Jammu, July 3
Girls have outshone boys by securing the top position in both medical as well as engineering streams in the Common Entrance Test (CET)-2010, the results of which were declared last evening.

In the medical stream, Ifra Abid secured the top position getting 210 marks, while in the engineering stream, Ashna Kumar secured the top position securing 193 marks. The examination was conducted by the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations on June 26-27, in which around 18,045 candidates appeared throughout the state and about 9,230 candidates were from Jammu.

The result was declared by the board last evening. It was for the first time that the board declared the combined results of girls and boys.

Two separate lists of selected candidates for medical and engineering streams were released. The lists consisted names of 1,000 candidates for each stream. The cut off in the medical stream was recorded as 135, whereas in the engineering stream the cut off was 108.

These candidates have been provisionally selected for admission to MBBS, BDS, BVSc, BAMS, BUMS, BSc, agriculture and allied courses in SKUAST-K and SKUAST-J, SKIMS courses, Diploma in Dental Hygiene and BE/B Tech courses.

While talking to The Tribune, Dr Gopal Gupta, Controller, CET, said the counselling of the selected candidates in the medical stream would start from July 15 at the board office, Srinagar, whereas for selected candidates in the engineering stream, the counselling sessions would start from July 29 at the board office in Jammu.

“At both offices, the counselling will start from 9 am and will continue throughout the day,” the Controller, CET examination, said.

Gupta said the candidates could check their results on the website www.jakbopee.org and also from the gazette, which is available at the board office in Srinagar and Jammu.

Jammu, July 3
Over 100 activists of the BJP and the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, including four MLAs, were arrested while trying to enforce bandh in the city and on outskirts.

Samiti convener Brig Suchet Singh (retd) and state president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Rama Kant Dubey were also picked up by the police before they began mobilising people in support of the bandh.

While the bandh call given by the samiti received a poor response, its leaders blamed the administration for the “forcible” opening of city markets by the police. “The city was turned into a police cantonment and shopkeepers were forced to open their shops,” alleged Brig Suchet.

The samiti convener, who was picked up from the Geeta Bhawan along with other leaders early this morning, claimed that despite the oppressive measures adopted by the government, people voluntarily observed the bandh in several areas.

He alleged that a pre-dawn crackdown was conducted throughout the city and adjoining localities and samiti workers were picked up, so as to make the bandh a flop show.

Meanwhile, the bandh call received a poor response in the city. Although shops were closed on outskirts like Janipur, Gandhi Nagar and other areas, there was no response in the walled city, which is considered a citadel of the BJP. The old Jammu city, represented by BJP stalwart Ashok Khajuria, remained open.

Interestingly, BJP leaders had repeatedly asserted that the bandh would be made successful at any cost. The opening of the old city is considered as the biggest setback to the BJP, as the people outrightly rejected the call.

Since this morning, the police was on the alert to foil any attempt to enforce the bandh. Similarly, a group of BJP leaders, including three MLAs Ashok Khajuria, Jugal Kishore Sharma and Choudhary Sukhnandan, were picked up by the police when they tried to take out a protest in the city. They were arrested by the police as soon as they came out of the party headquarters this afternoon.

BJP MLA from Suchetgarh Choudhary Sham along with party workers was arrested in the RS Pura area when they were trying to enforce the bandh.

Reports from Bhaderwah said members of a particular community observed a total shutdown. People also took out a protest against the attempt of the government to ‘defame’ the security forces deployed in the Valley.

Ramban, July 3
Given the prevailing situation in the Valley, unregistered Amarnath pilgrims would do well to avoid bypassing the registration authorities in Jammu. Having seized the problem, the authorities of the districts on the yatra route in the Jammu region have been issued instructions to stop every such pilgrim in the larger interest of the smooth flow of yatra traffic.

Sources told The Tribune that instructions had been issued to the authorities concerned at Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Jammu to stop all unregistered pilgrims in the areas under their jurisdiction so that they did not enter the Valley to avoid any untoward incident. The necessity for such a step arose because the number of such pilgrims added to the registered ones and this was posing a problem to the police authorities of the areas, especially in Ramban district, before the yatra enters the Valley.

Since the start of the yatra it has been observed that a number of pilgrims hit the yatra route on the National Highway-1A from either Kathua or Samba district via Udhampur. The number of total pilgrims increases when they reach Ramban district before entering the Valley. “Given the sensitive nature of the yatra, we have to deal with such pilgrims with kid gloves because our main interest is to ensure security. It will be better if these people, who are mainly youths, stop being adventurous and cooperate in the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage,” said a senior police officer, who did not wish to be named.

