Jammu, September 9
The Army rescued at least 13 persons trapped in flash floods in the Tawi river near Belicharana this morning.

“The district administration approached the Army and sought its help in rescuing 13 persons,” Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, MK Dwivedi told The Tribune.

The Army yet again pressed into service its two boats and men, who braved the strong currents of the swollen Tawi and rescued 13 persons.

Dwivedi said the Army pressed into service at least 12 soldiers and two boats. He, however, regretted that despite warnings from the district administration and the police from time-to-time advising people not to go near swollen rivers and rivulets during the monsoon, they still risked their lives.

Two groups comprising 13 persons were trapped in the flash floods triggered by torrential rain in the upper reaches of the Jammu region while they were collecting sand and pebbles from the Tawi riverbed.

As the water level of the Tawi rose suddenly, the trapped persons took refuge on a small island and raised the alarm for help.

“Despite announcements, people, mostly labourers and load carriers, go to the riverbeds to collect sand and pebbles. It has become a routine for them to ignore warnings and risk their lives,”said a police officer, who had been monitoring trapped persons with a binocular.

Though the water level in the Tawi usually remains low during winter and summer, the rain-fed river becomes turbulent during monsoon.

Srinagar, September 9
For the first time, judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court made their assets public today with the wealthiest among them having assets worth over Rs 2 crore.

The details made public by the judges show Justice Virendra Singh to be the most modest among his nine colleagues with total assets of his family just over Rs 50 lakh. Chief Justice Aftab Ahmad Saikia and the seven other judges have assets valued at more than Rs 1 crore.

The High Court posted the details on its website today after the judges declared their assets and liabilities. Justice JP Singh seems to be the richest among the judges with the declared ownership of a house and a plot in Jammu valued at over Rs 2 crore. He owns a car purchased for Rs 17 lakh while his wife has ornaments valued at Rs 3 lakh. Among his liabilities, Justice JP Singh has taken a loan of Rs 7.24 lakh from Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

Activist Muzaffar Bhat had filed an RTI application on April 17 seeking the details of assets and liabilities of judges of the High Court. On May 29, a full court meeting of the High Court was convened and on July 23 a resolution to declare the assets was adopted.

Although the Chief Justice of the High Court has not put a value of his 2.94-acre estate in his home state of Assam, he has taken three loans amounting to Rs 35 lakh against it. While Justice Saikia has Rs 10 lakh in his provident fund, he has an additional Rs 3 lakh in his savings accounts.

The only judge to give a detailed account of assets owned by him and his family is Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar. He has declared assets worth Rs 1.87 crore. Of this, the immovable assets, including a house in Anantnag town, are valued at Rs 1.28 crore, while he, his spouse and their three children have bank deposits to the tune of Rs 27 lakh.

Justice Hakeem Imtiyaz Hussain and his wife own three houses in the posh areas of Srinagar and Jammu cities. Justice Hakeem has Rs 18 lakh in his saving accounts and Rs 5 lakh in fixed deposit. His son and daughter have a cumulative bank balance of Rs 2.06 lakh. — PTI 

Jourian (Akhnoor), September 9
Notwithstanding claims of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saifuddin Soz of bringing about unity in the party, the absence of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand from yesterday’s party function was a clear indication that bickering continues to plague the party.

Congress committees of the Akhnoor and Khour blocks had organised a function to celebrate the re-election of Sonia Gandhi as the AICC chief for the fourth consecutive term. Interestingly, all senior party leaders, including PCC chief Saifuddin Soz, were present at the function, but the Deputy Chief Minister, who is an MLA from Khour, was absent.

Although none of the party leaders was ready to speak on the issue, sources said due to infighting in the party, Tara Chand was not invited to the function as the show was organised by his rival, Sham Lal Sharma, who is Health Minister.

One after another local speaker highlighted efforts of Sham Lal Sharma and Lok

Sabha MP Madan Lal Sharma to make Akhnoor tehsil a citadel of the Congress , but nobody even mentioned the name of the Deputy Chief Minister, who is also MLA from this tehsil.

