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Pak troops again violate ceasefire
Removal of Plaque carrying Azad’s
name
Turmoil in Valley
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Handling Kashmir Turmoil
Lack of cellphone connectivity
Nod to Rs 78 crore annual plan for Jammu
‘Diluting AFSPA will be handicap for troops’
Helpline set up for ex-servicemen
Mani Mahesh Yatra
Conserve heritage buildings, historical sites: Governor
Firing victim was not part of protest
11 police officers transferred
Provide job on compassionate grounds: HC
Kashmira Vahini to hold workshops
Border area schoolchildren go
on educational tour
Jawan goes missing with AK-47 rifle
Jawan sustains burns
Soldier killed in Baramulla encounter
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Pak troops again violate ceasefire
Jammu, July 20 “ Yesterday around 8 p.m, BSF jawans, who were guarding the outpost, observed the movement of around 10 to 12 armed persons, suspected to be Pakistan ultras, near the IB. The Indian troops opened fire and challenged the intruders, who fled back to Pakistan,” said a BSF officer. However, the Pakistan troops then opened fire on the Devra border outpost from their three posts of Shajmahal, Javed and Tareek, he added. They used small arms fire, forcing the BSF to retaliate, and the exchange of fire continued till 10.30 pm, he said. Sources, however, said the Pakistan troops also used mortars in their latest ceasefire violation. They added the BSF had sought a flag meeting with its counterpart to lodge a protest. This was the seventh ceasefire violation during this month. Four such violations have taken place in the Chak Phagwari border outpost when the Pakistan troops fired on patrol parties of the BSF, killing two
jawans. On July 15 and 16, the Pakistan troops had targeted six Indian posts with mortar, rockets and small arms fire in the Poonch and RS Pura sectors. On July 9, the Pakistan Rangers had violated the ceasefire by resorting to small arms firing along the IB on the Khawara border outpost in Samba. The Pakistan troops had also violated the ceasefire on July 7 when they opened fire at the Chak Pagwari BOP in Pargwal in Jammu. |
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Removal of Plaque carrying Azad’s
name
Jammu, July 20 Before the situation could turn ugly, the Chief Minister intervened and ordered an inquiry to ascertain the truth behind the allegations of the Deputy Chairman of the Upper House. Sources said while speaking in the meeting, Micky, in an obvious reference towards the removal of a plaque carrying the name of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad from the Gandhi Nagar hospital, urged the Chief Minister not to remove the plagues installed by the ministers of the previous government. While Omar made it clear that no plaque installed by previous ministers had been removed, the Health Minister intervened and supported the Chief Minister. He pointed out that during the inauguration of the building of the Gandhi Nagar hospital no plaque was removed. He said a new plaque was installed but not by removing the previous one. When Sham Lal and Micky started arguing, the Chief Minister intervened and asked the officers concerned to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the facts. Micky relented after the Chief Minister ordered an inquiry. Interestingly, both Sham Lal and Micky belong to the Congress. The sources said in the meeting BJP members, while expressing concern over the slow pace of renovation work on the historical Mubark Mandi complex, demanded that a new committee should be constituted to accelerate the work. BJP MLA from Jammu East Ashok Khajuria asked why former minister GS Charak was still continuing as the vice-chairman of the committee constituted for the renovation of the complex? Though Charak was not present in the meeting, Khajuria demanded that he should be removed from the post. Another BJP MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma drew the attention of the Chief Minister towards the inordinate delay in the construction of a lake in the Tawi. He regretted that during the last six years the government had been repeatedly committing to constructing the lake but no concerted step had been taken in this regard. Jugal Kishore demanded that a time schedule be fixed for the project. He also took up the issue of delay in the execution of the flyover projects in the city to cope with the problem of traffic congestion. |
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Turmoil in Valley
Srinagar, July 20 “We had heard about the turmoil in the Valley, but we thought it was restricted to only a few places. But since the day we arrived here we have been confined to our houseboat,” said Preetam Singh, a tourist from
Ludhiana. He said now he was planing to leave for Patnitop where his family could spend the rest of the vacation. “We came here to spend our vacation and escape the scorching heat, but we never knew that here our lives would be in danger. So, now we are heading to a safer location and want to leave the place as soon as we can,” Preetam said. People associated with the tourism industry here say that they were expecting a good tourist season this year as around 20 lakh tourists were expected to visit the Valley and around five lakh had already arrived in the first six months. However, owing to the present turmoil, 97 per cent of the bookings had been
