Jammu, October 28
Terming their first visit to the state as a ‘modest’ beginning of a long arduous journey, the interlocutors appointed by the Centre today admitted that the process they had started would take some time to yield results.

“It is completely premature to form an opinion or forward recommendations after such a short visit. We have the mandate of only understanding and listening to the people,” Dilip Padgaonkar, head of the three-member interlocutors’ team, said. “It is not an event but a process and the process is going to take a long time to fructify,” he said.

Interacting with mediapersons after winding up their first visit to the state, Padgaonkar made it clear that keeping in view the complexity of the problem only that solution would be viable and lasting that was acceptable to all regions and sections of the state.

Furthermore, the solution should have the complete endorsement by the Indian public and only then we could carry forward the things, he opined.

In an obvious reference towards controversies over their statements on the involvement of Pakistan in the solution of the Kashmir problem and their endorsement of the demand of ‘azadi’, Radha Kumar clarified that their statement on the demand of ‘azadi’ was fabricated. She, however, said ‘azadi’ was a very flexible term and different people had different perspectives on it.

Asked about reasons of his scheduled meeting with BJP leader LK Advani, Padgaonkar said after reaching the Union Capital, they would brief the leaders of all political parties about the information they had gathered during the visit. “We will go and brief the government, leaders of different political parties about the ideas and proposals we have received from a cross section of society,” he said, adding that “we will also take appointments with the members of all-party delegation that had visited the state earlier, to seek their suggestions for proceeding further.” “Our determination is to go and tell political leaders back in Delhi about what we have gathered,” Padgaonkar said. He added, “So it is completely premature to form opinions as we are in the process of understanding and listening to people.”

The interlocutors admitted that their visit to Jammu was very short. “It would be wrong to give an opinion after such a short visit,” Radha Kumar said. She added that focus of their visit was on migrants, displaced people and their aspirations and problems. “Next time we intend to stay here for 4-5 days and likely to visit some districts also to get information about the problems of people,” she said.

Srinagar, October 28
Life was largely normal across the Kashmir valley today after three days of bandh, while no curfew restrictions were imposed on any part of the Valley.

Panic gripped the central Lal Chowk area this afternoon when the police fired into the air to disperse demonstrators protesting against the arrest of a youth allegedly involved in abetting and organising stone throwing in some areas. The youth, Mohammad Altaf Sheikh, aka Shera, was arrested from the Abi Guzar locality near Lal Chowk. This led to a scuffle between the police party and the area residents.

“Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a trap and managed to apprehend Altaf. Though there was some resistance from people, who tried to scuffle with the police,” said a police spokesperson. The police had to fire some shots from a pump action gun into the air to disperse the mob, he added. Altaf had been evading arrest for a long time.

However, normalcy was restored soon when the policemen moved into the nearby Kothi Bagh police station with the arrested youth. It was the first day of normalcy after three days of bandh that had been announced by APHC chairman Syed Ali Geelani. There would also be a normal working day tomorrow, according to the calendar. All shops and business establishments were open and a heavy traffic was back on the roads after three days.

Jammu, October 28
Tension flared up in Rajouri town this evening when a shopkeeper along with his brother allegedly tore a poster of Swami Gurdeep Giri ji Maharaj, head of Dera Swami Jagat Giri ji Maharaj (Ravidas sect), Pathankot, and beat up a follower of the sect.

Sources said a teenager, Sandeep, aka Sonu, was pasting the poster regarding the scheduled visit of Swami Gurdeep Giri ji on November 7 outside a cosmetics shop in the Jawahar Nagar area around 5:30 pm when two brothers running the shop came out and tore the poster. They also attacked Sandeep.

They added Sandeep was injured but he managed to run away. However, he later came with a large number of followers of the sect and blocked the road at Jawahar Nagar.

However, senior police officers reached the protest spot and assured the protesters that the accused would be arrested soon. Following the assurance the protesters dispersed and the road was opened for traffic.

The police said the accused identified as Naresh Kumar and Umesh Kumar, both brothers, were arrested and the situation was brought under control.

A senior police officer told The Tribune that they had deployed security personnel in the town on patrol duty so that no such incident recur.

Sub-Inspector Jaan Mohammad, who holds the charge of SHO of Rajouri police station, said, “On the charge of tearing a religious poster, two persons were arrested and a case was registered against them.”

He added that he was investigating the incident. “We are recording the statements of shopkeepers in the market to clear the facts, but no one is ready to divulge the details of the incident,” the SHO added.

Meanwhile, Sandeep was taken to the hospital for first-aid for a medical examination.

It may be mentioned here that there are a number of followers of the sect and Swami Gurdeep Giri Ji has visited the town a number of times, but no such incident has taken place here earlier.

Srinagar, October 28
The state Cabinet has approved a road map for the settlement of the arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission in respect of the government employees.

