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LeT’s Ceasefire
Board Exams
Pak must maintain good relations: Farooq
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Formation of New Team
Fresh snowfall in valley
Arrangements for census reviewed
Protests in Kashmir: Residents bear the brunt
Four killed in accident
Workshop to introduce theatre in schools
Compensation for farmers demanded
JSM warns govt against ‘neglect’
“End discrimination against Sunita”
Workshop on pulse polio ends
Session on effective parenting
Hizbul militant held
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Security forces to protect informers
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 7 After losing its top commanders in recent times, the LeT had announced on Friday to deal with the informers first before resuming its “jihad”. The security forces, including the Army and the police, would pay special attention to the safety and security of informers, Defence sources confided to The Tribune. The LeT’s announcement of a ceasefire in Kishtwar was nothing more than a stark reflection of the sense of disquiet and upheaval that has affected its perverted psyche in the wake of elimination of their top commanders, Nissar Ahmed Shah, alias Abu Maaz, Nadeem Hussain Ahangar and Dawod, in the recent weeks, they said. The security forces would continue to seek and destroy ultras so as to instill a sense of security among people, they added. The LeT, HuJI and Hizbul Mujahideen suffered heavy losses in the recent times and they are also losing their ground very fast. But in the wake of Lashkar’s new strategy the security forces from now on would be paying attention to the safety of informers. The felling of their self-styled commanders in a series of swift and surgical operations by the security forces brought to an end a reign of terror unleashed against a hapless population of this remote region and hence the outfits like Lashkar and HuJI wanted to escape the onslaught of the security officers, said a senior Army officer. However, security forces had been steadfast in their resolve and commitment to safeguard the honour, dignity and safety of the innocent civilians by relentlessly hounding out these perpetrators, he added. The LeT’s truce by displaying posters and threatening to go after the informers reflected their criminal mindset with no consideration for the lives of people, he said. In 199 counter-insurgency operations last year, at least 74 militants were killed, 123 were apprehended and seven had surrendered before the security forces in the state. As a part of its new strategy, the security forces have been seeking and destroying the militants in their hideouts using choppers and air-dropping soldiers in inaccessible areas where militants take refuge to escape the forces’ dragnet.
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Preparations in full swing
Sunaina Kaul Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 7 Centres have been set up for conducting the examinations smoothly. Duties have been assigned to all zonal education officers (ZEOs) of Jammu district. "We have appointed ZEOs as nodal officers for conducting the examinations,” said NR Dingra, chief education officer (CEO), while talking to The Tribune. The CEO added that the question papers for all these classes were set by experts.The printing of the question papers was over now and they would be dispatched one day before the commencement of examinations to all government schools from the CEO’s office. Around 25,000 students will appear in the class VIII examinations, while 7,800 will appear in the class III and 8,500 in the class V examinations. To check cheating and use of unfair means,examiners have created three sets of question papers for class VIII. In addition to it, a flying squad has been formed by the department to monitor all examination centres. The flying squad includes principals, lecturers and staff from the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET). The CEO said they had also circulated helpline numbers to all examination centres for providing them guidance and attending to their queries during the process of examinations. The CEO also warned that if any student was found with any cheating material, he/she would be dealt with strictly.
