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Militants target police bus
MCA students boycott exam
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Gupta’s Election
Keep MLAs in loop, CM tells officials
Water sports in 3 major dams soon
Death of Shiv Khori board worker
INA veteran cherishes meeting with Netaji
INA veteran Suneet Singh
Overcharging by Shopkeepers
NBCC, PHE Dept told to work in tandem
BJP flays govt over elapsed central funds
Total shutdown in Shopian
Relief sought for closed units, affected staff
Sexual Harassment
2 burglars held, 6 vehicles recovered
Work on toll plaza reviewed
Ex-VC booked on corruption charges
Minor raped, accused held
Curbs around exam centres
Hiranagar Project Governor visits
Leh Shabir Shah
detained
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2 cops, woman killed in IED blast
Kumar Rakesh Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 12 The police said the bus carrying cops from Pulwama district was on its way back to the south Kashmir district after dropping detainees at the jail and the IED in the car was exploded, believed to be by some remote-controlled device, as the bus came alongside it. The explosion, something of this magnitude has not happened in Srinagar in the last many years, was so powerful that its sound was heard seven to eight kilometres away and it left the bus in a state of wreck. “I went deaf for a while and then I rushed to the spot. Policemen were bloodied and some were mutilated. A few were moaning in pain. It was a gun-wrenching scene,” Mushtaq Ahmad, a civilian, said. The locality, Kathi Darwaza, is on the fringes of the downtown and is thinly populated. People were preparing to break their fast, observed during this holy month of Ramazan, when the massive explosion occurred and created panic all round. One dead official has been identified as ASI Sagar Singh. The attack was evidently a targeted terror act and the cops deployed at police lines, who are not really believed to be on the hit list of the militants, were targeted for their vulnerability and fixed schedule, police officials said. A militant outfit, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, has owned up the blast, a local news agency said, but the police believed it was a front for groups like the LeT, JeM and the Hizbul Mujahideen, which often act in tandem these days. Despite the official claims of decreasing militant violence, a series of targeted terror acts in the summer capital this year has only strengthened many security officials’ doubts that militants have managed to regroup themselves and they carry out killings with deliberate planning and precision, as today’s blast proved. Three CRPF personnel and one cop were killed last month by militants. Meanwhile, the police has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information pertaining to the blast.
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MCA students boycott exam
Jammu, September 12 RD Sharma, Controller Examination, said the examination was conducted at all centres but MCA students of Jammu University, Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and Mahant Bachittar Singh (MBS) College of Engineering and Technology showed indiscipline by boycotting exam. The protesting students regretted that due to the declaration of the first-semester result yesterday, a majority of students who failed to qualify the examination or who got reappear were mentally upset. Dinkar Dhotra, an MCA student, alleged that usually the result of the first semester was declared during the end of the third semester, but this time the result was declared during the second-semester examination. Monika Abrol, another student, said: “The syllabus of this paper was broad. The authorities should have given us more days for preparation instead of two days.” Devanand Padha, Head of the MCA Department, said the result of first semester was good and only 10 students got reappear. While saying that there was no logic behind boycotting the examination, Padha said: “We had declared datesheet earlier, and instead of taking their own decision, the students should have informed me about their problem.”
