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Time not ripe for troop withdrawal: CM
PoK man was to give satellite phone to ultra aide
Gen Kapoor: Terror camps in Pak intact, but truce violations down
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Mufti asks India, Pak to end hostility
SRTC strike: Talks inconclusive
Driver hurt in firing by PDP leader
BJP MLAs clash in full public view
Crops
damaged by drought
Explosives seized
CCI discusses VAT problems
Panel to look into Katra problems
Javed Mir quits Hurriyat
Lawyers strike work against CJ’s order
Land mine defused
Labourer killed in tunnel collapse
Township project reviewed
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Time not ripe for troop withdrawal: CM
Jammu, November 24 “The Army wants to do its primary duty, but the time is not conducive for its withdrawal from the state,” Omar said. He was speaking to mediapersons after the inauguration of the Balidan Sthambh - a war memorial constructed by the Army in memory of the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in various wars fought after Independence. Omar said: “We have to look towards the programme to reduce the footprints of the Army in the state and to give more responsibilities to the paramilitary forces and the state police. The Srinagar-based 15 Corps has been providing specialised training in counter insurgency to the police force, but the time is not ripe for their (army) withdrawal.” He said: “Though there has been a remarkable decline in the militancy-related violence, the increase in cross border infiltration is a matter of great concern for us. There is an increase in cross-border infiltration as compared to last year, but the security forces are negating their nefarious designs.” Though there has been demand of demilitarisation in the state as various political parties, including the PDP, had been demanding the withdrawal of the Army from the state, the Chief Minister said: “The Army is not out there of their own free will, but they are out for our safety.” He said the people of the state had made a bond with the Army and they (people) were against the withdrawal of the Army from Kashmir valley. Regarding the allegations of human rights violation, Omar said: “The Army and the security forces have a deep commitment to zero tolerance and they are implementing it in letter and spirit. Whenever these incidents take place the Army takes immediate action.” Speaking to mediapersons, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said: “It is a good sign that talks are going on for the resolution of the problems.” When asked about the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, Farooq said: “This act has to gradually go, but the decision has to be taken
by the Ministry of Home Affairs.” |
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PoK man was to give satellite phone to ultra aide
Jammu, November 24 Official sources told The Tribune that the hi-tech device was given to him by Pakistani officer Akram Shah, a resident of the Islamagarh belt in the PoK’s Mirpur area. “Tufail Hussain Shah of Mahajir Colony in the Islamagarh belt crossed the LoC via the Chakan-Da-Bagh transit point for the first time and he had to deliver the satellite phone to a man at the Poonch bus stand,” a senior police officer told The Tribune. However, the police officer refused to divulge the name of the person to whom the phone was to be handed over. During interrogation, he (Tufail) disclosed that the satellite phone was given to him by Pakistani officer Akram Shah just before he was to board the trans-border bus, added the officer. However, being an illiterate man we could not say for sure whether the officer, who had given him the high-tech device, belonged to the ISI. “But we are subjecting him to intense questioning to get to the bottom of the truth,” he said. We were also conducting searches for the man who was to receive the phone, but success so far had eluded us, he said. However, 45-year-old Tufail Hussain continued to plead innocence, the officer added. Tufail had entered Poonch yesterday when the route was opened for civilians living in both parts of the divided state. The sources said Tufail became the first ever trans-LoC visitor to be arrested for trying to smuggle a satellite phone apparently in a bid to help militants and their sympathisers in the militancy-plagued Rajouri and Poonch districts. The PoK resident had concealed the device in an iron trunk being carried by him when it was seized at the Chakan-Da-Bagh immigration centre. The sources said after more than of two hours of questioning a case was registered against him at Poonch police station. |
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Gen Kapoor: Terror camps in Pak intact, but truce violations down
Jammu, November 24 Speaking to reporters after the inauguration of a war memorial, Balidan Sthambh, here,General Kapoor said “ nearly 42 terrorist camps are still functional in occupied Kashmir across the Line of Control and around 2,000 to 2,500 trained militants are waiting to cross over