cancelled. “Those who have already arrived are now planing to leave any moment. We are ruined due to the turmoil,” said Imtiyaz Ahmed, a houseboat owner. A visit to the famous Boulevard Road along the Dal Lake reveals the impact of the ongoing unrest. A month ago the place that was reverberating with domestic and foreign tourists looks deserted and only a few security personnel could be seen patrolling the area. Houseboats and shikaras in the lake, which were bustling with tourists, are empty, as if waiting for the turmoil to end. “A month ago the tourists had to wait for several hours for their turn to get a shikara ride in the Dal Lake. But now all shikaras are empty. A few tourists, who are here, don’t come out of their rooms. Our livelihood has been shattered,” said Mubeen Ahmed, a
shikarawala. “We are heading towards Shimla, as we cannot risk our life in Kashmir. The situation here is very tense and we have been instructed by people at our embassy to stay away from Kashmir,” said James, a tourist from the USA. He added, “No doubt, Kashmir is a beautiful place and people here are too nice, but still we cannot risk our lives.” Tour operators in Srinagar say that a majority of tourists are now leaving the Valley and going to Patnitop and
Shimla. “Tourists enquire about Patnitop and Shimla and a large number of them are going to the two stations”, said Shabir Ahmed, owner of Max Tour and Travels,
Srinagar. |
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Handling Kashmir Turmoil
Jammu, July 20 Omar, having 4,815 fans on this social networking site, is daily receiving a large number of suggestions from people living across the world, especially from
Kashmiris, regarding how the innocent lives could be saved or what should he (Omar) do to tackle the current situation. While some of his opponents are criticising his policies, there are hundreds of his Facebook fans praising his policies for dealing with the situation in Kashmir. Besides, some of his fans have suggested him to reshuffle his Cabinet and senior administrative
officers. Gowhar Nazir, a fan of Omar on Facebook, writes, “Dear Omar, please change the curfew strategy, as it is leading us to a devastating future. For me, I have lost one year of my career.” While this fan has shown concern over curfew, there are others who have reposed full faith in the Omar-led government and posted some thoughtful comments. Another fan, Fernando
Tawfeeq, writes, “You (Omar Abdullah) are doing a good job but some people don’t want this to happen. They are trying to suppress your talent and your progress. They don’t want Kashmir people to live peacefully. They don’t want Kashmir students to study further and achieve something great. They just want them to pelt stones and ruin their future. As tension is easing, they have started doing it again only just to prove that the government has failed.” He adds, “Now, it is our responsibility to stop this crisis from worsening and help the government. Otherwise, it can create
a big problem for our youths. Our young ones’ future is at stake, so we
should think about it.” Here is one more fan, Irfan Mir, who has advised Omar to change his advisers and DGP Kuldip
Khoda. Besides, there are other people who are daily posting suggestions about the current situation in Kashmir on the wall of Omar’s profile on
Facebook. But he has not yet replied to anyone. |
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Lack of cellphone connectivity
Amarnath Cave, July 20 Before the yatra began on July 1, thousands of personnel of the CRPF, BSF, Army and the state police were deployed on various points where they made their bunkers and set up pickets after clearing the snow-covered track to the holy cave. Though the satellite phone service is available at some places, the connectivity is very poor and it hardly works. So the jawans are unable to talk to their families. Rameshwar Singh, Assistant Commandant, CRPF, at the Sheshnag Base Camp said, “A group of nearly 90 personnel have been deployed here for the last one month but we don’t have any facility of radio or telephone here.” He further said the service of one private cellphone company was available at the top of a mountain, which is 4 km from here. “So, we are unable to call anywhere,” Rameshwar added. Moreover, the security forces have been told that their leave application would not be accepted under any condition. |
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Nod to Rs 78 crore annual plan for Jammu
Jammu, July 20 The Chief Minister was addressing a meeting of the District Development Board (DDB), Jammu, wherein an annual plan of 2010-11 to the tune of Rs 78 crore was approved. The plan outlay includes Rs 52.45 crore as the capital component and Rs 25.51 crore as the revenue component. Responding to a point raised by the board members, Omar informed that the government had already released Rs 5 crore equity for the ambitious cable car project proposed to be taken up on the public-private partnership mode. About the development of the Tawi bridge, he said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the purpose and Rs 7 crore had already been released. He also divulged that a whopping Rs 50 crore had been secured under the 13th Finance Commission for the development of the Mubark Mandi Royal Palace as heritage complex. Referring to the proposal for constructing flyovers at various places across Jammu, the Chief Minister said the projects had already been submitted before the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He, however, said the idea of a flyover along the BC Road had been dropped for now, adding, experts had suggested to construct the flyover only after widening the area to eight lanes to make the project more prospective. Listing other projects, Omar Abdullah said