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64th Independence Day celebrations
Hurling of shoe towards CM by cop
A shoe hurled by suspended Head Constable Abdul Ahad Jan (inset) towards Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Independence Day function in Srinagar
on Sunday. Photo: Amin War
2 Doda migrant families rendered homeless
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Despite ban, mid-term transfers of teachers on
Rajouri encounter ends; soldier, 3 militants killed
18 booked under anti-adulteration drive
Bhalla gives Rs 2.2 crore to ’47 refugees
Smaller-than-Nano car developed
Developed by students of Guru Gobind Singh Engineering College, a small car, Axis-RO, on a trial run in Jammu on Monday. Photo: Inderjeet Singh
Army Chief briefs Governor on security
Rain brings cheer to paddy farmers
2 held, 9 cars recovered
Shopkeepers block road
Defunct connections irk BSNL customers
APHC protests: Major towns under curfew
Tribune Impact
Vanamahotsav in Heritage School
Members of the Nami Dogri Sanstha release three video CDs in Jammu on Monday.
Amarnath yatra resumes
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64th Independence Day celebrations Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 16 Addressing the 64th Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium here yesterday, the Chief Minister conveyed his condolences and sympathies to families who lost their dear ones during the recent protests in the valley. Seeking an end to the current violence, Omar Abdullah assured that security forces would exercise maximum restraint. He also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the lives lost in the recent flash floods in Leh. The Chief Minister said that he had made it clear to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during their visit to Anantnag that Kashmir was a political problem that could not be solved by providing employment or development packages alone, adding that he had candidly conveyed to the central leadership that resolution of Kashmir problem required serious political initiatives. Omar Abdullah pointed out that the state had witnessed large-scale violence over the last two decades in which thousands, including civilians, militants and security personnel, lost their lives, adding that the recent violence had also resulted only in death and destruction. The Chief Minister said that he sought mandate in 2008 elections on the plank of ‘sadak’, ‘pani’, ‘bijli’, ‘sehat’ and ‘talim’, adding that the Kashmir problem required continuous dialogue, both internal and external, with all stakeholders, including separatists. However, he said that the government was committed to mitigate the problem of unemployment by engaging 50,000 youth in the next few months. Underlining the importance of dialogue in solving various vexed problems, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar asked all parties to come forward to resolve all issues confronting the state. Various other ministers unfurled Tricolour at other district headquarters in Kashmir, which include Ganderbal, Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore. In Leh, the Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Leh, Chering Dorjay hoisted the national flag at a simple function at the Polo Ground. The Chief Executive Councilor (CEO), LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan hoisted the flag on the premises of Boys Higher Secondary School Baroo in Kargil district.
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Hurling of shoe towards CM by cop
Srinagar, August 16 This is the first such incident in Kashmir where the thrust has been on securing the venues of Independence and Republic Day celebrations from threats of militants during the past two decades. “The police official who hurled the shoe from the VIP gallery behind the Chief Minister and Director-General of Police Kuldeep Khoda was whisked away by security personnel from the venue for
questioning. He was identified as suspended Head Constable Abdul Ahad
Jan. The shoe, flung overhead, did not hit the Chief Minister and instead fell close to the podium, while the official also hoisted a black cloth raising slogans”, the police said. It said during preliminary interrogation, the suspended police official revealed that he was approached by a leader of a political party. He also revealed that he used the entry pass of the leader to gain entry to the venue. The police added the suspended Head Constable, a resident of Ajas in Bandipore district, was mentally unsound and facing charges in a criminal case registered in May. |
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2 Doda migrant families rendered homeless
