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Mehbooba: Terror attack aimed at disturbing peace
Srinagar Gunfight |
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Judge’s bank account proves saviour for 28
Terror-hit get financial aid
Major administrative reshuffle in state
Private schools violate new timings
Employees’ faction gives stir call
Major administrative reshuffle in state
Rajnish case: Samiti seeks CCI help
Kabir Puraskar winner calls on Governor
Panun Kashmir concerned over terror attack
LUTF deputation meets Governor
‘75,000 Pandit families ready to return to valley’
5 pc DA for govt staff, pensioners
Gang selling ration sugar busted
Militant hideout busted
Demonstrators clash with police Lensman hurt in police firing
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Mehbooba: Terror attack aimed at disturbing peace
Jammu, January 7 She observed that the militant attack at Lal Chowk in Srinagar was aimed at disturbing the peace in the state and was handiwork of anti-peace forces. Talking to media after addressing a one-day convention of the party, the PDP chief said, “Whenever serious efforts are initiated to restore lasting peace such types of incidents do occur to sabotage the process,” she observed. Mehbooba stoutly supported demand of her party to withdraw troops from residential areas. She further said the decision to troop withdrawal was a best compliment to people of the state and an important confidence building measure. Earlier addressing party workers, she attacked the National Conference for again raking up the issue of autonomy to befool people. “The NC has once raked up the issue of autonomy to divert people’s attention towards its failure,” she observed, adding, “During the last one year the government’s pronouncements remained confined only to press statements and photo sessions, so the NC has played the card of Sagir Committee report to hoodwink the masses to hide its failure.” She added the NC had been using the report to sabotage the “quiet diplomacy” process initiated by the Centre to involve all shades of opinion in the dialogue process. “People of the state are very much aware of the gimmicks of NC,” she said, reminding people about the fate of autonomy report when it was handed over to the then NDA regime. “Had the NC been sincere on autonomy, it would have withdrawn the support to the NDA when the report was thrown in the dustbin,” she said, adding, “NC leaders remained in the NDA just for the lust of power”. The PDP chief alleged that due to the wrong policies of the NC-led coalition regime the state had been facing unprecedented crises. As a result, common man had been confronting with acute shortage of ration and non-availability of power. She asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to handover the hydro electric power projects being managed by the NHPC to the state. “Residents of our state have been confronting with acute power crises but the energy generated in the state is supplied to other parts,” she pointed out and stressed on the need of handing over all hydro-electric projects to the state to solve this problem once for all. She further demanded renegotiation of agreements with the NHPC with regard to construction of new power projects in the state. |
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Srinagar Gunfight
Srinagar, January 7 Officials connected with the anti-terror strategy say fidayeen strikes also serve as a propaganda tool for these outfits in fanning their puritan agenda by projecting the killing of their fidayeens as ‘sacrifice’. The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) is chiefly responsible to bring this audacious medium of terror warfare to the valley when it appeared in late 90s that the security forces had got the better of militancy. The security forces were not fully prepared for such audacious strikes and by the time they fortified their garrisons, the LeT and the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), in some cases, had carried out a number of such strikes and inflicted serious casualties on the forces. The most audacious fidayeen attack was in November 1999 when two militants stormed the 15 Corps headquarters in Badami Bagh and killed six soldiers, including public relation officer Major Purushottam, before being eliminated. In October 2001, JeM fidayeens stormed the state Assembly and around 36 persons were killed. The Assembly was in recess for lunch break and no lawmaker was killed, which was the real purpose of the militants. Officials believe that the Parliament attack by JeM militants later the same year was only an extension of the J&K Assembly attack by fidayeens. If militants tried to storm all symbols of the state power in Jammu and Kashmir, their mentors across the border were quick to replicate the “success” of this terror strategy across India. Fidayeen attack on the Akshardham temple in Gujarat in 2002 was another prominent example apart from the Parliament attack. When it came to torpedoing the tentative efforts of India and Pakistan to ease some tension in their relations by starting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service in October 2005, terror sponsors again resorted to a fidayeen strike. Fidayeens stormed the Tourism Reception Centre a day before Prime Minister Manmohan was to inaugurate the service. But now a better-prepared police force managed to eliminate them without suffering any serious damage and the Prime Minister went ahead with the inauguration. As police and security forces rejigged their strategy and stepped up preparedness, such strikes came down. However, officials connected with the anti-terror strategy say fidayeen strikes also serve as a propaganda tool for these outfits in fanning their puritan agenda by projecting the killing of their fidayeens as ‘sacrifice’. |
