|
|
Police to get law and order duty: PC
CM: Autonomy needed to address identity issue
Talks with separatists must deliver results: Farooq
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Involve Kashmiri Pandits for ‘meaningful dialogue’
Widow gives govt 3 days
Crime branch told to probe Rajnish’s death
Mentally challenged people being ‘pushed into’ Jammu
Special teams to make Diwali safe
Sikhs seek minority status
Doctors’ Strike
|
|
Police to get law and order duty: PC
Srinagar, October 14 Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram announced this here today and said the presence of local police made an altogether different situation as people did realise the difference. “As and when the police is ready to take more and more responsibilities, it will be given,” the Home Minister said. Interacting with mediapersons at the two-day All India Editors’ conference, which began here yesterday, Chidambaram said the police would be assisted by paramilitary forces in the second line, and the Army in the third line, wherever needed. He said the Army would be assisted by the BSF on and along the border. Chidambaram said in order to take greater responsibilities, the recruitment process in the police had already been set into motion. Over 7,000 men had been recruited this year so far, while 2,000 others were undergoing training. Replying questions, the Home Minister said the number of protests had drastically come down during the past 10 weeks and there were no Friday protests, which had become a routine for some time. “I think some forces were trying to test the mettle of the government,” he commented and added that initially there were some hiccups. He said the police and the CRPF were going through a period of re-training in handling of civilian protests for over 12 weeks, and the results would be seen ahead, he added. Elaborating on the “marked improvement” in the security situation, the Home Minister said the situation was much better as compared to last eight to nine years, when thousands of violent incidents took place, and a large number of people killed. During the past nine months this year since the Omar Abdullah government took over, Chibambaram said 395 incidents had taken place and that was lowest in the past nine years. At least 60 civilians, 66 security forces personnel and 185 militants were killed in these incidents while security forces achieved major successes this month. The figure of 395 incidents was ‘not to be proud of’, which means more than one incident a day, but it was comparatively lesser, he said. Meanwhile, Chidambaram met Governor NN Vohra at the Raj Bhawan here this morning. The Governor and the Union Home Minister discussed the overall security situation in the state and important developmental issues during the meeting lasting nearly an hour. Chidambaram, who arrived here on a two-day visit yesterday, also interacted with the participants of the All India Editors’ Conference here today before his departure to the National Capital. He also had a meeting with Congress party leaders at the PCC headquarters here last evening.
|
|
CM: Autonomy needed to address identity issue
Srinagar, October 14 In his lecture on basic ingredients for peace, progress and prosperity of the state at Amity University, Noida, today, Omar said re-structuring of political arrangements was required neither as a sentimental sop nor as a concession to the secessionist propagation. “Autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir had been designed to address the genuine issues of identity, borders and governance in a consensual democracy. It prevents these issues from escalating and taking the form of nation, territory and statehood, which sow the seeds of secession,” he maintained. Giving a brief account of the historical background of the autonomous status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir in 1951 as a result of which the state enjoys its own constitution, flag and residuary powers, Omar said the basic contours of the autonomy worked out in 1951 were designed to preserve the identity of the people. “Between then and now much of this status has been eroded. This has impacted everything from political discourse to personal conduct, from economy to emotions, from society to sensibilities and from institutions to ideologies,”
he added. Omar said today retaining some form of sovereignty was required to empower the people of the state not only to get a fair share of the national power and resources but also to be able to withstand and benefit from the new economic regime of globalisation, an official spokesman said. The Chief Minister said, “Much has been said about the failure of successive governments in the state and also the national governments in delivering the goods in Jammu and Kashmir. True as that may be, the fact is that the Indian civil society as well as the local civil society of Jammu and Kashmir has not played its role in bringing about peace and prosperity in the stae. The political distancing of Jammu and Kashmir from the Indian state is directly linked to the disengagement of the civil society”. Omar said the state had never occupied the mental space of the Indian civil society quite the same way as it had in the political arena. “It needs to do so now,” he added. He said for the vast majority of people in India, it was either a beautiful place to visit or a dangerous place not to be visited. |
