Jammu, March 14
Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today suggested that all traditional routes with Pakistan should be opened for cross-LoC trade, as it would accelerate economic activity in the state in general and the Jammu region in particular.

Addressing a function of party workers at Paloura, about 14 km from here, Mufti talked about ongoing cross-LoC trade on the Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads.

“Opening up of these routes for trade is a good beginning, but more is needed to be done,” he said and suggested that all traditional routes that were closed after partition should be opened for facilitating trade across the border.

Mufti specially mentioned that the Suchetgarh-Sailkote road, which was a traditional trade route between Sailkote and Jammu, should be opened to benefit traders of Jammu. “Like Wagah crossing, the Suchetgarh-Sailkote road be made functional,” he demanded and stressed on the need of opening such routes for boosting trade and other economic activities.

A PDP patron, while analysing performance of the National Conference-led coalition regime, flayed the government for adopting arbitrary policies in releasing developmental funds. He claimed it was only during the PDP-Congress regime that equal treatment was given to all the regions and sub-regions of the state.

He further said the PDP-Congress regime from 2002 to 2008 has set up as an example of good governance in the state, as it was for the first time after 1947 that equal treatment was given to all areas of the state. “Before formation of the PDP led regime in 2002, there was complaint of discrimination with one or the other regions,” he recalled, but hastened to add that his government had laid a foundation of mutual trust and confidence among inhabitants of different regions and sub-regions of the state.

Miran Sahib (Jammu), March 14
A day after the police caught 21 students of Class XII using cell phones during their examination at a private college in Kullian village, there is no clue about the number of persons or the place from where they were dictating or running a “parallel examination hall”.

Though the police caught the students red-handed from New Gandhi Memorial B.Ed. College and UMC have been registered against them, the presence of a “gang” operating to provide help by using unfair means is posing a big question before the State Education Department and the police that whether they were students or some kind of mafia operating a nexus behind the whole incident.

Chairman of the college Sushil Mahajan has admitted that two days ago a similar incident had happened during the chemistry exam, and five UMC cases were registered against the students at that time.

“When we found that the students did not stop using cell phones, we informed the Education Department and the police to intervene. Most of the students, who were caught, belong to a particular community and we did not think it suitable to check their turbans. This is why the higher authorities were contacted and members of the students’ community searched them,” Mahajan said.

After the incident, the authorities of the college, which is selected as the examination centre for class XII examinations, have also requested to the State Education Department to investigate the episode.

Mahajan said: “There is a big gang operating in nexus with some private schools.” He further said: “They have written to the Education Department not to allot them examination centres in future, because it gives a bad name to the college.”

A senior police officer told The Tribune that they were getting a number of phone calls from leaders and VVIPs to deal with the matter “very carefully” as some big names have been associated with this incident directly or indirectly.

Paramjeet Singh, SHO, Miran Sahib police station, said, “We are tracing the call records and tower locations of the mobile numbers used in this incident. We are also in touch with the mobile service provider companies to get the maximum details. So far, no one has been nabbed by the police.”

Jammu, March 14
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has put in place five tier arrangements for supervision and smooth conduct of the Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS-mains) exams tomorrow.

According to official sources, 30 examination centres have been set up to conduct the examination for the highest administrative posts in the state government. The centres have been created within the municipal limits of twin capital cities, Jammu and Srinagar.

“At least 10,454 candidates, who qualified the preliminary test are supposed to take the examination,” said controller examination, JKPSC, GH Meer and added, “In Jammu, 18 exam centres have been created, whereas in Srinagar 12.” “To ensure smooth conduct of examination, the JKPSC chairman along with the eight members of the commission will remain on move visiting exam centres,” he said.

He said flying squads have also been formulated for the supervision and there would be observers from the General Administration Department of the state government that has advertised the posts. There would also be supervisors within the examination centres, who would be coordinated by the official of the Education Department. “The Police Department has also been coordinating in the conduct of examination. Meanwhile, executive magistrates have also been assigned with the task of supervision by respective district magistrates,” he added.

