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Two soldiers killed in gunfight with militants
Dialogue with Pakistan
Bhairav temple reopens after 21 years
Devotees offer prayers at a spring in the Puran Raj Bhairav Temple in Srinagar which was reopened after 21 years. A Tribune photograph |
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Agnishekhar coordinator of poets’ conference
Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway suspended
Hand over NHPC projects to state: CITU
Local student to lead NCC cadets to Nepal
NCC cadets who returned to Jammu on Friday after ending the basic leadership course at Wadhwa in Maharashtra. The cadets secured the first position in the cultural competition. A Tribune photograph
Centre ‘warned’ against restoring pre-1953 status
Rewards for wards of serving cops
PDP has emerged as voice of people, says Mehbooba
Vohra, CM greet people on Guru Ravi Dass Jayanti
Security to be beefed up for Shivratri
3 Army men killed in mishaps
Clerk held for taking bribe
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Two soldiers killed in gunfight with militants
Jammu, January 29 The sources said when the troops were laying the cordon, a heavy burst of fire came from one of the houses in the village that hit two soldiers, who were seriously injured. The sources said while being shifted to a hospital, the injured soldiers identified as sepoy Raj Kumar of Palmar, a jawan with the 159 Territorial Army (TA), presently with the 11 Rashtriya Rifles and Lance Naik Jagdish Raj of the 11 Rashtriya Rifles succumbed to their injuries. “Fire had come from one of the houses in Tandar village around midnight in which we lost two of our soldiers,” Jammu-based defence PRO Lt-Col Biplab Nath said. A defence PRO said hostile weather conditions in the form of heavy rains last night followed by snowfall this morning hampered the operation but searches were still on. However, he refused to comment upon the number of militants present in the village. However, a senior police officer said when the jawans were taking positions, two jawans came under a burst of militants’ fire. He confirmed that three militants, two of them locals, belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were hiding in the area. “We have identified two of them. They are locals but we could not divulge their identities at this stage,” he added. Meanwhile, the Army and the police last evening busted a hideout in the Khet area. During searches of a Dhok, belonging to Mushtaq of Upper Khet, the joint party seized three AK assault rifles, 60 rounds of AK ammunition, three magazine and five Chinese hand grenades. The police has picked up Mushtaq for questioning. 2 hurt in attack
SRINAGAR: Militants intruded into a house and shot at and injured two persons in the Yaripora area of Kulgam district on Thursday night. The police said unknown militants entered the house of Mohammad Ismail Lone at Munand in the Yaripora area of Kulgam district. Lone, a helper in the Rural Development Department, was injured when the militants fired upon him. While fleeing, the militants also fired upon his nephew Gulzar Ahmad Malik, who runs an STD shop in the village. The injured were referred to the Bone and Joint Hospital here from the Yaripora hospital, the police said. Yousuf Tarigami, CPM state secretary and MLA, Kulgam, condemned the attack saying the vicious cycle of terror and counter terror would further deteriorate the situation and add to the miseries of the people of Kashmir. In a statement, Tarigami said the killing of civilians could not be justified by any civilised society. “Such criminal acts will not deter those who are committed to pursuing the path of dignified peace and reconciliation. These acts will only isolate those who have vested interests in the ongoing uncertainty in the state,” he said. Expressing solidarity with the families of two injured, Tarigami asked both mainstream as well as separatist parties to evolve a common ground in order to put an end to every form of violence against people.
