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Cash-starved Hizbul asks cadres to extort money
Offices of 3 English dailies
sealed for wrong
Yatra without locals’ support not possible, say pilgrims |
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Militant threat to Amarnath yatris
Omar warns troublemakers of tough action
Action unwarranted, says Kashmiri Pandits
Bar Assn, CCI not to join Jammu bandh call
Jammu students’ body
condemns bandh call
Don’t demoralise security forces, BJP tells govt
Family gets relief for man’s
death due to electric shock
Killing of youths
PDP using sensitive issues for survival: NC
A hospital without surgeon
Turmoil in Kashmir
Vice-President to visit Ladakh
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Cash-starved Hizbul asks cadres to extort money
Jammu, July 2 Recent intercepts of conversations between the militants and their mentors across the border amply conveyed that in the backdrop of the seek and destroy strategy adopted by the security forces frustration has started creeping into the militants operating in the restive state. In a recent intercept on June 30 dreaded Lashkar militant Abdullah Unni, active in North Kashmir, while talking to Umar, alias Hanzullah, disclosed how youths in the Valley had started acting, said sources in a particular counterinsurgency force. The conversation intercepted by us revealed how Abdullah was perturbed over unpredictability, which has crept among the youths, they said. Abdullah told Hanzullah that sometimes he felt that the youths were with them and sometimes they tilt towards the political parties and even vote for them during the elections, added the sources. Similarly, another intercept revealed how three LeT militants in Kashmir asked Furkan, another LeT militant, on other side of the Line of Control (LoC) that they be called back, they said. They cited various factors like shortage of funds, food, inter-faction rivalries and constant pressure of the security forces requesting their mentors to be called back, said the sources. Intercepts in the Doda and Kishtwar areas of Jammu also confirmed that the HM was also faced with shortage of funds. Their mentors from across the border instructed the HM cadres in the Marwah and Dharkote areas to extort money from the locals, a senior officer said. Conversation between the HM militants having codes 21, alias Pardesi, code 35 and code 55, who operate in the Marwah area revealed they have been asked by their mentors to extort anything from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 from the locals to fund their activities in the mountainous area, he added. They (three terrorists) also requested Zafarwal, their commander across the LoC to send compensation for the family of Hizbul militant Azhar, who was killed on January 10.
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Offices of 3 English dailies sealed for wrong reporting
Jammu, July 2 “Since these dailies carried news reports without crosschecking the facts, besides containing inflammatory contents in their reports, we had to take action,” Dwivedi told The Tribune. During such a sensitive time when the Amarnath yatra is going on, these dailies indulged in reporting that was not based on facts and even one of them went to the extent of predicting second migration from the Kashmir valley, said Dwivedi. “I immediately requisitioned video footages of the temple in Anantnag, which these dailies had claimed in their reports that it had been burnt by protesters and we even talked to the locals, who clarified that no such incident had happened,” said the DC. Their irresponsible reporting could have easily triggered unrest and communal tension in the already surcharged atmosphere and hence they invited action, he said. Consequently, we took action under the J&K State Press and Publication Act, 1989, he added. “Their offices and premises have been sealed and till we are satisfied they won’t be allowed to come out with their next publications,” Diwedi said. The offices and the printing presses of “Early Times” at Samadhian Road, “Glimpses of Future” at Purani Mandi and “The Shadow” at Shalamar and its printing press at Nardani in Raipur were sealed last night. Meanwhile, the BJP and other social and political parties here condemned the administration for sealing the offices and press of the three dailies. They described the move not only as stringent but also as an attack on the freedom of the Press.