The preliminary examinations for the KAS were held in May last year, in which 32,000 candidates appeared. The exams would conclude on April 15. 

Srinagar, March 14
At least four CRPF personnel were injured in a grenade attack by militants near a police station in downtown Srinagar today.

Unidentified militants hurled a grenade towards a group of CRPF personnel at Pather Masjid near Maharaj Gunj Police Station around 3.15 pm, injuring four jawans, official sources said. They said the injured jawans were shifted to the hospital, where condition of one of them was stated to be “critical”.

A manhunt has been launched for the militants involved in the grenade attack, which sparked panic in the old city with people running helter-skelter after the blast. No militant outfit has so far claimed the responsibility for the incident.

The injured CRPF jawans had been identified as constables Mohan Lal, Mani Kundan, Gopak Naikar and P Subash, the sources said, adding that the CRPF personnel have been deployed in the area in strength as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

This is the third militant strike in the city within a week, giving credence to intelligence inputs that a group of militants had managed to sneak into the summer capital to create disturbance. — PTI

Jammu, March 14
In future, MLAs, whether of the ruling coalition or belonging to the Opposition, will be formally invited by the state government to all public functions to be organised by government departments in their respective constituencies.

Speaker of Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone has asked all ministers to send formal invitations to MLAs before holding any such programmes in their areas.

The suggestion came up during Question Hour as a result of the matter raised by the MLA from Pahalgam, Rafi Ahmed Mir of the PDP. He pointed out that the Social Welfare Department had organised an awareness camp for women in his constituency and the minister concerned was the chief guest.Still, the department did not send him any invitation.

“As I belong to the Opposition, the government has been trying to ignore me in public functions in my constituency,” Mir said. He further asked, “Why the department concerned did not send me any invitation before holding any public function in my constituency. Even the defeated candidate of this constituency was invited to the camp”.

Mir further said in this type of situation, how a state could even think about the development, where the elected representatives were not being invited to public occasions.

Meanwhile, a few other MLAs also raised the same issue and demanded action. In her reply, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Ittoo said: “The department had organised an awareness camp for women welcoming everyone.We cannot stop or resist anyone from entering any awareness camp.”

The Speaker took swift action and sought the cooperation of ministers by suggesting them that the MLAs of each respective constituency should be formally invited to any public function.

“It is my personal suggestion, not an order, that ministers should send invitations to MLAs of their respective areas, where any such public function is going to be held,” he added.

Srinagar, March 14
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who represents his home constituency of Ganderbal, had an extensive tour of Ganderbal district yesterday and had a feel of the problems faced by the people, besides taking stock of various ongoing projects.

The works include hospitals, Gund Roshan Narian Bridge, Shadipora Bridge and Jawahar Novadya Vidyalay, Hathbara. A large number of deputations from various areas met the Chief Minister and apprised him of their problems and put forth their demands.

The Chief Minister also inspected the land identified for the setting up of the central university at Ganderbal. Omar directed the Deputy Commissioner to restrict the acquiring of proprietary land for the purpose to minimum possible extent.

The Chief Minister inspected the 20-bedded Maternity Hospital at Vail, coming up at a cost of Rs 179.04 lakh. An amount of Rs 161 lakh has been spent so far. The Chief Minister directed the executing agencies concerned to complete the work by July. He also directed for preparing a project report for the central heating system for the hospital and residential quarters.

Omar also inspected Rs 107 lakh cost 20-bedded hospital at Watlar. The hospital is spread over an area of 4088 cft. The hospital is fully equipped with all facilities. The Chief Minister directed the executing agencies to utilise the space properly.

The Chief Minister also paid obeisance at Ziarat Mir Baba Haider, Tulmullah, and prayed for peace and prosperity of the state.

Omar later inspected the Gund Rosham Narian Bridge, which would connect Palapora, Saidapora and the Cement Bridge. He also took stock of the work of Shadipora Bridge.

