Jammu, March 24
The police today arrested jail superintendent of Udhampur district Mirza Salim Ahmed Beig on the charge of supervising a conspiracy to eliminate eyewitnesses in the much-publicised Amandeep murder case in connivance with the main accused during his tenure as the superintendent of the Kot Bhalwal jail, Jammu.

Mirza was transferred to Udhampur a couple of months ago. He was arrested from the Jammu railway station today when he was returning from Delhi.

Addressing a hurriedly-convened press conference here this evening, DIG, Jammu-Kathua range, Farooq Khan said: “The accused jail superintendent tried to flee but was nabbed by the police from the railway station. We have strong evidences against the jail superintendent that he provided fullest possible help to the main accused in the jail, besides monitoring a team of contract killers from within and outside the state.”

The main accused, Jatinder Singh, alias Raja, son of a prominent contractor, Nagar Singh, alias Nago, had allegedly shot dead Amandeep Singh, son of a former MLC, Deepinder Kour, outside the latter’s Shastri Nagar residence.

“The jail superintendent is also responsible for the death of a gangster, Giri, in the shootout near Satyam Resorts on November 21 last year, as he had sent Giri along with his two accomplices to eliminate eyewitnesses in the murder case,” the DIG said. He added that, “Mirza is being interrogated and he is likely to make more revelations, which will clear the whole picture in a couple of days”.

“During interrogation, Sanjay Baba, who was arrested from Jhajjar Kotli recently, made startling revelations to the police,” the DIG said.

The DIG, however, could not answer as to when the nexus between the jail superintendent and the accused in murder case developed. He said, “Its very alarming for society to learn that such officials have been working for criminals”.

The Amandeep murder case has seen several upheavals. The then SSP, Jammu, Manohar Singh, the then SHO, Gandhi Nagar, and some officials of the forensic laboratory had allegedly facilitated the replacement of the weapon of offence, a country-made pistol, used by the main accused in killing Amandeep.

Jammu, March 24
Alleging discrimination in the allocation of development funds under various sectors to different constituencies, the PDP created an uproar in the Legislative Assembly here today. It later staged a walkout from the House.

Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, PDP MLA from Darhal, sought a reply from the government about the project-wise details of the funds released under the state sector during 2010-2011 and the criteria adopted for the same. Replying to Zulfikar’s question, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said the state sector funds were allocated on the basis of the requirement of basic infrastructure facilities in various areas and the aspirations of people.

Terming the reply of the minister as “incorrect” and “misleading”, the PDP legislator alleged discrimination in the allocation of funds to various constituencies. He alleged that the constituencies represented by the Opposition had been deliberately ignored by the ministers. He added that his constituency had been ignored in various sectors of fund allocation and grant of projects.

To substantiate his allegations, Zulfikar said only 27 per cent funds had been kept under the district plan out of the total amount where the MLAs have direct involvement.

“The remaining 73 per cent of funds are spent at the discretion of ministers. But there are no criteria to spend this amount. The government has identified 67 works in the Rajouri constituency with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore while the other segments have been neglected,” he alleged.

Although the Finance Minister ruled out any discrimination in the allocation of funds, Zulfikar resorted to shouting slogans against the government for adopting different yardsticks for releasing development funds.

The PDP legislators, led by party chief Mehbooba Mufti, created an uproar and demanded that the government should stop discrimination in the allocation of funds.

They asked the government to reply whether it wanted to allocate projects and funds to the constituencies, which were deprived of these. As the government refused to give a reply, the legislators staged a walkout from the House.

Jammu, March 24
Legislators of the BJP, Panthers Party and the Jammu State Morcha (JSM) grilled the government in the Legislative Assembly here today for its failure to take action on the report submitted by a committee constituted four years ago to look into the grievances of the refugees from West Pakistan and the occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The legislator created a ruckus in the Assembly over the “non-serious” attitude of the authorities in taking action on the report. They alleged that the government was not serious in mitigating the misery of the refugees.

A high-powered committee headed by then Financial Commissioner (Revenue) GD Wadwa was constituted in 2007 to suggest measures for the rehabilitation of refugees from West Pakistan and the PoK who migrated to the state in 1947, 1965 and 1971.

