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Militants give security forces the slip in Poonch
Membership Forms
Vohra: Aware citizenry crucial for curbing crime
Governor NN Vohra addresses a seminar at Jammu University
on Saturday. A Tribune photograph |
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‘Concentration of ultras at launching pads in Sialkote’
High alert after ultras cut fence
Timely completion of projects stressed
Selection of Teachers
Coordinated efforts ‘needed to fight’ domestic violence
DGP mum over email hacking incident
Govt urged to amend Rent Control Act
ITBP lift ice hockey trophy
Youth’s death in Pattan
Travel agents to market Kashmir across nation
Assembly session from Feb 22
Firdous’s appointment welcomed
Dense fog hits rail services
Four persons missing
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Militants give security forces the slip in Poonch
Jammu/Srinagar, January 23 Two militants had a brief exchange of fire with the security forces in a forest in the Mendhar area of Poonch district today before they managed
to escape. Official sources said acting on a tip-off, the CRPF and the police launched a search operation in the Beri Rakh forest area of Mendhar today. The search parties were fired upon by
the two militants around 8.30 am, they added. The sources said the CRPF jawans also retaliated and the gunfight continued for around half-an-hour before the two ultras managed to escape. They said though the security forces launched a combing operation in the forest, success eluded them and around 3 pm the operation was finally called off. Meanwhile, an Army porter was seriously injured in a blast when he accidentally stepped on a land mine in the Jhangar area, close to the LoC, in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri district last evening. Official sources said Sanjeev Kumar of Sarya was heading towards a forward post of the Army when he accidentally stepped on a land mine. He was later shifted to an Army hospital. In another incident, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, caught in a gun battle with the security forces in a village in Kulgam district, managed to escape in the wee hours today. Official sources said the terrorists gave the troops the slip around 6 am from a house at Qoimoh in Kulgam even as the Army personnel, assisted by the police, were preparing to launch an offensive. A gunfight had started last night between the LeT terrorists holed up in the house and the security forces in Kulgam. Some local people may have helped the terrorists flee, the sources said, adding that some persons had been rounded up. The security forces had surrounded the house and an intermittent exchange of fire between the two sides started. The security forces had suspended the flush-out operation in the congested locality late last night in order to avoid civilian casualties. |
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Soz charged with favouring faction
Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 23 A group of rivals led by Soz’s known detractor Abdul Gani Vakil met Varinder Singh Choudhary and lodged complaints that membership forms were issued only to a particular faction of the party. Varinder Singh has been appointed as an observer by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to conduct the party organisation elections in the state. “We met Varinder Singh and sounded him about preference given to a group in the party in issuing membership forms,” Vakil told The Tribune and claimed that most of the district unit presidents were accompanying him in the meeting. \“Those at the helm of the affairs of the PCC have issued membership forms on the bases of their liking and disliking,” he alleged. He pointed out that district presidents of Doda, Kathua, Reasi, Jammu rural and Udhampur had lodged complaints with the observer about the biased attitude being adopted by the PCC office-bearers. Vakil, a former minister in the Ghulam Nabi Azad regime, further claimed that a majority of district unit presidents had endorsed their charges of bias in issuing membership forms. He further informed that Varinder Singh had directed the PCC office-bearers concerned to issue membership forms to all genuine party workers. Dissidents also alleged that the visit of Varinder Singh was kept secret by the PCC office-bearers and only a particular group was informed about his tour to assess the progress of the ongoing membership drive. Sources said following complaints from the dissidents, the AICC observer suggested the rebels to give a written representation to the party high command regarding the denial of membership forms to them. As the process of issuing membership forms has already been closed, Varinder Singh asked the dissidents to download the same from the website of the party. He also assured them that a security committee comprising both factions would be constituted to single out fake members. On the suggestion of the observer, the sources said, the dissidents had written a letter to AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes. Meanwhile, a day after the official group of the PCC organised a rally at Vijaypur, all dissidents gathered at a function in the district organised by the Congress Seva Dal today. Minister for Roads and Buildings (R&B) GM Saroori was the chief guest. All speakers claimed that the majority of party workers were with them.
