|
|
Rajouri Encounter
Ex-CRPF officer ‘humiliated’ by force
Agitating Employees’ Demands |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sikhs protest against govt apathy
Members of the Sikh community hold a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday.
Photo: Amin War
Canal de-silting nuisance for residents
Property Dispute
Panun Kashmir’s public contact drive ends
Bees good pollinators, help improve fruit quality, says VC
Kapil visits border areas of Rajouri, Palma
Kapil Dev interacts with personnnel of the Romeo Force during a visit to the forward areas of
Rajouri on Wednesday.
Minister pays surprise visit to hospitals
16 shops sealed for non-payment of rent
Bhalla inspects community hall work
Remand of BSF officer, jawan extended
Avalanche warning in Kargil
|
|
Two more jawans, militant killed
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 31 Troops of 63, 60 and 48 Rashtriya Rifles killed the four foreign mercenaries, all Pakistan nationals, who belonged to the LeT, Brigadier General Staff 16 Corps, Brig Gurdeep Singh, told The Tribune. The slain ultras have been identified as Abu Zarar, Abu Abdullah, Abu Shoaib and Abu Osama junior, all Pakistan nationals, the Army officer added. “After losing one soldier yesterday,we also lost two more today while two other jawans were injured in the gunfight, which is still on,” Brig Gurdeep said. While rifleman Ram Prasad, sepoy Mastan Khan and havildar Surjeet Singh were martyred, rifleman Suraj Kumar and sepoy Chattar Singh were injured. The injured soldiers were admitted to hospital. “Though our troops have eliminated four militants in Rajouri so far, the operation is still on to track down at least two to three more ultras,” said Brig Gurdeep. The security forces killed three ultras late last night and had laid a cordon around the forests.This morning a fresh gunfight broke out. Since adequate forces were taking part in the operation, as of now there was no requirement to airdrop soldiers in the area, he added. About the Reasi incident close to Triyath bordering Rajouri district, the Army officer said the security forces had launched an operation in Bagla forests to track down two other LeT militants. Official sources said that ultras killed in the Rajouri encounter also carried eatables manufactured by Pakistan-based companies.
|
|
Ex-CRPF officer ‘humiliated’ by force
Jammu, March 31 In the absence of a retired service certificate he cannot seek reemployment. Claiming that he remained in the Prime Minister’s security right from Rajiv Gandhi’s days to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pangotra says that despite several reminders to the authorities concerned he has not got any response. “I have taken up the matter with the IGP, CRPF, Srinagar, and the DGP, Srinagar, a number of times, besides writing to the Union Home Minister, but no action has been taken so far,” Pangotra said. He had also won President’s Police Medal. He maintained that there were some discrepancies in the disbursement of his pension also. “I retired on October 31, 2008, from 184 Bn CRPF (IRLA No. 5150) but my monthly pension was affected from January 2009 at the rate of Rs 15,451 per month up to April 2009. But from May 2009 onwards my pension was reduced to Rs 11,841 per month without citing any reasons,” he said. “Even If I calculate my salary at the rate of Rs 11,841 per month since retirement, there is a difference of Rs 3,610,” he said. “I wrote to the Central Pension Accounting Office, New Delhi, for clearance after intimating the Deputy Director Accounts, CRPF, New Delhi, but I did not get any reply till date,” he said. “After having served for 34 years in the force, it is disheartening to get such a treatment,” Pangotra rued. “I feel humiliated at the hands of the CRPF, as it seems that there is no regard for the rights of retired officers. Emotional values in the department have vanished and degradation in ethical values has assumed disturbing dimensions,” he alleged. IGP, CRPF, Krishna Reddy expressed ignorance over the matter saying he had taken over the charge recently. However, he said: “Such things are not expected in our organisation. If his grievances are true, instead of going to the media he should come to the office.”
|
|
PDP, Panthers Party boycott all-party meeting
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 31 The meeting was called to discuss issues pertaining to the payment of arrears on account of implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations and the enhancement of the retirement age from 58 years to 60 years. The PDP and the Panthers Party boycotted the meeting and alleged that instead of discharging its routine duties, the government was trying to make it an issue to divert the attention of the people, especially the agitating employees. “What is the need of calling an all-party meeting on this issue. It is a routine matter of government functioning”, said PDP spokesman while defending the party’s decision to boycott today’s meeting. He added the PDP had already made its stand clear on the employees’ demands. At the outset, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave the background of the state of the economy and reiterated the commitment of the government to resolve all issues of employees. The participants deliberated at length on various aspects of the issue of the enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, particularly in the context of its impact on the ever- increasing problem of unemployment. As no clear consensus could be evolved on this highly sensitive issue, it was decided that this needed to be deliberated upon further with different stakeholders, including the employees, with a view to arriving at a fair and rational conclusion. Regarding the issue of payment of arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission, which requires a whooping Rs 4200 crore, it was unanimously resolved to approach the Centre.