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Yatra without locals’ support not possible, say pilgrims
Srinagar, July 2 “I am so frail that I could not have walked up to the cave shrine, but these four persons carried me there and I performed the darshan. They also brought me back. They were really the messengers of Lord Shiva for me,” Kavita told The Tribune. Many pilgrims, who returned after having the darshan of the Lingam from the Baltal route, said the yatra would not have been possible without the help and support of the local Muslims. “Though we paid them for their services, without them a majority of us would not have been able to perform the darshan,” said Akhilesh Kumar (77), who has been coming on the pilgrimage for the past 22 years. “I have been performing the yatra since 1988 and have seen the worst days of turmoil in the Kashmir valley. But again people here have been offering a helping hand to us to have the darshan. I remember once we were stuck in a snowstorm and it were the local Muslims who not only saved our lives but also provided us with food and shelter,” Akhilesh said. A large number of people in the valley earn their livelihood from the annual pilgrimage, as they engage in providing services of mules, dandi, pitthu to the pilgrims. Besides, they also put stalls where they sell replicas of the cave shrine and the Shiv Lingam and posters of Lord Shiva and the cave shrine. “I inherited this profession from my father, who used to take pilgrims on a pony and now during the two months of the pilgrimage I leave my studies and come here to provide service to the pilgrims and earn enough for the year,” said Manzoor Ahmed, who takes pilgrims on a pony to the cave shrine. 11,209 leave for cave shrine Srinagar, July 2 Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Medical Education RS Chib, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla and adviser to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul visited the base camps at Baltal-Sonamarg and Nunwan-Pahlagam to monitor the arrangements for the yatris. The ministerial team led by the Deputy Chief Minister also visited the Baltal camp. It reviewed the medical facilities being provided to the yatris in both base camps. — TNS
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Militant threat to Amarnath yatris
Jammu, July 2 The presence of Pakistan militants in various launch pads across the border has also resulted into a heightened security at the border. “Considering the present situation in the state vis-à-vis the Amarnath pilgrimage we have beefed up the security from Lakhanpur to the Jawahar tunnel and at the border so as to ensure the safety of the pilgrims,” Ashok Gupta, IGP, Jammu zone, said. He said, “The village defence committees (VDCs) in forward areas close to the border have been alerted and they have also been given adequate number of rifles.” Sources in the intelligence agencies said Pakistan had moved 250 ultras in the launch pads near the border. While the BSF guarding the international border had also heightened security, the VDCs, particularly those close to the forward areas, had been asked to maintain a strict vigil, they said. “They have been asked to remain more alert and take appropriate action in case they come across suspicious elements in their areas of their responsibility,” said the sources, adding that border police posts had also been asked to maintain constant surveillance in their areas. On the highway, right from Lakhanpur, the police had set up additional check posts for random checking, they said. Similarly, following inputs of intrusion bids the BSF had also increased night patrolling all along the 229-km border, said the sources. The prevailing situation in the state compelled the government to send nearly 3,000 BSF troops from Delhi to ensure an incident-free Amarnath
yatra.
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Omar warns troublemakers of tough action
Srinagar, July 2 The Chief Minister also appealed to the people to “rise above political affiliations and ideologies, come together and work with us to ensure that order and peace are restored in the troubled parts of the Valley”. Omar sought a joint approach to finding a solution to the Kashmir imbroglio and facilitating a dialogue between India and Pakistan as well as a dialogue between the Centre and various shades of opinion in the state. “We must work together to find a solution which can lead to a lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir as per the aspirations of the people of this great land,” he stated. Omar also warned those indulging in “petty political machinations” that they would not only be exposed but would also be dealt with sternly. Three days after he sought the cooperation of all sections of society with all shades of opinion to restore peace and normalcy, Omar said certain elements were hellbent upon disturbing peace and quiet and were causing discomfort to the people of the state. “My government and I will fight these forces politically and administratively and shall not let their nefarious designs succeed,” he stated after he had taken the administrative step of fanning out his ministerial colleagues in different directions to assuage the situation. Referring to the NC stand favouring autonomy, the Chief Minister said it was not averse to the move beyond it if there was any other solution that is acceptable to both India and Pakistan and meets the aspirations of the people of the state. “I firmly believe and have repeated time and again that the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be assuaged only by development, good governance and economic packages,” he said. Omar added that there was a need to address the political aspects of the problem as well. In this regard he appealed to all stake holders to join hands “with us so that together we can work for a better tomorrow, which will not only bring peace and dignity to Jammu and Kashmir but also peace in the sub-continent”. On the aspirations of the state’s youth, the Chief Minister said he had a vision and he was committed to the youth. He assured that the state and Central governments were working to address their issues, particularly that of unemployment, to address the problems of the youth to the best of “our collective abilities”.
