|
|
BJP, Panun Kashmir resent resolution on autonomy
Missing Sarthal Devi idol traced in Kishtwar
Vijay Diwas Today |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Man in hospital after police ‘torture’
NHRC Chairman favours full jurisdiction in state
Shehnai rendition to mark I-Day celebrations
More buses for Kishtwar, Doda soon: Minister
A scene from a play, “Intzaar”, directed by Sumeet Sharma, which was presented at Natrang Studio Theatre, Jammu, on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
Crime
Road Mishap
Students come out of a school which reopened in Srinagar on Sunday. A Tribune photograph
Free political detainees, youths, says CPM
Man crushed to death
Labourer dies in autorickshaw
Buddha statue consecrated
Amarnath Yatra
‘Jammu being ignored’
|
|
BJP, Panun Kashmir resent resolution on autonomy
Jammu, July 25 While the BJP has termed this demand as a step towards fulfilling agenda of separatists, the Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmir Pandits of Kashmir, charged the NC with weakening sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country by raising such issue. Leader of the BJP legislative party Chaman Lal has denounced the resolution passed at the working committee meeting of the NC and observed that this move indicated that leaders of the ruling party wanted to take benefit of the prevailing situation by blackmailing the Centre. He said fundamentalists and anti-national elements in the Valley had been indulging in various kinds of violence and constantly raising the bogey of violation of human rights. “Instead of firmly dealing with such elements, ruling party leaders of the Congress-NC too had been joining the chorus and parroting slogans of fundamentalists elements”, he said and regretted that the leaders of the coalition had been in the forefront in maligning the forces fighting the proxy war launched by the enemy from across the border. The Panun Kashmir, on the other hand, said the resolution was yet another deliberate attempt to encash and exploit the situation to weaken the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country in the state. “Such demands like autonomy or self-rule and demilitarisation tantamount to grand design of Muslim presidency in the J&K”, chairman of Panun Kashmir Agnishekhar said, addressing a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the organisation. “The Union Government, instead of saying in the clearest possible terms that the accession of J&K with India is final and complete, adopting weak policies which encouraging anti-national forces in Kashmir Valley”, he said and observed that the demand of autonomy, as raised by the ruling NC, would eventually lead to the second partition of the country. The Panun Kashmir reiterated its demand that the geo-political urges and aspirations of 7 lakh displaced Kashmiri Pandits had to be taken into account. |
|
Missing Sarthal Devi idol traced in Kishtwar
Udhampur, July 25 As soon as the news spread about the recovery, a large number of people reached the scene. In the presence of SP, Kishtwar,Mohammad Haseeb Mughal, president, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Kishtwar, Raj Badyal, and local BJP leaders, the idol was brought back to the temple for installation with rituals. Devotees from erstwhile Doda district as well Jammu and Udhampur turn up in large numbers for the annual Sarthal yatra. The development delighted the local Hindu community as the disappearance of the sacred idol had sparked a wave of protests. It had gone missing about 10 days before the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in 2008. The timing of the incident had made the entire incident quite sensitive. The protests against the failure of the police to trace the idol continued for about a year. The state unit of the BJP and some religious organisations had even given a statewide bandh call in this regard. Police officials said a widow, Premi Devi, spotted the idol lying in a forest near Bungam village, about 6 km from the mandir, when she went for grazing cattle there. She informed other villagers and the police. Due to the sensitive nature of the development, the district police led by SP, Kishtwar, reached the spot immediately. Leaders of the local Hindu community hailed the recovery of the idol. Notably, the annual yatra which starts from Sarkoot, Kishtwar, to Parna Mandir was taken out without the idol since its disappearance. This year it is scheduled to start from July 27.All efforts of the police to trace the idol had proved futile so far. The police had detained a number of people during investigation. Some were released on bail. Even the priest of the mandir along with members of village defence committee and SPOs was questioned. |
|
Kargil war victory celebrations begin
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 25 The celebrations began with a briefing on the war at Umbala Viewpoint, which provides a breathtaking view of the majestic Tiger Hill and other battle areas. This was followed by a friendly polo match between the Ladakh Locals and Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre teams. In the evening,there a cultural programme by the forces as as the locals. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence Dr MM Pallam Raju arrived on a two-day visit here today. He was received by the Chinar Corps Commander, Lieutenant-General C Marwah, and other senior officials at the Badami Bagh Cantonment, a defence spokesman said. During his visit, the minister is scheduled to meet senior civil dignitaries. He will be briefed on the security situation in the Valley tomorrow. The minister visited the Special National Integration Camp (SNIC) organised by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) at Rangreth. He was accompanied by Director General, NCC, Lieutenant-General RK Karwal. After reviewing the Guard of Honour presented by the NCC cadets, he witnessed a cultural programme showcasing India’s diversity. The theme of this camp was ‘Kashmir-Bulandi Ki Ore’. In his interaction with cadets, the minister exhorted them to fulfil their obligations in fostering peace and guarding the nation. He also appreciated the efforts put in by them in making the camp a great success. He also highlighted the achievements of Shah Faisal, the IAS topper from Kashmir, and exhorted the cadets to emulate his hard work.