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Pak must maintain good relations: Farooq
RS Pura (Jammu), February 7 Addressing a function at this border town, Farooq said, “Keeping in view the prevailing situation in the neighbouring country, it is in the interest of Pakistan to have good relations with India and avoid confrontation.” He hoped Pakistani authorities would realise the reality and take some effective steps to strengthen peace in this region. The Union Minister further said, “The Indo-Pak relationship has direct bearing on the developmental activities of Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, it is always in the best interests of this border state that both the countries live in amicable, friendly, peaceful and cordial atmosphere.” Taking a serious note of the meeting held at Muzafarrabad in Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in which some terrorist outfits had vowed to start Jehad against India, Farooq termed such developments as unfortunate and against the interest of Pakistan. “Situation in our neighbouring country has been going from bad to worse. It is high time for Pakistani authorities to keep a check on the activities of such elements,” he said. The former Chief Minister said it was too early to predict outcome of the proposed talks between India and Pakistan. “Dialogue is the only way to solve all problems. Decision to hold secretary-level talks is a good beginning”, he observed and added a high-level meeting India and Pakistan would be held very soon as peace and cordial relations were in the interest of both the countries. Pointing towards prevailing law and order situation in the valley, Farooq demanded a strict action against those who were involved in killing the innocent youth. “Such unfortunate incidents only strengthen those forces that are hellbent to exploit sentiments of the people”, he maintained and asked the state government to take effect steps to avoid reoccurrence of such incidents in the future. Farooq Abdullah also sought to distance himself from the controversy over the Padam Shree award to the former militant. “Why are you ragging Farooq Abdullah into this controversy?” he reacted while replying to queries of media after the function. “Decision to confer former Minister with the award was taken by a high level committee. I had recommended names of so many persons,” he said and added that he was member of the committee that had finalised the name of former militant. |
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State BJP chief summoned to Delhi
Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 7 The BJP high command, which is very much aware of the pressure tactics being adopted by two senior leaders, has reportedly summoned the new president to New Delhi to finalise the names of new office-bearers. Sources said instead of succumbing to the pressure of two senior leaders, who had played a decisive role in his appointment, Shamsher Singh has decided to keep all groups together. So, he has been holding discussions with heads of all organisations of the Sangh Parivar. Although former state president of party Dr Nirmal Singh had proposed two names, Bali Bhagat and Jugal Kishore Sharma, for the post of state president, Manhas, soon after becoming president, visited his house to iron out differences. The president has been reaching leaders of all factions to give an impression that he wanted to take everyone with him. Worthwhile to mention here that two stalwarts of the BJP had joined hands to oppose choice of the RSS for state president. A strong faction within the BJP and the RSS had proposed names of Bhagat or Sharma for the post but their choice was rejected after two veteran leaders of the party proposed name of Manhas for the same. “Since his appointment as state president both the leaders have been trying to exert pressure on him,” sources said and added that during the last one month Manhas had been facing pressure to accommodate “loyalists” of these two leaders in the new team. The two stalwarts of the party have been thinking that they could accommodate their men in the new team by putting pressure on the new president. “Singh has sounded the high command about pressure being exerted on him by some senior leaders,” sources said, adding, “He has been called at New Delhi on February 11 to discuss the names of new office-bearers. Sources said the new president had also approached the RSS leadership to seek their suggestions in constituting a new team. As the RSS choice was overlooked by the BJP with the appointment of party president, Shamsher Singh has been taking the Sangh Parivar into confidence to bridge the differences. “Since his appointment as state president, Manhas has been regularly visiting Veer Bhawan - RSS headquarters - at Jammu, to keep Sangh leaders in good humour,” a senior leader of the party said. Sources said the new team of the party would be announced after accommodating leaders of all factions.
