Srinagar, February 12
The state government has sought cooperation of all parties on the surrender and rehabilitation policy for Kashmiri militants willing to return from the PoK and live a normal life in the state.

The appeal comes a day after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram expressed the Centre’s readiness for amnesty to the militants, who had crossed over to the PoK during the past two decades and were willing to return to Kashmir. “This is a sincere initiative taken by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah so as to help divided families with the return of those living across the border after their migration post-1990,” Minister of State for Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani told mediapersons here today.

He said there was a need to take the process forward after Chidambaram’s assurance. He maintained that there was no oneupmanship on the policy that would help the divided families to return, though the PDP, which had raised the issue during its regime earlier, had welcomed the move taken by the Central government.

Replying to questions, the minister said the move was basically to bring together the governments of India and Pakistan. However, it had no fixed time frame. Wani held that the neighbouring country had a role to play in this direction. “The two neighbouring countries would work out its modalities,” he said. The aim was to rehabilitate those separated during the past two decades due to militancy and were willing to return to the state. It is purely a rehabilitation process,” he added.

Asked about the number of persons who would be covered under the scheme, Wani said it was yet to be ascertained and would be worked out by the two countries. This exercise was different than the migration of Kashmiri Pandits, whose number was known, he added.

The policy would not apply to those families, which were divided after Partition and before the eruption of militancy in the state, he said. People were returning to the state via Nepal, Wani said.

Jammu, February 12
Pigeons would fly across the border carrying message of love and balloons would float over the barbed wire on the Indo-Pak border tomorrow on the eve of Valentine’s Day, to express love and pray for peace between two countries.

For the first time, a group of politicians, thinkers, youngsters and ex-army officers would converge on the Indo-Pak border, near Suchetgarh, under the aegis of the Socialist Democratic Party, to attach letters, messages of love and peace to pigeons and balloons and make them fly towards Pakistan with a message to end the war of hatred.

Col Sunil Sharma (retd) of Moga, a member of the group, has seen all meaningless bloodshed and violence on the border and would be reaching Suchetgarh with flowers and hope of everlasting peace with Pakistan.

Dr Darakshan Andrabi, president of the SDP and the brain behind the peace initiative, said they had been sending messages of love to Pakistan for the past three years on the eve of Valentine’s Day, hoping that they will respond on the day of love but no success so far.

“We have been sending flowers and candles through the Chenab river at Akhnoor earlier. The river water flows into Pakistan and takes the message of love, but this is the first time we would actually converge on the border and hope that residents of the neighbouring country would respond,” she said.

The group had also sent effigies through the Chenab once towards Pakistan with a message that these were the bodies of militants that they had pushed into India.

“We are for peace and have always been the voice of people in both countries who think above boundaries,” Says Andrabi.

Jammu, February 12
After setting up its base in the Kashmir valley, the PDP has been gradually strengthening its organisational structure in the Jammu region. Recently, the party has appointed some mass-base leaders on important posts.

Former RS member Trilok Singh Bajwa has already been appointed as vice-president of the party, and now Suram Singh has been nominated as district president for Jammu.

As the party has successfully roped in some prominent leaders of this region, the PDP has decided to take up those issues which are directly related to the people of the Jammu region. The party has decided to launch a movement against shortage of ration in the government-run depots as well as against power crisis and scarcity of waste in this region.

General secretary of the party Balbir Singh said the Jammu-based parties had failed to take up the basic issues. He said the PDP had proved its capability by organising a protest against price rise in the Jammu region.

During the past six months, the PDP has organised protests against the increasing prices of essential commodities. Not only in Jammu district, the party has also organised protests at Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda.

Balbir Singh said the PDP had emerged as strong political force in the Jammu region also. He said: “During the past six months, the PDP has filled the political vacuum created after the formation of NC-Congress alliance. The party has decided to hold protests at all district headquarters on February 18 against the failure of the state government on all fronts.

Jammu, February 12
Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have called for the formulation and time-bound implementation of an action plan for the development of animal and sheep husbandry and poultry sectors in the state which have a huge potential for generating wealth and quick employment opportunities.

The Governor and the Chief Minister said this during a power-point presentation made by the Vice-Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Dr V. K Taneja, at Raj Bhavan, here yesterday.

The theme of the presentation was “Livestock in Jammu and Kashmir, present status and interventions needed for enhancing productivity and production”.

The Governor, as Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, had invited Dr Taneja, who recently chaired an all-India review meeting  of the entire animal husbandry sector  to visit Jammu and suggest how the state could embark on a well-considered  development programme.

The Governor said Jammu and Kashmir had a high potential in the animal and sheep husbandry and poultry farming sectors which needed to be developed by injecting all required technological interventions to speed up the economy and generate employment, particularly in the rural and remote areas of the state. He added that the animal and

sheep husbandry and poultry sectors had the inherent capability to yield quick results both in terms of economic growth and creating employment avenues.