The committee had submitted its final report within a couple of months after its constitution, but no action had been taken so far. In fact the authorities had been “examining” its recommendations for the past three years, which was evident from the replies given to JSM legislator Ashwani Sharma in the House.

On January 18, 2008, Sharma had sought a reply from the government about the action taken so far on the Wadwa Committee report. The then Revenue Minister had told the Assembly that “the report of the committee was under examination”. After three years, Sharma again asked the same question today and sought a reply from the government. He also demanded that a copy of the report should be tabled in the House. Interestingly, the reply of Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla was the same even today as it was three years ago. “The report is under consideration of the department,” the minister stated in a written reply.

During Zero Hour, Sharma showed both written replies in the Assembly and lambasted the government for adopting a laid-back approach towards the problems of the refugees. “For the past three years, the government has been examining the report, which shows that the authorities are not interested in solving the problems of the refugees,” he said.

He added that denying the citizenship right to West Pakistan refugees, who had been living in the state since 1947, was the worst kind of human rights violation. Sharma was joined by the legislators of the BJP and the Panthers Party, who also demanded a reply from the government.

“It is unfortunate that the government has been examining the report for the past three years. Don’t take this issue lightly,” said BJP legislator Jugal Kishore.

As the Revenue Minister was not present there, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar intervened and assured the legislators that the Revenue Minister would give a reply on the issue, thus pacifying the agitated members.

Jammu, March 24
The government faced embarrassment in the Legislative Assembly here today when two legislators of the Congress staged a walkout from the House after charging ministers of the coalition government with not taking the problems of their areas seriously.

During Zero Hour, Congress legislator from the Inderwal constituency of Kishtwar district GM Saroori drew the attention of the Speaker towards the non-implementation of the decisions taken in the District Development Board (DDB) meeting.

He especially mentioned that when Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Chief Minister of the state, some health centres were sanctioned for the Inderwal area but after the formation of the present government no action had been taken to set up these centres

“The government is discriminating against our area,” he said and staged a walkout from the House.

As soon as Saroori staged a walkout, another Congress legislator, Abdul Majid Wani, who represents the Doda Assembly segment, also levelled the same charges, “We have repeatedly been highlighting the pro blems of our people, especially regarding the non-availability of health services, but no action has been taken in this regard,” he shouted and walked out of the House.

Jammu, March 24
The biennial poll to the state Legislative Council would be held on April 13 to elect six members to the House. A notification issued by the Secretary of the state Assembly, Mohammad Ramzan, who is also the returning officer for the biennial poll to the Legislative Council, said the filing of nominations began today and their scrutiny would take place on March 31.

The last date for the withdrawal of nominations was April 2, the notification said. — TNS

Jammu, March 24
A group of people, led by the widow of a DSP, clashed with policemen manning a check post in front of the Swarn theatre in the Gandhi Nagar area here this afternoon.

The woman, Shabnam Jaipuria, was reportedly agitated with the police for impounding the motorcycle of her 16-years-old son, Shivalik, who was driving without a helmet and a driving licence.

Eyewitness said Shabnam misbehaved with a sub-inspector, Darshan Singh, and tore his uniform, besides hurling abuses on other policemen for impounding the motorcycle of her son.

She also tore the challan book of the police after snatching it from a policeman. When the SHO, Gandhi Nagar, Rafeeq Manhas, reached the spot and tried to pacify her, she was adamant that the motorcycle be returned without delay. Subsequently, she entered into a verbal duel with the SHO and clashed with him also.

The policemen were found helpless with Shabnam and a group of people chasing them away while brandishing sticks in their hands amid media presence.

Due to the brawl, the traffic remain blocked for two hours till senior police officials reached the spot. Agitated Shabnam alleged that the policemen on duty demanded bribe from her son, thereby, belittling the martyrdom of her husband. Her husband, Varinder Singh Jaipuria, was killed by militants in Rajouri district in July 2003. “The police was only doing its duty when a group of people led by the woman attacked us. Two policemen were injured in the attack,” said Manhas. He added that “The woman also attacked a sub-inspector on duty and misbehaved with me when I tried to pacify her.”

A case has been registered against Shabnam and those accompanyin her for attacking policemen on duty and tearing the challan book under Sections 353, 332, 427, 147 and 148 of the RPC.

