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PC to look into interfaith marriage case Timber logs destroyed in fire Ammonia gas leak creates panic |
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igrants’ Return to Valley  Jammu, November 4Members of the Apex Committee today stressed upon Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram the need for the initiation of confidence- building measures before the proposed return of the displaced community to the Kashmir valley. Union Home Minister P Chidambaram visits the proposed township for Kashmiri migrants in Nagrota, near Jammu, on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph Security curbs during PC’s visit cause chaos Unruly scenes mar Cong meeting Geelani faction rejects talks offer Bungus valley to be developed as tourist spot NCC to organise vigilance awareness week Workers’ body seeks B-1 status
to Jammu Workshop on astronomy National scholarship tests on Nov 8 Varsity sees low turnout of NET aspirants Shahdara Sharief to be model town ‘Nexus between Forest Dept, land-grabbers’ BJP flays Mehbooba’s statement Power Grid System to hold debate Darshan Parishad session tomorrow
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PC to look into interfaith marriage case Jammu, November 4 A 20-year-old Sikh girl, presently kept at Ram Bagh women cell police station, was allegedly forced into an interfaith marriage with a Muslim youth Irfan Ahmed Daga in Srinagar on October 9, after the girl reportedly changed her religion on July 23, this year. The issue has now snowballed into a major controversy as several Sikh and Hindu organisations have been resorting to agitations here. “The Home Minister assured us that if the girl was forced into interfaith marriage under pressure, he would ensure justice,” state president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Mohinder Singh, who led the delegation, told The Tribune. Though the minister described it a complicated issue, he assured us that he was closely monitoring the case, he added. He said in case any foul play was found out, action under law would be initiated against the accused. However, on the demand of shifting the case from Srinagar to Jammu to ensure fair trial, the Union Home Minister said he had to think over that. Earlier, during the day, Sikh and Hindu organisations resorted to protests in the presence of the police. The SAD (Badal) president categorically demanded that the case be shifted to Jammu for fair trial. The parents of the girl are not being allowed to meet her and the Sikh women cops posted at the women cell at Ram Bagh have also been removed, he said. The girl was kidnapped and forced to covert her religion before marrying the Muslim youth, he said. Meanwhile, the father of the girl, Mohinderpal Singh, said his lawyer today moved an application before the court seeking permission to meet his daughter. “I strongly feel that my daughter is either being blackmailed or is threatened of dire consequences and that is why she is also reluctant to speak to me. Being her father, I have every right to meet her and know the truth,” he said. Singh also raised a finger on the credentials of the Muslim youth, a minibus conductor. The girl, who pursued her school education from reputed Mallinson School and Kothi Bagh School before joining the women’s college at Lal Chowk, was supposed to join her physiotherapy degree course at a Jalandhar college on October 19. |
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Timber logs destroyed in fire Jammu, November 4 The fire had broke out in a saw mill owned by Choudhary Jagat Ram and Company situated in a densely populated area of Toph Pulli on Canal Road. The deputy director of Fire and Emergency Services, Mohammed Ashraf, said the fire-fighting operation started at 3.18 am and swift action prevented the fire to spread to the houses in the vicinity. It was completely extinguished by 6.30 am. No loss of life or injury was reported.