According to the Cabinet decision taken in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here last evening, 50 per cent of the arrears due to the employees would be settled by the state government on its own. However, for the remaining amount the matter shall be pursued with the Central government, an official spokesman said.

The arrears would be paid in a varying number of instalments and through the GP Fund route for different categories of employees with different lock-in periods for different categories. As per the decision, the Class-IV employees would be paid in four equal annual instalments of 25 per cent each starting from 2011-12, with a lock-in period of three years for each instalment. The Class-III employees would be paid in five equal annual instalments of 20 percent each starting from 2011-12 with a lock-in period of four years for each instalment.

The Class-I and II employees would be paid in six annual instalments starting from year 2011-12. The first five instalments would be of 15 per cent each while the last instalment would consist of the balance 25 per cent with a lock-in period of five years for each instalment.

The pensioners would be paid their dues in cash in three to six annual instalments beginning from 2011-12, in relation to their categorisation in different age groups. Those in the age group of above 80 years would get the arrears in three instalments, 70 to 80 years in four instalments, 65 and 70 years in five and between 58 to 65 years in six instalments.

Jammu, October 28
A 6-year-old girl was killed, while 11 others sustained severe injuries, after the Tata Winger vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Bal Shama village of the Dharamsal area in Rajouri district this afternoon.

The Dharamsal police said the accident took place at about 3 pm, when the driver of the vehicle lost control over it, while going to Rajouri from Jammu. The deceased, identified as Shabnam, daughter of Jehangir Hussain, a resident of Chingus, was travelling with her mother, when the mishap occurred. The police said as the vehicle overturned, the little girl fell out of the vehicle and died on the spot. She was taken to a nearby Government Hospital, where the doctors declared her brought dead.

The police added that one woman was shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, while other 10 injured were admitted to the Government Hospital, Rajouri. Dharamsal police station SHO Kamleshwar Singh said, “The driver of the vehicle has also been injured, but a case has been registered against him.”

Srinagar, October 28
The Cabinet at its meeting last evening approved the promotions of two senior IAS officers BB Vyas and Suresh Kumar to the next higher administrative grade.

An official spokesman said consequent upon his promotion Suresh had been designated as Principal Secretary. In another decision, the Cabinet ordered the promotion of six other IAS officers to the super time scale. These officers are Mohammad Sayeed Khan, Ghulam Ahmad Peer, Tanveer Jehan, Jeet Lal Gupta, Bishan Dass Sharma and Bashir Ahmad Khawaja.

Consequent upon their promotion, Mohammad Sayeed Khan, Tanveer Jehan, Jeet Lal Gupta, Bishan Dass Sharma had been designated as Commissioner/Secretaries to the government in their respective departments.

The Cabinet also accorded a special scale to 18 selection grade officers. These officers are Mohammad Aslam Hamdani, Munshi Muzaffar Hussain, Mohammad Saleem Shishgar, Mohammad Sadiq Sheikh, Bashir Ahmad Saraf, Arun Kumar Sharma (on performance basis), Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, GS Chib, Daulat Ram Sharma, Showkat Ahmad Beigh, Reva Gupta, Ghulam Rasool Wani, Showakat Ahmad Fazli, Rafiq Ahmad Hakim, Mohammad Yousuf Zargar, Talat Parvez Rohella (on performance basis), Anil Kumar Gupta and Dr Sat Pal.

Consequent upon their promotions, GS Chib, Ghulam Rasool Wani and Dr Sat Pal, who are posted in the Civil Secretariat, have been designated as Special Secretaries to the government in their respective departments and offices. Showkat Ahmad Beig has been designated as Special Secretary in the private office of Chief Minister in Srinagar and Rafiq Ahmad Hakeem has been designated as Joint Director, SKIMS, and ex-officio Special Secretary to the government.

Jammu, October 28
The visit of a high-powered team of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to the Rangar Trade Centre today rekindled hopes among the traders of occupied Kashmir and Poonch of a provision for an impetus to the trans-LoC trade, via Chakkan-Da-Bagh, in Poonch district.

Official sources told The Tribune that a four-member team headed by joint secretary K Sikandan and three Deputy Secretaries from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs today visited the Rangar Trade Centre, where they met traders and officials from the Commerce and Industries Department.

The team discussed various impending issues like a proper warehouse, canteen and increasing the number of trucks from 25 a day to 50 to cross to the other side with various merchandise, they added. So far, the state administration allows 25 trucks a day for the trade that happens twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“The visiting team accompanied by State Commissioner Secretary of Commerce and Industries Umang Narula talked to various delegations of traders and administrative officials. They also looked into the problems being faced by the traders in executing the trans-LoC trade,” Poonch Deputy Commissioner KL Khajuria told The Tribune. The team also felt the need of removing deficiencies to give an impetus to the trade between the two sides, he added.

However, on increasing the number of cargos from 25 a day to 50, Khajuria said the team felt the need of coming up with requisite infrastructure, including enhancing the security grid.

