Jammu, June 14
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti visited the house of Shalin Gupta at Nai Basti today to console the aggrieved family. She demanded a speedy trial in the case and exemplary punishment for the guilty. Shalin was killed by two kidnappers at Belicharana on Saturday night for a ransom of Rs 10 lakh.

She assured the aggrieved family that the PDP would highlight the issue so that justice was done to them.

Terming it a serious incident for the Jammu region, Mehbooba said, “This kind of crime has happened for the first time in the region and to keep a check on such incidents the working of the police should be free of political interference.”

Meanwhile, a local court remanded the two accused in seven-day police custody today. The police claimed that during preliminary investigations, except the involvement of the arrested youths, Darbinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh, it did not find the involvement of any other person in the incident.

It said the accused disclosed that they hatched the conspiracy to kidnap Shalin three-four days ago to make easy money for buying drugs.

Earlier the police was working on various theories that why a neighbour would kill a child.

“During interrogation the accused admitted that they needed money to buy drugs and they belonged to poor families,” it added.

A police officer, while talking to The Tribune, outrightly rejected claims made in some media reports that the accused were inspired by Bollywood movies.

“One of the accused was the next door neighbour of the victim. He offered the child a ride on his motorcycle, which the boy immediately accepted.

This acquaintance led to his kidnapping and death,” said the officer.

He also said earlier public was infuriated over the issue and accused some politicians of shielding the culprits, but now everything was under control. The aggrieved family also praised the timely effort of the police in tracing the body.

Naresh Gupta, father of Shalin, said, “Immediately after the police was informed, it alerted all its officers in the area and traced the body of my son. It was an appreciable work done by the police.”

He added, “I want severe punishment for the accused and nothing else. No one should be spared in the incident so that no one dares to take such a step in future.”

Nanga (Samba), June 14
What’s in the name? A lot. And it can be embarrassing as well. Residents of this ‘vulgarly’ named village, situated dangerously close to the zero line on the Indo-Pak border in Samba district, would like to tell William Shakespeare.

The name of the village, which has a connotation of people without clothes, is causing much trouble to the residents over the years, making them desperate to get it changed.

“The name was actually Naga. The village was once inhabited by Naga Sadhus (nude saints). The name was derived from them. Those sadhus had saved the village from a famine by locating underground water and digging up dozens of wells. But over the years, the actual usage has been distorted to Nanga. Now, everyone asks us if we are poor and without clothes, whenever we mention the place we belong to,” revealed Janak Singh, the village nambardar.

“We want to change the name. We have asked the government. We have raised the issue at many platforms, including political rallies, but our wish is yet to be realised,” said Kulwant Singh another village resident.

Their hopes actually grew stronger about two years ago when the name of “Giddar Galian” village, near RS Pura, meaning village of jackals or cowards, was changed to Sherpur - village of lions.

“If the name of that village can be changed after residents made persistent requests, why can’t ours?” asks Janak Singh.

Residents believe that Naga sadhus’ blessings have so far ensured no damage from the shelling by Pakistan in any of the wars. “But we have suffered more from the distorted name,” sighed Janak Singh.

The villagers have made a stopgap arrangement. They have combined the village with a neighbouring village - Majra. “We insist the village to be called Nanga Majran. But this doesn’t change the milestones and the revenue records which was done in the case of the Sherpur village,” said Daler Singh, an aged village resident.

“I want to see the change in the name in my life time. I am embarrassed to mention the name of the village during the conversations, or on a phone call when I have to tell from where I am calling from. I become a laughing stock as people ask me what happened to my clothes?” he said.

Jammu, June 14
The Madhya Pardesh (MP) police arrested Sangram Singh, one of the most wanted criminals in Jammu, at the Guna area in MP yesterday.

With the arrest of Sangram, the kingpin in the sensational Chopra murder case, hopes of Puneet Chopra, son of Rajendar Chopra, alias Raju, to get justice have revived. Puneet said, “I have full faith in the judiciary and the accused will definitely be brought to justice. We are already fighting the case in the High Court.”

He further said the arrest of the kingpin would bring out the motive behind the killing of his family members. He added, “I will surely go to see the man, who brutally killed my family and ruined us. It can be due to some business rivalry but it is necessary that the truth comes out.”

After almost three-and-a-half year of this sensational incident, in which Raju Chopra, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Saloni Chopra, a servant and a driver were killed by some unidentified persons, on the intervening night of September 16-17, 2006, at their house in Trikuta Nagar here, the police was regularly trying to nab Sangram.

Earlier, the local police had arrested eight accused and also presented the challan in a local court against them. The killers had looted Rs 54 lakh cash and some jewellery from the victim’s house. With Sangram’s arrest, the police has also become confidant that it would be finally able to know as to whether the murders were committed only for dacoity purpose or the criminals were hired by some rival businessmen.

