Jammu, November 7
Amidst a Jammu bandh call given by the BJP and supported by various social and political organisations, including the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the Durbar offices comprising the Civil Secretariat and the state legislature will reopen here tomorrow.

The BJP has given the bandh call in protest against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent remarks on the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India.The Jammu police has made tight security arrangements for incident-free reopening of the offices.

“Additional deployment of security personnel in consonance with the CRPF has been made around the Civil Secretariat complex, vital installations and residences of the ministers,” said a senior police officer.

The area around the secretariat had also been sanitised, he added.

However, despite stringent security measures in place, the BJP,the JCCI and various other political and social organisations would go ahead with their strike call.

A bandh, over the years, has become a permanent feature with the reopening of the Durbar offices here.

“It is a people’s bandh.The entire region is involved in it because of atrocities being committed on the people by the present coalition and successive regimes,” said Panthers Party MLA Harsh Dev Singh.

Apart from discrimination being meted out to Jammu, this time the people in the region were angry over the highly objectionable statement that emanated from none other than the Chief Minister, added Singh.

It may be stated here that to keep alive a 138-year old tradition of Durbar Move, it costs the cash-strapped Jammu and Kashmir government Rs 40 crore every year. Till December, 2009, there were officially five lakh unemployed youth in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India, which has two capitals,Srinagar and Jammu, and the seat of power keeps shifting between the two for six months each in a calendar year.

Meanwhile, the Estates Department has refurbished and renovated all government accommodations, including the complex of the Civil Secretariat.

Traffic restrictions have also been put in place to avoid snarls on strategic roads leading to the secretariat and the Chief Minister’s official residence on Residency Road.

Meanwhile, DGP Kuldeep Khoda chaired a meeting of senior officers of the police, security, traffic, central intelligence agencies and CRPF here today to review the security arrangements made for the next six months in the winter capital to ensure hassle-free functioning of the Durbar Move offices.

The participating officers of intelligence agencies briefed the DGP of the available inputs and their assessment about the law and order situation in the Jammu region.

The other departments, too, briefed the DGP about the arrangements they had made for enhancing the security, especially near the Civil Secretariat and other places in the city in view of the bandh call given by the BJP and supported by other parties on November 8.

The DGP, while briefing the officers, asked them to put in their best for ensuring adequate security during the functioning of the Durbar in Jammu.

Jammu, November 7
Although the expansion of the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is being delayed due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the Kashmir valley during the last four months, a Congress member is likely to get a berth in the ministry after the reopening of the Durbar offices to fill a post that has been lying vacant after the resignation of GM Saroori.

Congress MLA from Inderwal assembly segment of Kishtwar Saroori was earlier holding the charge of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department. However, he was forced to resign after the name of his daughter figured in the infamous MBBS impersonation case.

After the resignation, Omar Abdullah headed the R&B Department himself, but the Congress has been exerting pressure on the high command to get the department back, as it was allotted to the party as per its agreement with the National Conference.

“As per our agreement with the National Conference, the R&B Department was allotted to our party. So, we have been asking our leadership to finalise the name of another Congress representative for the ministerial berth to get this department back,” a senior leader told The Tribune, adding, “After the reopening of the Durbar offices, the party will fill the vacant post from its quota”.

There is a feeling among Congress members that the ruling National Conference is not doing justice with the constituencies being represented by the former party.

“The National Conference has been adopting discriminatory policies as far as release of additional funds for the development activities is concerned,” the Congress leader pointed out and alleged that a pick-and-choose policy was being adopted during sanctioning of development schemes in the constituencies.

“We have asked our leadership to finalise the name of a party nominee to replace the ministerial berth of Saroori without any delay,” he said.

As GM Saroori belongs to the hilly region of erstwhile Doda district, Congress MLAs from that belt have been staking claim for the ministerial berth.

The main contenders vying for the seat are Bhaderwah MLA Mohammad Sharief Naiz and Doda MLA Abdul Majid Wani.