— TNS |
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BJP questions CM’s eagerness
Tribune News Service
Jammu, January 29 Commenting upon the statement of Omar for resuming the peace process with Pakistan, Gupta observed that there could be no clapping with one hand. The real problem, he said, lay in the lack of sincerity from the Pakistan side which had been flouting every agreement. Gupta pointed out that during the NDA rule, Gen Pervez Musharraf had to return empty- handed from the Agra Summit as the Pakistan ruler wanted to establish Kashmir as a disputed territory.But the dialogue with Pakistan in 2003 was resumed only when the Pakistani ruler was made to realise the ground realities and the military build-up was removed only after when General Musharraf publicly pledged that no soil under control of Pakistan would be allowed to be used for cross-border terrorism. Meanwhile, chairman of Panun Kashmir Ajay Chrungoo said today that any concession granted to separatists in the Kashmir valley, which is outside the framework of the Constitution, could never be an acceptable solution to the Kashmir problem. This was stated by Chrungoo at a press conference here today. “Certain quarters have been advocating concessions to separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, but it will only encourage the Pakistan-backed militants operating in the state and aggravate the problem”. He also disputed the US stand that concessions to separatists in Jammu and Kashmir would help check the spread of terrorism in the state, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Criticising Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for demanding the resumption of talks with Pakistan and separatists, Chrungoo said such a move would only encourage separatist elements in the state. “The nationalists want to know from the Government of India under which pressure it is trying to appease Pakistan by engaging the separatists in a dialogue. Such a step will undermine almost every aspect of national security in the state and the country”, he maintained. However, Dr Chrungoo welcomed the statement of Robert Gates that “India may not be able to restrain itself in case there is one more terrorist attack on its soil”. Congress leader Hari Om said: “Jehad is not linked to Kashmir only. The main concern of militant outfits is to break India rather than Kashmir”.
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Bhairav temple reopens after 21 years
Srinagar, January 29 After the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir valley following the eruption of armed insurgency, most of the temples belonging to the community were left abandoned. After a gap of 21 years, the Puran Raj Bhairav temple, one of the ancient temples in the Kashmir valley, was thrown open to devotees. As per a popular belief, this ancient temple finds mention in ‘Neelmat Puran’ that the members of the community follow. The opening of the temple presented a bonding of various communities as Muslims helped Kashmiri Pandits in cleaning the temple. “It is a historic moment that after a gap of 21 years the temple was reopened,” said Sanajy K Tikoo, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS). Tikoo said the temple had a significant place in the history of Kashmiri Pandits, as the temple belonged to “Bhairav who is believed to be a reincarnation of lord Shiva”. “There are eight Bhairavs in the Kashmir valley and this temple is dedicated to one of them. This temple is as old as ‘Hari Parbat’, which is also known as Chakar Ishwar by the Hindu community,” Tikoo said. The temple is situated in the Szgaripora area of the Hawal locality in the downtown locality of Srinagar city that has been the hotbed of militancy. “The opening of the temple is a reflection of secular and cultural ethos of the Kashmir valley and in the coming days more such temples will be reopened,” said Dr TN Ganjoo, chairman of the KPSS. After the cleaning ritual at the temple, special prayers were also held, which were attended by Muslims also. Meanwhile, the Kashmiri Pandits alleged that a major chunk of land belonging to various temples in the Kashmir valley had been encroached upon and the community had taken up the issue with the local administration to reclaim these. |
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Agnishekhar coordinator of poets’ conference
Jammu, January 29 As per press handout issued here today, in the literary conference, apart from scores of noted poets of different Indian languages, a number of celebrated poets, artists, filmmakers and critics from Austria, Germany, Poland, Israel, Norway, Italy, Tibet, Vetnam, Ireland, Labnon, Iran, Span and South Africa are expected to participate. This international poets conference organised by Rati Saxena of the Kritya Foundation was earlier decided to be co-sponsored by the Panun Kashmir with its proposed venue at Jammu. However, due to security reasons, the Panun Kashmir regretted its helplessness to host the event. Apart from being the event coordinator of the conference, Dr Agnishekhar in the capacity of a noted poet and writer is scheduled to read a comprehensive paper on literature produced by Kashmiri Pandits in exile. Dr Agnishekhar will apprise the world literary body about the exile consciousness movement initiated by displaced Kashmiri Pandit writers through their poetry, stories, novels, letters, diaries, documentary films and other writings which shook and stun us with the horrifying experiences of the exiles. A special 15-minute documentary film on the plight of Kashmiri exiles will also be screened at the conference. Noted poets, including Mahesh Elkunchwar, K. Sachidanandan, Pryag Shukla, Aruna Sharma and Shyamla Nayyar, are likely to participate in the conference. |
