Jammu, October 2
In the second ceasefire violation within a fortnight, the Pakistan Rangers today fired on four BSF outposts at Mangral on the Indo-Pakistani border in the RS Pura sector even as BSF guards foiled an intrusion bid and shot dead two infiltrators.

“Late last night our jawans guarding the border sighted a group of suspected intruders trying to fiddle with the border fencing. They didn’t pay heed to our repeated warnings”, BSF DIG JB Sangwan told The Tribune.

He said after the infiltrators ignored the warnings the soldiers guarding the border fired and killed two of them. “The Pakistani side opened fire on our troops to which we took retaliatory action and returned the fire. The crossborder firing continued intermittently for over half an hour,” he added.

Sources said the body of one of the two unidentified intruders who were killed was recovered from the other side of the barbed fencing at the Mangral outpost, with the other found near the fence at the Kharkola border post.

“Yes, two people were killed, though we aren’t sure whether one of them was an infiltrator or was trying to sneak across the border into Pakistani territory. The militants wanted to enter the Indian side under the cover of fire, but the BSF foiled their design,” Sangwan stated.

According to the sources, Pakistani troops in violation of the ceasefire opened small arms fire from across the border on four border posts on the Indian side. They said the firing was aimed at aiding infiltrators to cross over into Indian territory.

“The Pakistani side often resorts to ceasefire violations in order to divert attention from infiltrators crossing into India,” a senior army officer commented

On September 17 Pakistani forces had violated the ceasefire and injured two BSF soldiers guarding the border at Nikowal in the Pargwal area in Akhnoor sector.

Lt-Gen GM Nair, GoC of the Indian army’s Rising Star corps, whose Jammu-based Tiger Davison provides backup to the BSF, had said recently “50 to 60” armed terrorists were waiting across the border in the Jammu region to infiltrate into the Indian side.

The sources said the latest infiltration bid that was foiled today could have been part of those plans. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Jammu town and security agencies have been put on high alert after reports that some of those infiltrators might have already crossed over into Indian territory.

Jammu, October 2
The state cabinet’s decision to implement the Prime Minister’s package of Rs 1680.40 crore for relief and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants and constitution of a committee headed by secretary revenue has been well-received by migrants living in different camps.

Kashmiri Pandit migrants were earlier doubtful about intentions of the state government with regard to implementation of this package as no concrete action was taken in this regard during last more than two years, said Roshan Lal Pandit, a representative of migrants living in Purkhoo Camp - Phase III.

“Provision of funds has been made in this year’s budget and the cabinet’s decision about its implementation has given fresh hope for better future to the otherwise disappointed unemployed and overaged youth, who are rotting in the camps”, he said.

Although the opinion about immediate return of the community to the valley is divided, there is a consensus among all for employment package for the unemployed youth with tacit approval for their postings in the valley.

“If the government sends back Kashmiri Pandits to the valley under the present circumstances, they will also join the separatists and demand independence, which will weaken India in Kashmir” said Mohan Lal Lolabi, another migrant leader of Phase-IV, Purkhoo Camp.

He demanded jobs for the unemployed youth under the PM’s package and had no objection if these youth are posted at district headquarters in the valley.

Chuni Lal, yet another leader of the same phase, while approving return of the community to the valley demanded permanent settlement of the community at district headquarters.

He said 100 per cent population of Kashmiri Pandits’s from Srinagar city and its surroundings have disposed off their assets and now a separate city would have to be carved out for them.

While justifying similar settlement for rural Kashmiri Pandits’s, Chuni Lal said: “Out of 25 families, 20 families have disposed off their immovable assets in my village - Akingam, Anantnag. Is it possible now for only 5 families to go and get resettled in that village?” Albeit the cabinet decision has been welcomed, most of the overaged youth seemed anxious about proper relaxation in age limit.

“More than 200 educated unemployed youth are ready commit suicide if they are not accommodated in the PM’s package,” said Pintu Jee, a representative of the youth in Mishriwala camp. “Whatever the circumstances, we are ready to go back and join government services in any part of Kashmir valley,” he added.

Srinagar, October 2
Around 1.78 lakh educated youths of the Kashmir division have registered with the employment and counselling centres by September end, as the government has framed a new policy to provide employment opportunities to the youth.

AR Rather, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, said the government would soon come up with an employment policy that would be formally announced on December 5, on the birth anniversary of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah. He had already stated about the policy during his Budget speech on August 10, while the process of the scheme is underway.