Naiz and Wani were ministers in the previous government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in which the Congress, too, was a partner. Naiz was a Cabinet Minister, while Wani was a Minister of State.

Congress MLAs from Banihal and Ramban, Vakar Rasool and Ashok Kumar, respectively, are also staking their claims because they too belong to the erstwhile Doda district.

Srinagar, November 7
The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged the US to play a role by bringing India and Pakistan closer to pave the way for an amicable resolution of the Kashmir issue.

“Since the US is not in a position to mediate on Kashmir, it can play a significant role like that in Kosovo and Ireland’, the Hurriyat Conference chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said. He added the tension between the two countries was only because of the long- pending Kashmir issue, which could be resolved in a manner acceptable to all the three parties concerned i.e India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.

The Mirwaiz was talking to mediapersons at his residence here this afternoon in connection with the ongoing visit of US President Barack Obama. The Hurriyat Conference, he said, had completed its signature campaign launched on both sides of the LoC on October 24 and was sending the signed document to Obama through the US Embassy in New Delhi. The Mirwaiz had launched the campaign here,inviting the attention of the US President, during his visit here, to the Kashmir issue and seeking a role in resolving it for peace in the entire region.

Referring to Obama’s visit, which began on Saturday, the Mirwaiz said an impression was given that it was mainly focused on business and economic issues. But, he pointed out that economic progress in the region was possible only when there was a political stability. The political stability in the South Asian region hinged on the resolution of the Kashmir issue, the Mirwaiz said, and added that it was important that peace prevailed for which the resolution of the issue was important. He held that India had an important role to play in South Asia and “we want an end to poverty in India” for which the resolution of Kashmir was important in accordance with the promises made by India to the people of the state.

Expressing shock over the harassment of members of the Sikh community in Baramulla and Anantnag districts recently, he condemned the incidents. While he continued to remain under house arrest, the Mirwaiz said, various other separatist leaders were also kept under house arrest or were not allowed to visit him.

Sunder Bani, November 7
In political discourses, India continues to live in villages, but ground realities of some villages here present a sordid side of the story.

Despite a plethora of development schemes aimed at rural development, India does not shine in these villages.

Primary requirements for a quality life include road infrastructure, healthcare facility and school. However, electricity, piped water supply and other basic amenities are counted among luxuries in remote villages like Gaig, Lardya, lower Lardya, Bindi Galla, Nardh and Chardathniyan.

Early morning, villagers could be seen carrying children on shoulders to the government school at Kund, about 13 km far away from Lardya village. There is no road connectivity in these mountainous villages and, therefore, no transport facility.

Children cannot be sent to the school all alone because of the distance and threat from monkeys. Majority of villagers earn their livelihood from vegetable farming. In the entire tehsil, the chunk of vegetable supply comes from these villages, but the villagers carry their produce on foot to the local market.

The Panch of Lardya, Krishan Lal, said, “We have not gained anything from Independence. Before 1947, we had to toil for the local feudal landlord, but not anymore. This is the only change we have seen in our life.”

“Things turn more miserable for us during rainy seasons when the kuchcha pathway gets covered with wild vegetation and becomes slippery,” said the Panch of Gaig village in Bhajwal, Dwarka Nath, adding, “Politicians forget us after every election. This time, the local MLA had promised us a lot of things but he has not visited after winning the elections.”

“Every year, many people die of snakebites or accidents. Many a times, expecting mothers die on their way to the hospital,” he said, adding, “During exigencies, we have to carry the patient on shoulders on a cot as the passages at some points are so narrow that two people cannot pass through simultaneously.”

Jammu, November 7
The All-J&K Plus Two Lecturers’ Forum has strongly demanded implementation of a Cabinet decision to regularise incumbent lecturers in the Education Department.

