Jammu, February 23
The Centre’s interlocutors,who will submit their initial report on a possible solution to the Kashmir issue in two weeks, seem to be convinced that any solution to the problem can’t compromise with the unity and territorial integrity or the special status of the state.

The three interlocutors led by Dileep Padgaonkar read out a statement to the media at the conclusion of their three-day visit to Jammu today.

Padgaonkar announced that they would submit a document, containing the contours of a political settlement of the Kashmir issue, to the Centre in two weeks. He said they had taken into account a road map suggested by the NC, the PDP and the Prime Minister’s fifth Working Group and suggestions by other parties, groups and individuals.

“We had a long discussion with Governor NN Vohra and benefited from his advice on ways to carry forward the dialogue process through a thicket of complexities,” the interlocutors said, and underlined that their meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also fruitful. “The Chief Minister provided us with a lucid account of the steps his government had taken to address a host of issues and the measures taken to implement our suggestions,” Padgoankar said.

The interlocutors said the core challenge before them was to recommend a political solution after taking into account the aspirations of the people of the three regions, without compromising with the unity and territorial integrity of Jammu and Kashmir and disturbing the special status that the state enjoyed.

This shows that the interlocutors are not in favour of the demand for the trifurcation of the state or a separate statehood for Jammu. They also do not favour the BJP’s demand for the abrogation of Article 370. The BJP has been arguing that the special status is the main hurdle in the development of the state.

Padgaonkar, along with Prof Radha Kumar and MM Ansari, once again invited the separatists to talks. “We have invited them several times. We have even asked them to send us published documents regarding what they feel or want, but they have not responded positively,” he said. Padgaonkar said he was willing to meet them wherever and whenever they (separatists) wanted.

The interlocutors were not convinced with the demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), especially after meeting Lt-Gen KT Patnaik, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, today.

“People want reduction in the visibility of the armed forces and some steps are being taken in this regard. We met Lt-Gen Patnaik today and were convinced with his argument that the AFSPA could not be revoked merely because there was no violence in a particular area. The decision should be based on the threat perception,” Padgaonkar said, and added that he had been informed that regular security reviews were being made to reach a decision.

Responding to a query regarding the alleged misuse of funds/grants given by the Cente, Padgaonkar said they had received many complaints and forwarded these to the state and central governments for the necessary action.

Jammu, February 23
The state police will soon get laser guns to deal with stone-throwers in the Kashmir valley.

The gun, Laser Dazzler, will flash a beam,making the stone throwers blind for a minute and giving enough time to the police to catch them. In an exclusive talk to The Tribune this evening, DGP Kuldeep Khoda said, “A team will go to Delhi tomorrow to see the demonstration of this ultra- modern weapon, which will help us deal with stone throwers in the Valley.”

He added, “The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is keen on giving the weapon to us, as it does not kill anyone.”

Not aware about the cost of the gun, the DGP said, “The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is buying it for us.” Besides, he said the police was taking some other steps like providing full protection light body gears and plastic pellets to its personnel.

“The specially-designed plastic pellets have already been purchased,” Khoda said, and added that five new battalions had also been formed for the purpose. Referring to last year’s violence in the Valley, he added that “controlling mobs is a major problem, especially when the police has been ordered to deal with the situation with the utmost care since a large number of people were killed last year.”

Srinagar, February 23
Asserting that separatists are not averse to talks, senior Hurriyat Conference leader Shabir Ahmad Shah has said that a meaningful dialogue involving all the three parties, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir, will lead to a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.

Talking to reporters here today,he said the atmosphere in Kashmir was not conducive for talks and a dialogue with the Centre’s interlocutors was not possible under the circumstances.

The interlocutors had recently invited various separatist leaders,who had earlier declined to meet them, for talks.

Shah said that the interlocutors had opined that Kashmir was a dispute, the “Azadi” sentiment was deep in Kashmir and that the Central Government was serious about the issue.

He said that a conducive atmosphere was necessary for holding talks to resolve the issue and reiterated his party’s demand for the withdrawal of troops, the revocation of different laws and special powers of the security forces, the release of political prisoners and action against those involved in alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.

Shah also reiterated the stand of the separatists on talks under the UN resolution on Kashmir and added that bilateral talks between India and Pakistan had failed to resolve the issue.

Therefore, it was necessary that tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and the representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir were held.

Jammu, February 23
Residents of the Bahu Fort area blocked the road leading to the famous Bahu Fort Temple for about an hour today after the engineering wing staff of the Northern Railway demolished a prefabricated structure on the railway land there.

The railway officials along with the GRP, RPF, the local police and officials of the Revenue Department demolished the structure claiming that compensation had been given to the then land owners nearly 12 years ago and some people had illegally constructed a building there.

The area residents shouted anti-administration slogans and blocked the road. However, after a police party led by the SDPO, Mukesh Kakkar, assured the protesters that the matter would be taken up with the higher authorities of the departments concerned, the blockade was lifted.

The railway officials told The Tribune that a tunnel passed through the land and it was necessary to demolish the illegal building. DK Bajaj, Assistant Divisional Engineer, Northern Railway, Jammu, said, “This prefabricated structure was constructed on the railway land and we cleared it of the encroachment, though the residents and leaders of some political parties raised a hue and cry.”