|
|
Sikhs protest against govt apathy
Srinagar, March 31 Holding banners and placards, the members of the community, representing different social and political organisations, led by Jagmohan Singh Raina, coordinator of the All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), Manjeet Singh, president, AISSF, and others highlighted their problems in the state, particularly in the valley. The protest held near Nehru Park overlooking the Dal Lake had banners reading “Save Dal Save Minority”, “Punjabi Language Compulsory Optional Subject”, “Special Employment Package for Sikh Youth”, “Compensation for land and orchard unattended for the last 22 years” and “Provincial Authority for Grant of State Subject Certificate”. In his address, Raina said the Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir had a number of times apprised the state and central governments of their problems, but they had been
ignored. The authorities had been turning a “blind eye and apparently have forgotten the Sikhs, especially those in the
valley”, said Raina. On the whole, they were facing social and political problems, especially in Kashmir, he added, and held that due to the apathetic approach of the state and central governments, the Sikhs lived in fear, which had led to a gradual decrease in their population in the valley. The leaders also alleged that the state government paid no heed to the community as a whole and added that the Sikhs were subject to harassment in government offices and delay tactics, particularly in the issuance of “State Subject Certificate”, jobs in government departments, and “Backward Certificate”, which otherwise, was the prime need of the Sikhs living in the state in view of Article 370. Raina pointed out that the neglect of the Sikh community was a result of the “game of
votebank”. He said the Sikhs had played a key role in the development of the
state, but were now being ignored. |
|
|
Canal de-silting nuisance for residents
Jammu, March 31 The apathy of the department can be gauged from the fact that silt removed from canals in some areas has been placed on their banks instead of shifting it to a proper dumping place. The silt placed on the banks of the canals adjacent to the main road is inconveniencing residents of Bohri, Anand Nagar and Manoharama Vihar localities, as with traffic movement silt either falls back into the canals or gets splashed on passersby. A week ago, the department had removed silt from the canals in these localities but it had not lifted silt from the banks of the canals. The residents alleged that despite spending crores of rupees on the de-silting process, the department had done ineffective work. They further said the accumulated silt even entered their houses. However, in some localities of the Talab Tillo area, the de-silting process is yet to start. The irrigation canal passing through this area looks like a drain and is blocked with garbage and filth. The area residents and shopkeepers, who have shops adjacent to the canal, alleged that besides emitting foul smell, the canal had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies. |
|
|
Banquet hall owner kills brother-in-law
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 31 The police said the victim and the accused had heated arguments and around 3 pm Kulbhushan allegedly opened fire on Sanjay at the latter’s house, resulting in his (Sanjay’s) death. Kuljit Sharma, a student staying as a tenant in the deceased’s house, also sustained a bullet injury in his hand while pacifying both of them. He was admitted to hospital. Official sources said this could a result of an old dispute as the two families had some differences Naresh Sharma, in charge, Rehari police post, said: “A case has been registered and we are investigating the matter.” Another police officer said the body was handed over to the family of the deceased. Later in the evening, Manju, the wife of the deceased, was also shifted to the hospital as she collapsed after seeing the body of her husband. The deceased is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. A case under Section 302, RPC, has been registered in this regard and the accused is still at large.
