Jammu, November 28
The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, AR Rather, today called for sincere efforts to remove pain inflicted on the people living on either sides of the Line of Control (LoC) due to 1947 partition, adding that the issue needed to be tackled in its humanitarian perspective.

Speaking at an impressive function organised to mark the promo release of the first ever Pahari feature film, “Lakeer”, Rather said without compromising on the sovereignty of the country, there could be ways and means to remove the man-made line of barrier between the divided families of Jammu and Kashmir, provided sincere efforts were made above political considerations.

The feature film has been prepared by Abhiyaan, an NGO, dedicated to the mission of conserving and promoting the traditions and languages of the state. The film portrays the gory reality of the division of the state in 1947 and the pain it has brought on the people ever since. The concept, script and dialogues have been prepared by an NRI, Ali Adaalat, born in Mirpur (Pakistan occupied Kashmir).

Rather said no doubt the 1947 partition had divided the state into two geographical parts, but it could not divide the hearts of the people living on either sides of the LoC, despite the passing of 60 years. It only brought pain and difficulties to the people. “Nevertheless, this pain could be healed, if sincere efforts and humanitarian initiatives, above political considerations, are taken,” Rather asserted.

He assured that the government would consider the demand of Abhiyaan to exempt the feature film from entertainment tax, adding that such initiatives promote secularism and communal harmony which were the hallmark of our composite culture and ethos. He complimented the NGO for making this film. 

Sunder Bani, November 28
Complaints of workmen under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have increased manifold due to faulty supervisory mechanism on the ground despite computerisation of records.

A pond in ward number 8 of Mawa village in Patrara panchayat is a silent testimony to the issue. Villagers,who worked there from December 2009 to March 31, 2010, did not get their full wages as the person appointed by the gram sevak to supervise the work did not maintain muster rolls in accordance with their job.

The villagers claimed that they were never allowed to see the muster rolls during the work whereas gram sevak Ravinder Sharma visited the spot only twice in four months.

He also allegedly collected Rs 50 each from the villagers on the excuse of providing them job cards. However, eight months on, they have not seen the cards.

“When the digging work started, I was told that the pond would be cemented. However, that has not been done. The sides of the pond have started caving in, hence, damaging the nearby farmland,” said Shokat Hussain, a villager, adding that he did not get the money for the work either.

The villagers disclosed that no one from the Department of Rural Development ever visited the site to conduct periodic inspection when the work was going on.

“Now, they say that payments were made as per the performance whereas earlier they told us that it would be done on the basis of number of days one works,” Shokat added.

“We have approached the BDO (Block Development Officer) and the gram sevak, but to no avail,” said Khadim Hussain, who worked for 87 days and got his remuneration in only two instalments of Rs 1,650 and Rs 850 for his work.

“On his last visit to the site, the gram sevak had threatened us that the payment would be made on the basis of Rs 20 per day. He has done it. Now we won’t work under this scheme anymore,” said Azam Hussain, who worked for 60 days and did not get the full payment.

There are at least 18 workmen who did the earthwork at the site for a number of days and did not get even a single penny.

They alleged that a similar thing had happened in ward number 7 of the panchayat where a similar pond was dug during the same time period.

However, the gram sevak, denying all allegations, said, “We have disbursed the payments in accordance with their performance.”

He said, “Money to the tune of Rs 30,900 has been deposited in bank accounts of the workers in J&K Cooperative Bank. A total of Rs 70,000 was sanctioned for the pond and the remaining money remained unutilised.”

“The work was not executed during my tenure as I took over the charge a few months ago,” said BDO Sukh Pal Singh.

About job cards, the BDO said employment seekers should approach him and the cards would be issued forthwith.

“The villagers should lodge a written complaint and I will get the matter probed,” said District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, Ghulam Ahmed Khawaza.

Srinagar, November 28
Separatist leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Ahmad Khan were prevented by the police from proceeding to Sopore as they were on their way to north Kashmir on their first visit after their release from jails recently.

The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah, and the Chairman of the National Front (NF), Nayeem Ahmad Khan, were stopped by the police at Singhpora near Pattan on the highway to Baramulla today.

