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HC declines to hand over Chopra murder case to CBI Indira Gandhi’s Death Anniversary
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Nod to flyovers in
Srinagar, Jammu Rashtriya Sankalp Diwas observed Pre-paid phone subscribers throng
BSNL office Cong, PDP oppose ban Rajnish Death Case Man kills wife for giving birth to baby girl Residents protest move to stop DMU
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Agitational terrorism cause of concern: Lt-Gen Jaswal Udhampur, October 31 Addressing mediapersons at the first press conference in a year of the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt-Gen Jaswal said terrorists were coercing and forcing people to take to the streets in the state, especially the valley. “We have noted that many agitators were even paid for coming out on the streets and block roads. But people slowly understand they were the real sufferers. Agitational terrorism is being effectively handled,” he said, adding that he saluted people for showing resilience towards terrorists. Kashmir has witnessed shutdowns for months owing to agitations on one issue or the other. “Terrorists have adopted a strategy that they support a mob and often take such steps to instigate a clash or a shootout between the security forces and mobsters.” He allayed concerns in the country over tension between India and China by claiming both countries had a “mutual strategic trust” based on each other’s capability to respond to any aggression from across the border. On Pakistan, he said though the morale of the Pakistani army was at an all-time low, an unstable Pakistan was not in the favour of India. “We are prepared for any exigency and so far there is no threat perception of Taliban turning towards India, but trouble in Pakistan is not good for us,” he said. The GOC-in-Chief said the suicide rate in the Army was one of the lowest in the world. “The Army has a suicide rate of 6.5 persons per lakh, the Northern Command has a rate of just 4.5 persons per lakh. The USA has 19.5, France 16 and Japan 15 persons per lakh.” On the Army’s winter strategy to combat infiltration and terrorism, the Lt-Gen said a three-tier security system was in place to check infiltration. “Fencing often comes under snow, but all spots are well covered,” Lt-Gen Jaswal said. He also denied any troops were being withdrawn from the state. “We calculate the security requirement and the troops are deployed or redeployed on that basis. For the last two years, there were no major incidents in Rajouri demanding redeployment,” he added. Lt-Gen Jaswal rued that the state government had not taken due care of over 1,000 micro hydel power projects set up by the Army and handed over to it. “The state government has not taken over the management of hydel power projects. Many such projects are lying closed or defunct.” He called for support of the soldiers on the ground. “A jawan has a split second to take a decision. If he will not shoot, he will be killed,” he said while referring to human rights violation complaints. “Only 35 out of over 1,500 such complaints have been found true,” he said. Lt-Gen Jaswal also negated figures circulated in the media about the number of militants active in the state as well as those waiting at launching pads across the border. “Only five out of 100 intelligence reports are trusted. We don’t have the exact figures, but infiltration bids would be foiled,” he added. |
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HC declines to hand over Chopra murder case to CBI Jammu, October 31 Counsel for petitioner Puneet Chopra, son of deceased RB Chopra, while referring various facts emerging from the status report filed by the SIT, said though the SIT had done some substantial progress, yet it was not proceeding in the right direction and for a fair, impartial and expeditious conduct of the investigation, the case would be handed over to the CBI. Senior additional advocate general submitted that the SIT has prepared challan against the accused persons, who are presently in custody and sought permission of the court to file the challan. Justice Hussain after scanning case dairies and pursuing reports of the Narco Analysis Test conducted on the accused, held that the case stands almost solved by the SIT. Since the investigation had reached a crucial stage, handing over the case to some other agency like the CBI was likely to adversely effect the progress of the case, he said. It, however, directed the SIT to proceed with the case and expedite the investigation. Justice Hussain further observed that the CBI enquiry cannot be ordered as a matter of routine or merely because the party makes some allegations. An accused or for that matter the complainant cannot have a say as to who should investigate the matter. RB Chopra, his wife Madhu, daughter Saloni, servant and driver were murdered on September 18, 2006, in Trikuta Nagar and a case under Section 302, RPC, was registered. Investigations found that five persons were brutally killed and there was no trace of the accused. In these circumstances a SIT was constituted. |
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Indira Gandhi’s Death Anniversary Jammu, October 31