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Vohra: Aware citizenry crucial for curbing crime
Jammu, January 23 The seminar was organised by the Criminologists’ Society of Jammu and Kashmir. The Governor stressed on the need of well-informed citizenry and effective enforcement of the rule of law for checking crime and establishing a stable society. He said the Constitution of India was perhaps one of the most comprehensive and exhaustive constitution that had a detailed chapter on fundamental rights, all of which are well-known. Regrettably, what is not well-known, nor enforced, are the Constitutional prescriptions on the fundamental duties of the citizen. Vohra said each citizen should be aware of the responsibility of discharging his Constitutional duties while enjoying the fundamental rights. He spoke about the need for optimally addressing the issue of pendency of over 40 million cases before the courts. Referring to the traditions of Kashmiriyat, the Governor said Jammu and Kashmir had the most cultured society and pluralistic traditions for centuries where people of all faiths lived harmoniously. He urged the issuance of circular instructions to all schools and colleges in order to apprise the students of the significance of respecting the laws. Vohra released a booklet on “Safe J&K”, which would be distributed free. Also, those who have contributed to the society, were awarded. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for School Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, were also present. President Criminologists’ Society of J&K, Rameshwar Singh Jamwal, dwelt on its achievements and the future road map for creating awareness about the need for respecting laws. |
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‘Concentration of ultras at launching pads in Sialkote’
Jammu, January 23 The intelligence reports have been strengthened by the recovery of damaged barbed wires in Abdulian, about 15 km from Jammu, yesterday. Intelligence sources said the militants were waiting at the “launching pads” across the border in Sialkote-Jaffarwal and there were fears of enhanced activity on the border. "We have received strong inputs from intelligence agencies about the concentration of militants at the launching pads,” a senior police official said. Maximum alert remained at the national highway and the railway track in the past 24 hours, following the cutting of the fence as well as the fresh intelligence reports. It was feared that militants, if they managed to sneak in, may launch attacks on roads and rail tracks, as they may not succeed in reaching the city due to massive security arrangements. "We are prepared for anything. There has been no infiltration, but forces are prepared for anything,” DGP Kuldeep Khoda said, while talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function. Police officials said they were worried about soft targets. They said: “Militants in their desperation can look for soft targets.” Meanwhile, the cutting of the fence meant that the strong message of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to Pakistan on stopping infiltration attempts had not brought desired results. Omar had told Pakistan two days ago that “constant attempts to infiltrate militants and regular firing from across the border will discourage people like him from trying for friendly ties between the two countries”. |
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High alert after ultras cut fence
Jammu, January 23 Police personnel in adequate strength, including those in mufti, have been deployed at vulnerable places and special attention is being paid to MA Stadium - the venue of the main function on January 26, official sources told The Tribune. Jammu SSP Basant Kumar Rath said security had been beefed up and nothing was being left to chance. Sources said 2,000 police personnel had been deployed in and around the winter capital, including MA Stadium. They added that CRPF was assisting the police in ensuring incident-free celebrations. The Special Operations Group (SOG) was keeping a close watch on the railway station, airport, bus stand and city hotels, they added. Following yesterday’s incident at Abdulian in the RS Pura sector, where a group of Pakistan militants cut nearly 20 wires of barbed fence, we could not remain off-guard, said an SOG officer. All roads leading to the city had been sanitised and additional check posts had been set up to avoid any untoward incident, he added. In the backdrop of the Abdulian incident the security at MA Stadium was strengthened further and 24-hour vigil was being maintained, the officer said. The police has started random checking of vehicles at various check posts. “This year, there is more focus on the international border than the LoC and we all know that the border is much closer to the winter capital than the LoC. It seems militants are now desperate to create trouble in Jammu also,” Defence Ministry sources said.
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Timely completion of projects stressed
Jammu, January 23 He was accompanied by senior officers, including District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan. Vyas visited two major roads, which include 32-km-long Chenani-Sudhmahadev road up to Mantalai being constructed at a estimated cost of Rs 27.75 crore and the 27-km Udhampur-Ramnagar road being constructed at a estimated cost of Rs 37.48 crore in Udhampur district. Vyas exhorted the officers to speed up the work so that the projects were completed on time. The District Development Commissioner said most issues pertaining to the land acquisition cases had been resolved and the land had been handed over to
the ERA. Baseer was asked to conduct periodical reviews and coordinate with the line departments and furnish progress report to the Chief Executive Officer, ERA. Vyas also reviewed various schemes being executed under various sectors and centrally sponsored schemes as well. Baseer gave a presentation on the achievements recorded in the district hitherto, which displayed that 63 per cent of the financial achievements had been recorded so far against the availability of funds. He said the remaining 37 per cent must be achieved before the culmination of the plan year. |
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Quota for border area candidates demanded
Yangchan Dolma
Leh, January 23 The district service selection board is holding interviews next month for the selection of teachers in Leh and Jammu for the candidates from the district studying in other parts of the country. President of the association Gurmet Dorjey said, “Ever since the scheme was implemented in the district, the Nyoma and Durbuk blocks bordering China have not received the benefits of reservation.” In 1990, Nobra and Khaltse areas of the district bordering Pakistan were considered as border areas during the selection of teachers in the district. Dorjey added that Nyoma and Durbuk blocks were the most backward areas of the district in education as teachers did not want to teach in schools in these blocks due to harsh climate. Urging Sahu to implement the guidelines of the Union Human Resource Ministry issued in 1987 about relaxation to candidates from areas bordering China under the Border Area Development Scheme, the association in a memorandum submitted to him said it would give impetus to uplift education standards in the blocks. Also, there were a lot of candidates from the blocks appearing in interviews and willing to serve in the Changthang areas for at least five years, it added.
