Udhampur, January 15
Lt-Gen BS Jaswal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, said today that Pakistan was trying to push militants into the state, as it could not tolerate normalcy in the state.

In an informal chat after the Northern Command investiture ceremony here, he emphasised that the desperation of Pakistan was palpable as normalcy in the state did not suit its nefarious designs to create instability in our country. In the situation, he did not rule out attempts of fidayeen attacks from across the border. The recent incident at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, according to him, was also part of the same Pakistan strategy.

Lt-Gen Jaswal, however, dismissed reports that some militants had entered the Indian territory. He asserted that international border was very well guarded and the intelligence network of the Army was highly credible. Any attempt from across the border to disturb peace would be effectively foiled, as the Army was fully geared up to meet any challenge from anti-India forces.

Earlier, he presented gallantry and distinguished services awards, including 45 Sena Medals (Gallantry), two Sena Medals (Distinguished) and five Vishisht Seva Medals, at an impressive investiture ceremony held at the Dhruva Auditorium. Twenty-one GOC-in-C Appreciation Cards were also presented to units, which had excelled in the last one year.

The Sena Medal (Gallantry) was presented to the next of kin of Late Major Padmanabhan KC, paratrooper Nater Singh, rifleman Sohan Lal Sharma, and naik Karamjit Singh, who had laid down their lives for the nation.

Senior military, civil and paramilitary dignitaries, including Lt-Gen BK Chengapa, AVSM, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Northern Command, Lt-Gen NC Marwah, AVSM, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps, and Lt-Gen Rameshwar Roy, AVSM, YSM, General Officer Commanding, 16 Corps, were among those present.

In his address, Lt-Gen Jaswal commended the awardees for having shown exemplary courage and devotion to duty while carrying out the onerous task of defending the motherland under trying and difficult conditions. He paid glowing tributes to those soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice to preserve the unity and integrity of our nation.

Ritu Jaswal, president, Northern Command Army Wives Welfare Association, who was also present at the function, presented gifts to the next of kin of posthumous awardees. She enquired about their wellbeing and assured them of continuous support of the Army to help them overcome problems.

Srinagar, January 15
A policeman and a civilian were killed and four others injured when militants struck twice in Sopore in Baramulla district today.

The militants first hurled a grenade at Sopore police station in the morning in which a constable was injured. After some time, they opened fire in which five persons, including four constables and a civilian were injured. The police also returned the fire. The injured were admitted to hospital here where two of them, a constable, Nazir Ahmad, and a civilian, Parvez Ahmad, succumbed to their injuries.

Panic gripped the town after the attacks and normal life was paralysed.This was the first such attack in the area in the past six weeks.

No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Inspector-General of Police ( Kashmir Range), Farooq Ahmad, the involvement of the Lashkar-e-Toiba or the Hizbul Mujahideen could not be ruled out. The two groups have been involved in the recent encounters with the police and security forces in the valley during the past one week.One of the two militants killed in the Lal Chowk encounter, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, belonged to Sopore.

Meanwhile, separatist leader and president of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah was taken into preventive custody today when he was on way to north Kashmir’s Bandipora district to address a public meeting.

Shah, executive member of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, was detained along with over half a dozen party activists at Sumbal, 25 km from here, this afternoon, the police said.

Shah along with a large number of party activists and supporters was on way to nearby Hajin when his cavalcade was stopped by the police and Shah was taken into preventive custody as a precautionary measure.

The police was apprehensive that his presence in Hajin, where people are up in arms in support of the demand for a degree college over the past few months, might result in law and order situation, they said.

Jammu,January 15
Taking exception to reports of the decision of the authorities to withdraw more troops from the sensitive areas, former Minister of State for Defence and leader of the BJP Legislature Party Chaman Lal Gupta has charged the Congress-led UPA government with buckling under internal and external pressures in lowering the guard in the state.

In a statement issued here, Gupta said the government by withdrawing troops had endangered what had been achieved through great sacrifices of the forces and sufferings of the countrymen, especially people in this part of India.

Commenting upon reports that more troops were being withdrawn from the sensitive areas of the state and in their place paramilitary forces and police were being deployed, Gupta said it was strange that infiltration bids along the border and the Line of Control (LoC) had registered an alarming increase in recent days and there had been a spurt in the activities of terrorists and fundamentalists.

Whereas there had been an alarming increasing in the activities of terrorists,some political parties had started raising controversial slogans of autonomy and self-rule to demoralise the nationalist forces, he said.

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress never had a Kashmir policy and had always been indulging in appeasement of anti-national elements resulting in more problems and encouragement to secessionists and semi-secessionists.

About the sharp rise in infiltration bids and the aggressive postures on part of ruling leaders of Pakistan, Gupta recalled that during the NDA rule the Army build-up along the border and the LoC was withdrawn only after the then military ruler of Pakistan had publically assured that soil under control of Pakistan would not be allowed for cross-border terrorism and this had followed considerable improvement in the checking of infiltration bids and firing on the borders.