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Judge’s bank account proves saviour for 28
Jammu, January 7 Bank manager Shaukat Ahmed showed his
presence of mind and looked for details of persons and account holders who could help them as all phone calls to the police control room proved futile. Shaukat along with 16 bank employees and 12 account holders was trapped in the bank since about 3 pm yesterday, when the attack started. They were eventually rescued around 8 pm as they were not noticed by the police in an earlier operation in which 25 others were rescued. Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Shaukat said he found the account and phone details of a judge of the state High Court. The judge called up Senior Advocate General Ali Mohammad Magray, who in turn called up a Jammu-based TV journalist for help. Magray told The
Tribune that the TV journalist called up senior police officials in Srinagar, but they did not believe him initially. The police had rescued 25 persons and it thought no one was left inside the bank. However, at the instance of the TV
journalist and Magray, a senior police official called on the bank’s land line phone and on getting a response a
rescue operation was started. Shaukat said his calls to the police control room had proved futile and it was just his luck that he could get in touch with the judge. |
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Terror-hit get financial aid
Jammu, January 7 According to an official statement issued here, the minister handed over appointment orders to 12 persons under SRO-43. Addressing a gathering at Poonch, the minister said his ministry was endeavouring to register all such displaced families residing in different areas of the state and the government would provide them financial assistance. Bhalla said there were around 2,500 displaced families of 1947 residing in Poonch district, out of which 384 families had been given Rs 25,000 each earlier as land deficiency compensation and now after 62 years the government had taken a positive step to enhance the rate of land deficiency compensation to Rs 1.25 lakh. He said the government had sanctioned Rs 39.40 crore for the upgrading and maintenance of Poonch district roads. Bhalla said under the BRGF, the government had sanctioned Rs 13.06 crore for providing drinking water, electricity and road connectivity in remote and far-off areas of the district. The minister maintained that the government had approved Rs 43 crore for upgrading the Mandi-Fakla link road. Responding to the local demands, he directed for the early clearance of 35 compensation cases of land acquired for the construction of roads under the PMGSY so that the landowners get their due. Bhalla said financial assistance under the IAY was being provided to BPL families for the construction and upgrading of their houses. He called upon the beneficiaries not to misuse funds. Mega events would be organised on the Raghunath Bazaar Utsav and the lohri festival. Various mega events would be organised for making the three-day festivals an enthralling show for tourists. According to an official statement issued here, all arrangements for the festival were finalised by Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal today. The festival would start on January 11 at Raghunath Bazaar and would display the rich cultural heritage of the region. Kotwal asserted special added discounts on different items, hotels and lodges would redouble enthusiasm for the events. |
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Major administrative reshuffle in state Jammu, January 7 Dr Arun Kumar, Principal Secretary, Information and Technology, has been posted as chairman, J&K Special Tribunal, while Sonali Kumar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, has been transferred as Principal Secretary (Coordination) J&K government, New Delhi. Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Dr RK Jerath has been posted as Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, while Suresh Kumar has been posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department. Commissioner/ Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo has been transferred as Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology and Information Technology Department, while Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Abdul Hameed has been posted as Director General, IMPA. Member of the J&K Special Tribunal AK Raina has been transferred as Commissioner of Inquiries, J&K, in place of Dr Syed Mohammad Fazalullah, who has been posted as Transport Commissioner. Joint Settlement Commissioner, Jammu, Sudershan Sharma has been transferred as Settlement Commissioner, J&K. Special Secretary, Higher Education, Parvez Malik has been transferred as Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, while Custodian General Baseer Ahmed has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Abdul Latif Deva has been transferred as Custodian General, while Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Ajay Khajuria has been posted as Director Agriculture, Jammu. Director, Geology and Mining, Shabir Ahmed Kanth has been transferred as Special Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, while Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, Ishtiyaq Ahmed Ashai has been posted as Director, Geology and Mining. In charge Director, Agriculture, Jammu, Vinod Bala Sharma has been posted as OSD in the Agriculture Production Department, while Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Bashir Ahmed Dar has been transferred as OSD in the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department. In charge Joint Director, Agriculture, Kashmir, Mian Abdul Majeed has been transferred as in charge Director Agriculture, Kashmir.
