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No plan to withdraw more troops: Pillai
Clashes in Maisuma, Geelani held
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Employment policy to be enforced from April
Omar govt failed to deliver: Mufti
Farmers told about latest techniques
Health Sector
Chargesheet against DHO cashier for fraud
Students boycott internal tests
Lt-Gen Jaswal visits Romeo Force HQ
More CFL lights for 71 wards in Jammu
Another agricultural technocrat hospitalised
Talks attempt to confuse separatists: Shabir
Membership drive of NC begins tomorrow
Executive Councillor Stanzin resigns
Army jawan shoots himself to death
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No plan to withdraw more troops: Pillai
Suchetgarh (Zero line), December 12 “The security situation in the state has improved considerably,” Union Home Secretary GK Pillai said during his visit to villages along the international border in the RS Pura sector today. Asked whether the Union government was considering withdrawing more forces (Army and paramilitary) from the state, Pillai said: “There is no such plan to withdraw more forces from the state in the foreseeable future.” On the terror infrastructure across the border, Pillai said: “No terror infrastructure has been demolished and all camps and training facilities are intact there.” “We have always asked them to dismantle the terror infrastructure and we will continue to do so. If they don’t do it, they will be the ones to get affected by it,” Pillai said. He said Indian forces had been told to remain vigilant at all times. “Our forces are always vigilant and don’t allow infiltrators to succeed in their designs,” Pillai said. Asked what action was taken by the Union government against Pakistan when a DIG of the BSF, OP Tanwar, lost his life in an IED blast along the border in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district. The IED was planted by terrorists from across the border. Pillai said: “We conveyed it to Pakistan in strong words to stop abetting terrorism, but as always they denied having any role in it.” On the proposed talks between the separatists and the Union government under the ‘quiet diplomacy’, Pillai said: “It is quiet diplomacy and you don’t discuss it in the open, until something concrete comes out.” However, he expressed satisfaction that the talks were going on in the right earnest. “The talks will continue and we are satisfied with the progress.” He refused to comment on the question whether the Union government was ready to offer some concessions to separatist leaders in the ‘quiet diplomacy’ process. Pillai, who visited the border, was accompanied by DGP Kuldeep Khoda, ADGP K Rajindra, Special DG, BSF, PPS Sandhu and other senior police as well as paramilitary officers.
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Clashes in Maisuma, Geelani held
Srinagar, December 12 According to the police, many jawans and officials were injured in stone throwing by the protesters. The police and the CRPF had to use force here to contain the situation. However, shops in commercial hubs around Maisuma were largely closed. Meanwhile, Hurriyat hard line leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was arrested by the police last evening for threatening peace in the summer capital and was sent to the Central Jail, while his bail application remained undecided. Geelani had given a call for bandh yesterday which brought a large number of people on road. The protesters clashed with the security forces at several places. The police said Geelani’s arrest was necessary to maintain law and order in the city as he was likely to announce a fresh programme of protests today. Moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, whose amalgam’s distance from the Geelani faction has only increased after the murderous attack on its leader Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi, criticised what he called atrocities of law enforcement agencies in the city. “It’s anti-democracy and gross violation of people’s rights,” he said.
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Employment policy to be enforced from April
Srinagar, December 12 All the unemployed educated youth in the state have been asked to get themselves registered with the District Employment and Counselling Centres concerned. This was announced by the Minister for Finance AR Rather while addressing a number of deputations who called upon him at his residence, here today. He said that the employment package was a historic decision and Rs 300 to 400 crore were annually required for the stipend to be provided under the package. According to an official spokesman, Rather announced that the government would provide government employment to one lakh unemployed educated youth in a phased manner during the next five years. He added that loans on easy installments would also be arranged for others so that they could set up their own income generating units as the government is not in a position to provide government employment to every educated youth. Describing the employment package as a historical decision, the Finance Minister said that none of the previous governments had come up with such an employment package. The Finance Minister said that the educated youth would be properly guided and imparted training for seeking jobs and an overseas employment corporation has been established for the purpose. He said floriculture and horticulture provides vast scope for employment opportunities in the state for which youth have to come forward in a big way to avail the facilities being provided by the government. The Finance Minister said that the coalition government had formulated a comprehensive strategy for all-round, balanced and equitable development of the state. He said the government would take all steps to come up to the expectations of the people. The Finance Minister also visited J&K Handloom Development Corporation Office and inspected various units.
