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Mirwaiz reaches out to Hindus SRTC employees to gherao sectt today Geelani addresses students in varsity, held |
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Transport office fails to provide licences Causing mental, emotional agony Chopra Murder Case
Assault bid on woman financier, four arrested Artificial limbs given to 247 IED recovered near Rukhsana’s house PDP blames govt for Poonch mishap Masoodi elevated Chachi, Sharma win best teacher award National Education Day celebrated
Governor exhorts students to
work hard Rajnish Case
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Mirwaiz reaches out to Hindus Jammu, November 11 In his first ever visit to Doda, the Mirwaiz spread the word that any talks with the Centre would include the aspirations of people of the entire state and all should talk unitedly. He met a few prominent Hindu families and young leaders of Doda, which is a primarily a Muslim-dominated region. After getting a ‘positive’ signal from the Union government, the moderate Hurriyat faction headed by the Mirwaiz today started a mass contact programme in the Jammu region to convince people about its policies in general and remove misconceptions about the Hurriyat among Hindus in particular. Addressing a public meeting in Doda, the Mirwaiz sought to dispel the misconceptions that the Hurriyat was struggling for only one region and a particular religion. “I want to make it clear to my Hindu brethren that the aspirations of all sections would be taken into consideration while arriving at a solution to the Kashmir problem,” the Mirwaiz said. He said like other sections Hindus were also stakeholders in the Kashmir problem. The Mirwaiz candidly admitted that he had ignored the area. “People of Doda have made numerous sacrifices during the turmoil period,” he said. Later talking to The Tribune over the phone from Doda, the Mirwaiz appreciated the ‘spirit’ shown by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in his recent statements. But he hastened to add “if we have to take the ongoing peace process to its logical conclusion, the Central government should speak in one language.” “The Home Minister has made encouraging statements but the Defence Minister on the other hand has given different statements,” he observed. Asserting that the Hurriyat Conference would not accept any solution to the Kashmir issue on the religious lines, the Mirwaiz made it clear that people of all regions and religions would be involved in the ongoing process. “During my first ever visit to Doda, I met with some Hindu leaders and apprised them of the polices and programmes of the Hurriyat Conference for the resolution of the Kashmir problem,” he said. “Jammu and Kashmir regions are incomplete without each other and similarly Hindus too are stakeholder in the ongoing process,” he said. The Mirwaiz reiterated his demand for involving India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the vexed issue. He, however, warned that any solution without incorporating the wishes and aspirations of all sections, if imposed, would not be accepted. After the three-day tour of erstwhile Doda district, the Mirwaiz also plans to visit Jammu district to interact with some prominent Hindu leaders. |
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SRTC employees to gherao sectt today Jammu, November 11 “It is a do or die situation for us. For the past more than two months, we have been holding peaceful protests. Our families also came out on the road and our children burnt their schoolbooks and bags. But now time has come when we should show the government that we can fight for our genuine demands,” said Ashok Mehra, provincial president of the JKSRTC Workers Union. He said the SRTC employees would gherao the Civil Secretariat tomorrow to register their protest against the indifferent attitude of the government towards their demands. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recently ruled out extending the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission to public sector undertakings (PSU) that were running into losses. “The SRTC was established for the benefit of common people. But it has been running into losses since its inception. When the government had paid the benefits of all previous pay commissions to the corporation employees, why it is reluctant to do so this time,” said Mehra. To support their counterparts, around 1,000 SRTC employees had already arrived in Jammu and were ready to move to New Delhi if their demands were not met. Shakeel Ahmed Kuchay, chairman of the JKSRTC Workers Union, said the government could not ignore the employees saying the SRTC was a loss-making corporation. “On April 1, 1976, the state adopted the Central Road Transport Corporations Act 1950, under which the state government is bound to provide benefits offered to public, trade and industry by development of road transport,” Shakeel said. He added, “Under the Act, the state government is bound to extend and improve the facilities for road transport in any area and provide efficient and economical system of road transport service.” “Under the Act, it becomes obligatory for the corporation to provide its employees suitable conditions of service, including fair wages, establishment of provident fund, accommodation, places of rest and recreation and other amenities,” he said. “If the government does not have resources, it should give us a time frame as the Himachal government did. But here the government is not ready to take the responsibility of the corporation,” Shakeel said. |