Jammu, January 15
Anchal Sharma, aka Amina Yousuf, the widow of Rajnish Sharma, has been “missing” under mysterious circumstances from her in-laws’ house here since early today.

Anchal had married Rajnish in a local court here on August 21 and on October 5 evening the youth was killed allegedly in police custody.

After Anchal and her in-laws filed a suit in the Supreme Court, the apex court issued directions to the state government to provide security to the deceased ‘s family.

Rajnish’s mother, Raj Kumari, told this correspondent that Anchal had been missing since midnight. “Anchal told me yesterday that she had received threats on her cell phone. She woke up at about 3 a.m today and went to the washroom.Then, she went to get water from the kitchen and was missing since then”, Raj Kumari said.

The family lives in a one-room rented accommodation in the Sarwal area. The members said Anchal was not wearing any woollens or slippers when she went missing.

“It seems to be a conspiracy hatched by the government because a number of senior cops and other officers are allegedly involved in the killing of my son and are under the scanner of the CBI. So, they played a trick and kidnapped Anchal, who was the main witness in the case of Rajnish’s death,” said Raj Kumari.

Anchal’s sister-in-law, Kiran, said apprehensive of a foul play, at least four members of the family used to share a double bed. “Despite our being alert to unknown fears, some persons kidnapped Anchal,” she alleged.

The family members also alleged that their security was cut without any reason. “The Supreme Court had issued orders to post at least five security personnel for our security, but last night, only one cop was present and even he was sleeping at the time of the incident. It clearly indicates the motive and nexus behind this,” alleged Raj Kumari, and added a day before, there was not even a single security man at their house.

Raj Kumari also said that if the police failed to trace her daughter-in-law, she would immolate herself. The family members ruled out the possibility of Anchal disappearing on her own.“Her parents are after her and there is no possibility of her going to them. She had changed her religion for my son and her father, Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi, will kill Anchal the moment he spots her,” said Raj Kumari.

However, Randeep Kumar, SP, City (North) said: “There were proper security arrangements for the family as per the directions of the Supreme Court. We are investigating the matter and so far no case has been registered in this regard.”

Srinagar, January 15
The University of Kashmir has decided to introduce a master’s programme in remote sensing and GIS at the Department of Geology and Geophysics from the academic session beginning in the next few months. This would further help make the benefits of space technology and IT available to the state, university spokesperson said.

He said the goal was to enhance the understanding and subsequent use of remote sensing and GIS for socio-economic environmental friendly development of the state. The university has constituted a high-level Advisory Committee, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and coordinated by Shakil A Romshoo, course coordinator, for the smooth functioning of this prestigious and highly job-oriented course.

The university first offered PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS in 2004, and during the past five years, it has won national and international fame and recognition in the field of remote sensing and GIS. The Geo Informatics course was highly job-oriented, and up till now, all pass outs of the last five batches had been adjusted in government, academia and the private sectors, the spokesman said.

However, the demand for the remote sensing and GIS trained persons was much higher than the availability of trained manpower.

Srinagar, January 15
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the CAPD to ensure the availability of essential commodities to people in the Kashmir valley, particularly in its remote and far-flung areas, and sought to intensify market checking against hoarders and profiteers.

The Chief Minister, who arrived here from the winter capital today, said this while chairing a meeting of Divisional Officers of the Kashmir division and asked the Divisional Commissioner and the IGP, Kashmir, to personally monitor the functioning of the market checking squads.

On power shortage, the Chief Minister directed the Chief Engineer, M&RE, to ensure the strict implementation of the fresh power curtailment schedule, announced earlier. He also sought a report from the Chief Engineer with regard to the collection of power tariff dues.

Referring to repairs of the Lower Jhelum Project and the Upper Sindh Hydel Project, Omar asked the Chief Engineer to step up efforts in this regard to overcome power shortage during the ongoing winter.

The Chief Minister also directed the PHE authorities to ensure drinking water facilities and keep diesel generator sets in readiness for lifting water from reservoirs in case of any exigency. Water tankers should also be pressed into service in water scarcity areas, caused due to the dry spell, he added.

Jammu, January 15
The Youth All-India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) today highlighted various shortcomings in the Prime Minister’s Employment Package announced for Kashmiri migrants.

While addressing a press conference, RK Bhat, president of the YAIKS, expressed concern over the silence of the government with regard to age relaxation in the employment package.

The YAIKS highlighted that the employment package was incomplete until and unless all shortcomings were settled, particularly of seven years age relaxation. Bhat said that a sizable section of the community youth had crossed the upper age limit and they had been eagerly waiting for age relaxation in the package.

He demanded that the youth, who had crossed the eligibility age limit, should be given special soft loan package so that they could start their small-scale industries or any other business establishments to make their both ends meet.

Bhat said the service conditions, especially incorporated for Kashmiri Pandit youth, was a matter of concern.

