Jammu, May 1
Many shopkeepers and members of market associations today opposed the bandh call given against the proposed selection of the Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Jammu. According to them, shutting down the city frequently was not the way to find a solution to every confronting issue.

The bandh call was given by the Jammu Central University Morcha (JCUM), a joint body of many political and non-political organisations, that is opposing the candidature of Prof Amitabh Mattoo in the proposed panel of names for post of Vice-Chancellor of the central university.

The BJP, Panthers Party and the Jammu State Morcha were the main parties which had called the bandh over the issue.

Jammu is infamous as a city of protests with nearly 3,000 protests taking place here on issues ranging from separate statehood to the installation of a generator in the university to the bad condition of toilets.

But it is probably for the first time that traders of Raghunath Bazaar, Gummat Market and Hari Market in the city opened their shops saying the shutdown hits the economy of the state, especially during the tourist season.

“We support all issues of Jammuites. We have shut down shops in the past on the issue of discrimination against Jammu. But bandhs hit us and the economy of the state. This is the tourist season. Don’t drive away them,” said Surinder Gupta, president of the Raghunath Market Association.

The shopkeepers here opposed the forcible closure of shops. A major clash was averted due to the presence of policemen in the area.

The minibus transport was not hit and schools and banks, barring a few private institutions, functioned normally. And by the afternoon, the city returned to normalcy.

The day passed off peacefully with sporadic incidents of forcible closing of shops as well as opposition to the bandh call. Five persons were taken into preventive custody but were released in the evening.

Ashwani Kumar Gupta, president of the Gummat Market Association, said: “No one told us about the reason for the bandh call. We support issues confronting the region, but such shutdowns are unfair to shopkeepers.”

The Jammu Central University Morcha claimed that the bandh was successful. Some organisations that are part of the joint morcha have criticised those who opposed the bandh.

Jammu, May 1
The decision of the State Electricity Regulatory Authority (SERC) to approve a 12 per cent hike in power tariff has evoked a strong reaction from the industry as well as political parties. The industrialists are of the view that the hike has been proposed to hide the prevailing mismanagement and bungling in the Power Development Department (PDD).

Former president of the Federation of Industries, Bari Brahamana, Anil Suri termed the action as another burden on the already ailing industry of the state. “I do not think there is any logic to approve such a hike,” Suri said, adding that the decision was taken only to favour the PDD that has failed to stop power pilferage. He pointed out that industrial areas were metered and the department was achieving its revenue targets without any problem.

Pointing towards unprecedented 72 per cent transmission losses in the state, Suri said the industry was forced to pay for such losses despite the PDD being solely responsible for it. Terming the losses as “theft and distribution losses”, Suri said this was failure on the part of the department concerned.

Echoing similar views, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries YV Sharma said instead of putting additional burden on “genuine payers”, the government should first keep its house in order. “All stake holders have repeatedly suggested the government to minimise transmission and distribution losses before making any hike in power tariff, but the authorities concerned have failed to do so,” he regretted.

Sharma further pointed out that there was no uniformity in the hike as some industrialists had to pay 20 per cent more while others had to bear 10 per cent hike.

BJP’s commerce and industry unit president Rajesh Gupta has termed the hike as unethical and unilateral. The SERC had yesterday increased power tariff by 12-20 per cent. While the consumers in un-metered areas have to pay more, the minimum hike in power tariff in the metered areas is 12 per cent.

Jammu, May 1
Seeking to downplay bickering between the coalition partners, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz said today that a difference of opinion did not mean that the Congress and the NC were divided over vital issues.

“A difference of opinion is obvious on some issues in any coalition government,” Soz reacted when mediapersons drew his attention towards the failure of the state Cabinet to take a decision on the much-awaited transfer policy after serious differences erupted between Congress and NC ministers on the issue.

“I do not think that the matter is so serious,” he said and asserted that despite some difference of opinion the coalition had been working smoothly and there was coordination between the coalition partners. “To have a difference of opinion is not creating hurdles in the functioning of the government,” he said. He added that during the last 15 months the coalition had taken many revolutionary steps for the betterment and development of the state.

