Jammu, May 4
Brita Ram, a small farmer of Khojipur village of Bishnah tehsil, has been moving from pillar to post to get his name included in the list of those farmers who are eligible to get free ration. His efforts failed as the authorities concerned expressed their helplessness to include any name in the list now.

Brita Ram, who has already lost three successive crops due to the prevailing drought-like conditions in the Jammu region, is the most deserving case for availing of benefit under the government scheme of providing free ration. His name was deleted due to a clerical error and he had been bearing the brunt of the mistake.

This poor farmer, who owns just 10 kanals of agriculture land, is not an isolated case, there are a number of other genuine peasants confronting a similar situation. “For the last one week, I have been visiting the tehsil headquarters at Bishnah regularly to get my name included in the list of farmers eligible for free ration, but in vain,” he lamented. He pointed out that as he had lost three successive crops his family was on the verge of starvation.

Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla, while admitting that there are some complaints regarding the deletion of names of some genuine persons from the list of beneficiaries, told The Tribune that girdawari was going on to assess the real situation. “After the girdawari process was completed, the department will assess the situation and, if required, a fresh girdawari would be conducted,” Bhalla said. He assured that all genuine persons would be given the benefit of the government schemes.

Even as the state government has announced to give free ration to drought-affected families of rural areas, a large number of farmers allege that their names have been deleted from the list of beneficiaries without any reason. While officers of the Revenue Department maintain that they have prepared the list on the basis of the revenue record, the farmers allege that no groundwork has been done before finalising the lists.

As farmers of the Jammu region have lost three successive crops, the state government has announced that free ration will be given to those whose crops have suffered losses to the extent of or more than 50 per cent. Free ration has been sanctioned irrespective of the categories of the farmers. Three months’ free ration as the first instalment has already been issued to farmers in most parts of the Jammu region.

While a high-level team from the Central government has already conducted a survey of different areas of the Jammu region, the state government has demanded Rs 211.18 crore as financial assistance from the Union government to provide relief to the farmers.

According to official records, the total cropped area in the state is 11,36,730 hectares and out of this 7,09,780 hectares are located in the Jammu region, which has been severely affected due to the prevailing dry spell.

RS Pura, May 4
Even four days after the murder of Darshan Lal, owner of a bicycle repair shop in Rangpur Maralian village, allegedly by two persons, no one is willing to talk about the incident in the village.

Not only the family members but also the neighbours of Darshan Lal were in a state of shock as they did not disclose anything vital that could help crack the case.

Rinku, a neighbouring shopkeeper, said, “Darshan was a thorough gentleman. He was found lying dead in his shop while other shopkeepers had gone to have lunch.” He added Darshan did not have enmity with anyone and was a teetotaller. Narrating the incident, Rinku said, “When we saw Darshan’s body, we noticed two cuts on his arms and one on the abdomen.”

This correspondent found Darshan’s house locked today. A neighbour disclosed that the deceased’s family had gone to perform some rituals.

Jinder, brother of the deceased, said he could not disclose anything at the moment. “My brother was the only earning hand of his family comprising his wife, two little sons and a daughter. He was facing a penury-like situation,” he added.

He further said his father had good relations with the family of the accused and could not understand why they murdered his brother.

On the other hand, the police claimed that two persons, namely, Gurbachan and Ravi Kumar, both residents of Kotli village, were arrested the day Darshan was murdered. “A case has been registered and we are investigating the matter,” said Gurmit Singh, SHO, RS Pura police station.

Jammu, May 4
Justice Sunil Hali of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court at Jammu today directed Jammu University to allow the petitioner, Roshi Mahajan, to continue her studies in the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu, while quashing the notification dated March 20, 2009, issued by the university cancelling Roshni’s admission to the MCA course for the session 2008-09.

Roshi qualified the BCA course from the KAWA Institute of Management and Technology, Udhampur, affiliated to the Makhan Lal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal.