|
|
|
Panun Kashmir’s public contact drive ends
Jammu, March 31 During the last one month, activists of the organisation toured a number of areas in the Jammu province under the leadership of Chrungoo and other leaders of the organisation. They held a series of meetings with people there. The Panun Kashmir leadership was apprised of the problems faced by people in various areas due to the negligence of government agencies. People demanded that the enhancement in the relief amount, which was overdue now, should be announced by the government. They complained that the employment package was not being implemented in the right manner and a lot of conditions were being imposed. |
|
|
Bees good pollinators, help improve fruit quality, says VC
Srinagar, March 31 “This will also ensure negligible fruit drop and good fruit set, besides improving quality as well as size of fruit,” said Farooqui. He was speaking during a three-day training programme on “Management of Honey Bee Diseases” organised by the division of entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir that ended today. Asking beekeepers to start the venture of branded product, processing and packaging on scientific lines, Prof Anwar Alam, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said, “Bees are good pollinators and play a significant role in improving fruit production and maintenance of ecology and promotion of agriculture.” He suggested the field functionaries of the Agriculture Department, beekeepers and educated unemployed youths to think of taking preventive and curative measures well in anticipation to avoid loss to bee colonies due to diseases. Anwar also stressed on imparting training to stakeholders for the multiplication of queen bee activity so that bee colonies were readily available to farmers and orchardists. Dr AR Trag, Director Research of the university, emphasised that farmers should adopt integrated farming practices in their fields in order to harvest best economic returns. |
|
|
Kapil visits border areas of Rajouri, Palma
Jammu, March 31 He interacted with the soldiers of the 156 Infantry Battalion, Territorial Army, and praised them for a challenging role they are playing in combating insurgency. He further strengthened his bonding with the Territorial Army by visiting and interacting with the troops of the 106 and 160 Territorial Army Battalions in Rajouri district. Kapil, during interaction with the Officiating General Officer Commanding and staff at the Headquarters, Romeo Force, applauded the skills of the soldiers of the Rashtriya Rifles in combating terrorists in the area. He also met the General Officer Commanding, 25 Infantry Division, and conveyed his regards to the soldiers guarding the Line of Control (LoC). Later, he visited the LoC at Bhimber Gali and had a feel of staying in bunkers along with the troops deployed. To inspire the young minds, he visited Army Goodwill Public School at Rajouri and impressed upon the children to work hard to achieve what they desire for a better India tomorrow. |
|
|
Minister pays surprise visit to hospitals
Jammu, March 31 The minister inspected various units and wards of these hospitals and issued necessary instructions to the administration for further improving the facilities. He directed the Medical Superintendent to ensure proper sanitation in and around Gandhi Nagar Hospital and speed up the renovation work of the old building. He also directed the hospital management to ensure that the vehicles of staff and visitors were parked at the earmarked space. Warning against any laxity by the hospital staff, the minister said performance of every individual was being monitored and stern action would be taken against such officials. Sham said the government was making all out efforts to provide better working environment for the doctors and para-medical staff in the government institutions. He said recently, the government had announced incentives for the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) doctors and para-medicos, and it was expected that they would deliver as per prescribed norms. |
|
|
16 shops sealed for non-payment of rent
Jammu, March 31 According to a statement issued here, the shops were sealed under the ongoing drive for the recovery of rent /arrears from the
allottees, conducted under the supervision of Charandeep Singh, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) of the Municipal Corporation, in Dogra Hall, Trikuta Complex, Bakshi
Nagar, Krishna Nagar, near Science College, Ware House, Nai Basti and Ashok
Nagar. Commissioner Mubarak Singh has appealed to the allottees to pay the rent in time. He also appealed to them to clear the arrears through the revenue staff of the corporation or deposit the same in the Municipal Corporation to avoid proceedings under the provision of the J&K Municipal Corporation Act, 2000. |
|
|
Bhalla inspects community hall work
Jammu, March 31 While addressing the public, Bhalla said: “With the completion of this hall, people of Babliana, Gangyal and its adjoining areas will be able to celebrate religious and social functions at nominal charges.” He appealed to the people to avail the benefits of the state and centrally sponsored schemes. He further told the executing agencies to complete the ongoing development works within stipulated time frame by using quality
material. — TNS |
|
|
Remand of BSF officer, jawan extended
Srinagar, March 31 Commandant RK Birdi and constable Lakhvinder Kumar, whose 10-day judicial remand ended today, were produced before the court of sub-registrar, which extended the custody for six days. Birdi was arrested on March 4 after he surrendered before the police in connection with the killing of 16-year-old Zahid Farooq on February 5 at Brein-Nishat, near here.
— PTI |
|
|
Avalanche warning in Kargil
Srinagar, March 31 The low danger warning was jointly
issued by the Disaster Management, Kashmir, and the Snow and Avalanche
Study Establishment (SASE) for higher reaches of Drass, Bhimbet, Kaksar
and Handerbroke in the mountainous Kargil district in the frontier
region of Ladakh. The high altitude areas of the Kashmir and the Ladakh
regions experienced fresh snowfall on March 29, while plains, including
Srinagar, were lashed by incessant rains, bringing down the temperatures
to almost normal. The change in the weather conditions, which also
ended the nearly month-long dry spell, also came as a big relief for the
farming community. Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a high of 19°C and a
low of 7°C today. — PTI |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Jammu, March 31
Members of the Sikh community held a peaceful protest here today to express their concern about the state government’s apathy to their problems. They blamed parties and the state and central governments for neglecting the Sikhs in the Kashmir valley, who had been forced to live in fear, resulting in a gradual decrease in their population.
Jammu, March 31