Farooq Ahmad Peer, Secretary, Employment and Labour Department, formally announced to rename employment exchanges as employment and counselling centres in the state at a function organised for the purpose here today. The function organised at the Directorate of Employment and Counselling Centre was informed that these counselling centres would provide necessary counselling to the educated unemployed youths to help them seek jobs in various departments. Books would also be made available at the counselling for the youths at these centres, it was informed.

It was stated at the function that as many as 1,77,545 unemployed youths of the Kashmir division, including the Kashmir valley and the Ladakh region, had registered with the employment and counselling centres up to September end. Of these, 27,351 youths belong to Srinagar district, 30,453 to Anantnag district, 24,477 Kulgam, 11,100 Budgam, 16,959 Pulwama, 6,300 Shopian, 25,845 to Baramulla and Bandipora districts, 26,768 to Kupwara, 5,004 Ganderbal, and 3,287 candidates to Leh and Kargil districts.

Addressing a public meeting, Rather urged the unemployed youths to register themselves with the employment exchanges as the process had got underway from today, marking the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Rather said only those youths would be permitted to attend counselling with necessary stipend whose names were registered with these employment exchanges.

Srinagar, October 2
Governor NN Vohra has called for formulating a comprehensive yearlong calendar of activities for securing a sustained flow of activities for the promotion of Gandhian values of peace and prosperity through communal harmony, brotherhood, amity and tolerance.

The Governor was interacting with a delegation of the Gandhian Workers’ Foundation (GWF) and the Gandhian Global Family, who called on him at the Raj Bhawan here today on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. SP Verma, chairman of the GWF, led the delegation.

Vohra emphasised the need for organising seminars, debates, essay, quiz, dance, drama, music and painting competitions on various aspects of the Gandhiji’s life and teachings, especially in the educational institutions across the state, to create greater awareness among the young generation about the Mahatma’s philosophy of truth, tolerance and non-violence. He said such activities, throughout the year, would sustain the impact of the teachings of the Father of the Nation among the youth.

Recalling his own association with the Sarvodaya International Trust (SIT), (Delhi branch), with which he had been involved for many years, the Governor shared his experiences with the delegation of the GWF and the Gandhian Global Family.

The Governor, who is also the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, announced that the board would be provide 500 blankets to the foundation for distribution among orphans, widows, destitute and needy persons and assured the delegation of all possible support for their activities.

The delegation presented to the Governor the copy of a 75-year old historical photograph of the Gandhiji with various national leaders of that time. 

Udhampur, October 2
Residents of the newly-carved Majalta tehsil of Udhampur district observed a day-long fast on Gandhi Jyanti today in protest against the casual attitude of the authorities in providing basic amenities. They sat on fast at the main chowk of the tehsil headquarters through out the day to draw the attention of the authorities towards their demands.

After a decade-long struggle, residents of Majalta, which was earlier part of Ramnagar, was granted a tehsil status in year 2007. Though the tehsil status was granted, the area residents had been struggling to get basic amenities like clean drinking water, regular electricity supply, health facilities and quality education for their children. Water-borne diseases broke out in this belt recently due to the supply of contaminated water. There is a feeling among residents of this tehsil that the authorities had been deliberately denying them basic amenities and so they had been agitating against the indifferent attitude of the administration.

The mass fast was observed under the leadership of RS Pathania, an advocate, and was attended by local sarpanches, panches, prominent people and retired officers. People demanded sanctioning of a degree college and ITI at Majalta.

Pathania said a proposed degree college at Majalta should cater to students of as many as 10 higher secondary schools and five tehsils, Majalta and bordering areas of Jammu, Samba, Billawar and Ramnagar.

He also demanded a special package for Majalta tehsil. 

Srinagar, October 2
The state government has revised the minimum wages of skilled and other workers after four years with effect from October 1.

The wages of unskilled workers have been raised from Rs 66 to Rs 110, those of semi-skilled workers from Rs 88 to Rs 150 and skilled workers from Rs 147 to Rs 200, a spokesman for the Labour and Employment Department said.

The rates had been fixed taking into consideration factors such as the prevailing rate structure and price rise.

The revision of the rates would benefit lakhs of labourers working in the organised and unorganised sectors.

He said any employer found paying wages less than the fixed ones would be prosecuted under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act.

The Assistant Labour Commissioners of all districts had been directed to strictly implement the revised rates and take due cognizance of any violation thereof, the spokesman said. — PTI

Jammu, October 2
Two coaches of Jammu bound 2JU DMU train derailed at Bajalta, a few kilometres from the Bajalta railway station on the Jammu Udhampur rail link, today.

