another. Rates become high when the Darbar is in Jammu as thousands of state government employees shift to Jammu.

“The rates are quite high during winters when not only Darbar employees come to Jammu, but a large number of Kashmiri population too comes here to escape the cold,” Arjun Kumar said, adding: “In winter it becomes very difficult to find rental accommodation in Jammu while in summer with the movement of the Darbar and with the opening of the schools in the valley after winter vacations, the rental rates in Jammu too drop.”

Moreover, the property dealers say with forced migration from other parts of the state, including the Kashmiri, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri, the rentals have also seen an upward spiral.

Jammu, August 28
The Joint Action Committee Migrant Camp (JACMC) at Purkhoo Camp, who has been sitting on peaceful dharna from August 18, intensified their protest by holding a mass dharna today.

Bhushan Lal Raina, senior member of the JACMC, said: “The implementation of employment package and enhancement of monthly relief are the foremost demand of the Kashmiri Pandit migrants. We demand the immediate implementation of employment package announced by the central as well as state  government.”

The organisation also demanded one-time compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the educated youth, who had been waiting for employment since 1990, and crossed the prescribed age limit for government service.

The third demand of the JACMC is to enhance the monthly relief of Kashmiri Pandits from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000.

Jammu, August 28
On the occasion of birth anniversary of veteran leader Ram Manohar Lohia, the Pradesh Janata Dal United (PJDU) and the Socialist Front Northzone (SFN) resolved to intensify the struggle for the setting up of the central university at Jammu.

Activists of the PJDU organised a function under the chairmanship of its state president Inder Mohinder Tar Singh. Various socialist leaders from the state and other parts of the country paid floral tributes to Lohia. On the occasion, a resolution was passed unanimously to fight against the sate government’s supposed move of shifting the central varsity to Srinagar.

A similar function was organised by the SFN here today, which was presided over by Sardar Rattan Singh Baghi.

Meanwhile, the Jammu State Morcha (P) has criticised the state government for the delay in setting up of the central university in the Samba district.

Party president Virender Gupta also condemned the action of the government of bargaining the issue of opening of the central university in Jammu with setting up of another in the Kashmir region.

“This action on their part amounts to postponing the matter of establishing the university in Jammu province for inordinate time. Their promise that the Vice-Chancellor of the university would start operating from Jammu and stone for starting the work of construction of the campus would be laid down soon remained unfulfilled so far,” Gupta said.

Udhampur, August 28
Enraged over a sacrilege act, members of the minority community today staged a protest demonstration at Balla in Bhaderwah and blocked movement of traffic on the Doda-Bhaderwah road.

According to reports, devotees who reached Shiva temple at Balla, found some pages of a religious book burnt and torn. The news spread like a wild fire in the area and a large number of people rushed to the spot. They shouted slogans against the administration and demanded action against the culprits. — TNS

Srinagar, August 28
An art gallery would soon come up in Kashmir valley.“The work is in progress. It will come up within few days. We have taken up a building at Lal Mandi and soon the art gallery would be set up,” Javaid Rahi, cultural officer, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, said.

Rahi said about 1,000 art objects and paintings had been dumped in the strong room, where temperature is maintained and paintings are carefully kept in racks. He said an art gallery existed at Kala Kendra in Jammu.

“The upcoming art gallery will help local as well as artists from outside the state to exhibit their paintings; manuscripts be displayed; photographers will put their photos on display and gallery be used by sculptors also.”

Another proposal regarding construction of modern gallery at Srinagar is under submission to the state government.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has agreed to establish this gallery at Tehzeeb Mahal here. It will be the state-of-art building comprising of art galley, sculptor garden, coffee shop, machines for cutting stones to be used by sculptors,” says the cultural officer, adding that old Assembly complex will be dedicated for Tehzeeb Mahal.