Jammu, March 17
The Legislative Assembly today witnessed protests by legislators of the BJP, Panthers Party and Jammu State Morcha (JSM), who staged a walkout over the issue of interlocutors reportedly suggesting to the Centre for the restoration of posts of Wazir-e-Azam (Prime Minister) and Sadar-e-Riyasat (President) in the state

Members of Jammu-based opposition parties created a ruckus and warned the government against taking any step for the restoration of the pre-1953 situation. As the government refused to pass a resolution against the recommendations of the interlocutors, legislators of the BJP, Panthers Party and the Jammu State Morcha (JSM) staged a walkout from the Assembly.

The three interlocutors, Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and MM Ansari, in their report to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram yesterday, reportedly recommended greater autonomy to the state, restoration of the status it enjoyed before 1953 when it had control over all its affairs barring defence, communications and external affairs.

During Zero Hour, Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh drew the attention of the House towards the interlocutors’ report to the Union government in which they suggested the restoration of the posts of Wazir-e-Azam and Sadar-e-Riyasat, besides the pre-1953 status in the state. “These recommendations are nothing but a step towards secession,” said Harsh Dev.

He added that, “The interlocutors have crossed their limits. They did not have the mandate to give such suggestions. They have violated the terms of reference”.

Harsh Dev said the interlocutors had suggested restoring the posts of Wazir-e-Azam (Prime Minister) and Sadar-e-Riyasat (President) in place of Chief Minister and Governor. “How a country can have two Prime Ministers?” he asked. He added that, “It is an attempt to separate the state from the nation”. The interlocutors’ suggestions should have been within the limits of the Indian Constitution, he added.

BJP legislator Jugal Kishore Sharma also took up the issue and suggested to the Speaker to pass a resolution in the House rejecting the recommendations of the interlocutors to give a message that people of the state wanted the total integration of the state with the country.

However, a few legislators of the National Conference (NC) supported the recommendation of the interlocutors for the restoration of the pre-1953 situation in the state. NC legislator from Poonch Aijaz Jan said the Assembly had already passed a resolution for the restoration of the 1953 situation.

However, the opposition members started shouting slogans demanding the total integration of the state with the rest of the country.

“Those thinking of reversing the clock to the pre-1953 situation are daydreaming,” JSM legislator Ashwani Kumar said. “By raising such demands, you are destroying the state,” he added.

Amid shouting of slogans, all legislators of the BJP, Panthers Party and the JSM staged a walkout from the House. Later talking to mediapersons outside the Assembly, the legislators of opposition parties warned that any such step would prove disastrous for the state. 

Jammu, March 17
To attract tourists to virgin areas and maintain ecological balance, the government has decided to constitute a corporation to identify new destinations and promote eco-tourism in the state.

Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad told the Legislative Assembly here today that a Jungal Resort Corporation would be set up for the promotion of eco-tourism in the state. He said Dera-Ki-Gali in the Pir Panchal belt had already been identified as the first eco-tourism project.

In response to questions of the legislators regarding encroachment upon forestland, the minister assured the House that the government was very particular about retrieving the forestland. “Land encroached upon that has not come under habitation and construction so far will be retrieved,” he said. He added that “The forestland in and around Jammu city has been fenced to protect it from encroachment”.

He said no licence for establishing new brick-kilns and stone-crushers would be issued unless they met the guidelines and norms set for the purpose. However, efforts were also on to relocate such units established earlier.

The minister informed the House that the government had effectively curbed timber smuggling in areas of the Pir Panchal forest range, particularly in Shopian and Rafiabad areas of the Valley. He reiterated that the drive against timber smuggling and encroachments would continue and violators would not be spared in any case.

Responding to the concern shown by legislators over attack on residents by wild animals, the minister said the functioning of the Wildlife Department was being improved with focus on reducing the loss of human lives and man-animal conflicts. “All critical areas have been identified where human casualties are apprehended,” he said.

Jammu, March 17
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir said in Legislative Assembly here today that despite the fact that the government had provided pesticides to farmers on subsidised rates, yellow rust had gone out of control in some areas of the Jammu region.

Replying to a question by Jammu State Morcha (JSM) legislator Ashwani Kumar Sharma regarding the hardships being faced by the farmers of the region due yellow rust, Mir told the House that the wheat crop had faced an unprecedented attack by the disease this year. “Although we have taken some urgent steps, the disease has become uncontrollable in some areas,” he said.

As Sharma demanded that adequate compensation be given to the affected farmers, the minister said the ground-level assessment of the losses suffered by the farmers due to the disease would be done. He added that fresh girdwaris would be done in this regard.

Mir said the government had provided pesticides to the farmers on subsidised rates. Durga Dass, BJP legislator from Hira Nagar, also demanded compensation for the affected farmers.

Replying to another question by Congress legislator Indu Pawar, the minister said the Agriculture Department was exploiting the available farmland resources to the maximum to increase the production of all crops.