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Rift in Cong likely to deepen
Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Udhampur, September 12 Sitting MLA of Bhaderwah and former minister Mohammad Sharief Niaz has already registered his strong protest before the Congress high command for giving mandate to Gupta for Upper House. Niaz has charged him with helping BJP candidate in the recently held byelection for the Bhaderwah Assembly segment. Sources closed to Niaz disclosed that the MLA has lodged written complaint before the AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders of the high command against the election of Gupta as member of the Legislative Council. He has reportedly also brought this matter to the notice of the disciplinary committee constituted by the PCC chief Prof Saifuddin Soz and demanded action against Gupta for his alleged involvement in anti-party activities. Interestingly, Mohammad Sharief Niaz is cousin of the Union Health Minister but he has switched over to Prof Soz’s camp after being denied a ministerial berth in the recent cabinet expansion. Two warring factions of the Congress in erstwhile Doda have been levelling serious allegations on each other and accusing their opponents for helping the BJP. Despite stiff opposition by Niaz, Azad lobby projected name of Naresh Gupta and ultimately got him elected as member of the Legislative Council seat. The Council seat was fallen vacant after election of Niaz as member of the Legislative Assembly so he tried his best to accommodate his own man but failed in his effort. Buoyed over victory of Naresh Gupta, pro-Azad group has also stepped up its activities to corner sitting MLA Mohammad Sharief Niaz. Despite opposition by the sitting MLA, a rousing reception was accorded to Naresh Gupta during his arrival in his native place.
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Keep MLAs in loop, CM tells officials
Srinagar, September 12 “The members of the District Development Boards should be fully apprised of the funds earmarked in their districts for various works under the state sector and for centrally sponsored schemes,” he said, adding that this would give them a holistic view of financial allocations and action plan for the district so that they are able to monitor every scheme and give their feedback about the status of progress. Several MLAs had complained in the Assembly in the recent Budget Session that they were often kept in dark by officials regarding the development in their constituency which embarrasses them. Abdullah also constituted a committee comprising law, revenue and agriculture ministers to look into the strengthening of the Act regarding the land use so that haphazard and unplanned constructions on agriculture lands be restricted. Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar would head the group. H said the board members have expressed concerns regarding the conversion of agriculture land into commercial and residential purposes. The CM also asked the Forest Minister to seek the expert opinion about the “ill-effects” of eucalyptus on ground water table and frame a comprehensive report so that this issue is tackled accordingly. It is said that the tree results in receding ground water and is not really environment-friendly. Abdullah also approved Rs 65.16 crore annul plan for Baramulla, which includes Rs 3.35 crore additionalities. |
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Water sports in 3 major dams soon
Jammu, September 12 The Tourism Department in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Water Sports, Goa, would soon start water sports activities in the three main dams -- Dul Hasti in Reasi, Baglihar in Doda and Ranjeet Sagar in Kathua district of the state. Talking to The Tribune, SM Sahni, Director Tourism, Jammu, said, “To give a boost to the tourism sector in the region and attract a large number of tourists, we would soon start water sport activities within next four months in Dul Hasti, Baglihar and Ranjeet Sagar dams.” He said experts from the Indian Institute of Water Sports, Goa, which is being looked after by the Union Tourism Ministry, had collected the data for starting water sports in the dams. “They (IIWS) have conducted a survey and money for the project too has arrived. If we send them money today the sports activities would start by December,” Sahni said. Meanwhile, the stage is also set for the start of ferry services in Baglihar Lake, as the government has cleared the project. “The Deputy Commissioner, Doda, has cleared the project and the ferry service in Baglihar Lake would also start soon,” Sahni said. “After taking into account the current and the depth of the lake, the types and designs of the boat would be given and the service would start in the lake,” Sahni said. The deputy commissioners of Doda and Ramban had been designated as the licensing authorities under the Jammu and Kashmir Boats and Ferry Act. The ferry service would also help facilitate the movement of goods in case of the closure of the national highway, Baljeet Singh Jamwal, chief engineer, Baglihar, said. “Different locations have been identified for the start of the ferry service. This service would also be helpful in the transportation of goods if the highway closes at Ramban.” Jamwal said they had given the specifications of the Baglihar dam to the Tourism Department and the department would take the decision for starting the service there.