Pursuant to the advertisement by Jammu University inviting applications from eligible candidates for appearing in the entrance test to be conducted for admission to the MCA course, she was selected to join the course in the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu, which is recognised by the state government. The college is approved by the AICTE and affiliated to Jammu University.

The petitioner completed the first semester and while she was in the second semester in this college, a notification was issued by Jammu University on March 20, 2009, whereby her admission to the MCA course for the session 2008-09 was cancelled on the ground that she had passed her BCA from the study centre at KAWA Institute affiliated to the Makhan Lal Chaturvedi, National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, which is not a recognised course as per the notification issued by Jammu University dated October 5, 2005. 

Jammu, May 4
Kuldeep Verma, vice-chairman, Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for the welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), has called upon the officers of different departments to put in their efforts in percolating the benefits of the schemes launched by the state and Central governments to raise socioeconomic status of the OBCs.

Verma was speaking at a brief interactive meeting with district administration, Udhampur, to discuss the problems relating to the OBCs, here, today.

The vice-chairman stressed on the need for identifying the beneficiaries of other backward community in the district so that the real benefit could be extended to them.

To monitor the different schemes meant for OBCs, a committee would be constituted soon, he further added.

In his appraisal, the District Development Commissioner (DDC), Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan said the benefits of all schemes implemented in the district were being extended to everyone, including the OBCs.

However, there was a separate District Plan sector for welfare of the OBCs under which during 2009-10, 100 per cent utilisation of approved outlay of Rs 15.09 lakh was made.

The DDC said there were a number of other welfare schemes under which due share was being provided to the OBCs. During the year 2009-10, 1,574 OBC students were provided pre-metric scholarships in the district, he further added.

Jammu, May 4
The Controller General of Defence Accounts, Nita Kapoor, today laid the foundation stone of Defence Accounts Department officers’ transit accommodation at Principal Controller of Defence Accounts, Northern Command, (NC) complex in Satwari.

The project sanctioned by the Union government at an estimated cost of Rs 1.54 crore is being constructed under the aegis of chief engineer (MES), Pathankot Zone.

Nita Kapoor was received by Gautam Sen, PCDA (NC), senior military and civil officers.

The function was attended by a host of dignitaries, which included Ravi Chopra, Principal Director Defence Estates (Northern Command), Major General K Majumdar, GOC, 10 Infantry Division, Parminder Singh Sodhi, Commissioner, Central Excise and Customs, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, YPS Mohan, Chief Post Master General, Jammu, and AK Ray, Chief Engineer (MES), Pathankot Zone.

Nita Kapoor, in her address gave a brief history of Defence Accounts Department and emphasised that the project will be another milestone towards improving the working conditions of senior departmental officers, who visit the station in connection with the official assignments. The transit accommodation will also be available to other civil departments for official use.

Jammu, May 4
A batch of 212 police trainees today passed out of the Sher-e-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur, to join the Police Department. Of the 212 trainees, 207 were women, four DSP (probationer), one Sub-Inspector (probationer).

Director, SKPA, Udhampur, Navin Agarwal inspected the parade and took the salute from smartly marching contingents.

Khalida Bano, who received a commendation certificate and cash reward for being the best in outdoor and indoor subjects, was conferred with the selection grade meant for the overall best women trainee.

Meanwhile, Pooja Devi and Mehnaz Abdullah were awarded commendation certificates for the second and third all round best trainees, while Rekha Devi was awarded for the best performance in range classification.

Agarwal complimented the parents of the trainees for encouraging their daughters to join the police force. He said during 2009-10 a record number of 4,294 trainees were trained in the academy.

He added, “The passing out of such a large contingent of policewomen will help the police in plugging the gaps in deployment and removing gender bias, besides enabling women empowerment in society.”

Agrawal further said the training of the probationers in handling latest gadgets and in laws during the training would enable them perform their duties under hostile and extreme conditions while maintaining cohesion with public at large.

The prizes were distributed to the policewomen who achieved distinction during the training. An impressive band display and a march past by new policewomen trainees was also held on the occasion.