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Fresh snowfall in valley
Srinagar, February 7 “The vehicles that were stopped as a preventive measure were allowed to go from Banihal and some other places,” SSP (National Highways) Alok Kumar told The He said at certain places along the highway, there were landslides. “There were landslides at Digdol and Panthal, but the traffic was cleared.However, we are still not allowing any other vehicles to move as the weather situation continues to be bad,” the SSP said. He said a decision on allowing traffic on the highway would be
taken tomorrow. In Kashmir, many villages, including Keran, Karnah, Neeru and Machil, have been cut from the rest of the valley after the closure of the Sadhna and Razdan passes due to the heavy
snowfall. Meanwhile, the closure of the highway has led to an increase in the prices of essential commodities. Residents fear that with no fresh supplies from outside, an artificial shortage of essential commodities may be created. The weathermen has said there will be more snow in the Kashmir
valley during the next two days. “Due to the western disturbances that persist over the valley, we expect more snowfall and rain across the valley in the next two days,” an MeT official said. Jammu: People are facing hardships due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway for the second consecutive day. Parvesh Chauhan, a resident of Ramban, said over the phone:”Life has come to a standstill and we are not able to go outside. For the past two days, snow and intermittent rain have brought misery on us”. A senior police officer said the Jawahar Tunnel was opened for a short time on Sunday afternoon and vehicles were allowed to move to Srinagar. Sources said heavy vehicles were not being allowed to go beyond Udhampur. The police said members of the public could contact traffic helpline numbers- 0194-2455164 and 0191-2451192 for the latest situation. |
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Arrangements for census reviewed
Jammu,February 7 It was apprised that Census of India, 2010 would be conducted in two phases in the accessible areas. In phase I, house listing and housing census and canvassing of household schedule of the National Population Register (NPR) would be done between May 15 and June 30 while in phase II,enumeration would be completed from February to March. Giving the details of the houselisting and housing schedule and calendar of important events of works, the Census officer asserted that it was an opportunity for the state government to adopt Census house numbering for permanent address system in the
rural areas. It was informed that the District Development Commissioners of all districts would be designated Principal Census Officers within their respective districts while Additional DDCs of the districts would be District Census
Officers within their jurisdiction. Besides, the Municipal Commissioner would also function as Principal Census Officer within the limits of the Municipal Corporation. |
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Protests in Kashmir: Residents bear the brunt
Srinagar, February 7 “For the past one week, life has come to a grinding halt in the entire valley and people are worried as stocks of essential commodities due to the closure of markets are getting exhausted ”, said Ishfaq Ahmed, a resident of Jawahar Nagar. Traffic in the entire valley has been disrupted.Residents are also running out of money as all the banks across the valley have been closed since Monday. “ Since morning, I have been going from one ATM to another, but there is no money. I need money to purchase medicines, but due to strike I am unable to get it”, said Tahir Firdous, an employee with a private company. Business establishments across the valley are also incurring losses due to the ongoing strike.”Shops are closed, people don’t have money and most of the households are running out of stock. I don’t know when this tension would end”, said Ghulam Hassan, a businessman. Meanwhile, protests against the death of Shah continued here for the seventh consecutive day today. Strict security arrangements were made in various localities and police and CRPF personnel patrolled the streets.In the morning, restrictions were relaxed in some parts of the city so that people could buy household items and also get their children vaccinated at booths set up under the pulse polio programme. “ The relaxation in the restrictions was given in some parts of the city, including Rainawari, Safakadal, MR Gunj, Nowhatta and Khanyar, so that people could come out and purchase items of daily need”, a senior police officer said.Though stray incidents of stone-pelting were reported from some parts of the old city, the police said the situation was under control. Many areas have been facing a curfew-like situation for the past three days. The APHC, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has called for a “UN office chalo march” on Monday. A meeting of the executive and general council of the organisation which was scheduled to be held today was postponed as most of the separatist leaders have been either arrested or placed under house arrest. The meeting was called to discuss the situation after the recent incidents of alleged human rights violation and the strategy for the proposed march. The PDP has termed the inquiry initiated by the government into the death of Zahid Farooq as eyewash.The party has accused the government of deliberately
promoting an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in the Kashmir valley. |
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Four killed in accident