to this side.” When asked about the increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan, he said: “The ceasefire violations are an attempt to facilitate the infiltration of militants, but compared to last year,there is a decline in such incidents this year”. He said the Army was taking adequate measures to ensure militants didn’t succeed in entering the Indian territory. “There is nothing to worry. We have not lowered our guard anywhere and I assure you that the security forces are fully prepared to foil any infiltration bid by militants from across the border”. When asked about the internal strife in Pakistan, he said “our troops are always ready. We are ready to deal with them.Whether it is Taliban, Lashkar-e-Toiba or Hizbul Mujahideen, we are ready to deal with them to ensure safety and security of the people of the state and the country”. Commenting on the security situation in the state, he said the militants had changed their modus operandi and instead of attacking the civilian population, the attacks on security forces had increased. Replying to questions that certain elements were using the cross- LoC trade for carrying out anti- national activity such as the one in which a Pakistani national was arrested with a satellite phone and two Pakistani SIM cards, General Kapoor said: “It is a matter of concern and the government is taking steps to ensure that there is no such misuse of the
facilities”. When asked to comment on the threat from the Chinese side,General Kapoor said: “Transgression at the China border is the same as it was earlier.So, there is no need to worry. Earlier,he dedicated the sthambh, a war memorial constructed in memory of 4877 soldiers who laid down their lives in the wars fought since 1947 to Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Mufti asks India, Pak to end hostility
Srinagar, November 24 The PDP patron, addressing a civil society seminar on various aspects of self-rule in Kupwara today, said the state residents could no more be held hostage to strategic or political interests of India and Pakistan. He urged the leadership of the two countries to realise that the hostility between the two nations directly affected the people. Referring to the shrillness that had marked recent statements emanating from Delhi and Islamabad, the Mufti cautioned against ignoring the overwhelming sentiment for peace that prevailed here and was strengthened by earlier indications of a dialogue. He said blowing hot and cold on the issue was dangerous, but the two sides need should understand its impact on a people alienated from the mainstream, facing colossal emotional and physical loss everyday and who had only recently staged a commendable transition to peaceful and democratic means of struggle which was unprecedented for any contemporary movement. The PDP patron and former Chief Minister said the people of the state deserved respect and were not asking for any doles from the Centre. He said they expected real progress on the resolution of the conflict. On the self-rule roadmap, he said it was a vision of a larger world that would be at peace with itself and the countries around. He said it would free the people of the state, especially those living in border areas, from the sense of siege that “engulfed us as a result of Partition”. He said it was time for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to deliver on his promise to convert borders into “just a line on the map" and not let the hawks hijack his agenda of peace. |
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SRTC strike: Talks inconclusive
Jammu, November 24 Both sides, however, expressed satisfaction over the progress of the talks and termed them as positive. Besides the Chief Secretary, the meeting was attended by the commissioner/secretary planning, commissioner/secretary development, commissioner/secretary finance, commissioner/secretary transport and the managing director of the SRTC. Eight members of the command council of the SRTC Workers Union under the chairmanship of Shakeel Ahmed Kuchay attended the meeting. Terming the response of the government as a positive step forward, Shakeel, who is the chairman of the SRTC Workers Union, said, “Though we could not reach a solution today, the talks were positive and we hope that the government is showing seriousness in addressing our genuine grievances.” He said during the two-hour meeting the government delegation showed a positive approach. “Our demands are old and we cannot expect a solution in hours. The government also needs time to think over them,” Shakeel said. He said both parties had a thorough discussion over the demands and the problems confronting the government in addressing them. Shakeel said though earlier rounds of talks had failed, this was the first meeting with the high-level committee constituted by the chief minister. Asked whether the corporation employees would continue with the strike and the programme to march towards New Delhi, Kuchay said, “We should be hopeful that before the deadline to march towards New Delhi is over the issues would be resolved. But we are firm on our decision of marching to Delhi.” Meanwhile, the strike by the SRTC employees completed 92 days today. |
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Driver hurt in firing by PDP leader