The two parties have condemned the police action describing it as undemocratic. This was their first visit to Sopore and Baramulla to express sympathies with the families of those killed during the recent turmoil in the Valley, separate statements of their parties said.

Meanwhile, normalcy returned across the Kashmir valley after a day of general strike called by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani in protest against a series of killings and alleged excesses at the hands of the security forces.

All shops and business establishments were open and there was a heavy traffic in the city.

Many private establishments, which had suffered heavily due to frequent closures during the past several months, were also 
open today. However, educational institutions and banks remained closed as these have been functioning normally over the past two months now.

Most of the schools have completed the annual examinations and admissions, while the State Board of School Education has completed the annual examinations of Class X and XII.

The government has decided to cancel the winter vacation in high and higher secondary schools to cover the losses suffered last summer. 

Srinagar, November 28
Smoking has taken its toll on the males in the Kashmir Valley with the highest number of lung cancer cases being reported in the state so far this year. Till October this year, 316 cases of lung cancer were registered at the Sher- e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS). There were 363 cases reported in 2009 and the number of such patients was 265 in 2008.

This year the number of lung cancer cases registered at the SKIMS, the main oncology facility in the Valley, was a record high and surpassed the number of oesophagal cancer cases which was previously the most common cancer here.

More than 7,000 cancer patients registered at the SKIMS in last three years who suffered from among 80 variants of the disease, around 1000 patients had developed lung cancer with nearly 900 cases blamed on smoking. "Lung cancer is mostly caused by smoking, all types of smoking, but 90 per cent lung cancer cases are caused by cigarettes," Dr Maqbool Lone, head of the Oncology Department, said.

Since smoking is more prevalent among the men here, it is they who suffer the most. The statistics of last three years show that among the two, majority of the cancer cases are male patients.

In 2008, the number of cancer patients registered here were 1,467 against 922 female patients. In 2009, the number of male patients suffering from cancer were 1,705 compared to 1,168 female patients. So far this year, 1,285 males have been confirmed of the disease, as against 822 women patients.

Apart from smoking, dietary habits of Kashmiris are another reason for the growing number of cancer cases. Lone said pickles, which were not preserved properly, very hot tea and the sun-dried vegetables meant for consumption during the harsh winters in the Valley, could also cause this cancer.

He said one of the causes of breast cancer, which was on rise in the Valley with 148 cases in 2008, 162 cases in 2009 and 132 cases registered till this October, was also poor dietary habits in the Valley. "Even though we produce lots of fruits, most of it is exported and not consumed here. That is also a problem because eating fresh fruits and vegetables decreases the chances of cancer," Dr Syed Ashiq H Naqshbandi, vice-chairman of Cancer Society of Kashmir, 
said. — PTI 

Jammu, November 28
Two militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces this morning in Doda district, the police said. A joint team of the Army and the state police raided a suspected hideout of militants in the Gandoh jungles in Doda, some 180 km from Jammu. A gunbattle followed in which two militants were killed, a police official said.

“It appears that the two belong to the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, but we are trying to verify the details. Searches are also on to find out if there were more militants hiding in the area,” a senior police officer of Doda said over the phone.

Security forces have of late been conducting raids in mountainous areas of the Jammu region where militants have carved out hideouts in jungles and naturally made caves. — IANS

Srinagar, November 28
Family members of three youth from Rafiabad in north Kashmir, who were killed allegedly in a fake encounter in the Macchil sector of Kupwara district early this year, joined a day-long protest organised by the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) here today.

The three youth, Shehzad Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad and Mohammad Shafi from Nadihal, Rafiabad, were allegedly killed in the Macchil sector along the LoC on April 29-30. The relatives of the youth joined the APDP protest here today as part of the organisation’s monthly programme, seeking a probe into unmarked mass graves and disappearances in Kashmir. After the alleged fake encounter in Macchil, the Valley had been in the grip of demonstrations since June 11. The APDP, which had to suspend its monthly protest programme in June due to the turmoil resumed it today.