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Geelani addresses students in varsity, held Srinagar, November 11 His supporters accompanied him to the university and Geelani offered namaz with others and then delivered a speech. He also donated copies of his books to Allama Iqbal Library of the university. Geelani was picked up by the police as he came out of the university and was still in police custody in the evening at the time of filing this report. Separatist sentiments run deep among students and even a large section of teachers, many of whom had espoused the ideology in their newspaper columns, in the university a strong crowd gathered to hear the fiery leader. Geelani made his usual anti-India statements and opposed any dialogue with the Indian government. The pro-Pakistan leader said bilateral talks with the government had proved futile and any further talks should be held only when “India agrees to implement the United Nations resolutions and declare Kashmir a disputed territory”. Geelani spent around two hours in the university. A university teacher said they were taken aback by Geelani’s arrival, but could do nothing. “Ideally, politicians should not use educational institutions for their political fights. But there is little we could do to control such things,” he said. |
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Transport office fails to provide licences Jammu, November 11 Due to the shortage of stationery, the department could neither issue licences nor registration certificates to the people concerned. Though the office has received around 5,000 cards for the issuance of licences, till date not even one could be issued to applicants due to technical fault in the printer. Common people who go to the RTO office for registration of their vehicles or for obtaining driving licences, are facing problems as they have to return disappointed. “I have visited the RTO office several times for the past one month, but had to return disappointed every time,” rued Badrinath Kotwal, an applicant. “Almost a week’s leave has been availed by me from my office for visiting the RTO office for getting licence,” Mohit Sharma, another applicant, said. Gajan Singh, president of the All-J&K Motors Transport Companies Association, maintained that shortage of funds was one of major handicaps of the Transport Department to ensure its effective functioning. While accepting the problems being confronted by the people due to delay in the issuance of licences, RTO JS Manhas said: “I have already informed the authorities concerned about the defunct printer but no response has been shown by them so far.” |
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Causing mental, emotional agony Jammu, November 11 A chartered accountant by profession, Satish Sethi of Delhi lodged a complaint with the commission saying he along with his wife Sangita and two sons, Sachin and Sahil, had purchased four helicopter tickets for travelling from Baltal to the Amarnath cave shrine by paying Rs 40,000 as air fare on June 26, 2005. According to the complainant, they reached the Baltal helipad around 6 am on June 27, but had to wait for about five hours till 10.50 am. They alighted at the helipad of the shrine at 11.05 am. After paying obeisance at the holy cave, the family returned to the helipad around 11.30 am. They were told to wait for the next helicopter sortie. The chopper arrived twice but other passengers were allowed to board it. They waited for the next sortie till 3 pm, but in vain. The family members got separated and faced several difficulties, as they had to finally return on foot. However, they were united around 1 am on June 28. Even the ‘ponywallas’ did not agree to ferry them. The wife of the complaint, an asthma patient, also had a harrowing time. The complainant also lodged an FIR at Kangan police station. He said as only he was carrying money, when his wife and children got separated from him they had to beg money from other pilgrims. While passing the orders, Justice (retd) Sharma observed that the officials concerned acted in a mala fide way and were accountable to pay compensation to the aggrieved family. He directed the STDC to return Rs 20,000 for denying the journey along with interest at the rate of 8 per cent from the date of receipt till the payment is made. Besides, the STDC was also directed to pay litigation expenses of Rs 10,000 to the complainant. Interestingly, the commission directed the corporation to recover the amount payable to the complainant from the delinquent officials. |
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SIT presents chargesheet DS Chauhan Jammu, November 11 Leading business tycoon Rajinder Bhushan Chopra, his wife, daughter, servant and driver were brutally murdered on September 18, 2006. The chargesheet was presented after the state high court had permitted the police to present the same, as the plea of the surviving sons of Rajinder Chopra for referring the investigation to the CBI had failed. The chargesheet was presented against eight accused, arrested on different dates in years 2007 and 2008. The arrest warrants had been issued against two accused Kiran Pradhi and Sangram Singh, who are still absconding. Sixty-eight witnesses had been cited in the chargesheet, whereas, accused Vicky was made an approver. The chargesheet states that on September 18, 2006, unidentified persons, after gaining entry into the house of Chopras at Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, mercilessly murdered him, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Saloni Chopra, servant Sonu and driver Jagan Nath, after tying their hands and legs and gagging their mouths. The accused, after committing the heinous crime, escaped in a white Alto car owned by the Chopras that was parked in the house.