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Death of Shiv Khori board worker Tribune News Service
Udhampur, September 12 For the past three days, the board employees had been demanding compensation for the family of their colleague, who according to them, died due to the negligence of the board authorities. Pilgrims of Shiv Khori temple had been facing hardship due to the employees’ strike. A generator operator, Mangat Ram, was seriously injured while performing his duties at the cave shrine in August. Due to deterioration in his condition, he was shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu, where he died three days back. The death of the colleague infuriated the employees, as they alleged that despite repeated requests by the family members the shrine board authorities did not provide any help to the injured employee. After the death of Mangat Ram, the board employees went on an indefinite strike demanding adequate ex gratia relief for the family of Mangat Ram. They also demanded a job on compassionate grounds for the wife of Mangat Ram, as he was the only bread winner of the family. The employees alleged that instead of taking their problems seriously the shrine board authorities had been threatening to sack them. This morning, local shopkeepers and residents also joined their stir and observed a total shutdown. It was only after the locals joined the agitating employees today that PK Pole, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, reached Ransoo and started talks with the agitating employees. “We have been holding talks with the agitating employees to resolve the issue,” the Deputy Commissioner told The Tribune and assured to take all measures for the welfare of the employees.
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INA veteran cherishes meeting with Netaji
Jammu, September 12 Before meeting Netaji, Suneet Singh, who had joined the British Army at the age of 22 in 1941, was oblivious of the importance and meaning of freedom. On the sidelines of a function organised by the J&K Freedom Fighters’ Association here today, Suneet, the only child of his parents Maser Singh and Kesari Devi, recalled the protracted freedom struggle while taking to The Tribune. “At the age of 22, I joined the British Army at a rally at Bari-Brahmana in 1941 and after the initial training was sent to Hong Kong in November,” he said. But in December a war started with Japan and I still remember that around 90,000 soldiers were taken hostage by the Japanese Army, he added. He admitted that he did not understand the importance of freedom till he met Netaji in Burma. However, when the INA came under Netaji’s command, a Japanese colonel, who was born to a Bihari father and a Japanese mother, released all 90,000 soldiers along with their arsenal to the INA, he said. Netaji asked us to avenge the killing of every single Indian soldier by killing at least eight British soldiers. While in Burma, Suneet recalled that he along with his fellow soldiers used to carry 52 pound tripods of machine guns on his shoulders and walk 32 miles every night to reach the army camp. After walking for 11 days, we reached Mandla Jail in Burma, where Netaji was first arrested and lodged, he sa After working in Hong Kong, Singapore, Burma and Bangladesh, Suneet reached Assam. He had also spent some time in a Multan camp (now in Pakistan) in 1946 along with 6,000 freedom fighters. However, Suneet like many others has a strong difference of opinion over Netaji’s death allegedly in a plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945. |
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DC conducts surprise check
Tribune News Service
Udhampur, September 12 The checking was conducted to ensure the availability of all essential commodities to the consumers at the approved and reasonable rates and the maintenance of overall hygienic conditions of Kishtwar township. The business establishments checked during the tour included medical shops, vegetable, and milk shops of the town. While taking the stock of the cleanliness/ hygienic conditions in the existing lanes and drains, the DC directed the MC executive officer to ensure proper and timely cleaning and maintenance of the drainage system. He also asked for a special cleanliness drive of the town well before Eid festival. Bhagat impressed upon the shopkeepers to help the administration in maintaining the town neat and clean and also instructed them to refrain from overcharging and black marketing of the essentials. Meanwhile, the DC along with a team of senior district functionaries also conducted a one-day tour of remote areas of Kishtwar district and organised open public darbars at these places to enlist the grievances of the public. The DC also conducted review meetings during the tour and took stock of the ongoing development activities.