Madan Lal Sharma is elder brother of Health Minister Sham Lal. Both brothers owe their allegiance to PCC chief Saif uddin Soz, while the Deputy Chief Minister is known to be a loyalist of Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

As the function was projected as a show of strength by the Health Minister in Jourian, all Soz loyalists made it a point to attend it at any cost. Former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister of Revenue and Relief Raman Bhalla, Minister of State Aijaz Ahmed Khan, chairpersons of boards, Mahila Congress chief Indu Pawar, Youth Congress president Shoaib Lone, party spokesman Ravinder Sharma, INTUC president Shiv Sharma, the NSUI president and other senior leaders, namely, Manmohan Singh, Hari Singh and others attended the function.

New Delhi, September 9
The government said today that a video clip, purportedly showing some uniformed personnel herding four naked men in Kashmir, had not been authenticated and security agencies had been asked to investigate the matter.

“No one has been able to authenticate the video so far,” Union Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters here while replying to a question on the three-minute video clip uploaded on two prominent social networking sites.

Chidambaram said he had asked the security agencies to find out whether anybody featuring in the video had spoken. “Until it is authenticated and the persons identified, I think it would be unsafe to rely on the video,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police said in Srinagar today that it would register a case against two social networking sites for uploading a three-minute video clip purportedly showing four youths being paraded naked by uniformed personnel in the Sopore area.

It said the reports were aimed at maligning the image of the security forces and spreading disaffection among people.

“The police has taken cognizance of the video clip”, a police spokesman said, and added in the initial investigation, it had been discovered that the reports had not been verified as yet and, therefore, “to attribute it to the security forces with the intention of maligning them and spreading disaffection among the people is highly regrettable”.

“A formal case is being registered against the YouTube and Facebook networks and investigation is on to locate the persons responsible for uploading this baseless and malicious clip. Action shall also be taken against other organisations who tried to propagate it”, he added.

Udhampur, September 9
Business establishments remained closed in Pouni town of Reasi district today on a protest call given by the BJP-led Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the slapping of the Public Safety Act (PSA) on an alleged history-sheeter.

Led by Baldev Raj Sharma, BJP MLA from the Reasi Assembly constituency, a protest rally was taken out in the town.Traffic was normal in and around the town though the market remained closed.Sharma criticised the police for branding Sudesh Kumar, alias Kali, of Pouni as a history- sheeter and booking him under the PSA.

Terming the police action as unjustified, Sharma threatened to intensify the stir if the PSA was not revoked within two days. A memorandum was also submitted to Naib Tehsildar, Pouni, Puran Chand in this regard.

Additional SP, Reasi, Anita Sharma said the accused was a history-sheeter as a number of cases were pending against him. Kali has been accused of illegally selling 75 cement bags of the government meant for development works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act on August 28.

A complaint was lodged against Kali at Reasi police station under sections 409 and 120-B of the RPC. He was arrested but later got anticipatory bail.

The police declared him a history-sheeter and appealed before the District Magistrate, Reasi, on Tuesday for invoking the PSA against him. A storekeeper in the office of the Block Development Officer, Pouni, and a village level worker of the job guarantee scheme have already been suspended for allegedly conniving with the accused in the illegal sale of the cement bags. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) authorities had reportedly lodged an FIR against Kali on similar charges last year, but his family claimed that the court had acquitted him in the case.

Jammu, September 9
The state BJP is finding it difficult to defend the decision of its MLA Bodh Raj to share a political platform with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a function which was organised by the local unit of the National Conference at Bhalwal on Monday. Although Bodh Raj has clarified that he was trapped, opposition parties have raked up this issue to corner the BJP for allegedly hobnobbing with the NC.

Interestingly, the BJP has stepped up its campaign against the proposal for autonomy of the NC but opposition parties have termed this campaign as drama to befool people. It was all due to the campaign of the opposition parties that the said MLA today convened a press conference to, what he called, remove the misconceptions about his attending political function of the NC.

“I was rather trapped. I had been invited to attend an official function of the inauguration of a Power Grid set-up in my constituency. All projects executed by the government are to be attended by the MLA concerned in whose constituency the project falls”, he said, adding, “I was not aware that ruling party workers had flooded the venue with the Congress and the NC flags and banners”.

On seeing NC and Congress flags at the venue, I wanted to leave from there but decided to stay back as I had to discuss very important aspect of my Assembly segment with the Chief Minister, he said.