|
|
Man in hospital after police ‘torture’
Jammu, July 25 Subhash, a labourer at Purmandal in Samba district, alleged that the police had picked him from his house this morning on the complaint of Janak Raj of the same area. The complaint alleged that Subhash had unleashed Janak’s cattle in his fields, which destroyed the standing crops, causing him a huge loss. “Acting upon his complaint, the police arrested my son and thrashed him. When we came to know about the incident, we visited the police station and then it released him around 3 pm, after five hours of torture,” alleged Bal Krishan, father of victim. He further alleged, “He was tortured by policeman Manzoor Ahmed and the condition of my son is very critical and he has been admitted to GMCH, Jammu.” Even, Subhash was crying loudly in the emergency block of the hospital demanding action against the police. However, the Purmandal police has denied torturing Subhash.
|
||
|
NHRC Chairman favours full jurisdiction in state
New Delhi, July 25 NHRC Chairman K.G Balakrishnan feels the extension of jurisdiction of the NHRC in Jammu and Kashmir would not amount to any interference in the state's matters but would be beneficial to the common man who could have recourse to better redressal of grievances. "Jammu and Kashmir is also part of the country. It will be better if the NHRC gets full jurisdiction in all subjects in Jammu and Kashmir. It will be beneficial for the people of the state," the former Chief Justice of India told PTI in an interview here. "I am not recommending it, I wish it," he said while hinting that the limitations were binding the hands of the NHRC in providing succour to people of the Valley who could have grievances on account of human rights. "We are not going to enforce anything there. We will only be helping administrators to have a smooth functioning, good governance, and (ensure) less violations of human rights," Balakrishnan said. At present, the NHRC has limited jurisdiction in Jammu and Kashmir, covering subjects under Central and concurrent lists of the Constitution and not the State List there. Because of this, the state government has refused to entertain directions or notices from it in a number of cases. — PTI
|
||
|
Shehnai rendition to mark I-Day celebrations
Udhampur, July 25 It was also decided to organise the main function at PG College for Boys where the VIP, who is yet to be named, would unfurl the national flag. The schoolchildren would also present cultural programmes based on patriotic themes. Instructions were issued to the officers concerned to deck up the town accordingly. Principal, PG Degree College, Udhampur, Nutan Resutra, Principal, Government College for Women, Sadhana Gupta, Additional Deputy Development Commissioner RR Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner NI Parae, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Gurvinderjeet Singh, Assistant Commissioner Development Joginder Singh Rai, Assistant Project Officer, DRDA, Dr Bharat Bhushan, Project Officer, DPAP, Dr Raman Kesar, Executive Engineer, PWD, PHE, PDD, ARTO and senior officers of the police, the Army and the CRPF attended the meeting. Arrangements for seating, barricading, security, traffic regulation, drinking water and power supply, sanitation, first-aid, deployment of buses and fire-engines and some other important issues were also discussed during the meeting. Meanwhile, a high-level meeting of various government officials, police and Army officers was held here to discuss security arrangements pertaining to Independence Day. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Naseem Lankar presided over the meeting. Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo, and Director-General Youth Services and Sports SA Laherwal were also present during the meeting, an official spokesman said. It was decided to hold the main function at the Bakshi Stadium here. The meeting was told that the Independence Day celebrations would start with a shehnai wadan early in the morning, followed by a march past by the state police, JKAP, Fire and Emergency Services, Forest and Protection Force, ITBP, CRPF and BSF, besides other contingents. The full dress rehearsal would be conducted on August 13. |
||
|
More buses for Kishtwar, Doda soon: Minister
Jammu, July 25 During the visit of Minister of Roads and Buildings (R&B) G M Saroori and political adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Mubarak Gul, a large number of people turned up and expressed their anger. Fed up with the repeated assurances of the government, the residents, including local MLA Sajjad Kitchloo, blamed the authorities for repeated road accidents in this belt as no step had been taken to solve the problem of the shortage of passenger vehicles. As majority of the population was of the view that overloading was the main reason of accidents, the minister directed the authorities to deploy more buses in this belt. Highly placed sources after returning from the spot said Saroori and Mubarak Gul asked the authorities to take this step immediately to placate the annoyed people. Minister of Transport Qamar Ali Akhnoon was in Kargil these days so order was not issued, the sources said and added that as soon as Akhnoon returned to Srinagar, additional buses of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) would be pressed into service. |