Jammu, March 14
With bad roads and an acutely understaffed Traffic Police Department continuing to take a heavy toll of precious lives in the state every year, elders yesterday cornered Transport Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon in the Upper House, leaving no choice for deputy chairman Arvinder Singh Micky but to fix a discussion on the issue.

The Tribune had reported in November last year that more than 3,500 persons were killed in road accidents across the Jammu region alone in the past five years. In 2006, nearly 1,000 persons lost their lives in 5,593 road mishaps across the state.

After National Conference legislator TS Wazir hurled a volley of supplementary queries on Akhoon during Question Hour, the latter was found wanting.

“I want to know how many traffic cops, who were found involved in dereliction of duty resulting into loss of human lives, were suspended and convicted under the law,” Wazir asked Akhoon, who amidst the din repeatedly presented comparative figures of violators penalised in 2009 and 2008. However, Wazir kept on demanding a discussion.

Akhoon candidly admitted that frequent road mishaps had become an issue of grave concern for the entire state. He also referred to a high-powered committee constituted by the government to check traffic violations to prevent road accidents.

“We certainly act tough with the traffic police officers under whose jurisdiction mishaps happen,” Akhoon said. However, the minister’s reply failed to satisfy legislators, who,cutting across party lines, expressed serious concern about the situation.

They charged the government with laidback attitude on an issue that required immediate attention and reconciliatory measures.

Congress legislator Abdul Gani Vakil expressed regret over Akhoon’s half-baked reply.

“People are killed on roads almost every day, but this government is not doing enough to check frequent mishaps,” he said.

Vakil also wanted to know how many traffic cops were convicted over the years and what was the outcome of inquiries ordered into road mishaps from time to time, particularly in high-accident prone erstwhile Doda district, including Ramban and Kishtwar.

Congress legislators Naresh Kumar Gupta, Bashir Ahmed Magray and NC legislator Mohammed Rashid Qureshi also aired their concern.

Much to the discomfiture of Akhoon, the deputy chairman conceded the request of the members for a half-an- hour discussion during the current Budget session.

As many as 4,472 road accidents have occurred in the erstwhile Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir and a large number of persons have lost their lives in the past 10 years. Still the authorities do not seem to take any steps to save precious lives.

After verifying the records procured from the state Transport Department, it was observed that there are a number of reasons for causing deaths on roads.

The reasons behind the increasing number of accidents taking place in this area became a matter of debate recently in the Legislative Assembly during the Question Hour, when MLA from Banihal, Vikar Rasool of the Congress, raised the question by terming it the most important issue of his constituency.

He asked: “A large number of accidents have occurred in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, which are now being considered as the most accident-prone districts. Whether the government has taken any measures to keep a check on the number of accidents?”

Before the reply of the minister concerned, a number of MLAs from various parties supported the question and demanded immediate steps in the regard.

Minister for Transport Qamar Ali in his reply said: “Yes, a large number of accidents have taken place in this decade and the inhabitants of these three districts are most affected with the mishaps. The government is seriously contemplating over the issue and has taken a number of steps to save the lives.”

He added that the department had already allotted new buses in these three regions to solve the problem.

However, Rasool, terming it an unsatisfactory reply by Qamar, came into the first row of the Assembly and finally staged a walkout from the House.

Meanwhile, another MLA Indu Pawar supported the question and asked a related question. She asked: “What are the major reasons for increasing road accidents in Doda and Kishtwar districts?”

Qamar told the House that there were a number of reasons responsible for road mishaps in this particular area and the department was preparing a list of reasons. “Poor road surface, overloading, negligent driving and lack of adequate public transportation are the major reasons causing accidents in this hilly area,” said Qamar.

He further said several measures, including the plying of adequate number of vehicles, retrials of drivers, campaign against errant drivers using cellphones while driving and awareness campaigns, had been taken to avert road accidents.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Jammu (West) Chaman Lal Gupta raised a question: “Why the government does not give compensation to those families who did not get the body of their kins killed in any road mishap?”

