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Fed up with govt promises, others to follow in Shabnam’s footsteps
UPA playing with fire in Kashmir, says Rajnath
Crop over 44 kanals gutted
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Cong infighting becomes murkier
Sikhs throng border village to celebrate Baisakhi
Peace imperative for development: Mehbooba
Appointment of Central Varsity VC
Kupwara ‘Encounter’
1 held for harassing girl over phone
Maintain record, Rather directs treasury officers
Fire at substation disrupts power supply
Erratic cellphone services irk residents
Security in Jammu region reviewed
Stone of girls’ hostel laid
Geelani meets Afzal Guru
Armyman found dead
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Fed up with govt promises, others to follow in Shabnam’s footsteps
I have decided to lodge my complaint with the Chief Minister’s complaint redressal cell to get monetary relief and if the Chief Minister
fails to do so, we will surely follow the step taken by Shabnam — Nazia Khan, whose husband surrendered in 2004
Jammu, April 18 Sources in the CID said Shabnam with other Kashmiri migrants had threatened to immolate themselves outside the relief commissioner’s office tomorrow at 12 noon. “I have decided to lodge my complaint with the Chief Minister’s complaint redressal cell to get monetary relief and if the Chief Minister fails to do so, we will surely follow the step taken by Shabnam,” said Nazia Khan, whose husband surrendered in 2004. She added that not even a single penny had been given to their family by the state government as per the surrender policy. “On the one hand, we are not getting any relief and on the other hand, the state government is devising a policy to rehabilitate those militants, who had crossed over to PoK for arms training and are now ready to denounce violence,” said Amina, a resident of Doda. Apart from Shabnam, Fatima and Amina, there are large number of families in the state, who were promised to be rehabilitated, but still waiting for relief. “Now, Monday will decide the fate of Shabnam and others like us, who are waiting to get any help for rehabilitation from the government,” said Sakina of Jammu whose husband, a surrendered militant, expired last year. Meanwhile, the security wing of the state police suspended four police personnel, including
an ASI, for breach in the Chief Minister’s security at Civil Secretariat on Friday. SS Bali, DIG (Security), said: “One Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and three jawans have been suspended in this regard.” A senior police officer said taking precautionary measures, a police party comprising lady constables had been deputed outside the relief commissioner’s office for tomorrow, so that no one could violate the law. |
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UPA playing with fire in Kashmir, says Rajnath
Jammu, April 18 “On the one hand, the UPA has been trying to appease separatists by accepting their demands while on the other hand, nationalist forces in the state are demoralised,” Rajnath said while addressing the concluding session of the executive committee meeting of the state BJP. He also expressed surprise that the Jammu region had more population, but less Assembly seats. “It is a glaring example of discrimination with the nationalist forces in the state,” he observed. “Since 1947, people of the Jammu region have been discriminated in one or other way,” he said, alleging that successive state governments had meted stepmotherly treatment to the region. “The inherent confusion of the Congress has forced the UPA to live in a perpetual confusion on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and it confuses the people with its whimsical ideas on autonomy,” he said. The former BJP chief observed that the demand of greater autonomy was a flawed and hackneyed idea advocated vehemently by the Kashmiri separatists, who were bent upon to implement Pakistan’s agenda in the state. “By pursuing secret diplomacy in collusion with the Kashmiri separatists, the Union Government is not only playing with fire but also with the sentiments of people as it does not have the mandate to go against the spirit of the 1994 Parliament resolution,” he said. Rajnath Singh also expressed concern over the UPA government’s intention to dilute or repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and supported the view of present Chief of Army General VK Singh, who has clearly said any dilution of the AFSPA would impinge adversely on the manner in which the Armed Forces operate. |
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Crop over 44 kanals gutted
Simbal, April 18 Exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained, but the villagers were of the view that the fire erupted due short circuit in electric wires passing above the fields and it spread due to high-speed winds. “Earlier, we assumed that someone might have thrown a cigarette in the fields that might have led to the mishap, but later a villager said he had seen a spark in the wires that could be the reason behind the incident,” said Gurmeet Singh, a villager. Though the villagers had informed the Fire and Emergency Department officials, but they reached late, causing a loss of lakhs of rupees to the farmers. “The entire crop had turned into ashes when a fire fighting vehicle reached the village,” the villagers said, expressing disappointment over the incident. “The wheat was ready for harvesting. We lost crop on about 10 kanals in the fire,” said Kamla Devi, one of the victim. Another victim Bishambar Dass, who lost crop on 1.5 kanals, said: “My elder son received burn injuries on face while dousing the flames. The villagers helped to douse the fire.”
