Srinagar, September 25
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the hard line faction of the Hurriyat Conference, has outrightly rejected the eight-point initiative on Kashmir decided at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in New Delhi today.

Terming the initiatives as a mere eyewash, Geelani said, “These are just an eyewash and tactics of India to buy time. Until and unless the government of India does not act on the five-point formula given by us, which comprises complete demilitarisation, declaring Jammu and Kashmir as an international dispute, release of all political and other detainees, revocation of draconian laws, we reject all these tactics as an eyewash.”

He said the announcement to give an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to those killed in the current unrest was nothing. “The blood of the people who died during the turmoil only demands freedom from India,” he said.

The Geelani faction also issued a fresh calendar of protests for the next 10 days beginning September 27. Geelani has given only three days of relaxation in this calendar.

While Geelani rejected the initiatives, the moderate camp of the Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said any decision on the initiatives could be taken after the meeting of the executive council of the amalgam.

“We can say anything about the initiatives announced by the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram, after we hold a meeting of the executive council of the Hurriyat,” the Mirwaiz said.

The chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Yaseen Malik, too said any reaction to the initiatives could be given only after the meeting of the executive body of the party. “We will decide in the meeting of the executive body about our further course of action,” Malik said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has welcomed the initiatives announced by Chidambaram. While welcoming the Centre’s decision, Omar said, “I will hold a meeting of the Unified Command later this week to discuss the modalities of reducing the footprints of the security forces in cities, particularly areas that have been designated as disturbed. This is what the state government has to do and we will do it in the next few days. The Unified Command will review areas under the Disturbed Areas Act but it will take time. We need to discuss how to reduce the security forces’ footprints.”

The PDP has said the initiatives announced by the Centre were a new beginning. “This is a new beginning and it has to be seen how they impact the current unrest and help address the immediate crisis. We hope they do,” PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar said.

The coordinator of the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee, Jagmohan Singh Raina, has expressed satisfaction over the announcement of the initiatives.

Jammu, September 25
Students at Indira Gandhi Government Dental College, Jammu, continued with their indefinite fast for the second consecutive day while the protest at the administrative block of the college continued for the 45th day.

While the meeting of a delegation of students that called on Union Health Minister and former Chief Minister of the state Ghulam Nabi Azad did not yield any results, at least four agitating students -- Pawan Singh Jasrotia, Gulshan Kumar, Asif Iqbal and Jahangir Ahmed — went on an indefinite fast yesterday.

The students continued with their protest at the administrative block of the college today and raised anti-government slogans. They condemned the state government for not doing anything concrete to fulfil the guidelines laid down by the Medical Council of India (MCI).

The condition of Gulshan was said to be deteriorating while others observing fast were stated to be normal. “If anything happens to any of the fasting students, the government will be held responsible. Despite the de-recognition of the college, the government took only cosmetic measures. The government is still not serious about us,” said a spokesperson for the protesting students.

“None of the protesting students belongs to an affluent family. All of them are industrious and got admission to the institute through the Jammu and Kashmir Common Entrance Test (JKCET). Due to the government’s wrong policies we all are being made to suffer,” he said.

“Many students coming from a humble background have been facing problems while studying in the college all these days. However, with the college losing its recognition, their hopes have been dashed,” the spokesman said. “Today, every student is at the crossroads. Unfortunately, the government is still unmoved and unconcerned,” he added.

“The faculty has been supporting our cause. In protest against the government policies, the Medical Teachers Association that has suspended classes at Government Medical College, Bakshi Nagar, and Dental College has demanded the appointment of faculty in the college so that it again gets recognition,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, president of the National Secular Forum (NSF) Vikas Sharma has appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to resolve the issue of students of Dental College without delay.

Srinagar, September 25
Even as the curfew remained in place in the entire Kashmir valley today, it was relaxed in some areas for sometime so that people could purchase essential commodities.

A police spokesman said barring a few incidents of stone throwing the situation across the Valley during the hours of relaxation remained peaceful.

The authorities relaxed the curfew at a few places in Kupwara town from 10 am to 1 pm; in Trehgam and Kralpora from 10:30 am onwards; while in Handwara, Kulangam and Chotipora the curfew was relaxed from 10 am onwards.

In Sopore, except Chinkipora, the curfew was relaxed from 12 pm to 2 pm; in Bandipora town and Sumbal areas from 2 pm to 5 pm; in Baramulla and its adjoining areas from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, which was later extended up to 5 pm. Similarly, in east, west and south zones of Srinagar city the curfew was relaxed from 12 pm onwards, while in north and Hazratbal zones it was relaxed from 3 pm onwards.

In Budgam and its adjoining areas, the curfew was relaxed from 1 pm to 6 pm; in Tral, Awantipora and Pampore areas of south Kashmir from 2 pm to 5 pm, while in Shopian and its adjoining areas it was relaxed from 2 pm onwards.

During the curfew relaxation in Srinagar, some miscreants tried to disrupt peace by resorting to stone throwing at Habba-Kadal, but were chased away. At Solina, a DSP received minor injuries when miscreants pelted stones at his vehicle. The vehicle was also damaged.