Jammu, November 24 One person got injured in the incident while three others involved in rioting are still absconding. A case has been registered against the PDP leader who allegedly fired a shot and injured a driver. The police said on late Monday evening, some truck drivers entered into a verbal duel with PDP leader Sukhdev Sharma, who runs a dhaba at Samroli on the highway. One of the drivers tried to attack Sukhdev with a rod. The PDP leader fired a shot in air to disperse the group of drivers who were ransacking his dhaba. He later fired another shot in which one of the driver, identified as Mohmmad Abbas of
Qazigund, got injured. Infuriated after their colleagues got injured, some other drivers turned violent and stated ransacking the dhaba and adjoining buildings. The dhaba owned by the PDP leader was also set on fire by the agitating drivers. The police rushed to the spot and dispersed the agitating drivers who were indulged in rioting. The injured driver was immediately shifted to the Udhampur hospital and his condition was stated to be stable. The police also seized the licensed pistol of the PDP leader. |
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BJP MLAs clash in full public view
Jammu, November 24 Four BJP MLAs had gathered near the Civil Secretariat to hold a protest against the shortage of fertilisers and seeds. The protest was organised by Kissan Morcha president Choudhary Sukhnandan, who is the party MLA from the Marh area. Three other MLAs namely Jugal Kishore Sharma, Sham Choudhary and Garu Ram Bhagat were also present on the occasion. The MLAs were waiting for Khajuria to join them. The situation took an ugly turn when Khajuria refused to join the protest saying that without involving all 11 MLAs it was not proper to hold a protest. Sukhnandan pleaded with the party president to join them, but the latter refused. Infuriated over Khajuria’s behaviour, the president of the morcha entered into a verbal duel with Khajuria in full public view. Interestingly, mediapersons were invited to cover the protest and in their presence the BJP leaders starting blaming each other. Sukhnandan even termed Khajuria as an agent of the NC. After half-an-hour drama, the BJP leaders cancelled the protest against the shortage of fertilisers and seeds and reached the party headquarters to first resolve the internal problem. After reaching the party office, Sukhnandan threatened to resign, but was pacified by some senior leaders. Later talking to The Tribune, Sukhnandan said the protest was organised against the failure of the government to supply fertilisers and seeds in the Jammu province. Seeking to downplay the incident, Sukhnandan said it was a minor issue and was resolved after a discussion.
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Farmers’ body
rejects govt relief
Tribune News Service
Jammu, November 24 “The farmers have lost their entire kharif crop in non-irrigated areas due to a failed monsoon. Crops, including paddy, maize, pulses and mustard etc., got affected in the absence of rain,” he said. Accusing the state government of being apathetic, Jalmeria said, “The federation had asked the government on October 6 for providing seeds and fertilisers free of cost to affected farmers during the rabi crop season, besides adequate compensation.” “The government has pro-rich policies. We would be compelled to launch an agitation in the interest of farmers against the backdrop of the situation and the spiralling prices of all essential commodities,” he further added. The federation also expressed concern over the non-availability of seeds and fertilisers in the market. “The rabi season has already advanced, but the department is not ensuring the availability of seeds and fertilisers,” said Tek Chand, secretary of the federation. He also criticised the government for diverting agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.
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Explosives seized
Srinagar, November 24 The Bandipora police and 3-Madras of the Army seized about 45 kg of explosive powder and two hand grenades from a hideout. They also seized 10 blankets, two small gas cylinders, a stove, five litres of kerosene oil, one kilo nails, three jackets, three woollen sweaters, four utensils, a sickle, six pencil cells. They also seized 5 kg of rice and some spices that militants had kept for their daily use. The hideout fell in the area of Buth Forest under the jurisdiction of Bandipora police station. The police also detected and defused an IED in
Pulwama. It said the militants were likely to use it to target vehicles of the security forces. The IED was hidden in an orchard in
Arihal. The police said it was investigating both cases, but no arrests had been made. Meanwhile, the police has arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba
(LeT) operative and seized Rs 1 lakh hawala money from him. During investigation in a case, the police arrested Mushtaq Ahmed Dar and seized the money following disclosure by him. Dar is a resident of Wathoora in
Budgam. The police said Dar was a conduit of the LeT and money was to be used for the purchase of logistics and other requirements for militants operating in the valley. Meanwhile, a joint column of the Rashtriya Rifles and the police busted a hideout in the Arital area in Ramban district in Jammu and seized two AK magazines, seven rounds of AK ammunition, eight detonators and miscellaneous items.
