Jammu, December 2
Even as Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju has reportedly said the Army has every right to voice its opinion on security in Jammu and Kashmir, the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt-Gen BS Jaswal, has apologised to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Omar had complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the Army, in a press release on November 30, had voiced its concern about the removal of bunkers from Srinagar in the wake of the Qamarwari encounter in Srinagar on November 29. The press note had attributed the incident to the removal of bunkers by the present dispensation allegedly under the pressure of separatists.

Though General Jaswal called it a mistake on the part of a junior officer, sources in the Army said the Northern Army Commander apologised to the Chief Minister yesterday. A spokesperson said today the Army and the state government maintained cordial relations and would continue to do so.

“The Chief Minister and the Army Commander share cordial relations and have a good rapport. However, the entire episode is regretted,” he said.

The Army had issued the press release on November 30 and it was withdrawn the same day because it had neither been cleared by the Northern Command, the Ministry of Defence nor the Army subscribed to the views expressed in it, he added.

General Jaswal had apologised and urged the state government to treat the chapter as closed, said sources.

The Army also described the press release as the personal views of the junior officer.

On November 29, the security forces had killed three armed militants at Qamarwari on the outskirts of Srinagar city while a constable had also lost his life in the encounter.

Omar Abdullah has been repeatedly demanding the removal of the Disturbed Areas Act and the revocation or dilution of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the areas where peace has returned.

Jammu, December 2
Recent statements of National Conference (NC) stalwarts Mustafa Kamal and Sharief-ud-Din Shariq have landed the Congress leadership in an embarrassing situation.

While Mustafa Kamal, who is the brother of NC president and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, has accused successive Congress governments at the Centre of betraying them, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq has publicly accused the security forces of killing innocent people in the Kashmir valley.

Sharief, who is Lok Sabha member of the NC, has termed the Monday encounter in Srinagar city as fake and alleged that the three militants killed in the gunbattle were innocent and were murdered by the security forces.

He has given his statement against the security forces, but Mustafa Kamal has not spared even Congress leaders in his remarks.

Despite running a coalition government with the Congress in the state, Mustafa Kamal has passed disparaging remarks against two leaders of the party and stated that he did not want to be part of that government which had such ministers.

Kamal has minced no words in attacking successive Congress governments at New Delhi for backstabbing Kashmiris.

Interestingly, he launched his tirade against the Congress since the formation of the coalition government. Yet, no action has been taken against him by his own party. As his repeated statements have been creating embarrassment for the Congress, party leaders have asked the NC to control him.

“Kamal’s statement is irresponsible, malicious and mischievous,” said PCC spokesman Ravinder Sharma.

“Our patience is running out and there is a strong reaction among party workers after such irresponsible utterances by Kamal,” said Sharma and added that the NC leader had been giving such statements out of frustration, but it was the responsibility of his party to take action against him.

“As the NC has been running the government with the Congress, leaders of this party should not be left free to attack its coalition partner in such a manner,” Sharma said.

Interestingly, none of the NC leaders has countered statements given by Mustafa Kamal. Notwithstanding criticism by the Congress leaders, Kamal has stated that statement given by him was the official stand of the NC, because his version was not contradicted by the party leadership. 

Jammu, December 2
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today cautioned the people about the designs of divisive forces bent upon dividing society in the name of religion, area, caste and creed. “Propagandist elements are always in search of a trivial incident to use it for personal interests,” he said, and called for strengthening the bonds of amity and brotherhood.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating a Rs 10- crore District Hospital at Poonch, Omar said dialogue was the best approach to address issues. “There is nothing that cannot be discussed and sorted out across the table,” he added.

He said the resolution of issues through talks was in the manifesto of the NC and the Congress. Present on the occasion were Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma; Minister for Medical Education RS Chib; Minister of State for Health and Medical Education Javid Ahmad Dar; Political Adviser to the Chief Minister Devendar Singh Rana; Vice-Chairman of the Pahari Advisory Board Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari; Vice-Chairman of the Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board BA Naaz; legislators Ajaz Ahmad Jan, Mohammad Rashid Qureshi and Jahangir Mir.

Omar said his government had initiated a two-pronged policy of addressing the economic issues administratively and the political issues politically. “We are working on both fronts and striving to achieve positive results,” he said, adding that peace was the pre-requisite for moving forward smoothly.

