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CII team hopeful of investments in valley
Kashmir Issue
NC misleading people by irresponsible remarks: BJP
Idol Theft
Challan produced in girl’s murder case
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Was slain LeT commander Kasab’s Hindi teacher?
Celebrations just a ritual in Jammu
Need to preserve lakes, says Chib
Omar stresses on commercialisation of floriculture
Clashes in Sopore
Govt urged to begin talks with SRTC staff
Murdered by husband, woman’s body exhumed
Docs told to work in remote areas
Awareness camp on swine flu
Congress mourns Reddy’s death
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CII team hopeful of investments in valley
Srinagar, September 5 A CII team headed by its chairman Harpal Singh is on a visit to the valley and is meeting politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen to seek their assistance while motivating entrepreneurs to come and invest in the valley. “We are hopeful that the CII will be able to contribute to the development of the state. We have got a positive response from bureaucrats and local businessmen, though the latter have expressed worries as well,” says Harpal Singh. Dwelling upon the purpose of the visit, the CII chairman said the confederation aimed at clearing the air regarding investments in Kashmir. “We have brought some business leaders from the northern region to this place and will bring some others in future,” he said, adding that “the CII along with the state government has framed a joint task force to look for the overall development of the state.” Harpal Singh said the confederation had begun to interact with the government. “We look forward for a long term relationship.” He said issues like connectivity with the region holding key for the development of the state were discussed at the regional council meeting of the confederation held here this afternoon. The CII chairman said investments in the region would be carried out in sectors like health, education, tourism, power, renewable energy, handicrafts and skill development. “Youths need to be trained so that they are employed by the industry. This requires focus on skill development,” he said. The CII is taking up six Industrial Training Institutes in the valley and 14 schools in Baramulla district to impart information technology education to learners. “In many areas like health, education and power, a public-private partnership is possible. Besides, the CII can raise a platform for issues important to a large number of members of society,” says Harpal Singh.
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Kashmir Issue
Jammu, September 5 “Our party is committed to fulfil wishes and aspirations of all regions of the state and the document of self-rule prepared by our party is the only viable solution to address both internal and external dimensions of the vexed Kashmir problem,” said Mufti while addressing a meeting of senior party workers in Jammu. Sayeed said PDP has pioneered a political and economic agenda for establishing sustainable peace in the sub-continent in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular. “Establishing lasting peace and to consolidate the reconciliation process is on the top of the agenda of PDP,” Sayeed said. “Our party through its pro-peace policies have consolidated reconciliation process,” he said, adding, “beginning of cross LoC trade, opening of Srinagar-Muzafarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads were noticeable achievements of the party.” He reminded the party workers about the situation, which prevailed in the border areas before 2002. “Peace along the borders from Kathua to Kargil is a result of the reconciliatory policy pioneered and propagated by the PDP,” he said. While pointing towards functioning of the Congress-National Conference coalition in the state, he said serious differences have cropped up between the two coalition partners on many issues. He further said both the coalition partners have entered into an alliance without any programme and policy. He exhorted the party workers to effectively take up the issues related to common masses as the coalition had failed to fulfil the promises that were made to the people during assembly elections. He demanded stipend for the educated unemployed youth of the state. |
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NC misleading people by irresponsible remarks: BJP
Jammu, September 5 He said, “The NC is misleading people by raising controversial and provocative issues saying that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir was accepted under compulsion and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was not in its favour.” Arora said it was an admitted fact that all princely states were asked to express their consent regarding accession with India or joining Pakistan in 1947. Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of J&K state, signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947, and it was the same, which was signed by rulers of other states. Hence, the accession was complete and irrevocable. The NC leaders who are making misleading statements must read the history, because Sheikh Abdullah was no one to give the consent for merger, he added. Arora further said during the NDA government’s rule in 2002 their resolution of autonomy was rightly rejected by the government with one voice, as it was against the spirit of the constitution of the state and the country. He added that Jawaharlal Nehru committed a mistake by referring our internal dispute of J&K to the UNO and compelling the constituent assembly to keep provision of Article 370. Although this mistake was a bit corrected during the Shimla Agreement with declaration that both countries endorsed the view that it is bilateral issue and would be resolved accordingly. Arora appealed the stalwarts of NC not to make provocative and irresponsible statements and any person who wants to protect national unity and integrity will not tolerate it. |
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Idol Theft