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IAF pilot cremated Jammu, October 31 The entire family of Wing Commander Rajiv Garg, who hailed from Agra in Uttar Pradesh, arrived in Jammu to perform the last rites of the officer today. Rajiv died after the rotors of the MI 17 IV chopper he was flying got entangled in the cable of a ropeway hung by the locals to cross the Chenab. “He was my only son and I have lost him to a tragic air crash,” SP Garg told The Tribune with a trembling voice. Wing Commander Rajiv Garg, 37, who was a resident of Agra, was married to Shubhra and had two children nine-year-old daughter Khushi and five-year-old son Harsh. “We heard the tragic news late last night and we left for Jammu. We were told that the body was not in a condition to be taken to Agra for the last rites,” said Naveen Goel, brother-in-law of the late Wing Commander. He said after hearing the news some of the family members reached Jammu by air while some came by road. The family members could not hold back their tears as the officers and airmen of the IAF laid a wreath on the coffin of the late Wing Commander wrapped in the Tricolour. The two children of the dead officer could not understand what tragedy had struck the family. “My sister is yet to recover from the shock and the children are unable to understand what has happened to their father,” said Naveen Goel. The last rites of the late Wing Commander were performed with full military honour in which senior IAF officer, including the Air Officer-in-Command of Jammu and Kashmir was also present. Senior IAF and police officers laid wreathes on the mortal remains of the dead officer. “He was a kind-hearted person a loving husband and a caring father. We have lost him and we know he would no more be back,” Goel said, adding that he had recently returned from leave. |
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Nod to flyovers in Srinagar, Jammu Srinagar, October 31 At a meeting of the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) here yesterday, the Chief Minister stressed on integrated approach, taking on board the line departments and called for fullest preparedness before launching the work, an official spokesman said. The proposed elevated express corridor from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora covering a length of 4.3 km would involve an expenditure of Rs 256 crore and is targeted to be completed within 35 months. The four-lane divided carriage way elevated road from Jehangir Chowk to Natipora Chowk would integrate with existing flyover with proposed expressway at Jehangir Chowk for left turn from Dalgate to Rambagh. At Bakshi Stadium Chowk a left turn upward ramp from Jawahar Nagar to Rambagh and down ward ramp for traffic coming from Rambagh would be part of the express corridor. At Jehangir Chowk a right-turn elevated loop from Rambagh to Dalgate to join the existing elevated road is also proposed. Another upward ramp for traffic from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh and a downward ramp for traffic from Rambagh to Jehangir Chowk is also proposed in the mega project aimed at providing better road facilities in the heart of the city. He said the Rs 76.41 crore-flyover project at Jammu involves widening of road from Shunkuntala crossing to flyover start-point to six-lane of 32.2-metre-width and 280-metre length. |
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Rashtriya Sankalp Diwas observed Jammu, October 31 At Udhampur, students of various educational institutions organised mass rallies, sang nationalistic and patriotic songs and held a symposium on the life and contributions of the late Prime Minister. The main function was held at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Udhampur, where over 2,000 students from various educational institutions of the town assembled to pay homage to the great leader. The function started with the recitation of patriotic songs by students of Government Boys and Girls Higher Secondary School, Udhampur. Later a mass rally carrying banners and placards with slogans in the memory of Indira Gandhi, was flagged off by NI Parae, ADC, Udhampur. |
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Pre-paid phone subscribers throng
BSNL office Jammu, October 31 “If the companies are issuing SIM cards on fake documents without proper verification what is our fault in it, we have invested money purchasing recharge coupons, who is going to pay for it,” said Ashok Kumar, a SIM card dealer. The protesting dealers and customers said the government should have taken certain measures so that they were not forced to face losses due to the ban on pre-paid connections. “The company was offering some attractive schemes, so I recharged my phone with Rs 3,000 as I was assured that the amount would last for one year, but now I am worried as I have not been able to spend even 25 per cent of the amount,” said a pre-paid subscriber. The Union Home Ministry has imposed a ban on the sale and usage of pre-paid mobile phone connections in the state, citing that anti- national elements were using these connections to carry out their nefarious designs. |