Jammu, August 16 They were putting up in government quarters at Panchayat Bhavan near the local railway station.They said they were forcibly evicted from the quarters along with eight other families, which were allotted accommodation in the Nagrota Migrant Camp. But their families got no shelter. The aggrieved families alleged they were assured of accommodation in the camp, but had not got any and the administration was not doing anything. “I have lost everything.My children haven’t eaten anything since night. I and Khushi Ram are making rounds of government offices for help, but in vain,” rued Qayoom. Appealing to the authorities concerned to provide accommodation, Qayoom said: “I am suffering from TB, my wife is also ill and my children are on the road. I am a poor man and cannot afford a rented accommodation.” “Our clothes, quilts and even edibles are wet due to rain,” Qayoom’s wife, Shamima Begum (25), said. Narrating their plight, Khushi Ram’s daughter Anita Thakur (23) said: “Both families have been living in government quarters for the last three years along with other eight families. Some officers of the administration told us to vacate the quarters and assured us of accommodation at the migrant camp. But, the quarters were allotted only to other eight families.” Anita said: “I am pursuing B.Ed from a private college and have examinations next month. I do not have a place where I can prepare for my examinations.” Khushi’s son Baldev Raj (22) said: “I am depressed as we have lost home at a time when my wife is pregnant.” Both families alleged that the authorities wanted money due to which they had not been allotted accommodation. Refuting the allegations, Relief Commissioner Vinod Koul said the two families had been residing in the government quarters for last few months only whereas other eight families had been there for over 10 years. “On a direction issued by the Divisional Commissioner, we have allotted one-room tenements to other eight families,” Koul added. He said: “The two families should follow a proper way and approach
us. We will consider their case if we find them genuine.” |
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Despite ban, mid-term transfers of teachers on
Jammu, August 16 One such transfer order, dated August 9, issued by Zonal Education Officer Sunder
Bani, a copy of which is with The Tribune reads: “In the interest of the administration and as recommended by Nowshera MLA Vijay Kumar Sharma, a teacher of Boys High School,
Siot, is, hereby, transferred and adjusted in Girls High School, Siot, vice Rattan Singh.” The Chief Education Officer has endorsed the order. It contravenes the order of School Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad
Sayeed. It has been a long-pending demand of the teachers’ associations that mid-term transfers be banned to make the transfer policy rational. During a review meeting of the chief education officers and principals of the District Institute of Education and Training of Jammu division on August 7, the minister said pre-mature and mid-term transfers had been banned to “enforce punctuality and accountability” in the schools. “The transfer policy should be strictly implemented and officers should not issue any transfer order henceforth,” the minister said. Interestingly, Vijay Kumar was earlier posted at Girls High School, and was transferred to Boys High School last year. He had hardly completed a year there and had again been transferred to Girls High School. Vijay Kumar belongs to Siot and both schools are in the vicinity of his home. Sources said the agents of local MLAs and MLCs had been facilitating transfers after charging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000. Since the ban had been imposed, at least 150 transfers in the education zones like Sunder
Bani, lower Hathal, Dandesar, Nowshera, Rajouri and Mouglah had been affected. The sources said in such cases an attachment order is used and the transferred teacher continues to be in the same school whereas he draws salary from the account of the school where he is actually posted. Meanwhile, aggrieved teachers and locals locked the office of the zonal education officer,
Dandesar, in Nowshera tehsil. They were protesting against mid-term
transfers. |
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Rajouri encounter ends; soldier, 3 militants killed
Jammu, August 16 Major Sushil Mahapatra of the 38 Rashtriya Rifles, Special Police Officer Iftikhar Malik and civilian Abdul Razak were also hurt in the gunfight. “The operation ended around midnight with the killing of the last militant hiding in the area. In total, three militants believed to be responsible for ambushing an Army convoy and a bus near Thannamandi on August 11 have been eliminated,” Rajouri Senior Superintendent of Police RK Jalla said. Though the operation has been called off, forces have intelligence inputs on the presence of two or three more ultras in the area and are working on it, Jalla said. Confirming the killing of all three militants, Brigadier General Staff of 16 Corps, Brig Satish
Dua, said that they were now trying to ascertain the identity of the militants from documents recovered from the encounter site. However, official sources said that the LeT militant killed today was a foreign mercenary, Abu Zarar (code name ‘Doctor’). The two ultras shot dead in the past two days have been identified as Sajjad Kashmiri and Abu
Qamran. While Kashmiri was said to be a local ultra, Qamran appeared to be Pakistani. However, the identity of the slain ultras was not confirmed officially. Sources said that the security forces had been on the heels of the militants ever since they ambushed an Army convoy and bus on August 11 killing two passengers and injuring others, including two soldiers, near Thannamandi on August 11. Troops overcame hostile weather and thick forests to hunt down the militants. |
