Srinagar, July 11
With no incidents of violence, curfew restrictions were lifted from all areas of the Valley today, while prohibitory orders remain in Baramulla, Anantnag and Pulwama towns.

The situation across the Valley remained generally peaceful today, the police said. Curfew restrictions were imposed here on Tuesday following the death of four persons during clashes arising out of protests against human rights violations. The Army was deployed in view of the deteriorating situation, which held a flag march. Restrictions were lifted from the city areas on Friday in view of the religious occasion of Shab-i-Meiraj - holiest night in Islamic calendar. However, protest demonstrations were reported from some areas following the relaxation. Maisuma locality of the city was again placed under curfew following fresh clashes yesterday. Prohibitory orders have been issued today in Baramulla, Anantnag and Pulwama towns after relaxation in curfew restrictions. Pulwama witnessed trouble yesterday due to the reports about death of one person in the clashes. However, the situation was peaceful today prompting the authorities to lift the curfew. Prohibitory orders are also in force in Anantnag that had witnessed much trouble following the death of three youth in CRPF firing on June 29.

Normal life across the Valley remained affected due to the fresh calendar of protests called by the hardline APHC led by Syed Ali Geelani. The fresh calendar that was circulated to the media yesterday, included a bandh for today, followed by “civil curfew” tomorrow. This is the third such calendar issued by the hardline APHC whose chairman and several other leaders are under detention.

APHC (moderate) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who has also launched a programme of protest demonstrations, was kept under house arrest today. A number of youths have been taken into custody by the police following recent incidents of violence resulting in the repeated incidents of stone pelting on the police, CRPF and damaging government property. 

Srinagar, July 11
Those who have been stranded in various parts of the Valley due to the ongoing turmoil are facing problems in returning to their homes. They are in no position to return home owing to the stone pelting, curfew and the strike in Srinagar city.

“I had come to Srinagar city for a day and could not bring my car with me as I feared that the stone pelters might attack it, but now for the past 10 days I am stranded in Srinagar unable to return home,” said Umar Mustaq of Baramulla.

He said every time there was relaxation in the curfew, he had gone to the bus stand and taxi stand, but had to return dejected as no driver was ready to ply on these roads fearing that they might be attacked.

“In the past many days a large number of vehicles were attacked by stone throwers so we cannot take a chance as there is a frequent and sudden stone pelting at various places enroute Baramulla,” said Gulzar Ahmed Kumar, a taxi driver.

The buses too are off the roads and people are unable to reach their destinations. Though some vehicles ply on some of the routes early in the morning, during the day most of the drivers prefer to keep their vehicles off the road.

“I am living in a rented accommodation in Srinagar and wanted to return home to Anantnag as my wife and children are there, but due to the prevailing situation I am unable to do so,” said Manzoor Ahmed.

There seems to be no respite for the people who are stranded in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley as the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has issued a fresh “protest calendar” for the coming days.

Jammu, July 11
The Chief Minister’s much-hyped online grievances cell ‘Awaz-e-Awam’, launched in September last year, has virtually turned defunct owing to the ongoing disturbances in some parts of the state.

As the top brass of the administration, including CM Omar Abdullah, is preoccupied in finding a way out to deescalate tension, particularly in the Valley, common man’s grievances remain unattended to and continue to pile up on the official website (www. jkgrievance.nic.in) for the past many weeks.

Amit Gupta of Gandhinagar alleges that the complaints were being “dumped” without being addressed to. “Till date I have dispatched nine reminders to impress upon the in charge of the grievance cell to rout my complaint directly to the Chief Minister, but there has been no response to my complaint’,” he says.

Derek Dixon, an Indian-born US national, in his series of complaints addressed to Omar Abdullah, has asked for taking action against SHO, Rajbagh police station, Srinagar, for “harassing” US tourists. Dixon’s complaint, which has been forwarded to the DGP, has so far not been taken care of. Having received a cold response, Dixon in his latest complaint has threatened to take up the issue at the Ambassador level. “If the matter was not resolved at the state level, I will have no recourse but to approach the US Ambassador to India or Indian Ambassador to the US at Washington DC’,” the complainant has mentioned.

Sudesh Bharati of Indira Nagar, Udhampur, has threatened to immolate himself if his grievance was not addressed at the earliest. He has alleged that the police was hushing up the double murder case of his sister and brother-in-law that took place in Lander village in 2008. He has impressed upon the Chief Minister to constitute a special investigation team to probe the crime as the culprits were still at large.

Abhimanyu Singh, a student of JJ Hospital, Mumbai, in his complaint has drawn the attention of Omar Abdullah towards the anti-India and anti-Kashmir pictures and comments being presently put on social networking site Facebook. He has appealed to the CM to immediately look into the matter. However, like other grievances his complaint is also yet to be addressed to owing to the CM’s pre-occupation in dealing with the law and order situation in the Valley. 