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Private schools violate new timings
Jammu, January 7 Some parents brought the violation of orders by private schools to the notice of Chief Education Officer (CEO) NR Dingra. “We read it in newspapers that the Education Department has changed the school timings, but the school authorities of our children did not announce any change in the timings. The school opened at 8 am today,” said a parent whose
children studies in a private school. He added, “Intense cold in the morning can affect the health of children. All private schools should follow the orders.” Dingra has decided to visit all schools of the city tomorrow to check whether they were following the directions or not. “Strict action will be taken against schools found violating the directions issued by the Directorate of School Education,” he said talking to The Tribune. The CEO warned that any private school found violating the directions would have to pay a penalty of Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 or its affiliation could also be cancelled. According to sources, it was learnt that some private schools had extended winter vacation till January 15 keeping in view the intense cold. Dingra said no private school was allowed to extend winter vacation as all government as well as private schools had been directed to start functioning from January 6. |
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Employees’ faction gives stir call
Jammu, January 7 “The JCC has decided to observe complete strike on January 21 and 22,” JCC member Abdul Qayoom Wani told reporters here today. After the conclusion of a two-day session of the JCC here,employee leaders from all the three regions of Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu criticised the anti-employee policies of the state government, said Wani. The government had adopted an insensitive approach towards the demands of employees, forcing them to go on a statewide strike on January 21 and 22, he added. “We outrightly reject the strike call given by some disgruntled employees who have no representative character on January 12,” said another JCC member Mohammed Khursheed Alam. The JCC members clarified that the strike call for January 12 had been given at the behest of the administration with a mala fide intention to sabotage the cause of employees. Alam asserted the JCC was the platform representing employees and workers of all the three regions, but unfortunately some persons having ulterior motives, who had already been expelled from the JCC, were sabotaging its cause. The JCC claimed it had expelled Ram Kumar Sharma, Pardeep Kumar, Subhash Verma, Sushil Sudan and Mohammed Gafoor Dar. Despite an agreement between the government and the JCC, the former had not fulfilled the demands, said Alam. The JCC has also appealed to leaders of various employees organisations to join hands and make the ensuing strike a success to compel the government to redress the grievances of the employees. Instead of becoming puppets in the hands of the bureaucracy, the leaders should come forward and contribute their bit, said Alam. Among other things, the JCC had been demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Panel’s recommendations, enhancement in retirement age from 58 years to 60 years, payment of arrears in consonance with the panel’s recommendations, conversion of COLA of PSUs into DA, removal of pay anomalies among different cadres, regularisation of temporary workers and release of HRA on a uniform basis. |
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Major administrative reshuffle in state
Jammu, January 7 Dr Arun Kumar, Principal Secretary, Information and Technology, has been posted as chairman, J&K Special Tribunal, while Sonali Kumar, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, has been transferred as Principal Secretary (Coordination) J&K government, New Delhi. Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Dr RK Jerath has been posted as Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, while Suresh Kumar has been posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department. Commissioner/ Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo has been transferred as Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology and Information Technology Department, while Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Abdul Hameed has been posted as Director General, IMPA. Member of the J&K Special Tribunal AK Raina has been transferred as Commissioner of Inquiries, J&K, in place of Dr Syed Mohammad Fazalullah, who has been posted as Transport Commissioner. Joint Settlement Commissioner, Jammu, Sudershan Sharma has been transferred as Settlement Commissioner, J&K. Special Secretary, Higher Education, Parvez Malik has been transferred as Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, while Custodian General Baseer Ahmed has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Abdul Latif Deva has been transferred as Custodian General, while Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Ajay Khajuria has been posted as Director Agriculture, Jammu. Director, Geology and Mining, Shabir Ahmed Kanth has been transferred as Special Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, while Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, Ishtiyaq Ahmed Ashai has been posted as Director, Geology and Mining. In charge Director, Agriculture, Jammu, Vinod Bala Sharma has been posted as OSD in the Agriculture Production Department, while Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Bashir Ahmed Dar has been transferred as OSD in the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department. In charge Joint Director, Agriculture, Kashmir, Mian Abdul Majeed has been transferred as in charge Director Agriculture, Kashmir. |