Demanding advertisements of all posts in open category for the recruitment drive, Bhat said: “The reserved quota item wise and department wise for SC/ST/SOC/ALC categories is meaningless in this recruitment drive. The Kashmiri Pandit unemployed youth in no way belongs to such categories for which near about 800 posts have been reserved.”

Bhat demanded transparency of total sanctioned number of 3,000 posts in the first phase. He said the government had advertised only 2,045 posts out of 3,000 posts. He demanded that the remaining 3,000 posts under the state government sponsorship to be advertised subsequently so that a sizable portion of the unemployed youth could get jobs.

He appealed that priority of appointments should be given to those who have already filled their forms one and a half year ago at the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner office, Jammu.

Jammu, January 15
A faction within the Congress has been opposing the entry of former minister and senior PDP leader Manjit Singh into the party despite the fact that Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin is very particular to bring him into the party. Manjit Singh has proved his popularity in three successive Assembly elections.

During the last two months, Manjit Singh has been in touch with the Congress leadership, but due to opposition from a faction the PCC chief could not take him into the party.

Congress sources told The Tribune that convener of the Disciplinary Committee of the party Hari Singh along with some local leaders has been opposing Manjit Singh’s entry into the party. Hari Singh had contested the last Assembly elections from the Vijaypur Assembly segment, which was represented by Manjit Singh from 2002 to 2008. There is a feeling among Congress leaders that if Manjit Singh joined the party, he would be given ticket in the next Assembly elections from this constituency.

Pointing towards two public meetings organised by Hari Singh in the Vijaypur Assembly segment during the last one month, the sources said these meetings were convened only to stall Manjit Singh’s entry.

Manjit Singh, who had won the 2002 Assembly election on the ticket of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from the Vijaypur constituency, had later joined the PDP after the formation of the coalition regime in the state. He was made a minister in the Congress-PDP coalition regime. Though he lost the last Assembly elections as a PDP candidate, Manjit Singh proved his popularity by securing a good number of votes despite a strong wave against his party due to the Amarnath land agitation.

For the last six months, Manjit Singh has been annoyed with the PDP leadership due to differences on certain issues. After a Cabinet minister of the Congress approached Manjit Singh, he reportedly agreed to join the party.

“Manjit Singh is ready to join the party, but some of our own leaders have been opposing his entry,” disclosed a senior Congress leader, adding that “keeping in view the poor performance of our candidates in the two successive Assembly elections from this seat, the party leadership is very particular to rope in Manjit Singh, who has a strong following in this belt.”

Jammu, January 15
Under Operation Sadbhavana, the White Knight Corps has organised a tour for students of Akhnoor sub-division to Amritsar, Jalandhar and Chandigarh from January 15 to January 21. The tour was flagged off by Maj-Gen K Majumdar, GoC, Crossed Swords Division today.

During the week-long tour, as many as 34 students of Government Higher Secondary School, Narrari Bala, in Akhnoor and Government School, Kotli Tanda, and four teachers would would visit Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Visits to various sports goods manufacturing factories have also been planned in Jalandhar.

They would be visiting famous Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake among other places in Chandigarh. Interaction with senior Amry and civil dignitaries would also form the part of itinerary.

Jammu, January 15
The Jammu Joint Students’ Federation (JJSF) held a protest demonstration against the state government for conditional announcement of the Sher-e-Kashmir Employment Package today.

According to a statement issued here today, the protest was held at Industrial Training Institute (ITI) College. Activists of the JJSF burnt the effigy of the Higher Education Minister and raised slogans against the state government and the Higher Education Authority.

While addressing the gathering, Pratap Singh Jamwal said Jummuties would not support this package because there were terms and conditions in this package, which are unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the National Secular Forum and Progressive Students Association also held a protest against the authorities on the premises of the University.

Jammu,January 15
“The youth should change their mindset of wandering after government jobs and instead strive to utilise their talent in the private sector and set up self-employment ventures to help the state become self-reliant and economically sound”.

This was stated by Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment Abdul Gani Malik while inaugurating a workshop on Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth, here yesterday.

Jammu, January 15
Taking exception to the statement of Union minister Farooq Abdullah, who had demanded the implementation of the of Justice Sagir’s report, the Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum today criticised him for banking upon fraudulently drawn report on ‘Strengthening Centre-State Relations’.

In a statement issued her today, convener of the forum Ramesh Sabarwal said the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions as well as members of the Fifth Working Group belonging to various parties, groups and individuals had already rejected the report.

He said the report was based on inconclusive deliberations, without circulation, signatures and consent of the members of the group and therefore had no legal validity.

Sabarwal said Farooq’s dream of the restoration of internal autonomy to its pre-1953 position and further lease of life to Article 370 was not going to materialise.

He added that people of the state would fight the manipulated recommendations of the report tooth and nail.

Sabarwal declared that the forum wanted the total integration of the state with the country and would carry on its mission vigorously.