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Snowfall in Valley Tribune News Service
Srinagar, January 29 More than 500 vehicles, including truckloads of essential commodities, passenger and private vehicles, coming from Jammu to the valley got stranded on the highway due to the heavy accumulation of snow around the Jawahar Tunnel in Banihal. The traffic was blocked around 10 am today after the area witnessed heavy snow since last night. No passenger vehicles were allowed from here after the reports about bad weather conditions across the highway. A number of Jammu-bound vehicles were also blocked in Qazigund. This highway is the only surface link and lifeline of the valley through which the essential commodities, consumer goods, poultry, mutton, kerosene oil and other items are being transported. Though the valley witnessed heavy rains and its upper reaches snowfall since early morning, the air services between Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi remained normal. All flights operated normally and there were no cancellations, officials here said. Snowfall was witnessed at several places across the valley and in its upper reaches since last night, while Srinagar and its adjoining areas witnessed the snowfall this afternoon. The scenic spots of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg also witnessed a heavy snowfall since last night. The tourist spot of Gulmarg, venue of different winter sports, also received more than 1 ft of snow till this afternoon, and the reports last reaching here said it was continuously snowing in the area, much required for the conduct of various sports events in which tourists from different countries and domestic sports lovers are participating. The road connectivity to the Tangdhar area of Kupwara district was disrupted due to the accumulation of 2.5 ft of snow on the high mountain Sadhna pass that connects the Tangdhar area with the district headquarters of Kupwara in north Kashmir. Traffic on the Bandipore-Gurez road was also blocked due to the accumulation of snow on the Razdhan Pass.
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Hand over NHPC projects to state: CITU
Jammu, January 29 CITU passed a resolution to this effect at its two-day conference at Jammu today. The conference expressed concern over the neo liberal economic policies that had resulted in uneven distribution of wealth. Besides, resolutions demanding the implementation of labour laws, checking price rise, social security to workers in the unorganised sector, implementation of the Construction and Building Workers Act in the state, public distribution system (PDS) and the inclusion of CITU members in its board were passed in the conference. The conference demanded the implementation of labour laws in the state as these laws were often violated by managements in connivance with the official agencies concerned. Police interference in industrial/labour disputes must be stopped in the interest of the working class. It also demanded that incentives be stopped to those industries that were violating labour laws. The conference demanded that an universal public distribution system instead of a targeted public distribution system to provide foodgrains, sugar and kerosene oil to people who, otherwise, were not eligible. |
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Local student to lead NCC cadets to Nepal
Jammu, January
29 A press note says Nekha is part of the exchange programme for which proficient NCC cadets are selected after an extensive test and sent on tour to other
countries. Nekha has been a brilliant student throughout her academic career. She has been awarded the Sahara Scholarship for being one of the meritorious NCC cadets during year 2007-08. Talking to The Tribune Nekha said she was excited to represent the state and the country at the programme to Nepal. Meanwhile, 18 NCC cadets returned after attending a basic leadership course at
Wardha, Maharastra. The cadets achieved the distinction of securing the first position in the cultural competition in which cadets from all parts of the country participated. Meanwhile, the state NCC Directorate said junior under officer Saleem Jafar from Rangar village in Chadoora tehsil of Budgam had been selected to undergo training for being commissioned as an Army officer. He would join training in April under the NCC special entry scheme at the Officers Training Academy,
Chennai. |
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Centre ‘warned’ against restoring pre-1953 status