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Cong infighting becomes murkier
Jammu, April 18 Chib is known for his proximity with Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saif-ud Din Soz. Instead of directly attacking Soz, the pro-Azad faction has zeroed in on Chib, who had allegedly passed unsavory remarks against some leaders of the rival factions while addressing a function in the valley on Saturday. “Chib has crossed his limits and it is high time that action be taken against him,” observed BS Sambyal, chairman of Congress Sewa Dal. He said a meeting of senior party leaders was held today which discussed the episode. The speakers, in one voice, condemned the incident. The leaders of pro-Azad faction termed Chib as a “professional defector” who, according to them, has fought nine elections on non-Congress mandate. It is learnt that a faction within the party wanted to project Chib as the Deputy Chief Minister so pro-Azad faction was targeting him. Present Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand is heading the pro-Azad faction in the state. His rivals within the party want to replace him with their own man. Meanwhile, according to a handout issued by the party, an emergent meeting was held today in this regard. Former ministers like Jugal Kishore Sharma, Suman Bhagat and Garu Ram, PCC general secretaries Vinod Sharma and Hans Raj Bhagat along with other senior leaders questioned the decision of Chib to hold a parallel meeting from the spot where the Union Health Minister was paying homage to a former minister. They also demanded sacking of the minister for fueling factionalism within the party.
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Sikhs throng border village to celebrate Baisakhi
Uri, April 18 The village, which was once witness to hostilities between India and Pakistan, today stands as an example of communal harmony as the gurdwara on the banks of the Jehlum shares its wall with a shrine of a Muslim saint. Every year on the first Sunday following Baisakhi, Sikhs from across the valley throng the gurdwara, which is built in memory of sixth Sikh Guru
Hargobind who had visited this place. It is believed that Param Pilan got its name after the people observed that after crossing the river colour of their skin turned yellow. “This is a historical place. Every year on the first Sunday following Baisakhi, the Sikhs from across the valley come to this place, which is situated amidst the mighty mountains,” said a devotee, Prithipal Singh. The gurdwara building was damaged in an earthquake in 2005, but construction on the new
structure is going on at a fast pace. To reach there, one has to cross the Jehlum on a rope bridge as the current of the water is so high that a concrete bridge cannot be constructed on it. After crossing the river, one has
to trek treacherous mountainous terrain. “Not only the Sikhs, but also the residents of the entire Uri tehsil worship at this place. Every year we come here to pay obeisance,” said Tilak Raj, a resident of Uri. However, the community is not happy with the state government for its failure to repair the approach road to this gurdwara. The condition of the road has been responsible for various mishaps. “The successive state governments have turned a blind eye towards our problem. Today also due to rainfall the devotees had to face hardships as the road had become slippery and it was risky to drive,” said Jagjit Singh, a devotee.