the Rs 100-crore golf course at the Sidhara Development was going to become a major attraction for the high-end tourists. He informed the work on the second phase was in full swing. He also referred to the proposed cricket stadium at Bajala and said the stadium would be ready for hosting tournaments in a couple of years. Reiterating the commitment of his government to establish a panchayat and urban local body system in the state, he said it was important to ensure a balanced development of the urban and rural areas. He also stressed the need for the empowerment of these institutions by devolution of planning and financial powers to the ground level institutions. Omar also called for the empowerment of the legislators and suggested for increasing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) but with certain control. He said by way of increase in the CDF with the creation of a regulatory mechanism would further help in taking the development to the grass roots and reduce the chances of complaints about discrimination in terms of funds allocations to a particular area. |
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Curfew reimposed in Sopore after protests
Srinagar, July 20 “To maintain law and order and make sure that there was no loss of life and property, the curfew has been reimposed in Sopore”, said a senior police officer. He said additional companies of police and paramilitary forces had been rushed to the town to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, fresh restrictions were imposed in Nowhatta, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Rainawari, Safakadal, Soura, Lalbazar, Nageen and Noorbagh in the downtown and Batmaloo, Maisuma, Kralkhud and Shaheedgunj in the uptown areas today. Restrictions on the movement of people were also placed in Ganderbal and Budgam districts. There were reports of some sporadic incidents of stone throwing from some parts of Srinagar. However, the police said the situation though tense was under control. In Baramulla, the situation remained tense and an uneasy calm prevailed amid tight security arrangements following the killing of a youth in police firing last evening. Reports of violent protests and clashes between police and the protesters were also received from various parts of the town.The police had to resort to teargas shelling and use of cane- charge to disperse a mob. An undeclared curfew also remained in place in the town. Meanwhile in Kashmir valley, all educational institutions, public transport, banks, post offices, markets and other business establishments remained shut in response to a strike call given by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani in protest against the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.
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‘Diluting AFSPA will be handicap for troops’
Jammu, July 20 Manhas said the dilution of the AFSPA would handicap the armed forces, which had not only been fighting Pakistan-sponsored militants but were also being targeted by separatists and anti-national elements in the Valley. It was because of powers entrusted to them under the AFSPA that the situation in the state had improved as far as the militancy was concerned, he added. Manhas said the authorities must realise the ground situation under which the forces were operating in the state, where some political forces were also working at the behest of their mentors across the border. Supporting the argument of Army Chief General VK Singh that it was for the Centre to provide some legal protection to the Army in the Valley, the BJP chief said the government should take this as a serious issue and not fall prey to the arguments of some self-seeking leaders. Manhas said the BJP had been repeatedly saying that the AFSPA should not
be diluted. |
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Helpline set up for ex-servicemen
Jammu, July 20 The first toll-free helpline was inaugurated by Maj-Gen A Srivastava, Managing Director, ECHS, AG’s Branch, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry
of Defence. The toll-free number 1800-180-7009 will enable the veterans to have an access to all kinds of assistance pertaining to the ECHS from the “Info Hub” at the Regional Centre, ECHS, here. This facility would soon be extended to neighbouring Himachal Pradesh
and Punjab. The ECHS, under the aegis of the Central Org, Army Headquarters, has evolved to be one of the best health schemes in the country. The endeavour to meet the aspirations of the veterans of the armed forces is an on going process of refinement towards making the scheme more effective and to reach out to every ex-serviceman in the remotest areas of the country. Distinguished among others present on the occasion included Regional Director, Staff of Regional Centre, President, ESL, Maj-Gen GS Jamwal (retd) , Director, Rajya Sainik Board, Brig RS Langeh (retd), Col Virendra Sahi (retd) and Col VK Datta (retd). |
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Official apathy testing patience of BSNL subscribers