On an average, between 2,000 and 3,000 pilgrims leave Jammu, where they are registered, for the yatra daily. They then move in a caravan of vehicles along with police escort. Each vehicle is identifiable from the coloured stickers pasted on their windscreens. But the unregistered pilgrims pose as tourists when asked by the police. “We cannot afford to stop them for long at any point to avoid any traffic congestion on the narrow road,” said the officer.

So after detailed deliberations on the issue, it was decided that no unregistered pilgrims should be allowed beyond Udhampur after the passage of the officially cleared batch of pilgrims. They should only be allowed to move along with the next batch of pilgrims. It is also in their interest because as compared to Ramban district, the lodging facilities in terms of hotels, lodges, dharmshalas are far more and better in Udhampur, Jammu and other places. “All I can say is that we will ensure the safe passage of the yatra in our district. We have also provided proper security at 11 langar spots at six locations between Patnitop and the Jawahar Tunnel,” said SP, Ramban, Mubassir Latifi.

Srinagar, July 3
It is the power of sheer faith in Lord Shiva that draws lakhs of pilgrims from across the country to undertake the treacherous journey to the Amarnath cave shrine located at a height of 13,500 feet above sea level.

According to the Hindu belief, the cave shrine, which forms an important part of the pilgrimage, is more than 5,000 years’ old and inside the main cave every year an ice stalagmite is formed naturally, resembling the Shiv Lingam.

The cave shrine also finds mention in Kalhana’s Rajatarangini and another historian wrote that the 14th century ruler of Kashmir Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin also paid a visit to the cave shrine.

Every year during the annual pilgrimage that starts in the first week of July pilgrims from across the country visit the shrine. There are two routes to the cave shrine. The tradition Pahalgam route in south Kashmir, which takes two days to reach the cave shrine and has various stops. The other route is the Baltal route from north Kashmir which is much shorter and the yatra can be performed in a day.

“Every time I come for the yatra I prefer the traditional Phalagam route. Though it is lengthy and treacherous, it is believed to be the route that Lord Shiva and Parvati took to reach the cave where Lord Shiva narrated the mystery of immortality to Parvati,” said Hirday Shankar, a sadhu from Varanasi.

“Though now there are many facilities like pony, dandi, pitthu, one should undertake the yatra on foot and it is only the yatra undertaken on foot that has much an impact,” said Upinder Kumar, a resident of New Delhi.

There are thousands of people who have been visiting the cave shrine year after year and they say that it is the power of their faith that drives them to visit the shrine every year.

“I have been coming to the shrine for the past 15 years and it is my faith in Lord Shiva that I will continue to visit the cave shrine for many more years to come,” said Inderjeet Singh, a pilgrim from Punjab.

Udhampur, July 3
For the peaceful conduct of the Amarnath yatra, the district authorities under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan yesterday held wider consultations with the representatives of the political parties, social and religious organisations, prominent citizens and commerce and trade associations here.

SSP, Udhampur, Surinder Gupta, Additional DC NI Parae, Additional SP Bhupinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Gurvinderjeet Singh and tehsildars were also present on the occasion.

The main idea of the meeting was to solicit views from people from all walks of life for making the Amarnath yatra comfortable for the pilgrims. Baseer said the pilgrims visiting Jammu and Kashmir should take along with them the cherished moments of the pilgrimage in the spirit of brotherhood and communal harmony. Appreciating the people of Udhampur for showing due concern for the peaceful conduct of the yatra every year, the DC complimented them for their hospitality and secular ethos.

To strengthen the bond of communal amity, Baseer urged upon the citizens to extend all possible support by putting up various stalls of eatables and other essential commodities to be required by the pilgrims during the yatra at the transit camps in the district. He also directed the tehsildars to convene similar meetings at their respective tehsil headquarters for strengthening communal harmony and mutual trust.

The SSP said elaborate security arrangements had been made and efforts were also being taken for smooth traffic flow during the yatra. He assured all possible help from the district police in redressing the grievances of the people of the district.

Jammu, July 3
At least six Amarnath pilgrims from neighbouring Punjab were killed and two others injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-feet deep gorge near Ramsu in Ramban district on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today.

“Six pilgrims were killed and two others seriously injured after their Toyota Qualis (HR55D/4665) skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-feet deep gorge,” SP, Ramban, Mubasir Latifi told The Tribune.