Jammu, September 25
The Jammu police today claimed to have solved the murder case of a Sikh taxi driver and arrested two accused, who are hardened criminals and natives of neighbouring Punjab.

Their third accomplice - a resident of Sikar district in Rajasthan, however, remains at large and the police has launched a manhunt to nab him as well.

On the intervening night of September 2 and 3, unidentified assailants, believed to be three in number, had murdered a Sikh taxi driver Gurpreet Singh of Guru Nanak Nagar here.

Addressing mediapersons here today, ASP, Jammu Rural, Mohan Lal said

working hard on clues gathered from taxi drivers and tour operators in Jammu and Katra, the police questioned a Tata Sumo driver, Rajinder Kumar, and a travel agent, Ramesh Kumar.

“From the disclosures and other clues, the police prepared a sketch of one of the three accused and it was published by various media houses, which helped us in laying our hands on the prime accused,” said the SP.

From Amritsar, some reliable sources informed us that the sketch circulated by the Jammu Police matched with the features of Kulvinder Singh, alias Kinda, a resident of Jalandhar, he added.

Responding to the input, a search was carried out and it was found that the said criminal along with his accomplices was putting up in a rented accommodation at Guru Nanak Colony in Amritsar.

“We had been keeping an eye on his accommodation. On September 22, we were alerted by our sources in Lakhanpur that a person matching the description of the sketch released by us was spotted there,” said Mohan Lal.

The individual was immediately taken into custody, who on interrogation admitted that he along with Pargat Singh, alias Pagga, and Dharampal Gujjar of Rajasthan, had come to Katra on August 30 to visit the cave shrine.

While returning, the trio had hired a taxi of Gupreet Singh with an intention to steal the car, said the officer. On September 2 after they had hired the taxi, assailants asked its driver (Gurpreet) to stop the vehicle at a deserted place near Jammu, he added.

As soon as Gurpreet Singh stopped the car they overpowered him, tied his hands and killed him with a blunt object, said the officer.

After committing the crime they threw Gurpreet’s body in a nearby nullah and fled to Punjab where they sold the vehicle for Rs 45,000 to somebody, he added. Mobile phone of the deceased was also recovered from Kulvinder Singh.

Srinagar, September 25
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said education should be made “conflict neutral” and appealed to the parents, society and the students to cooperate with the government in restoring education in the Valley.

He said the government was committed to the normal functioning of the educational institutions because children run the risk of losing a year of their career.

Addressing a high level meeting here today, the Chief Minister appealed to the people to rise to the occasion and work together with the state government to ensure that education and the future of students were not affected.

Udhampur, September 25
Udhampur may be a small hill town but its traffic woes seem similar to those of any big city, thanks to mainly its location on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway coupled with the lack of scheduled stoppages of vehicles and unmarked parking spaces.

Even as the problem has been highlighted several times, several orders issued by the District Magistrate, particularly related to the regulated movement of heavy vehicles in the town, have gone unnoticed. The outer roads like the Dhar Road and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway bear the brunt of the situation. The resultant chaotic conditions on its inner and outer roads have become a nightmarish experience for commuters, especially old people and school students.

“The chaos makes me feel as if I am in a metro city during peak hours, especially when schools are over. During peak hours it is very risky for the students, especially of schools situated in areas across the NH-I. The administration should ensure dedicated buses for students so that they could commute safely and comfortably,” suggested Sanjay Sharma, a government teacher.

The major problems contributing to traffic congestion in the town are encroachments in the main markets and the presence of vendors at every nook and corner. Potholed busy Dhar Road, lack of parking spaces and unscheduled stoppages like the one at the Salathia Chowk are some glaring examples of traffic hazards.

Using the fronts of the houses on the Dhar Road between Domail and the Venus Chowk as parking spaces as well as points of offloading supplies ordered by the shopkeepers has become a habit of the drivers of trucks and tippers. Fed up with this, the residents have lodged complaints against the practice. “We are going to announce from the public address system tomorrow to inform public against parking vehicles on the stretch between Domail and the Venus Chowk. The offenders will be challaned,” informed a traffic police official.

But will this help change the situation? The residents are keeping their fingers crossed because going by the past experience such measures only turned out be temporary. “What we need is a comprehensive planning in terms of designating stoppages at places where the traffic does not become an obstruction. Moreover, the Municipal Committee should try to identify open spaces as well as create new parking lots. The parking should be monitored strictly,” suggested Gaurav Nanda, a marketing professional.

Jammu, September 25
The Department of Computer Sciences, Government College for Women, Parade, here organised a freshers’ party at the college today. Principal of the college Kiran Bakshi was the chief guest.

In the function, the freshers answered to a volley of questions posed by the seniors to judge their potential and give them an opportunity to open up with them.

The principal appreciated the efforts of the department and said such programmes helped in making a congenial atmosphere in colleges. The head of the department, Prof Parveen Singh, asked the newcomers to follow in the footsteps of their seniors and excel in life.

While Mehak Jain was declared Miss Fresher, Priyanka Singh was titled Miss Personality, Geepika Langer Miss Well Dressed and Shefali Gupta was given the title Perfect Smile. Mehak Dubey was declared Mr Congenial.