Among others present on the occasion were MLA, Chenani, Krishan Chander Bhagat; DIG, Udhampur-Reasi range, Gulzar Singh Slathia; DIG, IRP, Danish Rana, and SSP, Udhampur, Surinder Gupta. 

Srinagar, May 4
A pedestrian was injured in a grenade explosion in the busy market place, Hari Singh High Street, here this afternoon, breaking a long spell of relative calm in the capital city ahead of the reopening of Darbar Move offices here next week.

The police here said militants hurled a grenade towards a CRPF picket around 2.15 pm and Ghulam Qadir Dar of the Mehjoor Nagar locality was injured in the blast. The explosion led to disturbance in the busy market as the pedestrians ran helter-skelter for their lives. Several others were also injured in the melee.

Baramulla, May 4
It was the pressure of studies that forced six students of Islamia Model School and Government High School, Palhalan, in the Pattan area in Baramulla district to plan crossing the Line of Control (LoC) to take up arms training.

The police last night arrested the students in the age group 12-14 from Rigpora village, near the LoC,in Kupwara district. “Our teachers used to beat us and we were under a lot of pressure from them and our parents.So, to take revenge from the teachers, we planned to cross the LoC and take up arms training,” said Abdul Rashid, a student of the seventh standard.

He,along with, Umar Sultan, Mohammad Yaqoob Bhat, Mohammad Saleem Sheikh, Shqriq Ahmad Mir and Ishtiaq Ahmad Tantray were today handed over to their parents by the police. “While playing cricket, we decided to cross the LoC to take arms training and then join jihad in Kashmir,” said Umar Sultan, another student.

Their parents said they had ‘no idea their children would think of taking such a step’ as they wanted them to study.

“We used to ask them to study.We had no idea they would take such a step. We are thankful to the police for bringing them back to us,” said one of the parents.

“We got a call from a maulvi of a local mosque in Kupwara where the students were staying.He informed us that the boys were planning to cross the LoC”, DIG, North Kashmir Range, AQ Manhas said.He said the police arrested the six after they were coming out of the mosque after offering prayers last evening.

“During questioning, they admitted they had come to the border village to cross the LoC to take up arms training,” Manhas said. “ On their identification, we took into custody two more boys who were also planning to cross the LoC”, Manhas said.

Srinagar, May 4
About 800 metric tonnes of cocoon worth Rs 8 crore is being produced during the current season in which around 22,000 farmers are engaged directly or indirectly with this industry.

The information was given to Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir during an extensive tour of mulberry silkworm, Basic Seed Station, Mirgund and Nihalpur Mulberry Nursery in Pattan near here yesterday. He was also informed that 4 lakh mandays were being generated in the industry annually.

The minister visited various silkworm-rearing units, including B&C unit, where rearing of cocoons is in progress. Director Sericulture, Kashmir, Mohammad Ashraf Khan accompanying him gave details about the Chowki-rearing units, which are under progress, to the Minister and also informed him about the efforts of the department to develop silk industry on modern lines using latest know-how about cocoon raring seeds.

The minister asked the officers concerned to put in effort to get the glory of the silk industry back as it had been affected during the past 20 years. He said the silk of Kashmir was world-famous and never compromised its quality.

Mir was informed that the station was providing improved silkworm seeds to the adjoining areas for developing the nurseries. He expressed satisfaction on the overall performance of BSS, Mirgund, and asked the officials to work with more zeal.

The minister stressed upon the officers concerned to make this industry more employment generating and produce high quality silkworm seeds so that it might flourish on modern lines and the poor, particularly in far-flung areas, might earn their bread and butter in their villages.

Srinagar, May 4
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has reiterated her call to various shades of opinion in the state to work in unison over the common areas of interest so that at least some respite is provided to people.

“We can hold on to our respective views on issues where we differ, but it would help if we join hands on common demands,” she said while addressing a party convention in Baramulla yesterday.