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18 booked under anti-adulteration drive
Jammu, August 16 The team inspected about 120 food establishments, including halwai shops, khoya shops, milk and paneer shops/manufacturers, provision stores, bakery shops, cooked food dhabas/rehris, restaurants, meat shops and tea stalls in the areas of Hari Market, B.C. Road, Bus Stand, Canal Road, Panjirthi, Kachi Chowani and Jewel Chowk. Nearly,10 kg of polythene carrybags were also seized from the shopkeepers/vendors and the enforcement wing of the corporation also removed encroachments from various places in the city. Meanwhile, on instructions of the Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, SC Sawhney, the enforcement wing undertook an anti-encroachment drive against unauthorised constructions in the city. According to a statement issued here, following a high court order, the team demolished a structure raised by Satya Devi on government land at Rampura, Shastri Nagar. The said structure was demolished with the help of cops of Gandhi Nagar police station. The team also demolished a structure being raised in violation of the approved building plan at Bhagat Pur, Thanger. |
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Bhalla gives Rs 2.2 crore to ’47 refugees
Jammu, August 16 Addressing a gathering at Poonch, Bhalla said the Central and state governments were aware of the problems being faced by the refugees in their respective areas. He said due to the concerted efforts of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Centre had provided Rs 49 crore for providing relief to those refugees who were displaced in 1947. The compensation was being distributed by conducting open darbars in their respective areas. Bhalla said the Centre had enhanced the compensation from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh per family. The government had recently regularised two refugee colonies in Jammu at Gaddigarh and Bhour camp. He asked the left-out deserving families to approach the revenue authorities for verification so that the compensation could be provided to them as well. Earlier at Mandi, Bhalla visited the Buddha Amarnath shrine and reviewed the arrangements made by the administration for pilgrims like potable water, healthcare, langar, transport, security and lodging facilities. He asked the Poonch Development Commissioner to personally monitor the arrangements at the shrine.
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Smaller-than-Nano car developed
Jammu, August 16 “Today everyone has a car and, therefore, the parking place is fast shrinking. So we decided to make a car even smaller than the Tata Nano that covers a smaller place and moves easily in traffic chaos on congested roads,” said
Simaranjeet. “It runs on petrol, LPG and electricity,” he said and added that, “We are looking forward to some car manufacturing company. We hope they like our idea and the car soon hits the roads in a big way.” “Initially, the car has been designed on two stroke petrol engine and has provision for gas cylinder and electric motor,” he said. “One can change the features of the car,” he said and claimed that the car was good for off-road drive as well. |
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Army Chief briefs Governor on security
Srinagar, August 16 The Governor congratulated and thanked the Army Chief for the excellent work being done by the Army, the BRO and the GREF in the wake of the recent cloudburst in Ladakh. Earlier, the Director-General, CRPF, Vikram Srivastava, called on the Governor this morning and gave him a detailed briefing about various issues relating to the role and responsibilities being discharged by his force in coordination with the state police. The Governor reiterated his concern about the need for the security forces to ensure the safety of human lives while controlling protesters. Meanwhile, the Army Chief also called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today to discuss the
security situation in the state. — TNS |
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Rain brings cheer to paddy farmers
Jammu, August 16 Paddy growers in the RS Pura sector could not have asked for more as fields in the region did not have adequate water. Sardul Singh, a rice grower in Kullian village, said, “The moderate rain has not only brought the mercury down, it has also sent up humidity levels, which is considered good for the crop.” “Earlier, we were had to use submersible pumps to lift water, but rain water has now accumulated in the fields. There will be no need for more water in the coming two or three days,” he added. Though the rain stopped in the evening, MET and Agriculture department officials have predicted rain in the coming hours. The Chenab river is already flowing near the danger mark. Mahender Singh, a senior agriculture scientist at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha, said, “There is a possibility of rain in the next 24 hours. This will definitely bring more respite for farmers in the region. The rice growers have been waiting for the rain.” Meanwhile, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and other areas of the region also witnessed a fresh spell of rain. A senior bureaucrat said, “So far, no untoward incident has been reported, but the police, Army and IAF has been alerted.” |