Latifi said the ill-fated vehicle was part of the official convoy of pilgrims, which had left the Yatri Niwas base camp from Jammu this morning. One of the tyres of the vehicle had burst causing the mishap around 2.30 pm, he added. The dead and the injured hailed from Nakodar in Punjab, said the SP. Soon after the mishap rescue teams rushed to the site and launched rescue operations and shifted the victims to the Banihal subdistrict hospital, he added.

The deceased have been identified as Kewal Chander, Sudesh Kumar and Arun Kumar (both brothers), Bhupinder Singh, Tilak Raj and Jagdish Raj, all belonging to Nakodar in Punjab.

The injured are Ashwani Kumar, son of Darshan Lal, and driver Kuldeep Kumar, son of Niranjan, also from Nakodar.

Srinagar, July 3
For the eighth consecutive day today, life across the Kashmir valley remained paralysed in the wake of protests and curfew restrictions, while at least 25 persons, including six policemen, were injured in clashes between protesters and the security forces at several places.

Curfew restrictions were imposed at various places in Kupwara district of north Kashmir after several persons were injured, three of them seriously, during the clashes after Friday prayers yesterday at Trehgam. Two had to be shifted to Srinagar hospitals. In view of these incidents, the authorities imposed curfew restrictions in Kupwara town, Hari, Trehgam and Kralpora. However, residents held protests defying the curfew this morning prompting the police and the CRPF to quell the demonstrators, resulting in injuries to many of them.

At least five persons were injured in the clashes that erupted in Anantnag town this morning, after the two-hour curfew relaxation started at 6 am. Angry demonstrators engaged the police and the CRPF in pitched battles in Lal Chowk and Sherpora localities, forcing the authorities to reimpose the restrictions. The police fired into the air and used tear-gas shells to quell the demonstrators before the curfew was reimposed.

The curfew was imposed in the town on Wednesday morning after the death of three youths in firing by the CRPF in the town on Tuesday afternoon.

In Srinagar city, areas under four police stations remained under curfew restrictions today. These police stations include Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj and Safakadal, in addition to parts of Maisuma in central Lal Chowk.

However, there were reports of protests leading to clashes in many localities in the city.

Protests were also reported from other major towns of the Valley, including Sopore and Baramulla, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian.

Jammu, July 3
To commemorate the martyrdom of late Brigadier Mohammed Usman, a memorial function was organised at the Usman Memorial by the Jhangar Battalion near Naushera today. This memorial was built at the same place where the Brigadier sacrificed his life during the 1947-48 war with Pakistan.

Brig Usman played a pivotal role as a commander during the recapture of Jhangar and the battle of Naushera, which earned him the title of ‘Hero of Jhangar’ and ‘Saviour of Naushera’.

Among those present at the function were the General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, along with the General Officer Commanding, Ace of Spades Division; Commander, Naushera Brigade; DIG, Poonch-Rajouri range, SDS Jamwal and DC, Rajouri, Gulam Ahmad Khwaja. The GOC, White Knight Corps, honoured Veer Naris and meritorious students of the area.

The work done by the Naushera garrison in guiding the youth for employment was also appreciated on the occasion. During interaction with the troops, the GOC, White Knight Corps, reminded them of the sacrifices made by the brave ‘son of the motherland’ Brig Usman, and told them to live up to the ethos of their predecessors.

Meanwhile, a column of Rashtriya Rifles seized some arms from the Tanki area in Ramban last evening. The seizure included 12 kg of explosives, 10 metre cordex wire, 31 detonators and miscellaneous items.

Jammu, July 3
A team of eight Naval divers from Bandipora in Kashmir today reached Mansar Lake to trace the body of a final-year medical student, who went missing near the lake on May 14.

“A team of eight Naval divers from Bandipora reached Mansar Lake today and it is going to start the operation in another half an hour,” a senior police officer told The Tribune.

The operation got delayed because the divers needed some equipment, which now had been brought from the garrison town of Udhampur, he added.

Zuhaib Rizvi, a final-year MBBS student at Acharaya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences at Sidhra here, has remained untraced since May 14 this year.

His uncle, Shaukat Khan, a resident of Srinagar, has been shuttling from pillar to post, pleading the police and the civil administration to trace his nephew. The hapless family has even announced a reward to anybody who could give clues about his whereabouts.

After the young medico went missing under mysterious circumstances on May 14, the police recovered his wallet and some belongings by the lakeside.