Jammu, March 24
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a Bill in the Legislative Assembly yesterday to provide for the delivery of public services to the people of the state within a specified time limit.

The Bill provides for the right to public services, making every person eligible in the state to have a right to public services in a transparent manner, demand preference of duties and functions in accordance with the Act. It also holds the designated officers accountable for any deficiency in service and seeks compensation with respect to non-providence or deficiency in service. The Bill thus empowers public to make administration accountable to people at all levels.

The introduction of the Bill, which is likely to be passed by the legislature in the current session, makes obligatory on the designated officers to provide public service to the eligible persons within the specified time. The specified time limit shall start from the date when the eligible person submits an application.

Jammu, March 24
Boozers may have to cough up more for the alcohol of their “choice” if suggestions of Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather transforms into reality. While speaking in the Legislative Assembly after introducing the Appropriation Bill today, the Finance Minister suggested that the prices of the alcohol should be raised to such an extent that it become unaffordable for the middle class.

“I cannot completely ban the sale of liquor in the state but I suggest that to discourage the use of alcohol its prices be raised to make it unaffordable,” he said while replying to the point raised by BJP legislator Chaman Lal Gupta regarding the imposition of VAT on liquor.

Earlier replying to a question by BJP legislator Jugal Kishore Sharma, the Finance Minister said 11,444,94 cases of Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL) were produced in 2008-09 while this number increased to 14,23,954 cases in 2009-10. As far as local liquor was concerned, 11,23,112 cases were produced in 2008-09 and 13,53, 505 cases in 2009-10. As many as 12,44,969 cases of beer were produced in the state in 2008-09 while this number touched 16,10,558 cases in 2009-10. The minister added that 11,58, 668 cases of malt spirit were produced in 2008-09 and 12,52,908 cases in 2009-10.

As far as the liquor intake in Kashmir was concerned, it nearly doubled in the last one year with 16,78,208 bottles of IMFL, beer and local liquor consumed in the Valley in 2009-10. A revenue of Rs 19.39 crore was earned by the government in 2009-10 from liquor sale as compared to Rs 13.59 crore in 2008-09.

Jammu, March 24
Minister for CAPD and Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon stressed on intensifying market checking to curb black marketeering and profiteering so that people get essential commodities at prescribed rates. The composite team for market checking comprising officials of the Legal Meteorology, CAPD, police, municipality and revenue had been constituted under the control of Deputy Commissioners concerned, he said.

Akhoon passed these directions while chairing a high-level officers’ meeting convened to review the availability of essential commodities and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

He asked the oil companies to ensure that domestic LPG cylinders were not used for commercial purposes. He added that banquet halls, hotels and restaurants should be inspected frequently to curb this malpractice.

Akhoon asked them to introduce the bullet system for commercial use to avoid the diversion of domestic gas. The minister told the representatives of the HPC to take initiatives to shift the bulk depots from the Jammu railway station to Baghla village in Samba district for which land had already been identified.

He asked the IOC authorities to draw up a proposal for setting up a bottling plant at Kargil to facilitate the people of the area. He gave orders for speeding up initiatives for the early implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Liquefied Petroleum Gas Vikrita Yojana in the state.

While reviewing the position of foodgrains in Food Corporation of India godowns, the meeting was told that the FCI would make available ration as per the schedule. The meeting was attended, among others, by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal; Commissioner/Secretary, CAPD, Pardeep Gupta; Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma; Director, CAPD, Jammu, Parvez Ahmad Malik; Area Sales Manager, HPL, Raj Kumar; AGM, FCI, TR Gupta; and Deputy Manager, IOC, Ajay Kumar Wazir.

Jammu, March 24
A soldier allegedly shot dead his colleague at a forward post in the Balnoi area of the Mendhar sector in Poonch district this morning.

The incident occurred around 8.15 am. A duty officer at Mendhar police station told The Tribune that jawan Ramesh Bahadur Shahi of the 2/5 Gorkha Regiment of the Army shot dead Havildar Chitra Bahadur Gurung with his INSAS rifle at the Artillery Memorial post in the Balnoi area near the Line of Control.