Jammu, January 29 Addressing a press conference here yesterday, convener of Vision Kashmir Sunil Fotedar regretted that the union government had been holding a dialogue with those who did not represent the wishes and aspirations of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and other communities. “Instead of appeasing a particular community, the government should involve all sections of society in the dialogue process to make it meaningful and result-oriented,” Fotedar said. “Quiet diplomacy initiated by the union government was nothing but an attempt to restore the 1953 position in the state,” he added. Fotedar said, “The recommendations of the Working Group headed by Justice Sagir Ahmed (retd) have vindicated that the ruling coalition in the state is hellbent on appeasing those forces which are vying for independence, autonomy or self-rule by ignoring the wishes and aspirations of ethnic and religious minorities of the state.” |
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Rewards for wards of serving cops
Jammu, January 29 The reward amounting to Rs 1.60 lakh is being disbursed to the students accordingly. The awardees, who have secured highest percentage of marks in graduation include Rasmeet Kour, Arun Sharma, Sarabjeet Kour Sudan, Suman Sharma, Shilpa Bhau and Firdoos Ahmad Sohil. The students who have secured highest marks in class XII exams are Adnan Mushtaq, Rumaisa Yousuf, Areca Wangnoo, Umar Farooq, Priya Sharma, Ishfaq Zahoor, Komal Jamwal, Vikram Singh, Arti Chowdhary, Sehla Majeed, Aman Sharma, Sandeep Singh and Basharat Hussain. Similarly, the special rewards sanctioned for matric students are Samiya Shah, Sahil Sharma, Mohit Kuma, Iyman Binti Fayaz, Rouf Ahmad Lone, Poonam, Ashwani Choudhary, Mohit Jamwal, Sunandani Sharma, Vivek Pandita, Jaipaul, Vivek Singh and Neha Pandita.
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PDP has emerged as voice of people, says Mehbooba
Jammu, January 29 Bafwa and hundreds of his supporters today joined the PDP and expressed full faith in the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti. Addressing a function to welcome Bafwa in the party, the PDP chief pointed out that the NC-led coalition regime had betrayed the people of the state by ignoring wishes and aspirations of all sections of society. Mehbooba asserted that with the mandate of the people her party would emerge as secular alternative to the NC-Congress alliance in the state and added that only the PDP could fill the political vacuum created after the formation of the new coalition. |
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Vohra, CM greet people on Guru Ravi Dass Jayanti
Jammu, January 29 In a message, the Governor described Guru Ravi Dass as a great social reformer whose teachings of peace, harmony, love and compassion had influenced millions of people and continue to inspire successive generations to work for a harmonious society based on equality and social justice. He said Guru Ji tirelessly strived to ameliorate the lot of people,
especially the downtrodden and underprivileged sections of society. The Governor expressed hope that people would celebrate such occasions in the true spirit of our composite culture
and prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the state. Meanwhile,
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has felicitated the people on the birth anniversary
of Guru Ravi Dass and described him as a great social reformer and spiritual personality. |
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Security to be beefed up for Shivratri
Jammu, January 29 A high-level meeting was held today to review arrangements for the forthcoming Shivratri festival. It was decided at the meeting that all routes connecting Rajouri district as well as Mahore and other militancy-hit areas be sanitised to foil the nefarious designs of anti-national forces. It was also decided that additional forces be deployed all along the routes as well adjoining areas of Pouni and Ransoo where the holy cave is situated. The meeting also sought cooperation from local people for a peaceful festival.
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3 Army men killed in mishaps
Srinagar, January 29 The injured persons were shifted to hospital, where their condition was stated to be serious, he said. Another Army vehicle slipped off the road between SM Hill and the Baraf Post in Kupwara district resulting in the death of its driver sepoy SK Yadav, he said. Meanwhile, 23 passengers were injured when a bus overturned near Kreva-Kreeri, 30 km from here, in Baramulla district last evening, the spokesman said.
— PTI
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Srinagar, January 29 An official spokesman said judicial clerk Abdul Lateef was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1,000 from the complainant, Abdul Aziz Wani of Budgam district. — TNS
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CM for more rail services
Jammu, January 29 |
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The place that once reverberated with gunfires came alive today with the chime of bells of an ancient temple that was thrown open to devotees in Srinagar city.