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NBCC, PHE Dept told to work in tandem
Jammu, September 12 In a meeting, he gave directions to the PHE Department and the NBCC to work collectively on the project and resume the work within two days. Kotwal said: “It is only the PHE who knows the alignment of pipelines running beneath the ground, whereas the NBCC has to lay sewer lines, so the PHE has to work in tandem, and provide the needed corridor to the NBCC to get ahead with the work.” The NBCC had to halt its work as it was not finding enough space to carry out its functions due to narrow and congested road and thick network of pipelines, both water and cable lines, some of them are defunct as well. NBCC general manager Hemraj said: “Either the PHE has to clear the defunct pipelines and create corridor for us, or we will have to run sewer pipe lines parallel to the functioning lines.” Hemraj insisted on thorough cooperation from the PHE Department whereas chief engineer, PHE Department, VK Abrol had earlier expressed his helplessness in extending help to the NBCC. However, now with the Divisional Commissioner’s direction, the PHE will have to cooperate with the NBCC. The PHE has also been blaming the NBCC for functioning in an irresponsible manner due to which they had to repair many water pipes, damaged by them.
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BJP flays govt over elapsed central funds
Jammu, September 12 Addressing mediapersons here today, BJP’s state unit president Ashok Khajuria said people had every right to know why most of the funds under the package got lapsed and who were responsible for it? Khajuria referred to the recent discussions in the Assembly over the issue of the Central government’s package where members were told that only Rs 6,000 crore had been spent in the last five years. Khajuria demanded a white paper on the issue by the government and also the details of punitive action the government proposed to take against guilty
people. He said failure on the part of the government to utilise the plan money was regrettable. Khajuria said Rs 552 crore for the improvement of water supply in Greater Jammu had elapsed while Rs 78 crore earmarked for the Srinagar Airport were spent fully. Besides, Rs 120 crore sanctioned for the conservation of Dal Lake had been spent, while Rs 39 lakh out of Rs 6.91 crore was spent on Mansar Lake. At the same time, Rs 82 crore had elapsed out of Rs 120 crore sanctioned for the improvement and upgrading of the GMC, Jammu. |
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Total shutdown in Shopian
Srinagar, September 12 Soon after the Majlis called yesterday for a Kashmir bandh against the high court’s decision to grant bail to four cops accused of destroying evidence in the Shopian rape-and-murder case, Geelani said the call should be confined to Shopian and not adhered to in the rest of Kashmir. Though the ostensible reason offered by the Geelani faction is that they had not seen the court’s judgment yet and any strike call during the holy month of Ramazan would inconvenience the masses, but many believe that the decision just attested to his attempts to project himself as the sole spokesperson for the Kashmir cause. Out of jail after three months, he would not allow the Majlis, comprising people from all walks of lives, to dictate terms to the people. A shocked Majlis reacted with anger and termed Geelani’s actions “deplorable”. “It is heart-breaking for the people of Shopian. It was a just call as the high court order came as a shock to people in Kashmir and the state government had completely failed in its job,” Mohammad Shafi, its spokesperson, said. |
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Relief sought for closed units, affected staff
Jammu, September 12 Alleging a conspiracy behind the order for the closure of units, the association has also demanded an inquiry into the matter. President of the association Tejwant Singh Reen said the government took the decision in haste and ordered the closure of more than 60 units involved in the manufacturing of the polythene carry bags thus affecting more than 50,000 people directly or indirectly. “Majority of such units are in Jammu and only two units in the Kashmir valley, we held a meeting with Chief Minister last month and he assured us that his government would come out with an incentive package for the affected units, but nothing of that sort was done,” Reen said. The association pointed out that out of the 16 items identified under the Non-biodegradable Material Act, 2007, of the state only polythene carry-bags have been banned under SRO 122 of May 11, 2009, issued by the State Pollution Control Board. Reen said the government should take measures and come up with a rehabilitation package. |
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Sexual Harassment
Jammu, September 12 The inquiry committee headed by Dr Vijay Gupta, Deputy Director Health Services, has three members, including gynaecologist Dr Renu Gupta, Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, Dr Shahid Mughal and Zonal Leprosy Officer Dr Anita Sharma. The panel has recorded the statements of the complainant doctors, the accused doctor and is likely to submit its report tomorrow. However, sources said the department authorities today summoned the complainants and asked them to withdraw complaint. They were also asked not to approach the media, as it was maligning the image of the department.