Srinagar, July 11
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, met the Governor, NN Vohra, at Raj Bhavan today. Both discussed wide-ranging issues during their hour-long meeting, including the recent developments in the state, an official spokesman said.

The NC president arrived here today. His presence is regarded as significant in view of the prevailing situation in Kashmir. He would be attending the all-party meet tomorrow. 

Srinagar, July 11
Expressing sorrow and anguish over the recent incidents resulting in loss of lives and property in Kashmir, the National Conference, Congress Legislature Party meeting here today sought people’s cooperation for restoration of peace and normalcy irrespective of their political affiliations.

It also resolved that the government would put in place an appropriate mechanism to address the grievances and problems of the people “in a more vibrant systematic, regular and time bound manner which will be viewed and reviewed from time to time by the government”.

The meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was held as a prelude to the all-party meeting scheduled for tomorrow to end the present crisis in the state due to the recent killings. The meeting was also attended by NC president Farooq Abdullah. State PCC chief and Rajya Sabha MP Saifuddin Soz, who is the chairman of the NC-Congress Coordination Committee, also attended the meeting. Members of the council of ministers and legislators attended, an official spokesman said.

The Chief Minister had called today’s meeting ahead of the (12-member) all-party meeting. All parties, except for the Opposition PDP that has 21 seats in the 87-member state Assembly, has decided to stay away from the meeting.

The present situation was discussed in detail in the meeting in which various resolutions, aimed at bringing peace and order back to disturbed areas, were passed.

“We make a fervent and sincere appeal to all right thinking people irrespective of their political affiliations and ideologies to come forward at this crucial juncture and extend their active and positive support, and full cooperation in restoring peace and tranquillity in the state,” the resolution stated. “It is our firm belief that such a support and cooperation shall go a long way in protecting the life and property of the people at large and restoring peace,” it added.

A resolution, passed in the meeting expressing sympathies with the bereaved families in the recent incidents, said: “The government has decided to provide all possible help and relief to such aggrieved families”.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and former CM, Farooq Abdullah, met the Governor, NN Vohra, at Raj Bhavan here this evening.

Both discussed wide-ranging issues during their hour-long meeting, including the recent developments in the state, an official spokesman said.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah arrived here today. His presence is regarded as significant in view of the prevailing situation in Kashmir. He attended the NC-Congress legislators’ meeting today and would be attending the all-party meet tomorrow. 

Srinagar, July 11
Even as the Kashmir Valley has been witness to violent protests and curfew for a fortnight, there has been no impact on the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, as the same is going on smoothly without any disturbance.

Even as the authorities had clamped curfew in Anantnag district, the protestors have been providing a ‘safe passage’ to pilgrims.

“Unlike what people in Jammu say that it was not safe to travel to Kashmir to undertake the yatra, the situation here is quite contrast, we were not harmed at any place and allowed to proceed onwards,” said Mangal Kumar, a resident of New Delhi.

He said though at certain places he saw youths throwing stones at the security forces, and their vehicle was stopped for a brief period, but “when we told them that we were on yatra to the holy cave, they allowed us to move ahead”.

The Anantnag district of south Kashmir has been witnessing battles between the security forces and protestors after three youths were allegedly shot dead by the police and the CRPF on June 29, when they were protesting against the death of two youths in Baramulla district. The tension escalated when four more people died allegedly due to CRPF firing last week prompting the authorities to call in the Army to hold flag march and maintain law and order in the valley.

The district administration too accept the fact that despite the brewing tension in the area, the yatra is going on smoothly as the protestors were not harming the yatris.

“Not a single incident has come to our notice when a vehicle carrying pilgrims were attacked, though to avoid any chance we are providing adequate security to the convoy,” said a senior police officer from Anantnag.

Udhamnpur, July 11
Final priorities for already identified projects under the Economic Opportunity Development Plan (EODP) for Udhampur town were fixed in a workshop that concluded here yesterday under the chairmanship of DHV Private Limited’s project support consultant Tjeerd Koudenburg.

Additional District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, RR Sharma; Chief Planning Officer HH Dutt, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) S Gurvinderjeet Singh, officers of engineering departments, prominent citizens, representatives of the Beopar Mandal and the Devika Sudhar Samiti attended the workshop.

Giving details about the projects under the EODP, Koundenburg said nine projects had been identified for Udhampur, which include improvement and upgradation of Devika Devasthan Complex, development of park and different places at Gangera Hills, improvement and building of the road to Krimchi Temple complex, improvement and upgrading of lanes and drains, development of existing drainage system/nallahs, construction of basement parking and extension of Dabbar Park towards circular road, construction of sewerage of network and STP, construction of bus stand and construction of five overhead bridges.

After discussion with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), the projects would begin next year, he said and added that all projects would be completed within five years. 