He stressed for greater collaboration and synergy among both the agricultural universities, field agencies of the state government and the veterinary colleges with a futuristic and comprehensive roadmap for speedy development of animal and sheep husbandry sectors.

The Governor impressed upon the two agricultural universities in the state and the Animal and Sheep Husbandry departments to pool their expertise for achieving desired results in regard to growth of dairy and poultry sectors as well.

Jammu, February 12
Working chairman of the Panthers Party and MLA, Ramnagar, Harsh Dev Singh has flayed the ruling coalition for ignoring the unemployed educated youths from the Jammu region in government jobs.

In a statement issued here today, former Education Minister said a raw deal being given to 29 Naib Tehsildars from the Jammu region duly selected by the Service Selection Board (SSB) deserved to be condemned. They were denied appointment orders by the government.

He said those selection lists of the SSB that had more candidates from Jammu were withheld, while appointment orders were issued on other selection lists.

Making particular mention of some of the recently released selection lists, Harsh Dev Singh said the government showed much zeal in issuing appointment orders with respect to the selection of Assistant Surgeons, Assistant Engineers, drivers etc., where the number of Jammu candidates was negligible and in some categories all candidates selected belonged to the Kashmir region.

Urging the government to stand by its commitment to justice and equal treatment to all regions, he called for an equitable treatment to the unemployed youths from the Jammu region in employment opportunities.

Harsh Dev also asked the government to take immediate steps to redress the genuine grievances of 29 duly selected Naib Tehsildars, who had been the victims of the coalition government’s policy of regional bias and discrimination. 

Jammu, February 12
Shivratri was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in the Jammu region today.

Thousands of devotees thronged temples across the winter capital since early morning and offered prayers.

People visited Ranbireshwar Temple, Raghunath Temple, Pir Khou Temple, Panjbakhtar Temple, Har Ki Paudi and Aap Shambhu Temple to offer prayers.

A large number of devotees also visited Bahu Fort Temple to seek the blessings of Mahakali.

However, at Aap Shambhu Temple in Roop Nagar, people had to wait in queues for a long time to pay obeisance.

“I had come here at 2.30 a.m, but came across long queues, which had stretched to almost 1.5 km in length. Eventually, I paid obeisance at 10 a.m.,” said Dinkar Sharma, a devotee.

The administration had made elaborate security arrangements and policemen in civvies were also deputed in and around the temples and at crowded places.

The temple city, known for its hospitality, wore a festive look.

Various associations of traders had put up langars (community kitchens). A “shoba yatra” was taken out here last evening with more than 30 tableaux depicting the marriage of Lord Shiva.

Reports from Shiv Khori, the ancient cave shrine of Lord Shiva in Ransoo of Reasi district, said that a sea of people descended on the shrine.

Thousands of people visited the historic shrine where a three-day Shiv Khori fair had commenced yesterday.

Katra town also witnessed a sudden increase in the number of pilgrims, said reports.Devotees also offered prayers in temples in Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts.

Jammu, February 12
Unhindered sale of adulterated food items, particularly milk and milk products, in some areas during these pious days of Mahashivratri is worrying consumers.

According to residents, some shopkeepers, hoodwinking Municipal Corporation officers, are selling adulterated curd and cheese in the areas like Talab Tillo, Bohri Chungi and Rehari without any fear.

Some of the residents of these areas complained that some halwaies and milk vendors are engaged in selling adulterated food items. They alleged that the shopkeepers were using some chemicals while making cheese and curd, which they sell to customers.

“These shopkeepers are selling poison to the common people, but the Municipal Corporation was doing nothing against such defaulters,” Avtar Raina of Bohri said.

Levelling similar allegation against a shopkeeper, Manisha Koul of Rehari said: “Despite the anti-adulteration drive launched by the Municipal Corporation, some shopkeepers succeeds to befool them. These shopkeepers are playing with many lives for their vested interests. They should be dealt with strict action by the authorities concerned and a heavy fine should be imposed on them so that they should resist from such acts in future.”

However, the Municipal Corporation officers are claiming that they are putting all efforts to keep check on the sale of adulterated food items in the market.

Under the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act (1954) and the J&K Municipal Act, the Health Wing of the corporation has registered more than 50 cases and has destroyed around 90 kg of unwholesome/stale food for the past six days. The Health Wing has also collected Rs 14,300 as fine from the defaulters in different areas of the city during these days.

“For the past few days we have intensified our anti-adulteration drive and are keeping strict vigil in all areas, particularly in the Kashmiri Pandit-dominated areas where chances of the sale of adulterated food items always remain high during these days,” Dr. Anwar Choudhary, health officer of the corporation, said.

Choudhary assured that with immediate effect, he would pay surprise visit in these areas and take strict action against the shopkeepers who were found selling adulterated food items.