He added, “A number of buildings have been constructed illegally on the railway land and notices have been served on all of them to evacuate .”

On the other hand, Kundan Lal, whose building was demolished, said, “The land was also used by the National Conference (NC) for office purposes during the last general election and nobody got it vacated then. Now,when we were living here, government officers came and demolished the building.”

He added, “If the government agencies want to clear the land of encroachments, they should also demolish other buildings there.”

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in the area till the evening. Some local leaders of a party also reached there to take stock of the situation.

Jammu, February 23
Reiterating its resolve to work for the uplift of the poor and the marginalised, the National Bahujan Party (NBP) today asked the state government to properly implement the Mandal Commission’s report and grant 27 per cent reservation to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Addressing a press conference here this morning, national president of the NBP, KK Manotra, regretted that unlike other parts of the country, OBCs in the state were not getting the 27 per cent reservation which was their constitutional right.

He assured that the NBP would continue its struggle for the rights of the OBCs. He also demanded the inclusion of the Jat, Jogi and Saini communities in the OBC category.

He further demanded that 33 per cent of the seats for panchayat and local bodies should be reserved for the womrn, the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to ensure their participation in the local self-government.

He said the NBP would field honest, dedicated and educated people in the panchayat elections to strengthen the democracy at the grass-roots level.

The NBP also offered full support to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his fight against corruption.The party also demanded citizenship rights to West Pakistan refugees.

Jammu, February 23
Under pressure from the locals, particularly women, the Excise Department shifted a liquor shop from Beaspur Parlah village in RS Pura subdivision to a place on the outskirts of the village today.

For the past some time, villagers, particularly women, had been staging protests, demanding the shifting of the liquor shop from the village. “Our schoolgoing children are falling prey to liquor ever since this liquor shop opened in the village two years ago,” Balbir Kumar, a local, told The Tribune over phone.

The schoolchildren were consuming liquor after purchasing it from the shop. So, the villagers, particularly women, launched a campaign demanding the shifting of the liquor shop, he said.

Their campaign got an impetus when Sham Choudhary and Gharu Ram, BJP legislators from the Suchetgarh and RS Pura Assembly constituencies, respectively, extended support to the agitating women, Balbir added.

The BJP MLAs and the villagers had served an ultimatum on the government to either close the shop or shift it before February 22. The villagers had locked the shop yesterday and officials of the Excise Department formally announced its shifting from the village today. An Excise Taxation Officer confirmed that the shop had been shifted to a place on the outskirts of the village. The shop is owned by a man from Poonch.

Srinagar, February 23
Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar is all set to make history by live telecast of the Address of the Governor, NN Vohra, to the joint session of the Legislature in Jammu on February 28 and the presentation of the Budget by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather on March 7.

It has been a long-pending demand of the people, the business community and the authorities of the Assembly Secretariat that the Governor’s Address and the presentation of the Budget should be telecast live.“We are happy to announce that their demand has been accepted,” said Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar, Rafeeq Masoodi.

To make the event a success, the Kendra would move its DSNG van with multiple camera set-up and the regional news unit section to Jammu.The event would be seen not only across the state, but also in more than 150 countries, where non-resident Kashmiris would get an insight into the overall policies and financial intricacies of the state, the Director added.

Jammu, February 23
With the recovery of a bag containing explosives at the railway station here, the Government Railway Police (GRP) claimed to have averted a major tragedy today.

“Around 11.45 am, we found a bag containing 10 small grenade-like explosives behind an ATM in the vicinity of the Jammu railway station,” said a senior police officer.

“We feel that in the wake of tight security at the railway station, besides X-ray machines, the person carrying the bag must have abandoned it there,” he added.

“Now, we are going through the CCTV footage in a bid to identify the person,” he said. However, sources said the explosives recovered by the GRP were of low intensity, commonly used for killing fish in rivulets and ponds.

The Jammu railway station had been twice attacked by militants in the past. On August 8, 2001, militants had attacked the railway station, killing 11 persons, including an Army man, and wounding 30 others. On January 3, 2004, four securitymen were killed and 14 others injured in another attack by militants. — TNS

Jammu, February 23
The Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, RS Chib, said the government had finalised the process to give special jobs soon to sportspersons of the state who had excelled at the national and international levels.

Stating this at a press conference here today, he said the government had framed a policy for the promotion of sports and was providing employment to outstanding sportsmen.

He said a list of 25 players had been shortlisted, which would be released soon.

He said the state was set to host the 17th Senior Men and Women, 8th Master Men and 3rd Incline Bench Press National Championship from March 21, 2011, at the MA Stadium.

The minister said it was for the first time that Monika Mehra, a woman player, from Kathua had brought laurels to the state by winning the silver medal in an international event at Kolkata.

Udhampur, February 23
As part of its golden jubilee celebrations, the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Government Degree College, Udhampur, held an alumni meet here today.

The function started with an address of welcome by the Principal and chairman of the cell, Dr Nutan Resutra.