Jammu, July 11
Stressing upon a transparent transfer policy in the Department of School Education, the National Secular Forum (NSF) yesterday demanded a high-level inquiry into the recent adjustments in the postings of class XII lecturers.

The forum also demanded the removal of the director school education, Jammu, Zahida Khan, over the allegations of corruption.

Addressing a press conference here today, Vikas Sharma, president of the NSF, claimed that the directorate of school education recently made adjustments in the 10+2 lectures’ cadre by taking ‘bribes’ for posting incumbents at their desired places.

“What was the need of changing the places of posting within 15 days of the appointment of candidates at specific places?” questioned the NSF leader.

“Those, who were newly appointed in Doda, Poonch and other rural areas were called back and posted in Jammu and on its outskirts within a fortnight,” Sharma said.

Asserting that change in the places of posting was a clear example of rampant corruption in the School Education Department, he said, “The favourites of the director have been given prized postings in Jammu city while other candidates have been posted at far-off places.”

He also flayed Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed for allegedly patronising corruption and nepotism in the department. 

Jammu, July 11
The BSF today lodged a protest with Pak Rangers over unprovoked cross-border firing and ceasefire violations at a forward Khawara post along the International Border (IB) in Samba district.

The Pak Rangers had opened fire during the intervening night of July 9-10 and had targeted an armoured vehicle of the BSF.

BSF sources said a flag meeting was called at New SM Khora Post along the IB and a protest was lodged with Pak Rangers over cross-border firing and ceasefire violations at Khawara post.

The flag meeting was held at deputy commandant level, he said. This was the fifth incident of ceasefire violation and cross-border firing in the past five days.

Pakistani troops had last violated the ceasefire on July 7 when they opened fire at the Chak Pagwari BOP in Pargwal sector in Akhnoor.

On July 6, Pakistani troops fired at Pindi, Mala Bela and Chak Phagwari border outpost in which a BSF jawan was killed and a villager injured.

Pakistani troops had also fired at the Chak Pagwari BOP on July 5 and killed a BSF trooper. They had also fired at forward positions along the Line of Control in Krishnaghati area of Poonch sector on July 5.

Srinagar, July 11
As many as 1,30,141 yatris have so far paid darshan at the shrine of the Amarnath ice lingam.

According to official sources, 68,343 yatris came via the Phalgam route, while 66,590 yatris used the Baltal route.

Meanwhile, 8,174 pilgrims today left from the Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal base camps to Amarnath Cave.

As many as 4,404 pilgrims, comprising 3,030 men, 1,025 women, 142 children and 207 sadhus left from the Pahalgam base camp, and the rest, comprising 2,611 men, 927 women, 217 children and 15 sadhus left from the Baltal base camp.

Jammu, July 11
In its weekly theatre programme, Natrang staged here today Hindi play ‘Lekhak’ written by Balwant Gargi and directed by Balwant Thakur. Today, was the 306th show of Sunday Theatre, which Natrang started in 2004.

In the play, Lekhak -- a creative person -- is shown engaged in the process of creating and writing a play. He undergoes various kinds of creative tensions, for instance when he reaches the point to pen down his thoughts on paper, he gets distracted by his visitors. The play is about a creative person who is not being understood by the people living around him. For everybody around here, he an idle person. Balwant Gargi, being a writer himself, has beautifully depicted life of a creator, his aspirations and frustrations.

The play showcases the struggle of a creative person, the effort and the amount of energy he puts in creating a creative piece. Without realising and acknowledging his creative tensions, everyone visiting him just load him with their own problems.

Rahul Singh was successful in portraying the inner turmoil of the writer. Sound effects were arranged and played by Mohit Sharma and the lights were designed and executed by Mohd Gaurav Jamwal. Yaseen coordinated the show and Vikram Sharma did the presentations.

Jammu, July 11
The ongoing ban on SMS in the state has caused disappointment among the fans of Jammu boy Piyush Bhagat, a contestant of “Chak Dhoom Dhoom”, a talent hunt show.

Despite a blanket ban on SMS on mobile service providers by the state government, Airtel has allowed its subscribers to send SMS for this reality show.

“For sending SMS to Piyush, the voters have to type ‘piy’ on message box and then send to ‘56882’,” Amit Dubey, director of the dancing institute where from Piyush has learnt dance told The Tribune.

As such, this service is the only hope for saving Piyush from the danger zone.

Following the ban on SMS service in the state, voters from the state have been appealed through Internet to persuade their relatives living outside Jammu and Kashmir, to cast their votes in favour of Piyush.

The ban has put the followers and parents of Piyush under stress, as they feel handicapped to garner support in his favour in the absence of SMS service.

Expressing disappointment over the ban, Shubham Dubey, dance master of Piyush said, “I am totally dumbstruck, I cannot even think of an alternative for garnering support and sending votes to Piyush..”