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Peace imperative for development: Mehbooba
Srinagar, April 18 “Both process of peace and development should go simultaneously because accelerating development activities is impossible without peace and tranquillity”, she said, adding that “ the self-rule proposal of the PDP was the only viable solution for establishing lasting peace in the region”. “Wishes and aspirations of all sections of the society have been incorporated in the self-rule document”, she said. Reiterating the resolve of her party to pursue the pro-peace agenda, she said: “ The PDP has shown in the past that it can facilitate the resolution process with prudence, and it is ready to shoulder the responsibility of taking the process to its logical conclusion.” Expressing concern over lack of basic facilities in the rural areas, she said since its formation, the National Conference-led coalition appears only on papers and at grassroots level not even a single promise has been implemented. She said during campaign of the assembly elections, the National Conference had made a number of promises with the people but these promises were yet to be translated into reality. The PDP chief demanded that irrigation facilities should be streamlined so that farmers of the belt could cultivate their land in time. She demanded that the PHC should be set up at Losedhanev and Nagbal areas with deployment of adequate staff and installation of proper infrastructure. She also demanded digging of wells, especially in those areas where people have been facing drinking water scarcity.
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Appointment of Central Varsity VC Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 18 “The delay in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor shall further delay the whole process of the establishment of the Central University, whereas the Central University in the Kashmir province has started its functioning more than a year ago”, said Capt Anil Gour, vice-president and spokesman of JSM, while addressing a press conference. “This delay would also harm the interests of the students and people of Jammu province. The session for the new admissions is going to start shortly and any further delay in appointing the Vice-Chancellor shall amount to not starting the academic session this year and postponing the establishment of the Jammu Central University by one more year,” he observed. The JSM also demanded that a person from the Jammu region should be appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the upcoming Jammu Central University.
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FIR
against Armymen Tribune News Service
Srinagar, April 18 The Army had claimed that it had killed a foreign militant in the encounter, but the deceased later turned out to be a beggar. The district administration yesterday asked the police to file an FIR against the Army in this regard. A case under Section 302 of the RPC was registered at Handwara police station against the 6RR battalion which claimed to have killed the “militant”, police officer said. Meanwhile, tragedy has revisited the Khan family after 12 years. Ahmadullah Khan, the eldest of the three sons of Habibullah, was then killed by the army allegedly in a fake encounter. Since then, Habibullah had been looking after the family. “Ahmadullah’s children were infants when their father was killed. We, too, were small. Our father used to do menial jobs to earn a livelihood for all of us,” said Raj Mohammad Khan, younger son of Habibullah, and added, when his heath started deteriorating, his father took to begging to feed and educate his grandchildren. Angered over the killing of Ahmadullah, his younger brother crossed the border to take up arms training but never returned, said Raj Mohammad Khan. Meanwhile, the PDP has blamed the NC-led government for the killing of innocent civilians while separatists have described the killing as ‘state terrorism unleashed by India’.
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1 held for harassing girl over phone
Jammu, April 18 SHO of Bus Stand police station Parvez Sajjad said: “We had received a complaint from the girl and located the position of cellphone being used to call the complainant. A raid was conducted in Tikri area of Udhampur today, where Jasbir Singh was nabbed while other accused is absconding.” He further said both accused - namely Jasbir Singh and Yashpal - were involved in such activities earlier also. The SHO said, “The accused has admitted that they used to purchase SIM cards through fake documents.” He further stated that it was found that the cellphone connection was purchased in the name of an Udhampur-based businessman. “We are also trying to find out the dealer who had sold mobile connection on fake documents,” said the SHO. The Udhampur police had also been requested to look into the matter. Jammu SSP Basant Kumar Rath said: “Immediately after getting the information about the accused, a police party led by SHO Sajjad was rushed to Udhampur and the accused was nabbed.” He further said the search was on to trace the other accused.