Those who were earlier arrested are two brothers of Sangram - Mahesh Singh and Rusy - Vicky, Nanju, Bhawani Singh, Narain, Lalit and Sikandar. They all have been kept at the Kot Bhalwal prison here.

Only two accused, Sangram Singh and his brother Kiran Singh, were absconding in this incident, a senior police officer said.

He further said an award money was announced to nab Sangram and last evening the department got a call from its counterpart that it had arrested the main accused from his hideout and one country made pistol and a .12-bore gun had been seized from his possession. However, Kiran managed to flee from the spot on seeing the police, he added.

After getting this information, the police has initiated legal process to take the custody of Sangram from the MP police.

Jammu, June 14
Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Progressive Students’ Association and Sangarsh-A Movement for Justice, Equality, Peace, Prosperity and Brotherhood today condemned the use of force by the police against the students of Baba Ghulam Shah Bhadshah University (BGSBU), Rajouri.

According to a statement issued here, the protesting students of BGSBU, who have been demanding the issuance of grace marks or the conduct of supplementary examination, had been on a hunger strike for the last few days.

The ABVP has been demanding removal of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university.

Meanwhile, activists of Progressive Students’ Association (PSA) said it was a matter of shame for the university authorities for not fulfilling the demands of the students.

Activists of the PSA demanded the Chief Minister to intervene into the matter.

At the same time, the activists of Sangarsh-A movement for Justice, Equality, Peace, Prosperity and Brotherhood criticised the “aristocratic” attitude of the Vice-Chancellor, BGSBU, and demanded his ouster.

The Jammu Joint Students’ Federation (JJSF) today also held a protest demonstration against cane-charge on the students of Baba Ghulam Shah Bhadshah University (BGSBU).

The protest was held in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office.

All the protesters chanted slogans against the state government and against the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University, Masood Choudhary.

The JJSF alleged that a five-member committee constituted by the VC of BGSBU to enquire into the incident was an eyewash for the students.

Jammu, June 14
The Women Empowerment Forum (WEF) and the National Secular Forum (NSF) today condemned the kidnapping and killing of the 10-year-old Shalin Gupta of Nai Basti.

President, WEF, Dr Anuradha Goswami strongly condemned the barbaric and brutal killing of the boy. She demanded probe into the incident and asked the government to fix responsibility in the case so that repetition of such incidents in future could be checked.

“The police did not act professionally that led to murder of the boy,” she said, demanding action action against erring officers and exemplary punishment to the accused who murdered the boy.

The president of the NSF also condemned the killing of the young boy and held the police’s negligent attitude responsible for the death of the boy.

He demanded that the name of minister, who influenced police to release one of the suspects at an earlier stage, be made public as the suspect later confessed to his involvement in the crime. Meanwhile, he condemned the police action against students of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri.

Jammu, June 14
Jammu University today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), formerly RRL, to promote joint research work and human resource development in science and technology. The MoU was signed by Prof Varun Sahni, Vice-Chancellor, Jammu University, and Dr Ram Vishwakarma, Director, IIIM.

Under the MoU, scholars working at the IIIM would be able to register themselves for Ph.D under the joint supervision of the faculty of Jammu University and scientists of the IIIM. The university scholars would get access to research faculties at the IIIM, especially high end instruments/equipment. The intellectual property generated through collaborative research would be shared by both institutions.

Jammu University and the IIIM are the two premier institutions of the region having contributed immensely to generating knowledge and technical know how since their inception. Prof Rajive Gupta said the MoU would benefit students, scholars, teachers and scientists of the two institutions.

Udhampur, June 14
Four persons, including two minor girls, were killed and 32 injured when a Doda-bound bus (JK 02 G 6807) fell into a gorge near Batote on the National Highway-IA today.

The deceased have been identified as Falak (5) of Pathankot, Tania (7) of Bilawar, Kathua, Shahida (26) of Bhaderwah, while the body of around 30 years’ old man could not be identified. The injured included Rakesh Kumar (30), his wife Shilpa and daughter Priyanka (10), all from Pathankot, Anara Devi (28), Swami Raj (32) and Irfan (30). They were referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, in a critical condition.

Deceased Falak and Shahida were the daughter and wife of injured Rakesh Kumar and Irfan, respectively.

As per official information, the accident occurred around 2.15 pm about 4 km ahead of Batote on the Doda road when the driver, who was also injured, reportedly failed to negotiate a sharp turn. The bus skidded off the road and fell into 300-feet gorge. There were 36 passengers in the ill-fated bus. Two were killed on the spot while the other died on way to hospital at Batote.

Eyewitnesses said the road was slippery as it was drizzling when the mishap occurred. Personnel of 84 CRPF battalion from a nearby camp rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation.