He said the department had been promoting the adoption of new technological advances in a big way by the virtue of assistance available for their popularisation under various Centrally-sponsored schemes. He added that the department was implementing various schemes to make the agriculture sector remunerative.

Jammu, March 17
Would he survive or not? The question haunts passersby when they see the man lying unconscious at a divider of the busy road between the police memorial and the Zorawar Singh square here, but nobody has shown sympathy for this destitute so far. Portraying human insensitivity, no one has come forward to help this unidentified injured person for the past many days. Some nearby residents, wishing not to be quoted,l said he had been lying in the same condition for the last four days. However, neither the police nor any social worker or NGO had come forward to take him to hospital.

Apparently famished for many days, he could neither speak nor open his eyes. The man, who seems to be in mid forties, has injury marks on his forehead and is scantily dressed.

When this correspondent inquired from the officials at a nearby toll post of the Jammu railway station, they feigned ignorance about the man. However, an old persons, who sells cigarettes at a makeshift stall there, said, “He is here for the last four days. Earlier, he was lying near J&K Bank’s ATM, a few metres away. We think he was hit by some vehicle on the intervening night of March 13 and 14”.

Nearby rehriwallas said with sarcasm, “He might be some drunkard. We are seeing him lying here for the past some days”. “We contacted the police the day before yesterday and told it about the person. Yesterday, we contacted some homes for destitute, but it seems they too have their constraints,” said a resident of a nearby area, with a sigh of helplessness.

SHO Munish Sharma said, “We have come to know about the man only through you. Let me see the condition of the man and ascertain his identity. He would be admitted to hospital and given required assistance”.

Pattan (Baramulla), March 17
As the snow along the high mountain ranges on the Line of Control (LoC) has started melting, the Army has put in place a strong vigil to prevent any possible infiltration to achieve its aim of having “zero infiltration” this year.

“Our aim is zero infiltration,” Lt-Gen SA Hasnain, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps of the Army, told mediapersons at the sidelines of a function related to Sadhabhavana here today. He said a strong counter-infiltration grid had been put in place along Gurez and Tangdhar areas of the LoC in north Kashmir and hoped that the attempts at infiltration would not be successful. The high mountain areas witnessed heavy snowfall recently, but with the change in weather conditions the snow would start melting at the porous border soon. He held that the concentration of 600 to 700 armed militants had started along the border and attempts at infiltration could be made seven to 10 days hence.

Lt-Gen Hasnain pointed out that the counter-infiltration grid was strong and the morale of the troops was high. Referring to the situation in the hinterland, Lt-Gen Hasnain opined that as long as there was intent to send people (militants) from across the border, militancy would continue in Kashmir. On the recent encounters in Sopore, Tral and Shopian areas of the Kashmir valley, in which at least five militants were killed without any collateral damage, Lt-Gen Hasnain said, “We hope that the number of militants will further come down by the end of this year”. On the frequent incidents of militancy in Sopore, he said there was a problem of militancy in Sopore, which could be tackled with adequate measures. He said the Army’s approach to terrorists was hard, but soft towards civilians.

Replying to questions, Lt-Gen Hasnain said every effort was being mad to ensure that the coming summer was “calm”. He said the interlocutors appointed by the Central government had held talks with all concerned people and the Army. He hoped that the coming months would be peaceful and a large number of tourists and Amarnath pilgrims would arrive in Kashmir this year.

Earlier, he handed over the keys of two supportive motorcycles to two physically challenged persons at a function organised by the 29 RR, Sector 10, under the aegis of Kilo Force of the Army. “I am meeting people almost every day and there are thousands of people approaching the Army across Kashmir daily, he said.

Jammu, March 17
The issue of land grabbing embarrassed the government in the Legislative Council here today when the acting chairman of the House, Arvinder Singh Micky, handed over documents showing his ownership of a piece of land to Minister of State for Revenue Nasir Aslam Wani, claiming that a famous hotelier had encroached upon his land on the outskirts of the city.

The issue was raised in the House when Nasir Wani was replying to a question by TS Wazir of the National Conference (NC) during a discussion. As the minister was replying to the questions of the legislators, Micky showed his land documents and said, “My land has been encroached upon and a three-four storied hotel has been constructed on it. The department should take immediate steps to save people from those involved in land grabbing”. Micky directed the minister to frame a policy in this regard.

Feeling embarrassed by Micky’s disclosure, the minister said, “I will get back to the House with reports on Monday”. However, the acting chairman said his was not the lone case, land of a large number of people had been encroached upon.

Earlier Wazir raised a number of issues during the discussion and said, “There is a nexus between officials of the Revenue Department and the police and this is causing misery and losses to people”. Citing some cases, Wazir added, “A number of people have been making rounds of the office of the Revenue Department to get their land vacated, but no action has been taken in this regard”. He alleged that “no one can get his work done in the Revenue Department without giving a bribe”.

