Ramgarh (Zero Line), November 17
The death of DIG OP Tanwar of the BSF, who was killed in an IED blast planted by terrorists trying to sneak into the Indian side, has exposed lacunae in the functioning of the force.

Questions are being raised how the BSF could allow a senior officer of the rank of DIG to go to a place where a few hours ago a heavy exchange of fire had taken place after a few groups of heavily armed terrorists had been spotted.

Despite having sufficient gadgetry, including metal detectors, bomb disposal squads and other such equipment, the force did not bother to sanitise the area to check for any booby traps planted by militants, who might have come close to the border fencing.

Asked to comment on how a senior officer of the rank of DIG was allowed to go to the area where a few hours ago two to three groups of heavily armed terrorist were spotted and a heavy exchange of fire had taken place, DG, BSF, Raman Srivastava said, “Before the DIG went there, many senior officers had already checked the place. But earlier that day the officers on the combing operation were on foot and the DIG was on a vehicle,” he said, adding that it was the weight of the vehicle that triggered off the blast.

Earlier it was said the IED that claimed the life of Tanwar was a remote controlled device that the militants detonated from a safe distance from the Pakistani territory. However, the DG said it was found that the device was a pressure IED that detonated because of the pressure of the DIG’s vehicle.

“They should not have allowed such a senior officer to go to that area where an encounter had taken place. The area should have been sanitised and they should have known that militants, who managed to cross the Zero Line, could have put booby traps,” said a senior police officer.

The BSF sources said Tanwar had recently been posted to Jammu and he was keen to inspect the area himself after the failed infiltration bid. However, proper security measures were not taken before allowing such a high ranking officer to go to the area.

“The blast exactly took place between Mallu Chak and the Balad border outpost inside the Indian territory. Both posts are being monitored round-the-clock by the BSF,” said a senior BSF officer.

The DG along with other senior officers, including the special
DG, BSF, today went to see the spot on the border where the IED blast had taken place.

“There was a slip up. The terrorists who planted the IED were expecting senior officers to visit the spot as the IED was planted on the track. But this incident would make them (BSF) more careful in future,” former DGP MM Khajooria told The Tribune.

Srinagar, November 17
The ‘quiet dialogue’ between Hurriyat (M) chairperson Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the Home Ministry may not be quiet with Kashmir abuzz with reports of his secret talks with Home Minister P Chidambaram. However, the Mirwaiz today declined to get into any specifics while conforming back-channel talks with the government and insisted they would be triangular with Pakistan being the third party.

Hard line Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has openly attacked the Mirwaiz group for “its attempts to dilute” the Kashmir issue by holding talks while trying to galvanise separatist-support base against the moderates.

The Mirwaiz termed such misgivings baseless and said he would take everybody along, including Pakistan and Geelani. Geelani is unlikely to oblige him. In fact, some of his hard line colleagues like Shabir Shah also ruled out these quiet dialogues, but aides to the Mirwaiz told The Tribune that they would keep Pakistan on their side so that those opposed to them would be left with no option but either acquiesce or be marginalised.

The Hurriyat (M) is meeting tomorrow at the party headquarters in Rajbagh where they would discuss the impending visit of their delegations led by the Mirwaiz to Pakistan.

The Mirwaiz said they would visit Pakistan early next month after Eid-ul-Azha festivities to have talks with different leaders on resolving the Kashmir issue. He along with his close colleagues Bilal Gani Lone and Abdul Gani Bhat were in New Delhi last week where they met Pakistan’s High Commissioner Shahid Malik in their attempt to keep the Pakistan government in the loop. They also reportedly met Chidambaram on Saturday at a place in the Lodhi Estate area.

The quiet dialogue at the level of interlocutors between the Centre and Kashmir separatists was going and back channels were working at different levels, the Mirwaiz said.

He said a dialogue between Srinagar and Delhi as well as between Delhi and Islamabad was necessary to reach a conclusion. “We have not reached any decision so far,” he said, adding that it should be focused on the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Jammu, November 17
The BSF today accused the Pakistani army and the Pakistani Rangers of ‘facilitating infiltration’ from across the border saying a large number of trained militants were waiting at various launching pads along the LoC and the international border to sneak into the Indian territory.