He outlined various development projects taken up by the college and acknowledged the contribution made by its alumni to its growth.

The gathering comprised eminent academicians, judicial officers, doctors, artists, administrators, advocates, entrepreneurs and members of the civil society.Anjana Sharma gave a musical performance.

The executive council of the Alumni Association was also elected on the occasion.The MLA, Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia, was unanimously elected president; Sham Kalsotra was made the treasurer whereas Dr A.S Rishi, Brij Mohan Sharma, Roshan Lal, Dr. K.K Kudyar, Sanjeev Dubey, Ravi Kesar and Karuna Sharma were elected members. The Principal of the college was elected the association’s ex-officio secretary.

Jammu, February 23
The controversy over the post of Secretary of the State Legislative Council deepened today with the Finance Department freezing the bank account of the council and the acting chairman seeking the intervention of the Congress high command.

The controversy erupted when the acting chairman, Arvinder Singh Micky, promoted the Deputy Secretary, Mohd Ashraf Shah, as the Secretary on January 31 after the post fell vacant.

However, the state government appointed Mohammad Sayeed Shah as the Secretary.Earlier, he was working as Registrar of the State Information Commission.

Micky did not allow Sayeed Shah to join and argued that he had all powers to promote an official to the post of Secretary.

The row also exposed fissures in the coalition government as Micky is a Congress leader and is being opposed by the NC.

Interestingly, the Minister of Medical Education and Sports, RS Chib, who is a Congress leader, had approved the appointments of both Mohammad Ashraf Shah and Mohammad Sayeed Shah.

However, Micky had taken the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House into confidence while appointing Mohammad Ashraf as the Secretary. Chib is the Leader of the House in the council.Therefore, his consent was taken while appointing Mohammad Ashraf.

But being a Cabinet Minister, Chib has also given his approval to the appointment of Mohammad Sayeed Shah to the post.

While the government claimed that the Cabinet approved the appointment,the acting chairman asserted that he had exercised his powers under Rule 46, part VI of the state Constitution.

When contacted, Micky refused to divulge any detail. He said, “I have to take my leadership into confidence on all issues”.

Sources in the Congress said Micky met AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz to clear his stand.

Jammu, February 23
The Army has adopted an innovative strategy to show how people in the state are better off than residents of Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) in terms of overall development by drawing a parallel between the two on its official website.

According to a data posted on its website - www.indianarmy.nic.in, the Army has shown that the literacy rate in the state is 64.4 per cent while it is 44 per cent in PoK.

As compared to the total 20,000-km metalled roads in the state, PoK has only 3,000 km of such roads.

“It is an attempt to show the real picture of PoK and the northern areas to the people of the state,” said a senior Army officer.

Giving facts in its column, “Panorama PoK”, the Army divulged how on July 29, 2001, Maj-Gen Mohammed Anwar of the Pakistan army was granted premature retirement, but within 24 hours, he was elected President of PoK as a nominee of the Muslim Conference.

The fact was shown to educate the people of the state that it was the Pakistan army that ruled PoK. Moreover, in PoK, residents of the northern areas had to report to the police once a month.

Regarding the literacy rate, the Army said it was 14 per cent for men and 3.5 per cent for women in PoK against 64.4 per cent in the state.

Similarly, the northern areas of PoK had only 12 high schools and two regional colleges. Besides, locals who joined government services were paid 25 per cent less than the normal wages.

The sorry state of affairs in PoK could also be seen from the fact that even today, the northern areas had one doctor for 6,000 people while piped water supply was virtually non-existent and two-thirds of the population was without electricity.

Mansbal (Ganderbal), February 23
For the past five days, thousands of youth from 10 districts of the Kashmir valley have been visiting the venue of the Army recruitment rally at Sainik School here and 7,500 have been found eligible for screening after which a common entrance test will be held for the final selection on Sunday.

It has been a unique experience for the youth, matriculates and Class XII passouts, a majority of whom belong to poor families, to wait for hours or days after clearing every stage at a place miles away from their homes.

Bilal Ahmad Malik, a resident of a remote village in the Handwara area of Kupwara district, on returning home after qualifying all stages, is hopeful of recruitment.He, along with, over 50 others had reached the venue, about 100 km from here, on February 19. “Only five of us cleared different tests during the past five days,” he said. He would appear in the common entrance test on February 27 and hoped to clear it to get a job to sustain a family of five. “There is no earning member in the family and I hope to get a job to serve the state and the country as well,” Bilal said.

His plight is no different from that of Mohammad Maqbool Bhat from the Tral area of Pulwama district. A meagre income of his father is the only support of his family and he hopes that he will change their economic condition by joining the Army.

Giving the details, Col Sanjiv Sirohi, officiating Deputy Director-General, Zonal Recruitment Office, J&K and Punjab, says the recruitment rally being held from February 19 to 25 for the posts of soldier (General Duty), has been going on smoothly with the youth taking part in large numbers. He adds that the “Army will enrol the best and the brightest youth from Kashmir. Naturally, the process has to be merit-based to provide a fair opportunity to the eligible youth”.

Col Sirohi said more such rallies would be held to give more jobs to the youth.