||
|
‘Intzaar’ that ends in separation
Jammu, July 25 Adapted and directed by Sumeet Sharma, the play was suitably fitted with new and contemporary elements which made
it appealing and acceptable too. Revolving round Manto’s original story, the artistes, however, touched upon the vital public issue of ban on SMS facility, which is in force in the entire state. It also raised the issue of liking for junk food by the new generation, who cherish it without knowing its ill-effects. The play opens with a hilarious situation in which a youth (Mohit Sharma) is anxiously waiting for meeting his beloved (Niharika Sharma) at his home. The youth resorts to all means so that his long wait ends and the time passes calmly. He speaks to his own self and innovates different ways to make his painful wait pleasant and also calm down his nerves and palpitation of his heart. In the process of his long wait, he even receives some unwanted guests but does not find his beloved at his doorstep. Finally, when his girlfriend is about to come, the youth feels exhausted, tired and finally falls unconscious. On her entry into his room, the girlfriend finds her beloved on a sofa, presumes him in sound sleep and unconcerned about meeting her. She feels disgusted and leaves before the youth gains consciousness. The much-awaited meeting thus turns into
a disaster. Besides Mohit and Niharika, Rohit Verma, Rahul Singh and Ishfaq Anwar played leading roles in this play. For Niharika, it was her first performance on the stage and she justified her role. |
||
|
Hospital employee booked for rape bid
Tribune News Service
Jammu, July 25 After receiving the complaint from the patient belonging to Mahore tehsil in Reasi district, alleging that Naseer had tried to rape her, the hospital initiated an internal inquiry. Surprisingly, the police was not informed. But when the hospital probe committee took a decision to suspend Naseer, mediapersons and cops reached the hospital and the police registered a case against the employee. Bakshi Nagar police station SHO Tahir Hussain said: “We are conducting raids to nab the accused”. 3 held for stealing cellphones
The police today arrested three persons from GMCH and recovered two cellphones from their possession. The police said Rajesh Kumar of Rehari Colony was arrested on the complaint of a constable and one more person that he had stolen their mobile phones from the hospital. After checking the accused, the two cellphones were recovered from his possession and a case was registered against him. In another incident, two persons, impersonating as the staff of the hospital, allegedly stole a mobile phone of a patient. The police arrested both, Subhash Arora of Pakka Danga and Tarun Kumar Nargotra of Channi Himmat.
—
TNS Waiter electrocuted
A waiter at a private hotel near Jewel Chowk was electrocuted after coming into contact with an electricity wire this morning. Subhash Chander, in his early thirties, a resident of Majalta, died around 11:30 am today, when he was putting his clothes on a wire in the hotel. The police is investigating how this wire came in contact with a live wire. The body was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital for the post-mortem. A case has been registered at the Nowabad police station in this regard. |
||
|
Navy divers fail to trace bodies
Tribune News Service
Udhampur, July 25 In the tragic accident, 22 persons, including two women and a minor, lost lives as a Matador they were travelling in fell into the Chenab near Phagumarh village in Kishtwar, about 220 km from Jammu, on Friday. The NHPC had called off flushing of Dul Hasti Dam yesterday to facilitate the search operation. But even this did not help and the operation had to be stopped. Workers of the District Red Cross Society, Kishtwar, who had been camping at the spot, also left today evening. Meanwhile, the Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Kishtwar, was placed under suspension for dereliction of the duty. He had reportedly failed to cancel licences of 18 drivers of private transport vehicles as recommended by the traffic police of the district. The driver of the ill-fated Matador which fell into the Chenab on Friday was also one of them.
|
||
|
Schools, shops reopen in Valley
Srinagar, July 25 Many schools and banks were open though it was Sunday today. “ The last time we had gone to school was on June 24 ”, said Sehban, a student of Class VII in a private school. The continued general strike and restrictions imposed by the police had prevented him and his sister, Reeba, from going to school. They were unhappy to know that the school would not open tomorrow in view of a strike call given by
separatists. However, their classmates were happy after getting report cards for the term-one examinations in which they had appeared before June 24. There was a heavy rush in markets. A large number of people came out to buy essential commodities and additional stocks in view of the fresh programme of protests. The police had a tough time regulating traffic as there were frequent jams on main roads and interior market places.