Speaking to the media after laying a wreath on the body of martyred DIG OP Tanwar, who died in an IED blast along the international border (IB) in the Ramgarh sector yesterday, Director General (DG) of the BSF Raman Srivastava said, “There are inputs from different sources that a large number of trained militants are waiting at various points along the border and the LoC at different launching pads on the Pakistani side to cross into our side.” He added, “The Pakistani army and the Pakistan Rangers have been facilitating them to infiltrate.”

Tanwar was killed yesterday in an IED blast triggered by militants at the Balad border post, where he had gone on a combing operation after the soldiers manning the post had spotted two to three groups of militants trying to sneak into the Indian side.

The DG said after the incident, the alertness level along the entire border and the LoC was increased and the Army and the BSF increased their vigil. “This was a rare incident. But this could be part of a well-knit conspiracy of the terrorists to plant an IED to inflict damage on our side,” Srivastava said. He said before the snow closes the passes along the LoC there would be an increase in infiltration bids and the forces were trying to prevent them (militants) from entering the India.

Srivastava said infiltrators were not allowed to cross the border in the Balad sector. “Our jawans spotted groups of terrorists trying to sneak into our side. We waited till they (militants) came in the range of our fire. We fired around 300 rounds, including mortars, at them. The bid was foiled, but they managed to plant an IED that claimed the life of the DIG. They will keep making such attempts. It is our job to see that they do not succeed,” he said.

He said due to the high level of alertness of the forces, militants were getting frustrated and were trying to go to any level to infiltrate. The BSF had taken the killing of the DIG very seriously and appropriate action would be taken. “We have already lodged a strong protest during a DIG-level flag meeting held yesterday in which Brig Masood of the Pakistan Rangers participated. As usual the Pakistani side denied of having any involvement in the incident.”

Earlier the family members of Tanwar and senior police, Army and BSF officers laid wreaths on the body of the deceased officer. His wife Devyani Tanwar was the first followed by his two sons, followed by the DG, BSF, DGP Kuldeep Khoda, GOC of 9 corps Lt-Gen GM Nair and Special DG, BSF, PP Sandhu.

The body was later flown to his native village in Haryana on a special plane.

Jammu, November 17
Displaced persons from the PoK today threatened to launch a stir if the authorities failed to fulfil their long-pending demands. A meeting of the displaced persons of Mirpur, Poonch and Muzaffarabad districts was held today under the chairmanship of Yash Paul Gupta Mirpuri to discuss the present status and problems of the community.

The main thrust of speakers in the meeting was that the problems of the displaced persons had never been addressed properly. No compensation of their properties, which they had left in the PoK, had been paid so far.

It was observed in the meeting that no benefit to the children of the community had ever been given in respect of reservations in professional colleges and services.

Speakers said the government had kept 24 Assembly seats reserved for the PoK areas. It was resolved that vigorous efforts would be made to achieve the goals, and if needed peaceful agitation should be launched to get justice.

Jammu, November 17
Three persons were killed and 12 others injured in road accidents in Jammu today. The police said a tractor trailer coming from Srinagar rolled down near Nachalana in Banihal today killing a person and injuring others. In another incident, Shakuntla Devi of Purkhoo and Surinder Sharma of Gangyal, who were admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) after being injured in road accidents, died today. Twelve others were injured in road mishaps.

Three consume
poison, girl dies

A girl, who had allegedly consumed some poisonous substance in Pargwal, died today at the Government Medical College here. Meanwhile, two other consumed some poisonous substances at their respective houses. The police identified the girl as Gudia, a resident of Channi Pargwal. The police said, Neeraj, a resident of Toph Sherkhanian, and Gopal Singh of Sadyal Nud Mansar were also admitted to the Samba hospital after they consumed some poisonous substance at their houses.

Body found

The police found the body of sadhu Ram Krishan from Ranbir Market near Indra Chowk today. The corpse was later shifted to the mortuary of the Government Medical College.

Jammu, November 17
Choudhary Nagar Singh, alias Nago, a businessman, surrendered along with his two brothers Rakesh Singh and Ujjagar Singh before a local court in RS Pura, near here, today.

However, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, YP Bourney sent them to judicial custody till November 25 this afternoon. Though the Special Investigation Team (SIT) sought police remand of the accused, the CJM opposed it on the grounds that the final chargesheet stands filed before the competent court of jurisdiction and as such the accused could not be sent to police custody.