As per sources, the track was being repaired when the accident occurred. Two coaches derailed but no damage was done.

“The train was Jammu bound from Udhampur when the two coaches derailed at Bajalta,” Divisional Traffic Manager, Jammu, Ashok Sharma, said.

He said an accident relief vehicle was summoned from Pathankot and taken to the accident site, but engineers had already restored a coach with the help of hydraulic jacks. “There was no casualty and nothing to worry. It was a minor mishap. We would probe the reasons that caused the accident,” Sharma said.

Jammu, October 2
The Gandhi Study Centre, established in 2004, and the Nehru and Ambedkar study centres, both set up in 2006, under the 10th five year plan and now extended under the 11th five year plan have been facing severe shortage of staff and funds ever since they were created. Jammu University has been authorised by the UGC to provide funds to these centres, until the latter releases funds next year.

Dr Ashish Saxena, director of Ambedkar centre, has to juggle between the sociology department as well as the former, as his requirement of an assistant director and two research scholars has not been met till now. Shortage of fund is making his task more difficult.

“Each centre is given 4.7 lakh to manage its activities for the year, such as holding seminars, workshops etc, but the year is almost over and we do not have any money. Not only this, I have not been paid the monthly honorarium, which is Rs 2000, at all this year,” said Saxena.

Similarly, Dr Anurag Hangal, associate professor, political science department, is heading the Gandhi centre and also had to handle Nehru centre initially. “It became difficult for me to manage and I had to write to the UGC. Finally, they appointed a person.” He also complained of no funds this year.

Baljit Singh, associate professor at the political science department and director of Nehru center, did not get any honorarium for 2007. The situation remains the same this year, although he has received 4.7 lakh for the centre just last month.

“The funds came quite late. For the entire year, we had to struggle on our own,” said Baljit Singh.

“The UGC should not create such centres if it cannot handle the responsibility,” charged Hangal. 

Srinagar, October 2
The High Court has not imposed any ban on media coverage of the Shopian case involving the alleged rape-cum-murder of two women and said it would continue to monitor the case until “such time the mystery is resolved”.

In its seven-page order, a division Bench comprising Chief Justice Barin Ghosh and Justice Mohammed Yaqoob Mir directed the CBI to submit a report on the findings by October 13 on the process carried out for exhuming the bodies of the two women and their autopsy.

“We direct this matter to be listed on October 13 only for the purpose of submission of report by the team of investigators appointed by the CBI confining only to the process of exhuming the bodies and autopsy,” the order said. There was no mention in the order of any blanket ban imposed on the media reporting the case.

“We make it clear that we do not want to know the details of the autopsy carried out. We only want to know when and how consent was given for exhumation, when and how people of Shopian town were taken into confidence...,” the Bench said.

On the CBI taking up the investigation, the court said, “It has been reported to us that a new investigating team has been appointed, namely, CBI, to investigate the matter. They have within 15 days time exhumed the bodies and conducted autopsy thereof, which we wanted the Special Investigating Team to do much earlier.” The Bench, however, said, “It would be appropriate on our part not to conclude at this stage that the altered channel of investigation is not functioning properly.” — PTI

Jammu, October 2
Despite the statement of one of the six suspended officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police, SP South Mumtaz Ahmed, regarding the Amandeep murder case; the weapon of offence remains elusive.

In his statement recorded before Excise Mobile Magistrate under section 164-A, the suspended SP South said on August 30 at around 8 pm (the day Amandeep Singh died in Sri Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi) he was in his office when suspended SSP Manohar Singh arrived at the Gandhi Nagar police station between 9 pm and 10 pm.

“Being SSP, I also went to meet him at the police station and found him sitting on the chair of the SHO watching the weapon - a countrymade pistol, which was used in the crime. Suspended SHO Mirza Sultan and suspended Investigation Officer SI Satnam Singh were standing inside the room,” stated Ahmed in his statement before the court.

The weapon, a countrymade pistol, had a double trigger, its butt was made up of wood and it was a new weapon, read Ahmed’s statement, a copy of which is available with The Tribune.

The suspended officer submitted that after staying at the SHO’s room for five to ten minutes he sought permission from the SSP to leave the station.

“While leaving investigation officer Satnam Singh, who by then was standing near the door, told me that it was the same weapon recovered after main accused Jatinder Singh, aka Raja’s confession. Satnam Singh also told me that Jatinder had identified the weapon as well,” Ahmed stated before the court.