She said: “If all of us are demanding the revocation of AFSPA and thinning of troops or release of political prisoners, it makes little sense not to join hands and add strength to the argument.” Similarly, a consensus had emerged on the demands on reopening of the cross-LoC links and return of water and power resources to the state, she added.

Mehbooba said the revival of peace process between India and Pakistan could inspire confidence among the people of the state only if the measures initiated in 2003 were strengthened and carried forward. She said the trans-LoC trade and travel would have to be lifted from its present symbolic status to a real life facility. She said the reopening of the Muzaffarabad and Rawalkote links had generated genuine hope among the people suffering separation, siege and economic dis-empowerment for decades. But subsequent inability to follow up these historic measures had once again resulted in disappointment as travel on these routes became even more difficult than seeking a visa and using the Wagah- Attari connection, she added.

She said more and more curbs and hassles were introduced in the procedure rather than easing them, which had made the facility almost redundant and emphasised that “we need to build on such initiatives”.

Addressing the convention, senior leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussein Baig called upon the cadre to take the message of resolution to the grassroot so that the campaign took the shape of a movement. He said the PDP had set a new and revolutionary agenda for the resolution of Kashmir problem and its judicious and amicable settlement was the main aim of the party.

Explaining various aspects of self-rule vision, Baig said it would open up the state to the larger world around it and ending the siege that were facing after 1947. He said the self-rule could transform the state into a highly viable economic entity of the subcontinent that would help release the creative energies of our youth who otherwise face a bleak future.

Jammu, May 4
To mark World Asthma Day, the National Service Scheme (NSS) wing of Jammu University organised an asthma detection camp in the varsity’s health centre here today.

Dean Academic Affairs RD Sharma inaugurated the camp and appreciated the initiative of the NSS wing. “It will create awareness among people regarding asthma,” he remarked in his formal address.

Dr Sanjeev Narang from Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Science, along with a team of doctors, examined patients. NSS coordinator Jasbir Singh, in his vote of thanks, promised to organise such programmes in future as well. He also expressed gratitude to Dr Manju Gupta, Chief Medical Officer.

Jammu, May 4
BSF recovered arms and ammunition from Ballard border outpost in Samba sector, here, today three days after a group of Pakistani terrorists had made an unsuccessful intrusion from the same area. The consignment was hidden in the area by the fleeing ultras behind a thick growth of sarkanda, a BSF spokesperson told The Tribune.

The seizure included one pressure IED, 28 hand grenades, 2.5 kg black RDX, 2 kg white RDX and one binocular besides some confectionary items, he said. It may be stated here that after a fierce gun-battle during the intervening night of April 30 and May 1, a group of heavily armed Pakistani ultras had fled back.

The Pakistani troops had provided cover fire to the ultras. We had recovered the consignment at around 9.05 am, said the spokesperson, adding IG BSF, AK Surolia and other senior officers rushed to the spot soon after the seizure.

A search operation was launched immediately in the entire forward area that continued throughout the day.

Jammu, May 4
The security forces apprehended at least five overground workers of militant groups from Kishtwar, Reasi and Doda districts today.

A joint column of the Rashtriya Rifles and the police apprehended three militants’ workers from general area Petgam in Kishtwar district and later handed them over to the Navapachi police, Jammu-based defence PRO Lt-Col Biplab Nath said.

Those arrested have been identified as Ghulam Nabi Bhatt, Nazir Ahmed Shan and Farooq Ahmed, all aged between 29 and 34 years and residents of Petgam, he added.

He said in another incident a joint column of the Rashtriya Rifles and the police apprehended another overground worker of the militants, Ahmedin, in the Pari area of Reasi district, 6 km from Gool. He was later handed over to the Mahore police, said Nath.

Meanwhile, the security forces nabbed an alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba supporter in Doda district today. Official sources said the security forces raided a hideout and nabbed Mohmmad Hanief of Khatosu village in Thathri. They said Hanief was an accomplice of two Pakistani LeT commanders Abu Ans and Abu Anz active in the Doda area.