“Unfortunately, the five-month-long unrest in the Valley has hampered our endeavour and caused a great damage. Most of the schemes got delayed and economic activities received a setback. Now, with an improvement in the situation, both development works and political initiatives have gained momentum,” the Chief Minister said and referred to the interaction of the interlocutors with various shades of opinion.

Omar said attempts had been made to extend the unrest in Kashmir to other parts. However, the people foiled such designs. On the health sector, he said the universalising of up-to-date health care facilities in the state was the primary concern of his government.

Jammu, December 2
The dreaded Pakistan terrorist and divisional commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Mohammad Abdullah Chechi, alias Abdullah Inqlabi, was sent to six days’ police custody by a local court in Rajouri today.

Earlier, the terrorist, who was brought to Rajouri from New Delhi yesterday, was sent to the Rajouri district jail. The Rajouri police today filed a petition seeking the custody of Inqlabi before the court, which remanded his in six days of custody.

SSP, Rajouri, Ramesh Jalla, while talking to The Tribune over the phone, said, “An application was moved in the court seeking Inqlabi’s police custody and the court granted six days’ remand.”

Jalla said the court had given direction for producing the accused before the court again on December 8.

The police has filed the petition seeking the custody of the terrorist for his sustained interrogation to ascertain his contacts, hideouts, network across the district and other parts of the state.

Inqlabi has been kept at a safe place under tight security but the SSP did not reveal the place.

The SSP said, “So far the terrorist has not revealed anything significant, but we hope we will get a major success during his interrogation. Some more persons could also be arrested, but it depends on Inqlabi’s disclosures.”

Jammu, December 2
Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board , chaired its 49th meeting in New Delhi yesterday.

A press release issued by Raj Bhawan here today said the board took several decisions as part of its rolling plan approach to ensure that the progressively increasing number of pilgrims to the cave shrine was provided satisfactory facilities.

R.K. Goyal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mandeep K. Bhandari, Additional CEO, and H.L. Maini, Technical Consultant, also attended the meeting. The board endorsed the continuing initiatives of the chairman to carry through a sustained programme to enlarge and augment the infrastructure for providing the required facilities for the pilgrims. It approved a proposal to establish a five-storeyed complex at Jammu at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 12 crore. It is designed to provide, at moderate tariff, accommodation to about 400 pilgrims along with all amenities such as medical and basic provision stores, a souvenir shop, food outlets, laundry etc.

The chairman directed the CEO to get the project commissioned in two years. The board suggested that timely attention be paid to draw a practical plan for augmenting the accommodation facilities at Katra to meet the emerging requirements in the wake of the town being connected by the Railways soon with the rest of the country which would obviously result in further boosting the pilgrimage.

Considering the difficulties faced by the pilgrims, particularly in the Banganga-Adhkuwari sector on account of the limited carrying capacity of the track, the board agreed in principle to a proposal to undertake a time-bound construction of a dedicated mule track from Darshani Deodi to Adhkuwari. The board further desired that improvement works be undertaken on the critical portions of the existing track between Banganga and the shrine through appropriate technical interventions.

The Governor reiterated the importance of ensuring the provision of timely medical care facilities to the ailing and injured yatris. In this context, the board accorded approval to construct an emergency helipad on the lower track between Adhkuwari and Bhawan for evacuating Yatris during an emergency,critical illness, and serious injuries in an accident.

Jammu, December 2
Governor NN Vohra presided over the 16th meeting of the Executive Council of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) in New Delhi to discuss academic, administrative and financial matters, including proposals for further infrastructure development in the university.

In a press note issued by Raj Bhawan here today, Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, while expressing satisfaction over various academic initiatives taken by the university, stressed the need for the recruitment of the most qualified and experienced faculty in a time-bound manner to meet the present and emerging academic requirements.

He also urged the Vice-Chancellor to take time-bound steps to secure the required infrastructure for the all-round development of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor,Prof RNK Bamezai, said the profile of those seeking admission to various technical courses had witnessed sharp improvement this year.

The Governor complimented the Vice-Chancellor and the faculty concerned on the assignment of several research projects to the university by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The meeting was attended among others by Prof Riyaz Punjabi, Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir; Prof Varun Sahni Vice-Chancellor of University of Jammu; Prof Vinaysheel Gautam, Professor of Management Studies, IIT, Delhi; RK Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; and Prof CL Razdan, Director, School of Architecture and Landscape Design, SMVDU.

Jammu, December 2
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appreciated the Border Security Force (BSF) for its yeoman’s service in countering external and internal threats during peace and war.