It is pertinent to mention here that serious differences have erupted between the coalition partners over the new transfer policy. A Cabinet meeting was especially convened on Thursday to approve the policy but due to opposition from a Congress minister, the government could not take any decision.

Earlier addressing a May Day rally organised by the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), labour wing of the Congress, Soz advocated that the Central labour laws be extended in the state so as to solve the basic problems of the working class. The PCC chief assured the gathering that he would take up the matter with the Union Labour Minister so that the Minimum Wages Act be implemented in the state to stop the exploitation of the working class.

Assuring the government employees that their genuine demands would be fulfilled, Soz said he had already brought the matter to the notice of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi so as get a special economic package from the Centre to pay the arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission. “No problem will be solved through strikes,” he advised the employees. He further assured the employees that all their demands would be fulfilled but the process was time consuming as the state had to arrange funds for fulfilling the demands.

On the other demands, Soz asked the party ministers to take up the matter in the Cabinet meeting to redress all genuine issues of the employees.

Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for PHE and Irrigation Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Minister for Technical Education and Sports RS Chib were also present on the occasion. INTUC leaders namely Shiv Kumar Sharma, Somnath, Raghuvir Singh, RS Reen and others also addressed the rally.

Jammu, May 1
On Save Birds Day today hundreds of students gathered at the Dogra Sadar Sabha office in the city and pledged to save the feathered species. They pledged to be humane towards the birds and make a provision of water for them during the searing summer. The function was organised by the Dogra Sadar Sabha in which the Numberdars/Chowkidars Association, J&K Ex-Services League, J&K Paryavaran Sanstha and students of Dogra Law College, Dogra College of Education and Dogra Higher Secondary School participated in large numbers.

The gathering raised slogans and appealed to people for the protection and care of birds. Carrying placards and earthen pots, they also demonstrated outside the sabha office near the Civil Secretariat complex.

“Over the years, villages and cities have turned into concrete jungles. There is hardly any place left for the habitation of birds. Many of their species are either extinct or endangered. Its high time we start concerted efforts to save them,” said Muzamil Yousaf, a student of law.

Another student Ankit Raina said: “We have come here along with our teachers. We will carry home the earthen pots so that birds do not die of thirst during summer.”

Former minister and president of the sabha Gulchain Singh Charak said: “Earlier, we would wake up to the chirping of home sparrows. Our elders would feed birds with grains and water. Today, we are reviving that tradition and passing the custom onto our children.”

“Birds and animals play a very important role in the ecology of the area. We must make our students understand it. Also, people should start making provision of water for the birds,” he said. He added: “Water bodies are fast drying up and water table is also receding. There is a strong need for water harvesting through the restoration of historic ponds in and around the city.”

The former minister also demanded the construction of 4-5 feet barrages on all rivers that meander into Pakistan. “Our water is flowing to Pakistan while crops here are witnessing a dry spell. The government must create barrages on all rivers and lift water for supplying it to the farmers,” he added. 

Jammu, May 1
In a function organised by Anjuman Traqqi-e-Urdu Hind and Nami Dogri Sanstha, Sanstha Samman was conferred upon Ram Sudhir, a renowned social, literary and cultural activist.

Minister for Medical and Technical Education RS Chib, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said being multi-ethnic and multi-lingual the state had tremendous scope and opportunities for growth and development of different cultures.

Chib emphasised the need for preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. He asserted that cultural values not only formed the founding principles of one’s life but also deeply influenced lifestyle and, thus, impacted social life.

Appreciating Sudhir, the minister said he worked for the progress of social, literary and cultural activities in Jammu. Chib also apprised about his association with Sudhir and how he worked with zeal and dedication all these years without demanding any reward or recognition.

Chib asked the literary and social figures of society to hunt for such personalities and accord due recognition to their talents and contributions.

Samba, May 1
After a fierce gun-battle with a group of heavily armed Pakistan militants recently, the BSF foiled a major intrusion bid at the forward post of Ballard on the international border in the Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba district during wee hours today.

Pakistan troops also provided a cover fire to the group comprising four to five terrorists.

Soon after the Pakistan-sponsored misadventure, senior BSF officers, including DIG SK Singh, rushed to the forward area this morning where a search operation was launched by the troops around 9 am and it continued till 2.30 pm.