Jammu, February 7 Sources said the sons of the former minister , along with their relatives, were on their way to Kathua from Ramban when their car fell into a gorge at Jharkhani.The villagers informed the police. The authorities and the police immediately reached the spot and started rescue operations. The victims were identified as Vijay Singh, block president (Congress), Ramban, and Shakti Singh, sons of a former minister; Haridatt Singh, an ex-head master, and Shyam Singh, a local businessman. The injured was identified as Budhi Singh, a private contractor. |
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Workshop to introduce theatre in schools
Jammu, February 7 He also expressed gratitude to Aunradha Kapoor, Director, NSD, and Latif Khatana, head of Theatre-In-Education
company, for supporting the endeavours of Natrang. Suwarn Rawat of the NSD while underlining the need of introducing children to theatre said, “It the best way to open up a child to help him/her shed inhibitions. He further said, “It helps them to share their emotions and thoughts which otherwise in all probability would remain untapped for years to come.” Moti Lal Kemmu appreciated the efforts of Natrang and complimented the NSD for introducing the new concept of theatre-in-education in Jammu. A number of artists and teachers participated in the workshop. The first session of the workshop was conducted by children’s theatre expert Dr Asha Singh of Delhi University. Those who attended the inaugural function included, Mipam Otsal, Jugal Kaul, Suresh Kumar, Vijay Bhatt, Anil Tickoo, Nitish Arora, Sanjeev Gupta and Sartaj Singh |
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Compensation for farmers demanded
Jammu, February 7 Addressing a gathering of the affected farmers at Ritti village in Ramnagar, Pathania flayed the local administration for forcibly bulldozing homes, hearths and small shops of the poor people for executing work on the project. He pointed out neither the lands of the affected families were acquired by the government in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act nor a penny of compensation was ever paid to them. The administration had succeeded in getting the work forcibly started through Dehari and Jaloh villages. But in Ritti village locals had virtually driven out the ERA officials accompanied by a team of local administration with violent protests. Pathania also flayed the construction agency for subletting work to local contractors and raised a serious question-mark on the quality of work. He appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene into the matter otherwise the farmers of Ramnagar will start the mass movement. |
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JSM warns govt against ‘neglect’
Jammu, February 7 The members warned the government that the biased and discriminatory attitude might compel the frustrated and unemployed youth of the region to agitate to get justice. “This prejudicial and communal politics of the state government, which is dominated by Kashmiris, towards the Jammu region is forcing the people of the region to free themselves by demanding a separate Jammu state,” Gupta said. The members were critical of the ministers belonging to the Jammu region, particularly of the Congress, for not showing their concern on the issue, raising no voice and keeping silence for their vested interests. The members in the meeting reasserted that people of the region should struggle to get rid of the Kashmiri domination and demand for a separate Jammu state as this was the only viable alternative left to them to get justice and their aspirations fulfilled. |
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“End discrimination against Sunita”
Jammu, February 7
“It is strange that she was not given any award on the pattern of Ruksana”, Singh said. “The state government had promised that Sunita would be given a bravery award and appointed an ASI, but till date nothing had happened.” he regretted.
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Workshop on pulse polio ends
Jammu, February 7 On the first day, the volunteers were grouped into 16 groups, who later surveyed different localities which included Krishna Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar, Rajinder Nagar and Canal Road. About 80 volunteers participated in the workshop. They surveyed about 500 families in these areas. Today, a rally was taken out from the college, which was flagged by Principal Dr Sham Lal Gupta. While addressing students, Gupta appreciated the role of NSS volunteers and encouraged them for organising more and more such programmes in future. The rally passed through Canal Road and culminated at Bhagwati
Nagar Chowk. Addressing the volunteers, Prof RK Sharma and Prof VK Chandan appreciated the step taken out by the NSS Volunteers to make people aware about the importance of “Pulse Polio Abhiyaan”. |
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Session on effective parenting
Jammu, February 7 Parents were satisfied and impressed after their important queries were answered and doubts cleared. “Children are perceptive and learn more from observation than verbal instructions. So, parents ought to be perfect role models,” stressed Dr Broota. The session concluded with Dr Broota telling the parents to be more considerate and caring towards their children. They should accept a child’s shortcomings and must seek the teacher’s guidance for their well-being and safety. |
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Hizbul militant held
Srinagar, February 7 The police said it recovered a pistol, a magazine, eight rounds and two hand grenades from his possession. It said he had crossed over to Pakistan for arms training in 2003. |
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From this border town, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah today extended the hand of friendship towards neighbouring Pakistan and said cordial relations between India and Pakistan were must
for the development.