The students presented a cultural extravaganza. The event was compered by Sunnia Gupta and Nitika Gupta.

Udhampur, September 25
The Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, today organised a one-day training-cum-workshop on “Policing: Reaching out to the Minorities”, in which senior officers of the state police participated.

IG Dilbag Singh, who is director of the academy, inaugurated the seminar. He said as a part of its duty of upholding the law and protecting all sections of society, the police had a responsibility to reach out to the minorities.

The Bureau of Police Research and Development, New Delhi, sponsored the workshop. The prominent speakers included Dr Baljeet Singh of Jammu University, former DGP Ashok Bhan, Prof Kamal Mitra Chenoy from the JNU, New Delhi, Pardeep Dutta, bureau chief of Times Now, Jammu, and senior journalist Sant Kumar Sharma.

They spoke on various issues like how rumours played a significant but negative role in whipping up communal frenzy, polarising the whole atmosphere and leading to a trust deficit among communities. Stress was also laid upon the need to democratise and secularise mindsets to check communal violence.

The minorities everywhere needed to be given protection by the state. The speakers pointed out that when the minority communities were targeted by the majority communities, it resulted in serious repercussions.

Dr Baljeet Singh articulated that the police also faced allegations of acting in an arbitrary manner in communally-surcharged situations across the country. He discussed the role of the police in countering terrorism as it was altogether different from a communal situation. It was a situation in which the whole minority community was targeted.

Then speakers advocated a need for a strong political will to deal with communal tensions and only then the police could play its role effectively. During the workshop, deliberations were made on the privileges being extended to the minorities by the Constitution of India; causes of communal tensions and the eruption of violence; and the administration during conflict situations.

Jammu, September 25
Thieves decamped with six mail bags containing letters and other documents from outside the Vinayak Bazaar post office here today.

Around 8 am when employees reached the post office they found six mail bags missing.

A mail bus from the Jammu Railway Station daily drops mail bags outside the Vinayak Bazaar post office at 7 am on working days. “This morning when we reached the office we found six mail bags were missing,” said an official.

Of course, the mail bags contained letters and other documents in transit, which had to be delivered to the addressees, he added. — TNS

Jammu, September 25
The state government is planning to appoint at least one senior psychiatrist at every district headquarters.

Minster for Medical Education RS Chib said this at the eleventh Annual National Conference of the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP), a three-day event that started here yesterday.

Chib was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Rajinder Singh, Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, Dr Avdesh Sharma, vice-president IAPP, Dr Rajesh Nagpal, general secretary, IAPP, Dr Mushtaq A Margoob, chairman of the organising committee, and Dr Jagdish Raj Thappa, organising secretary were present on the occasion.

Chib said the scope and need to encourage the discipline had increased a lot recently as stress and strain had been taking toll on the society. “People in our sate are living under extreme stress and strain due to the conflict. In the past two decades, the miseries of people had compounded due to the armed conflict,” the minster said.

“Therefore, the government has been planning to appoint at least one senior psychiatrist at the district level,” he added.

The president of the IAPP, Dr VK Razdan, in his keynote address stressed on encouraging private psychiatry in the contemporary era maintaining that stress was the chief cause of many psychosomatic disorders.

He also said holding such conferences in the state were of utmost importance in view of the prevailing conflict.

“Our state has undergone a sever socio-cultural transition in past few decades, which has marked an immense effect on the psyche of the masses,” said Dr Thappa in his welcome address. He added, “Migrations, disasters and other mishaps occurring in the state need an analytical study.”

Dr Avdesh said private psychiatry had a huge scope here, as commoners were not still aware of the consequences of stress on their psychophysical steup.

Jammu, September 25
A cycling team of three officers, two junior commissioned officers and 15 others of the 85 Armoured Regiment of the Armoured Brigade was flagged off by Lieutenant-General JP Singh, AVSM, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (P&S) and Colonel of the Regiment on September 19 from Ratnuchak, Jammu, to celebrate the 34th Anniversary of its Raising.

The team demonstrated indomitable adventure spirit, gist and determination. Under the leadership of Major Saurabh Yadav, the team cycled a distance of 200 km of steep mountainous tracks, passing through pristine and picturesque valleys of Himachal Pradesh.

The cycling team started from Pathankot and halted at Gaggal, Dehra Gopipur and Raja-Ka-Talab on its way for the night halts.

On completion of the expedition, the cycling team was received by Brig Kulpreet Singh, Commander, 3 (I) Armoured Brigade, on September 23.

Udhampur, September 25
The District Magistrate, Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan, in exercise of powers under Section 144 of CrPC has imposed a ban on the dumping of all types of construction material like bricks, sand or stones on public paths, link roads and the National Highway passing through the district.

The inconvenience being caused to pedestrians and vehicular traffic due to the dumping of construction material has necessitated the passing of the order making it a punishable offence.

Therefore, the order serves the purpose of informing public to remove all types of construction material/obstacles from roadsides immediately, failing which they shall be dealt with under the law and the material shall be confiscated. The order comes into force with immediate effect for a period of two months.