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Action unwarranted, says Kashmiri Pandits
Jammu, July 2 According to a statement issued here, the members of these organisations said the government had all along remained a mute spectator to the anti-national and communally inflammatory reporting from Kashmir but it could not tolerate anything that tends to show a true picture of Kashmir. The joint forum of Kashmiri Pandits has proposed a protest demonstration on July 13 at Raj Bhavan to ‘awaken’ the government. Meanwhile, addressing a public rally held at Nagrota Migrant camp, Panun Kashmir convener Agnishekhar expressed dismay over the state government replicating the emergency period by suspending the publication of the three newspapers. He said every government was expected to show restraint along with a positive approach to the criticism from the press in respect of its wrongful actions, decisions and policies. He termed the government’s action as unwarranted and unjustified. He expressed shock saying such an extreme action was ordered without any prior advisory, caution or even any notice to these
papers. Agnishekhar said the move tantamount to another act of discrimination, now against the Jammu papers, thus choking the voice of the upholders of democracy, truth and freedom of expression.
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It’s never say die for Dharmo Rani!
Akhnoor, July 2 Though she does not have any documentary support to validate the claims of her extreme age, her family says that she is a super-centenarian. Great-great grandmother Dharmo is a living inspiration. She never travels by bus and can walk for several kilometres at a time. She can see through the eye of a needle and regales people with folk songs at ceremonial functions in her village. Dharmo can easily recall the names of 200-odd members of her clan. She reveals that the secret behind her long life was self-discipline and punctuality. She says, “I wake up early in the morning. After remembering Him (God), I make myself busy in household chores. I get everything done in time.” Dharmo has been living with her eldest son Milkhi Ram in Bharore village, which is nestled amid forests of pine and mango trees in the Khor block. “My eldest son was born after two years of marriage,” she says, adding that, “I got married at the age of 16. I was the second wife of my husband, who was 50 years’ old at the time of our marriage.” She is a living encyclopaedia of several events of historic importance in the area. “The place where we live today was a centre of business activities. The merchandise would come on camels and horses from Sialkote, now in Pakistan. But today it’s a secluded place,” she recalls. The old lady fasted for the entire last week, praying for peace for the departed soul of her son, who expired recently. “With the death of my son, my spirit for life has weakened,” she says and shares the most dominant thought in her mind, “Why did death visit my son and spare me?” On being requested, she croons a few lines in her husky voice but the lyrics seems to elude her. “Since the death of my son, I have forgotten songs. Now, I rarely sing,” she says sheepishly, as she fumbles for lines while singing. Her wrinkled face lightens up at the intermittent encore and applause of family members. Then she picks up another song.
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Bar Assn, CCI not to join Jammu bandh call
Jammu, July 2 “It is a premature decision to give a bandh call at this juncture and we have decided to dissociate ourselves from this call,” Sunil Sethi, president of Bar Association told the Tribune. Bar Association is one of the constituents of the Jammu Province People Forum (JPPF), which has already decided not to participate in the bandh. Throughout the day, various organisations held meeting to decide on whether to support or oppose the bandh call. The Bar Association authorities have also invited members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) to remove some “misconception” created by certain vested interests. In the meeting, it was mentioned that some vested interests had been spreading rumours and it was high time to maintain unity and integrity at this crucial time. CCI president YV Sharma told the Tribune that various organisations had decided to request the SAYSS to withdraw the bandh call. “In case the SAYSS rejects our request, then we would be left with no other option but to disassociate ourselves from the strike call,” Sharma said and added that representatives of more than 40 organisations were present in the meeting in which it was decided not to be a part of the bandh call. Meanwhile, SAYSS activists have been mobilising public support for bandh call. They convened meetings in different parts of the city and asked the people to observe total shutdown on Saturday. “In view of the current situation wherein anti-national forces are spitting venom against the country and are carrying anti-India banners, we will not remain as mute spectators,” SAYSS convenor Brigadier Suchet Singh stated. “Being a part of Jammu province, we appeal to all our Muslim brothers to support our movement, as they did in 2008 during the Amarnath land agitation. Our movement is nationalist struggle aimed at defeating the anti-national designs of pro-Pakistani elements in the state,” Singh said.