He asserted there was no question of changing loyalty and he would remain in the BJP till his last breathe as “it is the party which has honoured him by giving a mandate to contest the election and my identity now lies with the BJP only”.

Sources in the party said the BJP leadership had taken a serious note of the action of the MLA who had not only attended the NC’s political function but also praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for taking revolutionary steps.

“Action of the BJP MLA has substantiated our allegations that the BJP has a hidden alliance with the NC,” pointed out Choudhary Zulfikar, PDP leader from Rajouri. He argued here was no reason for the BJP MLA to attend the political rally after inauguration of the power station was over. “Similar function was held in my constituency on the same day but I did not attend that function”, he said.

Importantly, even Congress leaders had skipped the function, which was organised at Bhalwal despite being the fact that the party was a coalition partner of the NC. “It was purely a political function of the NC so there was no logic for us to stay there after the inauguration of the power station”, said Mula Ram, a former minister and Congress leader from Bhalwal. 

Jammu, September 9
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta today said preaching secessionism in Kashmir had become a lucrative business although it was purely a law and order problem.Addressing a press conference, Gupta pointed out that since 1947 the National Conference (NC), which is the incarnation of the Muslim conference and was adopted by the Congress, has all along been creating troubles.

Finding that secessionism can be an industry to be easily exploited for the personal and political ends to blackmail the Centre, many forces along with the NC have joined this business to amass wealth, he alleged. Referring to the prevailing situation in the Valley, he pointed out that it was for the government to enforce the law and order and take action against those who challenge the accession. The ruling leaders of the Congress and the NC, instead of performing their legal and Constitutional obligation, have been describing the problems in Kashmir as political problem.

He said in his constituency and some other areas of Jammu city about Rs 60 crore were spent only few months back in the name of black topping of the roads with the assurance that these would last for at least for four years. However, the roads have been again dug-up and the entire investment made to go waste.

Gupta said the Army was already in barracks and it was the state police assisted by the CRPF which had been dealing with the law and order situation created by the stone throwers. He said this was being done deliberately to build up a strong case for dilution of the AFSPA .

Jammu, September 9
Army troops today detected an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in a pressure cooker on the Jammu-Poonch Highway. Though the device was later defused safely, its detection on the busy highway brought the vehicular movement to a standstill for nearly two hours, said official sources.

SSP, Poonch, Manmohan Singh said the device planted in a pressure cooker contained a grenade and a detergent soap with some wires coming out of the utensil. “It was recovered near Bata Tooriyan, a place between Jera Wali Gali and Bhimber Gali,” said Singh. It was a clear attempt to create panic in the area, he added.

The sources said soon after the troops detected the IED, the traffic was closed on the highway and a bomb disposal squad was immediately requisitioned. “The squad safely removed the IED to a deserted place and detonated it,” said the sources. 

Srinagar, September 9
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the authorities lifted the curfew from the entire Kashmir valley today. The curfew was imposed following the killing of four youths allegedly in police firing in the Palhalan area of Baramulla district.

“The curfew that was clamped after fresh protests on Monday has been lifted from all parts of Srinagar city, Anantnag and Bijbehara town to enable people to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr without any problem”, a senior police officer told The Tribune.

People have welcomed the lifting of the curfew.

“It is a gesture of goodwill and people should reciprocate in the same way.I am happy that we will get a chance to purchase fresh vegetables, mutton, new clothes and other items for celebrating the festival”, said Zahoor Ahmed, a local resident.

Barring a few incidents,the situation in the Valley remained peaceful today.

Meanwhile, two alleged stone throwers were admitted to hospital last night after they received pellet injuries. However, their condition was stated to be stable.

Jammu, September 9
A student of Army Public School, Udhampur, Arnav Kundra, has cleared the National Talent Search Examination-2010. He is the only child from Udhampur district to win the prestigious scholarship of Rs 6,000 per annum.

More than 1.5 lakh students had appeared in the exam this year, out of which only 1,000 managed to qualify.

The Principal of the Army Public School, Udhampur, Vinod Joseph, on behalf of the school and the staff congratulated Arnav for his brilliant performance and also for bringing laurels to the school.

Addressing the students in the morning assembly, the Principal emphasised upon the need to create more awareness among the students regarding such examinations.

He urged the students to appear in such examinations and win scholarships so as to become financially independent for higher studies.