The Tehsildar and the SHO, Batote, also followed them. Locals too poured in to help the victims after learning about the mishap. A local BJP leader, Jagdish Chand, said the spot was accident prone as mishaps had occurred here in the past as well.

Jammu, June 14
Governor N N Vohra today said work to clear the route for the Amarnath yatra was going on a war-footing and all arrangements would be reviewed daily.

The Governor, who is also the Chiarman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), visited Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar here today and took stock of the arrangements being made for the yatris.

He inspected the extension counter of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited, the Medical Aid Centre, the Police Assistance Counter, the Tourist Information Centre, the Food Court and the Yatri Niwas building.

Addressing a joint meeting of officers and representatives of various organisations, he issued instructions for the removal of garbage daily and its speedy disposal.The Governor appreciated the Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association for announcing a discount in the rates.

Referring to various suggestions made by the participants, the Governor said a meeting would be held by the Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board on June 17 to provide the share of the seats for helicopter bookings by the hotel and hospitality industry in Kashmir and Jammu divisions on the pattern of the arrangements allowed for the travel and trade industry.

Regarding the suggestion about the sanitation fee of Rs 15,000 which is being paid by langer organisations to the SASB since 2007, he said this would be given due consideration.

The yatra is scheduled to be flagged off from Jammu on June 30 while it will commence from Baltal and Pahalgam on July 1.

The Chief Executive Officer of the shrine board informed that till June 13, more than 1,01,000 persons had registered for the yatra. From this year, the board was providing at its cost an accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh for all registered yatris.

A similar cover to all registered labourers deployed during the yatra would be provided and the board was in the process of extending a similar facility for pony owners in case their pony was involved in an accidental death.A special emphasis was being laid on the preservation of the ecology and environment of the yatra area.

Srinagar, June 14
Life across the Kashmir valley remained affected for the third day today in response to a strike call given by separatists in protest against the death of a teenager,Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, during a clash between the police and protesters on Friday. Restrictions continued in most parts of the old city falling under five police stations.

The strike call was given by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference of Syed Ali Shah Geelani who had also called for a march to Saifakadal, the native place of the deceased.

Several other separatist leaders, including the APHC chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Nayeem Ahmad khan, Shahidul Islam, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Yasmeen Raja and Zamrooda Habib, were kept under house arrest as a precautionary measure.

All shops and business establishments and educational institutions remained closed. There was thin attendance in government offices and banks. Only private and official vehicles plied in some areas. Life was also paralysed in Anantnag, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara and Handwara.

Meanwhile, the relatives of a youth, Mohammad Lateef, held a demonstration here this morning against the beating up of the youth by CRPF personnel yesterday. They said the youth was innocent and demanded action against the guilty. The youth is undergoing treatment at SKIMS hospital here.

Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a statement from his house, has condemned the imposition of restrictions in the city, thereby creating a curfew-like situation. He blamed the government for not taking any action against those involved in the killing of innocents.

Srinagar, June 14
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said 20,000 MW will be generated from solar energy in the state in the next 10 years.

He said possibilities to produce more power from water and wind energy to minimise the huge expenditure on the exploitation of conventional sources of energy would also be explored.

Addressing a public meeting at Drass in Kargil district today, Dr Abdullah said the use of solar energy would help maintain the balance of the environment.

People of Drass had to face hardship during the Kargil war, but they exemplified the real spirit of national integrity and gained recognition at the national and international levels, he said, and added the area was famous for its scenic beauty and attracted a large number of tourists across the globe. He appealed to people to keep the environment clean. He asked guest house owners and hoteliers to provide better board and lodging facilities.

The Chief Executive Councillor, Kargil, Kachoo Ahmed Ali Khan, Executive Councillor for Roads and Power, Ghulam Rasool Nagvi, Executive Councillor for Revenue and Agriculture, Haji Ghulam Ameer and district Officers were present.

Earlier, the union minister reviewed the pace of work under the new and renewable energy sector in the area at a meeting of officers of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. He was informed that 11 hydroelectric projects were under execution which, on completion,would produce about 12 MW. The minister said solar lights and solar power plants were also being installed in 10 different villages of Kargil district to meet the local requirements.

Srinagar, June 14
Walkways and wooden bridges will be constructed to develop the Bhangus valley as a tourist destination.

This was decided at a meeting convened by Minister for Forests and Environment and Ecology Mian Altaf Ahmed here today. It was decided that under the biosphere destination programme, walkways and Japanese-type wooden bridges would be constructed in the first phase.

The meeting was further informed that resting places would be constructed en route the valley in the second phase. The design and funds for their construction would be provided by the Tourism Department. Solar lights would also be provided by the department.

The minister said he along with a team of officers would soon visit the valley to take on- the spot decisions for the development of tourism-related infrastructure.

Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, during an interactive session organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Alliance (JKTA) here on December 4 last year, had stressed the development of the Bhangus valley.