The Central House of Representatives, which met here today under the chairmanship of state president HD Qureshi, reviewed the overall scenario in the department with a special focus on the confronting issues that include regularisation of about 7,000 incumbents, benefit of running pattern, placement of lecturers in pay band number three and re-organisation of the department.

The central leadership, district presidents of Jammu region and about 200 delegates from across the Jammu province attended the daylong session. The House expressed regret that a Cabinet decision to regularise about 7,000 incumbents had not been implemented till date.

The House stressed upon the government for immediate implementation of the Cabinet decision and demanded that all incumbents be regularised as “one-time exception”, the decision for which had already been taken on March 29, 2010.

The House strongly viewed the apathetic attitude of the government for delay in extending the benefit of “Running Pattern” in favour of cadre, despite knowing the fact that after clubbing the pay scales of Rs 6,700-10,900 and 7,500-12,500 the plus 2 lecturers are kept in the pay scale of Rs 8,000-13,500 (pre-revised), which is a running grade as per SRO 225.

The speakers severely criticised the authority for unwarranted delay and ignoring the announcement of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in this context on April 9, 2007.

Jammu, November 7
Seeking support of all parties, linguistic groups, the media and prominent personalities of the country, Gujjars today urged the Union Government to include the tribal language, Gojri,in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

They sought immediate amendment to the list of official languages of India for the inclusion of Gojri during the forthcoming session of Parliament.

In an appeal issued on behalf of the community by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation to the Union Government and people belonging to all shades of life, the community sought their help and support in the induction and recognition of their language at the national level.

Giving the details, Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary of the Foundation, said being one of the oldest and significant languages of South Asia,Gojri had the locus standi for inclusion in the

Eighth Schedule as there were adequate provisions and facilities in the Constitution for linguistic minorities. He said Gojri had a strong literary tradition. It had been recognised as a tribal language of India by the Sahitya Academy.

Noted saint scholar and Hindi Persian poet of the 13th century Hazrat Amir Khusroo had formally mentioned the Gojri language in the list of 18 major Indian languages of his time.

Gujjars further sought the help of Kashmiri, Dogri and other linguistic groups, political parties and social organisations in this regard.Kashmiri and Dogri had already been included in the Eighth Schedule,said the secretary.

Several researchers and historians had already said Gojri was the mother of Rajasthani, Gujarati, Urdu and Haryanvi languages, he added.

According to a current analysis, Gojri was the first language of 20 millions people in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. A large number of Gojri-speaking people were living in the state, Rahi stated.

Jammu, November 7
The Samooh Theatre organised a play reading of Rajneesh Gupta’s newly written Hindi play “Varnshanker” at KL Sehgal Hall here today.

According to a statment issued here, Additional Secretary (Editorial) Gain Singh was the chief guest while OP Dewadi and Janak Khajuria were the guests of honour on the occasion.

The function was presided over by Sahitya Adademy awardee ND Jamwal.

The play “Varnshanker” is based on Mahabharata times.

Prominent theatre artistes, writers, critics, intellectuals and members of the civil society were present on the ocassion.

Besides, a discussion on the play was also held.

The play was read by noted theatre artistes Santosh Sangra, Rajesh Raina, Ravinder Sharma, Suresh Sharma, Avineesh Sharma and Inderjeet Singh Sambyal.

The proceeding of the function was conducted by Sudhir Mahajan, who also presented vote of thanks in the end of the function.

Jammu, November 7
The National Secular Forum (NSF) has called upon the scholars and students of the University of Jammu to observe complete strike tomorrow to protest against the authorities, as the student community was being harassed by the administrators.

In a meeting of the NSF, chairman, Jammu, Surjit Choudhary alleged that Director of Distance Education Meenakshi Kilam had failed to provide quality education to the students.

He alleged that the director was pursuing anti-Jammu policies on the directions of the Kashmiri leadership and the recent abolishment of Dogri course by her was a glaring example of the same.

NSF activists have appealed to the Chancellor of the university to intervene into the matter.