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Jammu students’ body
condemns bandh call
Jammu, July 2 JJSF state vice-president Partap Singh Jamwal said the bandh call was given without taking the general public under confidence. On this issue, JJSF activists also held a protest demonstration at Shaheedi Sthal near Government Gandhi Memorial Science College here. They expressed resentment against Syed Ali Shah Geelani and burnt his effigy. Addressing the gathering, Jamwal alleged that Ali Shah Geelani, a Hurriyat leader, always tried to provoke the people of Jammu region through his statements. He also criticised Geelani’s statement made on the reduction of Amarnath yatra duration. — TNS |
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Don’t demoralise security forces, BJP tells govt
Jammu, July 2 Addressing a joint press conference, BJP MLAs Jugal Kishore, Ashok Khajuria, Choudhary Sukhnand, Choudhary Sham Lal and Durga Dass condemned attitude of the state government to defame the security forces. The BJP leaders regretted during the past one year the state government had trying to demoralise the security forces to appease the fundamentalists and other secessionist forces active in the valley. They said the situation in the valley had been deteriorating with every passing day and the government was non-serious in taking effective steps to control the situation.
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Family gets relief
for man’s death due to electric shock
Jammu, July 2 Kuldeep Singh, employed as cleaner, was placing a rope on truck No. JK026-1657, when he came in contact with high-tension aerial 11 KV line suspended over the road. He received severe burn injuries and later died at the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu, on April 27, 2000. On investigation, it was found that the aerial line was suspended 14 feet from ground level, whereas the minimum requisite height for such suspension of aerial wire is 20 feet. His family filed a writ petition claiming Rs 4 lakh along with interest thereon, as compensation for the negligence of the department concerned in suspending the high-tension wire below the prescribed height. The consideration on writ petition was deferred pending finding from Sub-Judge (Chief Judicial Magistrate), Jammu, on the question as to whether the death of Kuldeep Singh had resulted because of negligence of the respondents in not maintaining the requisite height of high-tension aerial lines. The HC while allowing the petition observed: “The 11 KV aerial line carries such voltage which can take away, impair or injure life. The state, while dealing with supply of electricity of such voltage which poses potential threat to the safety of living beings, if not kept under control, was required to take requisite steps, prescribed in this behalf by the J&K Electricity Act and rules framed thereunder. Omission of the State and its functionaries in not taking requisite safety measures has thus resulted in deprivation of Kuldeep Singh’s life, which has affected the quality of life of petitioners as well to the extent irreparable, in that, they would be deprived of love, affection, emotional feelings and company of the deceased for the rest of their life. They are, therefore, liable to compensate the petitioners not only for deprivation of Kuldeep Singh’s life, but also for reducing the quality of their life, who may not be able to enjoy life the way, they would have done in the company of deceased.”