Jammu, February 12
Security forces gunned down two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a self-styled area commander, in the Kandi area of Budhal in Rajouri district today.

The security forces also busted militant hideouts in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts, recovering a rich haul of arms and ammunition.

“The Army troops today eliminated two Hizbul ultras, including a self-styled area commander, in the Kandi area on the Rajouri-Budhal road,” Brigadier Gurdeep Singh, Brigadier General Staff of the Nagrota-based 16 Corp, said.

The killed militants have been identified as Jan Nissar, an area commander of Rajouri and Saddam, a local militant from Daraj village.

Jan Nissar was a dreaded militant of the Hizbul, and with his killing the terrorist outfit had suffered a major setback in Rajouri district, Gurdeep Singh said.

In another incident, the security forces today busted a hideout in the Bhetass area of Rajouri and seized one pistol, two magazines, one UBGL, six hand grenades, 110 rounds of PIKA ammunition, one IED, 15 detonators and one antenna. Sources said the security forces also busted two hideouts in Poonch and Reasi districts today.

Meanwhile, two militant supporters were nabbed in Kishtwar district last evening. Sources said the police nabbed Ghulam Mohammad Shah and Farooq Ahmed Shah, both brothers, from Patimahal after establishing that they had been providing information about the security forces to Lashkar militants.

Jammu, February 12
After more than one year, the Udhampur police yesterday claimed to have solved the rape and murder case of a young girl by arresting four accused. However, one was still absconding.

The police said a missing report was lodged on September 25, 2008, when the incident took place. The body of the girl was found on October 3, 2008, and a case of murder was registered. Post-mortem had established that the girl was gang-raped before being murdered and the FIR was converted into a rape and murder case, the police said.

It claimed yesterday that the four youngsters, Rahul, Ranju, Pritam and Sunil, all residents of Moarha Morh in Udhampur, gang-raped and later murdered the girl. However, the police said another accused Pankaj Kumar was absconding.

The girl was working at Chinar Complex in Udhampur and was found dead under mysterious circumstances at T-Morh.

Arvind Samyal, SHO, Udhampur police station, said, “The investigation is on and we are trying to arrest the fifth accused.”

Jammu,February 12
Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohiuddin today asked the engineers to stick to the time schedule of completion of projects even as he directed blacklisting of non- performing contractors and firms.

Addressing a review meeting of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department here today, the minister asked the engineers overseeing the development of projects to use proper, adequate and quality material in works. He directed the executive engineers to monitor the performance of contractors and firms entrusted with developing of projects and blacklist the ones whose performance was below the mark.

Taj also directed the engineers to stick to the prescribed time schedule of completion of projects and discourage the practice of extending the deadlines of these projects. He directed the executing engineers to terminate the services of the firms and contracts that do not complete the works in the stipulated time and go on extending the deadlines again and again.

The minister also reviewed the pace of modernisation of the Ranbir Canal, Kathua Canal and other canals of the Jammu province and asked the engineers to complete the process to the tail-end of the canals. He also directed de-silting of all the tributaries forthwith and asked the engineers to synchronise it with NREGS for effective results.

Srinagar, February 12
Even as multiplexes and cinema halls in Maharashtra are facing protests for screening Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘My Name Is Khan’, movie buffs in the Kashmir valley have shown eagerness to watch the movie.

With the eruption of armed insurgency in the Kashmir valley more than two decades ago, most of the cinema halls here were either burnt down or forced to close. But with situation improving fast in the past few years, some of the halls have started functioning again.

A view outside Neelam Cinema, the only cinema hall that started functioning a few years ago, shows that how much people of Kashmir love to watch movies.

“I was expecting that ‘My Name Is Khan’ would also be released here. I came to watch the movie, but was disappointed to see that the theatre was running Dostana, which was released two years ago,” said Irfan Ahmed, a postgraduate student of Kashmir University.

A large number of people, who went to the movie hall, were disappointed to see that the theatre was not playing the movie. “I had a programme to watch the movie with my girl friend on Valentine’s Day, so I had come here to book tickets. But I was disappointed that the theatre was not screening the movie,” said Sajad Ahmed, a student of SP College.

The theatre manager says that they are unable to screen the latest movies in Srinagar as the price of the new movies, especially Shah Rukh Khan’s, are quite high and the returns at the same time are limited.

“You never know after investing so much of money on new movie prints, how much return will be got. If there is a strike, the hall has to be closed for days together and there will be no return,” said the theatre manager.

He said the movie buffs in Srinagar too want to see the new movies, but the budget of the theatre did not allow them to purchase the prints of new movies for screening here.

“No one in Kashmir is bothered about the controversy created by the Shiv Sena. They do it for their political interests. We want to see good movies and wait for the day when they are screened in this theatre in the Kashmir valley,” said Ajaz Ahmed, a resident of Sonawari.