Briefing mediapersons, the DIG said a group of four to five heavily armed Pakistan ultras, under a cover fire from the Pakistan troops, tried to enter the Indian territory from the Ballard post.

A patrol party of the 59 Battalion of the BSF guarding the border post noticed the movement of suspected militants last night and the ultras were also caught on camera, said the DIG, adding that after the intruders opened fire on the patrol party a gun-battle ensued. “Our jawans took positions immediately and retaliated, forcing the militants to flee back to Pakistan,” he said.

Official sources, however, claimed that one of the ultras was injured in the gunfight that started around 11 pm yesterday and continued till 3.45 am today.

BSF jawans also fired para-bombs and used small arms. They fired two to three mortars to thwart the infiltration bid. The initial one hour witnessed a fierce exchange of fire between the BSF troops and the ultras. Thereafter, the latter resorted to intermittent firing till 3.45 am, the sources said.

On the first light of the day the BSF troops launched a search operation in the area, from where Basanter nullah also flows, and it continued till 2.30 pm today, they added. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service.

Before scanning the area, the BSF also lodged a protest with their Pakistani counterpart at a flag meeting, which was held around 8.30 am, said the sources.

They said the commandant-level meeting was represented by BSF officer BS Negi and Company Commandant of the 59 Battalion OP Upadhaya. However, it could not be ascertained, who represented the Pakistan troops at the flag meeting. A BSF spokesperson feigned ignorance about the meeting.

It may be stated here that BSF DIG OP Tanwar was killed by suspected Pakistan ultras on November 16 last year in the same Ballard area. The Pakistan militants had planted a powerful IED in the area and Tanwar’s vehicle had passed over it, killing him instantly.

This year, so far, it was the third intrusion bid by Pakistan ultras in the Ballard area. They had tried to intrude in the same area on March 9 and March 28.

Jammu, May 1
To observe Labour Day that marks social and economic achievements of international labour movement, a large number of associations held functions, rallies and demonstrations in the city today.

Hundreds of workers participated in the rally organised by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Jammu & Kashmir, at Gandhi Nagar. They raised slogans in the memory of workers who sacrificed their lives in 1886 at Chicago demanding improvement in working conditions in factories and elsewhere.

Addressing the gathering, J&K CITU general secretary Comrade Om Prakash stressed that the working class was the backbone of society but this section was living under subhuman conditions due to the faulty economic policies of the Centre. CPI (M) regional secretary and J&K CITU treasurer Comarde Sham Prasad Kesar stated that continuous struggle was the only way to fight the oppressive policies of the government.

J&K CITU chief organiser Comrade Nirdosh Uppal said the working force was presently undergoing hardships due to non-implementation of labour laws and absence of good working conditions in the factories and construction projects. He further stressed the need for strengthening of international solidarity of the working class to fight repressive policies of the corporate sector.

The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) also held a rally at Company Bagh that was addressed by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz. Others who attended the rally included Irrigation, PHE and Flood Control Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din; Health Minister Sham Lal; Minister for Medical and Technical Education RS Chib; former Deputy CM Mangat Ram; and INTUC president Shiv Kumar Sharma.

Srinagar, May 1
State president of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU), Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami has said the woes of the working class have been increasing and the employees are being suppressed, subjected to harassment and unwarranted force whenever they raised their voice.

Addressing ASHA workers at the May Day rally here today, Tarigami said a united and organised labour movement could change the course of the repressive and exploitative policies pursued by the successive administrations. “Governments come and go, but the woes of the working people have been increasing,” he said. 

Tarigami said it was a difficult time for those who depended and lived on meagre incomes like ASHA and anganwadi workers, daily-rate, casual, need-based and contractual workers. 

He said, “International Labour Day draws its history from Chichago martyrs who sacrificed their lives for daily eight-hour working call.” This, he said, laid the edifice for the struggle to regulate the working hours, provide conducive working conditions and protect the economic interests of the working class.

The CITU president said the real tribute to the martyrs on May Day was to create a united programme of action by all unions and mass organisations to force the government to implement the labour laws in the state and ensure that the right to protest and the voice of workers and employees was not stifled.