A spokesman of the APDP said during the last five months, the Valley witnessed an uprising and protests against the unabated killings and violence by the state actors. It started with the news of the exhumation of the bodies of three young men of Nadihal, Rafiabad, from unmarked graves at Kalaroos Kupwara, who were killed earlier in April in an alleged fake encounter at Macchil by the troops.

The spokesman stated that on December 3 last year, after the release of a report “Buried Evidence” by the International People’s Tribunal for Human Rights and Justice in Indian- administered Kashmir (IPTK) in collaboration with the APDP, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave an assurance that his government would look into the allegations. “It has been almost a year since then and no probe has been ordered by the government”, he stated.

It believed if the government had taken the report on unmarked and nameless graves seriously and initiated an inquiry, it would have acted as a deterrent against the perpetrators of the crime, the APDP said. 

Srinagar, November 28
The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh highway that was closed to traffic on Thursday following a snowfall on the Zojila Pass, will be reopened for two days from tomorrow to allow the movement of stranded vehicles.

However, no vehicle will be allowed to move on the highway from December 1, an official spokesman said. He said on instructions of Transport Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon and CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon, the road was cleared due to the strenuous efforts of the Border Roads Organisation. The snow was cleared from Zojila and subject to a clear weather , the stranded vehicles would be allowed to move from Kargil to Srinagar on Monday while traffic from Srinagar to Kargil would be allowed on Tuesday.

SP, Kargil, and SP, Ganderbal, had been asked to regulate traffic on the 
two two days, the spokesman said.

Srinagar, November 28
The district administration reviewed various arrangements in view of the forthcoming Muharram-ul-Haram and took many decisions. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo here.

Regarding the arrangements, the Deputy Commissioner directed the officers concerned to take all measures so that during holy days of Muharram no difficulty was faced by the people.

The meeting was told that the Health Department would hold medical camps at various spots and keep in readiness ambulances with doctors and the paramedical staff.

The department of R&B would ensure necessary repairs to the roads along the routes of Muharram processions throughout the city.

The Municipal Corporation would ensure cleanliness near Imambaras of the city. Similar arrangements of cleanliness will be made by the district administrations in the rural areas.

The SMC and PDD would ensure repairs to high-masts and streetlights.The CAPD was directed to explore the possibility of providing additional sugar to the people on the eve of Muharram. The PDD will also ensure uninterrupted power supply during the holy days, especially in the Shia-dominated areas.

Similarly, the Forest Department was asked to ensure supply of firewood as per past practice.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all departmental heads to implement the decisions taken at today’s meeting in letter and in spirit so that the people did not face any difficulty during Muharram.

Those who attended the meeting were MLA, Zadibal, Peer Afaq Ahmad, ADDC, Srinagar, CPO, Superintending Engineers of R&B and PDD, SP, Traffic, Health Officer, SMC, DFO, Srinagar, and other senior officers of various departments, besides representatives of Shia Muslim organisations like the Anjuman-e-Sharian Shia, the All-J&K Shia Association, the Itehadul Muslimeen and delegations from Zadibal, Almagiri Bazar, Hasanabad, Chattabal and other Shia-dominated areas of Srinagar city. 

Jammu, November 28
Kunwar Bali, nephew of former minister and National Conference (NC) leader Bodh Raj Bali, today joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the presence of party General Secretary Balbir Singh.

Bali, who was a minister in the Farooq Abdullah government, had remained provisional president of the NC for a long time.

Welcoming Kunwar in the party, Balbir Singh said the PDP had been propagating pro-people policies and it was a result of the programmes of the party that people are eager to join this party.

He said since its formation, the PDP had been pursing a pro-peace agenda that has been endorsed by the people of the state.

Exhorting Bali and his supporters to spread the message of the PDP in their areas, Thakur Balbir Singh said being the main opposition party of the state, the PDP would not allow the National Conference-led coalition government to continue its “anti-people policies”.

The PDP General Secretary alleged that since the formation of the coalition regime, the miseries of the people had increased because the ruling party had done nothing to solve their basic problems.