Sources said Gurung had a heated argument with jawan Ramesh Bahadur Shahi and the latter in a fit of rage shot him dead with his INSAS rifle this morning. Both Gurung and Shahi had applied for leave, said the sources.

An FIR under Section 302 of the RPC stands registered against the accused at Mendhar police station. The Army has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Jammu, March 24
Various factions of employees resolved their differences and joined hands under the umbrella of the J&K Government Employees’ Joint Action Committee (JKGEJAC) here today. The committee decided to hold demonstrations in all 10 districts and tehsil headquarters of the Jammu province on April 7 to press the government to fulfil their long-pending demands.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Abdul Gafoor Dar, a JKGEJAC leader, said, “After a great deal of discussion and in the larger interest of employees of the state, various factions of the JKGEJAC sank their differences and resolved to come under one roof”. The decision was the result of hectic parleys between various factions that were spearheading the movement in the Jammu province, he added.

Subsequently, it was unanimously decided that the JKGEJAC should be the sole authority to decide the further course of action.

It was resolved that in order to press the government to consider the demands of the employees, demonstrations should be held in all districts and tehsil headquarters in the Jammu province on April 7, Dar said. It was also resolved that the next course of action would be announced the same day, he added.

Dar warned that if the demands of the employees were not fulfilled at the earliest, the JKGEJAC would intensify its agitation.

Their demands included the payment of arrears as per the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations in cash in two equal instalments to government, PSU employees and state pensioners, regularisation of consolidated/ contractual/ad hoc and daily wage workers, who have completed seven years in service, release of 10 per cent DA to PSU employees as well as a budgetary support to deserving PSUs and removal of pay anomalies of clerical and other cadres.

Srinagar, March 24
Former Chief Minister and patron of PDP Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said no one can deny Jammu and Kashmir its place of honour, dignity and peace and its people justice and a fair deal.

Interacting with groups of people at Anantnag today, the Mufti said the struggle and sacrifices of people would bear fruit sooner than later and reiterated his party’s commitment to these objectives.

Referring to the recent Amnesty International report on detentions in the state, the Mufti said it comprised facts that were known to the state government. “Why should the state government or the Chief Minister need a global watchdog to tell them what is happening under their nose,” he said while commenting on the Chief Minister’s remarks that he would consider the report “after he receives it”. He added that the unbridled use of force by the state government and its efforts to create an imaginary doomsday scenario were part of the same tactic to divert attention from its failures and enforce artificial normalcy.

He said the people of the state, especially Kashmir and other vulnerable areas, had suffered for decades seeking attention to their genuine demands and problems that arose out of regional developments in which they had no role. “In the process we are faced with a situation that is antithetical to the democratic ethos and institutional justice, which our country prides in,” he said.

The PDP patron said his party had launched a concerted campaign since January focusing on the specific issues of civil liberties, human rights, restoration of full civil authority, reduction of forces and scrapping of ‘draconian laws’ that had outlived their utility. These issues, he pointed out, were being flagged by other parties as well and it was time that this consensus was utilised to identify a starting point in resolving the Kashmir problem that had bedevilled South Asia for long and resulted in immense misery to the people of the state.

The Mufti said the failure of the government to punish the killers of 117 innocent persons last year spoke volumes about its insensitivity and arrogance.

Srinagar, March 24
Much work needs to be done on the ancient history of Kashmir to have a holistic view of our past, said an expert at a three-day national seminar titled “Tradition and Dissent in Indian history with special reference to Kashmir” being organised by the Department of History at the Gandhi Bhawan in the University of Kashmir here today.

The chief guest on the occasion, Prof Mushir-Ul-Hasan, Director General of the National Archives of India, in his keynote address deliberated on the contributions and the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Nazir Ahmad and Molvi Zaka-ulah and termed them as the pioneers of Muslim renaissance.

“The dissent to traditions by these intellectuals was most evident in conferences organised at that time in Calcutta, Delhi, Lahore, and Lucknow. Some dissent would be easily accepted, while some would face harsh criticism,” he said.

Prof BA Khan, Head of History Department and coordinator of the seminar, welcomed all dignitaries and guests. He added that, “Much work needs to be done on the ancient history of Kashmir. This area needs immediate attention for a holistic understanding of our past,” he said.