Speaking at the 46th Raising Day celebrations of the BSF at Paloura headquarters here last evening, Omar said the BSF rendered its contribution in internal security duties in a big way during elections, maintaining law and order and help the people during natural calamities.

The contribution of the BSF in maintaining internal security in the Kashmir valley was known to all, he said.

He added that the BSF had been foiling a series of infiltration bids by militants from across the international border and steps taken by the force to help the population living near the frontiers.

“Several infiltration attempts on the international border were successfully foiled by the vigilant BSF and thereby maintaining peace and harmony in Jammu region,” Omar said.

Omar also expressed satisfaction that a number of medical camps were held by the BSF last year to give due healthcare facilities to the people living in remote areas.

He made a special mention to the hardwork put in by BSF personnel at the border during the year due to which no terrorist-related incident occurred and the border population, for the first time in recent years, could plan to cultivate their land right upto the fence. He said the BSF should remain vigilant so that peace and tranquility could be maintained during the winter season as well.

Srinagar, December 2
The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Regional Directorate, Kashmir, in association with the Indian Youth Climate Network, observed National Pollution Prevention Day here today by organising an awareness rally on polythene bags.

Students of eco-clubs of different schools were involved in the programme.

During the drive at Lal Chowk, Dalgate, Amira Kadal and Karan Nagar, the students took polythene bags from shoppers, vendors, shopkeepers and gave them eco-friendly paper carrybags supplied by the board. They also made the people aware about the hazards of polythene.

“Besides being non-biodegradable and hence dangerous for environment, the carrying of foodstuffs in polythene bags is also hazardous to health,” they informed the people. Polythene bags have been banned in the state since 2009. The drive got a positive response from people, who appreciated the efforts of the board, an official spokesman said.

The Regional Director, SPCB, SFA Gillani, said the board had been launching such campaigns in the past and such programmes would be conducted throughout the Valley in future. “We would also take action against the defaulters and the dealers found trading in the banned material”, he added.

Jammu, December 2
Drivers will now have to think twice before overspeeding their vehicles on the National Highway as the state traffic police is all set to procure ultra-modern interceptor vehicles. These will be equipped with sophisticated devices to catch offenders.

The new vehicles would monitor the speed of minibuses and other private and public transport vehicles to prevent road mishaps.

Official sources told The Tribune that the traffic police had got the nod to purchase six SUVs for this purpose, which would be fitted with all ultra-modern gadgets, including speed radar guns.

“To reduce the number of road mishaps and save the lives of commuters, the department has decided to purchase six interceptor vehicles. These new vehicles would hit the road by the beginning of the new year,” said IG Traffic HK Lohiya.

Lohiya said these new vehicles would be fully equipped with all ultra-modern devices, including the global positioning system and other emergency tools.

“In the first phase, six vehicles would be purchased, as we have got the amount sanctioned for this purpose and after an interval, some more vehicles would also be added to the fleet,” added Lohiya.

Besides the GPS, these interceptor vehicles would be equipped with different kinds of hooter sirens, special beacons atop the vehicles, having all facilities like air-conditioner, power steering and power windows. According to available statistics, the rate of accidents in the state in 2009 was 83 per 10,000 vehicles.

Jammu, December 2
Socio-spiritual voluntary organisation Vichar Kranti Manch International (VKMI) has decided to hold its national convention in the temple city on December 4.

The basic idea behind the convention was to underline the necessity of inculcating moral and ethical values among the people, VKMI founder RR Khajuria said here today.

State Chief Secretary SS Kapur will be the chief guest on the occasion.

The manch would also observe international festival for a fortnight from December 6, during which various programmes on moral values will be held at different places, including educational institutions, he said.

The celebrations include Sarv Dharam Sammelan at Sawera High School in Channi Himmat.

On December 8, a Sankalap March starting from Sawera School would be taken out in the city, said Khajuria.

On December 10, a painting competition will be held at Sai Shyam College of Education at Gho Manhasan, and on December 12, a health camp will be held at a Community Hall in old Satwari.

Similarly, there would be a blood donation camp on December 14 at Gandhi Nagar Hospital, he said, adding that on December 16, environmental awareness and a plantation drive would be held at Sawera High School.

“We urge the government to check mismanagement and other malpractices, particularly in the twin sectors of education and health,” he said.

He said the VKMI would soon file public interest litigations against corruption in various walks of life and on the need for introducing teaching of moral and ethical values in education institutions.