However, Qamar denied over the delay in providing compensation to the families of the deceased. He said: “The government has given the compensation to all affected families and they can’t pass any law themselves”.

Udhampur, March 14
Chief of Army Staff Gen Deepak Kapoor, who is due to retire on March 31 after putting in more than 42 years of distinguished service to the nation, yesterday arrived on a farewell visit to the Northern Command headquarters.

His wife and president of the Central Family Welfare Organisation (FWO), Kirti Kapoor, accompanied him.

Lt-Gen BS Jaswal, GOC-in-C Northern Command; and Ritu Jaswal, president, FWO, Northern Command; received them.

As per Lt-Col Biplab Nath, officiating PRO, Northern Command, General Kapoor’s long association with Jammu and Kashmir began with the command of the Rampur Brigade deployed on the LoC from 1995 to 1997, for which he was awarded the Sena Medal.

His tenure as the Army Commander, Northern Command, between September 2005 and December 2006, witnessed a major impact in terms of a turnaround in the prevailing security situation.

For his commendable efforts, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in January, 2007.

During his visit, he interacted with senior officers of the Northern Command and was briefed by Genenral Jaswal, on the security situation in the state.

Srinagar, March 14
Several parts of the Kashmir valley experienced a mild tremor of 4.5 magnitude on the Richter scale late last night. It was experienced at about 10.15 pm and lasted a few seconds.

According to Aamir Ali from the Disaster Management, Kashmir, and OSD with the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, the epicentre of the quake situated in the Ladakh region was 38 km deep.

There were no reports of any damage or loss of life as a result of the earthquake, he said.

Jammu, March 14
So far turning out to be a wild goose chase for more than 35 state awardees, the government has promised in the Upper House to felicitate them soon.

The Tribune, on January 20 had reported that more than 35 awardees belonging to Jammu and Kashmir had not been awarded by the state government. While 20 of them were chosen for the award on Republic Day in 2008, 17 were chosen on January 26 last year.

The issue was taken up yesterday during Question Hour by Congress legislator Amrit Malhotra, who said delay in conferring state awards to the selected personalities was an insult to them.

Litterateur, sportspersons, artists, journalists and people from other walks of life like performing arts, bravery, arts and crafts, social reforms and empowerment, public service, environment and industrial entrepreneurship were chosen for the state awards in the past three years, but, ironically, they had not been honoured till date, he said.

Technical Education, Sports Minister RS Chib attributed the delay in holding the ceremony due to restrictions imposed by the Election Commission in the wake of the Assembly and LS elections. “However, the ceremony will be held soon,” he said.

Jammu, March 14
‘Jonk’, a famous Hindi comedy play written by Upender Nath ‘Ashk’ and directed by Sumeet Sharma, was staged here at Natrang Studio Theatre as part of its Sunday theatre series.

The classical comedy, ‘Jonk’, is based on the story of an intruder who disturbs the life of a newlywed professor.

Looking at the miserable condition of the couple, the professor’s friend plans a theatrical act for them to throw this unwanted guest out of their home.

As part of a plan, he advises them to leave the house pretending to go to in-laws’ place to another city so that the guest would be forced to look for some other place. While they are planning all this, the unwanted guest enters. Despite enacting the planned drama, the ‘sticky’ man is not ready to move out of their place, and on the contrary takes the charge of their kitchen and treats them with delicious dishes.

Finally, the professor declares to leave for a distant place, with the excuse that his wife is not well. To their shock, the unwanted guest accompanies them to their next destination.

A traditional comedy set in a one-act style was a big challenge for the actors to maintain its pace. But young actors gave excellent performance.

Mohit Sharma as professor and Bela Thappa as Kamla were successful in portraying their agony and frustration created by an intruder in their life. Pankush Verma as the helping friend was equally good in his role. The role of unwanted guest, Banwari Lal, was played by Rohit Verma, who reflected praiseworthy histrionics. Rahul Singh played the role of the ‘neighbor’ and also operated the lights. Anita Dhar did the presentation and the show was coordinated by Mohd. Yaseen.