Srinagar, April 17
The second phase of polling for the multi-phase Jammu and Kashmir panchayat elections began this morning as many people braved the inclement weather to reach polling booths.

Five blocks in the valley - Uri (Baramulla), Nagam (Badgam), Pahloo (Kulgam), Lar (Ganderbal) and Wavoora (Kupwara) - and three blocks of Jammu region - Chenani (Udhampur), Vijaypur (Samba) and RS Pura (Jammu) - went to elections.

Despite slow start in the morning due to the heavy rainfall that lashed the Valley, the second phase witnessed a remarkable 80 per cent voting. Election officials said though polling was slow in the morning, the voting picked up momentum in the afternoon and recorded a turnout of more than 80 per cent.

“Later in the day, people came out in large numbers in Uri (Baramulla), Lar (Ganderbal), Wavoora (Kupwara), Nagam (Badgam) and Pahloo (Kulgam) blocks of the Valley to make their choice despite the cold and rainy weather,” the official said.

According to an official, the Uri block in Baramulla recorded 86.95 per cent voting, followed by Wavoora (85%), Lar (82.60%), Nagam (72%) and Pahloo (81.48%). The overall voter turnout was 81.62 per cent in these blocks, the official said.

Defying militant threats and heavy rainfall, a large number of people turned up at the polling stations to cast their votes.

The voting for the second phase of panchayat elections was held for one block each in Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Kupwara and Budgam districts of the Valley to elect panchs and sarpanchs from a total of 2,139 candidates.

“Security has been tightened following the killings of a woman panch candidate by militants in Pakherpora area of Budgam on Friday night,” a senior police officer said.

He said additional forces have been deployed near all the polling stations in all the districts where elections were held today.

“We assure the people that their security is paramount to us. There is no threat amongst the candidates, still elaborate security arrangements have been made by different security agencies to make sure that free and fair elections are held without any fear,” said the officer.

The people, who came out to vote and defied the boycott call given the militants and the separatists and the heavy downpour, said they came out to vote so as to choose their representative whom they can easily approach with their development needs.

“I have come to vote to select the representative whom I can approach whenever I need them. Electing a panch is more important than electing an MLA or an MP as after the latter win they shift to Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi and become out of reach, but we can catch hold of our panches and sarpanches whenever we need them,” said Ghulam Mohammad (73), a voter in Budgam.

The 16-phase panchayat elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of 10 years. The third phase of polling will be held on April 21.

Chak Baglan (Vijaypur) April 17
The on-going panchayat elections, being held in the state after a gap of 10 years, have not only strengthened democracy at grass-root level, but also cemented the brotherhood and harmony in this communally sensitive part of the country.

Victory of Rehmatullah Khan, a highly qualified youth as panch from border village of Chak Baglan in Vijaypur block, has set an example of communal harmony and secularism which people of other parts of the state have to follow. His family is the only Muslim family in this village, but voters rejected members of their own community and elected him as their representative.

Comprising a population of over 900, Chak Baglan village is part of the Gurwal panchayat of this block where elections held today. “My victory is a befitting reply to those who have been trying to create division among people in the name of religion to accomplish their nefarious designs”, Rehmatullah Khan told The Tribune after declaration of his result.

“It is love and affection of my Hindu brethren that I have won the elections despite being the fact that all political parties had fielded their proxy candidates against me”, Khan said, adding, “Our’s is the only Muslim family in this village and my success is an eye opener for those who use religion as a tool for their petty political gains”. He asserted that he would work with dedication to strengthen brotherhood across the state.

Family of Rehmatullah Khan has been living in this village before 1947. “During Partition, some members of Khan’s family had migrated to Pakistan but they also returned in 1950 due to their affection with their Hindu brethren here”, recalled Master Bal Krishan, an octogenarian. He said Rehamatullah had been following path of his family members who had returned from Pakistan and settled in adjoining village of Chak Salarian.

Rajesh Sharma, a resident of this village, said this hamlet had given a befitting reply to fundamentalist elements like Geelani and others who have been trying to exploit sentiments of people in the name of religion. “Not only Geelani, it is also a lesson for fanatic forces of other religions also”, he said and added that those playing politics in the name of religion should realise that people were fed up with such gimmicks. 

RS Pura, April 17
Eldest voter of Sai Kalan village near the international border in RS Pura, who claims to be 115-year-old, returned disappointed from the polling station as she was not allowed to cast her vote in the panchayat elections here today.The name of Sadhro Kour of ward number 1 could not be found in the renewed electoral list. Although polling agents showed voter list of the previous panchayat elections carrying her name, polling officers at Government Higher Secondary School, Sai Kalan Moila, remained unconvinced.

She was the only member from her family whose name was missing from the electoral rolls this time.