Udhampur, September 5 The people have lost faith in the police as their repeated appeals to locate the missing idol failed to yield any result. Missing of idol has been snowballing into a big political issue as Hindu organisations have already announced to launch a statewide agitation. The centuries-old idol of deity Ashtbuja Devi was stolen from the temple of Chingam village of the Chatroo area on December 4, 2008. Although the police have interrogated over 300 persons, including the temple priest and members of the local Village Defence Committee (VDC), nothing concrete has so far been achieved by the authorities. The local VDC had assigned the job to protect the temple,due to the prevailing militancy in this belt. Members of the VDC were also interrogated by the police. In a meeting of Hindu organisations, which was held under the banner of Shri Sanatan Dharam Sabha, the area residents regretted that nine months have been passed, but the police had failed to solve the case. It is alleged that narcotics smugglers active in this belt are behind the theft. In the past nine months, the residents of Kishtwar have been agitating to trace the idol. As the authorities have not taken the issue seriously, they have decided to intensify the stir. |
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Challan produced in girl’s murder case
Srinagar, September 5 After a thorough investigation, a murder case was made out against Ashiq Hussain Peer of Herri Payeen Kupwara of 160 Territorial Army and hence the chargesheet was produced against the accused in the court of law, a police spokesman said here today. The case had been finalised and the final report was submitted to the court today, the spokesman added. The police was informed about the murder of Aamina Masoodi at Muqam Dolipora, Trehgam in Kupwara district, on July 9. The members of Aamina’s family alleged that she was murdered by Ashiq Hussain Peer, a resident of Herri Payeen, Kupwara, who was working in 160 Territorial Army. The accused was known to Aamina’s family and is related to them. A case was registered and investigations led to the arrest of the prime accused. The police questioned eyewitnesses, who confirmed the presence of Ashiq in the house of the complainant during the intervening night of July 8 and 9, 2009, besides confirmed his absence from the Army camp of 160 Ta Bn that night. The seizure of two cellphones also confirmed the presence of the accused in the house of the complainant that night, the police added. |
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Was slain LeT commander Kasab’s Hindi teacher?
Jammu, September 5 The killed militant, Abu Jindal, is believed to be the Hindi teacher of Ajmal Kasab and his nine accomplices involved in the Mumbai attack last year. A massive identification exercise is on in Bathoi village, where the police has put the body of Abu Jindal for viewing by villagers of Bathoi and surrounding areas to ascertain whether he was a local or not. The police has also sent Jindal’s photographs to the Mumbai Police for getting confirmation from Kasab whether Jindal taught him Hindi. Kasab had told investigators in Mumbai that a militant, Abu Jindal, had taught him and others Hindi in Pakistan before they launched the terror strike in Mumbai. The police and other security agencies were excited when documents recovered from the three militants gunned down yesterday stated that one of them was LeT commander Abu Jindal, alias Mohammad Uvais. Police sources said some receipts found from his possession claimed he was from Kharriyan village in Gujarat district of Pakistan. However, the hope was fizzling out as no resident or informer had recognised him as a local so far. The police is also verifying the pictures of missing youths from other districts. “This along with the documents suggests slain Abu Jindal was not the person Kasab had talked about. That Jindal was in Pakistan as claimed by Kasab and it would be really foolish on the part of Pakistani groups to send him to the state for terrorist activities when the world is watching the Kasab trial and the Pakistan’s involvement,” said a senior police official. The similarity of the name had caused much activity since yesterday. All eyes are on the Mumbai Police, and sources said the Mumbai Police may reply by tomorrow. |
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Usual zeal missing on Teacher’s Day
Srinagar, September 5 Rafiqa Begum, a government school teacher from Baramulla district, is among three teachers chosen for the best teacher’s national award from the state for the last academic year. But the teachers in the state, with a literacy rate of 54 per cent, are a disappointed lot due to the government’s apathetic attitude in resolving their problems. After a prolonged process, over 6,000 teachers were appointed in the state early this year. The delay was caused due to the model code of conduct in view of the Lok Sabha elections, while the process had already been delayed due to the Assembly elections held in November-December last year. The government had further referred 1,662 posts of teachers to the State Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB), said GA Peer, Secretary, Department of Education. The number of students outside schools in the state, which had been recorded at 3.76 lakh, six years ago, had fallen only to thousands, according to the officials. Though no major event was organised on the occasion of Teacher’s Day today, it was celebrated in the schools with the students presenting gifts and greeting cards to their teachers. In lieu, the teachers were sought to give a piece of advice, opinion about their pupils and exchange good thoughts. A seminar on ‘Teacher as a Transformer’ was organised at Kashmir University in which renowned teachers participated. Speaking on the occasion, Jnanpeeth awardee and former professor Rehman Rahi said, “It is essential that teachers inculcate all ingredients of scientific temper among the students so that they grow rich academically.” The Directorate of Distance Education of the university organised the seminar. Its Director, Shafiqa Parveen, said, “teachers have to feel obligated to help foster civic virtues such as integrity of character, diligence, responsibility, cooperation, loyalty and respect for human values among the students.” Meanwhile, an interaction between prominent citizens and teachers was held at Budgam in the presence of Muhammad Rafi, District Development Commissioner. The participants were unanimous that teachers had a pivotal role in building a strong society and bettering the educational scenario. It was also opined that academic leadership should vest with the teaching community, besides having a definite and decisive hand in curriculum development renewal and formulation. |