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2 burglars held, 6 vehicles recovered
Jammu, September 12 Five cars, including a Swift, a motorcycle and 24 cell phones were recovered on the disclosure made by Roshan Lal of Chakroi in RS Pura and Mohammed Afzal of Talab
Khatikan, who had been putting up in Khanpur Nagrota, Jammu SSP Manohar Singh told mediapersons here yesterday. “Three other associates of the arrested thieves have been identified and a hunt has been launched to nab them,” the SSP
said. Roshan had lifted most of the vehicles from the northern area of the city while Afzal of Khanpur Nagrota had stolen 24 cell phones from the Talab Khatikan area and had shifted to
Khanpur, the SSP said. While Sainik Colony witnessed a sudden spurt in thefts, six in the past 10 days and 70 incidents of chain snatching reported so far from various parts of the winter capital, the city police has pulled up its socks to nail down the gangs. |
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Jammu, September 12 The toll plaza at Lakhanpur, which is to be executed in two phases, is being constructed at the cost of Rs 32.20 crore. The first phase of the contract has been allotted to the JKPCC at a cost of Rs 23.06 crore, which include Excise and Commercial Taxes, complex housing, recreational centre for visiting tourists, dhabas, toilet block, shelters for drivers, animal husbandry complex and a parking yard for 240 vehicles. He informed that the new toll plaza at Lakhanpur on completion would decongest the present traffic conditions. An amount of Rs 15 crore has already been released for the project against which about Rs 11.35 crore has been utilised by the JKPCC till August. — TNS
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Ex-VC booked on corruption charges
Srinagar, September 12 The SVO said Sharma in league with some officials and others during his term affected the purchase of swaged steel tabular (SST) poles on exorbitant rates without observing necessary formalities and without any specific allocation of funds, which in turn led to a substantial loss to the public exchequer. The second case pertains to illegal appointments in the university over a period of time without available vacancies and in gross violation of norms. The appointments were apparently made to accommodate a chosen few. |
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Minor raped, accused held
Jammu, September 12 Rishu has been arrested and the medical examination of the victim has been conducted at the Government Medical College here. A case has been registered against the accused. The victim’s family hailed from Kolkata and has been putting up in rented accommodation from the past 12 years. Her father is a small time labourer while her mother works as a maid in the locality. Meanwhile, the police also seized 332 more bags of spurious cements from a godown in the Kanachak area and arrested one Arvind Sharma of Shamachak. The police also seized 220 empty rucksacks of branded companies from the
godown.
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Curbs around exam centres
Udhampur, September 12 However, the admission cards issued by the J&K State Board of School Education, Jammu, to the eligible students shall be treated as entry pass for examination halls.
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Statue’s height to be raised, NHAI assures locals
Seema sharma Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 12 Colonel MK Jain said, “It took almost a month to convince people that their interest will be safeguarded with the construction of flyover as it will provide world-class service roads, remove traffic congestion, avoid probabilities of accidents and saves precious time.”
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Governor visits
Leh Srinagar, September 12 He also visited famous Diskit Monastery in Nubra valley, a statement said. The Governor paid obeisance at the monastery and prayed for communal harmony, brotherhood, peace, progress and prosperity in the state. A deputation of people of Diskit also met the Governor and submitted a memorandum, highlighting their demands, including the need for construction of a tunnel at Khardung-La, setting up of a degree college at Diskit, augmenting power supply and increasing the airlift quota of civilians through the Army from Thoise to Chandigarh.
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Jammu, September 12 Shah was taken into custody from Chopra Nursing Home of Government Medical College, Jammu, yesterday, officials said today. Shah was undergoing treatment for kidney and skin ailments there. This is the fourth detention of the separatist leader in the past one year, officials said, adding that he was earlier released on August 20 after his detention under the PSA was quashed by the state high court. — PTI
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Jammu, September 12