In his address, a union president, Abdul Rashid Najar, highlighted the demands of ASHA, including the grant of the government employee status, enhancement of and timely payment of monthly honorarium, supply of special kits, adequate protection in the field and social security benefits. 

Srinagar, May 1
The family of 45-year-old Shafiq Ahmed Sheikh, who became the second victim of stone throwing in the Kashmir valley in less than two months, is unable to come to terms with the tragedy.

Shafiq Ahmed Sheikh, an orderly with the state Board of School Education, Bemina, was on his way to his office yesterday morning when he was hit by a stone thrown at the minibus he was travelling in by a group of miscreants to enforce the strike call given by separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Shafiq, who was unmarried, is survived by his mother and an elder brother. His family is inconsolable as hundreds of people from different parts are visiting the valley to express their condolences. “It is difficult for us to come to terms with that our brother, who left in the morning for office, has died,” Nisar Ahmed Sheikh, brother of Shafiq, told The Tribune.

He said Shafiq was not a politician, a militant or a policeman. He worked as an orderly to earn his livelihood to support the family. “His death has served a setback to the family,” he added.

Shafiq’s family members say they want justice and severe punishment for those responsible for the killing.

“Some people say he was hit by a bullet in his head, while the police says he was hit by a stone. We are waiting for the autopsy report to bring out the truth,” Nisar said.

Ever since the incidents of stone throwing started in the Kashmir valley, many innocent persons have lost their lives. Though Shafiq became the second victim of stone throwing, many others lost their lives in related incidents.

On February 22, a 11-day-old baby boy was killed while his mother was being dragged out of a passenger vehicle by an unruly mob indulging in stone throwing in Baramulla district. The police had registered a case of murder in that incident.

Earlier this year a teenager, Wamiq Farooq, died after being hit in head by a teargas canister fired by the police and later a student of Nishat, Zahid Farooq, was allegedly shot dead by the BSF.

Meanwhile, Geelani reached the house of Shafiq Ahmed and expressed his condolences to the family. He blamed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for Shafiq’s death. The police has registered a case of murder and identified two or three accused.

Jammu, May 1
Realising the importance of educating villagers in disaster management, the Civil Defence Organisation has decided to organise awareness camps in the rural areas so that villagers are made aware of all techniques of self-defence in case of any disaster. The first such camp was held at Ramnagar, about 38 km away from Udhampur, yesterday. IG (Civil Defence) S Gopal Reddy was the chief guest on the occasion.

Reddy stressed on the need to create greater awareness about civil defence activities among masses in general and younger generation in particular. He called upon the functionaries of the Civil Defence Organisation to put in their best efforts in educating the villagers about various aspects of the organisation in case of any disaster-like situation.

Highlighting the role of the Civil Defence in protecting the lives and property of people in the event of a war, breakout of fire and other exigencies, Reddy said trained Civil Defence volunteers could prove instrumental in managing the situation effectively, besides helping building self-confidence and concern for humanity among students.

He also said a 12-point programme had been designed to educate the masses about various disasters like earthquakes, floods, traffic, and diseases so that they could prove helpful in managing the situation effectively in case of any emergency. 

Jammu, May 1
Harsh Dev Singh, MLA from Ramnagar and working chairman of the Panthers Party, has ridiculed coalition government ministers for the high drama enacted during the course of the Cabinet meeting over the issue of transfer policy.

He said it was obvious that the proposed transfer policy, which envisaged curbing the abuse of transfer powers and their decentralisation, would evoke strong reactions and opposition from various ministers.

In a statement issued here yesterday, Harsh Dev said a majority of coalition ministers was known for their obsession for transfers. He particularly lampooned the role of Congress ministers in the Cabinet meeting, who would normally maintain a studied silence on various issues, but had reacted vociferously on the issue of curtailment of their transfer powers.

He said the Thursday’s Cabinet meeting exposed political opportunism, urge for manipulations and whimsical transfers, power lust and utter bankruptcy of those at the helm of affairs. The Panthers Party leader said this indicated the strong desire of the ministers, bitten by the transfer bug, to continue with “transfer raj” in the state. He said one of the ministers was specifically targeted in the recently-concluded Assembly session for issuing pre-mature transfer orders of 296 engineers during the course of one calendar year.