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Ammonia gas leak creates panic Jammu, November 4 Deputy director, Fire and Emergency Services, Mohammed Ashraf said after getting a tip-off by a doctor about the incident, firemen were rushed to the spot with an advanced rescue tender, foam tender and other equipment. After a hectic effort, it was found that the leakage was from Shri Laxmi Ice Cream factory, situated just half a km ahead of Satwari Chowk. The unit belonged to one Deepak Sharma of Narwal Pain, a locality situated close to the Jammu airport, he said. “By then the leakage had been checked but still we did our job ensuring no further leakage,” Ashraf said. Though the gas is not poisonous, but if exposed for longer duration, it creates dizziness, he added. Interestingly, the police had no knowledge about the incident. “We have come to know from the media about the incident and are now trying to locate the unit,” said a police officer. Medical superintendent of the
Government Medical College said no case of anybody getting admitted with symptoms of dizziness due to inhalation of ammonia gas was reported at the hospital emergency. It may be stated here that over 15 students had fainted recently following a methane gas leak from a septic tank of a house near Jain School in the old city. |
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Apex Committee members for confidence-building measures Sunaina Kaul Tribune News Service Jammu, November 4 The Apex Committee was constituted for monitoring the implementation of the PM’s Employment package and return and rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmir Pandits. Of the 32 members of the Apex Committee, 27 were present at the meeting held at Jagti (Nagrota), where a satellite township is coming up for the displaced community. All the members unanimously rejected the linking of the displaced community’s return to the valley with the employment package. The members demanded more confidence-building measures before the return. Talking to The Tribune, Dr R.L.Bhat, national vice-president, Vichar Manch and member of the Apex Committee who highlighted different issues said:“The faith of the displaced community had been eroded by the apathy of the government.The government should first restore that trust before it could begin serious discussions.” All the members expressed anguish over the dilatory tactics of the government in the implementation of the employment package and demanded its implementation without further delay. According to the sources, the Home Minister without commenting on any of their demands,listened to their demands and assured the committee its members would be consulted during the implementation of the plan of the return and rehabilitation of the displaced community. The Panun Kashmir headed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo and Ajay Chrungoo and the All-Parties Migrant Co-ordination Committee headed by Vinod Pandit boycotted the scheduled meeting.
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Security curbs during PC’s visit cause chaos Jammu, November 4 It was no different situation here, as several students of KC International School, returning homes, and many others were stopped at the Circular Road for nearly an hour for security reasons due to the P Chidambaram’s visit to the capital city. The children, who seemed hassled due to the situation, had to sit and wait in the van they were boarding in. “We don’t know why these cops have stopped us on our way to homes. We have nothing to eat or drink here,” a group of students said. It was a harrowing time for commuters also, as the “inefficiency of traffic police” was clearly visible. The mismanagement and traffic restrictions on the roads leading to the residency road in the wake of the Home Minister’s visit to the Congress Headquarters caused a huge trouble for the commoners. The police claimed that though tight security arrangements were made, the traffic was not disturbed at all and the roads were opened within a few minutes. |
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Unruly scenes mar Cong meeting Jammu, November 4 The situation took an ugly turn when former MLA from Hiranagar Girdhari Lal Chalotra objected to the presence of “rival” leader Tara Chand Bhagat at the meeting who had contested as an independent candidate against him in the last assembly
elections. “How could he be present in the meeting? He had sabotaged the party and should be kicked out,” Chalotra shouted on spotting Bhagat. Bhagat,too, countered allegations. In the meantime, veteran Congress leader Dharampal Sharma intervened and asked Bhagat to leave the meeting, who continued to level allegations against Chalotra while coming out of the venue. Pandemonium prevailed when Dharampal Sharma, who was managing the stage, shouted some slogans in favour of PCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz and deliberately ignored Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Although senior leaders of the pro-Azad faction maintained silence, some youths took strong exception to this act. For over 10 minutes, there was complete chaos in the meeting as both factions resorted to shouting slogans in favour of their leaders. However, with the arrival of the Union Home Minister, order
was resorted. |