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Assault bid on woman financier, four arrested Jammu, November 11 Trouble erupted last evening when nearly 25 residents, who claimed they had invested their money with Krishna Mehra, came to know that she might flee Jammu with their money running into at least Rs 30 lakh. Residents, including women, stormed Krishna’s house and created a ruckus, forcing her to call the police. Sources said, a police party led by SHO Trikuta Nagar Vijay Singh Choudhary reached the house and allegedly roughed up the protesting residents. This morning residents gathered outside the police station and staged protests, demanding the woman be questioned and their money be returned to them, sources said. Following pressure, the police brought Krishna to the police station. However, seeing the woman being brought to the police station, the residents allegedly tried to attack her, they added. Sources said as situation took an ugly turn, the SHO concerned allegedly roughed up the residents and arrested four among them for interfering in police functioning. Late this evening, residents approached Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, apprising him about what they claimed the police atrocities. They also accused the police of trying to shield Krishna Mehra. However, SHO Vijay Singh Choudhary claimed the residents failed to produce any evidence of investing their money with the woman. |
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Artificial limbs given to 247 Jammu, November 11 Though the administration failed to coordinate with the NGO, Jaipur Foot Limb Camp, and did not provide it with the list of persons requiring artificial limbs, the volunteers of charitable organisations chipped in. In a camp organised here, the local NGOs today provided differently abled persons with limbs, calipers, knee guards and crutches. “We had written to the deputy commissioners of 10 districts in the region to send us the list of beneficiaries so that the lives of differently abled people could be improved. However, no deputy commissioner recommended any name,” said Satya Pal Saraf, an organiser of the camp. The organisers had also approached the Army for assistance, but the latter showed helplessness. “We had asked the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, to donate wheel chairs, but were told that there was no such provision under the Operation Sadhbhavna.” As many as 10 technicians from Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, took the measurements of people with physical deformities and prepared limbs for them free of cost,” said J Chhatrapal, president of the trust. Chhatrapal said the differently abled people came from far-flung areas like Poonch, Rajouri, RS Pura, Bani and Akhnoor etc. “More than 80 per cent of the visitors to the camp were victims of land mine blasts, shelling from across the border as well as militant attacks.” He further said due to lack of infrastructure people with upper limb deformities could not be treated at the camp. |
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IED recovered near Rukhsana’s house Jammu, November 11 A few days ago, militants had attacked her house. Rukhsana had shot into limelight after killing a Lashkar commander and since then she and her family have been on the militants’ radar. Official sources said acting on a tip-off, the security forces and a bomb disposal squad rushed to Shahdara Sharief village last night and recovered the explosive device near her house. It was later defused. A search operation was launched to detect other explosives and apprehend militants, who had planted the IED, they added. Additional SP, Rajouri district, Mohammed Shabbir told The Tribune that the security forces recovered the IED.Rukhsana had already been shifted to the Police Lines in Rajouri,he said. |
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PDP blames govt for Poonch mishap Jammu, November 11 In a joint statement issued here today, the PDP demanded ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the family members of those who lost their lives and treatment free of cost for those injured. The PDP also demanded government jobs for at least one family member of the deceased as they alleged people lost their lives due to the negligence of authorities. Blaming the authorities for the accident, the PDP said those at the helm of the affairs had not learnt any lesson from the erstwhile Doda district where hundreds of people had lost their lives in accidents. PDP leaders said bad road conditions, overloading and overspeeding were responsible for such accidents and the government should take some steps to avoid re-occurrence of such accidents in future. |
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Masoodi elevated Jammu, November 11 He will take the oath on November 13. With his elevation,the number of High Court judges has arisen to 10, including the Chief Justice. There are still four vacancies. |
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Chachi, Sharma win best teacher award Jammu, November 11 The award distribution function was organised at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu and Minister for School Education and Public Enterprises Department Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was the chief guest. Chachi, who is B.A, B.Ed, working as a teacher in Government Middle School, Kandiwara, has also introduced mid-day meal scheme and has enhanced enrolment of girl students in the school. “I was never expecting to win a state award. After achieving this award my responsibilities have increased more. Now I have to work hard and set an example in society”, Chachi after receiving the award said. Aruna Sharma, who has done PG in Human Rights and Diploma in Guidance and Counselling and Administration and Planning, said: “I dedicate this award to my mother who inspired me for doing good work for society by helping poor and needy people.” The second award of Rs 75,000 was won by Mohammad Hafiz Sheikh of Ghat village of Doda district. He is MA, M.Ed and had brought above 80 per cent board results. He also encouraged girl students for pursing education. Sheikh has also written various poems, which are being recited most of the schools in Doda. Mushtaq Ahmad Parrey of Srinagar won the third award, who brought out 95 per cent board results. Meanwhile, 44 district awards were also distributed among best teachers of all districts. Two best teachers from each district were given district award. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest congratulated the winners and appealed to the teaching community to utilise their talent for the betterment of society. |
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National Education Day celebrated Jammu, November 11 Prof Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, flagged off the rally from fountain plaza of the university, which culminated at the same place. |
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Governor exhorts students to
work hard Jammu, November 11 The 14 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army had organised the tour under Operation Sadbhavna. The students told the Governor it was a great opportunity for them to visit various places of historical and cultural interest and meet youth from other parts of the country.They were particularly thrilled with their first train travel from Jammu to Mumbai and their journey on board INS Vikrant. The Governor stressed the need for providing the best possible education and opportunity to all school students to visit other parts of the state and the country.He also laid stress on the importance of students being given good counselling and guidance about the selection of streams which suited their aptitude. He asked the students to work hard to successfully face the growing competitive environment. The Governor asked the Army officers accompanying them that whenever they planned similar visits outside the state, they should include Delhi in their itinerary so that the touring students could visit Rashtrapati Bhavan, Sansad Bhavan, Jamia Masjid, India Gate, Red Fort and other landmarks in Delhi. He also presented gifts to the students. |
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Samiti for CBI probe Tribune News Service Jammu, November 11 The MSS also asked Omar to order a CBI probe to ensure justice to the grief-stricken family. Rajnish Sharma, who had married Anchal Sharma, aka Amina Yousuf, was allegedly tortured to death in police custody on October 5. Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, Usha Choudhary, an MSS member, said: “If the Chief Minister failed to initiate action against the killers of Rajnish, then we would be forced to take to the streets.” On November 15, they would chalk out a strategy to launch a week-long signature campaign.
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Jammu, November 11