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2 held, 9 cars recovered
Jammu, August 16 The police said during a special drive against vehicle lifters, two vehicle lifters were arrested and nine vehicles were recovered from their possession. It further said all stolen vehicles were Maruti-800 cars, which were stolen from isolated places across the region, including Sunderbani, Siot, Lambri, Nowshera, Rajouri, Kotranka, Khwas, Reasi, Kalakote and Arnas. During a press conference held at Bakshi Nagar police station here, the police said the lifters were used to steal Maruti-800 cars, as it was easy to sell these cars in the remote areas. Randeep Kumar SP (North) said, “They had been indulged in vehicle lifting for the past five to six years and there is chances of more recovery from them.” The accused have been identified as Satish Kumar alias Pappu, a resident of Sangrampur in
Domana. |
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Shopkeepers block road
Jammu, August 16 According to the police, the shopkeepers came on the road after officials of the Sale Tax Department checked the bills of goods at a medical shop at Kanak Mandi as part of a routine checking, which irked the shopkeepers. The police said the shopkeepers locked the officials inside the medical store. Soon, hundreds of shopkeepers from Hari Market, Kanak Mandi and Super Bazaar staged a protest demonstration at the City Chowk. They blocked the main road for over two hours. A local businessman said: “We will not tolerate this harassment any further.” Taking cognisance of the matter, City SDPO SS Sambyal along with other officers reached the spot and tried to pacify the shopkeepers. The officials later handed over the seized goods to the shopkeepers. However, the market was reopened in the evening.
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Defunct connections irk BSNL customers
Jammu, August 16 They said besides telephones, they were unable to avail the Internet facility due to defunct connections. “We have been unable to connect with our relatives, friends etc for the last five-six days,” the customers said. Demanding immediate restoration of the connections, they said despite filing a complaint with the department concerned, nothing had been done so far. Varun Sharma, a customer, said: “My children are studying in Delhi, but I cannot contact them due to defunct phone and Internet connections.” Another customer Rita Gandotra said: “We are feeling almost handicapped without phone and Internet connections.” However, general manager of BSNL, Jammu, Sandeep Savarkar, said: “One of our main pillars in the Gandhi Nagar locality got damaged as a truck hit it on Monday. Thus, connections of about 500 customers were affected.” “We have restored most connections and will restore all soon,” Savarkar
added. |
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APHC protests: Major towns under curfew
Srinagar, August 16 Curfew restrictions were in force in parts of Srinagar, Anantnag, Beijbehara, Sopore, Trehgam, Kupwara and Bandipore to prevent any untoward incidents. A series of demonstrations rocked several areas of the valley on the Independence Day yesterday. Demonstrations leading to clashes with the police and CRPF men were reported from different areas where angry demonstrators defied the curfew restrictions. A complete shutdown was observed today across the valley on the call of the separatist APHC led by hardline leader Syed Ali Geelani in protest against the series of killings by the police and the CRPF during the past two months in which the toll has gone up to 56. Geelani, a staunch supporter of the right to self-determination, has also been demanding the release of all political (separatist) prisoners, withdrawal of special powers to security forces and withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir. According to the fresh calendar of protests, Geelani called for a general strike today and sits-in on the roads to register protest. Residents at various places here and elsewhere offered prayers on the roads, reports said. As per the calendar, there will be no strike tomorrow. All shops and business establishments were closed and traffic went off the roads today. Educational institutions and banks also remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin. Meanwhile, eight persons -- five policemen and three civilians -- were injured in the clashes between protesters and the police. A man, Waseem Ahmed Khan, was injured when an unruly mob that had blocked the national highway and was indulging in heavy stone pelting at Tengpora Bypass, Srinagar, was chased away by the police and security forces, the police said. A woman, Nayeema, was injured when the police resorted to lathicharge and lobbed teargas shells to quell the demonstrators at Alochi Bagh here. Another woman, Sayeeda, fell down unconscious when the police chased away a mob which had blocked the road at Shalimar Chowk here. She was shifted to SKIMS in unconscious state.