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Geelani faction rejects talks offer Srinagar, November 4 Mirwaiz had constituted the committee to talk to other separatist groups to evolve a unity over any talks with the Indian government over the Kashmir issue. Geelani had already hinted about his opposition to such talks earlier when he said any decision should respect the agreement that different separatist groups had entered into last year that ruled out any bilateral talks. Geelani wants tripartite talks and implementation of the UN resolution in regard with Kashmir, which had called for plebiscite but lost its relevance in changed circumstances. Sources said Geelani’s decision was a foregone conclusion and Hurriyat (M) had never believed that he would come on board. The two-member committee will meet JKLF chairman Yasin Malik in coming days. Meanwhile, asking the separatist Hurriyat Conference to reciprocate the Prime Minister’s talks offer, senior National Conference leader Ali Mohammad Sagar has said any issue can be solved through the process of dialogue. The National Conference leader, while addressing a public meeting in Budgam district yesterday, urged the separatists to extend cooperation. Referring to the recent statements of certain parties, Sagar said by floating various ideas, they were trying to confuse people.He said the National Conference had always advocated the cause of the people of the state and in this regard they had made many sacrifices. “People of the state are aware of the fact that the late Sheikh Abdullah has preferred to espouse the cause of the state rather than succumbing to various forces. It is a recorded history that he was responsible for liberating the people from the autocratic rule and bringing about various welfare schemes for uplifting the downtrodden and weaker sections of the society”, he asserted. |
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Bungus valley to be developed as tourist spot Srinagar, November 4 “Efforts will be made to provide better road
connectivity to the Bungus valley as well as creation of tourism-related infrastructure,” he said, adding
that tourism potential of the district offered avenues of employment generation for educated
unemployed youth. During his visit to the area yesterday, the minister said a comprehensive project worth Rs 4.77 crore had also been formulated for the second phase, adding that the Tourism Department will develop it as a biosphere tourist destination to maintain its ecological balance and natural beauty. He said there would be no construction within the 300 sq km of the Bungus valley. He said tracking paths would be constructed from Wader Bala via Zachaldara side and Nildoori via Nowgam Langate side. Foot bridges would also be constructed on this track, he added. The Tourism Minister was accompanied by Minister of State for Tourism and PHE Nasir Aslam Wani, MLAs of Handwara, Langate and Kupwara to have first hand appraisal of the picturesque landscape. The beautiful Bangus valley has a great potential for becoming Asia’s biggest golf course spreading around 300 sq km, which is locally known as Bodha Bungas (big Bangus). The foundation stone of a tourist guest house was also laid at Chandigam Sogam by the Minister, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs 98 lakh as first phase. |
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NCC to organise vigilance awareness week Jammu, November 4 According to a statement issued here, the function would be presided over by Brig Anil Gupta, Dy DG, NCC Directorate, Jammu. A pledge ceremony would be taken by officers, ANO, civilian staff and cadets of the J&K Directorate, NCC. |
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Workers’ body seeks B-1 status to Jammu Jammu, November 4 In a memorandum submitted to the Home Minister, NMC president Subhash Shastri urged him to introduce a bill in this regard in the Lok Sabha winter session, commencing on November 19. Shastri said while several other cities in the country having similar population and other factors have been accorded B-1 status, the same should no longer be denied to the twin capital cities. He has also dwelt upon the disturbed area allowance to the employees in the state on the pattern of north-eastern states. “The allowance was being provided in the north-east soon after it was declared disturbed area but paradoxically this has not been done so far in the case of Jammu and Kashmir,” Shastri submitted in the memorandum. |
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Workshop on astronomy Srinagar, November 4 Speaking on the occasion, Prof Farooq Ahmad, head of the Department of Physics and chairman of the workshop, announced the establishment of optical observational facility at Gulmarg, which will strengthen the astronomical community here and benefit students. Prof Tarun Souradeep from IUCAA, Pune, highlighted the role of IUCAA in promoting astronomy and astrophysics research in universities. Minister for Information Technology, Science and Technology Aga Syed Ruhullah, who was the chief guest on the occasion, assured full cooperation in promoting science and scientific activities. |
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National scholarship tests on Nov 8 Jammu, November 4 Both examinations would be conducted on Sunday. The main
purpose for conducting these examinations is to churn out talented students and give 1,100 scholarships to below poverty line students at the rate of Rs 500 per month per child. “The scholarship will be given to the 50 students in all 22 districts of the state who qualifies the examination,” said BOSE secretary Dr. Sheikh Bashir Ahmad. Students from Class IXth to XIIth who are studying in government schools and whose parents’ income does not exceed beyond Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50,000 are eligible for the NMMS examination. For the NTSE examination, students from Class IXth to XIIth studying in private schools can also participate. The NTSE examination would be conducted in three phases and the BOSE would set the paper as well as evaluate the same. Firstly, a state level examination would be held, followed by a zonal level test and finally a viva test would be conducted. The examination will be held in two sessions and each session would be of 90 minutes. “The question paper for both examinations would be set on the prescribed syllabus and the books for these examinations published by various private publishers are also available in the market”, said