“Satnam Singh told Ahmed that acting upon SSP’s instructions the weapon was unsealed before him. Since the SSP had asked me to prepare a report on Chopra murder case, I left the room,” the statement further read.

Official sources said going by Mumtaz Ahmed’s statement, inordinate delay in recovering the original weapon of offence raises serious questions on the efficacy of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Not only this, hitherto the SIT has not deemed it fit to register a case against the suspended SSP for fabricating evidence, breaking seal of the weapon and false documentation to change the course of investigation, sources added.

Meanwhile, a team of doctors examined suspended SSP Manohar Singh, suspended SHO Sultan Mirza, SI Satnam Singh and constable Raj Singh in Gandhi Nagar police station last night. Ballistic expert of the FSL, Jammu, Sarwar Hussain Bukhari, who had received Rs 3.50 lakhs to play his role in fudging the evidence, was taken to Government Medical College for medical examination.

Srinagar, October 2
A day after the agitating SRTC employees submitted resignations en mass under the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), they continued with their protest here today.

The employees started the protest march, carrying banners and placards, from the SRTC office on the MA Road and proceeded towards Lal Chowk, but were prevented by the police near Polo View. Some of their leaders were detained to prevent them from proceeding towards the central Lal Chowk area. The employees had given slogan “Jail Bharo Andolan” on the Gandhi Jyanti for courting arrest. The protesters also courted arrest.

The SRTC employees had been agitating for more than a month demanding the release of unpaid salaries for five months, benefits recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission and measures to make the corporation a profit making unit.

Meanwhile, MY Tarigami, CPM state secretary and MLA, Kulgam, today appealed to the government to adopt a long term and fruitful policy for the rehabilitation of sick public sector undertakings so that the interests of the employees as well as the state were protected. Referring to the en mass resignations submitted by the employees of the SRTC the other day, Tarigami said such a move indicated the imminent collapse of public sector undertakings in the state that once used to be the vital tools of state’s economic growth.

Tarigami said resignations by the SRTC employees was the outcome of negligent and non-serious approach of the government towards the corporation. 

Srinagar, October 2
The Cabinet, which met here yesterday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, approved the transfers of 28 Forest Department officials.

Jagdish Keshwan has been posted as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests while Irshad Ahmad Khan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has been posted as Chief Wildlife Warden.

AK Singh, CCF Projects and Planning, has been posted as CCF Forests, Central. Abhai Kumar CCF, Jammu, has been posted as CCF (Director), Soil Conservation. Abdul Razaq, Director Environment and Ecology, has been posted as CCF Working Plan and Research. Ravi Kesar, CCF Central, has been posted as CCF (Director) Environment and Ecology. Suresh Chugh, Conservator of Forests Research, has been posted as incharge CCF (Forests Conservation Act) and Nodal Officer. SP Arya has been posted as incharge CCF, Project and Planning. SC Sharma, Project Coordinator, Ujh, has been posted as CCF Forests, Jammu.

Suraj Parkash, Conservator of Forests, Working Plan, has been posted as incharge CCF, Settlement and Demarcation. HS Slathia, Nodal Officer, has been posted as Project Coordinator, Ujh. U Pachnanda has been posted as Conservator Forests, (Research).

Shafiq Khan, Conservator Forests, South Circle, has been posted as Regional Director Social Forestry, Kashmir. Manuraj, Joint Director, Soil Conservation, Jammu, has been posted to the State Forest Corporation. LK Sharma, CF Central Circle, has been posted as CF, Research and Trainings. Manzoor Ahmad, CF North Circle, has been posted as CF Central.

MJ Sharma has been posted as Joint Director Forest Protection Force, Jammu. Om Prakash has been posted as CF Working Plan. Neelu Gera has been posted as Joint Director SFRI (Headquarters).

Roshan Jaggi has been posted as CF Agrostology. MA Tak has been posted as CF, South Kashmir, while AG Hajam has been posted as CF, North Kashmir.

SK Gupta, CF Agrostology, has been posted as CF, Chenab Circle. NP Singh has been posted as PMU, IWDP.

Ashok Kumar, PMU, IWDP, has been ordered to report to Administrative Department for further posting.

Hafizullah Sidiqui has been placed at the disposal of State Forest Corporation. RS Jasrotia has been posted as in charge Joint Director, Soil Conservation, Jammu. SK Khajuria will report to Principal CCF till further orders.