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Killing of youths
Jammu, July 2 Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Sunil Sethi said this was a very serious issue and must be handled with a lot of care. He also requested the state government to provide full security to all pilgrims who were visiting the state for the Amarnath yatra. He also said the government should understand the situation under which the security forces were forced to open fire. He added that any wrong statement against the security forces would demoralise them. The government had to take strong action against those elements who had been instigating people. “Had the Sopore chalo call not been given, the precious lives of youths could have been saved,” Sethi said, adding that the real killers were not the security forces but the leaders who provoked the youths. Others present on the occasion were Dev Raj Baru, Ved Prakash Sharma, president ot the Brahman Sabha, Inderjeet Khujuria, Bagat, Piran Ditta, Agnishekhar, president pt the Panun Kashmir, Rajesh Kesari, Kuldeep Luthra and Virender Gupta. |
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PDP using sensitive issues for survival: NC
Jammu, July 2 In a statement issued here today, Sajjad said a recent disclosure in a national news channel had exposed the PDP’s role in the prevailing unrest in the Kashmir valley. He said the PDP leadership had gone bankrupt intellectually, politically and morally, as its leaders were playing divisive and communal politics to promote their selfish intentions and had adopted a cunning strategy to disgrace the NC. “The PDP is trying to exploit the sentiments of people on unwarranted issues and is trying to cash upon even the deaths of youths in Kashmir,” he said, adding, “It has completely lost its credibility in the state”. He said the NC was committed to the restoration of permanent peace and political stability in the state and was sincerely working for the upliftment of the people of the state. Sajjad said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was committed to equal development of all three regions of the state and was sincerely working for the betterment and welfare of its people. He added the Chief Minister believed in action rather than false sloganeering, and had adopted a practical, result-oriented and people-friendly approach. |
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A hospital without surgeon
Udhampur, July 2 When a Doda-bound bus fell into a gorge here on June 14, four were killed on the spot and 32 injured. Two victims breathed their last on the spot, while two others died on the way to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, over 100 km from Batote. Chief Medical Officer, Ramban, MM Ashraf admitted that there was no specialist surgeon posted here. The posts for six assistant surgeons, an anaesthetist, a radiologist, an orthopaedic surgeon and four pharmacists were lying vacant, he added. “Whenever there is an emergency, a surgeon is requisitioned from Ramban, which is 28 km from Batote,” he said. But locals alleged that this type of arrangement was quite rare. Ashraf told The Tribune that doctors avoided getting transferred here as it was a small transit station. A doctor said the lack of proper accommodation and a good school for children was the root-cause of the problem. Ashraf said housing would not be a problem soon as the construction of the doctors’ residential complex would be completed in couple of months. Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma, who was in Ramban yesterday, assured that the vacant posts would be filled soon. |
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Turmoil in Kashmir
Srinagar, July 2 In a joint statement, the MLAs, Rafi Ahmad Mir, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain and Syed Basharat Bukhari, said the bullet was no answer to the aspirations of the stone throwing youths who represented the discordant atmosphere in Kashmir. The MLAs also welcomed a recent statement of Army Chief Gen VK Singh in which he called for a political solution to Kashmir. The PDP leaders expressed concern over the campaign to malign Kashmiris saying some sections of the national media had been linking the ongoing turmoil with the Amarnath yatra, that was unfortunate. “These channels are adding fuel to fire that too on a premise that does not exist on the ground,” they said. The leaders said the Amarnath yatra was over century old part of our cultural ethos and even the worst crisis had not cast a shade over it. “Even at the height of Amarnath land agitation Kashmir Muslims showed the highest sense of responsibility and tolerance and this time also they are showing how concerned they are about keeping this bond alive,” the leaders said.
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Vice-President to visit Ladakh
Leh, July 2 The Vice-President will also be visiting two famous monastries of Ladakh, Hemis and Thicksay, apart from the oldest Shah-e-Hamdan mosque, official sources said. |
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For 73-year-old Kavita Devi, a resident of New Delhi, who embarked on the Amarnath yatra yesterday, the darshan of the holy Ice Lingam would not have been possible without the help and support of four local Kashmir
Muslims.
The BJP today warned the state government against taking any step to demoralise the security forces fighting terrorists in Kashmir valley.Addressing a joint press conference, BJP MLAs Jugal
Kishore, Ashok Khajuria, Choudhary Sukhnand, Choudhary Sham Lal and Durga Dass condemned attitude of the state government to defame the security forces.