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Omar govt failed to deliver: Mufti
Jammu, December 12 Addressing a meeting of senior PDP leaders here today, the Mufti said the problems on account of power, ration, water and galloping prices had created an unprecedented situation, while the government pronouncements on development remained confined to press statements. He said people had no choice but to come out on the streets for everything that should have come to them as a right. The Mufti said it was now clear that the state government had failed in delivering what it had promised, but its inability to learn from failures was a matter of concern as it could have a bearing on people’s faith in democracy itself. He said the NC-led government had done nothing to honour its mandate, which could result in the disillusionment of people who had voted in large numbers to give democracy a chance in the state. “I feel sad at times when they indulge in juvenile pranks in trying to hoodwink public opinion, instead of trying to do something productive,” he said. Regretting that the NC had failed in carrying forward the process of political resolution, the Mufti said it had failed even in consolidating the gains made by its preceding government. Not to speak of taking any fresh initiative, the government had reversed the process by its failure to reach out to people in their hour of need.
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Farmers told about latest techniques
Jammu, December 12 The aim of the training session was to educate farmers on latest techniques, use of irrigation equipment and finance schemes. The faculty for the training session comprised eminent speakers from prestigious institutions like the National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur, the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), New Delhi, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, and the PAU Ludhiana. Dr B Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST, chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the industry for taking a keen interest in the agriculture sector. “The collaboration of scientists, industrialists, framers and government officials can go a long way in solving the agricultural issues,” he observed. Director agriculture Vinod Bala Sharma said the soil and climatic conditions of Jammu were very good and in some cases farmers were encashing four crops in one year. “Wheat, medicinal crops, saffron, mushrooms, ‘jeera’ of Kitshwar district, and flowers and fruits have a great potential and the farmers need to exploit the same,” she said. “The major problems faced by farmers were lack of irrigation facilities, lack of fertilisers and their untimely availability, lack of marketing network coupled with the problem caused by the delayed or untimely monsoon,” she added. She also recommended the formation of ‘mandis’ like those in Punjab to facilitate the marketing process. Bala said the farmers in Jammu and Kathua were able to produce surplus grains because of their progressive attitude, but overall production in the Jammu division was below the target. Chairman of the CII Sanjay Puri, in his welcome address, said the farmers should be proud of their profession and never sell their land with an aim to settle in urban areas. The technical session included the hybrid seed production of rice, prospects of medicinal and aromatic plants in Jammu, modern agriculture marketing methods, agricultural finance agencies, rainwater harvesting and use of drip irrigation, strategies for enhancing horticulture, agro-technology, including nutrient management, and export potential of agricultural produce from the Jammu division.
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Health Sector
Jammu, December 12 “The government aims at bridging the gap between the urban and rural areas in this sector,” Omar said while speaking in the meeting of the task force on the health sector reforms held here yesterday. Speaking about several reforms in the health sector, he said the government would encourage the private-public partnership in the medicare sector to expand specialised health care facilities in the state. Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma and Chief Secretary SS Kapur also attended the meeting. |
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Chargesheet against DHO cashier for fraud
Srinagar, December 12 Acting on a report that the DHO cashier had fraudulently withdrawn money, a case was registered and investigations were started in 2003. The investigations revealed that Mohammad Sayed Baba had been functioning as cashier in the DHO, Sopore, since 2000. On August 1, 2001, he prepared a cheque for Rs 50,412, but instead of drawing the actual amount, he prepared a fraudulent GP fund and other bills and withdrew Rs 3,82,212 from the Sopore branch of J&K Bank on August 6, 2001. To cover up his misdeeds, the cashier destroyed the record pertaining to the fraudulent withdrawal. But despite the wicked methods adopted by him to give the investigating agency the slip, the Crime Branch, Kashmir, succeeded in exposing his fraud on the exchequer. The accused was booked and produced before the CJM court, Sopore, on Thursday and the chargesheet was also presented against him. |
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Students boycott internal tests
Jammu, December 12 According to Sahil Choudhary, a member of the Jammu Joint Students Federation, the students had approached him and he took up the matter with college Principal Sham Lal Gupta. Sahil demanded that the college authorities should take a retest in these subjects. He warned that if their demand was not fulfilled, the students would boycott classes and protest against the college administration. Talking to The Tribune, the Principal said the tests were totally based on the syllabus. He said now he would refer the case to the examination committee and it would decide whether the retest should be taken or not. |
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Lt-Gen Jaswal visits Romeo Force HQ
Jammu, December 12 He was received at the headquarters by the GOC of the Romeo Force. He lauded the efforts of the counter insurgency force towards restoring normalcy in Poonch and
Rajouri. |
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More CFL lights for 71 wards in Jammu
Jammu, December 12 A decision in this regard was taken by the Mayor while addressing the demands raised by the councillors in the General House meeting held today under the chairmanship of Commissioner, Mubarak Singh, Deputy Mayor, Dharam Veer Singh Jamwal and the Mayor at the Town Hall. The councillors expressed concern over the disorder in the already allotted house numbers in old wards and demanded immediate issuance of fresh house numbers in all the wards. Speaking on the issue of CFL lights, the Commissioner said that the Corporation has already allotted 10 CFL lights in every wards during this year. The Deputy Mayor demanded an inquiry into the delay in opening up of mechanical workshop of the corporation and the work done by the mechanics of the corporation for the last four years. The commissioner assured that the workshop of the corporation at Jogi Gate would be made functional within 15 days. Pawan Singh, a councillor of ward number 6 alleged that the corporation had failed to enforce a complete ban on the manufacturing units of polythene bags. He said some outlets that fall under the municipal limits were violating the ban openly. The councillors also demanded issuance of voter Id-cards to the people ahead of elections in the corporation.