The trio wanted in a murder case by the SIT for allegedly bribing some police and FSL officials, including suspended Jammu SSP Manohar Singh, to fudge evidences, mainly a country made pistol, suddenly appeared before a munsiff court in RS Pura around 11.45 am.

“Nagar Singh and his two brothers surrendered before the court and now law would take its own course,” IG, Jammu zone, Ashok Kumar Gupta told The Tribune.

A Maruti van came to a screeching halt just in front of my chamber and the trio after alighting from the vehicle ran towards the munsiff court, a lawyer told The Tribune.

Taken by surprise we (lawyers) also rushed to the court room where Nagar Singh was introducing himself and his brothers to Judge Adnan Syed, he said, adding that the businessman informed the Judge about the case and pleaded they were surrendering.

Their counsel, who was already present in the court, referred to Section 187, Cr PC, to enable surrender of his clients, said the lawyer.

Subsequently, the Judge called the RS Pura police and asked it to produce them before the court of CJM Bourney.

In the meantime, the SIT and a huge posse of police force also reached the court and the three accused in handcuffs were whisked away in a police vehicle to the court of CJM around 2.15 pm, he added.

As the news spread like a wildfire a swarm of nearly 1,000 persons gathered on the court premises. The SIT had parked its vehicle just a few steps away from the court

room and as soon as the munsiff court finished the proceedings, the SIT packed them off in the vehicle and zoomed away.

It may be stated here, the CJM, on October 20, had issued a proclamation directing them to appear before the court or the SIT by November 20, failing which their properties would be attached.

Yesterday, the high court had rejected their anticipatory bails and at the same time the Principal Sessions Judge, Jammu, had issued non-bailable warrants against the trio to ensure their presence before the court.

Jammu, November 17
Scattered garbage on roads, a overflowing garbage bin placed by the Municipal Corporation (MC) opposite its signboard at the Gumat Chowk has exposed its tall claims to keep the city clean.

Despite launching beautification and sanitation drives in the city, the MC has not been able to maintain sanitation of the area, which is merely half a kilometre away from its premises.

Shopkeepers and residents of the area alleged that the garbage bin was proving a health hazard for them due to its irregular clearance. “Safai karamcharis of the areas have adopted an indolent attitude and they lift garbage from the bin only after it overflows,” Neha Sharma, a city resident, said. Another resident Prakash Khajuria said: “The stink emanating from the accumulated garbage usually creates trouble for pedestrians.” Khajuria further said: “The scattered garbage increases the menace of stray dogs and cows in the area.”

He added that though the MC repeatedly assured provision of better sanitation facilities, it failed to do so.

Srinagar, November 17
Humour, tragedy and love depicted by various “baand pather” (folk plays) staged on the second day of a week-long folk theatre festival here drew audience from all age groups.

Theatre fans of Kashmir are due for a feast as the festival got underway at Tagore Hall yesterday. About 21 plays would be enacted by almost same number of folk theatre groups during the festival, which is organised by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

Around 400 artists would be exhibiting their talent. Plays like “Watel Pather”, “Angreze Pather” and “Gosain Pather” were staged by Yousmarg folk theatre, Pulwama, the Aziz folk theatre, Hiller Arhama, and the Arnimal folk theatre, Palhallan-Pattan, respectively, today. The National Band Theatre, Wathora, and Wular theatre, Bomai, Sopore, performed on the inaugural day.

“Baand pather is the ancient form of theatre in Kashmir,” says Mohammad Ashraf Tak, chief editor (Urdu), Academy of Art Culture and Languages. He said it was the promotional activity.

“The academy tries to provide suitable platform to artists. Such festivals are organised after two years. Last time it was organised in 2007,” said Tak.

Abdul Samad, a folk theatre lover, says the festival provides an opportunity to depict activities carried out by various sections of society.

“Folk theatre is relevant and kicking in villages, particularly in far-flung areas. Festivals like these help in carrying out the message to the people living in other parts of the valley,” said Samad.

Speaking on the inaugural function, former chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, Mohammad Shafi Pandit, said, “Baand pather has a history and it is deeply connected with the social fabric of society.

“Over the past 20 years, each and every section of society has been disintegrated and same is the case with the folk theatre. Despite this, people associated with it have rendered a yeoman service,” said Pandit.

Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, director, “watel Pather” said: “Baand pather depicts true picture of history”.

His counterpart, Munshi Ali Mohammad, director, “gosain pather”, said: “Baand pather has been derived from Sanskrit. It comprises music, drama and dance.”