|
Talks with separatists must deliver results: Farooq
Jammu, October 14 The dialogue process should address the core issue and it hardly matters if the talks were conditional or unconditional, Farooq said this while responding to media queries at his Bhatindi residence here today after felicitating the under-16 cricket squad of the state that recently lifted the north-zone Poly Umarigar trophy. Chidambaram, yesterday, had hinted at resuming talks with separatists, saying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had opened the doors of dialogue and wanted to invite people from different shades of society. He, however, expressed regret that the Centre still had to act upon four out of five reports submitted to it by working groups constituted by the Prime Minister. He hoped that in the fresh endeavour people from all shades of opinion in Kashmir would find a place so as to find an amicable solution to the problem. Farooq denied that he and his son Omar had any difference of opinion over dialogue with separatists. Omar, too, wants dialogue with separatists and I would even prefer a similar exercise started afresh between India and Pakistan, said senior Abdullah. Peace was indispensable for both countries and I am hopeful that the talks (Indo-Pak) would resume soon, he added. He also sounded optimistic of impetus to development when the Prime Minister visits the state to inaugurate Qazigund-Baramulla rail link. On China’s objections to the PM’s Arunachal visit, Farooq said the state would remain an integral part of India. |
|
Involve Kashmiri Pandits for ‘meaningful dialogue’
Jammu, October 14 According to a statement issued here, chairman of the APMCC Vinod Pandit said the Centre had always adopted an appeasement policy towards separatists, while nationalist Kashmiri Pandits were always ignored. He said: “Without the participation of the Kashmiri Pandit community, no dialogue would be meaningful as they are more concerned for any solution of the Kashmir issue.” Pandit warned that the community won’t sit silent if they were ignored during the PM’s visit to Kashmir. He said since the government had already constituted the Apex Committee of Kashmiri Pandit leaders they must be involved in any dialogue taking place over Kashmir. |
|
CBI probe into Rajnish’s death
Jammu, October 14 And if we did not get justice from the Prime Minister, me, my mother-in-law Raj Kumari and brother-in-law Pawan Sharma would immolate ourselves, the widow of Rajnish, Anchal Sharma, aka Amina Yousuf, told mediapersons here this afternoon. Rajnish Sharma, 29, died in the Srinagar police custody on October 5 evening after he was picked up from the Rehari residence of his elder brother Pawan on September 29 on the charges of kidnapping Amina Yousuf. Rajnish had married Anchal Sharma before a Jammu court on August 21 and the same day the couple had solemnised the marriage in an Arya Samaj Mandir here. The grief-stricken family has refused to accept a compensation of Rs 3 lakh and two jobs being offered by the state government. “I didn’t marry Rajnish for Rs 3 lakh and two jobs. I want to see the culprits, including my father Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi, brothers Tariq Ahmed and Javed Ahmed, besides guilty police officers, punished the way they killed my husband,” said Anchal. Seeking the personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, she said making the mockery of the law culprits were still roaming freely in Kashmir. Besides a CBI probe, she also wanted the registration of an FIR under Section 302, RPC, against her father, two brothers and police officers of Ram Munshi Bagh police station. My husband’s body bore marks of third degree torture, including burn injuries, and if the state government failed to order a CBI probe within three days, we would go to New Delhi to meet the Prime Minister, she said. Describing Rajnish’s death as murder in cold blood and the gravest form of human rights abuse, his elder brother Pawan Sharma said the government’s inaction against the ‘killers’ spoke volumes about its criminal psyche. |
|
|
Crime branch told to probe Rajnish’s death
Jammu, October 14 Accusing the SSP, Srinagar, and the SHO Munshi Bagh police station, Srinagar, of murdering her husband in police custody, she submitted that she married Rajnish Sharma on August 21, 2009, in Arya Samaj Mandir out of her free will and emotions. Her father, who enjoys considerable clout in the police administration, hatched a conspiracy when her decision to convert to Hinduism irked her family members. They succeeded in lodging a complaint against her and her husband with Munshi Bagh police station, Srinagar, in connivance with the SSP, Srinagar, and kidnapped her husband calling him Pawan Sharma. The Bakshi Nagar police in Jammu did not get Rajneesh Sharma’s identify confirmed from his relations as no Fard Jamatalashi was made. On October 6, 2009, SK Chauhan, Dy SP, asked for Pawan Sharma’s wife to intimate her about Rajnish’s death in the police station. Anchal sought a detailed investigation by the Crime Branch, considering the gravity of the offence and the involvement of police officials. |
|
|
Mentally challenged people being ‘pushed into’ Jammu