Udhampur, July 20 Divisional Engineer, BSNL, Udhampur, AK Kapoor said the problem could not be rectified due to non-availability of the replacement of the uprooted pillar. “ The telephone lines will be restored by tomorrow as we have now arranged for a new pillar,” he said, alleging the uprooting of the pillar could be the handiwork of private telephone operators. But he failed to give a satisfactory reply whether alleged mischief was investigated or not. Sources said there were a number of subscribers who did not lodge complaints due to official apathy in dealing with the problem. But still around 50 subscribers have made formal complaints. Several subscribers said they were so fed up with the past record of the BSNL in rectifying problems that they preferred to leave the matter to fate. Arun Dev Jasrotia, a businessman, echoed the helplessness of the subscribers saying he failed to understand why the problem could not be addressed even after 12 days. Some shopkeepers near the entrance of the District Hospital where the BSNL pillar remains uprooted said it happened due to construction of the boundary wall of the hospital. Probably the grip of the soil got weakened due to the construction work and the pillar gave in due to repeated spells of rains. Sources opined that early restoration of connectivity was not expected given the apathetic attitude of the BSNL authorities. Sidharth, a student, rued that he and his friends have to do without Internet facility for so long on this account “We are not sure of early rectification. It is strange that so many days have passed but the problem remained unaddressed. For the Internet services, we have to go to cyber cafes in other parts of the town,” he said. |
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Mani Mahesh Yatra
Addressing a press conference here this morning, Mankotia said during his visit to Himachal Pradesh, he apprised Dhumal about the problems being faced by the pilgrims from the Jammu province. “The Chief Minister has assured that all steps would be taken this year to solve the problems faced by the pilgrims,” he said. Mankotia thanked Dhumal for giving on-the-spot directions to the district administration of Chamba for making proper arrangements for the Mani Mahesh pilgrims. He said the yatra was a bridge between the two states, which were culturally, socially and historically connected. He said during his five-day tour he studied many developmental projects and its implementation by the Himachal government. |
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Conserve heritage buildings, historical sites: Governor
Srinagar, July 20 The team, comprising Saleem Beg, convener, INTACH, Jammu and Kashmir Chapter, Saima Iqbal, Muzamil Yasin, Anjum Bhat and two foreign experts - Dr Jan Haernaest, landscape and conservation expert on historic gardens and Sarra Javed, an Urban Planner from the USA - discussed with the Governor the salient features of the plans being formulated for the conservation and restoration of the famous Mughal Gardens of Nishat and Shalimar and the urban renewal of the Jehlum front from Zainakadal to Maharaj Ganj in Srinagar. The Governor complimented INTACH for its continuing efforts for the preservation of the rich history and heritage of the three regions of the state. He was also appreciative of the highly qualified expatriates from the state, who had volunteered to work in the state and were taking keen interest in the cultural development of the state. The Governor discussed with Beg and his team members about the activities of INTACH in the state, status of formulation and implementation of the various projects related to the conservation of heritage buildings and sites as well as INTACH’s future plan of action. |
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Firing victim was not part of protest
Srinagar, July 20 The protesters attacked the Deputy Commissioner’s office-cum-residence and tried to set it ablaze, prompting the police to open fire. Khanday, who was passing by , was hit on the chest and died on the spot. The eyewitnesses said Khanday had nothing to do with the protest. “He had got married less than a month ago and was living at his in-laws’ house in the Binner area of Baramulla,” said a relative of the deceased. The wife of the deceased from whose hands the marks of hena have not vanished yet, was devastated on seeing the body of her husband. “She is inconsolable. After hearing the news of her husband’s death, she rushed to the hospital where she fainted many times after seeing the body,” said Firdous Ahmed, a relative of
the deceased. Meanwhile, elaborate security arrangements were made today for the funeral of the deceased as nobody from either of the families could reach the hospital yesterday to claim the body. The first killing that sparked the turmoil in the Kashmir valley took place on June 11 when a student of class XII was allegedly killed by the police in Srinagar during a stone-throwing incident in Srinagar. |
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11 police officers transferred
Srinagar, July 20 Showkat Ahmad Malik, SSP, Anantnag, has been posted as SSP, Railways (Kashmir), while Javaid Riyaz, SSP, Traffic (City), Srinagar, has been transfered as SSP, CID (SB), Kashmir. MA Untoo, SSP, Railways (Kashmir), has been transferred as SSP, Baramulla, while BA Khan, SP, Awantipora, has been posted as SP, Anantanag. MS Panu, SP, AIG (Welfare), PHQ, has been transferred as SP, Awantipora, and Nisha Nathyal, Commandant, IRP 15th Bn, has been posted as AIG, Welfare (PHQ). Meanwhile, DGP Kuldeep Khuda has also ordered the transfers and postings of following Deputy Superintendents of Police with immediate effect. Shabir Ahmad, DSP (Headquarters), Shopian, has been posted as DSP, Baramulla, in place of Fasil Qayoom, who has been transferred as DSP (Headquarters), Srinagar. Aziz Akbar Khan, DSP (Headquarters), Srinagar, has been posted as DSP (Headquarters), Shopian. |
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Provide job on compassionate grounds: HC