Producer Mushtaque Ali Ahmad Khan and historian Farooq Fayaz would judge best performers.

Theatre clubs, including Baba Reshi Folk Theatre, Lalpora-Tangmarg, Luke Pather Centre, Ichgam-Budgam and the Bhagat Theatre Centre, Akingam-Anantnag, were also participating in the festival.

Jammu, November 17
Though the state government has announced three months ration free of cost for drought-affected Kandi areas of Jammu, farmers of different parts of the region have demanded drought relief for hilly areas also.

Farmers of Reasi, Ramnagar, Batote, Chenani and other hilly areas have pointed out that additional relief should be given to them as they have suffered a huge loss as compared to inhabitants of Kandi belts.

A social activist from Ramnagar RS Pathania has demanded drought relief in Ramnagar, Majalta and other hilly areas. He pointed out that compensation had been granted on account of loss due to drought up to 60 per cent in the Kandi area. Whereas in Ramnagar, Majalta and other hilly areas, the estimated loss as per the official statistics is about 70 per cent. While alleging discrimination and sheer misunderstanding of grass-roots level facts and figures, he called upon the state government to order immediate sanctioning of relief for Ramnagar, Majalta, Chenani and other hilly areas.

He further lamented that free ration for three months was meagre. To save and stabilise the poor economy of farmers, it needed to be enhanced to at least 50 kg per month accompanied with a reasonable cash dole, he demanded. He also threatened to launch a mass movement in case appropriate remedial measures were not resorted to at the earliest.

Jammu, November 17
Out of 20,000 available seats for the BEd course, around 18,100 seats have been filled so far with the second phase of counselling-cum-admission ending here today.

After the completion of the first phase of counselling on October 30, some seats were lying vacant due to which the second phase was conducted for one week that started from November 10.

During the first phase, around 16,100 candidates, including around 5,100 local candidates, got admission in 74 private BEd colleges affiliated to Jammu University. “In the second phase, around 2,000 candidates from outside the state took admission,” said RS Dalpatia, Assistant Registrar, Jammu University.

Expressing happiness over getting a second chance for getting admission, Susham Choudhary, a candidate from Rajasthan, said, “Due to my marriage, I could not apply for the course earlier. But I am glad to get admission this year.”

Another candidate from UP, Mohammad Hussain, who was a little worried, said, “I got late admission and the session has already started. I do not know how I will cover my syllabus.”

Prof Rajiv Gupta, Director Colleges Development, maintained that as some seats were still lying vacant after the completion of the second phase of counselling, the university authorities might conduct a meeting to discuss to further extend the date for counselling-cum-admission.

Gupta said though the session for the course had already started from the first week of November, students, who were taking late admission, need not to worry as their respective colleges would take extra classes to compensate them for loss of study.

Jammu, November 17
The Command Hospital of the Udhampur-based Northern Command of the Army has become the first institute of the state to successfully perform a bone marrow transplant on cancer patients.

As per Sub Major KS Rathi, officiating PRO of the Northern Command, the operation was performed on October 29 this year on a 50-year-old serving soldier, who was suffering from multiple myeloma, a cancer of white blood cells.

Bone marrow transplantation consists of destroying the diseased bone marrow with chemotherapy and replacing it with normally functioning marrow cells.

It is a highly specialised procedure, performed in a handful of transplant centres in the country, which has now been made available in the state.

A Bone Marrow Transplant unit requires facilities for barrier nursing, storage and irradiation of various blood components, besides specially trained staff. Despite the lack of infrastructure, the team consisting of doctors and paramedical staff from various specialities was able to plan and execute this procedure successfully.

Lt-Col Tarun Verma, a clinical haematologist, performed the transplant procedure in collaboration with the Regional Cancer Centre and the Transfusion Medicine Department of the Government Medical College, Jammu.

The procedure was overseen by cardiologist Col Prashant Bharadwaj, head of the Medicine Department, while Commandant Major Gen Harinder Singh ensured that all necessary drugs and equipment were procured on priority to perform this life-saving procedure, the spokesman said.

The patient was now convalescing in the Command Hospital. More transplants, both autologous and allogenic, were planned in future, he added. The Command Hospital (Northern Command), Udhampur, is also the only tertiary care centre in the Northern Command primarily treating surgical and medical cases evacuated from front line areas.