Meanwhile, tomorrow’s general strike has been called by the Geelani faction of the APHC as part of its week-long “resistance programme” against the recent killings and the alleged unabated human rights violations by the CRPF in Kashmir. As per the call, there will be a normal working day on Tuesday followed by a two-day sit-in as a mark of protest. It has also called for a march to Maisuma on Friday while there will be again a general strike on August 1.
|
||
|
Free political detainees, youths, says CPM
Srinagar, July 25 Addressing mediapersons here today, M Y Tarigami, state unit president of the CPM and MLA, said he had meetings with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister P Chidambaram and urged them to take several political initiatives in Kashmir. He has also demanded the release of political detainees, particularly the youths detained during the recent unrest. The angry youth were conveying something “that we must try to understand whether we agree with their mode of communication or not”, he said. The CPM leader sought the Centre to respond to the situation “not through the prism of security forces” as it was a political unrest which needed to be addressed with a humane approach. The Centre must “clear the doubts which have taken place in Kashmiri mindset that it is not sincere in addressing their grievances. It is situation wherein Kashmiris have seen a drift from hope to despair and disillusionment”, he commented. Tarigami also demanded the revocation of the AFSPA or amendments in it. He lamented that such laws had not been scrapped even when the militancy had gone down and infiltration reduced. “A sincere effort is must to attract a significant investment which will cater to the economic stagnation in Kashmir”, the CPM leader said.
|
||
|
Man crushed to death
Jammu, July 25 Lal Bahadur, in his fifties, a native of Nepal and a temporary resident of Bari Brahamna, was returning home when a truck (MH-43-A-5830) crushed him under its tyres around 10 pm last night. The victim was declared dead on the spot. The body was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) where a post-mortem was conducted. A case has been registered at Gangyal police station and the truck driver, Bachandev Singh, a resident of Amritsar, has been arrested. |
||
|
Labourer dies in autorickshaw
Jammu, July 25 The deceased, Muniyari Lal, who worked as labourer, was returning to his home in Bishnah in the evening when he suddenly died under mysterious circumstances. The police said the body was taken to GMCH, Jammu, for a postmortem. Inquest proceedings had been initiated in this regard. Meanwhile, the family of Muniyari Lal was informed about his
sudden demise. The police has recorded the statement of the autorickshaw driver. |
||
|
Buddha statue consecrated
Leh, July 25 Thousands of Buddhists from different parts of Ladakh and hundreds of tourists witnessed the consecration. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Tourism and Culture Minister Nawang RIgzin Jora were also present. The Dalai Lama expressed hope the consecration would spread love, compassion, brotherhood and harmony in the region. Welcoming the spiritual leader,Omar Abdullah said the Dalai Lama’s blessings would spread harmony, peace, love and compassion in the region and help promote tourism in the Nubra valley.
|
||
|
Amarnath Yatra
Srinagar, July 25 The holy mace or Chhari Mubarak of Lord Shiva led by the Mahant reached Pahalgam today. Meanwhile, 3,12,007 yatris so far had darshan of the holy Shiv lingam at the holy cave shrine of Amaranth. According to sources, 11,612 yatris today left for the cave for darshan of the Shiv lingam from the Pahalgam-Nunwan and Baltal-Sonamarg base camps. Out of 11,612 yatris, 4,396 comprised male, 1,625 female, 276 children and 412
sadhus.
|
||
|
‘Jammu being ignored’
Jammu, July 25 Addressing the seminar, Sharma pointed out the instances of injustice and disparities to the people of Jammu in the socio-economic and political field. He said despite having more population and more area, Jammu had less number of assembly and Parliament seats. He described the slogans of autonomy and self-rule as political gameplan against the people of Jammu because there was no provision in decentralising powers in these two proposals. Convener of the JBA Wing Commander G L Sharma (retd) welcomed the participants in the workshop. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