Dr. Ahmad. |
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Varsity sees low turnout of NET aspirants Jammu, November 4 “The advertisement for the examination was announced late due to which lesser number of applicants have applied for the examination so far,” said Prof. NK Tripathi, coordinator of UGC NET Examination. The last date for submitting the application form is November 6. “For November 5 and 6, the timings for the submission of the application forms will be from 10 am to 4 pm,” he said, adding that in some exceptional cases, the date for the submission of the forms will be extended by three days or
more, subject to the condition that the bank draft must be of November 6. The candidates who have qualified their Masters Degree scoring 55 per cent marks or more in open category and 50 per cent in reserved category are
eligible for this examination. The students who are still pursuing their MA but have qualified their first and second semester with 55 per cent marks could also apply for this examination. “The certificates of such candidates would be retained by the UGC until they qualify the third and fourth semester examinations and submit all required documents to the main centre,” Prof. Tripathi said. The NET examination is conducted twice in a year (June and December). In the month of June, 2009, 2,361 candidates had applied for the examination, whereas around 1,900 candidates appeared in the examination. Out of 94 subjects offered by the UGC for the examination, the candidates appeared in 36 subjects. A majority of candidates appeared for Education subject whereas Islamic studies and Archaeology had least number of applicants. “In the month of June, 258 candidates appeared in Education whereas one each appeared in Islamic Studies and Archeology”, Prof. Tripathi said. So far around 768 candidates have applied for the NET examination scheduled in the month of December. There are around 13 examination centres identified for conducting NET examination in the University of Jammu. The examination would be conducted under the supervision of coordinator, observers, central
superintendents and assistant superintendents. “About five to 10 observers have been deployed for the same. The UGC or the Vice-Chancellor of the University has the authority to appoint senior University professors as observers”, he said. |
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Shahdara Sharief to be model town Rajouri, November 4 He said the officers concerned had been directed to reach out to the public so as to acquaint themselves with the problems and take steps to alleviate the sufferings of inhabitants at the earliest. For improving the power infrastructure in the area, Khan sanctioned Rs 33 lakh for the installation of eight new transformers at Hasplote for Pangai, Rs 35 lakh were provided while Rs 32 lakh were provided for seven new transformers at Khabalan. He assured to make available ample resources for the progress of the areas. For development of Shahdara Sharief, Khan informed that Rs 1 crore released would be utilised by the end of the year. |
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‘Nexus between Forest Dept, land-grabbers’ Jammu, November 4 Addressing a press conference here today, BJP state vice-president Chander Prakash Ganga, said land-grabbing was being done under a well-planned conspiracy with the full backing of the government to change the demography of Jammu by settling members of a particular community. He said an attempt was made in Karnailachak a few months ago and members of the same community were involved in grabbing forest land. He expressed surprise that the inquiry committee’s report on the Karnailachak case had been submitted to the Divisional Commissioner, but no action had been taken so far. He demanded the inquiry report be made public and the culprits brought to book. Giving a free hand to members of a particular community to go scot free would lead to communal tension and the entire responsibility would be on the government. |
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BJP flays Mehbooba’s statement Jammu, November 4 In a statement issued here, BJP spokesman Ramesh Arora alleged that Mehbooba Mufti had demanded a separate country-like status for Jammu and Kashmir. He termed this statement as shameful and against the Constitution. He warned Mehbooba Mufti not to provoke the sentiments and asked why her father did not raise this question when he was Home Minister of the country and the CM of the state. “Both father and daughter want to enjoy power by befooling people of Kashmir. People should ask them why they have taken the oath under the Constitution of the state. This type of statement is a serious objection to the oath taken in the Assembly,” he said. |
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Power Grid System to hold debate Jammu, November 4 According to a statement issued here, the topic for the competition would be “Our laws need more teeth to fight corruption”. The competition would be organised at Government Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar. SC Singh, general manager, in-charge, NRTS, would be the chief guest on the occasion. |
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Darshan Parishad session tomorrow Jammu, November 4 The conference was first organised in Jammu in 1981 and now the Sanskrit Department would organise it for the second time in the state. The inaugural function would be held on November 6 at the Zorawar Singh auditorium.The Minister of Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik, would be the chief guest whereas Prof Satya Vrat Shastri, recipient of the Jnanpeeth award, would be the guest of honour. |
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