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Maintain record, Rather directs treasury officers
Jammu, April 18 The minister was addressing the Sixth review meeting of the Department of Accounts and Treasuries and allied organisations here today. The meeting discussed various issues and strict enforcement of financial discipline and proper maintenance of
essential treasury records and registers. The minister asked them to work with responsibility and behave with people in a good manner and submit accounts properly
well in time. Rather directed all treasury officers to survey their respective areas and identify the land for the construction of treasury complexes for which the funds would be provided. He said all the 114 treasuries of the state would be computerised by March, 2011. Threadbare discussions were held with
regard to various issues, including audit, monitoring and cash management, condition of red accounts,
issuance of permanent pension account number in favour of the employees appointed from January Ist, 2010 and issuance of General Provident Fund Schedules. |
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Fire at substation disrupts power supply
Jammu, April 18 “The substation caught fire due to short-circuit of loosely hung wires triggered by strong winds at around 11:30 am. Consequently, the nearby dry bushes caught the sparks and went up in flames,” said Tej Krishan, in charge of Fire and Emergency Services, Roop Nagar. “In the fire some main cables got damaged and had to be replaced,” he said, adding: “Two fire tenders and 20 firefighters were pressed into service and it took us about two hours to douse the flames.” Executive Engineer (Sub-Transmission Division-I) Ravi Kapoor said: “The fire broke out in the outgoing feeder but did not cause any loss to the substation. Power supply was disrupted for some time and was restored at around 2:30 pm.” Meanwhile, supply remained disrupted in Rampura and adjoining localities from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. According to Power Development Department officials, the supply was snapped in the area for repair and replacement of transmission wires for two hours. The delay occurred as the manpower had to be diverted to Janipur substation in the view of the incident. |
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Erratic cellphone services irk residents
Srinagar, April 18 “I use a BSNL cellphone and pay a monthly rental of Rs 725, but since morning, I was unable to make a single call. I am totally out of touch with everybody,” Ishfaq Ahmed, a local resident, said, and added, “Such is the quality of the services in the valley that a person in the next room is shown out of reach,” The subscribers said this was not the first time they faced the
problem. It had become a routine as most of the companies in the valley ‘don’t bother about the complaints’. “They should either provide quality services as they provide in other states or should stop
these. It is an agony for the subscribers who despite paying hefty amounts don’t get good services,” said Tabsuam Rashid, a college lecturer. Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had come down heavily on the 12 providers in the state and termed the cellphone services below standard. The TRAI had asked the companies to take steps to improve their services. “The problem is not confined to one service provider but all are facing it as their subscriber base has increased against the infrastructure,” said a telecom expert.
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Security in Jammu region reviewed
Jammu, April 18 General Roy complimented the security forces, intelligence agencies and the civil administration for achieving a high degree of synergy, harmony and coordination amongst themselves towards a common and national cause and also handling of internal security situation across the region. He stressed the need to maintain continuous pressure and moral ascendancy over the terrorists, who have, by and large been marginalised. He further emphasised that the coming months were crucial and, hence, the security forces should remain extra vigilant to neutralise the designs of anti-national elements. The meeting ended with a resolve to maintain continuous pressure on terrorists and ensure that complete peace was maintained in the region.
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Stone of girls’ hostel laid
Jammu, April 18 The hostel is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore being funded by the ICAR. Addressing faculty and students, Ayyappan called upon scientists for innovative solutions to overcome issues like rising input costs, drought and blurring distinction between domestic and international markets.He also emphasised that the need of the hour was entrepreneurship development as the state had varied agro-climatic zones. Ayyappan also stressed the conservation of bio-diversity. Meanwhile, B Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, read out a report on the status of agriculture and allied sectors in the state, besides several achievements of the varsity. |
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Geelani meets Afzal Guru
Srinagar, April 18 He became the first separatist leader to meet Guru, who is on the death row after the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence
in 2004. The mercy plea of Guru, who hails from Sopore, the hometown of Geelani, is also pending with the President. Describing Guru as innocent, Geelani told a congregation that he was framed for being Kashmiri. He said: “State terrorism is the worst as it uses its machinery against innocent people.”
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Armyman found dead
Jammu, April 18 It further said the deceased had come to the city yesterday and was on his way to Srinagar to join his duty. “The body was found lying on the backside of the mess of the transit camp,” the police said. Meanwhile, inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC have been initiated in this regard. |
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Jammu, April 18
Srinagar, April 18