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Celebrations just a ritual in Jammu
Jammu, September 5 Every year Teacher’s Day is celebrated to pay tributes to the teachers and mark the birth anniversary of second President of the country S Radhakrishnan, but over the years it has been reduced to a ritual. Talking to The Tribune, residents alleged that the commercialisation and privatisation of education had transformed students into clients and teachers into sellers of education. Remembering old days, Susheel S Jamwal said: “During our time, the bond of love and respect between a teacher and a student was rock solid. But now it has converted into a relationship of “give and take”. He said teachers used to be a role model for students whose main duty was to inculcate moral values and knowledge among the students without any selfish motive and students too used to respect them as they respect their parents and elders. Rekha Choudhary, former head of the Political Science Department, Jammu University, said though the status of a teacher had declined over the years, still good teachers exists in society, who imparts education with full dedication and devotion. She held society responsible for this diminishing relationship between a teacher and a student. Meanwhile, the Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association today celebrated Teacher’s Day on the
university campus by distributing sweets and gifts among the teachers. The Supertech (India) Computer Education and Government Higher Secondary School, Jourian, also celebrated the day. |
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Need to preserve lakes, says Chib
Srinagar, September 5 RS Chib Minister for Youth Service and Sports, Medical Education and Technical Education, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, MS Pandit, president of the National Youth Hostel Association, and others concerned led the rally. The mountain bikers and people from all walks of life took part in the Dal cleaning programme and reaffirmed their resolve to save the lake from pollution. Speaking on the occasion, Chib said youths were the future of our state and their healthy and progressive living was very essential for the prosperity of the state as well as the country. He said the government was formulating a comprehensive programme for the youths to chanel their energy for a productive and meaningful purpose through the Youth Service and Sports Department. Asking the youths to play their role in maintaining the ecological balance, Chib said the natural beauty of Kashmir, including world famous Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, Nageen Lake and Wular Lake, should be made by keeping them clean from biological wastes, pollutants and nitrogenous wastes. The youths should bring awareness among masses about the significance of these lakes. He announced Rs 50,000 for refreshment of schoolchildren participating in the rally. Pandit said the Dal Lake “is our heritage and belongs to every nature lover”. He said the condition of the Dal Lake was deteriorating but with the efforts of the state government it would regain its pristine glory. |
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Reach out to farmers, Vohra asks farm scientists
Jammu, September 5 He was addressing the heads of departments of the faculties of agriculture, veterinary sciences and animal husbandry of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) at RS Pura, Jammu. Asserting that there was a vast potential for growth of agriculture and allied sectors in the state to boost the economy and generate employment opportunities, Vohra emphasised the need for adopting area and agro-climatic zone-specific approaches to achieve the desired results. He asked the faculty members to work with a missionary zeal to keep pace with the advancement made in agri-research and technology across the globe and make the university a centre of excellence. Referring to the Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Vohra said these need to be further strengthened, for effectively popularising the new technology and carrying research from the lab to the fields. He said these centres, being at the cutting edge, had to become agents of change and agriculture growth. He said there should be a perfect coordination between the university and extension network of the state government, for ensuring visible impact of research and improved agricultural practices on the ground to achieve self-sufficiency in the farm produce. Vohra, who is also the university Chancellor, during his visit to the veterinary referral hospital-cum-clinical complex at RS Pura, took keen interest in its functioning and enquired from the faculty of the hospital about the details of the diagnostic and treatment facilities available in the hospital. Earlier, he inaugurated the administrative block of the university at Chatha Campus. Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-J, B Mishra, in his welcome address, briefed the Governor about the existing infrastructure and proposed expansion programme. |
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Omar stresses on commercialisation of floriculture