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CCI discusses VAT problems
Jammu, November 24 Sharma raised the issue of seizure of documents, clarification of TIN and arbitrary enhancement of value of declared goods. The CCI impressed upon the commissioner that all documents seized at Lakhanpur should be sent to respective circles. The practice of enhancing the value of declared goods at Lakhanpur should be stopped forthwith. He said the verification of TIN only those cases should be referred to Jammu where the mistake apparently was other than clerical. The Chambers delegation also said till the recommendations of the technical fault committee were not received the recovery proceedings pertaining to assessment year 2005-06 and onwards should be put in abeyance. The commissioner (Commercial Taxes) concurred with the points raised by the CCI as genuine and demanding immediate attention, he assured the delegation that necessary instructions would be issued to the authorities concerned for removing all anomalies at the earliest.
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Panel to look into Katra problems
Jammu, November 24 The land acquisition case for the development of Katra bus stand was also discussed in the meeting. The Deputy Chief Minister also constituted a committee headed by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan
Kotwal. Other members of the committee are the Deputy Commissioner, Reasi (Member Secretary), Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Director Urban Local Bodies, Jammu, Director Tourism Jammu, Chief Architect J&K and the Chief Town Planner, Jammu. Tara Chand directed the committee to address the genuine problems of local people and ensure that the bottlenecks in way of the development of bus stand were smoothly cleared and the process of acquisition of land is expedited. He directed the committee to identify the land grabbers involved in the case as alleged by the MLA concerned so that appropriate action against such land grabbers is initiated. |
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Javed Mir quits Hurriyat
Srinagar, November 24 Mir has been elected as senior vice-chairman of the JKLF (R) and told The Tribune that he was opposed to bilateral talks going on quietly between the Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and supported result-oriented tripartite talks involving leaders of India, Pakistan and state. He said he joined the JKLF (R) some time back as he was not happy with the Mirwaiz’s policies. Mir along with three other militants, two of them dead long ago and the third being Yasin Malik, who heads the JKLF, had hogged limelight in early years of militancy after they kidnapped Rubiya Sayeed, daughter of former Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed, and managed the release of some of their accomplices. Mir said the Hurriyat (M) had strayed from its constitution. Though considered a moderate, his hardline position is only a reflection on the current political opinion in the valley that has been shaped by Islamist ideologue Syed Ali Shah
Geelani.
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Lawyers strike work against CJ’s order
Jammu, November 24 The executive committee of the association criticised the Irregular Cause List issued on November 22 and said the Chief Justice should follow the best traditions of the high court instead of experimenting with a new system. The committee further resolved that the Chief Justice should consult the president and the executive members of the association while taking any administrative decision regarding any change in the working system of the high court. As per a press note issued by the secretary of the association, the high court work would also remain suspended on November 25.
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Land mine defused
Jammu, November 24 Sources said Parmod Kumar found an unidentified object and informed the nearby BSF post. The BSF soldiers reached the spot and identified the object as an anti-personnel mine. Sources said the Army was called in, which later defused the mine safely. During the operation Prakram following the attack on Parliament, the Army had mined the area. However, in 2006 the area was de-mined and the land was returned to the farmers. But since the de-mining of the area, mines are being recovered from the area and many accidents have also taken place in which many people have either lost their lives or were seriously injured. |
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Labourer killed in tunnel collapse
Jammu, November 24 According to sources, double-laning working of the railway track was going on and the labourers were working inside a tunnel for the overhead electric wires. However, the tunnel caved in yesterday evening. People came to know about the incident today and evicted the body of Umesh who had died yesterday, a police source said. The body has been kept at the subdivision hospital, Hiranagar. |
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Township project reviewed
Jammu, November 24 Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary S. S. Kapur, Commissioner, Secretary, Finance, Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary, Revenue, Ejaz Iqbal, Relief Commissioner, Vinod Koul and other senior officers attended the meeting. The meeting was informed that the mini-township, comprising 4224 flats in 176 blocks spread over 716 kanals was being constructed at a cost of Rs 294 crore. Each three-storeyed block would have 24 flats. He said the covered area of each flat would be 495 sq feet.
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