He said all promises made by the NC to the people during the last Assembly election remained only on papers.

Speaking on the occasion, Kunwar Bali said he decided to join the PDP due to its pro-people policies and progammes of the party.

He said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had set an example of good governance in the state during his three-year tenure as a Chief Minister. 

Jammu, November 28
A group of youth belonging to a particular community allegedly attacked a youth of another community in Rajouri last night,sparking a group clash in which several persons were injured.

Although some senior citizens tried to sort out the issue, the detention of a member of the minority community enraged some organisations.

According to the police, two students of Class VIII of a Government School had heated exchanges over an issue and a senior member of a community tried to resolve it.However, things took a turn for the worse when the students called their supporters and there was a clash near the Tehsil office.

Students belonging to the majority community filed a complaint at Rajouri police station.

Sources said the issue was sorted out at a meeting of members of both communities. “But the police raided the office of the RSS to arrest or detain some youth, which infuriated them,” sources added.

In the meantime, the members of the majority community also started conducting meetings and the police after observing the seriousness of the incident, formally registered a case in this regard.

Romesh Jalla, SSP, Rajouri said: “A case under Sections 341, 323, 347 and 382 of the RPC has been registered at Rajouri police station and one person has been detained in this regard.”

He further said the situation was under control. Jalla added, “Two boys, namely Wasim Akram (14) and Wasim Raja (18), received injuries in this incident.”

However, he denied that it was a communal clash. “Though two members of different communities clashed, it was not a communal clash,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sanatan Dharm Sabha, Rajouri, convened a meeting, in which it was decided to take extreme steps, if action was not taken by the police against those who attacked the RSS office. Members of the RSS, Rajouri, today burnt an effigy of the SSP, Rajouri,outside Rajouri police station, and demanded strict action against those who attacked their office last night.

Jammu, November 28
The school management of ASN Higher Secondary School, Resham Ghar, today, released the 6th issue of combined annual school magazine “Adarsh” at Jammu Club. Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was the chief guest on the occasion, and Ajay Sadhotra, MLC, presided over the function.

Ashok Gupta, Inspector General of Police, was the special guest. MA Anjum, IGP, J&K; AQ Manhas, DIG Traffic Police, North Kashmir; Farooq Ahmed Renzu, Director Information Department; Zahida Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua; Dr Shiekh Bashir Ahmed, secretary, Board Of School Education, graced the function as guests of honour.

The function started with the lighting of traditional lamp, followed by recitation of Saraswati Vandana by students of the school.

The chief guest released the school magazine.

Ritesh Kapoor, administrator of the school and the editor of the magazine, highlighted its contents.

Kapoor said the 2nd issue contained the most valuable message of then Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, while the 3rd issue contained the message of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the 4th issue was lucky to receive the message of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Sadhotra said, “In the modern era of practical world, we have to provide the child the environment where he is capable of facing the challenges.”

Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said the introduction of a magazine was a way to manifest a child’s hidden talent, and would also pave the way for developing the habit of writing among the students.

He also asked the youth to voluntarily undertake the task of strengthening the nation.

The function concluded with the presentation of mementoes to those who contributed to the magazine.

Jammu, November 28
Two friends in their mid-thirties, one of them physically challenged, were today found dead, under mysterious circumstances, from a river near Dablehar village in RS Pura, here, the police said.

It also added that a motorcycle, without bearing the registration number, was also recovered from the river.

Those found dead were identified as Subhash, son of Rattan Lal, a resident of Balah village; and another Sittu, a physically challenged, but his parentage and residential address was not confirmed.

HS Gill, SDPO, RS Pura, said, “We received the information from a village resident that two bodies have been floating in the river. Acting on this, a police party was sent to the spot, which fished them out and also recovered the motorcycle.” He added that both the deceased were said to be drunkard and might have gone there to consume alcohol.

Gill further said the bodies of the deceased were sent to the Government Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem, but there were no injury marks noticed on the bodies.

Meanwhile, the police has initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC in this regard. The SDPO said the family of Subhash was yet to give the statement.