Jammu, October 14 However, the Jammu police has accuse police and residents of other states of pushing mentally challenged persons into the state through trains. “We have noticed a number of mentally challenged persons travelling to this part through trains. They are later seen roaming around in the city,” a senior police official said. Inspector of Railways Kundal said: “We have information that these mentally challenged persons are lodged on trains and sent to Jammu. A number of those cured later reveal they belong to Uttar Pradesh or Punjab, though they don’t remember how they reach here.” Not just Jammu city, there have been cases where such persons even reach the border, where some were killed after security agencies suspected them of trying to cross border. “Yes, there have been such instances with some even getting killed. But you can never say whether the killed man was a militant or not. He may be feigning loss of memory in their attempt to cross over,” an official said. A few weeks ago, a mentally challenged person was captured along the border. He was later shifted to a government hospital in Jammu for psychiatrist treatment. His identity is still not known. Many such mentally challenged persons or aimless wanderers, as the doctors prefer calling them, are seen in the city alone. The Tribune had recently carried news reports in which a girl got treated and her family, hailing from Shopian in
Srinagar, identified her. World Mental Health Day was observed on October 10 all over the world. But despite a Mental Health Act, there is no foolproof system for providing treatment to people wandering on roads here. Doctors at the psychiatry hospital have told The Tribune that it was the job of the police and NGOs or public to bring the mentally challenged persons to the hospital. Police officials say whenever they do so, two or three policemen have to be deployed for guarding the patient till he is identified by his family. This takes even months, they say. |
|
|
Special teams to make Diwali safe
Udhampur, October 14 Detailed discussions were held to sensitise the inhabitants of Udhampur town regarding the safe use of fire crackers. Civil defence wardens were directed to launch a campaign in their respective wards to avoid any untoward incident. Civil defence and fire services departments also constituted special teams to educate people about precautionary measures to be taken. While the Fire Services Department has constituted mobile teams, who would be working round-the-clock, the Civil Defence Department has directed its wardens to monitor the situation properly. Meanwhile, a meeting of officers of various departments and representatives of trade unions was held under the chairmanship of Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Ajay Khajuria yesterday. It was decided that 36 stalls of firecrackers would be installed near the Town Hall, Udhampur, duly permitted by the Deputy Commissioner who sought permission before October 14. The Additional DDC was made as nodal officer in granting permission for installation of crackers stalls and monitor other related arrangements. The Udhampur SSP would deploy adequate police personnel in the town to check any untoward incident and traffic police to regulate one-way traffic in the town to avoid congestion. The DDC also asked the police to check illegal sale of crackers in the town. |
|
|
Baby killed, 23 hurt in bus mishap
Jammu, October 14 Giving details, a police officer from Nagrota police station said the mishap occurred around 12.15 am yesterday. Being driven negligently, the bus deviated from the road and plunged into a gorge resulting into the death of the baby boy and injuries to 23 passengers, he added. The child, Sameer from Oria in Uttar Pradesh, was killed on the spot, the officer said. Injured passengers were admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) here. However, bus driver Pardeep Kumar of Ambphalla escaped, he added. |
|
|
Sikhs seek minority status
Srinagar, October 14 Demanding minority status, Raina, at a press conference here today, said despite the community being a minority community in the country, the state had been denying it the benefits. Holding that the Sikh community was faced with a fear psychosis due to indifferent attitude of the government, the Sikh leader said it had led to a decline in their population in the valley. The youth had no other alternative than to move out of the valley to get jobs, Raina said. A vast majority of the Sikh community had migrated from rural areas to Srinagar due to militancy, leaving behind their sources of earning, agricultural land and orchards, rendering them economically weak and dependent, he lamented. He said the land and orchards were in turn occupied by security forces with lesser rentals and without any compensation in most of the cases. Other leaders present on the occasion included S. Aya Singh Dardi, Niranjan Singh, Gurchran Singh Gulshan, Jaipal Singh, DS Bali and representatives of the All-India Sikh Students Federation. |
|
|
Doctors’ Strike
Jammu, October 14 Though the emergency services operated as normal, work was badly affected in OPD and surgical sections of the Government Medical College and several hospitals in Jammu district due to the ongoing strike. Dr Satyander Singh, president of the Doctors Joint Action Committee, said: “The strike is genuine as there is wide disparity between the pay structure of junior doctors in Jammu and Kashmir and other states.” Satyander refused to call off strike till the demands were met. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