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Chib visits Leh victims in hospital
Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 16 The Tribune had earlier reported that no minister, MLA or politician had visited the hospital to ask after the 19 injured admitted on August 10. The minister, accompanied by GMCH principal Dr Rajinder Singh, Senior HOD Dr Aniece Choudhary, Medical Superintendent Dr Romesh Gupta and Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Manoj Chalotra, was satisfied with the treatment. He lauded the role of some Ladakhi students who had volunteered to tend to the injured. Chib spent about an hour in hospital with the patients and wished them a speedy recovery.
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Vanamahotsav in Heritage School
Jammu, August 16 A paper reading contest on bio-diversity was the focus of the programme in which students from classes VII to X participated enthusiastically. On the occasion, A.K.Ticku, Regional Director, Social Forestry Department, was the chief guest and SD Swantantra, former Principal Chief Conservation of Forests was the guest of honour. Pritam Singh, DFO and S.D. Chib, range officer, were also present in the function. Tavleen Kaur of Class X, Venkat Sarkar and Rhythm Babbar of Class VII were declared first, second and third, respectively.
— TNS |
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CDs of bhajans released
Jammu, August 16 The CDs are “Aaja Machaila
Walia”, “Challo Machaila” and “Chandi Maiya Basdi Machaila”. The bhajans have been sung by Sunny
Jogi, Chaman Mattoo, Nirmal Mattoo, Daljeet Rathore and Sonali Dogra. These have been composed by Surinder Manhas and videos directed by Basant
Viyogi. Joginder Nath Pandey was the chief guest on the occasion and SS Shingari was the guest of
honour. |
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Amarnath yatra resumes
Jammu, August 16 A fresh batch of 875 pilgrims, comprising 514 men, 145 women, eight children and 208 sadhus left in a cavalcade of 24 vehicles from Yatri Niwas, the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar here, around 10:30 am. Meanwhile, the Buddha Amarnath yatra in Poonch district was today suspended due to bad weather, Tourism Department officials said.
— TNS |
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A suspended police official hurled his shoe towards Chief Minister Omar Abdullah when he was taking the salute after unfurling the National Flag at the Independence Day function at Bakshi Stadium here
yesterday, prompting the authorities to suspend 15 police personnel,
including four officers.
The ongoing fierce gunbattle between security forces and militants in Rajouri ended today with the gunning down of the third and last suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba militant. Sepoy SK Singha of 38 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred in the operation that began on August 14 in the Sheriwala area near Bagla village in Thannamandi
tehsil. Major Sushil Mahapatra of the 38 Rashtriya Rifles, Special Police Officer Iftikhar Malik and civilian Abdul Razak were also hurt in the gunfight.
Three students of Guru Gobind Singh Engineering College, Bathinda, have come up with a vehicle Axis-RO that is half the size of Tata
Nano. The vehicle with a length of 1.77 metre and 1.25 width has a capacity of two seats. It had a successful trial run at the airport road today.
Three engineering students, Simranjeet Singh of Jammu, Sourabh Banerjee of Delhi and Avinash Kumar of Himachal
Pradesh, have worked on the project by spending Rs 40,000 on its manufacturing in 80 days.