The joint secretary said before conceding to the demand of increasing the number of trucks, certain pre-requisites like increasing the deployment of security personnel, putting up scanners and making x-ray machines functional could not be overlooked.

“The visiting team has not spurned the demand, but it will take a month or so to come up with whatever the team desired and thereafter the number of trucks to cross the LoC carrying merchandise can be increased,” said the DC.

Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) president YV Sharma said the JCCI had already apprised CM’s advisor DS Rana about problems being faced by the LoC traders in a meeting at Srinagar.

At the same time, the JCCI wants that a joint trade chamber that was constituted in 2008 involving members from occupied Kashmir should be extended to two regions of Kashmir and Jammu. “The joint trade body should have office bearers from occupied Kashmir, Kashmir and Jammu on rotational basis, so that the traders from Jammu and Kashmir and occupied Kashmir can keep an eye on the trade and can also explore the possibilities in a better way to increase the trade,” said Sharma.

It may be stated here that on October 14 a major dispute between traders from Jammu and Kashmir and occupied Kashmir was resolved with the fixation of exchange currency rate at Rs 1.80 of Pakistan currency against Indian currency of Rs 1. Pakistani traders were paying Rs 1.60 per rupee of India, which was causing losses to the traders from Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the issue was resolved in a meeting on October 14 between a group of about 83 traders from Rawalakote and 65 traders of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu, October 28
The Hurriyat leadership should shun abhorrence and participate in the dialogue process with the Centre’s interlocutors for bringing an end to the spate of violence across the Kashmir valley.

Congress MLC Abdul Gani Vakil said this in a press statement issued here today. “Violence, shutdown and curfew are all going to worsen the situation. The willingness of the Hurriyat leadership to participate in the dialogue process will brighten the chances of bringing permanent peace in the Kashmir valley,” added Vakil.

He stressed that the continued reluctance of the Hurriyat leadership in coming forward for talks was not understandable. “Talks is the only way out. The interlocutors have come with an open mind to engage every quarter concerned across the Kashmir valley. We should not miss this opportunity that has been provided to us by New Delhi,” said Vakil.

He maintained that the interlocutors were set to return to the Kashmir valley soon and this should be used as an opportunity by the separatists to restart the stalled dialogue process. He also implored the interlocutors to take a soft line on holding a dialogue with the separatists.

Jammu, October 28
The SC/ST students of Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM), Science College today held protest against the alleged delay in release of scholarship to them.

The students boycotted their classes and raised slogans against the principal of the college. The students boycotted their classes under the leadership of Sanjay Sharma, GGM Science College, and Mohammad Arif. They demanded immediate release of scholarships of 2008-09.

Meanwhile, a signature campaign was organised by the Jammu Joint Students Federation activists in the GGM Science College, to aware the students about the importance of medicinal trees planted on the campus.

Sanjay alleged that the college authorities had cut down Magnolia Gradiflora, a rare tree species, on the college campus, few months back, which was a shameful act. “Magnolia Gradiflora, is a plant that is useful for the students of medical subjects,” added Sharma.— TNS

Jammu, October 28
After suffering from illness for more than a month, an unidentified man was declared dead at the ENT ward of SMGS Hospital here today.

The police said the man was admitted to the hospital on September 25. The body has been shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here. Meanwhile, the police has started investigations to identify the deceased.

Jammu, October 28
The Billawar police today arrested a bootlegger and seized 252 pouches of illicit liquor from his possession.

Acting on a tip off, a raid was conducted and Mohammad Aslam, a resident of the Malhar area, was arrested with the possession of a large quantity of illicit liquor pouches, said the police. A case has been registered against him at the Billawar police station.

Jammu, October 28
At least 15 senior defence officers, including officers from friendly foreign countries of Japan, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Myanmar, of National Defence College visited the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) at its Palma headquarters in Rajouri today.

The officers from the course serial number 50 were on a one-day visit for an exposure to the Rashtriya Rifles. They were briefed on the concept and execution of the counter terrorist operations being undertaken by the force and how the situation had remained mostly under control south of the Pir Panjal range.

National Defence College, New Delhi, is a premier institution that imparts education in national and international security related fields to selected senior defence and civil services officers.

Every year it conducts a 47-week course on national security and strategic studies, which is attended by defence officers of Brigadier and equivalent rank and senior civil services officers from India and friendly foreign countries.

During the interaction similar operations being undertaken in other countries were also discussed so that both sides could gain from the experience of each other. The tour left the location of the Headquarters Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) at 4 pm.

Jammu, October 28
The Health and Enforcement Wing of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (MC) along with the police removed encroachments by vegetable sellers here today.

According to a statement issued here, the anti-encroachment drive was conducted at Vikas Nagar, Sarwal and in the city. Four temporary structures and five ‘pacca’ platforms raised by vegetable sellers were demolished. Besides, the revenue wing of JMC realised Rs 38,000 as trade tax from the shopkeepers of the Bakshi Nagar, Masheshpura and Canal Road areas. — TNS