Harsh Dev said such desires still persisted, thereby, impelling the ministers to oppose the proposed transfer policy. Expressing grave concern over the attitude and intentions reflected by the coalition ministers over the transfer policy, Harsh Dev lamented that the transfer racket in the state was growing at an extraordinary pace and in violation of all norms and guidelines.

He said the transfer of government functionaries were supposed to be made in the interest of the administration so that the delivery of public services was made more efficacious and efficient.

Srinagar, May 1
Once witness to large scale bloodshed and turmoil, hustle and bustle has once again returned to Kashmir Haat, popularly known as Numaish in the heart of Srinagar city.

A National Trade Fair organised by the Industrial Trade fair Association of Kashmir was today inaugurated in Kashmir Haat where traders from different parts of the valley and other states would participate.

It was inaugurated by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah.

Numaish situated opposite to the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar city was once among the famous tourist destinations of the valley, but it was closed for several years after the eruption of armed insurgency.

After a gap almost 15 years Kashmir Haat was revived by the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and since then it had again become a must visit place for the tourists coming to the Kashmir valley.

“Traders from different parts have come to take part in the trade fair, which would give a boost to their business here,” said an organiser.

Srinagar, May 1
On the invitation of the People Liberation Army (PLA), a border personnel meeting of Indian and Chinese armies was held at the Chinese Border Personnel Meeting Hut at Chushul in Ladakh today.

The Indian delegation was headed by Brig YK Joshi, who was received by Senior Col Deng Guo Hua of the PLA.

As per a defence spokesman, the formal meeting was held in an atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie and greetings were exchanged by both sides.

The both sides also agreed to join hands in contributing to peace, stability and development of the region in consonance with border peace and tranquillity agreements.

India and China have signed two landmark agreements, namely ‘Peace and Tranquillity Agreement’ in 1993 and ‘Confidence Building Measures’ in 1996. To improve relations further, border personnel meetings are held six times a year between the Indian and Chinese military delegations.

In his opening address, Brig Joshi paid tributes to the endeavours of the tireless and enterprising people of China, whose efforts had propelled the country on a path of high growth and prosperity. He also conveyed condolences to the victims of Qinghai earthquake.

Harinara-Pattan, May 1
Residents of this rural area, about 30 km from the city centre, allege corruption and nepotism in issuing job cards under the National Rural Employment Generation Act (NREGA).

“Corruption is getting worse day-by-day and the menace continues. Only blue-eyed people are preferred for job cards,” a group of residents said here. The residents allege that people having political connections are given preference and benefits fail to reach the grass-roots level.

“Only a few job cards have been issued to women in the village but the number is not encouraging. Either the family is not supportive in appreciating women to avail of job cards or the government does not encourage them in availing of these cards,” Mohammad Ashraf, a local resident, said.

Quoting an example, he said about 200 women had availed of job cards in Nowgam Payeen, a village adjacent to Harinara.

The cards are issued by a village-level worker. “The attendance of cardholders is maintained by village-level workers. But allotting work to these involves favouritism and corruption,” the residents stressed.

Under NREGA every home should get 100 working days per year within 5 km of a village. “But the same is not followed. In case there is no work in the village, the government is bound to pay them the stipend, but this rarely happens,” says Ghulam Ahmad, a member of the Village Welfare Committee formed under the aegis of the Indo Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) funded by the European Union and Welthungerhilfe (WHH).

The committee has filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the Department of Rural Development, but so far there has been no breakthrough. “We filed an application in connection with some works under NREGA and others have been pending since March 2007 and we wanted to gather information about it but the same has been denied.”

The residents complained that over the past few years they had been approaching the authorities concerned to improve the condition of roads in the village and provide drainage system, but nothing had been done so far.

“We will continue our fight. It is our right to demand. Politicians approach us for votes, but they ignore the constituency after they get elected,” the residents said.

Ashraf added that masses lack awareness about various schemes made available by the state and central governments. He added that the village had a huge dry land but the same needed to be developed in the overall interest of the village.

“A trench that has been constructed in the village under NREGA will not benefit residents. It is simply waste of money and energy. Let money be utilised for the real development of the village. The availability of funds is not a problem but misappropriation of funds is the biggest challenge before us,” said the residents.