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Coordinated efforts ‘needed to fight’ domestic violence
Srinagar, January 23 These views were expressed during a two-day seminar on “Domestic Violence against Women” organised by the Department of Students Welfare of Kashmir University in association with the state police, which began here yesterday. “We need to address the issue effectively in a coordinated manner and everybody, including people, the government and the police, has to play a role in curbing this problem,” Minster for Social Welfare Sakina Yatoo said while addressing the seminar. She called for a change in people’s attitude of “getting sad over the birth of a girl child.” “It is from here this violence and discrimination against women starts. So there is a need to change this mindset and ensure that there is no discrimination against women,” she said before the gathering of academics, officials and members of civil society. The minister lauded the role of the university authorities in creating awareness among people on various societal issues by holding regular seminars and conferences. University Vice-Chancellor Riyaz Punjabi said there was a need to increase the level of awareness among women and their rights. “Women must know about their rights and the way they can fight for themselves,” he said, adding society, media and the government had to launch a coordinated movement in this regard. Riyaz said men and women had to understand their individual responsibilities so that there were no chances of friction that could ultimately result in violence. “We, at the university, are trying our best to address these issues, but at the same time, everybody, including NGOs, have to come forward and contribute their bit,” he said. IGP (Armed) Dilbag Singh said the “menace of domestic violence” was very much prevalent in the state. “Since 2006, there has been an annual increase of 12 per cent in the incidents of domestic violence,” he said.
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DGP mum over email hacking incident
Jammu, January 23 “I came to know about the incident from media reports and hence I can’t comment on it. Let me verify its details,” the DGP told The Tribune on the sidelines of a seminar at Jammu University
here today. In a section of media have reported that hackers based in Pakistan hacked the official mail communication between the senior police officer and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Only a few days had left for the Republic Day celebrations and the
state was already on high alert. “This is a shocking incident. If police
officers can’t save their own emails from being hacked, what could be expected from them,” said an IT expert. However, sources in the cyber crime cell said they were investigating the matter and trying to locate the accused. Meanwhile, repeated attempts to contact the senior officer, whose email was hacked,
proved futile. |
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Govt urged to amend Rent Control Act
Jammu, January 23 In a statement issued here today, forum president RK Chadha asked Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather to introduce the amendment Bill in the forthcoming Budget session of the state Assembly. “The new Bill with required amendments will certainly provide relief to the owners of urban property,” he said. “The Rent Control Act is outdated. Since it doesn’t allow any enhancement of rent being charged even after half a century,” they said. He added: “The present Rent Control Act is applicable only in case of those tenants, whose monthly income is not above Rs 5,000 i.e. Rs 60,000 per annum. But to avoid enhancement of rent, tenants earning lakhs per annum wrongfully declare their annual income to be less than Rs 60,000 a
year.” Chadha said such tenants, thus, were proving a drain on public exchequer by not paying taxes applicable to them. “In case, a property owner does not have other source of income, the rents fixed half a century ago cannot be justified,” they added. |
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ITBP lift ice hockey trophy
Leh, January 23 Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council
(LAHDC), Leh Tsering Dorjey, who was the guest of honour, said the 13th Finance Commission had granted Rs 100 crore to the district. Of this, Rs 25 crore would be spent on sports infrastructure development, including constructing a archery stadium and ice hockey rink at block headquarters. Speaking about the popularity of the sport in the district, he said 10 speed skaters from Ladakh were being sent to Poland by the Ice Hockey Association of India for advanced coaching. They would represent India in the world long-track speed skating championship in 2011. Minister for Youth and Sports Minister R S
Chib, who was the chief guest, said Ladakh had potential and the government had assured full financial assistance in completing the ongoing construction of the ice hockey rink here. Deputy High Commissioner of Canadain Embassy to India, Jim Nickel, was also present. He was accompanied by a team of ice hockey players who would play here tomorrow. |
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PDP seeks action against cops
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, January 23 MLA Molvi Iftikar Hussain Ansari and chief PDP spokesman Nayeem Akhtar today visited the house of Manzooor Ahmad Sofi at Ikhwanpora, Dewar, in the Pattan area of north Kashmir, who was killed in police firing yesterday. The PDP leaders expressed condolences to the bereaved family. They condemned the killing of the youth and demanded strict action against the erring cops. A PDP spokesman said Iftikar Ansari expressed concern over the way the police and other security agencies were resorting to unprovoked and unjustified use of force against people. He said the police was trying to stop the residents from moving through the area, land under dispute, without justification. Demanding compensation for the kin of the deceased, Ansari urged the government to take an immediate action in the cases where the right to life or property of any person is at stake. “Be like a good neighbour and create an atmosphere of trust and peace in the area,” he said, adding that “the use of brutal force has always a capability to create a sense of hostility”.