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Cong, PDP oppose ban Jammu, October 31 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz has also expressed unhappiness over the decision and assured to take up the matter with the authorities concerned. Interacting with mediapersons after attending a function to commemorate the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, Soz said that the matter would be taken up with the Union government. Bhim Singh, chairman of the Panthers Party, in a letter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, urged him to withdraw the ban on the pre-paid mobile phone services in the state. He termed the ban as discriminatory, unconstitutional, authoritarian and arbitrary. Bhim Singh wrote to Chidambaram that the reason given by the latter that the ban was necessary for security reasons was not enough. He said Chidambaram has passed a judgement against the state government that it was not capable even to monitor the phone service providers. The BJP on the other hand indirectly defended the decision and demanded compensation for the affected businessmen. In a statement issued here today, BJP spokesman Ramesh Arora admitted that the communication link would be disturbed by stopping the pre-paid mobile services, but the national interest was paramount. “We cannot compromise on the issues of national importance. It is for the Central and state governments to take the final decision because our country is fighting a proxy war,” he said. Arora, however, suggested that some package must be announced to compensate the families, who were using the pre-paid mobile services and had invested a lot in the business as a |
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Rajnish Death Case Jammu, October 31 The family has also decided to move the SC soon and approach the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Rajnish, who had married Anchal Sharma, aka Amina Yousuf, before a Jammu court on August 21, was allegedly tortured to death in Srinagar police custody on October 5. Accompanied by state BJP leaders Yudhvir Sethi, Surinder Sharma and national leader Balbir Punj, Rajnish’s widow Anchal, his mother Raj Kumari and brother Pawan Sharma met Advani for nearly an hour. They briefed him about the police atrocities and suspicious circumstances leading to the killing of Rajnish. The family would move the apex court and approach the NHRC to seek a CBI probe into the killing and the arrest of Anchal’s father Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi, two brothers Javed and Tariq, besides guilty police officers, Yudhvir Sethi told The Tribune over phone. A detailed application, including documents of marriage and other documents, were being prepared to move the apex court, said Sethi. Advani talked at length with the family and appreciated Anchal for showing courage against all odds, he said, adding that Advani assured all help to the brave girl. She insisted upon a CBI inquiry, he added. |
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Man kills wife for giving birth to baby girl Jammu, October 31 Official sources said Raj Kumar (33) throttled her wife Neelam Jyoti to death, adding that he also tried to cremate her body in the night itself, but his brothers and villagers objected to it. The accused was working as a community participation worker in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department on a paltry salary of Rs 500 per month, they said. The sources said this morning brothers of the accused informed the police about the incident, which arrested him. The victim, Neelam, who hailed from Jakhwad village in Kathua, married the accused in 2006 and had two daughters. “We have arrested the accused and a case under Section 302, RPC, has been registered against him,” Arun Gupta, Dy SP, Kathua police headquarters, told The Tribune. Circumstantial evidences suggest it to be a murder. The victim’s neck seemed to be throttled with bare hands, resulting into her death, he added. However, the Dy SP said the parents of the victim had lodged a complaint against their son-in-law accusing him of killing their daughter. The body has been shifted to a Kathua hospital for an autopsy. The sources added that the accused confessed that he had an affair with his sister-in-law, who had allegedly asked him to eliminate his wife. |
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Residents protest move to stop DMU Jammu, October 31 Representatives of various social, political, business and religious organisations joined the demonstration. For more than two hours, people staged demonstration at the Udhampur railway station. They warned that today’s protest was a symbolic one and if any decision was taken to ban DMU and inter-city trains in Jammu they would not hesitate to take some extreme step. President of the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries Sham Saroop Kalsotra and general secretary Ashok Seghal, while addressing the protesters, regretted that the authorities had been taking decision without consulting the people. They added that instead of providing basic facilities at the railway station, the authorities had been taking away the existing facilities. |
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