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Rajnish case: Samiti seeks CCI help
Jammu, January 7 They sought support of the Chamber for highlighting the custodial killing of Rajnish Sharma and putting pressure on the government to take action against the police officers responsible for it. They said the samiti had been agitating over the injustice done to the bereaved family and organising dharnas, protests, signature campaigns and submitting memorandums to the Jammu-based ministers but unfortunately the government had not taken the killing of the youth seriously. The police officers involved in his kidnapping, illegal confinement and torture in custody at Ram Munshi Bagh police station of Srinagar city were moving freely, they alleged. Shiv Sena (H) holds protest
Activists of the Shiv Sena Hindustan held a protest in front of the office of the Divisional Commissioner against the recommendations of the Working Group. The protest was held under the chairmanship of Vipin Hindu and Dimpy Kohli. Shiv Sena activists alleged that the main aim of the report was to make people of Jammu slaves of Kashmiri rulers. They demanded that those demanding autonomy should be put behind bars. Daily wage workers continue strike
On the 47th day of their on-going agitation, the All-J&K PDD Daily Wagers organised a demonstration in front of the office of the Development Commissioner, Power, in support of their demands. Under the chairmanship of Kulbir Singh, union activists staged a demonstration. They regretted that the authorities were not paying any heed to their demands. Agitating workers have been demanding regularisation of all daily wagers employed after 1994 under SRO 381 of 1991 of the PDD. They were also demanding release of their pending wages. Electricity Dept
workers protest
Activists of the All-Jammu and Kashmir Electric Department Linemen and Workers Union staged a dharna in support of the demands of daily wagers of the PDD. The union while submitting a memorandum to the Governor demanded regularisation of all daily wagers who have been serving the department for the last seven years. It also demanded reorganisation of the Power Development Department. The union further said linemen, SBA, meter readers, line erectors, etc., who have been working as technicians be given grade of technician. |
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Demand for UT status for Ladakh
Leh, January 7 LUTF spokesman S Norphel said: “As many as 25 social, religious and political organisations and various unions of Jammu have expressed solidarity with the Ladakhis’ demand for UT status and a day- long dharna was organised in Jammu today”. LUTF patron Thusptan Chhewang who was a member of the Working Group said: “It is biased and discriminatory against Ladakh and Jammu. We reject it as it is a one- man show and the group chairman did not consult other members before finalising the report”. Jammu: Activists of various social, political and religious organisations of the Jammu region, along with the representatives from Ladakh, today held a demonstration to intensify their agitation for grant of UT status to Ladakh. The demonstration was held in front of Raj Bhawan. The demonstration was held under the chairmanship of former MP and patron of Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) Thupstan Chhewang. Senior BJP leaders, including party MLAs, also participated in the protest. BJP leaders assured full support to agitating people of Ladakh and said the party would provide all possible help for their cause. |
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Kabir Puraskar winner calls on Governor
Jammu, January 7 Bhat, a resident of Hokletri, Khansahib, Budgam, has been awarded for communal harmony for the year 2008. According to a statement issued by Raj Bhawan, Bhat (45) has great respect for human values and has worked tirelessly for maintaining communal harmony in the state. The Governor discussed with Bhat the nature of help he had been rendering to victims of terrorism, the initiatives taken by him for maintaining communal harmony in the valley and suggested what more needed to be done. The Governor observed that Jammu and Kashmir had been an abode of communal harmony, brotherhood and secular ethos for centuries and underscored the need for fully restoring and further nurturing these high pluralistic traditions. He hoped that Bhat’s selfless work to promote harmony would be a shining example which many others could emulate. |
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Panun Kashmir concerned over terror attack