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Travel agents to market Kashmir across nation
Srinagar, January 23 According to president of TAAK Rauf Tramboo, the association is vigorously promoting Kashmir tourism through advertisements and meeting tourism trade bodies and tour operators in different states to make “Visit Kashmir 2010” a grand success. The TAAK had released CDs of tourism promo “Valiv Kashmir or Surprising Kashmir”, which is the slogan of “Visit Kashmir 2010”, in different cities through local television channels and newspapers, he said. “TAAK members are visiting West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Punjab to promote tourism in Kashmir, besides participating in different tourism trade fairs,” Rauf said. Rauf said the association was emphasising on adventure and pilgrim tourism. “We are trying to restart trekking in Lidder and Kangebal-Sindh valley. We will try to promote tourism to Doodhi Pather and walk tracks from Doodhi Pather to Yousmarg, a new spot for trekking.” “Adventure tourism has a great potential in the Kashmir valley and it is on a path of revival,” he said, while advocating the need for developing unexplored areas of the valley. A huge rush witnessed for the Shadipora-Sagam event in December last year encouraged pilgrim tourism here, Rauf said. “Shrines are being promoted and the Hari Parbat Fort is expected to be thrown open to public in April,” he added. The TAAK plans to organise short walks and circular biking after visiting Manasbal, Gurez and Drass through the Maskhof valley and return to Srinagar through Sonmarg. “We are already getting a tremendous response from the areas the association members are visiting. For the first time, the TAAK is renting a huge pavilion (TTF) with 20 stalls in Mumbai,” he said. As part of its promotional activities, the TAAK is participating in the South Asian Travel Trade Exhibition (SATTE) in New Delhi (January 29-30) and in TTF-Mumbai (February 6-8).
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Assembly session from Feb 22
Jammu, January 23 This will be the third session of the Legislative Assembly in the state,
Secretary M Ramzan said today. He said as per the provisional calendar issued by Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, Governor N N Vohra would address the joint session of two houses on February 22. The House would have a discussion on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address on February 23, 24 and 25, which would include a reply thereto on February 25. The annual Budget for year 2010-11 and the supplementary statement of expenditure for year 2009-10 shall be presented on March 12, Ramzan said. The general discussion on Budget would be on March 13, 15 and 17, while reply thereto shall be given on March 17, he said. It would be followed by demand for grants of different departments, appropriation bill, private members bills and government business, if any, the Secretary said.
— PTI |
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Firdous’s appointment welcomed
Jammu, January 23 In a press conference here today, forum president Anuradha Goswami expressed hope that Firdous would make sincere efforts in mitigating the problems of
women. Goswami appealed to the state government to take adequate steps to improve the living and working conditions of women. “Crime against women is increasing and needs to be checked. We hope the commission will take cognisance of all matters concerning women, she added. “There is a dire need to widen the scope of the commission and set up women police cells and other centres for effective counselling to redress the grievances of women,” she said. |
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Dense fog hits rail services
Jammu, January 23 “It usually takes six hours for the primary maintenance of the trains reaching at the station. Similarly, secondary maintenance takes fours hours before they leave the station,” railway officials said. Meanwhile, people had to face hard times as the railway helpline numbers were reportedly not responding to calls. |
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Four persons missing
Jammu, January 23 Shahid Ahmed Bandey, a resident of Channi Himmat, had been missing since yesterday, while Dwarka Nath, a resident of Kishtwar, had been missing for the last few days. Ankit Gupta, a resident of Sanjay Nagar, had been missing for the past four days.
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“In the last several decades, emerging crimes have become more devastating and difficult to trace, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