Choudhary said the activists would take out a march in the campus tomorrow carrying black flags to register protest against the authorities.

However, the Director of Distance Education refuted the allegations levelled against her.

Jammu, November 7
While dismissing the writ petition filed by Tarlok Raj, who had deserted the Border Security Force (BSF) and absented himself without any leave, Justice Sunil Hali of Jammu and Kashmir High Court held that: “It is evident from the record that the plea of the guilty has been recorded after complying with the procedure laid down under Rule 142 (2) of the Rules.”

The petitioner was enrolled as a constable on October 15, 1984, in the BSF, where after he was promoted as L/Naik. The petitioner while posted in 109 Bn, BSF, was deputed for Dak duty to frontier headquarters, Siliguri, on August 01, 2000. Some co-passengers gave him some eatables when he was returning from the said duty in North East Express. Thereafter, he was beaten up and after he became unconscious, those persons also lifted his luggage.

He went to the transit camp, but was not allowed to enter the camp for non-availability of his identity card, which was also lost with his luggage. The petitioner, thereafter, came to his home at Langotian village, RS Pura, Jammu, where he got his treatment done.

He was arrested by the Miran Sahib police station on November 21, 2000, and was handed over to the respondents on the allegation that he was a deserter and had absented himself without any leave. The Summary Security Force Court was held, wherein he pleaded guilty to the charge and was given punishment of dismissal from service on 09.02.2001.

Justice Sunil Hali, while dismissing writ petition, observed, “Examination on record of the Summary Security Force Court clearly shows that when the petitioner was asked to make any statement in reference to the charge or mitigation of punishment, the petitioner replied that “I am a poor person. I request that I may be pardoned this time. I will not repeat such mistakes in future.” Record does not indicate any request of the petitioner for leading any evidence in defence during trial by the Summary Security Force Court.”

The HC further held that: “It is true that proceedings initiated are subject to the judicial review by the high court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, but this judicial review, may not permit re-appreciation of evidence by the high court. It is only when the Summary Security Force Court was not properly convened or there was any challenge to its composition and the proceedings, on the basis of violation of the provisions of the Act and Rules, that the High Court, may exercise its power of judicial review.”

“The Summary Security Force Court has sufficiently discharged its judicial function. Its proceedings indicate that due care and caution had been taken by the court in adhering to the provisions of the Act and rules on the subject. Its responsibility to protect the rights of the petitioner charged before it by providing all procedural safeguards, has been properly discharged by it.”

Jammu, November 7
Amidst allegation of large-scale discrepancies in updated electoral rolls for the panchayat elections, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has extended the last date for filling claims and objections in the voter lists.

As reported by the Tribune earlier, the political groups have pin pointed discrepancies in the voter lists and alleged that names of some voters were deliberately deleted to give benefits to candidates of the ruling party.

Not only Opposition parties, even the Congress, which is a partner in the government, has charged the National Conference with deleting names of its supporters from the electoral rolls. The Congress workers had even staged demonstrations and burnt the voter lists at Vijaypur town last week as mark of protest.

Keeping in view the agitation launched by the political parties against the discrepancies-ridden voter lists, the CEO has extended the date for filling objections. Earlier, October 31st was the last date for filing objections and claims. As per the revised schedule, the period for filing of claims and objections has been fixed as November 19 to 22 and disposal of claims and objections will be made from November 23 to 30.

The final publication of electoral rolls will be issued on January 3, 2011, and the draft electoral rolls would be available at the offices of the District Panchayat Officer (Jammu), Assistant Commissioner Development (Jammu), Block Development Officers (BDOs) concerned, panchayat ghars and polling stations.

Jammu, November 7
Hundreds of devotees participated in the Machail Mata Jagran held at Ved Mandir yesterday. Renowned artists and singers from different parts of the country recited devotional ‘bhajans’ during the jagran.

The jagran started on yesterday evening and concluded this morning. Besides other media groups, The Tribune was also one of the sponsors of the jagran.