Jammu, September 9
VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders today paid homage to late Major Akash Singh, who attained martyrdom while fighting terrorists in the Sonagali area of Mendhar on September 9 last year.

A native of Shiv Nagar, the brave officer was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously. VHP state president Ramakant Dubey demanded that a memorial be constructed at Subhash Nagar chowk in memory of the young officer.

Jammu, September 9
Gastroenteritis in Doda district seems to be under control now as no case has been reported at local hospitals for the past few days.

Chief Medical Officer, Doda, Dr Mohammad Ashraf said, “Among others a few gastroenteritis patients too visit the OPD. However, they are routine patients and cannot be related to the epidemic.” “Cases of the epidemic have not been reported from any area for the past few days indicating that it is under control now,” he added.

Srinagar, September 9
After getting reports that a local TV channel was allegedly airing programmes in violation of the Cable Television Network (Regulations) Act, 1995, by giving wide coverage to provocative speeches by separatists in the Valley, the state government today banned the broadcast of the channel with immediate effect.

The ban order has been issued by the District Magistrate, Srinagar, and served on the 9 TV channel by the SSP, Srinagar.

The order said: "9 TV has been giving wide coverage to the provocative speeches and activities of secessionist elements, thus creating law and order problems.The director of the channel was advised to observe a programme code as suggested under the Cable Television Network (Regulations) Act, 1995, in letter and in spirit, but it repeatedly flouted the rules. While monitoring recent news bulletins and other programmes, it has been found that the channel is showing stone throwing on CRPF bunkers and statements of separatists and hartal calls in such a way that these incite people to create law and order problems".

Meanwhile, the police today arrested three persons who were carrying posters threatening people to support the strike calls or face serious consequences. It also arrested a person who had provided the posters to them.

According to SP, Kulgam, Keshav Ram Chaurasia, during a checking at Paharoo, a police party intercepted one motorcycle with three persons.

They were found to be carrying about 45 objectionable and unlawful posters. Accordingly, all three were detained for further investigation. They have been identified as Sayar Ahmad Ganie (24), Nawaj Ahmad Teli (20) and Nawaj Ahmad Teli (19). All of them are residents of Chian Adigam, Devsar Kulgam.

On interrogation, they revealed that these posters were to be pasted on shops which remained open and didn’t support the call for strike. It was meant to threaten them that serious action would be taken against them if they defied the strike calls. 

Jammu, September 9
A team of food inspectors led by a health officer of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today inspected 90 food establishments in the city and booked 13 defaulters under the provisions of the Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.

A fine of Rs 3,000 was charged from the defaulters on the spot. In addition to this, 40 defaulters were issued challans under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. The team also destroyed 30 kg of substandard milk, about 10 kg of stale cooked food and 20 kg of rotten fruits.

Besides, the team visited the areas of Gandhi Nagar, Satwari, Jain Bazar and Chowk Choubutra and checked 123 milk cans.

Around 28 milk cans were sent to a laboratory for testing the quality of milk. Five milk cans were found unfit for human consumption and were destroyed. A fine of Rs 4,650 was charged from the defaulters on the spot.

Jammu, September 9
Five days on, the Jammu police has prepared a sketch of the prime suspect in the murder of a cab driver near Nagrota during the intervening night of September 2 and 3.

It may be stated here that the Nagrota police had found a cab driver, Gurpreet Singh (23), a resident of Nanak Nagar, murdered with his hands tied in a deserted place near the traffic check-post. “Acting on clues and the description given by a travel agent in Katra, we have prepared a sketch of one of the three assailants. It appears that they belong to Punjab,” police sources told The Tribune.

On the fateful day, the travel agent had seen a man talking in Punjabi to Gurpreet before hiring his cab for Jammu. The assailants, after murdering Gurpreet with a blunt object, had escaped in his Tata Indica car, they said. They added that taking way the car of the victim appeared to be the motive behind the gruesome crime. The police had also recovered the body of another man from the Shankaracharya temple in Katra on September 4. The man was murdered in the same manner as the cab driver. “The man was murdered. The assailants used the same modus operandi to commit the crime by hitting him on the head and the face with a blunt object after tying both his arms,” the sources said. “We suspect that the same group might be behind the murder of this man as well,” they added.