The police said the medico had hired a cab to reach the lake on May 14 from the Jammu bus stand and after reaching the lake he reportedly asked the driver to drop him there telling him to return. The recovery of the medico’s identity card, business card of the taxi driver and some money from the site aroused suspicion about a possible suicide, the police added.

Jammu, July 3
The security forces combating Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the state have observed a recent pattern of how militants in tandem with subversive elements have been trying to provoke the troops and engaging them in retaliatory action at crowded places of troubled Kashmir.

“Though we have been exercising utmost restraint while dealing with unruly crowds in the Valley, the recent shift in the tactic of the militants who now hurl grenades or fire indiscriminately at crowded places is a desperate attempt on their part to provoke the troops and engage them in a retaliatory action,” defence sources said.

By doing so, the militants want the security personnel to retaliate so that the situation could be exploited through protests in the name of human rights violations, they added.

The sources referred to the recent incident in Sopore on Thursday when unidentified persons lobbed a grenade towards a CRPF patrol party. Though the grenade missed the intended target, minutes after unknown persons lobbed another grenade towards a moving CRPF vehicle in the same area, they added.

Similarly, on June 21, at least 15 persons, including five policemen, were injured when four grenades exploded one after another in Sopore while a fierce gunbattle broke out between the militants and the troops in Bagat Mohalla, wherein one SOG personnel was killed.

Earlier, on March 14, the militants had targeted the CRPF jawans by hurling grenades in old city and Sopore. The sources said a CRPF jawan was killed while seven others, including five troopers, were injured.

On June 25, when the CRPF in a joint operation with the Rashtriya Rifles and the police killed two militants in Sopore, CRPF Inspector Rohtas Kumar was fired upon from the crowd.

These incidents clearly show that the militants now want to engage the security forces in crowded places to exploit the situation but we have always exercised utmost restraint and would continue to avoid collateral damage during counter-insurgency operations, the sources said.

Srinagar, July 3
At a time when Kashmir is reeling under curfew for the last couple of weeks, advance bookings by tourists are being cancelled and tourists are flying back. The tourism sector is yet again passing through testing times.

“We had a great tourist season this year so far but the situation over the last few days had brought it to a standstill,” said Rouf Ahmad, a hotelier, adding that “Many bookings have been cancelled and tourists are leaving the Valley”.

However, Rouf Trumboo, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), believes that rumours and the media hype are causing more damage than the situation here. He said, “Some agencies want to destroy the economy of the state, as it is a peak tourist season here.”

He argued that despite the situation being better now, television channels were repeating the same footage, which created tension and apprehension among viewers. “Bookings are not being cancelled, but people are apprehensive and queries are being raised about safety and other concerns. There are certain pockets in the old city where the situation is tense, but the tourist areas are safe.”

Trumboo added, “We want to carry forward the message that the tourists are our guests. People from various political ideologies and trading fraternity welcome them wholeheartedly.” He said, “More than 10 lakh leisure tourists are expected this year and out of which five lakh have already visited the Valley up to June.”

Javaid Ahmad, a shikarawalla, while waiting for visitors on the Boulevard road, pointed out that, “A few days back houseboats were completely occupied by tourists. You could hardly find one to stay in. There was a huge rush for shikara-riding as well. Now, you can see empty shikaras moving around.”

“Hotels were jam-packed a week ago. Now, they are almost empty. Almost all bookings have been cancelled,” said Ehsan Bhat, a front office executive in one of the hotels. He said the bookings under package tourism too were cancelled and tourists wanted to stay back at tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. “Later even these areas witnessed a low percentage of tourists.

Ehsan maintained that if the situation continued it might lead to staff retrenchment in hotels and allied sectors. “The tourism sector has received a severe jolt due to the current situation. The number of tourists has declined,” says Tanveer Ahmad, another hotelier.

Srinagar, July 3
Just days after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram warned that militant groups across the border were trying to take advantage of the ongoing turmoil in the Valley by trying to push in the maximum number of militants, the Army today killed four militants trying to infiltrate.

As per the Army sources, four militants were killed on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowgam sector in an encounter with the Army while they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian side. The soldiers guarding the LoC noticed a group of heavily armed militants trying to sneak into the Indian territory last night. The militants were challenged, but they started firing at the soldiers. The fire was retaliated and the encounter continued throughout the night.

“In the gunfight, four militants were killed,” said the Army officer. He said the encounter was still going on and any reports about the identification and group affiliation of the slain militants could be shared later. In the past few days, there has been a sudden rise in infiltration attempts by the militants.