However, it was not the only case, as many other persons in the RS Pura and Vijaypur area could not cast vote as their names were missing from the electoral rolls. The BDOs concerned in the areas where the elections were held today reportedly released voter lists only a couple of days ago.

The super centenarian, who visited the polling station with her sons and grandson, was quite disappointed. “How can my name go missing from the voter list? I had got my name registered during the preparation of the lists,” she asked.

“They (polling officers) could have considered my age before refusing me to cast vote. I am 115-year-old and came here with a great deal of hardship. Moreover, I had cast my vote in the last Assembly elections, why am I not being allowed this time,” she asked.

“It has happened due to the discrepancies in the voter lists. Instead of accepting their mistake, the staff conducting the elections was rude to the voters,” said Lovely Singh, Sadhro’s grandson.

However, when The Tribune team brought the issue to the notice of the returning officer, he refused to acknowledge the authority letter issued by the Chief Electoral Officer and was indifferent and rude to any inquiry related to the polling process.

“Those persons who find their names missing from the electoral rolls can get their names registered within 14 days before the date of the poll or the last date for filing the nomination papers,” BR Sharma, Chief Electoral Officer, said.

“Thereafter, there is no such provision for casting vote if the name of the person concerned does not appear in the electoral roll,” he added.

However, the candidates contesting the panchayat elections in both areas complained that the voter lists were released only 5-7 days before the elections. “There are many discrepancies in the lists because of which many people could not cast their votes today,” they rued. 

Srinagar, April 17
Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani today assured Kashmiri Pandits that Muslim majority in Jammu and Kashmir would protect their Hindu brethren if they returned to the Valley.

He also rejected the idea of setting up safety zones for Pandits because “this gives a sense of divide between the Muslims and the Hindus”.

“On behalf of the Muslim majority of the Valley, I assure you that your temples, lives, property and honour will be protected by us when you return to your original homes here,” Geelani, head of the radical Hurriyat group, told people at a camp.

The separatist leader was addressing 142 families comprising 500 men, women and children, who welcomed him at the Vessu migrant transit camp in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. “None of you will ever come to any harm from your Muslim brothers,” he assured them.

Geelani was accorded a warm welcome by Sanjay Saraf, national youth president of Lok Jan Shakti Party and the patron of the Kashmir Pandit Amity Council, along with other members of the Pandit community at the camp. “To be a good human being, one must have good character,” he added.

The 142 Pandit families came to the transit camp a fortnight ago as part of their plan to return to the Kashmir Valley they had left in 1990.

Quoting from the Holy Quran, Geelani said Allah does not discriminate between human beings on basis of religion, caste, colour, creed, wealth or poverty, rural or urban origin.

“When I was released after two years from the jail in 1992, I made it clear that the Pandit brothers are a part of our great heritage and we have to coexist under all circumstances.

“I reject the idea of creating safe zones for the Pandit community. This gives a sense of divide between the Muslims and the Hindus here.

“You must appeal to the government to allow you to return to your original places in villages, towns and cities. We have centuries old traditions of sharing each other’s joys and sorrows. Those traditions are dear to us and have to be re-established,” Geelani said.

He told the members of the Pandit community: “Our fight with India is not because it is a Hindu majority country. Our fight against India is only because certain promises were made to us those must be kept.”

Geelani said peace could not be achieved at gunpoint, but had to be established through justice alone.

Sanjay Saraf said at the conclusion of the function that “today’s development is a great milestone towards the removal of the misgivings between the two communities of the Valley”.

“We have lived together in better and worse times in the past and we must continue to live alongside each other whatever the situation in the future,” he added.

Kashmiri Pandits, an important part of Jammu and Kashmir’s population, began leaving the Valley in the early 1990s following the escalation of terrorism and attacks against the community.

They promised to return after the restoration of normalcy. However, the displaced families have been waiting for the volatile situation in the Valley to settle down before they could return.

Srinagar, April 17
A day after three persons were arrested in connection with the killing of Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadees (JAH) president Showkat Ahmad Shah, activists of the religious group today took out a rally demanding capital punishment for the culprits.

Led by acting chief Ghulam Rasool Malik, a large number of JAH activists took out the rally from the outfit’s headquarters at Barbarshah after a meeting was convened to discuss the police claim of solving the case by arresting the accused.

The participants shouted slogans like ‘Showkat Sahib Kay Qatiloun Ko Phansi Dou Phansi Dou’ (Hang the killers of Shah) and ‘Pouri Sazish Bayniqaab Karo’ (unveil the entire conspiracy) while passing through Lal Chowk and Gaw Kadal, official sources said.

Showkat was killed in an IED blast on April 8 as he was entering a mosque in Maisuma area of the city to lead Friday prayers, evoking widespread condemnation and demands for identification of the culprits.