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Another agricultural technocrat hospitalised
Jammu, December 12 Ashiq Husaain was shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). With this, the total number of persons admitted to the hospital has reached six. Earlier, Yaqoob Hussain, Javed Ahmed Shapoo, Sanjeev Verma, Rajneesh Singh, Vijay Verma and Tariq Ahmed had to be hospitalised due to falling health. Although Sanjeev and Yaqoob had been discharged, others have been observing fast in the hospital. Meanwhile, Pankaj Mannu, district president of the All-Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Technocrats Association (AJKATA), Udhampur, today replaced Vijay Verma after his health deteriorated yesterday. Others on the fast near the Jammu Press Club include Rajiv Singh Chib and Ishtiaq Ahmed Bhat. |
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Talks attempt to confuse separatists: Shabir
Srinagar, December 12 Speaking at a book release function ‘Qaidi number 100’ Shah said Pillai’s statement was a mere speculation as nothing was known about the dimensions of the dialogue. “The Government of India is spreading rumours that talks are going on with some quarters in Kashmir. This is nothing but a myth. New Delhi wants to create chaos as well as confusion while harping on the issue of dialogue in Kashmir,” said the separatist leader. Shabir said the dialogue was possible only when it was meaningful and result-oriented. He added that separatist leaders should bury their differences, leave their egos and work on a platform. “If we are wrong, others should come forward and show us the right path. The recent statements of the United Jehad Council (UJC) about unification are quite encouraging. These should guide us and we should get united for the larger goal,” said Shah. JKLF chairman Yasin Malik said women formed the backbone of ‘resistance movement’, but expressed dismay that support from women folks had come down over the years. “No movement can move ahead unless women support it. We should look for the reasons behind the less participation of women in the movement,” said Malik. Shakeel Bakshi, chairman of the Islamic Students League (ISL), said the Hurriyat Conference was formed out of bonhomie between Rajiv Gandhi and Benazir Bhutto, former prime ministers of India and Pakistan, respectively. Zamrauda Habib, author of the book and patron of the Muslim Khawateen Markaz, expressed disappointment that nobody owned her at the time of her arrest. She said the separatist leaders asked her mother to contact UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and seek Zamrauda’s release.
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Membership drive of NC begins tomorrow
Srinagar, December 12 “Now that the Election Commission of India has also stressed upon holding organisational elections, all party workers and functionaries have been asked to ensure the success of the membership drive,” he said. Sheikh Nazir said the organisation had its own constitution and “for the last several years of uncertainty, the organisational elections were delayed.” After the formal launch, Nazir would be speaking on various aspects of the party manifesto and its constitution, the party spokesman said. |
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Executive Councillor Stanzin resigns
Leh, December 12 Stanzin wrote in his resignation letter that it was decided during a public meeting at Leh yesterday that he should represent the constituency from Dha-Hanu to Skurbuchan in the general council as an Independent councillor. The meeting was attended by 80 members from the constituency, including nambardars. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Councillor of the LAHDC accepted Stanzin’s resignation and allotted the portfolio of Executive Councillor (Agriculture) to Tsewang Tundup. |
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Army jawan shoots himself to death
Jammu, December 12 1 killed, 9 hurt in mishaps
A man was killed and nine others were injured in road accidents in Jammu today. A minibus hit pedestrian Krishan Chand of Kotli
Jigan. The injured was rushed to the district hospital, Udhampur, where he died. In another mishap, a minibus turned turtle at Chadwal in the Rajbagh area of Kathua district, injuring two persons. Both injured were admitted to the hospital. Similarly seven others were admitted to the Government Medial College and Hospital here after they were injured in accidents across the region. 2 bodies found
The body of Rajan of Bhopal, who was putting up at Kishenpur Manwal here, was found on roadside at Kishenpur in the Jhajjar Kotli area. The body was later shifted to the Dansal hospital for post-mortem. In another incident, a body was found hanging from a tree at Chann Arorian village in Kathua district under suspicious circumstances. It was later shifted to the Kathua hospital for post-mortem. |
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