Jammu, January 7 He said the attack had confirmed the apprehensions of the security experts and the official authorities over the withdrawal of forces. He alleged that the concerns expressed by various important security agencies regarding the infiltration bids of trained terrorists from across the border were ignored wilfully. The Panun Kashmir also expressed concern over the statement made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the demand of autonomy and the recommendations of the Working Group report. Chrungoo said the major political groups and organisations and the nationalist forces of the state have already opposed the plank of autonomy as suggested in the controversial recommendations of the Working Group. “The stance of the CM suggests that the government intends to open dialogue with the Kashmir-centric parties who have been professing self-rule and autonomy as the main political agenda of their organisational manifestoes,” said Chrungoo. |
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LUTF deputation meets Governor
Jammu, January 7 The demands in the memorandum include, inter alia, the grant of the Union Territory status to Ladakh. The deputation also highlighted its views on the report of the Working Group on Centre-State Relations headed by Justice Sagir Ahmad (retd) vis-à-vis aspirations of the people of Ladakh. Their other demands included speedy sanction of various development projects and a provision for more funds for the development of the Ladakh region. The deputation also briefed the Governor about the salient features of the proposed master plan for Leh town and the need for its early notification to ensure the integrated development of this town. Vohra gave a patient hearing to the deputation and enquired from them about the recent incidents in the Demchok area, foodgrain stocks for winter and other essential commodities, status of air and road connectivity and the pace of development works in the area. |
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‘75,000 Pandit families ready to return to valley’
Jammu, January 7 Addressing a press conference here, Veer Saraf, member of the council, said the government should consider the issue of return in a comprehensive, and not compartmental, way. Hailing the employment package, the council members said though it was
good, there should not be any conditions attached to it. They demanded immediate announcement of rest of the 3000 posts and a provision for gazetted cadre posts as well. Saraf condemned the government for not mentioning anything about age relaxation in it whereas it was demanded that it should give seven years’ age relaxation to benefit a majority of the youth. |
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5 pc DA for govt staff, pensioners
Jammu, January 7 The Cabinet also approved the release of 5 per cent DA to state pensioners and family pension beneficiaries with effect from July 1, 2009, raising the DA payable to 27 per cent of pension. The differential amount payable on account of the revised DA with effect from July 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010, shall be credited to their individual GP Fund Accounts. |
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Gang selling ration sugar busted
Jammu, January 7 “We are still investigating the case to ascertain how many persons were involved”, SP, Kishtwar, Hasib Mugal told The Tribune and admitted that one person had already been nabbed by the police. According to the police, acting on specific information, it intercepted a vehicle at the Patimlla area of Kishtwar this afternoon. During checking, cops found some bags of sugar in the vehicle and after questioning the driver it was established that the bags were procured from a store of the CAPD deparment and were being transported to Kishtwar for sale in the open market. An occupant of the car, identified as Irshad Ahmed of Bhaderkote, Kishtwar, was arrested.He is a librarian in Public Library at Decchan, Kishtwar. |
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Militant hideout busted
Jammu, January 7 Acting on a tip off, a search operation was launched by the Army, in which two AK rifles, 110 rounds, 19 explosive sticks, eight detonators and 2.5-meter cordex wire were recovered. |
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Demonstrators clash with police Srinagar, January 7 Clashes were reported between angry demonstrators and the police at many places. The police set up barricades at different places from the Tourist Reception Centre towards Lal Chowk. No traffic was allowed on Amira Kadal, the first bridge in the heart of the city, which is close to the encounter site. Demonstrators clashed with the police and threw stones at it at various places. — TNS
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Srinagar, January 7 Amaan Farooq, working for a local English daily, was injured in the thigh when a DSP opened fire while clearing a building of the scribes covering the encounter, a photo-journalist who was part of the group said. The police, however, said the officer’s weapon went off accidentally and preliminary investigations revealed that the bullet hit the ground. The injury was caused by a flying stone as a result of the bullet hitting the ground. — PTI
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