Jammu, July 20 The petitioner was also entitled to a cost of Rs 10,000 to be paid to her within the aforesaid period, the court ruled. “Every individual case is required to be considered on its own facts.The state by adopting a uniform policy of not granting age relaxation beyond five years is thus clubbing unequals into one group, which falls foul of constitutional guarantees contained in Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.The action of the state does not satisfy a reasonable mind, not to talk of satisfying the purpose of providing appointment on compassionate grounds, which cannot be countenanced in law”, ruled the court. The husband of Satya Devi, substantively holding the post of pump driver in the Public Health Engineering Department, died in harness on January 2, 2003. She filed an application seeking consideration for appointment on compassionate grounds. Her case was considered by the state authorities at various levels and was forwarded to the competent authority in the government within a period of six months from the death of the petitioner’s husband. When the respondents failed to take a decision on claims of the petitioner, she was constrained to file a writ petition, which was disposed vide its order dated January 1, 2009, directing the respondents to take final decision about the claim of petitioner for her compassionate appointment within a period of six weeks. However, the government arbitrarily rejected the claim of the writ petitioner on the ground that she was overage. |
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Kashmira Vahini to hold workshops
Jammu, July 20 The meeting was attended by Kirti Kalla, patron of the organisation. The series of workshops would be followed by an All-India Women’s Conference to be held in Jammu. It was also decided in the meeting that all cultural festivals in the coming months would be celebrated with fervour and a series of cultural and religious programmes, seminars and group discussions would be held across the world. A detailed report of the activities and future programmes of the Kashmira Vahini was presented by Sunita Santoshi, general secretary of the organisation. On the occasion, Shah and Kirti Kalla gave a detailed account of their visits to different places of the country, especially Bangalore, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Gujarat. The Kashmira Vahini also felt satisfied over the signature campaign going on in Jammu and other parts of the country with regard to an appeal to be submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for posting newly-recruited Kashmiri Pandit girls and boys in migrant cells and other institutions in Jammu in view of the prevailing security situation in the Valley. |
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Border area schoolchildren go
on educational tour
Jammu, July 20 The 13-day tour to Jaipur, Mount Abu and Udaipur is being organised by the Brigade under the aegis of Ace of Spade Division. The educational tour aims at instilling a sense of awareness and national integration among the children and providing them an exposure to the development and way of life in other parts of the country. The children would visit historical places and other places of interest in and around Jaipur, Mount Abu and Udaipur. The Commander, Tithwal Brigade, flagged off the tour in the presence of a large gathering comprising children, parents, civil administration, officials, teachers and the school staff. The children were extremely enthusiastic and excited about the forthcoming outing, this being their maiden visit outside the state. In his address to the children, the Commander urged the children to enjoy the trip and share their experiences with fellow classmates on return. He also highlighted the importance of Operation Sadbhavana being undertaken by the Army and assured everyone that the Army would continue with such projects in future also. |
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Jawan goes missing with AK-47 rifle
Jammu, July 20 Initially, the unit concerned searched him but later it lodged a complaint with the Rajouri police, the police said today. In another incident, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was crushed to death by an Army vehicle in Rajouri district yesterday. Subedar Ranjeet Singh of 18 Dogra Regiment was crushed by the Army vehicle in the Sunderbani area of the district when he along with other soldiers was out on a routine physical training. |
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Jawan sustains burns
Jammu, July 20 The police said though the exact reason behind the incident was not yet ascertained, the victim was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, where his condition was said to be critical. One hurt in mishap
One person was injured after a Punjab-bound bus hit a Tempo Traveller on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway at Nagrota on Tuesday. The police said the driver lost control over the vehicle while overtaking the Tempo and it injured Dr Amjad of Reasi, who was travelling in the Tempo Traveller. The injured was taken to the GMCH, Jammu. A case has been registered. |
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Soldier killed in Baramulla encounter
Srinagar, July 20 The militants started firing at the search party in which the jawan was killed, sources said, and added reinforcements were rushed to the village. Meanwhile, militants fired at a security force camp in Litter village in Pulwama district today. No one was hurt in the attack in which the militants fled the scene. The area was cordoned off and a massive manhunt launched. |
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Jammu, July 20