Meanwhile, Naresh Gupta, Murtaza Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Rashid Qureshi and AG Vakil also asked supplementary questions, demanding quick action in land dispute cases.

Jammu, March 17
Seeking a debate on the demand for reorganisation of the state, the lone legislator of the Panthers Party in the Legislative Council, Mohammad Rafiq Shah, staged a walkout from the House during Question Hour today.

As the proceedings began, Shah trooped into the well of the House in support of his demand. However, when the acting chairman of the House, Arvinder Singh Micky, did not allow his request, Shah staged a walkout from the House around 11.04 am, but returned around 11.27 am.

Meanwhile, another legislator, Javed Ahmad Rana, handed over a copy of a newspaper to the acting chairman and asked him to issue directions for the immediate removal of discrepancies from voter lists prepared for the ensuing panchayat poll.

On another issue, NC legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani and Panthers Party legislator Rafiq Mohammad Shah grilled Minister for Technical Education RS Chib and demanded that degree colleges be set up near the district headquarters in their constituencies. However, after an extended debate and the intervention of the acting chairman, Chib agreed to reconsider the issue.

Jammu, March 17
Despite orders of the acting chairman of the Legislative Council, Arvinder Singh Micky, to the legislators to maintain quorum in the House, vacant benches were visible even today.

During the proceedings of the House today, there was no quorum around 12.07 pm when a discussion was being held on a calling attention motion, as only nine legislators, including the acting chairman, were present.

Earlier on March 10 the House had functioned twice without the quorum. Taking cognisance of the media reports, the acting chairman had directed the legislators to take the House proceedings seriously and maintain the quorum.

Though the House lacked quorum only for a minute today, the rules and procedures of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council clearly states that in order to maintain a quorum a sitting of the Legislative Council should have 10 members.

Mohammad Rashid Qureshi of the National Conference (NC) also raised the issue. Pointing towards empty benches, Qureshi said, “Most of the members go out after delivering their speeches and don’t listen to others. This should be banned so that the quorum of the House could be maintained”.

Javed Ahmad Rana, Ajay Sadhotra, Rashid Mohammad Qureshi, Narboo Gialchan, BA Magrey, Khalid Najeeb Suharawardy, TS Wazir, RS Chib (Leader of the House) and Arvinder Singh Micky (Acting Chairman) were present in the House when the quorum was not complete. 

Jammu, March 17
The US Ambassador in India, Timothy J Roemer, called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here today. In an hour-long meeting, the two discussed issues pertaining to socio-economic and political developments. They also discussed the issues related to the dialogue process and efforts for the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the state.

The US Ambassador evinced keen interest in new initiatives started by the Omar government for the speedy and equitable development of all regions and sub-regions of the state.

Jammu, March 17
Demanding transparency in the upcoming panchayat poll across the state, the Bharatiya Vidharthi Sena (BVS), youth wing of the Shiv Sena, has requested the Election Commission of India, Governor NN Vohra and the Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir, to ensure a fair election.

According to a press note issued here yesterday, Vikrant Sharma, president of the BVS, urged the state government to transfer all local police officers, who were posted to their native places, and transfer all IAS, IPS, KAS and other civil administrative officers to ensure a free and fair election.

“These people should in no way be given any election-related assignment and, if possible, the state government and the Chief Electoral Officer should seek the services of the Central government employees to minimise the risk of manipulation,” Vikrant said.

Jammu, March 17
A deputation of the Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Mahasabha, Jammu and Kashmir chapter, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here this evening and presented a memorandum of demands to him.

The demands projected by the deputation included the creation of a separate Tribal Affairs Ministry in the state, effective utilisation of the tribal sub-plan, optimising benefits of the centrally-sponsored schemes like the Indira Ayas Yojana and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to the Scheduled Tribes and the admission of children of the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities to schools run by the Army and the BSF.

The Governor gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured them that he would take up their demands with the state government.

The deputation comprised state president of the mahasabha Ishfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal, besides Bashir Ahmad Phamra, Mohammad Rafiq Chechi and Javed Ahmad Jagal.

Srinagar, March 17
During the third phase of reduction in the visible presence of security forces, 12 more bunkers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were removed from downtown Srinagar today. The bunkers were removed from Batamaloo, Karan Nagar, Zainakadal, Sarafkadal, Babademb, Rainawari, Nowhatta and Hawal. With this the total number of the bunkers removed from the city has gone up to 40.

“These bunkers were set up strategically to fight militants,” Prabhakar Tripathy, PRO of the CRPF, said. These were not meant for the maintenance of law and order. The decision to remove the bunkers had been taken in view of public support, the official said.

The process of removing the bunkers started last year following the announcement of the eight-point programme by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in the aftermath of the unrest. After the state government reviewed the situation, 16 bunkers were removed in the first phase in October last year followed by another 12 bunkers early this year.