Srinagar, September 5 The Tulip Garden with 12 lakh bulbs was inaugurated by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on March 29 last year on the beginning of the tourist season in the valley. “Additional one to two lakh tulips should bloom in the garden next season surpassing the records of flowers,” he said at a meeting of Floriculture Department officers. He said efforts should be initiated to make the garden not only self-sustaining but a substantial bulb producing unit. Omar said a campaign could be built around the Tulip Garden right from now to attract national and international tourists to the valley in early spring. He approved the construction of a cold storage in the garden for projection and preservation of tulip bulbs. Omar also called for commercialisation of floriculture in the state, adding that the sector provides rich potential for youth to launch ventures and earn substantial livelihood. “The Agriculture Department should render every assistance to the entrepreneurs interested in floriculture, to start their business in this field,” he said. |
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Clashes in Sopore
Srinagar, September 5 However, no one was hurt in the clash which took place shortly after Friday prayers, disrupting normal activities for several hours in the apple rich town about 55 km from here, official
sources said. Trouble started as several hundred people including a large number of youths, took out a march in support of their demand for demilitarisation of Kashmir and release of separatist leaders including chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who hails
from Sopore. Geelani was among over 20 separatist leaders arrested under Public Safety Act (PSA) during the recent agitation following rape and murder of two women in Shopian on May 30. As the march was taken out in violation of prohibitory orders, police swung into action immediately and used batons to disperse the protesters who pelted stones at the policemen triggering the clashes, the sources said. Police fired dozens of teargas shells to restore order in the town, they said. Hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference has recenlty asked people to stage peaceful demonstrations after Friday prayers in support of the demand for demilitarisation of Kashmir valley.
— PTI |
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Govt urged to begin talks with SRTC staff
Jammu, September 5 State BJP general secretary Bali Bhagat asked the government and the management to hold negotiations with the striking employees on their demands. He said that SRTC employees had worked in very difficult situations during militancy and provided transport facilities to the people in far-flung areas at the cost of their lives. Ignoring their genuine demands was unfortunate. “The SRTC employees have been forced by the government to take to the streets with their families who are on the verge of starvation due to non-payment of their monthly salaries. The government should avoid the use-and-throw policy towards SRTC employees whose services were utilised in the valley and Jammu during strikes and on special occasions like the Amarnath yatra, Secretariat move, Assembly sessions,” he said. Bhagat suggested the setting up of a high-powered committee of experts to devise ways and means to improve the financial health of the SRTC to bring it out of the red. He also called for reconstituting the management and the Board of Directors by inducting those persons with expertise in the transport sector. |
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Murdered by husband, woman’s body exhumed
Srinagar, September 5 The recovery was made after the woman’s husband, Mohammad Qasim, confessed to having murdered his wife, Zeba, about 10 months ago following a matrimonial dispute. The accused, a resident of Matihund Kokernag in Anatnag district, was working in an orchard in the Sumbal area of Bandipore district when she had reportedly gone missing. The family of the deceased had complained to the police about her disappearance. Acting on the complaint, the police questioned Qasim, who confessed to having murdered her and led the police party to a ditch in the orchard where the decomposed body was dumped. The body was exhumed in the presence of a magistrate and doctors. Qasim was working as a chowkidar in the orchard. The body was handed over to the next of kin of the woman after an autopsy. Samples of the body for a DNA test have been collected and some vital evidences have also been collected by the forensic team. |
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Docs told to work in remote areas
Udhampur, September 5 While inaugurating the mela, Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma stressed upon the medical fraternity to serve the ailing people with a missionary spirit to minimise the miseries of mankind. He said the medicos should put in their sincere efforts to deliver the human services to the people with a focused attention on the people in the remote areas, where getting the proper medical facilities is difficult. Complimenting the organisers, the Minister said: “Such camps provide an opportunity to the patients belonging to weaker sections of society to get free and specialised treatment at their
doorsteps.” |
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Awareness camp on swine flu
Kishtwar, September 5 A team of doctors of district hospital in Kishtwar comprising of Dr TK Moza, medical superintendent and Dr Ravinder Kumar Sumbli, physician specialist also delivered lectures on the symptoms and preventive measures of the disease. Principal of the college, professor PK Koul, other professors and students in large number were present. Dr Moza, gave detailed account of the virus and informed the gathering about the preventive measures. Dr Ravinder Kumar Sumbli, also deliberated on the life cycle and the mode of transmission of the virus from one person to other.
— TNS |
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Congress mourns Reddy’s death
Jammu, September 5 The meeting also places on record the dedicated services Reddy had rendered to the Indian National Congress for promotion of the interest of poor people of the country throughout his career.
— TNS |
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