The police yesterday arrested Abdul Ghani Dar, alias Abdullah Ghazali, president of ‘Sautul Haq’ (the voice of truth), a radical politico-religious outfit and two others, Javed Ahmad Munshi and Nisar Ahmad Khan. ‘Sautul Haq’ is a group of radical elements and many of them are also members of the JAH.

“Members of the radical outfit and some other radical elements have been found to be behind the conspiracy (to kill Shah). It was an attempt by these elements to take control of Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadees,” Kashmir IG of Police S M Sahai had told reporters.

Showkat was killed in an IED blast on April 8 when he was entering a mosque in Maisuma area of the city to lead Friday prayers. — PTI 

Jammu, April 17
A newly wedded woman (27) died here after she was allegedly set on fire by her husband in the Bishnah area of RS Pura sub-division last night. The police has arrested the accused husband on the charges of attempt to murder.

Though it was too late, the neighbours came to the rescue of the woman and rushed her to the Government Medical College and Hospital where she died after some hours yesterday.

The deceased, Seema Devi, had got married to Sher Singh of Bishnah nearly one-and-half year ago. Her husband had an alleged illicit relation with another woman.

In the incident, Seema sustained 90 per cent burn injuries. “My husband tried to kill me by setting me on fire after drenching me in kerosene oil. All of them (her in-laws) were witness to it, but they did not step forward to save me,” she reportedly said in her medical statement at the hospital.

The aggrieved family members and relatives of the woman staged a protest demonstration in the Bishnah area this afternoon. Demanding stern action against her in-laws, they put the body on road and disrupted traffic for at least three hours.

The residents of Bishnah lifted the blockade and cremated the body only after being persuaded by the Additional DC, Sheetal Nanda.

They accused Sher Singh of killing his wife and alleged that he earlier repeatedly assaulted Seema.

“Last year we lodged a complaint in the Bishnah police station against Sher Singh for assaulting Seema,” said her brother, Rajeev Singh. He added the entire family of his sister’s in-laws should be booked for a cold-blooded murder.

“We arrested the accused last night under charges of attempt to murder. After her death, the accused was booked under murder charges,” the police said. It added that more persons would be arrested as the investigation proceeds in the case. 

Jammu, April 17
Chief Secretary Madhav Lal chaired a high-level meeting to discuss a draft legislation and broad outline of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy here yesterday.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon the departments to examine the possibility of the PPP in their respective domains. He said the ideas emerging should be concretised by the transaction adviser in the feasibility report.

After the feasibility reports indicating the risk-sharing mechanism between the stakeholder’s financial implications were ready, consultants would be engaged to prepare documents for a transparent bidding process, including the Draft Concession Agreement, he added.

It was decided in the meeting that the Urban Development Department and its agencies would take such projects. Similar initiatives would also be undertaken by the PWD (R&B), Technical Education, Health & Medical Education and Tourism Departments.

To begin with, one project each in the PPP mode would be taken up on a fast track basis (preferably multi-storied parking) in Jammu and Srinagar cities. The Planning and Development Department would coordinate the PPP initiatives in the state and should also take pro-active measures in capacity building to carry the task envisaged in the PPP policy.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday; Principal Secretary R&B Department, KB Aggarwal; Commissioner Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department among others.

Jammu, April 17
After facing severe criticism for alleged nepotism and favouritism, the government has constituted a six-member committee to streamline the education system in the state.

The committee has also been entrusted the responsibility to bring transparency in the recruitment of the teaching staff for various schools and colleges. It will also examine issues related to the present transfer policy of various teaching and non-teaching employees.

As per the government order, the committee will also examine the issue of introduction of the State Eligibility Test (SET) on the pattern of the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the UGC twice a year.

While the Chief Secretary will be the chairman of the committee, five other members have also been selected from the Public Service Commission, Services Selection Board and the General Administration, Higher Education and School Education Departments. The committee had been asked to submit its report within a period of two months, the order added.

Jammu, April 17
An organisation for nomadic tribes today appealed to the Centre to formulate a sustainable poverty eradication programme for Jammu and Kashmir's Gujjars and other migratory communities of the state.

"We seek help from government in fighting against absolute poverty among J&K Gujjars. We demand formulation of a sustainable poverty eradication programme for migratory communities of the state," Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) secretary Javaid Rahi said here.

He said that nomads in J&K deserve "special attention" as they were facing "extreme adversities because of their lifestyle, lack of economic freedom and food security owing to low-income and deficiency of resources." In a day-long workshop organised by Tribal Foundation here on 'Reasons of Backwardness among Nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals', participants of the communities said the nomadic groups in the state today face "absolute poverty as they lack of basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter, because of the inability to afford them." — PTI